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The night was rushing in like the waves of the lake far below, covering everything in deepening twilight. It was a late sunset, for the winter sky was holding on tight to its last breaths. The wind was rushing into Eleonora's eyes, causing droplets of tears to form and be torn away into the open air as she soared hundreds of feet above the thawing ground. The wind pushing its way across her face stained her cheeks and nose red, feeling like tiny shards but not as unpleasant as she first imagined. A fire was rushing out behind her, or so it would appear to anyone chancing to look up into the sky. The flames of her red hair caught the dying sun and shone, blazingly whipping in the currants of the wind. She loosened her grip on Polaris's feathers and breathed in deep, taking in the crisp raw feeling of the air so far above where she normally dwelled. It was more than exhilarating to be here, untethered to the constraints of the solid world. With the castle and its inhabitants so small and far beneath her Eleonora could forget about all the things that troubled her and kept her worrying mind occupied. Lately she had taken to spending even more time in her own company. After the attack in the forest by the werewolf, Gail, it had taken Eleonora some time to heal from her wounds. The deep gashes in her body were slow to close and faded little, even as time passed. She guessed they would always remain, red streaks across her arms and chest, as a reminder of that tragic night. When she had awoke in the hospital wing it was some time after the attack and she was alone but for the steady sound of rain pattering against the windows. She later learned that is had been Sorrow who had returned her to the castle, had made sure both her and the other girl were safe. Eleonora briefly wished he had stayed, to tell her this himself, to let her thank him...but when the tears began to fall as she remembered Vega's fate she was grateful he was no where to be found. After that Eleonora began to stay away from most of the members of the school's faculty. She would happily teach her classes, but would take her meals alone in her office, or bring them down to the edge of the forest and spend her time with Polaris, who seemed to be unwilling to let Eleonora out of his sight. He had become very protective of her, seemingly to make sure nothing ever harmed her again. The loss of his brother had hardened him in the same way that it had broken Eleonora down. She had failed in her role as their protector, their foster-parent. The realization of that tore her heart in pieces, but she determined to never let it happen again to anyone she cared for. It was on one of those evenings spent with Polaris that Eleonora mustered up the courage to sit astride his powerful body and take to the sky. The rhythmic beating of his wings and the warmth emanating from his body felt like nothing else she had experienced, and she was loath to return to the ground. “Down, Polaris,” she said reluctantly, the wind whipping away her words. Polaris's large talons dug ruts into the soil, tearing up clumps of dirt and squelching worms. The stop was sudden and Eleonora pitched forward, grabbing onto his feathers to stop herself from falling. She would have to work on her landings. A huff was issued by her flying friend and she loosened her grip, changing it into a hug around his neck. His feathers were soft and tickling on her cheek and she smiled into him. “You did brilliantly,” she whispered as she slid herself from his body and planted her feet firmly back on the ground. In the short while leading from one point, the forest, to the other, the hospital wing, Sorrow was nearly maddened by the thick scent that had clogged in his nose and throat. He remembered an anger consuming him; the nurse rushing forward and up to the beds where Sorrow had laid Gail and Eleonora; his own attempt at leaving and the way the nurse tried to stop him. He must have been quite frightening, torn and bloodied, eyes flashing and fangs barred. The nurse didn’t try to stop him again as he stalked off. He ended up locking himself away in the bathroom of his office, stepping into a cabin fully clothed and letting cold water shower over him. There was no way to properly wash out all the blood; and he could do little more but drown until some of his anger had passed. He remained there for a long time; trembling fingers pulling out the crystal vial from the inside pocket of his robes; desperation making him shake the vial far more violently that usual; at last the relief as the magic flowed through and it filled up with the fresh blood of his donor. Sorrow drank it in a second, then greedily shook the vial again. The second helping allowed his control to strengthen where it had been breaking. Now as he gazed at the fire that danced across the sky, Sorrow remembered the series of events all too well. Though not immediately after, he did go back to the hospital wing, both to see how Gail and Eleonora were doing and to apologise to the nurse for his behaviour. The lack of control was frightening for him too. It was an incident that would likely have to be reported to the headmistress. All that led to it, however, remained untold. Sorrow would rather try and prevent something like that from happening ever again, for reporting Gail to the school meant she’d have to be reported to the Ministry too; and such a word was too cruel. They all carried scars now; impossibly, there were scars on his skin as well. His shoulder had been torn apart in the encounter. The pain had not come to him until later but, though he had allowed the nurse to patch him up, it visited his nightmarish sleep in form of high fever. The time it had taken to heal was not enough to fade the thick lines from his skin. Tearing his eyes away from the falling sun, Sorrow retreated farther into the shadow of the castle. He had looked longer than he thought, for there remained a burn even after he’d closed his eyelids. The wind that poked through the barrier of skin soothed some of the pain and when again Sorrow opened his eyes, there was no more fire in the sky. Days after she had been dismissed from the hospital wing, Sorrow kept a watchful eye on Eleonora, stayed in during the holidays and paid more attention to her movement outside the castle. He never tried to get close, however. He had no way of knowing whether she wanted him in her presence or not; and then by the end of the year he'd gone away. Somehow there seemed to be danger in staying. He’d gone to the manor, to visit the lord and the lady. His family never celebrated Christmas, but there would have been a ritual to bless the Earth, the new circle it had completed. Sorrow too was a year older, yet he felt as if he had learned nothing at all in the past year of his life. Leaving Hogwarts, even if it were for just a couple of days, felt a lot like running away. Once more he was afraid that instead of drawing out the sorrow, he'd be the one to bring it in. Perhaps Misery would have talked (or punched) some sense into him, but she made no appearance at the gathering. Away in Norway, she'd thought to him, and that was the only time he'd heard from her. He wondered if she was running away too. Polaris had landed near the lake, farther away from where Sorrow stood. He could not see them from there, but the wind carried their scents across the distance; both the taste of hippogriff and human. Hers, Eleonora’s, was much more intense; after all Sorrow had felt it’s warmth on his hands. He knew it well, without ever intending to. So whether it was her blood or her being that drew him in, he could not tell. All the same, he started towards her. A low rumble started in Polaris's throat, vibrating his feathers where Eleonora's hand rested. She swiftly spun away from the lake, in the direction that Polaris was facing. Her guard was up, now, her ears open for any out of place sound or glint of something that did not belong in the serene castle grounds. The beat of her heart increased as she surveyed the area around her, both fearful and alert. Eleonora had once learned to be aware of her surroundings and the possibility of dangerous creatures and the damage they could cause; it had been part of her job, and a part that she had always prided herself on. Now, after experiencing an attack that could easily have ended her time among the living, she was even more on edge. The slightest provocation and she was wary, knowing full well that she had not been as vigilant she she should have been before, and it had cost a friend their life. Eleonora spotted an approaching figure and relaxed when she recognized the unique way they moved through the darker patches of night, seeming to unconsciously favor the darkness and seclusion they offered. She left out a sigh of release, soothed that nothing of danger was lurking nearby. Her hand went again to Polaris and she leaned into his ears, hushing him. She was somewhat surprised over his reaction at seeing Sorrow; he had saved Eleonora's life after all, and she had assumed Polaris would understand he was no enemy. Though perhaps he instead recognized the inherent threat that Sorrow's very being implied and was only doing his best to keep her away from danger, whether it was imminent or, in this case, improbable. Looking across the frosted grass to where Sorrow was slowly making his way to her, Eleonora prepared herself to finally speak with him. She had seen not even a ghost of him around the castle since that night, and she assumed it was not only due to her own avoidance of others. Surely he was avoiding her, as well. She could not imagine he would have much to say to her after that night, after she had heard his words of caution and so thoroughly ignored him. She had wanted to explain to him why, to try to make the amends she believed were necessary, but she had no notion of how to tell Sorrow how grateful she was of his heroic actions, of her understanding of how hard it must have been for him to somehow carry her bleeding body back to the hospital wing, or how she would have done the same for him. No words she could put together in her head ever came close to translating her feelings, for they were too complicated for even her to understand fully. There was a brief moment of panic that showed in her darting eyes as Eleonora watched Sorrow approach. A part of her even considered climbing back onto Polaris to avoid the situation entirely, to fly off in chase of the now extinguished sun and return only when there was no confrontations she would be obligated to attend. The moment passed, however, and she remained where she was, her eye sight waning in the darkness that was quickly devouring the lake, unable to make out Sorrow's progress without straining. Eleonora absently ran her hand through her wind tangled hair while she waited, no hopes that it could be tamed without a strong brush but attempting nonetheless. When he reached her she gave a weak smile, trying her best to appear confident and far from nervous. “Hi,” she started, her voice quiet against the night. Eleonora hated how unsure she she sounded to her own ears, wishing she knew what exactly to say in this situation. She knew what she wanted to say, of course, but those words never seemed to make it out of her mouth. Now that Sorrow was standing by her again she did not want to speak at all, apprehensive that like the last time they were this close (that she was conscious for) he would wrongly take offense and saunter off. She opened her mouth slightly to say something, then closed it again, biting the corner of her lips instead. He was the one who had approached her, had made the decision to break their unspoken avoidance. She would let him speak his mind, first. He heard the cautious voice tap its way into his being, the aggressive implication of its colour and tone burning cold in his chest and touching further until shushed. He saw the ruffled feathers though the wind had died at that moment, lying still as seconds dragged as if through mist before it would pick up again. His presence called two minds to attention and he recalled the one look of fear he had before seen in eyes frightened of his immediate actions, his control immediately wounded as his heart flickered in angry response. The sound of heartbeat was a loud, drumming noise inside his head, but it was not his own. It grew and then suddenly quieted as he stepped out from where the shadows did not swallow him entirely. As he approached, so did the fear fade to be replaced by the slightest hope of calm, her reasoning or his own that it was a different danger that drew terror into bone and panic into mind. She recognized him and it was not him she abhorred. The creature by her side, however, saw more into him than her mortal eyes could. Before the hippogriff was assured that Sorrow bore no ill intention he would, Sorrow suspected, react to his one natural instinct. He would be right in doing so too, regardless of the outcome. Not all dangerous things were evil, just as many good things could pose a threat. Whether either claim could be presented in words, the question remained if they would be rightly understood or truthful; and Sorrow would stop to bow before them both in search of approval before drawing any closer. There was a silence to the usually fast-moving world that surrounded them; a stillness present not only in the branches weighed down by snow or in the patches of frozen grass; it was in his breath as well and his eyes, the unmoving figure he was watching. Then as if breaking through a spell that had made time stop, fire sparked with one of the last gasps of ever fading light, breathing into earth, throwing this world that had disappeared, if only for a moment, back into motion. Sorrow too flew forward like a moth did towards candlelight, stopping only before the flame would burn him as it did an unthinking insect. Eleonora was silent and still as she listened to Sorrow speak, the night closing in around them and settling in for its long stay. Above them the stars began to burst into being, taking over the sky with their frigid glow and giving only the scantest of light to the world far below. They gave no warmth and in the winter air the last heat of the sun was long gone, causing a small shiver to course through Eleonora and she instinctively pulled her arms closer to her body, wincing slightly with the pain that still sometimes came from the scars upon them. Sorrow's voice flowed through the chill air and the silver light of the stars, though, making her forget the cold momentarily. While his first words, words proclaiming anger and displeasure with her, were harsh in meaning their tone wound its way through her mind, lulling her into a more relaxed state. How he could speak with such melody Eleonora would never know, but without fail it had a soothing effect on her. Despite her concentration on what Sorrow was saying, Eleonora soon became slightly perplexed as to his intentions and meanings. One moment he spoke of his fury, the next he proclaimed his concern and fondness. She felt her brow furrow in thought and confusion, wishing that Sorrow would speak in clearer terms. Perhaps it was her fault for not understanding, but certainly there must be another way to tell her how he felt rather than by associations. “I'm sorry,” she mumbled when he had finished, looking away. The constant gaze of Sorrow's unflinching gray eyes had grown unnerving, not because she feared what was going on behind them but because she could feel the heat of anger that was liable to roll out. There descended a moment of silence, waves of the lake lapping quietly against the sand the only sound beyond their soft breathing. It was now her turn to speak; the things she had been intending to say welling up in her throat until they came haltingly out of her lips, a white puff of warm breath accompanying each pause. “I didn't intend for you to worry, I didn't know you would. That night, I overestimated my abilities, but even if I had not...I'm sorry, Sorrow, but I wouldn't have left anyway, as you instructed. Not when Polaris and you and, and Gail were there. I know you're angry but even if I had known your reaction, now, I would not change what I did. Maybe I'm just trying to believe I did something to help, to make myself feel better...but, getting that beast away from you for just a moment, and maybe away from Polaris, too, I had to do it.” Eleonora chanced a glance into Sorrow's eyes, to check if he was still as unmoving as when he had spoken. Her eyes did not stay long as she continued her apology. “I've been meaning to thank you, though. I've just been thinking over how to say it. I...I guess thank you is the only way I can put it. You probably saved my life and here I am stumbling over my words trying to tell you how much it means to me, and how I wish I knew a better way to thank you than being afraid to see you since that night just because I can't sort out my own feelings...” A bright crimson was staining her cheeks as she rambled on, unsure why, after so much agonizing over how to organize her thoughts into carefully constructed words, they all just leaped out of her lips into the night air without her consent. “And I'm not going to forgive you – there's nothing to forgive you for. I don't think you're foolish or, or whatever you think you're not.” Eleonora's voice had softened, now a near whisper as she lost confidence in her words and whether or not it was her place to speak them. “I also hope that, maybe, you'll stop being angry with me.” Finally she met Sorrow's eyes again, this time hers large and wide, full of a warmth waiting to spill out if only she could know for sure it would be welcome. He felt it at once as her words took root in his heart; an overwhelming wave of pure panic, washing over and through him like a bittersweet drink of ice cold dread, just hinting at excitement. Seeds that grew into trees, bloomed and shed their leaves, and then died out in the cold again. Something he had thought forgotten, a chapter of his life playing on repeat with the exception of flickering colours: yellow, purple, red. Fire, they were all fire. And Sorrow, he was the moth, the stupid moth that kept falling for the same beautiful shine. Eleonora, she looked at him like there was nothing unusual about being angry, but oh it was; for him it was. “No you don’t-” there it was, the first slip of controlled form of speech. “You do not understand, I do not get angry.” His right arm rose before him, seemingly on its own, as if his body was giving way to the only possible response, raising a shield between him and the danger. The fingers of his left hand tightened into a fist, for the tremor had only grown stronger. “I don’t, I have spent years learning control over my emotions and only once did I let it break; and after that I thought I was done, I should have more than learned my lesson.” He breathed in the air, held it in his lungs where it mixed with her scent; then released his fingers from a fist and made his arm drop back to his side. “You look at me as if you do not understand, but this is what it is; it is a spill of what emotion I only learned in the moment of experiencing it and it is all I can do.” It was a lot like Vanity, too. Sorrow had been angry with him plenty of times, but was Eleonora really just as reckless as he had been? Perhaps it was a small reminder; the boy had been special in other ways as well, until at last they had avoided each other one too many times. It was terrifyingly normal to find these lines, these incredibly logical comparisons and yet wonder at the new he had discovered within this new flame. It was a pity, however, that only anger was powerful enough an emotion to stir anything else within Sorrow, any other feeling he may have suppressed. He was doing the same thing, over and over again. He just didn’t know any better. “Do not apologise to me,” he said quickly, grey eyes flickering with recognition. Vanity would do that too and it was wrong, it was all wrong. Sorrow was the one who truly did not understand any of it, never had. Words built up to a noise in his ears. Not something Eleonora voiced or the beating of hearts he had heard before. It was just noise, white noise, blocking out all else. What am I to do? Sorrow thought, searching desperately for any connection to Misery. She had blocked him out. Blocked him out, blocked him out once again— perhaps it was a question he would never stop asking, one that no one ever stopped asking, a part of their growth. Sparks of emotion were showing in Sorrow's speech now, his words no longer so easily controlled. Eleonora watched as he struggled to keep the composure she was certain he had grown to believe was expected from him. She could not stay quiet, though, and uncharacteristicly interrupted him. “I do understand; you don't want to be angry. But...if you repress all your emotions, how can you be happy? Sometimes-I guess sometimes being angry is a precursor to other things. You can't pick and chose which emotions you allow yourself to feel, right? What if you miss out on something that would have been really wonderful just because you're not letting yourself experience anything emotionally?” She lowered her eyes, uncertain of the effect her words would have. They needed to be said, it was something Eleonora had to rely. She could not fathom her life without the little delights she experienced every day, or the tragic events that peppered her existence. Even anger, when she felt it, she accepted. While she kept most experiences to herself, and knew not how to speak clearly of her deeper emotions, she understood their relevance and place in her life. Now, faced with Sorrow straining before her to ignore such feelings, she struggled to impart to him what she felt was important. The hand, quivering as it rose, that reached into her hair took Eleonora by surprise, as did the other one, a second later, that rested gently on her flushed cheek. While she had felt the presence of Sorrow's body touching her own twice before, once as they walked arm in arm through the moonlit forest, and once when the snow fell and quiet music serenaded their private moment, this time it was different; his cold hand on her exposed skin felt more intimate than she could have imagined. She was momentarily struck motionless, unable to even draw a breath of the freezing air as she contemplated the implications of such a tender touch. Eleonora thought to look away, once Polaris was mentioned, to check on how he was responding to Sorrow being so near to her; his reaction to the man's appearance was hostile enough that he may well be prepping an attack, yet there were no sounds of displeasure from behind her where he remained. Still her eyes would not move from Sorrow's, and her body seemed rooted to the spot, disabling her from looking back at Polaris even if there were more cause. “I don't think Polaris is listening...” She managed through the knot that had formed in her throat, constricting the words that attempted to climb their way out of her lips. Just as Sorrow's hand had trembled as he rose it to her hair, her body could have been have deep in the throes of hypothermia for all the effort it took her to stop it from trembling as she took a small step forward, closing the distance between their two bodies. Her head tilted up, hair tumbling farther down her back, slipping its way through the hand entwined within its blaze. She now could see Sorrow clearly in the dim light of the stars, how his gray eyes matched the shimmer of the moon on the lake and how clear they were, studying her upturned face so carefully. It was all she could do not to close her eyes and let her head fall onto his chest, forgetting for a brief moment the pain and grief that she had been through, and the swirling storm of emotions now beating her heart hard against her own chest. “Sorrow,” she whispered then, a question in her voice, unable to fully form her thoughts into coherent phrases when his lips were just a lift to her toes away. There were, however, missing factors in Eleonora’s equation, the past few years in which she had not known him; out of three stages that Sorrow was aware of, she was perhaps aware of one. First was the emotional control lacking emotional stimulant; second, that Sorrow experienced with Vanity and to some extent Lacetta, was attempted control in opposition to the new-found emotional response; third and current was lack of control in addition to suppressed emotional history. Now that Sorrow gave it some thought, it did not seem sensible to go back to the first stage. “That is not our way,” he said gently and the corners of his mouth tugged his lips into a smile. “Indeed it is not and yet-- I chose to remain among mortal men. In your world all things change and so must I.” What was the fourth stage then? Certainly not control, but stability and-- advancement towards emotional maturity. The air inside his lungs was at once anise and earthy; calming and so very light. He was a vampire in blood, but anything else he bore in name only once separated from the clan. Sorrow would return to play his part someday. For the moment he would remain in both worlds and learn as much as he could of either. He wondered how long it would take him to get it right. “And in this process of metamorphose, I should also attempt to voice the workings of my mind,” he paused, and then nodded as if he was content with that precise construction of sentence at this point in time. “To elaborate, I should work on showing I care-- to the people I care for.” Yes, that seemed quite right, no point doing it otherwise, though Sorrow had not the slightest idea how to go about it. Not yet anyway. Words were not always simple and they refused to come clean. There was a way of communicating through mind or touch, specific links, but certainly not all subjects demanded the same technique. People, Sorrow decided, were hard; moreover he had never thought that in comparison, he would look to understanding vampires as undemanding. It was good that Polaris was not, in fact, listening, although for a short moment Sorrow wondered what had drawn his attention instead. His name on Eleonora's lips, if just a whisper, brought Sorrow's notice back to what was important. He saw her as she was, unmoving beneath his gaze, eyes as fixed on him as his were on her. She had moved closer to him, something he had missed in that short moment and, for all that, it made him smile more, because how silly that he should become distracted now. “Thank you, Eleonora,” finally he said and moved his hands so her head tilted gently; just enough so he could place his lips upon her forehead. “You are perfectly right.” And he, well of course, he was talking entirely too much; and it made him feel quite exhausted all of a sudden. The night wore on around them, secluding them in what felt to Eleonora like their own private world, where there were only the two of them and the soft words they spoke. Sorrow seemed to be speaking not to her, but more to himself, contemplating and coming to terms, never quite explaining just what he was referring to. Eleonora supposed she could catch on, understand if only in words, but it was so hard to focus. The melody of his voice and the comforting aroma that clung to his cloak, and even the small smile that played on his face; all were like a sweet wine to her in that moment, dulling her mind in increments. While she took in his words of transformations she also listened to the night around them, the sound of waves and night birds, Polaris's even breathing and the distant hum of the castle and its inhabitants settling into their dreams. Peaceful and easy, that was what this was. Eleonora couldn't help the smile that spread across her face, parting her lips ever so slightly, when she felt Sorrow's lips grace her cold skin. She also felt she had no control over her arms, which were raising from their position at her sides and slipping themselves around Sorrow's middle and resting there, having drawn him into a warm embrace. Letting her head fall forward, she rested against the tight muscle of his chest, just taking a moment to breathe and digest the situation. She supposed if he was being candid, or at least attempting to, in his own way, it was only fair if she was as well. What was the correct way to tell someone how you felt about them, though; was there an easy way that Eleonora had never learned while she had been keeping herself hidden away caring only for beasts instead of others like her? Not for the first time she worried she had spent too long focusing on her work and her responsibilities to the creatures under her care. They held a special place in her heart, a large portion of it, but deep within her was the fear that she had never developed the skills necessary to be close, truly close, to other people. The only way to improve such skills, Eleonora decided, was to put herself in situations where she felt that warmth of emotion, such as how she felt now, with Sorrow's hands in her hair and the chill air running over the damp impression his lips had made on her. “I...did some thinking, after what happened to Vega.” She started, her voice still a mere hint of a whisper. “Life, it can be ripped away so fast and without warning. I-I wouldn't want to not have the courage to say things that were important, if something were to happen.” Biting her lip, looking down from Sorrow's eyes, “But, maybe...” Still, she struggled to get the words out, silently reprimanding herself. Why had it always been so difficult for her, when it was made to look easy by others? The inbred fear of saying the wrong thing, something that would offend or dismay; Eleonora's heart dreaded such eventualities, never wanting to harm another. The stress it put her in, though, made it so difficult that words almost always faltered before her and she was left attempting to convince herself it was often better not to speak at all. Now, she knew, was not one of those times. If anything were to change in her life, if she were ever to prevail over her deep rooted aversion to speaking openly, she had to start somewhere. “I...well, I'm sure you know, but- I care about you, too. I might be wrong, I think I usually am about these type of things, but...maybe there's something here. Between us? More than,” she chanced a quick look back into Sorrow's eyes, aware that the rose of her cheeks was spreading as she forced the words to flow from her lips. “More than just co-workers or, or even, friends?” The thought occurred the moment she had finished her question that she was perhaps being too bold and she quickly began talking again, not letting Sorrow have a chance to answer. “Oh, but, maybe that's inappropriate of me to say, or assume. I'm just-it's been. You see...” her tongue seemed to be twisted and the humor of the moment hit her, causing the smile to return as she again lifted her head and tilted it up to take in the best angle of Sorrow's eyes. It was then that she made up her mind to take a chance, something Eleonora rarely allowed herself to do. “I'm sorry; you're very distracting. I can't seem to find the right thing to say to you. Maybe I shouldn't try and just...” Eleonora lifted herself up onto her toes and very softly laid her lips on Sorrow's. It may not have been the right thing to do, in fact it might have been the worst idea she ever had, but it kept her from rambling more and soon she would know for certain where she stood, and whether she needed to jump back on Polaris and ride away from the horrible embarrassment that might follow. Nighttide settled on his shoulders like a comfortable cloak. Her smile melted away the exhaustion, the confusion he had felt. For a moment, even if just that one short moment, everything felt absolutely right. Nothing in the world clashed or threatened; not one breath could pass through the barrier; and everything that later might come back to argue his reasoning should have been erased under moonlight with her smile. Sorrow breathed like no weight pressed against his lungs, fingers caught on the soft skin, deaf to the sound, blind to colour and all else that was apart from her. Her warmth against his; he stood perfectly still. Only his arms moved, over her shoulders, around her back, until finally they settled in a returned embrace. If they could shatter then, surely they would. The sound of her voice once more wove a spell, pulling at his heart as it might be ripped out and brought through a broken chest, exposed to such emotion he had thoroughly wished away. What meaning had death to him? What teachings had he known in his life? Her thoughts were no less true than that. Words might have been good to him in death, but not to her. He would not wish them to be enough either. Stop, he wanted to tell her. Do not say more. He remained silent, leaning back and cocking his head to have better view of her features; and he listened. To words, to pause and stutter, he listened and emotion spilled over his skin. He felt it burn inside his eyes. The perfect sense of hopeless joy. As their lips parted for the first time her nerves must have shown have shown on her face, for she could not comprehend how she was still standing on legs that felt boneless. When Sorrow then took her face in his hands and kissed her a second time Eleonora had her answer, even without the words he was mumbling into her lips, and just like that she could breath again and the fear of rejection vanished. She had no words to speak, nothing that would add meaning or insight to Sorrow's soft confession. Instead she stopped his words with her mouth, this time no longer nervous but calm enough to enjoy the sensation she had only dared to imagine. The exhilaration she had felt in the air with Polaris was back, but in a whole new way. How long it had been since she had been kissed this way Eleonora could not recall, but knew it was never quite like the sensation she was feeling now. Sorrow's touch was cool against her nearly feverish skin, icy pinpoints that seemed to melt into something softer as he pressed his hands into her cheeks and hair. Lips that tasted faintly of something bitter melded to hers and she tried to memorize the feeling but ultimately failed, knowing a memory would no doubt fall short of the experience. Her eyes were shut lightly but she could feel the pressure of Sorrow all around her, keeping her close to him in a way she never wanted to break from. Never had she thought, not even in the far reaches of her mind where her deepest desires were held, that changing her life to work here at Hogwarts would affect so much. Change was not something Eleonora was not readily equipped to deal with, yet her shift from the lonely life she had lead only very recently was easier than she ever imagined. Much had happened in the months she had been here, the majority of it an improvement on her life. Her job was challenging and rewarding, even though it was one she had never envisioned herself doing well at. She had a friend in Gail, among other faculty members, and was even taking the steps to have something more in Sorrow. Change was slowly losing its bad connotations in her mind and becoming something that was necessary and even welcome. She was changing into someone more confident, and that itself was worth whatever discomfort she felt along the way. An eternity passed before she slid back down from her toes, her feet, it not her heart, firmly back on the ground. The lingering chill from Sorrow's kiss was still on her lips as she pressed them gently to the hollow of his neck, where her head lay naturally when she stood so close. She took a deep breath, the first since she had spoken so nervously, and felt the stars and moonlight fill her lungs and slow her racing heart. Looking back up to Sorrow she saw the light catch in his eyes and reflect back to her; gray that was no longer cold and distant as the sky but welcoming and right here for her to gaze at as she would. “I don't know what to say, now,” her voice was only a part of the wind that rippled the grass beneath their feet. “I...I didn't actually plan on this.” Her smile parted with a small laugh she could no longer contain, as it was funny to her that now, after finally getting every feeling to pass from her lips that she should not know how to proceed with the outcome she had hoped for. A soft clicking noise from nearby reminded Eleonora of Polaris's existence in her world, and she regretfully glanced away from Sorrow into the darkness around them. Orange eyes were incrementally closer than when she last had looked, raised up from the ground where they once lay. Polaris had moved closer, watching over her, perhaps in an attempt to make sure the creature that was embracing her meant no harm. “I think Polaris might be jealous,” she teased, turning back to Sorrow. Nothing short of a shiver ran through his entire body as she settled in so perfectly against him. His hand gently cupped the head that rested in the nook of his neck; and as she breathed, he seemed to breathe in synchrony. When she looked up to him and spoke, his fingers ran through her hair and caressed her face. He smiled to her, saying nothing at first, only looking into the features that held a thousand stars for him. For a moment he wondered when he had fallen so terribly in love. He felt incredibly in comfort with her, though his frantically beating heart might have said otherwise. He waited a moment to see whether Polaris would allow the hand to slip through his feathers. "Shall the three of us take a walk together?" Eleonora watched as Sorrow reached out to Polaris and was surprised to find she was holding her breath, worried that Polaris might react unfavorably towards Sorrow. She was relieved, then, when he allowed the hand to slide across the soft of the feathers atop his head. She silently thanked the beast for knowing when to behave. “Worried? No...I don't think so. He remembers you, or else I doubt he would have let you get so close. He's been, well, a little aggressive lately.” She pursed her lips together, a look of concern crossing her delicate features. It passed when Sorrow's soft voice again reached her ears. “Oh, yes, a walk sounds nice, thank you.” She took a small step away from Sorrow, headed towards the quiet lapping waves of the lake. Hesitantly, she slipped her small hand into Sorrow's, enjoying the way it chilled the warm skin of her palm. They walked to the edge of the water, the grass wet beneath their feet. Polaris trailed behind, keeping his orange eyes locked on the pair and occasionally snapping his beak at the odd owl or two that flew by overhead. Eleonora's mind was at once a mess of rushing emotions and a deep calm, depending on what she focused on. When she looked out over the water and beyond to the rising mountains she felt peaceful, yet the moment she raised her eyes to take in Sorrow, who was walking so close to her she very nearly tripped over his feet, she couldn't contain how happy and excited she felt. “Sorrow?” She ventured, tilting her head up to look at him. The quiet had been nice, and the serene atmosphere of the lake at night was hard to break, but now that she felt more comfortable she realized there were so many things she wanted to ask the man with whom she was walking hand in hand. Knowing she had the time to, and that he would not simply stalk away from her as she had feared earlier in the evening, gave her more confidence in her voice. “I noticed you were gone during the holidays...Did you go home? To visit your family? I don't mean to pry, but I was just wondering, because, well, I guess I don't know much about you outside of Hogwarts.” In her request was her wish for him to speak openly to her, though she understood that if he did not it was nothing she could fault him on. It was hard for her to open up to others, and she sensed the same hesitancy in Sorrow that she herself had. Perhaps it was one of the reasons she was so drawn to him; he seemed to value the privacy and intimacy of divulging his secrets and feelings to a rare select few. “Of course you don't have to answer, and if you'd like to know the same about me, I'd be more than happy to tell you.” Her lips turned up in a mild smile, conveying her willingness to share with him anything he wished to know. It had been a long time since Eleonora had had someone to share with, and she hoped to not waste this opportunity to become closer to Sorrow. His own relief was evident when Polaris allowed the touch. His fingers traced the soft curve of the hippogriff’s neck, gently brushing the feathers back. “There, Polaris,” Sorrow whispered to the creature. He drew back his hand at Eleonora’s signal and melted away from her to walk half a step behind, letting her lead him towards the lake. His hold on her hand was but a gentle touch, a caress in absence of other physical closeness. The surface of the water rippled in the shy tickle of the wind. Faeries could have been dancing upon it. Sorrow looked ahead, occasionally stealing glances to his companion and in some time edged nearer Eleonora, only subtly aware of Polaris following, perhaps keeping a watchful eye over them, in the nature a chaperone might. “I left some ten days before the end of the year. My family – rather, my clan, holds a yearly meeting each winter solstice. It is a time for many a celebration; games in which we honour each other; blessings and rituals for those who have gone from this world and those that remain.” He gave a small pause, seemingly considering his next words before continuing. “There is a political side to these events, some of it in announcements for all the clan to hear and some of a more, er, sensitive nature and better discussed in private between family heads. But all of it dreadfully boring, I assure you. Also–” My sister’s birthday and mine, he swallowed the words. Saying as much may lead to an inquiry about his current age and a part of him dreaded her reaction upon revealing that he was barely out of his eighteenth year. He was well aware that Eleonora had a couple of years on him, although how many he was still unsure. Eleonora was absorbed with Sorrow's account of his holidays; it all sounded so grand and festive that she could nearly imagine it. The idea of a celebration including a whole family of vampires not only captured her attention because it was Sorrow who was speaking of it, but because she was fascinated with the culture she knew so little about. It seemed she would learn now, if she should wish to ask. She waited patiently when Sorrow cut his story short and seemed to ponder over continuing. There would be no pressing for him to go on from Eleonora, as she was content with any amount of information he wished to give her. When he did continue it was with a more coy and playful expression than she had seen on him before, and the way he laughed was nearly too endearing for Eleonora to handle. “Oh! I didn't know. Happy birthday!” Already in her mind Eleonora was planning out a way to make up for missing his birthday, even if the reason for her negligence had been due to her not being aware of the occasion. It was curious how some questions were never brought up, or even thought of, until other urges had been fulfilled. Eleonora knew Sorrow was younger than her, though in many of their interactions he appeared wise beyond his years. She had never once thought to ask his age before now, as if it had hardly mattered. In truth, she supposed, it didn't. Already she had felt herself becoming irrevocably drawn towards him, despite her lack of every detail. Perhaps it was better that way. Not knowing left room for discovery, and Eleonora found herself looking forward to any and every discovery she could share with Sorrow. She almost wanted to laugh at his sheepish grin, as it transformed him into something less serious and much less guarded; it was a look that Eleonora could feel herself start to fall in love with. It showed trust - a trust that she returned and vowed to value. “I”ll be twenty-five in late august. How old did you just turn?” If she had to guess, Eleonora was afraid she would be very off the mark. He was a professor, as she was, and thus he must be old enough for...well, Eleonora wasn't quite ready to delve so far in just yet. Before she answered his next question she felt a shiver run through her body. The cold of the late winter night was finally boring its way through her and she pulled her sweater closer with her free hand. The coolness of Sorrow's skin on her other hand caused the flesh to prickle up her arm, yet she would not pull away. The pressure, light and reassuring, was not something she would voluntarily let go until she truly must. Instead she merely looked up into his eyes and spoke through lips that begged to be warmed. After she spoke she could only imagine what her parents would think if she told them she had just flown through the air on the back of a hippogriff and then kissed a vampire. The thought of their reactions was so absurd that she couldn't stop a small laugh from escaping, and she turned back to Sorrow. His eyes were still on her and caused the laugh to turn into another warm smile. She wanted to draw the conversation back to him then, if only to hear his voice glide over the rushing of the lake's waves. “You have a twin? That must be wonderful. Having big family occasions like that; I bet it's nice, too. Do you all get along well?” Eleonora wondered what his twin could be like, and whether it was a brother or a sister. She imagined Sorrow's striking features on a woman and at once knew that if he indeed had a sister she would be nothing less than beautiful. “Thank you,” Sorrow laughed at her wishing him a happy birthday. In truth he felt happier at that moment, with her, then at any day of his birthday in the past nineteen winters. He did not say as much out loud, but he gave her hand a small squeeze. He never thought about it much, but hearing the words from her meant to him more than the traditional congratulations that formed upon lips of hundreds of vampires. To them, the celebration was a part of a ritual. Eleonora looked like she honestly wished him a happy birthday. And it was so simple; so human, like a precious gift that he could accept with open arms. He felt his fingers prickle as if charged with electricity and wondered what else her honesty might do to him. He felt his heart beating in his fingertips, alive with love. He felt her shiver against him and relaxed his fingers, slipping his hand from hers. Instead he picked up his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders, applying gentle pressure to bring them closer as they walked. His skin may have been cooler than that of an ordinary being, but it did not mean he never felt the cold. His cloak now hung partly around Eleonora as well and the soft fur on the inside radiated warmth. It was a gift from his sister. He supposed she had enchanted it herself. Quietly he listened as she spoke of her parents. In the pause he looked to her, but said nothing; he had no intention of pressing her to reveal something outside her own pace or comfort. Only the soft expression in his eyes begged her to trust him. She had turned away from him, however, and could not see it. Or the pang of hurt as a frown seemed to twist her lips. “You—” he said, then closed his mouth. He was not sure what he wanted to say yet. Was it strange that magic was real? It was different from him, though not entirely. She laughed suddenly and her eyes found his. His expression quickly changed to patience, but the change of conversation was too abrupt. Too obvious. At last he said, “If I was human, my parents would be muggles too.” It was true; Adair and Rosemary had no magic. Neither did their parents. The last Grace with magic before Sorrow’s generation had been Lord Aodhan. His great-grandfather. Not all vampires understood magic as he did either. Not all believed in it. “Vampires do not have a word for it, but it is what they are.” Sorrow was not sure why he said it like that, but if Eleonora feared his thoughts on ancestry and blood-purity, he hoped it might show it did not matter. Not in the slightest. Not to him. He did not say more of it; though aware he had not given proper reply to her question about his family or his sister. He was more concerned by the expression she had worn. The slight pause of shock before Sorrow answered her question went unnoticed by Nora, though she suffered her own upon hearing his words. “You don't seem nineteen,” she said, searching his face for any indication of such a young age. Perhaps it was his vampire heritage, but just by looking Nora could not determine how old Sorrow physically appeared. He was all sharp lines and flawless complexion – nothing hinting at either youth or age. It took a moment for her to realize she had fallen yet again into the trap of gazing too intently at the man beside her, and quickly looked away. “I hope no one thinks I am robbing the cradle, though.” Nora hazarded a joke, albeit a small one. She hoped that Sorrow would not be sensitive about the topic, as it mattered little to her. What was five years in the span of a life time? He could have been thirty years her elder and Nora would not have blanched at her feelings. What was important was that they were compatible, and they both felt passion for the other. Most else was irrelevant in Nora's opinion. Sorrow must have felt her shiver then, or the cool of her hands, for he placed his arm around her and drew her close to his side. The warmth of his coat – fur lined and plush – drew the cold from her and replaced it with comfort. She tilted her face up to watch him as he spoke of his family, revealing again how little she knew of him. By the careful way he spoke Nora could tell he was doing his best to put her at ease, and it of course was succeeding. He was so sincere in his concern that she now found herself willing to continue the conversation. “Oh, no, it's not the work. I tell them I work with animals, they understand that. It's always been something I've been into, so it's easy for them to imagine.” She glanced to Polaris, who was happily stalking something in the reeds of the lake. Her mind began to drift to years past, and when she spoke again her words were quiet. Nora did not blame them. They had tried, when she was a girl, to listen to her talk about unicorns and shrinking spells each summer, but since she could not show them without getting expelled it was hard for them to truly believe. As the years progressed she told them less and less, if only to make it easier for them. Now she had little she could say, and her visits were often short and lacking much substance. With a slight shake of her head, her hair brushing against Sorrow as it shifted, she broke away from her reverie. “I'm sorry; I didn't mean to go on for so long.” She could not help but notice that it felt good to confide in Sorrow. Never had she told anyone her feelings about her parents and their situation, and she wondered over how easily she spoke of it now. “Thank you, though. For listening.” She pushed up onto her toes and kissed his check lightly, amazed at how natural it felt already. As she had spoke they had wandered to the edge of the lake. The stars were reflected in the water, and again in Nora's eyes as she turned them to Sorrow's. “If there's ever something you want to talk about, too, I'll be more than happy to be there.” A sweet smile transformed her face, conveying all the sincerity in her heart.
2019-04-26T01:48:55Z
http://hogwartsreborn.forumotion.com/t2376-these-wounds-that-will-not-heal-sorrow
A while ago I had a couple people ask about a pattern for this baby bib. I decided just to go ahead and do a tutorial along with the pattern - hope you can use it! Here is a list of things you will need - These are instructions for making two bibs. Organize your fabric so you have five strips of fabric across and 6 down. Step two- Taking a row at a time sew your pieces of fabric together - making sure to keep the fabric in the order you have them organized in step 1. Use a 1/4" seam allowance for entire bib. Iron. Step three - Cut each row of fabric in half so that they are now 2 1/2" long. Step four - Sew each row of fabric together pinning at the seams. You should have two pieces that look like this. Iron. Step five - (my favorite part) Quilt your fabric with a piece of flannel on the back. I just did cross hatch quilting. A little hint. Always go the same direction. I start in the middle at the top and sew down to the bottom. Then starting at the top again - sew down to the bottom, repeat this until all your vertical lines are quilted. Then start on the side in the middle and do the exact same thing. Step six - Trace pattern onto the quilted fabric. It will be a tight fit, but it will fit. If for some reason it doesn't just adjust the length of your bib pattern a little. Sometimes on these bibs I sew a row of ric rac on just for a little extra. This would be the perfect time to do that. I attach the ric rac on the seam that connects the 4th and 5th row, just sewing right down the middle of the ric rac. Step eight - Pin bib onto your minky fabric with right sides together. Start on the right side and be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end. Leave about 2 - 3 inches un-stitched so that you can turn the fabric, inside out. Step nine - cut around the edges and turn. Sew the opening closed. Step ten - Attach the snap - here is a picture of the snaps I used. These are pretty heavy duty, you could of course use something different. I just have a hard time when my babies turn into toddlers getting them to keep their bibs on. A little note - I just used the tip of my scissors to make a hole to fit the snap through. Directions for attaching the snaps are on the back of the package. These bibs make the perfect baby gift. I like to put it with a couple matching burp cloths. By the way, the fabric I used is called Hometown by Sweetwater for Moda. They don't make it anymore, but you may be able to find it on etsy or something. A charm pack works perfect for this project. Just adorable! Thanks for the tutorial. Love, love, love this. Thanks for sharing. I like to make things to go into gift baskets that are given to women that deliver babies while their husband is off at war. Through the Operation Homefront program a group of quilters fill such baskets with bibs, onesies, quilts, baby toys & food, etc. These will be fun to make and include in these baskets. Thank you for sharing your expertise! I love looking at all the things you've made--you're an inspiration to me. Hope you're doing well and are just busy with summer, family, and sewing for Moda! Miss you and your posts. He's local and I bought a 7 foot quilt ladder from him and a miniature quilt rack too. I plan on buying the wall hangers (two of them) for my sewing room later this fall. I thought the prices were so reasonable and I like the idea of not having to dust a shelf above the quilts. P.S. I'm not affiliated with him in any way other than being a satisfied customer! Thank you for this tutorial. I started to follow her! 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http://ourcozynest.blogspot.com/2012/06/quilted-baby-bib-tutorial.html
Everyone loves a come-from-behind victory. The greatest victory of all time is when Jesus defied the Romans and rose from the dead on the third day. In doing so, He conquered sin and death. He now lives His resurrected life in all of us, who believe in Him. This Holy week reminds us of these historical facts, which are the foundation of our faith. We can also see God’s resurrection power at work in our school ministry. Many young people have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and many others have grown and strengthened in their faith as a result of spiritual formation process. I also see the Lord providing our school a great come-from-behind victory. He provided the funds to continue the school when it seemed impossible to do so, and He provided a new campus when we had to leave this one. These are no small miracles folks. Countless people prayed and had faith in the Lord to work these miracles for us, and the Lord answered. Our very own Shawn Thomas led an amazing Easter Chapel on Tuesday that spoke to all of our hearts about the miracle of Easter. He used painting as a medium to illustrate his message in a way that involved the entire school. It culminated with each student and teacher adding a green leaf to the branches of a tree representing Jesus as the True Vine. In addition to representing our total dependence upon the Lord, represented the deep roots of this ministry, while providing a vision of our future that will continue to bear much fruit. I want to thank Shawn for being used of the Lord to bring us such a powerful message. The painting shown above is on display in our front office, and it will be prominently displayed on our new campus. Let us thank God for the overarching miracle of redemptive grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world during this Easter season. Let us also thank God for the individual and collective works of grace in the lives of our students and for the resurrection of Brethren Christian as a vibrant ministry long into the future. Wishing you all a safe and blessed Easter vacation. The doors are now being painted BC Green at the new campus. We are having multiple planning meetings, which are producing tangible results at the new site. We now have 110 students enrolling for next year with four months to go! assist with other moving chores those days. Many families have asked how they can help the school, and this is a big way to achieve just that. Please save those dates, and thank you in advance! "After visiting the new campus several times, the Student Transition Team has decided on a really cool and easy way for you to help. We have designed a registry specifically made for the new campus by the students and teachers. You can click this link to go to the Brethren Christian Wish List Registry page and enter the password bchs, and type in Brethren as your “first name” and Christian as your “last name” to browse through what they have selected. There are plans for each item on the registry, such as using The Home Depot gift cards to fill this great piece of land with lounge areas and lawn games. So when you visit the site, click on an item that you would like to donate, choose an amount, and it will be sent to the school. Each donation will be greatly appreciated. The BC International Space Station (ISS) Team gathered to watch the live video stream of the countdown the launch of the rocket that carried their experiment to the ISS! Their experiment is now orbiting the earth and sending back data to our school in real time! What an exhilarating experience to reach this point after all their hard work this year! Kudos to Mike Donahoe and Rick Peters for leading these students to success! BC is the only school in Southern California that launched and experiment this year! The success of this program puts BC on the map as a premier school of applied math, science and engineering. Please email mikedonahoe@bchs.net if you have a child interested in joining the ISS Team next year. Congratulations to the Boys Volleyball Team for their Express League Championship! They finished the season undefeated with a 10-0 League record! I congratulate every young man on the team and their great coaches, Mrs. Jann Martes and Mrs. Kayla Snyder. Congratulations also go to the boys varsity cross country team, who has been selected as the 2019 Team Academic Champion for schools with an enrollment less than 1499! The overall team grade point average was 3.94. Scholar athletes all! This prestigious award will be presented on Monday, May 20th at Angels Stadium prior to the Angels playing the Minnesota Twins. Tickets to the game are $10. Please turn in your order and money to Mrs. Whitmire in the Athletic office by Tuesday, May 7th. BC Dine Out at Carl's Jr. Stop by the Carl’s Jr. restaurant at 21532 Brookhurst St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 between 6AM and 10PM with this flyer, and you will give back to BC! Carl’s Jr will donate 25% of all profits generated by you, your friends, and family when you order any item. You must print out and show the attached flyer in order to give BC the credit. Thanks for your help! We are looking forward to the Phantom Of The Opera - themed Prom this year. Brethren juniors and seniors: stop by the Front Office to pick up your Prom contract, fill it out, and submit it along with your payment. Thank you. BC has a special appreciation for all of our service members - past and present. One of our parents notified us of this special showing, and I wanted to pass it on to you. View the 375 foot, three-quarter-sized-replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with more than 58,000 names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Pictured here are Alex Rehman and Sterling Hanson (class of 2018), who are current Marines, seen with Mr. Hanson volunteering at this memorial ceremony. The high school choir performed beautifully on the Fantasyland Stage at Disneyland Resort on April 1st through the Disney Performing Arts program. What a wonderful and unique opportunity for our students to sing on a big stage at a great venue. Students learned a lot about the areas of entertainment, performance, and professionalism. The junior high choir also took a visit to Disneyland on April 8th. They participated in the Vocal Soundtrack Workshop, in which they worked with a professional vocal coach learning how to sing for films and animation in a recording studio. Over the course of the 90-minute session, they recorded two songs along with the respective film footage. The students were exposed to people with careers such as voice-acting, vocal coaching, session singing, sound engineering, etc. What an exciting day they had! Congratulations also to our junior high and high school bands for great performances at Knott's Berry Farm on Monday, April 8th! The host of the event said that she was "blown away" by our student performers. Way to go Warriors! Due to missing school on the Good Friday holiday, students will attend periods 4, 5, 6 and 7 on Monday, April 15th consistent with a Friday schedule (with regular start and end times). Please plan accordingly. This will not impact start and end times of the day, but will affect students class times. Did you know that Brethren Christian School partners with three different universities to offer dual enrollment courses to high school students so that they can start getting college credit early? Visit our Dual Enrollment web page to learn about our opportunities through Grand Canyon University, Biola University and Duke University. We are counting down to our launch to the International Space Station on Wednesday, April 17th, between 1:30PM and 2:30PM. Kudos to Mike Donahoe, Rick Peterson and the brilliant students on our ISS team, who have constructed a scientific experiment that will be tested in micro-gravity aboard the ISS starting next week. It was such a blessing to attend the praise and worship concert last night led by our student worship leaders. Jesus was lifted up, the Holy Spirit was moving, and we all prayed for each other. This is at the heart of who we are as a Christian school ministry, and I am so blessed to be a part of this Christ centered community. We are looking forward to the Phantom Of The Opera themed BC Prom this year. Brethren juniors and seniors, stop by the Front Office to pick up your Prom contract and fill it out, and submit it along with your payment. Tonight our junior high students are enjoying a fun 1950's themed dance, complete with hamburgers and chocolate malts! It was a bee boppin' good time for all! I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I'll bless your name into eternity. Our new school sign is now up in front of the Grace Church campus on Edinger! We will be painting the doors green in the next several weeks, and we will be adding our Warrior head logo on the window of the school office. The two new portable buildings are being ordered, and will be in place by July. We have planned the cleaning and painting of the classrooms for June or earlier. · assist with other moving chores those days. Two of our students, Nikki He and Jason Tran, have started this club to promote literacy in China. Please donate any books written in English that are appropriate for grades K-12 to the front office by April 21st. These books will go to Tongdian Middle School in a small village in China that has trouble affording such books. Please sign your name in the books you donate as a personal touch. Thank you!!! I am so happy and excited to join the Brethren Christian Family as your new Business Manager. I have a daughter that attends Grace Lutheran School, so the partnership is a blessing to me and my family. As part of the Transition Team, I look forward to helping with the move. I also look forward to meeting and serving all of you! If any of your personal items are at our school, please claim them before May 20th. It will either be sold, donated of thrown away after that. We do not wish to dispose of any items that belong to a school family, so please see Mr. Reyes, Mr. Namahoe, or Mr. Lanning to reclaim any items belonging to you. Thank you. The students should dress in their 50’s finest (girls—dresses & boys—button down shirts & no blue jeans)! Dinner & Dessert are included in the ticket price. This event is meant to be more of a fun, group experience – not a couples event. If you have any questions, feel free to email stephaniejohnson@brethrenchristian.org or call the front office. We want this to be a fun event for all of our Junior High students and to make memories with their friends. Our Student Transition Team requested that the classroom doors at the new campus be painted BC green, and the church has agreed with that. We will also be purchasing green shade coverings. We have ordered a new sign for our campus, which will be posted on Edinger Avenue within the next week or so. We are also preparing the school office for visitors soon. We have made the decision to purchase two new portable buildings to replace the older ones currently on the campus. This will provide three more classrooms and three more office spaces. We are now at 100 students enrolling for next year! This was my goal for August 9th, so I am so grateful to see the enrollment so strong at this point. Applications from new and domestic students continue coming in almost daily, which bodes well for a healthy student body next year. Our new campus will accommodate all of our students, and there are building plans already in place to accommodate growth over the coming years. We are making a special offer for those few students, who have not yet re-enrolled for next year. We will only raise the re-enrollment fee by $50 until the end of March. That means you will pay $249 instead of $550 if you enroll by the end of this month. This is a savings of $301. You can enroll online via our website at www.bchs.net/reenroll/. The tuition, tech fee, and most other fees will not increase for next year, but you will receive the same quality education you’ve come to expect from BC at our new location. You will receive a 2% discount on tuition for next year, if you pay in full by April 15th. We do not have enough students requesting bus service for next year to make it cost effective. However, we are creating a carpool system that will help those of you still requiring transportation services. Another option we have been exploring is to partner with the student-driving service, Hop Skip Drive, which is a sedan service that transports groups of children to and from schools. Thank you so much for your support as we work together to arrive at the best way to accommodate everyone's transportation needs. We'll be working with the PFC to create a carpool sign-up sheet for parents and to request volunteer drivers. Please contact Shawn Thomas, our Admissions Director at sthomas@bchs.net if you have any questions, since he will be working with the PFC and our parents to ensure every student has transportation next year. During my first year here at Brethren Christian, I have felt God’s presence constantly among the students and staff. I have been impressed with a focus and balance of teaching students to follow Christ while also providing quality instruction. I believe God has protected this school, because He has plans for it to become even stronger and a bigger influence in the community. I am excited to see what God has in store for Brethren Christian School - a place where teachers care so much for the whole student. It has been a pleasure to be a part of this school, and I look forward to next year with excitement. I want to send a shout out to the following students, who won awards at the Creative Writing Festival. Kudos to them and their English Teachers, Stephanie Johnson and Marcia Maresh, for achieving such recognition for excellence in writing! All of our spring sports are doing great! The softball team has won three games this season after two previous seasons without a win – go Lady Warriors! The Boys Volleyball team is undefeated in league, and may be heading to the playoffs! Way to go team! This event is meant to be more of a fun, group experience not a couples event. Flyers in the Library and the front office. Brethren Christian School has partnered with the Semita School for a number of years to provide supplementary programs, e.g., ESL classes, SAT/TOEFL test prep, and academic tutoring, etc., for our International Students. However, their program also focuses on global education and cultural immersion for all school-aged young people, and has locations in 14 countries throughout the world. They are extending an invitation to our current domestic BC students to explore China for two weeks, August 3-17, 2019, with their Global Ambassador Program and to gain valuable experience that will impact their lives for years to come! Please visit our Events Page for more information. Brethren Christian School has been given two amazing opportunities through the International Space Station (ISS) Program. If you or your student is interested in Computer Programming, Astronomy, or Autonomous Robotic Vehicles, you won't want to miss these. First is a tutorial on Python Programming Language, led by UC Santa Cruz Professor Dr. Raja Thakurta. Detailed information can be found on their tutorial page. Next is the AWS Deep Racer Program, and programming mini-race cars. For more information, please contact Mike Donahoe at mikedonahoe@bchs.net. Congratulations to our BC ISS Program as their experiment will be launched into space on April 17, 2019. Please stay tuned for more details if you would like to attend the launch party. On May 1st there will be a banquet celebrating our first year of space exploration with the ISS program. Tickets are $10 and parents and guests are invited. RSVP details coming soon. I notified parents in December that Kimberly McGovern switched to working hourly in the role of Business Manager. We've decided that we need a full time person in the office again to provide full service to our staff and parents, so Donna Martin will begin as our full-time Business Manager on Tuesday, March 26th. Donna is highly experienced and capable, and I am sure you will all be happy with the service she provides. I will provide a photo and bio of her as soon as next week. I thank Kimberly for her service, and I am sure you will join me in wishing her well in her future endeavors. The Brethren Christian High School choir participated in the annual ACSI Musicale, which was held at Lake Avenue Congregational Church over the course of two days. The students performed and were adjudicated in small and large ensembles, and were under the direction of Dr. Dan Jackson from Point Loma Nazarine University for the combined mass choir. Three of our numbers were selected to be sung in the command performance, and Sam Skarin (senior), Sierra Martin (senior), and Rachel Kent (sophomore) were chosen as soloists for the mass choir numbers. Congratulations to all the BC choir students! Tonight at 7PM, come enjoy this free concert featuring both the junior high and high school bands & choirs as we celebrate the passage into spring! Don't miss it. Yours, O Lord , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord , and you are exalted as head above all. We had a wonderful time at the new campus yesterday as you can see in the photos (more photos can be viewed on our Brethren Christian Facebook Page). The students seemed genuinely surprised at how nice the campus is, and many commented on how much they liked it. They were already making their plans for how to use the space for clubs and classes. We continue to work closely with the Grace Lutheran church/school staff to work out the many details of a successful move. The transition teams from both organizations are working with a spirit of collaboration to arrive at win-win solutions. It is becoming more and more evident that this partnership is creating positive outcomes for ministries. Many thanks to Andrea Potter and the PFC, who helped make this a great trip! Kudos to Ms. Flippin, Mrs. Simonds, Mrs. Heffernan and others, who made this trip happen! We are scheduling a make-up Field Trip for our choir students, who were not able to join us yesterday, so stay tuned for details. Our Student Transition Team visited the school this afternoon to continue their input on how to give the campus the BC look and feel. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and it is wonderful to see how excited they are about the campus move. We are making a special offer for those few students who have not yet re-enrolled for next year. Since we just recently announced our new location at the church campus, we will only raise the re-enrollment fee by $50 until the end of March. That means you will pay $249 instead of $550 if you enroll by the end of this month. This is a savings of $301. You can enroll online via our website at www.bchs.net/reenroll/. There is a wonderful bond created when we work together in moving and setting up a new place to minister together. It creates “ownership” among our students, parents, and staff. I’m looking forward to see how God will work this new iteration of the BC campus for His good. Let’s grow and learn together! There will be no school on Monday. We placed this long weekend on our calendar because it is a long time between Christmas break and Easter Vacation. I wish all of you a safe, happy and blessed weekend! Come enjoy this free concert featuring both the junior high and high school bands & choirs as we celebrate the passage into spring! Enjoy a variety of songs and experiences that center around the theme of growth and renewal. Join us Friday, March 22 at 7PM in the BC Mall. …then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. We now have 90 students enrolling for next year so far. Since we are already at 90% of our enrollment goal for next year with six months to go, we have raised our enrollment projections to 125 students, which we may surpass. I have never seen this rate of enrollment at this point in the process during my 20 years in Christian education. We thank all of you, and we praise the Lord. This really helps our planning process, so bless all of you for re-enrolling early. We are rescheduling our Field Trip to our new Campus to Thursday, March 14th. Please stay tuned for details, but I want to ask now that you consider driving our students to and from Grace Lutheran on that day. If you would like to do that, please sign-up on our Grace Field Trip Sign-Up page. We will get there at 11:15, and we will leave at about 12:30. We will provide a free pizza lunch to every student, so only pack a lunch if your child(ren) has/have a special diet (or if they don’t like pizza). It will be a great time for students to tour the new campus and to have fun with their classmates. We will also take time to pray together for the new campus. We will be setting up our new School Office at the Church Campus very soon. Our Admissions Director, Shawn Thomas, will have some office hours there, and we will post them when available. Our student Transition Team has already started a list of items they want to see done at the new Campus. The team will take a field trip there soon to get more clarity on how to give it the BCHS feel. I am so proud of these students, who have taken the initiative to ensure that the BC spirit continues next year and beyond! We are making a special offer for those few students, who have not yet re-enrolled for next year. Since we just recently announced our new location at the church campus, we will only raise the re-enrollment fee by $50 until the end of March. That means you will pay $249 instead of $550 if you enroll by the end of this month. This is a savings of $301. You can enroll online via our website at www.bchs.net/reenroll/. What I’m most looking forward to next year is to be part of the amazing community that is Brethren Christian. Being one of the new additions, I have been amazed at how welcoming and influential the BC family has been in my life. It is evident that this ministry has a passion for helping young individuals be followers of Christ and to use His teachings to better their community. Brethren will continue its impactful ministry at its new location at Grace Lutheran, and I’m excited to see all the ways BC will make a positive impact on students for many years to come! Do not miss our amazing BC Playhouse production of Godspell, which has only two more performances: Friday, March 8th and Saturday, March 9th. The show begins at 7pm and tickets are available online at $10 for students and $15 for adults! Come support your fellow classmates and enjoy another amazing BC musical! Congratulations to the JH Girls Volleyball Team for making it to the CALOC D4 Championships. They played a great match but fell short. 2nd place is still an awesome accomplishment and we are very proud of them. The Varsity Boys Volleyball team participated in the 2-day Beach Bash Volleyball Tournament this past weekend and brought home the 3rd place trophy with a victory in the final match over Capistrano Valley Christian. Congratulations Warriors! Logan Egan (left) and Seth Klaasen (right) were awarded "All-Tournament Honors." Check out the schedule on the team page on the BC website and come cheer the team on this season. Our next PFC Dine-Out Fundraiser is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, at 85 degrees Bakery in Fountain Valley between the hours of 3-6PM and 25% of proceeds will go back to BC. You must show this flyer when you make your purchase! A large Function Hall with a full kitchen for multi-use, band practice, coffee time, lunch, pep rallies and other activities. A library that can be used for study halls, meetings, etc. A full BC school office space with reception area and 3 individual offices. A large courtyard for lunch, breaks and activities. A grass quad for PE classes and other outdoor activities. Ample parking and a complete carpool circle for easy drop off and pick up. A large, two floor office and classroom building. The church campus has the look and feel of a high school campus, and it affords us ample space to conduct all school functions in style. It provides a separation of Grace’s PK-8 school and our school. With that said, our students entering Grace’s 8th grade next year will still be able to avail themselves of many of our BC programs. We will still utilize the school field for athletic practices and games, and our art room will most likely be located on the main campus. Some of our teachers will also teach certain subjects to Grace’s students on the school campus. Our Student Transition team will make suggestions on how to create a BC look and feel on the church campus. As a reminder, this campus is near the corner of Edinger and Goldenwest. Feel free to visit there, and just check in with the church office upon arrival. Stay tuned for a school field trip to the church campus in the coming weeks. This is an unexpected and additional blessing to our Campus move plans, so let’s praise the Lord together for this tremendous upgrade to our future campus plans! The first phase of our re-enrollment period ends TOMORROW (Feb. 28th), so register now and take advantage of our early enrollment discount. Seventy students are already enrolling for next year, which is 70% of our enrollment goal with 6 months to go. This greatly surpasses our expectations for this first month of re-enrollment, so I thank the parents and praise the Lord! You can enroll online via our website at www.bchs.net/reenroll/. We are offering a special discount on re-enrollment for the month of February at only $199. The fee goes up to $550 on March 1st. So, if you re-enroll in February, you will save $351 on the re-enrollment fee. The tuition, tech fee, and most other fees will not increase for next year, but you will receive the same quality education you’ve come to expect from BC at our new location. You will receive a 3% discount on tuition for next year, if you pay in full by February 28th, and a 2% discount if you pay by April 15. These are increased discounts over last year, which were 2% and 1% respectively. Since my first year here at Brethren Christian, I felt God’s presence constantly among the students and staff. I have been impressed with a focus and balance of teaching students to follow Christ, while also providing quality instruction. I believe God has protected and preserved this school, because He has plans for it to become even stronger and a bigger influence in the community. I am excited to see what God has in store for Brethren Christian School - a place where teachers care so much for the whole student. It has been a pleasure to be a part of this school, and I look forward to new beginnings on our new campus next year! I want to introduce Mrs. Jacqlyn Kodis, who will deliver our Options Program at our new location. She is the current Opportunities Director (similar to Options) at Grace Lutheran, and she will continue that program for their K-8 students, while she directs Options for our High School students. We will be hiring an Options support teacher to replace Mrs. Kayla Snyder's position. Please email Mrs. Kodis directly to review your child’s academic plan for next year at jkodis@graceschoolshb.org. I am confident that you will be pleased with the skill and experience Mrs. Kodis brings to this position. You may or may not know that my doctoral dissertation is in special education/diversity, and I have delivered special education programs in three school systems. I remain committed to having a program that maintains the high level of Options programming that you have come to expect from a BC education. We are blessed to have Mrs. Kodis available to make this program available to you as seamlessly as possible. Hello! My name is Jacqlyn Kodis, and I am the current Resource Teacher at Grace Lutheran School. I have my Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and over 15 years of experience. I previously worked at Brethren Christian for ten years as Assistant Director of the Options Program. My three brothers and I attended Brethren - my father did also. I am married and have one son in 6th grade. I am very much looking forward to getting to know each one of you and working with your students. Attention parents! Your student's Six-Week Progress Report will be handed out to them tomorrow (Thursday, Feb 28th) during third period. We encourage our families to ask their students to see their progress report and discuss their academic classroom experience. The first phase of our re-enrollment period ends on February 28th, so register now and take advantage of our early enrollment discount. The tuition, tech fee, and most other fees will not increase for next year, but you will receive the same quality education you’ve come to expect from BC at our new location. You will receive a 3% discount on tuition for the 2019-20 school year when you pay in full by February 28th, and a 2% discount when you pay in full by April 15th, 2019. These are increased discounts over last year, which were 2% and 1% respectively. Our Transition Teams are meeting, and the campus planning is going very well. We are coming up with creative ideas on how to best utilize the church and school campuses. Our Student Transition Team has already met once to share their ideas on how to give our new home the BCHS look and feel. Our employee and student transition teams will soon take field trips to the new campuses, so they can get a better sense of what they would like to see there. I'm grateful for God's provision of this partnership with Grace Lutheran Church and School, which provides Brethren a place in Huntington Beach for us to call home. It puts us in close relationship with a school that cares about Christian education as much as we do. I'm looking forward to continuing our Warrior tradition of excellence in music in our new location, and I hope all of my students will join us next year. Soli Deo Gloria! Mrs. Danielle Heffernan and her Light Team students delivered an amazing program of spiritual development for our students this week. We went out to serve our community to show the love of Jesus, and this theme of service permeated the entire week of chapels. Today culminated with four of our amazing students bringing the Word to their classmates (Chloee Booth, Paige Savoy, Ben Timblin and Mike Contreras). We ended in a special time of prayer with staff and students, and it was evident that the Holy Spirit was at work among us. This week underscores the foundation of BC, which is Jesus Christ. HE is the reason we exist and persist in the work of the gospel through our school ministry. Praise be to God! We have just received official notification that we have been awarded another 6-year accreditation period from WASC/ACSI, which is the longest period they grant a school. This is a credit to the teachers and staff, who create the high level of excellence you have come to expect from a BC education. To God be the Glory! Information for each of these events can be found on our website Homepage either under the "Our Latest News" section, or on the Calendar. The PFC Board in concurrence with BC administration has decided to cancel this year’s Color Run due to all the focus needed on our upcoming campus move. We are sorry to disappoint all that were looking forward to this fun, BC-community building event. We are embarking on plans to have the Color Run in the fall of the upcoming school year in a combined effort with Grace Lutheran. We would like to see the fall event be a celebration of our two schools coming together in a new way to support Christian education, and to rejoice together for our new campus, the new school year, and our good health! Most of our athletic coaches are also returning. I regret to inform you that Jann Martes, Kayla Snyder, Marian Mine and Dorothy Heinz have decided not to come back next year due to their own personal reasons. Darrin Smith will not be returning, because we will only need one science teacher next year. I cannot thank each of them enough for their contributions to BC, and they will be sorely missed. I am sure we will have parties for them at the end of the year, but please share your love with them now as well. We will continue our Choir and Options programs in full force, and we are currently in discussions with potential employees to carry on the great work of these programs. Let us thank the Lord that the majority of our wonderful staff will be staying with us, which will maintain our high level of stability and excellence at BCHS. This update is longer than usual due to the many activities taking place right now, but all of the information is important and timely, so please take the time to read it through. It’s a great time to be a Warrior, so let’s thank God for all He is doing in our midst! Much progress has been made since we made the announcement of our campus move a couple of weeks ago. Our Town Hall meeting at BC on Monday of last week was well attended. I presented a PowerPoint over-viewing the move to the Grace Lutheran campus. You can visit our FAQ page for details on the moving process at www.bchs.net/movetograce/ and you can view the PPT on our website. Many parents expressed their support of BC and their intention to move with us to our new location. Parents also asked excellent questions – some of which the board and I could answer directly and others that we will be able to answer after more transition meetings. Our transition team will be working diligently to iron out the many details of the move. Our Town Hall meeting at Grace Lutheran on Tuesday of last week was also a great event for both schools. Both communities had time to hear from each other and to ask questions about the move and the cooperation between our schools. I believe we began to build a joint sense of community at this meeting that will bode well for the future. On Wednesday, February 27th our current 7th grade BC students and their families are encouraged to attend a luncheon at the Grace Lutheran campus to visit teachers and their facilities during the day, and have an In-N-Out lunch together with the Grace staff, faculty and families. We are invited to visit their campus at 11:30am and celebrate this promising opportunity together. Please contact BC Admissions Director, Mr. Shawn Thomas, directly at shawnthomas@brethrenchristian.org for any questions, or to reserve a spot on this field trip. 7th grade parents and students are welcome. Stay tuned for more meetings, updates and open houses in the near future. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact me directly with any question you may have at jmoran@bchs.net. On behalf of our board, teachers and staff, let me thank you for the outpouring of support of BC during this time of transition. It’s an exciting time of positive change for our school, so let’s enjoy the adventure together! Our school calendar for next year will remain largely unchanged from what we have already published on our website. We will start 3 weeks before Grace Lutheran, which will give us time to settle in before both schools fill out the campus after Labor Day. Our school day will most likely begin at 7:50AM to allow for a smooth flow of traffic during drop off, since the Grace Pre School (PS) and Elementary School (ES) start at 8:00AM and 8:10AM respectively. We are carving out the BCHS portions of the campus in productive meetings with Grace, and we will basically be located in the front half of the campus with Grace PS and ES in the back half of the campus. We plan to install several portable buildings to accommodate classroom needs for both schools. We may utilize some space on the church campus if needed, but that has not yet been determined. We are assessing our bussing needs, so please email Shawn Thomas at sthomas@bchs.net if you desire bussing next year. Please include your address in the email and how many students in your family will need bussing. A group of students have formed a Student Transition Team to help make our section of the new campus look and feel like Brethren next year. This was under their own initiative, which shows the leadership qualities of our students and their love for BCHS! The BC Playhouse will be performing the classic musical Godspell March 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th! The show begins at 7pm and student tickets will be $10 and adults $15! Tickets can be purchased online! Come support your fellow classmates and enjoy another amazing BC musical. Did you know that Brethren Christian School has a connection with Duke University that allows our students to access their summer educational programs? They have a number of different types of summer programs available, and it may help you earn college credit whether you are a sophomore, junior or senior. Visit the page description and check with Ms. Flippin, our Academic Dean, to see if you are eligible for any of these programs. On Saturday, March 23rd from 9am - 1pm we will be hosting the SAT/ACT Practice Exam with the Catalyst hybrid program. This is a great opportunity to get experience in a simulated testing environment and stay ahead of the game. For more information, visit our Practice Exam event page or call 800.235.0056, or email info@CatalystPrep.com. Our Third Annual Color Run is coming up on April 6th, 2019, but we need to start planning for it now, and there are plenty of ways that you can help. Visit our Color Run Sign-Up web page and choose a committee of which you would like to be a part. There is space for: setting up and cleaning, setting up the Chili table, coordinating the color run activities, and advertising for the event. Please go and sign-up for something today! The PFC leadership is working hard to make this a fun and successful event for our community, so please support them in this effort. Thank you SO much. Award-Winning Gospel singer, Ray Sidney, and the Firm Soundation Band, will be leading our BC Gospel Choir in some energetic and uplifting Gospel Music. Come rejoice with the whole community this Friday at 7PM in our Mall. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online or at the BC front office. You won’t want to miss this musical event featuring jazz saxophonist great, Bruce Babad, performing with the BC Jazz Bands on Friday, February 22nd at 7PM in the Mall. A table for 4 with light food and beverage service is $100, and General Admission is $7. You can purchase tickets online or at the front desk with Mrs. Heinz. Our Spiritual Emphasis Week kicks-off with BC Blitz next Monday, February 11th. Students will come to campus at 8am as usual, and after some prayer and instruction, groups of students will travel to locations in the surrounding community to serve and bless the people of our neighborhood. This is our way of living out the gospel message of serving the poor by blessing those around us, and saying "thank you" to the Orange County community. Students will be back on campus to be picked up by their families at 12:30pm. The school bus will leave BC at 12:45pm, so please plan accordingly. Students should bring lunch (or money for lunch), as we conclude the day by eating together. If any parents would like to volunteer, please contact the front office at 714-962-6617. I want to give a special thanks to Mrs. Heffernan for planning a great week of spiritual growth for all of our students. Send a song to a loved one to celebrate Valentine's Day! The sign up sheet is in the front office, or you can go online and fill out the form and pay the $5.00 song fee. For multiple songs and Valentine requests, simply fill out multiple request forms. Your song(s) will be delivered to your Valentine during class on February 13th! Our re-enrollment period began last Friday. You can enroll online via our website at www.bchs.net/reenroll/. We are offering a special discount on re-enrollment for the month of February at only $199. The fee goes up to $550 on March 1st. So, if you re-enroll in February, you will save $351 on the re-enrollment fee. Tuition, the tech fee, and most fees will not increase for next year, but you will receive the same quality education you’ve come to expect from BC at our new location. You will receive a 3% discount on tuition for next year, if you pay in full by February 28th, and a 2% discount if you pay by April 15. These are increased discounts over last year, which were 2% and 1% respectively. Nineteen of our students have been selected for the ACSI Honor Band! Mr. Montgomery will accompany them to this wonderful growth opportunity today and tomorrow. To have so many students selected from our small school is a prime example of how we perform out of proportion to our size. Kudos to Mr. M and to all of the exceptional musicians selected! Our Boys Varsity Basketball Team lost a close game in the first round of the CIF Playoffs last night. Congratulations to Coach Jefferson, and the whole team for making it to the playoff rounds. It was a great season, and our team improved every game under the leadership of our exceptional coaching staff. Our re-enrollment period begins this Friday, February 1st. You can enroll online via our website at www.bchs.net/reenrollment/. We are offering a special discount on re-enrollment for the month of February at only $199. The fee goes up to $550 on March 1st. So, if you re-enroll in February, you will save $351 on the re-enrollment fee. Tuition, the tech fee, and most fees will not increase for next year, but you will receive the same quality education you’ve come to expect from BC at our new location. You will receive a 3% discount on tuition for next year, if you pay in full by February 28th, and a 2% discount if you pay by April 15th. These are increased discounts over last year, which were 2% and 1% respectively. On behalf of the BC Board of Trustees, I am happy to announce that we have secured a new location for our school! We will be moving to the Grace Lutheran School property and sharing their campus beginning with the 2019/20 school year this coming August. They have two campuses that we will utilize, and both are in Huntington Beach. The main school campus is located at 5172 W McFadden Avenue, and the Church/school campus is located at 6931 Edinger Avenue. The Huntington Beach City School District (HBCSD) will reclaim our campus for use in their Measure Q building renewal project in the summer of 2020. While we appreciate that time frame, we are blessed to have secured a campus solution one year early. This move will be an enormous savings in facilities costs, and we will realize those savings a year in advance of our projections. Grace Lutheran operates a PK-8 school on the McFadden campus. BC Junior & Senior High School will become BC High School (BCHS) next August. We will operate primarily on the McFadden Campus, and secondarily on the Edinger campus if we need extra space. BC has been losing enrollment in our middle school grades for some time, and we were phasing out one grade per year. The timing of this move has led us to eliminate our 7th and 8th grades simultaneously for next year, and to complete our transition to a high school in conjunction with our move the Grace campus. BCHS will remain its own school and work in mutually beneficial cooperation with Grace on the same campus. This is not a school merger – it is a campus move. With that said, there will be synergies and efficiencies that will benefit both ministries, and we will cooperate for the betterment of both schools. One example would be that both Grace and BCHS students could join the BCHS band, which would bless Grace students and strengthen our band program. I wanted to share what the Grace Lutheran Principal, Mrs. Jean Kucucarslan, has to say about our move to their campus: "Part of our mission and vision at Grace Lutheran Church & School is working together with other followers of Jesus within our community for the sake of our wider neighborhood. We are grateful the Lord has led us into this promising relationship with Brethren Christian, a vibrant and dynamic school dedicated to academic excellence and positive character development to the glory of God for over 70 years." We encourage our current 7th graders to enroll in Grace’s 8th grade class for next year. We believe this will be the best way for your children to remain connected to BC and to smoothly transition into our 9th grade the following year. Grace will be encouraging their 8th graders to enter BCHS in 9th grade, which will grow our freshman class. All 8th graders will pay the Grace tuition rates. Please contact Mrs. Ivy @ livy@graceschoolshb.org for tuition rates and an application. There are many details to follow, and you no doubt will have many questions. Please come to our Town Hall meeting in the BC Mall at 7PM on Monday, January 28th and/or Grace Lutheran School Multi-purpose room at 5PM on Tuesday, January 29th. You will also be invited to Town Hall meetings and Open Houses in the coming weeks and months to learn more. Please contact me directly at jmoran@bchs.net for any questions, or make an appointment to meet with me by contacting Mrs. Dorothy Heinz at dheinz@bchs.net. Let us rejoice together in what the Lord is doing! We thank God for providing the path forward for BC long into the future. On behalf of our board, teachers and staff, I thank you for your support of BC. As we begin our 72nd year, it is so heartening to know that we have a bright future ahead of us! Please pray for both schools as we enter this exciting new cooperation to strengthen both ministries. Thanks to everyone for their prayers, notes and phone calls last week to check in on me, while I was out with the flu. It meant so much to me. The school board has made a decision on our campus move for next year, and I will announce the results of that decision this Friday via email. It has been a time and labor-intensive process to get to our decision, but we believe you will be happy with the results. We are putting last minute touches in place before we make the announcement, so thank you for your patience. likely that we will have another Town Hall on Tuesday of next week, so please try to keep that evening open as well – details to follow. God bless you and God bless Brethren Christian School! Welcome back to a new year at BC! We are already off to a great start for Semester II, and we have welcomed several new students to our ranks. Our exceptional Business Manager, Kimberley McGovern, will only be in the office on Friday's from now on. She will continue as a consultant in the role of Business Manager, and will be working from home on M-TH. She will be in our office each Friday from 8-3:30PM. You can still drop off payments in the office anytime. You may reach her by email at kmcgovern@bchs.net. Please remember that we are off next Monday for Martin Luther King Day. Stay tuned for important updates about the future location of our school. Blessings, and let's make this a fantastic year in Christ! As we come to the end of our first semester, I think we can all agree that this has been a great school year thus far. Folks have loved the block scheduling and the Chromebooks. Our new calendar allows students and staff to go into the three-week Christmas break knowing that final exams are in the books. We’ve had great performances on the field and on the stage. Our teachers are receiving more training, and they are able to go deeper in each subject with the longer class periods. Most importantly, students have grown in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus of Nazareth. We will be closed this Friday, and we will reopen for Semester II on January 14th. Our offices will be closed during the break, but you can still reach most of us via email for any time-sensitive issues. Re-enrollment will begin on February 4th. We are pleased to announce that we will have no tuition increases next year. Be sure to re-enroll in February, since we are lowering our re-enrollment fee to $199 (a $100 decrease from last year). The fee goes up to $550 after February, so enroll early. On Tuesday, the 18th, BC International Space Station ISS students had an amazing opportunity to speak with Andy Aldrin, son of famed astronaut, Buzz Aldrin, one of the first men on the moon. The team presented their final experiment to him, and the press was on hand to document their presentation and Skype conversation with Dr. Aldrin. The completed experiment will undergo NASA review soon, and it will launch to the International Space Station on April 6th for implementation in microgravity. Kudos to our ISS students for their successful first semester, and God’s speed in 2019. And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. But the angel said to them, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. Final Exams are scheduled for December 17th – 20th. You can visit the Latest News section of our website to download a PDF of the Finals Schedule. We will dismiss students at 2:20PM on Monday, December 17th and at 2:35PM on Tuesday, December 18th. The bus will depart at 2:45PM both days. We will dismiss students at 11:30AM on Wednesday and Thursday, December 19th and 20th, and the bus will depart at 12:10PM on those days. Please note that lunch will NOT be served on the 19th and 20th. All 9th-11th graders: Your PSAT/NMSQT scores are ready online. You'll get an email with instructions on creating your College Board account, going to your online score report, and using your access code to view your scores. A fundraiser for the BC Japan Mission Trip will take place on December 20th at Rubio’s off of Brookhurst from 5:30PM to 8:30PM. Bring in this BC flyer when you make a purchase, and our students will get 50% of the proceeds. Thanks in advance! Our Third Annual Color Run is coming up on April 6th, 2019, but we need to start planning for it now, and there are plenty of ways that you can help. Visit our Color Run Sign-up web page and choose a committee of which you would like to be a part. There is space for: setting up and cleaning, setting up the Chili table, coordinating the color run activities, and advertising for the event. Please go and sign-up for something today! The PFC leadership is working hard to make this a fun and successful event for our community, so please support them in this effort. Thank you SO much. Please remember to give whatever amount you can to BC by December 31st. This will help your children’s education, and you will get a tax deduction from Uncle Sam. We accept checks and credit cards. Contact our Business Manager, Ms. Kimberly McGovern, for details. God bless you as you give. Thank you! We had a fantastic open house last night with a mix of current and prospective families. The teachers presented the great things they and their students have done in the classrooms this semester. Mr. Montgomery and Ms. Mine led their bands and choirs in rousing performances all evening. Our Athletics, Arts and Space Programs presented their many accomplishments as well. I want to thank the Parent Fellowship Council, the teachers, staff and students for making this Open House one of our best ever! Congratulations to our BC choir students, Sam Skarin (12th), Michelle Mumia (12th), and Kate Johnson (9th) for being selected to participate in the annual Southern California Vocal Association Honors Choir for 2018 hosted at University of Redlands! As in previous years, the students were able to work with choir students from across Southern California under the direction of amazing guest conductors. I am so proud of these students, and we are thrilled that they were able to have this growth experience. Kudos to Ms. Mine for helping these students develop into award winning performers. Our annual Christmas Concert is coming up on Saturday, December 8th, so please purchase tickets in the front office, or go to http://www.bchs.net/festivalofchristmas/. Tickets are selling fast and seating IS limited, so please get your tickets today. Merry Christmas! We had our football banquet this week, and it was a time of great celebration. I am so proud of Mrs. Whitmire, Coach Green and Coach Duren for bringing godly character back into our program. These coaches worked with an amazing group of young men to bring the best out of them both on and off the field. They have made us all proud. We look forward to a great season next year, as we only had one senior on the team. Go Warrior Football!!! We have had some questions regarding the process of requesting extended time off for students. Please contact Ms. Flippin or me with a formal request and reason for the extended absence, including all dates and times. It is the students’ responsibility to check Canvas and communicate with their professors about assignments that might be missed. Thank you. Mrs. Stone no longer works at the school, so we thank her for her years of service, and we wish her well. Her position is not being refilled at this time, but we are covering her duties, so there will be no lapse in service. Please contact me if you have any questions about services related to your child. Thank you. The BC Winter Semi-Formal is this Saturday, December 1st for high school students. Our event will be from 5PM to 8PM at Riverbed Farm, 1426 East Vermont Ave, Anaheim, CA 92805. Let’s take this time of Thanksgiving to give God the glory for all He has done, is doing and will do for our school community. On behalf of our board, staff and teachers, I wish you all a happy, safe and blessed Thanksgiving season…. BC International Space Station Program In The News! Congratulations to our Lady Warriors for their 2nd place finish in their league. They fought hard in the championship match and made us all proud. Kudos to Coach Sierra Whitmire and all the players for a having the highest ranked team at BC this year thus far!!! The Athletics Department is doing a fundraiser, where you can purchase Christmas trees or wreaths or other ornaments! You can bring in your money and purchase form to the front office, and we’ll give you a coupon to pick up your tree! A portion of the proceeds will go to support the BC Athletics Program. Thanks in advance for your generous support. We started the club this year to build cultural competency and to foster relationships between all students of BC. Our latest meeting deconstructed cultural stereotypes. This effort helps both international and domestic students grow in their global perspectives and in their understanding of themselves and others. BC has another Dine-Out event this month on November 29th for the entire day. Please go to the Corner Bakery on Brookhurst in Fountain Valley, and tell them you are supporting BC - and 15% of sales will go to our school! You can stop by before our Open House event, or go right after (they close at 9pm) to get an awesome dessert. Our annual Christmas Concert is coming up on Saturday, Dec. 8th. There will be a number of performances and great classic Christmas songs. Tickets are $5 and you can buy them at the front office or online at http://www.bchs.net/festivalofchristmas/. Time is running out to purchase a BC Yearbook Ad spot, so get yours via this link: Yearbook Ads. Are you interested in spreading the word of God throughout the world? If so, you may want to consider supporting our BC missionary students! We have teams going to Japan and Honduras this summer, each of which will bless the people with whom they interact. You can go to www.bchs.net/missionsupport/ and scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to support our general missions or individual students or staff. If you are interested in getting involved with the Parent Fellowship council, please attend our upcoming meeting on Monday, November 26th in the Main Office from 7-8:30PM. We will meet on campus and talk about all the events and activities we have coming up to support our school. Don’t Miss the BC Open House on Thursday, November 29th at 6:30PM. Come and see what our students have created so far this year, meet their teachers and enjoy some hot chocolate and music from the BC Band and Choir. There will be some great prizes and a Christmas Tree coupon up for raffle! Please join us for a wonderful time for our entire community, and don’t forget to invite your friends who might be interested in a BC education. The Brethren Christian High School Choir participated in an invitational Choral Festival hosted by Concordia University in Irvine. Our choir performed beautifully in front of other schools from southern California and guest clinician, Mr. John Tebay. Congratulations to Ms. Mine and our wonderful choir! We have a special chapel planned for next Tuesday at 11AM in the mall to honor our country’s veterans. There will be a Marine color guard, a combat Marine speaker and another special veteran speaker. We invite all of our students’ family members, who are veterans or active duty military to join us in their uniforms. We look forward to a big turn out. You may not know that four members of the BC class of 2018 have joined the Marines, and we are so proud of them! God bless America! The Boy’s varsity cross-country team finished 3rd in the league after an amazing performance at league finals yesterday! Nine of our boys will participate in the CIF preliminary race next Saturday in Riverside. Let’s wish them luck for next week and congratulate them on a strong finish to the season! Please contact Coach Dyson for details about this Saturday’s event. There are three ways that you can help support the PFC right now! 1. Official sign-ups for our Annual Color Run and Chili Cook Off will happen at Open House in November. The event itself is Saturday, April 5th, but there is a lot of work that can be done now! 2. Parents and students can volunteer to help in advertising, set-up and clean-up, gathering supplies, and organizing the event. This is a community event and we need everyone! 3. Spread the word now to any businesses or business owners you know who might want to be a sponsor. We are always looking for people to donate T-shirts and items for our swag bag. Also, do you know of a DJ company, photo booth and food truck? We need your referrals! See you at the PFC Meeting on Monday 11/26 7-8:30PM in the Teacher's Workroom - all are welcome. On Friday, November 9th, representatives from UC Riverside and Verto Education will be on our campus in room 202 to talk with BC high school students about the college application process. If you would like your child to attend, they can come during Academic Support at 9:25AM to meet with the representatives. BC Seniors may sign-up to stay after and talk more in depth if they have not already missed up to 4 classes for other visits. The BCHS ISS team is having a yard sale this Saturday, November 10th to raise funds for the experiment that they are creating that will be launched up into space and monitored by the astronauts in the International Space Station. The yard sale will be from 7:00AM to 2:00PM on the BC campus east lawn, behind the main office. Thank you to the whole Space team: Andrew, Kaito, Jessi, Paige, Maddie, Colby, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. Donahoe. We are gearing up for a wonderful Open House event for our entire BC community! On Thursday, November 29th our campus will be open for the friends and family of Brethren Christian School to come and visit our teachers, hear some amazing music and see some awesome artwork that our community has produced so far this semester! We are inviting prospective families to join us for Open House, so invite your friends and neighbors who might be interested in attending BC. We look forward to seeing you at this community event. The end of the second 6-week grading period is this Friday, November 2nd. Our students have been working hard on a variety of projects and learning many things along the way. Report cards will be handed out to your students on Tuesday, November 6th, so please ask your student about their grades that evening. Parents, please join us for an end-of-the-semester celebration of all the hard work your students and teachers have done together! Some great projects have been completed and we will be showcasing it on Thursday, November 29th at 6:30pm. There will be food, music and fun, so bring the whole family! Please invite your friends that might want to attend BC next year. Thank you. A representative from Westmont University will be available to meet with students on Monday, November 5th at 10:45 AM. They will answer questions about filling out applications, college matriculation and scholarship opportunities. If you would like more information, please contact our Academic Dean, Ms. Flippin. Our BC Drama Production of Neil Simon’s “Fools” is closing this weekend, with final performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM in the BC Drama Room. Tickets are still available online and at the door (or to buy in the front office) for$10. You can buy them online at www.bchs.net/bcdrama/. Please print out your receipt and bring it to the show as your ticket. Congratulations to Mrs. Griffin and the entire cast and crew on a great show. I attended last weekend, and it was fantastic. Get ready to laugh hard! Are you shopping online for Christmas? You can actually give back to Brethren if you use smile.amazon.com/ch/95-3956057 and choose “Brethren Christian Junior & Senior High School” as your selected charity. We will get a percentage of eligible purchases made through the Amazon Smile program every time you make a purchase! If you have any questions, please contact the business desk at ex. 33 for help with this program. 1. Official sign-ups for our Annual Color Run and Chili Cook Off will happen at Open House in November. The event itself is on Saturday, April 5th, but there is a lot of work that can be done now. 3. Please spread the word now to any businesses or business owners you know, who might want to be a sponsor. We are always looking for people to donate T-shirts and items for our swag bag. Also, do you know of a DJ company, photo booth and food truck? We need your referrals! See you at the PFC Meeting on Monday 11/5 7-8:30AM in the Teacher's Workroom - all are welcome, and we encourage parents to come. Thank you. Debunking the Vaping Myth. A new study by the American Physiological Society significantly debunks the myth that e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes. FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb says, “E-cigs have become an almost ubiquitous--and dangerous--trend among teens.” Due in large part to the mythic narrative that vaping is safe. This recent research shows that not only vapor harms the lungs, but the added flavor in e-cigs exacerbates the detrimental impact of vaping. It’s a double whammy. Your teens probably believe e-cigs are safe and more significantly they may be drawn to them because vaping just looks cool. Please talk to your children about the dangers of vaping and smoking. Thanks so much to our students and parents, who met with the Accreditation Committee as they reviewed our school this week. Your input and experience were invaluable. The official report will be delivered to us in the next two months, but the initial report is strongly positive on all areas of our school. This process was validating to who we are, and it gave us direction on how to continually improve. The BC HIGH SCHOOL Football team will conclude their season with a home game against Lighthouse Christian at 3:30PM this Friday. We will also celebrate Senior Appreciation that night, celebrating all 12th graders in our football team, cheer squad, and band! Please come out to support our Warriors! The BC Drama Production of Neil Simon’s “Fools” opens this Friday at 7:30PM in the BC Drama Room, and will run on October 26th and 27th & on November 2nd and 3rd. Tickets are $10, and you can buy them online at www.bchs.net/bcdrama/. Please print out your receipt and bring it to the show as your ticket. See you at the show! Come to our 6th Annual Band Pancake Breakfast & Used Book Sale on Saturday, October 27th, from 7:30 - 10:30AM, where the JH and HS bands will be performing. The Lions Club of Huntington Beach, who is graciously volunteering their time to cook pancakes for us, will also join us! They are gathering donations of used eyeglasses, so please bring any if you have them. We are pleased announce that BC students can now earn college credit and high school credit at the same time for certain courses taken online through Biola University at a significant discount. Please visit Biola Smart Start to get more details and to apply online. Students are encouraged to enroll by November 30th for courses beginning on January 14, 2019, since space is limited. Please consider taking advantage of this special offering from Biola. Monday, October 29th is Club Photo day. Mrs. Ramsey is arranging to take pictures of all clubs and teams that meet at Brethren Christian School. Please ask your children to check with their club Directors about what to wear for the photos. Ever wonder how people find our school? Much of it is word-of-mouth, but research shows that more and more parents are turning to online searches. Yelp is one of the most popular platforms for people who want to find out about private schools in our area. Would you consider going to the BC Yelp page and leaving us a review and a rating? We would really appreciate it. Please be aware that the City of Huntington Beach is planning a Pavement Rehabilitation project in our neighborhood from October through December. We have been notified that there will be possible “no-parking signs” that will go up in our neighborhood in the days prior to any project that immediately affects our streets. Construction projects will generally take place Monday through Friday from 7AM to 5PM. We update you with any changes in our Daily Bulletin, which is posted on our website. 1. The next PFC meeting is on Monday, November 5th from 7 -  8:30PM at BC. 2. The holidays are upon us and there are plenty of ways to bless the students and staff at BC, please ask us how! 3. Mark your calendars for BC's Open House on November 29th at 6:30PM. Parents and students alike are welcome to come and celebrate the fall semester's accomplishments. Official sign-ups for Color Run volunteers will also begin here! 6. Please contact the PFC directly for questions about how to get involved with activities this year! Visit the Parent Fellowship Council page on our website and get to know the team, and help serve our students. …speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. BC is accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) AND the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). We submitted our self-study to these organizations in early September of this year. I commend our entire staff for their excellent work on this document - especially Mrs. Jenn Simonds and Ms. Marcella Flippin. An accreditation team will visit our school from this Sunday through next Wednesday to evaluate our school from A-Z. Our administration may be a bit busy with the team, but we will continue to make ourselves available to parents with any needs you may have. Accreditation keeps us accountable to a process of continual quality improvement, which is consistent with our goal of excellence in every area of the school enterprise. The visiting team's findings will be read publicly at 3PM in our library. All parents are welcome to attend. Our 7th grade enjoyed a day at the Medieval Times this week. They learned some history of the period and the value of kindness, while enjoying a great show. A special thanks to Mrs. Neighbors, Mr. Jefferson and Mrs. Johnson for chaperoning the students on this fun and educational field trip. The Science Department at Biola University has partnered with our International Space Station Program to provide: technical direction, lab space, equipment access and student mentoring. We are grateful to Biola for their support and, we are glad to introduce our students to such a great Christian University. Please join us tonight at 7PM in the Mall to hear our students perform at the BC Coffee House event. Enjoy various musical genres, musical theater, bluegrass, pop, comedy and more! There will be pies and coffee for sale as well, so come on out and support the arts at BC! A representative from Grand Canyon University will be available to meet with students on Monday/10/29 at 10:45 AM. They will answer questions about college scholarships opportunities exclusively for BC families as well as dual credit enrollment possibilities here at BC. If you would like more information, please contact our Academic Dean, Ms. Flippin. Come to our 6th Annual Band Pancake Breakfast & Used Book Sale on Saturday, October 27th, 7:30AM - 10:30AM. Both the junior high and high school bands will be performing. We will also be joined by the Lions Club of Huntington Beach, who have graciously volunteered their time to cook pancakes for us! They are gathering donations of used eyeglasses, so please bring any if you have them. The Fall play, Fools, is opening on Friday, October 26th at 7:30PM and will run Fridays and Saturdays until November 3rd. You can buy your tickets ($10) now! Please select the date, reserve the number of spots you want and print out the receipt as your ticket! You can also stop by the front office and pay cash to pick up your tickets. Thank you. Do you love BC? We do, too. Don't forget to visit one of our social media outlets, including Facebook, Instagram, or Yelp and leave us a positive review. Tell your family and friends about us, as we have plenty of events coming up in November and December that are open to the public to enjoy. 1. The next PFC meeting is on Monday, November 5th from 7 – 8:30PM at BC. 2. The holidays are coming soon and there is a "classroom needs & favorite things" list from the faculty and staff in the front office. Thank you! 3. Keep collecting those BOX TOPS! Every bit counts as we raised over $500 with our last submission! You can turn in your box tops to the front office and don’t forget to trim them down on the dotted lines to make them perfect rectangles, and check the expiration date. 4. Amazon Smile is a great program to utilize in order to raise money for an organization while doing online shopping! Consider using it to promote BC while you do your Christmas shopping! 5. The Annual BC Color Run is coming soon and we need your help! Please contact the PFC to jump on the planning committee and help plan this amazing event (our 3rd anniversary this year) that takes place on Saturday, April 6th. 6. To contact the PFC directly about questions or comments, please visit the Parent Fellowship Council page on our website and get to know the team, and help serve our students. Please join us tomorrow morning, October 5th at 8AM in Room 202 for some light snacks, fellowship, and a time of Q&A with me and other parents. Everyone is welcome! The class schedule for the week of October 8-12 will be adjusted due to PSAT testing. Please visit the PSAT Schedule Page for a complete breakdown of the schedule, and adjust accordingly. Thank you. Our 8th grade class leaves for Astro Camp next week for a three-day experience in the mountains. Students will learn about science, bond with their classmates and make memories for a lifetime! Please connect with Mr. Weir at sweir@bchs.net if you have any questions before they leave on Monday. Join our drama students on Friday, October 12th for Comedy Sportz, a hilarious improv-comedy show where student and audience participation is encouraged. Tickets are $5. This is a fun time to laugh with our community and all proceeds go back to supporting the BC Drama program. Head over to the Drama room (502) at 7PM and be ready for laughs. 1. The next PFC meeting has been postponed until Monday, 10/8/18 from 7 – 8:30PM at BC. 3. Looking for ways to support BC? Try using the Amazon Smile program next time you shop online, or turn in some Box Tops to the front office! 4. The Color Run planning committee is forming now. Please contact the PFC in order to participate in helping plan the amazing event that takes place on Saturday, April 6th. 5. To contact the PFC directly about questions or comments, please visit the Parent Fellowship Council page on our website. We had high-speed fiber installed this past weekend to further increase our speed and bandwidth at the school. This was completed at minimal cost, but it will deliver maximum results for our network. Your students will notice the difference. Our award-winning choir is having a fundraiser with See's Candy! Download the BC Choir See's Candy Flyer and print it out. Then you can complete the form and bring it in to the front office. Order your chocolates today, or buy some for your family and friends for the holidays. Interested in Hosting BC International Students? A number of families have expressed interest in hosting Brethren Christian School international students, and we are starting to look for host-families for the future. If you are interested in participating in this rich experience, please contact our Admissions Director, Shawn Thomas, at shawnthomas@brethrenchristian.org for more information on how to become involved in the host-family process . Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Tomorrow our Warriors will be hosting the Desert Chapel Eagles at Brethren Christian School at 4PM. Stop by and watch the game, and bring a chair for the sidelines. Earlier today, our Junior High Boys Flag Football team fought hard against Covenant school, and tomorrow afternoon our Junior High Girls Basketball team will go up against Bethel at the Fountain Valley Rec Center. This Saturday, our Girls JV and Varsity teams will play a double header at Avalon High School on Catalina island! Let's wish all of our teams the best of success! September 27th is the day! Make sure to head over to First Class Pizza in Fountain Valley, and order something to sponsor BC. We will get 15% of sales when showing this flyer between 11AM and 9PM. Make it an “after-party” following our Girl’s Junior High Basketball game at 3:30PM, or after the High School Football game at 4PM! Today’s technology can be an important help in a variety of situations, but we are also aware of how dangerous it can be to young people. We take the risks and temptations facing our students at BC seriously, so we want to make parents aware of some of the latest Apps that could potentially be harmful to students and that may be contrary to our views and values as a Christian ministry. Please take a moment to review the 7 Apps to Avoid document from eSchool News Daily. 1. PFC meeting postponed to Monday 10/8/18 from 7 – 8:30PM at BC. 2. Save the date: Color Run Saturday April 6th – please contact the PFC if you'd like to volunteer! 3. We had a great time selling BC t-shirts and stickers and raising money for BC during the Homecoming celebration last Friday. We will continue to sell t-shirts at football games and Open House on November 29th. 4. Save the date: Friday Morning Fellowship with Dr. Moran occurs at 8AM on campus every first Friday of the month. This is a time of fellowship with other parents and the Superintendent on an informal level. 5. The holidays are coming soon and there is a "classroom needs & favorite things" list from the faculty and staff in the front office. We are in the midst of a fantastic Spirit Week with fun activities and competitions, including dressing up in fun costumes each day. It culminates this Friday, Sept 21st with our Homecoming Football game on our campus at 4PM. The whole community is invited to come and cheer on our school and enjoy the food, booths and games that will be available for all. This Friday (Sept 21st) is the end of the first 6-week grading period. Electronic Report Cards will be available in Aeries on Monday (Sept 24th) after 4PM. The grade is a snapshot of your child’s work in each class for the first 6 weeks, including citizenship and work habits. Students with less than a 2.0 GPA or 4 points accumulated in citizenship (U=4 points/N= 2 points, W=1 point) will be placed on the ineligibility list for extra-curricular activities such as sports or the play for the following 6 weeks. Please remember that you can always access Aeries 24/7 to see what your child is doing (or not doing) in each class. Please review it periodically and talk to your children about their performance. Let’s partner to foster the best performance of each and every student. Thank you. Congratulations to the BC band who performed the national anthem, along with other Southern California schools, at the Angel's game this past Saturday! Over 140 people from our BC community were at the game to cheer on our band and to watch the game together. Kudos to Mr. Montgomery and his talented band members for making us all proud! Make sure to check out the video of their performance! Andrew Shiroma, Colby Peterson, Paige Coultrop (Program Manager), Maddie Zone and Kaito Ochia presented a wonderful assembly this week to show the school what the ISS Program is all about. Kudos to them and Program Mentor, Mr. Mike Donahoe for the assembly and for advancing space exploration at BC! Come out and support BCHS! On Thursday, Sept. 27th, First Class Pizza Fountain Valley will donate 15% of sales to Brethren’s PFC between 11AM and 9PM. Orders must be dine in or take out. For more information and to download the required flyer to present when you make your purchase, visit the Dine Out Event Page. You can download the BC calendar onto your smart phone or desktop calendar and stay up to date with all upcoming events and schedule changes or updates to our main calendar. Simply go to www.bchs.net/calendar/, look on the upper right hand side of the page, and click the “Subscribe” button. If you have an iCal, Outlook, or Google calendar, you can sync the BC calendar with yours and have all of our events instantly on your smart phone or home computer. You can also download our 2018-19 Year At A Glance PDF (this PDF will not reflect cancellations or changes as does the website calendar). We had our first meeting of this club intended for all students to learn about different cultures. A goal of the club is for American and International students to become more socially integrated. We had Chinese food, talked about faith approaches in the US and Asia, and had a chop-stick eating competition. Kudos to the student leaders of this club for putting together a great first event! 3. Save the date: Color Run Saturday April 6th – committee forming now! 5. Save the date: Friday Morning Fellowship with Dr. Moran occurs at 8AM on campus every first Friday of the month. This is a time of fellowship with other parents and the Superintendent on an informal level. So be imitators of God, as his dear children. We have always worked to foster a culture of student responsibility at BC, and our block schedule necessitates an even keener focus on this due to “free” times built into the block. A student may use that time to do homework, study for a test or to visit a teacher in the classroom for extra help. Conversely, they may use the time to talk with friends, play games or be idle. While there is some benefit to having more “free” time, we encourage students to utilize most or all of these times to engage in productive learning, leadership or club activities. We wish to partner with parents to encourage students to use their new freedom responsibly in ways that lead to personal development – not wasted time. Let’s all work together to create this culture of responsibility with our students. Thank you. Our PFC President, Mrs. Janice Royal, M.A., is an Independent College Admissions Counselor, and she will be hosting two admission seminars on our campus. She will walk students and families through the college admissions process with a focus on each field of the UC and Cal State University applications. Mrs. Royal will guide each student to presenting their “BEST YOU” on their applications! She will give advice on the UC Application at 5PM on October 3rd, and she will provide instruction regarding the Cal State Application on Thursday, October 11th at 5PM. Please contact royal@sbcglobal.net for more information and to RSVP no later than October 2nd. Our BC Warrior 8-man football team beat La Vern Lutheran! I am proud of the effort and spirit our young men are displaying on and off the field. Congratulations to them, the coaches and all of our football supporters for making this comeback season a true success. Please join us on our campus for the next Football Game tomorrow at 12 noon! Congratulations to Cameron Wilhite, our Cross Country Warrior who ran a great race last Saturday at the Laguna Hills Invitational. His time was 19 minutes 25 seconds, a 2 min 30 sec improvement over his time last year. He received a medal for placing 40th out of 147 runners in the Sophomore Division. Junior Shirlyn Rhee ( 27 minutes 3 seconds) and Freshman Kate Johnson (28 minutes 4 seconds) also ran great races. Congratulations to the entire Cross Country team as they prepare for their first League meet on September 17, 2019 at Mason Regional Park at 3:00PM. GO WARRIORS! Did you know that BC has a number of social media outlets, including Facebook, Instagram, and Yelp? Please stop by and like our pages, or leave a review about how much you love BC! The BC band will be performing the national anthem, along with other Southern California schools, at the Angel's game this Saturday! Over 140 people from our BC community will be going to the game to cheer on our band and watch the game together. We know Mr. Montgomery and his talented band members will make us proud! Our amazing ASB (Student Government) has been working hard this year to encourage the BC community to be a place of joy and camaraderie. Spirit Week takes place all of next week, and it is a time of fun activities and competitions, including dressing up in fun costumes. It culminates on Friday, Sept 21st with our Homecoming game at Brethren Christian School at 4PM. The whole community is invited to come and cheer on our school and enjoy the food, booths and games that will be available for all. 1. Dine Out 9/27 at First Class Pizza in Fountain Valley. 15% of sales goes back to BC! Program Mentor, Mr. Mike Donahoe, is leading a group of nine students to build and launch an original experiment to the ISS next April. There is room for more students, so please encourage your child(ren) to sign up for this unique learning opportunity. An experiment has just been chosen, and the design and build-out will follow. The success of this program depends upon human and financial resources. I have set a fundraising goal of $50,000 to support the total cost of this initiative, and I have already received a parent pledge of $20,000. Therefore, I am asking the BC community to donate the balance of $30,000 in tax-deductible donations by Thanksgiving of this year. I ask that you prayerfully consider a donation of any amount to help us reach our goal for this worthy effort. Thank you. Please join us on the morning of September 7th at 8AM in Room 202 for some light snacks, fellowship, and a time of Q&A with me and the PFC. Everyone is welcome! This Monday our campus will slow down for a special time of worship, fellowship, small group meetings focusing on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Students need to bring a camping chair or beach chair that can easily fold up to sit on during our time of worship (no couches or other types of chairs). School starts at 8AM and will be dismissed at 11:40AM. The bus will be scheduled to pick up our students at 12pm that day. Our Monthly PFC meeting is on Monday, September 10th at 7PM on campus. Please join us if you are interested in getting involved in the Parent Fellowship Council, or volunteering time to support BC in any way that you choose. Safety is our top priority at BC, so please remember to drop off and pick up your students behind the school in front of the rear entrance. Dropping off students in the front parking lot or on the street is dangerous, so please follow our parking guidelines. Thank you. Brethren Christian School encourages students to explore and create programs outside of their regular academic classes. If your child is interested in joining one of our student/staff-led clubs, September 12th is the day where they can find out about what we offer on campus and to sign up! Please come out and support our Football Team, Cheerleaders and Band tomorrow at 11AM right here on our campus. You won’t want to miss this first ever 8-man game on our very own field. Go Warriors! The team played a great game against Rolling Hills Prep last week, and our return to football was highlighted in the LA Times! We have updated our school year calendar. Please let us know when you see a discrepancy on the calendar, so we can correct it right away. Thank you. Our updated Parent/Student Handbook for the 2018/19 is now available via our website at www.bchs.net/handbook/. Please review it and use it as a reference. We understand that we have had some late deliveries and we are working with the company to resolve these issues. We are inviting all of our high school aged international students to come out to the Successful Strategies for University Admissions meeting . Friday, September 7th from 2:45pm to 3:20pm we are partnering with the Semita School and Dr. John Ahn to address specific questions about international students applying and enrolling into American Universities and colleges. Mrs. Martes and the Girls Volleyball team are hosting a fundraiser for their team. You can donate your old clothes or other items to them, and the Volleyball team gets a portion of the proceeds. Go to their fundraiser page for more information. Monday, Sept 10th is a half day! Our annual Friday For Him (Friday Forum) is going to be held on September 10th due to scheduling conflicts. We have an incredible worship band, three great guest speakers, small groups, and more planned for this lovely half day of school together. Students need to remember to bring a camping chair/ beach chair that can easily fold up to sit on during our time of worship. We will have metal chairs at the ready if you forget to bring a compact beach chair. Students arrive at school at 8:00 am and will be dismissed to be picked up at 11:40 am. The School Bus schedule will also be adjust for drop off times after 12pm. The Band is extending ticket requests until Tuesday for the September 15th Angels games where the BC band will be playing the National Anthem. The entire BC community is invited to get tickets where we will all get to sit together in the same section. Go to the ticket reservation page and then you can drop off your money at the front desk by Tuesday. Next PFC meeting is Monday, Sept 10 at 7pm at Brethren Christian School. Warrior Football returned to BC today! We wish Coach Green and all the players all the best. Please support Warriors Football by coming to the games and rooting us on. Please note that our Green Days (Tuesdays & Thursdays) end at 2:15. Students are in an Academic Support period from 1:40-2:15, so please do not pick up your students at 1:40. Please remember to drop off and pick up students in the large parking lot on the opposite side of the school from our main office. Thank you so much. We had a fantastic B2S Night this Wednesday! Thanks to all of those, who helped make it a great event, including the Teachers, PFC and other volunteers. Thanks also for all of the positive feedback on our great teachers, programs and changes this year. Please keep in close touch with your children’s teachers with any concerns you may have, and please partner with us by encouraging good study habits at home. Thank you. Thank you to those that signed up for the PFC on Back to School Night! There are many exciting events happening this year that the PFC needs your help with, so please contact them to help make BC the best it can be. Thank you. On Wednesday, August 29th at 7PM, College Planning Consultant, Janice Royal, will be joining us to discuss the senior application process and procedures one should be prepared for when looking at, and applying to, colleges. This includes a look at what happens in the review process and what "best practices" you should follow. Please RSVP with Dorothy Heinz in the front office by Wednesday. I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. We have gotten off to a great start to the school year. There were a couple of speed bumps, but we have navigated past those. I have had the chance to observe our new teachers, and they are connecting with students and using effective methods to teach their subject matter. Our Assembly on Tuesday was a time to share important information with students and to challenge each one of them to personal growth this year. Our block schedule allows more time for teacher training each week, and this week we focused on fostering the creativity God has given each student. We are also sharing best practices with the Chromebooks, and it is exciting to see the enthusiasm our teachers and students have in using the new technology. Students are being trained on Canvas and Aeries during the Academic Support times in our block schedules this week and next. BC families, please join us for BC's Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 22! We will be starting the night at 5:30PM with a free BBQ and fellowship in the Mall provided by the PFC. You can visit classrooms and talk to teachers at 6:40PM. Please RSVP at www.bchs.net/bbq/, so we can plan for how much food to provide. A special thank you to Mrs. Stone and the PFC for making this event happen!. Parents often ask me how they can help the school, and I tell them that the very best way is to get involved with the PFC. We have a small group of dedicated parents, who regularly volunteer, but they need your help. Please come to the next meeting and find out how you can help make BC a better place for our entire school community. Thanks so much. 1. Please Turn in Box Tops for Education in the Main Office ASAP for the October submission date. 2. Our next PFC meeting will be held on 9/10 from 7-8:30 PM in Dr. Moran’s Office.There are many committees to join and opportunities to get involved. 3. Please take a look at the teacher “wish lists” and “favorite things” in the notebook in the front office.We could use all the donations we can get. We are not offering an after school program for our students, so ALL students must leave the campus at the end of the school day unless they are involved in a school sponsored activity, such as: sports, clubs, band, etc. Thank you. We have had some coyotes wander through our field this first week, but there is no need for alarm. They pass through quickly and are not ordinarily a risk to humans, except for very small children. With that said, our armed security guard checks these animals when sited. It would be best to call the school when you hear of a coyote on campus instead of calling the police or other authorities for two reasons: the coyotes are gone before the authorities get here, and we now have our own security that can deal with the coyotes. We will definitely keep a close eye on this. We will be hosting 30 Chinese high school students next week from Monday through Wednesday for an English immersion experience. They will be auditing classes and eating lunch with our students. They will be well supervised, and they will also be given Bibles in Mandarin. Please pray for the Lord to bless this experience for all of our students. It's a new year, and if you need a reminder on how to use Canvas, or if you are a first-time user, you can navigate to our BC Parents page for instructions on how to set up your account. Canvas is our online learning module in which you can check and see the assignments that your student is working on - and when they upload them for teacher review. Take full advantage of our technological approach to education by getting plugged into Canvas today! This Monday, August 20th, all seniors will be having their senior portraits taken. Men, please wear a sports coat and tie, and ladies, a nice outfit, for your pictures. This is for 12th grade only. The following Monday, August 27th, we will be doing make-up photos for ID cards for anyone who did not get their picture taken on Registration Day. But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. We have had a great week of staff and teacher orientation, and we are ready to launch a fantastic year for your students! He will teach Math 7, Bible 7, Health & PE, and he will be coaching boys varsity basketball. Mr. Jefferson holds a BA degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications from Trinity Christian College. He is a graduate of BC and is respected by the entire community. He will be teaching AP Bio, Bio, Life Science 7 & Options Life Science. Mr. Smith holds a BS in Biology from Biola University and an Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary. He has solid teaching experience, and we believe he is going to do a great job teaching the life sciences at BC. He will be teaching Chemistry, Physics, 8th grade Physical Science & Algebra I. Mr. Weir holds a BA degree in Chemistry from Sonoma State University, as well as a Single Subject Credential. He is an experienced teacher, who combines exceptional academic ability with a great relational approach to students. She will be teaching Algebra II, Math Analysis/Trig & AP Calculus. Mrs. Hanson holds a Bachelors degree in Business Finance from CSUF, and a Masters degree in Math Education from CSULB. She comes to us with strong teaching experience at Mariners Christian School. Her son Sterling graduated from BC last spring. Mr. Reyes is our new Security Guard. He is a 20 year veteran of the LA County Sheriff’s Department, and he is licensed to open carry a sidearm. He will be providing a deterrence as well as responding to any security issues in real time. Officer Reyes will: patrol the campus, supervise carpool and lunches, and help with maintenance/cleaning as needed. Please give a big Warriors Welcome to our new teachers and staff. Our entire team is ready to go, and we can't wait to see all of you on Monday morning! I hope you are all enjoying the summer! I want to share my enthusiasm with you about the upcoming year and about the new opportunities a BC education will afford your children. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at Registration Day from 9AM-3PM, where your students will get their Chromebooks. Our teachers have been preparing to deliver innovative, high-tech teaching and learning approaches this year, and they will do so in our more flexible Block Schedule approach. I am confident that you will see and feel the difference. Please read below about some additional highlights for 2018/19, and thank you for being part of the rebirth of BC as we build for a bold new future of exceptional Christian education. I am thrilled to announce that BC will conduct the International Space Station (ISS) Program this school year! Mr. Mike Donahoe will be the Program Facilitator of this applied science, computer and engineering project. Our students will plan, build and send an experiment to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Rocket in April of 2019. This program is conducted in conjunction with NASA and according to their specifications. I launched this program at Riverside Christian School 2 yeas in a row, so I can tell you that the student learning and growth is astronomical. Please visit Mr. Donahoe at our ISS table at Registration Day this Thursday, August 2nd, and be sure to have your child sign up to participate in this amazing program. Mr. Donahoe is highly qualified to mentor our students to achieve the goals of this program. Please join me in thanking him for taking on this great project for our school! Football has returned to BC!!! Our 8-man football team is in place and the season is set to go! Our home games will be played here on our campus, and our band and cheerleaders are ready to support the team with Warriors spirit! Head Coach, Leon Green, has been getting the team ready, and we are looking forward to a great season! You will be happy to know that Mrs. Griffin will be producing one play and one musical this year as usual. Comedy Sportz will be coached by Tivoli Jensen, and the Cappies will be advised by Mrs. Maresh. Stay tuned for details. Mrs. Maresh will be coaching our new debate team, so please contact her at mmaresh@bchs.net to sign up for the team! We have a great new approach to providing lunch to your children this year that I am sure you will love. Yum Club orders food from your favorite restaurants and delivers it to the school each day. Please visit our website at www.bchs.net/lunch/ to sign up today. We will have a registration day on Thursday, August 2nd from 9AM-3PM. It is IMPORTANT that you read this entire notice, so you can be prepared for that day. Before August 2nd, please ensure you have completed the enrollment packet checklist, which can be viewed on our website. We will contact you before August 2nd if you have any missing items (please do NOT contact the office regarding this). • Pay remaining fees in the Business Office (we accept cash, check or credit card). We will send you a detailed list of steps to be taken on Registration day before August 2nd along with a map of the set up for the day. The office will be closed during the entire week of July 4th. We wish you a blessed and happy time as we celebrate the birth of our great nation. God bless America!!! Mr. Osburn and Mrs. Heffernan will be Co-leading our Activities program next year, which includes ASB, Class Councils and Ambassadors. I could not think of two better people to do this. They are both passionate about taking on this role, and they will be meeting with some of the student leadership this summer to plan for a spectacular 2018/19 school year. Please join me in welcoming them to these new roles. Thank you! It is with great sadness, that I report the tragic death of David Rosa, who graduated from BC in 1991. He later became the Fire Captain of Station 10 in Long Beach. David’s father, Paul Rosa, was a long-time member of the BC School Board. David was senselessly slain, while fighting a fire on Monday, June 25th. This hits the BC Family hard, so we will fly our flag at half-staff this week to honor the memory of this great public servant and Warrior. We will notify the community if we hear of any fundraisers to support the family. You can read the full story on the Press-Telegram website. Please join us in praying for the family. Thank you and God bless you all. I hope you are all enjoying this early summer weather as much as I am. I have truly become accustomed to the beach lifestyle this past year, even though I have not yet learned how to surf. As we end one year, and plan for the next, I wanted to take a few moments to share some important updates with you. Our 8th grade promotion and high school graduation were both well received from all whom attended. I am so proud of the wonderful young men and women who celebrated their accomplishments on these wonderful occasions. Our teachers and staff have been hard at work to make next year a great one! We had Block Schedule and Ed Tech training last week, and I can tell you that our teachers are excited about the new teaching and learning opportunities provided by the synergy of these two new approaches. Our team is completing the Self-Study for our ACSI/WASC joint accreditation process that occurs once every six years. This is a tremendous amount of work, but it focuses our self-reflection, and it serves to make us an even better school in all areas. Our Accreditation Team visit will be during the 3rd week of October, but there will be no interruption of classes or services during that time. Ms. Flippin is back at school! She is doing great and is experiencing a full recovery from surgery. She begins scheduling of next year’s classes this week, so stay tuned for updates on that. Our Junior High School enrollment has been dropping for a number of years, so we will be eliminating our 6th grade this coming school year. Since we just graduated 56 seniors, our overall enrollment will be a bit lower next year. This has precipitated some faculty and staff changes to come in line with our student population, while properly stewarding our finances. We will miss our departing staff, yet we will carry on the high quality of service and programming you have come to expect from BC. I want to thank Mrs. Staller, who led our Activities for many years here with quality and excellence. One of our teachers will be taking on this role, so stay tuned for an announcement on that soon. We have hired three new Math and Science teachers for next year. I will introduce them formally before the start of the year, but be assured that each of them is of the highest quality, and they will significantly strengthen our math and science programming. They are already beginning to prepare their lesson plans for the start of school on August 13th. Some of you may have heard of Measure Q, which is a bond measure that provides for school building improvements for the Huntington Beach City School District (HBCSD). The BC school board and I have been in ongoing conversations with HBCSD regarding Measure Q as it relates to the Gisler Facility upon which we reside. I will keep you updated on this issue, but please know that BC will remain on the Gisler Facility next year. It is likely that we will move to a new facility in the next few years, but exact dates are not yet determined. I want to thank the HBCSD for working with us to achieve a win-win for their school system and ours. I encourage all members of the BC community to email me directly at jmoran@bchs.net with any questions or concerns you may have about our great school. I will continue to communicate with you over the summer, but I will be out of the office intermittently until August. However, we will have staff working in the office from 9AM-3PM every day throughout the summer to meet any need you may have. I thank God for the miraculous year we have just concluded, and I hope you join me in my excitement about the great year ahead. In the meantime, I wish you and your families, a safe, happy and blessed summer! We look forward to a special commencement ceremony for our seniors this year, which will be held at Mariners Church HB at the corner of Warner and Beach on June 9th at 2pm. We will NOT have unlimited seating, so each graduate has been granted a limited number of tickets for friends and family. We know that alumni and others ordinarily come to the commencements even if not invited, but folks won’t be able to enter the venue without a ticket this year due to the limited size of the hall. I wanted you to know this in advance, so there are no disappointments on June 9th. Thanks everyone. It also helps when applying to top colleges and universities. This is another step forward in making BC a top preparatory school. Kudos to Mrs. Marcia Maresh for making this happen. Please contact her at mmaresh@bchs.net with any questions or if your children want to join the team. CONGRATULATIONS to our talented art students!!! Yihan Wang placed 2nd in 12th grade division with his self-portraits acrylic painting, "Me, Myself and I" Nina Nguyen placed second in 11th grade with her oil pastel floral drawing "Summer" Bethany Diment's acylic pour painting "The Journey to the Cemetary" inspired by the Phantom of the Opera placed 3rd in 8th grade division. I am pleased to report a new $700,000 donation! This raises our one-year total fundraising to $1.3 Million. Let us praise God, and thank our generous donors, for this miraculous provision. This is an anonymous, unrestricted gift to go where it is most needed. We will prudently use these funds to further strengthen our teaching, programming and services. This will go a long way to build excellence in our A5 = Academics, Athletics, Arts, Activities & AMSE (Applied Math Science & Engineering). Our board of Trustees and I are committed to stewarding these funds wisely to achieve maximum results for your children. This new infusion of funds will go a long way to implement these programs and others. Please join the board, our staff and me in rejoicing over the continual blessings the Lord Jesus is bestowing upon our beloved Brethren Christian. I am humbled and honored to serve all of you in this great school ministry. Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times. I will say it again: Keep on rejoicing! Ms. Flippin has just begun a medical leave that will last for 4-6 weeks. She will have surgery, and is expected to have a full recovery. During her absence, please direct any academic requests to Mrs. Stone, Mrs. Martes or me. Please join me in praying for Ms. Flippin’s complete and rapid recovery. Our Open House was fantastic! Over 200 people attended, and there were many new families visiting for the first time. Many thanks to all of the volunteers, students, teachers and staff, who made this event a tremendous success. Congratulations to the winners of the half-off tuition drawing as well. This was a great night to celebrate the great year we have had at BC, while forecasting the new initiatives for next year: Football, 1:1 Computers, Debate Team, Block Scheduling, new missions opportunities and much more. Their ribbons will be presented at our Award Ceremony later this month.
2019-04-21T23:15:34Z
https://www.bchs.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=116616&type=d&pREC_ID=889544
While it may look a very small pre mature, it’s very valuable to college students to create very excellent social networking customs from the get-go. By the end of the summer time program, students will present their own work with a award reception and find a fiscal Voelcker Student Award. All pupils have to pay tuition for all classes where they’re enrolled. Most senior high school students have a tendency to submit an application for a foodstuff professional services standing. Whether you’re leaving college, college or university, then you will want to compose a CV if you wish to land that dream job. S O you merely graduated school or college and you’re prepared to get in the work force to turn into an effective person in society. Consider everything you have done at faculty, for example, you can cite that your passion and potential to write persuasive dissertations. If you should be a high schooler that’s been admitted to a faculty currently, you can also state your faculty’s name and the day you’re going to start attending. Our instance CV will provide you with ideas and allow you to begin. The very optimal/optimally method to begin writing your CV is by simply creating a quick breakdown of approximately 4 or 5 4 sentences which best clarify what it really is you have in a position to contribute about this role, in the event that you receive the occupation. Your own CV is comparable to your own advertisement a chance to market to companies and inform them exactly why they ought to engage one. A CV or resume is very critical for each pupil for almost any job (be it a parttime job or even the commencement of one’s livelihood ). Sending your CV can be the very first bit of contact you will make with a potential employer, so therefore it’s important to make use of it as a way to earn a terrific first impact. Regardless of whether or not you make the most of the CV or resume, you ought to thoroughly edit your file. Employing the above tips that you should be in a place to develop a successful college leaver CV who may make a huge impression on recruiters and also make certain you get invited into lots of interviews. The use of this career purpose is not to tell the choosing manger what you would like to escape from the company. Relatively, it really is to showcase your skills and capabilities that’ll enable to successfully meet the tasks of this circumstance. To be able to set your self regardless of the rest of applicants, you must possess a thorough comprehension of the qualities and abilities that companies believe invaluable. Now you want to know how to compose a resume with no experience that’s compelling and distinctive, well suited to get a senior school restart or perhaps a newcomer’s resume for most teens. A lack of job experience doesn’t signify overly little work experience. Stay glued to this tips over, and you will have a resume that compensates for the lack of wisdom plus gets you the meeting. If like many school leavers, that you don’t have any direct job experience in your community you’re employing to, I’d counsel set your instruction next. Write down on exactly what knowledge you employed, and also the direction they may relate to the job which you just desire. Additionally say what kind of jobs you’re looking and you believe you’d be good in it. You may also leave off any tasks that are completely unrelated to this task that you desire. You have invaluable skills that you’re in a position to bring to this job, and it’s currently your target to convince the company which you’re getting to be a superior fit. Our college pupil CV hints are listed in order to aid you in ensuring that your advertisement does precisely the work. In the occasion that you’ve never maintained a formal job, it is still true you have lifetime experience that is certainly applicable to this search. For that reason, whenever you sit down to compose your first resume, make an effort to consider carefully your prior tasks at a brand fresh lighting. In a CV, for example, in case you should be asking for work at education, you can choose to set your teaching experience close to the peak of one’s CV. In case you have any part-time work, that’ll go a long way in a great adventure segment. Charitable job Any other form of fund raising or offer work you tackle for charitable triggers appear fantastic in your CV since they show you’re ready to help individuals and frequently involve an outstanding deal of organisation and planning. Whatever CV you require for the job for students simply comply with the above mentioned guidelines and offer all the knowledge and abilities that you possess. Strategically convey experiences to make your livelihood special CV. Someone who has received a former career should think about mentioning that adventure temporarily in a distinct section labeled additional expert experience. Simply choose the abilities which you have, and reveal the method by which they interpret into success in which you opt to apply them. Continue reading for a more in-depth excuse of each to figure out that CV format is best for students. In the finish of the summer season program, students will exhibit their job with an award reception and get yourself a monetary Voelcker Student Award. If you should be a worldwide student, you might need to describe work place. Many pupils are choosing to post their CVs on the web in a bid to exhibit themselves at a more professional way. They often discover that it’s beneficial to test resumes from graduate students who made their very first job out academe. All pupils have to pay tuition for all classes in which they truly are registered. Utilizing a student resume template can help save you time and attempt together side offer you ideas on which segments to add and also the way to accomplish them in order to pull the ideal employers. With a Phd, applicants are going to have a really good deal more experience inside their field speakingtherefore that they might need to incorporate added CV sections such as for example books, jobs, conventions etc. to give more info in their experience that might possibly help potential employers appreciate what they’re able to contribute about your enterprise. It’s necessary for candidates to get the most out of restart samples and practical direction when generating their pupil resume as a way to ensure they emphasize their abilities and potential at lieu of absence of expertise. An crucial matter every work candidate should be asking! Your employer would be interested in case you have any superior knowledge in various languages, Computing, driving and anything else which will possibly reap the organization. Employers might prefer one to submit a software to your job they will have promoted not any job. International companies usually make use of CVs too. For those who haven’t had some paid job, checklist some quick work experience placements or devoting you’ve completed. Like the instruction component of your CV, you need to set your latest job or job experience . The company will be searching for soft skills and features which have been acquired during employment, that it is potential to bring with your own company. You shouldn’t criticize about your prior company in your CV. As you still don’t have any skilled experiences, put your strengths into terms of your abilities, technical skills, and different competencies. Naturally, in case you have any job experience that’s directly in regards to the placement, you’re going to be more catnip for companies. Possibly you really did a fantastic deal of volunteer work or fund raising throughout senior school that may also be notable for you yourself to know your very own personal values and what types of matters are crucial to you. You are not called to disclose every career you’ve ever needed. No matter CV you will need for the job for students simply abide by the above guidelines and also sell all of the knowledge and abilities you might have. Strategically convey adventures to make your livelihood specific CV. A CV or resume is important for each and every university pupil for just about any job (be it a parttime occupation or the commencement of one’s career). CVs for faculty leavers and greater school student CVs could be hard as being a result of deficiency of expert work experience but you’ll find a lot of techniques to make creating a high faculty CV substantially more straightforward. Based about the form of project, you will have to develop a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or even a restart . ) A cv is chiefly connected with job applications. A student nurse program vita E is made by a nursing college student who’s applying for employment. A CV can differ from 2 pages to quite a few pages. To start with, a CV can be a very equally incredible method to continue to keep a watch out for your own accomplishments. Whether you’re in need of a college student CV, a undergraduate scholar CV or why not a post-grad or specialists student CV, then you’ll locate invaluable examples and instruments on Online-CV to work with you to create the-right program for your own requirements. Beneath you may discover a group of CVs. Your CV can be a critical door-opener, and so don’t overlook its relevance. Now you’ve learnt just how to create an exceptional cv, it’s time and energy to search for employment! Many CVs come to be rejected just due to endless errors in the individual. Additionally, CVs and covering letters ought to be composed in keywords. You don’t know exactly how and whenever your CV will likely be read by your future employer. CV might even be described being an outline of someone’s professional along with informative history that’s mainly prepared for job use. Your own CV will probably be shorter, which is reasonable to comprise explanations in some particular regions, like the standards for awards that you have gotten. Again, the best factor to simply take into consideration is who will be reading your CV and also what they are interested to find. Putting together the perfect CV may resemble an intimidating endeavor, but it is something that it is easy to study. By selecting any one of the above-mentioned mentioned sites, you’ll procure an equally professional and appealing CV which will absolutely be an advantage when job searching for. Whether you are a student who requires a letter of recommendation to get a program or some reference who isn’t certain the way to replicate the letter, these samples may offer assist. If you should be a global student, you could want to clarify work status. Most pupils reach a wall when it regards the professional experience segment since they simply don’t possess relevant job experience. Broadly speaking, greater school students possess a tendency to concentrate on their club participation whilst college students often feature major class projects. Choosing which to use is dependent upon the type of career which you’re trying to get and your degree of encounter. Whether you’re searching for the own first occupation or trying to get paid a livelihood change, the process starts with your own resume. So our student CV hints are listed as a way to aid you in ensuring that your ad does precisely your job. Whatever CV you require for the job for students just stick to this above guidelines and also sell all of the abilities and knowledge you possess. Around the flip side, resumes are simply a maximum of just a bunch of pages. A simple Resume is going to be clear and concise and mayn’t drag for over 23 pages. It will be possible to nevertheless develop a very amazing and professional course by abiding with a very straight-forward management structure to work with you to stand out from the many people looking for work and seekers. Given below are a handful sample CV programs that you can take benefit of just as references to build your curriculum vitae readily. As an example, underneath the designer CV template you might realize that people additionally supply you with a restart instance and also a method to write a style designer restart . Simply set a side a little bit of time (possibly bookmark it for later) and also a few tea bags at the end you are getting to be taking a peek in a prime instance of the best CV in history, together along with your name ontop! Consistently follow with instructions, but in the event that you become asked to furnish a CV, take the chance to send it with a note much enjoy a coverletter to demonstrate that you’re fascinated. Various varieties of CV There are two principal kinds of how CV students should concentrate on. A CV or resume is also critical for every single student for nearly any job (make it an part time occupation or the commencement of one’s livelihood ). Building an attractive CV assists in fostering your odds of choosing the occupation. Bear in your mind the great most of your CV need to pay attention to that which you have accomplished in your area. Your CV reflects that you have and all your accomplishments within the field of work, so it requires to cultivate with you personally. In the exact same time that you do not will probably have to own just one CV, you also need to have more than you, based on the work that you are searching for. Your CV ought to be targeted to this job you are applying for. A superb CV is just one that communicates data and information concerning its own applier, However, a wonderful CV is one that grabs the recruiters interest directly away. A graduate school CV isn’t the chance to find resourceful! You don’t know how and if your CV will probably be read by your future employer. CV can likewise be clarified being an outline of somebody’s professional together with enlightening history that’s mainly prepared for occupation application. Many CVs become rejected only because of endless errors in the individual. When you are thinking about just how to compose a CV that wins one of the interviews you would like, you must think about every element of your CV, notably the layout and the authentic details that you need to comprise. Your CV is similar to your advertisement an opportunity to market to companies and inform them exactly why they ought to engage one. Your CV can be actually really a vital door-opener, and therefore don’t overlook its importance. Assembling the right CV might seem to become a daunting job, however, it is some thing which you can easily study. So, you might want to consider maintaining an individual CV that you utilize specially for submitting together with software. When it’s to perform writing a CV, we frequently receive scared or think we’re not able to earn the right personalised CV. Also, CVs and covering letters should be written in keywords. Essentially it’s quite straightforward to create a CV but what counts is focusing on just how to earn a superior CV that’s well worth sending because of your own occupation app! Based on what industry you want to employ for, then it’s necessary for you to accommodate your CV and knowledge to demonstrate that you’re the appropriate person with this particular job. As said previously, perhaps not really just a great deal of individuals know what things to give a resume or cv. A curriculum vitae, usually called a CV, can be another option to creating a resume to submit an application to get work. Whether you’re composing your own first program vitae or using a the latest CV, a template might be exceedingly beneficial. The absolute most prosperous curriculum vitae and restart are all exceptionally targeted to your particular job. What’s a power program vitae. The 4 primary forms of CV or resume, chiefly employed for job applicants in the present job market place are follows. In order to acquire that all powerful interview, your CV have to find the attention it deserves. Of course the CV will not function as sole element which will get you the ideal job, but if a CV is thrown out before you are ready to find the situation to shine, you will not know if you had the ability to own landed the work. A chronological CV is very good if your work titles are excessively impressive along with your preceding employer names is really famous. Thus, you may possibly want to look at maintaining an individual CV that you use specifically for submitting together applications. Choose which sections that you have to put inside your CV (depending on the job that you’re applying for), and also which ones that you may possibly get rid of. Practical CV’s are also quite good if you should be aiming to improve career management or you want to leave a present trade. A functional CV is good at displaying crucial talents and special functions. If you are one among many your CV’d better be outstanding in the event that you are interested in to have an chance to excel throughout your interview. It is possible to swap mails at time and get the answer instantly. Considering that the introduction of the web, Mail coverletter composing is additionally a great issue of business persons as well to of ordinary men. Hence, the advice given about administrative management resume will allow you to draft a terrific administrative control restart. Make sure that you’ve replaced each of these information out of the template with your own, personalized advice. It’s possible to also incorporate information about the subject of the honors and accomplishments in it. To begin with you would like to secure as much advice as possible regarding this function. Few resources are capable of making a huge difference when you have written restart before. The authentic utilization of the purpose is always to sell hiring managers on your own candidacy. Though maybe not compulsory, when an objective is contained, it ought to be succinct and accurate. The objective, only delight in the remainder of your restart, is about you. Unfortunately, you can’t discount the worth of the letter. You need in order to illustrate a comprehension of this companys corporate culture. You surely have to have some work experience should you wish to find an entrylevel position. With an astonishing resume correspondence, you are able to definitely obtain the wanted occupation prospect. It really is desired you have any experience within the area you would like to get into. Your up coming livelihood is dependent upon it. If you are referring to an existing occupation, then they should be more utilized at today’s stressed. Lets look at what you need to do as a way to find out a entry level occupation. Whatif you couldn’t detect volunteer job in your area of interest. Thus need to own any courage, attempt to take some initiatives and even it’s likely to procure any the help of online resources also. On the list of most famous ways of finding a guy or lady to successfully fulfill out a telecoms job is to use the assistance of a specialised telecoms recruitment service. An excellent spot to uncover CV examples would be always to stop by your preferred university’s web page and find the college webpage for the own department. Assure you emphasize the skills pertinent to your certain company. Relevant expertise are what a certain company is hunting for. Following this, you opt for the most useful skills that commonly are required on your brand new marketplace and you have to begin searching for games. You also ought to highlight your abilities and capabilities. A seasoned writer knows the way to write a resume will help you insert everything will be the most crucial particulars and cut the excess information. CV writing is quite a brilliant issue. The way to compose decent CV cases is a typical inquest created to trigger depressing states of laidoff joblessness. Customizing your cover letter The correspondence needs to be composed based on the corporation’s wants and requirements. Using precisely the very exact same sources you’re have the ability to obtain your covering letter prepared as well. A excellent cover letter ought to match you RESUME. A template can spare you a lot of time. For example, it can show you the way you can lay out your CV. Templates also reveal you exactly what information that you’ll want to possess in your CV, such as what information to install each individual part of your CV, and what type of language to use. You will find loads of statement generating applications online that could instantly make your invoice slide. Invoices are only part of the film that reflects the business’s image and business standing. It is very important to get ready the industrial invoice as accurately and clearly as possible to prevent issues with your own dispatch. Fundamentally a statement contains some info related to the products and services supplied by your company. The statement is the former statement in regards to the value and also high caliber of job supplied by this company. Your statement should have your organization name and brand, in case you have got one, in the summit of the invoice with your address and proper contact info. Business Invoice is an entirely complimentary software. A commercial invoice is a global shipping record offered by the provider to the customer detailing the value and kind of products marketed. At the event of the habits inspection, a ready business invoice can assist the habits officer take a fast decision regarding the way your shipment ought to be successfully processed. In actuality, the practice starts until the authentic record was created. The optimal/optimally thing concerning the procedure is you might possibly customize it into your way. The procedure for building invoice form is fairly simple and needs less skill. What it’s likely you have to do is to locate the template that you would like to use within a bill for the ideal purpose. In any other case, you could use the templates that are conventional from your glow. The simple template allows one to conserve almost any advice you enter in to the industrial invoice form so that you do not need to manually retype the specific same information every time. A industrial statement template can be a exceptional form of invoice. Just like other main-stream bills an on-line bill templates incorporate a header part and a diagram from its entire body. You can get into the on line bill templates in a really nominal cost by reputed websites. Significantly more than 321 free statement templates you might download and print. At this time you know exactly why statement really things and also the manner it affects your small business advancement. You’re going to need a statement that is very likely to make your business seem specialist and isn’t challenging touse. Invoices are a vital part of one’s business’s balance sheet and keeping up a comprehensive, abbreviated set of fiscal transactions for tax and revenue purposes is crucial for its continuing progress of your tiny business. Professional invoices are simply a couple clicks away and provide a freelancer or very little enterprise a crystalclear path to setting a brand as well as a positive, mutually favorable client experience. Most invoices should additionally contain owner’s address and get information, along with some other normal particulars. To create an invoice in your you just need to put in a fundamental template form on the internet. If you should be permitted to file your invoice through email then it helps to change the statement in to PDF format so it can’t be shifted. It will be potential to basically share an extensive statement via a message using the cost link, and the buyer could be rather very happy to locate the procedure for payment hassle free. Our totally free invoice has the ability to allow you to avoid unnecessary disputes about how much is owed and present you a more solid footing if you ever will need to see court. Invoices are especially helpful for companies in case they have to keep monitoring of exactly what it’s really is that they supply. A pro forma statement is sort of earnings quotation that’s generally useful to validate the transaction or because of an authorized financial quotation paper just prior to selling this merchandise. Invoices aren’t the same as receipts. Your invoice needs several. Invoices are likewise a great way for enterprise to ensure they can push through with anything they truly are assumed to give. A industrial invoice is utilized to discover tariffs, global industrial phrases (such as CIF) and so can be popular for habits purposes. The initial business invoice, 1 backup connected to the shipment paperwork, and also yet another copy on the dispatch are all required. Invoices are essential parts of advice to keep in mind to really receives a commission . They are a really good way for customers to ensure their builders or suppliers drive through with anything they require. They form a critical portion of personal debt collection and payment terms have to be incredibly definitely stipulated. Complete the invoice needs to be designed such a manner that even after putting all of the particulars of this transaction, it looks complicated. A magnificent statement includes all the information relevant to the particular customer in the place of merely looks professional however provides a process of communication for the business. Industrial bill can be actually a substantial document desired by the customs government. The clean business invoice is currently in Excel spreadsheet format so that it’s quite easy to use. If you’re curious to discover some templates for your store or organization, then you first have to pick the kind you have to hunt for. In the event you find yourself with an best template however still your requirements aren’t meeting then it is apparent that you are away from your initial prerequisites. Automobile darkening template conserves a good deal of your time and funds plus aids your business to go smoothly with no confusion. The blank reception template is one of the absolute most flexible kinds of reception templates. The free receipt template is merely a complimentary and easy to use version. A money receipt template provides you having a location to monitor the identify of the individual that has made the payment that’s very important information which ought to be monitored. You could just necessitate downloading only 1 cash receipt template on your requirements. Receipt programs vary in articles suiting the requirements of the goal. The jewelry reception template might be utilized in various areas. You have to select a reception template that complements your goal. It’s not hard to put in an exact professional first-class sales receipt template and produce thousands of top quality receipts for practically any sale. The recipe template unites the normal direction of picturing recipes having an electronic virtual kind of storage. Even the Microsoft recipe template could be the perfect answer for everybody trying to obtain better organized. The Money Receipts inner command Template could also be structured in how best gifts your abilities and experience. The cheque receipt template, because its name implies is quite a straightforward structure, which admits payment by means of the cheque. The receipt templates may be used in virtually any new organization or business. Personal Custody Receipt Template can be just actually a sort that is suppled from the average person or thing who chooses over any land or alternative forms of matters to the individual handing through the specific identical. Now you are able to find several forms of bills. Invoices aren’t exactly the specific identical to receipts. They are important in the current normal small business activities. At a lot of situations, it truly is sufficient to concern that a commercial invoice. You may work with an all-inclusive invoice for lots of transactions. To know the VAT liability of an firm, it’s necessary that the invoices associated with every sale are maintained. An invoice is also regarded as a bill. A tax statement could maintain electronic form, given that it’s made up of their crucial info. For those who only desire one receipt and you never need unique receipts, you also may down load a term template which produces only one receipt, but if you require many receipts, start using a template creating significantly more than three receipts in an instant. Whatever you do or wherever you proceed, you will be supplied a reception after all types of trade. Producing receipts for little and significant bookkeeping is wise. In some conditions, you can take a particular type of receipt, including a rent receipt or a donation thanks letter. At a certain seconds you also will need to produce receipts. It is sometimes a nonprofit in which by you have to extend a reception of contribution to all donors. The receipt needs to have the exact date of. There’s no denying the simple truth that all receipts are essential. A health receipt is not going to look the very same as being a payment reception. You are able to receive free taxi receipt from the internet. Whatever you really do or wherever you move, you’re going to be handed a reception right following any sort of trade. The Rent Receipt has to be maintained effectively from the renter as it will be of use next time. Professionally generated receipts will also be important for keeping very good business documents. It’s mandatory that you select a higher superb reception because it is going to represent your organization along with your client will identify you in the reception too. With the evolution of net it is currently very simple to find different varieties of recipe card in several sites. Impressive recipe cards easily obtainable about the web can warrant all sorts of delicious recipe plus they truly are much appealing from the features. A redeemed Card is just actually a far simpler approach to pick your popular dish and it’s contained in lots of distinguishing shapes. Modern day recipe cards comes in a impressive manner and in addition, they create usage of innovative arts to create the card looks much more appealing and it induce individuals to have a look over the recipe and check it out in their kitchen. In other words, using a wal-mart Receipt Template Psd speeds up the tradition of creating a profitable restart also ensures that it will stand out in the applying strategy. In other words simply, employing a Money Receipts Prelist Template accelerate the practice of making a winning resume and ensures it’ll stand out in the application clinic. To put it utilizing a Money Receipts Internal management Template speeds up the practice of making a winning restart also ensures it is definitely going to stick out in the application form procedure. Receipt, is an easy official acknowledgment, so that the goods or services are received. The invoice is the former statement in regards to the worthiness and also higher caliber of job provided from the business. Thus, it really is vital to be aware that the more quickly you send your bills, the faster you will get paidoff. Once you are creating an invoice of almost any type you will see a Commercial Invoice Template should have the ability to help you to do matters in a superb way. Should you make a statement rapid, Billable wants to aid you. By having an internet invoicing software it’s possible to be certain your statement appear punctually and you will maintain able to readily track it. You’ll need a statement that’s very likely to produce your small business appear expert and isn’t hard to use. Your first three bills are completely liberated. It’s possible to use a Commercial Invoice that will help you when you attempt to create something that can be fully skilled. It’s potential to get notified while the buyer reads your invoice. You will be able to see how a final statement may appear. Generating statement is quick and straightforward and you’ll create and send statement instantly, track overdue invoices and make sure to receive paid for the invoice . An internet invoicing software helps fortify brand identity by giving amazing statement templates for internet invoicing. It’s much far more benefit than just creating the bill itself. It fully minimizes and eradicates the additional cost related to newspapers, envelopes, and postage of traditional statements. By using an internet invoicing program is most likely the most best means to retain your watch on which invoices are sent, paid out, or outstanding without even exposing your clients. You will find those who don’t use some one of the above mentioned alternatives. The ideal choice is always to use applications and software designed for earning statements. After deciding a number of choices to be added, it becomes more easy to sort the statement. Possessing many payment choices for the bills can improve your likelihood of becoming paid before the date by 3x. If you’re doing a good deal of invoicing, then you may choose to take a look at purchasing certain bookkeeping and invoicing application. Using Invoice Simple, you will be invoicing your clients very quickly and delivering expert PDF invoices readily. Your bill wants lots. Delivery statements can likewise capture costs of every and every item, substantially like a sales statement, as a way to observe overall prices. Your Invoices will be the previous discussion clients have with your own organization. INVOICE WITH CONFIDENCE Invoice Simple is utilized by tens of thousands and tens of thousands of modest business proprietors just like you and is consistently rated one of the optimal/optimally invoice programs. Since you might begin by creating a exact simple statement in Micro Soft term, finally you are probably going to will need to transition to an invoicing system or site that simplifies a range of the job. If you’re running a business, you know that it’s always essential to have a peek in the big photograph. But on the sector, there are exceptional businesses providing invoices with various selections. It is excellent for smaller business people, contractors and freelancers needing a quick, uncomplicated to use portable invoicing solution. The template comprises a ordinary license that give you the right to make use of it for personal or company needs, nevertheless, you also can’t pay or put it on its own, or even put it to use as just a portion of some other product offered for sale. You could find the template may enable one to accomplish things straight also to stay professional since you possibly can work. Templates could be at a variety of formats which is often customized for a educators particular desires. With the help a template offers it is possible to create a excellent statement. For instance, you can choose on an invoice template so you do not need to produce an original one having a term document. You’re working to earn something which will be an easy task to read and understand, and you’re going to be able to use a Commercial Invoice Template to simply help with this particular. Whenever many commercial invoice templates are inclined to be sales statement templates, there are a range of differences between both, no matter some similarities. Invoice Simple is perfect for little business owners, contractors and contractors needing an easy and professional portable invoicing answer. It is used by thousands and thousands of small business people just like you and is always rated among of many greatest invoice programs. It is prudent to fill the shape and also your receipt at the design of travel to get drivers trademark if needed. If you take advantage of a statement sort produced in Word, you have got to employ your own calculator to find out the totals.
2019-04-22T06:31:20Z
http://gnothikon.com/10-netzplan-vorlage/
The energy requirements of free-ranging marine mammals are challenging to measure due to cryptic and far-ranging feeding habits, but are important to quantify given the potential impacts of high-level predators on ecosystems. Given their large body size and carnivorous lifestyle, we would predict that northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) have elevated field metabolic rates (FMRs) that require high prey intake rates, especially during pregnancy. Disturbance associated with climate change or human activity is predicted to further elevate energy requirements due to an increase in locomotor costs required to accommodate a reduction in prey or time available to forage. In this study, we determined the FMRs, total energy requirements, and energy budgets of adult, female northern elephant seals. We also examined the impact of increased locomotor costs on foraging success in this species. Body size, time spent at sea and reproductive status strongly influenced FMR. During the short foraging migration, FMR averaged 90.1 (SE = 1.7) kJ kg−1d−1 – only 36 % greater than predicted basal metabolic rate. During the long migration, when seals were pregnant, FMRs averaged 69.4 (±3.0) kJ kg−1d−1 – values approaching those predicted to be necessary to support basal metabolism in mammals of this size. Low FMRs in pregnant seals were driven by hypometabolism coupled with a positive feedback loop between improving body condition and reduced flipper stroking frequency. In contrast, three additional seals carrying large, non-streamlined instrumentation saw a four-fold increase in energy partitioned toward locomotion, resulting in elevated FMRs and only half the mass gain of normally-swimming study animals. These results highlight the importance of keeping locomotion costs low for successful foraging in this species. In preparation for lactation and two fasting periods with high demands on energy reserves, migrating elephant seals utilize an economical foraging strategy whereby energy savings from reduced locomotion costs are shuttled towards somatic growth and fetal gestation. Remarkably, the energy requirements of this species, particularly during pregnancy, are 70–80 % lower than expected for mammalian carnivores, approaching or even falling below values predicted to be necessary to support basal metabolism in mammals of this size. Upper-trophic-level predators are important components of food webs, having disproportionate, landscape-level effects on the structure and function of ecosystems [1, 2]. Recent reductions in many species of large marine carnivores, including marine mammals, sharks and piscivorous fishes, have prompted calls for effective ecosystem-based management targeted at recovering depleted populations, while proactively protecting intact populations from decline [3–5]. As a result, many studies have focused on describing the distributions and foraging success of these groups in relation to habitat features [e.g., 6] and prey distributions [e.g., 7] with little information available on the basic resource needs of these species. Assessing the prey requirements of high-level predators is also central to determinations of how resilient they might be to ongoing anthropogenic disturbance and rapid environmental change . In contrast to many terrestrial systems, information on energy requirements is difficult to come by for marine animals because they forage at sea, making their food habits and foraging behaviors challenging to directly measure. In general, marine mammals have large energy requirements that are thought to be driven by the relatively large metabolic demands prescribed by carnivory and the maintenance of a high core body temperature in water . Foraging effort will reflect these requirements, and will contribute to energetic demands via the costs associated with locating, chasing and capturing prey . To remain in positive energy balance, the energy acquired from foraging must exceed the energetic cost of foraging . More successful foragers will accumulate surplus energy to allocate towards somatic growth and reproduction, and thus, a high foraging efficiency via the minimization of energy expenditure relative to energy gain is expected to be adaptive for all animals, and especially for predators with large energy requirements. Marine animals can minimize locomotion costs by adoption of stereotyped swimming behaviors. For example, “widely foraging” individuals regularly engage in specific swimming modes , swim at particular speeds and depths , and utilize energy-saving swimming strategies like drift diving [16, 17], burst-and-glide swimming , porpoising and wave-riding . The disruption of these routine behaviors should increase the amount of time and energy spent foraging, resulting in increased locomotory costs and less energy devoted to production, thereby reducing foraging success. The ecology of the northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris, (Fig. 1) facilitates acquisition of foraging behavior data using archival tagging instrumentation, making it an ideal study species to address questions on the effects of both natural and anthropogenic disturbance on the foraging success of marine carnivores. Every year, adult females return to land for one month in between each of two foraging migrations, once to birth and nurse a pup, and once to molt their pelage . Females are inseminated just prior to weaning, and then return to sea to forage for 2–2.5 months before hauling out for the molt. Implantation likely occurs during or after the molt, when seals return to sea for 7–8 months to forage and gestate the fetus. The demands for foraging success are considerable during this time, as pregnant seals must ingest sufficient energy to replace what was lost during the molt as well as store sufficient energy reserves to support the fasting mother and her suckling pup during the costly month-long lactation period . Our objectives in this study were to determine the total energy requirements, and the relative partitioning of energy among competing demands, for adult female northern elephant seals under normal foraging conditions. We compare these data to those from 3 seals encountering increased foraging costs due to increased drag, to determine how the disruption of stereotyped locomotory behaviors affects energy balance. To achieve this, we constructed complete energy budgets by coupling measurements of foraging success (energy gain) during each foraging migration with empirical measurements of locomotion costs in free-swimming seals . For one of the largest predators in the northern Pacific Ocean, we describe (1) increased, extreme energy economy as a function of pregnancy and/or time spent at sea; (2) strong, predictive relationships between body size, flipper stroking mechanics, and at-sea energy expenditure; and (3) reduced foraging success when stereotyped, energy-saving swimming behaviors are disrupted. Energy expenditure for each of the 22 seals carrying accelerometers is listed in Table 1. For each of the variables discussed below – field metabolic rates (FMRs), locomotion costs, and flipper stroking frequency – the response was influenced by the interaction between body size and foraging migration (short or long trip) (MLR results, p < 0.05 for each). The significant interaction term indicates that the relationship between mass and each response variable depends on the migration, so we ran MLRs on each of the migrations separately. As described below, our data indicate that, in general, locomotion behavior and the resulting field energetics of seals were most influenced by time spent at sea during the short trip, and the animal’s mass during the long trip. For both migrations, variance in calculations of FMR was most sensitive to estimates of CPS (Additional file 1: Table S.1); sensitivity of calculations of locomotion costs was spread among estimates of how ingested energy was partitioned among the input parameters E(Feces + Urine + Digestion + Maintenance) (Additional file 1: Table S.2). where FMRST is field metabolic rate during the short trip in kJ kg−1 d−1, M is mass in kg, and t is time spent at sea in days. Despite its low predictive (r2) value, eq. was effective in estimating FMRST to within 6.3 ± 2.1 % of true values in the absence of flipper stroking data (Table 2). where RST is flipper stroke rate of actively-swimming seals during the short foraging trip in strokes d−1, and t is time spent at sea in days. With basal costs removed, the impact of each flipper stroke on locomotion costs was approximately 0.24 ± 0.04 J kg−1. where FMRLT is field metabolic rate during the long trip in kJ kg−1 d−1, and M is mass in kg. Despite its low predictive (r2) value, eq. was effective in estimating FMRLT to within 4.3 ± 2.8 % of true values in the absence of flipper stroking data (Table 2). where RLT is flipper stroke rate of seals during the long foraging trip in strokes d−1, and M is mass in kg. We were unable to detect an effect of time spent at sea on FMR or flipper stroking frequency during the long trip. With basal costs removed, the impact of each flipper stroke on locomotion costs was calculated as −0.50 ± 0.11 J kg−1, indicating an overestimation of basal costs in this group. Mass gain, energy gain, and other indicators of foraging success for each seal are listed in Table 3. This information was used in combination with energy expenditures calculated above to determine the overall energy budget of each seal during her respective foraging migration (Fig. 4). During the shorter migration, approximately 31.4 ± 2.1 % of total energy intake was allocated towards somatic mass gain (adipose + lean tissue), while 38.1 ± 7.2 % and 3.8 ± 0.1 % of total energy intake was devoted to basal metabolism and locomotion, respectively (Fig. 4). The remainder of total energy intake was lost as HIF and in the formation of urine and feces, as described in the methods. During the longer migration, approximately 30.8 ± 1 % of total energy intake was allocated towards somatic mass gain (adipose + lean tissue), which was not significantly different from the shorter migration (GLS with fixed variance structure, F2,16 = −1.155, p = 0.88). Similarly, we were unable to detect an effect of mass on the proportion of total energy intake allocated towards somatic mass gain during either migration (GLS with fixed variance structure, F2,16 = −1.179, p = 0.26). In contrast to somatic mass gain, the proportion of total energy intake utilized in locomotion was significantly lower (−7.7 ± 0.02 %) during the longer migration (GLS with fixed variance structure, F2,16 = 28.56, p < 0.001). We were unable to detect an effect of body mass on this proportion (F2,16 = 0.126, p = 0.64). Again, it is likely that locomotion results below zero are an artifact of inflated BMR estimates in this group. If we instead assume the energetic cost of each flipper stroke is the same for seals during both migrations, and because seals stroke 24 % less during the long migration (Fig. 5), we can estimate the actual proportion of total energy intake allocated towards locomotion in this group to be about 2.9 %. Fetal gestation costs consumed approximately 3.5 ± 0.3 % of total energy ingested during the long trip. To “balance the budget” during the long migration, energy must have been shuttled away from metabolic overhead, which would require an approximately 22 ± 2.7 % reduction in BMR to achieve (Fig. 4). This reduction gives BMR a proportional contribution to overall costs that is comparable with that seen in the short-trip seals because mass-specific energy expenditure was lower in long-trip seals as described above. Thus, approximately 36.3 ± 1.1 % of total ingested energy was allocated towards BMR during the long trip instead of the approximately 47 % estimated before reduction in metabolic overhead was accounted for. Seals in this study ingested an average of 5.02 × 103 (±261) and 12.4 × 103 (±645) MJ during the course of the short and long migrations, respectively (Fig. 4). For both groups, this ingestion rate is the equivalent of approximately 64–141 MJ per day spent foraging at sea (56 ± 2 and 126 ± 10 days during the short and long migrations, respectively), or 980–2200 kJ per foraging dive (3.74 × 103 ± 161 and 8.36 × 103 ± 581 total foraging dives during the short and long migrations, respectively). Seals swimming with added drag during the short migration (hereafter referred to as “drag seals,” N = 3) experienced a 14.5 % increase in FMR (Table 1, Fig. 2), resulting in half the mass gain of other short-trip seals swimming without the acoustic tags (hereafter referred to as “normally-swimming seals”) (Table 3). However, this should be interpreted as a conservative estimate of energy expenditure in the drag group as we have assumed stroking costs similar to those of normally-swimming seals. Two of the drag seals were at sea for as long as normally-swimming short-trip seals (74.6 days, S.D. = ± 4.8 days), but with substantially lower mass gain. The remaining drag seal (1234) spent 100.8 days at sea, with below normal mass gain results intermediate between those of the other two drag seals (Table 3). Low mass gain in the drag seals resulted from the allocation of a disproportionately large amount of energy intake toward locomotion costs. Drag seals spent more than four times as much energy on locomotion (16.7 ± 0.02 % of total energy intake) as the normally-swimming, short-trip seals reported above, with a resultant one-third of the energy spent on somatic mass gain (11.7 ± 0.03 % of total energy intake) (Fig. 4). This was likely due to increased locomotion costs associated with overcoming the added hydrodynamic drag during diving and swimming, which is supported by the increased flipper stroking frequency demonstrated by the drag seals in comparison to normally-swimming, short-trip seals (22 % more strokes per day) (Fig. 5). The limited variation in stroking frequency for drag seals compared to the other groups suggests these individuals may have been pushing up against a biomechanically-constrained limit to swimming effort while foraging. The energy requirements of adult female northern elephant seals are much lower than those described for most other mammalian carnivores, and particularly so during pregnancy. Mammalian carnivores typically have higher energy needs than other terrestrial mammals, and thus require large food supplies to fuel fast metabolisms [9, 24]. As such, FMRs tend to run high in this group, ranging from 1.99 – 4.65 times Kleiber predictions of BMR in terrestrial mammalian carnivores [summarized in 25, 26], and from 4.88–6.44 Kleiber predictions in marine mammal carnivores [27, 28] [although see 29, 30]. However, more recent studies on the diving metabolism (DMR) of adult phocid seals indicate they are more efficient than other marine carnivores [44, 33]. For example, Weddell seals diving in the wild for as long as the average elephant seal in our study (21.5 min) operated at 1.7 Kleiber . During the 2.5-month post-breeding foraging trip, adult elephant seals were able to recover the energy reserves lost during lactation by operating at 1.36 (range = 1.21–1.48) Kleiber predictions of basal metabolism, indicating a high degree of metabolic efficiency in this species (Table 1, Fig. 3). These results are in line with results from previous studies on both free-swimming [23, 31] and captive [32–34, 28] elephant seals where large oxygen storage capacities combined with a high tolerance for hypoxia indicated these animals should be able to operate aerobically at 0.9–1.9 times Kleiber predictions from as early as 2 months old. While measurements in these examples were from young animals, recent studies on other phocids in captivity were unable to detect a difference between juvenile and adult DMRs [grey seals: 33] or BMRs [harp, harbor and ringed seals: 34]. As this could be an artifact of captivity, these results should be interpreted with caution; nonetheless, they do suggest that using measurements of metabolism in juveniles to ground truth our calculations for adults is a valid approach. The degree of metabolic efficiency was correlated with body size and reproductive status, with the largest animals having the lowest mass-specific FMRs during pregnancy (Fig. 2). During the 7.5-month post-molt foraging trip, female seals were able to fuel gestation costs and a 90 % (S.D. = ± 21 %) increase in body mass by operating at FMRs approaching or falling below Kleiber predictions of basal metabolism (Fig. 3). In most mammals, pregnancy elevates metabolism [35, 36]; however, like other phocids, elephant seals fast during the breeding season and therefore must fuel lactation costs using onboard fuel reserves accumulated during the long foraging trip. Suppressed metabolism and increased fuel economy during pregnancy is likely a pre-pupping fattening strategy, and while it has been measured in resting, captive harp seals [31, 37, 34], grey seals , harbor and ringed seals , our study is the first to demonstrate suppressed metabolism during pregnancy in actively foraging, wild seals during their months-long migrations. Our results provide empirical support for hypotheses that have inferred hypometabolism based on diving behavior, as elephant seals regularly dive for longer than their calculated aerobic dive limit without engaging in a long recovery period afterward. These authors suggest that traditional predictions of diving metabolic rates based on allometric equations must be overestimates – instead, elephant seals must be hypometabolic while diving, and particularly so during the long foraging trip [39–42]. Compared to similarly-sized short-trip females,who are themselves operating at remarkably low metabolic rates (this study), long-trip seals were shown to suppress their field metabolism by a further 22 % (range = 15 % in smaller seals to 32 % in the largest), to rates below those predicted to be necessary to support even basic maintenance metabolism (Fig. 3). Boyd predicted a similar trend for marine mammals using first principles, arguing that locomotion should be more efficient, and thermoregulation costs lower or non-existent, in larger aquatic animals. The argument for a more severe degree of hypometabolism in northern elephant seals compared to other breath-hold divers is thus well-supported, and promotes the extreme at-sea lifestyle of this species. As part of the oxygen-conserving dive response, breath-hold triggers a reduction in metabolic rate in all mammals, and more markedly so in diving species [43, 44]. Extreme hypometabolism allows elephant seals to spend upwards of 95 % of their time at sea in breath-hold, exploiting depths down to 1600 m for up to 2 h, entirely aerobically. In contrast, other extreme divers such as Cuvier’s and Blainville’s beaked whales will regularly spend 60–90 min recovering between deep dives , suggesting that anaerobic metabolism is at least partly fuelling dives to extreme depths. These species have likely evolved adaptations that allow them to tolerate and process large amounts of lactic acid, whereas elephant seals seem to have evolved the ability to mostly just avoid it altogether with a more pronounced degree of hypometabolism. Other slow-moving, deep-diving marine mammals with short surface intervals, such as sperm whales , might also be expected to be hypometabolic. In our study, lower at-sea FMRs in seals during pregnancy were also the result of reduced flipper stroking frequencies during active swimming (Fig. 3). For both groups, most flipper stroking occurs during the ascent phase of the dive cycle (Fig. 6), when seals must work against their negative buoyancy at depth to reach the surface [47, 48]. As the foraging migrations progress, seals are able to store more fat, becoming less negatively buoyant [16, 49], and we would expect an inverse relationship between buoyancy and the number of flipper strokes required to surface [50–52]. As seals generally gain more adipose tissue during the long trip (Table 3) a reduction in the number of flipper strokes necessary to surface compared to their short-trip counterparts is not surprising. With each flipper stroke having a predictable effect on overall energy costs, this reduced stroking frequency results in approximately 1700 ± 90 MJ in energy savings across the long foraging migration. Despite the 5-month difference in trip duration, partitioning of ingested energy was remarkably similar across the two migrations. During the short trip, locomotion costs were low, constituting approximately 4 % of overall energy expenditure, which is somewhat lower than the 10 % reported for similarly-sized, freely-diving Weddell seals [calculated from eq. in 44]. In contrast, locomotion costs of seals during the long migration were calculated as being negligible; however, this is likely the result of our assumption of an unvarying BMR equal to Kleiber predictions in these seals. As discussed above, there are several lines of evidence supporting the idea that ‘basal’ metabolism is less static in phocid seals than in terrestrial mammals, and that hypometabolism is common during pregnancy [31, 37, 32]. It is likely that this hypometabolism is the driver of reduced at-sea FMRs in pregnant elephant seal females rather than zero or negative locomotion costs. The physiological mechanism behind suppression is unclear, but may be a conditioning effect of chronic oxidative stress with increased time spent at sea in elephant seals [41, 53]. If locomotion costs on a per-stroke basis are instead assumed to be the same during both migrations, basal maintenance costs in pregnant elephant seals must be reduced by approximately 22 % (range = 14–33 %) of Kleiber predictions to “balance the budget” in terms of work costs (Fig. 4). This compares to a reported 30 % and 27 % reduction in the resting metabolism of captive, pregnant harp and grey seals, respectively [31, 32]. The overall net energy available to fuel production was highly variable for both migrations, with seals who were initially fatter tending to acquire more prey-energy, gain more weight, store more lipid, and birth larger pups (Table 3), even after controlling for maternal age. For example, seal 2036 increased her mass by 118 % compared to 66 % for T730, and gave birth to a 50-kg pup (versus 31 kg); however, 2036 was fatter than T730 at the beginning of her long migration, but had a lower total number of flipper strokes despite a longer trip duration (Table 1). We postulate a positive feedback loop whereby fatter seals are less negatively buoyant during the course of the trip, reducing locomotion costs as described above, freeing up more energy to devote towards both somatic growth (fattening) and fetal production. As adiposity increases and seals approach energetically-optimal buoyancy levels where locomotion costs are lowest , it stands that more energy would be available for allocation towards the growing fetus. Seals in this study ingested an average of 5 017 (±261) and 12 426 (±645) MJ during the course of the short and long migrations, respectively (Fig. 4). Our estimate for short-trip seals is in complete agreement with Sakamoto et al.’s estimate using an energy components analysis on the TDR record of one seal. Depending on the energy density of ingested prey items, we estimate that elephant seals in both groups would have needed to capture approximately 2-8 % of their average body mass in prey per day spent foraging, which is in close agreement with the 6.2 % predicted by Le Boeuf et al. . This ingestion rate is the equivalent of 8–32 kg of prey captured per day spent foraging at sea which is, again, in agreement with Le Boeuf et al.’s estimate of 20 kg based only on dive behavior. This ingestion rate is also the equivalent of 5–24 prey items per foraging dive, which is in agreement with Naito et al.’s reported average of 14.6 (S.D. = ± 3) prey capture attempts per dive. Collectively, these lines of evidence support our stroke-based estimates of at-sea FMRs in adult female northern elephant seals. The three seals carrying the experimental acoustic tags (“drag seals”) had FMRs elevated 14.5 % above other short-trip seals (Fig. 2), operating at approximately 1.58 (±0.03) Kleiber predictions of basal metabolism (Table 1). This was likely the result of increased locomotion costs, as the experimental tags increased the seal’s frontal surface area by about 7 %, which is large enough to induce increased transport costs in a number of large marine organisms [e.g., 55, 56]. Our results are comparable to what has been seen in other species such as Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) where instruments representing an approximately 10 % increase in frontal surface area increased the cost of transport by about 14 % . Increased locomotion costs are illustrated in Fig. 5, with drag seals flipper stroking consistently faster than normally-swimming short-trip and potentially pushing up against a biomechanically constrained maximum rate. With more energy partitioned toward the fuelling of flipper strokes (17 % versus 4 %), drag seals were able to partition relatively little ingested energy toward somatic mass gain (12 % versus 31 %) (Fig. 6). These results suggest that elephant seals fuel their substantial mass gain during foraging migrations by engaging in stereotypic, energy-saving flipper stroking behaviors that keep locomotion costs low, and that increasing these costs can have considerable impacts on foraging success. This may have implications for the ability of elephant seals to adapt to at-sea disturbance, with avoidance behaviors predicted to reduce time spent foraging while increasing time spent in transit – a disruption of routine swimming behaviors that inflates normally-low locomotion costs, thereby reducing the surplus energy available to the seal for partitioning towards mass gain [as in, for example, 58, 59]. We predict that this effect would be exacerbated in pregnant, long-trip seals, which are potentially operating at or near a lower physiological limit to metabolism in order to adequately and rapidly build fuel reserves in support of a very costly lactation period. By accounting for each of the costs associated with foraging, we can assess the efforts free-living animals spend acquiring resources, and thus, their overall energy requirements [12, 63]. Although estimates of FMR have been made for fin and minke whales , the seals in our study represent the largest carnivores measured empirically. Northern elephant seals have adopted a foraging strategy that utilizes a high degree of extreme energy economy, with FMRs that are (1) 70–80 % lower than predicted for carnivores of their size ; (2) 35–60 % lower than predicted for marine mammals of their size ; and (3) 25–40 % lower than what has been measured in freely-diving Weddell seals of similar size, and for similar diving durations . Body mass was the most important determinant of FMR in our study, with a particularly dramatic effect of pregnancy such that, in the largest long-trip seals, Kleiber predictions of mammalian basal metabolism actually overestimated total at-sea energy expenditure. Pregnant seals were able to suppress their FMRs as body condition improved, thereby reducing the frequency of flipper strokes, and also by further reducing basal maintenance metabolism by an additional 22 % compared to non-pregnant seals during the short trip. The very efficient FMRs of seals during both the short (1.4x Kleiber) and long migrations (1.1x Kleiber) likely represent fattening strategies in preparation for the high energy demands of a month-long fast while molting and nursing, respectively. In contrast to normally-swimming seals, those instrumented with bulky, non-streamlined acoustic tags experienced elevated FMRs as a result of increased locomotion costs, significantly reducing foraging success and the net energy available for mass gain in these seals. Collectively, these results suggest that elephant seals keep overall energy requirements, and thus prey requirements, relatively low during their foraging migrations by engaging in adaptively stereotyped flipper stroking behaviors that minimize locomotion costs and, most likely, maintenance metabolism while diving. Minimization of these work costs frees up more of the energy ingested from prey items for fuelling of production, namely, accumulation of energy reserves for support of maintenance metabolism while fasting on land, and for pregnant seals, gestation and lactation. This project was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of California in Santa Cruz. 21 adult female elephant seals were instrumented at their breeding colony in the Año Nuevo State Reserve, California, USA (37° 5’ N, 122° 16’ W) from 2009 – 2013. We chemically immobilized the seals for instrument attachment and recovery using established protocols that minimize handling time and stress . Apparently healthy seals were selected and 15 were of known age ranging from 5 to 12 years old. N796 was instrumented in both 2009 and 2010, and we present each track separately. The study included both annual foraging migrations: the short, post-breeding migration (February through April; N = 16) and the long, post-molting, gestational migration (June through December; N = 7). Seals were instrumented with a time-depth recorder (TDR) (Wildlife Computers MK9, MK10; or Lotek, St. John’s, NL, Canada: 2310) and a tri-axis accelerometer/magnetometer (Wildlife Computers MK10-style prototype, 16-hz sampling rate, N = 9, sample years 2009–2011; or Little Leonardo ORI2000-D3GT, 32-hz sampling rate, N = 13, sample years 2011–2013) for collection of at-sea diving and flipper stroking data, respectively. The raw time-series of accelerometry measurements were truncated according to departure/arrival times identified using the diving record, and flipper strokes isolated using one of two custom-written programs in Igor Pro 6.36 (WaveMetrics, Inc., USA), depending on the instrument model used. In brief, side-to-side flipper movements were detected as fluctuations in the transverse axis – “swaying” acceleration – and the static (positional) component was separated from the dynamic (movement) component using a 1 Hz low-pass filter . The remaining peaks and troughs in the dynamic swaying acceleration with amplitudes greater than 1 m s−2 were considered to be individual flipper strokes and were used in analyses. Output from the Wildlife Computer instruments included raw acceleration data, and a user-written algorithm was used to identify and count individual flipper strokes . In contrast, with the exception of 12 h per record, raw data were processed on-board the Little Leonardo instruments with stroke rate calculated using a built-in algorithm. To make comparisons between algorithms, we processed each seal’s 12 h of raw Little Leonardo accelerometry data through our user-written algorithm and used the percent discrepancy between stroke counts to correct the total number of counts output by the Little Leonardo algorithm. In most cases, the total number of strokes counted by the two algorithms were within 10 % of each other; however, in 2 cases, the discrepancy was greater than 10 % (14 % for T35, 20 % for T730). For this reason, and for consistency, we used corrected counts from the Little Leonardo instruments, rather than the processed output from the instruments, in analyses. As part of a separate study, three seals were additionally outfitted with prototype acoustic tags, for testing of their viability in future studies. The tags were large, not streamlined, heavy, and were as follows: cylindrical tags (537.0 x 117.4 mm, cross-sectional area 108.3 cm2, volume 5447 ml, mass in air 7500 g, mass in water 2417 g) attached along the midline of the seal’s back, with the forward leading edge at the position of the seals’ maximum girth. The tags were attached using two positively buoyant foam block mounts (each cross-sectional area 28.2 cm2, mass in water 1151 g), hose clamp screw (cross-sectional area 2 cm2), and VHF transmitter (cross-sectional area 7.7 cm2) for a total cross-sectional area of approximately 174.2 cm2 that corresponds to approximately 7 % of the seals’ cross-sectional area (ca. 2501.9 cm2), and mass in water of 1266 g. The tags were not deployed with the intention of affecting the foraging success of the animals, but upon recovery these seals were undersized and clearly nutritionally stressed, probably due to the added hydrodynamic drag imposed on the animals by the bulky, non-streamlined instruments. We include these individuals in our analyses here to determine how foraging success and efficiency are affected by disturbance to routine swimming behaviors via increased locomotory costs. where some energy from ingested prey items is lost in the production and excretion of feces and urine, and some energy is expended to fuel digestion costs [63, 64], basal maintenance metabolism and locomotion. Collectively, energy expended for digestion, maintenance and locomotion represent the animal’s field metabolic rate (FMR). We do not include heat lost for thermoregulation as a cost as it has been argued [12, 65] and demonstrated that heat loss should not be an issue for marine mammals of this size. To estimate surplus energy gained from foraging (EMASSGAIN (somatic + fetal)), we measured the mass of each seal at the beginning and end of each trip by suspension in a canvas sling from a tripod using a Dyna-Link scale (1,000 ± 1 kg). Mass of adult females at departure and upon arrival was corrected for any time spent on land after instrument attachment or before instrument retrieval, respectively, using an equation derived from serial mass measurements of fasting seals . During the breeding season, when female seals return from their long, post-molt, gestational migrations, the mass of the pup was added to that of the mother five days post-parturition. Waiting a conservative 5 days to handle the newborn pup is part of standard protocol with this species, in order to allow adequate time for maternal contact and bonding (e.g., ). Adipose and lean tissue gain was estimated from mass change and body composition, assuming that the five-day-old pup was 13 % adipose tissue . Energy gain was estimated assuming that adipose tissue was 90 % lipid, and lean tissue was 27 % protein with a gross energy content of 39.33 kJ g−1 for lipids and 23.5 kJ g−1 for protein . Additional gestation costs associated with maternal metabolism were assumed to be negligible based on previous research on other capitally breeding phocids [69, 70], and so were not added to the energy budget of seals in this group. To estimate energy expenditure (FMR) during the foraging migrations, we used an equation that predicts total FMR from the total number of swim strokes in free-swimming, non-reproductive, fasting seals [FMR (J kg−1) = 2.58Sn, where Sn is the number of flipper strokes ]. This equation was derived from seals younger than the ones in this study, requiring us to rely on the assumption that juvenile and adult animals have similar stroke costs. This might be unrealistic as juvenile mammals often have elevated mass-specific metabolisms relative to adults as a result of increased growth costs. If this were the case, our FMR estimates for adults would be too high. However, Maresh et al. were unable to detect significant relationships between body size or age and stroke costs, although this could have been due to small sample size and lack of statistical power. On the other hand, multiple studies have been unable to detect differences between juvenile and adult metabolic rates in captive phocids [71, 72], indicating that our assumption of similar stroking costs in juvenile and adult elephant seals is reasonable. We consider the sensitivity of our FMR calculations to uncertainty in stroke costs in the Additional file 1. As FMR represents the sum of all component costs except Efeces and Eurine, (i.e., FMR = E(Digestion + Maintenance + Locomotion) from eq.), we estimated each separate cost and its relative contribution to total FMR using values and equations from previous studies (described below). To account for energy lost in via feces and urine, we used a value averaged across multiple studies on phocid seals [63, 73, 74] whereby approximately 83 % of gross energy consumed from an average fish diet is usable as metabolizable energy. This value for assimilation efficiency is in line with studies on other pinnipeds where metabolizable energy was shown to range from between 78.3–91.6 %, depending on the diet . To account for digestion costs (the heat increment of feeding (HIF)), we used the estimate of 11.6 % of metabolizable energy measured in juvenile elephant seals (range = 6.4–18 %) . This value is in close agreement with other studies of HIF in marine mammals: 10–13 % in sea otters , 10–17 % in harp seals [78, 79], and 5.5 % in harbor seals . Basal metabolic rate (BMR) has not been measured for adult female elephant seals, however, BMR values predicted from Kleiber have been shown to be within 10 % of the metabolic rates of quiescent, submerged Weddell seals . In addition, Lavigne et al. found no difference between Kleiber’s predicted BMRs of terrestrial mammals and the empirically-determined BMRs of similarly-sized, adult phocid seals when measured under similar conditions. For these reasons, we used Kleiber’s predictions of BMR for terrestrial mammals to estimate the maintenance costs of the seals in this study. Finally, after accounting for assimilation efficiency, HIF and BMR, any remaining cost was assumed to represent energy spent on locomotion. With all costs and gains accounted for, we could then estimate the energy ingested from prey that was necessary to balance each seal’s energy budget (EINGESTED). We estimated the energy from prey our study animals would have needed to consume overall as well as on a per foraging dive basis. Foraging dives were determined using a custom-written dive typing script in MATLAB (IKNOS toolbox, Y. Tremblay, unpublished program), whereby the putative behavior of the seal is classified based on the two-dimensional shape of each dive as recorded by the TDR . In addition to the sawtooth-shaped dives traditionally classified as foraging, we included the V-shaped dives traditionally classified as transit, per recent evidence provided by Naito et al. that demonstrates the high probability that northern elephant seals are foraging during these dives as well. The influence of body size, time at sea and foraging migration (short or long trip) on field metabolic rate, locomotion costs and flipper stroking frequency, was investigated using multiple linear regression (MLR) models. Candidate models included the interaction term body size x migration to test whether the effect of body size on each of the response variables co-varied with migration, in which case we ran MLR models on each of the migrations separately. These MLRs included time at sea and its potential interaction with body size. Generalized least squares (GLS) models with variance structure fixed for mass were used to measure the association between body size and foraging migration and the proportion of ingested energy allocated towards mass gain and towards locomotion costs. All means are expressed as ± S.E. of the mean, except where noted otherwise. Analyses were performed using the built-in ‘lm’ function, and the ‘gls’ function of the ‘nlme’ package in R 3.1.2 . All model combinations were fitted with best model fits based on the lowest Akaike information criteria corrected for small sample size (AICc). Where p-values indicate significant differences (p < 0.05) between seals in the two groups, we report Cohen’s d effect sizes and effect-size correlation rγλ [85, 86], using the long foraging migration (when seals were pregnant) as the ‘treatment’ effect. In addition, we analyzed the sensitivity of FMR and locomotion cost model results to uncertainty in the estimates of input parameters using a Latin hypercube random sampling method that takes into account the range and distribution of each input parameter, as well as their interactions . Sensitivity analyses were performed using the ‘sensitivity’ , ‘pse’ , ‘ks’ and ‘Hmisc’ packages in R and the Excel ‘Apogee’ add-in v.4.9 developed by the Statistical Design Institute (Additional file 1). All data used are present in the manuscript and its supporting information. The authors would like to thank the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science for Grant-in-Aid 23255001 (A: 23255001 and B: 21380128) and the Tagging of Pacific Predators (TOPP) project. Partial funding was also received from the Office of Naval Research (N00014-03-0651, N00014-10-1-0356, N00014-13-1-0134), the Moore, Packard and Sloan Foundations, and the E & P Sound and Marine Life Joint Industry Program (contract JIP22 07–23). JLM received additional support from a fellowship and several small grants administered by the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at the University of California in Santa Cruz (UCSC). All procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at UCSC, and the US NMFS (permits 87-1743-04 and 14636). The authors are grateful for the numerous field volunteers involved in data collection, particularly field crew leaders M. Fowler, C. Goetsch, L. Hückstadt, S. Peterson and P. Robinson. Gratitude is also extended to the rangers and docents at the Año Nuevo State Reserve for their collaborative spirit, their continued support of research, and their genuine regard for the animals in their care. JLM and DPC conceived of the question and design of the experiment. JLM, TA, AT and YN carried out the experiment. JLM analyzed the data. TA, AT, YN, DEC and TLW contributed to data interpretation. JLM wrote the first draft of this paper, and all authors read and approved the final manuscript. R Core Team. R: a language and environment for statistical computing. Vienna, Austria: R Foundation for Statistical Computing. http://www.r-project.org; 2014.
2019-04-26T00:12:34Z
https://movementecologyjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40462-015-0049-2
Yes, I am thankful for another year of life. And, the Bahamas are a great place to celebrate life! Sailing onclear blue water is the best, unless you are in the clear blue water, swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving. We do it all and we love it. One of Gary’s friends once asked me if I loved the water as much as Gary does. Such a relative question, but I didn’t hesitate with my reply, “Yes!”. I grew up in the lake region of northern Indiana, and we lived in Sylvan Lake in the summer, and on Sylvan Lake as soon as it was safely frozen in the winter. To be able to live aboard White Swan and see and do the things we get to experience is a blessing I never dreamed of ever happening. Life is good. Salt life is even better. Before leaving Old Bahama Bay Marina at West End, Grand Bahama Island, Gary cleaned the outside of the boat, filled the water tanks, and put the water hose and electrical shore power chord away, while I did a couple loads of laundry (Happy Birthday to me…). I’ve done no laundry since we left our home port on April 9th, so I really had no reason to complain. (But, it was my Birthday…). My big “treat” was taking time to take some photos and get in the beautiful swimming pool at the Old Bahama Bay Resort. Check out time at the marina was 11:00, but they were lenient with us because we had laundry in their machines. As soon as the laundry was finished, we left the marina in good form, i.e., no problem getting out of the boat slip. After navigating through a shallow passage we got to deeper open water and then we put up the main sail and the jib sail (one of two of the sails forward of the main sail). We sailed at least three hours and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the bottom of the Sea of Abaco through the crystal clear aqua water as we sailed merrily along. After we got White Swan securely anchored, Gary and I got in the water and cooled off before showering. Then we had a cool drink in the cockpit of the boat while we enjoyed the comfortable breeze and watched the anhingas as they flew into the mangrove trees on the small island to spend the night. Next, came dinner and watching the sunset. It was a great day, full of experiences celebrating life, love, and pure joy. Our friends, Ed and Cheryl, had planned on making the journey across the Gulf Stream with us. However, ten minutes before our departure time, a phone call from them informing us something came up that needed their attention at home, prohibited them from making the trip. We had originally planned on navigating across the “Stream” by ourselves, so their absence gave us the opportunity go back to plan A, though we were sorely disappointed we would not have their company. The weather was perfect to make the crossing. We were greeted by a gorgeous sunrise as we passed through the Palm Beach Inlet. The warmth that came with the sunrise, the baby blue skies, and the calm water of the royal blue Atlantic Ocean, encouraged our passage making. We had only traveled a few miles when we saw dolphins playing in the water not far from our boat. Half way across the Gulf Stream, we had a guest fly in to visit for a while. The little bird apparently felt at ease with us; and, in line with our custom, we offered our guest food and drink. It took us 9 3/4 hours to make the crossing. Thankfully, it was uneventful, i.e, no problems. We wanted to stop at the fuel dock on our way to our designated boat slip and we were asked to wait in the turning basin ( a large area of water designated for boats to maneuver or turn to another direction, usually for large ships when the turning basin is at an inlet). We were reminded of “island time”, as it took an hour wait before we were able to get to the dock for fuel. And then it took another hour to get our fuel, pay the attendant (we felt sorry for the poor guy who was doing the work of three persons), clear customs, and get into our boat slip. Those last two hours were the most tiring part of the trip. Gary got White Swan hooked up to shore power (electricity) so we could have air conditioning for the night. We enjoyed the cool air and a cold drink before showering. We had a twofold reason for a celebratory dinner at the marina’s restaurant – celebrating my birthday (which really is tomorrow), and, our first time to cross the Gulf Stream by ourselves. Hooray for the Glenns. Municipal docks for boaters, a lovely waterfront park offering live concerts and a weekly green market, many nearby restaurants, free trolleys that go to the supermarket and shopping mall, a nearby church with the friendliest congregation we’ve ever known… West Palm Beach, Florida offered it all. One could hang out there forever! Peggy and Paul coming to the dock, with their boat, S/V Quiet Place in the background. On our first visit to W.P.B. in 2013, we were hooked. It was exciting to go back and experience the area with our friends, Peggy and Paul. For all the aforementioned reasons, they too became hooked; but, what really reeled them in was the Easter church service the four of us went to at the First Presbyterian Church. While enjoying brunch at our favorite French restaurant in W.P.B., the four of us decided we would like to go to church the next day for Easter. There was a church on the next corner from where we were, so Peggy and I went there to check the time for the Easter service. There was a sign on the sidewalk providing the information we needed, and it also stated, “All welcome”. That was invitation enough for us. Frankly, we didn’t have great expectations for the experience. However, we were “blown away” by the outpouring of love from the small congregation. The Easter message, given by the female pastor, was one of the best Easter messages we have ever heard. After the service we were invited and welcomed to a luncheon held in their fellowship hall. It felt like we were having Easter dinner with family, not strangers. As we were leaving the church, the Korean church congregation, who uses the upstairs part of the church for their Sunday School, was coming down the stairs. A gentleman stood at the bottom of the stairs and gave empty Easter baskets to each child. Regarding what was about to take place, we followed the group to a nearby park, and watched as the children had a wonderful time collecting eggs. Though we were strangers, we enjoyed every aspect of the traditional Easter celebration, with a community of believers who embraced us like family: we experienced a great Easter worship service, an amazing Easter meal, and to top it all off, we watched happy children excitedly enjoying an Easter egg hunt. God is Good. Happy girl showing us her Easter eggs. The four of us, Peggy, Paul, Gary, and I, returned to the church to help with dinner served to the homeless/needy on Monday evening. Other local churches unite with the First Presbyterian Church to prepare food and serve the guests who come to the weekly event. The church also provided clothing and toiletries to those who needed those items. Gary nor I had participated in such a ministry before, and we were blessed to be able to help in a small way. After we left the church that evening, we walked to a trolley stop to board a trolley that took us to the area of W.P.B. known as City Place. City Place is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. We had previously been to City Place during daylight hours; however, the ambience of the area at night was magical. Strands of clear lights illuminated the trunks of the tall palm trees. The fountains were lit up as well, some with clear lights and some with colored. Being able to enjoy the beauty of City Place, where we had our dinner the same evening we served the less fortunate at the church, gave us an acute sense of gratitude for our blessed lives and lifestyles. Paul and Peggy had stayed in W.P.B. to spend time with us before they went on their way to the West Coast of Florida. We had a great time with them; however, time came for them to continue their journey, and early the next morning they left the anchorage. The same day Peggy and Paul left W.P.B., friends from Melbourne arrived at the Lake Worth anchorage. So after having lunch with Stu in W.P.B., a trip to Lowes for another cylinder of propane, and another trip to the supermarket, Gary pulled up White Swan’s anchor and we went back to Lake Worth to be with Ed, Cheryl, and their doggie Molly. Ed and Cheryl had a long day traveling on the waterway, so we invited them to White Swan for a light dinner. Ed and Gary caught up on all the boater’s world news, while Cheryl and I caught up on personal/ local news. Molly was right at home on our boat, because Ed and Cheryl had a boat the same model as White Swan before they bought their new boat. Upon leaving the St. Lucie River waterfront community of Stuart, Florida, we traveled south on the ICW until we came to Lake Worth at North Palm Beach. The forecast offered no good weather window providing a safe crossing of the Gulf Stream to go to the Bahamas, so we found various ways to entertain ourselves while we anchored in the lake for four days. The first evening we were in the Lake Worth anchorage, we went to dinner on our friend Stu’s boat. We, along with another couple, Paul and Peggy, with whom we were in a flotilla that went to the Bahamas last year, were invited to Stu’s sailboat for a pot luck meal. Stu had also been in the same flotilla last year, so we had a good time reminiscing. Joan, Stu’s friend, was a gracious co-host to the event. On the second day, we borrowed Stu’s car and drove back home to Melbourne to pick up a few items we had forgotten. On our dinghy ride back to our boat, we stopped by Peggy and Paul’s boat to inform them of our return, and ended up staying to enjoy a drink with them. Peggy and Paul are not going to the Bahamas this year because their son will be getting married in June; so they decided to stay in Florida and cruise the Okeechobee water route to the West Coast of Florida. Gary and I want to make that trip someday as well, but this time, we desire to go back to the Bahamas. Taking advantage of still having Stu’s car, Peggy and Paul joined us on an excursion to the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach, and also the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida. At the J.D.M. Beach State Park we enjoyed the informative Nature Center. US waters and threaten the environment. They will eat any native fish, and their spines are poisonous. A docent at the Nature Center teaches a group of young children about turtles. Upon leaving the Nature Center, we boarded the complimentary tram to traverse the board walk that goes from the nature center to the other side of Lake Worth Cove. From there, we walked the remainder of the board walk, ending at the ocean. The overcast sky and comfortable ocean breeze offered a perfect day for our picnic on the beach. On our return trip to the car, we walked a trail through a dense hammock. The Nature Center provided a brochure with a numbered, descriptive list of native trees and bushes, and along the trail were markers with the corresponding number for each tree or bush. Fortunately, Paul and Peggy are nature lovers as well, so they were not bored with our stopping to read each entry in the brochure as we observed the flora. We learned a lot about various species of turtles at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. All four of us were impressed at the extensive rehab area for injured turtles. Each turtle had it’s own little pool, and individual medical care. Each turtle had their own pool. Each turtle had a sign with their name and info. Each turtle had an informational sign at their pool, informing guests of their name, where they were found, their diagnoses, treatment received, and what their present physical condition is. One of the injured turtles, a Ridley turtle, had washed up onto one of the local beaches having come all the way from South America. The volunteer stated after the turtle recuperates, they will transport it back to it’s native waters of South America. These people are serious about taking care of the injured endangered sea turtles, with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitat as soon as they have recovered. Before leaving the Loggerhead Park, we walked one of the nature trails through the dunes. I expected sand dunes, but the dunes were lush with vegetation of varied indigenous plants, protecting them from the ravage of the ocean. The board walk led us to a lookout shelter where we could see out over the dunes to the ocean. We rested for awhile as we savored the view, before walking back to the car. View from shelter at the top of the dunes. On our way back to our boats, we made one last stop to have dinner at a local restaurant, the Juno Beach Fish House. Good conversation flowed as the four of us enjoyed our delicious meals. The restaurant, with the comfortable bench seats, was a great venue to relax and unwind after a physically tiring, but delightful, day. Stu had left his car for us to use while he was at his home, rather than on his boat. He still had not returned on the fourth day we were anchored at Lake Worth, so Peggy and Paul accompanied us on another excursion. Our first stop was a prop shop to pick up Paul’s new propeller he had ordered after “they” (not Peggy specifically) bent their prop by getting out of the channel near one of the ICW bridges. Upon hearing of their dilemma, Stu recommended the prop shop to Paul, and fortunately they were able to order what Paul needed. Also fortunately, we had Stu’s car to go pick it up. Next stop: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, Florida. This sanctuary rescues and rehabs thousands of sick, injured, or orphaned wild animals each year. Their goal is to return recovered animals to their natural habitat. However, in some cases, it is not possible to do so. As is the case for two Florida panthers who had been declawed as pets but grew too large for the owners to keep them. Two Florida panthers, declawed as pets so they will never be released to their natural habitat. Injured wood stork, white pelican, brown pelican. The river walk goes by 3 waterfront restaurants. We enjoyed the outdoor green market and the street festival. The Stuart Museum was very interesting. Display inside the museum. Stuart, FL will celebrate their centennial in May. Bicycles are available at the marina. Also, the marina is pet friendly. After walking around town, we relaxed and refreshed with a cold drink while sitting in the marina’s outdoor common area. Even the marina’s sidewalk is lovely. Wow, has it really been almost five years since we retired and began cruising down the ICW for the first time??? How the years have flown by! Well, once again we are living aboard our sailing vessel (s/v) White Swan; and, our goal is to go to the Abacos, Bahamas. Gary worked for months on the boat, doing repairs and preparing the boat for an off-shore passage. For non-nautical readers, an off-shore passage is one in which you are on the ocean, versus traveling on inland waterways. The last week of being a land-lubber was spent provisioning the boat with enough paper goods, toiletries, canned goods, dried goods, etc. to last two months, the length of our trip. Also, for such an absence from home, one must make arrangements for mail, medicines, yard care, bill paying, etc., etc., etc., as well as close up the house. With all the preparations behind us, we left Telemar Bay Marina in Indian Harbor Beach at 3:35 PM on April 9, 2014. Knowing we would not travel far before dusk approached, was of no concern to us. We believe the hardest part of the whole trip is getting away from the dock. There seems to always be one more thing to do before any departure. So, though it was late in the day, we left the marina and traveled down the ICW for two hours before we dropped the anchor to spend our first night on the water. Heaven!!! As we prepared and ate dinner that first night, we were entertained by a pod of manatees swimming all around our boat. The water was murky, not allowing us to see the bodies of the manatees; but when they came up for air we could see their large snouts. When they descended back into the darkness of the water, they left the tell-tale sign of their presence, a circle on the water’s surface. Living on a boat is truly ”like eating a box of chocolates”, if I may quote Forrest Gump, “you never know what you are going to get.” The key is to stay in tune with nature and be observant. We traveled 8 ½ hours on the second day, arriving at an anchorage across the waterway from Jensen Beach. Nature’s gift that evening was a gorgeous sunset, spanning at least 180 degrees. Pink and mauve filled the sky in glorious wonder. Coming in from the Atlantic Ocean, ominous clouds greeted us the next morning. Trying to get back into our normal cruising routine, we had our coffee in bed while having our morning devotional time. Up and at’um sent us to the foredeck with yoga mats for our morning stretches and exercise. I think maybe we will leave “Up” and “At’um” at home the next time we cruise. We wanted to go to the port of Stuart, FL to spend a few days, and fortunately, midway there we had the good sense to call the marina to see if we could get a mooring ball. There were none available at that time so we decided to go to Manatee Pocket and anchor there until a mooring ball was available at Stuart. After anchoring in the cove, we called the marina again and told them what we were doing and asked if they would call us when a mooring ball was open. Surprisingly, they agreed to call us, and they did a short time later. Traversing the St Lucie River to get to Stuart is an interesting cruise. One must remain diligent in paying attention to the markers provided to stay in the channel. There is a lot of shoaling in this area because of the inlet from the ocean. Also, right before arriving at Stuart, there is a 65’ fixed bridge and then just a short distance from it, is a railroad bridge and then a bascule bridge. The railroad bridge’s bascule is always up unless there is a train coming, but one must hail the bridge tender of the Roosevelt Bascule Bridge for an opening. We chose to wait for the third bridge’s opening, in the river before going under the first of the three bridges, the 65’ fixed bridge. We couldn’t remember if there was enough room once we passed the fixed bridge to maneuver the boat in circles or whatever might be needed to wait for the opening of the third bridge. If you think reading about these bridges is confusing, then you are in the same boat as we were when we were going through them. This was the third time we managed to go through them. The second time we did it, we also had to wait on a train using the railroad bridge. Challenges such as this, make a nice break in an uneventful day on the water. After picking up our designated mooring ball, we got in our dinghy and went to the dinghy dock at the Sunset Bay Marina; and, went to the restaurant beside the marina office. This was our first excursion to shore since we left our homeport two days prior. We treated ourselves to a nice lunch before we went to the marina office to check in and pay the mooring fees. The marina staff was in the process of setting up a nice BBQ buffet as a farewell to all the mariners who had spent the winter there. In our opinion, Stuart would be a great place to spend the winter months. Twice a week, the marina offers a shuttle to nearby shopping areas. They have bicycles for guests to use, at no charge. There is a nice lounge and laundry. About the only thing we would miss if we were to stay here for an extended length of time, would be a swimming pool. There is a lovely river walk adjacent to the marina, leading to the old historic part of town. Actually, the small town of Stuart has become one of our favorite cruising destinations. We plan on enjoying this waterfront town for a few days before cruising further south. Gary and Jean are at it again and are enjoying more Bahamian adventures. They are not buying internet this time so updates here will be few. Here is a note from Jean with a link to a great blog written by one of their cruising companion boats. I’ll add a link in the Cool Stuff section on the right side of the page. Enjoy. Jim Faughn does a good job as a leader of a group such as this; and also writes a very good blog and posts lots of pictures. So far we have had no major issues with White Swan. Typically, Gary can fix about anything that happens, and thus far, that has been the case. We are thrilled our watermaker has been working properly. This is the first time we’ve really been able to use it since it’s installation. Gary and I have been well the whole trip thus far, thank God. This destination is worth a three week wait to get a good weather window to get here. The beautiful clear blue water and gorgeous beaches make it all worth while. Thus far I have found a “boat load” of sea biscuits, conch shells, sea glass, and numerous kinds of seashells; of which I plan to make arrangements when we return home. Saturday, we will start moving south to other islands. Please forgive me when I forget to turn on Spot. If you were following us on Tuesday, you probably realized I forgot to turn on Spot when we made the passage from Cooper Town to Green Turtle Cay. (FYI, Cay is pronounced “Key” in the Bahamas.) So if you see no tracking between islands, that is what has happened. We have decided not to purchase internet while we are here, so the only time we’ll be checking our email will be when we can pick it up at marinas or public hotspots. Since that is the case, you can use either Gary’s or my email addresses. We hope you enjoy keeping up with us through Jim Faughn’s blog. Another setback regarding my health necessitates a return trip home. Gary talked to Ed about the situation and it was decided we would go to Green Turtle Cay, a short distance from Angel Fish Point, to make arrangements to leave our boat and fly out of the nearby island of Treasure Cay to go back to Florida. At Green Turtle Cay, we went through the narrow channel leading to White Sound and anchored in the more shallow water at the edge of the busy anchorage. The shallow draft on White Swan allowed us the freedom to anchor away from the crowded part of anchorage. Though some boats were having trouble getting their anchors set, our anchor caught the first time down and held tight. We have found the cost of our anchor has been well worth it. So far in our cruising, we have yet to drag. We were disappointed to find we could not pick up an internet signal from the anchorage. Gary had to take our laptop to Bluff House Marina and while he and Ed had a drink, after Ed got the Password and Code from the bartender, Gary browsed for airlines flying from Treasure Cay to the nearest cities to our home. While Gary was on the computer, Ed talked to the harbor master about renting a mooring ball for a month. The Bluff House Marina only has boat slip rentals (good specials for day rentals but too expensive for a month) and no mooring balls. After leaving the Bluff House the guys checked out a little private dock that had a couple of mooring balls, unavailable for rent. Then they went to the other marina in the sound, Green Turtle Club & Marina, only to find they don’t rent to unattended boat owners. Giving up on making arrangements to keep White Swan at White Sound while we go home, Gary and Ed decided tomorrow they will check out Black Sound, the next anchorage on the island. So, that was our first day at the lovely island of Green Turtle Cay. Ed dinghied Gary over to Black Sound to check out a place to leave White Swan. The marinas had nothing to offer, however, a referral for Donny’s Boat Rentals brought the men success. For $200 a month we can leave White Swan on a mooring ball in a very protected anchorage. Gary and Ed returned to White Sound and their respective boats with the laborious task completed, a major accomplishment. With the stress of making the arrangements for our return trip home complete, we were able to relax and enjoy the rest of the day in the Green Turtle Cay paradise. Feeling a little better, I was able to leave the boat and we decided to rent a golf cart for four hours so we could easily tour the island with Ed and Cheryl. We used D&P Cart Rentals near the Green Turtle Club and then Gary and I rode over to Bluff House Marina, where Ed and Cheryl were staying in a rented boat slip. From there, the four of us (Molly didn’t get to go) ventured to the other side of the island via mostly dirt roads, often rutted, to New Plymouth Settlement. Needless to say, the trip itself was an experience. There are few cars on the Green Turtle Cay and most people use golf carts to travel around the small island. The dirt roads, as well as the less numerous paved roads, are wide enough for a single vehicle or two golf carts to slowly pass each other. Gary was the driver of our cart and for once he didn’t mind the back seat drivers reminding him to “stay left” as that is the side driven on in the Bahamas. New Plymouth Settlement is the oldest settlement on Green Turtle Cay. There we found the Customs Office, the old PINK jail, a museum that was closed, a sculpture garden, three grocery stores, hardware, and numerous gift shops and restaurants. After going to a couple of the grocery stores for various sundries, Cheryl and I ventured on our own for awhile while the guys went to the Wrecking Tree restaurant for cracked conch. Cheryl and I went to the sculpture garden since we found none of the gift shops open for business. New Plymouth Settlement has picturesque small homes, some with white picket fences and gingerbread trim, and painted in traditional pastel colors that is so befitting the tropical islands. There is bougainvillea galore, adding brilliant contrasting color next to the pastel backdrops. The small town is easily walked (with good health), but the golf cart made it even easier to tour in a short time. There are also golf cart rentals as well as bicycle rentals at Government Dock at the settlement. I don’t know why some of the towns in the Bahamas are called settlements. We first noticed the term used by Kenneth and Alvin when they took us to Port Lucaya and Freeport. When we would ride through an area where there were a number of homes and possibly a business or more, one of our guides would refer to the area as such and such settlement. At that time I thought possibly the term was used when an area was not legally a town. But after visiting New Plymouth Settlement, that is obviously not the case. So assumption leads me to believe it’s just another word for town. After Cheryl and I reunited with our captains, we traveled down a paved road beside the waterfront, that looked like a sidewalk instead of a road. This route led us to Pineapples Bar and Grill, a hangout for many boaters who anchor in the Settlement Creek harbor, and one of Ed’s favorites. Our next stop was Alton Lowe’s art studio at his beautiful pink with white trim home that adorns a hilltop near the New Plymouth Settlement. One of the locals had told us “if his driveway gate is open, visitors are welcome”. We were fortunate the opened gates welcomed us in to his paradisiacal treasure. He and his cousin, fourth generation white Bahamians, greeted us as we came into his lovely studio. His paintings of Bahamian scenes, people and flowers were beyond superb and we so complimented him. He told us one of the best compliments he ever received was one time a hummingbird came into the studio and kept trying to feed from one of his floral masterpieces (my word, not his). The justifiable prices of $5000 to $12,000 was a deterrent to purchase one of his original painted beauties, however, to meet the artist and view his work was priceless to us. Safely making our way back to Bluff House Marina was a feat in and of itself. Our driver’s reward was a relaxing cold drink with Ed and Cheryl before taking the golf cart back within our allotted time. With enough stamina left from the day’s excursion, I made homemade noodles for a chicken and noodle dinner. Our invitation was declined by Ed and Cheryl to join us, as they took advantage of the special deal they had going with their slip rental and ate at the Bluff House restaurant. Their regrets turned out to be a blessing because by the time I finished cooking, I was ready to just relax after a wonderful fun- filled day. Today was spent preparing to go home. It rained last night and rained off and on throughout the morning, so we had to time our trip to shore to do the laundry in between the rains. Yesterday we checked out the laundry at Green Turtle Club, finding it to be very nice and clean with six washers and six dryers, so we chose to do the task there. We had heard from other cruisers that the laundries are expensive in the Bahamas and unfortunately we found out they are correct. Two loads cost us $21.25. I don’t know if it is the same everywhere in the Bahamas, but at the marinas at Green Turtle Cay, you buy tokens to run the machines. Where we did our laundry, the tokens were $4.25 each. Cheryl told me they are $4.00 at Bluff House Marina, plus the dryers there provided plenty of heat to dry the cloths in good time. We had to use another cycle to get some of our heavier items dry. Lessons learned during our Bahamian learning curve. Gary had a lot to do to prepare the boat for our absence: he took off the screecher (sail for light air), took off the lines to the jib, locked the outboard onto the dinghy and locked the dinghy onto the boat, filled the fuel tanks, put covers on all the windows, closed thru-hulls and treated the head. I cleaned out the refrigerator, giving food to Ed and Cheryl and last minute items to Donny (Donny’s Boat Rentals), cleaned the inside of the boat and packed for our trip home. We took a break from our chores and went to the Bluff House Marina to visit one more time with Ed, Cheryl and Molly. We found them relaxing at the swimming pool and it was a pleasure to visit with them in such a lovely setting. Our last morning at White Sound, Green Turtle Cay was spent with final preparations to go home. Our mooring ball in Black Sound was not going to be available to us until late afternoon, so we decided to revisit New Plymouth Settlement. Gary wanted some more cracked conch at the Wrecking Tree and I wanted to take some pictures since I forgot to take my phone/camera when we went there with Ed and Cheryl. The water was dead calm providing a perfect day to anchor in the exposed anchorage at Settlement Creek. There were a lot of boats anchored there today and as we dinghied past Pineapples Bar and Grill, it looked like most of the boaters were there enjoying the ambience of the local haunt. A short dinghy ride to Government Dock, brought us to the life of this quaint old settlement. We walked around taking pictures and Gary got to go to the sculpture garden (he was with Ed at the restaurant when I went there with Cheryl). A short distance from the sculpture garden is the Albert Lowe Museum and today it was open so we went in for a tour. Our lovely native docent, Mrs. Ivy Roberts, was informative and personable, and became a new friend in short order. At the end of the tour, conversation led her to ask if we were Christians, and our affirmative answer was rewarded with hugs. Albert Lowe was the father of Alton Lowe, the local artist. Some of Alton’s painting were on display in the museum, which was in a house built in the 1800‘s. The craftsmanship of Albert Lowe was prominently displayed with large models of ships, designed and built by himself. On display were numerous historical pictures of the settlement, many taken after hurricanes ravaged the old waterfront town. A peek into the kitchen that was in a building separate from the house, common in that day, was the finale of our tour. We bid Mrs. Roberts farewell with the hopes of seeing her again someday at her church, Miracle Church of God in New Plymouth Settlement. We resumed our walk through the small town, taking pictures along the way to the Wrecking Tree where Gary once again enjoyed (beyond measure) a full order of cracked conch. Cracked conch is fresh conch thinly sliced, beaten until it is lacey, thereby tenderized, lightly breaded and deep fried. Gary said it was the best he’d ever eaten. The flavor is similar to calamari, but much lighter in texture. I couldn’t resist and tried a bite of it, and then I understood the look of satisfaction on Gary’s face. It was fabulous. I’m sure the Wrecking Tree will be on Gary’s list of places to revisit when we come back to New Plymouth Settlement. On the way to the dinghy, Gary stopped at a conch salad stand on Government Dock. A gentleman, assisted by a lady, made fresh conch salad while we watched. He kept his fresh conch on a string in the water which he pulled up as he needed a conch. He sliced it and diced it like a master chef, mixed it with tomatoes, green peppers and onions. The final step is adding lots of freshly squeezed lime juice, which actually cooks the conch, “Immediately”, he said. The “can’t get any fresher than that” conch salad was going to be Gary’s dinner; however, after we got White Swan moored for her extended stay at Black Sound, Donny invited us to his home for dinner and we ended up taking the salad to share with Donny and his other guests. At first Gary declined the invitation to go to Donny’s dinner, because of my health issues, but I interjected my opinion that it would be rude to decline his offer. The evening proved to be a blessing and once again new friends were made as we shared the evening with Donny, Janis and Rick (Canadians who are here until the end of May) and “Fred”, as he prefers to be called. Donny prepared a fabulous meal, per Gary, of marinated flank steak, rice, red skin potatoes sautéed with onion and bacon. All of this was accompanied by a salad donated by Fred made with homegrown vegetables given to him by one of the locals and our donation of Gary’s conch salad, grapes, cheese and crackers. Any one who knows Gary Glenn knows he has to finish dinner with dessert and Donny surprised him with pineapple upside down cake and ice cream. To top off the evening, Gary was able to watch the ending of the Final Four basketball tourney and see our Indianapolis Butler Bulldogs win their entitlement to play in the championship game. Spending our last evening in the Bahamas with new friends, having a secure place to leave our boat, and preparations made for our trip home tomorrow gave us a sense of gratefulness. We are so blessed. We feel confident that White Swan will be watched over by our new friends at Black Sound. After last minute details of preparing the boat for our absence, we hailed the ferry via VHF, which came to our boat to pick us up. We had a pleasant ride talking to the young ferry captain while we were transported to Treasure Cay. A short taxi ride brought us to the very small airport of Treasure Cay. Continental Airlines presented a 19 seat plane which took us to Ft. Lauderdale International Airport. Pat and Tom Dennis drove down from Telemar Bay Marina (3 hour drive) to pick us up to take us the rest of the way to Melbourne. If Gary had not had such a hard time making all the other arrangements to get us home, we would have also made plans to rent a car at Ft. Lauderdale. It was a long day for Pat and Tom and they will be well rewarded with a lovely dinner, their choice of restaurants, when I’m feeling better. Plan A: Seek medical treatment to get me well and go back to the Bahamas as soon as possible. This anchorage is one of Ed’s favorites. For one reason, he often catches Caribbean lobsters in the caves near the shorelines of the rocky islands. During lobster season, which it is now, he uses a Hawaiian sling to shoot them. A Hawaiian sling is like a sling-shot with a spear. Gary has never used one before and is anxious to master the skill. The overcast sky today made it not a good day to hunt lobster. The visibility of the water is lower on cloudy days than it is when the sun is providing light into the water. In lieu of hunting for lobster, the guys and Molly explored the shore. Gary said they found the road that connects Little Abaco Island with Great Abaco Island, the same road that goes through Fox Town. They explored creeks and channels and found a good hurricane hole. It’s always good to know where the most protected places are when cruising. Personal note: Last night Gary and I were in tears thinking we might have to fly back home because of my illness. I’d been sick for 3 ½ days and was showing slight signs of dehydration even though I’ve been drinking Pedialyte. However, what a difference a day can make, because today I’m better in everyway, except stamina. Once again, we are optimistic that we can continue our journey. The highlight of today was the four (sorry Molly) five of us taking our dinghies to the rocky caves at the tip of Angle Fish Point and watching Gary snorkel and hunt for lobster. With Hawaiian sling in hand he scanned the caves with great expectations. Though he had a blast doing it, he came back empty handed. He reported having seen only one lobster, lying perfectly still on the bottom, only to realize upon closer inspection it was dead, much to his dismay. We motored the dinghies over to the cut between Angel Fish Point and Crab Cay where Gary got back in the water and did a drift-snorkel. Through the cut, the water is only about six feet and at the edge of the cut the terrain progresses deeper. Gary said it was rather neat to see the change in depth but other than seeing a couple mutton snappers, there wasn’t much else to see. From our dinghies, Cheryl and I used our glass bottom buckets to look under the water. I saw a pretty star fish and a few small brain coral heads. This area is really not a great area for snorkeling, but apparently at times the lobsters can be plentiful, so we’ve been told (ED). On the way back to White Swan, our outboard motor on the dinghy quit working (again). Gary was in the process of rowing us back to the boat when Ed and Cheryl saw us and came back to give us a tow. Upon mentally trouble shooting what could be causing the outboard to stall, Gary wondered if there was condensation in the gas tank. He used an extra gas can and his gas filter funnel that we use whenever we fill up the boat and filtered the gas, finding it did indeed have about ¼ cup water in it. Hopefully, the problem is solved. Brilliant!!! He’s not just a pretty face. Before we left Great Sale Cay this morning, Gary accompanied Ed and Molly to shore and came back having been attacked by no-see-ums. Gary calls me his “fly trap” because usually the insects eat me up and never bother him. When hairy Gary gets bitten by any insect, you know it’s a bad place to be. As appealing as the opportunity to go ashore originally was, I was glad I did not go with them. Today was the first day we’ve been able to turn off the motor and sail with full sails. Gary was in his height of his glory. The wind was 14 knts out of the SW providing a close-reach point of sail. We sailed most of the 28 miles to Fox Town, taking the sails down right before we got to the line of rocks indicating we were near the entrance to go into the Little Abaco Island harbor. While Ed took Molly for a walk, Gary had an interesting conversation with a man at a nearby Anglican church. The gentleman told Gary that the priest who presides over the church, serves two churches and presents sermons at each church every other week. During the priest’s absence, the nice gentlemen with whom Gary spoke does the preaching. Later in the evening, we could hear religious music resounding from the little church as the parishioners sang familiar songs. Gary and I took a quick dinghy ride and cruised part of the shoreline with it’s small houses and businesses along the water’s edge. It looked like someone is in the process of building a gas station. We wondered if they will offer fuel to boaters. There is a small fuel dock already on the shore, apparently operational, because we saw a big power boat go to it. Ed told us about a restaurant called the Boom Boom Room at Fox Town that offers fresh seafood dinners prepared by the locals. Cheryl, as well as myself, were not feeling well today so it was decided we’d wait until our return trip to go there. Hopefully, we’ll be able to do so because from Ed’s description it sounds like an interesting place, though it is not mentioned in any of the cruising guides.
2019-04-20T06:34:42Z
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Jordon Cooke picked up his 18th win of the season on Saturday night. When it came to talking about what has become a record season, Jordon Cooke quickly spread the love around. Playing in his sophomore season for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team, Cooke made 25 saves on Saturday night to back his club to a 5-2 victory over the U of Manitoba Bisons at the ancient Rutherford Rink. The Leduc, Alta., product also picked up his 18th win of the campaign which equals a club record that was accomplished by Jeff Calvert (1998-99) and Ryan Holfeld (2012-13). “It is exciting, definitely,” said Cooke. “Obviously, this is a team sport, so I definitely couldn’t have done it without them (his teammates). The Huskies, who are rated first in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport top ten rankings, improved to 21-3 and have won nine straight. They also locked up first place in the Canada West Conference after the U of Calgary Dinos knocked off the U of Alberta Golden Bears 5-3 later on Saturday night in Calgary. With four games remaining in the regular season, the Huskies have earned a bye into the semifinal round of the Canada West post-season and will have home ice advantage through the entire conference playoffs. After qualifying for the Canada West playoffs with the sixth and final seed with a 10-15-3 mark last season, the Huskies have enjoyed a dream campaign in 2015-16. The quarter stone of the Dogs success is having a strong base in goal. The Huskies celebrate a goal by captain Kendall McFaull. Cooke arrived on campus boasting an impressive resume as a netminder having been a star with the Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets. In his final season in the major junior ranks in 2013-14, Cooke was named the Canadian Hockey League’s goalie of the year. He was overlooked in the NHL ranks being deemed too small standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing in at 185 pounds. With the Dogs this season, Cooke has posted an 18-3 record, a 2.36 goals against average, a .926 save percentage and two shutouts. Huskies head coach Dave Adolph couldn’t stress how important it is to be strong in goal in hockey, and Cooke has been stellar between the pipes. “It gives your whole team confidence in everything else you do,” said Adolph. “Jordon tonight in the first period, we were up 1-0 at the end of the first, and it could have been 3 or 4-1 for them. Having suffered an 8-3 thrashing at the hands of the Huskies on Friday night at the Rutherford Rink, the Bisons came out with some good jump in the opening 20 minutes of Saturday’s encounter. The Huskies jumped ahead 1-0 at the 14:10 mark of the first, when rookie forward Kohl Bauml fed a pass over to linemate Andrew Johnson, who slipped home a shot from a bad angle just under the bar of the Bisons goal. Just 26 seconds into the second, the Bisons had a glourious chance to draw even, when fourth year forward Jesse Paradis was awarded a penalty shot. Despite his small stature, Cooke played large in goal forcing Paradis to shoot wide on the penalty shot attempt. Parker Thomas netted the Huskies final goal in Saturday's win. The Huskies proceeded to take control from that point. At the 3:34 mark of the second, captain and standout defenceman Kendall McFaull intercepted a pass just inside the blue-line of the Bisons zone and blasted home his fourth goal of the season to increase the Dogs’ lead to 2-0. Before the second ended, Bauml put his soft hands to work tucking home a tally in close to give U of S a 3-0 lead. Levi Cable and Parker Thomas rounded out the scoring for the Huskies in the third, who led 4-0 at one point. Jordan DePape and Jonah Wasylak replied with singles for the Bisons, who fell to 10-12-2. Byron Spriggs turned away 26 shots in the U of M net. As far as the Huskies net is concerned, Cooke said he is having success due to the fact he has been able to track the puck well. “I think I am just watching the pucks a little bit better than I have been,” said Cooke. “For me, that is the thing. He also admits his comfort level in the CIS ranks is higher this second season due to the fact he has a full campaign under his belt being a university level student-athlete. The Huskies are also a win shy of matching their overall club record for wins in a season. U of S has won 22 games in a regular season twice in team history. The last 22-win campaign came back in 1999-2000, when the Dogs posted their best ever regular season mark at 22-3-3. Cooke has been impressed watching his current group of teammates play in front of him. The Huskies return to action this coming Friday and Saturday, when they travel to Edmonton to take on the Golden Bears (15-7-2). Marley Ervine played in her 132nd career regular season game. One night after posting a 3-1 win, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team lost their touch around the net once again. On Saturday night in Winnipeg, the Huskies dropped a 3-0 decision to the host U of Manitoba Bisons despite holding a 21-19 edge in the shots on goal department. Cailtin Fyten, Charity Price and Lauryn Keen potted singles for the Bisons (11-11-2), who received a 21 save shutout performance from Amanda Schubert in goal. Cassidy Hendricks made 16 stops in goal for the Huskies, who failed to score on four power-play chances. The Huskies, who are rated 10th in the CIS top ten rankings, fell to 12-9-3. The Huskies sit a point ahead of the Bisons for fourth overall in Canada West. U of S has 36 points coming from nine regulation wins, three extra time victories and three extra time setbacks. The Bisons have 35 points coming from the fact all 11 of their wins have come in regulation along with two extra time setbacks. Three points are awarded for regulation victories and two points are given for extra time wins in Canada West women’s play. In Saturday’s setback, feisty forward Marley Ervine appeared in her 132nd career regular season game and moved alone into top spot in the career games played list for the Huskies women’s team. Kandace Cook sits second with 131 games played. The Huskies return to action this coming Friday and Saturday when they host the U of Alberta Pandas (13-8-3) at 7 p.m. on both nights at the Rutherford rink. Andrew Johnson scored twice in the Huskies runaway victory on Friday. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's hockey team looked every bit like a club that tops the Canadian Interuniversity Sport top ten rankings. For the second time this season, the Huskies were voted number one in the weekly CIS top ten rankings entering play this weekend. Hosting the University of Manitoba Bisons at the ancient Rutherford on Friday night, the Huskies actually fell behind 1-0 just 31 second in, when Bisons forward Warren Callis potted the rebound from an Adam Henry point shot. The Huskies roared back with five straight goals and cruised to an 8-3 victory. U of M’s lead lasted to the 4:49 mark of the opening frame, when Huskies rookie forward Kohl Bauml netted his 10th goal of the season to tie things up at 1-1. Just 15 seconds later, Jaimen Yakubowski potted his second goal of the season to put the Huskies up 2-1. Before the opening frame ended, rookie forward Andrew Johnson netted a pair of goals just 17 seconds apart from each other to give the Huskies a 4-1 lead. At the 11:46 mark of the second, Josh Roach scored on the power play to put the Huskies up 5-1 and pretty much put the competitive phase of the contest on ice. Jordan Fransoo, Michael Sofillas and Cameron Blair potted singles to round out the Huskies scoring. Fransoo’s tally came on a pretty tick-tack-toe passing play, when the hosts were working on a two-man advantage. Bauml and defenceman Connor Cox picked up the helpers on that fancy tally. Jordan DePape and Brett Stovin, who is a former captain of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades, picked up singles to conclude the scoring for the Bisons. Jordan Fransoo potted a beauty power-play goal for the Huskies on Friday. Jordon Cooke made 23 saves to earn the win goal for the Huskies. The victory in net was the 17th of the season for Cooke, who is one win shy of equaling the club record for wins in a season. The team record of 18 goaltending wins in a season is held jointly by Jeff Calvert (1998-99) and Ryan Holfeld (2012-13). Rookie Justin Paulic stopped 36 shots going the distance in goal for the Bisons, who fell to 10-11-2. The Huskies stretched their winning streak to eight games and improved to 20-3. They hit the 20-win mark in the regular season for the third time in team history. The last time the Huskies won 20-or-more games in a regular season came back in 1999-2000, when the Dogs posted their best ever regular season record at 22-3-3. U of S also sits eight points up on the University of Alberta Golden Bears for first place in the Canada West standings. With the Golden Bears dropping a 6-4 decision to the University of Calgary Dinos on Friday night in Edmonton, the Huskies need to earn just three points in the standings in their final five regular season games to lock up first overall in Canada West. The Huskies could cement first overall on Saturday night, if they beat the Bisons (7 p.m., Rutherford Rink) and the Golden Bears fall in any fashion at home against the Dinos. NOTE – U of S was without standout fifth-year defenceman Zak Stebner, who is nursing a leg injury. Brooklyn Haubrich drives to the net for the Huskies. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team brought their four game losing streak to an end on Friday night in Winnipeg. Having been snakebitten around the net in recent weeks, the Huskies, who are rated 10th in the CIS top ten rankings, scored three times on the nine shots they had on goal to slip past the host University of Manitoba Bisons 3-1. Huskies rookie forward Shyan Elias, who is from Winnipeg, picked up her first CIS regular season goal at the 8:45 mark of the opening frame. Just under two minutes later, fourth-year forward Lauren Zary picked up her career high seventh tally of the campaign to give the visitors a 2-0 edge. First-year forward Brooklyn Haubrich potted the only goal in the second to put the Huskies up 3-0. Alanna Sharman replied with the Bisons loan goal in the third. Cassidy Hendricks made 22 saves to earn her 10th win in goal of the season for the Huskies (12-8-3). The fourth-year netminder became the first goalie in the history of the Huskies women’s program to win 10 or more games in a season in four straight campaigns. Rachel Dyck made six stops in goal for the Bisons (10-11-2). These two teams will go at it again on Saturday in Winnipeg. NOTES - On Wednesday, the Huskies announced Danielle Nogier, who is the captain of the Saskatoon Stars female midget AAA team, has committed to play for the U of S in the 2016-17 campaign. Known for her work as a defensive forward, Nogier has five goals and two assists for the Stars, who lead the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League with a 20-4 record. Her brother, Nelson, is a standout defensive defenceman with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels and is a draft selection of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets. Danielle's father, Pat, played goal for the Huskies men's hockey team from 1988-91. The Huskies were without captain Paige Anakaer, who is nursing a leg injury, on Friday. Feisty forward Marley Ervine played in her 131st career regular season game on Friday for the Huskies to equal Kandace Cook for first on the club’s all-time list. Abby Shirley charges into the offensive zone for the Stars. The Saskatoon Stars aren’t used to defeat, especially when it is suffered at the hands of a come-from-behind effort by their opponent. After winning the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League championship last season, the Stars picked up where they left off this season leading the SFMAAAHL with a 20-4 record. The fourth setback might have been the toughest one. Last Sunday at the Agriplace Arena, the Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the visiting Prince Albert A & W Bears and held a decisive edge in shots on goal and territorial play through the contest’s first 30 minutes. With 7:05 to play in the second, the Bears scored on the power play to gain some traction, and the momentum of the game turned completely around. Prince Albert scored on another power play before the second period concluded to tie things up at 2-2 and potted a third power-play marker with 12:42 to play in the third to go up 3-2. The 3-2 Bears edge held up as the final outcome in the contest. While the Stars had lots of time to get the equalizer, it seemed they were trying to immediately create two or three breakaways to get a goal. In doing that, they played right into the defensive shut down game the Bears began to employ, which resulted in a number of turnovers in the centre ice zone. After the game ended, the youth of the Stars team came to the surface. A lot of the players broke out in tears. Most of that reaction stems from the fact the majority of the players on Saskatoon roster are around age 15. The disappointment energy was opposite of the bounce off the wall happiness energy the Stars displayed when they won the SFMAAAHL title. In the setback to Prince Albert, the Stars were reminded of a fact that former Saskatoon Blades head coach and general manager Lorne Molleken often alluded to in that there are two teams on the ice trying to win a hockey game. He often gave credit to the fact the opponent has some good players who will make some outstanding plays to help their side. The big lesson for the Stars is to not get discouraged or go in a shell when a good opponent does something great. When an opponent does something great, it presents an opportunity to respond in a good fashion to show perseverance. The Stars have a strong coaching staff and a strong parent group, so the players will have good support in going through this learning experience. If the Stars win all of their last four regular season games in regulation, they will still finish first overall in the SFMAAAHL. They return to action on Saturday night, when they host the Melville Prairie Fire (7-13-1) at 7:45 p.m. at the Agriplace Arena. The Stars and Prairie Fire will also meet on Sunday at 2:15 p.m. at the Agriplace Arena. Ryan Holfeld, left, and myself during a social time. When he coached the Medicine Hat Tigers, Willie Desjardins often told his players one of the best places to be was at the rink. For me, that can expand to the football field, a basketball court, volleyball court, soccer pitch or even a UFC octagon ring. The reason those places are the best places to be are the people that are there. The athletes, coaches, trainers, staff, facility attendants and even the fans in the stands make those places enjoyable. In my life, I have found the athletes, coaches and staffers to be the most genuine and real people I know. It is the main reason I continue to be a regular at the Rutherford Rink and the Physical Activity Complex on the University of Saskatchewan campus, Saskatoon Minor Football field and so far a handful of WHL rinks. Since November of 2012, I have known I have had issues dealing with anxiety. The issues rose due to a mental health issue I discovered in my workplace at the time, which was the Medicine Hat News, and that resulted in a whole host of spinoff problems. There is still a stigma around mental health issues, and they are unfortunately still treated as the elephant in the room in too many circles. From the start of my mental health journey, the one constant group of forward thinking backers I have had have been the young athletes that have played either in the WHL, the Canadian Interuniversity Sport ranks or the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association. I have found they have always been the most open minded and genuinely positive in helping on the mental health front. I remember talking about a few of these young adults with former Medicine Hat College Rattlers men’s volleyball head coach Steve Russell during a coffee chat, and he said their support on the mental health front is fitting because these are our future leaders. If I tried to make a list of all the people I have leaned on, I fear I might leave someone out. The first group of people that knew about what I was going through included Tigers grads Brennan Bosch, Ryan Holfeld and David Schlemko. From Bosch and Holfeld, the group quickly expanded to the members of the 2012-13 University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team. Bosch and Holfeld were in the middles of their CIS careers with the Dogs at that time. The early list also included Talayna Tremblay and Kelsey Konihowski, who were both still with the Medicine Hat College Rattlers women’s volleyball team at the time. All of five of those people were key in helping me make my initial steps forward. The Hilltops win in the Canadian Bowl was a good time. Since those beginnings, the list has greatly expanded. Over the past eight months the conversations haven’t been about mental health, when I have been at sporting venues or visiting my friends that are involved in high-level sports. The visits mainly revolve around regular talks you have every day on a variety of topics. When I am in those moments, I feel most normal. Actually, I usually don’t even think about my anxiety battles until I am home or I am spending time alone. Connectivity is the main reason I remain around the sports scene. That connectivity can be viewed at an obvious time like when the Saskatoon Hilltops won their 18th Canadian Junior Football League title back on Nov. 7, 2015. I think everyone that was at Saskatoon Minor Football Field that day felt connected to what went on at that Canadian Bowl championship game. Connectivity also comes during a more quiet time like last Sunday at the Agriplace Arena. After watching the Saskatoon Stars fall 3-2 to the Prince Albert A & W Bears in a Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League game, I spent a lengthy time visiting with University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team members Kaitlin and Morgan Willoughby and their mother, Dinah. Our conversation ventured through all sorts of subjects including mutual friends, memories from sports and the Edmonton Oilers from Wayne Gretzky’s days. This season, I decided I would get my Canadian Hockey League pass in order to work a little more on the major junior circuit again. In those travels, I have felt a renewed connectivity to a vast network of people I got to know covering the WHL as a beat reporter for 15 seasons. Even Red Deer Rebels head coach, general manager and owner Brent Sutter smiled when he saw me during pre-game before his squad took to the ice to face the Saskatoon Blades at the SaskTel Centre. (Side note: Sutter does smile and he does so more than you think). Being on the WHL trail allowed me to have a great visit with Jaeger White. On Saturday night, I had a great visit and talk with Brandon Wheat Kings centre Jaeger White, who is the step son of current Medicine Hat Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston. I’ve known White since his bantam hockey days, and I was impressed with how mature he was during our talk that I almost forgot he is 17-years-old. Connectivity is the thing for me that makes all the bad stuff with anxiety wash away. Actually, the more connected someone with a mental illness feels with their community and surroundings the better off he or she will be. As this is Bell Let’s Talk day, I hope everyone remembers how powerful connectivity can be. When you have visits with someone who is battling a mental illness, the talk doesn’t necessarily have to be about that subject. It can be about any topic of mutual interest. The key is to visit and to visit in person, because those visits can go a long way to improving your overall mental health. Cameron Hebig has exploded offensively for the Blades. When Cameron Hebig achieves a milestone, he automatically sets his sites on a higher goal. After his hometown Saskatoon Blades selected him in the third round and 56th overall in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, Hebig saw that moment as an opportunity he wanted to take advantage of. The speedy centre cracked the Blades lineup as a 16-year-old in the 2013-14 campaign. With the Blades having turned over most of their roster after hosting the 2013 Memorial Cup, Hebig received a lot of opportunity to gain experience and picked up 13 goals and 13 assists in 67 games. Having learned what the grind of the circuit was about, Hebig set out to improve his game in both the offensive and defensive zones as a 17-year-old sophomore last season. He dressed for all of the Blades 72 regular season games picking 18 goals and 22 assists. This season Hebig has become a force offensively piling up 22 goals and 27 assists in 43 games. “I just had a good start to the year and have just been positive,” said Hebig, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 190 pounds. “I think if you are working hard chances will come, and you just have to bury those. In their third season since hosting the Memorial Cup, the Blades are still going through growing pains. After jumping out to a strong 7-4-3 start, the Blades, who still have one of the youngest teams in the WHL, hit the wall in the middle of November. After falling 6-2 to the Brandon Wheat Kings before 4,637 spectators on Saturday night at the SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon’s record dropped to 17-27-4. Hebig’s jump has not waivered during the down stretches. On Saturday night, he netted both of the Blades goals on a couple of nice shots and was a plus-two in the plus-minus department. On his second tally, he stole the puck from a Wheat Kings defender, used another rearguard as a screen and tucked a shot home past netminder Logan Thompson. Cameron Hebig celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal. “He (Hebig) is our best player, and he brings it every night,” said Blades head coach and general manager Bob Woods. “He is not a real vocal guy, but he leads by example because of his work ethic. Woods believes a missed goal helped kick Hebig into another gear this season. “I think not getting drafted (into the NHL) was kind of not a wakeup call, but he just didn’t like it,” said Woods. “He worked extremely hard this summer on his game. “We talked a little bit about just being the complete player. I thought last year maybe he didn’t do the things that he has to do. He is a skilled player, but he is not skilled enough to live on that. Hebig prides himself in playing a strong two-way game. On the intangible side, he finds he just doesn’t get down on himself or his team when things get rough. While the Blades trail the Edmonton Oil Kings (19-22-6-1) by seven points for the final playoff berth in the WHL’s Eastern Conference, Hebig believes it is still possible for his club to make an appearance in the post-season. Cameron Hebig looks to make a play in the offensive zone for the Blades. “We’ve got a good group here, and we believe in ourselves,” said Hebig. “When things get tough, we can’t pack it in. We always have to bring it every game and always try to get better. When it comes to making the NHL, Hebig’s lack of size might be the biggest obstacle he has to overcome. He is quick to point out you don’t have to be 6-foot-2 and weigh over 200 pounds to make an impact in the NHL. The shifty skater lists off Tyler Johnson of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens and Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins as smaller players that have made an impact in hockey’s top professional league. Gallagher and Marchand both stand 5-foot-9, while Johnson is 5-foot-8. Cameron Hebig gets set to take a draw for the Blades. In Saturday’s tilt with Brandon, the Wheat Kings, who top the WHL’s East Division with a 29-13-2-2 mark, led 2-1 after the first period and 5-2 after the second frame after Hebig gave the Blades a short-lived 1-0 edge. Reid Duke had a hat trick for the Wheat Kings, who received a two-goal performance from Jayce Hawryluk and a single from John Quenneville. Thompson made 18 stops to earn the win in goal. Brock Hamm turned away 25 shots to take the loss in net for the Blades. The Blades return to action Friday, when they travel to Regina to take on the Pats. The Wheat Kings are in Regina to face the Pats on Sunday. UBC goalie Danielle Dube set up to stop U of S winger Kaitlin Willoughby. It seemed like everyone on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team had the hands of stone around the net. On Friday night at the ancient Rutherford Rink, the Dogs had to lament their missed chances in a 2-1 setback to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. The Huskies, who lost their third in a row, had numerous opportunities to score, but the ability to finish eluded them in the up tempo contest. The rotten luck started late in the opening frame when feisty forward Marley Ervine rang a shot off the crossbar of the UBC goal. After a fairly even opening 20 minutes, the Thunderbirds seemed to score out of nowhere at the 4:53 mark of the second, when fourth-year forward Katie Zinn potted her third goal of the season to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Just over five minutes later, the Thunderbirds went ahead 2-0 on some nice work down low in the offensive zone. Third year Thunderbirds forward Melissa Goodwin slipped a pass to the front of the Huskies goal from the left corner boards in the U of S zone, and linemate Haneet Parhar tucked home her fifth of the season past Huskies goaltender Cassidy Hendricks. The Huskies, who are rated eighth in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport top ten rankings, proceeded to make a big push back, which saw them buzz the UBC zone. During one surge of pressure, Huskies standout winger Kaitlin Willoughby found herself alone at the right side of the Thunderbirds goal, but she was unable to put a backhanded chance past UBC netminder Danielle Dube. The Thunderbirds celebrate a goal from Haneet Parhar (#12). In the final seconds of the second, another big scoring chance eluded the Huskies. After crossing into the Thunderbirds zone, Willoughby wired a shot on the UBC goal. The puck hit Dube and fell to the ground bouncing loose in the crease area. Ervine crashed into the area but was unable to bat the puck into the net. Despite the missed chances, a third period rally seemed possible for the hosts, when Lauren Zary scored on the power play just 46 seconds into the frame to cut the deficit to 2-1. From that point, both teams proceeded to trade scoring chances as action went back and forth up and down the ice. A couple of scrums also ensured after stoppages as the intensity on both sides increased. The Huskies best chance to net the equalizer came with under two minutes to play, when Hendricks was pulled for an extra attacker. On a rush into the offensive zone, Huskies third-year forward Kori Herner slipped a shot through a screen. Dube made the stop but gave up a juicy rebound. Herner slipped past a UBC defender but fanned on an attempt to shovel the loose puck home. Dube made 25 stops to help the Thunderbirds win their fourth in a row and improve to 13-6-2. UBC is rated 10th in the CIS top ten rankings. Hendricks made 16 stops for the Huskies, who fell to 11-7-3. The Huskies and Thunderbirds will go at it again on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Rutherford Rink. NOTES – Ervine played in her 129th career regular season game for the Huskies on Friday night to match Chelsey Sundby for second on the team’s all-time list. Kandace Cook sits first in the Huskies career regular season games played list having suited up for 131 contests. Huskies captain Paige Anakaer left Friday’s game in the second period with a leg injury. Kohl Bauml had a goal in the Huskies road win. The U of S Huskies men’s hockey team continued to cement their reputation as road warriors. On Friday night in Vancouver, standout rookie forwards Kohl Bauml and Levi Cable potted singles in the first period to power the Huskies to a 2-0 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds. Netminder Jordon Cooke made 25 saves to pick up his second shutout of the season. The win allowed the Huskies to improve to 10-0 on the road this season. U of S has also won six straight and is rated second in the CIS top ten rankings. The Huskies upped their Canada West leading record to 18-3. Friday’s win allowed the Huskies to ensure they can finish no lower than third in Canada West, and they will host at least one playoff series at the Rutherford Rink. The Thunderbirds fell to 9-9-3 to sit fifth in Canada West. Both teams go at it again on Saturday in Vancouver at the UBC campus. U of R Cougars forward Stephanie Sawchuk turns to drive to the goal. There are no guarantees in Canada West Conference’s women’s hockey league. How competitive has the eight-team circuit been this year? Only 12 points in the standings separates last place from first place. With each team have about seven to eight games remaining on their respective regular season schedules, every club is looking at scenarios where they can finish from first to last, especially considering three points are awarded for regulation wins. Every team has experienced ups and downs, and the players and coaches on each squad can list times where they let points in the standings slip through their fingers. At the moment, the University of Regina Cougars have the best showing in the past 10 games posting a 7-3 mark over that stretch. The University of Calgary Dinos, who have the conference’s top two scorers in Iya Gavrilova and Sasha Vafina, had sat alone in the league’s cellar for most of the season. With their 3-2 regulation win over the Mount Royal University Cougars at the Crowchild Classic on Thursday night, the Dinos pulled to within five points of the Cougars for sixth place and the conference’s final playoff berth. U of C has also won four in a row and is starting to look like a squad worthy of hosting the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship tournament. The Dinos (7-10-4) actually now sit in a tie for seventh in the league standings with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns (8-11-1) at 23 points. U of C compiled its 23 points off on five regulation wins, two extra wins and four extra time losses. U of L has 23 points thanks to six regulation wins, two extra time wins and one extra time setback. Huskies forward Elizabeth Salyn battles two Dinos for the puck on the boards. The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (12-6-2) and the University of Alberta Pandas (11-7-2) sit tied for first in the standings with 35 points. UBC collected its 35 points on nine regulation wins, three extra time wins and two extra time setbacks. All 11 of U of A’s victory have come in regulation time to help the Pandas grab a share of first. In another interesting twist, the Pandas do not have a single player sitting in the top ten of the conference’s scoring race. Rookie Alex Poznikoff tops the Pandas in scoring with eight goals and four assists, but she sits 13th overall in the conference’s scoring race. The U of R Cougars (12-7-1, nine regulation wins) are a point back of both UBC and U of A for top spot, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (11-6-3, eight regulation wins) are two points out of first place and the University of Manitoba Bisons (10-8-2, 10 regulations wins) are three points back of first. Mount Royal (10-10-1, seven regulation wins) holds sixth place with 28 points. Down the stretch you can be certain there will be a lot of scoreboard watching. No team has been able to go through a lengthy consistent winning stretch. If a club can post a lengthy winning stretch, that team might have home ice advantage for the entire Canada West playoffs. In reality, it seems the deck will keep getting reshuffled after each of the last four regular season weekends plays out. Matthew Spafford celebrates scoring for the Huskies. This picture of Matthew Spafford’s goal celebration for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team is piling up the views on Twitter and Facebook. Spafford was celebrating after scoring against the U of C Dinos in last Friday’s 4-3 double overtime win at the ancient Rutherford Rink. In the right corner of the picture, it looks like Spafford is about to high-five Rod Alm, who was named the Huskies fan of the year in 2013. It is safe to say most of the Huskies athletes know who Alm is. The shot show great emotion of the moment. When it comes to snapping a photo like this, it is really only 20 per cent skill and 80 per cent luck. · Feisty forward Marley Ervine will hit a milestone, when her Huskies women’s hockey team hosts the Thunderbirds at 7 p.m. Friday at the Rutherford Rink. Ervine will suit up for her 129th career regular season game, which will tie her for second all-time in the history of the Huskies women’s hockey program with Chelsey Sundby. Kandace Cook tops the Huskies career regular season games played list at 131. Ervine sits third in the Canada West scoring race with a career high eight goals and 12 assists. · It seemed Mike Gibson wasn’t in the good books of a number of the alumni of the University of Regina Rams football team. Gibson resigned as Rams head coach on Sunday after just one season having guided the club to an 0-8 mark. Gibson joined the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos on Monday as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator. A number of Rams alumni voiced their displeasure with Gibson over social media after he resigned his U of R post. · On Thursday, the U of R Rams named Mark McConkey as acting head coach. McConkey was the team’s offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and academic coach. That move was a head scratcher considering McConkey’s last season as a Rams player was 2012. You would think the U of R would name Paul Dawson, who is the Rams long time defensive coordinator, as acting head coach. McConkey doesn’t have a lot of coaching experience and only joined the CIS ranks in April of last year. · On the WHL front, how about those Lethbridge Hurricanes? After missing the playoffs for the last six straight seasons, the Hurricanes sit first in the entire WHL with a 34-12 record and are riding an eight game winning streak. They have to be considered the top story in major junior hockey. · Brock Hirsche, who is the captain of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey team, revealed on Tuesday he is battling testicular cancer. Last year, Pronghorns goaltender Dylan Tait and team athletic therapist Brennan Mahon both beat that same disease. Hirsche is well known in hockey circles in Western Canada, and he will undoubtedly have a lot of people pulling for him. · On Thursday, the Saskatoon Blades revealed dressing room attendant Bobby Kirkness suffered a heart attack, while on vacation last week. Kirkness was later diagnosed with leukemia. Well loved by the Blades players, the news of Kirkness’s health woes have to be tough to take in the dressing room of “the Bridge City Bunch.” The Blades host the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the SaskTel Centre. · By now, most in the general public know the massive cuts Postmedia made to its operations on Tuesday. The media company owns a large concentration of Canada’s newspapers including the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. A number of good people saw their jobs and careers on a lot of fronts come to an end. On the sports front, expect anything that is not the NHL, UFC, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors to receive less coverage. All around, it is a sad situation. · The Saskatchewan Rush’s home opener was a hit. A crowd of 9,147 went to the SaskTel Centre last Friday to see the Rush fall 13-11 to the Vancouver Stealth. There as a lot of talk after that contest about how fun it was to watch the high-tempo National Lacrosse League. The Rush return to action on Jan. 29, when they host the Colorado Mammoth at 7:30 p.m. at the SaskTel Centre. Jaimen Yakubowski celebrates scoring a Huskies goal. No overtime dramatics were needed in this outing. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team proved to be too much for the University of Calgary Dinos to handle on Saturday night at the ancient Rutherford Rink. The Dogs scored early and often and skated away with a convincing 8-3 victory. One night earlier, the Huskies needed double overtime to slip past the Dinos 4-3. In Saturday’s contest, eight different players accounted for the eight Huskies tallies. The route started when Huskies captain Kendall McFaull tipped in a point shot from Josh Roach for a power-play goal at the 6:44 mark of the opening frame. Rookie forward Daylan Gatzke potted his first career Canadian Interuniversity Sport regular season goal to put the Huskies up 2-0 before the first period ended. Just 84 seconds into the second period, rookie forward Andrew Johnson netted his ninth goal of the season to put the hosts up 3-0. Johnson’s tally chased Dinos starting goalie Myles Hovdebo from the U of C net. He stopped eight-of-11 shots fired his way. Steven Stanford played the rest of the way in relief and stopped 18 of the 23 shots he faced. Actually, the Huskies netted their first goal on Stanford just 94 seconds after he entered the contest, when gritty rookie Jaimen Yakubowski popped his first career CIS regular season goal. The Dinos proceeded to use a timeout to try and regroup after that tally. The stoppage worked for a short time, as Kevin King scored for the Dinos to cut the Huskies lead to 4-1. The Dogs’ edge ballooned to 6-1 before the second period ended thanks to a short-handed marker by Kohl Bauml and a point shot power-play blast by rearguard Jordan Fransoo. Dylan Busenius and Chris Collins netted singles for the Dinos in the third, which cut the Huskies lead to 6-3 for a short moment. Cameron Blair and Parker Thomas replied with singles for the Huskies to round out the game’s scoring. Jesse Forsberg had four assists and a plus-six rating on Saturday. Jordon Cooke made 27 saves to earn the win in goal for the Huskies, who improve their Canada West Conference leading record to 17-3. Cooke also has 15 goaltending wins on the campaign, which are three shy of equaling the Huskies team record for goaltending victories in a season. The team record of 18 goaltending wins in a season is held jointly by Jeff Calvert (1998-99) and Ryan Holfeld (2012-13). The Dinos fell to 7-9-4 with the setback. While it seemed everyone that hit the ice for the Huskies was on a roll Saturday, their best player might have been sophomore defenceman Jesse Forsberg. Known for being a defensive defenceman, Forsberg quietly collected four assists on Saturday and was a plus-six in the plus-minus department. Saturday’s victory also allowed the Huskies, who are rated third in the CIS top ten rankings, to officially clinch a berth in the Canada West playoffs for the 20th straight year. U of S leads the overall Canada West standings with 34 points. The Mount Royal University Cougars and the University of Alberta Golden Bears sit tied for second place with 28 points coming from identical 13-5-2 records. All Canada West teams have eight games remaining in their respective regular season schedules. The Huskies return to action this coming Friday and Saturday, when they travel to Vancouver to take on the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (9-8-3). Brooklyn Haubrich had the Huskies lone goal in Calgary on Saturday. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team dropped an overtime heartbreaker in Calgary on Saturday night. The Huskies, who are rated sixth in the Canada West top ten rankings, fell 2-1 to the host University of Calgary Dinos at the Father David Bauer Arena despite holding a 31-20 edge in shots on goal. The Dinos jumped out in front 1-0, when defender Stephanie Zvonkovic scored on the power play at the 7:50 mark of the opening frame. The Huskies evened things up at 1-1, when rookie winger Brooklyn Haubrich scored with 3:45 to play in the third period. At the 3:07 mark of overtime, Russian import Sasha Vafina scored the winner for the Dinos shortly after getting out of the penalty box having served a minor infraction for body checking. Cassidy Hendricks turned away 18 shots taking the overtime loss in goal for the Huskies. Hayley Dowling stopped 30 shots to earn the win in goal for the Dinos. With the overtime setback, the Huskies record moves to 11-6-3, which is good for fourth overall in the very tight Canada West standings. The Dinos, who have won three straight, still sit last in the eight-team Canada West Conference, but they improve to 6-10-4. The Huskies return home this coming Friday and Saturday, when they host the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (12-6-2) at 7 p.m. on both nights at the Rutherford Rink. The Huskies celebrate an overtime winning goal. Lady Luck was on the side of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team. For a short time, it appeared the Huskies would fall victim to a comeback by the visiting University of Calgary Dinos on Friday night at the ancient Rutherford Rink. The Dogs led 3-1 after two periods of play only to see the Dinos rally back to force overtime after tying things up 3-3. After a scoreless five minute four-on-four overtime period, the Huskies received a huge break during the five-minute three-on-three session that followed. Sophomore Huskies forward Michael Sofillas fed the puck to linemate John Lawrence who proceeded to break towards the Dinos net for a scoring chance. Lawrence’s initial shot was stopped, but Dinos forward Elgin Pearce accidentally knocked the puck into his own goal while attempting to sweep it out of harm’s way. The Huskies themselves looked stunned for a moment before realizing they had pulled out a 4-3 victory at the 1:53 mark of the second overtime frame. The home side’s bench proceeded to empty out for a victory celebration in the offensive zone, while the crowd at Rutherford gave one of their loudest ovations of the season. For a while, it appeared the Huskies wouldn’t need any overtime goals to extend their current winning streak to four games. After playing through a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the Huskies drew first blood, when sophomore forward Cameron Blair sniped a shot past Dinos goaltender Steven Stanford to give the hosts a 1-0 edge. John Lawrence picked up the Huskies OT winning goal. The Dinos tied things up at 1-1 just three minutes later, when Spencer Edwards potted a goal from in close off a scramble type situation. The Huskies jumped back out front 2-1 working on a power play, when Michael Sofillas slipped home his fourth goal of the season. Before the second period ended, Huskies centre Sean Aschim stole the puck from a Dinos defenceman in the University of Calgary zone and immediately fed a pass to his linemate Matthew Spafford, who was alone in front of the goal. The fifth-year forward wasted little time in tucking home his second tally of the campaign to put the Huskies up 3-1. While play though the first 40 minutes was fairly even, the Dinos came with a huge push back in the third period outshooting the Huskies 12-5. At the 5:55 mark, Dinos rookie forward Mitch Cook picked up his first goal of his Canadian Interuniversity sport regular season career to cut the gap to 3-2. With 29 seconds remaining in the third, Dinos fourth-year forward Dylan Walchuk deflected home a point shot from defenceman Drydn Dow to force a 3-3 tie. The Huskies protested that Walchuk’s goal was knocked home with a high stick, but the officials ruled the goal was good. The Dinos carried play in the first overtime period recording the only five shots on goal in the frame. The Huskies lone shot on goal in the second overtime period eventually led to Pearce’s accidental own goal. Jordon Cooke made 35 saves to earn the win in goal for the Huskies (16-3), who are ranked third in the CIS top ten rankings. Stanford, who is a graduate of the WHL's Saskatoon Blades, turned away 19 shots in goal for the Dinos (7-8-4). The Huskies and Dinos will go at it again on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Rutherford Rink. Iya Gavrilova had a goal and two assists for the Dinos on Friday night. Iya Gavrilova and Sasha Vafina came through when the University of Calgary Dinos women’s hockey team needed them the most. The two members of Russian’s 2014 Olympic team combined for three goals and two assists to push the Dinos past the visiting University of Saskatchewan Huskies 4-2 at the Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary. Gavrilova, who has two assists, netted the winner at the 12:59 mark of the third period, which broke a 2-2 tie. Vafina scored twice, while Stephanie Zvonkovic had the Dinos other tally. Feisty forward Marley Ervine and Lauren Zary replied with singles for the Huskies. Hayley Dowling made 24 saves to earn the win in goal for the Dinos. Jerrica Waltz turned away 21 shots to take the loss in goal for the Huskies. The Huskies, who are rated sixth in the CIS top ten rankings, fell to 11-6-2. The Dinos improved to 5-10-4, but they still sit last in the eight team Canada West Conference. Both squads go at it again on Saturday in Calgary. The Rush's Crush Dance Team has been very visible in Saskatoon. If you live in Saskatoon, it almost seems impossible to escape the hype surrounding the Saskatchewan Rush. On Friday, the province’s National Lacrosse League team opens its much anticipated home schedule hosting the Vancouver Stealth at 7:30 p.m. at the SaskTel Centre. That SaskTel Centre will be the place to be on Friday night. The anticipation level was upped a few notches when the Rush posted a thrilling 10-8 comeback victory over the Roughnecks in Calgary on Jan. 2. The Rush enter the current NLL campaign as defending league champions having won the Champion’s Cup last season in Edmonton. After spending 10 seasons in the Alberta capital, the Rush were forced to relocate after they were unable to secure a home venue. As the NLL is a well-established league, people in Saskatoon have been jumping on the bandwagon to support a club that has the makings to be a league power for some time. After the club opened its business office on 2nd Avenue South across from Midtown Plaza, more and more residents have been spotted around “The Bridge City” sporting Rush gear. The excitement over the team is also trickling throughout the province. After seeing their season opener broadcast on TSN, it looks like the Rush will be a whole lot of fun to watch. It really seems like the hype is warranted. Actually, the Rush has a huge opportunity to really build a fan base rapidly in Saskatchewan. Out of the club’s 18 regular season games, it is possible to view 13 of them, if you attend all nine home games and the four road contests that are shown on TSN. If the Rush repeat their accomplishments of a season ago, their players will become household names. If all goes well, TSN might be showing post-season games from the SaskTel Centre. For now, feel free to enjoy the fact that the hype is likely very real. Allow yourself to enjoy the Rush. The Huskies celebrate a goal at the Rutherford Rink. While the Rush have a lot of hype, a well-established local team that dates back to 1910 is having a pretty good season to say the least. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team has been Saskatoon’s most exciting hockey club this season, and the Dogs have reclaimed a spot as one of the premier teams in Canadian Interuniversity Sport. After posting an uncharacteristic 10-15-3 last season, the Huskies top the Canada West standings with a 15-3 mark so far this season. With an infusion of a number of talented young forwards, the Huskies have returned to playing a real up tempo style this season that has been fun to watch. Everyone has been chipping in too, as 10 players have 10 or more points so far in the current campaign. The dynamic rookie line of Kohl Bauml, Levi Cable and Andrew Johnson are first, second and third respectively in team scoring. Bauml has five goals and 13 assists, Cable 11 goals and five helpers and Johnson has popped home eight goals and seven assists. Defence was a strong spot for the Huskies last season, and that hasn’t changed with a veteran group including Zak Stebner, Kendall McFaull, Connor Cox, Jordan Fransoo and Jesse Forsberg leading the way. Sophomore goalie Jordon Cooke, who is a graduate of the Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets, has been spectacular recording a 13-3 record, a 2.43 goals against average, a .926 save percentage and one shutout. He has shown the ability to steal games, which helped him be named the Canadian Hockey League’s goalie of the year back in 2014. Cooke has been overlooked for a serious professional shot due to the fact he stands only 5-foot-10, but there is no denying he has professional level talent. The Huskies host the University of Calgary Dinos (7-8-3) on both Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the ancient Rutherford Rink. If you haven’t seen the Huskies men’s team play in a while, now would definitely be a good time to check out a game and get reacquainted with the team. Saskatchewan residents received a reminder of how cruel the business of professional sports can be. On Thursday, the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders released beloved veterans John Chick and Weston Dressler, which caused immediate shock and dismay among “Rider Nation.” The move was made to give the club’s new management group - led by new head coach and general manager Chris Jones - more room to work with under the salary cap. The moves caused the Roughriders to be the province’s biggest sporting news story on a cold day on Jan. 14. Actually, it is quite common for the Roughriders to be the biggest sports newsmakers on any given winter day. Both are the perfect examples of players you want representing your team in the community. They are personable and friendly guys who are very approachable. While they are not from Saskatchewan originally, they are basically viewed as neighbours. Their release is almost the equivalent of watching a close family member go work in a country far away. Roughriders fans have experienced this same gut punches in the past, when the team released other popular stars that had reputations just like Chick’s and Dressler’s like Don Narcisse, Bobby Jurasin and Dan Farthing. All of those departures were emotionally hard to take. Unfortunately, that is the dark side of professional sports. With that in mind, Chick was a key part of the Grey Cup championship teams in 2007 and 2013, and Dressler also earned a Grey Cup ring in 2013. Both will be future member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and they will always be Roughriders legends. Wyatt Nelson-Zook, left, hangs with his father Gerry Nelson. One of my big recent thrills was getting the opportunity to write a long feature story Canadian blind golf champion Gerry Nelson for the Saskatoon Express. The 52-year-old Saskatoon resident lost his sight due to complications from diabetes at the age of 25. From that huge setback, Nelson built as storied career as a blind golfer. When you get the chance to sit down and visit with Nelson, he can captivate you with the vast amount of stories he can tell like the late great iconic CFL head coach and general manager Cal Murphy could. Nelson can often be found at the SaskTel Centre as a regular in the crowd at Saskatoon Blades WHL games along with his 12-year-old son Wyatt Nelson-Zook. Wyatt gives his father the play-by-play of the contest. Gerry Nelson’s amazing story can be found right here. Lauren Zary breaks into the offensive zone on a rush for the Huskies. For the majority of her post-secondary hockey career, it seemed like a dark cloud hung over Lauren Zary in the offensive zone. Basically, if she didn’t have bad luck, she would have no luck at all. The speedy forward’s work ethic could never be questioned, but the on ice drive often didn’t result in points on the scoresheet. In four seasons of midget AAA hockey from 2008 to 2012, Zary built a storied career with her hometown Saskatoon Stars. She piled up 44 goals and 82 assists in 103 career regular season games. Her shining moment came in the championship contest of 2011 Mac’s Tournament, when she recorded two goals and two assists to help the Stars claim the tournament title with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Thunder. That victory marked the first time the Stars captured the prestigious Mac’s title. After graduating from the Stars and completing her high school studies at Centennial Collegiate, Zary packed up for Providence, Rhode Island, to play for the Brown University Bears women’s team in the Division I ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the fall of 2012. In two seasons at Brown, Zary notched just two assists in 26 games and seemingly skated away from hockey. Returning home to Saskatoon, she enrolled in engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in the fall of 2014 and decided to resume her hockey career with the Huskies women’s team, who were coming off winning their first Canada West conference championship. Thanks to a then recently introduced Canadian Interuniversity Sport eligibility repatriation rule, Zary could join the Huskies without have to sit out for an entire season. Lauren Zary (#13) battles on a draw for the Huskies. As an added bonus, the Huskies also contained a few of her former Stars teammates. During the 2014-15 campaign, Zary, who made the dean’s honour roll, started to become a bit of a factor in the offensive zone picking up six goals and eight assists in 28 regular season games. This season, she had two goals and five assists in the 16 games the Huskies played before the Christmas break. When the Huskies opened their second semester schedule on the weekend, Zary had a breakthrough offensively helping her squad sweep a pair of games against the visiting University of Lethbridge Pronghorns at the ancient Rutherford Rink. On Friday night, Zary, who stands 5-foot-5, had a goal and an assist to help the Huskies double up the Pronghorns 4-2. Kori Herner, Marley Ervine and Kaitlin Willoughby had singles for the Huskies, while Cassidy Hendricks made 24 saves to earn the win in goal. Brett Campbell and Lauren Fredrich responded with singles for the Pronghorns, while Alicia Anderson turned away 29 of 32 shots in the U of L net. On Saturday night, Zary again had a goal and an assist to help the Huskies slip past the Pronghorns 4-3. Her helper came on the Huskies first goal, which saw Willoughby wire a shot off the post and in. In the contest’s third period, Zary scored on the power play, when she flipped a shot past Pronghorns netminder Jessica Lohues. Lauren Zary, right, celebrates her goal Saturday with her teammates. Rachel Johnson and Herner each had singles in Saturday’s win. Jerrica Waltz started in goal for the U of S and stopped 11 of 13 shots over two periods of action. Hendricks started the third period for the Huskies, who were locked in a 2-2 tie with the Pronghorns at that time. She turned away six of seven shots fired her way to pick up the win in goal. Jocelyn Sabourin, Tricia Van Vaerenbergh and Chelsea Kasprick replied with singles for the Pronghorns, who fell to 8-9-1. Lohues stopped 30 shots to take the loss in the U of L net. With the wins, the Huskies, who are rated seventh in the CIS top ten rankings, improve to 11-5-2 to sit second in the Canada West conference. In the congested Canada West women’s standings, the Huskies are just two points back of the University of Alberta Pandas for first place, but are only six points ahead of the Mount Royal University Cougars, who sit sixth overall. The Huskies return to action this coming Friday, when they take on the University of Calgary Dinos (4-10-4) in Calgary. For the moment, Zary seems to have found a comfort zone playing on a line with Willoughby and one of her former Stars teammates in Ervine. If Zary can remain a factor offensively, the Huskies chances of finishing near the top of the Canada West standings will increase greatly. Zary’s work ethic on the ice and in the classroom will always be there. It would be nice if an extended run of good luck would come her way too. John Lawrence fights for a faceoff for the Huskies. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team looks intent on proving their impressive results before the Christmas break were no fluke. The Huskies, who are rated fourth in the CIS top ten rankings, opened the second semester by traveling to Lethbridge to sweep a series with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. The wins allowed the Huskies, who are 9-0 on the road, to improve their Canada West leading record to 15-3. They sit five points up on the second place University of Alberta Golden Bears, who were swept away by the University of Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg. In Lethbridge on Friday night, the Huskies slipped past the Pronghorns 3-1. Rookie Levi Cable, John Lawrence and Jesse Ross netted singles for the Huskies, while Jordon Cooke made 37 stops to earn the win in goal. Jay Merkley replied for the Pronghorns, while cancer survivor Dylan Tait turned away 39 of 41 shots to earn the win in goal. On Saturday night, the Huskies found another gear storming out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and cruising to a 7-2 victory. Lawrence and fifth-year defenceman Zak Stebner both had a pair of goals for the Huskies, while Kohl Bauml, Jesse Forsberg and Logan McVeigh each had singles. Cooke turned away 24 shots to pick up another victory in net. Zane Jones and Tim Campbell replied with singles for the Pronghorns. Tait turned away 13 of 16 shot before being pulled at the 14:07 mark of the opening frame. Warren Shymko stopped 23 of 27 shots in relief. The Pronghorns have lost six in a row to fall to 6-11-1. The Huskie return to action this coming Friday, when they host the University of Calgary Dinos (7-8-3) at 7 p.m. at the Rutherford Rink.
2019-04-20T18:14:16Z
http://stankssermon.blogspot.com/2016/01/
1. This Ruling applies to recipients of government payments to industry to assist the recipient to continue, commence or cease business. The Ruling does not apply to those exempt entities specified in section 11-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997). Unless otherwise stated, all legislative references in this Ruling are to the ITAA 1997. 2. The class of schemes to which this Ruling applies are bounties, subsidies, grants and rebates paid or funded by the Commonwealth or a State, Territory or local government, or government agency. undertake research and development activities. to assist with the purchase of a depreciating asset. to reimburse a recipient for the loss or reduction in value of depreciating assets. 6. Although this Ruling does not deal with CGT issues, taxpayers should be aware that in those cases to which section 15-10 does not apply (for example, because a payment is received for ending a business) there will usually be CGT consequences. In a case where CGT event A1 applies to the disposal of an asset, the GPI may form part of the capital proceeds for the event. In cases where a contractual or other right is created by the taxpayer entering into an agreement in return for the payment (for example - a GPI received for entering into a restraint of trade agreement), CGT event D1 will apply and the receipt will form part of the capital proceeds for the event. If the payment recoups expenditure forming one of the elements of the cost base, the cost base is taken never to have included the original expenditure, thus potentially increasing a future capital gain or decreasing a future capital loss; however, the payment will not itself give rise to a capital gain. The application of these provisions will depend on the particular facts, and since relatively small differences of fact may affect the outcome, taxpayers are advised, in these cases, to seek private rulings. 7. Section 118-20 applies to reduce any capital gain arising because of the receipt of a GPI to the extent that the payment also represents assessable income under any other provision of the income tax law. 8. Section 118-24 applies to disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make from a CGT event that is also a balancing adjustment event that happens to a depreciating asset or a section 73BA depreciating asset. 9. This Ruling replaces Taxation Determinations TD 92/170 and TD 98/28, which were withdrawn on and from the issue date of the draft version of this Ruling. To the extent that our views in those Determinations still apply, they have been incorporated in this Ruling. 10. A GPI to assist a business to continue operating, except where the payment is for agreeing to give up or sell part of the profit yielding structure, is included as assessable income of the recipient under section 6-5 or section 15-10. 11. A GPI to provide income support because of an actual or expected reduction in business income is ordinary income in the hands of the recipient and assessable under section 6-5 in the income year in which it is derived. 12. A GPI to assist with business operating costs or liabilities is ordinary income in the hands of the recipient and is assessable under section 6-5 in the income year in which it is derived. 13. A GPI to reimburse, assist with, or directly pay on behalf of the recipient, the costs of obtaining legal, business, accounting, financial or other professional advice in the ordinary course of business will be on revenue account. The reimbursement, or amount of assistance or direct payment on behalf of the recipient, is ordinary income and assessable under section 6-5 in the income year in which it is derived. 14. A GPI for loss of profits because of government policy or industry restructure is assessable under section 6-5 in the income year in which it is derived. This includes where loss of profit is calculated with regard to factors that are not readily identifiable with the reason for the payment (for example, if calculated by an anticipated or estimated loss or diminution in value of plant or equipment). 15. A GPI to evaluate current business operations in relation to expanding a recipient's business is a receipt arising as a product or incident of carrying on the business. The GPI is ordinary income and assessable under section 6-5 in the income year in which it is derived. is assessable under section 15-10 in the income year in which it is received. satisfies the test in paragraph 15-10(a) that a bounty or subsidy be received 'in relation to carrying on a business'. 18. A GPI to reimburse, assist with, or directly pay on behalf of the recipient, the costs of obtaining legal, business, accounting, financial or other professional advice that are not in the ordinary course of business will not be on revenue account. A reimbursement, or amount of assistance or direct payment on behalf of the recipient, that is not on revenue account but is a bounty or subsidy in relation to carrying on the business is assessable under section 15-10 in the income year in which it is received or paid directly to the supplier on behalf of the recipient. 19. A GPI received to acquire or construct an asset or assist with the capital costs of restructuring, that is an activity in relation to carrying on a business, is assessable income under section 15-10. 20. A GPI received for agreeing to give up, or sell, part of the profit yielding structure of a business is not received in relation to carrying on a business for the purposes of section 15-10. 21. To the extent the GPI is assessable as ordinary income or under section 15-10, it is not included in the termination value of a depreciating asset, nor will it be an assessable recoupment under Subdivision 20-A. 22. Financial assistance provided by government by way of a loan provided at a concessional rate of interest is not a GPI. The difference between the normal market rate of interest and the concessional rate of interest is also not a GPI. 23. Government financial assistance to business is sometimes provided on terms where the amount must be repaid unless the recipient meets agreed conditions within a specified period. The grant becomes unconditional when the recipient satisfies the required conditions of the agreement with the funding authority. It is at this time that a GPI is taken to be received, not at the time the conditional grant was paid. 24. An assessable GPI that is an advance payment is derived by the recipient to the extent that the recipient has done everything necessary to be entitled to retain the amount received. An overpaid amount to which the recipient is not entitled and that must be repaid is not derived by the recipient. 25. Any amount of a GPI that must be repaid in a later year for which the recipient is not able to claim a deduction is not assessable income and not exempt income under section 59-30. 26. Government payments to industry to commence or cease a business are not assessable as ordinary income of the recipient under section 6-5 or as a bounty or subsidy in relation to carrying on a business under section 15-10. However, the GPI may give rise to an assessable recoupment under Subdivision 20-A. 27. A GPI received to assist the recipient to commence business with the purchase of a depreciating asset, the cost of which is deductible under Division 40, is assessable income under the assessable recoupment provisions in Subdivision 20-A. 28. A GPI received to commence or cease business, which reimburses the cost of professional taxation advice deductible under section 25-5, is assessable income under the assessable recoupment provisions in Subdivision 20-A. 29. A GPI received to reimburse costs of finalising business operations deductible under section 40-880, is assessable under the assessable recoupment provisions in Subdivision 20-A. 30. Although a payment may be made in relation to a depreciating asset its proper character may relate to carrying on a business and therefore assessable under section 15-10. Where it is assessable under section 15-10, the payment is not taken into account in working out a balancing adjustment for the asset as provided for under Subdivision 40-D. 33. The farm that a primary producer uses for primary production activities is in an area that is experiencing drought conditions. The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on advice from the National Rural Advisory Council declares the area to be one of exceptional circumstances. The primary producer obtains an exceptional circumstances certificate from their State Rural Adjustment Authority and applies to Centrelink for an exceptional circumstances relief payment. The claim is approved and the primary producer begins to receive a fortnightly exceptional circumstances relief payment at the same rate as the Newstart Allowance. 34. The purpose of the exceptional circumstances relief payment is to provide income support. It supplements the income of the primary producer to the same level of income provided by the social security system. The payment is regular, expected and able to be relied on by the primary producer. The payment replaces the primary producer's income until the conditions for the payment are no longer satisfied. These characteristics support the conclusion that the payment is ordinary income. The primary producer is assessable on this payment as ordinary income under section 6-5 in the income year that it is derived. 35. A business operator is eligible to apply for a government annual allowance to assist it with the higher costs of carrying on business in a remote area. The business operator applies for the allowance, submitting details of the location of its operating premises, the number of services supplied to the community, the type of services provided and the annual income of the business. 36. The allowance is calculated with reference to the isolation of the business, the number of services it provides and the existing business income. The business operator can use the payment in any aspect of its business operations. The payment has a real connection to the business and is an ordinary incident of the business operations. The calculation of the allowance with reference to business turnover (for example, the number of services provided) and the intention for the amount to be used to meet ongoing operating costs of the business indicate that the payment is income in nature. The allowance is ordinary income and is assessable under section 6-5 in the income year that it is derived. 37. A business is eligible to apply for a government payment to assist with the initial cost to the business of employing an apprentice. A payment to an employer as a financial incentive to take on an apprentice or continue to employ an apprentice is received in the ordinary course of business. As such, it is ordinary income and assessable under section 6-5. 38. An entity that is a wine producer sells wine to a wholesaler. The entity has a liability to pay wine equalisation tax (WET) at the nominated rate on sales to the wholesaler and qualifies for the WET producer rebate to offset its WET liability. 39. The entitlement to the WET producer rebate is a result of the sales made by the business as part of its normal operations. The rebate is calculated with reference to the value of sales (excluding WET and GST liability). The rebate is received in the ordinary course of the entity's wine distribution activities. It is received to offset the liability that arises because of business operations and is calculated with reference to business income. The rebate is ordinary income and is assessable under section 6-5 in the income year that it is received. a reimbursement of up to $10,000 for the costs incurred in installing the depreciating asset/s. 41. Apart from the reimbursement amount the payment received is an undissected amount made for multiple claims and is not capable of being separated into assessable and non assessable components. The nature of the payment is determined by examining the character of the lump sum payment in the hands of the recipient. 42. The payment is not a normal incident of the recipient's business, nor is it paid for a purpose for which the business is carried on. The undissected amount is for the sterilisation of the existing depreciating assets and updating to new depreciating assets. The amount is a capital receipt as it is for the sterilisation of the depreciating asset/s and the enduring benefit of the new depreciating asset/s. The reimbursement amount is also a capital receipt for the same reason. 43. The total amount of the payment, comprising the undissected amount and the reimbursement amount, is given as financial assistance to the business to use depreciating assets that are less polluting. The payment is a bounty or subsidy being financial assistance given to assist the business. 44. The words 'received in relation to carrying on a business' in section 15-10 require a relationship between the payment and the carrying on of the business. The payment is received by the business for replacing assets used in the manufacturing operations of the business. The assets are connected directly to the operations of the business. As such, the payment is received in relation to carrying on the business. 45. The payment is a bounty or subsidy, is received in relation to carrying on a business and is not assessable as ordinary income under section 6-5. Therefore, the payment is assessable income under section 15-10. 46. The taxpayer operates a business that may experience significant negative impacts as a consequence of a government proposal to restrict an industry. The government is offering assistance to eligible businesses through a restructure package. The taxpayer incurs costs in seeking financial, business planning and legal advice to decide whether to apply for government assistance. The taxpayer applies for, and receives, a payment of $1,000 to partially reimburse the cost of seeking that advice. 47. In considering whether the payment is income it is necessary to examine the relationship between the payment and the business activities of the recipient. 48. The purpose of the payment is to assist the recipient with the costs of seeking advice to assess the impact of industry restructure on the trading operations. It is considered that the payment is given for a purpose that is part of the recipient's normal business operations. Accordingly, it is considered the payment is income according to ordinary concepts and is included in the taxpayer's assessable income under subsection 6-5(1) in the income year in which it is derived. 49. A company that develops pharmaceutical products intends to expand its research and development for products used in medical procedures. The company makes an application to Aus Industry for a federally funded Commercial Ready Grant to assist with the research and development costs. The application is considered and approved by the Industry Research and Development Board which administers the Industry Research and Development Act 1986. The company enters into a Commercial Ready Deed of Agreement with Aus Industry and receives a grant of $1 million. 50. The Commercial Ready Grant is provided specifically for research and development which the company, as a developer of pharmaceutical products, already carries out. The payment is connected to the existing activities of the company and is of a type that a company in the industry would expect to receive. The Commercial Ready Grant for research and development is received in the company's ordinary course of business and is ordinary income. The payment is assessable under section 6-5 in the income year in which it is derived. 51. Due to a new environmental initiative a business operator is required to restructure their business and purchase new depreciating assets. The business purchases new plant costing $12,000. Under the government environmental incentive scheme, the business can apply for a reimbursement of this amount up to $10,000. The business applies for, and receives, a lump sum payment of $10,000. 52. The payment of $10,000 is not derived in the ordinary course of carrying on the business and is not considered to be ordinary income. 53. The payment is a bounty or subsidy, being an amount of financial aid from government to help the business meet the new operating requirements put in place by the government's new policy. The restructuring involves the update of the processing operations of the business. The restructure is connected directly to the operations of the business and considered to be in relation to carrying on the business. 54. The payment is a bounty or subsidy, which is not assessable as ordinary income under section 6-5, and is received in relation to carrying on the business. Therefore it is assessable under section 15-10 in the income year in which it is received. 55. As part of an industry restructure the government offers a GPI to entities to encourage them to consider carrying on a business in another industry. The GPI reimburses the entity for the cost of up to $1,000 for market research, feasibility studies or preparation of a business plan for operation in another industry. The GPI is paid to the applicant upon presentation of the receipt for the goods and services or is paid on behalf of the applicant directly to the supplier of the services. 56. As the GPI is preliminary to a business being established it is not a receipt ordinarily received in the normal course of trade, or for which business is being carried on. The GPI is not ordinary income and is not assessable under section 6-5. 57. The GPI is to assist the recipient to consider a new business opportunity and is preliminary to the business being established. Therefore it is not received in relation to carrying on a business and is not assessable under section 15-10. However, the recipient of the GPI will need to consider whether there are any CGT consequences (see paragraph 6 of this Ruling). 58. An entity in the fishery industry carries out separate wholesaling and processing activities. As part of an industry restructure, exit assistance is offered to businesses where the restructure will adversely affect and render unviable a distinct part of the business operations. The entity's processing activities will be adversely affected and no longer be viable. The entity ceases its processing activities and receives an exit payment under the terms of the government grant. 59. The payment is not a normal incident of the recipient's business, nor is it paid for a purpose for which the business was carried on. The payment is for the surrender of part of the profit earning structure. It takes on the nature of the item it replaces and is a capital receipt. The receipt of the payment is capital in nature and is not assessable as ordinary income under section 6-5. 60. The words 'received in relation to carrying on a business' require a relationship between the payment and the carrying on of the business. The payment is not received in relation to carrying on a business as the payment is for giving up part of the profit making structure of the business - the processing activities. As such, the payment is not received in relation to carrying on the business and is not assessable under section 15-10. However, the recipient of the GPI will need to consider whether there are any CGT consequences (see paragraph 6 of this Ruling). 61. A business in the timber industry carries out logging and milling activities in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Each of these locations operates as a separate operation independent of the other location/s. As a result of changes to the timber industry the operations in Victoria are now unviable and the operations will cease. The business receives exit assistance in regards to ceasing their Victorian operations. 62. The payment is not a normal incident of the recipient's business, nor is it paid for a purpose for which the business was carried on. The payment is for the surrender of the profit earning structure. It takes the nature of the item it replaces and is a capital receipt. The receipt of the payment is capital in nature and is not assessable as ordinary income under section 6-5. 63. The words 'received in relation to carrying on a business' requires a relationship between the payment and carrying on the business. The payment is not received in relation to carrying on a business as the payment is for giving up part of the profit earning structure of the business - the Victorian operation. The payment is not received in relation to carrying on the business and is not assessable under section 15-10. However, the recipient of the GPI will need to consider whether there are any CGT consequences (see paragraph 6 of this Ruling). 64. A doctor in a small inner city family medical practice decides to apply for relocation assistance under the state government relocation programme for medical practitioners. Under this programme, qualifying medical practitioners can apply for a reimbursement of the costs of relocating to a new or expanded medical practice in a country region. The programme also offers reimbursement of the costs of seeking advice about the relocation, and certain of the capital costs of finalising the existing medical practice. 65. The doctor is accepted for inclusion within the programme after providing a proposal to join a small medical practice in a remote area of the state. He applies for a payment under the programme, and receives a percentage of his costs. 66. The amount received for relocating the medical practice to a country region (in contrast to making the city practice bigger or more efficient) is capital in nature and is not received in relation to carrying on a business. Therefore, the amount is not assessable as ordinary income under section 6-5 or assessable as income under section 15-10. However any amount which is a reimbursement of certain deductible expenses, for example capital costs deductible under section 40-880 for ending a practice, is an assessable recoupment under Subdivision 20-A. The recipient of the GPI will need to consider whether there are any CGT consequences (see paragraph 6 of this Ruling). 67. Due to an industry restructure, an entity's profit yielding structure is significantly reduced requiring it to cease carrying on part of its business activity. It receives a GPI which is calculated having regard to the estimated loss in value of some items of depreciating assets. The loss in value was assessed by estimating the difference between the value within the business as a going concern and the salvage or auction value as a consequence of ceasing that part of the business in which the items were used. Even though the entity stops carrying on part of its business, it does not dispose of the items but continues to use them in other parts of its business. 68. The payment is not ordinary income as it relates to the change in the income earning structure due to ending part of the business operations. 69. The payment is of a capital nature but is not received in relation to carrying on a business. The payment is not directed at the income earning activity of the business but is for agreeing to end part of the business. 70. The entity retains and continues to use the assets, which continue to decline in value for the purposes of the capital allowance provisions of Division 40. As no balancing adjustment event for the assets occurs, the payment is not taken into account in working out a balancing adjustment for any of the assets as provided for under Subdivision 40-D. 71. The amount received by the entity was paid for its agreement to cease carrying on a part of its business which resulted in a loss in value of the depreciating assets considered to be surplus. The payment was not made in respect of any outgoing the entity may have incurred on the assets, such as their purchase cost. Accordingly, the amount received was not paid for an existent loss or outgoing for any of the entity's assets. The amount received is not an assessable recoupment of a loss or outgoing under Subdivision 20-A. However, the recipient of the GPI will need to consider whether there are any CGT consequences (see paragraph 6 of this Ruling). 72. Alternatively the business operator in the previous scenario may no longer have any use for the assets and only intends to hold the assets in storage until they can be satisfactorily auctioned. He never intends to use them again. 73. This change in circumstances and intention means that a balancing adjustment event (paragraph 40-295(1)(b)) has occurred for each depreciating asset. 74. The termination value is the market value of the assets when the business operator stops using the assets (as specified under item 1 in the termination value table in subsection 40-300(2)). The GPI is not used in the working out of termination value. 75. The termination value (market value) is used to work out the balancing adjustment. The calculation of any balancing adjustment income (subsection 40-285(1)), or any balancing adjustment deduction (subsection 40-285(2)), is not affected by the receipt of the government payment. 76. Some time after the business ceases the business operator auctions the depreciating assets. On disposal of the assets by auction, a separate balancing adjustment event occurs, and the termination value for the asset under this event will be the sale proceeds received from the auction. The cost of each of the depreciating assets is taken to be the previous termination value of the asset (item 3 in the table to subsection 40-180(2)). 77. The termination value and adjustable value will be used to work out the balancing adjustment under section 40-285. 78. A business operator has three licences that are part of the profit earning structure of his business. The government offers an incentive to businesses to end their operations in that industry. The business operator surrenders his three licences and decides to diversify into other business activities. The business operator receives a government payment for each licence surrendered. 79. The licences have the character of capital assets because they are part of the profit earning structure of the business of the taxpayer. The payment is capital in nature and is not ordinary income. 80. The payment for the surrender of the licences is a bounty or subsidy being a payment of government aid. However, the payment is not received in relation to carrying on the continuing business but for giving up the profit earning structure. This ends the business covered by the three licences. 81. Accordingly, the payment received by the business operator for the surrender of three licences is not assessable income under section 15-10 in the income year in which it is received. The recipient of the GPI will need to consider whether there are any CGT consequences (see paragraph 6 of this Ruling). 82. This Ruling applies to years of income commencing both before and after its date of issue. This Ruling does not apply to taxpayers to the extent that it conflicts with the terms of settlement of a dispute agreed to before the date of issue of the final Ruling. except where the payment is for agreeing to give up or sell part of the profit yielding structure. If the GPI is not assessable under any of these provisions, the recipient will need to consider whether there are any CGT consequences. income from carrying on a business. 86. A GPI that is ordinary income is assessable under subsection 6-5(1) in the income year of derivation. 87. The treatment of a GPI which is paid for unspecified aspects of a recipient's business activities will vary depending on the terms of the payment and the particular program under which the amount is paid. 90. McLaurin's case distinguishes between the case where an undissected payment is received for multiple claims and a dissected payment received in respect of several claims. In both the McLaurin and Allsop cases the High Court rejected the approach of the United Kingdom courts in dissecting amounts into assessable and non-assessable components. 91. Where the GPI is not assessable as ordinary income consideration needs to be given to whether section 15-10 applies. not assessable as ordinary income under section 6-5. 93. Payments of financial assistance by government are commonly referred to as 'bounties', 'subsidies' or 'grants'. As 'bounty', 'subsidy' and 'grant' are not defined terms, the ordinary meaning of these terms applies. 97. Not all government grants are bounties or subsidies for the purposes of section 15-10. It is essential to determine what the grant is actually for. The question as to the nature and quality of any payment must be determined by reference to the agreement or the terms which created in the recipient the right to the government grant. Any factors used to calculate the amount of payment are of marginal, if any, assistance in determining what the payment is for. 98. Some legislation provides that payments are deemed to be a subsidy for the purposes of section 15-10. For example, a payment, such as an energy grant or a cleaner fuel grant, that is a 'grant' or 'benefit' under section 8 of the Products Grants and Benefits Administration Act 2000 (PGBAA 2000) is, under section 56 of the PGBAA 2000, taken to be a subsidy for the purposes of section 15-10. However, if such a payment is received as ordinary income, it is assessable under section 6-5 rather than section 15-10. 99. 'Business' is defined in section 995-1 as 'any profession, trade, employment, vocation or calling, but does not include occupation as an employee'. Taxation Ruling TR 97/11 provides further guidance on whether an activity carried on by a taxpayer amounts to a business. 102. A GPI received to acquire or construct an asset or assist with the capital costs of restructuring a business to improve the manufacturing, processing, distribution, administrative or other operations of a business is received in relation to carrying on a business. Similarly, a GPI received to assist with the capital costs of restructuring a business to assist that business to improve its overall efficiency is received in relation to carrying on a business. Some business restructures may not be in relation to carrying on a business, for example if a business changes its structure to facilitate a new activity, but this must be decided on the merits of each case. 106. A GPI on capital account for modifying or restricting the profit yielding structure of the business may be in relation to carrying on that business. However, a GPI that is received merely in relation to giving up or selling part of the profit yielding structure of the business is not. 108. The term 'derive' is defined in section 995-1(1) as having a meaning affected by subsection 6-5(4). Under subsection 6-5(4) a recipient is taken to have derived an amount as soon as it is applied or dealt with in any way on their behalf or as they direct. Therefore, if a grant is ordinary income and is paid on behalf of the recipient directly to a supplier in respect of an expense the recipient incurred, it is derived at the time it is so paid to the supplier. 109. If a grant would be assessable as statutory income apart from the fact that the recipient has not received it, the amount becomes assessable as soon as it is applied or dealt with in any way on the recipient's behalf or as directed by the recipient (subsection 6-10(3)). Therefore, if a grant would be assessable under section 15-10 and is paid on behalf of the recipient directly to a supplier in respect of an expense the recipient incurred, it becomes assessable to the recipient at the time it is so paid to the supplier. 113. The above passages were made in relation to subsection 25(1) of the ITAA 1936. However, section 6-5 expresses the same ideas as in subsection 25(1) of the ITAA 1936, and these passages can be accepted as having equal relevance to the operation of section 6-5: see subsection 1-3(2). 115. The closest authority to government funding by way of grant or subsidy is the decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in Case U7. That case concerned a company which had applied for a grant from the Commonwealth under the former Industrial Research and Development Incentives Act 1976. It had received, at the discretion of the paying agency, an 'advance' of grant monies it would become entitled to on making certain expenditure on the agreed to research and development (R&D) activities. These monies were repayable if this expenditure was not made, or made for less than the amount prepaid. 116. The issue before the AAT was whether the company should be taxed on the whole of the grant monies received during that year, or only so much of it as had been directed towards the conduct of the R&D activities. The AAT referred to the decision in Arthur Murray and considered that there was a close analogy between the company's situation and that of a prepayment under a contract for future services, notwithstanding that the company was not held to be contracting to render future services to the Commonwealth. The AAT considered that the company in the year in question had not done all that was required of it to earn the full amount prepaid to it. 117. Neither a concessional loan, nor the difference between the normal market interest rate and a concessional rate of interest on loans provided by government, is a GPI. However, if the borrower is liable for the full interest charge but a proportion of the full interest charge is provided or offset by government, the amount provided or offset is assessable. It is up to the parties to an agreement to determine the interest rate charged. A lower than market rate of interest is not a GPI because it is not a payment. It may give rise to a non-cash business benefit but, to the extent the loan is used in the business, the otherwise deductible rule will apply (see paragraphs 125 to 127 of this Ruling). 118. Conditional grants made by government that are convertible to a grant after a specified period or on attainment of milestones and subject to agreed performance criteria are not in themselves a GPI at the time they are received. 119. Where a recipient satisfies the terms of a conditional grant and is entitled to have the conditional grant converted to a grant, a GPI has been earned in the income year of conversion to the extent that the amount is no longer conditional or subject to repayment. Depending on the terms of the agreement, this might be at different points during the period. If the grant is assessable as ordinary income the amount is included as assessable income in the year in which it is derived (subsection 6-5(2)). 120. A GPI that is an advance payment of ordinary income based on an estimate of a recipient's entitlement, with the condition that any over payment must be repaid once the actual entitlement is determined, is only derived to the extent that the recipient is entitled to the amount received. Any over payment to which the recipient is not entitled and which must be repaid is not derived. Payments received in advance should be included in assessable income except to the extent of any amount that has clearly not been derived. 121. Where a recipient has an entitlement to claim additional amounts, those amounts will be derived in the income year in which the entitlement arises. 123. The amount which is not assessable and not exempt income does not include any amount of interest or penalty. 124. An assessable GPI that is derived from, or results from, carrying on a primary production business is primary production income. 'Assessable primary production income' for averaging primary producers' tax liability is defined in subsection 392-80(2) as 'basic assessable income for the current year that was derived from, or resulted from, your carrying on a primary production business'. 125. If a non-cash bounty or subsidy is assessable income under section 15-10, the amount to include in assessable income is the money value of the benefit. 126. Section 21 of the ITAA 1936 deems that the 'money value' of any consideration paid or given 'otherwise than in cash' is paid or given. Accordingly, the 'money value' of any benefit received through a government grant is deemed to have been paid to the recipient and, if applicable, is included as assessable income under section 15-10. As a general rule the Tax Office will accept a fair market value of the non-cash benefits. 127. If a non-cash bounty or subsidy is ordinary income derived by a business taxpayer, the amount assessable under section 6-5 is the arm's length value of the benefit. Subsection 21A(2) of the ITAA 1936 requires that non-cash business benefits that are income of a business taxpayer be included in assessable income at arm's length value, less any contribution made by the recipient. In determining the arm's length value of a business benefit that is not convertible to cash, any conditions that would prevent or restrict the conversion of the benefit to cash are disregarded. Subsection 21A(3) of the ITAA 1936 reduces the amount assessable if the recipient of the benefit would have been entitled to a once-only deduction if they had incurred the expenditure in respect of the benefit. 128. Government payments to industry to commence or cease business are not assessable as ordinary income under section 6-5 or as a bounty or subsidy in relation to carrying on a business under section 15-10. However, the GPI may be taken into account in determining whether there is an assessable recoupment under Subdivision 20-A. If the GPI is not assessable under any of these provisions, the recipient will need to consider whether there are any CGT consequences. 129. A GPI to assist with the cost of evaluating whether to commence a business, or to enable a business to commence are preliminary to establishing a business. As the GPI is preliminary to a business being established it is not ordinarily received in the normal course of trade, or a receipt for which business is being carried on. The GPI is not ordinary income and is not assessable under section 6-5. 130. A GPI that, in the hands of the recipient, is a payment for the ending of the business is capital in nature. These types of payments may relate to the capital assets of the business. Assets that are fundamental to the business operations are capital assets and part of the profit earning structure of the business. These capital assets could include contractual rights, licenses, logos, quotas, symbols and time allocations. 132. A GPI that reimburses the recipient for the cost of advice to finalise business obligations is not assessable as ordinary income under section 6-5. This type of payment is not received in the normal course of business operations. 133. A GPI to assist with the cost of evaluating whether to commence a business, or to enable a business to commence is preliminary to establishing a business. As the GPI is preliminary to a business being established it is not received in relation to carrying on the business and is not assessable under section 15-10. 134. A GPI for ending a business or for cancelling a contract which ends a business is a payment which relates to the cessation of the business. The GPI is not in relation to carrying on a business (refer to paragraphs 104 to 106 of this Ruling) and is not assessable under section 15-10. 135. A GPI that reimburses the recipient for the cost of advice to finalise business obligations is not assessable under section 15-10 as it does not relate to the carrying on of a business. 136. The assessable recoupment provisions in Subdivision 20-A need to be considered where a GPI is received as recoupment of certain deductible losses or outgoings and is not otherwise assessable. The provisions in Subdivision 20-A may apply even if the entity is not in business. as recoupment (other than by way of insurance or indemnity) of a deductible loss or outgoing that is listed in the table in section 20-30. The items listed in section 20-30 include deductions for bad debts, rates or taxes, research and development activity expenditure, tax related expenses and capital allowances. 138. For the purposes of Subdivision 20-A, recoupment of a loss or outgoing includes any kind of recoupment, reimbursement, recovery, refund, insurance or indemnity. It also includes a grant in respect of a loss or outgoing. In addition, you are taken to receive an amount as recoupment of a loss or outgoing if another entity pays the amount for you in respect of a loss or outgoing you incur. 139. A GPI paid to assist a new business with the purchase of a depreciating asset will not be assessable under section 6-5 as ordinary income as the GPI is capital in nature. The GPI will not be assessable under section 15-10 if it is received in relation to the commencement of a business. 140. The business will be able to claim deductions for the decline in value of the depreciating asset under the capital allowances provisions in Division 40. Capital allowances deductible under Division 40 is an item in the table of section 20-30. As such, to the extent that the GPI is a recoupment of the cost of the depreciating asset (for which capital allowance deductions are available for the decline in value), it is an assessable recoupment under Subdivision 20-A. The amount of assessable recoupment may be included over more than one income year, limited to the amount that can be deducted under Division 40. 141. A GPI paid to reimburse the cost of obtaining tax related advice to determine whether to commence a business will not be assessable under section 6-5 as ordinary income. It is not a receipt ordinarily received in the normal course of trade or a receipt for which business is being carried on. The GPI will not be assessable under section 15-10 as it is preliminary to a business being carried on. 142. A GPI paid to reimburse the cost of obtaining tax related advice to cease business will not be assessable under section 6-5 as ordinary income. It is in relation to cessation and not a receipt ordinarily received in the normal course of trade or a receipt for which business is being carried on. The GPI will not be assessable under section 15-10 as it is in relation to cessation. 143. Where the business can claim deductions for the cost of taxation advice under section 25-5, a recoupment of the cost of such tax related advice is an assessable recoupment under Subdivision 20-A. Section 25-5 is an item in the table of section 20-30. 144. Some costs involved in either accepting a GPI or finalising business obligations may be deductible under section 40-880, if they are costs to stop carrying on a business and there is no other provision which takes the expenditure into account or specifically denies a deduction. 145. A GPI received as reimbursement of such costs is not ordinary income, nor is it assessable under section 15-10 because it is received in relation to ending the business rather than carrying on the business. To the extent the GPI is a reimbursement of costs for which a deduction is available under section 40-880, it is an assessable recoupment under Subdivision 20-A. Capital allowances under Division 40 are listed in the table in section 20-30 as one of the deductions for which recoupments are assessable. 146. Where the amount of a GPI is calculated having regard to some effect on a depreciating asset but that asset continues to be held for current or future use, there is no balancing adjustment event. There is no need to work out a balancing adjustment for the asset as provided for under Subdivision 40-D (refer to Example 13 in paragraphs 67 to 71 of this Ruling). 147. Where a balancing adjustment event does occur, the recipient is required to work out a balancing adjustment for the asset under section 40-285. The application of these provisions will depend on the particular facts. If the GPI is not actually for the sale of the asset (for example, a sale to the government body) or for the loss or destruction of the asset, the amount of the payment is not used in the relevant balancing adjustment calculation. It is necessary to consider if the GPI in these circumstances, and similarly the GPI mentioned in paragraph 146 of this Ruling, is assessable income of the recipient under section 6-5 or section 15-10. 149. The balancing adjustment amount is the difference between the termination value of the depreciating asset and its adjustable value just before the event occurred. Where the termination value of the depreciating asset is less than its adjustable value just before the event occurred, the difference is allowed as a deduction. Where the termination value of the depreciating asset is greater than its adjustable value just before the event occurred, the difference is included in assessable income. In certain circumstances, the taxpayer may be able to reduce any assessable balancing adjustment by the cost of a replacement asset if the involuntary disposal rules in section 40-365 are satisfied. 154. 'Government' means the Commonwealth or a State, Territory or local government or government agency. 'Government payment to industry' means a payment by the government, or entity chosen by the government to administer government funds. 'Bounty' means a premium, reward or grant, especially one offered by a government. 'Business' is defined in section 995-1 and means any profession, trade, employment, vocation or calling, but does not include occupation as an employee. 'Depreciating asset' is as defined in subsection 40-30(1), in broad terms as an asset that has a limited effective life and can reasonably be expected to decline in value over the time it is used. 'Grant' means that which is granted, as a privilege or right, including a sum of money by government to encourage business. 'Payment' includes a grant, bounty, subsidy, rebate, or other benefit. 'Subsidy' means a direct pecuniary aid or grant furnished by a government to a private industrial undertaking, a cultural organisation, or the like. Sections 6-20, 11-10 and 53-10. The table in section 20-30 lists the deductions for which recoupments are assessable. Scott v. FCT (1966) 117 CLR 514 per Windeyer J at 526, Hayes v. FCT (1956) 96 CLR 47 per Fullagar J at 55 and Federal Coke Co Pty Ltd v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (Federal Coke case) (1977) 34 FLR 375 at 402 per Brennan J. MIM Holdings Ltd v. Commissioner of Taxation (MIM case) (1997) 363 FCA at 13 per Northrop, Hill and Cooper JJ and Federal Coke case (1977) 34 FLR 375 at 387 per Bowen J. FCT v. Rowe (1997) 187 CLR 266 at 292 per Gaudron, Gummow and Kirby JJ, FCT v. Dixon (1952) 86 CLR 540 at 555 per Dixon CJ and Williams J and The Squatting Investment Co Ltd v. FCT (Squatting case)(1953) 86 CLR 570 at 627-628 per Kitto J. GP International Pipecoaters Pty Ltd v. FCT (Pipecoaters case) (1990) 170 CLR 124 at 141 per Brennan, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron and McHugh JJ and First Provincial Building Society v. FC of T (First Provincial case) (1995) 56 FCR 320 at 325 per Hill J. Hayes v. FCT (1956) 96 CLR 47 per Fullagar J at 55 and MIM case (1997) 363 FCA 13 per Northrop, Hill and Cooper JJ. First Provincial case (1995) 56 FCR 320 at 325 per Hill J. Pipecoaters case (1990)170 CLR 124 at 137 per Brennan, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron and McHugh and MIM case (1997) 363 FCA 13 per Northrop, Hill and Cooper JJ. Federal Coke case (1977) 15 ALR 449 at 459-60 per Bowen CJ and Californian Oil Products v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1934) 52 CLR 28 at 49 per Starke J. Federal Coke case (1977) 34 FLR 375 at 401 per Brennan J. Reckitt & Colman Pty Ltd v. FC of T (Reckitts case) (1974) 74 ATC 4185 at 4187 per Mahoney J. MIM case (1997) 363 FCA at 13 per Northrop, Hill and Cooper JJ. Hayes v. FCT (1956) 96 CLR 47 at 57-8 per Fullagar J and Reuter v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1992) 111 ALR 716 at 730 per Hill J. Reckitts case (1974) 74 ATC 4185 at 4188 per Mahoney J. Federal Commissioner of Taxation v.Myer Emporium Ltd (1987) 163 CLR 199 at 209-10 per Mason ACJ, Wilson, Brennan, Deane and Dawson JJ and Pipecoaters case (1990)170 CLR 124 at 138 per Brennan, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron and McHugh JJ. Refer to Commissioner's guidelines in TR 92/3. MIM case (1997) 363 FCA 13 per Northrop, Hill and Cooper JJ. Higgs (Inspector of Taxes) v. Oliver Ch 899, Dickenson v. Federal Commissioner of Taxation (Dickensons case) (1958) 98 CLR 460 at 474-5 per Dixon CJ and MIM case (1997) 363 FCA 13 per Northrop, Hill and Cooper JJ. Pipecoaters case (1990) 170 CLR 124 at 142 per Brennan, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron and McHugh JJ and Hayes v. FCT (1956) 96 CLR 47 at 54-56 per Fullagar J. Glenboig Union Fireclay Co v. IRC (1922) 12 TC 427 at 463 per Lord Buckmaster. Allied Mills Industries Pty Ltd v. Commissioner of Taxation (Allied Mills case) (1988) 20 FCR 288 at 299 per Gummow J. Northumberland Development Co Pty Ltd v. FC of T 94 ATC 4717 at 4721. McLaurin v. FC of T (1961) 104 CLR 381. CGT event C2 section 104-25. McLaurin's case (1961) 104 CLR 381. Allsop v. FCT (1965) 113 CLR 341. Macquarie Dictionary 2001 revised 3rd edition. Placer Development Ltd v. Cth (1969) 121 CLR 353 at 373 per Windeyer J. Macquarie Dictionary, 2001 revised 3rd edition. Squatting case (1953) 86 CLR 570 at 613 per Webb J. Reckitts case (1974) 74 ATC 4185 at 4191 per Mahoney J. First Provincial case (1995) 56 FCR 320 at 333 per Hill J and Re Plant and Commissioner of Taxation AATA 1296 at 16, 22 and 23 per Muller DP. First Provincial case (1995) 56 FCR 320 at 332 per Hill J. See Re Plant and Commissioner of Taxation AATA 1296. Reckitts case 74 ATC 4185 at 4192. There are special rules for STS taxpayers who are accounting for ordinary income using the STS accounting method. Brent v. FC of T (1971) 125 CLR 418. Arthur Murray v. FC of T (1965) 114 CLR 314. BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd & Anor v. FC of T FCAFC 433. Arthur Murray case at 318. Arthur Murray case at 319. Refer to Commissioner's guidelines in TR 97/1. A GPI that is repaid and is a loss or outgoing necessarily incurred in carrying on a business for the purpose of gaining or producing assessable income (other than a loss or outgoing that is capital in nature, private or domestic in nature, incurred in relation to exempt income or prevented from deduction by a provision of the ITAA 1997 or ITAA 1936) is deductible under section 8-1. Section 170(10AA) of the ITAA 1936 applies for the 2004-05 and later years of income. Section 170(10AB) of the ITAA 1936 applies for the 2003-04 year of income. Refer to paragraph 8 of TR 97/11 for the Commissioner's view on activities that constitute primary production activities. Refer to Dickenson case (1958) 98 CLR 460 at 483 and Allied Mills Industries v. FCT (1988) 89 ATC 4365 at 4371. Item 8 in the table in subsection 40-300(2). Item 1 in the table in subsection 40-300(2). Item 2 in the table in subsection 40-300(2).
2019-04-25T02:04:35Z
https://www.ato.gov.au/law/view/document?docid=TXR/TR20063/NAT/ATO/00001&PiT=20060531000001
A flurry of money market mutual fund articles appeared over the past week, with more are on the way. The trend, not coincidentally during one of the slowest news weeks of the year, was led off by Bloomberg'​s "​Volcker Says Money-​Market Funds Weaken U.​S. Financial System". The article that managed to stir up the heretofore lop-​sided (​in favor of gradual instead of dramatic change) debate ahead of the expiration of the SEC'​s request for comments on its Money Market Mutual Fund Reform Proposals (​Sept. 9), ahead of the release of the President'​s Working Group on Financial Markets, and ahead of the expiration of the Treasury'​s Guarantee Program for Money Market Mutual Funds. Two new articles, Investment News' "​Sleeping giant: Investors' $​3.​5 trillion in cash ready for a wake-​up call" and The New York Times' "​It'​s Time to Admit That Money Funds Involve Risk" reflect the good and the bad of how reporters have been covering the topic, either rationally or sensationalistically. Investment News' piece writes, "Cash management should get a lot more interesting over the next few weeks as government protections for money market funds expire and new rules are considered. Cash remains the sleeping giant ... about $​3.​5 trillion in cash still sits on the sidelines in money market mutual funds. Given the size of that cash stockpile, which may reflect everything from a skittish institutional investor base to the gummed-​up credit markets, the future of money market funds affects most investors." The article explains, "​The first big change comes Sept. 19, when the Department of the Treasury'​s 12-​month money market fund guarantee program expires. The program has been insuring money fund assets since the Reserve Primary Fund, advised by Reserve Management Co. Inc. of New York, broke the buck last fall. After that date, other safeguards will remain in place, including a program that allows money market fund advisers to borrow from the Federal Reserve against asset-​backed commercial paper in the portfolios." They quote our Peter Crane, "The chances of any kind of a run on money funds that would force them to sell is still remote, but the die is cast and the new playbook has been written." Investment News adds, "Mr. Crane is among those who believe the raft of swift new government support programs, combined with proposals still on the table, will continue to eliminate many of the risks associated with money market funds. Last week'​s report that Reserve Fund investors could end up getting back as much as 99 cents per share, plus a return in the 4% range, 'will help shift the perception of risk in the money market space,' he said." The NY Times article says, "In all the inevitable hoopla surrounding the coming anniversary of '​Lehman weekend' -- those fateful days in mid-​September 2008, when the financial world seemed on the brink of collapse -- here'​s an important event that will almost surely be overlooked: On Sept. 18, just a few days after the anniversary, the Treasury Department will end a program that essentially gave the same kind of protection to money market investors that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation gives to bank depositors. The government guaranteed that investors wouldn'​t lose a penny." It adds, "Here we are a year later, and the money market fund business seems back to normal. No other money funds have broken the buck. The amount of money in money funds today is not at all different from what it was before Lehman weekend. Investors have, once again, come to think of them as a supersafe, yet turbocharged, bank account. Even the Reserve Fund, which is liquidating, reported a few days ago that, if all goes well, it expected to be able to return to investors 99 cents on the dollar.... Not bad for a fund that supposedly '​collapsed.' And yet, in other ways, things aren'​t at all like they used to be." The mutual fund industry'​s trade association, the Investment Company Institute released both its monthly asset totals and data for July 31, 2008, and its latest weekly money fund asset series late yesterday. The "Portfolio Holdings of Taxable Money Funds" supplemental tables (​not available publicly) show repurchase agreements surging in July at the expense of Treasury bills and Government Agency securities, though WAMs (​weighted average maturities) extended (​evidence of "​barbelling" in funds) to 55 days on average. Assets rebounded slightly in the week ended August 26, though they continued their 5-​month slide in July. U.​S. Government Agency Securities remain the largest component with taxable money funds holding $​699.​1 billion, or 22.​1%. Certificates of Deposits rank as the second largest holding when the $​100 billion in Eurodollar CDs is included in the total with $​634.​7 billion, or 20.​1%. Repos have rebounded to third with $​577.​6 billion, or 18.​3%, while Commercial Paper continued its painful retreat. Treasury Bills and Securities held by money funds total $​441.​1 billion, or 14.​0% of assets, while Corporate Notes and Bank Notes make up a combined 6.​7% and Other assets account for 2.​5%. ICI'​s monthly "Trends in Mutual Fund Investing: July 2009" says, "Money market funds had an outflow of $​47.​14 billion in July, compared with an outflow of $​116.​42 billion in June. Funds offered primarily to institutions had an outflow of $​18.​13 billion. Funds offered primarily to individuals had an outflow of $​29.​01 billion." Total assets declined by $​46 billion to $​3.​6 trillion in July and have declined by $​225.​6 billion since Dec. 31, 2008, according to ICI. Money funds now represent 34.​5% of the total $​10.​43 trillion in mutual funds. The weekly ICI series says, "Total money market mutual fund assets increased by $​1.​62 billion to $​3.​579 trillion for the week ended Wednesday, August 26.... Taxable government funds increased by $​1.​51 billion, taxable non-​government funds increased by $​2.​95 billion, and tax-​exempt funds decreased by $​2.​85 billion. Assets of retail money market funds decreased by $​6.​51 billion to $​1.​168 trillion.... Assets of institutional money market funds increased by $​8.​13 billion to $​2.​411 trillion." Wells Fargo Advantage Funds' David Sylvester spoke Monday at Crane'​s Money Fund Symposium and discussed ideas recently proposed his recent paper, "Money Fund Reform: A Third Way." He suggested the possibility of a third option between the incremental reforms of the ICI and the radical and dangerous changes proposed by some with the concept centering on the creation of a Fed liquidity facility similar to the AMLF. Sylvester says in his paper, which is reprinted in our Symposium conference binder, "Money funds have historically been popular choices for conservative investors seeking safety of principal and liquidity. The global credit crunch over the past year-​and-​a-​half has exposed two main risks in the current model for 2a-​7 money market funds that previously had been discounted as being muted or non-​existent heretofore: credit risk and liquidity risk. These risks continue to worry investors, fund managers and regulators, and they also pose systemic risks to the entities that rely on money funds for credit, and to the banking system as a whole. This awareness and concern has prompted proposed reform of the current 2a-​7 money fund model. Current reform efforts are centered on two proposals. In this paper, David Sylvester, head of money markets at Wells Capital Management, outlines his ideas for a '​third way,' with the intention of promoting further discussion in the industry on this very important topic of money market reform." He explains, "All money funds attempt to balance their primary objectives of a stable NAV and liquidity to meet shareholder demands, and a competitive yield. Different types of shareholders place a different degree of emphasis on each of these objectives. Furthermore, the importance of each objective can change quickly in the mind of each shareholder and, perhaps more important, within different classes or types of shareholders. When market conditions are unsettled, these shifts can occur rapidly, perhaps almost instantaneously. Attempts by money funds to reposition their portfolios in order to address these shifting priorities can trigger systemic risks that endanger funds, investors, and borrowers. A look at the events of the past year-​and-​a-​half reveals how quickly these systemic risks can arise." Sylvester describes the existing reform proposals, saying, "The Group of Thirty proposal would destroy the money fund business as it now exists, though some might argue that is their point. The alternatives suggested by the Group of Thirty -- banks and variable NAV funds -- exist now. Surveys and empirical data suggest that investors want the stability of a constant net asset value (​CNAV) money fund as an investment choice. The demise of money funds would lead to other undesirable systemic risks. Many investors who previously favored money funds would choose to move their money into insured deposits in U.​S. banks, shifting the credit risk from the investors to the government, at the expense of those sectors to which the money funds now offer credit, such as foreign banks and the ABCP market. It is likely that U.​S. banks would receive the bulk of this inflow of funds from money funds in the form of insured deposits. This would not be a universally desirable outcome from the banks' standpoint, as some are already flush with deposits while others might not want to raise the additional capital against the loans made with these monies at a time when their need to raise capital is already posing a challenge." He continues, "The ICI proposals change little and largely codify the existing practices of many large money funds today. The 5 percent/​20 percent liquidity requirements suggested by the ICI pale against the 35 percent drop that was seen in prime money fund assets in the month following the Lehman collapse. As to '​best practices' for credit risk assessment, it was the large fund complexes after which these practices are modeled that bought SIVs and Lehman paper. It is simply not clear to us that one can make bad credit decisions go away through increased regulation." Sylvester concludes, "The ICI proposals provide a good initial starting point, and they should be adopted to the extent that they relate to credit, price and maturity risk. Money funds should shorten their WAMs, standards should be set for WAM to final maturity, Second Tier (​A2/​P2) paper should be prohibited, and portfolios should be appropriately tested under a variety of scenarios. However, the ICI proposals regarding liquidity do not seem to address the systemic risks associated with liquidity in money funds and bear closer scrutiny." He says, "The ultimate backstop is for money market funds to be given access to the central bank. A secured lending facility at the Federal Reserve Bank, modeled on the discount window for depository institutions and the Primary Dealer Credit Facility, would allow U.​S. money funds to obtain secured financing from the Federal Reserve by pledging their assets and paying a rate set by the Fed.... Typical, low risk, money fund investments, such as First Tier commercial paper, CDs and government securities, could be pledged to the Fed as collateral, with an appropriate haircut, in return for advances made at a market rate for the purpose of funding shareholder redemptions.... The introduction of a permanent credit facility through the Fed would undoubtedly lead to additional regulation of money funds that some may resist, but as long as the regulators' activities are complementary and not contradictory, this should be seen as an acceptable trade-​off to the stability and safety provided by such a facility." Note: For those that were unable to attend, a full PDF document of the Powerpoints and papers that were distributed at the Money Fund Symposium will be available for sale to non-​attendees for $​250 starting tomorrow. Contact us to purchase copies or more details. Money fund assets fell for the fourth week in a row, their ninth decline in the past 12 weeks. ICI'​s weekly "​Money Market Mutual Fund Assets" report says MMMFs declined by $​12.​07 billion to $​3.​581 trillion in the week ended Wednesday, August 19. This level represents a year-​to-​date decline of $​249 billion, or 6.​5%, and it marks the lowest level for MMF assets since October 2008 and almost exactly the same level as Sept. 10, 2008, the week prior to Reserve Primary Fund'​s "​breaking the buck". From their record level of $​3.​922 trillion, set January 14, 2009, money fund assets have declined by $​339 billion, or 8.​6%. Over the past 52 weeks, money fund assets have increased a mere $​8 billion, or 0.​2%. However, over the past two years (​104 weeks), money funds assets remain up by a breathtaking $​880 billion, or 32.​6%. And assets have still more than doubled from their level of 10 years ago and have grown to more than eight times their size of 20 years ago ($​428 billion at the end of 1989). ICI'​s weekly release says, "Assets of retail money market funds [​32.​8% of total assets] decreased by $​2.​96 billion to $​1.​176 trillion. Taxable government money market fund assets in the retail category decreased by $​720 million to $​189.​03 billion, taxable non-​government money market fund assets decreased by $​1.​64 billion to $​729.​63 billion, and tax-​exempt fund assets decreased by $​600 million to $​257.​01 billion." Retail money funds have accounted for the bulk of year-​to-​date asset declines, falling $​179 billion, or 13.​2%. It continues, "Assets of institutional money market funds decreased by $​9.​11 billion to $​2.​406 trillion [​67.​2% of all assets]. Among institutional funds, taxable government money market fund assets [​including Treasury funds] decreased by $​15.​89 billion to $​984.​75 billion [​27.​5% of assets], taxable non-​government [​prime] money market fund assets increased by $​6.​01 billion to $​1.​234 trillion [​34.​5% of all assets], and tax-​exempt fund assets increased by $​770 million to $​186.​58 billion." Institutional assets have declined by $​80 billion, or 3.​2%, YTD. Combined retail and institutional "​prime" money fund assets, which total $​1.​964 billion in the latest week, have increased by $​69 billion year-​to-​date, while total Government (​including Treasury) money fund assets have fallen from $​1.​454 trillion as of Dec. 30, 2008, to $​1.​174 trillion. Tax-​exempt money fund assets have declined from $​489 billion to $​444 billion YTD. In addition to their study on prime money funds (see yesterday'​s News, "​Fitch Study on Prime MFs Shows Bank Products, CP, Agencies Dominate"), Fitch Ratings also just released "Tax-​Exempt Money Market Funds Avoid Direct California GO Exposure, Face Other Challenges." The study by Fitch'​s Fund & Asset Manager Rating Group and written by Analyst Viktoria Baklanova and others, summarizes, "Fitch-​rated tax-​exempt money market funds hold no direct exposure to general obligation (​GO) bonds issued by the state of California" and "maintained a nearly constant level of investments in variable-​rate demand notes (​VRDNs) between June 2008 and June 2009." The summary warns, "However, exposure is concentrated among a smaller universe of VRDN letter of credit (​LOC) providers and guarantors as compared with the same period of the past year, given the deteriorating financial condition of a number of such providers. The number of LOC and guarantee providers found in Fitch-​rated tax-​exempt money market fund portfolios decreased to 102 from 116, including the addition of 21 LOC and guarantee providers not previously utilized in connection with VRDN issuance." Fitch adds, "Given the very short weighted average maturities (​WAMs) of tax-​exempt money market funds, they find themselves challenged to deliver yield in excess of fund expenses while not compromising portfolio credit quality in the current low interest rate environment. In June 2009, the average WAM of Fitch-​rated tax-​exempt money market funds was 20 days, and the average net seven-​day annualized yield was 0.​32%." The company explains, "​Tax-​exempt money market funds normally seek to achieve as high a level of current income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with preserving principal and providing liquidity. Investment portfolios of such funds are usually invested in tax-​exempt obligations issued by U.​S. states and subdivisions with remaining maturities of 13 months or less. As of June 30, 2009, Fitch rated the following seven tax-​exempt money market funds [​all rated '​AAA/​V1+'] with total assets under management of approximately $​41.​0 billion: Alpine Municipal Money Market Fund, BlackRock Liquidity Fund: MuniFund, Evergreen Institutional Municipal Money Market Fund, Federated Tax-​Free Obligations Fund, Federated Municipal Obligations Fund, Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund Tax Exempt Portfolio, and AIM Tax-​Free Investments Trust Tax-​Free Cash Reserve Portfolio. Finally, on California, Fitch says, "Fitch reviewed rated tax-​exempt money market fund portfolios to determine the magnitude of exposure to GO bonds and certain lease appropriation bonds issued by the state of California concurrent with the heightened budgetary and cash flow pressures facing the state. As of June 30, 2009, Fitch-​rated funds no longer had any investments in such securities. Such funds retained exposure to securities of other municipal issuers within the state of California, although these entities are typically more highly rated than the state GOs and/​or are further supported by credit enhancement and liquidity facilities from an appropriately rated bank or financial institution.... [​F]​unds' allocation to issuers in the state of California increased to 4.​7% in 2009 from 2.​1% in 2008. However, the increase reflects investments in VRDNs backed by LOCs or guarantees by highly rated entities, and not direct exposure to California state GOs." Fitch Ratings just released a study of the portfolios of the 19 U.​S. prime money market mutual funds rated '​AAA/​V1+' by the agency, which account for nearly $​600 billion, or almost half of all prime money fund assets. The report, entitled, "U.​S. Prime Money Market Funds: Managing Portfolio Composition to Address Credit and Liquidity Risks," "​summarizes the trends in credit quality and liquidity of these funds over the last nine months, including: General flight to quality resulting in significantly increased allocation to U.​S. Treasury and government agency securities.... A reduced universe of eligible investments given credit deterioration of certain issuers and consolidation among others. [​R]​educed exposure to ABCP programs sponsored by banks and financial institutions. A preference for foreign bank products versus U.​S. bank products in the form of certificates of deposits (​CDs), bank notes, and time deposits (​TDs). Decline in fund yields given the low interest rate environment. Fitch says on background, "Prime money market funds faced unprecedented credit and liquidity stress during the second half of 2008, stemming from the default or credit deterioration of a number of major financial institutions and the net asset value impairment of one of the largest U.​S. prime money market funds. Challenged by these events, prime money market funds have sought to preserve a high level of portfolio liquidity to be better positioned to withstand the potential risk of future increased redemptions while reducing direct and indirect exposure to financial institutions expected to face additional pressure. In addition, money market funds decreased their exposure to insurance companies by putting back funding agreements and allowing maturing notes to roll off." They continue, "From year-​end 2008 to the end of May 2009, U.​S. prime money market funds have steadily reduced allocation to corporate securities and increased investments in government-​issued or government-​guaranteed securities. U.​S. government securities have acted as a safe haven for investors seeking to avoid the credit risk of corporate/​financial securities while serving to stabilize fund net asset values.... [​A]​llocation to corporate unsecured notes and ABCP decreased to approximately 25% of total assets in May 2009 from approximately 40% of total assets at the end of 2008.... ABCP holdings ... decreased to 10% of total assets of U.​S. prime money market funds in May 2009 from 22.​3% of total assets at the end of 2008." The report adds, "While a number of U.​S. prime money market funds invested in commercial paper and notes issued by financial institutions under the terms of TLGP [​the FDIC'​s Temporary Liquidity Guaranty Program], Fitch identified 12 of the 19 funds it rates that did not purchased TLGP paper during the observed reporting periods. This may be explained by the untested nature of the TLGP facility and uncertainty as to the settlement/​redemption procedures for such securities in the event of default of an underlying issuer. The FDIC has guaranteed these issues but there was concern by a number of market participants as to the ability of the FDIC to step in and provide immediate repayment since the FDIC is not a regulator of holding companies." Fitch continues, "Historically, U.​S. prime money market funds have allocated a significant portion of their portfolios to various bank products, including CDs, bank notes, and TDs.... U.​S. prime money market funds increased their investments in these types of securities to 44.​4% in May 2009 from 35.​3% of total assets as of Dec. 31, 2008.... Driving the overall increase in U.​S. prime money market funds' investments in bank products is a continued preference for exposure to non-​U.​S. bank holdings versus U.​S. bank holdings. Specifically, holdings of non-​U.​S. bank CDs increased to 34% of total assets in May 2009 from 25.​7% as of Dec. 31, 2008.... [​C]​ertain money market funds may already have reached their internal single issuer or counterparty limits on individual U.​S. financial institutions with strong stand-​alone ratings." "Money market funds remain focused on managing liquidity risk through the maintenance of overnight investments in repurchase agreements, TDs, and shares of other money market funds, among others. Aggregate exposure to such sources of overnight liquidity has remained at approximately 15% of total assets over the last six months.... Individual fund investments in overnight instruments varied from under 5% of total assets in two funds to close to 50% of total assets in one fund. The variance in overnight allocations may be explained by the nature of individual fund'​s shareholder bases and expected future redemption activities," says the study. Finally, Fitch says, "The portfolio rebalancings undertaken by prime money market funds over the last six to nine months are largely viewed positively, reducing credit and liquidity risks. These actions, in combination with the presence of meaningful support facilities from the U.​S. government, have served to stabilize investor outflows and leave funds well positioned to withstand further credit and liquidity stress.... Despite negative economic consequences of the prolonged low interest rate environment on fund economics, fund advisors appear primarily focused on preserving stability of principal and liquidity at the present time. If current trends persist, Fitch would expect the likelihood of fund closure and asset consolidation to increase." Hot on the heels of last week'​s "Advance Notice Of Proposed Criteria Change: Principal Stability Fund Ratings Criteria," Standard & Poor'​s released another research piece, "Methodology For Evaluating Fund Management In Principal Stability Fund Ratings," which discusses the role management and potential parental support plays in a fund'​s rating. The "​RatingsDirect" piece says, "Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of fund management is an essential part of Standard & Poor'​s Ratings Services' principal stability fund ratings (​PSFRs). It continues, "When we analyze a fund, we evaluate fund management'​s effectiveness in implementing a dynamic investment process consistent with the fund'​s stated goals, objectives, and PSFR category. When we assign a PSFR, we seek to determine fund management'​s level of risk tolerance. Management'​s willingness and ability to operate the fund within a set of risk tolerances are important components of our ratings evaluation. From time to time circumstances will cause a fund to exceed its own defined risk tolerances." S&​P says, "We are providing more clarity on our PSFR methodology so market participants better understand our approach to analyzing how fund management responds to issues that temporarily (​e.​g., usually one to five business days) move a fund beyond the quantitative criteria for our PSFRs. These temporary issues have included an unexpected lengthening of a fund'​s weighted average maturity (​WAM), unforeseen deterioration in the credit quality of an investment, and volatility of a fund'​s net asset value (​NAV)." "As each of these situations arises, we determine whether rating changes are needed based on the severity and impact on the fund'​s NAV and potential for further decline in light of the fund management'​s responsiveness. Historically, fund management has quickly and proactively dealt with a majority of these instances. Although many of these circumstances have been addressed within five business days, under certain circumstances a longer period of time may be consistent with maintaining a current PSFR. However, if the situation impairs the fund'​s NAV, it is likely to result in a negative rating action," says the ratings agency. S&​P explains, "​We conduct weekly surveillance of a rated fund'​s statistical information and portfolio holdings. The methodology and procedures outlined below are part of the initial and ongoing dialog we maintain with each rated fund. This report is intended to explain how we apply our qualitative PSFR criteria when analyzing a particular fund that falls outside or does not fully meet the quantitative PSFR criteria for a given PSFR rating category. This report includes answers to frequently asked questions posed by users of our ratings." Finally, they say, "The criteria for Standard & Poor'​s '​AAAm' PSFRs are characterized by, but not limited to, the following: Maximum WAM of 60 days or less; Minimum of 50% in '​A-​1+' securities, and maximum of 50% in '​A-​1' securities; Maximum final maturity of floating-​rate securities is two years; and Daily marked-​to-​market NAV (​per share) range of $​0.​9975 to $​1.​0025." S&​P explains, "Our assessment does not rely on a fund sponsor'​s willingness and/​or ability to support a rated fund'​s NAV. However, we will review and assess the measures a sponsor chooses to take to support its NAV during times of market stress or when a fund sponsor decides to take action to support the fund'​s NAV or liquidity." MFI e-​mailed the brief survey questions to its 800+ readers ... [​and asked them to] rate the SEC'​s proposals on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. The average score was 6.​3. The SEC proposals overall got '​8' scores (​the highest) from 7 respondents and '​1' scores from two. (​See the August MFI for a summary of the full survey results.) We then asked, "Which of the SEC'​s proposed MMF Reform amendments do you think would do the most good?" The most popular option, "Adding liquidity mandates," was chosen by 48.​3% of respondents. This was followed by "​Other" (​20.​7%), where the majority of write-​in options cited the 120-​day maximum '​spread WAM' as likely the most effective mandate. The next question asked, "Which of the SEC'​s Proposed MMF Reform Amendments do you think would do the most harm?" Responses were widely distributed with "Moving WAM from 90 to 60 days" garnering the most votes (​27.​6%), followed again by "Other." This time the write-​ins included: "introduction of Floating NAV," "differentiating between retail/​institutional funds, as it relates to liquidity requirements (​30% 7 day punitive!)," and "showing the shadow price to investors." MFI then asked, "What are the most important issues facing money market mutual funds in the coming months?" "Ultra-​low interest rates" ranked [​as] the most important issue (1.​7), followed by "Regulatory changes" (2.​2), "Competition from banks or new products" (3.​6), and "Rising rates" (3.​8). "Consolidation" trailed in importance (3.​9) followed by "Other" (4.​3), where a couple of write-​in responses included the, "threat of floating NAV." We asked readers to "Rate the attractiveness of a floating NAV." Though the overall average of 3.​5 indicates this concept'​s unpopularity among the money fund community, there were some surprising pockets of support for the idea. Ten of our 26 respondents rated the concept a '​1' (​plus one who went off the scale with a zero), while 4 respondents gave the concept a '​10'. One respondent commented, "potential changes to accounting treatment make it less desirable." We then asked, "If you could add or remove a change, what would it be?" Survey takers' comments included: "Change liquidity mandates," "I would nix removal of illiquid securities," "Remove floating NAV from comment consideration," "In addition to the punitive 30% 7 day liquidity bucket for institutional funds (​should be lower) the '​maturity limit for other portfolio security' should not be reduced from 397 days," "Removing second tier securities," "2nd tier reinstated," "Removing illiquid securities," "Liquidity mandates," "Limit FRNS longer then 12 months and limit the % of FRNs in the fund," and "don'​t change illiquid bucket." Finally, we asked, "Are there any other important issues you think Crane Data should address in a comment letter or in an article?" Readers said: "US government support in the form of liquidity backstop would help the industry. Not an FDIC insurance but a perpetual program to buy securities, or lend against them in the event of market disruptions," "The notion of having to distinguish between retail and institutional funds for determination of liquidity requirement," "Definitely have concerns with publicly publishing actual security prices. Eliminating illiquid securities could potentially stifle innovation -- why not have a low max of say 5%?" Look for more comments on the SEC'​s website and industry feedback following Crane'​s Money Fund Symposium, which begins this Sunday, August 23, in Providence (​and lasts through Tuesday, August 25). Crane Data'​s inaugural conference will feature a number of discussions involving the SEC'​s Money Market Fund Reform Proposals. Williams Capital Government Money Market Fund, managed by Williams Capital Management, has become the second fund family monitored by Crane Data to commit to regular daily publication of the new WAL, or weighted average life metric, alongside the commonplace WAM, or weighted average matutity. The minority-​owned firm also recently announced that its flagship money fund broke the $​1 billion barrier and that the company received a large investment mandate (​see Williams Capital to Manage $​1 Billion for Goldman Sachs). President Dail St. Claire wrote to shareholders recently, "​July 30, 2009 was a significant day in the growth of our firm. The Williams Capital Government Money Market Fund total assets grew past $​1 billion for the first time. Total firm assets, including our cash management and short-​term fixed income accounts, total over $​2 billion. We are fortunate to work with you and greatly appreciate the opportunity to manage your assets." The letter continues, "​Williams Capital Management continues to manage your assets in a manner consistent with the maintenance of liquidity and capital preservation. We are also committed to providing the highest degree of transparency in the Williams Capital Government Money Market Fund. In recognition of this objective, we are providing the portfolio holdings on a daily basis. We are now pleased to announce that next week the Williams Capital Government Money Market Fund will begin reporting the Fund'​s Weighted Average Life (​WAL) daily. The WAL will be included in the Fund'​s Daily Rate Sheet along side the traditional Weighted Average Maturity." It explains, "WAL is a metric that adjusts the Fund'​s WAM to reflect all securities' stated (​or legal) final maturity or the date on which the Fund may demand payment of principal and interest. WAM allows money market funds to use the interest rate reset dates of variable- and floating-​rate securities under certain circumstances as a measure of their maturity. Recently, the U.​S. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed new regulations designed to make money market fund more resilient to certain short-​term market risks." In this month'​s Money Fund Intelligence, we spoke with DB Advisors, the institutional asset arm of Deutsche Asset Management and manager of the $​70 billion-​plus DWS Money Market Funds. We interviewed Joe Benevento, Head of the Liquidity Management Investment Group, Americas, and Joe Sarbinowski, Managing Director and Global Head of Institutional Liquidity Distribution, and discussed the challenges of managing in today'​s market, the companies' money fund '​transparency' and FDIC insured product initiatives, and thoughts on the future of money market funds. We first asked, "What is the biggest challenge in managing a money fund?" Benevento told us, "I think from the investment side, it'​s quickly adapting to change. This is the biggest challenge that we face every day, whether it'​s crisis times or not -- adapting to changes in the credit cycles and changes in credits, adapting to new regulatory change, etc. Customer sentiment is also very important, adapting to what customers' likes and dislikes are.... You'​ll see that whether it'​s a rising rate environment or a declining rate environment. Adapting to the custumer and their sentiment is extremely important." Sarbinowski responded, "Clients certainly thirst for a greater amount of information than before. It used to be kind of just '​check the box,' send the prospectus. Now it'​s RFI-, RFP-​type inquiries; it'​s much more in depth. We'​re in favor of this, though, because we think we show very well when we'​re able to talk through all of that. But it'​s meeting the ongoing thirst for knowledge about what'​s going on in the industry, which we try to satisfy through webcasts and meetings." We also asked, "What about challenges running the portfolio, low yields and lack of spreads? Benevento said, "​Definitely, it is a big challenge. You haven'​t even quite reached the expansion cycle, and we'​re at credit spreads that are pretty tight, pushing us back years.... I think overall anytime you get a change in regulatory recommendations or any kind of market change, issuers adapt and buyers adapt.... I say tightness of supply is probably something we'​re going to be dealing with for a while, whether it'​ll be just market supply or possible recommended change to 2a-​7. Diversification is probably the next biggest challenge." Regarding the market "​beyond 2a-​7", Sarbinowski told MFI, "​We call ourselves Liquidity Management, so we'​ve got essentially a few different products to satisfy the market. Certainly the tried-​and-​true and the one that we'​re best known for is the money market fund. We also have a separate account business, as well as our FDIC Insured Deposit. So there are products to meet different client needs. We have clients that may invest both in our money funds and also in our separate accounts for different types of cash, working capital vs. '​core'." Finally, we asked, "Which of the SEC proposals would be the most onerous from a portfolio management perspective? Benevento responded, "The liquidity buckets are going to be difficult. I think it is going to be a challenge to diversify in that sector, and it will be a challenge to find the supply -- issuers willing to issue that short as the market heals. For us, that is what we see as the most difficult part." On the proposal banning illiquid securities, he says it'​s not really a concern. "​I don'​t see that as being a major problem for us. But I think the liquidity buckets, and having the market all adjust to the liquidity buckets, is what we'​re concerned about." On Friday, Crane Data published the August issue of its flagship Money Fund Intelligence newsletter. The latest edition features the articles: "MFI Subs See Low Rates as Biggest Challenge," which reveals a survey of readers' opinions on the SEC'​s Money Market Fund Reform Proposals; "DB Advisors Meets Thirst for Liquidity, Knowledge," which interviews Deutsche'​s Joe Benevento and Joe Sarbinowski; and "Online Portal Share Inches Up, Growth Stalls," which discusses recent statistics on money market fund trading "​portals." Every issue of Money Fund Intelligence also features news, indexes, and performance information on over 1,​300 money market mutual funds. Statistics include: assets, average maturity, expense ratio, 7-​day yield, 30-​day yield, 1-​month return, 3-​mo, YTD, 1-​year, 3-​yr, 5-​yr, 10-​yr, and since inception returns. MFI also contains tables of the top-​yielding and largest money funds, top-​yielding bank deposits, brokerage sweep rates, and our benchmark Crane Money Fund Indexes. Our latest monthly statistics show the Crane Money Fund Average, our broadest measure of taxable money funds, declining to a record low 0.​09% (​7-​day simple annualized yield) as of July 31, 2009. The Crane 100 Money Fund Index, an average of the largest money funds, saw its 7-​day yield decline to 0.​16% at month-​end, down from 2.​24% a year ago and 5.​00% two years ago. The Crane Institutional MF Index ended the month with a yield (​7-​day) of 0.​14% while the Crane Retail MF Index fell to 0.​04%. The Crane Tax-​Exempt MF Index ended the month yielding 0.​14%. The Crane 100 MF Index had a 30-​day yield (​annualized) of 0.​18% as of July 31, 2009. This average'​s 1-​month return (​unannualized) was 0.​02%; its 3-​month return was 0.​07%; and its year-​to-​date return was 0.​27%. Over the past year, the Crane 100 returned, on average, 1.​08%, over 3 years its annualized return was 3.​28%, over 5 years 3.​21%, and over 10 years it was 3.​11%. The Gross 7-​Day Yield, which estimates the average yields before expenses are deducted, of the Crane 100 was 0.​51% at the latest month-​end. The lead article in the August MFI says, "Crane Data recently surveyed MFI subscribers and readers of our website at www.​cranedata.​com about the SEC'​s recent Money Market Fund Reform Proposals and issues facing money funds. The responses indicate that ultra-​low interest rates have surpassed regulatory changes as the most important issue facing money funds, and that the proposals overall are rated relatively favorably." Look for more excerpts from MFI in coming days, or e-​mail Pete to request the latest issue. Note that the August issue of Money Fund Intelligence and July 31 performance data was published Friday morning. Moody'​s Investors Service recently published a report entitled "Are Insurers and Investment Managers on the Road to Recovery? The Special Comment from Moody'​s Insurance contains a section on "​Managed Investments: Money Market Funds", which discusses the recovery and outlook for the money fund sector. Moody'​s writes, "The credit picture for Constant Net Asset Value money funds (​or '​CNAV money funds') has stabilized considerably from the dark days of September 2008 after the Reserve Primary Fund failure. We currently view the stability in CNAV money market-​fund credit quality to be well-​grounded. However, recent improvements in the CNAV fund credit picture could be reversed by further deterioration in the credit ratings of large U.​S. and European banks and/​or a significant increase in net investor outflows." They continue, "We see very few near-​term signs in the market that could trigger a fall-​back to September 2008 lows. However, for improvements in the liquidity and credit picture of CNAV money market funds to become well-​established, CNAV funds will have to show that they can operate smoothly in a world without governmental liquidity and insurance programs. Given this, we believe CNAV funds will slowly be weaned off government programs to effect a very smooth transition." But the comment adds, "In a low-​interest-​rate environment, however, some managers are extending the weighted average maturity of their portfolios to generate yields in excess of their management fees. This tactic exposes their funds to heightened liquidity and market risk, but it should not affect their overall credit risk substantially. These managers have typically handled such a situation by investing in longer-​dated time deposits issued by systemically important banks or government securities." "The decline in usage of the Asset-​Backed Commercial Paper Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (​AMLF) and the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (​CPFF), which are two of the main U.​S. governmental liquidity programs, is a positive sign of some improvement in money market conditions. However, the Federal Reserve'​s decision to extend these programs through February 1, 2010 signals that conditions remained stressed." Finally, Moody'​s says, "We do not envision that AUM run-​off would be of a magnitude that would jeopardize recent improvements in CNAV money-​fund credit quality. This view is based on our belief that CNAV funds have positioned their portfolios well over the past six months for elevated redemption scenarios.... Additionally, in the U.​S., we also do not expect that the expiration of the U.​S. Treasury'​s Temporary Guarantee Program for Money Market Mutual Funds (​it is likely to expire on September 19th) will trigger a rush of redemptions in U.​S. CNAV money funds." There have been a number of new filings for money market mutual fund share classes over the past month and a half, many of them institutional, according to searches performed by Crane Data utilizing Strategic Insight'​s Fund Filing product, a front-​end to the SEC'​s EDGAR mutual fund filing database. Among these are new classes of funds from Allegiant Funds, JPMorgan Funds, TDAM, and TIAA-​CREF. Allegiant, formerly National City'​s asset management unit but now owned by PNC Financial Services, has filed for additional classes on six of its funds. Allegiant Advantage Instl Government MM and Allegiant Advantage Instl Treasury MM have filed for Institutional, Advisor and Service share classes; Allegiant Advantage Instl MM has filed for a Service class; and Allegiant OH Muni MM, Allegiant PA TxEx MM, and Allegiant TxEx MM have filed for new "Class T shares. Expenses appear to be at 0.​10% and 0.​25% for two of the new institutional classes, with a minimum investment of $​5 million. The "​T" classes will have a minimum initial investment of $​1,​000. Allegiant is the 35th largest manager of money funds with $​7.​4 billion in assets, according to Money Fund Intelligence XLS. TD Asset Management, which is owned by Canada'​s TD Bank Financial Group, filed to launch TDAM Institutional Money Market Commercial class, with a $​10 million minimum and 60 basis point exepense ratio, and TDAM Institutional Muni Money Market, which will have Institutional, Institutioanl Service, and Commercial classes. TIAA has also filed for TIAA-​CREF Money Market - Premier, a $​5 million minimum share class charging 0.​29% in expenses and managed by Michael Ferraro. TIAA-​CREF ranks 61st out of 86 money fund managers with $​1.​3 billion in assets. JPMorgan Prime MM, JPMorgan US Govt MM, JPMorgan US Treas Plus MM, and JPMorgan TxFr MM have all filed for new "​Direct" share classes back in late May. Finally, Bank of Hawaii'​s Bishop Street Funds have liquidated their Bishop Street Treasury Money Market Fund. The company continues to run Bishop Street Government MMF. "Money fund assets declined by over $​215 billion, or 6.​0%, during the second quarter of 2009, so the market share winners recently have been fund complexes showing any increases," says the latest issue of Money Fund Intelligence Distribution Survey, Crane Data'​s quarterly publication that tracks market share and sales trends. MFIDS continues, "​Among the largest money fund managers, these included Fidelity (​up $​6.​3B, or 1.​3%), Dreyfus (​up $​2.​7B, 1.​2%), and JPMorgan (​up $​2.​3B, or 0.​6%)." The Distribution Survey adds, "Over the past 12 months, the big winners in dollar terms were JPMorgan (​up $​133.​6B, or 53.​5%) and Fidelity (​up $​109.​3B, or 27.​3%), followed by Federated (​up $​69.​5B, or 30.​2%), Dreyfus (​up $​57.​7B, or 31.​6%), Goldman Sachs (​up $​43.​7B, or 25.​3%), and Wells Fargo (​up $​22.​4B, or 22.​0%). The largest percentage increases were shown by RBC (​114.​2%), JPMorgan (​53.​5%), American Funds (​53.​4%), Fifth Third (​32.​1%), and Dreyfus (​31.​6%)." "​Overall money fund assets, as measured by our Money Fund Intelligence XLS, grew by $​268.​4 billion, or 8.​3%, in the 12 months through June 30, 2009. Note that these totals only include domestic U.​S. money funds tracked by Crane Data.... Among the biggest dollar losers in Q2'​09 were Schwab (​down $​19.​4B, or 9.​2%), Columbia (​down $​19.​0B, or 13.​0%), Federated (​down $​15.​5B, or 4.​9%), and Vanguard (​down $​11.​3B, or 5.​5%). Some of these names no doubt indicate that retail and brokerage customers led the way in redemptions during the quarter," says MFIDS. Finally, the publication says, "Concentration of assets has occurred -- the largest 25 complexes account for 94.​3% of all money fund assets vs. 91.​2% a year ago. But the majority of this can be attributed to the movements of cash from four complexes over the past year -- Neuberger Berman, Janus, Putnam and American Beacon. These fund groups lost $​17.​9B (​75.​2%), $​12.​8B (​87.​5%), $​12.​7B (​82.​1%), and $​9.​4B (​88.​4%), respectively, totaling almost $​53 billion." Of course, the redistribution of Reserve'​s assets also contributed.
2019-04-22T20:39:30Z
https://cranedata.com/archives/news/2009/8
SATO TADAO: Chinese cinema has a long history. Many superb films were made from the 1930s to 1940s, said to be the golden age of film in China. When China became a socialist country, however, ideology took precedence, and there was a continued trend of slighting visual and dramatic interest. Few films were made during the period of the Cultural Revolution in particular, and those that were made were not very interesting. No worthy films were made during the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution, either. Suddenly, in the early 1980s, fresh films of excellent quality began appearing. The excellent films made by such young directors as Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige attracted international attention. Today, Chinese films are widely acclaimed, and they are counted as among the finest films in the world. Zhang Yimou has created numerous masterpieces, and each succeeding film breaks new ground. He has created rough, powerful films, films with a light touch that resemble fairy tales, ironic films, and films of bold frankness. After graduating from the Beijing Film Academy, Zhang began his career as a cinematographer and director of cinematography. Could you tell us about the circumstances that led to your admission at the Film Academy? ZHANG YIMOU: At that time, entering university was an opportunity to break free and change my destiny. Therefore, I would enter any university if I had the chance. I considered physical education universities, art schools, and agricultural universities. I had taken photographs, so a friend of mine told me that there was a photography course at film school. It wasn't that I particularly liked movies; I just wanted to take a new step in my life. The process through which I entered university was rather dramatic. I was five years over the age limit for admission, so I was told that I wouldn't be admitted to the Film Academy. I had begun to give up the idea. At the urging of a friend, however, I wrote a letter to the Culture Minister. The first buds of freedom were beginning to sprout at that time in China, and the leaders dealt directly with letters from the people. The minister authorized my admission to the school, perhaps because he could see my talent from the photographs I had enclosed. The film school was opposed because it was against the rules, but I was eventually admitted, and that changed my destiny. One week after school started, however, it was revealed that the Culture Minister had ignored the procedures to allow me to enroll in school. The school hung a large poster on which it was written that my admission was an act detrimental to society, and that it was a bad precedent that would destroy the exam system. My pride was wounded, and I didn't feel like going to school anymore. Those days were really difficult for me. But then I reconsidered, and thought that things would go well for me as long as I had a diploma. My attitude improved and I began to study. But, I was ready to quit any time. The Culture Minister resigned two years later, and the school told me that because I was admitted on his authorization, I had to quit too. I really thought I might leave school. I heard that I might be allowed to work as a photojournalist for a magazine company in Shanxi Province. They told me I could work there, but my chances would be better if I had a degree. That's when I decided to get a degree. At the end of those negotiations, I wrote out my application, and the school finally allowed me to stay. SATO: The Culture Minister is the equivalent of the Japanese Minister of Education, so that was really an extraordinary event. He must have really had a sharp eye for judging photographs. What sort of photographs did you send him? ZHANG: I selected about 20 from shots of scenery that I had taken as a hobby. During the Cultural Revolution, everyone took revolutionary photographs, so for that period, my photographs were artistic and did not have very strong political overtones. Now when I look at them, they seem perfectly ordinary. SATO: People today still talk about the excellence of the students who overcame the intense competition for admission when the Film Academy reopened after the Cultural Revolution. I've heard that in contrast to the people in the Chinese film industry who bemoan the hardships they faced during the Cultural Revolution, the young people of the Beijing Film Academy were passionately committed to creating new films. Were there any indications of that among the students at that time? ZHANG: At that time in China, some overseas films were shown behind closed doors for internal reference. That activity was concentrated in Beijing. I worked for seven years in Xian Yang City in Xian, however, so I didn't see any of them. That's why, after the Film Academy entrance ceremony, I was astonished when I saw the internal films with automobiles and gunfights and beautiful women in bikinis. The three students with whom I shared a room in the dormitory knew more names of films, stars, and directors than I did. I knew I was very much behind them despite being 10 years older than they were, so I felt a lot of pressure. I thought I had to study and catch up with them somehow. The atmosphere at the school was very good at that time, and everyone tended to study hard. All the students had experience in society, so they had developed individual views. They were very dissatisfied with Chinese films of the time, so if the students saw a poorly-done scene in a film and thought it was of low quality, they used to heckle in a loud voice. Once, several directors brought their films to be shown at the Film Academy. Many of the students harshly criticized the films while they were being screened, and some directors left in tears. The students resolved never to make such bad movies. I was influenced by this attitude, and when I received my diploma, I decided that I mustn't make a movie that people would abuse. I decided that I had to express myself in ways that hadn't been done before. That has been the source of my creative strength for many years. SATO: In your first film, One and Eight as a cinematographer, a big impression was created by the visual effect of the light and shadow on the three-dimensional angularity of the characters' faces. The film Yellow Earth had a structure elegant in its simplicity, and there was a clear statement in the camerawork. I think this was an entirely new phenomenon in the history of Chinese film. The camerawork in The Big Parade was also truly skillful, such as those scenes of the troops who stood perfectly straight without moving for hours, filmed at a distance with a telephoto lens through shimmering heat waves. ZHANG: I put thought into Yellow Earthand The Big Parade while I was making them, but One and Eight was the emergence of an emotion. Everyone wanted to stay in Beijing or Shanghai after graduation, but three other classmates and I were told to take jobs in Guangxi. The four of us felt as if we were treated coldly, and felt ill at ease. That made us angry, and our psychological condition was such that we wanted to start a fight with somebody. That's why, when the first chance came for me to make a film, I wanted to make something that was different and was very striking. I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about the style of film I would make. I looked for a method that wasn't taught in school, in other words, something incomplete. I purposely intended to do something incomplete, so only half of the actors' faces were shown, or they were distorted. The actors got angry and told me that it wouldn't be a drama if I filmed them that way, but I explained to them that this was a different direction. I argued with them throughout the film until I finished it. That movie generated a huge reaction. It was like an explosion in the Chinese film industry. When it was screened, everyone in the hall, young and old alike, gave it a long, standing ovation. Many of my classmates showered me with praise for that film, and wanted to shake my hand. While this different method was emotional and unstable, it brought about new change in a rigid time. When I look at it now, it seems very childish. The form surpasses the content, and it was rather smug. I didn't care about the story or the characters. For the time, it probably was strongly individualistic. It generated a powerful reaction. The film industry as a whole began to use my colleagues in an attempt to create a young film team like the one in Guangxi. I have heard that this film enabled everyone to gain the right to make films many years earlier than they normally would have. I was not so angry during the days of Yellow Earth and The Big Parade. Rather, I had begun to think how I could blend form with the content. My plan for filming was that we had gone to an agricultural village and were in a big land under a wide sky. I wanted to show the land of China, the history of the farming people, and ideas about culture. It was the same with The Big Parade. I filmed that using a long focus with the sense that people would not live long. Also, I emphasized the question of the relationship between collectivist training and humanism. SATO: I have heard that you said that you couldn't act freely in the traditional film studios of Beijing and Shanghai because of the many prominent people who were present, so that young filmmakers by common consent went to small studios in regional areas. ZHANG: I didn't really want to go at all, but after I started to become well known, I said that I had the chance to work because I had gone to a regional area. Actually, the head of the studio treated us very well. But at first, of course, they made us work as assistants or equipment operators. That is an old custom in the film industry. But we were very brave, so we resisted. One day, by common agreement, we told them that we would not work as assistants. We wanted to be directors or cinematographers on our own. Of course, the head of the studio told us that we couldn't. At that time, the studio had the script for One and Eight, and we heard that the studio head liked it but didn't have a director for it. We got together in a room with that script, depicted how we would film it, assembled a lot of materials, and took our ideas to the studio head. He recognized our talent and allowed us to form the only film crew in China at that time made up of young people. It was an unprecedented step, but they could do it because it was a small studio. A group of about 40 young people, 20 to 30 years old, formed a film crew, and we shaved off our heads together and expressed our resolve to get it done. Later, we dickered with the head of the studio and they lent us Chen Kaige, who was working as an assistant in Beijing. We made his first work as a director in Guangxi, Yellow Earth. SATO: Then you became an actor, and won the Best Actor Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival. ZHANG: At that time, I was making a name for myself as a cinematographer, and at the request of film director, Wu Tianming, the head of the Xian film studio at that time, I did the cinematography for The Old Well. Wu Tianming said that he wanted to make a fresh movie, so he wanted to use somebody new instead of a star. For several months, he looked all around the country for an actor. I was thinner and darker in those days, and wherever I went, he brought up myself as an example, and said I was the kind of person he was looking for. We didn't find anyone by the time we only had three months to go, however, and people were joking with him, telling him that Yimou should do it. In the meantime, he also become more serious, and he started asking me if I would do in the movie. I had no intention of doing it, because I have no acting ability, but in those days I was very brash, and I thought it might be fun, so I told him I would. Then it became difficult, however. I don't particularly like acting, and the love scenes are really hard. Even now, I don't think I'm cut out to be an actor. The reason I won an award was because the film and the director were so good. SATO: After that, you made your debut as a director. Your first feature as a director, Red Sorghum, was a groundbreaking work in the new Chinese cinema. The villagers, who lived a perfect, free-spirited life in extremely harsh circumstances, were depicted on a scale different from that of ordinary life. Ancient Chinese literature, such as Shui Hu Zhuan (The Chinese Traditional Story) and San Guo Zhi (Romance of the Three Kingdoms), contained an extraordinary power of imagination and world of visualization. It was a literary tradition that magnified the depiction of characters from an ordinary scale. Today, however, it has become commonplace to show ordinary people on an ordinary scale, so we are very surprised at the sudden resuscitation in a film of a Chinese literary tradition that we had forgotten. I think that film is a literary work in which the original itself revitalizes Chinese tradition. How did you get the idea to focus on that work and create a film on a scale that had never been done in Chinese cinema before? ZHANG: Indeed, the characters of Red Sorghum are the hero of the same setting in Shui Hu Zhuan. The film's greatest success was in depicting these characters. The scenes, the colors, and the composition conveyed their fierce will to survive. After the Cultural Revolution, many Chinese films were just removed from the political framework, and most of the works were very heavy, depicting hardships and the oppression of humanity. Then, it was a bold stroke for a work to suddenly appear that depicted a hero of the type in Shui Hu Zhuan. It provided a jolt to the Chinese film industry. It was my first work as a director, so I incorporated in the work all the strength I had built up by then. It came out with a surging feeling, as if I was shouting in a loud voice. This feeling hasn't returned in the movies I've made since then, so maybe it was unique to my first film. That is my favorite aspect of Red Sorghum. I did not want to film the war with Japan. I wanted to film the spirit of the farmers that sought love and freedom. There were political standards for Chinese films, so if I depicted the war, I thought I wouldn't be able to break out of the shell of Chinese cinema. But, permission to film wouldn't have been granted to a film if it didn't have a political theme. At that time, Mo Yan's novel, Red Sorghum had appeared and had gotten a great response. When I decided to make this novel into a film, many letters had been sent to director Wu Tienming, head of the Xian film studio. The novel was criticized as piracy, prostitution, salacious, and violent, and people were opposed to filming it, wondering why I had chosen to make a movie of it. Wu Tienming told me that I had to include a positive concept, so I told him that I would make the war a backdrop and create a story of opposition to the invasion, as Chinese films had been made until that time. That's how the depiction of the war was included. But, even for this content, there is a completely new feel in the scenes, the composition, and the colors. The manner of depicting war in particular was completely different than anything that had gone before. There was the spirit of the dynamic hero, who was not afraid of anything. SATO: The scene depicting how urinating in the fermenting liquor created fragrant liquor was indeed art. I was very impressed. When they left to attack the Japanese army, they drank that liquor and sang together. Had that been a Japanese yakuza movie, that would have been a sentimental song, but with that song, the feeling really emerged of just putting everything into an attack, as if it were the fight song for a sports team. This controlled strength really brought home to me the immense tradition of Chinese culture. The use of color tones in that work was also noteworthy. How did you get the idea to turn the entire scene at the end red? ZHANG: The part about urinating into the liquor was in Mo Yan's novel. We left that part in because we thought it depicted strong opposition with the sense of black humor. But there was a strong reaction to that scene. Young people said it was interesting, and older people complained about it. It's been 10 or 20 years, but many people still talk about that scene. I decided on the color and the scenes I wanted at the start. For the song, I used a traditional folk song from Shanxi Province, where I'm from, with a shouted feel. I like the strength of northerners--you can't tell if they're singing or shouting. I also used that shouting power in To Live. I thought with that kind of singing, you could break out your internal feelings. The music for the Yellow Earth spread the popular songs in the genre known as the Northwestern style in China at the time. These songs tell of the big skies and fertile earth of the Northwestern part of the country, and later they became very popular with Red Sorghum. They stayed popular for seven or eight years. I still enjoy today the songs created at that time by the Chinese people, and which became popular. Chinese popular songs today are influenced by Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and there aren't very many that are distinctively Chinese. SATO: Once they have a major hit, quite a few directors continue to make similar kinds of movies. But, it seems as if you try to make works in a completely different style. For example, in The Story of Qiu Ju, you depicted in fine detail the speech and actions of ordinary people, and this was very innovative. How did that change come about? ZHANG: After Red Sorghum, many people thought I was a northwesterner, and my image became associated with that. So, I changed my course and made movies as if they were detailed, lyrical prose, such as The Story of Qiu Ju, Not One Less, and The Road Home. Apparently, many people think of me as a stereo-typical stout northerner, and tell me they wouldn't expect me do make such romantic movies. I don't like to repeat myself, so to avoid getting into ruts I look for completely different possibilities and try to make movies with different moods. I take a lot of impossible risks, so some of my works are unsuccessful, but I still want to do it that way. I directed the The Turandot as well as a ballet opera. I think these different subjects and styles create a fresh sensation. This is also a challenge that I have presented myself. The new movies after that, such as the period dramas or the action dramas, were created from that way of thinking. SATO: With Red Sorghum, I think the director had a strong image, and utilized all his talent to create a condensed work. In contrast, in The Story of Qiu Ju, the actress Gong Li freely released what she had internally, and the film was made by following that with the camera. ZHANG: The Story of Qiu Ju was a work of realism. At that time, I wanted to make a movie with the feel of a documentary. That's why I had Gong Li speak in the Xian dialect. Many people were opposed to the use of the star Gong Li in this film. They said that for a documentary, using a new actress would give the film a touch of realism. But I had a deep understanding of Gong Li. First, she was excellent with the Xian dialect. During the filming of Red Sorghum, everyone in the film crew was from Xian, and Gong Li argued with the film crew in the Xian dialect. Also, the reason I cast her as a pregnant woman in The Story of Qiu Ju was that during the filming of Red Sorghum, she pretended to be pregnant to tease everyone. I used that experience. When you wrapped her face in a dirty muffler, she didn't look like a star at all. I hid the cameras and the microphones in the town at night, so when more people came out on the streets at dawn, Gong Li also came out, and I was able to film her speech and actions in secret as we had worked out ahead of time. None of us showed up at the location, and even the actors didn't know where the cameras were, so they performed as they wished. With this performance, I saw that she had exceptionally good qualities as an actress. Even today, I think that The Story of Qiu Ju was her most successful role. SATO: When I think of having a big star give a documentary-like performance, the splendid performance in Not One Less seems just like that of an amateur. ZHANG: I wanted to do Not One Less in a documentary style, but I thought I wanted to do it more completely in that style than The Story of Qiu Ju. I wanted all the roles to be even more like real people. In the movie, the village chief was really a village chief, the head of the television station was the head of a television station, students were students, and teachers were teachers. Most of the children in farming villages hadn't seen movies or television, so I started by looking for children that could act. When I got in my car and drove to a school, more than 1,000 students came out and surrounded me. I looked at all their faces, and selected those children that seemed to have potential to come forward and sing and dance. It takes a lot of courage for a child from a farming village to perform in front of others. After four months, I had gone to all the junior high schools in a province and selected 50 children from among more than 40,000. Among them was Wei Minzhi. She had a lot of courage, and it didn't bother her to sing and dance in front of 1,000 people. It's very difficult to select amateur actors, but it was easy to make that film because they would do anything without getting nervous. The one problem was that the film had to be shot in sequence. Usually with movies, you film five days worth of material for two hours worth of film and splice it together, but with this movie, what happened every day was a story. Therefore, after filming today, we had to film in sequence for the following day and the day after that. But, their performance was what they actually did in their daily lives, so as they got used to the camera, they began to forget where it was. That's why the performance of the children was superb. SATO: Recently, The Road Home has won a lot of acclaim in Japan. I think this is really a well-done film in the film sense. Do you like films like this? ZHANG: Yes, I really like this film. I like all films that are well done. SATO: If you could cite several of your works that you thought were typical of your outlook, what would they be? To Live might be one of them. ZHANG: I like most of my work, but there are some things I don't like so much. For example, Code Name Cougar did not turn out so well. I don't care for Shanghai Triad, either. But I'm really proud of the works I'm noted for-- Red Sorghum, The Story of Qiu Ju, Not One Less, To Live, and The Road Home -- and they are films I like. SATO: Consistent in all your works, one notices the powerful individuality of those people known as the masses, or the general public. Each one has the human strength, humor and ability to overcome difficulties well, and that creates good films. Does your new work Hero go in another direction? ZHANG: In my earlier movies, I depicted people struggling against their fate. I like these stories of the people. When the fate of the characters goes smoothly, the story becomes uninteresting. The stories that move people are those in which there are many hardships to confront and in which it is difficult just to survive. The most important aspect is depicting people at the time they either surmount or succumb to their difficulties. Hero is my first period drama. I've liked novels about heroism or championing the underdog. It has been my dream for many years to make a film about heroism. Heroism will be an eternal topic of fiction in China, I think. As with the samurai in Japanese culture, it is a culture and tradition that conveys emotions relevant today, despite being from the distant past. They have the strength to confront their fate. They are very bold, and very romantic. Also, they are very mysterious, special people. I love movies filled with that sort of creativity. People nowadays live under a lot of pressure, and they can't do what they want. It excites them when they see a heroic drama in which a man quickly draws his sword and starts fighting. If things go well, you'll be able to see it in Japan in the first half of 2003. The actors include Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, and Chen Daoming. The score was written by Tan Dun, who won the Academy Award for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The music was performed by the world-famous maestro, Itzhak Perlman. Also, Japanese taiko drummers played the taiko. I asked Emi Wada, who worked with Akira Kurosawa on Ran, to do the costumes. There are many talented people working on this film, and I think they all did a good job. I used all the best things from my previous films in this movie. SATO: I am very glad to hear that Emi Wada is involved. Were there any problems with giving a Japanese responsibility for period costumes from China? ZHANG: There was no problem at all. Chinese and Japanese culture flow from the same source, so they resemble each other. I respect Wada a lot--she has ability, and she is very serious. I like the color red, and I wanted to use red in this film. I didn't specifically explain to Wada the kind of red I wanted, but I described the feel of it. This is a period film, so you can't find that kind of cloth or feel now. But Wada brought dye from England and Japan, and she began the work dying cloth by hand at a small factory she discovered in the Beijing suburbs. The dye really smells bad during the hot summer, but she kept dying for several months. I wanted only one kind of red, but she dyed 100 kinds of red and had me choose. I was really impressed. She also dyed by hand every one of the colors used in this film. All the colors were great--red, blue, white, black, and green. We Chinese have to learn from the good traits of the Japanese. When I talked with her on the telephone yesterday, I told her she had to get ready to receive the Academy Award for costume design. SATO: Let's take some questions from the audience. "There are many Chinese students and businesspeople in Japan. Have you ever considered making a movie about them?" ZHANG: People often ask me that when I go overseas. I answer, yes, if I get the chance. If there is really good material, and I can skillfully depict the students or the businesspeople, it will become a movie. If I wanted to make a movie like that, I'd have to live there for a while and get a clear understanding of what moves me. The problem is that I don't like living overseas. ZHANG: The biggest problem is the decline in viewers. There are many reasons, but the biggest is the development of society and the diversification of entertainment. Next is the influence of American movies. Another problem is the circulation of pirate versions. I don't know how to solve these problems. The standpoint of the director is just to be artistic and to make films that customers enjoy. If the film is artistic, but the customers don't like the product, you won't get any backers. That's one of the reasons I made a heroic movie. My objective for the past several years has been to be the box office leader in Chinese movies. It's not to win awards. SATO: "Recently, To Live was finally screened in Japan, and it was highly acclaimed. That movie was made some time ago, but why is it not shown in China?" ZHANG: Of all my films, To Live is the only one not shown in China. The several political movements that occurred over the years, particularly the Cultural Revolution, serve as the backdrop to the film. The government has regulations, and films that depict political movements do not seem to receive permission to be screened. No one tells me the specific reasons, so I can only guess. But there are many pirate versions in China, so everyone who wants to see has already seen them. SATO: "A younger generation of filmmakers is appearing in China following Zhang Yimou. How do you view the work of the new generation?" ZHANG: I am called a master overseas, and people accord me great status, but that's not the case in China. Young people make films and television programs with the idea that this is their era. Most of the young directors make films underground. They secretly film on the cheap and sell the films that do not have to pass the government's screening. They are relatively free in the subjects they address, and they can make some subtle films. If they were to win an award at a foreign film festival, they would find backers for a second film right away. There are also people like me, who make normal movies for viewing by the general public in movie theaters. The new filmmakers have a lot of individuality, and they make films expressing their own thoughts. At the same time they have a strong self-awareness, but I also think they should value the commercial elements of film. That is my hope for younger directors. We are not the people supporting Chinese cinema--those are the younger directors. SATO: Here is a question: "What Japanese films and directors interest you?" ZHANG: I was greatly influenced by Japanese film. There was a course in Japanese film at the Film Academy, and we saw films by all the great Japanese directors: Akira Kurosawa, Yasujiro Ozu, and Kenji Mizoguchi. I respect these Japanese masters very much. Also, the sense of freshness coming from the works of the younger directors over the past few years has been a big influence on young Chinese directors. SATO: "Compared to your earlier works like Red Sorghum, your recent works like The Road Home and others have dealt with more everyday themes. Are you aware of this change? Will you return to the tumult of your early works?" ZHANG: That's not the case. The emotions in Hero are just as strong as those in Red Sorghum. When I filmed Hero, I had the same feeling as when I filmed Red Sorghum. I filmed a dream that I had had since childhood, so everything was fresh. I hope this film has a powerful impact. SATO: Happy Time is very light and overflowing with happiness. I thought it marked a new step for you. ZHANG: Happy Time was done with a concise theme, and it was like a tragicomedy. It was my first work with a comic touch. There was a lot of laughter, but in the end, I return to a theme I'm interested in--ordinary people facing a life of hardship. There are also a few tears. I like stories that don't end with a laugh, but by making people think instead. SATO: It's interesting that the individuality of Hong Kong and Taiwanese films have a subtle difference due to differences in social structure, despite being Chinese films. What is your view? ZHANG: Many Hong Kong and Taiwanese directors are my friends, and I am very interested in their work. I think they are good films. The style of films from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Chinese mainland are completely different, and each region has unique characteristics. I think Hong Kong is the originator of heroic movies such as Hero, but many of them are made in Taiwan, too. That's why I think of how to make films that are different from theirs and how to accentuate those differences. With a heroic movie for the Chinese mainland, I wanted to make something that would be understood right away. That's why I put a lot of my own personality in it and incorporated many themes that I wanted to express. I think it's different than a Hong Kong kung fu movie. SATO: We've got this question: "I am a member of the drama club in junior high school. What is important when performing a role?" ZHANG: From my way of looking at it, the most important thing is confidence. You have to believe that you yourself are the person you are performing. If you have extraneous thoughts, you won't give a good performance. That's why you have to completely become the role and enter into a different world. I think that is the most important thing. SATO: In conclusion, I'd like to ask for a message for the people of Fukuoka. ZHANG: This is the first time I've come to Fukuoka. I like it a lot: it's quiet, comfortable, and the people are friendly. I also like Hakata ramen. But the Asian-Pacific Festival left a particularly deep impression on me. Only Fukuoka has a major event that uses Asian culture as a theme. I think it is very significant, and not often seen. Nowadays, the advanced countries with powerful cultures exert an influence on the people of the world, and young people in both China and Japan have Western culture and fashion as their goal. But, as is suggested by the expression, Japan learns from the U.S., Hong Kong learns from Japan, and China learns from Hong Kong, people everywhere are teaching each other. I want to thank the people of Fukuoka for their many efforts to maintain this activity and to treasure our culture and traditions. The important thing is not who won the prize. The important thing is to become aware of Asian culture and ourselves through this activity. I hope all of you take pride in this important activity. Thank you very much. In the panel discussion which followed, Professor de Silva analyzed the similartities and differences between the conflict in Cambodia and that in Sri Lanka. Topics such as the role foreign people can plya and what Japanese people can do towards creating peace in Sri Lanka were also discussed. The forum concluded with words from Professor Nakamura who stated that this forum was a starting point to consider problems in Sri Lanka. To conclude the forum, Professor Ishizawa appraised Professor Reid's main work Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce Vols, I & II highly as having a very important meaning in the history of Southeast Asia, and expressed his expectations for the publishing of Vol. III. With proceedings lead by Mr. Yasunaga, discussion topics deepened further as the two guests spoke about what it was which started them on the course to becoming cartoonists and the various hardships whey experienced in continuing their serials. A great applause rose from the audience when the guests drew their popula characters on a sheet of paper at the end of the forum. Mr. Lat could be seen after the forum exchanging frank words with those who asked him for autographs and handshakes. Click to see more 2002 reports.
2019-04-22T06:24:45Z
http://fukuoka-prize.org/en/event/2002/forum.php
Our society has been asking for our own notice board eversince forever. However, it had seemed that NO ONE was gonna listen to us until we had this workshop going on, and since the school wanted the notice board to look like it was being used, we were asked to fill it up.. finally! After a few suggestions thrown here and there, one of us volunteered to be in charge of it and promised to give us the most spectacular notice board ever in the history of PPKA haha.. Well, we didn't really expect a GRAND one, a normal acceptable one was enough but his words kinda rubbed the wrong way with a few of us. Me? I was thankful I wasn't put it charge of it so I welcomed anyone who'd wanna do it voluntarily.. However, it came with a condition that he wasn't to be bothered with the workshop so we readily agreed.. as long as we didn't hafta do the notice board. I'm already sick of notice boards eversince my school days hehe.. Come Monday, I had woken up late and only arrived at the school around 10.30am. As I arrived, the first question abg Fadzil asked me was if I had seen the postgrads notice board. Feeling a bit ashamed (I had assumed the committee member in charge had done his job well and abg Fadzil wanted us to notice it), I admitted that I hadn't and quickly went out to see it. However, I was a bit surprised to see it.. it was.. you know.. like.. in one word: EMPTY! I only saw this WHITE board with ribbons there were already falling off, and charts that were crooked and all that. I was like: Oooo-kay! I have to admit here, I don't have any esthetic consciousness (the reason I HATE being put in this kinda committee) and at first, I thought I was the only one who was 'uncomfortable' with the notice board.. When I went back in the room, most committee members had complained of it. Aiyak! Why complain to me maaa? Then, the 'higher posts' of the association decided to do a make-over for the board and since it was assumed that I didn't have anything to do, me and Farah were asked to do it. I tried to call the person responsible, just to inform him of what was happening but he told me he was not feeling well, and in my haste in trying to ask him if he was okay, I forgot about informing him. That night, me and Dgon stayed up till 2am, just doing the smallest notice board. The next morning (a day before the workshop), once again I woke up late. When I arrived at the school, a few 'higher posts' were gathered around in the room, along with the one responsible for the notice board. I joined in with them for a breather before we started the days work. Then, as I was getting comfortable, along came the question.. "Who changed my notice board?" Erk.. I was in an uncomfortable position as I was facing him. The others, including the 'higher posts' were looking at me expectantly. Truth is, the day before, they were afraid he'd be mad so they asked me to take the blame, in hoping that since I'm older than him, he might accept it. Well, can't really blame them as they had told me he'd been moody the day before and even complained that this was a girl's job when he was the one who volunteered to do a 'bombastic' job outta it. I didn't really wanna take it as this person doesn't exactly like me eversince I had confronted him on stabbing the back of my dear friend without his knowledge while pretending to be his friend but at that very moment, everyone else was quiet! Double 'aiyak'! Especially since I just remembered I had forgotten to inform him the day before. Then, trying to put on a VERY straight and indifferent face, I told him, "WE did!" Him: Why didn't anyone tell me about this? I didn't know what to reply until he went outta the room. I was a bit upset though. Alaaa, takkan la nak save your asses, I plak yang kene! But then again, there wasn't time to feel upset, we still had a lot to do.. Then, as we told Dgon about it (she came a bit later), she asked me why didn't I put the blame on her? Alooohhh, ade plak! But at least she was braver than me to tell it to his face WHY everyone had voted to change the notice board. I mean, he DID promise to do a great job as long as he wasn't assigned to other tasks so we never bothered him with anything. She had a point though and I wondered why didn't I think of it before haha.. Besides, Farah vouched when I said I had tried to call him.. I hope he won't be mad for long.. My life.. at 7pm, Mondays to Fridays! A few weeks ago, while waiting for my turn to shower, I sat down with Elie to watch this pilot episode of a Taiwanese drama. Not really a fan of these soap operas (my weakness is, not matter how boring the thing is, I'd usually stick around to watch it till the end if I started watching one), I had really wanted to pass time while waiting for Yana, but it turned out, I got hooked! Its just a simple story, as can be told by other viewers of this drama, but I didn't expect to actually wanna watch the drama through and through. For Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays when I had afternoon tuition classes, I'd rush back home (my classes end at 6.45pm) to sit in front of the tv for this drama. And on days I have night classes (Tuesdays till Thursdays), I'd sneak to get ready during commercial breaks eg. 1st commercial break: wash my face and brush my teeth, 2nd commercial break: a quick bath, 3rd commercial break: Maghrib prayers. Tuesdays and Thurdays are the hardest coz I have to get outta the house at least after the third commercial break as my class is in Bagan Serai (an around 20-minute drive), thus miss the final quarter of the current episode. Me and Elie get a kick outta watching this. Ok.. ok.. real word here: EMOTIONAL! Haha.. we'd be shouting at the actors, oohing and aahing at the right places, even nearly cried together at some scenes, give sighs of relief at certain scenes and so on and so forth hehe.. I might even laugh at myself if I had to watch myself in emotional stress during the drama hehe.. Whenever one of us misses an episode, the other one would always be ready to talk about it once the one who missed it arrives home. Gives me and Elie a topic to talk about nearly everyday :) In fact, during those nearly-six-weeks, my life revolved around this mini series, where I'd plan my activities around the showtime of the drama.. even broke my fast (ade ke perkataan tu?) at 8pm, due to not being able to tear myself away from the tv from 7pm to 8pm. Then, while browsing to Ayeen's blog (which btw was the site I 'stole' this image), I found out she too was having the same experience. But yesterday was the last episode for it. We nearly shrieked pretty well emotionally when they did a typical 'hindustani' scene where Shen Shen finally found her voice just to call out Wei Yi's name as he was fighting his diesease at the swim meet. The ending was thankfully not 'hindustani' enough where no miracle came to Wei Yi's rescue.. Now, my days at 7 o'clock are empty.. Btw, there's this english song in the drama that I've grown to like.. Ayeen, lagu pe tu eh? My first stop was Abah's place as Mama and Izati were already there that morning. I arrived as Izati and Annisa were fighting about a packet of crisps.. and to think there's a 16-year differance between them haha.. Then we went out for lunch at Taman Bertam Putra.. or was it Taman Putra Bertam? Played peek-a-boo with Annisa when she came trotting towards me with a cheeky look in her eyes that were actually eyeing the icecream atop of my ais kacang. Mama shook her head while Umi was open mouthed in shock seeing a 26-year-old reduced to being a 1-year-and-a-half like her sister.. but then again, what do I care? Its good to be able to laugh now :) :) :) Especially seeing the look at Izati's face when Annisa preferred to play with me hahah.. sape suh gaduh ngan budak kecik tu pasal keropok? The mystery of our lunch over there (really outta way from Abah's place) was answered after lunch. Turned out, Abah and Umi had bought a home there and wanted to show it to me and Izati (apparently Mama already knew about it).. and I guess in trying to be fair, it was also a corner lot (ours is a semi-D.. corner lot la jugak kan kirenye heheh..). Had a bit of a garden for Annisa to run around, quiet a pleasant house. Annisa was red in the face and sweaty from running around the house (and she was actually sleepy before we arrived there) so when we arrived back at Abah's place, I wanted to bathe her as I also wanted to take a shower. I love bathing her just as she loves the water.. it took Umi to call her for us to stop frolicking in the water (Hehe, takut gak kat Umi ye, Ayu!). After putting her in her nappy and dress, I wanted to go to my car to get my towel but she raised her arms to me, wanting me to pick her up so she could follow me. I didn't think anything of this until she refused to get outta the car. Then I remembered, the toy lion I had in front that has caught her eye for ages.. huh! Tricked by a nearly-two-year-old!!! No wonder she wanted to follow me to the car. I decided to take her for a ride and shouted to Umi to inform her, but then Izati demanded to follow us so there we were, the three Zainal sisters hehe.. I drove around until Annisa was half asleep (as our original plan) then went back. Then I took my own shower. Very refreshing (imagine cold kampung water on a hot day!). By the time I finished my shower, Annisa was already sleeping.. It was then I noticed one of my slippers missing. Looking around, I noticed a puppy I had scolded earlier carrying my slipper in his mouth while watching me. I could've sweared he was laughing at me but since I still had my towel wrapped around my waist, I decided to let it be first. When it was time to go home, I decided to go get my slipper and samak it. However, that puppy, with revenge in his mind, no doubt about that, had chewed it until it was useless. Damn that puppy! Good thing it was outta sight or I might've strangled it as I had no other footwear with me and in the end had to wear Mama's seliper jepun. Thats when me and Izati decided to go to KBJ. She wanted to find footwear for sports while I decided that I DID NOT wanna go back to Pt Buntar with Mama's seliper Jepun. So Mama went back alone while Izati went with me. Initially we had thought of going to Megamall, but since it was already sixish, we decided to go somewhere near home instead. However, on the congested bridge, while I was loudly complaining about drivers who jump queue (while singing along with Izati who kept repeating 'Faraway' haha), Izati suggested we go to Queensbay since she hadn't been there. I have also never been there so I thought it might be a good idea. Spent a good 3 hours there. What with fussy Izati dragging me around but at least I got my sandals (which btw, I still haven't regretted buying yet, though yesterday I suddenly felt that the colour was rubbing me off the wrong way now). I noticed a cute red mini football at the Nike counter, depicting MU's logo around it and I know someone who'd have loved it. I also found a lot of interesting shops there, though the only bookshop that was open, 'Borders' or something, actually failed to interest me. Thats a first hehe.. There was also this shop that sold frilly² skirt and all that stuff and Izati WAS ACTUALLY INTERESTED IN THEM. The tomboy Izati!!!! She scowled when she saw me trying my best to supress my laughter.. Then, finally we went to get some dinner. A full table for only the two of us. Here, I discarded Mama's seliper Jepun with my new sandals, much to the annoyance of Izati who was still so sure I was gonna regret the outta-line-for-kak-Yong purchase. After nearly bursting with food, we decided to head back home BUT an acessories shop caught our attention and before I knew it, I had bought her and myself, not one, but two bracelets each! I really have to check on my expenditure now!!! WE had another adventure here. After getting outta the lift, we went to find the column labelled A12. However, A12 did not have my car near it. I would've panicked had I not noticed that earlier, my car was parked near the aircond outlet (or whatever that thing is) but even THAT was missing. Then.. to my dismay, I realized that ALL floors have A12. Aiyak!!!! Took me another 15 minute to finally locate my car haha.. Went home, took a shower. I was brushing my hair which surprisingly has grown a lot longer than I expected when I heard voices.. IKRAM! Yeay..! Practically ran down the stairs and sat with him and Izati in front of the tv though we weren't exactly watching it. Ikram, as usual, kept talking about his comic books and was happy when I asked him if I could borrow one or two since he seemed to be really interseted in them. The 'one or two' finally turned out to be about 40 issues when he insisted I read them all.. aiyak! Takpe la, Yam punye pasal, kak Yong bace laaaa.. Then he went to fry some 'bishops nose' (a still-hideous name for bontot ayam, his favourite part of the chicken though!) for all of us to munch on while he and Izati argued over whatever-topic-they-feel-that-could-be-a-good-argument and I just laughed on, enjoying he 'noisiness' of it all :) It was late before I was finally sleepy enough to retire.. Besides, I'm a movie buff, its very seldom I won't enjoy any kinda movie haha.. so I agreed but told her, I'd only watched movies which strated the latest at 12.30 as I had a class at 5.15. Turned out, I cancelled the class in the end. Went to KBJ but Izati didn't find the shoes she wanted. Then the movies there were quite a let down as they kept saying 'kene tunggu at least 4 orang nak tengok dik, baru kitorg bukak'.. What the..? Baik tak yah buh kat listing maaaaa.. After a frustrating wait, we decided to head off to Prangin, with hopes, Izati would find her shoes and that there'd be a decent showing of movies there.. but first, we went to Kenny Rogers so Izati could go exchange some loose change with her old manager. On the way to Prangin, Izati suddenly shouted when she realized a Bata shop open (the other were closed) and she pretended to give me an 'oh well' attitude about it. Sheesh, had to u-turn to go there but it paid off as she finally found a shoe she liked.. and at a bargain too! So I DEMANDED she pay for my movie ticket ince she had a whole lot of leftover cash from what was her initial budget.. yeay! Hazwan wanted to follow us at first but suddenly felt 'aku rasa segan la pulak ngan kak Yong'.. pulaaaaaaaaaakk! Went to Prangin and finally decided to watch 'Songs and Lyrics'.. Hmm, or was it 'Music and Lyrics'? Hahah.. forgot already maaa! The movie was ok la (said I enjoy most movies, didn't say I'd LOVE them a LOT hehe..), kinda movie that you just sit down and watch and don't have to think though I won't actually suggest the movie to anyone but it was pleasant. I loved the song though.. Way Back Into Love. Even Izati loved it and she's already planning to go find the MP3 which I begged her to send to me if she found it. I've been searching for the lyrics but can't seem to find it yet.. Discovered Ikram had gone out with Sofi to catch Ghost Rider.. uwaaa, kene tinggal lagi :( He had already piled his comics in a neat stack for me but I fell asleep just as I was thinking of how I was gonna bring them all to my car. Woke at 6, then decided to quickly pack my things in the car. Asked Izati for help with Ikram's comic.. Thats when I found the picture above.. I can hear some 'Oooohhh, patut la ade gambo tu!' going around here hehe.. It was taken during raya and though the picture's colour isn't impressive enough, I love the picture. I was really happy during that Aidilfitri. I love this picture enough to even put it in my Yahoo! 360 :) As I wrote in there: Clockwise from the top, with the hideous goatee and looking like a lost goat in the city is my closest brother Adi. On his left is Ikram who's happily pointing to me to prove I'm the shortest of the lot. Beside me is Izati and behind her is Iskandar, the youngest of our clan. Iwan didn't come home for raya so he's not in the picture and Mama was the one who took it, after we came home from prayers. For a typical girl, its time to buy footwear (which includes sandals, slippers bla.. bla.. but would hereby be called 'shoes' after this point to make it easier for me haha..) when.. ..you go out and suddenly see a shoe you like! ..you don't have the right shoe to go with a certain outfit you have! Haha.. okay! I'm being sarcastic here but really, I don't quite understand what is it with girls and shoes (I'm a girl too, okay!). It amuses me though.. My friend Yun once laughed at me when I insisted that the essentials are just a pair of sandals to wear to class, flip flops to wear at home when going to the groceries or just hanging out the clothes, formal shoes to wear on certain occasions and maybe a pair of shoes to wear when exercising. The reason: She believes ALL those activites can be done with only a pair of flip flops.. hah! Now, she has a car trunkful of shoes, ranging from peculiar sandals to pencil thin heels.. and now I laugh back at her coz I'm still holding on to my shoe philosophy while she's now off the charts with her shoes. Okay², I have a pair of pink sandals which I SELDOM wear which therefore is not fit to mention here, but thats all! I don't even have sensible shoes which lands me in trouble whenever there's a function hehe.. I love my sensible sandals which is btw, sometimes called 'sandal orang tua' by my friends. Its the bulky Comfit sandals which by the way are VERY comfy and good enough to use for running in (especially when I wanna run away from my supervisor) or for walking long distance.. which says a LOT especially when compared to the pretty² sandals the others might prefer. So insult my sandals as you want, you KNOW they're more comfy than what you're wearing haha.. Mama has always complained on my lack of sense in the shoes department. Her reason is because she thinks I don't have enough shoes which I answer with an open mouth since I think I have more than enough. Even Yun keeps telling me I should buy more.. quadruple 'duh!' here! Haha.. which bring me to the real reason of this entry. On Sunday, I was awaken by Izati practically screaming (it was by sms actually, but I could imagine her haha..) telling me to wake up and meet them at Abah's place. I had planned to go home anyway so I thought 'what the heck'.. I haven't seen my sister in a long time anyway.. err, sister as in 'youngest sister' that is <--marah Izati hehe.. Anyway, when I arrived, it was the usually noisy bunch of us (Izati and me actually) but thats a different story and I'll talk about it in my next entry coz I wanna scan a picture I just found first.. Well, as we were going back, I noticed I had lost one of my selipar buruk. Trying to search for that particular one, I remembered a doggy in front earlier. I had scolded it when it came to play with me.. waaaaaaaaaaaaa! Of course I chased it away.. turned out, it had its revenged and was actually grinning at me with my selipar buruk in its mouth. After a while, I decided to go get my selipar and samak it as the doggy had grown bored with it. However, to my dismay, it had chewed my selipar until it snapped and was no longer wearable. Boy! Was I mad.. The others laughed at me when I told them I had NOTHING else to wear so Mama let me borrow her selipar buruk. Waaa, I didn't want to go around in that selipar so me and Izati decided to go to KBJ and buy one as Izati also wanted to go get some sport shoes. However, on the way, we decided to go to Queensbay as the both of us have never been there (this is also another story).. I just realized how true Abah was when he said Izati is VERY fussy.. and this is when not ALL shops were open because of the CNY holidays. I can't imagine how my feet would've killed me if ALL shops were open. We must've went into ALL shoe shops and sports shops that were open. I thought I'd never get a chance to buy something to replace my selipar buruk.. specially since most shops that were open sold silly sandals that are more pretty than practical and which I know would really murder my feet if I had to wear them for a long time.. Then my eyes rested on these GOLDEN sandals hahaha.. and to Izati's surprise (and to mine too!), I insisted on buying them. Izati was shocked!!! As I was too la, but I refused to let her know that. She knows me as this black or brown shoes person and here I was, stubbornly telling her I wanna buy the GOLD ones. Okay la, maybe not gold, more like copper.. but still, it wasn't the typical me type hahah.. no wonder Izati started to look around, trying to find if she had lost her sister somewhere in the store.. She kept asking me if I was sure, so confidently I told her, I was positive I wanted to buy them.. She didn't even wanna follow me to the counter, afraid I'd suddenly come to my senses and demand my money back thus creating a scene, perhaps hehe.. Then, as we sat to eat, I quickly exchanged Mama's selipars with the sandals and I had a fun time showing them off to Izati as she rolled her eyes, still confident I was gonna regret the purchase. I have to admit though, I DID think I was gonna regret it the next day so I decided to savour the moment as I enjoyed my GOLDEN sandals (impractical colour if you ask me) hahah.. Spoilt for choices.. or follow what my head tells me to? Yesterday, I came to school <--skema²! Okay.. lets start differently. During my masters, I kept hoping to finish it quickly, and be happy about it. I was anticipating the day when I'd be free of any thinking.. turns out, even when I've finished, I'm still required to think A LOT haha.. For weeks, I had my mind made up. I wanted to get outta here. Go and teach somewhere or maybe apply for the ASTS and hope to be sent someplace far away from here, at least for the moment. I know, I've been saying this alot, but I have my reasons why I don't wanna stay here anymore.. I had already updated my resume, photocopied the appropriate certificates I might need and even filled in the ASTS form (halfway through la tapi hehe..). Even prep-talked to myself to accept whatever place God puts me in.. I've also passed my address book around to my 'family' here, just in case I might just one day disappear from here! Then, last week, I finally (or so I thought) accepted that it was better for me to go. Staying here actually hurts haha.. I called up my friend and told her that I was finally submitting my resume to her, then called another little friend, assuring him I'm posting my resumes to all the places I had promised him, just so they won't feel worried much. Knowing they they were happy with this decision I made, also made ME happy! Then, yesterday as I went outta the toilet, guess who I met. The greatest mentor I ever had, Dr Farhan! He was just opening the door to his room when I passed by. Well, it isn't that I was avoiding him, but I didn't actually wanna see him as he's been asking about my plans after submitting. I've always known him as a very concerned supervisor, therefore I respect him a lot. I know he means well. He volunteered to be my referee if I wanted to apply for ASTS. Also offered the job I mentioned earlier to both me and Erwan. I didn't have any absolute answers for him yet, thats why I didn't actually wanna see him.. When I saw him, I didn't have any place to run. I couldn't possibly run back into the toilet so I decided to give him a smile then rush to the post grad room. However, he had his own plans and called me hahah.. tak bley lari la jawabnye.. He asked about his copy of my thesis and I told him I'd get it for him as it was in the room. He then told me to go get it and come see him, he said he had things to discuss. O-oh, I thought.. not another, 'what-are-you-gonna-do' question.. Turns out, he had a PhD topic for me. Didn't quite expect that as I thought he wanted to ask about my plans. He already had a grant for this research and asked me if I was interested. I tried to make an indifferent expression as I had just convinced myself that I didn't wanna stay here but I guess he pretended to not notice.. or maybe I was the bad actress? It was an interseting topic, a topic he knew I'd like. To my surprise, he also gave me a few papers for me to read, maybe to get me warmed up to the idea of this research. I still haven't touched the papers yet, but they seem to be screaming at me, asking me to read them. He assured me that since he already had the grant, I didn't have to worry about the allowances.. and THAT is tempting! I could reject this offer, but the next time, I might have to find my own topic like most people. Then, there'd be the question of fundings.. I could accept, but how about my resolve to get outta here? I have my reasons for wanting to get outta here ASAP too.. but my future out there is still quite hazy.. and I might land in a job I dislike! But at least, I'd gain some experience, right? But still, I'm gonna have to pursue my PhD sooner or later.. right? Yet, I'd might need a short rest after completing my masters.. and what better way it is than to go find anther job SOMEWHERE else? Arrrggghhhh!!! What am I supposed to do? One thing for sure, I'm NOT telling Abah coz I know what he'd want me to do, and I know I'm gonna have to do it. Let it be my choice this time.. and yet, I can't think! Hahah.. nope! JPJ and Izati have nothing in common. Just didn't know what title to put up there. The first thing being the lembapness of JPJ. Well, err, ok, firstly, I was the initial lembap one here haha.. My car insurance and roadtax starts on the 14th of February last year, so naturally it ends on the 13th of February this year which was yesterday (Tuesday). Usually I have always been quick to renew both, around one week before. But this year, due to my lembap wages from USAINS, I didn't get the chance to renew them earlier. Luckily, I have some friends who are willing to help me out a bit until I get my checque (malu.. malu.. but thanx Yun and Cik Wa). Monday noon found me marching up to Takaful to renew the insurance policy. Once again I met the kakak who remembers my name when I still haven't the slightest idea of what her name is. She asked why I've never gone there anymore for my personal insurance which I answered with a sheepish smile haha.. I've missed a couple of months I think.. After paying, the person at the counter checked with JPJ if the information had already been received online. However, the person at the other end explained that there was something wrong with the server but assured us it with be solved in 10 minutes. Still, I couldn't renew my road tax yet till the afternoon since the problem still persisted. The next morning (yesterday), after playing tennis ala Ayu-Dgon, I rushed to the post office to renew the road tax. After standing in the line for nearly half an hour, I was disappointed when the clerk told me that JPJ still hadn't updated the information, therefore I couldn't renew my road tax. I then called Takaful, informing them of what had happened and they promised to find out about it. Turned out, their server was still ^&*%#! They told me to wait while JPJ tried to resolve the problem. I waited until noon, then proceeded to call Takaful to ask about it. Once again the kakak at Takaful told me that JPJ was still in the same problem. By then, she said that a lot of people were getting annoyed at this.. Well, JPJ would fine you even if you're late for your road tax for 1 day but when the problem starts from them, they just ignore all the complaints and pretend that it was still our fault.. sheesh! ONLY at 4.15pm did the problem be ok but by then, it was too late to go to the post office. I arrived at the post office as they were closing up.. and this is when the post office is only a stone's throw from my house. I wasted the whole day waiting for their call at home, should've gone to school and do something productive (like knocking off Dgon's name on the high score list of Dynomite!). The next thing I wanted to write was about Izati.. *will be continued* nak balik tgk Amarte Asi 3.30pm TV3 <--promote!!! A couple of days ago, Izati smsed me telling me that my stepmother was pregnant again and she had just dreamt that Annisa would get an 'adik'. I told her, she's not the only one getting an adik as the whole lot of us would be getting one too. I thought she'd be happy for it.. but she replied with a "Tapi Ti tak ske.." I was quite confused as Izati is very fond of Annisa, claiming she'd rather have Annisa as her 'same mother-same father' adik, rather than Iskandar haha.. In fact, if I tell her about the things I do with Annisa, she'd be quite jealous, telling me Annisa still prefers HER to me hehe.. I replied, asking her what she meant.. but she didn't answer.. The next day, I sent her another sms asking her the same question.. still she didn't answer.. Then yesterday, I sent her another one, but this time I DEMANDED an anwser. Her reply left me in stiches. Apparantly, she didn't like a new addition to the clan as she was afraid she'd lose ALL her abangs (Hilang kakak dia tak takut plak.. cisssss!!). Hehehe.. Being the only lil' sister in the house before, we usually spoil her, especially Adi eventhough they love to fight. Ikram on the other hand always finds fault with her, but they still got along okay when talking about anime and comics they both love. Yeah, they figt coz they've got so much in common. Iwan, I dunno.. don't ask me. I'm not sure if he's fond of any of us but I guess he's ok with her. Even Iskandar and Izati who are more like cats and dogs than brother and sister are quite close. True, eversince Annisa's arrival, everyone has been spoiling her. Starting with Iskandar who was happy to finally have an adik, then Izati and me who went to see Annisa for the first time together. And with Adi, though she was afraid of him at first, now, whenever Adi comes back, she'd ignore all of us and only want Adi as her companion. But her favourite brother right now is Ikram, where whenever she see's our van, she'd peek into it to search for Ikram FIRST, before giving her attention to us OR ignoring us completely when she decides she want Ikram. No wonder Izati's jealous hahaha.. Even Adi told me, she had once told him, "Ti dah tak sayang kat Annisa" Hahah, for God' sake la Izati, Ti tu dah 18 laaaaa.. ade nak jeles² lagi ngan adik sendiri hehe.. When I asked her, how would she feel if I said the same thing about her? She replied, "Kak Yong tak penah ade abang ke ape ke.. ade adik je.. so ape kak Yong tau!" Cehhh.. very hampeh my sister laaa.. I bought my paper this morning (more like at noon.. being bitten by the insomnia bug the past week has been keeping me awake at night, and sleeping after Subuh right till noon <--anak dara ape ni?). Went through the news, reading aloud to Yana who had just come home from her kampung at Kulim. Not that she asked me to anyway hahah.. At the cartoon section, my horoscope caught my attention by telling me to focus on something that makes me happy. Hmm, interesting as I've been a bit blue this weekend. Then I remembered something I had wanted to write about on Thursday.. I just had my form 1 class at Bagan Serai. I like this class as the students are either bright or posses a high level of inquiry. A mix of malay and indian student, I sometimes laugh at their antics in class. Now, I've always encouraged my students to bring their schoolwork to class if they can't do it. This is so they could share the problem with the class while we try to solve it together. This particular day, my brightest student, Dinesh, asked me for some help with his work. Turned out his class was also learning the same chapter as we were. Dinesh had some problems with factors. I had noticed he had 5 question, to find the factors of 48, 64, 100, 175 and 500. He had completed the first three questions but was having problems with 175 and 500. Since the other students were also calling out to me, and knowing that Dinesh actually KNEW how to find the answers, I just gave him the answers and asked him to check. I felt an unappropriate swell of pride when he commented on how he wanted to be like me, to answer straight from the head without calculating on paper or calculator so I told him, he could be like that if he wanted to.. he just had to love maths AND complete his exercises. He nodded in agreement and his bestfriend, Riisyinder gave me a smile that left me wondering if I had done something wrong.. I quickly shoved that thought away as I helped my other students with the exercise I just gave them. After that, we had a half hour of discussing the exercise. As I was ready to move on to the next topic, Nafisah called out to me, "Teacher, minggu lepas teacher ade bagi homework. Bile nak discuss?" Opppss, nearly forgotten about that so I borrowed her book to copy the questions on the white board. Hmm.. those number DO look familiar! As I turned around, I saw Dinesh sheepishly looking away while Riisyinder trying his best to keep 'something' from getting outta his mouth. I looked at the board again.. "Dinesh!!!! Awak tipu saya yeeeee!!!!" And Riisyinder gave up trying to keep it to himself. "Teacher kene tipu.. Teacher kene tipu!" The other students were already protesting, with one girl saying to me, "Tu la Teacher, saya dah cakap jangan percaya kat dia. Mentang² la dia pandai, semua orang percaye kat dia!" Yeahhh right.. saying that while the whole class laughed at me for being tricked into giving him the answers to MY OWN questions. Even the clerks rushed into my class, wondering what the ruckus was all about haha.. And to think that I was tricked by a form 1 student :p Hahah.. how careless can you get, Ayu? Takpe Dinesh.. ade ubi ade batas! You wait.. one day, I'm getting back at you haha.. "Liar.. Liar! Pants on fire!" Haha.. what childish taunts could do when we were smaller, huh? I'm sure most of us have seen the image above. Different things that can be seen when viewed differently.. or like they always say, there are two sides of every story. But most of the time, people only listen to the first version that usually determines their view of the second version which they'd probably accept half heartedly. Its how the world works.. Once, I had believed in that too.. that to be heard, maybe you should be the first to speak up! That is, until I realized how unfair it really is, especially when it happens to you (baru sedaq diri la kononnya niii..). Thats why, most of the time, I prefer to keep quiet about it.. and when I say, I didn't tell anyone about it, I really mean it.. I just got to know something.. and though I know that I should be mad, I'm still shocked at it. It started harmlessly enough. In fact, I was actually laughing about it at first when suddenly.. a slip of the tongue or fingers (depending on chatting one-on-one or online hehe..) or maybe a wrongly sent sms/email or maybe a sudden comment from the happy-go-lucky person that was followed with a dreadful silence and a hastily changed subject.. or maybe even all! It made everything click.. I had promised someone to NOT.. NEVER suspect my friends of anything. I had promised someone I'd trust them with their words. I had promised that no matter how suspiscious I feel, I'd NEVER give in to the need to accuse anyone of anything, in fact, its just the ugly side of me on wanting to blame someone so I should get rid of it. However.. I had frantically wanted to believe in the little things. The small, "I didn't tell!". The hope that everyone wishes everything to be better too.. but it turned out to be lies. I didn't realize how upset I was until it finally registered in my head on how blind I was. How desperate I was to believe that there was the same goal to make everything back to normal. I should have trusted what I had first believed when it started, huh? Its jut a bit disturbing to realize, while I had kept mum about it, the other part of the story was already circulated. I'd understand why, if only the truth had been told. I mean, sometimes, we need to talk to someone, right? But, is it so hard to tell me the truth when I asked the simple question? Am I not trusted when I say, I didn't talk about anything? Or is it that its a wanting to display me as the big bad wolf who's so evil, you just can't stand it? And the other part of the story as Little Red Riding Hood who just couldn't do anything about it? I find it hard to believe that though.. it can't be true, right? Thats not the reason, is it? Betrayal of trust? Hurt? Should I feel all that, or should I just feel plain mad at everything? Right now, I'm still in a haze of shock and disbelief full with a million 'how could you's swimming along in my head.. I learnt something though, don't say anything you don't mean, especially to other people, coz that act could make me feel so guilty and it hurts even more when I realize its not actually true. These past few days have seen me not in the mood for anything. I dunno why, but I can't seem to find anything to make me wanna wake up early and get ready.. I'd wake up for my prayers then go back to slumberland as if there's where I really belong.. Eversince Sunday, I've been feeling this way.. Sunday morning: Woke up at 12.30pm (not exactly morning ehh..) after a night with Dgon and Helmi hehe.. Tuesday: Woke at 12.30pm and had to force myself to go take a bath.. the whole day was a blur, just sitting on the couch doing NOTHING! Wednesday: Didn't sleep the whole night as I having my usual insomnia and I watched 5 cds back to back. Slept only after Subuh prayers and woke up at 1.30pm. Today: Managed to force myself to not oversleep again. Had to practically drag myself to the bathroom and arrived at the school at 10.05am.. an accomplishment if you ask me haha.. Remember a time, not so long ago when I always managed to come to school anyway. My days always started with an enjoyable breakfast that I always look forward too, thus helps me to wake up haha.. Then there'd be the 'ditch-the-thesis-while-layan-gem' thingey I always do when I arrive at school. There's the playing hide-and seek or peek-a-boo with my supervisor. And usually at the end of the day, there'd be the I-wish-I-was-already-finished headache I'd have haha.. through it all, I enjoyed it though, even if it meant running away at the slightest sight of my supervisor.. though I also kept dreaming of the time I'd finally be rid of this hide-and-seek thingey, as well as the slaving of the thesis writing.. Right now, I miss all those.. I thought I'd enjoy the idleness, but its no fun when there's nothing to look forward too.. even the unpleasant encounters with my supervisor once upon a time ago. Now he's confused why I don't run away from him anymore haha.. Like right now, i'm supposed to be working with Dr Razip but the equipment he ordered has yet to arrived, thus, the I'm-BORED feeling engulfing me.. When am I gonna get a real job? So at least I could force myself to wake up early again. Maybe I just need a new routine.. running away from my new boss aka Dr Razip is no fun when there's nothing he could ask me about.. Or maybe I'm just plain sick of this place.. huh? I've got so much negative vibes about this place nowadays, I wonder how did I EVER enjoy it..
2019-04-20T18:32:07Z
http://ayuikhwani.blogspot.com/2007/02/
Engineering genetic Boolean logic circuits is a major research theme of synthetic biology. By altering or introducing connections between genetic components, novel regulatory networks are built in order to mimic the behaviour of electronic devices such as logic gates. While electronics is a highly standardized science, genetic logic is still in its infancy, with few agreed standards. In this paper we focus on the interpretation of logical values in terms of molecular concentrations. We describe the results of computational investigations of a novel circuit that is able to trigger specific differential responses depending on the input standard used. The circuit can therefore be dynamically reconfigured (without modification) to serve as both a NAND/NOR logic gate. This multi-functional behaviour is achieved by a) varying the meanings of inputs, and b) using branch predictions (as in computer science) to display a constrained output. A thorough computational study is performed, which provides valuable insights for the future laboratory validation. The simulations focus on both single-cell and population behaviours. The latter give particular insights into the spatial behaviour of our engineered cells on a surface with a non-homogeneous distribution of inputs. We present a dynamically-reconfigurable NAND/NOR genetic logic circuit that can be switched between modes of operation via a simple shift in input signal concentration. The circuit addresses important issues in genetic logic that will have significance for more complex synthetic biology applications. The emerging field of synthetic biology[1–7] applies rational engineering principles to the (re)design of biological systems. Work in this area has often focussed on the creation of small-scale genetic devices, such as oscillators, toggle switches[9, 10], clocks, Boolean logic gates[12–15] and half-adders/subtractors. One interesting aspect of such devices concerns their potential for multifunctionality (that is, the possibility that devices may switch between different operating modes, depending on some external signal). Most existing engineered gene circuits have been constructed to perform a single function, but recent results suggest that such devices may be able to implement multiple functions[11, 17]. This property is often observed in neuronal networks, as it allows organisms to select multiple behavioural “programs” using the same group of neurons. The ability to engineer multifunctionality into genetic circuits may have significant performance benefits when a range of different responses or behaviours is required. In this paper we describe a model for such a genetic circuit, which may be dynamically reconfigured (without modification) to serve as both a NOR gate (output “1” only when both inputs absent) and a NAND gate (output “0” only when both inputs present), depending on its input. We give the results of single cell computational experiments, before showing how two-dimensional, population-based simulations can shed valuable light on both the behaviour of the system and its beneficial features. We describe this circuit in the context of our previous work on continuous computation in engineered gene circuits. By “continuous computation”, we mean gene-based computation that maximises the period during which outputs are valid and “readable”, by using “real-valued” signals.This addresses issues of reliability in such circuits, by (a) carefully interpreting binary signal values in terms of continuous/analogue value thresholds over time, and (b) using the concept of branch prediction (taken from computer architecture). During the execution of a program, a “fork” may occur as the result of a conditional statement (e.g., “if X is true, then do A, else do B”), as in the operation of a logic gate, where the output depends on the inputs. Branch prediction is a technique generally used for saving time when a device faces this kind of decision, and a prediction may be either conditional or unconditional. The latter (studied in) is used when the probability of one branch being taken is significantly higher than the other; in this case, the high probability branch is taken by default, and the situation is only corrected if it transpires that the decision is incorrect, based on the expression evaluation. The circuit proposed here uses conditional prediction, by assuming that the previous output expressed will be carried forward to the next output (and correcting itself if this is not the case) before processing the inputs. We present our circuit design in Figure1. Although it can behave as either a NAND or a NOR gate, for clarity we describe here only the NOR logic interpretation of the circuit, and present the multi-functional behaviour in the Results and discussion section. The NOR (negated OR) logic circuit is formed by three sub-components: 1) a logic OR gate, 2) a logic NOT gate (or inverter) and 3) a genetic switch. As the NOR logic function is an inverted OR, the output of the inverter (I2) could be taken as the output, along the lines of a classical genetic NOR. However, in our design, the output is denoted by the protein expressed by the switch, (Out), as this allows us to implement branch prediction (that is, changing the switch means that our branch prediction needs to be corrected). In the Results and discussion section we highlight the advantages of the proposed circuit. Proposed genetic circuit. Our circuit is composed of three well differentiated parts: 1) The OR function, with inputs A and B, inducing the expression of X and I1 by binding to their correspondent promoter; 2) The NOT function, with output I2, controlled by a constitutive promoter which is repressed by X; 3) A switch, made up of two constitutive promoters which express repressors R1 and R2 as well as the reporter Out. Protein complexes C i are formed by the sequestration of the R i by I i . The inputs of the circuit, represented by molecules A and B, induce the expression of both genes G1 and G2(by binding to their correspondent upstream promoters), which produce, in turn, proteins X and I1(Induce r1) respectively. Product X represses the production of I2(Induce r2), which is expressed by the inverter using gene G3. Inducers I1and I2are in charge of controlling the switch, and change its direction. This third part of the circuit (the switch) is formed by two promoters which control the expression of three genes. Repressor R1 represses the expression of gene G5 unless inducer I1 sequesters it, forming the complex C1 (which has no functionality in the circuit). Symmetrically, R2 represses the expression of both genes G4and G6which, in turn, produces the reporter Out. We now briefly consider the possible implementation of our system. The two main components we use are a genetic toggle switch and NOR gate, both of which have previously been successfully demonstrated in the laboratory[9, 20]. The main novelty in our proposed scheme (in terms of its implementation) lies in the connection between both components. We believe that this is where attention should be focussed during future laboratory work. The outputs of the NOR gate (that is, the inducers of the switch) are inhibitors of the R1 and R2repressors. By being sequestered, the repressors are rendered inactive, and the implementation of such a scheme is supported by a recent study, in which examples of such negative inhibition are demonstrated. Further investigations may also focus on alternative implementations of the connection scheme, without altering the fundamental behaviour of the device. One possible route to this may lie in directly repressing the switch promoters, instead of implementing the protein-protein interaction. There is also the possibility of using RNA-based logic to implement connections, as described recently in. The key consideration that should inform the engineering process is the fact that the maximum expression level of the NOR output must be at least equal to the maximum expression level of the switch inputs. This is what allows the switch to “flip”. Conversely, the minimum expression level of either NOR output must be lower than the minimum levels of either switch input. These two features allow the device to have the desired multi-functional behaviour. In terms of traditional electronic logic, our circuit therefore corresponds to a system that produces, by default, a “high”, or “1”, signal in the absence of any input signals equal to “1”. As soon as either inputs equal “1”, the output signal is “pulled low” to “0” (classical NOR behaviour). Once all “1”-valued inputs are removed, the circuit defaults back to “high”. In the Results and discussion section, we study the dynamics of the circuit and - more importantly - the meaning of a logic “1”-valued input, from which the multi-behaviour feature of the system is derived. We perform a number of computational simulations (model details are specified in the Methods section), with the two main aims of investigating the behaviour of the branch-predicting NOR gate, and then examining its potential as a reconfigurable device. In both cases, we perform single-cell and population-based experiments, to investigate both the internal dynamics of the circuit and its effect on a spatially-distributed collection of cells (which might be used in a realistic synthetic biology application). We first emphasise the difference between static and dynamic (i.e., continuous) observations. Static measurements are performed by testing a single logic case (input setup), observing from the initial state of the circuit until a steady-state is reached. Dynamic measurements are taken once initialisation has occurred, and the logic input cases are modified sequentially. The outputs obtained are not always consistent, and we conclude that the continuous paradigm is more appropriate (i.e., robust) for these circuits. Figure2 shows static observations of the NOR gate. We represent its output value in terms of the concentration of Out: 0 nM corresponds to an input value of “0”, and 5nM corresponds to an input value of “1”. As expected, we only observe an high positive output when both inputs are absent (i.e. zero). In the other cases, although the output is initially expressed due to the constitutively expressed inducer I2, it is soon repressed due to input action. Static observations of circuit. Four logic cases (combination of two binary inputs) tested with logic “0” fixed at 0 nM and logic “1” at 5 nM (deterministic simulation). Perfect NOR behaviour is observed, as the output Out is only expressed at a high level for the input case 0-0. In the other cases, Out expression is repressed (initially expressed slightly due to initial I2 concentrations). Axes shown in logarithmic scale for both Time (hours) and Concentration (nM). It is important to note, however, that this performance is only observed when the system starts from a “pristine” (i.e. unused) state. Therefore, this behaviour is only useful if the circuit is intended for “single use”. In non-trivial synthetic biology applications, it may well be the case that a circuit is used many times, with different inputs, so it is important to test its behaviour over an extended period. Once the system has been initialised with a set of inputs, we therefore need to switch over to a dynamic observation model. In order to study the behaviour of the logic gate over time, we compare the concentrations of inducer I2(which would be a “traditional” NOR output) and our output signal, Out. Figure3 shows the concentration of these two proteins over time while the inputs to the circuit are changed dynamically. We observe correct branch prediction, in that an output tends to reflect the previous output. Both I2 and Out are produced at the outset, when there are no inputs to the system. As soon as one of the inputs is introduced (A, giving an input of 1 after t≈60 hours), the correct output must be “0”. A NOR without prediction, represented here by I2, would switch off the expression almost immediately, but Out is still expressed for some time (that is, there is a delay in pulling the output signal low, which starts to occur just at the end of the 1-0 input period, and continues through the subsequent 0-1 input period). This is due to the fact that it takes some additional time to “flip” the switch that is controlling Out, but this delay makes our circuit much more reliable (as we shall see when considering noise). By illustration, unwanted noise in the input will instantly affect I2, but the noise needs to be very persistent in order to affect Out. The same behaviour is observed when the proteins are again expressed (t≈210 in Figure3), where Out delays its expression before returning to “1” (since both inputs return to “0”). In both delays, the system is still predicting the previous output. Continuous observations of circuit. Deterministic study of the change of Out and I2 over time, while the four logic cases are introduced dynamically. Until t ≈ 60 both inputs are “0” (case 0-0); from 60 until t ≈ 110 input A is a logic “1” (case 1-0); until t ≈ 160 input A is “0” while input B is “1” (case 0-1); until t ≈ 210 both inputs are 1; from there onwards both inputs come back to “0”. Logic “0” represented by 0 nM, logic “1” by 5 nM. The effect of noisy inputs is shown in Figure4, where both input concentrations are affected by stochastic noise within different intervals. We highlight in this way the different behaviour of the classic NOR represented by the product I2and our approach represented by Out. During the 0-0 input phase (until t≈60) the input values vary within the range [0…0.05] nM. This underlines the importance of interpreting binary values in terms of ranges of analogue biological variables. The small changes in A and B test the definition of logic “0” in this experiment. Higher concentrations within that range are enough to stop the production of the inducer I2 (there is always a small concentration during this time), but are still understood as a logic “0” by our circuit (thus Out is constantly expressed). That “understanding” is precisely due to the engineered predictive behaviour: as the previous state was 0-0 (i.e., the initial situation), the circuit keeps that state regardless of the noise present. Continuous observations of circuit, with added noise. Change of Out and I2 over time while the four logic cases are not homogeneous due to noise in input signals (stochastic inputs). During the case 0-0 (until t ≈ 60) the logic value “0” varies within the range [0…0.05] nM; for the case 1-0 (until t ≈ 110) input A varies within the interval [4.5…5.5] (logic “1”) while input B still varies within the previous interval for a logic “0”; same variation ranges for “0” and “1” during cases 0-1 (until t ≈ 160) and 1-1 (until t ≈ 210); From there, again the case 0-0 but with another definition of logic “0”, varying within the range [0…0.005]. Dynamic predictions are observed after the 0-0 case, as the initial - static - conditions are no longer valid. During the 1-0 input phase (until t≈110) input A varies within the interval [4.5…5.5] nM (logic “1”) while input B is still varying within the range [0…0.05] nM (logic “0”). In this scenario, the expression of protein I2is completely repressed, as the circuit senses this input as a clear logic “1” -not noise- for both I2and Out. The same thing happens during the next (0-1 and 1-1) cases, where the inputs vary within the same intervals for both logic values and output concentrations are the same. In order to get a more valuable insight into the system, we change the meaning for a logic “0” for the final case 0-0 (from t≈210) where it varies within the interval [0…0.005]. Such a low signal causes the production of I2but not at full capacity due to existing X repressors in the system. That amount, which can be interpreted as a positive output of I2, it is not enough to change the direction of the switch. Thus, the low inputs (A and B) are interpreted as noise for our system and Out will stay in the previous state, which is a “0” output. The noise causes an unclear signal to be received at the input: neither a clear logic 0 nor a clear logic 1, thus the system predicts the previous behaviour. In Figure5, the results of a full stochastic simulation are shown, using the input profile of Figure4. The objective is to test the system in a situation where the concentrations of all proteins are subject to randomness. For this purpose, we added Gaussian noise (mean = value, standard deviation = value · noise) at every iteration of the integration. As we see, the overall behaviour remains the same, which allows us to conclude that the logical input values are the key factor determining the correct functioning of the genetic gate. We also observe that the levels of Out are more distinct (in terms of their mapping onto binary values) than the levels of I2. Full stochastic simulation with noise. Stochastic simulation (eleven runs) of the changing behaviour of Out and I2. All input values and times are taken from Figure4. All expression products in the system are subject to randomness,with Gaussian noise applied to all concentrations in the integration steps of the equations. We now study the behaviour of the circuit inside a population of simulated cells growing on a two-dimensional surface. We use an agent-based simulation approach, which considers the physical factors within the system (cell-cell pressure, collisions, movement, etc.) The first 2-dimensional experiment considers the surface divided in two different areas depending on the inputs they contain (amounts of A and B) as seen in Figure6. The left-hand side of the surface has both input molecules present (1-1), and the right-hand side has no input molecules present (0-0). As before, the logic “1” concentration is set at 5nM and the logic “0” is set at 0nM. We begin with a single cell in the centre of the surface; cells are “washed out” at the edges, and we assume the constant presence of nutrients (as in a chemostat). In these simulations, we assume Out to be a green fluorescent protein (for visualisation purposes), and the cell generation time is kept very high (around 12 hours), in order to aid visualisation. That is, because of the delay caused by the switch, we would not be able to observe the desired behaviour at this scale with much lower cell doubling times. Thus, in order to perform the spatial study with a scale that allow us to visualise single cell shapes we increase the doubling time to 12 hours (more details in the Methods section). Population-based simulation. Sequential observation of a simulated growing population. The surface on which the cells are growing in contains the inputs with both inputs present in the left half (input logic “1”, established at 1.5 nM for this simulation, as before) and neither input present in the right half (input logic “0”, fixed at 0.0 nM, as before). The output Out is represented as if it were a green fluorescent protein: high expression corresponds to a bright green colour of the cells. The high mobility of cells after 50 and 95 hours (due to there being plenty of free space available) lets us see the graphical pattern produced by the predictive behaviour of the circuit. When the population is very crowded (after 180 hours) the behaviour of the circuit is directly proportional to the surface features. Red circled region: wrong predictions being resolved by changing the direction of the switch. Generation time of cells = 12h. We depict the behaviour of the simulated colony in Figure6, starting with a single cell in the centre of the region. As the number of cells increases, those to the right-hand side eventually exhibit fluorescence, as they inhabit the 0-0 region, while those to the left (in the 1-1 region) show no fluorescence, as expected. After 50 hours, we notice some cells on the right-hand side that are not producing light, when they should actually display a high output concentration. This is due to the fact that those cells are moved from the left-hand side (1-1 case) at high speed while they are being pushed strongly. Therefore, the circuit inside those cells has not had time enough to respond and start expressing Out (we recall the gap of Figure3). After 130h the cells clearly signal the input concentration corresponding to the inputs on the surface (any single-cell “errors” are due to cell movement and/or stochasticity). We now look at the issue of cell movement in more detail. In Figure6 we show a population growing in a half and half world (in terms of input signal distribution), until we obtain an almost perfect pattern (the outputs matched the inputs, spatially speaking). This precision is obtained due to the low speed (and null direction) of the cells in the centre. In Figure7 we show the result of a subsequent experiment to investigate the effect on pattern formation of a higher velocity field. Effect of cell movement on accuracy. Spatial delay in response due to time spent in changing the direction of the switch. The population is growing from the centre of the longitudinal trap (cells washed out at edges) and the image is taken after 300 hours. The middle sector of the trap (light gray) has only one input (case 1/0) at a high level (4.5nM, which leads to a NOR function), and the remaining area (dark gray) has no input (logic case 0/0). The velocity vector field (lower image) shows the direction and magnitude (colour scheme) of the speeds of every cell at the same time (300 hours). In this experiment, the environment (a longitudinal trap) is divided into two zones: the centre: with a 1/0 input profile, and the remaining area, with a 0/0 input profile. The cells start growing once inoculated at the centre of the trap (about 100 cells are placed at the beginning). Obviously, as seen in the velocity field (bottom of Figure7), the cells move in one of two different directions, depending on their physical location: from centre to left, and from centre to right (due to pushing forces while growing). When the cells reach the 0/0 area we would expect a cell’s circuit to display a “1” state. This is what we observe, but with a time delay, as seen in the previous differential study. In this particular case, the higher a cell’s velocity, the more space it will cover before processing the inputs. This explains the gap between the beginning of the 0/0 area and the region in which the cells start expressing the output Out. This time-space delay plays a very important role in attempts to generate specific patterns in a cell population. If that is the case, there is a key parameter to bear in mind: the velocity of the cells, which can - of course - vary within the same colony (as in Figure7). It is important to notice that our circuit offers significant possibilities for pattern formation or sensing studies. Instead of recognising only a logic “1” and a logic “0”, the circuit is also able to distinguish between a high logic “1” and a low logic “1”, and change its behaviour accordingly. We now investigate further this useful property. In this Section we use different sets of simulations to illustrate one of the main features of the circuit: the possibility of reusing it (without modification) for evaluating a function other than NOR. The key factor lies in how we define input “1”. In contrast to our previous experiments, where this is denoted by an input concentration of 5nM, here we reduce the input “1” concentration to 1.5nM. By “flipping” the high input signal from 5 to 1.5nM, we obtain a change in functionality, from NOR to NAND (negated AND). Such a possibility could prove invaluable in terms of saving space in a hybrid bio-device, if differential behaviour is required for a range of input values. We compare our approach to that of Budyka; their gates use light as an input, and the functionality of a gate may be altered by changing its wavelength (see also, in which the behaviour of a promoter is flipped between that of an amplifier and an OR gate using different inducer concentrations). In Figure8 we show the behaviour of the circuit with a concentration of 1.5nM representing input logic “1”, in contrast to the 5 nM of Figure3. We observe how I2reacts to the changes in exactly the same way as before, thus displaying a NOR behaviour. However, the Out signal now gives the correct output reading for a NAND logic function (which returns 0 if and only if both inputs are 1). When both inputs are introduced (t≈160), the circuit stops producing Out, and does not express it again until the inputs are gone (t≈210 plus the time needed for the degradation of R2). Continuous observations of circuit with lower concentration for logic “1”. Change of Out and I2 over time while the four logic cases are being introduced dynamically. Until t ≈ 60 both inputs are “0” (case 0-0); from there until t ≈ 110 input A is a logic “1” (case 1-0); until t ≈ 160 input A is “0” while input B is “1” (case 0-1); until t ≈ 210 both inputs are “1”; from there onwards both inputs come back to “0”. As before, logic “0” represented by 0 nM, but this time logic “1” is represented by 1.5 nM. Figure9 shows the behaviour of Out and I2over time when different input concentrations are used as logic values. We show logic “0” on the x-axis of the surface graphs, and logic “1” on the y-axis. The z axis (surface view) represents the cumulative value of the targeted output protein (Out or I2depending on the graph) over 300 simulated hours, while inputs are changed according to the profile of Figures3 and8. For example, if we fix the value of logic “0” to 0 nM, we observe a change in the concentration of Out when the concentration of logic “1” exceeds 2.8 nM, when Out abandons the contour line of 316 and enters the area of 100 (which means it has been expressed for less time during the 300 hours). However, that change is not present in the expression of I2, where the scenario is more homogeneous. This feature is the root cause of the multi- functional behaviour we have just demonstrated. Effect of different input concentration values. Surface graphs that explore the behaviour of the circuit for different logic “1” and “0” concentrations. For each pair of logic “0” (x axis) and logic “1” (y axis) the experiments shown in Figures3 and8 are performed, and the cumulative values of Out and I2 over time are recorded. Those values are depicted in two ways: (1) colour surface (greyscale) with a linear scale from 0 to 700 (low precision as mean values are shown for intervals), and (2) contour lines (colour) with a logarithmic scale for detail behaviour. Output values (surface) shown in arbitrary units corresponding to the cumulative value. Multi-functional behaviour in cell populations is shown in Figure10, where a bacterial colony grows on a surface with inputs that are spatially distributed as follows: top-left quadrant has no inputs (0-0), top-right quadrant has input A (1-0), bottom-left has input B (0-1), and bottom-right has both inputs, A and B (1-1). The top row shows the level of Out when logic “1” is fixed to 0.5 nM, and the bottom row shows it set to 4.5 nM (in both cases logic “0” is set to 0 nM). We clearly observe the difference between the NOR and NAND behaviour of the same circuit placed in different input scenarios. Multi-functional behaviour of the circuit. Spatial cell growth simulation shown, where the inputs are embedded in the surface as follows: top-left quadrant has no inputs, top-right quadrant has input A (1-0), bottom-left has only input B (0-1) and bottom-right has both inputs A and B (1-1). Both rows show the expression of Out over time, but for different logic “1” standards: 4.5 nM for a NOR logic function (top) and 0.5 nM for a NAND logic gate (bottom). Logic “0” is 0.0 nM in all simulations. a.u.: arbitrary units. Generation time of cells = 24h. The definition of logical values is of vital importance if different synthetic regulatory networks are intended to work together. Here we show that a given genetic circuit can display very different behaviours, depending on the thresholds of a specific input logic signal. This will be of significance for future genetic circuit design. The circuit proposed in this paper harnesses this fuzzy behaviour by reconfiguring its behaviour between the NAND and NOR logical functions in response to different input standards. In this way, the circuit can be reused for either of those two functionalities without modification. We highlight the importance of computational studies in order to find abnormal behaviours inside circuits, and to identify the key features of a system. Although in this work we take all parameter values from the literature, the simulation results help us to focus on the specific areas of interest to parts selection for future laboratory validation. Due to the large size of the circuit - with 5 promoters, 10 protein species and 6 genes - the mathematical model is reduced to 6 Michaelis-Menten equations (4 to 8). However, a full deterministic model of the first expression product (X) is built in order to: (1) check if the approximation is correct, and (2) make a good setup of the parameters in equations. where G 1 a denotes the gene with input A bound to its corresponding promoter, G 1 b is the gene with input B bound to the other promoter and G 1 ab represents the gene with both inputs bound. Regarding the rates: k1 and k2are the binding rates of A and B, respectively, to their promoters when G1 has no protein bound; k−1 and k−2 are the unbinding rates of the previous reactions; k3and k4 are the binding rates of B and A to G 1 a and G 1 b , respectively; k−3 and k−4 denote the unbinding rates of the previous reactions; k5, k6 and k7 are the active transcription rates of X by G 1 a , G 1 b and G 1 ab respectively; k8, k9 and k10 are the degradation rates of X, A and B; and k11and k12 are the creation rates of inputs A and B respectively. All the parameter values used in 2 are taken from standard values in the literature[25–27]. The objective of this model is to provide as a generic model as possible, to abstract away from specific laboratory details (i.e. the utilisation of a concrete promoter type). Thus, similar kinetic parameters have the same value in order to prove the functioning of a complete standardised model. The values are as follows: k1 = k2 = k3 = k4 = 1 molecules−1hour−1; k−1 = k−2 = k−3 = k−4 = 50 hour−1; k5 = k6 = 500 hour−1; k7 = 700 hour−1; k8 = k9 = k10 = 0.1 hour−1; k11 = k12 = molecules hours−1. Notice that k7 is higher than k5and k6 in order to emphasise a stronger transcription rate when the two inputs are bound to their promoters at the same time. Repressor concentrations over time. Left graph: Repressor X concentration expressed over time, using the set of equations 2. Right graph: Repressor X concentration expressed over time in a simulation of equation 3. where α denotes a synthesis rate, K represents the dissociation constants, h the Hill coefficients, δ the protein decay or degradation rate and β denotes repression coefficients. It is important to notice that the sequestrated repressor complexes, C1 and C2, are represented by max([R1]−[I1],0) and max([R2]−[I2],0) which are the direct subtraction of the repressor by the inducer (or 0 if a negative result is obtained). The values of the parameters are chosen to make Figure11 (right) match Figure11 (left) according to standard values[26, 29]. As before, similar parameters have the same value in order to make the in-silico study as general as possible. Thus, α I 1 = α X = 3.0 nM hour−1; α I 2 = α R 1 = α R 2 = α Out = 4.0 nM hour−1; K d 1 = K d 2 = 0.5 nM; β I 2 = β R 1 = β R 2 = β Out = 0.04 nM; δ i = 0.15 hour−1; h1 = 1; h2 = 2. The initial conditions are: A= B = 0.5 nM (again, both inputs set to a logic 1). All simulations are performed with our own software coded in Python. Figures2,3,8,9 and11 are obtained by using a deterministic approach with the previous ODE (Ordinary Differential Equation) model. For Figure4 we added noise to inputs, as explained in the Results and discussion section, without changing the ODEs. Figure5 is obtained by adding noise to the full model (all species that change over time). For that purpose, the ODE model is altered by adding Gaussian noise at every integration step to the previous concentration (building a SDE, Stochastic Differential Equation model). In the spatial studies (Figures6,7 and10) the inputs are fixed in their specific surface areas and the rest of the species are subject to low stochasticity (in this case, however, it is the collective behaviour that matters, not individual). For spatial studies we use the physics library Pymunk (wrapper for the physics library Chipmunk) to design and control the cells as rigid bodies with growth in an agent-based paradigm. The ODE model of the system is placed inside the cells so there are as many copies of the genetic circuit as cells in a given time (the circuit with all parameter values is copied from mother to daughter when the cell divides). In order to control the doubling time of the cells we can let the circuit run for as many integration steps as we may need before the cell divides. For visualisation purposes, the circuit runs during 12 or 24 hours in a cell life-time (making that time the doubling time) depending on the set-up (see Results and discussion section). This work was supported by the European Commission FP7 Future and Emerging Technologies Proactive initiative: Bio-chemistry-based Information Technology (CHEM-IT, ICT-2009.8.3), project reference 248919 (BACTOCOM). AG-M conceived the study, designed the circuit and performed the experiments. MA supervised the work. Both authors participated in writing the manuscript, and both read and approved the final manuscript.
2019-04-19T11:17:00Z
https://bmcsystbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1752-0509-6-126
Certification and maintenance of certification is contingent upon medical licensure and in compliance with all applicable Board policies, rules and codes. Physicians must hold a valid, unrestricted allopathic and/or osteopathic medical license in at least one jurisdiction in the United States, its territories, or Canada. If more than one license is held in these jurisdictions, all licenses must meet the requirement of being unrestricted. Should any medical license become restricted at any time, the Board may undertake proceedings consistent with due process to declare the individual ineligible to apply for any ABP certification, revoke any previously issued certificate(s) and/or take other actions against the physician. Physicians are responsible for immediately notifying the ABP of any restriction placed on any medical license held. Upon successful reinstatement or remedy of the encumbered medical license(s), and upon the ABP being notified of such by the physician, and subsequent verification by the ABP of general eligibility to apply for and hold an ABP certificate, certification may be attained pursuant to the ABP’s Reinstatement Policy found within the ABP’s Disciplinary Policy. has had special conditions or requirements placed on his/her license (such as, but not limited to, supervision, chaperoning during the examination of patients, additional training beyond that required of all physicians for the maintenance of licensure), and regardless of whether or not such conditions or requirements are imposed by order of the State Medical Board or are the result of a voluntary agreement and/or stipulation between the physician and the State Medical Board. At the sole discretion of the ABP, the ABP may review instances of licensure actions to determine whether such actions constitute a restriction in violation of this policy. Beginning in 2019, applicants for the initial general pediatrics certifying examination or an initial pediatric subspecialty certifying examination must provide proof of a current, unrestricted medical license in the US or Canada. The option to fulfill the licensure requirement using a non-US or non-Canadian license will no longer exist for applicants for the 2019 initial certifying examinations or any initial certifying examination thereafter. Diplomates practicing exclusively abroad, i.e., who are not practicing in the US or Canada, and who do not continue to hold a US or Canadian license after initial certification, must provide proof of licensure in the country in which they practice in order to meet requirements for the Professional Standing and Licensure component of Maintenance of Certification. Obtain evidence from the individual(s) and/or entity(-ies) to whom the individual claimed to be certified. Credentials Committee will review the materials cited in #1 above. If the Credentials Committee determines the individual has, either directly or indirectly, falsely claimed to be certified the individual may be subject to the ABP’s Disciplinary Policy at the Credentials Committee’s discretion. The individual will be informed by letter (return receipt requested) and, if appropriate, given the opportunity for an appeal as described in the ABP’s Appellate Review Procedure. The State Licensing Board may be notified of any actions taken against individuals once the individual is informed. In certain instances, the Credentials Committee may choose to notify the other relevant organizations such as credentialing bodies, hospitals, and managed care organizations of any action taken against an individual. Other circumstances will be handled on an individual basis, including the option of directing the ABP lawyer to make a demand against the individual and/or assert a legal claim. The ABP’s Time-Limited Eligibility for Initial Certification Examinations policy establishes a 7–year limit to the time that can elapse between a pediatrician’s completion of training and achievement of certification. Once the 7–year period of eligibility ends, an applicant for certification must complete an additional period of supervised practice in order to regain eligibility to apply for certification. Following expiration of the time limit period, a candidate must cease and desist from making any representation of board eligibility. Any violation of this rule is considered a breach of ethical standards of medical practice and may subject the individual to ABP’s Disciplinary Policy. A candidate’s eligibility for board certification does not equate with acceptance for an examination. Acceptance to take an examination requires the review of an individual’s credentials by the ABP, which does not occur until a formal application is submitted. Upon receipt of a signed release form provided by the ABP, information will be provided regarding the individual’s certification history and whether an individual’s application to take the general and/or subspecialty certification examination was accepted and when the acceptance expires. If an individual has not yet applied for the examination, the ABP will be unable to verify satisfactory completion of training and suggests individuals seek this verification from the general pediatrics or subspecialty fellowship training program they completed. If an inquiry is made to the ABP regarding the status of an individual, the response will be only whether the individual is or is not certified. Upon receipt of a signed release form, provided by the ABP, information will be released regarding the individual’s certification history and whether an individual’s application to take a general or subspecialty certifying exam was accepted and when the acceptance expires. The ABP requires that applicants for certification in general pediatrics complete 3 years of training in programs accredited by ACGME or in programs in Canada accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. In light of the agreement between ACGME, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine for a single accreditation system announced in February 2014, the ABP will accept applications from individuals who have completed osteopathic pediatric residency training only if the training has been accredited by ACGME for the entire duration of required training. Training completed while the osteopathic training program either has not applied for accreditation by ACGME or has applied and has the status of pre-accreditation cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for certification by the ABP. Beginning with the examination administered in 2014, the American Board of Pediatrics will require that applicants have completed the training required for initial certification in general pediatrics within the previous 7 years (eg, 2007 or later for examinations administered in 2014). If the required training was not successfully completed within the previous 7 years, the applicant must complete an additional period of supervised practice in a training program accredited by the ACGME in the US, or the RCPSC in Canada in order to apply for certification. The purpose of the requirement is to provide the ABP with an independent assessment of the individual’s contemporary competence to practice pediatrics without supervision. Such verification of contemporary competence is required before the ABP will allow an additional 7-year window of eligibility to sit for the certifying examination. New applicants and re-registrants for the general pediatrics certifying examination who have completed residency training prior to the 7-year eligibility window must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 6 months of supervised general pediatrics practice in the environment of an accredited training program that offers a breadth of general pediatrics experience. This practice must be supervised such that the program director and faculty of the accredited program can assess the individual’s contemporary competence to practice pediatrics unsupervised. The program director of the accredited general pediatrics residency must submit the specifics of the planned experiences to the ABP for approval prior to initiation and then verify the individual’s competence at the conclusion of the supervised practice. The ABP allows flexibility in the design of the clinical experiences but they must include inpatient experience, newborn care, emergency care, recognition and stabilization of the ill child, and outpatient experience. Details of these requirements are outlined in an accompanying document, Plan for Supervised Practice and Assessment of Competence in General Pediatrics in the Accredited Training Program. Following the satisfactory completion of the period of supervised practice, the candidate will have 7 years to become certified. If unsuccessful in becoming certified during the additional 7 years of eligibility, the applicant must enter an accredited general pediatrics residency program and complete 3 years of training in order to regain eligibility. When applying or re-applying for certification, the applicant must meet the requirements for acceptance in effect at that time. Do you have questions regarding time-limited eligibility for initial certification in general pediatrics? Email us. Beginning with the examinations administered in 2014, the American Board of Pediatrics will require that applicants have completed the training required for initial certification in the pediatric subspecialties within the previous 7 years (eg, 2007 or later for examinations administered in 2014) with one exception noted below.* If the required training was not successfully completed within the previous 7 years, the applicant must complete an additional period of supervised practice in a training program accredited by the ACGME in the US, or the RCPSC in Canada in order to apply for certification. The purpose of the requirement is to provide the ABP with an independent assessment of the individual’s contemporary competence to practice the pediatric subspecialty without supervision. Such verification of contemporary competence is required before the ABP will allow an additional 7-year window of eligibility to sit for the certifying examination. New applicants and re-registrants for subspecialty certification who have completed fellowship (or were approved on the basis of practice) prior to the 7-year time limit must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 6 months of supervised clinical subspecialty practice in the environment of an accredited training program, with the breadth of experiences comparable to the clinical experiences in fellowship. The supervised practice must be in the discipline in which certification is sought. This practice must be supervised such that the program director and faculty of the accredited program can assess the individual’s contemporary competence to practice the subspecialty unsupervised. The program director of the accredited fellowship must submit the specifics of the planned experiences to the ABP for approval prior to initiation and then verify the individual’s competence at the conclusion of the supervised practice. The ABP allows flexibility in the design of the clinical experiences as long they allow comprehensive assessment in all aspects of the subspecialty discipline needed for unsupervised practice. Details of these requirements are outlined in an accompanying document, Plan for Supervised Practice and Assessment of Competence in a Subspecialty in the Accredited Training Program. Following the satisfactory completion of the period of supervised practice, the candidate will have 7 years to become certified. If unsuccessful in becoming certified during the additional 7 years of eligibility, the applicant must enter an accredited subspecialty fellowship program and complete 2 years of training in order to regain eligibility. The requirement for scholarly activity is waived. When applying or re-applying for certification, the applicant must meet the requirements for acceptance in effect at that time. Individuals who, solely because of their sequence of training, will not have an opportunity to take a subspecialty examination before their subspecialty eligibility has expired will be permitted one opportunity to take a subspecialty examination, provided that no more than 10 years have elapsed since their subspecialty training was completed and the individual is currently certified in general pediatrics. Do you have questions regarding time-limited eligibility for initial certification in pediatric subspecialties? Email us. For further information regarding both General Pediatrics and Subspecialty training and time-limited eligibility, visit this Questions and Answers Page. If a certificate has an end date, the certificate will expire on December 31 of the year of expiration. The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) expects residents and fellows in training, candidates for certification, and its diplomates to adhere to and maintain certain fundamental professionalism, moral and ethical principles. As specified by The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Medical Specialties, residents, fellows, candidates and diplomates must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to diverse patient populations. The materials developed by the ABP for its in-training, certification, and maintenance of certification examinations, including MOCA-Peds, are copyrighted and the sole property of the ABP and may not be reproduced, recorded, published, transmitted, misused, stolen or distributed – in part or in whole – in any way, without the ABP’s permission. Reproduction of copyrighted material, in whole or in part, may be a federal offense. Irrespective of copyright, any attempt to reproduce, record, publish, transmit, misuse, steal or distribute ABP in-training, certification or maintenance of certification examinations, including MOCA-Peds, in whole or part, undermines the fairness of the certification process and may be considered unethical, unprofessional, and dishonorable, and will constitute grounds for the ABP to impose disciplinary sanctions pursuant to the ABP’s Disciplinary Policy and/or take any other action deemed appropriate by the ABP and its legal counsel. Falsely representing one’s Board status undermines the integrity of the ABP’s mission. The ABP will consider any individual claiming to be certified by the ABP in any specialty or subspecialty when the record cannot support the claim to be unethical, unprofessional, and dishonorable, and will constitute grounds for the ABP to impose disciplinary sanctions pursuant to the ABP’s Disciplinary Policy and/or take any other action deemed appropriate by the ABP and its legal counsel. Likewise, falsely presenting oneself as “Board Eligible” or making any representation of board eligibility after eligibility has expired will be considered unethical, unprofessional, and dishonorable, and will constitute grounds for the ABP to impose disciplinary sanctions pursuant to the ABP’s Disciplinary Policy and/or take any other action deemed appropriate by the ABP and its legal counsel. Engaging in irregular or inappropriate behavior during the administration of any examination including MOCA-Peds, as evidenced either by observation or information or by statistical analysis. Offering of any financial or other benefit to any director, officer, employee, proctor, or other agent or representative of the ABP in return for any right, privilege, or benefit which is not usually granted by the ABP to other similarly situated candidates or persons. The finding, determination or stipulation of unethical, unprofessional and/or dishonorable conduct, whether final or not, by any entity or individual with authority over, control of, jurisdiction over, or regulation of an individual (e.g., state or federal prosecutors, state medical board, professional association, peer review boards or other health care governing bodies with the power to grant or restrict medical privileges), regardless of whether or not such finding is imposed by formal order, voluntary agreement and/or stipulation. All ABP examinations are administered in testing centers by test administrators who are responsible for maintaining the integrity and security of the certification process. All candidates taking an ABP examination will be monitored. Test administrators are required to report to ABP any irregular, improper or disruptive behavior by a candidate and have the authority to discontinue a candidate's testing and eject a candidate from a testing center. Irregular, improper or disruptive behavior is any behavior that undermines, disrupts or threatens the integrity or validity of the examination administration, whether it occurs before, during or after an examination. Examples of irregular or improper behavior include, but in no way is limited to, giving or obtaining information or aid, looking at the test material of others, excessive use or misuse of unscheduled breaks, bringing unauthorized items (eg, watches, cell phones) into the examination room, failing to comply with time limits or instructions or other improper behaviors. In addition to reports provided by the test administrators, the ABP utilizes data forensic techniques to identify data patterns that indicate potential test irregularities. Any irregular or improper behavior that is observed, made apparent by data forensics or discovered by other means will constitute grounds for invalidation of a candidate's examination. Invalidate the examination results without refund. Provide an opportunity to retest under conditions that ensure the validity of scores. New testing dates will be scheduled within two (2) weeks of notification of the potential breach. Candidates electing not to reschedule must notify the ABP within one (1) week of the notification of the potential breach to cancel their registration. Candidates electing not to reschedule will have their examination invalidated and will receive a refund of the examination fee. The processing and evaluation fee is not refundable. Candidates who wish to take the examination during the next regularly scheduled testing window will need to register as a re-registrant. Pursue any other appropriate disciplinary, legal and/or reporting actions, such as, but not limited to, denying admission to the ABP's certification and/or maintenance of certification programs, revoking existing certificates, bringing legal action against the individual and/or reporting incidents to third parties such as state licensing boards. The ABP is not liable for any expenses or associated losses incurred as a result of the investigation, invalidation and retesting efforts for such cases identified. Any subsequent appeal of a decision resulting from the application of this policy will be handled according to the established appeal process of the ABP. Applicants for a certifying examination who are unable to appear for the examination due to the following circumstances may petition the ABP for an alternative test date. Alternative test dates must be scheduled no later than 6 weeks following the test date originally scheduled by the ABP. Candidates must provide documentation of the circumstances that prevent them from appearing at their scheduled appointment. Candidates are urged to submit petitions to the ABP as soon as possible, but no later than 3 business days following the test date. Documentation of medical disabilities, medical emergencies, qualifying pregnancy or birth of child must be provided by the treating physician. Decisions as to whether a qualifying event results in a rescheduled exam are at the sole discretion of the ABP. If the alternative test date is missed, the ABP will not consider a second alternative date. Alternatively, candidates may elect to delay the examination until the next scheduled administration and receive a refund of the examination fee. The processing fee and any late fee paid will be retained. However, the time-limited eligibility to achieve certification will not be extended. Consistent with the ABMS/ACGME general competencies, the ABP expects its candidates and diplomates to use information technology (including the use of personal computers, the Internet, and e-mail) to support patient care decisions and patient education, better manage medical information, maintain certification and support their continuing medical education efforts. the physician so certified shall have been found to be in violation of the ABP’s Honor Code: Professionalism, Moral and Ethical Principles policy. If the ABP obtains probable cause to believe that a certificate should be revoked for any of the reasons set forth above, it may institute proceedings for revocation pursuant to the ABP’s Revocation Procedure, which may be obtained by writing to the ABP. The steps to be taken to appeal this determination are outlined in the Appellate Review Procedure of the ABP, which may be obtained by writing to the ABP. Any finding of a violation of the ABP’s Honor Code: Professionalism, Moral and Ethical policy may constitute grounds for the ABP to deny admission to an examination, to withhold scores or certificates, require an individual to retake an entire activity or portions thereof, disqualify the individual from future examinations and/or other certification activities, invalidate and/or nullify current certification activities, mandate remedial actions, or take any other action deemed appropriate by the ABP and its legal counsel. The steps to be taken to appeal this determination are outlined in the Appellate Review Procedure of the ABP, which may be obtained by writing to the ABP. A physician may petition the ABP to regain status as a diplomate whenever he or she is eligible again for certification. Once a certificate issued by the ABP has been revoked or surrendered, that certificate ceases to exist. Former diplomates desiring to become certified again must complete all then-current requirements for maintenance of certification and meet any other requirements deemed appropriate by the ABP. The ABP may allow the physician to enter the certification process by administrative action or the ABP may refer the matter to the ABP’s Credentials Committee for a recommendation. For any ineligibility sanction of five (5) years or more, an individual may petition the ABP to reconsider the sanction once every five (5) years. Such petitions will be handled pursuant to the applicable Appellate Review Procedure of the ABP, which may be obtained by writing to the ABP. The policy of the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) is to insure that it considers all diplomates for whom the ABP takes action to revoke a certificate on a consistent and non-discriminatory basis and affords them with due process. Accordingly, the ABP has adopted the following procedures for the revocation of a diplomate’s certificate in general pediatrics or in a pediatric subspecialty. The ABP’s Disciplinary Policy sets forth the circumstances for which the ABP may revoke a diplomate’s certificate. If the ABP obtains information from any source relating to the possible occurrence of one of these events, the ABP may request additional information from state licensing boards, institutions, or any other appropriate entities or individuals relating to the possible event. Based upon the information in the ABP’ s possession, the ABP’ s President or his/her designee will make an initial determination as to whether or not there is probable cause to believe that one of the events for revocation of the diplomate’s certificate has occurred. Upon an initial determination that there is probable cause for revocation, the ABP will notify the diplomate that revocation procedures are commencing and that the diplomate may appeal the determination by filing a written notice of appeal pursuant to the ABP’ s Appellate Review Procedure. The ABP’s notification will be sent via certified mail, return receipt requested, and will be marked confidential. If the ABP is informed that its notification did not reach the diplomate, the ABP will make a reasonable attempt to determine the address of the diplomate and will resend the information. If the ABP has not received a written notice of appeal within the time period defined by the ABP’s Appellate Review Procedure or if the ABP’s determination to revoke a diplomate’s certificate is upheld following an appeal, then the ABP will notify the diplomate that the ABP’ s revocation determination is final and the ABP will update its records to reflect that the diplomate is not certified. The ABP will notify the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) that the diplomate is no longer certified by the ABP and will request the ABMS to update its records to reflect the revocation of certification. The ABP may also notify any other medical specialty board who may have issued a certificate to the diplomate or any other appropriate organization or individual that the diplomate is no longer certified. The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) will, on a consistent and non-discriminatory basis, afford reasonable due process for all diplomates and candidates receiving certain negative determinations and/or certain ABP disciplinary actions. Accordingly, the ABP has adopted the following rules and procedures for appeals. A determination that a candidate is ineligible to take an examination due to the ABP’s determination that the candidate is in possession of a restricted medical license. A determination that a candidate who has submitted a completed application for certification in a pediatric subspecialty is ineligible to take the examination due to the ABP’s determination that i) evidence of and/or the quality of the applicant’s Scholarly Activity/Research or Meaningful Accomplishment in Research is inadequate or ii) the practice experience is inadequate for admission via a Practice Pathway. A determination that the individual has failed an examination, limited to appeals of instances of a compromise in the administration of the examination due to environmental or technical issues. An appeal from a failed examination will not reverse a failing grade or alter a score. Rather, a successful appeal may result in an invalidation of a score or result, and the candidate being rescheduled to sit for examination at the next available examination administration. In order to be able to institute an appeal under this subsection A(3), the individual must have sent a notice of the alleged compromise in the administration of the examination due to environmental or technical issues, in writing, to the ABP within 72 hours from the completion of the examination at which the compromise allegedly occurred. A sanction imposed pursuant to the ABP’s Disciplinary Policy. In addition to the above, the ABP may, at its sole discretion, grant an appeal of other determinations on a case-by-case basis. In order for an individual to invoke any right of appeal, an individual must not be party to any legal or administrative proceeding at any time throughout the appellate process that is based in full or in part on substantially similar facts and/or circumstances which relate to the intended appeal. Appeal Fee: As published. The fee may be returned at the discretion of the ABP. Diplomate and/or candidate costs and expenses in bringing or pursuing an appeal are the sole responsibility of the individual, including travel expenses, postage/delivery costs, copying costs, legal fees or expenses and any and all other costs and expenses. The ABP is not responsible or obligated for the payment or reimbursement of any expense or cost incurred by any individual bringing or pursuing an appeal. Notice of Right to Appeal. In conveying to an individual a negative determination pursuant to A1-A3 above, the ABP will state the individual’s right to appeal under these procedures, a copy of these Appellate Review Procedures, the Appeal Fee (if any) and the time limit of fourteen (14) days for the individual to submit to the ABP a “Notice of Appeal” and the full Appeal Fee. With respect to Appeals pursuant to A3, however, an appeal will not be allowed to proceed if the individual had not sent a notice of the alleged compromise in the administration of the examination due to environmental or technical issues, in writing, to the ABP within 72 hours from the completion of the examination at which the compromise allegedly occurred. Notice of Appeal. To maintain an appeal, Appellant must timely submit to the ABP a written “Notice of Appeal”, together with all relevant supporting documentation, and the full Appeal Fee. The Notice of Appeal must specify each and every basis and supporting fact of the appeal. The Notice of Appeal and all supporting documentation must be written (audio and/or video recorded materials are not allowed and will not be reviewed) and must be in a single mailing to the ABP. If the ABP does not timely receive a Notice of Appeal and/or the full Appeal Fee, the Appellant will have forgone his/her right to an appeal and the determination shall be deemed final. Written Appeals Only. No oral hearings or presentations will be granted or allowed. Determination. The ABP’s President, or his/her designee(s) (hereinafter “SMT”), is authorized to make final determinations with respect to 1) the timeliness and/or adequacy of the Applicant’s submission of his/her Notice of Appeal and/or 2) the substantive merits of the appeal. The Appellant and/or his/her representative shall not have the right to attend any aspect of the determination of appeals under this subsection. In making a final determination, the ABP may consider or reject any materials submitted by the Appellant and/or any other documents, statements, data, information based on relevance, appropriateness, and/or necessity. Notice of Determination. The result of the Appeal shall be sent to the last known address of the Appellant within seven (7) days of the final determination. Notice of Right to Appeal. In conveying to an individual, a negative determination pursuant to A4 above, the ABP will state the individual’s right to appeal under these procedures, a copy of these Appellate Review Procedures, the Appeal Fee and the time limit of twenty-eight (28) days for the individual to submit to the ABP a “Notice of Appeal” and the full Appeal Fee. SMT shall review each Notice of Appeal under this subsection to determine whether it was submitted in accordance with the procedure set forth herein. If SMT finds the Notice of Appeal to be deficient, the ABP shall so advise the Appellant in writing and state the reasons for this finding. At the ABP’s discretion, the ABP may allow an Appellant to resubmit an amended Notice of Appeal within a specified period of time, correcting any identified deficiencies in the original Notice of Appeal. Any SMT final decisions concerning the sufficiency of an original or, if applicable, resubmitted Notice of Appeal shall be final and the Appellant may not appeal this decision. If SMT finds a Notice of Appeal sufficient, the ABP shall forward the appeal (the “Appeal Certification”) to the applicable appellate review Committee (the “Appeal Committee”) and shall send written notice to the Appellant that his/her appeal is commencing. Determination of Oral or Written Only Appeal Hearing. For Appeals initiated under A4, SMT is authorized to determine whether the Appeal hearing will be oral or written. This determination will be conveyed in the written notice to the Appellant that his/her appeal is commencing. If the hearing is oral, the Notice of Hearing shall state the time and place of the hearing. In addition, the Notice of Hearing shall inform Appellant that if the Appellant intends to offer testimony at the hearing, including his/her own testimony, the Appellant must disclose to the ABP no less than twenty-one (21) days in advance of the Appeal hearing the names, contact information and relevant relationship to Appellant or appellate issues of the witnesses and a brief description of their testimony. Neither the Appellant nor his/her representative(s) shall have the right to attend any portion or aspect of written hearings. The Appeal Committee, in its sole discretion, may consider or reject any materials submitted by the Appellant and/or any other documents, statements, data, information based on relevance, appropriateness, and/or necessity. Written hearings may be conducted by written correspondence or telephone communications among Appeal Committee members. No less than twenty-one (21) days in advance of the Appeal hearing the ABP will inform Appellant of any witnesses it intends to call at the hearing, together with a description of the witness and a brief description of their testimony. The Appellant and/or his/her representative(s) may, if he/she chooses, be present at oral hearings. The opportunity for the Appellant’s representative(s), including legal counsel, to address the Appeal Committee is left to the sole discretion of the Appeal Committee at the time of the hearing. The Appeals Committee may, in its sole discretion, consider, reject or limit any evidence submitted by the Appellant, evidence and/or testimony to be presented during the hearing and any other documents, statements, data, information or other evidence based on relevance, appropriateness, and/or necessity. The determination to allow any individual, including the Appellant, to testify at the hearing and/or the limitations on testimony are within the sole discretion of the Appeal Committee and can be made at any time through the end of the hearing. As is reasonably feasible, however, no less than fourteen (14) days in advance of the Appeal hearing, the Appeal Committee will inform Appellant of any testimony it will not accept, taking into consideration whether such intended testimony is duplicative, unnecessary or not materially germane to any issues on Appeal. A transcript of oral hearings shall be made. Oral hearings will close at the discretion of the Appeal Committee, taking into consideration whether the Appellant has had a reasonable opportunity to address the issues on Appeal. After a written or oral hearing, the Appeal Committee will deliberate and then vote by majority on whether it will affirm, reverse, amend or remand the appealed determination. The Appeal Committee shall set forth its findings, recommendations and/or any ordered directions in writing and mail to the Appellant within sixty (60) days of the hearing. Fair and Impartial. All appeals shall be conducted in a fair and impartial manner. No Conflict of Interest. Any individual participating in an appellate review on behalf of the ABP shall be recused if they have any substantive and material conflict of interest with respect to the appeal. If, due to conflict of interests, it is not possible to constitute an Appeal Committee, the appeal shall be referred to the Executive Committee and such a referred appeal shall be conducted pursuant to all applicable policies herein. Chair of Appeal Committee. Each Appeal Committee shall be chaired by the respective Committee Chair, or his/her designee. The designated Chair shall preside over appellate hearings and shall rule on all procedural issues. The designated Chair shall determine the manner in which evidence is presented, the length of testimony, and all other issues relating to running of the appellate hearing. Appeal Committee. Each Appeal Committee shall have a minimum of three voting members and, in addition, the ABP’s Chair, President and/or Executive Vice President may serve, ex-officio. Burden on Appellant. The burden is upon the Appellant to present sufficient evidence to the Appeal Committee to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the appealed issue(s) should be overturned. Appellate Referral or Review. At the sole discretion of and based on a majority vote of a voting quorum of any given Appeal Committee, an Appeal Committee may refer an appeal to the Executive Committee or, upon a determination, request that the Executive Committee review some or all of the Appeal Committee determinations. The Executive Committee will determine, in its discretion and based on a majority vote of a voting quorum, whether it will grant or deny the referral of the appeal or request for review. For any appeal from a negative determination affecting the certification status of an ABP diplomate, the diplomate’s certificate shall remain current and in good-standing until the appeal is deemed final. If a negative determination, in full or part, is upheld and deemed final on appeal, the change in certificate status will be deemed to be effective as of the date of the first written notification of the negative determination. Determinations, findings or other decisions are final and binding once the appeals procedure provided by these rules has been exhausted or the time for making an appeal has expired.
2019-04-18T16:25:20Z
https://www.abp.org/content/policies
Migration entails, among other consequences, the presence of different cultures and religions. Italy, being a latecomer among immigration countries, has had specific difficulties in acknowledging the new cultural and religious pluralism brought by migrations, due to lack of knowledge and reflection in this sphere. In the more recent context of social and cultural change in Europe, Italian society is also going through a phase characterised by reactive identities and cultural conflicts. They are producing a diffused anti-multiculturalist opinion, even though multiculturalist policies have not been openly implemented. Thus, on the one hand, this situation has so far prevented a real recognition of cultural and religious differences, particularly concerning Islam. But on the other hand, positive actions in favour of migrants can also be observed, especially at the local level. Many laws: but which reference to cultures? Since the 1970s, Italy has developed into a new immigration and religiously pluralistic country. But Italy has largely avoided recognising the cultural and religious implications of the process of pluralisation, particularly concerning Islam. In this sense, Italy can be considered – in contrast to most of the other case studies in this special issue – as a country without an established model of integration or pluralism; different governments have only produced contradictory laws, depending on the respective political majorities. Nevertheless, the specificity of Islam has been taken into account, although not with the priority to include it into the religious landscape of Italy, but more for polemic reasons – to contrast Muslims with the majority of the non-Muslim population in Italy. In this context, the ‘Consulta’, then called ‘Comitato per l’islam italiano’, has been founded, a specific instrument to deal with Islam. Even when it was abandoned in recent times, Islam seems to have a central role in Italian society, particularly in public debates, where it represents – as discursive substitute – the challenge of cultural and religious pluralism; yet, the importance of this religion for both the Italian society and its political consequences, is not sufficiently debated. In the following article, I will first give a short overview about Italy as emigration and immigration country. Second, the link between recent immigration and the production of laws will be explored. Then, I will focus on cultural pluralism and specifically on Islam, and the consequences of its presence in public debates and policies. Finally, I conclude with the relevance of Islam for the Italian religious landscape. It is also only since the 1970s that Italy has started to become in statistical terms an immigration country. The symbolic turning point can be considered 1973, the first year in which data from ISTAT, the Italian Institute of Statistics, show that there were 1366 more repatriates (125,168) than expatriates (123,802).3 Furthermore, Italy had in 1973 officially 175,746 foreign residents coming from European countries, a number slightly higher than the Italians emigrating in a single year. Finally, this was not yet the new wave of immigration from the so-called Third World. But from that moment on, quickly, silently and initially unnoticed, the phenomenon was manifest. The fact that immigration in Italy is relatively recent can explain the weakness of politics and planning, and the initial lack of experience. But it is not enough to explain how even the legislative process concerning migration has been constructed without a reference model. It is a house designed without an architect, without a project and with little idea of the materials to use – with some good intentions, particularly in the beginning, and a lot of work done, but also with serious difficulties and obstacles. The Italian (missing) model of pluralism (Allievi 2010a) has been the result of changing majorities in government, that, as we will see, continually modified the principles underlying the different laws approved. But it was also the result of internal contradictions, of unclearness in purposes, of prevailing tactical positioning and – both on the left and on the right – rhetorical political arguments over the need to solve empirical problems, of missing field experience and references to real processes taking place, and of a total absence of pragmatism and experimentation. This is at least what has happened at the national level. By contrast, with less resources but with more interest to intervene in order to solve potential conflicts, much more has been done at the local, municipal level in terms of policies of integration (for the initial discrepancy between the national and the local level in the German case see also Loch in this issue), but sometimes, where xenophobic political actors were in power, also of ‘disintegration’ (see Guolo 2003). The number of immigrants, in the beginning, was modest. In 1970, permits of stay issued to foreigners, many of which Europeans, numbered 146,989, in 1975 they were 185,715, by 1980 it reached 298,749. It is only in more recent years that migration from developing countries has become more visible and appeared in statistics: 1,549,373 is the totality of immigrants on 31 December 2002; 2.402.157 in 2004; 2,938,922 in 2006; 3,891,295 in 2008; and 4,570,317 in 2010 (or probably more, including regular presences of immigrants not yet registered, because of bureaucratic delays; and, of course, an irregular presence, by definition difficult to estimate).4 The initially modest numbers led the Italian government to fail to consider the new migration as an irreversible fact for a long time. And when they did, they seemed not to accept it, and they have not been able to learn any lesson from a century of emigration, its costs and its consequences. The first immigration law approved in Italy, as a parliamentary initiative, and which ended an embarrassing legislative silence unparalleled in the receiving countries of Europe, was Law 943 (officially published on 30 December 1986), entitled ‘Legislation concerning the employment and treatment of extracommunitarian immigrants and against clandestine immigration’. This long title immediately reveals two things: (a) that immigrants from outside Europe form a specificity, called in the Italian bureaucratic jargon ‘extracommunitarian’; (b) that the law considers only the aspect of the presence in the labour market: the immigrant exists as a worker, and does not have any other specificity or need besides this role (Allievi 2010c). The main purpose of the law was to make the foreign presence in the labour force visible, transforming a de facto presence in a de jure integration, shifting it out of the informal economy and the absence of rights, opening for immigrants equal rights and social citizenship. But in the process of drafting it, only the part of the law concerning employment remained, and only for wage and salaried work, not self-employment; laws on residence permits, students, refugees, citizenship and more generally on rights in the society, were announced but did not arrive. The immigrants were considered only as labour force: with a significant Italian expression ‘mano d’opera’ (literally ‘working hand’). Thanks to Law 943, about 118,700 foreign workers regularised their position – far fewer than expected. The second law initiative on immigration has been the consequence of a quite different situation in the late 1980s. It was a period of mobilisation and activity by churches, trade unions and NGOs, and of relative sympathy towards migrants, also as a consequence of dramatic episodes of violence that victimised them – a sympathy that rapidly vanished in the following years. This led to the approval of the Decreto Legge 416, 30 December 1989, known as the ‘Martelli Decree’ (from the name of the vice-president of the Council that firmly wanted it), which became Law 39, on 28 February 1990, after Parliament approval with some modifications. The Martelli Decree reopened the debate about the presence of immigrants in Italy, and put it on different ground. Law 39/1990, with broader criteria for acceptance of regularisation applications (in Italian: sanatoria), led to 217,700 regularisations. Another sanatoria arrived 5 years later, with Decree 489 of 1995 (the so-called Dini Law, from the name of the minister who proposed it), that resulted in 246,000, and again 3 years later in 217,000 regularisations.5 As the numbers make it absolutely clear, the mass of these legislative initiatives were made under an emergency logic. There was no wider ambition to construct a full legislative system capable of governing immigration, prevent its negative consequences, predict its flows and help the integration of immigrants already present in the country. This logic characterised also the following years, with the sanatoria of 2002 which led to approximately 646,000 regularisations. Globally, Italy promoted regularisations, both with right-wing and left-wing governments, in 1977, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1998 and 2002, going from 5000 (1982) to 646,000 (2002) regularised foreigners (Einaudi 2007). A new sanatoria has been approved in 2009, limited to domestic workers, and a last one proposed in 2012 by the Government for economic reasons. From mid-1990s started the first serious attempt to build a non-emergency legislative framework concerning immigration in Italy. This framework law has been the Legislative Decree 286 of 25 July 1998, widely known as the ‘Turco-Napolitano Law’, from the names of the two ministers of the centre-left government – the first government of Prodi, in power after the elections of 1996 – that promoted it (Napolitano is currently the President of the Republic, re-elected in 2013). The framework law aimed to set a comprehensive and complete text. But the period was unfavourable to a law based on rights: wide sectors of public opinion were much more sensitive to the logic of refusal of immigrants, openly promoted with evident success by political parties like the Lega Nord of Umberto Bossi, but sustained also by the traditional right of Gianfranco Fini’s Alleanza Nazionale and the so-called new right represented by Forza Italia, the party created by Silvio Berlusconi (for the impact of the populist radical right on migration issues see also particularly the Dutch case presented by Entzinger in this issue).6 It is in this period that the Italian right, cited in the past by foreign observers as a positive example of openness and respect towards migrants, moved towards religious intolerance and xenophobic aggression, with an explicit anti-immigrant language (Bolaffi 2001). Much irony was addressed by the Northern League to the law, explaining its inefficiencies through the ministers’ last names, Livia Turco and Giorgio Napolitano (‘How could a good law on immigration come from a Turk and a Neapolitan?’7). Nevertheless, the law tried to reconcile the universalist (in terms of rights) and the solidarist approach (the law was sustained by the Catholic Church and the more active movements and organisations working on migrant issues) on the one hand, with the need for law, order and security, introducing centres for temporary detention (CPTs) and other measures, on the other. In the eyes of public opinion it was probably the failure of the repressive part – meant to include repatriation of irregulars but never effectively applied – that was the main target of critics, putting the more positive integrative aspects in the background. With the change in government and the triumph of the right-wing coalition at the following elections in April 2001 – heavily using the argument of immigration, and the need to regulate it or, better, to fight it, as an electoral tool – ideology triumphed completely. Law 189, of 30 July 2002, bears the names of the two right-wing leaders that in that period were the least tolerant on immigration, the leaders of the Lega Nord and of Alleanza Nazionale, and the Bossi-Fini law was presented as the tool to regulate immigration and eliminate irregularity. Ironically (and dramatically for the conditions and quality of life of migrants), because of its logic linking directly and exclusively the residence permit to a regular job, so that losing the latter was the condition for losing the former, the Bossi-Fini law increased the number of irregulars in the country, with the paradox of producing irregularity via the legislation. This has been defined as the Italian immigration schizophrenia (Pastore 2004a, 2004b), paired with an ‘invasion paranoia’ (Pastore 2009).8 It also produced a specific foreign presence in Italian prisons, with thousands of persons imprisoned because of crimes linked to clandestine immigration, that in itself became a crime with this law, due to non-compliance with expulsion orders, probably more than 10,000 people, according to widely published estimates. The Bossi-Fini law, widely considered inappropriate for the regulation of migration, has been from a certain point of view the perfect law to obtain the political support to implement so-called law and order policies, building social fears and exploiting them for political purposes (Bonini and D’Avanzo 2006). As we have already said, the purpose of the law was mainly ideological. There were no considerations of individual rights, pragmatism and realpolitik (attempts to regulate the phenomenon, at least at the economic level), emerging social problems and, obviously, least of all, cultural ones – not to mention multiculturalism. It has been in this period that the anti-Islamic discourses have emerged dramatically in the public space, particularly in the media and in politics, reinforcing each other, making Italy one of the countries in Europe where Islamophobic discourses have been more openly promoted by media and politicians, particularly because xenophobic parties and leading figures have been in power for long, until the fall of Berlusconi’s government in 2011. In 2006 elections, the centre-left majority came back to power with a tiny and very weak majority, for what turned out to be a short parenthesis. The Minister of Social Affairs, Paolo Ferrero, a leftist from the Rifondazione Comunista Party, wanted to introduce a significant change in immigration law, even though the Minister of the Interior, Giuliano Amato, intended to follow a more pragmatic approach, a sort of return to rationality. With work proceeding in parallel on draft laws on immigration, citizenship and religious rights, a more open debate also on cultures seemed to become possible. On 24 April 2007, a new set of draft laws came under discussion, presented by the two ministers of the centre-left coalition and bearing their names (Amato-Ferrero). The draft bill, meant to become a definitive law within 12 months, represented a spectacular 180 degrees reversal in respect to the previous philosophy, and was probably too much of a change for general public opinion. The starting point was the failure of the Bossi-Fini law, which favoured a disproportionate weight of the clandestine presence compared to legal immigration. The main objectives concerned common sense goals, such as the control of illegal immigration, its legalisation, repression of human trafficking and policies of integration. But it bore an accentuated progressive view, much in counter-tendency when compared to what was happening in most countries of Europe, and also among the Italian public opinion. One example of a turnaround was the draft law on citizenship, presented in August 2006, which promoted a passage from a particularly strict jus sanguinis policy to a more generous almost jus soli approach.9 Yet, with the internal crisis of the centre-left government headed by Romano Prodi and its resignation, that forced the President of the Republic to call new elections in April 2008, the centre-right coalition returned to power, with a larger majority than before, and turned the clock back to the Bossi-Fini law. After Silvio Berlusconi’s resignation in November 2011, due to a dramatic economic crisis and the complete international discredit of the coalition in power and its leader, the government led by Mario Monti10 stated the will to change the laws on immigration, granting more rights to immigrants and a larger access to Italian citizenship, particularly for the second generations. Only educative messages in this direction were addressed to the Italian public opinion from different institutional authorities – insistently by President Napolitano, who in various occasions pleaded for the quick approval of a jus soli law for second generations – but no concrete projects of law were presented. Finally, the coalition government of Enrico Letta (April 2013), that includes both centre-right (Popolo della Libertà, Berlusconi’s party) and the Democratic Party as well as Scelta Civica, the former prime minister Monti’s new party, has not yet assumed any initiative, even though it took the strongly symbolic decision – not without opposition – to appoint Cécile Kyenge as the Minister for Integration, a doctor born in Congo, who succeeded in this office to Andrea Riccardi. Both these personalities represent a symbolic will to change integration policies compared to the previous governments of Berlusconi, in which a Minister for Integration simply did not exist. So many different laws have dealt with immigration, but practically none with the cultural and religious impact of the presence of immigrant populations. There is not even a serious understanding of their cultural origins. The main countries of immigration to Italy at the end of 2010, that count for two-thirds of the total immigrant population, are Romania (968,576 residents), followed by Albania (482,627), Morocco (452,424), China (209,934), Ukraine (200,730), the Philippines (134,154), Moldova (130,948), India (121,036), Poland (109,018) and Tunisia (106,291). As both the figures and the percentages show, the more recent flows are mainly from Eastern Europe and other non-Muslim countries, and are much more intense than the flows from Northern Africa and the Middle East, with a constant increase that has also changed the cultural and religious landscape of migration. Immigrants from Muslim countries have never represented more than one-third of the total number of immigrants. Nevertheless, even though local protests and xenophobic attitudes have been occasionally manifested also towards other targeted groups (such as, in different periods, Albanians, Romanians, Black Africans, Chinese and notably the Roma populations), Muslim populations, and Arab Muslims in particular, remain at the centre of the cultural debates over immigration (Allievi 2005a, 2005b). The legislative process concerning migration has not really raised – much less solved – the problem of the ongoing process of cultural pluralisation of Italy, usually interpreted in the media arena with the slightly negative connotation of the term multiculturalism diffused in the political language in recent years. The laws on migration simply did not contain any reference to cultural integration, and the European and Western debate on multiculturalism (see Meer and Modood and also Wieviorka in this issue) has not been seriously taken into account. This is even more surprising since the debate on cultures, and on Islam particularly, has been violently raised, overtly exploited politically and widely covered, if not fuelled, by the media (Allievi 2009, 2010b; on its consequences also Marranci 2004 and Frisina 2010). The (anti-)Muslim debate started in fact from what we can call the Black September of Islam in Italy. It was not September 11, 2001, but 1 year before, September 2000, when three important events occurred at three different levels and demonstrated that Islamophobia is not only an effect of Islamic terrorism. At the political level, the Northern League started, from a mosque project in the city of Lodi in Lombardy, an aggressive anti-Muslim campaign, that still continues with local closures of mosques and national law projects against Islam. On the religious plan, Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, Archbishop of Bologna and linked to the powerful movement of Comunione e Liberazione, gave voice to Catholic anti-Muslim opinion with a letter addressed to his parishioners but intended for national readership, that has achieved significant popularity. At the cultural level, a popular academic expert in politics, Giovanni Sartori, with no specific expertise on the subject, published a very successful pamphlet against multiculturalism (Sartori 2000); and even if it was a superficial, polemic and poorly informed text, it was treated as if it were scientific by the media, for whom the author was already a well-known figure.11 Obviously this debate, once started, was fuelled by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which in Italy led, on the cultural level, as the most noteworthy example, to the extraordinary and unprecedented success of Oriana Fallaci’s books against Islam. Fallaci’s famous ‘trilogy’ became a popular and durable bestseller, with over one million copies of each sold (see Fallaci 2001, 2004a, 2004b; see also my comments in Bosetti 2005, Allievi 2006b). Since its publication, it has set the agenda of the debate on Islam in Italy, with surprisingly little criticism, both in the media and in politics: and still are successful longsellers. However, it is possible to note here a slight change in very recent times, following a more general and surprisingly quick change in the political and cultural climate of the country, after government Berlusconi’s resignation and the passage of the Lega Nord to the opposition: even in cultural terms, we might say. But, this change is too recent, even if spectacular, to allow us to examine its effects. Politico-institutional initiatives on religion have been the only attempt to include immigrant cultures as an issue in the legislative framework of the country, leading to a peculiar way of addressing cultural integration. In other crucial fields like school, health, bioethics, etc., the legislative production to integrate immigrants has been very poor: nothing more than an encouragement, for instance in the school system, to deal with cultural and religious pluralism. In October 2005, the Minister of Interior of the right wing coalition then in power, Giuseppe Pisanu, set-up a consultative body for Muslims in Italy, the ‘Consulta per l’islam italiano’ composed of members nominated by the minister, with strong oppositions from other members of the coalition, the Lega Nord in particular. The Consulta has been confirmed by Minister Giuliano Amato, of the following left-wing coalition. When the right wing went back to power, Minister Roberto Maroni, representative of the Lega Nord, suspended the ‘Consulta’ and changed it in a ‘Comitato per l’islam italiano’, again nominated by the minister, including not only Muslim representatives but also non-Muslim academic experts on Islam and even anti-Muslim prominent figures in journalism, with no particular expertise on Islam. This choice was clearly intended to soften the vague attempt of representativeness of the previous Consulta; the aim was also to balance it with an ideological ‘fallacian’ approach, driving it to a substantially useless role. The ‘Comitato’ has in its turn unofficially suspended its activities with the following governments Monti and Letta. For them, given the dramatic priorities imposed by the economic crisis, Islam was not clearly a priority; but also Islamophobia has become a less useful tool. On the legislative level things have been more problematic. The Italian legal system concerning religions is based on a privileged status offered, in the Constitution, to the Catholic church with the Concordato, and in a system of Intese (agreements) with religious minorities who apply for it. Some Muslim associations already started to lobby for an Intesa in the early 1990s, even if in recent times they have been much less enthusiastic and active in this field (Ferrari 2005, 2008). But, the political and cultural climate has been far from receptive to this solution. In fact, besides the first Protestant minority recognised in 1985, the Waldensians, and the later Intese with the Jewish community and with other Protestant reformed churches, the system in itself has been stopped by political will. Only in April 2007, six new Intese were signed, including with religious communities that represent important parts of the immigrant population, the Orthodox Church and Hindus. Parliament was expected to debate the new and old Intese, signed but awaiting ratification from the Parliament itself to become effective. But this has not yet occurred. A law on religious freedom of minorities has also been proposed, granting most important significant rights to religious communities in general, with or without an Intesa. But after more than a decade it is still a project. It is patently clear that the hidden agenda of the law is to solve most of the practical problems that Muslim communities might have while avoiding any direct and specific recognition of Islam, particularly the symbolic recognition of an Intesa, possibly for a long time. This could be a way to escape, in practice, the ‘clash of civilizations syndrome’ – the trivialisation of the Huntingtonian approach that has been the mainstream cultural and journalistic approach to Islam for a decade in the Italian debate – without openly criticising it – and on the contrary continuously using it as an interpretative tool on which it is always possible to rely on whenever politically useful and exploitable. But even this path has not been seriously taken into consideration, up to now, and discussions have not led to any result. As in other European countries, political decisions concerning Islam have tended to ‘exceptionalise’ Islam, not treating this religion on the same grounds, including legal grounds, as other religious minorities. A significant example of exceptionalisation concerns mosques, particularly in the Northern area of the country, where the Lega Nord is more often in power, locally (see the comparative researches in Allievi 2009, 2010b). But this has not been the only example. Many debates on immigration, particularly the cultural ones and particularly those concerning Islam, have been imported even before the Islamic presence was visible and organised: the debate on the veil before veils appeared in Italian cities; that on mosques and minarets before visible mosques and minarets were built; that on genital mutilations before concrete significant cases have been discussed; that on freedom of expression through foreign cases (like the Theo Van Gogh killing or the Danish cartoons affairs, and, before, the Rushdie affair); that on internal terrorism through 9/11 or Madrid and London bombings (even if, differently from other countries, internal significant terrorist acts never occurred); and, finally, that on the burqa with the proposition of a law banning it from schools, even before it had appeared in any school of the country. All these debates have been imported from the countries in which they became hot political issues, and where the presence of Islam was more mature and visible. Even the debate on – or against – multiculturalism has been imported, and locally reproduced, before multiculturalist politics and policies were really implemented. But there are also the cultural specificities of Italy which need to be taken into account. The fact that Italy does not have a colonial memory of racism and cultural plurality management included in legislative terms, is part of the problem (Andall and Duncan 2005). This leads to underestimate the racist attitudes manifested in that period, i.e. the popular myth of ‘Italiani brava gente’, which is still the mainstream idea of the colonial role of Italy (Del Boca 2005, see also Duncan and Andall 2010). This has also prevented reading immigration in post-colonial terms (Grillo 2002) like in France and Britain or The Netherlands, where it is so important in debates on immigration and in those concerning the relations with Muslims and Islam (see Barou, Meer and Modood and Entzinger in this issue). In these relations, Italy has had some difficulties in acknowledging its internal religious plurality, even before international migration brought important religious differences, including Islam. These difficulties derive from its history and its substantial monopolistic self-perception in religious terms, due to its Catholic tradition and to the presence of the Vatican in its borders and its influence in the cultural and the political landscape of the country. To put it simplistically but significantly, Italy is a country where journalists who specialise in religious issues are still called ‘Vaticanists’. This perspective is shared by foreign observers, who too quickly identify Italy as a Catholic and only Catholic country. This happens regularly at different levels: in popular knowledge diffused even through tourist guides, in the media, but also among scholars and serious researchers in sociology of religion, who often forget to take into account the increasing pluralistic religious dimension of the country (Naso and Salvarani 2012). Nevertheless, it is also true that the social and religious role played by the Catholic Church has had important positive effects on the integration of immigrants, exactly as it has had during the period of internal migrations, and in general concerning the traditional North–South cleavage: often the same Catholic organisations have been activated in both periods and situations. And faced with the religious sensibility of immigrant communities, it is as if a common religious grammar has been discovered in people practising different faiths. Given the key role played by Catholic organisations such as Caritas, Comunità di Sant’Egidio and ACLI (Associazioni Cristiane Lavoratori Italiani), by several missionary orders, and by local parishes in the institutions helping migrants at all levels, and given the importance of the Catholic vote for both the centre-left and the centre-right coalitions, Catholic positions have in part mitigated the effects of the differences in the legislative frames we have described in the previous paragraphs. The fact that some high media-visibility figures in the Catholic hierarchy are more openly expressing critical opinions about immigrants in general and Muslims specifically – as it has happened in the Regensburg lecture of Pope Benedict XVI in September 2006, but not in his following positions on Islam – does not contradict this historic role. It only shows that the Catholic Church, just like secular opinion, is deeply divided over cultural and religious diversity, particularly when discussing Islam, even though, with present Pope Franciscus I, the Catholic church seems more prone to dialogue with other religions. The traditional left-wing culture of solidarity has also played, at least for a long initial period, an important role in helping foreign workers integrate. This is particularly true for trade unions which, in contrast to other countries in Europe, have always approved an interpretative frame based on migrant rights and policies of integration, even though not necessarily when Muslims are concerned. The traditional mistrust of the secular opinion – and left-wing organisations are traditionally more secular – towards religious issues is frequently aggravated when Muslims are concerned. Finally, the school system has played a key role in the making of the potential Italian multicultural citizen, devoting attention to cultural and religious diversity, promoting self-reflection among teachers, specific training and local initiatives. The school system and politics of massive literacy played a similar role for the making of the Italian citizen, when Italy, in the century following the unification of the country, became with its plurality of divided populations and regions, different cultures and even languages a unified and united nation. Thus, as an unforeseen and unexpected effect, the emerging discussions on Islam – even when going through phases of reactive identities and cultural conflicts (Allievi 2006a) – have helped Italians acknowledge that they were becoming, from the cultural and religious point of view, a plural country. All the issues and debates on Islam we have mentioned (veils, terrorism, mosques, etc.) seem to be the symptom; the illness is the European imaginary of Islam, and in parallel the Islamic imaginary of the West, and the relations between one and the other. But this is only the first half of the argument, the most immediate. The second is that Islam is in its turn a discursive substitute and a transitional object, which represents, indicates and signifies the pluralisation of society, and in particular, religious pluralism. In this sense, Islam has become the discursive substitute for religious and cultural pluralism, that implies other issues often discussed as correlated to Islam only: gender roles, clothing codes, family models, parental authority, ideas of modesty, purity and sacredness, the relationship between religion and politics, religion and democracy, religion and state and other debated issues. Islam – rightly or wrongly – has become the most extreme example of otherness and the changes that otherness brings to European societies. Just that the problem is much more profound, the change even more traumatic and the issues to face even more decisive, because they do not involve only Islam and Muslims, but European societies themselves. However Islam, given its symbolic overload and the problematic history that joins it to Europe, its striking aspect of some of its contemporary manifestations among which obviously the emergence of transnational Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism, but also its significant statistical presence, is inevitably at the centre of political and social debate in Italy, as across Europe. And it will be for a long time. 1. A process that is due, on one side, to the discovery of its own internal religious pluralism, rarely acknowledged in a country still considered, originally, as ‘Catholic’ (Garelli et al. 2003, Allievi and Diotallevi 2004), and on the other, to the presence of new immigrant populations; on both aspects see Introvigne and Zoccatelli (2006) and Naso and Salvarani (2012). 2. For an extraordinary collection of information and data, see the two very complete collections of essays dedicated to the history of Italian migration by Bevilacqua et al. (2001, 2002). See also Gabaccia (2000). 3. All the data in www.istat.it. 4. For all these data, see Caritas 2011, and the previous editions of the Caritas annual report. For an analysis of past trends and data see Colombo and Sciortino 2004. 5. These numbers cannot be summed, because many beneficiaries have used more than one regularisation, losing their residence permit, becoming irregular – often due to bureaucratic problems connected to the issuance of the permits – and re-regularising. 6. Alleanza Nazionale (AN) has more recently tried to take, particularly in personal initiatives of its leader Fini, a more nuanced position, with declarations in favour of the right of vote for immigrants, campaigning for a less strict law on citizenship, or against the mainstream Islamophobia of the right-wing coalition. These declarations, important as principle stances, have never led to political initiatives. 7. In the Northern League’s logic, the two worst features are ‘coming from abroad’ and ‘being from the South of Italy’. 8. Part of this schizophrenia is that in the same period particularly the North of Italy (voting massively for the right-wing coalition) and the entrepreneurs’ organisations of the Northern regions were asking for a larger contingent of immigrants in the labour market of their regions. Yet, this met with the contradictions of particularly the North-eastern regions of Italy, where immigration is highest and integration most successful, but where xenophobic reactions and Northern League votes are strongest, see Diamanti and Porcellato (2007). 9. On citizenship issues in Italy see Zincone (2010). 10. This government had as Minister for International Cooperation and Integration Andrea Riccardi, leader of the Comunità di Sant’Egidio, which is traditionally sympathetic to immigrants. This example stands for a spectacular change of persons and intentions, starting from the name of the Ministry, previously inexistent as such. 11. On the three cases, see Allievi (2003); on Sartori specifically Allievi (2001), whose arguments are echoed in Sciortino (2002). 12. See among others Geisser (2003) and Allen (2010). 1. Allen, C., 2010. Islamophobia. Aldershot: Ashgate. 2. Allievi, S., 2001. La tentazione della guerra. Milano: Zelig. 3. Allievi, S., 2003. Islam italiano. Viaggio nella seconda religione del paese. Torino: Einaudi. 4. Allievi, S., 2005a. Sociology of a newcomer: Muslim migration to Italy – religious visibility, cultural and political reactions. In: A. Al-Shahi and R. Lawless, eds. Middle East and North African immigrants in Europe. London: Routledge, 43–56. 6. Allievi, S., 2006a. Conflicts, cultures and religions: Islam in Europe as a sign and symbol of change in European societies. Yearbook on Sociology of Islam, 3, 18–27. 7. Allievi, S., 2006b. Niente di personale, signora Fallaci. Una trilogia alternativa. Reggio Emilia: Aliberti. 8. Allievi, S., 2009. Conflicts over Mosques in Europe. Policy issues and trends. London: Network of European Foundations/Alliance Publishing Trust. 9. Allievi, S., 2010a. Multiculturalism in Italy: the missing model. In: A. Silj, ed. European multiculturalism revisited. London: Zed Books, 147–180. 10. Allievi, S., ed., 2010b. Mosques of Europe. Why a solution has become a problem. London: Alliance Publishing Trust/Network of European foundations. 11. Allievi, S., 2010c. Immigration and cultural pluralism in Italy: multiculturalism as a missing model. Italian Culture, 2, 85–103. 12. Allievi, S. and Diotallevi, L., 2004. Le religioni degli italiani. Da un monopolio (più che altro) cattolico ad una pluralità religiosa (maggiore di quella visibile). In: G. Amendola, ed. Anni in Salita. Speranze e paure degli italiani. Milano: Franco Angeli, 202–226. 13. Andall, J. and Duncan, D., 2005. Memories and legacies of Italian colonialism. In: J. Andall and D. Duncan, eds. Italian colonialism. Legacy and memories. Oxford: Peter Lang, 9–28. 14. Ascoli, U., 1979. Movimenti migratori in Italia. Bologna: Il Mulino. 15. Bevilacqua, P., De Clementi, A., and Franzina, E., eds., 2001. Storia dell’emigrazione italiana. Vol. I. Partenze. Roma: Donzelli. 16. Bevilacqua, P., De Clementi, A., and Franzina, E., eds., 2002. Storia dell’emigrazione italiana. Vol. II. Arrivi. Roma: Donzelli. 17. Birindelli, A., 1989. Le migrazioni con l’estero. Chiusura di un ciclo e avvio di una nuova fase. In: E. Sonnino, Demografia e società in Italia. Roma: Editori Riuniti, 189–225. 18. Bolaffi, G., 2001. I confini del patto. Il governo dell’amministrazione in Italia. Torino: Einaudi. 19. Bonini, C. and D’Avanzo, G., 2006. Il mercato della paura. La guerra al terrorismo islamico: Inchiesta sull’inganno italiano. Torino: Einaudi. 20. Bosetti, G., 2005. Cattiva maestra. La rabbia di Oriana Fallaci e il suo contagio. Venezia: Marsilio. 21. Del Boca, A., 2005. Italiani brava gente? Vicenza: Neri Pozza. 22. Diamanti, L. and Porcellato, N., 2007. Sorpresa: Nel Nordest l’integrazione funziona. Limes, 4, 47–62. 23. Duncan, D. and Andall, J., 2010. Hybridity in Italian colonial and postcolonial cultures. In: J. Andall and D. Duncan, eds. National belongings: hybridity in Italian colonial and postcolonial cultures. Oxford: Peter Lang, 1–20. 24. Einaudi, L., 2007. La porta stretta: Le politiche migratorie dal 1861 a oggi. Limes, 4, 87–94. 25. Fallaci, O., 2001. La rabbia e l’orgoglio. Milano: Rizzoli. 26. Fallaci, O., 2004a. La forza della ragione. Milano: Rizzoli. 27. Fallaci, O., 2004b. Oriana Fallaci intervista se stessa – L’Apocalisse. Milano: Rizzoli. 28. Ferrari, A. ed., 2008. Islam in Europa/Islam in Italia. Tra diritto e società. Bologna: Il Mulino. 29. Ferrari, S. ed., 2005. L’islam in Italia. Bologna: Il Mulino. 31. Gabaccia, D., 2000. Italy’s many diasporas. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 32. Garelli F., Guizzardi G., and Pace E., eds., 2003. Un singolare pluralismo. Il pluralismo morale e religioso degli italiani. Bologna: Il Mulino. 33. Geisser, V., 2003. La nouvelle islamophobie. Paris: La Découverte. 34. Grillo, R., 2002. Immigration and the politics of recognizing difference in Italy. In: R. Grillo and J. Pratt, eds. The politics of recognizing difference. Multiculturalism Italian-style. Aldershot: Ashgate, 1–24. 35. Guolo, R., 2003. Xenofobi e xenofili. Gli italiani e l’islam. Roma-Bari: Laterza. 36. Introvigne, M. and Zoccatelli, P., 2006. Le religioni in Italia. Leumann, TO: Elledici. 38. Naso, P. and Salvarani B., eds., 2012. Un cantiere senza progetto. L’Italia delle religioni. Rapporto 2012. Bologna: EMI. 40. Pastore, F. 2004b. Italy’s migration contradiction [online]. Available from: http://www.opendemocracy.net/people-migrationeurope/article_1744.jsp [Accessed 14 August 2012]. 41. Pastore, F. 2009. So strict, so open: a long-term perspective on Italian immigration policies [online]. Available from: http://fieri.it/2009/07/14/la-politica-migratoria-italiana-in-una-prospettiva-di-lungo-periodo/ [Accessed 14 August 2012]. 42. Sartori, G., 2000. Pluralismo, multiculturalismo e estranei. Saggi sulla società multietnica. Milano: Rizzoli. 43. Sciortino, G., 2002. Islamofobia all’italiana. Polis, 1, 103–126. 44. Volpi, R., 1989. Storia della popolazione italiana dall’Unità ad oggi. Firenze: La Nuova Italia. 45. Zincone, G. 2010. Citizenship Policy Making in EU Mediterranean States: Italy [online]. EUDO Citizenship Observatory, RSCAS. Available from: http://eudo-citizenship.eu/docs/EUDOcom-Italy.pdf [Accessed 14 August 2012].
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Broad-based collaborations are becoming increasingly common among disease researchers. For example, the Global HIV Enterprise has united cross-disciplinary consortia to speed progress towards HIV vaccines through coordinated research across the boundaries of institutions, continents and specialties. New, end-to-end software tools for data and specimen management are necessary to achieve the ambitious goals of such alliances. These tools must enable researchers to organize and integrate heterogeneous data early in the discovery process, standardize processes, gain new insights into pooled data and collaborate securely. To meet these needs, we enhanced the LabKey Server platform, formerly known as CPAS. This freely available, open source software is maintained by professional engineers who use commercially proven practices for software development and maintenance. Recent enhancements support: (i) Submitting specimens requests across collaborating organizations (ii) Graphically defining new experimental data types, metadata and wizards for data collection (iii) Transitioning experimental results from a multiplicity of spreadsheets to custom tables in a shared database (iv) Securely organizing, integrating, analyzing, visualizing and sharing diverse data types, from clinical records to specimens to complex assays (v) Interacting dynamically with external data sources (vi) Tracking study participants and cohorts over time (vii) Developing custom interfaces using client libraries (viii) Authoring custom visualizations in a built-in R scripting environment. Diverse research organizations have adopted and adapted LabKey Server, including consortia within the Global HIV Enterprise. Atlas is an installation of LabKey Server that has been tailored to serve these consortia. It is in production use and demonstrates the core capabilities of LabKey Server. Atlas now has over 2,800 active user accounts originating from approximately 36 countries and 350 organizations. It tracks roughly 27,000 assay runs, 860,000 specimen vials and 1,300,000 vial transfers. Sharing data, analysis tools and infrastructure can speed the efforts of large research consortia by enhancing efficiency and enabling new insights. The Atlas installation of LabKey Server demonstrates the utility of the LabKey platform for collaborative research. Stable, supported builds of LabKey Server are freely available for download at http://www.labkey.org. Documentation and source code are available under the Apache License 2.0. To gain insight into complex, variable diseases like HIV, researchers need to bring together many different types of information from varied sources at early stages of research. Software systems that provide secure data integration, analysis and sharing can facilitate collaborative efforts against such diseases; however, existing software has significant limitations. Existing software systems typically do not span the full flow of data through an organization, require commercial licenses, focus on limited data types, provide limited extensibility, or cannot easily be used beyond the organizations that designed them. We developed LabKey Server as an end-to-end, "biology-aware" data integration platform that can be customized to meet the needs of diverse research organizations. The source code is freely available under the non-restrictive Apache License 2.0. The system has been proven in heavy production use and is maintained by a professional development team. One of the largest installations of LabKey Server is called Atlas. It is managed by the Statistical Center for HIV/AIDS Research and Prevention (SCHARP) at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. This installation illustrates the core capabilities of LabKey Server and demonstrates how these capabilities have helped a large organization accelerate and enhance research efforts. The vast majority of LabKey Server features developed for Atlas are built into the LabKey Server platform and available as part of the open source project. Certain customizations of the Atlas installation are closely tailored to particular projects or studies, so they are not part of the open source project. They are only mentioned here as illustrations of extensibility, and they are noted as such. Atlas has grown out of SCHARP's efforts to meet the needs of several consortia within the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise (the Enterprise) . The Enterprise is a virtual coalition of researchers that aims to accelerate progress towards one of the most challenging problems in medicine, the development of HIV vaccines[2–6]. Following the example of the Human Genome Project, the Enterprise aims to set common goals, standardize processes and share data and techniques as soon as they are developed. Just like the Human Genome Project, this endeavour requires a massive data integration effort. Unlike the Human Genome Project, but like other large-scale, collaborative efforts against intractable diseases, the Enterprise must integrate a large number of data types. These include results from diverse assays, clinical records and sample information. Though Atlas is not a formal project of the Enterprise itself and has no official endorsement, it is used by a variety of consortia within the Enterprise to accelerate scientific discovery. Uniting distributed efforts to investigate the biology and the treatment of an evolving disease poses challenges for data management tools. To gain insight into viral/host dynamics, researchers need to bring together diverse types of data (e.g., viral loads, specimen records and clinical notes) at all stages of research, even when the data originate from multiple labs and clinics across the globe. Researchers need to be able to see many different data types simultaneously to investigate study participants who have exceptional immune responses, such as elite controllers or rapid progressors. They require the agility to extract lessons from failed trials and move investigations quickly in new directions, or to swiftly scale up their successes. Researchers require tools to support the development, standardization and dissemination of new, improved assay protocols and workflows across organizations. Furthermore, they need to be able to quickly apply new analysis techniques to existing datasets without the assistance of computer programmers. Tools must be capable of handling the quantity and complexity of data generated by high-throughput technologies. As a team, they need to improve the quality, reproducibility and comparability of data through standardization of lab measurements and procedures. Globally distributed teams need to rapidly, securely exchange information and specimens, ideally through a single, unified interface. Although existing software tools[8–28] could meet some of the requirements of the Atlas project, none meet all of them in the form of a comprehensive, end-to-end platform available as open source. Some tools have experienced only limited use. A few broad, commercial systems have recently been introduced (e.g., Microsoft Amalga Life Sciences, Genologics, Genedata and Axiope eCAT[32, 33]); however, they lack the transparency of open source solutions, so they are not reviewed here. Existing open source tools typically lack key features, such as role-based permissions, document sharing, easy extensibility, specimen requests, observational study management, full-text search, dynamic interaction with external data sources, integration with analysis tools like R, and support for describing arbitrary, complex experimental data types. Table 1 provides an overview of the feature tradeoffs between representative platforms. This table compares LabKey Server with a representative sample of open source platforms for data integration. The focus of these platforms ranges from clinical research to high-throughput experiments. Documentation for many platforms is incomplete, so we can provide only a reasonable inference of feature availability. To our knowledge, no other open source tool provides support for both web-based specimen requisitions and integration of specimen data with complex experimental results. For example, PASSIM (and derivatives SLIMS and SIMBioMS), caTissue, ePIMS and BASE) all provide sample provenance tracking, but none of these allow for web-based sample requests. eOncoLIMS supports equipment requests and GNomEx supports experimental work requests, but neither one supports specimen transfers. i2b2 has some form of a sample request module (i2b2 - Crimson) under construction, but it has not yet been released. BSI provides sample requisition support but does not provide for integration of sample and experimental data. CAISIS[12, 13] is exceptional in providing both specimen requests and deep support for data integration; however, it only supports simple test results entered through online forms, not complex experimental data types. Many tools allow users to describe and collect custom metadata for experiments (e.g., Addama, BASE, iLAP, SIMBioMS, ISA). Several tools (e.g., iLAP, ISA and SIMBioMS) also provide customizable or domain-standardized wizards for collecting metadata for experiments during data import. Unfortunately, all of these tools store only metadata in their databases, not results. Keeping results out of a database makes perfect sense for exceptionally large result sets (e.g., microarray results); however, database import is often desirable for smaller datasets because it allows SQL-based querying. Open source software does not typically provide graphical, run-time tools for describing schemas for arbitrary, complex assay results and then performing advanced queries over both data and metadata. Furthermore, no other open source platform known to us provides graphical facilities for defining a broad range of customizable, scientifically-relevant properties for any column of data (such as missing value indicators, regular expression validators, default values and lookup relationships). CAISIS allows the definition of a few of these properties (default values, defined vocabularies and collection requirements) for simple lab and clinical results; however, it provides no support for complex experimental data. Many of the widely known frameworks for data integration (e.g., BioMart) are tailored primarily towards working with published data, after results have reached "finished" form, not for integrating evolving data types during the research process. Even among tools targeted towards research data, such as electronic lab notebooks, alteration or addition of data types typically requires database alterations. Tools designed for integrating raw research data often work only with specific data formats (e.g., SBEAMS, caIntegrator and GenePattern) or support the introduction or extension of data types only when the system is not running (e.g., Intermine). Even when tools provide flexibility in defining relationships between tables (e.g., Intermine), they typically lack graphical tools for doing so. Such approaches are practical when data types are reasonably static and standard, but not when these types need to evolve quickly, without developer support, as research advances. Many data integration tools (e.g., Intermine, BioMart and Atlas (unrelated to SCHARP's Atlas)) lack dynamic access to external data sources and require aggregation of all data into a central warehouse. Updates can be challenging when external data sources change[43, 44]. Fully decentralized approaches (such as those used by BioMOBY) are not easily amendable to consistent quality control. Open source clinical data management software tools (e.g., CAISIS[12, 13], OpenClinica and openCDMS) typically lack features necessary for managing both study data and highly dimensional experimental data. For example, they typically lack the ability to collect complex assay data in batches of runs. When open source systems do facilitate integration of both study and experimental data types, they typically support only limited data types or allow only narrow queries. For example, SIMBioMS understands relationships between participants, specimens and experimental results; however, it lacks extensible types, recognizes only particular data file formats, and allows users to filter only on metadata, not to fully query experimental results. i2b2 provides more of the querying capabilities desired by SCHARP. However, it requires that all imported data map to a set of fixed schemas, lacks data type extensibility and does not support experimental data management. A growing number of tools (e.g., Atlas (unrelated)) furnish client libraries, but few (e.g., GMOD-DBSF and Intermine) provide APIs both for customizing interfaces and for querying data. Many tools that focus primarily on biological data integration (e.g., BioMart, GMOD-DBSF, Intermine, iLAP and Addama) supply some form of integration with open source analysis tools; however, none known to us provides a built-in, graphical R interface. The SCHARP team found existing software alternatives to be insufficient, so team members collaborated with the LabKey Software team to enhance the LabKey Server platform and to establish Atlas. Atlas is an installation of LabKey Server customized with interfaces specific to Enterprise studies. Atlas does not aim to meet all needs of all researchers within the Enterprise; instead, its core mission is to tie together many different lab systems and data sources, as shown in Figure 1. The Atlas data repository. Atlas facilitates collaboration among scientists, clinics and labs distributed across the globe by acting as a centralized, integrated, secure data repository. It currently serves the following members of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise: the Center for HIV Vaccine Immunology (CHAVI), the Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery (CAVD), the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), the Vaccine Immunology Statistical Center (VISC) and the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN). Specimen requests and tracking. Users can track specimen records, execute web-based requests for specimens and integrate specimen information with clinical data and complex experimental results. No other platform known to us supports all of these scenarios. Management of experimental data types that are invented or modified as projects evolve. LabKey Server's graphical assay design tools are novel in the way they allow scientists to quickly describe and manage arbitrary assay data types, plus extend built-in assay types. Users can graphically associate a broad range of scientifically-relevant properties (e.g., regular expression validators and standardized out-of-range markers) with each column of assay data and metadata. These properties can facilitate quality control, visualization and analysis. Integration, analysis and visualization of diverse data sources. The platform's tools for creating custom, integrated views of data are exceptional in spanning not just built-in data types and sources, but also user-extended data types. Furthermore, LabKey Server is the only open source system known to us that allows users to integrate clinical data, specimen records and complex experimental results by leveraging: (i) basic relationships between study entities (e.g., participants, cohorts, visits and specimens) (ii) SQL-based queries and (iii) graphical view-building tools. The system is also noteworthy for providing dynamic access to external data sources. Extensibility. It is unusual for a scientific data management system to provide backwards-compatible, well-documented client libraries that enable developers to both interact with stored data and to construct custom interfaces. It is also unusual for a system to provide such rich client libraries that developers do not need to become well-versed in the system's object model to quickly develop rich content. Lastly, LabKey Server's built-in, web-based interface for writing and deploying custom R scripts is also exceptional among data integration platforms. LabKey Server is a web application implemented in Java that runs on the Apache Tomcat web server and stores its data in a relational database engine, either PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL Server. An earlier version of the platform was called CPAS (Computational Proteomics Analysis System) ; the current version includes all of the features of CPAS. LabKey Server is supported on computers running Microsoft Windows and most Unix variants, including Linux, Macintosh OSX and Solaris. Production installations can be upgraded in place with minimal down time. Some installations are run as software-as-a-service (SaaS), which moves server management out of the lab. Figure 2 shows that the system consists of core services, including data storage, file management and security, together with specialized modules. LabKey Server modules support specific scientific scenarios by encapsulating application logic, user interfaces and data. Data can be shared and integrated across modules. Modules can be added, upgraded, distributed or removed independently, allowing the addition of new analytic capabilities, support for new types of data or other features. On an individual basis, they can be kept private within an institution or contributed to the LabKey Server open source project. LabKey Server's modular architecture. LabKey Server consists of core services and specialized modules. Modules are autonomous, so they can be added or upgraded independently to add new functionality. Datasets that reside in external repositories can be made directly accessible through a LabKey Server. Access to such datasets is dynamic, meaning that any modifications to such datasets within an external repository are immediately viewable on the associated LabKey Server. Dynamic access can be configured for PostgreSQL, MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server databases, or for other data sources such as SAS. In general, users can work with data from external sources just like any other type of data on a LabKey Server. Authorized users can view shared datasets using LabKey Server's familiar, accessible grid user interface. Users can customize their views with filters, sorts and column lists. They can use the datasets in custom queries and reports, or export the data to Excel, web query, or simple text formats. For data sources other than SAS, changes can be made to datasets in the external repository using the LabKey interface. While datasets from any one data source can be joined to each other, datasets from different data sources cannot yet be joined directly. LabKey Server's role-based security model allows tight control of access to sensitive data while permitting broad sharing of content when this information is ready for wider release. Users can be assigned specific permissions outside of their groups and roles, allowing fine-grained control of access. Workspaces on a LabKey Server are arranged hierarchically and permissions can be inherited by children. Permissions are enforced no matter how information is accessed, including full-text search, data export and the LabKey API (Application Programming Interface). Updates to administrative settings and scientific data on a LabKey Server are logged, enhancing security and enabling auditing. Authentication of users occurs either through LabKey Server's core authentication system or through external authentication systems. A LabKey Server installation may optionally connect to an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server to automatically authenticate users within an organization. LabKey Server also supports Single Sign-On (SSO) through OpenSSO, allowing authentication of users from a partner web site. The system provides full-text search for most types of data and documents, plus "science-aware" search for relevant concepts, particularly participant identifiers and study properties. A server can also be configured to display search results from external web sites. LabKey Server also provides a variety of web-based collaboration tools, including file management, wikis, message boards and issue trackers. Automated exception reports are generated by LabKey Server installations and reported back to LabKey Software. By monitoring exception reports, the LabKey team can quickly fix issues and publish patches without the need for users to report these problems. A key challenge of scientific data integration is the diversity and the rapidly changing nature of the data types that must be integrated. LabKey Server meets this challenge by combining the flexibility and rich metadata capabilities of RDF (the semantic web's Resource Description Framework) with the regular structure and familiar query mechanisms of a SQL (Structured Query Language) database. The semantic web defines a network of interconnected resources, each of which can be uniquely identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). These resources are described by a set of properties and property values. Because the properties and property values are themselves resources, rich data and metadata can be assigned to every resource. Following the semantic web model, data items stored in a LabKey Server can be addressed with a URI in the form of a Life Sciences Identifier (LSID). Furthermore, they can be associated with an extensible set of properties known within a LabKey Server as fields. LabKey Server provides a set of basic, predefined data types that can be extended with custom, administrator-defined fields. These data types include lists, assays, study datasets, and specimens. Fields may include standard SQL data types, such as string and numeric types, but may also use semantically richer property types designed for scientific research, such as participant identifiers. Fields can be associated with other scientifically interesting properties, such as out-of-range values, custom indicators for missing values, regular expression validators and custom URL templates for generating hyperlinks to external or internal resources. Fields can also be annotated to indicate that they represent concepts described in curated ontologies, such as those provided in UMLS (Unified Medical Language System). LabKey Server also allows administrators to define lookup properties that behave as foreign keys and allow automatic joining of related data. All LabKey Server data types benefit from a core query service that allows users to browse, sort and filter tabular data. This service is diagrammed in Figure 3. It supports a graphical interface that allows users to create customized data views and save these views for reuse and sharing with other users. LabKey Server's built-in tools for creating R views, building crosstab views and drawing simple charts all leverage the query service. The query service also allows developers to write full SQL queries that can be executed by other users. Finally, the service provides the ability to export tabular data in a variety of formats for analysis with external tools. • A table and a column list. A column list can include columns from the requested table or columns from related tables. • A SQL query based on pseudo-tables known to the query service. 1. When the request is received by the server's API layer, the layer checks folder security and translates the request into calls to the query service. 2. The query service then uses schema information describing physical tables and pseudo-tables to translate the input query into a SQL query of physical tables. The query is formulated in the dialect understood by the underlying relational database. Schema information is supplied by other LabKey modules. 3. The database returns a tabular result. 4. The tabular result is annotated with additional information about the columns (e.g. user-friendly label, description and formatting hints). 5. The appropriate LabKey client library converts this standard data/metadata into a form easily understood by the client language. For example, an R dataset would be returned as the result of a call by an R client API. To maintain security, the query service interprets these queries and executes them over a virtual database schema that reflects the permissions of the currently logged in user. For example, the system can perform cohort blinding by prohibiting particular users from viewing data columns that would reveal the cohorts of participants. Similarly, if a clinician holds permissions sufficient only for viewing data for locally enrolled participants, the clinician can only access views that are customized to hide data rows for all other participants. Recent enhancements to the LabKey Server platform enable four core scenarios, all of which have contributed to the success of Atlas. Full documentation and tutorials for LabKey Server are available at http://www.labkey.org. LabKey Server's specimen management system provides more than a centralized repository of specimen information. It also supplies secure, web-based tools for requesting, approving and tracking specimen transfers between clinics, repositories and labs. Centralized specimen information can be annotated and integrated with clinical, assay or other data for study participants or animal subjects to allow comprehensive analyses. Figure 4 walks through typical steps for importing specimen information and configuring the request process. Figure 5 reviews a simple usage scenario, including searching for available specimen vials, joining specimen data to related data and requesting specimens using the specimen shopping cart. Typical setup steps for specimen tracking and requests. 1. An administrator sets up a folder to display the "Specimens" web part and configures permissions for those who will be interacting with specimens. The administrator then imports an initial archive of specimen records and information about repositories and sites. A populated "Specimens" web part is shown in A. 2. A specimen data manager configures the specimen request process, including configuring request steps (B), identifying actors in the request process (C), configuring requirements for request approval, and setting up notification procedures (D). Typical steps for vial search and request. 1. A scientist logs on the system from a participating lab, then searches for vials or specimens of interest, as shown in A. 2. To further narrow down the possible vials of interest, the scientist builds a custom view of the subset of vials she has identified through search. This custom view integrates information from diverse sources using shared identifiers. In the example shown in B, shared participant and visit identifiers are used to join in data from a related dataset. In this case, the gender of the participant who provided the sample (as defined in a separate, demographic dataset) is drawn into the vial data view. 3. The scientist then creates a new specimen request and uses the "specimen shopping cart" to add desired vials to this request, as shown in C. 4. When finished, the scientist submits the finished request, as shown in D. 5. Designated reviewers are notified of the requests and approve them. 6. Specimen repository workers are notified of the approved requests, fill the requests and update the web-based interface. Vial(s) that have been used are no longer requestable. 7. After receiving a specimen vial, the scientist performs an assay on the specimen. Results from this assay may be marked with the vial identifier or participant/visit identifiers so that they can be associated with specimen information on the LabKey Server. The process for associating assay results with specimens is shown later in Figure 7. LabKey Server also includes built-in tools for building specimen summary reports that allow data managers to leverage the centralized availability of information about specimens. Reports can be parameterized by the type of specimen, date of collection, availability of vials, source participant in the study, cohort of the participant, current location and other measures. This specimen management system is complementary to pre-existing, site-specific tools. Most labs already have LIMS, such as LabWare or the Frontier Science Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS), for specimen management. These LIMS are typically set up with freezer layouts, technician identities, mailing addresses, workflow info, and the like. The LabKey specimen management system does not aim to replace lab-specific LIMS; instead, it serves to connect them. Cross-site specimen management is typically a missing piece for LIMS that handle specimens, so LabKey helps consortia to "glue together" their LIMS through cross-site tracking of specimens and specimen requests. Members of the Enterprise use Atlas heavily for both specimen request management and integration of specimen data with other types of data. The system records approximately 860,000 specimen vials and 1,300,000 vial transfers. Additional usage statistics are covered in the "Atlas Usage" section of this document. Typically, labs manage new types of experimental data in spreadsheets, but this can quickly become unsustainable as results proliferate. LabKey Server provides graphical tools for describing, importing and analyzing assay data that would otherwise reside in a multiplicity of spreadsheets. These tools make it easier to bring data straight from the bench into a common system, minimizing the cost of centralizing data, preserving data provenance information, enhancing standardization of data collection and enabling data integration. Assays can also be customized through the LabKey client libraries to include specialized analysis capabilities. Lab data managers define custom assay "designs" to formally describe experimental results, then import many sets of experimental results to a LabKey Server using the formats specified in the designs. The structure of an assay may include the number of input samples; the type and format of experimental result files; and the definition of summaries or visualizations appropriate for sharing. Defining experimental properties in the form of an assay design helps to ensure that appropriate data points are collected for each experimental run or set of runs loaded into the server. For any manual data entry steps, LabKey automatically generates the appropriate data entry pages based on the assay design. The design determines which data entry elements are required and which are optional. A lab technician can also use the assay design to set appropriate default values for data items or provide pick-lists of standard values. This reduces the burden of data entry and the incidence of errors. Customized assay designs can be based on a general template, or on specialized assay types that are added to the LabKey platform as modules. Specialized assay types currently include: neutralizing antibody (NAb); enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot); microarray; Luminex; cell recovery and viability; complete blood count; particle size, high performance liquid chromatography; and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Some of these have been developed to match the structured output of tools used by existing platform users, so they can be instrument-centric. Just like LabKey Server's proteomics and flow cytometry tools [49, 57], all assay types are backed by a common experimental design architecture that defines notions of experiments, runs, batches (groups of runs), protocols, inputs, outputs and materials (specimens, samples or tissues). Assay run creation and deletion are audited and run data cannot be modified after runs are imported. Annotations can be added to assay runs through the user interface or programmatically through quality control scripts. LabKey Server's assay infrastructure can support GCLP (Good Clinical Lab Practices) and the establishment of repeatable, reliable, auditable and comparable lab procedures. Figure 6 shows typical steps for designing an assay, while Figure 7 shows typical steps for populating the same assay design. Typical steps for designing an assay. 1. An administrator creates an assay-type folder to act as a staging area for assay data before the data has undergone quality control. 2. A scientist creates a new assay design to match the contents of experimental results stored in spreadsheets. In this example, the assay design is based on a generalized assay template, but other assay types could be used. The assay design is named "GenericAssay," as marked by A. 3. The scientist then adds a set of batch fields that must be filled out when each batch of runs is imported. User-defined batch fields are backed by the same set of customizable properties as system-defined fields. This image shows label, description, type, lookup and custom URL properties for several fields. Other properties include conditional formatting, default values and regular expression validators. Here, the "Machine" batch field (B) is configured (in popup C) as a lookup to a simple list ("Lab Machines"). At the time of data import, the user will be presented with a defined list of options for populating the "Machine" field that are drawn from the primary keys of the "Machines" list. 4. Next, the scientist defines the run fields (D) that must be collected for each run. In this example, only one field ("MachineSetting") is defined. 5. Finally, to save time, the scientist infers the assay's data fields (E) from a representative spreadsheet file. These fields could also have been designed manually, in the same manner as the batch and run fields. Typical steps for populating an assay. 1. The user selects the assay design that matches experimental data and chooses to sequentially import run data. This example uses the assay design from Figure 6. 2. For each batch of data, the user is prompted for batch properties (A). Here, the "Machine" options are provided as a defined vocabulary to reduce errors and variability in data entry. 3. For each run, the user is prompted for run properties and run data (B), as described in the assay design. A template of expected columns can be exported to help with matching data formats. 4. The user can import several runs sequentially using the same batch properties. C shows a summary view of the three runs that have been imported to this assay design using the same batch properties. 5. D shows an example of results imported as a single run for this assay. Note that the "Machine" column is defined as a lookup to another table, so each of its entries is hyperlinked to details for the appropriate machine, as provided by the "Lab Machines" list. 6. After assay data has been reviewed for quality control, it can be moved into a study folder for sharing with collaborators and integration with other types of study data. During the import process, the participant/visit identifiers for each row of assay data are matched (E) to identifiers for specimens in the target study. This allows viewers of the assay data within the study to quickly navigate to data for associated specimens. LabKey Server's neutralizing antibody assay provides an example of how the system's assay tools can encourage process standardization across labs and catalyze contribution of data to a central repository for integrative analyses. The NAb assay tool included in the LabKey platform was developed to formalize data management for the TZM-bl NAb assay . Replacing a spreadsheet macro, it simplifies data processing by providing an automated system for uploading, transforming and analyzing data and displaying results (shown in Figure 8) through a web-based interface. Data from the plate reader and metadata describing the experiment are imported to the server, where calculations are done automatically and results can be visualized and shared. Detailed NAb assay results view. The "details" view for a NAb assay visualizes measures of neutralization success and provides several calculations for areas under the neutralization curve. As part of Atlas, the NAb tool has been used successfully by 14 labs across 4 organizations within the Enterprise (CHAVI, VISC, HVTN and the U.S. Military HIV Research Program). As of May 2010, these labs have used the NAb assay tool to upload and store over 25,000 NAb assay runs. The labs use the tool not just because it enables data transfer, but because it provides immediate value. The tool provides technicians with graphical feedback that indicates whether results fall within expected bounds, and thus whether the assay has been performed correctly. The use of the NAb tool facilitates standardization, organization, auditing and integration with other types of repository data, such as specimens. Users of LabKey Server can draw together information stored in multiple tables using built-in summary views, a graphical cross-source view designer and custom SQL queries. Datasets are typically connected through shared identifiers for subjects (e.g., participant, animal or subject identifiers), samples (e.g., specimen identifiers) and/or time points of data collection (e.g., participant "visits" to clinics). However, tables do not need be related through these types of identifiers to be joined into common views; they may also be joined through administrator-defined lookup fields. Joined, integrated views can be used as the basis for complex analyses and visualizations. Figures 9 and 10 show how LabKey Server's graphical tools and R can be used to join, analyze and visualize data from multiple source tables based on participant/visit identifiers. Figure 11 shows how the system's custom view designer can construct a joined view by means of a user-defined lookup relationship between two tables. Figure 12 shows how LabKey Server's SQL editor enables the construction of more sophisticated queries, including the inclusion of calculated columns and custom metadata. All of these figures use made-up data. Example of joining datasets based on built-in relationships. Results from related data sources can be joined into a common grid view using built-in relationships between study entities. Here, the grid view customization tool is used to pull in columns from data sources that include the same participant/visit pairs. The results of an assay ("Lab Results") are joined with the columns from another assay ("HIV Test Results") and the results of a physical exam ("Physical Exam"). The joined custom view can be saved privately, made visible to collaborators or exported in various formats, including Excel. Examples of analyzing and visualizing a joined custom view. Here, the joined custom view created in Figure 9 is used to construct a participant chart (A), crosstab view (B) and R chart (C and D) through the "Views" menu available above the joined grid. A. The participant-specific chart view marked by A displays the same type of information for each study participant, in sequence. Users can toggle between the displayed chart and its associated dataset using the "View" and "Data" tabs. This particular chart displays the progression of HIV viral loads and CD4+ counts over time for each study participant. B. A crosstab view like the one shown in B could be used to verify that different tests for determining HIV status produce consistent results. C. The R script displayed in the "Source" tab of the R script editor (C) uses data from the joined custom view to compare how CD4+ counts and HIV viral loads change over time. The scripting environment makes the source dataset available as the labkey.data data frame, as circled in red. D. The results of the script are displayed by selecting the "View" tab of the R script builder, as shown in D. Selecting the "Data" tab would display the source dataset (not shown). R views, just like other views, can be saved privately or made visible to collaborators with sufficient permissions to view the source data. Within LabKey Server's R environment, users can also invoke stored scripts and leverage advanced analysis or visualization packages, such as those provided by Bioconductor. Example of joining data sources through a user-defined lookup relationship. The "Lab Machines" list, a simple table, was used in Figure 6 to provide a defined vocabulary for populating the "Machine" batch field of the "GenericAssay." The "Machine" batch field was defined as a lookup to the "Lab Machines" list. The existence of this lookup relationship allows us to join machine information into grid views of assay run data. Here, as circled in red, the relevant machine's "Contact Person" is joined into a grid view of assay results. Example of creating a custom SQL view. This figure demonstrates how a custom SQL view can add a calculated column to a joined view and label the column using custom metadata. Part A of this figure shows LabKey Server's schema browser, which allows a developer to view, add or edit custom queries. Part B shows how the SQL source editor has been used to add a calculated column to a table as part of a custom query. It also shows how the table metadata editor has been used to edit the column's properties and add a custom title. The grid view produced by this custom query is shown in C. On a LabKey Server, a folder-based "study" serves as the primary integration point for connecting heterogeneous data types collected as part of an observational study. A study defines built-in relationships between study data entities (shown in Figure 13) and provides built-in tools for summarizing and visualizing related data. Simplified study schema. This simplified schema outlines the relationships between entities in a study. Data tables in a study can be integrated when they contain shared quantities, such as participants, visits or specimens. Figure 14 shows how data flows into a study in many forms (e.g., Excel, text and DataFax case report forms) from many sources (e.g., labs, clinics and repositories), where it can be combined and consumed in different ways by collaborators (e.g., labs, principal investigators and statisticians). For example, labs might use aggregated data to identify issues with quality control methods, while statisticians might apply novel transformations in R, while principal investigators might monitor overall progress of cohorts through summary views. Studies also provide mechanisms for formalizing data approval prior to sharing and integration; adding "quality control" annotations at the level of datasets or data points; exercising fine-grained control over dataset security; grouping subjects by cohort; enforcing cohort blinding; summarizing data by participant or other measures; and exporting/importing/reloading entire studies for efficient backup, staging or transfer to new locations. LabKey Server data flows. Data flows into a LabKey Server from diverse sources, undergoes quality control and becomes available to a range of data customers through a web-based portal. Figure 15 shows a typical study portal page that lists the datasets and specimens associated with the study. Figure 16 shows the system's built-in interface for viewing all study datasets available for a particular individual across all visit dates. Study portal page. A study portal provides a jumping-off point for investigating patterns in shared datasets. The interface can be customized to list the different types of data or views available in the study and to display custom data tables or visualizations. The "Study Navigator" shown in this figure is a data summary tool that rolls up information from many study datasets based on participant identifiers. Participant-specific data summaries. A data overview is provided for each participant in a study. It displays all datasets in the study associated with a particular participant across all visit dates. Participant-specific charts can be displayed for each dataset, as shown for the "Physical Exam" dataset. A user can navigate through equivalent views for other individuals using "Next Participant" link and "Previous Participant" links. Atlas exemplifies how a LabKey Server can draw upon both LabKey-based data and data from external systems to support observational studies. Atlas's flexibility in interfacing with external databases allows it to be different things to different types of data -- a database of record, an integration point, or both. Atlas interacts with several SAS and PostgreSQL databases in real time. It also imports data exported from other data sources, particularly a database of DataFax case report forms, and deposits data into relevant Atlas-based studies. For certain types of data (e.g., specimen requests), Atlas is the database of record. For others (e.g., specimen cell counts), Atlas is simply the integration point for diverse, specialized databases of record. LabKey Server's deep support for customization and rapid application development frees labs to independently adapt their servers, interfaces and analyses to lab-specific needs. Client libraries in a range of languages, plus a user interface for R scripting, allow investigators to use familiar tools to build custom applications, interfaces, assays, reports and analyses. Developers can add larger features by encapsulating them in modules, create individual data views in R or simply add API-enhanced content to wikis or HTML pages in the file system. LabKey Server provides multiple of methods for working with R. Users can employ the R client library to load live data from a LabKey Server into an external R environment for analysis, provided the user has permissions to read the data. The R library also supports querying for available data, then inserting, updating, and deleting data records, given sufficient user permissions. In addition to the R client library, the system provides an interactive R scripting interface that allows users with appropriate permissions to author scripts, view script results and see source data, as shown in Figure 10. Lastly, R scripts can be included as files in custom modules to define custom views for custom queries. The SAS client library provides very similar functionality to the R client library, enabling interaction with LabKey Server data from SAS. HTVN has built custom data summaries (available only on Atlas) that allow central labs to view the cumulative success of individual technicians in processing and preserving blood cells, as measured through cell viability tests. Study managers can use these summaries to swiftly identify problem areas and improve quality control. The result is a shorter feedback loop between central labs and remote labs. The summaries also provide transparency to project funders and digital historical records that take the place of paper-based tracking. Custom study summaries defined in an Atlas module. LabKey Server modules can be used to encapsulate scientifically interesting applications. Atlas's vaccine study module defines several interfaces that generate interactive summaries of vaccine studies, including the interface displayed in this figure. This module is tailored to Atlas-specific data, so it is not part of the open source project. Generated summaries like the one shown in this figure make it easier for scientists to swiftly, publicly share study information and protocols after publishing associated research papers. The Atlas web portal respects user permissions, so study summaries display different amounts of information to different tiers of users. Atlas login is not required to view public study data, so you can explore the interfaces and data summaries defined in the vaccine study module without acquiring Atlas credentials: https://atlas.scharp.org/cpas/viscstudies/VISC/Completed%20CAVD%20Studies/studydesigns.view. The ability of LabKey Server to meet core scientific and data management needs in a customizable way is demonstrated by the adoption of the platform by a range of organizations beyond the Enterprise. According to data reported automatically by active LabKey Servers, approximately 40 installations are currently in active use. LabKey Server v10.3, available in November 2010, is the 19th official, public release of the platform. Adoption of the platform has also meant adaptation; research organizations use LabKey Server for a wide range of purposes. For example, several labs use their installations of LabKey Server to manage the large quantities of data that stream from flow cytometry, proteomics[61–64] and/or microarray experiments. Two systems biology labs use LabKey Server to integrate diverse data types at the lab level[61, 62]. The National Primate Research Center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, is customizing a LabKey Server installation to provide an extensible, life-science-aware database for non-human primate electronic health records. These features are being developed as a custom module for LabKey Server that will be available to other researchers. The Primate Center also uses LabKey Server for multiplexed genotyping and next-generation sequencing experiments. A distributed team of cancer researchers based at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center uses a LabKey Server as a place for "virtual research." Team members consolidate data from existing, online databases onto their LabKey Server and then use R to collaboratively mine this data. Two labs use LabKey Server for post-publication sharing[61, 63]. AdaptiveTCR, a T-cell sequencing company, has used LabKey Server to build a customized, proprietary system that allows customers to purchase analyses, submit specimens, view results and interactively visualize data . Insilicos, a company focused on proteomics, uses LabKey Server to support cloud-based, scalable computing. Atlas's success in achieving adoption across the Enterprise can be gauged by considering usage statistics for the system. The number of accounts (approximately 2,800 accounts across 350 organizations and 36 countries) is notable given the relatively high bar for gaining access to the system, as compared to open-access databases that publish fully anonymized data. Access is restricted due to privacy considerations for clinical studies on a sexually transmitted disease. Atlas held 2,844 active user accounts in May 2010. The number of individual users likely lies closer to 2,800 because some users (particularly administrators) hold multiple accounts. Approximately 600 additional accounts have been deactivated (as typically happens when an individual leaves a position), so approximately 3,400 total accounts have existed on the system. The first user account on Atlas was created on October 4, 2005. Approximately 350 distinct organizations are represented among user accounts. Roughly 200 distinct organizations have two or more active Atlas users while approximately 100 distinct organizations have five or more users. Approximately 36 countries are represented among user accounts. The number of accounts associated with each country suggests the degree of usage in each country. 29 countries were associated with two or more user accounts while 23 countries were associated with five or more accounts. As of May 2010, Atlas holds 26,684 uploaded assay runs, 2,637 customized data views, 2,116 unique wiki pages and 1,717 message board posts. Also as of May 2010, Atlas has tracked 156,349 specimens (such as blood draws or urine specimens). These have been subdivided into 859,759 vials and transferred during 1,280,407 specimen "events." Events record transfers of all types, including active requests for vials (made through the Atlas interface) and transfers without request (such as automatic transfer of vials from clinic to repository after collection). A total of 801 requests have been entered and processed through Atlas, resulting in the transfer of 19,727 individual vials. Each request typically includes multiple vials. During April 2010, the Atlas web site welcomed 1,400 unique visitors from 36 countries. The average visit included 13 page views over 11 minutes. Overall, a total of 5,400 site visits produced 70,000 page views during this time period. These statistics are typical of recent months. The number of countries where visits originated was the only measure that notably increased over the past six months (from 27 to 36). Adopting a shared platform like LabKey Server to accomplish data integration and process standardization can bring network benefits to collaborating organizations. At the same time, achieving adoption of a new platform across a diverse community is not an easy task, even when the community is joined together into a common effort such as the Enterprise. As we have learned first-hand, merely providing innovative software features is insufficient-the real challenge is making the software useful to scientists. Add value at the level of the lab bench, not just the overall Enterprise, to entice users to bring data into the system. Labs are more willing to adopt new data management practises if adoption makes their own work more efficient, standardized and/or reproducible. LabKey Server's TZM-b1 neutralizing antibody tool has met wide adoption because it brings immediate value to front-line labs. It translates key lab workflows into standardized data management practises that enhance efficiency and reproducibility. In contrast, adoption of LabKey Server's Luminex assay tool has been slow because the tool does not provide a clear, direct benefit to labs. It was designed primarily to help labs put their data into a format useful to central data managers. Only 120 Luminex runs were uploaded to Atlas between February 2008 and January 2011 (roughly 40 per year); for comparison, approximately 40,000 NAb runs were uploaded from December 2006 to January 2011 (roughly 9,800 per year). Interoperate easily with existing, external data sources. Easy interoperability enables data integration without the need to first transform a LabKey Server into the primary or archival repository. For example, LabKey Server is not the database of record for Enterprise specimens. Instead, the Atlas installation of LabKey Server synchronizes with existing LIMS systems. This allows members of the Enterprise to retain existing workflows and avoid transferring legacy data to a new platform. Given the extent of existing systems, the development of Atlas is unlikely to have occurred without interoperability. Practice agile , interdisciplinary software development to continually incorporate user feedback. Close collaboration between data managers, research scientists and independent software engineers ensures continual focus on actual, not theoretical, user needs. The team uses short, four month release cycles and a formal feature review process to tighten the feedback loop. Notably, the features that have received the most user feedback during design and development (e.g., the TZM-bl neutralizing antibody assay, specimen management and API libraries) have become the most widely used tools. Features that did not have significant end-user involvement in the design process (e.g., the ELISpot assay tool) have experienced the slowest adoption. Notably, not a single ELISpot run has been uploaded to Atlas since the initial release of the tool in May 2008. Use a platform-based approach to meet shared needs cost-effectively. The LabKey team works to identify common, long-term requirements for the platform so that the core system features it builds (e.g., the assay designer and tools for file management) meet shared needs using common infrastructure. New, specialized applications can simply leverage these core platform services. This lowers costs, reduces bugs and increases the speed of development. As we have learned, straying from a long-term approach (e.g., building a new assay outside of the generalized assay infrastructure) makes certain features (e.g., integration of this assay with sample management) cost-prohibitive. Ensure that cross-disciplinary facilitators have bandwidth for adoption. SCHARP data managers have played a particularly important role in the success of Atlas. They have combined their understanding of research objectives with their knowledge of Atlas capabilities to facilitate the upload and effective use of data, cementing adoption. For new installations of LabKey Server, successful adoption has often been attributable to a primary champion in a lab who has set aside sufficient time to become a skilled user of the platform. Without in-house advocates and experts, adoption has often faltered. Establish a reliable track record for ongoing, professional development, maintenance and support. Don Listwin of the Canary Foundation has quipped: "[Scientific] open source software has the half life of a graduate student". Given this type of scepticism and the resources required for adoption, it is particularly important to use development practises that build confidence in the longevity of the system. The LabKey Software team has used decades of experience in building commercial software to establish enterprise-calibre development practices for design, testing, stabilization, deployment and support. Some practises, such as automated exception reporting and public transparency, go beyond those common in the industry. Official builds of the platform are released with regularity, three times per year. Most biomedical research organizations have unique and evolving software needs due to their specific suites of pre-existing infrastructure, distinctive organizational processes, and involvement in rapidly changing areas of science. A data integration platform like LabKey Server must therefore be tailored to such an organization's needs before the system becomes useful. The effort to successfully establish an installation of the platform should not be underestimated. Additional boundaries of the platform stem from its scientific focus. The platform provides little direct support for managing the business side of scientific enterprises. It provides specimen request management and generalized issue tracking, but it does not replace existing tools for such things as ordering reagents, tracking inventory, managing freezer layouts and scheduling work shifts. The platform does not aim to replace mass-market collaboration software, so it does not provide SharePoint-style document co-authoring. LabKey Server's facilities for tracking disease progression over time focus principally on associating data with individuals (subjects, participants or animals) and time points. These tools are less useful for experimental lab studies that focus on replicates, such as experiments on yeast biochemistry. Studies that require location as a key identifier, such as geographic studies of disease spread, would require support that is not yet built into the platform. The system is not currently designed around the execution of clinical trials; nevertheless, organizations such as HVTN still use it to share and adjudicate results. At present, the study-based specimen tracking and request system requires that uploaded specimen data conform to a specific format based on the output of a particular LIMS, LDMS. Greater flexibility towards specimen input formats would not be difficult to add. The system already provides other tools for tracking arbitrarily shaped specimen data, but these do not support requests. LabKey Server provides features (such as role-based security, authentication, audit logging and write-once rules for assay data) that are designed to meet the requirements of FDA Regulation 21 CFR Part 11. However, no installation of the platform has yet undergone full, formal evaluation for compliance. Compliance can only be certified for installations of software, not the software itself. LabKey provides for data export in multiple formats, but does not yet provide protocols for data transfer to permanent, domain-specific archives, as do ISA and SIMBioMS[11, 9]. A key future focus for Atlas will be the development of new tools for interactive visualization and data exploration. These tools will allow more efficient extraction of information and insight from Atlas. Data exploration features will include interactive graphics, new tabular displays tailored to requests from investigators and tools for quickly performing analysis of variance (ANOVA) calculations and other statistical analyses. The data exploration tools will be combined with improved data submission capabilities, allowing investigators to swiftly and easily combine their own data with data stored on Atlas. In addition, we expect to simplify the application of existing ontologies to data types, allowing richer integration of data across independent datasets. We are also prototyping a distributed HIV dataspace that would provide a catalogue of data stored in a variety of locations. Additional areas of focus may include the development of new custom assay tools (following the successful model of the TZM-bl neutralizing antibody assay) and the enhancement of full-text search. Integrating deeper knowledge of biomedical concepts into full-text search would better enable searches for scientifically relevant information. Future areas of focus depend on the needs of users who fund further development of the core platform. Enhancements to the LabKey client libraries to aid application development have been a particularly consistent area of focus among user-funders. Support for next-generation sequencing data and integration with Galaxy is currently funded and under development. Adoption of the platform by consortia studying diseases beyond HIV would require certain enhancements, such as new custom data types, but the basic platform has been designed for use by consortia studying any disease. Sharing data, analysis tools and infrastructure can accelerate the efforts of large research consortia by enabling new insights and enhancing efficiency. The Atlas installation of LabKey Server demonstrates the utility of the LabKey platform for collaborative research. Like all LabKey Server installations, Atlas supports secure, web-based data sharing and collaboration from the earliest stages of disease research; enables integration of diverse and changing data types based on subject and/or visit identifiers; allows easy customization of interfaces, wizards, analyses, and visualizations; supports programmatic automation and customization; supplies advanced tools for data querying, search and analysis; provides dynamic access to external databases; enables staging of data based on quality control status; and provides specimen request management. Real-world adoption of Atlas by members of the Enterprise has helped the LabKey Server team refine the features of the base platform to suit the needs of a wide range of researchers. Functionality tailored to be useful to a broad array of scientists has helped to catalyze adoption of the platform beyond the Enterprise. Funding agencies' growing enthusiasm for collaboration among disease researchers[3, 79] suggests that the platform will become increasingly useful to a wider circle of researchers focused on other diseases. LabKey Server's open source license means that other research consortia can freely adapt the base platform to their needs while contributing new features back to the effort and improving the software for all users. The platform's track record of regular, stable releases and ongoing maintenance provide a reassuring complement to its open source availability. This section covers the methods used for measuring Atlas usage. Counts of active Atlas user accounts were made on May 11, 2010, as were estimates of the number of organizations and countries represented by these counts. To estimate the number of organizations using Atlas, we counted the distinct domains used by active user email accounts. This count excluded obvious duplicates (e.g., multiple email domains at the National Institute of Health) and obvious commercial, non-organizational email accounts (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo and others). The total count may be an overestimate because there could have been further duplication, so it is useful mostly as a benchmark. To estimate the number of countries where Atlas is used, each user account was associated with a country of origin based on the account's country code top-level domain. If the domain did not include a country code (e.g., .com or .org domains), the domain was assigned to the United States category. This practice made the country count a conservative estimate. Overall counts of assays uploaded to Atlas, customized views, wiki pages and message board posts were made on May 11, 2010 by querying the production server's PostgreSQL database. Counts of specimens were made on May 17, 2010 on the staging server, whose content mirrors the production server with only a slight time lag. NAb, Luminex and ELISpot assay runs were counted on the staging server on January 10, 2011 for the purpose of comparing adoption rates for these assay tools. Counts of SCHARP-authored applications and tools on Atlas were made on the production server in October 2009 and included wiki-authored tools, file-based applications (excluding static content) and full-fledged modules. Traffic to the Atlas web site was measured through Google Analytics. Tracking began in July 2008. Measurements for the month of April 2010 were compared to measurements in October 2009 to estimate current trends in usage. The LabKey Server open source software is freely available for download at http://www.labkey.org under the terms of the Apache License 2.0 . This site also provides documentation, tutorials and demos for users and developers, plus instructions for developers who wish to contribute code to the project through the LabKey Subversion repository. Compiled binaries for Windows, Unix, Linux or Macintosh installation are available for free through LabKey Software at http://www.labkey.com. A graphical installer is available for computers running Windows XP or later. It includes the LabKey web application; the Apache Tomcat web server, v5.5.29; the Java Runtime Environment, v1.6.0-22; the PostgreSQL database server, v8.3.7; and additional third-party components. • Other requirements, as of LabKey v10.3: Apache Tomcat (5.5.29 or 5.5.31); Java Runtime Environment 6; and either PostgreSQL (8.2, 8.3 or 9.0) or Microsoft SQL Server (2005 or 2008). Check the project site for latest requirements of the most recent release. LabKey Server can run on any type of modern computer hardware. Typically, the needs of the database are much greater than the web server, so these may run on different machines. Hardware requirements depend on the load placed on the system. In general, a modern, server-level system running Windows or a Unix-based operating system is sufficient for a modest deployment. Access to Atlas is available to participating members of the research networks supported by SCHARP as part of the Enterprise (CAVD, CHAVI, MTN, HVTN and VISC at present). To inquire about access, contact atlas@scharp.org. Published results and information about certain projects are available to the public without logon at https://atlas.scharp.org. For example, all completed CAVD studies are published on Atlas in the VISC folder. Current LabKey Software contributors include Trey Chadick, who leads testing; Ren Lis, who provides grant project management; Stephen Hanson, who contributes documentation; and Nick Arnold, who builds user interfaces. Previous contributors to LabKey Server design, implementation and documentation include Nicholas Shulman, Brendan MacLean, George Snelling, Jess Garms and Tamra Myers. A large number of people on the SCHARP team have contributed to Atlas, including Steven Self, who leads SCHARP; Thula Weisel, who directs study operations for SCHARP; C. A. Magaret, who previously managed the Atlas team; Cassy Jarvis, who currently manages Atlas; Valerie Obenchain, who contributed many of LabKey Server's R APIs; Jon Ringuette, who manages Atlas infrastructure; Shane Coultas, who designs the look and feel of Atlas; and Robert Kleemann, who consults on Atlas application architecture; Sravani Cheeti, who develops applications on Atlas; Cristine Cooper-Trenbeath, who supports laboratory data operations; Mija Lee, who provides database administration; Julie Stofel, who builds applications that load and analyze data on Atlas; and Geoffrey Snyder, who contributes to Atlas feature design specifications. CHAVI contributors include Barton Haynes, Director of CHAVI, and Kelly Soderberg, who directs CHAVI program management. CAVD contributors include David Montefiori, whose lab developed the NAb assay protocol; Michael Seaman, who provided feedback on the NAb assay tool; and Kelli Greene and Hongmei Gao, who are both program managers for CAVD at Duke. Blake Wood served as a senior project manager for both CHAVI and CAVD. Thanks also go to John Boyle and Sarah Killcoyne and three thoughtful reviewers for their helpful suggestions on this paper. This work was supported by AI067854 Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology (CHAVI) grant from NIAID/NIH, Division of AIDS; grant 38744 from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to VISC and CAVD; grants AI068635 and AI068614 from the NIAID to HVTN; grant AI068615 from NIAID to MTN; and grants SP51RR000167-48S3 and 3P51RR000167-48S2 from NIH to the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. All LabKey Software authors have contributed design, implementation and documentation to LabKey Server. MI leads design of the LabKey platform. BP and SR lead and coordinate work across LabKey and Atlas teams, respectively. JE leads the LabKey development team and BP did so previously. EKN wrote most of this paper and leads LabKey documentation. CN develops widely-used applications on Atlas. TS contributed strategic vision and leadership. All authors contribute testing and have reviewed this paper.
2019-04-21T02:28:32Z
https://bmcbioinformatics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2105-12-71
Showing results for tags 'incursion'. Lor Space Aboard the Praetorian Aquila Class Starship Devotion Mid-December, 2014 (Terran calendar) Amara Val-Ren still felt somewhat ill at ease in the command seat of the Praetorian spacecraft. But in the short time since she and her fellow Praetorians had been revived by the Curator, she had actually spent only a small amount of time aboard either of the Praetorians' surviving starships. She and her brethren had been thrust into another conflict with the Communion, this time seeking to help the various space fairing powers that were being hard pressed by the Communion forces. Lacking the numbers to directly confront the Communion as they had over two thousand years ago, the surviving Praetorians instead did what they could to organize and inspire the forces of those fighting the threat. But for every cruiser they destroyed, or wave of antibodies they decimated, there were always more, the Communion continuing to add to its forces as it cyberformed planet after planet as it moved through sectors of space. But as desperate the situation was, the sheer scope of the threat had left little time for Amara or fellow Praetorians to dwell much on the fact that they were now two thousand years removed from the empire they had once served, and that all that they knew, everyone they once knew, were not long gone, even with how long Naram could live. But occasionally there were quite moments, where such thoughts could come to the front. In the face of those times, Amara could only try to focus on what she had to do to try to see herself and the others safely through this crisis. Of course, much of the time it seemed as if she was merely delaying the inevitable, but she could not let that stop her from what she had to do, for countless beings were counting on them, even if many of those beings did not even know it. Outer edge of the Sol System The Communion's attack on Earth had been repulsed by many of the planet’s heroes, working alongside several military and extra-governmental forces. For the moment, the planet was safe. But the Communion's world killer weapon was still positioned at the outer edge of the solar system, barely held in check by the Freedom League and their allies. With reports reaching back to the Freedom League and Earth's heroes from the Star Knights about a fleet of Communion ships headed towards the Sol System, possibly to try to assist in getting the world killer free, it was decided that merely holding the world killer at bay was no longer a viable solution. So the remaining League members on Earth had begun gathering a number of volunteers to try to help destroy the world killer before the Communion relief fleet could arrive. The gathering of the various heroes coincided with the return of one of Earth's Star Knights, Kyle Steward, who had firsthand experience against the Communion's deadly weapon. Now, Geckoman was behind the controls of one of the League's Pegasus spaceplanes, flying a rather odd collection of heroes to help in the fight against the world killer…. GM High Earth Orbit The Lighthouse December 25 th, 2014 9:40 PM Greenwich Mean Time (4:40 PM Freedom City) The last nearly two months had been busy ones aboard the orbital headquarters of the Freedom League. With so many of the senior league members off in space trying to help against the Communion, the work load for the remaining League members had increased, the team feeling rather stretched at times. The information sent back by the League members in space had done little to easy the stress of those remaining behind. As shocking as it had been to learn of the destruction of Lor-Van, what the Communion had done with the planets and peoples they did not just outright obliterate was perhaps even more horrific. But there had been little time to fully dwell on things, as there had been crises around the world and coordination with heroes across the world to try to be ready should the Communion turn towards the Earth. And then a few hours ago, the League members in space had sent a message back to the Lighthouse, stating that they had located the Communion’s world killer spacecraft, and it was heading towards Earth. The remaining League members on Earth had moved into action, contacting the various heroes they had spent the last two months connecting with and getting people moving to various parts of the world to prepare should the Communion make it past the League members in space. Freedom Hall had served as a launch point for many, teleporting them up to the Lighthouse, and then back down to Earth to the various League teleport locations that had been set up over the years. For a time, everyone had been so busy organizing things, there was little time for anything else. But once they had coordinated setting things in motion, there was little to do but wait for news from the League members in space, of for the Communion to just arrive if there was no one left to hear from. Amazri IV, formally Lor Space March 1, 2015 (Terran Calendar) Amazri IV had long sat well inside the boarders of Lor space, many light years from the contested area with Khanate space. The planet had long been a colony for the Lor, established in the early years of their expansion from Lor-Van. It had developed into one of the Republic's primary centers of industry and manufacturing, with vast automated facilities that covered the northern and southern landscapes of several of its vast continents. Most of the large cities on Amazri IV had been located around its equator, where lush green forests spread out around the cities before giving way to high mountainous zones. Now more than half its surface had become silver colored metal, and even from space it appeared as if veins of the silver metal were continuing to spread towards the rest of the planet. Amazri IV was one of the most recent Lor planets to fall to the Communion, the cyberforming of the planet still underway. A group of the Coalition's top scientists had determined that the cyberforming process provided the most direct access to the Communion's central data centers, with the least protections in place to prevent unauthorized access. In short, if the Coalition was going to learn the whereabouts of the Communion's mothership, it would be by gaining access to one of the central relays on a world being cyberformed. So a small group of Coalition forces were aboard a Grue stealth ship, making their final approach to Amazri IV. "We will be at our target location within ten microcycles." Stated Gur'ul, the Grue Metamorph in command of the stealth ship, turning back to look at the odd collection of beings that he had been ordered to transport to Amarzi IV. Lor Timemark 1329.8 - March 1, 2015 Garron-9, Garron System Trooper Ekna Veiu sat strapped into the back of the transport ship between a Lor mentat clone with a lantern jaw and a member of a scale covered species he couldn't name and tried to steady his breathing. He'd never planned to be a soldier but then the Communion had ripped through the Khanate, leaving the precious few survivors to flee or be turned into monsters. The Lor loved to talk about never forgetting Lor-Van but they hadn't been the only people to lose a homeworld and they weren't the only ones who'd wanted to fight back. Ekna was seventeen stellar cycles old; that had seemed like so long sitting around on his family farm waiting for his life to start, old enough to enlist with the Coalition forces, certainly. As the ship shook from atmospheric turbulence and he clenched his grey-green hands all he think about was whether or not he'd see his eighteenth cycle celebration. There weren't any enemy ships in the skies above Garron-9, at least. There didn't need to be. What had once been a densely populated border world with almost a billion inhabitants was now a solid sphere of computronium, a planet-sized server to add to the Communion's processing power. A billion people converted into raw materials and 'antibodies', the mindless, shrieking foot soldiers of the enemy. This was only Ekna's second deployment but he'd already gotten to see those up close and personal. They'd lost that moon but he'd acquitted himself well, getting his wounded sergeant to safety. They'd given him a commendation for that. They didn't mention the rest of his squad when they shook his hand. He didn't mention the night terrors he'd had ever since. That was how he'd ended up as part of one of four squads deploying to Garron-9 with a simple mission: fight their way through and take down a communication relay, in theory briefly blinding the Communion in the adjacent sector long enough for something apparently above his pay grade. Troopers didn't need to know the big picture, he guessed. He looked up from his knees and immediately regretted it as he saw the Grue strapped in across from him scowling right at him. At least Ekna thought the Grue was scowling. It was hard to tell with no mouth. He immediately looked back down regardless. Most of the other troopers were more experienced soldiers and most of them had experience fighting against those who were suddenly their allies. Tensions were always high but the calm before the storm was always the worst. Then again, at least he knew what a Grue was. Each squad had been assigned a commander for the mission, though Ekna got the impression the rank wasn't exactly official. One of them was a stern Lor officer with no patience for excuses; he'd met a lot of those in the past months. The Zultasian told a lot of jokes and laughed loudly, all swagger and confidence. Ekna had never seen anything like the grey skinned woman with the cybernetic tail, though, and even though the forth commander didn't look all that much older than him he'd heard some of the other soldiers say she wasn't really Lor but Terran and everybody had a friend of a friend with a horror story about a Terran. Ekna risked glancing up again to the back of the transport where all four of them were standing, holding onto handing straps and conversing. GM UNISON Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland December 25, 2014 10:50 PM local time Just a few hours ago, UNISON headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland had been practically deserted, only a minimal security detail and a few technicians had been on duty, the rest home with their families for Christmas. That was until Colonel Ellis had been contacted by the Freedom League about an approaching threat from space. In the intervening time, scores of UNISON personnel had been called in, the headquarters now abuzz with activity as UNISON personnel were reaching out to contacts in governments and militaries around the world, as well as preparing itself for the possible arrival of a hostile alien force. Over a decade ago, UNISON had shocked many world leaders, when it had fielded a small fleet of space capable heavy fighters, the Uni-Storm, during the Grue invasion of 2003. Since that time, Colonel Ellis had managed to hold off efforts to decommission the Uni-Storm, which mean that UNISON had under its control a majority of Earth's space capable combat aircraft. The pilots for the fighters were still being brought it, and gearing up and receiving briefings for possible sorties. The mechanics that had been brought in were working as fast as they could to get all the fighters ready should they be needed, with more arriving all the time. Things were much further along than if there had been no warning, but they still needed a bit more time before they could get all the Uni-Storm into the air. During the past few hours, a number of even more unusual individuals had arrived at UNISON’s headquarters, as a group of superheroes from across Europe and the United States had arrived to offer what assistance they could. With Colonel Ellis' former connections with the Ministry of Powers in the UK, it was only natural that the current members of the Vanguard were present. Also present were two national heroes from countries in southern Europe, Professor Chiron from Greece, and Stella d'Argento (the Silver Star) from Italy. A pair of heroes had also transported to Geneva from the United States, sent by the Freedom League to assist as well. Currently the gathered heroes were with Colonel Ellis in a large command center in the center of the headquarters, where UNISON technicians were tracking activity all over the world as various militaries began the process of preparing themselves for the possibility of an attack, and keeping an eye on the telemetry coming in from numerous satellites and radio tracking stations on Earth that were scanning the heavens for signs of approaching ships. "So as of right now, we need about another half an hour to have all the planes ready to go into combat if needed." Ellis stated to the gathered heroes. "We can probably have half of them up in about twelve minutes, perhaps a bit sooner. As for the military units around the rest of the world…well, they are trying to mobilize as quick as they can, but this is probably about one of the worst times for such an attack in terms of the number of personnel away from base with friends and family." March 1, 2015 51 Pegasi 50 light years from Earth 51 Pegasi is an LV-type star, the kind of small yellow dwarf utterly undistinguished except for the simple accident of longevity and luminescence that means they are, by a wide margin, the stars most likely to support Lor-type life across the galaxy. 51 Pegasi does have one novelty - 51 Pegasi B, the gas giant trapped a little more than 4 million miles from its home star. 51 Pegasi B is a burning hot world, wracked by storms and super-heated winds that make the planet one of the most hostile in Lor space. Even so, the scientific research station on 51 Pegasi Ba, the single asteroidal satellite of the planet, has always been something of a backwater. The fluid dynamics of superheated gas giants is a vigorously debated scientific discipline, but one with few practical applications. The team from Ohtalv University arrived for their year-long assignment five and a half months ago, a few weeks before Ohtalv University and the rest of Lor-Van was atomized by strong-nuclear suppression from the Communion. A routine scientific posting had suddenly become a refuge, but also a cage - the picket ship usually assigned as their rescue vessel was called away for convoy duty months ago and they have nothing on the base rated to so much as leave the shadow of the asteroid. Of the five person team from the University, their world gone and families dead, supplies dwindling more and more every day, four are still alive. It's a sad story, but a story repeated again and again the Lor Republic. Nothing out of the ordinary here. Until recently. As he sat in the station's control center, Narab Zober watched what would have been the career-making discovery of a scientist a year earlier play out before him with calm interest. Only the cool discipline of his Hephestian martial heritage kept him here, kept him working, and kept thoughts of home, family, and all he had lost out of his mind. Lives had ended - but life went on. "...from deep neutrino scans, the entity has reached the rocky core of Pegasi 51b and has begun what can only be described as _feeding_ on the heavy metals and other materials within." He watched the rippling clouds, gone chaotic in recent days, and raised a long feathered eyebrow, his padded fingers folded on the table in front of him. "To survive at the heart of a super-heated gas giant, the Gorgon's energy and matter absorption abilities must be even greater than previously estimated. Fascinating. At current rate of consumption, I estimate that within seven standard days, Pegasi 51b will have lost its gravitic cohesion and begin breaking up." And then plummet into the burning heart of the star - along with this station. "This is Dr. Narab Zober of Lor Science Station #0047, ending this rotation's report. Tomorrow Dr. M'Kelley will offer her report on the fluid dynamics of a gas giant in the process of core destruction. End transmission." When he was done, he stared at the communications terminal, as if willing a reply by sheer force. Kestevan 79 23,000 LY from Earth March 1, 2015 Temperance was seeing the ghost of a dead star pass by. There was a way to say it that was much less poetic and much more scientific. And, although there may have been some literalism to it, given her powers, there was little spiritual thrum out in the void of space. If there were entities that represented the great void, they were likely to cling to the travelers passing through it - and even then, they were keeping a wide berth from her ship. Ship. She said it like it was familiar. She was hurdling through the void on a gigantic hunk of metal, the vacuum of space surrounding her on all sides. She knew enough to know that her head wouldn't necessarily explode if she went tumbling out into the void. That was where her knowledge ended. Everything else, on the other hand, was so limited. This was not her territory. Thank God for the others, then. Three of them had reached out to Sharl. They were space travelers of a sort - that was how she understood it - who had encountered Communion forces on a planet orbiting a star near Kestevan 79. The planet had been destroyed to make way for a wormhole - just like had happened to Lor-Van. By their estimate, and given the Communion forces overseeing the wormhole, they believed that whatever was controlling local operations would be stationed nearby. And they had gathered, through said intelligence, that there had been someone who'd survived Lor-Van who had a knack for electronic frequencies. Who had been on the planet when the Communion forces had organized and attacked. And who might be able to parse their signal through the field of cosmic radiation that made all other efforts impractical. He had recommended that she might want to stay behind. This wasn't her field, and it wasn't her fight. But she'd seen what had happened to him when he had come back. She was not going to leave him to wander into Hell alone. She just had to hope that, when the time came, they could get through the fires together. Criminal Carter Bay, Florida, Terra One week before the Battle of Kesteven 79; Lor Timemark 1329.7 "Whaddya mean what do I want you to do with 'em?! They came to my son's house!" Anna knew she was screaming, and she knew she sounded like an old woman when she screamed, but for once in her life she didn't care. She'd tried for weeks to reach Basil after the fighting in Freedom City during the Communion incursion; and only now, pacing back and forth so fast she was burning through yet another bedroom rug, had she finally gotten ahold of her old friend. "They tried to kill my grandson! They tried to put their filthy stinking hands on my little baby granddaughter! I want them dead! I want their whole goddamned organization dead and buried in a goddamned hole in the ground!" Basil let her rant, like a good friend should, knowing what Clock Queen was like in a righteous temper. When she was finished, Basil broke in gently. "I'll do whatever is in my power to help you, my dear Anna." His voice was warm and soothing, the perfect veteran musician's calm, even tones. "I am not soley responsible for composing their fate, but I think I can persuade even their backers to dance to my tune for a while. But the question remains, Anna, what will you do for me in return?" His tone was serious, but almost apologetic, the same way he might have asked for repayment on money she'd borrowed from him back in the day - which now that she thought about it had happened more than once. "Certain things have never been tolerated in our organization - but of course we're talking about a third party. If I'm to move against them, I need to be sure that you can move with me the next time I need a favor." Anna put her head against the wall, palm flat against the bright green wallpaper of her retirement bungalow, and thought about her old friend's words, even as not for the first time recently she felt a great wave of unaccustomed fatigue. "Listen, Basil, I...I promised my boy I wouldn't get back in the League, and I meant it. It's important to him - and you know nothing's more important to me than family." She opened her eyes and caught sight of herself in the mirror across the hall. Jeez - look at me! Eighty years old, and she looked like a healthy woman in her fifties - a woman who was going to spend a long, long life right here in this bungalow if she chased Basil away right now. He'd better be right about the white noise blocking the line here. "But a deal's a deal. If you need a favor, a real favor...gimmie a call. I'm yours." December 25, 2014 In Shropshire, Daniel Frewer turned his head to the sky, wondering suddenly what lay in the heavens. In Osaka, Homura Kato froze on the subway, feeling a sudden sense of calm and tranquility. In Alexandria, Amir al-Khudari locked himself in his apartment and spent hours writing page after page about some coming revelation, the dawning of a new prophet. Across the world, a whisper was falling into the minds of humanity. A thought launched like a needle, to grow and take hold for when the time was right. But for some people, the whisper was more like a shout. National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center Arecibo, Puerto Rico 9:12 PM The Scarab meditated above the structure hanging suspended over the gigantic radio telescope. She had felt the psychic broadcast raining down on humanity, and knew what it meant. If people were being guided towards a certain thought, it would likely come with a hard suggestion - and one of the best places for that to come through would be a site aimed towards receiving messages from the heavens. Something had come through early, however. When she arrived at the telescope, she had found the scientists in a mad bacchanal, offering praise and worship to whatever lay beyond. She had tranquilized them and managed to undo the damage, but they were still recovering. Now was the best time to turn this force's tricks against it. She just hoped the others would arrive to provide a full counter-offensive. Lor Timemark 1329.7 - February 28, 2015 Repiuk System Asteroid Belt When rich ore deposits had been discovered in the asteroid belt of a system with no habitable worlds nearly a hundred and fifty years prior it had drawn in a rush of prospectors, independent fortune seekers and small companies looking to stake a claim that would set them and their families up for generations. As the demands of the galactic economy shifted and the best veins had been tapped out, however, the cost of refinement had risen past the profitability of the belt and one by one facilities had been abandoned, subterranean ghost towns riddling the asteroids with tunnels and shafts. Decades later those abandoned mines would serve as a base of operations for a vicious pirate fleet, their leader cannily realizing that the remaining deposits of heavy metals would play havoc with snooping sensor sweeps. They'd been found out by the Star Knights nevertheless and soundly routed, leaving another layer of abandoned equipment in their wake. It was Sri A'Lan Koor who had remembered those raids and suggested the belt, a remote location of no military significance or appeal to the Communion, as a staging area for the Coalition forces. For the past three months the secret had remained kept, long enough for the leaders of the Coalition to feel secure gathering together in one room as they planned out their last, best chance to drive out the invading menace. Standing at the war table the veteran Star Knight had to wonder if they weren't going to do the Communion's job for it. "You need to pull your head out of whatever orifice you've shapeshifted for defecation purposes," Senator Diena Th'emme told the Grue Arcane across from her flatly, fingertips pressed firmly against the surface of the horizontal display between them. The tall, imperious woman managed to make even the utilitarian grey jumpsuit she was wearing come across as regalia, her honey blonde hair done up in a crisp bun. "We have a precise window of opportunity. What troops we can spare to assault the communication relay will have to be enough." The short, stocky being to her made a fluting growl, waving fur covered hands for emphasis as his translator box did its work in an incongruously light soprano. "You would send them to their deaths and for what?" Minister Ch'rrr had rallied a number of worlds to the Coalition's banner in his home sector but was by nature disinclined toward risk taking. "The slim hope of a possible advantage for a doomed plan? Your ancestors' pardon, Citizen Tulink, but I cannot place so much faith in a single simulacrum. Surely you agree, Praetorian Val-Ren?" December 25, 2014 Freedom City Midnight Manor Late in the evening on Christmas Day, a Deep One sang an eerie song in the Midnight Manor, her body silhouetted by the darkness outside. "BUT I GET UP AGAIN! YOU'RE NEVER GONNA KEEP ME DOWN! WOO!" As her song finished and the strains of Tubthumping vanished into the quiet of what was sometimes one of many front parlors in the Hunter mansion, Aquaria leaped in the air and cheered, her smooth, wet skin glistening from the exertion of the vigorous karoake number. "I am awesome!" For their part, Mark and Nina both cheered and applauded - Mark hadn't been at all sure bringing the machine along was the right idea, but luckily Jessie's amphibian friend had practically snatched the karaoke machine up with her tongue and practically begged to go first. (Jessie had, blushingly, commented that Aquaria used to do this a lot before disappearing herself) Aquaria first approached Mark and Nina, since they had been the latest to the party - only arriving after Martha Lucas had turned in early and left her son and his girlfriend free for Christmas. "You guys want a turn? C'mon, don't be chicken!" Between Nina's competitive streak and Mark's natural showmanship, it wasn't long before the couple was standing in front of the computerized board, picking out their song - 500 Miles seeming to be an early favorite. Aquaria bounded over to join Erin and Trevor to watch the show, declaring, "Surface music is great, you can yell so loud when you're singing! And nobody complains!" ic Incursion: Science Team Go! December 25, 2014 Walking about the Dubai International Convention Centre and mingling, Amir al-Misri would have been well within his rights to congratulate himself on a very successfully hosted conference. The science and technology summit - his PR people had come up with a more pompous title but it had sounded a little too obviously designed by committee to stick in the billionaire philanthropist's mind - had drawn experts in civic engineering, clean energy initiatives, information networking and a few dozen other equally impressive fields from around the globe. The chance to compare notes and show off the latest prototypes had been incentive enough but the sizable grant money being offered by his firm to the most impressive projects hadn't hurt, either. He wasn't left to bask in satisfaction for long, however, as one of his aides rushed over, his colouring pallid with stress, and shoved a tablet into Amir's hands. "Sir! Sir, you have to see this," the uncharacteristically disheveled man insisted, running a hand through his neat beard. "Some sort of weapon just made groundfall in the Rub' al Khali! It looks like- the data suggests it was launched from orbit. The payload... we don't have any idea what we're looking at, sir." The thermal satellite image on the tablet showed an aerial view of the Empty Quarter with a small, strangely cool blotch at the site of the impact. A blotch that was slowly but noticeably spreading outward. December 25th Continued from >Mind Over Matter Fast-Forward was back on the streets of Freedom City so fast he barely had time to grab a candy cane from a department store giveaway as he made his way to his first destination. It was evening New Jersey time when he appeared at Dancia Devons' front door in Lincoln, where his super-speed knock sounded like a machine gun's rat-a-tat before he slowed himself back down (and sped everything else up) until once again he was in sync with the normal world. Knocking firmly, he called, "Dancia Devons! Dancia Devons!" When she opened the door, the Discovery Channel personality on Dancia's doorstep said without preamble, "Scarab needs you to save the world from robot psychics from space." He glanced around quickly to make sure no one was in the hallway; luckily her neighbors were all still enjoying their Christmas. "How quickly can you get to Puerto Rico?" December 25, 2014 A ripple of tension had traced through the world's hero community, even those with few direct connections or who actively avoided such interactions with their peers. Something big was coming, perhaps already there, and the Freedom League was calling in everyone, every able body, to meet it. Details were scares and answers were scarcer but the apprehension of a soldier the night before shipping out hung over them all the same. That silent tension was broken as Asli Sadik's phone vibrated with a message notification, marked urgent with an attached video file. The compression had sacrificed some of the image quality but the hood, cloak and mask of Seven, a relatively recent addition to the League reputed to be a witch of considerable power, was immediately recognizable. The background was an indistinct blur but the urgency in her voice came through clearly enough. "Greetings, hero. My apologies for the intrusion but the need is great..." * * * * * "...great-whatever owed my great-whatever a favour and I'm calling in the chip," the porcine young man who'd identified himself as a descendant of Zhu Bajie told Daniel Lee as the grainy video played on the engineer's laptop screen. He snorted absently in a manner that wrinkled the entirety of his flat nose and hitched up his belt with both hands. "I ain't really got time to explain everything but I figure if I tell you there's adventure and demons to punch involved, won't take much convincing anyway..." * * * * * "...obviously the west bank of the Nile is a little out of the way for you," admitted Elwyn Eldrich, hockey jersey wearing nephew of the Master Mage, waving about a rune covered staff for emphasis, "but we're stretched a little thin here, frankly. Believe me, if I could leave the dread dimensions myself right now-- well, you know how they get around the holidays, I'm sure." As the video played the shadows in the corner of Jeremiah Cornwell's dorm room deepened unnaturally. "Now, can't keep the shadow portal I'm making for you open long..." * * * * * "...realize this is-- It's not how I wanted to do this," the stern young woman with Asgardian armor and a bow strapped to her back frowned, crossing and uncrossing her arms uncomfortably as John Fraser watched on his aging laptop's monitor. "But my mother always said that in a real emergency, you were the one I should contract. I'm sure you have a lot of questions - I would, too - but right now the world needs Arrowhawk." The video file ended and the gently spinning whirlpool of pitch black and midnight purple that had appeared a few meters away beckoned. December 25, 2014 South Pole Basin Lunar Farside It is not true that Farsiders never leave their city, merely that such events are rare and usually for a purpose. The construction of the South Pole station by Farsiders had been one such purposeful occasion, one launched over a Terran century ago by a Farsider monarch concerned about a recent Terran visit to the Moon. (Some Terran visitors to Farside City have pointed out that the Apollo missions took place over six decades later, but the Farsiders have the records of earlier 'interlopers' to show skeptical visitors of today.) With its neutrino detectors and concealed telescopes, the South Pole station is well-placed to directly monitor doings on Earth. Or for that matter, as Lady Lunar proved in the early 1980s, to strike at it. A collection of intellects vast and furious on Earth had realized the station's potential not long after the Communion crisis began - concealed as the station was, it was the perfect place to strike at an enemy in Earth orbit by surprise. What had been a location for observation could become a location for misdirection; a notion that appealed to the ruling government of Farside City, which liked the idea of saving the world they orbit without their true role ever being known. (Farsiders do love their secrets!) And so, for much of the last two months, the greatest minds of Earth have come to its only natural satellite with a singular purpose. To build a machine to protect the planet from the Communion! Steve Murdock had offered what advice he could during its construction, but his experience with dimensional technology was all practical. It had come down to Dragonfly's specific genius and Miss Americana's vast storehouse of general knowledge to put the great work into practice. Caradoc, and the other non-scientists in the party of heroes guarding the weapon (as Steve was not allowed to call it around his employer) had rapidly found another role in the small lunar colony. Lunar soil ashy beneath his feet, Caradoc raised his gleaming blade to the sky, the shining tip above the heads even of the tallest Farsiders in their environmental suits. A new group of Farsider militiamen had been deployed that week - and their usual trainers were busy with an Earth-Prime holiday, an important one, but one that he could miss while Gina Evans was safely ensconced in the tiny pre-fab quarters that she had occupied for the last month. There would be time enough for celebration when the work was done. He spoke over the radio. "Your enemy will target your environmental suits first! They are not pirates, or conquerors, or enslavers. Your dead flesh will feed their ever-growing armies." He lowered his blade as the group shifted uneasily, and for a moment there was dead silence on the lunar plain besides the domed Farsider military base even on the radio frequencies they used to speak with each other outside the dome. Outer Edge of the Lor-Van System 17 Hours After Destruction of Lor-Van The previous solar cycle's worth of hours had been among the worst in the lives of either Seikahi’ino or Ana Plonsky. On shore leave from the Xeno, the human woman had chosen to spend it on the shining crown jewel of the Lor Republic with the more worldly Kahi'iru agreeing to tag along as a favour to their mutual acquaintance to make sure she didn't get herself into any trouble. There was no way either of them could have been prepared for the Communion's sudden, merciless attack on Lor-Van. There was no way anyone could have been prepared. They'd been among the lucky ones, making it to a spaceport and squeezing their way onto a mid-sized cruiser just as the bay doors closed and it made for orbit. They'd sat on makeshift benches formed from empty cargo containers while a panicked young man had asked over and over if anyone had seen his sister among the crowd and a frail grandmother had been unable to stop an infants plaintive wailing for even a moment. They'd been in the windowless hold when word had filtered down that the Star Knights had arrived in force, a moment of sudden hope and relief before learning that the armor clad champions had sacrificed themselves to give them and the other fleeing vessels time to break orbit. They'd been there when the air had begun to taste just slightly stale and those familiar with starships had begun muttering that the engines didn't sound quite right. There when a crewman had let slip that they'd fallen behind the rest of the extant fleet and wouldn't be able to jump to FTL until repairs had been effected. There when the panicked young man from before had to be restrained before he could hurt himself or anyone else. There when someone asked aloud what was stopping those terrible silver sliver ships from coming to finish them off. On the ship's bridge, Samran-86 ran a hand through her tightly shorn red hair and reminded herself to keep her breathing calm and steady. The Lor officer had assumed command of the vessel from it grateful owner, a cargo hauler with no experience with emergency situations. The clone mentat known to her fellows as Eject was beginning to think he'd had the right idea. "Any friendly vessels, this is the freighter Either Ore. We are venting plasma and require immediate assistance. Repeat: we require immediate assistance. Is anyone out there listening?" Galandis Refinery Korivan The Khanate This seemed to be what he lived for, nowadays. He'd long since turned in his resignation at work. The guys at the aeronautics firm might have been willing to excuse his "long lunches" every now and again, but this was a different matter entirely. He had explained he was going to take a "sabbatical"; they acted like they understood, but he had a feeling that the position might be filled by the time he got back to Earth for any long stretch of time. If he got back to Earth. Sometimes, he wondered if he'd cracked. Here he was, alone, in the last place in the galaxy anyone wanted to be. He hadn't starting thinking about snails crawling along the edge of straight razors yet, so that was a point in favor of sanity. But there was still that urge, that drive. The need to do everything to the enemy that had been done to him and his people. He knew what lay down that road. But damn if it wasn't a tempting one to walk. Cavalier sighed. The personal reflection could wait. He had work to do. And so, he adjusted his visor to meet the swirling storm of dark silt, and trudged off towards his objective. Aboard the Nomad The edge of the Lor Republic 19 Hours After Destruction of Lor-Van Aya K'zan, also known as Corona, had received a transmission about the attack on Lor-Van far too late for her to be able to try to get there aboard the Nomad. After learning of the destruction of the capital of the Republic at the hands of some new enemy called the Communion, she had contacted two of the few allies she had made since her arrival on Earth, a human Emily Stenford, also known as Mechanized; and another off-worlder, Memorial, formally of Belran. As it turned out, Memorial knew a good deal about the Communion, making it an even easier decision for Corona to bring her along. The three had been heading to try to rendezvous with the Lor fleet on the Nomad when they had received a transmission from Lor Fleet Command. With the chaos the Communion attacks had brought, and the Star Knights shifting their forces to help address the threat, large sections of space had been left unpatrolled or defended. Reports had come in from systems just along the spinward boarder of the Republic about increased pirate activity, capitalizing on the chaos and absence of Star Knights. Command had ordered Corona to alter course to investigate the activity and deal with it, noting that it was the sector assigned to one of the Star Knights that had died trying to defend Lor-Van. Corona had also been directed to make a stop to pick up an additional passenger from a system along the way, a Tempestian known as Galvanic, who had been known to provide help to those in need since leaving Tempest. Now with Galvanic aboard, the Nomad was well underway towards the sector of space that had seen the worst increase in pirate activity. Rio Branco Avenue Rio de Janeiro, Brazil December 25th, 2014 5:25 PM local time Nick Cimitiere's jacket was tempered for heat and cold, meaning he didn't need to forgo protection - or mystique - based on the temperature. But the humidity of the Rio summer was still getting to him. The whole city was strung out for Christmas, but the tilt of the earth meant it felt more like the height of July back home. Speaking of back home... he'd told his family he'd be out of town for a few days, but would be back for Christmas. He always hated to lie to his family about these matters. Four years home from college, eight years as a superhero, and he still hadn't come clean about meddling in the affairs of life and death. But some matters of death were more important than matters of life. There had been a number of disappearances in Rio over the past few weeks. People from all walks of life had left messages for their family and friends, saying they were going to "a better place," and then had vanished entirely. Fortunatus, a local seer and fate manipulator who Nick had partnered with on a particularly tough job years ago, had given him a call about the matter. "The path is clouded to me," he had said. "I see that they are gone, but I cannot see where they have gone and who led them there. I fear this may be more your department than mine." "Anything else you can tell me?" "Just one thing. There are a number of 'great bumps' on the horizon." "Great bumps" was Fortunatus's term for a confluence of random factors that could spell either windfall or disaster. Nick had no idea where it came from. "I have one that I must handle myself, as it involves plucking the threads of chance like a harp. But I can see that these disappearances will not stop soon, and may breed a catastrophe of their own if unimpeded." And so, after spreading the word amongst the community and walking the back roads of reality, Nick had found himself walking a beat in paradise. Those who had gone seemed to be truly gone - after visiting their residences and the local cemeteries, he could find no trace of the vanished having left ghosts. Then again, he wasn't the only one on the beat. "How's it coming on your end?" he asked over the comms relics he'd handed out.
2019-04-20T02:33:04Z
https://www.freedomplaybypost.com/tags/incursion/
dAb's blog: [文獻] Flash Video 正火熱! 我原本就對Flash影音整合的方面很有興趣, Flash MX之後提供了FLV的串流影音格式, 不僅檔案小, 而且透過Flash Player 6以上就能夠順利播放, Flash程式也內建了漂亮的播放器. 設計者可以輕易的將影片檔整合在Flash網站中. 最近我一連做了幾項嘗試, 一個是製作首頁上的影音留言簿, 一個是昨天剛完成的Flash Video for blog部落格改良版. 原因在於我認為過去被提到爛掉的"網路影音服務", 會由內容提供(Contend Provider)的角度轉為個人化影音. 我們已經注意Flash Video的使用狀況有一段時間了, 我們發現將影片整合到Video的趨勢有驚人的成長. 有些是直接把影片作嵌入, 例如 Discovery Broadband, 有些則是提供了豐富的互動性, 例如 Vodafone Future Vision. - Rich Media 在網路廣告上的應用: 其效果出奇的好, Rich Media某種程度上與影音的整合式同樣意思. 由於我們注意到您也很在意Flash Video的未來趨勢, 我們在五月份執行了一項調查計畫, 主題是[妳現在/或計畫拿影片來做些什麼], 坦白說, 研究結果讓我們很驚訝. 根據這份報告我們導出的結論是--Video is Hot! 以上是Greg Stern專文的概要節錄, 根據這篇文章的主旨, Macromedia近來推出了大量的Flash 影音整合教學與工具, 而我dAb也十分看好未來Flash Video的後勢. 其中提到了一種服務-Falsh Video串流服務廠商, 我覺得很有趣. 現今的個人影片製作能力因為各種工具的普及(ex數位像機)日漸平民化, 在加上寬頻網路的同步成長, 過去的網路影音內容服務廠商獲利不佳, 我推論下一個網路影音的契機會是針對個人的個人化服務. Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: [文獻] Flash Video 正火熱!. I simply want to tell you that I'm all new to blogs and honestly loved this blog. 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2019-04-20T21:18:17Z
http://www.dab.idv.tw/blog/archives/000104.php
The International Cyanide Management Code (hereinafter “the Cyanide Code”) and other documents or information sources referenced at www.cyanidecode.org are believed to be reliable and were prepared in good faith from information reasonably available to the drafters. However, no guarantee is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any of these other documents or information sources. No guarantee is made in connection with the application of the Cyanide Code, the additional documents available or the referenced materials to prevent hazards, accidents, incidents, or injury to employees and/or members of the public at any specific site where gold or silver is extracted from ore by the cyanidation process. Compliance with this Cyanide Code is not intended to and does not replace, contravene or otherwise alter the requirements of any specific national, state or local governmental statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, or other requirements regarding the matters included herein. Compliance with this Cyanide Code is entirely voluntary and is neither intended nor does it create, establish, or recognize any legally enforceable obligations or rights on the part of its signatories, supporters or any other parties. Signatories of the International Cyanide Management Code commit to follow the Cyanide Code's Principles and Standards in the use of cyanide. The Standards of Practice listed under each Principle in the Cyanide Code set performance goals and objectives that an operation must achieve in order to be certified as in compliance with the Cyanide Code. The specific means of implementing the Cyanide Code described in this guidance document are not mandatory in order for an operation to become certified as Cyanide Code compliant. An operation can achieve certification if it is able to demonstrate that its methods achieve the performance goal as stated in the Standard of Practice. This Document can be a useful tool for all stakeholders in that it describes an acceptable method that achieves the performance goals set by the Standards of Practice. 1. PRODUCTION - Encourage responsible cyanide manufacturing by purchasing from manufacturers who operate in a safe and environmentally protective manner. Purchase cyanide from manufacturers employing appropriate practices and procedures to limit exposure of their workforce to cyanide and to prevent releases of cyanide to the environment. Many cyanide manufacturers are members of the International Council of Chemical Associations' Responsible Care® Program, which promotes the adoption of Cyanide Codes of Practice to limit workforce exposures to cyanide and to prevent, control and respond to environmental releases of cyanide. Most cyanide manufacturers pay great attention to product stewardship and employ management systems, procedures and practices to achieve these goals. Cyanide Code signatories can play a significant role by encouraging cyanide producers to act responsibly and purchase cyanide from manufacturers that have signed the Cyanide Code and had their production plant certified as compliant with the Cyanide Code's Principles and Production Practices. A company’s primary purchasing arrangements for cyanide can be interrupted by production or transportation problems beyond its control, and it may occasionally be necessary to purchase cyanide from alternate sources for a limited time to ensure continued production. Operations should include the same requirements in all contracts developed with secondary cyanide distributors and producers. The contract with an independent distributor of cyanide should require the distributor to provide cyanide that has been produced at a facility certified as compliant with the Cyanide Code. A certification or chain-of-custody documentation stating that the cyanide delivered to an operation was indeed produced by the stated manufacturer must also be provided. 2. TRANSPORTATION - Protect communities and the environment during cyanide transport. Establish clear lines of responsibility for safety, security, release prevention, training and emergency response in written agreements with producers, distributors and transporters. For international shipments, packaging and labeling should conform to Recommendations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods (a.k.a. the Orange Book), published by the United Nations Economic and Social Council's Committee of Experts on Transport of Dangerous Goods. The written agreement should also specify that the designated responsibilities extend to any subcontractors used by the producer, distributor, transporter or the operation for transportation-related activities. Require that cyanide transporters implement appropriate emergency response plans and capabilities, and employ adequate measures for cyanide management. Although it may not have direct control over the cyanide transport process, a mining operation is expected to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the transporter, and any subcontractors involved in cyanide transport, make health, safety and environmental considerations a priority while transporting cyanide to the mine. Operations should require in their transport contracts for cyanide that the transporter signs the Cyanide Code and has its cyanide transport activities certified as compliant with the Cyanide Code's Principles and Transport Practices. Design and construct unloading, storage and mixing facilities consistent with sound, accepted engineering practices, quality control and quality assurance procedures, spill prevention and spill containment measures. To the extent feasible, unloading and storage areas for liquid and solid cyanide should be located away from people and surface waters. The potential for releases to surface water and/or human exposure associated with the storage location should be evaluated, and the operation should implement precautions as needed to prevent or minimize these potentials. Protective measures may include automatic sensors and alarms for hydrogen cyanide gas, enhanced or additional containment structures, and specific emergency procedures for notification, evacuation, response and remediation. Additionally, many cyanide manufactures have guidelines for the design, construction and operation of unloading and storage facilities that may be helpful in the implementation of this practice. Unloading of liquid cyanide should be done on a concrete surface to prevent leakage from contacting the environment. Systems and procedures should be in place to address potential recovery of released solution, remediation of any contaminated soil, and possible failures of the tank trucks as necessary to protect surface and ground water. A method to prevent the overfilling of cyanide storage tanks (other than by direct observation and manual gauging rod) should be provided, such as an automatic level indicator, high- level alarm, or integrated tank and tanker valve-shutdown device. Storage areas for cyanide should be well ventilated to prevent the build-up of hydrogen cyanide gas. Measures such as storage under a roof and off the ground or in secure containers should be in place to minimize the potential for contact of cyanide with water. Cyanide should be stored within a secure location where public access is prohibited, such as the fenced boundary of the operation/plant or within a separate fenced and locked area. Cyanide should not be stored with acids, strong oxidizers, explosives, foods, animal feeds, tobacco products, or any other incompatible materials. Berms, bunds, walls or other barriers that will prevent mixing can be used. Cyanide storage and mixing tanks should be located on a concrete surface to prevent seepage to the subsurface. Secondary containment should be employed to contain any releases from the tanks, and for any precipitation that may come in contact with the cyanide. Allowances must also be made for the recovery and return to the cyanidation process or proper disposal of any contaminated water or cyanide leakages. Secondary containments used for this purpose should be constructed of concrete, asphalt, plastic or other materials that are demonstrated to provide a competent barrier. Containments, which may include multiple containments connected by piping, should be sized to hold a volume of leakage greater than that of the largest tank, any piping that drains back into the containment, and should have additional capacity for the design storm event. Procedures should be implemented to prevent discharge to the environment of any process solution or precipitation contaminated with cyanide that is collected in a secondary containment area. Operations should employ quality control and quality assurance procedures in the construction of foundations, storage and mixing tanks, solution handling facilities and containments to ensure that design objectives have been achieved. Records should be retained documenting that these procedures have been followed. Cyanide storage and mixing tanks and related pipelines should be constructed of or coated with materials compatible with cyanide and high pH conditions. Tanks and pipelines should be clearly identified as containing cyanide, and the direction of flow should be indicated on pipelines. This should be accomplished by using labels, tags, signs or other clearly legible markings. Some jurisdictions also have standardized color-codes for cyanide tanks and pipes containing cyanide. Operate unloading, storage and mixing facilities using inspections, preventive maintenance and contingency plans to prevent or contain releases and control and respond to worker exposures. The unloading, storage and mixing of cyanide at an operation involves concentrated solutions of cyanide and solid cyanide salts and therefore presents the potential for worker exposure and environmental releases involving potentially toxic concentrations of cyanide. Employing appropriate practices and procedures during these activities is critical to protect worker health and safety, prevent releases, and effectively respond to any exposures or releases. Operations should develop and implement a written set of procedures designed to prevent or control exposures and releases during cyanide unloading, storage and mixing activities. These procedures may be in the form of an operating manual, standard operating procedures, checklists, signs, training documents, or other written formats as long as they address the elements discussed below, as appropriate for the site and its unloading, storage and mixing activities. The procedures should include instructions for operating all valves and couplings, and requirements for use of personal protective equipment. Procedures for handling solid cyanide should include measures to ensure that containers are neither ruptured nor punctured, and describe limits on stacking containers. Mixing procedures should include techniques to minimize the evolution of hydrogen cyanide gas, prevent loss of solid cyanide, and insure the handling and disposal of empty cyanide containers consistent with the Cyanide Code. Where the operation receives cyanide in solid form and mixes it into solution on site, the resultant high strength cyanide solution should contain colorant dye at a concentration that provides for clear visual identification and for clear differentiation with other solutions or rainwater that may be present. For adding dye, high strength cyanide solution is defined as solution having a minimum concentration of 15% cyanide. Operations should develop contingency procedures for responding to releases and worker exposure that may occur during the unloading, mixing and storage of cyanide. These plans should address the issues identified under Principle 6, Worker Safety and Principle 7, Emergency Response, and may be incorporated into the operation's overall Emergency Response Plan. At least two individuals also should be present when unloading liquid cyanide so that one can be available for immediate response in the event of an exposure. These individuals, who may be from the operation or the transport company, should be trained in the unloading procedures used at that site as well as in the applicable procedures for emergency response to worker and community exposure and environmental release. Remote video monitoring can be used in lieu of the second "observer" during the unloading of liquid cyanide. At least two individuals should also be present when mixing cyanide with water unless an automated system is used or a remote video monitoring system is used. The cyanide manufacturer's recommended procedures for mixing or similar site-specific procedures should be followed closely to minimize the possibility of worker exposure. The pH of the mix water should be sufficiently high to minimize the evolution of hydrogen cyanide gas. The exact pH required at a given operation will depend on the concentration of cyanide in solution, the water chemistry, and the engineered controls built in to the mixing system. Cyanide-specific first aid and emergency response equipment should be readily available for use at unloading, storage and mixing locations, including high-pH water for decontamination of exposed workers, oxygen, resuscitator and appropriate personal protective equipment. An antidote for cyanide poisoning must also be available. However, while any trained individual can administer oxygen and/or amyl nitrite, only certified medical personnel may administer intravenous antidotes. A means of communication or notification, such as a radio, telephone or alarm system, should also be available to summon help in the event of an exposure. Workers involved with unloading, storage and mixing should be trained in the use of emergency rescue equipment and in the first aid procedures for responding to cyanide exposures as discussed in Principle 8, Training. Spill neutralization and clean-up equipment should also be readily available at unloading, storage and mixing locations. This may include water for cleaning up spills of liquid cyanide, shovels for cleaning up spills of solid cyanide, and chemicals to treat or neutralize cyanide and cyanide-contaminated soils, as well as cyanide-specific personal protective equipment. See the Guidance for Standard of Practice 7.5 regarding treatment of cyanide. Personnel engaged in unloading, storage and mixing activities should be trained in the operation's procedures to respond to cyanide spills, including notifications, clean up and detoxification. Storage areas, pipelines, pumps, valves and tanks should be inspected regularly for evidence of leakage, presence of solution in secondary containments and integrity of the containment. Deficiencies should be noted and records retained documenting the inspection and the implementation of necessary corrective measures. Empty cyanide containers should not be reused on or off the mine site for any purpose other than holding cyanide. Prior to disposal or re-use, cyanide drums should be rinsed three times with high-pH water to remove cyanide residue. All rinse water should either be added to the cyanidation process or assumed to contain cyanide and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. The rinsed drum may then be crushed and placed in a landfill. Plastic bags and liners should also be triple-rinsed prior to disposal. Wooden crates are difficult to effectively decontaminate; it should be assumed that they have come in contact with cyanide and they should be burned or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. Cyanide containers that are specifically meant for return to the vendor for reuse may not require internal rinsing, but any cyanide residue on the outside of the container should be washed off and managed consistent with the Cyanide Code, and the container should be securely closed for shipment. The cyanide manufacturer's guidelines and government regulations where they have been established. 4. OPERATIONS: Manage cyanide process solutions and waste streams to protect human health and the environment. Implement management and operating systems designed to protect human health and the environment including contingency planning and inspection and preventive maintenance procedures. Written management systems, including operating plans and procedures, are the link between a site's design and its operation. On a daily basis, these systems provide a method to insure operational parameters are consistent with design criteria and assumptions. Although formalized plans are suggested, the Cyanide Code does not require an operation to compile its cyanide-specific procedures into specified formats or documents or that the necessary cyanide management procedures be documented separately from an operation's other operating, training or environmental plans and procedures. Procedures may be in the form of manuals, standard operating procedures, checklists, signs, training materials or other forms, and may be separate for cyanide management or included with other documentation, as long as they demonstrate the operation's understanding of managing cyanide in a manner that prevents or controls releases to the environment and exposures to workers and the community. Operating plans or procedures should be developed and implemented for both new and existing facilities such as leach plants, heap leach operations, tailings impoundments, cyanide treatment, regeneration and disposal systems for the use, management and disposal of cyanide and cyanide-containing solutions. The plans or procedures should describe the standard practices necessary for the safe and environmentally sound operation of the facility and the specific measures needed for compliance with the Cyanide Code, such as inspections and maintenance activities, and identify the assumptions and parameters on which the facility design was based. They should also identify any applicable regulatory requirements necessary to prevent or control cyanide releases and exposures, examples of which include the freeboard required for safe pond and impoundment operation and cyanide concentrations in tailings on which the facility's wildlife protection measures or permit limits are based. The management system should also include procedures to identify when the initial design and operating practices at the site have or will be changed, and require a change in cyanide management practices. For example, the initial design of a facility may have been based on disposal of tailings with a sufficiently low Weak Acid Dissolvable (WAD) cyanide concentration, making no additional wildlife protection measures necessary. But if the mine encounters ore with a high copper content, the increased cyanide concentrations required for efficient leaching may result in a tailings solution that is harmful to birds. Therefore, a change in procedure would be warranted to prevent the exposure of birds to a tailings solution that may have a toxic concentration of cyanide. For example, the procedure may require the blending of ore types, or the use of a cyanide destruction or regeneration plant, to address this issue. Management systems and operating plans or procedures should also include contingencies for situations where there is an upset in a facility's water balance, when inspections or monitoring identifies a problem, and when a temporary closure or cessation of operations may be necessary. Prior planning for these situations allows rapid responses and minimizes risks of cyanide exposures and releases. Various programs and guidelines can be useful as models for development of environmental management systems. The International Standards Organization's ISO 14000, British Standards BS 7750, European Community's Eco-Management & Audit Scheme (EMAS) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, V. Environment all provide frameworks an operation can use as a basis for its cyanide management system. However, the Cyanide Code does not require the use of any single approach to environmental management nor accepts such systems in lieu of the development and implementation of the plans and procedures identified in the Cyanide Code. Facilities should be inspected on an established frequency to ensure that they function within design parameters. Although specific inspection needs will depend on the facilities at a given site and the degree of automated instrumentation, some visual inspections are typically necessary at most sites. Tanks holding process solutions should be inspected for structural integrity and signs of corrosion and leakage. Secondary containments should be inspected for their integrity, the presence of fluids, and their available capacity to ensure that drains are closed and, if necessary, locked, to prevent accidental releases to the environment. Leak detection and collection systems at leach pads and ponds should be inspected as required in the design documents. Pipelines, pumps and valves should be inspected for deterioration and leakage. Ponds and impoundments should be inspected for the parameters identified as critical in design documents to their containment of cyanide and solutions, maintenance of the water balance (such as available freeboard) and the integrity of structures for diversion of surface water and runoff. Facility inspections should be documented on inspection forms, in log books or by other means, and should include the date of the inspection, the name of the inspector, and any observed deficiencies. The nature and date of corrective actions also should be documented. Preventive maintenance programs should be implemented and their activities documented to ensure that equipment and devices necessary for cyanide management function continuously. Pumps, pipelines, and cyanide treatment and destruction/regeneration equipment are examples of equipment that should be regularly maintained so that failures do not result in worker exposures or releases to the environment. Operations should have a source of emergency power for pumps and other equipment to prevent unintentional cyanide releases and worker exposure when their primary power supply is interrupted. Back-up power generating equipment should be maintained and tested to insure its viability and reserves. Introduce management and operating systems to minimize cyanide use, thereby limiting concentrations of cyanide in mill tailings. Limiting cyanide use to the greatest extent practicable has environmental and economic benefits because reducing the concentration of cyanide lowers the risk of potential seepage, and harmful exposures to wildlife, and minimizing the amount of cyanide that must be transported to the site lowers the potential of transport-related releases. While facilities must use the amount of cyanide determined to be metallurgically necessary for efficient precious metal extraction, operations should use bottle roll or other test procedures to determine the optimal amount of cyanide, and should reevaluate and adjust addition rates as necessary when changes in ore type or processing plant practices occur. Operations should also evaluate various control strategies for cyanide additions, such as periodic sampling and automated systems to optimize efficiency, to reduce cyanide concentrations in mill tailings and/or recycled solutions, and then implement the chosen strategy. Implement a comprehensive water management program to protect against unintentional releases. The proper management of process solution and storm water is central to the prevention of releases from tailings impoundments and solution ponds. A comprehensive water balance should be developed in order to define the necessary parameters for design and operation of these facilities. Inspection and monitoring to maintain the water balance should become part of the facility's operating procedures, thus preventing an over-accumulation of water that can result in overtopping, unplanned discharge into the environment, and the potential structural failure of the facility. The water balance should be probabilistic in nature, taking into account the uncertainty and variability inherent in the prediction of precipitation patterns. This entails considering precipitation and evaporation ranges, extremes and seasonal variations, as well as average conditions. Although a water balance must be developed on a site-specific basis, a number of basic factors must be considered in all cases. The rates at which solutions are applied to leach pads and tailings are deposited into storage facilities are critical design parameters for sizing facilities. Once set (unless other engineering changes are made) these rates will limit the amount of tailings that can safely be discharged to an impoundment and the volume of leach solution that can be circulated through a leach operation. Facility design must be based on a storm duration and return interval that provides a sufficient degree of probability that overtopping of the pond or impoundment can be prevented. Since precipitation falling on the facility and evaporation from it may represent a significant input and loss of water to the system, these rates should be evaluated on a regular (typically monthly) basis to account for seasonal variations in weather patterns. The selection of events and their recurrence interval should be based on the anticipated period of operations, rainfall distribution patterns, the relative safety, health and environmental risks at the site, applicable regulatory requirements and an adequate margin of safety. Examples include but are not limited to designs for containment of a 100- year, 24-hour event (the most precipitation anticipated to fall during a 24-hour period once every 100 years) and a 50-year, 72-hour event (the most precipitation anticipated to fall during a 72- hour period once every 50 years). The quality of existing data is also a factor, and conservative assumptions or adjustments may need to be considered when long-term data are not available or where the only data available do not represent actual site conditions. The amount of precipitation entering a pond or impoundment resulting from surface run-on from the up gradient watershed must be considered in the water balance. While the design storm event used to calculate inflow from up gradient will be at least the same as that used for precipitation falling directly on the facility, it may be necessary to increase the anticipated volume of precipitation if the watershed includes significantly higher terrain, to account for infiltration into the ground and run-off entering the facility. In regions receiving precipitation as snow or ice, an "inventory" of precipitation may accumulate for weeks or months during freezing conditions and be released as a single inflow during a thaw. The potential for such an occurrence must be considered in areas experiencing such conditions. For leach ponds, the water balance should also include an evaluation of the amount of solution that can drain from the heap to a pond before pumping capacity can be restored. Site-specific parameters, such as the height and porosity of the heap, should be considered along with the design storm event and other potential failure scenarios such as pipe failure. A 48-hour period is used by some jurisdictions for drain-down calculations. The water balance must also take into account various solution losses in addition to evaporation. These include the capacity of decant, drainage and recycling systems used to return solution to the process, seepage to the subsurface as authorized by the applicable jurisdiction, and whether the facility is allowed to discharge solution to surface water. Where pumps and other equipment will be used to remove solution from ponds and impoundments, the water balance must account for potential power outages or equipment failures, and the availability of back-up equipment and power. Where discharge to surface water is allowed and deemed necessary to accommodate site design and climatic conditions, the capacity of cyanide treatment, destruction or regeneration systems must be considered in the water balance. Further, the on-line availability of these systems, and the implications of their failure or maintenance downtime, must be factored into the water balance and facility storage capacity. Other aspects of facility design may have direct consequences on how the water balance must be determined, and these factors must be included when calculating the amount of water that can be stored in the impoundment. For example, the analysis of dam stability or potential seepage of a tailings impoundment may be based on an assumed phreatic surface within the dam. Ponds and impoundments must be designed to maintain an adequate freeboard between the crest of the pond or impoundment and the maximum design level of solution determined to be necessary from water balance calculations. Heights of 0.5-1.0 meters are examples of freeboard requirements that are typically found in many regulations and guidance documents as a safety factor and to account for potential wave action in tailings storage facilities. Greater freeboard may be necessary in leach ponds since their surface areas are generally much smaller than those of tailings storage facilities, and they fill more rapidly during increased precipitation. Operation of a rain gauge is necessary unless daily precipitation data is available from another nearby source that is representative of site conditions. Precipitation data should be compared with the assumptions used for facility design, and operating practices should be reviewed and revised as necessary to account for actual measured precipitation. Implement measures to protect birds, other wildlife and livestock from adverse effects of cyanide process solutions. Process solutions impounded in a Tailing Storage Facility (TSF), leaching facilities and solution ponds can attract birds, wildlife and livestock. A concentration of 50 mg/l WAD cyanide or lower in solution is typically viewed as being protective of most wildlife and livestock mortality other than aquatic organisms. Where birds, wildlife or livestock have access to water impounded in TSFs, leaching facilities or solution ponds, operations should implement measures to limit the concentration of WAD cyanide to a maximum of 50 mg/l. Various treatment methods are available to reduce cyanide concentrations in mill effluents to achieve this concentration. Measures to restrict access by wildlife and livestock should be instituted for all open waters where WAD cyanide exceeds 50 mg/l. These measures include fencing, filling in leach solution collection and transport ditches with gravel, and covering or netting water in ditches, ponds and impoundments. Hazing techniques such as use of air cannons are not effective in most cases. Fencing is also appropriate in most cases to prevent unauthorized access and potential exposure to humans. Solution application methods for leach operations should be designed and operated to avoid significant ponding on the heap surface and limit overspray of solution off the heap liner. This should prevent contact with birds and other wildlife and potential contamination of surrounding soil, surface water and ground water. Ponding on a heap leach facility may indicate saturated conditions at depth in the heap that could lead to structural failure and release of process solution to the environment. Implement measures to protect fish and wildlife from direct and indirect discharges of cyanide process solution to surface water. Process solutions may be discharged directly or indirectly to surface waters. A typical direct discharge would be a permitted discharge of tailings water to a stream, while an indirect discharge could be seepage from a tailings storage facility that flows on the surface or through the subsurface and enters a stream. Direct discharges to surface water may be necessary in regions where precipitation exceeds evaporation. Operations should implement measures to protect against and manage indirect discharges so that cyanide concentrations are not harmful to fish and wildlife in these surface waters. Discharges to surface waters should not exceed 0.5 mg/l WAD cyanide nor result in a concentration of free cyanide in excess of 0.022 mg/l within the receiving surface water body, and downstream of any mixing zone approved by the applicable jurisdiction. The 0.022 mg/l guideline is from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's National Water Quality Criteria for Cyanide, and represents a concentration to which a freshwater aquatic community can be briefly exposed without resulting in an unacceptable effect. The lower quantification limit (LQL) for free cyanide analysis achievable by most laboratories is 1 mg/l. (See: Sampling and Analysis) If the analytical laboratory cannot accurately determine compliance with the 0.022 mg/l value, the operation may demonstrate compliance by determining the free cyanide concentration in the discharge and calculating the resulting concentration after dilution in the mixing zone (if applicable). In the event that the free cyanide concentration of the discharge is below the analytical limit of quantification, the operation should determine the WAD cyanide concentration in the discharge, assume that all WAD cyanide is free cyanide, and calculate the resulting concentration after dilution in the mixing zone (if applicable). Operations may also apply biotoxicity testing using species and techniques accepted by the applicable jurisdiction. Free cyanide levels of 0.022 mg/l may not be appropriate in all cases, as the sensitivity of aquatic life to cyanide varies with the species present and the characteristics of the receiving water. It will usually be necessary to treat or regenerate cyanide prior to its discharge in order to achieve 0.022 mg/l free cyanide downstream of the mixing zone. Many jurisdictions have their own specific numerical standards for surface water discharges or surface water quality, or may limit cyanide species other than free cyanide. Treatment may be passive (allowing sufficient residence time in an impoundment for natural processes to reduce cyanide concentrations or use of wetlands) or active (utilizing any of the various available technologies to oxidize cyanide or to regenerate hydrogen cyanide for reuse in production). It should be noted that some treatment methods could increase the concentration of cyanide degradation products (such as cyanate, ammonia and nitrate) in the discharge. These substances can themselves be harmful to fish and wildlife. Although control of these substances is not covered by the Cyanide Code, operations utilizing such treatment systems should evaluate the effects of cyanide degradation products on exposed fish and wildlife and take measures necessary for their protection. Monitoring surface water quality both up and down gradient of a cyanide facility can determine if an indirect discharge is causing harmful concentrations of cyanide in the surface water. In such a case, the discharge should be stopped either as soon as possible or intercepted and collected. The water balance and design parameters of a tailings storage facility should be reviewed to determine if the seep is from improper water management. Seepage that cannot be stopped should be collected in trenches, ponds or wells, and either returned to the production process or, if permitted, treated as necessary and discharged. Implement measures designed to manage seepage from cyanide facilities to protect the beneficial uses of ground water. Measures designed to manage seepage of leaching and tailings solutions should be incorporated into the design and construction of facilities to protect the existing beneficial uses of ground water, and/or the beneficial uses designated by the applicable jurisdiction. Where the beneficial use of ground water has been adversely impacted, mine operations should implement remedial measures to protect against further degradation and restore beneficial uses at the applicable monitoring location or point(s) of compliance. For leach pads and leach solution ponds, this typically requires lining with a minimum of one synthetic membrane, such as high- or low-density polyethylene, HDPE or LDPE, placed on a prepared and compacted earthen liner. These and other liner systems, such as two synthetic membranes, can be designed and constructed with leak detection and recovery systems between the liners where significant hydraulic head exists (i.e., a solution pond or the internal solution collection trenches of a heap leach pad) to allow for periodic monitoring for leakage. Limiting the hydraulic head by maintaining a small pond area will reduce the force driving solution into the subsurface. The earthen floor of an impoundment can be compacted in its natural condition, or by adding clay materials to form a liner. Deposition methods can be used to promote tailings compaction and reduce their permeability. Dam designs are available to promote drainage to a collection system rather than to the subsurface, and cut-off trenches can be used to intercept and collect shallow seepage before it can impact ground water. Remedial actions such as pump-back systems also can be used to manage subsurface flows and prevent existing ground water plumes from reaching potential receptors and interfering with the beneficial uses of ground water. The need for and nature of seepage control measures is highly dependent on site-specific hydrogeological conditions. Such systems should therefore be factored into the initial design of a tailings storage facility and be incorporated into the facility's operating plan to protect the designated beneficial uses of ground water. Any measures to restrict or control seepage from tailings storage facilities must be integrated into overall facility design, as they are directly related to the overall stability of the engineered structures. Information on design and construction of TSFs can be found in Bulletins # 74, 97, 98, 101, 102, 104, 106 and 121 published by the International Commission On Large Dams, ICOLD, as well as in documents developed by many political jurisdictions. Where mill tailings are used as underground backfill, the operation should determine the cyanide concentrations in the liquid phase and evaluate the risks to worker safety and ground water quality. Where potential exists for worker exposure to hydrogen cyanide gas, or for the release of cyanide to ground water, treatments to chemically convert, remove available cyanide, or to complex it in forms that do not present risks to worker health or the beneficial uses of the ground water or other appropriate actions should be implemented. Provide spill prevention or containment measures for process tanks and pipelines. Tanks holding process solutions such as leaching vessels, CIL and CIP tanks and cyanide tanks associated with cyanide regeneration activities should be located on concrete or material impermeable to seepage of spilled solution. Secondary containment should be provided for potential failure of cyanide process solution tanks, with provisions for recovery of released solution or remediation of any contaminated soil as necessary to protect surface and ground water. Containments should be sized to hold a volume greater than that of the largest tank within the containment, any piping that drains back into the containment, and have additional capacity for the design storm event. Spill prevention or containment measures should also be provided for process solution pipelines. Examples include secondary containment ditches, differential pressure sensing with alarms and/or automatic shutoff systems, and preventive maintenance programs with pipe thickness measurements. While a program of regular visual inspections should also be conducted, visual inspections alone are not typically sufficient unless the inspections are conducted at a frequency that can identify and prevent significant releases. If a risk exists for a release of process solution from a pipeline to adversely affect surface water, such as where pipes cross streams, operations should evaluate the need for special protection such as double-walled piping. Cyanide process tanks and pipelines should be constructed or coated with materials that are compatible with cyanide and high pH conditions. Tanks and pipelines should be clearly identified as containing cyanide. The direction of flow should be indicated on pipelines. Labels, tags, signs or other clearly legible markings can accomplish this. Some jurisdictions also have standardized color-codes for cyanide tanks and pipes containing cyanide. Implement quality control/quality assurance procedures to confirm that cyanide facilities are constructed according to accepted engineering standards and specifications. Facilities for the management of cyanide should be constructed according to accepted engineering standards and specifications. Quality control and quality assurance programs should be implemented during construction of new facilities and modifications to existing facilities to insure structural integrity and the ability to safely contain process solutions and solids. Qualified personnel should review facility construction and document that the facility has been built as proposed and approved. Existing facilities may not have been subject to quality control and assurance programs when originally constructed. If no records exist, to ensure that the facility can operate consistent with the Cyanide Code’s Principles and Standards of Practice the facility must be inspected by appropriately qualified personnel and a report issued documenting the results. The quality control and quality assurance program should address the suitability of the construction materials and the adequacy of soil compaction for earthworks such as tank foundations and earthen liners for leach facilities. Quality control and quality assurance procedures are also necessary for installation of synthetic membrane liners used in ponds and leach pads, for pipes, pipe fittings, for welds and bolts on cyanide storage and process tanks, and for any other equipment containing cyanide. Records should be retained to document that the specific quality control and quality assurance procedures have been followed. Oversight by qualified personnel of all phases of construction and testing, and well-defined procedures for approval of changes to original design or construction techniques are also important aspects of quality control and quality assurance programs. The previously referenced ICOLD documents, as well as guidance documents developed by many individual countries and jurisdictions, provide information on quality control and quality assurance programs for construction of tailings dams and impoundments. In particular, the suitability of construction materials and the degree of compaction necessary for natural materials are of critical importance in most tailings storage facility designs. Other parameters may also be significant depending on the design. Implement monitoring programs to evaluate the effects of cyanide use on wildlife, surface and ground water quality. Monitoring programs play a key role in release prevention and identification and provide a basis for effective worker training. Sites should develop written standard procedures for monitoring activities and conduct these activities in a uniform and consistent manner to insure good quality. Operations should monitor cyanide in discharges to surface water, and in the surface and ground water up gradient and down gradient of the site to determine the effectiveness of the current management systems and take any necessary corrective actions. Sampling and analytical protocols should be developed by appropriately qualified personnel and should specify to the extent practical how and where samples should be taken, sample preservation techniques, chain of custody procedures and cyanide species to be determined. Sampling conditions and procedures should be documented on standardized written forms, in logbooks or by other means. Monitoring should be conducted at intervals adequate to characterize the medium being monitored and to identify changes in a timely manner. Timing may vary from site to site, depending on the amount of existing data, the stability of the parameters, and the rate of ground water movement. Discharges to surface waters are typically monitored daily, while surface water monitoring may be weekly or monthly. Ground water monitoring may be monthly, quarterly or longer. Monitoring for wildlife mortality is normally part of a daily inspection of cyanide facilities. Plan and implement procedures for effective decommissioning of cyanide facilities to protect human health, wildlife and livestock. Prior to the start of new operations, the steps necessary to decommission the cyanide facility should be determined so that the facility can be closed in a manner that prevents adverse impacts to people, wildlife or the environment. Issues related to cyanide are only one component of a site's overall decommissioning and closure strategy. An operation may incorporate procedures to address decommissioning of cyanide facilities in its overall site closure plan, or it may develop separate procedures for decommissioning and closing. The chosen strategy should address issues such as disposal of cyanide reagents, decontamination of equipment, rinsing of heaps and activities to prepare tailings storage facilities for closure, removal of water from pond surfaces or reduction of the cyanide concentration to a level protective of human health and wildlife, and the installation of any equipment necessary for long-term protection of ground and/or surface water quality during the facility's closure period. The plan should also include implementation schedules for each activity. The decommissioning strategy should be routinely reviewed and revised during the life of the operation to address changes in facilities or the development of new decommissioning technologies. Establish an assurance mechanism capable of fully funding cyanide related decommissioning activities. A mining operation should develop an estimate of the cost to fully fund the cyanide-related decommissioning measures identified in its plan for site decommissioning or closure. The estimate should be based on the current cost for a third party to implement the identified decommissioning measures, and should be reviewed and updated at least every five years or when revisions are made that affect cyanide-related decommissioning activities. An operation will be considered compliant with this Standard of Practice if it has met the financial assurance requirements imposed by the applicable political jurisdiction in an amount sufficient to cover its decommissioning costs as identified above. In situations where there is no jurisdictional requirement for financial assurance for site decommissioning, an operation should establish an assurance mechanism capable of covering the costs of its cyanide-related decommissioning activities. One option is the establishment of a financial instrument, such as a bond, letter of credit or insurance in the amount estimated to be necessary for cyanide-related decommissioning activities. If the operation uses self-insurance or self-guarantee as its financial assurance, it must provide a statement by a qualified financial auditor that it has sufficient financial strength to fulfill this obligation as demonstrated by an accepted financial evaluation methodology such as those described in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations at 40 CFR 264.143(f), 30 CFR 800.23, 10 CFR 30, Appendix A, or at Sections 13 through 20 of Ontario Regulations 240/00, Mineral Development and Closure, under Part VII of the Ontario Mining Act. 6. WORKER SAFETY Protect workers' health and safety from exposure to cyanide. Identify potential exposure scenarios and take measures as necessary to eliminate, reduce and control them. Job functions and tasks should be evaluated to determine possible exposure scenarios and pathways. Process changes or engineering controls should be developed and implemented to eliminate these exposures and reduce or control them when they cannot be eliminated. Operations should then develop and document procedures for performing cyanide-related tasks such as unloading, mixing, plant operations, entry into confined spaces, and equipment decontamination in a manner that minimizes worker exposures. These procedures should also address, where appropriate, the use of cyanide-specific personal protective equipment such as respirators, eye protection, protective gloves, coveralls or suits, pre-work inspections, emergency response, cyanide monitoring, communication and documentation. Personnel involved in cyanide management should be trained to handle cyanide in a manner that protects their safety and their co-workers' safety. Training should also include the proper use of equipment for personal protection, emergency rescue, and cyanide first aid. Operations should also implement procedures to review any future proposed process or operational changes or modifications for their potential impact on worker health and safety, and to incorporate the necessary worker protection measures. The workforce is a valuable source of information regarding where and how potential exposures can occur and how they can be managed. Worker input through safety meetings, suggestion boxes, or other methods should be factored into the development and evaluation of health and safety procedures. Operate and monitor cyanide facilities to protect worker health and safety and periodically evaluate the effectiveness of health and safety measures. The pH of a solution containing cyanide significantly affects the amount of evolved hydrogen cyanide and the potential for workers to be exposed to toxic concentrations of hydrogen cyanide gas. In aqueous solution, the cyanide ion hydrolyzes to form hydrogen cyanide. At a pH of 9.3 - 9.5, the cyanide ion, and hydrogen cyanide are at equilibrium. Higher pH conditions result in greater concentrations of the cyanide ion. At a pH of 10.0, 88% will be in the form of the cyanide ion and when the pH is increased to 11.0, more than 99% will be in the ionic form. Below a pH of 9.3 - 9.5, hydrogen cyanide will be the predominant form of cyanide. While aqueous hydrogen cyanide is soluble in water, it volatilizes rapidly under the temperature and pressure conditions typically found in gold cyanidation operations. Therefore, maintaining process solutions at a sufficiently high pH is necessary to effectively prevent evolution of significant amounts of hydrogen cyanide gas. However, in high saline water or when processing certain ore types, solution chemistry limits how high the pH can be adjusted. Operations should evaluate their solutions to determine the appropriate pH for limiting the evolution of hydrogen cyanide gas, and develop operating procedures and controls to reduce risks to its workforce. Process changes and engineering or administrative controls should be used to limit worker exposure to hydrogen cyanide gas and sodium and potassium cyanide to a ceiling limit of 10 parts per million (11 mg/m3) as cyanide, not to be exceeded for any period of time. This value is used by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Australian National Occupational Health and Safety Commission as an 8-hour time-weighted average, and by the South African Department of Minerals and Energy and the World Bank as a ceiling or instantaneous limit. Additionally, workers should not be exposed to hydrogen cyanide gas and airborne sodium and potassium cyanide dust at concentrations exceeding 4.7 parts per million (5 mg/m3) as cyanide for a period of 8 consecutive hours or more. This value is recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) as a Ceiling Limit and by the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a 15-minute short term exposure limit. Where the potential exists for significant worker exposure to hydrogen cyanide gas or sodium or potassium cyanide dust, the operation should monitor hydrogen cyanide concentrations with ambient and/or personal monitoring devices (either automatic or manual, passive or active) and evaluate the results to confirm that controls are adequate. Cyanide-specific personal protective equipment must be required in any areas and for any activities where process and engineering or administrative controls are not practicable or effective in limiting worker exposures to a maximum of 10 parts per million or where personnel are exposed to more than 4.7 parts per million for a continuous 8-hour period. Cyanide monitoring equipment should be maintained, tested and calibrated as directed by the manufacturer, and records should be retained for at least one year. The need to monitor for hydrogen cyanide gas is increased in facilities where the solution chemistry is such that maintenance of a high pH in process solutions is difficult. Warning signs should be placed where cyanide is used and should alert workers that cyanide is present, that smoking, open flames, eating and drinking are not allowed and that the necessary cyanide-specific personal protective equipment must be worn. High strength cyanide solutions should contain colorant dye for clear identification when out of proper containment and for clear differentiation with other solutions or rainwater that may be present. Dye should be added at levels that provide a clear visual indicator of high strength cyanide solutions. For adding dye, high strength cyanide solutions are defined as those having minimum cyanide concentrations of 15% cyanide. For solid cyanide, dye should be added prior to or at the time of mixing, so that the resultant cyanide solution is dyed. When liquid cyanide is delivered to an operation, the solution should be dyed prior to delivery. Showers, low-pressure eye wash stations and dry powder or non-acidic sodium bicarbonate fire extinguishers should be located at strategic locations throughout the operation where cyanide is present. This equipment should be maintained, inspected, and tested on a regular basis, and records should be retained. Tanks and piping containing cyanide should be identified by color code, signs, labels, tags, decals or other means to alert workers of their contents. The direction of cyanide flow in pipes should also be labeled, marked or otherwise designated. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), first aid procedures and any other informational materials on cyanide safety should be written in the language of the workforce and should be available in areas where cyanide is managed. All exposure incidents should be investigated and evaluated to determine if the operation's programs and procedures to protect worker health and safety, and to respond to cyanide exposures are adequate or if changes are necessary. Develop and implement emergency response plans and procedures to respond to worker exposure to cyanide. Although every effort must be made to eliminate risks to workers from exposure to cyanide, operations must nonetheless be prepared for such exposures with effective response procedures and trained personnel. Cyanide first aid equipment including medical oxygen and a resuscitator must be on hand and inspected regularly to insure it is available when needed. Antidotes for cyanide poisoning should be available at an operation. Preferred and permissible antidotes vary from country to country, and their selection at each operation must take local requirements into account. Intravenous antidotes such as sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulfate, cobalt edetate (Kelocyanor), and 4-dimethylaminophenol (DMAP) must only be administered by certified medical personnel. The antidote amyl nitrite is inhaled, and can be administered by trained non-medical personnel. However, all antidotes can themselves be harmful depending on the dose and the patient's overall health, and must be administered with great care and an understanding of the patient's pre-existing medical condition. Antidotes must be stored, tested and replaced as directed by their manufacturers. Activate alarm or call for help to notify the appropriate site personnel (through alarms, radio, and telephone) so that medical assistance is available as soon as possible. Call for assistance before responding to the emergency ("buddy-system"). Never try to rescue a cyanide victim on your own. The responder must put on the personal protective equipment necessary to safely enter the area and come in contact with the exposed individual. If possible, the responder must move the exposed individual to a safe area away from continued exposure. If removing the exposed individual from the area is not possible, the responder must attempt to prevent further exposure to the victim or seek assistance in moving the victim from the area of exposure. All contaminated clothing must be removed from the exposed individual, and the exposed individual should be decontaminated by washing with water. Safety shower and eye wash stations using low-pressure water are recommended. Oxygen must be administered, and medical help must be sought. Where authorized by the applicable jurisdiction, treatment with amyl nitrite is recommended along with oxygen. A resuscitator should be used if the exposed individual is not breathing. Notify the appropriate site personnel and put on personal protective equipment. The exposed individual, when conscious, should spit or be made to vomit, and the mouth should be rinsed with water. Continue with decontamination and administration of oxygen and amyl nitrite if permitted, or if the exposed individual is not breathing, a resuscitator should be used. If the exposed individual is not conscious, or has impaired consciousness, treat with oxygen and amyl nitrite, if permitted. Workers who may be called upon to respond to cyanide exposures must be trained in the operation's response procedures and should take part in routine drills to test and improve their response skills. Operations must develop their own on-site capabilities to provide first aid and medical assistance to workers exposed to cyanide. This is especially important in remote areas where qualified medical personnel may be hours away. Where qualified off site medical facilities are locally available, the operation should develop procedures to transport exposed workers. Formalized arrangements should be made with local hospitals, clinics, etc. so providers are aware of the potential need to treat patients for cyanide exposure prior to incident. The medical facility should have qualified staff, equipment and expertise to be able to respond effectively. The operation may need to assist local medical providers with training and equipment to enhance its capabilities. Mock emergency drills based on likely release/exposure scenarios should be conducted periodically to test response procedures. Lessons learned from the drills should be incorporated into response planning and other procedures. Prepare detailed emergency response plans for potential cyanide releases. Failure of tailings impoundments, heap leach and other cyanide facilities. Plans for transportation-related emergencies should consider the transportation route, the physical and chemical form of the cyanide, method of transport (e.g., rail, truck), the condition of the road or railway, and the design of the transport vehicle (e.g., single or double walled, top or bottom unloading). The Plan should describe specific response actions, as appropriate for the emergency situations. These include clearing personnel and potentially affected communities from the area of exposure, notifying operational management and response personnel, use of cyanide antidotes and first aid measures, controlling releases at their source, containment of releases, assessment of the release and mitigation, procedures to examine the cause of the release, and implementation of measures to prevent its reoccurrence. Due to its remote location, a mining operation may be the closest emergency responder in the event of a cyanide emergency at another mine or during cyanide transport. Although not an auditable Cyanide Code requirement, it is a good practice for operations to enter into mutual aid agreements with other mines or entities located nearby or on its cyanide transport routes. Involve site personnel and stakeholders in the planning process. The workforce and off-site stakeholders, including potentially affected communities, should be included in the emergency response planning process. The workforce can provide significant input in the identification of potential failure and release scenarios and response capabilities. Potentially affected communities should be made aware of the nature of the risks associated with cyanide and should be consulted regarding communication and response actions. It is especially important that the operation involve communities when the community has a role in the response action, such as when an evacuation may be necessary. The community may be involved directly through contact with potentially affected individuals or groups, or by contact with community leaders or representatives, depending on the nature of failure and effects scenarios. Local response agencies such as outside responders and medical facilities in the community may be able to assist in a cyanide-related emergency. Their input should be solicited as appropriate to their capabilities and potential role in response actions. Regular consultation or communication with the local community or its representatives should also be conducted as necessary to assure that the Plan addresses current conditions and risks. Designate appropriate personnel and commit necessary equipment and resources for emergency response. Primary and alternate emergency response coordinators should be designated. The coordinator should have explicit authority to commit the resources necessary to implement the Plan. Emergency response teams should be identified and appropriately trained and prepared. The Emergency Response Plan should include call-out procedures and 24- hour contact information for the coordinators and response team members. The duties and responsibilities of the coordinators and team members should be specified. The Plan should identify all emergency response equipment available during transport of cyanide along transportation routes and/or on-site, including personal protective equipment. Procedures should be included to inspect this equipment regularly so that it will be available when required. The Plan should describe the functions and responsibilities of outside responders, such as medical facilities and include necessary contact information. The operation should confirm that all outside entities included in the Emergency Response Plan are aware of their involvement and are included as necessary in mock drills or implementation exercises conducted by the operation. Develop procedures for internal and external emergency notification and reporting. The Plan should include procedures with up-to-date contact information for notifying management, regulatory agencies, community leaders, outside response providers and medical facilities of a cyanide emergency. Procedures and contact information should be included for notifying potentially affected communities of the incident and/or response measures and for communication with the media. Communities may have responsibility for their own protection in terms of evacuations or avoidance of contaminated water. If appropriate, a back-up contingency communication system should be considered. Incorporate into response plans monitoring elements and remediation measures that account for the additional hazards of using cyanide treatment chemicals. The Plan should describe specific remediation measures including procedures for the recovery or treatment of cyanide solutions or solids, decontamination of soils or other cyanide-contaminated media and management and/or disposal of spill clean-up debris. Where a cyanide release could contaminate sources of drinking water, the Plan should provide for an alternate drinking water supply. The two major chemical treatment methods used to remediate cyanide in the environment are oxidation (using chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide or biological treatment) and complexation (using ferrous sulfate). Although both can be effective in reducing the impacts of cyanide released onto the land, it must be recognized that there are no safe and effective options to treat cyanide once it has entered natural surface waters such as streams and lakes. Sodium hypochlorite and ferrous sulfate must never be used to treat cyanide that has been released into natural surface water bodies. Both of these chemicals are toxic to aquatic life. Treatment with sodium hypochlorite can produce cyanogen chloride (ClCN), which is hazardous to humans and aquatic life. Moreover, these chemicals have very limited effectiveness in treating cyanide at the pH of natural surface waters. Their utility is further reduced by the practical difficulty of adding them to surface water in a manner that allows for adequate contact and mixing with a cyanide plume, especially in a flowing stream or river. Although hydrogen peroxide is a less toxic and persistent oxidant than sodium hypochlorite, it is also harmful to aquatic life and its effectiveness is similarly limited by the lack of a means to mix it with the cyanide. First, there must be a method to introduce the chemical into the water that ensures adequate mixing with a cyanide plume. Second, effective treatment of the cyanide must be demonstrated at the pH of the surface water. Third, the inevitable adverse impacts to aquatic life must have been considered and determined to be necessary in order to prevent human mortality. This implies that the technique has been fully evaluated prior to its use rather than done as an ad hoc response to an emergency. However, it must be recognized under Standard of Practice 7.4, an operation should develop an emergency notification procedure capable of providing sufficient warning to potentially affected individuals and communities to prevent contact with or ingestion of contaminated surface water. Both sodium hypochlorite and ferrous sulfate can be used to treat releases of cyanide to land. Ferrous sulfate binds cyanide in an insoluble complex but does not chemically convert it to a less toxic substance. The complex formed is susceptible to photo-decomposition and can release cyanide back to the environment if it is not properly managed. Application of hypochlorite to neutralize a cyanide spill on land will oxidize the cyanide to the less toxic cyanate, which breaks down to ammonia and carbon dioxide. Hypochlorite and ferrous sulfate both must be used carefully to avoid their introduction into aquatic systems, and soil contaminated with these chemicals should be excavated and disposed of in compliance with the Cyanide Code and applicable requirements (i.e., with mill tailings or on a leach pad). Biological treatment of contaminated soil is also possible but is much slower than chemical treatment. The Plan should also address the potential need for environmental monitoring to identify the extent and effects of a release and mitigation. Sampling methodologies and parameters should be established in the Plan for a rapid evaluation of the consequences of the release. Where practical, possible sampling locations should be established. Although it may not be possible to detail all remediation and monitoring actions in advance of an actual release, the Plan should include sufficient information to provide a basis for decision-making during an emergency. Periodically evaluate response procedures and capabilities and revise them as needed. The Emergency Response Plan should include provisions for reviewing and evaluating its adequacy on a regular basis. Mock emergency drills reflecting the most likely incidents identified through the failure mode analysis should also be periodically used to test and evaluate the adequacy of the Plan. Drills can simulate a full-scale emergency situation or selectively isolate some aspect of the Plan. Including the potentially affected community in a simulation can enhance the benefits of the exercise, by creating a more realistic event, testing the public's response, and allowing participants to become familiar with operations and response personnel. The Plan also should be evaluated after any emergency requiring implementation. When a review or simulation has identified deficiencies, the Plan should be revised as soon as possible to insure its proper functioning. Train workers to understand the hazards associated with cyanide use. All personnel who may encounter cyanide must be trained on its inherent hazards. This training should include recognition of cyanide materials at the operation, information regarding the health effects of cyanide, symptoms of cyanide exposure, and procedures to follow in the event of exposure. Material Safety Data Sheets or other informational materials written in the language of the workforce are useful for this purpose. Re-training should be conducted periodically, and records of training should be retained. Train appropriate personnel to operate the facility according to systems and procedures that protect human health, the community and the environment. Health, safety and environmental components are intrinsic to task training and should be considered part of each worker's responsibility. Each job position involving cyanide management should be evaluated to identify how the required tasks can be accomplished with minimum risk to worker health and safety and in a manner that prevents unplanned cyanide releases. The training elements necessary for each job should be identified in training materials. Personnel in these positions, including personnel involved in unloading and storage of cyanide, plant operators, tailings storage facility operators, maintenance personnel and the environmental and management staff should be trained in the procedures, as appropriate to their job functions. Training should be provided by appropriately qualified personnel, and may include outside trainers for specialized areas such as environmental regulatory programs, and the operation's own staff. Training must be provided prior to employees working with cyanide. Refresher training should be conducted regularly to ensure that employees continue to perform their jobs in a safe and environmentally protective manner. Testing or observation to ensure that employees conduct their activities in compliance with cyanide operating procedures should be used to evaluate the effectiveness of all training. Records documenting employee training should be retained throughout an individual's employment, and should include the names of the employee and the trainer, the date of training, the topics covered, and if the employee demonstrated an understanding of the training materials. Train appropriate workers and personnel to respond to worker exposures and environmental releases of cyanide. All personnel involved in cyanide management should be trained in emergency cyanide release procedures, including notification of the appropriate site personnel, insuring worker safety, and stopping or containing the release. Site personnel who may be called upon to respond to worker exposure to cyanide must be trained in decontamination and first aid procedures. This training should include the procedure for notifying appropriate site personnel and stress that the responder must first insure his own protection through use of cyanide-specific personal protective equipment. Personnel acting as Emergency Response Coordinators and members of the Emergency Response Team should receive specialized training. Responders must be thoroughly familiar with the procedures included in the Emergency Response Plan, including the use of response equipment. Communities, local responders and medical providers included in the operation's Emergency Response Plan should be made familiar with the Plan and their responsibilities. Records should be retained documenting all training on responses to cyanide exposures and releases, including the names of the employee and the trainer, date of training, topics covered, and how the employee demonstrated an understanding of the training materials. Refresher training should be conducted regularly. Emergency drills simulating worker exposures and environmental releases are important training tools; these drills should be conducted periodically to provide hands-on training for the workers involved. Drills should be evaluated from a training perspective to determine if personnel have the knowledge and skills required for effective response, and training procedures should be revised if deficiencies are identified. Provide stakeholders the opportunity to communicate issues of concern. Operations should provide the opportunity for stakeholders to communicate issues of concern with respect to cyanide use. In order for the communication to be meaningful and productive, the frequency and format for this input should be appropriate for the issues discussed and the nature of the concern. Methods to foster public input include open public meetings, creation of citizens’ advisory panels and site tours for interested parties. Opportunities for public input are also available during the development and review of environmental assessments, or reviews of permits and licenses required by applicable jurisdictions. Initiate dialogue describing cyanide management procedures and responsively address identified concerns. Operations should create opportunities to engage concerned stakeholders and address their issues in a direct and responsive manner. Information regarding the operation's practices and procedures should be available to demonstrate that cyanide is managed responsibly and that the operation takes measures to improve cyanide management when deficiencies arise. Some of this dialogue may occur as part of a jurisdiction's environmental review, permitting or licensing process. Make appropriate operational and environmental information regarding cyanide management available to stakeholders. It is important that stakeholders understand how mining operations manage cyanide to protect human health and safety and the environment. Operations should develop written descriptions of cyanide management activities in appropriate local languages, and make these descriptions available to communities and stakeholders. This information can be disseminated through brochures, newsletters or other educational materials at the operation or at locations in local communities, at public forums or meetings, libraries, local government offices, on websites, or through other means. Where a significant percentage of the local populations are illiterate, operations should provide information through presentations or direct, regular consultations with community leaders. Operations should also make available information on confirmed releases or exposures involving: a) incidents of cyanide exposure resulting in hospitalization or fatality; b) incidents where releases off the mine site required response or remediation; c) incidents where a release on or off the mine site results in significant adverse effects to health or the environment; d) incidents where a release on or off the mine site required reporting under applicable regulations; and e) releases that caused exceedances of applicable limits for cyanide. This information can be included in a company's Annual Report, its Health, Safety and Environmental report, its verification audit report, posted on a company website, reported as part of applicable governmental reporting requirements, or through other means. United Nations Environment Programme. Companies' Organization and Public Communication on Environmental Issue. Technical Report No. 6. 1991.
2019-04-19T00:22:50Z
https://www.cyanidecode.org/become-signatory/implementation-guidance
Vera Petrovna de Zhelihovsky (April, 1835 - 1896) was the younger sister of HPB. My sister, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, nee de Hahn, better known in our country under the nom de plume of Radha-Bai, which she adopted for her writings in Russia, was a sufficiently remarkable person, even in these days, when striking personalities abound. Although her works are but little known to the general public, nevertheless they have given birth to a spiritual movement, to an organization founded on the theories therein contained which it pleases her disciples to allude to as “revelations” - I speak of the Theosophical Society, so well known and widely spread throughout America, England, India, and in a less degree throughout Europe. This Society was planned and founded by Madame Blavatsky, in the year 1875, at New York, in which city she had established herself - why she herself hardly knew, except that thither she was drawn by an irresistible attraction, inexplicable at that time to her, as we shall see by her letters. Without money, without any kind of influence or protection, with nothing to rely on but her indomitable courage and untiring energy, this truly extraordinary woman in less than four years succeeded in attaching to herself devoted proselytes, who were ready to follow her to India and to cheerfully expatriate themselves; and in less than fifteen years she had thousands of disciples, who not only professed her doctrines, but who also proclaimed her “the most eminent teacher of our times, the sphinx of the century,” the only person in Europe initiated into the occult sciences of the east - they were, indeed, with few exceptions, ready to canonize her memory, had the philosophy she taught them permitted any such thing. There was hardly a country in which the death of H. P. Blavatsky did not produce a most profound impression. All quarters of the globe responded, in one fashion or another, when the news reached them of the death of this poor Russian woman, whose only claim to such celebrity lay in her personal genius. For a time her name rang throughout the press of the entire world. Doubtless it is true that more bad than good was spoken of her, but none the less they spoke of her, some abusing her up hill and down dale and loudly complaining of the injuries wrought by her; and on the other side twenty or so theosophical journals proclaiming her “illuminated” prophetess and saviour of humanity - humanity which, without the revelations which she had given out in her works, above all in The Secret Doctrine, would - so they affirmed - be dragged to its doom by the materialistic spirit of the time. It is not my business to decide as to whether the truth lay with her friends and enthusiastic disciples or with her bitter enemies. My intention is simply to offer to the public some impartial family reminiscences and to lay before them some letters of undoubted interest. It would be easy for me to fill many volumes from the mass of materials which I have at my disposal; I will, however, merely select that which is most remarkable and weave it together with my personal recollections. Our mother, Mdme. Helene de Hahn, nee Fadeew, died when she was twenty-seven. Notwithstanding her premature death, however, such was the literary reputation she had already acquired, that she had earned for herself the name of the “Russian George Sand” - a name which was given her by Belinsky, the best of our critics. At sixteen years of age she was married to Pierre de Hahn, captain of artillery, and soon her time was fully occupied in superintending the education of her three children. Helene, her eldest daughter, was a precocious child, and from her earliest youth attracted the attention of all with whom she came in contact. Her nature was quite intractable to the routine demanded by her instructors, she rebelled against all discipline, recognized no master but her own good will and her personal tastes. She was exclusive, original, and at times bold even to roughness. When, at the death of our mother, we went to live with her relations, all our teachers had exhausted their patience with Helene, who would never conform to fixed hours for lessons, but who, notwithstanding, astonished them by the brilliancy of her abilities, especially by the ease with which she mastered foreign languages and by her musical talent. She had the character and all the good and bad qualities of an energetic boy; she loved travels and adventures and despised dangers and cared little for remonstrances. At the age of seventeen, H. P. Blavatsky married a man thrice her age, and some months later she left her husband in the same headstrong and impetuous manner in which she had married him. She left him under the pretext of going to live with her father, but before she got there she disappeared, and so successful was she in this that for years no one knew where she was, and we gave her up for dead. Her husband was the vice-governor of the province of Erivan, in Transcaucasia. He was in all respects an excellent man, with but one fault, namely, marrying a young girl who treated him without the least respect, and who told him quite openly beforehand that the only reason she had selected him from among the others who sought to marry her was that she would mind less making him miserable than anyone else. He never could say that he did not get what he had bargained for. H. P. Blavatsky passed the greater part of her youth, in fact almost her entire life, out of Europe. In later years she claimed to have lived many years in Tibet, in the Himalayas and extreme north of India, where she studied the Sanskrit language and literature together with the occult sciences, so well known by the adepts, wise men, or Mahatmas, for whom later she had to suffer so much. Such, at least, is the account of her doings that she gave to us, her relations, as also to her English biographer, Mr. Sinnett, the author of the work entitled, Incidents in the Life of Madame H. P. Blavatsky. For eight years we were without any news of her. It was only at the expiration of ten years, the period necessary to render legal the separation from her husband, that Madame Blavatsky returned to Russia. After her return to Russia, she first came and settled herself in the Government of Pskoff, where at that time I was living with our father. We were not expecting her to arrive for some weeks to come, but, curiously enough, no sooner did I hear her ring at the door-bell than I jumped up, knowing that she had arrived. As it happened there was a party going on that evening in my father-in-law’s house, in which I was living. His daughter was to be married that very evening, the guests were seated at table and the ringing of the door-bell was incessant. Nevertheless I was so sure it was she who had arrived that, to the astonishment of everyone, I hurriedly rose from the wedding feast and ran to open the door, not wishing the servants to do so. My sister asked me to ask them a mental question. This I did, selecting a question as to a fact only known to myself. I recited the alphabet, and the reply I received was so true and so precise that I was positively astounded. I had often heard talk of spirit-rappings, but never before had I had an opportunity of testing their knowledge. Before long the whole town was talking of the “miracles” which surrounded Madame Blavatsky. The not only intelligent, but even clairvoyant answers given by these invisible forces, which operated night and day, without any apparent intervention on her part, all round her, struck more astonishment and wonder into the minds of the curious than even the movement of inanimate objects, which apparently gained or lost their weight, which phenomena she directly produced by merely fixing her eyes on the object selected. All these phenomena were, at the time, fully described in the Russian newspapers. There was no longer any peace for us, even in the country, where we shortly went to live, on a property which belonged to me; we were pursued by letters and visits. Matters became insupportable when, by the intervention of “messieurs les esprits,” as our father laughingly called them, was discovered the perpetrator of a murder committed in the neighbourhood, and the officers of the law became convinced believers, clamouring for miracles. It was still worse when, one fine day, Helene began describing “those whom she alone saw as having formerly occupied the house,” and who were afterwards recognized from her descriptions by the old people and natives of the place as having been former lords of the manor and their servants, all long since dead, but of whom they still preserved the memory. I may as well remark that this property had only been mine for a few months. I had bought it in a district completely unknown to me, and none of us had ever before heard these people she described spoken of. Ever since her return to Russian, H. P. Blavatsky was at a loss to explain her mediumistic condition, but at that time she by no means expressed the disdain and dislike for mediumship that she did later on. Ten or twelve years later she spoke of the mediumistic performances of her younger days with much repugnance - in those days the forces at work in the phenomena were unknown and almost independent of her will, when once she had succeeded in obtaining entire mastery over them she no longer cared to recall the memory. But at the age of twenty-eight she had not the power of controlling them. She began laughing and saying that she would like nothing better, but that she could not answer for them. Alas! I knew it but too well. And so I was not astonished, but all the same suffered agonies when I heard the tapping begin as soon as ever the venerable old man began to question my sister about her travels. . . . One! two! . . . one! two! three! Surely he could not but notice these importunate individuals who seemed determined to join the party and take part in the conversation; in order to interrupt us they made the furniture, the looking-glasses, our cups of tea, even the rosary of amber beads, which the saintly old man was holding in his hand, move and vibrate. He saw our dismay at once, and taking in the situation at a glance, enquired which of us was the medium. Like a true egotist, I hastened to fit the cap on my sister’s head. He talked to us for more than an hour, asking my sister question after question out loud, and asking them mentally of her attendants, and seemed profoundly astonished and well pleased to have seen the phenomena. On taking leave of us, he blessed my sister and myself and told us that we had no cause to fear the phenomena. He again blessed Helene and made the sign of the cross. How often must these kindly words of one of the chief heads of the Orthodox Greek Church have been recalled to the memory of H. P. Blavatsky in later years, and she ever felt gratefully towards him. Helena Petrovna for the next four years continued to live in the Caucasus. Ever in search of occupation, always active and full of enterprise, she established herself for some time in Imeretia, then at Mingrelia, on the shores of the Black Sea, where she connected herself with the trade in the high-class woods with which that region abounds. Later on she moved southwards, to Odessa, where our aunts had gone to live after the death of our grandparent. There she placed herself at the head of an artificial flower factory, but soon left that for other enterprises, which in turn she quickly abandoned, notwithstanding the fact that they generally turned out well. She was never troubled by any dread of doing anything derogatory to her position, all honest trades seemed to her equally good. It is curious to note, however, that she did not light on some occupation which would have better suited her talents than these commercial enterprises; that, for instance, she did not take instead to literature or to music, which would have better served to display her grand intellectual powers, especially as in her younger days she had never had anything to do with commerce. Two years later she left again for foreign parts, first for Greece and then for Egypt. All her life was passed in restlessness and in travelling; she was ever, as it were, seeking some unknown goal, some task which it was her duty to discover and to fulfil. Her wandering life and unsettled ways did not end until she found herself face to face with the scientific, the humanitarian and spiritual problems presented by Theosophy; then she stopped short, like a ship which after years of wanderings finds itself safe in port, the sails are furled and for the last time the anchor is let go. Mr. Sinnett, her biographer, alleges that for many years ere she left definitely for America, Madame Blavatsky had had spiritual relations with those strange beings, whom she later called her Masters, the Mahatmas of Ceylon and Tibet, and that it was only in direct obedience to their commands that she travelled from place to place, from one country to another. How that may be, I do not know. We, her nearest relations, for the first time heard her mention these enigmatic beings in 1873-4, when she was established in New York. The fact is that her departure from Paris for America was as sudden as it was inexplicable, and she would never give us the explanation of what led her to do so until many years later; she then told us that these same Masters had ordered her to do so, without at the time giving any reason. She gave as her reason for not having spoken of them to us that we should not have understood, that we should have refused to believe, and very naturally so. Soon all her letters were full of arguments against the abuse of spiritism, that which she termed spiritual materialism, of indignation against mediumistic seances, where the dead were evoked - “the materializations of the dear departed,” the dwellers in the land of eternal spring (the summerland) - who in her opinion were nothing more than shades, elves and lying elementaries, often dangerous, and, above all, evil in their effects on the health of the unfortunate mediums, their passive victims. Her visit to the brothers Eddy, the well-known mediums of Vermont, was the last drop which made her cup run over. She became from thenceforward the deadly enemy of all demonstrative spiritualism. It was at the Eddy homestead that Madame Blavatsky made the acquaintance of Col. H. S. Olcott, her first disciple, her devoted friend and future President of the Theosophical Society, the child of their creation, and on which all their thought was thenceforward centred. He had come there as a keen observer of spiritualistic phenomena, in order to investigate and write about the materializations caused through the agency of the two brothers, of which all America was talking. He wrote a book on this subject, a study called People from the Other World - that was the last service done by him for the cause of the propaganda of modern spiritualism. He accepted the views of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, which the American papers readily published. Being both of them deadly enemies of materialism, they considered that spiritualism had rendered a great service to humanity, in demonstrating the errors of the materialistic creed; but that now that once spiritualism had proved the existence of invisible and immaterial forces in nature, its mission was fulfilled; it must not be permitted to drag society to the other error, namely, to superstition and black magic. As we could not understand this sudden change of front in one whom we knew to be a powerful medium, and who quite recently had been the vice-president of the Spiritualistic Society of Cairo, she wrote to us beginning us to forget the past, her unhappy mediumship to which she had lent herself, as she explained, simply through ignorance of the truth. At the same time she sent us cuttings from the American newspapers publishing her articles, as well as the comments on what she had written, from which it was evident that her opinions met with much sympathy. Her brilliant powers as a critic revealed themselves, above all, in a number of articles treating of Professor Huxley’s meetings at Boston and at New York - articles which attracted considerable attention. That which astonished us extremely was the profound learning, the deep knowledge, which became suddenly evident in all she wrote. Whence could she have gained this varied and abstruse learning, of which until that time she had given no sign? She herself did not know! Then it was that for the first time she spoke to us of her Masters, or rather of her Master, but in a most vague manner, speaking of him sometimes as “the voice,” sometimes as Sahib (meaning Master), sometimes as “he who inspires me” - as if the source of these mental suggestions was unknown at that time; it did not assist us towards understanding her, and we began to fear for her reason. “Tell me, dearest friend, are you interested in the secrets of psychic physiology? . . . That which I am about to relate to you offers a sufficiently interesting problem for the students of physiology. We have, among the members of our small society, lately formed of those who desire to study the languages of the east, the abstract nature of things, as well as the spiritual powers of man, some who are well learned. As, for example, Professor Wilder, archaeological orientalist, and many others who come to me with scientific questions, and who assure me that I am better versed than they themselves are in abstract and positive sciences, and that I am better acquainted with the old languages. It is an inexplicable fact, but one none the less true! . . . Well! what do you make of it, old companion of my studies? . . . Explain to me, if you please, how it comes about that I, who, as you are well aware, was, up to the age of forty, in a state of crass ignorance, have suddenly become a savant, a model of learning in the opinions of real savants? It is an insoluble mystery. In truth I am a psychological enigma, a sphinx, and a problem for future generations as much as I am for myself. The diplomas were sent by Masonic Lodges of England and Benares (Society of Svat-Bai), which recognized her rights to the superior grades of their brotherhoods. The first was accompanied by a cross of the rose in rubies, and the second with a most valuable and ancient copy of the Bhagavad Gita, the bible of India. But that which is more remarkable still is the fact that the Reverend Doctor of the Episcopal Church of the University of New York, took this book, Isis Unveiled, as a text for his sermons. For a series of Sundays he occupied his pulpit, and the Rev. McKerty, taking his themes from the third chapter of Vol. I., edified his parishioners by hurling thunderbolts and opprobrium on the materialist disciples of the Auguste Comte and such like. H. P. Blavatsky, to the day of her death, remained Russian and a good patriot; the goodwill and approval of her compatriots were always the laurel she most coveted and most valued. Her works, prohibited in Russia by the censorship (notwithstanding their being incomprehensible to the majority of the people owing to the fact that they were in English, a language little known in Russia), had few readers. The honour, therefore, was the greater if those who had read them in speaking of them, quite independently, used terms almost similar to those of the Rev. Archbishop Aivasovsky (brother of our well-known painter), and the son of our celebrated historian Serge Solovioff, the well-known novelist Vsevolod Solovioff. The following is the opinion of M. Vs. Solovioff, contained in a letter from him dated July 7th, 1884, after reading, in manuscript, the French translation of the same work. So they agreed! M. Solovioff and the Archbishop Aivasovsky have both often said to me, that it seemed to them to be unnecessary to speak of other of my sister’s miracles, after that which she had accomplished in writing that book. In regard to the phenomena, called natural, psychological tricks, as they were termed by H. P. Blavatsky, who always spoke of them with indifference and disdain, it would have been better both for her and for her Society if they had been less spoken about or not at all. Her too ardent friends, in publishing books like the Occult World of Mr. Sinnett, rendered her a bad service. Instead of adding to her renown, as they believed, the stories of the wonders worked by the Founders of the Theosophical Society did her a great deal of harm, making not only sceptics, but all sensible folks call it a falsehood and accuse her of charlatanism. All these stories by Olcott, by Judge, by Sinnett and by many others, of objects created from nothing, of drawings which she caused to appear by merely placing her hands on a sheet of white paper, of apparitions of persons who were dead or absent, or of numbers of objects which had been lost for many years being found in flower-beds or in cushions, added nothing to the reputation of Madame Blavatsky and her Society; on the contrary, they gave a handle to her enemies, as proofs of bad faith and error. The world at large is alive with more or less convincing phenomena, but there will always be more people incredulous than believing, and more traitors than men of good faith. The number of ardent members of the Theosophical Society and zealous friends of Madame Blavatsky, who became her bitter enemies in consequence of the failure of their mercenary hopes, proves this once again. . . . “It is evident that it is difficult for you to comprehend this psychic phenomenon, notwithstanding that there are precedents of which history speaks. If you will allow that the human soul, the vital soul, the pure spirit, is composed of a substance which is independent of the organism and that it is not inseparably linked with our interior organs; that this soul, which belongs to all that lives, to the infusoria as well as to the elephant and to each one of us, is not to be distinguished (from our shadow, which forms the almost always invisible base of its fleshly envelope) except in so far as it is more or less illumined by the divine essence of our Immortal Spirit, you will then admit that it is capable of acting independently of our body. Try and realize that - and many things hitherto incomprehensible will become clear. As a matter of fact, this was well recognized in antiquity. The human soul, the fifth principle of the being, recovers some portion of its independence in the body of one profane during the period of sleep; in the case of an initiated Adept it enjoys that state constantly. St. Paul, the only one of the apostles initiated into the esoteric mysteries of Greece - does he not say in speaking of his ascension to the third heaven ‘in the body or out of the body’ he cannot tell; ‘God knoweth.’ In the same sense the servant Rhoda says when she sees St. Peter, ‘It is not him, it is his “angel,” that is to say, his double, his shade. Again in the Acts of the Apostles (viii. 39), when the Spirit - the divine force - seizes and carries off St. Philip, is it in truth he himself bodily and living, that is transported to a distance? It was his soul and his double - his true ‘ego.’ Read Plutarch, Apuleius, Jamblichus. You will find in them many allusions to these facts if not assertions which the initiated have not the right to make. . . . That which mediums produce unconsciously under the influence of outside forces evoked during their sleep, the Adepts do consciously, working by understood methods. . . . Voila tout! Thus it was that my sister explained to us the visits of her Master, who not only instructed and made suggestions to her by means of her intuition, from his own vast wisdom, but even came in his astral body to see them - her and Colonel Olcott and many others besides. During the war between Russia and Turkey, Helena Petrovna had not a moment’s peace. All her letters written during 1876-1877 are full of alarm for her compatriots, of fears for the safety of those members of her family who were actively engaged in it. She forgot her anti-materialist and anti-spiritualist articles in order to breathe forth fire and flame against the enemies of the Russian nation; not against our enemies themselves who were also to be pitied, but against the evil-minded hypocrites, against their simulated sympathies for Turkey, their jesuitical policy which was an offense to all Christian peoples. When she heard of the famous discourse of Pius IX, in which he taught the faithful that “the hand of God could direct the scimitar of the Bashi-bazouk towards the uprooting of schism,” in which he gave his blessing to Mohammedan arms as used against the infidel Orthodox Greek Church, she fell ill. Then she exploded in a series of satires so envenomed and so clever that the whole American press and all the anti-popish journals called attention to them, and the Papal Nuncio at New York, the Scotch Cardinal MacKlosky, thought advisable to send a priest to parley with her. He gained little from that, however, for Madame Blavatsky made a point of relating the occurrence in her next article, saying that she had begged the prelate to be so good as to talk with her through the press and then she would most certainly reply to him. We sent her a poem of Turgenyeff’s, called “Croquet at Windsor,” which represented Queen Victoria and her Court playing croquet with the bleeding heads of Slavs for balls. She quickly translated it, and it was in The New York Herald, if I mistake not, that it first saw publicity. In October, 1876, H. P. Blavatsky gave fresh proof of her powers of clairvoyance. She had a vision of what was happening in the Caucasus, on the frontier of Turkey, where her cousin Alexander Witte, Major of the Nijni-Novgorod Dragoons, narrowly escaped death. She mentioned the fact in one of her letters to her relations; as, often before, she had described to us apparitions of persons who warned her of their death weeks before the news could be received by ordinary means, we were not greatly astonished. All that she made in the way of money, during the war, from her articles in the Russian newspapers, together with the first payments she received from her publisher, were sent to Odessa and to Tiflis for the benefit of the wounded soldiers or their families or to the Red Cross Society. In the spring of 1878 a strange thing happened to Madame Blavatsky. Having got up and set to work one morning as usual, she suddenly lost consciousness, and never regained it again until five days later. So deep was her state of lethargy that she would have been buried had not a telegram been received by Colonel Olcott and his sister, who were with her at the time, emanating from him she called her Master. The message ran, “Fear nothing, she is neither dead nor ill, but she has need of repose; she has overworked herself. . . . She will recover.” As a matter of fact she recovered and found herself so well that she would not believe that she had slept for five days. Soon after this sleep, H. P. Blavatsky formed the project of going to India. The Theosophical Society was thenceforth duly organized at New York. The three principal objects were then as they are to-day: (1) the organization of an universal brotherhood, without distinction of race, creed or social position, in which the members pledged themselves to strive for the moral improvement both of themselves and others; (2) for the common study of the oriental sciences, languages and literature; (3) the investigation into the hidden laws of nature and the psychological powers of man, as yet unknown to science - this last clause being optional; in fact, it is only the first which is considered binding on all the members of the Society, the other two are not insisted on. The work of Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott was, in America, confided to the care of the most zealous and devoted of their disciples, Mr. William Q. Judge, who is at the present time Vice-President of the Theosophical Society. As for the Founders, they left in the autumn of 1878 for India. They were ordered, so they stated, by their Masters, the guides and protectors of the theosophical movement, to work on the spot and in concert with a certain Dayanand Sarasvati, a Hindu preacher who taught monotheism and who has been called the Luther of India. On the 17th of February, 1879, after a long stay in London, where they formed the first nucleus of their brotherhood, which for the time prospered, Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott arrived at Bombay. Notwithstanding this grand demonstration on arrival, their life was a hard one at first. They worked eighteen hours a day; Olcott travelled the greater part of the year, forming branches of the Theosophical Society, which at once took root in the congenial soil of Oriental belief, and Madame Blavatsky hardly quitted her table, writing night and day, preparing material for their projected journal, The Theosophist, which was started that same year, and also in writing articles in the English, American and Russian newspapers to help their common resources. From their very first start they were harassed by the Anglo-Indian administration, which took a dislike to Theosophists and put them on their black books, treating them as spies and propagandists of the Russian Government. It must be borne in mind that just at that time there was considerable excitement in England as to the fate of Afghanistan, on account of the success which had attended the Russian arms in the Transcaspian regions. The English had become more mistrustful and more full of Russophobia than ever. In vain the poor Theosophists protested and represented to the authorities that their mission was entirely concerned with philosophy and had nothing on earth to do with politics. They were put under police surveillance, their movements were watched and their correspondence opened. . . . So much the worse for the government of Queen Victoria, for H. P. Blavatsky added fuel to the flames, put no restraint upon her feelings in her letters, and doubtless the officials had often the pleasure of reading therein many home truths, which must have been somewhat trying to their vanity. . . . At last friends in London and the press took the matter up, and the police surveillance was removed - thanks, however, principally to a letter which Lord Lindsay, a Fellow of the Royal Society and President of the Astronomical Society in London, wrote to Lord Lytton, the Viceroy of India, and which made him ashamed of any longer persecuting a woman and other persons engaged in abstract studies of a moral character. The visits, the dinners and the balls, and all the exigencies of society, were exceedingly irksome to Helena Petrovna, but she did her best to comply with them for the sake of her Society. She passed the hot weather in the hills, sometimes taking part in the Colonel’s travels, but more often staying with friends, and always occupied, without intermission, on her writing. All these slanders served to aggravate the maladies from which she suffered most terribly. She was obliged to have recourse to the authority of her relations and of her friends in Russia to prove her identity. Prince A. M. Dondoukoff-Korsakoff, at that time Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasus, wrote her a most kind letter, describing himself as a friend who had known her from her youth, and enclosed a certificate of identity, which was published in nearly all the Anglo-Indian papers, to the great delight of her friends. But, alas! she had more influential enemies than she had friends. The Theosophical Society at that time numbered its recruits by the thousand among the natives, among those who held no official position, but had made very few converts among the leading classes in India. The English, bound by their official ties, or their social position, contented themselves for the most part with taking a general interest in the movement, and in the teachings in particular, but would have nothing to do with diplomas, and so forth, and, not being members of the Society, they lost no time in disowning it when it got into low water. Those who wish to acquaint themselves with the details of what occurred during the sojourn of H. P. Blavatsky in India can do so by reading the accounts written by Olcott and by Sinnett and by other eye-witnesses. At length the adhesion of rich and influential natives, given to fraternity which reaffirmed the truth underlying their faiths, whether Hindu of Buddhist, irritated the missionaries to such an extent that they seemed to forget Christian charity. They saw already clearly enough that Madame Blavatsky, whether sincere or hypocrite, magician or conjurer, was the strength and the soul of the Theosophical Society, and they directed their attacks against her in consequence. She had not openly embraced Buddhism as had the President of the Society, but she proclaimed the equality and unity of all religious systems. For this very reason she was more dangerous than the Colonel, who was the author of a Buddhist catechism, approved by Sumangala, the High Priest of Ceylon. From thenceforward, therefore, she became the point of attack for the enemies of Theosophy and the scapegoat of the Society. What with eighteen hours’ work out of the twenty-four, the abuse and the constant worry, the mental strain added to her chronic bodily disease, which was aggravated by the bad climatic conditions, she at length came within an ace of death. During the five years H. P. Blavatsky passed in India she had no less than four attacks of illness of so serious a nature that the best doctors of Bombay and of Madras in each instance decided that she could not possibly live; but at the last moment some unlooked-for and at times unusual aid always came to her. On one occasion it was a native doctor, on another a Brahmin Yogi, or a poor “pariah,” shrunken by fasting and austerities. They appeared unasked and offered their remedies, which proved to be efficacious. Then at the specified hour she fell into a deep sleep, from which, according to the European doctors, she should have passed into her last agony. Instead of which, she woke from this long sleep as if she had had nothing the matter with her. Twice, however, it fell out otherwise. Strange, unknown and unlooked-for visitors appeared, who took charge of her and carried her off no one knew whither. Scores of witnesses testify to the fact, in addition to which her own letters prove it clearly. I have one before me, unluckily undated, as it was her habit in writing to us - her aunt and myself - not to trouble about the day of the month. In this letter she gives us news of a severe illness she was passing through; a “chela” (a disciple of the Masters and a student of the Occult sciences) had brought her an order from one of the Adepts for her to follow him, and she begged us not to be uneasy on account of her silence, which would necessarily be prolonged, as the place where she would be obliged to pass some time in order to recover was far removed from posts and telegraphs. Here, again, is a letter addressed from Meerut, beyond Allahabad. This one was written in May, 1881, after a severe illness, of which those who were with H. P. Blavatsky had informed us, saying that we must be prepared for the worst. Her friends were taking Helena Petrovna into the country - she was convalescent, but still very weak - when she received the “order” to leave the main roads and to strike off into the mountains. This was an allusion to her previous letter, in which she had spoken of the fact of their meeting. Having recognized the Tibetan Lama, my sister again relapsed into one of her strange sleeps and did not recover consciousness until she was again at the foot of the mountain, in the village where her European friends were waiting for her. Never was it permitted, not only for the English but even for the natives themselves, to follow her on such secret expeditions, on which occasions it was presumed she went to see her Masters - notwithstanding this conviction, held by those who surrounded her, she never wrote to us of her visiting them; nevertheless, I have come across one of her first letters (written in 1879), in which she relates the participation of Mahatma Morya in one of her journeys with Colonel Olcott, amid the vaults and the ruins of ancient temples, which is of intense interest. In the spring of 1881, H. P. Blavatsky fell seriously ill after receiving the fatal news of what had occurred in Russia on the 13th March in that year. “Good God of mercy! what a bloody horror!” she wrote to us, “Are the last days of Russia come? . . . Or is Satan himself incarnate in her children, in the miserable abortion of my poor country? After this unprecedented crime, what next? Where are the Russians of days gone by? Whither is my beloved Russia drifting? Yes, I am a renegade. Yes, I am a Buddhist, an atheist - according to you, a republican - but I am miserable, profoundly miserable, over this atrocious monstrosity! Oh! how I pity them all - our martyred Tsar, his unhappy family, and all Russia! “Cursed be these monsters, these Nihilists, these reckless fools! And she proved it by falling ill. Her journal, The Theosophist, appeared in black borders. This was a most kind attention on the part of the President of the Theosophical Society; for she herself was far from being in a condition to think of such things. Hardly had she recovered from her first stupor, when she set to work to write a beautiful article for The Pioneer, in which she recounted all the acts of bravery, of humanity and kindliness done by Alexander II., and was delighted that all the Anglo-Indian press echoed what she said. As a reply to certain ill-disposed remarks in two clerical organs, alluding to “the American citizen and her journal dressed in mourning for the death of an autocrat,” H.P. Blavatsky sent a collective reply to the Bombay Gazette, whence the other papers reproduced it. In the winter of 1881-82 the Theosophical community transported its penates from Bombay to Adyar, a property in the neighbourhood of the city of Madras, bought by contributions from all the members of the Society, who desired to provide their founders and their staff with a permanent home. It is there that the President lives up to the present time, and it was here also that Madame Blavatsky passed the last two years of her life in India, and it was there that in that same year the seventh anniversary of the founding of the Society was celebrated with especial solemnity - I say “especial solemnity,” as the number seven is an important one in theosophic beliefs, and as these anniversaries are numerous at Adyar, at New York and at London, those which contain this number are double marked. During their frequent travels Colonel Olcott and Madame Blavatsky were always received with great pomp by the natives of the country they passed through; for all the Hindus were devoted to them, partly because by their translations of the Sanskrit books of the ancient Aryan literature they had done much to popularize them, partly on account of the efforts they had made to lessen the barriers between the castes, and also for what they had done in the way of modifying the unjust contempt with which the Anglo-Indians regarded the natives, even the learned Brahmius. In this work, according to the opinion of the natives, the Society had met with considerable success. Nowhere, however, were the Theosophists feted as they were in Ceylon. Each time they set foot there the Buddhist population were en fete, and led by their priests they organized a triumphal welcome. It was in the interests of the Sinhalese that the President planned a journey to Europe and especially to London, in order to present a petition to Parliament in their favour. It was towards the end of 1883 that H. P. Blavatsky found herself rather improved in health, thanks to a better climate and to the fact that she had a well-built house to live in. Nevertheless, her health left much to be desired, and all her doctors agreed that even a temporary change of climate would do her a great deal of good. It was therefore decided that she should accompany the President, and thenceforward Helena began to form projects of seeing once more her relatives. She immediately wrote to us; then in the month of December they left Bombay. Before leaving the shore of India, however, my sister had three successive visions which indicated to her the death of her uncle, General Rostislav Fadeew, who died at that very time at Odessa. As we knew she was about to leave, and were too upset ourselves by this heavy blow, her aunt and I neglected to send her news of what had happened. She was unaware of the illness of her uncle, when he himself came and told her that his trials were over. The two or three letters of Madame Blavatsky dated early in January, 1884 - General Fadeew having died on the 29th December - proved conclusively by the truth of these visions, whilst the words from beyond the tomb, which she heard pronounced by this man, one who was esteemed and honoured by all who ever knew him, had for her a singular significance. She had implicit belief in the truth and the importance of visions of this nature - not sought for but proceeding from the initiative of him who was dead. She had experienced them all her life, and nearly all the members of our family were privileged in the same manner. Once in Europe, H. P. Blavatsky was besieged with invitations. All the Theosophists in London, in Paris, and her friends in all countries wanted to have her; but her idea was to see her own nearest relatives, and to this end, after resting at Nice at the house of the Duchesse de Pomar (Lady Caithness), President of the Eastern and Western Branch of the Theosophical Society in Paris, she settled down in Paris in a small flat, which she took in order to be able to receive my aunt and myself under her own roof, knowing that we should not care to accept any other hospitality. Harassed by the curious and by reporters, more than by friends or those seriously interested in her teachings, she went away and spent a fortnight in the country, accepting the invitation of M. and Mme. d’Adhemar, who owned a charming villa near Enghien. In LUCIFER (the magazine since founded by H. P. Blavatsky in London) for July, 1891, I find a delightful letter from Countess d’Adhemar, giving her reminiscences of the musical phenomena produced by Madame Blavatsky during this visit, in the presence of several persons. I regret that the limits of this article preclude my quoting at length this letter, and also many others, which would doubtless be more convincing to my readers than the depositions of a sister. I hope, however, to be able to do so at some future date, if only in order to undeceive the public regarding the lying accusations brought against Madame Blavatsky by evilly disposed persons, old pupils for the most part, who, finding their hopes of some immediate miraculous results disappointed, became her bitter enemies. There were always enough and to spare of foolish people, who expected to receive occult gifts for the asking, and of mercenary folk who were ready to lend their aid and encouragement to H. P. Blavatsky in exchange for larger or smaller sums of money. As soon as these saw that she had neither the means nor the desire to pay them, either in ready cash or in occult powers conferred on them, they lost no time in becoming her deadly and too often unprincipled opponents. I passed six weeks, in the spring of 1884, at Paris with my sister. She was all that time surrounded with crowds of people; not only those who had come from America, from England and from Germany, expressly to see her and to talk with her business connected with Theosophy, but also with numbers of Parisians interested in the teachings and particularly in the phenomena, who constantly assailed her. The Theosophical Society in Europe was then in its infancy. Even in London there were not more than a score of sincere and working members devoted to the cause; in Germany there was not even one branch duly organised; in Paris, there were indeed two Lodges, but they did not between them comprise a membership of more than twenty or thirty, while the “mother branches of New York and of Adyar” were constantly being split up by dissensions among their members, which did not promise well for their future prosperity. Amongst those, however, who were constant visitors at our house, 46, Rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs, were several of eminence. I remember seeing there many savants, doctors of medicine, and of other sciences, magnetisers and clairvoyants, and a number of women more or less acquainted with literature and the abstract sciences, among these many of our compatriots of both sexes. Among those whose names I remember, were C. Flammarion, Leymarie, de Baissac, Richet, Evette the magnetiser, the pupil and friend of Baron Dupotet, and M. Vsevolod Solovioff, the Russian author, one of the most constant visitors and ever full of protestations of his devotion to the cause and person of Madame Blavatsky. Among the ladies were the Duchesse de Pomar, the Comtesse d’Adhemar, Madame de Barreau, Madame de Morsier, Mdlle. de Glinka and many others, French, Russian, English and American. Colonel Olcott and Mr. Judge, the latter having arrived from New York, told us endless stories of the most wonderful phenomena of which they had been witnesses; we, however, saw none except such as had to do with psychology, with the exception of, on one or two occasions, hearing harmonious sounds, produced at will by Helena Petrovna; again, on one occasion not only was a sealed letter psychometrically read, but, having drawn in red pencil an arrow and a theosophical star on a sheet of paper, she caused the same marks to appear on an indicated place of the sealed letter, which was contained in an envelope and folded in four. This was vouched for by the signature of six or seven witnesses, amongst them M. Solovioff, who described what happened in the Russian journal Rebus, under date of 1st July, 1884, and under the title of “Interesting Phenomena.” There was also another, which I myself described at the time. It was the sudden appearance and equally sudden disappearance - without the least trace being left of it - of a Russian newspaper article, published at Odessa, three days before it appeared in the scrap-book of my sister, in which it was her custom to insert all that was published referring to her. That same morning we had all read this article with great astonishment (for the letters from Odessa to Paris took from four to five days to reach us) and that same evening not the smallest vestige of it remained in the book, which was a bound one and of which the pages were numbered. The disappearance of the article in question had not interrupted the series of consecutive numbers. With the exception of these two palpable facts, material phenomena, so to speak, I never - so far as my memory serves me - saw her produce any other than psychological phenomena, such as clairvoyance, psychometry and clairaudience. For my own part I never received any letters from the Adepts and I never perceived nor did I have the chance to see, as many others had, any apparition - neither lights nor letters falling from the skies. I do not contest their depositions - far from that! I am quite ready to believe them, for, so far as I see, no one has a right to contest the belief of others from the sole standpoint of ignorance or his want of perception; but I cannot put forward anything except what occurred in my own experience. That, however, should not prevent my repeating the experiences of others, more fortunate or more endowed than myself, which they have related to me. It would be impossible, however, to relate all the stories told by the nearest disciples of my sister, and it is needless to do so, for all the Theosophical journals have told and retold those to which Messrs. Sinnett, Olcott, Judge, and many others bore witness; but I will quote the testimony of one who has not been hitherto reported in the English or French press. I allude to the remarkable phenomena which M. Vs. Solovioff has described in many letters. After staying with my sister, in the month of September that same year, at Elberfeld, whither he went to see her, he wrote me a long letter about an interview which the Mahatma Morya had granted him, and also of the visions which he had experienced previous to the appearance of this great Adept. I will not describe what took place in detail, for he sent an account to the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research in London; this, however, is what he wrote to me in reply to my questions as to the authenticity of this apparition, on November 21st, 1885. The occult powers of Madame Blavatsky were, without doubt, great. Nevertheless no one, so far as I know, has ever attributed her faculties to hypnotic suggestion, as M. Solovioff seems to imply. Besides which, his hypothesis will not stand criticism, for many times the letters from the Mahatmas and from Madame Blavatsky have been submitted to the inspection of experts, who have always pronounced the handwritings to be different. In addition to which, M. Solovioff has not been the only one to receive such letters under precisely similar conditions. Dr. Hubbe Schleiden, editor of The Sphinx, and many others who can prove it, have received their letters in the absence of Madame Blavatsky. Returning to the testimony of M. Solovioff. He finishes his letter of 21st November with these words: “When her life ends, a life which, I am convinced, is only kept going by some magic power, I shall mourn all my life for this unhappy and remarkable woman.” Indeed he might well say so, he who more than any other had had proof of her remarkable powers! Here are a few lines from another letter of his, written on December 22nd, 1884, at a time when my sister had been already in India for two months, and he was living in Paris. As a matter of fact, it signified nothing at all serious. My sister merely wanted once for all to return, in her astral body, the frequent visits that M. Solovioff had at various times paid to her at Paris, Elberfeld, and at Wurtzbourg, in the flesh. We left Paris on the same day in the month of June, I and my aunt N. A. Fadeew for Odessa, Madame Blavatsky for London, whither she was urgently invited. She was there fully occupied in endeavouring to establish a permanent branch of the Society, under the presidency of Mr. Sinnett, and, although never out of pain, devoted much time to those who came to see her out of curiosity, and to social life. From the first she was feted and met with adulation. On her behalf they organised large meetings and conversaziones. At one of these, nearly one thousand persons were present at Princes’ Hall, and more than three hundred persons were introduced to her. Among those who thus took notice of her were Professor Crookes, Lord Cross, Minister for India, and her friend and countrywoman Madame Olga Aleksevna Novikoff. Sinnett made a fine speech, in which he praised to the skies the energy and wisdom of Madame Blavatsky, the unceasing work of Colonel Olcott and the beautiful humanitarian and moral principles which formed the basis of their teachings. Unfortunately the health of H. P. Blavatsky was not equal to supporting the strain of her incessant work, together with the calls of society, coupled with the emotion caused by the receipt of bad news from Madras. I allude to the well-known conspiracy of her late servants, the carpenter Coulomb and his wife, who sold forged letters to the Journal of the Christian College of Madras, the sworn enemy of the T.S. and above all of its Foundress, and who, in the absence of the masters from Adyar, set to work to make, in Madame Blavatsky’s room, hidden doors and cupboards with false backs, which she could never have ordered, for even if she had wished to deceive her visitors by such means, she would not have been so made as to have her secret arrangements carried out in her absence. All these made-up stories, well paid for by her adversaries, led to the sad history of the expose “of the frauds of Madame Blavatsky, the greatest impostor of the age,” to quote the words of the report of the Psychical Society of London. This report has been over and over again shown to be false in its details, by many different individuals, who, being deeply versed in occultism and in the Theosophical teachings, went and diligently investigated the affair on the spot; but scandalous stories, especially those which are accusations, are very difficult to uproot. It is quite clear that the assertions of the Psychical Society - translated as they were into all languages - will serve, for a long time to come, as weapons in the hands of enemies of Madame Blavatsky, while the refutations of her devoted disciples, far better acquainted with all the details of the conspiracy, will remain in a great measure powerless owing to their want of publicity, appearing as they did in Theosophical journals, very little read by the outside public. I have, in my port-folio, a whole series of articles written by friends of Madame Blavatsky in her favour, which no Russian journal would publish, for fear of polemics. In reply to an allusion in the Novoic Vremia to this very report of the Psychical Research Society - a score of members of the Theosophical Society in London, who had got to the bottom of the whole intrigue, sent a collective address to the editor, but this address never saw the light of day, and the defamatory article continued to appear in the paper, all founded on the calumnies of the Psychical Society. The malevolence of the “Christian College” went so far as to affirm that “H. P. Blavatsky would never dare to return to India, for not only had she extorted money from her dupes, but had also stolen the cash-box of her own Theosophical Society.” She! who had ruined her health in her efforts for the Society! She! who had given up all her fortune, her life, and her sole for it! This one statement alone from a so-called “Christian” journal proves the perfidy of her adversaries. She hastened to leave for India, if only to give the lie to her persecutors. At Ceylon and even at Madras itself she met with a splendid reception. The students of the Madras Colleges presented her with a most flattering address, signed by eight hundred people. Certainly it was a most eloquent demonstration, and it consoled her not a little for her bitter vexations. The immediate danger had passed, but, nevertheless, she was so weak that they were obliged to carry her in an invalid chair and have her hoisted, almost unconscious, on board a steamer leaving for Italy, all the doctors being agreed that the approaching hot weather would be inevitably fatal to her. The early months of the summer that Madame Blavatsky spent near Naples, at Torre del Greco, were months full of suffering. She felt ill, solitary, and deserted, and, what is more, she feared that the prosperity of the Theosophical Society was ruined by her unpopularity and by the calumnies at all times directed against her. But at the first suggestion of resignation she made, she raised a storm of unanimous protest from America, Europe, and above all, from India. The President was powerless to calm the malcontents, who urgently demanded the return of H. P. Blavatsky, and the resumption by her of the business of the Society and of Theosophical interests in general. In vain she tried to prove to them that she would really be of more use to the movement by devoting herself, in seclusion and uninterrupted by business affairs and troubles, to the writing of her new work, The Secret Doctrine. They replied with assurances of devotion to her and by asking her to come to London to Madras, and to New York; settle where she would, she would be welcomed, if only she would resume the leadership of the movement. As for leaving them, she must not for a moment think of it, for, according to the unanimous opinion, her leaving meant the dispersion of the Theosophical Society and its death! Once again H. P. Blavatsky had a severe illness, from which she with difficulty recovered, thanks to the devotion of her friends, who never left her side for a moment. It was principally to Dr. Ashton Ellis, of London, Countess Wachtmeister, and the Gebhard family that she owed her recovery; but from this time forward her life was one of continuous suffering more or less acute. In the month of April, 1887, her friends succeeded in removing her to England. The previous winter she had passed at Ostend, where she finished the first half of The Secret Doctrine, and here she was constantly surrounded with friends, especially with those who came to see her from London; amongst these was the President of the British Theosophical Society, Mr. Sinnett, who had just published his book, Incidents in the Life of Mme. H. P. Blavatsky. The last four years of her life, which Madame Blavatsky passed in London, were years of physical suffering, of incessant labour, of mental over-excitement, which completely undermined her health; but these years were also years of success, of moral fruition, which fully compensated her for her sufferings, and gave her cause to hope that her book, the Theosophical Society, and her writings would remain as evidence in her favour after her death, and would serve to clear her name from the calumnies with which it had been covered. Here is an extract from one of her letters, written in the autumn of 1887, excusing herself for her long silence. The activity of the Theosophical Society in London, its meetings, its monthly and weekly magazines, and, above all, the writings of its foundress, attracted the attention of the press and the reprisals of the clergy. But here their representatives never gave way to such unjust and calumnious excesses as did the Jesuits of Madras. Most assuredly there were many stirring meetings, at which H. P. Blavatsky, to use her own expression, was “treated like Lucifer - not in its true sense, as bearer of the heavenly light - but in the popular sense, that which is ascribed to him in Milton’s Paradise Lost. I was presented to the public as anti-Christ in petticoats.” Nevertheless, her fine letter, entitled “LUCIFER to the Archbishop of Canterbury,” made a great sensation at the time, and all but put an end to clerical hostilities. In London there was no longer any question as to phenomena; Helena Petrovna took an aversion to them. Nevertheless, as Mr. Stead remarks with truth, in his article on Madame H.P. Blavatsky in The Review of Reviews for June, 1891, never before did she make so many distinguished converts or converts more devoted to her cause than during the last four years of her life. Her visions and her clairvoyance, however, never left her. In July, 1886, she told us of the death of her friend, Prof. Alexander Boutleroff, before it was mentioned in the Russian newspapers. In fact, she saw him at Ostend on the very day of his death. The same thing happened in the case of our celebrated politician, M. N. Katkoff, a patriot whom she cordially esteemed. She wrote to me (and the letter is fortunately still extant and precisely dated) one month before his end that he would be ill and would die. In July, 1888, when I was in London, she extricated me from serious perplexity, caused by a wrongly-interpreted telegram, and told me, after an instant’s meditation, what had happened at Moscow on that very day. When in the spring of 1890, the Headquarters of the Society in London was moved into a new house, better adapted to accommodate her increased staff, H. P. Blavatsky said, “I shall never move again, they will take me from this house to the crematorium.” When asked why she foretold this, she gave as a pretext that this house had not her lucky number; the number seven was lacking. The health of Helena Petrovna continued to go from bad to worse with the increasing growth of her occupations. She formed around herself a group of ardent Theosophists who were anxious to study the occult sciences. With regard to this she wrote to me in 1889. Two years after she had settled in London, Madame Blavatsky made the acquaintance of a woman of extraordinary knowledge, merits, and talent. I will let her speak herself. My sister had good grounds for what she said. With the support of Theosophists such as Mrs. Besant, Countess Wachtmeister, Bertram Keightley, and such like, she could have rested in peace and devoted herself quietly to her literary works, had her days not been already numbered. The winter of 1890 was, as we all know, very severe in London, and, from the spring of 1891, the influenza, this new scourge of humanity which has the gentlest appearance and does not show its claws until later on, joined issue with the inclemencies of the season and carried off a larger proportion of the world than all the other diseases - our old friends - who do not deceive people by their airs of innocence. The whole community at 19, Avenue Road, was taken ill with it during the months of March and April. The younger members recovered, H. P. Blavatsky succumbed. Mrs. Annie Besant was away; she had gone to the Congress of American Theosophists, to represent there the Foundress of the Society, and had been entrusted by her with an address to “her fellow citizens and brothers and sisters in Theosophy.” The first successes of Helena Petrovna had their cradle in New York; the city of Boston had the privilege of giving her her last pleasure while on earth. The telegrams full of kind sentiments, of thanks and sincere good wishes for her, which reached her from America, after the reading of her letter, gave her real joy, at the very time she was confined to her bed and condemned. . . . Condemned? No. She who so often had been deceived herself and had so often proved false the sentence pronounced on her by the doctors, once again deceived them, but in another way. At eleven o’clock in the morning of May 8th, the doctors pronounced her out of danger, she got up and sat at her writing-table, without doubt wishing to die at her post, and at two o’clock she closed her eyes and - departed. “She departed so quietly” - so wrote a witness of this unlooked-for death - “that we, who were near her, did not know even when she ceased to breathe. A supreme sensation of peace took possession of us, as we knelt there, knowing all was over.” (“How she left us,” by Miss L. Cooper, LUCIFER, June, 1891). I had seen my sister for the last time in the summer of 1890. She had just been settling into her new house and was very busy and nearly always in pain. She was then forming a Home at the East End for working women. “The Working Women’s Club,” founded at the cost of a wealthy Theosophist who wished to conceal his identity, prospered at this time under the protection of the lady patronesses belonging to the Theosophical Society. We passed the evenings talking of old days, of her beloved country; the injustice of the English Press and its calumnies against Russia seemed always to amount to injuries against herself. It is a great pity that her compatriots do not know all her articles on this subject. Many of them, those, above all, who formed their idea of her from the allegations of certain Russian newspapers, would have changed their opinions about her after reading, for instance, her article in LUCIFER, June, 1890, entitled, “The moat and the beam,” written in reply to the false accusations against the Government of Russia, carried at indignation meetings held with regard to “Russian Atrocities in Siberia,” which latter were, for the most part, invented by the too vivid imagination of George Kennan. And, curiously enough, the last words from her pen, which appeared on the same page of LUCIFER in which a hurried notice of her death was inserted, related to the Emperor of Russia. Therein she gave the Court of the Queen of England the good advice, that they should endeavour to follow the example offered by our Imperial family, in the practice of certain virtues, unknown to those devoid of “True Nobility,” that being the title of this article. On a fine May day, the remains of the Foundress of the Theosophical Society were taken in a coffin, completely covered with flowers, to the Crematorium at Woking. There was no elaborate ceremony, neither was mourning worn, she herself having expressly forbidden it. It was in India and, above all, at Ceylon, that her death was commemorated with much pomp, but in Europe the ceremony was of the simplest, only a few words were spoken of her “who had created the Theosophic movement, who had been the apostle of universal charity, the apostle of a life of purity and labour for the sake of others and for the progress of the human spirit and, above all, of the eternal and divine soul.” Then the body was committed to the flames and “three hours later, the ashes of her who had been Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, were brought back to her last home. Possibly some amongst her disciples were too fervent, but there were others who spoke nothing but the absolute truth concerning her. I quote, as a specimen, these words, which cannot fail to be approved by any impartial person. “The friends of Madame Blavatsky merely ask that the rules of palpable common sense shall be admitted in any judgment of her, that testimony from those who know much shall be thought weightier than testimony from those who know nothing, that every well-established principle in the interpretation of human character shall not be reversed in her case, that the unsupported assertion of a daily newspaper shall not be conceded the authority of a Court or the infallibility of a Scripture. They do not even ask that the impartial shall read her books, but they suggest, not from hearsay, but from experience, that if any man wishes his aspirations heightened, his motive invigorated, his endeavour spurred, he should turn to the writing which express the thought and reflect the soul of Helena P. Blavatsky.” - (“Test of Character,” by A. Fullerton, Path, June, 1891). “Amen,” say we, her nearest relatives, to this tribute of a disciple. As for myself, although I do not exactly hold with them, yet I may be allowed to say that the teachings of Theosophy should not be ignored by our contemporaries, even though the Society be dispersed and no trace remain of it as an organised body. These teachings will have their place in the history of the Nineteenth Century and - even if they do not materially influence the coming generations, as is the hope of her devoted followers - yet the name of a woman who was capable of calling forth a movement based on universal ideas, cannot be entirely lost in oblivion. April 15, 1895, pp. 99-108.
2019-04-22T19:16:19Z
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When you experiment with the table and really feel wooden demanding towards your back again, you might want to go with an alternative counter. You can diminish your back by utilizing the wrong kind of table. Contrasting perceptions on the concept of physical fitness can make the method needlessly difficult. There are actually dos and don’ts when it comes to health and fitness, and crucial facts to consider prior to starting a health and fitness strategy. Supply the ideas offered right here the opportunity to release a healthier plus more gratifying way of life for your self. For additional information about workoutsempire.com/booty-type-training-reviews/, feel complimentary to visit us at http://workoutsempire.com/booty-type-training-reviews/ any type of day, at any time. When keeping yourself in shape is one thing that a lot of people locate easy to do, others need a lot of preparation and support to make this happen aim. These guidelines might help anyone obtain the facts they need to begin over a exercise journey. Are you currently quick on physical exercise time? Divide your exercise routine period into a couple of halves. You don’t have to sort out a lot more, just break time by 50 %. Instead of shelling out 1 hour running, manage for half an hour near the beginning of your day after which yet again nearer the final. If you’d choose not to attend your health club more than once in a day, you can try undertaking a single exercise routine in your fitness center, and undertaking one exercise in the open air. You have to look at trying different methods when choosing an exercise strategy. There are lots of exciting routines that you can do away from health and fitness center. Find an action which you genuinely enjoy. This will likely help keep you determined, especially when you find yourself very first beginning. Have a log from the workout you full every day. Consist of each of the exercise routines you are doing and anything you ingest. Even make be aware in the occasions you exercising and consume, along with the temp on a daily basis. It will help you think about whatever impacted every day. Although you may don’t physical exercise over a provided time, record it. It really is normally better to do a lot more repetitions with much less excess weight as an alternative to performing only some repetitions with many different weight if you would like boost your muscle tissue. Bigger muscle tissues tend not to generally range from individual who lifts by far the most weight loads. This can be a very well liked technique among a lot of professionals. Ab crunches aren’t proceeding to give you a 6-pack, no matter how numerous you are doing. It is possible to develop energy on your own physique because they build your ab muscles, nevertheless, you won’t truly burn up a lot of excess fat at the same time. The best way to accomplish washboard stomach muscles is usually to lessen the overall amount of fat in the body by employing an enhanced diet plan and plenty of cardiovascular system coaching. Attempt carrying out true sit-ups in addition to crunches whenever you exercise. You might have noticed that rest ups usually are not useful to you. In order to avoid trauma, you must steer clear of carrying out stay-ups along with your ft . anchored. Anchored rest-ups placed needless stress on your lower back. When you work out, put on clothes that may be comfortable. There’s plenty of stress available, specifically at fitness gyms and physical fitness centres, to put on the trendiest work out clothes all around. Pick clothing in which you can transfer openly and pleasantly. Using the clothes which are best for you will ensure that you get the most from your regular workout. You do not need to worry about impressing any individual but yourself. Health and fitness can have not only actual benefits. Accomplishing physical fitness can increase your emotionally charged well-being. Exercises cause endorphins to become launched, which actually create a euphoric sensing. Moreover, working out allows you to feel happier about your self and obtain a increased sensation of confidence. In many techniques, just a few routines stay in between you together with satisfaction. Attempt volunteer work to increase your exercise and also have a optimistic impact on your community. There is a lot of volunteer function that requires physical labour. This can get you match and offer aid to disadvantaged agencies. A great technique in becoming in shape is by rollerblading. Rollerblading is probably not as popular as it was actually 2 decades in the past, but it’s still an excellent approach to burn up some calories. Rollerblades can nevertheless be located in several showing off very good stores. Count in the opposite direction. Once you know the volume of repetitions you want to perform, matter lower. It will help make the treatment appear to be quicker because you are considering smaller sized. Showing yourself you just have numerous a lot more is far more stimulating. Hoping to get match? Look at buying a hop rope. You may hop rope just about anywhere. Leaping rope burns up 3 x the quantity of unhealthy calories as other kinds of cardiovascular exercise workouts. In principle, you must be able to hop rope for at least ten minutes at the outset of your regiment, but boost to at least two times that over time. Ingesting fruits like pears and apples increase your health and fitness and well being. Ingesting a diet plan full of refreshing create can market greater health. Try out doing a little exercises by means of t . v . to stop you from obtaining bored stiff. There are lots of tv workouts accessible including pay out-for each-see, on-need displays and sports activities networking sites. Not needing an idea what is going to occur up coming and studying new goes is able to keep you involved and help the exercises pass more quickly. Unless you have access to these programs, attempt locating some on the internet or searching for video clips. It is simple to meet up with your fitness goals together with the appropriate suggestions! This might appear like a significant obstacle, though with the proper suggestions, it is far from insurmountable. You have to give your very best at exercise to succeed precisely like you do at anything else. Utilize the advice you merely go through to go forwards on your own route toward fitness. Succeeding game titles is an important thrill in terms of playing athletics. But there is much more to profitable than actually just hoping it to come accurate. In order to be considered a far better football participant, you need to look at the helpful tips in the following paragraphs. Then go have that tennis ball, go exterior, and acquire to practicing! Don’t try and kick your soccer ball to the target if you’re inside a crummy placement. Find out if your teammate is a favorable situation when the industry lacks an opening. Move them the soccer ball immediately as an alternative to looking to run to the aim all by yourself. When you are considering new cleats, take into consideration your degree of playing potential. When you are a beginner, get plastic or man-made cleats. More technical football gamers must use metallic cleats, for them to consider different kinds of job areas. Prevent colliding with another participant, if you can. Try to expect your opponent’s motions to avoid speak to. If you this, you will retain the ball along and get away from probable injuries. If you’re finding an excessive amount of activity where you are using the golf ball, pass it to a person who isn’t flanked by activity. This will give you a couple of mere seconds prior to the defenders crossing the area so you’re in a position to not risk dropping your soccer ball. In case a good deal is going on where you stand, strike the soccer ball to a different one participant within a less packed region. There needs to be a couple of moments before these defenders cross and also this is effective in reducing the risk of dropping the football ball if the region is crowded. Keep in mind that football is actually a crew activity. Always remember this. Football is a staff sport activity. You won’t do well when you are a soccer ball hog who will take his teammates with no consideration. The team is vital to succeeding in soccer. That means giving up goal possibilities if somebody different includes a much better picture. Although achieving your personal objectives in soccer is very important, it is additionally necessary to continue to keep staff goals with the forefront too. Football is determined by the full team for achievement, so team desired goals must be more valuable than your own personal. Practice set takes on if you would like improve you capacity to make decisions. As an example, try immediate photographs or area kicks together with your teammates. In the event you training these kinds of plays on a regular basis, you will understand how to choose and this includes during video game enjoy, which is certain to allow you to win. You need to have a profitable attitude should you expect to succeed games. Trusting inside the capability of the group and oneself affords the confidence necessary to make your shots and passes by, as well as installation a powerful shield from your opponent. Trying to keep a positive perspective and cheering your crew on will assist your team be successful. Tryouts will be the destination to emphasize the performs you happen to be very best at. Don’t try goes you aren’t more comfortable with. Usually do not try any moves you are entirely more comfortable with until once you are on the crew. Tryouts are for showcasing your strong points for the trainer. When playing on soaked areas, your footwear need to give you enough hold to keep your footing. A number of people that engage in soccer appreciate using much softer cleats which can be easily-removed within these situations. Put on broad cleats during times once the discipline is drenched. In this situation, two cleats are saved to your hindfoot, when four have your the midsole. Work with constructing peripheral vision. You are able to coach your peripheral perspective to assist you to monitor the field and enjoy the soccer ball. To get this done, you shouldn’t be specifically working on the soccer soccer ball. Rather, your emphasis ought to be in a middle-air stage involving the tennis ball and you. Ideally, at this point you learn more details that may help you get better at soccer. It’s excellent to find out new things, but you need to ideal the relevant skills by taking measures. Exercise these top rated capabilities together with your buddies, and also help them learn everything you now know. Together, then, you may turn out to be really tough to beat.
2019-04-24T13:02:36Z
http://todoscontraelcanon.com/
Robert Foster with Trebor Home Inspections conducted a very thorough, professional inspection of the home I am buying. He spent a considerable amount of time testing and visually inspecting critical components of the house, and allowed me to follow along while he explained what he was doing each step of the way; he answered every question I asked in a patient and courteous manner. I have confidence that all deficiencies were identified, and that the potential ramifications of each was comprehensively detailed in the written report which Trebor provided me within hours after the inspection was completed. I don’t hesitate in recommending his services. Extremely knowledgeable, thorough, and takes the time to explain things if you want/ask questions. He also reiterates that he is available to you after the inspection process for any questions (which I can certainly vouch for). I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone thinking about buying a home. You want to know what you’re getting into! I can’t say enough good things about Robert’s inspection. He is extremely detailed, very knowledgeable, and extremely helpful in pointing out issues, both those that can be modified and those that cannot. He focuses attention on aspects of the house that will require ongoing maintenance as well as changes that can alert one to problems that are brewing. His report was extremely helpful and I will print it out and keep it in a binder for future reference. I have had houses inspected in the past and I have never had such a helpful inspection done before. This is the second time I have hired Robert Foster for a home inspection, and the experience both times was fantastic. He did a very thorough inspection, and the report was uploaded quickly and was easy to read. The best part was that I learned so much about what I was getting myself into with each house–but I also learned so much about houses in general. Robert is extremely knowledgeable and eager to answer questions, and he took the time to look in every nook and cranny, even to the very far corners of the crawlspace. I would (and do) highly recommend hiring Robert. Robert Foster is the best home inspector we’ve worked with! He is incredibly thorough and took the time to make sure we understood everything in the report. Robert Foster did a fantastic job. He was extremely careful and thorough. It’s helpful that he distinguishes between different types of comments, too — issues that should be taken into account in the purchase versus normal maintenance issues. We’ve used four house inspectors in our home buying time. Robert definitely one of the best. He’s thorough, and uses technology extremely well to communicate and provide evidence for the issues he discovers. This helps make the point to buyers. This includes images of the problems, video (audio — “hear that popping sound, that’s not good”) and links to web articles that explain technical elements we weren’t familiar with. No equivocation — hire Robert for your inspector. Robert was thorough, helpful, friendly, and quick – we really enjoyed working with him! I wouldn’t use anyone else other than Robert. He is absolutely the best. Smart, knowledgeable, thorough — and I really appreciate the detailed, easy-to-access online report . Thanks! Robert did an outstanding job inspecting our property. He is extremely thorough in his examination and assessment of structural integrity, construction features and basic operating functions. While onsite, he takes the time to explain his approach and review his findings in great detail. The report he produces is also quite comprehensive and compiled in a way that is both easy to understand and quite helpful in identifying issues in need of more immediate attention and remediation. Moving to a new place can be a very stressful experience – especially when relocating to another state, as is the case with our family. Robert’s professionalism, knowledge and expertise provided us with more than enough information we needed to feel more confident about our purchase decision, while offering insights that allowed us to become better acquainted and more comfortable with our new home. We highly recommend him when only the best will suffice for your next inspection project. Robert is personable, thorough, and experienced, and knows the community well, which was great for me as someone moving to town. Follows through, reports are ready when promised. Couldn’t ask for more. I was very impressed by Robert’s thorough inspection and great communication. He came to me strongly recommended by friends, and I have no regrets! He was in touch before, during, and after the inspection, and went above and beyond. During the inspection, he took the time to notice even the tiniest of details. Instead of simply pointing out any deficiencies he noted, Robert also took the time to answer my questions, educate me about the different features in the home, and give me tips on how to plan for future maintenance and improvements. I appreciated his detailed and color-coded written report, which made it very easy to understand the state of the house and how best to prioritize repairs/remediations. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a thorough and honest inspection! Highly recommended! Robert was extremely knowledgable, professional, and helpful throughout the entire process, which I especially appreciate as a first time homebuyer. The report was easy to read and informative – the color coding and accompanying videos were great. Thank you, Robert! This is my fifth home purchase and inspection and I would rank my experience with Robert as #1. He’s very thorough and professional and easily communicates what he’s looking for as well as any discrepancies he finds. His report is equally thorough and descriptive. In addition, he promptly responded to any email questions we had. I would give my Robert my strongest possible recommendation for anyone requiring a home inspection. Robert is very knowledgeable and did a great job putting his findings in layman’s terms for me. His report — color-coded and detailed — is something we’ll be referring to often as we make our move. 10/10. This was our 3rd experience buying a home. Robert’s inspection report was by far the most thorough we have ever received. We are buying this house while stationed overseas, so have not personally ever set foot in it. Robert’s report, with its extensive photos and written information, gave us confidence to go through with the deal. We were able to use the report to very clearly show to the sellers where and why we requested some small repairs. Thanks to his diligence and professionalism, we are making a fully-informed purchase, despite being thousands of miles away. Should we ever buy another house, we would turn to him again. Robert was incredibly informative during this inspection, and we have full confidence in our home purchase as a result of his very thorough assessment. He lists his reports with super helpful categories beyond the typical green, yellow or red issues that come up upon a new purchase – as Robert is intent on preparing his clients for *owning* and living in the home rather than just buying it. He is patient with both novice and experts, and takes the time to explain anything he observes. If I could advise a new homebuyer on anything, it would be to stay close to Robert while you all walk through your new home – yes, the whole time – as you will undoubtedly learn much about how your home is built and how to take care of it most optimally. Robert is extraordinarily thorough and knowledgeable about every issue relating to inspecting a home. He walked us through every item he found and answered our questions thoughtfully. The report is well arranged and really useful both during the purchase process and will serve as a start to an “owner’s manual” in our new home. He is also very professional and helpful. We definitely recommend Robert to inspect your purchased home. We benefitted from Robert’s deep knowledge of building science, thorough and organized inspection, and capacity to translate his findings into a clear, actionable report that we’ll be able to use as a reference tool during ownership. He was personable, happy to explain his findings, and open to follow-up questions. We consider this one of the best investments we’ve made in our new home. Recommended without reservation. Robert not only squeezed in a last-minute home inspection for us, but he conducted it with the utmost kindness, honesty and thoroughness. He talked us through all of the potential issues while we went, so that some of what could have seemed scary became more innocuous, and he answered all of our questions with great patience. His report was promptly sent and easy to read, and we just can’t recommend Trebor Home Inspections enough! Robert did an incredible job; he was very thorough and knowledgeable! I’d highly recommend him to anyone! We are new to the Charlottesville, VA, area and had no clue which home inspector to go with. Robert was referred to us by our Realtor and we are grateful for the recommendation. Robert was a great communicator before the inspection via email suggesting we visit his website to take a look at a sample of an inspection report to see what he does for an inspection. He also informed us of the cost of the inspection and other services we requested, how soon the inspection report would be available, and confirmed the time and date of the inspection. I was able to be present for the inspection of the property we were under contract to purchase. Being an objective, third party, Robert provided a wonderfully sincere, forthright, and honest approach to the inspection explaining in detail what he was seeing. The inspection report itself was a very straightforward document. Robert doesn’t sugarcoat things. He reports what he saw and presents his reasoning for his evaluation. I highly encourage anyone to be on hand for the inspection. Being able to talk to and question Robert during his inspection was a great benefit. We highly recommend Robert for a home inspection. We hired Robert to inspect the home we purchased in October 2016. Robert provided us with an incredibly thorough inspection. He truly cared about our experience and noticed things we would not have noticed. His communication was excellent throughout the process. He was very accommodating in doing the inspection without much notice in order to work around my husband’s work schedule. We had a wonderful experience and give the highest recommendation for Robert’s services. Robert was extremely thorough and knowledgable. He made us feel as confident as possible with the decisions we had to make about the house by pointing out the extent of the issues and the possible ramifications. I’d highly recommend Robert to anyone. We’ve engaged Robert’s services multiple times in the last few years and have always been impressed by his knowledge, thoroughness, and professionalism. As long as Robert is inspecting homes, we’ll be his clients! Robert was a great inspector and made the process very clear and understandable. The report was clear and the color coding was amazing. My husband and I are first time home-buyers and Robert certainly made the process clear and understandable for us first timers! An added bonus was that he was quick to respond to email and always answered questions with clarity as well as regularly offered his assistance if we had questions. We will definitely use him in the future – I highly recommend him! I’m so glad Donna recommended you! I felt well-advised throughout the process. Thank you for a great job! Robert did a fantastic job with our home inspection. He is extremely knowledgable, friendly, thorough and professional. His report was delivered on the same day and was easy to read, very detailed, included pictures with arrows and diagrams and even is color-coded so you know where the big problems are! He has tons of special equipment and literally checks every square inch of the house. For us, he even had to crawl through the entire crawl space in the rain and still came out smiling! He is the best and great with communication during the inspection. if you need a home inspected and you want to know every potential issue, call him. You won’t be disappointed. We were incredibly appreciative of Robert’s expertise and thoughtfulness during our home inspection. We bought an older home, and having never bought a home more than 5 years old, we needed a lot of guidance. Robert was extremely thorough and thoughtful in all of his assessments and we were beyond impressed with his report. We are still using it to guide us through all of our home improvement projects and know that we can call on him in the future if we have any questions. We hope to not be buying another home any time in the near future, but if we did, we would hire Robert again without hesitation, and will certainly be recommending him to friends and family! Robert did an excellent job with my home inspection. He was extremely thorough and the report he provides is outstanding – complete with pictures and color coded so you can easily prioritize repairs. I would recommend Robert without hesitation! He truly takes pride in his work and clearly enjoys educating home buyers. Robert is extremely knowlegeable and thorough when he performed his inspection of the home my wife and I are purchasing. His inspection was a “top to bottom” review of all the systems and building structure (from the crawl space up to the roof) and I found his inspection process very detailed oriented and well worth the price. I would highly recommend Robert to any of my family and friends when it comes time for their home inspection! I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into (buying an older house) and your report gave me so much information and a lot of direction–It was very helpful in allowing me to make better decisions about how to move forward with the purchase. Many thanks, Robert! I can’t really add to the remarks found on Robert’s website. After participating in at least a half dozen pre-purchase inspections over the years, I can say this was the most interactive and complete inspection, followed by the best report, that we’d ever seen. My only hesitation in recommending Robert is that his schedule is bound to continue to put him out of reach of those folks on a short deadline. He is absolutely worth the wait! I thoroughly enjoyed working with Robert on my home inspection. His inspection of the house I was buying was extremely thorough and he took the time to explain to me what he was doing and looking for in each part of the house. His report was very comprehensive and easy to read. His use of pictures and color coding made it very easy to follow and I was shocked at how quickly he sent me the finished report given how much information was included in it! I’d highly recommend hiring Robert. Robert was:- 1. punctual and provided a thorough inspection of the outside, including windows, siding, roof, mechanical as well as evaluations of the driveway and landscaping contour 2. provided clear explanation of all his findings – particularly the mechanical issues 3. was pleasant in his manner and did not fill his time on the clock with idle chatter 4. explained along with the realtor what were reasonable requests to be made to the home-holder to be repaired. 5. good value for the amount of time he spent and the quality of his reporting. Robert has inspected two of our homes and I wouldn’t dream of using anyone else. Robert’s integrity, deep knowledge of all things construction (both new and old), and passion for what he does leave us feeling confident in our purchases. Robert is always willing to let us tag along during his inspections and ask probing questions regarding his observations and insights, always providing an honest and considered response. Robert is thorough, committed, passionate about his work, incredibly trustworthy, and highly recommended. When I was asked to rate Trebor Home Inspections, thorough, professional, and helpful came to mind immediately! Robert explained the process clearly before we even got started and followed through with everything quickly and completely. And he didn’t mind my following him around and asking questions as he worked! The final report was full of information and easy to understand. He not only included immediate concerns, but offered safety and maintenance issues I should watch for in the future. An excellent experience all around, I would highly recommend him. We had the pleasure of having our housing inspection completed by Robert Foster of Trebor Home Inspections. The level of professionalism exhibited was exemplary and far surpassed our initial expectations. The preparation, quality, pride and integrity were obvious throughout the process and has set the bar for future interactions with the home buying process. Robert is a consummate proprietor and left us with the knowledge and belief that his desire and promise to provide the best customer service would be achieved. His proficiency was quickly established and maintained throughout the inspection and follow – up process. His ability to communicate and explain his findings both verbally and in writing in an understandable manner were very helpful and appreciated. He is a true pleasure to work with. We would not hesitate to recommend him to others or work with him in the future. The inspection process was very clear, and very welcoming for us to ask questions at any time. The inspection report was incredibly detailed and thorough – the level of detail and aspects like the color coding helped us immensely in terms of prioritizing our negotiation requests for the Sellers. The inclusion of photographs throughout was also incredible helpful. The report provides us with a fantastic baseline “manual” for short and longterm improvements to the house. Thank you again – we really felt like we got top-notch expertise and service. Robert was extremely thorough and professional during our home inspection. He included not only information about what inspection items were critical, but also information that is helpful for general home ownership, including areas where energy efficiency could be improved. His report was easy to read and understand. We would absolutely recommend him to potential home buyers! Mr. Foster combines professionalism and accessibility to inform and educate his clients. There is no detail to small or task to simple for him to take the time to examine and explain how it works. He has inspected two houses for us and we will ask him to inspect all our future houses as well. Robert did an excellent job and took his time giving the home we are considering buying a thorough inspection. We appreciated him taking his time to explain his findings to us in a way we could understand. Robert not only gave us a thorough and complete professional inspection, he patiently offered a veritable tutorial on the home and its systems. He didn’t mind me tagging along for the inspection, in fact he seemed to enjoy my involvement and my questions. He explained not only the potential issues but how to manage them to prevent future problems as well as how some of the systems/equipment work and suggested maintenance tips. Robert is a no-nonsense and trustworthy professional who had no bias except to give an honest report on the condition of the our future home. I am not only more confident about our purchase decision, I’m more prepared to own the home without the learning curve it might take to become acquainted with how it functions and how to properly care for it. Robert was not only professional and extremely knowledgable, but he was a pleasure to work with! We felt very comfortable with his level of expertise and his report was so helpful as we moved forward with the home buying process. We not only felt like Robert’s inspection and report was helpful for our decision as potential home buyers, but as future home owners! We are so grateful to understand our home at the level that we now do and would feel completely comfortable recommending Robert to our friends, families, and acquaintances in the future! Thank you! As first time home buyers, Robert’s thorough report is going to be a tremendous asset to us as we maintain our home over the coming years. We are beyond grateful that we had him perform our home inspection. Enjoyable, and we felt we were in very good hands! Robert, My apology for not sending a message sooner but I was hopeful that we might see you again this summer for another inspection. We did not purchase the house on Rutledge Avenue for various reasons. Your thorough and informative inspection of the property helped us very much as we considered this property. However, we ultimately decided that we needed more space and did not want to invest the funds necessary to do so at this house. We continue to look for a suitable home and will again call on you for the inspection. It was a pleasure to see you at work and your written report was excellent! Thank you very much. Couldn’t have asked for a more thorough, thoughtful, and knowledgable inspector. I learned so much about the property, construction, and home maintenance that will last a lifetime. I felt comfortable asking lots of questions and he took the time to explain many concepts to a new homeowner. I felt like he was extremely detail oriented and brought to light many issues that could easily been overlooked. I felt like he gave me the full picture so I could go into the buying process with my eyes wide open. Overall a great experience and a great guy. Thank you so much for your informative and thorough inspection! ROBERT WAS VERY THOROUGH. HE CHECKED THINGS I WOULDN’T HAVE THOUGHT TO CHECK. GOOD JOB. Robert Foster was incredibly thorough, looking into items that weren’t even addressed in our last home inspection experience. He was helpful, explained everything, and has made himself available for any questions in the future. His inspection report is detailed and comprehensive. A fantastic inspection, and I would highly recommend him. Robert goes above and beyond with his home inspections. Not only is he extremely thorough, but he also explains things very clearly to the buyer. As someone who was a novice in home buying I felt like I understood much more about the home from Robert than I even did from the builders. Would highly recommend! The most thorough inspection we have ever received. Robert did an excellent job with the inspection. He was thorough with the report, but also was very helpful to explain issues during the inspection and offer advice on home maintenance issues that weren’t necessarily defects. Robert-We could not have been more satisfied with your report and how easy it was to work with you. Anyone who is able to use you for their inspection should consider themselves extremely lucky, and in the best hands possible. We will absolutely recommend you to others. Thank you! Thank you for your excellent work, Robert. No suggestions for improvement. Could not have been more thorough. We would this inspector for any and all inspections. Robert’s on-site inspection and detailed report were as detailed and informative as I’d hoped. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a thorough and expert home inspection. I thought the work was thorough; the company used electronic communications effectively; and — re the charges and other provisions of the “contract” — quite transparent. Very thorough inspection and detailed report. Made us aware of a lot of deficiencies without making every issue seem like a crisis. Wonderful service; prompt, thorough, easily understandable. Robert was helpful in answering tough questions we posed after the Inspection and we are grateful. Would not change anything. Robert was great at explaining all items noted on the inspection report, as well as other general items that will help me take care of my home the entire time I own it! He answered each of my questions thoroughly and made himself available for questions via e-mail after the inspection. I would definitely recommend him! Thank you very much for such an informative, concise and detailed report. The manner in which you layout your comments on each area of the home made it so easy to work with. As well, your willingness to explain the process while you were conducting the inspection, I feel, helped me not only understand the report more easily, but understand the inner workings of the home as well. Robert was exceptionally thorough and professional in the inspection of the property considered for purchase. His report was detailed and easy to follow with the inclusion of pictures, color coding of deficiencies, and his specific descriptions of concerns. Most importantly, he was easy to work with, which made the inspection an enjoyable and informative process. I would definitely recommend him and will continue to consult with him in the future. We’ve bought and sold a number of homes over years and Robert’s inspection of the home we are buying was one of the best. He was completely thorough, took the time to explain issues in layman’s terms that we could understand, answered questions patiently and produced the best, hands down, final report that we’ve ever received. Highly recommended. Robert was professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and very thorough. We would definitely recommend him and would choose him again for any potential future inspections. He answered all of our many questions and provided great advice for future maintenance. We were so impressed with Robert’s attention to detail and his thorough process. He was very open to our questions and explained everything as we went through the inspection. The inspection report was detailed and not only covered the issues found, but also provided information to enable us to best care for our home. This is our third time buying a home and this is by far the most helpful inspection we have had- the extensive information in the report is invaluable as we get to know our new home. We highly recommend Robert! Robert was extremely knowledgeable and professional. He examined and explained everything thoroughly. The report we received after the inspection was detailed and easy to understand. Robert has done an excellent job following up after the inspection to ensure that any outstanding questions are addressed. We enjoyed working with Robert and would recommend him to anyone. Robert was the most thorough inspector that I’ve had the pleasure of doing business with. Extremely knowledgeable and professional. Robert was extremely thorough and focused not only on the home inspection, but providing helpful insight for home OWNERSHIP. As a first time home buyer this was an incredibly educational and valuable experience. Robert took time to explain every detail of the house and showed us how we need to care for it moving forward. He was thorough and provided a detailed inspection report in a timely manner. We would definitely recommend his services. It was a pleasure to meet you and work with you on my condo. I am happy to write a very positive testimonial. Not having much experience on my own with home inspections, I especially appreciate how incredibly patient, thorough and informative you were in educating me on all aspects of the inspection, purchase concerns and, the specific maintenance guidelines. Karen told me that you are the best in Charlottesville, and she was correct! Lastly, I appreciate you offering to be of assistance to me if I have further questions after taking ownership. Thorough and thoughtful with no pretense or drama. I cannot recommend you more highly. I have probably had experience with a dozen home inspectors over the years and none have been as comprehensive and thorough as Robert. An exceptional job with clear and concise recommendations and concerns. Highly recommend his services. Very thorough and easy to work with. Exceeded my expectations and I would recommend him to anyone. Robert is friendly, professional and knowledgeable. He is very helpful and answers any and all questions thoroughly. We were very pleased with how detailed Robert’s written report was and appreciated the way he organized everything in the report. It was very user friendly and easy to follow. We would definitely recommend Robert to our friends or family! Robert, we are grateful for your knowledge, and the delivery of that knowledge in an engaging, informative and friendly way. We value what we’ve learned and see it as a tool and not just a grade, so thanks! Thorough and friendly, great combo. I appreciated all of the insight into items that were both necessary and suggested as repairs. I honestly don’t have any constructive feedback right now, it’s good to know that I have respected professionals such as yourself and Karen Ball working around me, makes the process of purchasing a home much better. You rock Robert. Your covering letter was so reassuring as it is disheartening to read a list of negatives. Your report shed light on so many things I was far too excited to notice and really focused my attention. Of course the reason we hired you was to have an expert opinion and I don’t see how we could have done better. We have the necessary leverage to get certain things done now before we close thanks to your report, and awareness going forward. Thank you so much. I won’t hesitate to reccommend you. As first time home buyers, we found Robert to be extremely honest and diligent with a terrific eye for detail. He was willing to explain and walk through each problem found in the home and helped suggest options to remedy. He is certainly the buyer’s advocate. Robert was extremely professional and meticulous in his inspection. The exhaustive report reflects his attention to detail and care taken in evaluating my condo for purchase. HIGHLY recommended! During his meticulous and thorough inspection, Robert left no stone unturned. I am extremely pleased with the full assessment that we received and I feel much more prepared for the future with his report in my hands. Thanks, Robert! Robert was extremely organized, efficient and professional. His expertise was greatly appreciated and I would recommend him without hesitation. I’m extremely satisfied with my home inspection. I’ve shown the report to several friends and family, all of whom told me that it was one of the most informative inspection documents they had seen. Besides delivering a very thorough and easy-to-read report, Robert has also been friendly, forthcoming and professional before, during and after the inspection. His candor regarding the home’s deficiencies (and strengths) made me very comfortable with the direction that my purchase process has taken. I’d recommend him to anyone looking to buy a home in the area. Very complete and informative report I only wish I could have been there in person to benefit from your expertise and professionalism. Robert was great! He explains everything and asks if you have questions every step of the way. Excellent inspector. I was not able to attend but the report was made it feel like I was. Detailed pictures and video of any issues or concerns was brilliant. We have had a number of buyers inspections performed. Robert gave us the most thorough and informative one we have ever received. We can’t thank you enough for your very thorough inspection. Because we could not be there for the actual inspection day, we really appreciate your coming back and going over the house with us. Your report and your thoughts on various parts of the house will be very helpful in not only moving forward with the sale, but knowing things we may need to keep an eye on in the future. We can’t thank you enough for your professionalism! We are so very pleased with all the information you provided. The attention to detail, the pictures, and the bits of information make us feel like we know the house inside and out and can make well-informed decisions about it. Thank you Very Much! Robert was extremely thorough and did a great job of explaining possible issues/concerns and areas for energy savings (both during the inspection and in his report). I would highly recommend him. Working with Robert was a pleasure. He communicated quickly via e-mail to set up the inspection. He arrived on time. He was extremely thorough in his inspection. He talked me through what he was seeing. He produced his report within 24 hours, complete with video and photos. He answered my follow up questions. Couldn’t be more satisfied. Well worth the cost. Great job! Only confusion was the date of the inspection. Maybe do call a ahead the day prior to avoid this. Robert was extremely thorough in his inspection and was helpful in answering all the questions I had. I would use him again and recommend him to anyone needing a home inspection. Very thorough inspection, and was willing to explain the process and issues as they came up and their importance. Very happy with the results, the report, and the immediate turn around provided. Also provided substantial green/environmental improvements to make a home more efficient. An incredibly professional and thorough inspection! Robert clearly knows his way around a 100-year-old house and exactly where to look for structural problems, safety issues and areas of concern. I feel so much more confident in making this purchase because Robert took the time to walk through the house with me, giving me his unbiased impressions, and confirming in this case that the house is basically solid, with a few issues to address to keep it that way. Highly recommended. I am thoroughly impressed and satisfied with your level of detail and commitment to inspection quality. You brought to my attention all the issues and concerns in my new home. I now have a clear understanding on improvements and safety issues that can be remedied. Thank you for a wonderful experience. Professional, knowledgeable, friendly, patient, detail-oriented, pernickety (in the good way!)–the best I could have asked for as a first-time home buyer. Grateful for his help throughout the process. I appreciated Robert’s taking the time during the inspection to point things out to me. His report was comprehensive and I am sure I will refer to it many times over the coming months. Robert was extremely thorough, informative, and helpful. We highly regard his work! Thanks for an excellent inspection. In addition to giving us extremely valuable information about the current condition of the home we’re buying, you’ve given us a road map to all the repairs needed and areas that require vigilance going forward. We especially appreciate your availability for post-inspection questions. Robert, we feel like your inspection was very thorough, and certainly brought out concerns we weren’t aware of. In fact, as a result of the attention you brought to the roof, siding, and crawl space, we arranged estimates for work on those areas. After receiving estimates on the roof and crawl space, even before getting a siding repair estimate, we decided to terminate the contract. The dollar amount had already surpassed what we were willing to spend in addition to planned interior updates. During the inspection for the crawl space work, the technician pointed out that the placement of the air handler for the heat pump in the crawl space meant the air being pulled into the house brings with it , whatever is “growing” in the crawl space. Not having owned a home with a heat pump previously or understanding the handler is located in the crawl space, we didn’t realize this until we got that estimate. That would have been good info in the report. Thanks for a great job! Fantastic analysis and incredibly thorough! Would refer him to anyone buying a house or who wants a well-organized and detailed inspection for their home. Thank you for the thorough and detailed home inspection. I especially appreciated your emphasis on all parts of the home being installed and functioning per manufacturer’s specifications. It seems that for you, there is no “good enough” or “that should work.” Something is either exactly correct or it isn’t – a great trait for a home inspector. Appreciate the report and will use it going forward. Robert’s knowledge and thoroughness are exceptional. Our realtor says he is the best in the Charlottesville area and we see why. Robert was very thorough and very informative. I know I will reference his report as long as I’m living in this house. Never met anyone more professional and thorough than Mr. Foster. I feel that even though we had confidence in our builder, the fact that they knew Robert would be doing his inspection, encouraged them to be on top of their game. Worth every penny of extra expense, don’t build a house without him. Robert was very knowledgeable and discussed issues as we walked through the house. The report was also very helpful. Hi Robert, I thought you were very thorough (though obviously I have no point of comparison) but mostly I appreciated that communicated with us in a way that conveyed the information without being condescending or too technical for us to understand. We really enjoyed working with you and would recommend you to anyone looking for a home inspector. Really appreciate the attention to detail and the followup contact, as well as making recommendations that the sellers generally agreed were important to fix. Will happily recommend! Very thorough and helpful. Explained items that, although were not immediate concerns, could be issues and how to remedy. Would most definitely recommend. I’ve only been a party to a handful of home inspections, but Robert is, by far, the most thorough inspector I’ve seen. And his report was clear and easy to understand. I also highly recommend attending the inspection in person. Robert seems to take pride and joy in educating home owners about good home maintenance. Your inspection was meticulous and presented in a friendly, accessible, and highly knowledgeable manner. We learned so much. In discussing the house, we showed your report to several family members including one contractor, all of them remarked on the thoroughness and insight of your inspection. Thank you for your help and sharing your knowledge with us! I so appreciated Robert’s easy manner and willingness to educate me about the home while conducting his inspection. Robert’s thoroughness was top notch. He was very professional to work with and taught us so much along the way about the process. Robert was a pleasure to work with. He encouraged me to ask lots of questions so that I was comfortable with the results of the inspection. Robert was extremely thorough during the inspection. He found numerous issues and he took the time to educate me about items that were minor and which ones were more significant. Robert came highly recommended by my realtor, and after working with Robert, i have the same high opinion of Robert and would gladly recommend him to my friends. Robert performed an excellent inspection – it was extremely thorough and provided us with clear information that was easy to understand in layman terms. Robert offered follow up and clarifications and excellent service. I would absolutely recommend Robert to anyone! Robert you are by far the best inspector I have ever met and I have met a lot as I sold real-estate in Florida. You were VERY clear in your report and very willing to give 110% on paper and in person. Thank you for working with us. I will absolutely tell anyone looking for an inspector about you. Robert’s work is meticulous and his documentation is of the highest order. During my home inspection Robert was able to answer all of my questions. This assured me that all critical issues were being properly observed and documented. Robert’s work is exceptional in every regard and I would highly recommend him for any home inspection project. In addition to his professionalism, he happens to be a very cordial (‘nice guy’) person and one that exudes unmistakable integrity. Robert, we thought your inspection was thorough and insightful. Having some background in home construction (my dad was a building contractor), I saw several of the items you pointed out. The major items you highlighted were right on! There is just a bit of work to do but but the best part is the positives far outweigh the cautions! Thank you for a great job. We were so happy to have Robert as our inspector. We felt that he was extremely thorough, and he took the time to carefully explain to us everything that he found. His report is also very easy to read and review. For first-time home buyers like us, we were thankful to have such a conscientious inspector like Robert. Robert is thorough and detail-oriented. He does a great job of inspecting a house and explaining the deficiencies in layman’s terms. I learned a great deal about our new home by joining Robert during our inspection. I was very impressed with your knowledge and professionalism! I feel absolutely confident in my purchase with you having done the inspection. Thank you so very much! He was very thorough and answered all of our questions along the way. I feel extremely comfortable in recommending his services to anyone. Robert was very professional and he combed the house for defects. He found a slew of minor defects along with a major defect concerning a safety issue. Thank you Robert for a job well done. We were very fortunate to have chosen Robert to perform our home inspection. He performed an extremely thorough inspection of our home. His professionalism and knowledge put our minds at ease, and Robert’s detailed report which was readily available in 24 hours was beyond what we expected. Not only would we choose Trebor Home Inspections again, we will happily refer him to anyone who we know could use his services. It is refreshing to find someone who does what they say they will, when they say they will, who is friendly, knowledgeable, and sticks to the quoted price for the service. Thank you for being honest and informative. Very committed to finding any faults or defects that the home may have. Robert is very personable and approachable with questions or concerns. I highly recommend Robert to perform home inspections. Robert Foster was awesome. Although I consider myself very experienced purchasing, selling, and maintaining homes, Robert’s extremely detailed home inspection at my future Earlysville, VA home found substantive issues that I would have never found that must be corrected regardless of whether the Seller or Buyer pays for the Repairs. Moreover, I will be moving into this house from out-of-state and Robert was so patient with my long phone calls and never ending Questions. Robert’s report was so professionally done, well organized, and documented with color photos such that even a novice homeowner would understand the issues. Thank you for being so detailed. The pictures were very helpful. We were very impressed with the amount of detailed information we received from Robert. His extensive knowledge of the whole house made us very comfortable with the accuracy of his findings. He is a pleasant and well-mannered person. We highly recommend him to anyone who needs a home inspection. Thanks again Robert for all your detailed information and especially the online photos of the problems with our home purchase. Thanks also for your help and input after the fact. We greatly appreciate your professionalism, courtesy and quick turn around of the inspection report. Thanks for taking such care on our inspection + preparing such a clear and easy to read report! Robert was incredibly thorough and a wealth of knowledge. We learned so much about the home and have every confidence in his report. Although we didn’t meet face to face your report was thorough and complete. It is the most in depth and direct home inspection I have ever received. Our daughter and her husband were totally complimentary. In all the years I’ve been in real estate and all the home inspections that I’ve gone through, never have I come across such an incredibly honest, knowledgeable and experienced professional inspector. You make the right call outs and can certainly identify important issues. This is a bonus for the home buyer and also a benefit for anyone wanting to sell their home. I have yet to find another inspector as good as you. Sknaht, Trebor. Thorough, thoughtful, and well informed home inspection. Robert’s understanding of construction and material condition allowed him to not only look at the home, but to assess the condition and make recommendations. We are very happy and will use him again any time we need a home inspector. I cannot imagine a more thorough inspection than the one I had with Mr. Foster. He spent hours in the process, looking at every detail, investigating every space, employing every method to make sure we understood the condition of the house. He did this all while explaining what he was looking for and the significance of each finding to me and patiently answering my questions along the way. I came away with a good understanding of the house – from the HVAC system to the grading of the yard â?? and the piece of mind that comes from really knowing what you are getting into. And it was fun! Also, the business (contract, billing etc) end of the process was very easy, professional and thorough as well. As homeowners, we will use our incredibly detailed inspection report as a prioritized checklist of projects that need our attention â?? its usefulness will extend years beyond its role in the real estate negotiation. Mr. Foster is in a class by himself and has my most enthusiastic recommendation. Thanks! You are exactly the kind of critical advisor one wants when considering the purchase of a building. I have only great things to say about Robert’s job knowledge, communication, honesty, attention to detail and demeanor. He is, without question, one of a kind. Mr Foster was quick to make you feel comfortable and at ease to ask questions while maintaining a friendly and professional manner. His thoroughness and attention to detail. I found the report itself to be detail oriented. The only thing I would change would be to insert a reference page/ summery page to highlight the deficiencies found. You were very patient with us as first time home buyers. Explaining the severity and implications of each issue as well as giving a recommendation on fixing each one. I felt that you were very thorough and answered all of our questions honestly. It is my first time to buy an old house. Both my wife and I think we are so lucky to find Robert as our inspector. The inspection lasted about 3 hours and Robert checked almost everything of the house. He also answered me a lot of questions. He sent me the report on the same day. The report is very detailed and clear. My wife and I are very satisfied with the service. Although I didn’t attend the home inspection, the report suggested an extremely thorough approach which helped assure me that I was taking delivery of a new home with all punch-list items appropriately identified. Also, Robert was responsive by e-mail to my questions beforehand. Excellent inspection with the most thorough walk thru and written report I have ever received. While all the deficiencies were highlighted by Robert and discussed with me, the helpful hints he provided proved just as valuable. He is a wealth of knowledge for anyone, whether a first time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran of home purchases. Robert was incredibly thorough. He didn’t miss a thing in our inspection. Robert is thorough and knowledgeable. He takes the time to answer all questions thoughtfully without inflating issues unnecessarily. I appreciate his professionalism. Robert has incredible attention to detail and really took the time to completely assess the home, both for current and potential future concerns. He was incredibly knowledgable and timely in his extremely detailed report. I would highly recommend Robert to anyone needing a home inspection. Robert was fast and thorough. He took a lot of pictures of problem areas and published them in his PDF report so we’d have an easy, all-in-one document reminding us of the things that will need to be addressed once we move in. His color-coding system made it easy to quickly understand which were the areas of major, minor, and no concern. Thanks for making our first inspection experience a great one, Robert! Great report and really nice to have things pointed out that are not problems today, but if ignored could become big issues down the road. I will absolutely recommend his services to anyone that I come across that needs them in the future. Thank you very much for your help. Thank you very much for the excellent home inspection. It was exactly what I was expecting, based on you sample inspection report posted on your website. I would definitely recommend you to anyone who is considering a home inspection. I really appreciated the insight and comments you provide during the inspection. The only suggestion I would make is maybe a summary page on your inspection report. A++ Home Inspector! Once again, Thank you! The inspection was very detailed with pictures and important details to support the need for repairs to be fixed. It’s always important to have a return of the investment for paying for this type of inspection. I would say this was worth the cost by having the sellers of the home correct the concerns prior closing. Robert is very prompt,knowledgeable, professional and responsive. I appreciated the explanations that he shared with us; the detail of his report, and especially the drawings/explanations of the correct way to remedy the deficiencies that he found. I highly recommend Robert to anyone needing construction information about their existing or future home. Very knowledgeable and courteous. Very thorough inspection, and Robert was accommodating to our schedule. We really appreciate his work! Robert was extremely informative not only with recognizing issues but explaining the difficultly level it would be to repair/replace. Following him around vastly increased my knowledge of the home I was buying. Robert was extremely thorough and I would recommend him to anyone looking to do a home inspection. They say buying home is the biggest purchase decision most of us will make in our lifetimes. Robert Foster will inspect your home with a thoroughness that will leave no doubt you are making the right decision. Hi Robert, Thank you for working with us again. We really appreciate the time you take in giving us a thorough inspection. We also learn so much from you in the process. We’re glad you were recommended to us and would absolutely recommend you to anyone looking for an inspection. Thank you for squeezing this in yesterday. You rock! As always. Robert is the inspector I recommend for my buyers, no matter if they are first-timer buyers or veteran buyers. His approach is thorough and careful, using tools and techniques that go beyond the basics, yet he keep discoveries in perspective given the dynamic nature of climate, homes, age and condition. His disposition is friendly and informative–a great balance in what for many buyers is a very stressful time! Professional, thorough and fair inspections done carefully and with a humility rare in inspectors and architects. Keep up the good work and really appreciate your willingness to answer the questions at any point in future. The report is very detail oriented with pictures and explanations. Robert was professional, knowledgeable, and thorough. He took the time to explain all of the issues he found to us and his report was detailed and easy to understand. Overall we are very satisfied. Thank you for such a thorough inspection! The information you shared was vital to final negotiations on this home. Thanks to your expertise, I was able to walk away from what could have been, not only a hazardous home, but a costly one. Thank you so much. Your help and advice was invaluable. See you on the next one! very thorough and professional-would highly recommend Robert to anyone for his service! Robert was on time and extremely professional. We would use him again! We are very impressed with the extremely thorough and thoughtful home inspection we received from Robert. The report was very detailed and gave my husband and me something tangible to look at when it came time to make decision on what we felt were needed repairs. As we move forward with the purchase of our next home, this report also detailed things we should be aware of for potential early breakdown in the future. Thank you for your dedication! Bob is very professional and helpful. He did an excellent job, which helped us a lot in the negotiation with the seller. The house inspected was pretty old so I emailed him a lot with millions of questions after the inspection and he replied promptly. Highly recommend him. Robert gives the most thorough inspection I have ever ordered on a house. He provides an extremely detailed report with photographs. An example of a sample report is on his website and the actual report exceeded my expectations. Further he gave very useful suggestions for the corrections of trouble areas and general home maintenance. An inspection with Robert is more than just insurance against bad value, it is a valuable information about your new home. Mr. Foster did a fantastic job with our potential home inspection. Mr. Foster went above and beyond in provide outstanding advice and insight. I would recommend Mr. Foster to anyone in the future and plan on using him again. I was very pleased with Robert’s professionalism, personality, and quality or work completed. My husband and I were very pleased with how detailed and precise our inspection report was as well as the follow up and continued contact available should problems arise in the home in the future. Thank you for the outstanding inspection that you performed at my residence. The report you provided was very detailed and through and was easy to follow. Robert, There is no doubt you do your job very well. I dont think anyone couldve done it any better. Thank you! Thorough inspection and helpful explanations of all issues. Would highly recommend him. Very thorough and great explanations provided for any findings. Thanks Robert. Robert, thank you for an excellent home inspection! Not only did you provide a detailed report complete with pictures and video of the areas needing attention, you answered every question we had regarding home construction and repairs. We were very satisfied with your work and have already recommended you to other real estate agents and potential home buyers. Robert was incredibly thorough in his inspection. He took the time to talk through everything with us and answer any questions we had. We are now buying the house with confidence and a much greater understanding of the building. A very big thank you! Robert, thanks for the extremely thorough inspection and report about the property. I also appreciate your availability and willingness to patiently answer all of my questions. I will be happy to recommend your services. We wanted to let you know the good news that we settled on pricing and terms based off your report. We can’t thank you enough for your thoroughness! We learned SO much about the house during the inspection, and your final report addressed everything we needed to know to move forward & then some. Mike and I plan to stay in touch and put your extensive knowledge to further use! 🙂 THANK YOU AGAIN! Robert- Thank you for your kindness, professional way, and utmost throughness of your inspection report. This report will certainly help my parents as they prepare to put their home on the market. Wow…welcome to Charlottesville. It’s a pleasure to see the bar raised! Thank you so much! The report is so detailed and informative. I’d gladly recommend you to anyone needing an inspection and if I need another, I’ll be giving you a call. Thank you, Robert, for your assistance and detailed report. I really appreciate the time you took to go through your findings with me, and your willingness to answer all the questions I had concerning the fine deails of the house’s construction.
2019-04-23T20:21:46Z
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The book is a journey through human progress focusing on the construct of psychologically safe workplaces which has re-emerged recently. The book is a journey through human progress focusing on the construct of psychologically safe workplaces which has re-emerged recently. It looks as far back as the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks, highlighting the construct of utopia as applied to the world of work. It explores where we are in the world of work and how humans are treated at work. It underlines how various advances through industrial, and much more recently technological, revolutions have changed the nature of work and society. It explores if a ‘utopic’ ideal of work has ever existed or can exist. As a monograph, it will engage the readers’ interest with its story and intention. Dr Georgios P. Piperopoulos studied sociology and psychology at American, German and Austrian Universities receiving his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. degrees; taught at several American, European and Greek Universities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels before retiring from his professorial chair at the Department of Business Administration, The University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece. Dr Piperopoulos is currently Visiting Professor at Newcastle Business School, Faculty of Business and Law, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK. He was Visiting Professor at Newcastle University Business School, U.K. from 8/2013 to 8/2016. He has held a variety of managerial posts in private enterprises and public social services organizations in the USA and Europe. He has developed and taught Leadership, Communication, Stress Management and Psychological Operations courses at the Supreme Joint War College of the Hellenic Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air force), the Army staff training school, the Hellenic Police Continuing Education Centre and at the Greek branch of the United Nations Peace Serving Operations Training Centre. Professor Piperopoulos has published several textbooks and many popular books in Greek and English and authored hundreds of articles and editorials in leading Greek Newspapers and magazines. He has been a frequent guest on Greek TV and radio programs as a commentator and, for several years, presented his own show titled ‘I Communicate Therefore I am’ in Greek National and Regional TV channels and Radio stations. He has delivered hundreds of public lectures to groups in Greece, Europe and the USA. Control Your Stress and Manage Your Time! His daughter Dr Natasha (Anastasia) Piperopoulou lives with her son in Athens and is employed as psychologist in a public school for training and educating adolescents with special needs. His son Dr Panagiotis (Panos) Piperopoulos is Associate Professor at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). For the romantics who still cherish such a myth this book will serve as a much needed cold shower! To those who propagate such concepts will come as a warning that even a best clad myth van be denuded! Well doing Union heads should read it carefully! Refreshingly provocative, pleasant narrative and challenging monograph. A smooth running narrative, an historical review which fliws asv pleasant reading but between the lunes emerge creatively provocative arguments on the historical and currently reviving myths of psychologically safe workplaces for the average working men and women! Not a 4 or 3 star journal text but most certainly a 5 star monograph as a modern, provocative narrative on an archaic subject namely the relationship between employers and employees. Well done! A well written, inviting journey in the history of employers and employees from the ancient times iof building the pyramids and the acropolis to the modern era of globally operating multinationals. The first part of the title is romantically provocative; the second part realistically challenging! The book is a pragmatic, useful monograph worth reading. The author denudes some popular myths and pays proper attention to the Japanese concept of "lifetime employment" not particularly welcomed by global "locust type" corporate giants. Fascinating approach to a perpetually misunderstood subject. Work safety in the public and especially the private sector is desirable but also elusive. The book will provoke, challenge and put in their proper place those who thrive perpetuating the old Utopia. Provocative narrative, challenging conceptualization poignant thesis in a modern, well documented and broad in perspective monograph. Well done. Well perceived, provocative and enlightening narrative. Surely the evolution of work is not linear but the book poses a challenging, modern thesis. Nostalgic of the obsolete, betrayed call "workers of the world unite?" and ready to be lured by the much promising new call "find a psychologically safe workplace?". Stop and read this monograph to understand how utopias are continuously and skillfully updates! Truly a nook worth reading. Written by an academic who obviously has not lost touch with the realities facing working men and vwomen. Cheers! As a realist, not negativist, by nature combined with work experience I would sat do not get lured by the utopian promise of psychologically safe workplaces. In a world wherever are longer persons but 'human resources' governed by "locust type" corporations and apathetic Unionists show me some examples and I will show you myriads of oases in Sahara. As a working woman I would strongly suggest to working women and working men to download and read this book. It delivers a powerful well supported message! Reading through the lines I discern a romantic attitude in Professor Piperopoulos' narrative despite his half century experiences in Business Schools where management students learn tonaim for profit maximization techniques! Improved profits benefit corporation stakeholders and assure managers bonuses! It is a book worth reading. In my humble opinion a truly remarkable book which comes to fill in many voids in the history of employer employees relations. Take a close look at the chapter on Unions and the review of Business Schools. An interesting monograph which raises a few note pertinent questions while answering directly and indirectly several others. Professor Piperopoulos with this monograph makes a major contribution to modern employee/employer relations and convincingly sets the stage for a much needed and, strangely enough, neglected dialogue. Laconically stated this is a truly fascinating monograph. You will be generously rewarded for the timebyou will invest in reading it! When we are told that 26 individuals have personal wealth which equals that of three billion other humans Capitalism an Free Economy become real threats to workers! And then when we read in this book about the much promising and never delivering historical facts about the Bolsheviks in the collapsed USSR and look at the modern socialist/communist utopias of Madoro'Venezuela and Castro's Cuba the threat to workers becomes unmanageable emotionally. Read this book. With a plethora of scary news concerning store closures and massive redundancies in most business fields securing a psychologically safe workplace is indeed a...Utopia! The book is provocative and challenging and while answering many questions raises a series of new and disturbing ones on the future of employment for men and women...Not robots! Provocative, challenging and creatively innovative narrative knocking off past, present and future myths on paradise promised to the average working men and women. Enlightening and constructive views on Business Schhol education and programs. Simply an excellent historical assessment of the difficult relations between employers and employees. Excellent criticism of Bolshevik USSR myths and creative criticism of globalized capitalism. Genuinely provocative thesis challenging stereotypes and myths and skillfully setting the stage for a much needed honest dialogue between employers and employees and some comfortably abstaining Union Leaders in view of potentially cataclysmic changes in the labor market. A truly challenging monograph with a provocative well documented narrative denuding some well protected myths. The book is well structured and thoroughly documented which makes its narrative acceptable although it is provocatively challenging and 'scary' in its epilogue on the coming threat of AI endowed robots. A provocative monograph which belongs to the bibliography of University HR modules and the bookcases (laptops, computers and ipads) of HR managers before they become casualties of the trend to replace human employees with robots. I appreciated the chapter on Business Schools and the author's play with the Greek concepts of Utopia, Eutopia and Dystopia... Challenging contemporary narrative with adequate historical references. A truly challenging journey through human history focusing on crucial issues of the eternal relationships of employers and employees. As a middle level manager at a tourist organization I can see both the benefits of creating a psychologically safe workplace evironment and the precarious nature of such a reality when financial pressures demand redundancies. Professor Piperopoulos as an academic and a practitioner has approached his subject with due scholastic respect and philosophical contempletion. Psychologically safe workplace construct, unfortunately, has often been abused for the benefit of owners, employers and top managers who reap the benefits of employees who are loyal and offer their best to the companies they work for. It is a interesting and worthwhile book that will create a much needed dialogue as we witness in the last 3 decades the collapse of USSR and the development of locust type behaviors on the part of many multinationals. An impressive monograph challenging several working men and women related myths and denuding some classic management claims. The paradise promised to workers by Bolsheviks ended up as a caricature for them and a blessing for Communist Party leaders. Is there a hope for true psychologically safe workplaces? My personal opinion is simply NO! A fascinating journey in the history of working conditions of men and women employees rendered in an iconoclastic monograph as provocative narrative. A challenging view of Business Schools. If there will ever be 'an eutopia where employers and employees will not coexist but will thrive together' all working men and women across the Globe will have a chance to 'taste' work-paradise. Until that day comes you can comfortably read and enjoy this realistic book countless times. Written by an academic/practitioner who knows his stuff, enriched by a scent of neo-Marxism cauterizing the Bolshevik applications of pseudo-Marxism this is a really fascinating monograph worth reading. Provocative narrative on a perpetually challenging management theme. Well-written and supported. A provocative examination of the historical journey of employer-employees interactions and the role of the intermediate actors known as managers. Professor Piperopoulos denudes some well established myths and brings a fresh breath of objectivity in what has been a biased subjective interpretation on employee loyalty and creativity. A truly remarkable book on the relationships of employers and employees throughout history. Here is a book that will stir up a new dialogue on work conditions, the human predicament of employees and the profit motive. Excellent bibliography. A remarkable 'reality therapy' book for every working man and woman dreaming of a psychologically safe workplace. It is worth every minute spend reading it! Professor Piperopoulos has literally 'hit the nail on the head' in this notable monograph. To denude a royally clad myth is not an easy task but the narrative of this book does exactly that. Read it! This book travels the reader through history in respect to the socio-psychological aspect of workplaces and the human relations at work from ancient Egypt and Greece to modern times, up to 2018, the era of robotics and artificial intelligence, covering the literature of management theory and strategy globally, in a pleasant and concise way. We loved the “prolegomena ‘ and “epilegomena” both in text as well as in the terms used in the richest language of all centuries, the Greek language, the mother language of our civilization. With so many employees becoming redundant (which means 'fired') day after day by SME's as well as large corporations the concept serving as the first part of the book's title sounds as a...blessing! The book presents a provocative narrative tendering it as worthwhile reading. Where management introduces the construct the benefits it secures are worth the risks! But as the introduction of Robots increases dramatically thesycgologically safe workplace ends up as a myth and a utopia! Very interesting narrative! This is a monograph deserving the attention of each and every working man and woman as well as those in charge of HRM departments. Absorbing and informative reading. Informative, enlightening contemporary. A unique edition to HR history, practices and theories. An innovative narrative on employers and employees offering a challenging and provocative review of motivation theories and employee dedication to their employers. Answers some unanswered a questions be mile raising more that need answers such as the structure and functions of 13,000 Business Schools! A book useful for business school students as it wiil provide them with a more humane attitude towards employees. Useful for working men and women below the supervisor/middle manager levels. Useful for the interested members of the general public for its wealth of information on management theories and historical facts. Thoroughly enjoyable. Bypass the old myth "that you can't judge a book by its cover"! Professor Piperopoulos has written a book that ends this one and a number of other myths related to working men and women and 'good hearted' employers. Fascinating narrative. A well written provocative narrative of the journey of working men and women through history. Based on his experiences as an academic/practitioner the author has composed a significant contribution to the existing binliography. His presentation of the Bolshevic revolutions and the seven decades of the existence of USSR should be carefully read as should the chapter on the birth and proliferation of Business Schools across the globe. The construct would be a real blessing for working men and women but the way things are going (14 stores shut down everyday in the UK, medium and large enterprises are making thousands of employees redundant across the EU) so it looks Notre as a Utopia than a feasible reality. And with robots of new generations enriched with brilliant AI surpassing a single employee's talents the prospects resemble motte a nightmare than a sweet dream! Read the book carefully and as other reviews have noted search "between the lines". A brilliant work by an experienced academic who has obviously gained immense volume of work experience as a practitioner. It touches upon some issues usually bypassed by professors of Business Schools who choose to instruct their students/future managers how to entlarge corporate profits and claim good chunks of bonuses for themselves. In the psychologically safe workplace utopia women have been and continue to be left far behind men coworkers. An excellent monograph on the history of work and the myths related to working men and women and their plights. Indeed if psychological safety is a utopia in the western industrialized countries it is a 'fairy tale' in the economies of developing nations of the third world, practically a 'dream which never will come ttue'. For those of us who attended a Business Administration degree a most welcome, nostalgic revisit to familiar concepts and theories. I think it should be on the bibliography of most HR modules. For members of the general interested public a rich source of useful information! Professor Georgios Piperopoulos has produced a very interesting monograph. I would say, not ironically but as a compliment, that this is a 'dragon killer' for all utopian and unrealistic myths on employees welfare overriding employers welfare. Refreshing reading. Eleni Dagla, B.Sc (hons), M.A., M.Sc. A modern, powerful, provocative and well documented contemporary defence of the too often neglected rights and hastily overlooked plights of men and women employees across the globe. Professor Piperopoulos’ new book, a monograph, makes a good argument for the immense benefits to employers emerging from psychologically safe work environments while it simultaneously underlines the fact that when such environments are embedded in corporate cultures the benefits for the workers range from loosely defined to non-existing rendering the relevant concept as a utopia rather than a (desirable) reality. Lively, easy to read and comprehend narrative. Well-structured, rich in psychological management theories and entertaining reading. If you live in a safe or in a cut throat competitive work environment is irrelevant. Read this book and you will learn a lot. Surely a psychologically safe wotkplace would be an oasis in the current competitive world of business. But it looks more as a utopia than a reality which would benefit employers and employees. This is an eye opener of a book. Do read it! A fascinating monograph which will reward you fot t ime invested in reading it and will doubly reward those who will spend the time required to read between the lines of the challenging and provocative narrative. To put it laconically a really interesting book which answers difficult questions while questioning some inadequately answered current questions! Professor Piperopoulos has written a book which will ultimately stirup a much needed dialogue on men and women who are no longer persons as they have become 'resources' soon to be displaced by 'non-persons' known as... robots! Here is an interesting and challenging monograph which should be read not only by university students and working men and women but primarily by Union Leaders who refuse to see the unstoppable downgrading of Unionism in 21st century global realities. Well done by an academic/practitioner who obviously knows his stuf and has the courage and integrity to speak publicly! A Psychologically safe workplace would be a blessing if it could exist as a reality and not a pretentious facade. Some would think that public employment is an indirect semblance of work safety but that is not as solid as it used to be as Redundancies have become more commonplace on local, regional and national levels across the globe. The nook is very interesting AND simultaneously very provocative. I suggest it unreservedly irrespective of your employment affiliation in the public or the private sector! A refreshing overview of labor relations history, false promises and employer skewed theoretical schemes. Fascinating monograph leading us from the pyramids of Egypt to the brave new world of 'charismatically' skillful robots replacing humans massively in the not so distant future. Excellent reading for your next transatlantic, transpacific or intra European plane trip. Professor Piperopoulos has written a book that should be read by everybody who is an employee and those employers who comfortably forget their respect for their employees. I would also suggest it to Board members of many organizations who easily bypass the reality that their employees are the ones who make them feel proud bring in charge of their organizations. Useful and contemporary. As an academic and practitioner obviously the author has gained valuable experiences sitting at both sides of production, services and administration settings. His theses atr a bit provocative but his arguments well substantiated and his bibliography massive. A book worthy of the attention of employers and employees, practioners and academics. Rewarding journey from ancient times to the 21st century. This book should be considered as an effort to introduce to a large number of students and readers in general tools which will be valuable to them in the practical business of their subject. It deserves a wide welcome. Another excellent, worth reading book from Professor Piperopoulos!!! Congratulations Professor, it was an honor to have been your student! A really interesting book covering the development of the continuing strangle between employer & employees in which employees give their best but are not properly rewarded. Excellent historical overview of the classic antagonism between employers and employees with good bibliographical support. The author dedicated his book to a EUTOPIA where employers and employees will thrive together but this sounds fairly utopian especially in view of a developing DYSTOPIA where hundreds of millions of human will be replaced NY robots... A counter argument could be that they can be retrained but do Nations have the resources and do middle aged unemployed have the motivation and stamina to acquire new skills? Professor Piperopoulos has created a provocative monograph worth reading! Professor Piperopoulos has produced an indeed iconoclastic monograph which comes to express the agonies of myriads of employees across the globe who feel unsafe and insecure in their jobs. Undeniably creating a psychologically safe culture in corporations and organizations will bring forth great benefits as employees will give their best, loyalty and productivity will increase and so will the profits of corporations and the social esteem of organizations along with the various forms of ‘bonus’ to management ‘golden boys’. But the classic question remains intact: to what extent do employees who give their best share in corporate profits? The agonies relating to job security have not gone away but have been intensified as employees who used to be ‘persons’ overseen by ‘personnel managers and directors’ are now ‘human resources’ overseen by ’human resources managers and directors’ and they are nowadays not ‘fired’ but become ‘redundant’… The reality seems to become even harder on job security as IT, AI and robots enter in masses the production and services sectors of global economies. Written by a practitioner/academic this book should be carefully read and indeed should serve as the epitome of a much needed, honest and humane dialogue between employers and employees; it should be part of many modules in the 13,000 Business Schools operating across the Globe. This new book by Dr. G. Piperopoulos is a valuable resource for management practitioners interested in the various aspects of a psychologically healthy workplace. It offers practical guidance for teams and organizations who are serious about success in the modern economy. With so much riding on innovation and creativity it is essential to attract and retain quality talent—but what good is talent if employees are afraid to express their opinion in an open way without worrying about unpleasant consequences? The book clearly states that the traditional corporate culture of just “fitting in” can spell disaster in today’s modern economies. Corporate success requires a continuous influx of new ideas, new challenges, and critical thought. The interpersonal business and organization climate must not suppress and silence employees but it must create a culture that fosters creativity and autonomy of employees and encourages involvement in organizational decision-making which is so important for creative thinking and new ideas. Many informative examples of effective project management spanning from the Pharaohs and the ancient Greeks all the way to the current and near future AI development and its effects on future human employment and labor markets are given throughout the book. Explanations and ideas provide a clear path to constant learning and healthy corporate innovation which is necessary in today’s business environment. The link between psychological safety and high performance is clearly stated as well as the need to nurture and create a culture where it is “psychologically safe” to express new ideas openly. This book provides a framework for establishing psychological safety in today’s business, teams and organizations. Excellent work and highly recommended! Obviously no ifs and buts but honest challenges to well entrenched misconceptions of the antagonistic relations between employers and employees. Indeed psychologically safe work culture is desirable and will ensure a plethora of benefits but the hatrsh question posed by the author us simply "for who". If employees will shatre the benefits go on and create such places and such work culture. If not why bother? Simply a fascinating contemporary monograph. Psychologically safe workplaces for the benefit of employees and not solely the employers has been a Utopia since the dawn of history. Obviously an optimistic statement from professor Piperopoulos who dedicates his book to a Eutopia where employers and employees thrive together. Should we be preparing for a future Dystopia where humans will be massively replaced by robots? Are out politicians, financiers and academics ready for such a prospect or will modern forms of psychologically safe workplaces serve as...placebos? Provocative book! As a small entrepreneur in the education field, located in Germany and providing remedial support services to high school students as well as foreign language classes with my small staff I confess that I was impressed by this book written by professor Piperopoulos an academic with rich practitioner experiences in upper management as well as in consulting to national and multinational corporations and organizations. Some of the book’s theses are indeed bold and provocative but the author substantiates them properly. His historic overview of the wonders of the Industrial revolution in 19th century England and of the roaring 20’s in America is refreshing and, considering Unionism and Unions, should serve as an authenticated basis in assessing the conditions of working people across the globe then and now. Certainly things will become challenging for the average employees in many Nations as the massive introduction of robots endowed with superior IT and AI skills in productions will end up displaying immense numbers of people and thus necessitating their re-training in modern skills. In my small company I have discovered after 3 decades of operation that people appreciate a psychologically safe environment and work culture but I cannot hurriedly overlook what the author describes as ‘locust’ - Anglo/US types of corporations who simply aim to gain as much profits in as little time as possible overlooking their operations’ impact on human and environmental resources. It is a notable addition to relevant bibliography and should be read by university students and employers as owners and managers of corporations and organizations. As an academic in the tertiary level of education I have enjoyed reading the new book written by a now retired ex-colleague at the University of Macedonia, Greece. Professor Piperopoulos was always a forward looking academic daring to confront issues which some others would prefer to let lay dormant. In this book he confronts in a bold and provocative manner the perennial issue of the antagonism between employers and employees which gave rise to Unionism during the Industrial Revolution a couple of centuries ago. The book’s challenging and provocative theses are well documented by proper bibliographical references. The epilogue concentrating on the rapidly rising numbers of high tech, IT and AI enriched robots in production and services which by 2030 may lead some 400 to 800 employees to ‘redundancies’ raises issues which should be immediately dealt with by Governments across the globe. Employees replaced by robots will need retraining and acquisition of new skills or else societies will be faced with serious challenges and potential upheavals. It is an iconoclastic monograph and a worthy edition to the existing bibliography for Business Administration students, practitioners and the interested public at large. An outstanding historical journey into the relationships of employers and employees, of management and unions, of gteediess and profits without proper respect for humans and the environment. A nook that will stir up spirits. Well done and perhaps prophetic on the threats posed nyrobots, robotics, ITand AI for average employees. Excellent book for all the workplace players. I was suprised by the details the writer develops about the motives of the job that are critical for the future of the labor market. Ioannis Daglas, BSC (hons), MA. As a graduate in Business Administration from the University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece I have known professor Piperopoulos and I am familiar with his iconoclastic style in viewing both the academic and the practitioner sides of studying and exercising management; after half a century of being an academic and a practitioner in management I can readily see the propriety of his arguments and their validity. Holding a Master’s degree in Management from a recognized UK University and now operating as the owner-manager of a micro enterprise I can appreciate the fact that little of what we learn in both undergraduate and post graduate University programs prepares us to enter the real world of Business enterprise. This book is destined to become a classic in starting a much needed dialogue on the programs and the processes of Business Schools operating across the globe and, simultaneously, on the need to ensure that humans dislocated in the next few years by robots richly endowed with advanced IT and AI will not be neglected. I wholeheartedly do recommend this book to university students and fellow graduates working in some corporate or organizational environment or running their own show. As a journalist I have had the pleasure of discussing on the air a number of subjects relating to the sociology and psychology of Business enterprises and organizations providing various services. As a guest professor Piperopoulos always distinguished himself not only by presenting bold views and provocative perspectives but also by being able to look at and bring forth to open view hidden sides of the difficulties of being an employer and an employee, of living on the edge of antagonistic relationships characterized by the ‘profit motive’. In this book the author brings forth many surreptitiously ‘overlooked’ issues on raising employee motivation (and increasing profits) but ‘neglecting’ to properly reimburse them for their contributions. Professor Piperopoulos answers many mute questions and raises as many in his iconoclastic book. I would recommend it as I feel that it will help start a much needed debate as the problems of massive introduction of superior technological products (read, robots) will make hundreds of millions of employees redundant forcing Nations across the globe to provide them with retraining. As a researcher and holder of a PhD in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour, I cannot agree more with the statement that Human Resources is the key towards creating a sustainable competitive advantage. Indeed, investing in employees’ skills, knowledge and abilities will ultimately lead to employees’ enhanced productivity, and thus, to organisational performance. Taking this argument into consideration, the specific book provides an in depth understanding of how management strategies and techniques can motivate employees’ behaviour in ‘giving their best selves’ to their companies, or in other words, how management can create the so-called organisational citizenship behaviour of its employees. Additionally, this book underscores the significant role that a psychologically safe workplace has to play not only in increasing employees' productivity, but also in creating a resilient workforce that sustains through time. The latter contributes to the competitiveness and survival of organisations. In a nutshell, I am quite positive that this book will be extremely useful to both employees and employers. Excellent piece of work! I believe, and surely I am not alone, that when employers will be able to provide their employees with a work environment where psychological safety is guaranteed the benefits they will collect will be immense. Humans are not lazy and when properly motivated will give their best making work a meaningful, pleasant, fun-filled engagement. I also believe that despite all honest efforts many large scale corporations and organizations will, unfortunately, sacrifice the psychological safe environments they have created if the need for 'redundancies' (avoiding the term 'firings') becomes a reality. Professor Piperopoulos has provided both employers and employees, as well as University and College students and members of the broad interested public with a provocative and fascinating monograph on the evolution of work and working conditions. Here is a book that deserves our attention and will probably begin a necessary debate. I read the press release announcing the publication of this book in one of my favourite Greek blogs and I was curious to downloaded and read it since the author, before his recent retirement, was a well-known professor and Chairman of the department of Business administration of the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, Greece where I am now finishing my studies leading to the Bachelor’s degree. The book is full of information relating to my studies and the author has provided an extensive bibliography supporting his arguments. I found it to be provocative in its thesis relating to the ‘antagonism’ between employers and employees in corporations and organizations where the supreme value is ‘profit’. I think the discussion on the history and the global prospects of Business Schools will generate a vivid dialogue in many countries and the prospects of humans ultimately being replaced by robots will bring the chills to the book’s readers. I believe that the book should be read not just by us as students in management and other specialities of the business administration fields but by our professors and also by managers and owners of corporations and members of Board Directors hoping to bring into focus the value of human beings and their role in enterprises and organizations. A book written using the past experience for the future best practices. Reading the book, cannot leave you without the satisfaction that despite you feel aware of most of its contents, they are all presented in such a way and language that makes you to not want stop reading. Probably one of the most important aspects of the book is its analysis about the human behaviour in the modern businesses environment. An aspect that generally is missing. Its a real privilege to follow a long standing expert while discussing issues like business ethics, personal accountability, corporate responsibility, etc. Excellent, highly recommended. As a University student majoring in Business Administration I found this book, written by a well-known Greek Professor of management, to be extremely informative and challenging in presenting the evolution of working conditions which have influenced not only the lives of individual employees but also the structures of societies. The book will start a dialogue especially as it presents to future large scale entrance of Robots loaded with Artificial Intelligence into the work environments replacing up to 800 million employees worldwide. The ethical considerations relating to brutal 'profit-not people' orientation are clearly presented in this book and the extensive bibliography opens up a large window for obtaining useful information. I have worked with managers who were able to motivate us as employees and 'get the best out of us' by creating feelings of psychological safety. This is a reality much needed but it does not guarantee job security as decisions for 'redundancies' are placed in higher corporate levels. This book is well documented and should gain a proper place in the relevant bibliography of Human Resources management. This is a book that will stir-up a series of conversations as it takes a daring and bold stance at a number of issues relating to employer-employee relations, motivation, loyalty, improved productivity and profits and 'forgotten promises'. Professor Piperopoulos presents a convincing and provocative thesis in a monograph which should be read by students, practicing managers, corporate stakeholders and organization Board members as we progress rapidly to worki environments where robots will be working side-by-side with humans in numbers never encountered before. Here is a book that will stir up a new dialogue on work conditions, the human predicament of employees and the eternal insatiable quest for profits. The author does a good job examining the past, present and future of business schools. Great bibliography. A really fascinating journey comparing and contrasting capitalism and socialism with workers caught in between and crashed under the profit motive. Things will worsen as IT and AI create unbelievably smart, efficient and not demanding robots. All corporate managers & organizational board members through their human resource departments usually aim to improve employee loyalty, commitment & creativity which ultimately improve productivity, profits & organizational image. Surely the creation of work environments interlined by psychological safety is a desirable objective culminating in improved balance sheets. Professor Piperopoulos with this book will upset some delighted in their serenity, will challenge some who are innovative thinkers & is adding a much needed new approach to preparing managers in the world's 13000 business administration schools. Provocative in it's thesis supported by a rich bibliography. Worthwhile reading! Recalling my experiences from several workplaces and supervisors I will clearly state that this book will be useful to both employers and employees. Professor Piperopoulos presents a strong case for avoiding the utopia of 'frail psychological safe workplaces' which disappear as soon as the company stock looses ground at its Stock Exchange or profits fall. The concept can go into synergy in corporations operating with the Rhineland philosophy but will certainly prove fake in those operating with Anglo/US style.The book will reward its readers for time invested. Professor Piperopoulos, has produced a provocative, innovative and iconoclastic monograph, well supported by extensive bibliography. As a practitioner, I feel that this book, belongs to the desktops, lptops and ipad of corporate managers and organisation boards! Here is a book that delivers its promise written by an academic practitioner who knows his stuff. Iconoclastic indeed and should be read by students and managers as well as corporate owners and Board Directors. Let us hope that the day will come when employers and employees will THRIVE together. The ideas of the writer are always radical and ahead of the events. In this book he managed to comprehend the fundamental values of a healthy work environment with the current contemporary points and so to draw conclusions and suggestions for the working environment we live in. His book is beyond any expectation readily compelling and useful to anyone involved in the workplace. I did not expect anything different from the wonderful Professor and Writer George Piperopoulos.
2019-04-18T15:12:09Z
https://bookboon.com/es/psychologically-safe-workplaces-utopiare-visited-ebook
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We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Bhandara Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Bhandara, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Bhandara , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Bid , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Bid. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Bid for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Georai, Dharur, Parli, Ambejogai, Bid, Manjlegaon, Our PCD Franchise in Bid is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Bid Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Bid, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Bid , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Buldana , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Buldana. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Buldana for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Lonar, Nandura, Sindkhed Raja, Deulgaon Raja, Buldana, Shegaon, Jalgaon (Jamod), Mehkar, Malkapur, Chikhli, Khamgaon, Our PCD Franchise in Buldana is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Buldana Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Buldana, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Buldana , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Chandrapur , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Chandrapur. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Chandrapur for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Rajura, Chandur, Warora, Nakoda, Ghugus, Durgapur, Ballarpur, Mul, Chandrapur, Sasti, Shivajinagar, Kondumal, Brahmapuri, Bhadravati, Our PCD Franchise in Chandrapur is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Chandrapur Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Chandrapur, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Chandrapur , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Dhule , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Dhule. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Dhule for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Shirpur-Warwade, Dondaicha-Warwade, Dhule, Our PCD Franchise in Dhule is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Dhule Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Dhule, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Dhule , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Gadchiroli , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Gadchiroli. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Gadchiroli for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Desaiganj, Gadchiroli, Our PCD Franchise in Gadchiroli is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Gadchiroli Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Gadchiroli , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Gondiya , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Gondiya. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Gondiya for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Tirora, Gondiya, Our PCD Franchise in Gondiya is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Gondiya Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Gondiya, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Gondiya , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Hingoli , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Hingoli. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Hingoli for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Basmath, Babhulgaon, Hingoli, Kalamnuri, Our PCD Franchise in Hingoli is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Hingoli Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Hingoli, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Hingoli , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Jalgaon , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Jalgaon. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Jalgaon for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Parola, Faizpur, Chopda, Erandol, Amalner, Dharangaon, Raver, Jalgaon, Savda, Kandari, Chalisgaon, Nimbhore Budruk, Bhusawal, Yawal, Pachora, Our PCD Franchise in Jalgaon is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Jalgaon Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Jalgaon, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Jalgaon , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Jalna , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Jalna. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Jalna for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Ambad, Jalna, Partur, Bhokardan, Our PCD Franchise in Jalna is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Jalna Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Jalna, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Jalna , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Kolhapur , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Kolhapur. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Kolhapur for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Vadgaon Kasba, Kolhapur, Korochi, Kabnur, Jaysingpur, Gandhinagar, Panhala, Malkapur, Ajra, Kagal, Ichalkaranji, Kalambe Turf Thane, Hupari, Gadhinglaj, Pachgaon, Murgud, Kurundvad, Uchgaon, Our PCD Franchise in Kolhapur is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Kolhapur Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Kolhapur, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Kolhapur , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Latur , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Latur. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Latur for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Nilanga, Ahmadpur, Latur, Udgir, Ausa, Our PCD Franchise in Latur is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Latur Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Latur, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Latur , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Mumbai (Suburban) and Mumbai , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Mumbai (Suburban) and Mumbai. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Mumbai (Suburban) and Mumbai for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Greater Mumbai, Our PCD Franchise in Mumbai (Suburban) and Mumbai is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Mumbai (Suburban) and Mumbai Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Mumbai (Suburban) and Mumbai, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Mumbai (Suburban) and Mumbai , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Nagpur , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Nagpur. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Nagpur for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Mowad, Davlameti, Digdoh, Chicholi, Ramtek, Kalameshwar, Mohpa, Yerkheda, Savner, Totaladoh, Nildoh, Wanadongri, Sonegaon (Nipani), Kanhan (Pipri), Sillewada, Nagpur, Mahadula, Khapa, Narkhed, Kandri, Umred, Walani, Kamptee, Tekadi, Katol, Wadi, Mansar, Our PCD Franchise in Nagpur is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Nagpur Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Nagpur, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Nagpur , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Nanded , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Nanded. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Nanded for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Nanded-Waghala, Kandhar, Peth Umri, Mukhed, Hadgaon, Mudkhed, Kinwat, Deglur, Kundalwadi, Loha, Biloli, Dharmabad, Wajegaon, Our PCD Franchise in Nanded is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Nanded Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Nanded, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Nanded , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Nandurbar , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Nandurbar. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Nandurbar for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Nawapur, Purushottamnagar, Talode, Shahade, Nandurbar, Our PCD Franchise in Nandurbar is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Nandurbar Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Nandurbar, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Nandurbar , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Nashik , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Nashik. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Nashik for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Nashik, Trimbak, Lasalgaon, Manmad, Soyagaon, Sinnar, Igatpuri, Surgana, Ozar, Deolali, Yevla, Satana, Dyane, Malegaon, Nandgaon, Ghoti Budruk, Bhagur, Eklahare, Our PCD Franchise in Nashik is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Nashik Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Nashik, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Nashik , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Osmanabad , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Osmanabad. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Osmanabad for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Tuljapur, Umarga, Paranda, Bhum, Murum, Kalamb, Osmanabad, Naldurg, Our PCD Franchise in Osmanabad is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Osmanabad Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Osmanabad, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Osmanabad , Maharashtra. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is looking for pharma professionals, young enterpreneur and various others individuals who are looking for an opportunity to join pcd pharma franchise program in Parbhani , Maharashtra. Join us and become our business franchise partner of Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd. You will have full monopoly rights for the vacant locations in Parbhani. Lifepure Labs Pvt Ltd is providing very popular and in demand pharma franchise on monopoly basis in Parbhani for the following vacant regions/areas/cities/villages in India: Gangakhed, Pathri, Sonpeth, Manwath, Purna, Jintur, Parbhani, Sailu, Our PCD Franchise in Parbhani is an excellent for you to become associated with leading Pharma Franchise Company. We invite all the pharma experts and entrepreneur to be our pharma franchise partner and start their own business in the pharmaceutical sector. Our PCD Franchise is the best opportunity for you to be the part of leading Pharma Franchise Company. This is one of the fast growing sectors in India and thus people are investing well in this sector. Maharashtra provides you with this amazing opportunity to start your own business in the pharma industry. Hence if you are looking top PCD Pharma Franchise company in Parbhani Maharashtra then Lifepure Labs is the best option for you. For more detail information call us or email at seo@lifepurelabs.com. Note : We also undertake third party contract manufacturing for the above areas in Parbhani, Maharashtra . Click here to submit online enquiry for pharma Franchise / PCD Franchise in Parbhani , Maharashtra. 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2019-04-25T15:58:40Z
https://www.lifepurelabs.com/category/pharma-franchise-on-monopoly-basis-in-maharashtra/
Period of Transition in Italy. Modern Hebrew literature (1743-1904), in distinction to that form of Neo-Hebraic literature known as rabbinical literature (see Literature, Hebrew), which is distinctly religious in character, presents itself under a twofold aspect: (1) humanistic, relating to the emancipation of the language by a return to the classical models of the Bible, leading to the subsequent development of modern Hebrew; (2) humanitarian, dealing with the secularization of the language with a view to the religious and social emancipation of the Jews of the ghetto. These two tendencies are expressed by the word Haskalah, a term denoting the movement which predominated in Hebrew literature from the second half of the eighteenth century down to the death of Smolenskin in 1885. Beginning with the seventeenth century, many attempts were made to emancipate Hebrew from the forms and ideas of the Middle Ages. Italy, with critics and poets like Azariah dei Rossi, Leon of Modena, Francis, etc., who were inspired by the Italian Renaissance, led in this period of transition in Hebrew literature. But it was not until the appearance of Moses Ḥayyim Luzzatto that Hebrew poetry shook off the medieval fetters which hindered its free development. His allegorical drama "La-Yesharim Tehillah" (1743), which may be regarded as the first product of modern Hebrew literature, is a poem that in its classic perfection of style is second only to the Bible. In the less advanced countries especially it has contributed to the regeneration of Hebrew and has stimulated a host of imitators among writers removed from modern literary centers. At Amsterdam, Luzzatto's pupil, David Franco Mendes (1713-92), in his imitations of Racine ("Gemul 'Atalyah") and of Metastasio ("Yehudit"), continued his master's work, without, however, equaling Luzzatto's poetic inspiration and originality. In Germany, where, in consequence of the ideas promulgated by the encyclopedists, the Jews developed more normally, and where, moreover, in the middle of the eighteenth century, Hebrew was still almost the only literary language accessible to the masses, another successor of Luzzatto, Naphtali Hartwig Wessely (1725-1805), inaugurated the haskalah movement. His "Shire Tif'eret," or "Mosiade," which, though falling short of poetic inspiration, is written in a pure, oratorical style and is marked by a lofty, moral tone, made him, so to speak, poet laureate of the period. Under the stimulus of Mendelssohn, literary societies were formed by the Maskilim in the large communities, which undertook to propagate modern ideas among the Jews and to familiarize them with modern secular life. Two schools or parties, which were more or less distinct, undertook this work: (1) the Biurists, a group of commentators and translators of the Bible who, under the leadership of Mendelssohn, desired to replace the Judæo-German dialect with pure German and to provide a more rational interpretation of the sacred text; (2) the Me'assefim, scholars connected with the first literary collection in Hebrew, "Ha-Me'assef," which was established in 1785 at Breslau by Isaac Eichel and B. Lindau, and which became the organ of the haskalah and a bond of union among the Hebraists. Wessely may be regarded as the spiritual leader of the Me'assefim. Although a devout believer himself, he did not hesitate to meet the objections which the Orthodox rabbis of Austria and Germany opposed to all educational and civic reforms advocated by the government of Joseph II. In his eight messages (1784), "Dibre Shalom we-Emet," he emphasized the necessity, even from the standpoint of the Talmud, of these reforms as well as of secular studies, especially the study of modern languages and classical Hebrew and of manual training. Despite the opposition of the Orthodox rabbis of Germany and Austria, the aid of the liberal Italian rabbis enabled him to arouse public opinion in favor of the haskalah, and thus to prepare the way for the Me'assefim. "Ha-Me'assef" was discontinued after an existence of seven years, the French Revolution and the downfall of the old order of things destroying the interest in the Hebrew language, which was the only relic left to the emancipated Maskilim. The literary and scientific value of "Ha-Me'assef" is very doubtful. In their instinctive aversion to everything medieval and rabbinic, the Me'assefim went to the other extreme and adopted the affected style of the "meliẓah," which was cultivated by their successors, and which often ended in mere artificial juggling with words. As regards their content most of the pieces in the collection have only a slight interest, being merely puerile imitations of German pseudo-romanticism. Having broken with the Messianic ideal of traditional Judaism, and being unable to replace it with another ideal more in conformity with modern ideas, the Me'assefim ended in advocating assimilation with the surrounding people. But the importance of this first secular periodical in Hebrew was such that it imposed its name upon the entire literary movement of the second half of the eighteenth century, which is called "the period of the Me'assefim." Among the Me'assefim, I. Eichel is noteworthy for his uncompromising attitude, unusual at that time, toward rabbinism, and Baruch Lindau is known for his works on the subject of natural science and written in Hebrew. The most influential, however, was the rabbi Solomon Pappenheim (1776-1814), an eminent philologist, whose sentimental elegy, "Arba' Kosot," was the book of the day and contributed much to the dissemination of the meliẓah. The most valuable contributors to "Ha-Me'assef" were, perhaps, the Me'assefim of Polish origin, especially the grammarian and stylist S. Dubno; S. Maimon, the commentator of Maimonides; the eccentric but gifted Isaac Satanow, author of the maxims "Mishle Asaf"; and the grammarian Judah Ben-Zeeb (Bensew) of Cracow. In short, although the Me'assefim lacked originality, they accomplished the double task which they had set themselves. Hebrew, which had been almost entirely neglected in the Slavic countries, was again studied, giving rise to a literature more or less worthy the name and producing the Maskilim, a class of secular scholars who were active during the following century in awakening the masses from their medieval slumbers and in disputing, in the name of science and modern life, the authority of the Rabbis over the people (see Haskalah). The nineteenth century did not open auspiciously for Hebrew literature, especially in western Europe. Hebrew disappeared more and more as a living language among the emancipated Jews, who had broken with their national ideals and were ambitious of assimilating themselves entirely with their neighbors. It is true that the Napoleonic wars gave birth to a whole literature of odes and hymns, many of which were sung in the synagogue, the most poetical and characteristic being Elie Ḥalfan Halévy's "Ha-Shalom" (Paris, 1804); but the few rabbis who continued to use Hebrew did not influence the masses. In Italy, however, there was still an ardent band of Hebrew scholars, among them the poet E. Luzzatto. About this time the center of literary activity was definitively transferred to the Slavic countries, where was witnessed a remarkable revival of Hebrew letters. The lead which Austria, followed by Italy, took in the movement at the beginning of the nineteenth century was later yielded to Russia; and that country has maintained its leadership down to the present time. At the close of the eighteenth century Polish Judaism, which for a long time had been politically isolated and had devoted itself entirely to pious observance and to the study of the Talmudic law, came in contact with modern ideas, and awakened from its centuries of slumber. Galicia became a center for the haskalah. The "Me'assef,"which had been edited in a new series in Germany by Solomon ha-Kohen (Dessau, 1809-11), but without much success, was revived at Vienna and later in Galicia, and succeeded, first under the title of "Bikkure ha-'Ittim" (1820-31), and then under that of "Kerem Ḥemed" (1833-42), in gathering together many writers, the larger proportion of whom were Polish. In Poland, however, where the Jewish population lived apart, and could not even aspire to the dreams of equality and liberty of the German writers, the Maskilim were confronted with very complicated problems. On the one hand, political upheavals, modern instruction, and military service had paved the way for the mysticism of the Ḥasidim, which seized the masses despite the efforts of the liberal rabbis aided by writers like D. Samoscz and Tobias Feder. On the other hand, light literature and romantic imitations could not satisfy scholars saturated with Talmudic study. In order to meet these needs Hebrew literature descended from its heights to devote its attention to the necessities of daily life. Joseph Perl, a Mæcenas and himself a scholar, encouraged this movement, and published the parody "Megalleh Ṭemirin," directed against the superstitions and the cult of the Ḥasidic ẓaddiḳim. Solomon Judah Rapoport (1790-1867), who began by translating Racine and Schiller, now turned to the critical study of the past. By his able reconstruction of the lives and the scientific work of the masters of the Middle Ages, by his careful critical method, and by his devotion to the Law and the Jewish spirit, Rapoport created the Science of Judaism. But this science, which was warmly received especially by the cultivated minds of western Europe, could not satisfy the poor Polish scholars, living in entirely Jewish surroundings, and, no longer contented with the reasons advanced by the medieval masters, anxiously questioning the wherefore of the present and future existence of Israel. Then a master mind arose, to give an answer at once ingenious and adapted to the time. Nachman Krochmal, teaching gratuitously in his obscure corner of Poland, succeeded in uniting the propositions of modern critics with the principles of Judaism by the bond of nationalism, as it were, thus creating a Jewish philosophy in conformity with modern thought. Starting with Hegel's axiom of real and of absolute reason, Krochmal sets forth in his essays and in his ingenious Biblical and philosophic studies that the Jewish people is a concrete national organism, a separate unity, whose existence is justified, as the existence of all other nationalities is justified. But, at the same time, as the people of the Prophets, it has in addition a spiritual reason for its existence, which transcends national boundaries, and will join the entire human race in one bond. Many poets, scholars, and popular writers besides Rapoport and Krochmal contributed to the dissemination of Hebrew and to the emancipation of the Jews of Galicia. The satirical poet Isaac Erter (1792-1841), whose collection of essays, "Ha-Ẓofeh le-Bet Yisrael," is one of the purest works of modern Hebrew literature, attacked Ḥasidic superstitions and prejudices in a vigorous and classical style, marked by bright fancy and a cutting sarcasm which heaped ridicule upon the rabbi and satire upon the ẓaddiḳ. Meïr Halevy Letteris acquired merited renown and was for a long time considered poet laureate of the period by reason of his numerous translations, both in prose and in poetry, including "Faust" and works by Racine and Byron, and also on account of original lyric poetry, his song "Yonah Homiyyah" being a masterpiece. The popularizer of Galician history and geography, Samson Bloch, also won a reputation, although his insipid and prolix style does not warrant the success achieved by his works. The Galician scholar Judah Mises is noted especially for his violent attacks on rabbinical tradition and for his extreme radicalism, his work being continued by I. A. Schorr, the daring editor of "HeḤaluẓ." Outside of Galicia, where the scholars issued their works, and where periodicals multiplied, some of which were published at Vienna, as "Kokebe Yiẓḥaḳ" (ed. Stern), "Oẓar Neḥmad" (ed. Blumenfeld), Kerem Ḥemed, etc., groups of Maskilim or individual scholars were to be found toward the middle of the century in all the countries of Europe. In Germany the campaign for and against religious reform gave opportunity to certain scholars and rabbis to conduct their polemics in Hebrew. Zunz, Geiger, Z. Frankel, Jellinek, Carmoly, Fürst, J. Schwarz, and others, also published part of their works in Hebrew. Moses Mendelssohn of Hamburg, a pupil of Wessely and author of the maḳamat "Pene Tebel" (Amsterdam, 1872), may be considered as the epigone of the Me'assefim. In the Netherlands, especially at Amsterdam, there was also a circle of epigones, including the poet Samuel Molder (1789-1862). In Austria, Vienna was the depot for publishing Hebrew books and periodicals, and Prague became an active center for the haskalah. The best known among the Maskilim here is J. L. Jeiteles (1773-1838), author of witty epigrams ("Bene ha-Ne'urim") and of works directed against the Ḥasidim and against superstition, and director of the "Bikkure ha-'Ittim." There were scholars in Hungary also, the most gifted among them being Solomon Lewison of Moor (1789-1822), a remarkable stylist, whose classical "Meliẓat Yeshurun" places him above all the poets of the period. Gabriel Südfeld, father of Max Nordau, and Simon Bacher, may also be mentioned. The reflex of this movement was felt even in Rumania (J. Barasch, etc.). Galicia, however, the center of the haskalah, finally succumbed to Ḥasidism, while the moderns gave up Hebrew, and ended by more or less openly advocating assimilation. A few circles of Maskilim barely succeeded in perpetuating the Hebrew tradition, but had no influence on the masses. The Italian school exercised a more pronounced influence. I. S. Reggio (1784-1854) endeavored in his "Ha-Torah weha-Filosofiah" to reconcile modern thought with the Jewish law, while in his numerous writings and publications he openly sided with the German religious reformers. Joseph Almanzi,Ḥayyim Salomon, S. Lolli, and others wrote poems on the grandeur of the Law and the glory of Israel; these contained, however, not a spark of originality. More interesting perhaps is the only poetess of the period, Rachel Morpurgo (1790-1860), whose poems evince religious piety and a mystic faith in Israel's future. The most original and gifted Italian writer of the period is Samuel David Luzzatto (SHeDaL, 1800-65), whose influence reached beyond Italy and beyond his time. Gifted with an encyclopedic mind, Luzzatto did good work alike in poetry ("Kinnor Na'im"), in philology ("Bet ha-Oẓar" and "Betulat Bat Yehudah"), in philosophy, and in general literature. At the same time Luzzatto was the first modern writer to introduce religious romanticism into Hebrew and to attack northern rationalism in the name of religious and national feeling. "True Jewish science is founded on faith. . . . Faith is the only arbiter of supreme morality which gives us true happiness. The happiness of the Jewish people, the people of morality, does not depend on its political emancipation, but on faith and on morality. . . ." These ideas led Luzzatto into polemics with his northern friends, but they also helped to familiarize the believers in Russia with modern literature. Luzzatto thus found the key to the heart of the masses; and it was due to him that the work of the Maskilim, which had failed of permanent results in the West, in the East led to the development of a national literature. But in Italy also Hebrew declined more and more, even among scholars; and by the second half of the century it was almost entirely forgotten in the civilized countries of Europe. The large bodies of Jews in the Polish districts annexed to Russia were entirely removed from all political and social life, and vegetated in a kind of profound resignation or in mystical piety. At the Europeanized city of Odessa, however, Galician Jews formed a circle of Maskilim, which, though active, was restricted in its influence. Here in the middle of the century were the scholars S. Pinsker and S. Stern, who were soon joined by the Karaite Firkovich and by the poet Jacob Eichenbaum. The acknowledged leader of these Maskilim of southern Russia was Isaac Bär Levinsohn, the apostle of humanism in Russia, whose influence penetrated even into government circles, but whose literary work has been overestimated. His personal endeavors, as well as his books ("Te'udah be-Yisrael" and "Bet Yehudah"), in which he recommends to the Orthodox the study of the sciences and the pursuit of manual employments, contributed to general emancipation rather than to that of Hebrew literature in particular. Lithuania, an eminently Jewish country, was more favored by circumstances; and here the haskalah was destined to lead to the unfolding of a literature. At Shklov, the first city to come in contact with the outside world, a group of humanists arose as early as the beginning of the century. But it was at Wilna, the capital of the country, abandoned by its native population and entirely removed from outside influence, that the Hebrew language flourished to an extraordinary degree. It was due to the enlightened tolerance of the gaon Elijah Wilna and the zeal of his pupils that Wilna became, toward the end of the eighteenth century, the home of excellent grammarians and stylists. About 1820 or 1830 a circle of Maskilim, called "Berliner," and evidently inspired by the writers of Germany, was formed, which assiduously cultivated modern Hebrew literature. Two eminent scholars lent special luster to this new literary movement. M. A. Günzburg well deserves his title "the father of prose," which he won for himself through his numerous translations, histories, and scientific compilations, his picturesque narration of the ritual murder at Damascus, his realistic autobiography "Abi'ezer" (a glowing criticism of customs of the past), and especially through his style, which is at once temperate, realistic, and modern. At the same time Abraham Bär Lebensohn, called "the father of poetry," lent new radiance and vigor to Hebrew verse. The touching lyric quality of some of his poems, the profound pessimism, the plaint over life, and the fear of death, which betray the feelings of the Jew tried by the ordeal of ghetto life, all stamp him as the veritable poet of the ghetto. The simplicity of his ideas, his rabbinical dialectic and even his frequent prolixity only added to his popularity. His poems "Shire Sefat Ḳodesh" were extraordinarily successful; and his elegant, limpid, and often energetic style is still justly admired. It was due to these two masters that modern Hebrew literature was widely disseminated throughout Lithuania, circles devoted to the haskalah being formed nearly everywhere. Hebrew became the language of daily life, the literary language, and, what is still more characteristic, the language of folk-lore. In fact, the list of popular Hebrew poems by known or unknown authors is too long to be noted here. The unhappy political situation of the Russian Jews under Nicholas I.—a period of persecutions of all kinds and of terror—had particularly contributed to produce this state of mind in the harassed people; and while Ḥasidism completed its work of producing intellectual obscurantism and hopeless resignation in the province of Poland and in southern Russia, mysticism found in Lithuania a redoubtable enemy in the sentimentality of the unfolding Hebrew literature. The diffusion of the affected style of the meliẓah and the return to the language of the past awakened among this unhappy people a regret for the glorious Biblical times and a romanticism that was to bear rich fruit. Popular Hebrew poetry had become fundamentally Zionistic, as is evident from the anonymous poems then written ("Shoshannah, Ẓiyyon, Ẓiyyon," etc.). Literary romanticism soon followed upon this romantic tendency. The Lithuanian writers, sharing the life and patriotic thoughts of the people, and encouraged by the example of S. D. Luzzatto, who united modern culture with ardent patriotism, turned to romanticism. The prolific popularizer Kalman Schulman (1826-1900) inaugurated romantic fiction and introduced the romantic form into Hebrew through his Hebrew version of "Les Mystèresde Paris" ("Mistere Paris"); and he became one of the civilizers of the ghetto through his numerous popular scientific works and especially through his studies of the Jewish past. His pure, flowing, meliẓah style, his extreme sentimentalism as well as his naive romanticism in all matters touching Judaism, won for him great influence. For fully half a century he, in spite of his lack of originality, ranked as a master. The young and gifted writer Micah Joseph Lebensohn (1828-52), the first true artist and romantic poet in Hebrew, has left poems that are perfect in style, including an admirable translation of the "Æneid," lyrics of love, of nature, and of sorrow. But his masterpieces are romantic poems ("Moses," "Judah ha-Levi") dealing with Israel's glorious past. The creator of the Hebrew novel was Abraham Mapu (1808-67), whose historical romance "Ahabat Ẓiyyon" exercised an important influence on the development of Hebrew. This novel, which deals with the golden age of Judah, that of Isaiah, and is couched in the very language of that prophet, is rather a succession of poetic pictures reconstructing the civilization of ancient Judea than a connected story. Simple and primitive in his thoughts, Mapu was so imbued with the spirit of the Bible that, although unconsciously, he was translated to ancient times, and, guided by a marvelous intuition, he succeeded in reconstructing the free, agricultural life of ancient Judah, in the land of the prophets, of justice, and of truth, the land of love and of the joy of life. This past, to renew which was the ambition of scholars and people, superimposed itself upon the present, and it was due to Mapu's novel that an entire people came forth from its long lethargy, to be reborn. Another novel ("Ashmat Shomeron") by Mapu served to increase his popularity. Many imitators of these leaders of Hebrew romanticism appeared, and at a time when the political outlook checked all hopes of a better life: the Maskilim demanded, in the name of the prophetic past, the rights of civilization and progress. Many persons, also, were won over to the reading of secular literature. When in 1856 Silbermann founded at Lyck the first political journal in Hebrew, "Ha-Maggid," he met with unexpected success and had many imitators. In Austria, Russia, and even in Palestine, periodicals, more or less successful, appeared, furthering the cause both of Hebrew and of emancipation. Among these journals were "Ha-Karmel," founded by the scholar Samuel Joseph Fuenn; "Ha-Ẓefirah," founded by the popularizer of science C. Z. Slonimsky; and "Ha-Meliẓ," founded by A. Zederbaum. The accession of Alexander II. radically changed the condition of the Russian Jews. A wave of liberty and radicalism swept through the empire, and for the first time the Russian Jews could hope for a lot similar to that of their western coreligionists. Awakened from their century-long sleep, the backward people of the ghetto began to shake off religious and other fetters, becoming imbued with modern ideas and adopting modern modes of life. In the large centers there was no serious opposition to emancipation, and the Jews flocked in masses to the schools and sought secular employments. The scholars themselves, encouraged by the government and by the notables of the great cities, decided to attack all the "domains of darkness" of the past, and to occupy themselves with the affairs of the day; and when the small provinces, less disturbed by the economic and moral upheavals, bitterly opposed this social emancipation—which led to forgetfulness of the Law and endangered the faith—the Maskilim knew no limits to their fury against the fanatics of the ghetto. Hebrew literature, at first realistic, attacking customs and superstitions in the name of utility and the reality of things, became more and more anti-rabbinical as it opposed religious tradition. Mapu led the way in his novel "'Ayiṭ Ẓabua'," which, though a failure from a literary point of view, depicts the backward types of the ghetto, the Tartuffes, and the enemies to progress, with a realism intentionally exaggerated. Abramowitsch, then a young man, described in his novel "Ha-Abot we-ha-Banim" the customs of the Ḥasidim and the struggles of their progressive sons. The aged poet Abraham Bär Lebensohn published his drama, "Emet we-Emunah" (written twenty-five years previously), in which he satirized cabalistic hypocrisy and mysticism. The number of popularizers of science, critics of belated customs, and belittlers of the religious past became legion. The most distinguished among these writers was the poet Leon Gordon, an implacable enemy of the Rabbis, who personified in himself this realistic epoch. He began by writing romantic poems in imitation of the two Lebensohns. But when the horizon widened for the Russian Jews, he was filled with pity for the deplorable state of the Orthodox masses, to whom he addressed his "Haḳiẓah 'Ammi"—"Awake, my people, to a better life," i. e., "to the life of those about you." Of a mettlesome spirit, he unmercifully attacked the rabbinical law, the dead letter, the religious yoke weighing upon the masses. He regarded rabbinism as the greatest misfortune of the Jewish people, which killed the nation by delivering it up to the more secular Romans, and which hindered its participation in the realities of modern life. Gordon's activity covered all branches of literature. He ranks foremost in Hebrew literature as a satirical poet and critic of manners; and as a writer of fables he has no equal. But in spite of his apparent severity and his extreme skepticism, he remained at heart a patriot; and when he criticizes he does so in order to elevate the social life of the Jews, while grieving for the misery of the Messianic nation. Even in his historical poems, "Ẓidḳiyahu be-Bet ha-Peḳudot" and "Bi-Meẓulot Yam," he displays all his love for his people, which became more pronounced during the years of persecution and misery in Russia. But even then he believed that rabbinism was the enemy which prevented a national renascence. Gordon was among the first successfully to introduce Talmudisms into poetry. The hopes of the Maskilim were not realized: Russia did not continue its radical reforms; and areaction began between 1865 and 1870. Disappointed in their dreams of equality, writers now bent all their energies to the work of the emancipation of individuals from among the masses, by disseminating instruction and by advocating the pursuit of trades as being necessary to fit the Jews to deal with the exigencies of life and to take part in the battle for subsistence incident to the economic changes of the time. In Galicia a circle of scholars, under the leadership of Schorr, director of "He-Ḥaluẓ," and A. Krochmal, advocated religious reforms, boldly attacking tradition and even the law of Moses. But in Russia, especially in Lithuania, the scholars did not go so far. The ideology of the Maskilim was not accepted by the scholars who came in closer contact with the masses; and instead of attacking principles, they advocated practical reforms and changes in conformity with the needs of daily life. Utilitarianism succeeded to the ideology of the earlier scholars. Abraham Kowner in his pamphlet "Ḥeḳer Dabar," etc. (1867) attacked the masters of Hebrew for being idealists, and the press because it ministered neither to the strict necessities of daily life nor to the material well-being of the masses. Paperna and others were also pronounced realists. Moses Lilienblum inaugurated a campaign in favor of the union of life and faith—an endeavor perilous to its author and his emulators, but noteworthy as being the last attempt of rabbinic Judaism to adapt itself to the needs of modern life without giving up its minute observances. In his instructive volume "Ḥaṭṭot Ne'urim," Lilienblum has left a curious document describing the inner conflicts of a young Talmudist of the ghetto who has passed through all the stages between the simple life of an Orthodox believer and that of a skeptical freethinker. Viewing the life of the modern Jew, emancipated and indifferent to all that is Jewish, he is shaken in his highest convictions and cries out, "The Law will never go hand in hand with life." Lilienblum himself at last became a utilitarian, seeking in Jewish life nothing but individual material well-being, and testifying regretfully to the downfall of the haskalah by reason of an excess of ideology. "Young men must think and work for their own lives only." This became the watchword of the last Maskilim toward 1870. The ghetto, however, had not yet spoken its final word. Within the confines of traditional Judaism itself the modernization of Hebrew and of the religious spirit was accentuated, leading to a compromise between faith and life. Orthodox journals were beginning to be the mouthpieces of a conservative party more in touch with modern ideas. Side by side with the realistic press—"Ha-Meliẓ," the organ of the realists; "Ha-Ẓefirah," a popular scientific journal; "He-Ḥaluẓ," an antireligious paper; and others—there were "Ha-Maggid" and "Ha-Lebanon," in which Orthodox rabbis enthusiastically advocated the cultivation of Hebrew and boldly offered plans for its rejuvenation as well as for the colonization of Palestine. Michel Pines, the antagonist of Lilienblum, published in 1872 his "Yalde Ruḥi," a treatise displaying deep faith, and in which he bravely defends traditional Judaism, insisting that ritual and religious observances are necessary to a maintenance of the harmony of faith, which influences the mind as well as the morals. Reforms are unnecessary, because believers do not feel the need of them, and freethinkers no longer cherish any beliefs. Like the mass of believers, Pines does not share the pessimism of the realists, but he firmly believes in the national renascence of Judaism. Any understanding between the two parties seemed impossible, the realists no longer believing in the future of Judaism, and the conservatives refusing all attempts at religious reform. Even skeptics like Gordon were alarmed to see "the young people leave without returning." Then, once again, a man arose to undertake the work of mingling the humanistic and the romantic currents and of leading the haskalah back to the living sources of national Judaism. This was Perez Smolenskin, the initiator of the progressive national movement. He, also, began his career, in 1867, with a critical article of pronounced realism, "Biḳḳoret Teḥiyyah." But, disheartened by the fanaticism of the ancients and by the indifference and narrowness of the moderns, he left Russia and traveled first through Austria and later through the other western countries, sorrowfully noting the decadence of Judaism and of his patriotic ideal. At Vienna he issued in 1868 "Ha-Shaḥar," whose object it was to attack medieval obscurantism and modern indifference. For eighteen years Smolenskin continued this laborious campaign. In his "'Am 'Olam" (1872) he appears as the champion of the national preservation of Israel and of the realization of the rabbinical ideal freed from all mysticism. This secularization of an ideal which had constituted Israel's power of resistance had important results. In the first place it restored to Judaism and to Hebrew the best among the young men, who, while still profoundly attached to Judaism and to the life of the masses, had no longer any faith. This prepared the way for Zionism. But this was not all. Smolenskin recognized that one of the chief factors in the process of assimilation was the idea set forth by Mendelssohn and especially by his disciples (Geiger and others) that Judaism does not constitute a nation but a religious confession, an idea which would naturally induce the assimilation of the freethinkers. Smolenskin attacked this idea in a series of articles, which, though violent and often unjust, were yet needed to point out the priority of the national factor over the religious factor in the conservation of Judaism. For eighteen years "Ha-Shaḥar" was the rallying-point for daring ideas and campaigns against the obscurantists and the moderns. It was especially noted for the realistic novels of Smolenskin, which, despite their technical shortcomings, take a high place in Hebrew literature. Side by side with character sketches of the ghetto and violent attacks on obscurantism appear a profound love for the masses and an ardent faith in Israel's future and in the apotheosis of young scholars endowed with the soul of prophecy, veritable dreamers of theghetto. For the first time the Hebrew language, as modernized by Smolenskin, took immense strides. "Ha-Shaḥar" published only original work; and through the support and influence of its editor there arose a whole school of realists who wrote in Hebrew. In addition to Gordon and Lilienblum, there were Brandstädter (the clever creator of the short story in Hebrew), S. Mandelkern, J. L. Levin, Ben Ẓebi, M. Cohn, Silberbusch, Mandelstam, and others. Science was represented by S. Rubin, D. Kohan, Heller, D. Müller, etc. The influence of "Ha-Shaḥar" was felt throughout Hebrew literature. The popular poet and scholar of the south, A. B. Gottlober, founded his review "Ha-Boḳer Or" (1876) for the purpose of defending Mendelssohn and the haskalah. Gottlober himself contributed character sketches of the Ḥasidim, while the gifted writer R. A. Braudes began in its pages his novel "Ha-Dat weha-Ḥayyim," in which he depicts with masterly hand the struggle for the union of life and faith. Even America boasted a Hebrew journal, "Ha-Ẓofeh be-Ereẓ Nod," published by Sobel. A converted Jew, Salkinson, produced an admirable Hebrew translation of Shakespeare and of Milton, and the socialist Freiman published a review in Hebrew entitled "Ha-Emet" (1878). More important, however, was the great work by I. H. Weiss, "Dor Dor we-Dorshaw," dealing with the evolution of religious tradition. The sciences were taken up by H. Rabbinowitz, Pories, S. Sachs, Reifman, Harkavy, Gurland, J. Halevy, A. Epstein, Zweifel, Popirna, Buber, etc. Even the style was modernized, although the meliẓah did not disappear, as is seen by the writings of Schulman, Friedberg, and others. Smolenskin's ideas bore fruit. With the return of the national ideal, Hebrew as the national language was again revived. Leon Gordon's literary jubilee was enthusiastically celebrated in St. Petersburg, and after his return from a journey through Russia in 1880, he was everywhere received as the national author, even by the students of the capitals. The appearance of anti-Semitism, the renewed persecutions, and the terrible years 1881 and 1882 finally destroyed the ideals of the haskalah, whose last Hebrew followers were forced to admit that Smolenskin was right. When the first colonies in Palestine had been founded, and there existed no longer a belief in the possibility of religious reform without an upheaval of Judaism as a whole, it was commonly admitted that the work of Israel's national rebirth should be encouraged. The Hebrew press undertook especially to support the "Ḥobebe Ẓiyyon" (Chovevei Zion), as the Zionists were then called. Hebrew modern literature, which for a century had been progressive and secularizing, now became the instrument of patriotic propaganda. Often those who had formerly advocated reforms now urged the abandonment of modern ideas in order to conciliate the masses. Smolenskin alone did not abandon his civilizing mission, and remained a progressive realist. He finally succumbed to overwork and died in 1885. On his death "Ha-Shaḥar" ceased publication, just one century after the appearance of "Ha-Me'assef" (1785). This was the end of the haskalah. It now gave place to Zionism, which was at first hesitating, but gradually arose to the realization and assertion of its full strength. The changing attitude in the profession of faith among Hebrew scholars and the young men who had returned to the national ideal and to the prophetic dreams was of advantage to Hebrew, which now came to be considered as the national language of the Jewish people and the tie uniting the Jews of all countries. While E. Ben-Judah at Jerusalem, through personal example and through propaganda in his journal "Ha-Ẓebi," restored Hebrew as a living language in Palestine, there was an increasing demand for Hebrew books in Russia, and the modernized Jews became ambitious to cultivate the national language. The success of the great literary collection "Ha-Asif" (edited by the writer N. Sokolow), which succeeded "Ha-Shaḥar," soon called forth other publications, noteworthy among which was the Zionistic work "Keneset Yisrael" by the historian S. P. Rabbinowitz, and the more scientific "Oẓar ha-Sifrut." In 1886 L. Kantor began the publication of "Ha-Yom," the first Hebrew daily paper; and soon after "Ha-Meliẓ" and "Ha-Ẓefirah" were changed into dailies. A political press, also, was established, and contributed largely to the propagation of Zionism and to the modernization of Hebrew style. The founding of two large publishing-houses (the "Aḥiasaf" and "Tushiyyah"), through the efforts of Ben-Avigdor, finally regulated the conditions for the progress of Hebrew, and created a class of paid writers. Journals, more than other forms of literature, are multiplying, and there are a number even in America. Literary activity was resumed after a short interval, now on an entirely national basis and in agreement with the many needs of a nationalist group. All the branches of letters, science, and art were assiduously cultivated, without neglecting the renascence of the Jewish people in the land of their fathers. In the field of poetry, besides Mandelkern and Gottlober, both converted to Zionism, are to be found Dolitzky, author of Zionistic songs describing the miseries of the Russian Jews; the two Zionist poets Isaac Rabinowitz and Sarah Shapira, and the gifted lyric poet M. H. Mané, who died at an early age. Perhaps the most noteworthy was C. A. Shapira, an eminent lyric poet, who, embittered by indignation, introduced a new note into Hebrew poetry—hatred of persecution. There is, finally, N. H. Imber, the poet of renascent Palestine and the author of popular songs. Bialik is a lyric poet of much vigor, an incomparable stylist, and a romanticist of note, while his younger contemporary Saul Tschernichowsky is proceeding along new lines, introducing pure estheticism, the cult of beauty and of love, in the language of the Prophets. The most gifted among the younger poets are S. L. Gordon, N. Pinés, A. Lubochitzky, Kaplan, Lipschütz, and A. Cohan. In the field of belles-lettres Ben-Avigdor is the creator of the new realistic movement; this he expoundsin his psychologic stories and especially in his "Menaḥem ha-Sofer," in which he attacks, in the name of modern life, national chauvinism. Braudes became prominent as a romanticist. The aged A. J. Abramowitsch, who has returned to Hebrew, delights his readers by his artistic satires. I. L. Perez has in his songs, as in his poetry, a tendency toward symbolism. M. J. Berdyczewski attempts to introduce Nietzschian individualism into his stories and articles. Feierberg expresses the sufferings of a young scholar seeking truth. Goldin is a pleasing but sentimental writer of stories. Bershadsky is an outspoken realist and close observer. Others deserving mention are: J. Rabinovitz; Turov; A. S. Rabinovitz; Epstein; Asch; J. Steinberg; Goldberg; Brener; the Galicians Silberbusch and Samueli; the poet and prose-writer David Frischman, the translator of "Cain"; J. Ch. Tawjew, who is a distinguished feuilletonist and writer on pedagogics; A. L. Levinsky, the story-teller, author of a Zionist Utopia ("Travels in Palestine in 5800"); and J. L. Landau, the only dramatic poet. As Landau is a poet rather than a psychologist, his "Herod" and other plays are not intended for the theater. The Orientalist Joseph Halévy has published a volume of patriotic poems. The reaction of 1890 in the work of colonizing Palestine and the evident necessity of taking some steps to meet such a reaction produced the work of "Aḥad ha-'Am" (Asher Ginzberg). He is notably a critic of manners; and in the name of pure ideology he attacked first actual colonization and then political Zionism. Judaism before everything, and not the Jews; a moral and spiritual, not an economic and a political center; a national ideal taking the place of faith—such, in the rough, is the idea of this acute and paradoxical publicist. A number of young men, influenced by his collection "Ha-Pardes" and the review "Ha-Shiloaḥ," founded by him and continued by Klausner, have followed in his lead. Quite opposite in tendencies is Zeeb Ya'beẓ, the editor of "Ha-Mizraḥ," a remarkable stylist and religious romanticist. L. Rabinovitz, the director of "Ha-Meliẓ," in his articles "Ha-Yerushshah weha-Ḥinnuk" also shows himself to be a defender of Jewish tradition, while Ben-Judah, the author of "Hashḳafah" (Jerusalem), constantly opposes obscurantism. N. Sokolow, by the power of his genius, forces Hebrew and modern ideas even upon the Ḥasidim. The critic Reuben Brainin is a close observer, an admirable stylist, and a charming story-teller. The historian S. Bernfeld is a scholarly popularizer of Jewish science. Pedagogics and juvenile literature also have their periodicals and worthy representatives. Among these are: Lerner, S. L. Gordon, Madame Ben-Judah, Yellin, Grosovsky, and Berman. Many scholars have devoted themselves to science, as the late philosopher F. Misés; the grammarian J. Steinberg, who is an admirable writer; the anatomist, archeologist, and author of popular stories Katzenelenson; Neimark; and Hurvitz. There are, in addition, many translators and compilers who have rendered into Hebrew Longfellow, Mark Twain, Zola, and even De Maupassant; and this work is being actively carried forward. There is a steady increase in the number of daily and weekly journals, all of which, though Zionistic, are none the less progressive. With the emigration of the Russian Jews to foreign countries, Hebrew is finding new centers. In 1904 a course in modern Hebrew literature was instituted at the Sorbonne. Palestine is in a fair way to become the home of Hebrew as a living language, and in America and in England there are numerous publications in Hebrew. Even in the Far East, Hebrew books and periodicals are to be found in increasing numbers, stimulating national and social regeneration. But it must be remembered that the future of Hebrew is intimately connected with Zionism, which is accepted by the masses only by reason of the ideal of national renascence. Faithful to its Biblical mission, the Hebrew language alone is able to revive moral vigor and prophetic idealism, which have never failed where the sacred language has been preserved. M. Mendelssohn, Pene Tebel, Amsterdam, 1872.
2019-04-21T06:13:36Z
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10032-literature-modern-hebrew
A January-7 deadline approaches and I noodle notes here and there: on my studio chalkboard, a scrap of paper, my laptop. Can’t find the focused time I need right now to hunker down and write the grant and that seems all right. Underneath, there’s a sense that things will fall into place as and when they should. There’s time for the busyness, it tells me, later. Right now, I need to sit with the larger question than meeting a deadline. Can I do the projects that align with the funding? Will I have the personal energy, the volunteers and enthusiasm of others? This is clearly not a solitary endeavor, even though it seems so in this moment. I’m wary of completely giving myself away to projects that will obviously companion and deepen Artsy Fartsy*. I stand at an all-too-familiar crossroads. I have given myself away countless times before. Is this one of those times or is it really where God is leading me? Could my surrender be to let go of the pretense of a livelihood and live my passion sans a paycheck? I struggle here. Earning my own way is so intrinsic to who I have been. More simply, deeply and profoundly for me is that taking care of myself, independently, is all I’ve known. It’s a locked pattern, trapped in my psyche. Perhaps mistakenly, I’ve thought my task was to ask for help, human help. I had a wide opening Wednesday during my monthly shamanic-counseling session. Insight into where, why and how I have been wounded. It’s almost too much to discuss yet. Generally, I was hurt and left alone to tend to the wound, then never given the opportunity to talk about it. Alone, alone, alone. That’s where I always seem to be. Until I remember I’m not. This sucking up that I do whenever there is something that I [think I] have to do myself, which is most of the time, is so wrongfully inherent. I’ve been surrendering to God half-assed. Saying yes, but still feeling responsible and trying to control aspects. Surrendering some aspects is not surrender. So how do I let this rip, I mean really rip? Like the way I felt a layer melt off Wednesday through breath work. I feel apart right now, like I’m living somewhere in between. Some kind of waiting-to-totally-surrender purgatory because I don’t know the next step. I keep getting the message to pursue my passion and the paycheck will follow. Not sure what that means, but, I believe, it includes carefully discerning what is mine to do and what is not … not just doing because I have or can. So through the holidays, the celebration of Jesus’ being in the world and anticipation of the clean slate of a new year, I will wait and see what settles and where I can surrender fully. • How have I only half surrendered? • What will it take for me to fully surrender? • What’s holding me back? • What patterns must I break? • What is my prayer right now? Christmas has arrived early. Unannounced, in smallish ways and yet, it's really here in my heart forever. These gifts are altering my attitude about generosity, abundance and money – greatly. Oddly enough, I think this wave of Spirit began four weeks ago EXACTLY at the Alamo. The floodgates opened and anything is possible. I am proof. To backtrack a bit, I arrived at the Alamo on a chilly-for-San-Antonio morning to visit the Mission. Yes, though remembered for its bloody battle in American history and the stirrings of Texas' independence, it was first built as a Spanish Catholic Mission – a sacred spot. Many consider it hallowed ground for the violent sacrifices that occurred. I stumbled in as an official gathering was happening and was encouraged to stay. It was an invitation I'll never forget: the presentation of Segways to American veterans of Afghanistan now rendered immobile ... as in missing or non-functioning legs, mostly. At its conclusion, I found myself third in line shaking each soldier's hand, looking him/her square in the eye and saying thank you. Some hung on, most thanked me and a few found the direct contact unsettling. I was just the vessel: a peace-loving, anti-war, gun-shy Quaker thanking soldiers. That experience has opened me. Forever, I hope. To new encounters, new leadings, new openings, new friends, new understanding, new compassion. Is this the New Kingdom of which Jesus speaks? I want to hope that it is, Heaven on Earth. Early Quakers believed it was in the here and now. So odd for me to use that language. I'm typically more inclusive, yet it is what's on my heart. Thursday, I went to an interview with a wonderful BIG arts organization to see if my at-risk kids' arts exploration, Artsy Fartsy , was a match. Normally, I would have over-prepped and stressed. I wasn't nervous. I did my homework the day before (because that's all the time I had) and waltzed in joyful to find the interviewer easy. It was just a conversation. One in which I was affirmed in this work and encouraged to apply for a grant next month. I even expressed my philosophy that this project is about depth, not breadth and he agreed that was the right path. Wow, I'm still pinching myself. I may get some new programming funded. Of course, I am still battling the idea that I can't yet fund myself ... but I am learning to trust that will come, just as everything else has aligned. Today, I felt compelled to return a long overdue call ... I am almost ashamed to admit it took me so long because it was a reminder that something awaited me. Just before that life-altering trip to San Antonio, someone I respect from our days together mending the local racial divide said she had a bunch of stuff left over from the local Obama headquarters for Artsy Fartsy (AF) if I wanted it. "Yes," I said sight unseen. Well out of sight and mind, I had forgotten until her gentle reminder call. So, today, I toddled on over the hill to her wonderful home and came back loaded with six boxes of binder clips, paper clips, pens, markers, highlighters, flashlights, hand warmers, hand sanitizer, paper towels, napkins, plastic cups, paper plates, sticky tack, tacks, clipboards, paint sponges, post-its, staplers, staples, staple-removers, giant flip charts, balloons and reams of printer paper. Unpacking it all was better than Christmas morning. All the ideas of how AF can use these flowed through my head. Can't you just imagine using twine and binder clips to hang a show of the kids' work? Let them create shadows with the flashlights ... maybe give them a ghost tour of Milford Main? Load them with school supplies when they run low or can't afford them? Make them feel important writing on clip boards? And then I came across a plain, unmarked box. I gingerly lifted the lid to discover a stash of manilla file folders. Exactly what I had needed to get all of my forms, lesson plans, agendas, meeting notes and locker assignments organized. I'd been too busy and, perhaps, too cheap to purchase a box. God really had taken care of my needs! The room, especially the car, looked like Staples had exploded. I am so thrilled that one AF kid's family for whom I am collecting to purchase a computer, printer and, hopefully, internet, has an almost-eternal supply of paper!!! Christmas has come early and I hope its spirit stays forever ... in my heart and being. • What happens when I let Spirit in? • How does it alter my thinking? • My way of being in the world? • How am I opened? • How do I express that opening? * I wrote this Friday, turning off the radio when I heard there was going to be bad news and not yet knowing what it was. I was better able to handle it Saturday and Sunday, with my faith community. I was wired in Meeting for Worship Sunday from the wonderfully wild drumming of the day before with my Artsy Fartsy kids. I tried to settle in, but it just wasn't happening. I was fully attentive to the minister's message on giving. She and I had had a conversation a few days earlier on the subject. I mentioned I was tired of an idea I had that kept meeting with conditions and restrictions. So I decided to sit with it awhile. My choice. I couldn't handle it Sunday, especially after her message. I fought it, pushed it out of my head and heart. Re-focused, yet it kept returning, making my heart churn faster and faster. In the Quaker tradition that usually means you have a vocal message you're meant to share in worship. So, up I stood. Struggling, even telling other worshippers I didn't want to do this. I talked about Dorrian's family of seven. Mom, dad and five kids ages four to 6th grade. They live in a teeny house between a church and my best friend, just down the block from me. The kids are always outside playing ... no room inside, it seems. Lately, I've been seeing Dorrian and his younger brother on bikes all over the neighborhood probably getting off on their own. Often dad's with the younger ones. He's the caregiver. I'd never seen mom until last Thursday, when I made a personal visit to ensure Dorrian got to Artsy Fartsy Saturday. There was a mix up last month and he'd forgotten. Mom opened the door and warmly welcomed me inside. She hugged me and thanked me for taking an interest in her oldest. "He forgot and went off to play last month," she confessed. "When he got back, he cried because he'd missed it. You know he has such beautiful writing, this will be so good for him. So does my son Dalton." Dalton pretends to be mad at me when I see him with Dorrian. It's because he's too young for Artsy Fartsy and keeps trying to charm his way in. I tell him he has to wait, but each smile he flashes chips away at my resolve. Then mom pointed to another son, playing games and confided that he's on an IEP (individualized-education plan) at school for learning disabilities. She's battled leukemia for 13 years and through all the pregnancies. The only one she struggled with was his. I think she blames the chemo. She whispered so as not to get his attention. Then she looked me square in the eye, though her tone was conversational and casual, and said "we really need a computer. It would make such a difference for him." I immediately recognized this as God speaking to me through this woman. Getting this family a computer has been on my heart two years. It gained momentum when I reconnected through Dorrian, a great kid with loads of potential. I'd recommended this family to my Quaker Meeting as needing financial help this Christmas, though I really wanted to get them a computer. Over the years, when I have vocalized this concern, I am often kindly reminded that refurbished or used computers are easy to find. My hearts silently screams: "But why can't they have new, like everybody else? Why does this family with very little and only what the mother's assistance check can supply, have to get castoffs? All weekend, I plotted in my head what I wanted for them: a new iMac, two years of internet (because, frankly, what's the use of a computer these days without it?), printer, cache of ink and technical assistance. About three grand, I figured. I didn't share my financial noodling with my Meeting when I spoke. I wasn't asking for anything, just releasing what had a tight grip on me and requesting prayer. Unlike anything I have ever experienced in Quaker worship before, someone tossed cash in the collection plate and it made the rounds, landing at me. I could barely bring myself to touch the wooden bowl overflowing with money ... let alone count it. Someone else did and, in a matter of minutes, about 20-some people donated $500. Noting short of amazing. Yesterday, a neighbor brought me a $100 Best Buy gift card. There's a printer, I thought. Just as I wanted others to release their idea of used goods for this family, I am releasing mine of the perfect scenario. I have a feeling I will know when the collecting is finished (I'm not putting a Christmas deadline on it) and am confident there will be enough to purchase whatever this family is supposed to have. Spirit is moving and I best get myself out of the way! • When has Spirit pushed me to speak or act? • What happened when I resisted? • How was the result better than I ever could have imagined? • What have I learned as a result? The second Thursday, late afternoon, of every month is reserved. Without question. Not even marked on my calendar. That's when I dutifully pull out my log of Artsy Fartsy kids' names and phone numbers and begin the round of reminder calls. The first time, I was a bit nervous. I hadn't yet met many of these parents. What if they have no idea what I am calling about? What if they hang up on me? Yell at me? Don't answer? Get a grip, I told myself then. You were, afterall, a reporter and called strangers ALL of the time. Not just strangers, but important, intimidating people and you always more than ambled through those calls. You often had friendly conversations. Remember when your husband overheard once and asked how long you'd known the person on the other end? A half hour, you replied. Instant phone rapport: one of your gifts. Why should this be any different? Because this matters more; this isn't a job, it's a calling. So get CALLING! That's pretty much how it began. It never hurts that I start in the order in which the kids came to Artsy Fartsy. Always, Layla and Justice, sisters, first. I remember the drive up the hill from my house, into the Oakbrook parking lot. How I pulled out the beautifully printed yard signs announcing this new program and art-filled afternoon of registration. Layla was right there, reading the sign, bobbing up and down with excitement. "When? When? When?" she asked. She, her dad, and sister, were the FIRST in line (as if there were a line, more of a slow trickle throughout the afternoon), Right on the dot at one o'clock. So I start with Brandon first. I consistently catch him live on the phone. "Oh, yes, they will be there!" He's one caring dad, ensuring his girls make the most of their opportunities. He never fails to thank me for the program. Even wished out loud that he could volunteer to drive, but, at the time, his car wasn't running and he couldn't afford to get it fixed. This week, I didn't catch Marilyn, Emijah's grandmother. We had quite a talk, getting acquainted over two of her granddaughters on that August registration afternoon. She's called me just to chat and I've bumped into her at Kroger's. Or Anjela's mom. A recording said the phone was no longer in use. This has happened before when parents can not afford the minutes. So, I asked another mom to check for me, though I may have to see for myself. A few hours after I made my calls, this time disappointed to reach mostly voice mail, I answer my vibrating phone, unable to quickly recollect the familiar voice. "Did you call this number? she asks. "Oh, I made a bunch of calls for Artsy Fartsy a few hours ago and I'm sure I called you. "Oh, Miss Cathy, is that you?" "Yes, Nia, just reminding you about Saturday. You know your daughter was sassy this last time. I mean sassy as in fun. She's not so shy anymore." "Yeah, it takes her awhile to open up. And, yes, she knows it's this week." I understand it's hard for the kids that it's once a month. It can seem like an eternity, even to me. That's one reason, midway through, I write them each a personal postcard. Parents usually mention on the reminder calls that the sons and daughters loved getting the mail. I feel it's a good way of nurturing the child by remarking on the exceptional project they completed last time, the way they helped another child or how much I enjoy their energy. When I have made similar comments to the parents about their child, I see that it buoys them as well. This chore has really become prayerful and so filling for me. Plus, it builds the anticipation in my heart as I look forward to seeing these amazing creatures in two days. Sometimes I can hardly stand it ... waiting. Fortunately, there are a myriad of tasks to complete before they bounce off the van, up the stairs and into Artsy Fartsy every second Saturday afternoon. But, always, two days before, the date – Thursday, late afternoon – is permanently etched on my heart's calendar. • When has an ordinary task taken on a prayerful dimension? • How have I witnessed that transformation? • How does that influence other areas of my life? • How do I own it? • How does it connect me more deeply to others and also Spirit? Last week, I wrote about serendipitously meeting Rebecca at Whole Foods. Today, I believe that wave of Spirit put me in the path of Amanda and Scott, again, two strangers I encountered while having tea. I'd taken my younger daughter to Starbucks enroute to picking up her sister from band practice. I had to be fair, not necessarily by my accounting, since I'd schlepped the older one out earlier in the week for refreshment. Hadn't but just sat down, when, the man sitting across from me noticed my keycard was the same as his wife's. He wondered if we worked at the same place. No, we just had the same brand of key cards. The conversation got deep very fast as I learned they have 5 sons, one of whom died in his mother's arms, was revived and, later, survived a heart surgery. There were two miscarriages. Amanda, who was also present,though more quietly so, was a stay-at-home mom until Scott found himself out of work. Their roles are reversed. They used to live close to me in Milford, but moved six years ago when busing was cut and they could no longer afford it here. Once again, death entered the equation. But so did religion, spirituality and faith. We talked about so much distraction in the world when I mentioned I was Quaker and, for the most part, we wait in silence listening for God. That captivated Scott. He is an informal student of religion and open to new ideas. Scott and Amanda actually met at church. He spotted her all in black, beautifully playing the trumpet, when they were both pretty young. It was a very even exchange of listening and being listened to: a rare gift, especially in the care of complete strangers. But then, were they – really? Scott didn't think so. Upon parting, which we were disinclined to do, he said he had felt not only blessed by the encounter, but certain we were supposed to meet. "Usually, we just get our coffee and go," he said. "But something told me to comment on your keycard; not what I'd normally do." They both looked me back straight in the eye, which I liked. I think you get soul-to-soul that way. In the same manner I'd get naked-to-naked, skin-to-skin with my kids when they were babies. It's a way I like to connect and the manner in which I recently greeted wounded American soldiers back from Afghanistan. Mostly amputees and those with limited mobility that I think rarely get seen as whole. (link) Looking someone square in the eyes helps me witness their essence, their wholeness. Scott's eyes told me more than his words. At some point in the conversation, I mentioned how wise they seemed for their ages, mid 30s. That blew Scott away. "Just today, I was praying for wisdom and right here, right now, you just gave me my answer." How often do we experience this? Perhaps more than we recognize. Well, they had to be on their way and we soon had to be on ours. We vowed to meet again at Starbucks because we just knew we would. They left ahead of us and as I was packing up, I used the last $10 in my wallet to buy a gift card for them next time they visited. A random act of kindness? A thank you for such instantly deep community? A desire to see them again? Who knows? Only Spirit. • When have I felt on a wave of Spirit? • What was it like? • What were my experiences? • Who or what came into my path? *homage to my favorite book, the last line, from Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" She's still out there, somewhere, on her own, tending to her mother's death, trying to find like-minded community for the few weeks she's visiting. She's still tugging at my heart though. I met Rebecca earlier this week as I was writing the last post, as a matter of fact. My oldest had been off sick and I gathered her up mid afternoon and took her for tea and a homework session at Whole Foods. I had some supplements to purchase and a blog to write. I like the energy in the communal cafe. Funny thing is I was writing about feeling disconnected from meaningful community as I overheard a conversation happening next to me. One sided, clearly a woman was finalizing insurance and cremation details after her mother's death. She was so matter of fact and clear. Unlike someone lost or stumbling. Nevertheless, I felt compelled to say something. "Not that I was really eavesdropping, but I happened to hear that your mother just died. I am sorry," fell from my lips almost before I could really think too much and shut off my heart. Unsure as to what the response would be, I braced myself a bit. The brown eyes penetrated mine and she said something like "Thank you. Yes, she did and I'm the only one left and have to handle everything." All else melted away and we merged into a very engaging connection that covered diverse topics from her reiki work to my fibromyalgia, her home in Hawaii and schooling at SCPA*, my amazing shaman and how she's been her mother's therapist since she was two and that this death, welcomed by her mother, was, somehow, freeing, for Rebecca. She admitted that she doesn't connect easily and was struggling to find some deep community in Cincinnati while she's here for three weeks. As we parted, she thanked me for reaching out. I went back to my daughter and blogging, but I wasn't finished with her. As she was packing up, I stopped her and hastily jotted down my phone number. I selfishly prefaced it, handing it to her with "I'm not always so available with kids and all, but if you'd need to call me or need someone here's my number." I'm not very proud that I didn't do this right off and that I had to set some boundary. That may be experience speaking. I have the kind of face that complete strangers spill their life story to, entangling me in something before I even realize. She had mentioned that she didn't have a car and if I was going to see the shaman, maybe I could give her a ride. I knew I wasn't while she was in town, so I didn't offer. Besides, how inconvenient would it be to drive from Milford to Hyde Park to take her to Goshen and then get her back -- all when I didn't even have a shamanic session scheduled? How utterly selfish. I am kicking myself a bit and secretly hoping she'll call. She's not like that, I believe now. And I also understand that I did act on some spiritual leading and now I have to let the rest go. I did give her an opening; albeit a narrow one, but an opening nonetheless. • When have I unexpectedly encountered a stranger? • How did I open myself? • Did I fully trust Spirit's leading? • How do I let go of my response and not judge it? • What has a Rebecca-like experience tapped in me? After experiencing the intensity of a gathering of caricature artists secondhand during my husband's recent convention, I returned home a little deflated. Jealous even. Missing something. Not feeling connected. To the point of posting so on Facebook. The first response came from a young adult, whose wisdom I have learned to trust. Remember "awesome Quakerness," she responded. Oh, yeah, my Quaker Meeting, the one I have attended regularly for 14 years, served on numerous committees, loved and been annoyed with, but mostly loved. The place I feel accepted for who I am, but, sometimes, also unseen. The one I've disengaged from a bit to go out into the real world and complete the work to which God calls. That one. So I journeyed there Sunday with those thoughts in my head and heart. I wanted someone to reach out to me. Little did I know it would start with my 15-year-old being tempted to worship with a bookstore trip after. As I headed into worship, I left her and my younger daughter behind to debate whether to attend First Day School or hang, silently, with the adults. The younger went one way and the older, another. When she brushed up against me on the pew, my being fluttered. It took me Somewhere Else. To the first time I held her hand, we pushed through the glass-and-wood doors and took our seats on the satiny benches polished by 50 years of phantom fannies. She was a toddler and I, a young(er) mother seeking relief from the pain of an auto accident. When my favorite song, the Shaker "Simple Gifts," lulled out of the piano, I knew I was home. Before any worship had officially begun. How many stories had I heard of people seeking the right faith community for, well, years? I merely went where my mother and daughter told me to. My mom had known I was struggling and searching and encouraged me to try the Quakers. "I think you'll like the simplicity," she said. Didn't hurt that my favorite Methodist pastor from childhood was the interim. Shortly before that, one morning my daughter greeted me, unprompted, with "Mommy, I know Jesus." Yes you do, I thought, and it's time to find a spiritual home. That home has been Cincinnati Friends Meeting, through thick and thin. Sunday, the minister's message focused on getting young Quakers back to meeting. Like Autumn and baby Carter, who came with his dad (the first person to ever give Autumn, gum and I reminded him) and mom, granddad, who grew up in the meeting, and great-grandparents. They have been rocks of this meeting. In fact, Papa Paul was the first to speak to me that initial visit with Autumn. We bonded over his Cincinnati Mortuary School shirt because I had worked in the funeral industry. After a few months, back when Autumn and I first attended and when a permanent minister was hired, Quakers asked if I would leave as well. No way, I invariably answered because I remembered Paul and his kindness to a stranger. He reminisced about how he'd get down on the playroom floor with both of my girls, just like he now does with Carter. It all was a warm reminder that I do, indeed, have more than pockets of community. • Where do I experience community? • How do I experience it? • What's my role in building that community? • When it seems lacking, how do I fill that need? • How has Spirit filled it for me? It was a smaller affair, which may have sharpened the lens of perspective. So often, we tumbled out of the house, food in hand, kids in tow and arrived a few minutes late for Thanksgiving at my parents'. This year, we were ahead of schedule with the exception of my husband driving back a half hour later to pick up our 15-year-old after her outfit was out of the dryer. Mine were the only children: my nieces grown up and onto their own lives, my out-of-town sister making the trip at Christmas. And yet, my mother had polished the silver, laid out the family china, cooked a turkey, made two kinds of dressing (one gluten free just for me), boiled the potatoes and arranged appetizers ... all the while on oxygen. She struggled with the long, green snake trailing her for 50 feet as she flowed between the dining room and kitchen. She was most concerned someone else would trip. Just last week, as I was out of town on a trip planned for months, she, my father and twin sister traipsed to the Cleveland Clinic to get more definitive answers on what, specifically, could be done for her two weakened heart valves. Essentially, she was told they'd have to get her lung pressure down before they could do anything invasive, hence the full-time oxygen. I remember when she came home from a long hospital stay this summer and talked her primary-care doc out of the full-time air. He made her take a healthy walk without and agreed she could cut the day-time cord. I also remember her, two days home, green snake in hand, riding her stationery bicycle: I want to get in as good a shape as I can, she said at the time. She was sick of having been in a hospital bed for 10 days. Wednesday evening as my mother and I were making last-minute food decisions, we talked about her cardiologist appointment earlier in the day. She said that doc calculated she'd be having her heart surgery in a few months. How's that? I asked because it didn't seem to square with what she heard in Cleveland. Oh, she said, we misinterpreted the surgery risk. What we'd thought was risk of survival, which looked pretty low, was risk of failure! When I discussed this yesterday with my sister, she had not misunderstood the risk as we had, but it wasn't good enough yet for Cleveland. If anybody can beat those odds I know it's my mom. She never ceases to amaze me with her positive attitude, hard-work ethic, sense of humor and deep faith that she is where God wants her. We've had some pretty amazing talks about death lately, a subject that I welcome because it is so little spoken about. Hasn't hurt that I worked in the funeral industry a few years. Turns out neither of us, my mother or me, is afraid of what comes after life. It occurs to me that we have been heavily influenced by my mom's baby sister who died of breast cancer, but with such a rare and glowing grace that you could palpably feel God's touch. You just knew she wasn't alone. That comforts me as I know my mom's time is limited here, as it is for all of us. • Who have been my examples of faith? • What lessons have those encounters imparted? • What are my feelings about death? • In general? For someone I love? For myself? • How can I witness God's presence even in death? I have a broken body though you can't see it. I hide it pretty well. Unfortunately, years of chronic pain have twisted my mind toward the negative. I am working on reversing that trend and I see rays of hope. This invisible cloak, however, isn't always so easy to wear. Take, for example, the time I was desperate and visited a new physician begging for help. "Well, you don't look sick," he said. I told him looks could be deceiving. But then, last week, I witnessed my predicament in reverse. Overtly wounded veterans looking tall as they strode in – braces, canes and prosthetics in place – on Segways in a ceremony giving them the gift of mobility in return for their courage and loss. It all transpired at the Alamo. It broke my heart. Broke. At the conclusion, we were invited to meet these veterans of Afghanistan. Staring into their young faces startled me. My instinct was to grab their hands and hold on for dear life, theirs and mine. I detected anguish and uncertainty in those brave eyes. I think they were soldier expressions for the most part. And not used to being looked at so directly since the loss of wholeness. But the touch, that was revealing. Some was tentative, but some was fierce, accompanied by a constant round of thank you Mams after I thanked them. I felt they were reaching for connection in this new state. Perhaps thanking me for noticing they were still human, if bionicly so. No complaints, no whining, simply a demeanor of acceptance and a preparedness for what comes next. What a lesson for me! I have never experienced being seen as unwhole in the way I suspect these injured soldiers have. Stilled awed, I stumbled away, caught off guard by a city ambassador with whom I struck up a conversation. I related what I had just witnessed at the Alamo. He was riveted and mentioned a fellow guide was struggling from the ravages of war silently, mentally and alone. He was angry at how this invisible wound is not recognized. We talked a bit more and he said a WWII veteran told him once, "There are no atheists in the fox holes." I believe that means we're not alone, ever ... in the good stuff or the bad. It's mostly that we don't notice during the hopeful times. All of this brokeness can be overwhelming until I am reminded of healing and that mending often makes the wound stronger. Knitting together injured parts creates a new bond, one that had not previously existed and one tougher than the original. It's that liminal place where two or three come together to create a newness. The wounded, Spirit and healing. Our brokenness makes us stronger, if only we could recognize and acknowledge that in each other, then thank God. • In what ways have I been broken? • How have I experienced that in others? • How do I respond to brokenness? • What has it taught me? • Where do I see God in the brokenness?
2019-04-23T14:40:06Z
http://salonforthesoul.blogspot.com/2012/
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Companies of all sizes rely on Equilar for their most important boardroom decisions, including 70% of the Fortune 500 and institutional investors representing over $13 trillion in assets. Equilar partnered with Menlo Technologies for development and QA services around a Java/Oracle/PostGres stack. Menlo Technologies coordinated with the Equilar management team to spearhead a DevOps approach for development, QA, and deployment to solve the problems that were continuing to grow-- and cost Equilar real dollars and time." Renesas Electronics America (REA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation. The Japan-based semiconductor manufacturer is the world’s largest manufacturer of microcontrollers and the second largest manufacturer of application processors. REA had an on-premises, legacy integration system that required a tedious manual process of custom coding by an on-site expert which was costly and unnecessarily complicated. 27 racks of servers had accumulated through years of mergers and acquisitions, and the Director of IT chose to move to the cloud rather than continuing to manage a data center. Read about the cloud integration success story here. "How does that website make you feel?" Since Menlo Technologies provides User Design Services, we decided to drill down into the psychology of UX design, and turned to Dr. Susan Weinschenk. She has been applying psychology to the design of technology for 30 years and is the author of several books on the topic, including 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People, which combines real science and research with practical examples. Read our Q&A with UX expert Susan Weinschenk on THE PSYCHOLOGY OF USER DESIGN. As the approach to software development evolves, the industry as a whole and the technical leaders and engineers in the industry constantly look for areas that could benefit from continuous improvement. How do we get solutions to customers faster? Make changes quicker? Reduce the risk of regression defects during a release? Isolate performance issues? By designing software apps as a suite of independent deployable services that can scale and grow as needed. Azure Cosmos DB is Microsoft’s globally distributed, horizontally partitioned, multi-model database service, and is the result of a seven-year project to create a database designed for global reach and customer accountability. "The app is amazing—best in class—and we are just about to launch." Menlo Technologies built a cloud-based application for iOS, Android, and the web. The solution includes AI technology and functionalities for document acquisition and retention. The team immediately grasped the unique set of requirements and market conditions. The app's high-quality technology and performance reflect the team's invaluable insight. At this time, the product is ready to launch. A corporate attorney, I also founded a startup to automate private investment fund subscriptions. For what projects/services did your company hire Menlo Technologies? Menlo Technologies needed to develop a web and mobile application from scratch. I wanted the company to become a market leader. I asked around Silicon Valley’s venture capital network. After identifying Menlo Technologies, I vetted the company, checked references, and reviewed their past work. First, we discussed our goals and opportunity in the market. Menlo Technologies then developed the cloud-based app from scratch for iOS, Android, and web. Features include AI, a custom-built e-signature functionality, and document acquisition and retention. The team includes 10–15 between two continents. The team got it right from day one. Their effort to understand our business and the unmet need in the market did not go unnoticed, rather it distinguished Menlo Technologies from the competition. Development was smooth and timely, especially given the solution’s complexity. The app is amazing—best in class—and we are just about to launch. Menlo Technologies communicates effectively across a wide variety of platforms. They understood our needs in a way no other vendor did. Consequently, the team was able to point us toward the best technological solutions. "They do what needs to be done, do it well, and do it fast." Fixing a past vendor’s work, Menlo Technologies rewrote an iOS and Android app in the React Native environment. New features will include video and AR. The updated app has been well-received. The team corrected bugs quickly and responded equally as promptly to other concerns. Menlo Technologies' efficiency, expertise, and patience justify the investment and make them a valuable partner. I'm the head of product for Kudos&Co. We create a safety-first social media community, primarily for kids under 13. What challenge were you trying to address with Menlo Technologies? We needed to rewrite an existing mobile application because we’d originally written it on a cross-platform development environment that was no longer working. We spent several months talking with the team at Menlo Technologies to figure out which of their options made the most sense for us. We decided to redo the entire app in the React Native environment, so they’re providing us with two React Native developers. One developer specializes in iOS and the other on Android. They duplicated the existing functionality and design by using the original app as a template. We had design meetings with Menlo Technologies to discuss how to adapt the UI for new features. They’ve added a feature to the app to support video. They're working on adding a Paint feature with filters and stickers. They also plan to add augmented reality masks. My primary contact is their VP and head of technology. We’ve contracted with two React Native developers. How did you come to work with Menlo Technologies? We were introduced to Menlo Technologies by one of our advisors, who had an existing relationship with their owner. We've budgeted for an annual contract of $240,000. The project began in April 2018 and they’re providing ongoing development work. As a startup, we have a very small development capacity. They helped us get our new product out quickly. The app is very popular with its user market. The kids who use it, love it. How did Menlo Technologies perform from a project management standpoint? I'm managing the project. I want the developers to be part of our team even though they’re based in Uruguay. They participate in our daily stand-up meeting. They’re members of our Slack groups, and we use Jira as an administrative tool. If we need a longer meeting, we use Zoom for video calls. They also came to our California office for a couple of weeks. They’re amazing at addressing problems and making fixes. If I send them a bug list, the bugs are gone by the next day. The team is patient and efficient. They’re extremely committed and capable. They put a lot of time, energy, and passion into their work, which makes them good team members. They're fun to work with because they have a good sense of humor and no drama. They do what needs to be done, do it well, and do it fast. They're awesome. Trust the advice you get from their management. They're a well-managed, professional organization with a lot of expert assets they can provide. They're willing to spend a lot of time upfront to help you find the right solution that’s a good match with their resources. Overall Score Working with them has been an extraordinary experience. They’re always right on schedule. They provide high-end developers for a reasonable cost. They’re knowledgeable in terms of code and bugs. "They greet any possibility, thought, or idea with curiosity." Menlo Technologies has built several patient- and practitioner-facing healthcare applications to educate users about treatment. Despite a few setbacks, Menlo Technologies has continually delivered on time. The team approaches issues proactively, creatively, and thoughtfully. Their orderly workflows and enthusiastic attitude ensure speedy turnarounds. IHTC is a nonprofit bleeding disorder clinic in Indianapolis, IN. I am the Payer Relations Manager. I work on insurance issues and special projects. Menlo developed our first app. We built an app that provided information to internal and external physicians about care management of bleeding disorders. The scope of the project has expanded to include patient-facing applications. We searched online for app developers across the country, comparing companies' capabilities to our needs. Menlo Technologies stood out as the interactive partner we wanted. We discussed their performance with a current client and received positive feedback. We discussed the scope of work with Menlo and agreed to terms. After they introduced us to the project team, we began work. We've been working just a few months. We have had the same project lead throughout the entire project. Their developers and other team members stay in the background, but are available for consultation if needed. Even though we've thrown a few curveballs at Menlo Technologies, they've kept the project comfortably on schedule. Its launch only awaits a few minor details on our end. They address issues and provide solutions promptly. Weekly meetings are helpful in keeping our workflow and communication open. Our project manager and her team view all problems as opportunities. They establish an effective, efficient workflow. Their project management is impressive! The word "no" isn't in their DNA. They greet any possibility, thought, or idea with curiosity. Menlo took over the development of a mobile app started by another vendor and enhanced overall functionality. They continue to provide support. Menlo’s quality deliverables demonstrate a deep understanding of business goals. The team was able to overcome onboarding issues, working after business hours to hit deadlines. Our core product is a mobile app that serves as a "kayak" for ground transportation and food delivery services. We aggregate ride and restaurant options from popular apps to deliver convenience, comparison shopping, and coordination capabilities. We didn't have in-house engineers, so we chose to outsource app development and support. We used various metrics, including company portfolio, client list, team size, economics, digital content quality, and references. Menlo took over the project after we’d developed our minimum viable product. They were tasked with onboarding additional suppliers, updating the UX based on feedback, and maintaining the platform. Menlo did a full-stack mobile app development using the following technologies: React Native, HTML, CSS, Ruby on Rails, PostgreSQL, Amazon Web Services, Docker, Kubernetes, and RabbitMQ. We worked with a relationship manager and their part-time CTO. The project also involved a project manager and two offshore developers. Menlo’s execution was excellent and followed the project scope. During the development phase, the team was willing to work long hours to help us meet our milestones. It took a little time for both teams to adjust, but the workflow soon became quite smooth. We are impressed with their CEO. Our project required a lot of knowledge transfer from another vendor. Menlo could have placed some additional controls around that process, allowing their dev team to be more effective sooner. Using provided guidelines and specifications, Menlo Technologies developed an internal mobile app for tracking sample drives. Key components included bar code scanning and data integration. Although key functionalities are not yet employed, the app has drastically improved the reporting and tracking of sample drives. The team from Menlo was attentive and responsive, and their support adequately compensated for the differences in time zones. Toshiba Memory America, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Toshiba Memory Corporation, a leading worldwide supplier of flash memory and solid state drives (SSDs). I am the Assistant General Manager of the SSD Business Unit (BU). We hired them to develop a mobile application for tracking sample drives. The goal was to develop an internal application with secure login that could integrate dispositional information from various databases. The product had to be capable of capturing drive information accurately and efficiently each time the disposition status changes. We needed to be able to search drives using bar code scanning or a keyword search, and we wanted the app to facilitate complete physical inventories as required. I had worked with Dave Hickman (VP of Menlo) at my previous company. I invited him to participate in our vendor selection and they provided a cost-competitive solution with a solid understanding of what we wanted. I provided thorough guidelines and documentation for the app's scope and specifications, including its key functionalities and technical requirements. Menlo provided solutions for each of my requests. I was the primary project manager with a few contributors from my BU to define specs. Several additional IT personnel were also involved. Menlo had one project lead in the U.S. and a offshore development team in India. Their team was self-assembled and provided sufficient support. The application has been developed but due to internal issues, the functionalities have not yet been fully utilized. However, the reporting functions were improved and we are able to more easily track sample drives. Each member of Menlo's team was very attentive, providing timely responses and solid support. They are a good team and were enthusiastic about being part of the project's success. Although the differences in time zones were a bit challenging, Menlo delivered the utmost care to minimize the inconvenience. "The productive discussions we've had with Menlo Technologies have made our specs better and ultimately improved the software." Menlo Technologies has been a long-time IT resource for the company and has worked on software development and ongoing support projects. The client is very pleased with the successful, cost-effective work produced by Menlo Technologies. Their ability to comply with aggressive deadlines and complex projects has led the client to continue the engagement. We're the 4th largest US translation agency offering localization services. I am the senior manager of globalization technology strategies. I am responsible for deployments to enterprise clients of any software or customizations relating translations. We had a customer who was looking for us to develop a Java-based cloud application for their resellers. It needed to aggregate a number of terms which needed translation, allowing users to vote on translations. Depending on the reliability of the translator, the reseller would make the decision of finalizing the term. Menlo Technologies developed our software using Java, with a MySQL database customized to our specs. LDAP was used for user management. We had a previous relationship with Menlo Technologies' chief executive officer, who used to work for our company. Menlo Technologies was a natural fit. They had a very strong development arm and good knowledge of the software they’d be working with. How much have you invested with Menlo Technologies? The cost of our initial deployment was between $40,000 and $45,000. We have been building enhancements to it, amounting to around $20,000 per year, for each subsequent year. This includes support and maintenance. We have customers who need specific reports and enhancements. Our work with Menlo Technologies began 6 years ago. The first iteration was released at that time, and it's still being used by enterprise clients. Menlo Technologies is continuing to support the software and make enhancements to it. Our internal metrics were test cases which the software needed to pass. There is no such thing as having no bugs at all, but all the critical issues which we needed to fix in order to roll out were taken care of in a timely fashion. A part of the reason for getting additional translation business is that our software is strong and reliable. It increased our standing with customers relative to competitors. Menlo Technologies always met deliverable deadlines, even working over the weekend for this purpose. We had weekly report meetings, and if Menlo Technologies identified something as being a risk, they called it out immediately. What did you find most impressive about Menlo Technologies? Menlo Technologies is very good at participating in spec designs with us. It's one thing to work with someone who takes specifications and develops code, but with Menlo Technologies, we have a trusted consultant which we can use in order to find more efficient approaches for our projects. The productive discussions we've had with Menlo Technologies have made our specs better and ultimately improved the software. Are there any areas Menlo Technologies could improve? No. Menlo Technologies has even assigned a vice president of delivery for our company, so we always had an escalation path. Overall Score We've recently used Menlo Technologies on a project for an enterprise client. They managed to pull off a piece of software within an extremely aggressive schedule. One of the reasons for continuing to work with Menlo Technologies is that they've been cost-effective, and continue to do so. I wouldn't rate anyone a perfect 5. I've recommended Menlo Technologies to other companies. "We've been pleased with Menlo Technologies' process of assigning a lead project manager with a strong technical and management background..." Menlo Technologies has been involved in various development projects for the client, including iOS and Android application development. The client appreciates Menlo Technologies' ability to perform well under difficult deadlines. The results have been largely successful and the client highly recommends them to others. We provide technology solutions to organizations, primarily within the thoroughbred industry. I am the president of the organization. We needed to supplement development resources. We have our own staff and wanted to extend it. Menlo Technologies has assisted us with some development projects, primarily for iOS and Android apps. Menlo Technologies has provided additional development resources, and didn't have an architectural involvement. Menlo Technologies has also performed some platform data services work for our company, as an extension of our existing system. We found Menlo Technologies through a referral from an organization which had previously used them, and had had good success. We started working with Menlo Technologies more than 2 years ago, and have an ongoing relationship. We've been pleased with Menlo Technologies' process of assigning a lead project manager with a strong technical and management background as our primary point of call. We are able to distribute the work, and we're pleased with the results. We use collaboration tools, and Menlo Technologies has been good at keeping updates. There have been some projects with tough timelines, but Menlo Technologies went above and beyond for them. We've overcome the time difference between our organizations, so I've been very pleased. I like the management attention that Menlo Technologies has offered us, not just through their project manager, but also at an executive management level. Whenever anything derailed, Menlo Technologies was quick to get it back on track, keeping an eye on the work both onshore and offshore. I've been working in IT for over 30 years and found that it's not realistic to expect things to come back perfect the first time. Menlo Technologies has done a fairly good job and the quality provided is usually good. Overall Score Other than a couple of bumps, I have no complaints. We've had some projects run over, but Menlo Technologies stuck to estimates. Menlo Technologies assisted the client in the development of their platform, including frontend and backend development for an iOS application. The delivered application is working amazingly, according to the client. Menlo has met deadlines and has been offered a personalized approach to the client's project. We are a mobile recommendations service similar to Yelp. I am the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the company. Menlo Technologies helped our company build the frontend and backend of our iOS app. We have a team of UI [User Inteface] designers who provided Menlo Technologies with screenshots for every component and asset needed within our app. Menlo Technologies' team converts those into the correct sizes, creates navigation bars, buttons, and all other frontend elements. Menlo Technologies, together with our team, also handled all backend server-side elements of the software. We interviewed 25 different agencies across the country. Menlo Technologies had the best qualifications for the tech stack that we were using, namely Node.js, Swift and a MongoDB database. We started working with Menlo Technologies in mid-July 2016, and are currently working on the Android version of our app. We're currently beta-testing the iOS version of our app, and it works amazingly. Menlo Technologies has a QA team which takes care of any bug or quality problem, working alongside our team. Everything has worked well, and Menlo Technologies will usually fix any bug within 24 hours free of charge, as per our contract. We have bi-weekly check-ins on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Menlo Technologies gave us real-time feedback on how things are going, and what can or can't be done. They are always within hours of their estimates, and meet deadlines on 95% of cases. We have a slack channel, and also use Basecamp and Jira, which is an amazing tool. What distinguishes Menlo Technologies from other providers? Menlo Technologies offered very personalized attention to us. Their vice president of delivery is one of our contacts, and takes part in all of our check-in calls. We've spoken with Menlo Technologies' CEO on a couple of occasions, and their general manager has also been present during communications. Our project manager from Menlo Technologies went to college in the US, and has a fantastic English level. He also used to work for AOL, and has a background in consumer technology. Is there anything Menlo Technologies could have improved or done differently? Any improvements are 2-sided, and we should also be more upfront in asking for features. Overall Score It's been great working with our local team, and having Menlo Technologies as an extension. Menlo Technologies has been great at estimating costs. "Since we've been working with Menlo Technologies for a long time, the inherent knowledge they have with our systems has helped a lot. " Menlo Technologies has provided technical resources for various projects with the client throughout their long, ongoing engagement. The client is very pleased with the work delivered by Menlo Technologies, specifically in regards to their code review and training services. Although Menlo could provide feedback and suggestions during projects, the client highly recommends them to others. Our company gathers pay compensations information and board issues for public institutions. We perform analytics and sell that information through a software-as-a-service platform. Our company has been in business for 16 years. I am the Vice President of Products and Technology. I head engineering, product management and IT for the company. We have been using Menlo Technologies for a long time, so I'm not sure what the original challenge was, but it was definitely related to further leveraging our budget on the development front. We were able to get people of equal capabilities for a lower rate than the local one. We have 4 distinct product areas, and Menlo Technologies is involved in each of them. We assign a tech lead as the manager of the engineering team, as well as a local product manager. They determine what will occur within each development cycle, as well as individual tasks, and who will be assigned to each one of them. As much as half of our team is comprised of offshore developers and QA resources. Depending on the development type, we will assign tasks to the most well-equipped technical leads. Menlo Technologies has provided technical resources across a variety of projects. At any given time, we've used up to 33 resources from Menlo Technologies. I wasn't working with the company at that time. The cost of Menlo Technologies' services is within the millions of dollars range. We have an ongoing relationship with Menlo Technologies. We've been very happy with Menlo Technologies' work, given that we've engaged them for so many years. We don't have to spend a lot of time getting them up-to-speed on certain projects because many of the developers have been working with us for a long time. Tracking performance metrics was a very subjective process when I first came onboard, so I spent a year putting together strict criteria for tracking how the work was being accomplished. Menlo Technologies has told us that we're by far their most advanced client in this regard, so much so that they've started implementing these methods with some of their other projects. We specifically keep a close eye on how many items are assigned to particular engineers, how long it takes them to finish tasks, as well as what they're quality of code is, measured in bug counts. Every once in a while, we have had to dig in deeper during code reviews, but I've been generally happy and found that Menlo Technologies is almost as critical as us during this process. We have a few methods in place to address working remotely with Menlo Technologies' team. We use a Slack channel and have a dedicated project manager on-site. Given the fact that we've worked through distinct sprint cycles, and Menlo Technologies' is given specific assignments and due dates, we tend to be okay. Since we've been working with Menlo Technologies for a long time, the inherent knowledge they have with our systems has helped a lot. If we ever need to add additional resources, Menlo Technologies can provide the training. Swapping resources at will without losing a serious amount of time is a unique advantage. Menlo Technologies tended to be a little less critical in terms of code quality than our team. Like many offshore service providers, Menlo Technologies has usually done what we specified, and nothing more, rarely questioning what is being done. I can understand this since Menlo Technologies wasn't involved in the design, but it would be nice to have pushback when something doesn't make sense. On a couple of occasions, something wasn't on-spec and wasn't caught, which was a little concerning. Tightening up those areas, and providing more resources able to think outside the box would be an improvement and aid for our team. Another company I've used actually sent one person back-and-forth between sites, getting an idea of the culture and vibe at the client's location, and transferring that offshore. This helped tighten up the teams. When I brought this up to Menlo Technologies, they were willing to do it but wanted to triple the cost for that person. They did hire a senior person for this, but he only visits us about once a month. Overall Score One of the big challenges in working with offshore teams is the gap in communication. Menlo Technologies is good in this regard. "Menlo Technologies worked with our own team, providing solutions which hadn't existed before." Menlo Technologies is the client's IT services resource and has developed various tools including a revenue forecasting application. Menlo Technologies has been able to deliver projects successfully and on time for the client. They continue to be a reliable and effective resource on IT projects. The company is a semiconductor manufacturer. I am the Senior Manager and IT department administrator for the company. I am responsible for business processes and applications. Menlo Technologies has been our go-to IT source for quite a while. Menlo Technologies has provided consultation for technical challenges in our applications area. One of the main projects on which Menlo Technologies worked was development for a revenue forecasting application for our sales team, which was presented with some decision-support information like open orders, sales forecasts, histories of sales, etc. The sales people needed to enter what they believed to be the forecast for the upcoming 15 months. The application required a .NET user interface, as well as bringing in data from various sources and normalizing it. It was intended to be used by various sales professionals across the US and Canada. Menlo Technologies was put in place by our previous IT director, so I was not involved in the selection process. We have an ongoing retainer with Menlo Technologies for support, mainly offshore. The same team also handles development on some of our projects. Menlo Technologies worked with our own team, providing solutions which hadn't existed before. Our revenue forecast application replaced work being done through manual spreadsheets, with many different rules, and in a chaotic manner. Menlo Technologies enhanced the monthly revenue forecasting process to a point of being completely reliable. The time savings have been huge, amounting to several man-months per year. We no longer need to keep our sales people occupied with data collection and consolidation. We have not had any issues with Menlo Technologies in this respect. Whenever we were presented with new staff on Menlo Technologies' team, their skills were as-advertised. This can sometimes be an issue with consulting firms, but Menlo Technologies has vetted its resources properly. We've worked together through a partnership, rather than using them as hired bodies, and I've appreciated Menlo Technologies' ability to give suggestions and offer different solutions. Base on my experience, Menlo Technologies' dedication to getting the job done has been unique. We have an offshore delivery manager working part-time with our team. He's been very effective and saved us a lot of mental energy and time by making sure that our teams are working with each other. This was problematic, given that we're on opposite sides of the Earth. We've had minimal turnover on Menlo Technologies' staff, and they always planned out transitions as to not make them my problem. We're considering acquiring some apps and cloud solutions. As with any other company, we've looked towards less building and more buying, so we've turned to quick solutions from cloud providers, and haven't interacted with Menlo Technologies on this area. I'm not sure how a transition like this would fit within our consulting model.
2019-04-19T04:42:57Z
https://clutch.co/profile/menlo-technologies
Not to be confused with the lung disease caused by asbestos, asbestosis. For other uses, see Asbestos (disambiguation). Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals, which all have in common their asbestiform habit: i.e., long (roughly 1:20 aspect ratio), thin fibrous crystals, with each visible fiber composed of millions of microscopic "fibrils" that can be released by abrasion and other processes. The minerals are chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. Asbestos has been mined for over 4,000 years, but large-scale mining began at the end of the 19th century, when manufacturers and builders began using asbestos for its desirable physical properties. Some of those properties are sound absorption, average tensile strength, affordability, and resistance to fire, heat, and electricity. It was used in such applications as electrical insulation for hotplate wiring and in building insulation. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats. These desirable properties led to asbestos being used very widely until the late 20th century. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious and fatal illnesses including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis (a type of pneumoconiosis). Asbestos is currently estimated to cause 255,000 deaths per year. Concern for asbestos-related illness began in the 20th century and escalated during the 1920s and 1930s. By the 1980s and 1990s, asbestos trade and use were heavily restricted, phased out, or banned outright in an increasing number of countries. Many developing countries still support the use of asbestos as a building material, and mining of asbestos is ongoing, with the top producer Russia producing around one million metric tonnes in 2015. Despite the severity of asbestos-related diseases, the material has extremely widespread use in many areas. Continuing long-term use of asbestos after harmful health effects were known or suspected, and the slow emergence of symptoms decades after exposure ceased, made asbestos litigation the longest, most expensive mass tort in U.S. history though a much lesser legal issue in most other countries involved. Asbestos-related liability also remains an ongoing concern for many manufacturers, insurers and reinsurers. The word "asbestos", first used in the 1600s, ultimately derives from the Ancient Greek ἄσβεστος, meaning “unquenchable” or “inextinguishable”. The name reflects use of the substance for wicks that would never burn up. It was adopted via the Old French abestos, which in turn got the word from Greek via Latin, but in the original Greek, it actually referred to quicklime. It is said by the Oxford English Dictionary to have been wrongly used by Pliny for asbestos, who popularized the misnomer. Asbestos was referred to in Greek as amiantos, meaning "undefiled", because it was not marked when thrown into a fire. This is the source for the word for asbestos in many languages, such as the Portuguese amianto. It had also been called "amiant" in English in the early 15th century, but this usage was superseded by "asbestos". The word is pronounced /æsˈbɛstəs/ or /æsˈbɛstɒs/. People have used asbestos for thousands of years to create flexible objects, such as napkins, that resist fire. In the modern era, companies began producing asbestos consumer goods on an industrial scale. Now people recognize the health hazard that asbestos poses, and it is banned or strictly regulated around the world. Asbestos use dates back at least 4,500 years, when the inhabitants of the Lake Juojärvi region in East Finland strengthened earthenware pots and cooking utensils with the asbestos mineral anthophyllite (see Asbestos-ceramic). One of the first descriptions of a material that may have been asbestos is in Theophrastus, On Stones, from around 300 BC, although this identification has been questioned. In both modern and ancient Greek, the usual name for the material known in English as "asbestos" is amiantos ("undefiled", "pure"), which was adapted into the French as amiante and into Spanish and Portuguese as amianto. In modern Greek, the word ἀσβεστος or ασβέστης stands consistently and solely for lime. The term asbestos is traceable to Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder's manuscript Natural History, and his use of the term asbestinon, meaning "unquenchable". While Pliny or his nephew Pliny the Younger is popularly credited with recognising the detrimental effects of asbestos on human beings, examination of the primary sources reveals no support for either claim. Wealthy Persians amazed guests by cleaning a cloth by exposing it to fire. For example, according to Tabari, one of the curious items belonging to Khosrow II Parviz, the great Sassanian king (r. 531–579), was a napkin (Persian: منديل‎) that he cleaned simply by throwing it into fire. Such cloth is believed to have been made of asbestos imported over the Hindu Kush. According to Biruni in his book, Gems, any cloths made of asbestos (Persian: آذرشست‎, āzarshost) were called shostakeh (Persian: شستكه‎). Some Persians believed the fiber was the fur of an animal, called the samandar (Persian: سمندر‎), which lived in fire and died when exposed to water, which was where the former belief that the salamander could tolerate fire originated. Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor (800–814), is said to have had a tablecloth made of asbestos. Marco Polo recounts having been shown, in a place he calls Ghinghin talas, "a good vein from which the cloth which we call of salamander, which cannot be burnt if it is thrown into the fire, is made ..." Industrial scale asbestos mining began in 1878 in Thetford township, Quebec. By 1895, mining was increasingly mechanized. The large-scale asbestos industry began in the mid-19th century. Early attempts at producing asbestos paper and cloth in Italy began in the 1850s, but were unsuccessful in creating a market for such products. Canadian samples of asbestos were displayed in London in 1862, and the first companies were formed in England and Scotland to exploit this resource. Asbestos was first used in the manufacture of yarn, and German industrialist Louis Wertheim adopted this process in his factories in Germany. In 1871, the Patent Asbestos Manufacturing Company was established in Glasgow, and during the following decades, the Clydebank area became a centre for the nascent industry. Industrial-scale mining began in the Thetford hills, Quebec, from the 1870s. Sir William Edmond Logan was the first to notice the large deposits of chrysotile in the hills in his capacity as head of Geological Survey of Canada. Samples of the minerals from here were displayed in London, and excited much interest. With the opening up of the Quebec Central Railway in 1876, mining entrepreneurs such as Andrew Stuart Johnson established the asbestos industry in the province. The 50 ton output of the mines in 1878 rose to over 10,000 tons in the 1890s with the adoption of machine technologies and expanded production. For a long time, the world's largest asbestos mine was the Jeffrey mine in the town of Asbestos, Quebec. Asbestos production began in the Urals of the Russian Empire in the 1880s, and in the Alpine regions of Northern Italy with the formation in Turin of the Italo-English Pure Asbestos Company in 1876, although this was soon swamped by the greater production levels from the Canadian mines. Mining also took off in South Africa from 1893 under the aegis of the British businessman Francis Oates, the Director of the De Beers company. It was in South Africa that the production of amosite began in 1910. The U.S. asbestos industry had an early start in 1858, when fibrous anthophyllite was mined for use as asbestos insulation by the Johns Company, a predecessor to the current Johns Manville, at a quarry at Ward's Hill on Staten Island, New York. US production began in earnest in 1899, with the discovery of large deposits in the Belvidere Mountain. The use of asbestos became increasingly widespread towards the end of the 19th century, when its diverse applications included fire-retardant coatings, concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement, heat-, fire-, and acid-resistant gaskets, pipe insulation, ceiling insulation, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, lawn furniture, and drywall joint compound. In 2011 it was reported that over 50% of UK houses still contained asbestos, despite a ban on asbestos products some years earlier. In Japan, particularly after World War II, asbestos was used in the manufacture of ammonium sulfate for purposes of rice production, sprayed upon the ceilings, iron skeletons, and walls of railroad cars and buildings (during the 1960s), and used for energy efficiency reasons as well. Production of asbestos in Japan peaked in 1974 and went through ups and downs until about 1990, when production began to drop dramatically. For additional chronological citations, see List of asbestos disease medical articles. In 1899, Montague Murray noted the negative health effects of asbestos. The first documented death related to asbestos was in 1906. In the early 1900s researchers began to notice a large number of early deaths and lung problems in asbestos-mining towns. The first such study was conducted by H. Montague Murray at the Charing Cross Hospital, London, in 1900, in which a postmortem investigation of a young man who had died from pulmonary fibrosis after having worked for 14 years in an asbestos textile factory, discovered asbestos traces in the victim's lungs. Adelaide Anderson, the Inspector of Factories in Britain, included asbestos in a list of harmful industrial substances in 1902. Similar investigations were conducted in France and Italy, in 1906 and 1908, respectively. The first diagnosis of asbestosis was made in the UK in 1924. Nellie Kershaw was employed at Turner Brothers Asbestos in Rochdale,Greater Manchester, England from 1917, spinning raw asbestos fibre into yarn. Her death in 1924 led to a formal inquest. Pathologist William Edmund Cooke testified that his examination of the lungs indicated old scarring indicative of a previous, healed, tuberculosis infection, and extensive fibrosis, in which were visible "particles of mineral matter ... of various shapes, but the large majority have sharp angles." Having compared these particles with samples of asbestos dust provided by S. A. Henry, His Majesty's Medical Inspector of Factories, Cooke concluded that they "originated from asbestos and were, beyond a reasonable doubt, the primary cause of the fibrosis of the lungs and therefore of death". As a result of Cooke's paper, parliament commissioned an inquiry into the effects of asbestos dust by E. R. A. Merewether, Medical Inspector of Factories, and C. W. Price, a factory inspector and pioneer of dust monitoring and control. Their subsequent report, Occurrence of Pulmonary Fibrosis & Other Pulmonary Affections in Asbestos Workers, was presented to parliament on 24 March 1930. It concluded that the development of asbestosis was irrefutably linked to the prolonged inhalation of asbestos dust, and included the first health study of asbestos workers, which found that 66% of those employed for 20 years or more suffered from asbestosis. The report led to the publication of the first Asbestos Industry Regulations in 1931, which came into effect on 1 March 1932. These regulated ventilation and made asbestosis an excusable work-related disease. The term mesothelioma was first used in medical literature in 1931; its association with asbestos was first noted sometime in the 1940s. Similar legislation followed in the U.S. about ten years later. Approximately 100,000 people in the United States have died, or are terminally ill, from asbestos exposure related to ship building. In the Hampton Roads area, a shipbuilding center, mesothelioma occurrence is seven times the national rate. Thousands of tons of asbestos were used in World War II ships to insulate piping, boilers, steam engines, and steam turbines. There were approximately 4.3 million shipyard workers in the United States during WWII; for every 1,000 workers about 14 died of mesothelioma and an unknown number died from asbestosis. The United States government and asbestos industry have been criticized for not acting quickly enough to inform the public of dangers, and to reduce public exposure. In the late 1970s, court documents proved that asbestos industry officials knew of asbestos dangers since the 1930s and had concealed them from the public. In Australia, asbestos was widely used in construction and other industries between 1946 and 1980. From the 1970s there was increasing concern about the dangers of asbestos, and its use was phased out. Mining ceased in 1983. The use of asbestos was phased out in 1989 and banned entirely in December 2003. The dangers of asbestos are now well known in Australia and there is help and support for sufferers from asbestosis or mesothelioma. Example of asbestos cement siding and lining on a post-war temporary house in Yardley. Nearly 40,000 of these structures were built between 1946 and 1949 to house families. In the European Union and Australia it has been banned as a potential health hazard and is not used at all. Japan is moving in the same direction, but at a slower pace. Thermal and chemical insulation (e.g., fire rated doors, limpet spray, lagging and gaskets). Cigarette manufacturer Lorillard (Kent's filtered cigarette) used crocidolite asbestos in its "Micronite" filter from 1952 to 1956. While mostly chrysotile asbestos fibers were once used in automobile brake pads, shoes, and clutch discs, contaminants of amphiboles were present. Since approximately the mid-1990s, brake pads, new or replacement, have been manufactured instead with linings made of ceramic, carbon, metallic and aramid fiber (Twaron or Kevlar—the same material used in bulletproof vests). Artificial Christmas snow, known as flocking, was previously made with asbestos. It was used as an effect in films including The Wizard of Oz and department store window displays and it was marketed for use in private homes under brand names that included "Pure White", "Snow Drift" and "White Magic". Older decorative ceilings, similar to this one, may contain small amounts of white asbestos. 1929 newspaper advertisement from Perth, Western Australia, for asbestos sheeting for residential building construction. The use of asbestos in new construction projects has been banned for health and safety reasons in many developed countries or regions, including the European Union, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and New Zealand. A notable exception is the United States, where asbestos continues to be used in construction such as cement asbestos pipes. The 5th Circuit Court prevented the EPA from banning asbestos in 1991 because EPA research showed the ban would cost between $450 and 800 million while only saving around 200 lives in a 13-year timeframe, and that the EPA did not provide adequate evidence for the safety of alternative products. Until the mid-1980s, small amounts of white asbestos were used in the manufacture of Artex, a decorative stipple finish, however, some of the lesser-known suppliers of Artex were still adding white asbestos until 1999. Prior to the ban, asbestos was widely used in the construction industry in thousands of materials. Some are judged to be more dangerous than others due to the amount of asbestos and the material's friable nature. Sprayed coatings, pipe insulation and Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) are thought to be the most dangerous due to their high content of asbestos and friable nature. Many older buildings built before the late 1990s contain asbestos. In the United States, there is a minimum standard for asbestos surveys as described by ASTM Standard E 2356–04. In the UK the Health and Safety Executive have issued guidance called HSG264 describing how surveys should be completed although other methods can be used if they can demonstrate they have met the regulations by other means. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes some but not all asbestos-contaminated facilities on the Superfund National Priorities list (NPL). Renovation and demolition of asbestos-contaminated buildings is subject to EPA NESHAP and OSHA Regulations. Asbestos is not a material covered under CERCLA's innocent purchaser defense. In the UK, the removal and disposal of asbestos and of substances containing it are covered by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. U.S. asbestos consumption hit a peak of 804,000 tons in 1973; world asbestos demand peaked around 1977, with 25 countries producing nearly 4.8 million metric tons annually. In older buildings (e.g. those built prior to 1999 in the UK, before white asbestos was banned), asbestos may still be present in some areas. Being aware of asbestos locations reduces the risk of disturbing asbestos. Removal of asbestos building components can also remove the fire protection they provide, therefore fire protection substitutes are required for proper fire protection that the asbestos originally provided. Some countries, such as India, Indonesia, China, Russia and Brazil, have continued widespread use of asbestos. The most common is corrugated asbestos-cement sheets or "A/C sheets" for roofing and for side walls. Millions of homes, factories, schools or sheds and shelters continue to use asbestos. Cutting these sheets to size and drilling holes to receive 'J' bolts to help secure the sheets to roof framing is done on-site. There has been no significant change in production and use of A/C sheets in developing countries following the widespread restrictions in developed nations. As New York City's World Trade Center collapsed following the September 11 attacks, Lower Manhattan was blanketed in a mixture of building debris and combustible materials. This complex mixture gave rise to the concern that thousands of residents and workers in the area would be exposed to known hazards in the air and in the dust, such as asbestos, lead, glass fibers, and pulverized concrete. More than 1,000 tons of asbestos are thought to have been released into the air following the buildings' destruction. Inhalation of a mixture of asbestos and other toxicants is thought to be linked to the unusually high death rate from cancer of emergency service workers since the disaster. Thousands more are now thought to be at risk of developing cancer due to this exposure with those who have died so far being only the "tip of the iceberg". Some commentators have criticised authorities for using asbestos in the buildings' construction. In May 2002, after numerous cleanup, dust collection, and air monitoring activities were conducted outdoors by EPA, other federal agencies, New York City, and the state of New York, New York City formally requested federal assistance to clean and test residences in the vicinity of the World Trade Center site for airborne asbestos. Vermiculite is a hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate which resembles mica. It can be used for many industrial applications and has been used as insulation. Some deposits of vermiculite have been found to be contaminated with small amounts of asbestos. One vermiculite mine operated by W. R. Grace and Company in Libby, Montana exposed workers and community residents to danger by mining vermiculite contaminated with asbestos, typically richterite, winchite, actinolite or tremolite. Vermiculite contaminated with asbestos from the Libby mine was used as insulation in residential and commercial buildings through Canada and the United States. W. R. Grace and Company's loose-fill vermiculite was marketed as Zonolite but was also used in sprayed-on products such as Monokote. In 1999 the EPA began cleanup efforts in Libby and now the area is a Superfund cleanup area. The EPA has determined that harmful asbestos is released from the mine as well as through other activities that disturb soil in the area. A laboratory heat spreader made of asbestos, on tripod over a Teclu burner. Talc can sometimes be contaminated with asbestos due to the proximity of asbestos ore (usually tremolite) in underground talc deposits. By 1973, US federal law required all talc products to be asbestos-free, and today there is strict quality control in the production of talc products, separating cosmetic-grade talc (e.g. talcum powder) from industrial-grade talc (often used in friction products) has largely eliminated this issue for consumers. In 2000, tests in a certified asbestos-testing laboratory found the tremolite form of amphibole asbestos used to be found in three out of eight popular brands of children's crayons that were made partly from talc: Crayola, Prang, and RoseArt. In Crayola crayons, the tests found asbestos levels around 0.05% in Carnation Pink and 2.86% in Orchid; in Prang crayons, the range was from 0.3% in Periwinkle to 0.54% in Yellow; in Rose Art crayons, it was from 0.03% in Brown to 1.20% in Orange. Overall, 32 different types of crayons from these brands used to contain more than trace amounts of asbestos, and eight others contained trace amounts. The Art and Creative Materials Institute, a trade association which tested the safety of crayons on behalf of the makers, initially insisted the test results must have been incorrect, although they later said they do not test for asbestos. In May 2000, Crayola said tests by Richard Lee, a materials analyst whose testimony on behalf of the asbestos industry has been accepted in lawsuits over 250 times, found its crayons tested negative for asbestos. In spite of that, in June 2000 Binney & Smith, the maker of Crayola, and the other makers agreed to stop using talc in their products, and changed their product formulations in the United States. On July 12, 2018, a Missouri jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a record $4.69 billion to 22 women who alleged the company’s talc-based products, including its baby powder, contain asbestos and caused them to develop ovarian cancer. Six mineral types are defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as "asbestos" including those belonging to the serpentine class and those belonging to the amphibole class. All six asbestos mineral types are known to be human carcinogens. The visible fibers are themselves each composed of millions of microscopic "fibrils" that can be released by abrasion and other processes. Blue asbestos (crocidolite). The ruler is 1 cm. Chrysotile, CAS No. 12001-29-5, is obtained from serpentinite rocks which are common throughout the world. Its idealized chemical formula is Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4. Chrysotile appears under the microscope as a white fiber. Chrysotile has been used more than any other type and accounts for about 95% of the asbestos found in buildings in America. Chrysotile is more flexible than amphibole types of asbestos, and can be spun and woven into fabric. The most common use was corrugated asbestos cement roofing primarily for outbuildings, warehouses and garages. It may also be found in sheets or panels used for ceilings and sometimes for walls and floors. Chrysotile has been a component in joint compound and some plasters. Numerous other items have been made containing chrysotile including brake linings, fire barriers in fuseboxes, pipe insulation, floor tiles, residential shingles, and gaskets for high temperature equipment. Amphibole class fibers are needle-like. Amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite are members of the amphibole class. Amosite, CAS No. 12172-73-5, often referred to as brown asbestos, is a trade name for the amphiboles belonging to the cummingtonite-grunerite solid solution series, commonly from South Africa, named as a partial acronym for "Asbestos Mines of South Africa". One formula given for amosite is Fe7Si8O22(OH)2. Amosite is seen under a microscope as a grey-white vitreous fiber. It is found most frequently as a fire retardant in thermal insulation products, asbestos insulating board and ceiling tiles. 2Si8O22(OH)2. Crocidolite is seen under a microscope as a blue fiber. Crocidolite commonly occurs as soft friable fibers. Asbestiform amphibole may also occur as soft friable fibers but some varieties such as amosite are commonly straighter. All forms of asbestos are fibrillar in that they are composed of fibers with breadths less than 1 micrometer in bundles of very great widths. Asbestos with particularly fine fibers is also referred to as "amianthus". Other regulated asbestos minerals, such as tremolite asbestos, CAS No. 77536-68-6, Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2; actinolite asbestos, CAS No. 77536-66-4, Ca2(Mg,FeII)5(Si8O22)(OH)2; and anthophyllite asbestos, CAS No. 77536-67-5, (Mg,FeII)7Si8O22(OH)2; are less commonly used industrially but can still be found in a variety of construction materials and insulation materials and have been used in a few consumer products. Other natural asbestiform minerals, such as richterite, Na(CaNa)(Mg,FeII)5(Si8O22)(OH)2, and winchite, (CaNa)Mg4(Al,FeIII)(Si8O22)(OH)2, though not regulated, are said by some to be no less harmful than tremolite, amosite, or crocidolite. They are termed "asbestiform" rather than asbestos. Although the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has not included them in the asbestos standard, NIOSH and the American Thoracic Society have recommended them for inclusion as regulated materials because they may also be hazardous to health. World production of asbestos (metric tons) from 1900 to the present, also including a trend line. In 2017, 1.3 million tonnes of asbestos was mined worldwide. Russia was the largest producer with 53% of the world total, followed by Kazakhstan (16%), China (15%), and Brazil (11.5%). Asia consumes some 70% of the asbestos produced in the world with China, India and Indonesia the largest consumers. All types of asbestos fibers are known to cause serious health hazards in humans. Amosite and crocidolite are considered the most hazardous asbestos fiber types; however, chrysotile asbestos has also produced tumors in animals and is a recognized cause of asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma in humans, and mesothelioma has been observed in people who were occupationally exposed to chrysotile, family members of the occupationally exposed, and residents who lived close to asbestos factories and mines. During the 1980s and again in the 1990s it was suggested at times that the process of making asbestos cement could "neutralize" the asbestos, either via chemical processes or by causing cement to attach to the fibers and changing their physical size; subsequent studies showed that this was untrue, and that decades-old asbestos cement, when broken, releases asbestos fibers identical to those found in nature, with no detectable alteration. Researcher using a fiber length classifier to produce length-selected fibers of asbestos for toxological studies. The United States remains one of the few developed countries to not ban asbestos which is legal and still widely used in such commonly used products as clothing, pipeline wraps, vinyl floor tiles, millboards, cement pipes, disk brake pads, gaskets and roof coatings. In 1989 the EPA issued the Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule but in 1991, asbestos industry supporters challenged and overturned the ban in a landmark lawsuit: Corrosion Proof Fittings v. the Environmental Protection Agency. Although the case resulted in several small victories for asbestos regulation, the EPA ultimately did not put an end to asbestos use. This ruling leaves many consumer products that can still legally contain trace amounts of asbestos. For a clarification of products which legally contain asbestos, read the EPA's clarification statement. In 2010, Washington State banned asbestos in automotive brakes starting in 2014. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has set limits of 100,000 fibers with lengths greater than or equal to 5 µm per cubic meter of workplace air for eight-hour shifts and 40-hour work weeks. In Vietnam, asbestos is not banned and still widely used. Vietnam is one of the top 10 asbestos users in the world with an annual import volume of about 65,000-70,000 tons of chrysotile. About 90% of the imported asbestos is used to produce about 100 million m2 of roofing sheets of cement-roofing (asbestos-cement). According to one study, among 300 families in Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa, 85% of households use asbestos roofing sheets, however, only 5% know about their harms. However, in the project of adjusting the master plan for construction materials development to 2020 with orientation to 2030 submitted by the Ministry of Construction to the Government in January 2014 still suggests to continue using chrysotile for a long time. The use of crocidolite (blue) asbestos was banned in 1967, while the use of amosite (brown) asbestos continued in the construction industry until the mid-1980s. It was finally banned from building products in 1989, though it remained in gaskets and brake linings until 31 December 2003, and cannot be imported, used or recycled. Asbestos continues to be a problem. Two out of three homes in Australia built between World War II and the early 1980s still contain asbestos. The union that represents workers tasked with modifying electrical meter boxes at residences stated that workers should refuse to do this work until the boxes have been inspected for asbestos, and the head of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has called on the government to protect its citizens by ridding the country of asbestos by 2030. Handlers of asbestos materials must have a B-Class license for bonded asbestos and an A-Class license for friable asbestos. The town of Wittenoom, in Western Australia was built around a (blue) asbestos mine. The entire town continues to be contaminated, and has been disincorporated, allowing local authorities to remove references to Wittenoom from maps and roadsigns. From December 31, 2018 it was illegal to import, manufacture, sell, trade or use products made from asbestos. There are exemptions for its use in the chlor-alkali industry, the military, nuclear facilities and for magnesium extraction from asbestos mining residues. Revelations that hundreds of workers had died in Japan over the previous few decades from diseases related to asbestos sparked a scandal in mid-2005. Tokyo had, in 1971, ordered companies handling asbestos to install ventilators and check health on a regular basis; however, the Japanese government did not ban crocidolite and amosite until 1995, and a near complete ban with a few exceptions on asbestos was implemented in 2006, with the remaining exceptions being removed in March 2012 for a full-fledged ban. In 1984, the import of raw amphibole (blue and brown) asbestos into New Zealand was banned. In 2002 the import of chrysotile (white) asbestos was also banned. In 2015 the government announced that the importation of asbestos would be completely banned with very limited exceptions (expected to be applied to replacement parts for older machines) that would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. North-west of Nelson, in the Upper Takaka Valley is New Zealand's only commercially harvested asbestos mine. A low-grade Chrysotile was mined here from 1908 to 1917 but only 100 tons was washed and taken out by packhorse. A new power scheme enabled work to renew and between 1940 and 1949, 40 tons a month was mined by the Hume Company. This continued to 1964, when, due to the short length of its fibre, the limited commercial viability forced mining to cease. In May 1997, the manufacture and use of crocidolite and amosite, commonly known as blue and brown asbestos, were fully banned in South Korea. In January 2009, a full-fledged ban on all types of asbestos occurred when the government banned the manufacture, import, sale, storage, transport or use of asbestos or any substance containing more than 0.1% of asbestos. In 2011, South Korea became the world's sixth country to enact an asbestos harm aid act, which entitles any Korean citizen to free lifetime medical care as well as monthly income from the government if he or she is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. In the United Kingdom, blue and brown asbestos materials were banned outright in 1985 while the import, sale and second hand reuse of white asbestos was outlawed in 1999. The 2012 Control of Asbestos Regulations state that owners of non-domestic buildings (e.g., factories and offices) have a "duty to manage" asbestos on the premises by making themselves aware of its presence and ensuring the material does not deteriorate, removing it if necessary. Employers, e.g. construction companies, whose operatives may come into contact with asbestos must also provide annual asbestos training to their workers. Fiberglass insulation was invented in 1938 and is now the most commonly used type of insulation material. The safety of this material has also been called into question due to similarities in material structure. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer removed fiberglass from its list of possible human carcinogens in 2001 and a scientific review article from 2011 claimed epidemiology data was inconsistent and concluded that the IARC's decision to downgrade the carcinogenic potential of fiberglass was valid (however, this study was funded by sponsored research contract from the North American Insulation Manufacturer’s Association). In 1978, a highly texturized fiberglass fabric was invented by Bal Dixit, called Zetex. This fabric is lighter than asbestos, but offers the same bulk, thickness, hand, feel, and abrasion resistance as asbestos. The fiberglass was texturized to eliminate some of the problems that arise with fiberglass, such as poor abrasion resistance and poor seam strength. In Europe, mineral wool and glass wool are the main insulators in houses. Many companies that produced asbestos-cement products that were reinforced with asbestos fibers have developed products incorporating organic fibers. One such product was known as "Eternit" and another "Everite" now use "Nutec" fibers which consist of organic fibers, portland cement and silica. Cement-bonded wood fiber is another substitute. Stone fibers are used in gaskets and friction materials. Another potential fiber is polybenzimidazole or PBI fiber. Polybenzimidazole fiber is a synthetic fiber with a high melting point of 760 °C (1,400 °F) that also does not ignite. Because of its exceptional thermal and chemical stability, it is often used by fire departments and space agencies. The demolition of buildings containing large amounts of asbestos based materials pose particular problems for builders and property developers – such buildings often have to be deconstructed piece by piece, or the asbestos has to be painstakingly removed before the structure can be razed by mechanical or explosive means. One such example is the Red Road Flats in Glasgow, Scotland which used huge amounts of asbestos cement board for wall panelling – here British health and safety regulations stipulate that asbestos material has to be removed to a landfill site via an approved route at certain times of the day in specially adapted vehicles. In the United States, the EPA governs the removal and disposal of asbestos strictly. Companies that remove asbestos must comply with EPA licensing. These companies are called EPA licensed asbestos contractors. 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2019-04-22T19:03:57Z
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos
Your product's packaging is part of the first impression it makes, whether customers find it online or on shelves. It helps your products sell themselves. On this episode of Shopify Masters, you’ll learn about an entrepreneur who invested heavily in her packaging design and the steps she took to avoid common packaging mistakes. Patrice Mousseau is the founder of Satya: fragrance-free, Health Canada approved, certified organic, anti-inflammatory balm for eczema relief. Felix: Today I’m joined by Patrice Mousseau from Satya. Satya sells a fragrance free, Health Canada approved, certified organic anti-inflammatory balm for eczema relief and was started in 2014 and based out of Vancouver. Welcome, Patrice. Patrice: Thanks, Felix. Thank you for having me on your show. Felix: Of course. Tell us a bit more about this product that you sell. What was the idea behind it? How did you come up with the product? Patrice: Well, it was out of necessity. It was for my daughter, but first I think I better back up a little bit and talk a bit about what my background is, which is actually in journalism. I’m a researcher by trade and was in radio and television broadcasting for probably about 15, 16 years. Then I got pregnant and had a baby. Of course, my world just completely changed, my priorities and how I was spending my time. When she was about eight months, my daughter Esme, ended up getting eczema. She was scratching so bad that her arms and legs were bleeding. I would pick her up out of her crib and there’d be blood on the crib sheets. It was a real kick in the gut for me as a mother because I felt very powerless to help her. Because when I took her into the doctor, their only option was steroid creams, which I knew based on my past experience in media, I’d seen the stories about how negative and detrimental steroids can actually be especially used in the long-term. I was up all night basically taking care of her anyway and I just started researching. I started looking at normally traditional medicine, but I looked at academic studies from different universities to see what people have come up with in the last 10 years or so around nontoxic anti-inflammatories. Then basically took all that information and combined it together in my kitchen in my crock-pot and created this product. Felix: Wow. This was a homemade remedy that you then decided to productize. Talk to us about that process. You created this. Of course, you tested it on someone that needed the product. How did you take that jump to the next step which is that I should sell this? Patrice: Right. For my daughter, it cleared her eczema up in two days. It worked very quickly, very effectively with her. Of course, it does come back from time to time, but I just then put the product on her again and it goes away again. Now as I mentioned, I made this in my crock-pot so obviously I had some leftover. I went on my mom’s Facebook group and I said to the moms, “Does anybody want some?” 70 jars went out my door in a month and a half. I thought, “Huh. That’s interesting,” but I did nothing with it because I had never considered myself to be a businessperson. Like I said, my background isn’t something that I considered to be vastly different. I always had this stereotypical perception in my mind of what a businessperson was is someone who was good at math, someone who was into spreadsheets and wore a suit and briefcase and frankly was a man. That was my perception. I later interviewed a woman for a friend of mine who had her own company. She said, “You know, I think that you have something. You should come to this business conference for women called SVI,” which is here in Vancouver. It stands for Social Venture Institute. Basically what it is is about people who not only want to have businesses, but they want to have business for a greater good. It’s not just about the bottom line per se. Like it’s important obviously to have a healthy company, something that’s financially viable and you’re able to make money, but it’s also not just the only reason why you do business. The women that I met there were so full of social values and integrity and I thought, “You know, this is the type of business that I could do, that I would want to do.” At that point I decided okay, maybe I could be a businessperson and ended up deciding, “Well, if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it to the very best of my ability.” I chose the name Satya because it’s actually a philosophy of finding truth. Personal truth, I could do this business. Truth to my customers, my company was going to be of service, again not about just profit. That’s become the North Star of the company. If I was going to do it, it had to be the best of the best. I decided that for people with sensitive skin issues for example, it has to be really clean. I went USDA certified organic. It’s not just about the ingredients, but it’s also about the policies and procedures, about getting those ingredients and how you prepare the ingredients and the cleanliness of the facilities, all those sorts of things. It’s a very high standard. Then I submitted it into Health Canada. Sorry. That’s my coffeemaker in the background. Submitted it into Health Canada with all of my research because that was a hoop I also wanted to jump through. I wanted people to know that the research had been done and this had been provably shown to work for people as well. Yes, I submitted it into Health Canada and they agreed in fact I could make those health claims based on that research. My packaging, again it had to be the best of the best even though it was more expensive. I use a glass jar for example because even food safe plastics will leech into your product. My paper is 100% recycled. It’s created by a woman owned business. They use wind power offsets to actually make the paper. It’s all veggie and soy based things. These are all more expensive options, but they’re inline with my integrity. They’re inline with what I’m trying to do with the company. I think that resonates with people. Patrice: It was a mommy’s Facebook group. People get together and talk about mom issues or swap clothing, that sort of stuff. Felix: I think this is an approach that is a safe low risk approach for a lot of businesses just to reach out to an existing group, an existing community, and see what the response is. Do you remember how you approached the group? The reason I’m asking is because a lot of times nowadays this is a good kind of a known strategy to go into these groups. You see a lot of spam, right? You see a lot of people going around posting about their product, trying to validate it. Sometimes if you join multiple groups, you’ll see the same post over and over again and of course, that can be annoying. How did you approach it? How did you approach it in a way that came across the right way? Patrice: Well, you’re absolutely right. It’s super annoying and very disingenuous. When I went on my mom’s Facebook group, it was just like I literally wanted to know if anybody wanted the extra. It was not that I was planning on selling it per se, although I did end up selling it because just so many people wanted it. I actually had to make more batches. Yeah. I just was honest about what it was and what I was trying to do. I thought that it would be of service to other people. I think again it didn’t come across as salesy because it wasn’t. Felix: Do you remember how you figured out the price point early on and has that changed over time? Patrice: Oh yeah. Yeah, no, radically changed. I looked at how much everything was going to cost and what are the prices that I was going to do. My industry, like sort of the medicinal skin care industry, a lot of the larger manufacturers they’re making products for pennies and they’re selling it for like $12-$15. My product costs significantly more than that and on the shelf it is on the higher end, but a couple of things. One is that it’ll actually last a lot longer because you don’t need very much. Two, I wanted to keep the price low because I’m a single mom. I want everyone to be able to afford to buy this product. It wasn’t just about how much money can I make. It’s like how can I make this product, still make money and provide it to people. Felix: Make sense. Now I’m looking at your site. In the beginning and up until now even you basically have I guess two products today. You started with one. Now you have two products. I guess two ways to use the product. What made you make that decision to stick with these two products? The reason I’m asking you this question is because a lot of times new entrepreneurs will just launch with as many things as possible and kind of stuff their catalog. Was this a conscious decision to stick with just a couple products? Patrice: Yeah. Well first, I need to clarify. It’s just actually two different sizes of the same product in each container. The reason why I have the small container or the travel size is because you don’t actually know how something is going to work with your individual skin. A lot of people what they do is they buy these products and they spend all this money and they don’t work for them and then they hide it in the back of their closet because they don’t want to throw this away because they spent all this money on it, but it doesn’t work for them. I never wanted to be that product. What I did was I created actually the travel size, which is the second product that you’re looking at. There’s enough in there to last about two weeks for people to test with their individual body chemistry. Then when it’s empty, you don’t throw the package away. It’s a sliding tin container. You buy the jar and then you can refill it and then you carry the small one around in your bag. It was more about problem solving versus providing more options. Because it’s an anti-inflammatory, like I formulated it for eczema, but people with psoriasis picked it up right away, rosacea, rashes. I have a lot of athletes who are actually using it for cut and broken hands, for like crossfitters. I’ve got marathon runners using it. People do use it for anything. Anything and everything really. Felix: That’s interesting that all of these other uses, all of these other problems are coming to you for their solution. Does that affect how you market or does that change the way you want to market your product because it solves other needs and clearly there are people that are discovering your product to solve their needs? Patrice: Yeah. Well, eczema is such a big issue for so many people that I want to make sure like … We’ve basically just scratched the surface on letting people know about the product. I want people to know that there is another good option out there for eczema because it’s such a huge issue and steroids for the longest time have been the only option. People again they have taken it and said, “Well, what about this?” They try it and it works fantastically. Like sunburn. I had a grandmother email me and say, “I tried it on my grand kid’s sunburn and it worked fantastically and then I tried it and it worked really well for me as well.” It really just becomes about people taking it. It becomes like the Windex from Big Fat Greek Wedding. I don’t know if you saw that movie where they put the Windex on everything kind of thing. It becomes like a multipurpose product for a lot of people once they purchase it, but I think the initial purchase is always either eczema or psoriasis. Felix: You do want to keep the kind of marketing and the messaging focused on that specific … I guess probably the largest type of problem? Patrice: Yeah. I mean if you try to be too much for too many people, like people do use it for everything, but again I just try to keep it focused on the one issue. I am actually coming out with a second whole product, which should be the two SKUs, specifically for psoriasis as well. That hopefully will be coming out in the next year. Felix: That make sense. When you do roll out this other product, you plan on keeping it on this site still, right? You don’t open up a new store for it? Patrice: No. Yeah, it’ll absolutely be on the same site, Satya Organics. You’ll be able to actually use it for both. The psoriasis product will be nut free and vegan as well. If the original Satya product isn’t something that you feel like you can use, then you can try the psoriasis product on your eczema. Because psoriasis and eczema, although they do tend to come from different places, they present themselves very similarly. The treatment very often is the same. Felix: Make sense. Now you mentioned that there was a time, I guess a time between when you sold the products for the first time and then the time where you actually decided to launch a real business. What was the timeline? How much time passed during that period? Patrice: Several months for sure. I would say eight or nine months before I finally did my first farmer’s market and sold $100, which was pretty awesome. I was really excited that people were buying something that I had made. Felix: Those first sales are always the biggest rush that everyone kind of chases after again. Patrice: Huge. I was so nervous too. It was amazing. It was great. Felix: Did you have packaging and all that ready to go by then? I guess what version or how ready was your product when you started to sell it as a legitimate business? Patrice: Right from the very beginning, this is actually the second version of our packaging design, but when I first started selling it, I knew how important good design was. Right from the very beginning I had already decided the good paper I was going to use, the glass jar. I got a proper designer who is still with the company today who’s amazing. She did a fantastic job. I can’t express enough how important it is for packaging and for products how important good design is. Felix: Why do you say that? Why do you find that that’s an important aspect because it sounds like it makes your product much more … Not much more, but I’m sure it makes your product more expensive for you to produce. What made you decide that it’s a good investment to spend the time, spend the effort, spend the money on having this kind of packaging? Patrice: Well, I mean there is a legitimacy issue. When you pick up a product from a plastic container that’s obviously been handmade and hand labeled versus something that looks professional and well done, when people pick … It might even be the same product, but people are always going to choose the one that they can tell time and effort has been made into making that product. I think there is a definite value to that. In addition, moving forward, if you want to go into a retail space, retailers are going to like your packaging. That to them says it’ll be easy for them to say yes to put it on their shelves versus again packaging that’s obviously very amateur. Good design, again can’t stress it enough, is super important. Felix: Talk to us about this process of packaging and creating the design. We’ll start with the design first. Did you hire a packaging designer? How specific do you need to get if you are looking to hire someone to help you out with your packaging? Patrice: It was actually at the conference that I mentioned, SVI, that I ran into a woman who had a design company. I was talking to her because I knew how important design was and she said, “You know, I could do this for you, but it’s going to cost you $20,000.” I’m like, “I can’t.” Obviously it’s not even an option for me. She said, “However, one of my senior designers is leaving and she’s opening her own company and maybe you should talk to her.” I was able to get this amazing senior designer who was incredibly talented and is opening her own business. I got her for a few thousand dollars, which was incredible. It’s about sourcing like a good designer. Somebody who has designs that resonate with you and are inline with what you’re trying to do. Felix: You’re looking like their portfolio to see what other designs they’ve created and then you wanted to see if it matches your idea of what your products would look like? Patrice: Design is like an extra voice to have of your company. Felix: Now when you sit down with the designer to work with them, what do you do? What’s your role in working with a designer? Patrice: Well, obviously it starts the conversation about my story, the things that are important to me, what this product is all about and the values behind that. It’s looking at obviously their past designs. Usually they go away and they start to have a bit of an idea. Then they’ll give you say five or six options and then you can narrow it down to maybe your top one or top two. Then you just keep honing it and honing it until you get something where you’re like, “Yup. That seems like my product, my company and who I am.” Also, it’s really important to also trust your designer too. My background isn’t in design. To a certain extent, I have to trust that she is an expert in this or he or she is an expert in this and that they’re going to make great design choices. Maybe even not. Maybe in opposition of what I would necessarily choose. Felix: Yeah, that’s a great point because a lot of times whether it be designers or developers, you’re hiring these experts. As entrepreneurs sometimes of course this is your baby that they’re working on, this is your product, this is your brand that they’re working on so you feel that you have to be super involved and contribute. Maybe even feel like you need to contribute more than they should be, which is like you’re alluding to is the wrong approach because you’re hiring people and you have to trust the people that you’ve hired that they’re going to do the job better than you. That’s why you hired them in the first place. Felix: Now when you look at your packaging in the state that it’s at today, what changes did you make along the way? What kind of things did you notice maybe in the initial design respects that you knew you had to change to improve the design of the packaging? Patrice: Well, one of the major shifts for us was actually taking the glass jar and putting it in a box. That wasn’t a choice that we made because we thought it would look prettier. It was actually a requirement for our Health Canada recommendations because when you get this approval, you actually have to have everything in English, French and the ingredients Latin. Just the simple fact that we just didn’t have enough real estate on the jar that putting it in a box was necessary. We’re also a little bit tired of the original one and it just became something that was even more sort of on brand with what we are trying to do. Just honing it down and getting it to more of what it should be. Felix: When you see products in stores and the physical stores or you look at maybe new brands online, you look at their packaging, what kind of common mistakes do you see based on your experience that you think entrepreneurs should pay close attention to? Patrice: I see a lot of stuff that isn’t very clear. Not only I’m trying to figure out what the brand name is, as well as what the purpose of the product is. There seems to be a lot of noise on a lot of labels. I think simple and clean and clear is always better. That’s also like not just a personal philosophy, but it’s a philosophy of my company. We only have five ingredients in our products. For me I think it should be very straightforward for the consumer to pick up your product and go, “Oh, that’s what this is,” and yes or no if I need that. Felix: Now did you test that out? Did you have to test it out whether your packaging kind of ticked those boxes when you get it in front of potential customers? Did you do any of that? Patrice: No, I didn’t. Honestly Felix, like I said, my background is not in business. So much of what I do is based on gut. What is my gut telling me about these decisions? I can try to overthink things or my brain is telling me all these wrong things, but what is my gut, what is my heart telling me? Very often that’s the right choice to make. Felix: Right. I want to go back to all of these certifications and approvals that you got for your product. Can you list them again? Tell us what kind of certifications you had to get or that you want to get for your product? Patrice: We are USDA certified organic. Although we are a Canadian company, the Canadian government actually doesn’t certify skin products. We did have to go to the USDA in order to get organically certified, which is actually even better because the standard is higher. I was quite pleased with that. Again going through Heath Canada and getting these processes done. They’re both really involved. The paperwork and the things that they’re asking for are just pretty extraordinary. Like the flowcharts and the overhead aerials and plant diagrams and all these sorts of things. A lot of hoops to jump through, but again I’m really glad I did it. Probably next we’ll be looking at FDA approvals, moving into other countries. There’s a lot of interest in other international markets for the product and for the company. We’ll be looking at those as well. I would say people have said to me, “Well, you can move into this country and you can get in under the radar.” I would never recommend doing that especially for me. I want to jump through those hoops. I want to make sure that all of the regulations and qualifiers are done. Felix: I guess it’s a good way to do a health check of your company, of your brand, of your products as well and just for yourself, not just for the customers and not just to slap it on the label, but just as a way to keep things tidy it sounds. Now when you go through these processes, are you able to reuse any of the kind of work that you do going from USDA certified organic to Health Canada? Were there reusable documents or did you have to pretty much start from scratch? Patrice: A lot of the stuff can translate. I mean I did my USDA certification by myself, which was tough. When I went through my Health Canada certifications, I actually hired a consultant, which was such good money spent. I would highly recommend if you’re going to go this route is to get somebody who really knows and will take it off your plate for you. It’s actually not that expensive to get somebody to help you to do this. I would definitely recommend that as well. Felix: Can you give me an idea of what kind of budget we’re talking about before this make sense for a store? Patrice: You’re looking at anywhere from say three to $4,000 to get a consultant to help you do this. Felix: Yeah, not bad especially if it’s a product like this that people need for health reasons. Patrice: Yeah. Then you can actually make those health claims. It’s definitely worthwhile. It’s a good investment in your company. It’s for your customers too. Felix: Where do you find a consultant like this? What are you looking for? What are you googling to find a consultant to help with this process? Patrice: Well, obviously talking to your network, finding people if anybody else has worked with somebody in the past. A lot of it’s just digging into the internet and googling and talking to people and sort of getting what you feel like is going to be a good fit for you because the chances are you’re going to be working with them again and again. You want to too. You want somebody who knows your product. If you end up going for something else, they understand where you’re coming from. Felix: You’re just like googling Health Canada consultants? Is there label for these types of folks? Patrice: For Health Canada it’s called a NPH or a NPN, which is a natural health product number or natural health product. There’s a number of consultancies out there. They’re fairly easy to find. Felix: When you did this yourself for … You said you did it yourself for the USDA certified organic? Felix: What are some things that almost I guess tripped you up that you wish you would have prepared more for if you were to do this again by yourself? Felix: As a warning for anyone else out there. Patrice: As a warning. Track everything. Know where everything is coming from. All of your invoices, your lot numbers, where everything is stored. Just be very, very organized as much as possible. Felix: Now that you had this all this done, you had the packaging done, you had the certifications done, what was the method that you decided to go after for driving the traffic in sales to your business? That was my first store. At this point, people were actually calling me because they’d heard of the product. We got up to about 70 stores in Western Canada, so BC basically, mostly. I was still doing the farmer’s market. Felix: Real quick. These farmer’s markets, do you find that they helped you with these retail stores or do you feel you could have gone straight into the retail stores? Patrice: The farmer’s markets were great for a number of reasons. One, talking to customers and getting to know what it is that they really wanted. Like when I first produced my product I thought, “Oh, it can be like a baby balm kind of thing.” People weren’t interested in the baby balm, but they were very interested in the eczema. That was like a market research. It’s also very supportive of the retailers because when somebody buys a product for you at a farmer’s market, they’re not necessarily going to be back in a week or a month to get more, but you can say, “I’m in this store and that store and you can pick it up there when you need it again.” That was very supportive of the retailers as well. We were doing really well and going quite fast and I ended up deciding to get somebody to come in and help me with operations. One of the things that she said, first thing that she said is that, “You no longer can do farmer’s markets,” because I was working seven days a week. I’m a single mom so I was taking care of my daughter throughout the week and doing these farmer’s markets on the weekends. I was exhausted. I wasn’t able to get really good time spent. I just was constantly trying to put up fliers and run to the next thing. She was like, “You need to back up a little bit and figure out where you want to go next.” At that point we had been talking to a distributor, one of the big national distributors up here in Canada. They said, “We are very interested in carrying your product,” but I wasn’t ready. I didn’t have the capacity at that point to be supplying more stores than I was at the time. I said no actually, but they said, “Okay. We’ll stay with you. You let us know when you’re ready.” I started building out capacity at that point saying, “Okay. How do we streamline our suppliers? How do we figure out where we’re going to store everything?” Then all those sorts of issues. Then probably I guess it was about a year later and we said yes to the distributors because we were ready. Then we went from 70 stores to about 400 stores in two months. Felix: Wow. What was scaling up from 70 to 400 like? Patrice: We had done our work ahead of our time, right? We were ready. It was still a bit of a shock. We certainly weren’t expecting that to happen and certainly not that fast. Luckily we had put some processes in place. It was relatively painless. Exciting, super exciting, but it was a good thing to have happened for sure. They’ve been great also supporting us through this entire time. Felix: Now what about the online presence? Are most of the sales coming from these retail locations or do you push a lot onto the online store as well? Patrice: Never been like a super focus. Again it’s been a lot of like organic growth online and in the retailers as well. It’s been the couple different revenue streams. It used to be three, but then I dropped the farmer’s markets. We had the retail, the online and the farmer’s markets. The retail strategy obviously we have some social media … Associate media person working with that, but our major sort of big push happened … Again it was actually kind of by accident. I had done my first media interview in January of this year. 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In addition, we also got another 60 days that joined up from that. The power of the media and reaching people is huge. If you get an opportunity, don’t ever pass it up. Don’t ever think that you’re not expert enough or you don’t have something to say or you can think of somebody else who do a better job. Never do that. Just get out there and talk about what you’re passionate about and that will translate and hopefully translate into some amazing sales as well. Felix: Now this show that you’re on, was it for business people? What was the audience of the people that are tuning in? Patrice: It was actually a very small show. Well, I shouldn’t say very small show because it was hugely impactful, but it’s one hour every week. It’s called Unreserved and it focuses on first nation’s people and what they’re doing just in general. Our story on Unreserved, my 10 minute story, was the most shared story in all of the CBC Radio One Broadcast. Even like their big shows, like The Current and Q, we out shared them by hundreds and hundreds of shares. It was super popular. People really responded to it. Felix: Now do you have any tips for anyone out there that is thinking about taking this approach of getting on TV shows or getting into more kind of a nationwide media appearances? Patrice: Well first off, don’t be intimidated. I know it’s easy to say, but honestly, I come from a background of radio and television. If we have somebody that’s going to talk and be a good interview and can be an expert for us and help solve our time crunch problems because we’re always looking for good content, we are going to be super happy to talk to you or they are going to be. I’m not in the media anymore, but they are going to be super happy to talk to you. Don’t feel shy about reaching out to people. I would avoid press releases like the plague. Never read them. What I would do is reach out to people who have a beat, sort of a focus on what it is that you’re doing and reach out to them directly to try and develop some kind of relationship with them to let them know that you’re available as an expert to them. Just be passionate. I mean there’s a reason why you got into what you’re doing and just share that with people. Felix: Do you need preparation? I guess for you you’re much more experienced. For anyone out there that has never done an interview before, that definitely has not been on TV or radio before, any tips on how to prepare the days leading up to your first interview? Patrice: Sure. Well first off, you’re not providing like a dissertation on your product and the industry. Although it’s important to have facts, facts aren’t really what people get engaged with. They get engaged with your passion. Have a few talking points. Let’s say four or five things that you want to discuss and maybe some key points around that, but avoid having to read or be too scripted. Just go out there and be yourself because it’s you that people are really interested in. Felix: Now when you are going down this path of getting on TV or getting on the radio, who should you be trying to connect with? Who is I guess the decision maker at these companies? Patrice: There is obviously the manager editor or the producer or those sorts of people. They get inundated a lot and again I would say if you can, talk to the writer, talk to the individual reporter, talk to those specific people because they’re looking for you right now. They want to have someone like you on their program to talk about these things because content creation is huge and they don’t have a lot of time. They’re going to be happy to speak with you. Consider trying to get to them directly and there are ways to do that. You can go on … I forget the name of it, but there are … You look up on Twitter which reporters are reporting on what kind of thing. You can just do some googling and reach out to those people directly. Felix: I’ve heard of this service. I haven’t used it myself, but I heard of other entrepreneurs using it called … I think it’s pronounced HARO, H-A-R-O, Help A Reporter Out. You sign up and I think you get to mark yourself down as an expert or someone involved in a specific industry. I think you get a couple of emails a day, depending on which industry you’re in of course, from reporters that are just looking for people that are experts that can comment on whatever is in the news or whatever they’re writing about. The great way to get essentially someone to do the PR for you without you having … Passively essentially without you having to reach out yourself. Definitely check that out. Now I want to talk a little bit about site. The design of it I love it. I think it matches your packaging so well. Who designed that? What was the process behind creating this site? Patrice: Same person. Same person who did my packaging did my website. It’s going to be pretty in line with that. Her name is Nanda Van Der Meer. Originally I met her here in Vancouver, but she moved to The Netherlands. I still work with her, just remote and that’s been fantastic as well. Don’t limit yourself just to your specific market obviously. Felix: For sure. Now has the site gone through iterations like the packaging as well or is this the design that you’ve always had? Patrice: It’s pretty much been the design we’ve always had. Again we had a little bit of an update in the past year or so, but nothing too radically to change it. Again it’s just very straightforward and it’s about getting people the information that they’re looking for. Being a place where people can actually look for our reviews as well and hear what other people have to say about the product. Because I think very often versus me talking about it, it’s so important to hear other voices. That’s a really good opportunity to let people do that. Felix: Because a lot of your revenue is coming from the retail store, I’m assuming that’s where a lot of your focus is as well. When you sit down and think about how you should be spending your time with the website, the online store, where do you spend your time? Where do you focus on these days to grow the business when it comes to your online store, your online sales? Patrice: Obviously our social media we’re trying to engage our customers. We do have a specific Facebook group that we started just for people to be able to talk together versus us talking about discount codes and all that kind of stuff. It’s just a place to build some community because this can be also a very isolating disease if you don’t know other people that you can talk to about it and you haven’t had experience with it. Having eczema and psoriasis can be … It can be just terrible. It’s not just about itchy, scaly skin. It’s also about the way that people look at you when they see you on the street and how that feels as a teenager or as a professional and you don’t want to shake someone’s hand because of the state of your skin. These are very real things that people are suffering with. It’s an opportunity again to just get together and build a community and share things like that. Felix: I like the Facebook group is built around the problem rather than your solution, right? I think a lot of times people will have a brand, have a store and they decide to start a group and the group is all about their products rather than people coming together as a community. Because no one really wants to spend time online talking about a product, right? You barely are going to participate in a group like that. If the topics, the conversations around problems, the stigma as you are talking about, if the topic is around that, then there’s a lot more for people to contribute. There’s a lot more value people will get out of it because you can only talk about your product so much. I think that’s an important thing that you’ve certainly nailed is that your group is focused on support around the problem that your product solves, but it’s not about the product itself. Patrice: Mm-hmm (affirmative). It’s not just always about monetizing everything either. If I’m out there providing some sort of relief to people and not just the literal relief, but making them feel better, that to me is a huge payoff. When people email me and call me and tell me, “You made a difference to me or to my children,” that’s huge. I think that’s probably why I got into journalism in the first place is I wanted to feel like I was making a difference. At some point it became clear to me that I didn’t feel like I was making the difference that I wanted to. Now again everyday people are telling me that I’ve helped them. That has huge, huge value to me. Felix: Now because you are pretty much the only person running this business, of course, you’re hiring people to help you out. I’m sure you rely on a lot of tools and applications to help you out. Can you talk a little bit about those and what kind of technology do you employ whether it’d be on Shopify or outside of Shopify to help you run the business? Patrice: Well, Shopify has been incredible. I mean I don’t think I could have created this online store without Shopify and all the tools that are available to us for mailing out our shipments to just tracking where our sales are coming from, all the tools that are out there. Being able to export to QuickBooks from Shopify, those apps, it’s been sort of our go to place for sure. I also want to be pretty clear. I do have a team with me and without whom I wouldn’t be successful the way that I am. My operations person, Hillary, down to like the team that helps me with labeling and fulfillment of all my products as well. It’s definitely a group effort for sure. Felix: Any tools that you can mention or that you can think of that you rely on heavily? Patrice: Not off the top of my head. No. Other than just everything on it. Like the Shopify is just the go to place for me. If I need something, I just look and look at what they have available. Felix: Very cool. Thank you so much, Patrice. Satya is Satya.ca. Where do want to see the business go this time next year? What are your focus? What are your goals for the coming year? Patrice: Well, obviously we’re going to continue to grow in Canada. It’s really about getting people to know that there is another option out there, another good option out there to the steroids. We do have interest in possibly going overseas to some few other countries as well and just continue with sort our mission, which is to be of service in a product industry. Felix: Awesome. Thank you so much, Patrice. Patrice: Thank you so much, Felix. Speaker 1: When people [inaudible 00:48:00] they feel like it’s important enough that you feel that you want to pack someone that I think it’s always some good content.
2019-04-23T10:55:03Z
https://www.shopify.com.au/blog/satya-product-packaging-tips
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2019-04-20T05:24:13Z
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The val Fiorentina and its Civic Museum Encapsulate a Quintessential Dolomite Microcosm. The val Fiorentina is situated a little distance away from the resorts of Alleghe and Caprile and the Valle di Zoldo, to which it is directly linked through the Forcella Staulanza pass. Historically, the valley covers an area where several boundaries have met – and that has had extremely fascinating consequences in terms of its cultural aspects, as this was a location where a lot of ‘contamination’ would happen, especially so in the Ladin-speaking communities of Colle Santa Lucia –which belonged to Tyrol until 1918 – as well as nearby Cortina and Livinallongo, both accessible through the Falzarego and Giau passes. The Civic Museum “Vittorino Cazzetta” (whose entrance is pictured above) is situated in Selva di Cadore, in the Dolomites’ heartland: a location dominated by the presence of important massifs such as Pelmo, Civetta and Marmolada. The area is quite secluded but at the same time easily reachable, and – geographically speaking – it is part of Agordino, although culturally speaking it belongs to Cadore. The village of Selva di Cadore is also extraordinarily well-preserved, and this allows to appreciate the innumerable man-made interventions that have led to the construction of the current landscape, as we still see it today. The Museum is situated on the main road that crosses the whole val Fiorentina, just outside Selva di Cadore; it is connected through ancient itineraries to other historical settlements in the valley and to the network of the “Vie del Ferro” (‘Iron Ways’) – the most important of which was also known as “Strada della Vena”, directed northbound towards Andraz Castle (see Livinallongo) and San Martino in Badia/St. Martin in Thurn. The Museum is hosted in a beautiful modern building in ‘Liberty’ style dating to the beginning of the 20th century, recently renovated with the aim of creating spaces for visitor services, temporary exhibitions and other cultural activities; in particular, on the ground floor, there is a spacious room that opens up with large glass windows on to the surrounding landscape, taking in the magnificent peaks of the Dolomites; the flexibility of the architectural structure allows for a full, autonomous use of all its different spaces, and the organization of the different functions within them. The visit route is characterized by the indigo blue of the surfaces and the transparency of the display cases: these are organized like evanescent casings that allow the best vision of both the finds and the diorama, also from above; this is all geared at facilitating the presentation of the collection into a coherent story, thus providing the visitor with the best possible experience. In synthesis, the visit route to the Museum is articulated between the first and the second floor in the following way (all these features will be explained in more detail below): an atrium, that presents the general characteristics of the val Fiorentina, the history of the Museum and of Vittorino Cazzetta, to whom the Museum is dedicated; the collections proper, which begin with an introduction to the geologic and paleontological history of the Dolomites, with a particular focus on the iron and onyx trade. The visit to the geologic and Pre-historic section starts with an expanation board and a photographic image illustrating the geographic outline of the val Fiorentina and of all its most relevant sites, together with numerous fossil finds, displayed in cases in front of a reproduction of the Dolomite boulder from Pelmetto – the location where the famous dinosaur’s footprints have been found – with the individuation of the most significant prints left by these Pre-historic animals; this room also hosts other diorama and casts to help deepening the knowledge of the sites where such extraordinary discoveries were made. From this section it is then possible to reach the rooms dedicated to the Archaeology of the Mesolithic and – at last – the space where is displayed the burial ground of the “Uomo di Mondeval” (‘Mondeval Man’). The first room in this section sets the scene for the area of Mondeval, describing its Pre-historic events; another large diorama reproduces a Mesolithic hut with scenes from daily life, while in the adjacent rooms are exhibited the original finds from the funerary endowment and other drawings that illustrate the burial of this hunter. The burial room is set in such a way as to transmit the emotion of this extraordinary archaeological find; it is enriched with a special design – also in a deep indigo blue – and extended to the floor, where the clear glass case containing the actual burial is located; the last room in this section is dedicated to a multimedia reconstruction of the Mondeval man’s face. These are hosted on the second floor of the building, and to begin with, there is another introductory board showing all the sites of major interest, as an aid to locate them in the territory; in the room just nearby is the cast of the Stele Paleoveneta found at the foothills of Monte Pore, while on the other side are the lithic (rock) remains coming from another site at Mandriz. On the short wall is a vase dating to the Copper Age, also found in Mandriz, and additional information on the archaeological digs. The historic section displays cases dedicated to casts of Roman delimitation stones, and an exhibit of documents and finds related to the mining industry. Two large panels individuate the route of the “Via del Ferro” (‘Iron Way’), and the sites alongside it that hold the most interest from an historic point of view (mines, kilns, fortifications, forges). The visit terminates with a Venetian slab stone that symbolically reminds not just of the great interest that the Republic of Venice showed towards Cadore (mainly because of its natural resources), but also of the extraordinary importance that the mining industry had in itself – all the way from the Paleoveneti to the fall of Venice – for the social and economic development of the val Fiorentina in general and of Selva in particular. The presence of the Museum and the organization of its collections are also somehow detectable from the outside; the peculiar ‘skin’ of the building – covered with the typical larch tiles known locally as 'scandole' – serves not only the purpose of blending the new structure in regards to its surroundings, but also that of signaling a certain degree of symbiosis with the rest of the valley and its natural environment; most likely, the external staircase is the single element that best denotes the new Museum, as it influences its layout, ‘naturally’ orientated towards Monte Pelmo: the mountain that constitutes the focal element and the privileged axis on which the entire structure revolves – exactly in the same way as the valley. The Dolomites – already famous in the past as ‘Monti Pallidi’ – are now a particular portion of the southern Alpine chain known as ‘Sudalpino’, delimited to the west and east by the rivers Piave and Adige respectively. To the north and south the limit is provided instead by two important tectonic structures – the ‘Val Pusteria fault-line’ and the ‘Valsugana fault-line’, respectively. The latter delimits the Dolomites in relation to the Pre-Alps of Veneto, developed to the south and open towards the Venetian plains; the ‘Val Pusteria fault-line’ is instead part of that great ‘Lineamento Periadriatico’ (a major fault-line), which isolates the ‘Sudalpino’ from the rest of the Alpine chain. The univocal characteristic of the ‘Sudalpino’ is that of having been lifted and deformed by processes connected to the Alpine Orogenesis (responsible also for the creation of the Alpine range), but without ever being subject to the metamorphic upheavals that have affected the rest of the Alps; therefore, in the Dolomites in general – and here in particular – we find intact almost all of the Pre-alpine stratigraphic succession. The region registers, however, the metamorphic effects of a precedent Orogenesis – so called ‘ercinic’ – which developed between 350 and 320 million years ago. As an effect of this more ancient Orogenesis, the rocks of the preceding Pre-Permian unit have been variously metamorphosed to form the so-called ‘Crystalline Basement’. This latter formation emerges widely across the Dolomites, and it is covered in ‘discordance’ by the sediments of the Permian-Mesozoic layer. Only locally – mostly on the Ampezzo plateaus – the Mesozoic units are being truncated by a wide erosive surface over which is laid a conglomerate of Oligo-Miocenic age, dated to the same period as one of the most important deformation phases in the entire Alpine range. These have determined a fault-line system that separates in a symmetrical fashion the sedimentary cover from the underlying ‘Crystalline Basement’, thus causing the Dolomite region to take the typical shape of a wide fold, depressed at its centre (it is referred to as a ‘sinclinorio’ in Italian; an inclined slope) and affected by other deformed structures – such as faults and overthrusts, also folded – too. In the val Fiorentina surfaces the classic Triassic stratigraphic succession, typical of the Dolomites, which was deposited between 251 and 199 million years ago. Only on the top of M. Pelmo is present also a carbonate unit which can be referred to the subsequent Lower Jurassic. The Lower Triassic is represented everywhere by the Werfen Formation, which was deposited in a wide marine basin, generally not very deep. During the Middle Triassic, a large portion of the Western Dolomites was tectonically lifted and taken to emerged conditions (‘Dorsale Badioto-gardenese’); in this area surfaces therefore a different succession from the one found more to the east (as in Cadore, for example), which was a basin instead. The val Fiorentina was located at the eastern margin of this ridge (Dorsale), and as a consequence it presents a stratigraphy which is different from area to area. To the west we find a vast erosive surface that rests on the Werfen Formation and determines a wide stratigraphic lacuna; in the NE sector, instead, the succession is more consistent: here two phases of emersion can be registered, but there is also evidence of the presence of deeper basins, which already started to develop during the Anisian. In the Ladinian we find a new deep basin, coexisting with the grand systems of carbonate platforms (as in the Marmolada, Cernera, Verdal and Piz del Corvo). In the Upper Ladinian the area is directly involved in a great sub-marine volcanic phase, which shatters the entire landscape; because of this upheaval, the great basin tended to fill up, leaving room, however – in the subsequent Lower Carnian – for a new generation of carbonatic platforms (as in the Lastoni di Formin, Averau, Nuvolau). In the Upper Carnian the residual basins were then filled by a new sedimentary unit (‘Dürrenstein Formation’), before the area went into definitive and general emersion. This phase is documented by the red continental deposits of the Travenanzes Formation; these are also part of a transition towards another potent carbonatic deposit: the Dolomia Principale (Main Dolomite), in which are sculpted – for instance – the massive banks of the Croda da Lago, Pelmo and Civetta. All these complex phenomena – just sketched here – will be explained in greater detail below. Minerals are being extracted from the mountains of the val Fiorentina since the depth of the Middle Ages: as a matter of fact, as early as 1177 the emperor Frederick Barbarossa appoints the convent of Novacella/Neustift (in South Tyrol) with the right to exploit the minerals extracted from the Fursil mines. The minerary district is situated within the Triassic vulcanites on the southern slope of Monte Pore; the extracted mineral was called ‘syderite’ (an iron carbonate), and it is associated with manganese oxides. The iron that was obtained out of working the raw material was quite precious, and it was particularly apt for the realization of the so-called ‘white weapons’ (swords). The mineral was extracted in numerous galleries, located in particular in the area known as ‘I Vauz’ – a location identifiable today because of the large detritus’ cumulus that can still be seen there. All the ancient mine galleries today are either closed or inaccessible, but – in 1933 – one of the old mines of the ‘Vauz’ area could be explored, and this brought back quite an extensive documentation on the different extraction techniques and how they have evolved over time – until the definitive closure of the mine compound in 1753. In its long history, the Fursil mine has witnessed numerous, contrasting episodes related to the exploitation of its minerals. Squeezed between the Imperial territories owned by the Bishop of Bressanone/Brixen, the ancient rights of the Novacella convent and the claims of the Republic of Venice, these mines lied at the centre of a very complex dispute, the study of which is exemplary in order to understand the history of the region – to which one must also add the ongoing contrasts between the miners from Cadore and those of German origin, summoned by the Bishop. The extracted mineral was treated directly in this territory, where several important plants for processing iron were located (such as in Caprile, Pescul and Zoldo). Under the definitive rule of the Bishops, a preferential route was also traced for carrying the mineral to Andraz Castle, from where it continued its journey towards the kilns situated in the surrounding area and by the Valparola pass. This itinerary, known today as “Strada del Ferro” (‘Iron Way’, or “Strada della Vena”) was recently made accessible again, thus retrieving a fundamental piece of evidence for understanding the local economic history. In the period between the two wars, at the foothills of Monte Fernazza – in the area of Caprile – a curious activity was being carried out. It was conneced to a subterranean cave – very particular in its origin and for the material that was being extracted: onyx. This mine has been closed for a number of years now, and it was only recently reopened; a topographic survey was executed, and an actual exploration route was devised also. The accessible cavity is constituted by a large, elongated room, parallel to the slope. The material which was being extracted was a calcareous alabaster of great quality; this lithoid (rock) material was known with the commercial name of ‘onyx’ – but it is in fact not to be confused with the homonymous mineral, which can be ascribed to chalcedony. The origin of the vein is to be looked for in the huge landslide which detached itself from the western side of Monte Fernazza. This ancient land movement involved primarily the so-called ‘Jaloclastites of Monte Fernazza' – a stratigraphic unit which has a sedimentary origin – but it is also linked to basic submarine eruptions, which happened in the Upper Ladinian (Middle Triassic). Together with the blocks of jaloclastites, this ancient landslide has also involved limestone blocks and Dolomite boulders – most likely from the upper slopes of overhanging Civetta. The circulation of fluids rich in mineral substances – mainly calcium carbonate – has allowed the precipitation of calcareous alabaster in the hollows, thus generating the mineral vein; this ‘onyx’, therefore, is a chemical deposit due to precipitation, analogous in nature and origin to cave concretions, and as such not a mineral. The enriching presence of different salts, deriving from the percolating water, has also given origin – in turn – to a series of spectacular colorations taken on by the ‘onyx’ itself. In the 1940s, the miners demanded and obtained the authorization to dig a gallery in order to follow the vein, which extended under the Cordevole riverbed. It is still possible to see the access point of this exploratory gallery, which was literally dug inside the mine, and where was also a well that unfortunately today is completely filled with water. The actual landscape of the val Fiorentina is the result of processes that have established themselves in the Dolomites after their final emersion from the sea – an event which can be dated between the end of the Oligocene and the Miocene, following the lifting up of the Alpine chain. Many agents of degradation have acted upon this territory ever since, to mould it into its actual aspect – in particular gravity, running surface water, the action of subterranean water, ice and the action of freezing-thawing cycles. The geological nature of this land, characterized by an alternation of rocks of different erodibility, has created a substrate on which – often in a selective manner – various processes have taken place; for example, those linked to gravity are manifested mainly through rock landslides and debris-flow (detritus) phenomena, which sometimes are quite showy – as it can be appreciated in the upper part of the valley. The valley itself is the result of erosive processes determined by the activity of ancient quaternary glaciers and water courses; at the end of the glaciations, it was mainly the action of surface water that acted as a moulding agent. The actual val Fiorentina shows in fact the typical ‘V-section’ of the fluvial valleys, but as we rise in altitude it takes on a typical ‘stair-like’ (Italian ‘a gradoni’) outline, which is consequence of the presence of variously erodible lithologies, due also to subsequent erosive and depositional cycles. Morphologies and deposits of glacial origin too are observable in altitude, as for instance in the area of Mondeval, which presents itself – also for the geologic nature of its substrate – as a basin characterized by soft or carved morphologies. The large Dolomite boulders that lay on top of this surface – as the famous rock connected with the Pre-historic burial of the Mondeval man – derive from the collapse of rock walls from the Lastoni di Formin, then elaborated, reshuffled and repositioned by the action of glaciers. Finally, Karstic activity manifests anywhere the carbonate rocks are being exposed, and this is particularly evident on the summit of Monte Pelmo, where the presence of Jurassic limestone and the conjoined action of ice and water have created an extraordinary glacial-Karstic landscape, dominated by the presence of showy corrosion shapes and deep vertical cavities. To Vittorino Cazzetta – to whom the museum is dedicated – we also owe a fundamental contribution for the geologic section of the Museum: his is the indication of the presence of invertebrates’ imprints on a large Dolomite boulder, collapsed at the foot of Monte Pelmetto and subsequently recognized – for the first time in Italy – as dinosaur’s imprints. These impressive finds are the main focus of this section of the Museum, as the visitor is guided through the entire geologic history of the valley, recounted in chronologic order through boards, drawings, pictures, reconstructions, rock and fossil samples, which all illustrate the modifications occurred in the area during the Triassic: the geologic period – comprised between 251 and 199 million years ago – which is by far the most documented in all of the Dolomites. A stratigraphic scheme, with a colour-coded indication of the different geologic layers to which the exhibits are referred to, is devised to assists the visitor all along the route. The most ancient rocks of the val Fiorentina belong to the Werfen Formation: a stratigraphic unit referred to the Lower Triassic (or Scitian) and widespread in the whole of the Southern Alps. This unit expresses a vast marine habitat constantly fed by fine detritic material coming from the north, and eroded by what was left of a preceding mountain chain known as ‘Ercinic’. The sediments belonging to this ancient sea are therefore mostly made of fine sandstone, siltites and micaceous limestone, and denoted by quite strong colours – such as green and red. Given its highly heterogeneous nature, this formation is subdivided into various sub-units called ‘members’ or ‘horizons’. Despite the fact that life in this sea was quite thriving, the fossils – not very widespread – are mostly represented by internal models and imprints. The more frequent mechanical traces are also given by marks left by the dominating currents (‘ripple marks’) – all in all quite similar to those that can be observed on an average beach today. Even the hychno-fossils – that is, the various marks left on the sediment by the different organisms – are relatively common: these are mainly the remains of dens and marine invertebrates’ trails, but – albeit rarely – one can also find here imprints and tracks of continental reptiles, especially on those stratigraphic layers which were clearly generated in emerged conditions. Many layers’ surfaces are sometimes covered with mollusks – especially Bivalves; amongst these, particularly significant is the presence of Claraia clarai, but decidedly more spectacular are the imprints left by sea-stars and other marine creatures. At the end of the Scitian, a sharp reduction in the supply of earth is registered, and on top of the Werfen Formation is thus being deposited a block – about 20 metres thick – of stratified (or layered) Dolomite, normally devoid of fossils. This new unit – known as Lower Serla Dolomite ('Dolomia del Serla Inferiore') – is linked to a relatively shallow marine habitat characterized by tidal plains, over-salty and therefore ill-fitting for living organisms. This formation, however, is documented only locally in the val Fiorentina, because of the complex events that denoted the subsequent Anisian plain (or level). The Anisian constitutes a crucial stage for the whole Southern Alpine range – one that modifies deeply and completely the monotonous geography of the preceding Scitian. As a matter of fact, from this moment onwards, an intense tectonic activity dismembers the region into sectors, all with different environmental and Paleo-geographic conditions: some areas are lifted to an emerged state, while others – still occupied by the sea – tend to become deeper and deeper. This determines – in turn – the fact that, even at relatively short distances, one may find rocks belonging to the same geologic era as an expression of utterly different depositional events. An extraordinary example, in this respect, is represented precisely by the small Cernera massif, which shows – in just a few kilometers from west to east – an incredible but consistent passage from riverine to lagoon-like 'facies', then coastal and finally decidedly marine habitats (‘facies’). Examining and correlating laterally the various rocks that follow one another over time, we are therefore able to reconstruct the Anisian landscape and its modifications. To the west was an emerged ridge now known as ‘Dorsale Badioto-Gardenese’, in which erosive processes were dominant; here the rivers transported large quantities of sediments towards the adjacent seas – in particular towards the area of Cadore, as the Anisian sea was extending eastwards. Because of periodical oscillations in the global marine levels, the coastline also continued to shift, thus effecting constant variations in the habitats, both in a horizontal and vertical sense, but without significant alterations in the Paleo-geography. The continental deposits contain rare and spectacular fossils; in the Voltago Conglomerate we find mostly vegetal remains, while in the Richthofen Conglomerate we can also spot imprints of ancient continental reptiles. The continental deposits fade in a characteristic way both laterally and on the top towards marine ‘facies’; at first, one finds habitats connected with coastal lagoons that gradually transition into shallow marine basins, more or less polluted by the silts coming from the mainland. The fossils present in these units are those typical of a shallow sea environment; in the deepest marine ‘facies’ we find instead a characteristic fauna dominated by Ammonioids. With the Ladinian the whole Dolomite area becomes slowly ever more profound, leading to the sinking of the preceding emerged lands. Once the mainland has distanced itself, the supply of earth also ceases, and so sedimentation acquires a decidedly less carbonate character. In those sectors that are less deep, constructor organisms can therefore become established – such as, for example, corals – thus defining very particular areas which will evolve as carbonate platforms and buildings. Despite being already present during the Anisian, it is with the Ladinian that carbonate buildings take on a spectacular form, with a thickness which can sometimes exceed 1,000 metres. The carbonate platforms – amongst which are Monte Cernera, Marmolada, Sassolungo, Catinaccio-Latemar and Sciliar – have grown apparently one on top of the other for the whole duration of the Ladinian, so to form localized, isolated bodies laying at the bottom of the basin, and surrounded by much deeper marine habitats. Sheer falls – often conserved with the original inclination, as on the northern face of Cernera and Verdal – joined up the carbonate buildings to the adjacent deep-sea beds. In the latter, sedimentation was generally reduced and given by the Buchenstein (or Livinallongo) Formation. This unit is constituted by both carbonate (bituminous and nodular) limestone and volcanic deposits; characteristic is in fact the so-called ‘Pietra Verde del Cadore’ ('Cadore Green Stone'), which surfaces quite profusely by the Belvedere at Colle Santa Lucia: this is constituted by a fine volcanic sandstone, expression of the beginning of a volcanic activity which, starting from the south, would progressively affect – in the Upper Ladinian – the whole of the Dolomites’ area. From these stratigraphic units come a few types of fossils: essentially pelagic bivalves of genus Daonella and ammonioids; the latter, in particular, are fundamental in order to define the geologic age of all Triassic units. In the Upper Ladinian another dramatic event took place: volcanism, which was to overlay itself to the complex situation that was being generated in the Dolomites’ area, whose basins were already reaching beyond 1,000 metres of depth – as documented by the Zoppé Sandstones and the Acquatona Formation. In the Dolomiti Bellunesi volcanic activity is of submarine nature, and it is given by basaltic lava, often with the typical ‘pillow’ structures (pillow-lava) and products given by submarine reshuffle (a mixture of pillow-breccia and Fernazza jaloclastites). Volcanism, which manifests itself also with the repositioning of veins and intrusive bodies – as in the Monzoni and Predazzo ranges – is accompanied by an equally intense tectonic activity, evidenced also by enormous, chaotic deposits due to great submarine landslides, provoked by faults. This happens while locally the last carbonate platforms still survive – as on the Sciliar. Elsewhere – for example on the Marmolada and on Monte Agnello by Predazzo – large volcanoes form and emerge from the sea; subsequently, once the volcanic activity ceases, their sub-aereal apparatuses are being dismantled by the erosive processes, so that enormous quantities of detritus are being formed, then transported and spread by murky currents towards the deeper basins. For a good part, the Ladinian – precisely as it is observed on the Corno Alto and at Mondeval – is represented by very powerful sequences of volcanic detritus (Wengen Formation), the latter accompanied sometimes by conglomerate 'facies' (layers of Marmolada Conglomerate). In all of these detritus’ 'facies' the fossils – never frequent – are mostly represented by pelagic Bivalves, Nautiloids and Ammonioids. Vegetal remains coming directly from the emerged volcanic areas (mostly islands) are also locally present – mostly appearing as reshaped matter, then deposited on to the sea beds. Because of the enormous quantity of volcanic-sedimentary material transported into the basins, these generally tend to slowly fill up; the same carbonate buildings also tend to become suffocated at first, and then literally buried under the detritus material of volcanic origin: spectacular examples, in that respect, can be observed precisely on the Cernera and in the Pale massif. Somehow connected with Triassic volcanism is also the widespread presence of metallic minerals, scattered a bit everywhere in the valley; these minerals, especially in the past, have played a non-negligible role in the local economy. The beginning of the Carnian doubles the preceding situation, in the sense that wherever there were platforms we will find analogous situations – in the same way as the Carnian sea rests on the Ladinian sea, but with ever lesser depths. The supply of volcanic-detritus material into the sea in fact continues in great quantities, even though the volcanic activity has by now almost completely stopped, while on the preceding carbonate buildings – at this stage devoid of life – corals start to establish themselves once again, and so do other constructor organisms, which will give origin to at least two more generations of carbonate platforms. These will present themselves as tabular bodies, less potent than the preceding Ladinian buildings, but much more extended in terms of area. The new plateaus are indicated with the name of Cassian Platforms (or 'Dolomite Cassiana') and will tend to expand laterally at the expense of the adjacent basins, which are being progressively filled up. The Coldai range, the complex that goes from the Gusela del Giau to the Averau/Nuvolau massifs, and most of the Sella group, are only some of the major examples of Carnian platforms. The relative stability of the marine levels hinders the accumulation of further sediments above the same platforms, so that the settled sediment produced by the platform can only be deposited at the margins of the same structures, inclined towards the sea, and this determines their ongoing centrifugal expansion. The buildings at the margin of the Cassian Platforms – perfectly still visible today – are in fact given by layers tilted towards the exterior, along the periphery. The situation of these basins is in fact not much different from the preceding one: they are still subjected to the constant supply of volcanic-detritus materials, but also the platforms themselves are starting to discharge sediments into the basin. Sometimes gigantic blocks would detach themselves from the edge of the platform, roll along the slope to then finally collide with the underlying mud and sands of the adjacent basins; one of these spectacular blocks – known as ‘Calcare di Cipit’ – can be observed at Passo Sella. The depositional basins dating to the same age as the Cassian Platforms are therefore being gathered into one quite well-known stratigraphic unit: the San Cassiano Formation. This unit is universally known for the extraordinary richness in fossils it contains, constituted by both those organisms which used to live in the basin and the re-deposited ones: sponges; many types of corals; Brachiopods; Gasteropods, sometimes even with traces of colour; Bivalves; Cephalopods; Echinoids; Crinoids; rests of vertebrates, amongst which – in particular – are the Placodonts. At the beginning of the Upper Carnian the marine basins are in the process of being filled up, so that not even the Cassian Platforms have enough space where to expand; therefore, the aspect of the Dolomites changes again, and it is now characterized by great, rather flat extensions that develop at water level, from which even vaster emerged lands arise, flanked by canals and deep-sea stretches. Once the earth supplies stop, various types of sediments start to deposit on these environments, part of the Heiligkreutz Formation, which comprise both continental/lagoon-type detritus’ deposits and Dolomites’ ‘facies’ typical of the tidal plains. Locally – as at the foothills of the Tofane – the detritus’ ‘facies’ produce very rich associations in which mollusks are prevailing, but there is also a presence of Nautiloids and of vegetal rests, amongst which are amber drops, bone fragments and reptiles’ tooth – both marine and terrestrial. The presence of continental reptiles during the deposition of the Heiligkreutz Formation – but also in the internal plains of the pre-dating Cassian Dolomites – is an established fact by now. On the surface of many boulders, which have precipitated from the Dolomite rock walls that encircle the Mondeval basin – but also on the Dolomite of the tidal plains, which is being exposed in several locations (Rocchette, Formin, Settsass) – imprints of large invertebrates have been identified. Certain data for a more definitive interpretation are still missing, but already at this stage it can be asserted that the Carnian tidal plains were being roamed by several types of Arcosaurus reptiles, and perhaps even by primitive dinosaurs. In the Upper Carnian a global event of great importance involves the Dolomites: a rapid and powerful lowering of the sea beds, which determines the definitive retreat of the sea. The entire complex of the Southern Alps – by now emerged – is at first flattened by degradation agents and then – here and there – covered again by new, ‘clastic’ sediments, which are being abandoned by the many water courses that still cut through the region. Quite warm and arid climatic conditions then determine the formation of epehemeral evaporitic basins, in which chalks are being deposited – and this also accounts for the generally red colour of the deposits, which is to be ascribed to these peculiar environmental conditions. The whole set of these deposits – which ultimately result quite poor in fossil remains – is to be indicated in the Dolomites with the name of Travenanzes Formation. At the end of the Carnian the region presented itself as an immense plain, stretching from west to east as far as the eye could see. It is at this time that the sea starts to rise again, thus transforming this almost desert-like environment into a tidal plain. With the latter is to be intended a roughly flat area which is subjected to cyclical advancements and withdrawals of the sea; this mechanism can be compared to tide cycles, but – because of astronomical factors – it is of millennial duration. The position of the Dolomites within the Tropical climatic band – at this particular point in time – allows to compare the environment that we have just described with the one still existing today in locations such as the Caribbean or the Persian Gulf – but none other is more similar to the Dolomites of the origins than present-day Bahamas archipelago. This situation is going to persist – roughly unchanged – for an extraordinarily long geologic time; in actual facts, until the end of the Triassic – thus including the Norian and Rhaetian levels. The consequence of a similar evolution is the accumulation of layers of enormous thickness (up to 1,500 metres) of apparently monotonous rocks, which will go to constitute the backbone of the Southern Alps. It is not by chance that the main rock formation of which we are talking about here is called Main Dolomite (‘Dolomia Principale’): the Croda da Lago, Pelmo, Tofane and Civetta, as well as many other mountains of the Dolomites – but also of the Pre-Alps of Veneto and Lombardy – are in fact modeled into this rock unit. The monotony of these layers is only apparent, however: observing them with the eyes of a geologist, it is in fact possible to recognize in the layers the succession of different environments, and their adaptation to constant variations in the sea level. In a nutshell, the tidal plain of the Main Dolomite was constantly moving from conditions of shallow-sea levels (sub-tidal conditions) to emerged conditions (supra-tidal), passing through an intermediate phase controlled by oscillations in the tides (inter-tidal conditions). The sub-tidal marine environment is characterized by massive Dolomite ‘facies’ in which are frequently found imprints and the internal models of mollusks – such as Megalodonts. When the sea retreated, the tidal plain would become covered by carpets (or mats) of algaes and cyanobacteria, capable of trapping the sediment and thus forming thin laminations known as ‘stromatolites’. These ‘facies’ are devoid of fossil remains, but it is within this context that has to be set the important discovery of the boulder leaning against the base of Pelmetto, which has unexpectedly revealed the presence of dinosaurs’ imprints. To the curiosity of Vittorino Cazzetta we owe the individuation – in the early 1980s – of the Main Dolomite boulder lying at the foot of Pelmetto, with strange and mysterious lines made of holes. That boulder – now become famous – has allowed to document in an undisputable way, for the first time, the presence of dinosaurs over the Italian territory. The analysis of the surface (almost 40 sq m) offers convincing and thrilling details: the surface shows a series of at least 100 holes, mostly arranged in regular successions and imprinted in a thick layer of ‘stromatolite’ veins, deformed and squeezed. Obviously the holes are just imprints, while the regular successions are proper tracks; one in particular crosses diagonally and in a spectacular fashion the entire surface. The individual imprints are placed quite regularly, with a constant angle; they are symmetrical when compared to the tracks’ axis – exactly as a two-legged animal would proceed. If we observe the single imprints within this track, we will notice that they are surrounded by a typical swelling: that is mud, still plastic and soaked with water, expelled by the weight of the animal – mud that is by now lithified (that is, it has become rock), as in fact the entire surface which had been walked upon by these Triassic giants, ascribable to the Upper Carnian-Lower (or Basal) Norian. But what sort of dinosaurs where these? The most evident track is ascribable to a primitive Ornitiscus: a small herbivore dinosaur, which left imprints – no more than about 12 cm long – with its posterior legs. The greater part of the smaller imprints – often lined up as in a trail, and dispersed on the boulder’s surface – belongs instead to small carnivorous two-footed dinosaurs, ascribable to genus Ceratosaurus, about 1,5 m long and no more than 1 m tall. But there is yet another track – ill-preserved on the boulder’s margins – which is constituted by circular imprints (about 15 cm in diameter), accompanied at times by even smaller imprints. This track – evidently of a four-footed creature – is to be referred to a type of herbivore dinosaur almost 4 metres long – a relative of the more famous Brontosaurus. A reconstruction allows to visualize the situation as it was in the Dolomites 215 million years ago. After the original report by Vittorino Cazzetta, the boulder was examined for the first time in 1985; then, shortly after that, the first evidence of the presence of dinosaurs in Italy was announced. Provisional casts of the imprints were taken, and the entire surface reproduced, with the final goal of executing the complete cast – as it is now being exhibited in the Museum. Since the first report of dinosaurs’ imprints conserved on the Dolomite boulder at Pelmetto, other locations within the Southern Alps have produced new data in order to recognize and list the totality of terrestrial vertebrates that, between the Upper Carnian and until the end of the Triassic, populated the Main Dolomite tidal plains. Some sites have already been studied, while for others (such as the Moiazza and Civetta) research is still under way. Besides the main Dolomite boulder at Pelmetto described above – which conserves about 100 imprints referable to dinosaurs – further examination of the scree deposits has revealed a certain number of other imprints, which widens considerably the knowledge on the fauna of the time. From this analysis one can in fact document the presence of Saurians, of genus Ornitiscus and of small Arcosaurus. The Saurians are represented by small imprints – organized in two-legged trails – of Teropods ascribable to small carnivorous dinosaurs (Ceratosaurus), similar to genus Coelophysis. There are also a few three-toed imprints of bigger dimension, ascribable to genus Eubrontes, which are larger Ceratosaurus. The Saurians are also documented by a single four-footed track, ascribable to a herbivore creature – and so are the basal Ornitiscus, whose trail provides the most suggestive evidence of all on the boulder. Together with the dinosaurs’ imprints, isolated marks and a track of Arcosaurus reptiles – referable to the so-called Tecodonts – were also individuated. The stratigraphic position allows to attribute the entire association to the Upper Carnian or Lower (Basal) Norian. Once the last huge glacial expansion ended, the environmental situation of the Alps moved towards conditions that are more similar to the present ones. As a consequence of the rapid withdrawal of the glaciers, the mountain was colonized again by vegetation and animals. Even man – Homo sapiens, that is – adapted to the meaningful changes that characterized this period: in the regions of North-east Italy, as the climatic conditions improved, man progressively started to climb further up in altitude. At the beginning, it was question of small groups (25-30 people), who migrated towards the interior of a definite territory, moving ever higher from the valley floors towards the highlands during the good season. Their economy was exclusively based on hunting, fishing and the gathering of wild products. Started during the last phases of the Upper Paleolithic (recent Epigravettian), this progressive process of colonization of the Alpine territories became more decidedly established during the Mesolithic – a cultural phase that begins at the end of the Late Glacial (around 11,600 years ago) and terminates in the period in which one starts to register the spread of forms of economy linked to agricultural and livestock farming, which will characterize the Neolithic (6th century AC in Northern Italy) and affect also the first part of so-called Holocene (or Post-Glacial). The Mesolithic in Northern Italy is articulated into two phases: a more ancient one, – known as Sauveterrian – and another more recent, called Castelnovian. Among the several hundred Mesolithic sites in high altitude known in the South-eastern Alps – at altitudes comprised between 1,900 and 2,300 metres – that of Mondeval de Sora is the most important for conservation, quality and quantity of the finds. The so-called ‘Site 1’ at Mondeval de Sora is situated at the centre of the basin bearing the same name, in correspondence with a large, isolated Dolomite boulder, at an altitude of about 2,150 metres. First discovered in 1985 by Vittorino Cazzetta, the site has been the object of research for over 15 years, allowing to bring to light two different archaeological deposits, respectively located under the two protruding sides of a large erratic Dolomite boulder. The first frequentation dates to the most ancient phase of the Mesolithic – that is, the Sauveterrian: an epoch during which the site is also affected by the presence of a settlement leaning against the boulder’s walls. In this period, in the area opposite the boulder and up until the margin of the small basin, was located a small lake, delimited by a cordon of moraines (small ondulations). To the subsequent and more recent Mesolithic phase (Castelnovian) are to be ascribed the burial of a hunter, accompanied by a rich funerary endowment and some further traces of a settlement. After a period of apparent abandonment lasted for a few millennia, the site became inhabited again during the Bronze Age – an epoch to which are dated some combustion structures, such as a furnace, and the base of a hut. During the Late Ancient Roman Age a new phase of occupation is registered, attested by the recovery of two Roman coins, which carry respectively the effigies of Emperor Constance 2nd and Teodosius 1st (6th century DC). In the successive epochs, the great erratic boulder that dominates the basin continues to constitute a reference point for the communities of shepherds that roam the area – at least until the construction of the actual ‘malga’ at Mondeval de Sora; this fact is also witnessed by the basal portions of structures in dry-stone, dating to historic times, that were discovered against the rock's walls. Delimited by an imposing relief and linked to the surrounding valleys by passes and ‘forcelle’, the clearing at Mondeval de Sora has long represented a strong reference point for the groups of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers roaming these uplands: this is due to its rather strategic position, in a transitional band between woodland and Alpine meadows/pastures. In the course of about 20 years of research, the finding of artifacts in chipped stone and – more rarely – of fauna remains, has allowed the archaeologists to identify several sites which can be ascribed to this period, located in recurring positions. On the one hand, the presence of flatter areas – situated in proximity of water courses, small pools and/or erratic boulders – has favoured the establishment of temporary settlements, used also as base camps for all other movements over the land. On the other hand, the areas located in correspondence of passes, ‘forcelle’ and vantage points – often along transit routes – have been used as brief stopping stations or as hunting posts. The study of evidence found in different sites within the basin allows also to affirm that frequentation of the area started with the most ancient phase of the Mesolithic – that is, the Sauveterrian, characterized by the presence of lithic (rock) instruments of small dimensions (armors ), dominated by triangular shapes and tapered points persisting through to the most recent phase (Castelnovian), when trapezoid-shaped armors start to become established and more widespread. The Mesolithic hunter-gatherers practiced a nomadic life-style, moving from area to area according to a seasonal yearly rhythm and in relation to the availability of resources. The study of the provenance of rocks used for fashioning utensils represents an important means in order to reconstruct their movements across the land. In Mondeval, during the ancient phase of the Mesolithic (Sauveterrian), the use of flint of Pre-Alpine origin is largely documented; this material was, most likely, introduced to the area from the middle Piave Valley (val Belluna). It is therefore possible to hypothesize that, in order to reach these territories during the most favourable times of the year, these groups of hunters followed the routes on the valley floors, along the water courses – mainly the Piave and its tributaries. In the most recent phase of the Mesolithic (Castelnovian) it can be observed, however, a clear change in the area used for the provision of supplies, which is evidence of the fact that the groups coming to Mondeval were now gravitating more on the Adige Valley (Val d’Adige) rather than the Piave Valley. Besides these rocks, in each of these phases it was used – even though with lesser frequence – also a local variety of flint, probably quite widespread in the area of the Dolomites. Extremely interesting for the reconstruction of the mobility of the Mesolithic groups is also the recovery of a small marine shell (Columbella rustica), used for ornamental purposes, which seems to suggest movements towards the sea or – alternatively – exchanges with other groups settled in the area around the Northern Adriatic coast. Another material, present within this site and which could give indications on the mobility in the area, is ochre – a compound obtained from iron dioxide and used both as a colouring as well as for the execution of various tasks. However, at the moment, a specific study that indicates the provenance of this material is not available as yet. The majority of instruments and tools used by the Mesolithic hunters which have reached us in good conditions is constituted of artifacts in chipped stone. The operations linked to the confectioning of these objects started with the extraction of small sharp splinters of elongated shape (lamellae), obtained out of flint nodules which were being hit using different techniques. During the Sauveterrian, the use of direct percussion was quite exclusive (it was generally achieved with the help of a small stone), while during the Castelnovian a more sophisticated technique known as ‘indirect percussion’ started to be employed, which made use of intermediate elements – a sort of chisel placed between the ‘percussor’ and the nodule which had to be chipped away at, thus favouring the extraction of more regular lamellae. Some lamellae, thus obtained, were then further segmented in more parts with a particular procedure (the micro-burin technique) and evened with small blows at the margins, with the aim of obtaining artifacts of different shapes: pointed armors and triangles in the Sauveterrian and trapezoid armors in the Castelnovian. These artifacts of very small dimensions – often inferior to 1 cm – were subsequently mounted on wooden sticks or other supports to confection arrows, light javelins or other more complex tools. Other lamellae, kept unpolished, were instead directly employed for the cutting of soft materials or for working wood; besides, the sturdier splinters and the same lamellae were also being modified along the margins in order to obtain various tools, used for the execution of different activities linked with sustenance. Quite frequent are also the ‘scratchers’ that were being used for leather tanning – an operation which was carried out with the aid of abrasive and degreasing substances such as ochre. The majority of Mesolithic instruments and tools in stone must therefore have been endowed with handles – or mounted on supports with the assistence of resins or rough tiers, which in most cases have unfortunately been lost. In some rare cases, however, a few tools obtained out of the manufacturing of hard animal materials were conserved. The sustenance of Mesolithic populations depended strictly on the varying resources according to the rhythm of the seasons, and – therefore – the different environments occupied during the course of the year. However, the limited capacity of conservation in regards to remains of organic nature only allows us to have direct evidence on the consumption of a rather limited range of resources, when compared to the ones actually used (which are almost impossible to document today in their entirety). Amongst these, a particularly essential role was played by animal resources, whose evidence in Mondeval consists of bone remains of hunted preys. The localization of the site in proximity of the upper limit of woodland – which at the time must have been located at a slightly higher altitude in respect to the current one – allowed the hunters to get hold of both preys that inhabited the woodland (as for instance deer, which during the summer travel higher up in altitude) and those that, on the contrary, lived in the Alpine pastures and meadows – such as ibex, chamois and marmot. The exploitation of carcasses was also mainly finalized to obtain alimentary resources: meat, marrow and organs – either used directly or subjected to conservation processes. The study of the bone remains has allowed researchers to identify the traces of the different activities carried out – mostly thanks to the presence of marks and fractures executed in order to remove the meat or obtain the marrow. Bones, skins and sinews could also be used to fashion other various tools indispensable for sustenance. These latter instruments would include axes, bradawls, points and so on. Unfortunately, there is no direct trace of the use of vegetal resources that also must have been quite varied (mushrooms, fruits and berries, herbs, etc) and probably carried out an essential role in diet and daily life. The first burials known in Europe date to the Upper Paleolithic (40,000 – 11,5000 years ago). These have reached us in extremely reduced numbers, and the same can be said for the Mesolithic: it is therefore possible that only a few individuals were being buried, but it is difficult to understand the reasons behind this choice; neither do we know which type of treatment was reserved to the other members of the group. All the Paleolithic and Mesolithic burials have been discovered within sites that have also returned traces of settlements. The burial at Mondeval de Sora is the highest in Europe and it can be referred to the Castelnovian phase (about 7,500 years ago). It is constituted by a ditch inside which the buried person was laid supine with distended limbs; the inferior part of the body was covered in stones. The skeleton is ascribable to a male adult of circa 40 years of age, about 1,70 m tall. The objects that accompanied the deceased – found inside the burial ground – are numerous and of various typologies. Some accompanying objects appear strictly connected to the funerary rite – as for instance the three blades manufactured in yellow flint, and placed respectively on the head and behind the shoulders, whose meaning remains obscure. A bradawl, manufactured in elk bone, was placed on the sternum, while another one – worked out of deer bone – was located between the knees instead; probably, these were being used in order to seal off the leather shroud inside which the body of the hunter was wrapped. Other elements that accompanied the buried person make a reference to the ornaments that the hunter must have worn at the time of the burial. These are seven canines belonging to deer, all of them with a hole – which make one suggest they were all strung together in a chain. On the left side of the buried hunter – at the height of the lower arm and hand – three groups of objects have been found which, most likely, were contained within three bags. Besides those objects in flint, there were also some artifacts manufactured in bone or out of deer antlers, which give us a rare picture of the kit of utensils that a Mesolithic hunter must have carried with him.
2019-04-19T03:04:40Z
http://www.italy-tours-in-nature.com/val-fiorentina.html
The City of Ekurhuleni had no obligation to fix a family shack which was split open after being hit by an aircraft which crashed in Wattville, Benoni, earlier this week, the office of Mayor Mondli Gungubele said. Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said they had made no promises to fix Cebisile Zulu's shack after it was reportedly struck by the wing of the plane as it went down and burst into flames just metres from her house on Wednesday morning. "We have not committed to anything," Dlamini told News24 on Thursday afternoon. "We need to investigate the extent of the damage and see what we can do as a city but we have made no commitments. You must remember that this thing was not our doing," Dlamini said. On Wednesday, just hours after the aircraft had gone down, News24 visited Zulu at her shack. A piece of the shattered plane was still on her roof and one side of the shack was broken. The area surrounding the shack had been taped off by investigators. News24 spoke to Zulu as her toddler child crawled around on the sand under the tape. She said although she was sad her shack had been damaged in the crash, she was comforted by the fact that people of the City had promised to come back and help her fix it before nightfall. She stood at the fence of the shack during the afternoon, waiting for the promised help. But by Wednesday night, no one had come back. She was forced to seek shelter from a neighbour for her and her two children. When News24 contacted her on Thursday afternoon, she said she had spent the day at home, waiting for someone to come to their aid. "I haven't made any phone calls because the people who promised they would come back never left their names or their numbers," she said. "And the person who offered us accommodation [on Wednesday] said it was only for one night." She burst into tears when News24 informed her that Dlamini said fixing the shack was not their responsibility. "I have no idea what this means for me and my children. I don't know where I am going to sleep tonight," she said. The aircraft crashed with three passengers on board - a pilot and an Austrian couple - all in their 60s. It was headed for Mokgopong in Limpopo when it crashed a few minutes after take-off. It landed on a field in the middle of Wattville township which was used as a netball court and soccer pitch for local children. Locals rushed to the scene, tried to douse the flames and pulled the passengers out of the wreckage. All three, however, died on the scene. A federal judge ruled this week that a Texas mechanic who worked on restoring a vintage airplane in Auburn can move forward with his effort to recover wages on a dual track — under state and federal law — against the company that owned the plane and the company that hired him to restore it. A year ago, U.S. Chief District Judge Nancy Torresen allowed Christopher Venegas, 46, of Wichita Falls to invite other mechanics who worked on the project with him to join his lawsuit under federal law. Venegas came to Maine three years ago to work as an air frame mechanic at a hangar at the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport. At issue is whether Venegas and his co-workers should have been paid as independent contractors, as the defendants in his complaint contend, or as employees, who were entitled to overtime pay, as Venegas argues. In his complaint, filed in June 2014 in U.S. District Court in Portland, Venegas claimed he was paid straight time for all hours worked, including those in excess of 40 per week. According to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, employees must be paid overtime wages at a rate of time-and-a-half for any hours exceeding 40 per week, the complaint said. Venegas, and most of the other dozens of workers on the project, were paid only straight time despite working 63½-hour weeks on average, as required by the companies that hired them, according to the complaint. Venegas was hired by Global Aircraft Service of Addison, Texas, which controlled, along with Lufthansa Technik North America Holding Corp. of Tulsa, the restoration of the "Star of Tigris," a version of the Lockheed Constellation known as a Starliner, Lufthansa Airline's flagship aircraft from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Global Aircraft and Lufthansa are co-defendants named in Venegas' lawsuit. In a Feb. 5, 2015, ruling, Torresen granted Venegas' motion to certify the suit as a collective action under federal law, meaning other similarly situated metal specialists who worked on the aircraft between June 24, 2011, and Feb. 5, could join his lawsuit under a so-called "opt-in" clause. In her 2015 ruling, Torresen also ordered Venegas' former employer to provide the names and contact information of the other workers to Venegas' attorneys in an effort to ensure that all of the workers who want to be included can participate. A notice of Venegas' claim, and that option for other workers, was required to be posted at the job site, Torresen had ruled. Now, a year after that decision, Torresen has ruled that Venegas' complaint can move forward under Maine law as a class action, meaning all of his co-workers will be notified that they have been included in his claim unless they exercise an "opt-out" clause. Both the state and federal claims are aimed at recovering back wages owed for overtime, said Nicholas Woodfield, Venegas' attorney with The Employment Law Group in Washington, D.C. The state law has a longer statute of limitations, he said, potentially enabling more workers to become part of the lawsuit. Torresen also ruled this week against the defendants' motion to rescind the federal certification of a collective action that allowed Venegas' fellow workers to sign on to his lawsuit. A spokesman for Lufthansa could not be reached for comment. Woodfield said he believes between 50 and 130 others participated in the project as sheet metal workers who could potentially become plaintiffs in Venegas' complaint. Venegas, who was married with four children, moved to Maine in February 2013 where he was housed in a local apartment by the company. He was ordered to wear a company-supplied T-shirt and use company email addresses for work-related correspondence, according to court papers. The company did not withhold Social Security or taxes from his paychecks. Three air carriers are vying to provide service to Visalia in the wave of SeaPort Airlines’ unexpected departure. Boutique Air, Great Lakes Airlines and Mokulele Airlines have submitted a bid to the Department of Transportation to provide service from Visalia; all three previously bid in 2014, when SeaPort was awarded service. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii-based Mokulele Airlines’ bid to provide 48 weekly flights from Visalia to Los Angeles International (LAX) using a nine-passenger Cessna Caravan, the same type of aircraft that SeaPort flew. Mokulele is a new entrant to California; it currently provides service in Hawaii, Pennsylvania and New York. The carrier stated in its bid that it would have “comfortably configured vans” to drive passengers to a nearby airport in the event of an unrecoverable delay or cancellation, and that it is working on an agreement with the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport to reroute passengers there in the event of heavy fog or inclement weather at Visalia as a way to avoid cancelling flights. The airline said it currently has interline agreements–which allow passengers to fly multiple carriers without re-checking their bags–with Alaska Airlines, Air New Zealand and Island Air. Mokulele’s subsidy pricing is tied into whether Imperial/El Centro, another ex-SeaPort community, also chooses the carrier, and the length of contract it is awarded. If both communities choose Mokulele and it is provided a four-year contract, its requested subsidy for Visalia service would be $2.1m for its first year of service and $2m for subsequent years. Cheyenne, Wyoming-based Great Lakes Airlines, Visalia’s air carrier prior to SeaPort, also bid for service from Visalia to LAX with two round-trips per day in a 19-passenger pressurized Beechcraft 1900, the same type of aircraft it used to previously service Visalia. In its bid, the airline touts interline agreements with American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines, including the ability to earn SkyMiles on Delta. It is requesting a subsidy of $2.6m per year on a two-year contract. San Francisco-based Boutique Air, which currently provides service to Merced, submitted two separate bids: one for service from Visalia to LAX and Oakland, and another for service from Visalia to LAX and Sacramento, both with two round trips per day. The airline would provide service in a 9-passenger pressurized Pilatus PC-12, which it says is equipped with power outlets and an enclosed lavatory. If chosen to provide service to Visalia and Oakland, the airline would require a $3.5m subsidy per year. If it provides service to Sacramento, it would instead request $3.6m per year. The committee plans to meet next week and prepare its recommendation for the Visalia City Council. The topic is planned for the next regular council meeting agenda on Tuesday, February 16 in order to meet DOT community comment deadline of February 25. “It’s all moving very fast,” Gubler said. In the meantime, SeaPort Airlines filed for Chapter 11, it announced Friday, February 5. Former company president, Rob McKinney, has resigned, and former vice president, Tim Seiber, is now president, according to a press release. “That certainly explains why they pulled out of California,” Gubler said. “I don’t think it in anyway diminishes the service they provided for us. The other option, for Visalia, is to consider a Federal Aviation Administration temporary buyout, in which the city would receive a sizeable amount of money to upgrade the airport, making it attractive to corporate jets and/or another freight carrier. For the next 10 years, the airport would not be open for passenger service. The bid documents are available to view, embedded, below. Public comments may be submitted at Regulations.gov, docket ID DOT-OST-2004-19916, or by clicking here. SeaPort Airlines announced Friday it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, although the company says day-to-day operations will not be interrupted. According to a press release, SeaPort will continue to operate its current flight schedule, including the route between Pendleton’s Eastern Oregon Regional Airport and Portland. The airline also promised to continue paying its employees as the company attempts to reorganize in the midst of a national pilot shortage and a severely reduced flight schedule. In addition, CEO Rob Kinney has resigned. Tim Sieber, most recently executive vice president, was named president. Although SeaPort has reassured city officials that business will continue as usual, the development follows some downward trends for the Portland-based airline. Once operating almost two dozens routes in 11 states and Mexico, SeaPort announced that it would dramatically cut its service area in January, focusing most of its attention toward airports in Oregon and Arkansas. SeaPort was sued in U.S. District Court by Caravan Air LLC last week, with the Oxford, Conn.-based company claiming SeaPort owed it an estimated $500,000 after failing to pay rent on a leased airplane. Sieber did not return a request for comment. While SeaPort has managed to maintain flight service in Pendleton, the airline attracted only 4,015 boardings in 2014, SeaPort’s lowest total since the first full year it started serving Pendleton in 2009. Commercial flights from the Pendleton airport are made possible through a $1.8 million subsidy from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service program. If SeaPort’s boarding numbers continue to decline, the airport is in danger of having its subsidy stripped. SeaPort’s contract ends Dec. 31, and Steve Chrisman, Pendleton’s airport manager and economic development director, said potential bids must include concrete proposals to boost boardings. Even though SeaPort has run “a clean operation” in the past, Chrisman said the company’s bankruptcy could be a factor if they submit another bid for the Essential Air Service contract. “We want to be objective, but you can’t say that its ideal,” he said. Although he expects service to continue, Chrisman said the city has the option of putting out an emergency request for bids if SeaPort drops its flights from Pendleton. A pilot was airlifted to the hospital Monday afternoon after crashing his plane in the Knutsford area of Kamloops. The man was flying a “slow speed, ultralight” airplane above Kamloops when he crash-landed near Jackson Road, according to Cpl. Cheryl Bush of the Kamloops RCMP. The crash is suspected to have been caused by the rigging of skis on the bottom of the plane. An off-duty firefighter found the pilot crawling to find help in a field after the crash. The pilot was conscious when he was found, but was airlifted to the hospital. “He was treated at the hospital for injuries but nothing life threatening,” said Cpl. Bush. The extent of those injuries are unknown. KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops-area pilot survived a crash of his ultralight aircraft near Knutsford this week. Bill Yearwood of the Transportation Safety Board says it happened on Monday. Yearwood says the pilot had noticed a problem with his yaw control, meaning he was flying slightly sideways, and wanted to correct it. "He landed on a lake to adjust the skis because he thought that might be part of the problem, and it still wasn't right. He was attempting another landing. When he got to about 20 feet, he lost control of the aircraft and crashed hard," said Yearwood. Yearwood notes the pilot was airlifted to hospital suffering from serious spinal injuries, but is expected to survive and adds the man had plenty of experience in this particular aircraft. He notes the TSB has recorded the pilot's account of the crash, and won't require any further investigation. One man was sent to the hospital after a crash landing on Monday, February 1st. Bill Yearwood from the Transportation Safety Board says the pilot was operating out of Knutsford. Yearwood explains that the pilot was flying and landing in small frozen lakes in the area. He says the crash may have been related to unresponsive skis on the aircraft. Yearwood says the pilot experienced injuries to his back. After the crash, the pilot was able to call emergency crews who were able to find him due to his spot tracking device. Lt. Col. James F.Garber III, USAF Ret. A private pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were on a personal cross-county flight in a Beechcraft M35, and a private pilot was on a local personal flight in a Bellanca 8KCAB when the airplanes collided in mid-air over an ocean harbor. Before the collision, the Beechcraft, a low-wing airplane, was descending from 3,500 ft, and flying in an east-northeast direction. The Bellanca, a high-wing airplane, was flying toward the sun in a west-northwest direction with intermittent radar returns between 3,000 and 3,500 ft. Radar data showed the tracks of both airplanes converge with the airplanes approaching each other nearly head-on. The last radar return from the Beechcraft, just before the collision, was at 3,300 ft. Following the collision, both airplanes descended, impacted the ocean, and sank. Postaccident examination of the recovered wreckage of both airplanes revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of either airplane. Postaccident examination did not identify any paint transfer marks on the airframe of either airplanes; however, not all the parts of the airplanes were recovered. Ethanol was found in the tissues of each pilot, however, it is most likely that the ethanol was the result of post mortem production. Diphenhydramine, which can cause drowsiness and slow psychomotor reaction time, was detected in the Bellanca pilot's tissue; however, the lack of a blood sample precluded determination of the level of the drug present, and it could not be determined whether the Bellanca pilot was impaired by the effects of diphenhydramine. All three pilots had a limitation on their Federal Aviation Administration medical certificates for eyeglasses; but two, the Beech pilot-rated passenger and the Bellanca pilot, only required them for near vision, which was not a factor in this accident. The Bellanca pilot had had cataract surgery on both eyes more than a year before the accident; this would be expected to significantly improve her vision and, therefore, likely did not contribute to the accident. Overall, it is unlikely that any problem with distant vision in any of the three pilots contributed to the accident. It could not be determined why the Beechcraft pilot did not see the Bellanca. The Bellanca pilot was flying toward the sun, and sun glare could have contributed to her inability to see the approaching Beechcraft. The failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid each other as they converged nearly head-on, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the effect of sun glare on the other pilot. On February 5, 2016, about 1500 Pacific standard time, a Beechcraft M35 airplane, N9872R, and a Bellanca 8KCAB airplane, N5057G, collided over the Los Angeles Harbor about 2 miles south of Angels Gate Lighthouse, San Pedro, California. The Beechcraft was owned and operated by a private pilot. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger onboard the Beechcraft, and the private pilot onboard the Bellanca were fatally injured. Both airplanes were substantially damaged. The Beechcraft and the Bellanca were registered to and operated by their respective pilots. Both personal flights were operated in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plans had been filed for either flight. The Beechcraft Departed Camarillo Airport (CMA), Camarillo, California, at an unknown time, and was destined for Zamperini Field Airport (TOA), Torrance, California. The Bellanca departed TOA about 1430 for a local area flight. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Beechcraft received flight following from air traffic control until 7 miles northwest of Santa Monica Airport (SMO), Santa Monica, California, at which point radar services were terminated in preparation for the airplane to pass through the Special Flight Rules (SFRA), commonly referred to as the visual fight rules (VFR) corridor, over Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, California. Pilots traveling south through the VFR corridor are expected to maintain 3,500 ft. and use a special frequency to exchange position information with other pilots passing through the corridor. A review of the radar data showed that the Beechcraft traveled on a southeast heading from CMA along the coastline and through the SFRA over LAX. Once through the SFRA, the Beechcraft continued southbound until it passed over Rancho Palos Verde, at which point, it made a turn to the east over the ocean near San Pedro at an altitude of about 3,500 ft. The low-wing Beechcraft was on an east-northeast heading and in a descent at the time of the collision. The last radar return received before the collision showed the Beechcraft at 3,300 ft. Figure 1. Radar tracks of Beechcraft (blue dots, transponder operating) and Bellanca (white dots, transponder not operating) approaching the collision. After the collision, primary radar returns showed the Beechcraft continued in a northeast direction for about 27 seconds before it impacted the water, and the Bellanca made a descending left turn toward the southwest and impacted the water at a local time of 1501. A pilot conducting flight training in the area, overheard on frequency 121.95, a female pilot transmit '57G we're in trouble here.' The pilot attempted to ascertain the female pilots' location, but the response received by the accident pilot was 'help.' The pilot stated that he had been flying in the area for about an hour, and traffic in the area was light; he did not recall hearing any radio calls from either the Bellanca or the Beechcraft prior to the radio calls requesting help. A witness was on his boat and standing just inside the cabin when he heard a loud buzz over his boat. He turned around and saw a red and white airplane crash into the water about 100 ft directly north of his boat. The airplane struck the ocean at a high rate of speed and at a 90° angle. After notifying the United States Coast Guard, he traveled to the site and reported that there was no sign of an airplane. Another witness, was standing at the stern of his boat looking back toward the mainland. He saw an airplane in a nose dive and watched it crash into the ocean. The witness turned slightly to his right and caught view of a second airplane crashing into the ocean. The pilot, age 61, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. His third-class medical certificate was issued on April 02, 2015, with limitation that the pilot must wear corrective lenses. The pilot's logbook was not recovered for examination. A review of the pilot's most recent medical application indicated that he had a total of 1,186 flight hours with 19.4 hours in the past 6 months. The pilot-rated passenger, age 80, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multi-engine land and instrument airplane; his flight instructor rating expired March 31, 2017. His third-class medical certificate was issued on November 17, 2015, with the limitation that the pilot must have available glasses for near vision. The pilot's logbook was not recovered for examination. A review of the pilot's most recent medical application indicated that he had a total of 2,394 flight hours with 16.7 hours in the past 6 months. The pilot, age 72, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. Her third-class medical certificate was issued on May 18, 2015, with the limitation that the pilot must have available glasses for near vision. The pilot had had cataract surgery on both eyes more than a year prior to the accident. The pilot's logbook was not recovered for examination. A review of the pilot's most recent medical application indicated that she had a total of 1,034 flight hours with 6 hours in the past 6 months. The Beechcraft was a low-wing airplane that was painted red and white. The airplane had a red undercarriage, and a white nose/cowling section along with the top portion of the airplane. The Bellanca was a high-wing airplane that was painted red, white, and blue. The airplane had a white undercarriage, with blue and white striping on the underside of both wings; with the top portion from the engine to the tail painted red. The underside of the wings was red, and the top was white and blue. The tail section was a red/white combination. The Bellanca, at the time of the accident was flying toward the sun. According to the United States Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department, sunset was at 1728. After the mid-air collision, both airplanes impacted the water and sank. Multiple search and rescue agencies responded to the area, and the wreckage of the Beechcraft was located at a depth of 88-foot sea water (fsw) and recovered by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau's Dive Team on February 7, 2016. They continued the search for the Bellanca, and recovered the wreckage on February 9, 2016; the Bellanca was at a depth of 110 fsw. According to the recovery divers all 3 pilots remained in their respective airplanes. The County of Los Angeles, Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner conducted postmortem examinations of all three pilots. The cause of death for all three pilots was reported as multiple blunt force trauma, and the manner of death was accident. The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed forensic toxicology on specimens from all three pilots. Carbon monoxide and cyanide testing was not performed. The results were as follows. Ethanol was detected in muscle tissue at 61 (mg/dL, mg/hg), and in lung tissue at 30 (mg/dL, mg/hg); putrefaction of the specimens was identified. Tested drugs yielded negative results. Ethanol was detected in muscle tissue at 75 (mg/dL, mg/hg), no ethanol was detected in liver tissue, and putrefaction of the specimens was identified. Atorvastatin a non-impairing cholesterol lower drug, was detected in liver and kidney tissues. Carbon monoxide and cyanide tester were not performed. Ethanol was detected in muscle tissue at 30 (mg/dL, mg/hg) and in liver tissue at 14 (mg/dL, mg/hg); putrefaction of the specimens was identified. Diphenhydramine, a sedating antihistamine, was detected in liver and kidney tissues. An examination of both airplanes was performed on March 15, 2016, at Plain Parts in Pleasant Grove, California. There was no evidence found of any preimpact anomalies of either airplane that would have precluded normal operation. No paint transfer witness marks were identified on either airplane. During the airplane examination, the outer 5-6 feet of the left aileron and wing, and the left stabilizer were missing from the Beechcraft and not recovered. The main landing gear remained attached to the wings. The left main landing gear had a deep cut through the tire. The nose landing gear was missing and not recovered. The pushrods, intake manifold, and exhaust tubes separated from the left side of the engine and were not recovered. The propeller for the Beechcraft remained attached to the engine. Both propeller blades had leading edge gouges and significant bending; one blade was bent forward. Neither propeller blade could be rotated in the hub. A hand-held portable GPS device recovered from the Beechcraft was shipped to the NTSB's Vehicle Recorder Division in Washington, DC, for further examination. An external examination of the unit revealed water and impact damage. The GPS unit was disassembled, and the data chip was removed and read out. One track log was extracted dated December 31, 1989, which was not consistent with the accident flight. During the airplane examination approximately 9 feet of the outboard section of the left wing was missing and not recovered. There was also significant indentation of the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer. The propeller for the Bellanca remained attached to the engine. Both blades exhibited aft bending, with no scratches or impact marks identified. Figure 2 – FAA Intensive Flight Training area identified and radio frequencies to monitor. "All pilots must be alert to the potential for midair collision and near midair collisions… this concept requires that vigilance shall be maintained at all times, by each person operating an aircraft regardless of whether the operation is conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) or visual flight rules (VFR)… most midair collision accident and reported near midair collision incidents occur in good VFR weather conditions and during the hours of daylight. Most of these accident/incidents occur within 5 miles of an airport and/or near navigation aids." Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors Inc. On February 5, 2016, about 1500 Pacific standard time, a single-engine Beech M35, N9872R, and a single engine Bellanca 8KCAB, N5057G, were substantially damaged when they collided in mid-air over the Los Angeles Harbor about 2 miles south of Angels Gate Lighthouse, San Pedro, California. The Beech was owned and operated by the private pilot. Both the private pilot and a certified flight instructor (CFI) onboard were fatally injured. The Bellanca was owned and operated by the private pilot, the sole occupant, and was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Both flights were operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plans had been filed. The Beech departed Camarillo Airport (CMA), Camarillo, California, at an unknown time, and was destined for Zamperini Field Airport (TOA), Torrance, California. The Bellanca departed TOA about 1430 for a local area flight. Both airplanes impacted the water and sank. Multiple search and rescue agencies responded to area, and the wreckage of the Beech was located and recovered by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau's Dive Team on February 7, 2016. They continued the search for the Bellanca, and recovered the wreckage on February 9, 2016. Divers on Wednesday recovered the body of a pilot in the wreckage of a small plane that collided in midair with another aircraft and plunged into the ocean outside the Port of Los Angeles. The plane and the woman's body were brought to the surface around 10 a.m., said a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The Citabria, a single-engine aerobatic plane, was discovered Monday evening about a mile from the original crash site, according to the statement. A second plane and the bodies of two men aboard were recovered Sunday. A massive search was launched Friday after a plane piloted by a 72-year-old woman was seen on radar colliding with a craft carrying men ages 61 and 81 off San Pedro, just outside the harbor. Authorities used sonar devices and remote-operated underwater vehicles. Authorities have not released any identities, but the woman's husband identified her as Mary Falstrom of Torrance. Richard Falstrom said his wife, a longtime pilot, told him Friday that she was going on a plane ride to enjoy the sunny weather. Hours later came the news of the collision. Richard Falstrom believes his wife died doing something that gave her great joy. "She loved flying. It was a passion," he told The Associated Press. His wife was a member of The Ninety-Nines, Inc., an international organization of women pilots, and he said she volunteered at the Western Museum of Flight at Torrance Airport, from which she and the other plane took off Friday. The plane carrying the men was a Beech 35 Bonanza, said Allen Kenitzer, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash site was near the Angels Gate light, a lighthouse at the San Pedro Breakwater that is on the National Register of Historic Places. The area is popular for flight students. As authorities resumed an air and sonar search Monday for the remaining downed airplane from Friday’s midair collision off the coast of San Pedro, loved ones of two victims paid tribute to their memory. Divers found more debris from the wreckage of a Beech 35 Bonanza that was recovered Sunday with the remains of two men who were on board, but a Citabria flown by 72-year-old Torrance resident Mary Falstrom has yet to be located. Officials have not released the names of the three victims who died in the crash, but St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church identified one of them as Deacon Martin Clement, 61, of Redondo Beach. Clement was a pilot but it was not clear whether he was at the controls of the Bonanza, which also carried an 81-year-old man who has not been identified. Falstrom was described as an easygoing, bubbly, longtime pilot and Clement as a caring deacon called to his vocation by selflessness. Falstrom was identified by her husband of 24 years, Richard Falstrom. He believes recovering his wife’s remains will bring him closure. Mary Falstrom, a longtime pilot who volunteered at the Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, flew several times a week out of Torrance Municipal Airport. On Friday, she told her husband it was a perfect day to fly. The retired executive secretary at Raytheon juggled an active schedule of Zumba and aerobics classes, flying and activities in two flying groups — the Torrance-based Del Amo Flyers and the Long Beach/South Bay Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, an international women pilots organization. Friend and Ninety-Nines chapter secretary Anne O’Brien described Mary as a “shy sweetie-pie” who spoke often of her love for Richard and her only son from a previous relationship, Chris Kringel. “She was always in the background and never wanted to be in front of the room or anything,” said O’Brien, who saw Mary in her plane at Torrance airport before she took off Friday afternoon. O’Brien and another pilot, Linda Howard, had just returned from a lunch trip to Camarillo. Mary Falstrom helped the Ninety-Nines paint compass roses at Rosie the Riveter Park in Long Beach and Pacific Skies Aviation flight school in Torrance. She flew in eight of the Ninety-Nines’ Palms-to-Pines races and, one year, her engine stopped and she was forced to land in a field near a farmhouse on the Oregon border. O’Brien said news of the crash was especially shocking because Mary Falstrom was extra cautious and kept her plane in immaculate condition. Though it was designed to be flown upside down, she would only attempt aerobatics with an instructor. Friends in the aviation community suspect the planes likely did not see each other because Mary Falstrom’s was a high-wing plane and the other aircraft was a low-wing plane, and they could have been out of each other’s view. A woman’s voice was reportedly overheard on radio frequencies at the time of the crash saying, “Uh oh” and “Help me! Help me!” Richard Falstrom said. He said his wife was “infatuated” with flying. She grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, watching planes take off at the international airport as a teenager before working as a flight attendant and taking up flying lessons. She met her husband through Parents Without Partners. Richard Falstrom said the family — including his two children, who are Mary’s stepchildren — is having a difficult time coping with the sudden loss. St. Lawrence Martyr shared news of Clement’s death through an announcement on Facebook on Saturday. Clement, a pilot and financial planner, was a parishioner before becoming an ordained deacon in 2013. His wife, Martha, is head of bereavement at the church. According to a church bulletin announcing Martin’s ordination, he and Martha married at St. Lawrence in 1990 after dating for two years. He was active in All Life Charities and heavily involved with Get on the Bus, a program that unites children with their incarcerated mothers and fathers. Clement also was very involved in homeless outreach in the South Bay, and brought communion to sick patients at Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance. Dale Sheckler, another deacon at the parish, said Clement was a selfless deacon devoted to not only St. Lawrence, but the entire community. Clement loved flying to Catalina, often taking deacons and priests, and he also was an avid skier. He had just returned from a trip to Mammoth. Sheckler’s wife, Kim Sheckler, said Clement was “well-loved” at St. Lawrence. Two bodies and the wreckage of a small plane were found Sunday by divers searching in the water off Southern California for evidence following a midair collision believed to have killed three people, authorities said. Divers made the discovery about 100 feet below the surface, in an area about 2 miles off Los Angeles Harbor, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Capt. Jack Ewell said in a statement. Investigators from the coroner's office will identify the victims and divers will resume the search Monday morning, he said. Some debris from a plane carrying two men, including a pilot's logbook, was quickly found. But there was no sign of Falstrom or her plane. Richard Falstrom believes his wife died doing something that gave her great joy. "She loved flying. It was a passion," he told The Associated Press. The plane carrying the men was a Beech 35 Bonanza and the second was a Citabria, said Allen Kenitzer, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. Falstrom said his wife flew a Bellanca 8KCAB Super Decathalon, an aerobatic plane by the same maker of the Citabria. Authorities said both pilots were experienced. After a midair crash between two small planes Friday in San Pedro launched a water search for three, one pilot's husband was speaking out Saturday. Mary Falstrom of Torrance, 72, was identified by her husband, Rich Falstrom, as one of the pilots involved in the crash. "She was very proud of the fact that she was a female pilot because there aren't as many of those around," Rich Falstrom said. Rich said he was proud of his wife too, and recalled what she said before taking off Friday. "She more or less said, 'It's too pretty a day -- I have to go flying,'" Rich said. Rich said his wife was a flight attendant when she was young and and an experienced pilot of more than 25 years. Rich said she owned a two-seater aerobatic plane that she would fly once or twice a week, usually taking off from and landing at Torrance Airport. "I'm sure she was just doing her normal routine and apparently didn't see the other plane, and they didn't see her," Rich said. The Coast Guard called off a large-scale search Saturday morning for two men and Falstrom, but Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials said the search would resume Sunday morning. "I'm sad," Jim Gates, a fellow pilot in the flying club to which Falstrom belonged, said. Gates said he watched Falstrom take off from Torrance Airport before the crash. He said her plane was designed for aerobatics. A retired United Airlines pilot, Arvid Von Norden-Flycht, said he was looking at the radar trying to track the planes in the moments before the crash. "It looked like at the last second somebody was turning," Norden-Flycht said. The two small planes departed from the Torrance airport before the collision occurred. A crew of a fishing boat reported that a plane had hit the waters near the Point Fermin Lighthouse Friday, officials said. Debris and a log book was found Friday after a plane was reported down at 3:14 p.m., said Capt. Jennifer Williams of the U.S. Coast Guard. "The rescue operation has transitioned to a recovery operation," according to a statement Saturday from the Coast Guard. The LA County Sheriff's Department plans to conduct diving and sonar searches to located wreckage, according to the statement. Two men, ages 61 and 81, were aboard a plane that was seen on radar colliding with another aircraft assumed to be piloted by Falstrom on Friday. Both pilots were experienced, Williams said. The identities of the two men were not released, but Williams said they were South Bay residents. Crews were to resume searching Sunday at 6 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "I'm sad, but I'm also glad she died doing what she likes," Gates said. Authorities on Saturday called off the search for survivors of a midair collision that sent at least one plane plunging into the ocean near the Port of Los Angeles and instead turned to hunting bodies and wreckage. The active search for three missing people was suspended at 9:15 a.m., according to a U.S. Coast Guard statement. Two men, ages 61 and 81, were aboard a plane that was seen on radar colliding with another aircraft flown by a 72-year-old woman around 3:30 p.m. Friday, officials said. The first plane was a Beech 35 Bonanza and the second was a Citabria, said Allen Kenitzer, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. After reports of the crash, divers converged on an area about two miles outside a harbor entrance where a small debris field was found. The water there was 80 to 90 feet deep. On Friday, divers found wreckage and a pilot's logbook from the Beechcraft, Coast Guard Capt. Jennifer Williams said. No one has heard from the other plane, authorities said. Both planes had taken off from the nearby Torrance Airport, and both pilots were experienced, Williams said. All three people live in the nearby South Bay area. No names have been released. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was using sonar and remotely operated underwater vehicles to search the area where debris and oil were spotted Friday. However, nothing more had been found by Saturday afternoon, said Capt. Jack Ewell of the sheriff's Special Operations Bureau. The planes could have gone down in different areas or the ocean currents could have moved debris miles away, he said. As for the chance of survivors, "the odds are definitely not good," Ewell said. "You do have to consider that a plane crashed and it's very hard to survive that in any conditions, let alone two miles out in deep water," he said. The nearest harbor entrance was closed to traffic while the search continued. Richard Garnett, chief flight instructor with the Long Beach Flying Club, said the pilots practice in an area that is 10 to 20 square miles and at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. On a typical day, there will be three or four planes in the air at the same time. "So with the amount of activity, actually, I think we've been fortunate," he said. "We are really diligent. I don't know why, what happened in this situation." Friday's midair collision was not the first in the area. In 2001, four people died when two Cessna airplanes carrying instructors and students collided 1,000 feet above the harbor. In 1986, two small planes flown by students collided. But the aircraft managed to return to their airports, and the four people on board escaped injury. Two small planes with three people believed to be aboard collided over the ocean just outside Los Angeles Harbor and plunged into the water Friday, authorities said, prompting a massive search by dozens of boats and divers. The Coast Guard said the collision occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on a dazzlingly sunny day. Investigators had no immediate word on what might have caused the accident. A small debris field was located near the Point Fermin Lighthouse, according to Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department, which was assisting in a multi-agency search effort. At a nighttime press conference, Coast Guard spokeswoman Capt. Jennifer Williams said preliminary information showed that both planes had flown out of the Torrance Airport and that those on board were South Bay residents and experienced pilots. Two men, 61 and 81, were in one plane and a 72-year-old woman was in the other, Williams said. The planes were a Beechcraft and a Super Decathlon acrobatic craft, she added. Searchers found wreckage, including a pilot’s logbook, from the Beechcraft plane that was carrying the two men. The plane flown by the woman is missing, and air traffic controllers saw two aircraft apparently run into each other on radar, leading authorities to conclude they must have collided. A Coast Guard helicopter equipped with night vision and two vessels planned to search about 200 square miles of ocean for any survivors through the night, with a more extensive search resuming at daybreak Saturday, Lt. Jonathan McCormick said. L.A. County lifeguard Capt. Ken Haskett says divers have found a plane tail number and a partial number from a second plane in the water. The crash site was a quarter-mile south of the Angels Gate light, a lighthouse at the San Pedro Breakwater that is on the National Register of Historic Places. The area is popular for flight students and there were many planes in the crystal clear skies at the time of the accident. Pilots communicate at two different radio frequencies — one for above 2,000 feet and the other below, said Reed Novisoff, chief pilot at Pacific Air Flight School. Nonetheless, Friday’s midair collision was not the first. In 2001, four people died when two Cessna airplanes carrying instructors and students collided 1,000 feet above the harbor. In 1986, two small planes flown by students collided, but the aircraft managed to return to their airports and the four people on board escaped injury. Two aircraft, one of them an aerobatic plane, crashed into the water after an midair collision off San Pedro, prompting a multi-agency search for survivors on Friday afternoon, authorities said. Petty Officer Andrea Anderson with the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that some kind of incident involving two planes, and both were believed to be down in the water. One of the planes was a Beechcraft 35 and the other was described as an aerobatic stunt plane, according to Spencer Parker with L.A. County Lifeguards. The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division later said the Coast Guard and the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that a midair collision between two aircraft had occurred. A preliminary report at 3:14 p.m. indicated a small plane was in the ocean with a small debris field near San Pedro, Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Divers were entering the water to search, he said. Multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard, were responding. Los Angeles County lifeguards said a report was made by a fishing vessel that a single-propeller plane went into 80 feet of water off Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the agency had been alerted about an aircraft down, but had no information about the type of plane or the number of people on board. Divers working for several emergency response agencies are searching the waters of San Pedro Harbor for any survivors following a mid-air collision involving two light aircraft Friday afternoon. U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Jonathan McCormick said the Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that a mid-air collision took place near the Point Fermin Lighthouse, and two separate tail identification numbers were recovered. Responders did not know how many passengers were involved in the crash, and the multi-agency search was ongoing as of about 6 p.m. Friday. The report of the crash came in at 3:28 p.m. Several agencies responded to the scene, including Los Angeles County fire, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and the Long Beach Fire and Police departments. The crew of a fishing boat reported a plane hitting the water, an official with the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguards Division said. The initial report indicated it was a single-engine plane in about 80 feet of water roughly 2 miles off the coast of Cabrillo Beach. Firefighters deployed a dive team in the area of a debris field, said Capt. Mark Miller of the Long Beach Fire Department. The size or model of the planes was not yet known. Officials did not release the plane identification numbers. Rescuers were searching for survivors. The air space is known as a practice area for pilots, officials said. Phillip Sanfield, a spokesman for the Port of Los Angeles, said the Angels Gate entrance to the port will be closed until further notice. The closure is not affecting port operations, however, because vessels are able to enter or exit the harbor via the Queens Gate entrance, off the Long Beach shoreline. Port of Los Angeles police divers are assisting the search team. What happens when a plane loses cabin pressure?
2019-04-24T20:42:47Z
http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2016_01_30_archive.html
For years game developers, game players, science fiction fans (generally) and Trekkers (specifically) have been told - and have been telling themselves - that the trajectory of video game history leads inevitably to a Star Trek-inspired Holodeck. "I believe that the Holodeck as Holy Grail has the potential to lead us down a blind alley toward a dead end future" Instead of thinking of it like a very 3D movie, or a video game that you're inside, I think what virtual reality is going to be like is a new kind of a medium where you're playing with your own identity, and that's what's so interesting about it… it's almost like you're exercising these forgotten little corners of your brain, some really old corners that evolved to actually control different bodies deep, deep, deep back in our evolutionary past. And that kind of very profound, intimate sense of experience is really what virtual reality's all about. "The format that most fully exploits the properties of digital environments is not the hyper-text or the fighting game but the simulation: the virtual world full of interrelated entities, a world we can enter, manipulate, and observe in process." If you haven't read Hamlet on the Holodeck you should probably do so - it's kind of a must-read for any game developer. I'll warn you, there are some very smart games industry folks who find the book as frustrating as it is educational! Still, a book that engenders strong feelings and gets people arguing is worth a read, right? The holodeck has given us woodlands and ski slopes… figures that fight… and fictional characters with whom we can interact. Or so we were promised many years ago by a certain Jean-Luc Picard. But now we actually might have an actual Holodeck to actually run around in and actually fight baddies in… [T]he Holodeck is a bit different to the [Oculus] Rift: It's not just a head mounted display, it's a full virtual reality experience. "I have a rule that's stood me in good stead over the years - never build a game that depends on potential buyers owning a peripheral in order to play" I can't go where he's going, any more than I can go all the way with Lanier, Murray, and other VR/Holodeck evangelists. In fact, I believe that the Holodeck as Holy Grail has the potential to lead us down a blind alley toward a dead end future. I realize I'm swimming against the current here - what with the slavering anticipation for the Oculus Rift VR rig, reports of Holodeck-like projects from Sony and recent Microsoft Kinect-driven VR patents. But hear me out. If we're careful and thoughtful in our approach to predecessor technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, as well as to Holodeck-style full immersion down the road, we might end up in a great place - a place as compelling as the world Lanier, Murray, Grubb et al envision. But if we're not careful, if we don't consider what VR, AR and Holodecks can and cannot do well, we'll just end up spending a lot of money and expending a lot of effort giving users something we think is cool, something those users think they want, but which will inevitably disappoint. "Folks who go first often go bust. Players who buy early can end up broke" This may seem obvious - do smart stuff and good things happen - but from much of what I read and hear, from all the gushing over headsets and new peripherals for interacting with things on the screen, it's obvious to me that a lot of people aren't thinking about the pitfalls ahead. For that reason, I'd like to go through some potential problems we'd better think about - and soon. Pitfall #1: Do people really want VR, AR or Holodeck enough to buy a peripheral to experience it? I have a rule that's stood me in good stead over the years - never build a game that depends on potential buyers owning a peripheral in order to play. No matter how cool the game or how cool the peripheral, only a portion of the potential audience will have (or be willing to buy) something new to get the full experience of your game. Heck, even a peripheral that's packaged with hardware can be a sales-limiting factor. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways and, today, lots of people are just fine with a keyboard or controller - no surprise given that these ways of interacting with a computer or console have been refined to razor-sharp effectiveness by thirty-plus years of use and mastery. People like a controller connected to a TV or monitor they already own. Very few, if any, "normal humans" want or need more immersion than that. Who wants to learn a whole new way of experiencing and interacting with a virtual world? By and large, people just want to play. Anything that gets in the way of that reduces the likelihood of people playing. Clearly, there are some big hurdles to overcome here. You can say we're still in early days of gaming, let alone VR, AR and Hdeck. You can say, of course prices are going to be high and sales limited to early adopters. In other words, you can say that an audience limited by the need for a peripheral is okay - we have to start somewhere, right? In my book, when you require a peripheral "purchased separately," as they say in the commercials, you always lose. Anyone see peripheral-free VR, HR or HDeck? Uh-huh. Didn't think so. Pitfall #2: How do you control this crazy thing? One of many things we learned in the VR gaming circles of 20 years ago was that the range of mobility of the human neck limited a player's ability to experience even the most meticulously designed and immersive virtual world. Unless you were willing to stand while you played, or you sat in a chair that swiveled 360 degrees, VR didn't add enough to the experience of play to balance out the cost and deficiencies of the hardware. (And watch out for deadly python-like cords as you rotate to take in your oh-so-compelling virtual surroundings). "How many people really want to walk, run and jump to navigate a virtual world?" And that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to interfacing with a virtual world. Falling into a 3D space… feeling like you're really there in an alternate world… In a very real sense, that's the easy illusion to deliver to users. The problem of how you interact with an illusory immersive world? Now that is one tough problem. Creating a good head-tracking headset, while cool, is just the first hurdle. Assuming the full immersion of a Holodeck is even possible, and it seems likely it will be, probably sooner than anyone expects, what about the interface between user and device? In a VR world, are we supposed to use a Wii Remote or something like it? In an AR world, are we supposed to flap our arms around, looking rather foolish as we do so? In a Holodeck experience are we supposed to run, jump, kick and punch? How do you interact with a virtual world? (Remember, your solution has to be as seamless and refined as the mouse, keyboard and/or controller…) Who among us wants to walk and run and actually swing a sword for hours? How will you ride a virtual horse, climb a wall, or pick up the inevitable crate? Head-tracking sounds great. If you want to look up, just look up. Check out your flank and turn right or left? Totally do-able and cool. Look behind you?… Oh, wait… hm… maybe do a full Exorcist and swivel your head 180 degrees? Maybe you have to get up off the couch and turn around? Use a mouse or keyboard you can't actually see in VR - and don't want to see in AR or a Holodeck? Put another way, how many people really - really - want to walk, run and jump to navigate a virtual world? How many people really want to swing a sword for 5-10 (or 100) hours? I think we can agree on the answer - not many, for all the enthusiasm expressed. A TV screen, a mouse and/or a keyboard are looking a little better, aren't they? If the new VR/AR/Hdeck peripheral you have to go out and buy makes such things harder rather than easier, why bother? You might as well go join a gym and get some exercise that way. It's tough but not impossible to imagine solutions to control/interaction problems in a VR world, but being the immersive tech that's closest to what we already have, that's not much of a surprise. AR is certainly going to be harder, UI-wise (and that's assuming you can solve all sorts of visual and occlusion problems!). In an AR environment, you start with the movement problems I already mentioned, but then you also have to deal with the problem of interacting with real objects and virtual ones (and having the virtual objects then interact themselves with the real ones!). AR kind of makes my head hurt… The Holodeck? I don't even want to think about the interface and interaction problems there. And remember - if doing things in a VR/AR/Hdeck world is harder than it is with the tried and true of a controller refined over decades of use, what use is a Holodeck at all? An immersive experience that, thanks to clunky UI, constantly reminds you that you're in a virtual world is going to drag you in and out of the experience every few seconds. That's makes it extremely unlikely users will be able to get into the desired flow state than they can in older, seemingly less immersive virtual environments. There are some more basic fallacies in the idea of a "holodeck." The first, is that its currently technologically impossible. Sure we are finally getting decent HMDs such as The Rift right now, and there are even some limited force feedback devices on the horizion such as the Virtuix Omini treadmill and the Novint Xio-- but these are incredibly limited as well as clumsy and awkward to get into. And there is the rub. Without the kind of magical all inclusive force feedback the mythical holodeck provides, it will never be more then a ghost world you can walk through. VR may be a limited reality now, but "the holodeck' is a massive over-reach that may simply never be solvable. Certainly it wont be in this decade in any way that is useful and friendly to consumers. The second, is even if we could do it, the uses are highly limited. The fact of the matter is that it takes work to move around the real world. This is what people are discovering about the Virtuix Omni. After the initial rush wears off, it is really not a whole lot of fun to actually have to walk around your vast game space. Its like taking a bird, who could fly around its world, and telling it now it has to walk everywhere. As Loren Carpenter of Pixar once said, "Photorealism is just a convenient measure of complexity." If the goal is to layer on all the limits of reality, you can get those just by walking outside. The issue seens to be that people are trying to build around specific technologies, rather than use the technology to build around the gameplay. This is why we are seeing such odd disconnects, and poor results. I have already seen some very good results using OLDER technologies, and low tech solutions. Here is an example of a BF3 Simulator . This is a much better example of using technology to enhance the gameplay, rather than vice versa. As we see more examples of this type of approach, we will see much better results. Sure there's lots of well documented roadblocks ahead, but enough people seem to want to make this journey - in fact, it's been absolutely aspirational for many users for 10-20 years now - that people WILL go there. Whether the user experience matches up to the Holodeck fantasy isn't relevant when you put the Oculus on for the first time, or even the fifty-first time, because it's the closest thing to modern magic. It's far from flawless, but that initial experience makes a huge impact in my experience. Everyone who tries my Rift, gamers and non-gamers alike, immediately asks how to buy one. Remember, Kinect was an after-sales addition that enjoyed monstrous success, and nobody even knew they wanted one before it got hyped. A VR headset is a very different proposition - countless numbers of gamers across the world have wanted one of those for half their lifetimes, and thanks to the Oculus, are finally seeing that as imminent now. Also, who wants to play a game when you could do real exercise? Wii Fit, Wii Sports, Dance Central, Just Dance and countless other successes would suggest plenty of people see this as a positive addition to gaming. But ultimately if people want to play games in VR without exhausting themselves, the market will find good solutions to these problems. At the end of the day even if peripheral tech never moved forward, the benefits of head-tracked wide-view immersion would still endear it to enough players to make it a marketable proposition. In my experience, TF2 VR played on a pad, or mouse and keyboard, is stillstaggeringly immersive - sure, it might be positively transcendental with full tracked motion peripherals and a treadmill, but if all I can realistically afford is staggeringly immersive, I'll still go with that. It adds huge value to the experience of playing. Everything you identify as a problem is correct, Sir, and you're right to flag these issues up, but I'm afraid I disagree with your prognosis, simply because a lot is going to change in that space in a very short amount of time if it hits big, and I have no doubt that VR is going to be huge over the next few years. There's a ton of problems to solve, but they'll get solved, because the market for this is going to be enormous. Once you've tried it, going back to an HD screen is a significantly lesser experience. in 30 years from now people will look back and say, People actually sat with a keyboard and some mouse things, and looked at a 20 some inch 2 dimensional flat screen and thought that was a great gaming experience? Of course there is going to be some pitfalls and failures, but without a doubt VR is the future of gaming, always has been. Peripherals are only peripherals until there not, once adopted they become standards. The Wii and its 100 million units of hardware sales shows people are willing to pay and adopt if you offer a cool new gaming experience. I think an interesting analogue is the Live Role-Playing (LRP) hobby, which faces many similar problems. Physical interaction is obviously still real, but immersion requires a LOT of accessories in the form of costume, props, and custom foam latex weapons. It also suffers a multitude of limitations due to practicality and safety considerations (eg. limited play environments and player abilities). And yet, only this weekend I was at an event where ~2500 players paid £55 each to visit a field in Oxfordshire. Each player brought their own costume and weapons (usually £100+), many brought tents and props. And within the limitations mentioned above, we were pretty well immersed. I don't think LRP would ever go mass-market because it requires such an investment by the players, but it's a popular enough niche to support a handful of specialist event companies and a host of accessories retailers. A holodeck experience could fill a very similar niche. I find the holodeck idea very appealing, but I think Spector is right. Gamers are ultimately very conservative, and hate change. Look at the reaction to the Wii, and Kinect, which were seen as cheesy gimmicks for non-gamers, and which have, for the most part, been used in ways that seemed to prove that. A holodeck would also require game developers to completely rethink how they approached game creation, and, as was also shown with the Wii and Kinect, most game developers don't have a strong interest in doing that. If we're going to have holodeck technology, we would need non-gamers and non-game developers with no preconceptions to support the new technology. I do disagree with one thing, the assertion that people won't want to walk around or swing a weapon in a virtual world. Have you ever experienced LARPing? People already run around forests swinging swords and pretending to be Goblins. Also, there are hundreds, maybe thousands of military re-enactment groups dotted all over the country who regularly get together for large-scale battles. Moving away from swords and axes, what about all the people who go-kart every weekend at their local track? Or the huge amount of people who enjoy paintballing and laser quest - all these things and more would be amazing using a holodeck type technology. That's just for fighting as well. What about other types of Games; like puzzle and board games, card games/gambling, mystery games, horror games (!!!), and of course the most obvious and inevitable use for a holodeck... pornographic 'games'. VR has always suffered from people pretending we are there already. This article isn't saying VR is a bad thing but that over-hyping what is possible will cause it to fail due to the inevitable disappointment. Claims should never be made unless supported by usability testing. At least Oculus had hundreds or even thousands of members of the public try it. My hope is that they don't over-hype the HD model. If it has 1080 (HD) lines rather than current 800 (HD Ready) it will still be great but might not be the giant leap people are expecting? what will be a real holodeck propably a couch with a headset which directly manipulates your brain, like when you are asleep. People are willing to splash out for a new thing, as long as that new thing is thought to by the vast majority who try it to be worth the expense, ie if its good enough people will buy it, actually Star Trek Voyager answered the question to the likely "real" holodeck when it had that holodeck chip which you attached to the side of your neck and experienced it all in your head. It was in the episode with the 2nd Fed ship later on. I've been saying this for years. It's an expensive pipe dream at best. I think the Rift will be the way to go, but even that's not flawless of an experience in its current format. If anything, it'll be too expensive for the masses and would make a great exhibit in a theme park if done right. But at home, having a dedicated space will be out of the means of many (unless it's something like wearable tech). Lot of people here using the word "active" but that's the one thing these gadgets will never fix. The main problem with "being" an orc in an rpg level is that the field runs for three miles but the room you're in runs for three yards. For me it's all about the movement, not even the lack of solid objects. @Paul: DING! You win this topic. That's something I've tried to articulate in conversation, but people tend to get glassy rose-eyed and hard of hearing when it comes to not letting me pop that dream bubble. Walking in place or going on rails is an illusion (and deal) breaker after a few waves of me-too experiences pop up that are basically the same idea in a different skin. One of the biggest challenges is not to create av FPS simulator for the masses, as most potential players have not been in battle and would not be able to compare the simulation to the real thing. One of the most difficult things to do, is create a realistic experience about real life events that most people players would be able to relate to. Until you can tell the player to smell the flowers and actually let them smell the flowers, so-called realism is miles away. Actually, as FPS games become more detailed and evolve, I start to wonder about the future of the genre. Most people I know play these games to have fun. If someone were able to crack the code of seamless realism, where would the fun end and the terror begin? Who wants to be part of a real war anyway? If we ever reach that point, I'd rather move on to a game experience that could actually improve my life experience in some way. With the Rift, you could make a holodeck today, at least functionally, it would just be large and expensive to make. I assume that's what the people in the picture are trying to do. It's fairly easy, we have the AV interface for it in the Rift, so that's one hurdle down (so long as you have a rig to keep the cables in check). The controls wouldn't be that hard to do, just costly. We do it all the time, it's called "real-time mo-cap." You just put a realtime mo-cap rig together like they use in the movies, and that's the interface. Even the Kinect can do that to some degree, although your room to move would be limited. That set-up would deliver a functioning holodeck, in which you perceived an artificial world through at least two of your senses (touch would be the hardest to fake), and i which your every movement would cause equivalent interactions in the world. The only problem there is that you could not work in a room bigger than the one you're actually in (it might be possible to magnify things a bit so that a 3ft stride would carry your character 8ft, but that might be disorienting for minimal gain. Any bigger than that and you'd be bumping into walls. Treadmills could be used, you could actually make a corridor dungeon kind of game fairly easily be leading players from treadmill to treadmill set in the floor, but it is certainly a clunky solution. The sort of "baby jumper" rigs that have been discussed to suspend you just off the floor would probably be necessary for larger worlds to be controlled using the body. But anyways, too expensive, not commercial, at least not any time soon. That said, while I don't think there will be a Rift in every home, I do think availability will grow. It is a peripheral, but it's practically a console unto itself, opening up tons of unique game experiences (if fairly rudimentary at the moment), and enhancing many others to a degree far larger than the jump from the current console generation to the next is offering. I don't expect anyone to make a AAA game that is ONLY on the Rift at the moment, but I think it'd be foolish for any AAA devs to not have people toying with adapting their interfaces to make it work in their games, at least as best they can without otherwise harming the product for non-Rift consumers, and I would not be at all shocked to see a AAA game within the next five years that's designed to be ideal on a Rift, if perhaps also playable using other hardware. I think people will buy the Oculus Rift (I'm addressing the Oculus Rift in particular in my response, as it's here and now, and I think it's effective, and a great first step). There's a lot of people who want a new experience, and games are getting old and tired. When first person shooters came into existence in the mid 90's, I wanted to play them all. Because they were new, they offered a new type of experience. Now they bore me. Oculus Rift excites me, and I'm excited to see new sorts of games (or new gameplay mechanics at least) come out of it. As was mentioned in the GAMBIT Looking Glass Podcasts (can't remember which one), back in the 90's, computer gamers were enthusiasts, excited to see a game try something exciting, and maybe even fail trying, but to try something new. (May have been Austin Grossman speaking about Trespasser, or someone talking about Underworld). I think there's still a massive amount of buying consumers who want to see these experiments, these steps forward, and I think the Oculus Rift is doing a good job to reach a price point where it can hit a very large number of players. (Exactly how far that reach will go is hard to guess, and I suppose that's what your point was saying). For me, I want to get one just to give me a new sense of interest and excitement in computer games. I've lost interested in them as a player, to a large extent. And yes, maybe it's through a rose colored Oculus Rift that I look forward to a new experience in gaming, and a new flavour of content from them. But even now, having only tried the Oculus briefly, it has gotten me excited, and got me thinking about new ideas as a developer and as a hungry (albeit starved) consumer. Personally, I'd love to see some adventure / exploration games with the Oculus, as it can make simple tasks richer. I really liked the Tuscany demo, even though it's just a small tranquil house on the edge of a lake. I can imagine inhabiting such spaces, and not needing to shoot things, but focussing more on story, exploration, examination -> rich music, sound effects, art, script). I don't think the Holodeck concept is very practical. Not in the short term, perhaps not at all. I agree there. But I do think the Hydra controllers are a very good step in the right direction. I've seen them put to good use, even picking up and flicking through the pages of a book. I say, let the player generally sit and use another controller that suits the game, whether it be mouse and keyboard, or an Xbox controller, or two Hydra controllers (one for each hand). Have you used an Oculus Rift, Warren? There's something rather compelling about it. Just the experience of "looking around" to look around, is very good, and it's 3D and "surround" in a way that a monitor obviously isn't. If they can get a good, solid piece of equipment out, for a cheap cost, I think Oculus Rift are providing a very solid and worthwhile first step towards VR. They're not trying to make a Holodeck. They're providing a platform to build upon. The Hydra integrates with it really well. Other devices can come along and augment the feature set, or better it. I'm really pleased with where it's all going, and I'm excited to make and play more Oculus Rift games, and other AR/VR technologies. You raise the idea of joining the gym instead! I think that's a valid point. I hear that gyms are now offering devices somewhat like arcade machines, where you might sit on an exercise bike, in front of a large screen, and ride up and down mountain tracks and such. Great idea. I have some ideas along those lines too, but a bit more fantastic. I guess machines like that can be custom built to suit the purpose, and probably cost a lot to make. I guess at the end of the day, AR/VR games using technology such as an Oculus Rift paired with a more traditional controller can work great, if they accept the set of limitations inherent to the technologies. Remember that computer games over the past 30 years have done exactly that. We don't walk up to characters in the most advanced AAA games and start a casual conversation with them, using our voice and subtle facial inflections, do we? Because a keyboard/mouse/monitor/current-tech-software is absolutely useless at providing that simulation. So developers have stabbed around trying to do conversation trees, etc, etc, but just because we are lousy at simulating conversations doesn't mean that the mouse/keyboard/monitor paradigm has failed. It just means that games focus on other gameplay elements, like shooting, jumping, driving. I agree that the Holodeck doesn't make much sense without some sort of direct brain link up. Which, you know, doesn't seem very likely to happen any time soon. Interesting to see this sector grow - though I would say that this is more part of the digital out-of-home entertainment (DOE) industry, than the consumer sector. It is a factor in why we started the DNA Association to support the growth of these new approaches to public-space play, and the new venue based systems such as the hoped holodeck. Further to my point about "making games that fit the technology", it seems like games that are based in a cockpit work great for the Rift, because you're sitting down, facing fowards, with about 180 degrees of head movement, as if you were in a cockpit. You use other controllers to move your vehicle, such as flight sticks, hydra etc. So as computer games have done for decades, playing into the strengths of the format seems to help with the VR/AR gear. Here's someone talking through War Thunder, a flying game. You get an idea by watching it how much more realistic and immersive it is to be able to sit in a cockpit, and look around completely freely, while still having full freedom with your hands to use your controllers. I suppose it's got an element of "amusement arcades", just with the wow factor. But I think these things are really taking things to the next level. How many people will actually buy them is hard to say, as you've stated. But I think their mark is already pretty huge, and they're not going to get any less popular. More and more developers and players (especially enthusiasts) seem to be jumping on the bandwagon every day. if doing things in a VR/AR/Hdeck world is harder than it is with the tried and true of a controller refined over decades of use, what use is a Holodeck at all? Similarly why would you buy a games console, peripherals, games, perform character setup, select your save game storage then spend your time manually controlling every movement of your character, when you could just pick up a book and turn the page every couple of minutes? The answer is "Immersion". It's a more immersive experience if in order to hit a monster with a sword, you have to stand and hit the monster with a sword as opposed to sitting down and pressing a button. The thing to remember is that as the technology develops, they way you play and interact with it also has to develop. The main hurdle I see with AR/HD dreams is tactile feedback. Until you have that, it's little more than a glorified Kinect. There are already two places in the world which cover 99% of all used case scenarios of commercial holodeck while being cheaper than any holodeck in the foreseeable future. They are called a brothel and a shooting range. Besides, why would you try and create an external simulation of reality to be perceived by existing human perception "hardware", when there is a whole world of direct neural interfaces to discover. Holodeck sounds nice, but my money is on live feed experience implants. "Who wants to learn a whole new way of experiencing and interacting with a virtual world?" At first, they will be the very same people who purchased initial commercial radios... Then comic books. Then televisions. Then videogame systems. Eventually, the rest of us will jump on-board. Humanity has consistently proven itself compelled to seek out and learn new ways of experiencing and interacting with fiction / virtual worlds / general escapism. Since comfort surpassed survival as a species imperative, it might be one of the few things we can be absolutely counted on for. "Players who buy early can end up broke (yeah, I'm looking at all you Apple Newton owners out there)." Sure (I bought a 3DO). But, Newton didn't stop the iPhone or iPad. This is a strange statement. The product evolution is apparent. It also seems like it could have been made after any poor launch, but before a successor saved the day. For example, make a similar statement after Atari nearly ruined the games industry, but before Nintendo ushered in the era of the NES. Buyer beware always applies, naturally, but that attitude does not determine the success or viability of future product. We cannot discount the possibility of there being commercial aircraft just because the first fixed-wing powered flight lasted three seconds and crashed after a stall, nor can we discount the possibility of there being commercial spaceflight because it was previously impossible and currently prohibitively expensive. "In my book, when you require a peripheral "purchased separately," as they say in the commercials, you always lose." A Holodeck is not a peripheral. It's a medium. Think about Kinect. It was a peripheral (but still enjoyed success). Now what is it? Or, think about rumble. Starfox 64 brought it to consoles as a peripheral. Now it's a part of our experience -- an extension of the medium that allows us to better interact and enjoy virtual worlds. Step 0.5 may be a peripheral like the Rift, aye. But it's a necessary step to achieve step 66 -- the Holodeck of 2244 that now features 100% less cancer! Also, we don't need a separate peripheral to play Halo (we love that gamepad)... But we do need an Xbox. It's OK to accept an Xbox as a non-peripheral viable medium for attaining greater degrees of escapism, just as it's OK to accept the Holodeck. "...what about the interface between user and device?" Let your imagination go! In VR, I can race, fly, mech-fight, or space dogfight. Wonderful! Games evolve as mediums do. Provide our creative geniuses with a Holodeck and they won't give you 100 hours of Pong or 10 hours of swinging swords.
2019-04-21T11:20:00Z
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-07-31-holodeck-holy-grail-or-hollow-promise-part-1
If less maintenance is a requirement, then you want an oversize screen; try 2X normal size, with 2X the number of lights. This should be able to go 2X as long before a cleaning is needed. The limiting factor might be the pods; at some point they may make big holes in the algae (or not; you will have to test). This is a great thing for someone to try out. Just remember that the additional screen space will need the same lighting that the current screen has. 9/21: Thank you for the input Santa monica, I will definately be doing this on an expanded basis. I think I will put a three ft tank in the sun and do what you've got on a slightly larger scale. Great simple fix to an ongoing problem by most aquarists. 9/28: The film is plastic and gets wet totally. Its 1m x 1m in size. The water input is also the stand. The strands run diagnally which makes the water flow very nicely. I'm happy with it and will let it stand in the sun. Hopefully get rid of the hair algae problem I have. You should see my actual tank to know why I jumped at this idea. The construction is so easy though. And if it works a quarter as well as Santa says it does, it will be like Christmas. 10/25: It worked like a bomb. Phosphates down to 0.02 - 0.01 ppm (this is on a hanna meter and is very low). Normal test would just read undetectable. [Previously] the best I ever got it to trying every trick in the book including Zeo and Vodka, Lanthinum and many other phosphate removers was 0.03. Blank screens usually start off with a light brown slime of diatoms, unless the water is really high in nitrate and phosphate, in which it might start with dark spots. After a few weeks, green slime or green hair will usually grow. And from that point on, it will be a mix of brown and green, all of which is easily cleaned off. After a few months, however, and if you have enough light (and maybe pulsed flow), you may start seeing real red/brown turf, or possibly bright green turf. You'll know that they are turf because they won't come off no matter what you do, except with a razor blade. There should not be any bubbles if a scrubber is set up correctly with smooth flow into the water below. But if you have too many bubbles, make sure the bottom of the screen goes all the way down below the waterline, so there is no waterfall off the bottom, and design the scrubber with an "under over under" divider section like some people use in sumps. Corinna on the AC site: "Think we should just call you Santa!! After 3 weeks my screen is forming wine red spots, the pods are having pod parties and making babies, the seahorses are noticeably gaining weight and the water is decidedly 'sparklier'.Thanks." jfdelacruz on the RP site: "Overfeeding does wonders! i dont know how and why but, the ATS seems to be an extra 20 gallons for my tank because even if I overfeed, nothing in my tank seems to be going bad! water is always crystal clear too! (I do have seagel in there running for about 2 months already) this ATS is a blessing." Our Tanks: High Inorganic Nutrients, Low Organic Nutrients. The Ocean: Low Inorganic Nutrients, High Organic Nutrients. If you are not home, however, it becomes a question of which you lose first, your screen or your whole display. Long term (days) you are going to lose both, so we'll look at short term (hours). Somewhere in-between is the question: If you are not home when the power goes out for 2, 3, 4, 5 hours, etc., then how much of your screen will you lose, and how much of the nutrients will be "released" back into the water? Well, most screens are designed to be up and out-of-contact with the water, so there will be zero "release" of nutrients during the power-outage. And floating screens that stay in contact with the water will not die or release nutrients at all in a short-term outage, because they stay wet. So immediate release of nutirents is not a factor in any situation. The real question is long term loss of filtering, i.e., how much of the screen will die off during the outage. When you get back home, the screen has been drying for a few hours, but is still moist. What you do is put it in your sink with water and give the dead parts a chance to fall off. Not sure of how much time is needed, but just do a regular cleaning of the screen every few hours until it seems that most of the dead stuff is removed. Doing this in the sink will prevent any nutrients from getting back into the tank. You then put the screen back into operation, and it's no different than if you just did a regular cleaning. And this is the worst case. I myself unplugged the wrong plug once and left the screen 6 hours with no flow. The fan was still on, but the lights were off at the time. It was all still moist, yet a bit hardened. I did not think at the time to remove the outer layers of dead stuff, so I just put it back into operation right way. What happened was the next day or two there was a very slight increase in N from zero (clear Salifert) to a very slight pink; probably got up to about .5 or 1. P did not ever increase, however. And this was without properly removing the dead stuff. So overall, I don't think power outages are really that eventfull for scrubbers. "jski711" on the RS site: "the last phosphate test I had done at the lfs it was undetectable on the hanna phosphate photometer, and I only have the one side of my screen lit for now!!!" "col" on the UR site: "Todays tests are P = 0.03, N = 5. the algae looks the same, green slime. Skimmer is still running 24/7, feeding 2-3 times a day for fat fish. Algae on the rocks is subsiding, and water conditions have never been better." Here's a note to anyone who would like to start building and selling scrubbers. I think there are plenty of people who would like to buy one, but they don't have the time or ability to build them (there are several of these on every thread I'm on, who have asked me to build one for them), or they don't even know scrubbers exist but could use one. And currently there's no place to buy scrubbers. So it's a good time for you to put some buckets, acrylics, or sump screens together and offer them for sale, starting out by advertising on this forum. I recommend that you start out selling buckets or sump screens, instead of acrylic units. The price of an acrylic unit is going to be much higher, and most beginners are not going to jump in and pay the extra money for one. Keep in mind that most folks buy small less-costly tanks first, and move up from there. That makes them feel safer, since they have less to lose when starting. Once they become comfortable with their small tanks, they get bigger ones for more money. This is how you shoud approach scrubber sales; small and cheap first, and then go from there if they are happy. Since the bucket version is not very beautiful, it will just be a product for people who have nuisance algae problems in their tanks and they just want to try anything to get the algae out. They might even view the buckets as temporary; they can use it until the algae is gone, then put it in the closet or lend it to a friend. The bucket version is certainly a good version for you to start with, especially by mail order, since it's self-contained and does not need elaborate installation at the customer's house (they just drop the pump in the tank/sump, and go.) And very important: The bucket can be used as its own shipping container, with it's own lid. And you almost certainly would want to include a pump with it (with an adjustable flow), so there would be no guessing on the customer's part as to what pump they should get. Something like a Hydor L40 Pump (740 gph), with a built-in flow adjust. Adjustable flow is important, because you don't know how high up (head) the pump will have to push when the customer starts using it. Or, they may have a long run from the bucket to the tank. Also, the pump may get weaker (or the pipe slot may get clogged) with time, so being able to turn it up is a plus. If you decide to sell locally, and install the scrubbers yourself, then you can also consider selling in-sump or above-sump screens. Since these are very custom installations, you can't expect a customer to figure it out for themselves. The light placement and water flow need to be setup by someone who's done it before. As for a wavetimer, I'd recommend not putting one in. It's not proven yet just how effective it might be. What is proven is that it adds power cords and complexity, and decisions about what time to set it to (customers don't like making decisions.) Plus, wavemaker timers are not cheap; the one I used cost $50. That's a large portion of the total cost of a scrubber. Also, I'd hold off on offering or even mentioning a fan. There is not much room on a bucket to easily clip on a fan, and it's just extra noise; it might even be viewed as a danger for families with kids. Remember, a fan is also not proven how effective it might help the scrubbing process. Plus, a fan will really chill the water; some reefkeepers want this, but some beginners will not. Only mention a fan if they are having heat issues with their tank, or if they currently use a chiller. Since fans are so cheap and easy to get, they can always buy and use one later. My first tally came up to about $60 for the parts; then you need to add the pump. The one linked above is $80, for a total of $140. So you could sell the whole thing for $199, which would be fair for the amount of work you put in to make it (mostly, cutting the slot). Just print up an instruction sheet for the customer to read, and you are done! Now I'm sure if you searched around, or bought in bulk, you could cut the cost in half. But as far as the customer's cost is concerned, I think something like $199 is a good deal to wipe out algae in their tanks. But you can set your own price. So making the scrubbers is easy enough. Where do you market and sell them? The obvious place to start is by letting people on the forums know you have them, starting with forums that have current scrubber threads like this one. Most forums also have a buy/sell section, which is a good place. The next step might be a banner ad on these forums, and then maybe you could buy a whole sponsor-forum. Next I'd target the LFS: Let them use a bucket for one of their problem tanks (of proper size) to prove the bucket works, then work out a deal whereby he buys from you and resells, or he holds them in consignment and gives you the money after he sells them. You set the price, of course. You could also do a "loan-to-buy" offer, where you let a customer use a demonstration bucket of yours for free for maybe 2 weeks, and when you go to pick it up (when their N and P are reduced), they'll want to buy a new one from you in order to keep their N and P from going back up. Ebay might be an option later on, when people know what these things are. Also you could always do a litte site of your own. And don't forget Craigslist. But people have to be already looking for scrubbers for these online places to work, unless you advertise it as a "mega powerful algae remover" Then there are the traditional magazines that you could advertise in. They get expensive fast, but the reach a lot of people. You'll probably want to get some sales going with the above efforts first. Basically, you are trying to reach beginners. The types with FO, FOWLR, or softie/LPS reefs, who are on their first or second tank, are your best customers. They spend money (sometimes lots of) on something if it makes their tank the way they want it, especially if it does so without them having to expend any effort. 9 out of 10 people who walk into a LFS are this type of person. So getting familiar with your LFS(s) will be very important. Guarantees: Although most everyone on these forums that has set up a scrubber properly has seen great results (and possibly even eliminated all their nuisance algae) within 8 weeks, you can't make a guarantee of the same to a customer, because you have no control over how they will use it. So by saying something like the scrubber "usually" clears out algae within 8 weeks, you will be covered in case they mis-use it. Now, if you are hired to build and install it yourself, and maybe even to do weekly cleanings of it, you might be able to promise more. Size: Most customers will be beginners, using FW or SW fish setups under 100 gallons. For these folks, a standard 5 gallon bucket with 144 square inches of screen should be fine. If you find that they have a very heavily stocked FO tank, or a tank of 150+ gallons, you may recommend to them that they get two buckets (hooked up in series or parallel). Or at least to start with one, and then add another later if they like the results. But building a "bigger" bucket is not a good idea for now. Keep everything to one size. Support: Once a customer has purchased from you, you'll want to remain in contact with them afterwards in case they have questions. Most of them will have their questions immediately after purchasing, which is when they are trying to get it hooked up and working. After that, you probably will never hear from them again, except for a few that think that it's your fault that their tank is dying from some bad-husbandry issue of theirs. This is when you rely on your no-refunds policy. Installation: Many customers are only interested in the final look of their tank; they don't want anything to do with understanding how it works or how to install anything. For these folks, you offer (local) installation of the scrubber for an additional cost. If all you have to do is put the pump in their sump, set the bucket up, and run the drain line back to the sump, you might charge $150 service charge to go to their location and do it. That would include driving, setting up the bucket, taking N and P measurements, answering their questions, watching the setup for problems/leaks, showing them how to clean weekly and scrape perodically, etc. If you are installing a custom in-sump or above-sump design, maybe an extra $250 would cover the extra time. Refunds: This will be the toughest area for you to deal with. Basically, you should guarantee that everything will ship to the customer without breaking (especially the lights) and that it will be in working condition. Other than that, once they start using it, there are no refunds. Let them know this upfront, in your invoice. And there are certainly no refunds if they are "not happy" with the nitrate, phosphate, or nuisance algae issues. Basically you just want to guarantee that the pump and lights work, since they are the only mechanical parts. Tie-ins With Maintenance: Many guys, maybe you, are currently servicing tanks. So of course new accounts are always being sought to service. One thing you can do is to offer a free scrubber to a customer that purchases maintenance from you. So if you are a maintenance guy, you can use the scrubber to get new business. If you are not a maintenance guy, you can offer an actual maintenance guy a deal if he includes your scrubber in with his new clients. Pre-grown screens: While the pre-grown screens from Inland Aquatics really helps speed up results by weeks, I would not recommend including one in your scrubbers for customers. It's too much reliance on a third party for delivery, plus it introduces delays. Besides, everyone has been able to get desired nutrient removal from their tanks within eight weeks by starting with a blank screen. So why introduce a possible delay/problem. I would only consider a pre-grown screen if you were hired as a full-service person to fix nutrient problems on a large system, and they needed big results in a hurry, and you had complete control over everything. Name: Refer to a scrubber as an "algae filter", not a scrubber. To a beginner, a "scrubber" is a scrub pad they clean the glass with. By referring to scrubbers as "algae filters" you do two positive things. First, you make it very clear to the customer what it does: It filters algae, which is exactly why they are talking to you in the first place. Second, if they ever become more involved in reefs, then they will come to appreciate that "algae filter" really means that the algae on the screen is doing the filtering. So the name really has two meanings. LFS Referrals: Maintenance guys do this all the time. First you convince the LFS that the scrubber works by loaning him a bucket for a problem tank of appropriate size. After he's conviced, give him your business card so he can refer you customers. Hey may ask you for a referral fee, so you'll have to negotiate with him how much. I'd say $10 per person that calls you is fair, whether or not they buy. Details: When explaing a bucket to a potential customer, you have to keep it simple. All they care about is removing the ugly green stuff from their rocks and glass. Some of these folks don't even know which fish are SW and which are FW. So talk about the bucket in terms of doing what they want: Removing the algae from their tanks. Don't even mention nitrate or phosphate unless they ask. Make it easy to understand, i.e., "All the algae filter does is make the algae grow on the screen instead of in your tank; then you just clean it away!" That's all they really need or want to know. If they get into wanting detailed explanations and case histories, they they are not going to be buying your scrubber. But they will talk forever. In sales, these people are called "talkers", and will waste most of your time, and buy the least amounts of your product. The people who do buy most of your product will be the ones who ask the least questions and then buy the quickest. Again, all they care about is: Will it get the green off the rocks and glass? How often does it need to be cleaned?, What is the cost?, and Is there an algae guarantee?. All are easy answers (the last one being "no" . Anyways, hope to see some of you becoming mini scrubber manufacturers! "garypower" on the UR site: "i was on one of the first couple of pages on this thread and decided like others to give it a go! my screen is now 2 months on, and its there as predicted, full of algea turf deep red brown colour and having to start using a blade to make space! my tank parems have gone to non-detectable po4 and zero nitrates! the tank in appearance looks like polished water yet i dont run carbon! my skimmer is now only running one hour every four hours with my ozone unit on a timer, i have a much better growth rate with my corals, there is less build up of algea on the glass i only use a magfloat once a week to clear very faint dusting of algea." Anyone know anyone who could build some acrylic scrubbers? People have been asking me to build them, but I don't want to. How large/small can builder handle? One problem with posting a directory is that it will need constant updating and re-posting. Would there be a better way to do it than posting in a thread? I could host it on my site where I put all the pics, or I could put it on the algae scrubber site. But ideal would be being able to post it here, and be able to edit it here. 10/10: Subscribed for sure. I'm going to try this oustside in the sunlight...I would think there is enough light? 10/15: [Will be in] direct sunlight aprox 7 hrs. AM sun on one side and PM sun on the other... southern exposure. After rubbing what green Algae I could scrape up, into the mesh like a caveman, the water is now running full width, and it looks slimey(?) shiney. [Flow is] 400-450 I would have to estimate, possibly more. I used a table saw with a carbide tipped blade for the slot and cross-cuts...Make [the pipe] longer than you need so you have something to hang onto while you are sawing the slot. The cross cuts are 1" apart and the blade height was set at 1/4" for the 3/4" - sch 20 PVC pipe. I am chalking the ground to see if there is better exposure time about 80-90 degrees counter clockwise. 10/22: Woooot! OK we have what looks like the start of something very interesting. Here's the thing... it's down at the bottom where it gets the least amount of direct sunlight...?? The canvas was seeded with what I could, and then rinsed thoroughly. That's something you said in the thread. There was no visable green on that canvas [when started]. There are 4 medium KOI in there, and it's cycled. Just recently, 2-3 days ago? Algae took off in the pond almost over night. I didn't see anything for a week, and then it started as a little bloom on just one square. After seeing where the growth pattern is, I would have used some 10 grit carbide paper on the plastic...the rougher the surface the easier the initial the spores can attach. The top where the plastic canvas goes into the spraybar, got scratched the most from fitting and re-fitting the screen...it has thick green algae on it and it is shaded alot of the time. So in summary, go as rough as possible on the prep...I say. See the high spots of the grid? I wish I would have sanded the crap out of it with bigger grit. I'm still getting good flow across the canvas anyhow. It's a relatively inexpensive project for the results you can produce. If you are anything like me, no matter what others are getting, I had to see for myself, first hand. I have less than 20.00 invested, but I use the Sun and a gravity return. The concept is basic, add your twist to it and see what you come up with...it just might be better than the others. interesting to see it works with FW tanks too! But at least those who want scrubbers (but don't have the time or ability to build one) can now have it done for them. The DIY bucket or sump scrubber is basically a level 1 project. Simple, free, easy DIY, and works great. Yes they are a bit large and ugly, but who cares. Level 2 are the acrylics. Self contained, small (only six inches or so thick), powerful, and nice looking. But they are so hard to make that only two people besides me have made them (and one of them I had to get made for him). I thought that since so many people made DIY sumps and tanks, many more would have made nice looking acrylics. Guess not. And only one person is on the builder list. Well now I'm working on level 3. Ultra small (one inch thick), high light power, unbreakable, etc. Basically the same scrubbing power as a level 1 in a sump, but the size of a book. Problem is, they are impossible to DIY. So my question is, would anybody want to discuss the building of something that they can't build themselves? Johnt on the UR site: "corals are doing extremely well, the water is clear, and the rocks are starting to look like new. the scrubber is improving things; I'm getting better growth and the rocks are clearing, N & P are up and down a bit, as I keep cleaning the screen too well, but are remaining low even though I've not had the skimmer, rowaphos reactor or carbon running for 2 months." Sinful_Waters on the RS site: "Ok I couldnt resist! After reading and reading forum after forum, I had to know what all the excitement was about with the ats. End result, miracles happen! Ive spent the last year and a half battling the green stuff, with excessive waterchanges, phosphate reactor, etss skimmer, limited lighting period, pulling by hand, constant dusting with turkey baster, Lawnmower blen, blue leg hermit, lettice nudis, astrea snails, super clean sand, remote dsb, etc, etc, etc. The algae covered every inch of LR and was seriously suffocating my corals. What do we do when the tough gets going, we build an ats! I did as was advised and built the 5 gal [bucket] with a doulble sided screen, two 21 watt, 6500k compact flourecent bulbs, and the flow is supplied from my overflow and returned into sump. I do a light scrubb on the screen about every 4 days, and thats all. It actually took a few weeks to get the green going, but when it did the [nuisance] algae in the tank started to melt away. It went away so fast I was literally worried that my fish, crabs, snails would all be deprived of the green feast. Long story short, overfeeding is not in my vocab, and my sps, lps, corals have beautiful color and growth, with perfect tank conditions and stability. Being on a limited budget I couldnt be more pleased at the ease of the build and its amazinig effectiveness (excuse the spelling)." Keifer1122 on the RS site: "update: the ats on 75 gallon, almost 2 months, been put on with only about 20lbs live rock, [...] also 8 fish, 1 1/2" of sand. N & P undetectable, all params good, havent done a water change in 2 months. had to do about 20 gallon wc every week before the install. $$$$$$$. 12 gallon aquapod with ats been about 17 days. N is about 10, was 15 before the install, with pair of percs feeding 3 times a day pellets in the morning and afternoon, with a pinky nail cube of rods, also piece of silverside every week for the Bta. the numbers arent falling fast, but its steady (with a 2gal water change i could boost the process or just cut feedings). coral growth: everythings growing like a weed including my yellow m.digitata that i got along with my screen from inland aquatics. all in all, tanks look sweet. life made easy." Arab_NA on the MASA site: "My scrubber after 3 weeks, cleaning 1 side each 7 days: My PO4 went from 1.0 to below 0.1, and NO3 from 50ppm to 0ppm. I am feeding 3 times a day now and have no problems at all! Thanks SantaMonica for saving my tank and giving me back the love for this stunning hobby." mudshark on the Masa site: "WOW things are starting to happen now. The algea is getting really thick on the screens after 20 days. I measured phosphate, which has always been low, as it was being used by algea in the display. It read a big fat 0. In fact it seems to be at a crossover point where the algea on the screens is growing faster, and regressing in the display. I've taken some pics of SPS colours now, altough they have already improved since the introduction of the screens. I'm hoping to post some further improved colours at a later stage." Sly on the SWF site: I've had my scrubber running since September. When I started, my phosphates were 8-10 ppm or maybe higher. The test water turned a very dark blue, indicating high phosphates. Today I did a test and can verify that my phosphates are now between 2 and 4 ppm. I am still getting massive growth in the scrubber.. So far the nitrates have reduced some, but not much... maybe by 5 ppm. I am seeing the greatest reduction in phosphate so far. Maybe the nitrate will start going down some more as the phosphate gets consumed completely. Some background: Tank has been running for 7 years. Using RO/DI water, ozone, refugium with macros, UV sterilization, skimmer and [now] scrubber. I don't really do water changes. The last one I did was sometime in 2007. I have had high phosphates for quite a while, and nitrates have been higher than I wanted, but still manageable. My fish and corals are still growing and thriving. I have never seen anything that would reduce the phosphate in my tank. Even water changes only lowered them momentarily. They would go back up in just a few days. This is the first time I've ever seen a reduction in phosphates. I suspect that in another month they may well be at 0ppm. Nitrate reduction still remains to be seen. Overall though, I think the scrubber was a positive addition to my tank. I'm finally starting to get some more corraline growth like I used to have. The growth is slow but I do see a definite increase in the vibrance and quantity of corraline in my tank." How tall should the screen it be? That is determined by how much screen area you need, which is determined by how many gallons you have. Try to get one square inch of screen (lit both sides) for every gallon. If lit on only one side, double the screen area. Eric Borneman: "What turfs are, essentially, are excellent nitrogen and phosphorus uptake species, with a number of benefits over many other species: faster growing, less invasive, more efficient and less toxic than macroalgae, much more efficient by fast growth than Xenia, and far more effective in most tanks than seagrasses (which require so much more light, sediments, symbiotic microbes, benthic nutrients, and space) or mangroves. The big benefit of turfs as nutrient uptake and export, if needed or desired (by removal of the turfs as they grow), is that they grow faster than macroalgae in biomass, are generally not producers of prolific secondary metabolites (their defense and competition is fast growth), and they are confined to a specific area and are thus not invasive. Even if some get released into the tank, they are very palatable and are a treat for herbivorous fishes and invertebrates. In fact, turfs are havens for copepods, amphipods, ostracods, and polychaetes, favoring their reproduction." Tom Barr: "You might also suggest this to folks, you can prep this [scrubber] filter very easily by using a bucket and the pump and getting a good film of growth outside (if possible , near a window with direct sun light) on the screen prior to use in the aquarium; no waiting for it to get all furry. This is pre cycling for an algae scrubber. There is a little sloughing and adaptation once you place in the tank, but this will accelerate the process. Use a bucket to prep things instead of the aquarium, this way you can get on top of things and cycle the tank much faster, essentially bypassing the cycle altogether, a so called "silent cycle". Algae remove NH4 [ammonium] directly, so there's no NO2 or NO3 build up. No need for bacteria (they will form later anyway, but will have a less prominent role). For folks that do FC ["fish cycling" in FW tanks], they should prep their algae filters in a bucket, not bomb the whole tank with NH3 [ammonia]. That's foolish to do that." They are available all over the web, and at almost every toy store and discount store. The beauty of these plates is that no matter how hard you clean/scrape, algae will still remain in-between the pegs (except the first week or so, where it will all come off anyways). Of course, you'll still want to sand/scratch all the areas in-between the pegs, but overall this looks very promising, if someone else would like to try it. One disadvantage is that the plates are not (at least that I could find) available in clear, so a light on one side does not benefit the other side like it does with a screen. But since these plates are only formed one-sided anyways, it might not be such a bad thing, and indeed would be perfect for a twin-screen one-bulb setup. Inorganic Nitrate and Inorganic Phosphate. stays in your water, which is what you read when you test. brianhellno on the MFK site: "Just wanted to share my success with a turf scrubber with my freshwater tank. Currently I have a 125 with (5) 6-inch piranha, (6) 4-inch giant danios, about (20) 1-inch baby black cons, (2) 2-inch green terrors, (2) 2-inch jack dempseys, and (1) 2.5 inch blue malawi cichlid. The smaller fish were all supposed to be feeders, but the piranha ignore them. Anyways I've had the scrubber up and running for almost three weeks now and I finally tested the water parameters: Ammonia 0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 5 ppm. Not too bad! Usually the Nitrate sits around 40 to 80 ppm right before a water change, so this is definitely an improvement. All I can say is thanks for the great idea! worley on the scrubber site: "Well just got my phosphate test kit and did a test... *drumroll* .... 0ppm. It's the API phosphate test kit, and it was the very lightest green on the salt water card (0ppm). That's a great result, especially as I'm now feeding tonnes into the tank, 1 block of brine shrimp and 1 of mysis, plus some live brine (fed with live phyto a an hour before feeding to the fish) and some pellet foods. [...] I still can't get over the phosphate test, and how low the nitrates are considering there's not been a water change in 2 months and so much food has gone in. jan on the RPhil site: "Today is my 24th day of cycling, I measured my water my parameters and here are the result: Nitrate 0ppm. Turf algae is almost all over my screen Razz !!!! thanks for this great Idea! Feeding update: I've begun increased feeding, because my clown tang is getting skinny, and also because I want to try to keep a variety of non-photo NPS corals. So in my 90g with scrubber-only filtration, I'm currently feeding 4 cubes mysis, 5 ml Reed's Shelfish Diet (phyto), 5 ml Reed's Rotifeast, and 5 ml Reed's Arctipods (copepods), and 2 krill (for white eel) daily. Also one whole silverside weekly (for blue eel). For reference, 1 ml is about 2 pumps from a typical phyto pump bottle. Since I increased to this amount, I'm now getting my first detectable readings in several months (Salifert). Nitrate is a slight pink... varies between .1 and 1. Phosphate is a barely visible blue; sometimes I'm not sure if it's really blue or not, but it's definitely not the crystal clear it used to be. Pink coralline is continuing to take over, and the last two square inches of nuisance film algae disappeared last week. Some spots of cyano are still trying to hold on, but the coralline is overtaking them. So the goal now is to see how much I can actually feed while still keeping N an P low. I don't think they need to be undetectable; I think my goal is to keep nuisance algae from forming, while at the same time being able to sustain non-photo NPS corals. BTW I added a few SPS frags on my new frag tray, and they seem to be doing well. One-light between two-screens: Makes better use of the light, but leaves the other sides of the screens unused (in the dark), thus wasting half your flow. The big advantage is cleaning: You can clean one screen, and leave the other in operation, which give you more consistent filtering. Two-lights on one-screen: Makes better use of the screen (both sides are lit), but can waste light if not reflected properly. Advantages are (1) redundancy of the lights: If one goes out, you'll still have filtering until you can buy a replacement, and (2) higher performance for its size, since each side of the screen gets hit by light from both sides, especially right after cleaning when the algae is thin. Best of both worlds: Multiple lights between two screens. Uses the most flow and power, but is always filtering, and will never go totally "dark" unexpectedly. Doesn't need to be a smooth cut, since water will be draining down through the holes anyway. Rug canvas is preferred because it lets the algae to attach better, but since rug canvas is flimsy, you'll need to epoxy it to the backing. Plastic canvas (pictured) is rigid and can just be set down on the backing, but it does not hold algae as well. That's it! Post your nano scrubber pics! small_ranchu on the MFK site: "Here is the progress on my goldfish tank. 90 gallon tank with 3 goldfish + heavy feeding. Nitrate reading at the end of the week is usually around 40 PPM with a lot of brown algae on the wall. After 1 month of installing the Scrubber filter, Nitrate reading is 10 PPM and brown algae is disappearing slowly." argi on the MD site: "I set up my scrubber on my 54 gallon tank a few weeks after its initial set up (it has been running for around 3 months now). One thing I have noticed on this tank compared to all my past tanks is the lack of algae growing on the glass. In the past I always left a magnet cleaner in the tank because I would have to scrub the brown diatom algae off the glass at least once per week. Now with this current tank I haven't had to clean off the glass nearly as often. While I still clean it, usually weekly to every other week, I can still see in the tank after 2 weeks!!! So far I am very happy with the results." johnt on the UR site: "after 10 weeks of running a screen I can say it's the best method I've used, it also takes out metals and other nasties, and I've not even reached the turf algae stage yet. In the 10 weeks it's been running I've not run any reactors or the skimmer (I'm saving a small fortune not having to buy phosphate remover). I'm still running the refugium, Chaeto and deep sand bed, all corals are doing exceptionaly well, N&P are remaining low and rocks are looking better by the day." Elliott on RC: "I built one about 5 wks ago and so far it seems to be working well. My cyano has diminished and there is less cleaning to do on the glass." Mtroboer on the MASA site: "my algae is already visibly starting to disappear after only 1 1/2 weeks! Also added a PC Server fan in front of the screen and dropped my temps from 29.8 avg to 25.8 avg, saved me from buying a energy hungry chiller! First time in little more than a year I got to see results regarding getting rid of nuisance algae as well as dropping my high tempratures!" Keifer1122 on the RS site: "Aquapod 12 gallon update: Its been couple days short of a month, and still no water change, my N & P have been at zero for 3 weeks now. everything is still growing just daily dosing, daily 2-3 feeding times a day, and weekly scrubbing" bigtanner on RC: "I built this little one for about $65, pump, light, and all plumbing needed. Some people frown on these things and some people praise them. It's about like anything else really. I have had success with mine. Since building it and hooking it up, my tank is basically algae free. I also went from running my magnet daily to only running it every three to four days. [...] I never have any bad algae in my tank, my water is always crystal clear, and since adding it, I run my magnet a lot less than I used to. corinna on the AC site: "I started out as a sceptic, but after spending a fortune on phosphate absorbers, carbon, sponges, water changes etc, Im convinced. Two months in, ive not done a water change or cleaned the glass, just to see what happened. Zooanthids are reproducing, seahorses are fat and active, values are reading zeroes. Scallops are happy. Plus I feed a lot." Well after three months of testing color temps, I've determined that 3000K out performs 6500K. It's not a huge difference, but enough to notice. At first they are about equal, but as the green hair gets over an inch thick, the 3000K continues getting thicker until it hits the acrylic wall (at 1.5" , whereas the 6500 stalls and rarely grows enough to reach the wall. So I'm ordering all T5HO 3000K replacement bulbs.
2019-04-19T08:21:43Z
http://fishprofiles.com/forums/General_Marine/Mega_Powerful_Nitrate_and_Phos/38168/3/
In the first two case studies, the public and private standards were developed largely in isolation from each other: by choice with grain elevators, through ignorance in aviation fire safety. These standards were essentially independent. They were not aimed at each other, so they are conducive to being analyzed alone. The final two case studies are more complicated. Both involve the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an agency that has packed considerable experience with private standards into its short history. The CPSC was born of controversy about the desirability of private standards and has since experimented with various strategies for interacting with the private sector, including the ill-fated offeror process. Currently, the agency is required by statute to consider the desirability of private standards before proposing any government regulation. This relationship—where instead of being isolated, standards are deliberately intertwined—raises important questions about the interaction between public and private standards. Both of the remaining paired cases suggest that the secondary effects of safety standards—that is, how they affect each other—is as important as how they regulate behavior directly. the more serious problem of creosote fires. The prospect of judicial "second-guessing" has apparently intimidated the CPSC in much the same way that liability law is thought to stifle innovation in the private sector. Fortunately, the private standard improved significantly while the CPSC standard was being developed. This case also highlights some important and unexpected differences in the patterns of compliance with public and private standards. The private sector achieved much better compliance with its standard than did the CPSC. Apparently, the force of law behind "mandatory" public standards is not necessarily stronger than the forces that induce compliance with "voluntary" private ones. Although the CPSC refuses to recognize it, the institutional arrangements attendant to UL's standards—a function of being in the business of product testing—are sometimes superior to command and control regulation in attaining high levels of compliance. In addition to dispelling the notion that private standards are "voluntary," the UL standard for woodstoves partially contradicts the idea that private standards are lax. The standard can be faulted for avoiding certain hazards (particularly creosote fires) but several of its requirements are rather stringent. As with the private standards already examined, this standard was developed long before the threat of government regulation arose. Many of its provisions are not supported by specific scientific evidence; rather, they are the product of engineering judgment and educated guesses. These judgments apparently command respect, and there have been minimal objections to the UL standard. This suggests that UL has greater credibility or, perhaps, greater clout than the CPSC. A strong demand for compliance with private standards, emanating in this case from building codes and product liability insurers, may bolster the effectiveness of private standards-setting. Americans rediscovered the woodstove in the 1970s, almost 250 years after Benjamin Franklin designed the first model intended primarily for heating rather than cooking. Sales of woodstoves tripled between 1974 and 1978. With increased popularity came improvements in technology. Franklin's design was altered first by the addition of doors—the Franklin stove was simply a firebox with an open front—and more recently by airtight construction that makes stoves burn hotter and more efficiently. Woodstove-related fires also became common in the 1970s. Woodstoves were mentioned frequently in fire incident data analyzed by the Center for Fire Research at the National Bureau of Standards. Whether these hazards should he addressed through safety standards is disputed. It is widely agreed, however, that woodstoves are potentially dangerous. "Making wood heat an effective alternative to conventional heating requires the ultimate in careful planning," warns a popular consumer magazine. In the absence of proper precautions, woodstoves pose four general hazards: creosote fires, ignition of nearby combustibles by radiant heat, escaping sparks or fire, and surface burns. Creosote fires account for approximately 60 percent of woodstove-related fires. Creosote is formed when the moisture expelled from burning wood combines with unburnt combustible gases in the flue. A tarry substance builds up on the flue lining, eventually becoming brittle and highly flammable. If the chimney is not cleaned in time, high temperatures will start a fire that can spread to the surrounding structure through radiant heat or, if the fire is hot enough, by burning through the chimney. The process of burning wood inevitably produces creosote. The amount depends on the type of wood, its moisture content, and, most important, the temperature of the fire. Greener wood creates more creosote. So do low burning temperatures, such as those obtained when the stove damper is adjusted for overnight burning. Product design also affects creosote production. New high-efficiency stoves burn hotter and create less creosote than most traditional models. Catalytic combustors, an even newer technology, reduce creosote production through a complex chemical interaction between wood smoke and noble metals such as platinum that enables the smoke to release more heat before going up the chimney. about an eighteen-inch clearance from the wall and ceiling but are often installed closer, particularly when passing through a wall or ceiling (see figure 2). Approximately 20 percent of woodstove-related fires are thought to be caused by insufficient clearance to combustibles. Some experts consider the connection to the chimney—rather than the distance from the wall—to be the most dangerous aspect of woodstove installation. The third hazard, least significant in occurrence, is that fire will escape from the stove. This includes fires caused when (1) sparks escape from the air inlets, (2) coals or flames escape through the stove door (often because it is open), and (3) the fire actually burns through the firebox. The final hazard associated with woodstoves is the most common, the least severe, and is almost impossible to control through regulation. It is surface burns caused by contact with a hot stove. Are Woodstoves a Serious Problem? Woodstoves appear to pose a sizable safety problem. They are second only to careless smoking as the leading cause of residential fires. The CPSC estimates that solid-fuel heating equipment was involved in 140,000 fires in 1985, causing approximately 280 deaths and over $300 million in property damage. There are several reasons to discount the significance of these numbers, however. First, they stem from dubious extrapolation techniques. The CPSC's sample is limited and nonrandom. The data do not distinguish between woodstoves and fireplace inserts. They are both lumped together under "solid-fuel appliances," leaving it unclear how much of the problem is actually attributable to woodstoves. Moreover, reports compiled by local fire departments are usually sketchy and sometimes inaccurate in assessing causes. this kind of injury. This is not necessarily true of all, or even most, fires commonly attributed to the consumer. "Injuries," as one independent consultant put it, "are often caused by an unfortunate combination of design, installation, and use." The number of fires directly attributable to the product itself is probably very small. Even with all these uncertainties, both a public and a private organization chose to write standards for woodstoves. UL officially proposed a draft standard for woodstove safety in January 1978—seven months after the CPSC received a petition requesting that the government regulate woodstoves. But forestalling government regulation was not, as it might appear to have been, UL's motive. The UL standard (in "unpublished form," as explained later) actually predates the petition to the CPSC by several decades. Moreover, there is minimal overlap between the CPSC's standard and the UL standard. The former addresses only labeling; the latter aims to be comprehensive and includes performance tests and design requirements as well as labeling requirements. UL is the premier product testing lab in the country. Building codes and other use and installation codes inevitably require that various products be certified by a "nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Labs." In fact, there is no other organization quite like it. This has led to charges that UL is a monopoly—a charge that UL officials privately admit is true in many product areas. It is not true, however, in the case of woodstoves. to include a "follow-up service," now a major part of UL's function. Currently, the "listing" of a product is contingent upon the use of UL's follow-up service, whereby representatives of UL make periodic inspections of the products at the factory and possibly from the open market to determine compliance with UL requirements. This comprehensive inspection system is a form of quality control, meant to assure that proper tolerances are kept in the manufacturing process. Subscribers to UL's listing service are visited approximately four times per year. UL has always prided itself on its independence from manufacturers' interests. Although originally affiliated with the insurance industry, UL became legally independent in 1936, when it incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in Delaware. The Internal Revenue Service challenged the tax exemption, however, and a federal court eventually agreed that UL "may be good business, but it is not charity." The tax exemption was restored by Congress, and UL continues to be viewed as the most independent of the private standards-setters. UL's reputation is excellent. It has been remarkably free of scandals or horror stories. Staff members at the Federal Trade Commission, which proposed to regulate private standards and certification in 1977, concur that UL is usually above reproach. UL has branched out considerably over the years from its best-known area, electrical devices. There are over three thousand employees (a third of whom are engineers) and six major departments—burglary protection, casualty and chemical, fire protection, heating and refrigeration, marine, and electrical—handling literally thousands of product categories. In 1984 over 2.5 billion labels bearing the UL mark were used at 35,381 manufacturing sites in sixty-four countries. Other testing labs compete with UL, but only in a limited sense. The competition often uses UL's standards. Some labs provide certification at a lower cost than UL, in part because they do not have to bear the expense of developing standards. They also do not have to assume the same risk of being held liable in a product liability suit, since they bear no responsibility for the content of the standards. These labs are not always considered "nationally recognized" for the purposes of regulation, however, and some insurance companies charge higher premiums for product liability insurance when the manufacturer uses a testing lab other than UL. minor changes made four years after the first edition was published in 1979, is sixty-one pages long and covers both the construction and performance of stoves. Some provisions specify design requirements. For example, cast-iron stoves must not be thinner than 3.17mm (one-eighth of an inch). Other provisions involve mechanical tests. The "strength test" for chimney connectors calls for a twenty-pound sandbag to be swung on a pendulum against the chimney connector. The stove itself is subject to various stability tests, including a "drop test" in which the stove is dropped ten times from a height of one inch. Other provisions are more general and subjective, such as the prohibition against "edges, corners, or projections that present a risk of a cut or puncture-type injury to persons." Twenty-six pages of UL 1482 are devoted to electrical blowers, an optional item not included on many stoves, which help circulate heat throughout the room. Given UL's orientation toward electrical devices, this section is extremely detailed and refers to many other UL standards for motors, wire, switches, and component parts. But the fire tests are the guts of UL 1482. They subject the stove to both intense "flash fire" conditions and more stable, long-term burning conditions. The temperature at designated points on the stove's surface and surrounding walls must stay within specified tolerances during three separate tests. The manufacturer specifies the distance the stove should be from the wall during testing. If the stove passes, the subsequent label indicates the precise certified clearance (or "distance to combustibles"). There are two versions of the making of UL 1482: official and unofficial. Like textbook descriptions of the legislative process, the official version misses most of the important subtleties. But it describes the framework within which the standard was written and is necessary to understanding the unofficial story that follows, which is based more on interviews than on official documents. meet only every other year, however, so most business is conducted by letter ballot. The standard was revised and circulated for comments in August. Three months later, UL hosted a two-day meeting for stove manufacturers and trade association representatives to discuss the proposed standard with UL's engineers. Based on comments received at those meetings, another revised version of the standard was circulated for comments in January 1979. By this time, the wording of the warning label was the only provision at issue. A revised warning label proposed by UL in April 1979 received sufficient support from industry for UL to consider the standard acceptable and publish it. Successive drafts of the proposed standard indicate how it changed during this process. Unfortunately, this paper trail reveals little about the motivation for these changes. And UL employees are reluctant to discuss the deliberations that go into a standard. Even the so-called rationale statements recently added to UL standards are often brief and general, providing little insight into the trade-offs and underlying issues. In the case of UL 1482, most of the changes involved the finer points of test methods. For example, the proposed standard described the charcoal briquettes to be used in testing by reference to the product manufactured by the Kingsford Chemical Company. The revised version adopted a more generic approach, specifying the size, weight, and moisture content of acceptable briquettes. The aspects of the standard that were changed most significantly during this process and appear to have generated the most disagreement were the warning labels and installation instructions. As originally proposed, UL 1482 required limited installation instructions and a warning label—or "caution mark," in UL terminology—on the stove. The Wood Energy Institute took strong objection to the warning label and convinced UL of Canada, but not UL, to drop the requirement. UL revised the labeling requirement, however, in response to this opposition. The minimum letter size for the warning label was reduced and, for stoves with glass doors, the label did not have to appear on the front of the stove. The requirements concerning installation instructions were less controversial. They were expanded during the revision process without substantial opposition. tionally recognized consensus standard." ANSI aims to be a central clearinghouse and general overseer of nongovernment standards-writers. However, the organization has limited resources, no technical staff, and no information collection system. It depends on the voluntary cooperation of standards-writers. Although UL routinely submits its published standards to ANSI for such approval, the gesture is largely a matter of courtesy without any practical significance for the recognition or use of UL standards. There are three separate procedures for gaining ANSI approval. UL uses the one subject to the most criticism: the canvass process. Under this procedure, UL developed (and ANSI reviewed and approved) a "canvass list" of parties thought to be interested in reviewing the woodstove standard. A professor at Auburn University who had conducted research on woodstoves for the CPSC was the only individual on a list of twenty-six. The rest represented organizations ranging from the Alliance of American Insurers to UL's Consumer Advisory Council and the National Safety Council. The standard was distributed to those on the list with a request for comments and an affirmative or negative vote. ANSI also solicited "public review comments" through a notice in its newsletter, Standards Action . Under ANSI's canvass method, public comments and a compilation of canvass votes are submitted to ANSI's Board of Standards Review (BSR), whose job is to certify "consensus." They do so mainly by examining any "unresolved negatives" that emerge from the process. In the terminology of the BSR, UL 1482 was a "clean case." It was submitted to ANSI with no "unresolved negatives." No comments were received from the general public during ANSI's own comment period. On the basis of that information, the BSR approved UL 1482 without discussion on January 28, 1981. What appeared to be a "clean case" to the BSR was not nearly so straightforward for UL. The canvass process took UL over twenty months—longer than it took from official proposal to publication of the standard—and it generated numerous negative comments along the way. Negative ballots were cast (at least initially) by members of five organizations on the canvass list, including NFPA, the National Bureau of Standards, the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Others voted affirmatively but registered negative comments. resentatives from NFPA and NBS objected to the lack of any provisions concerning the tendency of stoves to produce creosote. Representatives from ICBO and ASHRAE objected to the stringency of various test methods. The former considered an aspect of the fire tests too weak, while the latter argued that the impact test for glazing was unreasonably stringent. UL responded to each party that cast a negative vote, seeking to elicit a vote in favor. The Standards Department at UL is charged with this task. The department, with almost fifty employees, acts as an intermediary between commenters and UL engineers. The department aims to defuse opposition and gain acceptance for UL's standards by informing commenters of the reasons for the provision in question and, if this fails, by trying to convince them that improvements can be made in the future. Commenters often agree to vote in favor of a standard on the assurance of the Standards Department that the issue will be addressed in the future. This tactic changed all of the votes against UL 1482 but that of the International Conference of Building Officials. UL had to request a six-month extension from ANSI in order to bring ICBO around. Several of the objections to UL 1482 were dismissed by UL in a rather perfunctory fashion. Those who objected to the lack of provisions governing creosote formation were told that ongoing research in the scientific community was expected to provide a data base upon which a future test method might be developed. This response appears less than forthright given the events preceding the canvass. There, in response to questions about how (and whether) to deal with creosote formation in chimneys, the matter was dropped because, according to UL's report of the meeting with industry representatives, "the discussion indicated that it was primarily an installation consideration and not a product construction or performance requirement for inclusion within the body of UL 1482." An internal UL memo dated March 19, 1985, indicates that UL is still "not in a position to include any creosote tests." And a UL engineer confirms that without a request and financial support from industry, there are no plans to develop such a test. Other objections to UL 1482 were also "resolved" in an unresponsive manner. A building code official objected that the glazing impact test would "increase the cost of glass doors without producing a safer product." UL's response: the test was intended "to provide the assembly with impact conditions under various modes." UL offered no evidence that the product would actually be safer as a result. Missing from the official version of the adoption of UL 1482 are any details of what turns out to be the most critical step in the process: developing the "proposed" standard. Although the proposed standard was modified through UL's review and comment process, the changes were not significantly related to the safety implications of the standard. The most important provisions in UL 1482, at least from the point of view of safety, came from the original proposal and were not affected by the formal process that followed. The official story, then, picks up where the unofficial story ends—with the "proposed first edition" of UL 1482. It is misleading to describe the standard circulated by UL in January 1978 as a "proposal." It was, in fact, both a proposal and a working (but unpublished) standard. UL had actually been certifying woodstoves for over twenty-five years when it circulated as a "proposal" the requirements it had been using. These provisions were contained in an unpublished UL standard (also referred to as a "desk standard"). Unpublished standards, the foundation of all UL standards, are not well known or understood. When the CPSC first began investigating woodstove safety, it operated for several months under the mistaken impression that there was no UL standard. In fact, there was an unpublished standard, just not a published one. Unpublished standards and their method of development are one of the only blemishes on UL's otherwise excellent reputation. These standards are written entirely in-house by UL engineers and, true to their name, are not generally available to outsiders. Those who evaluate standards-writing by the extent to which the procedures are public and accessible are most critical of UL's unpublished standards. Leaving the merits of that debate aside until later, the fact is that unpublished standards are an integral part of UL and its standard for woodstoves. Relevant to the present discussion is how these standards take shape. The process begins when a manufacturer of a product for which there is no UL standard asks UL to test and certify the product's safety. Lacking a standard with which to test the product, UL creates a rough draft (an unpublished standard), which is refined through use. Then, if there is sufficient demand, a formal "proposal" and publication follow. Precedent is a guiding principle at UL, and it explains the direct origin of most provisions in UL 1482. The test method for the three fire tests, for example, came from UL's standard for fireplace stoves, UL 737. (Fireplace stoves are basically woodstoves without doors, and many of the provisions in UL 737 provided the basis for UL 1482.) Similarly, the provisions concerning metal thickness came from UL's standard for oil-burning appliances, according to a UL engineer in the Fire Department. That standard was also cited by UL as a precedent for the warning label eventually included in UL 1482. Precedent says something about the source, but not the underlying rationale, of these provisions. The same question lurks behind each precedent: Where did the original provision come from? Take, for example, UL 737, which accounts for many provisions in UL 1482. Where did the provisions for UL 737 come from? Unfortunately, UL's own records do not document the complicated regulatory genealogy that covers ninety years, hundreds of published standards, and active testing in thousands of product categories. Even if it did, the original question would still remain: How does UL formulate requirements when there is no UL precedent? The answer seems to vary by type of requirement. Design requirements, performance standards, and labeling provisions seem to evolve differently. Like all UL standards, UL 1482 contains all three types of requirements. Deciding the appropriate combination of these approaches turns out to have safety implications as significant as the eventual content of each type of requirement. A product employing materials or having forms of construction differing from those detailed in the requirements of this Standard may be examined and tested in accordance with the intent of these requirements and, if found to be substantially equivalent, may be judged to comply with the Standard. This clause is invoked "at least once a week," according to a UL attorney, who would not disclose any details about whether or when it has been applied to woodstoves (or any other specific product). UL uses design standards for two reasons that are often overlooked in the discussion of performance and design standards. First, design standards are much cheaper from the point of view of testing. The thickness of cast iron can easily be measured. A performance test intended to simulate "burn through" would be much more complicated and expensive. Second, design standards—at least the way in which they are used by UL—allow certain matters to be "delegated" to the manufacturer. This is particularly helpful when field data or relevant research do not provide an adequate basis for a performance standard. Many of UL's design standards are actually codifications of generally accepted business practice. The requirements for minimum metal thicknesses do not constrain woodstove manufacturers; they choose them in the first place. Design standards of this origin appear to contradict the notion that UL's standards are an "independent" test of safety. In UL's defense, reliance on industry practice, if done critically and selectively, helps keep down the cost of testing, while ensuring that products beneath the accepted minimum are not certified. The design requirements in UL 1482 are not the most important from the point of view of safety; the performance requirements are. The fire tests, for example, specify that during testing the stove must not cause temperatures on exposed walls to rise more than 117° F above ambient temperature. Similarly, "a chimney connector furnished as part of the assembly shall not break, disassemble, or become damaged to the extent that it is unacceptable for further use after being subjected to a longitudinal force of 100 pounds." Unlike design specifications, which often leave the decisionmaking to industry, performance requirements are created entirely by UL's engineers. UL decides which aspects of performance to test and how to go about doing so. others having special experience" form the basis for its standard. Most test methods in UL 1482 reflect two factors not included in this list: educated guesses and concessions to the practicalities of product testing. Guesswork abounds in UL's standards, although it is usually disguised by the exactitudes of scientific language. For woodstoves with glass doors, for example, the impact test for glazing calls for a steel sphere of 1.18 pounds mass and 50.8mm diameter to be dropped against the glass from a pendulum arc with a height of 16.25 inches. Research results certainly do not form the basis for this test. The explanation provided by a UL engineer is that a two-inch ball bearing—the steel sphere described more "scientifically" above—swung from around 45 degrees "seemed about right." The idea, according to this engineer, was to simulate an accidental jab against the glass with a fireplace poker. A larger ball would, of course, simulate a more serious jab. But absent any information on real-world experience with jabs and related mishaps, this educated guess lives up mainly to the second half of its name. A representative of a major glass manufacturer takes exception to UL's explanation. "We could never get [UL] to tell us why [the falling ball test] has these specific requirements." This engineer believes that the requirements came from some other UL standards. In fact, rather than simulating a specific hazard for woodstoves, the two-inch ball bearing test would more accurately be described as UL's generic impact test. It appears in similar form in a host of product standards, including the standard for portable video recording systems. Even the most basic requirement of the three fire tests—that the temperature not rise more than 117° F on exposed surfaces and 90° F on unexposed ones —is largely guesswork. "There is some evidence to support these temperatures," observes a widely respected woodstove expert, but "they are still doubtful. Lots of different temperatures are plausible." A challenge to the rationale for these specific temperature tolerances was raised in the canvass process, but UL was unable to provide a specific response. favor of less accurate visual observation tests because the former was considered too costly. Similarly, since walls and ceilings are made of a variety of materials, the most realistic test method would include separate tests for each material. Striking a balance that favors economy over realism, the tests are done with only one building material. The business of product testing also requires that test methods be reproducible. For example, myriad factors other than the woodstove itself affect the extent to which temperatures on surrounding walls will increase when the stove is used at a specified distance. The type of fuel, the type of chimney, the insulation in the room, not to mention the finer points of product testing (for example, type and placement of thermocouples), are all significant. A test method must control these influences sufficiently to ensure that the same test will yield similar results over time. Unfortunately, the more "controlled" the test, the less likely it is to bear a relationship to reality. This is a recurring problem in product testing. The more inexpensive and reproducible the test, the more tenuous its relationship to what happens to the product in the real world. Performance standards require that numerous assumptions be made about how the product will be used in the real world. These assumptions can take many forms. Different sections of UL 1482 appear to be based on different notions of the relationship between test methods and reality. In some sections, UL takes its lead from the NFPA standards for chimneys and venting. The stove is tested, in other words, on the assumption that it will be installed in the method recommended by the NFPA. This assumption is on the utopian side of optimistic. An NBS engineer recounts that when the Bureau contracted to have a regulation NFPA 211 masonry chimney built for testing purposes, the mason exclaimed that the chimney was unusually sturdy. "We never build them like this," he told the engineer. The portions of UL 1482 that are most controversial are those in which real-world experience diverges most from testing conditions. UL generally assumes that consumers are literate, obedient, and only occasionally clumsy. Most of the test methods in UL 1482 presume that the user will follow the manufacturer's instructions. Therefore, if the manufacturer's instructions say that a grate should not be placed inside the stove, UL tests without a grate. Since the use of grates is widespread and results in higher burning temperatures, an engineer with the International Conference of Building Officials thinks that "if a conventional grate [can] be placed in a heater, then it should be tested with one." UL disagrees. This difference in testing philosophy explains why Consumer's Union (CU), publisher of Consumer Reports, graded down a stove that UL considered acceptable. CU considered the stove dangerous because of its tendency to emit sparks through the air inlets. UL, which tests stoves in accordance with NFPA's installation instructions—including, among other things, use of a floor protector—does not recognize the problem as a legitimate testing concern. That stove poses no danger—assuming it is used with a floor protector. product areas, test data have frequently revealed that UL standards contain large, some say too large, margins of safety. Moreover, manufacturers often build in a margin of safety (actually, a margin of error) when they have their stoves tested. On the basis of stove design alone, engineers cannot calculate the distance at which the stove will pass the UL tests. Therefore, the manufacturer, who specifies the distance at which the stove is to be tested, must estimate the clearance, knowing that an overly optimistic estimate will result in expensive retesting. Accordingly, a stove certified for thirty-six inches might pass the test at a closer distance. In short, differences in product testing might lead to inconsistent applications of UL 1482, but the inconsistencies do not seem very important. As an NBS engineer put it, "The standard could be tightened up a great deal, but I don't think that it would make much difference in safety." Several government studies of fire incident data have attempted, with mixed success, to quantify the nature and extent of fire damage related to woodstoves. All of these studies support the proposition that the consumer is responsible in one way or another—usually by improper installation or maintenance—for almost all such fires. A UL spokesman cites this as evidence that the standard is effective. While the conventional wisdom appears to hold true in a numerical sense—most studies blame the woodstove itself for only a few percent of all woodstove-related fires—it is not necessarily true in a policy sense. Even if the universe of injuries preventable by product improvements is small, it might still be easier to eliminate some of those injuries than to achieve a similar reduction in fires caused by consumer behavior. Moreover, some of the injuries "caused" by consumers could nevertheless be prevented by changes in the product. Unfortunately, it is impossible to ascertain from recent studies of fire incident data whether certified stoves are actually any safer than uncertified ones. The data are both too general and unreliable. According to an NBS engineer, "Fire incident reports are sometimes detailed enough to indicate whether the fire originated in the appliance or the chimney, but they almost never indicate the appliance type or how far it was from the wall." None of the existing data bases even differentiates certified from uncertified stoves. UL 1482 enjoys wide support. Unlike UL's standards for fireplace inserts and metal chimneys, it has not been controversial within UL. Insurance companies and various independent consultants endorse the standard without qualification. Even the CPSC concluded, at least unofficially, that the standard is adequate in all respects save some minor labeling provisions. A few manufacturers have voiced opposition to UL 1482, but their complaint, contrary to what might be expected, is that the standard is too lax. Anticompetitive motives apparently explain the opposition in one case. More typical of those who do not actively endorse UL 1482 is the view of a woodstove consultant who thinks that "listing under 1482 has little or nothing to do with safety." This is not an indictment of UL's standard so much as an expression that standards per se have little effect on woodstove safety. While that may be true in general, one of the only substantial complaints about UL 1482 is that it should cover a problem it largely ignores: creosote. The standard has no provisions for evaluating the tendency of a woodstove to create creosote. In fact, the existing test procedures intentionally "control for" the two major causes of creosote formation: low burning temperatures and high-moisture wood. All of the fire tests are conducted when the stove is burning its hottest, and the "test wood" is much drier than seasoned firewood, often with a moisture content approaching zero. It has been argued that these performance tests may actually encourage greater creosote formation in stoves, at least when they are used under normal conditions. In other words, design changes that might help bring a stove into compliance with UL's temperature limits can, according to several woodstove consultants, also increase the stove's tendency to produce creosote in the real world. Whether the standard has actually prompted such design changes is not known. UL claims that it cannot test for creosote. "We would test for [it] if there was a way to do it," according to a UL engineer familiar with the myriad factors affecting creosote formation. To be sure, just switching to wood with normal moisture content would pose big problems. It is much harder to standardize wood at a moisture content of, say, 20 percent than at percentages approaching zero. Creosote formation is also a slow process, raising the specter of long and involved test procedures. Tests for compliance with UL 1482 can be accomplished in a few days. The NBS spent several months of constant firing for its measurements of creosote formation. independent laboratory already conducts such tests (not for certification purposes, but as a consultative service). Similarly, there is an established test procedure for measuring woodstove efficiency—a factor directly related to creosote formation. The test uses high-moisture wood and is being performed without difficulty by the same lab. So why doesn't UL do it? The short answer is that there is insufficient demand. Inside UL there is a feeling that creosote formation is a user problem, not a product problem. UL argues that the tendency to create creosote is irrelevant if the user avoids wet wood, monitors burning temperatures, and has the chimney cleaned whenever indicated through regular inspections. This philosophical position is reinforced by practical considerations. Including creosote tests in the standard might invite product liability suits. There have been very few woodstove product liability suits, and UL has never been named in one. However, given that creosote is the second leading cause of woodstove-related fires, that situation would likely change if UL 1482 treated creosote as a product problem. Setting an acceptable limit on creosote would also be difficult to justify, but no more difficult than the educated guesses behind many provisions in UL standards. Unlike other provisions, however, it would arouse strong opposition from some manufacturers. A UL engineer, implicitly acknowledging that these considerations outweigh any technical concerns, allowed that UL would test for creosote "if industry came to us and asked for a test and would pay for it." But that hasn't happened and isn't likely to. The certification business for woodstoves, at least in 1979, when UL 1482 was formally adopted, was neither comprehensive nor consistent. The market for third-party certification was unusual in several respects. On the demand side, UL is often thought to have leverage over industry because the demand for its services is inelastic. In countless product areas, such as microwave ovens and television sets, everything on the market is UL-listed. Firms often need UL approval to meet requirements incorporated into law or contract. This puts UL in a position to demand various safety measures. However, in the mid 1970s there were only scattered local requirements that woodstoves be listed "by a nationally recognized testing laboratory," and the demand for certification was correspondingly weak. No more than 10 to 25 percent of the woodstoves were certified by independent labs. has always been considerable competition from small testing labs. A CPSC survey conducted in 1981 concluded that UL had only 28 percent of the market. The competitors use UL 1482 as the standard for certification, but, as mentioned earlier, studies by the National Bureau of Standards confirm that actual test methods vary and some labs are far less demanding than others in judging woodstoves. The government played no role regulating woodstoves; that is, until a man in Midland, Michigan, wrote a letter to his congressman. Under statutory provisions that have subsequently been amended, the CPSC was supposed to rule on the petition within ninety days. That meant gathering all information currently available, analyzing it, and presenting a recommendation to the commission. An informal ground rule provided that the staff would not attempt to generate new information in handling petitions. Experience proved the ninety-day period unrealistic. According to one program manager, "Four to six months is more realistic." In the case of the Banner petition, the process took almost two years. Staff members attribute the delay to the "low priority" status of the petition. Unlike unvented gas-fired space heaters, for example, woodstove safety had not been singled out by the CPSC for special attention. Ignorance compounded indifference as the staff discovered how little it (or the commission) knew (or could easily find out) about woodstoves. The commission was briefed three times in the two years after the petition was received. Each time the commissioners requested more information from the staff. By the third occasion the staff voiced annoyance at the commission's seeming inability to make a decision. Part of the problem was turnover on the commission. Three of the five commissioners were new when the staff conducted its March 1979 briefing, twenty-one months after receiving the petition. One commissioner asked what "overfire" means. (It means what it sounds like, firing the stove beyond its capacity, as, for example, in burning a dry Christmas tree.) Another dwelled on questions about the toxicity of artificial logs—something irrelevant to woodstoves, but apparently the subject of a Washington Post article. The scarcity of helpful data available to the staff further hindered the commission. The staff was unable to find out, for example, what percentage of woodstoves were installed by consumers versus professionals. (They eventually turned to the Washington Post for this as well, citing an estimate from a then-recent article.) The staff was also unable to determine the percentage of fires related to installation. "I don't have any quantitative feel," a staff member eventually told the commission, "but installation is mentioned a lot in the in-depth investigations." The situation changed when the commission learned in May 1979 that the National Bureau of Standards had been studying woodstoves for almost two years under contract with the Department of Energy. Before receiving the NBS report, the commission expressed confidence that it would provide an authoritative basis for CPSC action. The report did not actually answer the previously unanswered questions, but it confirmed that installation was a major culprit in woodstove fires. The commission apparently agreed with a staff memo arguing that "we cannot state the specific reason for the fires" but "common sense indicates that there is a problem." With draft copies of the NBS report in hand, the commission granted the petition with little discussion on June 7, 1979. Several reasons explain why the commission got involved in an issue it knew little about and that many people considered trivial. First, woodstoves were a trendy topic. The Department of Energy was studying them, and the issue tied the CPSC into a topic of national importance: energy use. Second, there was a virtual vacuum of private interests to oppose a CPSC regulation. Three separate trade associations claimed jurisdiction over woodstoves, and were barely more effective than no association at all. The commission sensed a natural (and easy) area for regulation. Finally, the idea of a labeling rule, as opposed to a full-fledged product standard, was attractive to the commission and the staff. It seemed simple and likely to keep the agency out of the kind of complex technical arguments that bogged down the CPSC's lawn mower and chain saw proceedings. Following a directive from the commission, the staff set out to develop a labeling rule. The desirability and effectiveness of mandating information disclosure was not considered during this process; it was taken for granted. Since the commission had already endorsed the notion of requiring information on minimum clearances, the staff concentrated on two other questions. First, what problems other than the "safe distance to combustibles" should be addressed by the labeling rule? Second, in relation to each problem, what specific information should the rule require? The staff took an expansive approach in determining the scope of the labeling rule. Almost every hazard scenario that might be associated with woodstoves was considered an appropriate subject for the warning label. Many proposed warnings addressing the obvious—cautioning, for example, that stove surfaces are "hot during operation" and that hot ashes should not be placed in cardboard boxes. Others seemed more practical, such as disclosing the conditions that signal overfiring and stating how often a chimney should be cleaned and inspected. Deciding on the scope of the labeling requirements was easier for the staff than determining what specific information should be required on the label. In the case of information about clearances to combustibles, the staff had to confront the same intricacies of test methods faced by UL. The safest minimum clearance between a woodstove and a combustible wall—the information considered most important by the commission—is neither readily apparent nor easily measured. It is akin to the gas consumption of an automobile. Just as "your mileage may vary" with different driving conditions, the safest minimum clearance for woodstoves varies by such factors as fuel type, chimney size, and, most of all, by type of wall materials. The staff recognized the problem and attempted to sidestep it. They knew that the commission did not want to get into the business of testing stoves. The CPSC had neither the budget nor the necessary technical skills. Part of the attraction of the woodstove labeling rule was its seemingly low cost and simplicity—the agency could accomplish something without facing difficult, technical issues. The commissioners also wanted to avoid the kind of criticism EPA had received over automobile mileage standards, so the development of a CPSC test method was out of the question. that "because the staff cannot know all the conditions for which manufacturers may recommend or promote their appliances, the determination of the appropriate information is the responsibility of the manufacturer." How the "appropriateness" of test methods would be reviewed and the extent to which different methods would be comparable were questions left unanswered, at least in the first draft of the regulation. The staff took the same approach with other provisions. Instead of trying to figure out how often a chimney should be cleaned, they put the burden on the manufacturer to specify how often. Similarly, the staff proposed that labels "indicate the conditions which signal overfiring" rather than setting forth an accepted statement. Stated in terms most favorable to the staff, the rule was a paragon of flexibility; in a less favorable light, this flexibility disguised the inability of the staff to write its own standard. Analysis or Post Hoc Rationalization? Several of the CPSC directorates—functional divisions within the agency—analyzed the proposed rule. The Epidemiology Directorate revised its national injury estimates and conducted in-depth investigations of specific incidents. The Economics Directorate used this information in a preliminary and final "economic impact statement." The significance of this analysis, later cited in the Federal Register as justification for the rule, is questionable, because the concept of a labeling rule was endorsed by the commission before these analyses were done. juries requiring emergency treatment—the case with most residential fires. In order to better understand the scenarios in which woodstoves resulted in injuries, CPSC field representatives conducted "in-depth investigations," following up on incidents reported by consumers or collected from hospitals or the CPSC's newspaper clipping service. Approximately 150 in-depth investigations were conducted on woodstove-related incidents in 1980–81. These reports verified the hazard scenarios that the staff had in mind when considering the scope of the rule. Unfortunately, most of the "in-depth investigations" do not provide information that would be particularly helpful in evaluating the rule. For example, few indicate whether the stove was certified or whether the owner read or followed the instruction manual. Some of these omissions were due to the limited training these investigators had in fire incidents. In other cases, the investigators faced uncooperative or hostile subjects. Armed with these assorted injury data, the Economics Directorate attempted to analyze the costs and benefits of the proposed rule. As is so often the case, the costs of the rule were easier to estimate than the benefits. The staff concluded that the rule would cost approximately $2.80 per stove, or $3.6 million annually. The estimate is probably low. It was based on several optimistic, but questionable, assumptions. Although a higher estimate of costs would have been more realistic, the CPSC's estimates were not unreasonable. The same cannot be said about the estimated benefits. CPSC's economic analysis did not seriously consider whether the benefits of the rule were likely to exceed the costs. Instead, the costs were presented alongside the national injury estimates with the assertion that "any reduction in these injuries and deaths would result in significant benefits to consumers." When the rule was published, the Federal Register notice included the statement that "the Commission is unable to estimate the degree to which the rule may reduce fire incidents, [but] a reduction of seven percent (or possibly less) … would offset the total yearly cost of the rule." The likelihood of this happening was never discussed, and although it would be very costly to conduct tests to ascertain the probable effects, there are two reasons to think that a reduction of 7 percent is extremely unlikely. First, consumer information and education campaigns are notoriously unsuccessful. A former CPSC commissioner argues in a recent analysis of three such efforts that they frequently fail. A CPSC staff member in the Human Factors Directorate agrees that measured results "around 2 percent are about all you can expect." Second, the estimated impact must be adjusted to reflect the percentage of stoves already labeled. Since over 70 percent of the stoves on the market already bore labels substantially equivalent to those proposed by the CPSC, the marginal benefit of the CPSC rule would, at best, constitute 30 percent of the estimated potential of labeling. (As explained later, this figure is optimistic, since the CPSC has not even matched the performance of the private sector in achieving compliance.) Moreover, by the CPSC's own estimates, injuries did not decrease at all during the years in which product certification, and hence product labeling, increased significantly. The woodstove labeling rule was "kind of a small potatoes rule," according to a CPSC economist. "It was very low visibility." It drew few comments from the public and generated little controversy. Seventy-six comments were received after the rule was published in the Federal Register: thirty-seven favored the rule, twenty-four were against it, and fifteen stated no position. Only seven people took the opportunity to testify before the commissioners at a hearing in Washington, D.C. Dissatisfaction, to the extent that it was expressed, mainly concerned issues peripheral to the content of the labeling rule. A consumer group complained that the rule should also cover fireplace inserts. Manufacturers complained that the proposed rule would take effect before they had an adequate opportunity to adapt and sell off existing inventories. The relationship between the proposed government standard and the existing UL standard ended up being the most difficult issue for the CPSC to put to rest. Testing labs, aware of the intricacies and importance of test methods, pointed out that mandating the disclosure of clearance information would have little meaning without specifying what constitutes "appropriate" test methods. Lacking the resources, and possibly the knowledge, to develop test methods or criteria for evaluating them, the CPSC was forced to defer to the testing labs. The proposed rule was changed to indicate that UL 1482 was an "appropriate" method. More troublesome to the adoption of the CPSC's labeling rule, particularly given the agency's practical endorsement of the test methods in UL 1482, were increases in private product testing. The percentage of stoves tested to the UL standard rose significantly in the two years after the CPSC received the Banner petition. By some estimates, 80 percent of the new stoves on the market were certified to UL 1482 when the CPSC finally published the proposed rule in November 1980. (In 1978, it was approximately 10 percent.) The UL standard also changed while the CPSC analyzed the Banner petition. In direct response to concerns expressed by the CPSC, UL changed its labeling requirements to conform, in all but a few minor respects, to the proposed CPSC standard. Manufacturers argued that a federal rule was unnecessary and possibly counterproductive. With compliance levels near 80 percent, the rationale for a federal rule was limited to whatever benefits the government could generate by affecting the remaining 20 percent. Unfortunately, the CPSC staff did not acknowledge the concept of marginal benefit. None of its analyses pointed out that most of the benefits of labeling, if indeed there were any, were already captured by the UL standard. Moreover, as discussed below, there was little reason, then or now, to believe that a federal rule could achieve any additional benefit. A more difficult question for the CPSC was whether a federal rule would have an adverse effect on the laboratory certification business. The testing labs argued that the existence of a mandatory federal rule would decrease the use of independent testing and, by implication, compliance with their standards. In other words, manufacturers, content in the knowledge that they satisfy all federal requirements, might stop meeting the "voluntary" requirements, which cover much more than just labeling. Since woodstoves generated approximately $350,000 in income for UL alone in 1982, the economic implications of a drop in business were at least as significant as the possible safety implications. These two concerns were so troubling to the commission that adoption of the proposed rule was deferred in order to address these issues. In a May 1981 briefing paper, the staff informed the commission that an estimated 70 to 85 percent of new stoves were certified to UL 1482. It was not known how many of the remainder were nevertheless built in conformance with the standard. In light of this new private sector initiative, the staff was hard pressed to recommend adopting the proposed rule. Neither did they want to abandon it, particularly in the absence of total compliance by the private sector. could confirm the extent of third-party certification. The survey confirmed that approximately 80 percent of new stoves were certified to UL 1482; however, some of the laboratories competing with UL apparently were not as demanding in applying the labeling requirements. This compounded the staff's already considerable skepticism about voluntary compliance. The generally high levels of voluntary compliance confirmed in the market survey did not lessen the reluctance of the staff to abandon the proposed rule. The commission agreed and adopted the rule, using as the main justification the differences between the informational requirements in UL 1482 and the proposed rule. The differences were slight. The CPSC rule demanded more detailed instructions on installing chimney connectors and cleaning the chimney. Whether the type of detail envisioned by the standard would be forthcoming depended on the process of implementation; the requirements themselves were not specific. On the other hand, a staff memo (not mentioned in the Federal Register notice) identified several respects in which the UL standard was stricter" than the CPSC rule. The arguments advanced by the CPSC in the Federal Register rang hollow. Information disclosure is generally considered capable of affecting only a few percent of all product injuries, if wildly successful. And the commission was fiddling with the difference between using the word "furniture" as opposed to "combustibles" on the warning label. The real reason for the CPSC rule was that levels of compliance with the UL standard—estimated at 70 to 85 percent—were considered too low. Whether or not such levels of compliance should be considered acceptable, the important, but unstated, premise behind the CPSC rule was that a government standard would result in higher levels of compliance. The CPSC's experience has not been as rosy as the staff's expectations. Stated in terms most favorable to the agency, approximately 70 percent of the woodstoves on the market comply with the CPSC standard—less than the percentage in compliance with the UL standard. Using assumptions least favorable to the agency, compliance may be well below 50 percent. ing of the CPSC rule. Flexible requirements, while desirable in theory, can be difficult to enforce in reality. Most of the woodstove labeling requirements are purposely open-ended. The commission wanted to appear flexible, and the staff had no desire to decide (and later defend) such matters as the minimum size for lettering on labels or the best way to describe how to pass a flue pipe through a combustible wall. The CPSC had already lost a similar battle in court over proposed warnings for swimming pool slides. Some firms, in the view of the Enforcement Directorate, are subverting the rule by taking advantage of its vagueness. The rule mandates, for example, that a warning label must be "legible," "conspicuous," and "readily visible." To the CPSC this means understandable; to many manufacturers it means capable of being understood. The difference, something not addressed in the rule, entails how well the information is conveyed. A few firms stamp the warning label into an aluminum plate, for example. The practice does not clearly violate the rule, but, as a staff member in the Enforcement Directorate put it, "I defy anyone to read it." Print size poses a similar problem. The lettering on many labels is small and difficult to read. It is not, however, illegible. A more widespread problem, at least in relation to the installation manual mandated by the rule, is that firms do not understand what the rule requires. Vagueness can be confusing. Manufacturers are supposed to provide "step-by-step installation instructions." The rule says nothing about how detailed these instructions should be. Practically no firms are providing all of the details deemed appropriate by the Enforcement Directorate. The agency's response provides an ironic conclusion to the tale of its involvement in woodstove safety regulation: after justifying its entry into woodstove safety regulation on the grounds that independent laboratories were not doing an adequate job, the CPSC is now turning to the same labs for assistance in correcting the problems with the agency's rule. The Enforcement Directorate is trying to persuade these labs to ensure a level of detail in installation manuals beyond that specified by the CPSC rule. there is little doubt that the rule cost more than it is worth. It is not a very burdensome rule, however, so the loss itself might be only a smidgen. But adopting the standard did not demonstrate good judgment on the part of the commission. The performance of the staff was equally disappointing, as they were unable to provide the commission with answers to many of the questions that arose during the proceedings. They shied away from technical issues at all possible junctures. Although the CPSC regulation apparently did little to improve safety directly, it may have done so indirectly. The CPSC's proposal certainly prompted UL to modify its own labeling requirements, and those changes might have produced minor benefits. The CPSC's action may also have contributed to the dramatic increase in the percentage of stoves certified to UL 1482 in the years after the Banner petition was received. The major fault with the CPSC rule is not what it covers, but in what it does not. By writing only a labeling rule, the agency missed the opportunity to regulate a problem not covered by the UL standard: creosote production. CPSC staff members defend the decision on the grounds that the agency was responding solely to the Banner petition. This excuse is disingenuous in light of the broad reading given to other petitions. Mr. Banner's general concern was woodstove safety, and the agency certainly would not have exceeded its statutory authority by adopting a more comprehensive rule. Why, then, did the CPSC ignore the creosote problem? Two explanations are most likely. First, the agency misperceived the problem. It thought that most fires were caused by poor installation, when the data suggest that creosote in chimneys is in fact a much larger problem. Second, the staff sought to avoid technical issues. They realized that a product standard would be complicated and difficult to support in court. The agency had lost legal challenges to several earlier rules and, of late, had also lost substantial funding from Congress. A labeling rule seemed easier to defend in court and would be much less resource intensive for the agency. In short, the CPSC staff did not address creosote because they were looking for simple issues susceptible to simple solutions. A labeling rule fit the bill much better than a full-blown product standard, even though the latter might have had much more effect on safety. UL's performance is harder to evaluate. UL 1482 has prompted some manufacturers to make design changes, while it codifies the existing design of others. Some of the changes dictated by the standard have improved the safety of the product; many have made little difference. This suggests an element of unreasonableness in the standard. Although some firms express displeasure with UL 1482 for this reason, the sentiment is not widely held. The woodstove manufacturers' trade association endorses the standard almost without qualification. The main benefit of UL 1482 is the fire tests, which provide helpful, standardized information on clearances to combustibles. There are legitimate questions about the assumptions built into the test methods, and there are only limited data to support the specific performance criteria, but no one familiar with UL 1482 considers it to be grossly inappropriate. The standard appears to do a good job of determining safe clearances—something the CPSC knew it could not accomplish. To the extent that labeling matters, UL can be faulted for allowing limited warnings and installation instructions for so many years. These provisions were upgraded when the standard was formally published, probably in response to the CPSC. The UL standard also avoids the creosote problem. It does not test for creosote production and, contrary to UL's assurances to canvass participants, the organization has no intention of addressing the issue. This appears to reflect a philosophical position that UL has against addressing problems caused by consumer misuse or neglect. The causes and implications of this philosophy are explored in chapter 7.
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In an online piece dated March 30, 2007, The Economist covers HP's (NYSE HPQ) Edgeline, as well as their HP Officejet Pro L7000 all-in-ones, Kodak's EasyShare 5000 series, and even the Silverbrook Memjet developments in a short but robust view of what's been a VERY ACTIVE first quarter of 2007 in the inkjet printing world. No one expects Silverbrook to go head-to head with HP, Canon, Epson or Lexmark. But if the Memjet technology is as good as the scuttlebutt suggests, it could easily be licensed to market heavyweights like Dell, Panasonic or Samsung. Kudos to the GreenPrint team for recognition by Gartner Group as one of the Cool Print Vendors for 2007! Regular readers may recognize the innovative printer-supplies-saving company from my Hard Copy Observer Observations column, in both February and March of this year. Added 5/2007 -- See the full report. My friend Vince Ferraro is thinking outside the box again over on the LaserJet Blog today. He's found an interesting Internet appliance called the Chumby and is envisioning printing opportunities in the future that might be driven by information coming into us from devices we're not thinking about today. His reference to driving directions brings to mind my post on the same subject from February, and how printing continues to evolve. As time goes along, we end up printing less of some things (when's the last inter-office memo you cranked out?), but print more of things we can't even envision until suddenly they seem to become part of our everyday lives! Just a quick post for my readers to consider. While cruising around Wikipedia this morning for another reference, I found myself at "Printing" and saw this call for experts. So have at it, experts! Larry Magid has reviewed the HP OJ L7680 All-in-One, which is of course the companion product to the printer-only version exclusively at Staples, the HP OJ Pro K5400dn color inkjet printer. After working with this printer for several weeks, I must say I'm pretty impressed. Because of its speed and economy, I find myself using it instead of my laser printer. I also find myself using color where I once would have settled for black. So long Microsoft, hello Boise! Please indulge me in one last diversion from my usual printing and imaging beat, with this entry from my seminar circuit of last week, especially since it ties in so well to Boise's upcoming Kickstart event coming up April 18th and 19th. Rich Sloan, from Startupnation.com and our 2007 Kickstart keynoter, was joined by his brother Jeff, as they opened the last day of Microsoft's Small Business summit on Friday. The Sloan brothers described their "10 Steps to Start a Business" for the Microsoft seminar attendees. They shared lots of very practical tips that add up to great insight -- and on April 18th Rich is sure to hit on at least a few things that you haven't thought of if you're in the start-up phase of your entrepreneurial endeavors. It was one of the high points of the week, and when Rich visits Boise, he'll have much more time and will put on a great show, guaranteed! Guy Kawasaki "kicked off" the Microsoft seminar on Monday, and the Sloans closed it out Friday, so there's some great symmetry with Boise's Kickstart. Just like Guy's Kickstart keynote at the premier event in 2005, Rich Sloan will be offering a memorable event this coming April. Less than four weeks to go, and I can't wait. We'll see you there! In my old-school bias towards the traditional tech "print" press, it's finally about time some of them showed up! Of course I've already posted about what The Hard Copy Observer and Lyra Research have been all over, the Memjet/Silverbrook story, for two weeks now, and the bloggers have done what they're best at, PC Magazine is finally on the story today with a piece, "Stealth Inkjet Printer Startup Could Rock Industry". Nothing much new except for the quotes from the head man at Lyra, and we'll forgive that they mispelled the names of Lyra's Charley ("Charlie") LeCompte and Kia ("Kai") Silverbrook, but nonetheless old reliable "PC" provides a good update on this most fascinating story in our industry. 3/28 update -- Investors Business Daily has a story. This is the first we've seen analyst opinions from outside the house of Lyra. 3/30 update -- The Economist covers all the recent action in the inkjet market. 4/2 update -- Databazaar Blog, from "the country's largest independent online retailer for printer supplies", covers Memjet Silverbrook including an interview with their VP Marketing for Home and Office, Kim Beswick. 4/3 update -- Another blog post, no new info but a good summary from Consumer Electronics land at TWICE -- Memjet Cometh. From the horse's mouth so to speak! Antonio Rodriguez blogs about the acquisition and HP (NYSE HPQ) plans for the Tabblo technology. Exciting times to come! Here's a nice review/comparison of Tabblo from last month's USA Today by Jefferson Graham, although HP has much bigger (and different) plans for making Tabblo technology available to others' web sites. Stay tuned for more on this. "HP’s goal is to make printing content from the web the easiest and best experience possible for people – whether they are printing a simple map or a book of their favorite blogs,"said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. "By acquiring Tabblo’s technology and making it available to companies that host popular websites, HP will be firmly on the path to becoming the print engine of the web." It's been an interesting and seemingly full year in the Printing and Imaging industry already -- can't wait for Spring, Summer and Fall! A little field work yesterday at my local Staples retail store revealed the HP OfficeJet Pro K5400dn color inkjet printer in stock (in its prominent front-of-the-store display) and still priced at $199.98, the "sale" price originally proffered in a sales flyer that indicating a two-week offer that ended March 17th. I've blogged about numerous times in the last few weeks. The HP (NYSE HPQ) and Staples (SPLS) exclusive printer has fallen off the Techbargains site -- I will ping them as to the ongoing availability at the old (really good!) price. For some who think I pay too much attention to the history of the printer industry and not enough to the future, too bad, because here's one that goes WAY back! Thanks to my friends at Planet Printmode, who in turn sent me to the PrintCEO blog, who discovered this great site, Historical Print Shop, who sells prints REALLY OLD images, included the one highlighted above. This reference to the multiple links is in keeping with the spirit of the machine, which allowed the user to reference multiple open books at the same time (more or less) and proposed as an early precursor to hypertext, per the PrintCEO blog description. And also in that spirit of equating the past to the future -- I'll be blogging from the Web 2.0 Expo in mid-April! It's a multiple conference day for me today (Monday the 19th of March, 2007), and I hope my regular readers will forgive me as I divert from my normal printing and imaging beat to devote my personal attention to two (semi-)related topics of the two conferences, with a look ahead to a third event, the upcoming Kickstart entrepuenuer event in Boise on April 18th and 19th. First, I spent the morning at the Cendesic Findability SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Conference at Boise State University, co-sponsored by Balihoo and Blueline Grassroots Marketing. That conference covers the "how" side of what I do -- content creation (formerly known as writing) and especially blogging. I won't cover more about that here, though if my readers know what to look for they may see some results of my learnings in the near future. My next conference of the day is of the virtual variety, the Microsoft Small Business Summit, which I'm attending as an online participant. I'll be "there" all week, sporadically at least. I hope to gain insight on Small Business best practices from a distinguished series of practitioners assembled by Microsft and co-sponsored by Compusa, Visa, and Dell. Regular readers will know that like much of the economy, many printing and imaging trends are driven by innovative small businesses. These include HP's (NYSE HPQ) and others development of do-it-yourself marketing and Eastman Kodak Company's recent announcement of small business print outsourcing. Today's keynote is by none other than one of my favorite business writers and speakers (and bloggers), Guy Kawasaki. Guy's a long-time friend who was the also our original keynote speaker for the original Kickstart conference, in 2005. He's presenting an updated version of "The Art of the Start" titled "The Art of Innovation" and it's a classic Guy presentation, complete with a Top 10 list. He does his usual great job, though he's got less time for both the remarks and Q&A parts of his show.(He also seems a little less relaxed than he was at The Morrison Center two years ago, but maybe that's because he's in Redmond speaking at a Microsoft conference, a company he's been known to diss a little from time to time). Content includes his "DICEE" theory of what makes great products (deep, intelligent, complete, elegant, emotive), and his famous 10/20/30 rule for presentations. (That's 10 slides, 20 minutes, 30 point font. And I love a new twist on the latter from today's Q&A -- as a "pitcher" of a new company, your effective PowerPoint presentation just, best case, keeps you from being eliminated from the process, and not from breaking through for funding or whatever other form of acceptance or recognition you seek. That takes personal relationships and 1:1 time following the PowerPoint phase.) And the final key to the Art of Innovation -- don't let the bozos grind you down! A Great Monday start...and I'm looking ahead to Friday when The Sloan Brothers of Startupnation.com will present on the last day of the Summit. Coincidentally, Friday, and will be in Boise on April 17th on the first night of the Third Annual Kickstart! So don't miss them, live, in a month, at Kickstart! A colleague over at Printer Industry News specializes in corporate printing and especially the combination of products and services that's come to be called Managed Print Services. Ed Crowley of Photizo Group has an excellent post, from last Friday, calling for customer comments on just what MPS means in the real world. Busy Times at Eastman Kodak Company -- One post, Three stories! It's been a very busy 2007 for our printing and imaging industry so far, with Kodak (NYSE EK) doing more than its part to keep us feeling always a little bit behind in reporting and analyzing the various developments. So in the mode of catch-up here's a special "Three in One" update. First, going back to last month's dramatic inkjet photo printer (and all-in-one) announcement (see my February archives for numerous posts), the Kodak EasyShare printers are putatively making their way to market. Techbargains featured the EasyShare 5100 on March 8th at BestBuy, and Robert Mitchell in his Computerworld Blog points out (two days ago in fact) that the Best Buy web site is indicating the Kodak EasyShare 5100 printer as "sold out". (Verified by me today, that's how the site reads.) The Kodak EasyShare 5300 all-in-one is ready to be shipped from the BestBuy warehouse immediately, and the site says "available at most stores". Time for a field trip! (Of course these products for the time being anyway are available exclusively through BestBuy -- not counting the Kodak direct ecommerce site. Seems these exclusives, ala the Staples arrangement with the HP OfficeJet Pro K5400dn color inkjet printer, are becoming popular! And the Kodak blog fairies or at least Animaxent, the agency that sponsors them along with the "inkisit" web site, got me again this week! Second, on to some activity in the Small Business "do it yourself marketing" area, another one of my favorite developing markets. Kodak announced on Tuesday that they're offering quick turnaround marketing materials in the style of photofinishing services. At first glance this appears at odds with the true DIY mode of doing short-run print jobs on a desktop color laser printer, but actually it might be a good complementary service. This is assuming the focus (as it appears from the website) is on hard-to-finish items like booklets and calendars, leaving the simpler letter-size flyers, for example, to the desktop laser. And third and last, Kodak has re-structured its organization chart. Now the bulk of the company , everything but the film division, reports to a Chief Operating Office comprised of ex-HP (NYSE HPQ) printer executives Phil Faraci and Jim Langley, who in return report to (also ex-HP) Chairman and CEO Antonio Perez. I don't know if that's classified as a friendly or an unfriendly "takeover", but it's definitely the creation of the ever-popular "two-in-a-box" management structure. Vince Ferraro's LaserJet blog has been busy lately, at least going by the comments section of his post "New driver solves Vista printing problems for LaserJets". A couple of weeks ago, I posted about Vista issues generally and Vince's offer to help LaserJet customers, holding this up as an example of vendors other than Microsoft being proactive in helping their customers through the Vista transition. And maybe things are getting better all over? My totally unscientific "Google News Index" had 815 hits for "Vista Bugs" on February 27th, but it's down to "about 406" occurrences this morning! As noted in my monthly column, I am fascinated by any company in any industry, big or small, that identifies an unmet user need or customer pain point and then develops a product or solution to address that need. GreenPrint’s discovery was the wasteful printing of extra, nearly blank Web pages, something that has been accepted for too long among the printing user community. This issue is one that neither hardware nor software vendors have managed to address satisfactorily but that GreenPrint’s software utility aptly takes on. A broader but related issue that has long been a sore point for customers and a business opportunity for enterprising companies is the cost of printing. Back in 1991, the premier issue of The Hard Copy Observer featured stories about third-party laser printer toner suppliers (Observer, 10/91). Before that, when the first HP LaserJet shipped in 1984, refillers were quick to attack the firm's supplies pricing strategy, and, truth be known, the copier industry ecosystem included third-party toner suppliers for at least two decades before that. But what about more systematic efforts beyond simply reducing the cost per toner particle and ink jet droplet? I have first-hand knowledge of HP's (NYSE: HPQ) effort to conserve supplies usage by introducing an "economode" on the HP LaserJet 4L in May 1993 (Observer, 5/93). The initiative was driven by the realization that customers want to produce cost-effective drafts or other short-lived documents that do not have to be beautiful and pristine. Other vendors followed suit with hardware and software solutions such as n-up functionality, which saves paper in similar draft applications. To be complete, I should also include the long-standing Microsoft PowerPoint "handouts" mode that saves ink, toner, and paper and lightens the load on presentation attendees. And there have been other angles. In 2001, Carly Fiorina, then CEO of HP, was queried by security analysts in a quarterly earnings conference call about an initiative by General Electric (GE) to "digitize everything" and thus take direct aim at printing costs (Observer, 6/01). GE’s initiative sought to address the high cost and low efficiency of paper-based processes with changes such as more electronic distribution of documents and manuals. Fiorina was confident at the time and said, “The reality, frankly, that we see is that more people are printing more today than ever,” a sentiment that could just as easily have been heard at the 2007 Lyra Imaging Symposium. It is interesting how initiatives like GE's often get lots of attention at the start but are rarely followed up with additional coverage. Speaking of the Symposium, the data presented by Lyra analysts and industry executives shows that the printing and supplies markets continue to grow in consumer and commercial settings. However, one would be naïve to think that the corporate world depends on paper-based processes as much as it once did. Rather printing has changed from knowledge workers printing stacks of e-mail to printing resource materials from Web browsers. GreenPrint's sales funnel for the enterprise version of its software is strong evidence of the movement to reduce printing in its new forms. According to Hayden Hamilton, CEO of GreenPrint, a laundry list of household corporate names comprise GreenPrint's enterprise sales funnel, and each of these claim user "seats" in the five- or six-digit range. The firm's increased visibility reflects the influence of the Wall Street Journal's Walter Mossberg and his affinity for products that solve real user problems. Following his December 2006 review, GreenPrint has been besieged with corporate interest, in addition to queries and downloads by end users. While not yet ready to announce any corporate megadeals, GreenPrint has announced an agreement with Portland State University, which plans to use the GreenPrint solution to reduce its 32 million annual pages of print. Once again, finding a user need and addressing it, if done simply and elegantly, offers a company a very good chance for success in the printing industry or any other. GreenPrint's journey along its "green" course bears watching in the future. On the worldwide technology trade show circuit, the largest of them all is the CeBIT show in Hannover, Germany, traditionally held in mid-March. I haven't attended for years, but I was at one time a regular, including the very last year (1985) of tech's inclusion as part of Hannover Fair, the world's largest industrial show. Yes, 20 years ago, you could see PCs and backhoes at the same show! Since then CeBIT has prospered for the most part, and even now, with its IT-only focus, it's grown to an ungainly size and then started to suddenly shrink, which some would point to as the beginning of the end in the trade show lifecycle. (See my musings on Comdex, CES, etc, from last year in Obituary for the Trade Show?) Colleague Oliver Fritsch blogs about his views, from reading the local press in his native German about near-giveaway tickets and available hotel rooms in Hanover on the eve of the show, an all-time first. My first visit, in the mid-80's, found me staying in Bremen, some 100 km away! Last year, Jim Lyons wrote a special column titled “A Tale of Two Conferences” that compared and contrasted the 2006 Lyra Imaging Symposium and Demo 2006 (Observer, 3/06). In this article, he revisits this topic after attending the 2007 versions of both events. Before discussing some of the interesting confluences between the 2007 Lyra Imaging Symposium and Demo 2007, let us take a brief look back at 2006. In my March 2006 column, I pointed out the clear differences between the two events in terms of their target audiences, technology and market scope, and presentation format. Despite the differences, I was able to find many points of commonality. For example, several of the 2006 Lyra Imaging Symposium presentations identified end-user issues and opportunities in the global printing and imaging market, and some exhibitors at Demo 2006 addressed these same user needs with specific products and services. In 2006, both Riya and Sharpcast took steps to alleviate the end-user pain associated with the disorganized morass of digital photos being captured. Directly related to printing, one of the consensus hits of Demo 2006 was Blurb, a physical bookmaking service that was just getting started on its venture to create books from blogs. Another company called Smilebox captured my attention by straddling the physical and ethereal worlds and specializing in greeting card and scrapbook design and printing. This year, Demo 2007 and the 2007 Lyra Imaging Symposium were held during the same week at the end of January just down the road from each other. Not long after hearing a stimulating Lyra Imaging Symposium presentation on personal bookmaking by Frank Cost, associate dean of the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences and codirector of the Printing Industry Center at Rochester Institute of Technology, I arrived at Demo to find a particularly relevant demonstration by SharedBook. Based in New York City, SharedBook was similar to Blurb at last year’s Demo in that the firm succeeded in getting the Web-2.0-oriented Demo audience thinking about, at least briefly, actual physical books. The idea of pulling Web content into something that can be created in physical form inspired another company at Demo 2007: ink2. The company offers a Web-based service, also named ink2, that enables users to produce print-on-demand greeting cards and products using images from the Web. The company does have a link to the Lyra Imaging Symposium, albeit an older one: ink2’s parent company is Touchpoint, a company founded in 1999 that found success taking greeting-card orders via the Web and delivering the cards via hard copy. Touchpoint’s personalized print-on-demand greeting cards made it to the Lyra Imaging Symposium stage in 2002, when Benny Landa, Indigo CEO (and soon-to-be HP employee), touted Touchpoint’s cards as part of the overall “killer app” solution that personalization represented and that digital typesetters enabled (Observer, 2/02). Touchpoint was an early Indigo digital press customer and remains an HP Indigo customer (along with ink2) today. Preclick Corporation was a demonstrator back on the photo-sharing stump this year. (Of course, these days, video and music sharing also get lots of attention at Demo.) The company has experience as a software supplier to photo-printing Web sites such as Costco, HP, and Wal-Mart. Preclick announced its Preclick Instant Photo Messenger (IPM), which aspires to solve photo-sharing issues that arise from the use of multiple e-mail and instant messaging methods. Preclick infused its presentation (and its value proposition) with the importance of printing for both end users and industry intermediaries, including manufacturers and resellers, in the whole photo-sharing equation. To highlight this point, Preclick included a giveaway of 3M Post-it photo-card kits as part of its individual presentations. In most years, Preclick’s presentation would be about as close as you can get to hearing about printing, especially personal printing, at the Demo conference, but Demo 2007 proved different from previous conferences in this respect. One of the big stories of the first day was Zink Imaging, a company that demonstrated a real live printer product on the main stage, and Zink’s new printing products feature radical technology and designs to boot. The company had some fundamental advantages in wooing the audience, at least based on the observations of this ongoing Demo attendee. Being one of the first presenters on day one helped, and Zink featured a “gadget” among the sea of Web 2.0, social networking, and/or multimedia-sharing products and services at Demo 2007. After all, this is the conference that premiered historically significant devices such as the Palm Pilot and Tivo. Paul Baker, vice president of business development for Zink, and Stephen Herchen, Zink CTO, were clearly favorites among the Demo crowd, and this popularity was made evident at the closing banquet when a video featuring a number of the Demo companies drew spontaneous applause when it focused briefly on the Zink demonstrators. In an ambitious attempt to rank all the Demo products and services, several blog postings at the venture-capital-oriented Deal Blogs (www.thedealblogs.com) ranked Zink’s printers among the top ten most important announcements of the show. Frankly, the Zink prototype printers’ specifications are not particularly impressive on a speeds-and-feeds basis. The printers’ cost, quality, and speed are about what we have come to expect for traditional ink jet photo printers. But the prototypes that Zink displayed, an iPod-sized portable printer and an integrated camera/printer, are stunning, and the fact that the printers eliminate ink cartridges with heat-activated dye crystals embedded in special paper plays well both as the firm’s purported means to miniaturization and as a means of addressing end users’ concerns about the high cost of ink. Although Zink’s machines are still dependent on special paper as a supply, at least some users and journalists value the machines’ “Zero Ink” approach. I asked myself why Zink chose to announce its new printers at a conference like Demo, with its more general-interest audience, as opposed to Kodak’s bet-the-company photo ink jet printer announcement on February 6, for which the firm rented Studio 8H at NBC in New York City. One advantage of Kodak’s industry-focused introduction can be found in the timing of the two firms’ coverage in The Hard Copy Observer. By working inside the printer industry, Kodak’s announcement was covered in the February 2006 issue, while Zink will be covered in the April issue, even though Zink officially announced its products a week earlier than Kodak. The choice to go mainstream, however, does represent a very interesting marketing statement and ties back to the 2007 Lyra Imaging Symposium and the presentations that included forecasts for prints from digital still cameras and camera phones. For years now, our industry has extolled the potential for printing more of these captured images once people figure out how to get the photos out of their cameras. In the simplest of marketing truisms, fewer steps always beat more steps when it comes to user adoption, so a printer in a camera makes more sense than a multidevice system. When someone can easily print their photos with a tiny printer inside the camera and printing becomes the preferred method for people to get photos out of their cameras, we may really have something. I leave the last statement a little open-ended because Zink has lots of work ahead, not the least of which is recruiting capable partners to get a product to market. I will be keeping my eye on the company, however, and will update readers on Zink’s progress in the future. As regular readers know, I've been blogging lots about the HP OfficeJet K5400DN inkjet printer recently. I was motivated to serve my printer-oriented readership with multiple posts when I found that Staples' exclusive arrangement with HP (NYSE HPQ) meant that the product was under-covered in terms of information and reviews, at least relative to what we've become used to in our information-rich environment these days. So, here's really the first true review that I've found, from the UK Version of PC Magazine. As these things go, pretty positive I'd have to say, with a across-the-board 7.0 (out of 10) score on factors including Service and Support, Design, Features, and Performance. BTW the UK price of £115 converts to $222 USD, or about a 11% premium over the Staples US Price of $199.98. And proving that we do our best to keep current in this blog, the review is dated March 13, 2007! HP (NYSE HPQ) made some news yesterday with an announcement about their new HP Compaq PCs that conform to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star 4.0 regulations, which go into effect on July 20, 2007. But what about Green Printers? Regular readers of this column and Lyra's The Hard Copy Observer will remember that I wrote a column about a company (and product) named GreenPrint just recently, but that's about a "different" green -- using less paper and other supplies (ink and toner) when printing. But a campaign to reduce the number of computer printers in the building -- thereby saving on paper, electricity and cartridges -- is evident only to the employees who have given up the luxury of printing documents at their desks. This year, other duties call and I'm sitting out PMA (the Photo Marketing Association's annual show). Even though Vegas is not all that far away, I wasn't able to figure out how to be two (or three or ...) places at once. Anyway, I'm keeping on eye on goings-on via my trusted friend, the WW Web. This morning, an entry into Google News yields 98 hits for "PMA Printers" and a quick scan of the articles reveals the usual suspects, including Xerox, Kodak, HP, Canon, Olympus, Epson, etc. I'll keep reading and maybe find something especially interesting. Headline of the show so far goes to CNET, for the story on HP's color matching announcement: "HP technology aims to capture true 'Shrek' green". They seem to visit in the middle of the night, at least Mountain Standard Time's middle of the night. And they don't stay for long -- just enough time to leave a short blog comment promoting Eastman Kodak Company's new inkjet printers, announced just a month ago yesterday. They don't even have time to read the post, apparently. Last week I highlighted a Forbes piece all about Kodak's strategy with their new printers -- and "Cameron" commented, a few days later, that "Kodak is launching a new printer, as part of it's (sic) new strategy, check out www.inkisit.com". Patrick Hoffman at eWeek.com takes on a big enterprise-oriented question in a piece titled "Are Universal Print Drivers a Competitive Advantage for HP?" that quotes two well-known industry analysts (Peter Grant of Gartner and Keith Kmetz of IDC) along with HP (NYSE HPQ) Marketing VP Vince Ferraro. The conclusion is that the answer to the question asked in the title in "yes", HP's universal drivers give HP a leg up in enterprise (corporate) accounts tasked with supporting hundreds of different printers in various operating environments. HP has a large advantage on this front, compared to competitors Xerox, Lexmark, Canon, Epson, and Dell. As I look around my offices, while not what most would classify as an "enterprise", I certainly can relate to the difficulty of keeping many devices working on multiple computers, especially when they all require unique driver software. Vince Ferraro, btw, has blogged on the subject of Universal Print Drivers recently. Here's one for all of us printer enthusiasts. Nick Gonzalez at TechCrunch reports on Scribd (that's not a typo) getting venture funding and also provides a nice description. This is definitely worth a try! You can too at http://www.scribd.com/. I continue to receive hundreds of visitors each day looking for more information on the HP OfficeJet Pro K5400dn color inkjet printer, the product HP and Staples are offering to US buyers for the compelling price of $199.98. Due to its "newness" and the exclusive HP (NYSE HPQ) arrangement with Staples (NASDAQ SPLS), reviews and other product information are scarce, so I've been doing my best to provide a clearing house of links to information I can find. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the K5400 series of printers is designed to replace the venerable K550 family of inkjet printers, but like its predecessors, it's positioned as a cost-effective alternative to color laser printers. None other than HP, at the The HP LaserJet blog by Vince Ferraro, offers a comparison between the K550 and color lasers, from January of this year. HP should know as they lead the market in both categories. Buyers want the HP OJ Pro K5400DN inkjet printer! I've posted every day since Friday about the new HP OfficeJet Pro K5400DN inkjet printer, the printer manufactured by HP (NYSE HPQ) and sold by Staples (NASDAQ SPLS) (in an exclusive arrangement) just available at the great price of $199.98. While this is a news-and-analysis blog I felt I owed my readers some guidance, especially since I was the only English-language web site that came up when Googling for "HP OJ Pro K5400DN inkjet printer"! I have tried to provide a service by helping people that found my blog at least get to some minimal spec-and-review type info on the printer. Potential buyers have FLOCKED to my blog, about 500 since my first post on Friday, seeking information. Thanks readers and hope you got some help! I'll continue to follow the saga! A little more web-crawling led me to this Gartner Group summary of the new HP OfficeJet printer family (including the HP OJ Pro K5400dn color inkjet printer being offered exclusively at Staples in the US). Like the analysis in "The Hard Copy Observer" (published by Lyra Research) I mentioned in one of yesterday's posts, Gartner's note is geared to the industry, but potential customers may find it helpful too. "Shake-Free Printer" -- Exclusive to Staples! Here's a little more scoop on the HP OfficeJet Pro K5400 inket printer (aka OJ K5400) from a source in Singapore, the PC Pro web site (thanks Snap.com!). The headline is "HP's new shake-free business printers" and does anyone besides me find this a delightful coincidence? The point is that this is the printer being sold exclusively in the US by Staples, who brought us the popular and hilarious "Just Shake It" TV commercial recently? Yesterday, I wrote a short post about an email I received from Staples (that's right, I received this special email along with their 3 million other closest friends). Well, I've had some of my heaviest blog traffic ever since then, with numerous keyword searches on "HP OJ Pro K5400dn color inkjet printer" through Google and other sources leading to my blog. And although I'm primarily a "business and marketing news and analysis" blogger, I'm going to provide some guidance for those of you who've found my site due to your interest in buying this HP (NYSE HPQ) printer going on sale at Staples tomorrow. First off, at least at my local Staples, the printer is in stock and for sale NOW (Saturday March 3rd) at the advertised price of $199.98, even though the ad says the price is effective starting tomorrow. Secondly, where do you read about the product, since it's a Staples exclusive and thus not reviewed anywhere on the web? (In fact, my blog, jimlyonsobservations.blogspot.com, is the ONLY English-language site that comes up when the printer name is entered as a Google search!) Let me try to help. The publication that carries my monthly column, "Observations", is The Hard Copy Observer, and in their February 2007 issue, they carried extensive coverage of HP's K5400 "family" of printers that were announced early in the month and replace the HP K550 inkjet printers. But like this blog, The Hard Copy Observer is a publication mostly for printer industry insiders, and (unlike this blog) it's not available on the Web. It's a print-ohly publication and costs $650 a year, which is a bargain if you're an industry insider, but not if you're a consumer or small business person debating whether or not to spend $200 on a printer! HP's own web site has a press-oriented description of the K5400 series including an "available in March" statement. The product descriptions don't go deep and of course they're not reviews. Nor does the HP site include specifics about the K5400tn or K5400dtn, let alone the Staples-exclusive K5400dn. Cnet, in their reviews section, lists the HP K5400, K5400tn, and K5400dtn but has no reviews yet and shows VERY limited availability (MacMall only). So what's my shopping advice outside of visiting your local Staples and taking a look? Cnet (and other sites) carry reviews on the K550 and related printers from HP so that would be one place to start. Please comment below with other sources of information and even more critically, your FIRST HAND INFORMATION. Thanks! Ok, so bloggers blogging about blogs is one of the worst of all possible violations of blogging etiquette and also potentially a huge yawn (see above) -- I admit it! But every once in awhile I just have to do it. So I'll make this short and since it's Friday afternoon maybe I can get away with it! Our hometown newspaper, the Idaho Statesman, has a Page One story today on business blogging that I feel part of for several reasons! One of the featured agencies, Blueline Grassroots Marketing, helped me get started on my "serious" blog just a year ago, at the conference mentioned in the piece. So thanks Blueline! And Cendesic Marketing provides some great business blogging tips in the sidebar -- I should know, I helped craft and test them, along with Cendesic's founder, Oliver Fritsch! In the spirit of full disclosure, in addition to my journalism/blogging activities evident here, I'm a partner with Cendesic. The teaser email from Staples this morning reads "The New HP printer only at Staples" and I quickly zoom into the Staples Inc (NASDAQ SPLS) ad. Good March 4th - 17th, the online advertisement indeed features a great-looking HP (NYSE HPQ) inkjet printer with "professional laser quality", the HP OJ Pro K5400dn color inkjet printer, and touts 25% less CPP (Cost Per Page) that the fine print explains is compared to under-$500 color lasers and under-$250 mono lasers, by Current Analysis in July 2006. Also included in the fine print is that the color ink cartridge is not included in the $199.98 price for the OJ Pro K5400dn. Once again, the news from Dell Inc is not so good, though not so bad either, in the earnings announcement for their 2006 Fourth Quarter announced after yesterday's market close. They missed on revenues and had a big drop in earnings, but the stock is actually reacting pretty well at mid-day today, among a minority of tech stocks up a bit in an otherwise ugly market at mid-day. News on printers? Not much. They're altogether missing from the corporate press release, but the Reuters piece by Philipp Gollner summarizes Dell's position vs HP (NYSE HPQ) as follows: "It lags HP in the fast-growing markets of notebook computers, consumer PCs and printers." This is a bit off the direct printing/imaging beat but I have to report on my experience with a mobile phone message transcription service I'm trying out, with pretty good success, from Simulscribe. My voice messages (up to a minute in length) are transcribed and then quickly emailed to me, which is handy, because I'm often more "at one" with my email via one of my many computers than I am with the mobile phone. So far so good! Listen to the NPR morning edition guys talk about it (from Monday February 26, 2007). I highly recommend the read, but let me add my take on the answers to three questions the authors pose (and then provide their own answers). The authors' premise is that the answers to the three questions are critical to Eastman Kodak Company's ability to succeed in pulling off a "classic low-end disruption" with their newly announced inkjet photo printers. "Do available products overshoot existing customers' needs?" Christensen and Anthony answer in the affirmative, citing evidence of this in the growing share of third-party ink products. Basically this says that today's inkjet photo printers print quality has reached diminishing returns -- the quality of photos printed is MORE than good enough for most consumers, and they're willing to trade down a little bit to a lower level of print quality for a much lower price. Actually I see it as a bit more complicated, with cost as only one factor. In my home, photo printing is losing out to much-simplified, fast and cheap out-sourced printing (eg HP (NYSE HPQ) and their Snapfish/Walgreen's connection), unless I need one or two quick prints. And I do this to save hassle and conserve my ink -- not because I'm so worried about the cost per print but I don't want to run out of ink too quickly, again, because getting a new cartridge and installing it is a hassle. I want fresh black and color ink ready to go for that next one-to-two-photo print job! "Will companies like HP copy Kodak's strategy?" This is a very provocative question, as the authors explain the importance of profitability in the whole strategy and how Kodak will be better off if competitors don't follow them into this new cheaper-ink model. (Seems like a pretty basic conclusion but again, the rationale by Christensen and Anthony is very thought-provoking). Indications so far are that market leader HPQ (see transcript link in my HPQ analysis post for CEO Mark Hurd's comments) is taking the high road and not planning on following Kodak. I'll bet on others do follow EK, even if HP does not. "Will success expand the market?" Although the authors suggest otherwise, I can't see it, at least in terms of long-term growth. (The idea here is that a market expansion is less hurtful to the competition.) My opinion is based on my belief that IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PENNIES PER PRINT. Ease-of-use issues still hold back home photo printing, especially when alternatives or substitutes (including options that DON'T INCLUDE PRINTS) become much easier and more accessible. See my comments under question #1. That's the conclusion of the authors. I am less optimistic than they are, although I commend their thoughtful analysis!
2019-04-25T09:54:42Z
http://jimlyonsobservations.blogspot.com/2007/03/
MALMÖ, Sweden, April 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hansa Biopharma AB (publ), Reg. No. 556734-5359, with registered office in Lund, summons to Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 22 Maj 2019 at 17.00 CEST at the auditorium next to the company's premises, Scheelevägen 22, Lund, Sweden. Registration will begin at 16.30 CEST and will end when the meeting starts. Box 785, 220 07 Lund or by e-mail to agm@hansabiopharma.com. The notification shall state the shareholder's name, personal identity number or registration number, daytime telephone number and, where applicable, the number of advisors (maximum two). Shareholders who intend to be represented by proxy shall issue dated and signed power of attorney for the proxy. The proxy is valid for one year from the issuance, or the longer period of validity stated in the proxy, however not more than five years from the issuance. If the proxy is issued by a legal entity, attested copies of the certificate of registration or equivalent authorisation documents evidencing the authority to issue the proxy shall be included with the notification. The power of attorney shall confirm the right of the signee to appoint a representative for the legal entity. To facilitate the registration at the Annual General Meeting, the proxy form as well as registration certificate and other authorisation documents shall be available to the company on the address presented above no later than 16 May 2019. If the proxy form and other authorisation documents have not been submitted in advance, the power of attorney in original and other authorisation documents must be able to be presented at the Annual General Meeting. Proxy forms are available at the company, on the company's webpage, www.hansabiopharma.com, and will be sent upon request to any shareholder who states their postal address. Resolution:(a) regarding the adoption of the income statement and the balance sheet, and of the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet; (b) regarding allocation of the company's result according to the adopted balance sheet; (c) regarding discharge from liability for the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO. Determination of fees for members of the Board of Directors and auditors. Election of the members of the Board of Directors and chairman of the Board of Directors. Proposal regarding principles for appointing the Nomination Committee. Proposal regarding guidelines for remuneration to the Executive Management. Proposal to adopt a long term incentive programme based on performance based share awards for employees in Hansa Biopharma. Proposal to adopt a long term incentive programme based on warrants and employee stock options for employees in Hansa Biopharma. The board of directors' proposal regarding resolution on authorisation for the board to resolve on new issue of shares. The Nomination Committee, composed of Erika Kjellberg Eriksson (Nexttobe AB), chairman, Astrid Samuelsson (Handelsbanken Funds), Sven Sandberg (Tomas Olausson) and Ulf Wiinberg (chairman of the Board of Directors), as convener, has submitted the following proposals for resolution. Dain Hård Nevonen, member of the Swedish Bar Association, from Advokatfirman Vinge is proposed to be elected chairman of the Annual General Meeting (item 2). The Board of Directors is proposed to consist of six (6) directors and no deputy directors (item 10). One registered accounting firm is proposed to be appointed auditor and no deputy auditors (item 10). Remuneration to the Board of Directors is proposed to be SEK 900,000 to the chairman of the board and SEK 300,000 each to the other board members. The remuneration to the chairman of the Audit Committee should be SEK 75,000 and SEK 40,000 to each other member in the Audit Committee, SEK 40,000 to the chairman of the Remuneration Committee and SEK 25,000 to each other member in the Remuneration Committee, and SEK 25,000 to each board member in the Scientific Committee (item 11). Re-election of the board members Ulf Wiinberg, Birgit Stattin Norinder, Anders Gersel Pedersen and Andreas Eggert and election of Eva Nilsagård and Mats Blom as new members of the board, all for the time until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. Stina Gestrelius and Angelica Loskog have declined re-election. Ulf Wiinberg is proposed to be elected chairman of the Board of Directors for the time until the end of the next Annual General Meeting (item 12). Re-election of the auditor KPMG AB. If re-elected, KPMG AB has informed that Dan Kjellqvist will be the principal auditor for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. The proposal is in accordance with the Audit Committee's recommendation (item 13). Eva is currently interim CFO at OptiGroup AB and founder and CEO of Nilsagård Consulting AB with assignment as CEO and CFO. Previously, Eva has, among other things, served as CFO of Plastal Industry and Vitrolife, Senior Vice President Strategy & Business Development at Volvo Group and held senior positions in finance and business development in, for example, Volvo, AstraZeneca and SKF. Eva is a board member and chairman of the audit committee of Addlife, Bufab and Irras and board member of SEK (Swedish Export Credit). Eva has more than 10 years of experience as a mentor for young female managers with high potential. Mats is CFO at Modus Therapeutics. Before this, he served as Vice President and CFO at the biotech company Zealand Pharma, which is listed on both the Danish and the US stock market. Mats has also served as CFO at Swedish Orphan International, and Active Biotech as well as Anoto, both of which are listed on the stock exchange. Furthermore, Mats has many years of experience in management consulting at Gemini Consulting and Ernst & Young. Mats Holds a BA in business administration from Lund University and an MBA from IESE University of Navarra, Barcelona. Mars is board member of Auris Medical. Information regarding the individuals proposed by the nomination committee for re-election is available at the company's webpage, www.hansabiopharma.com. The Nomination Committee proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves that the principles for appointing the nomination committee shall be left unchanged from the previous year, which are those described below. The Nomination Committee shall consist of representatives for the three largest, in terms of votes, registered shareholders per August 31, 2019. Should such shareholder not wish to appoint a member, the largest shareholder, in terms of votes, thereafter shall be invited to appoint a member in the Nomination Committee until three members have been appointed. The names of the members of the Nomination Committee shall be made public no later than six months prior to the Annual General Meeting of 2020. The Nomination Committee shall appoint the member representing the largest shareholder as chairman, unless the Nomination Committee decides otherwise. Should any of the members of the Nomination Committee, before the assignment of the Nomination Committee has been fulfilled, resign or no longer represent the shareholder who appointed that member, such a member be replaced by a new member appointed by that shareholder. Should any shareholder not represented in the Nomination Committee be larger, in terms of votes, than another shareholder represented in the Nomination Committee, the larger shareholder in terms of votes shall be entitled to appoint a member to the Nomination Committee, whereby the member representing the smallest, in terms of votes, shareholder shall leave the Nomination Committee. The term of office for the Nomination Committee shall be until a new Nomination Committee has taken office. The Nomination Committee shall be entitled to charge the company for costs of e.g. recruitment consultants and other consultants that are necessary for the Nomination Committee to be able to fulfil its assignment. Further, the Nomination Committee is authorised to co-opt additional members, if deemed appropriate, however, any such co-opted member shall not be entitled to vote. The members of the Nomination Committee shall not be entitled to any remuneration from the company for their work. The Nomination Committee shall present proposals for the chairman of the meeting, board members, chairman of the Board of Directors, remuneration to the board, auditors, remuneration to the auditors and the principles for the Nomination Committee before the Annual General Meeting 2020. The Nomination Committee shall follow the assignments set out in the Swedish Corporate Governance Code. The Board of Directors proposes that the distributable assets available at the Annual General Meeting's disposal shall be carried forward and that no dividend shall be made. The guidelines proposed by the Board of Directors entail that Executive Management will be offered remuneration which is competitive and on market terms. The level of the remuneration for the individual manager shall be based on factors such as position, expertise, experience and performance. The remuneration consists of a fixed salary and pension benefits and, in addition, may consist of variable salary, share based long term incentive programmes, severance remuneration, non-monetary benefits. The variable salary shall be based on the achievement of quantitative and qualitative targets and should not exceed 50 per cent of the annual fixed salary. Salary during the notice of termination period and severance remuneration shall be possible in a total maximum amount of 24 monthly salaries. Share and share based long term incentive programmes shall, if applicable, be decided by the Annual General Meeting. It is proposed that the Board of Directors be authorised to deviate from the guidelines where special cause exists in an individual case. In addition to two incentive programmes decided in accordance with Chapter 16 of the Companies Act, see page 95 in the annual report 2018, and ongoing commitments to pay remuneration such as salary, pension and other benefits, there are no previously decided remuneration to any Executive Manager which has not accrued for payment. The CEO is entitled to severance pay after termination of employment corresponding to six monthly wages. In addition, three of the Executive Managers are entitled to severance pay after termination of employment corresponding to six monthly wages. According to the Companies Act, the company must report what the variable remuneration to Executive Management may cost at various possible outcomes. The cost of variable remuneration can amount to a maximum of approximately SEK 10 million (equivalent to 50 per cent of the total fixed annual salary for Executive Management). The number is based on the fact that there are eleven Executives in the company. The Company has not made any deviations from the guidelines decided at the Annual General Meeting on 29 May 2018. The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves to adopt a long term incentive programme based on performance based share rights for employees in the Hansa Biopharma group ("LTIP 2019") in accordance with item 16(i) below. The decision to adopt LTIP 2019 in accordance with item 16(i) shall further be conditional upon that the general meeting resolves on hedging measures relating to the incentive programme, either in accordance with item 16(ii) below or in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal in item 16(iii) below. LTIP 2019 is proposed to include the CEO, senior executives and other key employees, meaning that a maximum of 45 individuals within the Hansa Biopharma group will be able to participate. Participants will be given the opportunity to receive ordinary shares free of charge within the framework of LTIP 2019, so-called "Performance Shares", in accordance with the conditions set out below. Within the framework of LTIP 2019, the company will allot participants rights to Performance Shares which means that, subject to certain conditions being met, the right to receive a Performance Share free of charge ("Share Rights"). A Share Right may be exercised provided that the participant, with certain exceptions, from the start date of the LTIP 2019 for each participant, up until and including the date three years thereafter (the "Vesting Period"), is still employed by the Hansa Biopharma group. The last date for the start of the LTIP 2019 shall be the day before the Annual General Meeting of Hansa Biopharma in 2020. (iii) Up to 56 per cent of the Performance Shares related to the total shareholder return (the return to shareholders through an increased share price and reinvestments of any dividends during the Vesting Period) on the company's ordinary shares during the Vesting Period ("Performance Condition 3"). The above distribution of the number of Performance Shares is based on a valuation of each instrument and corresponds to a value-based distribution of 25 per cent to Performance Condition 1, 25 per cent to Performance Condition 2 and 50 per cent to Performance Condition 3, respectively. This entails that participants will be entitled to 22 per cent of the Performance Shares if Performance Condition 1 is achieved and 22 per cent of the Performance Shares if Performance Condition 2 is achieved. In addition, participants will be entitled to 56 per cent of the Performance Shares under Performance Condition 3 if the total shareholder return for the company's ordinary share during the Vesting Period reaches or exceeds 75 per cent. If, during the Vesting Period, the total shareholder return for the company's ordinary share falls below 25 per cent, no allotment of Performance Shares will be made under Performance Condition 3. In between the percentages, allotment will be made linearly. In the event that Performance Condition 1 and Performance Condition 2, after the initial allotment, are not considered to be relevant incentives for Share Rights allotted in subsequent allocations under the programme, these Performance Conditions may be replaced by other strategic goals for the company. Share Rights are allotted free of charge no later than the day before the Annual General Meeting 2020. Share Rights vest during the Vesting Period. Share Rights may not be transferred or pledged. Each Share Right entitles the participant to receive one Performance Share free of charge after the end of the Vesting Period (with certain exceptions where the Vesting Period may be accelerated) if the participant, with certain exceptions, is still employed by the Hansa Biopharma group by the end of the Vesting Period. In order to align the interests of the participant and the shareholders', the company will also compensate the participants for dividends paid by increasing the number of Performance Shares that each Share Right entitle to after the Vesting Period. The Board of Directors, or a special committee set up by the board, shall be responsible for preparing the detailed design and administration of the terms and conditions of LTIP 2019, in accordance with the presented terms and guidelines including provisions on recalculation in the event of an in-between bonus issue, share split, rights issue and/or similar measures. In connection therewith, the Board of Directors shall be entitled to make adjustments to meet specific foreign regulations or market conditions. The Board of Directors shall also be entitled to make other adjustments if significant changes occur in the Hansa Biopharma group or in its environment that would result in that the adopted terms for the LTIP 2019 no longer fulfils their objectives. The Board of Directors has considered different methods for transfer of ordinary shares under LTIP 2019 in order to implement the programme in a cost-effective and flexible manner. The Board of Directors has found the most cost-effective alternative to be, and thus proposes it as a main alternative, in accordance with item 16(ii) below, that the Annual General Meeting resolves (a) to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on a directed issue of not more than 715,910 class C shares to the participating bank, of which not more than 165,211 class C shares may be issued to secure social contributions arising as a result of LTIP 2019, and (b) to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on the repurchase of all issued class C shares, in accordance with item 16(ii) below. Following conversion of the class C shares to ordinary shares, the ordinary shares are intended to be both transferred to LTIP 2019 participants, as well as sold in the market in order to cover the cash flow-related to social contribution costs associated with LTIP 2019. For this purpose, the Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves (c) to transfer not more than 550,699 ordinary shares free of charge to participants in accordance with LTIP 2019 and that not more than 165,211 ordinary shares may be sold to secure social contribution costs arising as a result of LTIP 2019. If the majority required for resolution in accordance with item 16(ii) is not met, LTIP 2019 shall instead be hedged through a resolution to conclude an equity swap-agreement, in accordance with the Board of Director's proposal under item 16(iii) below. LTIP 2019 will be reported in accordance with IFRS 2, which means that the Share Rights will be expensed as personnel costs over the Vesting Period. The costs for LTIP 2019 is estimated to amount to a maximum of SEK 71.0 million, excluding social contributions, accounted in accordance with IFRS 2 based on the following assumptions: (i) that 550,699 Share Rights are allotted, (ii) that the share price, at the beginning of LTIP 2019, is SEK 220 per ordinary share, (iii) that the performance conditions are fully met, and (iv) an estimated annual turnover of personnel of 5 per cent. Based on the same assumption as above, and subject to social contributions of approximately 30 per cent and a share price increase of 75 per cent from the start of LTIP 2019 until the participants are allotted shares, the costs for social contributions are estimated to amount to SEK 54.5 million. The total cost for LTIP 2019, including costs according to IFRS 2, is therefore estimated to a maximum of SEK 41.8 million per year. Upon maximum allotment of Share Rights and provided that the hedging arrangements in accordance with item 16(ii) below are adopted by the General Meeting, 550,699 ordinary shares will be allotted to participants under LTIP 2019, and that 165,211 ordinary shares will be used to secure social contributions arising as a result of LTIP 2019, which would entail a dilution effect of approximately 1.71 per cent of the total number of ordinary shares in the company. The dilution of shares is based on full dilution taking into account all outstanding incentive programmes. Given the above assumptions regarding scope and costs, and that LTIP 2019 was introduced in 2017, it is estimated that the key figure earnings per share for full year 2018 would have decreased from SEK -6.47 to approximately SEK -7.56. If all outstanding incentive programmes in the company are included in the calculation, including the Board of Director's proposal for the Annual General Meeting 2019 on the adoption of a long term incentive programme (option programme), the corresponding maximum dilution, at the time of the Annual General Meeting, amounts to approximately 4.7 per cent of the share capital. The resolutions under items 16(ii)(a)-(c) below are proposed to be conditional upon each other and for that reason it is proposed that all resolutions are to be passed as one resolution. The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves to authorise the Board of Directors, during the period until the Annual General Meeting 2020, on one or more occasions, to increase the company's share capital by not more than SEK 715,910 by the issue of not more than 715,910 class C shares, each with a quota value of SEK one (1). With deviation from the shareholders' pre-emption rights, the participating bank shall be entitled to subscribe for the new class C shares at a subscription price corresponding to the quota value of the shares. The purpose of the authorisation and the reason for the deviation from the shareholders' pre-emption rights in connection with the issue of shares is to ensure delivery of shares to employees under the long term incentive programme, as well as to secure potential social contributions arising as a result of LTIP 2019. The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves to authorise the Board of Directors, during the period until the Annual General Meeting 2020, on one or more occasions, to repurchase class C shares. The repurchase may only be effected through an offer directed to all holders of class C shares and shall comprise all outstanding class C shares. Repurchases shall be effected at a purchase price corresponding to the quota value of the share. Payment for the acquired class C shares shall be made in cash. The purpose of the proposed repurchase authorisation is to ensure delivery of Performance Shares under LTIP 2019 and to secure possible social contributions arising as a result of LTIP 2019. The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves that class C shares that the company acquires based on the authorisation to repurchase class C shares in accordance with item 16(ii)(b) above, may, following the reclassification into ordinary shares, be transferred free of charge to participants of LTIP 2019 in accordance with the adopted terms and conditions in order to secure possible social contributions arising as a result of LTIP 2019. The Board of Directors therefore proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves that not more than 550,699 ordinary shares may be transferred to participants in accordance with the terms and conditions of LTIP 2019, and that not more than 165,211 ordinary shares shall be transferred on Nasdaq Stockholm, including through a financial intermediary, at a price within the registered price range at the relevant time, to cover any social contributions in accordance with the terms and conditions of LTIP 2019. The number of shares to be transferred is subject to recalculation in the event of a bonus issue, split, rights issue and/or other similar events. In the event that the required majority for item 16(ii) above cannot be achieved, the Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves to hedge LTIP 2019 by allowing Hansa Biopharma to enter into equity swap arrangements with third parties on market terms, where the third party in its own name will be able to acquire and transfer ordinary shares in Hansa Biopharma to the participants. The purpose of LTIP 2019 is to create the conditions for motivating and retaining competent employees within the Hansa Biopharma group and to increase the coherence between the employees', shareholders' and the company's objectives, as well as to increase the motivation to reach and exceed the company's financial targets. LTIP 2019 has been designed so that the programme includes both current and future senior executives and other key employees. By offering Share Rights that are based on both share price development and partly on strategic goals, the participants are premiered for increased shareholder value/value-creating measures. LTIP 2019 also rewards employees' continued loyalty and thus the long term value growth of the company. After these considerations, the Board of Directors considers that LTIP 2019 will have a positive effect on the future development of the Hansa Biopharma group and will consequently be beneficial for both the company and its shareholders. LTIP 2019 has been prepared by the company's Board of Directors and its Remuneration Committee in consultation with external advisors. LTIP 2019 has been discussed by the Board of Directors at a meeting held in April 2019. For a description of the company's other long term incentive programmes, please refer to the company's Annual Report for 2018, pages 94-96, and the company's website, www.hansabiopharma.com. In addition to the described incentive programmes, there are no other long term incentive programmes in Hansa Biopharma. The resolution of the General Meeting regarding the implementation of LTIP 2019 according to item 16(i) above is conditional on the meeting either deciding in accordance with the Board of Director's proposal according to item 16(ii) above, or in accordance with the Board of Director's proposal according to item 16(iii) above. The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves to adopt a long term incentive programme for employees within the Hansa Biopharma group ("Option Programme 2019") in accordance with items 17(a) – 17(c) below. The resolutions under items 17(a) and (b) and 17(a) and (c) below are proposed to be conditional upon each other, respectively. In the event that the majority requirement for item 17(c) below is not met, the Board of Directors proposes that the company be able to enter into an equity swap arrangement with a third party in accordance with item 17(d) and the subsequent decisions under items 17(a) and (d) shall then be conditional upon each other. The Option Programme 2019 is proposed to include a maximum of 16 employees within the Hansa Biopharma group. The Option Programme 2019 comprises two series. Series 1 consists of warrants that can be transferred to senior executives who are taxable in Sweden and the warrants can be exercised after approximately 3 years, after which the holder is entitled to exercise the warrants to subscribe for ordinary shares during a period of one month. Series 2 consist of employee stock options that can be allotted to the CEO and senior executives. The employee stock options have a vesting period of 3 years, after which the holder is entitled to exercise the options for ordinary shares during a period of one month. The Board of Directors therefore proposes, for delivery of ordinary shares under the Option Programme 2019, that the meeting resolves on the transfer of a maximum of 438,553 warrants, of which a maximum of 169,848 warrants can be issued in Series 1 and a maximum of 268,705 warrants can be issued in Series 2. The right to subscribe for warrants shall vest with the wholly owned subsidiary Cartela R&D AB, which shall transfer the warrants of Series 1 to an entitled participant, or to hold the warrants of Series 2 to ensure delivery of shares upon exercise of employee stock options in Series 2 to participants as well as to dispose of the warrants to secure costs for social contributions, respectively. Each warrant and option entitle the holder to subscribe for one ordinary share. The warrants are issued free of charge to Cartela R&D AB and the last day for allotment under each series according to the Option Programme 2019 shall be the day before the Annual General Meeting for Hansa Biopharma 2020. The company will transfer warrants in Series 1 to participants at a price corresponding to the market value of the warrants (i.e. the warrant premium) at the time of the offer. Warrants of Series 1 can be transferred to senior executives who are taxable in Sweden and who have entered into a repurchase agreement with Hansa Biopharma. The warrants are transferred to participants, current or new senior executives, on one occasion until the day before the Annual General Meeting of Hansa Biopharma 2020. The warrants can be exercised for subscription of shares during the period from 15 June 2022 up to and including 15 July 2022. Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one new ordinary share in Hansa Biopharma at a subscription price corresponding to 110 per cent of the volume weighted average share price during the 10 trading days immediately prior to the offer to subscribe for the warrants, however, as a minimum, the quota value of the share. The issued warrants of Series 1 may, with deviation from the shareholders' pre-emptive rights, be subscribed by Cartela R&D AB – which is a wholly owned subsidiary to Hansa Biopharma – after which the company shall offer the warrants to the participants. The transfer of the warrants in Series 1 shall be made at a price corresponding to the market value of the warrants (the warrant premium) at the time of the transfer, calculated according to the Black & Scholes valuation model. The valuation of the warrants shall be made by an appraiser or audit firm. In connection with the transfer of warrants to the participants, the company shall reserve the right to repurchase the warrants if the participant's employment or assignment within the group ceases or if the participant in turn wishes to transfer the warrants before the warrants can be exercised according to the terms and conditions that apply to the warrants. The employee stock options will be allotted free of charge. Allotment requires that an acquisition of employee stock options can take place legally and that, according to the Board of Director's assessment, it can be carried out with reasonable administrative and financial efforts. The last day for allotment of employee stock options shall be the day before the Annual General Meeting 2020. Each employee stock option that is transferred entitles the holder to acquire one share in the company, provided that the participant, with certain exceptions, is still employed within the group, at an exercise price corresponding to the volume weighted average share price during the 10 trading days immediately preceding the respective allotment of the employee stock options, however, as a minimum, the quota value of the share. The employee stock options are vested over a period of three years from the time when allotment to the participants has taken place. The employee stock options entitle, after they have been vested in accordance with the above, the holder to subscribe for shares during one month. The employee stock options shall not constitute securities and may not be transferred or pledged. The exercise price for Series 1 and Series 2, determined as set out above, shall be rounded to the nearest SEK 0.10, whereby SEK 0.05 shall be rounded downwards. The exercise price and the number of shares that each warrant and employee stock option, respectively, entitles to subscription for shall be recalculated in the event of a split, consolidation, new share issue etc. in accordance with market practice. Upon full exercise of the options, the share capital will increase by SEK 438,553. The Board of Directors, or a special committee set up by the board, shall be responsible for preparing the detailed design and administration of the terms and conditions of the Option Programme 2019, in accordance with the presented terms and guidelines including provisions on recalculation in the event of an in-between bonus issue, share split, rights issue and/or similar measures. In connection therewith, the Board of Directors shall be entitled to make adjustments to meet specific foreign regulations or market conditions. The Board of Directors shall also be entitled to make other adjustments if significant changes occur in the Hansa Biopharma group or in its environment that would result in that the adopted terms for the Option Programme 2019 no longer fulfils their objectives. The right to receive warrants shall accrue to senior executives who are taxable in Sweden and who have entered into a repurchase agreement with Hansa Biopharma, and the right to receive employee stock options shall accrue to the CEO and senior executives, current and future. The maximum allotment amounts to 66,347 employee stock options to the CEO ("Category 1") and 318,465 warrants or employee stock options for senior executives ("Category 2"), as applicable. Board members shall not be eligible to participate in the Option Programme 2019. The transfer of the warrants in Series 1 shall be made at a price corresponding to the market value of the warrants at the time of the transfer, which entails that no social security contributions shall arise for the group in connection with the transfer of the warrants. The market value of the warrants is, in accordance with a preliminary valuation, made based on a market value on the underlying share corresponding to SEK 220, SEK 56.52 per warrant, assuming an exercise price of SEK 242 per share. The Black & Scholes valuation model has been used for valuation of the warrants, assuming a risk free interest of -0.42 per cent and a volatility of 43 per cent. To encourage participation in the Option Programme 2019, the company will, pre taxation, subsidise up to 100 per cent of the participant's premium for the acquisition of the warrants through a one time cash bonus. The total cost of the subsidies, based on the assumptions regarding the warrants value above, amounts to SEK 12.6 million including social contributions. Costs related to the employee stock options in Series 2 are estimated to amount to SEK 12.1 million, excluding social contributions, accounted in accordance with IFRS 2 based on the following assumptions: (i) that 214,964 employee stock options are allotted, (ii) that the share price, at the beginning of the Option Programme 2019, is SEK 220 per ordinary share, and (iii) an estimated annual turnover of personnel of 0 per cent. Based on the same assumptions as above, and subject to social contributions of 25 per cent, and a share price increase of 75 per cent from the start of the Option Programme 2019 until the employee stock options are exercised, the costs for social contributions are estimated to amount to SEK 7.7 million. The total cost, including costs according to IFRS 2, is therefore estimated to a maximum of SEK 6.6 million per year. Upon maximum allotment of warrants and employee stock options, 384,812 warrants will be issued for new subscription of ordinary shares pursuant to the Option Programme 2019, together with 53,741 warrants that can be used to cover social contributions as a result of the Option Programme 2019, the dilution effect will amount to approximately 1.04 per cent of the number of ordinary shares in the company. The dilution of shares is based on full dilution taking into account all outstanding incentive programmes. Given the above assumptions regarding scope and costs, and that LTIP 2019 was introduced in 2017 instead, it is estimated that the key figure earnings per share for full year 2018 would have decreased from SEK -6.47 to approximately SEK -6.75. In order to ensure delivery of shares in accordance with the Option Programme 2019 and to cover costs related to social contributions, attributable to Series 2, the Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves on the issue and exercise of warrants in accordance with items 17(b) and 17(c) below, or, with regard to the employee stock options, that an equity swap is entered into in accordance with item 17(d). The board of directors proposes that the company shall issue not more than 169,848 warrants for subscription of shares, whereby the company's share capital may be increased by not more than SEK 169,848. The right to subscribe for warrants shall only vest with the subsidiary Cartela R&D AB, with the right and obligation to dispose of the warrants as described above, primarily with regard to transfer to participants in the Option Programme 2019. Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one ordinary share. The warrants shall be issued free of charge to Cartela R&D AB. There can be no over-allotment. Theboard of directors proposes that the company shall issue not more than 268,705 warrants to secure the delivery of shares under Series 2 and to secure social contribution costs, of which the company's share capital may be increased by a maximum of SEK 268,705. The right to subscribe for warrants shall only vest with the subsidiary Cartela R&D AB, with the right and obligation to dispose of the warrants as described above, primarily with regard to transfer to participants in the Option Programme 2019 and transfer to a participating bank for hedging of social contributions due to the Option Programme 2019. Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one ordinary share. The warrants shall be issued free of charge to Cartela R&D AB. There can be no over-allotment. In the event that the required majority for item 17(c) above cannot be achieved, the Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting 2019 resolves to hedge the Option Programme 2019 by allowing Hansa Biopharma to enter into equity swap arrangements with third parties on market terms, where the third party in its own name will be able to acquire and transfer ordinary shares in Hansa Biopharma to the participants. The purpose of the Option Programme 2019 is to create the conditions for motivating and retaining competent employees within the Hansa Biopharma group and to increase the coherence between the employees', shareholders' and the company's objectives, as well as to increase the motivation to reach and exceed the company's financial targets. The Option Programme 2019 has been designed so that the programme includes both current and future senior executives. By offering options that are based on the share price development, the participants are premiered for increased shareholder value. The Option Programme 2019 also rewards employees' continued loyalty and thus the long term value growth of the company. After these considerations, the Board of Directors considers that the Option Programme 2019 will have a positive effect on the future development of the Hansa Biopharma group and will consequently be beneficial for both the company and its shareholders. The board of directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves to authorize the board, for the period up to the next annual general meeting, to adopt decisions, whether on one or several occasions and whether with or without pre-emptive rights for the shareholders, to issue new common shares; provided however that such issues, in aggregate, must not exceed ten percent of the total number of outstanding common shares in the company as of the date of the Annual General Meeting. It should also be possible to make such an issue resolution stipulating in-kind payment, the right to offset debt or other conditions. The purpose of the authorization is to increase the financial flexibility of the company and the acting scope of the board of directors as well as to potentially broaden the shareholder base. The board of directors, or any person appointed by the board of directors, shall have the right to make any adjustments or amendments of the above resolution which may be required in connection with the registration of such resolution and to take any other measure deemed necessary for the execution of the resolution. For a valid decision to introduce a long term incentive programme for employees in the form of performance based share rights (item 16(ii)) and a long term incentive programme for employees in Hansa Biopharma in the form of warrants and employee stock options (item 17(b) and 17(c)) it is required that the proposals be supported by shareholders representing at least nine tenths of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the Annual General Meeting. A resolution in accordance with item 18 above requires approval of at least two thirds (2/3) of the shares represented and votes cast at the annual general meeting. At the time this notice was issued, the total number of shares in the company amounts to 40,731,654, of which 40,026,107 ordinary shares and 705,554 class C shares. The company has a total number of 705,554 class C shares treasury shares. The total number of votes in the company amounts to 40,096,661.7, of which the company holds 70,554.7 votes. The shareholders are reminded of their right to require information in accordance with Chapter 7 Section 32 of the Swedish Companies Act. The annual report and the auditor's report for the financial year 2018, and other supporting documents for the general meeting, including complete proposals from the board of directors, the proposal and motivated statement from the nomination committee as well as the statement from the auditor pursuant to Chapter 8 Section 54 of the Swedish Companies Act will be available to the shareholders at the company's office at Scheelevägen 22, SE-220 07 Lund, Sweden, and on the company's webpage www.hansabiopharma.com, no later than 30 April 2019, and will be sent to shareholders who so request and state their postal address.
2019-04-26T08:48:25Z
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/notice-to-annual-general-meeting-in-hansa-biopharma-ab-publ-300833597.html
Cyclo(Phe-Pro) (cFP) is a secondary metabolite produced by certain bacteria and fungi. Although recent studies highlight the role of cFP in cell-to-cell communication by bacteria, its role in the context of the host immune response is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of cFP produced by the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in the modulation of innate immune responses toward the pathogen. cFP suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocyte/macrophage cell line and in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Specifically, cFP inhibited inhibitory κB (IκB) kinase (IKK) phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) translocation to the cell nucleus, indicating that cFP affects the NF-κB pathway. We searched for genes that are responsible for cFP production in V. vulnificus and identified VVMO6_03017 as a causative gene. A deletion of VVMO6_03017 diminished cFP production and decreased virulence in subcutaneously inoculated mice. In summary, cFP produced by V. vulnificus actively suppresses the innate immune responses of the host, thereby facilitating its survival and propagation in the host environment. Vibrio vulnificus is a Gram-negative bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen that can cause septicemia through ingestion of raw contaminated seafood or through exposure of open wounds to salt water. The mortality rates for septicemia are >50%, and death can occur within 24 h after infection with the bacteria. V. vulnificus causes cellular damage by triggering the secretion of hemolysin and cytolysin and inhibits phagocytosis with a capsular polysaccharide to increase its survival in the host environment (1–3). Several virulence factors have been identified in this pathogen (1–3), and it appears that complex interactions among numerous factors, including many not yet identified, are required for its pathogenicity. A diketopiperazine molecule, cyclo(l-phenylalanyl–l-proline) (cFP) (Fig. 1A), is a secondary metabolite produced by numerous fungi and bacteria that controls the expression of genes involved in pathogenicity (4). cFP was identified in Pseudomonas strains as a member of a new class of autoinducers by using lux-based acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) biosensors (5, 6). We have previously shown that cFP production by V. vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae peaks when cell growth reaches the stationary phase and that cFP affects the expression of the ToxR-dependent gene ompU, which is important for the pathogenicity of Vibrio species (7). In addition, cFP has numerous effects on multiple hosts. On animal cells, it has antifungal (8) and antitumor (9–11) effects and also reverses irradiation damage (12). It also modulates auxin signaling in plants (13). Those reports suggest that cFP may have an important function in pathogenicity as well as in host-pathogen interactions. However, the effects of diketopiperazines, including cFP, on host immune responses have not yet been studied. Macrophages play a central role in first-line host defense (14). They express proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and antimicrobial agents such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) when they recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through pattern recognition receptors such as the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) (15). When TLR4 recognizes bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), it initiates a signaling cascade through the recruitment of proteins such as MyD88, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) family members, and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Ubiquitination of TRAF6 results in the sequential activation of transforming growth factor β-associated kinase 1 (TAK1) and the inhibitory κB (IκB) kinase (IKK) complex or the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway through phosphorylation, which triggers downstream signaling and activates the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) (16, 17). NF-κB activation requires the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB, which is regulated by the IKK complex or by the MAPK pathway. IκB degradation allows NF-κB to translocate into the nucleus, where it binds target gene promoters and induces the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial agents involved in pathogen clearance (17). In this study, we examined the role of cFP produced by the human pathogen V. vulnificus in the modulation of mammalian innate immune responses. Here we report that this small molecule suppresses innate immune responses by affecting the NF-κB pathway in macrophages, providing the bacteria with a survival advantage in the host environment. These results suggest an important role for cFP in the pathogenesis of bacteria. Mice and experimental reagents.Four- to five-week-old ICR mice were purchased from Samkaco (South Korea). Experiments with live mice were approved by the Sogang University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. cFP (Bachem Inc., Switzerland) was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at a concentration of 1 M (stock solution). Bacterial strains, plasmids, and culture conditions.The bacterial strains and plasmids used in this study are listed in Table S1 in the supplemental material. Escherichia coli strains were cultured at 37°C in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth supplemented with the appropriate antibiotics. V. vulnificus strains were cultured in LB broth or thiosulfate-citrate-bile salt-sucrose (TCBS) agar at 30°C. Antibiotics were used at the following concentrations: 50 μg/ml ampicillin, 10 μg/ml tetracycline, and 25 μg/ml chloramphenicol for E. coli and 2 μg/ml tetracycline and 2 μg/ml chloramphenicol for V. vulnificus. All media used in this study were purchased from Difco/BD (Franklin Lakes, NJ). All reagents and antibiotics were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO) and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cell culture.The J774A.1 cell line (mouse monocytes/macrophages) and the L929 cell line (NCTC 929; mouse connective tissue cells) were purchased from the Korean Cell Line Bank and maintained in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY) and 1% penicillin-streptomycin. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were prepared as described previously (18). L929 cell-conditioned medium was collected from the culture supernatant of L929 cells. Mouse bone marrow cells were obtained from mouse tibias and femurs by using a syringe filled with BMDM growth medium (RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FBS, 1% penicillin-streptomycin, and 30% L929 cell-conditioned medium). The collected cells were differentiated for 6 days in BMDM growth medium. Cell viability assay.Cell viability was determined by using the CellTiter 96 Aqueous Nonradioactive Cell Proliferation Assay kit (Promega, Madison, WI) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The assay kit contains of two solutions, MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] and PMS (phenazine methosulfate). MTS is soluble in tissue culture medium and is bioreduced by live cells into a formazan product that can be measured at 490 nm directly from 96-well plates. J774A.1 cells (1 × 104 cells/100 μl) were plated onto 96-well plates. After culture overnight, the cells were treated with various concentrations of cFP for 48 h. A combined MTS-PMS solution (20 μl) was added to each well of the 96-well plates, and the plates were further incubated for 3 h at 37°C in a humidified 5% CO2 atmosphere. The absorbance at 490 nm (A490) was measured by using a microplate reader (model 680; Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). A standard curve was used to convert the absorbance to cell numbers. Cytokine measurement.For measurement of the expression of innate cytokines, cells were plated onto a 24-well culture plate and treated with 100 ng/ml LPS (catalog number S2325; Sigma-Aldrich) in the presence or absence of various concentrations of cFP for the indicated times. The amount of cytokine in the cell culture supernatant was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Each well of a 96-well Maxisorp plate (Nunc/Thermo-Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) was coated with 100 μl of a purified anticytokine antibody (for TNF-α [catalog number 4-7325-85; eBioscience, San Diego, CA], IL-6 [catalog number 554400; BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA], and IL-1β [catalog number 14-7012-85; eBioscience]) and incubated overnight at 4°C. The plate was washed with wash buffer (0.05% Triton X-100 in phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]), and nonspecific binding was blocked by incubation with 100 μl/well of ELISA blocking buffer (10% bovine serum in PBS) for 1 h at room temperature. Standards and samples were added (25 μl/well), and the plates were incubated overnight at 4°C. The plate was washed with wash buffer and then incubated with 100 μl/well of a biotinylated anticytokine antibody (for TNF-α [catalog number 4-7326-85; eBioscience], IL-6 [catalog number 554402; BD Biosciences], and IL-1β [catalog number 13-7112-85; eBioscience]) for 1 h at room temperature. The plate was washed with wash buffer, 100 μl of a horseradish peroxidase solution (catalog number 554058; BD Biosciences) was added to each well, and the plate was incubated for 30 min at room temperature. The plate was washed, and the color was developed with 150 μl of a TMB (3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine) peroxidase solution. The reaction was stopped by the addition of 50 μl of TMB stop solution. The absorbance was recorded at 490 nm by using a microplate reader (model 680; Bio-Rad). Measurement of nitric oxide production.Cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml LPS in the presence or absence of various concentrations of cFP. The culture supernatants were collected, and the concentration of nitrite was measured by using the Griess reagent system (Promega) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Measurement of total cellular peroxides.Intracellular oxidative stress was assayed by the oxidation of dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). J774A.1 cells (1 × 106) were incubated with 100 ng/ml LPS in the presence or absence of 1 or 4 mM cFP at 37°C. Cells were then washed with PBS and incubated with 10 μM DCFH-DA for 30 min at 37°C. The cells were detached by scraping and washed with PBS. Cellular fluorescence was determined by using a FACSCalibur instrument. Measurement of macrophage phagocytic activity.Phagocytic activity was measured with a pHrodo Green E. coli BioParticles conjugate (catalog number P35366; Life Technologies). The particles are conjugated to pHrodo dye, the fluorescence of which increases in an acidic environment such as that of the phagosome. For measurement of phagocytic activity, 5 × 105 J774A.1 cells in 200 μl of culture medium were plated onto 24-well culture plates for 24 h, and the culture medium was then replaced with 200 μl of pHrodo Green E. coli BioParticles conjugate solution in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP for the indicated times. Cells were detached by scraping and washed with PBS. Phagocytic activity was determined based on the fluorescence intensity of the cells by using a FACSCalibur instrument (BD Biosciences). Nuclear protein extraction and Western blot analysis.J774A.1 cells (2 × 106) were harvested by scraping and washed with 1× PBS. For whole-cell lysate extraction, the cells were mixed with 0.5 ml of radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) lysis buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl [pH 8.0], 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM Na2EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 1% Nonidet P-40 [NP-40], 1% sodium deoxycholate, and 0.1% SDS) and pipetted 20 times to form a homogeneous lysate. The mixture was allowed to stand for 5 min at 4°C and centrifuged at 12,000 × g for 10 min at 4°C, and the supernatants were used for Western blotting. For the preparation of nuclear extracts, cells were resuspended in buffer A (10 mM HEPES [pH 7.9], 10 mM KCl, 0.1 mM dithiothreitol [DTT], and 0.5 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride [PMSF]), mixed by vortexing, and incubated on ice for 15 min. NP-40 was then added to a final concentration of 10%, and the extracts were vortexed for 10 s. Pellets were obtained by centrifugation at 15,000 × g for 1 min at 4°C. The pellets were resuspended by vortexing in buffer B (20 mM HEPES [pH 7.9], 0.4 M NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM DTT, 1 mM PMSF, and 10% NP-40) for 10 min. The mixture was then centrifuged at 15,000 × g for 10 min at 4°C, and the supernatants were used for Western blot analysis. The whole-cell lysates or nuclear lysates were electrophoresed on an SDS-polyacrylamide gel and transferred onto a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane for 1 h. The membranes were blocked for 1 h in Tris-buffered saline with 0.05% Tween 20 (TBST) and 5% skim milk. Anti-phospho-IKK (catalog number 2078; Cell Signaling Technology, Manassas, VA), anti-IκBα (catalog number 9242; Cell Signaling Technology), anti-p65 (catalog number sc-8008; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA), anti-β-actin (catalog number sc-47778; Santa Cruz Biotechnology), and anti-lamin B (catalog number ab16048; Abcam, Cambridge, MA) antibodies were diluted 1:1,000 in TBST and incubated with the membrane overnight at 4°C. Blots were washed with TBST three times for 10 min each and incubated with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (catalog number A90-116P; Bethyl, Montgomery, TX) or chicken anti-goat IgG (catalog number A50-110P; Bethyl) for 1 h at room temperature. Protein bands were detected by incubation with enhanced chemiluminescence reagent and by exposure to an X-ray film. Densitometric analyses were performed by using ImageJ software (NCBI freeware). NF-κB activity assay.The pNF-κB luciferase vector (containing the NF-κB binding sites) and a Renilla luciferase reporter plasmid were transfected into HEK293T cells. A total of 2 ×105 cells were used for each transfection. Transfected cells were allowed to recover in complete medium for 24 h and then incubated with TNF-α in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP for 0, 1, 3, or 6 h. Cells were then harvested and washed with PBS. The luciferase assay was performed by using the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay system (Promega) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfection efficiency was normalized by dividing firefly luciferase activity by Renilla luciferase activity. RNA isolation and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis.J774A.1 cells or BMDMs (5 × 105 cells) in 200 μl of culture medium were plated onto 24-well plates. After culture overnight, the cells were treated with 0.1 μg/ml LPS in the presence or absence of cFP for the indicated times. The cells were resuspended in 1 ml of TRIzol reagent (Life Technologies) and 200 μl of chloroform and centrifuged at 15,000 × g for 15 min at 4°C. The aqueous phase (supernatant) was transferred into a new microtube, mixed with 500 μl of isopropanol, and incubated at room temperature for 10 min. Total RNA was precipitated by centrifugation at 15,000 × g for 10 min at 4°C, and the RNA pellet was washed with 70% ethanol by centrifugation at 7,500 × g for 5 min at 4°C. cDNA was synthesized by using the TOPscript reverse transcriptase kit (catalog number RT0025; Enzynomics, Japan) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, total RNA was mixed with 100 μM oligo(dT)18 and heated for 5 min at 70°C. Reverse transcription was performed at final concentrations of 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 3 mM MgCl2, 10 mM DTT, 75 mM KCl, 2 mM each deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP), 20 units RNase inhibitor, and 200 units Topscript reverse transcriptase at 50°C for 60 min. The reaction was terminated at 95°C for 5 min. Real-time PCRs were carried out with the HiFast Probe Lo-Rox kit (catalog number Q200220; Genepole, South Korea) by using the primers listed in Table S2 in the supplemental material (400 nM each) on an Applied Biosystems 7500 real-time PCR system. Real-time PCR was performed as follows: a starting reaction at 95°C for 2 min followed by 40 cycles of denaturation at 95°C for 10 s and annealing/extension at 60°C for 34 s. Flow cytometry analysis.J774A.1 cells (5 × 105) in 200 μl of culture medium were plated onto a 24-well plate for 24 h, and the cells were treated with LPS (0.1 μg/ml) in the presence or absence of various concentrations of cFP for the indicated times. Cells were detached by scraping and washed two times with PBS. The cells were treated with an Fc blocker (catalog number 101302; BioLegend, San Diego, CA) for 20 min on ice. For the measurement of TLR4 internalization, cells were stained with an anti-TLR4-phycoerythrin (PE) antibody (catalog number 145403; BioLegend) for 30 min at 4°C. After washing with PBS, cellular fluorescence was determined by using a FACSCalibur instrument. For intracellular cytokine staining, cells were fixed/permeabilized by using an intracellular cytokine staining kit (BD Biosciences) for 20 min. The fixed cells were sequentially stained with a biotin-conjugated anti-TNF-α antibody (catalog number 13-7326-85; eBioscience) and PE-streptavidin (catalog number 554061; BD Biosciences) for 30 min at 4°C and washed with PBS, and cellular fluorescence was determined on a FACSCalibur instrument. Isothermal titration calorimetry analysis.To determine the binding affinity of cFP and LPS, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was performed by using an iTC200 isothermal titration calorimeter (Microcal), which enables the direct measurement of the enthalpy change when two molecules interact (19). cFP (1 mM) was titrated into a solution of LPS (12 μM) at 37°C, and the resulting temperature changes were measured by the input of power required to maintain an equal temperature between the sample and reference cells. Construction of the genomic DNA library of V. vulnificus and transposon mutagenesis.To construct the V. vulnificus MO6-24/O (20) genomic library, chromosomal DNA was extracted and then partially digested with the restriction enzyme Sau3AI. Digested fragments were size fractionated after sucrose gradient centrifugation, and fragments with an average size of 25 kb were isolated. The fragments were cloned into the BamHI site of pCP13/B (21) and transformed into LE392 cells. Transposon insertion mutagenesis was performed using by the transposon mini-Tn5 lacZ1 as described previously (22). Quantitative analyses of cFP production.For quantitative analyses of cFP production, bioluminescence assays and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses were performed as previously described (7). Briefly, cultures of bacterial cells grown overnight in LB broth were inoculated into fresh LB medium. After 6 h of incubation, cell-free culture supernatants were collected by centrifugation, and 200 μl of each supernatant was plated onto a 96-well plate. For quantitative measurement of cFP production in the supernatants, E. coli strain MT102 harboring sensor plasmid pSB403 (23) was used as a bioindicator. Cultures of MT102(pSB403) grown overnight in LB medium were washed and diluted to an A600 value of 0.1 into fresh LB medium, and 200 μl of the diluted MT102(pSB403) cells was added to a 96-well plate. After 4 h of incubation, the cFP level was calculated as luminescence units normalized to the cell density (relative luminescence units [RLU]). For HPLC analysis, 50 ml of the cell-free culture supernatant from V. vulnificus or E. coli cells grown to stationary phase in LB medium was extracted twice with the same volume of ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was vaporized and dissolved in 50% methanol. Samples were applied to a Mightysil RP-18 GP 250-4.6 column (Kanto Chemical, Japan) that had been washed with 100% methanol and equilibrated with 30% methanol in water. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, and the cFP peak was detected at 256 nm. Construction of an llcA deletion mutant and cloning of the llcA gene.To construct the llcA gene deletion mutant, a 777-bp fragment of the upstream region and a 724-bp fragment of the downstream region of the llcA gene of V. vulnificus MO6-24/O were amplified by using primer sets llcKO_F1/llcKO_B1 and llcKO_F2/llcKO_B2, respectively (see Table S3 in the supplemental material). Each fragment was digested with the restriction enzyme StyI and then ligated into the pGEM-T Easy vector (Promega) to generate plasmid pGEM-llcKO. The resulting construct has a 462-bp deletion in the llcA gene. Plasmid pGEM-llcKO was digested with the restriction enzymes SalI and SphI and cloned into the vector pDM4 to generate pDM4-llcKO, which was then introduced into E. coli S17-1λpir (24), from which it was mobilized into V. vulnificus MO6-24/O by conjugation. Exconjugants were grown on TCBS agar containing chloramphenicol (2 μg/ml) to select for a double crossover, as previously described (25). The resulting V. vulnificus MO6-24/O strain with a deletion in the chromosomal copy of llcA was confirmed by DNA sequencing, and the mutant was named the ΔllcA mutant. For the llcA complementary assay, the 830-bp DNA fragment comprising the promoter region and the coding region of llcA was amplified by PCR using primers llcA_comF and llcA_comB (see Table S3 in the supplemental material). The resulting product was cloned into pRK415 (26) to construct pRK-llcA. This plasmid was conjugated into wild-type (WT) V. vulnificus MO6-24/O and the ΔllcA strain. Bacteria and mouse infection.For the mouse infection experiment, wild-type V. vulnificus (MO6-24/O) and the ΔllcA mutant were cultured in LB medium, harvested, washed with PBS, and resuspended in PBS. The bacteria (5 × 104, 1 × 105, or 1 × 106 CFU in 100 μl of PBS) were subcutaneously injected into 4- to 5-week-old ICR mice. For the mouse infection experiment with V. vulnificus conjugated with either pRK415 or pRK-llcA, the WT strain harboring pRK415 [WT(pRK415)], the ΔllcA mutant harboring pRK415 [ΔllcA(pRK415) strain], and the ΔllcA(pRK-llcA) strain were cultured in LB medium containing 2 μg/ml tetracycline, harvested, washed with PBS, and resuspended in 100 μl of PBS containing 2 μg/ml tetracycline. The bacteria (2 × 106, 1 × 106, or 1 × 105 CFU) were subcutaneously injected into 4- to 5-week-old ICR mice. Statistical analysis.Results are expressed as means ± standard deviations (SD). Statistical differences between groups were analyzed by using Student's t test or Pearson's chi-squared test. cFP is not cytotoxic to J774A.1 cells in the range of 0 to 10 mM.To determine the effect of cFP on the viability of cells, a cytotoxicity assay was performed. J774A.1 mouse monocyte/macrophage cells were treated with cFP in the range of 0 to 20 mM for 48 h, and cytotoxicity was measured by an MTS assay. cFP did not show a significant level of cytotoxicity in the range of 0 to 10 mM. However, cFP was cytotoxic to J774A.1 cells at concentrations of >10 mM; therefore, <5 mM cFP was used in subsequent experiments (Fig. 1B). cFP suppresses the production of proinflammatory cytokines from LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cells.To investigate whether microbe-released cFP can influence host immune responses, resting J774A.1 cells were treated with cFP at a concentration of 0 to 5 mM for 48 h, and the secretion of innate cytokines was measured by ELISA of culture supernatants. cFP did not induce the production of TNF-α, IL-6, or IL-1β in resting macrophages, based on the negative and positive controls (see Fig. S1 in the supplemental material). The inhibitory effect of cFP on cytokine production in resting cells could not be determined because the basal expression levels of the cytokines were too low. Therefore, J774A.1 cells were stimulated with LPS, and the effect cFP on the release of proinflammatory cytokines was examined by ELISA. LPS substantially induced the production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Interestingly, cFP inhibited LPS-induced expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner (Fig. 2A). Maximal inhibition of cytokine release was observed at a cFP concentration of 4 mM, at which cell viability was not affected (Fig. 1B). The effect of cFP on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines at the transcriptional level was also examined. Without the addition of cFP, LPS-induced mRNA expression of Tnfa and Il6 peaked at 3 h of stimulation and decreased thereafter. Consistent with its effects on cytokine protein production, cFP strongly inhibited the LPS-induced expression of Tnfa and Il6 mRNAs (Fig. 2B). Structure of cFP and its effect on cell viability. (A) Structure of cyclo(Phe-Pro). (B) Cell viability was measured by an MTS assay after treatment with various concentrations of cFP for 48 h. Data represent means ± SD (n = 4). All data are representative of data from three independent experiments that yielded similar results. cFP reduces proinflammatory cytokine levels in mouse macrophages stimulated with LPS. (A) J774A.1 cells were stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml) for 48 h in the presence of the indicated concentrations of cFP. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Data represent means ± SD (n = 4). Statistical differences between groups were analyzed by using Student's t test (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001). (B) J774A.1 cells were stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml) for the indicated numbers of hours in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP. Relative mRNA levels of Tnf and Il6 were measured by qRT-PCR and normalized to the Hprt mRNA level. Data represent means ± SD (n = 3). Statistical analyses were performed by using Student's t test (***, P < 0.001). cFP suppresses the production of antimicrobial agents in a macrophage cell line.The effect of cFP on the production of antimicrobial chemicals generated by mammalian cells, including nitric oxide (NO) and ROS, was next examined. First, the effect of cFP on NO production in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cells was quantitatively measured by using a Griess assay. cFP reduced NO production by LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cells in a dose-dependent manner (Fig. 3A). cFP also reduced the mRNA expression of the Inos gene, which encodes inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an enzyme that catalyzes the production of NO (Fig. 3B) (27). Effects of cFP on production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in J774A.1 cells. (A) J774A.1 cells were stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml) for 24 h in the presence of the indicated concentrations of cFP, and the concentrations of nitrite were detected by a Griess reagent assay. Data represent means ± SD (n = 4). Statistical differences between groups were analyzed by using Student's t test (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; NS, not significant). (B) The mRNA level of Inos was measured by qRT-PCR after the indicated incubation times and normalized to the Hprt mRNA level. Data represent means ± SD (n = 3). Statistical analyses were performed by using Student's t test (***, P < 0.001). (C) J774A.1 cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml LPS in the presence or absence of 1 mM or 4 mM cFP for 2 h. ROS generation was detected by DCFH-DA fluorescence. Next, the effect of cFP on ROS production in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cells was examined. To detect intracellular ROS levels, cells were labeled with DCFH-DA, which is a cell-permeable chemical that is rapidly oxidized to a highly fluorescent form by ROS. As shown in Fig. 3C, cFP inhibited ROS production in a dose-dependent manner in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cells. cFP suppresses the production of innate cytokines and nitric oxide in primary macrophages.The above-described experiments were performed by using the J774A.1 cell line, which is a transformed monocyte/macrophage cell line. To confirm that these results can be repeated in more physiologically relevant primary cells, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were used. Bone marrow was isolated from C57BL/6 mice and differentiated into macrophages ex vivo in a medium supplemented with L929 cell-conditioned medium as a source of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The role of cFP in the production of proinflammatory cytokines and NO and the expression of Inos was examined by using LPS-stimulated BMDMs. Consistent with the J774A.1 cell data, cFP inhibited the production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 at both the protein and mRNA levels (Fig. 4A) and also inhibited the production of NO and the expression of Inos mRNA (Fig. 4B) in LPS-stimulated BMDMs. These results suggest that cFP also exerts its inhibitory effects in more physiologically relevant primary macrophages. cFP suppresses production of innate cytokines and nitric oxide in primary macrophages. (A) BMDMs were stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml) for the indicated times in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP. (Top) The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the culture supernatants were measured by an ELISA. Data represent means ± SD (n = 3). (Bottom) BMDMs were stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml) for 3 h in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP. The mRNA levels of Tnf and Il6 were measured by qRT-PCR and normalized to the Hprt mRNA level. Statistical differences between groups were analyzed by using Student's t test (*, P < 0.05). (B) BMDMs were stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml) for the indicated times in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP. The concentrations of nitrite were detected by a Griess reagent assay (left), and the mRNA level of Inos was measured by qRT-PCR (right). Data represent means ± SD (n = 3). Statistical analyses between groups were performed by using Student's t test (*, P < 0.05). cFP inhibits TNF-α production in J774A.1 cells at an early time point.Understanding the kinetics of innate cytokine production and its inhibition is important for innate immunity, because the innate immune system provides the first line of defense for the body and prevents invading microbes from proliferating and colonizing. The effect of cFP on TNF-α production by LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cells was therefore measured at various time points by intracellular cytokine staining. LPS rapidly induced TNF-α production, starting at 1 h and peaking at 3 h (Fig. 5). cFP at a final concentration of 1 mM did not exert a significant effect on TNF-α production. However, cFP at 4 mM rapidly blocked the production of TNF-α at as early as 1 h (Fig. 5), suggesting that cFP acts at a relatively early time point. cFP delays TNF-α expression induced by LPS. (A) J774A.1 cells were treated with 100 ng/ml of LPS in the presence or absence of cFP for the indicated times. TNF-α-positive cells were stained by intracellular cytokine staining and analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Each experiment was performed in triplicate and repeated at least three times, which yielded similar results. (B) Graphical representation of the data shown in panel A. Data represent means ± SD (n = 3). Statistical analyses between cFP-treated and untreated groups were performed by using Student's t test (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01). In all the experiments in this study, cFP was added to the culture medium together with LPS to examine the effects of cFP on cultured cells. We therefore investigated the possibility that cFP binds directly to LPS. If this occurs, cFP would reduce the effective dose of LPS available for cell activation and thereby limit LPS-induced cytokine and NO production, consistent with our previous results. To test this possibility, the ability of cFP to physically bind to LPS was examined by ITC. We found that cFP did not specifically bind to LPS (see Fig. S2 in the supplemental material), which indicates that the inhibitory effect of cFP was not due to a sequestration of cFP by LPS. cFP does not affect phagocytic activity or TLR internalization.To explore the effect of cFP on macrophage functions, the effect of cFP on phagocytosis, a major mechanism through which macrophages clear pathogens, was examined. Phagocytosis by J774A.1 cells was measured by using a pHrodo Green E. coli BioParticles conjugate. Treatment with 4 mM cFP did not have a significant effect on the phagocytic activity of J774A.1 cells (see Fig. S3 in the supplemental material). To study the molecular mechanisms of the cFP-mediated inhibition of the production of proinflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial agents, we first examined whether cFP affects TLR4 endocytosis, because LPS triggers the inflammatory signaling pathway by inducing TLR4 endocytosis in macrophages (28). Even after 60 min, cFP did not have a significant effect on TLR4 internalization induced by LPS (see Fig. S4 in the supplemental material). Taken together, these results suggest that cFP has no discernible effect on phagocytosis or TLR4 internalization. cFP affects the NF-κB signaling pathway.The above-described results led us to examine whether cFP exerts its effect by influencing a downstream signaling pathway associated with TLR4 stimulation. The central downstream pathway of TLR4 is the IKK/NF-κB pathway. Upon stimulation of TLR4, IKK becomes autophosphorylated and subsequently phosphorylates IκB, which, in its unphosphorylated form, binds to NF-κB and inhibits its nuclear translocation. Phosphorylated IκB (p-IκB) is ubiquitinated and degraded by a proteasome. The released NF-κB translocates into the nucleus and induces the expression of its target genes (14, 29). IκB levels recover as the signal wanes since IκB is continuously resynthesized; thus, the degradation of IκB reflects the active transduction of a stimulatory signal (14, 29). The role of cFP in these signaling events was examined by using LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cells. LPS led to IKK phosphorylation and a transient degradation of IκBα, as previously reported (30). Interestingly, cFP inhibited IKK phosphorylation and reduced and delayed the degradation of IκBα in whole-cell lysates from LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cells (Fig. 6A and B). cFP also reduced the accumulation of NF-κB p65 in the nuclear extract compared to controls without cFP treatment (Fig. 6C and D). cFP impairs NF-κB signaling in macrophages. (A) Phosphorylation of IκB and IKK. Phosphorylated IKK and IκBα were detected in whole-cell extracts by Western blotting. β-Actin was used as the reference protein. Data are representative of three independent experiments that yielded similar results. (B) Quantitation of phosphorylated IKK, IκBα, and β-actin bands was performed by using ImageJ software (NCBI freeware). (C) Nuclear translocation of p65. J774A.1 cells were treated with LPS in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP for various amounts of time. The cells were then lysed, nuclear extracts were prepared, and the p65 protein was detected in the nuclear extracts by Western blotting. Lamin B1 was used as a loading control for nuclear protein. (D) Quantitation of p65 and lamin B bands was performed by using ImageJ software. (E) NF-κB target gene expression. J774A.1 cells were treated with LPS in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP for 3 h. The mRNA levels of the indicated genes were measured by qRT-PCR. Statistical differences between groups were analyzed by using Student's t test (*, P < 0.05). (F) NF-κB promoter activity. HEK293T cells were transfected with a pNF-κB luciferase vector (containing NF-κB binding sites) and a Renilla luciferase reporter plasmid by using polyethyleneimine. Cells were allowed to rest for 24 h and then stimulated with 100 ng/ml LPS in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP for the indicated times. Luciferase activity in the cell extract was measured. Statistical differences between groups were analyzed by using Student's t test (*, P < 0.05). To examine whether cFP inhibits NF-κB-mediated gene expression, the expression of NF-κB target genes in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cells was analyzed. cFP greatly reduced the expression of the NF-κB target genes Rantes, Ip10, and Mcp1 in these cells (Fig. 6C). Taken together, these results suggest that cFP inhibits the IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated macrophages. A transient-reporter assay was used to confirm the effect of cFP on NF-κB-mediated gene expression. HEK293T cells were transfected with a reporter construct containing NF-κB binding sites in its promoter. The cells were then stimulated with TNF-α in the presence or absence of 4 mM cFP for the indicated times, and reporter activity was measured. Stimulation with TNF-α triggered luciferase activity, indicating that TNF-α induced NF-κB binding to its promoter (Fig. 6D). cFP significantly reduced TNF-α-induced luciferase activity, indicating that cFP inhibits NF-κB-mediated gene expression (Fig. 6D). Since TNF-α rather than LPS was used in this experiment, this result further supports the notion that the inhibitory activity of cFP is not limited to LPS stimulation but is applicable to other NF-κB-activating signals. Isolation of a mutant of MO6-24/O with a defect in cFP production.Since cFP was found to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial agents, we hypothesized that cFP gives bacteria a survival advantage in the host environment during infection. To test this hypothesis, we first isolated a derivative of V. vulnificus that has a defect in cFP production. For this, we utilized the fact that E. coli strain LE392 does not produce detectable levels of cFP, as assessed by HPLC (data not shown). A genomic library of V. vulnificus MO6-24/O was constructed in LE392 cells, and each clone of the library was examined for the ability to produce cFP by using the bioindicator MT102(pSB403). About 25,000 genomic library clones of V. vulnificus were assessed for the production of cFP by using MT102(pSB403), and two clones (pCP-1151 and pCP-1440) that activated the bioindicator to the level of wild-type V. vulnificus MO6-24/O were isolated (see Fig. S5A in the supplemental material). This suggests that these two clones carry genes that allow cFP production by LE392, which does not naturally produce cFP. cFP production in the two clones, measured by using HPLC, confirmed the result (see Fig. S5B in the supplemental material). LE392 harboring the control vector pCP13/B gave a signal comparable to that in uninoculated LB medium (see Fig. S5B in the supplemental material). DNA nucleotide sequencing showed that the inserts in pCP-1151 and pCP-1440 contain an identical region of chromosome II of V. vulnificus MO6-24/O, and pCP-1151 was chosen for further analysis. The clone pCP-1151 contains an ∼23-kb genomic DNA fragment of V. vulnificus, from VVMO6_03006 to VVMO6_03031 (see Fig. S6A in the supplemental material). To identify the gene that is responsible for conferring cFP production to the pCP-1151 clone, random transposon insertion mutants were made, and each mutant was tested for the ability to induce the production of cFP in LE392 cells. A transposon insertion in the VVMO6_03017 gene caused a failure to activate the bioindicator, while transposon insertions in other genes in the clone did not affect the activation of the bioindicator (see Fig. S6B in the supplemental material). The deduced amino acid sequence of VVMO6_03017 suggests that the protein is a membrane protein that does not show homology to any known genes. A deletion of this gene abolished cFP production in V. vulnificus MO6-24/O cells, and the introduction of the clone in trans into the mutant restored cFP production (see Fig. S7 in the supplemental material). Although the biological function of VVMO6_03017 in association with cFP biosynthesis is not known, this result clearly showed that this gene is required for the production of cFP in V. vulnificus MO6-24/O cells, and the gene was therefore named llcA (low level of cFP producer A). The growth rate of the ΔllcA mutant did not differ from that of wild-type strain MO6-24/O (see Fig. S8 in the supplemental material). cFP enhances bacterial survival in animal hosts.To test the hypothesis that cFP production by bacteria results in a survival advantage during infection, ICR mice were infected with WT (MO6-24/O) or mutant (ΔllcA) V. vulnificus by subcutaneous injection, and the virulence of the bacteria was determined by measuring the survival rate of the infected mice. Mice infected with 5 × 104 CFU of WT V. vulnificus had 0% viability after 72 h of infection. However, mice infected with the ΔllcA mutant had an increased viability of 50% (Fig. 7A). When mice were infected with higher CFU (1 × 105 or 1 × 106) of V. vulnificus, the difference in virulence between the WT and mutant waned (Fig. 7B and C), suggesting that the effect of cFP on virulence is modest. These results support the hypothesis that, at least modestly, cFP is involved in virulence in the host environment during infection. cFP enhances virulence of V. vulnificus in mice. Four- to five-week-old ICR mice were injected with V. vulnificus strain MO6-24/O (WT strain), the ΔllcA mutant, or PBS (n = 20). Bacteria (5 × 104, 1 × 105, or 1 × 106 CFU) were injected subcutaneously in 100 μl of PBS, and the numbers of surviving mice are shown. Statistical differences between WT- and mutant-infected groups were analyzed by Pearson's chi-squared test (**, P < 0.01; n.s., not significant). Next, we examined whether the llcA gene complements the virulence of the WT in a mouse infection experiment. For this, the WT or the ΔllcA mutant was introduced with either a control plasmid (pRK415) or plasmid pRK-llcA. ICR mice were then infected with WT(pRK415), ΔllcA(pRK415), and ΔllcA(pRK-llcA) by subcutaneous injection, and the virulence of the bacteria was determined by measuring the survival rate of the infected mice. These experimental conditions are slightly different from those used in the previous mouse experiment. V. vulnificus conjugated with either the control plasmid (pRK415) or plasmid pRK-llcA has to be maintained in the presence of tetracycline in the mouse. Therefore, tetracycline was injected into a mouse together with the bacteria, which selects bacteria that contain the plasmid. Because of the low copy number and the instability of the plasmid, it is expected that the number of live V. vulnificus cells under these conditions is not as high as that in the absence of the antibiotics. In these experimental settings, 1 × 106 or 2 × 106 CFU of the ΔllcA mutant complemented with the llcA gene [ΔllcA(pRK415)] almost completely restored virulence to WT levels (Fig. 8), demonstrating that LlcA is responsible for virulence. LlcA is responsible for virulence of V. vulnificus in mice. Four- to five-week-old ICR mice were injected with the V. vulnificus WT(pRK415) strain, the ΔllcA(pRK415) mutant, and the ΔllcA(pRK-llcA) complementation strain or PBS (A, n = 5; B, n = 10; C, n = 5). Bacteria (2 × 106, 1 × 106, or 1 × 105 CFU) were injected subcutaneously in 100 μl of PBS containing 2 μg/ml tetracycline, and the numbers of surviving mice are shown. Statistical differences between the ΔllcA(pRK415)- and WT(pRK415)- or ΔllcA(pRK-llcA)-treated groups were analyzed by Pearson's chi-squared test (**, P < 0.01). In this study, we investigated the effects of cFP produced by the lethal human pathogen V. vulnificus on the mammalian innate immune system using the J774A.1 monocyte/macrophage cell line and BMDMs. cFP suppressed the LPS-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial agents in these cells by interfering with the NF-κB signaling pathway. cFP provided the bacteria with a survival advantage in the host environment. Since the innate immune system acts immediately upon pathogen invasion, suppression of this system is a well-known strategy that many pathogenic microorganisms employ for their survival and propagation during infection of the host body. In particular, a variety of pathogens inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway to evade the innate immune system of the host (31). Bacteria can inhibit the NF-κB pathway at the level of TLR signaling, the IKK complex, or NF-κB-dependent transcription (31). Although it is yet to be determined which level of the NF-κB signaling pathway is targeted by cFP, our current study provides some clues about the target molecule. For instance, cFP did not affect TLR4 internalization, but it did inhibit IKK phosphorylation and its downstream signaling. These results suggest that the target molecule lies between TLR internalization and IKK phosphorylation in the signaling pathway. The exact molecular target of cFP has yet to be determined. Our study revealed that cFP acts at an early time point. cFP-mediated inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway occurred by as early as 5 min after stimulation, and a reduction of TNF-α and IL-6 expression occurred by as early as 1 to 3 h poststimulation. This early-acting property of cFP may be related to the capacity of V. vulnificus to evade the innate immune system upon initial infection, swiftly inducing symptoms with potentially lethal results in the host (3). Our luciferase activity analysis showed that cFP has similar NF-κB-suppressive activity in LPS-stimulated macrophages and in TNF-α-stimulated HEK293T cells, suggesting that the inhibition of NF-κB activity is not a cell type-restricted phenomenon. In addition, cFP did not affect either phagocytic activity or TLR4 endocytosis in a monocyte/macrophage cell line. Thus, it seems that cFP does not affect receptor-mediated signaling of host cells, suggesting that the cFP-mediated effect is highly specific to NF-κB signaling rather than influencing the broad activities involved in cellular function. Quorum-sensing molecules regulate biofilm formation as well as toxin and virulence factor production (32, 33). Recent studies showed that quorum-sensing molecules secreted from bacteria also affect host immune systems (32, 34–36). In particular, N-(3-oxo-dodecanoyl)homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C12-HSL), a member of the N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) family that is produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and TNF-α production by LPS-stimulated macrophages (37). In addition, 3-oxo-C12-HSL represses genes encoding inflammatory regulators by impairing the regulation of NF-κB functions (35). Pretreatment with the quorum-sensing small volatile aromatic molecule 2-amino-acetophenon (2-AA) limits the inflammatory response of the host by reducing proinflammatory cytokine production (36). Recently, we showed that 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ) and 2-heptyl-3,4-dihydroxyquinoline (Pseudomonas quinolone signal [PQS]), members of the 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinoline (HAQ) family, also have an inhibitory function in innate immunity (34, 38). cFP acts as a quorum-sensing molecule in V. vulnificus as well as in other pathogenic Vibrio species, including V. cholerae, by affecting the expression of the ToxR-dependent gene ompU, which is important for pathogenicity (7). Our current study is another example of the regulation of the host immune system by quorum-sensing signaling molecules. In addition to cFP, other cyclic dipeptides isolated from various microorganisms also play physiological roles in higher organisms (5, 13, 39–41). Future studies will undoubtedly reveal roles for other cyclic dipeptide molecules in microbe-host interactions. We performed BLAST searches for the llcA gene. The gene encodes a hypothetical membrane protein found in the genus Vibrio, but the protein does not have any homology with any known protein except for a few proteins annotated as “arginine/ornithine antiporters” (ArcD) in a few Vibrio species, such as V. maritimus, V. ponticus, and V. variabilis. However, these ArcD proteins have different sizes than and no significant homology with the ArcD proteins of V. cholerae and other bacteria. These results suggest that the annotation may not be solid. Therefore, we did not follow this nomenclature in our study. We also performed a protein domain analysis on the protein, but we could not find any known functional domain in the protein. However, based on the fact that it is a membrane protein, we speculate that it might be involved in cFP transport across the cell membrane. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that cFP has immune-suppressive effects that enhance the pathogen's ability to infect and survive in a host environment. Our study sheds light on the role of cFP in host-pathogen interactions and aids in the development of potential therapeutic strategies for diseases related to V. vulnificus. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact molecular target of cFP in the NF-κB pathway. This work was supported by National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grants funded by the South Korean government (2014-023419 to G.R.L. and NRF-2011-0018115 to K.-S.K.), Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning, Republic of Korea. Accepted manuscript posted online 5 January 2015. Supplemental material for this article may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/IAI.02878-14. . 2005. Molecular pathogenesis of Vibrio vulnificus. J Microbiol 43:118–131. . 2009. Expression of the Gata3 transcription factor in the acoustic ganglion of the developing avian inner ear. J Comp Neurol 516:507–518. doi:10.1002/cne.22128. . 2011. 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J Bacteriol 178:1310–1319. . 1992. Cloning and characterization of inducible nitric oxide synthase from mouse macrophages. Science 256:225–228. doi:10.1126/science.1373522. . 2011. CD14 controls the LPS-induced endocytosis of Toll-like receptor 4. Cell 147:868–880. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2011.09.051. . 2006. Antigen-receptor signaling to nuclear factor kappa B. Immunity 25:701–715. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2006.10.010. . 2008. IRAK-4-dependent degradation of IRAK-1 is a negative feedback signal for TLR-mediated NF-kappaB activation. J Biochem 143:295–302. doi:10.1093/jb/mvm234. . 2012. Subversion of innate immune responses by bacterial hindrance of NF-kappaB pathway. Cell Microbiol 14:155–167. doi:10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01719.x. . 2013. Communication between bacteria and their hosts. Scientifica 2013:361073. doi:10.1155/2013/361073. . 2006. Messing with bacterial quorum sensing. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 70:859–875. doi:10.1128/MMBR.00002-06. . 2010. HHQ and PQS, two Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing molecules, down-regulate the innate immune responses through the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway. Immunology 129:578–588. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2567.2009.03160.x. . 2008. Modulation of gene expression via disruption of NF-kappaB signaling by a bacterial small molecule. Science 321:259–263. doi:10.1126/science.1156499. . 2012. The quorum sensing volatile molecule 2-amino acetophenon modulates host immune responses in a manner that promotes life with unwanted guests. PLoS Pathog 8:e1003024. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1003024. . 1998. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing signal molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone has immunomodulatory activity. Infect Immun 66:36–42. . 2010. Global gene expression analysis on the target genes of PQS and HHQ in J774A.1 monocyte/macrophage cells. Microb Pathog 49:174–180. doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2010.05.009. . 2012. Antimicrobial and biofilm inhibiting diketopiperazines. 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2019-04-24T14:04:59Z
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In talking to prospective clients every day, a lot of the same questions come up and I thought I would share some of the more common in this blog. 1. 1. I just bought a horse that is already insured, does his policy just automatically transfer to me? I just sold my horse and he’s insured. Will his policy just automatically transfer to his new owner? Most likely, the answer is no. Your insurance policy on a horse you own is only in effect while you have an insurable interest in the horse. Just like if you sold your car, the insurance on the car would not automatically transfer to the new owner, the same is true of a horse. So if you’re in the process of purchasing a new horse and want to make sure there is no lapse in coverage between the current owner’s policy and you, it’s a good idea to get all the paperwork for your new policy in order prior to the purchase so you can make coverage effective the day of the sale. 2. My horse isn’t registered – can I still insure him? What type of identification can I use? If your horse isn’t registered, you can use a microchip number if one is available. If not, then photos can be used as identification. Typically a front and side view is all that’s necessary, and if you need a few days to get those to us, that’s fine, we can still see about getting coverage started pending receipt of the photos. And with just about everyone having a Smart Phone these days (and let's face it, we all love taking photos of our horses), emailing photos to us should hopefully be easy for you. 3. Do you need a copy of the Bill of Sale to get coverage started on my new horse? No. We do not need a copy of the bill of sale for our records, but you definitely want to keep that document on file, because in the event of a Mortality claim, the claims adjuster will ask you for proof of the sale and purchase price. They may also ask for proof of the purchase, such as a cancelled check, or wire transfer. 4. Can I just call and insure my horse over the phone? This depends on the agency and/or insurance company. At Broadstone, we do require an application to be completed by the horse owner (or lessee if the horse is being leased). The application asks for very important information with regard to the horse and the coverages that you want, and we feel it is best that we have that information in writing from you so there are no misunderstandings. That said, we make the paperwork as easy as possible. The application can be completed and signed as a fillable PDF and then emailed to us. Or completed by hand and scanned/emailed, faxed, or even sent as a picture from your smart phone – as long as we can read the application (and all the questions are answered) and it is signed/dated by you, we should be able to work with it. In some instances (though not many) we may also need a current vet certificate or copy of the pre-purchase exam. See the next question for details. And if the horse is being leased, we will also need a copy of the Lease Agreement. 5. Do I have to pay a vet to examine the horse before I can get him insured? In most cases, for sound and healthy horeses, you do not. That said, you will definitely need a current vet certificate (or copy of the pre-purchase exam for a recent purchase) for horses to be insured for over a certain value (typically $50,000- $100,000) or ages under 6 months or over 15 or 16 (depending on the company). Something from the vet may also be necessary if the horse has had a recent injury or illness that the underwriter would like addressed. In addition, with one company that Broadstone works with, if you have not known the horse for at least 30 days, a vet certificate will also be required. 6. If I have a claim, my horse won’t be insurable any more, right? In the majority of cases, a claim does not make a horse uninsurable. Typically when the policy is due to renew, the underwriter will review the details of the claim and determine if they will offer renewal (which they usually will), and if so, if any exclusions will apply at renewal. Horse insurance policies are 12-month term policies, and are underwritten every year. So issues that occur during the policy period can be considered pre-existing, and therefore excluded, on the next year’s policy. This can be confusing, as it is unlike human health insurance policies, so you will want to talk to your agent to make sure you understand the renewal process and any exclusions. 7. OK, then if my horse has a minor leg injury, the whole leg is going to be excluded forever, right? In most cases, this would not be the case. Providing the injury has been diagnosed and the underwriters have sufficient information to work with, they will typically exclude for the injury that has occurred, such as deep digital flexor tendon - right front, not the whole right front leg. Exclusions vary depending on the situation, but the underwriters do try to be as specific as is reasonably possible. 8. I had a friend who walked into her barn one morning, and found her horse lying dead in the pasture. She said that the insurance company required a necropsy. Is a necropsy always required? If so, do I have to pay for it? If you are unfortunate enough to be in a situation, you first want to give the insurance company’s claims office a call. They can then advise you on how to follow the provisions of the policy to ensure the best result. If the horse was previously healthy and the death is unexpected, then a necropsy will definitely be required, and those costs are not covered by your policy, so you would pay out of pocket. If the horse had been ill/injured and under a vet’s care, there is the possibility that a necropsy may not be necessary, if the cause of death is definitive, but that will be determined by the insurance company depending on the specifics of the case. If you find yourself in this situation—do not dispose of the horse’s body without contacting the insurance company and determining if a necropsy is required, otherwise you will void coverage under your policy. Claims adjusters are available around the clock, including nights and weekends, and will do their best to help you through a heartbreaking situation. 9. My horse was a little girthy and grumpy. The vet thought it might be gastric ulcers, so we just gave him a course of medication without actually doing any diagnostics. Would that be covered under my Major Medical/Surgical coverage? Most likely, this would not be covered. It is very likely that the insurance company will require a definitive diagnosis of gastric ulcers by an endoscopic exam before they cover the costs of the medication to treat the ulcers (and then likely there will be a dollar limit for the amount of coverage for treatment). If your vet suspects that your horse has ulcers and wants to treat without an endoscopic exam, before starting treatment you should contact your insurance company and consult with an adjuster to determine what the company will require in order for coverage to respond. 10. I don’t know what limit of Major Medical/Surgical coverage I should get. Any advice? This question comes up quite often, and the answer varies based on what limits are even available (some companies will not offer a Major Medical/Surgical limit higher than the horse’s insured value on the Mortality policy), your budget, your comfort level, and past history. Some people want the peace of mind to know that a worst case scenario will be covered as much as possible, and therefore will purchase the highest limit of coverage possible. Other people would rather save some money and purchase a lower limit, hedging their bets that hopefully they won’t need the coverage, or if they do, it won’t be for a catastrophic scenario. And that even if that worst case scenario happens, they feel comfortable that they have the funds (or credit card balance) to handle expenses not covered by insurance. And for those horseowners who have experienced an unfortunate run of luck with a previous horse, their past history often informs their decisions and they will want a high limit. In my experience, the $7,500 and $10,000 limits are most popular, but those may not be suitable for you, especially if you’re concerned about a worst case scenario. 11. I just bought my horse, but I think I may want to save some money on the premium and insure him for less than the purchase price. What do most people do in that situation? Generally most people insure a new horse for its purchase price, but certainly not always. Just keep in mind that the process of introducing a horse to a new location, new feed, new barn mates, turnout, etc., can be a little tricky. Most likely no damage will be done in those first days and weeks, but change can be difficult for some horses. Like with Major Medical/Surgical limits, how much you insure your horse for is a very personal decision, and will be based on your budget, your comfort level, and past history. Also, take into consideration that if heaven forbid your horse dies, and you have insured for considerably less than his purchase price, are you able to afford to absorb that financial loss? 12. I’ve had a bad experience in the past with a horse that had colic surgery. There were serious complications and he died. I would not put another horse through that. So if I insure my horse and he colics, and I choose to put him down instead of surgery (or because I don’t allow surgery, he dies as a result), would my Mortality policy still cover. Probably not. When you purchase an insurance policy, you have made an agreement with an insurance company, and one of you responsibilities is to provide the horse with the care necessary to save its life. If the veterinarians recommend surgery (or other treatments) in order to save the horse, and you choose not to pursue those treatments resulting in the horse's death or you choose to euthanize the horse, most likely the policy will not respond. Now, if your vet recommends euthanasia, this would be a different set of circumstances, as the policy does cover for humane destruction, providing it meets the requirements. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure to contact the insurance company’s claims office and work with an adjuster to determine how the policy will respond. To get more information on insuring your horse, go to the Broadstone FAQs and Protect Your Horse pages. To see about getting a free quote, go to the Broadstone Quote page. **These blogs are for basic information purposes only, and do not constitute advice from Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency. Contact our office directly at 888-687-8555 or info@BroadstoneEquine.com to speak with an agent for complete and current information regarding all coverages. Let's face it, insurance falls way to the bottom of the list of topics any horse owner wants to talk about. Discussing worst case scenarios doesn't exactly make for enjoyable barn aisle or ringside small talk. Unfortunately, as in many areas of life, what you don't know can hurt you. So without being too morbid, but in the interest of helping you protect your investments--following is some information that might help you consider putting "Get Horse Insurance" on your to-do list. The basic idea behind insurance is that you are paying a fee to an insurance company in order to transfer your risk of a possible loss to them, and the fee you are paying is significantly less than the amount the company has agreed to pay you in the event such a loss happens. So, if you cannot afford to replace your horse in the event of a loss, or even more important for many of us, if you cannot afford the costs of veterinary care in the event your horse suffers a serious illness or injury, insurance can be a cost effective way to mitigate your risk. For many of us, our horses are best friends and family, and we absolutely do not want to be in a situation where financial considerations dictate the quality of care that we're able to provide. Or, even if you have the funds on hand to absorb these losses, you may still choose to invest a much smaller amount each year on insurance premiums so that you are not forced to tap into your savings if the unexpected happens. Deciding what coverage to purchase is quite important. While the basics are similar, the actual coverages vary depending on which insurance company provides it. The number of insurance companies in the U.S. that offer horse insurance policies barely reaches into the double digits, though the number of agencies (the organizations that you will usually work with to see about getting coverage) is far higher. Therefore the insurance agency you work with is very important. It can be helpful if they have access to more than one company's programs so they have options to find a policy that fits you best, from both a cost and coverage standpoint. Look for someone who is willing to answer your questions promptly and clearly, responds to emails and voice mails in a timely manner, and will provide you with a binder as proof of coverage until the actual insurance policy is mailed to you. And most important--find an agent who is also an experienced horse person. They need to know combined driving from combined training, and OCD from EPM. You want someone who understands your passion. When it comes to horse insurance, there are several options. For the purposes of this blog, I will concentrate on the two most common: Full Mortality and Major Medical/Surgical. The equine Full Mortality policy is the equivalent of life insurance for your horse. It provides coverage in the event the insured horse dies during the policy period from a covered accident, injury, illness, or disease, and includes possible coverage for humane destruction, and usually has limited coverage for theft. Depending on the insurance company, Full Mortality coverage is available for horses ranging in age from 24 hours up to 20 years old. Premiums are based on the horse's age, breed, use, level, and insured value. The rates for Full Mortality coverage for the average pleasure or competition horse--uses that would include English/Western Show, Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Cutting, Reining, Roping, Barrels--age 1-15 years, generally range from 2.9%-3.6% of the horse's insured value. So the Mortality premium for a horse in that age range insured at a value of $10,000 would average between $290 - $360 a year. Rates for some uses, such as eventing, fox hunting, and endurance, are usually slightly higher, from 3.7% - 4.75%, so still reasonable. Typically the Full Mortality policy also includes a free Emergency Colic Surgery endorsement (for horses without a colic history) of up to $2,500-$5,000, depending on the horse's insured value and the insurance company offering the coverage. Full Mortality coverage is very comprehensive, but exact coverage terms vary by company. Common exclusions (reasons that could cause a claim to be denied) include, but are not limited to: pre-existing conditions, purposely harming the horse, not utilizing the services of a licensed veterinarian, late reporting of a loss, not following company requirements with regard to a loss, and some pretty farfetched possibilities such as war, destruction of the horse due to government order, and nuclear radiation. In addition, you must contact the insurance company immediately in the event of a loss, and follow their instructions with regard to the submission of paperwork and the possibility of the need for a necropsy, the cost of which would not be reimbursed. This is the most popular coverage that horseowners add by endorsement to their Full Mortality policy, and is not available on a standalone basis. It helps reimburse for covered veterinary expenses (medical and/or surgical) in the event the horse suffers a covered accident, injury, illness, or disease during the policy period. For as little as an additional $200 annual premium (depending on the insurance company), the endorsement can provide for a limit of $5,000 for the policy period, with deductibles as low as $300 per claim. Higher limits of $7,500, $10,000, $12,500 and $15,000 are also available with many companies, with varying deductibles, and annual premiums ranging from $300 to $675 or higher. Major Medical/Surgical does not provide for routine health maintenance or preventative care such vaccinations, deworming, dental or farrier care. Other common exclusions (though this is not an exhaustive list) include: pre-existing conditions, elective or cosmetic surgery, performance enhancing treatments, joint injections, integrative therapies (such as chiropractic, massage and acupuncture), the veterinarian's call charge, or transportation costs. So if your horse colics, founders, runs through a fence, gets kicked, develops a lameness, or suffers many of the other countless injuries or illnesses that can keep you up at night, Major Medical/Surgical should help reimburse for covered expenses after the deductible is met. The actual coverage details vary depending on the insurance company, so it's a good idea to educate yourself about exclusions, co-pays or co-insurance (especially for diagnostic tests, and treatments such as shock wave and regenerative therapies), treatment time limits, and extension periods. Think your horse wouldn't be a candidate for Major Medical/Surgical because he is used for just pleasure and/or you only paid a couple hundred or a couple thousand dollars for him? While some companies will not offer the coverage on lower valued horses, there are a few that do not have restrictions on the amount of Major Medical/Surgical coverage they will offer, regardless of the horse's insured value on the Full Mortality policy, and Broadstone is happy to represent one of those companies. For more information on Full Mortality and Major Medical/Surgical coverages, go to the Broadstone Protect Your Horse, FAQs, and Get a Quote pages. A few "let the buyer beware" items for consideration. Horse insurance is very different from human health insurance. For example, pre-existing conditions are not covered, even if the horse was insured when it first contracted the disease or condition. So, if for example your horse develops a lameness or requires colic surgery while he's insured, expect to see an exclusion for that health issue on the next year's policy when you renew. This is because the policies are reviewed and underwritten each year, therefore the condition would be considered pre-existing and therefore excluded on the new policy. That being said, there are typically extension periods built into the policy for issues that continue beyond the policy's expiration. Also, as mentioned earlier, it is very important that you contact the insurance company as soon as a health issue presents itself. The policy requires it, and you could jeopardize your coverage if you fail to promptly report the issue. It is also in your best interest to do so because the claims adjuster can explain your coverage in detail so you can work with your vet and make a plan with that information in mind. There is no doubt that pondering all the worst case scenarios of horse ownership is uncomfortable at best, nightmare inducing at worst, which is another reason to consider insurance. Knowing that you're covered in case of the unthinkable buys you more than financial security. It also gives your peace of mind. My answer is, in a word, “No.” And I say that after nearly two decades in the industry, with literally thousands of claims paid. I would not be involved in an industry that did not take care of my clients, and their horses, nor would I be in business with companies that don’t keep their word as to the contracts they make with their customers. That being said, of course not every claim is paid, or paid to the extent that the client would like. And in my experience, in these instances it is not a case of an insurance company following the philosophy of “deny, deny, deny” that I think a lot of us have experienced at some point in human health insurance. Instead, since I often get involved in these situations to see if there’s anything I can do to assist my client, generally either the denial is justified due to issues of pre-existing conditions, or there have been missteps by the policy holder in not following the policy requirements when it comes to the reporting and handling of the claims process. In saying that, I am not trying to blame the victim. Genuine mistakes can be made during the claims process, and it has also been my experience that when that happens, the insurance companies are usually reasonable in their responses. I would not expect that they would deny a Major Medical claim for frivolous reasons, but they still must ensure the policy terms are met. When first insuring your horse, you’ll be asked to complete an application. Answer the questions honestly, and completely. If your horse has suffered any illnesses, injuries, accidents, diseases, or other health issues, make sure you indicate those on the application. And no sugar coating. A bowed tendon with a core lesion is not a slight strain. Any sort of “belly ache” is actually colic. Try to avoid a semantic debate as to what constitutes “colic”. Was the horse uncomfortable, not eating, in abdominal distress? It was colic, even if it resolved itself in a few hours with some handwalking and Banamine, so give that information on the application. The more honest you are during the application process, the less problems you will encounter later. Yes, some issues will be considered pre-existing and therefore excluded, but the underwriters are reasonable when assessing the information you provide. Going back to the subject of colic, if your previously colic-free horse had a mild, isolated, medical colic 6 months ago that was treated at the barn without incident, it is very doubtful that a colic exclusion would apply to your new policy (though it is possible that the free Emergency Colic Surgery endorsement that is typically attached to the Mortality policy would be considered void because for that free coverage to apply, for many companies, the horse must have been colic-free for at least the prior 12 months). Back to the mild, isolated colic 6 months ago -- if you do not report that colic episode on your application, and then while your horse is insured, he colics again, you could be jeopardizing your coverage due to the non-reporting of a prior health issue. And yes, some conditions will always be excluded, such as colic if the episode was recent, if there have been multiple episodes, or a surgery that required a resection. Also exclusions can be expected for anything degenerative, chronic, incurable, or likely to reoccur, such as (this is not an exhaustive list): arthritis, navicular, chronic respiratory conditions, heart murmurs, uveitis, or laminitis. These horses, providing they are otherwise sound and healthy, are generally insurable, but these conditions or issues relating to them, would be excluded. Your policy requires you to “immediately” report any non-routine veterinary care that your horse receives during the policy period. Now, that doesn’t mean the moment your horse takes a funny step or has a minor cut or bruise that you need to call the 800 number on your policy, but if your horse is being seen by the veterinarian for other than routine care (things like vaccinations, worming, routine teeth floating, sheath cleaning) you certainly want to call sooner rather than later, with the emphasis on “sooner.” Failure to promptly report a claim could jeopardize your coverage. Oftentimes clients worry that the reverse is true--that reporting that something is wrong with their horse will jeopardize their coverage. This is not the case. First, reporting is required by the policy. But beyond that, by getting in touch with a claims adjuster, the adjuster can best advise you as to how your coverage works, what’s covered, what’s not, for how long, etc. This will allow you to work with your veterinarian and the adjuster as you navigate the process. And if you’re lucky enough that whatever issue you’re dealing with turns out to be minor, then the file can be closed and everybody wins. But if the situation turns serious and complicated, then you will have established a dialogue with the adjuster that should help you throughout the process. As much as we hate to think about it, unfortunately you could find yourself in a situation with a seriously ill horse, or even worse, walk into the barn one morning to find that your horse has passed away during the night. As terrifying and heartbreaking as these situations can be, it is very important that you contact the insurance company’s emergency number immediately so that the adjuster can advise you as to what steps to follow. If you are considering euthanasia, it is vital that you contact the insurance company before taking that step, as failure to contact the insurance company and follow the other policy requirements could jeopardize your coverage. The adjuster will need to consult with you and your veterinarian to determine if the horse meets the policy terms for humane destruction, keeping in mind that the policy does not cover putting the horse down for anything other than humane reasons that meet the policy conditions (and would still not cover if this humane destruction was due to a condition that was excluded by the policy). This means that putting the horse down for financial or philosophical reasons is not covered. For example, if your veterinarian recommends colic surgery to save the horse’s life, and you choose not to approve surgery due to financial, philosophical, or other reasons, and the horse dies as a result, or you put the horse down instead, then you can expect that you will have voided your Mortality (life insurance) policy. This is because the insurance Mortality policy is a contract between you and the insurance company, and each party is expected to meet certain requirements. For the policy holder (horse owner), that means following the recommendations made by the veterinarian to save the horse’s life. You certainly have the right to take whatever steps you feel are best for you and your horse, but keep in mind that not following and meeting the policy requirements can nullify the insurance contract. Also keep in mind that putting a horse down because it is no longer able to be used in your sport, or is no longer rideable (but is still able to comfortably be a horse, hanging out in a pasture or trail riding occassionally), is also not covered – as again, this would not be considered humane destruction. If you find yourself in a worst case scenario and either you (or third parties) are with your horse when it unexpectedly dies, or you walk into the barn to find that the horse has passed away, as hard as it is to focus on something that at the time feels as inconsequential as your insurance policy, it is very important that you immediately call the insurance company. The adjuster will do their best to keep things as simple as possible, but unfortunately there are certain protocols that must be followed regarding the adjuster determining the circumstances of the horse’s death, talking to your veterinarian, and likely arranging for a necropsy. For these reasons, it is vitally important that you do not dispose of the horse’s body. Again, doing so will jeopardize your coverage. On a more positive subject, hopefully you’ve had a relatively drama-free year and the expiration date of your policy is coming up. Horse insurance policies are underwritten each year, so in most cases about a month before the expiration of your policy, you will receive renewal instructions and a renewal application, which is usually a very abbreviated form with just a few questions. It is very important that you complete this renewal application just as thoroughly as you completed your initial application. This is because health issues that have occurred over the past year need to be assessed by the underwriters so they can determine whether or not an exclusion will apply on the next year’s policy. Going back to item 2 above, hopefully you will have reported any health issues to the claims office when they occurred. If you have, then make sure to still give this information on the renewal application – basics such as the approximate date of occurrence, diagnosis, treatment, and how the horse is currently doing. The underwriter should have access to this information, at least the first three items, but they will still want a summary from you, and they will also want a current status. Now, if you have not reported a health issue that occurred during the policy, you definitely need to do so on the application (and should still also call the company to report the issue) and give as much specific detail as possible: Date of onset, diagnostics that were done, diagnosis given, treatment, prognosis, and the horse’s current health status. When the underwriter reviews this information, they may ask for additional information from you and your vet, such as discharge papers, invoices, a statement from your vet, or an entirely new, current vet certificate – it will depend on the severity and timing of the health issue. Again, like with the initial application, do not sugar coat (or worse, omit completely) any information. It’s very important that you be honest and thorough, so that the underwriter can do their job, and so you don’t run into problems in the future. Dealing with a sick or injured horse, or worse, the loss of a horse, can be incredibly stressful and painful. Adding paperwork and phone calls with claims adjusters certainly does not improve the situation. So, take a deep breath, and allow yourself to feel the fear and the frustration, and then allow the claims adjuster to help you with the process of sorting through the details. They are all horse people who understand your situation, and they are also professionals who will do their best to make the process as smooth as possible. Hopefully this entry will help you avoid adding more stress to that process, and fingers crossed, this is advice you will never need. For more information on insuring your horse, check out the Broadstone Protect Your Horse, and FAQs pages, and for a free, online quote, click on the Quote page. The idea is that it's rude to closely inspect a gift to see if it meets your standards, such as checking the gift horse’s teeth to determine its age. To extrapolate from that idea, I am amazed at how many people purchase a horse without doing any sort of pre-purchase exam, or if they do some sort of vetting, it’s pretty much just a cursory one. And typically the reason they give is because the horse was either a gift, or very inexpensive, such as an off-the-track Thoroughbred or a rescue. Or even stranger, they will spend thousands of dollars on a horse, but not invest at least a few hundred more for at least a somewhat thorough vet exam. Cost is typically the reason they give. They had already spent $XYZ to buy the horse, and maybe to pay the trainer acting as their agent, transport the horse, etc., and they didn’t want to have to add to that ever-growing dollar figure. But I can promise you this – I truly believe there is not a more important investment you can make than a thorough pre-purchase exam. Just like there is “no such thing as a free lunch” (one of my favorite clichés), there is no such thing as a free horse. Or a cheap horse. Even if the horse is perfectly sound for the rest of its life, there are still so many expenses, from feed/hay, regular farrier work, basic preventative veterinary care, not to mention tack, equipment, lessons or training, etc. that need to be taken into consideration. If you cannot afford to give your prospective new horse at least that standard of care, you should rethink the idea of purchasing a horse and maybe consider leasing, until you’re sure you are up to the financial (and emotional) commitment of horse ownership. Providing you are ready for that commitment, are you ready to shell out potentially thousands of dollars if the horse develops some sort of illness or lameness? The least of your problems will be the inconvenience of time out of the saddle and show ring, when you find yourself staring down an invoice for a couple thousand dollars for diagnostics and treatment. And if that treatment isn’t successful, the end result could be a horse that was supposed to spend years with you in the show ring, or out on cross-country, or hunting, or on the trails, that instead spends the rest of its years hanging out as a pasture ornament. Surely, the cost of a thorough pre-purchase exam would have been worth it. And by thorough, I mean more than just a cursory 15-minute, vital-organs-are-in-working-order exam. Yes, you certainly want to make sure that those vital organs are fully functional – no heart murmurs, respiratory problems, or eye issues. But beyond that you will want a complete neurological exam (to check for any signs of illnesses such as EPM), skin exam (looking for tumors and growths), and maybe even an endoscopic exam if you are concerned about gastric ulcers. Then, you want to make sure to request a comprehensive soundness evaluation that includes hoof testers, flexion tests, and the vet watching the horse at all gaits on the lunge and under saddle. After that, radiographs are imperative. Even if the horse never took a bad step up to that point of the evaluation, there could still be potential problems lurking in those joints, such as OCD, bone chips, navicular changes, arthritic changes, and evidence of prior injuries. Digital X-rays run between $50-$100 per view, and yes that will add up, but again, the cost will be well worth if you catch an issue that puts the kibosh on the sale. Also, if there is any evidence of prior soft tissue injuries, such as thickening or swelling of tendons or ligaments, you will want an ultrasound exam of those areas to make sure any prior injuries are cold and unresponsive, and won’t present concerns for the future. After all of this is done, keep in mind that you will need to be realistic with regard to the results. Very few horses, especially those with some mileage, will pass a pre-purchase exam with flying colors. It is very likely there will be some dings here and there, at which point you need to discuss with your veterinarian (and possibly a second veterinarian who you can send the radiographs to for a consultation), trainer, and other professionals as to which of these lumps and bumps are acceptable, especially taking into consideration your plans for this horse’s future. If you’re looking at an hour-long trail ride a couple times a week, then your threshold for some minor issues is much higher than someone who is looking at a long-term competition prospect that will be in serious work for many years to come. The moral of this story? Learn from the mistakes of many horseowners who came before you: Don’t be cheap, even when buying a cheap horse. Making the initial investment during the buying process will save you future financial pain and heartbreak. You can take that to the bank. And of course, once you’ve found the horse of your dreams, consider protecting that financial investment by putting an insurance policy in place. To find out more, go to Broadstone’s Protect Your Horse, FAQs, and Quote pages. There are a lot of changes happening in today’s equine insurance market, and a few of those impact horse owners in significant ways, so I thought I would address one specific area – Major Medical/Surgical coverage. In the last several years, due in large part to drastically rising claims costs—most significantly related to Major Medical/Surgical claims—insurance companies throughout the U.S. have made changes to their Major Medical/Surgical coverages. These changes range from the easily understood increases in premiums and deductibles, and additions of co-pays and coverage sub-limits, to only allowing Major Medical/Surgical coverage on horses valued at certain amounts, or restricting the limit of coverage based on the horse’s insured value. In the following blog, I’ll try to address these areas in more detail. First, while the knee jerk reaction by many consumers is to feel that with these changes the insurance company is trying to take advantage or rack up huge profits, to my knowledge, this is not the case. Over the last decade or so there have been great strides in veterinary medicine, from the availability and types of diagnostic tools, to high tech and more effective treatments for lamenesses and illnesses. This is great news for horseowners around the world. The sooner we can diagnose a problem, and the more advanced our treatment options, the better chance we have for our horse’s full recovery. Of course, along with those technological advances come increased costs, and this is where over time the insurance companies that offer Major Medical/Surgical have seen an increasing tide of claims expenses coming their way, enough so that changes become necessary if the companies are going to be able to continue to offer the coverage. What do you mean, my horse isn’t worth enough to have Major Medical/Surgical coverage?!?! This is a question being asked by many horseowner’s these days, even those whose horses have been insured for years. The great majority of companies have instituted minimum value requirements for horses to be eligible for Major Medical/Surgical coverage, therefore with these companies if you have a lower valued horse, you may just have no options for this sort of coverage (with these companies – see below for others that may be more accommodating). With other companies, they will not pay out an amount under the Major Medical/Surgical endorsement that is higher than the horse’s insured value. Which would mean that if the lowest limit of Major Medical/Surgical that the company offers is $7,500, but you have a pleasure horse worth less than that amount, such as $5,000, then you would expect that $5,000 would be the maximum the Major Medical/Surgical endorsement would pay out during the policy period, even if the actual limit (and the amount of coverage that you paid for) was $7,500. In this situation, you could try to see about increasing the horse’s insured value to $7,500 in order to get the full benefit of the Major Medical/Surgical limit, but this will of course result in a higher premium, or may not be possible if you cannot substantiate an increased value on the horse. **Broadstone does work with one company that has no restrictions regarding the amount of Major Medical/Surgical coverage in relation to the horse’s insured value. Providing the horse otherwise meets the required underwriting criteria, you could insure the horse for just $1,000, and still have anywhere from $5,000 to possibly up to $15,000 of Major Medical/Surgical coverage. Go here for a Quote. This can be especially useful if you have recently purchased a horse, such as an off-the-track-Thoroughbred, for an inexpensive amount. Or if you adopted or were gifted a horse. In these cases, you will likely still want the protection of Major Medical/Surgical coverage, and we should be able to help you achieve that. What about diagnostics? They are getting more and more expensive, and now the insurance companies are making me pay out of pocket. Most all companies these days require a co-pay or co-insurance, often specifically with regard to diagnostic testing. Basically this usually means that you will be responsible to pay a percentage of certain expenses out-of-pocket (though talk to your agent for specifics). With some companies, this percentage may be restricted to the type of diagnostic test, for others, it will be across the board for all diagnostics. And for other companies, there might be a co-insurance on all expenses, not just diagnostics--again, talk to your agent for details. We currently work with companies that handle diagnostics in different ways. One applies the percentage out-of-pocket to only certain types of diagnostics, which can be a good compromise. One puts a dollar limit on diagnostics.The other requires a percentage to be paid by the insured for all diagnostics, but interestingly, they will allow the insured to pay an additional premium to waive that diagnostic co-insurance clause, which is a rare option in today’s marketplace. So if you are particularly concerned about the potential costs of diagnostic tests of all kinds and willing to pay an additional premium, providing your horse otherwise meets the underwriting criteria (this company has a minimum value requirement), you could potentially see about waiving the diagnostic co-insurance clause. What about older horses? I heard that I can't get Major Medical/Surgical coverage on my 15-year-old horse? Actually many companies will offer Major Medical/Surgical coverage for horses through the ages of 18-20, though rates for the Full Mortality coverage generally begin to increase at around 15 or 16, so the Mortality premiums will increase. In addition, the limits of Major Medical/Surgical available for older horses may change over time. With all these changes to the Major Medical/Surgical coverage, is it really even worth it? For me, the quick answer is a resounding “Yes!” Having been in the industry for much of two decades, I have seen simple hoof abscesses turn into surgery, and unexpected illnesses result in a week of hospitalization, not to mention the usual colics, lamenesses, and injuries– and all of these easily and quickly add up to thousands in expenses. Insurance is a bit of a hedging of bets, so yes, you could pay a premium that you will never recoup. But for all intents and purposes, that would be the best case scenario. If you do need to use your coverage, while there will be (and always have been) deductibles and possibly co-insurance and other coverage requirements that will not reimburse you for every dollar of expense, having Major Medical/Surgical coverage can allow you to handle as many expenses as possible in your horse’s road to recovery. For more information, go to our Protect Your Horse and FAQs pages, and to get a free, online quote, visit our Quote page. An Unusual New Year’s Resolution – Insure Your Horse in 2015! Let’s face it, insurance falls way to the bottom of the list of topics any horse owner wants to talk about. Discussing the variety of ways our horses can be injured, or heaven forbid die, doesn’t make for enjoyable barn aisle or ringside conversation. Unfortunately, as in many areas of life, what you don’t know can hurt you. So without being too morbid, but in the interest of helping you protect your investments--especially in these changing economic times--here are some reasons you might want to consider putting “Get horse insurance policy” on 2015’s list of New Year’s resolutions. It’s a common misconception that horses are safest at home, and at the most risk while traveling and competing. Instead, what we found in a recent anecdotal analysis of more than 2000 horses insured over a two-year period, of those that died during that time, pasture accidents ranked as one of the top causes of death. The types of accidents ran the gamut from kick wounds from another horse, slip and falls, puncture wounds, being impaled on pieces of fencing or other debris, and even getting loose and running into the road. And these types of accidents don’t discriminate by value or type of horse, with uses ranging from Olympic contenders living in immaculate conditions to backyard pleasure horses, and values everywhere from $5,000 to $250,000. First, consider insuring your horse. Rates for Full Mortality (life insurance) coverage for the typical performance horse age 2-14 generally run from 3.0% to 4.5% of the insured value, depending on the horse’s use, competition level and the insurance company. So, for example, the annual Full Mortality premium for a 10-year-old dressage or pleasure horse insured at $10,000 would run about $300 a year. At $15,000 it would be $450, and so on. This life insurance policy also covers for theft, and includes at no charge up to $5,000 (depending on the insurance company) of free Emergency Colic surgery coverage, as long as the horse does not have a colic history. Second, take steps to limit your horse’s risk while turned out. Monitor fence lines and keep all debris (and any type of equipment or vehicles) out of pastures, paddocks, and dry lots. If possible, fence off trees to limit your horse's access to them. Introduce new horses to a herd gradually, and if you see a personality conflict cropping up among the herd (or even good “friends” consistently playing too hard), take steps to separate these horses for their own good. In addition, keep an eye on the weather and avoid putting your horses during storms, or out in slippery conditions with ice or mud. Every winter we see at least one mortality claim come through after a horse slips and falls in icy and/or muddy conditions, not to mention the many Major Medical/Surgical claims for strained ligaments and tendons, and even fractures. There is a reason that the word “colic” strikes fear in the hearts of horseowners around the world. As our research has shown, colic and related intestinal issues also rank at the top with pasture accidents as the most common cause of death. And again, we see these types of claims across the board, regardless of breed, discipline, or value. Horses receiving the best feed, hay, grass, training, veterinary care, and practically 24-hour monitoring can still end up on the operating table at the local veterinary hospital. And while the prognosis has become increasingly more positive over the years, with more and more horses not only surviving colic surgery, but also going on to have long, colic-free careers, an unfortunate number still die before, during, and after surgery, due to a variety of reasons. In some cases, the colic comes on suddenly during the night, and the horse has passed away by the time anyone arrives in the morning. In other cases, even with prompt care and attention, by the time the horse makes it to the hospital, too much damage has been done. And in others, post-operative complications develop that the horse cannot overcome. Colic prevention is a bit of an art and science, and oftentimes seems to be a matter of luck. In a nutshell: allow your horse to live as much like a horse as possible, with as much turn-out time as you can, which provides both exercise and hopefully good pasture to munch on, as their digestive systems are designed to have an almost constant influx of roughage. Also, constant access to clean, fresh water (especially in cold weather, when buckets and troughs can freeze over) is imperative since dehydration can cause an impaction colic. For those that have little access to grass, have good quality hay available as often as possible, and feed several small meals of grain daily, versus just one or two larger meals. Also, be aware of the possibility of gastric ulcers, which can lead to colic issues. Research over the last decade or so has shown that ulcers are much more prevalent than previously thought--among all breeds and disciplines--and even just a two-day trip away from home can be enough to set them into motion. If your horse is dropping weight for no reason, seems unusually tense or depressed, has changed his eating or drinking habits, and/or seems “off” or slightly colicky, talk to your veterinarian. The good news is that there are effective prevention and treatment options to keep ulcers at bay. Neurological diseases such as EPM were slightly more prevalent than other causes when looking at horse mortality claims. And the remainder of causes we saw included eye issues, joint infections (caused both as a result of acute injuries as well as from preventative or maintenance joint injections), various cancers, conditions like founder that require the horses to be put down, as well as catastrophic injuries resulting from trailering accidents and barn fires. In many cases, before these horses died or were euthanized, the owners invested significant funds toward attempts at diagnosis and treatment. This is important to mention, because the Full Mortality policy wording requires that the horse owner takes all steps necessary to save the horse’s life. So, in the example of a horse that is colicking, if the horse is a candidate for surgery as recommended by the veterinarian, and the owner chooses not to follow the vet’s recommendation and instead euthanizes the horse or it dies due to the colic, it is very likely that a Full Mortality claim will not be paid as the policy requirements were not followed. While humane destruction is covered under the Full Mortality policy, the circumstances of the euthanasia must meet the policy requirements. Having Major Medical/Surgical coverage can take the financial factor out of making decisions regarding the horse’s care. In cases of injuries, illnesses, accidents and diseases that occur during the policy period, Major Medical/Surgical coverage can help provide reimbursement for a good portion of the veterinary expenses related to those issues. This coverage is available for horses through the age of 30 days to 18-20 years, at policy limits ranging from $5,000, $7,500, $10,000, $12,500, and $15,000 (depending on the horse’s age, insured value, and the insurance company) for additional premiums starting at $200 per year. Considering the average colic surgery, without complications, averages around $8,000 (and can be considerably more expensive depending on the surgical facility, the type of surgery, and any resulting post-operative complications), or that even a horse with something as “simple” as a puncture wound can easily rack up more than $5,000 in vet bills to treat the resulting infection, Major Medical/Surgical coverage can be the best investment a horseowner makes. And of course in the much greater number of instances where injuries and illnesses thankfully do not result in the horse’s death, but do rack up high dollar invoices from the veterinarian, that same Major Medical/Surgical can come in very handy. tallion Accident, Sickness and Disease is a coverage you may want to consider if you have a proven breeding stallion, as it would help reimburse for a portion of the horse's insured value if he can permanently no longer get mares in foal. For more information on coverages, please check our prior blog entries, and also visit the Broadstone Protect Your Horse and FAQs pages. To see about a quote for coverage, go to the Quote page. And also please contact our office at 888-687-8555 with any questions. No. Your insurance policy on a horse you own is only in effect while you have an insurable interest in the horse. Just like if you sold your car, the insurance on the car would not transfer to the new owner, the same is true of a horse. So if you’re in the process of purchasing a new horse and want to make sure there is no lapse in coverage between the current owner’s policy and you, it’s a good idea to get all the paperwork for your new policy in order prior to the purchase so you can make coverage effective the day of the sale. 2. 2. My horse isn’t registered – can I still insure him? What type of identification can I use? If your horse isn’t registered, you can use a microchip number if one is available. If not, then photos can be used as identification. Typically a front and side view is all that’s necessary, and if you need a few days to get those to us, that’s fine, we can still see about getting coverage started pending receipt of the photos. 3. 3. Do you need a copy of the Bill of Sale to get coverage started on my new horse? No. We do not need a copy of the bill of sale for our records, but you definitely want to keep that document on file, because in the event of a Mortality claim, the claims adjuster will ask you for proof of the sale. They may also ask for proof of the purchase, such as a cancelled check, or wire transfer. 4. 4. Can I just call and insure my horse over the phone? In some instances (though not many) we may also need a current vet certificate or copy of the pre-purchase exam. See the next question for details. 5. 5. Do I have to pay a vet to examine the horse before I can get him insured? In most cases, no. You will definitely need a current vet certificate (or copy of the pre-purchase exam on a recent purchase) for horses to be insured for over $100,000; or age 16 or 17 (depending on the company). Something from the vet may also be necessary if the horse has had a recent injury or illness that the underwriter would like addressed. In addition, with one company that Broadstone works with, if you have not known the horse for at least 30 days, a vet certificate will also be required. 6. 6. If I have a claim, my horse won’t be insurable any more, right? In the majority of cases, a claim doesn’t make a horse uninsurable. Typically when the policy is due to renew, the underwriter will review the details of the claim and determine if they will offer renewal (which they usually will), and if so, if any exclusions will apply at renewal. Horse insurance policies are 12-month term policies, and are underwritten every year. So issues that occur during the policy period can be considered pre-existing, and therefore excluded, on the next year’s policy. This can be confusing, as it is unlike human health insurance policies. 7. 7. OK, then if my horse has a minor leg injury, the whole leg is going to be excluded forever, right? In most cases, this would not be the case. Providing the injury has been diagnosed and the underwriters have information to work with, they will typically exclude for the injury that has occurred, such as deep digital flexor tendon right front, not the whole right front leg. Exclusions vary depending on the situation, but the underwriters do try to be as specific as is reasonably possible. 8. 8. I had a friend who walked into her barn one morning, and found her horse lying dead in the pasture. She said that the insurance company required a necropsy. Is a necropsy always required? If so, do I have to pay for it? If you are unfortunate enough to be in a situation, you first want to give the insurance company’s claims office a call. They can then advise you on how to follow the provisions of the policy to ensure the best result. If the horse was previously healthy and the death is unexpected, then I would expect a necropsy will be required, and those costs are not covered by your policy, so you would pay out of pocket. If the horse had been ill/injured and under a vet’s care, there is the possibility that a necropsy may not be necessary, if the cause of death is definitive, but that will be determined by the insurance company depending on the specifics of the case. If you find yourself in this situation—do not dispose of the horse’s body without contacting the insurance company and determining if a necropsy is required, otherwise you will void coverage under your policy. Claims adjusters are available around the clock, including weekends, and will do their best to help you through a heartbreaking situation. 9. 9. My horse was a little girthy and grumpy. The vet thought it might be gastric ulcers, so we just gave him a course of medication without actually doing any diagnostics. Would that be covered under my Major Medical/Surgical coverage? Most likely, this would not be covered. It is very likely that the insurance company will require a definitive diagnosis by an endoscopic exam before they cover the costs of the medication to treat the ulcers and that there will be a dollar limit for coverage, if it is available. If your vet suspects that your horse has ulcers and wants to treat without an endoscopic exam, before starting treatment you should contact your insurance company and consult with an adjuster to determine what the company will require in order for coverage to apply. 10. 10. I don’t know what limit of Major Medical/Surgical coverage I should get. Any advice? This question comes up quite often, and the answer varies based on what limits are even available (some companies will not offer a Major Medical/Surgical limit higher than the horse’s insured value on the Mortality policy), your budget, your comfort level, and past history. Some people want the peace of mind to know that a worst case scenario will be covered as much as possible, and therefore will purchase the highest limit of coverage possible. Other people would rather save some money and purchase a lower limit, hedging their bets that hopefully they won’t need the coverage, or if they do, it won’t be for a catastrophic scenario. And that even if that worst case scenario happens, they feel comfortable that they have the funds (or credit card balance) to handle the difference. And for those horseowners who have experienced an unfortunate run of luck with a previous horse, their past history will inform their decisions and they often want a high limit. In my experience, the $7,500 and $10,000 limits are most popular, but those may not be suitable for you, especially if you’re concerned about a worst case scenario. 11. 11. I just bought my horse, but I think I may want to save some money on the premium and insure him for less than the purchase price. What do most people do in that situation? Generally most people insure a new horse for its purchase price, but certainly not always. Just keep in mind that the process of introducing a horse to a new location, new feed, new barn mates, etc., can be a little tricky. Most likely no damage will be done in those first days and weeks, but change can be difficult for some horses. Like with Major Medical/Surgical limits, how much you insure your horse for is a very personal decision, and will be based on your budget, your comfort level, and past history. Also, take into consideration that if heaven forbid your horse dies, and you have insured for considerably less than his value, are you able to afford to “replace” him with a horse of similar age, talent, training? Some people choose to insure their horse for considerably less than his actual value because their plan would be to purchase a younger, less experienced (and therefore less expensive) prospect. 12. 12. I’ve had a bad experience in the past with a horse that had colic surgery. There were serious complications and he died. I would not put another horse through that. So if I insure my horse and he colics, and I choose to put him down instead of surgery (or because I don’t allow surgery he dies as a result), would my Mortality policy still cover. Probably not. When you purchase an insurance policy, you have made an agreement with an insurance company, and one of you responsibilities is to provide the horse with the care necessary to save its life. If the veterinarians recommend surgery (or other treatments) in order to save the horse, and you choose not to pursue those treatments, most likely the policy will not respond. Now, if your vet recommends euthanasia, this would be a different set of circumstances, as the policy does cover for humane destruction, providing it meets the requirements. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure to contact the insurance company’s claims office and work with an adjuster to determine how the policy will respond. It’s been a rough couple of years, and while in general signs are pointing to improvements in the economy, making ends meet can still be a struggle for many horse owners. Following are some tips to help during an uncertain economy. Oil prices, and therefore the cost of fuel, are tied to a majority of the price increases that the average person sees, from putting diesel in your tow vehicle, to the cost of grain, hay, and bedding, and even the shipping charges when you purchase a new piece of equipment or clothing. When it comes to the bedding, grain, and hay, just like when it comes to putting groceries on your table, do your best to purchase locally. The prices of these items aren’t loaded with costs incurred to ship them, and purchasing them at the same time supports local businesses. To lessen the pain at the pump, check web sites like www.gasbuddy.com to compare prices at gas stations in your area, or on the route to your next event. Once you’ve purchased the least expensive fuel possible, do your best to stretch each gallon as far as possible. If you’re in the market for a new (or “new to you”) vehicle, put fuel efficiency near the top of your list of necessary features. Regardless of what you’re driving, make sure to keep up with maintenance—get regular tune ups, make sure your fuel filter is clean, oil changed, and that your tires are rotated and properly inflated (on your tow vehicle and trailer). Not only will all of this keep you safer on the road, it will also allow your vehicle to operate as efficiently as possible. Use on-line chat rooms and bulletin boards to get to know other competitors in your area and consider sharing rides to competitions and clinics. Not only will this save you some money, if you usually travel by yourself it also makes for a safer trip, and who knows, you may make a lifelong friend. For those going to the USEA’s upcoming Nutrena American Eventing Championships, check out the USEA website at www.useventing.com for a list of competitors looking to catch a ride, or share a ride. You may have to take a look at your budget and re-prioritize a bit. Some decisions are easy, such as separating “wants” versus “needs.” While a brand new top-of-the-line saddle would be a wonderful addition to your tack room, you might want to put that on the list for 2015, or look for a used version that will fill the void. You’ve had your horse insured for the last two years, and your renewal notification shows up in the mail. Cash is tight, and considering you’ve never had to file a claim in the last two years, you’re wondering, what’s the point? Your horse has always been healthy, and to be honest, since the possibility of him going under the knife at the local vet hospital, or even worse not surviving the surgery or some other type of catastrophic health issue, insurance is something you’d like to avoid even thinking about, so why not just drop that renewal letter in the garbage, let the policy lapse, and hope for the best? If you have the resources to self-insure without tapping into credit cards, retirement accounts, etc., then doing so isn’t necessarily a bad idea. But if you don’t have $8,000 - $10,000 (the approximate cost for the average colic surgery) in the bank, plus enough cash to replace your horse in the event of his death, then you might want to consider keeping your insurance in place (or obtaining a policy, if you don’t already have one). The last place you want to be in an emergency situation is making a decision between your bank account and your horse’s life, or worse yet, not being in a position to make the decision at all because you absolutely do not have the necessary financial resources. It is surprisingly simple, and cost effective, to avoid that type of situation. Many horse owners are surprised at how inexpensive the average equine insurance Mortality and Major Medical/Surgical policy is. For example, a Full Mortality (life insurance) policy for the average $10,000 sport horse (dressage, hunter/jumper, eventer) costs between $300-$410 per year—and includes up to $5,000 (depending in the horse’s insured value) in free Emergency Colic Surgery coverage. To add $7,500 in Major Medical/Surgical coverage, the additional annual premium is as little as $300. To make payment more convenient, installment plans are usually available, and major credit and debit cards are usually accepted. Of course, a $10,000 value is just an example. If your horse is worth more, you can certainly choose to insure for more (and pay a correspondingly higher premium). But what if your horse is worth much more, but you’re trying to cut costs—whether with a new policy or a renewal of an existing policy? How about insuring the horse for a lesser value, which will correspondingly save you money on premium? Many people choose to insure their horses on a Full Mortality policy for a value of $7,500 or $10,000—enough to get them started with a less experienced mount, while still protecting themselves in the event of a major veterinary emergency by including Major Medical/Surgical endorsement, a definite win-win situation. To find out more about insurance coverages, go to the Broadstone FAQs and Protect Your Horse pages, and to get an emailed quote, go to the Quote page. Planning on having your current mount for long into the future? Then do your best to prevent not only down time (or possibly even retirement) due to wear-and-tear conditions like arthritis by making sure your horse is properly shod, that you follow a reasonable training and competition schedule, and consider utilizing preventative supplements and medications such as Adequan, Legend, Cosequin, etc. Talk to your veterinarian, your trainer, and other trusted horse people as to the best options for your horse (and your budget) to help keep your horse sound year after year. Sure, there will be an outlay of cash on a currently perfectly sound horse to pay for these preventative options, but long term, this can save you thousands by avoiding veterinary bills down the line, and also keep you and your horse on track in your training and competition schedule. Gastro-intestinal health is an ongoing concern for all horse owners, with the words “colic surgery” striking fear in every one of us. In addition, gastric ulcers are much more common than previously thought, and can cause a variety of health problems, ranging from weight loss and changes in attitude to full blown colic. With this in mind, there are a variety of gastro-intestinal supplements available marketed to reduce the possibility of ulcers and colic, including Succeed digestive conditioning program, as well as a variety of Smart Pak digestive products. In addition, products such as UlcerGard are specifically used to help prevent gastric ulcers. Again, the purchase of these products will take a small bite out of your budget, but the long term ramifications of dealing with these health issues, not only financially, but also to your horse’s wellbeing, can be far more painful to handle. Is keeping up with your everyday horse bills becoming a struggle? Ever consider sharing your horse? A full or half lease could be the answer to your problems, especially if you’re having trouble keeping up with work, family, and all of your other responsibilities. For many busy professionals, a half lease can be the perfect solution. Each person has two or three days a week to ride, and in turn they split pre-determined monthly bills. This way the horse gets regular work and attention, while keeping down costs. There are two keys to this arrangement. First, you need to find the right person, someone you can trust with keeping your horse safe, and whose level and style of riding are on par with yours and will work with your horse. If you do find a person that meshes well with both of you, then you must make sure to write up a legal agreement that spells out each party’s benefits and responsibilities (days a week to ride, horse care specifics, opportunities to participate in clinics and/or competitions, financial obligations including possible insurance provisions, etc.). Sample contracts can be found at: www.equinelegalsolutions.com. Now, if your horse is a true superstar, you might be able to arrange for a lease where not only does the lessee pay all the horse’s expenses, but they also pay you a monthly fee for the privilege of working with and competing the horse. Let’s be realistic, no matter how carefully you try to protect your checkbook, inevitably there will be lots of purchases to be made, from the odd pair of galloping boots to a new helmet or pair of reins. Sites like eBay are one place to try, but if you’re looking for guaranteed new, quality products, try a site like www.Tackoftheday.com, where each day one or two different items are so ridiculously on sale that you might want to buy it just because (tempting, but would sort of defeat the purpose). And of course don’t forget longtime USEA supporter Bit of Britain, which recently announced that USEA members will now receive a 10 percent discount on on-line orders at www.BitofBritain.com. While pondering what to write about for this blog installment, I realized that I’ve covered a lot of the usual insurance-related topics: types of coverages, myths and misconceptions, value and benefits, safety and risk assessment. I thought I was starting to run out of ideas when I hit on a philosophy that I often use when writing about the topic of insurance, basically that while we don’t think twice about insuring our other valuable property--vehicles, houses, equipment, trailers--why don’t we automatically include our horses on that list? I will get into some reasons why I think that is, but first I’d like to touch on a different, somewhat related subject: do we consider our horses equipment? Honestly, when I throw out the “insure your valuables” philosophy, in a marketing sense I’m basically equating our living, breathing horses to inanimate objects and pieces of equipment. I’ve got no nefarious agenda; it’s just my way of trying to alter the way the average horse owner looks at insurance. I’ve been in the business for almost 20 years, and while more people than ever are insuring their horses, the number is still far less than I would expect when comparing other pieces of “property” that have equal value. Few of us would consider going without insurance on a vehicle or piece of equipment worth the same value of our horses. Insurance is part of our culture for good reason – accidents happen, and it’s a lot easier to spend $500 a year for a policy than to be out $15,000 after a truck has been totaled. Why is it that we don’t look at our horses in the same way? Or do we? In thinking about that, and how I use this sort of tactic in some of my marketing efforts, I began to feel a little uncomfortable. I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a softy. I have and always will consider my dogs, cats, and horses as part of the family. I will do whatever I can, within reason, to keep them sound, happy, and healthy. And if the worst happens, no insurance claim check will soften the blow because they are, in a word, irreplaceable. In my heart I hope that’s a part of the reason why so many of my friends, colleagues, and fellow horseowners do not insure their horses. I think many are a bit superstitious, and that to really sit and think about the worst case scenario of losing our horse, we feel is to tempt fate. I’m not married, but I wonder if it’s a bit of the same feeling when taking out a life insurance policy on a spouse--you’re pondering the death of a loved one, and the possibility of profiting from something so terrible. But at the same time, you realize that it is a necessary, responsible way of planning for, and protecting, your future. Granted, our horses aren’t literally family, but they are our companions, partners, teammates, therapists, and if we’re lucky, they’re even a way to bring in the occasional prize money checks, ribbons and trophies. In a practical sense, we have every reason to insure something that we have invested considerable time and money into, something that has a real, dollar value, and that on a good day, may even give us a return on our investment. From a practical viewpoint, getting a Full Mortality (life insurance) policy on our horse that protects our financial investment if the worst was to happen seems a bit of a no-brainer, especially considering the cost (averaging between 3% to 4% of the insured value, i.e. $300-$400 a year for a $10,000 horse). The same could be send for adding Major Medical/Surgical coverage (as low as $200 a year for $5,000 in coverage), so that we can give our horses the best care possible, not only because they’ve earned it, but because after spending all that time and energy with them, it’s just good business to give them the best shot at returning to use if something goes wrong. For more information on these coverages, go to the Broadstone Protect Your Horse and FAQs pages. And to see about a quick and easy online quote, go to the Broadstone Quote page. Huge strides have been made in veterinary medicine over the last two decades. Lamenesses and illnesses that would have previously ended careers are often now just bumps in the road. But effective diagnostics and treatments are not cheap, while comparatively speaking, Major Medical/Surgical coverage is. And considering that our agency’s informal analysis shows that approximately 15 percent of insured horses require non-routine/non-maintenance veterinary care each year, for everything from colic, to illnesses and lamenesses, several hundred dollars seems a reasonable investment. And from a sentimental standpoint, our horses try their hearts out for us and ask for so little in return, being able to give them the best care and comfort only seems fair. As I often tell first time clients, insurance is one of those things that ultimately helps buy peace of mind. If you need it, it will be one of the best investments you ever make. And if you never need it, then that’s even better. A barn fire is one of most every horse or farm owner’s worst nightmares, and I have been unfortunate enough over the years to have several clients lose horses and property in these devastating situations. And while not every fire is avoidable, acts of God and just plain bad luck are often at play, there are still a number of ways you can lessen the chances of facing the loss and heartbreak of a barn fire. As with most dangerous scenarios, your best defense is a good offense, so following are a dozen tips to help keep you and your horses safe. 1. If there are any concerns regarding your electrical system, or you see anything such as frayed wires or are experiencing recurring short circuits, power outages, or other electrical issues, have a licensed electrician inspect your electrical system to make sure it is up to code and safe, and consider asking for an evaluation of the number of circuits in your barn to ensure you’re not plugging too many appliances into the same circuit, potentially causing a dangerous overload. Don’t use extension cords unless absolutely necessary (see next paragraph), and buy heavy duty ones and only plug in one appliance per cord. Also, make sure the appliance you are using is safe to be plugged into an extension cord. Some items, like certain heaters, are only designed to be plugged directly into a socket—read the product information to see if it is safe to be used with an extension cord. In addition, frequently check all electrical cords to make sure they aren’t frayed, and if you find a cord that is damaged, do not try repair it such as wrapping it in electrical tape. Have it replaced or toss it. One last prevention tip when it comes to electricity – get a cat (or two)! Mice and other small rodents can chew on not just electrical cords, but also wires within your walls, and you may never see the damage until it’s too late. There are many reasons to keep these vermin clear of your barn, and this ranks as one of the most important. No doubt your local animal shelter or rescue center has many candidates who would be thrilled to have this job. 2. If you use fans, make sure that all cords are out of the reach of bored horse lips and teeth, and that the fans (actually any appliances in the barn) are dust free, since accumulating dust can be combustible. In addition, pay attention to any recalls for appliances like fans and heaters. You may not receive direct notice on these, so every so often go on line and do a web search with the brand and item type with the word “recall” and see if anything comes up. 3. If you have a washer and dryer in your barn, never turn them on and then leave the barn unsupervised. In addition, make sure your dryer is vented away from combustible material and clean your dryer’s internal vent with absolutely every load, and clean the main external vent at least every month. 4. If at all possible, store hay, shavings and straw in a building separate from your barn. If you must store hay in your barn, allow for plenty of ventilation (lofts can get extremely hot in the summer, which could contribute to hay spontaneously combusting), and make sure that the hay is properly cured and baled, and always kept dry. 5. Never, ever, allow smoking in or anywhere near the barn or any outbuildings. Also, try to prevent work done in or near your barn that involves welding or propane torches. If there are no other options, advise the contractors as to the very flammable nature of the materials they will be working near, and make sure to clear out as much of that material from their work area as possible, including hay, straw, shavings, etc. 6. If you must use a heater, read the directions and follow them to the letter. Make sure that the area around the heater is clear of anything that could catch fire such as rags, blankets, stray hay or straw, or paper. 7. Be careful when disposing of rags used to clean tack or hooves, and also keep items such as pesticides and paint away from any heat source. Oil or petroleum products as well as various pesticides and paints are combustible, and a pile of dirty rags is especially dangerous. Clean or remove these items from the property as soon as possible, or if you must store them temporarily, don’t leave them in a pile or in a bag, since they must have plenty of ventilation. 8. Install smoke/heat detectors as well as all-purpose dry chemical fire extinguishers throughout the barn (the more the merrier) and check monthly to make sure they are functioning properly. These can be invaluable – alerting you to danger and giving you the chance to prevent a small fire from turning into a full scale blaze. Also, make sure that your clients and staff know where the fire extinguishers are located – they’re not much use to you tucked in the back of a cabinet where no one can find them. Also consider the feasibility of installing a sprinkler system, especially if you’re building a barn from scratch. Speaking of which, if you are building from the ground up, take into consideration the materials you use. Metal and concrete are of course the safest, but for some aren’t considered very horse-friendly or aesthetically pleasing, though modifications can be made to lessen the impact of both those concerns. If you use wood, consider heavy-timber construction, and investigate the option of some type of fire-retardant lumber. 9. Don’t forget that hot engines from any vehicles—cars, trucks, tractors and other farm equipment--can spark fires. Do not park any of them on or near combustible material such as piles of leaves, hay, or bedding, and if possible do not park them near your barn or other structures. And keep any grass/weeds in parking areas trimmed, as a hot engine can potentially cause long grass to catch fire. 10. Consider installing a lightning rod. These do not attract lightning, they just conduct the electricity from the lightning strike that would have hit the structure anyway. To be effective though, they must be installed and grounded correctly, so make sure the rod is installed by someone experienced and properly trained. 11. Communicate with your local fire department. If you are located in a rural area, you have a better chance of working with firefighters who are at least familiar with horses, but regardless, once a year invite the crew to your place so that they are familiar with the route and the layout of your facility. With this in mind, make sure that your location is clearly marked with items such as a sign at your main entrance or gate. When the firefighters arrive for a tour of the facility, give them some hands-on tips on how to handle the horses--making sure to emphasize that in the event of a fire, they will be dealing with terrified, potentially dangerous creatures--and how best to work with them safely. In addition, you might want to ask the local fire chief to inspect your place for any hazards you might have missed. 12. Have halters and lead lines outside every stall, hung the same way, every day, which gives you the best chance of moving quickly in an emergency. If you’re lucky enough to design your own place, consider dutch doors for each stall that open to the outside of the barn, which allows you to avoid having to run through the burning barn to get the horses out to safety. Also, work with your horses to make sure they are as obedient and spook-proof as possible. A horse that is hard-to-handle under normal circumstances will be nearly impossible to save in an emergency, and will be much more likely to injure the person trying to save it. Despite all your precautions, the worst might happen. If it does, your first priority is the safety of the humans and horses on the premises. Before you do anything, call 911. Do not hang up without making sure the operator has all the info they need. Then evacuate the horses as best you can. It’s best to try to relocate each horse into some sort of enclosure, especially since there have been instances where have horses have run back into burning buildings. Your impulse will be to get absolutely every horse out of the barn, but this may not be possible. Evacuating a barn is a calculated risk and as heartbreaking as it may be, eventually you might have to give up in order to save your life or the lives of those trying to help. Despite your best efforts, you may still find yourself facing the devastation of a barn fire, which is when an insurance policy for your horses and business can be invaluable. For more information, visit the Broadstone FAQ and Quote pages, or give us a call at 888-687-8555.
2019-04-23T20:26:10Z
http://broadstoneequine.com/blog/index.cfm/2015/11/17/Horse-Insurance-101
Garcia, Elizabeth was born in 1988 and registered to vote, giving the address as 3322 W 35Th ST, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601435961. Garcia, Elizabeth was born in 1981 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 10320 Commonwealth ST # 4202, LONE TREE, Douglas County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601858370. Garcia, Elizabeth was born in 2000 and registered to vote, giving the address as 1685 S Vallejo ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601896338. Garcia, Elizabeth was born in 1974 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6503 S County Rd 107, ALAMOSA, Alamosa County, CO. Her voter ID number is 613224. Garcia, Elizabeth was born in 1977 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 14986 E 50Th PL, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 933622. Garcia, Elizabeth A was born in 1954 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 8564 W Pacific PL, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. 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Garcia, Elizabeth M was born in 1950 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1698 S Canosa CT, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2480083. Garcia, Elizabeth M was born in 1953 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 18 Blue Sky CT, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3095151. Garcia, Elizabeth M was born in 1964 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 9375 Webster WAY, WESTMINSTER, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4187101. Garcia, Elizabeth M was born in 1955 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2035 Marshall ST, EDGEWATER, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4228745. Garcia, Elizabeth Margaret was born in 1961 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1540 E 84Th AVE, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 7153591. Garcia, Elizabeth Maria was born in 1992 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6651 S Vine ST # 105, CENTENNIAL, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601801263. Garcia, Elizabeth Marie was born in 1962 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1080 Erie ST, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3935140. Garcia, Elizabeth Marie was born in 1961 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1842 Truda DR, NORTHGLENN, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3939110. Garcia, Elizabeth Martinez was born in 1997 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 143 N 7Th ST # 4, NEW CASTLE, Garfield County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601029157. Garcia, Elizabeth Naomi was born in 1985 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2238 74Th Avenue CT, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6412357. Garcia, Elizabeth P was born in 1944 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 14102 E Linvale PL # 212, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 666012. Garcia, Elizabeth Reed was born in 1960 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3737 Telluride CIR, BOULDER, Boulder County, CO. Her voter ID number is 8049778. Garcia, Elizabeth Renee was born in 1996 and registered to vote, giving the address as 2323 Curtis ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601313999. Garcia, Elizabeth Rose was born in 1996 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2417 W 24Th ST APT 303, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601834560. Garcia, Elizabeth Rose was born in 1938 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3190 W 76Th AVE APT 107, WESTMINSTER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6846920. Garcia, Elizabeth S was born in 1941 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2225 N Grove ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2757441. Garcia, Elizabeth S was born in 1947 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2464 S Jasmine ST, DENVER, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 840914. Garcia, Elizabeth Shelly was born in 1975 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 405 S Stuart ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2677294. Garcia, Elizabeth Sue was born in 1999 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1906 S Nome ST, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601282680. Garcia, Elizabeth Virginia was born in 1987 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5865 Pierce ST # 102, ARVADA, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4291601. Garcia, Ellen H was born in 1925 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 9110 W 7Th PL, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3990922. Garcia, Ellie Nicole was born in 1998 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3630 S Cherokee ST, ENGLEWOOD, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601083996. 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Her voter ID number is 4183920. Garcia, Eloy Gilbert was born in 1956 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 853 Bunting AVE, GRAND JUNCTION, Mesa County, CO. His voter ID number is 2335614. Garcia, Eloy Manuel Sr was born in 1953 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1305 S Vallejo ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 2642450. Garcia, Eloy Manuel Jr was born in 1982 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1305 S Vallejo ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 2719224. Garcia, Eloy Patricio was born in 1941 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1904 Hooper AVE, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 3077637. Garcia, Elroy Charles was born in 1955 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 260 Forest Ridge RD, DURANGO, La Plata County, CO. His voter ID number is 4928260. Garcia, Elsa was born in 1974 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4712 S Delaware ST, ENGLEWOOD, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200195690. Garcia, Elsa was born in 1982 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2900 Sherman AVE # E4, MONTE VISTA, Rio Grande County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4770339. Garcia, Elsa was born in 1969 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4987 N Perth ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600065040. Garcia, Elsa was born in 1984 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 942 Park AVE, MEEKER, Rio Blanco County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600285261. Garcia, Elsa was born in 1959 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 10505 Madison WAY, NORTHGLENN, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 7087459. Garcia, Elsa Guadalupe was born in 1971 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 20324 E Mitchell PL, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601838451. Garcia, Elsa Jeanette was born in 1992 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 9160 E Arbor CIR # D, ENGLEWOOD, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600285951. Garcia, Elsa Marina was born in 1954 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4096 N Genoa ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2909234. Garcia, Elsie Joy was born in 1946 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 582 S Falcon DR, PUEBLO WEST, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3039719. Garcia, Elva Baiza was born in 1985 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6835 S Field ST # 202, LITTLETON, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600604496. Garcia, Elva Gabriela was born in 1974 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1805 Aspen ST, FT LUPTON, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200162941. Garcia, Elvera C was born in 1930 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1012 I ST, PENROSE, Fremont County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3637391. Garcia, Elvera L was born in 1945 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6740 W 54Th PL, ARVADA, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4093403. Garcia, Elvia was born in 1961 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6015 Garland ST, ARVADA, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4619516. Garcia, Elvia Estela was born in 1961 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5023 N Jasper CT, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2820916. Garcia, Elvia Marie was born in 1978 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 121 S Fountain AVE, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600191984. Garcia, Elvia Patricia was born in 1976 and registered to vote, giving the address as 2872 Ariel DR, LOVELAND, Larimer County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601723810. Garcia, Elvin Loyola was born in 1975 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3556 Pike CIR N, FORT COLLINS, Larimer County, CO. His voter ID number is 600015344. Garcia, Elvira was born in 1926 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2440 Palmer Park BLVD # 205, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 429491. Garcia, Elvira was born in 1959 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 406 Park AVE, EATON, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600883539. Garcia, Elvira was born in 1968 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 7508 Quivas ST, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6814140. Garcia, Elvira was born in 1965 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3184 W Longfellow PL, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 7016852. Garcia, Elvira S was born in 1955 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 512 Front ST, ANTONITO, Conejos County, CO. Her voter ID number is 648120. Garcia, Elvis was born in 1993 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 756 Cedar CT, RIFLE, Garfield County, CO. His voter ID number is 600877047. Garcia, Emanuel was born in 1996 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 5862 Oneida ST, COMMERCE CITY, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 600899124. Garcia, Emanuel Augustine was born in 1981 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 12391 Hickman PL, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 2853279. Garcia, Emarae Therese was born in 1972 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 44 N Junction AVE, MONTROSE, Montrose County, CO. Her voter ID number is 5376575. Garcia, Ember Leigh was born in 1985 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3501 Hollybrook LN, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3024286. Garcia, Emelina Antoinette was born in 1990 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4287 Prairie Rose CIR, CASTLE ROCK, Douglas County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601776189. Garcia, Emelina Julianita was born in 1933 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 42012 Muirfield LOOP, ELIZABETH, Elbert County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600494145. Garcia, Emely Yessiel was born in 1993 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 455 S 41St ST, BOULDER, Boulder County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601751712. Garcia, Emerald Rae was born in 1999 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 140 Indiana AVE, BERTHOUD, Larimer County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601860742. Garcia, Emidio Luis was born in 1966 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 325 N Washington ST, CENTER, Saguache County, CO. His voter ID number is 600288865. Garcia, Emila Rebecca was born in 1990 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5101 S Delaware ST # E214, ENGLEWOOD, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200070166. Garcia, Emilia Adelisa was born in 1940 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 45 S Brentwood ST, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3973003. Garcia, Emiliana Margarita was born in 1973 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4185 Charleston DR, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600142877. Garcia, Emili Joseline was born in 1992 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 9463 Clermont ST, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600543363. Garcia, Emilio was born in 1989 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1601 7Th ST, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. His voter ID number is 600512948. Garcia, Emilio Jr was born in 1964 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 26900 E Colfax AVE # 27, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 736370. Garcia, Emilio A was born in 1942 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 6671 E 78Th AVE, COMMERCE CITY, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 7116962. Garcia, Emilio Angel was born in 1993 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2426 Gold Rush DR APT 4, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 601077020. Garcia, Emilio Arturo was born in 1997 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2880 W Monica DR, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 600882950. Garcia, Emilio Francisco was born in 1966 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 861 S Umatilla WAY, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600869522. Garcia, Emilio Luis was born in 1999 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 5317 Golden Eagle PKWY, BRIGHTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 601932698. Garcia, Emilo David Shelton was born in 1996 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1051 Montrose AVE, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 601609911. Garcia, Emily was born in 1983 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3223 S Vrain ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2732453. Garcia, Emily was born in 1999 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1056 S Salem ST # 5-104, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601583108. Garcia, Emily was born in 1967 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1618 5Th ST, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6412472. Garcia, Emily Alice was born in 1955 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2057 S Elati ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2539412. Garcia, Emily Alizabeth was born in 1993 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 8815 Wellinhall CT, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600385143. Garcia, Emily Ann was born in 1991 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 306 S 9Th ST, LAMAR, Prowers County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600900673. Garcia, Emily Aracely was born in 1998 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1400 S Collyer ST LOT 223, LONGMONT, Boulder County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601250850. Garcia, Emily Beth was born in 1987 and registered to vote, giving the address as 1922 E 14Th AVE APT 2, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601863650. Garcia, Emily Fabiana was born in 1972 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 20956 E 54Th AVE, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600684244. Garcia, Emily Fryer was born in 1981 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3515 N Elm ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2649378. Garcia, Emily Grace was born in 1993 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 14514 E Hawaii PL, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600588890. Garcia, Emily Irene was born in 1992 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2201 W 74Th AVE, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600562312. Garcia, Emily Katherine was born in 1991 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 675 Wapiti DR # 17A, FRASER, Grand County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600372125. Garcia, Emily Kathryn was born in 1989 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6133 Gorham ST, FREDERICK, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600311732. Garcia, Emily Lynne was born in 1994 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2150 Ballard LN, FORT COLLINS, Larimer County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600975936. Garcia, Emily Marie was born in 1981 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2815 E 11Th ST, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3025475. Garcia, Emily Nicole was born in 2000 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3361 New Haven CIR, CASTLE ROCK, Douglas County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601897718. Garcia, Emily Patricia was born in 1993 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2900 E 16Th AVE APT 122, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601161490. Garcia, Emily Patricia was born in 2000 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6608 W 3Rd ST UNIT 56, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601590669. Garcia, Emily Renee was born in 1978 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 425 N Diamond AVE # B, CANON CITY, Fremont County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600562395. Garcia, Emma was born in 1929 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3787 E 127Th LN, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 7042021. Garcia, Emma Christine was born in 1961 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4848 N Bryant ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2459677. Garcia, Emma Denice was born in 1997 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1115 Carr ST, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601485260. Garcia, Emma F was born in 1936 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1871 County Road 308, DUMONT, Clear Creek County, CO. Her voter ID number is 5007051. Garcia, Emma J was born in 1928 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1640 Mable AVE, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6945109. Garcia, Emmalisa was born in 1994 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 11801 York ST APT 1124, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600804630. Garcia, Emma Louise was born in 1945 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 9730 Rolling G RD, FOUNTAIN, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 459706. Garcia, Emma Mary was born in 1910 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 309 E Johnson AVE, TRINIDAD, Las Animas County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3834533. Garcia, Emmanuel was born in 1998 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 14532 E 22Nd PL, AURORA, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 601435822. Garcia, Emmanuel was born in 1996 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 5770 Highway 348, OLATHE, Montrose County, CO. His voter ID number is 601517735. Garcia, Emmanuel was born in 1997 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1721 Choice Center DR # 1134, FORT COLLINS, Larimer County, CO. His voter ID number is 601540804. Garcia, Emmanuel Epimenio was born in 1980 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 794 S Dale CT, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 4219804. Garcia, Emmanuel Lawrence was born in 1948 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 13718 Krameria ST, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 6908106. Garcia, Emmie A was born in 1989 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 629 High Tea CT, FOUNTAIN, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601815566. Garcia, Enette was born in 1973 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4955 N Fenton ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2459997. Garcia, Enjoli Diamond was born in 1986 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4662 N Genoa ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600331503. Garcia, Enrique was born in 1952 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1111 Horizon DR UNIT 501, GRAND JUNCTION, Mesa County, CO. His voter ID number is 2349056. Garcia, Enrique Jr was born in 1997 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 944 N Quitman ST APT A, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 601379214. Garcia, Enrique was born in 1998 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4543 N Fairplay WAY, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 601546175. Garcia, Enrique was born in 1938 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1714 Bella Vista DR, PLATTEVILLE, Weld County, CO. His voter ID number is 6317351. Garcia, Enrique Jr was born in 1944 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3227 W 111Th DR, WESTMINSTER, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 7020066. Garcia, Enrique was born in 1974 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4740 E 72Nd WAY, COMMERCE CITY, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 7143615. Garcia, Enrique Eugenio was born in 1996 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1481 S Dale CT, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 601119738. Garcia, Enrique Gregorio was born in 1991 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 521 Horseshoe PL, BRIGHTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 601729148. Garcia, Enrique J was born in 1970 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 7130 Ruth WAY, DENVER, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 2639070. Garcia, Enrique Julian was born in 1990 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 41900 Hwy 6 # C301, AVON, Eagle County, CO. His voter ID number is 601311155. Garcia, Enrique N was born in 1943 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4740 E 72Nd WAY, COMMERCE CITY, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 7095542. Garcia, Enzo Di Stefano was born in 2000 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 605 N 7Th ST, LAMAR, Prowers County, CO. His voter ID number is 601740245. Garcia, Epimenio Jr was born in 1940 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2690 S Knox CT, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 2526835. Garcia, Erasmo Duarte Jr was born in 1976 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2202 Dexter DR, LONGMONT, Boulder County, CO. His voter ID number is 200106256. Garcia, Ercilia was born in 1944 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1880 S Cole ST # B-1, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3993725. Garcia, Ercilia Josie was born in 1960 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3607 N Shoshone ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2540872. Garcia, Eric was born in 1983 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1150 N Inca ST APT 5, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600038860. Garcia, Eric was born in 1991 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 6554 Windloch CIR, PARKER, Douglas County, CO. His voter ID number is 600621425. Garcia, Eric was born in 1983 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 11484 Marion ST, NORTHGLENN, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 6705905. Garcia, Erica was born in 1983 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2905 N Inca ST APT 3019, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200157811. Garcia, Erica was born in 1974 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4242 N Alcott ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2404058. Garcia, Eric A was born in 1975 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1229 S Raritan ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 2564962. Garcia, Erica was born in 1983 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 51 W Bonanza DR, PUEBLO WEST, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601278436. Garcia, Erica was born in 2000 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6354 S Sterne PKWY, LITTLETON, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601576341. Garcia, Erica was born in 1984 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 14282 E Tufts PL # Q12, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 871982. Garcia, Erica Ann was born in 1977 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1722 Truda DR, NORTHGLENN, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601300044. Garcia, Erica Berryman was born in 1970 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1728 N Spruce ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600680400. Garcia, Erica Carla was born in 1994 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 105 Bonnie Vista DR UNIT 2, FRUITA, Mesa County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601722623. Garcia, Erica Christina was born in 1983 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 9806 Hannibal CT, COMMERCE CITY, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601043456. Garcia, Erica Fajardo was born in 1988 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2160 Stacy DR, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 7017913. Garcia, Erica Laura was born in 1991 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1960 Mc Dougal ST, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600263655. Garcia, Erica Linsay was born in 1982 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 350 Rainbow DR, SILT, Garfield County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600913918. Garcia, Erica Maria was born in 1974 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 511 W Oak ST, LAMAR, Prowers County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600551196. Garcia, Erica Marie was born in 1992 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4908 Thorndike AVE, CASTLE ROCK, Douglas County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200308585. Garcia, Erica Marie was born in 1998 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5961/2 30 RD, GRAND JUNCTION, Mesa County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601100985. Garcia, Erica Michelle was born in 1997 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5127 W 11Th ST APT 616, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601705699. Garcia, Eric Andrew was born in 1974 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 7403 La Quinta LN, LONE TREE, Douglas County, CO. His voter ID number is 200061639. Garcia, Erica Nicole was born in 1986 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 15 N Logan ST APT 12, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600193023. Garcia, Erica Nicole was born in 1987 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 477 Green Acres ST, CLIFTON, Mesa County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600391243. Garcia, Erica Nicole was born in 1992 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5184 Nighthawk PKWY, BRIGHTON, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600724003. Garcia, Eric Anthony was born in 1975 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 8335 E Fairmount DR UNIT 10-104, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 1644587. Garcia, Eric Anthony was born in 1981 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 10181 Wyandott CIR N, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 200291501. Garcia, Eric Anthony was born in 1998 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 704 N Elati ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600953893. Garcia, Eric Anthony was born in 1993 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 412 E 9Th AVE, FORT MORGAN, Morgan County, CO. His voter ID number is 601395990. Garcia, Eric Anthony was born in 1999 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1825 W 51St AVE, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 601667325. Garcia, Erica Renee was born in 1986 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6345 Hart ST, ALAMOSA, Alamosa County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600360938. Garcia, Erica Vidalia Penny was born in 1986 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 508 Walnut AVE, ROCKY FORD, Otero County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600152292. Garcia, Erica Yvonne was born in 1994 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4930 Daybreak CIR, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600505708. Garcia, Eric Benito was born in 1981 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2755 S Hazel CT, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 601373531. Garcia, Eric Brandon was born in 1994 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2315 9Th AVE APT 4303, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. His voter ID number is 601541435. Garcia, Eric Cardona was born in 1995 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 6542 S Steele ST, CENTENNIAL, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 600780493. Garcia, Eric David Jr was born in 1990 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3920 Cantrell DR, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 601179721. Garcia, Eric Donald Raymond was born in 1970 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 8441 Corona ST, DENVER, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 601749915. Garcia, Eric Eduardo was born in 1991 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2907 S Wolff ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600343679. Garcia, Eric Greggory was born in 1999 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4904 S Iowa AVE # 5, LOVELAND, Larimer County, CO. His voter ID number is 601870433. Garcia, Eric James was born in 1968 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3244 N High ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600323393. Garcia, Eric James was born in 1987 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 9151 Fir DR, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 6971603. Garcia, Eric Jihovany was born in 1998 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 944 S Victor WAY, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 601587033. Garcia, Eric John was born in 1990 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 424 32 RD UNIT 30, CLIFTON, Mesa County, CO. His voter ID number is 200138494. Garcia, Eric John was born in 1981 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 17892 E Purdue PL, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 601484251. Garcia, Eric Joseph was born in 1971 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 129 Starlite DR, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 3097252. Garcia, Eric Joseph was born in 1999 and registered to vote, giving the address as 2008 31St ST, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601310730. Garcia, Erick was born in 1987 and registered to vote, giving the address as 2323 Curtis ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601287954. Garcia, Erick was born in 2000 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3615 Salt Creek RD, EAGLE, Eagle County, CO. His voter ID number is 601698264. Garcia, Erick was born in 2000 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 5565 Federal BLVD, DENVER, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 601948454. Garcia, Erick was born in 1984 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2636 Arbor AVE, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. His voter ID number is 6398529. Garcia, Ericka was born in 1993 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2647 W Evans AVE APT 2307D, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600488348. Garcia, Ericka Renee was born in 1987 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6104 Devinney CT, ARVADA, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600069940. Garcia, Erick Javier was born in 2000 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 17336 E Rice CIR # D, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 601752994. Garcia, Erick Manzo was born in 2000 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 224 W Taylor AVE, LASALLE, Weld County, CO. His voter ID number is 601790912. Garcia, Erick Ruben was born in 1994 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1551 N Wolff ST APT 212, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600808562. Garcia, Eric Lee was born in 1994 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 25348 E Geddes PL, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 601720143. Garcia, Eric M was born in 1981 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1530 N La Crosse AVE, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 3744232. Garcia, Eric Michael was born in 1985 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2525 Wewatta WAY APT 128, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 601374207. Garcia, Eric Raul was born in 1993 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4442 Turnberry Crescent, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 600618738. Garcia, Eric Richard was born in 1981 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1260 N Sherman ST APT 301, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 7149799. Garcia, Erika was born in 1987 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5365 Blackcloud LOOP, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601950174. Garcia, Erika Araceli was born in 1976 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4500 19Th ST APT 542, BOULDER, Boulder County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600525027. Garcia, Erika Belen was born in 1987 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 7380 Dakin ST APT M301, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601611644. Garcia, Erika L was born in 1981 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 903 Deuel ST, FORT MORGAN, Morgan County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3582634. Garcia, Erika Lee was born in 1985 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 12241 Quince ST, BRIGHTON, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 861457. Garcia, Erik Alejandro was born in 1993 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1400 S Collyer ST APT 10, LONGMONT, Boulder County, CO. His voter ID number is 600391820. Garcia, Erika Loaiza was born in 1991 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2339 N Newport ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601839508. Garcia, Erika Marie was born in 1977 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4574 Teller PL, LOVELAND, Larimer County, CO. Her voter ID number is 1624669. Garcia, Erika Michelle was born in 1976 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4735 Garden Ranch DR APT L-303, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 181751. Garcia, Erika Michelle was born in 1998 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 8719 S Hwy 285 LOT C3, ALAMOSA, Alamosa County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601540179. Garcia, Erik Andrew was born in 1995 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1175 W 6Th ST APT A20, CRAIG, Moffat County, CO. His voter ID number is 601966361. Garcia, Erika Nicole was born in 1994 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 18101 E Steamboat AVE # 38, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601796837. Garcia, Erika Star was born in 1979 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1561 S Queen ST, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4209415. Garcia, Erika Tovar was born in 1993 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 111 E 113Th PL, NORTHGLENN, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601360938. Garcia, Erika Yesenia was born in 1986 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1175 N Eighth ST, STERLING, Logan County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3583798. Garcia, Erik G was born in 1996 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2200 Bonforte BLVD, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 601158343. Garcia, Erik Giovanni was born in 1997 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 864 Homestead DR, HIGHLANDS RANCH, Douglas County, CO. His voter ID number is 601034028. Garcia, Erik Ivan was born in 1989 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 221 Fairmont ST, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 601312754. Garcia, Erik Joseph was born in 1988 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 6051 S Detroit ST, CENTENNIAL, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 600101266. Garcia, Erik M was born in 1975 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1260 E 89Th AVE, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 6829286. Garcia, Erik Michael was born in 1992 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 250 Summit BLVD # 3301, BROOMFIELD, Broomfield County, CO. His voter ID number is 600314676. Garcia, Erik R was born in 1975 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 6354 S Sterne PKWY, LITTLETON, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 200172614. Garcia, Erik Rivera was born in 1995 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1685 N Yosemite ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 601066366. Garcia, Erik Simon was born in 1997 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2441 Balsam AVE, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. His voter ID number is 601522208. Garcia, Erin Anne was born in 1972 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1730 Ironton ST, AURORA, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 5661091. Garcia, Erin Brittny was born in 1987 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2530 Mt Vernon ST, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 951973. Garcia, Erin C was born in 1983 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1090 S Parker RD APT A520, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 941687. Garcia, Erin Elizabeth was born in 1980 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2625 Himalaya CT, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 492317. Garcia, Erin Lee was born in 1986 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 10565 Wells PT, FOUNTAIN, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 493952. Garcia, Erin Lou was born in 1983 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 10975 Bellaire CIR, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 7037379. Garcia, Erin Michelle was born in 1982 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 8119 Lighthouse LN, WINDSOR, Larimer County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200276948. Garcia, Erin Michelle was born in 1980 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 7414 S Alkire ST # 205, LITTLETON, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601054949. Garcia, Erin Nicole was born in 1984 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2505 S Newton ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2894912. Garcia, Erin Renee was born in 1998 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 704 N Elati ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601418479. Garcia, Erin Skerritt was born in 1963 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 202 Lower Allen RD, CRESTED BUTTE, Gunnison County, CO. Her voter ID number is 5960078. Garcia, Erin Theresa was born in 1971 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 15663 E 117Th AVE, COMMERCE CITY, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 7106214. Garcia, Erleen E was born in 1944 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3359 W 114Th CIR UNIT C, WESTMINSTER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2607062. Garcia, Erlinda Frances was born in 1964 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2360 W 76Th AVE APT 1106, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600566915. Garcia, Erminia D was born in 1966 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 13 Gardner DR, LONGMONT, Boulder County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200187014. Garcia, Ernest was born in 1934 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4750 N Pennsylvania ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 2525953. Garcia, Ernest was born in 1980 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 6655 County Road 203 # 3, DURANGO, La Plata County, CO. His voter ID number is 4756960. Garcia, Ernest was born in 1935 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 503 S 8Th ST # 14, PAGOSA SPRINGS, Archuleta County, CO. His voter ID number is 4758196. Garcia, Ernest Anastacio was born in 1991 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 7280 Bryant ST, WESTMINSTER, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 200222607. Garcia, Ernest Chappelle was born in 1959 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2756 W Greens DR, LITTLETON, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 2794320. Garcia, Ernest E was born in 1923 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1158 Park AVE, MEEKER, Rio Blanco County, CO. His voter ID number is 4974766. Garcia, Ernest Edward was born in 1971 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 10 Ironbridge LN, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 3094271. Garcia, Ernest Filbert was born in 1948 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 145 W Blue Hills DR, PUEBLO WEST, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 3054678. Garcia, Ernestina B was born in 1953 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2621 23Rd AVE APT 21, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6515559. Garcia, Ernestine was born in 1955 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4865 W 2Nd AVE, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2840168. Garcia, Ernestine was born in 1932 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1036 Elm ST, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3091303. Garcia, Ernestine Manuela was born in 1953 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3573 E 94Th AVE, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6989530. Garcia, Ernestine T was born in 1932 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 758 Weber DR, ALAMOSA, Alamosa County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4766582. Garcia, Ernest James Jr was born in 1992 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 679 S Reed CT # 5-203, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. His voter ID number is 600735390. Garcia, Ernest Joe was born in 1983 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2029 Spruce ST, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 600654269. Garcia, Ernest John was born in 1939 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1126 Stone AVE, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 3082940. Garcia, Ernest John was born in 1962 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 615 W 6Th, WALSENBURG, Huerfano County, CO. His voter ID number is 4739479. Garcia, Ernest Leonard Jr was born in 1958 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 8684 W 66Th CIR, ARVADA, Jefferson County, CO. His voter ID number is 4076870. Garcia, Ernest Munoz was born in 1991 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 27077 7Th AVE, GILL, Weld County, CO. His voter ID number is 600291928. Garcia, Ernest N was born in 1954 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 512 N 8Th CT, BRIGHTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 6880134. Garcia, Ernesto Jr was born in 1968 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2326 E Orman AVE, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 600342798. Garcia, Ernesto was born in 1986 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3745 N Steele ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600680154. Garcia, Ernesto was born in 1982 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 0 Fort Carson, FT CARSON, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 600958257. Garcia, Ernesto was born in 1997 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4334 W Bowles AVE, LITTLETON, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 601072799. Garcia, Ernesto was born in 1978 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 9458 Gore LOOP, ARVADA, Jefferson County, CO. His voter ID number is 601242053. Garcia, Ernesto Alonzo was born in 1994 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 718 Meng DR, FORT MORGAN, Morgan County, CO. His voter ID number is 601073929. Garcia, Ernesto Aurilo was born in 1998 and registered to vote, giving the address as 1936 S Quitman ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601415084. Garcia, Ernesto B Iii was born in 1973 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1380 E Bridge ST, BRIGHTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 7164333. Garcia, Ernesto Danny was born in 1979 and registered to vote, giving the address as 1020 S Meade ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601325905. Garcia, Ernesto Delfino was born in 1946 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1921 36Th LN, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 3063127. Garcia, Ernesto Flores was born in 1970 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 70 Wuthering Heights DR, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 200003702. Garcia, Ernesto M was born in 1993 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1201 E 8Th AVE # A4, FORT MORGAN, Morgan County, CO. His voter ID number is 600636711. Garcia, Ernesto S was born in 1958 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 712 State ST, ANTONITO, Conejos County, CO. His voter ID number is 648121. Garcia, Ernesto Suarez was born in 1983 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4412 E Mulberry ST # 251, FORT COLLINS, Larimer County, CO. His voter ID number is 1416339. Garcia, Ernest Thomas was born in 1993 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 12592 Maria CIR, BROOMFIELD, Broomfield County, CO. His voter ID number is 601771512. Garcia, Ernest Walter was born in 1935 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 10038 Dodge DR, NORTHGLENN, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 6874130. Garcia, Ernie Reyna was born in 1967 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3025 W 25Th AVE, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 601663811. Garcia, Esai Alexandra was born in 1997 and registered to vote, giving the address as 9671 Lansing CIR, COMMERCE CITY, Adams County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601277786. Garcia, Esak Santiago was born in 1976 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3035 Sterling CIR STE E, BOULDER, Boulder County, CO. His voter ID number is 8049788. Garcia, Esau Gamaliel was born in 1989 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 5151 W 29Th ST # 808, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. His voter ID number is 5524469. Garcia, Esequiel was born in 1984 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2111 Vinewood LN, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 4770044. Garcia, Esgar was born in 1994 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 20391 E 40Th AVE, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 601473790. Garcia, Esmelda was born in 1966 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 23521 E Saratoga CIR, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2677153. Garcia, Esmeralda was born in 1939 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 21233 Brimstone RD, CEDAREDGE, Delta County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3543568. Garcia, Esmeralda was born in 2000 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 709 S Oakland ST, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601723534. Garcia, Esmeralda was born in 1999 and registered to vote, giving the address as 1324 17Th AVE, LONGMONT, Boulder County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601897094. Garcia, Esmeralda was born in 1996 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2554 Hwy 82 # B, GLENWOOD SPGS, Garfield County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601905600. Garcia, Esmeralda Melody was born in 1975 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 7080 Clay ST, WESTMINSTER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2436501. Garcia, Esperansa was born in 1965 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 416 Western AVE, BRUSH, Morgan County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600191261. Garcia, Esperansa Maria was born in 1997 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1703 Corey ST, LONGMONT, Boulder County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600928443. Garcia, Esperansa Odessa was born in 1975 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 319 N 22Nd ST # 12, KREMMLING, Grand County, CO. Her voter ID number is 8518823. Garcia, Esperanza was born in 1933 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2664 S Raleigh ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2511251. Garcia, Esperanza was born in 1993 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 214 Wright ST # 103, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601459369. Garcia, Esperanza was born in 1997 and registered to vote, giving the address as 1708 Alexander CIR, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601548934. Garcia, Esperanza was born in 2000 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1541 N Xanthia ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601957419. Garcia, Esperanza was born in 1935 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 11761 E Cornell CIR, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 691450. Garcia, Esperanza Fedelina was born in 1979 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 252 S Lamar ST, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2793464. Garcia, Esperanza Marie was born in 1998 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 23 Crescent AVE, CENTER, Saguache County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601496458. Garcia, Esperanza Mia was born in 1999 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 7230 Franconia DR, FOUNTAIN, El Paso County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601591286. Garcia, Esperanza Reza was born in 1991 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1644 W 113Th AVE, WESTMINSTER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601650411. Garcia, Estaneslada Irene was born in 1954 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 560 S Clay ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6934783. Garcia, Esteban Iv was born in 1976 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1424 Hummel LN, FORT COLLINS, Larimer County, CO. His voter ID number is 600715848. Garcia, Esteban was born in 1987 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4411 S Kalispell CIR, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 601073536. Garcia, Esteban was born in 1973 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1850 Bassett ST APT 402, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 6854601. Garcia, Esteban Daniel was born in 1990 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 216 Highlands CIR, ERIE, Weld County, CO. His voter ID number is 600730387. Garcia, Esteban Eugene was born in 1977 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3010 N Hancock AVE APT 12, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 245706. Garcia, Esteban Frausto was born in 1944 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4923 Lake Creek Village DR # 25-202, EDWARDS, Eagle County, CO. His voter ID number is 600146022. Garcia, Esteban Gabiel was born in 1976 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2033 Crystal CT, LOVELAND, Larimer County, CO. His voter ID number is 600940941. Garcia, Esteban James was born in 1998 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1123 Second ST, ALAMOSA, Alamosa County, CO. His voter ID number is 601423531. Garcia, Esteban Joseph was born in 1991 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3525 W 21St AVE, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600586673. Garcia, Esteban Lopez was born in 1957 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 371 N 16Th AVE, BRIGHTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 7058743. Garcia, Estefany was born in 1999 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 19185 E 39Th AVE, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601796350. Garcia, Esteffan Ray was born in 1993 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 72 S Hazel CT, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600650395. Garcia, Estella was born in 1950 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 12320 Newport CT, BRIGHTON, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600216859. Garcia, Estevana Janneth was born in 1990 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 7730 Olive ST, COMMERCE CITY, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200195919. Garcia, Estevan Jesus was born in 1996 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 620 Grandview Meadows DR UNIT C106, LONGMONT, Boulder County, CO. His voter ID number is 601401281. Garcia, Estevon Pablo Iii was born in 1999 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3770 Owens ST # C, WHEAT RIDGE, Jefferson County, CO. His voter ID number is 601437793. Garcia, Esthefani was born in 1996 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 808 Zachary CT, LONGMONT, Boulder County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601211159. Garcia, Esther was born in 1984 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 48 Goldfield CT, PARACHUTE, Garfield County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200064794. Garcia, Esther was born in 1978 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 11473 Carlile ST, NORTHGLENN, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200207029. Garcia, Esther was born in 1936 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 128 W 7Th ST, FLORENCE, Fremont County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3638935. Garcia, Esther was born in 1950 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4201 Hoyt CT, WHEAT RIDGE, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4231532. Garcia, Esther was born in 1967 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1317 5Th ST, FT LUPTON, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6302431. Garcia, Esther Brown was born in 1943 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5815 W 27Th ST, GREELEY, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 912008. Garcia, Esther Elaine was born in 1964 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2223 American WAY, MONTROSE, Montrose County, CO. Her voter ID number is 200045093. Garcia, Esther G was born in 1947 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 8334 Charlotte WAY, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 7006927. Garcia, Esther Lorraine was born in 1957 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1314 Tampico ST, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3066883. Garcia, Esther M was born in 1949 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1459 N King ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2807764. Garcia, Esther Maria was born in 1990 and registered to vote, giving the address as 3107 E Spaulding AVE # 207, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Garcia’ voter ID number is 601830125. Garcia, Esther Mary was born in 1939 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 7797 Elmwood PL, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2473667. Garcia, Esther Ruth was born in 1949 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6340 W 38Th AVE # 1002, WHEAT RIDGE, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6862161. Garcia, Esther Saris was born in 1992 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 30801/2 Sandpiper AVE, GRAND JUNCTION, Mesa County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601753460. Garcia, Esther Theresa was born in 1957 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 9700 W 51St PL # D 215, ARVADA, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4260595. Garcia, Esther Y was born in 1959 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 2620 Lambert AVE, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3082801. Garcia, Estrella was born in 1998 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6479 Ingalls ST, ARVADA, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601237133. Garcia, Estrella Alicia was born in 1991 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 214 Wright ST # 103, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600830702. Garcia, Estrellita A was born in 1992 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1104 N Selig AVE, MONTROSE, Montrose County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600469651. Garcia, Ethan Dennis was born in 1989 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 601 W Abriendo AVE, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 600089540. Garcia, Ethel May was born in 1951 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 330 Brentwood ST, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3969766. Garcia, Eudocio Jr was born in 1965 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 6492 N Dunkirk CT, AURORA, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 200152453. Garcia, Eufemia Joyce was born in 1953 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1131 Emery ST APT 3, LONGMONT, Boulder County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6394509. Garcia, Eugene was born in 1946 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1600 Garwood DR, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. His voter ID number is 3020772. Garcia, Eugene was born in 1964 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 5296 S Jellison ST, LITTLETON, Jefferson County, CO. His voter ID number is 4110426. Garcia, Eugene A was born in 1981 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 9677 Osceola ST, WESTMINSTER, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 6833198. Garcia, Eugene Albert was born in 1943 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 8471 Franklin DR, DENVER, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 7113497. Garcia, Eugene Ernest was born in 1958 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 713 E Moreno AVE, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 391677. Garcia, Eugene Gilbert was born in 1960 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 280 Chico DR, DEL NORTE, Rio Grande County, CO. His voter ID number is 601774653. Garcia, Eugene L was born in 1943 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 407 S 2Nd ST, ROCKY FORD, Otero County, CO. His voter ID number is 2499405. Garcia, Eugene M was born in 1963 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 2782 S Meade ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 200040894. Garcia, Eugene Marie was born in 1965 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3322 S Ammons ST # 7-208, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2937360. Garcia, Eugene Michael was born in 1964 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1906 Whitman RD, COLO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO. His voter ID number is 423478. Garcia, Eugene O was born in 1947 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 1298 Lark AVE, BRIGHTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 6862147. Garcia, Eugene Robert Jr was born in 1967 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 14632 Gaylord ST, THORNTON, Adams County, CO. His voter ID number is 7039144. Garcia, Eulalia was born in 1953 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 9629 Perry ST, WESTMINSTER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 7051982. Garcia, Eunice was born in 1992 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1750 Dayton ST, AURORA, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600316068. Garcia, Eurica Luna was born in 1976 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1944 Hanover ST, AURORA, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601065034. Garcia, Eusebio was born in 1981 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 10785 E Exposition AVE # 114, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. His voter ID number is 601180960. Garcia, Eutillo Madrigal was born in 1952 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 440 S Clay ST, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 600671257. Garcia, Eva was born in 1964 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 3550 S Harlan ST APT 10 325, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 2463531. Garcia, Eva E was born in 1945 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 219 S 11Th ST, GUNNISON, Gunnison County, CO. Her voter ID number is 5961967. Garcia, Eva Julianita was born in 1946 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 15837 E Ford PL, AURORA, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 679227. Garcia, Eva Karina was born in 1976 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1864 Seadrift DR, WINDSOR, Weld County, CO. Her voter ID number is 8049792. Garcia, Eva M was born in 1964 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5296 S Laredo WAY, CENTENNIAL, Arapahoe County, CO. Her voter ID number is 766541. Garcia, Eva Marie was born in 1960 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 6 Ironbridge LN, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3057321. Garcia, Eva Marie was born in 1981 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 1454 S Benton ST, LAKEWOOD, Jefferson County, CO. Her voter ID number is 4207373. Garcia, Eva Marie was born in 1966 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 909 Cherry LN, PUEBLO, Pueblo County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601457613. Garcia, Evander Lee was born in 1998 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 3451 Riva Ridge PL # E103, FORT COLLINS, Larimer County, CO. His voter ID number is 601929897. Garcia, Evan Frank was born in 1986 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 6982 W Chatfield DR, LITTLETON, Jefferson County, CO. His voter ID number is 2849540. Garcia, Evangelina was born in 1968 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 4500 W 5Th AVE, DENVER, Denver County, CO. Her voter ID number is 601001935. Garcia, Evangelina Rachelle was born in 1980 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 5394 Perry ST, DENVER, Adams County, CO. Her voter ID number is 6868775. Garcia, Evangelina Zapata was born in 1987 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 260 Forest Ridge RD, DURANGO, La Plata County, CO. Her voter ID number is 600781560. Garcia, Evangeline Theresa was born in 1929 and she registered to vote, giving her address as 118 2Nd CT, TRINIDAD, Las Animas County, CO. Her voter ID number is 3835588. Garcia, Evan Mathew was born in 1984 and he registered to vote, giving his address as 4770 N Willow ST APT 101, DENVER, Denver County, CO. His voter ID number is 3032753.
2019-04-25T06:26:24Z
http://coloradovoters.info/by_name/pages/g10061.html
It is true that we cannot predict the weather indefinetely (or even beyond a couple of weeks), because of the chaotic nature and infinitesimally small uncertainties in the state as we know to day, will affect how the weather evolves in a few weeks (the ‘chaos effect’). But, still I say that I know with certainty that there is a very high probability that the temperature in 6 months will be lower than now – when winter has arrived (it’s summer on the northern hemisphere at the present). In fact, the seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall (wet and dry seasons in the tropics) tends to be highly predictable: the winters at high latitudes are cold and summers mild (if anyone doubts, read on here); the southeast Asian Monsoon usually starts over India in the first days of June. I don’t usually bring with me maps and figures to social events, but it would be nice to show a picture such as the one in Fig. 1 to illustrate. If the person is not convinced, I may continue with other arguments for why the climate is predictable: take the latitude for instance – the poles are cold and tropics warm. Furthermore, maritime climates at higher latitudes with wet and mild (small day-to-day or season-to-season temperature variations) are distinct to continental climates far away from the sea (dry with great temperature variations). It is well-established that high-altitude places tend to have lower temperatures and greater temperature variations. Most hikers and mountaineers have experienced that. These are local climatic properties that we can predict if we know the geography, even if we cannot predict the weather on an exact day far in the future. To convince further, I may add that empirical evidence suggesting that (local) climate is not unpredictable, but rather systematically influenced by external factors (boundary conditions) is that Northern Europe enjoys a mild climate: Oslo is roughly on the same latitude as the southern tip of Greenland. There is a reason for that – Oslo has a considerably warmer climate because of the effects of oceanic heat transport/capacity and prevailing winds. I also remind that people really have known for centuries that there are systematic factors influencing the local climate, it’s just that this fact sometimes gets forgotten by those who claim that we cannot predict climate. Isn’t it silly? I may ask if there is any reason to think that the predictability stops at the seasonal and geographical variations. I may continue with in a hand-wavy manner: In a similar fashion as seasonal and geographical effects, changes in Earth’s orbit around the Sun alters the planetary climate by modifying the amount of energy received from our star (but because of terrestrial response, the atmospheric composition is modified as well, enhancing the effect even further), and changes in the atmospheric composition affects the climate because grenhouse gases absorb heat that otherwise would escape into space – greenhouse gases are transparent to sunlight, but opaque to infrared light due to their molecular properties and their ability to absorb energy (if I say it’s quantum physics, people tend to understand it’s getting a bit technical). I stress that the greenhouse effect is also beyond doubt – without it, the energy balance between total energy Earth intercepts from the Sun and the energy lost through black body radiation implies that Earth’s surface on average would be about 30K cooler than we know it. Volcanoes also affect our climate, and we have theories explaining why. Furthermore, looking to other planets, the observation that Venus has higher surface temperature than Mercury, despite being further away from the Sun, can only be explained as a result of different absorbing properties of their respective atmospheres (a strong greenhouse effect at Venus). So, my question is, do you think people get the message that I try to convey this way? Is it too simple or too complicated? Somebody who knows of every-day examples demonstrating the central principles? Any suggestions on how to explain for laypersons not connected to the Internet? All your explanations make sense, and to a listener just interested in learning, they should settle the matter. But sometimes people get ideas which just seem too good to give up, no matter how clearly you explain why they are wrong. This can lead to more and more contrived arguments to try to save the argument. I have done things like this in my mathematical work and I’m sure that all scientists do it on occasion. But an honest scientist eventually has to give up when it becomes clear the idea can’t be saved. A non-scientist however, not really understanding the subject, is not bound by such limitations and treats it more as a debate than a search for the truth. And of course sometimes scientists do the same. Thus are born denialists. Another good way of explaining it may be to point out that climate scientists are not trying to predict precisely which future days and which locations will be warm, they are only predictinng that the average temperature of all days combined will be warmer then currently. Maybe the cocktail crowd will intuitively understand that it is easier to say with confindence that the next decade will be warmer on average than in the past, than it is to say with confidence that next June 17th’s high in Los Angeles will be 97 degrees F. Weather is like the hour-by-hour fluctuations in the Dow Jones index.Predicting that is hard. Predicting climate is more like predicting the longer term trends, except,even even easier since the forcings tend to be better understood ! (i.e. intrest rates -vs- GHG forcing). Here’s another possible perspective. The increase in hurricanes and hurricane strength is at least partly due to warmer SSTs. The other influences are global and regional weather patterns which change the shear, dry layers, and other factors. It’s important not to oversimplify the mechanics, and thus important not to make oversimplistic predictions like more and stronger storms this year. Otherwise an amateur skeptic might say “aha!” when there’s fewer storms like this year so far. The better approach is to emphasize the long term, emphasize that storm strength is only one result of climate change and perhaps a minor one at that. Better to do that than to get front page Time magazine stories about megastorms or something like that. IMO, we can predict the weather beyond couple of two weeks. It is true that the prediction error increases and the effect due to initial conditions (state of system today) should get less weight than the local weather history, but it doesn’t mean that we cannot predict. I agree with L. Evens. D. Donovan makes a good point except no one can predict, with better than 50% chance of success, the long-term dow, either. One of the difficulties is that the climate models do in fact have considerable holes and produce a significant amount of uncertainty. If one admits to that the antagonist says, “SEE! I told you so!” But if you don’t you become one of those denialists. None-the-less the basic premise of the treatise is correct (short term specifics and long term trends are completely different from an analytical and scientific view) and I think explained very well. Admitting to the modeling uncertainty may advance your credibility; beyond that I don’t think any “improvement” in the assertion will change the outcome at the party. Beginning in the 1970s/1980s, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center began issuing one and three month outlooks for precipitation and temperatures, in relation to the latest 30 year averages (normal). Some people have said that there is only a 50/50 chance for outlooks calling for above or below normal to be accurate on temperaratures. Not so for northern Minnesota in the future with rapid climate change happening. The increasing Dec-Feb temperature trends are so obvious in northern Minnesota that I can predict right now with a high degree of confidence that the winter of Dec 2006 to Feb 2007 in northern Minnesota will once again be above 1971-2000 temperature averages, and will continue to be above the 1971-2000 temperature averages for hundreds of thousands of years to come. Rasmus, here’s my rough outline. When predicting climate for the whole world you don’t need to know whether it will snow in Oslo on December 20th 2006. The climate record from Oslo tells us that it could, and more importantly, the climate model predictions show that it could. The climate models also incorporate the effects of forcings like man-made CO2 and are able to predict regional changes like the prevailing winds or ocean currents and their effects on local climate in Oslo. I would conclude that a simple climate model without weather can do a fairly adequate job of knowing the average weather in Oslo for the time period around next Dec 20th. Is that sufficient for accurate climate predictions? No. The reason is that the physics of the model depends greatly upon accurate depiction of weather. This is because the primary warming mechanism, far beyond all others, is water vapor feedback and water vapor is controlled by weather. Some of the other lesser effects like snow cover are also controlled by weather. So models like CCSM and ESMF incorporate weather by simulating its effects in coarse spatial and temporal resolution (e.g. 40km and 30 minutes). The purpose is to establish realistic weather patterns from the climate parameters and use the resulting weather measurements to give realistic feedback to the climate model. Higher resolution might be required for tropical weather than for Oslo. The resolution is required to adequately depict climate-effecting weather, that has been studied and explained in the CCSM papers. Here’s a simple example. An average weather pattern for Oslo might be a day of snow and 4 days of partly cloudy repeated. But it could snow for five days in a row. This weather phenomenon will clearly affect subsequent local climate (temperature, remaining snow cover, diurnal clouds, etc) and all weather phenonema across the globe will affect global climate. Good explanations but in these settings I always think that short and simple is the key. So I just agree that you can’t predict the weather all that well but say that you can predict the season, e.g., chances are it won’t snow in August, and predicting the climate is more like predicting the season than the weather. Then I leave it at that unless they want to continue. The question is whether climate in principle is predictable. All the examples presented in the post used measured data and actual physical realizations; no mathematical models or computer programs are involved. These are not examples of predictions of either weather or climate in the sense of using models and codes for long-term time scales in the future. In fact, no calculated results (predictions) have been shown to compare with the measured data. In this sense the title of the post is very likely misleading. Here are two issues associated with AOLGCM that I find to be totally unique to the applications of these codes. Firstly, it is my understanding that the calculated results from most large complex AOLGCM codes cannot be demonstrated to be independent of the discrete representations of the continuous equations. That is, the results are functions of the size of the discrete representations (or truncated series) of the spatial and temporal scales used in the calculations. Independence of the discrete representations so that the solutions of the discrete equations converge to solutions of the continuous equations is the most fundamental concept taught in every numerical methods textbook; every textbook without exception. In the absence of this property the discrete equations have not been solved; the numbers printed do not represent solutions of the discrete equations. The lack of grid independence indicates that numerical errors are in fact present in the numbers. I think this situation is without precedence in all of science and engineering. If this is the correct situation, the calculated results are not solutions to the continuous equations and at the very best represent some kind of approximate “solution”. However, “solution to the continuous equations” is not a phrase that can be applied to these calculations. No other science or engineering applications of numerical solution methods tolerate this situation; it is always unacceptable. An example of an exception to my assessment will be greatly appreciated. The closely related issues of consistency and stability are also very important. Secondly, it is my impression that use of ensemble averages of several computer calculations that are based on deterministic models and equations is unique to the climate-change community in all of science and engineering. I can be easily corrected on this point if anyone can provide a reference that shows that the procedure is used in any other applications. (The use of monte carlo methods to solve the model equations is not the same thing). The use of ensemble averaging and the resulting graphs of the results makes it very difficult to gain an understanding of the calculated results; rough long-term trends are about all that can be discerned from the plots. The calculated daily, seasonal, and yearly variations, some of which are used in the post, are seldom compared with measured data. Neither are calculated results from various spatial locations, also used in the post, compared with measured data. No other modeling applications in all of science and engineering will have these two characteristics. Bridges, elevators, flight-control systems, power generation systems, (add your favorite here); no simple or complex systems of any kind. Again, examples of exceptions to my assessment will be greatly appreciated. Focus on The Global Average Temperature calculated by the codes gives a false indication of the robustness of the modeling and calculations because this is a solution meta-functional result that maps everything calculated by the code into a single number. A process that easily hides an enormous number of potential problems. the reputation of models than anything else. Heard that some long range seasonal forecasts are done by taking the average of 11 or more Climate projection runs, as Einstein might of said: there is no such thing as luck. If my discussions are not helpful, please let me know and I’ll stop posting here. Anyway, for 20 years in February and March of each year, I put together the NWS Spring Snowmelt Flood Outlooks for the Upper Midwest based on ‘normal’ temperature sequences for runoff in late March and April. By the late 1990s it was clear that the timing for snowmelt runoff had changed. The melt was occurring earlier in the season, and the odds for having rain during the melt period was higher. I knew that climate was changing even before I knew that global warming was happening. I have no experience with global climate prediction models, but it’s obvious to me that as climate changes more rapidly it begins to have significant effects on weather and hydrologic prediction, particularly if the models used for those predictions ignore the obvious climate change factors. Re #12: Pat, thanks for fixing the link. I found your post on the twin cities site very helpful, as are your posts here. The snowmelt/runoff situation is essential to follow to understand and predict what is happening out west, where it appears that there have been fundamental changes. re 13. Thank you. I helps to get some encouraging words from time to time. I got a good work by email from Wayne too. This link may be of interest, courtesy of a new friend of mine from Duluth. What are people without any background in science in Duluth MN supposed to think? I make this suggestion after reading a related post, “Beyond the Mug’s Game,” on Prometheus (Pielke) about the value of economic models. It points to an interesting response (letter to the editor) to an interesting article on economic models in The Economist. The gist of it is that complex economic models can be more useful at informing people than they are at predicting events. The letter and the article are readable and, to me, not as boring as their titles suggest. Suppose that a ping-pong ball falls into a river. Due to the turbulent eddies in the river, predicting the ball’s EXACT position, e.g., within a few meters,is possible only in the short-term (in this case, over the next few seconds), but not in the long-term. However, if we knew the average rate of flow, we could predict reasonably accurately (within a few minutes) when the ball would pass under bridge 10 km downstream. Futhermore, if the streamflow were increased by a known amount (due, say, to increased discharge from an upstream dam), I doubt that anyone would argue with a prediction that a second ball would take less time to reach the bridge,even though it may not be possible to say exactly under which part of the bridge the ball would pass. Short and sweet may be best, at least at the cocktail party level. Which can you predict (to within say, 10% or 20%): the number of times heads comes up on a single coin toss, or on 100 tosses? The total number of runs scored on a particular baseball (or soccer or whatever) game, or the average number over a whole season? The height of the next person to walk around the corner, or the average height of the next 100 people? Or this: you can’t predict where a particular leaf, or grain of sand, will end up after a wind storm, but anyone can easily predict that the entire planet Earth, leaves, sand, and all, will continue to spin on its axis once a day, and revolve around the sun once a year. Folks may be amazed to realize how often they can predict big complicated, things much more accurately than small, simple things. Predicting climate is like predicting what will happen when you boil a large pot of water. The modeler would need to know the heat input, the heat transport characteristic of the pot, the starting temperature of the water, the ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, the contaminants in the water, etc. But anyone with a good knowledge of physics could predict approximately how long it will take to boil, what range of temps and what kinds of convections might arise. Predicting weather is like trying to predict temperature and current flow in the pot to scales of a 1 cm. I think its clear you can predict that the water will boil (climate) and even approximately when it will start given a few good measurements. Predicting temperatures and current flow to small scales obviously is only possible for a few seconds at a time given only with really good measurements of things exactly as they are. You haven’t followed your reasoning to its obvious logical conclusion. Suppose in fact that models can’t tell us with certainty the consequences of our ongoing experiment in increasing concentration of greenhouse gases. Since there is certainly no other way to answer that question, it would apprear foolhardy in the extreme to continue that experiment. I hope you are insisting to your governmental representatives that they take action immediately to limit greenhouse gas emissions. My reply is to offer a bet: I will predict the average temperature of the earth for next year and they will predict the temperature of the city we are in for that day next year. While I have had a number of very creative reasons for they will not agree to the bet I have yet to have anyone take me up on it. Pat, this piece of trash from Pekarek, et al, was discredited months ago. Check this thread; especially scan down to the NAS response. By the way, I also much appreciate your posts. The so-called ‘experiment’ is an agreeable metaphor, especially for the scientifically-minded. But what is sometimes called an ‘experiment’ is actually a social adaptation, and since the adaptation is carried out by clever though not always rational bipeds instead of ants or termites, the components of the adaptation are immensely complex. Complex as these adaptations may be, anyone who has watched the long slow procession of late afternoon traffic queing into I 395 in Virginia out of DC will be able to conclude, easily, that social adaptations are not always rationally arrived out, even in homo sapiens: Wise guy. The problem with my scientific friends is that they assume that given a spectrum of choices, human beings will naturally choose the most ‘rational’, meaning, the most obviously adaptive for the greatest number. They won’t. They can’t. That’s why societies, like species, always have finite lifetimes. Adaptation in a developed early 21st century society means maximization of profit. The reproduction of money takes the place of the reproduction of descendants in the lower orders. Make it more profitable to supply energy without changing the climate, and you will have solved the problem of climate change. Either that, or wait for the first really horrific crisis and see what happens. Don’t count on a rational response, though. Gavin, I have noticed in my own work that when having difficulty explaining a complicated scientific idea in easy to understand terms for a non-scientist (like my wife), often I do not have a good command of the concept myself. In these instances, I may need to do some internal clarification. It is my suspicion that this is where you are on this issue (be honest with yourself). Regardless how the IPCC defines the term “climate” or “climate system”, the issue is the actual manifestation of the system we are trying to model, and whether or not the real-world observations support our conclusions about its theoretical state. It is clear to many of us out here that you are laboring painfully to propogate the troubled hypothesis that the system you are trying to model is well-behaved (non-chaotic), therefore inherently predictable over multi-decadal time. In this respect, #1 may have a good analysis of your continued stained attempts to simplify this matter. The new OHCA data presented by Lyman etal might at least give you the opportunity for retrospection. Many look forward to your coming analysis of this new paper, explaining the failure of the models to predict the 21% (likely) loss of heat (in two years) that was accumulated in the system from 1955-2003. This occured while you declared loudly in 2005 (from the model predictions of this well-behaved system) that the system was in a positive radiative imbalance. We will now see if these new results hold up under the coming tsunami of scrutiny. Return of the Jedi!! Hey, Gavin. I agree, coming up with an “elevator pitch” reason for why folks should put some faith in the models is a good idea. I find that people are most rational about is money – everything else is up for grabs. For instance, laypeople have a hard time remembering that energy is conserved in all physical interactions – the first law of thermodynamics. Explain it to them in terms of money, and they get it instantly: “Oh, you could make free money by selling the energy you got for free – okay, that’s stupid then.” (Ironic, since money is decidedly *not* conserved at the level of governments.) This leads to approve of the “bet” way, #s 18 and 19 by John Cross. Another tactic is point out the silliness of their argument: “oh, you can’t predict anything about the weather out more than a few weeks, eh? I predict that in mid-January it’ll be colder than it is today. Think I’ll be wrong?” That works for me in Ottawa, your mileage may vary. I think any discussion of climate (to the lay) must include scale– both spatial scale and temporal scale. The current hot item is “global climate” at annual and decadal scales. But it is important to note that every point on the globe has a climate, and the points can be aggregated to regions, regions to continents, continents to hemispheres etc. And it is essential to note that you must “generalize out” (in the vernacular of cartography) some degree of detail every time you scale up. This is intuitively obvious to most but it never hurts to explain. The temporal scale is another tricky item. People are currently hooked on annual temperatures, especially the annual mean daily temperature. This is the crudest information we can get over the course of a year. Providing slightly more detail is the mean high temperature in tandem with the mean low temperature. We can move to finer temporal intervals (seasons, to months, to days etc), and each time we do, we increase the detail of our understanding about the place(s) in question. Also, it is helpful to recognize that we use climatic information to place weather into context. So, even though we want to avoid confusing weather with climate, we need to keep in mind that we require climatic information in order to identify daily weather anomalies. I only know that a certain day was “warmer” and “wetter” than average Minneapolis because I have climatological baseline values for comparison. And of course, everyone who works with climate has his/her own, idiosyncratic definition of climate that falls somewhere along this spatio-temporal continuum. For example, I work on “events” of local or regional scope (on the order of tens of km^2 to tens of thousands of km^2), lasting days at most, which are then placed in the context of the preceding 30-120 years. One member of my Ph.D. committee does dendroclimatological work, and is therefore often interested in large chunks of continents, with whatever is resolved at the annual level placed in the context of decadal, multidecadal, and centennial patterns of the past several hundred years. In terms of predicting the climate, the very general (e.g., the mean annual global temperature for a given year) should always be somewhat easier than the more specific (e.g., mean temperature of New England for a given March), so we should have less confidence in predictions that have more detail. Your explanation is fine, but it still needs more of a common touch. Depending on whom you are talking to, you might be able to make an argument from sports. The point you are trying to make is that predicting averages is easier than predicting details. Thus: you can’t predict exactly who will get which hits in the all-star game, but you are pretty confident that the AL will win. Robin #19, the types of convection in the pot and the temperature distribution don’t really matter because there is no greenhouse effect in the pot so the physics is much simpler. The earth’s convection does matter because it distributes the water vapor which is the primary GH gas. Perhaps your analogy could be extended to a pot with a dynamically changing lid, but I’m not sure how to express that concretely. In the absence of comparisons of calculated results with measured data you cannot be sure that you can ‘predict’ anything. Additionally, the calculated and measured data must be in agreement within some level of differences. While averages are somewhat easier to get more nearly correct, these values can also be calculated incorrectly. Show the caculated results with the measured data and then there is a possibility that you have shown that you can ‘predict’ physical phenomena and processes. OK. So the climate in general is predictable. If we accept that premise, then you can make a prediction now that will be testable in 5 years. If the prediction is that the average temperature of the year 2011 is x, we also have a 90% confidence interval for that temperature. If the average temperature is outside that range, we have good evidence that the climate models are wrong. Certainly as good as the evidence on most other tests. Its only a priori tests that make sense. PS, has anyone done a principle component analysis of human C02’s influence on the climate? I like the analogy in #16. Here’s one I use: Why is global climate changing? Because there’s more heat in the earth system. Imagine you have a very wide and shallow pan of water on a burner; the pan sticks way out on all sides of the burner. The water in the middle of the pan will heat up first, then move toward the cold water at the edges–that’s how fluids such as air or water work. That’s how you get weather– “differential heating.” But, then, suppose you turn up the burner a notch. Now, there’s more heat in the “system.” Water will still heat up first in the middle of the pan and then move to the edges, but it will be hotter and move faster. That’s like global warming due to more radiation being absorbed by the system (“radiative forcing”). The numbering keeps changing which makes it difficult to keep track of the discussion. I hope my quote within above indicates the history. My initial point was that arguing against making changes on the basis of uncertain models is fallacious. The error is in thinking that the status quo is stable. Even if that were the case from the point of view of social and economic forces, it is highly unlikely to be stable from the point of view of the radiative characteristics of the atmosphere. Whatever faults our models have, no one has been able to show conclusively that the large scale changes in greenhouse gas concentrations that are in the works are so unlikely that we may not concern ourselves about them. I do agree that ‘we’, whoever that may be, are not conducting a purposeful experiment to see what the effect of greatly increased greenhouse gas concentrations will have. But the atmosphere doesn’t respond to our intentions; it responds to what we do. The question is whether or not ‘we’ can change what we are doing. Pavel, on the one hand seems to adopt a social/economic determinism which suggests it is all beyond anyone’s control, but then contradicts that by suggesting that making it profitable to do otherwise would resolve the problem. That of course is also based on a metaphor. One can argue endlessly about whether or not ‘free will’, the ability to make choices, exists either on an individual scale or on the scale of societies. But whether or not social choices are truly free, it is a necessary metaphor to consider them so. Those of us trying to convince our fellow human beings that action is necessary may ourselves be acting as a consequence of impersonal social laws, but that doesn’t mean we should just stop trying. The real issue, as a practical matter, is whether or not the human species can/will change its behavior in these matters. I think that is not settled yet. There are examples of where the short term local motivations were successfully countered by long term concerns. When I was young, you were an oddball if you didn’t smoke. Nicotine is highly addictive, and the sale of cigarettes became very profitable for tobacco companies. But in spite of that, medical evidence about how our physical bodies actually responded to smoking, eventually led to change. Today, in much of the US, you are an oddball if you do smoke, and at least one cigarette company advertises the dangers of smoking. The case of CFCs and ozone is also illuminating. Once Dupont’s chemists convinced their management there was really a problem, ‘we’ switched to other refrigerants, despite significant cost and some inconvenience. The same arguments were made against doing anything by Fred Singer and other skeptics. They tried to pick holes in the science and claimed that phasing out CFCs would be highly disruptive. In fact, it was done relatively easily. It is true that cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions is a much harder nut to crack, but it is certainly not clear at this point that ‘we’ can’t manage to do it. And looking only at ‘profit motive’ as the way it will be done assumes unproven theories about how humans behave en masse. Today, free market apitalism is certainly an extremely important principle in understanding how human societies operate. But, that all human behovior is reducible to such analysis is also a metaphor and a not very good one at that. Consider for example why so many Americans drive low mileage SUVs. It certainly can’t be because they make sense economically. The reasons are complex, but it is clear that fashion plays a signficant role. The practical functions they provide to families were once provided by station wagons, which did much better in terms of gas mileage. But one thing is pretty clear. Congress provided a loophole to mileage standards car manufacturers could drive their ‘trucks’ through. Without that, we would be using relatively gas efficient station wagons. The same thing didn’t happen in European countries, and I don’t think it was inveitable that it had to happen here. It was argued above that climate models were exceptional among numerical models used in science and engineering in that neither can they be shown to converge nor, if so, can they be shown to converge to solutions of the equations they are meant to model. I think what the previous poster said is in fact wrong, and it is quite common in numerical modelling for this sort of thing to occur. I would like to see a response from a bona fide climate modeller. I am hardly an expert in numerical modelling. But I have at times in the past tried to undersand something about the subject. It seemed to me that error analyses for numerical procedures, in order to make useful predictions, had to make assumptions which themselves could not be proved. In practice, the results of using the procedure were monitored to see if they were plausible in known situations and also to see if the original unproven hypotheses seemed to be holding. From the point of view of rigorous mathematics, the latter approach is clearly circular, but in practice it does seem to work. In the case of climate models, I think the situation may be even more complicated because one doesn’t try simply to model a set of equations all of which fit into a specific mathematical/physical formalism. One tries to model the actual physical system and that incoroprates other features dependent on chemistry and biology. In addition, different, mathematically distinct physical theories are modelled. In principle, you could use quantum mechanics to describe the wave function of the atmopshere and try to model that. In practice, you use classical fluid mechanics and thermodynamics for some things and quantum mechanics for others. These are entirely different mathematical theories involving different equations about different physical entities. What holds them together is the belief that these are all different ways to describe physical reality. Hence, the ultimate measure of the success of a model is not necessarily its mathematical behviour but the extent to which it is consistent with observations of that reality. As a somewhat related aside, mathematicians have always been bothered by the cavalier way physicists argue, using series that don’t converge or integrals that are infinite. This doesn’t bother the physicists at all if they can by hook or crook pull out numbers which both match observations and fit into an overall conceptual understanding of what is going on. I think that the answer is “No”, they don’t get the message. And I think that is why you are asking for help. You can see that they are not convinced. I had thought that one reason they are not getting the message, is because you are answering the wrong question. So the message you convey is irrelevent to their question. The question they are really asking is “How can we trust your predictions, when so often even the weather forecast is wrong?” Unfortunately that question is even more difficult to answer. It is all very well saying that saying with more CO2 then the world will get warmer just as it does in summer. But you have been stabbed in the back by the oceanographers who say Britain and Norway will cool as the world warms, because the ocean currents will switch just as they did in the Younger Dryas. Although Kuckla and Matthews got it wrong, there is a widespread belief amongst younger scientists today that scientists are infallible. I would trust their views on scientific matters more than those of the Pope, but science is only true by definition. The utterances of scientists are are no more true than those of the Pope until proved so, and perhaps not even after that eg Einstien’s revision of Newton’s work. Young, and some not so young, scientists seem to think that if a paper is published in a peer reviewed journal, then it becomes science and hence it is true. That is not the case, and now new evidence is showing that the breakout of Lake Agassiz did not coincide with the start of the Younger Dryas, and hence cannot be the cause, despite inumerable scientific papers claiming or assuming that it was. So how can we trust the scientists to be correct about global warming? Well, although they may not know the cause of the Younger Dryas they do know that it happened. What they do know is that the climate changes rapidly. That discovery was what scared Kukla and Matthews. In a cooling world they feared a rapid cooling. Now we are in a warming world the danger is of a rapid warming. That would disrupt agriculture almost as much as an ice age, and without food people cannot exist. The weather models do not get the cloud base right, but because they can be tested each day, the meteorologists know that and can make the appropriate corrections. But no one knows what corrections need to be made for a climate model looking 50 years ahead, because we have never been there! The analogy was meant to convey the difference between modeling the entire system and micro aspects of the system. That is climate and weather. â??18,000 scientists signed a petition saying the global warming model as presented in the popular media is just plain wrong,â?? said Pekarek. That has to be referring to the 1998 petition drive he was involved in, as per my post 23. That effort was discredited years ago, not months ago. in fact raise some profound questions about the predictive skill of the models, and thus relate directly to this subject. In the absence of comparisons of model predictions with measured data you cannot prove that you can predict anything. It is often stated that the GCMs solve the basic equations of mass, momentum and energy conservation. So long as the results cannot be shown to be independent of the discrete representations of the continuous equations there are errors present in the numbers. All textbooks concerned with numerical analysis/methods will state this fact. The numbers do not represent solutions to the basic equations. Additionally, the predictive power of the models does not mainly reside in the basic equations of mass, momentun and energy conservation. The algebraic parameterizations carry the heavy work of getting the physical phenomena/processes nearly correct. RE:#39 and also the original question. i think one of the most basic problems with the public in understanding climate prediction is the question they have regarding will global warming cause the collapse of the Atlantic circulation and hence a new ice age? or will temperatures on the average get warmer and warmer compared to what we have experienced. That’s is about as unpredictable as it can be for them and I think feeds the feeling that there is nothing that can be done about it, it’s all “wild” speculation. Re #44 The only way we are going to get the public, and through them the politicians, to take action is to scare them to death. It was fear that got the millenium bug fixed, it was fear of the ozone hole that ended CFCs. It is fear that has mmeant the end of nuclear power, and fear that prevented a nuclear war. It is fear of terrorism that allowed GWB to take the US to war in Iraq. They don’t have to make up ‘scary stories’. Just point to the hurricanes, droughts, floods, and fires around the world, and explain that they will only get worse, and lead to famine. There is no easy fix if you don’t have enough food. And they must point out that it is only 10,000 years since temperatures climbed by 20C in Greenland over period of less than 40 years. If only they would have the courage to tell the truth! #28, In a way Global mean temperatures, at least in my case for the Northern Hemisphere, is a bench mark, of which everything else transpires, it would be in fact very good to have one predicted for each coming month, aside from the usual GCM probability inspired seasonal forecast map. I like to see, if the models can in fact predict the most simplest, but most important parameter, if they do they are on the right track, if they don’t, it would be quite revealing. I remember with great disgust in October 2005, last falls forecast for a cold bitter coming winter. Was not sure if the radio announcer was on the same planet. I’ll agree with L. Evans (#1); one of the critical aspects determining whether or not you’ll succeed in getting your point across, is whether or not the listener is open-minded. The analogy I often use is the height difference between men and women. I point out that there’s no way to predict with much confidence who will be taller, the next man to enter the room or the next woman. But we can predict with *extremely* high confindence that the average height of men at the party is greater than the average height of women at the party. When I tell this to the open-minded, they get that “oh – I get it!” look on their faces. When I tell this to the closed-minded they invent a reason to invalidate my analogy (sometimes very creatively, sometimes ridiculously silly). I can usually tell, even before I offer the analogy, whether or not the listener is receptive. But even for the non-receptive, I offer the analogy anyway. It may not influence their opinion, but there are always other interested listeners, and they often seek me out later to find out more. Most certainly. If I gave the impression of a sort of fatalism permit me to retract. In the case of stratospheric ozone depletion there was an obvious global emergency in progress, and a ‘fix’ that was not so disruptive as to cause exceptional distress, or for that matter a decline in profits. There is an analogy here to the problem of GW greenhouse gases, but not an identity in terms of social scale, tempo or predictability. As a Catholic I don’t hold that economic determinism is the main moving force in human societies. Nevertheless, if you want change you must find the appropriate operational handle. A good start for a discussion about AGW is by using examples and metaphorism. HUMAN-MADE climate forcings, mainly greenhouse gases, heat the earth’s surface at a rate of about two watts per square meter – the equivalent of two tiny one-watt bulbs burning over every square meter of the planet. The full effect of the warming is slowed by the ocean, because it can absorb so much heat. The ocean’s surface begins to warm, but before it can heat up much, the surface water is mixed down and replaced by colder water from below. Scientists now think it takes about a century for the ocean to approach its new temperature. And even without the image it’s pretty understandable. If we are conducting an “experiment in increasing concentrations of greenhouse gasses”, it is also pretty clear that it is not a controlled experiment, and that the 0.6 degrees C warming over the last century has occurred in the context of one of the highest levels of solar activity in the last 8000 years. Yes, climate has been relatively stable and predictable for a couple of centuries, and even the changes over the last few millenia, while locally significant, have not changed the overall pattern. Absent, mode changes or tipping points, even the most sensitive models do not predict changes in climate patterns over the next century. However, just because climate has order and modes, and thus is predictible, does not mean that we can predict it with current model technology. Since the recent warming is apparently due to net globally and annually averaged heat fluxes of under 1 W/m^2, understanding and attribution of the relative causes of that warming given the number of inputs that are changing will require model accuracies of better than 0.1 W/m^2. Projections with any degree of precision for multiple decades, may require sensitivities to the various forcings another order of magnitude more accurate. We haven’t had observations accurate enough to validate models to such accuracy for more than a couple decades, if that. The IPCC diagnostic subprojects have shown the models to have errors of multiple watts per meter squared (e.g. Roesch 2006), and to the extent that they manage to balance energy budgets to observations, there must be compensating errors of a similar magnitude in effect in ajustible parameters. Yes, climate is predictable, but the IPCC diagnostic subprojects show that predictive capability is not here yet, although, the optimisitic among us, hope it is just a few years away.
2019-04-21T08:54:23Z
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2006/08/short-and-simple-arguments-for-why-climate-can-be-predicted/langswitch_lang/in/
Summary: Fasten your seat belt and prepare for take off with 4A Flyer! You are the flyer of the 4A Flyer combat plane! Your mission is to carry top secret cargo to four seperate airports. But watch out! Enemy planes will do all in their power to stop you from reaching your destinations. Start your engine, fly into the sky, navigate through hazardous weather conditions, search for and destroy enemy planes, and land safely - without running out of fuel! Feel the excitement and motion of flight as you pilot your own plane with 4A Flyer! Summary: As the name implies, A-Maze-Ing is a maze game, but with a twist: you control a mouse who has to make its way through an actual maze. Options include "Cheese Hunt" (collect 10 pieces of cheese in the right order before you are shown the exit), "Escape Maze" (Get to the exit as fast as you can), "Mouseholes" (shortcuts through the maze walls) or "Obstacles" (which blocks the center of the passages), whether there are cats (and how many) in the maze, how fast they are, and whether the cats are smart or dumb. Try to beat your own best time, or play with another player choosing between co-operative or competitive play. Summary: Slip into a world where pirate's and vampires roam the lands and where you can explore mysterious castles or strange new worlds. All it takes is you and your imagination to go to places where no human being has gone before! Summary: Designed to help children from kindergarten through sixth grade learn to add numbers 0 to 9, Alien Addition is an educational game that incorporates the trappings of a coin-op shooter into the learning process. Like Space Invaders, players control a ship that moves horizontally along the bottom of the screen to destroy a row of five alien attack ships that advance from the top of the screen displaying a mathematical equation (such as 4 + 3 or 1 + 8). To eliminate an alien invader, players must align their laser cannon with the ship they intend to destroy and correctly answer the mathematical equation. Guess correctly and the ship blows up in a shower of red sparks as another takes its place at the top of the screen. Get an answer wrong and the alien ship advances an extra turn. If it reaches the bottom of the screen, it destroys the player's laser cannon. Alien Addition includes a number of options: nine skill levels, five time limits (1-5 minutes), and three problem ranges (0-3, 0-6 or 0-9). A game ends when time runs out or three laser cannons are destroyed. Summary: Alpiner is a third-person action game in which the player's goal is to climb safely to the top of various mountains. Each of the six mountains the player climbs has various obstacles which should be avoided; falling rocks, avalanches, wild animals, trees, and brush fires can all hinder progress. Being hit by these obstacles will cause the player to lose progress, falling down part of the mountain (some obstacles cause a short falling distance, others a long distance). Should the player fall all of the way to the bottom of the mountain a life will be lost. To help anticipate obstacles, voice synthesis provide a warning when danger is near. Each mountain has a time limit in which it must be climbed, though the timer only counts down when the climber isn't moving. As the player progresses through the levels the mountains become higher and obstacles become faster and more numerous. Summary: Race through the city to save ailing citizens while avoiding cars and approaching trains. Can you get your patients to the hospital in time, or will they be dead on arrival? Summary: Ant Eater is a 2D arcade game (completely different from the arcade game with a similar title). The player controls an ant, who must steal picnic food from the surface (and can dig long tunnels). The ant must avoid anteaters, it can dump stones on opponents, but they are immediately reborn. Summary: Originally called "Alien Attack," this game pits the player against alien "spores." Although the spores themselves are harmless, they can join together to form giant aliens that chase you down and eat you. To make matters more interesting, scattered around the playing field are a number of "incubators," which can hatch either more spores or, at later levels (or in early levels, in more advanced difficulty levels), more aliens. Use your ship's weapons to blast the spores before they can make new aliens, and blast any aliens before they can devour you. Summary: Card games and computers seem to go hand-in-hand. TI's offering, "Blackjack & Poker," allows you to play Blackjack or Stud Poker against the computer, or with up to three other players. The Blackjack game has most of the features of real Blackjack, except for the "split" option. The Stud Poker game pits you against three other players (human, computer or both), and follows the rules for 5-Card Stud. Will you break the bank, or lose your shirt? Only Lady Luck knows for sure! Summary: 1 or 2 players each control a tank in this top-down game. The object is to clear as many mines and obstacles as you can before the timer runs out. But watch out! If you're too close to a mine when you shoot it, you'll blow up your own tank! And in a two-player game, you also have to be careful not to run into the other tank -- or get into its line of fire! Summary: Loosely based on the Buck Rogers comic strips, Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom is a fast-paced arcade racing game taking place on a futuristic racetrack. Guide your spaceship between pylons and shoot down other enemy racers. Summary: You play as Chef Pepper and your goal is to make giant hamburgers while evil eggs, sausages and pickles chase you around the game area. To properly make a hamburger you must assemble all of the ingredients together, dropping them from higher up onto the burger area below. To actually do this you have to let Chef Pepper step over every burger ingredient. As soon as an ingredient (a piece of lettuce for instance) has been stepped on, it will fall to the level below. Falling food will squish any enemy following you and will also "bump" any other ingredient below it farther down. Also, as an emergency defense against the enemy food, you can collect pepper shakers which will allow you to puff out a small pepper cloud that will momentarily stun enemies, allowing you to walk past them. Higher levels result in new level design, faster enemies and more ingredients to assemble. The PlayStation 2 version is a port of the original arcade game and comes with a soundtrack disc, a DVD, a guide book and some other bonuses. Summary: In this combination racing game and maze game, you have to maneuver your race car around the track, clearing the dots from all five lanes. The catch is, there's another car (controlled by the computer) driving around the track, in the opposite direction, bent on stopping you. You have to be quick with the lane changes, or the computer car will crash into you. You start with three cars, and can gain extra cars by clearing all the dots from the track. But watch out! The computer adds an an additional opponent on the third round, and another every second round after that! Summary: In Centipede, the player is trapped in the Enchanted Forest. Armed with only a magic wand to ward off the forest's insect denizens, all of which apparently are attacking in the player in continuous waves. The player must use the magic wand to shoot sparks at approaching insects to score points by pressing the controller button. Holding down the controller button will set the wand to rapid fire shots. If the player is bitten by an insect, the player will be temporarily paralyzed and lose one of the three starting magic wands. The Centipede will attack in 12 waves. In the first wave, the Centipede will have a head attached to 11 body segments. In the second wave, the Centipede will have a head attached to 10 body segments, in addition to a detached head. The third wave will have the Centipede with an attached head, 9 body segments, plus two detached heads. These body segments will transform into heads and continue to do so until Wave 12. In the last wave, the Centipede will have 12 detached heads, independently attacking the player. Centipede heads are worth more points than body segments. Attacks from the Centipede will come from the top of the screen, moving downward. If a spark hits any part of the Centipede, that particular body segment will transform into a mushroom, while the body segment behind it will become the new Centipede head. When the Centipede is destroyed, it will briefly disappear and re-appear from the top of the screen again. The Spider will attempt to distract the player from attacking the Centipede. It will destroy any mushroom it touches. Spiders will score more points if it is hit in closer distances. The Flea will appear if the player has destroyed most of the existing mushrooms. It will drop down creating a new batch of mushrooms where it falls. The Flea will disappear after two hits. After the first hit, the Flea will drop down much faster. The Scorpion will appear in the third wave. It moves slowly but will pick up speed, moving faster. While doing so, it will poison any mushroom it touches. Mushrooms fill the Enchanted Forest and may act as obstacles or cover for the player, with added effects to enemy insects. It takes four shots to completly destroy a mushroom. There are two types of mushrooms: Magic Mushrooms and Poisonous mushrooms. Magic mushrooms are the default mushrooms in the game and are also the result of the player destroying an insect or Centipede body segment. Poisonous Mushrooms are the result of the Scorpion touching a mushroom. Poisonous Mushrooms will prompt the Centipede near it to move straight towards the player through any mushroom. Losing a wand will restore any partially damaged mushroom. Two players will take turns when the active player is bitten. Two players will appear on the screen at the same time. Scoring is separate. Shots fired from one player will paralyze the other player. Two players will appear on the screen at the same time. Scoring is combined. Shots fired from one player will not paralyze the other player. Summary: Drive your cattle along the famous Chisholm Trail in this top-down arcade-style game from TI. Use the keyboard or joysticks to maneuver your steer around the playing field. But watch out for rustlers who want to steal your cattle, and wranglers who want to put their own brands on your stock. Features 9 levels of difficulty. Summary: Congo Bongo is an arcade platform game similar in many ways to Donkey Kong, but with an isometric perspective. The player takes control of a safari hunter who is searching for an ape named Bongo, determined to punish him for setting the hunter's tent on fire. The game consists of four one-screen stages, each with an objective to jump on platforms and reach the top. Various animals will try to stop the protagonist: for example, in the first level a large gorilla throws coconuts at him. The hero has no offensive abilities and must jump or otherwise avoid enemy attacks. Stages may contain obstacles or hazardous spots that would kill off the main character. Summary: Defender put players in charge of a ship sent to protect mankind from wave after wave of attacking alien forces. Armed with smart bombs and the ability to use hyperspace to move quickly around the planet, the player ship must fight against Bombers, Pods, Swarmers, Baiters, and Landers - that can capture the humanoids and transform them into deadly and relentless Mutants. Fail to save the humanoids from freefall or Mutant transformation, and the planet is destroyed. Summary: Dig Dug is a 1-2 player arcade game in which you have to use your shovel to dig your way through the earth. Stopping you from doing this are two monsters, called Pooka and Fygar, who will continually chase you around. The only weapon that you carry is an air pump, which you can use to inflate the monsters to the point where they explode. (if you start to inflate them but stop doing so, the monsters will get turned back to their normal selves). Furthermore, rocks are scattered throughout the earth, and you can use these rocks to squash them. If the monsters do not find you for several seconds, they will eventually get turned into ghosts, which are able to walk through the earth. They are invincible and cannot be killed. From time to time, vegetables will appear in the center, and you can get these for points. Summary: Released in the arcades in 1981, Donkey Kong was not only Nintendo's first real smash hit for the company, but marked the introduction for two of their most popular mascots: Mario (originally "Jumpman") and Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong is a platform-action game that has Mario scale four different industrial themed levels (construction zone, cement factory, an elevator-themed level, and removing rivets from girders) in an attempt to save the damsel in distress, Pauline, from the big ape before the timer runs out. Once the rivets are removed from the final level, Donkey Kong falls, and the two lovers are reunited. From there, the levels start over at a higher difficulty. Along the way, Mario must dodge a constant stream of barrels, "living" fireballs, and spring-weights. Although not as powerful as in other future games, Mario can find a hammer which allows him to destroy the barrels and fireballs for a limited amount of time. Additionally, Mario can also find Pauline's hat, purse and umbrella for additional bonus points. Donkey Kong is also notable for being one of the first complete narratives in video game form, told through simplistic cut scenes that advance the story. It should also be noted that in many conversions of the original coin-op game for early 1980's consoles and computer-systems, Donkey Kong only used two or three of the original levels, with the cement factory most often omitted. Summary: Everyone's mothers always say "Don't make those faces! They'll stay like that!" But now you have the chance to make the silliest looking faces anyone's ever seen! Choose from a wide assortment of eyes, ears, noses, and mouths. Then make your newly created faces blink, wiggle their ears, wink, or razz you. You can even play a "Simon Says.." type game where your face will do some kind of action and you have to follow along! Summary: Try to guess the hidden word, one letter at a time -- if you guess right, nothing happens; if you guess wrong, another piece of the hanged man appears. Too many wrong guesses, and you'll be swinging from the gallows pole! This version of Hangman was developed by Milton Bradley, originally for their Gamevision line. You can play against the computer, or with a friend. Two different styles of play are available, just to keep things interesting: Regular, which is standard Hangman, or Scramble, in which the letters appear on the screen in the order you guess them, then are unscrambled into the correct word when you win. In a two-player game, both players can either guess the same word or different words, or they can each enter a word for the other player to solve. The game also allows a player to create a custom word list, which can be used immediately, or saved to cassette for later use. Summary: Help Farmer Jones collect the eggs from his henhouse. But be careful! His hens are finicky, and demand the utmost attention and care with their eggs. Also, hungry wolves and poachers roam the countryside, so you might have to rely on your trusty gun to keep them from eating and stealing your livestock! Summary: Spring is here and Daisy the bee needs your help in gathering nectar for the hive. However, pesky animals and insects are out to ruin her day! Be careful as spiders have been seen spinning their webs lately, and the bears are hungry for something sweet after their long winter nap! Summary: Three evil circus trainers are trying to capture Chadly, the Australian Kangaroo. With quick thinking and clever strategy, you can help Chadly escape danger and captivity! Summary: A mythical creature called a Wumpus is sleeping somewhere in a series of maze-like caves, and your goal is to hunt it down. The cave is dangerous, and in addition to the Wumpus there are bottomless pits and cave bats. Walking into a pit ends the game, encountering a bat will cause you to be relocated to a random location in the cave (which may or may not be safe), and walking into the same room as the Wumpus will cause it to wake up and eat you. To help figure out where these dangers are various cave rooms can provide clues. For example, finding blood splattered in the room means the Wumpus is near, or if you feel a breeze then a pit is near. From these clues you need to deduce the layout of the cave and the location of the Wumpus. If you think you know where the Wumpus is, you have one arrow to fire; a hit wins the game, but a miss means you are eaten by the Wumpus. Hunt the Wumpus was originally a text based adventure written for mainframes, and this version maintains the same gameplay however graphical enhancements are added. During the game you have a top down view of the cave as you move from room to room with various colors used to indicate the clues. Depending on the difficulty level selected, the map will show you the entire cave that you have visited so far, or only the current room you are standing in. You may also select from several cave difficulty levels (this affects the complexity of the cave layout). When the game ends, you can optionally view the entire cave to see how close (or far) you came to winning. Summary: Try to out-slither your opponent by devouring as many points as possible. Whoever ends up with the most points at the end of a round wins. But watch out, the more you eat the bigger you get...and the harder it is to maneuver! Summary: You zig zag your way towards the opposing teams goal all the while keeping a keen eye on the soccer ball. Then you deliver a powerful kick and the ball rockets forward towards a quivering goal keeper. The goal keeper lunges towards the ball, but then...Swish! It hits the back of the netting! The crowd cheers...you've just scored the game winning goal! Summary: Jungle Hunt offers four unique adventure experiences, which repeat with greater difficulty once all four have been survived. If you don't survive these adventures, you will not only lose your own life but that of the lovely Penelope, who has been captured by cannibals! The first part challenges your Tarzan skills - can you swing on the vines without plummeting to your doom? The second part pits you against a whole bunch of nasty crocodiles in a mighty river. Fortunately, you have a knife to fight back with. Don't forget to go up for air! In the third part, you face a battle against oncoming boulders of varying sizes and physics. Once you've cleared all these treacherous hazards, you still must confront the dreaded cannibal, who is armed with a wicked spear. Can you get past him and save the lovely Penelope? Gameplay involves much strategic jumping and knife play (in the river/crocodile phase). The view is always a side view, much like Pitfall! and later platform games. Summary: M*A*S*H was one of the many attempts by various software companies to take a successful movie or television show and convert it into a playable game. In this game, you play the role of "Hawkeye Pierce," a surgeon stationed at the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital #4077 during the Korean War (1950-1953). There are two main stages in the game, each of which you must pass to move to the next round. The first mission involves rescuing injured soldiers from the battlefield with your helicopter and returning them to home base without being shot down by enemy tanks. The second mission takes place in the operating room while you are required to carefully remove bullets and shrapnel from wounded soldiers... it is very similar to the classic "OPERATION" tweezers game by Milton Bradley. Each set of missions are repeated four times. The first player to reach 999 points wins the game. There are four different variations of games, each selectable as either one player (against the computer) or two-player mode. Summary: You're a microsurgeon, and your patient is in critical condition! First you need to examine the patient's medical chart to find out what's wrong, and which conditions are the most critical. Now to save the patient, you control a robot probe which can be used to administer aspirin, antiseptic, or ultrasonics to clear up the problem. You should clear up the most critical conditions first, then move on to the less serious areas to ensure your patient survives. Your probe should navigate through the veins, arteries, and lymph; if you guide the probe outside these areas, it's movement will slow down and swarms of white blood cells will attack it, depleting the limited energy supply. There are 197 different patients you need to help, each with different ailments. Summary: Two exciting and colorful games to challenge your powers of memory and logic. Test the limits of your musical memory with Memory Match, or try to solve the mystery of the baffling Mind Grid! Summary: You play the part of Bounty Bob, and it is your mission to explore every inch of an abandoned mine. As you walk over floor sections in the mine, the floor will change color. When all of the floor sections have been changed in color, you can move on to the next, more challenging level. To reach all of the floor sections, you will need to figure out how to get there. You can jump (be careful not to fall too far though, or you will be squished), climb up and down ladders, and use different transportation devices that can be found on the levels (such as an elevator, slides, a springboard, or a cannon). Wandering around the mine are numerous radioactive creatures which get in Bounty Bob's way. Also scattered throughout the mines are various artifacts left behind; if Bounty Bob collects one of these, the creatures will temporarily become vulnerable. If Bounty Bob runs into one of the creatures in this state the creature will be destroyed, but if he runs into a creature while it is glowing Bounty Bob will be destroyed. There is a total of ten different levels, and to complete them all you will need quick reflexes as well as to figure out a unique strategy for each level. Summary: In 1981, a sequel to Pac-Man was introduced in the form of his girlfriend, Ms. Pac-Man. This sequel continued on the "eat the dots/avoid the ghosts" gameplay of the original game, but added new features to keep the title fresh. Like her boyfriend, Ms. Pac-Man attempts to clear four various and challenging mazes filled with dots and ever-moving bouncing fruit while avoiding Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Sue, each with their own personalities and tactics. One touch from any of these ghosts means a loss of life for Ms. Pac-Man. Ms. Pac-Man can turn the tables on her pursuers by eating one of the four Energizers located within the maze. During this time, the ghosts turn blue, and Ms. Pac-Man can eat them for bonus points (ranging from 200, 400, 800 and 1600, progressively). The Energizer power only lasts for a limited amount of time, as the ghost's eyes float back to their center box, and regenerate to chase after Ms. Pac-Man again. Survive a few rounds of gameplay, and the player will be treated to humorous intermissions showing the growing romantic relationship between Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man, leading all the way up to the arrival of "Junior". Summary: MunchMan is an arcade action game similar to Pac-Man. You control MunchMan who is in a maze; your goal is to lay down a chain throughout each path of the maze (the opposite of Pac-Man where you need to eat all of the dots). Also in the maze are four "Hoonos"; these creatures will be constantly chasing MunchMan, and if he's caught a life is lost. When all of MunchMans lives are lost, the game is over. To help out, each corner of the maze has a Texas Instruments (TI) logo; eat the TI logo and MunchMan will now temporarily be able to eat the Hoonos for bonus points! When the maze is complete, you move on to the next, more difficult level. Summary: Drive your Munchmobile down dangerous roads while trying to grab and munch the snacks scattered along the way. Be careful - one wrong move and you lose a Munchmobile! Summary: Your opponent has just outflanked you and captured your discs - you're surrounded. Can you outwit your adversary in this intriguing game of strategy, skills, and concentration? Summary: One of the most popular and influential games of the 1980's, Pac-Man stars a little, yellow dot-muncher who works his way around to clear a maze of the various dots and fruit which inhabit the board. Pac-Man's goal is continually challenged by four ghosts: The shy blue ghost Bashful (Inky), the trailing red ghost Shadow (Blinky), the fast pink ghost Speedy (Pinky), and the forgetful orange ghost Pokey (Clyde). One touch from any of these ghosts means a loss of life for Pac-Man. Pac-Man can turn the tables on his pursuers by eating of the four Energizers located within the maze. During this time, the ghosts turn blue, and Pac-Man can eat them for bonus points. This only lasts for a limited amount of time, as the ghosts' eyes float back to their center box, and regenerate to chase after Pac-Man again. Survive a few rounds of gameplay, and be treated to humorous intermissions between Pac-Man and the ghosts. Summary: Parsec is a side-scrolling space shooter. Waves of alien craft swoop down from the top and the player must shoot them down without colliding with them or the ground, running out of fuel, or overheating the ship's laser. Some enemies are harder to destroy and shoot back. At the end of each level, the player must navigate through an asteroid field which can yield many points, but can also result in a loss of ships in the process due to collisions. The game takes advantage of the TI's speech synthesizer: a female voice occasionally makes comments such as "Nice shooting, pilot!", or "Asteroid field ahead" throughout the course of the game. Summary: The player is guarding four full picnic tables while armed only with a fly-swatter and an occasional can of bug spray. Ants soon crawl on-screen and, in character, attempt to carry the food away. Spiders that lay delaying webs show up on round two, and can sting player, paralyzing him, if he isn't careful. A flying wasp, which also stings, appears at random. Points are awarded for swatting any of these marauders. Each round lasts a minute and a half and, at the end of each round, bonus points are awarded for any remaining food. As soon as all food is pushed off of the screen, or a round ends with no food still on any of the tables, the game ends. Summary: Pole Position is a Formula 1 racing game. Enter the Grand Prix, race against other racing cars to achieve the highest score possible in the shortest amount of time. Before the player can enter the Grand Prix, the player must first qualify by competing in the Qualifying Lap within 73 seconds or less. If the player however, does not qualify in the Qualifying Lap, the player may continue to race until the Race Timer runs after 90 seconds. The player will score 50 point per 5 meters and additionally 50 points for every racing car passed. When the time runs out - Game Over. The player will have to restart the Qualifying Lap. Qualifying will enable the player to start in one of the eight available positions. The faster the lap time was, the better the starting position in addition to bonus score points. The number one starting position, is the Pole Position. During the Grand Prix, the player will compete against the Race Timer as well as against other racing cars. If the player fails to beat the Race Timer in any lap, the player drops out of the race - Game Over. Completing the race by reaching finishing line will grant the player 200 points per each second left on the Race Timer, bonus score for distance covered, and passing bonus points. Summary: Q*bert is a popular arcade game. The goal is to change all of the tiles on a pyramid to the target color. To do this you guide Q*bert around the pyramid, and every tile he hops on will change color. On early levels, a single hop will change the tile to the desired color, but on later levels you may need to hop on a tile multiple times or even avoid hopping on a tile multiple times! Trying to stop Q*bert are many different creatures which wander around the board, including Coily the snake, Slick and Sam, and falling balls. On the edge of the board are floating discs; if Q*bert jumps on one of these discs when the snake is in pursuit, the snake will fall off the board while Q*bert is safely transported to the top. Summary: WANTED: A desperate or insane man to gather the 13 remaining treasures off of Pirate's Isle and return back safely. Has to be able to climb tall cliffs, swim underwater, squeeze through small cracks, and get along with pirate's. This adventure is for the daring only, all others need not apply! Summary: Help Sewer Sam battle ferocious rats and a toothy alligator on his search for a bomb hidden deep in the city's sewer system. If you are swift of foot and quick of wit, you might just have what it takes to help Sam save the city from slimy underground chaos! Summary: You are the last defense against the hordes of alien Slymoids. Equipped with your handy Slymoid Scanner and Laser Fireball Gun, locate and destroy these strange life forms. But beware! The crafty Slymoids have turned spiders, bats, and even rocks against you! Summary: Evil reptilian forces have penetrated the barnyard, wreaking havoc. Gather your eggs to safety before they can be devouered by the hungry poisonous snakes. Be extra careful though...the snakes missed breakfast and are hungry enough to even swallow a whole chicken! Summary: ll aboard! Here comes the merry bandwagon, rocking and rolling along the tracks picking up some cool musicians on the way. See if you have what it takes to assemble an all-star band that can top the charts! Summary: Androids, space plunderers from a distant planet, have stolen Earth's valuable energy crystals and have hidden them in a 3-dimensional tunnel. It's up to you to recover these crystals and return them to Earth so order can finally be restored. Summary: Story Machine is a product aimed at children for teaching language skills. The product contains animations assigned to key nouns, and verbs. By typing phrases such as "The Girl Jumps Over the Flower" will show the player an animation of a girl jumping over a flower. Through this method, players are able to create short "stories" of about 40 words long and have the computer animate them. These stories are also limited to having 4 "actors" (animated noun objects) in each. Summary: Suicide patrollers and tentacled terrorists from the Demon Armada shower the moon with devastating weaponry. Annihilate them with your laser cannon. 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If they reach the bottom of the screen before you destroy them, the game will be over. Destroy all the invaders, and you move on to the next, more difficult level. Occasionally, a flying saucer will appear at the top of the screen; this can be shot for bonus points. Between levels you will also have an opportunity to earn bonus points by shooting the saucer as many times as possible before it flies off the screen. Summary: Aliens called "Morgs" are invading the old west. You must destroy them by shooting them from your "schooner". When you kill them, they turn into cactuses which create obstacles on the map. But if you kill a Morg while it is adjacent to an existing cactus, the Morg and the cactus are both eliminated from the map. TI released the source code to this game as part of its Editor/Assembler package. Summary: Treasure Island is sinking! Your only hope for survival lies at the top of the island. Can you grab the treasures and escape the monsters and gorillas in time to climb to safety? Summary: ou are about to take your first step into the unknowns of the Tunnels of Doom where all the myriad realms of fantasy coexist to challenge all would-be heroes. You must gather all your strength and wits if you wish to be victorious. Summary: Choose your own opponent - or play against the computer, on any 3 levels. With Video Chess, your computer can serve as a willing teacher - or a challenging opponent. Summary: Exciting arcade fun for 1 or 2 players. Practice your aim with Pot-Shot, try your skill at Pinball, or trap your opponent with Doodle. Three games triple the action! Summary: You roll a two, a three, a four, and two fives. Do you try for your fives or go for a large straight? All the action of the popular dice game in a Milton Bradley video game cartridge! Summary: Ping! Bang! Boing! Do you have what it takes to become a pinball wizard? Find out in Zero Zap, where the excitement of the real thing comes into your home!
2019-04-22T19:22:01Z
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Why is modern medicine going nowhere in its attempts to treat breast cancer? Our research has found that the answer to this question lies primarily with the politics of medicine, the cancer industry, and the industries that create the pollutants that contribute to breast cancer. We believe that the only way to truly prevent and treat breast cancer is to go outside the current way of doing things in medicine and stop the wholesale pollution of our planet with petrochemicals, but the forces that would keep things the same are very powerful and entrenched. That's why, just as they did with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), women need to educate themselves about pollutants, about breast cancer, and about alternative treatments. They need to rebel against ineffective and harmful treatments, and do what they can to teach their doctors. Over the past few decades, conventional medicine has done very little to make any meaningful difference in what will happen to you if you get breast cancer, and virtually nothing it has done has reduced the incidence of the disease. The harsh reality is, if you get breast cancer, you'll get more treatment than you did 50 years ago, you and your insurance company will spend a lot more money, and if it's fatal you may gain a few more months of life (usually of very poor quality), but statistics clearly tell us that conventional medicines for treating breast cancer such as tamoxifen, radiation, and chemotherapy just aren't working in the long run. The way breast cancer is currently treated is a way of doing something in the face of not knowing what else to do. If you have an invasive or nonlocal breast cancer, your chances of dying from it are still about one in three, the same as they have been for decades. The incidence of breast cancer (how many women are getting it) is steadily rising, and the numbers are appalling: According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer incidence rates have increased by more than 40 percent from 1973 to 1998. In the year 2000 approximately 182,800 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Since 1950 breast cancer incidence has risen by 60 percent. Some will argue that this is due to better and earlier detection. But even for women over 80 years of age, where this early detection issue is doubtful, the incidence of breast cancer has risen the past 30 years from 1 in 30 women to 1 in 8 women. The American Cancer Society estimated that in the year 2000, 552,200 people in the United States would die of cancer, and 40,800, or just over 7 percent, of those would be women dying of breast cancer. This means that about 15 percent of women who die of cancer are dying of breast cancer. These are the annual statistics for the United States, but it's even more sobering to realize that worldwide about 1,670,000 women have breast cancer. The mortality (death rate) from breast cancer is also staggering. If you combine mortality rates from the United States and Canada (which have the highest rates of breast cancer in the world), in North America a woman dies of breast cancer every twelve minutes. Do Radiation, Tamoxifen, Mammograms, and Chemotherapy Help or Hurt? Mammograms don't really save lives (G. Sjonell, et al., Lakartidningen 96 (1999): 904-913. Radiation doesn't really save lives (Lancet, 22 May 2000). Tamoxifen doesn't really save lives (Mitchell, et al., Journal of the National Cancer Institute, November 1999). Chemotherapy doesn't save lives (which isn't news; we've known this for a long time). So what's left for the conventional medical doctor to treat breast cancer patients with? Nothing but the same surgical removal of the cancer that they were doing 50 years ago. More American physicians need to face the hard, cold facts that current therapies just aren't working and open their eyes to alternatives for prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Let's take a broad look at the current treatments. Radiation is the most common treatment for breast cancer following surgery, and yet a recent article in the prestigious British medical journal Lancet showed that this treatment is not working. In fact, while using local radiation to treat breast cancer reduces deaths from this disease by 13.2 percent, it increases death from other causes, mostly heart disease, by 21.2 percent. The obvious conclusion of this study: "The treatment was a success but the patient died." In other words, the radiation obliterates the breast cancer tumor in a small percentage of women, but in the process it causes many of them to die from other diseases. Proponents of newer and more localized radiation procedures are claiming that it doesn't cause the damage the older radiation techniques do, but at present this is only a claim and not backed up by long-term follow-up. This means that there's no long-term benefit from using radiation to treat breast cancers, because even though the cancer may not recur at the site of the radiation, the overall chances of survival stay the same or are slightly worse. And yet despite the fact that radiation helps so few women—and eventually kills many of those whom it helped in the short term—it remains the standard of care in medicine for women who have breast cancer. How can this be? It's because conventional medicine has little else to offer that reduces death even by 13.2 percent. If you were starving and someone handed you a bowl of moldy old rice, you'd gratefully eat it up because it's better than nothing. Despite this study, published in one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world, if you have breast cancer your doctor will most likely insist that you undergo radiation treatments rather than exploring possibly safer alternatives not popular among conventional doctors. Treating women with radiation who later die of heart disease caused by radiation damage also affects breast cancer statistics. It means that the diagnosed cause of death was shifted from breast cancer to cardiovascular disease. As more and more breast cancer patients are subjected to radiotherapy, fewer will be said to die from breast cancer, but more will be said to die of radiation-induced heart disease. These deaths aren't counted in breast cancer statistics, but they should be if we are to have a truthful picture of what's happening to women who get this disease. In the same issue of The Lancet as the above study on radiation was a curious letter from Oxford professor Sir Richard Peto, with a graph showing that breast cancer deaths rose about 20 percent from 1960 to 1985. From 1985 to 1997 breast cancer deaths were said to have decreased about 20 percent. Without speculating on the cause of the 1985 rise in breast cancer mortality, or citing the sources of his information, Sir Peto instead addressed only the matter of the recent decline. An aside: The probable cause of the rise in breast cancer deaths was the prescription of unopposed estrogen (not balanced with progesterone) to menopausal women, a common practice from the early 1950s to the mid-1970s. While the medical community acknowledged that this practice caused endometrial (uterine) cancer, it never admitted that it also caused breast cancer. From the mid-1970s, doctors were instructed to prescribe synthetic progestins along with the estrogen to prevent the endometrial cancer. This is also when the incidence of hysterectomy skyrocketed: Women felt so terrible on progestins that they refused to take them, so doctors offered them a hysterectomy so they would no longer have to take the progestins, and could take estrogen only. To add insult to injury (literally), it was common practice (and still is in some places) to remove a woman's ovaries along with her uterus as a preventive for ovarian cancer. This misguided practice leads to many other health problems, including osteoporosis, heart disease, fatigue, and a diminished quality of life due to low libido, hot flashes, and other symptoms of "instant menopause." Back to the supposed decline in breast cancer deaths: Because of the "suddenness" of the decline, Sir Richard felt it was not due to fewer breast cancers but more likely to "changes in the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated." He speculated that it was "not from a single research breakthrough" but from "the adoption of many interventions," whatever that means. He was later quoted in other news articles as giving credit for the fall in breast cancer deaths to the antiestrogen drug tamoxifen. We hope that those promoting Tamoxifen remember to mention how many women taking it suffer from blood clots, deterioration of vision, and diminished quality of life (hot flashes, night sweats). Also, how many women have been forced to have a hysterectomy due to a particularly aggressive form of tamoxifen-caused uterine cancer? It's rarely mentioned that women actually die of tamoxifeninduced uterine cancer. When these women die of uterine cancer instead of breast cancer, it improves the breast cancer statistics. This makes tamoxifen look good, but it's a moot issue to the women in question. If the side effects of tamoxifen are this bad, why is it being used at all, and why is it being trumpeted so loudly as the great cure-all, to the extent that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even approved its use as a preventive? It's the moldy rice problem again. It's the lesser of many evils; it's better than nothing. Very few other FDA-approved pharmaceuticals have been made available to oncologists treating breast cancer. Theoretically—on paper, in test tubes, and in laboratory animals used as models for human breast cancer—tamoxifen looks promising, and the rationale for using it is based on a solid scientific foundation: Estrogens increase the rate that breast cancer cells proliferate, and tamoxifen slows the rate of cell proliferation by acting as an antiestrogen. Unfortunately, breast cancer cells in a test tube and laboratory animals can't really explain to us how they feel, and don't live long enough to give us a genuine appreciation for long-term health risks. Research investigating the effects of tamoxifen on hormone-dependent cancers looks good in the short term. However, in reality, tamoxifen is unnatural to the human body, and these side effects are the body's warning signals that something is terribly wrong. Tamoxifen has been available for 25 years and its effect on breast cancer prevention is still being debated: This in and of itself should tell us something. Two studies, a five-year placebo-controlled one from England in 1992, and a nine-year placebo-controlled one from Italy in 1998, showed no difference in cancer incidence between tamoxifen- treated women and controls. The only large study in the United States was cut short, supposedly because the incidence of breast cancer dropped so much in the tamoxifen group that they couldn't justify withholding this treatment from the placebo group. It's worth noting, however, that the trial was stopped at around the same time that breast cancer began to reappear, despite the tamoxifen, in the two European studies. The lessons we learned from those studies are that in some women tamoxifen may put a breast cancer to sleep for a few years, and in women who have breast cancer it may slow the rate of recurrence for a few years. But in the long term it tends to do more harm than good. Again, the only reason this is such a popular treatment right now is that it seems to oncologists to be better than doing nothing, which many of them believe is the only other viable option open to them. But as you'll discover, it's definitely not the only option available. For the most part, it's only in the United States that doctors still believe tamoxifen significantly prevents or reverses breast cancer. In fact, now even the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has come out with a statement that in all but a very narrow group of women under the age of sixty, tamoxifen may do more harm than good in terms of preventing cancer. Despite this, the FDA just approved the use of tamoxifen to treat a form of breast cancer known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). You'll understand later in the book why we believe this is an outrageous move. Like tamoxifen, radiation, and chemotherapy, mammography is big business these days. Mammography is also conventional medicine's only real answer to breast cancer "prevention," although it isn't preventing cancer at all, it's simply detecting it. Countless advertisements and physicians are telling women to have mammograms. But the value of this procedure is far from clear. We all know women diagnosed with breast cancer that wasn't detected by mammography, and we all know that mammograms present a real risk of false positive and false negative findings. The test procedure is unpleasant and the radiation is potentially harmful. Both tissue damage and radiation are known risk factors for breast cancer, so it may even be logical to assume that mammography can contribute to breast cancer. A summer 2000 study published in the journal Spine, and looking at data collected over 40 years, showed that women with scoliosis who received many diagnostic X rays during childhood and adolescence have a 70 percent higher risk of breast cancer than women in the general population. The more X rays a woman was exposed to, and the higher the dose of radiation, the greater her risk of breast cancer. Although the dose of radiation in a typical X ray is now much lower than it was when these women were being X rayed, the point is still valid: Radiation is a potent risk factor for breast cancer, its effect is cumulative, and mammography involves forcefully squashing the breast and then shooting radiation through it. It has been claimed that mammography lowers the risk of dying from breast cancer. Proponents argue that mammography can detect breast tumors a year or so earlier than simple palpation such as breast self-exams. This early detection, so the argument goes, leads to earlier treatment and a lower risk of breast cancer mortality. Statistics, it is claimed, have validated this argument. Many statisticians, however, disagree. Statistics are not immune from biases, which include mechanical factors (use of different measuring instruments in different subjects), study methodology, conscious or unconscious assumptions, age of subjects, socioeconomic factors, faulty randomization of subjects and controls, duration of observation, and other confounding factors. More than 15 years ago Dr. John C. Bailar III observed that counting survival time after treatment creates a bias in most mammography studies because mammography detects breast tumors a year before they would have been found by palpation. He pointed out that subjects with breast tumors found by palpation have lived at least a year prior to the time when they would have been found by mammography. When this year is added to the survival time of the control women (those who did not use mammography), their survival results match those of subject women whose tumors were found by mammography. This means that the apparent difference in survival after treatment was due not to earlier treatment, as a result of mammography, but merely to starting the counting of survival time one year earlier among mammography subjects. When this factor is included in the statistical analysis, the so-called benefit of mammography and earlier treatment disappears. Dr. Bailar, now professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at McGill University and senior scientist in the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, called this the lead-time bias. This should not be surprising. For a breast cancer cell to become large enough to detect by palpation, the cancer has usually been growing for about ten years. If found one year earlier by mammography, the cancer has been growing for about nine years, which is plenty of time to spawn metastases if the cancer is prone to do that. The one-year difference between palpation and mammography detection is ultimately of little importance. Does mammography truly save lives? If you read the numerous ads for it, you might think the case is closed—of course it does. If you read the studies themselves, the answer isn't so clear. For example, a 1999 epidemiological study found no decrease in breast cancer mortality in Sweden, where mammography screening has been recommended since 1985. As a result, two Swedish scientists reviewed all published mammography trials to evaluate their methodological quality. Their purpose was to ascertain whether or not mammography truly saved lives. Their findings are worth a close look. In their analysis of eight different clinical studies on mammography, the authors found six of them seriously flawed by baseline imbalances and/or inconsistencies of randomization. The flaws were sufficient to nullify the studies' claims of a benefit from mammography. The two adequately randomized trials found no effect of mammography screening on breast cancer mortality. The meta-analysis conclusion is clear. Since there is no reliable evidence that mammography screening decreases breast cancer mortality, mammography screening for breast cancer is unjustified. This means that physicians should not order routine mammography screening. However, mammograms have become a substitute for breast selfexams. If you stop having mammograms, it becomes essential that you examine your own breasts thoroughly at least once a month. If you're premenopausal, you should examine them shortly after your period, when hormone levels are low, so that premenopausal lumps aren't confused with a cancerous lump. You should also examine your breasts in the mirror and look for any unusual skin abnormalities or dimpling. After a few months you'll become very familiar with how your breasts feel, and you'll be able to detect very small abnormalities. It's difficult to make generalizations about chemotherapy these days, because there are so many different kinds, most of them extremely poorly studied: The women who agree to try new chemotherapies are guinea pigs for a type of treatment with a notoriously poor track record. Like most other aspects of the breast cancer industry, there's little agreement about what constitutes chemotherapy. We'll make the generalization that chemotherapy is an attempt to poison the body just short of death in the hope of killing the cancer before the entire body is killed. Most of the time it doesn't work. There are new chemotherapies that target specific parts of the cancer process, but none have proven themselves truly effective in stopping the entire process. Some chemotherapy does prolong life for a few months, but generally at the high price of devastating side effects, and if a woman does happen to get lucky and survive that bout of cancer, her body is permanently damaged; recurrence rates are high. The use of chemotherapy is purely a gamble, and we don't think it's worth taking. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes it makes things worse. Precious little is known about why it works or doesn't, and it seems much smarter to find an alternative therapy with a good track record that will both support your body in fighting off the cancer and promote health. There are some chemotherapylike approaches to fighting metastatic cancer, including inducing a high fever for a number of days and insulin potentiation therapy (see the Resources section at the end of the book), that hold much promise with less potential damage done to the body. They are much more widely used in Europe than the United States. They may never be widely available in the United States, because there's no patent medicine to sell. Europe is decades ahead of the us in its approach to treating cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer among women between the ages of 18 and 54, and it's the most common cause of death period among women aged 45 to 50. Women less than 45 years old have a 26 percent higher risk of a recurrence of breast cancer compared to older women. The types of cancer that these middle-aged women are dying from are not the mostly benign, "99 percent curable" DCIS "cancers" that have been detected since the early 1980s with mammograms (thus increasing the rate of detection); they're deadly metastatic cancers that kill quickly once they start to spread. According to the Centers for Disease Control, cancer ranks higher than heart disease in terms of age-adjusted death rates among people under age 65 in the United States. While heart disease has declined, cancer has not. Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women after lung cancer, which is almost always due to smoking cigarettes. The breast cancer industry has been playing a statistical shell game with the disease by including ductal carcinoma in situ as a breast cancer diagnosis when in fact it's rarely fatal, with or without treatment. Many oncologists like to say that DCIS is "99 percent curable." (Since DCIS wasn't detectable-and thus not diagnosed or treated-until the advent of mammograms, we don't even really know the true nature or course of untreated DCIS, because it has always been treated if diagnosed.) We'll go into this in more detail later in the book, but for now, we want to focus on the fact that some 30 percent of breast cancers are DCIS. Given that DCIS is rarely fatal, let's make some gross generalizations to illustrate a point. If we simply eliminate DCIS from breast cancer statistics, and thus subtract 30 percent of those who have survived breast cancer from the statistics, we would then not have a recent drop of 20 percent (as claimed by some) but rather a rise of 10 percent in breast cancer mortality rates. This is a crude way of making the point, but it's important to consider when a doctor is using these types of statistics to justify a treatment. For example, let's say a doctor justifies putting you on tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer based on the now much-quoted "fact" that breast cancer deaths have dropped by 20 percent thanks to tamoxifen (see chapter 12 for details). If you know going into the doctor's office that this is a highly questionable statistic, you'll be more empowered to make the right decisions for yourself. In fact, we suspect that if women with lowgrade DCIS weren't subjected to tamoxifen, chemo, and radiation, their survival rate would stay the same-but the women wouldn't be damaged for life by the treatments. Of course the key to reducing the incidence of breast cancer is prevention, but prevention is a dirty word in the breast cancer industry unless you're referring to tamoxifen or mammograms, neither of which is really remotely like prevention. TV personality and author Bob Arnot, M.D., wrote a book called The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet, which contained mostly good, solid, practical dietary advice associated with reducing the known risk factors for breast cancer. Sadly, he was terribly trashed by the American media for using the word prevention, as if he were suggesting that diet was a cure-all (he wasn't), and as if he were somehow hurting women by suggesting that a healthy diet could fend off breast cancer (it can only help). Arnot was an unfortunate victim of the intense breast cancer political establishment, which savagely attacks those who stray outside conventional medical boundaries and dare to suggest that something besides surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and tamoxifen might be helpful. It may shock you to know that despite breast cancer being the leading cause of death among middle-aged women in the United States, only 5 percent of the National Cancer Institute's budget is allocated to research on cancer prevention. And just in case you thought some other branch of the U.S. government was going to pitch in with some unbiased, nondrug, prevention-oriented research, the enormously expensive, taxpayer-financed Women's Breast Cancer Initiative will be researching only pharmaceutical drugs (Premarin plus various synthetic estrogens and progestins) in relationship to breast cancer. We believe this is like subsidizing the drug companies—which already make billions of dollars in profits after spending billions on advertising, public relations, and lobbying money to influence congressional decisions. Drug testing should be the responsibility of the drug companies, not taxpayers. To add insult to injury, this is research that should have been done by the drug companies decades ago, before the drugs were approved. The prevention picture is equally dreary in other big cancer organizations. When you log onto the Web site for the American Cancer Society (ACS) and access the area about cancer prevention, it says, "At this time, there is no way to prevent breast cancer." This is true only in that we can't point to one cause and make it the culprit. The reality is that we know so much about what causes breast cancer that of course we know what we can do to help prevent it, in the same sense that we know how to help prevent heart disease or diabetes. For example, there's no question that you can significantly reduce your risk of these diseases by eating a wholesome diet, getting regular moderate exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress effectively. This same approach will also help you lower your risk of breast cancer by creating better overall health. The factors that dictate which women get breast cancer and which don't include all of the practical commonsense solutions listed above. Yes, we all know a health food nut who has gotten breast cancer, but all the tofu and vegetables in the world may not make up for a devastating insult to breast tissue such as years of estrogen dominance or heavy exposure to pesticides or solvents. And then again they might make a difference, depending on your genetics and a dozen other factors. There is no one right formula for preventing breast cancer in every woman. The key to prevention of breast cancer is being aware of the various factors that cause the disease and avoiding them as much as possible, while at the same time being aware of what discourages cancerous growth in breast tissue and promoting that kind of lifestyle. Preventive medicine is a multidimensional approach that takes the entire human—the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects—into account, and optimizes health for that particular individual. Conventional medicine, which is narrowly focused on diagnosing disease and then prescribing a drug to kill it, is a failure when it comes to treating cancer and chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis because it ignores most of the human it's purporting to heal. And this is also why, in the year 2000, patient visits to alternative health care professionals exceeded visits to conventional physicians—despite the fact that insurance doesn't cover most alternative health care. Take a middle-aged woman with breast cancer who is terribly depressed and emotionally devastated because of a major trauma or loss in her life: All the drugs in the world aren't going to help her unless her emotional and spiritual needs are also addressed. Prevention is also a dirty word during the richly endowed, muchhyped and -touted Breast Cancer Awareness Month that occurs every October, because it's largely sponsored and funded by the drug company that makes tamoxifen. Ironically, this firm also manufactures some of the toxic chemicals that help cause breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about being aware of cancer establishment treatments; there is little focus on preventing breast cancer or raising funds for independent research. It really should be called Breast Cancer Unawareness Month. To get to the bottom of why progress isn't being made in preventing or treating breast cancer, it's important to consider the breast cancer industry and what makes it tick. The detection and treatment of breast cancer is hugely profitable in the United States, generating billions of dollars a year. All those mammograms, biopsies, lumpectomies, and mastectomies, and all that chemotherapy, radiation, and tamoxifen, create a substantial income stream for hospitals, physicians, their support staff, those who make all the equipment, and especially those who make the drugs. And that doesn't even take into consideration all the research being done that's funded by the hundreds of millions of dollars donated to nonprofit breast cancer organizations. Where's the financial incentive to go outside this framework? If just a fraction of the research money now going into perpetuating the above industries were honestly put into prevention and effective treatment, the mortality rate from breast cancer would very likely drop precipitously within a few years. But doctors keep squishing and radiating women's breasts with mammograms, and possibly increasing their chances of getting breast cancer in the process, perhaps because it's lucrative and it's the standard of care. (Thanks to new technology using the—hopefully—safer techniques of thermography and ultrasound, mammograms are becoming obsolete anyway, but it will probably take decades to phase out all those expensive machines.) Doctors keep doing unneeded biopsies because they could get sued if they don't. They keep removing women's breasts and giving them toxic drugs because they don't know what else to do, and they feel they have to do something. In its zeal to find a magic drug to stop breast cancer, the industry has forgotten about healing. It doesn't have time. It has to run the patients through the HMO mill, get them out of the hospital faster, cut costs, avoid lawsuits, keep positions and funding, and make the drug companies happy by promoting and prescribing their products so that they'll keep funding the universities and hospitals. Where does this leave the woman with breast cancer? She's terribly afraid and confused, but she's also pretty much crushed by the cog wheels of the medical machinery. Granted, she's what keeps the machinery going, but she certainly isn't the center of attention; she's a supporting player in a much larger drama. She'll be shuffled off to this operating table or that radiation clinic not because it's necessarily best for her as an individual, and not because that's what's going to truly help and heal her, but because she fits into that slot, that's how the breast cancer industry machine works, and there's no other choice. What conventional medicine presents her with is that she's going to die if she doesn't do it. But if she sorts out the statistics accurately, she's going to realize that if she has a nonlocal (non-DCIS) cancer, even if she does everything the doctors tell her to do there's still a one in three chance that she's going to die, from the cancer or as a result of its treatment. These aren't great odds, and the path to possible recovery is paved with treatments that can do permanent damage. An aside: In contrast, Dr. Zava recently had contact with a woman who was given three to six months to live in 1993 because she had a very large, node-positive breast cancer tumor. She opted against conventional chemoradiation therapy and began juicing and progesterone therapy as an alternative. She called Dr. Zava (in 2001) to update him on her progress and get a saliva test! Granted, this is just one story, but we hear them on a regular basis. To make matters even more confusing for the average woman with breast cancer who wants to do some research on whatever course of treatment her doctor is suggesting, a great deal of medical research needs to be interpreted in light of the context in which it was conceived and/or carried out. Unfortunately, much of it is sponsored by drug companies, so it's no surprise that thousands of small studies come out every year advocating some point that the companies want to pay a scientist to support. You can come up with all kinds of medical theories and support them, with perfectly reputable references from peer-reviewed journals found on Medline, the National Library of Medicine's huge research database. The politics of physician attitudes that don't support healing, medical research, and media information on breast cancer are disheartening, because they're largely controlled by large drug companies with one agenda: Sell more drugs. At the root of physician beliefs and attitudes about breast cancer treatment is the fact that the pharmaceutical industry now powerfully influences both medical education and research. A recent Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that 31 percent of medical school funding comes from governmental and pharmaceutical grants; we think this is a gross underestimate. In addition, drug company money is the driving force behind medical research, with a profound influence on the research that's chosen. For example, if a drug that has the potential to be patented is competing for funding with a drug that can't be patented because it's found in nature, there's no contest. The patent drug wins, even if the drug found in nature might be the biggest breakthrough since penicillin. You don't hear much that's positive about non-drug alternative health treatments in the national media, yet millions of people visit the Internet daily looking for information on alternative health. Would they be flocking to the Web in such large numbers if they were getting what they need from their doctors, or from print media and TV? We think not. Drug company money is a primary source of advertising revenue for the media, especially for TV and magazines, so unless you're Bill Moyers you're unlikely to expose drug company and medical politics or talk about alternative health in positive terms and keep your job. How about the FDA—aren't they looking out for the consumer? On the contrary, endorsement of a drug or treatment by the FDA should not necessarily give you confidence that it's a safe and effective treatment. According to the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of Medicine, deaths from the side effects of properly prescribed prescription drugs are the fourth-or fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. This doesn't even include deaths from improperly prescribed drugs, deaths from in-hospital errors, and unreported drug deaths; if these were thrown into the statistics, drug treatments in general would easily be in the top three causes of death in the nation. All the drugs that are killing so many people are approved by the FDA and considered part of the standard of medical care. A recent scathing editorial in the Lancet took the FDA to task for its inappropriately close association with pharmaceutical companies. The title of the article was "Lotronex and the FDA: a Fatal Erosion of Integrity," and it described the process by which the drug Lotronex, developed for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), was approved by the FDA after inadequate testing, killed five people, was withdrawn, and then as put back on the FDA table for reinstatement. The Lancet editorial concluded that, "...private communications appear to have subverted official procedures, while suppressed scientific debate has superseded a full and open review process.... The Lotronex episode may show in microcosm a serious erosion of integrity within the FDA, and in particular CDER [Center for Drug Evaluation and Research], whose operating budget now depends on industry money." Buyer beware. The original intent of the FDA was to protect consumers from dangerous products, but the agency appears to have lost its way, and to be heavily influenced in its decisions by the drug industry. A recent survey conducted by the newspaper USA Today found that 54 percent of the time, experts hired to advise the FDA on which medicines should be approved for sale have a direct financial interest in the drug or topic they're asked to evaluate. In turn, it's very common for FDA employees to retire to well-paid positions on the advisory boards of large drug companies. So what's a woman to believe? You need to find medical authorities whose opinions you trust: people who have been successful in their practice and proven right in their viewpoints over and over again for decades. People whose opinions are not based on how large a grant they're getting from the drug industry, or the soy industry, or the dairy industry, or a vitamin company, but people who are objectively and intelligently looking at the facts, interpreting experience, and evaluating studies. Put your trust in a physician who's willing to take the time to talk with you; after all, this is a life-and death matter. How about doctors who would like to try treatments for cancer that are outside the mainstream? They can't: They're forced to use medications (even if they know they aren't working well), because there are no large-scale studies to prove the effectiveness of alternatives and thus the FDA will not approve them. (The evidence proving the effectiveness of conventional medical treatments is scant, but that's politics.) If an alternative treatment doesn't have FDA approval, a doctor can be fined, be reprimanded, or even lose his or her medical license for using it. If you find the rare and courageous physician willing to guide and support you through an alternative treatment, be grateful! The political and financial implications of admitting that conventional hormone replacement therapy, plastics, pesticides, and other environmental toxins disrupt the body's ability to manufacture normal levels of hormones and consequently contribute to causing breast cancer are enormous. (We'll explain how and why these things can cause breast cancer later in the book.) Just think what would happen to the drug company giants if they were forced to admit that their products had contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands of women? The tobacco companies would have to move over in the litigation courts. However, the largest drug companies alone (never mind the pesticide and plastics companies) spent $74.4 million in 1997-1998 to influence congressional thinking via their lobbying efforts. That's one powerful influence. The only potentially stronger influence is your vote. Thanks to an undeniably steep rise in the incidence of prostate and testicular cancer, Congress has taken some action to find out more about how chemicals that mimic hormones affect humans. A 1996 mandate from Congress charged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with examining the hormonal effects of the top 100 selling chemicals in the United States. As the first studies trickle out, the evidence is clear: We are awash in a sea of chemicals, many of them estrogenic in nature, that profoundly affect every aspect of our health. Because estrogens oppose or negate the actions of testosterone, our little boys—and eventually men—are as profoundly affected as women are. The bottom line is that a woman with breast cancer is left with few viable options from the medical community. She can't completely trust breast cancer research or recommendations about medical treatments, and she lives in a culture that's averting its gaze from the real causes of her disease. Thus, it takes enormous courage and fortitude to stand up and take charge of your health, to question your physician and ask for clear answers, and to carefully examine alternatives. We hope that through this book we can inspire you to do just that. My deepest appreciation to you for being gutsy enough to tell me your opinion concerning tamoxifen. You advised me against it, giving me the courage to buck my very pushy oncologist who wanted me to take it. I have been thriving without tamoxifen. I've had several follow-up mammograms and was told the opposite breast looked "textbook perfect," and the breast that had the lumpectomy looked normal and benign. I am 56, postmenopausal, and am using progesterone cream. You reassured me it was safe even for a woman like me with high estrogen and progesterone receptors, explaining this means progesterone can get in and do its job of stopping the cancer when the receptors are present. When I heard the flap about the "hazards of progesterone" I knew before even checking further that it was probably a botched reporting job that really referred to the synthetic progestins. Thanks to you my life has been quite serene despite my diagnosis of cancer. I think progesterone is a mood elevator, also. I have blessed you silently many times since you replied to my letter asking about tamoxifen.
2019-04-26T02:22:14Z
https://www.johnleemd.com/breast-cancer.html
In many cases, however, one wants more control over how spectral windows are named, configured and arranged. For example, sometimes one wants to pack spectrum widgets inside of other windows, or create a matrix of spectra all packed together. Accordingly, spectral display windows can also be created either through the pop-up panels in the NMRViewJ GUI or through Tcl commands. The latter method allows for the creation of very complex arrangements of spectra in a way that can be used to facilitate a complex analysis method. The NMRViewJ canvas window is implemented as a Tk widget that is specialized for the display of NMR data. Because of this, the actual name for the spectral windows must conform to the hierarchical, dot-separated, naming scheme that is required of all Tk widgets. Both, the GUI interface for creating windows, and the NvMkSpectrum command hide this from the user. For example, if one uses either interface to create a window named noesy, a new toplevel window will be created named .noesy, and will contain within it a Tk spectrum widget named .noesy.0. The full name must be used when the windows are referred to using explicit Tcl commands. To create a new canvas window with one spectrum using the NMRViewJ GUI choose Canvas NewSpectrum from the main menu bar. To create a new canvas window with more than one spectrum using the NMRViewJ GUI choose Canvas NewSpectra from the main menu bar. The following panel will appear. Click on this to create a new canvas window with the specified number of spectra. A new canvas window will be created and the dialog will close. Initially new canvas windows will have a name like Spectrum1, Spectrum2 etc. The grid of windows will have the specified number of rows. The number of columns is calculated so that the there will be sufficient grid members to contain the specified number of spectra. For example, to create 6 windows laid out in two rows and three columns set N Spectra to 6 and N Rows to 2. All the windows will appear in a single toplevel canvas window. The most flexible method for creating spectral windows is to use Tcl scripting commands, but it is certainly not necessary to understand how to create windows in this way to make extensive use of NMRViewJ. So beginners, are likely to want to skip this section. The most convenient scripting method is to use the NMRViewJ procedure ::nv::objeditor::newCanvas. This command takes several arguments. The first argument is the number of the spectrum items to be created on the canvas. This defaults to one, so the command ::nv::objeditor::newCanvas will create a new canvas window with a single spectrum item. The second argument specifies the name of the window. A value of "#" (the default) indicates that the toplevel window should be named like ".spectrumN" where N is an integer that is automatically incremented each time a canvas window is created. If a different value is used then it should be specified as a Tk style window that may or may not already exist. If the specified window doesn't already exist, it must be a value that would specify a toplevel window (".win", but not ".win.fr"). In this case the specified toplevel window will be created and the canvas window and associated icon and status bars will packed inside it. If the specified window already exists it must be a toplevel or frame widget and the canvas window and associated icon and status bars will be packed inside the existing widget. The third argument specifies the number of rows to use in a grid of spectrum items and is obviously only relevant if the first argument is a value greater than one. The final argument can be 0 or 1, and defaults to 0. A value of "1" indicates that a restricted set of icons should be used so that the iconbar is smaller. The lowest level command available to the user for creating a spectra widget is to create a canvas window with the Tk/Swank canvas command and explicitly create spectrum items in it. .mywin.c create spectrum 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.9 -transformer frac -tags "Spectrum anno" While this latter method is the most complicated, it also is the most flexible. Canvas widgets can be arranged in toplevel windows along with all sorts of other widgets such as buttons, lists, menus, text or canvases, to create very powerful interfaces. Most parameters effecting the display mode of spectra are specified in the spectral attributes panel. Spectra may be displayed as 1D vectors or as 2D slices. The 1D vectors can be displayed in a horizontal orientation (1Dx) or a vertical orientation (1Dy). These display modes (1Dx, 1Dy, and 2D) are selected with the pull down choice in the spectral attributes window. Also, in 2D contour plot mode you can display a 1D vector slice superimposed on the contour plot (seed 2D mode below). In mode 1Dx, the two x values specify the plot limits of the vector. The y, z and z2 values specify the particular vector in the 2,3 or 4D matrix. If a range of values is specified for y, z or z2, all the vectors between those values will be drawn. In mode 1Dy, the two y values specify the plot limits of the vector. The x, z and z2 values specify the particular vector in the 2,3 or 4D matrix. In the 1D modes the value specified in the Scale entry, specifies the intensity difference between the maximum and minimum axes. The value specified in the xoffset entry, specifies the point (as a fraction from zero to one, at which a value with intensity zero will be displayed. For example, in mode 1Dx, with Scale set to 100 , and Zero set to 0.5, the y-axis range is from -50 to +50. With Scale set to 100, and Zero set to 0.0, the y-axis range is from 0 to 100. In 2D mode the spectra are displayed as contour plots. Controls are available to specify the intensity of the lowest contour that will be drawn, the ratio of intensities of subsequent contours, and the maximum number of contours to display. The x values specify the plot limits along the x-axis. The y values specify the plot limits along the y-axis. In 2D mode "real-time" slices can be displayed that track the position of crosshair cursor 1 (the black crosshair). Slices can be in the x, y, z or z2(a) dimension of the spectrum. X and Z slices are drawn parallel to the X axis of the window. Y and Z2 slices are drawn parallel to the Y axis of the window. The slice is continuously updated as the cursor is moved. For 3 and 4D spectra the specific planes to be drawn are specified with the z and z2 (for 4D spectra) values. If a range of values for z and/or z2 are specified, all planes between the two specified values (inclusive) are drawn. The file dimensions and the display dimensions can correspond in any desired manner. The pull down choice box following the x and ydisplay entries is used to specify which dataset dimension is specified on the particular axis. An Icon Bar is present across the top of the standard toplevel windows containing spectra. The Icons provide easy access to commands to adjust the spectrum view and levels, as well as to print spectra and stop contour drawing that is in progress in a given window. Adjusting the view or scale via the Icon bar will change the view for every spectral window that is contained within the same toplevel window as the Icon Bar. Control of the display parameters of individual windows can be done with the similar Icon Bar that is found in the Spectrum Attributes dialog (see below). Save view of current spectrum. Will prompt for a name to save the info to. File will be stored in the "win" sub-directory of the current project. Reload the view with from the Window->Favorites menu item. Open a dialog for printing the spectrum. Printing in NMRViewJ happens through the operating systems normal print dialog. Use the print dialog to set such things as the output device (including whether to send the output to a file rather than a printer). Draw the spectrum using all currently selected parameters. Use this to refresh the spectrum after changing a parameter which did not result in the spectrum being automatically redrawn. Set the display region of the spectrum to their full extents and draw the spectrum. For 1D spectra this effects only the chemical shift axis, and not the vertical scale. For 3D and higher spectra only the dimensions on the x and y axis of the display are set to the full values. Expand the display region so that the display region corresponds to the area currently enclosed in the box formed by the crosshairs. This effects only the chemical shift axes displayed on the x and y axes of the plot. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. Zoom the display into a region around the center of the currently displayed region. A smaller portion of the spectrum will be displayed, and the displayed peaks will look larger. The positions of the crosshair lines have no effect on this operation. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. Zoom the display out from the center of the currently displayed region. A larger portion of the spectrum will be displayed, and the displayed peaks will look smaller. The positions of the crosshair lines have no effect on this operation. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. Shift the display region left on the spectrum. The display region will cover the same chemical shift range, but will be at higer chemical shift values. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. Shift the display region right on the spectrum. The display region will cover the same chemical shift range, but will be at lower chemical shift values. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. Shift the display region up on the spectrum. The display region will cover the same chemical shift range, but will be at lower chemical shift values. This only has an effect on spectra that have two or more dimensions. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. Shift the display region down on the spectrum. The display region will cover the same chemical shift range, but will be at higher chemical shift values. This only has an effect on spectra that have two or more dimensions. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. Automatically calculate and set the display level to a "reasonable" value. For spectra with two or more dimensions, the command approximates the noise level in the spectrum, and sets the contour threshold to a value five times higher. For 1D spectra the command sets the plot scale so that the largest peak in the display region is completely displayed. Raise the contour threshold of spectra with two or more dimensions. Generally, fewer peaks will be displayed, and their displayed footprint will be smaller. For 1D spectra the tops of peaks will be lower in the display region. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. Lower the contour threshold of spectra with two or more dimensions. Generally, more peaks will be displayed, and their displayed footprint will be larger. For 1D spectra the tops of peaks will be higher in the display region. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. Stop drawing the current spectrum. As each spectrum is drawing itself it periodically checks for a "stop" flag. Clicking this button sets the "stop" flag. There may be a short delay between clicking the button and the time at which the spectrum display stops. Press and hold the mouse button to auto-repeat this action. The mouse cursor can be used in several different modes: crosshairs, selector, peak adding and peak deleting. These modes can be set from an icon on the toolbar, the spectrum pop-up menu or with multi-key key bindings. The crosshair lines are movable lines that can be used to specify and measure positions on the spectrum. One or two horizontal, and one or two vertical, crosshair lines may be displayed. Two or four crosshair lines can be used to specify a region of the spectrum to be used for some subsequent action, such as to display an expansion of the spectrum. Each of the four possible crosshair lines may be enabled or disabled. With 1D spectra, only the two vertical crosshair lines are enabled by default. The crosshairs can be positioned when the cursor is in the "crosshair" mode. Click the cross button near the lower left corner of the window. Press and hold the left mouse button with the pointer near the first crosshair. Keep the button down as you drag the crosshair to a new position. If you first position the pointer near the intersection of two crosshairs lines, then both crosshairs will move. If you position the point near a single crosshair line (vertical or horizontal), then only that crosshair will move. Use the middle mouse button to position the second crosshair. Note: it is possible to set a preferences for the Crosshairs to make it possible to move either crosshair with the left mouse button. This can be useful if you have a single mouse button, or laptop without mouse. Set this preference in the Spectra Preferences section, or set Cursors->Crosshair-1B from any spectra's pop-up menu. Click the redraw button in the control panel to the right of the spectrum. When the spectrum is redrawn the crosshairs will not be displayed. Hold down the Command key (Mac OS X) or Control key (Windows or Linux) and click and drag with the left mouse button. The spectrum will pan left and right along with the cursor. With 2D spectra you can also pan the spectrum region vertically. Selector mode can be used when the cursor is in the "selector" mode. Click the arrow button near the lower left corner of the window. Press and hold the left mouse button with the cursor at the position you want to start the expansion at. Keep the button down as you drag the crosshair to a new position. When you release the mouse button the window will expand to display the selected region. Use the same protocol as above to expand the view, but press and hold the Alt key on the keyboard while performing the actions. If you do this in an area that doesn't overlap any previously existing regions, a new region will be added to the spectrum. If the area does overlap a region, then that region will be adjusted so the limits correspond to the selected area. The crosshair in different windows automatically track each other in what is generally an appropriate manner. No commands are required to start correlated crosshair tracking. Crosshair correlation is dependent on the label given to each axis of the spectrum during the referencing process. For example, consider the case where 5 windows are open, with axis labels as indicated below. If a vertical crosshair moves in window "a", the horizontal crosshair of window "b" and the vertical crosshair of window "e" will move. If the horizontal crosshair of window "a moves, the vertical crosshair of window "d" and the horizontal crosshair of window "e" will move. The crosshair in each window only tracks the motion of the moved crosshair if the plot limits of the window overlap the position of the moved crosshair. Crosshair tracking can be disabled in a window by changing the window's axis label(s). The mechanism by which cursors are correlated makes it important to use a consistent scheme for labeling the various dimensions of experiments. Also, multi-dimensional datasets should always have unique labels for the different dimensions. A similar mechanism exists for displaying peaks on spectra, so the need for consistent labeling of spectra, and unique labeling within a dataset, is also necessary for the proper rendering of peak displays. The best way to have cursors correlate and peak markers display in an appropriate manner is to develop a consistent labeling scheme, and stick with it. And remember, there are two types of labels, one set with "label" and one set with "dlabel". The former is used for things like crosshair correlation as described here, and the later for the value that is actually displayed on the spectrum. Earlier versions of NMRViewJ supported key bindings (actions initiated by pressing a key on the keyboard) that involved the press of single keys (e for exapnd, f for full etc.). Starting with NMRViewJ build 9.1.0-b48 key bindings are available that can involve pressing two or more keys in sequence. This new mode must be activated by setting a preference (which may already be turned on in your running version). Go to the Spectra section of the Preferences dialog and turn on "Extra key bindings". These key bindings are currently under development and the behaviour, and possibly key sequence choices may change in the next few versions based on user feedback. Help for the key bindings is available below, from the Help menu of NMRViewJ, and from a pop-up help window. You can pop-up the help by typing (in a spectrum window) the first key of a multi-key sequence followed by the "?" key. So, for example, hitting "p?" would display a window with help about the Peak bindings. Users can add their own multi-bindings using the "cbind" command (see below). Assign Multi-key sequences that start with "a" are used for assigning the selected peaks in the spectrum. Open peak ID tool for peak under crosshair. See the section on the Peak ID tool for more details. Assign peak labels to the specified value. Because the number of keypresses is indeterminate you must end the labels by hitting the Enter key. You can specify values for more than one dimension by separating the values by commas. For example, typing in ap15.h would set the first dimension label to 15.h, typing ap15.h,15.n would set the first dimension to 15.h and the second dimension to 15.n, and typing ap,15.n would skip the first dimension and set the second to 15.n. If the peak list has appropriate patterns set up you can use short cuts. For example, an hsqc peak list with the patterns set to i.h and i.n would only require typing ap15 to set the labels to 15.h and 15.n. Cursor Mode The cursor can be used in several different modes. These can be selected by an icon on the toolbar, the spectrum pop-up menu, or as listed here, by typing various two-key sequences beginning with the letter c. Set the cursor to crosshair mode so that clicking (and dragging) the mouse will move the crosshairs. The c1 binding specifies that both the black and red crosshairs should be movable with the left (or only) mouse button. Set the cursor to crosshair mode so that clicking (and dragging) the mouse will move the crosshairs. The c3 binding specifies that the black crosshair is moved with the left mouse button pressed and the red crosshair is moved with the middle mouse button pressed. Put the cursor into Peak Delete mode (crosshair appears as a skull and crossbones). Clicking the cursor on a peak will delete that peak. Put the cursor into Peak Add mode (crosshair appears as 1D nmr peak). Clicking the cursor will pick a peak at that position, including searching for a nearby maximum. Put the cursor in Selector mode. The cursor can be used to select peaks, and dragging it across the spectrum can be used to set an expansion region or select peaks (with Shift key held down). Add slider tools to toplevel window. Remove slider tools from toplevel window. Restore selected peaks to predicted position. Find Peaks Key presses beginning with f are used to search peak lists for matching peaks. Matched peaks will be selected in the current window and can then be manipulated with other key bindings or tools. Find peak with comment. An input dialog will pop up and prompt for the pattern to be searched. Find peaks with label. An input dialog will popup and prompt for the label to be searched. Labels for multiple dimensions can be entered. So entering 15.h will find all peaks that have 15.h on any dimension, and "15.h 15.n" will find all peaks that have 15.h on one dimension of a peak and 15.n on another dimension of the same peak. The order the labels are entered does not matter. Find peaks along the x axis with same shift as the selected peaks y (and z...) ppm. The search shifts will be based on a single selected peak. If no peak is selected, the peak at the current cursor location will be used. If more than one peak is selected only one peak will be used. For 2D peaks all peaks that have the same shift as that on the y dimension of the selected peak will be selected. For 3D peaks, the search will be based on the shift on the y and z dimension. The tolerance for searching is based on the bounds of the selected peak. Find peaks along x axis with same shift as selected peaks x (and z...) ppm. The search shifts will be based on a single selected peak. If no peak is selected, the peak at the current cursor location will be used. If more than one peak is selected only one peak will be used. For 2D peaks all peaks that have the same shift as that on the x dimension of the selected peak will be selected. For 3D peaks, the search will be based on the shift on the x and z dimension. The tolerance for searching is based on the bounds of the selected peak. Insert The insert key-sequences (starting with the i key) will insert new spectra into the current window. The spectra will be laid out as a grid, horizontal row, or vertical column based on the second key press (g, h or v). Insert new spectrum in current window. The spectra (including the newly added one) will be relaid out in a grid pattern. Insert new spectrum in current window. The spectra (including the newly added one) will be relaid out in a horizontal row. Insert new spectrum in current window. The spectra (including the newly added one) will be relaid out in a vertical column. The link key-sequences allow you to link together two or more selected peaks so that labels and assignments are shared among the set of linked peak dimensions. Unlink peaks. Links on all dimensions are removed from the selected peaks. Link selected peaks by y dimension. Used to link together a column of selected peaks. Links will be made between the dimensions used on the y axis (and z (or higher) dimensions if the peak has more than two dimensions. Note carefully which dimension is linked. The lx command links peaks that are spread out on the x axis, but will now share links on the y (not x) axis. Link selected peaks by x dimension. Used to link together a column of selected peaks. Links will be made between the dimensions used on the x axis (and z (or higher) dimensions if the peak has more than two dimensions. Note carefully which dimension is linked. The ly command links peaks that are spread out on the y axis, but will now share links on the x (not y) axis. Peaks The Peak releated key sequences (starting with p) are used to pick, view and modify peaks. Pick spectrum area within crosshairs. This works the same as the Peaks->Pick command from the spectrum pop-up menu. Add comment to selected peaks. You will be prompted for the comment to add and this will be applied to all selected peaks. Fit peaks to Lorentzian. Selected peaks are fit to a Lorentzian line shape model (over all dimensions). Open the Peak Inspector for the selected peak. If no peak is selected the one nearest the cursor will be used. Lump together (combine) multiple peaks. Selected peaks will be combined to a single at the average position. Move peak to max (tmeak). The points within the peak bounding box will be searched for the location of the point with maxium intensity. The peak will be centered at a maximum located by parabolic fitting of the maximum point and adjacent points. This applies to all selected peaks (or the one near the cursor if none are selected). The peak bounds and width are unchanged in the current version of code. Pick peak near cursor position. The exact location of the peak center will be based on a search for the nearest maximum. Pick peak at cursor position. The peak center will located at the maximum of the parabolic fit to the closest and adjacent data points, but no search for a maxima will be done. Set selected peaks attribute (currently just color). An input dialog will popup to prompt for the color. This or related commands will be expanded to allow setting additional attributes in a subsequent version. Open the Peak Table. Currently selected peaks in the spectrum will be selected in the table. Zoom in on selected peak(s). Change the spectrum display view to be centered on the position of the selected peak(s). Project Data Information in NMRViewJ is best saved in the project format. Two key-sequences, beginning with d are available. One for opening the project browser and one for saving the current state of the project. Saving state often is an important part of your workflow as the saved project history provides a way to restore the project to an earlier state. Simply type ds in any spectrum window to save the state. Spectrum The Spectrum key-sequences allow adding, deleting and modifying canvas spectra items. Display the Spectrum Attributes Panel. Toggle the display of spectrum scrollbars on and off. Copy current spectrum view parameters into a buffer so they can be pasted into another window. Parameters include the dataset, plot limits, contour level, borders, colors, displayed peak list etc. Delete active spectrum. If there are multiple spectrum items in the current canvas, they will be layed out to use the full space. At present this will be done a horizontal row (regardless of the original arrangement). If on spetrum items remain, the entired top level window will be destroyed. Export the spectrum display to a graphics file in PDF format. You will be prompted with a file browser to choose the file name and location. Create a new toplevel window with one spectrum item on the canvas. Replicate the current spectrum by creating a new toplevel window with one spectrum item on the canvas and copying the spectrum attributes (dataset, view etc.) from the currently active spectrum to the new spectrum. Pastes the parameters stored in the copy buffer (with copy command above) to the current window. X Slicer. Rotate view to show plane at position of vertical crosshair. If the current view dimensions are 1 and 2 on the x and y axes, respectively, with the vertical cursor at x=7.5ppm, this will give a display with dimensions 2 and 3 on the x and y axes, respectively, with the z axis a dimension 1 plane at z=7.5ppm. Y Slicer. Rotate view to show plane at position of horizontal crosshair. If the current view dimensions are 1 and 2 on the x and y axes, respectively, with the horizontal cursor at y=7.5ppm, this will give a display with dimensions 2 and 3 on the x and y axes, respectively, with the z axis a dimension 1 plane at z=7.5ppm. Undo Some spectrum actions (changing view, levels and moving peaks) can be undone. These keys allow quick access to the undo and redo commands. View The View commands allow quickly changing the spectrum display plot limits. Some of the view commands have variants using a capital V. These do the same thing as the lower case version, but apply the command to all the spectrum windows within a single toplevel window, rather than applying to just the active window. These commands are: Vc, Vf,Vi,Vo,Vp,Vx and Vy. Unify Limits: Sets the plot limit parameters of the all the windows inside the toplevel window to be the same as the currently active window. Sets the x axis of the window to display the specified dimension of the dataset. The axis can be specified as the label on the axis (like HN, N, C) or the dimension number (1,2,3...). Because the label may be multiple characters you need to terminate the key binding by hitting the Return (Enter) key. Sets the y axis of the window to display the specified dimension of the dataset. The axis can be specified as the label on the axis (like HN, N, C) or the dimension number (1,2,3...). Because the label may be multiple characters you need to terminate the key binding by hitting the Return (Enter) key. Windows Use the Windows key sequences (starting with w) to display various toplevel dialogs. Show the Datasets Table which provides a table view of the attributes of all currently open datasets. Show Peak Lists Table which provides a table view of all the current peak lists. Multi-key bindings can be added with the cbind command. This takes two arguments, the key-sequence that needs to be pressed and the command that should be executed. The command that can be executed can use the following variables: win (the name of the window in which the key was pressed), x (the x posiion of the mouse when the key was pressed) and y (the y position of the mouse when the key was pressed). For example, the following command will add a binding that prints out the window name and mouse coordinates when hp is typed. User defined key-sequences that have an indeterminate number of keypresses (like the existing jz142.0 binding) is not yet supported, but will be in a later release. Multi-key bindings are currently under development. New key-sequences are being added so be aware that ones you add may overwrite newly added built-in ones. These are the key bindings that were present in previous versions of NMRViewJ, and which are active if the "Extra Key Bindings" preference is not turned on. Copy View: copies current view parameters into a buffer so they can be pasted into another window. Parameters include the dataset, plot limits, contour level, borders, colors, displayed peak list etc. Paste View: Sets the parameters of window to those stored in the copy buffer with copy command (see above). Rotate view to show plane at position of vertical crosshair. If the current view dimensions are 1 and 2 on the x and y axes, respectively, with the vertical cursor at x=7.5ppm, this will give a display with dimensions 2 and 3 on the x and y axes, respectively, with the z axis a dimension 1 plane at z=7.5ppm. Rotate view to show plane at position of horizontal crosshair. If the current view dimensions are 1 and 2 on the x and y axes, respectively, with the horizontal cursor at y=7.5ppm, this will give a display with dimensions 2 and 3 on the x and y axes, respectively, with the z axis a dimension 1 plane at z=7.5ppm. Use the numeric keypad to zoom and pan the spectrum as follows. Pan down and to the left. Pan down and to the right. Shift view to center on crosshair position. Pan up and to the left. Pan up and to the right. Use the Insert,Delete,Home,End,PageUp and PageDown keys to navigate peaklists. Move to the first peak of current list. Move to the last peak of current list. Move to the previous peak of current list. Move to the next peak of current list. This dialog collects together a wide variety of controls for interacting with spectral display windows. Only one window is controlled at a time through this dialog. The title bar of the dialog will indicate the name of the window whose attributes are being set, and the name of the dataset currently assigned to the window. This dialog is selected by choosing the Attributes entry of the Spectral Display Menu or by choosing Windows > Attributes from the main NMRViewJ control bar. The Attributes Dialog is composed of an Icon Bar across the top and a tabbed window which forms the majority of the dialog. The Icon Bar has the same icons and functions of the Spectrum Window Icon Bar described above. Remember, though, that the controls of this Icon Bar (in the Spectral Attributes Dialog) only effect the current active window, not all the windows in a "toplevel" window. The tabbed window allows the user to select from a series of panel controlling different aspects of the interface. The various tapped panes that compose the Attributes Dialog are described in the following sections. The File Panel is used to assign individual spectra to a particular window, and to control the colors and levels used to render the spectra. There is no practical limit to the number of spectra that can be assigned to a particular spectral window. The spectra need to have some dimensions with the same axis labels (one for 1D spectra, at least two for spectra with two or more spectra. The spectra do not need to have the same sweep widths, sizes or spectrometer frequencies. On the other hand, if the selected display region does not include valid data from each spectrum, the results may be undefined. The File Panel is divided into two regions, the left side consisting of a set of buttons, and the right side contains a table of all the spectra currently assigned to the current spectrum window. Clicking the "Add" button gives you a new panel showing you all the datasets in your working memory, thus all the spectra you can add to this window. If you wish to add one, highlight it and click the "Add" button at the bottom of the panel. To remove datasets from the spectrum window, highlight the corresponding rows in the file table and then click the "Remove" button. The columns of the datasets table are as follows. The first column, labeled "S" is contains checkboxes which can be used to select datasets whose contour levels will be controlled individually. The column labeled "Dataset" contains the name of the dataset whose properties are displayed and controlled by that row of the table. The next column, labeled "+" is a checkbox, that when turned on allows the display of positive contours of the dataset. The "+Color" column, which is a colored rectangle, displays and controls the color used for positive contours. Click on the rectangle to display a Color Selection Dialog. After you choose a color using either the "Swatch", "RGB", or "HSV" modes, click OK. You'll see the colored rectangle change to reflect the new color but you need to click the "Draw" button to actually refresh the spectrum with the new color. The next two columns "-" and -Color" are the same, but display and control negative contours. The contour threshold (for 2D displays) or vertical scale (for 1D displays) is displayed and controlled with the column labeled "Level" or with the slider at the far right side of the File Tab display. You can type a new value into the Level column and hit the enter key to set it. Sliding the slider up or down will adjust the levels of al datasets up or down. If you want to control individual datasets select them with the checkboxes in the "S" column. Note that the slider will change dataset levels in a multiplicative way, so that if individual datasets have different levels assigned they will retain their relative scale as they are adjusted. The "Colors..." button brings you to two menus that control a host of color functions (?). The first choice, "Spectrum," enables you to apply preset coloring schemes to sets of overlaid data (?). The second choice, "Background etc.," determines the colors of your background, axes, and cursors. Consider the "Background etc." menu first. Clicking on any of the four buttons Background, Axes, Cursor 1, or Cursor 2 will get you a standard color selection chooser panel (?), which is self explanatory. Click on a color, and that's what you get. You can create a color in the HSB or RGB panels should you be so motivated. NVJ comes with six preset color combinations for these four items, and this menu is available with the "Schemes" selection of the Background etc. menu (?). Next consider the "Spectrum" menu. Using this menu is a great way of applying a coherent color scheme to a set of related spectra, such as one would find in a titration or screening assay. Let's skip the "unify" choice for a minute. Clicking "Qualitative Schemes" gives you the color palette shown in the bottom left of ?. Each row in the palette represents a set of colors to be applied to the peaks of each spectrum. In this example, we have four overlaid spectra, so there are four columns in the palette. Clicking on any member of a row will select that color scheme. Here, I clicked the toprow, identified by the black arrow, which changed the colors of the positive peaks in the Spectrum Window and in the Spectrum Attributes...File display window (?). "Qualitative schemes" gives you an apparently unrelated assortment of colors for your spectra. The "Sequential" choices imbue your first spectrum's peaks with a light shade of one hue, then apply progressively darker shades of the same hue to subsequent spectra. The "Divergent" choices employ two distinct colors for your first and last spectra and fill in the intermediate spectra by adding these colors to one another in progressive quantities (which, by the way, makes them lighter). No matter which scheme you choose, you can always modify the color of individual spectra later (which will be important if the light shades are too light for your presentation). Each dataset can have a default contour level, positive contour color, negative contour color, and flag specifying which contours (positive or negative) to draw. Having these values set makes it much easier when opening new datasets, especially when using the analysis tools like RunAbout, Strips, Titrations etc. Whenever a dataset is assigned to a spectrum, these default values will be used for that window. Setting the default values can be done in the Dataset Table or Manager, but an even simpler method is to set up the display within one spectrum window and then click the Save button in the Spectrum Attributes File Tab. This will set the defaults for any datasets displayed in that window, and save the values to the parameter files corresponding to the datasets. Make setting and saving defaults as described above the first thing you do with any spectra. It will save lots of time as you work with the dataset in the future. The amount of information in an NMR spectrum is generally so great that it is often only informative to look at a portion of the spectrum at one time. In NMRViewJ, sub-regions may be selected by limiting the region limits on the x or y axis of the display, and/or choosing a sub-selection of planes in spectra with three or more dimensions. The View Panel provides controls to interactively select the display regions. It is itself divided into three subregions. The first contains a series of "combo boxes" for selecting display modes, the second contains a group of controls for selection of region limits and dimensions, and and the third provides an interactive graphical view of the display region. This menu provides control of whether the spectral display is a one dimensional vector drawing, or a two dimensional contour plot. In this mode the the spectrum is displayed as one or more one-dimensional vectors in a horizontal orientation. In this mode the the spectrum is displayed as one or more one-dimensional vectors in a vertical orientation. In this mode the the spectrum is displayed as a two-dimensional plot. The selected entry in this menu determines whether or not contour data is read from the matrix or a contour file.. Data for the contour plot is obtained from the matrix file. Data for the contour plot is obtained from the matrix file, but the contours are recorded in a file for future playback. Only those planes that are actually drawn while in this mode are recorded. Data for the contour plot is obtained from the contour file that was created in record mode. This determines how the offsets between 1D vectors are calculated when more than one spectrum (or row) is drawn in a single window. With a setting of 0, there will be no DC offset between spectra. With a setting of 1, the DC offset will be calculated so that spectra will be evenly spaced across the vertical range of the spectrum. With a setting of 2, the DC offset will be taken from the "deltaoffset" parameter, set with "nv_win deltaoffset". With a setting of 3, the DC offset will be calculated so that the spectra will be evenly spaced across the vertical range of the spectrum. With a setting of 4, the DC offset will be calculated from the "deltaoffset" parameter and the number of spectra to be displayed. This only effects the display of vectors (either true 1D spectra, or slices of higher dimensional spectra). If selected then the spectrum will be offset so that the edges of the spectrum will be displayed at zero. This is accomplished by subtracting a straight line calculated between the left and right edges. The offset is dynamically calculated as the spectrum plot limits are changed. The effect is only really appropriate when the spectrum is positioned so that the left and right edges are "baseline" regions. Press the Left Mouse button over the X to pop-up a menu of predefined plot limits, or enter values in the next two text fields to set the plot limits (in ppm) for the x (horizontal) axis. If the entry is followed (without an intervening space) by a "p", then the value is considered to be in units of points of the dataset. The minimum and maximum plot limits can be entered in either order. These values are automatically set to give the full spectrum when a new dataset is assigned to this window. The text in the third field is used as a label for the x (horizontal) axis. This value is used to label the axis on hard copy plots, is used for determining the correlation of cursors between different windows (see cursors, below), and is used during peak-picking and peak display (see Peak Picking, below). This is automatically set to the value assigned to the corresponding dimension (see below) during the referencing of the matrix, but can be changed by entering a new value in this field. 1(2,3,4) Hold down MENU over this item to select the dimension of the matrix to be displayed on x axis. Press the Left Mouse button over the Y to pop-up a menu of predefined plot limits, or enter values in the next two text fields to set the plot limits (in ppm) for the y (horizontal) axis. If the entry is followed (without an intervening space) by a "p", then the value is considered to be in units of points of the dataset. The minimum and maximum plot limits can be entered in either order. These values are automatically set to give the full spectrum when a new dataset is assigned to this window. The text in the third field is used as a label for the y (vertical) axis. This value is used to label the axis on hard copy plots, is used for determining the correlation of cursors between different windows (see cursors, below), and is used during peak-picking and peak display (see Peak Picking, below). This is automatically set to the value assigned to the corresponding dimension (see below) during the referencing of the matrix. 1(2,3,4) Hold down MENU over this item to select the dimension of the matrix to be displayed on y axis. Press the Left Mouse button over the Z to pop-up a menu of predefined plot limits, or enter values in the next two text fields to set the plot limits (in ppm) for the z (3rd Dimension) axis. If the entry is followed (without an intervening space) by a "p", then the value is considered to be in units of points of the dataset. The minimum and maximum plot limits can be entered in either order. These values are automatically set to display the full range of planes when a new dataset is assigned to this window. If the return key is pressed in the first Z field, then the second field will be set to the same value. The popup menu has a convenient entry to select the first or last plane. The spectral display window will be cleared prior to drawing the first plane is set. Subsequent planes will be overlaid on top of the first plane. To draw a single plane, set both values equal to each other. Press the Left Mouse button over the Z2 to pop-up a menu of predefined plot limits, or enter values in the next two text fields to set the plot limits (in ppm) for the z2 (4th Dimension) axis. If the entry is followed (without an intervening space) by a "p", then the value is considered to be in units of points of the dataset. The minimum and maximum plot limits can be entered in either order. These values are automatically set to display the full range of planes when a new dataset is assigned to this window. If the return key is pressed in the first Z2 field, then the second field will be set to the same value. The popup menu has a convenient entry to select the first or last plane. The spectral display window will be cleared prior to drawing the first plane is set. Subsequent planes will be overlaid on top of the first plane. To draw a single plane, set both values equal to each other. The zoombox in the lower right corner of the spectrum provides a graphical view of the current display region. The display region can also be changed by interactively dragging the zoombox around. The current display region is shown as the blue box. The position of the view can be adjusted by pointing the cursor near the middle of the box, holding the left mouse button down, and dragging the blue view box around. The size of the view region can be adjusted by pointing the cursor near an edge of the box, holding the middle mouse button down, and dragging the side to its desired position. The two rectangular regions at the right side of the zoom box display the current display ranges for the 3rd and 4th dimensions of the datasets (with these higher dimensions). A horizontal blue line will be drawn at the relative position of the selected display planes. The width of the line will represent the number of selected planes. You can use the mouse to drag the blue line to a new position, or change its width, and thereby update in real-time the display planes for the current spectra. The Graph Panel provides controls for altering the attributes of the visible display of the spectrum, aside from the actual spectral data. These attributes include fonts, colors of non-spectrum objects, borders and whether or not axes are displayed. Together these are useful, not only for altering the onscreen appearance, but also allow you to change the appearance in a way that will be suitable for publication quality output. Fonts can be changed by clicking on the word Axes (to set the font used for tic and axis labels), Crosshair (to set the font appearing in the crosshair position display) or Peaks (to set the font used for drawing peak labels on the spectra) in the Fonts section. A font chooser dialog will appear in which you can change the font family, style and size for the corresponding items. When displaying spectra that are homonuclear in the two displayed dimensions (proton COSY or NOESY, for example) it can be useful if the cross-hairs are constrained so that the position of crosshairs 1 and 2 are mirrored across the diagonal. This can be turned on by clicking the SymMode checkbox. Then, if the crosshair 1 (typically the black one) is pointed at, for example, 7.0,3.0 ppm, then crosshair 2 (typically the red one) will automatically be moved to 3.0,7.0 ppm. The colors of the background, axes, and crosshairs are displayed as colored squares. Clicking on these squares will display a color chooser dialog with which the values can be changed. Alternatively, you can choose from a set of predefined schemes by clicking on the "Schemes..." button. This will display a choice of color schemes for these four parameters. Click on the desired scheme and then close the scheme dialog. The size of the borders, these are the areas in which the axis labels are drawn at the four edges of a spectrum, can be set by changing the values in the "Borders" section. The values are specified as the number of pixels between the edge and the axis line. The Axes section controls the appearance of the the two axes, and a grid. Whether or not axis labels and tick marks are drawn is controlled for the vertical and horizontal axis by the two checkboxes in the "Axes" section. The AxisWidth parameter controls the linewidth of the axis. By default, the tick mark positions are automatically calculated to give a reasonable spacing of major tick marks. You can change this by explicitly entering a tic mark spacing in the Tic Delta X and Tic Delta Y fields. If the values are set to 0 then automatic calculation of the spacing will be done. Grid lines are drawn across spectrum if the Grid checkbox is set. By default, the axis units are in PPM, but this can be changed with the selector to the right of the Grid checkbox. The Plot Panel provides a set of sliders to control contour levels of 2D displays and x and y offsets of 1D spectra. It does not give you special control of how your spectrum is plotted on paper beyond its appearance on the screen. In that sense, NVJ is very WYSIWYG, which is good! Select a value using the slider to specify the maximum number of contours to be drawn. Select a value using the slider to specify the ratio between subsequent contour levels. For example, a value of 1.5 means that each contour will be 1.5 times as high as the previous one. Type an entry in this box to specify the scale value at which 1D slices are to be drawn. This value is multiplied by a global scale parameter (set in the Prefs dialog, default 1e6) to generate the actual value that is used. The up and down arrows provide a convenient means to increment or decrement the scale level. Clicking on the up arrow raises the scale level to a value equal to the current level times the current value of the multiplier (the value in the next field). Clicking on the down arrow lowers the scale level to a value equal to the current level divided by the current value of the multiplier (the value in the next field). Whenever the Levelvalue is changed the Scalevalue is changed to be 10.0 times the Levelvalue as this generally provides good results. Select a value using the slider to specify the offset position(from 0.0 to 1.0) at which X (and Z) slices are drawn. be drawn. Select a value using the slider to specify the offset position(from 0.0 to 1.0) at which Y (and Z2) slices are drawn. be drawn. Below, you see the effects of changing the settings the CLM and NLvls settings on 2D peaks. While it is possible to analyze NMR data by directly decomposing the raw data into lists of parameters such as frequencies and linewidths, most users still rely on Fourier transformation of the FID and then identifying peak positions in the transformed data. Accordingly, NMRView provides many tools for locating and analyzing these spectral peaks. The PeakPick Panel is the standard starting point for generating lists of peaks in a spectrum. The algorithm used for locating peaks is quite simple, but relatively robust and rapid. Peaks are considered points of local maxima (that is, any point which has a higher intensity than all adjacent points). When NMRView locates peaks it also performs the following steps: identify the peak bounds (the width of the peak at the level of the intensity threshold); estimate the half-height peak width; determine whether the peak is on the edge of the spectrum or adjacent to other peaks; calculate the center position by interpolating the intensities of the adjacent data points. Locating peak positions does not, however, include estimating the peak volume. This must be done as a separate operation. Once you've picked your peaks, you'll notice a few things. First, you'll find the name of your peaklist in the peak list identifier window, between the List pulldown and Pick button. This is the active list for picking purposes, and can now be selected in the List... pulldown. Second, you'll see a bunch of rectangles with crosshairs will be drawn over your peaks in your spectrum display. Also, you'll see that the number of peaks picked becomes displayed in the Peak Peak panel. If you're appending to an existing list, this number will be the number of new peaks, not the total number of peaks in the list. To pick peaks in a particular region of the spectrum, display the region in any spectral window. Then choose PeakPick from that window's pop-up menu. The PeakPick Control Window will appear. Type the name that you wish to be associated with the new peaklist in the text field of the control window. Click on the Pick button to start the automatic peakpicking. As peaks are identified in the spectrum, boxes annotated with the peak number will be drawn on the spectrum at the position of each identified peak. Some spectra, especially 3D and 4D spectra, may be collected with a sweep width narrower than the frequency range of the spectral peaks. In these spectra, peaks are folded to a position that differs from their true position by an integer multiple of the sweep width. Peaks on the edge of such spectra "wrap" around to the opposite edge. At present NMRViewJ wraps for peak searching at all times. Thus, the peakpicker will wrap at the edge of the spectrum so that the peak width and position are properly determined. To pick peaks in a specified region of the spectral window, place the crosshair cursors so as to box in the desired region. Select the Box attribute in the PeakPick Control Window. Now, only the region within the box will be analyzed for peaks. To pick peaks in the entire window select the Window attribute instead. The peaks that are picked may be stored as a new peak list, they may replace an existing peak list, or they may be appended to an existing peak list. The desired option may be selected from the pulldown list that specifies the New, Replace, or Append Attributes. Not yet supported in NMRViewJ. The filter option under pick region restricts the peak pick to regions of the dataset defined by a previously acquired peak list. For example one might peak pick an hncacb spectrum looking in regions of the spectra that correspond to the 1H and 15N coordinates of an HNCO spectrum. If the list that is used for filtering contains close or overlapping peaks this will result in the same region of the active dataset being peak picked multiple times. To prevent this first remove the overlapping peaks in the filter list using the "couple" function under the edit menu in the peak analysis tool. Enter the name of the peaklist. If mode (see below) is "New" there must not be an existing peaklist with this name. If mode is "Append" or "Replace", there must be an existing peaklist with this name. Specify whether to pick the entire region of the displayed in spectral window, or just that within the crosshair box. Peakpick the entire region displayed in spectral window. FIXME Not yet implemented in NvJ. Peaks will be picked in regions defined by a pre-defined peak list. Selecting Filter causes the Filter List portions of the window to open. Once a peak list has been selected the Filter Axes and Correlate Axes Input sections open. Specify the peak list that will be used to control the filtered peak pick. Axes of the active dataset that is to be peak picked using the filter. Specify which axes of the filter peak pick list are to be used to control the filtered peak pick. Specify whether to create a new list, replace an existing one or append to an existing one. Picked peaks will go into a new peaklist. Picked peaks will replace an existing peaklist. Value is zero for a 2D peak pick. Set to non-zero value for 3D-peak pick when displaying only a 2D plane of the 3D dataset. Set to zero to peak pick a series of 2D planes in a 3D dataset (e.g. when relaxation data is collected as 2D planes combined in a 3D dataset). Indicates how many peaks were picked. NMR datasets often have regions that have much higher noise levels than other areas. These are often areas with systematic artifacts, for example a stripe from residual water. A threshold that is appropriate for most regions of the spectrum may be completely inappropriate in these artifact rich areas and if they are included in the peak picking process a large number of peaks will be found that do not represent actual resonances from the targeted molecule. NMRViewJ now includes a method to determine a local estimate of the noise level at all points in the spectrum. The peak picker can be set to only identify points that are both above the general threshold for the whole spectrum, and above a specified multiple of the locally calculated noise. The local noise estimate is calculated by estimating the noise in vectors that intersect from all dimensions at each data point. The noise estimate from the dimension that has the largest noise estimate is used as an estimate of the local noise at that peak. Calculating these estimates is quite fast for 2D spectra, but can be somewhat time-consuming for higher-dimensional spectra. Local noise thresholding is turned on by setting the Noise value in the PeakPick tab to some value greater than zero. A value of 10.0 seems to be a reasonable choice. After setting this value click the Pick button. If a local noise estimation has not been done for the spectrum you will be prompted as to whether to do the calculation. At this point estimates are not saved between NMRViewJ sessions. You can pick multiple times in one session, trying different values of the Noise multiplier each time, without needing to regenerate the noise estimate. Here is a region of an HSQC spectrum where the peaks have been picked without Local Noise Thresholding. Note the streak of peaks at the position of the residual water. Here is the same region where the peaks have been picked with a noise multiplier of 10.0 Note that, even though water region was included in the peak picking, no peaks were found there. Not shown here, but users will find that "real" peaks that are quite close to a streak will be found. This panel works in a similar way to the File Panel, only instead of controlling which datasets are displayed it controls which peak lists are displayed. As with datasets, there is no practical limit to how many peak lists can be displayed in a single spectrum window. The left hand side of the Peak Display Panel is a list of all the peak lists that are currently open within NMRViewJ. The right hand side of the panel lists all the peak lists that are currently assigned to be displayed in the spectrum. To add a peak list to the display list just select the desired list in the left hand list box, and then click the >>> button. To remove a peak list from the lists that will be displayed, just select the desired list in the right hand list box, and then click the \<\<\< button. When peaks are displayed the peaks will be drawn as rectangular boxes centered on the peak position. This panel provides controls to specify the display of peaks in the spectral windows. The window header will indicate the name of the window whose attributes are being set, and the name of the dataset currently assigned to the window. The panel is displayed by selecting the Attributes option of the Peak Menu in the Spectral Display Menu. You can color-code your peaks, give them meaningful labels, and display them in various ways using the controls in the Peak Attributes panel of the Spectrum Attributes window (). NVJ defaults to coloring peaks according to plane, making them black if they're in the plane you're examining (which means all peaks in a 2D spectrum), and red if they're not. Thus those in the plane are called "On" and those outside are called "Off". Likewise, if you color by "Assigned," then peaks that are assigned are "On" and adopt the "On" color, and those that aren't assigned are "Off" and adopt the "Off" color. The "Plane" selection allows you to display peaks from neighboring planes, and the pulldown lets you choose how many extra planes to either side of the one you're viewing will be included. Note that only the picked-peak rectangles, crosshairs and labels get displayed this way, not the actual peaks. This is useful for a number of purposes, especially for identifying sinc wiggles flanking real peaks. In this case, you would observe two or more small peaks one or two planes away from one major peak; by looking at the peaks in neighboring planes, you could judge whether a small peak is genuine or probably a sinc wiggle. NVJ defaults to 0 extra planes. If you should select, say, 2 planes, you would see black peaks corresponding to those in your active plane, and red peaks from two planes on either side of it. The Display pulldown lets you conveniently turn off the peak display. Just pull down the menu and select "none", then click the "Draw" button either in the Spectrum Attributes window or the Spectrum window. The other controls are relevant only in connection with the Peak panel (Main Toolbar...Assign Peaks, ) or in the case of Draw...Simulated, a simulation routine. These will be described briefly for completeness here, more extensively later, when discussing how to assign peaks. The "Show Mode" is a fun feature that lets you scroll through your peaklist and examine each peak on its own terms. If you select "Expand" then go to your Peak panel, which shows information about a single peak, then click in the display indicating the peak number , then hit your return key. Zing! Your spectrum display places that peak smack in the middle of your spectrum and scales your display so your peaks' rectangle occupies about 25% of your window. If, in your Peak panel, then you click the up or down arrows to examine the next or previous peak, respectively, then that peak will be displayed (in its plane) such that it occupies about a quarter of the screen in either direction. Choosing "Expand Fix" in the Show pulldown retains the size of the currently displayed region of the spectrum but still centers the peak in your widow. This feature is useful when determining whether a peak is signal or noise, as small peaks shown in Expand (not Expand Fix) mode show little of their surroundings, making it hard to gauge their relative significance. Selecting "Plane" in show mode seems like it should display the current 2D region of the spectrum but only the plane associated with the peak. When I tried it it didn't work, so this feature is probably still in development. The Label pulldown allows you to display the peak with a variety of annotations. The default choice is the most basic, the Peak Number - which simply corresponds to the order in which the peaks were picked. Displaying the "Label" label shows the assignment (requiring your labor or that of an automated routine) of the form F2(residue number.atom) F1(residue number.atom), e.g. "12.HN 12.N" in an hsqc. If "Residue" is chosen as the label, you just see the residue number, e.g. "12." "Atom" will give the F2 and F1 atom types, e.g. "HN N". "Cluster" will show the cluster this peak to which the peak has been assigned (peak clustering will be covered in a later section of this guide). "User" corresponds to the a line in the Peak window for entering the spectroscopist who takes the credit/blame for a peak assignment. Likewise, "Comment" will display the comment associated with a peak in the Peak window. "Summary" displays the peak's intensity, number is series ("s 0" if it's not part of a series), and X-axis chemical shift. "Links" will enable an action related to the Link A and Link B lines in the Peak panel. A pull-down menu of colors. If "On Color" is set to Plane, this specifies the color of peaks that are within the range of displayed planes. This mode is only applicable to three or four dimensional spectra. If colortype is set to Assigned, this specifies the color of peaks that have been assigned to specific atoms. If colortype is set to Status this specifies the color of peaks whose status value is greater than zero. If colortype is set to Error this specifies the color of peaks whose error values are ++in all dimensions. A pull-down menu of colors. If colortype is set to "plane",this specifies the color of peaks that are not within the range of displayed planes, but are no more than "offset" number of planes outside this range. This mode is only applicable to three or four dimensional spectra. If colortype is set to Assigned, this specifies the color of peaks that have not been assigned to specific atoms. If colortype is set to Status this specifies the color of peaks whose status value is equal to zero. If colortype is set to Error this specifies the color of peaks whose error values are not ++ in all dimensions. Specifies how the color of peaks is determined. Color is determined by whether or not peaks are within the range of displayed planes. Color is determined by whether or not peaks have been assigned to specific atoms. Color is determined by whether or not the status field of the peak is greater than zero. Color is determined by the value of the Error field for the peak. If any dimension has a value not equal to "++" then the peak is drawn in the "Col Off" color. Specifies how the label displayed with each peak is determined. The label is the peak number. The label is composed of the assignment labels for each peak dimension. The label is composed of the unique residue numbers from the assignment label for each peak dimension. The label is composed of the atom fields from the assignment label for each peak dimension. Specifies how the peak is displayed. The peak is drawn has a box centered on the peak position, with a width equal to the peak bounds. A label is placed at the corner. The peak is drawn with simulated contours. The intensity and linewidth for the simulation are taken from the peak intensity and width. The peak position is labeled, but a box is not drawn. Peaks are displayed that are within this number of planes of the range of planes that are displayed (for three and four dimensional spectra). For example, if planes 17 to 18 are currently being displayed in the spectral window, any peak that was closest to planes 17 to 18 would displayed, with the color selected in the "Col On" menu. Any peaks closest to planes 13 to 16 or 19 to 22 would be displayed with the color selected in the "Col Off" menu. Peaks outside of this range of planes would not be displayed. This menu controls the response of the spectral window to actions taken in the peak analysis window. If this item is selected, no action will occur in this window in response to peak selections in the peak analysis window. If this item is selected an expansion of the spectrum around a particular peak will appear when a peak is selected in the Peak Analysis window. The width of the display region around the peak will be automatically set to five times the peak width in each of the display dimensions. If this item is selected an expansion of the spectrum around a particular peak will appear when a peak is selected in the Peak Analysis window. The display limits will be changed so that they are centered on the new peak, but the width of the display region will not change from the current values. If this item is selected the spectrum will be plotted at the particular plane(s) corresponding to the peak selected in the Peak Analysis window. The x and y plot limits will not change from the current values. If this is selected then peaks that have "links" between them will be drawn with a line connecting them. NMRView facilitates both visual and quantitative analysis of NMR spectra. One of the simplest quantitative measures of the dataset is to calculate some basic statistics. This can be done through the Analysis Panel. Place the cross hairs so that they form a box around the region you wish to analyze. You can set the cross hair positions by moving them with the mouse, or by entering values in the four entry boxes (x1,y1,x2,y2). Next, click the Get Values. Return the sum of the points in the region. Return the sum of the points in an ellipse bounded by the region. Return the minimum value from the region. Return the most extreme (maximum or minimum) value from the cursor region. Return the average value in the cursor region. Return the value at the center of the cursor region. Return the largest value (of the same sign as center point) within a certain tolerance (+/- 25% of the region width) of the center of the cursor region. Return the standard deviation of the values in the cursor region. The values are also stored in a global Tcl variable named Nv_Value. It is often useful to look at not only the contour plot of a spectrum with two or more dimensions, but to also look at vector slices through the spectrum. The Extract Panel allows one to extract vectors from the displayed spectrum. The extracted vectors are displayed in a separate "vecGraph" window. The vecGraph window is fundamentally the same as any other spectral display window, but has additional control widgets for interacting with the displayed vector. Either one will extract a 1D spectrum corresponding to the position of your black cursor (in the default color scheme), calling up a new window. Extract/Replace extracts one spectrum for display in a new window , and Extract/Add allows you to overlay multiple 1D spectra in that window. Vectors can either replace any previously existing vector in the vecGraph window, or be displayed along with any existing vectors. This latter mode can be used to easily compare slices at different positions in the spectrum. Note, if multiple spectra are to be extracted into the vecGraph window, then they should have the same axis labels. Extract the slice parallel to the x-axis defined by crosshair 1. Extract the slice parallel to the y-axis defined by crosshair 1. Extract the slice parallel to the z-axis defined by crosshair 1. Extract the slice parallel to the a-axis (z2-axis) defined by crosshair 1. Hold down MENU (the right mouse button) within a spectral display window to display this menu. This command will open up the spectral attributes window. If the window is already open it will set it to display the attributes for the active spectral window. The commands in this menu allow the user to change the region of the spectrum that is displayed in this window. This command changes the plot limits to include the region bounded by the two crosshairs and redraws the spectrum. This command changes the plot limits to that which was active prior to the last expansion and redraws the spectrum. The previous 8 views are saved so the user can return to them with this command. This command changes the plot limits to that of full spectral width for each of the two displayed dimensions and redraws the spectrum. Center the current view on the crosshair cursor (number 1). Zoom the display into a region around the center of the currently displayed region. A smaller portion of the spectrum will be displayed, and the displayed peaks will look larger. The positions of the crosshair lines have no effect on this operation. Zoom the display out from the center of the currently displayed region. A larger portion of the spectrum will be displayed, and the displayed peaks will look smaller. The positions of the crosshair lines have no effect on this operation. This menu provides commands to copy display attributes from one window to another. This command saves the display attributes of the current window into the copy buffer. This command sets the dataset and plot limits of the current window to those in the copy buffer, and redraws the current window. This command sets the plot limits of the current window to those in the copy buffer, and redraws the current window. This command copies an image of the currently displayed window to the computers clipboard. From there it can be pasted into other applications that support graphical images. This menu can be used to switch between different cursor modes. The use of the crosshair cursors is described in the section on Cursors. The use of the PeakAdjust, PeakAdd and PeakDelete modes is described in the section on Interactive Peak Editing. Crosshair cursors are drawn as the mouse is dragged. This mode is appropriate for one-button mice, but will also work with the left mouse button of three-button mice. The crosshair that is moved is determined by which crosshair is closer to the mouse pointer. Crosshair cursors are drawn as the mouse is dragged. This mode is appropriate for three-button mice. The left mouse button controls crosshair 1 (usually black), the middle mouse button controls crosshair 2 (usually red), and the right mouse button is used to display the pop-up menu. The cursor, which will look like an arrow pointer, can be used to select peaks. Click once on a peak to select it. Any previously selected peaks will be deselected. Clicking with the Shift key held down will append peaks to the list of selected peaks. Selected peaks will be displayed with their foot print in a transparent yellow color. footprint to a new size. W> On the Gnome Window Manager moving the mouse while the Alt key is down will drag the whole window around, preventing you from resizing peaks. You can change this behavior by entering the following command in a terminal. This changes the window manager so that moving windows is done by moving the mouse with the Super, not Alt, key down. The cursor, which will look like a peak shape, can be used to interactively add peaks at the cursor position. The cursor, which will look like a skull and crossbones, can be used to interactively delete peaks at the cursor position. Pick peaks in the crosshair region. If no crosshairs are displayed pick the entire region that is displayed. If no peaks are currently displayed then the list name will be that of the displayed dataset. If peaks are currently displayed then the newly picked peaks either replace them (if there are any current peaks within the crosshair region), or append to them (if there are no peaks currently displayed within the crosshair region). If multiple datasets are displayed then the peak picking process will be repeated for each dataset. Create links between the selected peaks (that is connect them to a common resonance). Links are made along only one dimension. The link dimension is the one with the smallest chemical shift range among the selected peak. For example, if the peaks are from a 2D HSQC spectrum displayed with H on the x axis, and N on the y axis, and the selected peaks are in a vertical column then the peaks will be linked by along their N dimension. Remove links between the selected peaks (selected peaks will now be connected to distinct resonances). Any peaks selected will be marked for deletion. They will no longer be displayed, but will not be permanently gone until the peak list is compressed. This menu can be used to adjust the referencing of the current spectra or peak lists. The referencing will be changed so that the point on the spectrum that is at the position of the intersection of the red crosshair will be the chemical shift at the position of the intersection of the black crosshairs. This is often done to align to spectra by placing the black crosshairs on a peak in the correctly referenced spectrum, and placing the red crosshairs on the corresponding peak in the incorrectly referenced spectra. Choose this menu option from the window containing the correctly reference spectrum. as to whether to shift the peak positions by the same amount. This action is performed the same as the above action, in that the black crosshairs are positioned at the correct position and the red crosshairs at the position that should be adjusted. Typically this is done when a peak list is displayed on a spectrum, but the peaks are not aligned properly, perhaps because the dataset was referenced as above, without also shifting the peaks, or perhaps the peak list is from a different, but related dataset. Place the black crosshairs at a specific spectral peak contours, and the red crosshairs at the peak box that corresponds. Then choose this menu option. This item will save the current reference values into the dataset's parameter file and is useful if you didn't do so when doing the Shift Spectrum command above. This menu can be used to display 1D slices across 2D (or higher dimensional) spectra. The vector extracted from the displayed dataset, to generate the slice, will be chosen based on the position of crosshair number one. Use this menu to copy the slice defined by crosshair 1 through the selected dimension to the vecGraph window, and display it. Selecting from the "Replace" sub-menu will extract the vector and replace any vectors currently displayed in the vecGraph window. Selecting from the "Add" sub-menu will extract the vector and add it to any vectors currently displayed in the vecGraph window. PREMIUM_PHASE Use this menu to phase the spectrum. Phase the dataset dimension parallel to the x-axis. Phase the dataset dimension parallel to the y-axis. Phase the dataset dimension parallel to the z-axis. Phase the dataset dimension parallel to the a-axis (z2-axis) . Regardless of the method used to create spectrum widgets, each such widget will be listed in the Spectrum Manager. You can use this GUI to delete existing windows and bring them to the front with the controls in this panel. Delete the spectral window that is selected in the window list above. Bring the spectral window that is selected to the front of the display. Advanced tools like RunAbout provide features for synchronizing the display of different windows, but sometimes one wants to set this synchronization up in a more ad hoc way. You can set up synchronization between windows using the Synchronize... menu entry on the main Windows menu. First make sure the window you want to be the "source" of synchronization events is the active window. Choosing Synchronize... will display the following dialog. This dialog can be used to set up synchronization of the plot limits of two or more windows. Every time the display of one window is changed, any synchronized dimensions of other windows will be changed. To add a synchronization, select two or more dimension names and click the Add button. The synchronized dimensions will be added into a sync group. Dimension names in the same sync group will have a common integer number after their name (like HN:0) in the dialog panel. Dimension names in a common sync group will be displayed with a common background color as well. Dimensions not currently in an active synchronization group can be added to an existing group by selecting one dimension in the group, and the new dimension. The dimension names do not have to be the same within a synchronization group, but obviously the synchronization only makes sense if they at least have overlapping view ranges.
2019-04-26T08:51:47Z
http://docs.nmrfx.org/viewer/gui/windows
Choose the meeting theme you are interested in and then the session. Go to https://iasroma2019.exordo.com for abstract submission and registration. Note that all presenting authors must be paid registrants at the Conference. The organization proposes some 56 sessions belonging to 11 Meeting themes. We realize that the number of sessions is very high, but we left the opportunity to all the scientific communities to propose a subject. Then the selection will be made on the number of abstracts received. Sessions not reaching the minimum number of abstracts will be deleted and abstract moved to similar session. Plenary sessions with keynote lectures of general interest are planned. The contribution will only be included in the book of abstracts and in the program if the presenting author has paid his/her registration by the early bird registration deadline (May 2019). The contribution will be removed from the program if the presenting author is not present at the conference. Each participant can be presenting author of only oral presentation and one poster or of two posters the oral presentation can be moved to poster by the organizing committee and session’s convener(s), according to reviewing process); this rule might have justified exceptions (e.g., keynote lectures). You can change the presenting author at short notice in case of unforeseen absence from the conference. All contributions which presenting author is registered as student will automatically participate in the best student presentation program. The abstract should be limited to 500 words; the title should be at most 15 words. Plain text should be used without any special characters. Figures are not allowed. For abstract submission authors should suggest their preferred mode of presentation (oral or poster) but the ultimate possibility of oral presentation will be decided by the organizing committee and session’s convener(s). The author may select the scientific session he prefers but the presentation could be moved by organizing committee if the session will be cancelled. Please note: we expect the final number of sessions to be half up to two-thirds of the list above, as the requested minimum number of abstracts will not be reached by all the sessions. Carbonate depositional systems record changes in architecture, geometry, texture, lithofacies, and biogenic components through time. Carbonate producers are living organisms with precise energetic and environmental requirements, therefore climatic and oceanographic variations, driven by geology, exert a strong influence over them. This is especially true for neritic systems located at the boundary between the tropical and temperate realms, which are very sensitive to climate belts dynamics through geological time and to sea-level oscillations. The Earth went through major environmental revolutions during the Cenozoic, shifting from a “greenhouse” to an “icehouse” world and witnessing dramatic oceanographic events. Several global changes affected the functioning and the relative dominance of the major carbonate factories (coral reefs, large benthic foraminifera banks, rhodolith beds and algal build-ups) that recorded in detail the temporal and spatial variation of these events. Unveiling this natural archive is of paramount importance for understanding and modelling the future of our planet under the expected consequences of the ongoing climate change. This session aims at offering an overview of the Cenozoic environmental evolution of our planet by presenting a series of case histories from a suite of diverse carbonate factories, geological contexts and time, to depict their inception, evolution and demise. This Open Session invites contributions from general and interdisciplinary topics within the diverse fields of Carbonates (marine and continental) and Bioconstructions. The session provides an opportunity to present studies that do not sit comfortably within any of the research topics covered by the special themes. Carbonate factories are possibly dependent by many environmental factors such as carbonate saturation, biological metabolism, biologically-controlled and -induced carbonate precipitation, loci of accumulation and preservation. How the conditions for a carbonate factory efficiency can been achieved and how the conditions have varied with evolutionary history, atmosphere and ocean chemistry, tectonic plate configurations, paleoclimate, and other factors will be discussed in the session. Contributions and case histories dealing on facies and geochemical characterization of carbonate factories from Paleozoic to Modern carbonate platforms are welcome. Shallow-water carbonate platforms provide unique windows to Earth’s geological past. These environments document the response of neritic biocalcifiers to severe perturbations of biogeochemical cycles and host a precious record of carbonate-associated proxies of past ocean conditions. In this session we invite contributions that employ traditional and novel approaches to decipher the palaeonvironmental archive of shallow-water carbonates. Within this broad topic, contributions dealing with stratigraphic intervals encompassing xtreme events, like the end-Permian, end-Triassic and end-Cretaceous events, the Mesozoic OAEsand the Cenozoic hyperthermals are particularly encouraged. 3D modelling holds great potential for the quantitative study of carbonates at different scales and its application ranges, for example, from volume assessment, calculation of growth rates and distribution of facies and heterogeneities to forward modelling of sedimentation and diagenetic processes. Several methods (e.g. seismic, photogrammetry, LIDAR, drone and hyperspectral imaging, CT scanning) provide an invaluable and increasingly accessible source of three-dimensional information and software for data management and interpretation is becoming increasingly sophisticated. However, integration of datasets through efficient workflows as well as adequate data-sharing platforms and standardization of formats are still underdeveloped. This session seeks contributions of 3D modelling examples across different scales and within the broad field of carbonate sedimentology to capture the range of applications, the current state of the art on workflows including those for sharing data sets and, finally, stimulate discussion on synergies and new directions to improve the understanding of carbonate sedimentary systems. Estuaries are delicate coastal environments, which evolve under the intertwined effect of hydrological, chemical and biological processes. In the past, the complex interaction among these processes promoted the accumulation of thick sedimentary successions, which can be of relevant economic importance (i.e. hydrocarbon reservoirs). Today, the morphodynamics of coastal environments occurs under the influence of rapid climate changes and anthropogenic pressures, which make imminent evolution of estuarine systems poorly predictable. Understanding estuarine morphodynamics and related deposits has therefore remarkable social and economic implications, both in terms of landscape management and subsurface exploration. Exploiting the up-to-date knowledge about estuarine morphodynamics, this session aims at reconciling results from field studies, mathematical modelling and laboratory investigations in order to discuss: i) principles to investigate estuarine sedimentary products; ii) models to predict evolution of estuarine systems. This session aims at bringing together researchers working on modern geomorphology and ancient deposits, as well as researchers undertaking physical and numerical modelling approaches. Presentations are welcome on all aspects of estuarine systems: hydrology, hydrodynamics, morphological characterisation, morphodynamics, sediment transport, stratigraphy, impact of climate change and sea-level rise. Basin margin development and the timing of sediment transport to the oceans are strongly influenced by the position and character of paralic systems relative to the changing physiography of the coastline, and the relative dominance of depositional processes occurring along its adjacent shelf. Here, the dynamic interaction of numerous factors results in a complex heterogeneity of nearshore deposits, observable both in modern, ancient and high-resolution seismic datasets. This complexity has been generally well studied along depositional dip profiles, but the lateral (along-strike) variability of sedimentary systems from the shoreline to the shelf is less understood, possibly due to the difficulty in recognizing sub-seismic lateral facies changes, and the absence of well-documented large-scale outcrop examples. Consequently, the lateral variability of nearshore sedimentary systems and its resulting complex stratigraphic expression are still poorly constrained. In this session we invite contributions from both modern and ancient studies of coastal to shelfal depositional environments, which might help improving our understanding about the complex interaction between numerous factors in this segment of source-to-sink systems. The session aims to integrate detailed studies of internal bed-scale facies architecture with larger-scale plan-view analysis, tracking along-strike geomorphological changes and controls in the resulting laterally-variable stratigraphic record of these system. The session would cover both modern and ancient environments. It would be timely to have papers looking at the linkages between climate (including windiness) and sea level change, aeolian sedimentation, dune mobility and stabilization phases, including carbonate-rich dunes (aeolianites), siliciclastic dunes and paleosol sequences. Penecontemporaneous dolomites are known to have formed a few decimeters below the surface since the Precambrian. Their occurrence in moderate amounts is not rare in Holocene evaporitic settings connected to the sea, where it is relatively easy to account for all the ingredients required for the theoretical formation of large amounts of dolomite. Yet, their precipitation mechanisms are still disputed. Prevailing models range from hydrogeochemical forcing linked to relative sea level change―with an elusive replacement component, to hypotheses that confer key roles to microbially induced catalysis and organometallic interactions. In the past, the inability to experimentally test the hypotheses led to criticisms regarding the validity of the proposed ideas, but this situation is rapidly changing with the emergence and increasing application of high spatial resolution and precision methods. For this session, we highly encourage submission of interdisciplinary studies addressing the natural occurrence of modern and ancient penecontemporaneous dolomite or its synthetic analogues via a combination of standard and novel analytical approaches capable of gaining sub-micron- to facies-scale insights. Human impact has considerably altered rivers, estuaries and deltas all over the world. Anthropogenic effects have strongly intensified over the last thousands of years, shaping the environments and depositional systems that we know today. Land use changes, industrial activities, and engineering, for example, caused changes in channel networks, floodplain vegetation, sediment supply, river discharge, delta subsidence and sea level. These changes have important implications for modern and future river and estuary management. Understanding their causes, effects and pacing is also vital for better interpreting depositional sequences using modern observations and analogues. The relative contribution of human impact and the spatial and temporal response of fluvial and tidal systems associated often are less well understood. To make a step forward and better isolate the various responses mechanisms involved, we need further identification of human impact in recent sedimentary records, correlation to human activities, and attribution of response to specific processes. In this session we welcome studies contributing to this, based on data reviews, field observations and modelling across a variety of spatial and temporal scales. In this session, we invite contributions related to the deposition and early diagenesis of modern carbonates. Depositional systems ranging from continental to deep marine are welcome. Research topics include the geochemical characterization of carbonates in modern systems to better understand the range and meaning of depositional signals, new geochemical proxies, and mechanisms of carbonate precipitation. Furthermore, proxy preservation during formation and the earliest stages of diagenesis is of interest. This session provides an opportunity to present studies within a diverse context of methodologies and approaches, all guided toward a better understanding of the formation and early alteration of carbonate deposits. Geomicrobiological approaches evolving calibration of specific and/or new geochemical proxies, such as stable isotopic fractionation and element partitioning for carbonates are very much encouraged. We hope to gather a range of multidisciplinary contributions linking fieldwork, laboratory experimentation with the application of cutting-edge analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Do purely wave, tide, and fluvial environments in shallow-marine settings exist? In the last decade, an increased number of studies referring to “hybrid sedimentary systems” or “mixed-energy system” have been published. These studies focus on the interplay of at least two of the three main processes (i.e., river, tide and wave) controlling sedimentation and depositional architecture in coastal to shallow-marine settings. This led to the identification of hybrid sedimentary structures generated as the result of wave-tide and river-tide process interactions, whereas less attention has been paid to wave-river ones. More studies are required to refine our conceptual models of facies and how interplays influence the sedimentation from the genesis of bedforms towards the overall geometry of the systems. This session aspires to group research exhibiting data from modern and ancient marginal marine environments subjected to process interplay and other studies on this topic based on numerical modelling and flume experiments. Deep-water channels in either marine or lacustrine have been the focus of extensive research since their discovery in the early 20th century. This is largely because they: (1) play a significant role in shaping and building continental margins; (2) are prodigious features traversing hundreds or even thousands of km of the seafloor; (3) serve as the major conduits for the delivery of large quantities of nutrients, pollutants, carbon, and sediments into deep-water sites; (4) preserve critical paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic information; and (5) form major subsurface oil and gas reservoirs worldwide. Despite their significance and widespread occurrence, deep-water channels remain a key research challenge in sedimentological community, because of their three- dimensional complexity and diversity. We hope the proposed session will facilitate open and lively discussion towards an advanced and deeper understanding of all aspects of deep-water channels in either marine and lacustrine basins. How do deep-water channels work; including how they are formed and maintained, internal flow processes, and how they evolve. Morphology, architecture, genesis, and reservoir characterization of deep-water channels in either marine or lacustrine basins. How submarine channels host and influence ecological communities, and their globally important role for organic carbon transfer and burial. New ways to study deep-water channels, including numerical simulations, physical experiments, and direct field observations of active events on the seafloor. Understanding sedimentary processes is crucial to comprehend the sediment dispersal and the depositional record of deep water systems. Recently, new insights into flow processes, based on direct flow measurements and experiments, have led to revised interpretations of depositional processes in deep water systems. Concomitantly, investigations of the seafloor have contributed detailed images of geomorphic elements in the different deep water environments. Refined process-based facies models, linking depositional processes to stratigraphy, have thus been developed, also thanks to the contributions by outcrop and seismic data studies. Nevertheless, many important aspects of deep water sedimentary systems and their interrelations remain poorly understood. Our knowledge, however, can be improved especially through the integration of results from different research approaches. This session aims to bring together contributions on observations from modern systems (flow monitoring-seafloor bathymetry), outcrops, seismic data and experiments (physical-numerical) to deal with these issues. We seek contributions addressing the behaviour of sediment-gravity flows, focusing on: subcritical vs. supercritical flows, surging vs. sustained flows, transitional-hybrid events and interactions between flows and basin morphology. At a larger scale we aim at integrating different views regarding: autogenic organization vs. allogenic forcing, intrabasinal vs. extrabasinal controls, oceanographic forcing, sediment-feeding systems, sediment supply, tectonics and sequence stratigraphy. Non-marine carbonates form in a variety of depositional settings such as lakes, rivers, hydrothermal vents, caves and soils, representing a significant component of terrestrial sedimentary basins and useful proxies of palaeoenvironmental conditions. Understanding modern physico-chemical and microbially mediated processes of non-marine carbonate precipitation helps constraining biogeochemical cycles and investigating the geological past in terms of changing depositional environments, hydrology and climate. A robust understanding of what features of a sediment are uniquely microbial is also a critical requirement of dawn of life studies on Earth and astro-biological research. This session aims to get better insights into the variety of non-marine carbonate facies and the abiotic/biotic control on processes of carbonate and associated minerals precipitation. We welcome contributions investigating fossil and modern non-marine carbonates through multi-disciplinary approaches highlighting their variability across different depositional environments and the biological, environmental and physico-chemical factors controlling their formation, fabrics, accumulation rates and spatial distribution. Palaeosol are constantly present in continental sedimentary successions, from the Archean to the Present. Their occurrence can be extremely variable: from almost completely absent, where high sedimentation rate or extreme palaeoenvironmental conditions acted, to comprise more than 80% of the thickness in many other sedimentary successions. Nevertheless, the attention of who studies the ancient continental sedimentary successions is not always proportional to the occurrence of palaeosols. Although since the 80s the scientific consideration of palaeosols certainly increased, studies focusing palaeosols are not common in scientific papers and even more uncommon are studies linking sedimentary processes and palaeosols. Notwithstanding, palaeosols represent in continental sedimentary succession, a data source probably much more efficient than sediments. Indeed, if the deposits are commonly yielded by rapid and paroxysmal processes, often associated to abnormal conditions of the depositional environment, the palaeosols do not follow these rules. A well-developed palaeosol forms in more than 1000 yr; during this period this is an open-system, that can record all the environmental conditions and changes in the atmosphere and just beneath its surface. By proposing this session we want stimulate the sedimentologists to present whichever communication whose focus are the palaeosols and/or their relationships with the sedimentary environments. Lacustrine sediments can provide outstanding high-resolution and continuous archives of climate change, environmental evolution, anthropogenic impact, and tectonics. Only using a multiproxy approach is possible to disentangle the often intertwined biogeochemical and/or physical processes triggered by these phenomena. We target novel approaches and new exploration fields for the study of lacustrine systems, including modern limnology. Thus, we encourage oral and posters contributions that present basic and applied research on all aspects of both modern and ancient lake systems assembling a wide range of geophysical, sedimentological, geochemical, biological remains, and geomicrobiological datasets. Numerical models on lacustrine hydrodynamics are also welcome. Caves are unique environments acting as sedimentary data repositories. Cave deposits can be grouped into two main categories: chemical precipitates and clastic sediments. Among them, calcite speleothems and stream-transported clastic sediments are the most useful as continental records. Since the erosional processes active on other proxies at the Earth surface are attenuated in the underground landscapes, karst systems can be considered as natural laboratories to reconstruct past climate and paleo-environments. In fact, cave sediments are a very effective tool for paleoclimate studies in continental environments for three main reasons: (i) they are poorly deformed by tectonic and erosive processes, (ii) they can provide very precise dating and (iii) there is a good chronological relation between cave deposits and Quaternary climate and eustatic variations. This session focuses on the many aspects related to underground karst sediments and cave depositional environments and processes. Therefore, it is open to multidisciplinary studies on clastic and carbonate cave sediments studied from both sedimentological and climatological point of view, as well as encouraging interdisciplinary contributions that analyze their morphology, texture, chemical composition, mineralogy and/or isotopic composition together with the interactions between their high resolution records and paleoclimate, paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic reconstructions. Lacustrine basins are important oil & gas-productive areas of the world. In recent years, lacustrine sedimentology has made great achievement in term of source-sink system analysis, shallow-water delta, beach bar, deep-water sediments, fine-grained deposits, lacustrine carbonate, events deposits, deep reservoir forming mechanism and seismic sedimentology. Even so, problems and challenges of the lacustrine sedimentology are widely existed and needed to carry out innovation. The main idea of this theme is innovation and new exploration fields of lacustrine deposits. Specific subthemes may be referenced but not limited to the following eight aspects. Other new field of exploration and development. Understanding of alluvial sedimentary processes and investigations of how genetically related alluvial units are organized in the stratigraphic record are key matters in sedimentology. Although remarkable advances in our understanding of alluvial systems have been made over the past decades, there still remains scope for a more refined investigation of alluvial deposition. This session calls for contributions on recent and on-going advances in the field of alluvial sedimentology, with specific emphasis on studies linking sedimentary processes and morphodynamics with related products in the rock record. Contributions are invited on topics that include, but are not limited to, the following: linking modern alluvial systems to their ancient preserved counterparts; novel data collection methods; facies models for alluvial systems; numerical modelling and laboratory experiments on alluvial processes and stratigraphy; interactions of alluvial systems with other environments, including lakes, deserts, deltas, estuaries, shorelines; interaction between alluvial deposition and tectonics. The intrinsically complex nature of sedimentary dynamics, both in time and space, exert a fundamental control on the abundance, variety and quality of information engraved in deep-time geological records. Integration of basin analysis and sequence stratigraphy with such areas as palaeobiology, biostratigraphy and geochemistry provides a powerful, interdisciplinary approach to reconstruct past environmental scenarios and biodiversity dynamics. As pointed out by the new discipline of stratigraphic palaeobiology, patterns observed in the fossil record can largely be predicted based on the stratigraphic architecture, e.g. the distribution of hiatuses and condensation surfaces. Stratigraphic palaeobiology also offers analytical tools allowing to account for these controls and the same tools can be equally applied to geochemical data. In fact, subaerial exposure, phases of non‐deposition, erosion, reworking and bypass of sediments strongly impact also the geochemical record and cannot be overlooked. In this session, we aim at bringing together sedimentologists, palaeobiologists and geochemists to demonstrate how sequence stratigraphy can be employed as a common information framework in all these fields, and foster collaborations towards a better understanding of the links between past biotic and palaeoenvironmental changes. Sequence stratigraphy developed as a new model in stratigraphy after the integration of the Exxon seismic-stratigraphic method with genetic concepts linking seismic attributes to sedimentary dynamics. The sequence stratigraphy model has been the focus of debates and proposals for nomenclatural and conceptual revision, owing to the increasing scenarios and different scale of application, each with its own practical requirements and specific key features as to the role of sediment supply and sea level in controlling sequence architecture. Methodological and conceptual advances driven by new technologies (such as 3D seismic geomorphology) have greatly improved high-resolution geophysical and subsurface studies, allowing, to some degree, to reduce the gap in scale and details compared with facies-based studies in the field. In addition, recent development of satellite imaging and the use of drone technology in wide ranging surveys, may provide means for conceiving field analysis from the perspective of regional, seismic-based geometric criteria. In this Session we welcome multi-scale and multi-approach studies that provide methodological and conceptual insights that may contribute in addressing open questions and enhance the development of sequence stratigraphy as an analytical method and an interpretative stratigraphic model. From the Dolomites to Etna, from the Venice Lagoon to the Trapani Salt pans, Italy embeds a wide spectrum of deposits and related depositional environments in a very short frame. Illustrations and characterization are due to scientists able to observe and describe such amazing and unique features. Starting from historical precursors as Pliny and Leonardo da Vinci, modern Italian and International sedimentologists have illustrated this richness as case histories used in the geology and heritages for the future. Aim of the session is to exhibit the Italian sedimentology that spotlighted the geology in the world with the contribution of the international sedimentologists that spotlighted the Italian geology.. Microbialites are fascinating organosedimentary deposits that are present throughout the entire geological marine record. These deposits are typified by a wide spectrum of particular morphologies, in a variety of lithologies (carbonate, clastic, evaporite, phosphorite), and occur in a wide range of marine settings, including shallow and deep water environments as well as in extreme sedimentary environments (i.e. hypersaline and hydrothermal). The interest in microbialites from the scientific community and industry has increased exponentially in recent years because of their significance in unravelling the evolutionary history of life on Earth (and virtually on other planets), and their role in petroleum systems, as source and reservoir rocks. This session encourages contributions on any aspect of modern and fossil marine microbialites, especially where information is coming from different disciplines: sedimentology, geochemistry and geomicrobiology. Biology influences physical form and process in all of Earth’s present-day sedimentary environments. For example, peat and rooted vegetation provide increased mechanical protection to river banks, promoting the development of deeper, narrower and more sinuous channels. Infaunal burrowers influence the chemical properties of sediment substrates by increasing oxygen circulation, which in turn increases the rate of organic matter decay. Even microbiota have been shown to reduce bedform dimensions and steepness. The objective of this session is to improve our understanding of life’s fundamental role in shaping sedimentary environments. Geomorphological, ecological, geological and experimental contributions are all welcome. We particularly encourage studies which consider life-sediment interactions over evolutionary timescales. The geological timescale provides a handful of ways in which evolving life can be shown to radically alter sedimentary environments. However, the majority of deep-time life- sediment interactions are poorly understood. An improved understanding of life’s influence on sedimentary facies and lithologies will benefit numerous fields of Earth Science (e.g., ongoing investigations of Martian sedimentary outcrops). Primary and secondary volcaniclastic processes represent the crossroad between volcanological and sedimentological processes, and their influence on the environment is largely recognized. Nevertheless, a gap still exists between sedimentological and volcanological approaches to the same problems. This session aims to bring together researchers working on volcanic or volcanically influenced terrains to unravel the generation, transport and settling of volcanic particles through the geological time in different environments, in order to narrow this gap. We invite presentations that include, but are not limited to, 1) field-based description and interpretation of volcanoclastic sediments and related processes both in modern and ancient realms, 2) provenance studies that highlight the influence of volcanic activity on sedimentary basins, 3) studies on the characterization of physico-chemical processes that lead to the generation and weathering of volcaniclastic particles through time. This session is co-sponsored by the Commission on Volcanogenic Sediment of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI). Supercritical flow conditions can occur in open-channel flows, subaqueous density currents, pyroclastic density currents, and katabatic winds, and thus affect a wide range of subaerial and subaqueous depositional settings, e.g. proglacial, fluvial, coastal, deltaic, shallow- to deep-marine, volcaniclastic and carbonate-slope environments. Supercritical flows create upper flow-regime bedforms such as antidunes, chutes-and-pools, cyclic steps and transitional bedforms, whose development and properties are still only partly constrained. Even if a growing number of upper flow-regime bedforms is reported in modern environments, these bedforms and associated sedimentary structures are classically thought to possess a low preservation potential in the stratigraphic record as a result of their high-energy, transient formative conditions. However, recent evidence suggests that the scarcity of available observations may be due to a lack of diagnostic criteria for their recognition. Flume experiments have been pivotal to advancing our understanding of the morphodynamics of upper flow-regime bedforms. Numerical models and direct measurements have also contributed to advance our knowledge of supercritical flows, even if a real integration between the different approaches is still lacking. This session welcomes field, experimental and numerical studies investigating the sedimentological aspects of modern and ancient upper flow-regime bedforms and their formative supercritical flows. Students and early career scientists are encouraged to submit. This session describes the sedimentary processes, products and environments associated with past glacial events through Earth’s history, from the Palaeozoic to the present day, including evidence from Pleistocene glaciations. The focus in this session is on the nature of different types of sedimentary evidence (including its geomorphic and stratigraphic contexts) and applications to climate and glaciological reconstruction. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of sedimentary facies properties, sedimentary structures and other evidence for subglacial and proglacial environments and processes, and the role and limitations of modern analogues and numerical models. Contributions to this session are invited from those working on any types of glaciated or glacially-influenced environments, past or present, and from terrestrial or marine settings, or from local to global scales. The study of sedimentary processes in polar areas contributes to reconstructions of climate, environmental and oceanographic conditions, as well as ice-sheet dynamics on high-latitude continental margins. Such studies can be based on the integration of acoustic data, including swath bathymetry and sub-bottom profiles, seismic data, as well as multi-proxy analyses of sediment cores including drill cores. The rapid response of the polar areas to the recent global climate warming is predicted to accelerate sea-level rise, leading to strong environmental and socio-economic impacts. A thorough knowledge about mechanisms forcing climate change in the past is an essential tool to understand the present state and to predict the future development of the large ice sheets in Antarctica and on Greenland in a geological context. Enhancing this knowledge requires an integrated effort of the scientific community. The aim of this multi-disciplinary session is to bring together researchers working on northern and southern high-latitude continental margins, investigating the sedimentary processes associated with past and present ice-sheets dynamics and paleo-oceanographic effects on the marine sedimentation from both observational and modelling approaches. Bottom currents (BCs) and contourite depositional systems (CDSs) are important component of deep ocean basins and continental margins. The last decades have seen significant progresses in the characterization of CDSs and role of bottom currents on sedimentary and geomorphic processes. In order to better address the relationships between oceanographic processes, morpho-sedimentary processes and CDSs development further improvements are, however, still necessary. In this regard, a multidisciplinary approach among many disciplines (sedimentology, seismic stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, geochemistry, physical and biological oceanography, numerical modeling, etc) using high-quality datasets may provide new significant insights. 3) Relevance for slope stability. Tidal and non-tidal straits and seaways are challenging geological areas governed by current amplification generated by local oceanographic narrowing and providing uncommon sedimentary conditions. Although the growing interest on such systems due to their potential for production of renewable energy, strategic role for the transport industry, climatic impact on the interconnected basins and many more, straits and seaways lack accurate depositional models predicting their space-time sedimentary dynamics and evolution. This session is primarily aimed at defining the state of knowledge on the variety of sedimentary processes and distinctive depositional signatures of these systems. Secondly, it wants to provide a chance for stimulating discussions, idea exchanges and joint collaborations between sedimentologists, marine geologists, geophysicists, oceanographers and other researchers involved in the investigation of modern and ancient cases. After the opening of the key note of Robert W. Dalrymple (Queen’s University, Canada), talks and posters focused on recent breakthroughs, theoretical hydro-sedimentary modeling, interplay between tidal or oceanographic currents and other strait-related processes will be welcome. We also encourage presentations aimed at the re-examination of the recognition criteria of ancient straits in the rock record, the creation of static or dynamic facies-based models, and the discussion of present uncertainties or still unsolved aspects. Subaqueous mass movements occur in lakes, fjords and oceans of the world, playing a key role in the evolution of coastal areas and continental margins as they represent one of the most efficient mechanisms of sediment transport from coastal to deep basins. The mapping and characterization of such processes has also significant implications for geohazard assessment, because such events can directly impact coastal and offshore infrastructures as well as cause local but destructive tsunamis. The aim of this session is to provide a forum to discuss field (outcrop, core and geophysical), experimental and numerical studies that advance our knowledge on the occurrence, failure and post-failure behaviour of subaqueous mass movements. Particularly we encourage multidisciplinary contributions aimed to assess and mitigate the geohazard potential associated to these processes both at local and regional scale. Massimo Moretti – massimo.moretti@uniba.it(Bari University, Italy); Jasper Knight (Wits University, South Africa); Giuseppe Mastronuzzi (University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy); Andreas Vött (Mainz University, Germany). Extreme/catastrophic events are by definition rare and episodic, but they have occurred frequently throughout Earth’s history. High magnitude events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, large-scale landslides, extreme floods and storms, extraterrestrial impacts, etc. often leave a sedimentary imprint in the geological record. Nevertheless, recognition of extreme event traces in sedimentary successions is often difficult and may be ambiguous. This session is focused on examples of seismites, tsunamites, and other sedimentary deposits that have been formed by extreme events. We encourage contributions including field-based examples discussing different approaches on data analysis and interpretation of these deposits. We also welcome studies on analogical modelling and numerical simulation for relationships between triggering processes and products of extreme events. The aim of this session is to combine the sedimentary and geobiology approaches to reconstruct the past environments, the geological evolution, composition and habitability on other planets. This will also have implications in the study of deep time geological record on Earth. The current strategy for planetary exploration, which includes a sample return mission from Mars in the next decade, requires the definition of pathways for in situ analysis on planetary surfaces to correctly identify the depositional environments and the habitability potential.This implies a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to successfully address the in situ investigation on other planets. Furthermore, it is fundamental to identify specific biomarkers associated to different habitability conditions which represent high priority targets for planetary exploration. Thus, the identification and characterization of terrestrial analogues is mandatory to constrain facies association and evolution on other planets as well as the potential presence and distribution of microbial community. Contributions addressing sedimentary processes and deposits on planets and the interaction between sedimentological and geobiological processes in complex geoenvironmental settings on Earth, are welcomed in this session. Sediment and associated particles (e.g. pollutants, nutrients, organic carbon, microplastics) travel along fluvial, lacustrine and coastal environments before reaching the ocean. Each environment has its own sediment transport processes and depositional products, but these also interact over space and time. This session focusses on sedimentological interactions which operate as cascading or domino-like effects. We are interested in work linking processes to products across all physical and time scales, from grain-to-grain interactions to source-to-sink systems and from transient transport to preservation over geological times. We welcome concepts, case studies, numerical and experimental work which connects transport processes to sedimentary products from fluvial all the way to deep marine environments. We also encourage papers which shed light on the societal implications associated with the sedimentological process-to-product-to-process interactions, e.g. transport and fate of microplastics and organic carbon, hazards to human-made infrastructures, ‘reading’ of the geological record in order to make predictions about future behaviour of the Earth system. Studies in Martian sedimentary geology have never been more active. Orbital imagery has revealed a vast, ancient stratigraphic record and rover missions have enabled detailed sedimentological studies combined with mineralogical and chemical analyses. A growing list of geomorphic landforms is also known from Titan, though it remains uncertain whether the moon has a more ancient stratigraphic record. As on Earth, extraterrestrial sedimentary rocks may archive information pertaining to ancient climate, tectonics and potentially, life. Considering ongoing and future exploration missions aim to find potentially habitable environments, sedimentary rock outcrops therefore make desirable targets. This session invites any contribution towards Martian and Titan sedimentary geology and geochemistry. In addition to the classic contributions, we particularly welcome presentations that utilise appropriate Earth analogues, both modern and ancient. As ongoing and upcoming rover missions are providing increased opportunity to study extraterrestrial sedimentary strata, understanding directly accessible Earth analogues from which to base comparisons has never been more essential. After the full recognition of evaporites as true sediments, and not just chemical precipitates, a large array of sedimentological features have been documented in the last few tens of years, ranging from displacive, intergrowing(related to crystal growth),cumulate, branching, and to any type of clastic, and much more. Some of the sedimentary features are truly complex and may need to be carefully interpreted, especially after common diagenetic and later transformations, which may deeply change their original appearance. The goal of this session is to explore the very wide archive of sedimentary and diagenetic features on Earth, which actually represent our reference to understand what we are expecting to find on other planets, where evaporites are known to be present and are just waiting to be described in detail. Biogenic sedimentary structures produced by organisms store important information for the interpretation of depositional settings because trace fossil producers sensitively respond on environmental conditions. In many instances trace fossils provide the only record of environmental changes. It is the purpose of the session to show new developments in ichnologic research and to illustrate the use of trace fossils in environmental analysis by case studies. Contributions may focus on both investigations in the Recent and in the rock record and may address (paleo)biological, sedimentological and geochemical and applied aspects in addition. Patricia Roeser -patricia.roeser@io-warnemuende.de (Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Rostock, Germany); Jérôme Kaiser (Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Rostock, Germany); Markus Czymzik (Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Rostock, Germany); Martin Theuerkauf (University of Greifswald, Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, Germany). Sedimentary archives witness human impact on the environment way further back in time than usually captured by instrumental records. In this respect, one of the major challenges in sediment-based paleoenvironmental research is to understand and disentangle the environmental response to regional climate forcing from direct human impact. There are various tools at hand to approach these objectives, such as identifying proper proxies for natural and anthropogenic impact and by integrating (multi-)proxy reconstructions from different paleoenvironmental archives from the same region that are ideally synchronized through independent stratigraphic methods. This session welcomes paleoenvironmental contributions based on well-dated sedimentary archives from the terrestrial and marine environment, that apply methods such as micro-facies analysis, inorganic and organic geochemistry, organic biomarkers, sedimentary DNA, vegetation reconstruction, and statistical approaches. The session also welcomes contributions on novel environmental proxies, especially those devoted to integrate different types of sedimentary archives. Sediment generation and associated routing systems regulate the fate of sediments from source to sink. They are intimately connected, and result from the interplay of allogenic controls such as tectonics, climate and lithology which largely control denudation, sediment transport, deposition and storage. The quantitative assessment of source to sink systems requires multidisciplinary approaches, including the determination of sediment volumes and fluxes, composition and grain-size, or, in case of ancient systems, inverse reconstruction of the source area characteristics from the detrital mineralogy of basins including geo- and thermochronology approaches. In this session, we particularly encourage contributions focussing on how external forcing controls sediment generation, and the factors governing sediment grain-size partitioning and trajectories and their distribution within a sedimentary system. We particularly encourage contributions focussing on i) numerical landscape modelling, ii) mass balance – sediment budget – erosion rates, iii) chemical weathering, iv) mechanical wear, v) transport dynamics (partitioning and sorting) and vi depositional controls on early diagenesis. We also welcome contributions highlighting technological advances and/or applications to mineralogical and compositional analyses of sediments. While regional case studies are welcome, in such contributions authors are encouraged to emphasize the broad significance of their work. The session start as a session honouring the contributions of Gian Gaspare Zuffa to arenite petrology and the source to sink paleogeography by using detrital signatures of arenites. Spatial and temporal significance of sand particles are one of the main focus for outstanding quantitative provenance analysis of clastic sediments, a topic in which after pioneering work of Zuffa in 1980, thirty years of research provided significant contributions in diverse ancient and modern sedimentary basins in the world. Extrabasinal to intrabasinal processes and related grains generation, and dispersal pathways within sedimentary basins, can quantify sedimentary budgets that are useful for paleogeographic and paleotectonic reconstructions. Biotic and atmospheric markers of human influence in the Anthropocene have been identified, but stratigraphic evidence is still debated by the geological community. Some stratigraphic signals are synchronous and distributed worldwide. Others are related to local dispersal of legacy sediments, pollutants, and technological debris, with records that extend back to the later Pleistocene. Many human-generated materials degrade slowly, allowing waste and relict ruins to be preserved as “anthropic fossils”. The session gives an opportunity for sedimentologists to contribute more fully to the “Anthropocene debate ”through research and datasets on sedimentary features and anthropogenic markers. We seek presentations from land-based research (archaeological sites, urban areas, contaminated sites, caves, mines, rivers, dams, forests and agricultural areas) and the submerged environment (coastal areas, continental shelves, deep ocean, lakes, lagoons and estuaries). The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) has recommended formal designation of the Anthropocene starting at 1950, and the geological community is approaching the formalization of a new geological epoch. In view of the widespread interest in this concept, the IAS community needs to actively engage the public around the Anthropocene question. The session aims to promote a knowledgeable and coherent approach to these important, wide-ranging issues. The great development of Geoarchaeology in recent decades, along with the progress of analytical methods in Geosciences, has underlined the importance of the study of sediments preserved in archaeological contexts. Many multidisciplinary research programs now focus on these archaeological sediments, analyzing them using several sedimentological and geochemical methods, directly on field as well as later in laboratory. All of them draw a true way to investigate the natural (climatic – tectonic – geographic) and anthropogenic controls on sediment deposition and contribute to enhance our understanding of the connectivity between human activities/settlements and the past environmental contexts over historical times, Holocene and longer timescales. The aim of the session meeting is to gather researches working on these archaeological sediments with a multidisciplinary approach, in order to depict a geoarchaeological catalogue based on sedimentological features controlled by depositional conditions and anthropological impacts. Thus we will try to define new lines of discussions, emphasizing on methods to employ and new research thematics to develop around the concept of “anthropogenic facies”, challenging to upgrade the dialogue between nature and culture. Most of the world’s major river deltas and related alluvial coastal plain are affected by subsidence. The main effects of subsidence include aquifer salinization, inundation of lowlands and coastal erosion, increased vulnerability to flooding and storm surges. The risk of rapid coastal subsidence to infrastructure and economy is significative as well. Subsidence rates reflect regional and local tectonic effects but it can be greatly enhanced by consolidation of sedimentary stata. Usually investigations have measured compaction rates in the shallow subsurface whereas few data exist that quantify compaction rates over the entire Holocene succession, overlying the Pleistocene substrate, mostly characterized by sands, silts, clays and peats compacting under their own weight. Even if primary consolidation process is concluded (due to water extraction for the agricultural and industrial uses, among others) soil deformations can still occur due to creep and will result in an additional vertical movement at ground surface. This session aims to explore the causes and consequences of coastal subsidence by taking into account the variety of independent subsidence drivers and focusing on the role of the sedimentary architecture and the related geotechnical characteristics of coastal settings. We encourage studies addressing a wide range of spatial and temporal scales and applying state of the art methodologies. Interdisciplinary studies are strongly encouraged as they provide the basis for a sustainable management. Aim of this session is to collect contributions regarding geodiversity and geoheritage, and that specifically address the relationships between these two important Earth aspects and tourism. Furthermore, welcome will be those contributions that will highlight how the knowledge of stratigraphic-sedimentological characters of a site can contribute to promote geological knowledge. Site effects have been deeply studied over past decades and it is now well known that local geology can strongly affect ground motion amplitude, duration and frequency content, producing different ground motion. The analysis of the influence of local effects on seismic response at ground surface is the main issue of seismic microzonation studies and site specific ground motion analyses. Despite this knowledge, recent experimental evidences have shown that similar sedimentary covers belonging to different depositional environments can result in different seismic response levels. This session therefore encourages contributions from scientists in the field of geology, geophysics, engineering seismology and geotechnical engineering for discussing on the state of the art of studies in which the effects of site response are related to sedimentological features. Multidisciplinary contributions with a special focus on site characterization and subsoil models reconstruction are also welcome. Insights from worldwide seismic microzonation will also be particularly appreciated. Strong earthquakes trigger a plethora of environmental effects that can be recognized in the stratigraphic records. The most important of such effects is probably that associated to primary tectonic deformation, namely the rupture at Earth surface of the earthquake causative fault. The interference of fault rupture events with the exogenous processes leaves traces that can be identified with specific “on-fault” stratigraphic and sedimentological analyses and that can provide with data useful for defining the slip history of the investigated fault, its kinematic parametres and a series of information that can represent ingredients for seismic probability analyses. The recognition and analysis of such evidence offer the opportunity to expand the knowledge of the seismic history over wider time windows and to derive seismic parameters for ancient earthquakes, including also macroseismic intensity. However, more work is required to better integrate the various observations, dating uncertainties and modelling techniques and to derive earthquake source parameters for the causative events. This session will bring together different disciplines that focus on the stratigraphic and geologic evidence of past earthquakes with the common aim to better depict the so-called seismic landscape of a region. Sergio Cappucci – sergio.cappucci@enea.it (ENEA, Italy); Edward Antony (Aix-Marseille University, France); Enzo Pranzini (University of Florence, Italy); Victor N. de Jonge (University of Hull, UK); Giorgio Fontolan (University of Trieste); P. Lupino (Regione Lazio, Italy). Beach erosion is the result of a deficit in the coastal sediment budget. To manage this process coastal sediment stock assessment is crucial, even more under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) framework. Being hard to increase sediment input from the river system, which is actually reducing due to soil erosion control, flood reduction and dams construction, a knowledge based managing of sediment moving along the coast is the only possible short and medium time strategy to address the problem, with or without hard shore protection structures. On the other side, shelf sediments are increasingly used to artificially nourish eroding beaches, but this non-renewable resource needs to be assessed and managed in the most sustainable and profitable way. The same is for sediments deposited on the updrift side of harbors and marinas, as well at river mouth jetties; a land-to-land nourishment can be carried out through bypass systems, provided a strong knowledge of the sediment budget and supported by stakeholders consent. Under a growing human coastal occupation, and within a sea level rise scenario, managing coastal sediments has scientific, technical and administrative issues which deserve more consideration, also to reduce stakeholders conflicts. Aim of the proposed session is to collect and compare scientific, technical and legal experiences supporting a wise management of this precious resource. Our session aims to bring together sedimentologists, geomorphologists, and structural geologists with broad interest in studies related to the Middle East region from Precambrian to Cenozoic. It will present new findings and developments related to the Tethys basins, tectonic, sedimentary processes and the development of oil and gas fields. Contributions about the evolution of The Tethys basins under different climatic and/or geodynamic conditions. Contributions about sedimentary and tectonic evolution of intracratonic, foreland, marginal and rift basins including their hydrocarbon potentials. Provides a regional understanding of the geology, sedimentology and stratigraphy of the Middle East. Analyses of the structure and stratigraphic architecture of related basins and their stratigraphic expressions. The vertical displacements: the mechanisms of uplift and subsidence in the rift and continental margins. The interactions between lithosphere deformation, climate, surface processes (erosion- sedimentation) and topography (aerial and subaqueous). Display oil and gas seeps, methane expelling mud volcanoes, gas chimneys and hydrates illustrating the importance of fluids migrations in geological systems. The study of multi-scale datasets and the integration between disciplines plays a key role in the exploration and exploitation of resources, for which a thorough understanding of subsurface stratigraphic architecture is an essential pre-requisite. In recent years, new thinking and technologies have emerged to help unlock additional hydrocarbon reserves, especially in challenging settings such as basins undergoing active deformation and morphostructural reshaping. An increasing number of studies now conclude that sequence stratigraphic concepts need to be re-considered with the aim of constructing an inductive and model-independent discipline, thereby departing from the current, deductive, and aprioristic approach. Looking from a cross-disciplinary perspective, this session aims at attracting contributions that address relationships between tectonics and sedimentation using revised sequence-stratigraphic approaches, both surface and subsurface datasets, and integration between scales. We seek contributions from researchers using: 3D-based data that documents laterally-variable accommodation in settings with moving tectonic hinges; the record of depositional systems and their response to high-frequency allogenic and autogenic changes; process-oriented stratigraphic reconstructions (high-resolution 3D seismostratigraphic interpretation and seismic geomorphology); numerical and analogic stratigraphic modelling (three-dimensional visualization and synthetic stratigraphy); and integration between digital outcrop models and subsurface data. Sedimentology has always represented a key factor for reservoir modelling, being the main driver to infer the reservoir vs non-reservoir facies characteristics and relationships, as well as porosity and permeability distributions. Recent improvements in reservoir modelling capabilities and computational capacity result in the chance to input reservoir models with more accurate sedimentological data and to obtain more geologically consistent representations. This leads to different modelling opportunities: a first approach is to build large geocellular models, unlocking the possibility to represent the reservoir heterogeneity in greater detail; another approach is the realization of a high number (tens to hundreds) of equiprobable and alternative scenarios in the attempt to capture the reservoir uncertainties. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive. However, independently of the modelling approach, accurate sedimentological models derived from subsurface and outcrop analogues assume therefore a stronger importance considered that their characteristics can be preserved with a high detail. The session may include both methodological contributions and case histories of outcrop and subsurface studies in clastic and carbonate depositional systems, as well as multi scenario and/or high resolution reservoir modelling studies. Mixed siliciclastic-carbonate deposits represent the most common examples of a particular type of sediments that lie between the extrabasinal (terrigenous, epiclastic) and the intrabasinal (mainly carbonate) end-members. In recent years, siliciclastic-carbonate deposits have received increased attention since it has been recognized that they are more common in the geologic record that previously thought. Despite the relative importance of these units, there is no consensus between the carbonate and siliciclastic communities regarding the use of a shared nomenclature and/or comprehensive depositional models. Therefore, we true nature of these deposits and the controlling parameters associated with their evolution are far to be fully understood. Mixed deposits are important in the context of hydrocarbon exploration and production since the siliciclastic and carbonate fractions can affect elements of the petroleum system differently. The aim of this session is to gather contributions focusing on different aspects pertaining to mixed deposits with special interest in case studies that (i) showcase the coexistence of both siliciclastic and carbonate deposition, as well as (ii) link different elements of the depositional profile from shallow to deep-water deposits. Contributions from both academia and industry are sought. Mudrocks represent roughly the 75% of the stratigraphic record. The understanding of the processes that control their deposition and diagenesis is then crucial for the interpretation of Earth history. Beside their importance as stratigraphic and paleoclimatic record, fine-grained sediments are also economically relevant as cap-rocks and source rocks. In recent years, research on mudrocks has revealed the complexity of the physical and chemical processes controlling their sedimentation. The paradigm that mudstones accumulated in low-energy settings via suspension settling have been finally overcame. Thanks to new data, flume experiments and new techniques, insights about depositional styles and processes have emerged. Complex micro- to large-scale processes control mudrocks erosion, transport and deposition, thus impacting on lateral and vertical heterogeneity of fine-grained successions. Variations in the depositional style and early diagenesis of mudrocks exert a major control on sealing efficiency and organic matter dilution and preservation, thus finally affecting their properties as potential cap-rocks and source rocks. The aim of this session is to provide a representative review of the state of the art of mudrocks petrography, sedimentology and stratigraphy. Within this framework, we invite contributions that capture the complexity of physical and chemical depositional processes of fine-grained sediments both from modern environments and past sedimentary records. Diagenetic processes severely modify initial carbonate sediment properties, in particular mineralogy and crystal size (reactive potential), porosity and permeability (flow properties), and geochemistry (isotope and elemental composition). Understanding the temperature (T), pressure (P) and timing (t) at which these processes occur, as well as the geochemistry of the fluids involved (isotope composition, salinity) is fundamental in building conceptual models aiming at predicting the temporal and spatial occurrence of diagenetic modifications. Constraining the diagenetic processes and their key parameters (T, P, t, fluid composition) by combining conventional petrographic and geochemical approaches often remains a challenge and has inherent limitations. Recent analytical developments that overcome the limits of conventional approaches promise to open new avenues for diagenesis studies, in particular by reducing uncertainties surrounding data interpretation. However, the applicability fields of such techniques in the entire realm of diagenesis is underexplored, and the limits and drawbacks of the new approaches still need further investigation. This session aims to solicit discussion of recent achievements in this field, where the most innovative approaches to reconstruct carbonate diagenesis have been developed or applied alongside with more traditional tools, with possible applications to solve future energy issues (oil & gas, geothermics, CO2 storage) in sedimentary basins. Seismic interpretation is traditionally low resolution for sedimentological research. In recent decades, seismic interpretation of high-resolution (meters to tens of meters) subsurface sedimentology has become increasingly in demand. In mature hydrocarbon exploration basins especially, subsurface sedimentologists are more concentrated on thin, small, and stratigraphic targets for infield drilling. During the pursuit of high resolution, seismic geomorphology (Posamentier, 2000, 2001) and seismic sedimentology (Zeng et al., 1998; Schlager, 2000) arose and thrived. The seismic geomorphology and seismic sedimentology are the seismic investigation of sedimentary rocks and depositional processes, which came into being with the mapping of litho-geomorphologic facies by joint study of seismic lithology and seismic geomorphology (Zeng and Hentz, 2004). It focuses on high-resolution seismic imaging and interpretation of subsurface sedimentology (lithology, facies, and referred reservoir quality), analogous to field-based sedimentology and well-based subsurface sedimentology, but more accustomed to reservoir prediction. The researches of seismic geomorphology and seismic sedimentology have been becoming a cutting-edge for fine sedimentology and fruitful achievements have been made in the world. We propose this session for researchers to present and discuss new tools, methods, and challenges, and also showcase the continued success of seismic geomorphology and seismic sedimentology applied to exploration and production of petroleum and other mineral resources. Description and quantification of sedimentary heterogeneities is fundamental to constraining connectivity of facies and distribution of permeability in geological porous media. This has important implications for establishing approaches to hydrocarbon recovery, underground carbon sequestration, groundwater exploitation and remediation for contaminant dispersal in aquifers. Linkages between depositional environments, sedimentary facies, patterns of diagenesis, and petrophysical properties have been widely described from a range of different settings, demonstrating the value of sedimentology in reservoir characterization. Datasets acquired from outcrop and core logs can provide information on how sedimentary facies stack spatially and aid in development of predictive models for subsurface analogues. Furthermore, petrophysical and hydraulic testing from wells assists in the detection and appraisal of flow effects for different facies configurations, and therefore makes the characterization of productive reservoirs more robust. We invite research presentations on characterization and modelling of sedimentary and petrophysical heterogeneities from both carbonate and siliciclastic deposits. Contributions are invited on specific topics that include, but are not limited to, the following: capturing heterogeneities from outcrops, cores and geophysical imaging; numerical and geostatistical modelling of sedimentary facies and petrophysics; approaches to enhanced oil recovery, CO2 storage and assessment of dynamic connectivity in reservoirs; groundwater flow and contaminant transport. The session will focus on the progress of current research and the role of organic matter, palynofacies and palynology studies as an important tool in geoscience. A wide range of topics highlighting the application of organic matter studies to hydrocarbon exploration, palaeoenvironmental reconstructions and stratigraphy will be included. thermal maturity assessment of organic matter by optical and geochemical methods. Participants are invited to present methodological approaches and significant case studies in reconstructing depositional environments, burial and thermal modelling of sedimentary basins, cyclostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, etc.. All these topics are crucial for the future application of organic matter studies as a fundamental research in the fields of Earth Science. Enormous amount of methane and gas hydrates are found along continental margins worldwide, beneath Arctic permafrost and Antarctica ice. The deep methane-rich fluids tend to migrate upward through diffuse intergranular flow and/or advective flow through structural or stratigraphic permeable pathways, eventually mixing with shallow methane sources, inducing the precipitation of thick authigenic carbonates linked to the anaerobic oxidation of methane. There are still many unsolved questions and fundamental science challenges related to methane carbon flux in the marine environment, gas hydrate reservoir responses to natural and anthropogenic perturbations, as well as their evolution through time. In this session we welcome contributes showing examples and evidences from sedimentology, bio/geochemistry and ecology, that control and/or are affected by methane-rich fluid expulsions and gas hydrate settings. We wish to create synergies between marine and terrestrial sciences, modern day and past observations, for a multifaceted view on methane rich fluid dynamics and their signatures in the sedimentary column.
2019-04-26T03:38:45Z
http://iasroma2019.org/call-for-abstract/
In order to enable the International Monetary Fund (the “Fund”) to fulfill more effectively its role in the international monetary system, a number of countries with the financial capacity to support the international monetary system have agreed to provide resources to the Fund up to specified amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of this decision. As the Fund is a quota-based institution, the credit arrangements provided for under the terms of this decision shall only be drawn upon when quota resources need to be supplemented in order to forestall or cope with an impairment of the international monetary system. In order to give effect to these intentions, the following terms and conditions are adopted under Article VII, Section 1(i) of the Fund’s Articles of Agreement. (iii) the HKMA shall have the right to request early repayment in accordance with paragraph 13(c) with respect to claims transferred to the HKMA if at the time of the transfer the balance of payments position of Hong Kong is, in the opinion of the Fund, sufficiently strong to justify such a right. (a) A member or institution that adheres to this decision undertakes to provide resources to the Fund on the terms and conditions of this decision up to the amount in special drawing rights set forth in Annex I to this decision (“Annex I”), which may be amended from time to time in order to take into account changes in credit arrangements resulting from the application of paragraphs 3(b), 4, 15(b), 16, 17, and 19(b). (b) Except as set forth in paragraph 1(b)(i) or otherwise agreed with the Fund, resources provided to the Fund under this decision shall be made in the currency of the participant. Agreements under this paragraph for the use of the currency of another member shall be subject to the concurrence of any member whose currency shall be used. (a) Any member or institution specified in Annex I as a new participant may adhere to this decision in accordance with paragraph 3(c). (b) Any member or institution not specified in Annex I, may apply to become a participant at any time. Any such member or institution that wishes to become a participant shall, after consultation with the Fund, give notice of its willingness to adhere to this decision, and, if the Fund and participants representing 85 percent of total credit arrangements shall so agree, the member or institution may adhere in accordance with paragraph 3(c). When giving notice of its willingness to adhere under this paragraph 3(b), a member or institution shall specify the amount, expressed in special drawing rights, of the credit arrangement which it is willing to enter into, provided that the amount shall not be less than the credit arrangement of the participant with the smallest credit arrangement. The admission of a new participant shall lead to a proportional reduction in the credit arrangements of all existing participants whose credit arrangements are above that of the participant with the smallest credit arrangement: such proportional reduction in the credit arrangements of participants shall be in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of the new participant’s credit arrangement less any increase in total credit arrangements decided in accordance with paragraph 4(a), provided that no participant’s credit arrangement shall be reduced below the minimum amount set out in Annex I. (c) A member or institution shall adhere to this decision by depositing with the Fund an instrument setting forth that it has adhered in accordance with its law and has taken all steps necessary to enable it to carry out the terms and conditions of this decision. On the deposit of the instrument the member or institution shall be a participant as of the date of the deposit or of the effective date of the amendments to this decision set out in Executive Board Decision No. 14577-(10/35), April 12, 2010, whichever is later. (a) When the Managing Director considers that the Fund’s resources available for the purpose of providing financing to members from the General Resources Account need to be supplemented in order to forestall or cope with an impairment of the international monetary system, and after consultations with Executive Directors and participants, the Managing Director may make a proposal for the establishment of an activation period during which the Fund may (i) make commitments under Fund arrangements for which it may make calls on participants under their credit arrangements, and (ii) fund outright purchases by making calls on participants under their credit arrangements; provided that an activation period shall not exceed 6 months, and provided further that the amount covered by calls to fund such commitments under arrangements and outright purchases shall not exceed the maximum amount specified in the proposal. The proposal for the establishment of an activation period shall include information on (i) the overall size of possible Fund arrangements on which discussions are advanced, (ii) the balance between arrangements that are expected to be drawn upon and arrangements that are expected to be precautionary, (iii) additional financing needs that, in the opinion of the Managing Director, may arise during the proposed activation period, and (iv) the mix of quota and NAB resources for purchases from the General Resources Account in the period following the approval of an activation period. The information will be updated quarterly during an activation period. (b) If there is not unanimity among the participants, the question whether the participants are prepared to accept the Managing Director’s proposal for the establishment of an activation period in accordance with paragraph 5(a) will be decided by a poll of the participants. A favorable decision shall require an 85 percent majority of total credit arrangements of participants eligible to vote. The decision shall be notified to the Fund. (c) A participant shall not be eligible to vote if, based on its present and prospective balance of payments and reserve position, the member is not included in the financial transactions plan for transfers of its currency at the time of the decision on a proposal for an activation period. (d) An activation period shall become effective only if it is accepted by participants pursuant to paragraph 5(b) and is then approved by the Executive Board. (a) To fund outright purchases during an activation period and commitments under arrangements approved during an activation period, calls under individual credit arrangements of participants may be made on the basis of resource mobilization plans approved by the Executive Board normally on a quarterly basis in conjunction with the quarterly financial transactions plan for the General Resources Account. Such resource mobilization plans shall specify for each participant the maximum amount for which calls may be made during the applicable period. The Executive Board may at any time amend such a plan to change the maximum amounts and period for calls. With respect to the allocation of the maximum amounts among participants, the resource mobilization plan shall normally establish an allocation that would result in the available commitments of participants being of equal proportion relative to their credit arrangements. (b) A participant shall not be included in the resource mobilization plan when, based on its present and prospective balance of payments and reserve position, the member is not included and is not being proposed by the Managing Director to be included in the list of countries in the quarterly financial transactions plan for transfers of its currency. (c) Calls during the period of a resource mobilization plan shall be made on participants by the Managing Director with due regard to the objective specified in paragraph 6(a) of achieving available commitments of participants that are of equal proportion relative to their credit arrangements. No call shall be made on a participant that has been included in the resource mobilization plan if, at the time of such call, the member’s currency is not being used in transfers under the financial transactions plan because of the member’s balance of payments and reserve position. (d) When the Fund makes a call pursuant to this paragraph 6, the participant shall promptly make the transfer in accordance with the call. (a) Calls pursuant to paragraph 11(e) may be made at any time with due regard to the objective specified in paragraph 6(a) of achieving available commitments of participants that are of equal proportion relative to their credit arrangements, provided that no such call shall be made on a participant, when, based on its present and prospective balance of payments and reserve position, the member is not included and is not being proposed by the Managing Director to be included in the list of countries in the quarterly financial transactions plan for transfers of its currency or, if the member has been included in the financial transactions plan, when, at the time of such call, the member’s currency is not being used in transfers under such plan because of the member’s balance of payments and reserve position. Calls under this paragraph 7(a) shall not be subject to the procedures set forth in either paragraph 5 or paragraph 6. (b) Calls pursuant to paragraph 23 may be made at any time; they shall not be subject to the procedures set forth in either paragraph 5 or paragraph 6. (c) When the Fund makes a call pursuant to this paragraph 7, the participant shall promptly make the transfer in accordance with the call. (a) A participant’s claim on the Fund arising from calls under this decision shall be in the form of a loan to the Fund; provided that, at the request of a participant, the Fund shall issue to the participant and the participant shall purchase, for up to the amount of any call on that participant, one or more promissory notes (each a “Note” or together the “Notes”) that have the same substantive terms as loans extended under this decision and are subject to the General Terms and Conditions for NAB Notes set forth in Annex II to this decision (the “GTC”).1 The GTC may be amended by a decision of the Fund with the agreement of participants representing 85 percent of total credit arrangements, provided that any amendment of the GTC shall be consistent with the terms of this decision. The amended GTC shall apply upon effectiveness to all outstanding Notes issued under this decision. (b) In cases where a participant’s claim on the Fund is in the form of a loan, the Fund shall issue to the participant, at its request, instruments evidencing the Fund’s indebtedness. The form of the instruments shall be agreed between the Fund and the participant. Upon repayment of the amount of any such instrument and all accrued interest, the instrument shall be returned to the Fund for cancellation. If less than the amount of any such instrument is repaid, the instrument shall be returned to the Fund and a new instrument for the remainder of the amount shall be substituted with the same maturity date as in the old instrument. (c) In cases where a participant’s claim on the Fund is in the form of Notes, such Notes shall be issued in book entry form. Upon the request of a participant, the Fund shall issue a registered Note substantially in the form as set out in the Appendix to the GTC. Upon repayment of any Note and all accrued interest, the Note shall be returned to the Fund for cancellation. If less than the amount of any such Note is repaid, the Note shall be returned to the Fund and a new Note for the remainder of the amount shall be substituted with the same maturity date as in the old Note. (a) The Fund shall pay interest on its indebtedness under this decision at a rate equal to the combined market interest rate computed by the Fund from time to time for the purpose of determining the rate at which it pays interest on holdings of special drawing rights or any such higher rate as may be agreed between the Fund and participants representing 85 percent of the total credit arrangements. (c) Interest due to a participant shall be paid, as determined by the Fund in consultation with the participant, in special drawing rights, in the participant’s currency, in the currency borrowed, in freely usable currencies, or, with the agreement of the participant, in other currencies that are actually convertible. The Fund’s policies and practices under Article V, Sections 3 and 7 of the Articles on the use of its general resources, including those relating to the period of use, shall apply to purchases of currency borrowed by the Fund. Nothing in this decision shall affect the authority of the Fund with respect to requests for the use of its resources by individual members, and access to these resources by members shall be determined by the Fund’s policies and practices, and shall not depend on whether the Fund can borrow under this decision. (c) Whenever a reduction in the Fund’s holdings of a drawer’s currency is attributed to a purchase of currency borrowed under this decision, the Fund shall promptly repay an equivalent amount to participants. If the Fund has used resources under this decision to finance a reserve tranche purchase by a drawer and the Fund’s holdings of the drawer’s currency that are not subject to repurchase are reduced as a result of net sales of that currency during a quarterly period covered by a financial transactions plan, the Fund shall repay at the beginning of the next quarterly period an amount equivalent to that reduction to participants, up to the amount of the reserve tranche purchase. Payments under this paragraph 11(c) shall be allocated among participants in accordance with paragraph 11(d). (d) Repayments under paragraphs 11(a), second sentence, 11(b), and 11(c) shall be allocated among participants with due regard to the objective specified in paragraph 6(a) of achieving available commitments of participants that are of equal proportion relative to their credit arrangements. For each participant, repayments shall be applied first to the longest outstanding claim under its credit arrangement. If repayment is to be made in accordance with this paragraph 11(d) on a claim that has been transferred, the repayment shall be made to the transferee of such claim. (e) Before the date prescribed in paragraph 11(a), a participant may give notice representing that there is a balance of payments need for repayment of part or all of the Fund’s indebtedness and requesting such repayment. The participant seeking such repayment shall consult with the Managing Director and with the other participants before giving notice. The Fund shall give the overwhelming benefit of any doubt to the participant’s representation. Repayment shall be made promptly after consultation with the participant in freely usable currencies or in special drawing rights, as determined by the Fund, or, with the agreement of the participant, in the currencies of other members that are actually convertible. If the Fund’s holdings of currencies in which repayment should be made are not wholly adequate, the Managing Director shall make calls on individual participants to provide the necessary balances under their credit arrangements subject to the limit of their available commitments. At the time of such call, and if so requested by the participant seeking early repayment, (i) a participant providing balances under its credit arrangement that are not balances of a freely usable currency shall ensure that such balances can be exchanged for a freely usable currency of its choice, and (ii) a participant providing balances under its credit arrangement that are balances of a freely usable currency, shall collaborate with the Fund and other members to enable such balances to be exchanged for another freely usable currency. (f) When a repayment is made on a claim arising from a call under this decision, the amount that can be called for under the credit arrangement of the participant under which the claim arose as a result of a call under this decision shall be restored pro tanto. (g) Unless otherwise agreed between the Fund and a participating institution, the Fund shall be deemed to have discharged its obligations to a participating institution to make repayment in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph 11 or to pay interest in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 9 if the Fund transfers an equivalent amount in special drawing rights to the member in which the participating institution is established. (a) No participant or non-participant holder may transfer all or any part of its claim to repayment under a credit arrangement except (i) in accordance with this paragraph 13 or (ii) with the prior consent of the Fund and on such terms and conditions as the Fund may approve. (b) All or part of any claim to repayment under a credit arrangement may be transferred at any time to a participant or to a non-participant that is either (i) a member of the Fund, (ii) the central bank or other fiscal agency designated by any member for purposes of Article V, Section 1 of the Articles (“other fiscal agency”), or (iii) an official entity that has been prescribed as a holder of special drawing rights pursuant to Article XVII, Section 3 of the Articles. (c) As from the value date of the transfer, the transferred claim shall be held by the transferee on the same terms and conditions as claims originating under its credit arrangement (in the case of transferees that are participants) or as the claim was held by the transferor (in the case of transferees that are non-participants), except that (i) the transferee shall have the right to request early repayment of the transferred claim on balance of payments grounds pursuant to paragraph 11(e) only if the transferee is a member, or an institution of a member, whose balance of payments and reserve position, at the time of the transfer, is considered sufficiently strong for its currency to be usable in transfers under the Fund’s financial transactions plan; (ii) if the transferee is a non-participant, references to the participant’s currency shall be deemed to refer (A) if the transferee is a member, to the transferee’s currency, (B) if the transferee is an institution of a member, to the currency of that member, and (C) in other cases, to a freely usable currency as determined by the Fund; and (iii) claims transferred in accordance with this paragraph 13 shall be considered drawn balances of the first transferor participant for purposes of determining the available commitment under its credit arrangement, and claims obtained by a participant under a transfer shall not be considered drawn balances of the transferee for purposes of determining the available commitment under its credit arrangement. (d) The price for the claim transferred shall be as agreed between the transferee and the transferor. (e) The transferor of a claim shall inform the Fund promptly of the claim that is being transferred, the name of the transferee, the amount of the claim that is being transferred, the agreed price for transfer of the claim, and the value date of the transfer. (f) The transfer shall be registered by the Fund and the transferee shall become the holder of the claim if the transfer is in accordance with the terms and conditions of this decision. Subject to the foregoing, the transfer shall be effective as of the value date agreed between the transferee and the transferor. (g) Notice to or by a transferee that is a non-participant shall be in writing or by rapid means of communication and shall be given to or by the fiscal agency designated by the transferee in accordance with Article V, Section 1 of the Articles and Rule G-1 of the Rules and Regulations of the Fund if the transferee is a member, or to or by the transferee directly if the transferee is not a member. (h) If all or part of a claim is transferred during a quarterly period as described in paragraph 9(b), the Fund shall pay interest to the transferee on the amount of the claim transferred for the whole of that period. (i) Unless otherwise agreed between the Fund and a transferee that is either a participating institution or the central bank or other fiscal agency designated by any member for purposes of Article V, Section 1 of the Articles, the Fund shall be deemed to have discharged its obligations to make repayment to such transferee in special drawing rights in accordance with paragraph 11 or to pay interest in special drawing rights in accordance with paragraph 9 if the Fund transfers an equivalent amount in special drawing rights to the account of the member in which the institution is established. (j) If requested, the Fund shall assist in seeking to arrange transfers. (k) The transferee of a claim may request at the time of transfer that a claim in the form of a loan be exchanged by the Fund for a Note on the same substantive terms subject to the GTC, or that a claim in the form of a Note be exchanged for a loan claim on the same substantive terms. (l) Derivative transactions in respect of any claim under this decision, and transfer of participation interests in any claim, are prohibited. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs 4(b), 15(b), and 16, this decision may be amended during the period prescribed in paragraph 19(a) and any subsequent renewal periods that may be decided pursuant to paragraph 19(b) only by a decision of the Fund and with the concurrence of participants representing 85 percent of total credit arrangements. Such concurrence shall not be necessary for the modification of the decision on its renewal pursuant to paragraph 19(b). If a participating member or a member whose institution is a participant withdraws from membership in the Fund, the participant’s credit arrangement shall cease at the same time as the withdrawal takes effect. The Fund’s indebtedness under the relevant credit arrangement shall be treated as an amount due from the Fund for the purpose of Article XXVI, Section 3 and Schedule J of the Articles. (a) The right of the Fund to make calls under paragraphs 6, 11(e), and 23 and the obligation to make repayments under paragraph 11 shall be suspended during any suspension of exchange transactions under Article XXVII of the Articles. (b) In the event of liquidation of the Fund, credit arrangements shall cease and the Fund’s indebtedness shall constitute liabilities under Schedule K of the Articles. For the purpose of paragraph 1(a) of Schedule K, the currency in which the liability of the Fund shall be payable shall be first the currency borrowed, then the participant’s currency and finally the currency of the drawer for whose purchases transfers were made by the participants in connection with calls under paragraph 6. (a) This decision shall continue in existence until November 16, 2012. When considering a renewal of this decision for any period following the period referred to in this paragraph 19(a), the Fund and the participants shall review the functioning of this decision and, in particular, (i) the experience with the procedures for activation and (ii) the impact of the Fourteenth General Review of Quotas on the overall size of quotas, and shall consult on any possible modifications. (b) This decision may be renewed for such period or periods and with such modifications, subject to paragraphs 4(b), 15(b), and 16, as the Fund may decide. The Fund shall adopt a decision on renewal and modification, if any, not later than twelve months before the end of the period prescribed in paragraph 19(a). Any participant may advise the Fund not less than six months before the end of the period prescribed in paragraph 19(a) that it will withdraw its adherence to the decision as renewed. In the absence of such notice, a participant shall be deemed to continue to adhere to the decision as renewed. Withdrawal of adherence in accordance with this paragraph 19(b) by a participant shall not preclude its subsequent adherence in accordance with paragraph 3(b). (c) If this decision is terminated or not renewed, paragraphs 8 through 14, 17 and 18(b) shall nevertheless continue to apply in connection with any indebtedness of the Fund under credit arrangements in existence at the date of the termination or expiration of the decision until repayment is completed. If a participant withdraws its adherence to this decision in accordance with paragraph 15(b), paragraph 16, or paragraph 19(b), it shall cease to be a participant under the decision, but paragraphs 8 through 14, 17, and 18(b) of the decision as of the date of the withdrawal shall nevertheless continue to apply to any indebtedness of the Fund under such former credit arrangement until repayment has been completed. Any question of interpretation raised in connection with this decision (including the GTC) which does not fall within the purview of Article XXIX of the Articles shall be settled to the mutual satisfaction of the Fund, the participant or transferee of a claim raising the question, and all other participants. For the purpose of this paragraph 20 participants shall be deemed to include those former participants to which paragraphs 8 through 14, 17, and 18(b) continue to apply pursuant to paragraph 19(c) to the extent that any such former participant is affected by a question of interpretation that is raised. (a) When considering whether to activate the New Arrangements to Borrow or the General Arrangements to Borrow, the Fund shall be guided by the principle that the New Arrangements to Borrow shall be the facility of first and principal recourse, except that in the event that a proposal for the establishment of an activation period under the New Arrangements to Borrow is not accepted under paragraph 5(a), a proposal for calls may be made under the General Arrangements to Borrow. (b) Outstanding drawings and available commitments under the New Arrangements to Borrow and the General Arrangements to Borrow shall not exceed SDR 367,467.36 million, or such other amount of total credit arrangements as may be in effect in accordance with this decision. The available commitment of a participant under the New Arrangements to Borrow shall be reduced pro tanto by any outstanding drawings on, and commitments of, the participant under the General Arrangements to Borrow. The available commitment of a participant under the General Arrangements to Borrow shall be reduced pro tanto by the extent to which its credit arrangement under the General Arrangements to Borrow exceeds its available commitment under the New Arrangements to Borrow. At the request of a participant that holds claims, either in the form of loans or notes, on the Fund under bilateral borrowing agreements entered into by the Fund prior to the effectiveness of the amendments to this decision set forth in Decision No. 14577-(10/35), April 12, 2010, the Managing Director shall make calls under the credit arrangement of such a participant to fund the repayment of such claims. Similarly, at the request of the relevant participant, calls shall be made on a participant that is a participating institution for the repayment of such claims held by the member of which it is an official institution or by the central bank or other fiscal agency designated by the member, or on a participant that is a member for the repayment of such claims held by the central bank or other fiscal agency designated by the member. Notwithstanding paragraph 11(a), the maturity date of claims under credit arrangements arising from such calls shall be the maturity date of the bilateral borrowing agreement claim for whose repayment the call was made. No drawings shall be made under this decision until participants representing at least 70 percent of the total credit arrangements of new participants listed in Annex I have adhered to this decision in accordance with paragraph 3(c). 1 Credit arrangements are subject to a minimum of SDR 340 million. 2 Ed. Note: The new amounts of credit arrangements became effective on March 11, 2011. Quota subscriptions are and should remain the basic source of the Fund’s financing. However, on a temporary basis, borrowing by the Fund can provide an important supplement to its resources. The confidence of present and potential creditors in the Fund will depend not only on the prudence and soundness of its financial policies but also on the effective performance of its various responsibilities, including, in particular, its success in promoting crisis prevention and adjustment. Against this background, the Executive Board approves the following guidelines on borrowing by the Fund. 2. The Executive Board may establish at any time, in the context of circumstances prevailing at that time, limits expressed in terms of the total of Fund quotas above which the total of outstanding borrowing plus unused credit lines would not be permitted to rise. 3. Any limits that may be adopted pursuant to paragraph 2 above are not to be understood, at any time, as targets for borrowing by the Fund. 4. For each borrowing agreement entered into by the Fund, other than the General Arrangements to Borrow and the New Arrangements to Borrow, the maximum amount of claims that may be subject to immediate repayment by the Fund as a result of the balance of payments need of the creditor shall be SDR 15 billion. 5. In the context of the Financial Transactions Plan, the Executive Board shall determine the appropriate mix between borrowed resources (including any borrowing under the General Arrangements to Borrow and the New Arrangements to Borrow) and quota resources, in light of the Fund’s liquidity needs and the expected availability of borrowed and quota resources, among other relevant considerations. 6. The Fund shall aim to maintain equitable burden sharing among lenders to the Fund by seeking, over time, broadly balanced cumulative drawings relative to amounts committed across borrowing sources. 1. The Fund endorses the form Note Purchase Agreement (NPA), the General Terms and Conditions for International Monetary Fund Series A and Series B Notes, and the form of registered Series A and B notes that are set out in the Attachment to EBS/09/96, Supplement 2. 2. The Fund is prepared to consider the approval of NPAs with members or central banks of members whose balance of payments and reserve position is sufficiently strong in the opinion of the Fund that their currency is being used in transfers under the Financial Transactions Plan. It is expected that such approval will be sought on a lapse-of-time basis. Ed. Note: The GAB has been renewed for periods of five years from December 26, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2008 (the last renewal was adopted by Decision No. 13997-(07/100), November 15, 2007). The Executive Board approved the revised text of the GAB Decision, which incorporates amendments in a number of provisions and provides for the increases in participants’ credit arrangements, on February 24, 1983 (Decision No. 7337-(83/37)). It became effective on December 26, 1983.. The text was further amended by the deletion of paragraph 22 in light of Switzerland’s membership (Decision No. 10175-(92/129), October 28, 1992) and the amendment became effective on December 22, 1992, when all 11 participants notified the Fund that they concurred in the amendment. The Borrowing Agreement with Saudi Arabia under the General Arrangements to Borrow is reproduced in Selected Decisions and Documents of the IMF, 32nd Issue, pp. 474-82. Decision No. 7629-(84/25), February 15, 1984, effective April 10, 1984, on the Transferability of Claims Under Saudi Arabia’s Borrowing Agreement is reproduced in Selected Decisions and Selected Documents of the IMF, 32nd Issue, pp. 472-73. Ed. Note: The “GTC” is not included in this volume. Ed. Note: This paragraph was amended by Decision No. 15014-(11/110), November 16, 2011, effective November 17, 2011. Ed. Note: The last sentence of paragraph 11(b) was added by Decision No. 15073-(12/1), December 21, 2011, and shall become effective when NAB participants representing at least 85 percent of total credit arrangements have concurred in the amendment (SM/11/331, 12/15/11).
2019-04-26T05:40:09Z
https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/IMF014/12739-9781616353889/12739-9781616353889/ch14.xml
Summary: The uncertain health of the sultan of Oman has heightened concern about the future of the country. Amid mounting popular frustration, criticism of Qaboos bin Said Al Said has emerged. There are several measures the regime can undertake to avoid further unrest. Marc Valeri is a senior lecturer of political economy at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS) and director of the Center for Gulf Studies at the University of Exeter. His current research focuses on the social, political, and economic transformations in the Gulf monarchies as well as nation building and political legitimacy in the Sultanate of Oman since 1970. The uncertain health of the sultan of Oman has heightened concern about the future of the country, the most personalized of all Gulf monarchies. Many Omanis have long equated the country with its ruler, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, who won their loyalty by building up a state and a national identity centered on himself. However, amid mounting popular frustration, criticism of Qaboos has emerged, as has anxiety about what will follow his reign. There are several measures the regime can undertake to avoid further unrest. The Omani model of political legitimacy is intimately linked to Qaboos. But the country’s young population feels less indebted to the ruler, and an increasingly vocal civil society has been complaining about deep-seated flaws in the state he built after taking power in 1970. In 2011 and 2012, most major towns saw peaceful protests by Omanis demanding higher salaries, better living conditions, substantial political reforms, and the end of corruption. The regime responded with a combination of economic gestures, firings of some top officials, and the detention of peaceful activists. Since 2012, repressive measures have become more prominent, with new investments in the security sector and crackdowns on dissonant voices. Political parties are prohibited in Oman and, despite some cosmetic reforms, nearly all power remains with the monarch. While the protests did not initially target the sultan, criticism of Qaboos and his practices has become more common. Protesters are worried about the future of the country and are speaking out on its behalf. Oman’s leaders should recognize that the environment has changed. Young Omanis will not be willing to grant the next ruler the same degree of control that their parents granted Qaboos. Instead, Qaboos’s successor is likely to face renewed demands for reform. Limits on civil society should be relaxed. Rather than actively harassing and repressing peaceful alternative voices, the regime should encourage civil society organizations, a step toward allowing some public participation in governance. Answers to political uncertainties should be provided. The regime’s reluctance to appoint a prime minister or a crown prince with some executive powers and to prepare for a post-Qaboos Oman has only fueled popular anxiety over the perceived lack of a long-term economic and political vision for the country. If the current ruler does not provide answers to these questions soon, the uncertainty could provoke considerable turmoil in the event of Qaboos’s sudden demise. The sultan of Oman traveled to Germany to receive medical care in July 2014. His prolonged stay since then has revived concerns across Omani society about the future of the country without the “father of the nation.”1 A taped, four-minute television address in early November by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said—who looked emaciated and expressed regret that he was unable to return home for National Day celebrations later in the month—failed to silence rumors of cancer that have been circulating in the Gulf since he left the country. The anxiety about the health of the seventy-four-year-old ruler, who has no designated heir, came as the supposed “sleepy sultanate,”2 long thought to be a model of stability, was affected by the winds of protest blowing across the region. In 2011 and 2012, the sultanate of Oman experienced its widest popular protests since the 1970s and the end of the Dhofar war, in which the southern region rose up against Qaboos’s father, who then ruled the country.3 Peaceful sit-ins that went on for two months in early 2011, and sustained mobilizations calling for political reforms in the summer of 2012, illustrated the depth of the frustration and social malaise in the country. The protesters’ key demands included expanded job opportunities, curbs on corruption among top officials, and programs to combat increasing inequality. In the vast majority of cases, the ruler was not their target. The regime’s response—a combination of economic concessions, modest political reforms, and tough security measures—was not enough to quell the protests. Furthermore, the government’s unwillingness to break the taboo on key issues such as the concentration of power in the sultan’s hands and the need to establish the foundations for governance of a post-Qaboos Oman also revealed new tensions, as young activists began to make a distinction between the current regime and the Omani nation. That connection between Qaboos and the state has been at the heart of his rule since the sultan took power in 1970. Relying on the country’s oil revenues, the sultan asserted his legitimacy by implementing an ambitious policy of national unification and by creating a vast pool of civil servants who depended on the regime for their survival. Alongside that, the 1996 Basic Law sanctions a paternalistic state whose guide is the sultan, “the symbol of national unity as well as its guardian and defender,” who concurrently holds the positions of prime minister, commander in chief of the armed forces, chairman of the central bank, and minister of defense, foreign affairs, and finance. Only a handful of individuals have direct access to the ruler, who has made clear since 2011 that he intends to remain the sole arbiter of national priorities. While the protests in Oman have obviously not developed with the same intensity and on the same scale as other uprisings in the Arab world, they have revealed how this hypercentralized model has long since reached its limits. The Omani Spring is the most serious alarm bell rung by a population that is both increasingly unable to meet the requirements of daily life and aware of the prospect of a challenging future without the paternal figure of Qaboos.4 This brutal collision with reality marks the beginning of a new chapter in Oman’s history. Qaboos is the fourteenth ruler of the al-Busaidi dynasty of Oman. He overthrew his father Said bin Taimur with the help of British advisers in 1970, when about fifteen years of civil war had been highlighting the social and political divisions of a territory marked by extreme international isolation. The new ruler, who was not yet thirty years old, inherited a territory without a state. His room to maneuver with regard to the British was reduced to a minimum, and so was his legitimacy vis-à-vis the Omanis. He thus immediately faced the need to assert the legitimacy of his accession to the throne by defining a new order for which he alone would hold the keys. The new regime’s strategy of legitimization linked the country’s economic and social development to the state, on the one hand, and to the person of the sultan, who has since become the subject of a personality cult, on the other. The regime’s approach was based on the exploitation of a newly significant oil rent. The inexhaustible pool of jobs offered by the public sector, following the explosion of oil revenues, represented a decisive step in confirming the sultan’s political legitimacy and hence his sociopolitical grip. Thousands of new state employees in the national army, the police, the intelligence service, the ministries, and other parts of government were, for several decades, the most reliable and pragmatic allies of the ruler. The Omani Spring is the most serious alarm bell rung by a population that is both increasingly unable to meet the requirements of daily life and aware of the prospect of a challenging future without the paternal figure of Qaboos. Moreover, thanks to new, paved roads, and to schools and health centers that were built in even the smallest villages, the state materially and symbolically came to occupy all of its territory. It suddenly became a concrete reality—the interlocutor for all government activity and the stage for all social and political actors. As a result, since the late 1970s, not only have a large majority of Omanis been dependent on the state for their own subsistence, but any alternative to the sultan has had no credibility. A new official historiography has been built around Qaboos and the welfare state, one that ignores both the explosion in oil revenue that made it possible and the political continuity before and after 1970. The contemporary national identity is built on the negation of the country’s pre-1970 history, which is never mentioned other than to contrast it with the glorious “national awakening” of July 23, 1970, the date of Qaboos’s accession to the throne, later renamed Renaissance Day (id al-nahda). This political rewriting of history, in which the ruler is omnipresent, marks an attempt to naturalize the special pantheon—the contemporary sultanate of Oman, the welfare state, and the person of Sultan Qaboos himself—that has been the basis for the current regime’s legitimacy. All major contemporary urban achievements bear the sultan’s name. He is glorified in the national anthem and on National Day—the sultan’s birthday. The extreme personalization of Oman’s political power is also seen in the country’s political system. In 1975, sultan’s decree number 26/75 established that the sultan is “the source of all laws” (masdar al-qawanin). Since then, all Omani legislation has been promulgated through sultan’s decrees—including the Basic Law of the State, issued in November 1996. This isolation means that very few people are willing or able to report issues to the ruler. Local observers explain, for instance, that a number of ministers were dismissed in March 2011, well after the start of protests around the country, because they were afraid to report the actual situation on the ground, worried that they would be reprimanded or lose face and position. Civil wars in Yemen or Iraq, as well as the political instability in Kuwait and Bahrain, have frequently been used to put the extreme personalization of power in Muscat in perspective. As the explanation goes, despite the system’s imperfections, Omani political stability is still preferable to the state of entropy in neighboring countries. Oman’s état de grâce has long since come to an end. While regional dynamics clearly had an impact on the events that shook the sultanate after 2011, a series of domestic challenges have been calling into question the Omani sociopolitical order for more than fifteen years. A series of domestic challenges have been calling into question the Omani sociopolitical order for more than fifteen years. Given Oman’s limited oil and gas resources compared to its neighbors, a long-term economic program was established in 1995 that included economic diversification among its goals. Under Oman 2020: Vision for Oman’s Economy, the oil sector’s share of the country’s GDP was to fall from 41 percent in 1996 to 9 percent by 2020, while that of nonoil industries was to increase from 7.5 percent to 29 percent. Separately, the sixth (2001–2005) and seventh (2006–2010) five-year plans emphasized development in three main areas: the gas sector, tourism, and nonoil industries. This policy also focused on the private sector as “the main contributor of growth,”10 and it aimed to both attract foreign capital and support the role of local companies in economic diversification. Another priority of the Oman 2020 economic road map was human resources and employment. The rates of nationals working in the public and private sectors was to increase from 68 percent to 95 percent and from 7.5 percent to 75 percent, respectively, while the share of expatriates in the whole population was to be reduced from 25 percent in 1995 to 15 percent by 2020. However, policies favoring Omani nationals in employment have had limited results, and the process of diversifying sources of revenue has been slow. This is illustrated by Oman’s dramatic social inequalities, endemic unemployment, and poverty, all results of recent deregulation and privatization policies. Moreover, the personal involvement of most influential decisionmakers and cabinet members in business has fueled the widespread perception of an elite busy safeguarding its privileges while silencing questions about the conflict between the nation’s general interests they are supposed to promote—such as Omanization policies of employment—and the particular stakes they defend as businessmen. The sultan has not prevented Oman’s merchant families from taking political positions and actively participating in the setting of economic priorities. Qaboos has never been willing to rely on his small family, leading him to ally with the traditional Muscat merchant elites, who have been assured privileged access to the oil windfall through public contracts. In return, the merchant families have helped the ruler to finance his nation-building endeavors. Thus some members of preeminent merchant families have been given strategic positions from which they control the distribution of the country’s oil wealth. At the same time, as the oil rent has profoundly changed the boundaries between politics and the economy, many ministers whose families were not active in the economy before Qaboos’s rule have become personally rich. This process has not been questioned by the ruler, as it has increased both the elites’ loyalty to him and the stability of his rule. The symbolic debt owed by Qaboos at the beginning of his rule to those who supported him after 1970 has thus gradually turned into a weapon in his hands, forestalling any challenges to his reign by turning them into unfailing allies. On the eve of the Arab Spring, few ministers had not personally derived material profit from the oil rent.13 From this point of view, rather than encouraging economic mobility, which could call into question the established authoritarian order and contribute to a renewal—or at least a revitalization—of the socioeconomic fabric, recent privatization and diversification policies have only confirmed Oman’s established social and economic hierarchy. Meanwhile, embryos of civil society, composed of young Omanis who thought their strong educations should allow them to have a voice in the decisionmaking process, started developing—an early, overt sign that growing sectors of society were reluctant to guarantee the perpetuation of a system that excluded them from political and economic decisions. New Internet forums opened in the mid-2000s, and most participants chose to use their real names, even when tackling sensitive issues, with the declared aim of promoting new social and political debates in Omani society. Despite the systematic harassment and arrests of Internet activists, online accounts of allegedly fraudulent practices by key figures of the regime (but not the ruler) became common. In summer 2010, intellectuals and human rights activists took the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of Qaboos’s accession to the throne to submit an online petition to the ruler calling for wide-scale reforms, such as a new constitution that would lead to a parliamentary monarchy and measures against corruption among top officials. These warning signs of the approaching storm should have been interpreted by the authorities as such. However, the general climate of frustration that sparked the fire in 2011 caught the regime by surprise. On January 17, 2011, 200 people assembled in Muscat to protest against government corruption and economic hardship. This was followed in February by a series of nationwide protests, each attended by several hundred people demonstrating against low salaries, high unemployment, and the lack of legislative powers permitted to the Consultative Council, which had been elected by universal suffrage since 2003. In late February 2011, in the northern town of Sohar, in Oman’s Batinah region, young unskilled people from neighboring cities who had been told once again that no jobs were available for them started a sit-in at the local branch of the Ministry of Manpower. They were evacuated by the police, arrested at night, and taken to the town’s central prison. When the news spread, skirmishes developed around Sohar’s police station and one protester was shot dead. From that moment on, Sohar’s Globe Roundabout, renamed “Reform Square” (maydan al-islah), became the gathering place of the protesters. Sit-ins, which went on for two months, were organized simultaneously in front of the governor’s offices in Salalah, the main town in the southern governorate of Dhofar, and in the eastern town of Sur. For the first time since the end of the Dhofar war in the late 1970s, the expression of alternative ideas and informed criticism of state policies was intruding on the streets. Until this point, no latitude of action had been tolerated for critics, in the name of preserving national unity behind the ruler and preventing the threat of fitna (division). There was also an understanding that authorities would use force only in a limited way, in exchange for the people’s total noninvolvement in political issues. This tacit arrangement had given credence to the idea that “the cost of resisting injustice outweigh[s] that of resignation to it.”16 And it had confirmed for most Omanis that politics is a dangerous game and that it is possible to enjoy a very satisfying life if they do not meddle in it. In this context, the government’s decision to establish an industrial site and free zone—conceived by the regime to be an international showcase of the country’s economic diversification—was seen as a godsend in Sohar. For a planned total investment of $15 billion, the site, which has been in service since 2002, was officially projected to generate more than 8,000 direct jobs and another 30,000 indirectly in the region by 2015. Yet as Sohar changed over just a few years from a small, sleepy provincial town to the industrial capital of the country, its social fabric disintegrated. Inequalities exploded, with pockets of wealth (including luxury gated townships reserved for expatriate executives of industrial groups doing business at the port) contrasting sharply with the rest of the area, where residents had no access to the economic benefits of the development and experienced a stagnation or a diminution of their living standards due to the cost increases that accompanied it. Pollution created by industries in the Sohar port also helped trigger local popular frustrations. Epitomizing the tensions brought on by the excessive profits that a few regime insiders accumulated during the town’s economic boom, Sohar’s main supermarket, Lulu, whose building and land belonged to the minister of royal office, Ali al-Maamari, was ransacked and burned down in late February. The now famous “The people want the fall of the regime” sung in Tunis and Cairo was appropriated in Oman in 2011, where it was converted to “The people want the reform (islah) of the regime” and “The people want the fall of corruption” (isqat al-fasad). Other slogans (“Yes to a new Oman,” “We need freedom,” and “You may restrict our hands but you cannot restrict our dreams in a better life”) openly asked for change. Strikes and demonstrations that quickly sprouted up all over the country revolved around demands for more job opportunities and measures to curb rising prices and inequalities. Protesters also called on the sultan to personally intervene to end the reign of wasta (favoritism) and corruption in the public sector and to put long-serving ministers who were widely perceived as corrupt on trial. More generally, while the protests around the country were primarily motivated by social and economic issues, two other dimensions are noteworthy. First, although the mobilizations were not organized along sectarian lines or focused on sectarian demands, Islamists played a crucial role in channeling discontent—probably not so much for the attractiveness of their ideologies per se, but rather because they offered one of the few easily identifiable counterdiscourses and forms of collective organization. The influence of underground Muslim Brotherhood cells and networks was visible in the Sur, Salalah, and Sohar protests, and that of the Salafis could be seen in several Batinah protests, particularly those in Sohar and Shinas.19 All of these groups, in addition to Ibadis and a significant component of young secular intellectuals, managed to coordinate efficiently, especially in Sohar. Given this historical legacy, Qaboos has always been very careful not to alienate Inner Oman. In particular, tribal and religious leaders from the region have been given prominent positions in the new state and have easy access to central authority. People from Inner Oman are overrepresented in all security forces, and in the ministries of interior, justice, and heritage and culture. Thus, the feeling of abandonment by the central state experienced in the Batinah and among other communities since 1970 has been less pronounced in the Dakhiliyah region. People from Inner Oman are overrepresented in all security forces, and in the ministries of interior, justice, and heritage and culture. Furthermore, unlike in Sohar and Salalah, where the social fabric has suffered dramatically from the quick transformation from provincial towns into industrial cities, the traditional social organization remains solid in Inner Oman. This has so far succeeded in balancing the growing inequalities and frustrations brought on by a poorly executed modernization. Both the mufti of Oman, who is an Ibadi from Dakhiliyah, and the Ibadi religious establishment are highly respected, and their statements since 1970, unfailingly in favor of the preservation of the social and political order, have hardly been contested. These factors, combined with the memory of the 2005 wave of arrests among Ibadi activists, help explain the absence of protests in Inner Oman. But in Sohar, Muscat, and elsewhere, the protests thrived, and the regime was forced to respond. Faced with growing discontent, the regime took several steps to appease the protesters. The private sector minimum wage for nationals was increased by 43 percent to about $520 (200 Omani rials) in mid-February 2011. Sultan Qaboos made further concessions on February 27, including the introduction of a monthly allowance (about $390, or 150 Omani rials) for job seekers, the creation of 50,000 new jobs for Omanis in the public sector (predominantly in the defense and security sectors), the doubling of the monthly social security allowance for eligible needy families, and an increase in student allowances. In early March, in the largest cabinet reorganization in forty years, Sultan Qaboos dismissed one-third of his cabinet, including Ali al-Maamari; the minister of national economy, Ahmed Makki; and the minister of commerce and industry, Maqbool al-Sultan. Those decisions were intended to publicly reaffirm the sultan’s centrality when it comes to embodying both national unity and the struggle against corruption. While positively received, they did little to dull the protesters’ resoluteness, much the same way that gestures toward Islamists, including the sultan’s approval of the establishment of Islamic banks, in May 2011, had little effect. Later in March, the sultan announced his intention to expand the powers of the advisory Council of Oman, which is composed of the elected Consultative Council (Majlis al-Shura) and an appointed State Council (Majlis al-Dawla), and, until this point, had a very limited role. But as Saudi and UAE forces entered Bahrain to help quell protests there, it became clear that Qaboos, like his counterparts in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), did not intend to go beyond what he considered a redline—that is, that the center of political power (combining both executive and legislative power) should remain his personal prerogative, closed off from any debate. However, it is worth noting that a number of techniques the government had used in the past to prevent the emergence of alternative discourses were no longer effective. The repeated labelling of the protesters as scum (raa) and vandals (mukharibin) by senior officials and national media showed the regime’s inability to accept the legitimacy of those who were expressing alternative opinions without accusing them of breaching the public order. The government also charged that the protesters were under foreign influence, a well-proven method to discredit them and their demands. Following the government’s announcement a few weeks earlier that it had uncovered an Emirati-backed spy network that had targeted the Omani leadership,23 security forces circulated text messages that fueled rumors of supposed Emirati involvement in the organization of the Sohar protests. These unfounded allegations failed to attract much attention, though. The authorities also turned to tribal leaders for help in restoring the calm. Since the 1970s, Omani authorities have co-opted the tribes and granted their leaders gifts in cash and in kind to ensure their loyalty to the regime. Tribal sheikhs, many of whom receive monthly salaries as state employees, have acted as intermediaries between the tribes’ members and the state apparatus. This was intended to strengthen individuals’ tribal belonging and to prevent the emergence of broader political mobilizations. Interestingly, this manipulation of local identities and tribal issues also proved inefficient in 2011. The Ministry of Interior tried to involve tribal sheikhs and state representatives in provinces (walis) to appease the protesters on several occasions and to promise youth jobs in security forces. But this mediation was blatantly turned down by the protesters, a clear sign that, after decades of Qaboos’s co-optation policy, the actual level of prestige and authority enjoyed by tribal leaders had declined sharply. It also appears clear that the authorities lacked an accurate understanding of the protests. Despite all evidence that overthrowing the regime had never been on the protesters’ agenda in 2011, security investigations soon used the term opponent (muarid).25 This tactic offered the advantage of discrediting the protesters, but the authorities presumably were looking for a rather structured underground organization—far from the actual chaotic coordination among the different sit-ins and the clumsiness of their actions. In October 2011, several articles of the penal law were amended by sultan’s decree, imposing jail sentences for “the publication of false news, statements or rumors liable to incite the public or undermine the prestige of the state or weaken trust in its financial state.” A new provision stated that “anyone participating in a gathering of at least 10 persons, with an intent to affect the public system, can be punished with a jail term of one month to one year.” These amendments criminalized the specific character of the protests, even down to the methods they used (for example, roadblocks) and the protesters’ appearance (for example, wearing masks or veils in a public place or any other concealment that prevents identification). The same month, in a bid to exert greater control across the country, an administrative reorganization transformed all regions into governorates, with all governors (except those of Muscat and Dhofar, who have ministerial ranks) acting under the strict supervision of the minister of interior. Even as the regime moved to crack down on dissent, the sultan made several concessions designed to emphasize his attentiveness to the public’s aspirations for greater participation in decisionmaking. Forty-six percent of eligible people voted in the 2011 Consultative Council election. That turnout, higher than in 2007, was likely a reflection of Omanis’ expectations that the council elected that year would advocate for greater reform. The 1,133 candidates competed under their own names, because political parties and platforms are outlawed by the regime. Indeed, except for the fact that candidates had the right to hold public meetings in halls or electoral tents for the first time, the 2011 campaign rules were as restrictive as those that governed elections in 2003 and 2007. Candidates were allowed to put up posters and banners in streets and public places and to advertise on television and in newspapers. But they were not permitted to discuss general topics (like the role of religion in society or the separation of powers) or to present a public campaign together with a candidate from another province, or wilaya. Campaigning took place mostly in the meeting rooms (majlis) of tribal sheikhs’ houses, but also through door-to-door and personal networks. As with the 2003 and 2007 elections, clientelism, tribal and ethnic affiliations, and money offered by candidates were also key determinants of voters’ choices.27 The only significant outcome of these elections was that three men who took part in the protests earlier in the year were elected. Five days after the vote, the sultan followed through on his March pledge and amended the Basic Law to expand the prerogatives of the Council of Oman. Previously this body could only question ministers who are not involved in national sovereignty (foreign affairs, defense, finance, interior, and oil) and submit amendments in the economic, social, and environmental fields to the Council of Ministers, which is composed of the members of the cabinet and tasked with implementing policies determined by the sultan. The October 2011 amendments allowed the Council of Oman to draft laws on its own initiative. They must be referred for review to the Council of Ministers. In addition, draft laws prepared by the Council of Ministers are to be referred to the Council of Oman for approval or amendment before being submitted to the ruler, who can refer them back to the Council of Oman for reconsideration. At the opening session of the Council of Oman on October 31, the sultan made his long-awaited first public address since the start of the protests. But his speech contained no major announcements, beyond a promise to combat unemployment and corruption, disappointing many. Nonetheless, after the sultan expanded the powers of the Consultative Council, criticism of government policies and the grilling of ministers intensified, reflecting Omanis’ general distrust of cabinet members. Live coverage on the national television channel of these sessions of parliamentary questions (and their extensive redistribution on social media) only increased the national visibility of these elected representatives, whose changed perception of their responsibilities and positions in the general balance of power illustrated a qualitative evolution from that of their predecessors. Some Consultative Council members were determined to use the popular legitimacy they derived from the ballot box and to take advantage of the sultan’s decision to give the council greater opportunities to express its voice (at least, formally), as seen in a 2012 test of strength between the council and the cabinet. In November of that year, the Consultative Council officially approved the formation of a defense, security, and foreign relations permanent committee,31 covering sovereignty issues that were the cabinet’s undisputed prerogatives. The council renewed its mandate in 2013. But while the initiative was blatantly rejected by the Council of Ministers, the decision was not formally opposed by the ruler. In the post–Arab Spring context, in which cabinet members embodied the widespread perception of an elite busy safeguarding its political and economic privileges, Qaboos was providing a place for the Consultative Council to let off steam. But it was also an unambiguous reminder to cabinet members of their political vulnerability and the fact that their political fate depends on his goodwill. A decree from the sultan in October 2011 announced the establishment of municipal councils in all eleven governorates (muhafadhat), another step that was intended to show Qaboos’s attentiveness to the population’s aspirations for greater participation in decisionmaking. Previously only Muscat governorate had a (fully appointed) municipal council. However, this reform had only very limited real impact. Composed of members representing wilayas, who are elected by universal suffrage for four-year renewable terms, as well as ex officio members representing ministries, the municipal councils are chaired by the head of the governorate, who is appointed by the sultan. They have only advisory powers, and provide opinions and recommendations only on the development of municipal services in the governorate (infrastructure, health, local taxes, and so on). In February 2012, the sultan also restructured the Supreme Judicial Council, which oversees the judiciary; approves nominations to fill positions in the judiciary, the Administrative Court, and the public prosecution; and proposes and reviews draft laws on judicial matters. While the reform increased the Supreme Judicial Council’s independence from the minister of justice, it also reasserted the sultan’s primacy and control over all these authorities, because the Supreme Judicial Council is chaired by the sultan and any decisions it takes in his absence must be ratified by the monarch. In another attempt by the regime to show its determination to fight endemic corruption within the state institutions, the prerogatives of the State Financial and Administrative Audit Institution (SFAAI) were expanded by sultan’s decree. Its expanded mission includes detecting financial and administrative irregularities, ensuring transparency in financial and administrative transactions, and providing recommendations on how to avoid conflicts of interest. The end of 2013 and the spring of 2014 were punctuated by a litany of reports announcing prosecutions and convictions of government officials and businessmen on various charges related to abuse of office, money laundering, and corruption.33 Approximately 40 civil servants and businessmen have been tried in corruption cases since 2013. Among the most prominent people to be prosecuted have been the former secretary general of the Ministry of National Economy, Mohamed al-Khusaibi; Indian businessman P. Mohamed Ali, co-founder of Galfar group, Oman’s largest construction company; and the long-serving chief executive of the government-owned Oman Oil, Ahmed al-Wahaibi. Despite all the hopes that rested with the SFAAI and its ambitious mission, though, people involved in these cases have not been among the big economic and political players who had attracted the protesters’ wrath and who have embodied the conflict of interest between politics and business since the 1970s. The combination of political concessions, arbitrary gestures of benevolence, and relentless crackdowns on discordant voices was not enough to reassert the grip of the state and quell the protests. Popular frustration with the slow pace of reform became evident again in May 2012. Around 1,000 oil workers went on strike, demanding better pay and working conditions. At the same time, protests developed again in Sohar in support of Consultative Council member Talib al-Maamari, a forty-year-old Salafi professor of Arabic literature at Sohar University who faced calls from the public prosecutor that his parliamentary immunity be lifted, following postings on his Facebook page that were critical of senior officials at the Ministry of Housing. Such political activism, and especially his role as a champion for victims of Sohar’s industrial area pollution, was crucial in his 2011 election to the Consultative Council. The combination of political concessions, arbitrary gestures of benevolence, and relentless crackdowns on discordant voices was not enough to reassert the grip of the state and quell the protests. In early June 2012, the public prosecutor, whose brother was appointed head of the internal security service with the rank of minister by royal decree in 2013, threatened to take “all appropriate legal actions” against writers, bloggers, and sit-in participants who acted “against values and morals of the Omani society” and to “prejudice the national security and public interests.” A new crackdown on civil society followed in the summer of 2012, leading to jail terms (from six to eighteen months) for more than 40 individuals on various charges related to “illegal gathering,” “violation of information crimes law,” and “defamation of the sultan.” Clashes between riot police and local youth around Sohar were so common in 2012 and 2013 that curfews were imposed and armored vehicles deployed in various areas. In July 2013, the sultan tried to close the delicate chapter of social and political contestation that had been opened two years before—and that authorities wanted to consider only an unfortunate parenthesis. On the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of his accession to the throne, Qaboos pardoned and ordered the release of all the individuals who had been sentenced and imprisoned for political reasons. The sultan also ordered that those dismissed from private and public jobs after the 2011–2012 protests be reinstated. Yet the intimidation and arbitrary detention of activists have continued and, according to Human Rights Watch, basic rights have been “routinely trampled” since then.34 Human rights activist Said Jaddad was arrested again a few days after the sultan’s pardon, facing charges of “undermining the status and prestige of the state,” following his calls for political and social reforms, and contact with foreign human rights bodies. The same month, renewed demonstrations and blockades of Sohar’s industrial area led to a new crackdown by riot police and more arrests. Consultative Council member Talib al-Maamari was sentenced in October 2014, after more than a year of detention, to three years in jail on charges of illegal gathering and undermining the status and prestige of the state.38 This harsh sentence imposed on someone considered a “real political leader” in North Batinah appears to be an unequivocal message to members of the Consultative Council that the semifreedom of expression tolerated by the regime after 2011 was no longer permitted,39 and that the existence of a proper parliament in Oman, with actual legislative powers, is definitely not on the agenda. That message appears to have been received. While the grilling of ministers had become more virulent following the 2011 elections, it has dramatically decreased since Talib al-Maamari’s arrest in August 2013. And, despite evidence of serious financial and administrative irregularities at the Ministry of Higher Education provided by local newspapers as early as December 2013,40 it was not until a year later that the Consultative Council requested that the minister appear for questioning. At the same time, one of the most obvious illustrations of the Consultative Council’s timid emancipation that had taken place after 2011, the defense, security, and foreign relations permanent committee, has been virtually dormant since 2013. A new Nationality Law (promulgated by sultan’s decree in August 2014) gave the state the power to strip Omani nationals of their citizenship if they “engage in a group, a party or an organization that adopts principles or doctrines that can harm the interests of Oman” or “worked for a foreign country in any way whatsoever . . . and failed to fulfil the Omani government’s order to abandon such a work within a specified time.”45 These provisions can obviously be used to threaten or quell peaceful dissent. While working to combat unprecedented domestic opposition, the regime moved throughout this period to shore up its support in the region, where protests were also flaring. Oman has always perceived political instability in the Middle East as a factor threatening its own internal stability. This perception of political vulnerability helps explain the sultanate’s determination to prevent regional actors from interfering in its internal affairs. The inescapable corollary of (and price for) that desire for regional independence has been Oman’s unquestioned political and military dependence on Britain and the United States. Although British forces officially left Omani bases in 1977, at the end of the Dhofar war, these positions were the only ones on the Arabian Peninsula used in 1991, and again in 2003, as operational bases by the British-U.S. coalition during the air offensives against Iraq. The renewal of military cooperation agreements with both Britain and the United States in 1985 and 1995, as well as joint exercises—including a 2001 exercise in the Omani desert, the biggest deployment of British troops abroad since the 1980s—only confirmed this Omani strategic dependence. Even if it causes recurrent criticism or frustration in other GCC countries and inside Oman, this partnership—and the military and political protection it provides—is the key that has granted the Omani ruler latitude of action within the GCC and at home. Oman’s relations with its neighbors have been governed by the determination to prevent the convulsions of the region from impacting its internal political status quo. In that environment, Oman’s relations with its neighbors have been governed by the determination to prevent the convulsions of the region from impacting its internal political status quo. In January 2009, Oman announced that it would not join the GCC monetary union. Given the gap in living standards and wages between Oman and its wealthier GCC neighbors, a monetary union would have had dramatic effects on the Omani economy. This position had no substantial damaging effects on Oman’s relationship with its neighbors, however, as shown by both the GCC’s decision to set up a $10 billion aid package to help Oman cope with protests in March 2011 and Oman’s concomitant support for the Saudis’ and Emiratis’ decision to send troops to Bahrain. Since the short-term emergency that struck all Gulf monarchies in 2011, the desire to quell internal pro-democracy movements has taken precedence over divergences related to long-term GCC-Iran relations or intra-GCC economic cooperation. For example, in preparation for the 34th GCC summit in December 2013, the minister responsible for foreign affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi, declared that Oman would not prevent the upgrading of the GCC into a union of six countries, but would “not be part of it” if it happened. That stance had no impact on Oman’s adherence to GCC security imperatives. In January 2014, Sultan Qaboos ratified the GCC security pact that had been signed in November 2012, which strengthens cooperation and mutual assistance in security matters. It also allows the hunting down of those who are outside the law, or who are wanted by party states, regardless of their nationalities, and the integration of signatories’ security apparatuses to provide support to each other during times of security disturbances and unrest. And Oman and Kuwait have already signed several economic deals, including one worth $1.75 billion in November 2014, as part of the $10 billion GCC financial aid pledged in 2011. The Arab Spring served to sharpen this tension. The official narrative stressing Omanis’ duty of loyalty toward the “father of the nation” seems inaudible in a country where 84 percent of the population was born after 1970 and 70 percent after 1980. It is openly challenged by activists and bloggers who now make a clear distinction between the current regime and the Omani nation. Their criticism of the ruler’s political decisions and power practices are explicitly made in the name of Oman and their concerns for the future of the country. And, with the sultan’s absence and ill health, and continuing questions about the succession process, anxiety about that future is increasing. As one of the Sohar activists summarized, “Qaboos has become somebody like anybody else, he can make mistakes like anybody else.”58 This dramatic change in the relationship between Omani society and its leadership is the most blatant symptom of the unprecedented challenges to the old authoritarian rentier model of development that confront the regime. With that, and the sultan’s prolonged absence, the nomination of a crown prince or a prime minister appears to be a political priority. Many Omanis have eagerly awaited such an announcement, which would lay the foundation for governance of a post-Qaboos Oman. But the regime has remained reluctant to break the taboo on key issues, including the appointment of a prime minister and the country’s future governance, fueling widespread anxiety. Unlike in other GCC monarchies, Sultan Qaboos has largely excluded his extended family from office. At the end of 2014, the sultan had no children and had not publicly designated an heir. The complexity of the succession mechanism established in the Basic Law, combined with the central role played by officials who do not belong to the royal family, raises many questions. There is every indication that the Ruling Family Council has never met to date. In these circumstances, if the royal family cannot make a decision, is it ready to yield supreme decisionmaking to individuals who do not belong to the royal family and who owe their positions solely to Qaboos? Tremendous social and economic challenges await Qaboos’s successor. But Oman’s young civil society will not be willing to grant him the same degree of authoritarian paternalism that their parents gave Qaboos. Moreover, in spite of the precautions taken by the ruler, there appears to be a risk that contradictory messages will emerge, creating political confusion. In Qaboos’s absence, there does not seem to be any patriarchal figure in the Al Said family who could oversee the succession process and ensure that disagreements remain contained. The triptych that has defined contemporary Oman—the post-1970 Renaissance ideology, the state apparatus, and its supreme figure, Sultan Qaboos—cannot be touched without putting into question the entire nation-building project that he undertook. This model of legitimacy, based on the extreme personalization of the political system, is intimately linked to the person of Qaboos and to him only. Tremendous social and economic challenges await Qaboos’s successor. But Oman’s young civil society will not be willing to grant him the same degree of authoritarian paternalism that their parents gave Qaboos. The use of the oil rent as an emergency job and subsidy faucet; the firing of dignitaries as scapegoats who were made responsible for the system’s failings; and the ruler’s arbitrary gestures of goodwill, a way to enhance his legitimacy and publicly reaffirm his centrality to the maintenance of national unity—all of these tools have proved to be partially unsuccessful since 2011. The regime’s repressive measures after 2012 resulted again in what the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association called in September 2014 a “pervasive culture of silence and fear affecting anyone who wants to speak and work for reforms in Oman.”64 That response only confirms the authorities’ disarray in the face of a development they can no longer stop: the flourishing criticism of the elite’s political management of this critical juncture in Oman’s history. These grievances are made explicitly in the name of Oman and out of concern for the future of the country. There is no doubt that the ruler’s short television address from Germany in November 2014 provided a feeling of temporary relief to many, who are well aware of the considerable turmoil his sudden demise may provoke. However, the dramatic change in the relationship between the society and its leadership confronts the Qaboos State with unprecedented questions whose answers can no longer be delayed. 1Ali Ahmed al-Riyami, “90-m Long Message of Gratitude for 41st Renaissance Day,” Oman Observer, July 21, 2011. 2Simeon Kerr, “Protests Awaken Sleepy Sultanate of Oman,” Financial Times, February 28, 2011. 3Dhofar Province, the southern province of Oman, was the theater in 1962 of an uprising of tribes against the authority of Sultan Said. Gradually, this movement morphed into the Marxist-Leninist Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf. In July 1970, when the uprising was about to spread to northern Oman, the British orchestrated Sultan Said’s overthrow by his son Qaboos. This decision enjoyed the support of the other Gulf rulers and the shah of Iran, all worried by potential revolutionary contagion. The new sovereign, backed by Britain, Jordan, and Iran, proclaimed the end of the war in 1975. 4Said al-Hashimi, Al-Rabi al-Umani. Qaraa fi al-Siyaqat wa-l-Dalalat (The Omani Spring: A reading of its context and implications) (Beirut: Dar al-Farabi, 2013). 5Personal interview, Muscat, November 14, 2012. 6In an interview in Le Monde, May 22, 1973. 7Judith Miller, “Creating Modern Oman: An Interview With Sultan Qabus,” Foreign Affairs 76, no. 3 (1997): 17. 8Sultanate of Oman, Oman Statistical Yearbook 2014 (Muscat: National Center for Statistics and Information, 2014), table 9-2. 9Sultanate of Oman, Oman Statistical Yearbook 2014 (Muscat: National Center for Statistics and Information, 2014), tables 6-14 and 2-15. 10 Maqbool al-Sultan, then Minister of Commerce and Industry, quoted in the Times of Oman, August 17, 2004. 11 1 Omani rial = $2.60. 13 For more details, see Marc Valeri, Oman: Politics and Society in the Qaboos State (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), chapter 6. 14 Estimates of religious allegiance are not based on official data because Omani authorities never mention figures for religious, tribal, or ethnic groups. According to calculations based on the national census, Ibadis appear to constitute 50–55 percent of the population, Sunnis 45–50 percent, and Shia 3–4 percent. Ibadis are in strong majority in Inner Oman, the site of the historical centers of the imamate. 15 “Fi Bid’ al-Muhakama Dafa Mutahamun Bi-Ann Himayat al-Madhhab al-Ibadi Ahad Ahdafahum” (At the beginning of the trial, defenders declared that protection of the Ibadi doctine is one of their goals), al Hayat, April 19, 2005. 17 This was reversed by the UAE government after 2003, out of concern that such a presence could have adverse effects if UAE-Oman political tensions arose. 18 Personal interview, Muscat, November 11, 2012. 19 In July 2014, it was estimated that 200 Omanis had joined Sunni military groups in Syria. See Turki al-Balushi, “Umaniyun Yuqatilun fi Suria” (Omani fighting in Syria), al-Balad, July 20, 2014, http://albaladoman.com/?p=20361. 20 Personal interview, Muscat, October 10, 2011. 21 The systematic practice of physical and psychological mistreatment, which in many cases amounted to torture, was reported (such as politically motivated disappearances, virginity tests, forced confessions, solitary confinement, and incommunicado detention in 4-square-meter cells without windows with loud music and full light for twenty-four hours in unknown locations, sleep depravation, extreme temperatures, and restricted access to toilets). See, for instance, the U.S. Department of State Country Reports for Oman on Human Rights Practices 2012, 1.usa.gov/URP0Gp, and 2013, 1.usa.gov/1s8ym3S; Gulf Center for Human Rights, “Torture in Oman,” January 29, 2014, http://gc4hr.org/report/view/20. Such practices continue today. See “Oman: Rights Routinely Trampled,” Human Rights Watch, December 19, 2014. 23 “Official Security Source—Spy Network Unveils,” Oman News Agency, January 30, 2011. 24 Personal interview, Sohar, November 12, 2012. 25 Personal interviews, October 2011 and November 2012. 26 Quoted in Hugh Eakin, “In the Heart of Mysterious Oman,” New York Review of Books 61, no. 13, August 14, 2014, 59. 27 The campaign coincided with the trial of the editor in chief and a reporter of the independent newspaper al-Zaman for publishing an article providing evidence of corruption in the Ministry of Justice. They were sentenced to jail for five months for insulting the minister of justice and his undersecretary and a one-month closure of the newspaper was ordered. 28 This council is the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council. It is composed of cabinet members, the deputy chairman of the central bank, and advisers to the sultan. 29 On October 29, 2011, Khalid al-Maawali was elected chairman of the council. A former director general for investment of the Ministry of Tourism (2005–2008), Khalid al-Maawali was a member of the United States–Oman free trade agreement negotiation team. An active businessman, he has been member of the board of a number of companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market. While al-Maawali is usually presented as embodying the renewal of the Omani political class since 2011, his family has long been deeply entrenched in the circles of power. His brother Nasir has chaired the SFAAI (with a rank of minister) since 2011, and his cousin Hilal al-Maawali was the inspector general of police and customs and the minister of civil service. 30 In addition, the ruler can issue decrees that have the same power of law between the terms of the Council of Oman and during the adjourned period of the Consultative Council and the holding of the State Council sessions. 33 “Omani CEO Jailed for 23 Years in Graft Case: Court,” Reuters, February 27, 2014; “Ahkam wa qadaya jadida fi muhakamat al-fasad” (New verdicts and cases in corruption trials), al-Zaman, March 3, 2014. 35 “Update: Oman—Human Rights Defender Mr Mohamed Al Fazari Released,” Frontline Defenders, September 9, 2014. 36 Said bin Abdullah al-Darudi, “Ana Lastu Umaniyyan … Ana Dhufari” (I am not Omani … I am Dhofari), October 7, 2014, www.facebook.com/asadaroodi/posts/1540658982831796. 37 “Al-sultat tufrij an al-katib Ali al-Rawahi bad ayyam min al-tahqiq” (Authorities free writer Ali al-Rawahi after days of interrogations), al-Balad, January 2, 2015. 38 “Idana Udu Majlis al-Shura Talib al-Maamari Bi 3 Sanawat Sijn” (Consultative Council member Taib al-Maamari sentenced to three years in jail), al-Balad, October 30, 2014, http://albaladoman.com/?p=22898. A Municipal Council elected member was also sentenced to jail. 39 Interview, November 13, 2012. 40 “Malaffat jadida fi tajawzat al-talim al-ali” (New files in higher education infringements), al-Zaman, December 8, 2013; “Tajawzat al-talim al-ali 2 … Masrufat dakhma natija mukhalafat fi lajna al-bathat” (Higher education infringements 2 … huge expenses following irregularities in the Scholarship Commission), al-Zaman, December 17, 2013; “Tajawzat al-talim al-ali 3… Athrat fi al-khutat al-khamsia” (Higher education infringements 3 … issues in five-year plans), al-Zaman, January 12, 2014. 41 The law prohibits members of the armed forces, other public security institutions, government employees, and domestic workers from forming or joining unions. 45 The full text (in Arabic) of the law is available of the Ministry of Legal Affairs website: http://mola.gov.om/royals.aspx?Gzy=14. 46 Personal interview, Muscat, November 13, 2012. 47 It now consists of 225 Omani rials as a basic salary plus 100 Omani rials as transport and housing allowance. 48 Exceptions to the policy were made for international companies, companies working on government projects, and firms managed full-time by their owners. This suspension was later extended for another six months but lifted in October 2014 under increasing private sector pressure. 49 Crystal A. Ennis and Ra’id Z. al-Jamali, “Elusive Employment. Development Planning and Labor Market Trends in Oman,” Chatham House, September 2014, 14. 50 “Oman’s Public Wage Bill Could Jump $2.3 Billion in 2014—Finance Minister,” Reuters, November 13, 2013. 54 SIPRI, “Trends in World Military Expenditure 2012,” April 2013, http://books.sipri.org/product_info?c_product_id=458. 55 Personal interview, Muscat, October 11, 2011. 56 Personal electronic communication, June 16, 2012. 57 Personal interview, Muscat, November 14, 2012. 58 Personal interview, Muscat, October 12, 2011. 60 This is to replace the old Oman Vision 2020 drafted in 1995, the objectives of which had already proved unreachable in the mid-2000s and which became obsolete with the Omani Spring. 61 All of them have been very active businessmen as well. Asad runs several companies, including Asad Investment Company, operating as his personal investment vehicle and said to control more than $1 billion in assets worldwide. His son Taimur, who is married to the daughter of Qaboos’s maternal uncle, is considered to be the leading candidate in his generation for the succession. Taimur has been chairman of Alizz Bank, Oman’s second Islamic bank, since 2012. Haitham is chairman and the main shareholder of National Trading, which has been involved in the construction of two major power plants and is agent in Oman for several multinational companies. Haitham was also involved in the Blue City project, a new tourism-devoted city south of Sohar initially worth $20 billion that was supposed to accommodate 200,000 residents in 2020. Shihab has a number of business interests as well through the group of companies he owns and chairs, Seven Seas. 63 Personal interview with a university teacher, Muscat, October 16, 2011. Very concise and compelling breakdown. Thank you.
2019-04-22T15:16:56Z
https://carnegieendowment.org/2015/01/28/simmering-unrest-and-succession-challenges-in-oman/i0s3
Whether you are someone who likes to do it yourself, or would rather employ professional help, the following information offers you some helpful advice on how to begin this project. Before you start a new landscaping project, draw out how you want the yard to look first. It’s way easier to do a drawing than it is to change what you’ve already done in your yard. TIP! Make liberal use of native plant specimens. Plants which are native to the area are simpler to maintain because they have are already used to the climate and soil. Use native plants for your yard. Native varieties require less maintenance as they are living in their growth. This means you can almost ignore them and they’ll be a low-maintenance plant in any yard. You could find information about plants that are native to your area by visiting your favorite gardening store. 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Landscaping is one of the most profitable home improvement projects to take on prior to selling your house; you might get up to 200 percent back of what you put into landscaping when you sell the house. Consider focusing on your front yard to add some curbside appeal to your home, or maybe create an outdoor socializing area in the back. Try using curved borders around what you plant when landscaping the yard. These rounded borders are less formal and more pleasing to the eye. When people look at your property from the sidewalk, the curved lines will create a better look for your home. Choose your location carefully when you start building. You want to make sure you put all your plants where they’ll get adequate sunshine in the right areas to help them thrive to their potential. You want to consider things like how much shade, wind, shade and light your plants will get when placed in your yard. 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Many people are only just how wonderful having an organic garden can be. The easy to follow advice in this article is to help the would-be organic gardener get out there and start planting.Use these tricks and tips to get down to work! Having healthy soil in your garden is your plants avoid insect pests. Healthy plants are naturally more resilient against pests and diseases. To give your garden the best chance of yielding the healthiest plants, make sure you begin with premium soil devoid of salt-accumulating chemicals. TIP! Transform the handles of your tools into convenient measuring devices. It is possible to utilize tools with long handles, such as rakes, hoes and shovels, as measuring sticks. Use climbers for covering fences and fences. Many climbers can cover an unattractive wall or fence in as little as one growing season. They also have been known to grow through existing trees or shrubs, or be trained to cover an arbor. 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Does you home look a bit drab? A little bit of landscaping can turn an older home into a visually appealing residence. Keep reading for helpful tips you can make use of. Before you start a new landscaping project, you should sketch out what you desire it to look like. It’s much simpler to change your ideas on a drawing than to actually get physically started. Try to use native plants for landscaping.When choosing plants, try using trees flowers and shrubs that you would find locally. Many people forget that much of their landscaping online. Not only is it simpler and more convenient to purchase supplies online, you can find a variety of rare plants which you may never find locally or in one of those large retail stores. TIP! Unlike what most people think, you do not need to hire a designer or landscaper to do you desired projects. The end result will be excessive expenditures. Purchase at different times of the year to get good discounts. Purchase your lumber during the winter time and buy mulch, and purchase greenery later in the season.When newer plants arrive on market, wait about three years for their price to go down before buying them. Measure the area in which you will be planting before you go to a landscaping store. This will allow you to figure out how much of any item you need. This will keep you do not end up with either a shortage or too much of materials. TIP! Measure out the area that you will be planting before you go to a landscaping store. Knowing your measurements will help you understand how many plants you need, rather than guessing incorrectly at the store. Consider the structures that are already in place before beginning any landscape project. Make sure to know where cables, water lines, sprinklers and other systems are placed so you do not disturb them when you are doing your landscaping. Call your city or county before you dig to make sure you do not damage any underground lines. Stop thinking that spending less on every item. While you can find fairly inexpensive supplies to do your project, the quality can be below what you want or need. If you are a beginner to landscaping, a store which specializes in it can give you good helpful advice and guide you to creating something much better. TIP! Before embarking on a DIY landscape project, it may be wise to consult with a professional to get their thoughts on your plans. An experienced landscaper will be able to give you advice and feedback that is priceless because it may save you time and money. Think carefully about your landscaping project. You have to place plants and beds in the right areas to help them thrive to their potential. You want to consider things like how much shade, wind, shade and light your plants will get when placed in your yard. Do not overlook the impact certain kinds of landscaping could have on your home and lawn. If you aren’t careful, you may find that some plants with roots can harm underground pipes or bushes that block your view when leaving your driveway. Consider these items with care before you purchase and add them to your final landscaping plans. TIP! Plan a yard and garden that will continue to be beautiful throughout the year. This strategy incorporates different plants that bloom in different seasons. To create a landscaping design that is visually appealing and easy to take care of, choose native plants. Plant species that have adapted naturally thrive in your local climate are a lot more simple to take care of when compared to foreign transplants. Local plants don’t need less irrigation which could save you money when it comes to the water bill. When purchasing materials for your landscaping project, don’t use cost as the sole determining factor in your choices. Check out all possibilities before making any purchases. Learn as much as you can about various landscaping design techniques. For instance, make use of anchor plants or a plant that is used often throughout your design, continuous sensation. The textures of plants are also add important so consider that to vary your landscape design. There is a wealth of information in landscaping books out there and websites but talking with other avid gardeners is the most enjoyable way to learn new things. TIP! When hiring a professional of any kind, even landscaping, make sure you ask for professional references. Price is very important, but before hiring any landscaper, be sure to take a look at the past work that he or she has done. Don’t forget that you should have paths and walkways are with regards to your landscaping. An unattractive concrete sidewalk is a boring and ugly look.Change this up by using cobblestone or stepping stone patterned paths to make your landscape more attractive. These have a variety of different shapes and colors and are about the same cost more than concrete. Choose a quality fertilizer that fits your yard. Try to stick with one universal fertilizer which will work for everything you’ve planted to ensure that you don’t have two competing products causing possible damage where they meet. Test different products and look at reviews to find out which fertilizers are the best fertilizer. You need to fertilize the whole yard prior to starting your project. TIP! You can find continuity with foliage plants and evergreen. Choosing plants that only bloom in the spring or summer will leave your yard looking dead in fall and winter. Lots of people put plants on planting specimens primarily around the edge of their yard and house. While this is a common practice, in the long run you should landscape your whole lawn. This adds depth to the illusion of your house. Your home will appear to be set back further than it really is. You may want to allow a curved border to flow around the edges of your landscape design. This will achieve a pleasing effect, look visually striking, and will actually add to your home’s resale value. While more time-consuming, the results will look much better. Now that you are aware of the advice presented here, your yard can be a beautiful and exciting place. Your home can have the vibrance and beauty of places in magazines. By using this information and some of your own ideas, you can give your home the face-lift it deserves! Organic gardening can either be a major headache, or it can be quite a nonproductive hassle. The following advice will assist you in becoming an accomplished organic garden successfully. Pine can be a great organic mulch. Cover the beds with a couple inches of needles and as they decompose, and they will disperse acidity to the soil below as they decompose. Don’t let the little chores for your organic garden build up. Even if you are too busy to tend to your gardens needs every day, do small tasks that will help you avoid having to do large tasks when you finally do have time. If you are outside with your dog, try to remove weeds when your pet is doing his business. Do you want to kill weeds without the use of harmful chemicals? You will need many layers of newspapers in order to provide proper weed control. Weeds cannot grow without sunlight. The layers of newspaper will block sunlight and weeds won’t be able to grow. Newspapers tend to break down nicely over time to become part of the compost.You can add mulch layer right on top so that it looks more attractive. If you’re planning on selling crops to people and labeling them as organic, you need to secure organic garden certification. This will increase sales and tell loyal customers they’ve been buying from the best to them. You will need to learn how to make a bed that is efficient for your plants. You can make a bed by slicing underneath the turf using an appropriate tool. Once you do this, flip it over and cover the affected area with wood chips a few inches in depth. Leave it for a few weeks and work it up so you will be able to plant within it. Make you garden is diverse. The wider the variation of plants growing in your garden, the more kinds of wildlife you’ll have. Plant various plant varieties to make the garden more similar to a natural environment. If you can manage this, your garden will be a pleasant place where you can relax, and also you get great satisfaction from knowing you did your part for the environment. Think carefully about what you need to use in your garden. Try using natural alternatives rather than common chemical fertilizers. A great example is to use is compost. Organic gardening has been made easy with just a few simple techniques. Plan to use mainly native flowers, flowers and grasses. If you opt for native plants that work well with your climate and soil, you won’t need special pesticides or fertilizers. Native plants will also reap the benefits of compost made compost. If you’re preparing to add a new shrub or tree to your organic garden, dig a hole as naturally as possible. If there are any glazed sides in the hole, it’s possible that one of those holes will restrict any root from getting into the soil nearby. Be specific about the things you desire to grow in your organic garden. Different variations of a particular flower or vegetable require different types of environments. For instance, there are many kinds of roses and some will work in your garden, there are those that will thrive in your garden and those that will not. Make sure that you select the varieties that will adapt well to your garden. There are all sorts of plants that you can plant in an organic garden. Mulch is the friend of plants that require acidic conditions.These types of plants should be mulched with thick layers of pine needles during fall each year. Use at least 3″ of organic material to mulch trees and trees. This will make the soil richer and also saves you serious money on water each month. You will find that it can grow to appreciate it as well. Weeds are a plague to any garden’s existence. This organic weed killer is safer for the environment or your family. Use gutters and rain barrels to trap the water for your garden. This saves you from paying for extra water your watering. Rainwater is also has natural benefits for plants. You can fertilize your organic garden with compost from scratch. An interesting way of making organic fertilizer is with a small worm bin for composting. Red worms, soil, kitchen scraps and newspaper shreds in a bin will get you started. Use ample mulch to save on water in your garden. You can use store-bought mulch, composted lawn trimmings, or you can purchase them at a gardening supply store. The important thing is to have an adequate supply of it. As illustrated above, there is more to becoming a successful organic gardener than most people first imagine. You may have to put in a fair amount of effort, but at the end of the day you will have a wonderful garden. Utilizing the advice provided in this article will definitely help you improve your organic gardening techniques. Do you have an eyesore? Do you want to make it more colorful adjectives? Do neighbors give each other knowing looks and decline when you tell them you’re having a lot of no-shows at your backyard parties? You don’t need to be the landscape outcast of your neighborhood. Use native plants when landscaping. Native varieties require less maintenance as they are already in their ideal climate. This will make them a low-maintenance variety for and make your landscaping maintenance easier. You can find information on plants that are local to the place you live by visiting your favorite gardening store. Test your soil prior to starting any landscaping project.This can help your plants grow more easily and increase the likelihood of a beautiful garden. It is very hard to landscape every part of your whole residence all at one time. Dividing your project into several parts will be easier on both you and your budget. It will also assist you in changing your design down the process of landscaping. A lot of people never consider online possibilities for shopping. Not only is it more convenient to shop online, you can find a variety of rare plants which you may never find locally or in one of those large retail stores. TIP! Try to use native plants when landscaping. Make sure the flowers, shrubs or trees you use are indigenous to the area. Purchase your landscaping needs at different times of the year to save money. Wait until the off-season to purchase such things as shrubs, and buy trees, shrubs or mulch late in the season if you can. When new plants are introduced to the market, wait about three years for their price to go down before buying them. TIP! Many people don’t think about online shopping regarding landscaping. However, online shopping is more convenient and cheaper; you can also be lucky to find various rare landscaping plants that cannot be found the local nursery or any large retail store. A good way to help the survival of your plants survive is to utilize peat moss. Peat moss gives your plants with many nutrient that they could be deprived of. It can also make your landscaping look more attractive contrast to it. Try using curved borders around what you plant when you’re landscaping your yard. These round shapes are more visually appealing than straight ones. When people look at your property from the sidewalk, the curved lines will create a better look for your home. TIP! Before heading to your local garden store for plants and materials, take down exact measurements for your entire work area. This will make it easier for you to figure out how much stuff you need. If you are trying to landscape on a budget, keep in mind that you don’t have to do everything simultaneously. There is absolutely nothing harmful about dividing your project down into steps and seasons.It becomes easier to perform financially. Make a list of each project you want to complete and select which can be tackled first. Do not overlook the impact certain landscaping features can wreak on your home and yard. If you are careless, you may find that some plants with roots can harm underground pipes or bushes that block your view when leaving your driveway. Consider these items carefully before determining your landscaping project. TIP! Stop thinking that you should try and spend less on every item. There are many places to buy discount supplies, but the quality is often questionable. Get some good advice from a professional landscaper before you launch a serious landscaping project on your own. It may involve a small up-front cost, and quite possibly a lot of effort, money and more by helping you avoid potential (and costly) mistakes. A single consultation will help you begin your project on the right foot as you start down your landscaped path. Learn all you can about landscape design techniques. For instance, make use of anchor plants or a plant that is used often throughout your design, continuous sensation. The textures of plants are also important variation and contrast to your design. There is a great deal of information in landscaping books and websites but talking with your landscaping. TIP! You don’t always need the most expensive product. For certain items, including regular perennials, storage containers, and mulch, there is little difference between the Yugo and Cadillac ends of the price spectrum. Don’t postpone a project just because you can’t afford all your supplies at one time. You might find a few nice additions that are carefully chosen will make your garden look better than you thought. Consider fall while choosing the plants for your landscape. Many homeowners only think about spring or summer for their property, but oftentimes they forget that fall offers the most beautiful colors when you plan your landscape correctly. You are sure to appreciate this decision in the fall when your yard looks absolutely amazing. Create a yard that will maintain itself and be free of weeds. Weeds will thrive in areas in which they have room to do so. Allow growing room for all the plants that you add to your landscape. Consider maturation before you plant anything to ensure proper balance in your yard. Don’t forget how important the walkways and paths need to be considered as well while landscaping. An plain concrete sidewalk is a big negative. Change it up by using cobblestone or stepping stones for a fresh look.These have a variety of different shapes and sizes and don’t cost as concrete. Now that you have the confidence and know-how with which to embark upon your landscaping project, your neighbors won’t only want to drop by, they’ll want to know what your secrets are! The most difficult thing will be to convince them that you did the work on your own, because the results will look professional due to the tips that this article has provided. Have fun with it! Organic horticulture can yield many healthy benefits, but knowing about them and purchasing the proper equipment can be difficult. You also have a wide variety of seeds you can select from. The following article will help you some helpful advice to meet with organic garden. Brighten up your garden with annuals and biennials. You can fill gaps between shrubs or perennials. Some flowers you can use are rudbekia, hollyhock, sunflower, rudbekcia, petunia and marigold. You do not need store-bought chemical solution to deal with powdery mildew in your garden. Mix a little liquid soap and some baking soda in water. Spray this on your plants about once per week or until it subsides. Baking soda treats the mildew without damaging your plants. TIP! Do you hate how fresh mint leaves grow and take over your lovely garden but still like them? You can control their growth by placing them into a pot or container. This container can be placed in the soil if you prefer the look of mint in your garden, and it will continue to contain the roots of your mint and prevent it from taking over. Transfer your favorite plants indoors to rescue them from the winter. You should probably save the most beautiful or expensive plants. Dig the plant up without damaging the roots and place it a pot. Be sure to get rid of the weeds growing in your efforts to banishing weeds! Weeds can destroy a thriving garden into a total wasteland. White vinegar can be used as a pesticide-free way to battle weeds. White vinegar will definitely kill those pesky weeds. If you are too busy to pull weeds by hand, douse them with a white vinegar solution. TIP! Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. If you were to plant them inside first, the seeds should germinate better. When the fall season approaches, it is time to plant the edibles for the autumn. A hollowed out pumpkin can be used as a planting container for kale and lettuce. Once you’ve cut its top and scooped the insides out, spray the inside and edges with Wilt-Pruf to keep the pumpkin from rotting. TIP! Sensibly water your garden. Take advantage of a soaker hose so that you don’t need to water every single plant individually, or have to keep filling up your watering can. Knee pads are absolute miracle accessories if you work in a gardener’s friend when caring for plants low to the ground. Having a good pair of knee pads for gardening can help cushion your knees in comfort. TIP! To keep your dog out of your garden, spray old perfume, aftershave, or other scented items in the grass around it. This will mask the garden smell that is attracting your dog, and it will make it a less appealing place for your dog to visit. If you’re going to grow peas, begin the plantings inside instead of outside. The seeds will grow better germination rate if you start them indoors. The seedlings will also be heartier, which means that they can better resist disease and attacks from pests. You can transplant the seedlings outdoors after they become better established. If you are a first time gardener, read and follow all directions and instructions that come with your chemicals and tools. If you don’t pay good attention, you run the risk of harming yourself due to the chemicals that can irritate your skin. Keep your health intact and always follow instructions. Chamomile tea is effective treatment against fungus problem within your garden. Some examples are petunias and petunias.If you are unsure as to whether or not your seeds should be covered or not, look online or at the package. TIP! For the best results when gardening, the hole you dig for your plants should be very rustic; think jagged, rough and unappealing. If the sides of the hole you dug is packed hard by the shovel, the roots of your plant may have difficulty penetrating the surrounding soil. Try to make your organic garden a shade garden. You might be interested to know that gardens are very low maintenance. They don’t require much watering, which could save you lots of time and work. While the plants in shade gardens grow slower, there are also fewer weeds to remove. TIP! If you want to develop strong roots in your plants, you should make sure to plant them in the fall. Though the air temperatures may be colder then, the plant will not have to waste resources on maintaining leaves. Bees can help your garden as they promote pollination. There are harmful bees though, some bees such as the carpenter bees, that can be harmful because they eat wood and create their nests inside them. Most bees should be allowed to do their business in peace. TIP! When you eat fresh vegetables, take the excess and chop them finely, then add them into your garden. These veggies will begin to decay quickly and leech important nutrients right back into the new plants you are growing. Some houseplants require some humidity. You can create humidity in any environment by grouping different plants together in one pot, or you could also plant it in a bigger pot while filling the gap with stones or compost.Another way to increase humidity for your houseplants is to spray them with a water mist one to two times per day. TIP! If you are troubled by aphids in the organic garden, the tried and true method of soapy water might provide the best solution. Spray a bit of soapy water over the entire plant, including the stems, buds and leaves, then use clean water to rinse the soapy water off. A good knife must be used in order to cut thick roots. Cut roots into pieces that are two inch lengths. Place the roots on top of a seed trays with peat and grit. Cover the roots with a thinner layer of the peat mixture. Plant them separately in little pots until they are ready to be placed outside. You can start a compost pile to create your own organic fertilizer for use in your organic garden. You can recycle, decreasing your amount of trash and making your garden more fertile. Do your neighbors love to talk about your yard and how great it looks? If that is the case, turn things around by sprucing up your yard. Keep reading to learn all of the tips that can make your property. Try using native plants when landscaping. When you are deciding what to plant, make sure you use flowers, shrubs and trees that are considered to be local to the area. Use native plants when landscaping. Native plants are a lot easier to care of because they are already comfortable in your climate and soil. This also means that they will be low-maintenance. Your local gardener probably has lots of great native plants. A great landscaping tip that can help anyone is to comprise a list of any needed materials before even beginning your project. You don’t want to be knee-deep in your project and then have to stop to go back to the store for something crucial. Use marble or granite in the outdoor kitchen design. While more costly, granite allows you to place hot items on them without any risk of damage. Do you want to sell your home soon? You can see big returns from a small landscaping is one home improvement project that could generate between 100 and 200 percent return on your investment.Pay significant attention to the front yard in order to increase curb appeal, and create a great place for outdoor activities in the backyard. It is not necessary – or even wise – to try to landscape your entire yard at the same time. Dividing your project into several parts will make it much easier on your budget. It will also assist you when you’re changing your design down the road. TIP! Prior to starting a landscaping project, talk to a professional. You don’t have to hire them to do any of the heavy lifting, but their expertise can help you save money by avoiding the common mistakes many do-it-yourselfers face. Include many different plant varieties while landscaping. This is beneficial in protecting your yard should it be the victim of an insect infestation or disease outbreak. If plants of the same type are used, all of them will die if this happens. Diversity in landscaping for plant health. Try using curved edges when you’re landscaping your yard. These round shapes are more visually appealing than straight ones. The curves help your yard look softer to people passing by on the street, despite the hard, soften your straight lines of the driveway and house. Incorporate a water feature into your plan. Fountains and small pools can be easy to install and water. If you are able to afford one, you could hire a professional to install a waterfall or small pond for a fee. Adding water to your design will provide a focus point. When you are buying materials for your yard project, the cheapest price doesn’t always mean you’re saving in the long run. Consider every alternative before you purchase any money. TIP! After mowing, leave a few grass clippings on the lawn. As they decompose, the grass clippings will provide nutrients to your yard, so the lawn will be in less need of fertilizer. Get professional guidance before you begin any serious landscaping project. It may cost you a little bit of money, but a landscape architect will potentially save you money, misery and money in the long run. A 60-minute discussion should give you ideas and help you begin. Soil is a big factor in your property. Certain plants may not grown in your soil you have.If you see that some plants aren’t growing, think about replacing it with another type of soil or using mulch or wood chips to address the issue. Learn how to work around the available spaces already on your property when designing your landscape. For example, if you don’t like the sound of passing cars, you can muffle those sounds with hedges. Make a play area for your kids.You could also possibly set aside a place that you can use for grilling or entertaining guests that you might have. Don’t let yourself give up on a project just because you’re running low on money. You might find that a few nice additions that are carefully chosen will make your garden look better than you thought. Lots of people put plants on the perimeter of their property lines. While this is preferred, in the long run you should landscape your whole lawn. This will give your house more expansive. Your home will appear to be set back further than it really is. Landscaping design is not just for the professionals! Much landscaping can be done in your own yard that will look amazing. However, you must be dedicated and put in the required work. Your neighbors will be quite jealous of your new landscaping, and the entire town will be talking about it! This is the best possible outcome you could see. When you leave your house, do you gaze lovingly at your yard or do you run in the house and hide from embarrassment? A lot of people think it’s too costly to have enough time and money to make their yards look better. Try to use native plants for landscaping.When you are landscaping your garden, make sure you use flowers, flowers and tress that are in your local neighborhood. Have your garden’s soil tested before you begin your garden or landscaping project. This will help you to have awesome plants and a beautiful garden. Are you planning on selling your home up for sale? Landscaping is a wise investment that offers as much as a 200 percent back of what you put into landscaping when you sell the house. Focus on your front yard to create great curb appeal, or create a defined outdoor living area in your backyard. It can be a challenge to landscape an entire property at once. Dividing your project into phases will make it much easier on both you and your budget. It can also assist you when you’re changing your design down the road. TIP! For a fresh update to your landscaping, re-edge your flower or rock beds with soft curves. Curved borders create much more interest than the straight borders of the past. Landscaping involves much more than simply planting trees and grasses. To add distinctive beauty with texture, look into using iron, cement or even wrought iron pieces. You can be a little more creative with decks, birdbaths, arches or perhaps a nice deck from which to survey your handiwork. These elements can be in many different prices no matter your budget. Shop online to save money and to find a wider variety of products. There are lots of quality websites that sell well-made products at very reasonable prices. Make sure you check out customer reviews to see if you are getting products to ensure proper packaging is used when transported. If you’re planning a large DIY landscaping project, look into first talking it over with a professional landscaper or architect. The consult will cost around $75 but the return will spend on it can be worth every penny by helping you prevent costly mistakes. TIP! Native plants are a joy to work with and should be used whenever possible. They’ll love your soil, you won’t have to water them often, as they’re used to your rainfall levels and they can tolerate your temperature conditions. Wildflowers are an inexpensive way to add color without breaking the bank. The end result will be beautiful flowers of all types and colors! You can also cut the wildflowers into bouquets to give as gifts or adorn your home in lovely bouquets. It can be hard to plant flowers around a large shade trees you may have in your yard for shade. Instead of planting flowers there you should consider a cover instead. This will make your yard look nicer and be quite easy to take care for. Hosta and sweet wooddruff are some ground cover. If you’re landscaping with limited monetary resources, keep in mind that it does not need to be completed all at once. There is nothing harmful about dividing your project in different phases. It becomes easier to accomplish this financially. Make a list of each step and select which can be tackled first. TIP! If you include an outdoor kitchen in your backyard design, consider using granite for counters and other surfaces. While it may cost less with marble or a similar material, granite is good because you place very hot things on it and does not require much maintenance. A water feature to add.It might be helpful to spend the extra money and materials for this project by purchasing them from a specialty store. The help you make the right decisions. TIP! Install drip-irrigation as an easy way to keep your plants watered. These irrigation systems can be easily installed and they could give your plants continuous streams of water. Don’t let yourself to put off a project in landscaping just because you can’t afford it. You might even find that a few nice additions will make your garden look better than you thought. Consider sharing costs with neighbors if you are wanting to improve your landscaping but are limited financially.You then be able to schedule when certain items are able to be used. TIP! Test your soil prior to starting a landscaping project. Having a soil test done will let you know what can grow well in your local area. Using a variety of multi-level plants and elements can add dimension and depth to your landscaping. You can add beauty and elegance to your yard with fountains, steps and fountains. You don’t have to do things like adding dimensions by renting a backhoe to add dimension to your yard. A shovel is all you need to add slopes or small terrace. Use the principles of design in your landscape. Anchor plants could help give continuity among other diverse elements. Various shrubs planted repeatedly can create some unity to you overall design. Create a balanced yard by using common patterns and plants in one area. Variation could be achieved by planting plants with different leaf textures. Now you should be able to make changes to your yard today. If you love your lawn then it will improve your mood every time you step out your front door. When you come home every day, you’ll be restored and refreshed by your beautiful yard. You will soon see that all the work is worthwhile. TIP! While working in your garden during the fall season, watch out for those stink bugs! They love to inhabit peppers, beans, tomatoes and all kinds of fruit varieties. If left uncontrolled, they can cause substantial damage in your garden, so make plans for how to protect your plants from these pests. There are an immense number of resources available that you can utilize to obtain ample horticulture advice. You could spend all day searching for gardening information relevant to your garden’s issues. This article gathers all the advice you don’t have to do so much searching. TIP! Soak your seeds in a dark spot during the overnight hours. Place a couple of seeds in a tiny container, and fill it with water nearly to the top. When partaking in horticulture activities, beware of stink bugs and other insects, keep an eye on those stink bugs. They thrive on fruits, as well as peppers, peppers and various beans. If not taken care of, these pests can damage the garden, so remember to take protective measures to reduce the population of stink bugs there. TIP! Do some research to find out the best time for harvesting your vegetables. Every vegetable has a proper time to be picked in order to capture the perfect flavor. Don’t mow your grass too short!If you leave more height to your grass, the roots will grow deeper into the soil, helping the grass grow better and remain hydrated. Short grass is more susceptible to drying out. TIP! Use only pesticides designed to kill the specific type of pest in your garden, and avoid the broad-spectrum kind. Broad-spectrum pesticides not only kill pests, but also “good” bugs like ground beetles that eat pests. Do you enjoy fresh mint leaves though hate how they quickly grow to take over your garden? You can control the growth of the mint leaves by growing them inside a large container rather than in your garden. If you would like the mint leaves to still be in the ground, you can even place the container in the ground, but the pot’s walls will prevent the mint from spreading and being a nuisance in your garden. TIP! Water your garden regularly and smartly. Instead of watering each individual plant with a can or hose, utilize a soaker hose, which can water all the plants at once. Place a few inches of mulch that is organic in with your vegetable plants. Mulch helps the soil surrounding the plants remain moister for longer time. It also prevent weeds from sprouting. You’ll save a time saver since you won’t have to pull out weeds. If you are just starting out, it is important that you follow all of the instructions on all of your tools and chemicals. If you fail to follow the directions, you can end up causing skin irritation problems that are very painful. Keep your body safe and follow instructions. Chamomile tea applied to plants can be an effective in combating a fungus problems. The ideal temperature to set your thermostat for indoor plants is between 65-75 degrees throughout the day. The temperature needs to remain warm so they are able to grow. If your home isn’t that warm during in winter, you could always get the organic plants a heat lamp. Add coffee grounds to your soil. Coffee grounds add many nitrogenous nutrients to the soil that plants will utilize. TIP! Rotate your garden annually. Planting the same plants in the same place each year can promote the growth of disease and fungus. Your compost pile should contain green plant materials and dried ones in equal amounts. Green plant material can include old flowers, weeds, grass clippings, grass clippings, and leaves. Dried plant material includes straw, cardboard, shredded paper, cardboard, and cut-up and dried wood material. Avoid using ashes, charcoal, charcoal and diseased plants in your compost. TIP! Plant twice- three weeks after planting tomatoes in the organic garden, plant more seeds. This method prevents a unified harvest, and allows separate times to pull the plants throughout the year. Do you prefer to eliminate weeds naturally? Take layers of newspapers and layer them for weed control. Weeds can’t grow without light. The newspaper will kill the weeds won’t be able to grow. Newspapers tend to break down nicely over time to become part of the compost.You can add mulch on top so that it looks more attractive. Some typical examples are petunias and petunias. If you do now know how to plant your seed, you can usually find helpful information online that will answer your question. TIP! Carefully decide which plants you want to grow before you plant your garden. Different types of flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables, require different kinds of soils and environmental conditions to grow properly. Fill that with beer to about one inch below the top of the jar. The beer helps attract slugs and they will be trapped in the jar. TIP! If you plan to keep your organic garden going in the winter, consider making a tent over the garden with a few household items. Make use of old bean poles as you stick them to the edge of your beds. Create a raised bed for your garden out of stone, brick or untreated wood.Choose wood that is resistant to rot and does not contain any chemicals. Some great choices to choose from are cedar, cedar and cypress. In a veggie garden, avoid using treated wood to enclose or demarcate different sections of your vegetable garden. If you are already using treated lumber, you can still use it, however, be sure to line it with some type of barrier like plastic sheeting. TIP! Mulching can be one of the effective things to do for a garden. It also lessens the rate of evaporation of the water in the soil and helps keep the weeds at bay. If you sell your crops and label them organic, you should become a certified organic gardener. This can increase your sales and also prove to your faithful customers that they are getting healthy products. TIP! Certain annual plants are more suitable for growing in colder months than others are. These plants may need to be trimmed if they are growing too much during these months. Add mulch to keep your garden to improve the vitality of the soil. Mulch can protect and nourish the ground it sits upon. Mulch will keep the soil is kept cool on hot days and protect the roots. It helps the soil retain moisture in the evaporation rate. This also a good way to control any weeds. TIP! Wash your vegetables in water outside and use it in your garden. The water adds valuable nutrients back to your soil. One thing that is organic horticulture apart from conventional horticulture is that they don’t contain pesticides. This is healthier than other alternatives, but it does mean you have to be extra vigilant about checking for pest infestations. TIP! Use companion plants in your organic garden. Some plants help neighboring plants grow, and are beneficial in other ways. You probably already know how rewarding horticulture can be. The more you learn, the better your horticulture skills will become. Use all of the information you can gather to improve and enhance your experience. Start by applying the tips laid out here, and you will have the most beautiful garden you’ve ever seen.
2019-04-21T16:36:21Z
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Aims LCZ696 (angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor) is a book medication developed for the treating heart failure with minimal ejection fraction. A 6, 7, 8. Various other buy Gap 26 proteases with A\degrading properties consist of insulin degrading enzyme, endothelin transforming enzyme, angiotensin transforming enzyme, thimet oligopeptidase and plasmin 9, 10, 11. The comparative contribution of specific enzymes towards the proteolytic degradation of the remains unknown. The is present that treatment with LCZ696, through inhibition of neprilysin by LBQ657, may bring about accumulation of the species like a 1C42, 1C40 and 1C38. Senile plaques made up of aggregation\susceptible A subtypes (e.g. A 1C42 and A 1C40) are located in the mind of buy Gap 26 individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (Advertisement) 12, 13, 14. Nevertheless the role of the in the pathophysiology of Advertisement isn’t conclusively described 15. The bloodCbrain\hurdle (BBB) penetration of LBQ657 as well as the potential ramifications of LCZ696 buy Gap 26 on buy Gap 26 CSF concentrations of the isoforms were evaluated in today’s clinical study. Strategies Study individuals The analysis enrolled healthy man and woman volunteers aged 18C55?years (excluding ladies of kid bearing potential), 50?kg in excess weight, having a body mass index (BMI) within the number of 18C30?kg?mC 2. Important exclusion requirements included usage of prescription drugs, herbs (within 2?weeks ahead of baseline) or more than\the\counter medicines and health supplements (within 4?weeks ahead of baseline), and a known background of angioedema. All research individuals had been enrolled at an individual center (PAREXEL International, California, USA). Research design This is a dual\blind, randomized, parallel group, placebo\managed study made to investigate the result of multiple dosages of LCZ696 on CSF A isoform concentrations in healthful human volunteers. The analysis protocol was examined by an unbiased Institutional Review Table (Aspire IRB, Rtp3 LLC; center number 1001). The analysis was conducted relative to ICH\Great Clinical Practice recommendations as well as the Declaration of Helsinki. All individuals provided written, educated consent ahead of randomization. The analysis consisted of a short testing period (day time ?21 to day time ?4), a security baseline (day time ?3), a pharmacodynamics (PD) baseline (day time ?2 to day time ?1), and a 2?week treatment period (times 1C14) (Supplementary Materials S1). Post\treatment PD/pharmacokinetic (PK) assessments had been performed on times 14 and 15 and buy Gap 26 the analysis concluded with a finish of study check out (day time 19). Subjects had been domiciled for 18 evenings at the analysis center and randomized 1?:?1 to either LCZ696 400?mg once daily for 14?times or matching placebo once daily for 14?times. LCZ696 was used with water each day for 14?times, after an overnight fasting period (~10?h) without diet permitted until 1?h post\dosage. PD assessments The principal end stage was the differ from baseline 36?h area beneath the impact curve (AUEC(0,36?h) of the 1C40 CSF focus, with LCZ696 weighed against placebo. Supplementary end factors included the differ from baseline of AUEC(0,24 h) for CSF A 1C40, and AUEC(0,36 h) and AUEC(0,24 h) for CSF A 1C42 and 1C38, with LCZ696 weighed against placebo. Differ from baseline AUEC(0,36 h) and AUEC(0,24 h) of the 1C40 plasma concentrations had been assessed as an exploratory evaluation. Serial CSF examples were extracted from day time ?2 to day time ?1 (PD baseline) and from day 14 to day 15 from an indwelling spine catheter inserted in to the lower spine canal by trained personnel utilizing a regular operating procedure at period factors that matched 30?min pre\dosage, and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 36?h post\dosage. In each case, up to 2?ml of CSF was necessary to get rid of the tubing linked to the indwelling catheter, accompanied by collection of a complete of 6?ml utilized for evaluation. CSF aliquots had been supplemented with 0.2% (v/v) Tween\20 ahead of storage in ?70C. CSF test. Background Blume (Chinese language chestnut), like a meals product is well known because of its various nutrition and functional ideals towards the human being health. meals product because of its numerous nutrition, but also utilized as a normal Chinese medicine, like the plants, leaves, and twigs to have already been used to take care of gastroenteritis, bronchitis and regurgitation for hundreds years . It really is without doubt that chestnuts possess considerable potential worth as practical foods . To improve and discover much more practical ideals for the Chinese language chestnut, our earlier focus on the chemical substance constituents and bioactivity from it led to the isolation of several flavonoids and phenolic acids [3C6]. In the constant evaluating its bioactivity and obtaining more active brokers, the anti-diabetic problems and anti-cancer activity of most fractions of alcoholic beverages components of kernels (CK), shells (CS) and involucres (CI) had been evaluated on human being recombinant aldose reductase (HR-AR) assay, advanced glycation end items (Age groups) development assay and human being COLO 320 DM cancer of the colon cells inhibitory assay in today’s function, respectively. Diabetes, like a complicated metabolic disorder due to insulin insufficiency and/or insulin dysfunction, is usually seen as a aberrant blood sugar and insulin amounts . Diabetic problems, including retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and arteriosclerosis are believed as risk elements for morbidity and loss of life. Moreover, the diabetics will also be vunerable to many illnesses, including the malignancy. For instance, colorectal malignancy which may be the third leading reason behind cancer-related loss of life , is a lot easier occurred in diabetic individual . Many reports on chestnut seed products and other areas of this seed emphasised in the anti-oxidant home [2, 10], while, today’s work had been to worth their anti-diabetes problems and against the hooking up cancers activity, also to get the part with very much useful values. Methods Seed materials The kernel, shells and involucres elements of had been gathered respectively in Sept, 2005 in Qianxi State of Hebei province, and determined by Professor Sunlight Qishi (University of Traditional Chinese language Medication, Shenyang Pharmaceutical College or university). The voucher specimens had been deposited at the main element Lab of Structure-Based Medication Design & Breakthrough of Ministry of Education (No.ZB2005-026-028). Chemical substance and reagents Dibasic sodium phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, D,L-glyceraldehyde, individual recombinant aldose reductase (HR-AR), AG, quercetin, 5593-20-4 manufacture 5593-20-4 manufacture critric acidity monohydrate, natrium carbonicum, sodium azide, gelatin and sulphuric acidity had been bought from Wako Pure Chemical substance 5593-20-4 manufacture Sectors, Ltd. (Osaka, Japan). Sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and ethanol had been given by Nacalai Inc. (Kyoto, Japan). Tween 20, bovine serum albumin, blood sugar, smashed and extracted with ethanol-water (90:10, v/v) (CK: 36?L; CS: 30?L and CI: 60?L) for 3 x (for 2?h??3) respectively, then, the solutions 5593-20-4 manufacture were concentrated under reduced pressure utilizing a rotary evaporator significantly less than 40C, to provide ingredients (CK 953.2?g, 15.89%; CS 257.4?g, 5.15%; CI 305.6?g, 3.06%), respectively. The ingredients had been suspended in distilled drinking water (CK: 6?L, CS: 5?L, and CI: 10?L) and partitioned successively using the same quantity EtOAc and 741.1824 (calcd 741.1819 for C39H33O15). 1H- and 13C NMR spectral data of 6 (Desk?1) showed the current presence of a kaempferol residue, two type configurations because of their double bonds in C-7”’, 8”’ and C-7””, 8”” positions were confirmed with the coupling regular beliefs 15.6?Hz for H-7”’ and H-7”” . The glucose unit was defined as galactose following the test was handled the acidity hydrolysis and likened the tR using the genuine test by HPLC evaluation utilizing a Kaseisorb LC NH2-60-5 column (4.6?mm we.d.??250?nm), CH3CNCH2O while the mobile stage. Substance 6 was defined as kaempferol-3- 0.01 Positive Control, ** 0.05 Positive Control, * 0.05 Positive Control; IC50 of Substances IC50 of Positive Control (Qu, AG, 5-Fu): 0.05 Positive Control. 0.01 Positive Control. Physicochemical data of substances 2C9 kaempferol-3-741.1824 [M?+?H]+ (calcd SPN 741.1819 for C39H33O15). 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and 2D-NMR spectra data observe Desk?1. casuariin (7). Off-white amorphous natural powder. m.p.245-248C. FAB-MS m/z: 783 [M-H]-.. Background Atrial tissue fibrosis could cause electric or structural remodeling in individuals with atrial fibrillation. adversely correlated with indicate still left atrial voltage(r?=?-0.492, p?=?0.053). Sufferers who treated with angiotensin II receptor antagonists acquired lower coronary sinus TGF-1 serum level than those that didn’t treated with angiotensin II Ponatinib receptor antagonists (p?=?0.046). Bottom line Degree of TGF-1 in peripheral serum is normally greater than that in coronary sinus, and serum degree of TGF-1 in coronary sinus is normally negatively connected with indicate still left atrial voltage in sufferers with CAF, angiotensin II receptor antagonists could influence TGF-1 serum level. solid course=”kwd-title” Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Changing growth element beta 1, Fibrosis, Electroanatomic mapping 1.?Intro Atrial fibrillation (AF) may be the most common clinical arrhythmia occurring in people with a number of cardiovascular illnesses or without the other proof systemic illnesses . It impacts 5% of the populace more than 65 years as well as the prevalence raises as the populace age comes up . Despite of increasingly more research within the systems of AF, the precise trigger and pathogenesis of AF continues to be unclear , , . Two primary forms of redesigning have been referred to in animal types of AF: electric remodeling, which impacts cellular electric properties, and structural redecorating, which alters atrial tissues structures . Structural redecorating can be due to interstitial fibrosis. Atrial fibrosis, a negative process that triggers imbalance in extracellular matrix deposition and degradation, continues to be implicated being a substrate for AF. Nevertheless, the precise systems of structural redecorating and the Ponatinib partnership between atrial fibrosis and atrial fibrillation had been largely unknown. Latest experimental and scientific studies have supplied valuable insights over the systems of atrial fibrosis at molecular and mobile level. A number of signaling systems, especially regarding angiotensin II and changing growth aspect-1 (TGF-1), appear to be centrally mixed up in advertising of fibrosis . Angiotensin II promotes aldosterone secretion to boosts mRNA degrees of TGF-1, and changes TGF-1 into its energetic type. Aminopeptidase A changes angiotensin II into angiotensin III, which also boosts Ponatinib TGF-l appearance , . TGF-1 is normally a subtype of TGF-. TGF- signaling was implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrotic illnesses by regulating the appearance of other protein involved in performing the fibrotic cascade . Using individual atrial myocardial tissues, Kupfahl et?al. observed that angiotensin II might Vcam1 up-regulate the appearance of TGF-1, and TGF-1 signaling impacts collagen creation . Extracellular matrix adjustments can split cardiomyocyte bundles, that may diminish electric coupling and gradual electric conduction , . It really is thought that localized atrial fibrosis may complicated atrial electrograms and reduce voltage, while diffuse and deep fibrosis could make the local tissues scarred. These fibrosis related to electrophysiologic changes could be symbolized by electroanatomic bipolar voltage mapping , , , , , . General, TGF- is normally a crucial regulator of extracellular matrix creation, and extracellular matrix adjustments could be shown by electroanatomical alternations. As a result, it is prospect of further comprehensive analysis on whether electroanatomical alternations possess relationship with serum TGF-1 level. The purpose of this study is normally to investigate the partnership between mean still left atrial voltage and serum degree of TGF-1 in sufferers with persistent atrial fibrillation (CAF). 2.?Strategies 2.1. Individuals We retrospectively examined a complete of 16 consecutive adult sufferers with medication refractory CAF who underwent catheter ablation for AF using 3D mapping program (NavX, St. Jude Medical Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) had been enrolled at an individual university infirmary from June 2012 to Might 2013. This is of CAF was predicated on the Holter monitoring electrocardiogram, needing the individuals that there is the tempo of AF rather than sinus tempo by each time examining. Patients had been excluded if indeed they were apt to be raised serum TGF-1 level: sufferers with background of myocardial infarction or raised degree of troponin, angina pectoris, thyroid disease, vascular cardiovascular disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung. Imatinib mesylate (IM) therapy offers been proven to induce lower T cell matters in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) sufferers and an disturbance of IM with T cell receptor (TCR) signaling continues to be invoked to describe this observation. on IL-7 signaling and STAT5 phosphorylation (STAT5-p). Significantly nevertheless, using an mouse model, we confirmed that IM impaired T cell success through the inhibition of IL-7 and STAT5-p however, not TCR signaling which continued to be unaffected during IM therapy. Hence, off-target inhibitory ramifications of IM on MK-0974 IL-7 and STAT5-p describe how T cell lymphopenia takes place in sufferers treated with IM. Tips Imatinib disrupts T cell homeostasis through the inhibition of IL-7 and STAT5 phosphorylation. Imatinib attenuates cytokine signaling in various clinical configurations of immune system dysfunctions. Launch Imatinib mesylate (IM) happens to be the drug of preference for first series therapy in sufferers with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia MK-0974 (CML). Regardless of the fairly high specificity of IM treatment to the BCR-ABL fusion proteins, off-target multikinase inhibitory results occur and will interfere with regular hematopoiesis.1, 2 For example, nonspecific inhibition of Flt3L continues to be connected with disruption of dendritic cell (DC) homeostasis and features in both mice and human beings.3 Furthermore, research have got reported an interference of IM with T cell counts and activation.4 T lymphocytes need T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation by MHC-I or MHC-II and IL-7 signaling to be able to endure and persist in the periphery. While TCR signaling induces the phosphorylation and activation of AKT with the lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), IL-7 signaling induces the phosphorylation of STAT5 (STAT5-p) by Jak1-3 proteins kinases; these pathways constitute potential goals for IM.5, 6 Despite ample proof that IM can inhibit TCR signaling research concur that IM can hinder IL-7 signaling and STAT5-p in T cells. Open up in another window Body 1 (a) Graphical overview of the overall amount (cells/l) of Compact disc4+ T cells and Compact disc8+ T cells enumerated in the bloodstream old match handles (check (Dunns post-test). *impact of IM on success and homeostatic proliferation of adoptively moved T lymphocytes (Body 2a). After seven days of IM treatment, lymphocyte matters were lower, indicating a potential defect in success and/or homeostatic proliferation of moved T cells (Body 2b). Significantly, IM treatment didn’t decrease homeostatic proliferation of T cells, hence confirming that TCR signaling continues to be useful MK-0974 during IM treatment and helping a model wherein the increased loss of T cells is certainly mostly mediated through the inhibition of IL-7 signaling and STAT5-p (Body 2d). Previous research have got invoked a potential function for TCR inhibition by IM to describe diminished postponed type hypersensitivity in mice.16 However, we demonstrated herein that IM induces DC depletion in human beings and mice which could donate to limit delayed type hypersensitivity development (Numbers 2c and e).17, 18 Furthermore, IL-7 may become an adjuvant to facilitate T cell activation as well as the inhibition of IL-7 signaling could probably impair delayed type hypersensitivity response.19, 20 Finally, as the inhibition of TCR signaling by IM could quite possibly describe lower naive Compact disc4+, Compact disc8+ and memory Compact disc4+ T cell counts, it generally does not describe lower memory Compact disc8+ counts, as these cells usually do not require TCR stimulation because of their peripheral maintenance.21 Thus, despite conclusive evidences displaying an disturbance of IM with TCR signaling,4, 16, 22 our data are more in keeping with an impact of IM SIGLEC1 on STAT5 to describe lower T cell matters. STAT5 is necessary for the signaling of various other cytokines which is feasible that the result of IM on T cells isn’t entirely limited to IL-7 signaling.23 Additional research are needed to be able to understand the entire spectral range of MK-0974 cytokines MK-0974 signaling inhibited by IM. Open up in another window Body 2 (a) Schematic representation from the mouse model to judge IM influence on T cells. (b) Overall amounts of congenic Compact disc4+ and Compact disc8+ T cells retrieved in IM treated mice. (c) Overall numbers of Compact disc11c+ DCs after seven days of IM treatment. (d) Compact disc4+ and Compact disc8+ T cell proliferation seven days after transfer into lymphopenic recipients treated or not really with IM. Data. Artificial inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) antagonists induce degradation of IAP proteins such as for example mobile IAP1 (cIAP1), activate nuclear factor B (NF-B) signaling, and sensitize cells to tumor necrosis factor (TNF). complicated sensitizes immortalized and minimally passaged tumor cells to TNF-induced loss of life, whereas major cells stay resistant. Conversely, cIAP1CTRAF2 complicated overexpression limitations FN14 signaling and protects tumor cells from TWEAK-induced TNF sensitization. Lysosomal degradation of cIAP1CTRAF2 by TWEAK/FN14 consequently critically alters the total amount of existence/death indicators emanating from TNF-R1 in immortalized cells. Intro Upon binding of their cognate ligand, TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) people transmit indicators via their cytoplasmic domains. Many TNF buy MK-2206 2HCl receptors carry loss of life domains (DD) that permit them to straight promote apoptotic cell loss of life. Activation from the TNFRSF receptors, such Fas or TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (Path)CR2 (Tartaglia et al., 1993), allows the binding of FADD inside a DDCDD connection, which initiates apoptotic signaling from the recruitment and activation of caspase 8 or 10 by oligomerization. TNF-R1Cinduced activation of caspase 8 or 10 is definitely less direct, concerning recruitment from the DD-containing adaptor TRADD, accompanied by the forming of an internalized supplementary complex that may bind FADD and caspase 8 to initiate the apoptotic system (Micheau and Tschopp, 2003). Despite its name, most tumor cells usually do not perish when subjected to TNF but must become treated with inhibitors of translation or transcription, such as for example actinomycin D or cycloheximide. These providers are believed to sensitize cells to TNF by avoiding production of success proteins induced via NF-B. Lots of the TNFRSF people, including FN14, include a consensus Tnf receptor-associated element (TRAF) binding theme (Recreation area et al., 1999; Ye et al., 1999) that recruits TRAFs to activate transcription elements including NF-B and AP1 (Lee et al., 1997; Yeh et al., 1997). TRAF1 and TRAF2 had been initially determined in proteins complexes that destined to the cytoplasmic website of TNF-R2 (Rothe et al., 1994), as well as mobile inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (cIAP1) and 2 (Rothe et al., 1995). Nevertheless, another mobile IAP homologue, XIAP (Duckett et al., 1996; Pay attention et al., 1996; Uren et al., 1996), became the concentrate of attention since it was proven to straight inhibit turned on downstream caspases (Deveraux et al., 1997) as well as the N-terminally prepared type of the initiator caspase, caspase 9 (Srinivasula et al., 2001), whereas neither cIAP1 nor cIAP2 can inhibit caspase activity at concentrations that are reached in vivo (Tenev et al., 2005; Eckelman and Salvesen, 2006) However the function of cIAP1 provides remained unclear for quite a while, recent studies have got identified hereditary abnormalities in cIAP1 from sufferers with multiple myeloma that correlate with minimal cIAP1 protein amounts and improved noncanonical NF-B activity (Annunziata et al., 2007; Keats et al., 2007). buy MK-2206 2HCl In keeping with this buy MK-2206 2HCl function, it has been showed that hereditary deletion of cIAP1 in immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) causes constitutive noncanonical NF-B activity and Mouse monoclonal to CD4 sensitization to TNF-induced apoptosis (Vince et al., 2007), and lack of cIAP1 sensitizes cells to TNF (Gaither et al., 2007). Strikingly, artificial IAP antagonists, or smac mimetics, which deplete both cIAP1 and 2 proteins amounts, also activate NF-B signaling and enhance TNF loss of life signaling (Li et al., 2004; Gaither et al., 2007; Varfolomeev et al., 2007; Vince et al., 2007). As a result, although the designed focus on of Smac mimetics was XIAP, it would appear that their capability to successfully inhibit cIAP1 and or cIAP2 has a central function in tumor cell eliminating which cIAP1 is normally a central participant in regulating the success and death indicators initiated from TNF-R1 in tumor cells. cIAP1 and 2 had been discovered via their indirect binding to TNF-R2, however they are also within the TNF-R1 complicated (Micheau and Tschopp, 2003; buy MK-2206 2HCl Vince et al., 2007) and also have the potential to modify the signaling from 17 TNF superfamily receptors which contain TRAF2 consensus binding sites. Not surprisingly, it really is still unfamiliar which receptors cIAP1 will bind and exactly how it could be physiologically controlled to regulate signaling from these receptors. TNF-like fragile inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) can be a member from the TNF superfamily (TNFSF12) that engages a receptor termed FN14 (TNFRSF12A). FN14 offers been proven to bind TRAF2 (and TRAFs 1, 3, and 5) inside a candida two-hybrid display (Dark brown et al., 2003) and may start both canonical and noncanonical NF-B activation (Saitoh et al., 2003). It really is unfamiliar how FN14 activates NF-B, but physiological TWEAK/FN14 signaling can inhibit mobile differentiation, promote angiogenesis, cytokine creation, and mobile proliferation, and continues to be suggested to are likely involved in the wound response due to its induction in wounded cells and organs (Vince and Silke, 2006; Winkles et al., 2007). TWEAK also induces apoptosis in HT29 and KATO-III cells pretreated with IFN and offers growth-suppressive results on many cell types (Felli et al., 2005; Maecker et al., 2005). With this paper, we display that binding of TWEAK to endogenous FN14 recruits a complicated including both cIAP1. Despite considerable proof for a crucial part of neuroligin-1 in the standards of excitatory synapses, the cellular systems and physiological functions of neuroligin-1 in mature neural circuits are poorly understood. as well as the somatic excitability from SNS-314 the LA primary neurons from KO and wild-type (WT) littermate control mice. Nevertheless, we didn’t detect any difference in every of the assessed guidelines between KO and WT littermate mice (Desk S1). These outcomes revealed that this manifestation of NLGN1 had not been directly involved with regulating intrinsic membrane features and neuronal excitability of the main neurons from the LA. We analyzed the voltage-dependency of EPSCs. We elicited EPSCs by revitalizing the inner capsule (thalamic inputs; Fig. 1KO and WT littermate mice (Fig. 1KO mice not merely at positive keeping potentials but also at a poor potential (Fig. 1 and KO mice (= 6, open up circles) and KO mice (= 6, shut circles). (= 16, open up circles) and shNLGN1-contaminated LA neurons of adult rats (= 14, shut circles). The amplitudes of every kind of EPSCs had been normalized to mean current amplitudes from uninfected control cells at either ?60 mV (for AMPAR-EPSCs) or +40 mV (for NMDAR-EPSCs). To corroborate our results from KO mice, we also utilized lentivirus containing a little hairpin RNA series geared to (shNLGN1) to transiently deplete NLGN1 in the LA. We in the beginning confirmed the effectiveness of shNLGN1 by both in vitro manifestation ensure that you in vivo viral delivery towards the amygdala (Fig. S1). In the amygdala pieces ready from rats where shNLGN1 was infused 3C4 times earlier, we built ICV curves for either NMDAR-EPSCs or AMPAR-EPSCs. We further isolated AMPAR- SNS-314 and NMDAR-EPSCs through matching antagonists SNS-314 as referred to in KO mice. The deletion or depletion of NLGN1 led to a similar degree of inhibition (up to 50%) of NMDAR-EPSCs throughout all keeping potentials (except intersections), indicating that neither deletion nor depletion of NLGN1 created any voltage-dependent results on NMDAR-EPSCs, like the open possibility of NMDARs upon membrane depolarization. Another plausible description for the reduces in NMDAR-EPSCs may be the changed route properties of specific NMDARs because of a big change in the subunit structure (14). It had been previously reported that switching from NR2B- to NR2A-containing receptors, that are included into synapses of hippocampal neurons, leads to lowers in NMDAR-EPSCs aswell as their quicker decay (15). To explore this likelihood, we likened the decay kinetics of evoked NMDAR-EPSCs, but discovered no difference (Fig. S2 and and = 7) vs. shNLGN1 group, 81.3 27.9 pAms (= 5). Deletion Affects STD-LTP in the Thalamic however, not Cortical Pathway. LA provides another main auditory afferent pathwaythe cortical inputs as well as the thalamic inputs (10). Several studies claim that synaptic plasticity taking place on the cortico-amygdala synapses may also support dread conditioning, but that it can so in different ways from that in the thalamic pathway, by responding preferentially to weakened or more complicated stimuli (11 C13). We examined the comparative contribution of NMDARs and AMPARs to EPSCs at both afferent inputs by calculating NMDAR/AMPAR ratios while rousing either external or internal tablets, respectively (Fig. 1KO mice, weighed against that of WT control mice (Fig. 3 and KO mice weighed against that of WT littermate handles (Fig. 3 and KO mice. (KO (= 14) vs. KO, 0.21 0.03 (= 16) as well as for the thalamic inputs; WT control, 0.47 0.04 (= 12) vs. KO, 0.25 0.01 (= 12). (KO (= 8) vs. KO, 104.6 3.2% (= 6). (KO ( 0.1); WT control, 153.1 7.7% (= 9) vs. KO, 140.6 10.1% (= 10). Activation of NMDARs SNS-314 in the amygdala can be thought to be needed for induction of synaptic plasticity and storage space of associative dread storage (6, 19 C21). Provided the proclaimed and similar lowers in NMDAR-EPSCs at both afferent inputs towards the LA of KO mice, IL23R synaptic plasticity may be affected appropriately. To examine this likelihood, we utilized a physiologically relevant process to stimulate STD-LTP. This type of LTP continues to be widely regarded as a physiological style of synaptic adjustments through the integration of multiple inputs and therefore has surfaced as an applicant system for learning-related activity in neural circuits (22, 23). To stimulate STD-LTP, we shipped 80 presynaptic stimuli at 2 Hz to elicit excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) within a current-clamp setting, and each stimulus was matched with an. Background and objective Chemotherapy drugs, such as for example cisplatin (DDP), enhance the success of individuals with lung malignancy by inducing apoptosis in malignancy cells, which quickly develop level of resistance to DDP through uncharacterized systems. dye were utilized to measure the mobile morphology, proliferation, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively. Outcomes Compared to human being lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, the mRNA and 20702-77-6 manufacture proteins manifestation of GLIPR1 had been considerably improved in DDP-resistant A549/DDP cells (p 0.05). Likewise, the mRNA degree of GLIPR1 in DDP-resistant H460/DDP cells was also considerably greater than that in DDP-sensitive H460 cells (p 0.05). Silencing of GLIPR1 in A549/DDP and H460/DDP cells resulted in increased apoptosis with a mitochondrial signaling pathway pursuing incubation with numerous concentrations of DDP. Furthermore, GLIPR1 downregulation markedly decreased the proteins manifestation of Bcl-2, and improved the cleaved Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) and cleaved caspase-3 in DDP-resistant A549/DDP cells. Summary With this research, we shown for the very first time that GLIPR1 could modulate the response of DDP-resistant A549/DDP and H460/DDP cells to cisplatin. Consequently, GLIPR1 deserves additional analysis in the framework of none-small lung malignancy (NSCLC). Introduction The best occurrence of malignant tumors across the world is definitely due to lung malignancy . A lot more than 2.2 million individuals are identified as having lung malignancy each year, and a lot of them are diagnosed at advanced Rabbit polyclonal to YSA1H phases . Chemotherapy enhances the success of both individuals with early stage malignancy after medical procedures and individuals with advanced non-small cell lung malignancy (NSCLC) [3C4]. Cytotoxic medicines, such as for example cisplatin (DDP), could induce DNA harm through numerous signaling molecules, such as for example B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) [5C6]. Although lung malignancy cells quickly develop level of resistance to DDP, the root molecular mechanism of the resistance is not completely characterized . Glioma Pathogenesis-Related Proteins 1 (GLIPR1), a p53 focusing on gene, was originally defined as a tumor suppressor in prostate malignancy [8C10]. The manifestation of GLIPR1 was low in prostate and lung malignancy cells in comparison to regular cells [9, 11]. Additionally, overexpression of GLIPR1 induced apoptosis of lung malignancy cells and prostate malignancy cells by activating reactive air varieties/the JNK pathway , downregulating c-Myc , or suppressing AURKA and TPX2 . On the other hand, GLIPR1 is definitely overexpressed in astrocytic [15C19], wilms , severe myeloid 20702-77-6 manufacture leukemia 20702-77-6 manufacture , and melanoma malignancies. The overexpression of GLIPR1 raises glioma cell proliferation [18C19, 23], whereas the downregulation of GLIPR1 reduces the proliferation of glioma [18, 23] and melanoma cells. Nevertheless, the part of GLIPR1 in mediating DDP level of resistance in human being lung adenocarcinoma A549/DDP and human being huge cell lung malignancy H460/DDP cells hasn’t however been reported. With this research, we discovered that the mRNA and proteins manifestation of GLIPR1 had been considerably improved in DDP-resistant A549/DDP cells in comparison to DDP-sensitive A549 cells (p 0.05). The mRNA degree of GLIPR1 in DDP-resistant H460/DDP cells was also considerably greater than that in DDP-sensitive H460 cells (p 0.05). Silencing of GLIPR1 in A549/DDP and H460/DDP cells resulted in increased apoptosis with a mitochondrial signaling pathway pursuing incubation with numerous concentrations of DDP. Furthermore, GLIPR1 downregulation considerably increased the current presence of triggered caspase-3 and cleaved Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP), and markedly decreased the proteins manifestation of Bcl-2, which is definitely highly indicated in A549/DDP cells and takes on a critical part in the DDP level of resistance of A549/DDP cells . Components and strategies Cell tradition The human being lung adenocarcinoma cell collection A549 as well as the DDP-resistant cell collection A549/DDP were bought from your Xiangya Cell Middle, Central South China University or college (Changsha, China). The human being huge cell lung malignancy cell collection H460 was from the American Type Tradition Collection (ATCC). The DDP-resistant cell collection H460/DDP was generated by dealing with the cells with sequentially improved cisplatin . The cells had been cultured in RPMI 1640 moderate (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and 100 U/ml penicillin/streptomycin. The DDP level of resistance of A549/DDP and H460/DDP was managed with the addition of 2 g/ml DDP. FAM3A is a book mitochondrial proteins, and its own biological function remains largely unknown. overexpression inhibited hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced activation of apoptotic gene and hepatocyte loss of life in P2 receptor-dependent way. FAM3A insufficiency blunted rosiglitazone’s helpful results on Akt activation and cell success in cultured hepatocytes. Collectively, FAM3A protects against liver organ IRI by activating Akt success pathways, repressing irritation and attenuating oxidative tension. Moreover, the defensive ramifications of PPAR agonist(s) on liver organ IRI are reliant on FAM3A-ATP-Akt pathway. significant between indicated groupings. Open up in another window Shape 4 PPAR activation didn’t activate Akt pathway, and repress irritation and oxidative tension in FAM3A?/? mouse livers with IRI(A) Scarcity Kenpaullone of FAM3A on T-TOC, SOD activity, MDA level and MPO activity in mouse livers with or without rosiglitazone Kenpaullone pretreatment. (B) Rosiglitazone pretreatment didn’t elevate mobile ATP articles in FAM3A?/? mouse livers with IRI. (C) Scarcity of FAM3A abolished the helpful ramifications of PPAR activation on apoptotic proteins amounts. Representative gel pictures were proven in upper -panel, and quantitative data proven in lower -panel. (D) PPAR activation didn’t repress nuclear NF-B activity in FAM3A?/? mouse livers with IRI. Representative gel pictures were proven in upper -panel, and quantitative data proven in lower -panel. N=8-10, *p 0.05 between indicated two groups; ns, significant between indicated groupings. Rosiglitazone upregulated FAM3A to activate Akt and promote nuclear exclusion of FOXO1 in hepatocytes To help expand determine if the helpful ramifications of PPAR activation on modulation of Akt and FOXO1 actions can be mediated by FAM3A-ATP pathway, hepatocytes had been pretreated with rosiglitazone Rabbit Polyclonal to OR5B12 for 36 hours, and treated with inhibitors of purinergic (P2 receptors) for one hour prior to the analyses of pAkt and pFOXO1 amounts. Rosiglitazone treatment considerably elevated mobile and extracellular ATP amounts in HepG2 cells (Shape ?(Figure5A).5A). Rosiglitazone treatment elevated the proteins degrees of FAM3A, pAkt and pFOXO1 using a reduction in FOXO1 proteins level (Shape ?(Figure5B).5B). Furthermore, rosiglitazone-induced boosts in pAkt and pFOXO1 amounts had been inhibited by P2 receptors PPADS and suramin Kenpaullone Kenpaullone with a rise in FOXO1 proteins level (Shape ?(Figure5B).5B). To help expand confirm the function of FAM3A in rosiglitazone-induced Akt activation and FOXO1 inactivation, FAM3A appearance was initially knockdown by siRNA transfection, and accompanied by rosiglitazone treatment in HepG2 cells. Silencing of FAM3A decreased extracellular ATP content material (Shape ?(Shape5C),5C), decreased cellular pAkt and pFOXO1 amounts with an increase of cellular FOXO1 level (Physique ?(Figure5D).5D). Rosiglitazone-induced upsurge in extracellular ATP level, mobile pAkt and FOXO1 amounts, and reduction in mobile FOXO1 level had been reversed after FAM3A silencing in HepG2 cells (Physique ?(Figure5D).5D). In support, rosiglitazone treatment induced nuclear exclusion of FOXO1, that was clogged by inhibiting P2 receptors (Physique ?(Figure5E)5E) in HepG2 cells. In main cultured mouse hepatocytes, rosiglitazone treatment raised extracellular ATP level, FAM3A manifestation and pAkt level. Rosiglitazone-induced Akt activation was also clogged by P2 receptors (Physique 6AC6B). Silencing of FAM3A decreased extracellular ATP level and mobile pAkt level, and inhibited rosiglitazone-induced Akt activation in main mouse hepatocytes (Physique 6CC6D). In support, FAM3A-deficient mouse hepatocytes exhibited lower extracellular ATP level and mobile pAkt level than WT mouse hepatocytes (Physique 6EC6F). Rosiglitazone didn’t elevate extracellular ATP content material and mobile pAkt level in FAM3A-deficienct hepatocytes (Physique 6EC6F). General, these findings exposed that the consequences of PPAR agonist on Akt activation and FOXO1 repression had been reliant on FAM3A-ATP pathway. Open up in another window Physique 5 Rosiglitazone advertised Akt phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion of FOXO1 via FAM3A-ATP Kenpaullone pathway in HepG2 cellsThe cell had been treated with rosiglitazone for 36 hours, and treated with PPADS or suramin for one hour before becoming performed for evaluation. (A) Rosiglitazone pretreatment raised mobile and extracellular ATP amounts in HepG2 cells. (B) Inhibition of P2 receptors repressed rosiglitazone-induced phosphorylation of Akt and FOXO1. Representative gel pictures were demonstrated in upper -panel, and quantitative data demonstrated in lower -panel. N=5, *p 0.05 versus control cells; #p 0.05 versus rosiglitazone-treated cells. (C) Silencing of FAM3A inhibited rosiglitazone-induced elevation in.
2019-04-20T21:07:56Z
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Most individuals, specifically the startups as well as the business owners that are new to the online service world focus way too much on the appearances of the design to think about whether it is efficient enough to really make a sale. Drawing in brand-new visitors to the website is the first as well as one of the most important tasks that a sales channel does. This is the mouth of the channel. This phase is narrower and in the next step of the channel and also must be well maintained since they are most likely to make a purchase in the following couple of stages as long as you maintain them impressed. Closing is the last of a funnel where a lead ends up being a customer. They proactively make the order and buy your item, register for your newsletter or generally do exactly what you intended them to do by developing the funnel. Following degree is consumer retention or keeping them pleased with your product or the acquisition, so they end up being return customers. 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A site is comparable to a digital shop, and the function of placing a big investment into designing a web site is to inevitably help increase the profits of your business. Most individuals, especially the startups and the entrepreneurs who are new to the online business world emphasis also a lot on the looks of the style to think about whether it works enough to in fact make a sale. The Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 larger the variety of site visitors drew in to the site, the much more energetic customers there will be at completion. This is done by attractive styles as well as layouts of web sites, easy to use user interfaces and simple social networks includes that aid satisfied site visitors to get the word out. The conversion process is when a mere visitor ends up being a potential consumer, which is a lead. 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Click Funnels have actually developed an array of sales funnels that can lead you to achieve your goals by taking your site visitors with a well thought out sales funnels. Following are some of the objectives which can be satisfied by a sales funnels. A sales channel favorably influences the mind of your visitors to earn the choice to go forward with your goal. This is extra or much less considering that little push a salesperson would provide in a physical shop to finally comprise the frame of mind to go in advance with a purchase. A web site is comparable to an online store, as well as the function of putting a big financial investment right into designing a website is to ultimately assist enhance the earnings of your company. Lots of people, especially the startups and the business owners that are brand-new to the online business world focus way too much on the looks of the style to think about whether it works enough to really make a sale. This is why you require to acquire Click Funnels. Complying with are the 4 major points that a well picked as well as put sales funnels do. Attracting brand-new site visitors to the website is the first and also among the most important tasks that a sales funnel does. This is the mouth of the funnel. The Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 bigger the variety of site visitors brought in to the site, the a lot more energetic customers there will be at completion. This is done by appealing designs and also themes of sites, user-friendly interfaces as well as easy social media showcases that help pleased visitors to get the word out. The conversion process is when a simple site visitor ends up being a prospective consumer, which is a lead. This stage is narrower and in the next action of the channel and ought to be well maintained since they are likely to make a purchase in the following couple of phases as long as you keep them pleased. Closing is the last of a channel where a lead becomes a client. They proactively make the order and also buy your product, authorize up for your e-newsletter or generally do just what you planned them to do by creating the funnel. Following degree is client retention or maintaining them happy with your item or the purchase, so they come to be return clients. Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 It is a really popular– as well as rather frightening– fact that everybody in business globe has listened to that “90% of the startups fall short”. If you take a look at these stopped working services which once started with much vigor as well as interest, they seldom fail since the idea or the suggestion of business itself misbehaved. Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018There are many organisations with excellent prospective that fail because of the absence of understanding the founders have concerning advertising or really making a sale. 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A website is comparable to a virtual shop, as well as the function of putting a large financial investment into developing an internet site is to inevitably assist raise the profits of your company. Most individuals, particularly the startups and the entrepreneurs that are new to the online company world focus excessive on the looks of the layout to consider whether it works enough to in fact make a sale. This is why you need to buy Click Funnels. Complying with are the 4 primary points that a well picked and also placed sales funnels do. Bring in brand-new visitors to the site is the first as well as one of the most vital tasks that a sales channel does. This is the mouth of the channel. This phase is narrower and also in the following step of the channel and also ought to be well preserved because they are most likely to make an acquisition in the next couple of stages as long as you keep them amazed. Closing is the last of a channel where a lead comes to be a client. 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Click Funnels have actually created a variety of sales funnels that could lead you to accomplish your objectives by taking your visitors via a well believed out sales funnels. Complying with are a few of the objectives which could be satisfied by a sales funnels. A sales channel favorably impacts the mind of your visitors to earn the choice to go forward with your purpose. This is basically considering that little press a salesman would give up a physical store to finally compose the attitude to go on with a purchase. A site resembles an online shop, and the function of putting a large investment into developing a website is to eventually assist raise the revenue of your service. The majority of people, specifically the start-ups as well as the entrepreneurs who are brand-new to the online company globe focus way too much on the appearances of the layout to think about whether it is effective enough to actually make a sale. You may invest a great deal of money to employ the very best internet developers as well as developers, and also they might even supply an excellent looking internet site to you, yet if you need to think regarding the sales process within the website, your financial investment will just cost you money without a return. This is why you should buy Click Funnels. An internet site developed via that service is laser-focused to supply terrific advertising as well as sales impacts from the starting to the end. Complying with are the 4 main points that a well selected and placed sales funnels do. The Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 larger the variety of visitors brought in to the website, the more active customers there will certainly go to the end. This is done by attractive styles as well as templates of internet sites, easy to use user interfaces as well as very easy social networks features that assistance impressed site visitors to get the word out. The conversion process is when a mere visitor ends up being a possible customer, which is a lead. This phase is narrower as well as in the following action of the channel and also must be well preserved given that they are likely making an acquisition in the next couple of phases as long as you keep them pleased. Closing is the last of a channel where a lead becomes a consumer. They actively make the order and purchase your product, authorize up for your newsletter or essentially do just what you meant them to do by developing the channel. Following degree is consumer retention or maintaining them thrilled with your product or the purchase, so they end up being return clients. Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 It is an incredibly popular– and also rather frightening– statistic that everybody in business globe has listened to that “90% of the startups fail”. If you have a look at these failed organisations which as soon as began with much vigor as well as enthusiasm, they hardly ever stop working because the principle or the idea of business itself was bad. Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018There are lots of businesses with wonderful potential that stop working because of the absence of expertise the founders have concerning marketing or really making a sale. It does not matter exactly how terrific your item or the service is if you do not know the best ways to transform your introduce conversions. Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 It resembles an auto sale without a sales representative. There will certainly be several visitors who come to see the vehicles, however without that added push, there will be no sales. A site without a sales channel is the very same, which is why you should purchase Click Funnels to get the most number of sales possible. Click Funnels offer you with a pre-designed as well as well-curated sales channel which will take your visitors with a persuading journey that will certainly make them purchase your item at the end. Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 Click Funnels have created a range of sales funnels that can lead you to accomplish your objectives by taking your site visitors via a well thought out sales funnels. A sales funnel favorably affects the thought process of your visitors making the choice to move forward with your purpose. This is essentially considering that little push a salesman would give up a physical store to ultimately comprise the mindset to go on with a purchase. An internet site is comparable to a digital shop, as well as the objective of placing a big financial investment into developing an internet site is to ultimately help increase the income of your business. Many people, especially the startups and the entrepreneurs that are brand-new to the online service globe focus also much on the appearances of the design to take into consideration whether it is efficient sufficient to actually make a sale. You could invest a whole lot of loan to employ the very best web designers and also designers, and also they could also supply a terrific looking website to you, yet if you need to think of the sales procedure within the internet site, your investment will only cost you loan without a return. This is why you need to purchase Click Funnels. A site produced through that solution is laser-focused to provide fantastic advertising and also sales effects from the starting throughout. Following are the four main points that a well chose and also placed sales funnels do. Attracting brand-new visitors to the internet site is the very first as well as one of one of the most vital jobs that a sales channel does. This is the mouth of the funnel. The Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 bigger the variety of visitors brought in to the web site, the extra active customers there will be at the end. This is done by attractive layouts as well as templates of sites, user-friendly interfaces and simple social networks features that assistance satisfied visitors to spread out the word. The conversion procedure is when a plain visitor becomes a possible consumer, which is a lead. This phase is narrower and also in the following action of the funnel and also ought to be well kept since they are likely to earn an acquisition in the following couple of stages as long as you keep them satisfied. Closing is the final stage of a funnel where a lead comes to be a client. They proactively make the order as well as buy your item, register for your e-newsletter or basically do just what you intended them to do by producing the channel. Following degree is client retention or maintaining them pleased with your item or the purchase, so they end up being return clients. Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 There are numerous services with fantastic potential that stop working due to the absence of understanding the owners have regarding advertising or in fact making a sale. Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 A web site without a sales channel is the same, which is why you need to purchase Click Funnels in order to obtain the most number of sales feasible. Clickfunnels coupon stackable August 2018 Click Funnels have actually created a range of sales funnels that can lead you to accomplish your objectives by taking your site visitors via a well assumed out sales funnels. A sales funnel favorably impacts the mind of your site visitors to make the decision to move forward with your purpose. This is essentially offering that little push a salesman would provide in a physical shop to ultimately comprise the way of thinking to proceed with an acquisition. An internet site resembles an online shop, as well as the purpose of putting a big investment right into making a site is to inevitably aid enhance the income of your business. The majority of people, particularly the startups and also the business owners that are brand-new to the online organisation world focus too much on the looks of the layout to consider whether it works enough to actually make a sale. You could spend a great deal of loan to hire the very best internet developers as well as programmers, as well as they might even deliver a great looking website to you, yet if you need to believe about the sales procedure within the website, your investment will just cost you money without a return. This is why you should get Click Funnels. An internet site created via that service is laser-focused to deliver excellent advertising and marketing as well as sales results from the starting to the end. Following are the four important things that a well picked and also positioned sales funnels do. Attracting brand-new site visitors to the website is the very first and one of the most important jobs that a sales channel does. This is the mouth of the channel. This phase is narrower and in the following step of the channel and need to be well preserved since they are most likely to make a purchase in the following couple of phases as long as you maintain them satisfied. Closing is the last of a channel where a lead comes to be a consumer. They actively make the order and also buy your product, sign up for your e-newsletter or generally do what you meant them to do by producing the channel. Following level is customer retention or maintaining them happy with your item or the purchase, so they become return consumers. 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2019-04-20T18:57:11Z
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Masao Hayashi, M.D.; Sumedha G. Penheiter, Ph.D.; Tetsuzo Nakayama, M.D.; Alan R. Penheiter, Ph.D.; David O. Warner, M.D.; et al Keith A. Jones, M.D. * Research Fellow, † Research Technologist, ‡ Assistant Professor, § Professor. There are conflicting reports concerning the efficacy of β2-receptor agonists when administered in the presence of volatile anesthetics. In several studies using a variety of experimental models, halothane impaired β2receptor–mediated cell function,15,16 e.g. , halothane markedly attenuated isoproterenol-induced relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.16 This effect was considered to be due to inhibition of the β2receptor and/or its cognate stimulatory heterotrimeric guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP)–binding protein (G protein), because smooth muscle relaxation induced by activation of the signaling pathway distal to the G protein was not inhibited by halothane.16 On the other hand, β2-receptor agonists relieve bronchospasm during halothane anesthesia in animal models of asthma.17 In addition, we found that halothane did not affect the ability of isoproterenol to relax isolated canine tracheal smooth muscle contracted with acetylcholine.18 However, because halothane alters numerous other signaling systems in intact cells, this latter study could not be unambiguously interpreted in the context of direct anesthetic effects on β2receptor–Gαscoupling. Because halothane inhibits the coupling between the muscarinic receptor and the heterotrimeric G protein Gq/11,19 similar effects on the β2receptor–Gαscomplex could occur. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether halothane affects the functional coupling between the β2receptor and its cognate heterotrimeric G protein, Gs. We tested the hypothesis that halothane does not affect isoproterenol-promoted guanosine nucleotide exchange at the α subunit of Gs(Gαs) and hence would not affect isoproterenol-induced decreases in Ca2+sensitivity in permeabilized airway smooth muscle. Experiments were also conducted to assess the effect of halothane on the biochemical coupling between the β1receptor and Gαsas a positive control, because halothane is known to inhibit isoproterenol binding to this receptor20 and hence should inhibit β1–Gαscoupling. After obtaining approval from the Mayo Foundation Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota), porcine tracheas were procured by euthanasia of research animals. The animals were first anesthetized by intramuscular injection of Telazol (10 ml/kg) (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, IA) and xylazine (6 mg/kg) and intravenous injection of Nembutal (400–600 mg) (Ovation Pharmaceuticals Inc., Deerfield, IL), and then killed by exsanguination via bilateral transection of the carotid arteries. Then, the extrathoracic tracheas were excised and immersed in chilled physiologic salt solution of the following composition: 110.5 mm NaCl, 25.7 mm NaHCO3, 5.6 mm dextrose, 3.4 mm KCl, 2.4 mm CaCl2, 1.2 mm KH2PO4, and 0.8 mm Mg2SO4. After removal of fat, connective tissue, and epithelium, the tracheal smooth muscle was cut into strips (0.8–1.2 cm long × 0.25–0.5 mm wide) for isometric force measurements. COS-7 cells (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA) were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (10% DMEM) and penicillin and streptomycin (50 U/ml each). The day before transfection, confluent cells were trypsinized and seeded in 10-cm tissue culture dishes so as to reach 90% confluence in 24 h (approximately 4.5 × 106cells per 10-cm dish). The cells were then transiently transfected using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) as per the manufacturer's recommendation. Briefly, for each 10-cm plate transfection, the complementary DNA (cDNA) constructs were each mixed (5 min, room temperature) with 1.5 ml Opt-MEM I (Invitrogen) in a 50-ml falcon tube. For transfection of Gαsonly, 5 μg cDNA plus 5 μg of the vector plasmic cDNA 3.1 were used for each 10-cm plate transfection; for cotransfection experiments, 5 μg β1or β2cDNA and 5 μg GαscDNA were used. Lipofectamine 2000 was mixed in another falcon tube with 1.5 ml Opti-MEM (2.5 μg/μl cDNA to be transfected). The two solutions were then mixed and allowed to stand for 20 min at room temperature to promote DNA–Lipofectamine complex formation. Three milliliters of the transfection mixture was added to each 10-cm plate with 5 ml 10% DMEM without penicillin/streptomycin. The transfection mixture was replaced with 7 ml fresh 10% DMEM plus penicillin/streptomycin after 12 h. Twenty-four hours after transfection, the cells were washed twice with phosphate-buffered saline, scraped in ice-cold phosphate-buffered saline, transferred to 1.5-ml microfuge tubes, and pelleted by centrifugation at 500g (2 min at 4°C). The cells were flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C until they were used to prepare crude membranes. Crude membrane was prepared as previously described for tissue with several modifications.19,28 Frozen cells from three 10-cm plates were suspended for 15 min in ice-cold lysis buffer (500 μl per plate) composed of 20 mm HEPES (pH 8.0), 1 mm EDTA, 0.1 mm phenylmethysulfonyl fluoride, 10 μg/ml leupeptin, and 2 μg/ml aprotinin and then gently homogenized on ice by repeated passage through a 27-gauge needle (approximately 10–12 times). The lysate was then subjected to low-speed centrifugation (400g , 10 min, 4°C) to remove intact cells and nuclei and then to ultracentrifugation (87,000g , 30 min, 4°C) to pellet the crude membrane. The membrane pellet was washed with lysis buffer and resuspended in assay buffer (100 μl per plate) composed of 50 mm Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 100 mm NaCl, 4.8 mm MgCl2, and 1 μm GDP, and the membrane protein concentration was determined.29 The crude membrane suspension was then diluted with assay buffer to a protein concentration of 2 mg/ml, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −70°C until used for the assay. Gαsnucleotide exchange was assayed using methods originally described by Barr et al. 30 and previously used by our laboratory.28 Reaction mixtures containing 10 μg membrane protein, 100 mm NaCl, 4.8 mm MgCl2, and 1 μm GDP, with or without halothane and with or without isoproterenol, in a total volume of 62 μl were preincubated for 5 min at 30°C. The assay was initiated by the addition 5 μl of the radioactive, nonhydrolyzable form of GTP, [35S]GTPγS, to the reaction mixture (1,250 Ci/mmol; 10 nm final concentration in assay). Reactions were terminated at times according to experimental design, and the supernatant was subjected to the immunoprecipitation step of the assay. Radioactivity was quantified by scintillation counting. Background radioactivity measurements were determined by performing tandem experiments with the same amount of protein except that the assay was immediately terminated with 600 μl ice-cold immunoprecipitation buffer. The amount of background radioactivity was less than 30% of the radioactivity of the basal Gαsnucleotide exchange measurements. Halothane had no effect on this nonspecific background radioactivity. Data were normalized to the amount of protein and the specific activity of the [35S]GTPγS in the assay, and each experimental condition was assayed in triplicate. β1and β2were quantified in the crude membranes prepared from COS-7 cells by saturation binding with the tritium-labeled β1/β2receptor antagonist [5,7-3H](−)CGP-12177.31,32 Specific binding was determined in triplicate assays with a single saturating concentration of [5,7-3H](−)CGP-12177 of 6 nm. Nonspecific binding was determined in the presence of 5 μm propranolol. Aliquots of membranes containing 20 μg protein from COS-7 cells cotransfected with β1and Gαs, β2and Gαs, or untransfected COS-7 cells were incubated (90 min, 25°C) in a total volume of 0.5 ml containing 6 nm [5,7-3H](−)CGP-12177, with or without 5 μm propranolol, 50 mm Tris, and 10 mm MgCl2(pH 7.4). After the 90-min incubation, reactions were applied to prewetted Whatman GF/B filters using a Brandel cell harvester (Gaithersburg, MD) and washed three times with 10 ml Tris, 50 mm, pH 7.4, and 10 mm MgCl2. Bound radioactivity on the filters was quantified by scintillation counting. For physiologic studies of permeabilized airway smooth muscle strips in the superfusion apparatus, halothane was added to the aqueous buffers via a calibrated halothane vaporizer by vigorous aeration of the solutions as previously described.11,12,33 For biochemical studies of Gαsnucleotide exchange, saturated aqueous stocks of halothane were prepared and added directly to the reaction tubes in volumes that produced the desired final anesthetic concentration.34–37 To account for the unavoidable rapid loss of halothane upon mixing in the assay tubes, tandem experiments were conducted under the same assay conditions where anesthetic concentrations were measured after hexane extraction by gas chromatography using an electron capture detector (Hewlett-Packard, Waltham, Massachusetts, model 5880A) according to the method of Van Dyke and Wood38 and previously used by our laboratory24,28,35,39,40 In preliminary studies, we found that after an initial loss of approximately 30% due to transfer and mixing, the amount of halothane in the reaction tube was relatively stable, with less than 5% additional loss during the longest assay time in this report (5 min). Effect of Halothane on Isoproterenol-induced Inhibition of Ca2+Sensitivity. An example of the experimental protocol is shown in figure 1. After permeabilization of a pair of strips obtained from the same animal, one strip was superfused with relaxing solution containing 0.73 ± 0.17 mm halothane (2.7 ± 0.7 MAC for pigs),37 which was maintained for the duration of the protocol. The second strip was not exposed to halothane and served as a control for the effect of isoproterenol on isometric force. Then, both strips were contracted by superfusion with solution containing 180 nm free Ca2+plus 1 μm GTP for 15 min, which, in preliminary studies, induced contractions (referred to hereafter as “initial force”) of 40–50% of maximal force that were stable for up to 2 h. Concentrations of GTP less than 5 μm do not induce changes in isometric force induced by free Ca2+alone (preliminary data not shown). Finally, concentration–response curves were generated for isoproterenol (0.1–100 μm) with both strips during constant activation with 180 nm free Ca2+plus 1 μm GTP by increasing the isoproterenol concentration in the superfusate every 15 min. The effect of isoproterenol on isometric force is expressed as a percentage of the initial forces induced by 180 nm free Ca2+. Fig. 1. Representative tracings of the experimental protocol designed to determine the effect of halothane on isoproterenol-induced inhibition of isometric force in porcine tracheal smooth muscle strips permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin. See text for description of the experimental protocol . Effect of Isoproterenol on Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP Exchange. These studies were conducted to determine the time course for [35S]GTPγS incorporation into Gαsand the concentrations of isoproterenol that produce half-maximal or maximal promotion of Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange. These data were then used to guide the design of subsequent protocols to examine the effect of halothane on Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange. To determine the time course for Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange, crude membrane prepared from β1–Gαsor β2–Gαscotransfected COS-7 cells were incubated for 5 min without (for basal [35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange measurements) or with (for isoproterenol-promoted [35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange) 10 nm isoproterenol, and then the reactions were initiated with [35S]GTPγS. The reactions were terminated after 1, 2, 5, or 10 min, and then the samples were subjected to the immunoprecipitation step of the assay. To determine the isoproterenol concentration that produced half-maximal and maximal promotion of Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange, crude membrane prepared from β1–Gαsor β1–Gαscotransfected COS-7 cells were incubated without or with various concentrations of isoproterenol (0.01–1,000 nm) for 5 min. The reactions were then terminated 10 min after initiation with [35S]GTPγS, and the samples were subjected to the immunoprecipitation step of the assay. The isoproterenol-promoted increase in Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was expressed as a percentage of the difference between the basal exchange values (measured in the absence of isoproterenol) and those measured in the presence of the isoproterenol concentration that produced the maximal effect. Characterization of GαsNucleotide Exchange Assay. To determine the dependence of isoproterenol-promoted Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange on expression of the human β1or β2adrenergic receptor (referred hereafter as β1or β2, respectively), measurements were made using crude membrane prepared from COS-7 cells transfected with cDNA for human Gαsonly, or cotransfected with the cDNAs for β1and Gαs, or β2and Gαs. The crude membrane was incubated with or without 10 nm isoproterenol for 5 min, and then the reactions were initiated with [35S]GTPγS. The reactions were terminated after 5 min, and the samples were subjected to the immunoprecipitation step of the assay. Effect of Halothane on [35S]GTPγS–GDP Exchange. Crude membrane prepared from β1–Gαsor β2–Gαscotransfected COS-7 cells were incubated without or with 10 nm isoproterenol for 5 min. Then, the samples were incubated with 0.75 or 1.5 mm halothane (approximately 2.8 and 5.6 MAC for pigs, respectively)37 for an additional 5 min, and the reactions were initiated with [35S]GTPγS. Finally, the reactions were terminated after 5 min, and the samples were subjected to the immunoprecipitation step of the assay. The cDNAs for the human β1and β2receptors and human Gαsin the expression vector plasmic cDNA 3.1 were obtained from the University of Missouri-Rolla cDNA Resource Center.1Adenosine-5′-triphosphate disodium salt was purchased from Research Organics, Inc. (Cleveland, OH). Halothane was purchased from Ayerst Laboratories, Inc. (New York, NY). Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin and rabbit nonimmune serums were purchased from Calbiochem (EMD Biosciences, Inc. Affiliate, San Diego, CA). The Gαsrabbit polyclonal antiserum was produced by Covance Research Products (Denver, PA) using a synthetic decapeptide that corresponds to the carboxy-terminal sequence for human Gαs(RMHLRQYELL). This antiserum is highly specific for Gαsand does not cross-react with recombinant, purified Gαior Gαqprotein. Protein A-agarose beads were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, CA). Lowry protein assay kits were purchased from Bio-Rad Life Science Research Produces (Hercules, CA). All other chemicals were purchased from Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, MO). A23187 was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (0.05% final concentration). All other drugs and chemicals were prepared in distilled, filtered water. Data are reported as mean ± SD; n represents the number of animals studied or independent times an assay was performed. For concentration–response curves, EC50and maximal agonist concentrations were determined by nonlinear regression analysis as described by Meddings et al. 44 In this method, a dependent variable (y ), such as isometric force or Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange, for any concentration of drug (c ) is given by the equation y =vc /(EC50+c ), where v represents the maximal response and EC50represents the concentration that produces a half-maximal response for that drug. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to fit values of v and EC50to data for y and c for each condition studied. For the time course curves, the data for Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange were fit with the equation y =a (1 −e −kt ) using nonlinear least squares fitting. The independent variable is time (t ), the dependent variable is the amount of [35S]GTPγS-bound Gαsimmunoprecipitated from solution (y ), the parameter k is the rate of Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange, and the parameter a vertically scales the curve and is the maximal value. Repeated-measures analysis of variance with post hoc testing performed using the Student-Newman-Keuls test was used to compare values of k and a and to determine the effect of halothane Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange. For all statistical comparisons, a value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. Increasing the free Ca2+concentration in the superfusate from 1 to 180 nm in the presence of 1 μm GTP caused a sustained increase in isometric force to 47.7 ± 9.3% of maximal force induced by 10 μm free Ca2+(fig. 1). The presence 0.73 ± 0.17 mm (2.7 ± 0.7 MAC) halothane in the superfusate had no significant effect on this contraction (41.6 ± 9.6% of maximal isometric force; P = 0.40). The subsequent addition of isoproterenol to the superfusate caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of isometric force, which was not significantly attenuated by halothane (figs. 1 and 2). The EC50values for inhibition of Ca2+sensitivity by isoproterenol were 0.38 ± 0.15 and 0.25 ± 0.05 nm for curves generated in the absence and presence of halothane, respectively (P = 0.13). Likewise, there was no significant effect of halothane on maximal inhibition of Ca2+sensitivity by 100 μm isoproterenol (17.1 ± 4.3 and 13.2 ± 6.6% of initial force for curves generated in the absence or presence of halothane, respectively; P = 0.36). Fig. 2. Effect of halothane (0.73 ± 0.08 mm; 2.7 ± 0.9 minimum alveolar concentration) on isoproterenol-induced inhibition of isometric force in porcine tracheal smooth muscle permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin. See text for description of the experimental protocol, which is depicted in figure 1. Effect of isoproterenol on isometric force is expressed as a percentage of the initial force induced by 0.18 μm free Ca2+plus 1 μm GTP. Data are mean ± SD; n = 5 . In the absence of isoproterenol, membranes prepared from COS-7 cells cotransfected with β1–Gαs(fig. 3A) or β2–Gαs(fig. 3B) incorporated [35S]GTPγS into Gαsin a time-dependent manner with apparent rate constants of k appof 0.045 ± 0.054 and 0.053 ± 0.061 min−1, respectively. There was no significant difference in k appbetween the two preparations (P = 0.8), whereas the maximal exchange value, a , measured at 10 min was significantly greater with membrane prepared from the β2–Gαscotransfected cells (fig. 3). Fig. 3. Time-dependent change in exchange of the radioactive, nonhydrolyzable form of guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP), [35S]GTPγS, for guanosine-5′-diphosphate (GDP) ([35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange) at the α subunit of the Gsheterotrimeric G protein. Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was measured in the absence and presence of 10 nm isoproterenol using crude membranes prepared from COS-7 cells cotransfected with the complementary DNAs encoding for β1and Gαs (A ) or β2and Gαs (B ). The reactions were terminated 1, 2, 5, and 10 min after initiation of the assays with [35S]GTPγS. Data are mean ± SD; n = 4 . The presence of 10 nm isoproterenol in the assay buffer promoted Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange, increasing k appin both preparations by approximately fourfold to fivefold to 0.294 ± 0.024 and 0.351 ± 0.066 fmol/min for membranes prepared from β1–Gαsand β2–Gαscotransfected cells, respectively; these values were not significantly different (P = 0.25). The value of a was significantly greater in membrane prepared from the β2–Gαscotransfected cells, whereas the relative magnitude of the maximal increase in Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange above basal values was similar between the two preparations, approximately threefold. For both preparations, the isoproterenol-promoted increase in Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange above basal exchange was concentration dependent, with EC50values of 2.8 ± 0.4 and 2.4 ± 0.4 nm for membranes prepared from β1–Gαs(fig. 4A) and β2–Gαs(fig. 4B) cotransfected cells, respectively; these values were not significantly different (P = 0.39). Fig. 4. Concentration-dependent effect of isoproterenol (ISO) on the exchange of the radioactive, nonhydrolyzable form of guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP), [35S]GTPγS, for guanosine-5′-diphosphate (GDP) ([35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange) at the α subunit of the Gsheterotrimeric G protein. Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was measured in crude membranes prepared from COS-7 cells cotransfected with the complementary DNAs encoding for β1and Gαs( A or β2and Gαs (B )). Assays were performed in the absence and presence of isoproterenol (0.01–1,000 nm), and the reactions were terminated 5 min after initiation of the assays with [35S]GTPγS. The isoproterenol-promoted increase in Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was expressed as the percentage of the difference between the values measured in the absence of isoproterenol and that measured in the presence of the isoproterenol concentration that produced the maximal effect. Data are mean ± SD; n = 4. The endogenous levels of β1/β2receptor in the crude membranes prepared from untransfected COS-7 cells were insignificant, expressed at levels barely above the nonspecific background of the assay (< 30 fmol/mg protein). The amount of β1or β2receptor in the crude membranes prepared from COS-7 cells cotransfected with β1–Gαsor β2–Gαswere similar (approximately 15 pmol/mg protein each). In membranes prepared from COS-7 cells transfected with the cDNA for Gαsonly, a significant increase in Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was measured above that of the nonspecific background measurements (data not shown). This increase in Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was not promoted by the inclusion of 10 nm isoproterenol in the assay buffer (fig. 5). This was also true in studies using membranes prepared from COS-7 cells transfected with the β1or β2receptors only (i.e. , no Gαstransfection; preliminary data not shown). In membranes prepared from COS-7 cells cotransfected with β1and Gαsor β2and Gαs, Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange in the absence of isoproterenol was significantly greater than that measured in membranes prepared from Gαs-only transfected cells. The inclusion of 10 nm isoproterenol in the assay buffer caused an additional approximately threefold increase in the magnitude of this exchange with both membrane preparations (fig. 5). Fig. 5. Effect of isoproterenol on the exchange of the radioactive, nonhydrolyzable form of guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP), [35S]GTPγS, for guanosine-5′-diphosphate (GDP) ([35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange) at the α subunit of the Gsheterotrimeric G protein. Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was measured in crude membranes prepared from COS-7 cells transfected with the complementary DNAs encoding for Gαsonly, or β1and Gαs, or β2and Gαs. Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was measured in the absence or presence of 10 nm isoproterenol. The reactions were terminated 5 min after initiation of the assays with [35S]GTPγS. Data are mean ± SD; n = 3. * Significant difference from Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange measured using crude membranes prepared from COS-7 cells transfected with the complementary DNAs encoding for the Gαsonly. † Significant difference from Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange measured in the absence of isoproterenol (basal exchange) . The presence of 2.8 (fig. 6A) or 5.6 (fig. 6B) MAC halothane in the assay had no significant effect on Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange when the assays were performed in the absence of isoproterenol with either the β1–Gαsor β2–Gαsmembrane preparation. In crude membrane prepared from β2–Gαscotransfected cells, the presence of 5.6 MAC halothane in the assay significantly inhibited the increase in [35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange promoted by 10 nm isoproterenol, although only by approximately 15% of control (fig. 7). The presence of 2.8 MAC halothane in the assay had no significant effect on isoproterenol-promoted Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange. By contrast, halothane was significantly more effective in inhibiting the isoproterenol-stimulated incorporation of [35S]GTPγS into Gαswhen the assays were performed with the β1–Gαsmembrane preparation. In these assays, halothane caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of isoproterenol-promoted Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange (fig. 7). These effects were significantly greater at both 2.8 and 5.6 MAC halothane compared with measurements performed with membrane prepared from β2–Gαscotransfected cells. Fig. 6. Effect of 0.75 mm (approximately 2.8 minimum alveolar concentration; A ) or 1.5 mm (approximately 5.6 minimum alveolar concentration; B ) halothane on the exchange of the radioactive, nonhydrolyzable form of guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP), [35S]GTPγS, for guanosine-5′-diphosphate (GDP) ([35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange) at the α subunit of the Gsheterotrimeric G protein. Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was measured in the absence of isoproterenol using crude membranes prepared from COS-7 cells cotransfected with the complementary DNAs encoding for β1and Gαs (A ) or β2and Gαs (B ). The reactions were terminated 5 min after initiation of the assays with [35S]GTPγS. Data are mean ± SD; n = 9 . Fig. 7. Effect of 0.75 mm (approximately 2.8 minimum alveolar concentration) or 1.5 mm (approximately 5.6 minimum alveolar concentration) halothane on the exchange of the radioactive, nonhydrolyzable form of guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP), [35S]GTPγS, for guanosine-5|′-diphosphate (GDP) ([35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange) at the α subunit of the Gsheterotrimeric G protein. Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was measured in the presence of 10 nm isoproterenol (ISO) using crude membranes prepared from COS-7 cells cotransfected with the complementary DNAs encoding for β1and Gαs, or β2and Gαs. The isoproterenol-promoted increase in Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange was expressed as the percentage of the difference between the values measured in the absence of isoproterenol or halothane, and that measured in the presence of the 10 nm isoproterenol. The reactions were terminated 5 min after initiation of the assays with [35S]GTPγS. Data are mean ± SD; n = 9. * Significant difference from Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange measured in the absence of halothane. † Significant difference from Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange measured at the same halothane concentration in membranes prepared from COS-7 cells cotransfected with the complementary DNAs encoding for β1and Gαs . The major finding of this study is that halothane does not inhibit the biochemical coupling of the β2-receptor to its cognate heterotrimeric G protein, Gαs. This finding is consistent with the observation that halothane also had no effect on isoproterenol-induced inhibition of Ca2+sensitivity in airway smooth muscle. To more directly assess whether halothane inhibits β2receptor coupling to Gαs, we used both a physiologic and a biochemical model (the permeabilized airway smooth muscle model and the Gαsnucleotide exchange assay, respectively). In contrast to studies of living animals or intact, isolated tissue, the experimental protocol using the permeabilized airway smooth muscle model minimized the possible confounding influence of halothane effects on other systems, because halothane has no effect on isometric force in this preparation when induced by free Ca2+alone19,22,24,26,39,41; this was confirmed in the current study (fig. 1). Using these experimental models, approximately 2.8 MAC halothane had no significant effect on the decrease in Ca2+sensitivity induced by isoproterenol. In addition, there was no effect of 2.8 MAC halothane on Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange when measured either in the absence or presence of isoproterenol using membranes prepared from β2–Gαstransfected COS-7 cells. These results are consistent with a ligand binding study of human lymphocytes (which express predominantly β2receptors) showing that the β2receptor and a measure of its immediate interactions with the Gsheterotrimer (i.e. , high-affinity ligand binding) were largely unaffected by halothane.48 There was a small but statistically significant effect of 5.6 MAC halothane on isoproterenol-promoted Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange, but this concentration is beyond that achieved during the management of severe bronchospasm. It is plausible that the conflicting observations on the effects of halothane seen in physiologic studies15,16 may be due to differences in indirect effects on the β2receptor as proposed by Saito et al. ,49 including halothane-induced β2-receptor phosphorylation and desensitization via activation of intracellular receptor kinases. The results of our nucleotide exchange assays showing differences in the sensitivity to halothane of isoproterenol-promoted coupling of β1compared with β2coupling to Gαsmay have mechanistic implications for the effects of volatile anesthetics on heptahelical receptor–heterotrimeric G protein complexes. We observed an approximately threefold greater inhibition of β1–Gαscoupling at both halothane concentrations. An early radioligand binding study by Bohm et al. 50 demonstrated that 1–2 MAC halothane inhibited high-affinity binding (i.e. , the active receptor conformation) of isoproterenol to the β1receptor in human myocardial membranes but had a minimal effect on low-affinity ligand binding determined in the presence of 100 μm of the GTP analog GPP(NH)P. These results were interpreted as an inhibitory effect on β1receptor–Gsheterotrimer interaction without a direct effect on the receptor itself. In a more detailed competitive radioligand binding study on membranes prepared from cardiac myocytes, 1–2.8 MAC halothane, in a concentration-dependent manner, also significantly reduced the percentage of receptors in the high-affinity conformation.20 However, contrary to the study of Bohm et al. , this study found that halothane also inhibited isoproterenol affinity in the presence of GPP(NH)P (i.e. , also inhibited low-affinity ligand binding). The fact that an effect was seen in the presence of GPP(NH)P would seem to indicate a direct effect of halothane on the β1receptor conformation independent of the Gsheterotrimer. However, care must be taken when interpreting allosteric effects on competitive binding assays, because an unnoticed effect of halothane on the radiolabeled antagonist binding can lead to incorrect conclusions about the contribution of the G-protein heterotrimer to the effect. Our results clearly demonstrate an inhibitory effect of halothane (approximately 2.8 MAC) on isoproterenol-promoted Gαs[35S]GTPγS–GDP exchange in measurements made using membranes prepared from the β1–Gαscotransfected cells, as would be predicted from the previous radiolabeled ligand binding studies that showed halothane effects on high-affinity isoproterenol binding to the β1receptor.20,50 This inhibitory effect may be due to a direct effect on the β1receptor, as previously demonstrated for the rhodopsin receptor,51 or its local membrane environment. This type of receptor-dependent effect would be consistent with the apparent greater effect of halothane on β1versus β2receptor, which are both coupled Gαs, although a differential sensitivity of the β2receptor to a halothane effect on the Gsheterotrimer could also explain our results. Alternatively, it is possible that a unique anesthetic binding region created at the interface between the β-receptor isoform and Gαsconfers sensitivity to halothane. The clinical significance of the findings of this study is readily evident. The relative balance between the neurologic and hormonal mediators that induce airway smooth muscle constriction and relaxation determines airway smooth muscle tone. Numerous types of receptors mediate airway smooth muscle constriction, whereas the β-adrenergic receptor is the best-characterized receptor that mediates airway smooth muscle relaxation. Combined with the previous findings that halothane inhibits muscarinic receptor–heterotrimeric G protein coupling19,28 and hence the increase in Ca2+sensitivity and contraction of isolated airway smooth muscle induced by muscarinic receptor agonists,12–14,24,26,33,39–41 the current findings that β2receptor coupling to Gαsand hence the downstream signaling pathways that decreases Ca2+sensitivity is spared make volatile anesthetics an ideal therapeutic agent for the treatment of perioperative bronchospasm. Signaling systems that induce bronchoconstriction are attenuated, whereas β2receptor–mediated signaling induced by bronchodilators are unaffected by halothane. In summary, the current study provides evidence that concentrations of halothane typically achieved during treatment of acute perioperative bronchospasm or exacerbation of asthma do not prevent the biochemical coupling between the β2receptor and its associated heterotrimeric G protein, Gαs. This is supported by the physiologic studies showing that halothane had no effect on the inhibition of Ca2+sensitivity induced by isoproterenol and indicate that halothane would not prevent the efficacy of β2agonists when used to treat perioperative bronchospasm. Masao Hayashi, Sumedha G. Penheiter, Tetsuzo Nakayama, Alan R. Penheiter, David O. Warner, Keith A. Jones; Halothane Does Not Inhibit the Functional Coupling between the β2-Adrenergic Receptor and the GαsHeterotrimeric G Protein. Anesthesiology 2006;104(4):754-762.
2019-04-21T10:17:34Z
https://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=1923169
How often have you forgotton a name during a heavy pile up of chasers? Well for me it happens often, most liklely old age setting in I guess! Of course there are always the regular chasers and friends one remembers instantly, however sometimes there are those callsigns you just can’t put a name to. Maybe it’s a new or upgraded call or in the heat of the moment we forget who knows! Some would say “so what, just ask their name during the contact” True, however I find the pile up’s and the rhythm of the Summit activation tend to flow smoothly when you know the persons name. It becomes more personal for the contact too. Obviously I needed a solution to aid my memory, so I just compiled a list of names and callsigns from my activation log sheets. Ok job done, so now I need to record this information for quick recall. I thought of using an electronic device such as an ipad or a tablet maybe the phone. All good but now I would need to carry yet another piece of equipment to the summit and then try to use it whilst operating the radio equipment. Now we are talking about trying to do more than one task simultaniously. Hmmm, my usual operating position balancing the radio on a log or rock, sitting on the ground with a log sheet and clip board trying to write information whilst avoiding march flies and large ants is enough to do! Ahh its time for some old school technology, enter the good old double sided laminated name sheet. As you can see from the images, the SOTA name sheet is just a word document with some tables inserted. (Note: Not all Australian Chasers/Activators are on this list only the ones I have logged) I find the sheet handy for recalling names instantly and easier than trying to operate an additional electronic device during an activation. I also included the recommended Australian SOTA operating frequencies. The sheet will require updating when new contacts with chasers or activators are made . I often place an astrik in my activator log sheet next to a new contact, then update the SOTA name sheet when I enter the data for the activation, otherwise I write on the SOTA name sheet with a sharpie pen then update the word document, printing and laminating when the need arises. The SOTA name sheet has been developed for Australian call areas however it could be adapted for other countries or call areas. The file is included here in .doc and .docx format should you wish to modify it for you own use. Whilst I was making a SOTA name sheet, I decided to make a log sheet too. I managed to fit upto 30 contacts on the sheet, yes I know I’m old school but I do find it easier to write things down when trying to activate a summit. I am interested in any suggested modifications or improvements you may have, please feel free to download the documents and make changes as required. Sunday morning at Diner Plain and the rain was still bucketing down, nothing to do but cook breakfast (fruit toast) and try to salvage the day. Since it was no longer possible to gain access to the nearby summits, I decided to take a drive towards Omeo about 40Km from Diner Plain. I reluctantly packed the SOTA equipment and set off at 11:00am. About 12 Km from Omeo the weather started to clear, there was light rain however I could see the clouds dissipating, my luck was about to change. A quick check of the GPS showed I was close to VK3/VG045 Mt. Livingstone. I set the GPS to track towards the summit and continued. Mt. Livingstone road runs off the Great Alpine road B500. It is approximately 8km from OMEO. I turned onto the gravel road and drove until reaching a locked access gate, 4WD was not required . I parked at a small clearing to the right of the gate. The road continues from the gate for 500 metres as gravel, then the remaining kilometre is bitumen. Nearing halfway towards the summit there is the first of the navigational beacons, a low frequency NDB. At the summit the road divides around the VOR site. As it happens this is a great location to setup the SOTA station, it’s within the activation zone and far enough from the VOR equipment to prevent interference. Perfect! A handy post to strap the squiddy with a seat and operating bench. This site also supports the local UHF CB repeater and mobile phone transmitters. There are plenty of RF noise generators nearby. Fortunately the location for my SOTA shack had very little noise. After setting up, I heard Peter VK3PF working a pile up, I immediately thought there was an opportunity for a S2S contact, however as it happened Peter was activating a National park not a summit. After contacting Peter, I moved to another frequency and it wasn’t long before I made a S2S contact with Allen VK3HRA/P on VK3/VG-029 Mt. Seldom Seen, followed a little later by Adam VK2YK/P on VK2/HU-024. I managed another 9 contacts before the activity died out. Having now activated four out of a possible ten planned summits for the weekend, I was reasonably happy especially since the weather conditions had been so poor. After packing up I walked back to the vehicle (1.5Km) and drove on to OMEO for some lunch. There is a great Bakery at Omeo, what can I say? Thank goodness for SOTA and all the walking! OMEO would make an ideal base camp for a weekend of SOTA activity. There are many summits within easy reach of the town. One such summit is Sam Hill. Leaving Omeo the Great Alpine Road (B500) turns to the right, at this point I continued straight ahead along Day Avenue until meeting the Omeo Highway (C543.) Approximately 2km along the Omeo Highway, Connelys Road appears on the left. Unfortunately not realising Connelys Road would take me to the summit, I continued a further 9km until reaching the Bingo-Tice Road. I took the Bingo-Tice gravel road and followed it for 3.3km where I came to the first of five property gates. This is a gazetted road, asking permission to drive through the properties is not required. Just remember to leave the gates as you found them. I continued passing through gates at the 3.9, 4.8, 6.4, and 7.6km marks. Finally at 1.2km past the last gate I found the access road to the summit on my left. View looking towards summit access road. A fire wood collection sign marks the start of the track to the summit. Driving along the track for 600m, I came to a Y in the road and a large tree. This is the intersection with Connely’s Road. A left turn and a further 900m travel took me to the summit. The site is equipped with two fire watch towers and plenty of communications antennas. The shack at the shack! Leaving the summit I made my way back to the Omeo Highway. Intersection at Omeo Highway, turned left towards Anglers Rest. It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Sam Hill along the Omeo Highway to the summit of the Knocker. The distance is only 54Km however the road consists of curves and hairpin bends most of the way. Once arriving at the hamlet of Glen Wills it is just 3km to the Summit access track. The track to the summit is an operational logging road, it is narrow with only a few places to pull over and allow trucks to pass. It’s advisable to use a UHF CB on Channel 40 to monitor the movement of logging trucks and call out your position. A 4wd vehicle is not required unless the track is wet. Fortunately the turn off to the summit is only 4km from the start of the track. When I arrived, the track had just been graded, it was like driving on a highway! From the link sign it is only 700m to the summit. I drove to the summit unloaded the equipment and then drove back 500m for a walk to the summit. I set up the shack attaching the antenna to the trig. The weather changed during the activation and became very foggy, however I managed 38 contacts and one Shack Sloth for Mike VK3XL congratulations Mike. Happy I had six summits activated for the weekend I headed back to Dinner Plain for the night. The Mountain was named The Knocker during the time before the road was built, Apparently horses would pull carts over the mountain and “Knock up” their knees! Monday morning, the last day of my long weekend. I decided to activate two summits on my way home. Heading back towards Mt. Hotham and along the Great Alpine Road, once again I turned onto the Twins Track. This time I was intending to make it all the way to Mt. Murray, with a stop along the way to activate VK3/VE-023. The track appeared to be in good condition and fairly dry considering the heavy rain of the previous two days. I wanted to investigate the camping area between the saddle of The Twins and VE-023. Once I passed by The Twins it was only a short drive to the camping area, really just a patch of grass between two summits! Actually this is a fairly good place to camp, close enough to climb two summits and access Mt. Murray comfortably in one day. Talk about a climb, VE-023 doesn’t look like much of a climb until you start! I could see a walking trail marker in front of the summit and decided to follow the track to the top. I think that was a mistake, it was quite steep and slippery with small rocks everywhere. To make matters worse, once I set up the shack I found the band conditions were very poor. I could only find 10 chasers that could hear me, some of the reports were down to 5 by 1. I did manage one S2S contact with Paul Vk5PAS/3 on VK3/VS-045 Mt. Dundas. To add insult to injury the return trip was difficult with many slips and trips whilst trying to stay upright. There may be a better way to the summit from further around the road. As I drove past on my way to Mt. Murray, I noticed a ridge heading toward the summit, it might be a longer walk however it would be easier on the legs. The drive to Mt. Murray takes about 40 minutes from the saddle of The Twins, or an hour from the Great Alpine road. Since there are steep inclines and declines to negotiate, a 4WD vehicle is required in all conditions. The track is narrow with only a few places to pull over and allow oncoming traffic to pass. Sign near the summit parking/camping area. The track ends at a car park/camping area some 500m from the summit cairn. Vehicle travel is restricted by a gate. It’s an easy walk to the summit, with great views all around. What a shame the weather was cloudy on the day. Looking toward the summit from the road gate. I set up the equipment and lashed the squiddy to a very loose pole wedged into the cairn. November 15, 2014 a mass SOTA activation had been organised for the weekend. What a great idea! It took me a micro second to decide I needed to participate. Good, but now I needed a plan of attack. My idea was to gain the best value for the weekend and activate as many summits as possible. I required summits I had not previously activated, that were close together and relatively easy to access. A quick check of SOTA mapping revealed a visit to the Victorian High Country may be in order. By my estimation, provided everything went to plan, I figured it would be feasible to activate 10 summits during a 3 day long weekend. I set about looking for a suitable location for camping and a base for the 3 day operation. I decided somewhere near Mt.Hotham would be a good place to base operations. A work colleague (4WD enthusiast) mentioned a location where he had camped a few years earlier, it was about 5Km along the Mt.Murray trail and in his words “Its between two hills with a fantastic view” After looking at a map of the area, I found the camp ground and the “two hills” he mentioned, which turned out to be SOTA summits, VK3/VE-017 The Twins and VK3/VE-023. From here there are five nearby summits, Sometimes you can get lucky! Armed with the directions and maps, I planned to set off for Victoria on the Friday after lunch to arrive in plenty of time to set up camp. The camp ground between two summits. A few days prior to my departure, the weather forecast predicted a cold front and thunderstorm activity across the state, conditions not favourable for camping. The high country is one place you definitely don’t want to be caught camping during bad weather, it can change from fine and sunny to gale force winds and freezing in an instant! Disappointed my luck finding a suitable camp location was short-lived I decided to try for accommodation plan B. Since Mt Hotham is a winter ski resort, there is an abundance of available accommodation especially during the Spring and Summer months. I managed to find an excellent well equipped and comfortable two-story apartment in the small hamlet of Dinner Plain. The price was very acceptable at $83 per night. Actually after being spoilt at this location I decided to stay again next year, “blow the camping!” Since camping was now off the agenda, I left my departure until later in the day. I travelled via Albury and stopped to stock up on food and supplies, as I pulled up in the car park of Wollies a 4WD vehicle identical to mine (Isuzu Dmax) parked next to me. I asked the driver (Dale) his opinion of the vehicle, this led to a enthusiastic conversation regarding all manner of things Isuzu 4WD related. During our conversation, Dale noticed my radio antennas and said he was friends with a ham operator but he could not remember his call.. At that point Dale phonned his friend who turned out to be Chris, VK2XHV and of course Chris and I had a phone contact on the 850Mhz band. Chris mentioned whilst he was not into SOTA his work colleague, Bernard VK2IB was very active. http://vk2ib.wordpress.com/ There you go what a small world! I did eventually arrive at Dinner Plain later in the evening and managed a good sleep. Saturday morning early, I headed off for Mt.Hotham a 14Km easy drive from Dinner Plain. Arriving at site, I left the vehicle at the carpark directly opposite the summit and proceeded to walk 500m across the road and up to the summit. Carpark with Mt Hotham in the background. I actvated the summit at 22:35Z ,First contact was Paul VK5PAS/p3 in the Lower Glennell National Park, followed by a S2s contact with Andrew VK1NAM/p2 on VK2/SM-036. Robbie, VK3EK/p called in later with another S2s contact from VK3/VG133. All chaser calls finished at 23:00, since I had a hour to changeover I decided to pack up and head back to the carpark and on to Mt. Loch. Back at the carpark it was time to head away from Mt.Hotham towards Mt.Loch. Upon arrival at the Mt.Loch carpark you are greeted by an information shelter. There is a day book where you can log the details of your journey. Date of travel, people in party, destination and expected time of return. The shelter has information regarding the type of trail, the grade of difficulty and the expected travel time. I had an easy 3.5Km, one hour walk to the summit. It would be great if all summits had such information! Information signs at the trail head and a suggestion box with Mt.Loch in the background. I walked around the snow making water storage area and continued along the track toward the summit. Along the trail there is a small monument dedicated to Charles Derrick. Nearing the summit only 900m to go! Looking toward the summit, still a small amount of snow laying around. Finally the track to the summit. Or so I thought! Actually this track has a small sign laying on the ground requesting people not access the summit via this route. I continued along the trail to another signpost which is closer to the summit cairn. A quick stroll up the rocks to reach the summit. My first contact (01:06z) was Andrew VK1NAM/p2 on summit VK2SM-033.Andrew had just completed his last contact and was moving on to 20metres. So he handed the frequency over to me, or was that threw me to the lions! Hi Hi. By this time of the day the bands were well and truly crawling with summit activations, National Park activations and of course chasers looking for both. I must say everybody was very courteous and patient taking their time to call in and log my activation. Congratulations to all operators. I managed S2S contacts with Robbie VK3EK on VK3/VG133, Phil VK3BHR on VK3/VN016, Peter VK3FALA on VK3/VG114, Ron VK3AFW on VK3VC/031, Ian VK3TCX on VK3/VG114,Bernard VK2IB on VK2/SC025, Peter VK3PF on VK3/VG153 and Tony VK3CAT on VK3/VC005. By the time all chasers and contacts had be exhausted is was 02:33Z. Time to pack up and try for another summit. On the way down I came across a black snake sunning itself on the trail. Once I approached it slithered away into some ground cover. After an hour I made it back to the carpark, signed out of the logbook and decided I would have time to access another summit. I loaded the equipment into the vehicle and headed toward The Twins trail. The Twins trail is about 10mins drive from the Mt.Loch car park along the Great Alpine road. The track appears to the left next to the Dargo High Plains road. There is a sharp switchback near the start of the trail. I followed the trail until reaching the National Parks gate. A 4WD vehicle is required. The trail is subjuct to seasonal road closures. The road is narrow and two vehicles have trouble passing easily. It’s always a good idea to carry UHF CB and call out on CH40 for oncoming vehicles. Since the trail was open I continued along the ridge until reaching the twins summit in front of me. I drove past the summit to my left until reaching a hairpin turn in the road. I parked here. At this point there is an old 4wd track leading up to the summit. There are many fallen treess across the track and it is quite a climb. I walked along this track until reaching the summit where the wind was in full force. Once on the summit I decided to head back down the activation zone to seek shelter from the wind. I managed to setup the squid pole on a nearby tree and set about activating at 06:22 Z. My first contact in the log was MAtt VK1MA followed by S2S contacts with Robbie VK3Ek on VK3/VG133, John VK2YW on VK2/SW015, Gerard (CW, he forgot his mic) on VK2/IL001, Andrew VK1NAM on VK2/SM053, Tony VK3CAT on VK3/VN030 and Peter VK3PF on VK3/VG041. A rather quick activation finishing at 06:51Z. The weather had started to change with light rain so after a good days activating it was time to head back down the track to the vehicle and home. Made it back to Dinner Plain just as the rain started bucketing down, wind squals were nasty too. It rained all night, the result, no access to wet trails and no ten summit activation weekend . At least I managed three summits before the rain. Satellite image for the 15th. Batteries for portable radio operation are always an interesting subject for discussion. I have been asked many times which batteries I use. My battery of choice for portable operation is the LiPo (Lithium-ion polymer ) battery. I find the 4 cell 5 Amp variety suits my situation very well. The operating voltage can be up to 16.5 volts with no load when fully charged. However the stated nominal operating voltage is 14.8V Most operators would be concerned these voltages may cause damage to sensitive 13.8v radio equipment. This is correct in some circumstances. I operate a Yaesu Ft-857 for SOTA activations, this is a radio designed for in vehicle operation where voltages may exceed 14.5v. The specifications for the FT-857 state the normal supply voltage is 13.8v +/- 15%. This equates to an operating voltage range of 11.73-15.87V. Even better for the FT-817 being specified at 8-16volts . Ok so I hear you say ” Your 16.5v battery is outside that range!” This is true, however by making use of a full wave bridge rectifier in circuit (I use a MDA3504, 35Amp 400piv variety) the voltage will be lowered by 1.2-1.4v. (remember silicon junction theory 101) There are two advantages, a lower voltage and polarity protection. Ensure you wire the rectifier correctly in circuit, the Battery wires are connected to the “AC” input terminals on the rectifier, Do not be concerned which battery wire connect to what “AC” terminal it makes no difference. However it is critical the Radio positive (RED) wire is connected to the + (positive) terminal of the rectifier and the Radio negative (BLACK) wire is connected to the – (negative) terminal of the rectifier. I recommend using an in line fuse between the rectifier and radio for protection. Once the bridge rectifier is in circuit the no load voltage is 15.1V from a fully charged LiPo battery. There are some heat losses via the rectifier however mine is mounted on a small heatsink and becomes luke warm at 100w output on SSB. I would not recommend a full duty cycle mode such as SSTV or FM for long periods at this output level. How long does this battery last on the FT-857? That depends on what output power is used. For my SOTA activations I set the output to 30% , (approximately 30w) at this level I have successfully activated 3 summits of about 20 contacts each and still had plenty of power left. There are precautions with LiPo batteries, they can be easily damaged by incorrect charging and balancing. They have also been known to catch fire under certain circumstances. I have not experienced any such issues with the batteries I use, however I follow the documented procedures for this type of battery. It is always a good idea to monitor the individual cell and combined voltage when using the battery. There are many voltage monitoring devices available for purchase, I use a fairly simple unit which emits a loud screech when the cell voltage reaches a pre set level. Mine is set to sound the warning when any cell reaches 3.5Volts. This setting will ensure the alarm sounds when the battery reaches less than 14 volts. The limit can be set lower, however I prefer to err on the side of caution maintaining the battery condition since replacement cost is not cheap. There are several brands and styles of LiPo battery available, I use the Turnigy brand, they have a very good reputation especially with the Radio Control crowd. I prefer to use the hard case variety, they are a little more robust out in the field. There are lower voltage (12.3v) 3 cell LiPo batteries available for those who want to connect directly to the radio equipment. Hobbyking is a good source for these batteries. I tend to avoid ebay as a source of cheap batteries, usually these batteries are cheap because they are older stock and have not been regularly charged so have degraded over time. Dealers who have a high turnover of stock do not have this problem. As can be seen here the battery voltage indicated is 16.4v and the display on the radio is 14.9v after the rectifier. Transmitting at full power (100w) reduces the voltage to 13.2v on peaks. The LiPo battery is able to provide bursts of high current when required, in some cases up to 30 times the charge current to 150A. Charging can be easily managed with the many charges available on line. The charger I use allows an input voltage of 13.8volt perfectly suited to charging batteries whilst driving between SOTA summits. Radio operating at full power with 13.2volts indicated. The battery recovers quickly after transmitting making it ideal for portable operation. In comparison to Sealed lead Acid batteries the LiPo battery is about quarter the weight for the same current, perfect for lugging to the top of summits! As always ensure you read the instructions and follow the precautions for using LiPo batteries with your equipment. One evening whilst looking for summits in my local region (Snowy Mountains) to activate, I noticed Mt. Tumanang appeared under the VK2/SM group on SOTA mapping. Although Mt. Tumanang is on the outskirts of the Snowy Mountains region and a long way from Tumut, I decided to attempt an activation. Not being familiar with the roads around that area, I decided to call Rod VK2TWR to ask if he knew which roads would allow access to the summit. Rod was very interested, he suggested a co-activation and access would be easy from the Anembo Rd. A few days later Rod and I met in Cooma where we left his vehicle parked safely at McDonalds, with local knowledge and an eager passenger on board we set off for the hills! From Cooma we drove along the Monaro Hwy for 62km to Michelago. At Michelago we took Burra Road over the railway crossing until turning right into Tinderry Road. After following Tinderry Road 26km, we met the intersection with Jerangle Road at Jingera. From Jingera we travelled the Jerangle Road for 5km until reaching Anembo, then turned right off Jerangle Road into Anembo road. Following Anembo road for 6km we met the junction of Bald Peak Road. The junction of Bald Peak Road and Anembo road. We stopped at the junction for smoko prior to turning left into Bald Peak road and entering the Tallagandra National Park. Once on Bald peak road we drove for about 700m before reaching another Tallagandra National Park sign and the Tumanang trail on the left. Note: Logging trucks use Bald peak road regularly, caution is required! The track requires 4wd in places along the way, there are two creek crossings, the first requires a bit of negotiation since there is a steep departure angle. At 9km in we met the Crowbilly Creek. Crowbilly Creek crossing, a steady flow about 400mm deep on the day. After crossing Crobilly creek the track started to climb for 4km to the summit. The track winds around the edge of the summit as it climbs passing the summit on the right. We drove past the summit to a point where the track turns toward the right. There is enough room to park at this point. Across the road is the start of a saddle up to the summit about 300m. An easy 20 minute walk. I placed a few rocks on a tree stump to mark the trail to the summit. The trig marker at the summit. Both Rod and I had enough chasers calling to allow the minimum 4 contacts each to claim the activation. A good day was had by all and we both agreed to return next year to re-activate the summit. I set myself a challenge to try and activate all three in one day. Starting with the hardest first and finishing on the easiest. The Tantangara road starts from the Snowy Mountains Highway 71Km from Cooma and 111KM from Tumut. The road is unsealed and can be quite potholed, however it has recently been graded. Starting out early I arrived at the Tantangara Road around 7:00Am on a cool but clear day. I drove along the road passing SM-036 and Blackfellows Hill, under the power lines several times until reaching the Tantangara Trail at 13Km from the Snowy Mountains Highway. I decided to leave the vehicle here since there is enough space to safely park off the road. The track winds up and across the ridge through a mix of wooded area and ground cover, there is a large cleared area on the way up which is a good place to rest. Nearing the summit a small amount of easy rock climbing/ negotiating was required. I managed to arrive at the summit after a leisurely 1 hour 40 min. stroll! There are two trig markers at the summit, the original laying on the ground and the replacement made of pipe. View towards Mt. Jagungal in the distance. A green canister at the summit, it contains visitors log entries. I was happy to make an addition to log right under VK2TWR and VK3PF. After descending from Mt. Nungar, I walked back to my vehicle and drove along the Tantangara Road back towards the Snowy Mountains Highway. At 6.3Km on the trip meter (6.7Km in from the Snowy Mountains Highway) I met the trail to “Wares Yard Camp Ground” on my right. Following this trail for 500m I arrived at the camp ground and car park. Wares Yard Camp Ground. I parked near the gate at the start of the trail. The start of the trail heading up to Black fellows Hill. I followed the bridle/MTB trail from the gate in a southerly direction towards a saddle after crossing a small creek. At the saddle the trail turns towards the northwest and climbs towards the summit to the north. As I approached the top of the ridge before turning toward the summit I discovered an old wooden trig, it is about 1KM from the summit. I continued towards the summit and set up near the highest point. I looked for a trig but could not find one. The shack setup at the summit. Tree stumps make very useful squid pole supports. After activating I descended back down the trail to the car park. Even though this summit is a fairly easy walk about an hour, My legs were starting to let me know I had done enough for the day, so now it was time to head for Tantangara Road and SM-036. A view of Mt.Nungar from near the summit. Travelling along the Tantangara Road for 1.6Km from the Wares Yard Camp Ground (5.1Km in from the Snowy Mountains Highway) I saw a track to my left at the top of the ridge heading toward SM-036. There is a yellow road safety sign at the track indicating “S” bends approaching. This track heads toward the North following the power lines after crossing under the power lines there is a 4wd track heading toward the ridge. I drove to a spot near the summit and walked the rest of the way. There are no trig points here and the summit is about 150m from the top of the track. I operated from the top of the track near some rocks and a fallen tree which is inside the activation zone. View from the summit and the fallen tree. After activation I headed back down to the vehicle and drove back to Tantangara Road and home to Tumut. The day was great and 30 points certainly made it all worth while. My legs were tired and I was please I had tackled the hardest summit first up especially when I was rewarded with the easy SM-036 at the end of the day. Having recently activated some tough summits in the Snowy Mountains area, it was time to allow my body to rest and recover. I decided the next summits attempted should be of an easier access variety. Looking into the mapping program it soon became apparent there were quite a few summits in my local region (Tumut) which have vehicle tracks nearby. The Brindabella Mountain area seemed like a good place to start. To make the most of daylight savings and the good weather I decided to activate 4 summits, any more would be a bonus. I planned to attempt VK2/SW-024, VK2/ST-005 Webb’s ridge, VK2/ST-004 Dingi Dingi Ridge and VK2/ST-003 Devils Peak. All of these summits appeared to be close to existing fire trails and fairly short walking distance for activation. I contacted Matt VK1MA to ask about access to Webb’s Ridge and that’s when the plans went out the window. Matt informed me the track to Webb’s ridge from the Tumut side; (Gentle Annie Trail) was quite hard going and suggested I try another trail for access. He also told me Devils peak would take quite some time and referred me to VK1NAM’s blog. Not to be discouraged and aided with some GPS information from Matt, I made a change of plans. A short drive along the Brindabella road from Tumut takes you to the first trail towards VK2/SW024 a summit about to be removed from SOTA since it does not meet the criteria (Advice from Ian VK1DI). The Top Flats road heads towards the summit, along the track there is an old fire trail which takes off left it is very overgrown and leads to the base of the summit. alternately stay on the Top flats road until you reach a large tree across the road. From either way there is a serious amount of walking and scrub bashing to reach the summit. After activation I returned to the Brindabella road and continued on towards the intersection with Mt. Franklin Road. From Tumut travelling along the Brindabella Road it takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach the intersection of Mt. Franklin road. At this intersection turn right and follow the road for 24Km until reaching the access road to Mt.Ginini. The road has several gates along the way which are usually closed during the winter months. There is a 30Km/h speed limit and the road is unsealed, it becomes narrow in places so proceed with caution as vehicles travelling the opposite direction may be encountered. There is parking available near the access road to the summit or if the gate is open there is parking at the summit. From the lower car park you can also access Mt. Gingera VK1/AC-002 it is a further 7Km walk along the road. To activate I walked around the back of the transmitting site and set up on two concrete bricks. There is a lower noise level at the rear of the building and a handy tree to attach the squid pole. I made several contacts just before 00:00 and then activated again after 00:00 UTC for the new day. After the activations I packed up and headed back towards the Brindabella Range. Back at the Brindabella road intersection I took the Two sticks road towards Mt.Coree. Two sticks road starts directly across from the Mt.Franklin road. Two tracks appear at the track head take the road to the right of the sign. The road is unsealed and has many potholes however the drive is easy and it’s not too long before Mt. Coree looms right in front of you. My first thoughts were “How am I going to get up there?” I did not have to wait too long until reaching the access track. A right turn off the Two Sticks road approximately 8.5 Km in from Brindabella Road. There is a nice picnic ground at the start of the track, a good place to stop and have smoko prior to heading up to the summit. The track up to the summit requires a vehicle with good ground clearance and 4WD. There are dangerous cliffs and no safety barriers. At the summit I attached the squid pole to a nearby structure and set up the shack on the rocks overlooking the cliff. This summit is a popular location, there were people visiting the site on a Monday! A few curious onlookers enquired about my activities. The Trig and Fire watch tower at the summit. From this summit I travelled back down the trail until meeting up with Two Sticks road and turned right towards Dingi Dingi Ridge. Continuing along the Two Sticks road from Mt.Coree trail for approximately 3KM I saw a track towards Devils Peak on the right and also found the Dingi Dingi fire trail to the left, following the Dingi Dingi fire trail I arrived at the intersection of Baldy Range Road. Taking the left hand trail I drove a short distance until finding a suitable location to park and access the summit. Dingi Dingi ridge is only a short walk to the summit however it involves a bit of scrub bashing through some wattle regrowth, towards the summit it thins out a little. I found a suitable clearing in the activation zone and set up the shack. Once the activation was complete I back tracked to the vehicle, it was at this point I decided to drive back to the nearby Baldy Range trail. From the intersection of Dingi Dingi Ridge trail I drove along the Baldy Range trail for a few kilometres until reaching Baldy Range. There are some spectacular views from this location, a shame it was a foggy day. The trail to Baldy Range is easy going with a few valleys and rocky outcrops along the way. A standard 4wd will make it easily. Having made it to this summit in a short time I decided to have a quick activation with the intent to try for VK2/ST-005 Webbs Ridge. I quickly set up the shack and antenna just inside the activation zone near the highest spot along the trail, after a few contacts I packed up and headed back along the trail to the Dingi Dingi trail. The Dingi Dingi trail is very steep and rocky in places and there are some sharp bends. I recommend using a vehicle with good ground clearance and low range 4WD to access Webbs Ridge via this track. I made it to Webbs ridge after what seemed to be a long time, however I managed to set up and activate the summit with just enough time to travel back the way I came. (Sorry no photos battery expired! 😦 ) One big day out with 6 summits activated! I will return next year and do it all over again, but next time I will miss SW024 and head for Devils peak instead. I would recommend activating Dingi Dingi ridge and then travel to Webbs Ridge before activating Baldy RAnge. Thanks to Matt VK1MA and VK1DI Ian for their information on these summits. From the Dingi Dingi fire trail it took me 1 hour 45 minutes to drive back home to Tumut. I had been looking at this summit for some time and finally managed to organise a day to make the assent. A small amount of planning was required since there are two river crossings involved. Not wanting to get too wet I decided (after a suggestion from Rod VK2TWR) to acquire some waders. I met Rod at the old Kiandra Court house off the Snowy Mountains Highway 90Km NW of Cooma. After some equipment swapping between vehicles we headed North on the Snowy Mountains Hwy towards Tumut for 11Km where we met the Bullocks Hill Fire Trail to the right. Taking the trail we travelled for 1km until reaching the first road gate, which is locked during winter. (May until long weekend in October) We continued on for another 4.7Km to the intersection of the Tantangra Creek and another locked gate. We had to park the vehicle here since this gate is always locked. Ok so now the first challenge, crossing the icy waters of Tantangra Creek. Time for the waders, (2nd challenge putting them on!) and making sure our packs are well secured. The creek was knee-deep with a reasonable flow and slippery rocks, even with waders the water was very cold on my legs, lucky it was only a short crossing. Once across the creek we decided to remove our waders, we were not keen on walking the trail wearing them. Across Tantangra Creek the track turns uphill towards the right and continues 200m to a Y in the road. At this point we took the trail to the left and walked another 1.6Km down to the Murrumbidgee River. There is a river gauging station and flying fox at this point. We walked along the river bank for 200m until we came to a bend and some shoals , a perfect spot to cross the river directly in front of the ridge heading up to the summit. Now challenge No.3, putting on wet waders and crossing the Murrumbidgee River. Again we were met with a steady flow and slippery rocks whilst crossing. This time after crossing the river we decided to leave the waders hanging in a small tree since they would not be required until the return trip. I marked the tree as a waypoint on the GPS just to make sure we would find it again. Rod could not resist taking this photo of me crossing the Mighty Murrumbidgee! Once across the Murrumbidgee we followed the ridge up and across to the bottom of the summit about 2Km. This summit is an old volcano and the ridge on the side of the rim is where we were heading for. Looking from the start of the ridge toward Mt Yarrangobilly in the distance. Then looking at the summit through the scrub. When we arrived at the top of the summit we were disappointed to find there was a further 2Km walk around the rim to make it to the highest point as indicated on the GPS. At the summit we were greeted with a great view of Blackfellows Hill and Mt Nungar . We setup the SOTA station, Rod kicked off at 23:50 and I followed at the new UTC day we contacted 15 chasers each,not too bad for a weekday. The antenna setup and operating position with the view across to MT Nungar. This description is part 2 of a three summit one day activation from Tumut. To continue from Tumorrama Hill to Wee Jasper, go back on Lee Archers road for 3.5Km until you meet Fairview road. At Fairview road turn left and head 800m towards Wee Jasper road. Turn right at Wee Jaspers road and continue for approximately 17Km to McPhersons Swamp Loop (Swamp Road) road on the right. Turn right into McPhersons Swamp Loop road and continue for 6.5km till reaching the intersection of Wee Jasper road. Turn right into Wee Jasper road and continue approximately 1.2Km to Pheasant Creek Rd. Turn left into this track, follow for approximately 1Km to a T intersection. The track is very muddy in wet weather use of 4wd is required. Turn right at the T intersection and follow for approximately 1.8Km a track will appear on your left. Take the track on your left and follow for 600m where there will be a Y junction. On your right will be a track into a pine Forrest take this track and follow for 1Km. There will be a sign in front of you (Hume & Hovell track) the summit Mt. Wee Jasper VK2/ ST-017 is a short 700m walk from here. For a more detailed description I suggest reading VK1NAM’s Blog on this summit. From Wee Jasper go back approximately 1Km to the intersection, turn left and continue to Pheasant Creek road. Turn right into Pheasant Creek road and continue approximately 2Km to Wee Jasper road. Turn right into Wee Jasper road and continue approximately 2.2Km to T intersection. Turn right and continue approximately 9Km to Nottingham Road. Enter Nottingham road and continue for approximately 18.5Km via the small hamlet Micalong Creek then a few mountain tops (One of them is High Cone VK2/ST-014 not enough time in one day for this one) finally a cattle grid entering the State Forrest and eventually reaching a point under the power lines near the summit. Nottingham road continues off to the right at this intersection. There is a track to the left of this sign which takes you to a CAA VOR Communications Site. Walk around the gate and up the ridge for 800m on the sealed road. The no trespassing or (human) interference refers to the site at the summit. It is an Air Services Australia site containing an operational VHF Omni Directional Radio Range There are active antennas on site which would be effected by human interference, the site is fully fenced to keep people out for safety. (VOR). This is a type of short-range radio navigation system for aircraft, enabling aircraft with a receiving unit to determine their position and stay on course by receiving radio signals transmitted by a network of fixed ground radio beacons. It uses frequencies in the very high frequency (VHF) band from 108 to 117.95 MHz. Reaching the summit you are greeted by more fencing and signs, I would recommend not transmitting on 6 or 2m from this site. I operated 40M only from the far rear of the site maintaining a suitable RF safe distance. There is a stump near the rear fence to attach the squid pole. A nice rock operating position is also nearby. There is also a nearby NDB site on Nottingham road, low frequency low power HF does not effect the VOR. I hope this information is useful for others.
2019-04-23T06:22:27Z
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Today with its 51 members of staff, the company based in Rapperswil-Jona, which went public in 2005, hosts 200,000 websites and 280,000 domains. The clientele of Switzerland's largest web hosting provider includes established businesses such as Swiss Post, Migros, Phonak, Diners Club and Hero as well as illustrious personalities such as Alex Frei and Chris von Rohr. Their foundations however are built on their many private customers. Hostway Corporation is a leader in Cloud, Managed, Web and Hybrid Hosting. Hostway delivers reliable, secure, and scalable Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) solutions to over 500,000 customers worldwide. Hostway has emerged as one of the largest cloud hosting and Infrastructure-as-a-Service providers in the world due to the company's expertise in developing secure, multi-tenant hosting environments and is committed to providing SMB's and large enterprises with cost effective business solutions. Hostway's core products include Managed Hosting, Cloud Hosting, Web Hosting, and Email and Applications. Founded in 1996, htp is a telecommunications provider for over 80,000 businesses and consumers in Germany's Niedersachsen region. With close to 200 people on staff the company serves the Hannover, Braunschweig and Hildesheim region. Founded in 1996 Hypermart provides shared web hosting solutions including additional value added services such as: domain name registrations, email accounts, e-commerce services and search engine optimization tools to personal and small business users. iG Empresas is the business unit of Internet Group S/A (iG) dedicated to provide web hosting services to SOHO and SMB markets. Internet Group is a 100% subsidiary of Brasil Telecom S.A. (BrT), a major Brazilian telecomunications company headquartered in the Brazilian capital. Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, the sixth most populous, and the seventh biggest country in Internet usage. With about one third of the region's population, Brazil is Latin America's largest telecoms market. Founded in the year 2000, IGNUM is a premium web hosting company serving 60,000 customers and managing over 170,000 registered domains in the Czech Republic. IGNUM established a new brand WEBHNED for its sitebuilder offering. Customers who do not wish to build a site themselves can also choose the "profi plus" package and have a WEBHNED designer create a professional website for them. Founded in 1991, Immowelt AG supports real estate industry professionals with innovative solutions and a comprehensive product range in all stages of marketing. The company's superior usability and first class support compliment it's strong provision of services. In 1996, Immowelt AG that currently has more than 270 employees launched the platform Immowelt.de which is now one of the most popular real estate portals on the Internet. Established in 2003, Interneto Vizija provides high-quality web hosting and domain services to more than 68,000 customers, making it the largest web hoster in Lithuania today. The company markets its sitebuilder offering under the company's new brand Dizaineriai.lt. Founded in 2001, IPOWER has established itself as a leader in the web hosting industry, providing a comprehensive suite of online services for small and medium-sized businesses worldwide. Its custom control panel, vDeck, offers access to more than 200 tools, features, and services, giving our customers a wide selection of web hosting applications available. IPOWER has seen tremendous growth, at one point being named to the Inc. 500 list, fueled both by word of mouth and by a competitive affiliate program. More than 1,000,000 customers from more than 100 countries depend on IPOWER's platform every day for speed, reliability, security and global reach. Established in 1997, Iskon broadband telecom is one of the leading alternative operators in Croatia. Since 2006 Iskon is fully owned by T-HT, the leading telecommunications service provider in Croatia. Today, Iskon is developing and offering alternative telecommunications services, telephony services and access to the Internet, which are based on a broadband access to the Internet. ITNet, headquartered in Milan, Italy, is one of the first companies to provide Internet services to customers in Italy and currently the second largest provider as I.T. specialist partner for WIND Telecommunications. They have been providing a wide variety of Internet (Web Hosting, Domain registration, technical infrastructure, storage) & Telecommunication services (SMS, ASP) to its customers since its establishment in 1994. They also provide I.T. infrastructure and storage solutions for telecommunication leaders, WIND Telecommunications. Since its foundation in 1998 Key-Systems has emerged as one of the leading European companies for the distribution and management of domains. The registrar administers more than 4.2 million internet addresses for more than 100,000 end and corporate customers and 2,000 resellers from more than 200 countries. Founded in 1997 Keyweb specializes in web hosting and networking technology and is one of the leading web hosters in Germany. Keyweb are one of the rare providers in Germany which built up their own data centers. The first Keyweb data centre was completed in 2004. Just three years later the second one followed suit. Both data centres fulfil the highest security requirements, are TÜV-certified and are monitored and looked after around the clock. Founded in 1998, Locaweb is a pioneer and leader in IT hosting services in Brazil. The company based in Sao Paulo has over 200.000 clients and 500.000 hosted domains, in addition to partnerships with more than 14.000 developers. Locaweb services are designed for everyone from the common user to major corporations through three business verticals: INTERNET, which offers the services of website hosting, domain registration, hosting reseller, e-mail services and e-mail marketing, e-commerce and infrastructure for audio and video streaming; DATA CENTER, offers Cloud Computing corporate solutions, dedicated servers and vault room, in addition to specialized IT outsourcing services. The area has over 3,500 clients, including companies of all sizes; COMMUNICATION, directed at the VoIP telephone service offer through Virtual PABX and Virtual Call Center services, currently with over 3,000 extensions installed. Loose Foot Computing Limited (LFC) has been in business since 1996 and hosting web sites since 1998. They provide innovative web hosting for tens of thousands of websites worldwide – powering businesses of all sizes in over 80 countries. In addition to shared web hosting, they also offer VPS hosting and colocation hosting services. As a regional, fixed network operator, NetCologne provides the economic area of Cologne, Bonn and Aachen (Germany) with future orientated communication technology. Products range from telephone services, Internet, cable TV and data services to complex corporate networks and custom-made telecommunications solutions. NetCologne is the largest regional telecommunications provider in Germany with approx. 387,000 telephony & internet customers, including DSL and broadband cable customers. The company employs 891 employees. Founded in 1998, Netfirms, Inc., provides web hosting solutions and technology to successful individuals, entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized business around the globe. The company has since grown to be one of the largest web hosting and domain name providers, powering more than 1.2 million websites around the globe. The NetNames Group is the largest and most trusted name in Europe for online brand protection and digital asset management and is a global leader in a sector that is growing strongly, fundamentally driven by increasing internet usage. During the past decade, it has acquired a network of leading brands, and has the resources, expertise and state-of-the-art technology to proactively safeguard IP and brand assets of global corporations. Established as Group NBT in 1995, the company was renamed NetNames in 2013, after the acquisition in 2011 by HgCapital. NetNames Group has supplemented its performance through a number of acquisitions which have grown its product offering, geographic reach and customer base. NetNames Group's brand portfolio today includes Ascio, Easily.co.uk and Speednames.com. Headquartered in London, NetNames' global network includes offices in Cambridge, Paris, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Zurich, Munich, New York and San Francisco. NetNames is responsible for managing and protecting online brands and domain names for international companies and hosting websites for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). NetNation Communications Inc. is a top-ranked Canadian web host and domain registrar with more than nine years experience in the industry and customers in over 130 countries. NetNation offer a wide range of shared web hosting solutions, including starter packages, e-commerce, media streaming, managed hosting, managed services and managed colocation services . Web developers can offer their clients a valuable service through our web hosting reseller program . They also provide domain name registration also through their wholly owned subsidiary, DomainPeople. Neubox entered the Mexican market in 2004 with the goal of doing things better than existing players and successfully introduced the concept of all-inclusive hosting. Today, the company is the second largest hosting provider in Mexico, hosting more than 60,000 websites and managing over 75,000 domains. NewMedia Express was founded in Singapore in 2002 and serves thousands of clients across different industries and consumer segments in Asia. Singapore is one of the first in the world to embark on a national effort that draws together commercial grid service providers to offer pay-per-use access to computing, storage and software facilities. NewMedia Express clients include National Library Board, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), Kentucky Fried Chicken Management Pte Ltd, Resorts World Sentosa Pte Ltd and Tiger Airways Singapore Pte Ltd. Nomer, headquartered in São Paulo, is Latin America's first ICANN-accredited domain name registrar and serves 30,000 clients including a growing SMB customer base. With 60,000 domains the company ranks among the ten largest domain name registrars in Brazil. Since 2009 Nomer belongs to Dualtec, a specialist for web applications and cloud solutions. NTT Communications Corporation, located in Tokyo, Japan, has licensed the CM4all WebsiteCreator through CM-AG's customer VERIO Inc. as a new OEM customer in Japan. NTT Communications is a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NYSE: NTT) - one of the world's largest telecommunications companies. Its world-class backbone network, combined with the networks of partner companies around the world, offers access to more than 200 countries. NTT Communications Group has more than 30 companies in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the Americas. Finland based Planeetta Internet Oy is one of the leading hosting providers in Northern Europe providing websites, web hosting, servers, e-mail services, e-commerce and domain names. Planeetta Internet Oy was established in 2002 and is currently providing services to over 20,000 websites. PowWeb was founded in 1999 with the creation and introduction of the first "all-inclusive" web package including every feature available at the time. Since then, PowWeb has established a leading position in the "low cost" web hosting industry by meeting the needs of small-to-medium sized businesses. PowWeb develops their own custom web hosting software tailored directly to their customers' needs. Their entire infrastructure has been built and developed in-house by their own programmers and developers and they manage, own and operate their entire network and all of their equipment. PureHost offers shared hosting as well as web marketing and site-management tools to more than 80,000 website owners world-wide. Established in 1997 the company is committed to provide customers with outstanding support and uptime, innovative technologies, and a "no-worries" hosting environment. This strategy is backed by a customer support team of close to 100 reps. ReadyHosting is a leader in Windows shared hosting, providing easy-to-use and reliable Windows-based web hosting solutions to their customers since 1997. They also offer their customers simple-to use Internet tool sets including email boxes, e-commerce and search engine optimization tools. StartLogic is a leading provider of web-hosting solutions and services for global business. Across the globe, businesses depend on StartLogic's easy-to-use, advanced and reliable load-balanced architecture, as well as responsive and knowledgeable customer service to power their online presence. The company serves over 50,000 customers who are supported by top-notch employees from all over the globe. Beside traditional hosting services the company also provides e-commerce solutions and security measures as well as SEO and value-added services at an affordable price. STRATO is one of the world's biggest hosting companies and offers professional quality products for individuals and growing businesses at a reasonable price. The product portfolio ranges from domains, email and hosting packages, to online storage, webshops, servers and high-end business solutions. Security is STRATO's first priority, which is backed up by reliability and a constant focus on quality. STRATO operates two TÜV certified data centers with a total of 55,000 servers handling four million domains from six countries. STRATO is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG. Founded in 2003, Sudespacho.net focuses on providing cloud services to vertical markets and is currently serving over 4,000 law, accounting and consulting firms in Spain, Brazil and across Latin America. In order to facilitate the migration of existing websites, sudespacho.net is handling the entire website creation process for its customers in a BIFM model. This allows users to simply take over a full-fledged website they can easily maintain and expand on their own. Sunrise is the only private telecommunications provider in Switzerland that covers the full range of telecommunications: Mobile, landline network, Internet and digital TV. Since its founding in 1996, Switzerland's second-largest provider with some 1800+ staff, offers are now used by some 3.3 million customers. The services of Sunrise cover the needs of both private households as well as those of businesses of all sizes. Sunrise is a brand of Sunrise Communications AG and emerged in 2001 from the merger of diAx and the former Sunrise. It is indirectly owned by funds advised by CVC Capital Partners - one of the world's leading private equity companies. Founded in 1981, CVC Capital Partners now has 20 branches and 250 employees in Europe, Asia and the US. SureWest Communications is one of the nation's leading integrated communications providers and is the bandwidth leader in the markets it serves. It offers bundled residential and commercial services that include IP-based digital and high-definition television, high-speed Internet, Voice over IP, and local and long distance telephone. SureWest currently has 130,000 residential subscribers and 15,700 commercial business subscribers in the Sacramento and Kansas City regions. It employs 600 people locally in Roseville. Headquartered in Northern California for more than 90 years, the company expanded into the Kansas City region in February 2008 with the acquisition of Everest Broadband, Inc. In 2012 SureWest Communications has been sold to Consolidated Communications for $340.9 million. Telefónica, S.A.U., with 43.4 million fixed telephony accesses and 13.5 million Internet and data accesses one of the world's biggest telcos and a leading company in the global telecommunications market. With headquarters in Spain and presence in 24 countries, the Spanish market leader employs 249,000 staff and provides access to more than 252 million customers worldwide. Telefónicas core activity is the operation of fixed, mobile and broadband telephony in Europe. Terra Networks S.A. is one of the world's largest Internet providers in South America. Terra Networks South American opens up a new target group of over 430 million residents in the countries of Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, República Dominicana, Columbia, Peru, Mexico and Venezuela. Tiscali S.p.A, founded in January 1998, following the liberalization of the telecommunication market in Italy has become one of the main alternative Telecommunication Operators in Europe. The Company has achieved a considerable international position through a number of targeted acquisitions, which led to a rapid expansion in the main European markets and permitted to build up an extensive IP network. Following the implementation of its DSL strategy and subsequent infrastructure's investments, to build its unbundling network (ULL), Tiscali - today focused in the Italian market - has reached a strategic position, thanks to its offer of innovative services and its strong brand. Unitymedia KabelBW headquartered in Cologne, is the leading cable network operator in Germany and a subsidiary of Liberty Global. Through its brands Unitymedia (North Rhine-Westphalia and Hessia) and Kabel BW (Baden-Württemberg) the company has access to 12.6 million households. The brand Unitymedia contains access to lucrative media offers and innovative telecommunication services such as digital and analog TV and Radio, attractive Pay-TV-offers as well as phone flatrate and high speed internet. Unitymedia KabelBW services a rapidly growing base of revenue generating units, which, as of 31. December 2014, totaled 7.1 million customers. Universo Online S.A. (UOL) operates as an online media portal and Internet company in Brazil and internationally. Since it was founded in 1996, UOL is a pioneer in the development of the Internet in Brazil. Today UOL provides local Internet access in more than 3,000 cities throughout Brazil and 29,000 cities abroad. The company has more than 2 million paying subscribers. Since September 1999, UOL has also operated a portal and Internet Service provider in Argentina. Its flagship portal in Brazil contains more than 1,000 channels of news, information, entertainment, and services, representing a total of more than seven million pages. UOL's extensive interactive platform offers communication products, VoIP, Internet communities, security and search engine, among others. UPC Austria is the largest cable television operator in Austria. UPC Austria provides digital & analog cable video, broadband internet, and digital voice (VoIP) services to 1.3 million service subscribers (RGUs) represented by 643,000 customers as of December 31, 2013. In cooperation with a third party mobile operator, UPC Austria also offers mobile telephony. In addition, UPC Business in Austria offers a range of voice, broadband internet, and data services to business customers and wholesale partners throughout Austria. UPC Austria's customers are primarily located in the capital city of Vienna, the regional capitals of Graz, Klagenfurt, Innsbruck, and Vorarlberg and two smaller cities. Verio is a recognized industry leader in delivering online business solutions to SMBs worldwide. Distributed through its network of OEM and viaVerio channel partners, Verio's solutions provide web hosting, application hosting and SaaS applications that enable SMBs to drive online success. Vodafone Mobile Systems GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of Vodafone Information Systems, and belongs to Vodafone Group Plc, Newbury. Vodafone Mobile Systems GmbH uses mobile solutions to optimally integrate its mobile employees into the company's communications activities. This enables access to the company's existing IT infrastructure with any mobile terminal equipment and creates ideal business conditions - anytime, anywhere. As one of the first hosting companies in Germany, Webhoster.de started offering web space on proprietary servers in 1996. Since then Webhoster.de provides SMBs with high quality hosting solutions always based on the latest technology, no matter if it is web space or dedicated servers. The company's portfolio also includes domain registration and comprehensive SEO services. Founded in 1998, Webhuset is one of the leading hosting providers in Norway today and operates two proprietary data centers across the country. Their main office is located in Bergen, Norway. Webland was founded in 1998, is one of the Swiss Internet pioneers and remains 100% Swiss-owned and still under the management of the original founders. Today the Swiss hosting company Webland AG ranks among the "top ten" of Switzerland's webhosting providers. Webland AG has its own redundant and up-to-date data centers in Basel and Münchenstein/BL. WestHost Inc., headquartered in Providence, Utah, has been offering quality web hosting services and superior customer support since 1998. In 2008 the UK2 Group, a large worldwide web hosting provider, acquired WestHost to expand its global presence. WestHost is located in Providence (near Logan) Utah, in the heart of beautiful Cache Valley. Logan is the home to Utah State University and many growing businesses that depend on quality Utah web hosting. Wingu Networks is a Mexican subsidiary of the global organization KIO Networks. It was founded in 2012 with the objective to provide cloud-based technology for small, medium and large organizations. In terms of webhosting the company acquired two companies: SuEmpresa.com and Xpress hosting and included them as seperate brands in their business portfolio. With more than 15 years of experience in domain registration and webhosting SuEmpresa.com has more than 60.000 customers. This brand offers the Cm4all SITES application on their SuEmpresa.com website. Founded in 1998, World4You is one of Austria's leading hosting providers, serving over 110,000 hosting customers and 200,000 domains with two redundant data centers in Linz and Vienna, Austria. ZOL Zimbabwe is Zimbabwe's leading Internet Service Provider and part of the Liquid Telecom Group. The company provides affordable, high-quality managed communication solution as well as fibre, broadband, VSAT and wireless Internet services to a large range of clients from multi-national enterprises to home users. Check out our case studies to learn about how our partners have made the most out of their CM4all websites.
2019-04-18T18:17:07Z
https://www.cm4all.com/en/partner/cm4all-oem-partners/
Bill Text - SB-1407 Court facilities: financing. An act to amend Section 6322.1 of the Business and Professions Code, to amend Sections 68085.1, 68085.3, 68085.4, 68086.1, 70372, 70374, 70375, 70391, 70603, 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70617, 70621, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70654, 70655, 70656, 70657, 70657.5, 70658, and 70670 of, and to add Sections 68085.45, 70371.5, 70371.6, 70373, and 70602 to, the Government Code, to amend Section 103470 of the Health and Safety Code, to amend Section 1463.010 of, and to amend, repeal, and add Section 1203.1d of, the Penal Code, to amend Section 7660 of the Probate Code, and to amend Sections 40611 and 42007.1 of the Vehicle Code, relating to court facilities. SB 1407, Perata. Court facilities: financing. (1) The Trial Court Facilities Act of 2002 establishes the State Court Facilities Construction Fund and provides that moneys in that fund may be used to acquire, rehabilitate, construct, or finance court facilities, as defined, and to implement trial court projects in designated counties, as specified. This bill would extend the purposes for which moneys in that fund may be used to include the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, replacement, leasing, or acquisition of court facilities. The bill would establish the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, the proceeds of which would be used for the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, renovation, replacement, or acquisition of court facilities, for the repayment of moneys appropriated for lease of court facilities pursuant to the issuance of lease-revenue bonds, and for the payment for lease or rental of court facilities. The bill would require the Judicial Council to collect and make available information regarding moneys in the account, as specified, and to make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for projects based on its determination that the need for a project is most immediate and critical, as specified. The bill would authorize the Judicial Council to acquire sites for the replacement of deficient court facilities in 4 specified counties. The bill would require any moneys remaining in, or that would otherwise be payable into, the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, to be transferred to the Controller for deposit into the State Trial Court Operations Trust Fund, as established by this bill, upon the retirement of any bonded indebtedness that may be incurred in connection with immediate and critical trial court projects, the proceeds of which would be available upon appropriation by the Legislature only for trial court operations. (2) Existing law provides that the Judicial Council, as the policymaking body for the judicial branch, shall have certain responsibilities and authorities with regard to court facilities, including to conduct audits of the collection of fees by the local courts, and to establish and consult with local project advisory groups on the construction of new trial court facilities. This bill would further authorize the Judicial Council to conduct audits of the collection of fees to be transmitted to the state for deposit in the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. The bill would include the local sheriff among those local project advisory groups with which the Judicial Council consults in the construction of new trial court facilities, as specified. (3) Existing law specifies various uniform fees for filing specified documents in connection with certain civil proceedings, including a fee schedule for filing a first petition or first account in connection with a trust or estate. Existing law also imposes a fee of $20 upon every conviction for a criminal offense, other than parking offenses, for funding of court security, and a fee of $10 for corrections of violations of license, registration, or mechanical requirements of the Vehicle Code. Supplemental penalties and fees are imposed upon specified parking offenses and persons ordered to attend traffic violator school. Existing law specifies the disposition of fines and forfeitures, and traffic violator fees, collected by the courts for crimes other than parking violations. This bill would generally increase those fees, and would impose an additional assessment upon every conviction for a criminal offense, but would eliminate the fee schedule for filing a first petition or first account in connection with a trust or estate and replace it with a set filing fee. The bill would eliminate certain exemptions from payment of filing fees in connection with an estate. The bill would impose a fee for filing in the superior court an application to appear as counsel pro hac vice. The bill would provide for a specified portion of all of those fees to be deposited into the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, as described in (1) above. The bill would make other conforming changes, and would declare the intent of the Legislature to establish a moratorium on increases in filing fees until January 1, 2012. (4) This bill would incorporate additional changes in Section 68085.1 of the Government Code proposed by AB 1873, to be operative if AB 1873 and this bill are both chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, and this bill is chaptered last. (5) This bill would incorporate additional changes in Sections 68085.3, 68085.4, 68086.1, 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70621, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70654, 70655, 70656, 70658, and 70670 of the Government Code, Section 103470 of the Health and Safety Code, and Section 7660 of the Probate Code, proposed by SB 1177, to be operative if SB 1177 and this bill are both chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, and this bill is chaptered last. (a) Until the end of the moratorium described in Section 70601 of the Government Code, the board of supervisors of any county may increase, as provided in this section, the amount distributed to its county law library fund from the uniform filing fees listed in Section 6321 whenever it determines that the increase is necessary to defray the expenses of the law library. (b) Distribution changes after January 1, 2008, shall be determined by the process described in Section 70601 of the Government Code. (c) (1) In an action or proceeding in which a claim for money damages falls within the monetary jurisdiction of the small claims court and is filed by an assignee who is prohibited from filing or maintaining a claim pursuant to Section 116.420 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the uniform filing fee shall be reduced by twenty-four dollars ($24) to one hundred seventy-six dollars ($176) if the complaint contains a declaration under penalty of perjury, executed by the party requesting the reduction in fees, that the case qualifies for the lower fee because the claim for money damages will not exceed the monetary jurisdiction of small claims court and is filed by an assignee of the claim. (3) Notwithstanding subdivision (d) of Section 68085.4 of the Government Code, when the uniform filing fee is reduced as provided in this subdivision, the amounts distributed to dispute resolution programs, the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, the Judges’ Retirement Fund, children’s waiting rooms, and the Equal Access Fund shall remain as provided under subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 68085.4 of the Government Code and shall not be changed. Only the amounts distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund, the law libraries, and the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund shall be adjusted. The amount distributed from each uniform filing fee under this section to the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5, shall be eleven dollars ($11). If the fee is further reduced below one hundred seventy-six dollars ($176), as with a partial waiver or partial payment, the proportional reductions described in subdivision (g) of Section 68085.1 of the Government Code shall apply. (d) Distributions under this section to the law library fund in each county shall be used only for the purposes authorized by this chapter. (e) As used in this section and Section 6321, “law library fund” includes a law library account described in the second paragraph of Section 6320. (1) Sections 177.5, 209, 403.060, 491.150, 631.3, 683.150, 704.750, 708.160, 724.100, 1134, 1161.2, 1218, and 1993.2 of, subdivision (g) of Section 411.20 and subdivisions (c) and (g) of Section 411.21 of, and Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 116.110) of Title 1 of Part 1 of, the Code of Civil Procedure. (2) Section 3112 of the Family Code. (3) Section 31622 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (4) Subdivision (d) of Section 6103.5, Sections 68086 and 68086.1, subdivision (d) of Section 68511.3, Sections 68926.1 and 69953.5, and Chapter 5.8 (commencing with Section 70600). (5) Section 103470 of the Health and Safety Code. (6) Subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 166 and Section 1214.1 of the Penal Code. (7) Sections 1835, 1851.5, 2343, 7660, and 13201 of the Probate Code. (8) Sections 14607.6 and 16373 of the Vehicle Code. (9) Section 71386 of this code, Sections 304, 7851.5, and 9002 of the Family Code, and Section 1513.1 of the Probate Code, if the reimbursement is for expenses incurred by the court. (10) Section 3153 of the Family Code, if the amount is paid to the court for the cost of counsel appointed by the court to represent a child. (b) On and after January 1, 2006, each superior court shall deposit all fees and fines listed in subdivision (a), as soon as practicable after collection and on a regular basis, into a bank account established for this purpose by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Upon direction of the Administrative Office of the Courts, the county shall deposit civil assessments under Section 1214.1 of the Penal Code and any other money it collects under the sections listed in subdivision (a) as soon as practicable after collection and on a regular basis into the bank account established for this purpose and specified by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The deposits shall be made as required by rules adopted by, and financial policies and procedures authorized by, the Judicial Council under subdivision (a) of Section 77206. Within 15 days after the end of the month in which the fees and fines are collected, each court, and each county that collects any fines or fees under subdivision (a), shall provide the Administrative Office of the Courts with a report of the fees by categories as specified by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Administrative Office of the Courts and any court may agree upon a time period greater than 15 days, but in no case more than 30 days after the end of the month in which the fees and fines are collected. The fees and fines listed in subdivision (a) shall be distributed as provided in this section. (A) To the small claims advisory services, as described in subdivision (f) of Section 116.230 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (B) To dispute resolution programs, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 68085.3 and subdivision (b) of Section 68085.4. (C) To the county law library funds, as described in Sections 116.230 and 116.760 of the Code of Civil Procedure, subdivision (b) of Section 68085.3, subdivision (b) of Section 68085.4, and Section 70621 of this code, and Section 14607.6 of the Vehicle Code. (D) To the courthouse construction funds in the Counties of Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Francisco, as described in Sections 70622, 70624, and 70625. (2) If any distribution under this subdivision is delinquent, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall add a penalty to the distribution as specified in subdivision (i). (d) Within 45 calendar days after the end of the month in which the fees and fines listed in subdivision (a) are collected, the amounts remaining after the distributions in subdivision (c) shall be transmitted to the State Treasury for deposit in the Trial Court Trust Fund and other funds as required by law. This remittance shall be accompanied by a remittance advice identifying the collection month and the appropriate account in the Trial Court Trust Fund or other fund to which it is to be deposited. Upon the receipt of any delinquent payment required under this subdivision, the Controller shall calculate a penalty as provided under subdivision (i). (1) Into the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, the Judges’ Retirement Fund, and the Equal Access Fund, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 68085.3 and subdivision (c) of Section 68085.4. (2) Into the Health Statistics Special Fund, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 70670 of this code and Section 103730 of the Health and Safety Code. (3) Into the Family Law Trust Fund, as described in Section 70674. (4) Into the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5, as described in Sections 68085.3, 68085.4, and 70657.5, and subdivision (e) of Section 70617. (5) The remainder of the money shall be deposited into the Trial Court Trust Fund. (f) The amounts collected by each superior court under Section 116.232, subdivision (g) of Section 411.20, and subdivision (g) of Section 411.21 of the Code of Civil Procedure, Sections 304, 3112, 3153, 7851.5, and 9002 of the Family Code, subdivision (d) of Section 6103.5, subdivision (d) of Section 68511.3 and Sections 68926.1, 69953.5, 70627, 70631, 70640, 70661, 70678, and 71386 of this code, and Sections 1513.1, 1835, 1851.5, and 2343 of the Probate Code shall be added to the monthly apportionment for that court under subdivision (a) of Section 68085. (g) If any of the fees provided in subdivision (a) are partially waived by court order or otherwise reduced, and the fee is to be divided between the Trial Court Trust Fund and any other fund or account, the amount of the reduction shall be deducted from the amount to be distributed to each fund in the same proportion as the amount of each distribution bears to the total amount of the fee. If the fee is paid by installment payments, the amount distributed to each fund or account from each installment shall bear the same proportion to the installment payment as the full distribution to that fund or account does to the full fee. If a court collects a fee that was incurred before January 1, 2006, under a provision that was the predecessor to one of the paragraphs contained in subdivision (a), the fee may be deposited as if it were collected under the paragraph of subdivision (a) that corresponds to the predecessor of that paragraph and distributed in prorated amounts to each fund or account to which the fee in subdivision (a) must be distributed. (h) Except as provided in Sections 470.5 and 6322.1 of the Business and Professions Code, and Sections 70622, 70624, and 70625 of this code, no agency may take action to change the amounts allocated to any of the funds described in subdivision (c), (d), or (e). (i) The amount of the penalty on any delinquent payment under subdivision (c) or (d) shall be calculated by multiplying the amount of the delinquent payment at a daily rate equivalent to 11/2 percent per month for the number of days the payment is delinquent. The penalty shall be paid from the Trial Court Trust Fund. Penalties on delinquent payments under subdivision (d) shall be calculated only on the amounts to be distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund and the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, and each penalty shall be distributed proportionately to the funds to which the delinquent payment was to be distributed. (j) If a delinquent payment under subdivision (c) or (d) results from a delinquency by a superior court under subdivision (b), the court shall reimburse the Trial Court Trust Fund for the amount of the penalty. Notwithstanding Section 77009, any penalty on a delinquent payment that a court is required to reimburse pursuant to this section shall be paid from the court operations fund for that court. The penalty shall be paid by the court to the Trial Court Trust Fund no later than 45 days after the end of the month in which the penalty was calculated. If the penalty is not paid within the specified time, the Administrative Office of the Courts may reduce the amount of a subsequent monthly allocation to the court by the amount of the penalty on the delinquent payment. (k) If a delinquent payment under subdivision (c) or (d) results from a delinquency by a county in transmitting fees and fines listed in subdivision (a) to the bank account established for this purpose, as described in subdivision (b), the county shall reimburse the Trial Court Trust Fund for the amount of the penalty. The penalty shall be paid by the county to the Trial Court Trust Fund no later than 45 days after the end of the month in which the penalty was calculated. (9) Section 71386 of this code, Sections 304, 7851.5, and 9002 of the Family Code, Section 1513.1 of the Probate Code, and Section 903.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, if the reimbursement is for expenses incurred by the court. (a) Fees collected under Sections 70611, 70612, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, 70658, and 70670 shall be deposited in a bank account established by the Administrative Office of the Courts for deposit of fees collected by the courts. (1) To the county law library fund, the amount described in Sections 6321 and 6322.1 of the Business and Professions Code. (2) To the account to support dispute resolution programs, the amount described in Section 470.5 of the Business and Professions Code. (1) To the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, as provided in Article 6 (commencing with Section 70371) of Chapter 5.7, thirty-five dollars ($35). (2) To the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5, thirty dollars ($30), unless the fee is collected under Section 70658, in which case the amount distributed to that fund shall be one hundred seventy dollars ($170). (3) To the Judges’ Retirement Fund, as established in Section 75100, two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50). (4) To the Trial Court Trust Fund for use as part of the Equal Access Fund program administered by the Judicial Council, four dollars and eighty cents ($4.80). (5) To the Trial Court Trust Fund, as provided in Section 68085.1, the remainder of the fee. (d) If any of the fees listed in subdivision (a) are reduced or partially waived, the amount of the reduction or partial waiver shall be deducted from the amount to be distributed to each fund or account in the same proportion as the amount of each distribution bears to the total amount of the fee. (e) As used in this section, “law library fund” includes a law library account described in Section 6320 of the Business and Professions Code. (a) Fees collected under Sections 70613, 70614, 70621, 70654, and 70656 of this code, Section 103470 of the Health and Safety Code, and Section 7660 of the Probate Code shall be deposited in a bank account established by the Administrative Office of the Courts for deposit of fees collected by the courts. (1) To the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, as provided in Article 6 (commencing with Section 70371) of Chapter 5.7, twenty-five dollars ($25) if the fee is three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325), and twenty dollars ($20) if the fee is two hundred dollars ($200). (2) To the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5, twenty-five dollars ($25) if the fee is three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325), and twenty dollars ($20) if the fee is two hundred dollars ($200), except as otherwise provided in Section 6322.1 of the Business and Professions Code. (1) To the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, as provided in Article 6 (commencing with Section 70371) of Chapter 5.7, twenty-five dollars ($25) if the fee is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), and twenty dollars ($20) if the fee is two hundred five dollars ($205). (2) To the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5, twenty-five dollars ($25) if the fee is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), and twenty dollars ($20) if the fee is two hundred five dollars ($205), except as otherwise provided in Section 6322.1 of the Business and Professions Code. (a) There is hereby established the State Trial Court Operations Trust Fund. Upon the retirement of any bonded indebtedness that may be incurred in connection with immediate and critical trial court projects, any moneys remaining in, or that would otherwise be payable into, the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, shall be transferred to the Controller for deposit into the State Trial Court Operations Trust Fund. (b) The proceeds of the State Trial Court Operations Trust Fund shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, only for trial court operations as defined in Section 77003. (a) Commencing January 1, 2006, for each three-hundred-fifty-dollar ($350) fee collected under Section 70611, 70612, or 70670, twenty-five dollars ($25) of the amount distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund shall be used for services of an official court reporter in civil proceedings. (b) Commencing January 1, 2006, for each three-hundred-twenty-five-dollar ($325) fee collected under subdivision (a) of Section 70613 or subdivision (a) of Section 70614, twenty-five dollars ($25) of the amount distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund shall be used for services of an official court reporter in civil proceedings. (c) It is the intent of the Legislature, in approving the twenty-five-dollar ($25) distribution out of each filing fee listed in subdivisions (a) and (b), to continue an incentive to courts to use the services of an official court reporter in civil proceedings. However, nothing in this section shall affect the Judicial Council’s authority to allocate these revenues to replace reductions in the General Fund appropriation to the Trial Court Trust Fund. (a) Commencing January 1, 2006, for each three-hundred-fifty-five-dollar ($355) fee collected under Section 70611, 70612, or 70670, twenty-five dollars ($25) of the amount distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund shall be used for services of an official court reporter in civil proceedings. (b) Commencing January 1, 2006, for each three-hundred-thirty-dollar ($330) fee collected under subdivision (a) of Section 70613 or subdivision (a) of Section 70614, twenty-five dollars ($25) of the amount distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund shall be used for services of an official court reporter in civil proceedings. (1) The planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, renovation, replacement, or acquisition of court facilities. (2) Repayment for moneys appropriated for lease of court facilities pursuant to the issuance of lease-revenue bonds. (3) Payment for lease or rental of court facilities, including those made for facilities in which one or more private sector participants undertake some of the risks associated with the financing, design, construction, or operation of the facility. (b) Any moneys expended from the Immediate and Critical Needs Account are not subject to Section 77202. (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the money in the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund shall be used in part to pay the debt service of lease revenue bonds, notes, bond anticipation notes, or other appropriate financial instruments used to pay for the costs referred to in subdivision (a) in the amount of up to five billion dollars ($5,000,000,000). The total bonded indebtedness shall not exceed that amount for which fine and fee revenues may fully satisfy the debt service. (d) The Judicial Council shall collect and make available upon request information regarding the moneys deposited in the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund resulting from new and increased fees, assessments, and penalties authorized by the act that added this section. (e) (1) The Judicial Council shall make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for projects based on its determination that the need for a project is most immediate and critical using the then most recent version of the Prioritization Methodology for Trial Court Capital-Outlay Projects originally adopted on August 26, 2006. (A) Any economic opportunity that exists for a project. (B) The effect on available resources of using alternative methods of project delivery as provided by Section 70391.5. (3) Nothing in paragraph (2) shall authorize the Judicial Council to exceed the resources provided by the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Construction Fund, together with other available resources, in undertaking projects identified as immediate and critical needs. (4) As used in paragraph (2), “economic opportunity” includes, but is not limited to, free or reduced costs of land for new construction, viable financing partnerships with, or fund contributions by, other government entities or private parties that result in lower project delivery costs, cost savings resulting from adaptive reuse of existing facilities, operational efficiencies from consolidation of court calendars and operations, operational savings from sharing of facilities by more than one court, and building operational cost savings from consolidation of facilities. (5) The Judicial Council shall not consider and apply an economic opportunity in making a recommendation unless it is reasonably assured that the economic opportunity is viable and will be realized. If a project is selected for funding based on an economic opportunity that is withdrawn after the project is approved, the Judicial Council may cancel the project. The Judicial Council is authorized to acquire sites for the replacement of deficient court facilities within the Counties of Butte (New North County Courthouse), Los Angeles (New Southeast Los Angeles Courthouse), Tehama (New Red Bluff Courthouse), and Yolo (New Woodland Courthouse), as identified in the Immediate Needs Priority Group identified by the Judicial Branch Five-Year Infrastructure Plan, as adopted by the Judicial Council on April 25, 2008. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of Section 70375 and in this article, there shall be levied a state court construction penalty, in the amount of five dollars ($5) for every ten dollars ($10), or part of ten dollars ($10), upon every fine, penalty, or forfeiture imposed and collected by the courts for all criminal offenses, including, but not limited to, all offenses involving a violation of a section of the Fish and Game Code, the Health and Safety Code, or the Vehicle Code or any local ordinance adopted pursuant to the Vehicle Code. This penalty is in addition to any other state or local penalty, including, but not limited to, the penalty provided by Section 1464 of the Penal Code and Section 76000. (2) The amount of the court construction penalty may be reduced by a county as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 70375. (B) Any penalty authorized by Section 1464 of the Penal Code or Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 76000) of Title 8. (C) Any parking offense subject to Article 3 (commencing with Section 40200) of Chapter 1 of Division 17 of the Vehicle Code. (D) The state surcharge authorized by Section 1465.7 of the Penal Code. (4) Any bail schedule adopted pursuant to Section 1269b of the Penal Code or adopted by the Judicial Council pursuant to Section 40310 of the Vehicle Code may include the necessary amount to pay the penalty established by this section, the penalties authorized by Section 1464 of the Penal Code and Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 76000) of Title 8, and the surcharge authorized by Section 1465.7 of the Penal Code for all matters where a personal appearance is not mandatory and the bail is posted primarily to guarantee payment of the fine. After a determination by the court of the amount due, the clerk of the court shall collect the penalty and transmit it immediately to the county treasury and the county treasurer shall transmit these sums as provided in subdivision (f). (b) In addition to the penalty provided by subdivision (a), for every parking offense where a parking penalty, fine, or forfeiture is imposed, an added state court construction penalty of four dollars and fifty cents ($4.50) shall be included in the total penalty, fine, or forfeiture. These moneys shall be taken from fines and forfeitures deposited with the county treasurer prior to any division pursuant to Section 1462.3 or 1463.009 of the Penal Code. In those cities, districts, or other issuing agencies which elect to accept parking penalties, and otherwise process parking violations pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 40200) of Chapter 1 of Division 17 of the Vehicle Code, that city, district, or issuing agency shall observe the increased bail amounts as established by the court reflecting the added penalty provided for by this subdivision. Each agency that elects to process parking violations shall pay to the county treasurer four dollars and fifty cents ($4.50) for the parking penalty imposed by this subdivision for each violation that is not filed in court. Those payments to the county treasurer shall be made monthly, and the county treasurer shall transmit these sums as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f). (c) If multiple offenses are involved, the state court construction penalty under subdivision (a) shall be based upon the total fine or bail for each case. If a fine is suspended, in whole or in part, the state court construction penalty under subdivision (a) shall be reduced in proportion to the suspension. (d) If any deposited bail is made for an offense to which this section applies, and for which a court appearance is not mandatory, the person making the deposit shall also deposit a sufficient amount to include the state court construction penalty prescribed by subdivision (a) for forfeited bail. If bail is returned, the state court construction penalty paid thereon pursuant to subdivision (a) shall also be returned. (e) In any case where a person convicted of any offense, to which this section applies, is in prison until the fine is satisfied, the judge may waive all or any part of the state court construction penalty, the payment of which would work a hardship on the person convicted or his or her immediate family. (i) The numerator is the amount imposed as an additional penalty on every ten dollars ($10), or part of ten dollars ($10), upon every fine, penalty, or forfeiture, if any, for deposit into the local courthouse construction fund in that county established pursuant to Sections 76000 and 76100. The numerator shall be expressed in whole dollars and fractions of a dollar. (ii) The denominator is five dollars ($5). (B) The resulting amount shall be deposited in the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5. (C) The remaining amount of the deposit shall be deposited in the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. (2) Within 45 days after the end of the month that moneys are deposited in the county treasury pursuant to subdivision (b), the county treasurer shall transmit the moneys to the Controller to be deposited as follows: one-third of the total amount shall be deposited in the State Court Facilities Construction Fund and two-thirds of the total amount shall be deposited in the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5. (a) (1) To ensure and maintain adequate funding for court facilities, an assessment shall be imposed on every conviction for a criminal offense, including a traffic offense, except parking offenses as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 1463 of the Penal Code, involving a violation of a section of the Vehicle Code or any local ordinance adopted pursuant to the Vehicle Code. The assessment shall be imposed in the amount of thirty dollars ($30) for each misdemeanor or felony and in the amount of thirty-five dollars ($35) for each infraction. (a) The Judicial Council shall annually recommend to the Governor and the Legislature the amount proposed to be spent for projects paid for with money in the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. The use of the appropriated money is subject to subdivision (l) of Section 70391. (b) Acquisition and construction of court facilities shall be subject to the State Building Construction Act of 1955 (commencing with Section 15800) and the Property Acquisition Law (commencing with Section 15850), except that, (1) notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall serve as an implementing agency upon approval of the Department of Finance, and (2) the provisions of subdivision (e) shall prevail. Acquisition and construction of facilities are not subject to the provisions of the Public Contract Code, but shall be subject to facilities contracting policies and procedures adopted by the Judicial Council after consultation and review by the Department of Finance. (1) The planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, renovation, replacement, leasing, or acquisition of court facilities, as defined by subdivision (d) of Section 70301. (2) The rehabilitation of one or more existing court facilities in conjunction with the construction, acquisition, or financing of one or more new court facilities. (d) (1) Except as provided in Section 70374.2 and paragraph (2) of this subdivision, 25 percent of all money collected for the State Court Facilities Construction Fund from any county shall be designated for implementation of trial court projects in that county. The Judicial Council shall determine the local projects after consulting with the trial court in that county and based on the locally approved trial court facilities master plan for that county. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to money that has been deposited in the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5. (e) The following provisions shall prevail over provisions of the State Building Construction Act of 1955 (Part 10b (commencing with Section 15800) of Division 3 of Title 2) in regard to buildings subject to this section. (1) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall be responsible for the operation, including, but not limited to, the maintenance and repair, of all court facilities whose title is held by the state. Notwithstanding Section 15807, the operation of buildings under this section shall be the responsibility of the Judicial Council. (2) Notwithstanding Section 15808.1, the Judicial Council shall have the responsibility for determining whether a building under this act shall be located within or outside of an existing public transit corridor. (3) The buildings under this section are subject to Section 15814.12 concerning cogeneration and alternative energy sources at the request of, or with the consent of, the Judicial Council. Any building acquired by the state pursuant to this section on or before July 1, 2007, is not subject to subdivision (b) of Section 15814.12 concerning acquiring of cogeneration or alternative energy equipment if the building, when acquired, already had cogeneration or alternative energy equipment. Section 15814.17 only applies to buildings to which the Judicial Council has given its consent under subdivision (a) of Section 15814.12. (a) This article shall take effect on January 1, 2003, and the fund, penalty, and fee assessment established by this article shall become operative on January 1, 2003, except as otherwise provided in this article. (b) In each county, the five-dollar ($5) penalty amount authorized by subdivision (a) of Section 70372 shall be reduced by the amount collected for transmission to the state for inclusion in the Transitional State Court Facilities Construction Fund established pursuant to Section 70401 to the extent it is funded by money from the local courthouse construction fund. (1) An additional penalty for a local courthouse construction fund established pursuant to Section 76100. (2) A filing fee surcharge in the County of Riverside established pursuant to Section 70622. (3) A filing fee surcharge in the County of San Bernardino established pursuant to Section 70624. (4) A filing fee surcharge in the City and County of San Francisco established pursuant to Section 70625. (d) For purposes of subdivision (c), the term “proportionally” means that proportion of the fee or surcharge that shall expire upon the transfer of responsibility for a facility that is the same proportion as the square footage that facility bears to the total square footage of court facilities in that county. (a) Exercise full responsibility, jurisdiction, control, and authority as an owner would have over trial court facilities whose title is held by the state, including, but not limited to, the acquisition and development of facilities. (b) Exercise the full range of policymaking authority over trial court facilities, including, but not limited to, planning, construction, acquisition, and operation, to the extent not expressly otherwise limited by law. (1) If the property was a court facility previously the responsibility of the county, the Judicial Council shall comply with the requirements of Section 11011, and as follows, except that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the proportion of the net proceeds that represents the proportion of other state funds used on the property other than for operation and maintenance shall be returned to the fund from which it came and the remainder of the proceeds shall be deposited in the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. (2) The Judicial Council shall consult with the county concerning the disposition of the facility. Notwithstanding any other law, including Section 11011, when requested by the transferring county, a surplus facility shall be offered to that county at fair market value prior to being offered to any other state agency or other local government agency. (A) Is compatible with the use of other adjacent public buildings. (B) Unreasonably departs from the historic or local character of the surrounding property or local community. (C) Has a negative impact on the local community. (D) Unreasonably interferes with other governmental agencies that use or are located in or adjacent to the building containing the court facility. (E) Is of sufficient benefit to outweigh the public good in maintaining it as a court facility or building. (4) All funds received for disposal of surplus court facilities shall be deposited by the Judicial Council in the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. (5) If the facility was acquired, rehabilitated, or constructed, in whole or in part, with money in the State Court Facilities Construction Fund that was deposited in that fund from the state fund, any funds received for disposal of that facility shall be apportioned to the state fund and the State Court Facilities Construction Fund in the same proportion that the original cost of the building was paid from the state fund and other sources of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. (6) Submission of a plan to the Legislature for the disposition of court facilities transferred to the state, prior to, or as part of, any budget submission to fund a new courthouse that will replace the existing court facilities transferred to the state. (1) The collection of fees by the local courts. (2) The money in local courthouse construction funds established pursuant to Section 76100. (3) The collection of moneys to be transmitted to the Controller for deposit in the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5. (e) Establish policies, procedures, and guidelines for ensuring that the courts have adequate and sufficient facilities, including, but not limited to, facilities planning, acquisition, construction, design, operation, and maintenance. (f) Establish and consult with local project advisory groups on the construction of new trial court facilities, including the trial court, the county, the local sheriff, state agencies, bar groups, including, but not limited to, the criminal defense bar, and members of the community. Consultation with the local sheriff in design, planning, and construction shall include the physical layout of new facilities, as it relates to court security and other security considerations, including matters relating to the safe control and transport of in-custody defendants. (g) Manage court facilities in consultation with the trial courts. (h) Allocate appropriated funds for court facilities maintenance and construction, subject to the other provisions of this chapter. (i) Manage shared-use facilities to the extent required by the agreement under Section 70343. (j) Prepare funding requests for court facility construction, repair, and maintenance. (k) Implement the design, bid, award, and construction of all court construction projects, except as delegated to others. (1) Approve five-year and master plans for each district. (2) Establish priorities for construction. (3) Recommend to the Governor and the Legislature the projects to be funded by the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. (4) Submit the cost of projects proposed to be funded to the Department of Finance for inclusion in the Governor’s Budget. (1) Selecting and contracting with facility consultants. (2) Preparing and reviewing architectural programs and designs for court facilities. (3) Preparing strategic master and five-year capital facilities plans. (4) Major maintenance of any facility. It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a moratorium on increases in filing fees until January 1, 2012. No fee provided for in this chapter may be changed before January 1, 2012. (1) In a complex case, the fee provided for in Section 70616 may be added to the first paper and first responsive paper filing fees in Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, and 70614. (2) In an unlawful detainer action subject to Section 1161.2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a charge of fifteen dollars ($15) as provided under that section may be added to the fee in Section 70613 for filing a first appearance by a plaintiff. (3) In Riverside County, a surcharge as provided in Section 70622 may be added to the first paper and first responsive paper filing fees in Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670. (4) In San Bernardino County, a surcharge as provided in Section 70624 may be added to the first paper and first responsive paper filing fees in Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670. This paragraph applies to fees collected under Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670, beginning January 1, 2006. (5) In the City and County of San Francisco, a surcharge as provided in Section 70625 may be added to the first paper and first responsive paper filing fees in Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 68085.3 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 68085.4, when a charge for courthouse construction in the County or City and County of San Francisco, Riverside, or San Bernardino is added to the uniform filing fee as provided under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a), the amount distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under Section 68085.3 or 68085.4 shall be reduced by an amount equal to the charge added under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a), up to the amount that would otherwise be distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. If the amount added under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a) is greater than the amount that would be distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under Section 68085.3 or 68085.4, no distribution shall be made to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, but the amount charged to the party may be greater than the amount of the uniform fee otherwise allowed, in order to collect the surcharge under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a). (c) If a filing fee is reduced by twenty-four dollars ($24) under subdivision (c) of Section 6322.1 of the Business and Professions Code, and a courthouse construction surcharge is added to the filing fee as provided under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a), the amount distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under Section 68085.4 shall be reduced as provided in subdivision (b). If the amount added under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a) is greater than the amount that would be distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under Section 68085.4, no distribution shall be made to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, but the amount charged to the party may be greater than one hundred seventy-six dollars ($176), in order to collect the surcharge under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a). The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a civil action or proceeding in the superior court, other than in a limited civil case, an adoption proceeding, a proceeding under the Probate Code, or a proceeding under the Family Code, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. This section applies to the initial complaint, petition, or application, and the papers transmitted from another court on the transfer of a civil action or proceeding, but does not include documents filed pursuant to Section 491.150, 704.750, or 708.160 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a civil action or proceeding in the superior court, other than in a limited civil case, an adoption proceeding, a proceeding under the Probate Code, or a proceeding under the Family Code, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in the action or proceeding described in Section 70611 on behalf of any defendant, intervenor, respondent, or adverse party, whether separately or jointly, except for the purpose of making disclaimer, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (b) As used in this section, the term “paper” does not include a stipulation for the appointment of a temporary judge or of a court investigator, or the report made by the court investigator. (a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in the action or proceeding described in Section 70611 on behalf of any defendant, intervenor, respondent, or adverse party, whether separately or jointly, except for the purpose of making disclaimer, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a limited civil case is three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325), except as provided in subdivision (b). (b) In a case where the amount demanded, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less, the uniform fee for filing the first paper is two hundred dollars ($200). The first page of the first paper shall state whether the amount demanded exceeds or does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (c) This section applies to the initial complaint, petition, or application, and any papers transmitted from another court on the transfer of a civil action or proceeding, but does not include documents filed pursuant to Section 491.150, 704.750, or 708.160 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (d) The fee for a paper filed under this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4. (e) The fee shall be waived in any action for damages against a defendant, based upon the defendant’s commission of a felony offense, upon presentation to the clerk of the court of a certified copy of the abstract of judgment of conviction of the defendant of the felony giving rise to the claim for damages. If the plaintiff would have been entitled to recover those fees from the defendant had they been paid, the court may assess the amount of the waived fees against the defendant and order the defendant to pay that sum to the court. (a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a limited civil case is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), except as provided in subdivision (b). (b) In a case where the amount demanded, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less, the uniform fee for filing the first paper is two hundred five dollars ($205). The first page of the first paper shall state whether the amount demanded exceeds or does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a limited civil case on behalf of any party other than a plaintiff is three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325), except as provided in subdivision (b). (b) In a case where the amount demanded, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less, the uniform fee for filing the first paper is two hundred dollars ($200). (c) The fees in this section do not apply to papers filed for the purpose of making disclaimer. (a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a limited civil case on behalf of any party other than a plaintiff is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), except as provided in subdivision (b). (b) In a case where the amount demanded, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less, the uniform fee for filing the first paper is two hundred five dollars ($205). (1) A motion listed in paragraphs (1) to (12), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 1005 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (2) A motion or application to continue a trial date. (3) An application for examination of a third person controlling defendant’s property under Section 491.110 or 491.150 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (4) Discovery motions under Title 4 (commencing with Section 2016.010) of Part 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (5) A motion for a new trial of any civil action or special proceeding. (6) An application for an order for a judgment debtor examination under Section 708.110 or 708.160 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (7) An application for an order of sale of a dwelling under Section 704.750 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (8) An ex parte application that requires a party to give notice of the ex parte appearance to other parties. (1) A motion, application, demurrer, request, notice, or stipulation and order that is the first paper filed in an action and on which a first paper filing fee is paid. (2) An amended notice of motion. (3) A civil case management statement. (4) A request for trial de novo after judicial arbitration. (5) A stipulation that does not require an order. (6) A request for an order to prevent civil harassment. (7) A request for an order to prevent domestic violence. (8) A request for entry of default or default judgment. (9) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition for emancipation of a minor. (10) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition for an order to prevent abuse of an elder or dependent adult. (11) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition for a writ of review, mandate, or prohibition. (12) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition for a decree of change of name or gender. (13) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition to approve the compromise of a claim of a minor. (1) A request, application, or motion for, or a notice of, the continuance of a hearing or case management conference. The fee shall be charged no more than once for each continuance. The fee shall not be charged if the continuance is required by the court. (2) A stipulation and order. (3) A request for an order authorizing service of summons by posting or by publication under Section 415.45 or 415.50 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (d) The fee for filing a motion for summary judgment or summary adjudication of issues is two hundred dollars ($200). (e) The fee for filing in the superior court an application to appear as counsel pro hac vice is two hundred fifty dollars ($250). This fee is in addition to any other fee required of the applicant. The entire fee collected under this subdivision shall be transmitted to the state for deposit into the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5. (f) Regardless of whether each motion or matter is heard at a single hearing or at separate hearings, the filing fees required by subdivisions (a), (c), (d), and (e) apply separately to each motion or other paper filed. The Judicial Council may publish rules to give uniform guidance to courts in applying fees under this section. (a) (1) The fee for filing a notice of appeal to the appellate division of the superior court in a limited civil case is three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325), except as provided in subdivision (b). (2) The fee for filing a petition for a writ within the original jurisdiction of the appellate division of the superior court is three hundred twenty-five dollars ($325), except as provided in subdivision (b). (b) If the amount demanded in the limited civil case, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less, the fee for filing a petition for a writ or a notice of appeal to the appellate division of the superior court is two hundred dollars ($200). (c) The fees provided for in this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4. (d) The Judicial Council may make rules governing the time and method of payment of the fees in this section and providing for excuse. (a) (1) The fee for filing a notice of appeal to the appellate division of the superior court in a limited civil case is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), except as provided in subdivision (b). (2) The fee for filing a petition for a writ within the original jurisdiction of the appellate division of the superior court is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), except as provided in subdivision (b). (b) If the amount demanded in the limited civil case, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less, the fee for filing a petition for a writ or a notice of appeal to the appellate division of the superior court is two hundred five dollars ($205). (a) The uniform filing fee for the first petition for letters of administration or letters testamentary, or the first petition for special letters of administration with the powers of a general personal representative pursuant to Section 8545 of the Probate Code, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). (b) The uniform filing fee for the first objections to the probate of any will or codicil under Section 8250 of the Probate Code, or the first petition for revocation of probate of any will or codicil under Section 8270 of the Probate Code, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). The uniform filing fee for the first petition for special letters of administration without the powers of a general personal representative is the fee provided in Section 70657.5. Where objections to the probate of a will or codicil or a petition for revocation of probate of a will or codicil are filed together with a petition for appointment of a personal representative described in subdivision (c) filed by the same person, only the fee provided in subdivision (c) shall be charged to that person. (c) A fee of three hundred fifty dollars ($350) shall also be charged for filing each subsequent petition or objections of a type described in subdivision (a) in the same proceeding by a person other than the original petitioner or contestant. The same fee as provided in subdivision (b) shall be charged for filing each subsequent petition or objections of a type described in that subdivision in the same proceeding by a person other than the original petitioner or contestant. (d) Notwithstanding Section 70658.5, if a petition for special letters of administration is filed together with a petition for letters of administration or letters testamentary under subdivision (a) or (c) by the same person, the person filing the petitions shall be charged the applicable filing fees for both petitions. (e) The uniform filing fee charged under this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (a) The uniform filing fee for the first petition for letters of administration or letters testamentary, or the first petition for special letters of administration with the powers of a general personal representative pursuant to Section 8545 of the Probate Code, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). (b) The uniform filing fee for the first objections to the probate of any will or codicil under Section 8250 of the Probate Code, or the first petition for revocation of probate of any will or codicil under Section 8270 of the Probate Code, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). The uniform filing fee for the first petition for special letters of administration without the powers of a general personal representative is the fee provided in Section 70657.5. Where objections to the probate of a will or codicil or a petition for revocation of probate of a will or codicil are filed together with a petition for appointment of a personal representative described in subdivision (c) filed by the same person, only the fee provided in subdivision (c) shall be charged to that person. (c) A fee of three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355) shall also be charged for filing each subsequent petition or objections of a type described in subdivision (a) in the same proceeding by a person other than the original petitioner or contestant. The same fee as provided in subdivision (b) shall be charged for filing each subsequent petition or objections of a type described in that subdivision in the same proceeding by a person other than the original petitioner or contestant. (a) The uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper in opposition to a petition described in subdivision (a) of Section 70650, other than a petition described in subdivision (c) of Section 70650, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). If objections or any other paper in opposition are filed together with a petition described in subdivision (c) of Section 70650 by the same person, only the fee provided in subdivision (c) of Section 70650 shall be charged to that person. (b) The uniform filing fee charged under this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (a) The uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper in opposition to a petition described in subdivision (a) of Section 70650, other than a petition described in subdivision (c) of Section 70650, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). If objections or any other paper in opposition are filed together with a petition described in subdivision (c) of Section 70650 by the same person, only the fee provided in subdivision (c) of Section 70650 shall be charged to that person. (a) The uniform filing fee for each petition concerning the internal affairs of a trust under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 of Division 9 of the Probate Code, or a first account of a trustee of a testamentary trust that is subject to the continuing jurisdiction of the court pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 17300) of Part 5 of Division 9 of the Probate Code, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). (b) The uniform filing fee for each paper filed in opposition to a petition or first account of a trustee of a testamentary trust under subdivision (a) is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). (c) To avoid hardship, or for other good cause, the court may direct the clerk of the court to refund all or any part of a filing fee paid under this section. (d) This section does not apply to petitions or opposition filed concerning trusts created by court order under Article 10 (commencing with Section 2580) of Chapter 6 of Part 3 of Division 4 of the Probate Code, Article 1 (commencing with Section 3100) of Chapter 3 of Part 6 of Division 4 of the Probate Code, Article 1 (commencing with Section 3600) of Chapter 4 of Part 8 of Division 4 of the Probate Code. (a) The uniform filing fee for each petition concerning the internal affairs of a trust under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 5 of Division 9 of the Probate Code, or a first account of a trustee of a testamentary trust that is subject to the continuing jurisdiction of the court pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 17300) of Part 5 of Division 9 of the Probate Code, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). (b) The uniform filing fee for each paper filed in opposition to a petition or first account of a trustee of a testamentary trust under subdivision (a) is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). (a) The uniform filing fee for a petition for appointment of a conservator, a guardian of the estate, or a guardian of the person and estate, pursuant to Division 4 (commencing with Section 1400) of the Probate Code, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). (b) Except as provided in subdivision (f), the uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper in opposition to a petition under subdivision (a) or (d) is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). (c) If a competing petition for appointment of a guardian or conservator subject to the fee under subdivision (a) is filed together with opposition to the petition of another by the same person, the person filing the competing petition and opposition shall be charged a filing fee only for the competing petition. (d) Notwithstanding Section 70658.5, if a petition for appointment of a temporary guardian or conservator is filed together with a petition for appointment of a guardian or conservator under subdivision (a), or a competing petition under subdivision (c) by the same person, the person filing the petitions shall be charged the applicable filing fees for both petitions. (f) No fee under this section shall be charged for objections or any other paper in opposition filed by or on behalf of the proposed conservatee, or the minor or a parent of the minor who is the subject of a guardianship proceeding. (a) The uniform filing fee for a petition for appointment of a conservator, a guardian of the estate, or a guardian of the person and estate, pursuant to Division 4 (commencing with Section 1400) of the Probate Code, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). (b) Except as provided in subdivision (f), the uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper in opposition to a petition under subdivision (a) or (d) is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). (a) The uniform filing fee for a petition for appointment of a guardian of the person only, is two hundred dollars ($200). (b) Except as provided in subdivision (e), the uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper in opposition to a petition under subdivision (a) is two hundred dollars ($200). (c) If a competing petition for appointment of a guardian subject to the fee under subdivision (a) is filed together with opposition to the petition of another by the same person, the person filing the competing petition and opposition shall be charged a filing fee only for the competing petition. (d) Notwithstanding Section 70658.5, if a petition for appointment of a temporary guardian is filed together with a petition for appointment of a guardian under subdivision (a), or a competing petition under subdivision (c) by the same person, the person filing the petitions shall be charged the applicable filing fees for both petitions. (e) No fee under this section shall be charged for objections or any other paper in opposition filed by or on behalf of the minor or a parent of the minor who is the subject of the proceeding. (f) The uniform filing fee charged under this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4. (g) No other fees shall be charged for filing a paper under this section in addition to the uniform filing fee provided for in this section. (a) The uniform filing fee for a petition for appointment of a guardian of the person only, is two hundred five dollars ($205). (b) Except as provided in subdivision (e), the uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper in opposition to a petition under subdivision (a) is two hundred five dollars ($205). (a) The uniform filing fee for a petition that commences any of the proceedings under the Probate Code listed in subdivision (c) is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). (b) The uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper filed in opposition to a petition under subdivision (a) is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). (1) A petition for compromise of a minor’s claim pursuant to Section 3600 of the Probate Code. (2) A petition to determine succession to real property pursuant to Section 13151 of the Probate Code. (3) A spousal or domestic partnership property petition pursuant to Section 13650 of the Probate Code, except as provided in Section 13652 of the Probate Code. (4) A petition to establish the fact of death to determine title to real property under Section 200 of the Probate Code. (5) A petition for an order concerning a particular transaction pursuant to Section 3100 of the Probate Code. (6) A petition concerning capacity determination and health care decision for an adult without conservator pursuant to Section 3200 of the Probate Code. (7) A petition concerning an advance health care directive pursuant to Section 4766 of the Probate Code. (8) A petition concerning a power of attorney pursuant to Section 4541 of the Probate Code. (9) A petition for approval, compromise, or settlement of claims against a deceased settlor, or for allocation of amounts due between trusts, pursuant to Section 19020 of the Probate Code. (10) Any other petition that commences a proceeding under the Probate Code not otherwise provided for in this article. (d) The uniform filing fee charged under this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (a) The uniform filing fee for a petition that commences any of the proceedings under the Probate Code listed in subdivision (c) is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). (b) The uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper filed in opposition to a petition under subdivision (a) is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). (6) A petition concerning capacity determination and health care decision for adult without conservator pursuant to Section 3200 of the Probate Code. (a) The uniform filing fee for a petition requesting an order setting aside a decedent’s estate of small value pursuant to Section 6602 of the Probate Code, if no estate proceeding is pending for the decedent, is two hundred dollars ($200). (b) The uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper filed in opposition to a petition under subdivision (a) is two hundred dollars ($200). (c) If a petition or objections or any other paper in opposition under this section is filed concurrently with a petition for appointment of a personal representative described in Section 70650, the petitioner or objector shall be charged only for the filing fee provided in Section 70650. (d) The uniform filing fee charged under this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4. (e) Except as provided in subdivision (c), no other fee shall be charged for filing a paper under this section in addition to the uniform filing fee provided for in this section. (a) The uniform filing fee for a petition requesting an order setting aside a decedent’s estate of small value pursuant to Section 6602 of the Probate Code, if no estate proceeding is pending for the decedent, is two hundred five dollars ($205). (b) The uniform filing fee for objections or any other paper filed in opposition to a petition under subdivision (a) is two hundred five dollars ($205). (1) Papers listed in subdivision (a) of Section 70617. (2) Applications for ex parte relief, whether or not notice of the application to any person is required, except an ex parte petition for discharge of a personal representative, conservator, or guardian upon completion of a court-ordered distribution or transfer, for which no fee shall be charged. (3) Petitions or applications, or objections, filed subsequent to issuance of temporary letters of conservatorship or guardianship or letters of conservatorship or guardianship that are not subject to the filing fee provided in subdivision (a) of Section 70658. (4) The first or subsequent petition for temporary letters of conservatorship or guardianship. (b) There shall be no fee under subdivision (a) for filing any of the papers listed under subdivision (b) of Section 70617. (c) The summary judgment fee provided in subdivision (d) of Section 70617 shall apply to summary judgment motions in proceedings under the Probate Code. (d) Regardless of whether each motion or matter is heard at a single hearing or at separate hearings, the filing fees required by subdivisions (a) and (c) apply separately to each motion or other paper filed. The Judicial Council may publish rules to give uniform guidance to courts in applying fees under this section. (e) No fee is payable under this section for a petition or opposition filed subsequent to issuance of letters of temporary guardianship or letters of guardianship in a guardianship described in Section 70654. (1) Petitions or applications, or opposition, concerning the internal affairs of a trust that are not subject to the filing fees provided in Section 70650, 70651, or 70652. (2) Petitions or applications, or objections, filed subsequent to issuance of special letters of administration or letters testamentary or of administration in decedent’s estate proceedings that are not subject to the filing fee provided in subdivision (a) of Section 70658. (3) The first or subsequent petition for special letters of administration without the powers of a general personal representative. (b) One hundred sixty dollars ($160) of each two-hundred-dollar ($200) fee collected under subdivision (a) shall be transmitted to the state for deposit into the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5. (c) No fee is payable under this section for a disclaimer of an interest in a decedent’s estate. (1) Petition or application for or opposition to an order directing, authorizing, approving, or confirming the sale, lease, encumbrance, grant of an option, purchase, conveyance, or exchange of property. (2) Petition or application for or opposition to an order settling an account of a fiduciary. (3) Petition or application for or opposition to an order authorizing, instructing, or directing a fiduciary, or approving or confirming the acts of a fiduciary. (4) Petition or application for or opposition to an order fixing, authorizing, allowing, or directing payment of compensation or expenses of an attorney. (5) Petition or application for or opposition to an order fixing, authorizing, allowing, or directing payment of compensation or expenses of a fiduciary. (6) Petition or application for or opposition to an order surcharging or removing a fiduciary. (7) Petition or application for or opposition to an order transferring or authorizing the transfer of the property of an estate to a fiduciary in another jurisdiction. (8) Petition or application for or opposition to an order allowing a fiduciary’s request to resign. (9) Petition or application for or opposition to an order adjudicating the merits of a claim made under Part 19 (commencing with Section 850) of Division 2 of the Probate Code. (10) Petition or application for or opposition to an order granting permission to fix the residence of a ward or conservatee at a place not within this state. (11) Petition or application for or opposition to an order directing, authorizing, approving, or modifying payments for support, maintenance, or education of a ward or conservatee or for a person entitled to support, maintenance, or education from a ward or conservatee. (12) Petition or application for or opposition to an order granting or denying a request under Section 2423, concerning payment of surplus income to the relatives of a conservatee, or Section 2580, concerning substituted judgment, of the Probate Code. (13) Petition or application for or opposition to an order affecting the legal capacity of a conservatee pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1870) of Part 3 of Division 4 of the Probate Code. (14) Petition or application for or opposition to an order adjudicating the merits of a claim under Article 5 (commencing with Section 2500) of Chapter 6 of Part 4 of Division 4 of the Probate Code. (b) The uniform fee in subdivision (a) shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. No other fee shall be charged for filing a paper under this section in addition to the uniform filing fee provided for in this section. (1) A petition or application, or opposition, in a guardianship proceeding under Section 70654. (2) A disclaimer of an interest in a decedent’s estate. (d) One hundred seventy dollars ($170) of each three-hundred-fifty-dollar ($350) fee collected under this section shall be transmitted to the Controller for deposit into the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5. (d) One hundred seventy dollars ($170) of each three-hundred-fifty-five-dollar ($355) fee collected under this section shall be transmitted to the Controller for deposit into the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5. (a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a proceeding under the Family Code, other than a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or nullity, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (b) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or nullity, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3, except that two dollars ($2) of the funds that would otherwise be distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund shall be transmitted to the Treasurer for deposit in the Health Statistics Special Fund. (c) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a proceeding under subdivision (a) on behalf of any respondent, defendant, intervenor, or adverse party, whether separately or jointly, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (d) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a proceeding under subdivision (b) on behalf of any respondent, defendant, intervenor, or adverse party, whether separately or jointly, is three hundred fifty dollars ($350). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (e) The fees in this section do not apply to papers filed for the purpose of making a disclaimer. (a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a proceeding under the Family Code, other than a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or nullity, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (b) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or nullity, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3, except that two dollars ($2) of the funds that would otherwise be distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund shall be transmitted to the Treasurer for deposit in the Health Statistics Special Fund. (c) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a proceeding under subdivision (a) on behalf of any respondent, defendant, intervenor, or adverse party, whether separately or jointly, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (d) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a proceeding under subdivision (b) on behalf of any respondent, defendant, intervenor, or adverse party, whether separately or jointly, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. The fee for filing the petition is two hundred dollars ($200). This fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4 of the Government Code. The petition may be heard by any judge hearing probate matters, or if a probate department has been designated for hearing probate matters, the matter shall be assigned to the probate department for hearing. The fee for filing the petition is two hundred five dollars ($205). This fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4 of the Government Code. The petition may be heard by any judge hearing probate matters, or if a probate department has been designated for hearing probate matters, the matter shall be assigned to the probate department for hearing. (a) In determining the amount and manner of disbursement under an order made pursuant to this code requiring a defendant to make reparation or restitution to a victim of a crime, to pay any money as reimbursement for legal assistance provided by the court, to pay any cost of probation or probation investigation, to pay any cost of jail or other confinement, or to pay any other reimbursable costs, the court, after determining the amount of any fine and penalty assessments, and a county financial evaluation officer when making a financial evaluation, shall first determine the amount of restitution to be ordered paid to any victim, and shall then determine the amount of the other reimbursable costs. If payment is made in full, the payment shall be apportioned and disbursed in the amounts ordered by the court. If reasonable and compatible with the defendant’s financial ability, the court may order payments to be made in installments. (1) Restitution ordered to, or on behalf of, the victim pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4. (2) The state surcharge ordered pursuant to Section 1465.7. (3) Any fines, penalty assessments, and restitution fines ordered pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1202.4. Payment of each of these items shall be made on a proportional basis to the total amount levied for all of these items. (4) Any other reimbursable costs. (c) The board of supervisors shall apply these priorities of disbursement to orders or parts of orders in cases where defendants have been ordered to pay more than one court order. (d) Documentary evidence, such as bills, receipts, repair estimates, insurance payment statements, payroll stubs, business records, and similar documents relevant to the value of the stolen or damaged property, medical expenses, and wages and profits lost shall not be excluded as hearsay evidence. (e) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), if any statute that takes effect after January 1, 2009, either increases the amount of any item or adds a new item that would otherwise be subject to disbursement under paragraphs (2) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b), those additional amounts or the amount of any increase shall not be disbursed until after all reimbursable costs have been disbursed pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b). (f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2012, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2012, deletes or extends that date. The task force on criminal and traffic-related court-ordered debts established pursuant to Section 1463.02 may recommend that this section be amended prior to that date. (e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2012. (a) The Judicial Council shall adopt guidelines for a comprehensive program concerning the collection of moneys owed for fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and assessments imposed by court order. As part of its guidelines, the Judicial Council may establish standard agreements for entities to provide collection services. As part of its guidelines, the Judicial Council shall include provisions that promote competition by and between entities in providing collection services to courts and counties. The Judicial Council may delegate to the Administrative Director of the Courts the implementation of the aspects of this program to be carried out at the state level. (b) The courts and counties shall maintain the collection program that was in place on January 1, 1996, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the court and county. The program may wholly or partially be staffed and operated within the court itself, may be wholly or partially staffed and operated by the county, or may be wholly or partially contracted with a third party. In carrying out this collection program, each superior court and county shall develop a cooperative plan to implement the Judicial Council guidelines. In the event that a court and a county are unwilling or unable to enter into a cooperative plan pursuant to this section, prior to the arbitration procedures required by subdivision (e) of Section 1214.1, the court or the county may request the continuation of negotiations with mediation assistance as mutually agreed upon and provided by the Administrative Director of the Courts and the California State Association of Counties. (1) The extent to which each court or county is following best practices for its collection program. (2) The performance of each collection program. (3) Any changes necessary to improve performance of collection programs statewide. (d) The Judicial Council may, when the efficiency and effectiveness of the collection process may be improved, facilitate a joint collection program between superior courts, between counties, or between superior courts and counties. (e) The Judicial Council may establish, by court rule, a program providing for the suspension and nonrenewal of a business and professional license if the holder of the license has unpaid fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and assessments imposed upon them under a court order. The Judicial Council may provide that some or all of the superior courts or counties participate in the program. Any program established by the Judicial Council shall ensure that the licensee receives adequate and appropriate notice of the proposed suspension or nonrenewal of his or her license and has an opportunity to contest the suspension or nonrenewal. The opportunity to contest may not require a court hearing. (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Judicial Council, after consultation with the Franchise Tax Board with respect to collections under Section 19280 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, may provide for an amnesty program involving the collection of outstanding fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and assessments, applicable either statewide or within one or more counties. The amnesty program shall provide that some or all of the interest or collections costs imposed on outstanding fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and assessments may be waived if the remaining amounts due are paid within the amnesty period. (1) The total value of the property in the decedent’s estate does not exceed the amount prescribed in Section 13100. The authority provided by this paragraph may be exercised only upon order of the court. The order may be made upon ex parte application. The fee to be allowed to the clerk for the filing of the application is two hundred dollars ($200). The authority for this summary administration of the estate shall be evidenced by a court order for summary disposition. (2) The total value of the property in the decedent’s estate does not exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000). The authority provided by this paragraph may be exercised without court authorization. (A) A public administrator who is authorized to summarily dispose of property of a decedent pursuant to this paragraph may issue a written certification of Authority for Summary Administration. The written certification is effective for 30 days after the date of issuance. (i) Provide the public administrator complete information concerning any property held in the name of the decedent, including the names and addresses of any beneficiaries or joint owners. (ii) Grant the public administrator access to a safe-deposit box or storage facility rented in the name of the decedent for the purpose of inspection and removal of property of the decedent. Costs and expenses incurred in accessing a safe-deposit box or storage facility shall be borne by the estate of the decedent. (iii) Surrender to the public administrator any property of the decedent that is held or controlled by the financial institution, agency, retirement fund administrator, insurance company, licensed securities dealer, or other person. (i) Constitute sufficient acquittance for providing information or granting access to a safe-deposit box or a storage facility and for surrendering any property of the decedent. (ii) Fully discharge the financial institution, government or private agency, retirement fund administrator, insurance company, licensed securities dealer, or other person from liability for any act or omission of the public administrator with respect to the property, a safe-deposit box, or a storage facility. (b) Summary disposition may be made notwithstanding the existence of the decedent’s will, if the will does not name an executor or if the named executor refuses to act. (c) Nothing in this article precludes the public administrator from filing a petition with the court under any other provision of this code concerning the administration of the decedent’s estate. (d) Petitions filed pursuant to this article shall contain the information required by Section 8002. (e) If a public administrator takes possession or control of an estate pursuant to this chapter, this article conveys the authority of a personal representative as described in Section 9650 to the public administrator to summarily dispose of the estates pursuant to the procedures described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a). (f) The fee charged under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4 of the Government Code. When an application is filed under that paragraph, no other fees shall be charged in addition to the uniform filing fee provided for in Section 68085.4 of the Government Code. (1) The total value of the property in the decedent’s estate does not exceed the amount prescribed in Section 13100. The authority provided by this paragraph may be exercised only upon order of the court. The order may be made upon ex parte application. The fee to be allowed to the clerk for the filing of the application is two hundred five dollars ($205). The authority for this summary administration of the estate shall be evidenced by a court order for summary disposition. (a) Upon proof of correction of an alleged violation of Section 12500 or 12951, or any violation cited pursuant to Section 40610, or upon submission of evidence of financial responsibility pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 16028, the clerk shall collect a twenty-five-dollar ($25) transaction fee for each violation. The fees shall be deposited by the clerk in accordance with Section 68084 of the Government Code. (A) Thirty-three percent shall be transferred to the local governmental entity in whose jurisdiction the citation was issued for deposit in the general fund of the entity. (B) Thirty-four percent shall be transferred to the State Treasury for deposit in the State Penalty Fund established by Section 1464 of the Penal Code. (C) Thirty-three percent shall be deposited in the county general fund. (2) The remainder of the fees collected on each citation shall be deposited in the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5 of the Government Code. (c) No fee shall be imposed pursuant to this section if the violation notice is processed only by the issuing agency and no record of the action is transmitted to the court. (a) The fee collected by the clerk pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 42007 shall be in an amount equal to the total bail set forth for the eligible offense on the uniform countywide bail schedule plus forty-nine dollars ($49). (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 42007, the revenue from the forty-nine-dollar ($49) fee collected under this section shall be deposited in the county general fund. Fifty-one percent of the amount collected under this section and deposited into the county general fund shall be transmitted therefrom monthly to the Controller for deposit in the Immediate and Critical Needs Account of the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371.5 of the Government Code. Section 1.7 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 68085.1 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and AB 1873. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 68085.1 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after AB 1873, in which case Section 1.5 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 2.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 68085.3 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 68085.3 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 3.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 68085.4 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 68085.4 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 3 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 4.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 68086.1 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 68086.1 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 4 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 10.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70611 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70611 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 10 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 11.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70612 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70612 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 11 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 12.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70613 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70613 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 12 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 13.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70614 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70614 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 13 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 14.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70621 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70621 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 14 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 15.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70650 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70650 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 15 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 16.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70651 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70651 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 16 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 17.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70652 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70652 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 17 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 18.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70653 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70653 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 18 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 19.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70654 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70654 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 19 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 20.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70655 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70655 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 20 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 21.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70656 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70656 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 21 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 24.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70658 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70658 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 24 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 25.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 70670 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 70670 of the Government Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 25 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 26.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 103470 of the Health and Safety Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 103470 of the Health and Safety Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 26 of this bill shall not become operative. Section 29.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 7660 of the Probate Code proposed by both this bill and SB 1177. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2009, (2) each bill amends Section 7660 of the Probate Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 1177, in which case Section 29 of this bill shall not become operative.
2019-04-21T11:08:00Z
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=200720080SB1407&search_keywords=
Last week I was fortunate enough to participate in the Holy Cross Heritage Pilgrimage in France with eighteen Notre Dame colleagues from the Division of Student Affairs. The three main requisites for making a pilgrimage are the belief that God responds to prayer, the conviction that grace is present in a special way at holy sites, and the desire to make a sacred journey. I was hopeful on all three fronts! I believed that God would respond to my personal prayers and that of those I was carrying with me to France; I believed that there was grace to be found in the places where Blessed Basil Moreau and Father Edward Sorin lived and prayed; and I was making a sacred journey to help create a sacred journey – the Notre Dame Trail. I was asked a year ago to lead the execution of the Notre Dame Trail, the signature event of the University’s 175th anniversary celebration. The Trail has three main objectives: 1) to honor the Congregation of Holy Cross, 2) to educate about the 175-year history, and 3) to create a unique pilgrimage for Our Lady. We hope to create a journey of the soul through this pilgrimage, and I was confident that a better understanding of the Congregation’s beginnings would aid us with this challenge. I knew it was Father Basil Moreau who had founded the Congregation of Holy Cross and that it was he who sent Father Edward Sorin to establish a school in Indiana in 1841, but I wanted to know more about these great men of faith. The Holy Cross Heritage Pilgrimage, led by the Rector of the Shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau, Father John De Riso, would provide such an opportunity. Basil Anthony Moreau was the 9th of 14 children brought into the world in 1799 by Louis and Louise Moreau. On the pilgrimage, we saw the wine cellar where he would have slept as a small boy. His childhood home was in the shadow of the local church in Laigne-en-Belin which was rebuilt and consecrated in 1867, a ceremony at which Moreau attended. This quaint town and original church are where Moreau would have first received the call of discipleship. He was ordained a priest in the Chapel of the Visitation within the diocese of Le Mans on August 12, 1821, at the age of 22, and served as a seminary professor of philosophy, dogma, and Sacred Scripture. We pilgrims said a prayer in the Chapel of the Visitation for all those who have dedicated their lives to God through the Congregation of Holy Cross. Moreau had a strong devotion to Mary and sought to establish a community modeled after the Holy family – a community of three societies – including priests, brothers and sisters. When we visited the Shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau, this was quite evident. The Shrine includes a bas-relief of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Holy Family of Nazareth, a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows and stained glass windows depicting the seven sorrows of Mary, a statue of St. Joseph, and a naïve dedicated to Saint André Bessette. During the celebration of the Eucharist at the Shrine, we had the opportunity to voice the names of the priests, brothers and sisters who have had an impact on our lives – Joe, Kevin, Joy, Austin, Larry, Veronique, Nate, John, etc. Later, we visited the Solitude of the Savior, which was the first novitiate of the priests of Holy Cross. Here we saw the altar on which Moreau celebrated Mass as well as the tiny room in which he would have stayed. This tranquil spot is where he went to pray and reflect, and is said to be the place where he revised and edited the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross. In his later years, Moreau was taken care of by the Marianites of Holy Cross here. A handful of retired Sisters still live at the Soltitude and were proud to give us a tour. Moreau was originally laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery in Le Mans in 1873; his remains were brought to the crypt of Notre Dame de Sainte Croix in 1938. Now known as the Shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau, his tomb was moved to the south transept of the church in 2007 in connection with his beatification. Although the Sisters of the Holy Cross, those who founded Saint Mary’s College, separated from the Marianites of Holy Cross in 1869, these were the sisters of their origin. I was proud of the dedication, trust and respect these sisters demonstrated towards Moreau, especially in his later years. Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, was declared “Venerable” by Pope John Paul II in 2003, and was beatified in 2007 by order of Pope Benedict XVI. Those of us now affiliated with the priests, brothers and sisters of Holy Cross, are charged with demonstrating the same kind of zeal to help advance our shared mission. I secured three little stones from the Holy Cross Cemetery in Le Mans, one representing the sisters, brothers and priests. I intend to carry these stones in their honor along the 316 miles of the Notre Dame Trail this August, and will deposit them at the Log Chapel. We will give each pilgrim a stone to carry during their journey; these stones will symbolize each pilgrim’s individual prayer, wish or intention. I will be praying that the Notre Dame Trail touches the hearts and souls of thousands of pilgrims. Alleluia! Father Moreau’s whole goal in life was to be more Christlike. For me, what do I need to do every day to emulate that better? I want to wake up each morning with that goal in mind and focus on what it means for me and all of those I encounter. The faith of Father Sorin and the 6 brothers who traveled to a new land, with a new language, and started a school from nothing. I need to hold strong to that faith as I make decisions on a daily basis, knowing that I am where I am supposed to be in my personal life as well as being the fruit of Father Sorin’s efforts and continuing his dream. The craftsmen that built these amazing French churches 1000’s of year ago put blood, sweat and most certainly many lives lost into creating these homages to Christ. How can I ensure I am honoring Him every day, pushing beyond my limits? The sculptors that toiled over every minute detail of the statues and carvings in the churches. So much thought went into every look, body placement, symbolism and meaning in all the carvings. I probably understood 1/100 of everything they wanted to be preserved for history. What can I do to make sure I am being mindful of every detail in my life? Recognizing people’s needs, the subtleties of of their emotions, taking time to truly think through every decision I make and not overlooking details that are important. The artisans that created the intricate stain glass windows wanting to tell a story. Painstakingly choosing all the right pictures, colors, and symbolism for getting their points across in their storytelling. Are my actions telling Christ’s story through the windows into myself? The faithful that endured war after war and the French Revolution and yet were determined to rebuild and not be swayed in their commitment. I am typically a very positive person, but making sure that I don’t wallow in setbacks and they don’t derail me to continually move forward. Check back with me next year to see how I am doing, but know that I am making this commitment to myself and my fellow pilgrims! I have said it many times over: our experiences are very individualized, but they are better when shared. In sharing, we become personal which leads to vulnerability. With vulnerability comes trust. Thus, I have always try to uphold trust in every relationship. All of this leads me to an evening at Chartres during our pilgrimage. We gathered in the parish center-like room southeast of the cathedral for the opportunity to process the pilgrimage for the very first time as a group. Many blog posts were shared or derived from that heartfelt “upper room” liberation, similar to this one. Everyone was a little vulnerable that evening, which enabled the deep connection we formed with one another. Someone asked Fr. John how he became a priest, particularly a Holy Cross priest. He openly provided a heartfelt and sincere response. It was a vulnerable moment for him, yet he trusted us and shared his deep personal response to a loving invitation to a relationship with God. Similarly, every relationship is an invitation and a response he reminded us. This is called discernment. I experienced similar calling to the priesthood but right now, my vocation is the Rector of Duncan Hall as a lay minister. As the rector of Duncan Hall I am finding God, fulfillment and satisfaction in knowing that I helped empower many people for the betterment of Duncan Hall, Our Lady’s University, the Church and the world. My ministerial experiences formed my opinion that an effective minister has to be able to empower other people to the ministry. I believe we should care more about celebrating Christ with others and leading people to powerful experiences with Christ rather than monetary or congratulatory rewards. Jesus focused his service on the betterment of others through significant actions with humility, acting as a model for all shepherds. I have had the privilege of witnessing the Holy Cross priests in their selfless service to their ministry at Notre Dame. It has been empowering to me as I share in their ministry. I believe that this Christ-centered life is something critical to ministerial work, to being an effective minister. When people get too focused on the material, they lose focus of the more important virtues of a life of selfless servitude and have a difficult time fulfilling the rigorous demands of the ministry. Sharing life with our students takes a lot of work! Developing deep meaningful relationships with proper boundaries requires a lot of maturity, wisdom and guidance. WORK! Authentic relationships need work and harder work to maintain them. All of this hard work points to one thing: relationship with God. It’s hard work but I am finding it in my ministry as the Rector of Duncan Hall. It’s only been three days since we left Le Mans, yet I am already feeling nostalgic. The Holy Cross Heritage Pilgrimage is one of those mountaintop experiences that I will look back often with awe. To hold on to this joy, to this happiness, to this peace is a gut-level instinct we all have. We hold on even stronger when we don’t think that other experiences can top them, or we don’t trust that they can ever happen again. In a spiritual sense, as good as it is to hold on to something wonderful, a love that is freely given, an experience of life that gives us new meaning to our lives, we ultimately have to let them go. We eventually have to go down the mountain. We have to let go of our experiences so that something new can be realized. We are blessed with moments on the mountain; we are blessed with new insights about our lives; we are blessed constantly with the joy and happiness we share with each other. That should give us a sense that if this is good, there has got to be something more. This pilgrimage validates all my other mountaintop experiences: there is always something more. My experiences are all interconnected and woven together to write the story of my live. These experiences tell my story, give me endurance for the journey, and strengthen my faith in God and in others. Heading into this pilgrimage, I had already begun to reflect on what roles we, as humans, play in each other’s lives. However, my focus in these reflections was primarily on the relationships and connections I shared with family and close friends. After spending 6 days exploring the path of Father Moreau, it has become abundantly clear to me that the connections in my life extend much further than my own backyard. It just takes a little time, effort, and maybe a step out of your comfort zone to uncover them. The villagers we met during our journey live over 4,000 miles away from our home at Notre Dame, yet they welcomed us as friends, sharing stories of their families, the town, and the church. Our encounters may have been fleeting but the connections were meaningful all the same. On a deeper level, the bonds formed with my fellow pilgrims are ones I hope to keep for a lifetime. The physical journey made us fast friends, but the spiritual education and shared dedication to Notre Dame solidified the group as a family. These people, who I’ve shared a campus with for years, changed from strangers to friends after a leap from my comfort zone. Well worth the risk! Finally, Fr. John provided us with incomparable spiritual, cultural and logistical guidance throughout the trip. Our experience with him can serve as an example of the support and connection available to us from the Holy Cross family on campus. While I have learned many things on this pilgrimage, I feel one of my greatest lessons has been to nurture even the smallest connections with those around me, as even the most fleeting connections can have a powerful impact. Many of my fellow pilgrims have already reflected on the special bond and connection we have felt with one another on this trip; nonetheless, I want to share my experience as well. Our last evening fellowship in Paris was a fitting end. We hiked Montmartre for the last holy site visit and then dinner at La Bonne Franquette where we sang many Happy Birthdays to fellow pilgrim Heather Grocke-Saunders, signed the ND flag for Fr. John, and toasted one last time. As we journeyed down the mountain, I decided to be adventurous and slide down a set of steep decline rather than taking the steps: “You want to see something cool?” It was “cool” for about a second until I lost control, wiped out, and hit my face against the rocky concrete. While I got right up from the fall, pride and scar tissues remained on those rocks. The concerns that everyone expressed for my reckless abandon save all embarrassment and physical pain. Of all the groups that I have been a part of, this group exhibits the most nurturing fidelity I have ever had to privilege to be a part of. It did not come as a surprise because as I got to hear each individual pilgrim’s stories and connect with each one individually, I recognized that we are a nurturing bunch. It worked out for me because I was the beneficiary of this nourishment on this particular night. As I sit on the plane reflecting about the trip, I realize that this experience provided far more than I ever anticipated. Each day we learned about Father Moreau’s journey and the places that were of great significance. We visited many churches and learned about how each played a role in his life. We walked some of the same paths he would’ve walked and saw where he slept when he needed some time of solitude. We met so many wonderful French people who welcomed us into their spaces and showed us such wonderful hospitality. The places we visited were things I expected. I expected to learn more about the life of Moreau and how deeply faithful and committed he was. I expected to be moved by the history of our university and seeing where it all began. What I didn’t expect is how deeply moved I would be by all of these experiences. While I walked through the labyrinth at the cathedral in Chartres, I thought about how that labyrinth is much like our life. It twists and turns and you never know where it’s going to lead or who you will come across along the way, but it sets you up with experiences that, for better or worse, shape you. Even when we feel our path is veering away from our goals/hopes/dreams, we come to recognize that with faith it will bring us back on the right path. This is the moment I realized how beautiful and deeply moving this experience was. I couldn’t believe that I was sitting in places, looking at structures, and following paths of people who had been there over a thousand years before me. I also realized that, beyond learning the history, I was developing these deeply meaningful connections with the other pilgrims. When we began our journey I knew a handful of the group and the others I only met for our three Moreau prep meetings. These meetings were filled with so much information I wasn’t able to really connect with everyone. On the plane ride to Paris, I was assigned a seat next to two other pilgrims (one of whom I knew and the other I didn’t). I sporadically chatted with the girl I knew, Rochelle, before she fell asleep. Mamie and I, another pilgrim, didn’t say more than a couple sentences to each other. Fast forward to 7 days later and I consider Mamie my friend and am truly excited to reconnect when we get back on campus. I found a connection with each person and will return to campus knowing that this time together helped us forge friendships that will last forever. I have 18 new friends on campus and several abroad who all shared in this incredible experience. I really didn’t count on how much these people would enhance this pilgrimage, but they all provided their own unique ” je ne sais quoi” that made this trip so much more positive, moving, and truly more beautiful than I ever thought possible. I may be saying “au revoir” to France, but with the memories that were made I know that France and Father Moreau’s story will have forever changed my heart. We have shared meals and conversations, wine and laughter. We have adventured together to new places, where awe and wonderment can only begin to describe how we feel about the many pilgrimage sites we have seen. Many new friendships have been formed, both with my fellow pilgrims and with those individuals that have shared pieces of our journey with us. We will continue to share memories with one another from a once in a lifetime pilgrimage that will last forever. I am ever so grateful for the many blessings this journey has given all of us. I feel that this pilgrimage has provided us with a refreshed and renewed spirit of MIND and HEART to continue the work that was started so many years ago by Father Moreau, Father Sorin, and the many others of Holy Cross that had a hand in shaping the path and vision for Notre Dame du Lac. This journey has offered us moments of the ZEAL of Father Sorin, to fuel our desire, to share our talents, and to help one another along our path in life. Together as pilgrims, we have added new members to our FAMILY from around the world by rejoicing in each other and our faith community, and it has provided me with a newfound HOPE in God’s promise of the Kingdom. With love and many blessings to all of you! After I walked through the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and prayed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to offer all of the worries and prayers that are on my heart. We once again were seated for dinner together. The food and drink were incredible. The fellowship and warmth of our flock of pilgrims was resounding throughout the land. Many more rounds of Happy birthday were sung to me throughout dessert, I was truly moved to laughter and tears. As we left the restaurant and happily walked the streets and square of Montmartre, many more spontaneous songs of happy birthday were sung by my pilgrim friends rejoicing in our hearts for life and love for one another. In the square many people joined in song, both visitors and waiters from restaurants. That is when another truly amazing moment happened, a family from Costa Rica approached our group. One of the women in the family exclaimed it is my mother’s birthday too! She is 67 and I am 37. Her name is Natalie. Which is one of my grandmother’s names. The connection I felt was unlike anything I have experienced before. We held hands, hugged each other and cried a little as my friends and her family rejoiced in this birthday celebration. It is one of the many moments this week when I truly felt that my heart was open, my worries had melted away and realized with a clear heart and mind that I am able to be present and open to those wonderfully joyful moments with all that were present. We ended the evening in Montmartre with a view of the full moon over Paris and a partial view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling one last time, before heading back down all of those winding stairs. I want to thank all of my fellow pilgrims, and Father John for making my birthday, as well as, this entire adventure amazing. Each one of you will forever be in my heart and my prayers. Our evening in Montmartre was unforgettable. We hopped off the Metro and headed up the circular concrete staircase leading out of the metro station. What a climb that was, the never ending tower of stairs leading up to the city, and then more steps up to the summit and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Upon arriving at the summit, the view of Paris was breathtaking. We arrived at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The beauty of this Basilica is overwhelming. So many pilgrims from all over the world journeying here to offer their heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Many times on this journey we have listened to Father John, Father Frank, and Father Ralph speak about Father Moreau’s devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is so important to the work that we do with our students, we must look at the model that Jesus provides for us and imitate him to our fullest. In life, we must search within our own hearts and give our hearts to The Lord. Breathe, let go, trust and give your heart to the Lord. Let your worries not weigh you down. Trust in the Lord. The previous passage is from a prayer that was shared with us in our guide on this pilgrimage. This prayer has really helped me reflect on the day to day tasks and worries that I have in my heart. This has helped me to see that bringing all of my worries to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will allow room in my heart for all the joy and blessings that life and the kingdom of God has to offer. One of Fr John’s sermon mentioned a story of his spiritual formation and his director talking about “thanks-living,” really living gratefully for the gifts of others. Everything this week makes this point. I am overwhelmed by the welcome we received from our French hosts, the guidance , patience, and good humor of our leaders, and the friendship and thoughtfulness of the pilgrims. What a blessing to have had this opportunity for reflection and fellowship. I hope to look for the gifts of others around me when I return to work tomorrow. I pray that I say and “live” thanks throughout the everyday pilgrimage waiting for me back home. The Holy Cross Heritage Pilgrimage, for me, has been transcending. It has not only brought the “New World” closer to its heritage but also connected the past to the present; thus, transcending time and space. During our first Mass of the pilgrimage, Fr. John DeRiso CSC greeted the pilgrims, “Welcome Home! You’ve done well.” At that instant, I had a vivid imagine of Fr. Moreau French-embracing Fr. Sorin with those words. While it was not Fr. Moreau, it was another CSC; and it was not Fr. Sorin who returned home, it was us! There we were, 175 years after the founding of the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame Trail! Shameless plug.), 19 pilgrims journeyed home. To be welcomed home with such proud embrace was an enlightening moment for me. It sparked a deep connection and a sense of purpose in my collaborative work with the Congregation of Holy Cross and its coworkers. It rekindled the spirit within that burns for the zeal of spreading of the Kingdom of God—the very purpose of Fr. Moreau’s ministry. It gave deep meaning and purpose to my ministry as a Rector. I am a co-worker in this ministry and mission with the many Holy Cross priests that came before and many who will follow. It was real! An “ah ha” moment if you will. In the work of caring for our students, it can be frustrating and powerless at times because we don’t know if all the late nights and early mornings will bear any fruits. Sometime it can even feel insignificant. As I am writing this, the awareness of self-knowledge and my understanding of God’s providence and the mystery of salvation are being revealed. This grace is humbling. Self-centeredness can creeps up on us in this ministry—“no one is dealing what I have to deal with!” Thus, we can get discouraged, feeling self-centered, to see our insignificance in our work, to think of what we can or cannot do, and forget about God and God’s will and providence. One thing is certain, God never forgets! God knows our significance, our dignity and our worth. But God also expects us to accept, as from God’s hands, the daily situations God sends us and to act as Jesus would have acted and the grace to it. Perhaps, Fr. Moreau and Fr. Sorin felt these turmoils 175 years ago when they were establishing the University of Notre Dame mission. Perhaps not. But I am confident that we share the same frustrations, helpless, and powerlessness in this work collaborative work. But taking step back, I wonder if Fr. Moreau could have ever imaged this great harvest that is the University of Notre Dame. The seeds that was planted, namely by sending Fr. Sorin to this Northern Indiana Mission, are being watered and hold future promises—the hope of the Cross. Our work is not yet completed and hopefully, our spirit is enlivened by this pilgrimage and home coming to continue this work as co-workers in God’s vineyard, working to catch a glimpse of heaven on earth at the University of Notre Dame. Heaven—our ultimate home, the destination of every pilgrim—God! Growing up, my grandmother has always been a pillar of faith for my family and I. When I was younger I never quite understood the wisdom she was imparting on me, not just as a human, but an individual who declared Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. One piece of advice my grandmother continually repeated to myself and my cousins was “True success is measured by your ability to make the right decisions”. As a child, I smiled politely and nodded. I heard the words of my grandmother but had not completely internalized them. Throughout this pilgrimage, there was example after example of servants who served the Lord who made the right decisions. In all of their decisions, they had the Lord as their focal point and knew they could accomplish amazing things through Him. As we stepped in multiple churches over this past week, I continued to be in awe of the work and detail they were able to create. These buildings were not built with grandiose technology, but with servants who knew their work would be glorified and appreciated because they made the right decisions. Over time their decisions would be tested with fires, wars, and revolutions. The servants continued to make the decision to rebuild to honor their Lord and create beautiful spaces to praise his name. Pilgrimages were never talked about in church when I was growing up. Therefore, I was unaware of the churches being seen as pilgrimage locations until I started to learn more prior and during this journey. This experience has opened my eyes up to Christian pilgrimage and the destinations Christians can visit to deepen their relationship with God. I see this pilgrimage as a right decision in my life that will allow me true success in explaining the rich heritage of the Holy Cross order and the foundation blocks of Notre Dame to students, visitors, colleagues, and the worldwide Notre Dame family. As of right now I don’t know exactly how my successes will bloom into something beautiful to admire at Notre Dame, but I am embracing that process. I will look back on this process and be mesmerized at the blessings in my life that have come by making the right decision to journey on the pilgrimage. To this day, my grandmother stills imparts wisdom to me, but today I am honored it came full circle with the words my grandmother has repeated all along. It not only helped me make a stronger connection to the University, but also reminded me to continue to make right decisions to deepen my faith and be open and aware of the blessings and successes that are on the horizon. Over the last week I have enjoyed the many hours I have spent with my fellow pilgrims. Many of us have taken pictures at each location we have traveled. At times we looked more like tourists than pilgrims. Within our parishes, we hear about sharing our “talents and treasure.” This pilgrimage provided a real-life reminder of how we are all provided a gift from God — talent. Coming on this pilgrimage, I thought I had a pretty decent talent related to photography. Over the last few days I have learned that Rebecca, Mark, and Nhat have much more talent than me when it comes to photography. I found myself asking advice from these three pilgrims about angles, lighting, and camera settings so I could refine my talents and take better pictures. In just a few short days, I have learned a few new skills that I look forward to expanding in the future. The fruits of our labor will be shared on our photo gallery once we return to campus and have a faster WIFI connection to upload the hundreds of pictures we have taken. More importantly, as I return to campus, I will commit to find specific ways to better share my talents with others to help them grow and serve others. Thank you to all my fellow pilgrims for making this an amazing journey. This week has blessed me with with a deeper understanding of what it means to be a shepherd with our students, it has also blessed me with prayer, thanks giving, and humor. Father John is amazing, and we were blessed to have Father Ralph and Father Frank assist with our teaching. My heart has grown stronger in faith, and the names of Father Moreau and Father Sorin have taken on new life for me and what it means to work at Notre Dame. My one wish is that I would have really thought more deeply about the petitions to bring with me. I don’t really think that I fully understood the power of prayer that I would feel on this trip. As we have been wandering through the city of Le Mans, I have been enamored with the doors to the shops and homes, imagining what is beyond the other side. Many are painted in vibrant colors with impeccable word work and detailed frames, knockers and handles. The ancient doors of Le Mans are a reminder to us to open the doors of our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit. We began this journey eager for a renewed enthusiasm in our faith. As we venture to Chartes, Paris and eventually home, may we always remember the doors of Le Mans and be inspired to never to close ourselves off from Christ and one another. Riding in the bus from Le Mans to Chartres I drifted off to lsleep, and right before I woke up, I had an image pop into my head. There has bee a lot mentioned during this pilgrimage about “community.” Yesterday we left the hotel at the same time some younger (kindergarten) children were being lead by their teachers to cross the street. I struck me how similar we looked to the children. Here we are, Fr. John’s flock, and he is our shepherd. Others have already known him, but I did not. Advice provided by Mimi Beck (2016 pilgrim) was to “trust Father John.” This piece of advice kept coming to mind. I’m not sure yet how much this experience has strengthened my relationship with Catholicism, but it has strengthened my faith in people. I am not an adventurous type of person when it comes to food. While many of my fellow pilgrims were excited at the opportunity to enjoy French cuisine, I was not. Fortunately, I have found solace in my daily baguette (or two). For less than a Euro, I had peace of mind that I would be physically nourished. Comfort helps us get through difficult times. In the crypt at the Shrine in Le Mans, we learned of a story of Father Moreau requesting a candle be lit for him in Le Mans during his journey across the Atlantic for his visit to the missions in America. During my pilgrimage to France, my baguette was my candle — it got me through a few challenging food experiences (as a few of my new friends have realized!). As Holy Cross priests hold the motto AVE CRUX SPES UNICA (Hail the Cross, our only hope) as sacred and a guiding influence, I have found myself praying at dinner how the baguette was my only hope. When I return to Notre Dame du Lac in less than 24 hours, I will be faced with a number of challenging situations. While I will no longer need a baguette, I have a deeper appreciation for the Holy Cross pillar of “hope” and how important prayer can be… even for something as simple as bread. I guess that time truly does fly when you’re having fun…as we depart for Paris and the end of our adventure all I can say is WOW! Spirits are flying high and it seems like we just got here. There are sooooo many moments that we have shared that range from being spiritual and reflective to just plain laughing with each other about flaming desserts, creaky floors in our rooms to how delicious and abundant the baguettes! Our travels yesterday accomplished many of my personal goals. I have gained a better understanding of who Fr. Moreau and Fr. Sorin were and how/why they were called to come to Indiana. Fathers John, Ralph, Frank and Tiphaine have been outstanding teachers! Meeting the Pilgrims who came to Notre Dame this spring was also great! They were so kind, hospitable and grateful to see and connect us. Again, hard to believe that we have been here for almost a week and it is already Friday and we have only two days left. I am excited to see what lies ahead and so grateful and honored to be a part of this pilgrimage with some old and now some new Notre Dame friends. These last 4 days have offered me something I have not experienced for quite a while — uninterrupted time to reflect. No email. No phone. No text messages. My day-to-day work is very rewarding, but some days are quite challenging. Seemingly never-ending thoughts of administrative tasks and the These last 4 days have found me packing up my phone in the morning and putting it in my backpack, not to be touched until the day has come to a close. Getting “unplugged” has provided me a chance to continually reflect on how thankful I am — my journey to how I have gotten to where I am today; where I am today; and where I hope to be in the future. As an undergraduate student at Bradley University, I would never have imagined working at the University of Notre Dame. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the support of others. Most of my time has been giving thanks for those who have sacrificed on my behalf, primarily: my parents, my wife, my kids, and the my mentors at Notre Dame who have provided me countless opportunities to serve our students in different ways. During this pilgrimage, I have learned about how “opportunity” can be so powerful. Fr. Moreau was provided an opportunity by his local priest to enter the seminary; Fr. Sorin was provided an opportunity by Fr. Moreau to start a mission in America; and I too, have been provided many opportunities by Holy Cross Priests. A few days ago at the Shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau in Le Mans, my fellow pilgrims were asked to pray for Holy Cross priests who have made an impact on us. A number of “C.S.C.’s” have made my last 19 years memorable and fulfilling, and hearing the names of the 30+ priests and brothers brought back many memories over the last 19 years. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunities that two Holy Cross priests, in particular, provided me in their respective roles as Vice President for Student Affairs: Fr. Mark Poorman and Fr. Tom Doyle. On Tuesday morning we began our day finishing up our tour of the Shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau before we said Mass as community around Fr. Moreau’s tomb. I found myself reflecting upon how Moreau had a deep devotional prayer life and a sense of direction in his ministry. My prayer and reflection then led me to further ponder my own sense of purpose as a Christian and in my ministry as Rector of Cavanaugh Hall. This question lingered in my mind throughout the afternoon as we visited Fr. Sorin’s hometown. Fr. Sorin was a visionary and just like Fr. Moreau, he had a deep devotional prayer life. Both Fr. Moreau and Fr. Sorin achieved so much in their lifetimes. As we gathered to pray around the baptismal font where Fr. Sorin was baptized, I continued to pray and reflect on this desire I have for a stronger sense of direction, a vision, and fearlessness to do the Lord’s work. As I was praying and looking at the baptismal font, I was reminded that because of my baptism I am called to holiness, to trust in Christ’s wisdom and surrender my heart to Christ’s love. My eyes were drawn to the small keyhole on the copper cover and in that moment I realized that the key to our success in developing a deeper sense of direction and fulfillment in our ministry is to return to our baptismal promises. We must take the time to stop and listen to God in order to develop a routine of prayer where we converse with God and hear his calling. Fr Moreau valued solitude and introspection. This was the foundation upon which both Fr. Moreau and Fr. Sorin oriented their ministry. Through prayer they heard the voice of God and developed their visions for the Congregation of Holy across and the University of Notre Dame, both to become powerful sources of goodness in this world. I look forward to visiting more grace filled places along this journey so that I may hear God’s voice and the ways he is calling me to serve. As I write, it after midnight which means it is Nichole’s 30th birthday (it is also my 42nd birthday, but that is not the point of my story)! We have discussed it at various points this week, and it has been a point of reflection for me as we have traveled on our journey. The last time I came to France, it was a month or so after my 30th birthday. I was here for work like I am currently, but as I compare and contrast those trips, I cannot believe the differences (along with a few similarities). The last time I was in France it was a whirlwind of appointments and meetings, I never once stepped into a church, a chapel, or a cathedral and I barely took a moment to consider what I was seeing (except for the fabrics I selected at the fabric show). While this trip has been no less busy and I am equally exhausted, it has been incredible to have our focus be to take in our surroundings and consider them in the context of our work, our personal lives, and our faith. It has been a wonderful balance of history, reflection, and community. Throughout our time in LeMans, Ahuillé, and Laigné-en-Belin, we have heard the story of Fr. Moreau saying yes to the request to send Fr. Sorin and the Brothers to Indiana, and I am amazed by the sacrifices that had to be made to make the trip possible. I don’t know that I fully understood the magnitude of such a request. It required incredible faith and vision, and it speaks to how important education was to Moreau. As I reflect on the time of my previous trip to now, I am struck by their sacrifices and by what it means to love what you do. While I enjoyed my career during my last trip to France, I would not say that I was particularly fulfilled by my work. I cannot articulate how grateful I am that Fr. Moreau, Fr. Sorin, and the Brothers were willing to take a risk and believed their mission would succeed. Their faith has provided a new career path for me in work that I truly love. The trip does have similarities, too. Like my last trip to France, I am enjoying excellent meals, but most importantly I am traveling with an amazing group of colleagues (including our hosts. Fr. John De Riso, C.S.C., Rector of the Shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau and Tiphaine Hamerel). Each of my fellow pilgrims has enriched this trip for me. And for that, I am most grateful. So, to my fellow pilgrim, Nichole, Bon Anniversaire! Thank you for providing an additional catalyst for reflection by turning 30! PS-As an FYI, I do not believe I am going to be in trouble for sharing Nichole’s age since she has publicly shared it as well (but on the off-chance I am in trouble, I promise to make it up to her with a birthday pastry or one of Willerton’s baguettes). In my essay application for this pilgrimage, I wrote about the desire to have the opportunity to learn and grow with my colleagues in Student Affairs and the University. Given our busy schedules, we often don’t have time to connect on more than a casual friendly level. Tonight on the eve of my birthday, my hopes became a reality as I sat with new found friends who a few short days ago were struggling to learn each other’s names. We have gotten to know each other SO well. This opportunity for growth spiritually, intellectually, and professionally has been one we all shared and walked in together. We have grown together, learned together, and laughed until we cried together (usually at Willerton’s expense). We haven’t even returned and already we are planning ways we can reconnect once we are all back on campus. It’s been such a great joy to gain so much, mostly friendships, on this journey so far. “How good and pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to dwell in harmony”…as I reflect on the past few days this came to mind. Since the start of our pilgrimage I have felt and viewed nothing but friendship and support from my fellow pilgrims. From folks simply getting to know each other to people buying meals, lending Euros or cell chargers everyone sincerely had been supporting one another. Father John and Tiphaine have been outstanding hosts…but isn’t that what brothers and sister do for each other? The most reflective and spiritual aspect of the trip was when Father John spoke about the font that Fr. Sorin was baptized in. It made me think of conversations that I had with my father and uncle before and after I was baptized as young boy which made me very peaceful, happy and very appreciative for those memories. I am so very grateful for my new friends and this experience and I can’t wait to see what our next adventure will bring. God Bless. Moreau Pilgrimage Day 1: So much thought, reflection, prayer and planning having gone into my preparation for this amazing experience. I wouldn’t have thought my first comments would relate to my language prep! Having had extensive French language training: 2 years in high school, plus Mango lessons these past few weeks, along with Google translate, I thought I was ready. But, my first attempt failed miserably! I asked for a “medium decaffeinated coffee with chocolate.” I received the following 3 different hot beverages! Loved them all! Love France! “Time flies” — how appropriate for our pilgrimage! The last 3 days have been a whirlwind of excitement and exhaustion for me, as well as my 18 pelerins (pilgrims). It’s hard (and somewhat sad!) to believe that we will be leaving this beautiful country in just a few short days. As I wake up in Le Mans for the second time and look across the town from room trois-zero-six at the Concordia Hotel, I give thanks to all those who have made this such a fulfilling experience. Just three days ago we gathered outside the Main Building on Notre Dame’s campus to load a bus to the airport… at least that’s what I thought. Sorin Circle was more than just a meeting location. Pilgrims from the 2015 and 2016 journeys joined us to offer us well-wishes, prayers, and last minute advice. Laughter and hugs (and a little bit of jealousy!) permeated our gathering. After a prayer from Fr. Pete McCormick, C.S.C., Director of Campus Ministry (and 2015-16 pilgrim), and remarks from Erin Hoffmann Harding, Vice President for Student Affairs (and 2016 pilgrim), I realized just how special this experience would be. We boarded the buses for the journey to O’Hare, and our fellowship began to form as we asked questions of each other and began to develop deeper relationships. Shortly after arriving at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, we were greeted by Fr. John De Riso, C.S.C., Rector of the Shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau. When I think about the charism of hospitality within the Congregation of Holy Cross, I can think of many C.S.C. priests who have made me feel so welcome at Notre Dame over the last 19 years… and Fr. John is no different. It became apparent as we boarded our bus to Le Mans that we were in for what past pilgrims have described as a true experience in Holy Cross hospitality. I have many memories that I look forward to sharing in the coming days! We all arrived in Paris safely, where we met Lauren and Fr. Ralph; we were grateful. All luggage arrived, even the big orange duffle bag in the oversized cage; we were grateful. Fr. John greeted us and welcomed us to France; we were grateful. All buses so far have been in great working condition with super drivers; we are grateful. I have now learned the names of all my fellow pilgrims and am so grateful that they have adopted me as the bandit pilgrim outside of Student Affairs. All the basics have been covered! Blessings abound! We were able to visit the shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau today. Before we went in, Fr. John shared with us much of the history of these buildings, which truly represent the birth of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Congregation lost these building for a period of time to the Jesuits and then to the government, and how wonderful that we were able to again secure the church and one of the buildings. We were standing in the courtyard of the building where Blessed Moreau would have chosen to send Fr. Sorin and the 6 Brothers to America. The community would have prayed for them and sent them from this very spot over the Atlantic to New York City, and then by water to Vincennes, Indiana, and eventually to what is the campus of the University of Notre Dame. I have now visited all of Fr. Sorin’s major stops, but in the opposite order. Last summer, I visited the Basilica of St. Francis in Vincennes; last March I visited St. Peter’s Church in NYC where Fr. Sorin said Mass upon his arrival to America; and now I have stood in the Shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau, where it all started. It is extraordinary that we will bring all of these learnings together as part of the 175th anniversary of the University of Notre Dame later this year through the Notre Dame Trail. I am eternally grateful for this experience! Alleluia! One moth from now, 19 Notre Dame pilgrims will travel from South Bend, Indiana for a spiritual journey to holy sites in France, including Sainte-Croix, where Blessed Basile Moreau, C.S.C. founded the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1837. For the last 3 weeks, pilgrims have spent time together to meet each other and prepare ourselves for a spiritual journey. Guest presentations by Professor Cunningham, Professor Clairmont, and Mimi Beck provided a foundation for an understanding of the Catholic Church in the 1800’s, Holy Cross Spirituality, and how to prepare ourselves so that the pilgrimage will be both a personally and professionally moving experience. You are welcome to follow our travels and reflections through this blog.
2019-04-24T08:21:34Z
http://sites.nd.edu/2017-pilgrimage/
The present inventions relate generally to neurostimulation systems. Neurostimulation systems, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems, deep brain stimulation systems and peripheral nerve stimulation systems, include at least one electrode positioned to enable stimulation of neural elements that are the target tissue (i.e. the tissue that, when sufficiently stimulated, will create the desired therapeutic effect). The electrodes are commonly mounted on a carrier and, in many instances, a plurality of electrodes are mounted on a single carrier. These carrier/electrode devices are sometimes referred to as “leads”. The electrodes may be used to cause nerves to fire action potentials (APs) that propagate along the neural fibers. More specifically, supplying stimulation energy to an electrode functioning as a cathode creates an electric potential field that causes depolarization of the neurons adjacent to the electrode. When the field is strong enough to depolarize (or “stimulate”) the neurons beyond a threshold level, the neurons will fire APs. Stimulation energy may be delivered to the electrodes during and after the lead placement process in order to verify that the electrodes are stimulating the target neural elements and to formulate the most effective stimulation regimen. The regimen will dictate which of the electrodes are sourcing or returning current pulses at any given time, as well as the magnitude and duration of the current pulses. The stimulation regimen will typically be one that provides stimulation energy to all of the target tissue that must be stimulated in order to provide the therapeutic benefit (e.g., pain relief), yet minimizes the volume of non-target tissue that is stimulated. Thus, certain types of neurostimulation leads are typically implanted with the understanding that the stimulus pattern will require fewer than all of the electrodes on the leads to achieve the desired clinical effect; in the case of SCS, such a clinical effect is “paresthesia,” i.e., a tingling sensation that is effected by the electrical stimuli applied through the electrodes. The present inventor has determined that conventional stimulus regimens, and the manner in which they are formulated, may be susceptible to improvement. For example, there are instances where the target tissue is not directly adjacent to an electrode and, because electrical field strength decreases exponentially with distance from the electrode, a relatively strong electric field must be created to generate APs in the target neural fibers. The electric field may, however, result in the generation of APs in the non-target fiber bundles between the electrode and the target fibers. The generation of APs in the non-target tissue may, in turn, lead to undesirable outcomes (e.g., discomfort) for the patient. The present inventor has determined that it may also be desirable in, for example, the context of leads that are oriented transverse to the target neural fibers, to selectively control the shape of the AP generating region in order to prevent the generation of APs in non-target fibers. Apparatus and methods in accordance with some of the present inventions involve the creation of APs in neural fibers and the selective blocking of the APs in some of the neural fibers in which APs are created. Such apparatus and methods are advantageous for a variety of reasons. For example, such apparatus and methods facilitate stimulation regimens that create APs in tissue that is not directly adjacent to the depolarizing electrode(s) while preventing APs from propagating in the tissue therebetween that produce undesirable outcomes for the patient. Apparatus and methods in accordance with some of the present inventions involve the use of local current imbalances and the sinking of current at a remote cathode(s). Such apparatus and methods are advantageous for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, facilitation of the selective control of the width and depth of AP generating regions. For example, the programmer may increase the current sourced at one or more electrodes within the stimulation site, which tends to reduce the width of the AP generating and propagating region, without a corresponding increase in the current sunk at one or more other electrodes within the stimulation site (which would increase the depth of the AP generating region). The above described and many other features of the present inventions will become apparent as the inventions become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the inventions will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a neurostimulation system in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 2 is an end view of an implantable pulse generator in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a lead in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an implantable pulse generator in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a stimulation regimen that may be produced by the implantable pulse generator illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another stimulation regimen that may be produced by the implantable pulse generator illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an illustration of a stimulation pulse that may be produced by the implantable pulse generator illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is an illustration of another stimulation pulse that may be produced by the implantable pulse generator illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of an implantable pulse generator in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 10 is a graph of the changes in neural fiber transmembrane potential that results from a conventional neurostimulation regimen. FIG. 11 is a graph of the changes in neural fiber transmembrane potential that results from another conventional neurostimulation regimen. FIG. 12 is a graph of the changes in neural fiber transmembrane potential that results from a neurostimulation regimen in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 13 is a graph of the changes in neural fiber transmembrane potential that results from a neurostimulation regimen in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 14 is a section view of a dorsal column being treated with a conventional neurostimulation regimen. FIG. 15 is a section view of a dorsal column being treated with a neurostimulation regimen in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 16 is a section view of a dorsal column being treated with a neurostimulation regimen in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 17 is a flow chart summarizing various processes in accordance with the present inventions. The present inventions have application in a wide variety of neurostimulation systems. Although the present inventions are not so limited, examples of such systems are illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary implantable neurostimulation system 100 includes first and second implantable leads 102 and 104. The exemplary leads 102 and 104 are in-line leads and, to that end, both of the leads consist of a plurality of in-line electrodes 106 carried on a flexible body 108. In the illustrated embodiment, there are eight (8) electrodes on lead 102, which are labeled E1-E8, and there are eight (8) electrodes on lead 104, which are labeled E9-E16. The actual number of leads and electrodes will, of course, vary according to the intended application and the present inventions are not limited to any particular numbers of leads and electrodes. The implantable neurostimulation system 100 may, alternatively, employ other types of leads such as, for example, the paddle lead 102 a with electrodes 106 a on a wide platform 108 a illustrated in FIG. 3. In any case, the leads may be implanted into a desired location, such as adjacent to the patient's spinal cord, through the use of an insertion needle or other conventional techniques. Once in place, the electrodes may be used to supply stimulation energy to the target neural elements or other target tissue. The exemplary neurostimulation system 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 also includes an implantable pulse generator (IPG) 110 that is capable of directing stimulation energy to each of the electrodes 106. The stimulation energy may be stimulation energy waveforms such as, for example, pulses having various shapes and sine waves. To that end, each of the electrodes 106 on the lead 102 is electrically connected to the IPG 110 by a respective signal wire 112 (some of which are not shown) that extends through, or is imbedded in, the associated flexible body 108. Similarly, the electrodes 106 on the lead 104 are electrically connected to the IPG 110 by respective signal wires 114 (some of which are not shown). The signal wires 112 and 114 are connected to the IPG 110 by way of an interface 116. The interface 116 may be any suitable device that allows the leads 102 and 104 to be removably or permanently electrically connected to the IPG 110. Such an interface may, for example, be an electro-mechanical connector arrangement including lead connectors 118 a and 118 b within the IPG 110 that are configured to mate with corresponding connectors on the leads 102 and 104 (only connector 120 a on lead 102 is shown). Alternatively, the leads 102 and 104 can share a single connector that mates with a corresponding connector on the IPG. Exemplary connector arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,609,029 and 6,741,892, which are incorporated herein by reference. The exemplary IPG 110 includes an outer case 122 that may be formed from an electrically conductive, biocompatible material such as titanium and, in some instances, will function as an electrode. The IPG 110 is typically programmed, or controlled, through the use of an external (non-implanted) programmer 124. The external programmer 124 is coupled to the IPG 110 through a suitable communications link, represented by the arrow 126, that passes through the patient's skin 128. Suitable links include, but are not limited to, radio frequency (RF) links, inductive links, optical links and magnetic links. The programmer 124 or other external device may also be used to couple power into the IPG 110 for the purpose of operating the IPG or replenishing a power source, such as a rechargeable battery, within the IPG. Once the IPG 110 has been programmed, and its power source has been charged or otherwise replenished, the IPG may function as programmed without the external programmer 124 being present. With respect to the stimulus regimens provided during operation of the exemplary neurostimulation system 100, electrodes that are selected to receive stimulation energy are referred to herein as “activated,” while electrodes that are not selected to receive stimulation energy are referred to herein as “non-activated.” Electrical stimulation will occur between two (or more) electrodes, one of which may be the IPG case, so that the electrical current associated with the stimulus has a path through the tissue from one or more electrodes configured as anodes to one or more electrodes configured as cathodes, or return electrodes. The return electrode(s) may be one or more of the electrodes 106 on the leads 102 and 104 or may be the IPG case 122. Stimulation energy may be transmitted to the tissue in monopolar, bipolar, or multipolar fashion, as examples. Monopolar stimulation occurs when a selected one of the lead electrodes 106 is activated along with the case 122. Bipolar stimulation occurs when two of the lead electrodes 106 are activated. The lead electrodes 106 may be on the same lead, or on different leads. For example, electrode E3 on lead 102 may be activated as an anode at the same time that electrode E4 on lead 102, or electrode E11 on lead 104, is activated as a cathode. Tripolar stimulation occurs when three of the lead electrodes 106 are activated on the same lead, or on different leads. For example, electrodes E4 and E6 on lead 102 may be activated as anodes at the same time that electrode E5 on lead 102, is activated as a cathode. Generally speaking, multipolar stimulation occurs when multiple lead electrodes 106 are activated. Turning to FIG. 4, an exemplary IPG 110 has a plurality of dual current sources 130. Each dual current source 130 includes a positive current source that can function as an anode (+I1, +I2, +I3, . . . +Icase) to “source” current to a load, as well as a current source that can function as a cathode (−I1, −I2, −I3, . . . −Icase) to “sink” current from the load, through a common node 132. The load is the tissue that resides between the activated electrodes 106, the wires (and other conductive elements), and the coupling capacitor (C1, C2, C3, . . . Ccase) that connects the associated electrode to the common node 132 of the dual current source 130. The operation of the control circuit 134 may be explained in the context of the following example. Referring to FIG. 5, the control circuit 134 may be used to simultaneously turn on (or enable) the positive current sources in the dual current sources 130 connected to lead electrodes E1 and E3 during time T1. The negative current source in the dual current source 130 connected to lead electrode E2 is also turned on during time T1. All other current sources are off (or disabled) during the time T1. This causes electrodes E1 and E3 to be activated as anodes at the same time that electrode E2 is activated as a cathode. Currents +I1 and +I3 are sourced from electrodes E1 and E3 at the same time that current −I2 is sunk into electrode E2. The amplitudes of the currents +I1 and +I3 may be any programmed values, and the amplitude of the current −I2 will be equal to −(I1+I3). That is, the current that is sourced from electrodes E1 and E3 is equal to the current that is sunk at electrode E2. Sinking all of the current sourced into the target tissue region at the target tissue region is referred to herein as “local current balance.” As used herein, “local” electrodes are electrodes that, when sourcing or sinking stimulation current in the vicinity of the target tissue, have a clinically significant neuromodulatory effect on the target tissue. As another example, the control circuit 134 may be used to cause a portion of the current sourced from one or more lead electrodes to be sunk by one (or more) lead electrodes and the remainder of the current to be sunk at the IPG case. Turning to FIG. 6, and for reasons that are discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 15 and 16, the control circuit 134 may be used to simultaneously turn on (or enable) the positive current sources in the dual current sources 130 connected to lead electrodes E1 and E3 during time T1. The negative current sources in the dual current source 130 connected to lead electrode E2 and case electrode Ecase are also turned on during time T1. All other current sources are off (or disabled) during the time T1. This causes electrodes E1 and E3 to be activated as anodes at the same time that electrodes E2 and Ecase are activated as cathodes. Currents +I1 and +I3 are sourced from electrodes E1 and E3 at the same time that current −I2 and −Icase is sunk into electrodes E2 and Ecase. The amplitudes of the currents +I1 and +I3 may be any programmed values, while the sum of the amplitudes of the currents −I2 and −Icase will be equal to −(I1+I3), i.e., −I2 will be equal to A% of −(I1+I3) and −Icase will be equal to B% of −(I1 +I3), where A% +B% =100%. That is, the sum of the current that is sourced from electrodes E1 and E3 is equal to the sum of the current that is sunk at electrodes E2 and Ecase. Sinking a portion of the current sourced into the target tissue region at a remote location, such as at the case electrode Ecase, is referred to herein as “local current imbalance.” As used herein, a “remote” electrode is an electrode that, when sourcing or sinking stimulation current, will not have a clinically significant neuromodulatory effect on the target tissue other than reducing the amount of current sourced or sunk at the target tissue. After time period T1, the control circuit 134 will typically switch the polarities of the electrodes during a second time period T2. Thus, an electrode that was functioning as an anode during time period T1 will function as a cathode during time period T2, and an electrode that was functioning as a cathode during time period T1 will function as an anode during time period T2. Operating the control circuit 134 in this manner produces a biphasic stimulation pulse that is characterized by a first phase (period T1) of one polarity followed by a second phase immediately or shortly thereafter (period T2) of the opposite polarity. The electrical charge associated with the first phase should be equal to the charge associated with the second phase to maintain charge balance during the stimulation, which is generally considered an important component of stimulation regimes, although this is not required by the present inventions. Referring to FIG. 7, the charge balance of a biphasic stimulation pulse 136 may be achieved by making the amplitudes of the first and second phases, as well as the periods T1 and T2, substantially equal. Charge balance may also be achieved using other combinations of phase duration and amplitude. For example, the amplitude of the second phase may be equal to one-half of the amplitude of the first phase and the period T2 may be equal to twice the period T1, as is the case in the biphasic stimulation pulse 136′ illustrated in FIG. 8. Neurostimulation systems in accordance with the present inventions may also employ the alternative IPG 110′ illustrated in FIG. 9, which includes a plurality of dual voltage sources 130′ that are respectively connected to the lead electrodes E1-E16 and the IPG case electrode Ecase. Each dual voltage source 130′ applies a programmed voltage to the associated electrode when turned on by way of a node 132′ and a coupling capacitor (C1, C2, C3, . . . . Ccase). Alternative implementations may, as an example, employ fewer dual voltage sources than there are electrodes. Here, at least some of the dual voltage sources will be connected to more than one electrode. A programmable voltage control circuit 134′ controls each of the dual voltage sources 130′ and specifies the amplitude, polarity and duration of the voltage that is applied to the electrodes. The dual voltage sources 130′ and control circuit 134′ may be used to produce the biphasic stimulation pulses that are characterized by a first phase (period T1) of one polarity followed by a second phase immediately or shortly thereafter (period T2) of the opposite polarity applied between any two or more electrodes. Charge balance of the biphasic stimulation pulse may be achieved by making the amplitudes of the first and second phases, as well as the periods T1 and T2, equal. Charge balance may also be achieved using other combinations of phase duration and amplitude. For example, the amplitude of the second phase may be equal to one-half of the amplitude of the first phase and the period T2 may be equal to twice the period T1. Additional details concerning IPGs may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,227 and U.S. Pub. App. 2003/0139781, which are incorporated herein by reference. It also should be noted that the block diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 9 are functional diagrams, and are not intended to limit the present inventions to any particular IPG circuitry. The present inventions also have application in non-implantable neurostimulation systems. For example, the present inventions may be embodied in, and/or performed using, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (“TENS”) systems. In TENS systems, the sourcing and sinking electrodes are placed on the patient's skin. Current is sourced into the neural tissue by way of the skin. Current is also sunk, both locally and remotely, by way of the skin. The neurostimulation systems described above with reference to FIGS. 1-9 have application in a wide variety of stimulation regimens. Examples of such regimens are illustrated in FIGS. 10-16. FIGS. 10-13 graphically illustrate the changes in transmembrane potential (ΔVm) of neural fibers in fiber bundles that are in the vicinity of certain electrodes when electric fields are generated by the electrodes during the neurostimulation regimens, while FIGS. 14-16 highlight portions of tissue structures where the change in transmembrane potential is above a predetermined level. The neurostimulation regimens illustrated in FIGS. 10-13 are associated with neurostimulation systems employing a lead that is generally parallel to the neural fibers, while the neurostimulation regimens illustrated in FIGS. 14-16 are associated with neurostimulation systems employing a lead that is generally transverse to the neural fibers. Additionally, although the present inventions are not so limited, the regimens illustrated in FIGS. 10-13 are discussed in the context of first and second fiber bundles FB1 and FB2. In the illustrated examples, the first fiber bundle FB1 is the closest fiber bundle to the electrodes, the second fiber bundle FB2 is the next closest fiber bundle to the electrodes, and the first fiber bundle is located between the second fiber bundle and the electrodes. Conventional stimulation regimens for use with a lead that is generally parallel to the neural fibers, which serve as a reference for certain stimulation regimens in accordance with the present inventions, are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIG. 10, electrodes E1-E3 are activated in a conventional stimulation regimen where electrodes E1 and E3 are functioning as anodes and electrode E2 is functioning as a cathode. No current is sourced or sunk at any of the other electrodes. E1ectrodes E1 and E3 are each sourcing 50% of the total current (e.g., 1 mA each) and 100% of the total current (e.g., 2 mA) is being sunk at electrode E2. As such, there is local current balance at the stimulation site. The depolarizing electric field generated by electrode E2 is sufficient to create APs in some of the neural fibers in the first fiber bundle FB1. In other words, the depolarization threshold DPT has been met for the first fiber bundle FB1 in the tissue adjacent electrode E2. The depolarizing electric field generated by electrode E2 is substantially weaker at the second fiber bundle FB2 and is below the AP-creating depolarization threshold DPT. The locus of stimulation is, therefore, defined by the portion of the depolarizing electric field generated by electrode E2 that is at or above the depolarization threshold DPT. E1ectrodes E1 and E3, which are functioning as anodes in the stimulation regimen illustrated in FIG. 10, will create hyperpolarizing electric fields in the neural tissue adjacent to electrodes E1 and E3. When the electric field is at or above the hyperpolarization threshold HPT, the neural fibers within the electric field will block APs that were fired at other points along the fibers. It should be noted here that the magnitude of the hyperpolarization threshold HPT has been estimated to be about 2 to 8 times the magnitude of the depolarization threshold DPT. The hyperpolarizing electric fields generated by electrodes E1 and E3 in the exemplary stimulation regimen are below the hyperpolarization threshold HPT at the first fiber bundle FB1. As such, APs in the fiber bundle FB1 that fired at points in the neural fibers adjacent to electrode E2 will not be blocked at points adjacent to electrodes E1 and E3. The hyperpolarizing electric fields generated by electrodes E1 and E3 will, of course, be even weaker at the second fiber bundle FB2. Turning to FIG. 11, electrodes E1 and E2 are activated in a conventional stimulation regimen where electrode E1 is functioning as an anode and electrode E2 is functioning as a cathode. No current is sourced at any other electrode. All of the current sourced at electrode E1 (e.g. 2 mA) is being sunk at electrode E2 and there is local current balance. With respect to the first fiber bundle FB1, the depolarizing electric field generated by electrode E2 meets the depolarization threshold DPT, which will result in the generation of APs by at least some of the fibers in the first fiber bundle. The hyperpolarizing electric field generated by electrode E1 is below the hyperpolarization threshold HPT and, accordingly, the APs will not be blocked. Within the fiber bundle FB2, the depolarizing electric field generated by electrode E2 is below the depolarization threshold DPT and the hyperpolarizing electric field generated by electrode E1 is below the hyperpolarization threshold HPT. In both of the regimens described above, the generation of APs in the fibers within the second fiber bundle FB2 will require an increase in the depolarizing electric field generated by electrode E2 over that illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. There may be instances where the generation of APs in the first fiber bundle FB1, which necessarily results from the creation of a depolarizing electric field that is strong enough to meet the depolarization threshold DPT at the second fiber bundle FB2, may lead to undesirable outcomes (e.g. discomfort or undesirable reflexive activity) for the patient. Some of the present inventions solve this problem by preventing APs generated in the first fiber bundle FB1 from reaching the brain or end organ. Specifically, such inventions create local AP blocks and the AP blocks prevent APs created within a portion of the depolarizing electric field that is at or above the depolarization threshold DPT from traveling, in one direction or both directions, beyond the stimulation site. The effective locus of stimulation is, therefore, the region of neural fibers that are generating APs that are not blocked at other portions of the stimulation site. As illustrated in FIG. 12, one example of a stimulation regimen in accordance with a present invention involves locally blocking APs generated in the first fiber bundle FB1. At least a substantial portion of the APs (i.e., >10-20%) are blocked by hyperpolarizing tissue in the first fiber bundle FB1, located on opposite sides of the tissue in the first fiber bundle FB1 that is generating the APs, to at least the hyperpolarization threshold HPT. This may be accomplished by significantly increasing the level of current sourced from electrodes E1 and E3, as compared to the level illustrated in FIG. 10 (e.g., about 2.5 mA each), in order to reach the hyperpolarization threshold HPT within the first fiber bundle FB1 at electrodes E1 and E3. Turning to electrode E2, the amount of current sunk at electrode E2 should be sufficient to create a depolarizing electric field that is strong enough to meet the depolarization threshold DPT at the second fiber bundle FB2 and cause fibers within the second fiber bundle to generate APs. The inventor herein has determined that sinking all of the current sourced by electrodes E1 and E3 at electrode E2 could result in a depolarizing electric field that would meet or exceed the depolarization threshold DPT in fiber bundles well beyond the second fiber bundle FB2. In those instances where the creation of APs beyond the second fiber bundle FB2 is undesirable, a portion of the current sourced by the electrodes E1 and E3 will be sunk at an electrode that is located remotely from stimulation site, thereby creating a local current imbalance at the stimulation site. Sinking some of the current at a remote electrode allows the intensity of the depolarizing electric field created by electrode E2 to be reduced to a level where the hyperpolarization threshold HPT will not be met in fibers within the second fiber bundle FB2. The portion of the current in the exemplary stimulation regimen illustrated in FIG. 12 that is sourced by electrodes E1 and E3, but is not sunk at electrode E2, is sunk at the IPG case electrode Ecase. Although the relative amounts may vary to suit particular situations, a majority of the current is sunk at electrode Ecase in the illustrated example. More specifically, 60% of the current sourced by electrodes E1 and E3 is sunk at electrode Ecase and the remaining 40% is sunk at electrode E2. There are a variety of advantages associated with the use of the case electrode Ecase as a remote cathode in a locally imbalanced stimulation regimen. For example, because the case electrode Ecase will typically be much larger than the lead electrodes, the current density and electric field intensity will be greatly reduced. This reduces the likelihood that the non-target tissue in the vicinity of the case electrode Ecase will be stimulated. IPG cases are also typically located in areas, such as a subcutaneous pocket in the abdomen, where there is not a substantial amount of tissue that is susceptible to stimulation. It should be noted here that there are a variety ways to remotely sink current. One example is, as discussed above, sinking current at the remotely located case electrode Ecase. Current may also be sunk, for example, at some or all of the electrodes on a remotely implanted lead. Another example is sinking current at a dedicated, and preferably spherical, remotely implanted electrode on the end of a lead. Another exemplary stimulation regimen in accordance with a present invention, which may be employed when AP block is only desired in a single direction, is illustrated in FIG. 13. Here, electrode E1 is functioning as an anode and electrode E2 is functioning as a cathode. No other local electrodes are sourcing or sinking current. The amount of current sourced from electrode E1 (e.g. about 4-8 mA) is sufficient to reach the hyperpolarization threshold HPT within the first fiber bundle FB1, thereby creating a local AP block at electrode E1 in at least a substantial portion of the fibers (i.e. >10-20%) within the first fiber bundle. The amount of current being sunk at electrode E2 is sufficient to create a depolarizing electric field that is strong enough to meet the depolarization threshold DPT at the second fiber bundle FB2 and cause fibers within the second fiber bundle to generate APs. Such a depolarizing electric field will, of course, also cause the fibers in the first fiber bundle FB1 to generate APs. However, at least a substantial portion of the APs in the first fiber bundle FB1 will be prevented from passing electrode E1 by the hyperpolarization. Additionally, in those instances where the creation of APs in fibers beyond the second fiber bundle FB2 is undesirable, a portion of the current sourced by electrode E1 will be sunk at an electrode that is located remotely from the stimulation site, thereby creating a local current imbalance at the stimulation site. As noted above, this reduces the intensity of the depolarizing electric field created by electrode E2 to a level where the hyperpolarization threshold HPT will not be met beyond the second fiber bundle FB2. In the illustrated regimen, the current from electrode E1 that is not sunk at electrode E2 is sunk at the IPG case electrode Ecase. Although the relative amounts may vary to suit particular situations, a majority of the current is sunk at E2 in the illustrated example. More specifically, 60% of the current sourced by electrode E1 is sunk at electrode E2 and the remaining 40% is sunk at electrode Ecase. Turning to stimulation regimens for use with a lead that is oriented generally transverse to the neural fibers, and as illustrated for example in FIG. 14, such regimens frequently include electrodes over the center of the dorsal column DC and over the dorsal roots DR on either side of the dorsal column. A conventional stimulation regimen, which will serve as a reference for certain stimulation regimens in accordance with the present inventions, is illustrated in FIG. 14. Here, electrodes E1 and E3 are functioning as anodes and electrode E2 is functioning as a cathode. E1ectrodes E1 and E3 are each sourcing 50% of the total current (e.g., 1 mA each) and 100% of the total current (e.g., 2 mA) is being sunk at electrode E2. No other electrodes are activated and there is local current balance at the stimulation site. The combination of the hyperpolarizing electric fields generated by electrodes E1 and E3 and the depolarizing electric field generated by electrode E2 results in an area within the dorsal column DC that is at or above the depolarization threshold. This area, which has an overall depth and width, is the locus of stimulation LOS. The present inventor has determined that locally current balanced stimulation regimens, such as that illustrated in FIG. 14, do not allow the depth and width of the locus of stimulation LOS to be highly controllable using only total current sunk and sourced. For example, conventional, locally-current-balanced stimulations regimens would not allow the regimen programmer to reduce the width of the regimen illustrated in FIG. 14 without effecting the depth. Stimulation regimens in accordance with some of the present inventions, on the other hand, employ a local current imbalance that facilitates high fidelity control of the width and depth of the locus of stimulation LOS. As illustrated in FIG. 15, a stimulation regimen in accordance with one example of a present invention employs a local current imbalance and a remote cathode to provide the desired locus of stimulation LOS. More specifically, as compared to the stimulation regimen illustrated in FIG. 14, the stimulation regimen illustrated in FIG. 15 creates a locus of stimulation LOS that has a smaller width and the same depth. The current sourced at electrodes E1 and E3 is increased (e.g., 4-8 mA each) in order to strengthen the hyperpolarizing electric fields created thereby. Strengthening of the hyperpolarizing electric fields created by electrodes E1 and E3 tends to result in a narrowing the locus of stimulation LOS because it weakens the lateral edges of the depolarizing electric field created by electrode E2. Additionally, the amount of current sunk at electrode E2 may be controlled such that the depth of the locus of stimulation LOS is the same as that illustrated in FIG. 14. More specifically, a portion of the total current sourced at electrodes E1 and E3 (e.g., 40%) is sunk at electrode E2, which is functioning as a local cathode to depolarize tissue, and the remainder of the total current sourced at electrodes E1 and E3 (e.g., 60%) is sunk at a remote electrode. In the illustrated example, the remote electrode is the case electrode Ecase. No current is sourced or sunk by other electrodes in this example. Current steering techniques may also be employed with local current imbalances to further control the locus of stimulation LOS. Referring for example to FIG. 16, the current sourced the electrodes E1 and E3 in the illustrated stimulation regimen is not equal. Electrode E1 is sourcing 80% of the total anodic current (e.g., 8 mA) and electrode E3 is sourcing the other 20% of the total anodic current (e.g., 2 mA). The locus of stimulation LOS is, accordingly, “steered” toward to electrode E3. With respect to the local current imbalance that is employed to control the depth of the locus of stimulation LOS, a portion of the total current sourced at electrodes E1 and E3 (e.g., 40%) is sunk at electrode E2 and the remainder of the total current sourced at electrodes E1 and E3 (e.g., 60%) is sunk at a remote electrode. Here too, the remote electrode is the case electrode Ecase. No current is sourced or sunk by other electrodes in this example. Stimulation regimens that involve the local current imbalances of the type described above with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 15 and 16 may be developed by the programmer during and/or after the lead placement process. For example, and referring to FIG. 17, the external programmer 124 (FIG. 1) may be used to cause the IPG 110 to source and sink current in a locally balanced stimulation regimen of the type described above with reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 14 after the lead(s) are in place (Step 200). In those instances where the stimulation regimen is not providing the desired paresthesia, the external programmer 124 may be used to cause the IPG 110 to increase the anodic current (Step 210). The additional anodic current may be used to block APs in certain fiber bundles (FIGS. 12 and 13) or to alter the shape of the portion of the electric field that is generating APs (FIGS. 15 and 16). If necessary, the external programmer 124 may also be used to cause the IPG 110 to create a locally imbalanced stimulation regimen, where some of the anodic current is sunk at a remote location such as the IPG case 122 (Step 220). Although the inventions disclosed herein have been described in terms of the preferred embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. By way of example, but not limitation, the present inventions include neurostimulation systems that also comprise at least one neurostimulation lead. It is intended that the scope of the present inventions extend to all such modifications and/or additions and that the scope of the present inventions is limited solely by the claims set forth below. blocking at least some of the action potentials in the first neural fiber bundle with a second electrode that is the first distance from the first neural fiber bundle and the second distance from the second neural fiber bundle. sinking another portion of the current from the second electrode at a remote electrode. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein blocking at least some of the action potentials comprises blocking at least some of the action potentials in the first neural fiber bundle with second and third electrodes that are each the first distance from the first neural fiber bundle and the second distance from the second neural fiber bundle and are located on opposite sides of the first electrode. sinking another portion of the current from the second and third electrode at a remote electrode. circuitry, operably connected to the lead connector, that generates electrical waveforms to block at least some of the action potentials in the first neural fiber bundle with a second lead electrode. wherein the circuitry to generate electrical waveforms to create action potentials comprises circuitry to sink a portion of the current from the second lead electrode at the first lead electrode and to sink a portion of the current from the second lead electrode at the remote electrode. the circuitry to generate electrical waveforms to create action potentials comprises circuitry to sink a portion of the current from the second lead electrode at the first lead electrode and to sink a portion of the current from the second lead electrode at the case electrode. the circuitry generating electrical waveforms to block at least some of the action potentials comprises circuitry to generate electrical waveforms to block at least some of the action potentials in the first neural fiber bundle with second and third lead electrodes located on opposite sides of the first lead electrode. the circuitry to generate electrical waveforms to create action potentials comprises circuitry to sink a portion of the current from the second and third lead electrodes at the first lead electrode and to sink a portion of the current from the second and third lead electrodes at a remote electrode. the circuitry to generate electrical waveforms to create action potentials comprises circuitry to sink a portion of the current from the second and third lead electrodes at the first lead electrode and to sink a portion of the current from the second and third lead electrodes at the case electrode. circuitry, operably connected to the lead connector and the case electrode, to sink a portion of the current from the first lead electrode at a second lead electrode and to sink a portion of the current from the first lead electrode at the case electrode. the circuitry to sink current comprises circuitry to sink a portion of the current from the first and third lead electrodes at the second lead electrode and to sink another portion of the current from the first and third lead electrodes at the case electrode. the circuitry to source current comprises circuitry to source equal amounts of current at the first and third lead electrodes. sinking another portion of the current from the first electrode at a remote electrode. sourcing current into neural tissue comprises sourcing current into neural tissue with first and third electrodes located on the implantable lead and on opposite sides of the second electrode. all of the current sourced at the first and third electrodes is sunk at the second electrode and the remote electrode. sinking a portion of the current from the first electrode at a second electrode comprises sinking current sufficient to generate action potentials in the neural tissue at the second electrode. sourcing current into neural tissue with first electrode comprises sourcing current sufficient to block action potentials at the first electrode. sinking another portion of the current from the first electrode comprises sinking another portion of the current from the first electrode at a case electrode. orienting the implantable lead transverse to the elongate fibers.
2019-04-25T18:41:26Z
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20070142863A1/en
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We may also use this mobile number for other communications, including notices regarding this Agreement, your User Account, and the associated Btcshop Account. Change of mobile number Policy, for security purposes, should a verified user wish to change his/her mobile number, he/she must make such request by mobile number and schedule a video conference with our compliance officer. Delivery of any notice to the mobile number on record with your User Account or the associated Btcshop Account will be considered valid. If any mobile number is returned as undeliverable, we retain the right to block access to your User Account and the associated Btcshop Account until you provide and confirm a new mobile number. Our transaction fees include but not limited to trading commission, fees for deposits and withdrawals, ICO handling charges. No additional fee is charged except for any possible service charge of handling in person. We reserve the right to change, modify or increase our Fees at any time. Any change to the Fees, including adjustments to any of the tiers or rates, will be effective without any notice. Your use of Btcshop following any update to our Fees is considered to be your acceptance of any such changes. You agree to pay all Fees associated with or incurred by your Btcshop Account, the Orders you enter into, and the services you receive. You agree, represent and warrant that no funds transferred to us, either in Fiat Currencies or Cryptocurrencies, are the direct or indirect proceeds of any criminal or fraudulent activity. When you visit our website, we use third party analysis tools to collect data about your computer and Internet connection. That information includes the IP address of your computer and/or Internet service provider, when you access our website, the Internet address of websites from which you link to our website and from which you came before landing on our website, the browser that you are using, and your movements and preferences on our website. All of this information is used internally for the purpose of understanding how our website is being used and improving our website. We also use third party analysis tools to collect data about your use of our mobile apps. The information collected identifies the types and timing of actions you take within our mobile apps, including installation, registration, uploading and certain types of navigating. All of this information is used internally for the purpose of understanding how our mobile apps are being used and improving them. When you visit our website, we use action tags (also called pixel tags, clear GIF, or beacons) to identify some of the pages that you visit and how you use the content on those pages. Action tags may collect and transmit this data in a manner that identifies you if you have registered with our website, or are logged into our website. We also use action tags in our emails, to determine whether an email was opened or whether it was forwarded to someone else. When you use our mobile apps, we use action tags where you are accessing websites from links in our mobile apps. These may identify the pages that you visit and how you use the content on those pages. We aggregate data that we collect about the use of our website for administering, protecting and improving our website and our systems, to better understand the preferences of our website visitors and optimize the content that we serve, to identify server problems, to compile aggregated statistics about our website usage, and to improve our marketing and research. We may retain information about you in our databases for as long as needed to provide you services and in accordance with applicable laws. Our retention and use of your information will be as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. The retention period may extend beyond the end of your relationship with us, but it will be only as long as it is necessary for us to have sufficient information to respond to any issues that may arise later. For example, we may need or be required to retain certain information to prevent fraudulent activity, protect ourselves against liability, permit us to pursue available remedies or limit any damages that we may sustain, or if we believe in good faith that a law, regulation, rule or guideline requires it. We will respond to your request for access to information we collect about you within the time frame required by applicable law. If you opted-in to receive information about our product, updates and offers, we will use your name and email address to send this information to you. If you no longer wish to receive these communications, you can unsubscribe by following the instructions contained in the emails you receive or on our website. Please note that we may send you transactional and relationship messages, even if you have unsubscribed from our marketing communications. For instance, if our service is going to be temporarily suspended for maintenance, we might send you an email to update you. As part of our service, you can use Facebook Connect or other social networking services (referred to in this policy as Social Networking Services) to authenticate your identity and to authorize a Social Networking Service to share certain information with us, such as your name and email address, which is associated with your BTC Shop Hong Kong account. A Social Networking Service may also let you post information about your activities on our website and in our mobile apps to your Social Networking Service profile page to share with others within your network. The information we obtain depends on your Social Networking Service settings and the Social Networking Service’s privacy policies, so be sure you know what those are. BTC Shop Hong Kong will have no liability or responsibility for the privacy practices or other actions of any Social Networking Services that may be enabled within our services. Our website may include links to other websites or online services, including Facebook, whose privacy practices may differ from those of BTC Shop Hong Kong. If you submit information to any of those websites or online services, your information is governed by their privacy statements. We encourage you to carefully read the privacy statement of any website you visit. Account Balances and Order Histories are provided to our Registered (Tier 1), Verified (Tier 2) or Corporate Users via our Btcshop platform. Such account balances will contain the balances present in your Cryptocurrencies Accounts and Fiat Accounts and will list all Orders (including partially filled Orders) and any pending requests. Please note that neither Account Balances, Order Histories nor any other documentation from us will provide valuations of your Btcshop Account. We intend for the information contained in Account Balances and Order Histories to be accurate and reliable, however, please understand that errors may sometimes occur. Therefore, we disclaim any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, as to any matter whatsoever relating to such information. Any Order that has been executed shall be bound to the actual means and results of its execution regardless of any discrepancies between the execution and the reporting for that Order that may occur. We retain the right to enter pricing, Order, and reconciliation adjustments to your Fiat and/or Cryptocurrencies Accounts as necessary and appropriate. Every transaction indicated or referred to in any Account Balance, Order History, or other communication shall be deemed and treated as authorized and correct as ratified and confirmed by you unless we receive written notice to the contrary within three (3) business days from the completion of the transaction. It is important for you to understand that it is your sole responsibility to access your Btcshop Account and review Order Histories on a regular basis, and that you will be deemed to have accessed your Btcshop Account and reviewed this information on at least a monthly basis. If for any reason you are unable to do so, or do not have account notifications turned on or deliverable, it is your responsibility to notify us immediately at [email protected]com. You understand that every Order History or other communication sent to or accessed by you will be deemed to have been acknowledged as correct, approved and consented to by you unless we have received written notice to the contrary within three (3) business days from the date received. We retain the right to enter pricing, order, and reconciliation adjustments as necessary and appropriate. The prices quoted on Btcshop may not necessarily reflect the broader market. The use of electronic trading systems and communication networks to facilitate trades exposes you to risks associated with the system including the failure of hardware and software system or network down timed access or connection failures. You acknowledge that Btcshop will not be responsible for any services disruptions, errors or delays that you may experience while using its services. If you are located in Hong Kong, please take note of the Hong Kong Government risk warning on virtual commodities. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE TO ACCESS AND USE Btcshop AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE POINTS NOTED ABOVE APPLY TO ALL TRADING PAIRS AVAILABLE ON Btcshop. HOWEVER, THIS BRIEF STATEMENT DOES NOT DISCLOSE ALL OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH TRADING CRYPTOCURRENCIES. YOU SHOULD, THEREFORE, CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. PLEASE CAREFULLY CONSIDER YOUR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE, AND RISK APPETITE BEFORE USING ANY OF OUR SERVICES. SEEK ADVICE FROM AN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL AND/OR LEGAL ADVISOR IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS. An information provider is any company or person who directly or indirectly provides us with information (“Information Provider”). Such information could include overall market data, quotations from other exchanges, markets, dealers and/or miners of cryptocurrencies. For any failure set forth in the Ordinary Care section of this Agreement. Please also note the risks incurred with accessing or using Btcshop as stated in our Risk Disclosure (section 10 above). You acknowledge that you are solely responsible for determining the nature, potential value, suitability, and appropriateness of these risks for you, and that Btcshop does not give advice or recommendations regarding cryptocurrencies including the suitability and appropriateness of, and investment strategies for, cryptocurrencies. You acknowledge and agree that you shall access and use Btcshop at your own risk. Under no circumstances may you enter restricted areas of any computer or network of Btcshop or any of its parties, or perform any functions that are not authorized under this Agreement. It is strongly recommended that you do not access Btcshop from an unsecured or public computer and/or network. there is unusual activity in or relating to your User Account, the associated Btcshop Account or any other associated account. We may modify any or all of Btcshop services without notice. Part of or all of Btcshop services may momentarily be unavailable during planned or unplanned downtime. You acknowledge and agree that Btcshop is not liable or responsible to you for any inconvenience or damage to you as a result of such downtime. Btcshop website and trading platform is our proprietary platform. All rights are reserved. Btcshop is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You agree not to modify, copy, reproduce, retransmit, distribute, sell, publish, broadcast, create derivative works from, or store Btcshop (or any portion thereof, including Btcshop source code or data or other information provided via Btcshop), without the express prior written consent of the Btcshop Parties. You may not use Btcshop for any unlawful purpose. We hereby grant you a non-assignable and non-exclusive personal, worldwide, royalty-free license to use Btcshop and to access data and other informational content through Btcshop consistent with this Agreement. All other uses are prohibited. All rights in and to Btcshop, and not granted herein, are reserved. Btcshop and the Btcshop logo (whether registered or unregistered) (the “Marks”) are proprietary Marks licensed to Btcshop and protected by applicable trademark laws. Nothing contained in this Agreement should be construed as granting any license to or right to use any of the Marks displayed here without our express written consent. Any unauthorized use of our Marks is strictly prohibited. Also, you may not use any of our Marks in connection with the creation, issuance, sale, offer for sale, trading, distribution, solicitation, marketing, or promotion of any investment products (e.g., cryptocurrencies, fiat currencies, securities, commodities, investment or trading products, derivatives, structured products, investment funds, investment portfolios, commodity pools, swaps, securitizations or synthetic products, etc.), including where the price, return, and/or performance of the investment product is based on, derived from, or related to Btcshop or any portion thereof, without a separate written agreement with us. We may use technology that is the subject of one or more pending patent applications. Btcshop may link to other websites operated by or with content provided by third parties, and such other websites may link to our website. Btcshop has no control over any such other websites or their contents and will have no liability arising out of or related to such websites or their contents. The existence of any such links does not constitute an endorsement of such websites, the contents of the websites or the operators of the websites. Btcshop is providing these links to you only as a convenience. Btcshop cannot agree to obligations of confidentiality or nondisclosure with regard to any unsolicited information you submit to us, regardless of the method or medium chosen. By submitting unsolicited information or materials to the Btcshop, you or anyone acting on your behalf, agree that any such information or materials will not be considered confidential or proprietary. Btcshop does not provide any facility for sending or receiving private or confidential electronic communications. You should not use Btcshop to transmit any communication for which you intend only you and the intended recipient(s) to read. Notice is hereby given that all exchanges and other content entered into Btcshop can and may be read by the Btcshop Parties, regardless of whether they are the intended recipients of such messages. We reserve the right to reverse and/or cancel one or more Orders in the event of (i) any disruption or malfunction in the operation of any electronic communications, trading facilities, storage facilities, recording mechanisms or other components of or integral to Btcshop or of cryptocurrencies, (ii) any other severe business disruption to Btcshop, its systems or cryptocurrencies, where the nullification of transactions may be necessary for the maintenance of a fair and orderly market or the protection of you and the public interest. If such a disruption or malfunction occurs, our Chief Executive Officer, President and (or their designees), or others as may be designated by our Board of Directors, may review such Orders and declare such Orders arising out of the operation of Btcshop during such period null and void. Absent extraordinary circumstances, any such action of the Chief Executive Officer, President and (or their designees), or the designees of the Board of Directors, pursuant to this paragraph will be taken within thirty (30) business days of detection of the erroneous transaction or disruption or malfunction. We will notify you if you are involved in any such event as soon as practicable. Btcshop uses commercially reasonable efforts to provide the trading service. From time to time, interruptions, errors or other deficiencies in service may occur due to a variety of factors, some of which are outside the control of Btcshop. These factors can contribute to delays or errors in service or system outages. In no event will we, or our affiliates, be liable to you or others for any damages, direct, indirect, consequential or special, including, without limitation, all losses, costs, expenses, loss of profits, loss of business revenue or failure to realize expected savings arising from or out of the existence, furnishing, or functioning of Btcshop, or any act or omission in connection with your accessing Btcshop. We are not liable by reason of acting or failing to act due to an error in an Order request actually received by us, or as a result of an Order request not being received by us. We, or our affiliates, are not responsible for any losses, damages or personal injury that any person suffers as a result of you accessing Btcshop. You acknowledge and agree that the Btcshop Parties cannot be held responsible for any failure or delay to act by Btcshop, our Banks, or any other participant in any transaction within the time limits prescribed by law or permitted by this Agreement that is caused by your negligence. Btcshop also cannot be held responsible for any failure or delay caused by an interruption to one of our communication facilities, suspension of payments by another financial institution or one of our Banks, or in the event of any act, condition or cause beyond our reasonable control, including, but not limited to, flood, extraordinary weather conditions, earthquake or other acts of God, fire, water, war, acts of war, terrorist activities, insurrection, riot, labour dispute or strike, action of government, utility or other service outages or failures, or emergency conditions. In addition, the Btcshop cannot be held responsible for any “System Disruptions or Malfunctions” (as defined in this Agreement) or “System Failure” (defined as a failure of any computer hardware or software used by Btcshop or any telecommunications lines or devices used by Btcshop), which prevents us from fulfilling our obligations under this Agreement or other circumstances beyond the control of Btcshop, provided we exercised reasonable diligence as such circumstances would reasonably require. Accordingly, we shall not bear any liability, whatsoever, for any damage or failure caused by any computer viruses, spyware, worms, Trojan horses, or other malware that may affect computers or other devices, or any spoofing, phishing or any other attack. Furthermore, you agree that any act or omission made by Btcshop or one of our Banks in reliance upon or in accordance with any provision of any rule or regulation of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Customs and Excise or any other regulatory agency having jurisdiction over such party shall constitute ordinary care. You agree to indemnify Btcshop for legal costs and expenses directly related to the structuring, support and/or defence of any of your transactions made with Btcshop, and for costs and expenses related to any regulatory inquiry, legal action, litigation, dispute, or investigation whether such situations occur or are anticipated. As a result, we will be entitled to charge you for such costs without notice, including legal and enforcement related costs that we incur. You acknowledge and agree that for our mutual protection we may electronically record any of our conversations with you and archive all online transactions, communications and information relating to your transactions and/or your use of Btcshop. You acknowledge and agree that Btcshop does not provide legal, tax or investment advice, and to the extent you deem necessary, you will consult with corporate professionals in your own jurisdiction prior to using Btcshop or implementing any financial plan. All Orders received through Btcshop will be considered unsolicited, which means that you have NOT received any investment advice from us nor any of our affiliates in connection with any of your Orders, and that we will not conduct a suitability review of any such Orders. You also acknowledge and agree that you have NOT and do not expect to receive any investment advice from us nor any of our affiliates in connection with your Orders. In addition, your review of our Blog and/or FAQ does not constitute any solicitation or investment advice. All investment decisions are made solely by you. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, we accept no responsibility whatsoever for and shall in no circumstances be liable to you in connection with such decisions. Under no circumstances will the operation of Btcshop be deemed to create a relationship that includes the provision or tendering of investment advice. You acknowledge and agree that by using Btcshop and entering Orders, you have sufficient knowledge to make such Orders. You are responsible for making sure that any Orders entered on Btcshop are accurate and intentional. We may, in some cases, and at our discretion, require secondary electronic, verbal, written or other confirmation before acting if your account activity is outside of your normal range of activities. The information and services provided on Btcshop are not provided to, and may not be used by, any individual or institution in any jurisdiction where the provision or use thereof would be contrary to applicable laws, rules or regulations of any governmental authority or regulatory organization or where Btcshop is not authorized to provide such information or services. Btcshop may not be available in all jurisdictions. If we send an email to the email address on record with your User Account, this will constitute “written notice” from us to you. If you email us at [email protected].com, this will constitute “written notice” from you to us. For all notices made by email, the date of receipt will be considered to be the date of transmission. The Btcshop Parties shall not be liable for any act, omission, error of judgment or loss suffered by you in connection with this Agreement. You acknowledge and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Btcshop Parties from or against any or all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, rights, claims, disbursements or actions of any kind and injury (including death) arising out of or relating to your use of Btcshop or our performance or non- performance of duties. The Btcshop Parties are not giving investment advice, tax advice, legal advice, or other professional advice by allowing you to use Btcshop or providing the services herein, the ability to purchase or sell cryptocurrencies or the storage of cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies, and the Btcshop do not recommend, or endorse that you purchase or sell cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether or any other asset or make any investment. Before engaging in any trading or investment activity, you should consult a corporate professional. THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE THROUGH Btcshop ARE PROVIDED TO YOU ON A STRICTLY “AS IS,” “WHERE IS” AND “WHERE AVAILABLE” BASIS. THE Btcshop PARTIES DO NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT TO THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, CURRENTNESS, NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF Btcshop OR THE INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN OR SERVICES CONTAINED THEREON. THE Btcshop PARTIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE FOR ANY LOSS OR INJURY RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM YOUR USE OF Btcshop OR ANY SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE Btcshop, INCLUDING ANY LOSS CAUSED IN WHOLE OR PART BY ANY INACCURACIES OR INCOMPLETENESS, DELAYS, INTERRUPTIONS, ERRORS OR OMISSIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE Btcshop PARTIES OR CONTINGENCIES BEYOND THEIR CONTROL IN PROCURING, COMPILING, INTERPRETING, COMPUTING, REPORTING, OR DELIVERING Btcshop, THE SERVICES THEREON OR THE INFORMATION THEREIN. IN NO EVENT WILL THE Btcshop PARTIES BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ACTION TAKEN BY YOU IN RELIANCE ON, OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF Btcshop, THE SERVICES THEREON OR THE INFORMATION THEREIN. IN NO EVENT WILL THE Btcshop BE LIABLE TO YOU, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT, FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES OF ANY KIND EVEN IF THE Btcshop HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF. THIS LIMITATION ON LIABILITY INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE TRANSMISSION OF ANY VIRUSES WHICH MAY INFECT A USER’S EQUIPMENT, FAILURE OF MECHANICAL OR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT OR COMMUNICATION LINES, TELEPHONE OR OTHER INTERCONNECT PROBLEMS (E.G., YOU CANNOT ACCESS YOUR INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER), UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, THEFT, OPERATOR ERRORS, STRIKES OR OTHER LABOR PROBLEMS OR ANY FORCE MAJEURE. WE CANNOT AND DO NOT GUARANTEE CONTINUOUS, UNINTERRUPTED OR SECURE ACCESS TO Btcshop. We may comply with any writ of attachment, execution, garnishment, tax levy, restraining order, subpoena, warrant or other legal process, which such party reasonably and in good faith believes to be valid. We may, but are not required to, notify you of such process by telephone, electronically or in writing. If we are not fully reimbursed for our record research, photocopying and handling costs by the party that served the process, we may charge such costs to you, in addition to any legal process fees. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Btcshop harmless from all actions, claims, liabilities, losses, costs, attorney’s fees, and damages associated with our or their compliance with any process that such party believes reasonably and in good faith to be valid. You further agree that we and our financial institutions may honour legal process that is served personally, by mail, or by facsimile transmission at any of our or their respective offices (including locations other than where the funds, records or property sought is held), even if the law requires personal delivery at the office where your Btcshop records are maintained. You may close your User Account and/or your Btcshop Account at any time by providing written notice to us at [email protected] Closing your User Account and/or Btcshop Account will not affect any rights and obligations incurred prior to the date of your Btcshop Account being closed. You will be required to either cancel or complete all open Orders and, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, provide transfer instructions of where to transfer any fiat currencies and/or cryptocurrencies remaining in your Fiat Account or Cryptocurrencies Account. You are responsible for any Fees, costs, expenses, charges or obligations (including but not limited to, attorney and court fees or transfer costs of fiat currencies or cryptocurrencies) associated with closing your Btcshop Account. In the event that your account closing costs exceed the value in your Btcshop Account, you will be responsible for reimbursing us. You may not cancel your User Account and/or your Btcshop Account to avoid paying any fees otherwise due or any examination as part of our AML Policy. We may discontinue, terminate, suspend, or change any aspect of Btcshop, or its availability to you, at any time without notice. In addition, we reserve the right to suspend, modify, deactivate or terminate your User Account and the associated Btcshop Account as well as your access to all or any portion of Btcshop immediately and without notice if (i) you violate any provision of this Agreement; (ii) we in good faith suspect that your account is in breach of our AML Policy; (iii) we are required to do so by a regulatory authority, court order, facially valid subpoena or binding order of a government authority; (iv) you or your accounts are subject to any pending litigation, investigation or governmental proceeding; or (v) for any other reason that we may reasonably conclude. Your right to use Btcshop is subject to any limits established by us in our sole discretion. If your Btcshop Account or User Account is closed, a notice of closure shall be sent to the email address on record associated with your Btcshop Account or User Account, as applicable. In addition, if you do not log into your Btcshop Account or User Account for one (1) year then, Btcshop may close your Btcshop Account and User Account. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, you agree, as the owner and/or designated representative of your Btcshop Account and/or User Account, that if your Btcshop Account or User Account is closed for any reason and unless otherwise required by law, court order or subpoena, Btcshop is authorized to either (i) send any remaining cryptocurrency to a cryptocurrency address that you provide within forty-eight (48) hours of receiving notice of your Btcshop Account or User Account being closed or (ii) sell any remaining cryptocurrencies on the open market and deposit the proceeds in the Fiat Account associated with your Btcshop The total amount of fiat currencies in your Fiat Account, less any applicable fees, will be distributed to you via bank wire transfer to the User Bank Account on record for your Btcshop Account. In the event that your Btcshop Account or User Account is closed for any reason, Btcshop may be required to report any remaining funds in your Fiat Account as well as the Hong Kong Dollar, U.S. Dollar, Chinese Yuan equivalent of any remaining cryptocurrencies in your Cryptocurrencies Account, as unclaimed property. If this occurs, Btcshop will use reasonable efforts to notify you at the email address shown in Btcshop ’s records. If you fail to respond to any such notice within forty-eight (48) hours, or as otherwise required by law, Btcshop may be required to deliver any such funds to Hong Kong Authorities as unclaimed property. Btcshop reserves the right to deduct an administrative fee resulting from such unclaimed funds, as permitted by applicable law. The terms set out in this Agreement govern your use of Btcshop and the services that we provide. Once you visit our website and related pages on social media, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and acknowledge that you have received the disclosures set forth herein. If you do not agree to the terms of this Agreement, please do not visit, access or use Btcshop or the services that we provide. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Btcshop Parties, relating to your use of or participation in Btcshop and this Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, oral or in writing, with respect thereto between you and the Btcshop Parties. The failure of any of the Btcshop Parties to insist upon strict compliance with any term or provision shall not be construed as a waiver with regard to any subsequent failure to comply with such term or provision. This Agreement shall not be construed to waive rights that cannot be waived under applicable state and federal laws. This Agreement, or your rights and obligations hereunder, may not be transferred by you, but may be assigned by us without restriction. Any attempted transfer or assignment by you in violation hereof shall be null and void. This Agreement shall be binding and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, our successors and permitted assigns. In the event that we are acquired by or merged with a third party entity, we reserve the right, in any of these circumstances, to transfer or assign the information we have collected from you as part of such merger, acquisition, sale or other change of control. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. You agree that your obligations and the obligations of each User set forth in this Agreement are necessary and reasonable in order to protect the Btcshop and our business. You expressly agree that due to the unique nature of our business, monetary damages would be inadequate to compensate us for any breach by you of your covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement. Accordingly, you acknowledge and agree that any such violation or threatened violation shall cause irreparable injury to the Btcshop and that, in addition to any other remedies that may be available, in law, in equity or otherwise, the Btcshop shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the threatened breach of this Agreement or your continuation of any such breach, without the necessity of proving actual damages. This Agreement, your use of Btcshop, your rights and obligations, and all actions contemplated by, arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong SAR”), as if this Agreement are a contract wholly entered into and wholly performed within the Hong Kong SAR. Any controversy, claim or dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration held in the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”), administered by HKIAC and conducted in English. You expressly agree that any dispute about the scope of this Agreement to arbitrate and/or the arbitrability of any particular dispute shall be resolved in arbitration in accordance with this section. In the event that you threaten to litigate a dispute in court, we may institute arbitration to enjoin you from filing a complaint or petition in court; provided, however, that any of the Btcshop Parties may, without inconsistency with this arbitration provision, apply to any court for a preliminary remedy, i.e., equitable or injunctive relief, or to seek enforcement of the arbitral award. You expressly agree that an arbitrator may issue all appropriate declaratory and injunctive relief necessary to ensure the arbitration of disputes. Any such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the then prevailing HKIAC Arbitration Rules & Procedures. YOU AGREE THAT ALL ORDERS, DEPOSITS, WITHDRAWALS OR SALES ON Btcshop AND CONTEMPLATED ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN HONG KONG SAR AND BE SUBJECT TO THE INTERNAL LAWS OF HONG KONG SAR WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS. You agree that this section of this Agreement has been included to rapidly and inexpensively resolve any disputes with respect to the matters described herein, and that this section shall be grounds for dismissal of any court action commenced by you with respect to a dispute arising out of such matters. Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only, and do not govern the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute, create, imply, give effect to, or otherwise recognize a partnership, employment, joint venture, or formal business entity of any kind; and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be limited to those expressly set forth herein. Except for the indemnity and exculpation provisions herein, nothing expressed in, mentioned in, or implied from this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the parties hereto any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or in respect to this Agreement to enforce any of its terms which might otherwise be interpreted to confer such rights to such persons, and this Agreement and all representations, warranties, covenants, conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be and are for the exclusive benefit of you and Btcshop. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any translation of this Agreement is provided for your convenience. The meanings of terms, conditions and representations herein are subject to their definitions and interpretations in the English language.
2019-04-21T10:07:11Z
https://btcshop.com.hk/terms-and-conditions/
C. J. BARNES, Minor Scholarship in Modern Languages at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. M. D. BARRATT, Open Exhibition in Natural History at Pembroke College, Oxford. P. BENTON, Arthur Sells Exhibition in English at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. P. W. CAVE, Open Scholarship in Geography at Keble College, Oxford. R. F. LAUGHTON, Postmastership in History at Merton College, Oxford. M. J. LODGE, Hastings Exhibition in History at The Queen's College, Oxford. D. H. MOORE, Open Scholarship in Classics at Jesus College, Oxford. B. D. NEEDHAM, Minor Scholarship in Social Studies at Balliol College, Oxford. J. D. PERRY, Hastings Exhibition in Classics at The Queen's College, Oxford. A. A. SAMPSON, Minor Scholarship in Social Studies at Trinity College, Oxford. J. W. THORP, Open Scholarship in History at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. D. E. YOUNG, Open Scholarship in Modern Subjects at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. J. M. HASLAM, at Jesus College, Oxford; P. N. KENNING and F. A. SMITH, both at Trinity College, Oxford; and D. E. RODGERS, at St. John's College, Cambridge. Also congratulations to R. J. THOMPSON on obtaining the Diploma of Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music. After a regrettably short stay among us, Mr. P. J. Watson-Liddell has decided to return to a warmer climate, with the added advantage of a promotion to higher office. He has been appointed Headmaster of the Army Children's Secondary School at Episkopi, Cyprus. We congratulate him very sincerely on this appointment and wish him a successful, interesting, and peaceful time. In Mr. Watson-Liddell's place, we welcome Mr. A. G. JONES, B.A., of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Our valedictory paragraph on masters leaving last July omitted, for some unaccountable reason, the name of Mr. E. R. Wastnedge, although the omission was to some extent remedied by his appearance in the accompanying photograph. We apologise sincerely for this oversight, and trust that it is unnecessary to add that he left us (for a post at Kesteven Training College) much in his debt for his valuable services in many capacities. Since our last issue, B. Cheetham and R. R. Kershaw have been appointed Prefects; B. D. Needham and D. E. Young have been appointed Sub-prefects. The School Carol Service in the Cathedral on December 14th was again a very impressive occasion and fully attended. The collection amounted to £48 5s. 6d. Visits were made at the end of term to several industrial establishments. We are most grateful for the hospitality and interesting demonstrations shown to our various parties by Messrs. Samuel Fox (Stocksbridge), Davy United, Laycock Engineering Company, English Steel Corporation, Sheffield Smelting Company, Yorkshire Electricity Board, Steel Peech and Tozer, Parkgate Iron and Steel Company, Sheffield Waterworks, Firth Brown Tools, Spear and Jackson. The experiment of entertaining the Middle and Junior School with a French film on the last day of term proved highly successful. Three Telegrams hardly needed the assistance of English sub-titles to make intelligible the diverting adventures of the conscientious telegraph boy in pursuit of his lost pieces of paper. School Dramatic Society: Twelfth Night. A and 0 Level Examinations begin. In 0 Level: 1 boy passed in 10 subjects; 25 boys in 9 subjects; 37 boys in 8 subjects; 30 boys in 7 subjects; 17 boys in 6 subjects; 13 boys in 5 subjects; 23 boys in 4 subjects; 21 boys in 3 subjects; 27 boys in 2 subjects; 57 boys in 1 subject. (These include 5th Special and 6th Form entries). The overall percentage pass was 87.1-the best results to date. In A Level: 3 boys passed in 4 subjects; 71 boys in 3 subjects; 30 boys in 2 subjects; 28 boys in 1 subject. Overall pass, 910 o. 68 out of 104 passed in the General Paper. 31 Distinctions were gained and 3 State Scholarships were awarded. Mr. JAMES HUNTER, Master at K.E.S. from 1919 to 1939, died on November 27th, 1959, aged 85. Mr. Hunter exercised, for many years in Room 39, a regime of methodical classical discipline, and he will be remembered by many for his keen interest in school cricket, which was his special province for most of his time on the Staff. The School was represented at his funeral in Sheffield on December 1st, and the sympathy of the Staff was conveyed to his son, Mr. Tom Hunter (an Old Edwardian) and to his widow and daughters. THE busmen's strike, which added some complications to the morning rehearsal, did not, it appeared, appreciably diminish the attendance either of boys or of visitors in the evening. It was, as usual, difficult to see an empty seat. With Sir Harold Jackson in the chair, and Sir Thomas Armstrong, Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, as chief guest, not to mention the Headmaster in genial and gently critical mood, and D. H. Moore's meticulous Latinity, the first half of the programme was as instructive and entertaining as ever. In the second, the music of which is more expertly appraised elsewhere, the Modern Language faculty was represented by Barnes (German), Lodge (French) and Thompson (Spanish). As Sir Thomas himself said, the presence of a practising artist as speaker on such an occasion was somewhat unusual; and it was to the place of the arts, in individual life and in the community, that he chiefly directed our attention. Important though the utilitarian objects of education might be, a pupil had not explored or developed the whole of his potentialities who had not found in himself the capacity, and the urge, to practise some art or craft for the satisfaction of his soul and the enrichment of his leisure. Equally, a city or a state had the responsibility to promote the facilities which made the social arts such as opera and drama an ornament to community life. Why, for instance, had not Sheffield an opera house as good as that of any Italian city? No one embarked on an answer to this question; but Mr. W. W. Holland, Assistant Director of Education, seconded by M. J. Lodge, concluded the proceedings with artistically worded speeches of thanks. The Headmaster reported on a year " in no way outstanding, but with quite sound general results ". A feature of the situation in the university field was that entry to the modem universities is now becoming as keenly competitive as at Oxford and Cambridge, drawing candidates from schools all over the country. Of the boys who left in July, 1959, 63 were proceeding to Universities, 4 to Training Colleges or Technical Colleges, and 56 to employment. " In the face of competition today," the Headmaster said, " a boy must be prepared to make a determined effort if he wishes to succeed. We will give him all the help we can, but he cannot afford to be indifferent or casual. Passing at `A' Level is not enough: standards are rightly high, and if a boy's first performance at `A' Level is not very sound, the decision will depend on how much his second attempt improves over the first. If the margin is not substantial, he is unlikely to be accepted. I do warn boys, therefore, who are taking `A' Level for the second time, to secure entry, that they cannot afford to rest on scanty laurels.... Not everyone, of course who takes `A' Level proceeds to a University, but most worthwhile careers today are expecting `A' Level qualifications. There are a few cases each year of boys who might profit by remaining a further year and due thought should be given by parents to this." Games had been as multifarious as usual and had met with varied success. Tennis had profited, or would shortly do so, from the acquisition of the new courts. Athletic Sports and Swimming Sports flourished but might be better supported by visitors. Surveying the astonishingly large number of additional activities, the Headmaster referred to " visits arranged, films shown, outside speakers introduced, outside lectures attended-economists visit London and its temples of high finance, historians take holiday courses among mediaeval documents at York, hardy cyclists tour France, modern linguists have a refresher course in Paris, ardent Shakespeare enthusiasts visit Stratford, budding engineers go on holiday courses in Mining, Railways or Steelworks, starry-eyed internationalists attend the C.E.W.C. Christmas Conference and hope to put the world to rights, serious biologists busy themselves in the country in the summer holiday on field courses, promising footballers go to F.A. courses to learn further skills, enthusiastic Scouts camp all over the country -these are just some of the items I have picked out, and I hope no one will feel hurt at what I may have omitted. " The opportunities afforded by the School are many, but unfortunately they could be made much more use of. I am afraid in the world of today we take too much for granted; there are too many cheap attractions, value is often not placed where it should be. Youth in general ` never had it so good ', but not all take that view and we have yet to find some stimulus for some of our young men who have fancy hair-do's and economical trousers.... There should be in our scheme of things some opportunity for every boy to be able to take. This is not the case, and we find so often that the active people are drawn from the same relatively small group. Those who do not contribute in any way to some School activity outside the classroom are not making the most of their opportunities." THE visit of an eminent musician as chief guest at Speech Day makes this perhaps a good time to take stock of the musical situation. The number of boys active in school music has certainly not been greater. The Orchestra is seventy strong, and there are eighteen more who have begun to learn instruments in recent months. The Choir for Carols numbered a hundred and sixty-five, some thirty-three of them being also orchestral players. With a few exceptions all these are keen enough to give generously of their time outside timetable hours to attend regular rehearsals. We continue to be agreeably surprised, too, that they can cope well with what is often very difficult music: the Madrigal Group can give a good account of a complex five-part motet which would extend an experienced adult choir; the Orchestra doesn't need to be given " school orchestra " arrangements but prefers full orchestral concert pieces. The instrumental side is fed by the flourishing brass school of Mr. Williams, the violin classes of Mr. Bradley, and by a number of private teachers who have for long been keen helpers in the work. From this rich background an encouraging development would be the emergence of more really advanced performers. We have promising singers who only need lessons from a specialist to put them on the road to solo performance, and instrumentally too few players who do all they can to improve their technique. Playing in the Orchestra is fun-but the general standard depends on individual attainment. Sights should be raised. Every player should so strive that he is ready for a concerto and a place in the National Youth Orchestra by his last year! The Speech Day music was designed to demonstrate this musical climate and also as a tribute to our guest. The Orchestra began with Meyerbeer's Le Prophete march and supported the Choir in Sir Thomas Armstrong's Pilgrimage and the final Vaughan Williams Old Hundredth. The Choir and Madrigal Group pieces by Sir Thomas were far from easy and both bodies managed well in the post-prizegiving conditions. R. J. Thompson's original piano composition was a noteworthy contribution both as a personal achievement and as an example of our school of composition fostered by the annual competitions. The numerous good school pianists tend, alas, to play away unnoticed, theirs being a solitary occupation, so it was good to hear an expert and poetic realisation of Sibelius' D Flat Romance from C. J. Barnes. The Carols in the Cathedral again drew a capacity congregation, and were certainly among the best ever. Notable experiences, in a generally high level, were perhaps the Madrigal Group's Hodie Christus natus est (Sweelinek) sung in the resonant side chapel, and the full choir's Hymn to the Virgin (Britten) with its semi-chorus sited in the same place. The Orchestra has welcomed eight new violinists: Brewin, Fisher. Grist, Martin, Peter, Skidmore, Wilkinson, Wilson; Mr. Baldwin (viola), Mr. Adam ('cello), Tierney (oboe), Crookes and Huston (clarinets) and Housley (trombone). We were sorry to hear of Rice's unfortunate accident in the summer which has meant his giving up the Leadership. J. D. Harris has taken on this position with notable success. We welcome also Mr. Pipes who has had experience as a solo singer. Mr. Adam, a chamber-music enthusiast, has already begun activity in this direction, which in the past has seen only sporadic activity owing to the difficulty of fitting it in to the weekly round; we hope those with the necessary skill will support him and so bring about an extension in this field. The Music Club's activities, led by a committee of C. J. Barnes (President), R. J. Thompson and D. W. Williams, receive mention elsewhere. These have largely been in the nature of " live " concerts which have attracted substantial audiences. The necessary and desirable emphasis on practical music-making has for long meant that little time could be set aside for those who want to listen rather than to do. The Music Club committee will consider early in the new year what can be done to increase the opportunities for listening to records. THE first thing is to applaud the choice of plays. Twelve months ago we were little more than entertained; this year, The Boy with a Cart, produced by Mr. Bridgwater, and Androcles and the Lion, Mr. Chalmers producing, provided a nicely contrasted, ambitious bill, which some schools would have been glad to attempt as their main dramatic offering of the year. It would be easy to be patronising about The Boy with a Cart; a difficult play was attempted here which certainly justified itself on one of the performances. The main and obvious weakness was the inability of Cuthman to speak, or even to appear to understand, his verse. Siddall captured some of the vigour of the young saint, but he never convincingly portrayed his spiritual qualities, and his irritating diction showed that he has much to learn about dramatic speaking. Others were not blameless in this; indeed Fry's line "I'm always lagging a little behind your thoughts" assumed new meaning for at least one member of the audience; but Sarginson and Wilson brought dignity and life to some of the choruses. The most notable performance came from D. D. Jones as Cuthman's mother, whose gestures, timing, and clarity built up a convincing character, and revealed a talent which should be very valuable in future productions. Amos gave a mature, even mellow rendering as Tawm, providing welcome variety in the vocal range, as did Lucas, whose Mrs. Fipps added a burst of vigour to a rather static play. No set was needed for the simple production, but by pleasing grouping, with effective costumes and properties, significant atmosphere was achieved. Androcles and the Lion is a play of lucidity, genuine humour, and interesting ideas, with a typically Shavian mixture of the comic and the serious. The performance opened triumphantly with Grimsditch and Mingay losing no opportunity in an admirably produced prologue. Androcles here, and throughout the play, contributed a most sympathetic performance, with an intelligent mixture of pathos and brightness; Grimsditch is to be congratulated. Mingay, adding to his range, revealed an impressive potential gift for comedy. Another praiseworthy contribution came from Hall as Ferrovius. His zealous determination and energy exploited the comic possibilities of the part without ever sacrificing the audience's sympathy for his sincerity. In contrast to Ferrovius is the character of Spintho, and here Gunn, if less in control of his part than Hall, nevertheless aroused the right measure of contempt and pity in the audience. To claim that these characters overshadowed Lavinia and the Captain is only to say that Jowett and Argent had more difficult parts, and that it is a weakness of the play rather than of the production that we were conscious of static moments between these two. Jowett's weakness is a certain monotony of voice, but he looked admirably patrician, and did well in the part, and Argent made an agreeably resolute and reasonable soldier. Whyman is to be commended for his interpretation of the various sides of Caesar's character, another performance which was all the better for being intelligently controlled. We shall also remember Barrow's harassed Centurion, Struthers' magnificent Lion, and an enthusiastic though rather unequally clad) band of soldiers, the gladiators and the Christians, all of whom contributed to a most entertaining production. The two plays, both religious, yet so different, made a very successful evening: thanks are due to all concerned in their production. A plea might finally be added for backstage discipline in future. Less experienced actors should remember their obligations to their audience when off stage. There was, on both evenings, an audible ebullience in the wings and down the corridor. P. D. C. P., D. E. R. The feverish activity of the party system before Nomination Day was not quite so marked in our case, and so for the first few days after the preliminary announcements the only slogan which made itself heard was: " What could I stand for? " A request for authenticity resulted in the complete disappearance of such parties as the Prefects' Unionist, but we did hear some Proletarian murmurings to the effect that someone would be supporting the Communists. However, these proved false, and five names appeared. Soon the parties-by now our undaunted candidates had managed to gather their supporters-began putting out their manifestos and posters, some of which appeared in the most unlikely places. The campaign had begun. Open-air meetings were held at dinner times, both at the front of the School and on the now proverbial roller, whose mobility proved effective in one or two cases where democratic principles failed. About this time, a somewhat mysterious publication called the " Election News " appeared, followed by a Gallup poll. Meanwhile, the candidates continued to fish for the floating voters, raising their hands to the sky and calling down terrible fates upon their rivals, to the amazement and great amusement of passengers on the top decks of buses. Strange things occurred, as when one candidate was ousted from his own meeting, and solitary figures could be seen wandering aimlessly round the School in sandwich boards. The Gallup poll continued to predict a resounding Tory success, much to the disgust of the four other candidates; but there was considerable confusion among the lower graphical regions. October 8th dawned rather blurry-eyed for the majority of us, since we had been eagerly watching the television coverage of the other election going on at the time; but we somehow managed to shuffle to our respective polling booths and slip our ballot papers into very familiar ballot boxes. The next day we found that the Library fund was five shillings richer-two lost deposits-and that the Conservative candidate, A. R. Williams, had been elected with 49% of the votes. A. Rodgers (Socialist) gained 17%, followed by D. E. Rodgers (Liberal), D. E. Young (Independent) and A. A. Sampson (Progressive Conservative). Apparatus: notice boards, cricket-pitch roller and typewriters. Method: miscellaneous; for example, viz. bullet marks on front of building. Result: A. R. Williams elected. Conclusion: we've never had it so good. AFTER the glamour and publicity of the Mock Election, the first session of the Mock Parliament seemed to excite little attention or enthusiasm in the School, which is something of a pity, as its aim, like the election, is a serious one. Opposition supporters, either demoralised or uninterested, failed to turn up in large numbers, leaving the work to a few staunch Socialists and one Liberal; several of those who submitted questions found themselves unable to attend, which might have hampered the proceedings, had not substitute questioners been allowed. This flagrant breach of the rules of procedure, however, could not be tolerated by the Ministry of Power, whose vehement objections Mr. Speaker had difficulty in quelling; but peace was finally restored and the meeting continued uneventfully. Ministers were called upon to answer a variety of questions, dealing with wild-cat strikes, the Rent Act, Education, Transport, the Betting and Gaming Bill, and many more, which they did, with confidence if not always with competence; though it is invidious to single out anyone, the Foreign Secretary does deserve mention for his concise, if unintelligible replies. Subsidiary questions came mainly from the Leader of the Opposition, who refused to be disconcerted by ministerial shouts of "Back'ards ". On the whole, despite the lack of Opposition support, and the fact that no questions came from the Government back-benchers, (one of whom, incidentally, disappeared halfway through, taking the despatch-box with him) the meeting was lively and interesting, and will, one hopes, become a regular event. THE beautiful white building on the west shore of Ullswater looks from the outside like the luxury hotel it used to be. The first few days of the twenty-six days course are spent in learning map-reading, knots and first aid, elementary in themselves but vital on the Fells. Fell-walking at first was strenuous, but as the course wore on it became really tough. Walks ranged in duration from one to four days, and culminated in the " Final Scheme ", when parties of four students were given maps, compasses, tents and subsistence rations for four days, with instructions to cover certain distances and climb as many mountains en route as possible. The school has a fleet of over twelve canoes, fast, light and buoyant, but not too stable; not all are impermeable, and this adds interest to longer voyages. From a wooden jetty one is obliged to jump into the lake, at 6.30 every morning. We pretended not to like this. The most infamous exercise is the Obstacle Course: one section is the " wall and beam " (twelve and six feet high respectively), providing much fun and few injuries; the other, in a clearing in the woods, is a bizarre three-dimensional network of trees, planks, platforms, tight-ropes, rope-ladders and a Tarzanic pendulum. On completing this, the student should be forty_ feet above the ground, to which he descends by means of a rope, pulley and tram-straps. After recuperating from the most strenuous month of my life, I came to the conclusion, like many others before me, that it is fun to go to the Outward Bound School. ON the first of August, a party of eight boys and retinue left Sheffield on an educational visit to Sweden, at the invitation of " Folkuniversitet ". A coach took us from London through the fields of England to Blackbushe airport, where we boarded a Hermes aircraft. After an exhilarating flight, terra firma rose to meet us at Torslanda airport. A fool and his luggage are soon parted, but fortunately nothing was lost. After a brief sojourn at Goteborg (Gothenburg) we travelled by train (at a speed unknown to B.R.) to Tanum; thence by bus to Grebbestad. We were hospitably welcomed by Lector Ek, the Swede in charge of the course. The following day, our Swedish hosts arrived and we quickly became firm friends. Tuesday saw the beginning of the regular routine, viz. 7.0. Awakened by pneumatic drills followed by blasting. 7.30 Officially awakened by triangle solo of Swedish folk-music. 8.15 Sour milk, porridge, etc. 8.45-11.45 Three lessons with a quarter-hour break between. During these lessons we discussed all aspects of life in England and Sweden, and read " Three Men in a Boat ". After lunch, most people went swimming and after fighting off a vast army-of wasps-we returned for dinner. For dinner we sampled many exotic dishes. After this we aided and abetted the Swedes with their prep. or found some pastime. Then we went off in groups to establish relations with the local inhabitants and to taste traditional Swedish beverages and varm korvs (hot dogs). Ten o'clock was curfew hour. Among the extra-curricular activities were featured trips to places of interest, boat-trips to Fjallbacka and to an island, and a coach trip to see the famous Tanum rock carvings (carved by neolithic Swedes). Another visit of a more intellectual kind was to see a product of English cinematography, namely " The Tommy Steele Story ". Five of our party went by coach to Oslo, where they saw Viking ships, the Kon Tiki craft, and other relics. At Grebbestad, a small village on the Bohuslan peninsular, life was never dull. Thrice weekly there were open-air dances, at which some successfully performed traditional dances such as slow quicksteps and " smooches " (instruction provided by the kitchen staff). We had many recreational activities. The sea was calm and it was a common sight to see a certain Tarzan-like gentleman imploring us to not sink his airbed. You can take a man to water but... Basket-ball and table tennis were played in the well-equipped gym. Meanwhile the poet of the party wandered through the countryside studying the fauna. Much enjoyment was had in preparing a humorous tape-recording on the lines of the Goon Show for the final party, though there were many language difficulties. After this hilarious party our Swedish friends left and two days later we also departed. After viewing the beautiful city of Goteborg, we embarked on S.S. Suecia. We had a very comfortable journey. Some played deck-games while others provided their own amusements. Our poet friend went in search of leprechauns on deck. We all came back with an appreciation of the fact that youth is the same abroad, and that the only barrier between us is linguistic. R. N. C., J. R. G. LAST summer I spent a few days in Paris, staying in a UNESCO hostel in the suburb of Montrouge, several miles to the south of the centre of the city. The advantage of this place was that it remained open until midnight, as opposed to 10.30 at the Youth Hostel. This, however, tended to produce a false sense of leisure in the evening, as I was later to find out to my discomfort. On the second evening of my stay I had a meal with a friend, and afterwards he showed me a little of Paris by night. At 10.45 p.m. I said good-bye to him, leaving myself plenty of time to get back to the hostel-or so I thought. I took the tube to the Porte d'Orleans, one of the southern Metro termini, and arrived there at 11.15. The bus ride to the hostel would only take five minutes, but after a quarter of an hour waiting for the 68 bus, I made some enquiries. " Oh, the 68 stops running at 10 p.m. But you can take the 128 as far as Boileau which is not far away from the hostel." I alighted at Boileau ten minutes before midnight, a tired and sore-footed Cinderella in the midst of a maze of long parallel and dimly-lit streets, flanked on either side by gaunt blocks of apartments. I have never experienced such a feeling of eerie desolation as I did in that middle-class suburb which was literally as silent as the grave, with not a soul in sight-not even a gendarme. Away to the north I could see the searchlight revolving on the top of the Eiffel Tower. Remembering from the previous night how it appeared in relation to the hostel, I set off in the vague direction of this haven, using what was primarily an aircraft beacon as my guide. Eventually, I staggered up to the gates at about 12.20, only to find them securely fastened by a stout padlock and chain, and all the lights in the building were out. Clad only in a thin shirt and drill trousers, I was determined not to freeze to death, so I walked the two miles back to the Porte d'Orleans, where I went into an all-night cafe. Having spent virtually all my money on hot chocolate, I began to feel the need of some sleep. I decided to look for a park bench and eventually, at two o'clock, I found one in a little garden surrounding the Maine (town hall) of Montrouge. In I sneaked and slept fitfully until 4 a.m.; two hours " a la belle etoile! " Knowing that it would be impossible to get back into the hostel at that hour, I returned to the cafe, from where I watched Paris awake-a sight that amply compensated for my lack of sleep. At about half-past four, when it was still dark, a young girl began to erect a newspaper stall outside; then just before 5 a.m. a van drew up in the square and its driver deposited huge bundles of papers, first at this stall then at others which had similarly sprung up. Next came two road-sweeping lorries, line astern, going up and down all the streets leading off the main square. Soon a cavalcade of bread vans, milk lorries, and other delivery vehicles was scurrying about, until dawn finally arrived, and with it the first people going to work. When I walked back into the hostel at 6.15 a.m. the warden gave me a bewildered look, since he could not remember anyone having already gone out that morning! After this adventure, I was careful to make better arrangements in the evening, for I found that Paris by moonlight was by no means as romantic as we are sometimes led to believe. R. B. FISHER (1918-26) has been appointed Professor of Biochemistry at Edinburgh University. J. HIGGINBOTHAM (1931-37) has been appointed a Director of Edgar Allen & Co. He joined Edgar Allens in 1946, after service in the R.N.V.R., and is a Freeman of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire. G. R. HERITAGE played for the Oxford University soccer team against Cambridge, and D. M. PARFITT has played for the Oxford Centaurs. T. R. MIDDLETON (1911-17) has been appointed a Director of English Steel Corporation, and also Director of Research, in succession to Dr. H. H. Burton (also an Old Edwardian). President: J. M. JACKSON, Trinity Hall. Vice-President: G. P. J. BEYNON, Trinity Hall. Secretary: A. J. PINION, Jesus College. Senior Treasurer: DR. KENYON, Christ's College. Best wishes for success are extended to all boys participating in this year's University entrance examinations. Should there be any who come up in term-time, they are cordially invited to contact the Secretary. When I entered the room at 8.45 (on the evening of the VII Club Annual Party) the air was already thick with smoke and the barman was wearing a fixed smile of resigned benevolence. In the far corner an unheeded gramophone was playing " Tea for Two cha-cha " in time to the quick give and take of tankards. Around me was a horde of young gawky undergraduates and, with a shock, I realised that some of them were only in the Third Form when I left K.E.S. Freud, at any rate, would have expected me to develop a paternal complex. A bridge school under the veteran and experienced eyes of Paul Swain and Peter Bennett (so this is how they spend their mornings in Queen's) played incessantly, and apparently soberly, through all the convivial vicissitudes. An ancient but lethal battleaxe was removed from its niche in preparation for some noble feat of arms, but Chris Vere, with several henchmen, secured it once more to the wall. Nick Waite, who gives a convincing but illusory semblance of suavity, and Graham Humphries, who makes no such attempt, played happily at Matador and Bull, until, somehow, other people were involved. Chris Vere once more laid his soothing hand on the disturbance. Chris Jennings, now, alas, no longer clad in scout's uniform and hardly recognisable as the lad whom I used to stand on the form, with, I must confess, consummate relish, dressed himself in an army uniform and played the part of Captain with unexpected authority, despite the sudden and brutal loss of his trousers. Mike Hutchings talked of marriage (vae victis) and Peter Fells drank rum quietly in a corner, seeing in his glass, no doubt, the huts and parade ground of Catterick. Bob Avis was encircled by a rowdy bunch of colleagues from University College, but Dave Parfitt left early—perhaps he too felt old, but years had not dimmed his well-known panache. At last the bar crashed down. The crescendo of noise died into silence, and I walked to my waiting cycle. As I fixed the battery of my lamp in the cycle-shed, the scout inquired " Will you be long, sir? " I shrugged my shoulders and shouted back " No ". Just another lifetime? WITH the advent of one of the finest summers for many years, the O.E.C.C. at last came into its own. Of the official first team fixtures, only two were lost, one by ten runs and the other by one run. Although in a few of the other fixtures victory or an honourable draw were only narrowly achieved, on the whole the O.E's superiority was well established. Reference should be made to the first ever defeat of Retford, on a hot day, and a wicket dusty beyond belief. If the members of the O.E.C.C. and their supporters (those who watch the cricket) have ever experienced a more " nail biting " period than the time taken by our last pair, Speakman and Dearden, to obtain 30 runs off the wily " Stinchcombe " with "all the time in the world", it must have been before the "living memory " of the present team members. The second team, after a bad start, soon found their form and finished the season having won more matches than they had lost. We feel that a large part of our recent success is due to the number of younger members who have recently joined the Club. If any boy leaving school is interested and notifies the secretary accordingly, he will be assured of some enjoyable cricket. inns. N.O. Runs Highest Ave. Overs Mdns Runs Wkts. Ave. Catches Taken: Kay, 9; Woodcock, Rigby, Ollerenshaw, 8; Sivil, 6; Price, Allsop, Wise, 5; Everitt, 3; Speakman, Ford, Hill, Challenger, 2; Cook. Dearden, Newsome, 1. Wicket Keeper: Gilpin, 8 caught, 2 stumped. Total Runs Scored: 3,066. Wickets Lost: 195. Average Runs per Wicket: 15.72. Opponents: Runs, 2,357; Wickets, 222. Average Runs per Wicket. 10.61. Owing to the Mock Election and the celebrated "busmen's holiday" we have held only two meetings this term. On October 20th D. E. Young played a tape-recording of the " 20th Century Folk Mass " and a discussion followed. On November 10th members had the pleasure of hearing the entertaining and thoughtful views of Messrs. Burns, Mackay, Robinson and Wightman on various topics. We thank them for giving up their time to take part in this Brains Trust. On November 13th an inter-schools meeting was held at K.E.S., when the Rev. Norman Webb gave an interesting talk on " Faith and Reason ". Despite fears of a " take-over bid " by the Girls' High School the meeting was judged a great success by all who attended. Our thanks are once again due to Mr. V. A. Vout for his constant help and guidance. At a business meeting D. E. Young was elected Chairman and B. D. Needham Secretary, with a committee representing Fifth and Sixth formers. The first full-scale meeting was addressed by B. D. Needham, who introduced a discussion on " The economics of take-over bids ". The meeting was well attended and questions from the floor threw more light on the matter. The second and final meeting of the term dealt with " The future of the Labour Party ", when D. E. Cottingham gave a very well prepared and delivered speech. Despite close questioning the speaker maintained his views, but so, we fear, did the questioners. It is a pleasant duty to thank Mr. D. Burke for his constant support and encouragement both to members and non-members of the Society. At our November meeting A. A. Sampson had the unenviable task of justifying China's policy in Tibet and on the Indian border. This he did by uncovering an age-old Chinese Tibet and suggesting that Ladakh would be more fully utilised by the Chinese than by the Indians. Even though the audience could not accept his unusual point of view, it was refreshing to hear such a powerful defence of China's actions. A fortnight later, D. E. Young gave us some equally unorthodox views on Britain's role in the Western Alliance. He believed Britain should ignore France and Western Germany in negotiations with Russia on disarmament and Berlin. Though many failed to see how this policy could achieve the long-term aim of greater European unity, Young's speech was a great success because of the heated discussion it provoked. A talk by A. R. Williams on the United Nations was intended to be purely informative, but the speaker, as Conservative member for the school, inevitably found himself having to justify Britain's alleged defiance of the U.N. over Suez. The speaker believed that the U.N. still embodied mankind's best hopes even though, so far, it had failed in its supreme purpose of securing lasting peace and security. The Society congratulates its Chairman, P. W. Cave, on his scholarship at Oxford. SENIOR. There have been only three meetings during the term, largely because the Mock Election campaign took up time and speakers-both of which are precious to the Society. The generally low standard of speaking during the Election was unfortunate. Mr. Francis Berry, of Sheffield University, addressed the Society on the subject of " The Poet's Voice ". His highly controversial views resulted in some equally controversial questions, but as usual, only a few of the large number present took an active part in the discussion. A session of "stump oratory" formed the second meeting; and at the end-of-term debate on " Tradition is an obstacle to progress " the subject held no terrors for the four eminent leading speakers, but the rest of the House had little to add to their utterances. MIDDLE SCHOOL. On October 28th representatives of each Form had to speak on given subjects for one minute with restrictions as to the words they were to use; in a parallel contest, boys chose three objects from a bin and had to tell a story about the objects. Struthers proved himself the master in both contests. The bus strike delayed the second meeting until November 16th, when six boys gave readings of their favourite verse; the selections included " Pygmalion " and " Winnie the Pooh ". The final meeting on December 7th was reserved for " Julius Caesar on Ice", a very modern impression of this year's "0" Level set book, with the usual dramatic situations and catastrophic ending. A very successful end-of-term debate was held, at which Mr. Watson-Liddell proposed, against Mr. Cook, "That there is no opportunity in modern society for the pioneering spirit ". After a lively and prolonged discussion form the house, the motion was defeated by a large margin. JUNIOR. At the first of three meetings, an inter-form Quiz was won by 2(3), who crushed 2(1) in a semi-final. Stump oratory provided the subject of our second meeting; several learned, if rather halting, disquisitions were presented on subjects ranging form Rhubarb to the Other Side of the Moon. Our final entertainment was the Mock Trial of Dungworth upon a multiplicity of charges. Despite a skilfully conducted defence, the prisoner's nobility of bearing did not impress the jury; he was found guilty and sentenced, and summary justice was meted out. SENIOR. The Society has continued on its devoted way, with small attendances but with unflagging spirit. Talford began the term with a most interesting, if technical, talk on Greek Music, illustrated by records kindly lent by Mr. Barnes. At the second meeting Bows threw fresh light on The Sophists, the professional lecturers of Greece. Two more meetings featured " Replotting Plautus "—the amusing consequences of being forced, with knowledge of a particular situation in a comedy of Plautus, to predict the course of the plot. Cartwright had kindly promised to talk to both sections on Greece, which he visited last summer, but this has been postponed till the first meeting of next term. JUNIOR. The autumn programme has shown variety, matched by consistently large attendances. A dozen members, shepherded by Mr. Watson-Liddell, visited the antiquities of Leicester under the auspices of the Sheffield Schools branch of the Classical Association. Grimsditch and Bows ably presented a coloured film-strip, " The Growth of Rome." The second meeting (" I Want to be an Actor ") proved that the Society is strong in dramatic purpose, if not achievement. M. A. Hall entertained and enlightened us with a well illustrated talk on " Some Curiosities of Ancient Warfare." The last meeting for the term, a " Latin Whist Drive," was much enjoyed, although the whist was far from evident. We shall miss Mr. Watson-Liddell, both for his interest in our activities and for his gift of helpful organisation, and wish him well in Cyprus, where he will still find evidence of Classical Antiquity. On October 7th, in connection with the centenary of the death of I. K. Brunel, Mr. Wightman showed a film strip and gave an account of Brunel's life and work. Mr. Cook showed and commented on the film strip (made by Mr. V. J. Wrigley, founder of the society) depicting a history of architecture form Sheffield sources. At this meeting, too, P. J. Ellis was elected Secretary. On December 9th, P. S. Mattam spoke on " Earthworks in the Sheffield Area" and showed some pictures. I. Young gave a short account of the early history of St. Alban's with illustrations. Meetings were well supported and further meetings are arranged for next term. Three Tuesday lunch-hour meetings were held by the Senior section; it is pleasing to note that audiences were somewhat larger than usual. The single record concert of the term-a recording cf Sibelius' Seventh Symphony-was introduced by R. J. Thompson. The other two meetings were a recital of lieder by K. Rice and a Senior Concert for which so many talented musicians offered their services that some had to be held over until next term. A varied programme was provided by Johnson, who sang Vaughan Williams' Linden Lea, Bomber, Wright and Harris (flute, trumpet and violin soloists) and Barnes and Thompson, who repeated their Speech Day performances. The four meetings of the Junior section included three well attended concerts given by First, Third and Fourth forms respectively, Even allowing for those driven in by inclement weather, these were good and appreciative audiences. Plenty of talent was displayed by the first year, notable being Huston (clarinet) and Broughton (piano). The Thirds gave a varied programme featuring pianists, singers, violin and trumpet. The Fourths provided a like assortment of instrumentalists. The remaining meeting was a presentation by D. W. Williams of records of Walton's Facade suite, with Edith Sitwell as the speaker of her own verses. The Secretary is J. F. Billington, assisted by C. J. Barnes, and with R. L. Morant as publicity' secretary. Three enjoyable meetings have been held, and a good nucleus of membership has grown up. An amusing play, " Knock, ou le Triomphe de la Medecine," was read; Mr. G. Y. Adam gave us a first-hand account of life in modern Turkey; and M. R. Delanoe, a student of politics, spoke on " La scene politique et les institutions francaises contemporaines." Other interesting meetings are being planned. Our thanks are due to Mr. Bramhall, who kindly supervised our activities and chaired the meetings. Only two meetings could be arranged during the term; M. Whitley gave a talk on Asteroids and Satellites, and C. R. J. Singleton an illustrated talk on Spectroscopy. A society library now flourishes, and our astro-quiz series continues. Work on our telescope, on which F. J. Ellis has been particularly active, is now proceeding satisfactorily after several hold-ups. J. F. Billington continues as secretary and Mr. Bridgwater as president. With continued club support, especially from the junior School, the team had a bright start to the season, securing our first victories over High Storrs for some years. Against stronger opposition, however, the results were not so encouraging. We would again welcome greater enthusiasm from the Upper School, and extend thanks to Mr. Redston for his hard work. v. High Storrs, home, won 3.5-2.5. v. High Storrs, away, won 4-2. v. Dronfield, away, lost 2-4. v. Ecclesfield, away, drew 3-3. LAST term just over 2,300 books were circulated—perhaps a slightly lower figure than we have come to expect in recent years. On the other hand, the figure for books missing at the stocktaking was higher at 25. This widening of the " trade gap ", to borrow an expression, spells danger to our reserves. In running our Library we give our public a deal of liberty in the belief that they can use it rightly. That implies an expectation that library users will not only borrow their books through the official channels but will also leave the library tidy, replace their periodicals correctly, deposit no litter, not bring in their luggage, and behave in such a way that those who wish to read are not disturbed. In all these respects last term was a little sub-standard. The Librarians do a great deal of work in caring for the library and should be able to feel that this is not altogether taken for granted. As an Old Boy recently said: "You do not realise how valuable this library is until you have left it." R. E. Bardgett, V. Cocker, J. P. Consterdine, A. Cryer, D. Dawson, M. J. Gould, J. H. Hemming, B. Hibbert, B. Hilton-Tapp, A. E. Lewin, S. G. Linstead, J. R. Milner, J. S. Noble, J. Peaker, M. J. Sant, M. E. Sara, A. P. Spier, I. Wright, D. R. Williams, M. A. J. Williams, D. G. G. Young. WE are very pleased to extend a welcome to Mr. Langrish who took over " B " Troop at half-term. " B " Troop in particular, and school scouting in general, will benefit from his experience and enthusiasm. VARIETY and good spirits have been maintained in a term of poor recruitment at the beginning and transport difficulties in the middle. Our Monday night Troop meetings have produced a variety of activities, sometimes requiring courage; indeed, one Patrol Leader was reported as saying of Operation Sheffield, " It is a really tough assignment "-although he and P/L Neil Struthers wore an accomplished look in the morning paper! Somewhat earlier, there was born the saga of the stooping stranger. This reminds me that all these things are now safely recorded for posterity in the Troop Log, regularly and accurately compiled by " Pyl ", and liberally supplied with sketches and photographs. The Patrol (three-in-one) competition incorporates outdoor activities demanding the exploration of Derbyshire, and co-operation with other Troops, in addition to some open-air badge work. Last Summer Camp came to life again recently when Mr. Brewin screened some colour photographs of Lakeland scenery and camp life, with amusing shots of " Madame " and some sports activities-and then " phut "! Summer Camp in 1960-so distant, and yet the site at least is virtually settled, either an offshore island in Solway Firth, or in the historical company of contraband and smugglers. Seniors continue to give strong assistance at Troop meetings, and on occasion Senior meetings are held in the Den. Two Patrols entered the Holmstrom Trophy competition, without, however, carrying off the honours. On the threshold of another year, we look for the continuance of the spirit of adventure and service in our Scouting. FOR the first half of the term, " B " Troop was without a Scoutmaster but was looked after very competently by some of the Seniors under the fatherly eye of the G.S.M. Sixteen new scouts and a new S.M. have filled in the gaps in the Troop's numbers and several proficiency badges have been gained by the older boys. First Class badges have been awarded to J. Mould, R. Staniforth, G. Bottomley and J. Lomas. The bus strike stopped a few Troop meetings from being held but it did not prevent a half-term wide game from being enjoyed. A Yetti hunt is planned for February. As usual, the Parents' committee has given given valuable help in money-raising efforts and in organising the Christmas party. The Seniors are now meeting every week and are planning to visit Germany in the summer. Three of the Seniors have been giving very welcome assistance in the running of the Troop and in addition two of them, " Ned " Craig and " Mo " Wright have become Queen's Scouts. LAST summer the main Troop enjoyed a fortnight's camping near Southcombe, Dorset, under the able leadership of A.S.M's D. T. Crisp and J. M. F. Gagan. Of the Seniors, five had a mobile camping holiday in the south, using the main Troop camp as a base for their expeditions, while six explored the rivers Wye and Severn on a canoeing trip. This term has brought five recruits to the Troop. We welcome them (and would welcome more) and wish them " Good Scouting! " for the years that lie ahead. In the usual round of Troop and Patrol meetings the traditional " C " Troop spirit of hearty fellowship and boundless enthusiasm still thrives, and in addition to our games and fun much valuable training has been done. In this latter connection a special tribute is due to the work of our new T/L Jon Abrahams who has organised the training with highly commendable energy and efficiency. Our Troop outdoor meeting at Ringinglow was favoured with fine weather, and our night wide-game with the attention of a dozen or so tall strangers in dark uniform-not to mention Skip's sizzling hot dogs. The Seniors have met, as usual, but infrequently. But under their new T/L Roger Pitt they have contributed to the Troop's activities, in particular by pioneering on the Close and by organising the final event of the term, the Christmas Party. I should like to add a personal word of thanks to the leaders of the Troop, the T/Ls and P/Ls, for the great help they have been to me in my first term as S.M. Scouting has indeed much to offer to those who give themselves to it. THERE has been a marked increase in the interest in Fives this term and the good weather has allowed continued use of the courts into December. It has been encouraging to notice the number of Middle School boys using the courts, and this augurs well for the future. As yet no fixtures have been played. THIS year's Cross Country teams have drawn their support from largely untried material. There are now few really keen runners in the School and those of team standard have had little experience of competitive running. Only one really old campaigner remains to be supported in the Senior team by last season's experienced reserves, Battye and Kingman, and a comparatively new discovery, Fletcher. Fletcher has been the fittest member of the team and is now a most reliable second string, being closely followed, on a number of occasions, by the most improved runner, Battye. Buckle, Cole, Gregory and Britton have all run regularly but, although they have given good service, the times of this weaker half of the team have been below those of previous years. Britton, a convert from the Second XI and the youngest member of the team, shows great promise and future teams will almost certainly be built around this " character." An unfortunate feature of the term has been the apparent retirement from Cross Country of R. H. Guite. His failure to regain last year's form as quickly as he had hoped and a foot injury seem to have caused him to lose confidence in his running ability. If he will run, Guite's experience alone could prove an invaluable asset to the team next term. Towards Christmas the Under 16 team has shown considerable improvement and is now being moulded into a very sound and talented body. Mingay has led the team well and he with Berresford, Blythe, Carroll and Williams, will be a formidable force next term. There remain only two or three keen runners in the whole of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th forms. Of these few, who must be thanked for their loyalty, only 3rd former Rees has been outstanding, frequently beating much older and more experienced opponents. Results of both teams have been generally poor but a number of races have been very fast and closely fought. Wins have been recorded over Manchester G.S., Woodhouse G.S. (twice; and Doncaster G.S., by the Seniors, and over Loughborough G.S., Doncaster G.S. and Mexborough G.S. by the Under 16 team. We thank Mr. Green for his efficient management; his shrewd time-keeping and calculation of results has always given even a well beaten team the " can't lose next week " feeling. Perhaps this feeling would become reality if we were given the training facilities afforded to other School teams. AT Ecclesfield on October 17th our Seven-a-Side team retained the Edward Russell trophy after several hard contests. The star of this surprise win was Nosowski, our converted left-back, playing centre-forward. The School finished at the top of Group III, amassing 20 points against 6. In both the semi-final and final the School pulled back, when 7 points to 3 down, to win 9 points to 7. Scorers: Nosowski 7, Newton 4, Tranmer 4, Pike 1. Apart from this one worthwhile display at Ecclesfield, our season has been disappointing so far. At the beginning of the season, we were weakened by the loss of Newton and Hodkin, but this was not the main trouble. The trouble was that the attack was not able to take the pressure off the defence, which resulted in continual pressure on the goal and the inevitable mistake. Although the results would suggest better play halfway through the season, this is not the case. The team has played good and sometimes inspired football, on occasions. But throughout the season there has been a general lack of enthusiasm and determination. Although not seen in the results, determination to win does seem to have increased towards the end of the season and it is hoped that this will continue throughout next term. Opportunism has been sadly lacking in the forward line-Needham, when angry, may sometimes unleash an " Empire Special " - Newton, too, is capable of a well taken goal-Tranmer occasionally stirs himself to shoot-but seldom does a game go by without a hatful of glaring misses, and the away game, at Woodhouse, was typical. However, the increased determination and pressure for First XI places promise well for next term. Played 14, Won 3, Drawn 4, Lost 7, Goals for 23, against 36. v. De La Salle (Away), drawn 1-1. v. E. C. Powell (Home), drawn 3-3. v. Old Edwardians 1st XI (Home), lost 0-5. v. Manchester G.S. (Away), won 5-2. v. Woodhouse G.S. (Away), won 5-2. v. Chesterfield G.S. (Away), lost 0-2. v. Old Edwardians 1st XI (Home), lost 1-3. v. Bootham School (Away), won 2-1. v. Ecclesfield G.S. (Away), won 4-0. v. Abbeydale G.S. (Home), drawn 1-1. v. Manchester G. S. (Home), drawn 1-1. v. Woodhouse G.S. (Away), lost 0-2. v. Mexborough G.S. (Home), lost 2-3. v. Firth Park G.S. (Home), lost 1-4. Scorers: Needham 9, Wileman 4. Newton 3, Dixon 2, Tranmer 2, Smith 1, own goal 2. THIS has clearly been a term of transition. In some years, we have been accustomed to a strong Second XI able to win nearly all its matches, but the relative dearth of talent in the Junior and Middle Schools in the past two seasons is now beginning to affect senior soccer, and the poor record is a fitting commentary upon this. In the early part of the term, it proved difficult to find the best blend of players, partly because the First XI was not settled, but mainly because there were a fairly large number of players of roughly equal ability. It was not until after half-term that a more definite pattern emerged, under the captaincy of Ball, who has certainly infused more spirit into the team and continues to play his rugged, whole-hearted game at centre-half. The defence is now combining together better, but the goalkeeping problem has proved difficult to solve, neither Foster nor Taylor so far proving entirely adequate. Several goals have been given away by unnecessary misunderstanding and usually these have proved vital in closely contested matches. The main weaknesses, however, lie in the lack of control of midfield play and the inability of any single forward to prove a consistent marksman near goal. There has been little co-ordination between wing halves and inside forwards, and often we have been much slower to the tackles than our opponents. The wings have not proved fast enough to provide openings and have not always received the passes to bring them effectively into the game. In nearly every match, there have been individual skills, which have been worthy of admiration, but only co-ordinated play can hope to win matches against quite strong opposition. In fairness to the team, it ought to be added that they have not always had the " run of the ball," that they have been beset by injuries in some matches, and that towards the end of the term some of the faults indicated have been recognised and in part remedied. The side is to be congratulated on its keenness, especially in its regular turnout for practice, and it is to be hoped that next term the weather will be kind enough to allow it to reveal its true promise. Played 14, Won 3, Drawn 3, Lost 8, Goals for 25, against 40. v. De La Salle (Home), won 1-0. v. Old Edwardians (Home), lost 0-2. v. Manchester G.S. (Home), lost 1-2. v. Woodhouse G.S. (Away), lost 0-4. v. Barnsley G.S. (Home), won 3-2. v. Chesterfield G.S. (Away), lost 1-3. v. Oakwood 1st XI (Away), lost 0-6. v. Ecclesfield G.S. (Home), drawn 3-3. v. Abbeydale G.S. (Away), lost 3-4. v. Manchester G.S. (Away), lost 0-3. v. Maltby G.S. (Home), drawn 3-3. v. Woodhouse G.S. (Home), won 6-1. v. Mexborough G.S. (Away), lost 1-4. v. Firth Park (Away), drawn 3-3. AFTER several seasons in which defeat figured but rarely, this season has so far provided few successes. In general there has not been so rich an array of talent to draw upon, but what the team lacked in skill it has not lacked in fight and spirit; in face of heavy defeat it has never given up. There is some talent present and in Hirst and A. Hall we have two skilful ball-playing inside forwards who would disgrace few teams. Indeed the strengthening of one or two key positions would transform the team into a more successful combination. Several matches lost seemed in the balance for quite a period before these latent weaknesses resulted in concession of goals. A highlight of the fixtures was a new one against the First XI of Carlton High School, Bradford, where Len Shackleton, former Sunderland and England star attended as a boy. Eason has captained the team in most games and has been a sterling defender. L. J. S., M. J. P. Played 9, Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 6, Goals for 15, against 40. v. Manchester G.S. (Away), lost 3-1. v. Marlcliffe (Away), drawn 1-1. v. Barnsley (Away), won 4-2. v. Owler Lane (Home), lost 3-1. v. Chesterfield (Away), lost 6-2. v. Oakwood (Home), lost 6-3. v. Carlton H.S. (Away), lost 13-1. v. Manchester G.S. (Home), lost 6-1. v. Huddersfield Amateurs (Home), won 1-0. THE standard of football produced in the early matches was poor and only recently has more determination and skill been evident in the team's performance. The forward line has been especially weak and the lack of scoring power has been reflected in the constant pressure on the defence in all games, and of course in the eventual result. It has been impossible to field a settled team because of numerous illnesses and injuries, but a more confident approach has been evident recently; two matches have been drawn. Lack of speed has usually been the most important reason for the loss of matches. With a settled team and greater speed on the field, allied to a more determined approach, the results next term should be better, for the nucleus of the team is a solid foundation upon which a winning team may be built. Until his illness Mills was a hard-working captain, and since then Kelly, a determined wing half, has done his best to hold together a team with different faces in it in every match. Fairhead had been a very capable goalkeeper, although the team has lost his services for one or two recent matches. The spirit shown by the team, even in defeat, has been very good and if this is maintained next term's results may be much different. J. B. L., J. C. H. Played 12, Won 0, Lost 10, Drawn 2, Goals against 50. v. De La Salle (Home), lost 5-0. v. Manchester (Home), lost 4-1. v. High Storrs (Away), lost 7-0. v. Barnsley (Away), lost 5-1. v. Oakwood (Away), drawn 2-2. v. Chesterfield (Home), lost 5-0. v. Ecclesfield (Home), lost 4-0. v. Abbeydale (Away), lost 2-1. v. Manchester (Away), lost 5-2. v. City (Away), lost 5-2. v. Maltby (Home), drawn 0-0. v. Mexborough (Home), lost 6-3. Scorers: Dear 2, Mills 2, Wheatley 2, Bows 1, Burley 1, Fenton 1, Gott 1, own goal 2. WITH only one win to their credit, this has been a poor term for the Under 14 XI. Generally they have been up against bigger and better sides, and have paid dearly for their mistakes, for they still have a great deal to learn about marking and tackling. One thing they must remember is to play hard all the game, for far too often the damage has been done and the goals conceded in a five or ten minute spell. Nevertheless, several boys have the makings of good footballers. The team was normally chosen from: Lewis, Linfoot, Morgans, Cockcroft, Brook, Hopkinson, Seymour, Ellis, Roxburgh, West, Sallis, Blake, Hutchinson. F. D. A. B., R. C. G. THIS year's team has had a most successful half-season, having won 9 of the 11 matches played this term. Double victories were recorded against Manchester G.S., Oakwood (Rotherham), and Marlcliffe. Wiggett has been a reliable and capable captain. Stopford and Batty were leading goal scorers. The team has been selected from: J. P. England, J. M. Pye, D. L. Sleigh, R. Crowson, D. G. Fox, B. Bentley, A. Wiggett, R. Shepherd, P. A. Siddall, J. Padley, M. P. Dolan, I. H. Batty, T. J. Connerton, D. A. Hardwick, S. Butcher, A. J. Stopford, P. W. Solway, J. Chambers. J. E. T., D. C. J. v. De La Salle (Home), lost 3-4. v. Oakwood (Home), won 3-2. v. Manchester G.S. (Home), won 5-1. v. High Storrs G.S. (Home), won 6-0. v. Marlcliffe (Away), won 2-1. v. Oakwood (Away), won 4-3. v. Ecclesfield G.S. (Away), won 7-3. v. Brincliffe G.S. (Away), won 8-0. v. Manchester G.S. (Away), won 4-1. v. Marlcliffe (Away), won 3-0. Played 11, Won 9, Lost 2, Goals for 45, against 17. WHEN Rugby started we began to aim at a fixture list as strong as we could get in order to learn from our experiences. It is now such that few games are played on level terms and this should be remembered in assessing the results. This year too the hard grounds and the bus strike caused us to go into the first match against the Mount Second without any real practice, and we have also suffered from a desperate shortage of reserves. With five of last year's powerful pack available we hoped to control the game forward. It was not however until the Pontefract match that comparable fire and speed returned. It was unfortunate that an injury to Marshall, early in the second half, spoiled what looked like being an unusually fine performance against a team moving in a rather higher circle than our own. Against Wakefield Third the School controlled the game for a long period without knowing how to win it. This is no new experience, for until more of you come and play with us we have no real opposition on Wednesdays and a match is hardly the occasion for trying out tricks and gaining confidence. In the last respect many of the team could learn from Wager, and run as if they really meant to get there. The next match, against Worksop Second, brought us against the best team we had ever played, and a far stronger one than they produced last year. We fought hard but were outclassed in skill and did well to hold the gap to twenty points. These hard games led to a marked increase in speed and enabled us to do well against Dronfield and Rowlinson. Against Lady Manners we met with our worst defeat ever. This school always produces good sides and this year has many County Schools players in its ranks, so that we were not too disheartened. It is on such occasions however that the team's worst fault becomes apparent. They fall well, and will defend stubbornly so long as the game can be kept close, but have little idea of stopping opponents once they are in full flight. I will not mention names except to say that Laughton has captained the side well, with the right blend of wrath and encouragement, and has set them an example in every way. It will suffice to say that the team does contain some very useful players. In conclusion may we appeal to those of you who have no prospect of getting into School elevens to come and join us. It is a great game and we are all enthusiasts. Oct. 17 v. Mt. St. Marv's 2nd (Away), won 14-3. Oct. 24 v. High Storrs (Home), lost 12-8. Nov. 7 v. Rowlinson School (Away), lost 9-3. Nov. 11 v. Pontefract 1st (Home), lost 11- 0. Nov. 14 v. Wakefield 3rd (Away), lost 14-6. Nov. 18 v. Worksop 2nd (Away), lost 25-6. Nov. 21 v. Dronfield 1st (Home), lost 8-6. Dec. 5 v. Rowlinson School ',Home), won 14-3. Dec. 12 v. Lady Manners 1st (Away), lost 54-0. THIS season, despite the impression given by the results, is one of transition from unorganised rushes to methodical movements. Although team spirit is present in abundance, the backs and forwards have not yet been welded into a combined team, and for that reason speed in the backs and advantages in the scrum have not been converted into points. Two further faults, a general reluctance to tackle immediately and hard, and bad marking, have been very much in evidence, and the need to eliminate these cannot be over-emphasised. The three-quarters, usually with heroic tendencies, almost inevitably die with the ball. This would be effective if loose-scrumming were of a high standard, but this is a somewhat neglected branch of forward play. Kicking and dropping on the ball have definitely improved, and the binding of the scrum is much better. The Mount St. Mary's match was lost because of bad tackling of heavy forwards, and was soon followed by a drastic defeat at the hands of Worksop. With a much depleted team, we were given a lesson in direct, clean, and purposeful rugby by a polished Worksop side. Against Rowlinson, the team's attacking qualities were revealed, and all played to the best of their ability to achieve a heartening victory. However, the defeat by a tough Dronfield team which made the most of its opportunities was very disappointing, and no excuse can be offered for it. This was a sub-standard performance and is best forgotten. Our visit to Bakewell proved even less fruitful, but this defeat was not suffered without strong resistance in the second half. Tackling in this match was most encouraging. A pleasing feature of this term was a friendly match with City Grammar School on the wilds of Castle Dyke at their wildest. It is hoped that this practice is continued, as the match was very enjoyable. Thanks are due to all who have played, refereed, watched and run the line, for making this a pleasant, if not successful, term. The team has been very well captained by M. A. Hall. He sets an excellent example as a player and his enthusiasm is great. He keeps the organisation of the team very efficiently under control and we are much in his debt for this. T. G. C., A. H. W. v. Mount St. Mary's (Home), lost 0-20. v. Worksop College (Away), lost 0-62. v. Rowlinson School (Home), won 29-5. v. Dronfield G.S. (Home), lost 3-29. v. Lady Manners (Away), lost 0-48. WE began the season with the usual optimism and enthusiasm and, as usual, our expectations proved unjustified. Our major problem is also unchanged-that of finding sufficient talent among the small number who opt to play Rugby. This is evident in the backs, where seasoned players such as Best, Timperley and North bear the brunt of attack and defence. In particular, the position of full-back has been difficult to fill, but Winter has shown unexpected talents in recent matches. The forwards still need practice in working together as a pack, but they have an able leader in Dodd. Strangely enough, we still retain our optimism and enthusiasm. v. Mount St. Mary's (Home), lost 27-0. v. High Storrs Under 14 (Away), won 5-9. v. Worksop Under 14 (Away), lost 6-0. v. Rowlinson School (Home), lost 0-18. v. Wakefield (Away), lost 55-0. MANY people were toying with the idea of continuing with Cricket matches at the beginning of term. Such was the reaction to one of the driest summers on record. Had it not been for the transport strike we would have been well ahead with our programme. As it turned out we just managed to complete the Knock-out competition and the House League before the end of term. Sherwood proved once more to have a fighting spirit and nearly won the Knock-out for the second successive season. Wentworth proved a little too strong, however, and scored the only goal of the match. Both teams are to be congratulated for producing a high standard of football under really dreadful conditions. The standard of football in House matches is very disappointing. It is sad to record that there is no outstanding team once the 1st and 2nd XI players have been removed. However, the majority of boys enjoy chasing a ball about, so we are at least contributing to their physical education even though the amount of progress is virtually nil! The League winners will be announced in the next issue of the Magazine, as the deciding matches will not be played until January. Next term will have a mixed bag of sporting activities: Cross Country, Rugby Sevens, House Soccer Sevens and Athletics. P W D L FOR AGST PTS. GROUNDS have remained in excellent condition through the term and we have completed the House League competition. The games have been generally interesting but the standard of play and skill is lower than usual in both the Third and Fourth years. In spite of every encouragement to play Rugby we still have only forty boys who play this code. An' Increase of twenty in their numbers would be beneficial to both games. FOR Juniors, the autumn term is the best of all. The weather is usually good, the pitches firm, and the new boys add an interest to the House League matches. Are they going to be as good as last year's? This time, there is no doubt about the answer; the new intake is the best, from the football point of view, that we have had for many years; and with the Under 13 XI having its most successful season, there is promise of good School teams for years to come. We have just completed the League programme and the final table is appended. It is particularly pleasing to see that Chatsworth and Sherwood have been successful, as these are Houses which have certainly had their share of lean years. First XI: P w D L PTS. At the end of the last school year many stalwarts left the House and this term the requirements of school teams have considerably weakened the soccer XIs representing the various sections of the House. Yet despite these losses the Senior XI has achieved a greater measure of success than ever before. We were unlucky to be beaten in the Knock-out after a hard and skilful game but the League team more often by enthusiasm than football ability played consistently well all the season and were placed first equal in the League. The results of Middle and Junior sections have been very disappointing; both have proved ineffective against strong opposition. In Water Polo the House has met with only moderate success. The team has lacked experience and despite the considerable efforts of Abbott their defensive weaknesses have all too often been exploited. Yet it is true to say that they are progressing rapidly; should this improvement continue, the House will resume its lead in this field. We must first of all heartily congratulate our Juniors. For the first time for many years, they have brought a football trophy to our cupboard. The Junior First XI won the House competition in no uncertain manner, by winning all seven matches. Sleigh and his team put up a very good performance and we hope their success will continue. Chatsworth's interest in the Knock-out ended in the first round, as usual. However, a spirited first half display proved that the League team could have done much better had everybody tried. The Middle School team have had a reasonable start to the season. The Water Polo team is having its best season for a number of years. The first game was drawn and the second was won quite convincingly. Two other matches were played. We congratulate P. Benton and D. H. Moore on their University awards; and finally we must thank Mr. Watson-Liddell, who is leaving us, for his help and support as a House tutor. We wish him every success in his new role as a Headmaster in Cyprus. The general standard of House spirit has been well maintained this term, with Kenning as captain and Barnes as secretary. The Soccer teams have had varied success. The Junior team has improved steadily in the course of the season, Greatorex functioning well in goal whilst Dolan and Batty in the forward line have scored frequently. The Middle School team has also improved in football ability and great credit must be given to Bingham on the left wing and Hopkinson at inside right. After several trials a reliable goalkeeper has now been found and the remainder of the defence is improving each match. The term has not been a great success for the Seniors with only two wins and one draw from the seven games played. On paper the team was strong but on the field it proved to be one of individuals, lacking the real co-ordination so necessary for success. Swimming has remained the forte, and under the excellent leadership of Cheetham the Water Polo team has been victorious in all but one of its matches. We extend a hearty welcome to Mr. Langrish as successor to Mr. Hersee and hope that his stay with us will be long and enjoyable. The first duty of this report is to welcome Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Jinks as House Tutors and to thank them for the interest they have taken in the House. We congratulate Cave and Thorp on their scholarships at Oxford, and Cave on being appointed a Sub-prefect, together with Pike, Revill, and Robinson. Our football this term has been of very mixed quality. The League team, led by Eason who has sometimes found difficulty in raising a team at all, gained only three points during the term. The number of boys in school teams explains this up to a point, but poor morale and indifference have played their part. In the first round of the Knockout we were defeated by Lynwood by 6 goals to l. However, the record of the Middle School First XI, ably captained by Gott, has been more encouraging and it is to them that we must look for signs of future success. The Junior First XI likewise shows promise. The Water Polo team has had a successful term which could have been outstanding with a little more support from the House. Although we cannot report any spectacular victories this term, we look forward with confidence to the New Year. The Water Polo team, excellently captained by Parker, must first be praised for having swept aside all opposition, with such resounding victories as 13-0 against Welbeck and 10-0 against Chatsworth. With only two more matches to play, it appears that the League championship is well within our grasp, not to mention the Knock-out. In football too Lynwood has put up a reasonable performance. The Seniors came top of the League on goal average, but a play-off between the top four houses will be held next term. The early loss of Pinder and Tym to school teams removed a lot of drive and direction. The rest of the team, however, do not lack spirit, especially Grant and Godley who make an excellent right-wing pair. We may face the play-off with confidence provided that there is much better marking and greater punch in the forward line. The Knock-out unfortunately evaded us, for we were beaten 1-2 in the first round by Welbeck, after a tough game. The Middle School team has so far proved unsuccessful but the Juniors, both First and Second XIs, show promise. Success in House games nearly always comes from a team of ordinary players with spirit and determination and prepared to put in maximum effort. The football or cricketing genius, especially higher up the School, is soon snatched up by school teams, so we have to rely mainly upon the average player. M. J. Lodge is congratulated on obtaining a Hastings Exhibition at Queen's College, Oxford. For once, the achievement of the junior House Second XI in winning their football shield must be mentioned first. This was Sherwood's only definite success of the Autumn term. However, looking at the records, Ridgeway's Knock-out XI, which only lost in the final to Wentworth by a single goal, must be congratulated on its effort. Since all the more competent players of the side will remain for next season, the cup should return to its rightful place. Another near miss was the attempt by the junior First XI, under Wiggett's capable leadership, to gain the House Shield. Unfortunately, the team was only placed second in the League. The Middle School had one or two outstanding players but failed to do anything startling, and the record of the Senior First XI must be hastily passed over. The Water Polo team, despite Wilkes' example and exhortations, only won one match. But next term should see some more definite triumphs, for, with a member of the House in almost every school team, the talent is obviously present. The record of the junior School encourages hope for the future. Mr. Baldwin has become a House Tutor; we hope that he will see the House achieve even greater success in the future. Academically, we must congratulate A. A. Sampson, D. E. Young, and R. F. Laughton on their University successes. A term of moderate success. On the games field, the performances of the House have been sound if not spectacular. The soccer Knock-out team began with a promising victory over Lynwood in the first round, but succumbed to Wentworth, the beaten finalists, in the semi-final after a heroic struggle against the odds. The Senior League team has played consistently well to finish equal first in the championship. Our Middle School side has excelled itself under the spirited captaincy of J. Fenton and, with one match to play, leads the league by one point. The junior section has been our weakest department for some years, but both Junior XIs have so far won as many matches as they have lost. The Water Polo team, though seriously weakened by the departure of Fisher and Wagstaffe, has nevertheless acquitted itself adequately under the captaincy of R. A. Ashford. The following have played regularly in the School Soccer teams: Bennett, D. M. Bows and Needham in the First XI, Hall, Mayland, Nell and Ashford in the Third XI, J. W. Bows, Wibberley and Fenton in the Under 15, and West and Hopkinson in the Under 14. In addition, Guite has run for the Cross Country team, and Ainsworth has played for the Under 15 XV. We congratulate B. Bennett on his appointment as Sub-prefect. We welcome Mr. Head and Mr. Pipes as House Tutors and wish them every success in their association with Welbeck. And finally, we must say goodbye to the Head of the House, D. M. Bows, who is leaving to take up a temporary post before beginning his University career. The House can look back on a very successful term. In the Senior League we finished equal first and only await a play-off. Our Knock-out team was expected to win the championship, which they did, though not without a hard fight in the final. Our Middle School team has won every game but one, and is at the moment second in the League. Our junior team's achievements we leave in kindly obscurity; they have done their best. Perry, whose quiet and efficient support of the House each year has been long appreciated, leaves us with a Hastings Exhibition at the Queen's College, Oxford. We look forward to the rest of the year with confidence, expecting more successes both sporting and academic.
2019-04-26T08:43:09Z
http://oldedwardians.org.uk/nlc/mags/60Jan.html
You can begin turning to Deuteronomy the 28th chapter where we will begin this message. I believe that all of us know that we are commanded to rejoice in the keeping of God's feast. But I wonder how many of us know that God plainly states that He can rejoice. Now this is not going to be a sermon about Him rejoicing, but we are going to get to that pretty quickly. And I think that you will find that what I am about to show you about rejoicing will be helpful to your understanding about rejoicing in keeping God’s feast. Deuteronomy 28:63 And it shall be, that just as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good and to multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you and to bring you to nothing. And you shall be plucked from off the land which you go to possess. I want you to notice first the context in which the word “rejoice” appears. First of all, Deuteronomy 28 is the blessing and cursing chapter and God can rejoice in either blessing or cursing. Now, are we becoming like Him? Can you rejoice in the time that you are being judged or going through a difficulty? God can rejoice in blessing and cursing. Let us look at this word in a slightly different context. Deuteronomy 30:9 And the Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land, for good. For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good, as He rejoiced over your fathers. I believe that comparing these texts reveals something helpful in regard to the way that God defines rejoicing. Now, do we not we have the tendency to define or even to limit the term rejoicing to what we might call "fun times"? Times when we are really happy, we are really up, we are enjoying what is going on, everybody is laughing? That is a rejoicing period of time. Everybody has a smile on their faces. I am pretty sure that God can rejoice, from what He just said there, when people do not have a smile on their face, and yet He is rejoicing. We can see, I think pretty clearly, that God does not limit His rejoicing just to those times. We can say that He does when He shows us clearly in Deuteronomy 28 that He rejoices in painful judgments that He from time to time has to deal out, the judgments that He brings upon the guilty. So Deuteronomy 28:63 is definitely not one of those times where we might say “this is going to hurt me more that it does you” when we do this. He uses rejoicing at any time that He has the knowing satisfaction that He is doing the right thing. Rejoicing is not limited only to those occasions in which there is an elevated feeling of happy exuberance. I am going to rehearse a little bit here mostly with Evelyn. She will remember these things, but I want to share them with you because this makes Evelyn's and my 52nd Feast of Tabernacles. Nashville will be the 21st different site that we have kept it at, but we have never kept it outside of the United States. We have requested a transfer only 3 times and each time we did it in order to spend some time with our very widely-scattered family. We have never transferred to another area or country just to see something, or some famous site, or to experience the attitudes and lifestyles of a particular strain of people. This has not been because we were totally disinterested in those things. It was because the Feast itself and the responsibility we had at the Feast was what captured our mind and attention. Besides that, I reason, how many different feast sites did God ever establish in Israel? In over a thousand years of time He established a grand total of two. The first was in Shiloh which He destroyed because of Israel’s disobedience. The second was in Jerusalem. Now I am not saying that what the Worldwide Church of God did was evil, but I think that God is showing that attending a wide variety of festivals sites is not necessary to produce spiritual growth. We were baptized in September, 1959 and the first holy day service that we attended was the Feast of Trumpets and then of course following that was the Day of Atonement. And that was the first time that we ever fasted for an entire day. That particular day is really seared into my mind, but it was not only the fast that made that day so significant to me (and it is still significant to me because it helped to point me in the right direction). It was because I met so many visitors to services that day, from New York City, from Philadelphia and other points east of Pittsburgh, and even people from Canada as well. On that Day of Atonement those people were already on their way to the Feast of Tabernacles in Big Sandy, Texas. Do you realize that in 1959 the city of Pittsburgh was the only city in the United States between Chicago, Illinois and London, England in which there was a congregation of the Radio Church of God at that time? Those people in New York City, in Philadelphia, in Baltimore, if they were going to come to a Feast, had to come to Pittsburgh in order to keep it, and indeed, when we had feasts days then up until about 1962 or so, they were still coming to Pittsburgh and I met people then on those holy days from North Carolina, would you believe it? There were people coming to Pittsburgh from Canada. We had four men in the Pittsburgh congregation from Canada. They started in Toronto, Canada and they were in Pittsburgh for services every Sabbath. You know how far it is from Toronto, Canada to Pittsburgh? They all did not live in Toronto. What they did is, they met at a holy day in Pittsburgh and they found out that they were from northern New York and northern Pennsylvania and they put together a relay. One man would start from Toronto, he would carry on about a 100 miles, the next guy would then pick up the relay, on to Erie, Pennsylvania and on down to Pittsburgh. Those men stayed the entire weekend! They came there for the Sabbath, they stayed the next day for choir practice, and they stayed for Spokesmen Club, and then they repeated it and went back to Canada, and the next week they repeated it again. Keeping the Sabbath was something that you had to have a vision of and you had to have a treasure regarding it in order to keep it the way those people did. When Evelyn and I came into the Pittsburgh church, with our 4 kids at the time, we raised the attendance to one hundred. That was a major congregation in those days. But, at any rate, that first year—1959—we did not attend the Feast of Tabernacles because we had no money whatever to keep the Feast. We did not even know about the second tithe until just before the Feast of Trumpets. And even if we had known, I do not know if we still would have made it because like most young people, we were dead broke. We were in hock up to here. But God did come first in our life and even though we were in hock up to here, we began paying tithes and then we were in hock even higher. That Feast of 1959 we kept the holy day Sabbaths and the weekly Sabbath with our children at home, making do the best we knew how. There was no broadcast whatever, no live streaming, there was no Internet, there was no downloading of any kind of sermon material during the entire week. There was nothing on the telephone, there was nothing. I can remember we felt to some degree abandoned. I worked during the week, took the holy days off, took the Sabbath off, but otherwise we kept it by ourselves. But we made good and well sure that in 1960 we went to the Feast of Tabernacles. We went to, of course Big Sandy, Texas and somewhere between 5 and 6 thousand people were there. Wow, six thousand people! That was not the only Feast site by that time. There was also one in Squaw Valley, California. Now it was a real interesting experience partly because Gladewater, Texas had a population of less than 8,000. Big Sandy and Hawkins, which were the next cities—towns? villages?—I mean, this was a one-traffic-light affair, both of them. They were the biggest towns around there and boy, they were pretty small. I believe that at that time neither Big Sandy nor Hawkins had even one motel. There were only two motels, I believe, at the time. Can you imagine brethren? Both of them were in Gladewater. Two motels for 5 to 6 thousand people attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Big Sandy on the Ambassador College campus. We were not able to get a room in either of those motels, but I was able to make arrangements through Ambassador College to stay in a private home in Gladewater with a family by the name of Warren. I can remember them fairly well, even to this day. There were ten people in that home. It was Evelyn and my children, and there was another family there by the name of Johnson, and believe it or not, they were from Johnson City, Tennessee. I mentioned that the family name was Warren. I tell you with ten people in that home all sharing the same bathroom, we felt like we were in a rabbit warren there somewhere. About 25 years later Evelyn and I kept the Feast in Johnson City, Tennessee and Mrs. Johnson was still in the church and we met her there. Mr. Johnson had died during that period of time. Evelyn and I were there because I was one of the traveling speakers that headquarters had sent out to give a sermon. Back to Gladewater, because this was a kind of interesting experience. This was the year 1961 that this took place. By that time Gladewater had one fairly large motel that was called the Colonial Motel, a two story affair, and Evelyn and I were able to get two rooms in that motel. Now these two rooms were abutting one another, but they were not side by side, they were back to back, and there was a big porch that went all the way around the second floor and so we put four of our children in that room, and Evelyn and I and Alison, who was our youngest at that time, had the other one. So we arranged for an elderly couple to peek in on our kids once in a while, and quiet them down or whatever. We also made arrangements with our children, a series of signals: knock-knock-knock—that is the way. One knock was this, two knocks was this, three knocks was that. Otherwise our oldest daughter Virginia was in charge over there. Actually we made out pretty well. I want, as I go along here, for you to compare keeping today’s feast with the way it was then. There were no real restaurants in Gladewater or Hawkins or Big Sandy. I do not mean that there were no restaurants at all but they were not anything that you would consider to be a restaurant today. The nearest restaurants were in Longview, Texas and Tyler, Texas. Each one was roughly 20 miles from Gladewater. Now, what did you do when you wanted to go out to eat? Well you had to go at least 20 miles. But what about lunch time? That was little bit more of a problem because you could not go to an air conditioned restaurant there. There was nothing to go to. So we ate on campus where most of the people were staying. They were staying in the Piney Woods area. They were staying in tents. They were staying, some of them in the Booth City area as well. But any cooking that they did, was done on charcoal grills or bottled gas camp stoves. In addition to that, sanitation facilities were very skimpy and greatly overcrowded. The church had erected a couple of permanent buildings in which there were places to relieve yourself and even to take some showers. Every day at services we would get an announcement: “Well, I’m sorry to tell you this, but the drains are clogged up again. Please be patient with us.” This resulted in people taking showers at one o’clock, two o’clock, 3 o’clock, 4 o’clock at night and then crawling back in bed in order to be ready for services. Speaking of services, we had two services every day. Friday was particularly interesting, and this was because one of those two services was in the evening and fighting sleep during that service was very hard for this man and I did not always succeed. You can see it in the notes that I was taking, as my pen went right down the paper. Also it was on one of these Friday evening that one of our daughters was standing in between the two rows and she vomited on the lady in front of her. I mentioned eating lunch at the college dining room. The food was reasonable but it took you an awful long time to get there. From the time you left services and walked to the student center, the dining hall. . . . Well, by the time you got out of services with 5,000 people, there was already a line that seemed like it was half a mile or three quarters a mile long. They could only feed so many people at a time, and so there was an awful lot of time standing in the sun, with Alison singing songs all the while we were going along there. There were no activities. I kid you not. No softball tournaments, there was no dances, no volleyball—there was nothing! We were at services all the time, and by the time services were over for the day you were too tired to do anything else. Try concentrating as hard as you can for roughly six hours. It is wearying. There was, and I am pretty sure still is, a small lake in Hawkins and once in a while people would dash out there and take a swim for a little while at some time or other I know I did it once myself. And I believe that there is a lake on campus, but after a while they started warning you about the snakes, so I never went swimming there. Well at any rate, of all of these feasts that we had kept, there was only one that I could recall that I would consider was really a downer and that was in 1974. This was one of the times that Evelyn and I asked to transfer. At that time I was pastoring the Norwalk AM and PM congregations in Orange County in California and we wanted to travel across the country during the Feast time because it was the only time that we could afford to go. We went to Florida to visit with her parents. And so we kept the Feast that year in St. Petersburg, Florida and believe it or not, there were now over 12,000 people keeping the feast at that site and I think eventually St. Petersburg reached somewhere around 17,000 people attending the Feast of Tabernacles. But I was not rejoicing at that Feast. On the long drive back to California after visiting with her dad and mom, I had quite a bit of time to analyze why that Feast to me was such a downer, and it was because I had put very little into making the Feast a good time. Now we had kept the Feast 13 previous times but this was the first time that I can look back on, that I was just there. I was there, but that was it. I was just there. And I know that I had not personally learned the lesson that the Feast is not a vacation. In some ways it has many trappings of a vacation in that we have more money than usual and we travel away from our home base. We are often in a resort area and we are not occupied in our day to day job. Well, when we got to St. Petersburg Feast site I had no idea of any person or family that we would see there because we had made no arrangements to meet up with anybody. Besides that I had no responsibility in any aspect, whether spiritual or physical, in the operations of the Feast. That was a first for me. Even the very first Feast that we kept at Big Sandy I had a job to do. And would you know, it was at 3 am. We had a deacon in the congregation and he said: “Hey, would you like to work?” and I said: “Sure “and he said: “At 3 am?” I could not back out then, but actually it turned out to be very enjoyable. At 3 in the morning you would be surprised in a little burg like Big Sandy how many people were coming and going out of that Feast site at 3 am. Maybe they were going somewhere to get showers. I do not know. But I was learning during that Feast that I had given nothing, zilch, nada to making that a good Feast of Tabernacles. So, as I thought this through, I realized that what dominated my thinking was visiting with my in-laws, with whom I got along very well, and we had a good time with them. I was to some degree interested in the city of St. Petersburg itself. I had been to Florida many times because of visiting her parents down there, but I had never been to St. Petersburg. And not only that, I also loved traveling because I loved to drive, and still to this day, I love to drive. The only trouble was that all of this was not a good mix for me with the Feast of Tabernacles and the kind of attitude and approach I needed to have. And spiritually for me, as Ted was saying in the sermonette, it was very distracting, the combination of all of these factors that would normally have caused me to rejoice. I think God was teaching me something. Leviticus 23:34 Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be a Feast of Tabernacles for seven days. Leviticus 23:37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering, and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, and everything on its day. Notice the positive commands about how the feasts are to be kept. Leviticus 23:37 you shall proclaim to be holy convocations. . . Leviticus 23:37 . . .to offer an offering made by fire. . . Leviticus 23:40 And you shall take for yourself on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. Leviticus 23:43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Why? You are children of Israel and God is making us dwell in booths to this day because booths means something spiritual—spiritually important. Deuteronomy 16:13-16 You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. And you shalt rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, and your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. Seven days shall you keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so you surely rejoice. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. I would think by this time you should have gotten the point that God is very serious about the Feast of Tabernacles. However, the appearance—indeed, the seeming emphasis on rejoicing—might mislead one in thinking that the Feast is to be one big blast. But remember, when God uses rejoice, He rejoices when He is giving people pain. You can be sure it is a fair judgment when He does that. But it rejoices Him, gives Him a sense of satisfaction to bring pain on somebody that will bring change to their life. We will get more to that a little bit later. Now, as if to draw attention to rejoicing, Leviticus 23:40 is the first time in the entire Bible that the word rejoice appears in the Scriptures. This particular word means "to brighten up." I want you to notice that. In Scripture, this Hebrew word usually appears as a spontaneous but unsustained feeling of jubilation to a subject. In other words, it tends to suggest a happy, momentary focused reaction. In the Bible the subject almost always involves God. That is where rejoicing appears. It involves God or something about His way. Overall, God wants us to brighten up because of anticipation of His reasons for commanding His feast, or we have missed His point in calling the Feast in the first place. God does not do anything unreasonably or carelessly; there is always a point, a purpose, in everything that He does. He wants us to rejoice, but we are seeing that the rejoicing is connected with what He wants us to get out of the Feast. Amos 5:21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Please understand. They were not keeping Baal’s feast days, they were keeping God’s feast days but they were doing it in such a way, in such an attitude, in such an approach that God is disclaiming any responsibility for what they are doing. And so it became their feast days. They were not keeping it the way He wanted it to be kept. We are going to learn something here in just a bit. Amos 5:21-22 I hate, I despise your feast days, I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings, . . . Notice He said: “though you offered Me.” The Creator God was somewhat on their mind. Amos 5:22-24 . . . and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. Let us first begin by considering the historical context. Israel at the time of the Amos’ ministry was a prosperous nation. Thus on the one hand there is a material prosperity, and on the other hand, declining spiritual and moral practices going on. God placed Amos into that mix of prosperity and spiritual and moral weakness to warn them of the judgments about to fall. It is very easy for us humans to think that prosperity equals all is well between us and God. Not so, it can be deceiving. I think that Ted’s description in the sermonette was accurate about Lot being a man who was well-off. Having a wife and having a family, he was living “the good life.” Now God was about to destroy the entire city. He was at least giving him the opportunity to get out of there. So God placed Amos into this mix of prosperity and spiritual and moral weakness to warn them of the judgments about to fall. Those judgments did not really fall for about 40 years. I mean the really serious ones. Now how much rejoicing can one do in that circumstance? I just happened to think of something. This movie that we are going to show, which is drawn from Isaiah 9:10, took place right after Amos’ ministry. Probably around 725 we will just guess, maybe it was a little earlier, say 730, or whatever. So God placed Amos into this mix of prosperity and spiritual and moral weakness to warn them of the judgments about to fall. Now how much rejoicing can one do in that circumstance? That could not have been a happy Feast to those listening to those sermons. Amos was like a thorn in their side. But yet, into that mix, is where God—and when God—chose to send Amos. To compound the problem, Amos was a Jew and these people that he was speaking to were overwhelmingly all Israelites, and you know that there was a family antagonism there. “Why should we take correction from a Jew? They're every bit as bad as we are!” That did not matter; Amos was God’s messenger and that made all the difference in the world. Amos 5:10-12 They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly. Therefore because you tread down the poor and take grain taxes from him, though you have built houses of hewn stone, yet you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink from them. For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: afflicting the just and taking bribes; diverting the poor from justice in the gate. God had things already spelled out as to what they were doing. Now the important point I want to make with you right here and now is that the Feast of Tabernacles does not happen in a vacuum. It is preceded by the conduct, the behavior, the attitudes, the functioning of the people who kept the Feast, before they got there. In other words, we cannot separate our conduct throughout our life prior to the Feast of Tabernacles to the way things go at the Feast of Tabernacles. We do not want that disconnect to come to us because God oversees what is going on in our lives all the time. It is very interesting. He probably made this Feast of Tabernacles one of His happier times when He was telling these people that these judgments were just about ready to fall on them. Again, why would He do it? Because the satisfaction that He would receive from knowing that what He was doing was the right thing and it would probably lead to these people’s eventual repentance. And that gave Him some sort of joy. But please understand, we do not keep the Feast of Tabernacles in a vacuum. It is connected with everything that went before as well. So it is highly likely that we are going to bring with us to the Feast basically the same kind of attitudes, the same kind of conduct that we have had leading up to it. That is probably what happened to me in St. Petersburg that year. I went there in a bad attitude. I was going to have a good time. 'John the righteous' was going to have a good Feast, but I did not. So now you are getting the sermon that I prepared all the way back then in 1974 on the way home from St. Petersburg. On the other hand, I have no doubt that when the Israelites kept the feast that we are reading of here in the book of the Amos that they enjoyed it. As it progressed, God was not pleased, and I really do not think that many people keeping that Feast got the point. There is a point for you and I and that is: it is a witness that one can have the blessings of good things in life and yet those blessings can be a means of obliterating God and His purpose from the Feast. Take a hint from Ted's sermonette. That is something that we have to keep under control. I am going to show you later, if I get that far, that rejoicing is a choice. We can choose to rejoice. We can set the attitude. We have power over it. That is why God rejoices even in punishing people. It is from the satisfaction that He gets out of correcting people in that kind of a situation. Part of the answer to this solution is to truly seek God’s Kingdom even at the Feast, and the mind will be helped to be changed in the right direction. But sometimes this is not easy. One of this world’s evangelists said this. “It takes five percent effort to win a person to Christ but a 95 percent effort to keep him in Christ and growing to maturity in the church.” I can see why he would say something like that. He has dealt with it a lot in the world. He realizes that people are all too easily turned aside to what they accepted with rejoicing just a little while before. The mind can change that quickly and so the point here is that one must discipline himself to prioritize, and that is what Ted was getting at. How many people have failed to grow, or even completely lost their way because they allowed their time to be buried under an avalanche of activities? What led me to this is I read a book one time called: How to Live on 24 Hours a Day. It was written by a man named Arnold Bennett. Well, a young woman came to him after hearing a lecture by him and she told Mr. Bennett that she was going to concentrate. “On what?” Mr. Bennett asked. “On lots of things.” she replied. That is the point. When we concentrate on a lot of things we are in reality concentrating on nothing. Numbers 29 opens the door to something that has to do with the keeping of the Feast. Numbers 29:12-13 On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work, and you shall keep a feast to the Lord seven days. You shall present a burnt offering, an offering made by fire as a sweet aroma made to the Lord: thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs in their first year. They shall be without blemish. Now that is just to get us started because this chapter shows that God required of the Israelitish people 189 sacrifices to be given by the nation during the Feast of Tabernacles. He required more sacrifices for the Feast of Tabernacles than all other feasts combined. Sacrifices are symbolic of something given up at a cost to the self, but given for the benefit of another. To make it very obvious, the Father gave the Son and the Son, Jesus, gave His life for the benefit of all. A Christian is to be a living sacrifice giving himself in service to God and fellow man rather than always serving human nature. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one that to lay down his life for his friends.” Sacrifice is the very essence of love. There is more love symbolically shown there in Numbers 29 required by God than all of the other feasts combined. There is something very important about the Feast of Tabernacles. Sacrifice is the essence, the heart, the core, the very being, that part of love which gives it energy in the right kind of affection and service. Love is an action; the Bible makes that very clear. Love is something that we do. It is something that we give. It is an expression of affection, an expression of caring for. It is an expression of sympathy for, it is an expression of kindness, and it is an expression of thoughtfulness. God does not blow smoke. There is something about the Feast of Tabernacles that is very important when He shows that more sacrifices are to be given at the Feast of Tabernacles than all others combined. If you are following me you are beginning to see why I had a lousy Feast of Tabernacles in 1974. I gave nothing, except a ride for my family to St. Petersburg and Ft. Lauderdale. But I ate good meals, had an occasional beer, a glass of wine, and even met some people from Pittsburgh that I knew from before. They were down there keeping it. But really, I left empty spiritually because I gave nothing. Deuteronomy 12:10-12 But when you cross over the Jordan, and dwell in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety, then there will be the place [Notice, the place, one place, the place.], where the Lord your God chooses to make His name to abide. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the Lord. And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you. Deuteronomy 12:17-18 You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or of your new wine or of your oil, or the firstborn of your herd or of your flocks, of any of your offerings which you vow, or your freewill offerings, or the heave offering of your hand. But you must eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God chooses, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all to which you put your hands. This context includes the keeping of God’s feast. Eventually that place became Jerusalem that was going to be set aside for the keeping of God’s feast, as well as the weekly Sabbath service. I want to use this primarily for the feast. Now I want you to notice, especially from these verses right here as well as the ones that we previously talked about, how sacrificing and rejoicing are linked. Both are required—sacrificing and rejoicing. The days of sacrificing are not over. They have simply been changed to spiritual sacrifices. God is love and sacrifice is the essence of His outgoing concern that produces all the really good things in life! Deuteronomy 16:11-17 You shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter, and your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates. Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you. Three times in that series of verses He commands us to rejoice. You shall rejoice, you shall surely rejoice. Two of those three times rejoicing is commanded within the context of the family, servants, the ministry, strangers, orphans, and widows. Rejoicing and sacrifice is clearly associated as being within the company of like-minded people. We come to the Feast out of the world almost overburdened with troubles great and small. We might face trials here, and they may be nothing compared to what the world is facing virtually every day. It is entirely possible that the troubles others within the company you are in right here are greater than the troubles that you have. In fact, it is possible that you have already faced a trial on the trip here. In registering, or perhaps with your room assignment, or with the meal, or perhaps an incipient sickness of someone within your family, has already affected you emotionally and is threatening to make the Feast a real downer. I am starting on something here so that you will understand and I will tell you in advance, the Feast of Tabernacles is not supposed to be problem-free. We kind of laugh about it, we chuckle when something happens just before the Feast and we say: “Well, you know it's just the feast.” We expect it to occur. That is good, you are learning. Because God does not expect the feast to be trouble free. It is possible that you are facing and enduring events that may be nothing more than mere irritants compared to events that others are facing up to, either people that are here or people out in the world. We are commanded to rejoice in a circumstance—this is my 53rd feast now; I say this with experience—we are commanded to rejoice in a circumstance that seems ready-made to produce problems. We have come here to present ourselves to God on an occasion that pictures, in the future, a world of integrity, harmony, and abundance because God's great fall harvest is being worked out. There is a figurative lesson that is somewhat varied and it is does not show up unless it is really dug for. It is something that has to do with the harvest of Pentecost and Tabernacles, in what they represent. Notice that God says that we are not to come before Him empty. “You shall not come before Me empty.” What was it that the Israelites were likely to bring with them whenever they kept the feast? You see this is associated with both Pentecost and Tabernacles. If they kept the Feast of Pentecost what would they bring with them? They did not have banks they ran to. It is very likely that they brought a portion of their harvest. Probably winter wheat would be my guess. And so, whenever they kept the Feast of Tabernacles, what were they very likely to bring? Well, it was the beginning of the fall harvest of grain and most likely it was wheat. I am just guessing there. But it would be a grain, I think in most cases. There is something I am going to read for you now in Psalm 126. Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. It is the sheaves that I am interested in. This is one of the psalms of assent focused on between the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Tabernacles. A sheaf is a bundle of cut stalks of grain. So what were the Israelites likely to bring to a feast at those times of the year? It was very likely some of their harvest and that would have been grains and that is why the psalmist said that these people would be carrying their sheaves. At Tabernacles, the fall harvest of grains, they were to bring with them the profits of what they had just harvested. Bringing in sheaves symbolizes prosperity given by God and then brought to the feast to share with Him and others congregating together. In principle, is this not what we do? We come here with the profits of this year’s work and we share them with God in an offering and we also share them with one another, taking one another out to dinner and so forth. Now notice it says “shall doubtless come again with rejoicing.” The word appears right in this context. And in this context the rejoicing results from sharing one’s prosperity with others. This is something that God very definitely wants us to do. I mentioned earlier that this symbol has a spiritual tie. What does it take for a farmer to give an offering of his prosperity? First of all, he must not be lazy. He must do the physical work and receive the blessings of God. That is what it says in verse 5: “Those who sow in tears.” So he must not be lazy. He must do the physical work and receive on top of these the blessings of God, like rain in due season, in order to ensure that there is a good crop and a profit. Now work and the blessings are not limited to the physical alone. Life is not one dimensional. Just like I said, you cannot separate the way we have lived during the year from the Feast of Tabernacles and we cannot separate the physical and the spiritual either because life is not one dimensional. Are there not spiritual works and do they not produce spiritual fruits? The answer is “absolutely.” What am I driving at here? When we go to the Feast of Tabernacles, we are to bring with us the spiritual fruits that we have reaped during the year. We find it very easy to say, "Well, I can reach in my wallet and get out the fruits of my work here—the greenbacks." But God wants us to understand that everybody should be able to bring with them spiritual fruit, which they in turn are to do what? They are to share them with the people who are here. This is how you rejoice. Galatians 5:13-14 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; but only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word even this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. If we are reaping a spiritual crop of fruits we are going to be able to do that, especially when we are brought together at the Feast of Tabernacles. Galatians 5:15-16 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is [Here is the crop:] love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now drop down to chapter 6, because if we are bearing this kind of fruit, it tells us then in verse 2 of chapter 6 because he continues with the thought of how the fruit of the spirit is to be applied. Galatians 6:2-4 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. We are commanded to deliberately bring the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit—fruit that we have produced during the year—to the feast and to share those fruits with others, and it does not take any money to do that. It takes, though, a mind that is focused on serving and pleasing others, of being kind, of being compassionate, of being thoughtful, of being generous, of being an uplifting person. The reason that feast in St. Petersburg was such a noticeable downer to me was because I was just there to please myself. It was an approach problem. I was not mean to others, I was just all wrapped up in myself. I wanted to make sure that I enjoyed it, that I had fun. Now, we know that the time during which this spiritual harvest will take place is called the Millennium, but what is it going to take to produce the Millennium? Because Christ is going to be ruling, the Spirit of God will be more available than at any time during man’s history. Those things are certainly true, but I think we need to take our thinking a step further. We tend to think of the Millennium as a time of peace and prosperity, but it is more than that. It is a time also of monumental problems. I want you to turn with me to Ezekiel 36 just to show what God is going to have to do on His part in order to produce that, and whom He is going to work through. Ezekiel 36:24-25 And I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and all your idols. Is God going to do this in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye? No, He is not. Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and a put new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I just mentioned in the previous verse that you read there in Psalm 126:6, how that the person not only has to give of himself to produce a crop, he also has to receive the blessings from God to enable these things to actually be produced. This is what God is saying that He is going to do on behalf of those who are coming out of the tribulation. They are going to have to give of themselves in order to produce a crop, even as we have to do it now. Ezekiel 36:25-27 Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statues, and you will keep my judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:28-31 And then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and multiply it and bring no famine upon you and I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields so that you need never again to bear the reproach of famine amongst the nations. And then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations. There is a tremendous lesson there if we will just apply what we just read to ourselves, because we are going through this process right now in which God is giving of Himself. God is giving of His love; God is doing what is necessary on His part to make sure that we can produce the fruit. And He does not expect that we will eat all this fruit ourselves. We will never be in the image of God if we do not start using that fruit that God is producing in us with each other. That is what He is doing it for. So He wants us to carry the ball onwards. Now, let us keep on going because it gets even more interesting. Remember, this is taking place as the Millennium begins. Ezekiel 36:32 “Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God; “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. God is really stooping down to take care of us and to provide for us and help us so that we can be like Him and live life like Him and He wants to see fruit coming from that. But we have to give of ourselves and He has created the Feast of Tabernacles so we have the opportunity to do it in the best environment possible. The best environment we will ever be in during the year to work on ourselves, to practice using this fruit of the Spirit of God that He made possible, that He produced in us. Now we can spend on it ourselves, like I did in St. Petersburg. Or will we give of ourselves what He is producing in us? Ezekiel 36:33-34 Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled, instead of lying desolate in the sight of all those who pass by. What is God saying so clearly? “When I start working with you, I want you to do your responsibility too! Otherwise what I am doing for you is in vain.” And He does nothing in vain. If we draw this to its focal point, it means that when we begin acting like God then we will know that He is the Lord. We learn by experience, we learn by doing, it is a hands-on affair. Now I am not saying that everything in the Millennium is going to be peaches and cream, because God shows in Zechariah 14 that He is going to plague the Egyptians if they do not do what He says. Maybe they are especially hardheaded, I do not know, but apparently they are not going to do too well for a while till they start learning. Let us just summarize here. We can expect to have problems within the time-frame of the Feast of Tabernacles. There are going to be problems in the Millennium. We are experiencing a tiny Millennium here, seven days long, and He wants us to use the tools that He has given to us to enable us to bring forth a spiritual crop of good fruit and then we share them with one another. Now a question: do we understand that problems do not have to be attacked in a bad attitude? Do bitterness, resentment, wrath, self-pity, and depression really help? Brethren, God has given us a better Spirit than that. And God is on His throne and He is there to help. He wants to do that. He commands us to rejoice and the very fact that He commands us to rejoice shows that the attitude is subject to our will. Everything He commands is subject to our will. We can do it, so the very fact that He commands rejoicing, just like He commands keeping the Sabbath and holy days, is proof that it is not something that automatically occurs just because one is here. So just like the Millennium, it must be produced. We are here to worship God, and true worship is imitating God to the degree that we are able. We have to begin acting like God while we are here. We are here to learn and to become filled with the essential attributes of God, which is outgoing concern, giving, serving, sharing, sacrificing. Do not shrink from it. Be like God. Before He created us, He knew that He would spend His time serving us and then dying for us. At this feast, make it your resolution to be actively proving that you love God. Give of yourselves in time. Pray, especially about Satan; the weather, the sermons, and the choir. Offer yourself in service, sing with all your heart, make as little work as possible for others, follow directions, be clean, do not litter, do not lose things. That last one was useless. Give a great feast!
2019-04-23T02:23:33Z
https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.details/ID/3101/Rejoice-Gods-Feast.htm
A diamond in the rough – that is how I would describe Carl Heller and its East Ridge. It is surrounded by 14ers and has too little prominence to make it visible except from a few select locations, and it is located along one of the more remote stretches of the Sierra Crest. It isn't even an officially named peak or on the SPS list. Yet it is a beautiful peak with an incredibly symmetric east ridge that is often touted by veterans of the Sierra as one of the finest scrambles in the range. The route is like the East Ridge of Mount Russell, but on steroids – and the people who climb it are like other climbers who frequent the area, but on crack. It is extremely knife edged with sustained and exposed class 3 friction and crack climbing interrupted by occasional class 4 obstacles. (Some people insist that some of the moves approach mid-5th in difficulty). Technically the route is only class 3-4, but in winter conditions I found the route to be far harder and scarier than the 5.5 East Ridge of Mt Humphreys that I had climbed a month earlier. In fact the crux pitch was the scariest pitch I have climbed to date! Starting from Whitney Portal, leave the trail at the Boy Scout Lakes and climb Cleaver or Carillon Pass, drop down to Tulainyo Lake, climb Vacation Pass, and drop down to reach the route. Then you have climb back through Cleaver or Carillon Pass to get back out. Joyous George Creek Approach from 6,500’. The first couple of miles are generally ‘unpleasant‘ due to a little bit of bushwacking. ;-) 4WD high clearance vehicles are helpful for making it all the way to the TH. The final (and most critical) obstacle for reaching the peak (for those who are law-abiding) is the Bighorn Sheep Closure. This closure banned access to the area for all of the year except the short windows of December 15-31 and April 15-May15. Until this year! Is the Finest Scramble Even Better in Winter? The idea of the winter climb took place way back in May 7 of 2006 when I joined Bob Burd on my first trip up George Creek. Although I climbed other peaks that day and never saw Carl Heller Peak, it was on that trip that Bob backed off on doing the route after seeing that it was covered in snow, but not without taking an inspirational photograph of the snow covered ridge. The beautifully symmetric East Ridge of Carl Heller (with annotations by me). I was strongly taken by the image – an incredible knife-edged ridgeline that jutted up out of the cirque like a rock palisade emanating from the peak, with snow cover that made the peak look like it belonged in a range greater than the Sierra. From above the symmetry of the ridge is eye catching. After researching the route more I learned that it would be a significant winter mountaineering objective, with a climbing rating that would become much harder in winter conditions. I was especially concerned about crossing some of the snow covered slabs, as well as the steepness and slope stability of the final couloir climb to exit the route. These difficulties and the great amount of unknowns for them scared me, but they also attracted me. I worked my way up to the route demands with other winter ascents, found the right climbers to partner up with for the route, and carefully watched for the conditions to become good and safe. Note: Perspectives from others are combined in this report. Direct quotes from Vitaliy are in green font. As with any winter climb in the Sierra, the first crux for those coming from the Bay Area is the drive, which is usually about a 9-10 hour affair each way – and worse if it is snowing in the mountains. Vitaly, Max, and I met Shane (from Redding) in Sacramento after work Thursday night and the four of us drove through Tahoe and down the 395 to the Owens Valley. Friday we finished the drive and met Kevin on the dirt road approach just outside of Independence. With our high clearance 4WD vehicles we were able to make it all the way to the trailhead at 6,500’. Max and Kevin would climb as one team and Shane, Vitaliy, and I would climb as another. By 9:30 we were assembled with our gear and teams and ready to go, but not without first having the pack weighing competition. Mark – 67.1 lb Does this mean I win or lose? So off we went into the brush, at first cruising and giggling, and soon enough, thrashing and cursing. Still, the lower section wasn’t too bad, and having 6-time George Creek veteran Kevin along really helped smooth the routefinding process. Shane even began mocking the difficulty of the supposedly notorious bushwack. Then we reached the snowy sections. The creek crossings became much more difficult, and once the snow got deep enough to get out the snowshoes, things got really bad. It is really tricky crossing a thickly wooded creek with deep unconsolidated snow on both sides with snowshoes on while wearing a large, heavy pack. Each crossing became more annoying than the last. At last we began reaching the clearings and we expected to start making better time, but George Creek wasn’t done with us yet. Things got really bad when we discovered that the snow cover was just deep enough to cover bushes, deadfall, and talus boulders under a smooth sheen of white, but unconsolidated enough to allow us to punch through the snow to the waist in the many moats waiting for us as booby traps. The snowshoes did nothing to limit the postholing as far as I could tell, except that when one leg went all way in to the crotch, it was actually possible to get back up on the snow surface despite the heavy pack trying to hold you down. Whenever I could find a log, buried or exposed, I tried to walk along it in my snowshoes to stay off of the death snow. All of the postholing in the sun and soft snow got our boots drenched – never a good thing to have happen on approach day. Our pace slowed to a crawl and our morale dropped. Luckily our mood was lifted when Shane punched through one seemingly benign patch of snow and got his snowshoe stuck underneath a hidden log. He struggled and struggled. He began cursing, but this didn’t help him in the slightest. He attempted to dig himself out enough to take off his snowshoe, but to no avail. Much laughter and video-taking ensued by the rest of us as Shane threw snowballs in retaliation. After some climbing up and down on the side slopes to get around obstacles, the snow got deeper and we started making better time. Still, we had climbed only 1,500 over the first 3 hours and but this time it had taken us over 4 hours to do the first 2.4 miles of George Creek, and we had only ascended about 2,000 ft. We were only halfway to camp by mileage, and we still had 3,000 ft to climb! Fortunately from here on the going was straightforward. I turned on my I-Pod and charged up the hill, taking turns breaking trail with Kevin as we tried to make up for lost time. We really needed to reach our planned campsite so that we’d be properly positioned for the climb the next day, and we really needed to get there before sunset to preview the route. Plus, setting up camp and melting water on winter climbs is always easier before the sun goes down. Water ice columns! Is the approach worth it? Upon reaching camp Kevin and Shane started melting water with our two big stoves while Max, Vitaliy, and I began construction on the cryogenic freezing chambers. Everyone else went to sleep, but I just had to make use of the few pounds of camera gear I had lugged up for night photography. Plus, I wanted to make sure I got a few night shots of the mountain in case we didn’t make it back to camp the next night. A couple of hours of fun in the cold dark ensued . . . The alarms went off at 4am. I had suggested we wake at this time to leave 1 hour before sunrise so that we’d reach the beginning of the route just as alpenglow was hitting the peak - I wanted to save every ounce of precious daylight we had for the serious climbing! I got up but no one else rose. The tent sides were flapping and vibrating like crazy. The wind was really howling outside! This was not good for climbing a route of this commitment, especially in winter. Shane woke up and said he thought it was too windy outside. We agreed to sleep in until 7 and see if the wind died down by then. We woke to brighter skies at 7am. The tent was still shaking and vibrating. We began talking about aborting our attempt on the route. Yes, it would have really sucked to do such a difficult approach only to walk out the next day, but none of us wanted to be caught in an exposed bivy on that ridge under high winds. We agreed to abort . . . or maybe, wait a little longer, and at the very least head up to the base of the route ready to climb and make the final decision there. Maybe the winds were just bad at the campsite based on how the flows were draining down the cirque? As the others slept in a bit more and began to slowly stir, I went outside to get some morning shots of the peak and route, wanting to at least salvage what I could with our time and effort to get up here by enjoying the pristine winter views. Outside I immediately noticed something interesting – the poor job we did of sealing the tent walls to the ground made it a collector for wind and the ultralight fabric accentuated the effects. The shaking of the tent tricked us into thinking the wind was blowing much harder than it was. The wind was sustained at about 0-5mph, with occasional gusts to about 15 mph (my best estimate based on what I’ve felt when I’ve recorded winds), which was no different than what the forecasts had called for when we left, so why abort now? I announced this good news to the group and we all decided to pack up and head out ASAP while closely monitoring the wind. We’d get going like we’re going to climb, but we’d turn back at the base if the winds seemed worse than forecasted. Although the gusts became more sustained by the time we left at about 8am, they were still no stronger than about 15 mph. We quickly cramponed up the 800 ft gain to the base of the ridge, enjoying the dramatic views as the ridge unfolded before us. It looks very different from every angle – slabby on the north side, sheer on the south side. From those ends the “wall-like” rise is apparent, but from head on it looks more like a direct arête shooting up to the summit. Beware the effects of this foreshortening from perspective or else you’re in for a nasty surprise on the ridge! There is twice as much horizontal distance to climb as there is vertical distance – about 2,400 ft in all. At the base of the ridge the winds had completely disappeared and we gave Operation Carl Heller’s East Ridge a Go! We had hoped to do some simul-climbing, but climbing conditions were severe enough that we ended up pitching out about 2,000 ft worth of climbing. Starting the roped climbing at 8:40 turned out to be way too late for a climb of this length in winter! Luckily I told the others what I thought the likelihood of a bivy was, so everyone but Max and I brought bivy sacks. I knew that I could do fine sleeping in my backpack with a down jacket (which I brought) and down pants (which I forgot) and Max, well, I don’t know what he did but he sure didn’t seem to mind! We also brought a Jetboil this time to melt water to avoid dehydration if we bivied. The ridge rose straight up in a triangular-shaped wall which I like to call the “Toe” because it reminds me of the Toe of a glacier as the flat glacier drops suddenly to the bare ground. According to other trip reports, this was one of the class 4 cruxes of the route. Above the Toe the ridge suddenly stops rising and traverses gradually until it reaches what I like to call the “Step”, where a section near the crest of the ridge suddenly juts up vertically from the rest of the ridge above a vertical step. After surmounting the step the angle would ease again until we reached the final snow chute. The final hundred feet or so before the chute was supposed to be the crux of the route, where a gendarme forced parties off of the ridge crest and onto extremely exposed slabs on the north side. Apparently a piton could be found on this section. (I had hoped after looking at photos that we could just climb slightly harder rock and stay on the gendarme fin and avoid the steep snow covered slab crux, but I had misjudged the scale from photos and this turned out not to be practical.) We expected to have a quick and straightforward snowclimb of a few hundred feet up the couloir to the notch near the summit and from there, 1-2 more pitches of climbing or a few hundred feet of scrambling to the summit. The first pitch looked easier than it was, but only because it was steeper than it looked. It is maybe easy 4th class but more comparable to sustained 3rd class in my opinion – it gets steep, but the climbing stays solid and juggy and none of the moves are any more technical than a basic hand jam here and there. I placed one piece for the pitch as I ascended a corner that cut diagonally across the face. Near the top I avoided a crux by stepping right into an easier crack and then left again, then surmounted an easy final step to a snow-filled chute at the top. This section required a bit of finesse in boots as the snow was thinly covering some slab on the left side – a good warm up for things to come. I ran out the rope to a good belay and belayed Vitaliy and Shane up. Shane and I swung leads for the next few pitches. The route mostly followed granite ramps near the crest that stayed clear of snow. Every now and then we’d skirt the snow by traversing onto ledges on the south side of the ridge. The climbing here was mostly 2nd-3rd class, but with the snow and exposure we were glad to have a rope. If we had known better what the terrain was like, we would have simul-climbed these pitches. From the fifth belay I saw a formation of rocks that I recognized from photos – a short wall barring progress that cut down along the slab as it dropped off to the north. This wall was crossed by ascending the third crack/chimney that cut through it. It was hard to tell from the pictures how hard it was, but it did look funky. What really concerned me was that this was the first of two sections where from summer photos I knew that there was a relatively featureless slab beneath the snow. The snow was pretty shallow here, so I was worried about slipping off the rock, or causing the snow to slide off. The ridge crest was too narrow, steep, and rounded with snow too close to it to ascend by ‘a cheval’ or liebacking. I wavered here. I was happy for Shane to be the guinea pig on this section, but I fully briefed him on the section first. He had already decided things were going to slow swinging leads and had suggested that we lead in blocks. Shane also said that Kevin and Max wanted to pass us, since as a team of 2 they were going slightly faster than us. I decided to wait for Kevin to reach us, after which I briefed him about the section. Kevin was more than happy to pass us here and I was more than happy to let him lead through this ‘iffy’ section before me, so a deal was made. Kevin headed out, traversing low where, apparently, the snow had drifted deep enough to accommodate solid footsteps – and the slope held. The chimney passed quickly. Following in his tracks they were mostly secure, although every now and then one would break off and I had to take care to compact it in a way to stabilize the step. I placed a piece of pro at the chimney then did some fun stemming ratchets to get up it, crawling into the soft snow at the top. The next belay became the first of what would be increasingly crowded belays as I climbed into Max & Kevin’s party, then brought up Shane & Vitaliy who reached us sometimes before Max had left, leaving us with between 3-4 people trying to share space. I was worried about 5 people on the route becoming a clusterf#ck, but luckily it never got too bad, and at the worst Max would take off just before I was able to start my lead. Kevin had trouble on the next pitch. The snow was just too soft for climbing. Wading up to his waist, he tried one line, and then another. After sufficient digging, he found enough rocks and snow stances to pick his way through the next short chimney. I straddled a flake to make room as Vitaliy came up to me through the chimney. Shane showed up just as Max was getting ready to leave, and our game of musical chairs commenced as Max moved out of his perch, Shane moved into Max’s perch, and Vitaliy moved up into my perch as I started my lead behind Max. Being the third person to traverse the slopes, the snow was still very unconsolidated and required careful traversing. This chimney required some more thought on how to climb it while avoiding the loose snow. After this section there was a very steep snow traverse with few handholds – it required some finesse with the feet and a keen sense of balance to walk along the fine edge of overhanging rock wall and steep snow-covered slab. I rounded the corner, climbed up a straightforward slope to a snowy knife-edge and saw Max and Kevin at the next belay just about ready for Kevin to lead off. They had dropped off onto a narrow ledge about 5 ft down on the south side of the ridge. I started toward them when the rope went taught. “B.S.” I thought. Max & Kevin were climbing with a 60m rope. We were climbing with a 70m rope so I should be able to reach them. Vitaliy and Shane were just tied in too far apart. “Adjust your tie in!” I shouted. “I need another 20 feet!”The rope slackened and I led up next to Max. A thin downclimb led to a ledge just wide enough for 3 people to stand on side by side. I built my gear anchor using spaces between their gear, and squeezed to the side as I belayed Vitaliy in to our little ledge. I readjusted one marginal cam to a better position as Max cleaned his anchor to continue and shuffled to the side to make room for Shane as Vitaly belayed him in to our little perch. The next pitch was where the climbing began to get serious again. Two steep mantels right off the belay onto snow, around a corner and to two steep block steps. Place pro, jam, mantel, shuffle feet right, and another steep mantle. More pro, shuffle right. All of a sudden we were gaining elevation fast, first on rock, then on very steep snow as we wound our way beneath rocky steps. The Real Exposure BeginsBegin more steep snow on slab traversing, ending in an open book filled with snow sloping at about 45o. Max was belaying Kevin out from a gear anchor at the top. I dug snow out of the corner of the dihedral and found the crack continued down, so I made a hanging gear anchor below Max and belayed Vitaliy up. This time Max started early enough that I climbed above the anchor to a secure perch while Vitaliy belayed Shane up. We were getting high, the ridge was getting serious, and the sun had long since stopped shining on us. Now the shadows were stretching far across the cirque below and the final snow couloir still appeared to be far away. This was going to be a long climb, and we were getting committed now. Just above the dihedral was some straightforward mixed snow & low class 3 scrambling leading to a “window” between two blocks on the ridge. From here I dropped down and right to bypass the second block, and climbed up the backside back to the ridge. Here the ridge presented one of the more memorable parts of the climb. The ridge rounded again like on Pitch 6, but this time the slab dropped to the right at an angle steeper than 45o – way too steep to traverse for the 6-8” of snow clinging to it! I climbed up to the ridge where it narrowed, then hopped on for the ride. I dragged my right foot along in the snow (I couldn’t get any purchase) and let my left leg dangle off the other side. I found that I could lay both hands across the ridge crest and rock my weight up and onto them like a mantel to move my body up and forward before setting myself back down again on the ridge. Halfway across a thin rock lip stuck out below the crest and I was able to use my left foot on this to help with lifting up and moving forward to the next belay. It was fun belaying from this next spot. Vitaliy came up from around the corner, huffing and puffing from fatigue and exhilaration. “I thought I just did the fun part!” He replied. Both Vitaliy and Shane made short work of the ‘a cheval’ section. All three of us climbed it differently, but all of us had to do some form of climbing in a straddle position. The next pitch was one of the more sustained and exposed class 3-4 pitches. It began with several more knife edges, but these were split down the middle so you could jam a leg or foot directly in the crest and shuffle up. Eventually the route traversed out onto the steep and exposed south side of the ridge. There I reached the next anchor with Max just as Kevin was about 20 ft out on lead. “It’s getting dark and we’re so close to the couloir. I just want to get there before dark!” I responded. This belay was also crowded. The anchor was made out of two slung blocks, so I slung the same blocks and built my system beneath theirs. This actually helped speed things up (as in some of the earlier belays) as Max could dismantle their anchor and clip into mine as he was getting ready to be belayed. It looked like we were maybe 1 or 2 more pitches from the couloir, but alpenglow had already faded from the peaks around us by the time I belayed Vitaliy up. I climbed up onto another flake to straddle as Vitaliy belayed Shane. I donned my down jacket and headlamp and headed up as soon as I was on belay. It was dark as I climbed the class 4 chimneys and ledges beneath the crest. I reached a notch in the ridge and from there the gendarme fin was obvious. It was also obviously much larger and steeper than it had looked in the photos I had found online – no way to climb this thing! I didn’t see any lights from Max & Kevin, but with a sweep of my lamp I found Max huddled at what looked like a nasty and uncomfortable belay about 50 ft ahead. It was so mixed in with steep snow and rock that I had trouble telling if that was a person or not! I climbed out a short ways on very steep snow and called out to Max. He responded that there was absolutely no room for even me at his anchor, so I returned to the notch and began belaying Vitaliy and Shane up in the mean time. During this time I got a good preview of what was in store for the next pitch. I kept shining my lamp around in the bright setting, but I still couldn’t find Kevin – but I could hear him. I thought this was strange. I had recalled from Bob Burd’s photo of the crux that he stayed very high on this part, traversing on ledges just beneath the vertical wall of the gendarme fin. It appeared that Kevin was unable to find a way to this section and was descending about 60 feet to an alternate traverse. Some more less comforting sounds followed, a light appeared then disappeared, and I sat in the dark, wondering. Shane and Vitaliy had both reached me by now, but I wasn’t going to start until Max left his belay. Kevin was still on lead. He was on lead for a lonnnng time, which made me wonder what exactly I was getting into on this next pitch. We began to get cold, but finally I saw Max switch his head lamp back on as he started climbing. Pitch 12 – Look, Ma! No Hands! This next pitch was on very steep snow. I wouldn’t have minded the steepness of the snow so much if it had been deep enough to plunge my tool into, but whenever I tried it would always ram into a ‘thunk’ of granite slab about 4-6” down. I looked to my right and saw the snow plunge off into darkness at about a 50o angle. Some of the steps moved as I stepped on them. Sometimes I could get a bit of aid with my axe, but overall I had to just walk very carefully on my feet with no hands. At the very best, I could jam both hands into the snow like Max & Kevin did (I assume from the gaping holes they left) and use this as a very mild handhold. Occasionally I would strike gold and find a crack or crimper on rock inside the holes as I traversed out. This lasted for maybe 60 ft before I reached rock where I could put in a piece of pro. I climbed up the steep corner to Max & Kevin’s belay. It was indeed too small for more than even one person. I made a 3 piece gear anchor then climbed above it to make room for Vitaliy. There was a fixed cam in a crack, so I clipped into that. Feeling that Vitaliy wouldn’t be able to make room for Shane, I resumed climbing up the next step, plugged in one cam, braced my stance, and clipped myself to it as a backup from the last two anchors. I belayed Vitaliy up, and he clipped into the equalized anchor and belayed Shane up, who climbed between us and clipped into the fixed cam. This was getting awkward! As I racked up for what I expected to be our final pitch, we could see the headlamps of Max & Kevin as they ascended the final couloir. It was an eerie sight in the dark – it made the couloir somehow seem more large and brooding. It also looked pretty steep. The speedsters announced that they were going to bivy in the notch at top. Vitaliy and Shane said they felt too beat to do the long snow climb and wanted to belay lower. Remembering a photo that showed a nice notch at the base of the couloir, we agreed to bivy there and relayed our plans to the others. I started out on steep, insecure snow slopes like the last ones. I traversed another 40 feet or so and reached the point where Kevin had backtracked. I looked down to see where he downclimbed and saw a muddle of tracked snow going down steepening snow and around a large block. Most of what I could see was blackness, so I knew the slope dropped off real fast. I tested the first few footholds and found them to be very unpredictable in quality, and the steps seemed to disintegrate into granite slab beneath. If I fell here, there was no way I could self arrest and I would come into a big swing onto the anchor. So I spent the next 10-15 minutes making my first truly needed Deadman snow anchor. The snow went about 2 ft before I hit slab, but it was very unconsolidated. I made the T of the T-trench right against the slab so that I could make it as deep as possible. I did some practice pulls on the webbing to see how the picket would drag in the snow. At first it was popping up, but with some adjustments of how the webbing was tied to the picket and how the picket was angled, I was able to get itself to (seemingly) burrow down into the snow when loaded. A pretty worthless piece, if you’d ask me, but I at least hoped that it could take a relatively static fall as a top rope anchor as I downclimbed to the block where I hoped to find more pro. I downclimbed very slowly, sometimes purposefully collapsing steps as I stomped them down to make sure they’d hold. It was like aid testing in snow! At last I reached the block and . . . no pro. As I traversed beneath it I refused to accept this situation and spent some time digging in the snow before I found a crack. I happily plugged in my first real piece of the climb about 70 ft into it and began another snow traverse that was no better than the previous ones. In the beam of my headlamp I could see rocks ahead and I approached these eagerly as if they were an island of safety. At first they were, but still no pro. I dug out more snow but wherever the rock planes met the cracks were either choked with ice or too thin to take nuts. But aha! I had brought pins and a tool with a hammer! But oh no! I couldn’t place them here! Crap! I was on my tippy toes, barely balanced on the thin edges on the rock. While I have practiced placing pins, I hadn’t practiced placing them with one hand. The cracks were too shallow to set a pin and let go to grab the hammer, and I was more worried about falling off while trying to place the pin than I was in being unable to find a piece of pro at the next corner. So I kept traversing as the rock got steeper and the climbing got thinner. After another 15-20 ft of traversing (maybe another 40 ft out from my one cam for the pitch), the ‘ledge’ I was on just ended. I was stepping on two thumb-sized edges at the time, neither one big enough for more than one boot tip, spaced about 4 ft apart. I looked down with my headlamp, and the rock beneath my feet dropped away so steeply that the only rock I could see was very feint in the light. Note to self – falling here will result in a big and unpleasant pendulum flight into space. DO NOT FALL HERE. To my right the rock was featureless. I looked around for a long time for hand holds and footholds but I couldn’t find anything. I was at a corner in the rock, but it seemed scarcely more feasible. The corner didn’t have anything to grab or jam in it. On the left there was a 5 ft wall that topped out with a steep slab, but it had a lot of snow on it and as I swept my hand around to clean it off, I couldn’t find any cracks or features to crimp. I tried cleaning out the corner crack some more and found a shallow groove. Too thin to get in a finger jam, too high to really be able to stick my finger into it, and frankly I’d rather have pro here instead. At least I could alpine aid off of it if I got desperate! As I reached up with a microcam my left foot popped off of the thin edge I was standing on. Luckily most of my weight was already on my right foot, so once I caught the swing I shoved in the cam, grasped it with one hand in case anything else popped off, and clipped the rope to it with my other hand. Still, it was a micro-cam in a snow-choked crack. I set in a nut and gave it a good yanking with the greater confidence of my current top-rope, equalized the pieces, then again weighed my options. I refused to give in so easily to yanking up on the pro. Besides, I didn’t see where else I could go with climbing or additional pro once I did so as all of the rock that had cleared off above it was devoid of any more cracks. With the greater security of the pro, I stood up higher and swept away snow with my axe higher on the slab, feeling around . . . and . . . hook! The slab ended cleanly in another step above me, but with patient searching I managed to find a small pocket that opened into the corner! It was not very secure for my tool, but just large enough for a decent one handed crimp. Still no other handholds, no footholds to assist getting onto the slab, and I didn’t know whether I could get my feet to stick onto the slab once there. But if my feet held, I could probably reach out enough to a potential mantel higher in the corner with my free hand, hike my feet up, move the other hand up, and . . . freedom! I crimped hard, yanked up hard on my right arm as I gave a little hop and shoved my left knee onto the slab and my right boot onto the corner to my right. I grunted a few more times as I hiked my legs up before I lost my grip and found some purchase! Up and over the mantel I went, and another 2-3 more between ledge traverses before I ran out of rope. I can only imagine how I would have done this pitch without following Kevin – both in knowing that the snow could hold, and having a general idea of a route and that one would go through. If had could have done it without this assistance, I sure would have been MUCH slower! Kudos to Kevin for his badass lead! Of course everything is harder in boots, with a pack, on snow, and especially when these are combined with a slab were friction is no longer an option, but amongst me, and Shane and Vitaliy following on a virtual top rope, conservatively we’d rate the rock crux section a freaky, awkward, and insecure 5.6. Talk about your Sierra class 3-4 route! Of course we may have been off route by this point . . . Pitch 14 – Are We There Yet? Vitaliy and Shane were just as shaken as I was following the last pitch. They had wondered why I was taking so long but quickly understood once they started out. Now at last the difficulties were behind us! There appeared to be about 30 ft more of some straightforward traversing on sloping slabs before reaching snow. Kevin and Max’s footprints receded up into darkness. The couloir looked a lot narrower than I had expected. Also, the notch I had promised Vitaliy and Shane was nowhere in sight. I believed that maybe I would climb about 60 ft or so up the snow couloir and find the notch on my left, so I started out with this idea in mind. 180 ft out the couloir was only getting steeper and the rock walls only hemmed me in more securely. There was no notch that I could see to my left. Oops. (It turned out from looking at photos later that it was there, but didn’t cut all the way through the ridge. It was small enough that the flat area was probably buried by snow in the couloir). I shouted to Shane and Vitaliy to just start climbing. I put in a piece of pro for good measure and kept on climbing. The couloir kept getting steeper, but compared to the earlier climbing it was a breeze. The snow was solid for the feet and axes, and Kevin and Max’s steps were deep and solid. We were exhausted, but the climbing was straightforward, like walking up a stairmaster. Near the top the snow narrowed as I passed through a choke with a class 3 move or two, then steepened to about 60 degrees (at least my knees where banging into the snow here). At last I reached the notch! It was about midnight and Kevin and Max were already sound asleep. Fortunately the notch had ample space on flat ledges to comfortably fit everyone. I belayed Vitaliy and Shane up and the 3 of us set up camp on a large ledge above Kevin and Max and prepared for a cold night. Shane fired up the jetboil for water while I took of my soaking wet boots – now frozen. My socks were sopping wet so I changed into fresh socks and put on the camp booties that I brought. I might be cold, but my feet sure won’t be! This was going to be one of those days where it is best to focus on getting back home one step at a time rather than thinking of the full journey that still lay ahead. It was getting light and we should be moving, but no one is making an effort to get started – except for Max. When I fully woke up to enjoy the alpenglow Max was already high on the sub-summit of Carl Heller on the north side of out bivy notch, taking pictures. He was also shouting at us to move our lazy butts, but no one paid Max any attention. “Guys! We must get going! A storm is coming!” Max yelled to coax us from our shivering half-slumber. This started to get our attention, and when the orange glow of sunlight suddenly faded and snowflakes started falling, we quickly got our act together. There were some ugly clouds covering some of the peaks to the West – not really a storm, but still ugly nonetheless and we wanted to be as low and close to camp as possible before they hit us. Kevin and Max were the first ones ready to go and were searching for a way up to the summit while Shane, Vitaliy, and I roped up. The climbing didn’t look too hard, but some sections were just exposed enough that with boots and a pack we decided we might as well play it safe. I led off at about the time that Kevin reached the summit. I traversed around a ledge, climbed up into an alcove, and not seeing anything that looked like 3rd class, I then traversed back left on a very thin ledge. Around the corner I found a nice wide double crack. Still not 3rd class, but it too hand jams well and was wide enough for some secure boot jams. The crack was very steep and about 5.5, but was over shortly and I traversed back right over to a higher tier in the alcove. The route then went down an awkward half-tube in the wall and then up and left, where the climbing became more your standard 3rd class. Rope drag was terrible even though I only left 2 pieces of pro in on all of the zig-zagging, and those pieces did not adequately protect the cruxes (considering what we climbed yesterday, I figured Vitaliy and Shane couldn’t complain about this part). A few hard leg presses later and I too was at the summit. I belayed Vitaliy and Shane up and we all celebrated reaching the summit. It was a great experience to have the five of us up there. This summit had come to mean something special to me and Vitaliy for our own personal reasons, and it felt like a superb achievement for all 5 of us to be up there sharing the moment together. Down we went. It was hard to tell where to go at first, but eventually we found the exposed ledge system that zig-zagged down from the south side of the summit. I stopped at a block to make a rappel station while Kevin continued searching ahead for a way down. I just wanted to get onto solid ground and figured this rappel wouldn’t take too long to set up and would make things safer for everyone since we were all very tired. Kevin zoomed ahead and was out of sight by the time we finished the rappel. From here on the downclimb was mostly moderately loose cl. 2 interrupted regularly by short sections of cl. 3 slabs and steps. The route down was pretty straightforward as we rounded the corner. The final 100 ft was tricky, though, as here the downward sloping slabs became larger and ended in larger cliffs. I reached a narrow chute of snow that cut down through several steps, with a short zig-zag scramble to bypass a drop before reaching the safety of the snow slopes below. In haste I left my crampons off and started kick-stepping down the snow chute. Suddenly my steps didn’t go in very well and a foot popped out. Did I reach snow covered slab? Not again! I found some small points of purchase beneath the snow, began daggering, and made it down a little further before this happened again. I tried daggering my tool in and it didn’t do in. I swung and it bounced off of the snow. Must be slab covered rock, I thought, wiping away the snow to reveal a dark black sheen. Hard ice! Oops. Apparently the slabs above were collecting a lot of the snow meltwater and channeling it down these grooves, where the meltwater easily formed up into hard ice at these cold winter elevations. I really didn’t want to fall where I was and didn’t trust climbing back up, to I delicately hoisted myself onto a nearby slab and delicately put on once crampon at a time from my delicate perch while Max, learning from my mistake, found a better way down. Once I was securely in my crampons, another 50 ft of front pointing and cl. 3 slab scrambling in crampons had me down to the snow. Max and I quickly made it down the snow slopes and met Kevin waiting for us there. Now for more descending at traversing along Wallace Lake to reach the dreaded 1,000 ft climb back up to Vacation Pass. As we dropped low I saw Vitaliy and Shane just reaching the snow slopes and traversing high towards Vacation Pass. I had read about people getting cliffed out doing that very thing in summer. They continued traversing, so I left them to their fate and hurried after Max and Kevin. This really sucked. REALLY sucked! I was beat, but the faster I could climb the slope the faster it would be over. Sunlight shone off and on and it began to warm up again. Snow balled up on the crampons and we sunk deeply into the snow. Since I had done a lot of the trailbreaking on the approach I decided to strategically/shamelessly leech off of Max and follow in his footsteps up the slope. Shane and Vitaliy eventually found a way through the cliffs and started following our tracks when we were about halfway up to the pass. We reached harder snow again and climbing got easier as we could front-point instead of kicking steps. Max cut off towards easier slopes to the right while Kevin and I kept left in order to make sure we didn’t get cliffed out at one of the notches. Once at Vacation Pass, the winds returned with a vengeance and clouds and snowfall began to move back in. Time to get down! A lot of postholing through the flat white, head down, legs moving - the going was no longer tiring but more tedious. We all rushed down in one push. As I reached the camp Max already had the stove going to restock our water and we ate and drank to restore our reserves as we packed up camp for the long deproach. Having only spent one night in the mega-light, I think using it to accommodate 5 people required way too much time to set up and take down with the extra digging required, even with 5 people helping. Maybe it would have been worth it for two nights – maybe. Kevin started off slowly while we finished packing up camp. We dropped the first 3,000 ft very fast and it looked like we might be able to make it out before dark. We especially wanted to be out before dark as it is easy to get lost on the thicker bushwacking section of George Creek, and that is encountered in the lowest part of the canyon. People have had to bivy because of this, and we really didn’t want to bivy less than 1 mile from the cars! All was going well until about we reached about 8,400 ft when suddenly the straps holding my foot piece to my snowshoe snapped and I plunged into the snow. My left snowshoe was broken! Crap! I had to be very careful with my left leg due to a returning ACL injury and this would NOT be the place to re-tear my ACL! Postholing between rocks & logs on the downhill with nearly 70lbs on my back with one functional pole while tired was not the way to do that. I wished that I had brought my knee brace for this climb. After a bit of a delay repairing the snowshoe with webbing, I walked slowly down after the others, taking care not to destroy the delicate repair I had made to reattach the foot mount to the snowshoe. I could only imagine how it would hold up once we got to the nasty snow section where we had postholed like crazy in the numerous buried moats. Just as we reached the dreaded shallow snow section I began to catch up to Kevin. I had been seeing a single boot print in the tracks ahead of me, often post holing, and I began wondering what was going on. Apparently Kevin’s snowshoe broke as well! It was already getting dark and one by one George Creek seemed to be shutting us down. Still, as we got lower Kevin’s speed increased relative to ours despite his handicap. As we slowed down from physical and psychological fatigue, Robo Climber Kevin just kept on moving without mercy! Luckily the path we had made through the snow two days before was still visible and provided a fairly consolidated path down, with many of the booby traps already revealed. A decent amount of postholing kept us on our toes, but we made faster time back to the brush than I had expected. Just as on the approach, our boots got drenched from the snow. By the time we reached the brush it was already very dark, and it was really hard to tell where to go as it became more difficult to follow our footsteps and snowcover became less continuous. Luckily Kevin, our George Creek war veteran, came to the rescue, charging ahead and finding his way through the brush seemingly effortlessly. Since our boots were already drenched, stream crossings became easier too since we stopped caring as much about just walking through the water. Apart from a few small route finding errors, we made it down without mishap, reaching the cars around 10:40 pm. Kevin had done an impeccable job of maintaining the pace and finding the way through the brush in the dark without really losing his way. More Kudos to Kevin for helping us escape George Creek! We had survived a great adventure in the mountains – a hellish bushwack and posthole approach, an incredible but frightening climb, and a deproach that would not let us out easily, but we had risen to every occasion and had finally made it out to the dry warmth and comfort of the cars. Now all we had to do was drive home. Step 10: Report Straight to Work at 10 am After Showering. Despite our proper footwear and diligent attempts to keep our feet warm and dry, apparently the cold and moisture of this climb took a toll on me, Shane, and Kevin. Kevin ended up getting a little bit of frostnip on his toes. Shane had beat up and blistered feet from kneading his toes in his boots during the bivy to keep them warm. For me I did much better keeping my feet warm on this climb as compared to most of my previous winter outings, but the extended sections of climbing in snow had kept my feet cool enough and had gotten my boots much more wet than usual. This probably wouldn’t have been a problem except for my bad immersion foot injury that I had sustained on Mt Shasta a year prior. This left my foot more vulnerable to cold injuries, and this vulnerability reared its ugly head on this trip – the immersion foot had returned. I had no suspicion of this problem until I got my feet into completely dry socks and my feet fully warmed, at which point my toe hurt like hell. If you like gruesome pictures, enjoy the following documentation of immersion foot injuries. If you don’t like gruesome pictures, check out this picture instead.
2019-04-19T12:30:53Z
http://markpthomas.com/mountaineering/trip-reports/california/2011-03-13-carlheller
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Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24IKU Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8250U(1.6Ghz)/4096Mb/1000+16SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь. Optane 16Gb (F0D200B1RK) 54 254р. 55 361р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24IKU Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8250U(1.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0D200DVRK) 54 351р. 55 460р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24IKU Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8250U(1.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0D200DWRK) 54 781р. 55 899р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24IKU Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8250U(1.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0D200CMRK) 55 626р. 56 762р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24IKU Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8250U(1.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0D200DTRK) 60 858р. 62 100р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24IKU Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8250U(1.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0D200DURK) 61 289р. 62 540р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ002BRK) 51 224р. 52 270р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/silver/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ002CRK) 51 674р. 52 729р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ005PRK) 58 775р. 59 975р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/silver/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ005QRK) 59 224р. 60 432р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Touch/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ005NRK) 57 507р. 58 681р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Touch/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ005MRK) 58 144р. 59 331р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/4096Mb/1000+16SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь. Optane 16Gb (F0DJ005KRK) 61 512р. 62 767р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ00CNRK) 65 239р. 66 570р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ00CPRK) 65 684р. 67 025р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i7 8700T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ002KRK) 65 493р. 66 829р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i7 8700T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/silver/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DJ005RRK) 65 941р. 67 287р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i7 8700T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+16SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/black/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь. Optane 16Gb (F0DJ005TRK) 78 945р. 80 556р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-24ICB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i7 8700T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+16SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/6.17kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь. Optane 16Gb (F0DJ005SRK) 79 039р. 80 652р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 730S-24IKB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i3 7020U(2.3Ghz)/4096Mb/256SSDGb/noDVD/Int:Intel HD Graphics 620/BT/WiFi/war 1y/4.82kg/iron grey/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь б/п (F0DY001NRK) 54 793р. 55 912р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 730S-24IKB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8250U(1.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/noDVD/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/4.82kg/iron grey/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь б/п (F0DX001DRK) 65 657р. 66 997р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 730S-24IKB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i5 8250U(1.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+16SSDGb/noDVD/Int:Intel HD Graphics 620/BT/WiFi/war 1y/4.82kg/iron grey/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь б/п. Optane 16Gb (F0DY0016RK) 66 063р. 67 411р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 730S-24IKB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Touch/Intel Core i5 8250U(1.6Ghz)/8192Mb/256SSDGb/noDVD/Int:Intel HD Graphics 620/BT/WiFi/war 1y/4.82kg/iron grey/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь б/п (F0DY001PRK) 71 084р. 72 535р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 730S-24IKB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i7 8550U(1.8Ghz)/8192Mb/256SSDGb/noDVD/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 620/BT/WiFi/war 1y/4.82kg/iron grey/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь б/п (F0DY001QRK) 77 992р. 79 584р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 730S-24IKB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Intel Core i7 8550U(1.8Ghz)/8192Mb/2000+16SSDGb/noDVD/Ext:AMD Radeon 530(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/4.82kg/iron grey/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь б/п. Optane 16Gb (F0DX001ERK) 83 381р. 85 082р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 730S-24IKB Monitor stand 23.8"(1920x1080)/Touch/Intel Core i7 8550U(1.8Ghz)/16384Mb/2000+256SSDGb/noDVD/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 620/BT/WiFi/war 1y/4.82kg/iron grey/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь б/п (F0DY002SRK) 97 276р. 99 262р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27IKL Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i3 7100T(3.4Ghz)/4096Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel HD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0D0000XRK) 56 240р. 57 388р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27IKL Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i3 7100T(3.4Ghz)/4096Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Int:Intel HD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0D0004XRK) 68 618р. 70 019р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27IKL Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i5 7400T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel HD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0D0003DRK) 58 226р. 59 414р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE004LRK) 63 017р. 64 303р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE006BRK) 71 616р. 73 077р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon RX 550(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE006CRK) 73 375р. 74 872р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Touch/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/dark silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE004NRK) 73 888р. 75 396р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27IKL Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i5 7400T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce 940MX(2048Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0D0003WRK) 74 722р. 76 247р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i5 8400T(1.7Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon RX 550(4096Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE004QRK) 81 613р. 83 279р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i7 8700T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/DOS + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE004SRK) 72 210р. 73 684р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i7 8700T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon RX 550(4096Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE004URK) 89 562р. 91 390р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i7 8700T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+16OptaneGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon RX 550(4096Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE004VRK) 93 481р. 95 389р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i7 8700T(2.4Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+256SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon RX 550(4096Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE004WRK) 98 901р. 100 920р. Моноблок Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 520-27ICB Monitor stand 27"(2560x1440)/Intel Core i7 8700T(2.4Ghz)/16384Mb/2000+256SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon RX 550(4096Mb)/BT/WiFi/war 1y/8.83kg/silver/W10 + Клавиатура, мышь (F0DE002NRK) 103 669р. 105 785р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 310S-08IGM MT Intel Celeron J4005(2Ghz)/4096Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 600/war 1y/4.3kg/silver/DOS + БП 65Вт (90HX001URS) 14 791р. 15 093р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 310S-08IGM MT Intel Pentium J5005(1.5Ghz)/4096Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 605/war 1y/4.3kg/silver/DOS + БП 65Вт (90HX001VRS) 17 689р. 18 050р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 510-15ICB MT Intel Pentium G5400(3.7Ghz)/4096Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 610/war 1y/5.8kg/silver/DOS + БП 180Вт (90HU0067RS) 21 557р. 21 997р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 510-15ICB MT Intel Core i3 8100(3.6Ghz)/4096Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/war 1y/5.8kg/silver/DOS + БП 180Вт (90HU006ARS) 27 682р. 28 247р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 510-15ICB MT Intel Core i3 8100(3.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/5.8kg/silver/DOS + БП 210Вт (90HU006CRS) 48 239р. 49 223р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 510-15ICB MT Intel Core i3 8100(3.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/5.8kg/silver/W10 + БП 210Вт (90HU002TRS) 49 215р. 50 219р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 510-15ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Int:Intel UHD Graphics 630/war 1y/5.8kg/silver/DOS + БП 180Вт (90HU006DRS) 36 121р. 36 858р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 510-15ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/5.8kg/silver/DOS + БП 210Вт (90HU005FRS) 49 917р. 50 936р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 510-15ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/noDVD/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/5.8kg/silver/DOS + БП 210Вт (90HU0060RS) 53 396р. 54 486р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 510-15ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/noDVD/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/5.8kg/silver/W10 + БП 210Вт (90HU006HRS) 59 812р. 61 033р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 720-18ICB MT Intel Core i3 8100(3.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:AMD Radeon RX 550(2048Mb)/war 1y/8kg/silver/W10 + БП 250Вт (90HT001LRS) 46 939р. 47 897р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 720-18ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/9kg/silver/W10 + БП 400Вт (90HT001MRS) 62 034р. 63 300р. Десктоп Lenovo Ideacentre 720-18ICB MT Intel Core i7 8700(3.2Ghz)/16384Mb/2000+256SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/9kg/silver/W10 + БП 400Вт (90HT001NRS) 88 814р. 90 626р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion C530-19ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/16384Mb/1000+256SSDGb/noDVD/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1060(6144Mb)/war 1y/12kg/grey/W10 + БП 450Вт (90JX003QRS) 79 646р. 81 271р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion C530-19ICB MT Intel Core i7 8700(3.2Ghz)/16384Mb/1000+256SSDGb/noDVD/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1060(6144Mb)/war 1y/12kg/grey/W10 + БП 450Вт (90JX003RRS) 97 223р. 99 207р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion T530-28ICB MT Intel Core i3 8100(3.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050(2048Mb)/war 1y/15kg/black/DOS + БП 450Вт (90JL007BRS) 47 594р. 48 565р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion T530-28ICB MT Intel Core i3 8100(3.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+128SSDGb/noDVD/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050(2048Mb)/war 1y/15kg/black/W10 + БП 450Вт (90JL007CRS) 52 764р. 53 841р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion T530-28ICB MT Intel Core i3 8100(3.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/15kg/black/DOS + БП 450Вт (90JL007DRS) 47 586р. 48 557р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion T530-28ICB MT Intel Core i3 8100(3.6Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/noDVD/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/15kg/black/W10 + БП 450Вт (90JL007ERS) 51 928р. 52 988р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion T530-28ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/8192Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1050Ti(4096Mb)/war 1y/15kg/black/DOS + БП 450Вт (90JL007FRS) 52 756р. 53 833р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion T530-28ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/8192Mb/1000+256SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1060(6144Mb)/war 1y/15kg/black/DOS + БП 450Вт (90JL007GRS) 68 780р. 70 184р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion T530-28ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/16384Mb/1000Gb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1060(6144Mb)/war 1y/15kg/black/W10 + БП 450Вт (90JL007HRS) 72 298р. 73 774р. Игровой ПК Lenovo Legion T530-28ICB MT Intel Core i5 8400(2.8Ghz)/16384Mb/1000+256SSDGb/DVDrw/Ext:nVidia GeForce GTX1060(6144Mb)/war 1y/15kg/black/W10 + БП 450Вт (90JL007KRS) 79 646р. 81 271р. Монитор Lenovo L27i-28 27" (1920x1080) AG/IPS/75Hz/4ms/HDMI 1.4/VGA/Black/VESA (65E0KAC1EU) 13 104р. 13 371р. Cервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD550 (70CV0007EA) E5-2620v3 (2.4Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x3.5" HotPlug HDD), RAID720i (RAID 0-50), DVD+/-RW, QP 1GbE, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 1U, Sliding Rack Rails, 3y On-Site 190 840р. 198 180р. Cервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD550 (70CV0005EA) E5-2603v3 (1.6Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x3.5" HotPlug HDD), RAID720i (RAID 0-50), DVD+/- RW, QP 1GbE, (1)x PS 750W (up to 2), Rack-Mount 1U, Slide Rails, 3y On- Site warranty 151 320р. 157 140р. Cервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD550 (70CV000WEA) E5-2609v3 (1.9Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x3.5" HotPlug HDD), RAID510i (RAID 0,1,10), DVD+/- RW, QP 1GbE, (1)x PS 750W (up to 2), Rack-Mount 1U, Slide Rails, 3y On- Site warranty 157 560р. 163 620р. Cервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD650 (70D0001CEA) E5-2603v3 (1.6Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) 2133Mhz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 12x3.5" HotPlug HDD), RAID720ix/1GB (RAID 0-60), no Optical Drive, QuadPort 1GB Ethernet Adp, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Slide Rail Kit, RackMount 2U, 3y On-Site Warranty 176 800р. 183 600р. Cервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD650 (70D40014EA) E5-2603v3 (1.6Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz LRDIMM, no HDD (up to 9x3.5" + 6x2.5" HotPlug HDD), RAID720ix /1GB (RAID 0-60), no Optical Drive, QuadPort 1GB Ethernet Adp, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Slide Rail Kit, RackMount 2U, 3y On 188 968р. 196 236р. Cервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD650 (70D00006EA) E5-2609v3 (1.9Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz LRDIMM, no HDD (up to 12x3.5" HotPlug HDD), RAID720ix/1GB MFlash (RAID 0-60), no Optical Drive, QuadPort 1GB Ethernet Adp, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Slide Rail Kit, RackMount 2U, 3y On-Site 188 968р. 196 236р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD350 (70D6000NEA) E5-2609v3 (1.9Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x3.5), RAID710i/1GB (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, DP 1GbE, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, Rack-Mount 1U, 1y On-Site warranty 163 280р. 169 560р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD350 (70D80000EA) E5-2609v3 (1.9Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), RAID710i/1GB (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, DP 1GbE, TPM Module, iKVM, PS (1)x 550W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, Rack-Mount 1U, 3y On-Site warranty 162 656р. 168 912р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD350 (70D6000PEA) E5-2620v3 (2.4Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x3.5), RAID710i/1GB (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, i350 DP 1GbE, Premium TMM (iKVM), PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, Rack-Mount 1U, 1y On-Site 164 320р. 170 640р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD350 (70D8000KEA) E5-2620v3 (2.4Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), RAID710i/1GB (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, DP 1GbE, iKVM, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, Rack-Mount 1U, 1y On-Site 164 320р. 170 640р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD440 (70AJ000SRU/04) E5-2407v2 (2.4Ghz) 4C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 1866MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 12x3.5 HotPlug HDD), RAID500 (RAID 0,1,10), no Optical Drive, Intel i350 DP 1GbE, Premium TMM, PS (1)x 800W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 2U, Sliding Rack Rails with Cable Management Arm, 3y On-Site 98 800р. 102 600р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD440 (70AJ0013RU) E5-2420v2 (2.2Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 1600MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 12x3.5 HotPlug HDD), RAID700/512MB BBU (RAID 0-60), no Optical Drive, Intel i350 DP 1GbE, Premium TMM (IPMI), PS (1)x 800W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 2U, Sliding Rack Rails with Cable Management Arm, 3y On-Site 101 920р. 105 840р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD450 (70DC000MEA) E5-2609v3 (1.9Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x3.5), RAID710i/1GB (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, DP 1GbE, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 2U, Sliding Rack Rails, 1y On-Site warranty 164 632р. 170 964р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD450 (70DC000NEA) E5-2620v3 (2.4Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x3.5), RAID710i/1GB (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, DP 1GbE, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 2U, Sliding Rack Rails, 1y On-Site warranty 178 776р. 185 652р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD540 (70AU000MRU) E5-2620v2 (2.1Ghz) 6C, 16GB (2x8GB) DR 1866MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5 HotPlug HDD), RAID500 (RAID 0,1,10), no Optical Drive, DP 1GbE, PS (1)x 800W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 1U, Sliding Rack Rails, 3y On-Site 92 560р. 96 120р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD540 (70AT000HRU) E5-2620v2 (2.1Ghz) 6C, 4GB (1x4GB) DR 1866MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x3.5 HotPlug HDD), RAID710/1GB with CacheVault (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, DP 1GbE, PS (1)x 800W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 1U, Sliding Rack Rails, 3y On-Site warranty 91 520р. 95 040р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD540 (70AU000JRU) (8 x 2.5" HS SAS/SATA) 1xXeon E5-2630v2, 4x4Gb ECC RDIMM, noHDD, no ODD, Raid 710 w/ CacheVault, Integrated Ether net, 1x800W PSU, noOS, 3 Years 102 960р. 106 920р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD550 (70CX000CEA) E5-2609v3 (1.9Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz LRDIMM, no HDD (up to 12x2.5" HotPlug HDD), RAID720i/1GB (RAI D 0-60), no Optical Drive, QP 1GbE Ethernet, (3)x PCIe, (1)x PS 750W (up to RPS), no TMM, Slide Rails, 3y On-Site warranty 204 048р. 211 896р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD550 (70CV0006EA) E5-2609v3 (1.9Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x3.5), RAID720i (RAID 0-50), DVD +/-RW, QP 1GbE, TMM Premium (iKVM), PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 1U, Sliding Rack Rails, 3y On-Site warranty 178 776р. 185 652р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD550 (70CX000DEA) E5-2620v3 (2.4Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 12x2.5 HotPlug HDD), RAID720i/1GB DRAM (RAID 0-60), no Optical Drive, QP 1GbE, (3)x PCIe, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 1U, Sliding Rack Rails, 3y On-Site 215 280р. 223 560р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD550 (70CX000EEA) E5-2630v3 (2.4Ghz) 8C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 12x2.5), RAID720i/1GB DRAM (RAID 0-60), no Optical Drive, QP 1GbE, (3)x PCIe, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 1U, Sliding Rack Rails, 3y On-Site 238 056р. 247 212р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD550 (70CV0009EA) E5-2630v3 (2.4Ghz) 8C, 8GB (1x8GB) SR 2133Mhz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x3.5" HotPlug HDD), RAID720i (RAID 0-50), DVD+/-RW, QP 1GbE, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 1U, Sliding Rack Rails, 3y On-Site 213 512р. 221 724р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD640 (70AVA004RU/03) (2)xE5-2650v2 (2.6Ghz) 8C, 32GB (2x16GB) 1866MHz DIMM, no HDD (up to 8x3.5), RAID700/512MB with Battery (RAID 0- 60), no Optical Drive, Intel i350 DP 1GbE, Premium TMM (iKVM), PS (1)x 800W (up to 2), Rack-Mount 2U, Sliding Rack Rails, 3Y On-Site 271 440р. 281 880р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD640 (70B00007RU) E5-2609v2 (2.5Ghz) 4C, 4GB (1x4GB) DR 1866MHz DIMM, no HDD (up to 16x2.5), RAID710/1GB (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, DP 1GbE Ethernet, PS (1)x 800W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 2U, Sliding Rack Rails, 3y On-Site warranty 111 280р. 115 560р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD640 (70B00009RU) 1xXeon E5-2630v2, 4x4Gb ECC RDIMM, no HDD, DVD-RW, Raid 710 w/ CacheVault, Integrated Ethernet, 1x80 0W PSU, Basic DIT, noOS, 3 Years 122 720р. 127 440р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD640 (70AY000BRU) (8x3.5" HS SAS/SATA) 1 x Xeon E5-2630v2 1 x 8GB ECC RDIMM RAID710 with Cachevault 0/1/10/5/6/50/60 n o HDDs SLIM_DVD_RW Integrated Ethernet 1 x 800W Redundant Capable No OS 3/3 133 432р. 138 564р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD640 (70B0000ARU) 1xXeon E5-2640v2, 4x4Gb ECC RDIMM, no HDD, DVD-RW, Raid 710 w/ CacheVault, Integrated Ethernet, 1x80 0W PSU, Basic DIT, noOS, 3 Years 130 936р. 135 972р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD640 (70B00008RU/02) E5-2670v2 (2.5Ghz) 10C, 8GB (1x8GB) DR 1600MHz DIMM, no HDD (up to 16x2.5 HotPlug HDD), RAID710/1GB with CacheVault (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, Intel i350 DP 1GbE, Premium TMM (IPMI), TPM, PS (1)x 800W (up to RPS), Rack-Mount 2U, Sliding Rack Rails with Cable Management Arm, 3y On-Site 168 480р. 174 960р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD640 (70D40015EA) E5-2609v3 (1.9Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) DDR4 RDIMM, no HDD (up to 9x3.5" + 6x2.5" HotPlug HDD), RAID720ix/1GB (R AID 0-60), no Optical Drive, QuadPort 1GB Ethernet Adp, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Slide Rail Kit, RackMount 2U, 3y On-Site W 227 760р. 236 520р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer RD640 (70DR002BEA) E5-2609v3 (1.9Ghz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) DDR4 RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5 HotPlug HDD), RAID720i (RAID 0-50), no Optical Drive, QP 1GbE, Basic TMM, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Slide Rail Kit, RackMount 2U, 3y On-Site Warranty 176 800р. 183 600р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3550M5 (5463E4G) E5-2640v3 (2.6GHz) 8C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210/1GB Flash (RAID 0 -50), DVDRW, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, LCD, PS (1)x 550W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 327 600р. 340 200р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3550M5 (5463NEG) E5-2670v3 (2.3GHz) 12C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x2.5), M5210 (RAID 0,1,10), n o Optical, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, LCD, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 411 320р. 427 140р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3550M5 (5463J2G) E5-2680v3 (2.5GHz) 12C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x2.5), M5210/2GB Flash (RAID 0-50), no Optical, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, no LCD, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 530 296р. 550 692р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3550M5 (5463L2G) E5-2690v3 (2.6GHz) 12C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 4x2.5), M5210 (RAID 0,1,10), n o Optical, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, no LCD, PS (1)x 750W Titanium (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 560 560р. 582 120р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3650M5 (5462E2G) E5-2609v3 (1.9GHz) 6C, 8GB (1x8GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210/1GB Flash (RAID 0-5 0), No Optical Drive, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, LCD, PS (1)x 550W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 2U, 3y NBD 189 280р. 196 560р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3650M5 (5462K1G) E5-2620v3 (2.4GHz) 6C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210/2GB Flash (RAID 0 -50), DVDRW, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, LCD, PS (1)x 550W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 273 416р. 283 932р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3650M5 (5462E5G) E5-2630v3 (2.4GHz) 8C, 8GB (1x8GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210/1GB Flash (RAID 0-5 0), DVDRW, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, LCD, PS (1)x 550W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 311 896р. 323 892р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3650M5 (5462K3G) E5-2637v3 (3.5GHz) 4C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210 (RAID 0,1,10), DV DRW, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, LCD, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 378 040р. 392 580р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3650M5 (5462E6G) E5-2640v3 (2.6GHz) 8C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210/1GB Flash (RAID 0 -50), DVDRW, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, LCD, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 376 321р. 390 795р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3650M5 (5462G2G) E5-2650v3 (2.3GHz) 10C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210/1GB Flash (RAID 0-50), no Optical Drive, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, no LCD, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 386 152р. 401 004р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3650M5 (546262G) E5-2670v3 (2.3GHz) 12C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210/2GB Flash (RAID 0-50), no Optical Drive, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, no LCD, PS (1)x 750W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 532 064р. 552 528р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3650M5 (5462L2G) E5-2690v3 (2.6GHz) 12C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210 (RAID 0,1,10), n o Optical Drive, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, no LCD, PS (1)x 900W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 679 536р. 705 672р. Сервер Lenovo TopSeller x3650M5 (5462NPG) E5-2697v3 (2.6GHz) 14C, 16GB (1x16GB) 2133MHz LP RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5), M5210 (RAID 0,1,10), n o Optical Drive, BMC5719 QP 1GbE, IMM2.1, LCD, PS (1)x 900W (up to RPS), Sliding Rack Rails, 3y NBD 800 280р. 831 060р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer TD340 (70B7000PRU) E5-2407v2 (2.4Ghz) 4C, 4GB (1x4GB) SR 1600MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x2.5 HotPlug HDD), RAID500 (RAID 0,1,10), DVD+/-RW, Dual Port 1GbE, PS (1)x 800W (up to RPS), Tower, 3y On-Site Warranty 82 160р. 85 320р. Сервер Lenovo ThinkServer TD340 (70B70010RU) E5-2450v2 (2.5Ghz) 8C, 8GB (1x8GB) 1600MHz RDIMM, no HDD (up to 8x3.5 HotPlug HDD), RAID700/512MB with Battery (RAID 0-60), DVD+/-RW, DP 1GbE, Premium TMM (IPMI), PS (1)x 800W (up to 2), Tower, 3y On-Site 108 992р. 113 184р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 1.2TB SAS (4XB0G45725) 6Gbps 10k rpm 2.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 47 320р. 49 140р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 1TB SAS NearLine (0C19530) 3.5" 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive. Габариты 254x204x137, вес 0,3 кг 16 848р. 17 496р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 1TB SATA (0C19496) 7.2K 2.5" Enterprise 6Gbps SATA Hot Swap Hard Drive 23 400р. 24 300р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 1TB SATA (4XB0G45721) 6Gbps 7.2k rpm 2.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 26 312р. 27 324р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 1TB SATA (0A89474) 7.2K 3.5" Enterprise 6Gbps SATA Hot Swap Hard Drive. Габариты 254x204x137, вес 0,3 кг 14 490р. 15 042р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 2TB SAS NL (4XB0G88730) 3.5" 2TB 7.2K Enterprise SAS 12Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive 25 584р. 26 568р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 2TB SAS NearLine (0C19531) 3.5" 2TB 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive. Габариты 254x204x137, вес 0,3 кг 22 880р. 23 760р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 2TB SATA (4XB0F28713) 6Gbps 7.2k rpm 3.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 19 552р. 20 304р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 2TB SATA (0A89475) 7.2K 3.5" Enterprise 6Gbps SATA Hot Swap Hard Drive 22 048р. 22 896р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 300GB SAS (4XB0G88739) 12Gbps 15k rpm Hot Swap 2.5" Hard Drive for ThinkServer Gen 5 30 056р. 31 212р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 300GB SAS (67Y2619) 10K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive 18 512р. 19 224р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 300GB SAS (4XB0G45722) 6Gbps 10k rpm 2.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 15 645р. 16 241р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 300GB SAS (0C19494) 2.5" 15K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive 24 648р. 25 596р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 300GB SAS (67Y2616) 3.5" 15K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive. Габариты 254x204x137, вес 0,3 кг 10 815р. 11 227р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 300GB SAS (4XB0G45727) 6Gbps 15k rpm 2.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 28 392р. 29 484р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 3TB SAS NearLine (0C19532) 3.5" 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive. Габариты 254x204x137, вес 0,3 кг 26 312р. 27 324р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 3TB SAS NearLine (4XB0F28671) 3,5" (LFF) SAS 7.2K Enterprise 6Gbps Hard Drive for RS-Series 16 536р. 17 172р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 3TB SATA (0A89477) 7.2K 3.5" Enterprise 6Gbps SATA Hot Swap Hard Drive. Габариты 254x204x137, вес 0,3 кг 24 648р. 25 596р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 3TB SATA (4XB0F28667) 6Gbps 7200rpm 3.5 Hard Drive for RS-Series 15 015р. 15 587р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 3TB SATA (0C19504) 3.5" 7.2K Enterprise SATA 6Gbps Hard Drive. Габариты 254x204x137, вес 0,3 кг 10 815р. 11 227р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 3TB SATA (4XB0F28714) 6Gbps 7.2k rpm 3.5 Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 25 584р. 26 568р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 4TB SAS NearLine (4XB0F28635) 3.5" 7.2K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive 28 704р. 29 808р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 4TB SATA (0C19505) 6Gbps 7.2K 3.5" NonHotPlug Hard Drive 12 915р. 13 407р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 4TB SATA (0C19520) 3.5" 4TB 7.2K Enterprise SATA 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive 21 320р. 22 140р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 4TB SATA (4XB0G45715) 6Gbps 7.2k rpm 3.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 31 096р. 32 292р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 500GB SATA (0C19495) 7.2K 2.5" Enterprise 6Gbps SATA Hot Swap Hard Drive 16 328р. 16 956р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 500GB SATA (4XB0F28664) 3,5" (LFF) SATA 7.2K Enterprise 6Gbps Hard Drive for RS-Series 4 095р. 4 251р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 500GB SATA (0C19501) 7.2K 3.5" Enterprise 6Gbps SATA NHP Hard Drive. 4 095р. 4 251р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 5TB SATA (4XB0G88725) 6Gbps 7.2k rpm 3.5" Easy Swap Hard Drive for RD550/RD650 31 096р. 32 292р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 5TB SATA (4XB0G88712) 6Gbps 7.2k rpm 3.5 Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 31 096р. 32 292р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 600GB SAS (4XB0G88734) 2.5" 10K Enterprise SAS 12Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive 25 272р. 26 244р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 600GB SAS (67Y2621) 2.5" 10K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive 24 648р. 25 596р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 600GB SAS (4XB0G45723) 6Gbps 10k rpm 2.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 23 712р. 24 624р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 600GB SAS (4XB0F28644) 6Gbps 15K 3.5 Hot Swap Hard Drive for ThinkServer Gen 4 25 168р. 26 136р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 600GB SAS (4XB0G45729) 6Gbps 15k rpm 2.5 Hot Swap Hard Drive for G5 55 120р. 57 240р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 6TB SAS NL (4XB0G88715) 12Gbps 7.2k rpm 3.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 40 352р. 41 904р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 6TB SATA (4XB0G88726) 6Gbps 7.2k rpm 3.5" Easy Swap Hard Drive for RD550/RD650 34 320р. 35 640р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 6TB SATA (4XB0G88713) 6Gbps 7.2k rpm 3.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 34 320р. 35 640р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 900GB SAS (0A89409) 2.5" 10K SAS 6Gbps Hot Swap Hard Drive 24 648р. 25 596р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 900GB SAS (0A89410) 6Gbps 10K rpm Hot Swap 2.5" HDD in 3.5" Carrier for Gen 4 29 120р. 30 240р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 900GB SAS (4XB0G45724) 6Gbps 10k rpm 2.5" Hot Swap Hard Drive for TD350/RD550/RD650 30 056р. 31 212р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 100GB SSD (0C19571) ThinkServer 2.5" MLC SATA Solid State Drive to 3.5" Kit 53 560р. 55 620р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 120GB SSD (4XB0G45742) 2.5 Value Read-Optimized SATA 6Gbps Hot Swap in 3.5 Carrier for ThinkServer Gen5 24 648р. 25 596р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 120GB SSD (4XB0G45736) 2.5" Value Read-Optimized SATA 6Gbps Hot Swap Solid State Drive for Gen 5 24 648р. 25 596р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 240GB SSD (4XB0G45737) 2.5" Value Read-Optimized SATA 6Gbps Hot Swap for ThinkServer Gen5 32 552р. 33 804р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 240GB SSD (4XB0G45743) ThinkServer Gen 5 3.5" 240GB Value Read-Optimized SATA 6Gbps Hot Swap Solid State Drive 33 280р. 34 560р. Жесткий диск Lenovo 480GB SSD (4XB0G45739) 2.5" Value Read-Optimized SATA 6Gbps Hot Swap for ThinkServer Gen5 74 672р. 77 544р. Модуль памяти Lenovo 16GB (4X70F28587) DDR3-1866MHz (2Rx4) RDIMM, (analog 0C19535, 00D5048) 29 640р. 30 780р. Модуль памяти Lenovo 4GB (4X70F28585) DDR3-1866MHz (1Rx8) RDIMM, (analog 0C19533, 00D5024) 1 696р. 1 744р. Модуль памяти Lenovo 4GB (0C19533) DDR3L-1600MHz (1Rx8) RDIMM, (analog 00D5024) 1 696р. 1 744р. Модуль памяти Lenovo 8GB (4X70F28586) DDR3-1866MHz (1Rx4) RDIMM, (analog 0C19534, 00D5032) 13 230р. 13 734р. Привод Lenovo ThinkServer Half High SATA DVR-RW Optical Disk Drive for TD350, (4XA0F28605) 3 570р. 3 706р. Intel Xeon E5-2690v2 (0C19548) (3.0GHz, 10C, 130W) Kit for ThinkServer RD540/RD640 171 496р. 178 092р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2420v2 (0C19541) (2.2GHz, 6C, 95W) Kit for ThinkServer RD340/RD440 49 400р. 51 300р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 (4XG0F28820) (1.9GHz, 6C, 85W) for ThinkServer RD650 50 232р. 52 164р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2609v3 (4XG0F28847) (1.9GHz, 6C, 85W) Kit for ThinkServer RD350 46 800р. 48 600р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2609v3 (4XG0F28859) (1.9GHz, 6C, 85W) Kit for ThinkServer RD450 46 800р. 48 600р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2609v3 (4XG0F28786) (1.9GHz, 6C, 85W) for ThinkServer TD350 47 736р. 49 572р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2620v3 (4XG0F28846) (2.4GHz, 6C, 85W) Kit for ThinkServer RD350 64 376р. 66 852р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2620v3 (4XG0F28858) (2.4GHz, 6C, 85W) Kit for ThinkServer RD450 64 376р. 66 852р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2620v3 (4XG0F28785) (2.4GHz, 6C, 85W) for ThinkServer TD350 64 376р. 66 852р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2630v2 (0C19556) Processor Option for ThinkServer RD540/RD640 73 112р. 75 924р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2630v3 (4XG0F28801) (2.4GHz, 8C, 85W) for ThinkServer RD550 95 472р. 99 144р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2630v3 (4XG0F28818) (2.4GHz, 8C, 85W) for ThinkServer RD650 95 472р. 99 144р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2630v3 (4XG0F28784) (2.4GHz, 8C, 85W) for ThinkServer TD350 95 472р. 99 144р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2650v3 (4XG0F28816) (2.3GHz, 10C, 105W) for ThinkServer RD650 162 760р. 169 020р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2650v3 (4XG0F28799) (2.3GHz, 10C, 105W) for ThinkServer RD550 162 760р. 169 020р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2660v2 (0C19551) Processor Option for ThinkServer RD540/RD640 115 440р. 119 880р. Процессор Intel Xeon E5-2670v2 (0C19550) Processor Option for ThinkServer RD540/RD640 123 760р. 128 520р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2609v3 (00FK641) (1.9GHz, 6C, 15MB, 85W) Kit for x3650M5 50 960р. 52 920р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2620v3 (00KA067) (2.4GHz, 6C, 15MB, 85W) Kit for x3550M5 66 248р. 68 796р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2620v3 (00FK642) (2.4GHz, 6C, 15MB, 85W) Kit for x3650M5 64 480р. 66 960р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2630v3 (00FK643) (2.4GHz, 8C, 20MB, 85W) Kit for x3650M5 101 296р. 105 192р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2640v3 (00KA069) (2.6GHz, 8C, 20MB, 90W) Kit for x3550M5 147 680р. 153 360р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2640v3 (00FK644) (2.6GHz, 8C, 20MB, 90W) Kit for x3650M5 150 280р. 156 060р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2650v3 (00FK645) (2.3GHz, 10C, 25MB, 105W) Kit for x3650M5 203 840р. 211 680р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2670v3 (00KA074) (2.3GHz 12C, 30MB, 120W) Kit for x3550M5 288 080р. 299 160р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2670v3 (00FK647) (2.3GHz, 12C, 30MB, 120W) Kit for x3650M5 288 080р. 299 160р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2680v3 (00KA075) (2.5GHz, 12C, 30MB, 120W) Kit for x3550M5 308 776р. 320 652р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2690v3 (00KA076) (2.6GHz, 12C, 30MB, 135W) Kit for x3550M5 380 640р. 395 280р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2690v3 (00FK649) (2.6GHz, 12C, 30MB, 135W) Kit for x3650M5 380 640р. 395 280р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2697v3 (00MU404) (2.6GHz, 14C, 35MB, 145W) Kit for x3550M5 498 160р. 517 320р. Процессор Intel Xeon Processor E5-2697v3 (00KG843) (2.6GHz, 14C, 35MB, 145W) Kit for x3650M5 498 160р. 517 320р. Процессор Lenovo Intel Xeon E5-2620v3 (4XG0F28819) (2.4GHz, 6C, 85W) for ThinkServer RD650 64 376р. 66 852р. Процессор Lenovo Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 (4XG0F28803) (1.9GHz, 6C, 85W) for ThinkServer RD550 50 232р. 52 164р. Батарея для контроллера Battery for Controller ThinkServer RAID700, (67Y2647) Опциональная батарея для защиты кэша на RAID 700 9 450р. 9 810р. Блок питания Lenovo 450W (1 PSU) Hot Swap (4X20G87845) Platinum Redundant Power Supply for ThinkServer G5 10 815р. 11 227р. Блок питания Lenovo 750W (1 PSU) Hot Swap (4X20F28575) Platinum Redundant Power Supply for ThinkServer G5 17 992р. 18 684р. Блок питания Lenovo SystemX 550W (1 PSU) Hot Swap (00KA094) High Efficiency Platinum Redundant Power Supply for x3550 13 440р. 13 952р. Блок питания Lenovo SystemX 550W (1 PSU) Hot Swap (00FK930) High Efficiency Platinum Redundant Power Supply for x3650 13 440р. 13 952р. Блок питания Lenovo SystemX 750W (1 PSU) Hot Swap (00FK932) High Efficiency Platinum Redundant Power Supply for x3650 21 736р. 22 572р. Блок питания Lenovo SystemX 900W (1 PSU) Hot Swap (00FK936) High Efficiency Platinum Redundant Power Supply for x3650 30 472р. 31 644р. Блок питания Lenovo ThinkServer 450W Gold Hot Swap (67Y2625) Redundant Power Supply for Tower 10 815р. 11 227р. Блок питания Lenovo ThinkServer 550W Gold Hot Swap (4X20E54689) Redundant Power Supply for RACK 13 230р. 13 734р. Блок питания Lenovo ThinkServer 800W Gold Hot Swap (4X20E54690) Redundant Power Supply for Rack 17 992р. 18 684р. Блок питания Lenovo ThinkServer 800W Gold Hot Swap (4X20E54691) Redundant Power Supply for Tower 13 230р. 13 734р. Блок питания Lenovo ThinkServer 550W Hot Swap (4X20F28579) Platinum Redundant Power Supply for ThinkServer G5 13 230р. 13 734р. Блок питания Lenovo ThinkServer 750W Hot Swap (4X20F28576) Titanium Redundant Power Supply for ThinkServer G5 21 736р. 22 572р. Кабель System x3650 M5 ODD Cable Kit (00AL956) 1 650р. 1 800р. Кабельный органайзер Lenovo (0A89476) ThinkServer Cable Management Arm Kit 3 570р. 3 706р. Кабельный органайзер Lenovo (4XF0G45875) Cable Management Arm Kit 2U for Lenovo ThinkServer RD650 3 570р. 3 706р. Контроллер Emulex 16Gb FC Dual-port HBA for SystemX (81Y1662) 184 080р. 191 160р. Контроллер Emulex 16Gb FC Single-port HBA for SystemX (81Y1655) 133 640р. 138 780р. Контроллер Emulex 8Gb FC Dual-port HBA for SystemX (42D0494) 87 880р. 91 260р. Контроллер Emulex 8Gb FC Single-port HBA for SystemX (42D0485) 63 232р. 65 664р. Контроллер QLogic 8Gb FC Dual-port HBA for SystemX (42D0510) 86 320р. 89 640р. Контроллер QLogic 8Gb FC Single-port HBA for SystemX (42D0501) 65 728р. 68 256р. Контроллер ThinkServer CacheVault Data Protection Upgrade Module, (0C19490) Опциональный блок конденсаторов для защиты кэша на RAID 710 9 450р. 9 810р. Контроллер ThinkServer RAID 300 Upgrade Key (Software) for Advanced RAID, (0A89422) 6 720р. 6 976р. Контроллер ThinkServer RAID CacheCade Pro 2.0 Software Key (0C19492) for RAID710 controller, ПО CacheCade Pro 2.0, позволяет использовать SSD в качестве кэша 15 540р. 16 132р. Контроллер ThinkServer RAID FastPath Software Key (0C19491) for RAID710 controller, ПО FastPath, ускоряет работу с SSD (SSD могут подключаться и без ключа) 9 450р. 9 810р. Корзина System x3550 M5 (00KA055) 4x2.5 HS HDD Kit 9 450р. 9 810р. Корзина System x3650 M5 Plus (00FK661) 8x2.5 HS HDD Assembly Kit with Expander 46 280р. 48 060р. Корзина для установки жестких дисков Lenovo ThinkServer (0C19514) 3.5" HDD to 5.25" Tray Convertor Kit 2 650р. 2 725р. Модуль Integrated Management Module Advanced Upgrade (90Y3901) for x3550/x3650 M5 21 632р. 22 464р. Модуль Lenovo ThinkServer SDHC Flash Assembly Module, (4XF0G45865) Internal SDHC Flash Assembly Module (SD Cards to be ordered separately) 2 279р. 2 344р. Модуль памяти 2GB Modular Flash and Supercapacitor Upgrade (4XB0F28697) for RAID 720i/720ix 41 080р. 42 660р. Модуль памяти 4GB Modular Flash and Supercapacitor Upgrade (4XB0F28698) for RAID 720i/720ix 50 960р. 52 920р. Модуль памяти Lenovo ThinkServer 32GB SD Card, (4X70F28593) for internal SD-module (SD module to be ordered separately) 5 040р. 5 232р. Модуль памяти Lenovo ThinkServer 8GB SD Card, (4X70F28592) for internal SD-module (SD module to be ordered separately) 2 279р. 2 344р. Модуль расширения ServeRAID M5200 Series 1GB Cache/RAID 5 Upgrade for SystemX (47C8656) 15 540р. 16 132р. Модуль расширения ServeRAID M5200 Series 2GB Flash/RAID 5 Upgrade for SystemX (47C8664) 45 240р. 46 980р. Модуль расширения ServeRAID M5200 Series 4GB Flash/RAID 5 Upgrade for SystemX (47C8668) 63 752р. 66 204р. Модуль управления ThinkServer Management Module Premium (67Y2624) for Lenovo Servers G4 (except RS, TS series) 3 570р. 3 706р. Модуль управления ThinkServer Management Module Premium (4XF0G45867) for Lenovo Servers G5 3 570р. 3 706р. Оптический привод Slim SATA DVD+/-RW Optical Disk Drive (4XA0F28607) for Lenovo ThinkServer 4 620р. 4 796р. Оптический привод UltraSlim Enhanced SATA Multiburner (00AM067) for x3550/x3650 M5 3 570р. 3 706р. Панель System x3550 M5 Advanced LCD Light Path Kit (00KA054) 6 615р. 6 867р. Панель System x3650 M5 Advanced LCD Light Path Kit (00KA503) 4 620р. 4 796р. Райзер Lenovo ThinkServer 1U x16 PCIe Riser 2 Kit (4XF0G45878) for Lenovo RD550 4 620р. 4 796р. Райзер Lenovo ThinkServer 1U x8/x8 PCIe Riser Kit, (4XF0G45880) for RD550 3 570р. 3 706р. Райзер Lenovo ThinkServer 2U x8/x8/x8 PCIe Riser Kit (4XF0G45881) for Lenovo RD650 7 245р. 7 521р. Райзер Lenovo ThinkServer RD350 x16 PCIe Riser 1 Kit (4XF0G45896) 4 095р. 4 251р. Райзер System x3550 M5 PCIe Riser 2 (00KA066) 1-2 CPU (LP x16 CPU0 + LP x16 CPU1) 5 670р. 5 886р. Райзер System x3650 M5 PCIe Riser (00KA489) 1 x16 FH/FL + 1 x8 FH/HL Slots 3 570р. 3 706р. Райзер System x3650 M5 PCIe Riser (00KA498) 2 x8 FH/FL + 1 x8 FH/HL Slots 4 620р. 4 796р. Райзер System x3650 M5 PCIe Riser 1 (00KA519) 2 x8 FH/FL + 1 x8 ML2 Slots 5 670р. 5 886р. Рельсы ThinkServer 4-post Rail Kit for RS-Series (4XF0F28772) 3 570р. 3 706р. Сетевая карта Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I350-T2 Dual Port 1GbE (0C19506) for Lenovo ThinkServer, PCIe 2.0, incl. Low Profile and Full Height Brackets, (analog 4XC0F28730) 10 710р. 11 118р. Сетевая карта Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I350-T4 Quad Port 1GbE (0C19507) for Lenovo ThinkServer, PCIe 2.0, incl. Low Profile and Full Height Brackets, (analog 4XC0F28731) 33 800р. 35 100р. Сетевая карта Intel Ethernet Server Adapter X520-DA2 Dual Port 10Gb SFP+ (0C19486) for Lenovo ThinkServer, PCIe 2.0 x8, incl. Low Profile and Full Height Brackets, (analog 4XC0F28734) 46 176р. 47 952р. Сетевая карта Intel Ethernet Server Adapter X540-T2 Dual Port 10GbE (4XC0F28732) for ThinkServer and SystemX 48 360р. 50 220р. Сетевая карта Intel I350-T2 Dual Port 1GbE (4XC0F28730) for Lenovo ThinkServer and systemX, (analog 0C19506) 10 710р. 11 118р. Сетевая карта Intel I350-T4 Quad Port 1GbE (4XC0F28731) for Lenovo ThinkServer and SystemX, (analog 0C19507, 00AG520) 33 800р. 35 100р. Сетевая карта Lenovo ThinkServer I350-T4 AnyFabric (Daughter Card) Four Port 1GbE, (4XC0F28740) only for ThinkServer RD550/RD650 10 710р. 11 118р. Сетевая карта Lenovo ThinkServer LPe12002 DP 8Gb FC HBA by Emulex (0C19478) Двухпортовый адаптер 8Gb Fibre Channel ThinkServer LPe12002 Dual Port 8Gb Fibre Channel HBA by Emulex 54 288р. 56 376р. Сетевая карта Lenovo ThinkServer X520-DA2 AnyFabric (Daughter Card) Dual Port 10Gb DA/SFP+, (4XC0F28742) only for ThinkServer RD550/RD650 (4XC0F28742) 13 755р. 14 279р. Сетевая карта Lenovo X520-SR2 Dual Port 10Gb SR/SFP+ 10Gbps Ethernet X520-SR2 Server Adapter by Intel for ThinkServer and SystemX 97 760р. 101 520р. Сетевая карта Lenovo X540-T2 AnyFabric (Daughter Card) Dual Port 10GbE (4XC0F28741) only for ThinkServer RD550/RD650 20 280р. 21 060р. ПО Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard for Lenovo ThinkServer, 2 CPU/2VMs, ROK, (4XI0G87747) 67 600р. 70 200р. Лицензия Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Client Access License, 5 Devices (0C19603) 13 965р. 14 497р. Лицензия Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Client Access License, 5 Users (0C19604) 13 965р. 14 497р. Программное обеспечение для серверов Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2012 ROK for Lenovo ThinkSever, (2 CPU/2VMs), (0C19614) 26 000р. 27 000р.
2019-04-19T05:02:33Z
http://www.abris.info/price/out.asp?id=2283
Alright, time to give away some muscle building SeCReTZ… for free. I’ve previously covered the basics of putting together a generic upper body workout that can suit a variety of training goals. Today however I want to look at one specific goal and walk you through the template I personally like to use when designing a program for it. What goal is that, you ask? Muscle hypertrophy… aka muscle growth. Please note that there are a hundred different ways this can be done effectively, so the following is certainly not the only way to do it. It is however the way I prefer to do it, and the way that I’ve found works best. It’s by far my favorite “upper body day” template. Normally, the first step of ANY workout program design is individualization. This of course means taking the individual needs, goals, preferences, training/injury history, etc. of the specific person the routine is being designed for, and going forward with all of that in mind. Since we don’t have a specific person in this case (it’s you, but um… I don’t actually know anything about you), we’re going to be skipping this step. Instead, we’ll just assume it’s some random generic person whose primary goal is to build muscle as quickly and effectively as possible. One will typically be a flat or decline movement, and the other will typically be an incline movement (15-30 degree incline). The exercises themselves will either both be compound pressing exercises (like barbell bench press and incline dumbbell press), or one compound press (like any barbell, dumbbell or machine press) and one isolation type movement (like dumbbell or cable flyes, pec deck, etc.). Whatever they end up being, the first chest exercise in the workout will be done heavier and in a lower rep range (typically 5-8) with longer rest periods (2-4 minutes), and the other will be a little lighter and in a slightly higher rep range (typically 8-12, though sometimes as high as 15) with shorter rest periods (1-2 minutes). Why? Because the two primary training factors influencing muscle growth are tension and fatigue, and this gives us a nice combination of both. One will be a horizontal pulling movement (like bent over rows, seated cable rows, chest supported rows, etc.), and the other will be a vertical pulling movement (like pull-ups, chin-ups or lat pull-downs). Just like before with chest, the first back exercise in this upper body workout will be done heavier, lower in reps, longer in rest periods… while the other will be a little lighter, higher in reps, shorter in rest periods. The shoulder exercise will almost ALWAYS be either an overhead press (like a seated or standing barbell or dumbbell shoulder press), or some type of lateral raise (dumbbell, cable, whatever). Why not front raises? Because it’s the most unnecessary exercise on the planet for most people. Now, whether I choose an overhead press or lateral raise is mostly dependent on what the chest exercise selection is. If both chest exercises are compound pressing movements (especially if one of them is an incline press), the shoulder exercise will typically be lateral raises. But if one of the two chest exercises was an isolation movement, the shoulder exercise usually becomes an overhead press. And if it’s an overhead press, I’ll usually go with a low-moderate rep range (5-10) and moderate-long rest (1:30-3 minutes). If it’s lateral raises, it will be a higher rep range (10-15) and shorter rest (1-2 minutes). This will be some kind of isolation curling movement (dumbbell curls, etc.) done in a higher rep range (10-15) with shorter rest periods (1-2 minutes). If there are already 2 (or more) compound pressing exercises in this workout (which is usually how it should be), the triceps exercise will be an isolation movement (like cable pushdowns, skull crushers, etc.) in a higher rep range/shorter rest periods (10-15, 1-2 minutes). If however there is only one pressing exercise in this workout and the rest of the chest/shoulder work is isolation stuff (e.g. incline barbell press, flat dumbbell flyes and lateral raises), then this triceps exercise can optionally become a compound movement (like dips or close grip bench press). Sometimes stuff like shrugs or rear delt work can be included, too. But, that’s mostly just optional accessory stuff that is dependent on the individual needs/preferences of the person, so I tend to leave it off by default. The stuff above this is what matters most in an upper body workout designed for building muscle. From there it’s time to prescribe how many sets and reps will be done for each exercise. I like to start by first figuring out what the total volume for each muscle group should be in the workout, and then divide that volume up over whatever number of exercises each muscle group will have. This is one of those areas that is highly dependent on the individualization stuff we skipped over before, because volume tolerance can vary greatly from person to person. But, assuming once again that we’re talking about some average generic person, here’s what I’ve found to be optimal for most people. Chest volume: Between 30-60 total reps in this workout. Since there are 2 chest exercises, this amount will be divided up among those two exercises. Back volume: Between 30-60 total reps in this workout. Since there are 2 back exercises, this amount will be divided up among those two exercises. Biceps volume: Between 20-30 total reps in this workout. Since there is 1 biceps exercise, it will all come from this one exercise. Triceps volume: Between 20-30 total reps in this workout. Since there is 1 triceps exercise, it will all come from this one exercise. Yes, I’ve sometimes exceeded some of these volume ranges. Yes, I’ve sometimes gone below some of these volume ranges. Again, it depends. BUT, for most of the people, most of the time… these ranges are going to be the absolute sweet spot of effectiveness. More or less volume will increase the possibility of impeding progress. Now as for exactly how this total volume gets divided up when the muscle group has 2 exercises, see the details from step 1. Chest, back, chest, back, shoulders, arms. Back, chest, back, chest, shoulders, arms. Back, shoulders, back, chest, chest, arms. Back, chest, back, shoulders, chest, arms. Chest, chest, back, back, shoulders, arms. Back, Back, chest, chest, shoulders, arms. Chest, shoulders, back, chest, back, arms. Chest, back, shoulders, back, chest, arms. Shoulders, back, chest, back, chest, arms. More often than not though, I tend to go with one of the first 4 arrangements on this list. Why? Because by default, I tend to alternate pushing and pulling exercises throughout most (if not all) of the workout so everything gets a bit more of an equal training focus as opposed to doing everything for muscle group A first then everything for muscle group B after. Although again, I do like doing it other ways too. In fact, if you have The Best Workout Routines, then you’ve seen this in action in the form of a new version of The Muscle Building Workout Routine where other options on this list come into play. Regarding the arm exercises, they’ll almost always be thrown on at the end of the workout after all of the chest, back and shoulder training. There are occasions where this will change, but it’s pretty rare. As for the order of these arm exercises (biceps then triceps, or triceps then biceps?), that will depend on what exercise came before them. Again, I usually like to maintain the alternating push/pull (or pull/push) structure. So if the last exercise before arms was a back movement, it will probably be triceps then biceps. If it was a chest or shoulder pressing exercise, it will be biceps then triceps. However, if it was a chest or shoulder isolation exercise (like lateral raises or flyes), then it really doesn’t matter which goes first. Since this upper body workout will be part of an overall program that’s using an upper/lower split, there will usually be two upper body workouts per week. And while you CAN just repeat the same workout both times, I find most people will do better (not to mention… be much less bored by) having two different upper body workouts instead. Different in what way exactly? Anything from rep ranges and rest times to exercise selection and order. In that regard, I like to design that other workout using the exact same template we just went through… only with a lot of things flipped around. What I mean is, if pushing exercises came before pulling exercises, or triceps came before biceps, or movement pattern A came before movement pattern B, I like to reverse it in the other workout. I’ll often “flip” a lot of other things, too. For example, if the biceps exercise in one workout was a bilateral movement (like barbell curls), I’ll usually make the other a unilateral movement (like dumbbell curls). Same thing for triceps, and sometimes other muscle groups too. Another similar example would be that if the horizontal pulling exercise for back was done a little lighter, with higher reps and less rest than the vertical pulling exercise was in one workout, I’ll reverse that in the other workout. This is partly just a balance thing to ensure that everything gets an equal amount of training focus and attention. But it’s also because it allows different exercises and movement patterns to provide a different training stimulus for muscle growth than it did in the other workout. Not quite muscle confusion… just a slightly different version of the same template. What, you were expecting all of the SeCReTz in a single article? HA! Although, The Muscle Building Workout Routine (and/or The Best Workout Routines) + The Best Diet Plan pretty much has you covered. And Superior Muscle Growth, of course, REALLY has you covered. Will u do articles on the rest of the steps? If so, when can we expect them? Probably, but no idea when. As for HIIT, it’s a useful fat loss tool with its own pros and cons like any other form of training (and is another topic that needs a full article of its own to properly cover). After 2 weeks off, you should be coming back easier with weights that are a good bit lighter than you last left off lifting, and then gradually building back up. So maybe 75% of where you were previously at before the break, then 85% the next week, then 95%, etc. OK… I love this site and appreciate your time, effort and general ‘no nonsense’ approach (funny sometimes too). Since I found this website about two months ago, I’ve been doing the upper/lower split with most exercises in the 6-8 range and practicing progressive overload. I used to do a typical old school ‘bodybuilder’ workout. I like that the split hits everything twice in a week (and forces me to get up on Monday morning or it offsets my whole week). I understand push/pull balance, proper form, mind-muscle connection, etc. I varied the routine slightly from what you have in this article to alternate push/pull (1 set push, one set pull, one set push, etc.) creating a mini-circut. I THINK it produces the same results, just with less time resting (my ‘rest’ for bench presses is a set of pullups… then maybe one minute rest before the bench again). 1. Deadlifts – are these a push… a pull… or both? I THINK they are primarily a pull (hams, glutes), so in the program, I do front squats (push) and deadlifts (pull). Is this correct? 2. Abs – I work them on ‘Lower’ days (to fill the rest periods again creating a mini-circut). I do a bunch of different things (decl sit-ups, v-ups, wood chops, russian twists, renegade rows, etc…. throughout the two lower workouts, that is). My problem is unless I flex my abs, you can only see mild definition. My buddy at the gym blasts his abs daily, and his abs stand out significantly more (individual muscles are round, mine are flat-topped even when flexed)… and his body fat % is higher. Am I not working my abs hard enough (7 – 8 sets of 10 – 15 reps on each ‘lower’ day)? Am I doing the wrong exercises? Or am I just likely stuck with poor genetics… and keep doing what I am doing? 2. Like 99.9% of the questions that have ever been asked about abs in the history of mankind, the answer simply lose more body fat. I am not expert but I had a similar problem with my abs, I work them every 4th day on a schedule and do 10 minutes of various random abs exercises generated by an app I bought. It works great and my abs are rock hard, but were hard to see. It came down to losing fat but this is often confused with losing weight!!!! So I started shedding weight, but all that did was make me weaker in the gym and smaller on top, there was still flab on my abs. My “secret” trick…changed my diet. I track every single food I eat, I have a target intake of calories, protein and carbs. I eat clean, plain greek non fat yogurt, non fat milk with my protein shakes, no fried foods, no bread, rice, veggies, lots of fruits. I do not drink soda, I do not take any sugar like in my coffee and I avoid as much as I can any food that has sugar or fructose added…which is why I now eat plain greek yogurt and add my own fruit. The fruit kind had tons of sugar and fructose needlessly added. In short I made every calorie I ate as quality as I could. No empty cals, protein with every food and snack if possible. The result, my abs are popping, my waiste dropped another 2 inches from a 37 down to a 30 in under a year and my upper body is getting bigger and I am getting stronger. Just one mans approach…not sure it is right, but seems to be working for me. Marc, what r ur macronutrient ratios/grams? Can u post a sample of ur daily diet? I do not go to that level to be very honest. I just make smart food choices and track them using My Fitness Pal app. I was using the Daily Burn app, it had a great food database but was buggy as all hell. Salad with one tomato, cucumber, carrots and 4 to 6 ounces of chicken breast. Usually I will have an apple, strawberries and or a protein shake with water depending on where I am calorie and protein wise and whats coming up for dinner. Usually, 4 to 8 ounces of chicken breast with mixed veggies. Chicken and veggies are cooked with a little olive oil, maybe a teaspoon. I will add some brown rice, about two fist sizes, so about a cup cooked rice too. I will have a protein shake with or without milk depending on my total carb/protein and calorie needs for the day. I shoot for about 225 grams of protein and 2200 to 2500 calories per day. On work out days (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) I also have a post workout protein shake that contains 40g of carbs and 40g of protein, mixed with water. I enter this at the start of the day before I eat anything so I know it is included in my total intake for the day as I am eating, so that when I drink the shake it doesn’t push me way over the top based on the days food intake. That is about it. Nothing fancy. I will mix in pasta and steak or hamburger from time to time. Eggs are also eaten a lot, not just for breakfast, but I may have two eggs with a big salad for dinner too. I think I could do even better to be honest, but it is working for me so far. I focus on three areas, the main one being calories, then protein and then others like carbs, fat, salt, etc. If it looks like I am going over my targets in these areas, I adjust the rest of my eating for the day to eat foods low in those items, if I am short, then I adjust my foods to eat items that are high in those areas to keep it balanced. I too eat clean… and I track every calorie (livestrong.com). I shoot for 40%/25%/35% (Protein/Fat/Carbs). Staples of my diet are chicken, salmon, turkey, eggs, beans, almonds, whey and casein proteins, dextrose (post workout), apples, salad (mixed greens with red wine vinegar as the dressing). Aside from the proteins, I supplement Omega-3, Vitamin D, Glucosamine, and a good multi-vitamin. I track every rep in a notebook and I’m achieving mildly positive progressive overload, even though I am in my ‘cutting’ phase now and my goal has only been to maintain strength. Ab exercises, volume, frequency, etc. are something I have always struggled with. There’s too much information out there, with much of it contradicting (planks are #1 // planks are only good for beginners…. crunches are king // crunches do little for you… abs are ‘special’ muscles and can be worked daily // abs are no different than any other muscle and need a minimum 48 hour recovery… you must do 1000 reps per day // 100 reps per week is good… you get my point). I have read hundreds (if not thousands) of articles, blurbs, etc. and they all say something different. USUALLY, after that much research, you will gain some sort of consensus on SOME PARTS of it. Not so with abs… at least not in my experience. I’m not looking for some ‘perfect ab workout’… that’s silly. But I am looking for some answers. The author of this site has done an absolutely outstanding job at cutting through the fat and providing information that is clear, concise and effective for both diet and workout. I don’t think everybody fully understands how much time/effort he has given to this (my hat’s off to him with a big thank you). I get that abs are made in the kitchen, lose more body fat, etc. BUT when I do get to my summer ‘fighting weight’ every year, what if I haven’t worked those muscles properly? Are there staple exercises (for upper, lower, obliques)… or does one need to experiment to find the exercises where he/she will consistently experience ‘the burn’… or something else? Are upper and lower abs similar to upper and lower chest in that do you need to work them individually, or does the typical exercise work both with maybe a little emphasis on upper or lower? Thanks for the compliments dude. Yeah, one day I’ll get around to doing an ab training article that will cover all of this stuff. But, until then, it’s mostly a matter of just having a low enough body fat percentage. As long as you have that, you can train your abs twice a week doing whatever the hell you want for 10-15 minutes (which by the way is my default ab training recommendation) and it won’t really make any visual difference if you’re doing exercises A B and C or exercises X Y and Z. It’s the least important part. Your diet sounds close to mine actually. Of course I deviate from time to time and will supplement short falls in meals with QUALITY protein bars. I say quality because there are some real crap ones, like 500 calories for 5 grams of protein…the rest being sugar. I’m a big snacker of fruits and nuts as well. I was doing the balsamic vinegar for dressing too, but then I just skipped it and go naked on my salad. Sometimes lemon juice is nice. I do a multivitamin everyday along with 5mg of creatine which is misxed with my post workout drink, it is great with 40g of carbs, 40g of protein and 5mg of creatine all in one shake. As for abs, I stopped reading. Like I said, I have this app on my tablet, it has about 20 or 30 different ab exercises in it, and it randomly picks ten each time for one minute each. So I do ten minutes of abs every 4 days which is about twice a week. For me…and I do not know if this is right or not, but I find I get more from variety than doing the same thing all the time. So for abs, I like the fact that each time the exercises are different, it lets you hit the muscles differently. Same with the gym, I may do flat bar bench presses for a few weeks to a few months, then change it up and do barbells for a while, then jump on a machine for a while. I do not care about the “weight” so to speak. Meaning, I max out and try to improve weight/reps each time, but I think changing the motions up, using different equipment from time to time offers me a better workout. Wonder if there is any science to this or it is all in my head. I should add portion control plays a huge part in this. It is not enough to eat smart, but eating the right sized portions of any food is important IMHO. Fantastic, Jay! I barely have a clue and just joined a gym three weeks ago, starting with personal trainer next week. I enjoy what/how you write; it’s very straight forward, understandable for someone like me whose just learning. Thank you! This is very helpful for me right now. I was thinking on training chest twice per week (Yeah I know, shame on me!) but after reading more in your site I decided to change my workout to an upper/lower split. I was thinking in focusing in my upper body doing UPPER (Monday)/LOWER (Tuesday)/UPPER(Thursday) for all weeks. Would be it a good approach considering that my legs usually take more to recover? It’s a workable option if it suits your needs and goals. If you’re interested, I actually cover this split in detail in The Best Workout Routines (and include a full program for it… Upper Body Focused Training). Great article, helped me a lot. Keep up the good work Jay. Sure, it could work assuming everything else is done right and the volume for those exercises falls within a sane range. Having said that, it wouldn’t really be my first choice for pull day exercise selection. Hello Jay, I would love to hear your opinion on the so called ”5×5 workout routine”! Cheers, keep up the great work! Depends what you mean… there’s a ton of different programs that use 5×5 in them. Some are better than others. Unless you just mean the set/rep scheme of 5×5 in general, in which case I’d say it’s as good as any other similar set/rep scheme in a similar rep range with a similar amount of volume. Nothing especially magical about it. Just a useful training tool like any other, especially if you’re a bit more interested in strength than growth. Thanks for your answer buddy, I’m more interested in growth atm so I will skip the 5×5 for now. Your site is great,keep up the great work! Hi! As you mentioned before, benching pressing with the elbows flared out “bodybuilder style is potentially problematic for the shoulder, but what about the opposite? The rear dealt row as a horizontal pulling choice with the elbows flared out…is this unwise? Even though it may be an effective way to target the rotator cuffs? If so I may replace them with traditional underhand rows or keep everything at a neutral grip to be extra safe. Flaring out the elbows for rear delt training is fine assuming it feels alright for you. I’d make sure form is kept strict and wouldn’t recommending going super heavy/low reps, though. Thanks! In that case, the rear delt row should be treated like an isolation exercise (even though its a compound one), meaning keeping it in the 10 to 15 rep range, slow and controlled, never explosively, right? Yup, I’d keep most rear delt work a bit lighter and in higher rep ranges. They are not really exercises suited for trying to get super strong. It seems as though I feel safer only using explosive/faster tempo on compound exercises that are “closed chained movements” (having my hands or feet in a fixed position. such as pull ups, pushups, squats, etc…). Am I right in thinking close chain movements are better for progression as oppose to open chain movements? I wouldn’t say it has much to do with closed/open chain… but really just compound exercises vs isolation exercises in general. The more muscle groups involved (and the bigger those muscle groups are), the better and more consistent progression will usually go. So squats, deadlifts, various chest and shoulder presses, rows, pull-ups/pull-downs vs exercises like curls, tricep extensions, leg extensions, chest flyes. Instead of adding rear delt flys after my 2 compound back exercises, can I do the rear delt rows instead? That would created 3 compound pulling exercises (2 for back and one for shoulder on a Push/Legs/Pull Spilt (Option A). The only fkys I like are Lateral Raises on a PUSH day. I hate reverse flys and chest flys. Never mind. I forgot the rear delts get enough indirect volume from 2 compound pulling exercises, which means a direct rear delt exercise after a verticall pull and a horizontal pull is over kill. The rear delts do get a good bit of indirect volume during most back exercises, but a small amount of some direct work like rear delt flyes, face pulls, band pull-aparts and that sort of thing can be included as well. is the front raise really that unnecessary? i thought it was a good rotator cuff exercise. Nope. The anterior delts already get too much volume in most people’s routines that adding MORE anterior delt work in the form of front raises will likely just increase the risk of shoulder problems. I want to give it a try to the building muscle routine which sounds awesome. I was wondering if it is ok to replace RDL with conventional deadlift as i am more comfortable with that way of deadlifting since I’ve been doing it for years. It’s possible that can work, but the RDL fits much better in this program in my opinion, and the conventional deadlift could be problematic due to overlap with the upper body. At the top in step 1 you say low reps like 5 through 8 or 10. And then in volume you get 30 through 60, what do you mean by that? Hey i read those links but i am confused as Daniel, you mention only 1 bicep excercise in the workout and that of 10-15 rep range then how is supposed to reach the recommended 20-30 reps per workout , similarly of the 2 chest exercises you mentioned in this article, one of low rep range and one of high rep range and hence total reps possible is 20-24, then how to reach the recommended 30-60 rep range goal? One chest exercise is let’s say 3×6-8 and the other is 3×8-10. Add the combined total volume up and you get 30-60 total reps for chest in this workout. As for the biceps exercise… do 2 sets of 12 and you have 24 reps. What’s so confusing? Any word on the lower body template? Sir, yours is (for the newbie) THE SINGLE MOST COMPELLING MUSCLE-BUILDING WEB SITE RESOURCE, EVER!!. Sorry for the caps locks, but I have been awe-inspired by such compelling and nuanced advice, predicated on logic of physiology. Your approach has given me confidence and motivation to finally kick-start my foray in to muscle-building. I thrive on research and analysis and thus being able to make an informed decision; hence, your information certainly allows for this. I have been “mesmerized” by your analysis. Thank you. Ha, nice use of caps lock… glad you liked it! I am about to begin the muscle building routine (been training for 5 months religiously). What is your opinion about performing the sumo deadlift instead of the RDL? So, even if i tweak the movement to be sumo instead of conventional it still works (and overlaps) the same muscles as the conventional style? Hey! What are your opinions on bodyweight exercises? I find them really functional, so what is your opinion in putting them in your muscle building routine? but on off days? I mostly looking to do pushups/chin-ups on days I do not work my upper body, none of them will be done to failure, would that interfere with your program/recovery? I’m 18 years old, and my nutrition is in check. Making a chest exercise in the program push-ups and a vertical pulling movement in the program pull-ups is perfectly fine if you happen to like those exercises. But adding them in addition to the program on off days? Definitely not something I’d recommend. Not only for recovery, but for joint and tendon health. Your body needs rest to grow, progress and stay healthy. Every stuff like this would only cut into that. But honestly, if you’re a beginner, you’ll do better with a beginner routine. At least for a little while. 1. I’m a big fan of rings for stuff like pull-ups, but more gymnastic type training isn’t something I have a ton of experience with. 2. Depends on goals. For strength is can be awesome. Check out Wendler’s 5-3-1 program. 3. Already got you covered. Read this one. I just started going to gym. I have an average body built at 72.8kg. NOt thin, Not fat. The fitness gym gave me a program and I hope you can share me your opinion if my workout program is atleast affective. My goal is to build muscle.(but not that body builder looks.) I am doing the following mostly machine exercises in order: treadmill 5 minutes, Assisted Pull-ups 3×12, leg press 3×12, 2 types of machine chest press each at 3×12, lat pull down machine 3×12, shoulder press machine 3×12, alternate dumbell curl 3×20 and bench dips 3×12 and treadmill 10minutes. ARe machine exercises effective or should i start picking up the bar bell and do free weights?im about one month now doing these exercises. Read this guide from beginning to end. It will answer all of your questions. Hi Jay, I have a question, if u were to make a lower body workout without thinking too much about it (don’t wanna waste your time), what would it be? Needs a full article. This is one example of how it can be done. First of all congrats for the amazing website (best I ever read and I keep coming back) and thanks for the generosity sharing your knowledge! My question is about getting bigger arms (but not the same question you must get every day). I totally understand that training the larger groups, such as chest and back, via compound exercises is the most important thing in reaching that goal, and isolation exercises are a nice plus. The thing is I have a body type with a very large back, very broad shoulders and large chest as well. On the other hand, I have very long and not so strong arms. So I was wondering if it is possible to get bigger arms without adding too much size to my already large back and chest. I’ve been training for a while and back and chest tend to grow more easily than arms, so I don’t feel I’m reducing that gap. Do you think I should have a different approach to reaching a more balanced body? I understand it is quite a specific question (and I don’t imagine there is any definitive answer for it), so any thoughts or insights would be truly appreciated. If you’re happy with the rest of your body and don’t really want to improve it any further, and your arms are the main/only body part you want to focus on… some kind of arm specialization program would be ideal. Hey there. Haven’t found a “The LOWER Body Workout Template For Building Muscle”. Do you have one. The thing is that every body talks about upper body. I want something to build big legs. Any recommendation? Nope, not yet… but it is on my article to-do list. I plan on following this template for my workout routine to build muscle, although on days I do not lift, and even some days I do lift I like to play tennis or soccer and that gives a good cardio workout. I want to gain muscle but I like to play sports too, and I do not know how these cardio workouts will affect my results. My question is will this affect my muscle gain if I do that while following this template? Any advice on what I should do? Read this one, specifically the second half. Hey, I am currently doing the upper lower body split. Monday Tuesday, rest, Thursday Friday, rest. This week I’m not going to have a gym available to me for upper body workout B. Should I substitute with a workout at home and continue with lower body B on Friday or skip the workout and do a full body on Friday? (Can’t workout on Saturday either) thx! If you can do a sufficient enough workout at home on that day, definitely do that. I’d recommend some type of basic beginner routine. If the workouts are starting to look like what’s described in this article, then it certainly isn’t something that would fit that “basic beginner routine” description. Could you briefly expand a little on the way you set up lower body days? I’ve noticed that you prescribe the same volume for quads and hamstrings despite the fact that quads are a bigger muscle group+ hamstrings get some indirect volume from compound work. I know you have injury reasons in mind but would you consider replacing one of the leg curls with leg extensions on one lower body day? Sorry dude, this is way too complicated to explain in a quick comment, but I’m still planning on writing an article covering all of it at some point. What about a template for “lower body routine”? Any article covering the lower body is one of the many topics of my to-do list. No questions – just want to say: great site! Never really being far away from gym (not a bodybuilder – more an athlete) and being in my own opinion pretty well informed and aware what i was doing now I’m coming back soon to gym after few years off (surgery, etc) – but doing way more research involved in it this time – with experience and passing years i see it has to be done properly instead of just briefly – saves time and effort. I used to like whole body routines – gave me ok results before.. i guess i will start with something similar this time as well but later progress to upper/lower split having limited time to workout during a week. Again – great site. Thanks a lot for an effort and good luck with book – sure it’s worth any money to anyone looking for a serious guide! sir i am following the upper lower split recommended by you for a couple of months now and thanks to you i have gained good mass but my shoulders are not improving.What do you suggest? Give it more time, muscle growth is an extremely slow process. A couple of months is nothing. A lot of really helpful information on your site, been getting me to change up some of my ideas. I had been doing a very high volume push pull legs workout (each once a week) plus an upper body body weight exercises day. However, i found that I plateaued and couldn’t move from it. My main goal is to get stronger, I’d love to build some muscles/put on some weight too if possible- and I’m keeping sleep and diet in check to do so, therefore my question would just be whether you would advise I used fewer types of exercise on each training day? Or less sets/reps maybe? Otherwise, based on what I’ve read and my preferences I was looking at something along the lines of: Bench press 5 sets x 5 reps, Incline press 3-4 x 6-8, Barbell rows 4-5 x 5-6, Lat pull downs 3-4 x 6-8, Barbell shoulder press 4-5 x 5, tricep rope 3-4 x 6-10 and hammer curls 3-4 x 6-10. (I have not decided on this order by the way.) My only concern is that this seems like quite a lot of repetitions for improving strength mainly. Should I cut some of the isolation exercises out all together maybe? Or decrease sets/repetitions? Would really love your opinion. Sorry man, see #1 here. I am a female and want to start your 3 day split version but with a modification. Can I do one Upper body and 2 Lower body in a week and repeat that every week? If you want to focus primarily on lower body and don’t mind less/slower upper body progress, then yes. My book actually has a program in it called Lower Body Focused Training which is designed for this purpose. Will there ever be a lower body template by any chance? It’s still on my to-do list… I’ll get to it eventually, I promise.
2019-04-23T02:56:25Z
https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/upper-body-template/
EnviroReporter.com has in-depth databases of information from Spring 2011 to the present including Radiation Station Stats along with food and drink radiation testing from over a dozen nations in Radiation Food Lab. We have been measuring in CPM because it is easier for most people to see the difference in radiation levels. The baseline external radiation background we’ve established for this location is 42 to 46 CPM which equals 0.012 to 0.013 mR/hr. Note that none of our readings at Radiation Station Santa Monica California [RSSMC] are impacted by radon progeny as we discuss in Beta Watch. February 14, 2019 walking gamma inspections of rain in Santa Monica yield no radiation over background. 4:55 pm INT RSSMC HEPA FILTER DUST FROM 3 MACHINES FOR 18 DAYS: 165.4 CPM^^ OR 4.39 TIMES BACKGROUND. Over 6 times higher on per day average than previous HEPA dust measuring period. 7:40 pm EST Southwest Michigan 1st floor room SNOW: 211.4 CPM^ or 5.67 TIMES BACKGROUND, NEARLY DOUBLE THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL’S THRESH HOLD OF THREE TIMES BACKGROUND TO INITIATE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROTOCOLS. 10:55 pm EXT RSSMC: 49.2 CPM^^ WHICH IS BACKGROUND AND NOT SURPRISING SINCE THE SMOKE OF THE ROCKETDYNE FIRE HAD NOT YET BLOWN EASTWARD TOWARDS SANTA MONICA AND THE LOS ANGELES BASIN. 11:15 am INT RSSMC CHECKING FOR BETA TESTING DUST AGGREGATE FROM 2 HEPA FILTER IONIZING AIR CLEANERS: 62.1 CPM^^ OR 37.4% ABOVE BACKGROUND. 9:15 pm INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA CA RAIN SAMPLE FROM STORM: 47.4 CPM^^ or normal background with no radon progeny/daughters per usual. 6:45 pm INT RSSMC CHECKING FOR BETA TESTING DUST AGGREGATE FROM 3 HEPA FILTER IONIZING AIR CLEANERS: 55.1 CPM^^ OR ONLY 27.3% ABOVE BACKGROUND in six weeks aggregate. 6:00 pm EDST INT FRANKFORT MICHIGAN FIRST STORY ROOM WEST SHORE LAKE MICHIGAN WATER SAMPLE: 31.4 CPM^^ or normal background. 11:10 pm EDST INT MANISTIQUE MICHIGAN SECOND STORY ROOM NORTH SHORE LAKE MICHIGAN WATER SAMPLE: 29.7 CPM^^ or normal background. 11:25 am EDST INT HANCOCK MICHIGAN SECOND STORY ROOM KEEWANAW WATERWAY WATER SAMPLE: 32.3 CPM^^ or normal background. 11:30 am EDST INT MARQUETTE MICHIGAN THIRD STORY ROOM RAIN SAMPLE: 116.4 CPM^^ OR 3.8 TIMES BACKGROUND. According to documentation reported on by EnviroReporter.com, the California Highway Patrol considers any material or situation over 3.0 times background to be the triggering level for a hazardous materials incident. This reading is so hot it is 26.7% OVER this CHP Haz-Mat tripwire. 11:15 am EDST INT MARQUETTE MICHIGAN THIRD STORY ROOM LAKE SUPERIOR WATER SAMPLE: 34.6 CPM^^ or normal background. 12:35 am EDST INT ST. IGNACE MICHIGAN FIRST STORY ROOM LAKE HURON WATER SAMPLE: 29.6 CPM^^ or normal background. 8:15 am INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA CA RAIN SAMPLE: 36.6 CPM^^ or normal background. 6:00 pm INT RSSMC CHECKING FOR BETA TESTING DUST AGGREGATE FROM 3 HEPA FILTER IONIZING AIR CLEANERS: 93.0 CPM^^ OR 2.4 TIMES BACKGROUND in seven weeks aggregate. 10:20 pm INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA CA PACIFIC OCEAN SAMPLE FROM SANTA MONICA BAY IN PACIFIC PALISADES: 44.6 CPM^^ or normal background. 4:35 pm INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA CA RAIN SAMPLE: 40.1 CPM^^ or normal background. 4:05 pm INT RSSMC CHECKING FOR BETA TESTING DUST AGGREGATE FROM 3 HEPA FILTER IONIZING AIR CLEANERS: 87.0 CPM^^ OR 2.1 TIMES BACKGROUND in five weeks aggregate. 4:10 pm INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA CA RAIN SAMPLE FROM SECOND MAJOR BAND OF “PINEAPPLE EXPRESS” STORM: 42.1 CPM^^ or normal background with no radon progeny per usual. 4:10 pm INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA CA RAIN SAMPLE FROM “PINEAPPLE EXPRESS” STORM: 38.5 CPM^^ or normal background with no radon progeny per usual. 8:10 pm INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA CA RAIN SAMPLE: 38.5 CPM^^ or normal background. 12:20 am INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA CA RAIN SAMPLE: 44.3 CPM^^ or normal background. 6:30 pm INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA CA RAIN SAMPLE: 41.1 CPM^^ or normal background. 12:25 am INT Building: 50.0 CPM^^ or 18.8% more than immediate prior background. This exceeds the Inspector’s +/- margin of error of 15%. While possible, it is unlikely that radon gas had much to do with the elevated reading as it was very windy and this part of California has low potential for significant radiation. 6:25 pm INT RSSMC CHECKING FOR BETA TESTING DUST AGGREGATE FROM 3 HEPA FILTER IONIZING AIR CLEANERS: 143.3 CPM^^ OR 3.2 TIMES BACKGROUND in seven weeks aggregate. 4:35 pm INT RSSMC CHECKING FOR BETA TESTING DUST AGGREGATE FROM 3 HEPA FILTER IONIZING AIR CLEANERS: 171.3 CPM^^ OR 4.1 TIMES BACKGROUND in three weeks aggregate. 5:30 pm INT RSSMC CHECKING FOR BETA TESTING DUST AGGREGATE FROM 3 HEPA FILTER IONIZING AIR CLEANERS: 119.6 CPM^^ OR 2.7 TIMES BACKGROUND in five weeks aggregate. 2:45 pm INT RSSMC CHECKING FOR BETA TESTING DUST AGGREGATE FROM 3 HEPA FILTER IONIZING AIR CLEANERS: 179.5 CPM^^ OR 4.3 TIMES BACKGROUND in six weeks aggregate over doubling last units’ measurement. 12:16 am EDST INT MANITOWOC WI 3RD FLOOR ROOM RAIN SAMPLE: 81.8 CPM^ OR 55% ABOVE BACKGROUND. WAS NOT RADON DECAY AS ENVIROREPORTER.COM “BETA WATCH” MAP OF U.S. RADON DISTRIBUTION SHOWS. 9:20 am INT RSSMC RAIN: 43.7 CPM^ or background radiation levels from “June Gloom” light late season misty rain event. Note, once again, that radon progeny (daughters) do not affect RSSMC’s rain readings one way or the other. 3:15 pm INT RSSMC CHECKING FOR BETA TESTING DUST AGGREGATE FROM 3 HEPA FILTER IONIZING AIR CLEANERS: 90.0 CPM^^ OR 2.4 TIMES BACKGROUND again! 8:30 am EST INT Southwest Michigan 1st floor room FRESH SNOW SAMPLE: 55.7 CPM^ or 36.9% above background This Lake-effect snow was not impacted by radon progeny as it was generated in the waters of Lake Michigan to the west of the sampling site location. That suggests the possibility that the lake water may have been the source. The Palisades Nuclear Generating Station sits about 40 miles west of the testing site and has a history of problems though it was recently announced it would be shuttered in 2018, much to the relief of many Michiganders. By going offline, the plant will no longer be in danger of meltdown due to accident, disaster or terrorism but its spent fuel pools will have to be maintained for decades. Then there’s the questions surrounding leaks of radiation into the lake itself getting into Lake-effect snow. 8:30 am EST INT Southwest Michigan 1st floor room SNOW SAMPLE: 38.8 CPM^ This reading is notable in that the snow was freshly fallen and was exactly background, a rarity in itself statistically. 9:00 am INT RSSMC QUICK STRONG RAIN sample: 43.0 CPM^ which is exactly background therefore revealing no Pacific-borne Fukushima radiation or radon progeny. 11:00 am INT RSSMC OCEAN MIST DEW: 40.5 CPM^ or BACKGROUND. Ocean mist dew is an excellent medium in which to test for possible Fukushima radiation in Pacific waters. Michael Collins doing walkover gamma survey of former Big Rock Point nuclear power plant near Charlevoix, Michigan. ~7:00 am INT JET @ 37,000 feet over mid Arizona: 1,038 CPM* – SAME reading as December 23, 2011. 37.3 times ground background. 12:05 pm INT RSSMC SANTA MONICA LIGHT MORNING RAIN: 40.9 CPM^^ or BACKGROUND – Note that, once again, RSSMC’s rain testing is NOT impacted by radon progeny, therefore all our rain readings above background aren’t either. 8:15 am INT RSSMC RAIN SAMPLE: 40.0 CPM^^ which is less than subsequent background, most likely a function of water’s natural radiation-blocking properties. 5:20 pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filte from June 1 or 49 days minus five non-operational days totals 44 days: 51.7 CPM^^ which is background. This is an astonishing reading. It not only shows a long period of beta-free air but reinforces fact that high readings, such as the alpha-heavy last period ending June 1, 2015, are very troublesome and equally accurate. This is our first recorded HEPA dust test coming in at background in over four years of such sampling and testing. 9:35 pm SAME RAIN SAMPLE IN PLASTIC BAG: 43.8 CPM^^ or 5.1 CPM alpha radiation. Alpha makes up 52.6% of overage. 8:00 pm SAME RAIN SAMPLE IN PLASTIC BAG: 63.3 CPM^^ or 5.7 CPM alpha radiation. Alpha makes up 21.9% of overage. 4:55 pm SAME RAIN SAMPLE IN PLASTIC BAG: 54.1 CPM^^ or 14.1 CPM alpha radiation ALPHA ALONE 34.8% HIGHER THAN BACKGROUND. Alpha makes up 50.9% of overage and is not the product of radon daughters/progeny as proved in Beta Watch. 12:40 pm INT SAME HEPA DUST IN PLASTIC BAG – ALPHA TEST: 64.8 CPM^^ which suggests strong alpha radiation presence. A plastic bag will block alpha radiation meaning that of the background overage, beta was [64.8 – 41.5 =] 23.3 CPM^^. The total amount over background was [134.7 – 41.5=] 93.2 CPM^^. The amount of alpha radiation detected was this total minus the beta component of it [93.2 – 23.3 =] 69.9 CPM^^ The ALPHA RADIATION ALONE IS 168.4% OF BACKGROUND HIGHER which is astonishing. 12:10 pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter from May 20 to today, or 43 days total: 134.7 CPM^^ which is 2.25 TIMES BACKGROUND HIGHER In just 61% of the time of the last period, the sample was 2.88 times higher over background than in the prior period. 4:45 pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter from March 11 to today, or 70 days total: 68.1 CPM^^ which is 78.8% ABOVE BACKGROUND which is just 20% of the radiation over background from the last period which was half as many days. This is a welcome reading and result. Below are five different Pacific Ocean measurements that were taken between March 6 and March 21, 2015. From north to south, Carmel River State Beach to Topanga State Beach, is a distance of over 300 miles. Three samples from Topanga State Beach, Latigo Canyon beach and Sycamore Canyon Beach were tested wet from sampling towels dipped into the Pacific and then allowed to naturally dry over three days and retested. All six tests for these three sites came in at or below background. It is important to note that natural radiation in Pacific Ocean samples we tested did not register above background. This is crucial information as it will impact discussion of future Pacific Ocean tests at these sites that come in significantly over background. In other words, any future overages will not be able to be dismissed as the water’s “natural” radioactive content. 9:30 pm INT West Los Angeles Basin RAIN SAMPLE: 89.4 CPM^^ which is 2.2 TIMES BACKGROUND. Aberrent storm system came in over Radiation Station Santa Monica from the northeast, which was unusual. So is the significantly higher than normal reading. 5:00 pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter from February 7, 2015 to today, or 33 days total: 176.9 CPM^^ which is 3.9 TIMES BACKGROUND HIGHER. 5:00 pm Jan. 30 INT RSSMC RAIN SAMPLE #2: 41.1 CPM^^ over a ten minute average. 4:30 pm INT WEST LOS ANGELES BASIN RAIN SAMPLE: 45.3 CPM^^ or 7.1% above background which is less than the Inspector’s +/-15% conservative margin of accuracy meaning this rain contained no additional radiation. It also demonstrates how, as always, radon progeny/daughters do not impact readings at Radiation Station Santa Monica CA. 1:30 pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter from January 10, 2015 to today, or 28 days total: 116.8 CPM^^ which is 2.8 TIMES BACKGROUND HIGHER. 4:00 pm: RSSMC INT RAIN SAMPLE #2: 131.7 CPM^^ which is 3.3 times BACKGROUND which is HAZARDOUS. As previously reported, California Highway Patrol considers anything over 3 times background to be a tripwire for a HazMat (hazardous materials) situation necessitating appropriate protective protocols. Keep children and pregnant women from directly being exposed to this rain shower. Wet clothes should be taken off once at home and washed normally. This is the first really hot rain in Los Angeles in a while. Act appropriately. 3:40 pm: RSSMC INT RAIN SAMPLE: 107.7 CPM^^ which is 2.7 times BACKGROUND. Radiation Station Santa Monica California is not impacted by radon progeny/daughters as we have noted, shown and proved multiple times since March 15, 2011 when our Fukushima fallout-oriented multi-media radiation testing began. 6:35 pm: RSSMC INT RAIN SAMPLE: 47.2 CPM^^ which is well within the Inspector’s conservative +/-15% margin meaning the rain is at BACKGROUND. This also shows, once again, that Radiation Station Santa Monica California is not impacted by radon progeny/daughters as we have noted, shown and proved multiple times since March 15, 2011 when our Fukushima fallout-oriented multi-media radiation testing began. 1:25 pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter from November 18, 2014 minus 10 days on rad investigation across country and in Southwest Michigan, or 42 days total: 399.9 CPM which is 10.1 TIMES BACKGROUND HIGHER than background. The EPA’s Los Angeles beta station has been down though other California stations show high beta radiation, especially Bakersfield and Fresno (whose RadNet monitor is now not functioning). 1:00 pm INT WEST LOS ANGELES BASIN RAIN SAMPLE: 45.8 CPM^^ or 15.4% above background which is negligible. 4:40 pm EST INT SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN ROOM RAIN SAMPLE: 70.5 CPM^^ which is 44.8% OVER BACKGROUND and could have been radon progeny. 9:50 am INT RAIN REMNANT SAMPLE: 45.3 CPM^^ which is 14.4% above background, which is within the Inspector’s +/- 15% margin of error meaning the sample reads at background. 8:35 pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter from October 7 minus 13 days on rad investigation in Death Valley, or 28 days total: 163.2 CPM which is 255% HIGHER than background. Compare this to the last 31-day period, where the same sampling took place yielding the same amount of material from the three machines, and the per day increase in beta and gamma radiation in the sample ROSE FOUR TIMES. The last period was also double the radiation of the period before meaning this AUTUMN HEPA DUST IS EIGHT TIMES HIGHER THAN LATE SUMMER SAMPLING. The radiation in Los Angeles Basin dust, not impacted by radon progeny here at Radiation Station Santa Monica, is eight times hotter now than in September. All the while, the EPA’s Los Angeles beta station has been down though other California stations show high beta radiation, especially San Diego. 1:50 pm EXT Death Valley BG at 689′ elevation (in shade and not direct Sun where the temperature hit 128 degrees Fahrenheit): 75.2 CPM. This was in the northern main valley in Death Valley called Mesquite Flat. Spot checks revealed that background in Mesquite Flat was nearly double that of the southern main valley in Badwater Basin. Our speculation is that the northern valley was impacted more by fallout from the Nevada Test Site less than 100 miles due east. EnviroReporter.com took numerous interior and exterior spot readings, as well as carefully checking food and drink products as recorded in Eat Me. All tested normal except for a puddle of rain which was 50% above background, significant because water retards ionization making it harder to detect. We missed Death Valley rains unlike last year when the heavy precipitation was dozens of times background as we documented in Boreas Storm Packs Radioactive Punch. 9:25 pm INT OCEAN MIST DEW FROM SANTA MONICA BAY TAKEN 2 KM INLAND: 45.7 CPM^^ which is background (and very good news). 5:45 pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter and an exhaust fan’s blade dust buildup: 69.6 CPM^^ which is 64.9% HIGHER than background over a 31 day period. The last 35-day period was less than 43.6% above background September 8. 5:55 pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter and an exhaust fan’s blade dust buildup: 59.9 CPM^^ which is 43.6% HIGHER than background over a 35 day period. The last 17-day period was less than 14% above background August 4. CONCLUSIONS: With dry sand coming in above BG but wet coming in below BG, our conclusion was that all was at background and Sea of Fuku Goo has not yet impacted this Southern California beach. 6:40 pm INT SOIL SAMPLE FROM SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN HIDDEN FROM THE ELEMENTS SINCE THE 1960s in double plastic bags: 55.4 CPM which is slightly above background which is indicative of the natural thorium and/or uranium in most soils. Test conducted to establish a background soil to measure against future Southwest Michigan soils impacted by precipitation perhaps impacted by rains tainted with Fukushima triple meltdowns fallout. 11:50 am INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter and an exhaust fan’s blade dust buildup: 45.3 CPM^^ which is 13.8% HIGHER than background over a 17 day period. This means it read at background as the Inspector’s conservative margin of error is +/-15%. 4:10 pm RAIN gathered 0.5 to 1.0 hours of deposition: 45.8 CPM^^^ or essentially background at 15.1% which is the conservative limit of the Inspector’s margin of error, =/-15%. 11:16 pm RAIN: 51.6 cpm^^^ which is 31.6% HIGHER THAN BACKGROUND which is not enough in excess of the background to be of significance according to us. 11:00 pm KELP gathered by waterside in Playa Del Rey, California with Denise Anne & tested at Radiation Station Santa Monica: 48.2 CPM^^^ which is 23.0% HIGHER THAN BACKGROUND but is considered insignificant by us because of the ‘natural’ radiation inherent in the plant. 6:00pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters, one Ionizer/HEPA filter and an exhaust fan’s blade dust buildup: 74.6 CPM^^ which is 64.7% HIGHER than background over a 31 day period. This is over 25% higher per day as the previous period that ended June 16, 2014. Los Angeles RadNet beta station still not functioning after working for three years after the Fukushima triple meltdowns began. 1:00pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer/HEPA filter: 69.3 CPM^^ which is 48.1% HIGHER than background over a 27 day period. This is lower than previous period that ended May 19, 2014. Los Angeles RadNet beta station still not functioning. 3:11pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer/HEPA filter: 65.0 CPM^^ which is 48.4% HIGHER than background over a 25 day period. This is lower than previous period that ended April 25, 2014. Los Angeles RadNet beta station still not functioning. 10:20am RAIN SAMPLE: 45.2 CPM^^ which is BACKGROUND. Again, note how radon daughters (progeny) would show up in this sample if it were present, and it isn’t. No rain samples taken at Radiation Station Santa Monica are impacted by radon progeny meaning anything over background of significance is not impacted by these phenomena. 4:40pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer/HEPA filter: 97.4^^ CPM^^ which is 116% HIGHER than background over a 44 day period. This is lower than previous period that ended March 12, 2014. US EPA RadNet Los Angeles beta monitor has ground to a halt providing accurate data. The second largest metropolitan in the United States is flying beta blind to the man-made radionuclides spewing into the Pacific from Fukushima then made airborne in choppy seas to become clouds then rain. All heading towards the West Coast including Los Angeles. RadNet stations in San Bernadino and Riverside are operating, thankfully, and show high beta readings but nothing like places like Amarillo Texas. Radiation Station Santa Monica down temporarily for routine maintenance. 10:20am RAIN SAMPLE: 49.4 CPM^^ which is 15.7% HIGHER THAN BACKGROUND which is above the Inspector’s +/- 15% margin of error meaning it is a valid measurement and slightly above background. EnviroReporter.com considers this negligible. 10:20am RAIN SAMPLE: 41.9 CPM^^ meaning background. Again see that there is no evidence, per usual, of any radon progeny impacting our readings. No readings performed at this site have been or will be affected by radon daughters. 10:15am RAIN SAMPLE: 45.1 CPM^^ meaning background. Again see that there is no evidence, per usual, of any radon progeny impacting our readings. 9:00pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer/HEPA filter: 124.9 CPM^^ which is 184.5% HIGHER than background over a 57 day period. This is 1.6 times HIGHER per day than previous period that ended Jan. 12, 2014. 12:30pm INT SANTA MONICA/WEST LOS ANGELES BASIN RAIN SAMPLE: 47.1 CPM^^ which is background. No indication of radon progeny/daughters, per usual. 10:45am: INT SANTA MONICA/WEST LOS ANGELES BASIN RAIN SAMPLE: 46.6 CPM^^ which is background. No indication of radon progeny/daughters, again. 9:40pm INT SANTA MONICA/WEST LOS ANGELES BASIN RAIN SAMPLE: 42.5 CPM^^ which is background. Note that, as always here at RSSM, there is no indication of radon progeny/daughters. Note that when we do have overages here that radon progeny is not a factor as we have reported and discussed repeatedly. 6:10pm INT WEST LOS ANGELES BASIN RAIN SAMPLE: 44.8 CPM which is within the Inspector Alert’s +/- margin of error therefore meaning NORMAL BACKGROUND. But as we noted in our February 2 entry – no radon progeny. IF there had been so-called ‘radon daughters’ or decay products of radon, it would have registered in this rain, the beginning of a rare night of precipitation in the Los Angeles Basin. 7:00pm INT SANTA MONICA/WEST LOS ANGELES BASIN RAIN SAMPLE: 54.8 CPM^^ which is 19.4% HIGHER THAN BACKGROUND. This is a valid reading because it exceeds the Inspector Alert’s conservative +/-15% margin of error. However, this near background rain reading, like many before it that thankfully came in flatlining, illustrate a scientific point lost on Fukushima deniers: no radon progeny (daughters) is being detected or the samples from tonight and January 30, for example, or they would have had higher readings. The rain in Santa Monica and the Los Angeles Basin are not impacted by radon at all past an inconsequential amount. This radon potential map shows why, a fact we wrote about in the February 20, 2012 of the expose Beta Watch. So what’s the point in noting, once again, nothing over background? It’s to show the value of naught, zero, nothing. Radon progeny doesn’t generally impact the Golden State as this California radon map shows. With over 3,400 radiation tests at Radiation Station Santa Monica alone, we’ve measure ‘naught’ over background many times. What this all means it crucial to understanding the importance of our measurements: when we do hit something, like we did in Death Valley big time, we are hitting radiation coming from a source other than radon or natural background. Odds are that source is the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan with three ongoing and out of control nuclear meltdowns in progress. When our next Fukushima expose hits the virtual newsstands any day now, you’ll see why we are dealing with this radon daughter nonsense right now. Our exclusive discoveries are considerably hotter and more troubling than anything you’ve read anywhere that has been detected in the U.S. this year. 6:20pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer/HEPA filter: 81.9 CPM^^ which is 81.6% HIGHER than background over a 40 day period. 11:15am INT RAIN SAMPLE RSSM: 45.0 CPM^ = BACKGROUND/NORMAL but also illustrates that as we reported in Beta Watch, radon progeny/daughters do NOT impact Radiation Station Santa Monica rain/HEPA dust readings or they would have shown up in this sampling and detecting. 7:35pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer/HEPA filter: 103.7 CPM^ which is 232% HIGHER than background over a 72 day period. 9:40pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer/HEPA filter FROM 8/31/13 to 9/09/13: 66.9 CPM^ which is 51.4% HIGHER than background over a 41 day period. 10:25am INT BG SM Comfort Inn Room 709 RAIN SAMPLE: 70.6 CPM^ which is 53% HIGHER THAN BACKGROUND from storm directly from dipping jet stream. 5:30pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer FROM 7/13/13 to 8/30/13: 78.1 CPM^ which is 65.1% HIGHER than background over a 48 day period. This is a per day DECREASE OF 70% OVER LAST PERIOD. 10:30am INT RAIN SAMPLE taken 12 hours after its precipitation in Santa Monica garden: 48.1 CPM^ 16.8% HIGHER than BACKGROUND LEVEL w/ no radon progeny. Result over Inspector’s +/- 15% margin of error. 9:00pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer FROM 5/31/13 to 7/12/13: 100.0 CPM^ which is 114% HIGHER than background over a 43 day period. This is a per day INCREASE OF 132.7% OVER LAST PERIOD. The third ingredient in this powdered gelatin made in South Africa is carrageenan, a product of seaweed. We have previously reported “Japanese Seaweed Radiation Doubles” April 12, 2012 where we wrote “Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia and the Philippines, make up 90% of the world’s supply.” The manufacturer of the gelatin may have used carrageenan from abroad or South Africa which has dozens of kinds of seaweed in the rich marine bioregions the South African Exclusive Economic Zone. 5:05pm INT SAME TWO UNOPENED BOXES SIMPLY DELISH PEACH GELATIN: 59.8 CPM^ which is 25.90% HIGHER THAN BACKGROUND. Reading exceeds Inspector Alert’s (+/-) 15% margin of error. 1:25pm INT TWO UNOPENED BOXES SIMPLY DELISH PEACH GELATIN bought at Whole Foods on Wilshire in Santa Monica on this date: 56.3 CPM^ which is 19.79% HIGHER THAN BACKGROUND. Reading exceeds Inspector Alert’s (+/-) 15% margin of error. 6:50pm INT readings of Santa Monica-grown beats, kale, string beans and a carrot: all read at background. 7:40pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer FROM 4/11/13 to 5/30/13: 92.4 CPM^ which is 83.0% HIGHER than background over a 50 day period. This is a per day DECREASE OF 193% OVER LAST PERIOD. 10:17pm INT HEPA DUST from two HEPA filters and one Ionizer FROM 3/16/13 to 4/11/13: 91.6 CPM^ which is 90.4% HIGHER than background over a 27 day period. This is a per day INCREASE OF 419% OVER LAST PERIOD. 8:35pm INT HEPA DUST FROM 1/07/13 TO 3/16/13: 71.4 CPM^ which is 46.3% HIGHER than background over a 58 day period. Compared to the last 6 day period resulting in 92% over background, this means that the latest exceedance is half over 9.7 times as many days, therefore lower by a factor of 19.3 times by this comparison. This is superb news. There is less atmospheric fallout yet the Pacific Ocean is continuing to take a hammering as we chronicle in Rad News Digest II. 10:00pm INT RAIN SAMPLE: 48.2 CPM^ MEANING NORMAL BACKGROUND CONDITIONS WITH NO RADON PROGENY EVEN THOUGH RADIATION STATION SIMI VALLEY HAD SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH READINGS 30 MILES TO NORTHWEST IN SAME STORM. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND AGAIN SHOWS SEEMINGLY HIGHER READINGS THE FARTHER NORTH IN SO CAL ONE MEASURES IN THE RAIN. 9:00pm INT HEPA DUST FROM 1/01/13 TO 1/07/13: 89.2 CPM^ which is 92% HIGHER than background over a six day period. Compared to a prorated previous L.A air radiation high April 20, 2012 of 7.46 times background, this still-alarming reading is 18% lower. 10:00pm INT RAIN SAMPLE: 48.2 CPM^ MEANING NORMAL BACKGROUND CONDITIONS WITH NO RADON PROGENY EVEN THOUGH RADIATION SIMI VALLEY HAD SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH READINGS 30 MILES TO NORTHWEST IN SAME STORM. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND AGAIN SHOWS SEEMINGLY HIGHER READINGS THE FARTHER NORTH IN SO CAL ONE MEASURES IN THE RAIN. 4:40pm MST INT JET CABIN 37,985 with sampling ending simultaneously with near-miss with chemtrail jet: 1,098 CPM^. Inspector Alert manual says to expect 200 CPM at 30,000. the Inspector Alert nuclear radiation monitors which can detect alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray radiation. It is made by Tennessee-based SE International, Inc.. SE International’s “Radiation Basics” page says “When you fly in an air plane at 30,000 feet your rate meter is getting 200 CPM [Counts Per Minute] for anywhere between 2 to 5 hours.” This reading was over 5 times that, however at 8,000 higher which would account for some, but not nearly all that high radiation. 9:50am INT Boeing 757 crossing Colorado River on same route/elevation as tested one year before as described in Seasons Readings: 765.9 CPM^ which is 383% higher than Inspector Alert says should be expected at an even higher elevation. Reading 17.5 times LAX terminal background. 11:55am 10-minute INTERIOR average RADIATION STATION SANTA MONICA CALIFORNIA RAIN SAMPLE: 47.8 CPM^ which is 3.0% above background but within =/-15% = background. 9:45pm 10-minute INTERIOR average RAIN SAMPLE: 49.7 CPM^ which is 8.3% above background but within =/-15% therefore is at background. 8:15pm 10-minute INTERIOR average RAIN SAMPLE: 45.2CPM^ Below background is indicative of the effect water has on shielding radiation in the sample but in this case, there was no added radiation. No radon progeny per norm. 10:15am 10-minute INTERIOR average RAIN SAMPLE: 47.3CPM^ meaning rain sample registers at background statistically. 11:15am 10-minute INTERIOR average RAIN SAMPLE: 49.7CPM^ meaning rain sample registers no radiation. 9:30pm 10-minute INTERIOR average RAIN SAMPLE: 44.9 CPM^ meaning rain sample has no added radioactivity and is not impacted by radon daughters or progeny. 5:20pm 10-minute INTERIOR average RAIN SAMPLE: 42.3 CPM^ meaning rain sample has no added radioactivity and is not impacted by radon daughters or progeny as discussed extensively before. 7:30pmm 10-minute INTERIOR REMNANTS TROPICAL STORM FABIO FIRST RAINS SAMPLE: 47.3^ CPM = background but also shows how Radiation Station Santa Monica rain samples are not impacted by radon progeny due to geology and proximity to Pacific. 9:15pm 10-minute INTERIOR HEPA DUST AGGREGATE FROM THREE MACHINES: 76.2 CPM^ which is 192% of background HIGHER over 96 day period. Last 40 day period was 746% of normal. This equates to present period, on a per day basis, just 11% of previous period’s overage. Put another way, this represents an 89% drop in ambient air radiation as filtered by Radiation Station Santa Monica’s three HEPA filter machines. 10:55pm 10-minute INTERIOR RAIN SAMPLE from subtropical storm coming up from the south: 47.2 CPM^ which is within the Inspector Alert’s +/- 15% margin of error. Rain reads at background with no radon progeny present. 9:00am 10-minute INTERIOR background average of RAIN SAMPLE: 44.0 CPM^ which is less than background. More proof that Radiation Station Santa Monica rain/air readings are not impacted by radon progeny because, if they were, it would show up even in a rain sample like this apparently not impacted by Fukushima radionuclide contamination. Note other below-background rain readings prior. 2:15pm 10-minute INTERIOR AGGREGATE DUST/DEBRIS OF THREE HEPA FILTERS AFTER 40 DAYS USE: 341.6 CPM^ or 746% of NORMAL or 7.46 TIMES NORMAL with no radon progeny. 9:10pm 10-minute average of April 13, 2012 JAPANESE SEAWEED OUT OF BAG: 76.5 CPM^ which is 94.7% HIGHER THAN SUBSEQUENT BACKGROUND. 17.6% of background exceedance is ALPA. April 13, 2012 background exceedance is 40.9% increase over August 23, 2011 exceedance. 8:50pm 10-minute average of April 13, 2012 JAPANESE SEAWEED IN BAG: 69.6 CPM^ which is 77.1% HIGHER THAN SUBSEQUENT BACKGROUND. 6:30pm 10-minute average of August 23, 2011 JAPANESE SEAWEED OUT OF BAG RE-TEST: 66.8 CPM^ which is 55.0% HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS BACKGROUND. Higher reading out of bag indicates 10.8% of background exceedance is ALPHA. 6:15pm 10-minute average of August 23, 2011 JAPANESE SEAWEED IN BAG RE-TEST: 63.4 CPM^ which is 44.2% HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS BACKGROUND. Aug. 23, 2011 was 54.2% higher than background therefore 10.0% decrease in ionization over nearly 8 months (237 days or 64.93%/year) which translates to 15.4% decrease of the radionuclide(s) per year. 5:30pm EXTERIOR & INTERIOR 20-minute check of new red 4-door 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS courtesy of a neighbor who allowed full access to the vehicle. Engine, chassis, undercarriage, trunk and interior all carefully checked with NO RADIATION ABOVE BACKGROUND. 10:20: 10-minute INTERIOR RAIN SAMPLE: 45.7 CPM^ BELOW BACKGROUND! 6:10pm CST 10-minute INTERIOR average jet: 1,161 CPM^ or 37.94 times previous background of jet INTERIOR at gate. 5:10pm CST 10-minute INTERIOR average jet (where, halfway through measurement, pilot said jet at 34,000 feet on way to 38,000 feet): 765.1 CPM^ or 25.00 times previous background of jet INTERIOR at gate. 8:00am EST EXTERIOR Southwest Michigan RAIN: Multiple non-detects above background in this jet stream storm. No radon progeny detected. 8:00am EST EXTERIOR Southwest Michigan snowfall tested repeatedly: No detectible radiation in multiple samples tested. Samples & ambient air at background. No radon progeny detected. 11:30am PST 10-minute INTERIOR average jet descending into Chicago: 586.2 CPM^ or 17.40 times previous background in jet at airport. 11:00am PST 10-minute INTERIOR average jet approaching Missouri River north of St. Charles, Missouri: 1,238 CPM^ or 36.74 times background in jet at terminal. 9:00am PST INTERIOR jet average above Arizona at Colorado River and state line with California; 28,000 feet on way to 38,000 feet: 1,035 CPM^ or 30.7 times previous background in jet at airport. 8:45 am 10-minute INTERIOR SANTA MONICA RAIN: 46.3^ OR 19.6%^ HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS AVERAGE^ OR 31.2% HIGHER THAN COMBINED AVERAGE. 7:50 pm 10-minute INTERIOR average of KENMORE PLASMA HEPA FILTER AGGREGATE FROM 6/26/11 = 23 DAYS OF USE IN RADIATION STATION: 57.5 CPM which is 55% HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS INTERIOR BACKGROUND AND 51% HIGHER THAN SUBSEQUENT INTERIOR BACKGROUND. 4:00 pm INTERIOR spot reading in Santa Monica market with approximate background of 39 CPM – Two peaches sustained 81 CPM and above or over two times background (208% over site background). 7:50 pm 10-minute INTERIOR average of a Radiation Station Teledyne Waterpik air cleaner and ionizer’s 3M filter – dust aggregate from filter ((Videotaped)): 57.6 CPM which is 46.94% higher than preceding interior reading. 7:00 pm 10-minute INTERIOR average of a Radiation Station Teledyne Waterpik air cleaner and ionizer’s 3M filter – specific spot on filter ((Videotaped)): 60.2 CPM which is 53.57% higher than preceding interior reading. 10:00 pm 10-minute EXTERIOR average of WIPE SAMPLE FROM “JUNE GLOOM” MIST ON WINDSHIELD IN SANTA MONICA: 100.9 CPM which is 217% over subsequent EXTERIOR average of 46.5 CPM. Sheet of paper test indicates strong beta presence.
2019-04-22T02:42:57Z
https://www.enviroreporter.com/investigations/fukushima/special-radiation-station-tests/all/1/
2. The fact that the parties have their places of business in different States is to be disregarded whenever this fact does not appear either from the contract or from any dealings between, or from information disclosed by, the parties at any time before or at the conclusion of the contract. 3. Neither the nationality of the parties nor the civil or commercial character of the parties or of the contract is to be taken into consideration in determining the application of this Convention. 1. This article sets forth some of the Convention's applicability requirements. To determine whether the Convention applies in a given case, it is, however, equally important to look to other provisions which also help to define the Convention's sphere of application. In this respect, it is worth pointing to articles 2 and 3, which respectively narrow and extend the Convention's substantive sphere of application. As for the Convention's temporal sphere of application, it is defined by article 100. 2. Whenever a contract for the sale of goods is international (in some sense of that term), courts cannot simply resort to their own substantive law to solve disputes arising out that contract. Rather, courts must determine which substantive rules to resort to in order to do so. Traditionally, when a situation is international, courts resort to the private international law rules in force in their country to determine which substantive rules to apply. In those countries, however, where international uniform substantive rules are in force, such as those set forth by the Convention, courts must determine whether those international uniform substantive rules apply before resorting to private international law rules at all. This means that recourse to the Convention prevails over recourse to the forum's private international law rules. This approach has been justified on the grounds that, as a set of uniform substantive law rules, the Convention is more specific insofar as its sphere of application is more limited and leads directly to a substantive solution, whereas resort to private international law requires a two-step approach -- that is, the identification of the applicable law and the application thereof. 3. The Convention does not apply to every kind of contracts for the international sale of goods; rather, its sphere of application is limited to contracts for the sale of goods that meet a specific internationality requirement set forth in article 1(1). Pursuant to that provision, a contract for the sale of goods is international when the parties have -- at the moment of the conclusion of the contract [6 -- their relevant places of business in different States. One court stated that the relevant places of business of the parties are their "principal places of business". 4. The concept of "place of business" is critical in the determination of internationality. The Convention, however, does not define it, although it does address the problem of which of a party's multiple places of business is to be taken into account in determining internationality (article 10). 5. According to several courts, "place of business" can be defined as "the place from which a business activity is de facto carried out [...]; this requires a certain duration and stability as well as a certain amount of autonomy". Similarly, one tribunal stated that there is a place of business where there is "a permanent and stable business organisation and not the place where only preparations for the conclusion of a single contract have been made". According to one court, for there to be a "place of business", "it suffices that there exists an organization of certain continuance". A different court simply stated that the "[p]lace of business in the meaning of article 1 and 10 CISG is the actual place of business". One court stated that the place where goods are merely stored does not constitute a "place of business" for the purpose of the Convention. The same is true as regards a booth at an exhibition. An arbitral tribunal stated that "[t]he mere place of contracting does not constitute a place of business; neither does the locality where the negotiations have taken place." Another court has concluded that a liaison office cannot be considered a "place of business" under the Convention. 6. The internationality requirement is not met where the parties have their relevant places of businesses in the same country. This is true even where they have different nationalities, as article 1(3) states that "the nationality of the parties [...] is [not] to be taken into consideration in determining the application of this Convention". Also, the fact that the place of the conclusion of the contract is located in a different State from the State in which the performance takes place does not render the contract "international". For the purposes of the Convention's applicability, the parties' civil or commercial character is also irrelevant. 7. Where a contract for the sale of goods is concluded through an intermediary, it is necessary to establish who the parties to the contract are in order to determine whether the contract is international. As the issue of who is party to a contract is not dealt with in the CISG, the question must be answered by reference to the law applicable by virtue of the rules of private international law of the forum. The places of business of the parties as determined in this fashion are the ones relevant to analysing whether the contract is international. 8. According to article 1(2), internationality is irrelevant where "the fact that the parties have their places of business in different States [...] does not appear either from the contract or from any dealings between, or from information disclosed by, the parties at any time before or at the conclusion of the contract". Thus, the Convention protects the parties' reliance upon what appears to be a domestic setting for a transaction. The party that asserts that the Convention is not applicable because the internationality of the contract was not apparent must prove its assertion. 9. The internationality of a contract for the sale of goods, by itself, is not sufficient to make the Convention applicable. Article 1(1) lists two additional alternative criteria for applicability, one of which has to be met in order for the Convention to apply as part of the law of the forum. According to the criterion set forth in article 1(1)(a), the Convention is "directly" or "autonomously" applicable, i.e., without the need to resort to the rules of private international law, when the States in which the parties have their relevant places of business are Contracting States. As the list of Contracting States grows, this criterion is leading to application of the Convention in an increasing number of cases. 10. In order for the Convention to be applicable by virtue of article 1(1)(a), the parties must have their relevant place of business in a Contracting State. "If the two States in which the parties have their places of business are Contracting States, the Convention applies even if the rules of private international law of the forum would normally designate the law of a third country." This is true, unless the parties have designated a given law with the intention to exclude the Convention, which they are allowed to do pursuant to article 6. 11. The time when a State becomes a Contracting State is determined by article 99 and temporal rules for applying the Convention under article 1(1)(a) are set forth in article 100. For the Convention to apply by virtue of article 1(1)(a), one must also take into account whether the States in which the parties have their relevant place of business have declared either an article 92 or an article 93 reservation. Where one State has made an article 92 reservation declaring that it is not bound by a specified part of the Convention, the Convention as a whole cannot be applicable by virtue of article 1(1)(a). Rather, one must determine on the basis of article 1(1)(b) whether the part of the Convention to which the reservation relates applies to the contract. The same is true mutatis mutandis if a party is located in a territory of a Contracting State in relation to which the State has declared, pursuant to article 93, that the Convention does not extend. On the basis of article 93, some courts consider parties who have their place of business in Hong Kong as having their place of business in a non-Contracting State, thus making it impossible for them to apply the Convention pursuant to article 1(1)(a), while other courts consider those parties to have their place of business in a Contracting State. 12. A Contracting State that declared an article 95 reservation is to be considered a full-fledged Contracting State for the purpose of article 1(1)(a). Thus, the Convention can apply pursuant to article 1(1)(a) also in the courts of Contracting States that declared an article 95 reservation, and this even where both parties have their place of business in a Contracting State that declared an article 95 reservation. 14. In Contracting States the Convention can also be applicable -- by virtue of article 1(1)(b) -- where only one (or neither) party has its relevant place of business in a Contracting State, as long as the rules of private international law lead to the law of a Contracting State. Since the relevant rules of private international law are those of the forum, it will depend on the domestic rules of private international law whether the parties are allowed to choose the applicable law, whether one has to look into the rules of private international of the law designated by the rules of private international of the forum ( renvoi ), etc. 15. Where the private international law rules of the forum are based upon the 1980 Rome Convention on the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations, the parties' choice of the law of a Contracting State can lead to the applicability of the Convention by virtue of article 1(1)(b), since article 3 of the Rome Convention recognizes party autonomy. This is also true where the rules of private international law of the forum are those laid down in the 1955 Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to International Sales, as article 2 of this Convention also obliges judges to apply the law designated by the parties. 16. In arbitral proceedings, the Convention may be selected by the parties to govern their dispute. In state court proceedings, parties are not allowed to choose the Convention as the law applicable to their dispute where it would otherwise not apply, at least not in those courts that have to apply either the 1980 Rome Convention on the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations or the 1955 Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to International Sales. This is due to the fact that these Conventions allow parties to choose only the law of a State to govern their dispute; non-State rules -- as well as the Convention in cases where it would otherwise not apply -- cannot be chosen. The choice of the Convention in cases where it would otherwise not apply amounts, however, to an incorporation by reference of the rules of the Convention into the contract. In this case, the rules of the Convention may not override the mandatory rules of the otherwise applicable law. 17. Where the parties did not make a choice of law or where their choice is not valid, one has to resort to the objective connecting factors of the rules of private international law of the forum to determine which law applies, and thus, whether the Convention is applicable by virtue of article 1(1)(b). Pursuant to article 4(1) of the 1980 Rome Convention on the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations, absent a valid choice of law, one has to apply the law "most closely connected" to the contract; according to article 4(2), it is presumed that the contract is most closely connected with the country where the party who is to effect the performance which is characteristic of the contract has its habitual residence at the time of conclusion of the contract. For this reason, the Convention has often been applied by courts in contracting States to the Rome Convention when the seller, who is the party that has to effect the characteristic performance, had its place of business in a Contracting State to the CISG. Under the 1955 Hague Convention, absent a choice of law the law of the seller applies, except in cases where the seller receives the order for the goods in the buyer's country, in which case the law of the buyer governs. 18. At the 1980 Diplomatic Conference, a delegate argued that countries with special legislation on international trade should be allowed to avoid "the effect which article 1(1)(b) would have on the application of their special legislation". As a consequence, article 95 was introduced to give Contracting States the opportunity to choose not to be bound by article 1(1)(b). Judges located in Contracting States that have declared an article 95 reservation will not apply the Convention by virtue of article 1(1)(b); as mentioned earlier, this does not, however, affect the Convention's applicability in such States by virtue of article 1(1)(a). 19. A Contracting State which makes a declaration in accordance with article 92(1) in respect of either Part II or Part III of the Convention is not to be considered a Contracting State within article 1(1) of the Convention in respect of matters governed by the Part to which the declaration refers. 21. The Convention applies to contracts for the sale of goods -- irrespective of the label given to the contract by the parties. Although the Convention does not provide any definition of this type of contract, an autonomous description can be derived from articles 30 and 53. Thus, a contract for the sale of goods covered by the Convention can be defined as a contract pursuant to which one party (the seller) is bound to deliver the goods and transfer the property in the goods sold and the other party (the buyer) is obliged to pay the price and accept the goods. One court has declared that the essence of the contract governed by the Convention lies in goods being exchanged for money. 22. The Convention covers contracts for the delivery of goods by instalments, as can be derived from article 73 of the Convention, and contracts providing for the delivery of the goods sold directly from the supplier to the seller's customer. Pursuant to article 29, contracts modifying a sales contract also fall within the substantive sphere of application of the Convention. 23. Article 3 contains a special rule which extends -- within certain limits -- the Convention's substantive sphere of application to contracts for the sale of goods to be manufactured or produced as well as to contracts pursuant to which the seller is also bound to deliver labour or services. 24. Most courts considering the issue have concluded that the Convention does not apply to distribution agreements, or framework agreements, as these agreements focus on the "organization of the distribution" rather than the transfer of ownership of goods. The various contracts for the sale of goods concluded in execution of a distribution agreement, can, however, be governed by the Convention, even where the distribution agreement was concluded before the entry into force of the Convention. 25. Franchise agreements also fall outside the Convention's sphere of application. According to some arbitral tribunals, the Convention does not apply to barter transactions. According to a different arbitral tribunal, the Convention does govern barter transactions. 27. The Convention does not define "goods". This does not mean one should resort to one's domestic definition. In light of article 7(1), the concept of "goods" should be interpreted autonomously, in light of the Convention's "international character" and "the need to promote uniformity in its application", rather than referring to domestic law for a definition. Convention are items that are, at the moment of delivery, moveable and tangible", regardless of their shape and whether they are solid, used or new, inanimate or alive. Intangibles, such as intellectual property rights, goodwill, an interest in a limited liability company, or an assigned debt, have been considered not to fall within the Convention's concept of "goods". The same is true for a market research study. According to one court, however, the concept of "goods" is to be interpreted "extensively," perhaps suggesting that the Convention might apply to goods that are not tangible. 29. Whereas the sale of computer hardware clearly falls within the sphere of application of the Convention, the issue is not so clear when it comes to software. Some courts consider only standard software to be "goods" under the Convention; another court concluded that any kind of software, including custom-made software, should be considered "goods". 1. [GREECE Polimeles Protodikio Athinon 2009 (docket No. 4505/2009) (Bullet-proof vest case)]; CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 31 March 2004 (Pizza boxes case)]; [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 25 February 2004 (Agricultural products case)]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision). 2. For this view, see CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Schleswig 24 October 2008]; CLOUT case No. 888 [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht Schaffhausen 20 October 2003]; [SWITZERLAND Obergericht Thurgau 11 September 2003]; [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 18 December 2002]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 648 [ITALY Corte di Cassazione 18 October 2002]; CLOUT case No. 380 [ITALY Tribunale di Pavia 29 December 1999]; [GERMANY Landgericht Zwickau 19 March 1999 (Chemical products case)]; CLOUT case No. 251 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Zürich 30 November 1998]; CLOUT case No. 345 [GERMANY Landgericht Heilbronn 15 September 1997]; CLOUT case No. 84 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt am Main 20 April 1994] (see full text of the decision). 3. For decisions stating that the Convention sets forth substantive rules, see [UNITED STATES District Court, Northern District of California 2 November 2005]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 480 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Colmar 12 June 2001] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 424 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 9 March 2000] (see full text of the decision); [SWITZERLAND Tribunale d'appello Lugano 8 June 1999]. 4. For this approach, see CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 31 March 2004]; [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 25 February 2004]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision). 5. CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 31 March 2004]; [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 25 February 2004]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision). 6. See CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 5 February 2004]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Dresden 27 December 1999]. 7. See [GREECE Polimeles Protodikio Athinon 2009 docket No. 4505/2009)]; [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 25 February 2004]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 168 [ GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 21 May 1996] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 106 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 10 November 1994]. 8. [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania 29 January 2010]. 9. For an express reference to the fact that the Convention does not define the concept of "place of business", see CLOUT case No. 930 [SWITZERLAND Tribunal cantonal du Valais 23 May 2006] (see full text of the decision). 10. See CLOUT case No. 746 [AUSTRIA Oberlandesgericht Graz 29 July 2004]. 11. [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Hamm 2 April 2009]; CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; CLOUT case No. 651 [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 11 January 2005] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 904 [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal Jura 3 November 2004] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 746 [AUSTRIA Oberlandesgericht Graz 29 July 2004] (see full text of the decision); [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 25 February 2004]; [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart 28 February 2000]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); for a similar definition see CLOUT case No. 930 [SWITZERLAND Tribunal cantonal du Valais 23 May 2006]; CLOUT case No. 106 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 10 November 1994] (see full text of the decision); for a court decision stating that the phrase "place of business" requires the parties to "really" do business out of that place, see CLOUT case No. 360 [GERMANY Amtsgericht Duisburg 13 April 2000]. 12. [ICC Arbitral award case No. 9781 of 2000]. 13. [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal du Valais 19 August 2003]. 14. CLOUT case No. 360 [GERMANY Amtsgericht Duisburg 13 April 2000] (see full text of the decision). 15. CLOUT case No. 930 [SWITZERLAND Tribunal cantonal du Valais 23 May 2006] (see full text of the decision). 17. [ICC Arbitral award case No. 9781 of 2000]. 18. See CLOUT case No. 158 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Paris 22 April 1992]. 19. See, e.g., CLOUT case No. 698 [UNITED STATES Superior Court of Massachusetts 28 February 2005]. 20. For references to the irrelevance of the parties' nationality, see CLOUT case No. 746 [AUSTRIA Oberlandesgericht Graz, 29 July 2004] (see full text of the decision); [BELGIUM Rechtbank van Koophandel, Hasselt 13 May 2003]; CLOUT case No. 445 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 31 October 2001]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel Veurne 25 April 2001]; [BULGARIA Court of Arbitration of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, award No. 56/1995]. 21. See [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 27 November 1991. 22. See CLOUT case No. 445 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 31 October 2001]. 23. For court decisions stating that issues of agency law and related matters are not dealt with by the Convention, see CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 189 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 20 March 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 335 [SWITZERLAND Appellationsgericht Tessin 12 February 1996]]; CLOUT case No. 334 [SWITZERLAND Obergericht des Kantons Thurgau 19 December 1995]; [GERMANY Landgericht Kassel 22 June 1995]; CLOUT Case No. 410 [GERMANY Amtsgericht Alsfeld 12 May 1995]; CLOUT case No. 80 [GERMANY Kammergericht Berlin 24 January 1994] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 95 [SWITZERLAND Zivilgericht Basel-Stadt 21 December 1992] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 5 [GERMANY Landgericht Hamburg 26 September 1990]. 24. See [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 13 November 2000]. 25. For a reference to this provision in case law, see [GERMANY Landgericht Stuttgart 29 October 2009]; [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 6 February 2009]; [GREECE Polimeles Protodikio Athinon, 2009 (docket No. 4505/2009)]; [SERBIA High Commercial Court of Belgrade 22 April 2008]; CLOUT case No. 651 [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 11 January 2005] (see full text of the decision); [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 25 February 2004]; CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 425 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 21 March 2000]; [ICC Arbitral award case No. 9781 of 2000]. 26. See CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision). 27. See CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano, 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision). 28. [AUSTRALIA Federal Court of Australia 28 September 2010] ("The Convention is not to be treated as a foreign law which requires proof as a fact"). 29. See [SWITZERLAND Amtgericht Sursee 12 September 2008]; [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht Aargau 19 June 2007]; [SWITZERLAND Bundesgericht 11 July 2000]; CLOUT case No. 261 [SWITZERLAND Bezirksgericht der Sanne 20 February 1997]. 30. See [SWITZERLAND Amtgericht Sursee 12 September 2008]; CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 189 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 20 March 1997] (see full text of the decision). 31. See [SWITZERLAND Amtgericht Sursee 12 September 2008]; CLOUT case No. 650 [ITALY Corte di Cassazione 20 September 2004] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 268 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 11 December 1996] (see full text of the decision). 32. See, however, [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky 18 March 2008], stating that the Convention applies to contracts between "parties whose principal places of business are in different nations if those nations are signatories to the treaty". 33. For recent court decisions applying the Convention by virtue of article 1(1)(a), see [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of California 21 January 2010]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas 23 December 2009]; [SWITZERLAND Bundesgericht 17 December 2009]; [GERMANY Landgericht Stuttgart 29 October 2009]; [BELGIUM Hof van Cassatie 19 June 2009]; [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 16 February 2009]; [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal du Valais 28 January 2009]; [GREECE Polimeles Protodikio Athinon, 2009 (docket No. 4505/2009)]; [BELGIUM Hof Beroep Ghent 31 January 2002]; CLOUT case No. 398 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Orléans 29 March 2001] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Trier 7 December 2000]; CLOUT case No. 431 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Oldenburg 5 December 2000]; CLOUT case No. 432 [GERMANY Landgericht Stendal 12 October 2000]; [FRANCE Tribunal Commercial Montargis 6 October 2000]; CLOUT case No. 428 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 7 September 2000]; CLOUT case No. 429 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt am Main 30 August 2000]; [MEXICO Sixth Civil Court of First Instance, City of Tijuana, State of Baja California 14 July 2000]; CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 427 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 28 April 2000]; CLOUT case No. 426 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 13 April 2000]; CLOUT case No. 397 [SPAIN Audiencia Provincial de Navarra 27 March 2000]; see CLOUT case No. 425 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 21 March 2000]; CLOUT case No. 424 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 9 March 2000]; [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart 28 February 2000]; CLOUT case No. 395 [SPAIN Tribunal Supremo 28 January 2000] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Hanseatisches Oberlandesgericht Hamburg 26 January 2000]; CLOUT case No. 416, [UNITED STATES Minnesota [State] District Court 9 March 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 430 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München 3 December 1999]; CLOUT case No. 359 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 18 November 1999]; Oberster Gerichtshof, Austria 12 November 1999, Zeitschrift für Rechtsvergleichung 2000, 78; CLOUT case No. 319 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 3 November 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 313 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 21 October 1999]. htm; CLOUT case No. 328 [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht des Kantons Zug 21 October 1999] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Amtsgericht Stendal 12 October 1999], unpublished; CLOUT case No. 332 [SWITZERLAND OG Kanton Basel-Landschaft 5 October 1999]; CLOUT case No. 341 [CANADA Ontario Superior Court of Justice 31 August 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 423 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 27 August 1999]; CLOUT case No. 422 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 29 June 1999]; CLOUT case No. 333 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Aargau 11 June 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 336 [SWITZERLAND Tribunale d'appello di Lugano 8 June 1999]; CLOUT case No. 315 [FRANCE Cour de Cassation 26 May 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 265 [HUNGARY Arbitration Court attached to the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 25 May 1999]; CLOUT case No. 314 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Paris 21 May 1999]; [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 11 March 1999]; CLOUT case No. 418 [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana 17 May 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 362 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Naumburg 27 April 1999]; CLOUT case No. 325 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Zürich 8 April 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 271 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 24 March 1999]; [GERMANY Landgericht Zwickau 19 March 1999]; CLOUT case No. 306 AUSTRIA [Oberster Gerichtshof 11 March 1999]; CLOUT case No. 327 [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht des Kantons Zug 25 February 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 331 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Zürich 10 February 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 243 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 4 February 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 293 [GERMANY Arbitration - Schiedsgericht der Hamburger freundschaftlichen Arbitrage 29 December 1998]; CLOUT case No. 339 [GERMANY Landgericht Regensburg 24 September 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 645 [ITALY Corte di Appello, Milano 11 December 1998]; [MEXICO Comisión para la protección del comercio exterior de Mexico 30 November 1998], unpublished; CLOUT case No. 346 [GERMANY Landgericht Mainz 26 November 1998]; CLOUT case No. 270 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 25 November 1998]; CLOUT case No. 248 [SWITZERLAND Bundesgericht 28 October 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 419 [UNITED STATES District Court, Northern District of Illinois 27 October 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 244 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Paris 4 March 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 240 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 15 October 1998]; CLOUT case No. 340 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Oldenburg 22 September 1998]; CLOUT case No. 252 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Zürich, 21 September 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 263 [SWITZERLAND Bezirksgericht Unterrheintal 16 September 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 285 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 11 September 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 318 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Celle 2 September 1998] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Bamberg 19 August 1998]; CLOUT case No. 644 [ITALY Corte di Cassazione 7 August 1998]; CLOUT case No. 344 [GERMANY Landgericht Erfurt 29 July 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 242 [FRANCE Cour de Cassation 16 July 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 305 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 30 June 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 255 [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal du Valais 30 June 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 222 [UNITED STATES Court of Appeals (11th Circuit) 29 June 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 256 [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal du Valais 29 June 1998] (see full text of the decision); [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 25 June 1998]; CLOUT case No. 338 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Hamm, 23 June 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 237 [STOCKHOLM Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, 5 June 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 290 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Saarbrücken 3 June 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 280 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Jena 26 May 1998] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Aurich 8 May 1998]; [ITALY Corte di Cassazione 8 May 1998]; CLOUT case No. 413 [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 6 April 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 272 [ GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Zweibrücken 31 March 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 245 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Paris 18 March 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 232 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München 11 March 1998]; CLOUT case No. 421 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 10 March 1998]; CLOUT case No. 833 [NETHERLANDS Hoge Raad 20 February 1998]; CLOUT case No. 269 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 12 February 1998] (see full text of the decision); BULGARIA Arbitration Court attached to the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, award No. 11/1996]; [GERMANY Landgericht Bückeburg 3 February 1998]; CLOUT case No. 288 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München 28 January 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 259 [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht Freiburg 23 January 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 297 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München 21 January 1998] (see full text of the decision); [FRANCE Tribunale de Commerce de Besançon 19 January 1998]; CLOUT case No. 253 [SWITZERLAND Cantone del Ticino Tribunale d'appello 15 January 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 312 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Paris 14 January 1998]; CLOUT case No. 257 [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal du Vaud 24 December 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 254 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Aargau 19 December 1997] (see full text of the decision); [FRANCE Tribunal Grande Instance Colmar 18 December 1997; [GERMANY Landgericht Bayreuth 11 December 1997]; [AUSTRIA 10 December 1997 Vienna Arbitration proceeding S 2/97, Schiedsgericht der Börse für landwirtschaftliche Produkte in Wien, (Barley case)]; CLOUT case No. 220 [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht Nidwalden 3 December 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 221 [SWITZERLAND Zivilgericht des Kantons Basel-Stadt 3 December 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 207 [FRANCE Cour de Cassation 2 December 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 295 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Hamm 5 November 1997]; CLOUT case No. 246 [SPAIN Audiencia Provincial de Barcelona 3 November 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 247 [SPAIN Audiencia Provincial de Córdoba 31 October 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 219 [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal Valais 28 October 1997] (see full text of the decision); [FRANCE Tribunal Commerce de Paris 28 October 1997]; [GERMANY Landgericht Erfurt 28 October 1997]; CLOUT case No. 218 [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht Zug 16 October 1997] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Hagen 15 October 1997]; CLOUT case No. 248 [SWITZERLAND Bundesgericht 28 October 1998] (see full text of the decision); [NETHERLANDS Hof s'Hertogenbosch 2 October 1997]; CLOUT case No. 834 [NETHERLANDS Hoge Raad 26 September 1997]; CLOUT case No. 217 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgreicht des Kantons Aargau 26 September 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 345 [GERMANY Landgericht Heilbronn 15 September 1997]; CLOUT case No. 307 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 11 September 1997] (see full text of the decision); [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 8 September 1997]; CLOUT case No. 284 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln, 21 August 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 216 [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht St. Gallen 12 August 1997] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Göttingen 31 July 1997]; [NETHERLANDS Hof s'Hertogenbosch 24 July 1997]; CLOUT case No. 187 [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 23 July 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 236 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 23 July 1997] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Saarbrücken 18 July 1997]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Arnhem 17 July 1997]; CLOUT case No. 273 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München 9 July 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 287 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München, 9 July 1997]; CLOUT case No. 215 [SWITZERLANDBezirksgericht St. Gallen 3 July 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 172 [HUNGARY Fovárosi Biróság 1 July 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 235 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 25 June 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 230 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Karlsruhe 25 June 1997]; [GERMANY Landgericht München 23 June 1997]; [GERMANY Landgericht Hamburg 19 June 1997]; CLOUT case No. 239 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 18 June 1997]; CLOUT case No. 173 [HUNGARY Fovárosi Biróság 17 June 1997] (see full text of the decision); [NETHERLANDS Hof Arnhem 17 June 1997]; [GERMANY Landgericht Paderborn 10 June 1997]; CLOUT case No. 174 [HUNGARY Arbitration Court attached to the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 8 May 1997]; [GERMANY Landgericht München 6 May 1997]; CLOUT case No. 275 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 24 April 1997] (see full text of the decision); GERMANY Landgericht Frankenthal 17 April 1997]; CLOUT case No. 189 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 20 March 1997] (see full text of the decision); [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Zwolle 5 March 1997]; CLOUT case No. 261 [SWITZERLAND Bezirksgericht der Sanne 20 February 1997]; CLOUT case No. 396 [SPAIN Audencia Provincial de Barcelona 4 February 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 282 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 31 January 1997] (see full text of the decision); [ITALY Pretura Torino 30 January 1997]; CLOUT case No. 192 [SWITZERLAND Obergericht des Kantons Luzern 8 January 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 311 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 8 January 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 206 [FRANCE Cour de Cassation 17 December 1996] (see full text of the decision); [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel Kortrijk 16 December 1996]; CLOUT case No. 268 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 11 December 1996]; [GERMANY Landgericht München 9 December 1996]; CLOUT case No. 229 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 4 December 1996] (see full text of the decision); [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Rotterdam 21 November 1996]; [GERMANY Amtsgericht Koblenz 12 November 1996]; AUSTRIA Oberlandesgericht Wien 7 November 1996], unpublished; [GERMANY Landgericht Heidelberg 2 October 1996]; [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 13 September 1996]; CLOUT case No. 169 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 11 July 1996] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 193 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Zürich 10 July 1996] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Handelsgericht Landgericht Paderborn 25 June 1996]; [GERMANY Amtsgericht Bottropp 25 June 1996]; [GERMANY Landgericht Hamburg 17 June 1996]; CLOUT case No. 168 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 21 May 1996] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 143 [HUNGARY Fovárosi Biróság 21 May 1996]; CLOUT case No. 204 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 15 May 1996]; [BULGARIA Arbitration Court attached to the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, award No. 56/1995], unpublished; [GERMANY Landgericht Aachen, 19 April 1996]; [GERMANY Landgericht Duisburg 17 April 1996]; CLOUT case No. 171 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 3 April 1996] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 337 [GERMANY Landgericht Saarbrücken 26 March 1996]; [ITALY Tribunale di Busto Arsizio, 13 December 2001] (Ecuador and Italy); [ITALY Corte d'Appello di Milano 23 January 2001] (Finland and Italy question not regarding part II of the Convention). 34. United Nations Conference on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, Vienna, 10 March-11 April 1980, Official Records, Documents of the Conference and Summary Records of the Plenary Meetings and of the Meetings of the Main Committee, 1981, 15. 35. For an analysis of the issue of exclusion of the Convention, see the Digest for article 6. 36. See CLOUT case No. 309 [DENMARK Østre Landsret 23 April 1998]; CLOUT case No. 143 [HUNGARY Fovárosi Biróság 21 May 1996]; CLOUT case No. 228 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Rostock 27 July 1995]; [ICC Arbitral award case No. 7585/92]. 37. Upon accession to the Convention Canada declared, pursuant to article 93, that the Convention would be applicable in some but not all of its territorial units. Since accession Canada has extended the application of the Convention to specific territorial units not covered by its original accession. 38. See [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas 23 December 2009]. 39. For applications of the Convention pursuant to article 1(1)(a) in cases where one of the parties has its place of business in a Contracting State that declared an article 95 reservation, see [AUSTRALIA Federal Court of Australia 28 September 2010]; [FRANCE Cour de Cassation 7 October 2009]; [CHINA International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, People's Republic of China, 2007 (Arbitral award No. CISG/2007/01)]; [RUSSIA Tribunal of International Commercial Arbitration at the Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Russian Federation, 16 February 2004]. 40. See, e.g., UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 11 January 2011, unpublished; [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of California 21 January 2010]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas 23 December 2009]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 29 May 2009]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of Ohio 26 March 2009]; [SLOVAKIA District Court in Komarno 12 March 2009]; [UNITED STATES District Court, New Jersey 7 October 2008]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania 25 July 2008]; [SLOVAKIA Supreme Court 19 June 2008]; [SLOVAKIA Regional Court in Zilina 18 June 200]; [SLOVAKIA District Court in Dolny Kubin 17 June 2008]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Minnesota 16 June 2008]; [UNITED STATES Court, Southern District of Florida 19 May 2008]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Delaware 9 May 2008]; [SLOVAKIA Supreme Court 30 April 2008]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky 18 March 2008,]; CLOUT case No. 945 [SLOVAKIA District Court in Galanta, 15 December 2006]; [UNITED STATES Court of Appeals (9th Circuit) 8 November 2007]; [SLOVAKIA Regional Court Zilina 25 October 2007]; CLOUT case No. 845 [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District Michigan 28 September 2007]; [SLOVAKIA Supreme Court 27 June 2007]; [SLOVAKIA District Court in Nitra 9 March 2007]; CLOUT case No. 847 [UNITED STATES District Court, Minnesota 31 January 2007]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 23 August 2006]; [SLOVAKIA District Court in Nitra 17 May 2006]; [SLOVAKIA Regional Court in Banska Bystrica 10 May 2006]; [SLOVAKIA District Court in Nitra 27 February 2006]; CLOUT case No. 946 [SLOVAKIA Regional Court in Bratislava 11 October 2005]; [CHINA Supreme Court of the People's Republic of China 21 September 2005]; [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 26 January 2005]; CLOUT case No. 609 [UNITED STATES District Court for Northern District of Illinois 6 October 2003]; CLOUT case No. 579 [UNITED STATES District Court for the Southern District of New York 10 May 2002]; CLOUT case No. 447 [UNITED STATES District Court for the Southern District of New York 26 March 2002]; CLOUT case No. 578 [UNITED STATES District Court, Western District of Michigan 17 December 2001]; CLOUT case No. 433 [UNITED STATES District Court, Northern District of California 27 July 2001]; CLOUT case No. 617 [UNITED STATES District Court, Northern District of California 30 January 2001]; CLOUT case No. 417 [UNITED STATES District Court, Northern District of Illinois 7 December 1999]; CLOUT case No. 416 [UNITED STATES Minnesota [State] District Court 9 March 1999]; CLOUT case No. 419 [UNITED STATES District Court, Northern District of Illinois 27 October 1998]; CLOUT case No. 222 [UNITED STATES Court of Appeals (11th Circuit) 29 June 1998]; CLOUT case No. 413 [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 6 April 1998]; CLOUT case No. 187 [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 23 July 1997]; CLOUT case No. 138 [UNITED STATES Court of Appeals (2nd Circuit) 6 December 1995]; CLOUT case No. 86 [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 22 September 1994]; CLOUT case No. 85 [UNITED STATES District Court, Northern District of New York 9 September 1994]; CLOUT case No. 24 [UNITED STATES Court of Appeals (5th Circuit) 15 June 1993]; CLOUT case No. 23 [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 14 April 1992]. 41. [SLOVAKIA District Court in Trnava 17 September 2008]; [SLOVAKIA District Court in Nitra 29 May 2008]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of Florida 19 May 2008]; [SLOVAKIA District Court in Nitra 27 June 2006]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District, Texas 7 February 2006]; [CHINA Shanghai No. I. Intermediate People's Court, People's Republic of China 23 March 2004]. For an application by an arbitral tribunal of the Convention pursuant to article 1(1)(a) to a contract concluded between two parties both of whom had their place of business in a country that had declared an article 95 reservation, see [CHINA International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, People's Republic of China, 2003 (Arbitral award No. CISG/2003/02)]. 42. See [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee 20 October 2010 (America's Collectibles Network, Inc., d/b/a Jewelry Television, and BBJ Bangkok, Ltd. v. Timlly (HK), Timlly BBK Co., Ltd., Sunil Ratwani, and Sanjay Punjabi)]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Northern District of Georgia 17 December 2009 (Innotex Precision Ltd. v. Horei Image Prods., Inc.)]; CLOUT case No. 958 [AUSTRALIA Federal Court of Australia, South Australia District Registry 24 October 2008]; CLOUT case No. 1030 [FRANCE Cour de Cassation 2 April 2008]; CLOUT case No. 543 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 17 December 2003]. 43. [UNITED STATES District Court, Northern District of Illinois 3 September 2008]. 44. United Nations Conference on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, Vienna, 10 March-11 April 1980, Official Records, Documents of the Conference and Summary Records of the Plenary Meetings and of the Meetings of the Main Committee, 1981, 15. 45. For cases referring to article 1(1)(b), see [ARGENTINA Cámara Nacional de Apelaciones en lo Comercial de Buenos Aires 7 October 2010]; [GERMANY Landgericht Potsdam 7 April 2009]; [SERBIA Foreign Trade Court of Arbitration attached to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Arbitral award No. T-8/08]; CLOUT case No. 631 [AUSTRALIA Supreme Court of Queensland QSC 421 (17 November 2000)] (Malaysian and Australian parties chose law applying in Brisbane); CLOUT case No. 701 [ARGENTINA Cámara Nacional de Apelaciones en lo Comercial, 24 April 2000] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 400 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Colmar 24 October 2000]; CLOUT case No. 380 [ITALY Tribunale di Pavia 29 December 1999]; CLOUT case No. 348 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Hamburg 26 November 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 294 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Bamberg 13 January 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 251 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Zürich 30 November 1998]; CLOUT case No. 274 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Celle 11 November 1998]; CLOUT case No. 309 [DENMARK Østre Landsret 23 April 1998]; [ITALY Corte d'Appello Milano 20 March 1998]; CLOUT case No. 238 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 12 February 1998]; CLOUT case No. 224 [FRANCE Cour de Cassation 27 January 1998] (see full text of the decision); [NETHERLANDS Hoge Raad 7 November 1997]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Kortrijk 6 October 1997]; CLOUT case No. 283 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 9 July 1997]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Zutphen 29 May 1997]; CLOUT case No. 214 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Zürich 5 February 1997] (see full text of the decision); [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Kortrijk 6 January 1997]; CLOUT case No. 205 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 23 October 1996]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Hasselt 9 October 1996]; CLOUT case No. 166 [GERMANY Schiedsgericht der Handelskammer Hamburg, Arbitration 21 June 1996]; [NETHERLANDS Hof Leeuwarden 5 June 1996]; [GERMANY Landgericht Oldenburg 27 March 1996]; [GERMANY Landgericht Bad Kreuznach 12 March 1996]; CLOUT case No. 176 [Oberster Gerichtshof, [AUSTRIA 6 February 1996] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Siegen 5 December 1995]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Hasselt 8 November 1995]; [GERMANY Landgericht Hamburg 23 October 1995]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Hasselt 18 October 1995]; [BELGIUM Tribunal de commerce Nivelles 19 September 1995]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Almelo 9 August 1995]; CLOUT case No. 276 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt am Main, 5 July 1995] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 262 [SWITZERLAND Kanton St. Gallen, Gerichtskommission Oberrheintal 30 June 1995] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Kassel, 22 June 1995]; CLOUT case No. 152 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 26 April 1995]; [GERMANY Amtsgericht Wangen 8 March 1995]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Zwolle 1 March 1995]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Middelburg 25 January 1995]; CLOUT case No. 155 [FRANCE Cour de Cassation 4 January 1995] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Amtsgericht Mayen 6 September 1994]; [GERMANY Landgericht Düsseldorf 25 August 1994/a>]; CLOUT case No. 302 [ICC Arbitral award case No. 7660/JK]; CLOUT case No. 93 [AUSTRIA Arbitration-Internationales Schiedsgericht der Bundeskammer der gewerblichen Wirtschaft -- Wien, 15 June 1994]; CLOUT case No. 94 [AUSTRIA Arbitration-Internationales Schiedsgericht der Bundeskammer der gewerblichen Wirtschaft -- Wien, 15 June 1994]; CLOUT case No. 92 [ITALY Arbitration-Ad hoc tribunal, 19 April 1994]; CLOUT case No. 120 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln, 22 February 1994] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 81 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 10 February 1994]; CLOUT case No. 80 [GERMANY Kammergericht Berlin 24 January 1994]; CLOUT case No. 100 [NETHERLANDSRechtbank Arnhem 30 December 1993]; CLOUT case No. 156 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Paris 10 November 1993] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 281 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 17 September 1993]; CLOUT case No. 49 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 2 July 1993]; CLOUT case No. 25 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 16 June 1993]; CLOUT case No. 201 [SWITZERLAND Richteramt Laufen des Kantons Berne 7 May 1993]; CLOUT case No. 310 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 12 March 1993]; CLOUT case No. 99 [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Arnhem 25 February 1993]; CLOUT case No. 292 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Saarbrücken 13 January 1993] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 48 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 8 January 1993]; CLOUT case No. 95 [SWITZERLAND Zivilgericht Basel-Stadt 21 December 1992] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 317 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Karlsruhe 20 November 1992]; CLOUT case No. 227 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Hamm 22 September 1992] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 56 [SWITZERLAND Canton of Ticino Pretore di Locarno-Campagna 27 April 1992] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 158 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Paris 22 April 1992]; CLOUT case No. 98 [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Roermond 19 December 1991]; CLOUT case No. 55 [SWITZERLAND Canton of Ticino Pretore di Locarno-Campagna 16 December 1991, cited as 15 December in CLOUT case No. 55]; CLOUT case No. 316 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 27 September 1991]; CLOUT case No. 2 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt am Main 17 September 1991] (see full text of the decision). 46. See CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision). 47. For the text of this Convention, see Official Journal L 266, 9 October 1980, 1 et seq. 48. See [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 11 May 2010]; CLOUT case No. 1017 [BELGIUM Hof Beroep, Ghent 15 May 2002]; CLOUT case No. 409 [GERMANY Landgericht Kassel 15 February 1996] (see full text of the decision); [ICC Arbitral award case No. 8324/95]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank's Gravenhage 7 June 1995]; CLOUT case No. 48 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 8 January 1993]; CLOUT case No. 281 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 17 September 1993]. "1. A contract shall be governed by the law chosen by the parties. The choice must be expressed or demonstrated with reasonable certainty by the terms of the contract or the circumstances of the case. By their choice the parties can select the law applicable to the whole or a part only of the contract. 3. The fact that the parties have chosen a foreign law, whether or not accompanied by the choice of a foreign tribunal, shall not, where all the other elements relevant to the situation at the time of the choice are connected with one country only, prejudice the application of rules of the law of that country which cannot be derogated from by contract, hereinafter called "mandatory rules". 4. The existence and validity of the consent of the parties as to the choice of the applicable law shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of articles 8, 9 and 11." 50. 1955 Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to International Sale of Goods, 510 U.N.T.S. 149, No. 7411 (1964). 51. See article 2 of the Hague Convention: "A sale shall be governed by the domestic law of the country designated by the Contracting Parties. Such designation must be contained in an express clause, or unambiguously result from the provisions of the contract. Conditions affecting the consent of the parties to the law declared applicable shall be determined by such law." 52. For cases applying the United Nations Sales Convention by virtue of a choice of law acknowledged by the judges on the grounds of article 2 of the 1995 Hague Convention, see [BELGIUM Tribunale commercial de Bruxelles 13 November 1992]. 53. See, for example, CLOUT case No. 720 [NETHERLANDS Arbitration Institute, Arbitral Award, 15 October 2002]. 54. For cases referring to "closest connection", see CLOUT case No. 81 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 10 February 1994] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Düsseldorf 25 August 1994]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Roermond 6 May 1993]; CLOUT case No. 316 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 27 September 1991] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 1 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt am Main 13 June 1991] (see full text of the decision). 55. For cases expressly pointing out that the seller is the party that has to effect the characteristic performance, see [GERMANY Landgericht Berlin 24 March 1998]; [GERMANY Landgericht München 6 May 1997]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Amsterdam 5 October 1994]; CLOUT case No. 81 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 10 February 1994] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 310 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 12 March 1993] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 6 [GERMANY Landgericht Frankfurt am Main 16 September 1991] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Frankfurt am Main, 2 May 1990]. 56. For cases applying the Convention on the basis of the presumption referred to in the text, see, e.g. [BELGIUM Cour d'appel de Mons 8 March 2001]; [GERMANY Landgericht Bad Kreuznach 12 March 1996]; [GERMANY Landgericht Frankfurt am Main 6 July 1994]; CLOUT case No. 50 [GERMANY Landgericht Baden-Baden 14 August 1991] (see full text of the decision). 57. See [BELGIUM Rechtbank Hasselt 9 October 1996]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Hasselt 8 November 1995]; CLOUT case No. 152 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 26 April 1995]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Hasselt 18 October 1995]; [BELGIUM Tribunal commercial de Bruxelles 5 October 1994]; [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal Vaud Wallis 6 December 1993]; CLOUT case No. 201 [SWITZERLAND Richteramt Laufen des Kantons Berne 7 May 1993]; CLOUT case No. 56 [SWITZERLAND Canton of Ticino Pretore di Locarno-Campagna 27 April 1992] (see full text of the decision). 58. [FRANCE Cour de Cassation 26 June 2001]; Tribunale di Verona, Italy 19 December 1997, Rivista Veronese di Giurisprudenza Economica e dell'Impresa 1998, 22 ff. 59. United Nations Conference on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, Vienna, 10 March-11 April 1980, Official Records, Documents of the Conference and Summary Records of the Plenary Meetings and of the Meetings of the Main Committee, 1981, 229. 60. To date the following States have declared an article 95 reservation: People's Republic of China, Czech Republic, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Slovakia, United States of America. When it acceded to the Convention Canada declared an article 95 reservation with respect to a single province -- British Columbia -- but it later withdrew that declaration. [GERMANY has declared that it will not apply article 1(1)(b) in respect of any State that has made a declaration that it would not apply article 1(1)(b). 61. See supra subparagraph 12. 62. See supra subparagraphs 9 et seq. 63. See CLOUT case No. 999 [DENMARK Ad hoc Arbitral Tribunal, 10 November 2000]. 64. See [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Kortrijk 16 December 1996]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Hasselt 9 October 1996]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Hasselt 8 November 1995]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Hasselt 18 October 1995]; [BELGIUM Tribunal de commerce Nivelles 19 September 1995]; [BELGIUM Tribunal commercial de Bruxelles 5 October 1994]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Hasselt 16 March 1994]; [BELGIUM Rechtbank Koophandel, Hasselt 23 February 1994]; [BELGIUM Tribunal commercial de Bruxelles 13 November 1992]; CLOUT case No. 98 [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Roermond 19 December 1991]; [GERMANY Amtsgericht Ludwigsburg 21 December 1990]; CLOUT case No. 5 [GERMANY Landgericht Hamburg 26 September 1990]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Dordrecht 21 November 1990]; [GERMANY Landgericht Hildesheim 20 July 1990]; [GERMANY Landgericht Frankfurt am Main 2 May 1990]; CLOUT case No. 7 [GERMANY Amtsgericht Oldenburg in Holstein 24 April 1990]; CLOUT case No. 46 [GERMANY Landgericht Aachen 3 April 1990]; [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 23 February 1990]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Alkmaar 8 February 1990]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Alkmaar 30 November 1989]; CLOUT case No. 4 [GERMANY Landgericht Stuttgart 31 August 1989]; CLOUT case No. 3 [GERMANY Landgericht München 3 July 1989]. 65. For this statement, see [SERBIA Foreign Trade Court of Arbitration attached to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Arbitral award of 15 July 2008]. 66. See CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; CLOUT case N. 916 [CROATIA High Commercial Court 19 December 2006]; CLOUT case No. 651 [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 11 January 2005] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini, 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht Schaffhausen 25 February 2002]; CLOUT case No. 480 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Colmar 12 June 2001] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 106 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 10 November 1994] (see full text of the decision). 67. For the need to determine the concept of "sale" autonomously, see, e.g., [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 16 February 2009]. 68. See [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 16 February 2009] ; CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; CLOUT case N. 916 [CROATIA High Commercial Court 19 December 2006]; CLOUT case No. 651 [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 11 January 2005] (see full text of the decision); [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 25 February 2004]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini, 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht Schaffhausen 25 February 2002]; Rechtbank Rotterdam, Netherlands, 1 November 2001, Nederlands Internationaal Privaatrecht, 2002, No. 114; [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal Vaud Wallis 11 March 1996]. 69. For this definition, see [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 16 February 2009]; [SWITZERLAND Tribunal Cantonal du Valais 28 January 2009]; CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; CLOUT case No. 651 [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 11 January 2005] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht Schaffhausen 25 February 2002]; CLOUT case No. 480 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Colmar 12 June 2001] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 106 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 10 November 1994] (see full text of the decision). For a reference to the buyer's obligation mentioned in the definition cited in the text, see [BELGIUM Rechtbank van Koophandel Hasselt 2 May 1995]. 70. CLOUT case No. 328 [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht des Kantons Zug 21 October 1999] (see full text of the decision). 71. See CLOUT case No. 293 [GERMANY Schiedsgericht der Hamburger freundlichen Arbitrage 29 December 1998]; CLOUT case No. 251 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht des Kantons Zürich 30 November 1998]; CLOUT case No. 238 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 12 February 1998]; CLOUT case No. 166 [GERMANY Arbitration-Schiedsgericht der Handelskammer Hamburg, 21 March, 21 June 1996] (see full text of the decision); [GERMANY Landgericht Ellwangen 21 August 1995}, unpublished; CLOUT case No. 154 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 22 February 1995]. 72. See CLOUT case No. 269 [GERMANY Bundesgerichtshof 12 February, 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 261 [SWITZERLAND Bezirksgericht der Sanne 20 February 1997]. 73. See CLOUT case No. 297 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München 21 January 1998]; CLOUT case No. 133 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München 8 February 1995]; CLOUT case No. 303 [ICC Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, 1994 (Arbitral award No. 7331 1994)]; CLOUT case No. 5 [GERMANY Landgericht Hamburg 26 September 1990]. 74. See [SERBIA Foreign Trade Court of Arbitration attached to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Arbitral award of 28 January 2009]; [SERBIA High Commercial Court of Belgrade 22 April 2008]; [SERBIA Foreign Trade Court of Arbitration attached to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce,, Arbitral award No. T-25/06 on 13 November 2007]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania 13 April 2004]; CLOUT case No. 695 [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, United States, 29 March 2004]; [ICC Arbitral award case No. 11849]; [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht Schaffhausen 23 April 2002]; CLOUT case No. 420 [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania 29 August 2000]; [NETHERLANDS Hof Arnhem 27 April 1999]; [NETHERLANDS Rechtsbank s'Gravenhage 2 July 1997]; CLOUT case No. 297 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München, 21 January 1998] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 295 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Hamm 5 November 1997]; CLOUT case No. 273 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht München 9 July 1997] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 169 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 11 July 1996]; CLOUT case No. 126 [HUNGARY Fovárosi Biróság 19 March 1996]; CLOUT case No. 281 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 17 September 1993] (see full text of the decision); [NETHERLANDS Hof Amsterdam 16 July 1992]. Some tribunals have applied the CISG to a distributorship agreement: see [ICC Arbitral award case No. 11849]; CLOUT case No. 379 [ITALY Corte di Cassazione 14 December 1999]. For a case in which the issue was raised but not resolved, see CLOUT case No. 187 [UNITED STATES District Court, Southern District of New York 23 July 1997]. See also CLOUT case No. 480 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Colmar 12 June 2001] ("collaboration agreement" under which supplier was required to deliver to the buyer at least 20,000 covers for truck air conditioners, with the possibility of additional quantities depending on the needs of the buyer's customer, was a contract for sale governed by the CISG; the title that the parties chose for their agreement was not dispositive, and the fact that the quantity might be increased beyond the stated amount depending on the needs of the buyer's customer did not prevent application of the Convention; the contract designated the parties as buyer and seller, specified the precise goods and a method for calculating the price, set a minimum quantity of goods to be delivered by the seller, and implied an obligation for buyer to take delivery, so it was a "contract for the sale of goods" for purposes of applying the Convention). 75. See [CHINA Supreme Court of the People's Republic of China 21 September 2005]. But see [ICC Arbitral award case No. 12713] (holding that a framework agreement was governed by the CISG); CLOUT case No. 630 [ICC Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, Zurich, Switzerland, July 1999 (Arbital award No.9448)] (holding that a framework agreement was governed by the CISG, because the contract provided for future sales and deliveries) (see full text of the decision). 76. CLOUT case No. 192 [SWITZERLAND Obergericht des Kantons Luzern 8 January 1997] (see full text of the decision). 77. See [SERBIA Foreign Trade Court of Arbitration attached to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Arbitral award No. T-8/08 on 28 January 2009]; [SERBIA Foreign Trade Court of Arbitration attached to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Arbitral award No. T-25/06 on 13 November 2007]; [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania 13 April 2004]; CLOUT case No. 695 [UNITED STATES District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania 29 March 2004]; [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht Schaffhausen 23 April 2002]; [ICC Arbitral Award, Milan, Italy, December 1998, Arbitral award No. 8908]; CLOUT case No. 295 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Hamm 5 November 1997]; CLOUT case No. 273 [GERMANY 9 July 1997 Oberlandesgericht München] (see full text of the decision); [ICC Arbitral award case No. 8611 of 23 January 1997]; CLOUT case No. 169 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf 11 July 1996]; CLOUT case No. 204 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 15 May 1996]; CLOUT case No. 281 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 17 September 1993] (see full text of the decision). 78. CLOUT case No. 281 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 17 September 1993] (see full text of the decision). 79. See CLOUT case No. 192 [SWITZERLAND Obergericht des Kantons Luzern 8 January 1997]. 80. See [RUSSIA Tribunal of International Commercial Arbitration at the Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Russian Federation, 9 March 2004]; [RUSSIA Federal Arbitration Court for the Moscow Region, Russian Federation, 26 May 2003]. 81. [UKRAINE Tribunal of International Commercial Arbitration at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Trade 10 October 2003]. 82. CLOUT case No. 881 [SWITZERLAND Handelsgericht Zürich 9 July 2002] (see full text of the decision). 83. See the Digest for article 7, paragraph 2. 84. See [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 16 February 2009]; [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 25 February 2004]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 152 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Grenoble 26 April 1995] (see full text of the decision). 85. See [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 16 February 2009]; CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; CLOUT case No. 651 [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 11 January 2005] (see full text of the decision); [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 25 February 2004]; CLOUT case No. 608 [ITALY Tribunale di Rimini 26 November 2002] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 328 [SWITZERLAND Kantonsgericht des Kantons Zug 21 October 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 380 [ITALY Tribunale di Pavia 29 December 1999] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 168 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 21 May 1996] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 122 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 26 August 1994]; CLOUT case No. 106 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 10 November 1994] (see full text of the decision). 86. [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 16 February 2009]; CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]. 87. See CLOUT case No. 176 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 6 February 1996] (applying the Convention to the international sale of propane gas). 88. See [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 16 February 2009]; CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; CLOUT case No. 168 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 21 May 1996 (used car)]; [GERMANY Landgericht Köln, 16 November 1995], unpublished. 89. See [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 16 February 2009]; CLOUT case No. 867 [ITALY Tribunale di Forlì 11 December 2008]; CLOUT case No. 992 [DENMARK Rettin i Københaven 19 October 2007 (pony)]; CLOUT case No. 651 [ITALY Tribunale di Padova 11 January 2005] (see full text of the decision) (chicks); [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Schleswig- Holstein 29 October 2002 (horse)]; [GERMANY Landgericht Flensburg 19 January 2001 (live sheep)] ; CLOUT case No. 280 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Jena 26 May 1998 (live fish)]; CLOUT case No. 312 [FRANCE Cour d'appel de Paris 14 January 1998 (circus elephants)]. Compare CLOUT case No. 106 [AUSTRIA Oberster Gerichtshof 10 November 1994 (chinchilla pelts)]; CLOUT case No. 100 [NETHERLANDS Rechtbank Arnhem 30 December 1993 (live lambs)] . 90. [SWITZERLAND Tribunal cantonal du Valais 2 December 2002]. 91. See CLOUT case No. 161 [HUNGARY Arbitration Court attached to the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 20 December 1993]. 92. See CLOUT case No. 378 [ITALY Tribunale di Vigevano 12 July 2000] (see full text of the decision). 93. See CLOUT case No. 122 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 26 August 1994]. 94. CLOUT case No. 281 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 17 September 1993] (see full text of the decision). 95. See [GERMANY Landgericht München 29 May 1995]; [GERMANY Landgericht Heidelberg 3 July 1992]. 96. See CLOUT case No. 122 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Köln 26 August 1994] (see full text of the decision); CLOUT case No. 131 [GERMANY Landgericht München 8 February 1995]. 97. See CLOUT case No. 281 [GERMANY Oberlandesgericht Koblenz 17 September 1993] (see full text of the decision).
2019-04-24T12:55:38Z
http://cisgw3.law.pace.edu/cisg/text/digest-2012-01.html
Every day leading up to the start of the 2017 prep football season, we'll feature a different Acadiana team. Catch up on all the previews right here. Rhett Peltier faced some very clear challenges when the Loreauville offensive coordinator took over the Tigers’ football program. Coming off an 8-3 season with a second-round exit in the Class 2A playoffs, only 17 players returned from the previous season, seven of whom were starters in 2016. Peltier now has 50 players on the roster, but 18 of those are freshmen. The new players, however, have bought into Peltier’s strategy. He said summer workouts maintained a 95 percent attendance rate, and veteran players are schooling young ones. Despite being just a sophomore, one of those “veterans” is quarterback Zy Alexander, one of the top returning signal callers in the Acadiana area. Peltier asked more of Alexander than he normally would of a freshman, but he consistently delivered in 2016. Alexander has a quality safety net in receiver Brennon Williams, and Leslie Joseph brings plenty of experience in the backfield despite being a first-year starter. One of the advantages of Loreauville promoting Peltier is the familiarity with his personnel. But with few overall returners, the Tigers have been forced to make adjustments, specifically with the defense. Lacking the size it has had in previous years, including two-way linemen, Loreauville is switching from a 4-2-5 to a 3-3 Stack base defense. Peltier admits quick development has to happen basically “everywhere.” The Tigers are breaking in three new receivers to its spread attack, and only two starters on last year's offensive line ­(Austin Melancon and Ryan Bourque) return. St. Thomas More offensive coordinator Shane Savoie can’t help but notice the correlation between the size of his offensive line over the last two years and how the Cougars have finished each season. In consecutive trips to the Superdome, including the program’s first state championship last season, the Cougars have been rather beefy up front. This year will be no different. Third-year starter Grant Young, an all-district guard, anchors a line that also features tackle Jonathan Harding and center Landon Burton. The trio should help create room from STM’s three-headed monster in the backfield: Chris Primeaux, Sydney Lindon and William Cryer. But the real strength of this team should be the defense, which is flooded with experience. The Cougars return its leaders in tackles (linebacker Paul LaBorde), sacks (defensive end Sam Greenwood) and interceptions (safety Cade Broussard). Aside from Broussard, Jude Joseph returns as the team’s best cover corner and one of STM’s better athletes. The Cougars have yet to determine a starting quarterback, and coach Jim Hightower is leaving open the possibility of playing two to start the season. Senior Peyton Landry commands the respect of his teammates, an advantage over sophomore Caleb Holstein, who is more physically gifted. STM has started a sophomore signal caller four times in school history, so it wouldn’t be foreign territory for the Cougars to go with Holstein. Regardless, it will be tough to replace Nate Cox, who set the state title game records for touchdowns and passing yards. All-State honorable mention Mac Thibeaux returns to lead Kaplan’s rushing attack out of the Wing-T offense, assuming a larger role with the loss of Louisiana College signee Julius Johnson. Thibeaux will run behind two all-district linemen in Aaron Hebert and Austin Stelly, which is key for a team that runs the ball at least 85 percent of the time, Lotief said. The defense returns six starters, including an all-district defensive end (Quintlan Cobb), two all-district linebackers (Rhett Menard and Logan Roy) and an all-district defensive back (Trae Case). Coach Tank Lotief didn't mince words when he said the Pirates' offensive line appears to be more vulnerable than last year, meaning success on the ground may prove to be more difficult. Kaplan doesn’t have great size and must replace three all-district linemen, including all-state member Jerrick Romero. Kaplan may also be forced to use a few players on both sides of the ball, something Lotief doesn’t like doing, due to a lack of depth. With three starting defensive backs returning, Comeaux may have one of the best secondaries in the Acadiana area. It’s a deep and athletic group, featuring reserves who have gained experienced in a rotational role last season, that has really stood out in 7-on-7s. Spartans defensive coordinator Ben Mouton sees Deiontray Martin as his best overall player in the secondary while safety Christian Archangel is a lanky playmaker. Cameron Babineaux is the team’s best cover corner, which should help an inexperienced defensive line get to the quarterback in passing situations. Despite Comeaux’s talented and experienced secondary, questions linger on defense, specifically up front. The Spartans must replace all four starters on the defensive line, including all-district performers Antonio Bourgeois and Desmond Monette. The Spartans also need to find capable pass catchers with the loss of All-Acadiana wideout Tanarious Achan, who was Brett Dotson’s go-to target last season. Aside from Simon and Johnson, Doug Dotson is asking Raekwon Helaire, Jonathon Harris, Jaden Hamilton to emerge as Comeaux breaks in two new quarterbacks. With two 300-plus-pounders returning on the right side of the offensive line and a deep backfield, Ted Davidson’s split-back veer offense should give opponents all they can handle. Six starters return on defense, including three of Acadiana’s four defensive linemen. At 6-foot, 315 pounds, defensive tackle Elisha Sion brings size and a high motor. Defensive end Bishop Breaux’s speed and athleticism will help the Wreckin’ Rams bring pressure. Safeties Kanyon St. Julien and Latrell Charles will help stabilize an otherwise inexperienced secondary. Even with some quality returning starters, the biggest question marks remain on defense for Acadiana, specifically the depth. Acadiana must find a replacement for defensive tackle Curtis Cormier, a returning starter who moved away in the offseason. But even behind the returning defensive line starters, not much experience exists. So their health will be key. The Wreckin’ Rams will also be breaking in two new starters at linebacker in their 4-3 base defense. Three defensive backs are gone from the Acadiana secondary, leaving the Wreckin’ Rams with two cornerback spots to fill. It’s no big secret where to start when it comes to evaluating the Wolves this fall. Rayne is an old-school Wing-T team with all three running backs returning. The other obvious plus for the Wolves is the defensive line where there are three starters back, led by senior tackle Antonio Gabriel. The secondary is another plus for the Wolves on paper with both strong safeties, a cornerback and the free safety returning. Overall, seven starters are back on defense. Unlike many teams, the Wolves have a seasoned placekicker in Morgan Manuel returning. For a team that returns 11 starters coming off a 10-2 season, there are more question marks than you might think. For starters, only senior Tyler Carriere returns on the offensive line. Then there’s a new quarterback in Darien Richard, who has a new receiving corps and a new tight end. As good as the backfield figures to be, that’s a lot of inexperience on offense. On the defensive side of the ball, the biggest question may be coming up with a steady cornerback on the other side of Zach Fontenot. When you’ve built a program like the one Lewis Cook has built at Notre Dame, a history of excellence can be your biggest strength. Returning starters are a rarity for the Pioneers, but that’s a result of strong senior classes. By the time players become full-time starters at Notre Dame, they’ve spent three years with the program and may have some experience as a reserve. Even when the faces constantly change, the product on the field stays the same. Notre Dame must replace every starter on both sides of the line. The spots to fill on the defensive line are large with LSU signee Tyler Shelvin and All-Acadiana second-teamer Matt Rosinki now gone. Offensive tackle Doug Leonards, another All-Acadiana pick, and tight end Hunter Lejeune have also moved on. As new Vermilion Catholic coach Brady Thomas — a former UL quarterback and an offensive graduate assistant with the Cajuns — reviewed film of the Screamin’ Eagles’ 2016 season, it was easy for him to see the talent he had returning under center. Quarterback J.T. Lege enters his senior season as one of the Acadiana area’s top returning passers. Lege was an already gifted thrower before Thomas took over the VC football program in December, so the coach didn’t have to do much correcting to the signal caller’s mechanics. Thomas also inherits plenty of speed at the skill positions, so the Screamin’ Eagles will utilize an up-tempo attack, hoping to run as many plays as possible. Because most teams in the area don’t run no-huddle offenses, Thomas said, VC is hoping to wear down defense that aren’t as conditioned to playing fast. Thomas’ decision to play fast on offense is also a product of a lack of size and inexperience up front. VC returns just one offensive lineman, center Grant David, with any starting experience, and David is moving from guard to center. Thomas admits hurry-up offenses can also result in several three-and-outs without much time coming off the clock, so execution will be critical for the Screamin’ Eagles. VC’s defensive line doesn’t possess much size or inexperience either, and VC struggled to consistently tackle last season during a 4-6 campaign. In short, the offense. This unit should give defensive coordinators around the area fits all season long. It starts at quarterback, where Diallo Landry is back for his third season as a starter. Behind Landry are two productive backs in Jadan Stokes and Ben Landry. Stokes is one of the fastest backs Brent Indest has ever coached. Landry also had a top-notch target in Peter LeBlanc. As if that's not enough, in front of Landry will be one of the area's top guard tandems in Harrison Schexnayder and Warner Simon. When you lose an All-Acadiana MVP on defense who was a four-year starter like Zi'Yon Hill, there's simply no way to effectively replace him. Hill required so many double-teams that it freed last year's group of talented linebackers to make more plays. That linebacking corps as a group was one of the best Indest has coached, so this year's group has big shoes to fill without the benefit of an All-State lineman playing in front. There may not be a more important player to have back in a Wing-T offense than its fullback, and Delcambre has that in Dylan Vallecillo. The Panthers also have four returning starters on defense that will be crucial in trying to move from a 3-3 defense to a 4-2-5 defensive alignment. Unfortunately for coach Marc Broussard and his staff, the question marks are many. They start on the offensive line where the Panthers don't return any starters. Next up is a first-year starter at quarterback in junior Colt Dooley. While Vallecillo is a returning starter at fullback, the wingbacks along side him in the backfield are a pair of sophomores in 135-pound Ian Evans and 145-pound Tirney Dejean. On the defensive side, there are three new starters on the defensive line and three new starters in the secondary. The offense returns eight starters, led by two of the school's top athletes in Malik Criner and Ryan Broussard. Broussard is back as the starting tailback and will now be the last line of defense on the other side with the move from linebacker to free safety after the staff determined he operates better in space. Criner should catch his fair share of passes, but will also see plenty of time in the backfield. Broussard leads a group of seven returning starters on defense as well, led by four-year starting defensive end Drake Griffin, who moved from defensive tackle to end in the new 3-4 defensive scheme. The Patriots are really hoping to be a more effective running unit this season. The probability of that remains to be seen, but the idea is to avoid being in nearly as many must-pass situations as a year ago. After giving up 34 or more points six times last season, the Patriots are switching to a 3-4 defensive alignment in 2017. A lot of familiar faces will try to make the transition smooth, but four new starters will have to be worked in as well. Aside from familiarity being established now that Terry Martin is in his second year at Breaux Bridge, the Tigers’ biggest strength this season should be an uptick in talent. Though his defense doesn’t have as much size as it did last year, Martin believes they will be faster on that side of the ball and, thus, improved overall. Offensively, Breaux Bridge has the pieces to be effective, especially on the ground. Senior Logan Bossier returns as the Tigers’ top tailback, a position where Breaux Bridge doesn’t have a lot of depth. The offensive line also has three returning starters, all seniors. Julian Leon, the Tigers’ quarterback last season, has moved to tight end to beef up the Tigers’ front. And new starting quarterback Cole Mouton has one of the best young targets in the area by his side: Dartravien Girod, a first-team All-District selection. Regardless of the talent level, Breaux Bridge’s defense is inexperienced at this point. All-Acadiana outside linebacker/strong safety Tylar Wiltz is gone, and only three starters from last year’s defense are back ­— defensive linemen Jontrell Steward and Quinton Davis and free safety Elijah Wiltz. One of the Tigers’ best non-returning starters, linebacker Brandt Camacho, missed most of last season with an injury that required surgery. Among the weapons new Bulldogs offensive coordinator Clint Harrison has at his disposal, All-Acadiana wide receiver Kaleb Carter returns as one of the better playmakers in the area. He’s joined by track star Ryan Malbrough, who, like Carter, will play both ways. All-District tailback Devin Briscoe is back to lead Cecilia’s rushing attack, and sophomore Adonis Singleton will provide the Bulldogs with a capable backup. Cecilia certainly has talent on defense, but the front seven returns just one starter — defensive tackle Randall Borel. The Bulldogs lose all-district defensive ends Braylon Daigle and Kale Boudreaux, leaving juniors Delison Allen and Dominique Prejean to fill those roles. Oscar Alexander, who missed most of last year with a knee injury, should help fill the void left by All-District linebacker Adam Chung, but two other new starters will be joining Alexander in the linebacker corps. Carencro defensive coordinator Larry Breaux is putting his unit through a scheme change — from 4-2-5 to a 3-4 base defense — but the switch should ultimately benefit the Golden Bears’ personnel. Carencro first-year head coach Tony Courville said the Golden Bears possess more defenders that fit the bill of a linebacker or an edge rusher. Carencro return two defensive players who were named to either the first or second All-Acadiana teams: defensive end Keon Jean-Batiste and linebacker Jalen Angelle. Billy Clay is moving from defensive end to outside linebacker, but his responsibilities won’t change much. Cornerback Treylon Barnaba, who made the All-District second team at running back, should help lock down one side the field. The Golden Bears return just one starter on the offensive line and will have to replace tackle Ken Mouton, a member of the All-Acadiana second team. Freshmen Trenton Jolivette and Moj’iriren Shomade will start at guard and tackle, respectively, and there could be some growing pains early in the season. Junior Austen Breaux is projected to start at a quarterback, but offensive coordinator Kevin Faulk will have an interesting dilemma on his hands. Chance Prejean was a two-year starting quarterback at Northside before transferring for his senior season and has shown an ability to make plays with arm and feet. Prejean should factor into the offense in some capacity, but the quarterback situation will be an interesting one to monitor as the season progresses. It doesn't take a very exhaustive search of the Tigers' preseason projections to see where Westgate's strengths lie. The Tigers return six starters on offense and nine on defense. Add the fact that the coaching staff is also back intact, practices are much more advanced and productive thus far in August. If being strong up the middle is the key many believe, the Tigers should be dangerous this fall with Darien Charles back at quarterback, running back Tyreese Jackson returning behind him and center Jessie Badeaux snapping the ball. Charles also has good versatility back at receiver in 6-5 basketball star Keith Lopez and 5-10 Tyran Davis. The biggest question mark is on the offensive line with three new starters, as well as technically a fourth in tight end Jansen Mayea, who replaces All-District tight end Eron Phillips. Despite all the potential at the skill positions, effective blocking will be needed for both the rushing and passing games to be productive. Crowley may not have one player who clearly stands out from the rest, but it is strong in numbers at the top. With 23 seniors listed on the roster, new Gents head coach Jeptha Wall has a strong leadership core on his hands. Senior quarterback Paul Dugar returns to lead the Gents’ pro-style offense after being hampered by injuries as a junior. He’ll be joined by two more seniors in the backfield. Wide receiver Chris Lewis is a versatile senior who will play both ways. Crowley has depth and experience on the offensive line, including talented tackles Darian Landry and Cole Simon. The Gents also return an All-District selection at tight end: junior Rapheus Joseph. On defense, more seniors dot the lineup. Nose guard Desmond Harmon has been starter since his freshman season. Desmond’s brother, sophomore defensive end Kendall Harmon, is a big body up front, while senior Michael Dupre will play opposite of him. Senior outside linebacker Jalean Jenkins is a long and lean playmaker. The starting secondary is entirely made up of fourth-year players. Staying healthy is a priority for every football team. But when a squad is crippled by the number of injuries that Crowley sustained last season, it’s an even bigger issue. The Gents lost Dugar to a concussion in an 18-13 win against Cecilia in Week 3, forcing freshman Marquis Garrett into the lineup. Dugar’s injury came on top of three linebackers going down in Week 1, including linebacker Markel Domino’s season-ending leg break. Crowley won just one other game for the rest of the season, a 27-0 win against DeQuincy in Week 5, and Wall admits he’s “skeptical” of how his team will respond after a 2-8 campaign. Balance may be on the horizon for the Yellow Jackets — a team that went 3-7 and averaged just 19 points per game in 2016 — as junior quarterback Austin Norris takes the reins. Norris has shown an advanced football acumen since he joined the team as a freshman, and he’ll have three returning running backs to lean on. Two of those tailbacks, Eddie McZeal and Darren Weekly, excel as receivers, giving New Iberia two more capable wideouts to a passing game that should be more effective. But the Yellow Jackets biggest strength should be its defense, which returns seven starters. The front seven is particularly strong with three starting linebackers returning, all of which play physically and possess speed. Burly defensive end Grant Mitchell is perhaps Hutson’s best overall player and one of the strongest he’s ever had at the school. The Yellow Jackets have to replace four of its five starting offensive linemen, the exact opposite of its situation last season. Senior tackle Eddie Fichter is the lone returning starter. New Iberia will most likely start a freshman in the secondary: strong safety Taylor Williams. Hutson believes Williams is “one of the top prospects of the future,” but there could be some growing pains early on. Hutson is also concerned about his overall depth, so the health of his starters will be key to avoid playing more young players. The short of it is the Blue Gators return eight starters on offense and seven on defense. Those are pretty encouraging figures for any head coach. The offense has four starters back on the offensive line, led by Tulane commitment Michael Remondet, and plenty of speed behind it. Quarterback Jake Vascocu and slot receiver Seth Kerstetter both ooze big-play potential, while workhorse back Leo Franques won't be surprising anyone this season. On the defensive side, the Blue Gators return their entire secondary, as well as two at both linebacker and the defensive line. Ethan Cannon is back as the defense's leading tackler last season and Andrew Hebert returns at cornerback after leading AES with eight interceptions (two he returned for scores). That doesn't even include a two-way standout like Mac Kelly, who patrols centerfield in the AES defense, and also should provide a some big-play ability at wide receiver on offense. The vast majority of small-school programs in the state would love to have as few question marks as the Blue Gators have. The biggest one is just having to replace to elite Class 1A receivers in Ronald LeBlanc and Zach Ronquillo. That duo made catches and runs after the catch that you just don't see much from 1A wideouts. It's not like the Blue Gators don't have capable receivers replacing them, but it'll likely be quite some time before they see a duo like that in Youngsville again. Tight end Jack Leoni could also help provide another dependable target. Head coach David Comeaux has a senior quarterback in Mason Granger to orchestrate the post-Elijah Mitchell era. He'll have two returning offensive lineman in front of him and a one-back threat in Coy LeBlanc, who isn't Mitchell but did get a lot of playing time as his reserve last season. On the defensive side, Erath is changing its scheme as well, going from a 4-3 to a 3-4. The Bobcats will be doing that with as many as eight starters returning on defense. It's purely a personnel reason for the defensive change with all four linebackers being returning starters (one being a converted defensive end). With that many changes, there are obviously many questions to be answered. First and foremost, there's the simple issue of how efficient with the new offense and new defense be in a transition season. The next issue could be how many players — as many as four or five — have to play both ways at least on a part-time basis. The Bobcats will also be utilizing a first-year starter at both placekicker and punter, so the kicking game will need to make early strides as well. It may not be quite 1,000 total pounds, like Lafayette coach Rob Pool estimated, but there’s no mistaking it: The Mighty Lions’ defensive line is heavy. Darian Taylor, a 350-pounder, anchors the defense at nose guard, while 300-pounder James Walker flanks him at defensive end. Add 200-pound defensive end Javonte Walker to the line, and Lafayette’s three-man front should prevent opposing offensive linemen from reaching the second level consistently. The Mighty Lions are also athletic in the linebacker corps, which features returning starters Dumebi Utomi and Brandon Revere. Opposite of Utomi, strong safety Will Delahoussaye plays to the passing strength and is capable tackling in space. Cornerback Caleb Washington, the other returning starter in the secondary, will provide the defense with leadership and speed. Offensively, Corren Norman takes over as Lafayette’s lead tailback. Norman’s playing time increased at the end of last season, and he was also dangerous on kickoff returns. Quarterback Brennon Broussard has a year of starting experience under his belt and has a good grasp of the offense. He has capable receiving options in Koi Thomas, Braylon Willis, Canaan Leon and Kavon Valliere. So perhaps the biggest question mark facing the Mighty Lions in 2017 is not about a side of the ball or a position group. Improving on a three-win season might come down to how much Lafayette players have developed, both physically and mentally, from a year ago in a district that’s so unforgiving. Regardless, Pool is in the midst of a rebuilding job that could take another year or two. Dane Charpentier takes over the Rebels' program after his father, Sonny, stepped down after last season with a few holes to fill but also plenty of talent and depth returning. Charpentier professes to be a coach who likes to run the ball and stop the run. Fortunately for the Rebels' new leader, he's got plenty of personnel to achieve both this season. On the offensive side, Teurlings returns three starters on the offensive line, two of which go over 300 pounds in senior returning All-Acadiana performer Justin Mathews (6-3, 300) and junior LSU commitment Thomas Perry (6-7, 320). On the defensive side, new TCHS defensive coordinator Brad Taylor returns bookend defensive ends in the McGuire duo as well as last year's leading tackler Beau LeBlanc at middle linebacker, and team leader Cole Newland moves from end to outside linebacker in his third season as a starter. While a new quarterback is a question mark to some, Charpentier has confidence in Wesley Blazek. Also expected to make Charpentier's first season at the helm smoother is senior Hayden Judice, who will play both ways for the Rebels as a running back and at free safety. Depth in the secondary should also help Teurlings against sophisticated passing attacks such as Rummel, STM and Catholic High of Baton Rouge. The Rebels will open the season with a running back-by-committee approach. Over the years, that has worked and not worked in different situations, so time will tell here. The Rebels also don't have a ton of District 4-4A experience at wide receiver. Combine that with a new quarterback, and the passing game has plenty to prove early on. While many members of the coaching staff remain, there will be different play-callers on offense, defense and special teams this fall for Teurlings. Making that transition even more difficult is the brutal schedule the Rebels must play with four teams that have won state championships in recent seasons, not to mention perennial district title contenders like Rayne, Breaux Bridge, LaGrange and Carencro. If there’s one thing opponents know they’re going to get with St. Martinville, it’s athleticism. That will be no different in 2017, but much of the talent on the Tigers’ roster has game experience too. St. Martinville returns 14 starters — eight on offense and six on defense — including All-District first-teamer Travien Benjamin at running back. St. Martinville coach Vincent DeRouen is confident in returning wideouts Draylon Kelley and Jamel Fontenette. At the very least, the Tigers have a playmaker at the quarterback position: returning starter Markavon Williams. Defensively, the Tigers should be solid at the second and third level. Linebackers Markell Chambers and Travon Pierre make up for their lack of height with physicality and speed. Athletes abound in the secondary, including All-District honorable Javone Wiltz at strong safety, and a rotation should be steady. Though the Tigers return starters on both the offensive and defensive lines, depth is a concern up front. St. Martinville must replace two first-team All-District defensive linemen, Ty Nelson and Kevin Batiste, and a first-team All-District offensive lineman, Treveon Alexander. DeRouen feels good about his four returning offensive linemen, including three All-District performers, but the position group has dealt with injuries during fall camp. Yes, the Wildcats were 2-8 last season, but that only begins to tell the story. They incredibly averaged over five turnovers a game. So the focus throughout the offseason has been eliminating turnovers. Coach Kevin Kern says the execution has been better and it's got more explosiveness to go with that. For one thing, six starters return on offense, including three on the line. Also expected to shine this fall for AHS is junior quarterback Chad Celestine, whose athleticism and decision-making in August drills have excited the Wildcats' coaching staff. He's got three experienced backs behind him to also ease his transition as a first-year starter. On the defensive end, there are two returning starters on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary. Leading that parade is senior end Omari Akebu-lan and free safety Dominic Nunez. As talented as Celestine has looked thus far, he's still a first-year varsity starter. Time will tell how he handles the pressure and if he can add an effective passing game to his rushing skills. Defensively, the Wildcats' defense has shown early signs of holding their own against the run. Now Abbeville must show it can properly respond to any effective passing games. And the biggest factors for this program are to believe it can win in crunch time and can it find a way to reduce turnovers. While the Eunice Bobcats certainly don't have all of their bases covered, there are a lot of high school coaches in the state that would switch places with coach Paul Trosclair. The Bobcats return their quarterback, leading rusher and leading receiver from last year's playoff squad. Actually, two of the three backs in Eunice's Wing-T attack return, led by 1,200-yard rusher Avery Lee. The part of the offense that could make the biggest strides may be the passing game. Quarterback Jaden Brasseaux returned after throwing for 1,127 yards last season. He had top target Jordan Ledet back, as well as a 6-2, 220-pound tight end in Tyler Darbonne who has worked to become more of a receiving threat. On the defensive side, Eunice returns seven starters overall, including three on the defensive line, both linebackers and two in the secondary. Even the kicking game is in better shape. The most glaring area of concern for the Bobcats is on the offensive line, where only senior tackle Caleb Sattler returned. Of the four first-year starters on the line, though, three of them are seniors. The strong safety/linebacker types in the 4-2-5 defense can be huge playmakers and Eunice will have two new starters there to bring some concern there. Moreover, Trosclair was planning on starting a promising sophomore cornerback in James Williams, but he moved to Texas during the offseason. The answer is a lot. The Vikings had a talented sophomore class a year ago that are ready to rule as juniors. We'll start on defense. Especially for a Class 1A team, the Vikings are loaded with beef and athleticism up front. James Monroe moves from tackle to end, while Adrian Burns stays in the middle. The linebackers are both back and seniors in the 4-2-5 alignment with Ryan Lewis and Evan Labbe. The secondary also figures to be well-manned with three starters returning. There are four returning starter juniors on the offensive side as well, led by 6-4 tight end Adam Purser and 6-0 receiver Devin Thierry. The other two are on the line of scrimmage. Purser and Thierry join senior slot back Cain Ludeau to comprise a formidable receiving corps. First of all, there are three sophomores scheduled to start on the offense. Coach Thomas David is encouraged with their early progress, but that still has to be proven. In front of them will be a first-year starting quarterback in Zack Mengarelli. On the defensive side, half of the line will include new starters, as will the secondary. The kicking game is another area that will feature some inexperienced starters and will need time to progress early on. Westminster Christian is a smash-mouth football team that prides itself on playing solid defense and running the football. At the very least, it should do the latter well out of the I-formation. Crusaders coach Vinnie Bullara can’t say enough good things about his top returning tailback, Cole Fournet. Fournet makes up for his lack of size with pure will, and he’ll have a capable fullback leading the way for him in junior Brock Bullara. But the key to the ground attack will be the offensive line, which returns three starters: center Grayson Stepanek, guard John Robert Thibodeaux and tackle Austin Johnson. The trio of senior linemen are a physical group that understand WCA’s offensive philosophy and have established chemistry with each other. The two new starters on the line are third-year players, and the tight end, senior Jacob Johnson, is a former lineman who’s found a home at his new position. After it reached the Division IV quarterfinals in 2016, Bullara isn’t afraid to say that this is a rebuilding year for WCA. As is common for Class 1A schools, the Crusaders have a handful of players who play both ways, but only three players are returning starters on defense. In fact, WCA has just 30 total players on the team. The defense is also under the direction on a new coordinator, Pat Greene. The Crusaders will likely start a sophomore at quarterback, Lane Bias. Bullara likes the fact that Bias is young and will be in the program for a few more years, but there should be some natural growing pains early on. That should mean the Crusaders will lean even more on a deep backfield than it normally does. For as many first-team All-District performers that Church Point had last season, it would be easy to think the Bears are coming off of a solid campaign in 2016. Unfortunately for J.C. Arceneaux’s bunch, Church Point started 0-5 and finished the season 3-8. However, three of those first-team All-District players return the offense, including the sophomore running back Rodney Dupuis. Dupuis didn’t waste any time making his presence known as a freshman, running for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2016. Three senior offensive linemen, including All-District guard Kane Bergeron, are back to block for Dupuis. The Bears are also moving Breelyn Jones, who made the All-District team as a return specialist, into a full-time role at quarterback. He’s started in the secondary since he was a freshman, and he’ll bring track speed to an offense that plans to break out of the Wing-T at times. On defense, Jones is part of a very athletic defensive backfield that includes Tyrin McDade and Trey Babineaux. The Bears also returning an All-District punter, Austin Manuel. For as many returning starters as the Bears have, they have an equal amount of inexperienced players. Many of his key players also play both ways, so developing depth will be critical to giving starters a breather. The biggest reason Church Point started 0-5 last season was inability to convert third downs and/or preventing opponents from moving the chains. The Bears ran the ball about 95 percent of the time last season because of shortcomings in the passing game. What makes Lafayette Christian quarterback Zachary Clement special is not just that he’s a gifted athlete, capable of making plays with both his arm and his feet. The All-State honorable mention is also just a junior, and he’s only getting better. Errol Rogers Jr. and Sage Ryan, Clement’s top two receivers from a year ago, return after starting as a sophomore and an eighth-grader, respectively. Trey Breaux is also back to lead the ground attack, but he’ll be used as a receiver as well. Finally, four of the Knights’ five offensive linemen from last year return, highlighted by tackle Beau Badon. Defensively, the strength lies in the linebacker corps, which returns three of its four starters from last year. LCA’s biggest weakness is the youth on the bench. The Knights have a larger roster overall, but most of its backups are freshmen. LCA coach Trev Faulk admits the Knights were fortunate to stay healthy last season, but injuries this season could mean throwing more young players into the fire. LCA’s defense really struggled to limit scoring last season, but Faulk said that was mostly a product of the youth on the field. Faulk, however, expects that to change as his players have gone through another summer in the weight room and have a better understanding of the system. It’s all about strength in numbers for Northside, a team that had less than 20 players at the end of spring practice. New Vikings coach John Simmons now has more than 50 players and is shooting for 70. Northside is coming off a 1-9 season. Simmons is not just trying get the program back to its winning ways; he’s attempting to get the community back involved. Defensively, the Vikings should be solid at linebacker with first-team All-District performer Tyrese Bellard and Taylon Andrus. Simmons has spent most of the offseason focusing on the defense because Northside surrendered 38 points per game last season. In Bellard and Andrus, he has a pair of instinctive linebackers who love to hit. Northside also has two defensive linemen with plenty of potential – Kimoni Lavaughn and Carencro transfer Jaquail Lee. Both are quick, strong and agile, so they should help Bellard and Andrus play free. The biggest question mark for Northside is how quickly players will develop. Several on the roster, including new students at the school, joined the team late, so they haven’t been able to go through a full summer workout program. Naturally, forming chemistry and continuity is a process that could take the entire season. Simmons is seeing positive signs of that, but that should be his biggest challenge in 2016. The Vikings are also young or inexperienced in key areas, namely the offensive line and quarterback. New starting quarterback Theo Rose is a tough kid who’s embraced the challenge of being the starter, Simmons said. For a team that’s moving from the Wing-T offense to more of a spread attack, you may think Beau Chene doesn’t have the personnel to run the ball effectively. But that’s not the case, as Gators coach Josh Guidry believes the team’s strengths will be a deep backfield and its offensive line. Beau Chene, coming off a season in which it posted the best record in program history, has as many as four capable running backs, and the plan is for there to be a steady rotation. The backfield is highlighted by three-year starters Markaylin Milburn and Jylon Henry. Milburn and Henry are physical rushers who play bigger than their listed heights and weights. Darius Sawyer and Adrian Eaglin, a starting wide receiver, will also see reps in the backfield. Guard Dustin Richard, the only returning starter on the offense line, and tackle Sage Darbonne should be the key cogs up front. Beau Chene doesn’t have many full-time starters returning on defense. Even the upperclassmen who are listed as projected starters on defense don’t have much experience. Naturally, the biggest concern for Guidry is the development of those unseasoned defenders. In junior Kohl Savage, the Gators will also have a first-year starter at quarterback. Guidry admits Savage is still learning the position, and there are no returning full-time starters at wide receive. With Beau Chene moving to a spread offense, how the passing game progresses will be something to monitor throughout the season. April 16, 2019, 7:26 a.m.
2019-04-21T20:19:06Z
https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2017/08/02/2017-prep-football-preview/534773001/
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http://zairibaharom.blogspot.com/2013/05/
coefficient increase, and the stress sensitivity of coal reservoir enhanced. PR China. Tel.: þ 86 10 13521520515. E-mail address: mengya629@163.com (Y. Meng). 2013). 3 coal seam in Permian at Sihe coalmine in Southern Qinshui Basin. and degree of shearing of the coal seams (Gentzis et al. we can see that the relationship between the gas permeability of coal and effective stress obeys the negative exponential function as follows: K i ¼ K 0 e  ap ð1Þ where K i is the permeability under a specific effective stress. averagely 0. generated in Carboniferous and Permian periods. Experiment results 3.50 2. The porosity and permeability of anthracite coal sample from No.12% and ash yield 22. experimental temperature is set as 30 1C and 60 1C. gas source for confining pressure is supplied by high-pressure air. 2.. 3.52 2. Previous experimental researches were mainly related to low-medium rank coals.52 2. The exploration and production tests in this field have been conducted since 1990s.44 2.1. Confining pressure values were 3. 8.08 4. we used the variation of net confining pressure to simulate the variations of coal seam effective stress.51 2. Thus the understanding of the permeability variation during the exploration and development of CBM was still limited to some degree. Regression analysis results for six experimental samples are shown in Table 2.51 cm to 2. Meng and Hou.96 2. The diameter of coal samples is from 2. Meng et al. Specifically. CBM reservoir permeability is controlled by coal reservoir stress regime. and the temperature 20 1C.60 5. volatile yield 8.09 5.2. The results may be applicable in developing strategies in exploration.0. MPa. the best development prospect. the same displacement pressure keeps constant during the test process. In order to analyze the influence of temperature on stress sensitivity.11 4.00 Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry 30.5 MPa to 20 MPa in laboratory..54 MPa  1. 3 coal seam in Southern Qinshui Basin of China in net confining stress were measured in laboratory.75 cm to 5. and 10. Dry coal samples were prepared by drying the raw coal samples in the dryer for 48 h. 2013. with an area of about 7000 km2.63%. The experimental workflow is shown in Fig. 2.52 cm and the length from 4.0. However. 1. 2.72 3. 2007). p is the variation value of effective stress from the initial to a certain stress. located in Shanxi Province of the Central China. 9.50 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 30 60 Fractured Intact Intact Intact Intact Intact Intact Intact Intact Intact Intact 4. 2011). This study was undertaken to address the stress-dependent porosity and permeability of anthracite coal at a varying temperature and moisture content. Experiment conditions To understand the influence of the coal reservoir stress on coal porosity and permeability.36%. .0. The basic data of the coal samples are shown in Table 1. Experiment samples The Southern Qinshui Basin.7819  10  3 μm2.12% and No. The maximum vitrinite reflectance Ro. 10  3 μm2. Coal seams. and a higher commercialized production in the China's coal-bed methane reservoirs (Meng et al.37 MPa  1. The correlations between porosity. The relationship between permeability of coal and the effective stress The relationship between permeability of coal and the effective stress is shown in Fig. Permeability in the coal-bed reservoir is relatively high compared to other coal-bed methane reservoirs in China.Max is 3. CBM reservoir has low permeability and strong gas adsorption capacity. a ranges from 0. 5.8% 100% Dry Dry confining stress. contain abundant methane.26 MPa  1 to 0.0. however researches on the influence of in-situ stress to the coal reservoir permeability were insufficient due to the lack of coal reservoir stress and permeability data. ID Diameter Length Moisture content (cm) (cm) Experimental temperature ( 1C) Description 1# 2# 3# 4# 5# 6# 7# 8# 9# 10# 11# 2. K 0 ranges from 0.Y.2562  10  3 μm2. The coal samples were collected from the No. and measured the varying porosity and permeability with net confining pressure. so the maximum stress test was designed to 10 MPa.11 cm. MPa  1.1. few researches on high rank coals has been reported.1. Meng and Li (2013) collected 12 high rank coal samples from the southeast margin of China Ordos Basin and two low and medium rank coal samples from the north margin of this basin and determined their air permeability under a varying effective stress from 2.75 5. 4. well completion and production of coal-bed methane. the high-purity helium acts as the test gas source.0. and a is the regression coefficient.50 2.0. 2. The burial depth of the coal seam is from 350 m to 1200 m.3. and the controlling mechanism of permeability variation was studied. variation in in-situ water permeability is likely a function of the maceral composition. and then analyzed the relationships between porosity.00 5. the displacement pressure is fixed. and the temperature test up to 60 1C. permeability and effective stress 3. 2. 7. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 133 (2015) 810–817 and its influencing factors. 3 coal seam is semi-bright coal in macrolithotype and is banded or homogeneous in coal texture.1. which is quite different from the conventional oil and gas reservoirs.47 2. To minimize gas slippage effect. averagely 0. mode of deformation. in the course of the experiment.52 2. is the most important production base for high quality anthracite in China. the correlation models between permeability and stress of high rank coal reservoir were established. K 0 is the permeability under initial effective stress. the burial depth of coal seams in southern Qinshui Basin ranges from 350 m to 1200 m. the stress-dependent permeability of anthracite coal was addressed based on laboratory experiments (Meng and Li. According to approximate analysis results on air dry basis.51 2. 10  3 μm2. From Fig. The Southern Qinshui Basin measures approximately 120 km from north to south and 80 km from east to west. In this paper. Experiment apparatus and procedure We used an automatic porosity and permeability instrument (AP – 608) to test the porosity and permeability of coal under net 811 Table 1 Basic data of the coal samples.5.0267  10  3 μm2 to 4.51 2. To avoid the influence of slippage effect on permeability of coal sample. permeability and effective stress.42% 66. permeability and effective stress were analyzed.0 MPa.50 2. Cylindrical coal samples were carefully drilled in the direction parallel to the bedding plane. Relationships between coal porosity. Experimental method 2. 6. the moisture content is 1. Each stress point sustained long enough. and then gas permeability at this stress point is measured. The results show that the Qinshui Basin is a very promising coalbed methane reservoir with the most exploration wells.99 5. at least in balance for 30 min. 5 -0.000 4.000 1. MPa  1.0 R = 0.07 MPa  1.0 14 5. and c is the regression coefficient.020 -0. Relationship between porosity and permeability of coal and the effective stress.9877 6 1.5 0 2 0. %.002 Effective stress/MPa 0. c ranges from 0.0 2 R = 0.000 2.0 -0.3086x Permeability/10-3 μm2 Permeability 1.0 14 12 4.008 -0.84% to 6.0483x Porosity/% Permeability/10-3 μm2 Permeability y = 3.133 MPa  1.0382x 5.4306x 0. MPa.010 2.0 4.5 14 0 2 4 6 y = 6.040 Permeability/10-3 μm2 Permeability Porosity 0.1901e -0.060 8 Effective stress/MPa 0.9496 y = 0.010 y = 0.0548x y = 4.040 0.5 R = 0.0 0.9871 4. averagely 0. 1. %.000 1.020 3.0 Porosity R = 0. p is the variation value of effective stress from the initial to a certain stress. Meng et al.5 Permeability Porosity/% y = 4.0 -0.2.9811 2 10 0.2615x 4. ϕ0 is the porosity under initial effective stress. 1.5 2 0.1325x y = 5.030 R = 0.0 14 Effective stress/MPa Effective stress/MPa Fig.1121e Porosity/% Permeability/10-3 μm2 5. Regression analysis results for six experimental samples are shown in Table 2. 2.0 2 Permeability/10-3 μm2 3.038 MPa  1 to 0. 3.3628x 2.001 2.050 8 Effective stress/MPa 6.47%.5481 4 y = 0.1.000 2.5 -0. averagely 4.5 14 2.9144 y = 0.5387x 2 R = 0.9395 4 2 3.080 0.030 -0.0 Porosity/% Permeability/10-3 μm2 2.0491x 2 R = 0.4933e 3.4842e 10 0.9868 Effective stress/MPa 0.0 0 1.0 2 R = 0.8 2.004 R = 0.0 0.5 2 0 2 4 6 2 0.005 Porosity/% 4.5 3.5 3.5 2 4 12 Permeability -0. 2013).060 0.010 3.2 Porosity y = 3. The relationship between the porosity of coal and effective stress obeys the negative exponential function as follows: ϕi ¼ ϕ0 e  cp ð2Þ where ϕi is the porosity under a specific effective stress. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 133 (2015) 810–817 Fig.8397e 1.51%.4715e 0.9797 0 1.067e 2 8 10 12 0.2919x 0.5 0.5 Porosity 2 2.0 0.0957x y = 2. .0 -0.0 Porosity Porosity/% 0.5 Permeability R = 0.9711 0.6 0.004 0.040 2.2562e 0.0 0.039e 6 8 10 12 0.0 -0.9819 Porosity 3. Experimental workflow (Meng and Li.0267e 6 8 10 12 0.003 y = 0. 2.9902 3.5 R = 0. ϕ0 ranges from 2.8654e 0.812 Y.006 2 R = 0.0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 2.002 0.4 -0. The relationship between porosity of coal and the effective stress The relationship between porosity of coal and effective stress is shown in Fig.020 3.8803e 0.5 0. 0390 0. but also connect the matrix pore by interleave network system and greatly improve the permeability of coal reservoirs.0008 0.Y.0548 0.8 1# 2# 3# 4# 5# 6# 0. averagely 0. that is. the dimensionless permeability K i =K 0 increases. Relationship between the porosity of coal and its permeability under the effective stress.0002 to 0.4090 0. As can be seen from Eq.5387 0.6620 0. Porosity 1# 2# 3# 4# 5# 6# Average Max.9875 0. But fracture aperture has a power level higher influence to the permeability than fracture porosity.9811 0.6110 0. as shown in Table 3.9144 0.9902 0.7568 1.9711 0. ID Coefficient m Coefficient b Correlation coefficient R2 1# 2# 3# 4# 5# 6# Average Max. Coal usually has densely developed fissures which are very important for coal reservoir.0 porosity/% Fig.3657 0.7587 2. Coal reservoir is a dual pore system media.9859 0. μm.2562 0.0 5. The coal is characterized by complex pore distribution and large pore tortuosity which are difficult to be measured and evaluated. Kozeny (1927)and Carman (1937) gave a theoretical equation governing the relationship between permeability (K) of the porous medium and the porosity and average pore radius as follows: K¼ 1.2 0.1121 0.0 7. value Minimum value 0.9868 0. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 133 (2015) 810–817 813 Table 2 Relationship between porosity and permeability of coal and the effective stress.0 0.9877 0.9236.0382 0. the higher permeability is. to exterior length of coal core.5387 0. K i is the permeability under net confining stress. the higher the coal reservoir permeability is. Coal is usually fractured Table 3 Relationship between coal porosity and permeability.6110 to 2. which obeys the law of exponential function.4842 5. The permeability of coal reservoir mainly depends on coal fissures.9842 0.9737 0. The relationship between coal porosity and the dimensionless permeability K i =K 0 under net confining stress is shown in Fig.0299. however the coal reservoir with small pore diameter but high porosity usually has low permeability. b ranges from 0.6 0.9819 0.0 2.0382 3. These fissures not only provide a reservoir space. and K f is the fracture permeability of coal reservoir.1325 0. aperture is as follows: Kf ¼ ϕf b2 12 ð5Þ where b is the average fracture aperture of coal reservoir.9496 0. the lower the porosity of coal samples. containing matrix pore system and fissure pore system.9902 0. including porosity and average pore size.7587.0267 0. (5).9395 3.4715 4.1. 3. (4) shows that two factors influence the permeability of coal sample. the dimensionless permeability K i =K 0 is defined as the ratio of gas permeability K i to initial permeability of coal K 0 .9236 1. ϕf is the average fracture porosity of coal reservoir.0 Dimensionless permeability (K i/K0) ID ð4Þ where r is the average pore radius of rock. μm2.5057 6. Influence of pore diameter on the permeability is a power levels higher than porosity.0 3. Besides porosity. value Minimum value Permeability Regression coefficient c φ0 Correlation coefficient R2 Regression coefficient a K0 Correlation coefficient R2 0.0698 0. that is.0 4.8654 4.3628 0. Eq.9871 0. decimal. The regression analysis of experimental results are defined as follows: K i =K 0 ¼ mebϕi ϕr 2 8τ 2 0.2615 0.0002 2.9875 0.2615 4.9797 0. .2988 1. the larger the fracture aperture and fracture porosity is.  10  3 μm2.0299 0.3.0670 0.1901 0. fluid flow path. Tortuosity is the ratio of the actual length of pores.0005 0. ð3Þ where ϕi is the porosity under net confining stress. μm2 and τ is the average pore tortuosity.1736. The coal reservoir with relatively large pore diameter but low porosity may have relatively high permeability. The experiment results show an exponential function relationship between the dimensionless permeability K i =K 0 and porosity.6110 2.0 1.9236 0. The theoretical relationship between the permeability in the direction parallel to fracture and fracture porosity.7819 4.0027 0.9395 0.6620 into many matrix blocks. %. with the increase of porosity.9775 0.5529 1.4933 2.5481 0.8397 0. averagely 1.3086 0.1325 0. the lower permeability is.2562 0. Meng et al.0483 0.0002 0.9844 0.8803 6.0491 0. and m and b are regression coefficients.8397 3. The experimental results for six samples under net confining stress indicate that regression coefficient m ranges from 0. dimensionless.0 6.2919 0.4 0.4306 0.9871 0.4715 2. the higher the porosity.0267 0.5481 0. The relationship between coal porosity and permeability under net confining stress In order to more intuitively describe the influence of coal reservoir stress to the gas permeability.1736 0.0957 0. the smaller the pore diameter.0018 0. the permeability of coal reservoir is closely related to the pore structure.1736 0. The larger the pore diameter within a certain range.9296 0. 3. Based on capillary bundle model.8920 0. Our experiment referenced the oil and gas industry standards of China (SY/T5336.42%. the coal reservoir stress sensitivity coefficient declines sharply. Coal reservoir stress sensitivity coefficient varies significantly under effective stress of below 5 MPa or 6 MPa. pore compressibility factor varies with the increase of effective stress. stress sensitivity increases. 3. study area. (2) Stress sensitivity coefficient is defined as follows: αK ¼  1 ∂K U K 0 ∂p ð7Þ where K0 is the permeability under initial effective stress. Permeability damage rate under the effective stress of 10 MPa ranges from 82. 0. but there are some fluctuations. permeability damage rate goes up rapidly. coal reservoir stress pore compressibility factor is relatively large and decreases rapidly with the increase of the effective stress.3. With the increase of effective stress over 5 MPa or 6 MPa.2.8% and 100%. ∂K is the variation of permeability. The permeability damage rate has the same meaning as the permeability stress sensitivity coefficient adopted in China's oil and gas industry standards. (1) Permeability damage rate is calculated by Eq.250 MPa  1.42%.115 MPa  1. and ∂p is the variation of pressure. 6. 5358. Moisture CBM reservoir always has high water saturation in the development process. Relationship between the pore compressibility factor and the effective stress Fig. stress sensitivity coefficient and the effective stress. that is.010 MPa  1 to 0.10 20 0. It shows that when the effective stress is below 5 MPa or 6 MPa in No. coal is highly sensitive to effective stress.2. 3 coal seam within Shanxi Formation Permian System in the Permeability damage rate/% 3. On the contrary. Pore compressibility factor In order to quantitatively evaluate pore compression deformation of coal reservoir. the higher the sensitivity of coal to effective stress will be. and K min ' is the permeability under the highest stress point. we chose three coal samples of different water saturations and carried out experimental analysis. the smaller the αk is.251 MPa  1.7% to 97. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 133 (2015) 810–817 3. Meng et al. 5.20 0. 6). 8#. stress sensitivity coefficient.070 MPa  1. The pore compressibility factor and stress sensitivity coefficient have almost the same variation trend and law. that is. 10  3 μm2. Under the same water saturation. permeability for coal sample of high water saturation drops more quickly with the increase of the effective pressure. and has some fluctuation due to the closure of micro-fissures. respectively.25 0. The relationship between permeability damage rate. with the increase of effective stress.15 0.020 MPa  1 to 0. MPa. The relationships between the dimensionless permeability and effective stress for three samples are shown in Fig. with the increase of effective stress. the permeability damage rate increases with the increase of effective stress (Fig. the coal reservoir stress sensitivity coefficient decreases. 8#. as shown in Table 4. The water saturation of 7#. 66. Relationship between permeability damage rate. 4). when the effective stress is over 5 MPa or 6 MPa. pore compressibility factor and effective stress K 1  K 0min Dk2 ¼  100% K1 ð6Þ where Dk2 is the permeability damage rate after the stress increases to the highest stress point. 10  3 μm2. 3. the average from 0. With the increase of water saturation. %. average 89.00 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Effective stress /MPa PDR-Permeability damage rate . that is.2. 66. the permeability damage rate is bigger (Fig. 4. in order to investigate the influence of water saturation on permeability. There are no industry standards about CBM reservoir stress sensitivity test. 5 shows the curves of the pore compressibility factor and effective stress for six coal samples. When effective stress is below 5 MPa or 6 MPa. The maximum of pore compressibility factor for six samples ranges from 0. Under the .3. Permeability damage rate and stress sensitivity coefficient The stress sensitivity is higher for coal reservoir than for sandstone. 4 shows the curves of the permeability damage rate.2%. 9# samples was 30. as shown in Table 4. As can be seen from Fig. K 1 is the permeability under the first stress point. Relationship between permeability damage rates. coal permeability decreases in a negative exponential law. and finally the reservoir stress sensitivity was analyzed. with the increase of effective stress. with the increase of effective stress. the permeability damage rate increases more slowly. coal reservoir pore compressibility factor has a gently decreasing trend with some obvious fluctuations.003 MPa  1 to 0. ϕ0 is the porosity under initial effective stress.4. and then determined the permeability behavior of coal sample with change of net confining pressure. 10  3 μm2.003 MPa  1 to 0. the minimum from 0. The water saturation of these three samples (7#. 10  3 μm2.011 MPa  1 to 0.2. stress sensitivity is relatively weakened. (6). From Eq. we defined a pore compressibility factor as follows:   1 ∂ϕ ð8Þ Cp ¼ ϕ0 ∂p T where Cp is the pore compressibility factor of coal reservoir. the lesser the sensitivity of coal to effective stress will be. the average from 0. the maximum of the stress sensitivity coefficient ranges from 0. the permeability damage rate and stress sensitivity coefficient increases with the variation of effective stress.157 MPa  1. 3. As can be seen from Fig. the coal reservoir stress sensitivity coefficient declines gently with some fluctuations. stress sensitivity coefficient and effective stress Fig. and the minimum from 0. stress sensitivity coefficient and effective stress for six experimental coal samples. MPa  1.018 MPa  1 to 0. when the effective stress is over 5 MPa or 6 MPa.SSC-stress sensitivity coefficient Fig. 4. and  ∂ϕ=∂p T is the variation rate of coal porosity over effective stress under isothermal conditions. coal reservoir permeability decreases rapidly with the increase of effective stress. MPa  1.30 100 1#PDR 2#PDR 3#PDR 4#PDR 5#PDR 6#PDR 1#SSC 2#SSC 3#SSC 4#SSC 5#SSC 6#SSC 80 60 40 0.1.05 0 stress sensitivity coefficient /MPa -1 814 0. 6385) and adopted increasing net confining pressure of coal samples to simulate the effective stress variation of coal seam. 9#) were 30.3%. (7).8% and 100% respectively.075 MPa  1. permeability decreases gently with the increase of effective stress.Y.2. 3. we can see that. the bigger the αk is. 054 0.046 0.015 0. The maximum of stress sensitivity coefficient ranges from 0. Water saturation has a relatively high impact on coal reservoir stress sensitivity.062 0.003 0.8 97.090 0.051 0.33 MPa  1.20 1# 2# 3# 4# 5# 6# Table 5 Evaluation parameters of stress sensitivity for coal reservoir under different water saturations.9 98.003 0.7 85.011 MPa  1.038 0.075 0. the stress sensitivity for three coal samples of different water saturations are more obvious (Fig.330 12 Effective stress/MPa Dimensionless permeability (Ki/K0) Water saturation 7# 30.007 0.039 0. the gas/water pressure will offset part of the total stress of the coal body and decrease the elastic limit and shear strength.005 MPa  1 to 0.026 0.2 90.006 0.SSC-stress sensitivity coefficient 0.075 MPa  1.80% Permeability damage rate/% 100 Fig.6% respectively.3 97.158 0. Temperature In order to investigate the influence of temperature on coal reservoir permeability.157 0.2 0 Stress sensitivity coefficient/MPa-1 ID Fig. Under the effective stress for 10 MPa.179 0.111 0. Permeability damage rate (%) 1# 2# 3# 4# 5# 6# Average Max.00 0 0.250 0. the average of stress sensitivity coefficient is 0.15 0. Comparing Tables 4 and 5.104 0.6 0 0. The average of stress sensitivity coefficient for coal samples with moisture is 1.070 0. value Minimum value 96.251 0.5.020 0. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 133 (2015) 810–817 815 Table 4 Evaluation parameters of stress sensitivity for coal reservoir.250 0.039 0.25 0.4 82.103 0.058 0. we can see that stress sensitivity coefficient and permeability damage rate are higher for these three coal samples of different water saturations than for dry ones.250 0. value Minimum value Stress sensitivity coefficient (MPa  1) 86. 95.279 0.8 95. Relationship between permeability damage rate.008 0. effective stress of 10 MPa.075 0.073 0.003 0.005 0. then the coal is easy to generate elastic and plastic deformation and thereby the coal samples of different water saturations are more sensitive to effective stress than dry ones and the increase of effective stress will cause more significant permeability loss (Meng and Li.25 MPa  1 to 0.011 0.005 0.6 0. stress sensitivity coefficient and the effective stress.8 9# 100 0.2 89.10 0 2 4 6 8 10 Permeability damage rate Stress sensitivity coefficient (MPa  1) (%) (%) Average Max.075 MPa  1 to 0.178 0. 6.Y.30 0.064 0. On the other hand. Meng et al.251 0.003 Pore compressibility factor/MPa-1 0.013 0.005 1 Sw=30.111 MPa  1.019 0.011 0.018 0.054 0.075 0. Compared with dry sample.026 0.8 0.9% to 98.5 93.6%.035 0.073 0. Relationship between pore compressibility factor and effective stress.05 0.77 times as that for dry ones.4 2 4 6 8 10 12 Effective stress/MPa PDR-Permeability damage rate. because water softens the coals and lowers its mechanical strength. 0.10 20 Sw=100% 0. permeability damage rate of three samples with moisture ranges from 95.42% Sw=66. we chose two coal samples (10# and 11#) and carried out stress sensitivity experiments at 30 1C and 60 1C respectively.9% and 98.039 0.070 0. 2013).038 0.018 0.115 0.010 0.8%. the average from 0.20 40 0. 0 2 4 6 8 10 Effective stress/MPa Fig. Relationship between dimensionless permeability and effective stress under different water saturations.084 0. permeability damage rate was 96.40 80 60 7#PDR 8#PDR 9#PDR 7#SSC 8#SSC 9#SSC 0.064 0.012 0.7 Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum Minimum 0.020 0.5. 0. 7.111 MPa  1 respectively (Table 5). the minimum ranges from 0. 7 and Table 5).2 82.30 0. ID 0. 3.085 MPa  1 and 0.085 0.090 0. .42 8# 66.00 Pore compressibility factor (MPa  1) 0. 7 MPa. with the increase of effective stress. that is K i ¼ K 0 e  ap . with the increase of effective stress.3% for 10# and 96. At the same temperature.20 10#SSC 40 11#SSC 0. The higher the temperature is. which obeys the law of negative exponential function.8 T=30° ID T=60° 0. showing a weak stress sensitivity. 8 and 9).7 MPa. which leads to the increase of effective stress and induces the decline of permeability. stable and slow. Discussion Coal is a dual porosity medium. with the rise of temperature. which corresponds to the effective stress variation in the actual CBM well drainage. fracture aperture decreases due to thermal expansion and thereby coal sample permeability decreases. Increasing normal stress will narrow the fractures and then lower the permeability of the coal.4 0. 0. and with the rise of temperature.00 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 Stress sensitivity coefficient/MPa -1 0. the effect of temperature rise on coal reservoir permeability can be divided into two stages. The No. Under low in-situ stress regime in shallow coal seam. showing a high stress sensitivity. permeability damage rate is 81.010 10# 30 11# 60 0 2 4 6 8 10 Fig. permeability of coal sample reduces in the negative exponential function law. permeability drops more quickly for 11# coal sample of higher temperature than 10# of lower. the water pumping lowers the coal reservoir pressure.816 Y.0 0. Average stress sensitive coefficient is 0. Meng et al.0% for 11#. Coal reservoir permeability decreases with the increase of temperature. 2.30 10#PDR 11#PDR 0. So the permeability depends strongly on the aperture of the fractures in coal. At the low temperature stage. thermal cracking in this temperature range will not occur. Relationship between dimensionless permeability and effective stress under different temperatures. showing a temperature sensitivity.067 MPa  1 for 10# and 0. plastic deformation of coal reservoir due to compaction under stress results in a significant reduction in permeability.3 96. which contains matrix pore system and fracture system. coal seam is usually water saturated.333 12 Effective stress/MPa Permeability damage rate/% Temperature Permeability damage rate 12 Effective stress/MPa PDR-Permeability damage rate. on .222 0. thereby the drainage in this stage should be sustained. the relationship between the coal reservoir permeability and effective stress (k  σ e ) reflects the relationship between the coal reservoir permeability and producing pressure drop in the drainage process (k  ΔP). With the increase of the effective stress. coal cracking induced by thermal stress above critical temperature will sharply increase coal reservoir permeability. When the effective stress is over 5 MPa or 6 MPa. In the drainage process of CBM wells. On the one hand. The experiments in this study aim to simulate the permeability behavior of coal seam with a burial depth of less than 1000 m. Experimental results show that coal reservoir permeability varies exponentially with the increase of effective stress. with the increase of effective stress.71 MPa/100 m. in our experimental process. value Minimum value 81. coal reservoir stress sensitivity will abate due to very small initial aperture and minor compaction. 6 and 8).070 MPa  1 for 11# (Table 6). When the effective stress is below 5 MPa or 6 MPa. Relationship between the permeability damage rate/stress sensitivity coefficient and effective stress.015 0. Under the effective stress of 10 MPa. coal reservoir permeability reduces. with the increase of effective stress. the stress sensitivity of coal seam diminishes. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 133 (2015) 810–817 Dimensionless permeability (Ki/K0) 1 Table 6 Evaluation parameters of stress sensitivity for coal reservoir under different temperatures. Coal seam is in a certain in situ stress environment and the stress of coal seam varies spatially. and gas saturation increases. The relationship between dimensionless permeability and effective stress for the two coal samples under different temperatures are shown in Fig. From permeability–stress curves (Figs. more obvious the stress sensitivity is.070 0. 9. The fracture system contributes in a major way to the permeability of the coal seam. with the increase of effective stress. water saturation of coal reservoir decreases as the increasing gas desorption.40 100 60 0. reservoir pressure can drop to abandonment pressure of about 0. coal reservoir pressure varies from 10 MPa to 0. In the middle and later stage of drainage. This process is just the dynamic changing of the coal reservoir permeability. the change of permeability by above two aspects will impact on the gas production.10 20 0. the coal reservoir permeability decreases much more slowly. 80 0. 3 coal seam in Shanxi Formation Permian System in the southern Qinshui basin is up to 1200 m deep. the permeability variation induced by in-situ stress is a static effect. 4. the permeability damage rate is bigger (Figs. gas well fluid level in this stage should keep stable.SSC-stress sensitivity coefficient Fig. 8. 8. the corresponding drop of gas well fluid level is above 500 m or 600 m. that is. That is.067 0. at the high temperature stage. According to the CBM production experience from US. stress sensitivity increases. thermal expansion with the rise of temperature causes a slight decline of permeability. Therefore. the corresponding drop of gas well fluid level is from 0 m to 500 m or 600 m. Therefore. continuous gas desorption will lead to significant coal matrix shrinkage and an increasingly rise in permeability and thereby gas production goes up. its reservoir pressure is below 10 MPa and the reservoir pressure gradient averages 0. the coal reservoir permeability drops rapidly. In the early drainage of a CBM well. under high insitu stress regime in the deep. water pressure drops due to pumping and correspondingly the effective stress increases and coal permeability declines quickly. In general. so experimental temperatures are set as 30 1C and 60 1C respectively.2 0 Stress sensitive coefficient (MPa  1) (1C) (%) Average Max. When the water pressure drops to the critical desorption pressure (Pc).6 0. In short. 69. 47–51. Permeability changes in coal: analytical modeling. 2004. Palmer. N. J. Shi. S. and stressdependent permeability in the Southern Qinshui Basin. Luo. Shi.. R.B..R. Q. 162. Z.Y. the dotted line variation path of reservoir pressure during gas production. 1997.F. Int. 77. Chin.. that is. Modeling permeability for coal reservoirs: a review of analytical models and testing data.. The permeability of water-bearing coal sample drops quickly with the increase of the effective pressure. 5. The relationship between permeability and effective stress for Australian coal and its implications with respect to coalbed methane exploration and reservoir modeling. Durucan. Chalaturnyk. Porous Media 23..A. Zhen. and Shanxi Provincial Basic Research Program–Coal Bed Methane Joint Research Foundation under Grant no. Int. Transp. Wu.. Int. Coal Geol.Q. A study on some issues of development disposition of a low permeability oilfield. Eval. SPE Form. et al. Rock Mech... 1927... Jia. J. 457–467. stress sensitivity coefficient and pore compressibility factor decrease sharply with the increase of the effective stress. Tsang. 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S.. 2012. 2006). 1969. Eng. where Pe is the initial reservoir pressure and Pwf borehole pressure.. Zhang. 2011. China University of Petroleum. Meng. 153–164. Liu. Eng. 2013. 81–91. with the extraction of water and gas from coal reservoir. McKee. Min. the increase of stress results in normal compaction deformation. with the increase of effective stress. Ke is the reservoir permeability at reservoir pressure of Pe. London. 13–22. Sin.X. pp. stress sensitivity coefficient and pore compressibility factor fluctuate and decrease gently. Zimmerman. Int. The heavy solid line represents the correlation curve of permeability and effective stress. Transp.. 30 (1). Beijing. A.. et al. Stress-dependent permeability of fractured rock masses: a numerical study. With the rise of the temperature. J. Min. 1–44. Koenig. L. the permeability damage rate and the stress sensitive coefficient go up.K. A Study of Deformation and Percolation Mechanisms of Deep Gas Reservoir and its Application. the variation range of permeability is much wider for K0-Ke than for Ke-Kwf. the permeability damage rate varies slowly. Lubinski. K0 is the ground permeability at effective stress of σ eff 0 . 1988. In Fig. Int... Meng. Exponential growth in San Juan Basin Fruitland coalbed permeability with reservoir drawdown: model match and new insights. Porous Media 56. As can be seen from Fig.Q.. 77. 2009. Enever. Z. Kozeny. 10. pp. 2006). Li... M. Meng. 41 (7). C. J. 1956. 247–256.W.P. 2009. Coupling model of stress-dependent permeability in high-rank coal reservoir and its control mechanism. when the effective stress is over 5 MPa or 6 MPa.Q. Geomechanical properties and permeability of coals from the Foothills and Mountain regions of western Canada. reservoir pressure (Luo. Rock Mech.. An experimental study of changes of porosity of sandstones with pressure. Appl. 22 (4). Durucan. 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Experimental research on the permeability of high-rank coal under a varying stress and its influencing factors.R. so the coal reservoir permeability decreases obviously. 48. Theory of deformation of a porous viscoelastic anisotropic solid. resulting in the increase of effective stress in coal reservoir. the permeability damage degree caused by stress is relatively big. 37. 1995. Int. J. Gentzis. Z. 108–117. Zimmerman.A. and Kwf is the permeability at reservoir pressure of Pwf.M. 1997. Coupling in poroelasticity and thermoelasticity. Connell. R. Dev.Y. Int.S. J. the coal reservoir pressure decreases gradually. Geol. Xiao. Fluid flow through a granular bed. Bodvarsson. 27.J.D. R. Rutqvist. the permeability variation induced by reservoir pressure change during production process is a dynamic effect. Numerical simulation of coupled fluid-flow/geomechnical behavior of tight gas reservoirs with stress sensitive permeability. . 667–675. Meng et al.D.P. S. 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My Mac Pro’s Catch Latch Broke! Sunday, October 4th, 2015 | Comments Off on My Mac Pro’s Catch Latch Broke! If there was ever a computer that has been worth the money I spent on it, it is my 2008 Mac Pro tower. It cost me something over 3 grand at the time, and it was the fifth towered Mac I had bought in just a few years, the other four being G4 and G5 Power PC towers we trickled through as we followed Apple from Power PC to Intel processors.. Seven years after I bought it, it is still a very relevant machine and it has suffered only minor failures, a RAM chip here and there and a temperamental hard drive sled. It does its work using dual 2.8 GHz processors, two Radeon 4770 video cards, 16 GB of RAM, three SSD’s, one hard disk, and a ESATA/USB3 PCI card. That is, until this week when I encountered my first “major” failure while simply swapping out an SSD for a larger one. I had just re-secured a hard drive sled and put the outer case door back on when I went to close the case latch and found it a little stiff. I gave it a little more force than usual and heard a “SNAP”! The case latch had broken and the case door now wouldn’t come off! The Mac Pro tower’s case is ingeniously designed to be almost impenetrable when closed, so I panicked, afraid there was now no way to get into the computer other than sawing it open!!! I calmed down as I realized the machine was working just fine and would could continue to run until something else broke, meaning I probably had time to find a solution before it did. One of the good things about being on the ‘Net is it is a computer-focused medium; you can usually find someone who has had the problem you are dealing with and, most of the time, a solution if you keep looking. I ultimately found a single discussion on a Mac forum that revealed the broken latch controlled a sliding bar that could be accessed from the front of the case. It’s hard to see but it is there and can be reached, something you wouldn’t get from examining Apple service documentation that says the solution for a case latch failure is to replace the entire case! Using a very bright light (The light on my iPhone 5s worked better than either of two flashlights.) and a magnifying glass if necessary (The older you are, the more necessary it is), peer through the cooling holes (about 1/8” in dia) just below the lower optical drive and on the right side of the case. Look for a silver metallic block with a circular indent in its center. (This is where I believe a metal rod attaches to the block). That’s your target. Push on the slide until it moves. It will only move about a quarter to a half of an inch. This UNLOCKS the side door. Note that you may or may not be able to re-latch the door; and you probably won’t be able to use the latch at all. Frankly, my case door fits tight enough I’m not worrying about relatching the case. If that’s not true for you, then you will have to find some other way to keep the door closed since it helps control airflow through the machine. If you so employ some alternate means of keeping the door closed, be sure to consider that the machine will get warm to hot during operation and that will affect your closure method. Slow Web Page Loading? Check Your DNS! Monday, February 10th, 2014 | Comments Off on Slow Web Page Loading? Check Your DNS! Our Internet service is via Earthlink running on a Comcast backbone. Most of the time, the service is fast with few outages, which is why the problems we’ve been having over the last few days have been driving me nuts. While service seemed to be routine during normal business hours, service from the late evening through early morning hours was incredibly slow and unreliable. Web pages would hang during loading and streaming any videos, even trailers, via our Apple TV became impossible. I had a feeling it might be due to a problem with our DNS servers but really wasn’t initially sure how to troubleshoot that. While web page loading and streaming video would hang, speed tests I conducted showed normal Internet speeds (23-28Mbps download, about 6 Mbps uploads). That established that once the connection was made, things were working normally. That seemed to confirm my suspicion that our DNS servers were probably involved. So, I made a quick trip to Google. A search there turned up multiple references that listed free, public DNS servers (as did a trip to Apple Support Discussions). After looking at several, my favorite one is at: http://theos.in/windows-xp/free-fast-public-dns-server-list/. I picked one listed there and went into System Preferences/Network on my Mac Pro, clicked on the Advanced button and the “DNS” tab, and in its widow entered the I.P. address for my choice. As soon as I applied the change, my Internet service went back to normal. I then made the change on all my machines, before realizing that approach and been overkill. I simply needed to use Airport Utility to go into the Internet settings for the router and enter my new DNS settings there. I have done so, and now we’re cooking along. I contacted Earthlink Support and chatted with a technician there about what I had found and what I had done to fix it. He confirmed they were having DNS problems, even though there was no mention of it on their website. I suggested they put up some notice to prevent folks from pulling their hair out. I hope they do and then let people know when they think their problems are resolved. They owe us that. The Apple Thunderbolt Display: Will It Be Updated? Thursday, December 19th, 2013 | Comments Off on The Apple Thunderbolt Display: Will It Be Updated? Like many Mac users with MacBook Pro or MacBook Air notebooks, I’ve been waiting for a couple of years for Apple to update their Thunderbolt display to USB 3.0. While looking at the options available for the new Mac Pro (which I jokingly refer to as the “Trash Pro”) this morning, I realized that Apple may not be going to perform that upgrade. They might surprise me and update it to Thunderbolt 2 and USB 3, but it appears just as likely they will continue to sell this model without changes or eventually drop it altogether and cede the display market to third parties, which own most it anyway. Over the years, Apple has been pairing down their display offerings and slowly moving their users to third party monitors. What they have maintained has been differentiated by features and quality, not by price. They have the corner on Thunderbolt-equipped displays and that has sustained some sales, but the appearance of cheaper Thunderbolt equipped docks is slowly eroding user motivation for spending the extra money. I’m waiting for the much delayed Sonnet Thunderbolt Expansion dock. It’s more expansive than Apple’s Thunderbolt monitor with its USB 3, eSata, Firewire 800, gigabit Ethernet, and extra Thunderbolt ports. Additionally, you can order it with a DVD burner or a Blue Ray burner and a 1 to 4 TB internally mounted hard disk, all for less money. I’d opt for a new Thunderbolt monitor over this if it were equipped with USB 3 ports; but without them, the Sonnet dock is the better buy. However, as of this writing, that dock was supposed to have been released last summer and is still listed in a “pre-order” status; so it’s still a ghost product I won’t commit to until it actually shows up. Now, consider that in the new Mac Pro, there are four USB 3 ports and six Thunderbolt ports. The specs and pricing on the machine mean it is aimed squarely at the professional (and not the prosumer) market, and I suspect it is mainly aimed at video editors who are or soon will be editing 4 K videos. There are enough Thunderbolt ports on this machine to allow it to be used by almost any kind of monitor in existence today. For those who might be already using an Apple Thunderbolt monitor and any legacy equipment (USB 2 and Firewire 800), it will continue to meet their needs. They still maintain those hook-ups and don’t sacrifice any extra machine ports to maintain them. In fact, this is a more desirable approach than hooking up legacy USB 2 equipment via the machine’s USB 3 ports. While that wouldn’t be hurt by a new Thunderbolt monitor with USB 3 ports, mostly new owners rather than upgraders will loose the cash to get them. In other words, I’m not sure the current professional community cares much whether Apple updates the monitor or not. They’re going to be moving to 4K or can be happy using HDMI anyway. A Thunderbolt monitor with Thunderbolt 2 and USB 3 that would leave the Firewire 800 port in would match it up with Apple’s newest machines and could position the rest of us to upgrade our “before-2013” notebooks without extra cash outlays, providing more incentive to buy. From that perspective, it would be a good marketing move. But is it a market that Apple wants to protect for some time longer? Eventually, despite Apple’s current pronouncements (and I actually think Apple’s slower approach is more correct than Microsoft’s), we will see convergence of tablets and mobile devices with desktop computing at the consumer level and possibly the prosumer level. It’s probably a decade off, but it has begun with the inclusion of 64 bit processors in the iPhone and the iPad. My MacBook Air is still more powerful and portable than an iPad with a keyboard, but not by much. Some Apple products have also shown through the years they doesn’t always fulfill their promise, and it is usually through the paucity of upgrades available after the initial product is bought. The promise of the Mac Pro has been its expandability, but its video card upgrades have always been few and too far between, leaving its owners in the dust of Windows PC users. Their data buses were stuck at SATA II for too long, with the only way out being a whole new machine that took seven years to release or expensive PCIe card additions. It’s hard to say but not unthinkable that Apple will likely leave its notebook users behind in the same fashion by not upgrading the Thunderbolt monitor or by making its price point so high that its value simply sinks. Let’s hope they show more loyalty and insight than that. The step back has to do with the Belkin Thunderbolt Dock. I mentioned in my earlier post about this device that due to its lack of USB 3 support in Windows 7 under Bootcamp I was considering letting my wife see if it would meet her needs on her MacBook Air. So, last night, I set up the unit on her desk and hooked up her 11 inch MacBook Air to it when she got home. She runs a dual monitor (24 inch Apple Cinema Display with a mini-display port as prime with a 23 inch Apple Cinema Display via a DVI/USB 2 adapter) set up that hooks up via mini-display port and USB. I hooked both monitor as well as her other peripherals into the Belkin Dock and then booted up. At first, it all appeared to work with no hitches, but then I discovered that when booting from a cold start, the second monitor, attached via the USB adapter, would not power up. Unplugging the USB adapter and then reinserting it would solve the problem every time; but…again…the whole point of the dock was to eliminate plugging and unplugging things. While the dock did centralize and slightly reduce clutter, in the end it once again did not eliminate having to plug in extra peripherals. So, I have decided to return the dock and try to get a refund from Belkin. I’ll keep you apprised about how that goes. I suspect all these problems don’t suggest a fundamental design problem with the Dock, but instead center around hidden and minor problems pumping USB 3 inputs over the Thunderbolt bus. I’m not familiar enough with the USB 3 specification or the Thunderbolt specification to go deeper than that, and I don’t have an Apple Thunderbolt monitor to play with to see if it acts in the same way. But the whole experience makes me a bit leery of dumping big bucks into any kind of “all-in-one” Thunderbolt solution, as much as I might like to find one. The one thing I would suggest as a needed design change to the dock is to include a front facing Thunderbolt port that would become the input port from the Thunderbolt Mac. The pictures you can find on the web showing the cable from the Mac to the unit that appear to run to the front of the device show it running through a cable tray to a port that is on the rear of the device. Most people who are going to be interested in this device are because they don’t have an Apple Thunderbolt monitor, and a lot of them are going to be running mini-display port monitors that plug into the Thunderbolt port, meaning that all Thunderbolt ports on the dock may be taken. The step forward has to do with noticing that I was able to install a downloaded Mac OS 10.8.4 Combo Updater package on all my machines, including newer ones that have protested in the past that only the App Store could perform the updates. This made downloading and installing the update a time saving and relatively painless process, as opposed to having to latch up to the App Store which each new machine, download a patch and wade through the installation for EACH one. I had been bitching at Apple about this for some time, and it appears they have listened. Thanks, Apple! It made my life with the App Store a bit more loveable. Like many Mac users, I’ve been hoping for more utilization of the power of Thunderbolt than being able to hook in a few multi-purpose adapters to my MacBook Pro. So, when Belkin proposed the Thunderbolt dock, I thought that might be the way to go. I have one now sitting on my desk, nestled behind a 24 inch Apple Cinema Display with a mini-display port hookup. I use it to hook up my 13 inch Retina MacBook Pro and my 2.5 GHz Core i5 powered Mac Mini using a single Thunderbolt chord to the monitor and a mix of peripherals. Was the dock worth the $299 it cost? I’m not so sure. There are two major reasons why I’m hedging. The first is that the design just isn’t as well thought through as it could have been. Its advertising says it has two Thunderbolt ports, which it does, but that’s still misleading. Yes, it has two, but one of them is used to hook to the Thunderbolt port of your Mac, so only one Thunderbolt port is usable for peripherals. If your display is, like mine, a mini-display port version, then there are NO Thunderbolt ports remaining for any peripherals on the dock itself. (I tried to ferret this out prior to its release but obviously was unsuccessful…so I took a gamble…and lost!) This is not much better than my Retina MacBook Pro without the dock, since I typically use one Thunderbolt port for the monitor and the other for a Gigabit Ethernet connection rather than run the slower “N” wireless connection on our home network. It does leave one Thunderbolt port free that wasn’t before..on the Mac itself. The dock would have been more worth the money if it had been designed so that the Thunderbolt cable from your Mac connected into the dock’s front, leaving two Thunderbolt ports open on the rear, especially considering the Belkin’s premium cost. The only way to get full utilization out of the dock is to already have an Apple Thunderbolt monitor. That really seems redundant..and expensive! I do like the convenience of usually having to only plug in a Thunderbolt cable instead of USB, audio, etc; but I am honestly now looking at whether I might just give the dock to my wife whose MacBook Air doesn’t have a Bootcamp partition. For the rest of you thinking about buying it, better think twice if you think it’ll work under Bootcamp; you’ll find yourself doing what I did and plugging stuff in anyway to get it to work. If you’re running OS X and want it, fine, as long as you realize if you have a mini-display port monitor, any Thunderbolt items will have to be hooked into the Mac itself or there will still be three cables you have to hook up to make it all work (two power, one TB cable to the dock, the other to the monitor). The bottom line with this device is that the single Thunderbolt cable hook up is still a myth, three hundred dollars later. Thursday, January 31st, 2013 | Comments Off on STOP THE SILENT PUSHES! If you’re a Mac OS X user, you might want to take a trip to some of the Mac news sites on the Web and read the articles popping up about the “silent push” that Apple apparently performed which completely disables Java on your system. I found it out this morning and confirmed it by going to a “mission critical” website and seeing if it would work. It won’t. Not only will it not work, but Apple insured they put you out of business by telling the operating system that to allow Java to work at all, the version had to be beyond the current version. I’d like to know who gave the company permission to do that? To my knowledge, I didn’t! So, I say to Apple this: STOP THE SILENT PUSHES! It truly has become 1984, except now Apple is the Big Brother on the television screen, not the comely woman athlete attacking it to free the enslaved masses. The line out of “The Dark Knight” where Dent says: “ You die or live long enough to see yourself become the villain” is true. In this case, though, it is Apple who’s the villain. They have indeed gone full circle. We all know how easy it is to allow someone else to do things for us, and how humans will often give their power away to someone who does. That’s what has happened here. Apple, in true Big Brother fashion, has decided it will protect its users and itself by making decisions for you about what software you can run. You can cloak this as “being for the best” but what it is really about is protecting Apple’s public relations at your expense. They are taking from you the right for you to decide what software you want to run, and that’s simply wrong for the consumer and wrong for teaching proper computer security. It may be a logical step in making a computer an appliance, but manufacturers rarely have the ability to tinker with your appliance without your knowledge. Most are smart enough not to do it anyway. In truth, I needed to have complained about it before now. With silent pushes, Apple becomes nothing more than a legitimized hacker. There is no treason for the company to approach the subject this way unless they think most of us are too dumb to understand what a pop-up announcing the new software, especially one that requires administrator permission, would mean. Maybe some of us are, but even if a user blindly accepts the notification, they have been given the choice and the responsibility is theirs and not the company’s. It’s hard for me to believe that Apple won’t be sued about this at some time in the future, especially when they inadvertently stop a business venture that costs someone a ton of money. Regardless, it is a poor security practice to condone or allow silent pushes. At the very least, the company owes people the blatant opportunity to sign up for them or turn them down…and not tied to some operating system update. If Apple continues these silent pushes, this will be the straw that pushes me out of the Apple ecosystem. I can put up with a lot (and have over the last few years…software updates that don’t work, user interface changes I haven’t liked, feature removal or system/software requirement changes without notification, and what often appears to be change for the sake of it), but I can’t afford not to have faith that the company isn’t going to jack with my system simply because there is a piece of it they don’t like. If you agree, then I urge you to let Apple know through their feedback system or any way you can that this type of behavior is unacceptable. If not, and you just let them continue to do this, don’t fuss when you wake up one morning and something on your computer or iOS device won’t work because Apple didn’t like it. For the past few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways I could economically improve the performance of my 2008 Mac Pro in ways that would help mainly with video editing. I’m running Mountain Lion as my main operating system on a SSD with a Snow Leopard backup on a hard disk that also includes the main user profile and data. The ML SSD references that user profile as well, so that for a slight cost in speed I get lots of storage that can be used when I am in either operating system. About six weeks ago, I bought a Nflightcam for use in my flight school, and I’ve been bringing home video used in testing the camera and getting me used to editing and posting content for student use. I’m not a fan of the current iteration of iMovie, so I do any editing either in iMovie HD or Final Cut Studio 2 (Final Cut Pro 7 and company). I know I could move to Final Cut X or even Premiere Pro CS6, but for now, I’m saving what bucks I can and trying to use what I’ve got. (I also have some projects in FCP I need to finish.) So, I’ve been looking for ways to speed up my video processing workflow. I didn’t really have the bucks to put all the FCP footage on a SSD. My data and media (including a rather good-sized iTunes library) have been on a 1TB hard disk that was within 70GB of being full. I offloaded the FCP and DVD Studio folders onto another 750GB hard drive and put my Contour Library files there as well. Because I’ve got 16GB of RAM and I’m running on the SSD for most things, the computer’s speed was pretty good. But I still wanted to see if I could decrease video processing time. So, after looking at various options and what they would cost in time and money, I decided to set up a RAID 0 using the two hard disks I use to run OS X. The first thing I did was boot the Mac Pro up normally, go into System Preferences/User Accounts and reset the USER account from the SL disk to the one on the ML SSD (which has almost no data in it). I rebooted onto the Snow Leopard disk (using the Option key) and used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the Snow Leopard boot drive onto a 1.5TB Seagate drive inside an Esata box. I then manually copied the files on the 750GB to the Esata drive, shut down the Mac Pro, opened it up, and mounted the Esata hard drive in a drive sled. I booted the Mac Pro and, using the Esata drive as the boot disk, used its (Snow Leopard) Disk Utility to partition the 1TB hard drive into 750 and 250GB partitions. I then used DU’s RAID tab to make a RAID 0 set of the 750 GB hard drive and the 750GB partition on the 1 TB hard drive. Rebooting, I used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the boot drive onto the RAID 0 set. That left me with a cloned hard drive and a Time Machine backup I could use to recover if things went awry, which I am happy to report they did not. When I rebooted the Mac Pro normally, it booted into the ML SSD. I reselected the “joint” user account now on the RAID 0 set and the computer rebooted, returning to the Dock and desktop I had before I had started it all. I opened several applications (some of which I have loaded on both the ML and SL partitions) to check their operation and observed no anomalies, except for some registration data that was lost and had to be re-entered. Satisfied I had “normal” system operation, I wanted to see if I could boot into the Snow Leopard RAID set, so I rebooted the Mac Pro while holding down the Option key. Much to my surprise, it showed me each INDIVIDUAL disk (Raid Set 1 1 and Raid Set 1 2) as well as the ML SSD, the Esata disk, and the ML Recovery partition! If software was managing the RAID properly, my thinking was that I could pick either disk in the RAID set and the Mac Pro would boot properly. To test that, I selected the RAID Set 1 2 disk. The system did boot normally into Snow Leopard, though the process seemed to be a bit slower than usual. I launched applications and observed what I thought to be faster performance than I would have seen running single disk. For grins, I also booted into RAID SET 1 1, and while it worked about the same, it did seem like the desktop appeared a little sooner with that selection. (The RAID 1 1 hard disk is the actual 750GB hard disk while 1 2 is a 750GB partition.) After checking system operation here, I shut down the machine, removed the Esata hard disk, and replaced it with my Windows 7 (BOOTCAMP) hard disk I had removed for this experiment. I then booted into Windows 7; and while the initial loading appeared nominal, the machine crashed with a BSOD and a STOP message implying IRQ conflicts. I booted the machine using Windows Safe Mode and got to the desktop and then rebooted into Windows 7 normally. I had no more problems after that. Overall, this seems to be a worthwhile experiment. Overall responsiveness has definitely improved, though I don’t have any benchmarks to tell you how much. I did see slightly LOWER Geekbench scores (like about 150-200 points) I believe might to be due to the extra overhead of the software RAID. In every other way, though, the machine is snappier under both Mac Operating Systems. For that, the cost is decreased hardware reliability I am mitigating by a good backup strategy and acquisition of a spare 1TB hard drive I’ll keep for quick retrieval in case a failure does occur. I may not have SSD speeds with this setup or what I could achieve with a Velociraptor RAID set or maybe even hardware RAID, but considering this only cost me some time, this appears to have been a worthwhile thing to do. Monday, January 7th, 2013 | Comments Off on One Step Forward Two Steps Back! Today, Apple fixed my main complaint about the new 21.5 inch iMac; you know, the one saddled with a 2.5 inch 5400 RPM hard drive, all to make it unbelievably thinner for reasons only they understand. Today, Apple announced you can pay an extra $250 for the low end iMac so that it will match the glowing performance referred to in nearly all its reviews. You can order the machine with a 1TB Fusion Drive, something you could only previously do with high low-end machine. Of course, that means that a decent entry level iMac now costs $1549, making this the most costly set of iMacs Apple has ever released. They are undoubtedly also the best performing, but whether you are getting what you paid for is still up for debate. Still, I consider this one step forward. But Apple has performed a lot of missteps lately. IOS 6 Maps, the initial 2.12 HP Printer Driver update, the flakiness of Mountain Lion when it was first released, the inclusion of 5400 rpm hard drives in iMacs, and now there is another…the latest…Tunes 11. I’ve been saying privately to my wife that I, as a Mac user, was deeply concerned about Apple’s direction. I haven’t minded fixing things now and then…even inventing workarounds haven’t been that frequent….except in the past year or so. Apple software quality control has gotten so poor that I do not automatically apply upgrades; I wait and see what other people are reporting and try to make sure the update is okay before pressing ahead. I actually thought iTunes 11 (and, yes, I’ve downloaded 11.0.1) was okay… I had managed to reconfigure it to behave the way I liked (since many things in its redesign seemed to dumb the software down, something Apple’s been too guilty of lately). That was until yesterday. Then, I noticed that if I selected a song in a playlist, started playing it, selected another playlist, and tried to play it, the first song I selected would continue to play! Worse, I tried the same trick on a different Mac and got exactly the same behavior! That became the last straw for me; as I have done too often recently I reverted back to a software set that worked, i.e., iTunes 10.7 in this case. Listen up, Apple, you’re being given a BIG APPLE FAIL on this software! Your discussion forums are full of people who, like me, are questioning your technical prowess and value on the dollar. You seem to be moving from “it just works” to “ it only works the way we want it to…most of the time” while making sure “it just hurts” is what resounds from our pocketbooks. I couldn’t figure out at first why not much was being said about Apple dropping to 2.5 inch 5400 RPM hard drives in these new models but then grew suspicious that nearly every reviewer is being supplied with models equipped with optional Fusion drives. In all the reviews I looked at…especially where they touted the new machine’s speed..this indeed did prove to be the case. Worse, in the large majority of these reviews, the authors were missing the fact that the option added another $250 to the price, and the option is not available on the low end $1299 model at all. So, if your intent is to purchase the low end iMac and your intent is to do any kind of serious (read Photoshop) work on it and you don’t like waiting around for it to finish, you need to think again. I also will remind people that the 21.5 inch iMac does not have a connector for an SSD, something that does exist in the 27inch iMac, even if you don’t order one with it. That doesn’t mean you can’t put an SSD in it; but whatever you do, one SATA hard disk of some type is your only option. If you’re just buying one of these machines for basic office work, then you’ll be happy with it; but if your intent is to purchase one for anything else, read the current sets of reviews with an analytical eye. Save yourself from going home and finding out that what you bought wasn’t what you needed; and while that is nothing new, I feel like it’s a bigger thing to be poking at with these machines. Too Much Form Over Function: Is the new 21.5 inch iMac Too Pricey to Care? Sunday, December 2nd, 2012 | Comments Off on Too Much Form Over Function: Is the new 21.5 inch iMac Too Pricey to Care? Like a lot of people, I am trying to understand the design changes to Apple’s latest series of iMacs. It’s said it has something to do with Apple’s vision for the future. I‘m just not so sure the rest of us agree or are willing to go along. Sales numbers will ultimately tell the tale. It may not matter much to Apple’s bottom line but it will help determine the ultimate future of the Mac computer. An article at Macworld said this was just another bump along the road of “hiding the computer”, always at the heart of Apple’s quest. Fair enough. I like cool designs as much as the next guy; iMacs do usually look very good in the home and office and I admit that is part of their appeal. But to think that is the major reason behind my decision to buy Apple products is to misread my intent. Ultimately, I look for performance and value. That’s where I think the latest design changes, especially for the 21.5 inch iMac, break down. We’ve all known that Apple has been pushing for deletion of the optical drive in all their machines. Apple did the same thing with the floppy and new computers no longer carry them. Indeed, advances in storage technology and the inflation of file and program sizes as CPU’s matured made them obsolete. Apple now thinks that the days of optical drive software and media distribution are numbered and they probably are; but anyone who has ever experienced the too often breakdowns of Internet service or Apple’s App Store knows too well the frustration, inconvenience, and , in the worst cases, lost worktimes that come with them. As do users of Apple’s latest computers, when a hard drive fails and you no have no way to get back and reload your operating system because it’s out the Net instead of on a shiny CD in your office. (Which is why I have a Mountain Lion installer burned to dual-layer DVD; sorry, Apple.). From my perspective, the removal of optical drives is premature, especially in a desktop that was, up until now, an “all-in-one”. I buy iMacs because I want that integrated functionality; now, I have to spend money on and find desk space for an optical drive, too. That causes even more of a wince of pain when Apple accompanies this move by raising their price points one hundred dollars. They have, in fact, increased the cost by almost $200 over the older models if you have to also buy an optical drive because they no longer include one (though it depends on what kind of a burner you go after; some are a lot cheaper than a century bill). The Apple website touts that these iMacs take “Performance and Design. Right to the Edge”. Of what? Mediocrity? Why in the world would anyone put a 2.5 inch 5400 RPM notebook hard drive in a desktop, like Apple has done with all 21.5 inch iMacs? That is beyond me! You mean, for the extra hundred dollars everyone’s paying, they couldn’t slap in 2.5 inch 7200 hard drives, or was that expecting too much? (I have a 5400 rpm hard drive in a 2012 Mac mini and it is almost painfully slow.) What were those extra RPM’s going to do? Cause too much heat? Too much vibration? If either of those are true for this desktop, then Apple’s lost it. No, this looks like simple greed, a way to squeeze a few more bucks out of the design and possibly another $250 out of the consumer who may need to purchase the Fusion Drive option to make the machine perform worth a damn. (And you can’t even do that on the low end machine.) Why did Apple think the performance was good enough and why didn’t they give a damn about trying harder? I would not recommend to anyone they spend the money on a new 2012 21.5 inch iMac, especially the low end one. Of course, a reason for you to move up and spend more is exactly what Apple wants. It doesn’t take too much imagination to think their ultimate goal is to get everyone on a 27 inch iMac, and they’ll nudge you in that direction by handicapping the 21.5 incher, just like they did when they eliminated their smaller Cinema Displays, leaving users who wanted to stay with Apple no choice but a 27 inch Apple branded display costing a grand. It worked once, why not again? If you’re not yet willing to jump ship back to Windows or Linux, the smarter move is to buy a MacBook Pro and hook it to a keyboard and screen you already have or invest in a 27 inch Apple Thunderbolt display (Yes, I know that hurts!). You can not only get better performance since you can get i7 CPU’s at lower price points (see the refurbished section of the Apple website for the best deals) but the MacBook Pro’s are now more expandable and easier to fix or expand. Yes, you may spend more setting up a MacBook Pro and a Thunderbolt screen, but my bet is you are better future-proofed and you have more flexibility since you can operate the notebook as a desktop or as a notebook. And, no matter what, hauling around your MacBook Pro is going to be easier than moving your iMac, no matter how thin it is. Not only that, but the coup de grace is that replacing the pokey 5400 rpm hard drive in your MacBook Pro is no pain at all.
2019-04-24T12:54:06Z
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[Schwabenkrieg] Supposita pictura regie maiestatis Helvetiorumque conflictum insinuat quo quisque loco victoria positus sit terga prebuerit hosti oculari demonstratione in qua quicque Helvetiorum loco S. Lra. ppnoitur. Reproduktion der Schwabenkrieg- oder Bodenseekarte des Monogrammisten PW (PPW) in Kupferlichtdruck. Hrsg.: Internationale Chalkographische Gesellschaft - International Chalcographical Society - Société Internationale Chalcographique. [Berlin, Reichsdruckerei, ca. 1888]. . Verkleinerter Kupferlichtdruck auf geripptem Bütten mit der eindrucksvollen Darstellung des Schwabenkrieges von 1499 aus der Vogelschau, geschaffen 1505 von dem Monogrammisten PW (PPW). Im Schwabenkrieg, auch "Schweizerkrieg" oder "Engadiner Krieg" genannt, kämpften die Eidgenossenschaft und das Haus Habsburg (mit dem Schwäbischen Bund als Verbündetem) um die Vorherrschaft im eidgenössisch-habsburgischen Grenzgebiet. Den Konflikt konnten die Eidgenossen militärisch, doch ohne Gebietszuwächse gewinnen. Die "südwestorientierte Darstellung mit Vedutencharakter, das Gebiet zwischen Einsiedeln, Rottweil, Salem und Bregenz umfassend" (Archivkatalog des Staatsarchivs St. Gallen), zeigt auf sechs Karten detaillierte Landschaftsdarstellungen und Schlachtenszenen. Die Ãœbersicht zeigt alle sechs Detailkarten im Zusammenhang, sowie den auf Blatt 2 gedruckten lateinischen Text und seine deutsche Ãœbersetzung: "Dis ist der Krich tzwichssen dem Rvmichssen kvnick vnd den Sweitzern vnd ganse lantschaft stet slos vnd dvrfe im Sweitzland vnd eim deil fon Swaben lant vnd wair ein s stait getzeichnit das ist den Sweitz vndworfen das and derich vnd de sprvnck vom Rein vnd Thonaw beide". Wilhelm Bonacker vermutet in seinem Aufsatz "Die sogenannte Bodenseekarte des Meisters PW bzw. PPW vom Jahre 1505" (1954 in "Die Erde 1", S. 29 f.) die Schweizer Seite als Auftraggeber, da bei den militärischen Darstellungen stets die Eidgenossen die Oberhand hätten. Auch hebt er die Qualität der Wiedergabe von Ortschaften und Gebäuden und der Schlachtszenen hervor, konstatiert aber bei den Gebirgen eine eher schematische Darstellung. Die Identität des Stechers ist nach wie vor nicht geklärt. In Passavants "Le peintre graveur" wird er als hervorragender, phantasievoller Künstler der oberdeutschen Schule des XV. Jahrhunderts beschrieben, seine Handhabung des Stichels sei "(d')une grande finesse et en maître, et son dessin est tr?s caractéristique, plein de vie et de mouvement". - Blattränder vereinzelt stockfleckig, zwei Blätter mit wenigen Stockfleckchen in der Darstellung. - Selten. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1888. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/No Dust Jacket. Octavo. Contains a 4 page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) BY J. M. BARRIE tipped in between dedication and contents. 250pp., (2)pp.ads. Bound in dark blue cloth, spine lettering gilt within single gilt ruled border, top edge gilt. Small bookplate of J. Christian Bay, a librarian and authority on rare books, and tiny glasgow booksellers ticket to front pastedown. A very nice, clean bright copy showing no wear to binding. Housed in a custom morocco backed slipcase with chemise. London: MacMillan & Company, 1888. First edition. Quarto, ornately bound in full red morocco by Bayntun. Gilt tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. With the original cloth bound at the rear. Extensively illustrated with drawings by Herbert Railton and Hugh Thomson. From the library of Edward Francis Hutton with his bookplate. Hutton was an American financier and co-founder of E. F. Hutton & Co., one of the most respected financial firms in the United States. Along with his second wife was General Foods heiress, Marjorie Merriweather Post, whom he married in 1920 they built several famous houses including Hillwood, a Tudor revival style mansion on Long Island's North Shore, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and the largest privately owned seagoing yacht of the era, the "Hussar V", which is best known as the Sea Cloud. An exceptional presentation with noted provenance. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ON HOUSE OF COMMONS LETTERHEAD, and manuscript leaf from his novel "Lady Lee's Widowhood" NETHERLANDS TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY OFFICE (TOPOGRAPHISCHE INRICHTING) / Carel Alphons ECKSTEIN (1840 &#150; 1925). INDONESIA &#150; BESUKI, JAWA TIMUR (EAST JAVA): TOPOGRAPHISCHE KAART DER RESIDENTIE BESOEKI OPGENOMEN INGEVOLGE GOUVERNEMENTS BESLUIT VAN DEN 28STEN MEI 1877 NO. 13, IN DE JAREN 1878-1883. The Hague: Topographische Inrichting 1888 - Chromolithograph, printed on 9 sheets, each sheet 47.5 x 61 cm (19 x 24 inches), that if joined would form a map approximately 160 x 130 cm (63 x 51 inches), housed in original paper wrappers (Very Good, a few closed marginal tears, overall sharp and clean, wrappers with chipped edges re-enforced on verso with archival tape). The extremely rare first edition of the spectacular 9-sheet map of Besuki, East Java, from outstanding &#145;Residentiekaarten&#146; series, the product of the Herculean Dutch effort to scientifically survey Java and Madura, printed with a resplendent and award-winning technique of chromolithography. St. Petersburg: Typ. of A.S. Suvorin, 1888. , 78 pp. Octavo. Contemporary green quarter cloth with marbled boards. Upper corner of the last free endpaper cut off and repaired with paper, otherwise a very good copy. First and only edition. Very rare Russian imprint as no copies were found in Worldcat. Interesting eye-witness description of a Russian merchant voyage to the North Pacific and the Arctic Ocean around the Chukotka Peninsula, published as an offprint from the Proceedings of the Russian Geographical Society (vol. XXIV). Resin, an associate of the Governor General of the new Priamyrskoe [Near the Amur River] Governorate (formed in 1884) was assigned to observe and describe its northern regions. In May-September 1885 he joined whaling schooner Sibir' captain planned to reach Wrangel Island, but was forced to turn back by the pack ice. During the return trip the schooner called at the Ratmanov Island (the Diomedes, Bering Strait) and traded there with the Chukchi. On the way to the Providence Bay the ship visited the Tkachen Bay (Chukotka) where the crew picked up a skull of a deceased Chukchi man which was later sent to the Academy of Sciences. The book describes the voyage from Vladivostok to the Karaga River (Northern Kamchatka) and further north around the Chukotka Peninsula; geography, climate, flora & fauna of Kamchatka, native population of the Petropavlovsk district, and the Gizhiginsky district (''chukmari'' or Kereks, sedentiary Koriaks, Raindeer Koriaks and Chukchi, sedentiary Chukchi). Special part is dedicated to the activities of the Americans near Russian Pacific shores (about 30-35 whaling and trading ships call every year, they hunt whales and walruses, bring rum, Winchester guns, tobacco, gun powder, knives, axes, animal traps, pottery, fabrics etc.), the author concludes that their influence to the natives is negative and proposes to establish a permanent coast guard at the Kamchatka and Chukotka shores. Pittsburgh: D. C. Williams Press, 1888. 1/2 leather. Very good. Rebound in half-leather. Typewritten. Complete. 361 pages. Sound binding. Clean pages. Light wear. In addition to his diary-memoir, this lot also includes a 233-page family genealogy, Thomas Robinson and his Descendants with entries about him and a 499-page text, Pennsylvania at Chickamauga and Chattanooga: Ceremonies at the Dedication of the Monuments, which contains transcripts of two of Robinson's speeches. This memoir is built upon an American Civil War diary kept by Robinson, who at various times was a member of the 9th, 73rd, and 77th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiments. Entries detail the drudgery of military life, countless marches, ever-present sickness and death, battle action, and the life of a prisoner of war. It begins with Robinson's enlistment in the spring of 1861 as a private in the 9th Pennsylvania Volunteers and follows his career, mostly while assigned to the 77th, through to his Brevet Colonel promotion and return from the war in 1866. Robinson participated in the Siege of Corinth and the Battle of Stone River (Murfreesboro). He received a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga and was taken prisoner after which he was shipped east and confined, first at Richmond's infamous Liberty Prison, then Salisbury, Macon, Charleston, and Columbia. He was eventually paroled, exchanged, and returned to his command. He then led the 77th Regiment in pursuit of Confederate forces throughout Alabama and east Tennessee. After the Army of Virginia surrendered at Appomattox, Robinson and his regiment were reassigned to occupy Texas until January, 1866 when they were returned to Philadelphia and mustered out of the service. Robinson's account is well written and contains some fascinating observations, including: * Upon his commission, Robinson was assigned to the 73rd Infantry which consisted entirely of recent German immigrants; this was done "in order to Americanize them." There he found rations consisted primarily of "lager, pretzels, sauerkraut, rye bread and sweitzer-kase." * At the final assault on Corinth, "They ran like sheep before us. . . . The Army in the night blowing up magazines an burning everything of value. Corinth looks like starvation. . . . We rest. * During the Battle of Stone River, "the 77th was not taken by surprise, as it had been standing at arms since 4 o'clock in the morning and presented at all times an unbroken front to the enemy. In the midst of the battle . . . we formed line after line, being driven back each time, at length . . . a stand was taken and the Enemy was repulsed. . . ." * "What a sad work for us! Was out over the battlefield, and am to-night sick with its scenes of horror. Many have tried to check the flow of blood from their own veins until too weak, then died with their eyes turned toward out lines, vainly wishing for help. . . . " * At Chickamauga we "marched eight miles this morning and went immediately into one of the most desperate battles of the war. . . . Fresh troops were brought up and came rushing upon us and we fought them until 8 P.M. Dark - and no support coming up - they flanked us, and here I am, a prisoner, on my melancholy way to Dixie - sick with chills, and no blanket, - nothing to eat - my haversack, sword and belt taken from me. His recounting of the bleakness of prison life is riveting in its concise despair. * We receive "1/2 loaf of bread and six oz. of meat a day. . . . Without blanket . . . 'Tis very cold. Must walk to keep warm. . . . Nothing to eat. . . Nothing to wear. . . No stool to sit upon. Must squat. . . . Time hangs heavy." * "Six hundred men in a small yard with no shade. . . . All of the filth and garbage of the prison is thrown out among us. Words can't describe the miserable condition we are in here. . . . Corn bread for two men . . . the size of half a brick, and indigestible. Horrible stuff. . . ." * "Today has been as yesterday, only more abundant in its ennui. . . . The C.S.A. is rotten and it stinks. . . . Beef and pork are played out, and we mourn our daily dish of soup. . . . Sweet potatoes are issued in place of meat." * "Our men from Belle Isle passed the prison to-day. A sad sight! Many of them unable to walk alone - leaning upon their comrades - literally starved, - dirty ghastly, thin legs and arms. Poor fellows! We pay back ten-fold." Quite scarce. As of 2017, OCLC locates only one other example at the John Heinz History Center in Ohio. None in the trade and no auction records at ABPC or the Rare Book Hub. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, & Co. 1888 - first edition; 2 vols., xv, 447, 32 (publisher's catalogue) + vii, 492 pp., folding map; original red-stamped blue cloth, head of spine of the second volume is chipped with some loss, small hand stamp to title pages, text unopened, else a very good set. Photos available upon request. Wissenschaftliche Luftfahrten. Ausgeführt vom Deutschen Verein zur Förderung der Luftschiffahrt in Berlin. 1. Geschichte und Beobachtungsmaterial 2. Beschreibung und Ergebnisse der einzelnen Fahrten 3. Zusammenfassung und Hauptergebnisse. 3 Bände., Mit zus. 1 chromolith. Frontispiz, 5 farb. lith. Tafeln, 4 weiteren Tafeln, 349 Textabbildungen und 59 Karten. Gering berieben und bestoßen Kanten leicht beschabt Vorderdeckel von Band 2 mit sehr schwachem Fleck und hinterer Deckel dieses Bandes mit winziger Bezugspapierläsur Vorderdeckel von Band 3 am Kopf im Bereich des Rückens leicht verblasst - insgesamt ein sehr schönes Exemplar des monumentalen Werkes. Bedeutende Dokumentation über die erste systematische Untersuchung der höheren Luftschichten. Insgesamt werden 75 seit dem Jahr 1888 erfolgte Ballonfahrten analysiert. Der erste Band enthält eine Geschichte der wissenschaftlichen Luftfahrten seit dem Jahr 1783 (S. 1-136). Beiträge von Richard Assmann, Hans Gross, Arthur Berson, Victor Kremser, Richard Börnstein, Otto Baschin, Reinhard Süring und Wilhelm von Bezold. Brockett I, 949. um 1888 Teil I. Lieferung I - XIII, 72 ganz- oder doppelseitige Kunstblätter, Teil II. Skizzen, Studien, Zeitillustrationen und Portraits (div. Textillustrationen), Teil III. Erzählungen und Novellen, Teil IV. Grössere illustrierte Aufsätze, Teil V. Gedichte und Aphorismen reich dek. Einbd. (Ln mit Vierfarbendruck und Goldprägung), marm. Schnitt, Seidenhemdchen (teilw. zerknittert und braunfleckig), Gilb, Vorsatz mit Ausfärbung des Einbands, außen geringf. berieben, sehr schönes Ex.! - Paul Ollendorff, Paris 1888, In-12 (12,5x19cm), 322pp., relié. - Edizione per la quale è stato girato 10 copie numerate di lusso. Binding metà marocco con angoli di cacao epoca. Torna nervi giansenisti. testa dorata. Reti sulle stoviglie. coperture conservati. Leggermente indietro e in modo uniforme assottigliato. Tracce di attrito (mascelle, cunei, piatti). - [FRENCH VERSION FOLLOWS] Edition originale pour laquelle il a été tiré 10 exemplaires de luxe numérotés. Reliure en demi maroquin à coins d'époque cacao. Dos à nerfs janséniste. Tête dorée. Filets sur les plats. Couvertures conservées. Dos légèrement et uniformément éclairci. Traces de frottements (mors, coins, plats, coiffes). Sobre et bel exemplaire. Azul. (I. Cuentos en prosa - II. El año lírico). 25 x 16. Each volume ca. 400 pp. Contemporary halfcloth bindings (vol. VI in later cloth). *Eine Zeitschrift über Geschichte und Kultur der Zigeuner. Eine erste Serie erschien 1888-1892 in 3 Bänden. erst 1907 folgte nach 15-jähriger Pause eine Neue Serie (9 Bände 1907-1916). Die Zeitschrift erscheint (in der 4. Serie) bis heute. Vorliegend die ersten 6 Bände der neuen Serie in den Originalausgaben, erschienen in kleiner Auflage nur für die Mitglieder der Organisation. - Die broschierten Orig.-Umschläge meist mit eingebunden. Bei 2 Bänden mit Abfärbung vom Buchschnitt auf das Frontispiz. Insgesamt gut erhaltene Bibliotheksdublette, Titelblatt rückseitig mit entwertetem Stempel. / A yearbook for the history and culture of the gypsy. 1888-1892 appeared a first series in 3 volumes. The organisation was inactiv 1893-1907. A second series appeared 1907-1916 in 9 vols. - Here are present the first 6 volumes of the second series in original editions. - In all well preserved library copies: Titles recto with old stamp. In 2 volumes the frontispiece with discoloring from the edges. Orig. wrappers mostly bound in. Oeuvres : théorie analytique de la chaleur, mémoires publiés dans divers recueils (2 volumes). Gauthier-Villars, 2 volumes, 1888-1890, 563-633 pp., demi-chagrin, environ 27x22cm, dos et mors frottés, coins émoussés, un feuillet détaché à la fin du premier volume (sans manque), premiers mors fendu à l'intérieur, intérieurs propres.Merci de nous contacter à l'avance si vous souhaitez consulter une référence au sein de notre librairie. South Africa. Illustrated by a series of one hundred and four permanent Photographs. Published by the Author, Port Elizabeth, 1888. - EA. Mit 107 (!) aufgewalzten Fotografien in Lichtdruck (statt 104, wie im Titel und im Vorwort angegeben), 5 davon in 32,5 x 23,3cm, 102 davon in 19 x 12,5cm. Dekorativer Original-Ganzleder-Einband mit Deckel- und Rücken-Goldprägung sowie Resten einer Metall-Schließe, schwere Vorsatzblätter in Moire-Effekt, Goldschnitt. Eingeleitet von 4 Seiten Text. Folio-Format 37,5 x 30,5 cm. Einband berieben, Rücken sorgfältig restauriert mit aufgezogenem Original-Rücken. Innen teils gering stockfleckig, Fotografien nicht betroffen. Guter Zustand. Ein Kaleidoskop des damaligen Südafrika mit Ansichten von Städten, Häusern, Landschaften, Arbeitern, Minen, Ureinwohnern. Zahlreiche Fotos von enormer Brillianz und Tiefenschärfe. Selten , vermutl. einmalig mit 107 Fotografien. Autograph letter signed ("P. Verlaine" and "P. V."). Paris, 9. IV. 1888. 1888. 8vo. 2 2/3 pp. on bifolium. To an unnamed addressee whose beautiful book he has read with much pleasure. Allgemeine Maschinenlehre. Ein Leitfaden für Vorträge, sowie zum Selbststudium des heutigen Maschinenwesens, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung seiner Entwicklung. Für angehende Techniker, Cameralisten, Landwirthe und Gebildete jeden Standes. 4 Bände. Zus. ca. 5000 Seiten mit ca. 2500 teils blattgroßen Textholzstichen und einigen Tafeln. Halbleinenbände der Zeit mit Rückentitel (Rücken leicht verblasst). *Umfangreiches systematisches Kompendium zum Maschinenbau im späten 19. Jahrhundert, eine reich illustrierte zeitgenössische Fundgrube über alle Sparten und Arten von Maschinen. Bände 1-4 erschienen bis 1888 von Rühlmann, ein fünfter Band wurde erst 1902 von Osw. Flamm beendet. - Band 1: Maschinen zum Messen und Zählen / Maschinen zur Aufnahme der Menschen- und Tierkräfte. Wasserräder, Windräder Dampfmaschinen, Luftmaschinen. - Band 2: Mühlen und landwirtschaftliche Maschinen (auch Locomobile und transportable Dampfmaschinen). - Band 3: Straßen- und Eisenbahnfuhrwerke, einschl. Lokomotiven, Dampf-Omnibusse, Maschinen und Apparate für pneumatischen Transport. - Band 4: Maschinen zur Ortsveränderung, Heb- und Senkmaschinen, Ramm-Maschinen, Bagger, Pumpen, Kompressoren, Transmission. - 5. Band: Geschichte der Ruder-, Segel- und Dampfschiffe. Practischer Schiffbau. Entwerfen von Schiffen. Theorie des Schiffes. Schiffskessel und Schiffsmaschinen. - Titelblätter rückseitig gestempelt, sonst durchweg sauber und gut erhalten. leicht schief, Einband an den Kanten abgegriffen, gebräunt, Inhalt:Erstes Buch: DER GÖTZE KULTUR:Der Zusammenprall- Die Durchdringung- Die eiserne Wand- Der Wurf- Die Ringwellen fluten zurückZweites Buch: SCHACH DEM KREISLAUF Der Aufmarsch- Maschinen und Brücken- Das Gehirn- Der Sieg- Das neue Fragezeichen"Egmont Colerus von Geldern (1888- 1939) war ein österreichischer Schriftsteller. Colerus von Geldern stammte aus einer alten niederländischen Offiziersfamilie, die um 1750 aus Holland nach Österreich eingewandert war. .. 1920 veröffentlichte Colerus seine ersten beiden Bücher - Antarktis, das er bereits 1914, sowie Sodom, das er 1917 bis 1919 verfasst hatte. Als Colerus nach zwei Jahren wieder halbwegs arbeitsfähig war, trat er im Herbst 1921 hauptberuflich als Beamter ins österreichische Bundesamt für Statistik ein, die heutige Statistik Austria. In dieser Zeit verfasste er weitere historische Romane, Sachbücher und auch Dramen. Seine Bücher schrieb er großteils in der Nacht, üblicherweise zwischen zehn Uhr und Mitternacht. 1930 wurde seine Tochter Monica geboren dieses Ereignis spiegelt sich in seinem Roman Matthias Werner im letzten Kapitel Das Gebet an der Wiege, das auch eine Vision des Zweiten Weltkriegs enthält. Ein von Walther Neugebauer geleiteter Kurs für höhere und statistische Mathematik, den er am Bundesamt für Statistik besuchte, erweckte in ihm die Liebe zur Mathematik. Um "die Abscheu vor der reinsten, fast möchte ich sagen, heiligsten aller Wissenschaften" zu bekämpfen, schrieb er seine populärwissenschaftlichen mathematischen Sachbücher "Vom Einmaleins zum Integral", "Vom Punkt zur vierten Dimension" und "Von Pythagoras bis Hilbert", die in mehrere Sprachen übersetzt wurden und auch heute noch für den mathematisch interessierten Laien sehr lesenswert sind.....Colerus behandelte in seinen Romanen aus einer zutiefst humanistischen Weltsicht in impressionistischer, teilweise auch expressionistischer Art vielfältige Problemstellungen der Zwischenkriegszeit, teils in der Form von Zeitromanen, teils in historischer Einkleidung. Er zählte damit in der Zwischenkriegszeit zu den erfolgreichsten deutschen Schriftstellern (Gesamtauflage über 670.000 Exemplare), einzelne seiner Werke wurden in bis zu zehn Sprachen übersetzt." aus wikipedia Wir danken unseren Kunden/Kundinnen und Kollegen/Kolleginnen für ein schönes Jahr 2016. Und wünschen ALLEN ein gutes neues Jahr 2017. Mitchell, Dakota: Joseph Kindelan, Roadmaster / The Mitchell Printing Co.. (1888). First. First edition. Small octavo. 299pp.; 5pp. of ads. Red paper gilt over boards. Small publisher's label front pastedown, modest rubbing at the extremities, a nice, very good copy. OCLC locates about six copies of the Dakota edition over two records. . The Nurseryman's Specimen Book of American Fruits, Flowers, Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses &c. Rochester Lithographing Company, successors to D. M. Dewey's American Fruit & Flower Plates . Africa. No. 7 (1888). Reports on Slave Trade on the East Coast of Africa: 1887-88. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by command of Her Majesty. November 1888. [C.-5578]. London, printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by Harrison and Sons, 1888. 1888. Folio. IV, 87, (1) pp. Sewn, with remains of former spine. Rare British parliamentary papers and correspondence with local agents and officers on the slave trade, including reports of naval battles with dhows (often flying false French colours) between the east coast of Africa and Jeddah, as well as a report on British activity in the Arabian Gulf which halted the slave trade on the northern shore of the Peninsula: "the strict blockade which has been established on the Arabian coast during the past two seasons has to a great extent stopped the transport of cargoes of slaves in large numbers from Africa to the Arabian coast and the Persian Gulf" (p. 3). - A good copy. Not in Bennett, but cf. his no. 519, noting Parliamentary Paper C.-5575, possibly in error. Die Loango-Expedition. Dritte Abtheilung, erste und zweite Hälfte. (In einem Band). Nouveau Plan de la Ville de Bordeaux A L'Usage des Promeneurs Par Alfred Lapierre [with] Tableau des Voies de la Ville de Bordeaux et de la Banlieue. Feret & Fils, 1888 - An attractive plan of Bordeaux Lithographed map with original full colour, dissected and laid on linen, folding into original red cloth covers, lettered and tooled in gilt [with] accompanying printed booklet, some black and red ink staining to front cover. A map of the city of Bordeaux. Bordeaux had enjoyed an architectural renaissance over the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, fuelled by wine exports. The map was made thirty years after the first official classification of Bordeaux wines, initiated by the Emperor Napoleon III, and viniculture remained the economic backbone of the region. The accompanying booklet contains a list of street names both in Bordeaux and in the suburbs and their location on the map, a list of industrial and government buildings, and adverts for local businesses. 565 by 710mm. (22.25 by 28 inches). Bologna, Tip. Azzoguidi, 1888, due vol. in-folio, br. originale, pp. 120 + tavole 1/60 (ma 13a doppia e 54/60 sono in due sole carte). Manca la tav. XI. Der Leviathan in der Staatslehre des Thomas Hobbes. Sinn und Fehlschlag eines politischen Symbols. 132 S. OLwd. OU. Seltene erste Ausgabe. (Umschlag mit hinterlegten Randläsuren und kleinen Einrissen, sonst gut) [Carl Schmitt (zeitweise auch Carl Schmitt-Dorotic)[ (* 11. Juli 1888 in Plettenberg 7. April 1985 ebenda) war ein deutscher Staatsrechtler, der auch als politischer Philosoph rezipiert wird. Er ist einer der bekanntesten, wenn auch umstrittensten deutschen Staats- und Völkerrechtler des 20. Jahrhunderts. Als Kronjurist des Dritten Reiches (Waldemar Gurian) galt Schmitt nach 1945 als kompromittiert. Sein im Katholizismus verwurzeltes Denken kreiste um Fragen der Macht, der Gewalt und der Rechtsverwirklichung. Neben dem Staats- und Verfassungsrecht streifen seine Veröffentlichungen zahlreiche weitere Disziplinen wie Politikwissenschaft, Soziologie, Theologie, Germanistik und Philosophie. Sein breitgespanntes uvre umfasst außer juristischen und politischen Arbeiten verschiedene weitere Textgattungen, etwa Satiren, Reisenotizen, ideengeschichtliche Untersuchungen oder germanistische Textexegesen. Als Jurist prägte er eine Reihe von Begriffen und Konzepten, die in den wissenschaftlichen, politischen und sogar allgemeinen Sprachgebrauch eingegangen sind, etwa Verfassungswirklichkeit, Politische Theologie, Freund-/Feind-Unterscheidung oder dilatorischer Formelkompromiss. Schmitt wird heute zwar vor allem wegen seines staatsrechtlichen Einsatzes für den Nationalsozialismus als furchtbarer Jurist, umstrittener Theoretiker und Gegner der liberalen Demokratie gescholten, zugleich aber auch als Klassiker des politischen Denkens (Herfried Münkler) gewürdigt nicht zuletzt aufgrund seiner Wirkung auf das Staatsrecht und die Rechtswissenschaft der frühen Bundesrepublik. Die prägenden Einflüsse für sein Denken bezog Schmitt von politischen Philosophen und Staatsdenkern wie Thomas Hobbes, Niccolò Machiavelli, Aristoteles,] Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Juan Donoso Cortés oder Zeitgenossen wie Georges Sorel und Vilfredo Pareto. (Wikipedia) Ich versende mit der Deutschen Post (Büchersendung) und der DHL (Pakete). Die Lieferzeit ist abhängig von der Versandart und beträgt innerhalb Deutschlands 3-5 Tage, in der EU 5 - 14 Tage. <p>DSB X: 442; Kannenberg, Introduction to the English translation, <em>Geometric Calculus – According to the Ausdehnungslehre of H. Grassmann</em>, 2000; Kennedy, <em>Peano</em>: <em>Life and Work</em><em> of Giuseppe Peano</em>, 1980; Van Heijenoort: <em>From Frege to Gödel. A Source Book in Mathematical Logic, 1879-1931</em>.</p> 8vo (237 x 156 mm), pp. x, [ii], 170, . Contemporary half cloth, manuscript title label to spine, a very fine and clean copy. Die Burgen in Elsass-Lothringen. Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Militär-Architectur des Mittelalters. 1. Heft: Die Burgen im Unter-Elsass. 2. Heft: Die Burgen in Lothringen. Mit zus. 15 doppelblattgroßen lithographierten Tafeln. 27 x 20 cm. I. 32 Seiten, 9 Tafeln. - II. 13 Seiten, 6 Tafeln. Etwas späterer broschierter Umschlag. *Originalausgabe. - Vorwort am Ende mit mehrzeiligem handschriftlichem Eintrag des Verfassers, und dessen Signatur, datiert "Straßburg 1888". - Die Tafeln zeigen in Heft I: Fleckenstein - Schoeneck - Lichtenberg - Hoh-Barr - Dagsburg - Burg Bernstein - Odilienberg - Landsberg - Hoh-Andlau und Speburg bei Barr - Hohkönigsburg und die Rapolsweiler Schlösser. - Heft II: Hunaweier, Reichenweier, Reichenstein, Kienzheim und Kaysersberg - Die Frankenburg, die drei Egisheimer Schlösser und der Hohlandsberg - Die Hohnack, das Oel-Thor in Türkheim, der Hugstein die Egisheimer Pfalz. - Engelsburg, Hirzenstein, Herrenfluth und die Stadttütmer von Sennheim und Ruffach - Die Burgen des Sundgaues: Pfirt, Liebenstein, Moersperg und Landskron - Die Burgen Rodemachern und Sierk in Lothringen. - Insgesamt sauber und gut erhalten. Fanfare. Gewidmet dem Protector des Wiener Schützenvereines von der aus Mitgliedern des Vereines gebildeten Waldhornisten-Abtheilung. [Wohl Wien], 1888. 1888. Eigenh. Musikmanuskript. 1 S. auf gefalt. Doppelblatt (farblithogr. Notenpapier mit Schmuckbordüre). Einliegend in Kartonmappe, diese mit goldener Brokatschnur gehalten in prächtigem historistischem Lederband über Holzdeckeln mit reicher Reliefprägung, breitem Rahmen mit vergoldeter Blattwerksbordüre, Messing-Eckbeschlägen, aufwendiger Goldprägung und Wappenauflage im Mittelfeld (auf blecherner Wappenkartusche ziselierte Messingauflage mit emailliertem Wappen der Stadt Wien und Umschrift "Wiener Schützen-Verein"). Die Innendeckel und die den Kartonfalz mit dem Manuskript umfassende Innenmappe mit preußischblauem Seidenbezug; die Mappe mit dem o. a. Titel in Goldprägung (innen mit weißem Papier mit Moiréeprägung bezogen). Folio (290:390 mm). Prächtig gebundenes, beschädigtes Dedikations-Musikmanuskript für die Waldhorn-Corps des Wiener Schützenvereins. Aus der Buchbinderei F. W. Papke im 4. Wiener Gemeindebezirk (am Vorderdeckel signiert). Noch 1914 führt "Lehmann's Allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger nebst Handels- und Gewerbe-Adreßbuch Wien" den Eintrag: "Papke F. W. - Buchbinderei und Musterkarten Fabrikation Specialität: Feine Liebhaber-Einbände, sowie künstlerisch vollendete Bucheinbände, Überreichungs-Adressen, Albums Portemonnaie-Kalender, Poesiebücher, Schreibmappen-Fabrikation. Permanente Ausstellung in den Salons im I. und II. Stock, Wien IV Wieden Mozartplatz neben Johann Strauß-Theater, Niederlage IV Wiedner Hauptstraße 15-17, Habighof". - Beiliegend 2 zeitgenöss. Eintrittskarten: eine unausgefüllte "Einlass-Karte zum Schützen-Zeit 1855 für Herrn ..." sowie eine "für Herrn Ahlen" ausgefüllte "Einlass-Karte" ins "Zelt der Vten Comp.". - Rücken gebrochen und restaurierungsbedürftig; Blätter mit unschönen Knickspuren. Emin Pascha, eine Sammlung von Reisebriefen und Berichten Dr. Emin- Paschas aus den ehemals ägyptischen Aequatorialprovinzen und deren Grenzländern, herausgegeben mit Unterstützung von Robert Felkin und Gustav Hartlaub Mit Portrait, Lebensskizze und erklärendem Namensverzeichnis. Tent Life in Tiger Land and Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier. Gr.-8, ca. 8000 S., OLwd. m OU., Tadell. Die Rätoromanische Chrestomathie von Caspar Decurtins ist die bis heute wichtigste Textsammlung des Bündnerromanischen. Die insgesamt rund 8000 Seiten enthalten Texte der verschiedensten Gattungen über einen Zeitraum von vier Jahrhunderten, aus allen Regionen und in allen Idiomen des Bündnerromanischen. Die heute wichtigste Textsammlung (EA 1888-96) auf Rätoromanisch wurde zwischen 1982 und 1986 vom Churer Verleger Andreas Joos zusammen mit der Società Retorumantscha als 13-teilige Buchreihe neu herausgegeben und durch einen 14. und 15. Band ergänzt. - Caspar Decurtins (1855-1916), auch Löwe von Trun genannt, Politiker (Katholisch-Konservativ) aus dem Surselva, studierte Decurtins nach 1875 Geschichte, Kunstgeschichte und Staatsrecht in München und Heidelberg, ab 1877 wieder in Graubünden. Als Landammann der Cadi führte Decurtins nach 1877 zusammen mit Placi Condrau die Restaurierung des Klosters Disentis durch. Er schaltete die politische Konkurrenz der Katholisch-Liberalen in der Surselva aus und wurde die treibende Kraft hinter der Lavina naira. In den 1890er Jahren schmolz seine Wählerbasis im Kanton zunehmend und Decurtins zog sich enttäuscht aus der Politik zurück. Im Jahr 1889 hatte Decurtins an der Gründung der Universität Freiburg durch seinen Studienfreund Georges Python entscheidenden Anteil. Von 1905 bis 1913 unterrichtete er als Professor für Kulturgeschichte an der dortigen Philosophischen Fakultät. Grosses Kampfspiel des Jean Dupuis im Ringen mit zwei starken Männern, Namens Rotloff aus Chemnitz, in Diensten bei der Gasbeleuchtung und einem Ungenannten aus Leipzig. (Unterzeichner:) Quirin Müller & Jean Dupuis & Co. Plakat mit Holzschnitt (17 x 20 cm), eine Ringerszene darstellend. Blattgr.: 52 x 46 cm. Jean Dupuis beschreibt hier umfangreich die Regeln und nennt den ausgesetzten Preis von 500 Thalern, der demjenigen zugestanden wird, der Dupuis auf den Rücken werfen kann. Das habe allerding noch niemand vollbracht zumindest sichert der Ringer jedem Wagemutigen zu, "daß ihnen nichts Uebles widerfahren wird. - Das Artisten-Lexikon des Saltarino (S. 54) zeichnet das Leben des bemerkenswerten Mannes aus Marseille nach, der 1888 im Alter von 97 Jahren in Württemberg starb. - Mit Faltspuren, Ränder tls. etwas knittrig. Plakat mit Holzschnitt (17 x 19.5 cm), eine Ringerszene darstellend. Blattgr.: 46 x 44 cm. Jean Dupuis beschreibt hier umfangreich die Regeln und nennt den ausgesetzten Preis von 500 Thalern, der demjenigen zugestanden wird, der Dupuis auf den Rücken werfen kann. Das habe allerding noch niemand vollbracht zumindest sichert der Ringer jedem Wagemutigen zu, "daß ihnen nichts Uebles widerfahren wird. - Das Artisten-Lexikon des Saltarino (S. 54) zeichnet das Leben des bemerkenswerten Mannes aus Marseille nach, der 1888 im Alter von 97 Jahren in Württemberg starb. - Unten wohl mit etwas Textverlust (Druckerangabe) beschnitten. Tls. stockfleckig, mit kl. Hinterlegung.
2019-04-20T21:17:18Z
https://www.vialibri.net/years/1888/550
The genome sequence of the sea-ice bacterium Psychromonas ingrahamii 37, which grows exponentially at -12C, may reveal features that help to explain how this extreme psychrophile is able to grow at such low temperatures. Determination of the whole genome sequence allows comparison with genes of other psychrophiles and mesophiles. Correspondence analysis of the composition of all P. ingrahamii proteins showed that (1) there are 6 classes of proteins, at least one more than other bacteria, (2) integral inner membrane proteins are not sharply separated from bulk proteins suggesting that, overall, they may have a lower hydrophobic character, and (3) there is strong opposition between asparagine and the oxygen-sensitive amino acids methionine, arginine, cysteine and histidine and (4) one of the previously unseen clusters of proteins has a high proportion of "orphan" hypothetical proteins, raising the possibility these are cold-specific proteins. Based on annotation of proteins by sequence similarity, (1) P. ingrahamii has a large number (61) of regulators of cyclic GDP, suggesting that this bacterium produces an extracellular polysaccharide that may help sequester water or lower the freezing point in the vicinity of the cell. (2) P. ingrahamii has genes for production of the osmolyte, betaine choline, which may balance the osmotic pressure as sea ice freezes. (3) P. ingrahamii has a large number (11) of three-subunit TRAP systems that may play an important role in the transport of nutrients into the cell at low temperatures. (4) Chaperones and stress proteins may play a critical role in transforming nascent polypeptides into 3-dimensional configurations that permit low temperature growth. (5) Metabolic properties of P. ingrahamii were deduced. Finally, a few small sets of proteins of unknown function which may play a role in psychrophily have been singled out as worthy of future study. The results of this genomic analysis provide a springboard for further investigations into mechanisms of psychrophily. Focus on the role of asparagine excess in proteins, targeted phenotypic characterizations and gene expression investigations are needed to ascertain if and how the organism regulates various proteins in response to growth at lower temperatures. Well over half of the earth's surface is cold: deep oceans, mountains, polar regions. Likewise, Earth's solar system contains many planets and planetary bodies that are also cold. The cold environments on Earth are teeming with life offering hope that other cold environments in our solar system such as Mars and Jupiter's moon, Europa, may harbor life . For this reason it is surprising that so little is know about the lifestyle, particularly of microbial psychrophiles at low temperatures. Psychrophiles have been studied primarily to understand biological mechanisms of adaptation to extreme conditions. Microbial physiologists have long been interested in psychrophiles as they employ mechanisms allowing them to maintain life processes at temperatures where rates of reactions and molecular properties present challenges. In reaching for an understanding of how life processes work at extremes of temperature, most of the focus to date has been on the properties of enzymes of extremophiles (reviewed by [3, 4]). No single consistent answer has emerged to account for adaptation to temperature extremes. To date, no single type of modification is uniformly found in the enzymes of psychrophiles; instead numerous small and subtle differences appear to account for their increased flexibility thereby enabling them to function at low temperatures. Recently whole genome sequences have been determined for psychrophiles Colwellia psychrerythraea 34 H , Idiomarina loihiensis L2TR , and Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 . We now add the genomic sequence of the extreme species, Psychromonas ingrahamii 37 which grows at even colder temperatures. Availability of complete genome sequences provides the opportunity to search all of the proteins of the organisms for similarities and differences that might have bearing on the ability of the organism to grow at low temperatures. The extreme psychrophile, Psychromonas ingrahamii was isolated from sea ice from the Arctic. It grows exponentially with a doubling time of 240 hours at -12°C and may well grow at even lower temperatures . These temperatures do not necessarily solidify salt water or cytoplasm into ice. Liquid water has been shown to exist at grain contacts as low as -20C . The single, circular chromosome of 4.56 Mb constituting the genome of P. ingrahamii 37 was sequenced as a set of contigs by the DOE Joint Genome Institute Production Genomics Facility, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, and finished at DOE Joint Genome Institute, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545. It was annotated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 and deposited as GenBank file CP000510.1. Altogether 3708 genes were identified, 3545 of which were proteins of 83 residues or longer. A second round of annotation is described below. One can ask whether the sizes of proteins of a psychrophile differ from those of a mesophile. The sequences of all proteins of P. ingrahamii were compared to sequences of all proteins of three other bacteria: Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655. 916 protein sequences were conserved among all four bacteria. The great majority of the conserved proteins were enzymes. The distribution of lengths of the 916 orthologous proteins were compared, revealing that the distribution was about the same for the comparable proteins in all four bacteria (Figure 1). Ideas that proteins that are required to function at low temperatures would be either shorter or longer than those of mesophiles are not borne out. Distribution of lengths of 916 orthologous proteins in four bacteria. Distribution of lengths of proteins as numbers of amino acid residues, ranging from 83 to 1501, in increments of 30. Black diamond = E. coli, red square = S. oneidensis, yellow triangle = V. cholerae, blue cross = P. ingrahamii. Amino acid composition of an organism's proteins is affected by nucleotide composition of the DNA. The GC content of P. ingrahamii DNA was determined experimentally to be 40% , verified by the composition of the total genome nucleotide sequence (40.1%). Overall amino acid content of the encoded proteins compared to those of V. cholerae, S. oneidensis and E. coli is shown in Table 1 (P. Sharp, personal comunication). The amino acids isoleucine, asparagine, lysine, phenylalanine and tyrosine all are present in higher percentage in P. ingrahamii. However, like the genome, the codons for these residues are GC rich, a factor that must be taken into account. Codon usage for P. ingrahamii is shown in Table 2 for all CDSs (coding DNA sequences) and for the highly expressed genes tuf, tsf, fus A+RP genes (P. Sharp, personal communication). Thus when amino acid content is examined as a function of GC3s, correcting for GC content at synonymously variable third positions, the overall amino acid composition of P. ingrahamii was found not to be remarkable. At the value of 34.2 determined for P. ingrahamii, amino acid contents fall on the curves generated for GC3s dependency in 80 other organisms (P. Sharp, personal communication) (data not shown) . Lobry and Chessel examined datasets of amino acid content and codon usage in thermophilic and mesophic bacteria and found evidence that the amino acid composition of thermophilic proteins was under the control of a pressure at the nucleic acid level, not a selection at the protein level. An extended study produced similar results of no connection. However, the authors identified the most discriminating codon as being AGG for arginine, present in many thermophiles, not in either mesophiles or a psychrophile. P. ingrahamii fits this observation in that it does not use the AGG codon (Table 2). We analyzed the amino acid compositions of all individual proteins of P. ingrahamii by CA after trimming the first 10 and last 5 residues because there is a strong nucleotide bias at these positions. Data for each protein is presented in Additional file 1: "Ping Correspondence Analysis.xls". Clustering of groups of proteins with similar composition was performed using a bayesian approach as proposed by Bailly-Bechet et al. Figure 2 presents a plot of the first three most informative axes: hydrophobicity, aromaticity and asparagine content. Correspondence analysis of amino acid content of P. ingrahamii proteins. Proteins over 100 residues were subjected to correspondence anlysis by amino acid content, clustered and plotted on first three most informative axes. Amino acid frequencies are superimposed. (See Methods). The proteins fell into six classes whereas most bacteria contain at most five well separated clusters with bayesian clustering and at most four with dynamic clouds clustering . Proteins of two bacterial proteomes examined to date fall into four clusters, Aeropyrum pernix and Thermoplasma acidophilum . Subsequently it was seen that psychrophilic P. haloplanktis has 5 clusters , exceeded now by P. ingrahamii, a more extreme psychrophile, which resolves into six. In P. ingrahamii, the bulk of the proteins fall into three clusters (clusters 1, 2, 6). The integral inner membrane proteins (IIMPs) fall largely into clusters 3 and 5 (Figure 2). In other bacteria the IIMPs are distinctly separate from the bulk of other proteins . In P. ingrahamii, however, separation is poor and there is some continuity between the IIMPs and the bulk proteins. Evidently the property of hydrophobicity is not distributed in psychrophile proteins as in mesophiles. Not seen in any other bacteria viewed to date by CA is the sixth group, cluster 4. This group is of 57 proteins characterized by an excess of threonine that forms a bleb protruding from one of the core protein clusters. Examining the annotations of these proteins reveals that almost half are hypothetical proteins with no homologs in other bacteria examined at threshold Pam 150. It is tempting to suggest this group of proteins could be involved in facilitating low temperature growth. As to amino acid content, one sees that asparagine occurs more frequently than expected for a random distribution, and on the other hand that cysteine, methionine, arginine and histidine are relatively rare (Figure 2). This same asparagine-driven bias has been seen in other psychrophiles, notably P. haloplanktis . Deamidation via cyclization into aspartate threatens integrity of asparagine, a process which is sensitive to higher temperature, providing a rationale for an asparagine excess in psychrophiles. The corresponding lower amounts of cysteine, methionine, arginine and histidine can be understood as decreasing proportions of these oxygen-sensitive residues. Oxygen concentrations are higher in the liquid medium at low temperatures. Although similar composition gradients were seen in another psychrophile, P. haloplanktis, they are stronger in P. ingrahamii, perhaps correlated with its lower growth temperatures. Thus, the main features that emerged from the CA of P. ingrahamii protein compositons (Figure 2) are that (1) there are more classes of proteins than have been seen in other bacteria, (2) one of these classes, cluster 4, has a high proportion of "orphan" hypothetical proteins, (3) IIMPs merge into bulk proteins rather than occupying a separate space, possibly due to IIMPs having lower hydrophobic character, and (4) one notes the strong opposition between asparagine, sensitive to heat, and the amino acids methionine, arginine, cysteine and histidine, sensitive to oxygen. Of the 3545 genes for proteins of length 83 or more, 41 are fusions of two genes which in other organisms are separate and independent. They are distributed as 21 fused enzymes, 9 fused regulator components, 4 fused ABC transporter components, 4 fused phosphotransferase system (PTS) components and 3 mixed enzyme-regulator combinations. Fused genes can cause problems with annotation based on results of sequence similarity algorithms. To avoid such problems, we split fused genes for purposes of sequence comparisons in order to be able to identify orthologs of both parts independently. The first round of annotation was carried out at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, posted for public access August 2006 . We have here supplemented this data with manual analysis using the dynamic search programs of the Darwin system . In this system after first approximations of sequence similarities, amino acid substitution tables are recalculated appropriate to degree of similarity and to the codon usage, and then pairwise alignments are produced. Degree of similarity between two sequences is expressed as percent identity and as Pam values [The Pam score (point accepted mutations) is an inverse measure of sequence differences] . We first processed the P. ingrahamii protein sequences in relation to the then-completed 111 bacterial genomes. We extracted from this data the match with best (lowest) Pam score for each P. ingrahamii protein. The descriptions of the orthologs were retrieved from RefSeq and/or Genbank at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Web site . The results allowed us to add some predicted protein products to the initial JGI annotation results. Since the set of 111 bacterial genomes we first used was not balanced in respect to types of bacteria, we also identified orthologs in a reference set of 53 genomic sequences of organisms which were chosen to span the breadth of bacterial species. To include other sequenced psychrophiles, the set includes two additional marine species, C. psychrerythraea 34 H and I. loihiensis. C. psychrerythraea 34 H grows over the range -1C to 10C ; I. loihiensis has a broad temperature range from 4C to 46C . Annotations and function information are attached in Additional file 2: "Ping Annotations 2.xls". The rank order of similar sequences and number of "best hits" are shown in Table 3. Surprisingly, the organism with greatest similarity is V. cholerae. It is surprising because neither is V. cholerae one of the psychrophiles nor is it any member of the Order Alteromonadale s. P. ingrahamii is a member of the Family Alteromonadacae in the Order Alteromondales. Psychromonas is related to other members of this family such as Shewanella, Colwellia and Idiomarina . Like some other members of these families, P. ingrahamii is a marine organism and has gas vesicles. We found there are extensive similarities with proteins of other Alteromonads as expected, but there are even more similarities with V. cholerae, even though the the Order Vibrionales and Family Vibrionaceae are separate from the Alteromonadales . This observation may be explained by the selected conservation of genes from a common ancestor between these two genera and their loss by their closest relatives or it may indicate confusion due to unexpected horizontal gene transfer of 16S rDNA within these lineages. In manually curating, we used practices aimed both at discovery and at caution. Whenever a "best match" was annotated as a hypothetical protein, yielding no information, we looked to the next best match. Sometimes the next best match was a very good one which provided useful information based on the annotated gene product of that ortholog. It is widely appreciated in the genomics community that annotation by transfer of stipulated annotations from other organisms becomes ever more problematic at lower levels of similarity and as the number of sequential steps of sequence matches increases between the query and an experimentally demonstrated gene product. We were careful to be conservative in attributing a gene product if the match was not very close. When Pam scores were low (excellent match), we transferred directly the annotation of the match; but when in a middle range, 75–125, we sometimes generalized, removing specificity (i.e. we stipulated "an aminotransferase" instead of "aspartate aminotransferase"); and when Pam scores were high, over 125, we often used the word "predicted" to indicate that the assignment was based on a less rigorous threshold than for other assignments. When formulating words of description of the gene products, we adopted another practice. We made an effort to name similar products similarly. We have tried to standardize product descriptions to some extent in order to make information on like proteins easier to find, thus making a list of alphabetized product names useful. From the above two sets of ortholog matches combined with the work of the JGI scientists, we constructed a table of P. ingrahamii gene numbers and corresponding best-guess annotated gene products available in Additional file 2: "Ping Annotations 2". Included in the table are the gene number, the type of gene product (enzyme, regulator, etc) and the name of the protein. (Gene number throughout this report is the number of the locus_tag which, as submitted December 2006 to Genbank, CP000510.1, has the prefix "Ping"). Altogether 217 proteins originally characterized as unknown gained an annotation by the manual process, some suggestive, others substantive. Table 4 gives classification of all proteins of P. ingrahamii by imputed function. The distribution of sizes of classes is similar to that for Escherichia coli K-12 with enzymes being the largest class followed by transporters, then regulators, the rest divided into smaller categories. Eighty-one genes were identifiable as currently known horizontally transferrable loci such as transposases of insertion sequences and integrases of phages. Thus clearly horizontal exchange of mobile elements into the chromosome has taken place. Among the bacteria tested, most such loci of P. ingrahamii matched elements of Shewanella oneidensis MR1. As is the case with so many genome sequences, we cannot know with currently available information how much of the genome of P. ingrahamii was formed by horizontal transfer and how much vertically inherited. There are 10 ribosomal RNA clusters containing 5S, 16S, 23S RNAs (see Additional file 2). The relatively high number could reflect the need for high capacity of translation at cold temperatures and an ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions of nutrient availability . 86 tRNA genes support translation. There are 100 contiguous clusters of two or more related genes such as subunits of an enzyme or pathway-related proteins. The largest cluster, for septum formation and peptidogylcan synthesis enzymes, comprises 14 genes. These are genes 1140 through 1153. Altogether 850, or 25% of CDSs, reside in clusters related by function. Enumeration of sets of paralogs within a genome requires definition of degree of relatedness. In the initial analysis done at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1799 proteins were identified as belonging to 510 paralogous clusters. Using Darwin analysis and a more conservative threshold of relatedness (Pam =< 175), 965 proteins were identified as grouped into 273 paralogous families of sizes ranging from two to 66. This threshold is comparable to that used to enumerate E. coli paralogs and permits comparison. Functions of paralogous groups of size 7 or above are shown in Table 5. Just as had been found previously for E. coli, the largest paralogous groups are transporters and regulators. Even though enzymes are present in the genome in the largest numbers, they fall into smaller, more differentiated families. For transporters and also regulators, evidently a limited number of mechanisms have evolved for these functions, creating large groups of similar proteins of either transporters or regulators that differ in specificity but not in mechanism of action. Enzymes are more diverse, use a larger variety of mechanisms, thus they fall into a larger number of smaller groups of similar proteins. Almost half of all enzymes annotated in P. ingrahamii (634/1317) were identified as enzymes of small molecule metabolism. Not all enzymes of every pathway were found, not unexpected since some orthologs may not reach the threshold of similarity employed, nevertheless there is strong evidence for standard pathways of intermediary metabolism being present. P. ingrahamii is a facultative anaerobe capable of both respiratory and fermentative metabolism . In agreement we find in its enzyme sequences that pathways are present for fermentation, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, the TCA cycle and gluconeogenesis. For respiration, electron transfer agents are present such as iron-sulfur centers, flavodoxin and flavoproteins, ubiquinone, and cytochromes; for anaerobic respiration, sequences of reductases for fumarate, nitrate, nitrite and sulfite are present (Table 6). Nitrate reduction has been observed experimentally . In addition there are 10 members of the short-chain oxidoreductase family and 8 oxidoreductases identified by domain. Any one of these could be either a primary dehydrogenase or a terminal reductase not yet characterized (Table 7). The varieties of oxidants that appear to be used by P. ingrahamii suggest that its capabilities in this regard are comparable to that of Shewanella species. Enzymes are present for pathways of utilization of both carbohydrates and amino acids as carbon and energy sources. Glycerol was the carbon source provided in the medium for the below-freezing temperature growth experiments . In agreement, genes for glycerol uptake (genes 3166, 3169), glycerol kinase (3168) and dehydrogenase (3207) are present. Carbon sources besides glucose that were found experimentally to be utilized by P. ingrahamii were compared with the list of enzyme orthologs. One finds in P. ingrahamii genes for enzymes for utilization of fructose (971, 3552), galactose (2016, 2017), mannitol (89), N-acetylglucosamine (488–490), ribose (344) and sucrose (974), in agreement with experimental findings. We also found genetic evidence for the capability to utilize lactose (2019) and glucuronate (130,131, 132 and 136). However comparing to E. coli enzymes, many of the sequences of enzymes for utilization of other carbohydrates are not present in P. ingrahamii. These include enzymes for utilization of arabinose, xylose, sorbitol or galactitol. Again the absence is in agreement with experimental observations . Also missing are orthologs of E. coli enzymes for utilization of tagatose, fucose, rhamnose, glucarate, galactarate, altronate or idonate. These carbon sources have not yet been tested in culture. This picture is similar to the one found in S. oneidensis, a relatively poor capacity to utilize a variety of monomeric carbohydrates . Although capability for utilization of carbohydrates is restricted, by contrast P. ingrahamii does have sequences for enzymes for utilization of most amino acids, and many of these have been verified experimentally. Transaminases convert to the corresponding keto acids, decarboxylases to amines. The amino group can be removed with dehydratases or lyases. The four major enzymes of degradation of fatty acids are present, capable of generating acetyl-CoA for general metabolism (Table 7). It has long been known that proteobacteria at low temperatures adjust fatty acid composition to the more flexible unsaturated and/or branched types. P. ingrahamii has genes for enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis (Table 7). Close similarity is found for all E. coli enzymes starting with malonyl-CoA, proceeding via malonyl-ACP through the fatty acid biosynthesis cycle, each cycle adding 2-carbon moieties. At the 10-carbon level, the pathway of unsaturated fatty acids commences. Orthologs for all E. coli enzymes of the unsaturation pathway are present except for the last enzyme, FabI. Final steps for synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids by P. ingrahamii must differ from those in E. coli. The principal fatty acids that were detected in the organism experimentally are the saturated 16:0 (18.7%) and the singly unsaturated 16:1ω7c (67.0%) . P. ingrahamii has sequences of the four subunits of a polyunsaturase closely similar to the polyunsaturase in psychrophile C. psychrerythraea 34H (Table 8). It is reasonable to suppose that at the very low temperatures of the environment P. ingrahamii might require fatty acids with more than one unsaturated bond. Also branched chain fatty acids are often found at cold temperatures. Based on enzyme sequences, precursors for synthesis of the branched-chain fatty acids could be generated as intermediates in breakdown of the amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. However, neither polyunsaturated nor branched chain fatty acids were detected in P. ingrahamii cultures grown at about 6 to 8°C (i.e. refrigerator) conditions . Perhaps the polyunsaturated fatty acids are produced at lower temperatures or were not detected by the fatty acid analysis procedure used. Interestingly, two polyunsaturated fatty acids, 20:5 (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid), have been reported from two other species of Psychromonas, P. kaikoae and P. marina. There are genes for 6 glucose-1-phosphate adenyltransferases (299, 1296, 2063, 3033,3034 and 3464) any one of which could serve for the first step in synthesis of glycogen, and there are 2 glycogen/starch synthases (2348 and 3035). One or more of the 15 glycosyl transferases could be involved in synthetic reactions. Like other marine organisms, P. ingrahamii appears to have the capability of utilizing macromolecules in the environment for nutrition and energy. P. ingrahamii has genes for a relatively large number of 48 peptidases and proteases (Table 8). Some of these are no doubt required for internal turnover, but some seem likely to be exported out of the cell in order to hydrolyze environmental proteins, thus providing small molecular weight nutrients for uptake. P. ingrahamii has a complete general secretion system capable of excreting such degradative enzymes to the environment. To take up the digestion products of proteolysis, there are ABC-type transporters for peptides, many for amino acids. Not consistent with this prediction is the experimental observation that gelatin is not hydrolysed . Storage glycogen as well as external polysaccharides including starch could be hydrozysed for production of sugars to supply energy. For utilization of some polysaccharides there are amylases, glucosidases, debranching enzymes, and glycosyl hydrolases (Table 8), some of which may be intracellular and others extracellular. There are 7 lytic transglycosylases which, in cleaving peptidoglycan links could be involved in modellingof the cell or could break up environmental cell wall fragments. Capability to hydrolyse fats also exists as there are 3 lipases, 5 phospholipases and a lyso-lipase. There are many enzymes hydrolyzing nucleic acids with different specificities and functions, many with vital internal metabolic roles. In addition, some may be used to hydrolyze external nucleic acid debris (Table 8). Other hydrolases are encoded in the genome whose physiological roles are not currently known, for example there are 11 HAD-superfamily hydrolases, 7 alpha/beta hydrolase fold proteins, 5 metal-dependent phosphohydrolases. Multiple chaperone proteins are encoded in P. ingrahamii, suggesting that folding of proteins is an important process (Table 9). There are 4 proteins like DnaK, 4 like DnaJ, 3 GroEL monomers and 2 GroES monomers There are 12 peptidylprolyl isomerases (trigger factors that act at nascent polypeptide chains), and a ClpB protein disaggregating complex. One can speculate that the the role of the chaperones is to guide nascent polypeptides into functional three-dimensional configurations permitting activity at low temperatures. Future characterization of some of these chaperones could reveal what kinds of folding are required to retain protein function at sub-zero temperatures. Ferrer et al. found that GroEL of Oleispira antartica RB8 functioned as a single ring of 7 units at cold temperatures, but as a double ring of 7 over 7 at warm temperatures. They pinpointed two residues as critical to the transition from double to single ring. However on inspection these residues do not occur at the comparable positions in P. ingrahamii GroEL proteins. Actions of P. ingrahamii chaperones at cold temperatures remain to be explored. P. ingrahamii has genes for a variety of known types of stress proteins: There are 12 cold shock proteins, 9 heat shock proteins, 7 UspA-type stress proteins as well as 9 "tellurite resistance" proteins now known to protect against superoxide formation (Table 9). Experimental work will be needed to determine which if any of these have functions directed specifically at living in cold temperatures and if there are other types of stress proteins or any other cold-associated functions among the open reading frames of unknown function. Compared to E. coli, P. ingrahamii has few transporters specific for sugars and sugar alcohols, but does have many transporters for amino acids (see Additional file 2). In this respect, it seems that P. ingrahamii is like S. oneidensis and other Alteromondales in a capacity to utilize environmental amino acids as carbon (and nitrogen) sources, contrasted to less capacity for sugars. As to types of transporters, the ABC type of ATP-driven multisubunit transporter is most common in the P. ingrahamii genome, as is the case for other bacteria. Also, as for many other bacteria, conventional secondary transporters follow in frequency. However, P. ingrahamii differs from many in the fact that in there are 11 sets of the dct M, dct P and dct Q genes for the tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic transporter systems (TRAP) [28, 29] (Table 10), more than are found in the three mesophiles whose whole genomes were compared (E. coli, S. oneidensis and V. cholerae). TRAP systems specialize in transport of C4-dicarboxylic organic acids such as fumarate, perhaps for anaerobic respiration purposes. The number of 3-gene TRAP systems in bacteria is variable. E. coli has one, Pseudomonas aeruginosa has 6 whereas P. ingrahamii has 11 of these three-protein systems. Recently 15 TRAP systems have been identified in Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 . TRAP transporters use a proton motive force energized system, simpler and possibly more primitive than the ATP-utilizing ABC systems. A connection between the TRAP transporters and low temperature growth is not currently known. Many types of regulation mechanisms have been identified in P. ingrahamii: transcriptional activators and repressors, cyclic-AMP regulation, chemotaxis systems, two-component sensor-response regulators of several types including the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway signal sequence domain proteins, also synthesis/breakdown of cyclic-diGMP signalling second messengers associated with GGDEF and/or EAL domains (see Additional file 2). There are 61 regulators of the cyclic-diGMP signalling second messenger in the genome, compared to 29 in E. coli K-12 MG1655. Cyclic-diGMP concentrations are controlled by either a diguanylate cyclase or a specific phosphodiesterase or both, together governing synthesis or hydrolysis of the cyclic-GMP. The types of genes and corresponding physiology regulated by cyclic diguanylate systems so far identified are motility, adhesion factors, fimbriae and biofilm formation. Given the finding of a large number of cyclic-diGMP signalling systems, we might guess that P. ingrahamii lives within the matrix of a biofilm. Altogether 16 glycosyl transferases are encoded (by genes 326, 327, 328, 329, 331, 336, 440, 449, 454, 456, 457, 779, 792, 1794, 3458, and 3647), suggesting that polysaccharide, perhaps exopolysaccharide, is a major synthetic product. For export, many efflux proteins are present. An ortholog is present (1200) of the quorum sensing HapR (LuxR) regulator that is involved in controlling biofilm formation in V. cholerae [31, 32]. An extracellular matrix, a major physiological feature of the related S. oneidensis , could well be important to life in the cold, providing stability and resilience to the population. Since P. ingrahamii lives in sea ice, it is possible that extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) may be part of the sea ice microbial community (SIMCO) biofilm although it should be noted that P. ingrahamii was isolated from the ice column above the major biofilm of the SIMCO. Alternatively, the production of EPS may serve a role in sequestering water from ambient saltwater at lower temperatures or actually lowering the freezing point. In this regard it is interesting to note that in the -12°C growth experiments, none of the tubes froze after the first week of growth following inoculation suggesting that a product, possibly EPS, produced by the bacterium may have lowered the freezing point of the growth medium. Regulation of expression of certain classes of genes is moderated by the sigma factors of the RNA polymerase holoenzyme. P. ingrahamii is well endowed, appearing to have genes for sigma factors 24 (RpoE), 32 (RpoH), 38 (RpoS), 54 (RpoN) and 70(RpoD) [gene numbers are, respectively, 65, 626, 677, (424, 712, 2892 and 3175 for sigma-54) and (310, 946 and 995 for sigma-70)]. RpoE and RpoH are both stress-responding factors. RpoS operates in stationary phase and also under stress. RpoN is concerned with nitrogen metabolism and in V. cholerae regulates flagellin gene transcription. RpoD for sigma 70 is the primary factor in E. coli. There are 58 ribosomal proteins annotated, 5 of which are duplicated, therefore 53 unique. Of these, 38 were found as orthologs with Pam values less than 40 among the two sets of genomes we examined. Organisms with closest matches were, in descending order, V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, S. oneidensis, H. influenzae = I. loihiensis, C. psychrerythraea. Again, the close relationship of P. ingrahamii with Vibrio species is evident. P. ingrahamii grows well over the range 1 to 12% NaCl . To manage the potential for osmotic imbalance, the genes for enzymes to synthesize the osmolyte glycine betaine from choline are present (genes 2071, 2072), as well as a transporter to take up choline (gene 969) or, bypassing synthesis, specific ABC transport systems for uptake of glycine betaine are present, (genes 614–616, 2073–2075). This capability may explain how the organism is able to survive and perhaps grow in the salt pockets that are formed within the sea ice. There is a large cluster of flagellar genes in P. ingrahamii in the region between gene numbers 3562 to 3598 and four copies of sigma factor rpoN which is known in V. cholerae to regulate flagellin genes. Yet the bacteria in culture have been observed to be non-motile . There may be a defect in one of the essential flagellar proteins or in the expression or assembly processes. Alternatively, the organism may not always express flagella formation and motility. Interestingly, the original description of the genus indicates that other members of the genus are motile . Two kinds of gas vesicles have been observed in the cell under culture (24). Genes orthologous to known gas vesicle genes are present in two clusters, the ranges 1248 to 1262 and 1748 and 1750. Although the two types can be expressed simultaneously in cells, they may be differentially expressed under preferential conditions in the environment. Of the 53 bacteria chosen to represent the breadth of the currently characterized eubacterial world, the three bacteria bearing the largest number of protein sequences scored as "best matches" with P. ingrahamii proteins are V. cholerae, S. oneidensis and C. psychrerythraea 34H (Table 3). About 3/4 of the P. ingrahamii proteins annotated as enzymes, transporters or regulators have orthologs at the level of Pam <= 125 in either V. cholerae, S. oneidensis or C. psychroerythraea. By contrast, only 19% of P. ingrahamii CDSs of unknown function have orthologs in these bacteria. That the vast majority, 4/5, of P. ingrahamii CDSs of unknown function do not have good matches in the most closely related organisms suggests that many proteins in P. ingrahamii are qualitatively different. New, unique functions will not be revealed by annotations that depend on similarity to known proteins, but their existence suggests that further experimental study of this extremophile is worthwhile and could bring new biology to light. Looking within the enzyme category, it is striking that most of the best hit homologs of enzymes of central metabolism are proteins of V. cholerae. This is particularly puzzling since V. cholerae is a mesophile and it is phylogenetically in a different Order and Family from P. ingrahamii. Could this be an example of massive horizontal transfer of genes from Vibrio to Psychromonas? It seems unlikely since the many genes for central metabolism are not in a few clusters similar to pathogenicity islands, rather they map throughout the chromosome, and the majority of the transposase-type genes have closest orthologs in S. oneidensis. Nevertheless, in spite of expectations, we have found that the sequences of enzymes of basic metabolism that function at low temperature are more similar to those of a mesophile than they are to those of another psychrophile, and even more surprising, a mesophile of a different taxonomic Order and Family. A feature that may suggest global genome reorganization and account for an apparent scrambling of otherwise conserved genes is that the Vibrios usually comprise two chromosomes, in contrast to P. ingrahamii which has only one. Different from V. cholerae, one sees that enzyme homologs in S. oneidensis and C. psychrerythraea 34H are largely the enzymes of peripheral and macromolecule metabolism, not the enzymes of central metabolism. We narrowed our question, looking for a commonality in enzymes among the psychrophiles. We identified the 566 proteins in C. psychrerythraea and I. hoiliensis that have highest similarity to P. ingrahamii proteins at Pam values =< 125. In this set, there are few enzymes important to central metabolism; many more are involved in macromolecule synthesis and maintenance. There are enzymes dealing with nucleic acids: exo and endo-nucleases, RNA helicases, DNA polymerase and helicases, transcriptional and translational factors, and recombinases. Psychrophily may require differences in the proteins of nucleic acid metabolism since even though the salt content of the sea ice and the low GC content of the DNA (40.1%) should act to lower the melting point of double stranded polynucleotides. However, handling nucleic acid structures at such cold temperatures may also require differences in the interacting proteins. Similarly, transcription and translation factors of a particular kind may be required to enable the processes at low temperatures. We identified a few small groups of proteins that could perform novel functions related to psychrophily, warranting further investigation in the future. A contiguous set of nine genes that could comprise an operon, gene numbers 3053 through 3061 have no orthologs in current databases with Pam value <150. Four of the proteins are paralogous, with similar sequences among themselves. As we are looking for functions in psychrophiles not found in other bacteria, experimental characterization of this group of proteins might be worthwhile. There are 3 groups of genes that could be contiguous operons whose members reside either in cluster 4 of the Correspondence Analysis (vide supra), or are unknown in other bacteria to date, or both. These are clusters 1672 through 1676, 1960 through 1964, and 2315 through 2319. Could any or all of these relate to the ability to live and grow at -12C or lower temperatures? We identify these seemingly unique sets of proteins with the thought that when results of proteomic expression experiments on this organism are available, it might be useful to characterize the proteins and to know under what circumstances they are synthesized. The P. ingrahamii genome, although it is 25% smaller than the genome of E. coli K-12 MG1655 and has many more CDSs labeled hypothetical, is similar to E. coli in the distribution of functions among annotated proteins, with enzymes by far the largest category followed by transporters, then regulators. Other categories follow distantly. Similar to E. coli, the largest paralogous groups within the genome were transporters and regulators, the smaller ones enzymes. Although transporters and regulators are fewer in number than enzymes, they form larger paralogous groups. They belong to fewer families employing fewer mechanisms than is the case for enzymes which belong to smaller families of greater variety. Unexpectedly, P. ingrahami i protein sequences were similar to more V. cholerae proteins than to proteins from S. oneidensis or C. psychrerythraea. This is in spite of the fact that Vibri o species belong to a different Family and Order than do Psychromonadaceae, Shewanellaceae and Collwelliaceae, and in spite of the fact that C. psychrerythraea is also a psychrophile. In a comparison of gross properties of all the proteins of P. ingrahamii differences were not found from those of three mesophiles in several respects: distribution of lengths, total amino acid composition, codon usage when corrected for genomic GC content. However, correspondence analysis (CA) of the amino acid content of the proteins showed that they cluster in ways that differ from most other bacteria, falling into more clusters that are not as well separated from one another as in other bacteria. This may be a consequence of an unusual distribution of hydrophobicity. One of the clusters is composed almost half of unidentified, unknown CDSs. P. ingrahamii contains proteins with relatively high asparagine content, and low content of amino acids potentially sensitive to the higher concentration of oxygn present in cold waters. These properties would seem to be appropriate for an extreme psychrophile. As to metabolism, P. ingrahamii is a facultative anaerobe capable of both fermentation and respiration. In agreement, proteins similar to the corresponding metabolic pathways and proteins for synthesis and harvest of glycogen storage compound were identified. Most enzymes of central small molecule metabolism were most closely related to those of V. cholerae. Enzymes of macromolecular synthesis and maintenance are most closely related to those of S. oneidensis and C. psychrerythraea. There seems to be a preference of amino acids over sugars as sources of carbon and energy, perhaps harvested by extracellular degradation of environmental proteins by exported peptidases. To create a more flexible lipid layer adjusted to cold temperatures, sequences of a heteropolymeric polyunsaturase were found. However, the enzyme may not always be active as no polyunsaturated fatty acids were detected in culture. Perhaps, however, in nature they are expressed at temperatures lower than the lowest normally used for laboratory cultivation, 6–8°C. In addition to transporters of types common to other proteobacteria were 11 three-component TRAP systems for C4-dicarboxylic acid transport. In addition to regulators of types common to other proteobacteria were 61 regulators of cyclic-diGMP second messengers, suggesting that biofilms and their regulation could be an important part of the life style of this psychrophile. Alternatively, P. ingrahamii may produce EPS to lower the freezing point in the surrounding environment, thereby making water available for low temperature growth. Looking for particular proteins that might be unique to this psychrophile but are not yet in the genomic databases we searched, we have pointed out some sets of gene products that could be starting points for discovering new functions or new types of proteins. We noticed 9 contiguous genes that are all unknown hypotheticals, 4 of them sequence-related to one another. We also noted three apparent contiguous operons, members of which are unknown hypotheticals and/or members of the unique set of proteins in cluster 4. In future, we recommend that proteomic experiments should be used to explore the shift to cold temperature with a view of keeping an eye out for expression of any of these proteins, potentially part of the mechanisms of life at very cold temperatures. The genome of Psychromonas ingrahamii was sequenced at the Joint Genome Institute Lawrence Laboratories, Walnut Creek, CA using a combination of (4 kb, 6.8 kb and 36 kb) DNA libraries. All general aspects of library construction and sequencing performed can be found on line . Draft assemblies were based on 53473 total reads. All three libraries provided 11X coverage of the genome. For closing and finishing, the Phred/Phrap/Consed software package [36, 37] was used for sequence assembly and quality assessment [38, 39]. After the shotgun stage, 53473 reads were assembled with parallel phrap (High Performance Software, LLC). Possible mis-assemblies were corrected with Dupfinisher or transposon bombing of bridging clones (Epicentre Biotechnologies, Madison, WI). Gaps between contigs were closed by editing in Consed, custom primer walks, or PCR amplification. A total of 952 primer walk reactions and 3 transposon bombs were necessary to close gaps, to resolve repetitive regions, and to raise the quality of the finished sequence. The completed genome sequences of Psychromonas ingrahamii contain 53,592 reads, achieving an average of 11-fold sequence coverage per base with an error rate less than 1 in 100,000. The sequence of P. ingrahamii can be accessed using the GenBank accession number CP000510.1. Annotation was initially carried out at Oak Ridge National Laboratory using methods detailed in [41, 42]. Further annotation and analysis of protein sequence similarities used the Darwin system (Data Analysis and Retrieval With Indexed Nucleotide/peptide sequence package), version 2.0, developed at the ETHZ in Zurich, Switzerland [16, 22]. Pairwise sequence alignments and scores were generated using the AllAllDb program of Darwin. Maximum likelihood alignments are generated with an initial global alignment by dynamic programming (Smith and Waterman algorithm) followed by dynamic local alignments (Needleman and Wunsch algorithm). A single scoring matrix is used for these steps. After the initial alignment, the scoring matrix is adjusted to fit the approximate distance between each protein pair to produce the minimum Pam value. Pam units are defined as the numbers of point mutations (base pair differences) per 100 residues . The Darwin system's ability to apply scoring matrices according to the distance between each protein pair ensures a data set of highly accurate similarity calculations for distantly as well as closely related protein pairs. The identification of distantly related proteins is valuable in finding divergent but related protein functions. To extract homolog matches from initial data, we required that the alignments with P. ingrahamii proteins be at least 83 residues long , and that the alignment must represent over 40% of both proteins. Unless otherwise stated we required Pam scores to be 150 or less. To assemble groups of paralogs, the Pam threshold for pairs was raised to 250, and then pairs were grouped by a transitive process as previously described . The amino acid composition of the proteins of P. ingrahamii was analyzed using correspondence analysis (CA) [12–14] with the FactoMineR R package . Each protein was truncated for the first 10 and last 5 amino acid residues and each is represented by its normalized aminoacid content. The representation is in a 19-dimension space where specific statistical distances are measured by the chi-square method. The 3 most informative dimensions are used to plot the position of each individual protein. The individual amino acid distributions are superimposed in this same space. The axes are numbered in order of the amount of information they carry. A bayseian method, as in Bailly-Bechet et al. , was used to cluster proteins of similar composition using the Mclust R package , and the best classification, which is associated with the largest BIC (Bayesian Information Criterion) value, was selected for further analysis. Codon usage and selection bias were determined by methods of Sharp et al. . Thanks to Dr. Paul M. Sharp for carrying out the codon usage analyses. Thanks to Dr. Margrethe Serres for suggestions on reading the manuscript and, with Daniella Wilmot, for database and library support. Dr. John L. Ingraham generated the list of 53 representative bacteria. MR acknowledges support from DE-FG02-04ER63940. JTS acknowledges the support from the University of Washington NASA NAI program and the NSF Astrobiology IGERT program. TZW acknowledges support from a grant from the Fondation Fourmentin-Guilbert and AD acknowledges support from the European Union BioSapiens Network of Excellence, Grant LSHG CT-2003-503265. Sequencing and first round of annotation was performed under the auspices of the US Department of Energy's Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research Program, and by the University ofCalifornia, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract No. W-7405-Eng-48, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231, Los Alamos National Laboratory under Contract No. W-7405-ENG-36, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725. MR used Darwin-generated data for further annotation and analysis and wrote the paper. JTS made biological determinations and made significant contributions to writing the paper. AD and TZW carried out and interpreted the corresponence analysis. AD made significant contributions to writing the paper. JST and TSB closed and finalized the sequence. MLL and LJH carried out the initial annotation and submitted to GenBank.
2019-04-21T14:22:39Z
https://bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2164-9-210
This lot includes the group of approximately 30 excised pages from several different atlases and books shown in the corresponding image(s). Many of these antique maps have color detailing. These pieces were amassed as part of the inventory of a printmaker. These pieces are shrink wrapped with a stiff board and are ready for resale. Due to the high volume of books, ephemera and artwork we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. These pieces are in good to excellent condition with some light age/wear indications. This lot includes the group of sports-related signed and unsigned photographs shown in the corresponding image. This material includes: a 15 1/2" x 12" plaque containing a photo of basketball great Michael Jordan; another Michael Jordan photo (8" x 10"), which is signed and comes with a certificate of authenticity from "The Prince of Cards" stating that the signature of Michael Jordan is 100% authentic; an 8" x 10" photograph of Nolan Ryan, which is signed and comes with a certificate of authenticity from Extra Innings Sports stating that the autograph is certified authentic; a Joe Montana 8" x 10" photograph which is signed, and comes with a certificate of authenticity from Graphs4u stating that the signature is authentic; a Pete Rose signed piece of paper from the Nevele Country Club in Ellenville, New York; and a hotel registration form signed by "William F. Russell", also known as the basketball great Bill Russell. This estate lot includes the group of books shown in the corresponding image(s). The books in this lot include one volume of Dickens and volumes of poetry and other literature, one of which--Pencilled Fly Leaves--is signed by the author (John James Piatt. These books were part of the personal collection of Robert E. White, Jr. Mr. White was a former editor and publisher at the Oxford Press, and a long-time theater reviewer of local, regional, national and international productions, with emphasis on Cincinnati, New York City and London. This collection represents the many noted performers Mr. White met, interviewed and knew throughout his career, with a number of autographed and original pieces. Notes: Brown cloth binding with decorative gilt and black stamping, with engraved illustrations; very good condition with only minor age indications. Volume titles are as follows: The Fortunes of Nigel, The Pirate, Kenilworth, The Fair Maid of Perth, Rob Roy, Old Mortality, St. Ronan's Well, The Black Dwarf, A Legend of Montrose, Bride of Lammermoor, The Heart of Midlothian, Woodstock, Peveril of the Peak, The Surgeon's Daughter, Castle Dangerous, Guy Mannering, Red Gauntlet, Quentin Durward, Anne of Geierstein, Ivanhoe, The Talisman, Waverly, The Antiquary, The Monastery, The Abbot, Count Robert of Paris, and The Betrothed. This lot includes 11 boxes of antique and vintage sheet music from a very large estate of a writing and music publishing family. Some of the sheet music features decorative color front covers shown in the corresponding images. This group contains covers and music pertaining to a variety of themes including (but not limited to) religious and Christmas music, Broadway numbers, inspirational music, sheet music for piano, sheet music for the ukulele, classical music, waltzes and a wide variety of other themes. In the 11 boxes in this lot, some sheet music remains in its original bulk wrappers. Additionally, some boxes may contain hand-written sheet music. There are multiple copies of many titles in this lot. This is one of several lots of antique sheet music that we are selling at today's auction - review our entire catalog to see other similar lots. The condition of these pieces varies; all covers are present, some are detached and there is some edge wear. This lot includes the group of approximately 50 posters shown in the corresponding image(s), featuring prints of classic Audubon birds, antique cars, jungle animals, Harley Davidson motorcycles, frogs, dogs, naval themes and more. These pieces were amassed as part of the inventory of a printmaker. Due to the high volume of books, ephemera and artwork we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. These pieces are in good to excellent condition with some light age/wear indications. - Kathleen Atkins Wilson - Lithograph - Print measures approximately 25 1/2" by 13 1/2" - This print is signed and numbered 63/750 by the artist (affixed with artist's seal as evidence) in the lower left corner. This print depicts Wilson's traditional color scheme and imagery. - Kathleen Atkins Wilson - Lithograph - Print measures approximately 19" by 25 1/4" - This print is signed and numbered 63/750 by the artist (affixed with artist's seal as evidence) in the lower left corner. This print depicts Wilson's traditional color scheme and imagery. Details/Condition: Kathleen Atkins Wilson, artist, illustrator, publisher and distributor was born in Michigan. Best known for her "Silhouette Expressions of Portraits in Black" fine art collection, the body of work includes originals, limited edition lithographs, serigraphs and hand pulled graphics. Her work can be found in outstanding galleries and fine art collections across the United States and Europe. Wilson says: "I discovered that through art I can bring images into the world that express my spiritual thoughts and impressions. I can use my art to teach about love, unity, peace and honor. I can praise God. I can bring hope and promise to the souls of my people through the light of color. I can honor our ancestors and thereby keep their memory alive. I can leave a legacy of my love for generations to come." Wilson published her first limited edition lithographs in 1984, and today countless numbers of African American artists have presented their works as lithographs with many acknowledging Kathleen A. Wilson as one of the pioneers in the industry. (Biographical information courtesy of www.kathleenatkinswilson.com). This large shelf lot includes the group of books shown in the corresponding image(s). The books in this lot cover a wide variety of art-related subjects. Some of the artists and subjects represented include: Rembrandt, Ansel Adams, architecture and art deco, among many others. Due to the high volume of books we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books in our shelf lots, these are generally in good condition with some age/wear indications; older books are more likely to have advanced flaws. Condition/Details: This paperback is a stated first edition of Bob Hope's first book, and features many photographs. The book is signed by Hope on the title page. Hope has signed the book: "To Bob White - My Best, Bob Hope." The volume shows light external age/wear with some age toning and creased pages. The book measures approximately 5 1/4" x 7 3/4" and contains 95 pages. This lot includes the group of pamphlets on the genealogy and heraldry shown in the corresponding image(s). These pamphlets include reports on the ancestry of states, reference volumes on genealogy and several titles in Spanish. This lot comes from the library of a historical society, and the volumes may contain stamps and markings typical to these societies. Due to the high volume of books we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books in our shelf lots, these are generally in good condition with some age/wear indications; older books are more likely to have advanced flaws. This lot includes the group of approximately 40 excised pages from several different atlases and books shown in the corresponding image(s). These antique maps have color detailing and are from publishers such as A. J. Johnson, and more. Some of the maps in this collection measure nearly three feet tall. These pieces were amassed as part of the inventory of a printmaker. These pieces are shrink wrapped with a stiff board and are ready for resale. Due to the high volume of books, ephemera and artwork we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. These pieces are in good to excellent condition with some light age/wear indications. Notes: This lot features a large number of magazines dating from a variety of years, going back to the 1890s, covering a variety of topics including art, theatre, law, and current events, among others. This lot includes antique magazines, antique reference books, and book catalogs from book stores. These magazines show very nicely with beautiful color front and rear covers. Most of the magazines are intact and whole, some issues show signs of age/wear including chipping, loose covers, etc. Title: Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III. Scene III. Dimensions: Unframed, measures 24" by 29" This piece shows well, with some typical light age/wear indications, including some age toning and a small chip in the bottom left corner. This miscellany contains approximately 260 antique engravings dating back to the seventeenth century. Many of the engravings have been excised from various books. The engravings beautifully portray Romans; antique maps; and English sites, landscapes, royalty and dignitaries. More specifically, the topics include Homeros bust, Julius Caesar Bust, Military Ensigns of the Romans, Stonehenge Wiltshire, Stonehenge Front View, Stonehenge Giant's Stair Gate, South View Salisbury Plain, Druidical Remains, Fishermen -Dover, East Cliff , Hastings, Homes of Old England, Johnson's Willow -Litchfield, Belvoir, Bamborough, Tamworth, Howard, Warwick, Nottingham Castle, Cesar's Tower Kenilworth, Lancaster, Brecknock, Bridgnorth, Queen's Head Islington, Bishopton Chapel, Canterbury Cathedral, Norwhich Cathedral, Wells Cath., Waltham Cross, Winchester, St. Peter's Abbey, St. Augustine's Monastery, Cheltenham Wells, Cross at Langley Common, Blakewell Cross/Roman Altar, Thomas a Becket Cup, Font Oxford Chapel Suffolk, Bedgellert Church, Ruin of St. Andrews Cathedral, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Bishop Cranmer, Queen Mary/Dunmow Chairs, Royal Archers, Alfred, William the Conqueror, Henry I, Stephen, Henry II, Richard I, John, Henry III, Edward I, Edward II, Edward III, Edward the Black Prince, Richard II, Henry IV, Queen Katherine, Henry V, Henry VI, Edward IV, Elizabeth Queen to Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III, King Richard and Queen Anne, Margaret of Lancaster, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Katherine of Aragon, Anne Bullen, Queen Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, Katherine Parr, King Henry and Anne Boleyn, King Henry on Horseback, Trial of the Marriage of Henry VIII, Henry VIII Leonetes of Winters Tale, Edward VI, Jane Grey, Regina Maria, Elizabeth (Isaac Oliver), Gold & Silver Coins Elizabeth, Elizabeth (Thomam Geminum), Mary Stuart, Mary , Queen of Scots, James I, Henry Stuart, Prince of Wales, Charles I as boy, Queen Eliz eng. J. Buttre, Louis XIV, Thomas Cromwell, Thomas Seymour, Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spencer, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, Sir Philip Sidney, Robert Dudley, Robert Devereux, Earl of Southhampton, Sir Walter Raleigh, William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, S.T. Coleridge, William Wordsworth, C. Lamb, Erasmus Darwin, M.D., John Milton, Francis Bacon, Thomas Carlisle, Ben Johnson, Pierre Corneille (fr) , Racine (fr.), Moliere, Cardinal Dubois, Ducis, Dryden p. G.T. Kneller, Nicholas Rowe, Alexander Pope, William Collins Monument, Edwin Capell, Dr. Johsnon -Journey to Hebrides, George Stevens include 1800 advertisement for Gallery, Isaa Reed, and E. Malone. This collection also includes engravings of Shakespeare plays from St. Edmunds Bury K. John Act V s.II, Avon Bank, Stratford Church/Shakespeare's House, Room in Shakespeare's House, Mrs. Shakespeare Ladies Home Journal, Pomfret Castle Rich. II Act V Sc. X, Eaton (Merry Wives) , Hernes Oak (Merry Wives), and Venice --eng. E. Goodall, as well as a collection of portraits of William Shakespeare, including T.H. Ellis , Burbage, p. Cornelius Jansen, T. Wright, Chappel, Small w/Signature, Illman & Sons w/Signature, Roubiliac Statue of Shakespeare, J. Bell Statueand other Shakespeare-related pieces. This lot includes the group of antique and vintage pamphlets and small books in wrappers shown in the corresponding image. This material includes five copies of the Prayer For England by William Rose Benet, published in 1940; and one copy of each a pamphlet titled McClellan: From Ball's Bluff to Antietam by George Wilkes from 1863, and Sherwin's Edition, Wat Tyler, A Dramatic Poem by Robert Southey from 1817. Due to the high volume of books and other interesting items on paper we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books and ephemera in these lots, these items are generally in good, intact condition with some age/wear indications; older items are more likely to have advanced flaws. This lot includes the group of United States history books shown in the corresponding image(s). The books in this lot cover a variety of topics within the history of the United States. The lot features two books from Wallace Nutting: Pennsylvania Beautiful and Maine Beautiful. Other subjects include President Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War, and historic fashion. Some of the books feature photographs and illustrations. Due to the high volume of books we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books in our shelf lots, these are generally in good condition with some age/wear indications; older books are more likely to have advanced flaws. This lot includes the group of Wizard of Oz-related ephemera shown in the corresponding image. This material includes several autographed and inscribed pieces from Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, including several signed photographs and a handwritten letter. The collection also includes many different copies of her obituary. Also included is a signed photograph print of Ray Bolger, who played the Scarecrow. The items in this lot were part of the personal collection of Robert E. White, Jr. Mr. White was a former editor and publisher at the Oxford Press, and a long-time theater reviewer of local, regional, national and international productions, with emphasis on Cincinnati, New York City and London. This collection represents the many noted performers Mr. White met, interviewed and knew throughout his career, with a number of autographed and original pieces. This lot includes the group of antique photographs shown in the corresponding image. This material includes some tintypes and other photograph styles. The photographs portray children and adults. Due to the high volume of books and other interesting items on paper we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books and ephemera in these lots, these items are generally in good, intact condition with some age/wear indications; older items are more likely to have advanced flaws. - The Question of Our Speech by Henry James- Excised from a magazine. - Murmurs of the Minority by Caroline Duer - Dated 1937 by McAuliffe-Booth Co. This shelf lot includes the group of antique and vintage literature books, theatre and film pamphlets with information on various productions, and sheet music shown in the corresponding image(s). The books include titles such as Andersen's Fairy Tales, John Martin's Big Book for Little Folk, The Real New York, among several others. The theatre and film pamphlets include information on productions of Carmen, Hamlet, Destry, and Judgment at Nuremberg. The sheet music is for Newport and Mosha from Nova Scotia. Due to the high volume of books we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books in our shelf lots, these are generally in good condition with some age/wear indications; older books are more likely to have advanced flaws. This lot includes the group of approximately 40 excised pages from various books shown in the corresponding image(s). These pages include several original antique engravings, spanning a variety of subjects. These pieces were amassed as part of the inventory of a printmaker. These pieces are shrink wrapped with a stiff board and are ready for resale. Due to the high volume of books, ephemera and artwork we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. These pieces are in good to excellent condition with some light age/wear indications. Anderson has signed the back of a personal letter from Robert White. Her signature appears in bright green ink. The paper shows signs of age with some mild spotting, though the autograph remains clean. The item in this lot was part of the personal collection of Robert E. White, Jr. Mr. White was a former editor and publisher at the Oxford Press, and a long-time theater reviewer of local, regional, national and international productions, with emphasis on Cincinnati, New York City and London. This collection represents the many noted performers Mr. White met, interviewed and knew throughout his career, with a number of autographed and original pieces. This lot includes the group of books shown in the corresponding image(s). This lot includes a variety of antique and vintage books for children and juveniles. Among this group are three volumes by Dr. Seuss. Some of the books in this lot feature pictorial front boards, and most feature illustrations in both color and black and white. Due to the high volume of books we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books in our shelf lots, these are generally in good condition with some age/wear indications; older books are more likely to have advanced flaws. This lot includes the group of artwork from the collection of renowned artist Jason Seley shown in the corresponding image(s). This lot features a large original portrait of Jason Seley and his wife, signed Rolick at the bottom right corner, with handwriting on the back dating it March 1947. Also included is the name plate from the Seley's door, with "SELEY" etched out of the car bumpers Seley was known to use in his artwork. Artist Jason Seley (b.1918-d.1983) studied with Ossip Zadkine in New York from 1943-1945 at the Art Students League. From 1947-1949, he sculpted and taught in Haiti at Le Centre d'Art. He was the recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship for sculpture, France 1949-50. While abroad, he traveled and saw the famous Andrea del Verrocchio COLLEONI, which influenced him in 1969-1971 to construct a replica made from automobile bumpers, his preferred medium. Seley taught at Hofstra College and NYU in the early 1960s and received his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Cornell University in 1966. In 1969 he received the Guggenheim award for sculpture. Seley, who died in 1983, taught at Cornell University for many years and served as dean of the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. (biography courtesy of www.askart.com) This lot is one of several Seley-related lots in our auction catalog. Due to the high volume of books, ephemera and artwork we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. These pieces are in good to excellent condition with some light age/wear indications. This lot includes the group of books and ephemera by and from Donald Windham shown in the corresponding image. This material includes many pieces signed by Windham, including his books Tennessee Williams' Letters to Donald Windham, 1940-65, in the original slipcase; The Roman Spring of Alice Toklas; and As If..., as well as a signed copy of the letter The Kelly Boys, limited to 230 copies; and several signed letters. Unsigned pieces include his books Tanaquil, Footnote to a Friendship, The Hitchhiker, The items in this lot were part of the personal collection of Robert E. White, Jr. Mr. White was a former editor and publisher at the Oxford Press, and a long-time theater reviewer of local, regional, national and international productions, with emphasis on Cincinnati, New York City and London. This collection represents the many noted performers Mr. White met, interviewed and knew throughout his career, with a number of autographed and original pieces. This shelf lot includes the group of automotive books shown in the corresponding image(s). The books in this lot cover a variety of topics including Corvettes, Harley Davidson, the 20th century sports car, convertibles, the history of Ferrari and the history of the Ford Mustang. Due to the high volume of books we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books in our shelf lots, these are generally in good condition with some age/wear indications; older books are more likely to have advanced flaws. The volume shows light external age/wear, with some rubbing and light moisture markings on the boards and spine, fading to the lettering of the spine, and a tear to the cloth along the bottom edge of the front board. The volume is solidly bound with clean pages. This is an ex-library volume, with a faded stamp on the spine, a number stamped onto the copyright page and a library pocket on the rear free endpaper. The book measures approximately 8.5" x 11" and is unpaginated. This shelf lot includes the group of books shown in the corresponding image(s). Due to the high volume of books we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books in our shelf lots, these are generally in good condition with some age/wear indications; older books are more likely to have advanced flaws. This shelf lot includes the group of Harry Potter books shown in the corresponding image(s). There are 31 books in this lot, with the breakdown as follows: six copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, eight copies of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, one copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, three copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (including a U.K. first edition), two copies of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, seven copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (including one in a slipcase and two printed in the U.K.), three copies of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and one copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Due to the high volume of books we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books in our shelf lots, these are generally in good condition with some age/wear indications; older books are more likely to have advanced flaws. Condition/Details: Bound in marbled grayish-brown cloth, this antique volume was authored by one of President Theodore Roosevelt's sons. This is an "Autographed Edition" and has been signed by Kermit Roosevelt. This is a chapter from Kermit Roosevelt's book, The Happy Hunting Grounds. The volume shows light external age/wear, and is solidly bound with clean pages. The book measures approximately 5 1/4" x 8 3/4" and contains 79 pages. This lot includes the group of approximately 20 signed and limited edition prints shown in the corresponding image(s). Included with these pieces are many pieces by Kathy Hagerman with her signature in the print and hand-signed and titled; a portfolio of prints "From the Appalachians, A Portfolio of Drawings and Paintings" by Ruth Carroll; a portfolio of prints from 1988, "Waterfowl Habitat Print" by Guy Coheleach; a portfolio of prints from 1988, the "Federal Duck Stamp Print" by Daniel Smith; a portfolio of prints from 1988, the "Federal Duck Stamp Print" by Arthur G. Anderson, and a portfolio of "The Seasons" by Mario Fernandez. These pieces were amassed as part of the inventory of a printmaker. Due to the high volume of books, ephemera and artwork we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. These pieces are in good to excellent condition with some light age/wear indications. Dimensions: Print measures 14 1/2" by 19" Details/Condition: This piece features a photograph of musician Lenny Kravitz. The print is signed by Kravitz and the photographer. Lenny Kravitz is "an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and arranger whose 'retro' style incorporates elements of rock, soul, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads. In addition to singing lead and backing vocals, Kravitz often plays all the guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and percussion himself when recording. He is known for his elaborate stage performances and music videos. Kravitz has had multiple number 1 hits on the US Top Singles Charts, though none by himself on the Hot 100, and many more worldwide. He won the Grammy Award for "Best Male Rock Vocal Performance" four years in a row from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record for most wins in that category and most consecutive wins in one category. He has been nominated and won other awards, namely American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Radio Music Awards, BRIT Awards and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards." (Biographical information courtesy of Wikipedia). This large shelf lot includes the group of books shown in the corresponding image(s). This lot features a large collection of books covering a variety of topics relating to sports and fitness including hunting, fishing, guns, armor, baseball and racing, among many others. Several of the volumes contain a large number of both photographs and illustrations, in both color and black and white. Due to the high volume of books we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books in our shelf lots, these are generally in good condition with some age/wear indications; older books are more likely to have advanced flaws. This lot includes the group of Lillian Gish-related items shown in the corresponding image. Lillian Gish (1893 – 1993) was an American stage, screen and television actress whose film acting career spanned 75 years, from 1912 to 1987. She was a prominent film star of the 1910s and 1920s, particularly associated with the films of director D.W. Griffith, including her leading role in Griffith's seminal Birth of a Nation. Her sound-era film appearances were sporadic, but included memorable roles in the controversial western Duel in the Sun and the offbeat thriller Night of the Hunter. This material includes two books and several programs to a presentation of Gish's films. The books include Lillian Gish: The Movies, Mr. Griffith, and Me and Life and Lillian Gish. The first book is the second printing of the 1969 autobiography co-written with Ann Pinchot. Gish has signed the book on the front endpaper in bold, black ink. The book is in good condition, is solidly bound with clean pages, with the dust jacket displaying slight age-toning. The second book is Albert Bigelow Paine's 1932 book about the actress. Gish has also signed this volume, inscribing: "Dear Danny, My love and gratitude, Lillian." This book features a bookplate from Daniel C. Blum, and shows more advance wear, with the cover of the spine cracked into two pieces. Also included in this lot are a number of programs to a presentation of Gish's films. The items in this lot were part of the personal collection of Robert E. White, Jr. Mr. White was a former editor and publisher at the Oxford Press, and a long-time theater reviewer of local, regional, national and international productions, with emphasis on Cincinnati, New York City and London. This collection represents the many noted performers Mr. White met, interviewed and knew throughout his career, with a number of autographed and original pieces. This lot includes the group of ephemera shown in the corresponding image. This material includes several posters, featuring a framed poster of A Chorus Line on Broadway from 1975, inscribed by James Kirkwood, one of the authors of the original book; and a poster under glass of "Martha Schlamme, Soprano" from 1981-82, signed by the performer. Also included are two photographs of Martha Schlamme and a handwritten note from the performer to Bob White. The posters also include one for Greta Keller, one of Warren Beatty in Heaven Can Wait, and a signed poster of Chez Josephine, signed by an unknown person in 2001 (see image for more detail). The items in this lot were part of the personal collection of Robert E. White, Jr. Mr. White was a former editor and publisher at the Oxford Press, and a long-time theater reviewer of local, regional, national and international productions, with emphasis on Cincinnati, New York City and London. This collection represents the many noted performers Mr. White met, interviewed and knew throughout his career, with a number of autographed and original pieces. This lot includes the group of ephemera shown in the corresponding image. This material covers a wide range of topics including World War II, the Roman Empire, the Louisiana Purchase and central New York, among others. This lot consists of books, guides, photographs, German maps from 1908, coins, a fraternity seal and a number of other items. Due to the high volume of books and other interesting items on paper we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books and ephemera in these lots, these items are generally in good, intact condition with some age/wear indications; older items are more likely to have advanced flaws. This lot includes the group of antique and vintage ephemera related to the humanities shown in the corresponding image. This material includes pieces related to music, literature and poetry, including programs from the Philharmonic Orchestra, Boston Symphony, and other fine music productions; programs from the Moscow Art Theatre Series of Russian Plays; and collections of poetry. Due to the high volume of books and other interesting items on paper we are selling at this auction, we will be offering a number of bulk buy opportunities such as this one during the course of the day. To inspect and acquire more detailed information about this lot, please attend our live preview before the auction. As with all the books and ephemera in these lots, these items are generally in good, intact condition with some age/wear indications; older items are more likely to have advanced flaws.
2019-04-24T06:37:16Z
https://www.nationalbookauctions.com/09192010/19sep1011.htm
Dr. B. Cooke is Assistant Professor, and Dr. Werner is Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Psychiatry; and Dr. E. Cooke is an adjunct clinical post-doc associate, Department of Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL. Dr. Griffith is Professor Emeritus and Senior Research Scientist, Department of Psychiatry and Professor Emeritus of African-American Studies, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Dr. Goddard was a fellow, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Dr. Griffith is involved in the editorial leadership of The Journal. However, he did not participate in any aspect of this article's review and acceptance, which were managed by an ad hoc editor who is not a member of the Editorial Board. An earlier version of the ideas from this manuscript was presented at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Boston, MA, October 27, 2011. Journalists often turn to psychiatrists for analysis of medical, social, political, and cultural events that involve human behavior and illness. Once journalists seek their expertise, psychiatrists often rush to be helpful, which can lead to ineffective performance and to statements that may run afoul of principles of professional ethics. In this article, we discuss the bases on which the professionalism of psychiatrists may be impugned when they commit errors in their media presentations. Found within the Principles of Medical Ethics with Special Annotations Especially Applicable to Psychiatry, the Goldwater Rule prohibits certain behaviors when psychiatrists share professional opinions with the public. We first discuss the Goldwater Rule, highlighting the events that led to its development and the professional response to its enactment. We then present a method to guide psychiatrists in their interaction with the media that will help them avoid violating ethics principles or the law. The method encourages knowledge of a framework of ethics principles that in turn guide the psychiatrist's behavior and thinking as he contemplates accepting invitations to interact with the media. The ethics-based roles include the Teacher, the Storyteller, the Celebrity Commentator, the Hollywood Consultant, the Clinician, and the Advertiser. Over the past few decades, acts of random violence have shaken the core of our country. These tragedies have included terrorist attacks, school shootings, assassinations of political leaders, and kidnappings. While we, as individuals, struggle to understand how these inexplicable horrors are committed, the media attempt to provide answers in a public forum, using the advice of experts from different specialty areas. When journalists seek the expertise of mental health professionals, psychiatrists often rush to be helpful. There may be several reasons for this response. First, psychiatrists may understandably believe that they have something to contribute to the ongoing discussion generated by the media. This notion may be coupled with a desire to set the record straight or to correct misconceptions. In addition, some psychiatrists are clearly comfortable in the limelight and enjoy the publicity. Others may feel pressured to accept an invitation from the media, as the media in turn are pressured to deliver news and instant commentary before competing organizations pre-empt them. This eager participation from psychiatrists sometimes leads to ineffective performance and to statements that may well run afoul of the principles of professional ethics. The most likely violation may be of the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) guidelines set forth in the Goldwater Rule. In this article, we first discuss the Goldwater Rule,3 highlighting the events that led to its development and the professional response to its enactment. We then review other bases on which the professionalism of psychiatrists may be impugned when they commit errors in their media presentations. After discussing the risks that may attend the psychiatrist's performance when interacting with the media, we then present a method that guides psychiatrists in their interaction with the media to help them avoid violating ethics principles or the law. The method encourages knowledge of a framework of ethics principles that in turn guides the psychiatrist's behavior and thinking as he contemplates embarking on interactions with the media. The Goldwater Rule was created in 1973 and refers to Annotation 3 of Section 7 of the Principles of Medical Ethics with Annotations Especially Applicable to Psychiatry.3 The Principles of Medical Ethics (hereafter referred to as the Principles) are put forth by the American Medical Association (AMA) and represent guidelines that are intended to protect patients and the profession while encouraging professional responsibility. The Goldwater Rule reads as follows: On occasion psychiatrists are asked for an opinion about an individual who is in the light of public attention or who has disclosed information about himself/herself through public media. In such circumstances, a psychiatrist may share with the public his or her expertise about psychiatric issues in general. However, it is unethical for a psychiatrist to offer a professional opinion unless he or she has conducted an examination and has been granted proper authorization for such a statement [Ref. 3, p 9]. The published opinions were selected by Fact editor Ralph Ginzburg from a poll of over 12,000 psychiatrists from across the country (Ref. 4, p 24), whose names were provided by the American Medical Association (AMA). Of the 2,417 respondents, 571 deferred from providing comments, 657 responded that Goldwater was fit to be president, and 1,189 responded that he was not fit. None of the psychiatrists whose comments were published had examined Goldwater, however, and none had permission from him to issue their comments publicly.4 In the article, Goldwater was described with comments including “lack of maturity” (Ref. 4, p 42), “impulsive” (Ref. 4, p 33), “unstable” (Ref. 4, p 29), “megalomaniac” (Ref. 4, p 26), “very dangerous man” (Ref. 4, p 29), “obsessive-compulsive neurosis” (Ref. 4, p 37), and “suffering a chronic psychosis” (Ref. 4, p 38). One psychiatrist offered, “He projects or blames others when a mistake is made, not being able to see the part he has had in the error” (Ref. 4, p 35). Much was made of two nervous breakdowns allegedly suffered by Goldwater, and there was commentary warning that he might launch a nuclear attack if placed under a critical amount of stress as president. The Medical Director of the APA sent a letter to Fact warning of the invalidity of the survey because responses were sought from psychiatrists, although none of those asked to respond had made a “thorough clinical examination” of Goldwater (Ref. 5, p 60). This warning letter was not published with the article. Perhaps the argument suggested by the warning letter was also recognized by psychiatrists who received the survey: of the over 12,000 solicitations mailed from Fact to psychiatrists, 80.5% were not returned. The AMA and APA immediately condemned the remarks made in the Fact article after its publication.8 Individual psychiatrists also spoke out against the ethics of the published comments. Dr. Lawrence Friedman of the Los Angeles Institute of Psychoanalysis issued a statement, “I shall do everything I can to help defeat Mr. Goldwater, but I shall point to his ideas, his statements, his political orientation, and his associations, not to his psychology.”9 An anonymous psychiatrist from Florida criticized the survey respondents as ones who use “crystal balls.”9 In response to this “fiasco” (Ref. 10, p 172), the APA created the Goldwater Rule “to protect public figures from psychiatric speculation that harms the reputation of the profession and of the unsuspecting public figure” (Ref. 11, p 35). The debate also raised the question, “Is it possible to separate personal opinions from professional opinions?” Dr. Jeremy Lazarus, a past chair of the APA's Ethics Committee, answered in the negative: “It is important to remember that once identified as a psychiatrist, your public opinion on important public figures will be heard from you as a psychiatrist and not as an ordinary citizen” (Ref. 11, p 108). Describing one's comments as “personal opinions” or “clinical impressions” as an attempt to avoid offering “professional opinions,” might be a subtlety lost on the public. Other psychiatrists wondered if adherence to the Goldwater Rule made it ethically impossible to engage in psychohistory or provide political psychology profiles. If the Goldwater Rule was interpreted strictly to prohibit these practices, then it appeared to contradict parts of Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Principles: Psychiatrists are encouraged to serve society by advising and consulting with the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of the government. A psychiatrist should clarify whether he/she speaks as an individual or as a representative of an organization. Psychiatrists may interpret and share with the public their expertise in the various psychosocial issues that may affect mental health and illness. Psychiatrists should always be mindful of their separate roles as dedicated citizens and as experts in psychological medicine [Ref. 3, p 9]. Later, Lazarus attempted to clarify the dilemma: The ethics annotation [i.e., paragraph 3 of Section 7] does not relate to legitimate and responsible scientific study as contained in psychohistory, psychobiography, or psychiatric profiling…The ethics annotations were not meant to stifle such work or to prevent members from exercising their rights of free speech when their opinions could have important public policy implications [Ref. 12, p 108]. This opinion was echoed by the psychologist and psychohistorian Alan Elms, PhD, who argued, “Throughout their vote-seeking careers, politicians regularly hold themselves up for public inspection, and I think professional psychobiographers have as much right and responsibility to inspect their qualifications for office as journalists and competing politicians” (Ref. 13, p 252). A definitive position has yet to be reached by our profession. Public expressions of a psychiatrist's opinions may lead to ethics violations beyond a Goldwater Rule infraction. Beneficence, truth telling, and respect of persons are the tenets most vulnerable to infringement. This risk occurs because of the unique setting of the interaction with the media. The psychiatrist is now performing outside the examination room (without a patient and therefore without obvious reminders of clinical ethics) and outside the courtroom (without an oath to tell the truth). Despite the change of venue, however, the psychiatrist continues to have a responsibility to practice within professional guidelines. Physicians do not have the luxury of deciding when to act ethically. In addition to professional ethics violations, psychiatrists risk civil action when making opinions public. If the psychiatrist has not conducted an examination and later speaks negatively about a person, then he may be liable for invasion of privacy or defamation of character. A psychiatrist who has not been granted the authorization to speak publically about a patient could face a lawsuit for breach of confidentiality on the basis of a common law or statutory right to confidentiality. For example, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 199614 provides federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities and gives patients certain rights with respect to that information. Risks also appear in the form of logistical conflicts. Television interviews and other deadlines often appear unexpectedly, infringe on clinical and administrative responsibilities, and distract the physician and cause anxiety. The finished product may also be a source of frustration. For example, although a psychiatrist may spend much time preparing for an interview, the televised version is likely to last only seconds to several minutes. Furthermore, it is easy for the message that the psychiatrist intends to convey to be misunderstood, misinterpreted, and taken out of context. An important concern for the forensic psychiatrist who interacts with the media is the problem of scrutiny. Once information enters the public domain, it becomes accessible to any interested party. Television interviews and personal web pages may be analyzed in the same fashion as scientific publications or prior testimony. Attorneys could use this information to discredit or impeach a forensic psychiatrist. The case of Angelo v. Brenner18 involved a psychiatrist, Dr. Arthur Brenner, who, after being detained for making an illegal U-turn, told a police officer's supervisor, “[A]s a psychiatrist, [I believe that the officer] is unfit to be a policeman.” The police officer brought suit claiming slander but summary judgment was granted for the defendant. The case was appealed before the appellate court of Illinois in 1980, which affirmed the lower court's decision finding “no evidence … to support a finding of actual malice”18 and that the psychiatrist's response was “not … anything more than an angry comment” and should not be considered “professional opinion.”18 This case shows a court's ability to distinguish a physician's professional opinion from an emotional reaction. With the approval of one of Sexton's daughters who was the conservator of her estate, Orne released his audiotaped sessions to Sexton's biographer. The release of the tapes was met with “thunderous condemnation.”20 Physician and layperson, alike, debated the ethics-related tenets of the case.19,–,25 This case illustrates the complexity involved in a physician's acquiring proper authorization from a patient to reveal confidential information to the public. Furthermore, the voluntariness of informed consent is threatened when the party giving consent may not fully comprehend the degree to which the information will be publicly used (e.g., shared among professionals for patient care, published for education without identifying information, or published in a biography to benefit the author). Even though we have clearly described certain concerns about potentially breaching professional ethics or being sued, we do not intend to discourage our colleagues from engaging in professional activities with the media. Instead, we are emphasizing that interactions with the media should adhere to a method that permits the psychiatrist to avoid the pitfalls that we have described. This method relies on an integrated structure of ethics principles and performative roles that we believe will be of considerable help to professionals who seek to engage in this work. The concept of performative roles represents an extension of the work by Griffith et al.,26,27 who have articulated ideas about how forensic psychiatrists, especially, should incorporate elements of performance into both their written and oral work. In the oral work context considered here, the performative roles are particularly relevant. The ethics principles to be considered are relatively straightforward and apply to the psychiatrist in two conditions: when the psychiatrist's work in the public media concerns one of his patients or someone who is not his patient. The psychiatrist's association with his patient is bound by the physician-patient relationship. Principles of confidentiality, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and respect for persons apply. In general, the psychiatrist needs the patient's permission to engage in public discourse concerning the patient. Even with the patient's permission, the physician should remain within the bounds contoured by the four principles just mentioned, taking care not to exploit the patient. Where there is no patient-physician relationship, the psychiatrist should proceed carefully, with an eye on principles of truth-telling and respect for persons. Those ethics principles militate against exaggerating and saying things that may make the psychiatrist look good to the public, but are not based on integrity and respectful caution. The performative roles we propose (Table 1) are frameworks that allow the psychiatrist to ask himself what objectives he wishes to fulfill in the interaction with the media, how he wishes to behave, what role he is qualified to play, whether he is comfortable with the role, and whether it is one that is concordant with how he thinks about himself as a psychiatrist and physician. The psychiatrist who adopts this role aims to increase the public's general medical knowledge. The Teacher may translate jargon, explain the nature of illness, discuss the basics of treatment, or recommend resources to assist the audience in how to get help for an afflicted family member. The Teacher may also generate ideas via scholarship with the purpose of advancing the field of knowledge. The Teacher is readily found in peer-reviewed academic journals, non–peer-reviewed publications, recorded conferences, internet videos (e.g., YouTube), television interviews, blogs, and other news outlets. This role is clearly concordant with the Principles, which permit psychiatrists to share their knowledge with the public: Section 5: A physician shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge, maintain a commitment to medical education, make relevant information available to patients, colleagues, and the public, obtain consultation, and use the talents of other health professionals when indicated [Ref. 3, p 8]. Section 7.2: Psychiatrists may interpret and share with the public their expertise in the various psychosocial issues that may affect mental health and illness [Ref. 1, p 9]. A common pitfall for the Teacher is ensuring that the distinction between facts and public education versus opinions is readily discernible.8,28 Consider for example, the news station covering a murder allegedly committed by a person with mental illness. A psychiatrist invited to talk on the news could discuss the warning signs of mental illness and available community resources without offering diagnoses or other analysis of the mentally ill defendant. The trap can be avoided if the Teacher preemptively establishes boundaries for the interview and declines any invitation that asks for diagnostic impressions of public figures. The Teacher must also be cognizant of his audience. Redacted academic presentations occur routinely and usually without the patient's consent. Psychiatrists making broader presentations to a more general audience must give more attention to the sensitivity of protected health information, remaining mindful not to violate patient confidentiality. Another common manifestation of the Teacher's role appears when a psychiatrist is invited to promote a book on a talk show. At least one example illustrates how a talk show host prioritizes his own agenda and ratings at the expense of manipulating a guest to provide entertainment. Dr. Nassir Ghaemi was interviewed by the political satirist Stephen Colbert on the Colbert Report regarding Ghaemi's book, in which the author proposed ideas connecting mental illness to leadership. Ghaemi quickly lost control of the interview. He was drawn dangerously close to the Goldwater Rule when Colbert invited him to state which, if any, of the Republican presidential candidates for the 2012 race were mentally unstable.29 Although the Teacher may appear on television to discuss his newly published ideas and research, the talk show host may simplify a complex topic, losing context and nuance and invading privacy. How can the Teacher handle these potential pitfalls? Specific disclosures and warnings are necessary. Remind the audience of the constraints of medical ethics and the limits of one's knowledge. For example, as James Knoll looked for clues to motivation and signs of mental illness in the final communications of two recent pseudocommandos,30 he was both transparent and deliberate. First, he reminded the reader of the constraints of the Goldwater Rule. Then, he framed his purpose: The intent of this article is to explore, via public-domain writings, the general psychology and motivations of Mr. Cho and Mr. Wong. I refrain from offering a professional opinion about specific diagnoses; rather, I offer limited and broad hypotheses about their motives and psychopathology [Ref. 30, p 264]. This tactic may be necessary for those who venture into psychohistory or profiling political figures. There is a danger of revealing personal information for sensationalism. There are questions regarding whether confidential information has been used and whether the length of time from the writing to the death of the subject makes a difference. As described earlier, some have argued that the Goldwater Rule does not apply to scientific studies that have “public policy implications” (Ref. 12, p 108). Even if the Teacher does not draw on patient information, he should continue to have respect for persons and not overreach in his analyses, as the information may become available in the public domain. Likewise, speculation and unfounded commentary can be distinguished from valid psychological profiling to assist law enforcement in finding a criminal. The Teacher may use similar skills to educate the media about criminals and their actions (e.g., what type of people commit certain types of crimes or terrorist acts), so long as it is not claimed with conviction when data are limited or absent. The Teacher must be aware, however, that some will view him as more interested in self-promotion than in educating the public. The Storyteller's role is typically a benign one, less likely to conflict with ethics or legal standards. The largest obstacle is likely to be the psychiatrist's level of comfort when deciding to make personal disclosures. The Storyteller should remain sensitive to the effect that such disclosures may have on family, colleagues, patients, and future referrals. For example, a psychiatrist's disclosure of having a mental illness could contribute to transference reactions by his patients. Colleagues might question his stability to deliver sound clinical care. Attorneys might choose to work with an expert whose personal history would receive less attention in cross-examination. Often introduced as an expert, the Celebrity Commentator is invited to provide psychiatric analyses of people in the national spotlight. These comments and opinions are often based on pure speculation. This role is played on most major television networks, in the lay press, and on the Internet. Psychiatrists are interviewed to comment on the mental health of politicians, professional athletes, and movie stars. Some are ready to give opinions about a person accused of a crime, which may unfairly affect the accused. The Celebrity Commentator has the greatest opportunity to violate the Goldwater Rule and other ethics principles. Given the ethics framework, it is easy to understand why. If the celebrity figure were the doctor's patient, then the doctor would be muzzled. If the celebrity were not his patient, then the doctor would abide by the Goldwater Rule and not provide commentary, diagnoses, or opinions about an individual whom he had not personally examined. A problem may also arise despite a psychiatrist's purposeful adherence to the Goldwater Rule. A psychiatrist who is invited to speak about a public figure could deliberately avoid offering diagnoses or suggesting that an evaluation has occurred. For example, instead of saying that a celebrity has bipolar disorder, the psychiatrist may attempt to take the role of the Teacher and provide education about the mental illness. The subtlety of the psychiatrist's message will be lost on the audience should text box graphics convey misinformation to the viewer (e.g., “Psychiatrist says [insert name of public figure here] is mentally ill.”) or as images of the celebrity are being shown on the screen, even though the psychiatrist is not directly speaking about the person. The Hollywood Consultant provides services and expertise for media productions. This role may occur behind or in front of the camera. For example, psychiatrists are sometimes hired by movie and television productions that involve characters with mental illness. This consultation is typically not a confidential one, as many Hollywood Consultants include it in their curriculum vitae. In front of the camera, a physician may accept a visible role, as did one, who served as host of a cable television show about a psychiatrist who profiles serial killers, mass murders, and psychopaths.36 Behind the camera, the role might garner unwanted attention as it did for a psychiatrist involved with the television show Law & Order during the Andrea Yates case.37 Before testifying in court, a forensic psychiatrist may find it useful to review his involvement with the media, similar to reviewing other items from his curriculum vitae that might receive attention during questioning (e.g., opinions offered in publications or lectures). Psychiatrists who accept the role of consultant on television shows and movies must be careful to “uphold the standards of professionalism” (Ref. 3, p 2) and not misrepresent the complexities of mental illness and human behavior. The Hollywood Consultant should also be mindful not to blend the truth (e.g., confidential information about actual patients or evaluees) with fiction (e.g., the story line of a Hollywood production). The role of the Clinician is tenuous. We imagine that there are legal disclaimers signed by the soon-to-be televised “patients” that limit liability. The role, however, appears to violate the fiduciary nature of the doctor-patient relationship. According to Sections 1 and 8 of the Principles: “A physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical care, with compassion and respect for human dignity and right” (Ref. 3, p 3), and, “A physician shall, while caring for a patient, regard responsibility to the patient as paramount” (Ref. 3, p 4). Psychiatrists may use passive or active websites.45 Most forensic psychiatrists use passive sites, which provide brief information about background, educational materials, the scope of the practice, and contact information. The sites are not interactive and do not accept payments, which are typical attributes of active sites. It has been recommended that one's site be professionally designed while limiting extravagant claims and carefully posting one's credentials.46 The forensic psychiatrist playing this role must also consider how this type of information could be used by opposing counsel in an attempt to discredit the expert in front of a jury. In this article, we have described the inherent complexities of psychiatrists' interactions with the media. This venture involves a delicate balance of maintaining respect for persons and not speaking with “actual malice,” conveying personal versus professional opinions, upholding the reputation of the profession, promoting public policy, adhering to social responsibility, and preserving the strict confidentiality of patients. We have elucidated the many risks incurred by psychiatrists and the responsible manner in which they may interact with the media. Although not intended as a direct response to the Goldwater Rule, the “American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL) Ethics Guidelines for the Practice of Forensic Psychiatry”48 may provide guidance in these matters. In detailing the principles of honesty and objectivity, conducting a personal examination is emphasized: Honesty, objectivity and the adequacy of the clinical evaluation may be called into question when an expert opinion is offered without a personal examination …. If, after appropriate effort, it is not feasible to conduct a personal examination, an opinion may nonetheless be rendered on the basis of other information. Under these circumstances, it is the responsibility of psychiatrists to make earnest efforts to ensure that their statements, opinions and any reports or testimony based on those opinions, clearly state that there was no personal examination and note any resulting limitations to their opinions [Ref. 48]. The lesson from this forensic practice guideline may be relevant for a psychiatrist who provides commentary on public figures, regardless of whether the commentary is delivered via courtroom testimony or a television interview. When not conducting a personal examination of his subject, the psychiatrist should explicitly state this limitation. The lure to express one's opinions publicly is often enticing. Forensic psychiatrists might especially be drawn to this, as it is often what they do in their daily work. One should recognize that this practice is ethics-based. If a psychiatrist decides to interact with the media, he should ask if the subject of the discussion is a patient. If yes, then the expected ethics constraints apply: specifically, confidentiality and autonomy. If the subject is not a patient, then a different set of ethics principles applies; the psychiatrist should strive to be objective, tell the truth, and be circumspect about the situation without making overreaching or exaggerated statements. He should discuss areas of psychiatry in general without specifically commenting on the person who is in the public spotlight. In other words, leave the role of speculation to the media. If no one in particular asks the psychiatrist to talk about a subject, then he should reflect and ask what is driving the desire to express the opinions publicly. Psychiatrists who speak to the media after a notorious crime should recognize the possibility that their actions might be perceived as a desire for public attention or for self-promotion. Speculation about irrelevant topics misrepresents our field and makes the profession look bad, even if the subject is not a political figure like Goldwater. Furthermore, if a psychiatrist decides to proceed with this venture, then we recommend proceeding with careful consideration. The psychiatrist should remain cautious to avoid manipulation or the temptation to make exaggerated statements to please a television host. The media often allow sloppy analysis of people who engage in bad acts or are unpopular. Psychiatric commentary interjected in the media-generated fray may result in dissemination of opinions that are not factual or complete. Such commentaries should not establish the benchmark for competent analysis. Instead, forensic psychiatrists who choose not to shy from this adventure can rise to the challenge of social responsibility and fill an obvious need to educate and inform the public on the nature of mental illness and human behavior without speaking specifically about the individual. Forensic psychiatrists also run the risk of being drawn into the media spotlight to discuss a case on which they have worked after the verdict has been given. Appeals may still be possible, so the case may not be over. The forensic psychiatrist's public commentary then may influence the future direction of the case. Such speculation appears to be given without concern for the harm it can cause. It serves as another example that does not violate the Goldwater Rule, per se, but may run counter to ethics-based practice. Further, the forensic psychiatrist may not remember which information was revealed in open court as opposed to other elements of the case that did not become public. Discussing this information in the media may violate confidentiality. We have proposed a framework of roles that will help psychiatrists interact with the media. This subject has not been explored in much detail in the literature. These roles highlight many of the common pitfalls that may draw the psychiatrist away from a practice consistent with established ethics precepts. The roles we have proposed have a mixture of advantages and disadvantages. One starting point for the psychiatrist faced with media-related opportunities is to decide which performative role is appropriate and whether the subject is associated with someone who is his patient. In addition, the psychiatrist should be prepared for his interactions with the media, establish boundaries on interview discussions, remind the audience of the limits of his knowledge and experience, and not overreach in his analysis. The scandal following the Goldwater incident occurred because psychiatrists were saying things without being mindful of an ethics-based practice that guides a professional's behavior. We should remember, however, that ethics-based work in our field has greatly evolved since the Goldwater era. Although interacting with the media may be personally and professionally rewarding, psychiatrists should always carefully consider such invitations, seek consultation when necessary, and proceed with caution. 42 U.S.C. § 1320d (1996) et seq. Doe v. Roe, 400 N.Y.S.2d 668 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1977). Angelo v. Brenner, 406 N.E.2d 38 (Ill. App. Ct. 1980).
2019-04-25T20:40:13Z
http://jaapl.org/content/42/4/459
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the perception of presentation durations of pictures of different body postures was distorted as function of the embodied movement that originally produced these postures. Participants were presented with two pictures, one with a low-arousal body posture judged to require no movement and the other with a high-arousal body posture judged to require considerable movement. In a temporal bisection task with two ranges of standard durations (0.4/1.6 s and 2/8 s), the participants had to judge whether the presentation duration of each of the pictures was more similar to the short or to the long standard duration. The results showed that the duration was judged longer for the posture requiring more movement than for the posture requiring less movement. However the magnitude of this overestimation was relatively greater for the range of short durations than for that of longer durations. Further analyses suggest that this lengthening effect was mediated by an arousal effect of limited duration on the speed of the internal clock system. Copyright: © 2011 Nather et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This research was supported by a Post-Doctoral Scholarship from CAPES to F.C. Nather, and a CAPES-COFECUB Program (Brazil-France) to J.L.O. Bueno, E. Bigand and S. Droit-Volet. The work was also funded by grants from CNPq to J.L.O. Bueno and from the French National Research Agency (ANR Blan06-2-145908 FaceExpress). The funders paid for the travels of France-Brazil for the researchers, but had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. We are witnessing a renewal of interest in time distortions in human beings which suggest that judgments of time are affected by non-temporal dimensions , , . Brown examined the difference in the time judgments made by human adults when confronted with a stationary and a moving visual display composed of different geometric shapes. While the number of shapes did not affect time perception, the duration of the moving display was systematically judged longer than that of the stationary display. Furthermore, this lengthening effect increased with the speed of motion, with the duration being judged longer when the shapes moved quickly than when they moved slowly. Recently, Kaneto and Murakami replicated these results by showing that a moving object was perceived to last longer than a static object. The judgment of time is thus intrinsically related to movements in space. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the perception of a static image of a body posture whose production has required more or less movement also affects time perception. Using the temporal bisection task currently employed in the field of time perception in both animals and human beings , , , , , Chambon, Droit-Volet and Niedenthal revealed that the presentation duration of faces of elderly individuals was underestimated compared to that of faces of young individuals. They explained their results within the theoretical framework of embodiment by suggesting that the participants embodied the slow movements of elderly people. This would therefore have slowed down the speed of their internal clocks. As suggested by the internal clock models , , when the internal clock runs more slowly, fewer time units (pulses, oscillations) are accumulated and time is judged shorter. Nather and Bueno , used pictures of objects representing body postures of dancers and pictures of sculptures of ballet dancers made by the impressionist artist Edgar Degas which represent a meticulous study of human bodies in motion , , . In Nather and Bueno’s studies, participants were asked to rate each dancer picture on a subjective 7-point scale from “motionless” (1) to “moving” (7). The participants were also required to estimate the presentation duration (36 s) of these pictures in a reproduction task. The results indicated that the reproduced duration changed as a function of the amount of movement suggested by the static pictures. For example, the durations associated with the Degas sculptures were underestimated for the body postures involving little movement and overestimated for those involving a great deal of movement, and were judged accurately at the mid-point of the movement scale. The data from Nather and Bueno , , and Chambon, Droit-Volet and Niedenthal are consistent with the growing body of evidence indicating that there is a close relationship between perception and action , . Several imagery studies have shown that observing another individual performing an action activates the same brain areas in the perceiver as those that are involved in the action , . Neurons - referred to as mirror neurons – are thought to trigger in the observer of the action in the same way as if he or she were performing the observed action. As stated by Lacoboni and Mazziotta , the mirror neurons provide “a simple mechanism for understanding the actions of the other”. They thus play a fundamental role in the representation of other people's actions. The problem that still needs to be resolved is to know whether motor activities affect the perception of time, even though there is as yet no direct neurological evidence of any overlap or interaction between the neural mechanisms involved in time perception, on the one hand, and motor activities on the other . Recent studies have suggested that individuals reenact the sensory-motor activities associated with an action not only when they observe exactly the same action but also when these actions are partially masked. Freedberg and Gallese suggested that simply observing a static pattern which reflects the state resulting from an action induces a reenactment of the movement that made it possible to produce this action. Studies in humans have also shown that individuals represent the continuation of movements based on static images as well as the possible spatial and temporal trajectories of such movements , . Static images of human body postures thus automatically induce a mental simulation of associated movements and the corresponding sensory-motor characteristics. Consequently, in the present study, we may assume that the perception of pictures of body postures will automatically result in a temporal distortion of the corresponding presentation duration due to the properties of the reenacted movement. In the present study, we therefore decided to further qualify the movement represented in the Degas dancer sculptures in order to select two body postures which differed from one another very significantly in terms of movements. There is ample evidence that movement is dependent on a certain state of arousal which plays a fundamental role in preparing the body to act. We consequently also assessed the level of arousal induced in individuals by the perception of each picture of a body posture (see Method). Several studies using emotional pictures (pictures from the International Affective Pictures System (IAPS), emotional faces) have shown that participants overestimate high-arousal pictures compared to low-arousal pictures . However, as discussed in more detail below, this arousal effect of emotional pictures on time perception has been shown to be limited to brief durations shorter than 2–3 s , . The arousing effect of pictures is thus somewhat transient or short-lived. We therefore assumed that the period of perception of pictures of body postures which involve a high degree of movement would be judged longer than that of body posture which involve less movement. However, if this effect is mediated by arousal, this temporal overestimation should be greater for short durations (<2–3 s) than for long durations, since the arousal effect triggered by the perception of pictures is transient. In the present study, the participants therefore performed a temporal bisection task with two different duration ranges: a short (0.4/1.6 s) and a long range (2/8 s). In the temporal bisection task, the participants were initially presented with the short and the long anchor duration of each duration range displayed in the form of a square. In the test phase, they were then presented with these two anchor durations together with other intermediate durations which were presented in the form of two body posture pictures: one with less movement (“less-movement body posture”) and the other with more movement (“more-movement body posture”). The participant’s task was to judge whether each comparison duration was more similar to the short or to the long anchor duration. Figure 1 indicates the proportion of long responses (p(long)) for the two body postures in the 0.4/1.6 s and the 2/8 s duration ranges. An examination of Figure 1 suggests that the bisection function was shifted toward the left for the body posture which involved more movement and was judged more arousing compared to the body posture involving less movement. This indicates that time was judged longer when the participants perceived a picture of a body posture which involved more movement. However, the magnitude of the leftward shift was relatively larger for the short than for the long duration range. Figure 1. Psychometric functions for the body postures with more and less movements. Proportion of long responses plotted against the stimulus duration values for the body postures involving the production of a greater or lesser amount of movement for the short (0.4/1.6 s) and the longer (2/8 s) duration range. An ANOVA was run on p(long) with two within-subjects factors (body posture and comparison duration) and one between-subjects factor (duration range). The Greenhouse-Geisser Correction was used in this ANOVA as in the subsequent analyses. The ANOVA revealed no significant main effect of duration range, F(1, 48) = 3.21, p>.05, or any significant interaction involving the duration range (all p>.05). In contrast, there was a significant effect of comparison duration, F(6, 288) = 713.58, p<.05, and a significant interaction between comparison duration and body posture, F(6, 288) = 2.27, p<.05, which subsumed no significant main effect of body posture, F(1, 48) = 3.12, p>.05. This significant interaction indicated that the difference in p(long) between the body postures changed as a function of the comparison durations. As predicted, in the 0.4/1.6-s condition, the interaction between the body posture and the comparison duration reached significance, F(6, 144) = 2.72, p<.05, with a significant main effect of comparison durations, F(6, 144) = 343.69, p<.05, and no main effect of body posture, F(1, 24) = 2.89, p>.05. According to the internal clock models , a temporal overestimation may be produced when the internal clock system runs faster (clock speed hypothesis) or when the attention-controlled switch which connects the pacemaker to the accumulator closes earlier (switch hypotheses). When the switch closure latency is shorter, more pulses are accumulated and time is judged longer. The mathematics underpinning the internal clock models nevertheless indicate that these two effects can be differentiated , . The first of these models (clock speed hypothesis) should result in a multiplicative effect which would be larger for long than for shorter stimulus durations. The second (switch hypothesis) yields an additive effect which is constant across different stimulus durations. Consequently, in the 0.4/1.6-s duration condition, we calculated the difference in p(long) between the more- and less-movement body postures for the shorter (mean of the 3 shortest comparison durations) and the longer comparison durations (mean of the 3 longest comparison durations). The one-sample t test revealed that the magnitude of the differences between body postures was significantly greater than zero for both the short, t(24) = 2.07, p = .05, and the long comparison durations, t(24) = 2.92, p = .01). In addition, the magnitude of this between-body posture difference was larger for the long than for the shorter comparison durations (t(24) = 3.61, p = .001). This suggests that there is a multiple effect, a finding which appears to be consistent with the clock rate hypothesis. In addition, we also performed statistical analyses on the y-intercept and the slope index of the individual psychometric functions, since the finding of an effect on the y-intercept or on the slope index would provide support for the switch mechanism and clock rate mechanism hypotheses, respectively , , . These 2 measures were obtained by fitting the logarithmic function to each subject’s data. The logarithmic fit was significant for all the subjects, with a mean R2 of .86 (SD = .06). The body posture effect was significant for the slope index, F(1, 24) = 4.53, p<.05, but not for the intercept, F(1, 24) = .896, p>.05). Overall, our results therefore suggest that the overestimation of time for the more-movement body posture compared to the less-movement body posture is due to a clock rate effect, with the clock running faster for the body posture whose production requires more movement. According to the internal clock models, if viewing a body posture which is associated with more movement affects the clock rate, this clock-related effect should be greater for longer than for shorter duration ranges. However, as we suggest in the introduction, the perception of arousing pictures is complex in that it produces a transient change in individuals’ states for up to 2–3 s , . In line with this idea, although the omnibus ANOVA found a general body posture effect on p(long) irrespective of the duration range, the ANOVA for the long duration range (2/8 s) taken separately did not indicate any effect of body posture or any body posture × comparison duration interaction (F(1, 24) = 1.07, F(6, 144) = .62, respectively, all p>.05). There was only a significant main effect of comparison durations, thus indicating that p(long) increased with the value of the stimulus durations, F(6, 144) = 372.02, p<.05. Two other timing measures used to take account of temporal performance in bisection were also calculated, i.e., the bisection point (BP) and the Weber Ratio (WR). The BP is the point of subjective equality, i.e. the comparison duration (D) equally judged long and short: D(p(long)) = .50. The WR is the Difference Limen (D(p(long) = .75) - D(p(long) = .25)/2) divided by the BP. The Weber ratio is a sort of coefficient of variation. When Weber's law holds, the WR remains constant across different duration values. These 2 measures were derived from the slope and intercept parameters obtained from the significant fitting of a logarithmic function to the individual subject data (with the logarithmic functions, the WR values appeared relatively high). Table 1 summarizes the group means for the BP and WR in each experimental condition. Table 1. Bisection Point and Weber Ratio for the body postures in the 0.4/1.6 and the 2/8-s duration condition. The ANOVA run on the BP with body posture duration range as a factor found a main effect of duration range, F(1, 48) = 1023.54, p<.05, thus indicating that the BP was higher in the 2/8-s than in the 0.4/1.6-s duration condition. More interestingly, the effect of body posture reached significance, F(1, 48) = 4.87, p<.05, while the duration × body posture interaction was not significant, F(1, 48) = 1.60, p>.05. However, the ANOVA for each duration range taken separately showed that there was a significant body posture effect in the 0.4/1.6-s duration condition, F(1, 24) = 4.16, p<.05, while this effect just failed to reach significance in the 2/8-s duration condition, F(1, 25) = 3.20, p>.05. A significantly lower BP value confirmed that the comparison durations were judged longer for the more-movement than for the less-movement body postures. This finding, however, applied to short rather than longer durations (>2 s). The ANOVA run on the WRs revealed no effect of duration, F(1, 48) = 2.39, p>.05, or of body posture, F(1, 48) = 2.51, p>.05, or any body posture × duration interaction, F(1, 48) = 1.67, p>.05. In both the 0.4/1.6 and the 2/8-s duration conditions, the effect of body posture was not significant (F(1, 24) = .06, F(1, 24) = 3.30, respectively, all p>.05). This confirms that, at least for the short duration range, the difference between body postures was, in proportional terms, consistent with a clock rate mechanism that would have produced a proportional (multiplicative) rather than an absolute effect (additive). Our results also indicate that the scalar property holds, with a constant WR value being observed across different duration values. To test this scalar property, we also verified whether the psychometric functions superimposed well when they were normalized by the comparison duration divided by the BP. Figure 2 indicates a good superimposition between the psychometric functions obtained with the different body posture pictures, and especially in the short duration condition. In the case of the long duration condition, there was a slight rightward shift of the psychometric function for the more-movement body posture. Post-hoc comparisons revealed that the WR was significantly lower in the 2/8 than in the 0.4/1.6-s condition in the case of the more-movement body posture, t(48) = 2.51, p<.05, whereas the WR was similar in the two duration range conditions in the case of less-movement body postures, t(48) = .37, p>.05. Consequently, the participants tended to be less variable in the timing of long durations when they were presented with the more-movement body posture. Figure 2. Superimposition between psychometric functions for the body postures. Proportion of long responses plotted against the stimulus duration values divided by the bisection point for the body postures involving the production of a greater or lesser amount of movement for the short (0.4/1.6 s) and the longer (2/8 s) duration range. While the results of the present study reveal that the perception of the duration of pictures depicting body postures changes as a function of the movement implied by this posture, they also show that this is true of duration ranges shorter rather than longer than 2 s. Indeed, for the short duration range (0.4/1.6-s), the bisection function was significantly shifted toward the left, with a lower BP for the posture whose production required a large movement than for the posture requiring no movement. In other words, the duration was judged longer for the more-movement than for the less-movement body posture. This result is consistent with those found by Brown and Kaneto and Murakami which showed that the duration of a moving display is judged longer than that of a static display. However, the originality of our study is to show, using a bisection task, that the time lengthening effect also occurs with static images of body posture which induce a perception of movement , . The participants' assessment of the pictures used in the present study revealed that the body posture involving more movement was judged more arousing than that involving less movement. By manipulating a great variety of arousing conditions (drugs, emotion, click train), a large number of studies have shown that when the nervous system is aroused, the clock-like system speeds up and more time units (pulses) are accumulated, with the results that the elapsed duration is judged longer , , , . In line with this finding, we can assume that the temporal overestimation of the body posture requiring more movement was due to the increase of the clock rate which was, in turn, mediated by an increase in the level of arousal produced by the perception of this posture. Some of the evidence derived from our data supports this hypothesis. First, the between-body posture difference increased with the value of the comparison durations and a significant slope effect was also observed. Second, this difference was proportional, with a constant WR and a good superposition being observed between the psychometric functions associated with the body posture. The question that remains to be answered relates more to the causes of this speeding up of the internal clock. According to the internal clock models , a slope effect in the psychometric functions could be produced either by the acceleration of the pacemaker or by the flickering of an accumulator-switch system , , , . In this latter case, it would be easier for the switch to remain closed during the processing of time in the case of the more-movement than the less-movement body posture. However, if this is this case, it is unclear why the body posture effect decreased for the longer duration range in our study. The internal clock models predict that the clock-related effect (pacemaker or accumulator/switch system) should be larger for long durations than for short durations. Although we found an increase in the magnitude of body posture-related differences with the comparison durations in the 0.4/1.6-s condition, we did not find any effect in the longer duration conditions (2/8 s). The core problem lies in the dynamic of the individual states produced by the perception of arousing pictures. Using pictures from the IAPS that were rated as highly arousing on the basis of physiological indexes (heart rate, skin conductance), Angrilli et al. observed a significant temporal overestimation of the presentation duration of high-arousal pictures compared to that of low-arousal pictures for the 2 s condition only. At the longer durations of 4 and 6 s, the high-arousal pictures were underestimated rather than overestimated. The authors explain their results in terms of two different mechanisms which emerge as a function of the durations to be estimated: an arousal-based mechanism for brief durations and an attention-based mechanism for long durations. A time-related shift therefore occurs from an activation to an attention-based mechanism for the processing of emotional pictures. Similarly, Bar-Haim et al. observed a significant overestimation of fearful faces compared to neutral faces at 2 s. This lengthening effect persisted to a small extent at 4 s but totally disappeared at 8 s, as if time perception returns to its baseline state. As these authors state, there is no reason why a threat should capture attention for an extended period since the biological process of activation is rapid. Our results are thus entirely consistent with the findings of these studies, and suggest that there is a transient arousal effect which is produced by the perception of the body posture which involves more movement. Indeed, there is no reason why the initial attention effect was not maintained at long durations of up to 8 s. Finally, the predictions of the internal clock models concerning the existence of larger arousal effects for long than for short durations do not apply to durations longer than 2–3 s whatever the experimental situations, namely in the context of the perception of high-arousal pictures on the contrary to that of drug administration . According to Nather and Bueno , who employed a reproduction task with long durations (36 s), the visualization of static body postures activates distinct cognitive processes as a function of the passage of time, associated both with the decay of arousal effects and with the different cognitive strategies which emerge during time estimation tasks , , , . Our results demonstrate that the presentation duration of pictures was overestimated in response to the perception of a body posture involving more movement. This may be explained by the partial reactivation of the motor states involved in the movement that led to this posture (muscle contraction, cortico-spinal activities, etc.). As reported in the introduction, neuroimaging studies of mirror motor systems in monkeys and humans have shown that the observation of body movements activates the brain areas involved in the performance of the action in the perceiver . According to Fadiga, Craighero and Olivier , the observation of an action triggers a specific activation of the muscles involved in the planning and the implementation of this action. In addition, this has been demonstrated not only when the action is perceived in its entirety (a hand taking an object), but also when the action can be inferred from cues (a hand next to an object). Indeed, even when the real motion is not present but implicit, human beings are capable of both recognizing and anticipating the movement of visual stimuli , , . As shown by Urgesi et al. , seeing a photograph of a hand holding something is enough to produce an increase in cortical-spinal excitability related to the observation of this hand. Thus, in our study, we may assume that the presentation duration of the body posture associated with a large movement was judged to last longer because it involved the embodied simulation of a more effortful and arousing movement. Further studies involving sensory-motor indices will nevertheless be required if we are to provide evidence in support of this assumption. Time illusions are the subject of a growing number of studies which have revealed that duration distortions can be induced by the properties of the stimuli themselves . Our results are consistent with this observation in that they showed that a body posture associated with a considerable movement was perceived to last longer, at least for duration ranges shorter than 2 s. The originality of our study was thus to show that this time distortion also occurred when the properties of the stimuli were not directly perceived but reactivated in memory . Our study also provides data suggesting that the internal clock runs faster with the embodied simulation of movements associated with body postures perceived in another person. This time distortion in the perceiver may thus be an index of empathic processes which enable him or her to understand the other and time his or her own action as a function of the timing of action observed in the other . In sum, our study suggests that the judgment of time seems to be grounded in sensory-motor and affective states experienced or reenacted in memory. A total of fifty students (22 men and 28 women, mean age = 21.90, S.D. = 3.73) from São Paulo University took part in this experiment. All participants gave written consent in accordance with the procedure approved by the ethics committee of the College of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil. The participants were seated in a laboratory room in front a 19" screen connected to a PC. E-Prime software was used to control the experimental events and record the responses. The participants gave their responses by pressing one of two keys (D and K) on the computer keyboard. The stimuli to be timed consisted of a black square (10 cm) and the pictures of two sculptures of dancers by Edgar Degas depicting body positions which involved different movements, i.e., sculpture B and sculpture G (Figure 3). Photoshop was used to standardize the pictures of these sculptures, with the result that they were of the same size (30×40 cm) and quality (color saturation, brightness, contrast and resolution). The pictures were presented in the center of the computer screen. Figure 3. The 7 sculptures by Edgar Degas assessed in the present study. These 7 sculptures represent different body positions (ballet steps) and suggest movements of distinct intensities: (A) First movement of the great arabesque, (B) Ballerina at rest with her hands on her waist and her left leg in front (facing forward), (C) Ballerina at rest with her hands on her waist and her right leg in front (facing to the right) (D) Prelude to dance, with her right leg in front, (E) Spanish Dance, (F) Fourth position in front on the left leg, (G) Third movement of the great arabesque. (Edgar Degas. Paris, France 1834-1917, MASP Collection, Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand. João L. Musa’s pictures). These two sculptures were selected from a set of 7 different sculptures by Edgar Degas (Figure 3) which had been pre-tested in a sample of 25 additional participants (12 men and 13 women, mean age = 20.96, S.D. = 1.51). These participants saw the sculpture pictures presented in a random order and were asked to observe the movement suggested by each body position and rate, on a 5-point scale, the amount of action required to perform it. They were also asked to rate their level of arousal using the Self-Assessment Manikin scale (SAM) . A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on the mean data with the 7 sculptures as samples and the scales as variables. This analysis revealed that, on the major vector that explained 85% of variance, sculpture B and sculpture G were at the opposite ends of the scale, while the other sculptures occupied intermediate positions. Sculpture G was thus judged both to require more action and to be more arousing. The t-tests confirmed that the movement associated with sculpture G was judged to be more arousing (3.93 vs. 1.32, t(24) = 10.61, p = .001), and more action-intensive (4.71 vs. 1.20, t(24) = 10.55, p = .0001) than the movement associated with sculpture B. The participants therefore clearly differentiated between sculptures G and B on the basis of the movement involved. The participants were assigned to two duration groups. In the 0.4/1.6-s duration group, the standard durations were 0.4 and 1.6 s, and the comparison durations 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 s. In the 2/8-s group, the standard durations were 2 and 8 s and the comparison durations 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 s. In each duration group, the bisection task consisted of a training phase and a test phase. In the training phase, the participants performed 6 trials with the short and the long anchor durations presented 3 times each in the form of a black square. In the experiment reported here, no feedback was given since it was easy for the adults to differentiate these two durations . The trial order was random and the inter-trial interval was randomly chosen between 1 and 3 s. The participants were trained to press one key after the short standard duration and the other key after the long standard duration, with the button press assignment being counterbalanced. The same procedure was used in the test phase, except for the fact that the durations were presented in the form of the pictures of the two sculptures exhibiting different body postures: “more movement” (sculpture G) vs. “less movement” (sculpture B). The participants were instructed to press one key when they judged the comparison duration to be more similar to the short than to the long standard and the other key when they judged it to be more similar to the long than to the short standard. The participants were presented with 9 blocks of 14 trials each, i.e. 7 comparison durations × 2 body positions. Within each block, the trials were presented randomly. 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https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0019818
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2019-04-25T23:50:05Z
http://www.firstpagedigital.com/author/andrea/
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2019-04-19T14:24:38Z
http://alienfightclub.de/?attachment_id=72
The School Archives Programme at the Institute of History of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile is convinced of the value of historical documents created by Chilean public educational institutions. Founded during the nineteenth century as key institutions throughout the country, these secondary schools contain valuable and unpublished information concerning the local communities of the former Chilean provinces. Enrolment Records, Director's Correspondence, Subjects Taught, Teacher Council Minutes, Exam Proceedings, Punishment Books, Inventories, and other records will be digitised during 2019. Eight lycées of national importance in five regions have agreed to take part in EAP1065. The educational institutions - known as 'liceos' that are taking part are: Gabriela Mistral (La Serena), Alejandro Álvarez (Ovalle), Technological Alfredo Nazar Feres (Valparaíso), Óscar Castro (Rancagua), Luis Urbina F. (Rengo), Neandro Schilling (SanFernando), Abate Molina (Talca) and Enrique Molina G. (Concepción). Meanwhile, we hope to encourage other institutions to get on board. Archives are often forgotten and neglected, sometimes at risk because of fire, earthquakes or floods. When these documents are valued, they take on new life and meaning thanks to rescue initiatives, organisation and dissemination activities proposed by the school communities themselves. These communities have taken into account the potential that these documents are fundamental resources for education, memory, identity and citizenship. In this way, and together with the School Archives Programme, numerous workshops, seminars, training courses and various projects that bring together university academics, school teachers and students with professionals from various disciplines working collaboratively have taken place between 2010 and 2018. This material is not just for the study of the history of education, we also appreciate the importance they have for understanding of cultural and social history of the localities that keep them. Likewise, they are a source of great interest for diverse and innovative didactic applications that contribute to forming methodological competences among students. 1. Archives and Heritage; 2. Pedagogical mediation; 3. Impact assessment on literacy and historical awareness. Hamilton Photographic Studio is a significant cultural asset for Bombay. It sits in Fort, a beautiful business district in the bustling port area of the city. Amongst the steady thrum and beep of the traffic-choked roads, the studio hides on a tree-lined side street as an oasis of calm. It is not just that photographers and clients create a sense of stillness in the moment of creation; this studio feels more like an art gallery or place of worship. Photographs of significant people line the walls and so visitors immediately commune with a sacred past. The effect is tangible, and on a very hot and busy day in late September 2018, this haven is most welcome. Hamilton Studios was opened by Sir Victor Sassoon in 1928 to provide studio photography to the illustrious people of the day, including the British rulers and the significant Indian families. These include industrialist JRD Tata, and families including the Baldotas, Dubashes, Podars, Khataus, Vinod Khanna, Madhubala, Nutan, Maharani Gayatri Devi, Nadia Hunterwaali, as well a British aristocracy including Lord Bradborne and Lord Willingdon, and many upper-class people serving colonial Britain. When Sassoon left India after partition, the studio’s archive of glass plate negatives sat remaindered in cabinets, seemingly unimportant and unwanted. It was in 1957 when a young Indian photographer called Ranjit Madhavji bought Hamilton Studios and with it, the archive. The family still run the studio today. The grandeur of the earlier era has been preserved by the Madhavji family. The studio is arranged such that it places the client at the centre of all of what is to come. The parlour, for clients to sit and talk about their portrait, is very comfortable, painted in a serene chalky green paint. The parlour walls host portraits of famous clients, including impressive-looking Maharajas and a portrait of a young Dalai Lama. Sitting there and observing, you would note the exceptional quality of the fixtures, doors and panelling, and how the high ceilings and generous space suggests high class comfort. Usually, sitters have tea and a long conversation to allow the photographer to understand the person more and plan the portrait. Today, this approach is still used. The studio room itself is a windowless, internal room, which retains much of the original equipment. Huge bulbs sit in vast silver pendants, whilst a contraption that looks like a pencil torch for the BFG hangs languidly above the head of the client as a spotlight. Curtains frame the space, a choice of backdrops. A 1928 Kodak 10x8 plate camera as big as a man stares from opposite, ready to be used, whilst smaller digital equipment discreetly lie on a table. Teak and steel filing cabinets, filled with negatives, line up, backs against the walls, as if giving as much floor as possible to the new photograph soon to be shot. It is all quite beautiful. The studio space, sometimes used for fashion shoots as well as portraits, has been assiduously kept for the future by Ajita Madhavji so visitors may better understand and experience another era. The conclusion is that a portrait taken at Hamilton is a treasure. We are here because the studio is threatened from a number of directions. Over the past 90 years, the humidity of Bombay has wreaked havoc on this significant and important archive. Some 600,000 items, including negatives, prints and ephemera are still stored in paper sleeves and wooden cabinets and boxes, the earliest since 1928. The early negatives are of glass and are deteriorating badly, in themselves a story of exposure to unforgiving conditions. Caught between moving the negatives and letting them rest gathering dust, the family have left them alone for fear of damage. The studio is also threatened by the possible redevelopment of the Ballard Estate. Originally the offices of import and export companies located directly next to Bombay docks, this once imposing estate now sits on valuable land. Redevelopment has been signalled since the 1970s with the calls getting louder as Bombay gets bigger and higher. However, a collective response from many tenants on the estate, led by the Madhavji family over decades, has meant a reaffirmation of tenant rights by the courts. Specifically, the threat that hangs over the photographic studio is that it must continue to operate as a studio and gallery to remain a tenant of the estate. Perhaps understandably, the ubiquity of digital photography has led to a decline in customers, but nonetheless Hamilton has survived, largely due to its reputation and heritage, and the hard work of the family. Right now, the Madhavji family is rethinking the future of the studio in order to maintain its location, relevance and status, with its fantastic archive, charming photographic studio and gallery space all feeding into a new business strategy. An application for an EAP grant was successful on the basis that an archive from between 1928 and 1947 of approximately 25,000 negatives, prints and ephemera, be digitised and that the early negatives and prints go into new acid-free boxes. The digital archive will be made available online through the British Library on a non-commercial basis and through Hamilton Studios on a commercial basis. Ajita hopes that this project will act as an accelerant for her strategy and breathe new life into the studios. The application was made through Dr. Ben Kyneswood at Coventry University. His work, alongside photographer Jason Scott Tilley of Photo Archive Miners CIC involves helping owners of forgotten and historic archives digitise them in order to tell their story to a new generation. Their work on the Masterji archive from Coventry, UK, was exhibited in Mumbai in 2017 as part of the Focus Mumbai photography exhibition, and through that they came to know Ajita Madhavji and Hamilton Studios. The archive is known in Indian photographic circles enough for enquiries to purchase some of the collection to have already been made. Ajita has rebutted these, knowing as she puts it, that vultures always circle. What attracted her to the EAP fund was the status of the British Library, that commercial ownership remained with her, and that the project would give her a platform for her strategy whilst making the public, through the Library, aware of Hamilton Studios. The project is designed therefore as a capacity building project where Ben and Jason train not just Ajita and an archivist at the studios, but also interns from two Indian colleges. The interns, from the National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad and from the Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI) in Bombay, will not just get valuable, paid, experience, but they will also develop a relationship with Hamilton that may last beyond the EAP project and into the next phase of the strategy. Jason and I arrived at the studios for the first time in late September 2018 for a nine day stay. Our plan was two-fold: firstly, to develop our relationship with Ajita and secure the interns, and second to assess the archive, build the digitisation studio and begin training. The equipment was sourced from Genus IT in the UK, and on their advice included a Canon EOS 5DS and Kaiser copy stand and Pro-lite lightbox for the negatives, and a copy stand, light rig and book holder using as Canon 80D for prints and documents. Canon software is used for tethered live capture, whilst Adobe Lightroom 6 is used to invert the negative and add metadata. PPI is determined by the object size, but a minimum of 300ppi is used a floor: for some glass negatives that measure in 10 inches in size, this still produces a file that is rich in detail (but huge in file size). For smaller negatives measuring 6 x 4, 600ppi produces a file around 60MB in size. Finally, the files are saved to a shared OneDrive as TIFFS, given an EAP1117_[Hamilton catalogue number] file name, with details added to the spreadsheet provided by the British Library. At this point the items are logged onto a spreadsheet issued by the British Library EAP team. Our first few days were spent carefully understanding the condition of the studios and archive whilst we waited for our equipment to be delivered. The archive itself is spread throughout the studios rather than in a single place, a result of a single room often having its own climate and issues: warm one side, damp another, dry over there, and termites, or white ants, over there. A first impression suggests chaos but this knowing method has saved thousands of negatives. The room designated for the project sits just behind the office and seemed the ideal space: a natural airflow between doors at either end, with ceiling fans above, create a comfortable working space except in the most humid conditions. We surveyed the room already organised by Ajita. Two workstations would face a wall where new electrical points supply cameras and equipment, with a UPS to protect the sensitive equipment from common power surges on the direct current electrical system in India. On day two we expected to receive our cargo from our supplier in the UK. These items include the archival boxes, copy stands, book holders and light rigs, including light boxes, which would form the backbone of our project. Unfortunately for us, the Indian Customs decided to investigate the cargo, and on deciding that several items needed prior declaration (they rated the copy stands as meteorological tools because of the metal used, despite our clarifications!) they held the items until an investigation was completed. They also questioned whether Hamilton Studios was the importer, not the University, through me, as a non-national, and therefore liable. This claim had implications for the Studios, who obviously were not in the import/export business, but would face large penalties if it was decided that they were. The investigation lasted four months and involved conversations with different officials and the appointment of a Clearing Agent in India. Fortunately, Indian Customs eventually released and returned the items to the UK where we are now being permitted to apply to import the items. They still regard the copy stands as meteorological tools because of the metal used, and we are now sure they will not be pursuing Hamilton Studios for illegal importing. The lesson here is to never underestimate a bureaucracy’s ability to make work for itself and to always check and re-check, even when importing with a supplier who regularly supplies to India. Despite this setback, Jason and I did not lose time whilst in Bombay. Ajita afforded us the great privilege of meeting her now elderly father over an evening meal at her home, a true delight. Ranjit Madhavji is a legend in Indian photographic circles as a recipient of many awards, and deserves international acknowledgment for his achievements. His stories of his upbringing, his life philosophy that led to setting up the studios will be recorded in another blog, but safe to say, it was the most wonderful use of our time. Ajita set about ensuring we were well looked after. Food from the nearby Café Britannia, whose ancient owner proudly met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a recent visit, kept us going as we examined the space, chased our equipment and taught Ajita and Gurujit, the lead archivist on this project, how to use the cameras with the software and the British Library’s archiving system. To ensure we could teach, we improvised a lightbox from an old light fitting. The electricians who supplied the new power points installed a square LED light into the light fitting and, after fashioning cardboard to fit the 5 x 7 negatives we were looking at, hey presto, we began to take photographs. This box was not the one we would be using in the future (we hope!) but for teaching Gurujit, who would them teach interns, it was very satisfactory. Ajita is using the Canon MKIV 5DS with a macro lens looking at a negative sitting on the improvised lightbox. The tripod is an original of the studios and dates to the 1940s and is very beautiful. The initial scoping and test scans and revealed fantastic stories, with data taken from envelopes, which gave us names, dates and addresses, and letters written to the studios requesting further copies. The studios kept correspondence, usefully writing date (including year) received on letters, as in this example below, from Shelia Jepsom, from June 1943. Shelia K Jepsom, from 1943, requesting copies of her portraits, and especially for the copy in her nurse uniform to be darkened because of the effect of the light processing on the lips! As we stand now, just into the New Year for 2019, we will be returning to Hamilton Studios in just a few weeks’ time, once the equipment has made it to the studios. We have appointed an importer in India to oversee this and to ensure we do not lose time to investigations again. From then we are ready to begin exploring the wonderful Hamilton Studio archive. Please follow our work on @photominers on Twitter and check back here for more updates. The Endangered Archives Programme held its first webinar on 02 November 2018 where we invited potential grant applicants to join us for a brief presentation, followed by an opportunity for them to ask questions to both EAP staff members and former grant holders. This gave participants the chance to find out about all aspects of the application process to determine whether they may like to apply for a grant, either for this round (Deadline: 19th November. Still time to apply!) or the future. We were very pleased to welcome over 40 people from 24 different countries to this seminar. We are planning to hold more webinars in the future, please watch this space! Do endangered archives of film (i.e. motion-picture) reels qualify under EAP? These are 20th-century artefacts, and some even from second half of 20th century, but under threat of destruction and spoilage. You should consider copyright issues - this can be quite complicated for film. Do also consider Documenting Global Voices, another Arcadia project. Their call will be announced on 1 December. You must also think how unique the material is and whether there are copies elsewhere. It depends on time and budget. This seems a rather large amount of material, but could fit within the Pilot project budget depending on circumstances. Pilots are generally given for projects that last under a year and cost less than £15,000 - if you think you would need more time or money, apply for a Major grant. You may also apply for a Major grant with a smaller budget. We are working with archaeological records, some of which are unpublished surveys of sites. The publication of this raises some questions, most significantly, the possibility of leading potential looters to unsecured sites. While we’d like all the material to be open, but is there a way keep these records private?" All EAP material would need to be made available online - I recommend you contact the other Arcadia funded project based in Oxford – EAMENA – as they focus on archaeology. What is the policy/EAP recommendations for copyright of orphan works? Are there any concerns especially for non-commercial source material? The grant holder needs to do the research into copyright of the physical material. We ask for Creative Commons, Non-Commercial licenses for all material. For orphan works, the grant of permission form should be signed by the person who owns the material. If you’re an independent researcher what type of experience are you looking for in regards to applying? It is possible to do a project as an independent researcher – the experience that would help towards a successful project would be digitization experience, preferably in the field, as well as project management, language ability, understanding of the material, and good budgeting skills. There are, however, several disadvantages – working with a trusted respected partner organisation can benefit the project by providing an institutional framework for project support and administration. Do have a look at Remote Capture (https://www.openbookpublishers.com/product/747) as this is a publication to help. It is free to download from Open Book Publishers. I would also suggest that if you are applying you do not attempt to digitise the whole amount focus on one aspect. You can also budget for training within the grant application. I'd add that the pilot project stage offers the opportunity to trial your digitisation method, perhaps making adjustments/improvements during the major grant stage. During my St Helena pilot project, I digitised a relatively small volume of material, but rather I trialled the photography on a variety of document types, to see what worked well with my camera set-up, and what didn't. What if some of the documents are considered sensitive material by the authorities in the country where the archive is located (in this case Egypt) - for example maps? Could these be exempt from being put online? You would need to get the appropriate permissions. If these are state archives, then you would need governmental permissions. We only fund material that can go online. Please refer to question #6. In addition, you really would need to have significant experience in digitisation and metadata to be able to handle the workload by yourself. If an independent researcher is partnering with the country archive or museum, whose experience do you detail in the application? The independent researcher’s experience is what the panel will be assessing. Do you pay for travel costs of person teaching how to digitise and can you confirm if the equipment stays with the local archive? Yes, we will pay those costs, as long as they have been detailed in the application and approved by the panel. The equipment does remains in the country for further use. Could you please confirm if archival material on microfilm (dating from the late 1800s to 1900s) qualify? Digitising microfilm is quite complicated (the BL outsources this) so look at the feasibility and the uniqueness of the content on the microfilm. Do EAP grants cover the undertaking of an oral history project that is focused on gathering and recording new material? Sadly we do not pay for interviewing as the main part of a project. We have digitised oral histories that are on a format that is at risk, such as cylinders and tapes. Does a photographic archive deriving from film reels (especially damaged or partially spoiled ones) qualify for deposit in digital form? i.e. Does it have to be full reels/films for digitisation or parts/excerpts are admissible? We have not had experience with this to date. If you are applying, you would need to detail the percentage of recoverable material in the application. When does "pre-modern" period end? This doesn’t have a single global answer! It will vary with the history and context of different regions. There are two good rules of thumb: The year of independence for countries that were formerly colonies; material that is out of copyright. However, as in the case of photographs, the format can be considered modern but the images refer to a pre-modern period. If you have an questions, please contact the EAP team with information about the collection that you have in mind. Is a music collection produced in the 20th century qualify, if it’s endangered? If it is unique and on a problematic format. Think of the other criteria when applying. I suggest that you have a look at the Indian recording labels and Syliphone archive that we have funded. Do you have suggestions for other funds which might work with endangered 20th century materials? Yes, a new programme is being set up at UCLA also funded by Arcadia. It is called Documenting Global Voices. Their call will go out on 1 December 2018. At the preliminary stage, what kind of evidence of permissions from collection owners/curators should be included? There is a box for that on the application, but what precisely should appear there? I would say that submitting formal documentation would only be required at the detailed application stage, but in the preliminary application we want applicants to be aware that the material will go online and it is their responsibility to seek the appropriate permissions. Is making materials available to scholars the same as making them available to the public? Some archives depend on search fees for funding. The goal of the EAP is to save endangered archival material and make them open available for research. This focus means that some projects, while otherwise excellent, may not be a good fit for the programme. The British Library will make the outputs of projects openly available for research by scholars and others. This is a key requirement. It does not, however, mean that the local archive cannot provide a priced service that includes access to the content or is driven by its metadata. Such services exist in many domains. On the project team: Should we be concerned if the largest part of our budget turns out to be salaries for a team (in my case, around 10 people, for example)? I can certainly say that for my EAP project based on Nevis, which used two local staff, that salaries formed the largest single element of the grant. In the past, the panel have asked applicants to re-budget if they felt that the costs were prohibitive. Also, we should make you aware that if the archive is housed at the host institution, we expect some contribution in-kind. Often this means the salaries of existing permanent staff employed by the host institution. It says in the application instructions that you do not allow costs for conservation. What if you have documents that require conservation before digitization? We cover preservation (archival boxing, Melinex sleeves, dehumidifiers, etc.) to prevent further deterioration, but sadly not conservation. I think if the material needs work of this sort, I suggest you look for other funding before applying to EAP. When you say that detailed cataloguing should not be part of the project, does this also include database recording for the documents? You must submit metadata as part of your project outputs. There is a template of the spreadsheet that we use available on the website. The level of description depends on the type of material being digitised, for example, with manuscripts we would expect a description at volume level (file level) and not at page level, but for photographs we would expect a description for each photograph (item level). We plan on introducing webinars for current grant holders regarding cataloguing standards. There is a considerable range of the amount of material that is digitised in Major grants. We have seen successful Major grants that have produced a few tens of thousands up through nearly a million. In recent years, the average amount of content is about 60K images per project year with 50% of projects delivering between 20K and 120K images per project year (i.e., a 2-year project might deliver between 40K and 240K images). The variation partly due to the difficult of local conditions, access, and nature of materials. For example, good quality bound ledgers can be processed quickly and efficiently. Crumbling damaged manuscripts must be handled with great care. That being said, we would expect an Area grant to produce material roughly in proportion to a Major grant, and perhaps derive some economies of scale. So perhaps 60K – 360K images per project year would be likely. Is it typically in the range of a pilot project to create a project website that serves the local community (in the local language, mobile-first, designed to be accessible with patchy internet connections)? Typically not for a pilot project. In cases that it is considered particularly important, a modest contribution could be made toward it. We look to the local archival partner to do much of this though. Is any training support offered to applicants as a part of this grant? Look at our website to see if there has been a recent project near to where your proposal is based. The EAP office may be able to put you in touch with someone with local experience which may be useful. We also plan on having future webinars covering various topics. The handbook Remote Capture is also a good resource. Is EAP giving any legal support against illicit traffic of archival materials? Is there any guidance? Sadly, this is not within the scope of EAP. Our ethos is that the material stays in the country of origin and that is why the digitisation is done in situ. On the preliminary application under ‘Project People and Organisations’, if applying through a host institution, there is no space to describe the experience and past achievements of the principal applicant or team? How do you gauge if the principal investigators have the experience to carry out the project? Is it okay for the principal applicant to complete Q10c and Q10d even if applying through the applicants host institution? This is dealt with in more depth at the detailed application stage. In the preliminary application, if you are employed by the Host Institution, you only have to answer Question 9. Does that make sense? Should I include portable scanner to digitize sample texts? This is a classic pilot project. Since you mentioned you are looking at manuscripts, a portable scanner would not be appropriate, you would need a camera and portable tripod. Look at the Digital Appendices for Remote Capture, which suggests model types. Is there any limitation as to the country of main applicant? No, the important thing is where the material is located. What is the required form of indicating consent/ permission from foreign partners? A written and signed letter of consent in their language and then a translation? Will you honour informal translations or does it have to be a legally binding translation? As part of the detailed application, we have Grant of Permission forms which you are most welcome to translate when showing them to foreign partners, but the English version would need to be signed and returned to the EAP office. What type of organisations/archival partners do not qualify as local institutions? For example: does a local non-profit with a collection of relevant material qualify? It must be a non-commercial institution, it sounds as if the organization you have in mind would qualify. I am interested about how to discern what kind of project for which to apply. We have a website partially constructed. We are a local archive in Serowe, but our internet access is tenuous. We would probably need help make the archival material available from Serowe. Please refer to Question 23. Thank you for your helpful advice.... Unfortunately I don't think my archive is eligible for the EAP. Does the British library have a service or a contact I can approach for advice on rehoming a modern archive? Feel free to contact me at Jody.butterworth@bl.uk, also take a look at the Documenting Global Voices programme. Can we email individual panellists? We are working in Antigua and would love to talk to Andy. I'm sure that Andy would be glad to provide help. Please email endangeredarchives@bl.uk and we'll pass your request on to him. Among the accepted applications, is there a typical ratio - are the grants equally distributed among pilot, major and area, or is there a typical distribution in the rate of success? This is the first time we are offering the area grant. The distribution varies year to year. To date we have had 220 major projects and 130 pilot projects. I have a question relating specifically to a collection of amateur films (travelogues and documentaries). This is the only surviving collection in the country of origin, so it will be quite valuable to researchers because it will dispel myths about pre-industrial filmmaking in this country. The owner transferred the rights to a team of filmmakers before passing away, but they do not have a way to properly store and digitize them. My question, more specifically, is whether I can submit an application to rescue these films, even though I don’t reside in the country of origin? I should add that this country doesn’t have the institutional framework or infrastructure to pursue this. The team has tried to find a way forward unsuccessfully, but I am able to bring this to fruition from Canada. We have had several projects where the applicant is outside the country of origin, but it would be important for at least one of the rights owners to be a co-applicant. If you are invited to the detailed application, you would be strongly advised to include the grant of permission forms signed by all of the team members (copyright owners). In the country of origin there is no institutional framework that can administer the type of collection that needs to be rescued/digitized (all options have been exhausted). Can it be administered from a different country, and then share the digitized archives with the country of origin? Please refer to question 35. We are extremely excited to have Rihana Suliman join the EAP team for a year. Rihana is a Chevening Fellow and will be promoting the Programme in the Middle East and North Africa. During the coming months, Rihana will share her experiences by writing regular blog posts. Below are her impressions of a very busy first week at the British Library. Welcome knowledge. Welcome curiosity. Welcome imagination. These are some of the words any passer-by would find at the gates of the British Library. However, it is by stepping inside the Library that one is able to taste and enjoy the truth such phrases hold. Talking about the highlight of my first week at the British Library would be a difficult task indeed, as every encounter could be considered so whether it was interacting with people and staff or in terms of discovering spaces, reading rooms, facilities, collections and all that the Library offers. My first day started with a tour in the largest public building constructed in the UK in the 20th century. I was introduced to the Library’s various floors and also to its basements which extend to the depth of 24.5 metres. There I got to see the process of sending a book from the storage to the reader, the Sound Archive which preserves sound recordings from 19th-century cylinders to CDs and DVDs, the British Library’s partnership with Google which aims to digitise up to 40 million pages of printed books, pamphlets and periodical from 1700 to 1870, and thousands of other books, maps and magazines. The real privilege for me was arriving to the UK in time for the opening of the Library’s photographic exhibition entitled: ‘Beyond Timbuktu: Preserving the Manuscripts of Djenné, Mali’. This is the first EAP display to be held at the British Library and it is a celebration of the four projects the EAP had conducted in Djenné. These projects in the town of Djenné have preserved over 150,000 images and a collection of 8,300 manuscripts making a copy of them available online. Understanding the importance of Djenné, the richness of its collection of manuscripts and the complexity of its socio-political culture in the past and present was provided through a panel discussion held on 1 October that shed light on the ‘Masterpieces of Mali: Djenné and its Manuscripts’. It was fascinating to see how thought provoking the talks were and how people responded with eagerness, wanting to know more by asking questions about this project and other future projects to be carried out by the Endangered Archives Programme. The EAP is one of these programmes which has a magnetic charm – one can’t help but fall in love with it at first sight. I have to admit that this was exactly the case with me. It would be no exaggeration to add that the more I get to know EAP and its future plans, the more I fall in love with it. I am very proud to be part of a programme that has so far supported more than 350 projects in 90 countries worldwide. I can’t help but wonder how this year will unfold especially when the first week with the Digital Scholarship Team has been this exciting and enlightening.
2019-04-24T11:48:23Z
https://blogs.bl.uk/endangeredarchives/page/2/
The WS-Coordination specification describes an extensible framework for providing protocols that coordinate the actions of distributed applications. Such coordination protocols are used to support a number of applications, including those that need to reach consistent agreement on the outcome of distributed activities. Additionally this specification describes a definition of the structure of context and the requirements for propagating context between cooperating services. This document was last revised or approved by the WS-TX TC on the above date. The level of approval is also listed above. Check the “Latest Approved Version” location noted above for possible later revisions of this document. Technical Committee members should send comments on this specification to the Technical Committee’s email list. Others should send comments to the Technical Committee by using the “Send A Comment” button on the Technical Committee’s web page at www.oasis-open.org/committees/ws-tx. For information on whether any patents have been disclosed that may be essential to implementing this specification, and any offers of patent licensing terms, please refer to the Intellectual Property Rights section of the Technical Committee web page (www.oasis-open.org/committees/ws-tx/ipr.php). The non-normative errata page for this specification is located at www.oasis-open.org/committees/ws-tx. The current set of Web service specifications (SOAP [SOAP 1.1] [SOAP 1.2] and WSDL [WSDL]) defines protocols for Web service interoperability. Web services increasingly tie together a large number of participants forming large distributed computational units – we refer to these computation units as activities. The resulting activities are often complex in structure, with complex relationships between their participants. The execution of such activities often takes a long time to complete due to business latencies and user interactions. This specification defines an extensible framework for coordinating activities using a coordinator and set of coordination protocols. This framework enables participants to reach consistent agreement on the outcome of distributed activities. The coordination protocols that can be defined in this framework can accommodate a wide variety of activities, including protocols for simple short-lived operations and protocols for complex long-lived business activities. For example, WS-AtomicTransaction [WSAT] and WS-BusinessActivity [WSBA] specifications use and build upon this specification. Note that the use of the coordination framework is not restricted to transaction processing systems; a wide variety of protocols can be defined for distributed applications. An Activation service with an operation that enables an application to create a coordination instance or context. A Registration service with an operation that enables an application to register for coordination protocols. A coordination type-specific set of coordination protocols. Applications use the Activation service to create the coordination context for an activity. Once a coordination context is acquired by an application, it is then sent by whatever appropriate means to another application. The context contains the necessary information to register into the activity specifying the coordination behavior that the application will follow. Additionally, an application that receives a coordination context may use the Registration service of the original application or may use one that is specified by an interposing, trusted coordinator. In this manner an arbitrary collection of Web services may coordinate their joint operation. By using the XML [XML], SOAP [SOAP 1.1] [SOAP 1.2] and WSDL [WSDL] extensibility model, SOAP-based and WSDL-based specifications are designed to be composed with each other to define a rich Web services environment. As such, WS-Coordination by itself does not define all the features required for a complete solution. WS-Coordination is a building block that is used in conjunction with other specifications and application-specific protocols to accommodate a wide variety of protocols related to the operation of distributed Web services. The Web service protocols defined in this specification should be used when interoperability is needed across vendor implementations, trust domains, etc. Thus, the Web service protocols defined in this specification can be combined with proprietary protocols within the same application. The publication of new coordination protocols. The selection of a protocol from a coordination type and the definition of extension elements that can be added to protocols and message flows. Extension elements can be used to exchange application-specific data on top of message flows already defined in this specification. This addresses the need to exchange such data as transaction isolation levels or other information related to business-level coordination protocols. The data can be logged for auditing purposes, or evaluated to ensure that a decision meets certain business-specific constraints. To understand the syntax used in this specification, the reader should be familiar with the WSDL [WSDL] specification, including its HTTP and SOAP binding styles. All WSDL port type definitions provided here assume the existence of corresponding SOAP and HTTP bindings. Terms introduced in this specification are explained in the body of the specification and summarized in the glossary. The uppercase key words “MUST”, “MUST NOT”, “REQUIRED”, “SHALL”, “SHALL NOT”, “SHOULD”, “SHOULD NOT”, “RECOMMENDED”, “MAY”, and “OPTIONAL” in this document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC2119]. · The syntax appears as an XML instance, but the values indicate the data types instead of values. · Element names ending in "..." (such as <element.../> or <element...>) indicate that elements/attributes irrelevant to the context are being omitted. · Attributed names ending in "..." (such as name=...) indicate that the values are specified below. · Grammar in bold has not been introduced earlier in the document, or is of particular interest in an example. · <!-- description --> is a placeholder for elements from some "other" namespace (like ##other in XSD). · Characters are appended to elements, attributes, and <!-- descriptions --> as follows: "?" (0 or 1), "*" (0 or more), "+" (1 or more). The characters "[" and "]" are used to indicate that contained items are to be treated as a group with respect to the "?", "*", or "+" characters. · The XML namespace prefixes (defined below) are used to indicate the namespace of the element being defined. · Examples starting with <?xml contain enough information to conform to this specification; others examples are fragments and require additional information to be specified in order to conform. Dereferencing the XML namespace defined in Section 1.5 will produce the Resource Directory Description Language (RDDL) [RDDL] document that describes this namespace, including the XML schema [XML-Schema1] [XML-Schema2] and WSDL [WSDL] declarations associated with this specification. SOAP bindings for the WSDL [WSDL], referenced in the RDDL [RDDL] document, MUST use "document" for the style attribute. There should be no inconsistencies found between any of the normative text within this specification, the normative outlines, the XML Schema definitions, and the WSDL descriptions, and so no general precedence rule is defined. If an inconsistency is observed then it should be reported as a comment on the specification as described in the "Status" section above. The protocol elements define various extensibility points that allow other child or attribute content. Additional children and/or attributes MAY be added at the indicated extension points but MUST NOT contradict the semantics of the parent and/or owner, respectively. If a receiver does not recognize an extension, the receiver SHOULD ignore the extension. An implementation is not conformant with this specification if it fails to satisfy one or more of the MUST or REQUIRED level requirements defined herein. A SOAP Node MUST NOT use elements and attributes of the declared XML Namespace (listed on the title page) for this specification within SOAP Envelopes unless it is conformant with this specification. [RDDL] Jonathan Borden, Tim Bray, eds. “Resource Directory Description Language (RDDL) 2.0”, http://www.openhealth.org/RDDL/20040118/rddl-20040118.html, January 2004. [RFC2119] S. Bradner, “Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels”, http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2119.txt, IETF RFC 2119, March 1997. [SOAP 1.1] W3C Note, "SOAP: Simple Object Access Protocol 1.1," http://www.w3.org/TR/2000/NOTE-SOAP-20000508, 08 May 2000. [SOAP 1.2] W3C Recommendation, "SOAP Version 1.2 Part 1: Messaging Framework (Second Edition)", http://www.w3.org/TR/2007/REC-soap12-part1-20070427/, April 2007. [XML] W3C Recommendation, "Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 (Fourth Edition), "http://www.w3.org/TR/2006/REC-xml-20060816, 16 August 2006. [XML-ns] W3C Recommendation, "Namespaces in XML 1.0 (Second Edition)," http://www.w3.org/TR/2006/REC-xml-names-20060816, 16 August 2006. [XML-Schema1] W3C Recommendation, "XML Schema Part 1: Structures Second Edition," http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/REC-xmlschema-1-20041028, 28 October 2004. [XML-Schema2] W3C Recommendation, "XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes Second Edition," http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/REC-xmlschema-2-20041028, 28 October 2004. [WSADDR] Web Services Addressing (WS-Addressing) 1.0, W3C Recommendation, http://www.w3.org/2005/08/addressing. [WSDL] Web Services Description Language (WSDL) 1.1 http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/NOTE-wsdl-20010315. [WSPOLICY] W3C Recommendation, Web Services Policy 1.5 – Framework (WS-Policy), http://www.w3.org/TR/2007/REC-ws-policy-20070904/, September 2007. [WSSec] OASIS Standard 200401, March 2004, "Web Services Security: SOAP Message Security 1.0 (WS-Security 2004)", http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-soap-message-security-1.0.pdf. OASIS Standard, February 2006, Web Services Security: SOAP Message Security 1.1 (WS-Security 2004), http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/download.php/16790/wss-v1.1-spec-os-SOAPMessageSecurity.pdf. [WSSecPolicy] OASIS Committee Draft 01, WS-SecurityPolicy 1.3, http://docs.oasis-open.org/ws-sx/ws-securitypolicy/200802, July 2008. [WSSecConv] OASIS Committee Draft 01, WS-SecureConversation 1.4, http://docs.oasis-open.org/ws-sx/ws-secureconversation/200512, July 2008. [WSTrust] OASIS Committee Draft 01, WS-Trust 1.4, http://docs.oasis-open.org/ws-sx/ws-trust/200802, June 2008. [WSAT] OASIS Committee Specification, Web Services Atomic Transaction (WS-AtomicTransaction) 1.2, http://docs.oasis-open.org/ws-tx/wsat/2006/06, October 2008. [WSBA] OASIS Committee Specification, Web Services Business Activity (WS-BusinessActivity) 1.2, http://docs.oasis-open.org/ws-tx/wsba/2006/06, October 2008. The CoordinationContext is used by applications to pass Coordination information to parties involved in an activity. CoordinationContext elements are propagated to parties which may need to register Participants for the activity. Context propagation may be accomplished using application-defined mechanisms -- e.g. as a header element of a SOAP application message sent to such parties. (Conveying a context in an application message is commonly referred to as flowing the context.) A CoordinationContext provides access to a coordination registration service, a coordination type, and relevant extensions. When an application propagates an activity using a coordination service, applications MUST include a CoordinationContext in the message. When a context is exchanged as a SOAP header, the mustUnderstand attribute MUST be present and its value MUST be true. · Activation service: Defines a CreateCoordinationContext operation that allows a CoordinationContext to be created. The exact semantics are defined in the specification that defines the coordination type. The Coordination service MAY support the Activation service. · Registration service: Defines a Register operation that allows a Web service to register to participate in a coordination protocol. The Coordination service MUST support the Registration service. · A set of coordination protocol services for each supported coordination type. These are defined in the specification that defines the coordination type. Figure 2 illustrates an example of how two application services (App1 and App2) with their own coordinators (CoordinatorA and CoordinatorB) interact as the activity propagates between them. The protocol Y and services Ya and Yb are specific to a coordination type, which are not defined in this specification. 1. App1 sends a CreateCoordinationContext for coordination type Q, getting back a Context Ca that contains the activity identifier A1, the coordination type Q and an Endpoint Reference to CoordinatorA's Registration service RSa. 2. App1 then sends an application message to App2 containing the Context Ca. 3. App2 prefers to use CoordinatorB instead of CoordinatorA, so it uses CreateCoordinationContext with Ca as an input to interpose CoordinatorB. CoordinatorB creates its own CoordinationContext Cb that contains the same activity identifier and coordination type as Ca but with its own Registration service RSb. 4. App2 determines the coordination protocols supported by the coordination type Q and then Registers for a coordination protocol Y at CoordinatorB, exchanging Endpoint References for App2 and the protocol service Yb. This forms a logical connection between these Endpoint References that the protocol Y can use. 5. This registration causes CoordinatorB to decide to immediately forward the registration onto CoordinatorA's Registration service RSa, exchanging Endpoint References for Yb and the protocol service Ya. This forms a logical connection between these Endpoint References that the protocol Y can use. It should be noted that in this example several actions are taken that are not required by this specification, but which may be defined by the coordination type specification or are implementation or configuration choices. Specifications of coordination types and coordination protocols that need to constrain the sub-coordination behavior of implementations SHOULD state these requirements in their specification. The Activation service creates a new activity and returns its coordination context. The structure and semantics of this message are defined in Section 3.1.1. This request is used to create a coordination context that supports a coordination type (i.e., a service that provides a set of coordination protocols). This command is required when using a network-accessible Activation service in heterogeneous environments that span vendor implementations. To fully understand the semantics of this operation it is necessary to read the specification where the coordination type is defined (e.g. WS-AtomicTransaction). Expires is an optional element which represents the remaining expiration for the CoordinationContext as an unsigned integer in milliseconds to be measured from the point at which the context was first received. This provides the unique identifier for the desired coordination type for the activity (e.g., a URI to the Atomic Transaction coordination type). Optional. The expiration for the returned CoordinationContext expressed as an unsigned integer in milliseconds. Optional. If absent, the Activation Service creates a coordination context representing a new, independent activity. If present, the Activation Service creates a coordination context representing a new activity which is related to the existing activity identified by the current coordination context contained in this element. Some examples of potential uses of this type of relationship include interposed subordinate coordination, protocol bridging and coordinator replication. Extensibility elements may be used to convey additional information. Extensibility attributes may be used to convey additional information. A CreateCoordinationContext message can be as simple as the following example. This returns the CoordinationContext that was created. This is the created coordination context. Once an application has a coordination context from its chosen coordinator, it can register for the activity. The interface provided to an application registering for an activity and for an interposed coordinator registering for an activity is the same. The syntax and semantics of this message are defined in Section 3.2.1. The syntax and semantics of this message are defined in Section 3.2.2. In Figure 3, the coordinator provides the Registration Endpoint Reference in the CoordinationContext during the CreateCoordinationContext operation. The requesting service receives the Registration service Endpoint Reference in the CoordinationContext in an application message. 1.) The Register message targets this Endpoint Reference and includes the participant protocol service Endpoint Reference as a parameter. 2.) The RegisterResponse includes the coordinator's protocol service Endpoint Reference. 3. & 4.) At this point, both sides have the Endpoint References of the other's protocol service, so the protocol messages can target the other side. These Endpoint References may contain (opaque) wsa:ReferenceParameters to fully qualify the target protocol service endpoint. Endpoint References MUST be interpreted according to the rules defined in WS-Addressing 1.0 Core [WSADDR]. A Registration service is not required to detect duplicate Register requests and MAY treat each Register message as a request to register a distinct participant. A participant MAY send multiple Register requests to a Registration service. For example, it may retry a Register request following a lost RegisterResponse, or it may fail and restart after registering successfully but before performing any recoverable work. If a participant sends multiple Register requests for the same activity, the participant MUST be prepared to correctly handle duplicate protocol messages from the coordinator. One simple strategy for accomplishing this is for the participant to generate a unique reference parameter for each participant Endpoint Reference that it provides in a Register request. The manner in which the participant handles duplicate protocol messages depends on the specific coordination type and coordination protocol. · Participant selection and registration in a particular Coordination protocol under the current coordination type supported by the Coordination Service. · Exchange Endpoint References. Each side of the coordination protocol (participant and coordinator) supplies an Endpoint Reference. Participants MAY register for multiple Coordination protocols by issuing multiple Register operations. WS-Coordination assumes that transport protocols provide for message batching if required. This URI provides the identifier of the coordination protocol selected for registration. The Endpoint Reference that the registering participant wants the coordinator to use for the Coordination protocol (See WS-Addressing [WSADDR]). The response to the registration message contains the coordinator’s Endpoint Reference. The Endpoint Reference that the Coordination service wants the registered participant to use for the Coordination protocol. The protocol faults defined in this section are generated if the condition stated in the preamble is met. When used by a specification that references this specification, these faults are targeted at a destination endpoint according to the protocol fault handling rules defined for that specification. [Reason] A human readable explanation of the fault. [Detail] The detail element. If absent, no detail element is defined for the fault. This fault is sent by either the coordinator or a participant to indicate that the endpoint that generated the fault has received a message that is not valid for its current state. This is an unrecoverable condition. [Reason] The message was invalid for the current state of the activity. This fault is sent by either the coordinator or a participant to indicate that the endpoint that generated the fault received a message which is invalid for the protocols supported by the endpoint. This is an unrecoverable condition. [Reason] The protocol is invalid or is not supported by the coordinator. This fault is sent by either the coordinator or a participant to indicate that the endpoint that generated the fault received invalid parameters on or within a message. This is an unrecoverable condition. [Reason] The message contained invalid parameters and could not be processed. This fault is sent by the Activation Service to the sender of a CreateCoordinationContext to indicate that a context could not be created. [Reason] CoordinationContext could not be created. This fault is sent by the Registration Service to the sender of a Register to indicate that the Participant could not be registered. [Reason] Participant could not be registered. These goals build on the general security requirements for integrity, confidentiality, and authentication, each of which is provided by the foundations built using the Web service security specifications such as WS-Security [WSSec] and WS-Trust [WSTrust]. In the figure above, step 1 involves the creation and subsequent communication between the creator of the context and the coordinator A (root). It should be noted that this may be a private or local communication. Step 2 involves the delegation of the right to register with the activity using the information from the coordination context and subsequent application messages between two applications (and may include middleware involvement) which are participants in the activity. Step 3 involves delegation of the right to register with the activity to coordinator B (subordinate) that manages all access to the activity on behalf of the second, and possibly other parties. Again note that this may also be a private or local communication. Step 4 involves registration with the coordinator A by the coordinator B and proof that registration rights were delegated. It should be noted that many different coordination topologies may exist which may leverage different security technologies, infrastructures, and token formats. Consequently an appropriate security model must allow for different topologies, usage scenarios, delegation requirements, and security configurations. To achieve these goals, the security model for WS-Coordination leverages the infrastructure provided by WS-Security [WSSec], WS-Trust [WSTrust], WS-Policy [WSPOLICY], and WS-SecureConversation [WSSecConv]: Services have policies specifying their requirements and requestors provide claims (either implicit or explicit) and the requisite proof of those claims. There are a number of different mechanisms which can be used to affect the previously identified goals. However, this specification RECOMMENDS a simple mechanism, which is described here, for use in interoperability scenarios. When a coordination context is created (step 1 above) the message is secured using the mechanisms described in WS-Security. If the required claims are proven, as described by WS-Policy [WSPOLICY], then the coordination context is created. A set of claims, bound to the identity of the coordination context’s creator, and maintained by the coordinator, are associated with the creation of the coordination context. The creator of the context MUST obtain these claims from the coordinator. Before responding with the claims, the coordinator requires proof of the requestor’s identity. Additionally, the coordinator provides a shared secret which is used to indicate authorization to register with the coordination context by other parties. The secret is communicated using a security token and a <wst:RequestSecurityTokenResponse> element inside a <wst:IssuedTokens> header. The security token and hence the secret is scoped to a particular coordination context using the textual value of a <wscoor:Identifier> element in a <wsp:AppliesTo> element in the <wst:RequestSecurityTokenResponse> using the mechanisms described in WS-Trust [WSTrust]. This secret may be delegated to other parties as described in the next section. Secret delegation is performed by propagation of the security token that was created by the root Coordinator. This involves using the <wst:IssuedTokens> header containing a <wst:RequestSecurityTokenResponse> element. The entire header SHOULD be encrypted for the new participant. The participants can then use the shared secret using WS-Security by providing a signature based on the key/secret to authenticate and authorize the right to register with the activity that created the coordination context. As illustrated in the figure above, the coordinator A, root in this case, (or its delegate) creates a security context token (cordID) representing the right to register and returns (using the mechanisms defined in WS-Trust [WSTrust]) that token to Application 1 (or its delegate) (defined in WS-SecureConversation [WSSecConv]) and a session key (Sk) encrypted for Application 1 inside of a proof token. This key allows Application 1 (or its delegate) to prove it is authorized to use the SCT. Application 1 (or its delegate) decrypts the session key (Sk) and encrypts it for Application 2 its delegate. Application 2 (or its delegate) performs the same act encrypting the key for the subordinate. Finally, coordinator B, subordinate in this case, proves its right to the SCT by including a signature using Sk. It is strongly RECOMMENDED that the communication between services be secured using the mechanisms described in WS-Security [WSSec]. In order to properly secure messages, the body and all relevant headers need to be included in the signature. Specifically, the <wscoor:CoordinationContext> header needs to be signed with the body and other key message headers in order to "bind" the two together. This will ensure that the coordination context is not tampered. In addition the reference parameters within an Endpoint Reference may be encrypted to ensure their privacy. In the event that a participant communicates frequently with a coordinator, it is RECOMMENDED that a security context be established using the mechanisms described in WS-Trust [WSTrust] and WS-SecureConversation [WSSecConv] allowing for potentially more efficient means of authentication. · Using a derived key sequence and switch "generations" It should be noted that the mechanisms listed above are independent of the Security Context Token (SCT) and secret returned when the coordination context is created. That is, the keys used to secure the channel may be independent of the key used to prove the right to register with the coordination context. The security context MAY be re-established using the mechanisms described in WS-Trust [WSTrust] and WS-SecureConversation [WSSecConv]. Similarly, secrets MAY be exchanged using the mechanisms described in WS-Trust [WSTrust]. Note, however, that the current shared secret SHOULD NOT be used to encrypt the new shared secret. Derived keys, the preferred solution from this list, MAY be specified using the mechanisms described in WS-SecureConversation [WSSecConv]. · Message alteration – Alteration is prevented by including signatures of the message information using WS-Security [WSSec]. · Message disclosure – Confidentiality is preserved by encrypting sensitive data using WS-Security [WSSec]. · Key integrity – Key integrity is maintained by using the strongest algorithms possible (by comparing secured policies – see WS-Policy [WSPOLICY] and WS-SecurityPolicy [WSSecPolicy]). · Authentication – Authentication is established using the mechanisms described in WS-Security [WSSec] and WS-Trust [WSTrust]. Each message is authenticated using the mechanisms described in WS-Security [WSSec]. · Accountability – Accountability is a function of the type of and string of the key and algorithms being used. In many cases, a strong symmetric key provides sufficient accountability. However, in some environments, strong PKI signatures are required. · Availability – Many services are subject to a variety of availability attacks. Replay is a common attack and it is RECOMMENDED that this be addressed as described in the next bullet. Other attacks, such as network-level denial of service attacks are harder to avoid and are outside the scope of this specification. That said, care should be taken to ensure that minimal processing be performed prior to any authenticating sequences. · Replay – Messages may be replayed for a variety of reasons. To detect and eliminate this attack, mechanisms should be used to identify replayed messages such as the timestamp/nonce outlined in WS-Security [WSSec]. Alternatively, and optionally, other technologies, such as sequencing, can also be used to prevent replay of application messages. · Request messages: CreateCoordinationContext and Register. · Reply messages: CreateCoordinationContextResponse and RegisterResponse and the protocol faults defined in Section 4 of this specification. Request messages used in WS-Coordination protocols MUST be constructed in accordance with section 3.3 of WS-Addressing 1.0 Core [WSADDR]. Reply and fault messages used in WS-Coordination protocols MUST be constructed in accordance with section 3.4 of WS-Addressing 1.0 Core [WSADDR]. Activation service: This supports a CreateCoordinationContext operation that is used by participants to create a CoordinationContext. CoordinationContext: Contains the activity identifier, its coordination type that represents the collection of behaviors supported by the activity and a Registration service Endpoint Reference that participants can use to register for one or more of the protocols supported by that activity's coordination type. Coordination protocol: The definition of the coordination behavior and the messages exchanged between the coordinator and a participant playing a specific role within a coordination type. WSDL definitions are provided, along with sequencing rules for the messages. The definition of coordination protocols are provided in additional specification (e.g., WS-AtomicTransaction). Coordination type: A defined set of coordination behaviors, including how the service accepts context creations and coordination protocol registrations, and drives the coordination protocols associated with the activity. Coordination service (or Coordinator): This service consists of an activation service, a registration service, and a set of coordination protocol services. Participant: A service that is carrying out a computation within the activity. A participant receives the CoordinationContext and can use it to register for coordination protocols. Registration service: This supports a Register operation that is used by participants to register for any of the coordination protocols supported by a coordination type, such as WS-AtomicTransaction [WSAT] Two-Phase Commit (2PC) or WS-BusinessActivity [WSBA] BusinessAgreementWithCoordinatorCompletion. Web service: A Web service is a computational service, accessible via messages of definite, programming-language-neutral and platform-neutral format, and which has no special presumption that the results of the computation are used primarily for display by a user-agent. following authors: Luis Felipe Cabrera (Microsoft), George Copeland (Microsoft), Max Feingold (Microsoft) (Editor), Robert W Freund (Hitachi), Tom Freund (IBM), Jim Johnson (Microsoft), Sean Joyce (IONA), Chris Kaler (Microsoft), Johannes Klein (Microsoft), David Langworthy (Microsoft), Mark Little (Arjuna Technologies), Anthony Nadalin (IBM), Eric Newcomer (IONA), David Orchard (BEA Systems), Ian Robinson (IBM), John Shewchuk (Microsoft), Tony Storey (IBM). The following individuals have provided invaluable input into the initial contribution: Francisco Curbera (IBM), Sanjay Dalal (BEA Systems), Doug Davis (IBM), Don Ferguson (IBM), Kirill Gavrylyuk (Microsoft), Dan House (IBM), Oisin Hurley (IONA), Frank Leymann (IBM), Thomas Mikalsen (IBM), Jagan Peri (Microsoft), Alex Somogyi (BEA Systems), Stefan Tai (IBM), Satish Thatte (Microsoft), Gary Tully (IONA), Sanjiva Weerawarana (IBM). Charlton Barreto, Adobe Systems, Inc.
2019-04-21T22:12:24Z
http://docs.oasis-open.org/ws-tx/wstx-wscoor-1.2-spec-cs-01/wstx-wscoor-1.2-spec-cs-01.html
Many FA who flew prior to the ban on smoking in commercial aircraft exhibit an unusual pattern of long-term pulmonary dysfunction. This randomized controlled study tested the hypothesis that digitally delivered meditative movement (MM) training improves chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related symptoms in flight attendants (FA) who were exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke (SHCS) while flying. Phase I of this two-phase clinical trial was a single-arm non-randomized pilot study that developed and tested methods for MM intervention; we now report on Phase II, a randomized controlled trial comparing MM to a control group of similar FA receiving health education (HE) videos. Primary outcomes were the 6-min walk test and blood levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Pulmonary, cardiovascular, autonomic and affective measures were also taken. There were significant improvements in the 6-min walk test, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) score, and the COPD Assessment Test. Non-significant trends were observed for increased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels, decreased anxiety scores and reduced blood hs-CRP levels, and increased peak expiratory flow (PEF). In a Survey Monkey questionnaire, 81% of participants who completed pre and post-testing expressed mild to strong positive opinions of the study contents, delivery, or impact, while 16% expressed mild negative opinions. Over the course of the year including the study, participant adoption of the MM practices showed a significant and moderately large correlation with overall health improvement; Pearson's R = 0.62, p < 0.005. These results support the hypothesized benefits of video-based MM training for this population. No adverse effects were reported. Flight attendants (FA) who flew before the ban on smoking in commercial aircraft (implemented progressively from 1988 to 2000) present with many of the co-morbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but their pulmonary dysfunction differs from the standard definition of this disorder. These FA, in good health at the time that they were hired, were exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke (SHCS) in the course of their often vigorous work activities, as well as to a wide range of other stressors [including interpersonal stress, aviation-associated threats and emergencies, disrupted diurnal rhythms and polluted air (1–4)]. Recent studies of this population (5–8) demonstrate significant rates of abnormal pulmonary function: air trapping, reduced flow at mid-volume, reduced exercise tolerance and significantly elevated rates of chronic bronchitis and sinusitis. They also exhibit increased rates of cardiac disease, depression and anxiety (9), sleep disturbances, skin and reproductive cancers and hearing loss (7, 10). Many of these symptoms are also co-morbidities of COPD (11, 12). The magnitude and nature of these pulmonary abnormalities do not meet the standard criteria of COPD which is based on FEV1/FVC, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) (12). The limitations of using the GOLD (12) standard defining COPD are increasingly recognized (13). Han et al. (14) have proposed that there is significant heterogeneity in the clinical symptoms of COPD and that a broader definition may be warranted to characterize its differing phenotypes. COPD is frequently characterized as being irreversible, yet these views generally predate current research that recognizes the heterogeneous nature of COPD (13) and the co-morbidity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and COPD (or COPD-related symptoms) (15). Research into the effects of stress and trauma on pulmonary health, including insights into the embedding of fear responses by nicotine exposure, are changing the overarching paradigms about the nature of the lasting respiratory effects of tobacco smoke exposure (15–18). The role of FA is “to perform vital crewmember functions onboard air carrier aircraft, including emergency functions for aircraft evacuations, firefighting, first aid, and response to security threats” (19). Our work with this population of first responders has led us to examine the role of second hand cigarette smoke (SHCS) in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activation in this group. In addition to its role as a principal cause of COPD, cigarette smoke may contribute to mental health issues. Children (8–15 years old) exposed to secondhand smoke had higher rates of major depressive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (20). Furthermore, there is a striking association between smoking and anxiety disorders, including PTSD (21). In emergency workers, smoking after exposure to a disaster was associated with increased PTSD symptoms; the authors suggest that smoking-related dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis contributes to increased PTSD symptoms (18). Studies in laboratory rodents show that nicotine is a causal agent of extended fear response. In mice, nicotine enhanced fear conditioning (22), delayed extinction of fear memories (23, 24), and disrupted safety learning (17, 25). While not directly tested, these effects of nicotine on fear learning and extinction could be related to altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function in those exposed to second hand smoke as well as active smokers. The resulting imbalance of the ANS may negatively impact the immune, cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems, and may reinforce the pathological changes triggered directly in the lungs by cigarette smoke (CS). This novel recognition of another mechanism for the negative effects of CS has not yet received the attention it deserves, and as far as we know, no therapeutic approaches specifically aimed at the autonomic effects of workplace exposure to SHCS have been proposed. Our selection of the meditative movement (MM) intervention and specific outcome measures are informed by the view that the autonomic effects of SHCS form a significant part of the lasting burden of exposure to SHCS. Qigong, a traditional Chinese health practice, encompasses a large range of practices using specific postures, movements, breathing patterns and visualizations to address disease patterns and improve health. It has been used in China for hundreds of years for people with respiratory, autonomic and immune dysfunction (26). Many of these practices have a broad positive influence on a range of pathologies (27, 28), and tend to restore physiological functions to normal range (29). Qigong, as well as Tai Chi and Hatha Yoga, have been proposed to constitute a novel category of exercise, “meditative movement” (MM) (30). Specific MM practices have been shown to be an effective intervention for COPD (31–34) and to be equivalent or superior to conventional pulmonary rehabilitation in benefiting several of its symptoms (35, 36). MM has demonstrated benefits for the immune system, both reducing chronic systemic inflammation (37, 38) and increasing the effectiveness of acquired immune response to infection (39). MM practices help restore functionality to the ANS (40–43), and also may reduce depression and anxiety (38) and improve quality of life in many chronic diseases (44, 45). MM also induces positive states of mind through focusing awareness on interoceptive and proprioceptive experiences (46). Interoception is the perception of the internal state of the body, and is recognized as important for emotional and physiological self-regulation (47, 48). Autonomic nerve pathways from the viscera link to the hypothalamus and to the insular cortex, facilitating physiological and affective homeostasis. Adequate interoceptive function is thus important for autonomic function as well as a sense of well-being. MM directly addresses interoceptive ability, and this may be one of the mechanisms for MM's beneficial effects on the ANS, immune system, and other physiological systems (48–50). We believe MM could prove to be of specific benefit to the particular problems experienced by FA exposed to SHCS, especially in view of the possible linking factor of autonomic imbalance. Our aim was to determine the effectiveness of a digitally delivered MM training, as compared to a control group that received health education videos, by pre-intervention and post-intervention testing of pulmonary, autonomic, interoceptive, and immune function in a cohort of FA who were previously exposed to occupational SHCS. We sought to determine whether this specifically adapted MM training can be effectively delivered digitally, providing the benefits of MM without face-to-face instruction. The present paper details Phase II of a 2-Phase study. This followed Phase I, a single-arm non-randomized pilot study in which we developed and tested methods for MM intervention using face-to-face classroom instruction. The full protocol and results from Phase I have been published (51). Phase II is a randomized controlled trial comparing MM delivered by video only, to a health education (HE) intervention. This study was approved by Dartmouth College IRB (CPHS #28572). Both phases of the study are registered at Clinical Trials.gov under the code: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02612389/. As approved by the Dartmouth CPHS, all participants gave written consent using IRB-approved informed consent forms (52) when they enrolled in the study. Participants were assigned alpha-numeric code numbers to provide anonymity and protect the privacy of study volunteers. Fifty-one FA were recruited from throughout the continental US, in particular the Northeast and areas around Atlanta GA, Miami FL, San Francisco CA, Seattle WA, and Portland, OR. Primary outreach was through the networks of FA that we had already established in Phase I, as well as through existing flight attendant organizations, social media, flight attendant publications. Our collaborators at Harvard School of Public Health also provided support. Social media support was provided by the Department of Health Behavior at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. All participants were required to be non-smoking former or current flight attendants, who had been exposed to SHCS for at least 5 years while flying. In addition, participants were required to have devices for accessing audio and video content and instruction, and to be willing to use them. Pregnancy or planned pregnancy, as well as cognitive impairment, severe emotional problems, or physical inability to perform the exercises, were grounds for exclusion. Participants were asked not to modify their lifestyle significantly during the study period apart from the practice required by the study. Since each participant acted as his/her own control, we did not exclude participation on the basis of medication use. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants were stratified by region and randomized to the intervention group or to the control group, using the covariate adaptive randomization method (CARM) (53). CARM was used because it accommodates recruiting and testing over an extended timeframe. Volunteers assigned to the MM interventional group received weekly assignment with specific MM training videos. The control group received health education (HE) videos. Blinding participants to the intervention was not practicable. Tests were scored by assistants who were blinded to the assignment of study participants. In Figure 1, experimental design for this study is shown. Following recruitment, enrolling, and consenting, pre-intervention testing was administered at locations throughout the country convenient to participants. Over a 2-h period, participants completed the questionnaires, cardiovascular measures were taken, and various tests were administered as described below. Figure 1. Participant flow and timeline. After recruiting and pre-testing, participants were randomized to intervention and control groups. Following the training period, participants were tested again, and the control group participants were offered the opportunity to receive the same MM training. After all participants had completed the training, two final questionnaires were administered. Dropouts and numbers responding to questionnaires are shown. Participants were then randomized to a MM intervention group or a control group receiving HE videos, which were selected Ted Talks available through YouTube. Over ~4 months, participants were assigned ~10 h of video instruction in MM exercises. Exercise selection was based on experience from Phase I. The video assignments were sent out each week via email with instructions to watch and review selected videos online. The control group also received an email each week assigning a HE video. HE videos dealt with general health questions, but did not contain instructions on any form of practice. Both groups were also completed weekly Survey Monkey questionnaires about their weekly participation. After the training period, the same tests were administered, and the data was analyzed. At the conclusion, the participants in the control group were offered the opportunity to engage the MM training by viewing the MM videos, with the same weekly structure as was used for the intervention group. After this group had completed their training, all those who received the MM videos, including intervention and control group participants, were asked to complete a Survey Monkey questionnaire evaluating the training; and 6 months after the conclusion of training, all participants were asked to complete a second survey about changes in physical and affective health over the previous year. The MM instructional videos developed for the Phase II MM intervention were based on our work in Phase I (51), in which we determined the most appropriate practices for this population of FA. These included simple postural practices, such as standing and sitting, moving practices, such as walking, and simple breathing practices. The practices involved static postures or slow and gentle movement. Participants were asked to direct their attention to environmental, interoceptive and kinesthetic awareness, and to focus on specific mental images. One advantage of this form of practice is that it can easily be integrated into daily life, thus making minimal time demands, and participants were instructed to implement this integration. Figure 2 shows one of the authors (PP) demonstrating a practice of awareness of balance while sitting. Access to the videos is available (54–56). Figure 2. A typical MM practice. One of the authors demonstrating an MM exercise, showing how to sense correct alignment with gravity while seated. The videos used for the control group were Ted Talks available on YouTube, pertaining to general health and not including the teaching or encouragement of specific health practices. Each week all participants received an email asking them to view specific videos; the MM videos were distributed to participants either via links to Vimeo files or by mailed DVDs, depending on the preference of participants; and the control group participants were provided with links to health education Ted talks on YouTube. Each week study participants were sent Survey Monkey questionnaires with follow-up emails or phone calls if participants did not respond. In the questionnaires they were asked to report on levels of participation and provide feedback on their experiences while doing the MM practices. Feedback was regularly reviewed to evaluate the use, compliance and acceptability of each of the practices. Harmful side effects are very rare in the practice of MM (57), but participants were instructed to immediately discontinue the exercises in case they should experience dizziness, rapid or irregular heart-beat, chest pain, pressure in the head or headache, significant pain anywhere in the body or sudden or excessive dyspnea. The guidelines of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) were followed when conducting the six-minute walk test (6MWT). These tests were conducted on a level indoor surface, free of obstructions. Trained research technicians were present to assist with any difficulties experienced by participants. The distance walked in 6 min by each participant was measured and recorded (58–61). Blood samples were obtained to measure High Sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a useful marker for systemic inflammation (62). This was obtained by finger-stick blood draw method, collected onto a prepared blood card. After allowing the blood spots to dry overnight the filter cards were stored frozen until they were shipped to ZRT Laboratory where they were analyzed by immunoassay as previously described (63). Blood pressure was recorded in a seated position from the dominant arm, after the participant had been at the testing center for over 30 min. At least two readings were taken, 2 min apart, and if the readings differed by more than 10 points, a third reading was taken and the average value obtained and recorded. The COPD Assessment Test (CATest) (64, 65), a short questionnaire used to evaluate the perceived impact of respiratory dysfunction, was utilized. Spirometry was performed according to the ATS guidelines (66) using specific validated spirometric cut points (67). Standard measures recorded were FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s), FVC (forced vital capacity), forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of capacity (FEF 25–75), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and flow/volume curves, using the EasyOne Plus Frontline spirometry system (ndd Medical Technologies, Andover, MA). To detect symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, subjects completed the self-report COMPASS 31 (68). The Zung Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety Scales (self-report instruments) were employed (69, 70). Subjects completed these questionnaires in the presence of a research team member. Subjects completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) (71). The degree of awareness of interoceptive cues, and the level of comfort with these interoceptive cues are evaluated by the MAIA. The ten different dimensions measured include: Noticing, Not Distracting, Not Worrying, Attention Regulation, Emotional Awareness, Self Regulation, Body Listening and Trusting. Blood samples were obtained using finger-stick procedure, and analyzed at ZRT Labs, Beaverton, Oregon, as described in Payne et al. (51). Diurnal urine and saliva samples were also collected. Subjects were given collection kits and instructed in their use, and mailed the samples to the researchers. Samples were stored at −80°C and sent in batches to ZRT Lab for analysis by mass spectrometry. For a full listing of biomarkers tested, see our earlier protocol paper (51). Participants in the MM study were surveyed weekly to determine the level of participation and follow through with assigned videos. Non-compliant subjects were reminded first by email and then by phone calls. Participants in the control group were also surveyed and followed on a weekly basis. In addition to the weekly progress reports, participants were asked to complete two questionnaires. Survey Monkey questionnaire 1: participants who had received the MM training videos (including both those in the initial MM intervention and those in the control group who chose to receive the videos after completion of Phase II) were asked the following five questions about their response to the videos, via a Survey Monkey questionnaire. All respondents were included in the subsequent data analysis. 1: Please give general comments on the practice. 2: Please critique the video presentation. 3: Are you willing to continue participating in studies of MM? 4: Are you finding that you are more aware of your body after participating in the training? 5: Do you feel more able to cope with stress after this training? Each response was scored by a neutral blinded third party as very positive, positive, neutral, negative, and very negative, using numbers from 2 to −2, and the scores summed for each participant. We determined the required sample size for statistical significance based on a predicted difference of 46 meters in the 6MWT and an assessment of previous similar studies. Using this criterion, 20 participants in each group were needed to achieve a statistical power of 80% at a significance level of 5%. To compensate for anticipated drop-out, we recruited a total of 51 participants. Descriptive statistics, including mean, percent change, correlation coefficients, and p-values, were used to describe and summarize data. In cases where data for a subject on one outcome measure is missing, we have chosen to eliminate that subject from the calculations for that measure. Significance levels for changes in measures from pre- to post-intervention test of the MM group as compared with the control group were determined using ANOVA. P < 0.05 was selected as the threshold for significance. Raw data and statistical calculations made are available. The results from the Survey Monkey questionnaires were treated as categorical data. In Survey Monkey questionnaire 1, each response was scored by a neutral third party as very positive, positive, neutral, negative, and very negative using numbers from 2 to −2, and the scores summed. In the question about willingness to continue, a “yes” was scored as +2, a “no” as −2, and a “don't know” as zero. Possible total scores for the five questions ranged from 10 to −10. These results are presented in a bar graph without the use of p-values as these were not deemed necessary. In Survey Monkey questionnaire 2, for the health portion, responses of “never a problem” and “about the same as a year ago” were assigned a value of zero; “worse compared to a year ago” was scored as negative 2; and “improved compared to a year ago” was scored as positive 2. Scores for each person were summed in an affective health change score, a physical health change score, and a total health change score. In the exercise adoption portion, we wished the total score to reflect the amount of time each participant spent per week on practice. Therefore, we scored “not doing it” as zero, “doing occasionally” as 1, and “doing 3 times a week or more” as ten. Exercise adoption scores were summed for each person, and Pearson's R correlation coefficients, and p-values were determined. Figure 1 above shows numbers of participants recruited and consented, number of drop-outs, and numbers completing the study. Fifty-one flight attendants met the inclusion criteria and were recruited and consented. They were then stratified by geographic area and randomized to an MM intervention group (N = 25) and a health education control group (N = 26). The two groups began receiving the appropriate videos as well as regular Survey Monkey questionnaires. Prior to the completion of the post-intervention testing, 10 participants in the MM group and 4 in the control group discontinued the study due to stated lifestyle conflicts. Sixteen completed the MM portion and 21 completed the control portion for a total of 37. When offered the opportunity to receive the MM training after the completion of post-testing, 19 participants from the control group opted to do so, and over the following 4 months received the same sequence of MM training videos as was used in the main intervention. Two final Survey Monkey questionnaires were sent to all those who had received the training. Results were then analyzed. The characteristics of the 51 consented and pre-tested recruits are shown in Table 1. While every effort was made to reach out to a diverse population, all of those consented for this study were female and White. This lack of diversity is consistent with the findings of McNeely (72) who reported that only 11.5% of former or current flight attendants between the ages of 50 and 90 are non-White. McNeely also reported that 87% of US flight attendants between 50 and 90 are female (72). This helps to explain the low level of diversity within the study population. Table 1. Baseline characteristics of subjects who completed the pre-testing phase of the study. Baseline clinical characteristics of the two groups differed substantially. Due to random variation, the control group was healthier than the intervention group on almost all health-related measures. The control group scored more than 5% lower on the CATest, Zung Anxiety, Zung Depression, COMPASS 31, hs-CRP (all indications of better health); and had higher scores on the MAIA (especially body listening) and higher blood levels of testosterone and DHEAS. The only measure possibly indicative of lower health levels in the control group were lower melatonin levels. This data appears in Table 2. Table 2. Baseline clinical characteristics. Reports of adverse side effects from MM are rare (57). Consistent with this, no adverse events were reported by any participant enrolled in this study. Results are shown in Table 3. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant improvements in the MM group compared to the control group, of the 6MWT, the MAIA score, and the CATest, indicating improved endurance, interoceptive awareness, and pulmonary function. All the MAIA sub-scores improved substantially (+10% or above) compared to the control group, with the exception of Noticing and Emotional Awareness; there were no substantial increases in MAIA sub-scores in the control group. However, only the 26% increase in the MM group of Self-Regulation reached significance (p < 0.05). A large increase in DHEAS levels in the MM group as compared to the control group almost reached stated significance (p = 0.0566). Among the changes not reaching statistical significance were: a substantial (29%) reduction in hs-CRP in the MM group compared to a slight (6%) decrease in the control group; the COMPASS 31, a measure of autonomic dysregulation, increased by 7% in the control group (indicating increased autonomic dysregulation), and decreased by 9% in the MM group; and the Zung Anxiety score fell by 10% in the MM group and by 4% in the control group. There was also a non-significant slightly reduced resting heart rate in the MM group as compared to the control group, and slightly increased peak expiratory flow (PEF) in the MM group coupled with slightly decreased PEF in the control group. There was a large increase in blood testosterone levels in both groups. After all training was completed (Jan 2017), the 35 participants who had received the MM video training (including 16 in the initial MM intervention and 19 in the control group who chose to receive the videos after completion of post-testing) were asked the following five questions about their response to the videos, via a Survey Monkey questionnaire. Thirty-two participants responded to the questionnaire. 4: Are you more aware of your body after participating in the training? As described under section Statistical Methods and Scoring, above, each response was scored by a neutral blinded third party. Figure 3 shows degree of positive rating from each participant; 81% of participants rated the overall experience positively. Average scores for each question are shown in Figure 4. Scores for each of the five questions could range from 2 to −2. Not all participants responded to all questions. We note that numerous participants remarked on increased stress resilience and positive body awareness, which appears to be reflected in the increased MAIA sub-scores of Self-Regulation (+26%) and Body Listening (+26%). Figure 3. Positive evaluation of training by 81% of participants. Average response to the Survey Monkey questions is shown by participant. Out of 32 respondents (16 from the MM group and 16 from the control group who opted to receive the MM training), 26 made an average positive evaluation. Distance above the x-axis indicates degree of positive response, below the x-axis indicates negative response. Figure 4. Positive average response by all participants to each Survey Monkey question. Improved stress coping received the strongest positive response. Y-axis indicates degree of negative or positive responses. 16 of the MM intervention participants and 16 from the control group who opted to do the MM training responded. Not all participants answered all questions. Six months (Sept 2017) after the completion of training, participants were again surveyed to determine if there were perceived changes in health or wellbeing. As described above in section Statistical Methods and Scoring, the “Health: Physical” and “Health: Affective” portions were scored separately and also combined for a total health change score. Scores for each person reflected the change of their level of health since 1 year ago, and were therefore roughly reflective of health change over the duration of the study. Exercise scores were indicative of the degree to which the subject adopted the MM practice and continued beyond the end of the study. All of those answering had received all the MM video materials and instructions at some time during the study. We excluded those who experienced a major health crisis, such as major surgery or severe illness, over that period of time, on the grounds that these events induce disturbance that is not relevant to, and obscures, the factors of the study. Twenty-four respondents are included in the analysis, 12 from the intervention group and 12 from the control group who opted to do the MM training. Figure 5 shows the results in graphical form, and Table 4 shows correlation and significance. Pearson's correlation analysis shows moderate and significant positive correlations, indicating that the amount of variance in year-to-year health change attributable to interaction between the variables is approximately one-third. The correlation to the physical health score is distinctly greater than to the affective score. Figure 5. Reported adoption of MM exercises is correlated with health improvement over the prior year. Reported health change over the duration of the study is shown in graphical form, with green the most positive and red the most negative. Physical health change and affective health change are shown separately and summed for total health score. Exercise adoption score is also shown, and the data are ordered according to this score. Averages are shown at the bottom. Table 4 below shows correlational analysis. Table 4. Exercise adoption is positively correlated with health improvement. Key results of the study are summarized in graphical form in Figures 6–11. These figures reflect changes in test results measured before and after the MM intervention. Figure 6. Improved 6MWT score for MM group vs. control group. Subjects in the MM group averaged a 7% increase in distance covered in the 6MWT over the 4 months between pre- and post-testing. Control HE subjects averaged a −2% change during the same time frame. ANOVA yields a p < 0.005. Figure 7. Reduction in CATest scores for MM subjects. MM subjects scored a 32% decrease on the COPD assessment test indicating decrease in symptoms between pre and post-testing while those in the control HE group averaged an increase of 12% in COPD assessment test symptom score. ANOVA yields a p < 0.01. Figure 8. Improved interoception in MM group as shown by MAIA score. Subjects in the MM group averaged a 24% increase in MAIA overall interoceptive awareness score over the 4 months between pre and post-testing. Control subjects averaged a 1% decrease during the same time frame. ANOVA analysis yields a p < 0.005. Figure 9. MM intervention group shows substantially more improvement in all sub-scores of the MAIA, as compared with the HE control group. The changes in MAIA sub-scores over the 4 months period are shown next to each other for the two groups. The difference between sub-scores for Self-regulation reached significance at p < 0.05 (ANOVA). Figure 10. DHEAS increased by 42% in the MM intervention group over the 3 months of the study, compared with a drop of 10% in the HE control group. This result nearly reaches significance at p = 0.0566 (ANOVA). Figure 11. The MM intervention group showed improved autonomic function over the study period, the HE control group showed reduced function. The COMPASS 31 questionnaire measuring autonomic function shows a substantial difference between the groups. The MM group improved by 9%, while the control group worsened by 7% over the study period. These results did not reach stated significance threshold (p = 0.1). Our results demonstrate improved exercise tolerance and endurance, reduced COPD-related symptoms, and improved interoception, especially in the ability to handle stress. This supports our hypothesis that video-delivered MM training can produce similar health benefits to those found in Phase I with in-person instruction. Phase I results had shown clinically relevant and statistically significant improvements in the 6MWT, hs-CRP, systolic BP, resting HR, COMPASS31, MAIA, and Zung Anxiety Inventory, as well as clinically significant improvement in the CATest. In Phase II, the COMPASS 31 (a measure of autonomic function), hs-CRP (a biomarker of systemic inflammation), resting heart rate, and anxiety, all showed substantial improvement in the same direction as found in the Phase 1 study, but without reaching statistical significance. The changes in symptoms of dyspnea, as well as improved endurance demonstrated by the 6MWT results, support our hypothesis that MM practice can improve pulmonary health. These results are in line with other studies of the effects of MM, specifically on respiratory disease (33) as well as on other health issues (37). Reduced exercise endurance (as measured by the 6MWT) is a strong risk factor and co-morbidity for a variety of pathologies, especially in the elderly, suggesting that MM practice may have preventive and ameliorative health effects in FA exposed to SHCS and possibly in other populations. Pre and post-intervention testing showed that the MM intervention was effective and that it significantly changed results of the 6MWT, one of the primary outcomes. The MM intervention training contained no form of resistance training or aerobic exercise and the underlying physiological mechanisms of these changes remain uncertain. We have speculated that they are due to changes in the autonomic nervous system. In the current study, autonomic function, as measured by COMPASS 31, showed improvement in the MM interventional group, while scores in the control group indicted poorer autonomic function (as was reported in Phase I) although this did not reach statistical significance. We note that in both this study and in Phase 1 there was a small increase in peak expiratory flow (PEF); this did not approach significance, but we speculate that spirometrically detectable changes may require longer or more intense practice. The MM intervention training contained no form of resistance training or aerobic exercise and the underlying physiological mechanisms of these changes remain uncertain. We have speculated that they are due to changes in the autonomic nervous system. In the current study, autonomic function, as measured by COMPASS 31, showed improvement in the MM interventional group, while scores in the control group indicted poorer autonomic function (as was reported in Phase I) although this did not reach statistical significance. The MAIA measures the degree of awareness that an individual has of their body feelings. This self-report instrument has ten sub-scores that test various aspects of interoceptive awareness. Tests of subjects in the MM training group indicated a substantial and significant increase in MAIA score. A capacity for self-regulation is hypothesized to relate to interoceptive awareness (48, 73). This capacity includes the ability of the anterior cingulate gyrus and the prefrontal cortex to modulate arousal in the hypothalamus and limbic system, central components of the ANS (48, 73, 74). The hypothesis that the MM intervention acted in part by improving autonomic functioning via increased top-down control, is supported by the significant 24% increase in the MAIA score. The ability of the autonomic nervous system to receive afferent information about the physiological state of the body, primarily via the vagus nerve, is known to be crucial to autonomic regulation of organ function, which plays a significant role in COPD (75). Conscious interoception, the ability to be consciously aware of the body sensations which bring information about the visceral state of the body, has been shown to play a vital role in self-regulation and emotional self-control (47, 49, 50, 76). This strongly impacts the ability to take voluntary, conscious self-regulatory actions to cope with stress in a more resilient way. We note that, in this study, not only did the overall MAIA score improve significantly, but also the sub-score pertaining to self-regulation carried the majority of the improvement (Although all the sub-scores improved in comparison to the control group, only the self-regulation score reached statistical significance). These results suggest that improved interoceptive capacity may be part of the mechanism whereby MM improves the functioning of the ANS. Kinesthetic interoception also plays a prominent role in the body's maintenance of mechanically efficient posture and movement, which are strongly emphasized in the MM training. Improved body mechanics and postural balance is also a plausible explanation for the dramatic improvement in 6MWT performance, which we have observed in both Phase I (38) and II of this study. Several of the secondary outcome measures changed in the same direction as in the Phase I study, but without reaching statistical significance. In each case the change in the intervention group was in the direction of improved health, and in the control group in the direction of worse health or minimal change. These include hs-CRP, COMPASS 31, Zung Anxiety, and resting heart rate. In this cohort of women, average age 68, the expectation is of gradual decline in health. Despite being in better health to begin with, the control group demonstrated the expected decline in almost all measures: a 2% reduction in the 6MWT, no change in resting heart rate, a 12% adverse change in the CATest score, a 7% increase in measure of autonomic dysfunction by COMPASS 31, a slight reduction in PEF, and −1% change in the MAIA. Both groups had reduced hs-CRP levels, but the control group had substantially less reduction than the MM group (−6 vs. −29%). Similarly, both had reduced anxiety, but the MM group showed over twice as much reduction as the control group (−4 vs. −10%). Despite the lack of statistical significance of some of these results, these outcomes suggest a pattern in the intervention group of generally increasing health, where one would expect an age-related decline, as seen in the control group. These results call for further research with further refinement of instructional methods and a larger cohort. Interestingly, blood levels of DHEAS increased substantially in the MM group as compared with the control group; a 42% increase vs. a 10% decrease, at a significance level of p = 0.057 which closely approached defined significance. In the Phase I study, DHEAS increased by 37%, but the result did not reach significance. DHEA is an important precursor of a number of steroid hormones in the body. It declines significantly with age, and low levels are associated with an increase in neurodegenerative conditions, possibly due to its affinity with neurotrophin receptors (77). There is evidence that it increases brain levels of neuro-protective substances, such as nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (78). In a rat model of Alzheimer's disease it demonstrates neuro-protective function (79), and may be involved in the mechanisms of depression (80). Although there is evidence that DHEA supplementation has no significant benefits in healthy people (81), it can be of benefit in certain disorders [for example (82, 83)]. Meditation (84) and exercise have been shown to increase DHEA levels; for a review, see (85). We suggest that in future similar studies DHEAS should be considered as a useful objective marker of improved health in this kind of intervention. Survey Monkey questionnaire 1 demonstrated that the participants had a substantially positive view of the study, with some criticisms of the videos for being too long and not sufficiently engaging. Their descriptions of their experiences with the practices were highly positive; in view of the MAIA results, it is interesting that participants strongly affirmed their perception of an increased ability to handle stress (self-regulation) and almost universally expressed a desire to continue with a similar study. Survey Monkey questionnaire 2 showed a significant (p < 0.005) and moderate correlation (Pearson's R = 0.58) between the degree of adoption of the MM exercises, and reported health changes over the prior year, which included the duration of the study. Given the number of factors which can influence health changes over the course of a year, we regard this correlation as an important result supporting the overall positive impact of the MM training. We eliminated from the analysis participants who experienced a major health event over the year, such as hip or knee replacement surgery, on the basis that such an event would not be influenced by the study and would introduce irrelevant confounding factors. It seems unlikely that this would unduly distort our results. We do however recognize that causal effects can go both ways: participants in better health might have been more likely to adhere to the MM practices. Therefore, we regard this result as supportive but not definitive. The harmful effects of cigarette smoke on the lungs and cardiovascular system are well-known. The short-term effects of CS and nicotine on the ANS are less widely known but well-studied: inhaled cigarette smoke causes immediate effects on the autonomic nervous system, including increased heart rate due to catecholamine secretion, temporary mood elevation probably due to dopamine and DHEA, and stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which triggers the release of the “stress hormone” cortisol (86). Chronic smokers have elevated levels of cortisol and disturbances in the diurnal cortisol rhythm (87). It is known that chronic stress impairs recovery from fear-inducing situations, which contributes to the likelihood of developing PTSD or other anxiety disorders. Recent work strongly suggests that cigarette smoke can cause long-term disruption of the autonomic nervous system, likely as a result of the effects mentioned above on the HPA axis. Animal studies have shown that nicotine caused extended fear responses, enhanced fear conditioning (22), delayed extinction of fear memories (23, 24), and disrupted safety learning (17, 25). In humans, children exposed to SHCS had higher rates of major depressive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (20). A clear association has been observed between smoking and anxiety disorders, including PTSD (21). In emergency workers, smoking after exposure to a disaster was associated with increased PTSD symptoms; the authors suggest that smoking-related dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis contributes to increased PTSD symptoms (18). The concept that nicotine exposure has long-term as well as short term effects on the autonomic nervous system, is distinct in concept from earlier literature. Previously the literature primarily documented the use of nicotine as a form of self-medication in individuals diagnosed with various affective disorders. The more recent accumulation of evidence for the negative effects of nicotine on the ability to recover from chronic stress and trauma, strongly support an intervention directed at the ANS of FA subjects to support recovery from the long-term health effects of SHCS exposure that occurred while working in a high-stress environment. Further, we think it likely that the disruption of ANS function consequent to SHCS exposure may exacerbate other morbidities associated with CS exposure, such as COPD and cardiovascular issues. This study addressed a specific population, flight attendants with workplace-related second-hand cigarette smoke exposure for more than 5 years. This, and the requirement to attend pre- and post-testing, limited the pool of eligible subjects to functionally mobile, current and former female FA over the age of 49. The generalizability of these results to the non-FA population—males, younger people, and those with more severe pathology—remains to be established; however, given the results of other MM studies with different populations, it appears likely that similar results would be obtained. In comparing our study with other MM studies, we note that the intervention we developed differs from other MM practices in that it emphasizes integrating the principles of MM practice with daily life, rather than setting aside specific times for practice as is universally done in other studies (88). We believe that our approach improves effectiveness, compliance and accessibility, which are major hurdles for MM studies with a general population. We have previously argued that precise and complete descriptions of MM interventions, used in research, need to be documented to support further studies of the impact of the intervention (46). These descriptions are also needed to form hypotheses relating to mechanism. Details of this intervention and the videos that we used to teach the MM protocol are available as Supplementary Materials. As with much clinical research, compliance remains an ongoing concern. We plan future studies to determine ways to increase compliance and effectiveness of MM training. As noted above, baseline characteristics of the control group showed substantially better overall health than the intervention group. We do not believe this is likely to have distorted our results; if anything, we would speculate that participants in worse health would have been less likely to comply with the practices. Future research needs to include further testing of refined training materials, modified methods of delivery, and the use of a larger cohort, to confirm the results from this study. We are currently exploring methods for making the videos more succinct and engaging, with the use of special effects, illustrative footage, images, sound effects, and music. Testing in other populations is also warranted but may also require specific modifications of the training for different populations. We believe that the specific style of intervention tested here offers considerable potential advantages over other forms, in that it can be effectively learned from videos, requires minimal or no separate practice time, and can be integrated with all the activities of daily life thus greatly increasing potential impact. PP, MC-G, and SF were responsible for project planning and execution. DZ provided testing resources. AB and PH provided video resources, video editing and project planning. TG contributed substantially to the manuscript. PP, MC-G, and CG were responsible for writing and major editing of manuscript. All provided editorial review. PP receives financial remuneration in his private practice for teaching material similar to that tested in this study. PP, MC-G, and CG receive compensation as consultants in areas related to the content of this study. We would like to thank the participants in the study, and acknowledge the invaluable help of Drs Jay Leiter and Phyllis Stein for consultation. We thank the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute (FAMRI) and the American Academy of Paediatrics for support that made this research possible. 1. Crawford WA, Holcomb LC. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in airliners–a health hazard evaluation. Aviat Space Environ Med. (1991) 62:580–6. 26. Johnson JA, Stewart JM, Howell MH. Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy: a Comprehensive Clinical Guide. Pacific Grove, CA: International Institute of Medical Qigong (2000). 1086 pp. 28. Lee JB. Values of health qigong as elderly exercise. . (2015) 23:77–82. 29. Cohen K. The Way of Qigong. Los Angeles, CA: Wellspring/Ballantine (1999). 43. Sun FL, Yan YA. Effects of various qigong breathing pattern on variability of heart rate. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi (1992) 12:527–30. 52. Payne P, Crane-Godreau M. Supplemental Materials for Study NCT02612389: Consent Form. 1st ed. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Dataverse (2016). 54. Payne P, Crane-Godreau M. Replication Data for Study NCT02612389: Video Material to Supplement MM Instruction. 1st ed. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Dataverse (2016). 55. Payne P, Crane-Godreau M. Replication Data for Study NCT02612389: PDF Files of Written Material Supplementing the Individual Class Instruction in MM. 1st ed. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Datavers (2016). 56. Payne P, Crane-Godreau M. Replication Data for Study NCT02612389: Audio Files used in MM Instruction. 1st ed. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Dataverse (2016). 72. McNeely E. Supplemental Materials for Study NCT02612389: Personal Email from Dr. E. McNeely Providing Unpublished Data on Demographics of US Flight Attendants. 1st ed. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Dataverse (2016). 76. Craig AD. Interoception and Emotion: a Neuroanatomical Perspective. Handbook of Emotion. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Guilford Press (2008). 79. Aly HF, Metwally FM, Ahmed HH. Neuroprotective effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Acta Biochim Pol. (2011) 58:513–20. Copyright © 2018 Payne, Fiering, Zava, Gould, Brown, Hage, Gaudet and Crane-Godreau. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
2019-04-25T23:54:40Z
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00282/full
The USA is the world's largest producer of nuclear power, accounting for more than 30% of worldwide nuclear generation of electricity. The country's nuclear reactors produced 807 billion kWh in 2018, about 20% of total electrical output. There are two reactors under construction. Following a 30-year period in which few new reactors were built, it is expected that two more new units will come online soon after 2020, these resulting from 16 licence applications made since mid-2007 to build 24 new nuclear reactors. Government policy changes since the late 1990s have helped pave the way for significant growth in nuclear capacity. Some states have liberalized wholesale electricity markets, which makes the financing of capital-intensive power projects difficult, and coupled with lower gas prices since 2009, have put the economic viability of some existing reactors and proposed projects in doubt. The first zero-emission credit programmes have commenced, in New York, Illinois and New Jersey, with corresponding provision in Connecticut. In 2018, US electricity generation was 4178 TWh (billion kWh) net, 1468 TWh (35%) of which from gas, 1146 TWh (27%) from coal-fired plant, 807 TWh (19%) nuclear, 292 TWh from hydro, 275 TWh (6.6%) from wind, 67 TWh (1.6%) from solar, 63 TWh from biomass, and 60 TWh from geothermal and other sources (US Energy Information Administration data). Annual electricity demand is projected to increase to 5000 TWh in 2030, though in the short term it is depressed and has not exceeded the 2007 level. Annual per capita electricity consumption in 2017 was about 12,300 kWh. Total net summer capacity is about 1080 GWe, less than one-tenth of which is nuclear. Nuclear power plays a major role. The USA has 98 operating nuclear power reactors in 30 states, operated by 30 different power companies. Since 2001 these plants have achieved an average capacity factor of over 90%, generating up to 807 TWh per year and accounting for about 20% of the total electricity generated. The average capacity factor has risen from 50% in the early 1970s, to 70% in 1991, and it passed 90% in 2002, remaining at around this level since. In 2016 it was a record 92.5%, compared with wind 34.7% (EIA data). The industry invests about $7.5 billion per year in maintenance and upgrades of the plants. Average nuclear generation costs have come down from $40/MWh in 2012 to $34/MWh in 2017. There are 65 pressurised water reactors (PWRs) with a combined capacity of about 65 GWe and 33 boiling water reactors (BWRs) with a combined capacity of about 34 GWe – for a total capacity of 99,221 MWe (see Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 1: US Operating Nuclear Reactors). Almost all the US nuclear generating capacity comes from reactors built between 1967 and 1990. Until 2013 there had been no new construction starts since 1977, largely because for a number of years gas generation was considered more economically attractive and because construction schedules during the 1970s and 1980s had frequently been extended by opposition, compounded by heightened safety fears following the Three Mile Island accident in 1979. A further PWR – Watts Bar 2 – started up in 2016 following Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) decision in 2007 to complete the construction of the unit. Despite a near halt in new construction of more than 30 years, US reliance on nuclear power has grown. In 1980, nuclear plants produced 251 billion kWh, accounting for 11% of the country's electricity generation. In 2008, that output had risen to 809 billion kWh and nearly 20% of electricity, providing more than 30% of the electricity generated from nuclear power worldwide. Much of the increase came from the 47 reactors, all approved for construction before 1977, that came online in the late 1970s and 1980s, more than doubling US nuclear generation capacity. The US nuclear industry has also achieved remarkable gains in power plant utilisation through improved refuelling, maintenance and safety systems at existing plants. Average generating cost in 2014 was $36.27 per MWh ($44.14 at single-unit sites and $33.76 at multi-unit sites), including fuel and capital, and average operating cost was $21/MWh. While there are plans for a number of new reactors (see section on Preparing for new build below), no more than two more new units will come online by 2021. Since about 2010 the prospect of low natural gas prices continuing for several years has dampened plans for new nuclear capacity. In May 2016 the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said that nearly 19 GWe of new gas-fired generation capacity was expected online by 2019, mostly using shale gas. It later reported that 9 GWe of gas capacity had come online in 2016, along with 8.7 GWe wind and 7.7 GWe solar. There was a net capacity gain in 2016 of 15 GWe after about 12 GWe retirements. In addition to granting an extension, the new act passed in February 2018 allows non-profit and municipal owners of the new Vogtle units to trade their credits to a profitmaking company involved in the construction of the reactors. (Non-profit and municipal power companies do not pay taxes and therefore could not benefit from the credits.) The largest owners of each project are for-profit utilities, Georgia Power for Vogtle and South Carolina Electric & Gas for Summer. Allowing the municipal and non-profit owners to transfer their tax credits to a company involved in the ownership or construction of the units will save ratepayers money and would “correct a disparity of current law.” For more information, see section on Financial incentives below. In February 2013 Duke Energy's 860 MWe Crystal River PWR in Florida was decommissioned due to damage to the containment structure sustained when new steam generators were fitted in 2009-10, under previous owner Progress Energy. Its 40-year operating licence was due to expire in 2016. Some $835 million in insurance was claimed. Dominion Energy's 566 MWe Kewaunee PWR in Wisconsin was decommissioned in May 2013, after 39 years operation. Then in June 2013 the two 30-year old PWR reactors (1070 & 1080 MWe) at San Onofre nuclear plant in California were retired permanently due to regulatory delay and uncertainty following damage in the steam generators of one unit.* In August 2013 Entergy announced that its 635 MWe Vermont Yankee reactor would be closed down at the end of 2014 as it had become uneconomic, and this was done. Ten other nuclear plants (13 reactors) were considered (at the start of 2014) to be at risk of closure, all but one of these in the northeast of the country, in deregulated states. The factors giving rise to uncertainty are high costs with low power prices, regulatory issues, and local concerns with safety and reliability. The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said in December 2015 that "total electric generating costs at US nuclear plants have increased 28% – to an industry average $36.27 per MWh – over the past 12 years," including fuel, capital and operation and maintenance costs. It announced an initiative coordinated with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to cut electricity production costs by 30% by 2018. Coal is projected to retain the largest share of the electricity generation mix to 2035, though over 2002-16, while about 20 GWe of coal-fired capacity was added, more than 53 GWe was retired according to the EIA, due to environmental constraints and low efficiency, coupled with a continued drop in the fuel price of gas relative to coal, and tax policies favouring renewables. A further decrease to 2020 is expected, and most operating coal-fired plants are older than 35 years. Coal-fired capacity in 2015 was 280 GWe. The EIA projects 13 GWe of new gas-fired capacity, mostly CCGT, coming online in 2017, adding to the existing 431 GWe, and with 2 GWe to be retired. This trend is expected to continue to about 2020. The predominance of CCGT is driven by low gas prices, strict regulation of coal-fired plants, though the need to back up intermittent renewables input favours less-efficient OCGT. Natural gas prices over 2015 to March 2017 ranged from $1.50 to $3.80/million BTU. Given that nuclear plants generate nearly 20% of the nation’s electricity overall and 63% of its carbon‐free electricity, even a modest increase in electricity demand would require significant new nuclear capacity by 2025 in addition to the two nuclear reactors currently under construction in order to maintain this share. If today’s nuclear plants retire after 60 years of operation, 22 GWe of new nuclear capacity would be needed by 2030, and 55 GWe by 2035 to maintain a 20% nuclear share. Capital expenditure on existing nuclear plants peaked in 2012 due to post-Fukushima upgrades, and it declined 26% to 2015 when capital investment in operating plants was $6.25 billion, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. The USA was a pioneer of nuclear power development.a Westinghouse designed the first fully commercial pressurised water reactor (PWR) of 250 MWe capacity, Yankee Rowe, which started up in 1960 and operated to 1992. Meanwhile the boiling water reactor (BWR) was developed by the Argonne National Laboratory, and the first commercial plant, Dresden 1 (250 MWe) designed by General Electric, was started up in 1960. A prototype BWR, Vallecitos, ran from 1957 to 1963. Nuclear developments in USA suffered a major setback after the 1979 Three Mile Island accident, though that actually validated the very conservative design principles of Western reactors, and no-one was injured or exposed to harmful radiation. Many orders and projects were cancelled or suspended, and the nuclear construction industry went into the doldrums for two decades. Nevertheless, by 1990 over 100 commercial power reactors had been commissioned. Operationally, from the 1970s the US nuclear industry dramatically improved its safety and operational performance, and by the turn of the century it was among world leaders, with average net capacity factor over 90% and all safety indicators exceeding targets. This performance was achieved as the US industry continued deregulation, begun with passage of the Energy Policy Act in 1992. Changes accelerated after 1998, including mergers and acquisitions affecting the ownership and management of nuclear power plants. About 54 GWe of US nuclear capacity is in regulated markets, and 45 GWe in deregulated merchant markets, with power sold competitively on a short-term basis. In these liberalized markets, regional transmission organisations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs) operate the grid, using free-market auctions and longer-term power purchase agreements under federal arrangements and rules. See NEI listing. In states with deregulated electricity markets, nuclear power plant operators have found increasing difficulty with competition on two fronts: low-cost gas, particularly from shale gas developments, and subsidized wind power with priority grid access. The imposition of a price on carbon dioxide emissions would help in competition with gas and coal, but this is not expected in the short term. Single-unit plants which tend to have higher operating costs per MWh are most vulnerable. The basic problem is low natural gas prices allowing gas-fired plants to undercut power prices. A second problem is the federal production tax credit of $23/MWh paid to wind generators, coupled with their priority access to the grid. When there is oversupply, wind output is taken preferentially. Capacity payments can offset losses to some extent, but where market prices are around $35-$40/MWh, nuclear plants are struggling. According to Exelon, the main operator of merchant plants and a strong supporter of competitive wholesale electricity markets, low prices due to gas competition are survivable, but the subsidized wind is not. In 2016 the subsidy (production tax credit) is $23/MWh. Though wind is a very small part of the supply, and is limited or unavailable most of the time, its effect on electricity prices and the viability of base-load generators “is huge”. Entergy’s six merchant units benefited from unusually cold weather and tight power supplies during the two winters to 2014, but the company warned that the power supply situation in the Northeast remained uncertain. In February 2014 the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) warned: “Absent necessary changes in policies and practices, this situation has implications for reliability, long-term stability of electricity prices, and our ability to meet environmental goals.” In April 2014 the heads of the NEI, Edison Electric Institute and Electric Power Supply Association urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to continue its efforts to improve US electricity and capacity markets. While the nation’s electricity supply and delivery system largely passed the 'stress test' imposed by extreme cold weather from the polar vortex earlier in the year, the weather events raised reliability and market design issues that should be addressed, they said. Grid operators found that problems in bringing coal and gas capacity online had brought the North Atlantic grid close to breakdown. The situation was saved by a very high level of nuclear availability. “FERC reforms of competitive wholesale power markets as to market design, tariff rules and grid operator practices” are needed to improve investment signals and provide the portfolio of resources necessary to maintain grid reliability. A significant ISO for nuclear plants is PJM Interconnection which serves all or parts of 13 mid-Atlantic states and DC. In May 2014 five Exelon reactors at three plants – Oyster Creek, Quad Cities and Byron – for the first time failed to clear the PJM capacity auction for three years ahead, 2017-2018, so will not receive capacity payments or an assured market for 12 months then, despite having been a reliable basis of supply in New Jersey and Illinois for decades, and zero-carbon sources. The clearing price was $120/MWe-day (except for part of New Jersey: $215/MWe/day). This was for 167 GWe, which included a 19.7% reserve margin. About 4.8 GWe of new combined cycle gas plant was successful in the auction, along with almost 11 GWe of demand-side response. PJM said that capacity prices account for about 10 to 15% of retail bills – the above price nominally being 0.5c/kWh. In August 2015, three Exelon merchant plants (four reactors) failed to clear the capacity auction for 2018-19 – Oyster Creek, Quad Cities and Three Mile Island. Byron did clear it. The clearing price was $167/MWe-day (except for two small areas: $215 and $225/MWe-day) under new rules offering bonuses for reliability and penalties for failure to supply. Exelon noted: "This auction was the first held under FERC’s new 'capacity performance' reforms designed to spur investments in power plants that will improve their performance and strengthen electric grid reliability." This is a "step in the right direction to recognize nuclear energy's high reliability," and "while three of our plants in the PJM did not clear, we view the auction results as an encouraging sign that these reforms will begin to level the playing field." Total supply commitments rose to $10.9 billion. In September 2015 all Exelon’s Illinois nuclear plants in the PJM region cleared the transition capacity auctions for the 2016-17 year and for the 2017-18 year. These are supplementary to the earlier base auctions for those years and designed to boost reliability. The May 2015 PJM auction cleared at $216/MWe-day. As a result, the company deferred any decisions about the future of its Quad Cities and Byron nuclear plants and will bid Quad Cities, Byron, Three Mile Island and all eligible nuclear plants into the 2019-2020 PJM capacity auction in 2016. Exelon said that deferring any decision on Quad Cities and Byron was “only a short-term reprieve. Policy reforms are still needed to level the playing field for all forms of clean energy and best position the state of Illinois to meet EPA's new carbon reduction rules." The Illinois EPA calculated the incremental societal cost of losing two plants at more than $10 billion – excluding the major cost of higher energy bills, reduced electric reliability and lost jobs. In April 2016 Exelon announced that Clinton had cleared the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) capacity auction for 2016-17 (clearing price $72 per megawatt day), which would take it to May 2017, albeit unprofitably. In May 2016 Exelon’s Quad Cities and Three Mile Island plants failed to clear the PJM capacity auction for 2019-20 (clearing price $202.77/MWd). Exelon’s other Illinois plants in the PJM region cleared the auction: Braidwood, Dresden and La Salle, with part of Byron’s capacity, along with over 5000 MWe of gas-fired combined cycle capacity which reduced the price. In May 2017 Exelon’s Three Mile Island (TMI) unit 1 and Quad Cities 1&2 failed to clear the PJM Interconnection capacity auction for 2020-21. Its other plants did clear in the auction, which cleared about $25 below last year and $15 below market expectations at $76.53/MWd for the majority of the PJM footprint due to lower load forecasts and other factors. Exelon said that its nuclear units cleared a total of 13,275 MWe of capacity in the auction. Clearing prices for that capacity ranged from $188/MWd in the ComEd region serving Chicago, where Quad Cities is located, to $77/MWd in the RTO region. In TMI’s region, the price was $88/MWd. Exelon said that TMI 1 has not cleared the past three PJM auctions and has not been profitable in five years. While the continued operation of Quad Cities is ensured by newly-introduced legislation in Illinois, Exelon said that the TMI reactor, which entered service in 1974, was at risk of early retirement. In May 2018, PJM's 2021-22 capacity market auction cleared at $140/MWd, an 83% increase over the 2017 auction. Despite the higher price, just 19 GWe of nuclear cleared, a decrease of 7.4 GWe from last year. Exelon said that TMI 1, Dresden and "all but a small portion" of its Byron plant failed to clear. FirstEnergy, despite announcing retirement plans for 4 GWe of nuclear capacity in March, was required to offer the units into the auction – but none cleared. Following the 2014 auction, FERC said it was actively considering ways it can ensure that base-load power sources, such as nuclear plants, are appropriately valued and their viability maintained in wholesale electricity markets. FERC’s focus is on capacity markets and how they should take into account the full value of a base-load power plant. Also whether there are appropriate incentives for plants that contribute to the country’s electric reliability to survive and continue providing those services. The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) presented figures from the Electric Utility Cost Group on generating costs comprising fuel, capital and operating costs for 61 nuclear sites in 2012. The average came to $44/MWh, being $50.54 for single-unit plants and $39.44 for multi-unit plants (all two-unit except Browns Ferry, Oconee and Palo Verde). The $44 represented a 58% increase in ten years, largely due to a three-fold increase in capital expenditure on plants which were mostly old enough to be fully depreciated. Over half of the capital expenditure (51%) in 2012 related to power uprates and licence renewals, while 26% was for equipment replacement. The US Energy Information Administration forecast in April 2014 that the country will lose 10,800 MWe of nuclear generation by 2020 because of lower prices of natural gas and stagnant growth in electricity demand. This will have significant implications for CO2 emissions, and it projected that early retirement of nuclear capacity, instead of coal, could see annual CO2 emissions be 500 million tonnes higher by 2040. In June 2014 PPL decided to spin off all its merchant plants including the two-unit Susquehanna nuclear plant (2520 MWe net) and combine them with those of a private equity company Riverstone Holdings, to form Talen Energy, which will operate over 15 GWe of capacity in the USA. This move underlines the very different market situations of merchant and regulated plants. About 8.1 GWe of regulated capacity in Kentucky will remain with PPL. Talen will have a major presence in the PJM Interconnection region. Exelon’s single-reactor Oyster Creek plant in New Jersey was shut down in September 2018, eleven years before its operation was due to end, so as to avoid the expense of state environmental regulations that would require the construction of $800 million cooling towers. Entergy’s 677 MWe single-reactor Pilgrim plant in Massachusetts is to be shut down in May 2019, due to market conditions and increased costs, the same situation as caused Entergy to close its 635 MWe Vermont Yankee reactor at the end of 2014, and plan to close its 852 MWe Fitzpatrick reactor in January 2017. In November 2015 Exelon said that its Clinton, Ginna and Quad Cities plants were at greatest risk of early retirement for economic reasons, with a question mark also over Byron. In May 2016 Exelon said it would close Clinton in June 2017 and Quad Cities in June 2018 unless the state of Illinois made provision for them to be profitable, by means of zero emission credits, likely to be capped at 20 TWh/yr for the 2884 MWe. New York state is making similar provision for its upstate plants (see below). In June 2016 Omaha Public Power decided to close Fort Calhoun in Nebraska, the smallest US nuclear power plant, at the end of the year. PG&E in June 2016 announced that the Diablo Canyon units would close in 2024 and 2025. In September 2017 Entergy announced that it will keep its Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan open until 2022. The company had previously announced in December 2016 that it planned to close the 789 MWe net unit in October 2018 due to economic factors in the partly deregulated market. Early in 2017 Entergy and the state of New York agreed that unit 2 of the Indian Point plant would close by the end of April 2020, followed by unit 3 in April 2021. Energy cited “sustained low current and projected wholesale energy prices that have reduced revenues, as well as increased operating costs” coupled with political pressure. The reactors have been operating since 1974 and 1976, and Entergy had invested over $1.3 billion in them over the 15 years it owned them. Its application for licence renewal of the two units was proceeding very slowly through the NRC review. Entergy requested that the NRC shorten the term of renewed operating licences for units 2 and 3 to 2024 and 2025 respectively. The renewed operating licences were approved in September 2018. In June 2014 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would use its authority under the Clean Air Act to require a reduction in carbon emissions from US power plants of 25% below 2005 levels by 2020, and more by 2030, with states to be responsible for achieving this. There has already been a 16% drop since 2005. In August 2015 the EPA issued its Clean Power Plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act and to reduce CO2 emissions by 32% from 2005 levels by 2030. The Plan became effective in December 2015, and states were to have until September 2018 to submit their plans to comply with the emission reductions, using various means including increased thermal efficiency by 2.1 to 4.3%, greater use of nuclear power and renewables, and greater use of gas. The Clean Power Plan was heavily biased to wind and solar renewables, but allowed credit for new nuclear power plants and uprates to existing units, but would not credit the role of existing nuclear capacity, some of which is marginal economically in present market conditions. Nor would it credit nuclear licence extensions on the same basis as new capacity. Nuclear power produces 63% of US carbon-free electricity, nuclear plants are already the main carbon-free generation source for over half of US states, and they avoid the emission of over 750 million tonnes of CO2 per year relative to coal. It is accepted that the 32% CO2 reduction by 2030 will be impossible without at least the present level of nuclear contribution. About one-third of the nation’s 300 GWe of coal-fired base-load capacity is expected to be retired by 2030. Some states were preparing legal challenges to the Plan, others remain committed to it. In November 2014 the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners urged the EPA, in its proposed Clean Power Plan, to adopt regulations which “encourage states to preserve, life-extend, and expand existing nuclear generation.” The EPA proposal in its original form would not have achieved what is intended in respect to nuclear power, and Exelon applauded the NARUC resolution. In January 2015 the NEI said that a top priority was for nuclear plant operators to be fully compensated in competitive wholesale US electricity markets for the value they provide as the main source of reliable, carbon-free, 24/7 base-load power. In March 2017 President Trump signed the Energy Independence Policy executive order which aimed to roll back the 2015 EPA Clean Power Plan, and called for the EPA to review it to remove what may “unduly burden the development of domestic energy resources.” The impact of this could not be immediate, and may be more in tone than substance. It would take several years under notice and comment rulemaking processes, and the main timeline under the Plan was 2030 in any case. Nuclear energy is likely to be unaffected directly. US electricity should be "affordable, reliable, safe, secure, and clean,” presumably in that order of priority. The executive order rescinded several climate change measures but did not mention the 2016 Paris climate change agreement, which the new administration considered to be essentially a treaty that needs to be ratified by the Senate. In October 2017 the EPA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to repeal the Clean Power Plan on the grounds that it exceeds the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act and sets emission standards that power plants could not reasonably meet. Repeal of the plan, which was premised on a “novel and expansive view of Agency authority,” would save $33 billion in compliance costs by 2030 according to the EPA. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a 2009 cap-and-trade programme for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, covering the nine northeast states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Carbon dioxide emissions allowances are auctioned quarterly, with current prices around $3/tonne. With the threatened repeal of the EPA Clean Power Plan, the states have announced a plan to cut power plant emissions by 30% from 2020 to 2030. If approved by individual states, emissions would be reduced by 65% from 2009 levels. A number of states are taking action to counteract problems with the markets, which the states do not control, to preserve values not recognized in the markets. In December 2015 the New York state governor directed its Department of Public Service (NYDPS) to develop a clean energy standard (CES) that calls for a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2030 and a longer-term decrease of 80% by 2050, while not losing carbon reduction gains achieved to date. The state intended to comply with the EPA Clean Power Plan, and its six nuclear reactors provided nearly one-third of the state’s electricity in 2015. Entergy had announced the premature closure of its FitzPatrick nuclear plant in upstate New York by January 2017, and Exelon had warned its Ginna and Nine Mile Point plants are at risk of closure for similar economic reasons. The governor said that closing nuclear facilities “would eviscerate the emission reductions achieved through the state’s renewable energy programmes, diminish fuel diversity, increase price volatility, and financially harm host communities.” The New York independent system operator later warned that to preserve the reliability of the grid, the state must keep all of its nuclear plants operating while slowing renewable energy growth. The NYDPS issued a white paper in January 2016 proposing 'zero-emission credits' (ZECs) for nuclear generators that would work in parallel with the tax credits that renewable sources receive, and provide the market signals necessary to warrant continued operation of these non-emitting plants. The Nuclear Energy Institute noted that the proposal “establishes a mechanism that can ensure nuclear operators receive the market signals necessary to warrant continued operation of these non-emitting assets.” In addition, a cost study issued by the NYDPS in April 2016 as a supplement to the white paper shows the “outstanding value” that including nuclear in the clean energy standard would provide to New York citizens. The study pointed out that the zero-emission credits would generate $2.8 billion in benefits, or two-thirds of the entire clean energy standard programme’s $4.4 billion – for $270 million, or less than 8% of the programme’s costs. In July 2016 the NYDPS put forward a proposal which would value the zero-emissions attributes of the upstate nuclear power plants, based on the social cost of carbon and requiring the distribution utilities “to pay for the intrinsic value of carbon-free emissions from nuclear power plants by purchasing zero-emission credits.” The department said that there is a "public necessity" for subsidies for the Fitzpatrick, Ginna and Nine Mile Point plants (four reactors, total 3371 MWe). The benefits of paying such subsidies would far outweigh the costs, the department said. During the first two years of the program, the state’s economic and environmental benefits associated with carbon reductions, supply cost savings and property tax benefits were estimated to be about $5 billion, against total payments of up to $965 million – a net benefit of $4 billion. New York's zero-emission credits (ZEC) programme is being implemented in six tranches over a period of 12 years from April 2017. For the first two-year period nuclear generators receive ZECs of $17.54/MWh, paid by the distribution utilities (and hence eventually ratepayers) but otherwise similar to the federal production tax credits (PTC) applying to renewables since 1993 on an inflation-adjusted basis, though at a lower rate than its $23/MWh for wind. ZECs will escalate to $29.15/MWh over subsequent years. Later, in July, Entergy’s Indian Point plant was included in the proposal, adding 2061 MWe to it, albeit not for the first two years. The NY Public Service Commission on 1 August 2016 approved the CES plan, but excluded Indian Point. The majority vote was reported to be on three main criteria: grid reliability, reducing carbon emissions, and maintaining jobs. The governor’s announcement said: “A growing number of climate scientists have warned that if these nuclear plants were to abruptly close, carbon emissions in New York will increase by more than 31 million metric tons during the next two years, resulting in public health and other societal costs of at least $1.4 billion.” The Environmental Defense Fund and Natural Resources Defense Council have supported the legality of New York's ZEC scheme. The broader CES requires that NY state’s utilities source at least half their electricity from renewables by 2030, less than it gets now from all clean energy sources: nuclear 32%, hydro 19%, wind 3%, and solar (less than 1%). Gas supplies 40% of power. The CES also requires distribution utilities to obtain a targeted number of renewable energy credits each year for new wind developments on a similar basis, at about $22/MWh. In August 2016 Exelon reached agreement to buy the 838 MWe Fitzpatrick plant from Entergy for $110 million in anticipation of the NYPDS CES proposal being implemented. Also it confirmed that it will now proceed with investing about $200 million in Nine Mile Point and Ginna plants early in 2017 and will "invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Fitzpatrick in January to refuel the plant and upgrade systems needed to reverse the shutdown decision." Fitzpatrick is licensed to 2034. Entergy said it plans “to move away from merchant power markets and toward a company operating exclusively as a utility in regulated markets.” Entergy has announced that Indian Point 2&3 will close in 2020 and 2021. In October 2016 a coalition of non-nuclear energy companies and groups filed a lawsuit against the New York Public Service Commission challenging the PSC's authority to raise electricity rates to pay for the zero emission credits which will subsidize the continued operation of several nuclear power plants. The plaintiffs, led by the Coalition for Competitive Electricity, included Dynegy Inc, Eastern Generation LLC, Electric Power Supply Association, NRD Energy Inc., Roseton Generating LLC and Selkirk Cogen Partners LP. This legal challenge failed. An appeal to the Supreme Court challenging the ZEC programme was rejected in April 2019. In February 2015 Illinois, another state with a deregulated market, took steps to enhance the competitiveness of nuclear power and renewables. The Illinois Low Carbon Portfolio Standard would require utilities to purchase low-carbon energy credits equivalent to 70% of their retail sales to customers within the state. This is congruent with the subsequent EPA Clean Power Plan. Eleven Exelon nuclear reactors at six sites supply almost half of the state’s electricity, but five of these are at risk of closure if the legislation is not enacted. In mid-2016 the legislation had lapsed. Following the failure of Illinois legislature to pass its Next Generation Energy Plan, in June 2016 Exelon said that it would move forward with plans to close down Clinton in June 2017 and Quad Cities a year later. It would terminate capital investment projects required for the long-term operation of both plants, and would immediately take one-time charges of $150 million to $200 million for 2016, and accelerate some $2 billion in depreciation and amortization. Three other Exelon plants – Dresden, Braidwood and Byron – remain at risk of early retirement. In October 2016 Exelon confirmed that it would close the Quad Cities and Clinton plants if legislation was not passed by year end since they had lost more than $800 million in the past seven years. In November the Future Energy Jobs Bill was introduced, reflecting “a diverse set of interests, as well as agreement in important areas among environmentalists, consumer advocates, community leaders and energy companies.” A core feature of the legislation is the establishment of the Zero Emission Standard to preserve the state’s two at-risk nuclear plants, saving 4200 jobs, retaining $1.2 billion economic activity annually and avoiding increases in energy costs. The bill provides zero emission credits (ZEC) similar to those in New York – "a tradable credit that represents the environmental attributes of one megawatt hour of energy produced from a zero emission facility" such as the nuclear power plants which supply about 90% of the state’s zero-carbon electricity. The state legislature passed the bill in December 2016 and it was then signed into law. It will provide up to $235 million annually to support the two plants – 2884 MWe net – for ten years. The state utilities will purchase ZECs from the nuclear generators and collect payments from ratepayers. The legislation sets the value of a ZEC to be $16.50/MWh based on the social cost of carbon. A legal challenge to the Illinois ZEC programme failed, but in January 2019 a coalition of power generation companies took the appeal to the Supreme Court, where it was rejected. In February 2017 FirstEnergy announced that it was in dialogue with the Ohio state government to try to secure the future of its two nuclear plants in the state, Davis-Besse and Perry, a 894 MWe PWR and a 1256 MWe BWR respectively, owned by its subsidiary FirstEnergy Solutions (Beaver Valley just over the border in Pennsylvania is excluded). The company had earlier announced its intention to withdraw from competitive generation markets by mid-2018, and in the fourth quarter of 2016 recorded a $9.2 billion impairment charge as a result. In October 2017 a new bill was introduced into Ohio legislature aiming to establish the Zero Emissions Nuclear (ZEN) programme to support the state's two nuclear plants. The bill stated an initial ZEC price of $17/MWh per credit. Each participating utility would be limited to purchasing one-third of its recorded 'total end user consumption' in MWh over the previous two calendar years. The bill did not proceed. A new bill with broader scope was introduced in April 2019 and establishes credits for clean power of $9.25/MWh. FirstEnergy has 13,000 MWe of generating capacity operating in deregulated markets. It decided to relinquish all these assets by mid-2018, and withdraw from competitive generation altogether, maintaining only its generation assets in regulated markets. Due to competition from low-cost gas and subsidized wind power, the units are unlikely to be sellable if states fail to introduce legislation to provide zero emission credits. In March 2018, with the proposed Ohio bill stalled in a Senate committee, FirstEnergy filed a deactivation notice for its David-Besse and Perry plants, as well as its Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania. The deactivation notice set retirement dates of 2020 for Davis-Besse, and 2021 for Perry and Beaver Valley. FirstEnergy stated that it will continue to work with officials from the two states, and called on them to consider policy solutions to prevent early closure of the assets. Developments are expected in 2019. In March 2017 Connecticut’s Energy & Technology Committee approved a bill supporting the continued operation of Dominion’s 2198 MWe Millstone plant in that deregulated market. The bill "would expand the state's existing renewable electricity procurements to nuclear power by directing state regulators to solicit up to half of the facility's annual generation (i.e. 8.3 TWh) for five-year power purchase agreements.” In October 2017, Connecticut's legislature passed the bill, supporting the continued operation of Millstone. After a 23:8 Senate vote, the lower house passed the bill 75:66. It will make Dominion eligible to bid for long-term supply contracts for up to half of Millstone's output as a clean-energy resource, at higher prices, subject to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority determining that this is in the public interest. The plant is the largest in New England and its viability has been eroded by cheap natural gas. Closure of the plant, which provides half of the state's power and almost all of its zero-carbon power, would jeopardize the state's ability to meet its long-term goals for reducing carbon emissions. In December 2018, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority agreed that the Millstone nuclear plant was at risk, allowing it to take part in zero-emission energy auctions. In March 2019 the plant obtained a 10-year contract for 9 TWh per year with two utilities. The two units operating at Millstone – units 2&3 – are licensed to 2035 and 2045. In March 2017 Kentucky voted to end its moratorium on nuclear power in the state. In March 2017 Pennsylvania set up a bipartisan, bicameral nuclear energy caucus to secure the role of nuclear energy in the state, where it provided 37% of the electricity and contributes $2.3 billion to the state GDP. There are several two-unit nuclear power plants in the state: Beaver Valley, Limerick, Peach Bottom and Susquehanna, plus Three Mile Island. Exelon said that the 890 MW Three Mile Island unit 1 "remains economically challenged as a result of continued low wholesale power prices and the lack of federal or Pennsylvania energy policies that value zero-emissions nuclear energy." It is set to close if no ZEC-type relief is forthcoming since it has been running at a loss for five years, and Exelon specified September 2019 as the provisional date for this. A draft law updating the Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to include nuclear energy was introduced to the state's legislature in March 2019. Nuclear power plants generate 42% of its electricity and 93% of its zero-carbon power but are excluded from the AEPS programme. The Keep Powering Pennsylvania Act would offer subsidies to nuclear plants and was put forward as costing $500 million per year, significantly less than the cost if economically-challenged plants were to close. Plants applying to join the programme need to agree to operate for at least six years. In April 2018, New Jersey legislators passed bills establishing a ZEC programme which was drafted by the state’s Board of Public Utilities in November with a decision due in April 2019. The programme is to be funded by a 0.4 c/kWh tariff imposed on retail distribution customers. The bill requires plants to be licensed to operate until at least 2030, so excluded Exelon’s Oyster Creek. Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), which operates the state's other reactors at Hope Creek and Salem plants, had previously warned that closures were likely without intervention. In April 2019 PSEG said that it needed a ZEC subsidy for the two plants – total 3.7 GWe – to remain in operation beyond 2020. The government expects that the two plants will receive about $253 million per year in revenue from ZEC sales to public utilities, apparently at around $10-11/MWh. The Oyster Creek plant (619 MWe net) closed in September 2018. In June 2017 MIT's Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research published a new study that found that saving US nuclear "would come at a cost of $4-7/MWh on average in these markets, which is much lower than the cost of subsidizing wind power." The current production tax credit (PTC) level for renewables is $23/MWh. Using its legislated authority for the first time since 1979, in September 2017 the Department of Energy (DOE) directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) through a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to ensure that the country's "diverse mix of resources must include traditional base-load generation with onsite fuel storage that can withstand major fuel supply disruptions caused by natural and man-made disasters." The DOE said that FERC had so far “not done enough to address the crisis at hand” caused by the premature retirement of reliable plants. "Immediate action is necessary to ensure fair compensation in order to stop the imminent loss of generators with onsite fuel supplies, and thereby preserve the benefits of generation diversity and avoid the severe consequences that additional shutdowns would have on the electric grid," the DOE said in the NOPR. In particular, “the continued loss of base-load generation with onsite fuel supplies, such as coal and nuclear, must be stopped." In January 2018 FERC halted the NOPR and called on operators of regional wholesale markets to "provide information as to whether the FERC and the markets need to take additional action on resilience of the bulk power system." This removed the built-in incentives for coal and nuclear plants outlined in the September NOPR which would have required independent system operators and regional transmission organizations "to ensure that certain reliability and resiliency attributes of electric generation resources are fully valued." In particular, it stated that eligible "fuel-secure generation units", which are frequently relied upon for grid reliability and resilience, must be able to fully recover their costs. The USA has a patchwork of grids which are often barely interconnected. The Western Interconnection includes about 11 states plus British Columbia and Alberta. ERCOT includes most of Texas, and Eastern Interconnection takes in the rest of the USA and Canada. There is very little grid capacity in the middle of the country. Exelon has temporarily curtailed off-peak output at one or more of its nuclear plants in Illinois numerous times for more than a year to late 2016 because of grid constraints. The company has previously said intermittent grid congestion has been occurring in the region around those plants because of transmission line outages for scheduled maintenance, large influxes of wind-generated power into the grid during off-peak hours, or a combination of those factors. There is an evident need for major investment, and in August 2017 the DOE Staff Report to the Secretary on Electricity Markets and Reliability recommended that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) take a leading role in ensuring effective grid connections to meet base-load demand more widely and reliably. See above section on Department of Energy rulemaking. More information on the US grid situation is in the information paper on Electricity Transmission Grids. The US nuclear power industry has undergone significant consolidation in recent years, driven largely by economies of scale, deregulation of electricity prices and the increasing attractiveness of nuclear power relative to fossil generation. As of the end of 1991, a total of 101 individual utilities had some (including minority) ownership interest in operable nuclear power plants. At the end of 1999, that number had dropped to 87, and the largest 12 of them owned 54% of the capacity. With deregulation of some states' electricity markets came a wave of mergers and acquisitions in 2000-1 and today the top 10 utilities account for more than 70% of total nuclear capacity. The consolidation has come about through mergers of utility companies as well as purchases of reactors by companies wishing to grow their nuclear capacity. In respect to the number of operators of nuclear plants, this dropped from 45 in 1995 to 25 in about 2010, showing a substantial consolidation of expertise. Most of the of nuclear generation capacity involved in consolidation announcements has been associated with corporate mergers, some of which failed due to regulatory opposition. Another means of consolidation has been via management contracts, and other means of management rationalisation for single-unit plants have also occurred. Details are in Appendix 2: Power Plant Purchases. In the 12 years from 1998, there were 20 reactor purchase deals involving 25 plants, usually in states where electricity pricing had been deregulated (see Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 2: Power Plant Purchases). The plants acquired were often those with high production costs, offering the potential for increased margins if costs could be reduced. Of the 5,900 MWe involved to mid-2000, half was associated with plants having 1998 production costs above 2.0 cents per kWh. Sellers tended to consider the higher-cost plants as potential liabilities and were willing to get rid of them for a fraction of their book value, whereas the larger utility buyers considered the plants to be potential assets, depending only on their ability to lower the production costs. In many cases, large power companies acquired plants from local utility companies and at the same time entered contracts to sell electricity back to the former owners. Entergy Corporation, for example, bought two reactors from New York Power Authority in 2000 and agreed to make the first 500 MWe of combined output available at 2.9 cents/kWh and the remainder at 3.2 or 3.6 cents/kWh. Along with Exelon, Entergy is a prominent example of the consolidation that occurred. Originally based in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and eastern Texas, Entergy doubled its nuclear generation capacity over 1999 to 2007 with the acquisition of reactors in New York, Massachussets, Vermont and Michigan, as well as a contract to operate a nuclear plant in Nebraska. Other companies that have increased their nuclear capacity through plant purchases are FPL Group based in Florida (four units), Constellation Energy based in Maryland (three units, since merged with Exelon) and Dominion Resources based in Virginia (two units). However, some older plants acquired from their original owners for their value as ‘cash cows’ are now unprofitable in deregulated markets and threatened with closure due to the very low prices of natural gas. In addition, onerous safety requirements following the Fukushima accident compound the economic challenges with already tight NRC regulations. See comments above regarding some Exelon and Entergy plants in deregulated markets. A decrease of 5,709 MWe, due to the premature shutdown of eight reactors, due to their having high operating costs. A net increase of 6,223 MWe, due to changes in power ratings. An increase of 3,470 MWe due to the start-up of two new reactors (Comanche Peak 2, Watts Bar 1) and the restart of one unit (Browns Ferry 1). The Shaw Group has undertaken about half of the uprates so far, and early in 2010 it said that companies are planning more uprate projects and aiming for bigger increases than in the past. It perceived a $25 billion market.Further uprate projects are in sight, many being $250 to $500 million each. The largest US nuclear operator, Exelon, has plans to uprate much of its reactor fleet to provide the equivalent of one new power plant by 2017 – some 1,300-1,500 MWe, at a cost of about $3.5 billion. The company has already added 1,100 MWe in uprates over the decade to 2009. In addition to increasing power, many of the uprates involve component upgrades. These improve the reliability of the units and support operating licence extensions (see below),which require extensive review of plant equipment conditiond. Florida Power & Light added 450 MWe in uprates to four reactors over 2011-13: 12% for St Lucie 1&2, and 15% for Turkey Point 3&4. A significant achievement of the US nuclear power industry over the last 20 years has been the increase in operating efficiency with improved maintenance. This has resulted in greatly increased capacity factor (output proportion of their nominal full-power capacity), which has gone from 56.3% in 1980 and 66% in 1990 to 91.1% in 2008. A major component of this is the length of refuelling outage, which in 1990 averaged 107 days but dropped to 40 days by 2000. In 2017 the average refuelling outage was 35 days. The record is now 15 days. In addition, average thermal efficiency rose from 32.49% in 1980 to 33.40% in 1990 and 33.85% in 1999. All this is reflected in increased output even since 1990, from 577 billion kilowatt hours to 809 billion kWh, a 40% improvement despite little increase in installed capacity, and equivalent to 29 new 1,000 MWe reactors. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is the government agency established in 1974 to be responsible for regulation of the nuclear industry, notably reactors, fuel cycle facilities, materials and wastes (as well as other civil uses of nuclear materials). In an historic move, the NRC in March 2000 renewed the operating licences of the two-unit Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant for an additional 20 years. The applications to NRC and procedures for such renewals, with public meetings and thorough safety review, are exhaustive. The original 40-year licences for the 1970s plants were due to expire before 2020, and were always intended to be renewed in 20-year increments. In March 2019 the NRC renewed the licence for Seabrook, extending the unit’s operation by 20 years to 2050. This took the number of US power reactors that have renewed their licences to 94, four of which have since shut down. Another four licence renewal applications are pending. Hence, almost all of the US power reactors are likely to have 60-year operating lifetimes, with owners undertaking major capital works to upgrade them at around 30-40 years. The licence renewal process typically costs $16-25 million, and takes several years for review by the NRC. The original 40-year period was more to do with amortisation of capital than implying that reactors were designed for only that operational lifespan. It was also a conservative measure, and experience since has identified life-limiting factors and addressed them. The NRC is now considering extending operating licences beyond 60 out to 80 years, with its subsequent licence renewal (SLR) programme. At the end of January 2018, Florida Power & Light submitted the first application by a US utility seeking a second licence renewal (to 80 years) for Turkey Point 3&4. In July 2018 Exelon submitted an application seeking a second licence renewal for its Peach Bottom nuclear plant (units 2&3) and in December 2018 Dominion applied for its two Surry reactors. It had earlier advised the NRC of its intention to apply for North Anna's two reactors in 2020. The Nuclear Energy Institute surveyed utilities in 2017 and found that about 20 nuclear power plants envisaged a second licence extension, but did not say how many reactors this involved. The licence extensions to 60 years mean that major mid-life refurbishing, such as replacement of steam generators and upgrades of instrument and control systems*, can be justified. By 2017, 56 out of 65 US PWRs had replaced their original steam generators with more durable ones, involving a three-month outage. About 45 PWRs have also replaced reactor pressure vessel heads, mostly by 2010**, and BWRs may need to replace core shrouds. The owners of Davis Besse invested almost $1 billion for its mid-life refurbishment to take it to 2037. While active plant components such as pumps and valves are under continuous scrutiny for operability, passive components need to be assessed for ageing which may have weakened them. There are robust R&D programmes focusing on this run by DOE, EPRI and ASME. * All US operating plants originally had analogue control systems. Duke Energy converted its three Oconee units to digital control systems over 2011-13. ** at about $150 million each in 2015 dollars, mostly due to corrosion cracking. Beyond licence renewal to 60 years, some 55 GWe of new nuclear capacity will be needed by 2035 to maintain 20% nuclear share of generation if the current fleet is retired at 60 years. In total, 432 GWe of US generating capacity is 30-50 years old and 60 GWe of coal-fired capacity is expected to be retired by 2020 largely for environmental reasons. The NRC has a new oversight and assessment process for nuclear plants. Having defined what is needed to ensure safety, it now has a better-structured process to achieve it, replacing complex and onerous procedures which had little bearing on safety. The new approach yields publicly-accessible information on the performance of plants in 19 key areas (14 indicators on plant safety, two on radiation safety and three on security). Performance against each indicator is reported quarterly on the NRC website according to whether it is normal, attracting regulatory oversight, provoking regulatory action, or unacceptable (in which case the plant would probably be shut down). On the industry side, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) was formed after the Three Mile Island accident in 1979. A number of US industry leaders recognised that the industry must do a better job of policing itself to ensure that such an event should never happen again. INPO was formed to establish standards of performance against which individual plants could be regularly measured. An inspection of each member plant is typically performed every 18 to 24 months. Following the Fukushima accident in 2011 which was exacerbated by inadequate outside assistance to the flooded reactors, the US nuclear industry has set up the FLEX accident response strategy. It has 61 centres across the country and two national centres which together provide the capacity to respond to nuclear power plant accidents anywhere in the country within 24 hours. Today the importance of nuclear power in USA is geopolitical as much as economic, reducing dependency on oil and gas. The operational cost of nuclear power in existing plants is very competitive with alternatives. In 2012 it was 2.4 ¢/kWh, compared with gas 3.4 ¢/kWh and coal 3.3 ¢/kWh. But plans for new nuclear capacity are starting to take account of opportunities for small reactors as well as large ones. From 1992 to 2005, some 270,000 MWe of new gas-fired plant was built, and only 14,000 MWe of new nuclear and coal-fired capacity came on line. But coal and nuclear supply almost 70% of US electricity and provide price stability. When investment in these two technologies almost disappeared, unsustainable demands were placed on gas supplies and prices quadrupled, forcing large industrial users of it offshore and pushing gas-fired electricity costs towards 10 ¢/kWh. Today, due to the advent of shale gas, costs are much lower. The reason for investment being predominantly in gas-fired plant was that it offered the lowest investment risk. Several uncertainties inhibited investment in capital-intensive new coal and nuclear technologies. About half of US generating capacity is over 30 years old, and major investment is also required in transmission infrastructure. This creates an energy investment crisis which was recognised in Washington, along with an increasing bipartisan consensus on the strategic importance and clean air benefits of nuclear power in the energy mix. The Energy Policy Act 2005 then provided a much-needed stimulus for investment in electricity infrastructure including nuclear power. New reactor construction got under way from 2012, with first concrete on two units in March 2013, and two more in December 2013. Continued low gas prices depress the prospects for commitment to further construction, and it is generally considered that natural gas prices need to recover to $8/GJ or /MMBtu before there is renewed confidence in deregulated states. In regulated states, a longer-term outlook is possible. Small modular reactors provide possible relief from major upfront finance burdens, but these are some way off having design certification from the NRC. There are three regulatory initiatives which in recent years have enhanced the prospects of building new plants. First is the design certification process, second is provision for early site permits (ESPs) and third is the combined construction and operating licence (COL) process (‘Part 52’) as an alternative to the ‘Part 50’ two-step process of construction permit followed by operating licence. All have some costs shared by the DOE. B&W PWR (partly built) 2 x 1263 Nuclear Development LLC (sale pending from Tennessee Valley Authority) 30/10/07 for units 3&4h but COL withdrawn 2016 Seeking loan guarantee; now 2024. Of the above, for the first four AP1000 units, construction is well underway at Vogtle, Georgia, with about $4 billion invested in the project before it was technically 'under construction'. Construction was also well underway at Summer, South Carolina, but has been put on hold – see section below. In addition to sites listed above, Southern Company is evaluating several possible sites, including existing plants and greenfield locations, for additional AP1000 reactors. However the economic outlook since 2013-14 suggests that merchant plants are not prospectively viable, and that some kind of assured market is necessary to underwrite the high capital costs on nuclear plants. A February 2013 white paper published by NEI addresses The Cost of New Generating Capacity in Perspective. As part of the effort to increase US generating capacity,government and industry have worked closely on design certification for advanced Generation III reactors. Design certification by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) means that, after a thorough examination of compliance with safety requirements, a generic type of reactor (say, a Westinghouse AP1000) can be built anywhere in the USA, only having to go through site-specific licensing procedures and obtaining a combined construction and operating licence (see below) before construction can begin. Design certification needs to be renewed after 15 years. The GE Hitachi advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) of1300-1500 MWe. Several ABWRs are now in operation in Japan, with more under construction there and in Taiwan. Some of these have had Toshiba involved in the construction, and more recently it has been Toshiba that promoted the design most strongly in the USA.k Both the Toshiba and the GE Hitachi versions need to have their design certification renewed from 2012, but NRC shows both as "applicant delayed, not scheduled". Toshiba withdrew its design certification renewal application in mid-2016. The Westinghouse AP1000 is the first Generation III+ reactor to receive certificationl. It is a scaled-up version of the Westinghouse AP600 which was certified earlier. It has a modular design to reduce construction time to 36 months. The first four of many are being built in China, and four more in USA. GE Hitachi's Economic Simplified BWR (ESBWR) of 1600 MWe gross, developed from the ABWR. The ESBWR has passive safety features and is currently included in the COL applications of two companies in USA. GE Hitachi submitted the application in August 2005, design approval was notified in March 2011, and design certification was in September 2014. The first COL with it was approved in May 2015. The Korean APR1400 reactor, which is operating in South Korea since 2016 and under construction in the United Arab Emirates. Following 11 pre-application meetings, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power submitted a design certification application to the NRC in October 2013. However, further detail was requested, and the revised submission was accepted by the NRC in March 2015. The final safety report was published in September 2018 and design certification is expected in May 2019. The Mitsubishi US-APWR, a 1700 MWe design developed from that for a 1538 MWe reactor planned for Tsuruga in Japan. The application was submitted in December 2007 and certification was expected to be completed in February 2016, but Mitsubishi delayed the NRC schedule for “several years”. European certification for the almost identical EU-APWR was granted in October 2014. Two US-APWR reactors were proposed in the Luminant-Mitsubishi application for Comanche Peak, but Mitsubishi has withdrawn from this project. The Russian VVER-1200 reactor, which is operating at Novovoronezh II and at Leningrad II, may be submitted for US design certification through Rusatom Overseas, according to Rosatom. The US Evolutionary Power Reactor (US EPR), an adaptation of Areva's EPR to make the European design consistent with US electricity frequencies. The main development of the type was to be through UniStar Nuclear Energy, but other US proposals also involved it. The application was submitted in December 2007 and the design certification rule was expected after mid-2015, with delays due to the complexity of digital instrumentation and control systems. Areva then delayed the NRC schedule and in March 2015 indefinitely suspended the application. The 1600 MWe EPR is being built in Finland, France, and Guangdong in China, and is planned for UK. A demonstration unit of the 160 MWe Holtec SMR-160 PWR (with external steam generator) is proposed at Savannah River with DOE support, and a construction permit application is likely, or a similar application in Canada. In September 2016 Mitsubishi Electric Power Products and its Japanese parent became a partner in the project, to undertake the I&C design and help with licensing. In 2017 SNC-Lavalin joined the project. South Carolina and NuHub also back the proposal. A demonstration unit of the NuScale multi-application small reactor, a 50 MWe integral PWR planned for the Idaho National Laboratory. Subsequent deployment of 12-module power plants in western states is envisaged under the Western Initiative for Nuclear. The NRC accepted NuScale's design certification application in 2017 and a COL application is planned for mid 2020. Nuscale had spent some $170 million on licensing to mid-2015, and expects the NRC review to take 40 months, with the first unit operating in the mid-2020s. In 2013 NuScale secured up to $226 million DOE support for the design, and applied for the second part of its loan guarantee in September 2017. Further details under the section on UAMPS below. SCEG is evaluating the potential of X-energy’s Xe-100 pebble-bed SMR (50 MWe, a high temperature gas-cooled reactor) to replace coal-fired plants, in 200 MWe ‘four-pack’ installations. In August 2015 Russia's AKME-Engineering received a US patent for its modular SVBR-100 lead-bismuth cooled integral fast reactor. The company said that it wanted to protect its intellectual property as it prepared for the construction of a prototype SVBR-100 unit at Dimitrovgrad. However the project was then abandoned in 2018. In February 2014 the NRC said that its most optimistic scenario for awarding design certification for small reactors such as SMRs was 41 months, assuming they were light water types (PWR or BWR). A fuller account of new reactor designs, including those certified but not marketed in the USA, is in the information page on Advanced Nuclear Power Reactors, or for the small modular reactors, in the page on Small NuclearPower Reactors. The 2001 early site permit (ESP) program attracted four applicants: Exelon, Entergy, Dominion and Southern, for Clinton,Grand Gulf, North Anna and Vogtle sites respectively – all with operating nuclear plants already but room for more. In March 2007, Exelon was awarded the first ESP for its Clinton plant in Illinois, after 41 months' processing by the NRC and public review. The NRC then awarded ESPs to Entergy for its Grand Gulf site, Dominion for North Anna, and Southern for Vogtle. No plant type is normally specified with an ESP application, but the site is declared suitable on safety, environmental and related grounds for a new nuclear power plant. The last three of these 2001 ESPs were replaced by COL applications. In March 2010, Exelon applied for an ESP for its Victoria County, TX, site and withdrew the COL application for that project. In 2012 it withdrew the ESP application. PSEG Nuclear lodged an application for an ESP for a new reactor at its Salem/Hope Creek site on the Delaware River in New Jersey in May 2010, and this was granted in May 2016. The seventh ESP application was for small reactors. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submitted an ESP application to the NRC for its Clinch River small reactor project (for four units) in May 2016. The application was based on a plant parameter envelope encompassing the light-water SMRs currently under development in the USA by BWX Technologies, Holtec, NuScale Power and Westinghouse. It envisages that the emergency planning zone need extend only to the plant boundary. TVA then plans to submit a combined licence application with a view to building up to 800 MWe of capacity there. The DOE is supporting TVA's ESP application, and the NRC expects to complete its review of it by August 2019. In 2003, the Department of Energy (DOE) called for combined construction and operating licence (COL) proposals under its Nuclear Power 2010 program on the basis that it would fund up to half the cost of any accepted. The COL program has two objectives:to encourage utilities to take the initiative in licence application, and to encourage reactor vendors to undertake detailed engineering and arrive at reliable cost estimates. For the first,DOE matching funds of up to about $50 million are available, and for the second, up to some $200 million per vendor, to be recouped from royalties. Several industry consortia were created for the purpose of preparing COL applications for new reactors. By mid-2009, COL applications for 26 new units at 17 sites had been submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. A summary of submitted and expected applications is given in the Table above (New US nuclear power reactors), and further information is given in Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 3: COL Applications. However, the only construction of new plants in the short term is in regulated markets, where costs can reliably be recovered. Several companies have ordered heavy forgings and other long lead time equipment for building new plants, in advance of specific plans or approvals. Some have even proceeded to full engineering,procurement and construction (EPC) agreements while the relevant COL applications are being processed, thus indicating a strong probability of actually building the plants concerned. These are indicated in the above Table and further details are given in Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 3: COL Applications. The Energy Policy Act (EPA) of 2005 introduced a production tax credit (PTC) of 1.8 cents per killowatt hour of electricity produced by new nuclear plants. The tax credit is available only for the first 6000 MWe of new nuclear capacity, and lasts only for the first eight years of operation. Companies cannot claim the PTC until assets begin generating electricity. For further discussion see information page on US Nuclear Power Policy. While the focus is on new technology, TVA undertook a detailed feasibility study which led to its decision in 2007 to complete unit 2 of its Watts Bar nuclear power plant in Tennessee. The 1165 MWe (net) reactor was expected to start up in October 2012 and come online in 2013 at a cost of about $2.5 billion, but this schedule slipped substantially, with major budget overrun to $4.7 billion. Construction had been suspended in 1985 when 80% complete and (after parts were cannibalized to reduce that figure to 61%) resumed in October 2007 under a still-valid permit. The construction permit has been extended to September 2016, and in October 2015 TVA received a 40-year operating licence from NRC. Grid connection was early in June and commercial operation commenced in October 2016. Its twin, unit 1, started operation in 1996. Completing Watts Bar 2 utilized an existing asset, thus saving time and cost relative to alternatives for new base-load capacity. It was expected to provide power at 4.4 ¢/kWh, 20-25% less than coal-fired or new nuclear alternatives and 43% less than natural gas. It is a regulated plant, with guaranteed cost recovery. In 2014, before start-up, TVA ordered new steam generators for the unit and plans to change them over after 7-10 years operation. The early 1980s ones are made of an alloy that is prone to stress corrosion cracking. Those in unit 1 were replaced after nine years of operation, and the vast majority of US PWRs have had replacements. In 2017 unit 2 was shut down for five months to replace a condenser that failed. Westinghouse filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on 29 March 2017, after struggling to find cash to fund growing cost overruns at its two US nuclear plant projects (see below). The company listed assets of $4.3 billion and liabilities of $9.4 billion in the filing, and asked permission to pay about $50 million in employee salaries and benefits as well as $87.3 million to critical vendors during bankruptcy proceedings. Westinghouse and 30 affiliated companies filed for bankruptcy protection, listing about 35,000 creditors involved. Westinghouse said that its operations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa are not affected by the bankruptcy filings. Interim financing of $800 million was provided by Westinghouse parent company Toshiba and a New York private equity company, Apollo Capital Management. Toshiba said that it anticipated a new entity to be found by Westinghouse would take a leading role in bringing that company out of bankruptcy, and that its own control of Westinghouse had ended. Westinghouse said its largest creditors were US construction company Fluor Enterprises – which was brought into the US nuclear plant projects in 2015 to take over construction management, and Chicago Bridge & Iron – in connection with the acquisition by Westinghouse of CB&I’s Stone & Webster construction business in late 2014. Fluor is owed almost $194 million, and CB&I is owed $145 million. In March Toshiba said it would not provide additional funding without collateral, according to the bankruptcy protection filing. That resulted in the development of the debtor-in-possession financing, under which Westinghouse will fund continuing operations. Westinghouse said it will work with the several owners of the nuclear plant projects in Georgia and South Carolina to “explore the continued feasibility of those projects in a manner that is cost-neutral and cash-neutral" to Westinghouse and its affiliates. Those owners of the Vogtle and Summer plants agreed to pay costs to continue construction themselves for a transition and evaluation period while final arrangements on future plant work were developed. The continued involvements of Westinghouse in the projects “remains uncertain”. Westinghouse said that it remains committed to the AP1000 technology and will continue to support plants being built in China, and planned for China, USA, India, Turkey, the UK and elsewhere. Its nuclear fuel business had revenues of $1.48 billion in fiscal 2015 (to end March 2016), and its operating plant business had revenues of $1.65 billion in the same period, while the new nuclear plant services business lost money. In April 2008, Georgia Power signed an EPC contract with Westinghouse and The Shaw Group (now CB&I) consortium for two 1200 MWe Westinghouse AP1000 reactors which will be licensed and operated by Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNOC). Both Georgia Power and SNOC are subsidiaries of Southern Company. JSW in Japan sent forged components to Doosan in South Korea for fabrication. The COL was issued by the NRC in February 2012. Construction start (first concrete) was delayed to late 2012, and then to March 2013, after NRC issued a licence amendment allowing use of a higher-strength concrete that permits the company to pour the foundation of the new reactors without making additional modifications to reinforcing steel bar. At that point ten million working hours had been invested on the site. Shaw (now CB&I) agreed with China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) to deploy engineers with experience in building China's AP1000 units to provide technical support. Following early delays, construction of unit 3 started in March 2013 and unit 4 in November. Fluor joined the project as construction manager in January 2016, taking over part of the CB&I role, and in January 2017 Bechtel became involved with the nuclear islands. The units were expected online late in 2019 and September 2020. It is a regulated plant, with guaranteed operational cost recovery. Reactor pressure vessels and steam generators are from Doosan in South Korea. Georgia Power as 45.7% owner reduced its earlier cost estimate for building its share of the new plant from $6.4 billion to $6.1 billion as a result of being able to recover financing costs from customers during construction, but this increased to $6.2 billion in 2012 due to delays. Over the life of the plant, the utility's customers will save about $1 billion through federal loan guarantees, production tax credits and the early recovery of financing costs in the rate base. The Georgia Public Service Commission in February 2013 approved Georgia Power's costs for the project and said that the project "remains more economically viable than any other [energy] resource, including a natural gas-fired alternative." The initial cost estimate for the project was $14 billion. Delays to mid-2014 resulted in a cost increase of $381 million but this was offset by lower interest rates than budgeted. When further delays were announced in January 2015, the company said that cost escalation was about $10 million per month plus financing cost of about $30 million per month. Minority equity in the project is held by Oglethorpe Power (30%), the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia – MEAG Power (22.7%), and Dalton city (1.6%). In mid-April 2017 Westinghouse said that about $1.5 billion was required to complete the construction of both units, though other estimates are higher. In June Toshiba agreed with the owners that its liability under its 2008 parental guarantee would be capped at $3.68 billion for the completion of the Vogtle units. The sum is part of an $8.9 billion provision in Toshiba’s accounts announced in mid-May, covering all four US reactors. In mid-May 2017 Georgia Power announced that from June, Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNOC) would take over project management to complete the Vogtle units, leaving Westinghouse simply as the vendor, though supporting EPC and licensing as well as providing access to intellectual property. Southern said that productivity at the site had improved significantly in 2017, with the reactors now two-thirds complete. SNOC will also be the operator. The company said it would "take all actions necessary to hold Westinghouse and Toshiba accountable for their financial obligations." After a review of options and contingencies, at the end of August 2017 Georgia Power, supported by the co-owners, recommended to the state public services commission (PSC) that construction of both units should be completed, this being the most economic choice for customers. The total rate impact of the project remains less than originally estimated, it said. The recommendation was unanimously approved by the PSC in December 2017. At the same time Georgia Power announced it had contracted with Bechtel to manage daily construction efforts under the direction of SNOC. Bechtel has been involved with the project since January, correlated with “a marked increase in productivity” providing “every indication that we can do a better job than Westinghouse alone as we move forward to complete the project." Vogtle 3&4 would begin commercial operation in November 2021 and November 2022 respectively, under a new construction schedule. Georgia Power (45.7% owner) said it had invested about $4.3 billion in capital costs in the project to June 2017 and in August 2018 announced that it had revised its forecast for the cost of its 45% share of the project up to $8.4 billion. The estimated total price for the project at that time was then expected to be $18.7 billion. In May 2008, South Carolina Electricity & Gas (SCANA subsidiary) and state-owned Santee Cooper signed an EPC contract with Westinghouse and the Shaw Group (now CB&I) consortium for two 1200 MWe Westinghouse AP1000 reactors. The total forecast cost of $9.8 billion included inflation and owners' costs for site preparation, contingencies and project financing, though the last was reduced and the total estimated in April 2012 was $9.2 billion. In October 2014 the cost was estimated at over $11 billion, and in 2015 SCEG amended the EPC contract to choose a fixed price option for completion of the units. In November 2016 the state public service commission agreed for SCEG’s 55% share to be $7.66 billion, excluding financing, with the company’s return on equity reduced to 10.25%. "These delays and related cost increases are principally due to design and fabrication issues associated with the production of submodules used in construction of the units," according to SCANA. Fluor joined the project as construction manager in January 2016, taking over the CB&I role. In February 2017 the anticipated completion dates for the two units were April 2020 and December 2020. The COL was issued by the NRC at the end of March 2012, and construction of unit 2 commenced in March 2013, with first main concrete. That for unit 3 was in November 2013. (In September 2011 SCEG had started to assemble the containment vessel for the first unit – 43 mm thick, from Chicago Bridge & Iron – and was starting construction on the four low-profile forced-draft cooling towers.) Reactor pressure vessels and steam generators are from Doosan in South Korea. A crane capable of lifting 6800 tonnes is installed onsite, though the heaviest component was 1550 tonnes. The units were expected to enter commercial operation late in 2019 and late in 2020. SCEG's loan guarantee application was accepted by the DOE and the project was short-listed in May 2009, though nothing has happened since then. It is a regulated plant, with guaranteed operational cost recovery. In 2014 it was announced that SCEG’s stake in the project would be increased to 60% by acquisition of 5% from Santee Cooper after the plant starts up, for about $500 million, leaving it with 40%. Duke Energy Carolinas had been seeking up to 10% of the project from Santee Cooper, but this plan was dropped in January 2014. Following Westinghouse filing for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in March 2017, SCANA reviewed the project and initially expected resources from Westinghouse and Toshiba – including a so-called parental guarantee from Toshiba – to be adequate to compensate for the additional costs. These, together with a surety bond and an escrow of AP1000 intellectual property and software, were considered. SCANA and Santee Cooper had intended to take over project management to complete the Summer units, leaving Westinghouse simply as vendor, though supporting EPC and licensing as well as providing access to intellectual property, as with Vogtle. In mid-April Westinghouse told SCANA that about $1.5 billion was required to complete construction of both units – $829 million more than it was entitled to charge under the EPC contract, but less than the liability amount for it and Toshiba for breach of EPC contract. SCE&G and Santee Cooper reached agreement with Westinghouse and Toshiba to settle for $2.168 billion. Of this $1.192 billion will go to SCE&G for its 55% ownership of the project, with $976 million to Santee Cooper, which owns 45%. Analysis of detailed schedule and cost data provided by Westinghouse and EPC subcontractor Fluor showed unit 2 would not be completed until December 2022 and unit 3 not before March 2024 – four years after the most recent completion date provided by Westinghouse. The overall project was 64.1% complete at the end of March 2017, and "about two-thirds" complete in July. At the end of July Santee Cooper decided to halt construction in the light of “significant challenges” in completing the two reactors, notably uncertain costs, the uncertain availability of production tax credits, and reduced demand forecast. Also "the current political landscape has reduced the urgency for emissions-free base-load generation." It found that completing the project would cost the company $8 billion plus about $3.4 billion in interest, with schedule delays contributing to the increased interest. It had already spent $4.7 billion on construction and interest to date for its 45% share of the project. SCE&G had been evaluating options, including completion of only one unit, but concluded that completion of both units would be “prohibitively expensive” – about $9.9 billion for its 55% share of the project. SCANA said that completing only unit 2 would have resulted in a combined cost that was less than that previously approved by the South Carolina Public Services Commission under the fixed price option for completing the two nuclear units, but Santee Cooper’s decision ruled this out. “Ceasing work on the project was our least desired option, but this is the right thing to do at this time," and would accordingly apply to the state public services commission to permit this and allow it to recover from ratepayers about $4.9 billion it has spent. Santee Cooper said that during the project wind-down it will continue to investigate the potential for federal support or "additional partners" that might make the project economic, and SCE&G echoed this. The state government then considered trying to sell Santee Cooper or take other action to revive the project, and SCE&G said in mid-August that it would withdraw its petition to the state public services commission, to allow for possible new partners. Duke Energy said it was not interested. Westinghouse said: "The South Carolina economy is sure to feel the negative impact of losing over 5000 high-paying, long-term jobs, as well as not having available the reliable, clean, safe and affordable energy these units would provide. Also, at a time when other nuclear plants are being retired, the US energy sector is sure to feel the stunting impact of walking away from these two nuclear units." In September 2017 the state governor released a report written 18 months earlier by Bechtel, highlighting eight significant contractual and management problems that required resolution*. The report detailed numerous recommendations, but suggested that the most important step for the consortium was to create a new "more achievable" project schedule. Later in September 2017, SCANA and its subsidiaries received a federal subpoena for a broad range of documents related to the Summer plant expansion. ​While the consortium's engineering, procurement and construction plans and schedules are integrated, the plans and schedules are not reflective of actual project circumstances. The consortium lacks the project management integration needed for a successful project outcome. There is a lack of a planned vision, goals and accountability between the owners and the consortium. The contract does not appear to be serving the owners or the consortium particularly well. The detailed engineering design is not yet completed, which will subsequently affect the performance of procurement and construction. The issued design is often not constructible, resulting in a significant number of changes and causing delays. The oversight approach taken by the owners does not allow for real-time, appropriate cost and schedule mitigation. The relationship between the consortium partners (Westinghouse Electric Company and Chicago Bridge & Iron) is strained, caused to a large extent by commercial issues. Tennessee Valley Authority had a pair of uncompleted 1213 MWe PWR reactors: Bellefonte 1&2. Construction on these units was abandoned in 1988 after $2.5 billion had been spent and unit 1 largely (88%) completed and unit 2 about 58% completed. In February 2009, the NRC reinstated the construction permits for these (and later the status of the reactors classified as 'deferred'). Today unit 1 is considered no more than 55% complete due to the transfer or sale of many components and the need to upgrade or replace others, such as the instrumentation and control systems, reactor pressure vessel, steam generators and main condenser tubing. In August 2011 TVA opted to complete unit 1 at a cost of about $4.9 billion rather than building a new AP1000 reactor as unit 3* (see Appendix 3: COL Applications). TVA then asked the NRC in 2011 to defer consideration of its COL for units 3&4 (AP1000 option), and in February 2016 it withdrew the COL application. * In August 2010, TVA had committed to spending $248 million in the year to September 2011 towards work at Bellefonte8 and an engineering contract was awarded to Areva SA in October 2010 for work on unit 1, including engineering, licensing and procurement of long-lead materials in support of a possible start-up date in the 2018-19 timeframe. Following TVA's 2011 decision to proceed, the Areva contract included construction and component replacement work on the plant's nuclear systems, a digital instrumentation and control (I&C) system, a modernized control room, a plant simulator for personnel training plus fuel design and fabrication. Areva contracts amounted to some $1 billion, with heavy construction to start when Watts Bar 2 was completed. In late 2013 TVA revised the estimated cost to $7.4 to $8.7 billion. However, TVA’s 20-year integrated resource plan in 2015 did not have Bellefonte 1&2 as a firm prospect, and it projected 2028 completion of unit 1 as having the effect of increasing system costs. Later in 2015 the company said it would defer consideration of completing unit 1 for a decade. In May 2016 the TVA board decided to offer the plant for sale at auction, and in November Nuclear Development LLC agreed to buy it for $111 million. Nuclear Development said it intended to invest up to $13 billion from 2017 to complete the plant, and it was lobbying for a $5 billion loan guarantee. Bellefonte is a regulated plant, with guaranteed cost recovery. In mid-2018 the company signed an agreement with SNC-Lavalin to finish building the plant once the purchase is completed. Completion of unit 1 was then anticipated in 2024. Duke Energy lodged a COL application in December 2007 for two Westinghouse AP1000 units for its William States Lee III plant at a new site near Charlotte in Cherokee County, South Carolina, to provide power for North Carolina. The company was seeking a loan guarantee and was considering regional partnerships to build the plant. The environmental review for NRC was completed in December 2013, showing no problems, the safety evaluation review was completed in August 2016 and the COLs issued in December 2016. Duke told NRC in 2012 that it was revising its COL application to move the nuclear island of both Lee units by some 20 metres to make excavation and construction easier. Duke had spent $471 million on licensing, planning and pre-construction activities for the plant to February 2016. If proceeding, the 1117 MWe (net) units were then expected online in 2024 and 2026. In August 2017 the company announced: "The risks and uncertainties to initiating construction on the Lee nuclear project have become too great, and cancellation of the project is the best option for customers." It is seeking approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission to cancel the project, while maintaining its licence to build at the site in the future. NextEra Energy subsidiary Florida Power & Light (FPL) applied in June 2009 for a COL for two Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at Turkey Point in Florida where two 693 MWe PWR units (3&4) are operating and were uprated in 2012-13. (Unit 5 is a 1190 MWe combined cycle gas plant; units 1&2 are 400 MWe oil/gas units.) In 2011 the Florida Public Service Commission approved a levy towards construction of the reactors, and in May 2014 the state government approved the project, with new transmission lines. The NRC safety review was scheduled to be completed late in 2013, and the NRC website early in 2015 showed COL completion early in 2017. FPL will then make a decision about proceeding. The company said in April 2014 that it expected to start operation of the first new unit in June 2022 and the second a year later, but in January 2015 changed this to 2027 and 2028, due to “NRC licensing schedule adjustments and changes to the Florida nuclear cost recovery law,“ which delay the start of site works. Units 3&4 at South Texas Project (STP) were envisaged as a merchant plant with two 1356 MWe Advanced Boiling Water Reactors (ABWR)m. The COL application was submitted in September 2007 by site operator STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) on behalf of the project owner, which was then a 50:50 partnership between NRG Energy and the City Public Service Board (CPS Energy) of San Antonio. Ownership of STP units 1&2 (Westinghouse PWRs) is NRG Energy (44%), CPS Energy (40%) and Austin Energy (16%). In March 2008, NRG with Toshiba subsidiary Toshiba America Nuclear Energy (TANE) formed Nuclear Innovation North America (NINA – 88% NRG; 12% TANE) to develop the project. In February 2009, TANE entered into an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreement that would convert into a turnkey contract once the final decision to proceed with the project had been taken. Following TANE's later announcement that the project would cost $4 billion more than the $13 billion that was previously estimated, in February 2010 CPS Energy decided to reduce its stake to 7.625%, with NINA increasing its share to 92.375%. In May 2010, Japanese utility Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), which had been acting as technical consultant to the project, agreed to take 10% of NINA's stake for $155 million, with an option to later double its holding. The deal was conditional on a DOE loan guarantee being awarded to the project. However, in April 2011, based largely on low natural gas prices in Texas compounded by the March 2011 accident at Tepco's Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan, NRG decided to pull out of the project and write off its $331 million investment in it. Toshiba had spent $150 million and persevered with the project, though it wrote off $305 million (JPY 31 billion) on NINA in 2014. NINA was dissolved in 2018. COLs for each of the two units were issued in February 2016.n However, Toshiba’s withdrawal of the application for design certification renewal in mid-2016 effectively put the project on hold. In May 2018, Toshiba announced its withdrawal from the project, stating that it was no longer financially viable. Toshiba said its decision to exit the project was in line with its policy "to eliminate risk from the overseas nuclear power business, particularly from construction-related cost overruns in nuclear power plant construction projects." Toshiba stated it had sought, but failed to find investors to participate in the project. The UAMPS Carbon-Free Power Project, a 12-module Nuscale SMR plant, would be owned by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems and operated by Energy Northwest in Idaho, supported by six western states. UAMPS plans to submit a COL application in mid-2020. NuScale expects the first unit to be operating in the mid-2020s. In 2013 NuScale secured up to $226 million DOE support for the design. In January 2017 UAMPS started soliciting power sales contracts for the 600 MWe plant and wants 150 MWe committed for the lifetime of the plant before proceeding. The DOE has granted permission to site the plant on the 2300 square km Idaho National Laboratory estate, and recent reports put this in the southern part of it. Under this agreement UAMPS has ten years to begin operating the first module, and this will trigger a 99-year lease for the plant. If Idaho state does not welcome the project, Wisconsin would do so, though it is a long way from UAMPS. This is a reference unit for GE Hitachi's ESBWR design, proposed by Detroit Edison in Michigan, but the company has not yet committed to proceeding. A COL application was made in 2008 and environmental approval was received in January 2013. Full design certification of the ESBWR in 2014 allowed the safety evaluation to proceed, and the COL was approved in May 2015. Site works started for two 1200 MWe Westinghouse AP1000 reactors on a greenfield site in Florida, and to January 2012 some $860 million had been spent on this. The company expected to have spent about $1 billion on the design, acquisition of heavy equipment and site works by the time it secures NRC approval. In September 2008, Progress Energy Florida signed an EPC contract with Westinghouse and The Shaw Group (now CB&I) consortium. The contract is for $7.65 billion ($3462/kWe), of an overall project cost of about $14 billion. In August 2013 Duke Energy resolved to terminate the 2008 EPC contract as "a result of delays by the NRC in issuing COLs for new nuclear plants, as well as increased uncertainty in cost recovery caused by recent legislative changes in Florida.” It continued to pursue the COLs in order to keep the option open. In April 2014 Duke announced plans to build 2745 MWe of gas-fired capacity by 2021 instead of proceeding with the Levy County nuclear plant in the original timeframe. Duke Energy Florida was planning to sell all the long-lead time equipment it had ordered by the end of 2014, but it was in dispute with Westinghouse over EPC contract termination. In October the Florida Public Service Commission ordered Duke to repay to ratepayers $54 million it had collected in advance to fund the 'cancelled' project. In October 2016 the NRC approved the COLs – the eighth and ninth it had issued. The last estimated operational dates were 2024-25, the delay being due to "lower-than-projected customer demand, the lingering economic slowdown, uncertainty regarding potential carbon regulation and current low natural gas prices." The revised cost was $19-24 billion. It would be a regulated plant, with guaranteed cost recovery. In August 2017 Duke Energy cancelled the project, citing the Westinghouse bankruptcy and slowing energy demand, and said it would not maintain the licences. In December 2010, Dominion announced that it had agreed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build a US-APWR unit, but in April 2013 Dominion announced that it had reverted to the ESBWR as preferred technology (as originally selected in 2005), and would amend its COL application accordingly. The COL for the ESBWR was issued in June 2017. Dominion quotes 1453 MWe net (summer capacity) for the unit there. In May 2013 it agreed a construction contract with GE Hitachi and Fluor, conditional upon proceeding. Dominion said it will make a decision on building in due course, and hence it remains as 'proposed' according to the World Nuclear Association. Dominion suggests start-up in 2028 if it proceeds. It had spent $345 million on the project to early 2016. It is a regulated plant, with guaranteed cost recovery. A consultant to the state has estimated the cost of the plant as $19.3 billion including financing, or $13,283/kW, and Dominion has said that such a figure would not be unreasonable. Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) has set up B&W Modular Nuclear Energy LLC to market the mPower small modular reactor design of 180 MWe. In February 2013 B&W signed an agreement with TVA to build up to four units at Clinch River, with design certification application intended to be submitted to the NRC in 2015. Bechtel has joined the project as an equity partner to design, license and deploy it. As well as TVA, First Energy and Oglethorpe Power are involved with the proposal. TVA submitted an early site permit (ESP) application in May 2016, with no particular technology specified. Progress Energy lodged a COL application for two AP1000 units at its Shearon Harris site at New Hill in North Carolina in February 2008. This was proceeding towards being granted at the end of 2014. Expansion of the plant would require raising the water level of Harris Lake by 6 metres, and relying on the Cape Fear River as backup cooling water. However, in May 2013 Duke Energy (which had taken over Progress) asked NRC to suspend the COL review due to projected electricity demand being low for next 15 years. Luminant planned to use two US-APWR units for its merchant plant in Texas, and in May 2011 remained positive about the prospects for these by 2109-20. The World Nuclear Association lists the plant as "proposed" pending progress with design certification and COLs. However, design certification has been extended by several years and the COL suspended. In May 2011 the NRC concluded that there were no environmental considerations that would hinder the project. Luminant's loan guarantee application was accepted by DOE and it was understood that this was the first alternative to the four short-listed projects, two of which are now not proceeding for the time being. Meanwhile Mitsubishi has withdrawn as a joint venture partner. Unistar, now owned by EdF, planned to build a 1710 MWe Areva US-EPR alongside Constellation's units 1&2, as a merchant plant. The NRC design certification for US-EPR was due early in 2013, but the COL – originally scheduled in mid-2013 – required a new US partner for the project. At the end of August 2012 the NRC said that it would terminate the COL application in 60 days if Unistar did not have majority US ownership by then, and it did so. In May 2011 the NRC concluded that there are no environmental considerations that would preclude issuing the COL for construction and operation of the proposed US-EPR at the site. The NRC was now completing the safety evaluation. Unistar's loan guarantee application was accepted by DOE and the project was short-listed in May 2009. In the light of equity developments the World Nuclear Association has moved the project from "planned" back to "proposed". Exelon, merging with Constellation (owner of units 1&2 there, and in which EdF has 49.9% equity) said in November 2011 that with the advent of shale gas, a new nuclear plant at Calvert Cliffs was "utterly uneconomic" by a factor about two. Calvert Cliffs 3 will have a closed-loop cooling system using a single hybrid mechanical draft cooling tower, giving it a much larger footprint than units 1&2 together. It will also have a reverse osmosis desalination plant for potable water, producing 4700 m3/day. PSEG has an application for an early site permit for up to two new Salem reactors at Hope Creek, NJ. This is scheduled for awarding early in 2016, and a positive environmental review was reported in November 2015. No reactor technology is specified. TVA upgraded and restarted Browns Ferry 1 in May 2007. The unit had originally commenced commercial operation in 1974 but all three Browns Ferry reactors were shut down in 1985 to address management and operational concerns. Units 2&3 were returned to service in 1991 and 1995, respectively. The five-year refurbishment program of unit 1 also increased its power to 1,155 MWe, similar to the newer units 2&3. In April 2010, Areva signed an agreement with Fresno Nuclear Energy Group for a clean-energy park near Fresno in California,including a 1600 MWe EPR and concentrated solar power plant. Possible locations were investigated. Other planned or proposed new US nuclear capacity is described more fully in Appendix 3: COL Applications. After 20 years of steady decline, government R&D funding for nuclear energy is being revived with the objective of rebuilding US leadership in nuclear technology. In an effort that brings together government research laboratories, industry and academe, the Federal government has significantly stepped up R&D spending for future plants that improve or go well beyond current designs. There has been particular attention to the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) project to develop a Generation IV high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, which would be part of a system that would produce both electricity and hydrogen on a large scale. The DOE has stated that its goal is to have a pilot plant ready at its Idaho National Laboratory (INL) by 2021.The total development cost has been estimated at $2 billion. See also information page on US Nuclear Power Policy. Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), which manages the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina on behalf of the DOE,has proposed a demonstration complex with prototype or demonstration models of up to 15 small reactors (up to 300 MWe, but mostly smaller). Hyperion has signed an agreement to build the first, and SRNS has approached several other small-reactor developers, including General Atomics (re GT-MHR or EM2), GE Hitachi (re PRISM) and Terrapower (see section on Hyperion Power Module in the information page on Small Nuclear Power Reactors). It is understood that the DOE has the authority to build and operate such small reactors if they are not supplying electricity to the grid. i. Dominion's North Anna COL application referenced the ESBWR, but in March 2009 it issued a new request for proposals from reactor vendors and in May 2010 it selected the Mitsubishi US-APWR. Then in April 2013 it reverted to the ESBWR, and agreed on an EPC contract for it with GEH and Fluor, though this will not be signed unless it decides to proceed. The COL review by NRC in now expected to be complete in 2015. m. Since the decision to go ahead with South Texas Project (STP) units 3&4 was first announced, there have been a number of developments. The combined construction and operating licence (COL) application was prepared by STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) together with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Bechtel and submitted in September 2007.3 Just before submittal of the COL application, NRG Energy and STPNOC signed a project services agreement with Toshiba to support the design, engineering, construction and procurement of the units. Fluor was then enrolled to support Toshiba4. In November 2010, Nuclear Innovation North America LLC (NINA, the nuclear development company jointly owned by NRG Energy and Toshiba) announced that it had awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to a "restructured EPC consortium" of Toshiba's US subsidiary Toshiba America Nuclear Energy Corporation (TANE) and The Shaw Group5 (later CB&I). Following CB&I's sale of its CB&I Stone & Webster subsidiary to Westinghouse (then owned by Toshiba), in May 2016 Toshiba and CB&I dissolved their 2010 partnership in relation to all ABWR plans, leaving TANE as the sole EPC contractor for the project.
2019-04-21T22:37:37Z
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1Institute of Physiology and Center for Integrative Genomics, Lausanne, Switzerland. 2Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Epalinges, Switzerland. Address correspondence to: Bernard Thorens, Institute of Physiology, Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Génopode Building, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. Phone: 41-21-692-39-81; Fax: 41-21-292-39-85; E-mail: Bernard.Thorens@unil.ch. J Clin Invest. 2005;115(12):3545–3553. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI26309. Ripglut1;glut2–/– mice have no endogenous glucose transporter type 2 (glut2) gene expression but rescue glucose-regulated insulin secretion. Control of glucagon plasma levels is, however, abnormal, with fed hyperglucagonemia and insensitivity to physiological hypo- or hyperglycemia, indicating that GLUT2-dependent sensors control glucagon secretion. Here, we evaluated whether these sensors were located centrally and whether GLUT2 was expressed in glial cells or in neurons. We showed that ripglut1;glut2–/– mice failed to increase plasma glucagon levels following glucoprivation induced either by i.p. or intracerebroventricular 2-deoxy-D-glucose injections. This was accompanied by failure of 2-deoxy-D-glucose injections to activate c-Fos–like immunoreactivity in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. When glut2 was expressed by transgenesis in glial cells but not in neurons of ripglut1;glut2–/– mice, stimulated glucagon secretion was restored as was c-Fos–like immunoreactive labeling in the brainstem. When ripglut1;glut2–/– mice were backcrossed into the C57BL/6 genetic background, fed plasma glucagon levels were also elevated due to abnormal autonomic input to the α cells; glucagon secretion was, however, stimulated by hypoglycemic stimuli to levels similar to those in control mice. These studies identify the existence of central glucose sensors requiring glut2 expression in glial cells and therefore functional coupling between glial cells and neurons. These sensors may be activated at different glycemic levels depending on the genetic background. Glucagon secretion is an immediate response to hypoglycemia, which leads to restoration of normal blood glucose levels by stimulating hepatic glucose production. The normal regulation of this hormone secretion by low glucose becomes progressively impaired in type 1 and some type 2 diabetic patients, and the ensuing risk of developing severe hypoglycemia represents a major obstacle to efficient insulin treatment of these diseases (1, 2). The physiological mechanisms controlling glucagon secretion and how they become deregulated in diabetes are far from being elucidated. Experimental studies in animals and in humans have provided evidence for multiple systems controlling glucagon secretion. First, α cells may directly respond to changes in glucose concentrations (3, 4), and they express genes associated with glucose sensing such as glucokinase (5) and the Kir6.2 and SUR1 (6) subunits of the ATP-dependent K+ (KATP) channel but not glucose transporter type 2 (GLUT2) (7). A second level of control of glucagon secretion is by intraislet insulin levels (8, 9). Indeed, insulin is a negative regulator of glucagon secretion, and suppression of insulin secretion by low glucose relieves this inhibition. A major control of α cells’ secretory activity, however, occurs through both the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system and by the sympathoadrenal axis (10, 11). The activation of the autonomic nervous system and sympathoadrenal axis by hypoglycemia depends on glucose sensing mechanisms, which are yet poorly defined but probably reside at several anatomical sites, including the hepatoportal vein area, the brainstem, and the hypothalamus. Hepatoportal vein glucose sensors are linked by hepatic vagal afferents to brainstem nuclei, in particular the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) and the lateral hypothalamus (12, 13). Their role in glucagon secretion is still debated, and they may not be critical for hypoglycemia-induced glucagon secretion; however, their activation by portal glucose injection can suppress the glucagon response to insulin-induced peripheral hypoglycemia (14, 15). The role of hypothalamic nuclei in counterregulation has been explored through lesion studies and pharmacological or genetic interference with glucose detection systems (16). From these studies, the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) appears to play a critical role. Indeed, hypoglycemia-induced glucagon secretion was suppressed by direct VMH injection of glucose (17) or of KATP channel inhibitors (18). Inactivation of KATP channel in Kir6.2–/– mice also led to impaired glucagon response, which was correlated with a suppression of the glucose-regulated VMH neurons firing activity (19). In addition, glucoprivation by direct injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) in the VMH induced glucagon secretion (20). Whereas the above data support a role for the VMH in the control of glucagon secretion, other published data indicate that glucose-sensing units located in the brainstem play an equally critical role in the physiological control of glucagon secretion. For instance, when the cerebral acqueduct is obstructed, 2-DG induces a glucoregulatory response only when injected in the fourth but not the lateral ventricle (21). Also, localization of 2-DG–activated neurons by c-Fos immunostaining (22) showed that the NTS, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMNX), and the A1, A1/C1, and C1 groups of catecholaminergic neurons of the brainstem were particularly responsive to this glucoprivic challenge. In addition, whereas injections of 5-thioglucose in different nuclei of the hypothalamus failed to induce a glucoregulatory response, strong responses were obtained by injections of this antimetabolite into the NTS and the medullary regions containing the A1 and C1 catecholaminergic neurons (23). These catecholaminergic neurons project to different sites of the hypothalamus to control counterregulation but also feeding (23–25). The NTS has also been demonstrated to be sensitive to small variations in blood glucose concentrations, a mechanism that requires the function of the KATP channel (26, 27). Together, these data suggest that the glucose-sensing systems involved in controlling glucagon secretion form a highly interactive network linked by nerve connections; in this network, the brainstem may have a critical role for physiological hypoglycemia sensing. The cells and molecules involved in glucose sensing and counterregulation have not yet been identified. This is due to a lack of molecular markers that could be unambiguously associated with the physiological response to hypoglycemia and that could be used to identify the responsive cells. The KATP channel is involved in central glucose sensing (18, 19); however, the Kir6.2 subunit is expressed at a high level in all brain areas (28) and thus cannot provide precise markers for glucose-sensitive cells. In a previous study, we showed that ripglut1;glut2–/– mice, which have an inactivated glut2 gene but normal glucose-regulated insulin secretion due to transgenic expression of GLUT1 in their β-cells (29), have abnormal regulation of glucagon plasma levels. This was characterized by fed hyperglucagonemia, which could be normalized by ganglionic blockade, indicating an increased autonomic tone to the α cell, and by suppressed response to moderate hypoglycemic levels (∼2.5 mM). However, a strong response could still be induced by deep hypoglycemia (≤ 1 mM). These data indicate that glucagon secretion is under the control of GLUT2-dependent and independent hypoglycemia detection systems that can be activated at different glycemic levels. Here, we extend these observations by providing evidence that GLUT2-dependent glucose sensors are located centrally, that they are involved in the activation of neurons of the NTS and DMNX, and that GLUT2 needs to be expressed in glial cells for the gluco-detection system to function. Absence of stimulated glucagon secretion in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. Ripglut1;glut2–/– mice have an inactivated endogenous glut2 gene and express transgenic glut1 in their β cells. This restores normal glucose-induced insulin secretion and allows the mice to live and reproduce normally. These mice have normal body weight and normal glycemia in the fed state; their glycemia is approximately 1 mM lower than that of control mice in the fasted state. They have been described in detail in previous studies (29, 30). We first performed hyperinsulinemic clamping in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice and their control littermates, and we assessed plasma glucagon levels at the end of the experiments. Figure 1A shows the glycemic profiles of mice clamped at approximately 5.5 mM or approximately 2.5 mM glucose for 3 hours. The plasma glucagon levels determined at the end of the clamp periods were markedly increased by hypoglycemia in the control mice but not in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice (Figure 1B), in agreement with previous studies (29). Since GLUT2 is not expressed in pancreatic α cells (7) and the control by glucose of insulin secretion is normal in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice (30), this indicated that extrapancreatic, GLUT2-dependent, glucose-sensing mechanisms were involved in hypoglycemia-induced glucagon secretion. Suppression of glucagon secretion in response to physiological hypoglycemia or cellular glucoprivation in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. (A) Glycemic profiles during use of normoglycemic or hypoglycemic clamps in ripglut1;glut2+/– and ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. (B) Plasma glucagon levels measured at the end of the clamp experiment. Hypoglycemia induced an approximately 3-fold increase in plasma glucagon in control mice but no increase in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. (C) Glucagon levels 30 minutes after i.p. injection of NaCl or 2-DG. 2-DG induced an approximately 1.7-fold increase in plasma glucagon in control mice but no increase in glut2-null mice. (D) Glucagon levels measured 30 minutes following i.c.v. injection of NaCl or 2-DG. 2-DG induced a 2.5-fold increase in plasma glucagon in control mice and no increase in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. (B and D) Data are indicated as mean ± SD; n = 6–10 for each data point. (C) Data are indicated as mean ± SEM of 3 experiments, each performed with 6–8 mice. **P < 0.01 for comparison between NaCl- and 2-DG–injected groups. #P < 0.05 and ##P < 0.01 for comparison between NaCl–injected control and ripglut1;glut2–/– groups (Student’s t test). Next, we evaluated the response to a glucoprivic signal induced by administration of 2-DG. As our previous studies indicated that glucagon secretion in mutant mice could still be induced by deep hypoglycemia, we first selected a dose of 2-DG that could assist us in discriminating between the responses of control and mutant mice. We tested i.p. doses of 75, 100, 150, 200, and 400 mg/kg and selected a dose of 150 mg/kg for all subsequent i.p. injection experiments. The optimal time for plasma glucagon level measurement after injection of 2-DG was also evaluated in control mice. The strongest response was found at 30 minutes; it was still almost as high at 60 minutes and reduced at 120 minutes. Figure 1C shows the plasma glucagon levels in fed control and mutant mice 30 minutes after injection of saline or 2-DG. In control mice, 2-DG induced a significant increase in plasma glucagon levels whereas in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice, basal plasma glucagon levels were higher than in their littermates, as previously reported for fed mice (29), but were not increased by 2-DG injection. This suggests that the 2-DG glucoprivic signal was not detected in the absence of GLUT2. Next, we evaluated whether central GLUT2-dependent glucose sensors were also involved in the 2-DG response. To perform these analyses, we implanted mice with cannulas in the lateral ventricle. Correct positioning of the cannulas was verified at the end of the experiments by histological analysis, and only results from mice with correctly implanted cannulas were considered. Figure 1D shows that plasma glucagon levels 30 minutes after 2-DG (1 mg/mouse) administration were increased only in control but not in mutant mice. This indicates that the central 2-DG–sensitive units controlling glucagon secretion are GLUT2-dependent. c-Fos–like immunoreactivity in control and ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. To evaluate whether the absence of glucagon response to 2-DG injections in mutant mice was correlated with a change in the activity of certain glucose-sensitive brainstem areas, we chose to analyze the number of c-Fos–like immunoreactive–positive (c-FLI–positive) cells in the NTS and the DMNX, 2 regions of the dorsal vagal complex intimately linked to afferent signals from the gut and also connected to afferent and efferent signals from different nuclei of the hypothalamus. The data in Figure 2, A and B, show that, following i.p. 2-DG injection, there was a marked increase in c-FLI–positive cells in the NTS and the DMNX of control (ripglut1;glut2+/–) mice, which was not observed in mutant mice (Figure 2B). In the NTS, the number of c-FLI–positive cells in the basal state was, however, similar to that in 2-DG–treated control mice. These data thus indicated that these brainstem structures were sensitive to the glucoprivic stress induced by i.p. 2-DG and that the response required the presence of GLUT2. In the absence of GLUT2, there was permanent activation of the NTS. c-FLI cells in the NTS, the DMNX, and the VMH following 2-DG injections. Mice were injected i.p. with NaCl or 2-DG, and tissues were processed 2 hours later for c-FLI immunohistochemistry. (A) Representative photos from c-FLI–positive cells at 2 different levels of the NTS and DMNX of ripglut1;glut2+/– mice after i.p. injection of NaCl or 2-DG. The positions of the sections were between –7.64 and –7.48 mm relative to the bregma. Scale bars: 100 μm. AP, area postrema; cc, central canal. (B) c-FLI–positive cells in the NTS and DMNX of ripglut1;glut2+/–, ripglut1;glut2–/–, and pgfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice after i.p. injection of NaCl or 2-DG. In glut2-null mice, there is no increase in the number of c-FLI–positive cells after 2-DG administration. Transgenic expression of GLUT2 in astrocytes restored the sensitivity of the NTS and DMNX to i.p. 2-DG. (C) c-FLI–positive cells in the VMH of control, ripglut1;glut2–/–, and pgfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice after i.p. injection of NaCl or 2-DG. Data are indicated as mean ± SD; n = 6–8 mice for each data point. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 for comparison between NaCl- and 2-DG–injected groups (Student’s t test). The VMH has been previously linked to regulation of glucagon secretion in response to hypoglycemia. We therefore assessed the c-FLI–positive cells in this hypothalamic structure in control and ripglut1;glut2–/– mice following i.p. 2-DG injections. Figure 2C shows that this glucoprivic signal induced a similar increase in c-FLI–positive cells in the VMH of the control and mutant mice, indicating that activation of this structure is independent of GLUT2 expression. The relatively low increase in c-FLI–positive cells in the VMH is probably due to the relatively low dose of 2-DG used in our experiments as compared with similar studies performed in the rat, in which the usual dose is 400 mg/kg. GLUT2 expression in glial cells restores glucagon secretion. Certain neurons can increase or decrease their firing rates in response to variations in extracellular glucose concentrations (31, 32). It is not known, however, whether glucose is directly metabolized by neurons to regulate their firing activity or first taken up by astrocytes, then catabolized to lactate, which is then transferred to neurons for ATP production and regulation of their electrical activity (33). To address this question, we prepared transgenic mice expressing GLUT2 either under the synapsin or under the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoters for expression in neurons or astrocytes, respectively. Figure 3A shows the construct used for generating the gfapglut2 mice. This construct was injected into oocytes of B6D2F1 mice fertilized by ripglut1;glut2–/– males. The founders were then backcrossed into ripglut1;glut2–/– mice to obtain gfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. Figure 3B shows the presence of the transgene, detected by Southern blot analysis as a 3.8-kb DNA fragment, in the different transgenic lines. Expression of GLUT2 in the brains of these mice was ascertained by Western blot analysis. Figure 3C shows that GLUT2 was not detected in whole-brain membrane preparations from control mice, as expected from its very low level of expression in restricted subpopulations of neurons or astrocytes (34). In contrast, GLUT2 was detected in transgenic lines 3 and 4. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed a good colocalization of transgenic GLUT2 with the glial cell marker GFAP (Figure 3D). Line 4 was selected for subsequent physiological analysis. Expression of GLUT2 in astrocytes of ripglut1;glut2–/– mice restores glucagon secretion in response to physiological hypoglycemia or cellular glucoprivation. (A) Scheme of the GLUT2 transgene. (B) Southern blot detection of the 3.8-kb EcoRI transgene fragment in the genomic DNA of F1 mice from 3 of the 4 lines of transgenic mice. (C) Western blot detection of GLUT2 in whole-brain membranes of pgfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. GLUT2 is detected in the brains (B) of lines 3 and 4. GLUT2 expression in liver (L) of B6 mice is presented as a control. GLUT2 is not detectable by Western blot analysis in the brains of B6 or ripglut1;glut2–/– mice, as expected from its very low abundance. (D) Immunofluorescence detection in the brains of mouse transgenic line 4 of GLUT2 and GFAP. Overlay of both types of staining shows expression of transgenic GLUT2 in glial cells. Scale bar: 50 μm. The glucagon response during a hypoglycemic clamp or following i.p. injection of 2-DG was then measured in gfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice and in their appropriate glut2–/– control littermates. Figure 4A shows the plasma glucagon levels measured at the end of hypo- (∼2.5 mM) or euglycemic (∼5.5 mM) clamping. Transgenic expression of GLUT2 in glial cells restored the plasma glucagon response to hypoglycemia. Similarly, following i.p. injections of 2-DG, the plasma glucagon response was restored in gfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice (Figure 4B). Restoration of glucagon secretion in response to physiological hypoglycemia or cellular glucoprivation in pgfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. (A) ripglut1;glut2–/– and pgfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice were clamped for 3 hours at low (∼2.5 mM) or euglycemic (∼5.5 mM) levels and plasma glucagon concentrations measured at the end of clamping. Hypoglycemia did not increase plasma glucagon in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice but induced a 1.7-fold increase in plasma glucagon in pgfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. (B) Plasma glucagon levels measured 30 minutes after i.p. injection of NaCl or 2-DG. 2-DG induced a 2.7-fold increase in plasma glucagon in pgfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. Data are indicated as mean ± SD; n = 6–10. *P < 0.05 for comparison between euglycemic and hypoglycemic clamps or NaCl- and 2-DG–injected groups (Student’s t test). We next evaluated whether these rescued mice had restored activation of NTS and DMNX neurons following i.p. 2-DG injections. As shown in Figure 2B, the number of c-FLI–positive cells in the NTS of gfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice was increased following 2-DG injection. The difference was in part due to a decrease in the c-FLI–positive cells in the basal state. In the DMNX, GLUT2 reexpression also restored a sensitivity to 2-DG–induced activation of c-FLI–positive cells. In the VMH, no change in the increase in c-FLI–positive cells was observed in the gfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice (Figure 2C). Thus, glial cell reexpression of GLUT2 restored glucagon response to hypoglycemia and glucoprivic signals and activation of NTS and DMNX cells by 2-DG injections. GLUT2 expression in neurons has no effect on glucagon secretion. As a further control for the role of GLUT2 in glial cells in the glucagon response, we also generated mice with transgenic expression of GLUT2 in neurons under the control of the synapsin promoter. The vector used for the preparation of transgenic mice is shown in Figure 5A. The transgenic and breeding strategy was similar to that used for glial cell reexpression of GLUT2. Expression of GLUT2 in the brains of the synapsinglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– transgenic mice was detected by Western and Northern blot analysis (Figure 5, B and C). Expression of the GLUT2 mRNA was found in whole-brain extracts but also in extracts from the NTS and hypothalamus. GLUT2 protein was also detected in whole-brain extracts from the transgenic mice. For subsequent analysis, lines 1 and 3 were selected. The glucagon response to intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) 2-DG injections in synapsinglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– (line 1) is shown in Figure 5D. The ripglut1;glut2+/– control littermates presented normal glucagon responses. The ripglut1;glut2–/– control littermates failed to increase their plasma glucagon levels, as described above. Importantly, no glucagon response was observed in the synapsinglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice. Identical results were found with line 3 (not shown). Expression of GLUT2 in neurons of ripglut1;glut2–/– mice did not restore glucagon secretion in response to physiological hypoglycemia or cellular glucoprivation. (A) Schematic representation of the GLUT2 transgene. (B) Western blot analysis of GLUT2 expression in total brain membrane of psynglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– transgenic mice. K, kidney. (C) Northern blot analysis of GLUT2 mRNA in hypothalamus (H), NTS (N), and whole brains of psynglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice, lines 1, 3, 7, and 9. Higher expression of the transgene mRNA was found in lines 1 and 3; these lines were selected for subsequent physiological analysis. (D) Plasma glucagon levels measured 30 minutes after i.c.v. injection of NaCl or 2-DG. Whereas 2-DG induced a glucagon response in ripglut1;glut2+/– mice, no response was observed in ripglut1;glut2–/– or in psynglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– (line 1) mice. The same results were obtained with line 3 mice. Data are indicated as mean ± SD; n = 6–8. ***P < 0.005 for comparison between NaCl- and 2-DG-injected groups; #P < 0.05 for comparison between NaCl-injected control (ripglut1;glut2+/–) and ripglut1;glut2–/– or psynglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– groups (Student’s t test). Together, the above data suggest that the glucagon response to 2-DG or to hypoglycemic clamps depends on glucose-sensing units consisting of metabolically coupled, GLUT2-expressing glial cells and neurons. Role of glut2-dependent glucose sensors in different genetic backgrounds. The ripglut1;glut2–/– mice studied above were in a mixed genetic background originating from Sv129, C57BL/6, and DBA2 mice. To evaluate the role of the genetic background in the observed glycemic response, we first determined whether the glucagon response to 2-DG was present in Sv129, B6D2F1 (C57BL/6xDBA2F1), or Sv129xB6D2F1 mice. Following i.c.v. injections of saline, the basal glucagon levels were similar in each of these strains (44 ± 7 pg/ml, 57 ± 7 pg/ml, 50 ± 4 pg/ml, respectively) (Figure 6, A–C). Administration of 2-DG induced a marked increase in plasma glucagon levels although the responses were clearly of different magnitude in the various strains tested: 102 ± 37 pg/ml, 195 ± 6 pg/ml, and 294 ± 70 pg/ml for the Sv129, B6D2F1, and Sv129xB6D2F1 mice, respectively. Nevertheless, this lent further support for defective glucagon response in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice being caused by absence of GLUT2 expression. Normal glucagon secretion in response to i.c.v. injection of 2-DG in Sv129, B6D2F1, and Sv129xB6D2F1 mice. Plasma glucagon levels measured 30 minutes after i.c.v. injection of NaCl or 2-DG in Sv129 (A), B6D2F1 (B), and Sv129xB6D2F1 (C) mice. 2-DG induced a strong increase in plasma glucagon levels in each mouse strain. Data are indicated as mean ± SD; n = 6–7 for each data point. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 for comparison between NaCl- and 2-DG–injected groups (Student’s t test). Next, we studied the glucagon levels in the basal state and in response to hypoglycemia and glucoprivic signals in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice backcrossed for 7 generations in the C57BL/6 background. Figure 7A shows that the glucagon level was higher in fed male ripglut1;glut2–/– (B6) mice as compared with control mice, as found in mutant mice with mixed genetic backgrounds. To evaluate whether this was caused by an increase in autonomic tone to α cells, we injected control or mutant female mice in the fed state with saline or chlorisondamine, a ganglionic blocker, and measured plasma glucagon levels 30 minutes later. As shown in Figure 7B, chlorisondamine treatment led to a decrease of the plasma glucagon to the level found in the control mice and did not affect the glucagonemia of control mice. This indicated that in the ripglut1;glut2–/– (B6) mice, there was an increase in autonomic tone to the α cells that increased glucagon secretion (29). Abnormal glucagonemia in the fed state but normal glucagon secretion in response to hypoglycemia or 2-DG in ripglut1;glut2–/– mice in the C57BL/6 background. (A) Fed glucagon levels were approximately 2-fold higher in male ripglut1;glut2–/–(B6) than in C57BL/6 mice; (B) Fed glucagon levels were approximately 2-fold higher in female ripglut1;glut2–/–(B6) than in C57BL/6 mice. The fed hyperglucagonemia of mutant mice was reduced to the level found in control mice after ganglionic blockade with chlorisondamine (chlori). Chlorisondamine did not change the glucagonemia of control mice. (C) Plasma glucagon levels measured at the end of 3 hours of hypoglycemic (∼2.5 mM) or euglycemic (∼5.5 mM) clamps. Hypoglycemia induced an approximately 4-fold increase in glucagon plasma levels in control mice and an approximately 2-fold increase in mutant mice. (D) Plasma glucagon levels measured 60 minutes after i.p. injections of NaCl or 2-DG in C57Bl and ripglut1;glut2–/–(B6) mice. 2-DG induced a 5- and 3-fold increase in plasma glucagon in control and mutant mice, respectively. (E) Plasma glucagon levels measured 30 minutes after i.c.v. injection of NaCl or 2-DG. 2-DG induced a 5-fold increase in plasma glucagon in C57BL/6 mice and an approximately 3-fold increase in mutant mice. Data are indicated as mean ± SD; n = 6–8 for each data point. (C) Data are indicated as mean ± SEM of 3 experiments, each performed with 5–6 mice. **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.005 for comparison between NaCl- and 2-DG–injected groups. #P < 0.05 and ##P < 0.01 for comparison between NaCl-injected control and ripglut1;glut2–/–(B6) groups (Student’s t test). To evaluate the stimulation of glucagon secretion by hypoglycemia, control and ripglut1;glut2–/–(B6) mice were clamped at approximately 5.5 mM and approximately 2.5 mM glucose for 3 hours. As shown in Figure 7C, the glucagon plasma levels were increased to similar levels in both control and mutant mice by hypoglycemia. Finally, the glucagon response to injections of saline or 2-DG was measured in control and glut2-null mice. Figure 7D shows that i.p. injections of 2-DG induced an approximately 5-fold increase in plasma glucagon in C57BL/6 mice and an approximately 3-fold increase in ripglut1;glut2–/–(B6) mice; the plasma levels in both types of mice were, however, similar. Figure 7E shows the plasma glucagon levels after i.c.v. saline or 2-DG injections. As for the i.p. injections, 2-DG induced an approximately 5-fold increase in plasma glucagon in C57BL/6 mice and an approximately 3-fold increase in ripglut1;glut2–/–(B6) mice, and the plasma concentrations reached the same levels in both control and mutant mice. Thus, in the absence of GLUT2 expression, glut2-null mice in mixed or B6 genetic backgrounds showed the same defect in basal glucagon regulation caused by increased autonomic tone to the α cells. However, stimulated secretion in the ripglut1;glut2–/–(B6) mice reached the same levels as in the C57BL/6 control mice, although the fold stimulation was lower. Here, we show that fed glucagonemia and glucagon secretion in response to hypoglycemia or a glucoprivic signal were impaired in mice with inactivation of the glut2 gene. We provided evidence that these deregulations were caused by inactivation of centrally located glucose sensors that require expression of GLUT2 in glial cells and control the activation of the NTS and DMNX. The importance of these sensors on stimulated secretion was, however, influenced by the genetic background. Our experiments were performed on mice with heterogeneous genetic backgrounds issued from Sv129, C57BL/6, and DBA2 strains. In these mice, inactivation of the glut2 gene led to fed hyperglucagonemia and suppressed glucagon secretory response to hypoglycemia or to i.p. or i.c.v. 2-DG injections. Abnormal regulation of glucagon secretion is probably not caused by the genetic contribution of 1 of the strains used since, when tested individually, mice from each strain showed the same fed glucagonemia and a marked increase in plasma glucagon levels in response to 2-DG. Thus, impaired glucagon response was most likely caused by the absence of GLUT2 expression. The site or sites of hypoglycemia or glucoprivic signal detection leading to glucagon secretion have not been formally identified. It is, however, well established from multiple previous studies that the CNS is involved in the counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia. One site that is sensitive to both central and peripheral glucoprivic signals and to insulin-induced hypoglycemia is the NTS, a structure where GLUT2 has been reported to be present (34, 35), and where neurons directly sensitive to small variations in blood glucose concentrations are located (26). Neurons from the NTS send projections to the hypothalamic nuclei, in particular to the PVN and the LH, but also to the DMNX and are connected to the pancreas (36). In the brainstem, other regions are also known to be sensitive to the glucoprivic signal generated by 2-DG injections, such as the A1 and C1 catecholaminergic neurons located in the ventrolateral medulla, which are involved in the glucoregulatory response to glucoprivation (22, 23). In our present study, the suppressed glucagon response in glut2-null mice was associated with a loss of c-FLI responsiveness in the NTS and DMNX, suggesting that these regions are indeed activated by the GLUT2-dependent sensors controlling counterregulation. The glucose-sensing cells expressing GLUT2 are, however, not yet formally identified. By light and electron microscopic immunolocalization, GLUT2 was found to be expressed variously in astrocytes, in neurons, and in ependymal cells (34, 37–39). To directly address the contribution of GLUT2 in astrocytes and in neurons, we expressed GLUT2 either in glial cells or in neurons in transgenic mice and backcrossed them into the ripglut1;glut2–/– background. Our data showed that expression of GLUT2 in glial cells restored the glucagon response to hypogylcemia and to i.p. or i.c.v. 2-DG injection. Furthermore, this was associated with a restoration of c-Fos staining in the NTS and the DMNX. No such restoration of glucagon secretion could be found when GLUT2 was expressed by transgenesis in neurons. This, therefore, implies that GLUT2 needs to be expressed in astrocytes for the correct glucose sensing. These data are compatible with reports by 2 other laboratories showing that methionine sulfoximine (MSO), a glutamine synthetase inhibitor that impairs carbohydrate metabolism specifically in astrocytes, attenuated the glucoprivic activation of NTS neurons (40) or the secretion of insulin and activation of hypothalamic neurons following intracarotid infusion of glucose (41). These observations are thus in agreement with the model of a metabolic coupling between astrocytes and neurons (33). This model suggests that glucose is initially taken up by astrocytes and metabolized to lactate, which is then transported into neurons for ATP generation and control of nerve firing rate. However, it must be pointed out that GLUT2 expression is much higher in transgenic than in control astrocytes. Although this level of overexpression may not be physiological, it must be emphasized that in the β-cell paradigm of glucose sensing, glucose phosphorylation by glucokinase is the rate-controlling step in signal generation, and the rate of uptake is much greater than the rate of phosphorylation. Thus, the exact level of transgene overexpression is not a critical factor in restoring glucose sensing. Transgenic expression of GLUT2 under the synapsin promoter failed to restore glucagon secretion in response to glucoprivic signals. However, although GLUT2 was expressed at high levels in the hypothalamus and brainstem, we could not formally prove that expression was in the neurons normally expressing this transporter. These negative results nevertheless confirm that the transporter is required for normal glucoprivic signal detection. One interesting observation was that, when backcrossed in the C57BL/6 genetic background, the ripglut1,glut2–/– mice presented a partially different phenotype. This was characterized by high-fed glucagonemia as found in mice with a mixed genetic background but a strong stimulation of glucagon secretion by hypoglycemia and 2-DG injections as in control mice. The high-fed glucagonemia was suppressed by the ganglionic blocker chlorisondamine, indicating the presence of a high autonomic tone to the α cells as in glut2-null mice on a mixed background. However, the stimulated glucagon secretion reached the same level in the mutant as in the C57BL/6 control mice. Thus, this suggests that the mechanisms controlling fed glucagonemia and glucagon secretion in response to hypoglycemia may be separate. Glucagon secretion in response to hypoglycemia is stimulated by direct α cell glucose sensing, by a fall in insulin secretion, and by activation of the autonomic nervous system and of the sympatoadrenal axis. It is thus possible that there is a differential activation of these control systems at defined hypoglycemic levels and that these may change between different strains of mice. This would be analogous to the secretion of insulin in different strains of mice. For instance, C57BL/6 and A/J mice show glucose-stimulated insulin secretory responses, which display very different Km and Vmax even though they express the same critical proteins involved in glucodetection, such as GLUT2, glucokinase, and other glycolytic enzymes, albeit at different levels (42–44). Thus, an alternate explanation for the different hypoglycemia-induced glucagon response observed in the mutant mice with different genetic backgrounds may be related to strain-dependent activation thresholds of the hypoglycemia detection systems. The presence of different sensors controlling glucagon secretion at different hypoglycemic levels was previously proposed to explain the absence of glucagon secretion at approximately 2.5 mM in ripglut1,glut2–/– mice, which, however, presented a strong response at approximately 1 mM (29). In addition, our data showing that c-FLI–positive cells are increased similarly in the VMH of control and GLUT2-null mice indicate that this structure is sensitive to a glucoprivic signal independently of the expression of GLUT2. The VMH has been associated with the control of counterregulation; its detection system may therefore be distinct from that of the brainstem. It could be involved in the stimulation of glucagon secretion at deep hypoglycemic levels. The observation that the same gene mutation can lead to different phenotypes when present in different genetic backgrounds has been reported in many other cases. For instance, transferring the irs1+/–;insr+/– mutations in 3 different genetic backgrounds (C57BL/6, 129Sv, and DBA) led to insulin resistance but with completely different levels of insulinemia, β-cell hyperplasia, and diabetes (45). Similarly, the irs2–/– mutation in a heterozygous background leads to a strong diabetic phenotype already at 6 weeks after birth (46) whereas, when backcrossed in the C57BL/6 background, this mutation leads to a mild glucose intolerance that becomes obvious only after 20 weeks of life (47). The existence of different classes of cerebral glucose sensors is consistent with the studies of Yang et al. (48), who showed that neuronal glucodetection could be GLUT2 independent. Indeed, in the VMH, only 30% of glucose-responsive neurons and 22% of glucose-sensitive neurons express the GLUT2 transporter (49). Furthermore, a number of these glucose-modulated neurons express the sodium-coupled glucose transporter SGLT-1, and pharmacologic inhibition of this transporter by phloridzin suppresses, respectively, electrical activation and inhibition of glucose-responsive and glucose-sensitive neurons (48–50). Also, the majority of glucose-modulated neurons express GLUT3; this transporter may thus be required and sufficient for glucose signaling in these neurons. Unlike neurons, the majority of astrocytes express GLUT1 (51). Because this transporter carries glucose with an affinity around 3 mM, it is possible that GLUT1 instead of GLUT2 is involved in cerebral GLUT2-independent glucodetection and control of glucagon secretion in C57BL/6 mice. Together, our data show that GLUT2 is a critical component of the glucose sensors that regulate fed plasma glucagon levels and that it also participates in sensors controlling hypoglycemia-stimulated glucagon secretion. In these mechanisms, GLUT2 is expressed in glial cells, supporting the hypothesis of a metabolic coupling between astrocytes and neuronal cells in glucodetection. Our data also provide indication that these sensors are part of or activate cells of the NTS and DMNX. Identifying these GLUT2-expressing cells in the brainstem and other CNS sites may lead to a better understanding of the cellular basis for the control of counterregulation in the physiological state and its impairment in diabetes. Animals. Mice were maintained at 24 ± 1°C, with a 12/12 hour light/dark cycle and used when 12 to 14 weeks old. The ripglut1;glut2–/– mice (30) and their ripglut1;glut2+/– littermates were maintained in a mixed genetic background. For the indicated experiments, the ripglut1;glut2–/– mice were backcrossed into C57BL/6 mice (Janvier) for 7 generations. Animal experimentation was approved by the Office of the Véterinaire Cantonal Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland. Transgenic mice. For expression of GLUT2 in astrocytes, mouse GLUT2 cDNA (52) was first subcloned downstream of the GFAP promoter contained in the pGFGH plasmid (gift of I.L. Campbell, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA) (53). A full-length mouse GLUT2 cDNA was constructed by ligating a glut2 EcoRI-SalI fragment (nt 1542–1625 cDNA) with the 5′ end of the mouse GLUT2 cDNA (nt 1-1542). The full-length mouse GLUT2 cDNA was excised by NotI and XhoI digestion, blunted, and subcloned downstream of the GFAP promoter into NotI cut and blunted pGFGH plasmid. The transgene was isolated as a 4.7-kb SfiI-PvuI fragment and injected into ripglut1+/–;glut2+/– fertilized oocytes obtained by crossing B6D2F1 females with ripglut1+/+,glut2–/– males. The founders (pgfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2+/–) were crossed with ripglut1;glut2–/– mice to obtain pgfapglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice and their control littermates (ripglut1;glut2–/– and ripglut1;glut2+/–). The genetic background of these mice was derived from C57BL/6, Sv129, and B6D2F1 strains. Transgene detection was by PCR and Southern blot of tail DNA (see Figure 3). For PCR analysis, primers P1 (TTAGTCCAACCCGTTCCT) and G1 (GTGTGGTGGAATTGTCCT) were used to amplify a 420-bp fragment. Through Southern blot analysis, the transgene was detected as a 3.8-kb EcoRI fragment. For preparation of a transgene for expression of GLUT2 in neurons, a 0.8-kb EcoRI-KpnI restriction fragment derived from pHD2WOP plasmid and containing the SV-40 polyadenylation signal sequence (SV40-polyA) was blunted and subcloned into the SalI cut and blunted full-length mouse GLUT2 cDNA described above. A 2.6-kb SmaI-KpnI fragment from this plasmid was blunted and subcloned downstream of the synapsin promoter contained in the pBL4.3Syn-CAT plasmid (gift of M.W. Kilimann, University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany) (54), cut with XhoI and SmaI, and blunted. The 7-kb SalI fragment transgene was injected into oocytes as described above. We then generated psynglut2;ripglut1;glut2–/– mice and their control littermates ripglut1;glut2–/– and ripglut1;glut2+/–. The transgene was identified by PCR and Southern blot of tail DNA (see Figure 5). For PCR analysis, primers P2 (GAGCCCCTTGCGCTCCGCCC) and G2 (TGGGTACTCTTCACCAAC) generated a 720-bp fragment. Through Southern blot analysis, the transgene was detected as a 3.7-kb HindIII fragment. Northern and Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy analysis. Total RNA was extracted (55) and analyzed for GLUT2 mRNA as described (56). GLUT2 Western blot analysis was performed as described (57). Immunofluorescence microscopy detection of GLUT2 and GFAP was performed on frozen sections of 4% paraformaldehyde, perfused-fixed tissues (30, 57, 58). Analytical procedures. Glycemia was measured from tail vein blood using a glucose meter (Roche Diagnostics Corp.). Glucagon levels were quantitated by radioimmunoassay (Linco Research Inc.) in plasma prepared from blood sampled from the retroorbital plexus in the presence of 1 μg/ml aprotinin and 1 mM EDTA. Intraperitoneal injections. The mice were manipulated daily for 15 days before the experiments. On the test day, their glycemia was measured twice at an interval of 30 minutes. If their glycemia was stable, the mice were injected with a saline solution or 2-DG at 150 mg/kg. Injections were performed between 8:00 and 9:00 am in fed mice. Blood was collected by retroorbital puncture 30 minutes later. When used, chlorisondamine was injected at 5 mg/kg. Intracerebroventricular injections. For i.c.v. injections, the animals were anesthetized and placed in a stereotactic frame. A stainless steel cannula (30 gauge) was implanted in the right lateral ventricle according to the mouse brain coordinates (58) (0.5 mm posterior to the bregma, 1.3 mm lateral to midline, and 2.1 mm below the surface of the skull). The animals were then allowed to recover for 2 days. Between 8:00 and 10:00 am on the test day, 2-DG (1 mg/mouse) or saline was injected in fed mice. Placement of cannulas was verified by histological analysis of frozen brain sections. Hyperinsulinemic clamps. The mice were housed with an inverted light cycle with darkness from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. An indwelling catheter was implanted in mice into the vena cava through the left femoral vein as described (29). The other extremity of this catheter was slid under the back skin, exteriorized, and glued at the back of the neck. The day of the experiment, food was removed at 8:00 am for 6 hours. Human insulin (Actrapid; Novo Nordisk) was infused at the rate of 18 mU/kg–1/min–1 for 180 minutes, and a 20% glucose solution was coinfused with insulin to maintain glycemia at 2.5 or 5.5 mM. c-Fos immunohistochemistry. Two hours after the i.p. saline or 2-DG injection, the brains were fixed as described above, and 40 nm serial frozen sections were prepared. Hypothalamic (from the level of bregma –0.46 mm to –2.30 mm) and brainstem (from the level of bregma –8 mm to –6.64 mm) sections were preincubated for 30 minutes with BSA 3% (Sigma-Aldrich), then incubated for 48 hours at 4°C with a rabbit polyclonal antiserum to human FOS4–17 (1:10,000, Ab-5; Oncogene Sciences Inc.), diluted in 0.1 M PBS containing 0.3% Triton X-100 (Sigma-Aldrich) (PBS-TX). The sections were then incubated with goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin-HRP conjugates (1:1.000; DakoCytomation) for 24 hours at room temperature. HRP activity was revealed by 3,3′-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB; Sigma-Aldrich) reaction. Quantification of c-Fos–positive nuclei was performed bilaterally in 10–15 sections from each structure and for 6 to 8 mice per condition. Statistics. Statistical analysis for all experiments was performed using the 2-tailed Student’s t test. We thank Wanda Dolci for performing glucagon radioimmunoassays. This work was supported by grants 3100-065219-01 from the Swiss National Science Foundation and 1-2002-366 from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (B. Thorens). See the related Commentary beginning on page 3403. Michel Dallaporta’s present address is: Laboratoire de physiologie Neuro-Végétative, CASE 351, Université Paul Cézanne, Marseille, France. Marc Foretz’s present address is: Département de Génétique, Développement et Pathologie, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France. 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2019-04-22T02:12:54Z
https://www.jci.org/articles/view/26309
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a liquid crystal light valve device with high picture quality which can be manufactured with reduced manufacturing cost by preventing light leakage caused by liquid crystal molecules with disturbed alignment around columnar spacers so as to realize as high contrast and simplified manufacturing steps as possible and to form it with satisfactory reproducibility. SOLUTION: The liquid crystal light valve device is at least provided with a first substrate 3 comprising a first base body 1 on which are formed functional elements 5, 20 and an alignment layer 11, a second substrate 4 placed opposite to the first substrate 3 and comprising a second base body 2 on which are formed a counter electrode 10 and an alignment layer 12, spacers 8 provided on specified positions between the first and the second substrates 3, 4 and a liquid crystal layer 16 filled between the first and the second substrates 3, 4. Then the liquid crystal light valve device, in which light shielding regions 18 toward the incident light 14 are provided on the edge parts of the spacers 8 adjacent to the second substrate 4 and at least part of the outer circumference of a two dimensional shape formed by projecting the cross section of the spacer 8 vertical to the light axis of the incident light at least part of the whole height of the spacer 8 in the direction of the light axis of the incident light 14 on the light shielding region 18 in parallel with the light axis is included within the light shielding region 18, is constructed. 【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、液晶ライトバルブ装置に関わり、液晶ライトバルブ装置におけるコントラストの向上を図ることにより画質の向上を図るものである。 The present invention relates to the involvement in the liquid crystal light valve, thereby improving the image quality by improving the contrast in the liquid crystal light valve. 【従来の技術】液晶ライトバルブ装置（以下ＬＣＬＶという）は、光学−光学画像変換機である。 2. Description of the Related Art Liquid crystal light valve (hereinafter referred LCLV), the optical - is an optical image converter. ライトバルブとは、光強度の低い光を受けて、これを他の光源からの光により光学像をリアルタイムに読み出し、出力することができるように成された装置である。 The light valve receives the low light intensity of light, which reads the optical image in real time by light from other light sources, it is made a device to be able to output. 【０００３】この液晶ライトバルブ装置には、透過型と反射型とがある。 The liquid crystal light valve, there a transmission type and reflection type. このうち、反射型には、外部端子から各画素に信号を与えて各画素をオン・オフするアクティブマトリクス方式と、出力と反対の裏面側から光導電層に光書き込みを行う光書き込み方式がある。 Among them, the reflective, there is an optical writing method of performing an active matrix method for turning on and off each pixel gives a signal to each pixel from the external terminal, the optical writing to the photoconductive layer from the back side opposite to the output . 一方、透過型はアクティブマトリクス方式のみとなっている。 On the other hand, transmission is made only the active matrix type. 【０００４】上述した３種類の方式にそれぞれ共通していることは、対向する電極間に液晶層を挟み込んでいることである。 It is common respectively to the three methods mentioned above is that sandwiches a liquid crystal layer between opposed electrodes. 従って、これら液晶ライトバルブ装置の液晶層における複屈折を、画素領域内で一定とするために、液晶層を挟む両電極を有する基板の間隔を一定に保つことが必要とされていた。 Therefore, the birefringence in the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal light valve, in order to be constant in the pixel region, it has been required to keep a proper distance of the substrate having two electrodes sandwiching the liquid crystal layer constant. 【０００５】この基板の間隔を一定に保つ目的で、スペーサが設けられる。 In order to maintain the interval of the substrates constant, a spacer is provided. 従来は、図１４に示すように、トランジスタ等の機能素子を形成した第１の基板５１上に粒径を揃えた球形のビーズ５３を散布して、撒かれたビーズ５３上に対向電極を形成した第２の基板５２を密着させる方法が用いられていた。 Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 14, if it is sprayed with a first spherical bead 53 having uniform particle size on the substrate 51 which form a functional element such as a transistor, forming the counter electrode on the bead 53 sown the method of adhering the second substrate 52 has been used. 【０００６】しかしながら、この方法ではスペーサとなるビーズ５３が、画素電極５５上にも撒かれてしまうため、投射した画像にビーズ５３の影が見えてしまい、しかもそれがランダムに分布していることから目立ってしまい、その結果として画質が悪化することが問題となっていた。 However, beads 53 of the spacer in this way, it since would be sprinkled on the pixel electrode 55, actually perceived the shadow of the beads 53 in the projection image, yet to which they are randomly distributed will stand out from, the image quality may deteriorate as a result has been a problem. 【０００７】そこで、このビーズ５３の影をなくすために、画像表示領域にはスペーサ５３を設けず、周辺部を接着する際に、この接着剤中にスペーサを添加して、間隔を作る方法も広く行われている。 Therefore, in order to eliminate the shadow of the bead 53, the image display area without providing the spacer 53, when adhering the periphery, by adding a spacer in the adhesive, a method of making a distance widely performed. μｍ以内に抑えることが必要とされる。 It is necessary to keep within μm. しかし、現実には、液晶のガラス基板として広く用いられている厚さ１．１ｍｍ以下のガラス基板や半導体基板等では、その上に形成された金属等の薄膜電極層、非晶質シリコン等の半導体膜、さらに絶縁膜等の応力により、容易に湾曲してしまう。 However, in reality, the following thickness of 1.1mm which is widely used as a glass substrate of the liquid crystal in the glass substrate or a semiconductor substrate, a thin film electrode layer of a metal or the like formed thereon, such as amorphous silicon semiconductor film, further a stress such as an insulating film, thus easily bend. 【０００９】このため、前述のガラスの周囲のみにスペーサを形成する方法は、上述の画素表示領域及び周辺の部分から成る表面領域が１辺３０ｍｍ以下の小さい液晶ライトバルブ装置で、しかも比較的基板間隔の誤差の許容度が大きい場合、例えばいわゆる透過型のツイストネマチック配向ノーマリーホワイトモードでしか実用化されていなかった。 Therefore, a method of forming a spacer only around the glass described above, a small liquid crystal light valve surface area is less than one side 30mm consisting of pixel display region and the peripheral portions of the above, moreover relatively substrate If the error tolerance interval is large, for example, it has not been put to practical use only in a so-called transmission type twisted nematic orientation normally white mode. 表示領域にスペーサを配置することが必要となる。 It is necessary to arrange the spacers in the display area. 【００１１】そこで、このスペーサの影が目立ないように配置するために、スペーサを画素間にのみ選択的に置くことが必要とされていた。 Therefore, in order to shadow of the spacer are arranged so as not conspicuous, were only required to place selectively the spacer between the pixels. と例えばいわゆるセルフアライン等の位置合わせを行って形成する方法が検討されている。 Preparative example method of forming by performing the alignment of the so-called self-alignment, etc. have been studied. の周辺部を気密封止し、両基板５１及び５２間に液晶層５８を形成して構成される。 Peripheral portion hermetically sealed in, and by forming a liquid crystal layer 58 between the substrates 51 and 52. の画素電極５５をＡｌ，Ｃｒ，Ｗ等の光反射率の高い材料で構成するか、この画素電極５５と液晶層５８との間に誘電体多層反射膜等を配置すれば、そのまま反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置となる。 Or configuring the pixel electrode 55 Al, Cr, a material having a high light reflectance such as W, by arranging a dielectric multilayer reflection film or the like between the pixel electrode 55 and the liquid crystal layer 58, as the reflection type liquid crystal the light valve device. が向き合う側に設けた画素電極５５及び対向電極６０の上に設けた各配向膜６１、６２の向きを、前述の偏光板５６、検光板５７とそれぞれ同一とし、この間に液晶を注入する。 The direction of the alignment films 61 and 62 provided on the pixel electrode 55 and the counter electrode 60 provided on the side where the opposite polarizing plates 56 described above, and respectively the same as an analyzer 57, liquid crystal is injected therebetween. 両電極５５，６０間に電圧が掛かっていない図１７Ａの状態では、液晶パネルに照射された入射光６４は、偏光板５６を通過することにより直線偏光６５となり、さらに液晶分子５９のねじれに沿って旋光し、そのまま検光板５７を通過するため、明の状態となる。 In the state of Figure 17A no voltage applied between the electrodes 55 and 60, the incident light 64 irradiated to the liquid crystal panel, becomes linearly polarized light 65 passes through the polarizer 56, further along the twist of the liquid crystal molecules 59 and optical rotation Te, as to pass analyzing plate 57, a bright state. は、その波長によらず偏光板５６と垂直に配置された検光板５７を通過することができず、全黒の状態を実現できることとなる。 You can not pass through the analyzing plate 57 disposed perpendicularly to the polarizing plate 56 regardless of the wavelength, and can be realized all-black state. 【００１８】上述の動作をする構成は、電圧を与えないときに明状態となる、いわゆるノーマリーホワイトモードと称され、光の波長によらず全黒状態が実現できるため、最近は多く採用される傾向にある。 The configuration of the above-described operation, a bright state when not give voltage, referred to as a so-called normally white mode, because all black state regardless of the wavelength of light can be realized, recently adopted a number there in that trend. ７の一部が検光板５７を通過して光漏れ６８が発生する。 Some of the 7 light leakage 68 occurs through the analyzing plate 57. この対策が求められていた。 This measure has been demanded. 【００２１】ところで、この反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置は、その他の構成として、ネガ型液晶を用いることにより、両電極５５，６０間に電圧が印加されないときに液晶分子が基板に垂直に配向する構成をとり、また偏光板５６や検光板５７の代わりに偏光ビームスプリッタ（ＰＢＳ）を用いて構成することができる。 Incidentally, the reflection type liquid crystal light valve apparatus, as another configuration, by using a negative liquid crystal, constituting the liquid crystal molecules are aligned vertically to the substrate when no voltage is applied between the electrodes 55 and 60 taken up, and may be configured using a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) instead of the polarizing plate 56 and an analyzer 57. さらにＰＢＳ２３を経ることにより直線偏光例えば図中紙面に垂直な偏光方向の光となって、液晶ライトバルブ装置２５へ照射され、液晶層５８へ入る。 Further PBS23 become a polarization direction perpendicular to the sheet during the linearly polarized example FIG optical Through the, irradiated to the liquid crystal light valve 25, enters the liquid crystal layer 58. このとき液晶層５８の液晶分子５９（図１６参照）は図示しないが電圧印加によって垂直配向から基板面に平行な方向に傾いている。 In this case the liquid crystal molecules 59 of the liquid crystal layer 58 (see FIG. 16) are not shown are inclined from the vertical orientation by a voltage applied in a direction parallel to the substrate surface. この偏光成分の変化した光成分３１即ち例えば左右方向の成分のみがＰＢＳ２３を通過し、投射光学系２２を通過して、最後に投影スクリーン２１に導かれる。 The only change was the light component 31 that is, for example component in the lateral direction of the polarized light component passes through the PBS 23, and passes through the projection optical system 22, is finally guided to the projection screen 21. そのまま光源２４側に戻され、投射光学系２２に入る光がないため黒表示となる。 As it is returned to the light source 24 side, a black display because there is no light entering the projection optical system 22. これをノーマリーブラックモードと称する。 This is called a normally black mode. ２を経てスクリーン２１に投射され、前述のノーマリーホワイトモードの構成と同様に、いわゆる光漏れを起こすこととなる。 It is projected onto the screen 21 via the 2, similarly to the configuration described above normally white mode, and thus causing a so-called light leakage. 即ち、本来全黒となるスクリーン２１上の画面において、柱状スペーサ５４の周囲が光り、最大輝度に対する全黒のコントラスト比が低下し、映像の品質が低下することとなる。 That is, in the original screen on the screen 21 to be all black, light is around the columnar spacers 54, the contrast ratio of the total black is lowered with respect to the maximum luminance, the quality of the image is lowered. 【００２６】この問題は、画素電極間を詰めて無効領域を低減することによって光利用効率の向上を図った反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置において、垂直配向を得るための規制力を配向膜から受け、この規制力が電界には依らない場合に、特に顕著に現れる。 This problem, in the reflection type liquid crystal light valve device having improved light use efficiency by reducing the invalid area stuffed between pixel electrodes, regulated power for obtaining a vertical alignment from the alignment film, If this regulating force does not depend on the electric field it appears particularly conspicuously. 【００２７】従って、ノーマリーホワイトモードの構成であっても、ノーマリーブラックモードの構成であっても、いずれも柱状スペーサ付近の液晶分子の配向の乱れに起因して光漏れを生じる問題がある。 Thus, even the configuration of normally white mode, be configured of a normally black mode, any of which problems caused light leakage due to the disturbance of alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the columnar spacer . 【００２８】上述した問題の解決のために、本発明においては、液晶層の間隔を一定にするために設けられる柱状スペーサの周囲で配向が崩れた液晶分子によって光漏れが発生する問題に対して、この光漏れを防ぐと同時に、製造工程を可能な限り簡略化して、かつ再現性よく形成し、コントラストが高く高画質であり、また生産性や歩留まりが高く、製造コストを低減して生産可能な液晶ライトバルブ装置を提供するものである。 In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, for problems of light leakage generated by the liquid crystal molecules aligned at ambient collapses the columnar spacers provided in order to fix the interval of the liquid crystal layer at the same time prevent this light leakage, and simplified as much as possible the manufacturing process, and good reproducibility by forming a high quality contrast, and productivity and high yield, enables the production to reduce production costs such is intended to provide a liquid crystal light valve. 次元形状の外周の少なくとも一部が遮光領域に内包されて成るものである。 At least a portion of the outer peripheral dimension shape is one comprising as contained in the light shielding region. 即ち柱状スペーサの断面より略大なる遮光領域が形成されているため、この遮光領域によってスペーサの周囲に存在する液晶分子の配向が乱れた領域を通過する光を遮ることができる。 That is, the approximately atmospheric comprising light shielding areas than the cross section of the columnar spacer is formed, it is possible to block the light passing through the region where the alignment is disturbed liquid crystal molecules present by the light shielding region around the spacer. これにより、読み出し光としての漏れ光を出射させないので、全黒の浮きを防止することができる。 Thus, since not emit light leakage as reading light, it is possible to prevent the floating of the wholly black. の基板に対向して配され第２の基体上に対向電極と配向膜を形成した第２の基板と、第１の基板及び第２の基板間の所定の位置に設けられたスペーサと、第１の基板及び第２の基板間に充填された液晶層とを有し、スペーサの第２の基板側の端部より入射光側に遮光領域が設けられ、スペーサの入射光の光軸方向の高さの少なくとも一部における入射光の光軸と垂直な断面を光軸と平行に遮光領域へ射影して成る２次元形状の外周の少なくとも一部が遮光領域に内包されて成る液晶ライトバルブ装置である。 And disposed in facing of the substrate opposite electrode on the second substrate and the second substrate to form an alignment film, and a spacer provided at a predetermined position between the first substrate and the second substrate, the and a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate, the second substrate side of the spacer end shielding area on the incident light side is provided from, the incident light of the spacer in the optical axis direction liquid crystal light valve apparatus in which at least part of the outer periphery of the height of the two-dimensional shape formed by projecting the parallel light shielding region and the optical axis perpendicular to the optical axis cross-section of the incident light at least partially formed by contained in the light shielding region it is. 【００３２】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、入射光の光軸方向が、第２の基板の配向膜が液晶層に接する面を平均化した平面に対して垂直な方向である構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, an optical axis of the incident light is a direction perpendicular to the plane of the alignment film of the second substrate contacts the liquid crystal layer averaged planar configuration to. ％未満であり、かつスペーサの断面を射影した２次元形状が遮光領域外となる領域がスペーサの入射光の光軸方向の高さのうちの５０％未満の範囲とされた構成とする。 Less than%, and 2-dimensional shape cross section is projected in the spacer region where the light-shielding region outside is a configuration in which the range of less than 50% of the light axis direction of the height of the incident light of the spacer. 【００３４】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、スペーサの入射光の光軸方向の全領域にわたって、スペーサの断面を射影した２次元形状の外周の少なくとも一部が遮光領域に内包されて成る構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, the whole area of ​​the optical axis of the incident light of the spacer, at least a portion of the periphery of the two-dimensional shape obtained by projecting the cross-section of the spacer is contained in the light shielding region configuration and be made. 【００３５】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、２次元形状の外周のうち、遮光領域に内包されない部分が全外周長の５０％未満とされた構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, of the outer circumference of the 2-dimensional shape, not contained in the light shielding region portion is configured which is less than 50% of the total circumferential length. 次元形状が遮光領域に全て内包されて成る構成とする。 Dimension shape and arrangement of which contained all the light-shielding region. 【００３７】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、２次元形状が遮光領域に内包されない部分を有する領域が、スペーサの全高さのうちの５０％未満とされた構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, a region having a portion 2-dimensional shape is not contained in the light shielding region is a structure that is less than 50% of the total height of the spacer. 【００３８】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、スペーサの入射光の光軸方向の高さの全領域において、スペーサの断面を射影した２次元形状が遮光領域に全て内包されて成る構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, in the entire region of the optical axis direction of the height of the incident light of the spacer, the two-dimensional shape obtained by projecting the cross-section of the spacer is formed by enclosing all light shielding area configuration to. 【００３９】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、スペーサの第１の基板上に接する側の面の少なくとも一部が、第１の基板面上の画素電極間にある構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, at least a portion of the surface on the side in contact with the first substrate of the spacer, a structure lying between the pixel electrodes on the first substrate surface. 【００４０】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、機能素子が各画素の光透過度を電気的に調弁することが可能な構成とされ、第１の基板側から注入された読み出し光が、第２の基板を通して変調されて透過放出される透過型の液晶ライトバルブ装置を構成する。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, functional element is an electrically capable of regulating valves constituting the light transmittance of each pixel, reading light injected from the first substrate side but it constitutes a transmission type liquid crystal light valve apparatus which is transmitted released is modulated through the second substrate. 【００４１】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、機能素子が外部端子から個別に電圧を与えることによって各画素の入射光に対する反射率を変更することが可能な構成とされ、第２の基板の外側から注入された読み出し光が、反射率の変更により第１の基板で反射される際に変調されて第２の基板を通して放出される反射型の液晶ライトバルブ装置を構成する。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, functional element is a capable of changing the reflectivity structure to incident light of each pixel by providing individually external voltage terminal, the second reading light injected from the outside of the substrate constitutes the reflective liquid crystal light valve apparatus which is emitted through the second substrate is modulated when it is reflected by the first substrate by changing the reflectance. 【００４２】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、機能素子が第１の基板の裏面の画素領域に形成された光導電層に光書き込みを行うことにより光導電層の特性が変化する構成とされ、第２の基板の外側から注入された読み出し光が、光導電層の特性の変化により第１の基板で反射される際に変調されて第２の基板を通して放出される反射型の液晶ライトバルブ装置を構成する。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, the configuration functional element characteristics of the photoconductive layer is changed by performing the optical writing to the first photoconductive layer formed on the back surface of a pixel region of the substrate is a read light injected from the outside of the second substrate, the reflective type that is discharged through the second substrate is modulated when it is reflected by the first substrate by a change in the characteristics of the photoconductive layer the liquid crystal constituting the light valve device. 【００４３】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、遮光領域を光不透過性の光反射材料により形成する構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve is configured to form a light shielding region by a light-impermeable light-reflecting material. 【００４４】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、遮光領域を誘電体反射膜により形成する構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, a light shielding region configured to be formed of a dielectric reflective film. 【００４５】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、誘電体反射膜を屈折率が異なる２層の光透過性の膜を入射光の波長の１／４の厚さで積層して形成する構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve device is formed by laminating a light transmitting film of a dielectric reflecting film having a refractive index different from two layers with a thickness of 1/4 of the wavelength of the incident light configuration to. 【００４６】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、遮光領域を光不透過性の光吸収材料により形成する構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve is configured to form a light shielding region by a light-impermeable light-absorbing material. 【００４７】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、遮光領域を光吸収材料上に光透過膜を積層して形成する構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, a configuration formed by stacking a light-transmitting film shielding area on the light-absorbing material. 【００４８】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、光透過膜を屈折率の異なる２層の膜を入射光の波長の１／４の厚さで積層して形成する構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve is configured to form a film of the light transmission film refractive index different two layers were laminated in 1/4 the thickness of the wavelength of the incident light. 【００４９】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、遮光領域を光吸収材料上に光反射性材料を積層して形成する構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, a configuration formed by stacking a light reflective material in the light-shielding region of light absorbing material on. 【００５０】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、遮光領域を光吸収材料上に光反射性材料及び誘電体反射膜を積層して形成する構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, a configuration formed by stacking a light reflective material and the dielectric reflection film shielding area light-absorbing material on. 【００５１】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、遮光領域を光を散乱する材料を有して形成する構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve is configured to form a material that scatters light a light-shielding region. 【００５２】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、スペーサが、円形、楕円形、菱形のいずれかの断面形状を有するか、もしくはこれらの形状の断面を有する構造を複数積み重ねて成る構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, spacer, circular, elliptical, or have any cross-sectional shape of a rhombus, or formed by stacking a plurality of structures having a cross section of these shapes structure and to. 【００５３】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、スペーサと遮光領域とが同一材料で形成された構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, a configuration in which the spacer and the light shielding region is formed of the same material. 【００５４】また本発明は、上記液晶ライトバルブ装置において、スペーサと遮光領域とが同一材料で一体化して形成された構成とする。 the present invention, in the liquid crystal light valve, and the spacer and the light shielding region is a structure formed by integrating the same material. 【００５５】本発明の具体的な実施の形態の説明に先立ち、本発明の概要について説明する。 Prior to the description of specific embodiments of the present invention, an overview of the present invention. 本発明においては、上述の柱状スペーサの周囲の配向が乱れた液晶分子に起因する光漏れを抑制する目的で、柱状スペーサの入射光側に、柱状スペーサの断面より略大きい断面を有する遮光領域を形成する。 In the present invention, for the purpose of suppressing light leakage caused by liquid crystal molecules aligned is disturbed around the columnar spacers described above, the incident light side of the columnar spacer, a light shielding region having a substantially larger cross-section than the cross section of the columnar spacer Form. 【００５６】遮光領域は、液晶ライトバルブ装置への入射光を透過させない材料を用い、例えば板状に形成する。 The light shielding region, using a material which does not transmit incident light to the liquid crystal light valve, for example, is formed in a plate shape. そして、柱状スペーサの入射光の光軸方向に垂直な断面を光軸方向に平行に、この遮光領域に射影した２次元形状について、その大部分が遮光領域に内包されるように構成する。 Then, in parallel to a cross-section perpendicular to the optical axis of the incident light of the columnar spacer in the optical axis direction, two-dimensional shapes obtained by projecting the light shielding region, configured to most part enclosed in the light shielding area. 【００５７】ここで、スペーサの断面が全周にわたり遮光領域に内包される構成とすると、入射光が配向の乱れた液晶分子付近を全く通過しないため、最も効果的に光漏れを抑制することができるので好ましい。 Here, the cross section of the spacer is configured to be contained in the light shielding region over the entire circumference, the incident light does not completely pass through the vicinity of the liquid crystal molecules is disturbed orientation, it is most effectively suppressed light leakage The preferred because it. 【００５８】しかしながら、スペーサの一部が遮光領域に内包されていなくても、残りの大部分が、即ち例えば後述するようにスペーサの断面の全周の５０％以上或いはスペーサの全高さの５０％以上の領域が、遮光領域に内包されている構成とすれば、光漏れを大きく抑制する効果を得ることができ、コントラストを高くすることができる。 However, even if no part of the spacers are contained in the light shielding region, the remaining most part, i.e. for example 50% of the total height of the entire circumference of more than 50% or spacer of the cross section of the spacer as described below or more regions, with the configuration that is contained in the light shielding region, can be obtained large effect of suppressing the light leakage, it is possible to increase the contrast. 【００５９】続いて、本発明の具体的な実施の形態を説明する。 Next, a specific embodiment of the present invention. 図１は本発明の液晶ライトバルブ装置の一実施の形態の要部の概略断面図を示す。 Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of an embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention. この図１に示す実施の形態は、アクティブマトリクス方式の反射型の液晶ライトバルブ装置に適用した場合を示す。 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows an application of the reflective liquid crystal light valve apparatus of an active matrix. を覆って全面的に誘電体反射膜２０が形成され、この誘電体反射膜２０上に配向膜１１が形成されて第１の基板３が構成されている。 Is a covering totally dielectric reflection film 20 is formed, the first substrate 3 by the dielectric alignment film 11 on the reflection film 20 on it is formed is formed. さらに、この配向膜１１上に柱状のスペーサ８が形成されている。 Further, the columnar spacers 8 are formed on the alignment film 11. 【００６１】また、例えばガラスで構成される第２の基体２は対向電極となる電極層１０及びこの電極層１０を含んで全面的に覆う配向膜１２が形成されて第２の基板４が構成されている。 Also, for example, the second substrate 2 and the second substrate 4 alignment film 12 entirely covering is formed to include an electrode layer 10 and the electrode layer 10 becomes the counter electrode structure composed of the glass It is. これを真空下におき、画素間即ち画素電極５間に配置された柱状のスペーサ８により両基板３，４間の間隔を所定の間隔に保持した状態で液晶を注入する。 This placed under vacuum, injecting a liquid crystal while maintaining the spacing between the substrates 3 and 4 at predetermined intervals by columnar spacers 8 disposed between the inter-pixel or pixel electrode 5. その後、周囲を封止することにより液晶層１６が形成されて液晶ライトバルブ装置が構成される。 Thereafter, the liquid crystal light valve apparatus configured by the liquid crystal layer 16 is formed by sealing the periphery. は、第１の基体１上に各画素に対応して選択的に形成された例えば格子状パターンに形成される。 It is formed on the selectively formed for example grid-like pattern corresponding to each pixel in the first on the substrate 1. この上に形成する配向膜１１も、通常の構成によることができる。 The alignment layer 11 formed on this can also be due to a normal configuration. において反射される際に変調されて、これが第２の基板４を通して放出（図１中１９）される。 Is modulated when it is reflected in, which is released (FIG. 1 of 19) through the second substrate 4. 即ちアクティブマトリクス方式の反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置を構成する。 That constitutes the reflective liquid crystal light valve device of an active matrix type. 【００６６】尚、第１の基板３の上に形成される柱状のスペーサ８は、通常用いられる材料例えば樹脂等の材料により形成することができる。 Incidentally, columnar spacers 8 formed on the first substrate 3 may be formed of a material of the material, for example, resin or the like is usually used. このように柱状に形成することが可能であれば特に材料は限定されない。 This particular material as long as it can be formed in a columnar shape so as to is not limited. 楕円形、菱形のいずれかの断面形状もしくはこれらの形状の断面を有する構造を複数積み重ねてスペーサ８を構成することができる。 Oval, stacking a plurality of structures having any cross-sectional shape or cross-section of these diamond shape can constitute a spacer 8. 【００６８】そして、本実施の形態においては、特に柱状のスペーサ８の入射光側即ち第２の基板４側に、前述の遮光領域として遮光板材１８を設ける。 Then, in this embodiment, in particular the incident light side or the second substrate 4 side of the pillar-shaped spacer 8 is provided with a light shielding plate 18 as the light shielding region of the above. 【００６９】この遮光板材１８の材料としては、例えばＣｒ，Ｗ，Ａｌ，Ｎｉ，Ｃｕ，Ｔｉ等の金属膜を用いることができる。 As the material of the light shielding plate 18 may be, for example, Cr, W, Al, Ni, Cu, a metal film such as Ti. 【００７０】また、本実施の形態において、この遮光板材１８は、図１に示すようにスペーサ８の入射光１４の光軸方向（この場合は第２の基板４に垂直な方向）と垂直な断面を光軸方向と平行に射影して成る２次元形状が多くの領域で遮光板材１８の内包されているが、上述の２次元形状の一部が遮光板材１８に内包されない状態となっている。 Further, in this embodiment, the light shielding plate 18 is provided with a vertical optical axis direction of the incident light 14 of the spacer 8 as shown in FIG. 1 (in this case, a direction perpendicular to the second substrate 4) Although two-dimensional shape formed by projecting the cross section parallel to the optical axis direction is contained in the light shielding plate 18 in a number of areas, in a state of a part of the two-dimensional shape of the above it is not contained in the light shielding plate 18 . 即ち、図１中左のスペーサ８では第１の基板３側の配向膜１１に接する部分、右のスペーサ８では右側中央及び左側の上から１／４の高さ付近が遮光板材１８に内包されていない。 That is, the portion in contact with the alignment film 11 of the spacer 8 first substrate 3 side in the left in FIG. 1, is near the height of 1/4 from the top of the right spacer 8 right middle and left side in encapsulated in the light shielding plate 18 not. その偏光方向が回転し、前述の光漏れによる全黒の浮きが生じることが懸念される。 Its polarization direction is rotated, there is concern that the full black float by the above-mentioned light leak occurs. 【００７２】しかし、遮光板材１８の外側にはみ出た部分の外周が、スペーサ８の断面の全外周長の５０％未満であり、かつこの遮光板材１８の外側にはみ出た部分の高さ分布が、スペーサ８の全高さの５０％未満に抑えられていれば、特にコントラスト比の点から全黒の浮きとしては無視しうる程度に抑制することができる。 However, the outer circumference of the outwardly protruding portion of the shielding plate 18 is less than 50% of the total outer peripheral length of the cross-section of the spacer 8, and the height distribution of the outwardly protruding portion of the shielding plate 18, if suppressed to less than 50% of the total height of the spacer 8, in particular it can be suppressed to a negligible as all black floating in terms of contrast ratio. 【００７３】尚、本実施の形態では、遮光領域１８を第２の基板４の配向膜１２と柱状のスペーサ８との間に形成したが、さらに入射光側、即ち配向膜１２と電極層（対向電極）１０との間、電極層（対向電極）１０と第２の基体２との間、第２の基体２中、或いは第２の基体２の表面に設けても同様の効果を得ることができる。 In the present embodiment, the light shielding region 18 is formed between the alignment film 12 and the columnar spacers 8 of the second substrate 4, further incident light side, i.e., the alignment film 12 and the electrode layer ( between the counter electrode) 10, between the electrode layer (counter electrode) 10 and the second substrate 2, in the second base 2, or be be provided on the second substrate 2 of the surface to obtain the same effect can. を経てスクリーン２１に投射される。 It projected on the screen 21 through. 【００７５】そして、この光学系において、図３Ｂに示すように、まず光源からの光が照明光学系２８で平行光とされた後、ＰＢＳ２３で反射される際に直線偏光（図３Ｂでは紙面に垂直な方向）となって液晶ライトバルブ装置２５に入射する。 In this optical system, as shown in FIG. 3B, after first light from the light source into a parallel light by the illumination optical system 28, the paper of linearly polarized light (Fig. 3B when reflected by the PBS23 It enters the liquid crystal light valve 25 becomes perpendicular). 液晶ライトバルブ装置２５内では、第２の基板４、液晶層１６を通過して、第１の基板３の誘電体反射膜２０で反射される。 Within the liquid crystal light valve 25, the second substrate 4, and passes through the liquid crystal layer 16, it is reflected by the dielectric reflection film 20 of the first substrate 3. そして再び液晶層１６を通過して、第２の基板４から放出される。 Then again passes through the liquid crystal layer 16 is released from the second substrate 4. 【００７６】このとき、液晶分子９が基板３，４に垂直な方向に配向している場合には、偏光方向が回転されず、元の偏光方向の直線偏光（図３Ｂでは紙面に垂直な方向）のまま放出される。 At this time, if the liquid crystal molecules 9 are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the substrates 3 and 4, the polarization direction is not rotated, the original polarization direction of linearly polarized light (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3B ) is released remains. 従って、ＰＢＳ２３に再度入射した際に、全て反射されて光源２４側に戻される。 Therefore, when the incident again PBS 23, all being reflected back to the light source 24 side. これによりスクリーン２１には光が到達しないため、全黒を実現することができる。 Thus the screen 21 because the light does not reach, it is possible to realize an all black. スクリーン２１に投射された光による画像が表示される。 An image is displayed by the projection light to the screen 21. ４に垂直な方向から傾いた方向に配向するので、上述のようにスクリーン２１に画像が表示される。 Since oriented in a direction inclined from the direction perpendicular to 4, an image is displayed on the screen 21 as described above. の配向が乱れた領域の液晶層１６を通過する光１５の偏光方向が回転してしまい、上述の画像を表示するときと同様に図３Ｂにおける左右方向の成分を生じる。 Orientation ends up direction of polarization of the light 15 passing through the liquid crystal layer 16 in the turbulent region is rotated, resulting in the left-right direction component in FIG. 3B as in the case of displaying an image of the above. そして、この左右方向の成分がＰＢＳ２３を透過することに起因して前述の全黒の浮き即ち全黒状態における光漏れを生じる。 The components of the horizontal direction results in a light leakage in floating That all-black state of the all-black described above due to passing through the PBS 23. を遮ってしまえば、図３Ｂにおける左右方向の成分の発生を抑制して、その結果光漏れを抑制することができる。 Once block the, by suppressing the occurrence of the left and right direction components in FIG. 3B, it is possible to suppress the resulting light leakage. Ｗ，Ａｌ，Ｎｉ，Ｃｕ，Ｔｉ等の金属膜による遮光板材１８を形成する。 W, Al, Ni, Cu, forming the light shielding plate 18 of a metal film such as Ti. 【００８３】次に、図４Ｃに示すように、図示しないがレジストパターンをマスクとして、遮光板材１８とスペーサ８とを連続エッチングした後、更に選択的にスペーサ８をサイドエッチする。 Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, although not shown resist pattern as a mask, after the light shielding plate 18 and the spacer 8 were continuously etched, further selectively spacers 8 to the side etching. これにより、スペーサ８の断面を遮光板材１８より小さくすることが可能となる。 This makes it possible to reduce the cross section of the spacer 8 from the light shielding plate 18. 【００８４】尚、このときの連続エッチング及びサイドエッチの状態により、図１のようにスペーサ８の一部が遮光板材１８からはみだして形成されることがある。 Incidentally, the continuous etching and side etching conditions at this time, there may be a portion of the spacer 8 as shown in FIG. 1 is formed by protruding from the shielding plate 18. ２とを連続形成した第２の基板４を、スペーサ８が形成された第１の基板３上にスペーサ８の最上部上の遮光板材１８を介して接続すると同時に押圧を行う。 2 and a second substrate 4 having a continuous form, simultaneously pressing Connecting via the light shielding plate 18 on top of the first substrate 3 on the spacer 8 in which the spacer 8 is formed. 例えば真空中にて液晶を注入することにより、液晶分子９が充填された液晶層１６を形成し、反射型の液晶ライトバルブ装置を作製することができる。 For example by injecting a liquid crystal in vacuum, it is possible to a liquid crystal layer 16 liquid crystal molecules 9 is filled to form, to produce a reflection-type liquid crystal light valve apparatus. 尚、このときスペーサ８近傍の液晶分子１３は前述のように配向が乱れる。 The liquid crystal molecules 13 of the spacer 8 near this time alignment is disturbed as described above. に内包されるように形成することにより、図１６に示したように遮光板材１８を設けない場合と比較して、スペーサ８の近傍で配向の乱れた液晶分子１３を通過する入射光を少なくすることができる。 By formed so as to be enclosed by the, as compared with the case without the light shielding plate 18 as shown in FIG. 16, to reduce the incident light passing through the liquid crystal molecules 13 that disturbance of orientation in the vicinity of the spacer 8 be able to. 【００８８】これにより、入射光１４が配向の乱れた液晶分子１３を通過することに起因する前述の光漏れを抑制することができる。 Thus, it is possible to incident light 14 is suppressed aforementioned light leakage caused by passing through the liquid crystal molecules 13 that disturbance of orientation. 即ち全黒の浮きを抑制し、コントラストを向上して、画質の向上を図ることができる。 That suppressing floating of all black, to improve the contrast, it is possible to improve the image quality. 【００８９】また、遮光板材１８を形成することにより付加される工程が少なく、前述の連続エッチング等により遮光板材１８を再現性よく形成することができる。 The step less to be added by forming a light shielding plate 18 can be formed with good reproducibility shielding plate 18 by continuous etching described above. 従って、液晶ライトバルブ装置の歩留まりの向上や製造コストの低減を実現することができる。 Therefore, it is possible to realize a reduction in the improvement and production cost of the yield of the liquid crystal light valve. 【００９０】図６に本発明の液晶ライトバルブ装置の他の実施の形態の要部の概略断面図を示す。 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of another embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention in FIG. 6. 本実施の形態では、柱状のスペーサ８のうち、遮光板材１８から成る遮光領域に内包されない領域が、スペーサ８の全高さ即ち入射光の光軸方向の全領域にわたり形成されている構造である場合を示す。 If in the present embodiment, among the columnar spacers 8, the area that is not contained in the light shielding region consisting of the light shielding plate 18 is a structure formed over the entire region of the optical axis of the total height or the incident light of the spacers 8 It is shown. 言い換えれば、スペーサ８の光軸方向に垂直な断面を遮光板材１８に射影した前述の２次元形状の外周のうち、一部が入射光の光軸方向の全領域にわたって遮光板材１８に内包されている構成である。 In other words, among the outer periphery of the two-dimensional shape of the above obtained by projecting the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the spacer 8 in the light shielding plate 18, a part thereof is contained in the light shielding plate 18 over the entire region of the optical axis of the incident light it is configured to have. 【００９１】即ち図６中２本のスペーサ８について、いずれも右側の端部が全高さにわたって遮光板材１８からはみ出している。 That the two spacers 8 in FIG. 6, both the right end portion protrudes from the shielding plate 18 over the entire height. 【００９２】従って、スペーサ８の右端部近傍において、配向の乱れた液晶分子１３付近を入射光が通過する。 Accordingly, at the right end portion vicinity of the spacer 8, the vicinity of the liquid crystal molecules 13 which alignment disorder of the incident light passes. 即ち、ここを通過する直線偏光の偏光方向が回転し、スクリーンに投影される光による全黒の浮きが発生することが懸念される。 That is, where the polarization direction of linearly polarized light is rotated to pass, all black float by light projected on the screen is concerned occur. 【００９３】そこで、本実施の形態においては、遮光板材１８からはみ出した部分のスペーサ８の周囲長を、スペーサ８の断面の全周囲長の５０％未満とすることにより、結果としてスクリーン上でのコントラストの観点から、全黒の浮きとして無視しうるレベルに抑制する。 Therefore, in this embodiment, the peripheral length of the spacer 8 protruding portion from the shielding plate 18, by a less than 50% of the total circumferential length of the cross section of the spacer 8, as a result on the screen in terms of contrast, suppressing a level that can be ignored as all black float. 【００９４】その他の構成は先に図１に示した実施の形態と同様であるので、同一符号を付して重複説明を省略する。 The other configuration is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 above, a repeated explanation thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals. 以下の実施の形態についても同様に重複説明を省略する。 Without redundant description similarly applies to the following embodiments. 【００９５】次に、図７に本発明の液晶ライトバルブ装置のさらに他の実施の形態の要部の概略断面図を示す。 Next, a further schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of another embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention in FIG. 本実施の形態では、柱状のスペーサ８のうち一部が、断面の全周にわたり遮光板材１８からはみ出して形成されている構造である場合を示す。 In this embodiment, a case part of the pillar-shaped spacers 8 is a structure formed to protrude from the light shielding plate 18 over the entire circumference of the cross section. 言い換えれば、スペーサ８の入射光の光軸方向の高さの一部の領域において、スペーサ８の光軸方向に垂直な断面を射影した前述の２次元形状が遮光板材１８に全て内包されて成る構成とする。 In other words, in some areas of the incident light in the optical axis direction height of the spacer 8 consists 2D shape described above with the optical axis direction to a cross section perpendicular to the projection of the spacer 8 is contained all in the light shielding plate 18 configuration to. 【００９６】即ち図中２本のスペーサ８について、いずれも第１の基板１側の配向膜１１に接する部分（下端部）が全周にわたって遮光板材１８からはみ出していて、そのスペーサ８の他の部分では全周にわたって遮光板材１８に内包されている。 That the two spacers 8 in the figure, both the portion in contact with the alignment layer 11 of the first substrate 1 side (lower end portion) is not protrude from the light shielding plate 18 over the entire circumference, other of the spacers 8 the portions are contained in the light shielding plate 18 over the entire circumference. 【００９７】従って、スペーサ８の下端部近傍において、配向の乱れた液晶分子１３付近を入射光が通過する。 Therefore, in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the spacer 8, the vicinity of the liquid crystal molecules 13 which alignment disorder of the incident light passes. 即ち、この領域を通過する直線偏光の偏光方向が回転し、スクリーンに投影される光による全黒の浮きが発生することが懸念される。 In other words, this region the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light is rotated to pass through the entire black float by light projected on the screen is concerned it occurs. 未満とすることにより、結果としてスクリーン上でのコントラストの観点から、全黒の浮きとして無視しうるレベルに抑制する。 With less than, resulting in terms of the contrast on the screen, it suppresses the level which can be ignored as all black float. 【００９９】次に、図８に本発明の液晶ライトバルブ装置のさらに他の実施の形態の要部の概略断面図を示す。 Next, a further schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of another embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention in FIG. 本実施の形態の液晶ライトバルブ装置では、柱状のスペーサ８が全高さにわたり、遮光板材１８に内包されている構造である場合を示す。 In the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of this embodiment shows a case columnar spacer 8 over the entire height, a structure which is contained in the light shielding plate 18. 【０１００】この場合には、スペーサ８が全高さにわたって遮光板材１８に内包されているため、スペーサ８の側面で液晶の配向が乱れることで直線偏光が回転する影響を完全に防止することができ、完全な全黒を実現することができる。 In this case, since the spacer 8 is contained in the light shielding plate 18 over the entire height, can be linearly polarized light by the orientation of the liquid crystal is disturbed on the side of the spacer 8 is completely prevent the effect of rotation , it is possible to realize a complete full black. これにより、スクリーンに投射された像のコントラストの観点で最も理想的な状況が実現できる。 Accordingly, the most ideal situation is realized in terms of the contrast of the projected image on the screen. 画素電極となる電極層５上に直接配向膜１１を形成して構成する。 Configure formed directly alignment film 11 on the electrode layer 5 serving as the pixel electrode. いわゆるクロスニコルの状態に形成する。 It formed in the state of so-called cross-Nicol. 【０１０３】また、本実施の形態では、スペーサ８の第１の基板３に接する側の面が、第１の基板３面上の画素電極５間にあり、スペーサ８は配向膜１１のみを介して第１の基体１に接続されている。 Further, in this embodiment, the side of the surface in contact with the first substrate 3 of the spacer 8 is located between the pixel electrodes 5 on the first substrate 3 side, the spacers 8 only through the orientation film 11 the first is connected to the base body 1 Te. は、例えばＴＦＴ（薄膜トランジスタ）を介して電圧を印加することにより各画素の光透過度を電気的に調弁することが可能な構成とされる。 Is an example TFT capable of electrically adjusting valve the light transmittance of each pixel by applying a voltage through the (thin film transistor) structure. 【０１０５】そして、この構成により第２の基板４の外側から注入された読み出し光（入射光）１４が、液晶層１６を通過し（図９中１５）、上述の光透過度の調弁により第１の基板３を透過する際に変調されて、これが第１の基板３を通して放出される。 Then, the read light (incident light) 14 by the configuration injected from the outside of the second substrate 4, passes through the liquid crystal layer 16 (in Fig. 9 15), by the above-described light transmittance of the regulating valve It is modulated when passing through the first substrate 3, which is emitted through the first substrate 3. 即ちアクティブマトリクス方式の透過型液晶ライトバルブ装置を構成する。 That constitutes the transmission type liquid crystal light valve device of an active matrix type. 【０１０６】その他の構成は、前述の反射型の場合の実施の形態と同様であるので、同一符号を付して重複説明を省略する。 Other configurations are the same as the embodiment in the reflection type described above, a repeated explanation thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals. ３付近を入射光が通過しないようにすることができ、前述の光漏れを抑制することができる。 3 around can ensure that incident light does not pass through the, it is possible to suppress the light leakage of the foregoing. 【０１０８】本発明は、光書き込み方式の反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置にも適用することができる。 The present invention is applicable to a reflective liquid crystal light valve of the light writing type. その場合を次に示す。 Following the case. 図１０に本発明の液晶ライトバルブ装置のさらに別の実施の形態の要部の概略断面図を示す。 It shows a further schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of another embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention in FIG. 10. が形成されて成る。 But made is formed. 一方、例えばガラスで構成された第２の基体２の上に、同様に電極層（対向電極）１０および配向膜１２が形成されて第２の基板４が構成される。 On the other hand, for example, on the second substrate 2 made of glass, as well as the electrode layer (counter electrode) the second substrate 4 is configured 10, and an alignment film 12 is formed. これらの間に液晶が注入されて液晶分子９が充填された液晶層１６が形成されて液晶ライトバルブ装置を構成している。 Liquid crystal layer 16 in which liquid crystal molecules 9 is filled the liquid crystal between them is injected is formed to constitute a liquid crystal light valve. スペーサ８が全高さにわたって遮光板材１８に内包されるように形成されている。 Spacer 8 is formed so as to be enclosed by the shielding plate 18 over the entire height. 【０１１２】そして、光導電層２７は、例えば厚く、連続的で、均質な非晶質シリコン等によって形成することができる。 Then, the photoconductive layer 27, for example thick, continuous, can be formed by a homogeneous amorphous silicon or the like. 【０１１３】第１の基板３の画素領域に形成された、機能素子を構成する光導電層２７は、第１の基板３の裏面側即ち第１の基体１の外側から光書き込みを行うことにより、この光導電層２７の特性が変化する構成とされる。 formed in the pixel region of the first substrate 3, the photoconductive layer 27 constituting a functional element, by performing the optical writing from the back side, i.e. the first outer body 1 of the first substrate 3 , the characteristics of the photoconductive layer 27 is configured to vary. 【０１１４】そして、この構成により第２の基板４の外側から注入された読み出し光（入射光）１４が、液晶層を通過し（図１中１５）、上述の光導電層２７の特性の変化により第１の基板３の誘電体反射膜２０において反射される際に変調されて、これが第２の基板４を通して放出（図１中１９）される。 Then, the read light (incident light) 14 injected from the outside of the second substrate 4 by this construction, passes through the liquid crystal layer (in FIG. 1 15), changes in the characteristics of the photoconductive layer 27 of the above It is modulated when it is reflected at the dielectric reflection film 20 of the first substrate 3 by, which is emitted through the second substrate 4 (FIG. 1 in 19). 即ち光書き込み方式の反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置を構成する。 That constitutes the reflective liquid crystal light valve of the light writing type. 【０１１５】本実施の形態においても、前述のアクティブマトリクス方式の反射型の各実施の形態と同様に、遮光板材１８により入射光１４を遮って、スペーサ８の周囲の配向の乱れた液晶分子１３付近を入射光が通過しないようにすることができ、前述の光漏れを抑制することができる。 Also in this embodiment, as with the embodiment of the reflection type active matrix described above, to block the incident light 14 by the light shielding plate 18, the liquid crystal molecules 13 that disturbance of the orientation of the surrounding spacer 8 near can ensure that incident light does not pass through the, it is possible to suppress the light leakage of the foregoing. 【０１１６】本実施の形態の光書き込み方式の反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置を用いた光学系を図１１に示す。 The optical system using a reflection type liquid crystal light valve of the light writing type according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 11. 図１１に示すように、液晶ライトバルブ装置２５の裏面側に書き込み光の光源としてＣＲＴ２６を配置する。 As shown in FIG. 11, to place the CRT26 as a light source of the writing light to the back surface side of the liquid crystal light valve 25. その他の構成は図３Ａに示した光学系と同様である。 Other configurations are the same as the optical system shown in Figure 3A. の領域に入り、この光の入射した領域の光導電層２７の抵抗値が下がることで液晶層１６に電圧が印加される。 Enters the area, the voltage to the liquid crystal layer 16 by the resistance value of the photoconductive layer 27 of the incident area of ​​the light is reduced is applied. には全黒が実現できる。 All black can be realized in the. 【０１１９】ところで、上述の各実施の形態では、遮光領域を例えば金属層等により形成した遮光板材１８によって構成したが、その他の構成を採用することもできる。 Incidentally, in the embodiments described above, is constituted by the light shielding plate 18 formed by a light-shielding region for example, a metal layer or the like may be employed other configurations. 次に、この遮光領域の他の構成について説明する。 Next, another configuration of the light-shielding region. 【０１２０】投射型のディスプレイの輝度をより高くする目的で、液晶ライトバルブ装置への入射光のパワーはますます大きくなる傾向にある。 In higher for the purpose of brightness of a projection type display, the power of the incident light to the liquid crystal light valve tends to be increasing. そこで、遮光領域で光を反射する際には、可能な限り反射率を高くし、液晶ライトバルブ装置の特に液晶の特性を悪化させるデバイスへの蓄熱を極力防止できる材料、構成を採用するべきである。 Therefore, when the reflected light by the light shielding area, high reflectivity as possible, in particular materials that can be prevented as much as possible the heat storage to the device to deteriorate the liquid crystal properties of the liquid crystal light valve, should adopt a structure is there. 従って、遮光領域での反射をより大きくし、吸収をより少なく抑える必要があり、これにより特性の変動や劣化を防止することができる。 Therefore, to increase the reflection of the light shielding region, we are necessary to suppress less absorption, thereby it is possible to prevent variation or deterioration of characteristics. 【０１２１】即ち、遮光領域の他の形態として、光反射性材料例えば金属反射膜又は屈折率の異なる２種の誘電体を概ね１／４λ（λは入射光の波長）で交互に積層した誘電体反射膜等によって遮光領域を形成する。 That is, as another embodiment of the light shielding area, the light reflective material for example metal reflection film or the refractive index of two different dielectrics generally 1 / 4λ (λ is the wavelength of incident light) are alternately laminated with dielectric forming the light-shielding region by the body reflection film. 或いはこれらを組み合わせた構造即ち金属膜上に誘電体反射膜を積層した構造によって遮光領域を形成する。 Or forming the light-shielding region by a structure formed by laminating a dielectric reflection film on the structure i.e. a metal film of a combination of these. 【０１２２】これにより、金属反射膜や誘電体反射膜等の光反射性材料によって入射光を反射し、入射光を吸収しないように遮光領域を構成することができ、液晶ライトバルブ装置への蓄熱による特性の変動等を防止することができる。 Thus, reflect incident light by the light reflecting material such as a metal reflection film or a dielectric reflection film, it is possible to configure the light blocking regions so as not to absorb incident light, heat accumulation in the liquid crystal light valve fluctuation in characteristics due to such can be prevented. 【０１２３】また、遮光領域のその他の形態として、遮光領域で光を積極的に吸収してＰＢＳに戻さない構成を採ることができる。 As another form of light-blocking region can be a configuration that does not return to the PBS actively absorb light in the light shielding region. この場合には、液晶ライトバルブ装置への蓄熱が懸念されるが、これに対して例えば反射型の液晶ライトバルブ装置であれば、その周囲や底面に接して例えばペルチエ効果を用いた冷却装置を設ければよい。 In this case, although the heat storage of the liquid crystal light valve device is concerned, in a liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the reflective type, for example contrast, a cooling device using a contact with e.g. Peltier effect in the periphery and the bottom surface it may be provided. 【０１２４】そして、上述の光の吸収のためには、光吸収材料の膜例えば黒色のカーボン膜等や、カーボン等の光吸収材料上に光透過膜を積層した積層膜により遮光領域を形成する。 Then, for the absorption of the above-mentioned light film and for example, black carbon film or the like of the light absorbing material to form a light shielding region of a laminated film formed by laminating plural light transparent films on the light-absorbing material such as carbon . で交互に積層した積層膜で形成してもよい。 In may be formed of a laminated film formed by laminating alternately. 遮光領域を光を散乱する材料で構成して、遮光領域において入射光を散乱させることにより、その光強度を著しく弱めてＰＢＳに戻す方法を採ることもでき、この場合も同様の効果を得ることができる。 Constructed of a material that scatters light a light-blocking region, by scattering the incident light in the light shielding region, that the light intensity significantly weakened can also take how to return into PBS, also in this case to obtain the same effect can. 【０１２７】さらに、遮光領域の別の形態として、光入射側に反射膜、その反対側に吸収膜を形成した積層構造の遮光板材を採ることができる。 Further, as another form of the light-shielding region, the reflection film on the light incident side, it is possible to take a light shielding plate of the laminated structure forming the absorbing film on the opposite side. これにより、入射光をより確実に反射することができる。 This makes it possible to more reliably reflect incident light. また、遮光板材の端縁付近に入射して遮光板材の裏面で再度反射した光が第２の基体を通して出射して、全黒の浮きを生じることがないように、この遮光板材の端縁付近に入射した光を遮光板の裏面の吸収膜で早急に吸収して、より確実に漏れ光を防止することができる。 The light reflected again by the back surface of the edge incident to the light shielding plate in the vicinity of the light shielding plate is emitted through the second substrate, so as not to cause lifting of all black, near the end edge of the light shielding plate incident light as soon as possible absorbed by absorbing film on the back surface of the light shielding plate can be prevented more reliably leak light. 【０１２８】尚、この構成において、吸収膜上に反射膜及び誘電体反射膜を積層して形成してもよい。 Note that in this configuration, may be formed by laminating a reflection film and a dielectric reflective film absorbing film. 【０１２９】次に、図１２に本発明の液晶ライトバルブ装置のその他の実施の形態の要部の概略断面図を示す。 Next, a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of another embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention in FIG. 12. 特に第１の基板３側で、配向の乱れた液晶分子１３が入射光から遠ざかることにより、入射光の偏光への影響がより減少する。 Especially in the first substrate 3, the liquid crystal molecules 13 that disturbance of orientation by moving away from the incident light, the influence on the polarization of the incident light is reduced more. 従って、全黒の浮きの防止効果がより高くなる。 Therefore, the effect of preventing the total black float becomes higher. 【０１３０】同様に、図示しないが第２の基体２及び遮光板材１８側のスペーサ８の断面積が小さい構造、スペーサ８の中央の断面積が大きく上下端の断面積が小さい構造や、その反対の構造も採ることができる。 Similarly, the cross-sectional area is small structures not shown second substrate 2 and the light blocking plate 18 side of the spacer 8, and the cross-sectional area is small structure of the cross-sectional area of ​​the center is large upper and lower ends of the spacers 8, the opposite it can be also of structure take. またスペーサ８の太さの変化が直線形状以外の曲線形状である構造も採ることができる。 Also it is possible to change the thickness of the spacers 8 is also take structure is a curve shape other than a linear shape. 【０１３１】次に、図１３に本発明の液晶ライトバルブ装置のその他の実施の形態の要部の概略断面図を示す。 Next, a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of another embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention in FIG. 13. 工程数の削減により製造コストを削減することが可能になる。 The reduction in the number of steps it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost. 【０１３２】尚、遮光領域１８とスペーサ８とを、同一材料でそれぞれ別々に形成する構成を採ることもできる。 Incidentally, a light shielding region 18 and the spacer 8, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which separately formed respectively of the same material. この場合も材料費の低減や工程の簡略化が可能になる。 In this case also it is possible to simplify the reduction and process material costs. 【０１３３】尚、上述の各実施の形態においては、入射光１４が第２の基板４に対して垂直入射する場合について説明したが、入射光が第２の基板に対して斜め方向に入射し、これに対応して柱状のスペーサも入射光の方向に対応して斜めに形成されている構成を採用してもよい。 In each embodiment described above, the incident light 14 has been described for the case of incident perpendicular to the second substrate 4, the incident light is incident obliquely with respect to the second substrate , it may adopt a configuration that is formed obliquely so as to correspond to the direction of the incident light columnar spacer corresponding thereto. その外周の一部或いは全外周が遮光領域に内包されているように構成すればよい。 Part or entire outer periphery of the outer periphery thereof may be configured as being included in the light shielding region. スペーサの第２の基板側即ち入射光側に遮光領域を設けることにより、遮光領域で入射光を遮って、スペーサ近傍で液晶分子の配向が乱れた領域を入射光が通過することに起因する全黒の浮きを抑制することができる。 By providing the second substrate side or the light-shielding region on the incident light side of the spacer, to block the incident light by the light shielding area, due to the incident light passes through the region where the alignment is disturbed in the liquid crystal molecules in near the spacer all it is possible to suppress the black float. 【０１３５】尚、本発明の構成を変形して、柱状スペーサの第１の基板に接する端部より第１の基体側に遮光領域を設ける構成も考えられる。 Incidentally, by modifying the configuration of the present invention, be provided with a light shielding region in the first substrate side from the end in contact with the first substrate of the columnar spacers are also contemplated. しかしながら、この場合には、いったん配向の乱れた液晶分子付近の領域に光が入射するので、この領域に入射した光が多少拡がることを考慮して、遮光領域をやや大きめに形成する必要があり、この分各画素の有効領域が狭くなる。 However, in this case, once the light in the region of the orientation of disordered vicinity of the liquid crystal molecules is incident, in consideration of the fact that light incident on this region is enlarged somewhat, it is necessary to slightly larger forming a light-shielding region , the effective area of ​​the partial pixels is narrowed. また、反射型では、光漏れを防ぐためには、遮光領域に入射する光が反射されず全て吸収される構成とする必要がある。 Further, in the reflection type, in order to prevent light leakage, it is necessary to adopt a configuration in which light incident on the light-shielding region is all absorbed without being reflected. 即ち、柱状スペーサの入射光側に遮光領域を設ける本発明の構成の方が、光漏れの抑制効果を発揮することができ、画素の有効領域が広く液晶ライトバルブ装置の特性に優れている。 In other words, towards the configuration of the present invention to provide a light-shielding region on the incident light side of the columnar spacer, it is possible to exhibit the effect of suppressing light leakage, has excellent characteristics of the effective area of ​​the pixel is wide liquid crystal light valve. 【０１３６】本発明の液晶ライトバルブ装置は、上述の実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲でその他様々な構成が取り得る。 The liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described above, various arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention can take. 【発明の効果】上述の本発明による液晶ライトバルブ装置によれば、柱状のスペーサの入射光側に、スペーサの断面の大部分を内包するように遮光領域を形成することにより、柱状スペーサの周囲の配向の乱れた液晶分子への光の入射を遮って、全黒状態における漏れ光を抑制することができる。 Effects of the Invention] According to the liquid crystal light valve according to the invention described above, the incident light side of the columnar spacer, by forming a light blocking region so as to include the majority of the cross-section of the spacer, around the columnar spacers blocking the incident light to the disordered liquid crystal molecules of the alignment, it is possible to suppress the light leakage in the entire black state. 特に反射型の液晶ライトバルブ装置では、上述の構成の遮光領域を形成することにより、入射光の偏光を変えずに光を反射して、全黒状態における漏れ光を抑制することができる。 Especially in a reflective liquid crystal light valve device, by forming the light shielding region of the above-described configuration, by reflecting the light without changing the polarization of the incident light, it is possible to suppress the light leakage in the entire black state. 【０１３８】従って本発明により、より完全な全黒をスクリーンに表示できることにより、全黒に対する画像のコントラストをより大きくして、画質を向上させることができる。 Thus by the present invention, by being able to display more complete full black screen, and greater contrast of the image for all black, thereby improving the image quality. 【０１３９】また、遮光領域の形成により付加される工程が少なく、再現性よく形成できるので、製品の歩留まりの向上や製造コストの低減を実現することができる。 Also, less process applied by the formation of the light-blocking region, it is possible with good reproducibility formation, it is possible to realize a reduction in the improvement and production cost of the yield of products. 【図１】本発明の一実施の形態の反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置の要部の概略断面図である。 1 is a schematic sectional view of a main portion of the reflection type liquid crystal light valve apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention. 【図２】図１の液晶ライトバルブ装置の概略を示す斜視図である。 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a liquid crystal light valve apparatus of FIG. 【図３】Ａ 図１の液晶ライトバルブ装置を用いて構成した光学系の概略構成図である。 Figure 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system constituted by using the liquid crystal light valve apparatus A Figure 1. Ｂ 図３Ａの光学系における光の偏光の変化を示す図である。 Is a diagram showing changes in polarization of the light in the optical system of the B Figure 3A. 【図４】Ａ〜Ｃ 図１の液晶ライトバルブ装置の製造工程を示す工程図である。 4 is a process diagram showing the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of A~C Figure 1. 【図５】Ｄ、Ｅ 図１の液晶ライトバルブ装置の製造工程を示す工程図である。 D, is a process diagram showing the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus E Figure 1. 【図６】本発明の他の実施の形態の反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置の要部の概略断面図である。 6 is a schematic sectional view of a main portion of the reflection type liquid crystal light valve apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 【図７】本発明のさらに他の実施の形態の反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置の要部の概略断面図である。 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of another embodiment of the reflection type liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention. 【図８】本発明の別の実施の形態の反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置の要部の概略断面図である。 8 is a schematic sectional view of a main part of another embodiment of the reflection type liquid crystal light valve apparatus of the present invention. 【図９】透過型液晶ライトバルブ装置に適用した本発明の実施の形態の要部の概略断面図である。 9 is a schematic sectional view of a main portion of the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a transmissive liquid crystal light valve. 【図１０】光書き込み方式の反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置に適用した本発明の実施の形態の要部の概略断面図である。 10 is a schematic sectional view of a main portion of the embodiment of the present invention applied to a reflection type liquid crystal light valve of the light writing type. 【図１１】図１１の液晶ライトバルブ装置を用いた光学系の概略構成図である。 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system using a liquid crystal light valve apparatus of FIG. 11. 【図１２】スペーサをテーパ状に形成した実施の形態の要部の概略断面図である。 12 is a schematic sectional view of a main portion of the embodiment forming a spacer in a tapered shape. 【図１３】スペーサと遮光板材とを一体に形成した実施の形態の要部の概略断面図である。 13 is a schematic sectional view of a main portion of the embodiment forming the spacer and the light shielding plate integrally. 【図１４】従来の液晶ライトバルブ装置の斜視図である。 14 is a perspective view of a conventional liquid crystal light valve. 【図１５】柱状スペーサを用いた液晶ライトバルブ装置の斜視図である。 15 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal light valve device using the columnar spacer. 【図１６】従来の透過型液晶ライトバルブ装置の要部の概略断面図である。 16 is a schematic sectional view of a main portion of a conventional transmission type liquid crystal light valve. 【図１７】図１６の液晶ライトバルブ装置の動作を示す模式図である。 17 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of FIG. 16. Ａ 電圧がかかっていない状態を示す。 Showing a state in which not applied A voltage. Ｂ 電圧を印加した状態を示す。 B voltage showing the application state of. 【図１８】反射型液晶ライトバルブ装置を用いて構成した光学系の概略図である。 18 is a schematic view of an optical system constituted by using a reflection type liquid crystal light valve device. 【請求項１】 少なくとも第１の基体上に機能素子と配向膜とを形成した第１の基板と、 上記第１の基板に対向して配され、第２の基体上に対向電極と配向膜を形成した第２の基板と、 上記第１の基板及び上記第２の基板間の所定の位置に設けられたスペーサと、 上記第１の基板及び上記第２の基板間に充填された液晶層とを有し、 上記スペーサの上記第２の基板側の端部より入射光側に遮光領域が設けられ、 上記スペーサの入射光の光軸方向の高さの少なくとも一部における入射光の光軸と垂直な断面を光軸と平行に上記遮光領域へ射影して成る２次元形状の外周の少なくとも一部が上記遮光領域に内包されて成ることを特徴とする液晶ライトバルブ装置。 And 1. A at least a first substrate on the functional element and a first substrate formed with an alignment layer, the disposed to face the first substrate, an alignment film and the counter electrode on the second substrate a second substrate formed with said spacer provided at a predetermined position between the first substrate and the second substrate, a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate has the door, said second light-shielding region on the incident light side of the edge portion of the substrate side of the spacer is provided, the optical axis of the incident light in at least a portion of the incident light in the optical axis direction height of the spacer liquid crystal light valve apparatus in which at least part of the outer periphery of the two-dimensional shape formed by projecting the parallel light shielding region and the optical axis is characterized by comprising as contained in the light shielding area cross section perpendicular with. に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 Liquid crystal light valve apparatus according to. 【請求項３】 上記スペーサの断面を射影した２次元形状の外周のうち、上記遮光領域に内包されない部分が全外周長の５０％未満であり、かつ上記スペーサの断面を射影した２次元形状が上記遮光領域外となる領域が、上記スペーサの入射光の光軸方向の高さのうちの５０％未満の範囲とされたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 3. Among the outer periphery of the two-dimensional shape obtained by projecting the cross-section of the spacer, the not encapsulated in the light shielding area portion is less than 50% of the total outer peripheral length, and two-dimensional shape obtained by projecting the cross section of the spacer regions to be the light shielding region outside the liquid crystal light valve apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is in the range of less than 50% of the incident light in the optical axis direction height of the spacer. 【請求項４】 上記スペーサの上記入射光の光軸方向の全領域にわたって、上記スペーサの断面を射影した２次元形状の外周の少なくとも一部が上記遮光領域に内包されて成ることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 Over the entire region of the optical axis direction wherein the spacer the incident light, at least a portion of the periphery of the two-dimensional shape obtained by projecting the cross-section of the spacer is characterized by comprising as contained in the light shielding region liquid crystal light valve apparatus of claim 1. 【請求項５】 上記２次元形状の外周のうち、上記遮光領域に内包されない部分が全外周長の５０％未満とされたことを特徴とする請求項４に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 5. Among the outer periphery of the two-dimensional shape, the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of claim 4, said light shielding area not enclosed portion is characterized in that it is less than 50% of the total circumferential length. 【請求項６】 上記スペーサの入射光の光軸方向の高さの少なくとも一部の領域において、上記スペーサの断面を射影した２次元形状が上記遮光領域に全て内包されて成ることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 6. The at least a partial region of the optical axis direction of the height of the incident light of the spacer, the two-dimensional shape obtained by projecting the cross-section of the spacer is characterized by comprising as contained all the light shielding region liquid crystal light valve apparatus of claim 1. 【請求項７】 上記２次元形状が上記遮光領域に内包されない部分を有する領域が、上記スペーサの全高さのうちの５０％未満とされたことを特徴とする請求項６に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 7. A region having a portion where the two-dimensional shape is not contained in the light shielding area, the liquid crystal light valve according to claim 6, characterized in that it is less than 50% of the total height of the spacer apparatus. 【請求項８】 上記スペーサの入射光の光軸方向の高さの全領域において、上記スペーサの断面を射影した２次元形状が上記遮光領域に全て内包されて成ることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 8. The entire area of ​​the optical axis direction of the height of the incident light of the spacer, claim 1, 2-dimensional shape obtained by projecting the cross-section of the spacer is characterized by comprising as contained all the light shielding region liquid crystal light valve apparatus according to. 【請求項９】 上記スペーサの上記第１の基板上に接する側の面の少なくとも一部が、上記第１の基板面上の画素電極間にあることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 9. At least a portion of the surface on the side in contact with the spacer of said first substrate is a liquid crystal according to claim 1, characterized in that between the pixel electrodes on the first substrate surface light valve device. 【請求項１０】 上記機能素子が各画素の光透過度を電気的に調弁することが可能な構成とされ、上記第１の基板側から注入された読み出し光が、上記第２の基板を通して変調されて透過放出される透過型の液晶ライトバルブ装置が構成されたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 10. The functional element is an electrically capable of regulating valves constituting the light transmittance of each pixel, the reading light injected from the first substrate side, through the second substrate liquid crystal light valve apparatus of claim 1, the transmissive liquid crystal light valve apparatus which is modulated by transmission release is characterized in that it is configured. 【請求項１１】 上記機能素子が外部端子から個別に電圧を与えることによって各画素の上記入射光に対する反射率を変更することが可能な構成とされ、上記第２の基板の外側から注入された読み出し光が、該反射率の変更により上記第１の基板で反射される際に変調されて上記第２の基板を通して放出される反射型の液晶ライトバルブ装置が構成されたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 11. The functional element is a capable of changing the reflectance configuration with respect to the incident light of each pixel by providing individually voltage from the external terminal, which is injected from the outside of the second substrate claims reading light, the change of the reflectance in the first modulated when it is reflected by the substrate reflection type emitted through the second substrate the liquid crystal light valve apparatus is characterized in that it is configured liquid crystal light valve apparatus according to claim 1. 【請求項１２】 上記機能素子が上記第１の基板の裏面の画素領域に形成された光導電層に光書き込みを行うことにより上記光導電層の特性が変化する構成とされ、上記第２の基板の外側から注入された読み出し光が、該光導電層の特性の変化により上記第１の基板で反射される際に変調されて上記第２の基板を通して放出される反射型の液晶ライトバルブ装置が構成されたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 12. The functional element is configured to characteristics of the photoconductive layer is changed by performing the optical writing to the photoconductive layer formed on the back surface of the pixel region of the first substrate, the second reading light injected from the outside of the substrate, by a change in characteristics of the photoconductive layer is modulated when it is reflected by the first substrate reflective liquid crystal light valve apparatus which is emitted through the second substrate liquid crystal light valve apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that but configured. 【請求項１３】 上記遮光領域を、光不透過性の光反射材料により形成することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 13. The light-shielding area, the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forming the optically opaque light reflective material. 【請求項１４】 上記遮光領域を、誘電体反射膜により形成することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 14. The light-shielding area, the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forming a dielectric reflecting film. 【請求項１５】 上記誘電体反射膜を、屈折率が異なる２層の光透過性の膜を上記入射光の波長の１／４の厚さで積層して形成することを特徴とする請求項１４に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 15. A claim, characterized in that formed by laminating the dielectric reflection film, a light transmissive film having a refractive index different two layers with a thickness of 1/4 of the wavelength of the incident light liquid crystal light valve apparatus according to 14. 【請求項１６】 上記遮光領域を、光不透過性の光吸収材料により形成することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 16. The light-shielding area, the liquid crystal light valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forming the light-impermeable light-absorbing material. 【請求項１７】 上記遮光領域を、光吸収材料上に光透過膜を積層して形成することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 17. The light-shielding area, the liquid crystal light valve according to claim 1, characterized in that formed by laminating a light transmission layer on the light absorbing material. 【請求項１８】 上記光透過膜を、屈折率の異なる２層の膜を上記入射光の波長の１／４の厚さで積層して形成することを特徴とする請求項１７に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 18. The liquid crystal according to claim 17, characterized in that the light transmitting film, a film of two different layers having refractive index are laminated in a thickness of 1/4 of the wavelength of the incident light light valve device. 【請求項２０】 上記遮光領域を、光吸収材料上に光反射性材料、及び誘電体反射膜を積層して形成することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 20. The light-shielding region, light reflective material on the light absorbing material, and the liquid crystal light valve according to claim 1, characterized in that formed by laminating a dielectric reflective film. 【請求項２１】 上記遮光領域を、光を散乱する材料を有して形成することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 21. A liquid crystal light valve apparatus of claim 1, the light-blocking region, and forming a material that scatters light. 【請求項２２】 上記スペーサが、円形、楕円形、菱形のいずれかの断面形状を有するか、もしくはこれらの形状の断面を有する構造を複数積み重ねて成ることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 22. The spacer is circular, elliptical, or have any cross-sectional shape of a rhombus, or according to claim 1, characterized by comprising stacking a plurality of structures having a cross section of these shapes the liquid crystal light valve apparatus. 【請求項２３】 上記スペーサと上記遮光領域とが同一材料で形成されたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶ライトバルブ装置。 23. A liquid crystal light valve apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the said spacer and the light shielding region is formed of the same material.
2019-04-21T10:59:40Z
https://patents.google.com/patent/JP2000193984A/en
15.5 % Recommended High acidification power: Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet IONYSwf™ is the first wine yeast that has been selected within the Saccharomyces cerevisiæ species for its capacity to significantly and naturally acidify must during fermentation. Wines obtained from high maturity grapes and fermented with this yeast are well-balanced and more fresher. 15 % Mouthfeel Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Selected in Spain by (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), VELLUTO EVOLUTION™ is characterized by a high production of glycerol but also fruity and balsamic aromas. During many years of selection project and then trials in wineries from different regions of the world, VELLUTO EVOLUTION™ has demonstrated its interest for voluptuous red wines to be aged such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Bobal, Monastrell and Pinot Noir. 14 % Recommended Enhances varietal characters, mouthfeel and volume. Helps extraction of soft phenolics. Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet A premium Bordeaux selection, CSM is well suited for high quality reds particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, from cool to warm regions. CSM is red fruit-driven and favours extraction of soft tannins and retention of colour. Alcohol tolerance to 14% v/v. Successfully used with other varieties including Barbera, Malbec, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Shiraz. Produces wines that are typically soft but with prominant aromas of berries, spice and liquorice. Promotes tight structure and adds complexity along with balanced, round mouthfeel. Has the potential to reduce vegetal aromas. 16 % Not really recommended High ester production Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet A yeast from the Massey University culture collection. It is used to produce very aromatic white wine, contribute complexity in the production of red wines for aging, and to produce rosés and ‘sticky’ wine. After completion of fermentation, the yeast flocculates and settles to give compact lees. Produces a high concentration of esters giving fruit salad aroma, particularly at fermentation temperatures below 20°C. The yeast ester aroma decreases over time as fermentation esters hydrolyse. 15 % Strongly recommended Generally neutral Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Isolated in Stellenbosch, South Africa, M2 is used as a general purpose wine yeast for a wide range of red, white and rosé styles. Noted to impart esters. Has potential to accumulate higher than normal concentrations of succinic acid and is sensitive to sulphur dioxide at pH 3.2 or lower. 17 % Recommended Enhances varietal characters. Contributes to a luscious mid-palate Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet RP15 was selected from spontaneous Rockpile Syrah fermentations. This Californian isolate is used in concentrated reds, particularly Shiraz, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot where a moderate fermentation rate is desired for rich, lush, balanced mouthfeel and full bodied wines. RP15 has a moderate nitrogen demand and contributes to varietal flavour, red fruit and mineral aromatic note development. 16 % Recommended Enhances varietal characters and palate volume Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Syrah is a Côtes du Rhône isolate particularly recommended for Shiraz, Merlot and Carignan styles. Enhances mouthfeel and promotes stable colour extraction. Best suited for warm to hot climate fruit. Typical aromas include violets, raspberries, cassis, strawberries, black pepper and spiciness. Other recommended varieties include Barbera, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Exhibits rapid onset of fermentation. 14 % Not really recommended Enhances varietal characters, mouthfeel and texture Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet T306 is an indigenous yeast isolated from natural fermentation of Pinot Noir at Tyrrell’s Vineyards, Hunter Valley, NSW. Mainly used for fruit focused white varieties including Chardonnay, Semillon, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Gris for imparting aroma characters such as exotic tropical fruit and pineapple. Compliments & adds depth to varietal characters, especially in Chardonnay & Riesling. Can also contribute to mouthfeel, particularly with lees contact time. Enhances aromatic expression in weak intensity fruit. Suited for tank & barrel fermented whites and early release fruit driven red wines from warm to hot regions. 15 % Not really recommended Neutral Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Specialised sparkling wine yeast for the fermentation of both base wines and secondary bottle fermentation. This yeast strain produces high quality wines, preserving both the grape variety and terroir. Renowned for the production of sparkling wine by the traditional method, this yeast is also valued for the production of still wine worldwide. Excellent adaptation to the most difficult liquors: low pH, low temperature, high alcohol content. 15 % For fresh tropical fruit thiols (3MH and 3MHA) Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet IOC BE THIOLS is the result of an innovative yeast -selection technology which truly brings out fruity thiols (in citrus and exotic fruits) in white or rose wines without being able to form SO2. These characteristics make IOC BE Thiols an exceptional tool for producing healthy, clear, thiolated wines, while at the same time keeping sulphite contents at their lowest level. IOC Divine™ Saccharomyces cerevisiae 14 % Neutral Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet The IOC DIVINE yeast is suited to making sparkling wines using the Traditional Method. This yeast reveals good fermentation qualities typified by a sustained rate of fermentation, a good tolerance for alcohol and the ability to ferment under difficult conditions. It has also been selected for its rapid autolysis, which gives the wine exceptional richness and volume in the mouth. It produces sparkling wines with a great aromatic complexity that are particularly long in the mouth. IOC Fizz+™ Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus 14 % Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet The IOC FIZZ+ yeast has been chosen to meet the needs of those making highly expressive sparkling wines using the Charmat (Italian) Method. It has very good fermentation qualities in secondary fermentation and thus ensures quick and complete secondary fermentation. It also contributes to the aromatic intensity of such wines by accentuating their fruit notes. IOC Fizz™ Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus 18 % Neutral Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet The IOC FIZZ yeast has been selected for making high-quality sparkling wines using the Charmat Method. Its ability to adapt itself to difficult conditions helps to ensure rapid and complete secondary fermentation, even at low temperatures and with high levels of alcohol. Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Gaia is a natural bio control agent that can be used during red grape harvest and pre-fermentation steps to suppress the growth of microorganisms responsible for acetic acid production, such as Kloeckera apiculate/Hanseniaspora uvarum. It is an active dry yeast (Metschnikowia fructicola) which has negligible fermenting capacity, consequently it will not contribute to alcoholic fermentation. Gaia’s antimicrobial activity reduces the undesirable population of acetic acid producing yeast, especially Kloeckera, and thus is a natural means to reduce the use of SO2 in picking bins, as well as during pre-macerations and cold soaks of red grapes. Subsequent inoculation with a selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain for alcoholic fermentation is not impeded by the use of Gaia. 16 % Recommended Volume and mouthfeel Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet A high glycerol producer, IOC R 9008 helps to decrease herbaceous characters, astringency and aggressive tannin sensations and limits the hot sensation caused by ethanol. Suited for difficult conditions, with musts from warmer winemaking regions, it helps to minimise the perceptions of dryness and bitterness whilst, at the same time, intensifying the mineral notes and length in the mouth. IOC R 9008 has been chosen to develop complex ripe fruit aromas and volume in the mouth for structured red wines made from concentrated grapes at full maturity. 15 % Enhances varietal aromas Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Recommended for Pinot noir for its excellent ability to preserve colour. It increases the colour intensity from 5 to 15% when compared to many other selected or native yeasts. Its essential sensory contribution is to accentuate the varietal fruit aromas (strawberry, gooseberry, blackberry) typical of many red grape types, with a good balance between the freshness and maturity of the fruit, and with finesse and elegance. 15 % Enhances varietal aromas Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Increases conversion rate of thiols via enzyme activity, strong citrus and passion fruit aromas while limiting herbaceous characters. A high 3MH & 3MHA producer, ideal for Sauvignon blanc. 15 % Recommended Enhances varietal aromas Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet New Chardonnay yeast that produces fresh, complex and balanced wines. Amplifies roundness in mid-palate and increases freshness. Highlights fresh citrus and stone fruit aromas. 14 % Strongly recommended Esters Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Selected in Narbonne France by the National Research Institute of Agronomy (INRA) for its fruity aroma in production of red and white Vins Nouveaux. Due to the production of relatively stable esters, particularly isoamyl acetate, 71B gives a characteristic fruity aroma which reinforces the grape varietal profile. 71B also softens high acid musts by partially metabolizing malic acid (up to 20-40%). A popular strain for production of fresh fruity red wines, including those for early consumption, and enhances wine aromas of Viognier and Gamay. Noted for its ability to limit red wine tannin, colour and structure. A compatible yeast strain for MLF. 16 % Recommended Enhances varietal aromas, mouthfeel and volume, moderate ester contribution Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet A Portuguese isolate, selected to ferment white wine with delicate fruit character. Promotes clean aromatic characteristics, imparting subtle ester notes and intensifies wine mouthfeel with lees contact. Particularly suited to fermentation of varietal white wines from cooler climates which aim to have delicate fruit flavour, elegance and mouthfeel. In relatively neutral white varieties, Ba11 encourages the fresh fruit aromas of orange blossom, pineapple and apricot. 15 % Not really recommended Enhances varietal characters, mouthfeel, volume, complexity and contribute to color stability Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet BM45 was isolated in the early 1990’s in collaboration with the Consorzio del Vino Brunello de Montalcino and the University of Siena. Selected for Sangiovese fermentations, but valuable for fermentation of a range of red wines including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Produces high levels of polysaccharides resulting in wines with significant mouthfeel and superior colour stability. BM45 also enhances aroma complexity, including attributes of jam, spice and earthy elements in red varieties. It also is used to minimize vegetal characteristics. BM45 is a relatively slow starter and is well suited for long maceration programs. Also useful in full-bodied white wines for increasing mouthfeel and complexity. BM45 can produce significant amounts of SO2. Wines made with BM45 may be relatively more difficult to induce MLF. 16 % Not really recommended Enhances varietal characters, mouthfeel, colour stability, complexity and contributes to color stability Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet BM4X4 is a blend of two yeast strains: BM45 plus a complementary yeast known for its fermentation reliability. BM45 is known and appreciated around the world for its round mouthfeel and stable colour (see description for BM45). While BM45 has a very strong following among winemakers who appreciate its suitability for long maceration programs, there are others who desire the attributes of BM45 but with a more timely and secure fermentation. BM4X4 achieves this goal. During the yeast growth phase, BM4X4 has the unusual capacity of releasing a significant quantity of polyphenol reactive polysaccharides into the fermenting must. The quantity and the quality of the polysaccharides released during fermentation facilitate the production of red wines with great mouthfeel and improved colour stability with dependable fermentation kinetics under difficult fermentation conditions. BM4X4 is also well suited for full bodied white wines, bringing roundness to the mouthfeel and enhancing aroma. 16 % Enhances varietal aromas and esters Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet A yeast selected from the Pasteur Institute Yeast Culture Collection, Lalvin C is a French wine region isolate that has been used in winemaking since the early 1960’s. Suited for a wide range of winemaking applications, particularly for production of fresh and fruity white wine styles, as well as early release fruit driven red wines and wines made by carbonic maceration. Lalvin C is known to produce varying amounts of the ester amyl acetate. A clean fermenter that enhances the varietal character of the fruit. Can degrade up to 45% L-malic acid. 17 % Strongly recommended Enhances varietal characters and complexity. Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Lalvin Clos has been selected by the University of Rovira and Virgili in Spain (Biotecnología Enológica de la Facultad de Enología de Tarragona) from the Priorat, situated in the Tarragona area. The selection criteria of this strain was to preserve the typical characteristics of wines from the Priorat D.O.C (Denomination de Origen), where alcohol and polyphenol levels are usually very high. Launched in Australia in 2010, CLOS has achieved outstanding success in the fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Grenache and Tempranillo. Driving underlying complex savoury notes with an overall heightened expression of varietal characters, this yeast is achieving some outstanding results. The resulting wines have a good balance between mouthfeel and structure. Lalvin CLOS can tolerate difficult conditions such as high alcohol, low nutrient demand and wide fermentation temperature limits. 18 % Recommended Neutral and elegant Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet DV10 was selected by the Station Oenotechnique de Champagne (SOEC) in the Champagne region and is approved by the Comité Interprofessional du Vin de Champagne (CIVC) in Epernay. Recommended for white and red table wines where a rapid, neutral fermentation is required. DV10 demonstrates strong fermentation kinetics under stressful conditions of low pH, high total SO2 and low temperature. A clean fermenter that respects varietal character, and typically results in softer palate than can be found with other one-dimensional “workhorse” strains. Also recommended for late harvest hites. Compatible for malolactic fermentation. 18 % Recommended Neutral Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Isolated in Champagne, EC1118 has a wide range of applications where a rapid neutral fermentation is required, including fermentation of white and red wines table wines, secondary fermentation, late harvest whites and also for barrel fermentations and restarting stuck ferments. EC1118 has high fermentation vigour, low nitrogen demand, ferments over a wide temperature range (10°- 30°C), tolerates up to 18% v/v alcohol, and is killer active. Flocculates well with very compact lees. Relatively high level of colour extraction in red wines. Under low nutrient conditions, EC1118 can produce significant amounts of SO2 (eg. up to 50 mg/L) which may contribute to MLF inhibition. When SO2 production is low, this yeast is MLF compatible. 16 % Recommended Contributes an increase in palate volume for whites and promotes texture and phenolics in red wines. Enhaces varietal fruit expression. Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet ICV D21 was isolated in 1999 from the Pic Saint Loup Languedoc “terroir” during a special regional program run by the Institut Coopératif du Vin (ICV) Natural Micro-Flora Observatory and Conservatory. ICV D21 was selected for fermenting red wines where stable colour, intense fore-mouth, mid-palate tannin structure, and fresh aftertaste are desired outcomes. Unlike most wine yeasts, ICV D21 contributes both higher acidity and positive polyphenol reactive polysaccharides. Strong interactions of the polysaccharides with the floral and fruity volatile compounds contribute to a more stable aromatic profile in the mouth. These attributes avoid the development of cooked jam and burning-alcohol sensations in highly mature and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. It allows for the expression of fruit from the grapes while reducing the potential for herbaceous characters in Cabernet Sauvignon. Noted as a reliable fermenter, even under high temperature and low nutrient conditions. When blended with wines fermented with ICV D254 and ICV D80, ICV D21 brings fresher, sustained intense fruit and lively sensations beginning in the fore-mouth and carrying through to the aftertaste. ICV D21 is also used in high maturity white grapes, barrel-fermented to develop fresh fruit aromas, volume and acidity that complement wines fermented with ICV D47 in blends. Rosé wines fermented with ICV D21 have enhanced red fruit, foremouth volume and balance, making it an ideal blending complement to rosé wines fermented with ICV GRE. A compatible yeast strain for MLF, but possible impact on acidity may cause less favourable MLF conditions. 16 % Recommended Enhances varietal characters and promotes phenolic extraction and structure Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet ICV D80 was isolated by Dominique Delteil of the Institut Coopératif du Vin (ICV) in 1992 from the Côte Rôtie area of the Rhône Valley for its ability to ferment red musts rich in polyphenols. ICV D80 brings high fore-mouth volume, big mid-palate mouthfeel and intense grainy tannin to reds. It is one of the preferred strains for contributing big tannin volume. When blended with wines fermented with ICV D254 or Enoferm Syrah, wines fermented with ICV D80 bring more tannin intensity to the blend. With appropriate nutrition, aeration and fermentation temperatures below 28°C, ICV D80 will ferment up to 16% v/v alcohol. A compatible yeast strain for MLF, but possible impact on acidity may cause less favourable MLF conditions. 16 % Strongly recommended Clean, fresh, aromatic with some Esters Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet The selection of the Lalvin ICV OKAY® yeast was the focus of research seeking to identify a new mechanism responsible for the control of SO2 and H2S production in wines. In collaboration with the INRA and SupAgro Montpellier, France, Lallemand and the ICV have selected Lalvin ICV OKAY® yeast for its special abilities to produce very low levels of SO2 and H2S while completing rapid alcoholic fermentation under a broad range of winemaking conditions. Furthermore, the low acetaldehyde production of Lalvin ICV OKAY® yeast is a great asset in helping to stabilize wines with low to moderate SO2 levels. Recommended for fresh and aromatic wines, including high sugar fermentations. Patent application by INRA. 16 % Enhance varietal aromas Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Lalvin ICV Opale 2.0™ exhibits a special ability to produce very low level of H2S and SO2. Moreover, the final level of acetaldehyde fermented with Lalvin ICV Opale 2.0™ will be a good asset to stabilize most wines with moderate SO2 level. Sensory attributes provide exotic, tropical and citrus fruit intensity. Lalvin ICV Opale 2.0™ is a good alternative to other selected wine yeast to obtain more freshness in wine. 14 % Strongly recommended A more neutral yeast but some impact on mouthfeel and texture Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Sourced from the Pasteur Institute in Paris, Lalvin M has gained a reputation for red wine production, particularly Grenache. Useful for extraction of tannins during red wine vinification. Also suitable for whites and rosé. Generally considered to have neutral sensory properties, but may have slight estery impact. 16 % Strongly recommended Enhances varietal characters, crisp and clean Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet QA23 was selected in Portugal by the University of Tras os Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) in cooperation with the Viticultural Commission of the Vinhos Verdes region. Suited for production of fresh, fruit-focussed, clean white wines, maximises varietal concentration and expression. Particularly for Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon. Produces glucosidase, which allows the release of bound terpenes when present in the must resulting in more fruity varietal aromas. Relative to other yeast strains, QA23 has low nutrient and oxygen requirements, and will ferment juice with low turbidity at low temperatures (10°C) to dryness. QA23 is one of the leading Riesling yeast in Australia, where it produces elegant, well structured varietal rieslings. Australian and New Zealand experience with this yeast has demonstrated that it can ferment down to 10 degrees once the fermentation has started and there are no other limiting conditions. 15 % Recommended Enhances varietal characters, body and mouthfeel Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet R-HST was selected for its exceptional oenological properties in Riesling from trials conducted from 1991 to 1996 in the Heiligenstein region of Austria. With appropriate nutrition R-HST, enhances fresh varietal character producing crisp, citrus, lime, fl oral (rose) and mineral notes, and contributes body and mouthfeel for an overall complexity and elegance. R-HST improves the fruity varietal characters of Riesling. Experience under Australian conditions suggest that best results are obtained with this yeast when the fruit is harvested below 12° baumè. 16 % Recommended Enhances ester aromas Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Isolated in the Sauternes region of Bordeaux, France, R2 helps produce intense, direct fruit-style whites by liberating fruity and floral aroma precursors and fermentation esters. Classified as a Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus, it is recommended for aromatic white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Esters produced by R2 are most compatible with varietal characters of Riesling grown in warm to cool regions. Also useful in fermenting white juices from grapes of low natural varietal characters (e.g. Sultana) and Chenin Blanc to produce very fruity white wine styles. Exhibits excellent ability to tolerate low temperatures. Requires refrigeration during fermentation to control fermentation vigour and excessive H2S production. 16 % Recommended Enhances varietal characters, mouthfeel and structure. Excellent colour stability attribute Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet RC212 was selected by the Bureau Interprofessional des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB) in Burgundy for its ability to ferment a traditional heavier style Burgundian Pinot Noir. A favourite amongst Pinot Noir producers, RC212 consistently produces Pinot Noir with structure, ripe cherry, bright fruit and spicy characteristics. Lighter red varieties benefit from the improved colour extraction. One of the leading yeast strains for Pinot Noir in Australia and New Zealand. 18 % Not really recommended Contributes to aroma. Promotes phenolic extraction and texture. Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Vineyard isolate from Côtes du Rhône. In red varietals, Rhône 2226 enhances varietal flavour and aroma, contributes to structure, and maintains high colour intensity. Can also be used for certain white varieties (eg Semillon) from warmer regions. Also useful for restarting stuck fermentations, A vigorous fermenter, tolerates 18% v/v alcohol. Given its tolerance to high alcohol, this yeast is recommended for the fermentation of high sugar must. It contributes to wine quality by enhancing varietal aroma expression and tannin structure and maintains a high colour intensity. 15 % Not really recommended Enhances varietal aromas and mouthfeel Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Selected by Inter-Rhône from a culture collection of over 600 different yeasts from vineyards in the Rhône Valley, Rhône 2323 is highly suited for the making of premium / semi-premium red wines from musts with high polyphenolic potential. Recommended varieties including Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Efficient extraction of phenolic compounds favours enhancement of tannin structure. Produces varietal aromas of liquorice and blackcurrant, and maintains relatively moderate colour intensity. 16 % Recommended Enhances varietal characters and palate volume. Contributes to color stability in red wines Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet A Côtes du Rhône isolate, Rhône 2056 was selected by the IFV - Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin and CICDRVT from over 1400 yeasts for its ability to maintain and enhance varietal fruit aromas and flavours of Côtes du Rhône varieties. Contributes to complexity of red fruits, spiciness, and maintains red wine colour. glucosidase activity allows release of norisoprenoids (violet and peach aromas) in some varieties. Excellent for forward fruit style reds, and also provides aromatic expression in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon. 15 % Strongly recommended Enhances varietal aromas, palate volume and esters Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Rhône 4600 was selected from Viognier by the Inter-Rhône’s technical department after a three-year study of yeast best suited for fermenting fruit forward, white wines made from varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Gris, and also rosé wines made from varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Wines that are fermented with the Rhône 4600 typically have enhanced apricot and tropical fruit due to strong fatty acid ethyl ester production, as well as high polysaccharide levels which confer excellent mouthfeel. Although the Rhône 4600 does not enhance the varietal character of Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon, this yeast does bring fullness and balance along with light aromatic ester notes as an excellent blending component. 15 % Recommended Enhances varietal characters and complexity Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet S6U is a natural hybrid between S. cerevisiae and S. bayanus (formerly S. uvarum). Predominantly used in the production of dry white table wines, chiefly Chardonnay and Semillon, S6U is well recognised for imparting unique organoleptic characteristics - particularly flavour complexity and soft / smooth mouthfeel - that are associated with fermentation and autolytic by-products. Also enhances varietal characters, with an emphasis on floral and spicy notes. Ethyl esters and aromatic alcohols add dimension to barrel fermented Chardonnay. S6U is a slow starter of alcoholic fermentations and has a moderate fermentation vigour. 10 % Recommended Enhance aromas and mouthfeel Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Originally released in a kit form called Level2TD for white wines, Lallemand have now launched this product as a single product, whereby winemakers can select a paired Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain to complement the T.delbueckii. in both red and white wines. BIODIVA ,Torulaspora delbrueckii, tends to enhance varietal and fermentation ester characters whilst contributing mouthfeel. An overall increase in aromatic complexity. Suggested varieties include Chardonnay, Semillion, Shiraz and Pinot Noir. *The technical datasheet outlines options for a suitable paired Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 10 % Recommended Enhances varietal aromas and some mouthfeel Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet FLAVIA is a pure culture of Metschnikowia pulcherrima, selected from nature by Universitad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), for its specific property to release enzymes with arabinofuranisidase activity. When used in sequential inoculation with a compatible selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain, FLAVIA will impact on the production of varietal aromas such as terpenes and volatile thiols. It is the enzymatic activity of M. pulcherrima that gives the desired outcomes. The best results are achieved when FLAVIA is sequentially inoculated with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain which is a high terpene / thiol releaser / converter. Suggested varieties include Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Described as freshness with mouthfeel. *See a Lallemand representative to discuss a suitable paired Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 18 % Neutral Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Uvaferm 43 is now available in a more robust form called 'Uvaferm 43 Restart'. This new yeast, developed by the Lallemand R&D team, adapts more quickly to its environment after inoculation. 18 % Strongly recommended Neutral- used to restart stuck alcoholic fermentation Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Classified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. Bayanus, 43 was selected in 1997 by the technical service of Inter-Rhone for its exceptional ability to restart stuck fermentations. 43 is the most efficient strain in metabolising fructose under difficult conditions and at low sugar levels. Not generally recommended for primary fermentation. 16 % Recommended Enhances varietal aromas and promotes colour stability. Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet A French isolate used extensively in Australia and California since the late 1980s, BDX is suitable for premium red wines and is highly recommended for Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Grenache, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Petite Syrah. BDX is associated with varietal flavour enhancement of red wines, adding considerable complexity without dominating the wine with yeast produced aroma and flavour compounds. Exhibits moderate red colour extractive and stability properties. 14.5 % Promotes expression of thiols and esters Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Uvaferm eXence™ comes from the natural crossing between 2 yeast strains, followed by mass mating approach strategy and selective pressure with the objective to obtain an aromatic yeast strain adapted to reveal varietal aromas such as thiols during fermentation of white and rosé wines. 14 % Recommended Enhances varietal characters Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Uvaferm GHM was isolated by a team led by Dr. Manfred Grossmann, professor at the Geisenheim Research Center, Section Microbiology and Biochemistry. This is a yeast for aromatic white wines for cooler regions. Numerous fermentation trials with Uvaferm GHM yeast in Riesling and other aromatic white varietals from cooler regions resulted in consistently harmonious and well balanced wines. This yeast has the ability to enhance floral aromas, while avoiding strong ester production. Its brings harmony between the bouquet and the délicate fruit aromas. Uvaferm GHM is particularly adapted for white wines destined for aging extended lees contact. 16 % Strongly recommended Enhances varietal characters, mouthfeel and palate volume Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet Many winemaking trials in recent years with Uvaferm HPS have shown the impact of yeast polysaccharides on mouthfeel contribution. In comparative trials with grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo or Merlot, wines fermented with Uvaferm HPS at the end of fermentation had an increased perception of mouthfeel, roundness and sweetness of tannins. In addition the wines are known for their strong varietal characters. Highly recommended for early release red wines. 15 % Enhances varietal character and slightly enhances esters Product Declaration Safety Datasheet Technical Datasheet The Institut Technique du Vin (ITV), in collaboration with Lallemand, selected SVG from the Loire region specifically for the enhancement of typical Sauvignon Blanc varietal character. Also suited to other aromatic white varieties such as Pinot Gris and Riesling, and generally favoured for the production of fresh fruity white wine styles. In tastings of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume wines fermented with yeasts commonly used for Sauvignon Blanc, the wines fermented with SVG scored higher than those fermented with other yeasts, and were described as having more intensity and a more favoured balance of mineral, citrus and spicy notes. In Australia and New Zealand, SVG is particularly suited to cool climate fruit, giving quality definition and tight structure to Sauvignon Blanc, and has general application to fresh fruity styles. May exhibit some estery and savory notes immediately after fermentation. Has a moderate impact on mouthfeel, and capable of partially degrading malic acid (approx. 25%). Also increases citrus, tropical fruit and fl oral notes in neutral varieties. Properly integrated nutrition (including Go-Ferm Protect at rehydration), and raising fermentation temperature to 20°-22°C near end of ferment is highly recommended to enable steady finish.
2019-04-23T09:19:28Z
https://www.lallemandwine.com/en/australia/products/catalogue/wine-yeasts/
Students of all ages and skill levels explore creative and cultural interests in non-credit art and design classes, workshops, lectures and certificate programs. Experiment with new methods such as laser cutting and 3D digital modeling or refresh existing skills to inspire your artistic practice. Enjoy the inspiration and camaraderie of these shared learning experiences while you develop your creativity and critical thinking. Continuing Studies promotes visual arts by providing educational and professional development opportunities for multigenerational audiences, and supports the academic mission of the College by developing innovative programming that serves current and future students, the public, and professionals from multiple fields. Realize the power of creativity in traditional studio and digital arts courses designed for beginner to advanced artists of all ages. Our Fall 2018 Courses are wrapping up and we are no longer accepting registrations. Please see Winter/Spring Art 2019 for classes that will begin in January through April, 2019. Questions? Need Assistance? Email SCS@ringling.edu or phone 941-955-8866, during normal business hours: Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Join us for our non-credit classes and workshops are held during the day, evening and weekends, which starts happening throughout the semester. Please refer to individual course listings for pricing, dates and times. High school students may enroll in adult courses. Upon registration, students receive an email confirmation, a supply list with course location information and a campus map. Students are responsible for purchasing their supplies unless otherwise noted. Visit Policies and Procedures for complete information regarding schedule changes, and class cancellation or withdrawal refund policies for Continuing Studies programming. Design brings form and content together to create images that communicate ideas without using words. Students learn to employ simple Adobe Photoshop tools to achieve design solutions. They will develop an individual design based on color symbolism, image manipulation, text usage, and the combination of all these elements with the emphasis of accomplishing “understanding” and “using design” to communicate. All skill levels are welcome. Basic computer skills required. This course is taught on the Mac. See CG101 for an Intro to the Mac. PC users can learn on the Mac during class, and transfer their knowledge to practice on their PC at home. Photoshop is the industry favorite software for management and image manipulation of photographs, as well as design, web, and 3D projects. Through demonstrations and lectures, this basics course will introduce students to the essential tools of Photoshop. Hands-on exercises lead students through the processes of transforming photographs, introduces graphic elements, and discusses application in web design. Students learn fundamental tools and tricks to transform photographs, graphics, and websites, as well as create original artwork. All skill levels are welcome. Learn anew or refresh and pick up new tricks of the trade. Basic computer skills required. This course is taught on the Mac. See CG101 for an Intro to the Mac. PC users can learn on the Mac during class, and transfer their knowledge to practice on their PC at home. This hands-on workshop introduces the art of trompe l’oeil to students of all levels whose interests lie in combining detailed realistic painting techniques with delightful, dimensional deceit. French for “trick the eye”, trompe l’oeil incorporates the concepts of perspective to create a 3-dimensional effect through shading, shadow and color contrast to achieve decorative, functional artwork. Students learn to achieve dimension by combining and manipulating various artist and faux finishing materials. Historical information and demonstrations make this workshop interesting for anyone who enjoys detail with a twist of humor. Most supplies are included. Member benefits, tuition remissions or promotional savings are not applicable. Learn all there is to know about how to make a floor cloth. They have been in vogue since the 18th century, but we will embark on less traditional subject matter. In this course, students will design and paint a 2’ x 3’ floor cloth. They will learn about the preparation, materials, how to finish off, topcoat and care for these tread-able works of art. Demonstrations throughout the class will aid students in techniques. Noun: The imitation or evocation of Chinese motifs and techniques in Western art, furniture, and architecture, especially in the 18th century. This course will explore the role and importance of chinoiserie in interior design elements from inception until present day. Students will design a small project and execute artwork, utilizing centuries-old techniques but current materials to replicate this art form. Demonstrations will aid students in techniques. A three-session course designed to delve into the methods of faux marbre (marble,) faux bois (wood graining) and simple drapery. These century-old techniques have been updated through combined usage of neo-faux and art materials, to make techniques less complicated. This course is for students who have previously taken “The Magic of Trompe L’oeil,” skilled in faux finishing or have some painting knowledge and experience. Interested participants must enjoy fine detail that involves layers of process to achieve realistic results. Three panels will be accomplished and instructor will provide demos for clarity. What nature took millions of years to accomplish, we will undertake in three days. This class is for students of previous trompe l’oeil courses or who have experience in painting and detailed work. We will duplicate five actual marbles/granite panels: White Carrera, Travertine, Mediterranean Empress Green, Sienna and Stone. Utilizing various materials and techniques, the student will learn to combine basic and advanced skills to accomplish panels that appear to be real marble and fool the eye. These marbles are created by means of art and faux finishing materials and tools, and, are achieved through a process of layering. Instructor Demos will allow students to see how to “build” the process. A three-session course designed to instruct students in the duplication of various species of woods: natural oak, flame mahogany and burl. The oak panel will then be designed in trompe l’oeil to create the illusion of a door panel, utilizing shading and shadowing. Students will learn to layer glazes and use various wood graining tools to duplicate wood detail. Discussion will provide insight into the nature and growth of various species to gain an understanding why methods and techniques are used. Instruction will include progressive demonstrations. Three panels will be accomplished with one in trompe l’oeil. Your digital camera is a precise tool for capturing a still, visual representation of a moment. Learn to harness the power of digital photography by understanding the specialized features of your camera, proper exposure, depth of field, composition, lighting, and the fundamentals of photo management within Adobe Photoshop. Then challenge your imagination with weekly shooting assignments and software manipulation. Discussions include a brief history of photography, and an exploration of contemporary trends. Students will leave with a portfolio of images. Group critiques enhance learning. Students must bring their own digital SLR camera. All skill levels are welcome. Basic computer skills required. Some elements of this course are taught on the Mac. See CG101 for an Intro to the Mac. PC users can learn on the Mac during class, and transfer their knowledge to practice on their PC at home. Photoshop is the industry favorite software for management and image manipulation of photographs, as well as design, web, and 3D projects. Through demonstrations and lectures, this basics course will introduce students to the essential tools of Photoshop. Hands?on exercises lead students through the processes of transforming photographs, introduces graphic elements, and discusses application in web design. Students learn fundamental tools and tricks to transform photographs, graphics and websites, as well as create original artwork. All skill levels are welcome. Learn anew or refresh and pick up new tricks of the trade. Basic computer skills required. This course is taught on the Mac. See CG101 for an Intro to the Mac. PC users can learn on the Mac during class, and transfer their knowledge to practice on their PC at home. This easy intro to lighting is for people who have no photographic lighting experience. Students will be introduced to multiple ways to control images using simple techniques and equipment. Demonstrations will clarify how the camera responds to light differently than the eye does and, how to control the photograph beyond what just the camera exposure can produce. Understanding these techniques provides skills that will advance your photographic results. Simple equipment for demonstrations will be provided by the instructor. Students are encouraged to bring their own cameras and, if time allows, make some photographs. Upon completion of this workshop, students will be able to make more informed choices about what equipment they may want to purchase to pursue their photographic goals. Learn technical and aesthetic photography tips to transform your snapshots and photos into fine art nature photography that expresses your creative vision. Illuminate the beauty of Florida’s natural paradise through digital processes in Photoshop to create finished pieces including flowers, birds and animals. This is also a great way to capture nature’s bounty for creative reference. Basic computer skills and a digital camera with manual-setting mode are required. Photo Collage is the assemblage of different elements from individual photographs to create a 2- dimensional imagined reality. Whether playful or serious the resulting image offers a peek into fantasy, and artificial or virtual reality. Today photo collage is used extensively in contemporary photo shoots to create fantastical environments, in fine arts, and just for fun. Bring an adventurous curiosity and a sense of humor, along with thumb drive of photographs to work with. Some Photoshop experience is helpful. SERIES SAVINGS: Phone us at 941-955-886 to enroll in 2 or more of Joe Loccisano’s Figure Classes [DF203A, DF203B, and/or MM910] and save 10%. SERIES SAVINGS: Enroll in A Week-of-Wax with Elena De La Ville VPT824 + VPT830 (A or B) to SAVE! Learn all there is to know about how to make a floor cloth. They have been in vogue since the 18th century, but we will embark on less traditional subject matter. In this course, students will design and paint a 2’ x 3’ floor cloth. They will lean about the preparation, materials, how to finish off, topcoat and care for these tread-able works of art. Demonstrations throughout the class will aid students in techniques. Most supplies are included. Member benefits, tuition remissions or promotional savings are not applicable. Noun: The imitation or evocation of Chinese motifs and techniques in Western art, furniture and architecture, especially in the 18th century. This course will explore the role and importance of chinoiserie in interior design elements from inception until present day. Students will design a small project and execute artwork, utilizing centuries old techniques but current materials to replicate this art form. Demonstrations will aid students in techniques. Most supplies are included. Member benefits, tuition remissions or promotional savings are not applicable. A three-session course designed to delve into the methods of faux marbre (marble,) faux bois (wood graining) and simple drapery. These century old techniques have been updated through combined usage of neo-faux and art materials, to make techniques less complicated. This course is for students who have previously taken “The Magic of Trompe L’oeil,” skilled in faux finishing or have some painting knowledge and experience. Interested participants must enjoy fine detail that involves layers of process to achieve realistic results. Three panels will be accomplished and instructor will provide demos for clarity. What nature took millions of years to accomplish, we will undertake in three days. This class is for students of previous trompe l’oeil courses or who have experience in painting and detailed work. We will duplicate five actual marbles/granite panels: White Carrera, Travertine, Mediterranean Empress Green, Sienna and Stone. Utilizing various materials and techniques, the student will learn to combine basic and advanced skills to accomplish panels that appear to be real marble and “fool the eye.” These marbles are created by means of art and faux finishing materials and tools, and, are achieved through a process of layering. Instructor Demos will allow students to see how to “build” the process. Playing with color, line and form, abstract painting can be whatever you want it to be. We will begin with a series of hands-on exercises to explore color along with a variety of techniques. This will stimulate your imagination and encourage uninhibited expression. Merging design and composition with your personal style your ideas will come to life. Come expecting to learn, be inspired, and have fun! Students may work in watercolors or acrylic or water-soluble oil paint. All skill levels welcome. Capturing the beauty and essence of plants and flowers has been the artist’s quest for centuries. Sketching from observation you will depict your botanical forms then, using basic watercolor techniques, you will illuminate the delicate changes in tone and color to portray a realistic depiction of the specimen. All skill levels welcome. Bring your favorite fresh flowers to class as models. Learn the ancient art of Direct Wax Sculpting by creating your own 3-dimensional sculpture in wax! With 42 years of art foundry experience, Sean’s workshop will cover sculpting, sticking & welding, and using pliable waxes, feeding gate waxes, and sticky waxes. You sculpt, assemble, and take home your own wax sculpture. You will also be shown how to coat your wax with bronze powder, giving it a realistic bronze look. Or, if desired, wax sculptures may be cast in bronze at an outside foundry. See examples of direct waxes cast in bronze: www.ColsonCreations.com. All skill levels welcomed. Materials are included in the workshop fee. Member, faculty, and staff benefits are not applicable. PORTRAIT IN CLAY – Class is currently full. Complete the online registration form to join the Wait List. This four-week course covers how to physically describe artworks, the role of accompanying paperwork, questions of authenticity and legalities, differing types of appraisals and value systems, marketability, and the preparation of personal inventory files. Class participation is essential and homework is assigned for three of the four weeks. At the conclusion, class members should be able to begin documenting their own collections. SERIES SAVINGS: Phone us at 941-955-8866 to enroll in 2 or more Art History classes [AH170, AH172, AH175] to save 10%. Beginner to experienced writers welcome. High School students registering for this workshop must be at least 16 years of age. Take both VDRW920 and VDRW925 and SAVE! Experimentation and exploration converge with rich color and texture to produce vivid results while honoring the fundamental principles of art. In this workshop, students learn to combine and manipulate the soft impasto medium of cold wax with oil paint and pigment sticks, using a variety of tools, techniques and other materials to create layered textured expressive surfaces. Demonstrations, presentations and group discussions together with attention toward each student's painting vocabulary and personal direction will result in unique and highly individualized results. www.edelaville.com. Tuition includes art supplies. Bring a playful attitude. Open to students of all levels of experience. Enroll in VPTW824 + VPTW820 (A or B) to SAVE! This is an exciting and stimulating workshop to explore design, color, and painting on silk. Colors on silk are breath-taking. Design techniques are easy to apply and painting florals are perfect for this art form. Classes are taught in an open, relaxed manner and geared for the beginner as well as the seasoned artist interested in exploring silk painting. We will be completing three scarves at the end of the third day. Most materials will be provided. This workshop is suitable for students ages 18 and above. Join us as we delve into the Faux Marbre (marble), Faxu Bois (wood graining) and simple drapery methods. These century-old techniques have been updated through combined usage of neo-faux and mart materials to make techniques less complicated. This workshop is for students who have previously taken The Magic of Trompe l’Oeil (VPT365), those skilled in faux finishing or have some painting knowledge and experience. Participants must enjoy fine detail work that involves layers of process to achieve realistic results. Previous trompe l’oeil or detailed painting experience required. What nature took millions of years to accomplish, we will undertake in 3 days. We will duplicate 5 actual marbles/granite panels: white Carrera, travertine, Mediterranean Empress Green, Sienna and stone. Utilizing various materials and techniques, the student will learn to combine basic and advanced skills to accomplish panels that appear to be real marble and “fool the eye.” Previous trompe l’oeil or detailed painting experience required. This workshop will instruct students in the duplication of various species of woods: natural oak, flame mahogany, and burl. The oak panel will be designed in trompe l’oeil to create the illusion of a door panel utilizing shading and shadowing. Students will learn to layer glazes and use various wood-graining tools. Discussion will provide insight into the nature and growth of various species and to understand why various methods and techniques are used. Three panels will be created with one in trompe l’oeil. Previous trompe l’oeil or detailed painting experience required. Enroll in VPT366 + VPT368 + VPT370 to SAVE! Learn the ancient art of Direct Wax Sculpting by creating your own 3-dimensional sculpture in wax! with 42 years of art foundry experience, Sean's workshop will cover sculptuing, sticking and welding, using pliable waxes, feeding gate waxes, and stickey waxes. You sculpt, assemble, and take home your own wax sculpture. You will also be shown how to coat your wax with bronze powder, giving it a realistic bronze look. Or, if desired, wax sculptures may be cast in bronze at an outside foundry. See examples of direct waxes cast in bronze: www.colsoncreations.com. All skill levels welcomed. Materials are included in the workshop fee. This lecture focuses on organized steps to market your art, with the results of getting better exposure, professional contacts, and better sales. It includes how to package the look of your promotional materials, and focuses on solid steps on getting articles published on your work. Q & A will follow. Joseph Cavalieri worked as an Art Director at GQ, Peopleand Good Housekeeping magazines. He worked closely with editors and learned what type of articles they chose, and why. Cavalieri now shares information from this past career, as well as insight he has learned running his own studio. He has offered this lecture in the USA and internationally for over 4 years. www.cavaglass.com . Questions? Need Assistance? Email SCS@rringling.edu or call us at 941-955-8866. Get started in the world of art in motion by learning basic techniques and skills to create Rotoscope animations, GIFs, and still image movement. Demonstrations and instruction begin with Photoshop and go through post-production in Premiere Pro highlighting professional examples, followed by step-by-step guidance to inspire students to create their own animations. Students should bring a bag lunch each day. This class is for anyone who loves to draw characters, regardless of skill level. Through fun exercises that strengthen your conceptual ability and skills, create and develop many characters: humans, animals, superheroes, and creatures for game art, illustrations, and more to begin to develop a character layout sheet or comic strip. This class is very helpful in preparing for Cartoons + Comic Art Workshop, Illustration in Pen &Ink, and Experimental Animation. Learn techniques for brainstorming and idea development. Take your concept sketches, characters, or cartoons & comics to the next level. Learn how to use the various tools and techniques to bring impact to the elements and design of your creations. Working with pen & ink allows you to emphasize the elements you want to make pop to give your drawings and designs an edge and clarity for greater impact. Everyone loves cartoons and comics, superheroes, and villains. Do you have a story to tell? This fun-filled workshop is for beginners and experienced artists alike. You will learn illustration and layout techniques, as well as inspirational methods on how to bring reality and fiction together to tell a story and create a comic. Learn how to apply the basic rules of cartooning, character creation, sequential drawing, and perspective for maximum impact to bring your story to life! Concept sketching is the first step used to develop ideas for illustration and creative applications such as games, animation, or graphic novels. Concept art is also known as visual development or concept design, used in developing design ideas for multiple industries. You will learn a variety of techniques by working on multiple projects from a poster to a character or environment design. This is a fun class with an easy-to-follow pace making sure you understand terms and basic techniques. This course complements Character Design, Cartoons & Comic Art, Illustration in Pen & Ink, and Experimental Animation. software, Adobe Photoshop. Demonstrations introduce you to the key concepts and basic tools of Photoshop, while hands-on exercises guide students to transform photographs, as well as create original artwork. Basic computer skills required. This class provides hands-on experience in basic film and video editing to produce short and compelling films and videos. Beginning with simple storyboarding and concept development, students learn how to apply proper shooting technique using camera video settings. With emphasis on composition, you will apply basic directing techniques combined with frames per second, sound, lighting, camera angles, and audio control to record creative imagery they will then enhance through finishing with Premier Pro editing. A digital camera, smartphone, or tablet (iPad) with a video setting option in working condition, and headphones or earbuds are required. Exploring a variety of drawing media, you will learn fundamental drawing techniques and gain a working knowledge of the basic elements and principles of design such as line, shape, perspective, proportion, volume, and composition. This or equivalent experience is “the” prerequisite for Figure Drawing, Sketchbook Workshop, Painting, Portfolio Development/2D Open Studio, and recommended prerequisite for Illustration classes. Through hands-on exercises using traditional drawing and mixed media, you will explore materials and methods in new ways to inspire ideas and to help develop a unique style while learning how to use graphite, ink, markers, watercolor, charcoal, colored pencils, and oil pastels. This is a fast-paced, exciting studio for all skill levels. This classical drawing course develops your figure drawing skills through the study of proportion, anatomy, gesture, figure/space relationship, value, and line quality. You will explore various techniques drawing from the live (clothed) model. Experiment with drawing materials and creative approaches in this high-energy class. A must have for illustrators and animators! Prerequisite: Drawing or equivalent. Sketchbooks are an exciting way to explore new materials, play around with different ideas, and to capture your everyday life and people, places, and the things that inspire you. Using pencil, ink, and watercolor you can build your sketchbook as an archive of ideas or work on sequential drawing to develop a narrative story. Whatever direction you choose you will develop your drawing and observation techniques while building your artistic practice. Prerequisite: Drawing or equivalent experience. In this course, you will work in the media of your choice (drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, etc.) with an emphasis on collaboration and interdisciplinary practice. With teacher guidance, explore a range of creative approaches used by contemporary, working artists to expand your own personal methods and styles to create strong, portfolio-quality work and learn to articulate your ideas verbally and in writing. This course is for those that have previous experience, a passionate interest in the visual arts, and want to build on their portfolio. Take advantage of this opportunity to build your portfolio for VPA or college application. Students work on self-selected projects with professional guidance to support the development of their work. Prerequisites: A minimum of introductory courses in the medium in which the student will be working. Students should bring a bag lunch each day. This course covers digital video camera operation, basic lighting, scripting, and storyboarding as well as Premier Pro editing, titles, effects, and montage theory. Working in your own direction from narrative, abstract, or experimental, to more journalistic or documentary genres, and you should walk away with a well-edited project with the potential to use in a portfolio or film festival screening. The course culminates with a screening of final student projects. Basic computer skills required. Beginner through advanced skill levels welcome. A digital camera with a video setting option in working condition, and headphones or earbuds are required. Students should bring a bag lunch each day. Have you ever been taking a hike with friends or visiting a city for the first time and became struck by an inspirational idea leaving you compelled to capture that moment? This workshop will give you the skills needed to make a video on the spot, whatever your location is, while using your surroundings to help you capture your vision. From using a piece of cardboard and tin-foil as a reflector, to adjusting your phone to act as a microphone, the objective of this week-long journey is to teach filmmakers how to make videos, short films, documentaries, and video diaries using only the equipment at hand. A close-cousin of Dogma 95, this style of independent filmmaking allows the director to work with small crews, and sometimes no crew at all, putting the power in the hands of the filmmaker. If you like filming on the spot, stretching your experimental style and learning how to make props from scratch, then Guerrilla Filmmaking is for you. Join us to learn a fun and spontaneous approach to filmmaking. Basic computer skills required. A digital camera, smartphone, or tablet (iPad) with a video setting option in working condition, and headphones or earbuds are required. This class provides hands-on experience in basic video production to produce short and compelling videos. Beginning with simple storyboarding and concept development, you will learn proper camera operation shooting techniques using video settings. With emphasis on composition, apply basic directing techniques combined with frames per second, sound, lighting, camera angles, and audio control to record creative imagery that you will then enhance through finishing with Premier Pro editing. Basic computer skills required. A digital camera, smartphone, or tablet (iPad) with a video setting option in working condition, and headphones or earbuds are required. Color, brushstrokes, and your imagination have no limits! Express your ideas and emotions through a series of painting projects working from reality or your imagination. This class introduces a variety of techniques and tools basic to acrylic painting and, explores the world of color and composition through figure and ground relationships, visual perception, and spatial concepts. Returning students are encouraged to work in the studio to advance their painting to the next level. Individual and group critique will aid in development of artistic and critical thinking skills. Prerequisite: Drawing or equivalent experience. Photography is one of the most compelling of visual media. Through photo shoots and in-lab work, this class emphasizes both the technical aspects of the craft as well as creative imagery. You will learn how to use lenses, filters, and light, understand aperture and shutter speeds, and how to compose and bracket exposures. This course covers an in-depth review of memory cards, megabytes, optical and digital viewfinders and zoom, as well as menu options, mega pixels, and how to save, move, and organize images when transferring photos to your computer for editing in Photoshop. Basic computer skills and a digital camera with manual-setting mode are required. All skill levels welcome. Learn technical and aesthetic photography tips to transform your snapshots and photos into fine art nature photography that expresses your creative vision. Illustrate the beauty of Florida’s natural paradise through digital processes in Photoshop to create finished pieces including flowers, landscapes, birds, and animals. This is also a great way to capture nature’s bounty for creative reference. Basic computer skills and a digital camera with manual-setting mode are required. All skill levels welcome. Find inspiration in the realm of digital creativity. Edit and manipulate photos, add layers and text all while learning how to become comfortable with the tools and hot-keys of the world&#39;s leading photo-editing software, Adobe Photoshop. Demonstrations introduce you to the key concepts and basic tools of Photoshop, while hands-on exercises guide you to transform photographs, as well as create original artwork. Basic computer skills required. In this course, you will work in the media of your choice (drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, etc.) with an emphasis on collaboration and interdisciplinary practice. With teacher guidance, you will explore a range of creative approaches used by contemporary, working artists to expand your own personal methods and styles to create strong, portfolio-quality work and learn to articulate your ideas visually, verbally, and in writing. This course is for students that have previous experience, a passionate interest in the visual arts, and want to build on their portfolio. Take advantage of this opportunity to build your portfolio for VPA or college application. Students work on self-selected projects with professional guidance to support the development of their work. Prerequisites: A minimum of introductory courses in the medium in which the student will be working. Students should bring a bag lunch each day. At Ringling College we believe creativity is vital to a vibrant life. This summer we invite you to strengthen your creative craft and expand your skills through project-based explorations in hot glass, creative woodworking, and digital photography. Connect with Ringling College’s community of like-minded lifelong learners. Find camaraderie and creative inspiration by enrolling in immersive workshops designed for adult learners ages 18 and above. All skill levels are welcome or otherwise noted in the course description. Ringling College School of Continuing Studies awards 3 CEUs to students for each successfully completed immersion workshop. Adults ages 18 and above. This intensive workshop is an immersive introduction and robust refresher to working with molten glass. You will learn how to create hot-blown and solid glass forms. Cold-finish work will introduce you to finishing and texture methods. An overview of the hot shop essentials includes teamwork, terminology, safety, tools, and a variety of working methods to build your knowledge and equip you with an understanding of the material and how to apply it to your own work. Daily demonstrations and directions provide you with a hands-on understanding. We will focus on the steps you need to make to expand your material awareness and skill to be able to create with glass. There will be discussions regarding inspiration, processes, and the prescribed aspects of sculpture and vessel fabrication. You will be encouraged and assisted to make a completed piece. Proper attire is mandatory for working in the Hot Shop. Long pants, comfortable t-shirt or long sleeve shirt, and comfortable, closed-toed shoes. Please wear natural fibers (cotton) as synthetic fibers can melt near high temperatures. Please remove all jewelry from hands and arms. Enrollment is limited – register early! Member benefits are not applicable. Faculty staff waivers are limited to one seat if available. Beginner to intermediate skill levels welcome. foundation in the medium and build confidence and competence with the material. You will brush up on the basics before diving into set-ups, spot heating, and faster methods of execution. Daily demonstrations and directions will involve students to provide a hands-on experience. We will explore combining blown and solid forms and expand your construction techniques. The integration of color will begin to influence your design and build on finishing and texture techniques. Proper attire is mandatory for working in the Hot Shop. Long pants, comfortable t-shirt or long sleeve shirt, and comfortable, closed-toed shoes. Please wear natural fibers (cotton) as synthetic fibers can melt near high temperatures. Please remove all jewelry from hands and arms. Enrollment is limited – register early! Member benefits are not applicable. Faculty staff waivers are limited to one seat if available. Intermediate to advanced skill levels welcome. Students must have completed the beginner level course at Ringling College or have equivalent experience and competencies. • Project #1: Artistry Slab End Table. This will be an artistic wood slab side table / bench approximately 20” wide x 18” deep x 18” high. • Project #2: Plywood Miter-fold Floating Shelf. This will be a plywood miter-fold floating shelf approximately 30” wide x 8” deep x 2” thick. • Project #3: Artisan Cheese I Cutting Board. Created from exotic wood, cheese or cutting boards approximately 14” wide x 8” deep x ½” thick. Price includes a scaled drawing of each project, hardwood slab, hardwood leg material, and high quality shelf plywood and lesson plan. What is a portrait? What is a good portrait? Understanding a portrait can sometimes tell the viewer more about the photographer or person taking the picture than it does the sitter. A portrait can question the relationship between the photographer and sitter, challenge the viewer, encourage introspection, and connect the viewer despite time and place. What makes you linger when looking at a portrait? This weeklong immersive class is designed to explore your personal vision through the combination of a brief historical overview, technical guidance, and a look at related contemporary issues. You will produce a broad range of portraits designed to gain a better understanding of your relationship to portraiture. You will be encouraged to rethink your understanding of a portrait and to photograph people in entirely different ways. Classes will involve demonstrations, lectures, group critiques, assigned readings, class discussions, student presentations, film screenings, and local field trips. The lectures will concentrate on contemporary portrait artists in relationship to the history of the genre. A review of image enhancement and file manipulation using Photoshop will be included. Photoshop experience is helpful. Participants must provide and have a working knowledge of their own DSLR camera. Our instructors are experienced educators who are practicing artists and designers that maintain a competitive edge in the creative fields. Many individuals are on the faculty at Ringling College of Art and Design where they teach in the BFA and BA degree programs. Aaron holds an MFA from the New York Academy of Art where he studied with prominent figurative artists, such as Steven Assael and Vincent Desiderio, among others. He taught for six years at institutions in upstate New York and for the past three years at the Ringling College of Art and Design, where he is the instructor for Figure Anatomy. He has an extensive national exhibition record that covers all four corners of the United States and includes The Arnot Art Museum, Sotheby’s, The Dahesh Museum, and Munson Williams Proctor Institute, as well as galleries in Seattle, Sarasota, New York, and Los Angeles. Lori is a graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design where she received her BFA in Illustration. After a long career as a freelance illustrator for clients such as The Wall Street Journal, Simon and Shuster, and Coca-Cola, she moved back home to Sarasota with her family. Since then she has obtained her Florida teaching certificate and has been teaching at the Sarasota County School Board for the last ten years. Currently, you can find her teaching at the well-known Booker High School Visual Performing Arts Academy where she facilitates a commercial art progression and conceived the award-winning Digital and Motion Design program. Noah is an artist, educator, and maker whose expertise in materials and processes include glass, digital fabrication, electronics, metal work, robotics, and new media. He received an MFA in Art & Technology Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BFA in Sculpture from Brigham Young University. Noah has worked as an educator at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Ringling College of Art and Design. Jared earned a BFA in 2D Art from Brigham Young University of Hawaii and his MFA in 2D Studio with Animation emphasis from Brigham Young University in Utah. With over 10 years of professional teaching experience, Jared joined Ringling College in 2015. He is a motion graphic specialist and video producer that has created Telly Award-winning motion graphics and shot/produced hundreds of mini documentaries all over the US. Jared has been a key player in Siggraph and Annie Award-winning animation productions for clients: The Smithsonian Institute, Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Polynesian Cultural Center, and directed animation segments for documentaries featured on Independent Lens and the Berlinale. He has also worked with storyboard and animatic artists for Marvel Studios on productions like Iron Man 2 and The Avengers. Marcia, BFA, MEd, is a painter, photographer, and digital designer. She is a graduate of Massachusetts College of Art, the Art Institute of Boston, and Cambridge College. Marcia is licensed and certified in art education in Massachusetts, California, and Florida. She has several publications, and her work is shown and collected nationally and internationally. Her work has been exhibited in juried shows, one-woman shows, and private collections in Boston, Los Angeles, Milan, and Bali. Marcia has taught at colleges and universities for twenty years. Polly has a BFA in Graphic Design from Western Michigan University and an MFA in Visual Communication from Virginia Commonwealth University. With over 22 years of professional teaching experience, Polly joined Ringling College of Art and Design in 1993 and is teaching typography, three-dimensional problem solving, and graphic design studio courses in the graphic design program as well as letterpress printing for all majors. Her recent articles include Design Education in Progress: Process and Methodology, From Stasis to Motion; Zed 5: Implications of the Object, Big rigs, and mudflap girls; Zed 7: Public and Private, Just in case we have to do some cooking and her published works include Experimental Typography, Innovations in Digital Graphics. Emily has been publishing as an artistic practice since 1993 when as a teenager she made her first zine. She is co-founder of the participatory art and publishing project Impractical Labor in Service of the Speculative Arts (ILSSA), and founder of Alder & Frankia, an imprint of collaborations. Her artist books and publications are collected and exhibited by over 70 institutions in the US and the UK, and she has taught and lectured widely. She holds an MFA from Yale School of Art, and is Chair & Associate Professor of Graphic Design at SASD, University of Bridgeport, CT. Aleksandra received her BFA and MFA in interior design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, School of Building Arts, Savannah, GA. While studying interior design she also received minors in Architecture and Architectural History (focused in Non-Western Architecture). She received an EdD in Educational Leadership from Argosy University, Tampa in 2013. Aleksandra focused her dissertation on Student Perception of Studio Based Learning, and presented her research at the 2014 IDEC (Interior Design Educators Council) Annual Conference. Martin, a Ringling College alumnus, has sixteen years of experience in the entertainment industry. He has contributed his talents to feature films, numerous broadcast design packages, and commercials, and to the creation of more than twenty games ranging from the arcade and SEGA Genesis era to the current console systems. He was Senior Producer at Midway Games, where he assisted in the development of an original, multiplatform game concept to a playable prototype ready for production. Prior to that, he was Midway’s companywide Director of Art, shepherding the transition of almost three hundred artists to current generation technologies and fostering collaboration across five development studios to improve product quality and reduce development costs. He was an adjunct professor at Columbia College in Chicago where he taught computer animation and portfolio development. He currently teaches curricula for game design at Ringling College. Pace attended Pratt Institute and The Maryland Institute of Art, majoring in Fashion and Interior Design. Originally from Baltimore, MD, she has lived in Florida since 1971. She opened "Art Effects" a gallery, custom framing/art supply business in Winter Haven, FL operating from 1972-1995 where she taught all levels of classes in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and drawing and, accepted commissions for her artwork. Concurrently, after training in the study of the decorative arts under European Masters she relocated to Sarasota, FL and established "Grande' Illusions LLC" a flourishing decorative art/ finishing company working in collaboration with high-end designers. Jennifer is an experienced industry instructor having taught workshops in trompe l'oeil, faux finishing, marbling, wood graining, gilding, mural painting, and furniture finishing throughout the US at the national seminars of (IDAL) International Decorative Artisans League, The Sarasota School of Architectural Finishing, The Southwest Chapter of IDAL and Faux Effect, an industry leader in Faux Finishing products. Her work has graced the walls of beautiful homes throughout the country and has been featured in Florida Design Magazine. Mark earned his BA from Chapman University in Art & Communications and his MFA from University of Southern California in Film Production. His career in the motion picture industry spans 20 years and includes work in nearly every position critical to the creation of a film. As a cinematographer, Mark has shot over a dozen features and scores of other projects including commercials, music videos, and shorts. His cinematography has won several awards including the Nissan FOCUS Award. He is a member of the Directors Guild of America, and as second unit director, he directed the Flying Elvises and the Hawaii aerial sequences in Honeymoon in Vegas, a 1993 Golden Globe nominee for Comedy. Previously, Mark is a member of the Ringling College of Art and Design Film faculty, and has previously taught at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts. In 2006, he mentored the director of the Coca-Cola Refreshing Filmmaker Award-winning film The Reel Monkey. In addition, Mark served as the cinematographer on the project. Mark has also guest-lectured at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Octavio holds a BFA in from Ringling College of Art and Design in Illustration. He worked at Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri for three years as a greeting card designer and illustrator. Currently, Octavioworks on concept design and execution of editorial illustrations and news graphics for the St. Petersburg Times. Numerous national clients including Hallmark Cards Inc., GEAR Inc., Cabela's, and Humanities Magazine. Octavio is a member of the Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration faculty. Pedro, a graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design, is co-founder and vice president of Nuevo Advertising Group, Inc. Pedro also co-owned Merging Point Design, Inc., a technology company focused on building web sites and providing high-end technology solutions to companies all over the US such as Stardust Casino and Resort, Boyd Gaming Corporation, Industrial Coverage Insurance, Van Wezel Performance Arts Hall, Ringling College of Art and Design, and the City of Sarasota. Glenn has over 20 years as a working theatre professional, and thirteen years as an educator. He holds an MFA in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin Universiy, and served as an assistant director and dramaturg at the American Shakespeare Center. He has lectured on theatre and rhetoric all over the country, and recently taught at Randolph College. He has written over a dozen plays, two of which premiered in New York City through Love Creek Productions. Karen, earned her BFA at Indiana University in Fine Arts and her MFA at University of Massachusetts in Computer Animation. She was cover editor for SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics Quarterly and Chair of the SIGGRAPH Art Gallery in 2002. She has published focus issues on Visual Literacy, Concept Development for Computer Animators, and is the former department head of Art and Visual Communications at Hood College as well as former department head of Biomedical Communications at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Karen’s work has been included in numerous national shows and publications. Karen currently is a member of the Computer Animation faculty at Ringling College of Art and Design. Jill received her BFA in Fine Arts from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Art & Science in New York and her MFA in New Genres from The San Francisco Art Institute. She is an exhibiting artist who creates large-scale immersive video installations, motion paintings, GIFS, and New Media. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including The Unpainted Media Art Fair in Munich and Interrupting Entropy: Selections from The Betlach Collection in California. She has also exhibited at large outdoor public venues of light-based art including InLight Richmond in 2013 and 2017. Previously she was a EMMY® Award-winning Creative Director recognized with multiple awards from the AIGA, The Art Directors Club, The Type Directors Club, Graphis and The Broadcast Design Assoc. She served as Chair of Motion Media at Savannah College of Art and Design where she created the annual Inspire Motion Media conference and currently she is a member of the faculty at Ringling College of Art and Design, where she teaches classes in Experimental Concepts, Projection Mapping and History of Motion Media. Christopher Wilson earned a Bachelor's degree in Architecture (B.Arch.) from Temple University; an M.A. in Histories and Theories of Architecture from The Architectural Association in London; and a Ph.D. in Architecture from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. Christopher has worked professionally as an architect in Philadelphia, Berlin, and London, and is a registered architect with the Royal Institute of British Architects. He has been teaching architecture and design students at the university level since 1997, both in design studios and lecture/seminars. He has presented scholarly papers at conferences in Austria, Canada, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, and has published articles in refereed journals and chapters in edited books. Nicholas holds an MA in Art Education from Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD and a BFA in Fine Art and Documentary Photography from Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, and he has attended graduate studies in photography at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Nicholas is a devoted educator with over 15 years of teaching experience at the elementary and middle school levels. In addition, he has created and conducted studio art curriculum for the Orlando Museum of Art and is also teaching at the undergraduate level for Valencia College in Orlando, FL. Bringing a wealth of and experience to his students in 2D, 3D and digital photography studies, artistic challenges often combine multiple elements to bring collaboration and teamwork into the creative process. Wozniak is a frequent presenter and contributor to the Florida Art Educators Conference as well as the National Art Educators Conference, and at the Florida Alliance for Art Educators. He has exhibited in both Florida and Georgia and is a contributing photographer and writer in numerous student and arts-centered publications. Ongoing registration based on space availability. Please register one week or more before a class starts to assure minimum enrollment will be met. Registrations for on-campus programming can be submitted using our online registration forms, by mail, or in person. Ringling College accepts payment by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit cards, eCheck, and personal check (payable to Ringling College of Art and Design) or cash (in person only). Upon registration students will be emailed a confirmation, supply list, location, campus map, and parking sign. Students are responsible for purchasing their supplies unless otherwise noted. Ringling College of Art and Design graduates, current Ringling College Library Association members, and K-12 arts teachers in Sarasota and Manatee counties receive 10% tuition savings on many CSSP courses and workshops. Membership benefits do not extend to family members, and are not applicable to visiting artists or other designated classes as noted in the catalog. Unforeseen circumstances may deem it necessary to postpone, cancel or reschedule a course, alter fees, or assign an alternate instructor without notice. When possible, students will be notified of changes prior to the first class. Students enrolled in a cancelled class may transfer to a different class or receive a full refund. In the event a course or workshop is cancelled, the College’s liability is limited to the return of fees paid for that course. Applications and payments are acknowledgement of the terms and conditions as outlined herein. The College assumes no liability for travel expenses or nonrefundable airline tickets that cannot be used due to any course or workshop cancellation, schedule change, or any misprint in our course materials, catalogs, or on our web site. All students accept full responsibility for personal injury and/or personal losses during the period of a course or workshop. Course withdrawal refunds, minus a $25 administrative fee, are issued only when written notification is received no later than 5 (five) business days prior to the first class session. Cancellations may be submitted by mail or email to scs@ringling.edu. No refunds are issued after this time. Refunds are issued in the original payment method and may take up to 15 business days to process. Ringling College will not refund the cost of any unused portion of your tuition/fees. Ringling College reserves the right to require persons not complying with College policies to leave a course or program with no refund. Spring Art Week (held each March) adheres to the following schedule: Through the first Friday in January, a 100% refund, minus a $25 cancellation fee, will be issued. Subsequently, no refunds can be granted. The effective date of cancellation will be upon receipt of your written notification. Notification can be mailed, or emailed to scs@ringling.edu. Refunds may take up to 15 business days to process and are issued in the manner payment was made to Ringling College of Art and Design. You may substitute someone to attend in your place up to one week before the start of the workshop. At the time of substitution, the person taking your place must register with Continuing Studies and pay a $25 transfer fee. Other Special Immersion, Master Class or Visiting Artist Workshops (identified by courses beginning with a “V” in their course code) require cancellation no less than 30 business days prior to the class start and also carry a $25 cancellation fee. No refund is available after 30 business days prior to the class start. The effective date of cancellation will be upon receipt of your written notification. We cannot accept cancellations by phone. Notification must be mailed or emailed to scs@ringling.edu. Refunds may take up to 15 business days to process and are issued in the manner payment was made to Ringling College of Art and Design. You may substitute someone to attend in your place up to one week before the start of the workshop. At the time of substitution, the person taking your place must register with Continuing Studies and pay a $25 transfer fee. Ringling College will not refund the cost of any unused portion of your tuition/fees. Ringling College reserves the right to require persons not complying with College policies to leave a course or program with no refund. Your personal safety and the security of the campus community are of vital concern to Ringling College of Art and Design. A copy of the school’s annual security report, which contains statistics for the most recent three-year period concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, is available upon request. You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Director of Public Safety, Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234. You may request a copy by phone by calling the Office of Public Safety at 941.351.5100 or 941.351.4742. The annual security report is also available online. Ringling College of Art and Design is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our faculty, students and staff. The following safety rules and procedures, as well as the College’s no smoking policy MUST be observed at all times. The College’s policy meets the requirements of Federal, State, and local laws and regulations to secure the environmental health and safety concerns for the campus community, and applies to all faculty, staff, students and visitors and to all sites under the control of Ringling College of Art and Design. Please read all of the College's guidelines below. On the first day of your class or workshop, you will be asked to initial that you have reviewed and agree to abide by these guidelines. Students are expected to act responsibly, maintaining respect for faculty, peers, and equipment, while maintaining clean and operable studio spaces. Food and beverages are not permitted in any studios or labs. REPORT ALL EMERGENCIES to the instructor and the Office of Public Safety. Know where all exits are located. Know where the first aid kit is located. Know where the telephone is located and the campus emergency phone number: 941-359-7500. For medical and/or fire emergencies: PHONE 9-1-1 first, AND then notify the Office of Public Safety immediately. CLOSED TOED SHOES must be worn at all times in the studios. KNOW WHERE ALL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE LOCATED and how to operate them. ALL exits to classrooms and buildings MUST BE KEPT CLEAR AND FREE OF CLUTTER. Use personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles or ear protection when using loud equipment or machinery) as instructed and required. Know where to find and how to work the emergency eyewashes and safety shower. Cut materials on approved cutting surfaces, using appropriate techniques. Never work alone in a studio. No student may work in a studio during a class period other than the one in which he/she is enrolled. No student may work in a studio unless an instructor or studio monitor is present. Inform a Public Safety Officer if an unfamiliar person is in the studio. If you do not know how to operate a piece of equipment DO NOT USE IT until you have received sufficient instruction. NO HORSEPLAY and no running in the studios. No food or drink is allowed in classroom or studio areas. No alcohol or drug use before or during studio time is permitted. No weapons are allowed on campus, including firearms, swords, large knives, etc. or replicas thereof. No loud music or use of headphones during class time is permitted. NO OPEN FLAMES (candles, oil lamps, etc) or items containing flammable liquids or fumes are permitted in any studio or lab. Report any problems with equipment or facilities to your instructor. If something breaks, keep any parts that may come loose or fall off. Do not attempt to make repairs yourself. Clean up work areas, tables and floors at the end of each class. Use a razor scraper to remove unwanted materials and avoid the use of solvents for clean up. Where required due to materials usage, areas are to be cleaned with wet/mop or HEPA filter vacuum. Spills of any substances must be cleaned up immediately and materials are to be disposed of according to proper studio procedures. All studio furniture and equipment must be maintained and arranged in workable order at the end of each class. No artwork may interfere with the conduct of any class or studio. Artwork must be removed at the end of each class period. Read any materials safety data sheets (MSDS) that pertain to your course work and be familiar with the proper application of said materials and their dangers. GAMSOL is the only approved solvent for use in Continuing Studies and Special Programs studios. Gamsol cannot be used inside the studios for washing or for thinning down paint. Either linseed oil or stand oil should be used for these purposes. Gamsol washes may be done outside the studio away from the building door and brought into the studio when completely dry. All solvent rags – including paper towels used with solvents – must be placed in rag containers immediately after use. Work areas and hands are to be washed with soap and water after using solvents. NO lead-based products may be used in any facility at any time. Beware of using old oil paint that may be lead-based. For classes utilizing chemicals, they must be properly labeled and stored. Students may NOT bring chemicals into a darkroom, classroom, or studio. Use provided disposal containers for all used mat-cutter and Exacto knife blades. Do NOT put used blades in the trash and do NOT leave used blades lying around. Turn off all lighting equipment if you must leave the shooting area for any reason. Use a ladder when adjusting the height of lighting, backgrounds or props in the studio. DO not use folding chairs or other furniture in place of a ladder. Each student must bring an oil filled brush cleaning jar - any vegetable oil can be used for brush cleaning. Spray fixatives should be used ONLY in the spray booths on the campus. The waste from brush cleaning jars for all painting media (acrylics, water soluble oils, traditional oils) must be properly disposed of in containers provided in the studio. Under NO circumstances should paint be washed down the sink. Never wear loosing clothing that might be caught in moving parts of equipment. Long hair must be tied back or tucked under a close-fitting cap or scarf. Rings, bracelets, necklaces and wristwatches should not be worn while operating any power tool or machinery/equipment. Worktables and floors must be covered when working with paint, plaster, flux or other materials that may cause damage or create a mess. No storage of projects or materials in the shop or studio is permitted. DO NOT USE A MACHINE without previous proper training. Never leave a machine while it is running. Never remove safety guards or other devices from a machine. Use machines for bona fide operations only. Do not adjust machines before they have come to a dead stop. Vacuum equipment when performing work that creates dust. While a machine is running, be alert to sounds, which indicate that it is not operating properly. If is doesn’t sound right, SHUT IF OFF and seek assistance from the instructor. Use push blocks when making narrow cuts on power saws. Do not distract attention of those using machines. Abuse of a tool may result in the student replacing a tool or piece of equipment. Children are not allowed in the ceramics studio, glaze room or kiln yard at any time. Read the material safety data sheets (MSDS) for hazardous materials that you use. Learn your safe lifting limits and how to lift objects properly. This is particularly important with heavy objects (over 30 pounds). The lifting method most generally recommended is keeping your back straight and bending your knees to pick up an object, rather than keeping your knees straight and bending over to lift. Wear special clothing in the studio, and remove them after work. Wash them frequently and separately from other clothing. If you mix glaze, it must be stored in plastic containers or buckets with lids. It is important not to put clay down the sink drains. All scrap clay and slip should be deposited in the slip barrels. Please clean out the sinks after use. When rolling out a slab, use a top and bottom cloth. Do not roll directly onto the slab bed, or you will not be able to pick up your slab. If you get clay on the edges and sides of the machine, be sure to clean it off. DON’T FORCE THE ROLLER! If it seems difficult to turn, notify your instructor. Take care that any loose clothing, hair, etc. is not going to be caught by the roller, handle, or cables underneath. Make sure the table and floor areas are clear of obstructions. Please do not leave clay out on the wedging table. Keep it clear for others to use. When finished wedging, the table should be scraped clean with a spatula or other tool. Chunks of dry and hard clay picked up from the table during wedging will cause problems both in working with the clay and as it is drying. Wheels and wheel parts, (especially moving parts), need to be carefully maintained to keep them in good working condition. If a wheel is not working properly, inform your instructor. Try not to let water overflow the wheel table when working. A wet floor is a safety hazard. (All spills should be sponged up immediately). The wheel head, splash pan, seat, and table of the wheel must be cleaned after every use. Beginning students are provided with a range of stock glazes (raku, stoneware, and low fire), and mix glaze only under the direction of their instructor. Glaze chemicals are expensive and some are toxic and should, therefore, be used with discretion. Wear a dust mask/respirator if dry mixing or measuring glaze chemicals. Cover all open cuts, especially on your hands, and wear rubber gloves when handling glaze materials. The area in which the chemical bins are located is reserved for dry mixing only. No water or wet mixing is allowed on top of or around the chemical bins. A spill would ruin the chemicals stored there. Keep all containers closed, even when working, to prevent escape of dusts, etc. into the air. Use a ventilation fan. As with all dry materials, transfer powders which create dust with spoons, scoops, or similar implements. (Do not dump, since this creates a lot of dust in the air). Scales and tools should be cleaned and returned to the tool cabinet. Sieves should be rinsed and returned to their proper place. Any dry spills should be sponged up and the counters wiped off after mixing. Wash your hands carefully with soap and water after work, before eating and during work breaks. Never use solvents to clean your hands; if soap and water are not sufficient, use a waterless hand cleanser and then soap and water. *Keep your hands away from your mouth. When glazing, please work on the table provided. Do not work on the chemical bin counter tops. All glazes must be stirred well each time they are used. Rinse the stirring sticks between glazes. Please be careful not to contaminate one glaze with another (for example, by pouring a glaze back into the wrong glaze bucket). If a glaze sees to be too thick or too thin, ask the advice of the instructor before attempting to adjust it. All work that is to be glaze fired must be signed and must be completely cleaned of glaze on the bottom and up the sides from the bottom. Both wax emulsion and paraffin are provided to aid in the above requirement. When heating paraffin, do not turn the skillet above 250 degrees, and unplug after use. Wax is flammable and the fumes from burning wax are a health hazard. Any work or possessions left out on the tables and counters will be disposed of. Glazed work should be placed on the appropriate ware cart to be fired. Carts are labeled according to type of fire, e.g. raku, stoneware, etc. Beginning students will not be directly responsible for operation of the kilns. Classes will alternate in helping to load the kilns, keep the kiln log, unstuck the kiln and clean the kiln shelves. Your instructor will tell you the specifics needed in each case. The kiln furniture (posts, shelves, etc.) is to be kept organized and well maintained. You are responsible for grinding off any glaze on shelves and for keeping shelves in operating order. Your instructor will show you how to operate the grinder for cleaning shelves and proper application of kiln wash. Electric kilns are to be loaded carefully, being aware of the fragile nature of the soft bricks and elements. Make sure posts and shelves are clean. Kiln firing requires that someone be in charge at all times. Use proper equipment such as tongs or heavy gloves for handling hot objects. Don’t stare into a hot kiln for extended periods of time. Wear protective eyewear when firing at higher temperatures. Be careful not to arbitrarily grab or touch anything in the proximity of a firing kiln with bare hands. Whatever it is might be hot!!! Use gloves or tongs. Keep the kiln yard and areas around the kilns free of obstacles and debris. Remove all material from the area where it may cause someone to trip and fall. Make certain that all fires, coals, embers, etc. are out before you leave. If you are firing a gas kiln, make sure that the gas is off. Section IV: RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN IS A NON-SMOKING CAMPUS. Ringling College of Art and Design is committed to providing a safe and healthful environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Research findings show that tobacco use in general, including smoking and breathing secondhand smoke, constitute a significant health hazard. In addition to causing direct health hazards, smoking contributes to institutional costs in other ways, including fire damage, cleaning and maintenance costs, and costs associated with employee absenteeism. Smoking is prohibited on the Ringling College campus except in outdoor designated smoking areas. Smoking is also prohibited in all Ringling College vehicles including golf carts. For the purposes of this policy, smoking is defined as burning any type of tobacco product including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and pipes. Smoking materials will not be sold or dispensed within any property owned, leased, or controlled by Ringling College. This no-smoking policy applies to all persons including students, faculty, staff, visitors, contractors, subcontractors, and others on Ringling College property. Designated smoking areas are identified by signage and contain receptacles for the proper disposal of cigarette butts. All students, faculty, staff, and visitors are expected to observe these designated smoking areas and to dispose of cigarette butts safely and only in the receptacles provided.
2019-04-22T14:05:42Z
https://www.ringling.edu/ContinuingStudies
Since the mid-1990s, it has been received wisdom that museums are, or should be, “safe spaces for unsafe ideas.” But is this true? Are museum safe spaces? And do they really deal in unsafe ideas? In this episode, Elaine Heumann Gurian, who is credited with first expressing this idea, helps us unpack whether it continues to make sense in museums today. Elaine Heumann Gurian is a consultant/advisor to museums that are beginning, building or reinventing themselves, writer and lecturer to many museum studies programs worldwide. She grew up in Queens, NY, was an art teacher in elementary school, and to her surprise, began her unplanned museum career in 1969 in a mobile crafts unit in Boston after the death of Martin Luther King. Since that time, she has served as senior staff to museums interested in visitor focus and inclusion, as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Smithsonian Institution, and since 1993, as the senior consultant to many national and memorial museums under construction around the world. Gurian serves as visiting faculty member to many museum graduate programs and middle management training institutes. Gurian thrives in association politics holding many elected positions. Her writings are widely published and included in many academic courses. Suse Anderson: Good day, and welcome to Museopunks, the Podcast for the Progressive Museum. My name is Suse Anderson and I will be your host today as we explore the boundary-pushing practices in museums. In March this year, Courtney Johnston posted online the notes of a talk she’d given at the public gallery summit in Sydney, Australia. At the heart of her talk was an interrogation about the fundamental role of museums in the world. It questioned the often repeated line that museums are safe spaces for unsafe ideas. Reading her post was deeply unsettling for me because it brought into question how I understand museums as social institutions. But it also resonated with me, given the conversations we’ve covered here on Museopunks in recent months, which often lead to a conclusion that there are many people for whom museums are not safe spaces and many ideas that are still too unsafe to be held and discussed within our institutional walls. The line, museum are safe spaces for unsafe ideas in some ways seems untrue or too simplistic in both of its parts. So, I wanted to speak today with the woman who was credited with coining that phrase, Elaine Heumann Gurian, to try to unpack what that concept meant when it was first originated and what it means today. And if it continues to be true today. What I discovered is that there are many more complex thoughts that tie into this question than I first imagined. So, let’s get into it. This for me has been one of those conversations that leaves me, my breath was taken away when having this conversation. So, I hope you enjoy it and find it as interesting and rewarding as I did. Elaine Heumann Gurian is a consultant and advisor to museums and visitor centers that are beginning, building or reinventing themselves. She grew up in Queens, New York, was an art teacher in elementary school. And to her surprise, began her unplanned museum career in 1969 in a mobile crafts unit in Boston after the death of Martin Luther King. Since that time, she has served as senior staff to museums interested in visitor focus and inclusion as a deputy assistant director at the Smithsonian Institution. And since 1993, as a senior consultant to many national and memorial museums under construction around the world. Gurian serves as visiting faculty member to many museum graduate programs and Middle Management Training Institute. She thrives in association politics holding many elected positions, and her writings are widely published and included in many academic courses. Elaine, welcome to Museopunks. Elaine Heumann Gurian: Thank you very much for inviting me. Suse Anderson: It is so so lovely to speak to you. I will admit that one of the academic courses that features some of your writings, some of the ones that I teach, so this is a thrill for me. So, I wanted to start with an idea, and it’s an idea that you’ve been credited with, although I gather from our correspondence in the lead up to this episode, may not be correctly credited with, which is this idea that museums should be safe spaces for unsafe ideas. This is a concept I’ve been thinking about a lot for some months and I’ve really been grappling with because it’s becoming more and more clear to me, the more I spend time looking at visitor experience in museums, that museums really don’t feel like safe spaces for many, many people. So I was wondering if you could start by unpacking that idea and how it was credited to you if you didn’t actually make that statement. Do you know where that did originate from? Elaine Heumann Gurian: It originated in Australia at the Australian Museums Conference. I said something like that, but not as good alliteration. I like that it’s credited to me and I get surly if it’s credited to someone else but I didn’t actually say it. But, I’ve been thinking the same as you about how to unpack that because I’m not sure I believe it anymore given the political life that we have. Let me start by talking about the thing I’m the most concerned about and then we’ll go back and figure out how this works into that. What I’m most concerned about is how America is going to heal. And in that regard, what does inclusion mean when inclusion really has to include supporters of the side that we’re not on. I find myself thinking that we have been talking about inclusion by hand picking who we were interested in including and not who we were not interested in including. I certainly feel guilty about that. So, safe space for unsafe ideas. Safe space means everybody is welcome. I write a lot about strangers in safe spaces being able to see each other and how I think that is the foundation of urban peace. And then it’s not credited enough, just the very act of seeing, not interacting, but seeing each other and being able to observe the humanity of others is an essential part of the really most basic part of civility and peacefulness. So I write about what that might mean in terms of a museum building. So if we look at safe spaces, what I’m really talking about is a place where somebody feels they can enter, and when they leave, they will be physically intact. I mean, in the most basic way that their decision to walk over the threshold will not in any way threaten them physically. Suse Anderson: Yeah. One of the papers that you wrote or speeches that you’ve given was around that idea of threshold fear and I found that a really influential paper for me. It’s one of the ones that I share with my students time and time again because you talk about the physical and programmatic barriers that make it difficult for the uninitiated to experience the museum. I think at the heart, that’s the start of this conversation, is what are the barriers that museums erect whether deliberately or not that make it difficult for visitors to come into a museum but also to then feel comfortable in that space. Would you agree that that’s sort of where we’re starting at? Elaine Heumann Gurian: Yeah, but I’d start even further back, which is to now suggest that museums have an obligation in the public sphere and that what museums have done, and I think intentionally is to think their front door is the entrance to a private space. And legally, that may be actually true. And the legality of it offers museums much legal protection in terms of acting out. People who are picketing inside may not be allowed to picket inside and have to picket outside for example. Or people who are leafleting inside might be legally expelled to be outside. So, I have found the legal definition of it being a private space where it was at The Holocaust Museum useful, especially when one wants to talk about action that is violent, harmful to the safety of others. But metaphorically, public space is very different than the lobby of a private space. And the very act of entering into a private space requires a certain kind of self-confidence. I like to say that I trained my grandchildren to enter the Ritz Carlton to use the bathroom by looking like we belong there. I mean, it’s a bravado act because I know where the public toilet, I know where the toilet is but it’s not public. Suse: Yes. Getting into this then, does that mean, I mean, I still think of museums as public spaces. Am I thinking about museums wrong just conceptually? Are museums not actually public spaces? Elaine Heumann Gurian: Well, conceptually, you and I agree. I think of museums not only as public spaces but I think they have an obligation to be public spaces and that their conscious effort to be part of the public space is a necessary ingredient for public safety. But, I think museums generally, when you, using your word unpacked, think of their front door as the beginning of private space of intentional use space of entering space, and not as part of the public square. Suse Anderson: Well then, does that change how we, as far as we writ large, how we conceive of then the role of museums fundamentally? If we are thinking about then the museum as maybe conceived of by the public as a public space but actually acting as a private entity, does that fundamentally start to shift how we then need to think about what museums are and do and the purpose they serve? Elaine Heumann Gurian: Absolutely. That’s where I am right now. Absolutely. I think museums intentionally or unintentionally have believed that their offerings are valuable in the public sphere but that you have to pass some requirements to enter their space. I disagree with that. And at the same time, I’m deeply almost obsessively focused on what is civility in the public realm. I’m not interested in the old-fashioned definition of anarchy where all behaviors are acceptable. I’m quite unhappy with members of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party who are now harassing the opposition while they eat dinner. I don’t think that’s useful in the public realm. I’m unclear about what is, how do we train civility, especially when I don’t mean the transfer of etiquette of the upper class to the lower class and when I made some lateral transfer of community acceptance of behavior that starts off being specific to one culture or another. And that is very complicated and we don’t have any system of that. But you can see some of the changing, the easiest place to look at that is how much, how the library has gone from, we all have to be quiet in all spaces all the time to we now have community spaces, and if you want to be quiet, we have a special quiet room. That’s the kind of change in a community asset that I’m very interested in. Suse Anderson: Yeah. When we were first emailing to set up this episode, you mentioned that you often write that you’ve wanted to build a museum that your mother would go to because as a German Jewish immigrant, during the time of the Holocaust, she found all institutions to be dangerous. And it seems to me with this erosion of trust in institutions and ultimately the erosion of the public sphere and public spaces where people do feel comfortable necessarily to be having I think quite difficult conversations, museums have retained a greater share of public trust than a lot of other institutions. But, I know that you have been thinking about what these, the multiple layers of activity that go into creating this idea of civility for strangers, and that’s also about being welcoming and about creating inclusion in museums and in public institutions. You’ve just mentioned the library becoming a place for sort of community voice and community spaces first and then quiet reading second. What are the other types of activities that you then see in museums that would help make that civility for strangers more open, more appropriate, more acceptable? Elaine Heumann Gurian: I turn out to be much more conservative than I expected about subject matter choice. I’m working now, fascinatingly, for me, on the Museum of the Euromaidan. It’s the museum of the revolution in Kiev, Ukraine that changed the country from Russian leaning to Western-leaning. That revolution ended five years ago and on the partisans of that revolution, the actual partisans or are under the help of the current government building the museum of the Euromaidan. And so, I said to them just two weeks ago, you have two choices about your exhibition. You can write an exhibition, produce an exhibition in which there are good guys and bad guys, and you were the victors, and you can all celebrate about how you overcame, it’s a David and Goliath story and you guys all will be happy. But it won’t heal the country because the bad guys are alive and are citizens of your country. So what’s your plan? The director surprising me because this is a brand new revolution said to me, we cannot do that. We must include the other people. We must include the notion that freedom includes people then we don’t agree with. Then we will have to find, they’re called Berkut. We will have to find members of the opposition who are armed and use bullets that we can talk to and present in the museum. That’s very, very unusual. Museums of memorial tend to set up this duality that they are moral stories of good guys and bad guys, which leads to a country not healing. And reconciliation usually takes decades. So I’m really interested in how we in our exhibition choice are already mindful of what is reconciliation going to look like. Because this current administration at some point unless it really does destroy our democracy has to end, and we really do have to heal this country back into some form where diversity was thought of as a progressive next. I don’t see any other way of doing that than including the voices in some civil manner right from the beginning. Suse Anderson: Yeah. In some of your recent talks, you’ve been speaking about museums embracing complexity and including multiple outcomes in exhibitions as a museum norm. I think you’re just giving an example of some of the ways that that can start to work in practice, which is explicitly not seeing stories as good and bad, but actually, maybe more just embracing the humanity at stake in all of us and acknowledging that we all have all of these features within ourselves. It sounds incredibly difficult in terms of using that as a storytelling feature. Museums still only have limited space and limited resources. How do we embrace complexity at a practical level? Elaine Heumann Gurian: You’re asking all the hard questions. I usually ask the hard questions and don’t always have any answers. I have a partial answer to the complexity issue. And it goes as follows. If you think of our objects as data and you think of the information or direction that we want to tell a story about our object as only one of the data points, and everybody easily agrees to that. You can do multiple exhibitions about any object and all of them can be accurate. Then I think we should enter our exhibition by producing the same exhibition we always produced, and then having layers and layers of alternative technique, most of it invisible, that allows people to bypass the story if they want and use the object as data for a construction of their own. And that’s most easily seen when you go to a museum in which they are enthusiasts, car museums. The enthusiasts never use the story because the story is written for the novice and the enthusiast is really interested in some light bulb or key joint or something that they know much more about than almost anyone. And so, they use the raw data for their own purposes. What they don’t get is to tell us about what they have found. We haven’t included them as the experts that they are. So they happily go in and do what they want to look at and leave. It’s not hard anymore for them to be included in some database which is not only visible when you want to see it. So, I think we have all the techniques. What we don’t have is a willingness to think that the public is smart enough to do with our objects as they will. We still retain this stern teacher lead quality. This is this and we will tell you what you should know about. I don’t want to stop that particularly, but I certainly want to soften the edges. This is a this for those who wanted to go down that path, but here are 14 other simple ways you can reuse it by recombining it mostly technologically in ways that are useful for you. Suse Anderson: Yeah, I think that’s really interesting. It’s one of the things I’ve been grappling with myself as I think about the evolution of museum storytelling, as I think about museum technology, which is the space I came in and participatory culture in museums at the same time, as we’re living in the sort of post-truth environment where things can easily be dismissed as being true or not true or used or not used. And I’m really trying to grapple with or make sense of how we have shared frameworks for understanding but also come to a space where we acknowledge and include the multitudes of perspectives that are there, the multitudes of truth that we have that surround our objects. I think trying to figure out how we embrace both of those realities is a really interesting challenge at the moment that I don’t have any answers to but I’m really curious how people thinking about and grappling with these ideas. Elaine Heumann Gurian: Well, one of the things in a more civil society that we’re going to have to deal with, Pat Moynihan famously said, “You’re entitled to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own facts.” If you translate that to say that the object is a fact but that everything about it is an opinion, then that’s fascinating. We can start to say that to the public, that this is a creation without, clearly a creation. This is a real thing. But what it means and what it coheres to and where it gets connected has really multiple trails and I think the public might be interested in that if we started to teach them the ways to do that. It’s a little like Google. I mean, everybody now knows how to use Google. And they start with an idea and then wander about. I just think museums can figure this out. Suse Anderson: Yeah, I really like that idea. So I just want to go back to something you mentioned right at the start of the show. You were talking about inclusion and that maybe museums have been a little bit too blinkered in the way that they have been defining or thinking about what inclusion means. Could you unpack that a little bit further for us? Elaine Heumann Gurian: Yeah. And thank you for asking because now you and I are about to unpack in a journey that isn’t totally clear to me. It’s very clear that there is huge overlap in the humanity of all American citizens or in humanity altogether. But, it means that the rhetoric of this overlap has to be more prominent than the rhetoric of the non-overlap part of the story. And that suggests to me that both sides have to acknowledge that there’s partial truth. I mean, I use the abortion issue all the time at least for myself. Having an abortion I think is for some the best possible choice of terrible choices. It isn’t a good choice. It’s never a good choice, and it does terrible things to a woman’s body and to a woman’s psyche. It is a very difficult choice to be made. If we started to say that given all the bad choices of a personal scene, this is the one I choose. That’s an different rhetoric than women should be free to make choice, full stop, without discussing that that’s a painful complicated and very difficult decision for a woman. What would happen if the terms of that then started to be where we agreed. What we don’t agree with is the ultimate decision making among bad choices. That’s not the way it’s framed. And would we see each other’s humanity better if we started from the part where we agreed rather than the point where we disagreed? Suse Anderson: Right. So it’s sort of looking for the points of commonality first and then ways of exploring divergence and using that as a way of sort of trying to create a framework against polarization ultimately. Elaine Heumann Gurian: Yes. I’m currently thinking that the museum exhibition as a format can be one of the places, we’re back to unsafe ideas which is the part we didn’t unpack. And that the exhibition itself can start at the commonalities and work outward rather than at the extremes and work inward or never work inward. I’m watching Ukraine trying to struggle with their role in Babi Yar. Babi Yar was a place where the Germans killed 24,000 Jews in a 48 hour period by firing squad. It’s walking distance from downtown Kiev. It’s, I don’t know, 70 years, 80, 90 years later, the struggle really is that everybody had to know about it. The notion of collaboration and fear and bystanderness, is so difficult for a nation that they haven’t been able to figure out what to do with it. This didn’t happen only by Germans using firing squad though. In fact, only Germans pulled the triggers. Even though I’m a Jew of that era, I have enormous sympathy for the pressures of a subjugated people in what must have been a terrible set of decisions. I hope I would have made a different decision. But because nobody can figure out how to come to grips with the humanity of this unspeakable crime, 90 years later, there still is no marker that says here 24,000 Jews were killed. Suse Anderson: One of the things I’ve been thinking about a lot personally this year and over the last couple of years is how to stay open and vulnerable and not be closed off to different perspectives or the people who hold different perspectives but also to continue forward and to find ways to, I guess to seek knowledge and to seek understanding, but also, doing so is often hurtful. And I think what you’re talking about is that process in a larger context, in an institutionalized context of being open and being vulnerable to these things that can actually be quite painful but also that are very personal without wanting to damage or hurt the other people who are also in a similar situation. And that difficulty, I don’t know whether it is something that institutions can enable. From your experience, you’ve worked with so many memorial sites. What are the ones that have really helped sort of embrace these moments of trauma and helped promote that healing? Elaine Heumann Gurian: Well, the one that always stands out which I haven’t worked in is Nelson Mandela’s ability to come forward and try to put a healing government together. And the fact that he didn’t do it 100%, one of the important elements, I’ve just worked with 17-year-olds at Interlochen, is to accept that we can’t have perfection and that 95% of our effort being good should give us satisfaction. One of the real anti-civility things is our training of exquisite criticism which I think is really, really destructive. We really do need to look at effort and how much people get right. So Nelson Mandela got a whole lot right even in the midst of a whole lot wrong. There’s a museum I’ve just seen about the trauma in Medellín, Columbia that is really quite amazing about the human condition. So, I think it is possible, but let me suggest as I did before, I’m not talking about anarchy. And so I’m now comforted with the notion that each of us have to perfect the edge of our own personal life called this far and no further. That there is a no saying we need to do, and the no saying has real consequences. I mean, that’s the issue of saying no, that’s the issue for bystanders. But this far and no further is what they mean about our moral core. And it’s completely personal and I cannot presume to have anybody else’s moral core but I long ago decided this far and no further is an internalized clock guideline in which you in your workplace and in your citizenry say, I’m sorry, I’m not doing that. What’s been the most disappointing about the American political scene is we don’t have enough of that going on. Suse Anderson: One of the major structural influences in museums is obviously their funding structure and their boards. How then this idea of no and no further, how do we simultaneously recognize the power of funders and sort of the core funders, there’s a relatively small number of core funders in a lot of institutional spaces and the donor class, but also maintain healthy independence from them. And this is often much more museum leaders, how do they have that sense of no and no further in those decision makings? Elaine Heumann Gurian: It’s the exact right question to ask, the exact right follow-on question. And the simplest answer is also the most difficult answer, and that is you have to be willing to give up your job. This far and no further varies by everybody and, one hopes you also at the same time are perfecting diversionary tactics that allow funders who are putting pressure on you to violate your own internal core. You have figured out some other methodology to keep them happy that still is within your wheelhouse. But ultimately, you have to be willing to lose your job. You cannot protect your job and the livelihood and all costs and have, and be able to say no. I don’t know anything else to do. On the other hand, I also want to say that this collusion in which we are as obligated to the super rich, and they in return feel, some of them, only some of them feel quite entitled to push you past your moral core is a structural problem. And we haven’t been willing to take that on. In most of the nations in the world, the museum sector is not private. When they listen to what goes on in American they are surprised. Having said that, the government sector controlling museums cans a set of its own problems that are completely similar. So it isn’t totally a better system at all because personal privilege comes with power and it puts you to do similar things. It is this organization structure in which people by virtue of their personal power or their personal wealth are willing to subvert an organization. And at that point, it is all up to individuals who make decisions. And whether they can figure out an alternate route, I try very hard to help them so we don’t have to get to this, what I guess in Congress would be called the nuclear option. You have to personally be willing to have that in your mind as you set about trying any diversionary action that you can think of. Suse Anderson: Yeah. It’s funny, one of my classes that I teach, which is a history and theory class, a museum history and theory class, we were talking just this week about where power exists in the museum and the fact that power can actually exist in all places because there are different ways of having power relationships. But, that’s not to say that you have all the power all the time or just there are ways that you can use your power. But sometimes, that requires sacrifice as you say. Sometimes it is ultimately the choice of, if I don’t agree with this thing, then I actually need to leave and that may or may not be possible for you if you have other employment options, family backup, those kinds of things. And so that sense of what power looks like, and where it exists is a really complex thing that of course, then shapes how people are able to influence and interact with museums. Elaine Heumann Gurian: It is, but if you look at the Holocaust analog, which is the Righteous Among the Christians, that’s a whole group of people that are voted in every year by Yad Vashem who risked saving people. They made a decision in which their life was at stake. And there’s been a lot of research about this altruistic demand of humans as well. So, there is a kind of yin and yang in the human condition in which people make decisions regardless of the backup they have. They make it at different places. It isn’t a decision that they make casually or early. And therefore, this far and no further is a moveable feast. But, there is ultimately a decision if you’ve tried everything else where you say, I can’t live that way. Suse Anderson: Elaine, you came to museums in 1969, which was as it says in the bios, after the death of Martin Luther King, and I think really in the wake of another year that significantly reshaped American society. To what extent do you think your career in museums and your perspectives have been shaped by that time that you entered the sector? Elaine Heumann Gurian: A lot. But the thing that shaped my entire career is the Holocaust and the fact that I was an American born child but I was seven when the war was over and I had immigrant parents who were obsessed with saving their relatives. That said, I wasn’t a political activist until that time. I didn’t know the tools. So, the Martin Luther King assassination was at the same time as the Vietnam protests. I entered in the Vietnam protest side about that time. What I learned about that time when entering was what the tools were and I entered on the political activist side. I started working for Kevin White who was the mayor of Austin because he wanted to keep his city safe a year after the riots. And then he gave us the Institute of Contemporary Art. So it had been in receivership and closed. So that all of us who went to the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is now a quite famous Contemporary Art Museum, were activists in an unheated building. So I started way out in left field. I wasn’t trained in museums and this all started in that sector. And then I went to Boston Children’s Museum and worked for Michael Spock, the son of Ben Spock, one of the most famous activists of the time. So I didn’t enter into a significant centrist museum until I became the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Museums in the Smithsonian, which came as a shock to me and I think to them. So I entered way at the top of the centrist museum from a 20-year career on the left wing already. Suse Anderson: How different was your thinking then at that point from what you were seeing I guess in the mainstream of museums? And have you seen shifts in the sector since that time? Elaine Heumann Gurian: The answer is very complicated. The people on the inclusion side of the museum world are there by virtue of their political commitment, and the stream of the left way of the museum world is as old as the stream of the right traditional museum. So, Barnum, has a museum at the same time Museums of Kings and Queens are starting. And the Newark Museum, John Cotton Dana is happening at the same time as other big places. So this impulse is always there just like the impulse of changing the education sector is always there. And at the same time, the museum world where the objects are related to power and acquisitiveness and control are always there. So this struggle is an ongoing one. It’s always been there. That said, there is a kind of cross current of contagion. So people adopt technique from one sector to another. And the question is always, is that progressive technique from a philosophic point of view or is it window dressing to look progressive? And you can only tell that by watching other, many more subtle things to know which is which. Suse Anderson: When we started, you mentioned that you now feel this new urgency around civility and the museum’s role in promoting it. Moving forward, what do you see as being the most essential aspect of, the fundamental role of museums, but also the tools for helping museums create or address the civil society. Elaine Heumann Gurian: I wish I knew. For me who grew up during the Holocaust but safe in America, it is unthinkable that American democracy is in the state that it is. It is unthinkable that I didn’t see it coming, that my fellow citizens, maybe a half of my fellow citizens are as angry about things that I’m glad about and that we are so polar opposites. I find it flummoxing besides being alarmed. I think the museum sector has something important to play in this. And it is because of what you said Suse which is that it’s one of the institutions that’s trusted. Now you have to unpack trusted because it’s trusted but not attended, which is interesting. So it’s trusted by people who also trust having a church they don’t go to. It is a foundation stone for society but not one they find effective. So I think the question is, how can museums effectively not just continue their own business but effectively enter into the healing process of strangers who actually don’t know each other. I mean, I don’t know a single person who voted unlike me. As the pundits like to point out now, that’s alarming. How come I don’t know any of them? And so rather than feeling satisfied that I know only the good guys, I am deeply interested in how it is that I could know the opposition in terms that I would find civil and humanizing. If museums are not thinking about this every single day, I don’t know what they should be thinking about. America is in danger of coming apart and America looked like a place that couldn’t possibly come apart. I didn’t even have it in my calculus. We knew how to respectfully even though heatedly disagree. We knew how to protest, though sometimes that got violated. But mostly, we believed in the bedrock of American democracy. I think there is lots of evidence that the bedrock is not holding. So museums have to figure out their role, and I think their role is subtle filled with silt, filled with modeling. It’s filled with entering into areas of healing. I wish I thought it would be really effective but I think it will be only partly effective. Nevertheless, I think we have to try and figure out how to have this country hold together. Suse Anderson: Yeah. Elaine, in some ways, this is the moment for us to finish this conversation, but at the same time, I don’t want to finish this conversation either because I think we are at this point, much like you, where these are the essential conversations that we need to be having. If people do want to keep talking with you about this if they want to find out more about what you’re thinking, if they just want to have a conversation that brings up nuance and questions rather than simple answers, how can they find you or get in contact with you? Elaine Heumann Gurian: Oh, I love talking to people. My grandchildren think I know everybody in the world because I talk to total strangers. Suse Anderson: My husband thinks I know every Australian in the world but that might just be because he thinks Australia is a very small place and because mostly we do know each other. Elaine Heumann Gurian: My website has all my writings and they are all available. All my PowerPoints are in SlideShare, and they’re all available, and my email is egurian@egurian.com. And anybody who wishes to write to me is more than free to do that. In the world where you live in your head, having more friends who also want to live in their heads is a rare treat, so I look forward to talking to anybody about any idea. Suse Anderson: Elaine, it has been such a pleasure, and for me, I’ve been following your work for so many years. To have you on Museopunks is a thrill and I’m so grateful that you have spent the time with us. Elaine Heumann Gurian: Thank you so much for inviting me. I had a very good time myself. Suse Anderson: Elaine, thank you so, so much for joining me on Museopunks this month. It has been so useful to get a sense of your perspectives given that you’ve been at the heart of progressive practice in museums for almost 50 years. Museopunks is presented every month by the American Alliance of Museums. You can connect with me on Twitter@Museopunks or check out the extended show notes at museopunks.org. And of course, you can subscribe anytime at iTunes or Stitcher.
2019-04-20T14:20:46Z
https://www.aam-us.org/2018/11/15/museopunks-episode-31-are-museums-safe-spaces-for-unsafe-ideas/
The 39 years of Vietnamese Catholic history in the Archdiocese of New Orleans largely can be traced to these men, who passed through Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, in 1975 after fleeing their war-torn country. Some of the future priests were mere infants or children at the time. Front row, left to right, Father Paul Van Tung Nguyen, who was 26 when he arrived at Fort Chaffee; Blessed Sacrament Father Viet Chau, 35; and Father Joseph Duc Dzien, 21. Back row, Father Joseph Dau Van Nguyen, 25; Father Vinh Dinh Luu, 2 months; Father Luke Hungdung Nguyen, 11; Father Joseph Man Tran, 9; Father Bac-Hai Viet Tran, 22; Father James Bach, 25; and Father Lich Van Nguyen, 22. This eight-page pullout is a tribute to the Vietnamese Catholic presence in the archdiocese over the last four decades. The history of Vietnamese immigration to the United States is relatively recent. Before May 1975, most Vietnamese residing in the United States were spouses and children of American servicemen in Vietnam. Then, on April 30, 1975, Saigon fell to Viet Cong troops, which decisively ended the Vietnam War. This marked a big event for America as well as the Vietnamese people. Suddenly, there were more than 200,000 Vietnamese refugees departing from their native homeland to various countries in the world. From their homeland, they were airlifted or fled Vietnam on U.S. military cargo ships and then transferred to United States military bases in Guam, Thailand, the Wake Islands, Hawaii and the Philippines. The entire operation of transferring the massive number of refugees was nicknamed “Operation New Life.” From the various bases, they were transferred to four refugee camps throughout the United States. The four main centers for refugees were Camp Pendleton in California, Fort Chaffee in Arkansas, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania. In May 1975, Archbishop Philip M. Hannan, with his prior experience of resettling Cuban immigrants in America, realized the Vietnamese refugees needed to be resettled in America as soon as possible. By the end of May, he was the first archbishop in America to visit the Vietnamese refugees in Fort Chaffee. He was accompanied by Father Michael Haddad, who was director of Catholic Charities of New Orleans. Originally Archbishop Hannan wanted to sponsor just 100 Vietnamese families through Catholic Charities, because he thought an average Vietnamese family consisted of four or five in a household. For the Vietnamese, the “family” meant everybody in the village, including parents, children, grandparents, uncles, cousins, etc. One particular Vietnamese family had 97 “extended members.” By the time Archbishop Hannan left Fort Chaffee, he decided to sponsor 1,000 families in New Orleans. In his openness to provide homes for Vietnamese refugees, he unknowingly was providing for the future needs of the church of New Orleans. Many of the young souls in those refugee centers would go on to religious life or be ordained priests for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Many of the current Vietnamese priests in the Archdiocese of New Orleans have some connection to these refugee centers. A few weeks later, the first 200 families trickled into New Orleans, half going to the Versailles Apartments in New Orleans East and the other half going to Kingstown Marrero Apartments. The majority of the Vietnamese refugees were Catholic, and so the church played a big part in their daily life. New Orleans naturally attracted many Vietnamese because of its familiar environment of sub-tropical climate, a super rich and convenient Mississippi River that runs across Louisiana just like the Mekong River runs across Vietnam and proximity to water resources for fishing. All these things reminded the refugees of home. The first three priests to arrive in New Orleans in the summer of 1975 were Father Joakim Nguyen Duc Viet-Chau, Father Andrew Tran Cao Tuong, and Father Tran Cong Nghi. Father Nghi, who came from Fort Chaffee, was the first director of the Vietnamese Apostolate under Archbishop Hannan. Father Viet-Chau and Father Andrew Tuong came to New Orleans from Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Father Viet-Chau resided at Hope Haven and cared for the Vietnamese on the West Bank. Father Andrew Tuong resided at St. Elizabeth Home on Napoleon Avenue and cared for the Vietnamese on the East Bank. Shortly after the visit of Archbishop Philip Hannan to Fort Chaffee, the refugees were anxious to head southward to discover their new home. As more families continued to trickle into New Orleans throughout the summer of 1975, the Archdiocese of New Orleans had the unenviable task of marshalling its resources to provide for the refugees. A memorable and funny story was told that a group of 11 families, cared for by Father Andrew Tuong, arrived in New Orleans during the summer of 1975. This group of 11 families was transported on an old, rusty school bus heading to New Orleans East, but somehow arrived at the parking lot of Abramson High School on Read Boulevard around noon – during school hours. The principal and staff members of the school were in shock to see a busload of strangers wanting to enter their facility to use the restrooms and wandering around the school parking lot. Out of natural fear, they called the police to report the incident. After a long struggle to overcome the language barrier with this group of strangers, the principal of Abramson High School recognized only two words – “Philip Hannan” – and so he called the archbishop. The Archdiocese of New Orleans urgently sent Father Haddad to lead the bus to the Versailles Arms apartment complex. Mrs. Melanie Ottaway, the owner of the Versailles Arms, was delighted to receive new tenants. In order to provide for the spiritual welfare of the newcomers, Father Andrew Tuong temporarily used one of the rooms in the apartment to hold daily Masses for the people. Archbishop Hannan assigned Father Andrew Tran Cao Tuong to be the first administrator for the Versailles Vietnamese Community that summer. In June 1976, Father Tran Cong Nghi, director of the Vietnamese Apostolate, resigned to study in Rome. Meanwhile, Archbishop Hannan invited Father Dominic Mai Thanh Luong from Buffalo, New York, to take over the Vietnamese Apostolate Office. Also, Father Dominic Luong became the administrator of the Versailles Vietnamese community called “Hung Vuong Community of the Vietnamese Martyrs,” while Father Andrew Tuong became his assistant administrator and collaborated with Father Viet-Chau, and Father Tue to start the “Dan Chua” Vietnamese Catholic Magazine. The first task taken up by the community was to build a portable altar and a platform, which would really be easy to set up and dismantle. With these the newcomers were able to have outdoor Masses, which accommodated the multitude of people attending Mass for almost a year and half. In inclement weather, Mrs. Ottaway allowed the tenants to move the services into the community room and scheduled more Masses to serve the crowd. People began to adjust their lives in the new land. Word got out among Vietnamese refugees that families and friends were settling in New Orleans, making it an even more enticing destination. The Vietnamese settled mainly in New Orleans East but also in parts of Algiers, Avondale, Marrero and other places on the West Bank. Rents were cheap, the real estate market was affordable, and the housing units were run-down, but the presence of the industrious Vietnamese community has since revitalized these areas. Throughout 1976, the long term weather forecast was for a severe winter, so the community began its first fund-raising campaign to raise $18,000 for the purchase of a mobile home to operate as the new chapel. The mobile chapel was placed at the end of Peltier Drive exactly one week before Christmas. The people felt that they had prepared the best place possible for the Child Jesus to be born unto the community. The mobile chapel had neither heat nor power, so whenever the Mass was celebrated, nearby residents ran several extension cords from private apartments to the chapel to provide power. Father Dominic Luong was in a panic to find a location to move the mobile chapel away from private land. He even posted announcements to give away the mobile chapel if someone would remove it, but no action was taken. As a last resort, he approached the Archdiocese to request a loan to purchase some land from the same owner who wanted to evict him earlier. Archbishop Hannan agreed to purchase three lots of land at the corner of Alcee Fortier Boulevard and Peltier Drive for the community. The faith among the burgeoning Vietnamese population was blossoming and bearing much fruit. Devotion to the church and family life within the Vietnamese Catholic community did not go unnoticed by the Archdiocese. On Dec. 10, 1983, Archbishop Hannan issued a decree providing for the creation of a new personal parish, the Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish for the Southeast Asian Catholics of the Archdiocese, and named Father Dominic Mai Thanh Luong as the first pastor of the parish and Father Andrew Tran Cao Tuong as his associate pastor. Remarkably, the personal parish of Mary Queen of Vietnam was the first of its kind for the Vietnamese people in the United States, which became a model for all other archdioceses in the United States to follow. Within months, the parish began a fund-raising campaign for a new church to be built on a 4.5-acre lot at the intersection of Dwyer Boulevard and Willowbrook Drive. The present church took eight months to complete, at the cost of $750,000. The progress from a mobile home chapel to a permanent, pre-engineered mission-chapel-building was quite a leap for the community. Going from a 300-seat mission chapel to a 1,000-seat church was quite a feat! Within these highlights and the unfolding of events, the faith of the Vietnamese Catholic community has come a long way. On Saturday, Nov. 29, 1986, Archbishop Hannan consecrated the brand new church for Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish. A year later, the religious education building was built to provide CCD instruction to all children of the parish. This same building continues to be used for multipurpose church functions. In reflecting on its own history, the Vietnamese people, as a parish community, recognized that they have received countless blessings and favors from God through the intercession of Mary. The five-year period from 1986 to 1991 marked the most prosperous time in congregation participation. In the summer of 1991, Father Andrew Tran was assigned to the Assumption of Mary Mission Church in Avondale. Father Dau Nguyen was his replacement for three years, together with the presence of a resident, Father Peter Bang Nguyen. In July 1994, Father Peter Nam Van Tran was transferred to Mary Queen of Vietnam Church to take over as a parochial vicar for the following three years. From 1999 to 2004, Father Michael Nam H. Nguyen was assigned parochial vicar while Msgr. Dominic Luong remained the pastor. On April 24, 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed Msgr. Dominic Mai T. Luong as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Orange (California). Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes filled the vacancy with Father Nguyen The Vien as the pastor of Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish, while Father Luke Dung Nguyen became the parochial vicar. The cohesiveness and resilience of the Vietnamese community were proven after Hurricane Katrina decimated almost all of New Orleans East, including the large Vietnamese neighborhood called Versailles. The indomitable Vietnamese were among the first to return to rebuild their homes and neighborhoods, giving momentum to rebuilding efforts in the East and the rest of the city. Many Vietnamese feel the experience has brought the community even closer together. After Katrina, the population of Mary Queen of Vietnam had dropped from 1,000 families to more than 400 families. On July 1, 2010, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond reassigned Father Dominic Nghiem Van Nguyen from St. Matthew the Apostle Church in River Ridge to Mary Queen of Vietnam as pastor. Father Dominic Nghiem continues to serve as pastor with Father Joseph Nguyen Van Nguyen as the parochial vicar. The census of the parish has bounced back from over 400 to more than 1,000 families, a sign of rebirth and hope. Due to the need for spiritual care by the Vietnamese living in downtown New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner and nearby areas, a new community called the “Downtown Community” was established by Father Dominic Luong on Nov. 12, 1977. The majority of the people who joined this “Downtown Community” were young, single people and accidental singles, who were separated from their spouses because of the ravages of war. Beginning in 1978, Father Dominic Luong invited Father Nguyen Ngoc Thanh to celebrate Mass every first Sunday of the month at the chapel of Notre Dame Seminary for the “Downtown Community.” But due to the lack of transportation, they decided to celebrate Mass at any home that was convenient for the majority of this community. At Christmas 1979, Father Luong invited Father Nguyen Thanh Bang, a newly ordained priest, to be a chaplain for the Downtown Community. Father Bang celebrated Mass every Sunday for the Downtown Community. Unfortunately, due to the lack of interest and participation by this Downtown Community, Father Bang went back to his religious order. This Downtown Community was in limbo for about two years. At Christmas 1981, once again Father Dominic Luong invited the people in the Downtown Community to celebrate Christmas Mass together. By this time, the Vietnamese Downtown Community increased due to more people moving into the city because of their better job situation and the convenience of living close to work. Many Vietnamese living in the Downtown area of New Orleans felt the need for an active community. So, Father Dominic Luong invited Father Ngo Duy Linh to be a chaplain to the Downtown Community. After a few months, things did not work out in the Downtown Community, so Father Ngo Duy Linh departed to France for further studies. Unfortunately, the Downtown Community was again in limbo for approximately three more years. In the spring of 1984, Father Dominic Luong decided to revitalize the Downtown Community. So, he invited Father Nguyen Duc Huyen to be a chaplain to this community. Father Nguyen Duc Huyen celebrated his first Sunday Mass for this community at 2546 Columbus St. There were 28 people in attendance at this Mass. As a show of support in revitalizing this Downtown Community, many Vietnamese seminarians from the “Tan Hien” religious community and “Thanh Sinh Cong” or young college students, attended Sunday Mass regularly. Right after Easter in 1984, the Downtown Community gathered to discuss the needs of their community, as well as the possibility of renaming the “Downtown Community.” Since the majority of the people in the Downtown Community were Catholic, they thought it was appropriate to limit their activities to only church activities. They also decided to drop the name of “Downtown Community” and chose the new name of “Resurrection Community.” Of the estimated 400 Vietnamese living in the downtown area of New Orleans, 252 Catholics were registered in the Resurrection Community. Since there were regular Sunday Masses celebrated at the house on Columbus Street, it was natural to attract more people to join the Resurrection Community. However, the house on Columbus Street could not accommodate the gradual increase in number of people. Father Huyen decided to rent a bigger house on 2509 Columbus Street, naming the new worship space “St. Rose Center.” Each week there were more than 200 people attending Mass. Due to the rapid growth of the Resurrection Community, Archbishop Hannan decided to establish a mission church with a new name, because Resurrection Parish already existed. On April 24, 1988, the new mission church was born, with the name of “Our Lady of La Vang Mission,” which continues to be under the care of Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish. From that time, Archbishop Hannan officially assigned Father Nguyen Duc Huyen as administrator of Our Lady of La Vang Mission. In October 1990, Father Huyen, with the approval of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, bought the Lutheran Church and its facilities. Being an old building, the church needed repairs and also had to be updated for Catholic worship. On Saturday, Aug. 1, 1992, the new La Vang Mission Church was consecrated by Bishop Robert Muench, who was touched because it was his first consecration of a church as a bishop. On May 9, 1993, the first Festival of Our Lady of La Vang New Orleans was organized, and continues to be celebrated every year since then on Mother’s Day weekend. On July 2, 2012, Father Huyen officially retired from his ministry to Our Lady of La Vang Mission. On the same day, Father Joseph Thang Nguyen was assigned to replace Father Huyen as the new administrator. There are approximately 140 families currently enrolled. On July 2, 2014, Father Thang was reassigned to St. Joseph Parish, and Mary Queen of Vietnam was to provide for the care of Our Lady of La Vang Mission. The Kingstown Marrero Apartments is inside the boundary of St. Joseph the Worker Parish on Ames Boulevard. The pastor of St. Joseph the Worker at that time was Father Doug Doussan. Father Doussan visited the new refugees and tried his best to help them to adjust to living in New Orleans. Father Doussan used the resources of St. Joseph the Worker Parish for many social ministries, such as teaching English, finding jobs for the refugees, providing transportation to hospitals, schools, and grocery stores, etc. In September 1975, Archbishop Hannan assigned Father Joakim Nguyen Duc Viet-Chau, S.S.S., to be the first chaplain for the Vietnamese community in Marrero. With the help of Father Doussan and St. Joseph the Worker, Father Viet-Chau was able to celebrate daily and weekend Masses for the refugees, as well as any other sacraments that were needed. Father Viet-Chau also opened the first CCD program and language classes in both Vietnamese and English. At that time, there were too many Vietnamese family members living in the same apartment complex, which violated the law limiting the number of people living in the same apartment. So Father Viet-Chau, with the help of Catholic Charities, looked for more apartments to comply with state laws on housing. In order for him to function more efficiently, Father Viet-Chau established the first Vietnamese “parish council” in Marrero. The president was Mr. Hoang Tu Lap, the vice president was Nghiem Van Phu and the secretary was Hoang Duong Duyet. Mr. Nguyen Van Tien was the social worker. By the end of the summer of 1975, Kingstown did not have enough capacity to house the refugees who were still coming to New Orleans. So the Vietnamese Resettlement Program, through Catholic Charities, had to look for new housing in other places, such as Woodlawn, Avondale and Bridge City. At the same time, the duties of Father Viet-Chau expanded from Marrero to Bridge City. During the summer of 1977, Father Vu-Han, who was an associate pastor in New Mexico, came to New Orleans to visit the Vietnamese priests whom he knew in the refugee camps. Among the priests whom he visited were Father Viet-Chau, Father Tran Cong Nghi, Father Pham Van Tue and Father Andrew Tran Cao Tuong. At that time, Father Tran Cong Nghi was director of the Vietnamese Apostolate for the archdiocese. Father Vu Han immediately liked the warm weather as well as being around his people, and he offered to stay in New Orleans if he was needed. Of course Father Tran Cong Nghi told him he could stay because Father Viet-Chau had his hands full caring for the two Vietnamese communities in Marrero and in Bridge City. With the approval of Archbishop Hannan, Father Vu Han was assigned to be a chaplain for the Vietnamese community in Marrero (also called Tu-Do community) as well as an associate pastor for St. Joseph the Worker Parish. At the same time, Father Viet-Chau moved on to care for the Vietnamese in Bridge City (also called Toan-My Community). After serving the Vietnamese community in Marrero for three years, Father Vu-Han asked Archbishop Hannan for a sabbatical. In this complex situation, all the priests in the Vietnamese Apostolate got together and suggested that Father Viet-Chau should return to Marrero. Father Viet-Chau agreed, and things returned to normal in Marrero. Father Viet-Chau reestablished a new parish council, whose president was Mr. Bui Ngoc Thanh. Father Viet-Chau also invited the Sisters of Lovers of the Holy Cross of Phat Diem to come and serve the Vietnamese people in Marrero by teaching CCD and the Vietnamese language to the children. Around 1980, Father Viet-Chau and the parish council came up with a plan to buy properties in order to build a church. They foresaw the need of the Vietnamese community in Marrero to have their own church, because the Vietnamese population was exploding. This plan was proposed to the people at the right time, because it echoed the sentiments of the people to have their own place of worship. After attending and using the facilities of St. Joseph the Worker for five years, the parishioners realized how inconvenient it was using St. Joseph the Worker’s facilities. In the first planning-meeting, the Vietnamese families in Marrero contributed more than $70,000 dollars. Of course, Father Viet-Chau and everyone in the community were enthused, and they dove into the plan to build the church right away. In 1983, Father Viet-Chau, with the approval of the Vietnamese community of Marrero, bought the property, where the current church is established. While the church was being built, Archbishop Hannan decided to unite the Vietnamese communities on the West Bank and East Bank, by establishing Mary Queen of Vietnam Personal Parish, which contained four mission churches: (1) Vietnamese Martyrs Mission in New Orleans East; (2) Immaculate Conception Mission in Marrero; (3) St. Joseph Mission in Woodlawn; and (4) Assumption of Mary Mission in Avondale. At the same time Archbishop Hannan assigned Father Dominic Mai Thanh Luong, who was director of the Vietnamese Apostolate, to be the pastor of Mary Queen of Vietnam in New Orleans East, including the 4 mission churches on both sides of the Mississippi River. After that, Father Viet-Chau asked to return to his religious order so he could concentrate on working to expand Catholic Media Communications, such as a Vietnamese Catholic Magazine called “Dan Chua,” and selling religious books and magazines to the Vietnamese people all over the world. This Catholic Media outreach involved a number of Vietnamese priests and lay people in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Before leaving, Father Viet-Chau recommended that Father Vu-Han return to Marrero, now called Immaculate Conception Mission. Father Vu-Han agreed to take over the Immaculate Conception Mission and also to finish building the church. Father Vu Han was administrator of Immaculate Mission in Marrero until 1995, when Archbishop Francis B. Schulte decided to separate the Vietnamese on the East Bank from the West Bank into two separate parishes. Mary Queen of Vietnam would remain the personal parish for the Vietnamese on the East Bank, with Our Lady of La Vang as its mission church. On the West Bank, Archbishop Schulte wanted to combine the three mission churches of St. Joseph in Woodlawn, Immaculate Conception in Marrero and Assumption of Mary in Avondale into one new parish. So Archbishop Schulte decreed that St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh would be the personal parish for all Vietnamese on the West Bank. Immaculate Conception Mission became St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh Parish, whose pastor was Father Vu-Han. Father Joseph Tue became administrator for St. Joseph Mission in Woodlawn, and Father Andrew Tuong became administrator at Assumption of Mary Mission in Avondale. All three priests lived together in the same rectory located in the vicinity of St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh Church. In the summer of 2008, Father Vu-Han retired from his ministry as pastor of St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh and moved to California. Father Joseph Pham Van Tue was assigned to be the new Pastor of St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh. In November of 2008. Father Joseph Pham Van Tue officially went to St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh to be the pastor. Father Joseph Tue served at St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh until he died on April 2, 2013, due to cancer. In May 2013, Father Peter Tran Van Nam was assigned to be the new pastor to replace Father Joseph Tue. His assignment was effective on July 1, 2013. Father Peter Nam has been pastor of St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh until today. In May 1975, what is now St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh Parish began as a small Vietnamese apostolate, then became Immaculate Conception Mission, and finally became a full-fledged parish. St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh has come a long way. Right now the parish has more than 500 families. The church, the school and the parish hall have all been paid for. The parish has no debt. This is the second community on the West Bank. Due to the lack of housing in Kingstown, Marrero, the Vietnamese Resettlement Program of Catholic Charities had to look for other places for the refugees who came after July 1975. The Woodlawn apartment complex was available at that time. Right away, about 50 families were resettled in Algiers. Of course, the majority of them were Catholic. This community is located within the boundaries of Holy Spirit Parish, and the pastor of Holy Spirit at that time was Father Allen Roy. Since there were no Vietnamese priests available to care for the refugees in Algiers, Father Roy and the Holy Spirit Parish Community welcomed the Vietnamese refugees with open arms and tried to reach out to them the best way they could into their parish. Besides Father Roy, there were many other people who need to be acknowledged for their major contribution to the Vietnamese community, such as Sister Rita Hardy, the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross and a group of Little Sisters of the Poor, as well as many other people too numerous to name. During the beginning of the Vietnamese community in Woodlawn, Father Viet-Chau got permission from the Little Sisters of the Poor to use their chapel in order to offer Masses on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation to the refugees. Outside the offering of the sacraments, Father Viet-Chau also established other ministries to reach out to refugees, both Catholic and non-Catholic, and he assigned Mr. Pham Thinh as representative for the Vietnamese Community in Woodlawn. At the end of 1975 when Fort Chaffee Refugee Camp closed down, Archbishop Hannan invited Father Pham Van Tue to come to New Orleans to care for the Woodlawn community. He assigned Father Tue to be the administrator for the Woodlawn community to lessen the heavy work of Father Viet-Chau. Not long after his arrival in Woodlawn, Father Pham Van Tue established the first representative committee for the community. The officers were: Mr. Vu Huu Chuong as president, Mr. Vu Nhu Lai as vice president and Mrs. Nguyen This Soi as secretary and treasurer. In 1980, the Woodlawn Community became St. Joseph Mission Church under the care of Father Pham Van Tue as administrator. Father Tue served as St. Joseph the Worker Mission until November 2008, when he was reassigned to be the pastor of St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh Parish in Marrero. Father Tue had served a total of 32 years at St. Joseph Mission. At the same time, in November 2008, Father Peter Tran Van Nam was assigned as administrator of St. Joseph Mission, where he served for almost five years. By July 2013, Father Michael Nguyen Ngoc Thanh was assigned to be the new administrator to replace Father Peter Nam. After 39 years in existence, the St. Joseph Mission has 400 registered families. On May 31, 2014, on the Feast of the Visitation of Mary, Archbishop Aymond decreed that St. Joseph Mission would officially become St. Joseph personal parish on July 2. Father Joseph Thang Nguyen took possession of St. Joseph Parish that very same day as its first pastor. Once the housing capacity was reached at Kingstown in Marrero and at Woodlawn in Algiers, the Vietnamese Apostolate, in collaboration with Catholic Charities, found new housing for the refugees in the Normandy apartment complex in Bridge City. This complex was not as large as the other two in Marrero and Algiers. Around 100 families were resettled in this area. This community was located in the territory of Holy Guardian Angels Parish, whose pastor was Father J. Anthony Luminais. Once again Father Viet-Chau was assigned by Archbishop Hannan to care for this new community of refugees in Bridge City. With the approval of Father Luminais, Father Viet-Chau was allowed to celebrate Masses in the Vietnamese language in Holy Guardian Angels Church as well as other sacraments. Everyone was delighted about the situation. By 1977, the population of the refugees continued to multiply in the Bridge City area. Father Viet-Chau began to look for more housing and a place to build a church for the Vietnamese refugees. He found a community in Avondale where they were willing to rent houses to the refugees. The Avondale community had vacant land where Father Viet-Chau could eventually build a new church. In 1978, Archbishop Hannan assigned Father Joseph Nguyen Viet-Hung as administrator in Avondale. By 1979 Father Viet-Hung was transferred to a new assignment, and Archbishop Hannan assigned Father Viet-Chau officially as administrator of the Avondale Community. This Avondale Community is located within the territory of St. Bonaventure Parish. While planning to build a new church in Avondale, Father Viet-Chau was given permission to celebrate Masses in the Vietnamese language at St. Bonaventure Parish. He succeeded in raising money to buy the land for the new church. In 1983, Father Joseph Ngo Duy Linh was assigned to replace Father Viet-Chau as administrator of the Avondale Community. In 1985, Archbishop Hannan presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the mission, with the given title of the Assumption of Mary Mission Church. By 1987, the Assumption of Mary Mission Church was finished, and Archbishop Hannan presided over the first Mass and consecrated the new church. In 1990, Father Joseph Ngo Duy Linh retired and by April 1991, Father Andrew Tran Cao Tuong was assigned to be the new administrator. Father Andrew died on Nov. 21, 2010. In February 2011, Father Jacob Nguyen Bach was assigned to be the new administrator to succeed Father Andrew Tran Cao Tuong. In July 2013, Father Viet-Chau was assigned to be the new administrator again for the Assumption of Mary Mission Church. Today, the Assumption of Mary Mission Church has a total of 161 registered families. On May 31, 2014, on the Feast of the Visitation of Mary, Archbishop Aymond decreed that St. Joseph Mission would become officially Assumption of Mary Personal Parish on July 2, 2014. Father Hoai Nguyen took possession of Assumption of Mary Parish that very same day as its first pastor. This history of the Vietnamese presence in the church of New Orleans has not been well known up to this point, even amongst the Vietnamese faithful themselves. Our hope is that the Vietnamese will recognize how their faith and struggles have not only affected them, but also transformed the cultural and spiritual landscape of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The smallest of actions has eternal implications, just like little old Vietnamese women who grew sprigs of mint in their own backyard to fund the building of their churches. It is always the poor, the refugee, the outcast or forgotten who have contributed the most to the Body of Christ. Presently, many of the Vietnamese priests, religious and lay faithful are not only active in their own ethnic parishes and communities, but have integrated themselves into the spiritual life of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the United States at large. Born of war and suffering, the Vietnamese refugees came to these shores with nothing except their faith and the American Dream. They have enriched the gumbo of life that we call New Orleans.
2019-04-18T14:24:23Z
https://clarionherald.org/2014/07/01/history-of-vietnamese-immigration-to-new-orleans/
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THE MEMBER DATA AND MEMBER ASSETS PROVIDED ON THE PLATFORM ARE PROVIDED “AS-IS,” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. 8.6. Data Deletion. AGORA may permanently erase Member Data if Member’s account is delinquent, suspended, or terminated. 8.7. Aggregate & Anonymized Data. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, AGORA may use, reproduce, sell, publicize, or otherwise exploit Aggregate Data in any way, in its sole discretion (“Aggregate Data” refers to Member Data with the following removed: personally, identifiable information including the names and street addresses of Member and any of its Users or Members). AGORA owns all right, title, and interest in and to the Aggregate Data. 9.1. Acceptable Use. Member shall comply with the TOU, and Member shall not: (a) use the Platform for service bureau or time-sharing purposes or in any other way allow third parties to exploit the Platform; (b) provide Platform passwords or other log-in information to any third party; (c) share non-public Platform features or content with any third party; or (d) access the Platform in order to build a competitive product or service, to build a product using similar ideas, features, functions or graphics of the Platform, or to copy any ideas, features, functions or graphics of the Platform. If it suspects any breach of the requirements of this Section 9.1, including without limitation by Users, AGORA may suspend Member’s access to the Platform without advanced notice, in addition to such other remedies as AGORA may have. These TOU do not require that AGORA take any action against Member or any User or other third party for violating this Section 9.1, or these TOU, but AGORA is free to take any such action it deems appropriate. 9.2. Unauthorized Access. Each party shall take commercially reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to the Platform, including without limitation by protecting its respective passwords and other log-in information. Member shall notify AGORA immediately of any known or suspected unauthorized use of the Platform or breach of its security and shall use best efforts to stop said breach, including fully cooperating with AGORA if requested. AGORA shall notify Member of any known or suspected unauthorized use of the Platform or breach of its security that may reasonably impact Member and/or Member Data and shall use reasonable best efforts to stop said breach, including reasonably cooperating with Member if requested. 9.3. Technology Export. Member shall not: (a) permit any third party to access or use the Platform in violation of any law or regulation; or (b) export any software provided by AGORA or otherwise remove it from the United States except in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Member shall not permit any third party to access or use the Platform in, or export such software to, a country subject to a United States embargo. 9.4. Compliance with Laws. In connection with these TOU, both parties shall comply with all applicable laws, including without limitation laws governing the protection of personally identifiable information and other laws applicable to the protection of Member Data. 9.5. Users & Platform Access. Member shall be responsible and liable for: (a) the actions of any Member User on the Platform, including without limitation unauthorized User conduct and any User conduct that would violate the TOU or the requirements of these TOU applicable to Member; and (b) any use of the Platform through Member’s account, whether authorized or unauthorized. 10.1. IP Rights to the Platform. AGORA retains all right, title, and interest in and to the Platform, and all intellectual property rights therein or relating thereto, including without limitation all software used to provide the Platform and all graphics, user interfaces, logos, and trademarks reproduced through the Platform. These Terms do not grant Member any intellectual property license or rights in or to the Platform or any of its components. Member recognizes that the Platform and its components are protected by copyright and other laws. 10.2. Feedback. AGORA has not agreed to and does not agree to treat as confidential any Feedback (as defined below) Member or Users provide to AGORA, and nothing in these TOU or in the parties’ dealings arising out of or related to these TOU will restrict AGORA’s right to use, profit from, disclose, publish, keep secret, or otherwise exploit Feedback, without compensating or crediting Member or the User in question (“Feedback” refers to any suggestion or idea for improving or otherwise modifying any of AGORA’s products or services, including but not limited to the Platform). 10.4. Use of Data. The data collected by AGORA may be used for the following purposes: (a) research for service improvements by AGORA, (b) facilitate marketing AGORA services and other business development efforts for AGORA, (c) produce statistical data that may be used by present and potential advertisers as well as entities affiliated with AGORA, (d) provide the service for which the Site was created, (e) bill You for items for which You have entered a contract via this Site, (f) communicate with the User regarding both communications that You have sent to us and items of potential interest to You. Each Member party (a “Member Receiving Party”) understands that the other Member party (the “Member Disclosing Party”) may disclose information of a confidential nature including, without limitation, the Platform, product information, data, pricing, financial information, end user information including, without limitation, certain confidential, proprietary and/or non-public information relating to such individual end users (“Consumer Information”), software, specifications, research and development and proprietary algorithms or other materials that is (a) clearly and conspicuously marked as “confidential” or with a similar designation or (b) is disclosed in a manner in which the Member Disclosing Party reasonably communicated, or the Member Receiving Party should reasonably have understood under the circumstances, that the disclosure should be treated as confidential, whether or not the specific designation “confidential” or any similar designation is used (“Confidential Information”). The terms and conditions of these TOU also constitute the Confidential Information of each party. The Member Receiving Party agrees, for itself and its agents and employees, that it will not publish, disclose or otherwise divulge or use for its own purposes, other than the use (by Member) or provision (by AGORA) of the Platform and/or the services contemplated by these TOU, any Confidential Information of the Member Disclosing Party furnished to it by such Member Disclosing Party without the prior written approval of the Member Disclosing Party in each instance. Each party will use at least the same level of care to maintain the Confidential Information of the other party as it uses to maintain the confidentiality of its own non-public information, and in no event, less than a reasonable degree of care. The foregoing obligations shall not extend to any information to the extent that the Member Receiving Party can demonstrate that such information (i) was at the time of disclosure or, to the extent that such information thereafter becomes through no fault of the Member Receiving Party, a part of the public domain by publication or otherwise; (ii) was already properly and lawfully in the Member Receiving Party’s possession at the time it was received by the Member Receiving Party free from any obligation of confidentiality, (iii) was or is lawfully received by the Member Receiving Party from a third party who was under no obligation of confidentiality to the Member Disclosing Party with respect thereto, or (iv) is independently developed by the Member Receiving Party or its independent contractors who did not have access to the Member Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information. If the Member Receiving Party is required to disclose Confidential Information in accordance with judicial or governmental order or requirement, the Member Receiving Party shall promptly notify the Member Disclosing Party to allow such party to contest the order or requirement or seek confidential treatment for such information. Upon termination or expiration of these TOU, upon the request of a Member Disclosing Party, the Member Receiving Party agrees to return to the Member Disclosing Party all such other party’s Confidential Information that is reduced to one or more writing, drawing, schematic, tape, disk or other form of documentation, or to certify to the Member Disclosing Party in writing that all such material has been destroyed. The parties represent and warrant that each is aware of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”), and, about GLBA, the parties will maintain Consumer Information in accordance with GLBA. The parties acknowledge and agree that Consumer Information will be deemed and treated as Confidential Information hereunder. 11.3. Retention of Rights. These TOU do not transfer ownership of Confidential Information or grant a license thereto. Each party will retain all right, title, and interest in and to its own Confidential Information unless and until the Assets to which such Confidential Information relates is sold or otherwise transferred to another party. 12.1. From AGORA. AGORA represents and warrants that it is the owner of the Platform and of each and every component thereof, or the recipient of a valid license thereto, and that it has and will maintain the full power and authority to grant the rights granted in these TOU without the further consent of any third party. AGORA’s representations and warranties in the preceding sentence do not apply to use of the Platform in combination with hardware or software not provided by AGORA. In the event of a breach of the warranty in this Section 12.1, AGORA, at its own expense, will promptly take the following actions: (a) secure for Member the right to continue using the Platform; (b) replace or modify the Platform to make it non-infringing; or (c) terminate the infringing features of the Service and refund to Member any prepaid fees for such features, in proportion to the portion of the Term left after such termination. (a) Member represents and warrants that: (a) it has the full right and authority to enter into, execute, and perform its obligations under these TOU and that no pending or threatened claim or litigation known to it would have a material adverse impact on its ability to perform as required by these TOU; (b) it has accurately identified itself and it has not provided any inaccurate information about itself to or through the Platform; and (c) it is a corporation, the sole proprietorship of an individual 18 years or older, or another entity authorized to do business pursuant to applicable law. (b) Member acknowledges and agrees that except for AGORA’s obligations regarding proper operation of the Platform as expressly set out herein, Member is solely responsible for safeguarding Member Data and data related to Member Assets. Member is solely responsible for backup and restoration of Member Data and data related to Member Assets. AGORA is not responsible for the accuracy and/or completion of Member Data and data related to Member Assets. (c) Member acknowledges and agrees that AGORA merely provides technological tools that may be used to transact business, perform analysis or conduct other general corporate activities on the Platform. AGORA is not involved in the actual transaction between Members, and does not approve, endorse or select, is not the agent of, nor has any authority on behalf of, any of the parties or any other third party, for any purpose whatsoever. AGORA cannot guarantee that any transactions through the Platform will be completed. AGORA further makes no representations or guaranties regarding any services offered through the Platform. (d) Member acknowledges and agrees that AGORA does not and cannot control the flow of data to or from the Platform and other portions of the Internet. Such flow depends in large part on the performance of Internet services provided or controlled by third parties. At times, actions or inaction of such third parties can impair or disrupt Member’s connections to the Internet (or portions thereof). Although AGORA will use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions it deems appropriate to remedy and avoid such events, AGORA cannot guarantee that such events will not occur. Accordingly, AGORA disclaims all liability resulting from or related to such events. 12.3. Disclaimer. EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE BY AGORA IN THESE TOU AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AGORA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. AGORA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL OTHER REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, TITLE OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, THE PLATFORM IS MADE AVAILABLE TO MEMBER “AS IS.” AGORA DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE PLATFORM AND/OR AGORA SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, THAT THE PLATFORM IS SECURE FROM HACKING OR OTHER UNAUTHORIZED INTRUSION, THAT MEMBER DATA WILL REMAIN PRIVATE OR SECURE, OR THAT THE PLATFORM AND AGORA SERVICES OR THE SERVER THAT MAKES THE PLATFORM AND AGORA SERVICES AVAILABLE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. ADDITIONALLY, AGORA DOES NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE ADVERTISED OR OFFERED BY ANY USER AND/OR THIRD PARTY ON OR THROUGH THE PLATFORM OR ANY WEB SITE LINKED TO FROM THE PLATFORM. WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, AGORA WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR: (A) ANY ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES OF ANY DATA; (B) THE APPLICATION OF ANY MEMBER BUSINESS RULE, PROCESS, INSTRUCTION OR SPECIFICATION; (C) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE PLATFORM; (D) ANY ACT OR OMISSION OF ANY USER OR OTHER THIRD PARTY MEMBER IN THE PLATFORM; (E) ANY INTERRUPTION OF TRANSMISSION TO OR FROM THE PLATFORM; (F) INDEMNIFICATION OR DEFENSE OF MEMBER OR USERS AGAINST CLAIMS RELATED TO INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL; (G) ANY BUGS, VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES, OR THE LIKE WHICH MAY BE TRANSMITTED ON OR THROUGH THE PLATFORM BY ANY USER AND/OR THIRD PARTY; OR (H) ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF ANY DATA OR INFORMATION POSTED, TRANSMITTED, OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE ON OR THROUGH THE PLATFORM. TO THE EXTENT THAT AGORA CANNOT DISCLAIM ANY SUCH WARRANTY AS A MATTER OF APPLICABLE LAW, THE SCOPE AND DURATION OF SUCH WARRANTY WILL BE THE MINIMUM REQUIRED UNDER SUCH LAW. 13.1. By AGORA. AGORA shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Member and its directors, officers, employees and agents and its and their respective successors, heirs and assigns (collectively, the “Member Parties”) against any liability, damage, loss or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses of litigation) (collectively, “Losses”) incurred by or imposed upon the Member Parties in connection with any 3rd party claim, suit, action, demand or judgment (each, a “3rd Party Claim”) (a) that the Platform, as made available by AGORA and to the extent used in accordance with these TOU and all applicable AGORA policies posted on its Website, infringes or violates a third-party’s intellectual property right in the United States or (b) alleging any fact that, if true, would constitute a breach by AGORA of any representation, warranty or covenant made by it under Section 12.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, AGORA will have no obligation to indemnify Member under subsection (a) to the extent that the 3rd Party Claim arises from (i) any aspect of the Platform, including any customization, that was developed by, for the benefit or at the request of Member or to implement a Member business process, requirement or specification, or (ii) any use of the Platform in combination with any software, hardware or other component not provided to Member by AGORA hereunder (each, an “Excluded Claim”). Member will (x) provide AGORA with prompt notice of any indemnifiable 3rd Party Claim; (y) permit AGORA to assume and control the defense of such action upon AGORA’s written notice to Member of AGORA’s intention to indemnify; and (z) upon AGORA’s written request, provide to AGORA all available information and assistance reasonably necessary for AGORA to defend such claim. AGORA will not enter any settlement or compromise of any such claim, which settlement or compromise would result in any liability to any Member Party, without Member’s prior written consent. 13.1.1. Right to Ameliorate Damages. If a Member Party seeks indemnity under Section 13.1 for a 3rd Party Claim for infringement of intellectual property rights, or if, in AGORA’s reasonable opinion, such a 3rd Party Claim is likely to be asserted against Member or AGORA, AGORA may, in its sole discretion and at its sole expense and without limiting any of its obligations under Section 13.1: (a) obtain the right for Member to continue to use the Platform; (b) render the Platform non-infringing; (c) provide a non-infringing substitute with substantially the same features, functions and performance; or (d) if (a)-(c) are not reasonably obtainable in the exercise of commercially reasonable efforts, AGORA may terminate these TOU upon notice to Member without further liability or obligation hereunder. 13.2. By Member. Member shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless AGORA and its directors, officers, employees and agents and its and their respective successors, heirs and assigns (collectively, the “AGORA Parties”) against any Losses incurred by or imposed upon the AGORA Parties or any of them about any 3rd Party Claim (a) arising from or relating to Member’s or Member’s contractors use of the Platform (excluding indemnifiable 3rd Party Claims under Section13.1); (b) that would be an Excluded Claim under Section 13.1 had it been asserted against a Member Party; or (c) alleging any fact, which, if true, would constitute a breach by Member of any representation, warranty or covenant made by it under Section 12.2. AGORA will (x) provide Member with prompt notice of any such 3rd Party Claim (provided that the failure to provide prompt notice shall only relieve Member of its obligation to the extent it is materially prejudiced by such failure and can demonstrate such prejudice); (y) permit Member to assume and control the defense of such action upon Member’s written notice to AGORA of Member’s intention to indemnify; and (z) upon Member’s written request, and at no expense to AGORA, provide to Member all available information and assistance reasonably necessary for Member to defend such claim. Member will not enter any settlement or compromise of any such claim, which settlement or compromise would result in any liability to any AGORA Party, without AGORA’s prior written consent. 14.1. Dollar Cap. NEITHER PARTY’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TOU WILL NOT EXCEED THE LESSER OF (I) THE AMOUNTS PAID TO AGORA BY MEMBER IN THE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DATE THE LIABILITY FIRST AROSE; OR (ii) $100,000.00. 14.3. Exceptions from Exclusions and Limitations. Nothing in these TOU shall exclude or limit either party’s liability for: (a) breaches of Section 11 (Confidential Information); (b) breaches of a party’s indemnification obligations under Section 13 (Indemnification) or any amounts paid or payable to third parties about such obligations; or (c) such party’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or abandonment of these TOU. Nothing in these TOU shall exclude or limit Member’s liability for a breach of Section 9 (Responsibility & Restrictions). 15.4 Severability. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the parties hereby waive any provision of law that would render any clause of these TOU invalid or otherwise unenforceable in any respect. If a provision of these TOU is held to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, such provision will be interpreted to fulfill its intended purpose to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and the remaining provisions of these TOU will continue in full force and effect. 15.6 Choice of Law & Jurisdiction. These TOU will be governed solely by the internal laws of the State of Texas, without reference to: (a) any conflicts of law principle that would apply the substantive laws of another jurisdiction to the parties’ rights or duties; (b) the 1980 United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods; or (c) other international laws. THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT WHICH EITHER OR BOTH MAY must A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ALL CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TOU OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF. 15.7 Construction. These TOU will not be construed in favor of or against either party because of authorship. 15.9 Headings; Counterparts. Headings are for convenience only and are not deemed to be part of these TOU. These TOU may be entered in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed will be deemed an original and taken together will constitute one fully executed Agreement. The parties agree to accept a digital image of these TOU, as executed, as a true and correct original and admissible as best evidence to the extent permitted by a court with proper jurisdiction.
2019-04-24T04:36:01Z
https://agoradata.com/terms/
Daniel Taure is a member of the Crusaders of the Truth. He is a paladin, serving the platinum dragon, Bahamut. He fights against the dark forces of the world, trying to bring peace and justice to everyone he can, while trying to find some kind of peace for himself. He is played by Hunter. Daniel is Half-Elf, born from a High Elf father and a Human mother. He is about average height, but a bit lighter side in terms of weight. He has straight, short brown hair, which he does his best to keep tidy. His pointed ears are still quite noticeable through his hair though. The shape of his head is quite thin and slanted, but he does have a bit of a more rounded chin. His skin is quite pale, a result of having a white mother and high elf father. When the campaign started, Daniel wore chain-mail armor over the thin set of padding underneath the armor, which included metal gauntlets that covered his hands. On his legs he wore a simple set of brown trousers, with tall, brown boots to cover his feet. On his forehead rested a headband, with a small diamond shape in the front, representing his paladin status. Finally, the holy symbol of Try is hung around his neck from a chain. Now, he wears a set of burning red Rathalos armor. Black spikes pikes point out from the upper part of the armor, near the neck and shoulders, while more flattened spikes cover the rest. He still wears common clothes underneath, though they are not visible as the armor covers most of his body. A new holy symbol, that of Bahamut, now hangs around his neck. The only similarity from when he first started is the circlet he first got when he became a paladin. He also speaks with a very upper class British accent, which reflects the land he lived in and those he associated with. Daniel is considered to be very serious by his teammates, to the point where he can come off as quite the buzzkill. This stems from his duty to his god, as well as his values of helping those in need, which doesn't have much time for goofing off in his eyes. This has started a running gag of Daniel either becoming annoyed or down right frustrated by the groups antics, some of which are done to spur these reactions. However, he has shown that he is able to cut loose every now and then, such as participating in a carnival event with Motor Knight, having a drink at a bar (and becoming really drunk), and attending an evening performance of an opera. Overtime, Daniel has become more loose with telling his friends off, and the methods he allows to bring good to the world. Daniel has shown to have a limited understanding of the outside world, having grown up on a small island and spent so much of his life either training or living in a forest. Thus, when confronted with something new or alien to him, it usually leaves him either confused or disturbed. His knowledge has slowly started to expand after spending four years out in the world, but there is still so much that Daniel does not know about. Recently, Daniel has taken a drastic turn in his behaviour, with no indication of reversal any time soon. Starting when Misere confronted the Crusaders, which ended in Daniel killing her out of anger and vengeance, his old demons started to arise. As events transpired, Daniel tried to quell the demons, even going as far as changing his deity and his oath, but it was all in vein. After his new home was destroyed, leaving many dead, thus mirroring what happened to Seerity, Daniel broke. Now, he remains mostly silent, allowing others to make plans and only speaking to ask questions or relay necessary information. During combat, he still remains efficient with his sword and spells, but shows no emotion to what happens around him. He has said there's no way to explain how he's feeling, but the others recognize it as severe trauma. His only focus now is salvaging anything good that is left on the planet, as well as finding some kind of hope for the world. As for himself...that remains to be seen. Daniel was born in Forcysti, the forest town of Caeloria, to an elf man and female woman. They moved to the village of Seerity about a year later. Daniel enjoyed his childhood in the forest, learning to climb and interact with the animals around him. Around the age of 8 his father started basic lessons with a blade, while his mother, using her druid powers, showed Daniel the wonders of magic and nature. All in all, he had a very nice life, away from any sort of prejudice or political conflict, and felt like his home was the safest place in the world. This all changed one day when he was 9. He was awoken to the smell of smoke, and screams coming from outside. He quickly exited his cottage to find the village on fire. As he stared in shock, a figure loomed over him. Daniel's father attacked the man, and promptly went down from the shadow. His wife rushed to his aid, while screaming for Daniel to run. Seeing nothing but fire, Daniel's only instinct was what he knew; he climbed the large tree near the entrance of the village, clinging to the trunk and, for the first time in his life, praying that it would not collapse. When the screams died down, Daniel carefully made his way down the tree and stumbled through the ruins. He couldn't make out much through the smoke, other than shadows on the ground. When he reached where his cottage was, he saw the burnt, destroyed bodies of his parents. Horrified, Daniel ran into the woods, sobbing and mentally scared. He spent many months alone, surviving off the wilderness before a small group from the local Paladin's Guild found him, to their utter astonishment. He was taken under the wing of Jamvere Baelron, the leader of the guild. The elf helped Daniel recover from his experience and, after Daniel pleaded with him, reluctantly agreed to build the half-elf into a paladin. For the next eleven years, Daniel trained in the ways of sword fighting, divine magic, and what it meant to be a paladin. When he turned 18, Daniel partook in a Vision Quest and was chosen by Tyr, the god of justice, as be his follower. Over the years, Daniel's views became quite shallow, seeing the world as good and evil, and swore that if he ever found out who destroyed his home and killed his parents, he'd make sure they regret letting him get away. During one of his days training out in the forest, a goblin appeared before him through a portal, explaining to him that he was finally needed on a quest after so many years, which Daniel agreed to without a second thought. After passing through the portal, he met with Rodney Rune, Jook Nukem and TV Wizard. While a bit confused by the odd band of adventurers, Daniel traveled with them to Mount Gerk. Travelling the through the tasks and battles set for them, Daniel finds himself impressed with the groups skills (specifically Jook's), and appreciates their willingness to work with him, even though they only just met him. The paladin helped the party work through the challenges with his holy powers and fighting skills, such as identifying mimics, or protecting party members with his shield. During the fight of the demonic snail, Daniel learned a hard lesson about slashing without thought. He attacked the monster while lighting his blade on fire, causing the being to explode in his face, sending him flying backwards and almost knocking him out. When the fight was over, the demon attempted to seduce the party, which Daniel was having none of, until the snail mentioned his mother, Emily Taure. The demon claimed he knew what happened, and the paladin immediately became aggressive, demanding to know what the demon claimed. The party forced the snail into a jar, which Daniel chose to watch over. When they arrived back at *town where the quest started*, the group stopped at a bar to gather information. Daniel talked to a tiefling who warned him not to hand the demon to the king, and that a rebel group was forming lead by *EDDY HELP ME HERE*. When he was finished, he learned Motor Knight and Jook had robbed a bank while he was busy. Angry, Daniel stole the money Motor Knight had while the latter dealt with a gnome, and returned it to the bank. He was caught trying to do the same to Jook, and told her that he had his eye on her. After the Doom Snail got away, Daniel joined in on the siege of the castle. They fought the Doom Snail head on, and managed to defeat it. Trapping it again in a jar, they ended up trapped in the castle's treasure vault by a ton of orcs. Motor Knight put his trust in Daniel to throw a Holy Hand Grenade, but this ended poorly, forcing the group to hide in a force-field. While coming up with a plan, TV Wizard suddenly screamed "TENSER'S FLYING DISC!" The group flew out of the castle, dropping another grenade on the hoard. Landing outside, they meet Doofus Loofus, who brings them back to the rebel group. Together, they send the Doom Snail into an unknown dimension, and the party celebrates before heading their separate ways. Daniel, in particular, decides to stay in Mundus Memia to help with any tasks they ask of him. A year after the events of the Doom Snail, Daniel gets a letter from Baron Lemony in Lardrik, calling for a monster problem in the land. Daniel teams up with Doofus, who was sent with Daniel to aid him, a bounty hunter named Doug Douginston who Daniel hired, and old teammate Jook Nookem, who Daniel had sent Doug to retrieve. Right away, tension appeared between Daniel and Doug, as Doug expected more money from Daniel for retrieving Jook, and Daniel didn't approve of the bounty hunter's profession. During the two year gap, Daniel continued to work for Mundus Memia for a bit, before being summoned back to Caeloria. He was told about tensions brewing between the Fey and the residents of the island, and stayed a while to help Whiterem rebuild. He was present in the town when the first attack from the Fey occurred. Not much damage occurred to the city, but the residents were clearly shaken, after experiencing another attack in under a year. For the next year and a half, Daniel worked mainly in Caeloria, trying to quell the uprising of the Fey and bring an end to the battles, while also performing duties for Mundus Memia when asked. This made Daniel very busy, and thus he barely contacted anyone in the Crusaders leading up their meeting. He did attend one of Rodney's concerts however (which was unknown to the Dragonborn Bard), and listened for any news on Jook, Doug and Motor Knight, in case they got into trouble. While his allies were off across the seas, Daniel stayed in Pharepaix with Doofus to oversea the construction of the keep, make preparations for the groups return, and start to get acquainted with the people of the city. Most importantly, however, Daniel began to do research on Misere. He eventually cornered one of her servants, threatening the man in an alley for information. He learned of her place in Sicarus, and had it confirmed she was present the night of Seerity's destruction. Daniel also learned that there were three other perpetrators: Flanourin, a well known archmage, Alonso, the leader of The Circle of Nosferatu, and an archer, who was high up in the ranks of Cinere. For his information, and also pity for what the man had gone through, Daniel offered him a job at the keep. For the next several months, Daniel helped around the community and the keep. He met a couple of the keep's guards, Rofim and Peace, and got along well with the half orc. Overall, Daniel enjoyed his time and came to love Pharepaix. One day, Daniel was participating in a service at one of the churches when he noticed that the people in the pews were a bit noisier. Glancing over, he saw, to his surprise and slight dismay, his group waiving to him in the crowd ("They had to act like this in here?!"). He quickly caught up with them, but hid what he had learned about his past. It didn't seem like much had happened in the past eight months, although Daniel registered tension between Doug and Apollo. The group hangs out for the day and eventually starts to head back to the finished keep. However, they are apprehended by a figure, who reveals themselves to be none other than Misere. Furious, Daniel threw himself into battle. His anger started to blind him, with his sole focus on the assassin. When Motor Knight knocked her unconscious, Daniel quickly tied and roughly dragged her off towards Alucard's castle. While she was taken to the prison, Alucard revealed a book she had on her possessions: the name's of everyone she had killed. Daniel flipped through the book and his beliefs were confirmed. Everyone from his village, including his parents and himself, were in the book, and their names were crossed out. Doug's real name was also discovered in the book, but Daniel wasn't thinking clearly. He demanded to see Misere. At the prison, Daniel entered the cell with Doug, and showed her the page of Seerity. Misere smiled, and talked about it being one of her biggest jobs and finest work. Then, she asked if Daniel was the one who got away. While hiding his emotions, Daniel was in shock: if she knew he was alive, the others who did the job must know as well. He asked Doug if he wanted to say or do anything, and when the bounty hunter refused, Daniel mocked Misere's mistake in letting him live. She admitted it would be the biggest mistake of her life, and told Daniel unless there was anything else, she would be getting to work planning her escape. Daniel proceeded to plunge his blade into her gut, activating a high level smite, while stating the kill was for his village. Misere died with a smile still on her face. The paladin spent the rest of the night drunk, and when he went to sleep, he found to his complete dismay, that his nightmares were back...and had gotten worse. After everything, Daniel's mind was in turmoil. A being who enjoyed killing had risen to the Upper Planes, something Daniel didn't think would happen. This added onto everything else that Daniel was thinking about, and he couldn't get his thoughts straight. After the party got back, Daniel went off to a temple and prayed for help. He asked for help in figuring out what to do. He only heard one sentence from his god; "It is not my job to figure out who you are". Daniel took this to heart. Over the next couple days, he went to talk with most everyone at the keep privately. Each conversation varied from wanting to understand his companions better, discussing the crusaders' next move...and Daniel's decision to leave the group for an indefinite amount of time. After all the conversations, Daniel packed his bags, left his Javelin of Lightning with a note in the courtyard for the others, and left. During the events of this arc, Daniel returned back to his home in Caeloria. He immediately went to Jamvere and asked to do another Vision Quest, believing that who he served and what we swore no longer was accurate. In the days leading up to the quest, Daniel talked with the locals and his fellow Guild members about his adventures. While not advertising what he was doing, some eventually caught on, and the half-elf received some cold shoulders. When it came time to do the quest, Daniel prepared himself for the worst. As he entered, he heard the sounds of gods talking, calling to him, and even Tyr yelling angrily. Soon, he came upon a memory of himself in his hut. Jamvere came in and told him someone had a mission for him; his first mission in Mundus Memia. The memory stops, and before him appears Mr. N. As the memory faded, they were now in a hazy, unknown area. Mr N explained to Daniel that he wanted the half-elf's help, explaining that he had a plan he wanted to enact, and that he wanted Daniel's help. As Daniel questioned the strange being, Mr N confessed that he had a plan for the world, and that when everything was done, it would all be under his control. He promised Daniel that he would have a place in his new world, and that he would have the peace he so desperately wanted. To Daniel surprise, he continued to explain that Motor Knight had a deal with him, and that Doug did too, although the bounty hunter did not know this. Daniel wavered, thinking of accepting the deal, but asked about his status as a paladin. Mr N stated that he would simply have to live as what he was; an oath-breaker. Horrified and disgusted, Daniel venomously refused the deities offer, proclaiming he'd rather die trying to give as many people happiness and peace, rather than to live for his own benefit. Mr N scolded Daniel, saying it was already too late, before vanishing. Daniel woke up, with no symbol lying by his side. He asked Jamvere to try again, stating the quest was tampered with, but Daniel already feared that it was too late for him. As Jamvere began preparations once more, Daniel wandered off into the forest. He knelt down and prayed. He explained what he had seen, and pleaded that if there was anyone who was willing to give him a final chance, Daniel would follow them to the grave. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit him, and he passed out. He saw Rodney walking by him through a strange mist, before vanishing as a gleaming dragon appeared before him. Introducing himself as Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon, the god explained that he had heard what Daniel had said, and recognizes the threat of Mr. N. He asks Daniel to take up the god's name, and not only fight for good, justice, peace and whatever else Daniel thought was morally right, but also fight for the redemption of others. Daniel gladly accepted the offer. He woke up once more to find Jamvere beside him, and as Daniel looked around, he found the holy symbol of Bahamut next to him. Taking out Tyr's symbol, he found it cracked and battered, as if the life had left it. He heard the voice of Tyr wishing him luck on his new endeavors. Thanking the god of justice for everything, Daniel dropped the holy symbol in the forest, and walked away. A couple days later, Daniel found the bounty hunter Spike Spiegel at his door. Although cautious, Spike promises he isn't here for revenge. He explains he was asked by the Crusaders to get him back as quick as possible, and that he also was required to bring Daniel back in a sack. Although immensely confused, slightly annoyed and a bit amused at the whole explanation, Daniel promised to pay Spike a good chunk of money if he instead tricked the Crusaders with a bag of potatoes while Daniel just came back on his own. With that, Daniel said his goodbyes, headed to the teleportation circle nearby and headed back to the keep. Short version: Daniel is really messed up but doesn't want to be the possible husk he saw, and really wants to make sure everyone is okay. FULL EXPLANATION AT SOME POINT!!! Daniel considers Rodney to be one of his closest friends, as Rodney is probably the least hard on Daniel when it comes to his behavior. As Rodney seems to balance relaxing and working so effortlessly, Daniel envies Rodney somewhat, and seems more willing to relax when he's around. Daniel and Rodney have grown close enough to the point where they open up to each other personally on multiple occasions, whether Rodney is asking Daniel for wisdom on personal situations, or if Daniel is asking Rodney how to handle the other Crusaders. Above all else, Daniel knows that Rodney will always have his back. Daniel's feelings towards Jook are those similar to a guardian or even parent. He has shown to be impressed with her abilities on numerous occasions, and he is quite certain that she can take care of herself. However, he's been very vocal about how he disapproves of her thieving ways, which has brought up conflict between the two. He's always keeping an eye on her, in case she decides to pull something he deems "inexcusable". That being said, Daniel truly cares a lot about the rouge, clearly shown when he hugged her after they escaped from the Plane of Earth. He tells her that the group is there for her, and that she doesn't have to hide herself from them, implying that he wants to get to know the rouge on a more personal level. Jook has also helped Daniel see that the world isn't so black and white when it comes to good and evil. With Jook seemingly gone with no explanation, Daniel is saddened by her disappearance and prays that she is safe after the demon attacks. Doofus is another good friend of Daniel's, although there relationship is quite different from Rodney's. They started out as acquaintances, assigned to a task together without ever having worked together before. During an incident with Hob-Goblins, where Doofus revealed a large majority of the party and almost got them all killed, Daniel very physically expressed his anger, and Doofus took offence. Overtime, the two have started to build a more personal relationship. For one thing, Doofus was the first person Daniel told about his village and family, and Daniel showed concern when it seemed Doofus was taking his failures very hard. After spending 8 months together while they're keep was being built, the two bonded more over research and training. Presently, the two have a sort of best friend kind of relationship, which mostly results in Daniel teasing and annoying Doofus, especially when calling him the nickname 'Pan'. Daniel and Motor Knight have an unbalanced and wild relationship. The two tend to clash quite a bit, as Motor Knight's wild antics counter Daniel's logical and pure ideas. MK has sometimes gone out of his way to irritate Daniel for his own amusement, leading to a usually frustrated feeling towards the mercenary from Daniel. However, beneath all of this is a certain level of respect. The two can work well as a duo in battle, with them both being swordsman. Outside of battle, they find ways to enjoy each other's company, whether that's going for a drink or participating in a cage fight competition. They have gone as far as to say they are bros, the term of which Daniel learned from Motor Knight. The trust between them has been strained due to certain events (Motor Knight's robbing of the bank in Arc 2, Daniel's impulsive stabbing of Misere and a demon), but after a recent talk where Motor Knight explained his past, the trust between them seems to be mending. Also, Daniel wants to take Motor Knight more seriously...sometimes. Daniel never expected to feel the way he feels about Doug now compared to when they first met. Originally, Daniel hired Doug to retrieve Jook for him, promising him a reward for his troubles. After this, Doug started to travel with Daniel and the other Crusaders, thus becoming part of the group. The original relationship between the pair was rocky, since Daniel was a paladin and Doug was a Bounty Hunter/Assassin. This placed some distrust in Daniel, similar to that he had with Jook and MK. He also was constantly annoyed with Doug asking him where his money was, as there was a miscommunication in the price for Jook's safety. This all changed when they meet two years later for the first meeting of Lux Aeterna. Doug was offered a large sum of money by the group Sicarus to murder the Crusaders, but instead chose to reveal this information to the others, particularly Daniel, as he said he believed Daniel would get everyone listening to each other about the topic. Doug's faith in Daniel, coupled with the fact that Doug chose his companions over money, deeply moved Daniel, and he realized that Doug was more than just a Bounty Hunter. After Doug revealed his past involving his two sets of parents and what happened to him, Daniel realized how similar he and Doug are. He has admitted to Doug that he trusts Doug a lot now, maybe even the most out of everyone, which is shown when he entrusts the Earth Ring to the bounty hunter. Daniel's feelings towards Apollo are quite mixed. While he doesn't like what the pirate did or who he associated with, Daniel believes that the dragonborn isn't entirely bad. The pirate has clearly shown his willingness to stand by the Crusaders, even against his own crew, and recently revealed to even be married. There is a clear, though unsaid, feeling of respect between the two of them. However, everything isn't entirely happy and friendly between them. Apollo can still act greedy and harsh, which Daniel does not appreciate. The pirate also can be vocal about his disapproval of Daniel in certain occasions, which Daniel will return in kind. At the end of the day, Daniel knows he would care if the pirate died, as his trial with the Raven Queen had him see Apollo killed, much to the paladin's horror. During most of their time together, Daniel was a bit disturbed about Gowther. While proving effective in combat and aiding the party, his blatant disregard for live and undead state unnerved Daniel. Therefore, he was always cautious whenever the barbarian is around. However, the paladin knew the barbarian helped save his home, so he felt satisfied that Gowther wasn't entierly evil. Later on, Daniel wanted to understand the barbarian more, but only succeeded in angering him. The paladin hoped to clear the air once they were finished in the Earth Plane. He never got the chance. Gowther's death hit Daniel harder than he ever expected. Not only had this being who loved killing save the Crusaders, whether it was selfish or not, but also took a place in the Upper Planes, meaning the gods themselves deemed Gowther a good man. Because of this, Gowther leaves a lasting impact on the paladin's views. Daniel isn't sure what to make of the doctor. Her shift between being sweet and cussing him out leave him confused and a bit concerned for her. Either way, her methods, though a bit wild and push Daniel's line, are still very helpful in their endeavors to Daniel. Currently, there is no personal relationship between the two. The lycan intriguing Daniel quite a bit, having never seen a werewolf who could control when it changed. Daniel appreciates having Folk around, as he is a powerful asset in taking down their enemies, and has also shown complete willingness to go along with the Crusaders plans. He is suspicious of the beast though, due to Daniel sensing a connection the God of the Hunt, Malar. Daniel knows Fey do not typically have a connection to such a god, and wonders if there is something darker to the lycan than it first seems. Daniel was fascinated by TV Wizard, having never seen a construct before the beginning of the campaign, and was even more impressed that it was fluent in the ways of magic. While it couldn't talk, Daniel was quite interested and amused by its form of communication through tv shows, even though Daniel didn't understand what a TV show was. When TV Wizard lost his mind, created undead mutants through Rodney and tried to kill the group, this event shook Daniel to the core. He couldn't understand how someone who had saved the world only a year ago could be corrupted so badly, and tried his best not to kill it during their battle. TV Wizard's death hurt Daniel quite a bit, and shook the beliefs he had grown up with. Daniel buried the remains of TV Wizards (an antenna and his cape) outside of the castle where they fought the Doom Snail, leaving a tombstone engraved "Here lies the remains of TV Wizard. A machine filled with magic and heart, taken by the darkness of this world." Jamvere is the leader of the Paladin Guild, The Ankalima Olwa, and Daniel's mentor. When Daniel had no other family, Jamvere took Daniel under his wing and raised him on his own. While making sure not to completely treat Daniel like his son, Daniel still views Jamvere as a second father. He didn't always listen to his mentor's advice, especially about now viewing the world as good and evil, but Daniel always eventually realized that Jamvere was right. Most of Daniel's fighting abilities can be attributed to Jamvere, who has a very similar style of fighting. Daniel has continued to look up to his mentor to this very day, and even while trying to figure things out on his own most of the time, knows that he can always go back to Jamvere if he really has no idea what to do. Daniel hated Misere completely, as she helped take part in the destruction of Seerity, and the death of his parents. Once learning of her involvement, Daniel sought information about her, determined to find her whereabouts. After she fought the Crusaders and was defeated, Daniel relished in mocking her failure to kill him multiple times now, aggressively asked for any info she could give him about Seerity, and smited her with his sword without a second thought. Daniel has high respect for Alucard, with the man not only being a vampire that doesn't act like a monster, but who also led a city amazingly, and welcomed anyone who was willing to civil, no matter their race. As such, Daniel puts a lot of his trust in Alucard, as evident when he immediately went to the vampire after using his Fates power to explain the threat that was coming. Daniel hopes that Alucard makes it back from the Shadowfell in one piece. Daniel's feelings for the fallen vampire are mixed between bitterness and wonder. On one hand, the man was a vampire, and a leader of the Circle of Nosferatu, who worked heavily with Cinare. He aided in the destruction of Daniel's home, and even, to Daniel's knowledge, had fallen a similar path of justice to the one Daniel was heading, which ended with Tyr smiting him down. On the other hand, his final moments don't seem to match with this description. He tried to give Daniel an honorable death, and shortly after healed him from unconsciousness before passing, leaving behind a locket of an unfamiliar woman and his last words: "Prove you are not the monster I thought you were". While not a priority, Daniel is interested in understanding the man if he ever gets the chance. Daniel fears the archmage, and would do anything not to be in a direct fight with him. Having seen the capabilities of his power (to the point where he can cast Power Word Kill), his divisive attitude towards who ever he kills, and Daniel's memories of the alternate moments at Kirlley, the paladin does not feel like he or the other Crusaders are prepared to face the man, but if there is a way to end the reign of Flanourin without a direct conflict, Daniel will take it without question. As a Paladin under the Oath of Redemption, Daniel's added spells allow him to try and bring enemies down in a more tactical/peaceful way. He still has spells that do damage, but prefers to use his abilities to either buff up his teammates, or to hinder the efforts of their foes. Under the Oath of Redemption, Daniel always has these spells prepared. Daniel has access to all Paladin spells. At level 11, Daniel can prepare up to 10 spells, with the highest level being 3rd level. "I'm sorry, you met her in a bar?" You're asking me to choose between you and my duty, and you should know damn well which one I'll pick! Yeah it's a future thing, don't ask you'll eventually get used to it. What is more important: making someone pay for their crimes, or bringing peace to the innocent? I am like this way because of [The Crusaders]! I changed who I served, what I stood for, because of them! They matter more to me than anything right now, do you understand?! When the campaign first started, Hunter used his own voice to speak as Daniel. Once he figured out more about Daniel's backstory and what kind of character he wanted Daniel to be, the British Accent was born. Daniel's creation was not pre-planned. All Hunter knew when he was making a character was that it would be a paladin, and that he would remain focused and his actions would remain pure unless something from his past was brought up. Everything else developed from this idea. While most paladin's wouldn't be allowed to change their oath or deity, as this usually results in said Paladin either losing the class, or becoming an oath breaker, Daniel's case was special based on a merciful god, what Daniel had promised and been through, and a really good Persuasion roll. Originally, the Fates card was going to be used to bring someone back from the dead if a resurrection failed. When Eddy set up the starting events of the Shadows and Flames Arc, Hunter noticed the Fates Card marked on his sheet, and forced his hand (as Daniel wouldn't have thought twice about using it to save others and his friends).
2019-04-23T02:40:41Z
https://doug-and-friends-dnd.fandom.com/wiki/Daniel_Taure
Anything that might be vaguely impressive. If there's anything we've missed, or you think is notable, tell us. We need it. The old stuff is now on a separate page. On Sunday 10 March 1968, three founder members of the ECG, Malcolm Turner, John Longridge and David Atkins rang the first peal for the Guild; Plain Bob Minor on handbells at Rowancroft Court. 50 years later nine members gathered just round the corner at 155 Magdalen Road to mark the anniversary with a weekend of handbell ringing, cake, curry and beer. The weekend kicked off with a successful peal of Major. Saturday morning was devoted to a series of quarter peals, with two attempts taking place simultaneously in three slots over the course of the morning. Four of these attempts were successful, including two quarter peals of Plain Bob Minor on the same bells used for the original peal. Alice Holden also achieved her first quarter peal of Cambridge Major in fine style. These endeavours were sustained by copious quantities of Dark Chocolate Gingers and cake. After lunch the second peal of the weekend was achieved, a new composition of Kent Royal. With this ticked off and the 100% success rate for peals still intact, we headed round the corner to Rowancroft Court for a quick course of Bob Major on the ECG bells and some photos at the site of the original peal. Sadly the actual location of the particular feat of daring we were commemorating, Block A, was closed for renovation but we entertained the current Rownacroft residents by knocking out a quick touch in the car park. Ringing rung for the day, the next stop was Pig & Pickle for much needed beer. After sampling the interesting brews on offer, we headed to the Gurkha Kitchen, serendippitously situated at the mid-point between the location of the first peal and the venue for the weekend's ringing. How appropriate that this concentration of handbell history has spawned such a fine curry factory. Thanks to a raucous hen party at the next table (who kept leaving the table to swap clothes between courses), we were far from being the rowdy table that we might otherwise have constituted, despite the ribald amusement generated by Daisy's starter. We reconvened on Sunday after morning ringing for the final engagements. Tanked up on bacon, suasage, chorizo stew and eggs at Meat 59 we were ready to ring. Two simultaneous peals of Plain Bob Minor were attempted, each containing a first. The dining room band finished first, with Daisy Atkin achieving her first ever peal in 2 hours and 3 minutes. We waited intently for the spare room band to complete their peal, which they duly did. Richard Johnson ("Grich") rang his first handbell peal in 2 hours and 20 minutes. This second peal was rung on the same six bells used for the original 1968 peal. Most people were then free to adjourn to the pub for a pint, but one additional quarter was then rung for Steph, who had had the misfortune to be in both the unsuccessful quarters on Saturday morning. With this quarter peal completed and everyone having rung at least one successful peal or quarter, we headed to the North Bridge Inn, a recently reopened pub near St David's. Our expedition to Lundy was organised around the expectation that we would (as a group of ringers) be able to grab the fine 13cwt ring of 10 on Lundy. There was talk of an ECG peal, and many ideas for quarters were flung around from the plausible to the ambitious. However, with a month to go before our trip, we found that essential work on the church as part of their renovation project meant there could sadly be no ringing on these wonderful bells. Although disappointing, members of the ECG are not so easily put off, and as such, we resorted to the type of tower that not even the Luftwaffe could take away: that's right, our bare hands, paired with handbells. Fortunately, three sets of handbells were brought over to Lundy (by Martin, David and Phil), and we were able to ring a number of performances. Our first foray into handbell ringing started with a practice session in Castle Keep South - a venue destined to become our modal place of ringing. Many of us turned up, each with different objectives, including Double Norwich, Yorkshire, Plain Bob Major (amongst others). Grich's Plain Bob Boot Camp was particularly memorable and successful, as he went on to prove by ringing a quarter of Plain Bob Minor in Castle Keep North a couple of days later, as well as truly excelling himself and ringing 7-8 to a quarter of Plain Bob Major two days after that. Martin's first successful navigation of a course of Yorkshire S Major in hand became a cause for David and Tom to formulate a plan along the lines of "Let's get this lad through an intensive practice session on the tenors"! So, later that day, the first ECG quarter on the expedition became Yorkshire S Major in Bramble Villa West, with Martin achieving first of Surprise in hand. After a quick refreshment break of Vicky's homemade flapjack, the four of us carried the party on to Castle Keep South, where we expanded upon our three leads of Kent in the practice session to ring a whole quarter of Kent and Bastow Maximus. Another 51 minutes later, we decided to retire to the pub. Other quarter peals followed in quick succession, with a number of notable firsts: Steph and Nathan together achieved a first in method in hand for Grandsire Triples, in Castle Keep South. Castle Keep South was also the scene of a quarter of Kent Treble Bob Royal, and later in the afternoon we ventured out of The Castle to ring a quarter of Oxford Treble Bob Major at the Old School House (affectionately known as the 'Blue Bung'). I'm not sure whether this came about as an idea in the pub or not, but Wednesday 25th was the day of the first of the two peals on our trip: Oxford, Cambridge and Kent Minor, at the top of the Old Lighthouse, at daybreak. With panoramic views to take in during the peal, this was probably the most scenic peal of the week. Another peal was rung the next day at Castle Keep South, of Double Norwich, where Nathan expanded upon his performance the previous April (so eloquently written up by David Maynard) to ring the tenors to the method. In all, in spite of the tower bells being out of action, we scored seven quarters and two peals - and while we have unfinished business on Lundy, we are all proud of our achievements, and happy to have rung together so well. On Saturday 8th March, two teams from Exeter St David's Church attended the Devon Association of Ringers' Novice Striking Competition, which this year took place at the small rural village of Zeal Monachorum. We entered the teams into both of the competitions, which were ringing rounds and call changes for about six minutes each with one practice minute to begin with. In the rounds competition, we managed to achieve a one-two positioning out of the nine teams that entered. Team B (Kathryn, Steph, Alice, Teifi, Nathan and Martin) took the 2nd place spot with around 30 faults and Team A (Steph, Rob, Lucy, Evan, Nathan and Grich) took 1st place with about 20 faults. This was fantastic news as Exeter St David's would take home the shield for the second time in the competition's history, having last won the shield in 2012 and then narrowing losing in 2013. In the call changes competition, the competition was a lot bigger. Out of the nineteen teams in this category, Team A (Grich, Evan, Alice, Teifi, Rob and Martin) took 14th place with around 50 faults whilst Team B (Steph, Kathryn, Lucy, Nathan, Rob and Grich) took a very respectable 4th place with around 30 faults. Overall, we had a very successful outing and we hope to improve on these results next year. With our annual peal slot coming up quickly and 7 students to choose from, the idea of ringing an all-student peal was mooted. Unfortunately, we did not manage to achieve this goal, since two could not make it, but we did decide to ring something special. Rung to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Who, with 1 method per incarnation. The foolish person that I am, when our ringing master asked me if I'd like to take part in a striking competition on one of my Saturdays, I said yes. The talk in the tower and the pub in the couple of weeks before was that St David's hadn't won anything for years, so all we were attempting was not to come last. I thought we could cope with this, so wasn't too worried. The fun and games started when I was told that I'd be picked up from Birks Grange. As an Exeter Halls girl, the opposite side of campus isn't really somewhere that I like to go, especially given the gradient of Cardiac Hill. So, clutching my trusty campus map, I set off into the wilds of the wrong side of campus. As you always do when you leave yourself plenty of time to get somewhere, I was there in plenty of time, even managing to negotiate my way down Cardiac Hill without falling over. Mine and Alice's lift turned up (thanks Bungle!), and we ventured out into the Devonian countryside. The competition was held at the parish church of Rewe. After a fairly traumatic parking experience thanks to a great tank of a car and a very full carpark, we managed to get ourselves sorted and consoled ourselves with a bit of coconut flapjack (ok, several bits). The ECG ringers (all in stash... except Bungle! Disgraceful.) in the rounds section all congregated nervously in the churchyard before the draw, sizing up the competition. Then we all piled into the little church for the draw. We came out 3rd, so the waiting and listening and last minute tips commenced. After the team from Exminster had completed their rounds, we all lined up in the little ringing chamber after slightly panicked-ly taking off any surplus clothing or jewellery. Apart from the muttered exclamation from Steph Hills upon pulling off the second, it all went fairly smoothly once we'd all settled down, Daisy managing the oddstruck fourth really well. All too soon, the six minutes of rounds was up, and that was our attempt completed. As soon as we were outside the tower, the analysis of our performance and the bells started, with the general decision being that we'd acquitted ourselves pretty well. The rest of the St David's ringers for the called changes gradually appeared, and after all the teams had finished the rounds, we were all called back into the church for the ringers service. Myself and Daisy were much excited by the fact that the vicar was using her ipad to take the service - yay for hitech vicars! After the service, James Kerslake came into the church to announce the results of the rounds. As he went through the results in the reverse order, the excitement mounted as we realised that our name hadn't been called out. When it got the top 3, we simply looked at each other in astonishment. The best moment was when second place was announced as Exminster - and Daisy got up to collect the certificate simply because she was so sure we couldn't have won, and I had to pull her back down. The look on Jimmy's face as he realised that we'd won was priceless. Yes, that's right - you might want to read it again to let it sink in: Exeter St David's WON the Devon Association Novice Rounds section. So the tower at St David's is now the home of the TH Priddle shield. And we're not giving it back - it's too shiny not to keep it! After that the order for the Called changes was drawn. Both our teams requested an earlier position, so B was seventh and A was eighth. Everyone crowded round outside the church to admire the shield, and the photo of the winning team was taken again, this time with the spoils. Some of the members went over to the social club to avail themselves of the cream teas on offer. A little while afterwards, the rest of us realised that the shield had disappeared! After a short heart attack, it was discovered sitting in pride of place surrounded by cups of tea (in clear cups and saucers! Who knew Rewe Social Club was so design conscious?!) and happy ringers. After listening to the previous ringers, and having a minor panic when it sounded as though someone had broken a stay (they'd missed the rope, so not quite so bad!), St David's B went into the tower, and set off on their half peal of sixty on thirds. Completing it in 6mins 15secs, it was the turn of the A team in no time at all. We might have been at a bit of an advantage, seeing as most of us stayed on the same bells that we'd rung in the rounds section. Despite a few missed calls and bells swapping round, we managed to make our way through the changes with pretty good striking throughout. After that we hotfooted it over to the social club for the ringers' tea... which had finished. Very disappointing, especially since I was looking forward to a pasty! Giving that up as a bad job, we all departed, wondering how we'd done in the called changes section, and happy that we'd done as well as we could. Dropped off at Birks again, you'll be glad to know that I managed to pull myself up Cardiac Hill without a heart attack, got home and promptly collapsed on my bed, then got up to check facebook. The excitement about our achievements was impressive, with photos everywhere. About 10pm the news came through that St David's B came in 13th with 60.9 faults, and A came 6th with 43.5. So all in all, it was a good showing from all our ringers, and everyone was happy with their results. Thanks go to Steph Hills for organising everything, and to everyone who rang. And if you want to check for yourself the results are on the Devon Assocation website. The idea of ringing a quarter peal day came at some point last year, but it took until Trinity Term to actually put the idea into practice. And so on Satuday 7th May 2011, Tom, Steph Rob, Lucy, Martin and John travelled up to Somerset in order to do some quarter-pealing. The first quarter of the day was at Kingston St. Mary, which were fairly heavy-going. After 240 of Grandsire, we re-convened, opened some windows and rang a successful quarter of Plain Bob Doubles. Unfortunately, it was after this that John was taken ill, so saying our farewells we dropped him off at the station, before heading to Broomfield to ring our next quarter. Lunch was held at Fyne Court, a National Trust country estate on the Quantocks, which we explored a little, before heading over to Broomfield church. The second quarter of the day was a successful Stedman Doubles without a tenor. This sounded surprisingly good and a steady pace of striking was kept throughout, the changes almost seamlessly following after each other. This was a first in method for Rob and for Lucy: Congratulations! After this, we headed into Taunton towards the location of our final quarter of Cambridge Minor. Having some time to spare, we headed to the Plough, where some local cider was sampled. The final quarter of the day took place at St. Andrew's, Taunton. Thanks go to Fred Sage being drafted in at the last minute! Again, this was a first in method for Rob and for Lucy, very well done! And so it was time to head to Martin's parent's house for some tea and cake, where we reflected on the day. All in all, a 100% record: We achieved 3 quarters after setting out to achieve them. And the day was enjoyed by all. As our opportunity to ring a peal for 2010 drew nearer to a close, it was with some last-minute begging that we managed to cobble together a peal band for a Saturday afternoon in December. The original plan was to ring Plain Bob Major, or even Grandsire Triples, but due to the lack of willing volunteers, we instead opted for a peal of Plain Bob Minor. As it turned out, there had never been a peal of minor on the bells, which was only realised after the peal had been rung! With the promise of being bought a drink afterwards, the peal was rung in a smashing time of 2 hours 39 minutes. Martin's hands stood testament to the very speed, covered with blood blisters. The 720s were called in various different ways and the striking was on the whole fairly steady. Other worthy footnotes go to Lucy Davis (first peal, well done!) Rob Neal (first peal of minor) and Martin Gentile (first peal as conductor). First peal: 1. First of Minor: 3. First as conductor: 6. First peal of Minor on the bells. With an influx of new handbell talent over the last academic year, it was realised that a peal of Major in hand by an undergraduate band was a distinct possibility. So, on Wednesday 2nd June, after the usual lunchtime handbell practice, Martin, Steph, Tom and Jon went over to Rosebarn Lane to attempt a peal of Plain Bob Major. After a 10 minute false start, the peal settled down, and there was plenty of excellent ringing, along with just one or two hiccups, before, after 2 hours 25 minutes, the peal came round. This peal is believed to be the first peal of Major ever rung by an undergraduate band for the Exeter Colleges Guild, on either handbells or towerbells - a fantastic achievement. This achievement was even more fantastic because of the number of footnotes accumulated; the peal was Jon's first handbell peal (hopefully the first of many?!), Martin's first peal on eight in hand, and Steph's first handbell peal on an inside pair. Well done all! After some celebratory chocolate brownies, we took a couple of photos; a serious one, and one in the 'normal' ECG pose! First on eight in hand: 1-2. First on an inside pair: 3-4. Rung by an undergraduate band; believed to be the first peal of Major by an undergraduate band rung for the ECG. Many congratulations to Steph on calling her first quarter peal - Grandsire Triples at St David's. And also congratulations to Lyn on her baptism and confirmation at St David's; the quarter was rung for the service, which some of us then attended. And very nice it was too. Rung for the service of Baptism and Confirmation at St David's church this evening, with particular congratulations from the band to Lyn Haskell, baptised and confirmed today. First on 8 in hand: 1-2. First in method in hand: 1-2. This year, it was decided that the annual peal at St David's should be an eight bell peal, providing a good opportunity to gather a good chunk of footnotes while we were at it! So, at 9.15am on 5 December, eight of us duly met outside St David's, and the peal was rung very well indeed, with very few mistakes, and an extremely consistent pace (exactly half an hour for each of the six parts in fact). Particular congratulations to Steph, who rang her first peal very well indeed, and to everyone who achieved a footnote of some sort (well, that's all of us then!); Amy, Grich and Maff rang their first peal on eight, while Rob rang his first inside - well done all! We all celebrated by buying pasties from the Oggy Oggy pasty shop, before some of the band, plus other keen St David's ringers, headed off to St James Park to watch Exeter play Brighton... Bungle, knowing where his true loyalties lie, was supporting Brighton! The footie was followed by a trip to The Bridge, which, due to misleading information on National Rail Enquiries, was then followed by a very long walk home when a small group missed the last train back. All were there at Sunday morning ringing the next day though - an example to us all! First on eight: 1, 5, 6. First of Triples: 2, 8. First in the method: 7. Rung in celebration of the work of the Angel Tree organisation with prisoners' families; a retiring collection was made on their behalf after morning service on 6th December. Many congratulations to Kat on ringing her first quarter peal. First of Grandsire as conductor. Well done to all who have achieved a 'first' of some sort - particularly Steph who has only been ringing handbells for 1 month! Hopefully this will the first of many - perhaps even a peal next? First inside: 3. First of Grandsire: 4. Rung by an undergraduate band for Guild quarter peal week. Also rung for All Saints' day, and as a birthday compliment to Dr James Kerslake PhD - 'him wot runs the ringing'. First of Minor: 1. First of Minor as conductor. Rung in memory of Kate Bushell who learnt to ring at St David's and who sadly lost her life 12 years ago. Many congratulations to Amy on ringing her first quarter peal on eight on an inside bell... And word on the street is it was in fine style too! First on eight inside: 2. After many a month of learning the method only to find that there were never enough people around him to ring an entire course of Yorkshire, a quarter was organised for Maff to finally ring the method properly. After a bit of a false start (due to other nameless people going wrong who should know better! :-) ), the quarter went fairly smoothly. As Maff commented afterwards, "That's the first time I've managed to ring an "entire course of Yorkshire without the tenor clapper falling out!" Many congratulations to Grich for ringing his first quarter of Surprise - Cambridge S Minor at St David's. Despite having been ringing Cambridge inside for a couple of years, Grich hadn't got round to ringing a quarter... But after 43 minutes of good ringing, and very few mistakes, that omission was rectified in spectacular fashion. Well done Grich, and thanks to everyone else in the band! Despite having rung both Little Bob and Plain Bob Major to quarter peals on handbells, Rob had managed to avoid ringing one inside on tower bells... until Sunday 22nd February that is! After persuading Rob to ring inside, a very good quarter peal of Bob Doubles ("The Method") was rung, with some excellent ringing throughout. Well done Rob! First on tower bells inside: 4. With the Annual Dinner fast approaching, it seemed like a good time to finally get around to organising the undergraduate handbell peal which had been mooted last term. So, after the handbell practice on 4th February, Martin, Rob and Tom gathered at 14 Danes Road to attempt the peal. Two hours and nine minutes later, it was all over, and the first all-undergraduate handbell peal for the ECG since 1968 had been rung. Congratulations to Rob on ringing his first peal, and to Martin for his first handbell peal! What next??? Rung by an undergraduate band in eager anticipation of the Annual Dinner this weekend. The first handbell peal for the ECG by an undergraduate band since 1968. Congratulations to Amy who rang her first quarter peal on 8 bells by ringing the treble at St David's to Plain Bob Triples. Well done Amy! Rung in celebration of the life of Derek Watts who died recently. Lower numbers than usual at the Wednesday handbell practice (and instructions that Martin was to have some intensive trebles practice) inevitably led to a quarter peal being rung, and very good it was too. Congratulations to Martin on his first quarter on handbells. Perhaps a peal next????!! The following week, with Ian's help, it was decided to move into the scary world of eight bell ringing, so, after a few false starts, a quarter peal of Plain Bob Major was duly rung. There was some very good ringing, with only a few trips. Congratulations to Martin on his first quarter on eight handbells, and to Rob, who rang his first quarter of Major away from the tenors very well. First on eight in hand: 7-8. All Saints' Day provided an excellent excuse to get the bells at St David's for a peal, and to get a few 'first peal' footnotes on the way. 5040 Grandsire and Plain Bob Doubles duly came round in 2 hours 42 minutes, with some excellent ringing throughout, and not too many trips! Congratulations to all the band, especially Amy and Maff, who have now been initiated into the delight of peal ringing. Here's to many more successful peals in the future! Rung for All Saints' Day by a Sunday service band. There have been some recent achievements on the quarter peal front. All the details can be obtained from Campanophile, following the links from our quarter peals page. Martin Gentile conducted his first, and both Robert Dietz and Laura Smith rang their first quarter on 8 by ringer the tenors to Little B Major in hand. Well done to all. We all knew that Jimi had it in him... and now he has proved it to us. Well done Jimi!! First on a working bell: 6. Dedicated to the memory of Phil Woodman and Paul Bradbury who died recently. Also with get well compliments to James Whittaker and thanks to Ian for standing in at the last minute. They don't need much of an excuse to ring a peal! So this was more than a good enough reason. Matthew Hilling & Rosie Green had recently announced their engagement, so the London Branch of the ECG got together and rang a peal. And it was a good peal. Thanks very much (Ed)! Rung as an engagement compliment to Matt Hilling and Rosie Green. Believed to be the first peal at the address, and the first peal for the ECG in London. Although I had realised some time ago that the fiftieth ECG peal could not be far away, it was only in February this year that the precise number of peals rung was established. Following the first peal (Plain Bob Minor on handbells in 1968) there was a flurry of others in the late 60s and early 70s, including the first on tower bells (Plain Bob Major at Broadclyst) the first of Surprise (Yorkshire at North Tawton in 1974) and the first on 10 (Little Bob at Buckfast Abbey in 1975). The late 70s and early 80s saw a hiatus in peal ringing, although the ECG continued to flourish with several quarter peal tours and a canal holiday taking place as well as the normal Exeter based activities. The next landmark peal was the first 12 bell peal, Grandsire Cinques at Exeter Cathedral in 1987 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Guild (no mean achievement on the world's second heaviest 12!). The 21st Century has seen a return to peal ringing by the ECG, due in part to the renaissance of handbell ringing. 2004 saw the first ECG peal of Treble Bob Major on handbells (Oxford), while in the following year TB Royal, Grandsire Triples and Caters were followed by the first of Surprise (Yorkshire Major). Our adventure into the world of 10 bell ringing was cut short by the very sad death of John Longridge, who had founded the ECG and organised and conducted the majority of the early peals. He had returned from ringing retirement to assist the next generation of handbell ringers through the early stages. As well as breaking new ground, ECG peals also provided the opportunity for the following people to ring their first peals: Dominic Meredith, Heather Nelson, Pip Rossiter, Alex Rowan, Kathryn Ward (in hand) and James Whittaker. Four of these firsts were achieved in a single peal - Grandsire Doubles by an all-undergraduate band in 2003. A special peal weekend was organised in early 2007 to mark the 40th anniversary of the ECG. The centrepiece of the weekend was a peal of Stedman Cinques at Exeter Cathedral, only the second 12 bell peal and the first of Stedman to be rung by the society. Later in the year the first peals of Spliced were achieved. 50th peal for the Exeter Colleges Guild. Most Spliced in hand for the Guild and for all except 3-4. The Guild of Devonshire Ringers quarter peal week seemed to be an excellent excuse for getting the ball rolling with the first ECG quarters of the academic year. Very quickly, all the plans were in place - two quarters, one on handbells and one at St Davids, both with all-student bands - who were surprisingly willing to come along to ring! Things started to go wrong on the Monday, when a certain person forgot to show up for the Bob Minor on handbells... In her absence, a quarter of Minimus was rung - 3 methods - 2 extents of Reverse Bob, 2 of Double Bob and 50 of Plain Bob! Well done to Robert, for ringing his first QP in more than one method (and first of minimus, possibly the last!). The Bob Minor was rearranged for Thursday, and was duly scored, with some very good ringing - an excellent effort all round, considering we had not rung together much. The final quarter of the week was at St Davids on Sunday. Despite earlier confusion about the start time ("we're starting at 7.30, aren't we?"), everyone turned up, and a good quarter of Bob Doubles was rung, with very few method mistakes. Particular congratulations to Martin, for ringing his first QP without going wrong at all! Hopefully, these three quarters are going to be the first of many this year. Plans are afoot already! Rung by a band of current students, for GDR Quarter Peal Week. On Sunday 14 October, almost three years after the ECG's first quarter of surprise major on handbells another landmark first was acheived. Despite lingering colds and the distractions of a neighbour's lawnmower and the sweet smell of baking cookies, a confident peal was successfully rung. Although this was the first time that the four of us had rung together, the ringing quickly settled into an accurate, controlled rhythm. This was our first attempt at a peal of spliced and its successful conclusion is very encouraging. The only question now is: what next? After the peal we sampled some of the delicious products of the distracting baking smell - some really good peanut and ginger cookies. They really were very good! Thanks Rosie! As well as being the first peal of Spliced for the ECG, it is also the first handbell peal of Spliced for the whole GDR and for two of the band. It was also Tom's first peal for the ECG - welcome aboard! This was the 49th peal for the ECG so we are planning something good for the next one... watch this space! First of Spliced for the Exeter Colleges Guild. First of Spliced in hand for 1-2, 7-8 and the Guild of Devonshire Ringers. First of Spliced Major in hand: 5-6. In October 2006 three of the present undergraduates started learning to ring methods on handbells, and all rang their first quarter peal on handbells in February 2007. Of the three, only Richard had rung methods on tower bells, with Robert coming from a Devon call-change background and Laura only just starting to learn to ring tower bells. Under the instruction of Ian Campbell and Matt Hilling we have progressed through the three different positions and then on to putting them together for plain courses of Bob Minor on the trebles. Finally we moved on to bobs and singles. All three rang very well in their quarter peals and are already (only a week later!) ringing touches on 5-6 now. Watch this space for the next influx of quarter peals...! Fri 16 Feb, 1260 Plain B Minor in 37 mins: 1-2 Richard Johnson, 3-4 Matthew Hilling (C), 5-6 Ian Campbell. First quarter in hand for Richard. Wed 21 Feb, 1260 Plain B Minor in 38 mins: 1-2 Laura Smith, 3-4 Matthew Hilling (C), 5-6 Ian Campbell. First quarter for Laura. Wed 21 Feb, 1260 Plain B Minor in 35 mins: 1-2 Robert Dietz, 3-4 Matthew Hilling (C), 5-6 Ian Campbell. First quarter in hand for Robert. The day started with an early (11am, not that early really) last minute practice at St David's. Both teams had some very good striking and confidence was boosted for the main event. After going for lunch everyone reconvened at St David's to sort out who was going in which car. James W set off to pick up Jonathan from his brass ensemble concert at the cathedral, while the other three cars set off for the competition venue: Lustleigh on the eastern edge of Dartmoor. Everyone arrived just after the service had begun (Oh dear, what a shame!) so we all congregated on the steps outside the church. As parking spaces at the village were a bit scarce this took about 20 minutes! Whilst waiting for the service to finish a few of the more intrepid members went to investigate the village orchard, complete with its swings, slides, May Queen throne and some sheep. Immediately after the service the results for the round ringing section were given out and the draw for the call change section was made. As our new Ringing Master had to return to Exeter early the B team opted to go for an early draw with 5 other teams, whilst the A team were happy to take a chance with the main draw. James W drew peal 5 for the B team and Jimi K drew peal 8 for the A team. After the draw Elizabeth and Susie went to sample the ringers teas and then a walk around the village, and the rest of the A team and half the B team went into the tea shop opposite the church to take on some refreshment and listen to the ringing. The remainder stayed outside to listen to the bells, mainly because the pub was closed as the landlady doesn't like the sound of the bells. The B team's turn to ring soon came and they performed creditably given that it was the first striking competition for some of their band. After another half hour it was time for the A team to ring. Again the ringing was good apart from one wobble. By the time the results were to be read out most of the ECG had departed, and it was left to Kathryn to collect both certificates. There was a big improvement from last year's results as neither team finished last, the A team placing 11th with 57 faults and the B team ending up 14th with 71¾ faults out of the 16 teams that entered. Hopefully next year we can improve a little more and break into the top ten. James rang his first quarter on 4 December. The striking was good, and he is even keen to do another one! James started learning to ring at St David's during the Easter term of his first year (2005) and continued at his home tower, St Mark's, Bilton, near Rugby. Well done James. James W called his first quarter without incident on 13 November, for the annual half-muffled Remembrance Sunday quarter (which David mis-called last year!) No such bungling around this time. Good job James. By the end of July 2004 Andrew, David, Matt and Ian had rung a couple of peals of Oxford Treble Bob Major and decided it would be fun to have a go at Yorkshire Surprise. The first few practices consisted of trying to ring a plain course which took a long time to get to grips with! Once we had mastered the plain course on our own bells Matt and David realised they had to do all that learning again if we were to ring a touch. After much more practice we attempted a quarter peal and finally scored one on 28 October. A few more more quarters were rung soon after this, and at about this time we discovered that the 30th anniversary of the first ECG peal of Surprise was only a month away! Ever on the lookout for a challenge it was decided to go for a peal on the anniversary, which if scored would be the first peal of Surprise on handbells for the ECG. We got into serious practice and rang several long quarters - parts of the 3 part composition we intended to ring. We all recognised this as a long shot, out of the group only Matt had rung a peal of surprise in hand before, and that on the tenors, now he was tasked with ringing 5-6, calling the peal and keeping the rest of the band on the straight and narrow! Although we had been ringing together regularly, none of us had rung more than ten handbell peals at this time. We met in the Harrison Building on a Tuesday evening in mid December and attempted the peal, we started well, however after just over an hour the ringing broke down and the peal was lost. After this setback we decided to put the project on the back burner for a bit, and in the spring we concentrated on ringing simpler methods on 10 bells, scoring peals of Little Bob and Kent Treble Bob Royal and Grandsire Caters. In June we decided to return to the challenge, and soon got back in training. The next attempt for the peal started well and the first two parts were rung without serious incident, however only courses from the end a serious mistake developed which resulted in the peal being lost after just over 2 hours. Another attempt the following week was abandoned after an hour due to the heat. All the time the method was becoming more familiar and each time the ringing seemed more confident. The peal was eventually scored in fine style on Tuesday 5 July. The ringing started at a rather brisk pace, but a comment from the conductor got it back in check. Following this the rhythm developed and the ringing was for the most part controlled and accurate. Although there were still minor trips most were immediately self-corrected. Rounds came up cleanly (and in the right place!!!) a little after 8pm. There was a great sense of relief, which lasted until Matt suggested brightly "So when shall we do that again?" This certainly represents a considerable achievement for the Devon Guild and also for the ECG, as well as a personal success for those who took part. What will they tackle next? First of Surprise in hand for the Guild and for all except 5-6. First of Surprise in hand as conductor. Silver wedding anniversary compliment to Mike and Mary Mears. During a cleaning session at St David's last October, we rediscovered the original peal and quarter peal book from the early days of the ECG. It was fascinating to read through the performance details, charting the progress of the band. I was particularly impressed by the first peal of Royal by the Guild - Little Bob on the back ten at Buckfast Abbey in 1975, only eight years after the founding of the Guild, and seven years after the first peal. It struck me that the peal was almost thirty years ago and it seemed like a good idea to do something to mark the occasion. Ringing at Buckfast is very limited as it is a working community, and ringing on the Abbey bells was out of the question on a weekday evening (the anniversary falling on a Tuesday) However the book had also revealed that previous to our recent efforts over the last couple of years, only Plain Bob Minor and Major had been pealed in hand by the ECG. So it seemed logical to go for the first handbell peal of Royal to mark the anniversary. Little Bob was within our repertoire, but the prospect of a peal seemed slightly daunting. Discussing the idea with the rest of the band it was received with enthusiasm, and we decided to get John Longridge, founder of the Guild and conductor of the original peal out of handbell retirement to complete the band. He was just as keen as the rest of us and so we arranged a practice quarter peal. Meanwhile Matt, who had bravely taken up the challenge of conducting the peal, no mean feat given the scale of composition imposed by a 72 change plain course, had consulted David Hull on the composition to be used. David came up with the goods with his characteristic swiftness, and produced a very clever 14 part composition, ideal for handbell ringing. First on 10 in hand for all except 7-8. First on 10 in hand for the Exeter Colleges Guild. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the first (and last!) peal of Royal by the ECG, Little Bob Royal on Buckfast Abbey bells conducted by John Longridge on this date in 1975. At long last Kathryn-Louise has rung her first peal. And mighty well she did too! This wasn't just any old peal - but a handbell peal. Which is less time than a tower bell peal, so I can understand why she wanted to do it this way round. So when is the first "real" peal Kathryn? First in hand as conductor. Well done Jimi K! To ring your first as conductor without having rung a blow of the method inside, or even a quarter peal away from covering is just plain impressive. Possibly even showing off! What's next on the agenda? Rung as part of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers Quarter Peal week. The ECG handbell ringing is progressing in leaps and bounds and going from strength to strength. The first quarter of Surprise Major was duly rung after many hours of practice and a couple of failed attempts! Also, to Rusty, Alex and Dom for ringing their first of Stedman Doubles (and Rhiannon, but she doesn't count!). First of Surprise in hand: 1-2. First of Surprise Major in hand: 3-4, 7-8. First of Surprise Major as Conductor in hand. First of Surprise Major in hand by the Exeter Colleges Guild. First Stedman: 4. First Stedman Doubles: 2,3,5. Rung to celebrate the wedding of Sarah Duke and Nick Beston in Kent on Oct 23rd. Sarah was Rhiannon and Dominic's Assistant Head of Sixth Form. Concluding the Southern Universities Association Weekend in Exeter. Well done to Dom and Pip for ringing thier first quarter of Major. It was also the first towerbell quarter of major for the society for quite a while! The standard of ringing was good, and lets hope we can ring another one soon! Thanks to all our friends who came to help us get a strong band together. First Major on towerbells as conductor. recent run-in with a boy racer. of the French Parlement by Louis XV on this day in 1753. First by a complete undergraduate band by the society for many years. Rung on the anniversary of the re-entry to Rome of Pope St Leo III, assisted by Charlemagne on this day in 799. First in method: all except conductor. To prove the first wasn't a fluke! First quarter on 8 in hand: 1-2. Another milestone reached - well done both! First Grandsire: 3 & 4. Another lunch time - another quarter peal on handbells! This time though we managed to get 4 people together at the same time and attempted and rang very well (mostly!) the first quarter in hand on 8 bells for the ECG for a long time. First on 8 handbells as (C). At the second attempt, Kathryn managed to ring her first quarter peal, and Alex his first on an inside bell. Congratulations and well done to you both. And thanks to Ian & Wendy for helping out. To celebrate the 90th birthday of St David's ringer Mrs. Hilda Boobier, we rang a peal! To include as many current ECG members as possible we decided to ring doubles with an entirely local band. Unfortunately, Matt Durling had to drop out, and Andrew Digby kindly agreed to ring at short notice. It was nice that Peter Boobier, Mrs B's son, was able to take part in the celebratory peal and score his first peal. "Just a quick note to say we got the peal, there were one or two 'rocky moments' but overall it was really quite good. Heather and Pete are both really pleased (although I'm not sure they're keen to ring another one!)" tower who was 90 on 15 November 2002.
2019-04-22T20:40:56Z
https://ecg.devonringers.org.uk/java/achieve.htm
It is now about 50 years since British higher education began to expand. This has transformed our universities and our society. In my final lecture as Provost of Gresham, I’m going to talk about the nature and consequences of that expansion, but particularly about the ways in which British universities still need to change if they are to thrive for the next 50 years. What are my qualifications for talking about this subject? First, I have lived through it – it is 50 years since I graduated from Oxford and started my doctorate in economic history. Second, I have been fortunate to work in some of the best universities in the world. I have helped to shape policies on higher education in Britain and Europe and been elected by fellow Vice-Chancellors to lead them. I have been able to teach and do research in an academic subject, economic history, which I still find fascinating. I spent 31 years at two institutions, Birkbeck College and London Metropolitan University, which have made an enormous contribution to the higher education of adults and members of black and minority ethnic groups who would otherwise have been denied such opportunity. I’ve ended my career at a unique institution which I admire. In other words, I’ve been very lucky. It has not always been easy or enjoyable but there has certainly never been a dull moment. British higher education, like much else, began to change in the 1960s. The report in 1963 of the Robbins Committee, a Royal Commission into the future of Higher Education, produced the first six new – plateglass – universities. Meanwhile Antony Crosland as Secretary of State for Education created the parallel polytechnic system. In response came the cri de coeur by the English novelist, Kingsley Amis, that “more will mean worse”. He argued forcefully that expanding the number of students would reduce their quality. A university education had always been, and should remain, restricted to a very small intellectual elite; only very few – such as the tiny proportion of the population who then went to university, were clever enough to benefit from it. Amis was certainly not the first and was not to be the last to say this, although he probably phrased it most memorably. Since his time, similar arguments have been used to oppose the increased number of women in universities, the increased number of part-time students, the growth of academic research and the transformation of polytechnics into universities. We have been told that graduate salaries will fall, that more and more graduates will be unemployed, that students would be better off not going to university and should be doing apprenticeships or having children. Most recently, the doomsayers have focussed on high levels of student debt. So what has actually happened and what is likely to happen next? To put it simply, we have had more of everything. We have certainly had more than anyone foresaw – even Kingsley Amis in his worst dreams. Most of the expansion has not been – at least in the western developed countries – the result of conscious policy; instead, the supply of graduates seems roughly to have kept place with the demand for them. As economies have grown and particularly as they have become more and more orientated towards services and less towards making or growing things, universities have grown with and within them. The much derided target supposedly set by the 1997 Labour Government, of 50% of the age-group going to university, was actually a prediction by that famously radical body, the Confederation of British Industries, of the likely demand for graduates in the 21st century. That prediction seems to be coming true, as demand for graduates continues to match supply and the graduate premium – the greater income that graduates receive compared to non-graduates with the same qualifications – is maintained. As the economy emerges from recession, more and more graduates will be recruited. Now let me look at what “more of everything” has meant. This famous statement from the Robbins report firmly stated the case for expanding British universities. There were, Robbins realised, more people “qualified by ability and attainment” than the universities of the early 1960s were providing places for. Rejecting the possibility of expanding existing universities sufficiently, he opted for six new ones. His predictions came true, the places were filled and, during the 1980s and 1990s there were successive waves of expansion in the university and polytechnic systems. After I left Oxford and taught at UCL and Cambridge from 1965 to 1975, I benefitted from this expansion – it was very easy to get a university job. But it was only when I got to Birkbeck that I fully realised what Robbins had meant; there I found hundreds of students who were “qualified by ability and attainment” and immensely hard-working, but whom the old system had failed. As a result, we had wasted their potential. The same would have been true, without that expansion in student numbers, of the children of illiterate Bangladeshi migrants whom we were able to attract to study at London Guildhall University. They are quite difficult to find and this graph therefore has a gap in it between 1962 and 1999. There were 216,000 students in Britain in 1963, when Robbins reported. By 1999 there were well over 1 million and today there are nearly 2 million. Despite the dire warnings of Kingsley Amis, the quality of degrees was maintained and graduates from the expanding system found jobs. The economic argument for expansion, important to Robbins, was amply justified. As this table shows, the result has been that a greater and greater proportion of people attend university. I was one of only 4% of my age-group; a young person starting university today will be one of about 35% of hers. However, the growth in student numbers has not been a triumph for egalitarian social policies or “widening participation” as it is now known. It is still almost as difficult for someone from the working classes – though that is a much smaller proportion of the population than it was - to get to university as it was in the 1960s. What the growth has been is a triumph for women, but principally middle-class women. In Britain and almost everywhere in developed countries now, women either surpass or equal men among graduates; the only exceptions are Korea, China, Turkey and Japan. There are even more women students than men in Saudi Arabia. The UK is close to but still below the average for developed countries. This is a startling and very rapid change; in less than four decades, several millenia of discrimination against women have been entirely reversed. Men are now in a minority. Graduate professions long seen as male dominated, such as medicine, the law and even the church are increasingly dominated by women, although not yet in senior positions. But girls are doing better at school, they have higher career aspirations then men and they are reaping their rewards, although salaries still shamefully lag behind. None of this was, anywhere, planned. Universities did not deliberately seek to recruit more women. Indeed, many of them sought to stem the tide. In the mid-1960s, it ranked as a triumph that women were occasionally allowed to dine in my Oxford college hall and that they could become members of the Oxford Union. I joined a Cambridge college as a Fellow in 1969 at the start of six years of fierce debate about the admission of women as undergraduates. “More will mean worse” was mild by comparison. We were told that to admit women would be like admitting cats to a dogs’ home. We were assured presumably on the basis of a spiritualist séance that the founder of the College, Sir Walter Mildmay, a contemporary of Thomas Gresham, would not have approved. We were told that the college could not afford to fit full-length mirrors in every bedroom, apparently an absolute requirement for women students. We were told that there was a danger – a danger – that women applicants to read English would be cleverer than the men and would therefore have to be admitted. Meanwhile those women who did succeed, against all the odds, were patronised and their achievements depreciated. This was the response to the award of the Nobel Prize to Dorothy Hodgkin. It has become a commonplace of educational discussion that the real problem in all countries lies with white working-class males, whose traditional occupations have disappeared but who have not been attracted sufficiently into higher education, to gain the skills that they need today. I have been criticised for describing all this as “the triumph of women.” Of course there is much more to do; women are still discouraged from careers in research, there are far too few female professors or vice-chancellors and, outside academe, too few women in politics, among judges or at the top of FTSE 100 companies. But I am unrepentant – the change since the 1960s has been remarkable. More women has been a European, indeed a worldwide, phenomenon. Not so the growth of part-time students, which has been a particularly British phenomenon, symbolised by that great success story, the Open University. In truth, Britain pioneered the concept of part-time study in the nineteenth century, in places such as the Mechanics’ Institutes and, later, Birkbeck College and the technical colleges which became Polytechnics in the 1960s. We exported part-time study to the United States, but not to Europe. Even today, only Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain apart from Britain have significant numbers of part-time students. But Britain led the field until, recently, government funding policies led to a sharp drop in part-time students. This is much to be regretted and ought to be reversed. Places like Birkbeck and most of the former Polytechnics have done a tremendous job in increasing the skills of the population through part-time study. This function is not sufficiently recognised; it tends to take second-place to the appeal of part-time study in giving second chances. Both are important but it is, frankly, stupid of the government to discourage people from seeking to improve and widen their skills. More students mean more teachers and, since the main qualification for becoming a university teacher is to be a good researcher, more teachers means more research. In addition, governments around the world have become convinced that economic growth depends on innovation and that innovation depends on research; even in bad times, therefore, they have protected academic research from the worst of the cuts. Gordon Brown, for example, boosted spending on university research and George Osborne, Vince Cable and David Willetts have done the same. The result, throughout the world, has been an explosion of academic journals and of the number of articles that they publish, both in print and increasingly as online publications. Keeping track of them all has become an industry in itself, abounding with league tables and citation indices as academics strive to get their results published in the best peer-reviewed journals. Britain seems to be very good at all this. Britain still doesn’t spend as much on research as do many other countries, either from public or private funds, but the results are spectacular. Now for two successes which most of you will not have heard of, the European Higher Education and Research Areas. In the last 15 years we have achieved a common structure of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across the whole of Europe, stretching indeed from Reykjavik to Vladivostock and the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean and the Caspian Seas. It has produced some unlikely bedfellows: I remember being at a meeting of the Bologna Process, as it is called, when we admitted Russia and the Holy See to membership. Although one shouldn’t say it too loudly, the model that all these countries have adopted is the British one, with much shorter undergraduate degrees than many of them were used to, followed by masters and PhDs. On top of this, millions of students have experienced higher education in countries other than their own through the EU’s Erasmus programme, which allows them to study for a term or year in a different university. We also have a European research area, across the EU and many associated countries, which funds good research projects and the movement of good researchers between countries. EU research programmes and cooperation between national research funding agencies mobilise the best researchers wherever they are to be found. They make it possible for researchers to meet and discuss their ideas and to take part in joint programmes of research to tackle really significant problems in such areas as transport, medicine, climate change and Britain does particularly well from this funding, reflecting its strength in research, and gets out of it far more than we put in. The Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge recently estimated that universities like his receive 15-20% of their funding for research from the EU. It could all be put at risk – so far as Britain is concerned – by the Eurosceptics, as similar Eurosceptics in Switzerland have just demonstrated. Finally, this graph says it all. We think that our expansion in student numbers has been rapid; some continue to think it has been too rapid. But look further afield. Growth in Europe and North America, indeed in the developed countries as a whole, has recently been puny compared to growth in the rest of the world, where governments – think of China and India – see universities and their graduates as the key to economic growth. There are now twice as many people enrolled in tertiary education in countries outside the developed world as there are within it and the disparity is growing. Along with it goes more research and development in those countries and more innovations as their workforces become more highly skilled. Countries like Britain have traded for decades on having a more highly-skilled workforce, but that advantage is rapidly diminishing. This is the moment that we have chosen actively to discourage the international students who, for decades, have kept British universities solvent while they study here. Until recently, they returned to their own countries to speak highly of British higher education. Now, by contrast, they feel unwelcome; they are unwelcome to a government which is desperate to cut immigration by any means. Most people don’t realise, I think, that students – if they intend to stay longer than a year - are a major part of the numbers for net immigration which grab the headlines. Few of those international students want to stay in this country after they graduate so they are not “taking jobs from hard-working British people” as the UKIP and Conservative rhetoric goes. It is extraordinary that the government persists in counting students as immigrants and therefore as its prime target for cutting immigration. Let us devoutly hope that they fail. If they were to succeed, they would probably destroy a significant number of British universities. Vice-chancellors don’t like to say this, but I can. This slide shows how many British universities there are, including some of the most successful and prestigious, who could not do without their income from overseas students. Take that away and you will jeopardise the universities which educate many of our children and grandchildren. The only way for them to survive would be to put up their fees to much more than the current level of £9000. The policy is, frankly, mad. British higher education has, over the past 50 years, been a great success. More has unambiguously meant better. Without the expansion of British universities, we would not have ended discrimination against women, we would not have allowed millions of our fellow-citizens to fulfil their potential through full- and part-time study, we would not have achieved our place as the leading country in Europe for research across the whole spectrum of the sciences, humanities and social sciences. The dire consequences which Kingsley Amis foresaw, but which Robbins immediately refuted, have not come to pass. Of course, we need to continue to worry about the quality of teaching and learning, but British university courses are now far better designed and far more professionally taught than when I began my career. There are a whole range of other benefits from the growth of universities. Graduates are happier, less prone to crime, more likely to take part in social, cultural and charitable activities in the community than are non-graduates. They are even less likely to be obese. Graduate unemployment has risen less rapidly than general unemployment and is falling more rapidly. It is good to be a graduate and good that we have so many of them. Now, what about the future? I have one major prediction, which is that expansion will continue. I’ll explain why in a moment. But I am also concerned about the future. We have a messy, muddled non-system of higher education. Policies are not coherent, not thought-out. We need to think again, as Robbins did fifty years ago, about the whole future of British universities and about the ways in which they could work better for themselves and for future generations of students. So, for the rest of this lecture, I will discuss areas where the current state of British higher education could be improved. Inevitable, I am going to be critical, probably provocative. So I want to make it clear that I greatly admire the people who run Britain’s universities and the academics and administrators who work in them. In my experience, they love their jobs because they can make a difference to our society, either by increasing our knowledge through research or by teaching succeeding generations of students; university employment is not well-paid by the standards of many other jobs which demand high-level qualifications, but those who do these jobs know that they are worthwhile. They also enjoy them. In the 19th century, clergymen had the highest life expectancy of any occupation; today it is academics. That probably says something. To return to the future, I confidently predict that expansion will continue and that the results will continue to be good. Why do I say this? First, because we still have – compared to many other countries – relatively few people going to university. Britain is not at the top of a league table of university attendance, as some politicians seem to think. Instead, as this graph shows, we are in the middle among developed countries and cannot afford to slip further down. We are already far behind comparable countries like Australia, the United States and many other European countries and there are many other countries yapping at our heels. A service economy like ours, rather than a country with lots of agriculture, natural resources or manufacturing, needs more and more trained graduates. The second reason why I predict that expansion will continue is because the imposition of the highest fees in the world for a publicly funded system has hardly dented the demand for university places – with the significant and worrying exception of part-time places. So strong has been the demand that the Chancellor, George Osborne, recently astonished the university world by lifting the cap on undergraduate numbers and allowing universities to recruit as many as they wish, with their fees continuing to be covered by loans from the state. Few of us think that the sums add up, but the new policy is a signal that the government thinks people will continue to want to come to university. Meanwhile, demand to do Masters degrees and doctorates continues to be strong and could be even stronger if we didn’t discourage overseas students. However, all is not well. The successes that I have described were achieved with very little conscious planning, with a funding system that is so complex that it defies description – as I found when trying to explain it to the Governors of my university – and with entrenched privilege which has changed little since the 1960s. If you doubt this, remember that it was Michael Gove who pointed out recently that there are more Etonians at Oxbridge than young people who received free school meals. There are more black and minority ethnic students at London Metropolitan University than in the whole of the Russell Group of elite universities. There are many other problems – the Public Accounts Committee has serious doubts that the current system of student fee support is sustainable and it is clear that, if anyone in Government believed that it would save money, they will be wrong. Meanwhile the Government, as I have just said, is hell-bent on destroying the success in recruiting international students which benefits the UK economy by several billion pounds each year. We have universities which are supposedly autonomous but actually entirely dependent on public money, universities which are supposed to compete but cannot raise their fees. It is not only the fee system but the whole system that deserves the term “omnishambles”. In fact, there really isn’t a system, as Robbins realised. That is still true – there are still no guiding principles or agreed objectives for the spending of huge sums of public money. Some of the greatest universities in the world now share that funding with private institutions which allegedly exist largely to milk the student loan system. You might defend this as the result of organic development and free competition (although actually competition is totally constrained) and necessary for the preservation of academic freedom. But Robbins disposed of this 50 years ago. As his report also pointed out, academic freedom is the right of individuals to express opinions which may be unpopular, it is not a justification for the existence of any particular institution. What should be done about it? There is an argument, bolstered by the successes which I have just described, to let things muddle along. After all, my alma mater, the University of Oxford, has stayed one of the best universities in the world despite a governance system which breaks most of the rules in the book. But I think higher education is now too important to our economy and society to do this. We need to take a look at the system as a whole, not just odd bits of it like the fees for undergraduates. What we really need, fifty years on, is another Robbins Commission which can, as Robbins tried to do, design a system fit for this century. However, Royal Commissions are out of favour and it has been left to private bodies such as the Institute for Public Policy Research, to fill the gap. Their committee, chaired by Professor Nigel Thrift, reported last year. It made 23 major recommendations, most of which I agree with. But the recommendations are about improving the position that English universities are in today. The committee didn’t go back to first principles or try, as Robbins did 50 years ago, to design a system. I think we need to do that. We need to think seriously about how many universities we have, about what they do and about how we pay for the teaching and research that they do. I believe that we have too many universities, that they are trying to do too many different things and that the way in which we fund their research is fundamentally flawed. Many others have said the same about the funding for teaching, so I’m going to ignore that topic, but I will argue that the idea that universities can provide for either their teaching or their research through fund-raising from alumni or philanthropy is a chimaera. First, too many universities, each trying to do too many things. No-one seems to know how many there are worldwide, but there are probably about 1500-2000 in Europe. All of them can award doctoral degrees, in contrast to the United States, where only a small proportion can do so. In Britain there are 134 members of Universities UK, while London Higher, which represents the wider category of higher education institutions in London, has 40 members within the M25. There are many other HE instititutions in London, including branch campuses of many universities from the rest of England and from Scotland. This is too many, both in Britain as a whole and within London. Each institution, from the largest university to the smallest conservatoire or higher education college, has a Board of Governors, a Vice-Chancellor or Principal, a Finance department, an HR department, registry, admissions office, fundraising office and so on. The overhead is too great. So my first proposal is to cut the number of universities in Britain by at least one-third if not one-half. We don’t need two or more universities in each of our major cities, glowering at each other and competing to attract the attentions of businesses and local authorities. Why do Leeds, or Sheffield, or Oxford, or several other cities picked at random, need two Vice-Chancellors, two Registrars, two groups of Governors? Is it really necessary to have two universities outside Brighton, separated only by a main road? In London, the situation is even more bizarre, with Colleges which are all nominally part of the University of London all competing to remain independent from each other and recoiling at any suggestion that they might join forces with parvenus such as London Met, Westminster or Kingston. We have conservatoires and art colleges which could perfectly well be faculties of a larger university. Experience suggests that universities will not make such radical changes for themselves; Vice-chancellors and Boards of Governors fiercely defend their separate existences. The Higher Education Funding Council has remained supine in the face of the evidence that all this is unnecessary and inefficient. The Welsh government has stepped in to reduce the number of universities in Wales; maybe the next English government will have to do the same. At the same time, universities are simply trying to do too many things at once. They are trying to be hoteliers, conference organisers, caterers, sporting promoters, careers advisors, pastoral counsellors; they run great estates, house research institutes, provide theatres and concert halls, sell souvenirs and t-shirts, act as property developers, invest on the stock market. They set up overseas subsidiaries, finance start-up companies, develop science parks, maintain some of the most beautiful buildings in Britain, run some of our greatest museums, art galleries and libraries. All this is a hangover from a time when universities were detached from the world, living in a rural cocoon and teaching 18 year olds fresh out of boarding school. Maybe then universities needed to do everything. Now most universities are in the middle of big cities and do not need to do all these things. It is even odder that many of their activities still follow the academic cycle of term and vacation that was established in the Middle Ages. Despite conferences, many lecture theatres – expensive real estate - lie empty for large parts of the year. There is duplication and waste in academic as well as administrative affairs. In an age when every student can download a lecture onto a tablet or smartphone, it does not make sense for lectures on, for example, first-year economics or English or biology to be given at several different universities in the same city at roughly the same time. Nor does it make sense for lectures to be repeated in successive years, often with only minor changes. Freeing lecturers from the need to do all this, by sharing the tasks between them, would leave more time for real interaction with students in seminars and classes rather than the false interaction provided by sitting in a large lecture audience. This might enhance student satisfaction, which is wilting under the combined impact of high tuition fees and the increasing lack of willingness of the research “stars” among academic staff to undertake undergraduate teaching. However, the tyranny of “not invented here” is as prevalent in academe as in other walks of life. If duplication is to be reduced, it will have to be through cooperation between the lecturers involved. This, in my experience, will come only through merging their academic departments, another argument for reducing the number of universities. One could go further. There is a strong argument for specialisation, in the form of universities which concentrate entirely on postgraduate education. They could make better use of the best researchers who are already, in many places, concentrating on Masters and PhD students and leaving the undergraduates to junior staff or teaching assistants, many of them now on zero-hours contracts. The Robbins Commission, 50 years ago, discussed whether Oxford and Cambridge should become all-graduate institutions. They rejected the idea, arguing that it would be too great a change to the character of Oxbridge and that, in any case, at that time only 18% of their students were postgraduates. Now the proportion is much larger, as it is at the other great research-led universities such as LSE, Imperial and UCL, together with some of the best specialist universities such as the Institute of Education and the School of Hygiene. Turning Oxbridge into all-graduate institutions has been discussed sotto voce in common rooms for years and it is probably time for there to be a proper and open debate about it again. If we were to organise the university system so that many academics explicitly concentrated on research and postgraduate teaching, we would need to modify the way in which research, and the research universities, is funded. But reform is badly needed anyway. To put it bluntly, a good bit of the current system is an expensive charade. Let me explain. This slide describes the four most important sources of money for university research. Europe, as I said earlier, is increasingly significant. Charities are very important, particularly in medical research. Private industry funds less, proportionately, than in countries like the United States but is still significant in areas of applied science and engineering. But every year the first source, the state, provides more than £4.5 billion. It comes in two parts so that the system is known as “dual support”. Two-thirds, about £3 billion each year, is allocated to research projects, mainly through competitions organised by the research councils which now cover every academic field. The grants which result pay for the direct costs of the research and the universities also receive payments for their overhead expenditure on buildings, equipment and the salary of the vice-chancellor. One-third, about £1.5 billion each year, is paid in block grants to universities. I want to focus on the process for doing this. In the 1980s, under the impact of Thatcherite funding cuts, Britain pioneered the assessment of university research. Since then, the books and articles of academic staff have been scrutinised, by panels of their peers, every five or six years and, by an increasingly elaborated and always time-consuming process, their academic departments have been assigned a grade. This grade is then translated into funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for the succeeding period. As I said, about £1.5 billion per year is distributed by these means so the results of each assessment determine how upwards of £6 billion is spent. I have no objection at all to the principle of research assessment; it is entirely right that public money should be properly spent and be seen to be spent on the best of academic research. But the practice of research assessment is a different matter. Each assessment costs between £20 million and £100 million pounds, depending on whose estimates one accepts. That may not seem very much if one is distributing over £6 billion between each successive assessment, but it is still an enormous waste of money, for the simple reason that it does not lead and has never led to any significant change in funding for most research universities. To demonstrate this, let’s look at the funding which goes to the top 24 research universities; together, this was 70% of the cake in 1995 and is over 75% today. Both this government and the last have pursued, without much evidence that it is beneficial, a policy of concentrating the funds. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and UCL still get much the same proportion of the cake as they did twenty or thirty years ago. In fact, over the 19 years between 1995 and 2014 only three universities – Imperial, Oxford and UCL – out of those top 24 research universities changed their share of the cake by more than 1 percentage point and that was because the system was tweaked to reward the most highly graded. It would be cheaper simply to give them the money in perpetuity rather than to waste time and money on what has essentially become an extremely expensive way of constructing a league table which hardly changes. Another reason for this stability in funding is that the grade given by the assessment has to be multiplied by the average cost of research in each subject; how is that calculated? Surprise, surprise, by what it has cost in the past. However, giving the top universities the same money forever is probably a step too far for government or the funding council, even if that is essentially what has happened. So I have a better solution. Although the assessment of research by the Higher Education Funding Council gets all the attention, it actually accounts for only one-third of public funding for research in our universities; the other two-thirds is distributed by the research councils on the basis of project proposals and plans. They reward good ideas rather than past achievement, which seems a proper thing to do, and they demand, of course, that academics and universities report on what they have done and account fully for the money they have received. So my solution is to take all the money and distribute it through the research councils. The current system is beloved of Russell Group vice-chancellors, who can distribute, as they wish, the sums that their universities receive. Actually, although they complain about it, a lot of academics love it too; they are intensely competitive people and love league-tables, particularly if they are the people sitting in judgment on the research of their friends. But it is an expensive charade. It should be replaced by a properly competitive system, using the mechanisms which the research councils already have. There is one further reason for doing this – we are always being told how we should be more like the United States – well, that world leader in research allocates its funds through research councils and has no equivalent of our research assessment system. My fourth prescription for a healthy higher education sector is to forget about fund-raising in the sense of soliciting donations from rich people. The pressure to raise funds from alumni and rich donors came from a series of misunderstandings of American universities. People who should have known, or been told, better, like Gordon Brown, thought that fund-raising for a tiny proportion of American universities – principally those in the Ivy League – could be translated into sizeable donations not only to Oxbridge – the closest analogue – but to the general run of UK universities. This ignored the fact that most US universities in the state system did not, and do not, receive much of such funding, except occasionally to fund a football stadium; it ignored also the fact that, as one distinguished American university President put it to me, “fund raising for universities in America is a branch of the tax avoidance industry”. It depends on tax advantages which – fortunately – do not exist in Britain; finally, it ignored the fact that donations to most British universities were at such a low level that extraordinary increases would be needed to make any difference at all to university finances. Now, twenty or thirty years since pressure to fund-raise began, and after large sums of money have been invested in “development” – always mistrust an activity that dare’s not speak its name – while government has spent large amounts in matching fundind and, of course, in tax relief for the donors, the results have been frankly pitiful, except for donations to a very select group of universities. About 80% of all the funds raised now go to Russell Group universities and, of those, 50% are to Oxbridge; Oxbridge secures 100 times as much in new donations as all the fifteen Million+ universities, principally the former polytechnics. No one seems to know how many of the donations have been for academic purposes, rather than to providing ever-more luxurious accommodation for undergraduates to underpin the vacation conference trade. Vice-chancellors are proud of what they have achieved – I confess to having been delighted at raising £4.5 million for the Women’s Library at London Guildhall University – but most will admit that many of the donations have not been for their top academic priorities and that virtually none of the donations have supported teaching and learning rather than bricks and mortar. Despite all this, the juggernaut has rolled on. Vice-chancellors and heads of Oxbridge Colleges are now expected to be supplicants for gifts rather than academic leaders or university managers. We now have the bizarre spectacle of the Higher Education Funding Council setting universities a target of raising £2 billion per annum to substitute for cuts in public funding. The fund-raisers are rubbing their hands; we have 1500 fund-raising staff in universities at the moment but will need, they say, to double that number to meet this target and we will of course need to raise their salaries to recruit that number. That would mean that we had more fund-raisers than academic staff in architecture and planning or in agriculture and veterinary science; the “development” workforce would be one-third of the number of academic staff in the whole of the humanities. This is sheer madness. Universities are not, except in the strict legal sense of the world, charities; as I’ve shown earlier, they are increasingly multi-faceted businesses. It is absurd that they should be expected, by the state and its agencies, to rely on donations which attract charitable tax relief. They should be funded to do the job which the state wants them to do. We will be told that the state cannot afford to fund universities. Well, then I have a solution which should appeal to a government which professes to believe in the free market and private sector disciplines. Forget about fund-raising and allow universities to charge a fair price for the services that they provide. This was the solution advocated by Lord Browne in his review of student fees, but which the government refused to accept. As this graph shows, Britain is getting its higher education on the cheap. The government should trust the evidence that shows that investing in higher education is one of the best investments that the state and individuals can make. British higher education – if allowed to recruit the overseas students who want to come here – is one of our most successful export industries. Britain already spends less than many other comparable countries on higher education. It is adding insult to injury to tell us that the state will not support this success story and that we should spend our time going cap-in-hand to hedge fund millionaires to fund such vital and efficient public services. I’m delighted that I’ve spent my working life – and a good bit of my private life – in British universities. It has been exciting and challenging. I’ve lived through a great expansion of the university system and I believe that all the evidence shows that expansion has been successful in a whole range of different ways. Those, like UKIP, who seek to turn back the clock and reduce the number of graduates are just showing their ignorance. But I also feel frustrated, as I retire at the end of July from my last job in British higher education. The system could, I believe, be much better. It could be a system and, for that reason, I think we need a new Robbins report, a new Royal Commission to think for the next 50 years. Meanwhile, we could do much more with what we’ve got. We can avoid wasting money on too many universities. We can get more for our money by specialising, by avoiding duplication and by dispensing with vanity projects such as our current research assessment methods. We can stop spending money on chimaera such as alumni funding for state funded universities and, above all, we can recognise that British higher education deserves, and can justify, much greater funding than our blinkered politicians seem ready to give it. I hope, for the sake of my grandchildren, that the next 50 years of British higher education will be at least as successful as the last 50 years. More has meant better and even more will mean even better. Kingsley Amis was wrong.
2019-04-20T08:40:26Z
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lecture/transcript/print/more-means-better-fifty-years-of-higher-education/
Phytases produced by the symbiotic bacteria might increase the availability of phosphorus and other nutrients in farmed animals. Unlike terrestrial animals, phytase-producing fish gut bacteria are insufficiently studied. The present study was intended to evaluate phytase-producing gut bacteria in 6 freshwater carps, to identify the most promising one by 16SrDNA and to optimize phytase production by the strain. Homogenates of proximal (PI) and distal (DI) intestinal segments were spread onto Modified Phytase Screening Media (MPSM) plates to enumerate phytase-producing microbiota. Data were presented as Log Viable Counts g-1 intestine (LVC). Phytase producing microbiota was highest in the DI region of Cirrhinus mrigala (LVC = 3.85) followed by the DI region of Labeo rohita (LVC = 3.35). Out of 73 phytase-producing isolates, 14 primarily selected isolates detected through qualitative assay were further screened by quantitative assay using MPSM broth. The strain CM7 isolated from DI of C. mrigala showed highest phytase activity (2.31±0.01 U mL-1) followed by the strain LR2 (2.21±0.01 U mL-1) isolated from DI of L. rohita. Nucleotide homology analysis revealed that the isolate CM7 was similar to Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis (Accession no. JX292128). Highest phytase activity by the isolate in submerged culture was recorded as 2.61±0.04 U mL-1 under optimized conditions (pH 7, 35°C, 2.5% inoculum, 4% NaCl, 1% starch, 2% ammonium sulphate, 6 days incubation). Phytase-producing ability of the fish gut bacteria detected in the present study might expand the scope of their use to improve nutrient utilization in fish or other animals. Paramita Das and Koushik Ghosh, 2013. Evaluation of Phytase-producing Ability by a Fish Gut Bacterium, Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis. Journal of Biological Sciences, 13: 691-700. Phytase (myoinositol hexakisphosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.8), an acid phosphorylase, is an important feed additive to increase the availability of phosphorus and other nutritionally important dietary components (e.g., minerals, trace elements, amino acids and energy) in monogastric animals by virtue of enzymatic hydrolysis of the phytic acid, the major Phosphorus (P) storage compound present in most plant feedstuffs (Maga, 1982; Reddy et al., 1989; Oatway et al., 2001). Owing to its chelation with various metals and proteins, phytic acid (myoinositol 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-hexakis-dihydrogen phosphate) is considered as an antinutritional factor (Sabu et al., 2002). Incorporation of exogenous phytase in poultry (Lei and Stahl, 2000), pig (Han et al., 1997) and fish (Rodehutscord and Pffer, 1995; Li and Robinson,1997; Forster et al., 1999; Van Weerd et al., 1999; Baruah et al., 2007; Debnath et al., 2005a, b; Baruah et al., 2007; Sardar et al., 2007; Cao et al., 2008) diets has been reported to improve nutrient utilization and contribute significantly toward environmental protection by reducing phosphorus excretion. Microorganisms are the best sources for commercial production of phytases because of their easy cultivation and high yields of the enzyme (Li et al., 2008). Although, phytases have been detected in several species of bacteria, yeasts and fungi (Greiner and Konietzny, 2006; Li et al., 2008; Roy et al., 2009; Khan and Ghosh, 2012a), considerable research has been conducted on the soil fungus, Aspergillus which is predominantly being utilized for industrial production of phytase (Ullah, 1988a, b; Volfova et al., 1994). However, bacterial phytases might be alternative to the fungal enzymes due to some properties, such as substrate specificity, resistance to proteolysis and catalytic efficiency (Konietzny and Greiner, 2004). During the last decade there has been an improved understanding on the importance of commensal intestinal microbiota in fish (Ringø et al., 2010). The gut microbiota may becategorized as either autochthonous (adherent) or allochthonous (transient) depending upon its ability to adhere and colonize the mucus layer in the digestive tract (Ringø and Birkbeck, 1999; Ringø et al., 2003). Like ruminants, complementary enzymes produced by the symbiotic bacteria might help in digestion and assimilation of the plant feedstuffs in fish (Ray et al., 2012). Autochthonous phytase producing gut bacteria in fresh water fishes have been reported very recently (Roy et al., 2009; Khan et al., 2011; Khan and Ghosh, 2012a). To our knowledge, phytase-producing fish gut bacteria are still insufficiently studied for enzyme production (Khan and Ghosh, 2012b). In view of effective utilization of the phytate rich plant feedstuffs as animal feed ingredients, supplementation of phytase from autochthonous microorganisms or use of phytase-producing gut bacteria as microbial feed additives might be more suitable than the added phytase from allochthonous microorganisms. Microbial enzymes have the advantage of large scale production by established fermentation techniques. To establish a successful fermentation process, it is necessary to make the environmental and nutritional conditions favorable for over production of the desired metabolite by the microorganism (Ray et al., 2007). Therefore, the present study aimed at (1) Re-validation of the occurrence of phytase-producing gut bacteria in some freshwater fishes, (2) Identification of the most promising phytase-producing bacteria by 16SrDNA partial sequence analysis and finally (3) Optimization of the various process parameters to influence phytase production by the promising bacterial strain, Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis (Gen bank Accession no: JX292128) . Fish species examined: Average length, weight and average weight of the gut of the 6 carp species (Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cyprinus carpio, Puntius japonicus) examined in the present study are presented in Table 1. The specimens were sampled by gill net from 3 local culture ponds and transported to the laboratory at Golapbag, Burdwan, West Bengal, India within oxygen packed plastic bags. Isolation of phytase-producing gut bacteria: To isolate phytase-producing gut bacteria, gut segments were processed following Khan and Ghosh (2012a). The GI tracts were divided into PI (proximal part of the intestine) and DI (distal part of the intestine), cut into pieces and flushed carefully three times with 0.9% sterile saline solution using an injection syringe in order to remove non-adherent (allochthonous) microbiota. The gut segments were homogenized with sterilized pre-chilled 0.9% NaCl solution (w/v, 1:10) as described elsewhere (Das and Tripathi, 1991). Pooled samples of 3 fish were used for each replicate to avoid erroneous conclusions due to individual variations in gut microbiota (Ringø et al., 2006; Khan and Ghosh, 2012a). Homogenate of the pooled intestinal segments of each of the 3 replicates for each fish species and each part of gut was used separately after appropriate serial (1:10) dilutions (Beveridge et al., 1991). Diluted samples (0.1 mL) were poured aseptically (each in triplicate) within a laminar airflow on sterilized tryptone soy agar [(TSA), Himedia, India] and incubated at 37°C for 48 h to determine culturable heterotrophic autochthonous bacteria. To determine phytase producing bacteria same inoculums (0.1 mL) were given on sterilized Modified Phytase Screening Media (MPSM) plates and incubated at 37°C for 72 h after (Howson and Davis, 1983) with some modifications. The composition of MPSM was (g L-1): glucose, 10; (NH4)2SO4, 1; urea, 10; citric acid, 3.0; sodium citrate, 2; MgSO4.7H2O, 1; sodium phytate, 3; FeSO4.7H2O, 0.01 and agar 20, pH 7. The Colony Forming Units (CFU) unit-1 sample volume of gut homogenate were determined by multiplying the number of colonies formed on each plate by the reciprocal dilution. Data is presented as Log Viable Counts (LVC) g-1 intestine. Colonies appeared on MPSM plates were streaked separately to obtain pure cultures and kept in a refrigerator (4°C) until further study. Screening of isolates by qualitative and quantitative assay for extra-cellular phytase production: Primarily the bacterial isolates were screened qualitatively for extracellular phytase production following Yanke et al. (1999). The bacterial colonies in the MPSM plates were partially washed and flooded with 2% (w/v) cobalt chloride solution. Subsequently, cobalt chloride solution was removed and a solution containing equal volume of 6.25% (w/v) ammonium molybdate solution and 0.42% ammonium vanadate solution was added. The appearance of transparent zones around the bacterial colonies indicated utilization of phytate by the extracellular bacterial phytase. Out of the 73 phytase-producing bacterial strains isolated from the fish species examined; 14 primarily selected isolates (20% of total isolates) were further evaluated for quantitative phytase assay. Quantitative phytase assay of the crude enzyme was done with MPSM broths after Yanke et al. (1999) using sodium phytate as the substrate. The colour developed due to phytase activity was determined with a spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV1800) at 700 nm. One phytase Unit (U) was defined as the amount of enzyme per milliliter of supernatant that released 1 μg of inorganic phosphorus per minute. Soluble protein content of the crude enzyme was determined by Lowry et al. (1951) using bovine serum albumin as standard. Identification of the most promising isolate by 16SrDNA sequence analysis: One isolate with high enzyme-producing ability was further characterized by the analysis of 16SrDNA partial sequence as described by Roy et al. (2009). Sequenced data were aligned and analyzed for finding the closest homolog of the isolate using a combination of NCBI GenBank and RDP database. Phylogenetic tree was constructed in MEGA 4.1 software using the neighbour joining method with bootstrap analysis to obtain information on their molecular phylogeny. Optimization of fermentation parameters for phytase production: The most promising isolate CM7 (Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis) was used for optimization of the process parameters for phytase production under submerged fermentation. Inoculums were prepared from a freshly raised 5-d-old slant culture in MPSM broth grown at 37°C for 48 h. The inoculants thus obtained contained 4.8 x 107 cells mL-1. The protocol adopted for optimization of various process parameters was to evaluate the effect of an individual parameter and to incorporate it at the optimized level in the experiment before optimizing the next parameter. The parameters studied were: incubation temperature (25- 50°C), initial pH of the media (3-9), incubation period (2-10 d), inoculum volume (1-5 mL) and NaCl (1%-5%). In addition, the medium was supplemented with different carbon sources (1% w/v) (glucose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, starch) and nitrogen sources (1% w/v), both organic and inorganic (Ammonium nitrate, tyrosine, ammonium sulfate, tryptophan, peptone, yeast extract). Further, the selected carbon and nitrogen sources (starch and ammonium sulphate, respectively) were varied within a narrow range (1-5%) to optimize phytase production. The production flasks were incubated at 37°C for 72 h unless otherwise mentioned. All the experiments were carried out in triplicate. Phytase assay of the crude enzyme was done with culture broths after Yanke et al. (1999) as described in the previous section. Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis of the data pertaining quantitative phytase assay of the primarily selected strains were performed according to Zar (1999) using SPSS Ver10 (Kinnear and Gray, 2000) software. All the data are given as Means±SE, n = 3. Isolation and identification of the most promising phytase-producing bacteria: Enumeration of microbial community in the GI tracts of the 6 fish species studied revealed that autochthonous culturable heterotrophic and phytase-producing microbiota were present in both PI and DI regions in all the fish species studied (Table 2). Population levels of culturable autochthonous heterotrophic aerobic/facultative anaerobic bacteria were highest in the DI region of all the fish species studied. Highest number of culturable heterotrophic microbiota was noticed in the DI region of C. mrigala followed by DI region of L. rohita (LVC = 8.35 and 6.81 g-1 intestinal tissue, respectively). However, phytase producing microbiota detected on MPSM plate was highest in the DI region of C. mrigala followed by the DI region of L. rohita (LVC = 3.85 and 3.35 g-1 intestinal tissue, respectively). Out of the 73 phytase-producing isolates (32 isolates from the PI region and 41 isolates from the DI region), 14 isolates were primarily selected through qualitative phytase assay and were further evaluated by quantitative phytase assay to pick the most promising isolate. Primarily selected isolates with their sources and phytase activity were given in Table 3. The strain CM7 isolated from C. mrigala showed highest phytase activity (2.31±0.01 U mL-1) followed by the strain LR2 (2.21±0.01U mL-1) isolated from Labeo rohita (Table 3). Therefore, the isolate CM7 was finally selected for identification and studied for phytase production under submerged fermentation. Nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis of the 16SrDNA partial sequence by nucleotide blast in the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank and Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) revealed that the strain CM7 was similar to Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis. The isolate CM7 showed 99% similarity with B. subtilis subsp. subtilis IAM 12118 (Accn. No. AB042061) The phylogenetic relations of the isolate (CM7) with other closely related bacteria are presented in the dendogram (Fig. 1). Partial sequence of the 16SrDNA from the selected isolate (CM7) was deposited in the NCBI GenBank database to obtain accession number (Genbank Accession No.: JX292128). Optimization of fermentation conditions: Submerged fermentation was carried out to optimize the important physical, chemical and nutritional parameters that influence phytase production. Optimum initial pH of the medium required for maximum phytase production by the strain Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis CM7 was evaluated at various pH levels (3-9) (Fig. 2a). Phytase production was highest at pH 7.0 (2.56±0.06 U mL-1). Result on the effect of temperature (25-50°C) on phytase production by Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis indicated that the optimum temperature for phytase activity was 35°C (2.59±0.05 U mL-1). Phytase production decreased beyond this temperature (Fig. 2b). Effect of inoculum percentage on phytase production has been depicted in Fig. 2c. Phytase activity was gradually increased with inoculum concentration leading to maximum enzyme activity at 2.5 mL (2.54±0.07 U mL-1) and then declined for further increase in the concentration. When different concentrations of NaCl were used for enzyme assay it was found that phytase production was highest (2.58 ±0.04 U mL-1) in 4% of NaCl (Fig. 2d) concentration. Beyond this concentration phytase activity was decreased. In the present study, different carbon sources were supplemented in the production medium (Fig. 3a). Among all the carbon sources tested, starch supplementation (1%) increased (Fig. 3b) phytase production (2.53±0.06 U mL-1) and glucose was the second better carbon source for phytase production. When different nitrogen sources were used for enzyme assay it was found that ammonium sulfate was the potent nitrogen source for phytase production (2.57±0.06 U mL-1) followed by ammonium nitrate as shown in (Fig. 3c). Further study revealed 2% ammonium sulfate as an optimum concentration for phytase production (Fig. 3d). Phytase production at different time intervals with optimized parameters was shown in Fig. 4. Phytase production increased gradually with the incubation period and maximum production was obtained after 6 days (2.61±0.04 U mL-1). However, enzyme yield declined during further incubation. Phytases have a wide distribution in plants, microorganisms and in some animal tissues (Kim et al., 1999; Vohra and Satyanarayana, 2003). Reports on phytase activity in fish (LaVorgna, 1998; Ellestad et al., 2003) were contradictory and confusing. Presence of endogenous phytase activity in hybrids of tilapia O. niloticusxO. aureus (LaVorgna, 1998) and striped bass Morone chrysopsxM. sexatilis (Ellestad et al., 2003) have been reported. Although, the apparent presence of intestinal phytase activity in fish might be capable of digesting only a tiny portion of the phytate-phosphorus present in the diet. Therefore, phytases produced by the symbiotic microorganisms might augment the phytase activity within the GI tract as evidenced in ruminants (Lan et al., 2011). In the present study, autochthonous bacterial symbionts were isolated from the PI and DI of six species of freshwater carps and some of the strains appeared as efficient phytase producers. Heterotrophic and phytase producing populations were recorded highest in the DI regions of all the fish species studied which was in general complied with the previous reports (Ray et al., 2010; Mondal et al., 2008 ; Ghosh et al., 2010). Previously, (Li et al., 2008) documented phytase-producing marine yeast strains from the gut of sea cucumber (Holothuria scabra) and marine fish (Hexagrammos otakii and Synecogobius hasts). However, only a few reports have endorsed phytase activity to autochthonous gut bacteria from freshwater fishes (Roy et al., 2009; Khan et al., 2011; Khan and Ghosh, 2012a). Roy et al. (2009) isolated two strains of B. licheniformis from the PI and DI regions of an Indian Major Carp (IMC), Labeo rohita while (Khan et al., 2011) isolated a phytase-producing Rhodococcus sp., from the gut of another IMC, Catla catla. Further, Khan and Ghosh (2012a), investigated the presence of phytase producing autochthonous bacteria in the GI tracts of 14 freshwater teleost fishes. Two efficient phytase producing strains isolated from L. bata and Gudusia chapra were identified as B. subtilis and B. atropheus, respectively. In the present study, phytase-producing strains were evaluated through quantitative phytase assay and the most promising strain (CM7) was identified as B. subtilis subsp. subtilis based on 16SrDNA sequence analysis as suggested elsewhere (Roy et al., 2009; Ghosh et al., 2010; Mondal et al., 2010; Ray et al., 2010). To the authors’ knowledge, different strains of exo-enzyme producing Bacillus spp., have been identified from the GI tract of freshwater teleosts previously (for review see Ray et al., 2012). Bacillus spp., might hold added interest in nutrition and probiotics studies as they can be kept in the spore form and therefore stored for a long lime (Hong et al., 2005). An effort was made in the present study to optimize the important physical, chemical and nutritional parameters that influence phytase production by the most promising phytase-producing fish gut bacterium, Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis (Genbank Accession No.: JX292128). Previous reports indicated maximum phytase production by most of the microorganisms in acidic pH, although, Bacillus spp., were reported to have optimum activity at neutral/alkaline pH (Greiner and Konietzny, 2006). The optimal cultivation condition for phytase production (2.61±0.04 U mL-1) by the bacteria was pH 7 which was consistent with (Khan and Ghosh, 2012b). Optimum phytase production at pH 7 in the present study might be due to the fact that the bacterial symbiont used in the SSF was isolated from the gut of an agastric fish (Cirrhinus mrigala) and the bacterium was adapted to the neutral/alkaline pH therein (Khan and Ghosh, 2012b). The study registered sharp decline in enzyme production at a pH which was higher or lower than pH 7.0 (Fig. 2a). A pH beyond the optimum level may interfere with the amino acid composition of the enzyme and thereby decreases the enzyme activity (Esakkiraj et al., 2009). Optimum temperature for phytase production was 35°C which was favourable temperature for fresh water as well as fish gut system. Khan and Ghosh (2012b) also reported 35°C as the optimum temperature for phytase production under solid state fermentation by B. subtilis isolated from a minor carp, Labeo bata. As enzyme is a secondary metabolite produced during exponential growth phase, incubation at higher temperature (>35°C) could lead to poor growth and low enzyme yield (Sabu et al., 2002). In the present study, phytase activity was gradually increased with inoculum concentration up to 2.5 mL, but then declined for further concentration. Higher concentrations of inoculum were inhibitory for phytase production giving minimum enzyme yield (Sabu et al., 2002) at highest inoculum size (5 mL). Reduced enzyme production at higher concentrations might be due to increased competition for nutrient uptake and exhaustion of nutrients creating nutrient imbalance (Ramachandran et al., 2005; Roopesh et al., 2006). On the contrary, lower concentrations may not be sufficient to effect maximal enzyme production (Sabu et al., 2002). It is very important to examine the effects of different concentrations of NaCl in the production medium. Li et al. (2008) mentioned that added NaCl was the most suitable for phytase production by the marine yeast and also indicate that the marine yeast strain could produce a high level of phytase in the production medium prepared with seawater. In the present study added NaCl also suitable for phytase production, although the bacterial strain was isolated from a fish taken from freshwater habitat. The strain CM7 produced large amount of phytase under 4% NaCl concentration which indicates that it has high salt tolerance ability and it is suitable for industrial application. Type and nature of carbon and nitrogen sources are among the most important factors for any fermentation process (Pandey et al., 2001). Carbon source represents the energy source that will be available for the growth of the microorganism (Roopesh et al., 2006). Here, 1% starch exhibits maximum enzyme activity (Fig. 3b). Starch has been reported to enhance phytase production by Aspergillus niger (Vats and Banerjee, 2002) and Mucor racemosus (Roopesh et al., 2006). Li et al. (2008) reported glucose was the best carbon source in submerged culture with the marine yeast strain Kodamea ahmeri BG3 isolated from the gut of a marine fish, Hexagrammes otakii. Among the nitrogen sources supplemented ammonium sulphate showed best phytase production (Fig. 3c). Li et al. (2008) also documented ammonium sulfate to increase phytase production by the marine yeast strain Kodamea ohmeri BG3. In the present study, maximum phytase production was yielded after 6 days incubation (Fig. 4). However, enzyme yield declined during further incubation probably due to reduced nutrient level in the medium. Otherwise, it could also be the result of poisoning and denaturation of the enzyme by interaction with other components in the medium (Ramesh and Lonsane, 1987). This study led to conclude that pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources play a most vital role in phytase production by fish gut bacteria, Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis. Therefore, submerged fermentation was conducted to optimize the medium for highest phytase production by this bacterial strain. Microorganisms are the best sources for commercial phytase production because of their easy cultivation and high yield (Li et al., 2008). Phytases have a wide range of applications in animal and human nutrition as it can reduce phosphorus excretion of monogastric animals by replacing inorganic phosphates in the animal diet, contribute significantly toward environmental protection and lead to improved availability of minerals, trace elements, amino acids and energy (Vats and Banerjee, 2002). Incorporation of phytase into commercial fish diets has also been reported to achieve above mentioned presumed benefits (Sardar et al., 2007; Cao et al., 2008). However, still fish gut bacteria is an untouched bioresource for enzyme production. This present study reports production of phytase in submerged fermentation by the selected strain of Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis CM7 isolated from the gut of a freshwater major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala. Our study revealed that fish gut bacteria can produce a large amount of extracellular phytase which was in agreement with the previous reports (Roy et al., 2009). Such phytase producing microorganisms might aid in degradation of phytate within the guts of the host animal (Li et al., 2008). Therefore, apart from the likely application of exogenous phytase, possibilities for direct inclusion of such organisms as probiotics should be emphasized in future studies to improve availability of essential minerals and nutrients from the plant ingredient incorporated diets. The authors are grateful to the Head, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal, India; The Department of Science and Technology (FIST Programme), New Delhi, India and The University Grants Commission [UGC-SAP programme and Major Research Project F. No. 37-383/2009(SR)], New Delhi, India for providing research facilities and financial support. The first author is grateful to the UGC for awarding the Project Fellowship. Baruah, K., N.P. Sahu, A.K. Pal, K.K. Jain, D. Debnath and S.C. Mukherjee, 2007. 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2019-04-25T22:31:54Z
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jbs.2013.691.700&org=11
I want to welcome you again, friends, to this presentation of the Landmarks of Prophecy Bible study series. And tonight is going to be one of the very important subjects people come to a series like this, they want to understand prophecy. I want to thank all of you here in albuquerque for braving the highway construction quagmire out there. From my window I can see the red tail lights going in every direction. And those who are watching, online or through 3abn, Amazing Facts television - around the world, we're just very thankful that you've joined us. Our presentation tonight is entitled 'marked for death' and this study, of course, is dealing with the subject of the Mark of the beast that you find in Revelation 13 and also mentioned in Revelation 14. Now, for the story that helps us introduce this - remember, to understand Revelation you need to go back in the Bible. The keys to unlock the secrets of Revelation are found in other places in the Bible, frequently in the old testament. Going all the way back to the beginning, we remember that adam and eve had two sons - original sons - what where their names? Cain and abel. Cain and abel. But they were very opposite. The Bible tells us that one of them was a shepherd and one of them was a tiller of the ground. Up until the time of when the flood happened, adam and eve and their descendents, they could actually bring their offerings right to the gates of the Garden of Eden. You see, after adam and eve sinned, they tried to cover their sin with fig leaves and God said, 'that won't do - a symbol of your own righteousness.' And it says the Lord gave them robes of skin. Now where do you think the skins came from? God did not miraculously create some vinyl or something. That's telling us about when God established the sacrificial system. You realize the sacrificial system goes back before Moses. Abraham sacrificed lambs, job sacrificed for his family. Those lambs all pointed to the day when John the baptist would say 'Jesus is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.' So God prescribed what they needed to do for forgiveness. The Bible says, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sin. God commanded them about how to do this. And the Bible tells us that abel - Genesis 4:2 - was a keeper of sheep. He was gentle and - but his brother cain, he didn't take care of sheep, he was attracted more to tilling the ground. The Bible tells us that cain was a tiller of the soil and so - very opposite - kind of like Jacob and esau, you know, one was a shepherd and one was a hunter - opposite brothers. When the time came for them to worship God and to bring a sacrifice, they built their altars - and the Bible tells us that abel brought of the firstling of his flock, as God had said, sacrificed the lamb, the blood was presented to the Lord. Cain thought, you know, 'that's not very popular. It's unpleasant and abel's a shepherd and it makes sense for him, but I'm a farmer. I'm going to bring of the fruits of the ground. That's my sacrifice.' The Bible says that God accepted abel's sacrifice. Fire came down from God and devoured it, showing acceptance. But cain's - his fruits and vegetables that he piled up on the altar, gathered nothing but fruit flies. And it bothered him that his offering was not accepted by God. And when abel said, 'brother, you really need to do what God said and worship him the way he told us to worship him. There's no forgiveness for our sins without the shedding of blood.' Cain got mad at his younger brother, 'who are you to tell me?' And they had a fight. You can read in Genesis 4, verse , "and cain talked with abel his brother: and . ..cain rose up against abel his brother, and slew him." Here you have the first murder in the history of the universe. Notice that this first murder happens in the context of two brothers - ostensibly worshiping the same God in an act of worship. One does it his own way. One does it God's way. The one who does it the wrong way persecutes the one who does it the right way. You find that pattern repeated through Bible history. The Bible closes with that. Genesis 4:10 - notice: God said to cain, "...the voice of your brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground." The Bible says that the blood of Jesus speaks better things to The Father than that of abel. And Christ tells us, in the last generation, all the righteous blood from abel down to the end is going to be brought on that generation. Genesis 4:15, "and the Lord set a Mark upon cain, lest any finding him should kill him. " Now cain said - the Lord said, 'you're going to be a vagabond from now on and the ground will not bear its strength for thee. And cain said, 'Lord, my punishment is too great for me to bear. And all of the descendents of adam and eve that will be born, they're going to see that I've got this stigma and they're going to kill me because of what I've done to abel.' the Lord put a Mark upon cain. Now, we don't know, the Bible's not very specific, but some distinguishing characteristic was put on cain that set him apart. So there's no record in the Bible that anyone retaliated for what he had done to his brother. So here you have somebody who receives a Mark because of their persecuting God's people and wanting to worship contrary to the right way. So you have this pattern established, okay? With that background, you're going to see the same thing happening in the last days. There'll be two final groups. We always think about the Mark of the beast but everybody gets a Mark in the last days. One gets the seal of God. One gets the Mark of the beast. One group is saved. One is lost. Everybody is going to fall into one of two categories in the last days. Let's get into question #1 of our study today. Question #1: who is going to be protected through the seven last plagues? Now we, tomorrow, are going to be studying Revelation 12. Last night we talked about - or this morning - Revelation 13 and 14 and then Revelation 15 and 16 you've got the seven last plagues. Remember, there were ten plagues that fell on Egypt when God took them from Egypt and they began their journey to the promised land. The Israelites experienced the first three plagues right along with the Egyptians, but God protected the Israelites from the last seven plagues. The last seven plagues that fall on the world, that's called the great tribulation. Christians do not need to be afraid of that, God will preserve us through it. We will be here - all that live Godly will suffer tribulation, but he will preserve us. Who is protected during that time? Revelation chapter 7, verse 3 - the angel says, in chapter 7 - "hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have" - done what? - "Sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." Wow, I thought - something in your forehead - I thought that was bad. No, not always. If you read in Ezekiel chapter 9 it says that an angel of judgment went through Jerusalem and these angels destroyed everybody that did not have a Mark that was put upon them. Those with a Mark, in Ezekiel 9, are saved. There's two different kinds of Marks. You know, whenever somebody hears about a Mark in the last days, we instinctively think about the bad Mark. How many of you would like to be spirit possessed? Depends on what spirit, right? But you automatically, when I said that, you thought about, 'I don't want to be spirit possessed. Especially after halloween. ' We automatically think about bad spirits, but doesn't the Spirit of the Lord come on people too? And so when you say, 'would you like to be Marked?' 'No, not me.' Well, there's a good Mark in the last days too. This is the seal of God placed in the foreheads. And the final winds of strife do not blow on the earth. These angels are shown holding back these final winds until - that's talking about a storm that's coming - until God's servants receive this seal. Question #2: what is this seal that the righteous have in their foreheads? You can find the answer - Isaiah :16 - it says, "bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. " When God writes his law in your heart, you are receiving the seal of God. Now, just to - let me make something real simple - those that have the Mark of the beast have the Spirit of the devil. Do we all agree? In the last days - Holy Spirit's withdrawn from them and when the Holy Spirit's withdrawn, evil spirits come in. Those that have the seal of God have the Holy Spirit. Ephesians said, 'grieve not the Holy Spirit wherewith you are sealed for the day of redemption. So we already know that those that are saved have the Holy Spirit's seal. Those that are lost have the seal of the enemy or the devil's spirit. But there's something more distinct about it. Those that are saved have the law of God written in their hearts. But there's still more. Let's take a look at what is a seal, technically? When you think of a biblical seal, what makes up a seal? I just grabbed here, from the website, the seal for british columbia. It was a convenient one and it's got, you known, they're part of the english commonwealth, and it says, 'queen elizabeth ii of Canada. All seals will contain those three elements. The name: elizabeth the ii, title: queen, Canada, the territory. The title, the name, the territory. That's - when our president gives a speech, it'll say: barak obama - name, president - title, United States of America. In the Bible you find examples of a seal. When Jesus was put in the tomb, somebody put a seal on the door. Who was that? Pontius pilate. That means that they took some wax, they tied it off, and they pressed this - his official seal into the wax so that in order to open it up they'd have to break the seal and that seal had the authority on it and it said, pontius pilate, governor, Judea. When Daniel was put in the lion's den, it says darius put a stone on the lid of the lion's den and he sealed it. So the purpose might not be changed. That seal said darius - his name, king - his title, medo-persia - his territory. All seals will have these three components. Now, with that in mind, understanding what a seal is, question #3: which of the Ten Commandments contains all of the elements that are technically involved in a seal. You might be surprised to look in the middle of God's law, in the last of the first commandments that are between man and God. The longest of the Ten Commandments, the only commandment that begins with the word 'remember' - it's called the Sabbath commandment. Here's what it says: "for in six days" - who? - "the Lord" - that's his name, jehovah - "made" - that's his office, he's the creator - "the heaven and earth, the sea," - everything above, everything below, everything on the land. That's the seal right there in the law. I think I told you one time that in the world you've got the holy land and in the holy land you've got the holy city and in the holy city you've got the holy mount and on the holy mount they had the holy temple and in the holy temple they had the holy place. Within that they had the holy of holies, which had the holy ark, and in the holy ark was the holy law of God, the testimony, and in the law of God you find the word 'holy' one time. It's in the Sabbath commandment. Now, I know there are people here thinking, 'Pastor Doug, boy, you folks sure make a big deal out of this. Just one commandment. Why would one commandment make such a big difference?' 'Whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point,' James tells us, 'is guilty of all. ' If I was in a society where the church was teaching people it was okay to commit adultery, you would hear me talk a lot about that. If I was in a society where Christians were being told that it's okay to lie or steal, you'd hear me talk a lot about that. But it just so happens that we're in a society where Christians are forgetting a very important law that has to do with worshiping God and giving him your time. See, God made the Sabbath day because we show our love in time. We live in time. If you don't have any time, you don't live anymore and when you give him as holy that seventh day to worship him, that says a lot about whose really in charge of your life. But if you say, 'I'm too busy to fit God into my schedule,' then are you really his servant? It says a lot. It really separates the genuine people who say, 'I want to live for God and he does have my time.' Matter of fact, sometimes it's easier to give God your money than your time. I know my father - busy like a lot of fathers - sometimes he knew he just didn't have much time, it was easier for him to hand me five dollars and say, 'go to the movies.' Of course, back then, it didn't cost that much. But just, you know, than to give me time. But what does most - what do most children want? A handout or time with their parents? God loves us. He wants time with us - quality time. And the Sabbath is all about that. So in the Sabbath commandment you have the seal of God. You've got the word, 'holy. ' It's in the center of his law and the reason God said to his people, 'remember' is because he knew we would be inclined to forget. Because Jesus said, 'be careful, lest your heart be overcharged with eating and drinking and the cares of this life so that that day, the day of the Lord, overtakes you as a thief.' Or even your own death. We can get so busy with the cares of this life, we forget about eternity and living for God. Yes, this does matter, friends. Question #4: alright, we identified the beast in lesson 13. What is its Mark of authority? Alright, now, in this section, we're going to actually be reading through some answers from a catholic catechism. Now, if you want to be a good catholic - I used to go to catholic school - I was actually born in a catholic hospital too. They use a question and answer teaching method - it's a good method to teach. And this is - some of you - how many of you have seen a catechism before? You've worked - okay, a lot of people. You know what I'm talking about. Catholic catechism says, "q. 'Which day is the Sabbath day?' A: 'Saturday is the Sabbath day.' Q. 'Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?' A: 'we observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the catholic church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.'" Then the next natural question is: 'have you any other way of proving that the church has power to institute festivals of precept?' How do you prove that the church has a right to create these things? A. 'Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her'" - most, not all - "'she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is not scriptural authority.'" Notice it also says, 'she could not have' - that comes up later too. No scriptural authority. They freely admit this. It's something that has grown totally out of tradition. It is not a Bible truth. And so, a lot of very sincere, dear Christians out there - every Sunday when they go to church - they've never really thought through it, but it's not commanded in the Bible. You know, I'm going to just pause right here. I want to read something to you. I just grabbed this. I knew that there was a lot of data on this truth and so I just printed some quotes off the internet. Just in case you're wondering if Pastor Doug stands alone or if this is something that just Seventh-day Adventists think about, dwight l. Moody - great preacher - I know the pastor of the moody Bible church in chicago - good man - erwin lutzer - this is what dwight moody said, "the Sabbath was binding in eden and it's been in force ever since. The fourth commandment begins with the word 'remember' showing that the Sabbath already existed when God wrote the tables on the stone at sinai" - he's right. It goes back before Mount Sinai. 'How can men claim that this one commandment has been done away with when they admit that the other nine are still binding?' Here's doctor edward t. Hiscox, author of the baptist manual - a baptist - "there was and is a commandment to keep holy the Sabbath day, but that Sabbath day was not Sunday. It'll be said, however, with some show of triumph, that the Sabbath was transferred from the seventh to the first day of the week. Where can the record of such a transaction be found? Not in the new testament - absolutely not. Furthermore," - he goes on - "of course I quite well know that Sunday did come into use in the early Christian history. What a pity" - still speaking - dr. Edward t. Hiscox, the baptist theologian - "what a pity that Sunday came branded with the Mark of paganism and it's Christened with the name of the sun God, adopted and sanctioned by the papal apostasy and bequeathed as a sacred legacy to protestantism. " Another - william owen carver - in his book 'the Lord's day' - a baptist. "There was never any formal authoritative change from the Jewish seventh-day Sabbath to the first day observance. Here's from an anglican episcopal - I'm just reading a fraction of these. I don't have time to read them all. In - canon eyton, in his book 'the Ten Commandments' - "there is no word, no hint in the new testament about abstaining from work on Sunday into rest of Sunday no divine law enters. The observance of ash Wednesday or lent stands exactly on the same footing as the observance of Sunday." It's saying there's no biblical grounds for this. Alexander campbell, disciples of Christ, "but some say it (the Sabbath) was changed from the seventh to the first day. Where? When? By whom? No man can tell. No, it was never changed, nor could it be unless creation was gone through again." He goes on to say, "if it be changed, it was that August personage who changed it - who changes times and laws ex officio, I think his name is dr. AntiChrist. " That's alexander campbell. Presbyterian - t.c. Blake, in his book 'theology condensed' page 474, "the Sabbath is a part of the decalogue - the Ten Commandments. This alone forever settles the question as to the perpetuity of the institution. Until, therefore, it can be shown that the whole moral law has been repealed, the Sabbath will stand. The teaching of Christ confirms the perpetuity of the Sabbath." I've got John wesley - you can just go through - these theologians know. They know that it's a Bible truth. The question is - Jesus said, 'in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.' If you're going to be a Bible Christian - this is what happened to me. I was up in the cave and I went to a lot of different churches and I said, 'Lord, I just want to know the truth.' It didn't matter to me - and I went to church on Sunday - and a lot of lovely Christians - and I've worshiped with Christians in many different denominations. But I heard things in their theology and I said, 'this doesn't square up with Scripture. Lord, is there a place I can go that squares up with the Bible?' And after I prayed that prayer, up in the cave, the Lord revealed these things to me and I encountered this church where I have been for the last 37 years and I share it everywhere I go because it's the Bible. My allegiance isn't to any denomination. I couldn't care less about that. My allegiance is to Christ and His Word. And I think in the last days, the Lord is calling people back to Scripture that we might receive his seal and be prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will come just before the last days. Oh, I've got to grab this. I grabbed my Bible. Alright, question #5: what does the second beast of Revelation 13 force all to receive? Revelation 13, verse 16, "and he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a" - a what? "A Mark in their right hands or in their foreheads." That's not up on the screen yet, sorry. So everybody is forced to receive a Mark in the right hand or in their forehead. Now, when you think right hand or in the forehead, that comes up a few times in the Bible. Question #6: first thing I want to make very clear. Does anyone have the Mark of the beast now - today? Quick answer, no. When will people finally have the Mark of the beast? In Revelation 13, verse 17 it says, "no man might buy or sell." When there's a law made that nobody can buy or sell, that's when you're going to know that it becomes an issue. Furthermore it says, "save he that has the Mark of the beast or the number of the beast's name." Now, you know, in your - when - you go shopping today. How many of you, 90% of the time don't even use cash anymore when you shop? You don't have to show me hands - but virtually always - and it's very convenient, right? When that first came out, people wondered if that was the Mark of the beast. And people have done a lot of speculating about what the Mark of the beast was. I remember when I was living up in the mountains, the - we called them 'Jesus freaks' - the hippies on the street back then, they thought the Mark of the beast was the proctor and gamble symbol because it looked like . And I've heard rumors out there that the monster drink has got this like 6 claws - that was the Mark of the beast then. Probably not good for you but - so there's all these different crazy theories out there about what the Mark of the beast is. And they think that the Mark of the beast is a mechanism that will control buying and selling. There are lots of mechanisms that will control buying and selling, but that is not the Mark. It may be used by the beast power, but that itself is not the Mark. Eventually, there'll be laws made that people cannot buy or sell unless they cooperate with the beast power. Revelation chapter 13, verse 12, it says that he (the beast) "...and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." And so, you have the second beast, in Revelation 13, verse , is compelling the world to worship the first beast. Now, I told you earlier today just straight out, I believe the second beast is the United States. That doesn't mean I'm not happy to be American, in case anyone didn't hear me earlier, I'm not leaving. I believe the first beast - and it's with - America's sort of the home for the protestants of the world. Many of the protestant churches found refuge in America. Most of the protestant mission work around the globe, the funds come from where? North America. Are you aware of that? And that catholicism was the first beast in the beginning of the chapter and it says that 'the second beast causes the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed. ' Let me show you a couple of pictures I thought were interesting. Now this is just trivia, but is it just a coincidence that you've got the u.s. Capitol and the vatican - don't they look kind of similar? They used that same greco-roman kind of architecture at their domes. And in front of the vatican you've got a - a big obelisk and in front of the capitol you've got another big obelisk - it's called the Washington monument. Almost looks like we're kind of making an image right there. Don't misunderstand, I just think that's a curiosity. Question #7: is the Mark of the beast or the seal of God a visible Mark? Now this is very important I don't know if you remember when bar codes first began to appear on products. And I remember when that first happened still. I was a young Christian and my friend said, 'they're putting the Mark of the beast on all the products. Don't buy anything that's got that Mark on it. They're going to use it to control buying and selling.' All those friends starved to death a long time ago because now it's on everything. But no, that is not the Mark of the beast. And others think that, you know, the beast power - you know, there's even some translations of the Bible - they're not translations, they're paraphrased - it says, 'and he causes all small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a tattoo in their right hand or in their forehead.' You know, it does not say that in the original. It says a Mark 'in' the hand and 'in' the forehead. That's talking about in your actions and in your thoughts. It is not an external Mark. Now I'm going to prove that to you. Hebrews 10, verse 6 - talking about the new covenant - "saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them." Ecclesiastes 9, verse 10, "whatever your hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." It's talking about in your thoughts is in your heart - your actions, your worship - your hand, it's talking about your actions. Here's another example of that: Isaiah 59, verse 6, it says, "their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands." So when it says 'in the hand' that really begins in the heart. Jesus says if your right hand offends you, cut it off. Did he literally mean for you to cut off your hand? No, I hope you - that means - no, that was an illustration Jesus is giving about if you've got something real close to you that's causing you to sin, just - even though if it's a close as your hand, cut it off. Better to enter heaven maimed' - is anyone going to heaven maimed? No, it's an illustration. Now I want you to look at a few verses quickly. Exodus 13, verse 9 - alright, let's understand in the hand and in the forehead - what does this mean? "And it shall be a sign unto thee" - notice, a sign - "unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes that the Lord's law might be in your heart." On your hand - between your eyes. Now, the Hebrews, that's how they said it - between your eyes meant your forehead. Where did Goliath get struck? Right between the eyes, in his forehead. The seal of God in the forehead represents having the law of God in our hearts. Hebrews 8:10 - we read that - "I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts;" let me read you another verse. Go with me in your Bibles to Deuteronomy - this is a very famous verse - all of my Jewish friends will know this, it's the great shema. In Deuteronomy 6, you go to verse 4, Jesus quotes this: "hear, o Israel, the Lord our God is one. You should love the Lord your God with all your heart and your soul, with all your strength" - that's Deuteronomy chapter 6, verse 4 - "and these words that I command you today" - what words did Moses just command them? You look at Deuteronomy 5 - 'you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, remember the Sabbath' - so forth - Ten Commandments - chapter 5, Ten Commandments. Chapter 6, part of the same sermon - "these words that I command you today shall be in your heart." Now what did Moses mean? 'The words I command you will be in your heart?' He meant for them to all make an incision in their chest, open it up, and stick the Ten Commandments in there. Is that what he meant? Or is it a figure? Right? Do we all agree? It's a symbol. It's important you get that. You should teach them - verse 7 - Deuteronomy 6, verse 7 - "teach them diligently to your children. Talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, when you rise up" - here it comes - "you will bind them as a sign on your hand and they will be as frontlets between your eyes." In the hand and in the forehead. You go - just jump over - Deuteronomy 11 - there's several places in the Bible - go to Deuteronomy 11, you'll see the same thing here as well, in verse 18, "therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul. Bind them as a sign on your hand. They will be as frontlets between your eyes." They all - the jews all understood in the hand and in the forehead - this Mark - is not talking about people getting tattooed. The devil loves that. The devil loves that there's people out there that say, 'I'm not getting the Mark of the beast. As soon as they come after me with that tattoo' - and everyone's getting tattoos today, right? I mean every corner - it's like taco bell - a tattoo parlor everywhere. Isn't that right? Someone asked me a question about that. I'll deal with that later. But the devil, he's got people thinking, 'nobody's going to tattoo 666 on my forehead. ' Nowhere in the Bible does it say that's the Mark of the beast. It's talking about - very simply, if you've got the law of God in your heart and in your actions, you will not have the Mark of the beast in your thoughts and in your actions. It's going to have to do with who you worship. I've got to hasten along. Question #8: the beast has a Mark to represent its power and authority. Does God also have a sign of his power? I believe the answer is yes. You can look - some examples of this - Ezekiel 20, verse 12 - I love to hear the rustle of the lessons, it means you're reading it for yourself. We put these things in your hands - we want you to take it home, look up the Scriptures, compare it, share it with your friends. I don't think we need to hide from the truth. It should stand up under investigation. "I gave them my Sabbaths to be a" - what? - "A sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them." Does God still sanctify us? He does. You can also read in Ezekiel 20, verse 20, "hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God." So God still sanctifies us. Let me give you one more - Exodus 31:13, "verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign" - it doesn't say that about the other commandments. He says it about the Sabbath - "it's a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you." Now, is anyone getting to heaven without being sanctified? 'Blessed are the pure in heart, they will see God.' God must sanctify us. The Sabbath, when you commit your time to God that way, it's a sign you believe that he created. In the beginning it says that he made the day holy, he sanctified it, and he can sanctify us. He can recreate us. That's the new covenant - 'I'll create a new heart within you.' Sabbath just embraces all of that. One more - Exodus 31:17, "it is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever." Now you might say, 'oh, that's just for jews.' Remember, Jesus said the Sabbath is made for man - and the word he uses is 'mankind' - anthropos - everybody. It was given to adam and eve. Alright, question #9: what did the antiChrist power attempt to change? If you read in Daniel 7 - matter of fact, I think alexander campbell just referred to this. He understood it - Daniel 7:25, speaking of the beast power, "he shall...think to change" - what? - "Times and laws." Now can he change them or just think to change them? There's an effort. Can you change God's law? Jesus said 'heaven and earth will pass away. My law will not pass away.' Now here's a few quotes that I think you might find interesting. "The pope" - this is written by the - in the official documents of the catholic church the decretal de translate espiscop. Cap - I can't - it's in latin - but you can look these things up. "The pope has power to change times to abrogate laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ." That's their official teaching. That since he's Christ's representative on earth, if he needs to modify or adjust the teachings of Christ, he has that power. I respectfully disagree. Everyone's free to believe what they want. I just want you to be aware of what they teach. And that, I don't believe, is biblical. "Of course the catholic church claims that the change of the Sabbath was her act" - and notice what they say - in their own words - "...and the act is a Mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters." That's from letter October 28, from c.f. Thomas. Here's another quote from their own writings, "perhaps the boldest thing, the most revolutionary change the church ever did happened in the first century. The holy day, the Sabbath, was changed from Saturday to Sunday ...not from any directions noted in the Scriptures, but from the church's sense of its own power... People who think that the Scriptures should be the sole authority, should logically become 7th day adventists, and keep Saturday holy." That's from saint catherine catholic church sentinel, may 21, 1995. I'd like to thank them for the endorsement. But they freely admit there's nothing in Scripture that supports that - that it's solely through the self-importance of the church they changed it. You know why? Because in the early days of Christianity in rome - the Romans, of course, worshiped on the first day of the week. They worshiped the sun. That's where it gets its name. We use the roman names for the days of the week - sun day was worship the sun, Monday was moon day, you've got tiwaz day, you got - thor's day - the God of thunder was Thursday, oden's day is what we call Wednesday - it's changed in english a little. But they were all named after the various Gods. When Christians finally were legalized, pagans began to come in the church. For a couple of centuries they actually kept two days - kind of like the American weekend, they got Saturday and Sunday off. We sort of do that to respect the Judeo-Christian values in our society. Jews obviously still keep the seventh day Sabbath - at least orthodox jews do. But after awhile, the jews became very unpopular in rome and Christians, wanting to distance themselves from the jews, and wanting to be more popular among the pagans - and the seventh day of the week they said was a day for fasting - Sunday, they said, was a day for feasting. Now, if you get to choose between feasting and fasting, what would you prefer? And suddenly Sabbath keeping became - nowhere in the Bible did it say you had to fast on Saturday, but it became very unpopular and, gradually, it was abandoned in place for Sunday and the church authorized it, as did constantine. "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said," - and this is acts 5:29 - "we ought to obey God rather than men. That's where I stand, friends. If you're going to make a decision about what you do, they told Peter to stop preaching about Jesus. He said, 'I'm sorry, I can't. I ought to obey God rather than man. ' That's why I'm doing what I'm doing. Jesus said, in Matthew chapter , "whosoever therefore, will think to change one of the least of these commandments and teach men so, he will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever will do them and teach them will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven." I just want to do what Jesus said. I want to do it. I want to teach it. And so, this is what the Lord says. Here's a few more quotes: pope francis says evolution is real and he supports the big bang. This came out last week. Now, does the Bible say evolution is real? No. I believe in a literal six-day creation. You know what Jesus said? Jesus said, 'if you don't believe Moses then you don't believe me.' And if we think that Moses was making up the first eleven chapters of Genesis or it's all a fable, Jesus refers to it as a fact that God made man. The Word of God - he spoke them into existence. Ask me questions about evolution. I used to believe in that. I'll be happy to share with you what I learned. In the catholic encyclopedia, Peter stravinskes, the editor, says, "...we should not interpret Genesis literally..." So what I'm sharing with you is the whole catholic approach to Scripture is they just don't take it that seriously. They figure that since they're 'in charge of the church' they can change the Word of God. Christ said, 'not one tittle, not one jot will pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Heaven and earth will pass away.' If you want to survive the coming storm, who survives? 'He that hears these words of mine and does them.' 'Change not His Words lest thou be found a liar.' It says that in Revelation - 'if anyone adds to this book, God'll add unto them the plagues. If anyone takes away from his book, God'll take their name out of the book of life. ' Messing with the Word of God is dangerous business if you're a Christian because everybody can just make it say whatever they want it to say. The Word of God is infallible and true and we need to believe it. We can't be readjusting it. Question #10: what was God's criticism of his ancient priests or pastors? This is something you find even in the old testament. Malachi chapter 2, verses 8 and , it says, "ye have caused many to stumble at the law. ...ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law." What does partial mean? They're sharing it, but they're not sharing all of it. They're sharing it partially. Question #11: how did God's ancient leaders regard the great things of his law? Hosea 4:6, "thou hast forgotten the law of thy God." Could that be something the Lord might say to his church in the twenty-first century? Are we being partial? Does God give us a ten-percent discount of the law? No. Heaven and earth will pass away. God is looking for his people to have a revival and to return to the truth. Hosea 8, verse 12, it says, "I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing." And you preach to people about the whole law of God. You know what I think is unusual? Or suspicious? I could go to virtually any church here in albuquerque on Sunday and I could stand up and preach a variety of sermons. I'm acquainted with most of the major teachings and I could preach a sermon on honoring your parents and I'd get loud amens. I could preach on faithfulness in marriage - people would squirm but they'd appreciate it. I could preach on don't steal - say amen. I could preach on don't covet. I could preach on don't use God's name in vain, don't worship graven images - that one would be difficult in some churches. But I could preach on virtually 90 percent of all the commandments and people would feel just fine. And then I would stand up and I would preach on the fourth commandment and, you know, people would say the strangest things. 'Pastor Doug, we're not under the law now, we're under grace. We don't need to keep that one.' Or 'the law's done away with.' And I would say, 'you mean he doesn't want us to keep the Ten Commandments?' 'Well, nine of them.' So the one we're not supposed to keep and we're supposed to forget about is the only one that begins with the word 'remember?' That doesn't make sense, right? You hear all these - this strange squirming and I know because I've studied this with a lot of Christian friends and pastors and many have take a stand. I know some pastors that when they learned these truths they shared it with their congregation and some of the church said, 'we believe it.' And some said, 'you need to go find another church.' And so it's really a challenge, in our culture today, for people to accept these things. But what does Jesus say? 'For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments.' This is actually 1 John 5 verse 3, "and his commandments are not burdensome." When God gives us a law, is it to be a problem or to be a blessing? Blessing. Sure. Jesus said, 'if you love me keep my commandments. ' You know, there's one commandment that says 'keep.' 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.' Now, why does God say 'keep?' If you come to my house in the wintertime and I've got to make a trip to town - I've got to get some groceries - it's ten miles away - and I say, 'look it's cold. I'll be back in about an hour, can you keep the fire going?' And you say, 'no problem, doug.' I say, 'the wood's in the woodbox.' 'No problem.' I leave and you go over just to make sure the fire's stoked and there's no fire. It's cold, dead ashes. And you're thinking, 'why did doug ask me to keep the fire going if there wasn't already a fire? Wouldn't you think that's strange? The fact that I tell you to keep it going means that I've already got it going and I want you to keep it going. When God tells us to keep the Sabbath holy, you know what he's saying? 'I made it holy back in creation. Now I want you to keep what I made holy, holy. If you're my children - if you say you love me' - a lot of people say, 'I love you, Lord. I love you, Lord.' Jesus says, 'oh really, prove it. Obey me.' He that says 'I love him' and keeps not his commandments' - the Bible says - 'is a liar and the truth is not in him.' It's real easy to clap our hands and sing and shout at church and make a big fuss and not really be surrendered to the Lord and obey. The highest form of worship is obedience. Samuel said to king Saul, 'to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams.' God is wanting us to obey him in the last days. Question #12: what specific, solemn rebuke did God give to religious leaders regarding his holy Sabbath? Ezekiel 28, verse 8, "thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my Sabbaths." They even had that problem in the old testament. In Jesus' time they went too far. They had become legalistic and they had all these extra laws about the Sabbath and were making it a burden when it's supposed to be a blessing. Ezekiel 22, verse 26, "her priests have violated my law and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane. " That was a problem back then and it's still a problem today. If you want to get to heaven, don't follow me. Don't follow any pastor. Now, I don't mean you can't trust anybody or listen to anybody but, ultimately you need to listen to the Word of God and what Jesus says because people can lead you astray. Let's all face it, some pastors come and go. Some are like shooting stars. Some crash and burn. You don't want to be putting your trust in The Son of man in whom there is no help, right? Be putting your trust in the Word of God - in the Lord. That's what we're telling you to do. We're putting Bibles in your hands and the lessons in your hands and saying, 'you study the word for yourself. ' And then ask us questions. We'll do our best to answer them. It says, "and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them." Wow, that's a heavy verse. They've hid their eyes. Have you seen that happening in the religious world today? It does. And it goes on to say in Ezekiel :28, "and her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar," - he's talking about building the walls. And it says, "seeing vanity and divining lies unto them saying, 'thus saith the Lord God,' when the Lord hath not spoken." So they ignore what God has said and then they conjure up these excuses that God didn't say for disobedience or disobeying him. Question #13: what specific sin does God command his leaders to denounce? Isaiah 58 - now, this is a very important verse. "Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet and show my people their transgressions." Now, I'm not sharing these things with you to make anybody uncomfortable - let me just tell you, friends, I'm just like everyone else. I like to be liked. But when Jesus comes, you can't get me to heaven. He can. So I've got to please him first of all, right? So even though it might be unpopular sometimes, to preach the truth, I need to answer to him. And so I'm going to tell you what the Bible says, amen? 'Show my people their transgression.' And then he goes on to say - same passage - "if thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day;" - it doesn't say the Jewish holy day - "and call the Sabbath a burden" - no. What did God say we should call it? - "A delight" - it's a blessing not a burden - "the holy of the Lord honorable; . ..then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord." So when I share these things with you, it's not to cause problems. When you really catch ahold of what God has for you in this day, everything that God gave to man in the Garden of Eden was good, including this time. It'll not only be better for your health, it'll be better for your relationships. Now, what happens when this message about the seal of God and the Mark of the beast go to the world - these three angels' messages? It says, 'then Jesus comes' - that, well, before Christ comes, the angels release their grip on those seven last plagues. There's a great time of trouble and then Christ comes. These messages are going to the world right now - not just through our particular ministry, but many others are taking these things to the world. I've been all over the globe and God's message is going to the world and he's going to come soon. Christ said "the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations" - Matthew 24 - "then the end will come." It's going to come. I believe Jesus. He said he'd come and he came the first time and said, 'I'll come again. ' - He's going to come the second time. A day with the Lord might be like a thousand years, but we're at six thousand years now. We're going to spend a thousand years during the millennium, living and reigning with God. I think we're, right now, at the sundown of this world's history. We're living on the threshold of eternity. That's why these truths are important. Question #14: when you decide to accept Jesus and fully follow him, what happens? Jesus said in Matthew 11, verse , he said, "take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Every one of the Ten Commandments has a spiritual side to it. There is a spiritual faithfulness. The Bible says that we can commit adultery on the Lord by going after the devil. There's a spiritual kind of murder. We can be angry and murder our brother in our hearts, the Bible tells us. There's a spiritual part of Sabbath keeping. 'Come unto me' - Jesus said - 'and I will give you rest. So, let me summarize what I said here about the subject of the Mark of the beast. First we need to understand what the seal of God is. The final battle is going to be revolving around who do you obey? Because the Bible says whoever you obey, that's whose servants you are - Romans chapter 6. We show our allegiance to God by obeying him. Notice: I'm letting the Bible - God's given us stories in the Bible to show us how it works. Daniel chapter 3 - government makes a law everyone's got to bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar's image. If they don't, you'll be killed. Doesn't it say that there's going to be a similar test in the last days? God's people in Babylon had to make up their mind: 'do I obey the commandments of God or do I obey the commandments of men? Do I bow down with everybody else or do I stand up for God?' When they stood up for God, he honored them. God went through the furnace and the fire with them. They stood up for one of his commandments. Daniel chapter 6 - government makes a law - everybody's got to break the first commandment and pray to the King just for thirty days - you don't have to do it for long. Is it okay to just sin temporarily? Now don't make an opening like that. Temporary things have a way of becoming permanent. And Daniel says, 'no, I'm not even once, going to fail my appointment to God.' He opens his windows, he kneels and worships the Lord, he goes to the lion's den. God delivers him. Notice what happens. The ones who throw shadrach, meshach, and abednego in the fire - instead of them dying, the soldiers die. The ones who connived to have Daniel thrown in the lion's den - Daniel comes out alive, they go to the lion's den. The ones who make a law in the last days to wipe out all of God's people, just before the end comes the tables are turned. God's people are delivered. Have you read the book of Esther? A law is made to annihilate all the jews on a certain date because mordecai would not break God's law and bow down to haman. And because Esther intervened with the King - she's like a type of the church - at the last moment, the tables were turned. The enemies of the jews were destroyed, the jews were delivered. That's what's going to happen in the last days. God is telling us it's the same thing except this time it's not the first commandment or the third commandment, it's going to be about a very precious commandment. The issue is going to be about the commandment of worship, the fourth commandment. And so the devil is extremely clever. He's going to tell people, 'go to church. I don't mind. You go ahead. Worship God. Pray. Sing. Just don't go the day that God said. One little change doesn't matter.' Does it matter? First day - seventh day - does God care about things like that? When God told Joshua 'march around the city seven times and seven times on the seventh day.' Did he blow the trumpets after the first day? They didn't get the victory until they did it the number and the way God said. When God says 'look, I blessed this day.' It's like somebody going to a man who's got seven daughters and saying, 'sir, I'd like to talk to you about marrying your daughter.' And he says, 'which one?' 'Oh, it doesn't matter, just one of them.' When God says, 'look, I've blessed this day.' And you say, 'I appreciate that, God but, you know, I'm busy that day. I'm going to the beach. I'll keep this day.' What audacity for man to tell God 'I'm going to make my own day holy.' See how clever the devil is? It seems like a small thing but it's bigger than you think. It's going to really determine who has your heart. Are we going to unquestionably say, 'I believe the Lord. I'm going to trust in him. I'm going to obey him. ' You know, I'd like to pray with you before we close. I know a lot of people are struggling about this truth. Now, nobody has the Mark of the beast yet. Are we clear on that? That becomes an issue when there's a law made saying you cannot buy or sell. It's interesting that the United States is sort of at the head of the united nations that has economic sanctions on countries telling them that they cannot buy or sell on an economic level unless they cooperate with certain things. I think that power is going to be used again in the last days. Economic sanctions. I think that the cards and the devices we use for buying and selling - now people are buying with their phones. I think soon people might even get a chip implanted. I don't know what'll happen next. But you'll find that if you don't worship the way the government tells you - the day and the way they tell you, you're going to go to buy something - canceled - no purchase. How easy would it be right now for the governments of the world and for individual governments to control buying and selling? We already know, right? We're living in the time where all these things are playing out before us. And God brought you here - you're watching now because he wants you to be ready. He wants you to enjoy the blessings that he has in receiving the seal of God and his commandments. I'd like to invite Christian to come out and sing and kelly. And I want you to pray about are you going to be a hearer of the word or a doer? And a willingness to do his will. He's speaking to your heart softly and tenderly. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me. At the heart's portal he's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. Come home. Come home. Ye who are weary come home. Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, calling 'o sinner, come home.' You sometimes feel like it's been awhile since you've really had rest? Jesus says 'you'll only have that rest when you come unto me. Take my yoke upon you. Learn of me and you'll find rest for your souls. ' You know, the Sabbath is all about that. the Lord wants you to have that spiritual and that physical rest. God will not force you. He's given you a free choice. He's given you a heart. He wants your heart and he cannot force that. You must choose to give it. If the Holy Spirit has been speaking to you and you're struggling with making a complete surrender - Sabbath is just one of the commandments, there might be other areas where you know you're living outside of God's will, you're running from his law. Sin will be your undoing. It will find you out. And the only one who can save you from the penalty and the power of sin is Jesus. But you've got to come just like you are and say, 'Lord, help me. Save me. Give me that new heart. Give me that new spirit. I want to be not only a hearer, but a doer of Your Word.' Is that your prayer, friends? Is that your desire? Those of you who are watching, I'd like to pray with you. And you can make that decision and pray with me right now. Dear Father, we've all sinned and fallen short of your glory. We are so thankful that you loved us so much that you sent your son that we might be forgiven - that we might have a better life here and eternal life in the world to come. Lord, we're powerless to even give our hearts, but we can choose to come as we are. We hear you calling gently and softly and here we are, Lord, we're surrendering ourselves. Save us from our sins. Help us to represent you in this fallen world. Give us your seal of the Holy Spirit in our minds and in our hearts. Prepare us for the things that are soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise. And I pray that we can represent Jesus and know him. This we ask in Christ's name, amen. God bless you, friends. Please remember, our next program is going to be 'the woman of truth' and that'll be tomorrow night. We hope you tune in. Tell your friends and look at 'landmarksofprophecy.com' - God bless you.
2019-04-22T00:30:50Z
https://www.bibleprophecytruth.com/topics/media/e/13166/t/marked-for-death
Neo-platonism (or Neoplatonism) is a modern term used to designate the period of Platonic philosophy beginning with the work of Plotinus and ending with the closing of the Platonic Academy by the Emperor Justinian in 529 C.E. This brand of Platonism, which is often described as 'mystical' or religious in nature, developed outside the mainstream of Academic Platonism. The origins of Neoplatonism can be traced back to the era of Hellenistic syncretism which spawned such movements and schools of thought as Gnosticism and the Hermetic tradition. A major factor in this syncretism, and one which had an immense influence on the development of Platonic thought, was the introduction of the Jewish Scriptures into Greek intellectual circles via the translation known as the Septuagint. The encounter between the creation narrative of Genesis and the cosmology of Plato's Timaeus set in motion a long tradition of cosmological theorizing that finally culminated in the grand schema of Plotinus' Enneads. Plotinus' two major successors, Porphyry and Iamblichus, each developed, in their own way, certain isolated aspects of Plotinus' thought, but neither of them developed a rigorous philosophy to match that of their master. It was Proclus who, shortly before the closing of the Academy, bequeathed a systematic Platonic philosophy upon the world that in certain ways approached the sophistication of Plotinus. Finally, in the work of the so-called Pseudo-Dionysius, we find a grand synthesis of Platonic philosophy and Christian theology that was to exercise an immense influence on mediaeval mysticism and Renaissance Humanism. The term 'Neoplatonism' is a modern construction. Plotinus, who is often considered the 'founder' of Neoplatonism, would not have considered himself a "new" Platonist in any sense, but simply an expositor of the doctrines of Plato. That this required him to formulate an entirely new philosophical system would not have been viewed by him as a problem, for it was, in his eyes, precisely what the Platonic doctrine required. In a sense, this is true, for as early as the Old Academy we find Plato's successors struggling with the proper interpretation of his thought, and arriving at strikingly different conclusions. Also, in the Hellenistic era, certain Platonic ideas were taken up by thinkers of various loyalties -- Jewish, Gnostic, Christian -- and worked up into new forms of expression that varied quite considerably from what Plato actually wrote in his Dialogues. Should this lead us to the conclusion that these thinkers were any less 'loyal' to Plato than were the members of the Academy (in its various forms throughout the centuries preceding Plotinus)? No; for the multiple and often contradictory uses made of Platonic ideas is a testament to the universality of Plato's thought -- that is, its ability to admit of a wide variety of interpretations and applications. In this sense, Neo-Platonism may be said to have begun immediately after Plato's death, when new approaches to his philosophy were being broached. Indeed, we already see a hint, in the doctrines of Xenocrates (the second head of the Old Academy) of a type of salvation theory involving the unification of the two parts of the human soul -- the "Olympian" or heavenly, and the "Titanic" or earthly (Dillon 1977, p. 27). If we accept Frederick Copleston's description of Neoplatonism as "the intellectualist reply to the ... yearning for personal salvation" (Copleston 1962, p. 216) we can already locate the beginning of this reply as far back as the Old Academy, and Neoplatonism would then not have begun with Plotinus. However, it is not clear that Xenocrates' idea of salvation involved the individual; it is quite possible that he was referring to a unified human nature in an abstract sense. In any case, the early Hermetic-Gnostic tradition is certainly to an extent Platonic, and later Gnosticism and Christian Logos theology markedly so. If an intellectual reply to a general yearning for personal salvation is what characterizes Neoplatonism, then the highly intellectual Gnostics and Christians of the Late Hellenistic era must be given the title of Neoplatonists. However, if we are to be rigorous and define Neoplatonism as the synthesis of various more or less 'Platonistic' ideas into a grand expression of Platonic philosophy, then Plotinus must be considered the founder of Neoplatonism. Yet we must not forget that these Platonizing Christian, Gnostic, Jewish, and other 'pagan' thinkers provided the necessary speculative material to make this synthesis possible. The great third century thinker and 'founder' of Neoplatonism, Plotinus, is responsible for the grand synthesis of progressive Christian and Gnostic ideas with the traditional Platonic philosophy. He answered the challenge of accounting for the emergence of a seemingly inferior and flawed cosmos from the perfect mind of the divinity by declaring outright that all objective existence is but the external self-expression of an inherently contemplative deity known as the One (to hen), or the Good (ta kalon). Plotinus compares the expression of the superior godhead with the self-expression of the individual soul, which proceeds from the perfect conception of a Form (eidos), to the always flawed expression of this Form in the manner of a materially derived 'personality' that risks succumbing to the demands of divisive discursivity, and so becomes something less than divine. This diminution of the divine essence in temporality is but a necessary moment of the complete expression of the One. By elevating the experience of the individual soul to the status of an actualization of a divine Form, Plotinus succeeded, also, in preserving, if not the autonomy, at least the dignity and ontological necessity of personality. The Cosmos, according to Plotinus, is not a created order, planned by a deity on whom we can pass the charge of begetting evil; for the Cosmos is the self-expression of the Soul, which corresponds, roughly, to Philo's logos prophorikos, the logos endiathetos of which is the Intelligence (nous). Rather, the Cosmos, in Plotinian terms, is to be understood as the concrete result or 'product' of the Soul's experience of its own Mind (nous). Ideally, this concrete expression should serve the Soul as a reference-point for its own self-conscious existence; however, the Soul all too easily falls into the error of valuing the expression over the principle (arkhê), which is the contemplation of the divine Forms. This error gives rise to evil, which is the purely subjective relation of the Soul (now divided) to the manifold and concrete forms of its expressive act. When the Soul, in the form of individual existents, becomes thus preoccupied with its experience, Nature comes into being, and the Cosmos takes on concrete form as the locus of personality. Hearkening back, whether consciously or not, to the doctrine of Speusippus (Plato's successor in the Academy) that the One is utterly transcendent and "beyond being," and that the Dyad is the true first principle (Dillon 1977, p. 12), Plotinus declares that the One is "alone with itself" and ineffable (cf. Enneads VI.9.6 and V.2.1). The One does not act to produce a cosmos or a spiritual order, but simply generates from itself, effortlessly, a power (dunamis) which is at once the Intellect (nous) and the object of contemplation (theôria) of this Intellect. While Plotinus suggests that the One subsists by thinking itself as itself, the Intellect subsists through thinking itself as other, and therefore becomes divided within itself: this act of division within the Intellect is the production of Being, which is the very principle of expression or discursivity (Ennead V.1.7). For this reason, the Intellect stands as Plotinus' sole First Principle. At this point, the thinking or contemplation of the Intellect is divided up and ordered into thoughts, each of them subsisting in and for themselves, as autonomous reflections of the dunamis of the One. These are the Forms (eidê), and out of their inert unity there arises the Soul, whose task it is to think these Forms discursively and creatively, and to thereby produce or create a concrete, living expression of the divine Intellect. This activity of the Soul results in the production of numerous individual souls: living actualizations of the possibilities inherent in the Forms. Whereas the Intellect became divided within itself through contemplation, the Soul becomes divided outside of itself, through action (which is still contemplation, according to Plotinus, albeit the lowest type; cf. Ennead III.8.4), and this division constitutes the Cosmos, which is the expressive or creative act of the Soul, also referred to as Nature. When the individual soul reflects upon Nature as its own act, this soul is capable of attaining insight (gnôsis) into the essence of Intellect; however, when the soul views nature as something objective and external -- that is, as something to be experienced or undergone, while forgetting that the soul itself is the creator of this Nature -- evil and suffering ensue. Let us now examine the manner in which Plotinus explains Nature as the locus of personality. Contemplation, at the level of the Soul, is for Plotinus a two-way street. The Soul both contemplates, passively, the Intellect, and reflects upon its own contemplative act by producing Nature and the Cosmos. The individual souls that become immersed in Nature, as moments of the Soul's eternal act, will, ideally, gain a complete knowledge of the Soul in its unity, and even of the Intellect, by reflecting upon the concrete results of the Soul's act -- that is, upon the externalized, sensible entities that comprise the physical Cosmos. This reflection, if carried by the individual soul with a memory of its provenance always in the foreground, will lead to a just governing of the physical Cosmos, which will make of it a perfect material image of the Intellectual Cosmos, i.e., the realm of the Forms (cf. Enneads IV.3.7 and IV.8.6). However, things don't always turn out so well, for individual souls often "go lower than is needful ... in order to light the lower regions, but it is not good for them to go so far" (Ennead IV.3.17, tr. O'Brien 1964). For when the soul extends itself ever farther into the indeterminacy of materiality, it gradually loses memory of its divine origin, and comes to identify itself more and more with its surroundings -- that is to say: the soul identifies itself with the results of the Soul's act, and forgets that it is, as part of this Soul, itself an agent of the act. This is tantamount to a relinquishing, by the soul, of its divine nature. When the soul has thus abandoned itself, it begins to accrue many alien encrustations, if you will, that make of it something less than divine. These encrustations are the 'accidents' (in the Aristotelian sense) of personality. And yet the soul is never completely lost, for, as Plotinus insists, the soul need simply "think upon essential being" in order to return to itself, and continue to exist authentically as a governor of the Cosmos (Ennead IV.8.4-6). The memory of the personality that this wandering soul possessed must be forgotten in order for it to return completely to its divine nature; for if it were remembered, we would have to say, contradictorily, that the soul holds a memory of what occurred during its state of forgetfulness! So in a sense, Plotinus holds that individual personalities are not maintained at the level of Soul. However, if we understand personality as more than just a particular attitude attached to a concrete mode of existence, and rather view it as the sum total of experiences reflected upon in intellect, then souls most certainly retain their personalities, even at the highest level, for they persist as thoughts within the divine Mind (cp. Ennead IV.8.5). The personality that one acquires in action (the lowest type of contemplation) is indeed forgotten and dissolved, but the 'personality' or persistence in intellect that one achieves through virtuous acts most definitely endures (Ennead IV.3.32). Plotinus, like his older contemporary, the Christian philosopher Origen of Alexandria, views the descent of the soul into the material realm as a necessary moment in the unfolding of the divine Intellect, or God. For this reason, the descent itself is not an evil, for it is a reflection of God's essence. Both Origen and Plotinus place the blame for experiencing this descent as an evil squarely upon the individual soul. Of course, these thinkers held, respectively, quite different views as to why and how the soul experiences the descent as an evil; but they held one thing in common: that the rational soul will naturally choose the Good, and that any failure to do so is the result of forgetfulness or acquired ignorance. But whence this failure? Origen gave what, to Plotinus' mind, must have been a quite unsatisfactory answer: that souls pre-existed as spiritual beings, and when they desired to create or 'beget' independently of God, they all fell into error, and languished there until the coming of Logos Incarnate. This view has more than a little Gnostic flavor to it, which would have sat ill with Plotinus, who was a great opponent of Gnosticism. The fall of the soul Plotinus refers, quite simply, to the tension between pure contemplation and divisive action -- a tension that constitutes the natural mode of existence of the soul (cf. Ennead IV.8.6-7). Plotinus tells us that a thought is only completed or fully comprehended after it has been expressed, for only then can the thought be said to have passed from potentiality to actuality (Ennead IV.3.30). The question of whether Plotinus places more value on the potential or the actual is really of no consequence, for in the Plotinian plêrôma every potentiality generates an activity, and every activity becomes itself a potential for new activity (cf. Ennead III.8.8); and since the One, which is the goal or object of desire of all existents, is neither potentiality nor actuality, but "beyond being" (epekeina ousias), it is impossible to say whether the striving of existents, in Plotinus' schema, will result in full and complete actualization, or in a repose of potentiality that will make them like their source. "Likeness to God as far as possible," for Plotinus, is really likeness to oneself -- authentic existence. Plotinus leaves it up to the individual to determine what this means. In his biography of Plotinus, Porphyry records the last words of his teacher to his students as follows: "Strive to bring back the god in yourselves to the God in the All" (Porphyry, Life of Plotinus 2, my translation). After uttering these words, Plotinus, one of the greatest philosophers the world has ever known, passed away. The simplicity of this final statement seems to be at odds with the intellectual rigors of Plotinus' treatises, which challenge -- and more often than not vanquish -- just about every prominent philosophical view of the era. But this is only if we take this remark in a mystical or ecstatic religious sense. Plotinus demanded the utmost level of intellectual clarity in dealing with the problem of humankind's relation to the highest principle of existence. Striving for or desiring salvation was not, for Plotinus, an excuse for simply abandoning oneself to faith or prayer or unreflective religious rituals; rather, salvation was to be achieved through the practice of philosophical investigation, of dialectic. The fact that Plotinus, at the end of his life, had arrived at this very simple formulation, serves to show that his dialectical quest was successful. In his last treatise, "On the Primal Good" (Ennead I.7), Plotinus is able to assert, in the same breath, that both life and death are good. He says this because life is the moment in which the soul expresses itself and revels in the autonomy of the creative act. However, this life, since it is characterized by action, eventually leads to exhaustion, and the desire, not for autonomous action, but for reposeful contemplation -- of a fulfillment that is purely intellectual and eternal. Death is the relief of this exhaustion, and the return to a state of contemplative repose. Is this return to the Intellect a return to potentiality? It is hard to say. Perhaps it is a synthesis of potentiality and actuality: the moment at which the soul is both one and many, both human and divine. This would constitute Plotinian salvation -- the fulfillment of the exhortation of the dying sage. In the last analysis, what stands as the most important and impressive accomplishment of Plotinus is the manner in which he synthesized the pure, 'semi-mythical' expression of Plato with the logical rigors of the Peripatetic and Stoic schools, yet without losing sight of philosophy's most important task: of rendering the human experience in intelligible and analyzable terms. That Plotinus' thought had to take the 'detour' through such wildly mystical and speculative paths as Gnosticism and Christian salvation theology is only proof of his clear-sightedness, thoroughness, and admirable humanism. For all of his dialectical difficulties and perambulations, Plotinus' sole concern is with the well-being (eudaimonia) of the human soul. This is, of course, to be understood as an intellectual, as opposed to a merely physical or even emotional well-being, for Plotinus was not concerned with the temporary or the temporal. The striving of the human mind for a mode of existence more suited to its intuited potential than the ephemeral possibilities of this material realm, while admittedly a striving born of temporality, is nonetheless directed toward atemporal and divine perfection. This is a striving or desire rendered all the more poignant and worthy of philosophy precisely because it is born in the depths of existential angst, and not in the primitive ecstasies of unreflective ritual. As the last true representative of the Greek philosophical spirit, Plotinus is Apollonian, not Dionysian. His concern is with the intellectual beautification of the human soul, and for this reason his notion of salvation does not, like Origen's, imply an eternal state of objective contemplation of the divinity -- for Plotinus, the separation between human and god breaks down, so that when the perfected soul contemplates itself, it is also contemplating the Supreme. Plotinus was faced with the task of defending the true Platonic philosophy, as he understood it, against the inroads being made, in his time, most of all by Gnostics, but also by orthodox Christianity. Instead of launching an all-out attack on these new ideas, Plotinus took what was best from them, in his eyes, and brought these ideas into concert with his own brand of Platonism. For this reason, we are sometimes surprised to see Plotinus, in one treatise, speaking of the cosmos as a realm of forgetfulness and error, while in another, speaking of the cosmos as the most perfect expression of the godhead. Once we realize the extent to which certain Gnostic sects went in order to brand this world as a product of an evil and malignant Demiurge, to whom we owe absolutely no allegiance, it becomes clear that Plotinus was simply trying to temper the extreme form of an idea which he himself shared, though in a less radical sense. The feeling of being thrown into a hostile and alien world is a philosophically valid position from which to begin a critique and investigation of human existence; indeed, modern existentialist philosophers have often started from this same premise. However, Plotinus realized that it is not the nature of the human soul to simply escape from a realm of active engagement with external reality (the cosmos) to a passive receptance of divine form (within the plêrôma). The Soul, as Plotinus understands it, is an essentially creative being, and one which understands existence on its own terms. One of the beauties of Plotinus' system is that everything he says concerning the nature of the Cosmos (spiritual and physical) can equally be held of the Soul. Now while it would be false to charge Plotinus with solipsism (or even narcissism, as one prominent commentator has done; cf. Julia Kristeva in Hadot 1993, p. 11), it would be correct to say that the entire Cosmos is an analogue of the experience of the Soul, which results in the attainment of full self-consciousness. The form of Plotinus' system is the very form by which the Soul naturally comes to know itself in relation to its acts; and the expression of the Soul will always, therefore, be a philosophical expression. When we speak of the Plotinian synthesis, then, what we are speaking of is a natural dialectic of the Soul, which takes its own expressions into account, no matter how faulty or incomplete they may appear in retrospect, and weaves them into a cosmic tapestry of noetic images. Porphyry of Tyre (ca. 233-305 CE) is the most famous pupil of Plotinus. In addition to writing an introductory summary of his master's theories (the treatise entitled Launching-Points to the Realm of Mind), Porphyry also composed the famous Isagoge, an introduction to the Categories of Aristotle, which came to exercise an immense influence on Mediaeval Scholasticism. The extent of Porphyry's investigative interests exceeded that of his teacher, and his so-called "scientific" works, which survive to this day, include a treatise on music (On Prosody), and two studies of the astronomical and astrological theories of Claudius Ptolemy (ca. 70-140 CE), On the Harmonics, and an Introduction to The Astronomy of Ptolemy. He wrote biographies of Pythagoras and Plotinus, and edited and compiled the latter's essays into six books, each containing nine treatises, giving them the title Enneads. Unlike Plotinus, Porphyry was interested primarily in the practical aspect of salvific striving, and the manner in which the soul could most effectively bring about its transference to ever higher realms of existence. This led Porphyry to develop a doctrine of ascent to the Intellect by way of the exercise of virtue (aretê) in the form of 'good works'. This doctrine may owe its genesis to Porphyry's supposed early adherence to Christianity, as attested by the historian Socrates, and suggested by St. Augustine (cf. Copleston 1962, p. 218). If Porphyry had, at some point, been a Christian, this would account for his belief in the soul's objective relation to the divine Mind -- an idea shared by Origen, whom Porphyry knew as a youth (cf. Eusebius, The History of the Church, p. 195) -- and would explain his quite un-Plotinian belief in a gradual progress toward perfection, as opposed to the 'instant salvation' proposed by Plotinus (cf. Ennead IV.8.4). Iamblichus of Apamea (d. ca. 330 CE) was a student of Porphyry. He departed from his teacher on more than a few points, most notably in his insistence on demoting Plotinus' One (which Porphyry left unscathed, as it were) to the level of kosmos noêtos, which according to Iamblichus generates the intellectual realm (kosmos noêros). In this regard, Iamblichus can be said to have either severely misunderstood, or neglected to even attempt to understand, Plotinus on the important doctrine of contemplation (see above). This view led Iamblichus to posit a Supreme One even higher than the One of Plotinus, which generates the Intellectual Cosmos, and yet remains beyond all predication and determinacy. Iamblichus also made a tripartite division of Soul, positing a cosmic or All-Soul, and two lesser souls, corresponding to the rational and irrational faculties, respectively. This somewhat gratuitous skewing of the Plotinian noetic realm also led Iamblichus to posit an array of intermediate spiritual beings between the lower souls and the intelligible realm -- daemons, the souls of heroes, and angels of all sorts. By placing so much distance between the earthly soul and the intelligible realm, Iamblichus made it difficult for the would-be philosopher to gain an intuitive knowledge of the higher Soul, although he insisted that everyone possesses such knowledge, coupled with an innate desire for the Good. In place of the vivid dialectic of Plotinus, Iamblichus established the practice of theurgy (theourgia), which he insists does not draw the gods down to man, but rather renders humankind, "who through generation are born subject to passion, pure and unchangeable" (On the Mysteries I.12.42; in Fowden 1986, p. 133). Whereas "likeness to God" had meant, for Plotinus, a recollection and perfection of one's own divine nature (which is, in the last analysis, identical to nous; cf. Ennead III.4), for Iamblichus the relation of humankind to the divine is one of subordinate to superior, and so the pagan religious piety that Plotinus had scorned -- "Let the gods come to me, and not I to them," he had once said (cf. Porphyry, Life of Plotinus 10) -- returns to philosophy with a vengeance. Iamblichus is best known for his lengthy treatise On the Mysteries. Like Porphyry, he also wrote a biography of Pythagoras. In his introduction to the philosophy of Plotinus, entitled Launching-Points to the Realm of Mind, Porphyry remarks that the inclination of the incorporeal Soul toward corporeality "constitutes a second nature [the irrational soul], which unites with the body" (Launching-Points 18 ). This remark is supposedly a commentary on Ennead IV.2, where Plotinus discusses the relation of the individual soul to the All-Soul. While it is true that Plotinus often speaks of the individual soul as being independent of the highest Soul, he does this for illustrative purposes, in order to show how far into forgetfulness the soul that has become enamored of its act may fall. Yet Plotinus insists time and again that the individual soul and the All-Soul are one (cf. esp. Ennead IV.1), and that Nature is the Soul's expressive act (see above). Irrationality does not constitute, for Plotinus, a "second nature," but is merely a flawed exercise of rationality -- that is, doxa untempered by epistêmê -- on the part of the individual soul. Furthermore, the individual soul, which comes to unite with corporeality, governs and controls the body, making possible discursive knowledge as well as sense-perception. Uncontrolled pathos is what Plotinus calls irrationality; the soul brings aisthêsis (perceptive judgment) to corporeality, and so prevents it from sinking into irrational passivity. So what led Porphyry to make such an interpretative error, if error it was? It is quite possible that Porphyry had arrived at his own conclusions about the Soul, and tried to square his own theory with what Plotinus actually taught. One clue to the reason for the 'misunderstanding' may possibly lie in Porphyry's early involvement with Christianity. While Porphyry himself never tells us that he had been a Christian, Augustine speaks of him as if he were an apostate, and the historian Socrates states outright that Porphyry had once been of the Christian faith, telling us that he left the fold in disgust after being assaulted by a rowdy band of Christians in Caesarea (Copleston 1962, p. 218). In any case, it is certain that he was acquainted with Plotinus' older contemporary, the Christian Origen, and that he had been exposed to Christian doctrine. Indeed, his own spirited attack on Christianity ("Fifteen Arguments Against the Christians," now preserved only in fragments) shows him to have possessed a wide knowledge of Holy Scripture, remarkable for a 'pagan' philosopher of that era. Porphyry's exposure to Christian doctrine, then, would have left him with a view of salvation quite different from that of Plotinus, who seems never to have paid Christianity much mind. The best evidence we have for this explanation is Porphyry's own theory of salvation -- and it is remarkably similar to what we find in Origen! Porphyry's salvation theory is dependent, like Origen's, on a notion of the soul's objective relation to God, and its consequent striving, not to actualize its own divine potentiality, but to attain a level of virtue that makes it capable of partaking fully of the divine essence. This is accomplished through the exercise of virtue, which sets the soul on a gradual course of progress toward the highest Good. Beginning with simple 'practical virtues' (politikai arêtai) the soul gradually rises to higher levels, eventually attaining what Porphyry calls the paradeigmatikai arêtai or 'exemplary virtues' which make of the soul a living expression of the divine Mind (cf. Porphyry, Letter to Marcella 29). Note that Porphyry stops the soul's ascent at nous, and presumably holds that the 'saved' soul will eternally contemplate the infinite power of the One. If Porphyry's concern had been with the preservation of personality, then this explanation makes some sense. However, it is more likely that the true reason for Porphyry's rejection of the radically 'hubristic' theory (at least to pietistic pagans) of the nature of the individual soul held by Plotinus was a result of his intention to restore dignity to the traditional religion of the Greeks (which had come under attack not only by Plotinus, but by Christians as well). Evidence of such a program resides in Porphyry's allegorical interpretations of Homer and traditional cultic practice, as well as his possibly apologetic work on Philosophy from Oracles (now lost). Compared to Plotinus, then, Porphyry was quite the conservative, concerned as he was with maintaining the ancient view of humankind's relatively humble position in the cosmic hierarchy, over against Plotinus' view that the soul is a god, owing little more than a passing nod to its 'noble brethren' in the heavens. One of the results of Porphyry's conservative position toward traditional religious practice and belief was the 'return' to the doctrine that the stars and planets are capable of affecting and ordering human life. Plotinus argued that since the individual soul is one with the All-Soul, it is in essence a co-creator of the Cosmos, and therefore not really subject to the laws governing the Cosmos -- for the soul is the source and agent of those laws! Therefore, a belief in astrology was, for Plotinus, absurd, since if the soul turned to beings dependent upon its own law -- i.e., the stars and planets -- in order to know itself, then it would only end up knowing aspects of its own act, and would never return to itself in full self-consciousness. Furthermore, as we have seen, Plotinian salvation was instantly available to the soul, if only it would turn its mind to "essential being" (see above); because of this, Plotinus saw no reason to bring the stars and planets into the picture. For Porphyry, however, who believed that the soul must gradually work toward salvation, a knowledge of the operations of the heavenly bodies and their relation to humankind would have been an important tool in gaining ever higher levels of virtue. In fact, Porphyry seems to have held the view that the soul receives certain "powers" from each of the planets -- right judgment from Saturn, proper exercise of the will from Jupiter, impulse from Mars, opinion and imagination from the Sun, and (what else?) sensuous desire from Venus; from the Moon the soul receives the power of physical production (cf. Hegel, p. 430) -- and that these powers enable to the soul to know things both earthly and heavenly. This theoretical knowledge of the powers of the planets, then, would have made the more practical knowledge of astrology quite useful and meaningful for an individual soul seeking to know itself as such. The usefulness of astrology for Porphyry, in this regard, probably resided in its ability to permit an individual, through an analysis of his birth chart, to know which planet -- and therefore which "power" -- exercised the dominant influence on his life. In keeping with the ancient Greek doctrine of the "golden mean," the task of the individual would then be to work to bring to the fore those other "powers" -- each present to a lesser degree in the soul, but still active -- and thereby achieve a balance or sôphrosunê that would render the soul more capable of sharing in the divine Mind. The art of astrology, it must be remembered, was in wide practice in the Hellenistic world, and Plotinus' rejection of it was an exception that was by no means the rule. Plotinus' views on astrology apparently found few adherents, even among Platonists, for we see not only Porphyry, but also (to an extent) Iamblichus and even Proclus declaring its value -- the latter being responsible for a paraphrase of Claudius Ptolemy's astrological compendium known as the Tetrabiblos or sometimes simply as The Astronomy. In addition to penning a commentary on Ptolemy's tome, Porphyry also wrote his own Introduction to Astronomy (by which is apparently meant "Astrology," the modern distinction not holding in Hellenistic times). Unfortunately, this work no longer survives intact. The philosophy of Plotinus was highly discursive, meaning that it operated on the assumption that the highest meaning, the most profound truth (even a so-called mystical truth) is translatable, necessarily, into language; and furthermore, that any and every experience only attains its full value as meaning when it has reached expression in the form of language. This idea, of course, placed the One always beyond the discursive understanding of the human soul, since the One was proclaimed, by Plotinus, to be not only beyond discursive knowledge, but also the very source and possibility of such knowledge. According to Plotinus, then, any time the individual soul expresses a certain truth in language, this very act is representative of the power of the One. This notion of the simultaneous intimate proximity of the One to the soul, and, paradoxically, its extreme transcendence and ineffability, is possible only within the confines of a purely subjective and introspective philosophy like that of Plotinus; and since such a philosophy, by its very nature, cannot appeal to common, external perceptions, it is destined to remain the sole provenance of the sensitive and enlightened few. Porphyry did not want to admit this, and so he found himself seeking, as St. Augustine tells us, "a universal way (universalem viam) for the liberation of the soul" (City of God 10.32, in Fowden, p. 132), believing, as he did, that no such way had yet been discovered by or within philosophy. This did not imply, for Porphyry, a wholesale rejection of the Plotinian dialectic in favor of a more esoteric process of salvation; but it did lead Porphyry (see above) to look to astrology as a means of orienting the soul toward its place in the cosmos, and thereby allowing it to achieve the desired salvation in the most efficacious manner possible. Iamblichus, on the other hand, rejected even Porphyry's approach, in favor of a path toward the divinity that is more worthy of priests (hieratikoi) than philosophers; for Iamblichus believed that not only the One, but all the gods and demi-gods, exceed and transcend the individual soul, making it necessary for the soul seeking salvation to call upon the superior beings to aid it in its progress. This is accomplished, Iamblichus tells us, by "the perfective operation of unspeakable acts (erga) correctly performed ... acts which are beyond all understanding (huper pasan noêsin)" and which are "intelligible only to the gods" (On the Mysteries II.11.96-7, in Fowden, p. 132). These ritualistic acts, and the 'logic' underlying them, Iamblichus terms "theurgy" (theourgia). These theurgic acts are necessary, for Iamblichus, because he is convinced that philosophy, which is based solely upon thought (ennoia) -- and thought, we must remember, is always an accomplishment of the individual mind, and hence discursive -- is unable to reach that which is beyond thought. The practice of theurgy, then, becomes a way for the soul to experience the presence of the divinity, instead of merely thinking or conceptualizing the godhead. Porphyry took issue with this view, in his Letter to Anebo, which is really a criticism of the ideas of his pupil, Iamblichus, where he stated that, since theurgy is a physical process, it cannot possibly translate into a spiritual effect. Iamblichus' On the Mysteries was written as a reply to Porphyry's criticisms, but the defense of the pupil did not succeed in vanquishing the persistent attacks of the master. While both Porphyry and Iamblichus recognized, to a lesser and greater extent, respectively, the limitations of the Plotinian dialectic, Porphyry held firm to the idea that since the divinity is immaterial it can only be grasped in a noetic fashion -- i.e., discursively (and even astrology, in spite of its mediative capacity, is still an intellectual exercise, open to dialectic and narratization); Iamblichus, adhering roughly to the same view, nevertheless argued that the human soul must not think god on its own terms, but must allow itself to be transformed by the penetrating essence of god, of which the soul partakes through rituals intended to transform the particularized, fragmented soul into a being that is "pure and unchangeable" (cf. On the Mysteries I.12.42; Fowden, p. 133). According to the schema of Plotinian dialectic, the 'stance' of the individual soul is the sole source of truth certainty, being a judging faculty dependent always upon the higher Soul. From the perspective of one who believes that the soul is immersed in Nature, instead of recognizing, as Plotinus did, the soul's status as an intimate governor of Nature (which is the Soul's own act), dialectic may very well appear as a solipsistic (and therefore faulty) attempt on the part of an individual mind to know its reality by imposing conceptual structures and strictures upon the phenomena that constitute this reality. Iamblichus believed that since every individual soul is immersed in the 'bodily element,' no soul is capable of understanding the divine nature through the pure exercise of human reason -- for reason itself, at the level of the human soul-body composite, is tainted by the changeable nature of matter, and therefore incapable of rising to that perfect knowledge that is beyond all change (cp. Plato, Phaedrus 247e). Dialectic, then, as the soul's attempt to know reality, is seen by Iamblichus as an attempt by an already fallen being to lead itself up out of the very locus of its own forgetfulness. Now Iamblichus does not completely reject dialectical reason; he simply requests that it be tempered by an appeal to intermediate divinities, who will aid the fallen soul in its ascent back towards the Supreme Good. The practice of ritualistic theurgy is the medium by which the fallen soul ascends to a point at which it becomes capable of engaging in a meaningful dialectic with the divinity. This dependence upon higher powers nevertheless negates the soul's own innate ability to think itself as god, and so we may say that Iamblichus' ideas represent a decisive break with the philosophy of Plotinus. Proclus (410-485 CE) is, next to Plotinus, the most accomplished and rigorous of the Neoplatonists. Born in Constantinople, he studied philosophy in Athens, and through diligent effort rose to the rank of head teacher or 'scholarch' of that great school. In addition to his accomplishments in philosophy, Proclus was also a religious universalist, who had himself initiated into all the mystery religions being practiced during his time. This was doubtless due to the influence of Iamblichus, whom Proclus held in high esteem (cf. Proclus, Theology of Plato III; in Hegel, p. 432). The philosophical expression of Proclus is more precise and logically ordered than that of Plotinus. Indeed, Proclus posits the Intellect (nous) as the culmination of the productive act (paragein) of the One; this is in opposition to Plotinus, who described the Intellect as proceeding directly from the One, thereby placing Mind before Thought, and so making thought the process by which the Intellect becomes alienated from itself, thus requiring the salvific act in order to attain the fulfillment of Being, which is, for Plotinus, the return of Intellect to itself. Proclus understands the movement of existence as a tripartite progression beginning with an abstract unity, passing into a multiplicity that is identified with Life, and returning again to a unity that is no longer merely abstract, but now actualized as an eternal manifestation of the godhead. What constituted, for Plotinus, the salvific drama of human existence is, for Proclus, simply the logical, natural order of things. However, by thus removing the yearning for salvation from human existence, as something to be accomplished, positively, Proclus is ignoring or overly intellectualizing, if you will, an existential aspect of human existence that is as real as it is powerful. Plotinus recognized the importance of the salvific drive for the realization of true philosophy, making philosophy a means to an end; Proclus utilizes philosophy, rather, more in the manner of a useful, descriptive language by which a thinker may describe the essential realities of a merely contingent existence. In this sense, Proclus is more faithful to the 'letter' of Plato's Dialogues; but for this same reason he fails to rise to the 'spirit' of the Platonic philosophy. Proclus' major works include commentaries on Plato's Timaeus, Republic, Parmenides, Alcibiades I, and the Cratylus. He also wrote treatises on the Theology of Plato, On Providence, and On the Subsistence of Evil. His most important work is undoubtedly the Elements of Theology, which contains the clearest exposition of his ideas. We found, in Plotinus, an explanation and expression of a cosmos that involved a gradual development from all but static unity toward eventual alienation -- a moment at which the active soul must make the profound decision to renounce autonomous existence and re-merge with the source of all Being, or else remain forever in the darkness of forgetfulness and error. Salvation, for Plotinus, was relatively easy to accomplish, but never guaranteed. For Proclus, on the other hand, the arkhê or 'ruling beginning' of all Life is the 'One-in-itself' (to auto hen), or that which is responsible for the ordering of all existents, insofar as existence is, in the last analysis, the sovereign act or expression of this primordial unity or monad. The expression of this One is perfectly balanced, being a trinity containing, as distinct expressions, each moment of self-realization of this One; and each of these moments, according to Proclus, have the structure of yet another trinity. The first trinity corresponds to the limit, which is the guide and reference-point of all further manifestations; the second to the unlimited, which is also Life or the productive power (dunamis); and the third, finally, to the 'mixture' (mikton, diakosmos), which is the self-reflective moment of return during which the soul realizes itself as a thinking -- i.e., living -- entity. Thought is, therefore, the culmination of Life and the fulfillment of Being. Thought is also the reason (logos) that binds these triadic unities together in a grand harmonious plêrôma, if you will. Being, for Proclus, is that divine self-presence, "shut up without development and maintained in strict isolation" (Hegel, p. 446) which is the object of Life's thinking; this 'object' gives rise to that thinking which leads, eventually, to understanding (nous), which is the thought of being, and appears (ekphanôs), always, as 'being's begetter'. When the circle is completed, and reflected upon, logically, we are met with the following onto-cosmological schema: thought (noêtos, also known as 'Being') giving rise to its "negative" which is thinking (Hegel, p. 393) and the thought 'it is' (noêtos kai noêros), produces its own precise reflection -- 'pure thinking' -- and this reflection is the very manifestation (phanerôsis) of the deity within the fluctuating arena of individual souls. Being is eternal and static precisely because it always returns to itself as Being; and 'Becoming'is the conceptual term for this process, which involves the cyclical play between that which is and is not, at any given time. "[T]he thought of every man is identical with the existence of every man, and each is both the thought and the existence" (Proclus, Platonic Theology III., in Hegel, p. 449). The autonomous drive toward dissolution, which is so germane to the soul as such, is wiped away by Proclus, for his dialectic is impeccably clean. However, he does not account for the yearning for the infinite (as does Plotinus) and the consequent existential desire for productive power falls on its face before the supreme god of autonomous creation -- which draws all existents into its primeval web of dissolution. Very little is known about the life of the so-called Pseudo-Dionysius. For many centuries, the writings of this mystical philosopher were believed to have been from the pen of none other Dionysius, the disciple of St. Paul. Later scholarship has shed considerable doubt on this claim, and most modern scholars believe this author to have been active during the late fifth century CE. Indeed, the earliest reference to the Dionysian Corpus that we possess is from 533 CE. There is no mention of this author's work before this date. Careful study of the Pseudo-Dionysian writings has uncovered many parallels between the theurgical doctrines of Iamblichus, and the triadic metaphysical schema of Proclus. Yet what we witness in these writings is the attempt by a thinker who is at once religiously sensitive and philosophically engaged to bring the highly developed Platonism of his time into line with a Christian theological tradition that was apparently persisting on the fringes of orthodoxy. To this extent, we may refer to the Pseudo-Dionysius as a 'decadent,' for he (or she?) was writing at a time when the heyday of Platonism had attained the status of a palaios logos ('ancient teaching') to be, not merely commented upon, but savored as an aesthetic monument to an era already long past. It is important to note, in this regard, that the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius do not contain any theoretical arguments or dialectical moments, but simply many subtle variations on the apophatic/kataphatic theology for which our writer is renowned. Indeed, he writes as if his readers already know, and are merely in need of clarification. His message is quite simple, and is manifestly distilled from the often cumbersome doctrines of earlier thinkers (especially Iamblichus and Proclus). Pseudo-Dionysius professes a God who is beyond all distinctions, and who even transcends the means utilized by human beings to reach Him. For Pseudo-Dionysius, the Holy Trinity (which is probably analogous to Proclus' highest trinity, see above) serves as a "guide" to the human being who seeks not only to know but to unite with "him who is beyond all being and knowledge" (Pseudo-Dionysius, The Mystical Theology 997A-1000A, tr. C. Luibheid 1987). In the expression of the Pseudo-Dionysius the yearning for the infinite reaches a poetical form that at once fulfills and exceeds philosophy. After the closing of the Neoplatonic Academy in Athens by the Emperor Justinian in 529 CE, Platonism ceased to be a living philosophy. Due to the efforts of the Christian philosopher Boethius (480-525 CE), who translated Porphyry's Isagoge, and composed numerous original works as well, the Middle Ages received a faint glimmer of the ancient glories of the Platonic philosophy. St. Augustine, also, was responsible for imparting a sense of Neoplatonic doctrine to the Latin West, but this was by way of commentary and critique, and not in any way a systematic exposition of the philosophy. Generally speaking, it is safe to say that the European Middle Ages remained in the grip of Aristotelianism until the early Renaissance, when certain brilliant Italian thinkers began to rediscover, translate, and expound upon the original texts of Platonism. Chief among these thinkers were Marsilio Ficino (1433-1492) and Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494). Ficino produced fine Latin translations of Plato's Dialogues, the Enneads of Plotinus, and numerous works by Porphyry, Iamblichus, Proclus, Pseudo-Dionysius, and many others. In addition to his scholarly ability, Ficino was also a fine commentator and philosopher in his own right. His brilliant essay on Five Questions Concerning The Mind is a concise summary of general Neoplatonic doctrine, based upon Ficino's own view that the lot of the human soul is to inquire into its own nature, and that since this inquiry causes the human soul to experience misery, the soul must do everything it can to transcend the physical body and live a life worthy of the blessed angels (cf. Cassirer, et. al. (ed) 1948, p. 211-212). Giovanni Pico, the Count of Mirandola, was a colorful figure who lived a short life, fraught with strife. He roused the ire of the papacy by composing a voluminous work defending nine-hundred theses drawn from his vast reading of the Ancients; thirteen of these theses were deemed heretical by the papacy, and yet Pico refused to change or withdraw a single one. Like his friend Ficino, Pico was a devotee of ancient wisdom, drawing not only upon the Platonic canon, but also upon the Pre-Socratic literature and the Hermetic Corpus, especially the Poimandres. Pico's most famous work is the Oration on the Dignity of Man, in which he eloquently states his learned view that humankind was created by God "as a creature of indeterminate nature," possessed of the unique ability to ascend or descend on the scale of Being through the autonomous exercise of free will (Oration 3, in Cassirer, et. al. (ed) 1948, p. 224). Pico's view of free will was quite different from that expressed by Plotinus, and indeed most other Neoplatonists, and it came as no surprise when Pico composed a treatise On Being and the One which ended on Aristotelian terms, declaring the One to be coincident with or persisting amidst Being -- a wholly un-Platonic doctrine. With Ficino, then, we may say that Platonism achieved a brief moment of archaic glory, while with Pico, it was plunged once again into the quagmire of self-referential empiricism. Cassirer, Ernst; Kristeller, Paul Oskar; Randall, John Herman Jr. (editors) The Renaissance Philosophy of Man (University of Chicago Press 1948). Cooper, John M. (ed.), Plato: Complete Works (Hackett Publishing 1997). Copleston S.J., Frederick, A History of Philosophy (vol. I, part II): Greece and Rome (Image Books 1962). Dillon, John (1977), The Middle Platonists (Cornell University Press). Eusebius (tr. G.A. Williamson 1965), The History of the Church (Penguin Books). Fowden, Garth, The Egyptian Hermes: A Historical Approach To The Late Pagan Mind (Cambridge University Press 1986). Hadot, Pierre (tr. M. Chase), Plotinus, or The Simplicity of Vision (University of Chicago Press 1993). Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich (tr. E.S. Haldane and Frances H. Simson), Lectures on the History of Philosophy (vol. II): Plato And The Platonists (Bison Books 1995). Jaeger, Werner, Early Christianity and Greek Paideia (Harvard University Press 1961). Layton, Bentley (1987), The Gnostic Scriptures (Doubleday: The Anchor Bible Reference Library). O'Brien S.J., Elmer (1964), The Essential Plotinus: Representative Treatises From The Enneads (Hackett Publishing). Origen of Alexandria, Commentary on John, tr. in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. X. (Eerdmans 1979, reprint). Origen of Alexandria, On First Principles [De Principiis], tr. in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. IV. (Eerdmans 1979, reprint). Philo of Alexandria (tr. F.H. Colson and G.H. Whitaker), On the Creation of the World [De Opificio Mundi], in vol. 1 of The Loeb Classical Library edition of Philo (Harvard University Press 1929). Plotinus (tr. A.H. Armstrong), The Enneads, in seven volumes (Loeb Classical Library: Harvard University Press 1966). Porphyry (tr. K. Guthrie), Launching-Points to the Realm of Mind [Pros ta noeta aphorismoi] (Phanes Press 1988). Porphyry (tr. A. Zimmern), Porphyry's Letter to His Wife Marcella Concerning the Life of Philosophy and the Ascent to the Gods (Phanes Press 1986). Porphyry (tr. A.H. Armstrong), Life of Plotinus [Vita Plotini], in volume one of the Loeb Classical Library edition of Plotinus (Harvard University Press 1966). Proclus (tr. T. Taylor), Lost Fragments of Proclus (Wizards Bookshelf 1988). Proclus (tr. T. Taylor), Ten Doubts Concerning Providence, and On the Subsistence of Evil (Ares Publishers 1980). Pseudo-Dionysius (tr. C. Luibheid 1987), Pseudo-Dionysius: The Complete Works (Paulist Press).
2019-04-19T00:34:39Z
https://www.iep.utm.edu/neoplato/
Tags: Bitcoin Cloud Mining Explained Free, bitcoin mining, Bitcoin Mining Explained - See All Hardwares and Softwares Required, Bitcoin Mining With Detailed Infographics, How to Start Bitcoin Mining, Is Bitcoin Mining Profitable? 1.2 Who Controls the Bitcoins? 1.3 What is the Limit of Bitcoins? 1.5 What Is Bitcoin Based On? 3 Note: If you want to take the guess-work out of the picture and mine bitcoins profitably with a reputable company, then use IQMining for your bitcoin mining. 4.5 How Do Bitcoins Work? 4.6 What is a Wallet? 4.8 Note: If you want to take the guess-work out of the picture and mine bitcoins profitably with a reputable company, then use IQMining for your bitcoin mining. 4.9 How Secure Are Bitcoins? 4.10 How Much Are Bitcoins Worth? 4.11 What Is a Bitcoin Made of? 4.12 Who Oversees and Regulates Bitcoins? 4.13 Can People View the History of Bitcoin Trading? 4.14 Is There a Fee Involved To Use the Bitcoins? 4.15 Can Bit Coins Be Forged? 4.16 Why Are Bitcoins So Controversial? 4.17 Can Bitcoins Be Abused? 4.21 What is the Hype When It Comes to Bitcoins? 7.14 What Is Bitcoin Mining? 7.15 Step 4: How to Use Bitcoins? 9 What Is Bitcoin Mining? 10 How to Start Mining? 12.1 Can I make money with Bitcoin? 12.3 What happens when bitcoins are lost? 12.4 Can Bitcoin become a payment network? 12.5 What decides Bitcoin’s price? 12.6 Is Bitcoin a bubble? 12.7 Will Bitcoin fall in a deflationary spiral? 12.8 Can someone buy all the existing Bitcoin? 12.9 How much will the transaction fee be? 12.10 Will I get a Bitcoin if my computer is powered off? 12.11 What does “synchronizing” mean? 12.12 How does mining help secure Bitcoin? 12.13 Is Bitcoin vulnerable to quantum computing? 12.14 What are the risks involved when I purchase Bitcoin with credit cards? 12.15 Why should I buy Bitcoin with credit cards? 12.16 Are there any disadvantages of doing so? 12.17 Can I purchase Bitcoin on multiple exchanges if the limits are low? 12.18 Is it difficult purchasing Bitcoin with a credit card only once? 12.19 Is it risky to show identification documents when purchasing Bitcoin? 12.20 After I buy Bitcoin should I store them on the exchange? Before starting on bitcoin mining, it is important that we discuss bitcoins. Bitcoin is a form of digital currency that was created and is held electronically. Like other types of currency, bitcoins are not printed and no one controls them. Bitcoins are produced by people and they are increasingly been used in today’s world. They run on computers all over the world through software that can solve mathematical problems. It won’t be wrong to say that bitcoin is the first example of crypto currency. Note: If you want to take the guess-work out of the picture and mine bitcoins profitably with a reputable company, then use IQMining for your bitcoin mining. One important question that most of the people ask is that how is it any different from the normal currency. Bitcoins are used to buy things electronically but what sets it apart from the normal currency is that it is decentralized and there is no institute that controls the network. This is one of the reasons why people prefer it, because they know that their money is not controlled by a bank and it won’t be affected by any fluctuations. Since the currency is decentralized, no one prints it and it is not controlled by the Central Bank. Bitcoins is not accountable to the population and it works on its own set of rules. The thing with normal currency is that a lot of times, banks produce a lot of money, so that they can cover the national debt. The end result of this? The currency ends up getting devalued. As opposed to that, bitcoins are created digitally and has a community of people that anyone can join. The bitcoins are mined with the help of a computer power in a distributed network. What is the Limit of Bitcoins? Users also have the flexibility to process transactions that are done with virtual currency. Bitcoins have their bitcoin payment network. This means that you can’t take out unlimited amount of bitcoins. The bitcoin works around the rule that miners can only mine 21 million bitcoins. However, the bitcoins can be divided into smaller parts. One hundred millionth of a bitcoin is known as Satoshi, which is the name of the founder. The whole system was said to be developed by a software developer named Satoshi Nakamoto who proposed the idea of an electronic payment system that is based on mathematical proof. The whole point of bitcoins was to have a currency that would be without any central authority, would have low transaction fee and can be transferred electronically. Conventional currency is based on silver or gold. Bitcoins, on the other hand, is based on mathematics and is used by people all over the world. People make use of a mathematical formula that produces bitcoins, and since the formula is easily available, anyone can have a look at it. Bitcoin came into existence on 31 October 2008 and it released its software in 2009. It is a peer to peer system and transaction takes between the people and there is no central authority that takes care of the entire thing or supervises the project. The transactions are, however, safe because they are verified with the help of network nodes and are recorded in a public ledger, known as block chain. A lesser known fact is that bitcoins were created as a reward in a competition that allowed the user to use the computing power in order to verify as well as record the bitcoin transactions in the block chain. This activity is known as mining. People that mine successfully are rewarded with new bitcoins as well as the transaction fees. People also exchange bitcoins for services, currencies and products. In August 2008, three people, Neal Kin, Vladimir Oksman, and Charles Bry worked on the application of the whole process and clearly stated that they had no connection to Satoshi Nakamoto, who is said to be the originator of the idea of Bitcoin. The trio registered Bitcoin.org in the same month with the help of anonymousspeech.com that helps people to buy domain names anonymously. Satoshi Nakamoto released evidence that he came up with the idea of peer-to-peer version of electronic cash. He solved the issue of being copied and gave a foundation to the whole concept of Bitcoin. Genesis that allowed mining to happen was launched and later in the month, the first transaction took place between Hal Finney, who was a developer, and Satoshi. The New Liberty Standard was established to give value to bitcoin that was $1 = 1,309 BTC. The equation helped in taking into consideration the cost of electricity used to create the bitcoins. A milestone was achieved when a programmer called Laslo Hanyecz in Florida sent 10,000BTC to a volunteer in England who had spent $25 to get Hanyecz, a pizza from Papa John’s. You would be surprised to know that the pizza is priced at £1,961,034 today. Bitcoin was hacked that led to the generation of 184 billion Bitcoins that made the value of the coin drop from $1 to $0.80. After the hacking episode, Bitcoin said that it can help in the fight against finance terrorist groups. Another milestone was achieved when Bitcoin reached $1 million and the value changed to $0.50/BTC. A drug marketplace was established and Bitcoin was used to buy and sell drugs online. Bitcoin was at par with the US dollar. A theft took place when a user said that 25,000 BTC were stolen from his wallet that was worth $375,000. This led to a crash of the currency from $17.51 to $0.01 per Bitcoin. First bitcoin regulation was issued by the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN). The regulation consisted of a guidance report for the use and exchange of the currency. In the same month, the market capitalization reached $1bn. It was said that Bitcoin can be used as money and to buy goods and services by Federal Judge Mazzant. Bloomberg began testing the Bitcoin data that gave it legitimacy. The bitcoin price rose to $700 and the Senate had its first meeting about digital currency. The Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, was OK with the use of bitcoins. Bernanke in a letter wrote “may hold long-term promise, particularly if the innovations promote a faster, more secure and more efficient payment system”. The Central Bank of China stopped the financial institutes from handling biotin transactions because it was not a real currency and so did not have the same status as fiat currency. Today, things have changed and almost 80% of the bitcoin transactions take place in China. Bitcoin had the first insured storage unit and the first major online retailer to accept payments was Overstock.com. Bitcoin was classified as asset by the HMRC and that meant VAT could not be charged on it. More than 29,000 bitcoins were seized from the Silk Road by the US government that helped it to get legitimacy. The first draft of proposed rules for regulating virtual currencies was released by the New York State Department of Financial Services. In addition to this, the European Banking Authority also gave its opinion about the virtual currencies and said that such exchanges were obliged entities that must be complied. Shortly after this, Global Advisors Bitcoin Investment Fund launched the first Bitcoin Investment Fund that gave security and encouraged investors to invest. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne gave positive remarks about bitcoin and purchased £20 worth of bitcoins. TeraExchange said that the first bitcoin transaction had taken place that added a new dimension to the whole idea. Microsoft started accepting bitcoin as a form of payment. The New York Stock Exchange invested in bitcoin. The result of UK treasury’s call for digital currency was announced. At this point, you must be thinking, how does bitcoin really work? If you are new to it, you would be pleased to know that you can get started without learning about the technical details. The first thing you need to do is install the bitcoin wallet on your desktop or on the mobile phone and it will help you in generating bitcoin address that you can generate again if the need arises. You can tell the email address to your friends when they pay you or when you have to make a transaction. This is much similar to an email, but the bitcoin addresses can only be used once. Block chain is a shared public ledger that the Bitcoin system relies on. The transactions that get confirmed are a part of the block chain. The bitcoin wallet has a look at the balance that can be spent and the new transactions are verified as spending bitcoins that are owned by the spender. Cryptography is used to arrange the block chain in a chronological order. Transaction, just like any other, is the transfer of value that takes place between the Bitcoin wallets that become a part of the block chain. Bitcoins have a secret place for data that is known as seed or the private key that are used when a transaction is made, because it is a proof that it is made from the owner’s wallet. A signature is also required that gives added security because it stops the transaction from being altered by anyone else after it has been issued. All the transactions are broadcasted between the users, they are confirmed by the network in 10 minutes through a process called mining. Mining is defined as a distributed consensus system that is used to confirm the waiting transactions and by including them in the block chain. It helps in reinforcing a chronological order in the block chain that helps to protect the neutrality of the network. This allows the computers to agree on the state of the system. In order to be confirmed, all the transactions are packed in a block that has to abide to the cryptographic rules verified by the network. These rules are important as they stop the previous blocks from being modified because if that happens, it will invalidate all the blocks that will follow. Mining creates something like a competitive lottery that stops the individual from adding new blocks to the block chain. This way, individuals don’t have the power to control what is included in the block chain and neither can they remove the part for their own spends. This is a small summary in order to give you an idea about the whole system. Here are some of the frequently asked questions that will help you to learn more about the topic. Bitcoins, also known as crypto currency, are electronic currency. It is digital public money that has been made with the help of mathematical computations and is looked after by users that are known as miners. Bitcoins are converted into codes that have monetary value. Bitcoins are virtual coins that are not controlled by an entity. If you have bitcoins, you have something of value that you can trade in to get the goods and services that you seek. You can either spend your bitcoins or you can save them if you think their value will increase with the passage of time. Bitcoins are traded from what is known as a ‘wallet’ to another one. Wallet in the bitcoin world refers to a personal database that can be stored in your phone or desktop. Bitcoins can be mined by anyone who knows how to work around computers as it is done with the help of a self limiting phenomenon called mining. The reason why it is self limiting is that in totality only 21 million bitcoins can exist and out of these 11 million have been created and are used in transactions. Bitcoin is a whole process that involves giving command to the home computer so that it can work around the clock and solve proof of work problems. Each bitcoin has a math problem that consists of 64 digit solutions. On an average, it takes two to three days to solve a bitcoin that too if the desktop works non-stop. In order to mine the bitcoins, you need to earn 50 to 75 cents after subtracting the electricity costs. If someone is an expert miner and they have powerful computers working, they can earn up to $500 after subtracting all the costs. Small scale miners don’t tend to earn that much because they are more likely to spend in electricity than they would earn in bitcoins. Bitcoin mining can only be profitable if the person has several computers running and join a group of miners that can combine the hardware power. The hardware requirement is an important security measure that needs to be taken, so that people don’t manipulate the Bitcoin system. In order to understand how secure they are, take the example of a precious metal. If you have precious metals, you will be taking several precautions in order to make sure that they remain safe. Similarly, users need to take appropriate measures that will prevent hackers from getting access to their personal cache. The bitcoin wallet is stored online with the help of a cloud service or offline with the help of a USB stick. The offline method is much more secure and is recommended for people that have more than one bitcoins. One of the real risks is posed when a person fails to back up the wallet with a failsafe copy. Every time you make a transaction, you need to update a .dat file and that needs to copied and stored somewhere as a duplicate backup when you do bitcoin transactions. The worth of one bitcoin is $450 USD and currently there are around $1.9 billion USD worth of bitcoins in use, and $2 billion can be created. Currently only 11 million bitcoins exist and the limit is set at 21 million coins that will be reached sometime around 2040. What Is a Bitcoin Made of? Bitcoin is made of simple data ledger called the block chain. The size of block chain is small and is somewhat similar to a long text on the phone. A bitcoin block chain has three parts. Two parts are extremely easy as it involves identifying the address that consists of 34 characters as well as knowing the history of the ledger, that is who made and sold it. The most complex part is the third one that is referred to as the private key header log. The header is a digital signature that is used to confirm that the transactions were made for a particular bitcoin file. All of the digital signatures are unique to every user and their bitcoin wallet. The signature gives security to the bitcoins and every single trade of the bitcoin is tracked, is publicly disclosed, and has the signature of the participant attached to the bitcoin block chain that works as a confirmation. The digital signatures are given time to be confirmed and once that happens, the transactions can’t be duplicated and the bitcoins can’t be forged by people. It is important to know that bitcoin has the address of every bitcoin wallet that it touches but the names of the individuals that own the wallet is not recorded. This, in layman terms, means that the bitcoin transactions are confirmed but they remain anonymous at the same time. The bitcoins are stored in the device of your choice but the history of the bitcoin that you own is stored in the bitcoin network and all the users can view every bitcoin’s history. Who Oversees and Regulates Bitcoins? Bitcoin currency is not regulated or controlled by anyone. Since it is decentralized, there is no bank that controls the entire thing. The currency remains self contained, which means that no precious metals are involved behind the bitcoins and the value of each bitcoin is within itself. Bitcoins are looked after by miners that are a network of people having personal computers used for the bitcoin network. Miners act like a swarm of ledgers and auditors for the transactions. Miners are paid for the accounting work by earning new bitcoins that they get based on their contribution to the network. Can People View the History of Bitcoin Trading? People can’t view your personal identity but they can have a look at the history of your wallet. The reason for this is to add transparency to the entire thing so that the bitcoins can’t be used for illegal things. The bitcoin transactions can be seen at the block chain info. Is There a Fee Involved To Use the Bitcoins? The servers that support the entire network that the miners work on. The online exchange that helps to convert the bitcoins to dollars. The mining pools that you become a part of. The owners of some of the servers will have a onetime transaction fee that will mount up to a few cents overtime someone will send you money across their nodes. You will be charged when you will convert your bitcoin for dollars. Most of the mining pools charge 1% support fee from the users that join their pools. In addition to this, there are other transaction costs involved as well such as pool donations and transaction fees that are cheaper than conventional banking. Can Bit Coins Be Forged? No, bitcoins can’t be forged. The reason is that it is not financially viable to manipulate the system because there is no profit involved. There are some reasons as to why bitcoins gained popularity. From 2011 till 2013, a lot of criminals made bitcoins just so they can have millions of dollars and keep it away from the law enforcement agencies. This is one of the reasons why the value of the bitcoins rocketed to $1000 per coin before it settled to its current price. Bitcoins became controversial because they were not regulated by the central bank and the power was given to the general public. So, the bitcoins were beyond financial institutes and no middle banks are needed to keep the bitcoin system going. If there is a delay in confirmation, it can be an issue because in some instances, the bitcoins can be double spent during the confirmation period. The bitcoin transfer takes place peer to peer so it can take a few minutes for the transaction to be confirmed. These few seconds are very crucial as a scammer can use fast clicking and can submit another payment for the same bitcoins to a different recipient. The system will be able to catch the double spending and will cancel the second transaction. However, if the second recipient transfers the goods to the buyer before they get the confirmation, they will end up losing the good as well as the payment. Another way bitcoins can be misused is if the pool organizers take unfair share. Bitcoin mining is achieved with the help of pooling in which a user joins the group of other miners and then the organizers of the pools get the privilege to choose how to divide the bitcoins that are discovered. So, if the organizers are dishonest, they can keep more shares for themselves. Another way of bitcoin abuse is through mismanagement. One of the biggest examples of this is Mt. Gox. So it is important to keep into account that the people that run the online exchanges and get cash for bitcoins can be fraudulent. This time of dishonesty is rampant in other areas as well; however, one of the differences is that if it happens in a bank, they are partially insured, whereas due to a lack of central authority, bitcoins does not have an insurance coverage. What is the Hype When It Comes to Bitcoins? What sets the bitcoins apart is that they are not regulated by the central bank or by the government. Since there is no authority involved, government as well as the tax agencies can’t track the money. It is said that changes might take place in few years because unregulated money is not safe. There have been instances when bitcoins have been used for money laundering. Due to this, the price of the bitcoin surged upwards because scammers were purchasing the coins in large quantities. Again, there is no middle authority that would regulate the procedure, as all the transactions take place peer to peer. Users have wallets that can’t be seized by banks and neither do they have a withdrawal limit imposed on them. All the conventional methods of payments like bank draft, credit card charge, personal check, and wire transfer come with the possibility that the payment can be reversed by the banks involved. However, this flexibility does not come with bitcoins because once you make a transaction it is final. Similarly, you are not covered by insurance which means that if you forget the password to your wallet or lose the hard drive data, all your content will be gone forever. Bitcoin is a completely new phenomenon changing the way we handle our finances. Since the world started printing, the authority to handle the finances was given to different banks. These banks are responsible for printing storing, and moving our virtual money. In addition to this, we are charged for the services of the middlemen. It is a known fact that when the bank needs money, they can print more and this has been abused by banks because the paper money that we have are basically checks that promise to have some value but there is no gold to back it up. Bitcoins give the power to individuals to control their own money. Bitcoins are not paper pieces that promise to have some value. Instead, they are complex packages that have immense value. Money is scarce because it can’t be easily recreated. Fiat- This can only be created by a small number of people that create a limited supply. Except in extreme cases of inflation, scarcity of fiats holds up well. Gold- Gold is precious and is not easy to find, but it is still easily available in the markets. Bitcoin- Bitcoin is controlled and most of the times it is highly predictable as well. Even if we take into account some margin of error, the bitcoin can be forecasted for at least a hundred years. The 21 million bitcoin unit should be more than sufficient for large amounts of trade. In order to function well, the currency should not devalue with the passage of time. Earlier on people used to have the barter system but most of the times; they used to exchange cattle and eatables that expired after a while. Fiat- Paper money is not ideal to use for the long term because it can degrade with the passage of time. However, it is important to take into account that worn out money can be easily replaced, so the actual value is not destroyed. Gold- Gold bars are extremely long lasting. Even though the metal can get a little tarnished, the metal will not degrade and will retain most of its value. Bitcoin- Since bitcoin is digital it does not degrade with use and can be duplicated in order to avoid file corruption. Currency needs to be portable son that it can be used for everyday transactions and can be carried by a person. Fiat- This is great for everyday purchases as you can easily store it in your wallet. However, for bigger transactions, more security measures are needed for added security. Gold- Gold is quite heavy and it can’t be easily carried around. Bitcoin- Bitcoins work great for large quantities because even the biggest of amounts can fit in a USB. In addition to this, bitcoins can be easily transferred to anyone with the help of a stable internet connection. One important quality that currency should have is that it should be divisible, which can be achieved by having different denominations of money. This is one of the reasons why most of the items can’t be used as currency because they can’t be divided into smaller portions. Fiat- There are so many denominators of fiat. One of the reasons why it is printed on paper is that it is easy to divide it. Gold- Dividing gold is easy but the process is very complex. Bitcoins- Bitcoins can be divided up to 8 decimal places and it can be extended more. This means that if you have $1, you can divide it to $0.00001. Fiat- People identify with money and they know how it functions because if experience. Gold- In order to see the quality of gold, you need to be trained. In order to see the authenticity of the metal, several tests are done. Bitcoin- Bitcoin is not recognized by people because it is not tangible and software needs to be used in order to identify the block chain that needs a lot of expertise and knowledge. In order to function as a store of value, it is important to store in large amounts. Some of the objects are hard to store because they will lose their value. Fiat- It can be easily stored but a proper infrastructure is required for this. Gold- It is not feasible to store gold because it would require an expert infrastructure for that. Bitcoin- Bitcoin can be stored because the block chain can grow bigger with time. Backing up files can reduce the risk of error as well. The units of money should be equivalent and should be replaceable. Fiat- All the values are equal and people don’t look at the serial number to determine the value. Gold- Gold bars need to be examined constantly to see if they are genuine or not. Bitcoin- Bitcoins are all equal. The currency should be easy to use so that goods and services can be bought. Fiat- It can be used without any issue. Most of the currency can’t be used outside its geographical boundaries but it can be exchanged. Gold- In today’s world, it is rare to buy something in exchange of gold. Bitcoin- It only accepted by very few websites but its acceptability is growing at a fast rate. The currency needs to be reliable in nature and it should be hard to copy. When people get the currency, they should be absolutely sure of its reliability. Fiat- Counterfeit is high with fiat and government constantly takes steps to overcome this issue. Gold- Although it is hard to copy gold, there are instances where people had sold bars that were filled with lead. This is one of the reasons why chemical tests are done to see the authenticity of the metal. Bitcoin- It is not easy to copy a bitcoin thanks to cryptology. The only way bitcoins can be misused is if someone attempts to double spend the bitcoins, but such instances are very rare. Bitcoin is still new for the people and they are exploring its characteristics. One common complaint about it is that the price is extremely volatile but the advantages are that you have a solid history and you are not regulated by anyone. People are curious about bitcoins as for them this is a new concept and is extremely different from paper money. Earlier on, the society had barter system that evolved into exchange of gold and silver that turned into paper money, which has now taken the form of digital money. By now you know that bitcoins are electronic money that is decentralized and is not looked after by any Central Bank. It was created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto Dorian and helps people to buy goods and services just like fiat money. You can send bitcoins anywhere in the world without any charge. This means that you don’t have to convert the currency and then pay the corresponding fee. In addition to this, it is extremely fast and effective. You can retain your anonymity as the sender or the receiver. In order to do the transaction, all you need to know is the address of the bitcoin wallet receiver. This is great because you don’t have to give your personal information like bitcoins or the postal address. The transaction is extremely quick, which means that at the end of the transaction, the receiver will be able to see the amount left in your wallet. The whole process takes only a few seconds and depends on the volume of the transactions that are occurring at that time. Bitcoins are accepted all over the world and you can do the transaction without the need for any foreign exchange transaction. Bitcoins transfer can’t be reversed, so if you have already done so, there is no looking back. Bitcoins that are available in the market are very limited and according to the rules, there can’t be more than 21 million bitcoins. It is said that the limit will be met with in 2140. As of now in 2017, there are 11 million bitcoins in the market. The prices of the bitcoins are really volatile and it highly depends on the supply and demand. This results in a self regulation of bitcoin prices, which will depend on users, so that the bitcoins are not exploited. Bitcoins are the sole property of the owner and no can speculate with them except them. Since bitcoins can’t be destroyed, they are long lasting and their value will not depreciate nor will they disappear. Fiat money can be easily faked but that is not the case with bitcoins because the dynamics on which they are based on, simply can’t be faked. A lot of illegal activities used to take place with bitcoins since they are anonymous. Most of the illegal businesses as well as mafias were using them but certain regulations have made that impossible now. It is not easy to transport physical money but that is not the case with bitcoins. Since bitcoins are virtual in nature, there are no costs that are related to transport. The costs associated with bitcoins are extremely low and there is no maintenance or overhead costs. There are many ways through which you can get the coins, some of which are completely free of cost whereas there are others that will require an investment. You can go to the websites used to promote bitcoins as their purpose was that anyone in the world can get its first free satoshis. Another and a more preferred way is to mine the bitcoins. Mining is a very important part of the bitcoin world. Bitcoin mining helps in the connection of different computers that have a high processing power (ATI) with the help of mathematical algorithms that discover a series of codes, which results in the discovery of new bitcoins. An analogy is used for bitcoin, which is why it is said it will be 2140 when the last bitcoin will be issued. There are several pages dedicated to bitcoins, and you can get the bitcoins exchanged for a small commission. Bitcoins are stored in a digital wallet that is located in the user’s computer or on a cloud. The wallet is like a virtual bank account that allows the users; anyone can create their own crypto currency. The creator of bitcoin introduced something to the world that was never seen before. Since the creation of the coins, new criptomonedas are being used in order to improve the bitcoin system. Bitcoins have gained a lot of popularity and are now a part of our everyday economy. Since they are now publicly traded, there are bitcoin ATMS as well and there are debit cards that are linked with bitcoin exchange which helps the users to purchase with the card. We are now a part of a world that may start functioning without the help of paper money and maybe the already existing payments methods will have to accommodate these changes as well. Since bitcoins are gaining a lot of popularity, large corporations will also become a part of the social trend and who knows, they might also start creating criptodivisa that would be accepted all over the world. We are approaching an economic model that will accommodate bitcoins, so it is a good idea to learn all the details about it. One of the most commonly asked questions is how to get the bitcoins. One of the easiest ways of getting them is with the help of a credit card. You will be spending less than $50 and will get hold of the bitcoins within 10 minutes. Learning to use bitcoin is just like using any other currency; just learn the basics and you will get hold of the whole thing in no time. They are decentralized and therefore, do not need any intermediaries and is based on the concept of P2P, which means that no third party will be involved. All the bitcoins are saved in a virtual wallet. Bitcoins can be further divided into satoshis and 1 satoshi is equals to 0,00000001BTC. Block Chain has the history of all the transactions and the log is public, which means anyone can see it. Bitcoins are known as crypto currency because they make use of algorithms as well as mathematics. In order to be confirmed bitcoin transactions need to be confirmed at least once. Bitcoin’s value depreciates and appreciates just like normal currency. The bitcoin industry keeps evolving in order to stay up to date. Using a mobile wallet like Hodly Wallet. Get bitcoins from a friend in lieu of a good or service or as a form of exchange. Armory can be used to store large amounts of bitcoins safely. The hybrid wallets give you control of the private keys and is easy to use. If you are looking for a good option, you can consider Copay. Web wallets are very convenient to use but they may be a little less secure. Again, Copay is a good option. This is a global platform that is in more than 200 countries that needs no registration and can be accessed with the help of credit and debit cards. A lot of people accept bitcoins as a form of payments for the product and services that they have offered. If you want to do the same, you need to sign up with a bitcoin merchant which will allow you to send invoices. Bitcoin mining requires bitcoin mining software that has been designed to process the double round sha256 hash verifications at high speed. Getting started with bitcoin can be a little tricky, so make sure that you have a lot of information before you get started. Step 4: How to Use Bitcoins? Using bitcoins can be very exciting because it is a new technology and can be used to purchase any goods and services. Open Bazaar – this is a decentralized marketplace. Airbitz- this is used to find merchants that are located near you. Another tool that can be used is the bitcoin debit card, which allows people to load a debit card with bitcoins. If you want to purchase gifts with the help of bitcoins, you can get it from Gyft and spend it at Amazon. Similarly, if you want to donate, you can get in touch with BitGive as they accept charity from the bitcoin community. How close the exchange rate is to the global average price found on the index. You can compare the bitcoin’s exchange price to the bitcoin price index in order to get the best bitcoin exchange rate. You will have to find an exchange that will accept your payment. Different payment methods have different fees, so do your research before opting for one. Purchasing bitcoins can be extremely challenging especially if you want them in large amounts. Sometimes locating them can be a tedious project because the verification process can take up to a week. However, the purchases is instant, so just make sure that you calculate the verification level and the delivery speed before purchasing anything. There are different buying limits with each bitcoin exchange which tends to vary according to the level of identity verification. Different bitcoin exchanged have different fees for their services Most of the brokers sell their bitcoins directly to the buyer and charge a flat rate of 1% per transaction. If you want information regarding the fees, you should find the information on the website’s exchange. All the exchanges that accept credit cards as a form of payment are required by the law to have information about the identity of the user. Purchasing bitcoins with cash is the best way to buy bitcoins whether it is through Bitcoin ATM or Local Bitcoins. If you want bitcoins, you have to get it exchanged with bitcoins. In this process, the user has to trust the bitcoin exchange that they will not run away with their money. In order to avoid fraud, it is highly recommended that people opt for a regulated bitcoin exchange. Most of the exchanges list all the information about their regulatory compliance on their website, so if a website does not do so, it’s better to stay clear from them. Here are some of the ways through which you can buy bitcoins in different countries: Let’s have a look at some of the countries. Buying bitcoins is risky, so please purchase and use them at your own risk. The above mentioned companies were found to be reliable and are listed as a convenience. It is recommended that you do your own research before purchasing from them. They have announced that they will start accepting Bitcoin as a payment for their tuition fees. They will be the first university to do so. They are a budget group that offer tours in North Korea and other parts of the world. Their prices are listed on their website, where it states that they accept Bitcoin. This is a network of more than 900 Bitcoin friendly businesses all over the world that also consists of cafes, restaurants, as well as bakeries. The Swiss Pharmacy accepts transitional currency as well as Bitcoin. This is a Bitcoin only marketplace that includes everything you can think of. It has a selection of jewelry that you can buy with Bitcoin. They make skin care products and around 25% of their proceedings go to charity. You can pay with Bitcoin at the time of checkout. Now can book flights and hotels with CheapAir and pay with Bitcoin. They work as the middle man, so you pay them in Bitcoin and they will pay for your flights using standard currency. You can get digital gift cards from several brands that include Sears, Target, and Amazon by paying in the form of Bitcoin. It sells gold and silver points that you can buy with Bitcoin. It offers coffee to its customers and accepts Bitcoin payments. It is an online marketing place that is cheaper than most of the sites. Wondering about the best part about this? They accept Bitcoin! It’s an online marketplace that only accepts Bitcoin. It works as an intermediary, and gives you the flexibility of buying from brands. They sell martial arts weapons and accept Bitcoin payments. They aim to promote space tourism and just announced that they will be accepting Bitcoin. Now you can order your favorite pizza and pay PizzaForCoins in Bitcoin, who will order the pizza for you. It is an independent board game manufacturer where you can use Bitcoin to purchase bundles and also get a 10% discount. They offer printing services and accept US dollars and Bitcoin. Mining is the process of adding transaction records to Bitcoin’s public ledger of the past transactions. The past ledger of transactions is referred to as block of chains and is used to confirm the transactions to the network where it has taken place. As a precautionary measure nodes are used that can differentiate between actual Bitcoin transactions and from scam attempts that are done to re-spin the coins that have been used in other places. Mining is designed in a way that it has become resource extensive and difficult because they want the number of blocks that are found everyday by the miners to remain stable. The individual blocks are a proof of work that are considered to be valid and is verified by the nodes every time they receive a block. The main purpose of mining is to allow Bitcoin nodes to have a consensus that is tamper resistant. Miners are actually paid a fee and a subsidy for the new coins that are created. This helps in disseminating the coins in a decentralized manner and coaxes the people to provide additional security for the system. One easy way to grasp this little complicated process is to think of mining as gold mining. Why? Because bitcoins, just like precious metals are also limited in quantity because the set limit for bitcoins is 21 million and the more it is taken, the more difficult it becomes to find it. One important thing to know is that mining doesn’t necessarily result in a bitcoin but they are given to miners as a reward for validating the transactions that were done previously. In order to bitcoin people need a desktop computer as well as a special program. Miners compete with other miners in solving mathematical problems and they work on a block with the help of cryptographic hash functions. A hash function is a one way encryption that works without a key. It works by taking an input and in return it gives a fixed length hash value. If any character of the original input would be changed, you will get a completely different hash value. Since it functions like this, it is extremely hard to determine the output but the hash functions can be used as a proof of validation as well as work. The bitcoin miners work to locate that input that will give the specific hash value, which will be a number with multiple zero at the beginning. These are very complicated, but that makes it difficult for miners to cheat on other people because a guess game can’t be used. Miners keep on using their computer until they have a hash value that is close to the target. If you are the first person to do this, then you are the person who has mined the value. The person, who accomplishes this, will get a reward of 12.5b bitcoins. Though it’s true that the winner doesn’t actually make the bitcoin, but the coding of the algorithm is set to reward the person for doing the mining as well in helping to verify the block chain. All the blocks are created in a line and this also includes the hash of the previous block. It is important you know that all the blocks have a hash of the prior blocks, so that it can be proved that its positioning is later in the sequence. A lot of times, the competing blocks are created by different miners but they contain different transactions of the bitcoins that are spent in different places. The block that has the largest proof of work is picked for the block chain. This is done in an attempt to validate the transactions because it is hard for another person to come up with another block of chains and then they would have to convince everyone else that their work is right because it has the proof of work. One thing that the Bitcoin community fears is that one person or a group will be able to get 51% hold of the block chain and would use that to their advantage. Bitcoin miners love cryptography and they generally have a spare computer to validate the block chain and earn the reward. Since the value of the bitcoin has gone up, people see it as a business and have started investing in it. They have warehouses in areas were the electricity prices are low so that they can cut the costs. It may be difficult to get profit from mining, but there are a lot of people that do it as a hobby. The number of bitcoins released with each mine block is known as the block reward and it is halved every 210,000 block or four years. The whole thing started in 2009n with 50 bitcoins and then reached 25 in the year 2015. The lessening number of block rewards will reach a total release of bitcoins that will approach 21 million. Block rewards works as a great incentive for most of the miners and the transaction fee for this is said to represent 0.3% of the revenue of mining. It is seen that the block reward is diminishing with the passage of time and soon the number will reach zero, which means that there will be less incentive for people to mine the bitcoin in order to get the block reward. This can be a security threat for the entire system because the incentives that will be provided with the block reward will be replaced with the transaction fee. The transaction fee is a little amount of the bitcoin that is included in the bitcoin and is given as a reward to the miner, who mines the block in which the transaction is included. The transaction fee is mandatory for the person doing the transaction. So, the transaction fee can be used by the miners in order to verify their transactions. The bitcoin client, which was released by the team to send the transactions have a minimum fee rule that is applicable by default. Anyone that has the right hardware, a powerful software, and access to the internet can be a part of the mining. In the beginning, mining was done with the help of CPUs of desktop computers. It was seen that the graphics processing units (GPUs) or the graphic cards were much more effective than simple CPUs and that is how they gained popularity. With time, a hardware called ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) came into being and became popular, since it was especially made for bitcoin mining. The hardware was released in 2013 and it was has been improved since and constant upgrades are introduced to the market. Note: If you want to take the guess-work out of the picture and mine bitcoins profitably with a reputable company, then use Harshflare for your bitcoin mining. As mentioned above, mining rewards are given to the miner who discovers the solution because it increased the possibility that that there will be a participant who will discover a solution that will be equal to the portion of the total mining power of the network. Users that have a small percentage of the mining power have a very little change of finding the next block on their own. For example if a person will buy one mining card for a few thousand dollars that will still be a very small fraction of the total mining power. Since there is a slim chance of finding the next block, it takes time for the miner to find the block and that raises the level of difficulty. This is a problem and the solution is mining pools because they are operated by a third party that is in touch with the group of miners. They work in a group and distribute the payouts so that the miners have bitcoins when they activate their miners. A very good and profitable mining pool is Harshflare. The main costs that the miners have to take care of are the cost of electricity as well as the hardware for doing mining as well as for cooling and ventilation. Some investors have opened up their warehouses in places where the electricity is affordable. The biggest mining operation is located in North America, in the Columbia River in Washington and it is run by the MegaBigPower. The reason why this location was chosen was there is ample hydroelectric power and the electricity prices are extremely low in the country. Another popular location is in Iceland and is run by CloudHasing. The electricity in the area is generated from geothermal as well as hydroelectric source. These resources are not only cheap but they are renewable as well. The IRS issued a tax guidance according to which the income that is generated with the help of mining is counted as a self employment income and tax will be applicable in it. FinCEN, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which is a part of the U.S Treasury, analyzed the financial transactions so that crimes like terrorist financing as well as money laundering can be controlled. The FinCEN has also given a guidance clarifying that the miners are not considered as Money Transmitters under the Bank Secrecy Act and similarly, the cloud mining services will not be counted as Money Transmitters. The bitcoins are brought into circulation with the help of bitcoin mining. The miners compete against each other in an attempt to deploy the latest bitcoin mining chips and choose to function in places where the electricity is cheap because more computing power keeps the profitability in check. Bitcoin mining consists of miners and the network compensates them by releasing the bitcoin for the people that contributed to the computational power. The compensation comes in the form of newly issued bitcoins as well as the transaction fee that is included in the transactions that are validated during the mining. Now that you know so much about mining, this chapter will discuss how you can you start mining. Note: If you want to take the hard-work out of the picture and mine bitcoins profitably with a reputable company, then use Harshflare for your bitcoin mining. There are a few cases in which you can buy the hardware with the help of bitcoins, but an easy way out is to purchase it on Amazon. You can also have a look at the bitcoin charts. Earlier the mining process was done with the help of a video processor card or a CPU but that may not be possible today. The Bitcoin ASIC chips are great because they offer a performance that is much better than the old systems that were used in the earlier days. Anything other than this uses a lot of electricity and processing power, which means that you can’t maximize profit. There are several companies out there which offer great systems that are especially made for bitcoin mining. Another great option is to use cloud mining contracts that simplify the process but may increase the risk. The Hashflare offers SHA-256 mining contracts and this can be mixed with the automatic payouts, but the customers have to buy at least 10 GH/s. Genesis Mining has the honor of being the largest cloud mining provider and has three differently priced plans. This has been functional since 2012 and uses the ASIC chips so that it can deliver maximum performance and can be efficient as well. It is an aggregator of block chain and helps with the stimulation of the game format. People use cloudpacks that are used to build an index from pre-picked sets of real world markets. It offers mining and cloud services for Bitcoin. This is operated by Bitmain and uses more than 600 Antminer S7s for rent. The rate of the 600 Antminer S7s as of now is $1200. All their contracts are currently sold out. It helps in connecting Bitcoin service buyers with sellers. This is great for newbies because they can start bitcoin mining for as little as $10. It has 35 TH/s of mining equipment for rent. Note: If you want to take the hardwork out of the picture and mine bitcoins profitably with a reputable company, then use Harshflare for your bitcoin mining. Before getting into this, it is important that you learn whether the mining will be profitable for you or not. The best way to go about is to use the mining calculator because you will only have to enter the data of the Bitcoin miner that you plan on buying, and it will tell you how long will it take for you to make a profit. However, one thing is for sure,- you need a few hundred dollars to get started. You can also read different reviews in order to understand which miner will be best for you. After getting the hardware it is time to use the special program and use that for mining. There are several programs that can be used for mining but the most famous ones are CGminer and BFGminer. These are command line programs but are easy to learn. What will be the reward method? Some of the common ones are Pay per Share, Score Based, Proportional, and PPLNS. What is the fee that is charged for mining and what do they charge for withdrawal of the funds? How frequently is a block found? This is important, as you will be rewarded according to it. How can you withdraw the funds? Do they provide any sort of stats? Is the pool stable enough to join? Make sure that you do thorough research before joining a pool. You need to get a bitcoin wallet because that will be the place where you will be receiving the bitcoins that you mine. A bitcoin wallet is just like an ordinary wallet but you have the flexibility of choosing a mobile, software, or a web based one. The bitcoins are sent to the wallet with the help of a unique address that only belongs to you. When you are setting up the bitcoin wallet, the most important part is to save it from the potential threats with the help of a two factor authentication or by keeping it offline so that there is no access to the Internet. You can get a wallet by downloading software to your computer. Now that you know all the steps, you are prepared to start mining. You can connect your miner to a power outlet and then check whether it is connected to the computer via a USB or not. After doing this, you need to open the mining software and then enter the mining pool with the help of the user name and the password. After this is done, you can start mining for bitcoins. The world of bitcoin keeps changing, so it is important for you to stay updated if you want to maximize your profits. It is important you know that bitcoin mining is not something that everyone can do, so perhaps it will be easier to purchase the bitcoins with money because sometimes that has a higher return on investment than simple mining. Earlier on, miners used to use CPUs to mine but since they were not fast enough, they moved to graphical processing unit (GPU) because that was able to hash data at a faster rate and used less power as well. The bitcoin mining devices were very easy to use and were based on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) processors and were attached to the computers with the help of a USB connection. Today miners use bitcoin mining hardware like the Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) miners and are mined at unprecedented speeds without using too much electricity. Most of the companies have used innovative technology to make excellent products. Bitcoin mining hardware may handle the entire mining process but the mining process is equally important. If you are a solo miner, the software will help you to connect with the block chain . If you are mining with a pool, the software will connect you to the mining pool. If you are connected to cloud mining, there is no need to get the mining software. Breadwallet- This is recommended for iOS. Mycelium- This is recommended for Android. If you think that you will be earning a lot of money from bitcoin mining, it is recommended that you get a more secure wallet which is the hardware one. Profit sharing system that allows you to know whether mining is profitable or not. Dynamic frequency scaling in which the BTCMIner chooses the frequency of the highest rate of valid hashes. It has a ready to use Bitstream for which you don’t need any software or license. It also has a FPGA board that has a USB interface that is used for programming and communication. This can be used for Mac OS 10.6. The main differences between all of these models lie in the expandability and power. The price range from $2,499 – 5,999 for base units and can help in earning 0.2 up to 0.85 Bitcoins a day. Learn more about the Fast-Hash One series here. This is powered by CoinTerra’s own in-house ASIC chips that are known as the GoldStrike I. It has four four ASIC chips that can earn you 1.1 Bitcoins a day. The price of the machine is $5,999. Learn more about the CoinTerra’s TerraMiner IV here. The hashtag sierra is powered by three Golden Nonce ASIC chips and has a nominal hash rate of 1.2 TH/s. It can earn you 0.66 Bitcoins a day and is priced at $6,300. Learn more about the Hashfast’s Sierra here. The Black Arrow Prospero X-3 is powered by 20 Black Arrow Minion ASIC chips that give a hash rate of 2TH/s. It can help in earning 1.1 Bitcoins per day and is priced at $6,999. Learn more about the Black Arrow’s Prospero X-3 here. The KnCMiner Neptune boasts of four modular 20nm ASIC board that give a hashing speed of 3TH/s. You can earn 1.66 Bitcoins a day and the machine is priced at $12,995. Learn more about the The KnCMiner Neptune here. Wondering where you can buy Bitcoin machines from? Click here to get all the information. Bitcoin will not make you rich overnight because it is an emerging technology and it is important to understand the basic economic rules. Bitcoin is an innovative technology that is opening up so many possibilities for the people that also includes some risks. There are ways to make money with Bitcoin with the help of speculation as well mining. It is recommended that people evaluate all the risks and costs before taking a decision. There is an acceptable level of privacy for all the transactions made. It is not completely anonymous like cash transactions but it does offer good privacy. The use of Bitcoin leaves public records but there are mechanisms that protect privacy. If a person loses their wallet, it has the same effect as removing the money from circulation. All the lost Bitcoin are a part of the block chain but the lost ones become dormant since no one knows the private keys that could be used to spend again. Can Bitcoin become a payment network? The Bitcoin network has a large number of transactions per second and they are still working to remove the limitations and fulfill the future requirements. The continuing optimization and specialization has made it a specialized payment network. Bitcoin’s price highly depends on supply and demand. If the Bitcoin demand increases the price will increase and vice versa. There are few Bitcoins in circulation but new Bitcoins are being created at an accelerated rate, which means that a certain level of inflation has to be followed to keep the price stable. Since the Bitcoin market is small it would take a significant amount to make any change. A rise in the price does not constitute of a bubble but an over evaluation that leads to a downward direction can constitute of a bubble. These choices are based on human action that causes the price to fluctuate as the market seeks price discovery. Will Bitcoin fall in a deflationary spiral? According to the spiral theory if the prices fall, people will move the purchases in future in order to get a benefit from the prices. The fall in demand will cause the sellers to lower the price to stimulate the demand. Bitcoin is not like fiat currency so it was not designed as a deflationary currency. However it will be factually correct to say that it will remain stable. Can someone buy all the existing Bitcoin? This may not be possible because only a few Bitcoin are available for sale and the price will change according to the supply and demand. The transactions are processes without any fee but for that the user will have to wait for a few days or weeks. The fees may be subjected to change but normal fee is a small amount. The transaction fee is basically applied to give protection to the miners and to secure the network. Will I get a Bitcoin if my computer is powered off? Yes, you can as you will see the Bitcoin whenever you will see the wallet application. They appear on the public ledger that is shared with all the devices on the network. Whenever you will turn your computer on, you will see the Bitcoin. Long synchronization is only needed with full node clients. It is the process of downloading and verifying all the transactions in the network. Mining is the same like lottery an it is not easy for people to add new blocks of transactions in the block chain. This protects the entire network by preventing any individual from getting the power to block the transactions. It also prevents any individual from replacing parts of their block chain. Yes, it relies on crypto currency. Quantum computers don’t exist yet and if they will be invented the protocol of Bitcoins will be upgraded accordingly. What are the risks involved when I purchase Bitcoin with credit cards? It is important that you choose companies that have a great reputation as well as a regulatory compliance. The above mentioned companies are all reliable when it comes to buying and selling of Bitcoin with credit card. All the personal information associated with it is sensitive information that can result in identity theft, therefore, make sure you use a website that is secure. Other than this, the charges that are classified as cash advances in which case different fees and policies can apply. So, make sure that you are familiar with your credit card company and how they handle Bitcoin. Why should I buy Bitcoin with credit cards? If you want speed and convenience, you should buy Bitcoin with a credit card or a debit card. This is just like doing online shopping that a lot of people are familiar as well as comfortable with. Are there any disadvantages of doing so? Using credit cards to purchase Bitcoin may be fast and convenient, but purchasing it in large amounts can be difficult as well as pricey because of the transaction and the processing fee. Furthermore, the risk of fraud is also high if one is not careful. Can I purchase Bitcoin on multiple exchanges if the limits are low? Yes, you can do that but the limits are very low and can be like $50 per day. So if you want to purchase from multiple places, you will have to gather a large amount. Is it difficult purchasing Bitcoin with a credit card only once? Bitcoin transactions are irreversible so merchants generally have to wait up to a month to receive the cash after the payment of the credit card. So since the whole process is irreversible, the selling of Bitcoin can be extremely risky due to fraud. Thankfully, there are some fraud prevention techniques that help. You can set up an account Bitcoin provider like purse that would accept payment gift cards in order to buy the Bitcoin. 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All this can be prevented if you control the private keys yourself and don’t share this information with anyone else. If you want to take the guess-work out of the picture and mine bitcoins profitably with a reputable company, then use IQMining for your bitcoin mining. You will have freedom of payment because you will control your own money. The security condition is great and your transactions will be safe. Most of the information is transparent but the personal information will remain hidden. People can verify the transaction with the help of the bitcoin block chain. The fee for bitcoin payments is extremely low. The risk for merchants is low but it is important to know that a transaction can’t be reversed. There are no third party seizures since it is decentralized. There are no taxes involved. There is no tracking involved. There is no risk of charge backs. Bitcoin was the strongest currency consecutively for in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. 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2019-04-21T16:26:20Z
https://www.valforex.com/2017/04/bitcoin-mining-mining-explained-simple-terms.html
The present disclosure provides an exercise apparatus designed to allow a user to perform a gluteal bridge, typically with resistance, to improve the strength of the user's posterior hip and gluteal muscles. The exercise apparatus is configurable for use in different environments—in a gym, fitness center or training facility, a spa or studio, or a home gym. The exercise apparatus includes a frame assembly, a bench assembly, and a resistance assembly. The bench assembly is pivotally connected to the frame assembly to provide an elevated pivot point about which the bench assembly pivots when the user performs the gluteal bridge movement. The resistance assembly is operably connected to the bench assembly and provides a resistance force that the user overcomes in order to pivotally move the bench through the gluteal bridge movement. The resistance assembly can include a cable, pulley and weight stack, or an elastically deformable band. This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/563,456, filed Sep. 26, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/505,542, filed May 12, 2017, all of which are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. This disclosure relates to an exercise apparatus for performing a gluteal bridge movement. In particular, the exercise apparatus is configurable to allow a person to properly perform a resisted gluteal bridge on a repeated basis and where the resistance increases the amount of work to be performed by the person during the exercise. Muscles of the human posterior hip, or gluteal muscles, are critical for the task of locomotion. Healthy and/or well-developed gluteal muscles are a key factor in maintaining the strength and health of a person's lower back, hips and knees. Conversely, unhealthy and/or under-developed gluteal muscles have been identified as a significant cause of a number of conditions, including patellar alignment problems, iliotibial (IT) band pathology, and mechanical lower back pain. An exercise technique referred to as a “gluteal bridge,” which is also commonly referred to as a “glute bridge” or “hip thrust,” has been developed to strengthen gluteal muscles. The gluteal bridge is a complex movement because it requires the person to perform multiple movements in a specific sequence. The gluteal bridge is typically performed when a person, user or individual is in the supine position on the ground or on a mat where the person's the hips and knees are flexed while the lower back is pressed flat on the ground. The person then performs a pelvic tilt, whereby the pelvis is moved or “rolled” toward the posterior and the lower back flattens. With the pelvic tilt engaged, the person then raises his or her buttocks and shifts weight to the feet and an area of the upper thorax located at the inferior aspect of the person's scapulae. When properly performing the gluteal bridge exercise, the person moves only at the hips, without bending the spine. Also, when a person performs the gluteal bridge in this manner, it is commonly referred to as an “unresisted” exercise since no external resistance is being applied during the complex movement. Past attempts to provide a resisted gluteal bridge include the use of additional devices, such as stretching a strongly-resistive elastic resistance band across a lower portion of a person's abdomen, along with contorting the person's knees to a severe angle to position the pelvis low enough to properly affix the elastic resistance band. Some attempts require the person to maneuver between a seat and a lower leg pad prior to initiating the exercise, creating dangers to the person, especially when he or she becomes fatigued. Other attempts require the person to press against a bare metal bar, typically while adding some form of an external pad, with their abdomen and contort their body to slide under the bar before initiating the gluteal bridge exercise. Further attempts require the use of hand-held free weights and a free-standing bench, presenting issues pertaining to the stability, strength and sliding resistance of the bench along a ground surface. Still further attempts rely on the compromised directional stability and support of an exercise ball. Even further attempts rely on the use of a smith machine, which creates a movement pathway that forces the user to move in an undesired vertical path (i.e., straight up and down) motion rather than a proper curvilinear path. The use of these additional devices to perform a resisted gluteal bridge causes numerous problems that reduce the effectiveness of the exercise while exposing the person trying to perform the exercise to potential injury. For example, these conventional resisted gluteal bridge exercises do not properly support the lumbar spine throughout the exercise's range of motion. Accordingly, these conventional exercises force the lumbar spine into a position of hyperextension, particularly at an end range of motion of the exercise which places significant pressure on a user's facet joints. This pressure is undesirable because it is a noted cause of lower back pain. Additionally, these conventional resisted gluteal bridge exercises do not allow the user to perform a resisted gluteal bridge with only one leg at a time, or a resisted gluteal bridge with alternating legs because the weight shifts in an uncontrolled and manner across the user's pelvis, which may cause the user to fall or become injured. Accordingly, there has been a long-standing, unmet need for an exercise apparatus specifically designed to allow a person to properly perform a resisted gluteal bridge to improve the strength of a person's human posterior hip and gluteal muscles. The present disclosure provides an exercise apparatus specifically designed to allow a person or user to perform a gluteal bridge, typically with resistance, to improve the strength of a person's human posterior hip and gluteal muscles. The exercise apparatus can be configured for use in different environments—namely, in a gym, fitness center or training facility, in a spa or studio, or in a home gym. In its different versions, the exercise apparatus facilitates the performance of a resisted gluteal bridge in a safe, controlled and efficient manner while the person lies on a bench of the apparatus. In use, the person lies along the length of the bench instead of perpendicular to the bench. Due to the added support of the bench under the length of the person's spine, the exercise apparatus protects the person's spine by maintaining the lumbar spine in a neutral position throughout the entire range of motion of the exercise, and also allows the motion of the exercise to be concentrated at the person's hip joints. Maintaining the lumbar spine in the neutral position and concentrating motion at the hip joints (i) eliminates any undesirable accessory movement in the spine, where accessory movement is movement created between the various segments of the user's spine, including at the facet joints or between the vertebral bodies, and (ii) improves the overall effectiveness of the resisted gluteal bridge exercise performed on the apparatus. Due to its unique configuration, the exercise apparatus also protects the user's pelvic bones from pressure that occurs when a heavy weight plate, barbell or dumbbells are placed across the upper portion of the user's hips, as done with conventional attempts to perform resisted gluteal bridges. In one implementation, the exercise apparatus for performing a resisted gluteal bridge movement is intended for use in a gym, fitness center or training facility. The exercise apparatus generally comprises (i) a support assembly with a frame assembly and a deck assembly; (ii) a bench assembly; and, (iii) a resistance assembly, such as a weight stack operably connected to the bench assembly by a resistance member, such as a cable. The exercise apparatus is designed to be placed on a planar support surface or floor within the gym, fitness center or training facility. The user or person selects a level of resistance on the resistance assembly, secures himself/herself to the bench assembly and then performs at least one repetition of the resisted gluteal bridge movement. Typically, the user performs multiple repetitions of the resisted gluteal bridge movement as part of his/her training regimen. The configuration of the exercise apparatus for use in a peripheral gym environment, a spa or studio omits the weight stack but retains a resistance member, such as an elastically deformable band. The configuration of the exercise apparatus for use in a home gym also omits the weight stack while retaining the resistance member, and includes additional functionality, including the bench assembly being securable in a substantially horizontal position and the apparatus being collapsible to facilitate storage when not in use. Other features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. The figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. FIG. 31 is a side view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 20, showing the exercise apparatus in a fourth position where the exercise apparatus is collapsed. While this disclosure includes a number of details and implementations in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail particular implementations with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems, and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosed concepts to the implementations illustrated. This disclosure relates to an exercise apparatus specifically designed to allow a person or user to perform a gluteal bridge, typically with resistance, to improve the strength of a person's human posterior hip and gluteal muscles. FIGS. 1-31, show versions of the exercise apparatus 10 for use in different environments—namely, in a gym, fitness center or training facility, in a spa or studio, or in a home gym. In its different versions, the exercise apparatus facilitates the performance of a resisted gluteal bridge in a safe, controlled and efficient manner while the person lies on a bench of the apparatus. In use, the person lies along the length of the bench instead of perpendicular to the bench. Due to the added support of the bench under the length of the person's spine, the exercise apparatus protects the person's spine by maintaining the lumbar spine in a neutral position throughout the entire range of motion of the exercise, and also allows the motion of the exercise to be concentrated at the person's hip joints. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae labeled L1 through L5, and it is situated between the thoracic spine and the sacrum. Maintaining the lumbar spine in the neutral position and concentrating motion at the hip joints eliminates any accessory movement, as defined above in the Summary section, through the entire spine while improving the overall effectiveness of the resisted gluteal bridge exercise performed on the apparatus. Due to its unique configuration, the exercise apparatus also protects the user's pelvic bones from pressure that occurs when a heavy weight plate, barbell or dumbbells are placed across the upper portion of the user's hips, as done with conventional attempts to perform resisted gluteal bridges. FIGS. 1-11 depict a first embodiment of the apparatus 50 for performing a resisted gluteal bridge movement that is configured for a heavy-use environment, such as in a gym, fitness center or training facility. The exercise apparatus 50 generally comprises (i) a support assembly 100 with a frame assembly 120 and a deck assembly 200; (ii) a bench assembly 300; and, (iii) a resistance assembly 400. The exercise apparatus 50 is designed to be placed on a planar support surface or floor F within the gym, fitness center or training facility. As described in greater detail below, the user or person selects a level of resistance on the resistance assembly 400, secures himself/herself to the bench assembly 300 and then performs at least one repetition of the resisted gluteal bridge movement. Typically, the user performs multiple repetitions of the resisted gluteal bridge movement as part of his/her training regimen. Referring to FIGS. 1-11 and as mentioned above, the support assembly 100 includes the frame assembly 120 and the deck assembly 200. The frame assembly 120 comprises a primary or central member 125 and two side members—first side member 130 and second side member 135 that extend via a transition member 137 from the primary member 125. As seen in the bottom view of FIG. 8, the transition member 137 is oriented at an angle to the primary member such that the primary member 125 and the side members 130, 135 are substantially parallel to each other. A front member 140 extends between and connects the primary member 125 and the first and second side members 130, 135. A rear member 145 extends from the primary member 125. As shown in FIGS. 1-11, the rear member 145 is transverse to the primary member 145 such that these two members are substantially perpendicular to each other. The front member 140 and the rear member 145 are shown as having a linear configuration so they provide cross member support, however, the front member 140 and/or rear member 145 can have a curvilinear configuration. The frame assembly 120 also includes a plurality of mounting feet 150 that engage the supporting floor F and that are configured to increase the stability of the apparatus 50 during usage. The mounting feet 150 preferably have an elastomeric composition and can compensate if the floor F that apparatus 50 is placed upon is not level. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, a pair of mounting feet 150 are affixed to the front member 140 and a pair of feet 150 are affixed to the rear member 145. The frame assembly 120 further includes a rear vertical member 155 that extends upward from the rear member 145. Alternatively, the rear vertical member 155 extends upward from a rear portion of the primary member 125 or the junction of both the rear member 145 and the primary member 125. An angled support member 160 extends between the rear vertical member 155 and the primary member 125. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the angled member 160 extends from an upper portion of the vertical member 155 to an intermediate portion of the primary member 125. The deck assembly 200 comprises an upper plate member 205, preferably horizontally arranged relative to the floor F, that extends over an extent of the primary member 125 and the side members 130, 135 to define a cavity 210 there between (see FIG. 9). The deck assembly 200 is intended to be a low-profile structure to facilitate the user's U ingress and egress from the apparatus 50. As such, the plate member 205 is positioned close to the support surface or floor F upon which the apparatus 50 is placed, where an upper surface of the plate member 205 and the floor F is less than 5 inches, preferably less than 4 inches and most preferably 3 inches. These dimensions represent the height of the plate member 205 to the floor F and include the mounting feet 150. An adjustable foot rest assembly 215 is connected to the deck assembly 200 and is configured to engage the feet of people using the apparatus 50. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the foot rest assembly 215 slides along the upper surface of the plate member 205 such that the distance between the foot rest assembly 215 and the bench assembly 300 can be varied by about 20 inches, and preferably 22 inches, to accommodate different sized people. The foot rest assembly 215 includes a wall arrangement 220 having a rear wall 240, opposed side walls 230, a top wall 235, a front wall 225 extending between the side walls 230, and a bottom wall 242 extending between the side walls 230 (as best shown in FIG. 9B). The front wall 225 is configured to engage and support the feet of the person using the apparatus 50. Preferably, the front wall 225 is angled, sloped or curved relative to the plate member 205. The front wall 225 can include means for enhancing the engagement with the person's feet, wherein the engagement means is textured treads 245, projections formed on the wall 225, or recess formed in the wall 225. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wall 225 is sloped and extends from the upper plate member 205 at an angle θ that is 130 to 150 degrees, preferably 145 degrees. Due to the low-profile configuration of the deck assembly 200, the top wall 235 is positioned close to the supporting floor F, meaning that the top wall 235 is within 10 inches, preferably within 9 inches and most preferably within 7.5 inches of the supporting floor F (where these dimensions include mounting feet 150 secured to the frame assembly 120). As such, the adjustable foot rest assembly 215 does not compromise the user's U ingress and egress to the bench assembly 300. The foot rest assembly 215 further includes a releasable adjustment mechanism 250 that allows for selective positioning of the foot rest assembly 215 along the deck assembly 200. The adjustment mechanism 250 includes a pin 255, preferably spring-loaded, that extends through rear wall 240 and apertures 260 formed in the plate member 205. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the plate member 205 has a plurality of substantially aligned apertures 260 that are configured to receive a lower portion of the pin 255. A knob 265 is affixed to an upper portion of the pin 255 whereby the person can grasp the knob 265 and apply a substantially upward force thereby displacing the pin 255 from its existing aperture 260 and allow for repositioning of the foot rest assembly 215. Once the desired location of the foot rest assembly 215 is attained, the person can release the knob 265 such the pin 255 engages and is received by the aperture 260 at the desired location. The deck assembly 200 also includes at least one rail 270 that resides within the internal cavity 210 and that operably supports the adjustable foot rest assembly 215. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the deck assembly 200 includes a pair of elongated rails 270, each rail extending between the front member 140 and an intermediate cross member 275, which itself extends between the primary member 125 and the side member 130, 135. The bottom wall 242 of the foot rest assembly 215 is coupled by a plurality of elongated fasteners (e.g., bolts) to a projection (not shown) affixed to a collar 280 that is located within the cavity 210 and that is in sliding engagement with the rail 270. In this manner, the collar 280 has an inner diameter that slightly exceed the outer diameter of the rail 270. The collar 280 includes an inner bushing that facilitates sliding movement between the collar 280 and the rail 270. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the upper plate member 205 includes at least one slot 285 that extends between the intermediate cross member 275 and the front member 140. The slot 285 is dimensioned to accommodate the elongated fasteners that couple the collar 280 to the foot rest assembly 215 such that the fasteners can move freely within the slot 285 as the foot rest assembly 215 is moved fore and aft along the plate member 205 to vary the distance between the foot rest assembly 215 and the bench assembly 300 in order to accommodate different sized people who desire to use the apparatus 50. The bench assembly 300 of the exercise apparatus 50 comprises a bench 305, a bench support frame assembly 310 and a belt assembly 315. The bench 305 has a substantially rectangular configuration with internal pad member residing within an external housing 307. The belt assembly 315 includes a first member 320, a second member 325 and a buckle 330 to operably connect the first and second members 320, 325. The belt assembly 315 is operably connected by a coupler 337 to the support frame assembly 310 near a lower end 305 a of the bench 305. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and as explained below, the user secures the belt assembly 315 across his/her lower abdomen before commencing the gluteal bride exercise. Unlike some conventional devices, the apparatus 50 does not require additional structures above the bench assembly 300 and the belt assembly 315 to secure the user U to the bench 305, such as mechanical linkages or an elongated pad that extends across the user's abdominal region. The bench 305 is affixed to the support frame assembly 310 which includes side frame members 335, rear member 340, and intermediate cross member 345 (see FIGS. 6 and 8). Referring to FIGS. 2-4, an elastomeric bumper 350 is affixed to the frame assembly 1120, preferably the angled member 160. The bumper 350 is configured to engage the intermediate cross member 345 when the bench 305 is lowered towards the angled member 160 while the user performs the gluteal bridge movement. In this manner the bumper 1350 prevents the bench 1305 for striking and potentially damaging the frame assembly 112, including the angled member 1160, while various users perform gluteal bridge movements over prolonged periods of time. The bumper 350 has an overall height of at least 1.5 inches, and preferably 2.0 inches. Unlike some conventional devices, the apparatus 50 includes a single bench 305 that obviates the need for a secondary, typically lower, bench that assists a user with ingress and egress and/or further supports the user prior to and/or after the gluteal exercise movement. The bench assembly 300 is pivotally connected to the frame assembly 120 to allow for pivotal movement of the bench 305 and the bench support frame assembly 310 during the user's performance of the gluteal bridge exercise. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, 6 and 9, the bench assembly 300 includes at least one bearing assembly 360 that receives an extent of a rod 365 extending through an upper portion of the vertical member 155. The bearing assembly 360 includes an internal bearing set 370 mounted within a housing 375 that extends downward from the bench support frame assembly 310. The bearing assembly 360 is preferably a pillow block bearing with a curvilinear housing 375. As shown in FIG. 6, there are two bearing assemblies 360, each extending downward from an extent of the side frame member 335. In this configuration, the rod 365 extends from the vertical member 155 and an end segment of the rod 365 extends through the bearing set 370. Also in this configuration, the vertical member 155 is positioned between the bearing assemblies 360. The rod 365 defines a pivot point PP (see FIGS. 3 and 4) where the bench assembly 300 is pivotally connected to the frame assembly 120 to allow for pivotal movement of the bench 305 during performance of the gluteal bridge exercise. The pivot point PP is in an elevated vertical position relative to: (i) the support surface upon which the apparatus 50 rests, (ii) the deck plate member 205, (iii) an anchor point AP (as detailed below and shown in FIG. 4), and (iv) the foot rest assembly 215. This does not mean that the pivot point PP is directly above these other components; instead, the pivot point PP is located at a higher vertical elevation compared to these components. Accordingly, the vertical elevation of pivot point PP is greater than the anchor point AP, the deck plate member 205 and the foot rest assembly 215. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, when the apparatus 50 is in the first position or ready to use position PU, the engagement between the angled member 160 and the intermediate cross member 345, as provided by the bumper 350, and between the side frame member 335 and the vertical member 155, as provided by the bearing assembly 360, ensures that both the bench 305 and the side frame member 335 are substantially parallel to the angled member 160. This positional arrangement improves the stability of the bench 305 both when the user lays on the bench 305 to prior to securing the belt assembly 315 and beginning the first repetition of the gluteal bridge movement, and when the user is laying on the bench 305 while performing gluteal bridge movements. As shown in FIGS. 1-11, the resistance assembly 400 of the exercise apparatus 50 comprises a cable 405, at least one pulley assembly 410 and a weight stack 415 supported by a frame assembly 420. The resistance assembly 400 provides a resistance force that the user U must overcome, in addition to the effects of gravity, in order to pivotally move the bench 305 from a first position (see FIG. 10) to a second position (see FIG. 11) about the pivot point. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 9A and 9B, a coupler 425 pivotally secures the first end 405 a of the cable 405 to an anchor mechanism 430 extending downward from a support plate 433 (see FIG. 9) affixed to a lower surface of the bench assembly 300, namely the bench support frame assembly 310 and/or the bench 305. The anchor mechanism 430 comprises a pair of flanges 435 separated by a rod 440 to which the coupler 425 is pivotally connected. In this manner, the coupler 425 is pivotally connected to the rod 440 between the flanges 435, wherein the rod 440 defines an anchor point AP. The anchor point AP is in an elevated vertical position relative to: (i) the support surface upon which the apparatus 50 rests, (ii) the deck plate member 205, and (iii) the first pulley 410 a. The anchor point AP is generally in the same vertical position as the foot rest assembly 215. The anchor point AP is in a lower vertical position relative to the pivot point PP. This does not mean that the anchor point AP is aligned directly above or directly below these other components; instead, the anchor point AP is located at different vertical elevations compared to these components. Accordingly, the vertical elevation of anchor point AP is between the pivot point PP and the deck plate member 205. During the gluteal bridge movement, there is pivotal movement of the coupler 425 and the cable 405 about the anchor point AP as the bench 305 is elevated and lowered by the user. A first pulley assembly 410 a is located at the lower end of the angled member 160 near its junction with the central member 125. The cable 405 is routed along the wheel 412 of the first pulley 410 a that is rotatably supported by a housing 413 positioned proximate the central member 125. The first pulley 410 a is oriented such that the cable 405 extends past the wheel 412 and through an internal cavity 125 a of the central member 125 to a second pulley assembly 410 b located at the base of the weight stack frame assembly 420. As shown in FIG. 9A, the internal cavity 125 a has dimensions large enough that the pin 255 does not make contact with the cable 405 when the user actuates the release mechanism 250. The cable 405 extends from the second pulley 410 b to a third pulley assembly 410 c that resides within an upper extent of the weight stack frame assembly 420. In this manner, the cable 405 is routed around the wheel 412 of the third pulley assembly 410 c. The arrangement of the first, second and third pulleys 410 a, 410 b, 410 c provide a path of travel for the cable 405 that is substantially linear. A second end 405 b of the cable 405 is operably secured to the weight stack 415 by a connector 450. This connector 450 couples the second cable end 405 b to an elongated rod 455 that extends through the weighted plates 460 that comprise the weight stack 415, wherein the user can selectively chose the number and quantity of plates 460 that provide resistance during the performance of the resisted gluteal bridge exercise. The rod 455 includes apertures that are cooperatively positioned with apertures formed through the plates 460, wherein the user can insert a pin 465 through the plates 460 and into the rod 455 to select the amount of weighted resistance during the performance of the resisted gluteal bridge exercises. The rod 455 is flanked by a pair of guide posts 457 that extend through the plates 460, wherein the posts 457 slidingly engage the plates 460 when they are raised and lowered while the user performs resisted gluteal bridge exercises. Referring to FIGS. 1-11, the support frame assembly 420 of the weight stack 415 also includes external vertical members 470, 475 that extend upward from the deck assembly 200, an upper header 485 that extends between the upper ends of the vertical members 470, 475 and thereby acts as a cross-member, and lower corner braces 490 affixed to the vertical member 470, 475 and one of the first and second side members 130, 135 to provide additional support to the frame assembly 420. The upper header 485 can include information and instructions about the apparatus 50 and how it is to be properly used to perform gluteal bridge exercises. The support frame assembly 420 also includes a grab member, which can be configured as U-shaped bar 495, to assist the user with ingress and egress from the bench 305, and a primary shroud 497 coupled to the vertical members 470, 475 and overlapping the weight stack 415. Below the primary shroud 497 is an intermediate cross member 463 that extends between the external vertical members 470, 475 and that supports the weight stack 415 and the plates 460. It should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the resistance assembly 400 could be a resistance band, a chain, a single weight, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, spring or any combination of these embodiments along with a weight stack. For example, the resistance assembly 400 could include both a weight stack and resistance bands. In other alternative embodiments, the resistance assembly 400 may be a single weight that is permanently or releasably coupled to the bottom portion 305 a of the bench. For example, a dumbbell or a weight plate may be attached to the bottom portion 305 a of the bench. In further alternative embodiments, the resistance assembly 400 may be omitted for the apparatus 50. There are numerous critical dimensions, angles and ratios of the components of the apparatus 50 to ensure that the user can perform gluteal bridge exercises in a highly productive, efficient and same manner. For example, the angle A formed between the vertical member 155 and the angled member 160 is 30 to 65 degrees, preferably 50 degrees. The angle B formed between the sloped member 160 and the primary member 125 is 25 to 60 degrees, preferably 40 degrees. Referring to FIG. 4, the center of the first pulley assembly 410 a and the center of the second pulley assembly 410 b (which corresponds to the axis of rotation of the wheel of the pulley) are configured to define a W1 distance, which is at least 30 inches, preferably 39 inches. Also, the pivot point PP is located at a distance of P1 from the bottom edge of the rear member 145, where P1 is at least 14 inches, preferably 16 inches. Also, the distance between the pivot point PP and the center of wheel 412 defines a distance of P2, which is at least 15 inches from, preferably 17 inches. The top wall 235 of the foot rest assembly 215 is positioned vertically below a pivot point PP and an anchor point AP. As shown in FIG. 4, the top wall 235 is located at a distance of F1 from the bottom edge of the primary member 125, where F1 is less than 8 inches, preferably 6.5 inches from that edge. This non-elevated foot rest assembly 215 helps ensure that the user is able to stabilize his/her feet on the plate member 205 while performing the resisted gluteal bridge exercise. In contrast, a foot rest that is elevated above the pivot point PP puts unnecessary strain on the user's torso, including his/her neck. Additionally, an elevated foot plate, coupled with the forces of gravity, creates a shear force between the bench and the user's body which can cause the user to inadvertently slide on the bench while attempting the bridge motion. When the bench assembly 300 is in the first position or bottom position PB of FIGS. 1-9, the anchor point AP is located at a distance of A1 vertically above the bottom edge of the primary member 125, where A1 is at least 5 inches from that edge, preferably 7 inches. Also, when the bench assembly 300 is in the first or bottom position PB, the anchor point AP is located at a distance of A2, which is at least 10 inches from the pivot point PP, preferably 12 inches from that point PP. Further, when the user is properly positioned on and secured to the bench assembly 300 with the belt assembly 315, a second or ready for use position PU, which is shown in FIG. 10. In the ready for use position PU, the user's U knees and hips are in a flexed position and his/her hips are not extended, meaning the user's hips are bent to an angle between 60 degrees and 110 degrees depending on the selected placement of users feet, which is shown in FIG. 10. When performing the gluteal bridge exercise, the user will attain a third or hip extended position PE, which is shown in FIG. 11. When the user moves from the ready for use position PU, to the hip extended position PE, the anchor point AP is displaced in a substantially curvilinear motion as the bench assembly 300 pivots about the pivot point PP. In the hip extended position PE, the anchor point AP is located at least 10 inches from the bottom edge of the primary member 125, and preferably 16 inches from that edge. Also, in the hip extended position PE, the anchor point AP is located at a distance of A3, which exceeds distance A2 and which is at least 13 inches from the pivot point PP, and preferably at least 15 inches from that point. In other words, when the bench assembly 300 moves from the ready for use position PU to the hip extended position PE, the anchor point AP travels along a curvilinear path that brings the anchor point AP more than 3 inches closer to the weight stack 415 than when the anchor point AP is in the ready for use position PU. These dimensions, angles and ratios are essential to the functionality of the apparatus 50 and its long-term operation for a number of reasons. First, these angles are essential to the design and layout of the exercise apparatus 50 to ensure that the bench assembly 300 is properly positioned relative to the supporting ground such that the person can access the bench assembly 300 and then perform the resisted gluteal bridge in a controlled, safe and effective manner. Second, the bench 305 is designed support the user's entire thorax, including the user's lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spines, in a neutral position throughout the entire range of motion of the exercise, which helps protect the user's spine and allows the motion of the exercise to be concentrated at the hip joints. Third, the operable configuration of the bench 305 to the vertical member 155 provides a pivot point PP generally aligned with an inferior aspect of the user's scapulae and the user's thoracic spine. When the user is properly positioned on the bench 305, the pivot point PP is located between thoracic vertebras T1 through 12 of the human spine, preferably between vertebrae T3-T9, and most preferably between vertebrae T5-T7. The exercise apparatus 50 facilitates the performance of a resisted gluteal bridge by a user in a safe, controlled and efficient manner. FIG. 10 shows a user U in the second or ready for use position PU, where the user U is lying on the bench 305 prior and FIG. 11 shows the user in the third or hip extended position PE, which represents an upper state of the gluteal bridge movement. The exercise apparatus 50 is configured to protect the spine of the user U by maintaining the lumbar spine in a neutral position throughout the entire range of motion of the exercise, and also allows the bridging motion of the exercise to be concentrated at the user's hip joints. The apparatus 50 purposely eliminates any accessory movement through the user's spine and improves overall effectiveness of the resisted gluteal bridge exercise. FIG. 10 shows the user U in the second position, which illustrates both (i) the ready for use position PU prior to the commencement of the exercise and (ii) the bottom position PB that is achieved after the user U performs one complete gluteal bridge movement. In the ready for use position PU, the bumper 350 (see FIGS. 2-4) affixed to the angled support member 160 engages the cross member 345 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) of the bench 305. To properly use the exercise apparatus 50, the user U adjusts the foot assembly 215 to a suitable position and selects a resistance level on the weight stack 415. In particular, the user inserts the pin 465 through the plates 460 and into the rod 455 to select the amount of weighted resistance during the performance of the resisted gluteal bridge exercises. Once the amount of weight is selected, the user U sits near the end of the bench 305 and aligns the inferior portion of their scapulae at, or proximate the pivot point. Once the user U is positioned on the bench 305, the user U secures his or her hips and lower abdomen to the bench 305 via the belt assembly 315 and places his/her feet against the adjustable foot assembly 215. Once the belt members 320, 325 are connected via the buckle 330, the user adjusts the length of the first and/or second members 320, 325 to ensure that the belt assembly 315 properly secures the user to the bench 305 and attain the ready for use position PU. After the user U is secured to the bench 305, the user U utilizes their gluteal muscles and accessory muscles of the hip and thigh to drive and elevate his/her hips in a substantially upward direction, which as reflected by the upwardly directed arrow in FIG. 11. This upwardly directed movement by the user U causes the user's knees to move from a position of relative flexion towards a position of less flexion. Additionally, this upwardly directed movement by the user U causes the bottom portion 305 a of the bench 305 to move upward and away from the deck assembly 200 while the bench 305 pivots around the pivot point PP. This upwardly directed movement by the user U also causes the anchor point AP to travel along a curvilinear path. This path will cause the anchor point AP to move from the position shown in FIGS. 1-10 to the position shown in FIG. 11, which is approximately 9 inches upward and approximately 3 inches closer to the weight stack 415. This travel by the anchor point AP in turn forces the cable 405 via the pulley assembly 410 to lift the selected amount of weight from the weight stack 415. It should be understood, that the more weight the user selects on the weight stack 415 the more force the user U will have to use to cause the bottom portion 305 a of the bench 305 to move upward. While the user's feet are engaged with the foot assembly 215, the user U continues driving upward until he/she reaches the third or hip extended position PE. The hip extended position PE occurs for most users U when the angle between the bench 305 and the rear vertical member 155 is between 60 degrees and 100 degrees, and typically is 80 degrees. Also, once the user reaches this hip extended position PE the cable 405 is substantially parallel with the rear vertical member 155. Once the hip extended position PE is reached, the user U may hold or maintain this position for a period of time. After the user U has reached the hip extended position PE, the user U allows the bottom bench portion 305 a to move downward towards the deck assembly 200 until the cross member 345 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) makes contact with the bumper 350 (see FIGS. 2-4) whereby the bench 305 reaches the bottom position PB. In this manner, the user U progresses from the ready for use position PU through the hip extended position PE and back to the bottom position PB, where the progression through these three positions defines one complete repetition of the gluteal bridge exercise. After the user U completes the desired number of repetitions, the user U releases the buckle 330, which causes the first and second members 320, 325 to disengage from one another. The user U is then able to stand-up and exit from the exercise apparatus 50. FIGS. 12-19 depict a second embodiment of the apparatus 1050 for performing a resisted gluteal bridge movement that is configured for a heavy-to-medium use environment, such as in a gym, fitness center or training facility. The exercise apparatus 1050 generally comprises (i) a support assembly 1100 with a frame assembly 1120 and a deck assembly 1200; (ii) a bench assembly 1300; and, (iii) a resistance assembly 1400. The exercise apparatus 1050 is designed to be placed on a planar support surface or floor F within the gym, fitness center, training facility, or a home. As described in greater detail below, the user or person selects a level of resistance on the resistance assembly 1400, secures himself/herself to the bench assembly 1300 and then performs at least one repetition of the resisted gluteal bridge movement. Typically, the user performs multiple repetitions of the resisted gluteal bridge movement as part of his/her training regimen. Referring to FIGS. 12-19 and as mentioned above, the support assembly 1100 includes the frame assembly 1120 and the deck assembly 1200. The frame assembly 1120 comprises: 1) two primary or central members 1125, 2) a front member 1140, 3) a middle cross member 1147, and 4) a rear member 1145. As seen in the bottom view of FIG. 17, the central members 1125 are substantially parallel to each other. Specifically, the front member 1140 and rear member 1145 extends from the central members 1125. Also, the middle cross member 1147 extends between the central members 1125. Based on this arrangement, the members 1140, 1147 and 1145 are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially perpendicular to the central members 1125. The frame assembly 1120 may also include a plurality of mounting feet 1150 that engage the supporting floor F and that are configured to increase the stability of the apparatus 1050 during usage. The mounting feet 1150 preferably have an elastomeric composition and can compensate if the floor F that apparatus 1050 is placed upon is not level. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-19, a pair of mounting feet 1150 are affixed to the front member 1140 and a pair of feet 1150 are affixed to the rear member 1145. The frame assembly 1120 further includes a rear vertical member 1155 that extends upward from the rear member 1145. An angled support member 1160 extends between the rear vertical member 1155 and the middle cross member 1147. The deck assembly 1200, preferably horizontally arranged relative to the floor F, comprises an upper plate member 1205 that extends over an extent of the central members 1125 to define a cavity 1210 there between (see FIG. 17). The deck assembly 1200 is intended to be a low-profile structure to facilitate the user's U ingress and egress from the apparatus 1050. As such, the plate member 1205 is positioned close to the support surface or floor F upon which the apparatus 50 is placed, where an upper surface of the plate member 1205 and the floor F is less than 5 inches, preferably less than 4 inches and most preferably 3 inches. These dimensions represent the height of the plate member 1205 to the floor F and include the mounting feet 1150. The deck assembly 1200 may have a non-skid surface placed over the upper plate member 1205 to help ensure that a user's feet do not slide during use of the apparatus 1050. In an alternative embodiment, an adjustable foot rest assembly that is similar to the foot rest assembly discussed above in connection with the first embodiment may be connected to the deck assembly 1200 and configured to engage the feet of the person that is using the apparatus 1050. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 12-19, the upper plate member 1205 is positioned below a pivot point PP (see FIG. 13) and below the bottom edge of the bench assembly 1300. The bench assembly 1300 of the exercise apparatus 1050 comprises a bench 1305, a bench support frame assembly 1310 and a belt assembly 1315. The bench 1305 has a substantially rectangular configuration with internal pad member residing within an external housing 1307. The belt assembly 1315 includes a first member 1320, a second member 1325 and a buckle 1330 to operably connect the first and second members 1320, 1325. The belt assembly 1315 is operably connected by a coupler 1337 to the support frame assembly 1310 near a lower end 1305 a of the bench 1305. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and as explained below, the user secures the belt assembly 1315 across his/her lower abdomen before commencing the gluteal bride exercise. Unlike some conventional devices, the apparatus 1050 does not require additional structures above the bench assembly 1300 and the belt assembly 1315 to secure the user U to the bench 1305, such as mechanical linkages or an elongated pad that extends across the user's abdominal region. The bench 1305 is affixed to the support frame assembly 1310 which includes side frame members 1335, rear member 1340, and intermediate cross member 1345 (see FIGS. 15 and 17). Referring to FIG. 13, an elastomeric bumper 1350 is affixed to the frame assembly 1120, preferably the angled member 1160. The bumper 1350 is configured to engage the intermediate cross member 1345 when the bench 1305 is lowered towards the angled member 1160 while the user performs the gluteal bridge movement. In this manner the bumper 1350 prevents the bench 1305 for striking and potentially damaging the frame assembly 112, including the angled member 1160, while various users perform gluteal bridge movements over prolonged periods of time. The bumper 1350 has an overall height of at least 1.5 inches, and preferably 2.0 inches. Unlike some conventional devices, the apparatus 1050 includes a single bench 1305 that obviates the need for a secondary, typically lower, bench that assists a user with ingress and egress and/or further supports the user prior to and/or after the gluteal exercise movement. The bench assembly 1300 is pivotally connected to the support frame 1120 to allow for pivotal movement of the bench 1305 and the bench support frame assembly 1310 during the user's performance of the gluteal bridge exercise. Referring to FIGS. 12-13 and 15, the bench assembly 1300 includes at least one bearing assembly 1360 that receives an extent of a rod 1365 extending through an upper portion of the vertical member 1155. The bearing assembly 1360 includes an internal bearing set 1370 mounted within a housing 1375 that extends downward from the bench support frame assembly 1310. The bearing assembly 1360 is preferably a pillow block bearing with a curvilinear housing 1375. As shown in FIG. 15, there are two bearing assemblies 1360, each extending downward from an extent of the side frame member 1335. In this configuration, the rod 1365 extends from the vertical member 1155 and an end segment of the rod 1365 extends through the bearing set 1370. Also in this configuration, the vertical member 1155 is positioned between the bearing assemblies 1360. The rod 1365 defines a pivot point PP (see FIG. 13) where the bench assembly 1300 is pivotally connected to the support frame 1120 to allow for pivotal movement of the bench 1305 during performance of the gluteal bridge exercise. The pivot point PP is in an elevated vertical position relative to: (i) the support surface upon which the apparatus 1050 rests, (ii) the deck plate member 1205, and (iii) a resistance point RP (as detailed below and shown in FIG. 14). This does not mean that the pivot point PP is directly above these other components; instead, the pivot point PP is located at a higher vertical elevation compared to these components. Accordingly, the vertical elevation of pivot point PP is greater than the resistance point RP and the deck plate member 1205. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-19, when the apparatus 1050 is in the first position or bottom position PB, the engagement between the angled member 1160 and the intermediate cross member 1345, as provided by the bumper 1350, and between the side frame member 1335 and the vertical member 1155, as provided by the bearing assembly 1360, ensures that both the bench 1305 and the side frame member 1335 are substantially parallel to the angled member 1160. This positional arrangement improves the stability of the bench 1305 both when the user lays on the bench 1305 to prior to securing the belt assembly 1315 and beginning the first repetition of the gluteal bridge movement, and when the user is laying on the bench 1305 while performing gluteal bridge movements. As shown in FIGS. 12-19, the resistance assembly 1400 includes a resistance band 1405 and a means for releasably securing 1410 the resistance band 1405 to both the frame assembly 1120 and bench assembly 1300. The resistance assembly 1400 provides a resistance force, in addition to the effects of gravity, that the user U must overcome in order to pivotally move the bench 1305 from a first position (see FIG. 18) to a second position (see FIG. 19) about the pivot point. In particular, the means for securing 1410 includes an upper securement means 1415 and a lower securement means 1420. These securement means 1415, 1420 can include a projection or combination of projections, a hook, a channel, a recess, or an aperture. As shown in FIGS. 12-19, the upper securement means 1415 includes projections 1425 that extend outwardly from both side frame members 1335, namely an outer surface of the member 1335. These projections 1425 are preferably positioned near the belt coupler 1337 and do not extend outwardly past the end wall 1145 a of the rear member 1145. The center of the projection 1425 forms a resistance point RP, which is angularly displaced about the pivot point PP when the exercise apparatus 1050 moves from the ready for use position PU through the hip extended position PE and back to the bottom position PB. The resistance point RP is in an elevated vertical position relative to: (i) the support surface upon which the apparatus 1050 rests and (ii) the deck plate member 1205. The resistance point RP is in a lower vertical position relative to the pivot point PP. This does not mean that the resistance point RP is aligned directly above or directly below these other components; instead, the resistance point RP is located at different vertical elevations compared to these components. Accordingly, the vertical elevation of resistance point RP is between the pivot point PP and the deck plate member 1205. Additionally, the projections 1425 may have a raised outer lip 1430 that helps ensure that the resistance assembly 1400 does not disengage projections 1425 during use of the exercise apparatus 1050. Referring to FIGS. 12-19, the lower securement means 1420 includes a first projection 1435 that extends outwardly from the central members 1125. The lower securement means 1420 can also include a second projection 1440 that also extends from the central members 1125, and a securement plate 1445 positioned proximate the second projection 1440. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-19, the first and second projections 1435, 1440 extend outwardly from the central members 1125 near the rear member 1145. The first and second projections 1435, 1440 do not extend past the end wall 1145 a of the rear member 1145. The resistance band 1405 is operatively connected to the first projection 1435, while the second projection 1440 and the securement plate 1445 help ensure that band 1405 does not disengage the first projection 1435 during use of the exercise apparatus 1050. The user U may change the resistance band 1405 of the exercise apparatus 1050 shown in FIGS. 12-19 by first releasing the connecting plate 1445 from the first and second projections 1435, 1440. Next, the user U slides the bottom 1405 a of the resistance band 1405 off of the lower securement means 1420. This in turn, enables the user to disconnect the top 1405 b of the resistance band 1405 from the upper securement means 1415. The user then slides the alternative resistance band onto the upper securement means 1415 and then onto the lower securement means 1420. Finally, the user connects the connecting plate 1445 to both the first and second projections 1435, 1440. As shown in FIGS. 16-17, when connected to the upper and lower securement means 1415, 1420, the resistance bands 1405 are positioned external to or beyond the central members 1125 and the bench side members 1335. This relative positioning provides a number of benefits, including the rapid exchange of different resistance bands 1405 that provide varying levels of resistance during the performance of the gluteal bridge movement. In other words, the resistance bands 1405 are not positioned completely beneath and within the periphery of the bench 1305. The top view in FIG. 16 and the bottom view in FIG. 17 show the first and second projections 1425, 1435 residing in a substantially vertical plane VP that is oriented perpendicular to the drawing sheet and substantially parallel to the central members 1125. Because the projections 1425, 1435 have a length that exceeds the width of the band 1405, the projections 1425, 1435 provide the vertical plane VP with a width or thickness that exceeds the width of the band 1405. During the performance of the gluteal bridge movement, the resistance bands 1405 elastically deform in a manner that causes each band 1405 to be displaced both vertically and within the vertical plane VP. In other words, the band 1405 is elastically deformed in a substantially parallel direction that is within the vertical plane VP. Overall, this arrangement of the resistance assembly 1400 and its components ensures smooth and consistent elastic deformation of the assembly 1400 during the bridge movement, which facilitates proper operation of the exercise apparatus 1050. It should be understood that the lower securement means 1420 may be connected to various other locations, which include the rear member 1145, rear vertical member 1155, or the angled member 1160. However, these alternate connection locations should be selected in a manner that does not impact or compromise the elastic deformation of the assembly 1400 during the bridge movement, or comprise the proper operation of the exercise apparatus 1050. There are numerous critical dimensions, angles and ratios of the components of the apparatus 1050 to ensure that the user can perform gluteal bridge exercises in a highly productive, efficient and same manner. For example, the angle A formed between the vertical member 1155 and the angled member 1160 is 30 to 65 degrees, preferably 50 degrees. The angle B formed between the sloped member 1160 and the middle cross member 1147 is 25 to 60 degrees, preferably 40 degrees. Referring to FIG. 13, the pivot point PP is located at a distance of P1 from the bottom edge of the rear member 145, where P1 is at least 14 inches, preferably 16 inches. The lower securement member 1420 is located at a distance of C1, which is less than 6 inches from the pivot point PP, and preferably 4 inches from that point. Also, as shown in FIGS. 12-19, the exercise apparatus 1050 has a non-elevated foot rest which ensures that the user is able to perform the resisted gluteal bridge in a controlled, safe and effective manner. In contrast, a footrest that is elevated over the pivot point PP places unnecessary strain on the user's neck. Additionally, an elevated foot plate, coupled with the forces of gravity, creates a shear force between the bench and the user's body which can cause the user to inadvertently slide on the bench while attempting the bridge motion. When the bench assembly 300 is in the first position or bottom position PB of FIGS. 12-17, the resistance point RP is located at a distance of R1 vertically above the bottom edge of the central members 1125, where R1 is at least 6 inches from that edge, preferably 8.5 inches. Also, when the bench assembly 1300 is in the first or bottom position PB, the resistance point RP is located at a distance of R2, which is at least 10 inches from the pivot point PP, preferably 16 inches from that point PP. Further, when the user is properly positioned on and secured to the bench assembly 1300 with the belt assembly 1315, a second or ready for use position PU, which is shown in FIG. 18. In the ready for use position PU, the user's U knees and hips are in a flexed position and his/her hips are not extended, meaning the user's hips are bent to an angle between 60 and 110 degrees depending on the selected placement of user's feet, as shown in FIG. 18. When performing the gluteal bridge exercise, the user will attain a third or hip extended position PE, which is shown in FIG. 19. When the user moves from the ready for use position PU, to the hip extended position PE, the resistance point RP is displaced in a substantially curvilinear motion as the bench assembly 300 pivots about the pivot point PP. In the hip extended position PE, the resistance point RP is located at least 13.5 inches from the bottom edge of the central members 1125, and preferably 17.5 inches from that edge. These dimensions, angles and ratios are essential to the functionality of the apparatus 1050 and its long-term operation for a number of reasons. First, these angles are essential to the design and layout of the exercise apparatus 1050 to ensure that the bench assembly 1300 is properly positioned relative to the supporting ground such that the person can access the bench assembly 1300 and then perform the resisted gluteal bridge in a controlled, safe and effective manner. Second, the bench 1305 is designed support the user's entire thorax, including the user's lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spines, in a neutral position throughout the entire range of motion of the exercise, which helps protect the user's spine and allows the motion of the exercise to be concentrated at the hip joints. Third, the operable configuration of the bench 1305 to the vertical member 1155 provides a pivot point PP generally aligned with an inferior aspect of the user's scapulae and the user's thoracic spine. When the user is properly positioned on the bench 1305, the pivot point PP is located between thoracic vertebras T1 through 12 of the human spine, preferably between vertebrae T3-T9, and most preferably between vertebrae T5-T7. The exercise apparatus 1050 facilitates the performance of a resisted gluteal bridge by a user in a safe, controlled and efficient manner. FIG. 18 shows a user U in the second or ready for use position PU, where the user U is lying on the bench 1305 prior and FIG. 19 shows the user U in the third or hip extended position PE, which represents an upper state of the gluteal bridge movement. The exercise apparatus 1050 is configured to protect the spine of the user U by maintaining the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine in a neutral position throughout the entire range of motion of the exercise, and also allows the bridging motion of the exercise to be concentrated at the user's hip joints. The apparatus 1050 purposely eliminates any accessory movement through the user's spine and improves overall effectiveness of the resisted gluteal bridge exercise. FIG. 18 shows the user U in the second position, which illustrates both the ready for use position PU prior to the commencement of the exercise and the bottom position PB that is achieved after the user U performs one complete gluteal bridge movement. In the ready for use position PU, the bumper 1350 (see FIGS. 13, 18 and 19) affixed to the angled support member 1160 engages the cross member 1345 (see FIGS. 13, 18 and 19) of the bench 1305. To properly use the exercise apparatus 1050, the user U sits near the end of the bench 1305, suitable positions his/her feet on the deck assembly 1200, and aligns the inferior portion of their scapulae at, or proximate the pivot point. Once the user U is positioned on the bench 1305, the user U secures his or her hips and lower abdomen to the bench 1305 via the belt assembly 1315 and places his/her feet flat on the deck assembly 1200. Once the belt members 1320, 1325 are connected via the buckle 1330, the user adjusts the length of the first and/or second members 1320, 1325 to ensure that the belt assembly 1315 properly secures the user to the bench 1305 and attain the ready for use position PU. After the user U is secured to the bench 1305, the user U utilizes their gluteal muscles and accessory muscles of the hip and thigh to drive and elevate his/her hips in a substantially upward direction, as reflected by the upwardly directed arrow in FIG. 19. This upwardly directed movement by the user U causes the user's knees to move from a position of relative flexion towards a position of less flexion. Additionally, this upwardly directed movement by the user U causes the bottom portion 1305 a of the bench 1305 to move upward and away from the deck assembly 1200 while the bench 1305 pivots around the pivot point PP. Further, this upwardly directed movement by the user U causes the resistance band 1405 to elastically deform, namely stretch or elongate and then return to the un-deformed state. This stretching or elongation of the resistance band 1405 adds resistance to the user's U ability to move the bottom portion 1305 a of the bench 1305 upward. Therefore, the higher the tension of the resistance band 1405 the more force the user U will have to use to cause the bottom portion 1305 a of the bench 1305 to move upward. While the user's feet remain flat on the deck assembly 1200, the user U continues driving upward until he/she reaches the third or hip extended position PE. The hip extended position PE occurs for most users U when the angle between the bench 1305 and the rear vertical member 1155 is between 60 degrees and 100 degrees, and typically is 80 degrees. Once the hip extended position PE is reached, the user U may hold or maintain this position for a period of time. After the user U has reached the hip extended position PE, the user U allows the bottom bench portion 1305 a to move downward towards the deck assembly 1200 until the cross member 1345 (see FIGS. 13, 18 and 19) makes contact with the bumper 1350 (see FIGS. 13, 18 and 19) whereby the bench 1305 reaches the bottom position PB. In this manner, the user U progresses from the ready for use position PU through the hip extended position PE and back to the bottom position PB, where the progression through these three positions defines one complete repetition of the gluteal bridge exercise. After the user U completes the desired number of repetitions, the user U releases the buckle 1330, which causes the first and second members 1320, 1325 to disengage from one another. The user U is then able to stand-up and exit from the exercise apparatus 1050. FIGS. 20-31 depict a third embodiment of the apparatus 2050 for performing a resisted gluteal bridge movement that is configured for a lighter use environment, such as in a use in a home gym. The exercise apparatus 2050 generally comprises: (i) a support assembly 2100 with a frame assembly 2120 and a deck assembly 2200; (ii) a bench assembly 2300; and, (iii) a resistance assembly 2400. The exercise apparatus 2050 is designed to be placed on a planar support surface or floor F within the gym, fitness center, training facility, or a home. As described in greater detail below, the user or person selects a level of resistance on the resistance assembly 2400, secures himself/herself to the bench assembly 2300 and then performs at least one repetition of the resisted gluteal bridge movement. Typically, the user performs multiple repetitions of the resisted gluteal bridge movement as part of his/her training regimen. Referring to FIGS. 20-31 and as mentioned above, the support assembly 2100 includes the frame assembly 2120 and the deck assembly 2200. The frame assembly 2120 comprises: (i) two primary or central members 2125, (ii) a front member 2140, (iii) a slideable middle cross member 2147, and (iv) a rear member 2145. As seen in the bottom view of FIG. 25, the central members 2125 are substantially parallel to each other. Specifically, the central members 2125 extend between the front member 2140 and rear member 2145. The central members 2125 are spaced a short distance apart to define a cavity 2126 through which the cross member 2147 is displaced when the exercise apparatus 2050 is moved to a fifth position or a collapsed position PC. The middle cross member 2147 extends between the central members 2125 and is capable of sliding within a channel or slot 2149 formed in the central member 2125. This channel 2149 has a first end 2149 a, which is proximate to the front cross member 2140. Positioning the middle cross member 2140 proximate to the first end 2149 a positions the exercise apparatus 2050 in fifth position or a collapsed position PC. This fifth position or a collapsed position PC will be discussed in greater detail below and in connection with FIGS. 30 and 31. The channel 2149 also has a second end 2149 b, which is forward from the resistance assembly 2400 and rearward from the deck assembly 2200. Placing the middle cross member 2147 proximate to the second end 2149 b positions the exercise apparatus 2050 in either a: 1) first or ready to use position PU, 2) second or hip extended position PE, a third or a bottom position PB, or a fourth or a flat bench position PF. Based on this arrangement, the members 2140, 2147 and 2145 are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially perpendicular to the central members 2125. In the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24, the frame assembly 2120 further includes a rear support members 2157 that extends upward from the central members 2125 to a pivot point PP. In particular, the rear support members 2157 are coupled to the central members 2125 by a bolt 2159 that is positioned proximate to the rear member 2145. Also, the rear support members 2157 are coupled to an angled support member 2160 by a bolt 2161. The bolts 2159, 2161 enable the rear support members 2157 to collapse when the middle cross member 2147 is positioned proximate to the first end 2149 a. An angled support member 2160 extends between the rear support member 2157 and the middle cross member 2147. The angled support member is U-shaped, which allows this support member to receive an extent of a locking support member 2162. The frame assembly 2120 further includes at least one front wheel 2184 and preferably two wheels. The deck assembly 2200 comprises a lower plate member 2207, preferably horizontally arranged relative to the floor F, that extends below an extent of the central members 2125 (see FIG. 25). The deck assembly 2200 is intended to be a low-profile structure to facilitate the user's U ingress and egress from the apparatus 2050. As such, the plate member 2205 is positioned on or near to the support surface or floor F upon which the apparatus 2050 is placed. The deck assembly 2200 may have a non-skid surface placed over the lower plate member 2207 to help ensure that a user's feet do not slide during use of the apparatus 2050. In an alternative embodiment, an adjustable foot rest assembly that is similar to the foot rest assembly discussed above in connection with the first embodiment may be connected to the deck assembly 2200 and configured to engage the feet of the person that is using the apparatus 2050. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24, the plate member 2207 is positioned below a pivot point PP (see FIG. 21) and below the bottom edge of the bench assembly 2300. The bench assembly 2300 of the exercise apparatus 2050 comprises a bench 2305, a bench support frame assembly 2310 and a belt assembly 2315. The bench 2305 has a substantially rectangular configuration with internal pad member residing within an external housing 2307. The belt assembly 2315 includes a first member 2320, a second member 2325 and a buckle 2330 to operably connect the first and second members 2320, 2325. The belt assembly 2315 is operably connected by a coupler 2337 to the support frame assembly 2310 near a lower end 2305 a of the bench 2305. As shown in FIGS. 26-27 and as explained below, the user secures the belt assembly 2315 across his/her lower abdomen before commencing the gluteal bride exercise. Unlike some conventional devices, the apparatus 2050 does not require additional structures above the bench assembly 2300 and the belt assembly 2315 to secure the user U to the bench 2305, such as mechanical linkages or an elongated pad that extends across the user's abdominal region. The bench 2305 is affixed to the support frame assembly 2310 which includes middle cross member 2147 and the rear support members 2157 (see FIGS. 23 and 25). Also, unlike some conventional devices, the apparatus 2050 includes a single bench 2305 that obviates the need for a secondary, typically lower, bench that assists a user with ingress and egress and/or further supports the user prior to and/or after the gluteal exercise movement. The bench assembly 2300 is pivotally connected to the support frame 2120 to allow for pivotal movement of the bench 2305 and the bench support frame assembly 2310 during the user's performance of the gluteal bridge exercise. Referring to FIGS. 20-21 and 23, the bench assembly 2300 includes at least one bushing assembly 2360 that receives an extent of a bolt 2161 that extends through the central frame member 2332, the rear support members 2157 and the angled support member 2160. The bolt 2161 defines a pivot point PP (see FIG. 21) where the bench assembly 2300 is pivotally connected to the support frame 2120 to allow for pivotal movement of the bench 2305 during performance of the gluteal bridge exercise. The pivot point PP is in an elevated vertical position relative to: (i) the support surface upon which the apparatus 2050 rests, (ii) the lower plate member 2207, and (iii) an resistance point RP (as detailed below and shown in FIG. 23). This does not mean that the pivot point PP is directly above these other components; instead, the pivot point PP is located at a higher vertical elevation compared to these components. Accordingly, the vertical elevation of pivot point PP is greater than the resistance point RP and the deck plate member 2205. In the embodiment of FIGS. 21-25, when the apparatus 2050 is in the first position or bottom position PB, the engagement between the locking support member 2162 and the central frame member 2332, and between the central frame member 2332 and the rear support member 2157, as provided by the bushing assembly 2360, ensures that both the bench 2305 and the central frame member 2332 are substantially parallel to the angled member 2160. This positional arrangement improves the stability of the bench 2305 both when the user lays on the bench 2305 to prior to securing the belt assembly 2315 and beginning the first repetition of the gluteal bridge movement, and when the user is laying on the bench 2305 while performing gluteal bridge movements. As shown in FIGS. 20-25, the resistance assembly 2400 includes a resistance band 1405 and a means for releasably securing 2410 the resistance band 2405 to both the frame assembly 2120 and bench assembly 2300. The resistance assembly 2400 provides a resistance force, in addition to the effects of gravity, that the user U must overcome in order to pivotally move the bench 2305 from a first position (see FIG. 26) to a second position (see FIG. 27) about the pivot point. In particular, the means for securing 1410 includes an upper securement means 2415 and a lower securement means 2420. These securement means 2415, 2420 can include a projection or combination of projections, a hook, a channel, a recess, a detent pin or a quick-release pin, or an aperture. As shown in FIGS. 20-25, the upper securement means 2415 includes releasable coupler mechanism that securely engages and then, upon actuation by the user U, quickly disengages a component of the bench assembly 2300. For example, this coupler mechanism is a quick-release pin 2427 that can removably inserted into a hole that is formed in central frame member 2332. This quick-release pin 2427 are preferably positioned near the belt coupler 2337 and do not extend outwardly past the end wall 2145 a of the rear member 2145. The center of the quick-release pin 2427 forms a resistance point RP, which is angularly displaced about the pivot point PP when the exercise apparatus 2050 moves from the ready for use position PU through the hip extended position PE and back to the bottom position PB. The resistance point RP is in an elevated vertical position relative to: (i) the support surface upon which the apparatus 2050 rests and (ii) the deck plate member 2205. The resistance point RP is in a lower vertical position relative to the pivot point PP. This does not mean that the resistance point RP is aligned directly above or directly below these other components; instead, the resistance point RP is located at different vertical elevations compared to these components. Accordingly, the vertical elevation of resistance point RP is between the pivot point PP and the deck plate member 2205. Additionally, the projections 2425 may have a raised outer lip 2430 that helps ensure that the resistance assembly 2400 does not disengage projections 2425 during use of the exercise apparatus 2050. Referring to FIGS. 20-25, the lower securement means 2420 includes a projection 2425 that extends outwardly from the central members 2125 and positioned between the rear member 2145 and the middle cross member 2147. The projection 2425 does not extend past the end wall 2145 a of the rear member 2145. The resistance band 2405 is operatively connected to the projection 2425. Additionally, the projection 2425 may have a raised outer lip 2430 that helps ensure that the resistance assembly 2400 does not disengage projection 2425 during use of the exercise apparatus 1050. The user U may change the resistance band 2405 of the exercise apparatus 2050 shown in FIGS. 20-25 by first exerting a force on the quick-release pin 2427 that is perpendicular to the central members 2125. Next, the user U slides the bottom 2405 a of the resistance band 2405 off of the lower securement means 2420. The user then can slide an alternative resistance band onto the upper securement means 2415 and then onto the lower securement means 2420. As shown in FIGS. 24-25, when connected to the upper and lower securement means 2415, 2420, the resistance bands 2405 are positioned external to or beyond the central members 2125 and the angled support member 2160. This relative positioning provides a number of benefits, including the rapid exchange of different resistance bands 2405 that provide varying levels of resistance during the performance of the gluteal bridge movement. The top view in FIG. 24 and the bottom view in FIG. 25 show the first and second projections 2425, 2435 residing in a substantially vertical plane VP that is oriented perpendicular to the drawing sheet and substantially parallel to the central members 2125. Because the projections 2425, 2435 have a length that exceeds the width of the band 1405, the projections 2425, 2435 provide the vertical plane VP with a width or thickness that exceeds the width of the band 2405. During the performance of the gluteal bridge movement, the resistance bands 2405 elastically deform in a manner that causes each band 1405 to be displaced both vertically and within the vertical plane VP. In other words, the band 1405 is elastically deformed in a substantially parallel direction that is within the vertical plane VP. Overall, this arrangement of the resistance assembly 2400 and its components ensures smooth and consistent elastic deformation of the assembly 2400 during the bridge movement, which facilitates proper operation of the exercise apparatus 2050. Overall, this arrangement of the resistance assembly 2400 enables for smooth and consistent operation of the exercise apparatus 2050. It should be understood that the lower securement means 2420 may be connected to various other locations, which include the rear member 2145 or rear vertical member 2155. However, these alternate connection locations should be selected in a manner that does not impact or compromise the elastic deformation of the assembly 2400 during the bridge movement, or comprise the proper operation of the exercise apparatus 2050. There are numerous critical dimensions, angles and ratios of the components of the apparatus 1050 to ensure that the user can perform gluteal bridge exercises in a highly productive, efficient and same manner. For example, the angle A formed between the rear support member 2157 and the angled member 2160 is 45 to 90 degrees, preferably 75 degrees. The angle B formed between the sloped member 2160 and the central members 2125 is 28 to 73 degrees, preferably 42 degrees. Referring to FIG. 21, the pivot point PP is located at a distance of P1 from the bottom edge of the rear member 2145, where P1 is at least 14 inches, preferably 18 inches. The pivot point PP is located at a distance of P2 from the rear edge of the rear member 2145, where P2 is at least 8 inches, preferably 11 inches. The lower securement member 2420 is located at a distance of C1, which is less than 16 inches from the rear edge of the rear member 2145, and preferably 14 inches from that point. The first end 2149 a of the channel 2149 is located at a distance of S1 from the rear edge of the rear member 2145, where S1 is at least 25 inches, preferably 30 inches. The second end 2149 b of the channel 2149 is located at a distance of S2 from the rear edge of the rear member 2145, where S2 is at least 37 inches, preferably 47 inches. Also, as shown in FIGS. 20-25, the exercise apparatus 1050 has a non-elevated foot rest which ensures that the user is able to perform the resisted gluteal bridge in a controlled, safe and effective manner. In contrast, a footrest that is elevated over the pivot point PP places unnecessary strain on the user's neck. Additionally, an elevated foot plate, coupled with the forces of gravity, creates a shear force between the bench and the user's body which can cause the user to inadvertently slide on the bench while attempting the bridge motion. When the bench assembly 2300 is in the first position or bottom position PB of FIGS. 20-25, the resistance point RP is located at a distance of R1 vertically above the bottom edge of the central members 2125, where R1 is at least 4 inches from that edge, preferably 7 inches. Also, when the bench assembly 300 is in the first or bottom position PB, the resistance point RP is located at a distance of R2, which is at least 15 inches from the rear edge of the rear member 2145, preferably 23 inches from that rear edge. Further, when the user is properly positioned on and secured to the bench assembly 2300 with the belt assembly 2315, a second or ready for use position PU, which is shown in FIG. 26. In the ready for use position PU, the user's U knees and hips are in a flexed position and his/her hips are not extended, meaning the user's hips are bent to an angle between 60 and 110 degrees depending on the selected placement of user's feet, as shown in FIG. 26. When performing the gluteal bridge exercise, the user will attain a third or hip extended position PE, which is shown in FIG. 27. When the user moves from the ready for use position PU, to the hip extended position PE, the resistance point RP is displaced in a substantially curvilinear motion as the bench assembly 2300 pivots about the pivot point PP. In the hip extended position PE, the resistance point RP is located at least 13 inches from the bottom edge of the central members 2125, and preferably 16 inches from that edge. These dimensions, angles and ratios are essential to the functionality of the apparatus 2050 and its long-term operation for a number of reasons. First, these angles are essential to the design and layout of the exercise apparatus 2050 to ensure that the bench assembly 1300 is properly positioned relative to the supporting ground such that the person can access the bench assembly 2300 and then perform the resisted gluteal bridge in a controlled, safe and effective manner. Second, the bench 2305 is designed support the user's entire thorax, including the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spines, in a neutral position throughout the entire range of motion of the exercise, which helps protect the user's spine and allows the motion of the exercise to be concentrated at the hip joints. Third, the operable configuration of the bench 2305 to the rear support member 2157 provides a pivot point PP generally aligned with an inferior aspect of the user's scapulae and the user's thoracic spine. When the user is properly positioned on the bench 2305, the pivot point PP is located between thoracic vertebras T1 through 12 of the human spine, preferably between vertebrae T3-T9, and most preferably between vertebrae T5-T7. The exercise apparatus 2050 facilitates the performance of a resisted gluteal bridge by a user in a safe, controlled and efficient manner. FIG. 26 shows a user U in the second or ready for use position PU, where the user U is lying on the bench 2305 prior and FIG. 27 shows the user U in the third or hip extended position PE, which represents an upper state of the gluteal bridge movement. The exercise apparatus 2050 is configured to protect the spine of the user U by maintaining the lumbar spine in a neutral position throughout the entire range of motion of the exercise, and also allows the bridging motion of the exercise to be concentrated at the user's hip joints. The apparatus 2050 purposely eliminates any accessory movement through the user's spine and improves overall effectiveness of the resisted gluteal bridge exercise. FIG. 26 shows the user U in the second position, which illustrates both the ready for use position PU prior to the commencement of the exercise and the bottom position PB that is achieved after the user U performs one complete gluteal bridge movement. In the ready for use position PU, the central member 2332 engages the locking support member 2162 of the bench 2305. To properly use the exercise apparatus 2050, the user U sits near the end of the bench 2305, suitable positions his/her feet on the deck assembly 2200, and aligns the inferior portion of their scapulae at, or proximate the pivot point, PP. Once the user U is positioned on the bench 2305, the user U secures his or her hips and lower abdomen to the bench 2305 via the belt assembly 2315 and places his/her feet flat on the deck assembly 2200. Once the belt members 2320, 2325 are connected via the buckle 2330, the user adjusts the length of the first and/or second members 2320, 2325 to ensure that the belt assembly 2315 properly secures the user to the bench 2305 and attain the ready for use position PU. After the user U is secured to the bench 2305, the user U utilizes their gluteal muscles and accessory muscles of the hip and thigh to drive and elevate his/her hips in a substantially upward direction, which as reflected by the upwardly directed arrow in FIG. 27. This upwardly directed movement by the user U causes the users knees move from a position of relative flexion towards a position of less knee flexion. Additionally, this upwardly directed movement by the user U causes the bottom portion 2305 a of the bench 2305 to move upward and away from the deck assembly 2200 while the bench 2305 pivots around the pivot point PP. Further, this upwardly directed movement by the user U causes the resistance band 2405 to stretch or elongate. This stretching or elongation of the resistance band 2405 adds resistance to the user's U ability to move the bottom portion 2305 a of the bench 2305 upward. Therefore, the higher the tension of the resistance band 2405 the more force the user U will have to use to cause the bottom portion 2305 a of the bench 2305 to move upward. While the user's feet remain flat on the deck assembly 2200, the user U continues driving upward until he/she reaches the third or hip extended position PE. The hip extended position PE occurs for most users U when the angle between the bench 2305 and the rear support member 2157 is between 60 degrees and 100 degrees, and typically is 80 degrees. Once the hip extended position PE is reached, the user U may hold or maintain this position for a period of time. After the user U has reached the hip extended position PE, the user U allows the bottom bench portion 2305 a to move downward towards the deck assembly 2200 until the central member 2332 engages the locking support member 2162 of the bench 2305 whereby the bench 1305 reaches the bottom position PB. In this manner, the user U progresses from the ready for use position PU through the hip extended position PE and back to the bottom position PB, where the progression through these three positions defines one complete repetition of the gluteal bridge exercise. After the user U completes the desired number of repetitions, the user U releases the buckle 2330, which causes the first and second members 2320, 2325 to disengage from one another. The user U is then able to stand-up and exit from the exercise apparatus 2050. In addition to the first three positions (i.e., ready to use position PU, hip extended position PE and bottom position PB), the exercise apparatus 2050 may be placed in a fourth position (i.e., flat bench position PF) and a fifth position (i.e., collapsed position PC). Specifically, the fourth or flat bench position PF is shown in FIGS. 28-29, while the fifth or collapsed position PC is shown in FIGS. 30-31. To place the exercise apparatus 2050 in the fourth or flat bench position PF (see FIGS. 28-29) from the first position or ready to use position PU (see FIGS. 20-25), the user remove the quick-release pin 2427 from the exercise apparatus 2050 by exerting a force on the quick-release pin 2427 that is perpendicular to the central members 2125. Once the quick-release pin 2427 has been removed from the exercise apparatus 2050, the user lifts the bottom portion 2305 a of the bench 2305 up until the bench is parallel or slightly past parallel with the central members 2125. The user then removes the locking support member 2162 from the storage position within the angled support member 2160 and aligns the holes 2164 in the end 2162 a of the locking support member 2162 with the holes 2334 in the central frame member 2332. The user then inserts the quick-release pin 2427 through the aligned holes 2164, 2334, which in turn locks the bench 2305 in a state that is substantially parallel with the central members 2125. Once the bench 2305 is locked in this fourth or flat bench position PF position, the user can utilize the exercise apparatus 2050 in a manner that is similar to how a user would typically use a flat bench. For example, the user may perform dumbbell flyes or presses while lying on the bench 2305 since it is in a horizontal position. To place the exercise apparatus 2050 in the fifth or collapsed position PC (see FIGS. 30-31) from the first position or ready to use position PU (see FIGS. 20-25), the user remove the quick-release pin 2427 from the exercise apparatus 2050 by exerting a force on the quick-release pin 2427 that is perpendicular to the central members 2125. Once the quick-release pin 2427 has been removed from the exercise apparatus 2050, the user removes the resistance bands 2405 from the exercise apparatus 2050. The user then re-inserts the quick-release pin 2427 into the same location on the exercise apparatus 2050. Once the middle cross member 2147 has reached the rearwardmost position of the channel 2149, the user applies a force on the bench 2305 that is substantially perpendicular to the central members 2125. This causes the middle cross member 2147 to move in the channel 2419 from the second end 2149 b to the first end 2149 a. The exercise apparatus 2050 in the fifth or collapsed position PC once the middle cross member 2147 is positioned proximate to the first end 2149 a. In the collapsed position PC the bench assembly 2300 and the frame assembly 2120, including the frame assembly 2120 and the deck assembly 2200, are positioned adjacent to each other or “stacked together,” which enables the user to easily store the exercise apparatus 2050 in a small space, such as under the user's bed, when not being used. While some implementations have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the disclosure; and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and are not limiting. The word exemplary is used to mean serving as an example or illustration. To the extent that the term include, have, or the like is used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprise as comprise is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases. Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. a resistance assembly operably connected to the bench assembly, said resistance assembly providing a resistance force on the bench assembly that the user overcomes in order to pivotally move the bench assembly from a ready to use position to an extended position about said pivot point. 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistance assembly includes an elongated cable operably extending through a first pulley and between the bench assembly and a weight stack. 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the resistance assembly further includes an anchor mechanism that pivotally secures a first end of the elongated cable to a lower portion of the bench assembly. 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the anchor mechanism includes a rod and a coupler pivotally connected to the rod to define an anchor point, wherein the coupler is also secured to the first end of the elongated cable, and wherein the anchor point moves in a curvilinear path when the user moves the bench assembly from the ready to use position to the extended position. 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the resistance assembly further includes a second pulley, wherein the first and second pulleys are arranged in a manner that provides a linear path of travel for the elongated cable when the user moves the bench assembly from the ready to use position to the extended position. 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first pulley is coupled to the frame assembly proximate to the lower portion of the bench assembly and the second pulley is coupled to the frame assembly proximate to the weight stack. 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elongated cable is routed through the central member as the elongated cable operably extends between the bench assembly and the weight stack. 8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bench assembly is pivotally connected to the vertical member by at least one bearing assembly, wherein the pivot point is coincident with the at least one bearing assembly. 9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one bearing assembly includes a housing affixed to the bench assembly and an internal bearing set, wherein the internal bearing set receives an extent of a rod that extends from the vertical member. 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistance assembly includes (i) an upper securement member coupled to the bench assembly, (ii) a lower securement member coupled to the frame assembly, and (iii) a resistance member removably coupled to both the upper securement member and the lower securement member, wherein said resistance member provides the resistance force on the bench assembly. 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly further includes an angled member that extends between the vertical member and the central member, the angled member being oriented parallel to the bench assembly in the ready to use position. 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable foot rest assembly that slidingly engages the deck plate. 13. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistance assembly includes (i) an upper securement member coupled to the bench assembly, and (ii) a resistance member removably coupled to the upper securement member, wherein said resistance member provides the resistance force on the bench assembly. a resistance assembly operably connected to both the frame assembly and the bench assembly, said resistance assembly providing a resistance force on the bench assembly that the user overcomes in order to pivotally move the bench assembly between a ready to use position and an extended position about said pivot point. 15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bench assembly is pivotally connected to the vertical member by a bearing assembly, wherein the pivot point is coincident with the bearing assembly. 16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the bearing assembly includes a housing affixed to the bench assembly and an internal bearing set, wherein the internal bearing set receives an extent of a rod that extends from the vertical member. 17. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the resistance assembly includes (i) an upper securement member coupled to the bench assembly, and (ii) a resistance member removably coupled to the upper securement member, wherein said resistance member provides the resistance force on the bench assembly. 18. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein the resistance assembly comprises a selectable weight. 19. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bench assembly comprises a bench, a bench support frame assembly and a belt assembly, wherein the belt assembly is operably connected to the bench support frame assembly near a lower portion of the bench. 20. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the frame assembly further includes an angled member that extends between the vertical member and the at least one central member, wherein the angled member is oriented parallel to the bench assembly in the ready to use position. 21. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bench assembly comprises a bench and a bench support frame assembly, wherein the bench underlies and supports the user's thorax in a neutral position while the user pivotally moves the bench assembly between the ready to use position and the extended position. 22. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bench assembly comprises a bench and a bench support frame assembly, wherein the bench underlies and supports the user's lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine in a neutral position while the user pivotally moves the bench assembly between the ready to use position and the extended position. 23. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the frame assembly and the bench assembly are arranged such that the pivot point underlies and is aligned with the user's thoracic spine while the user pivotally moves the bench between the ready to use position and the extended position. http://www.tennisfitnesslove.com/2015/08/get-more-power-with-strong-glutes/; Website; Dated Aug. 6, 2015. https://bootybuilder.com/en/; Website and Assembly Instructions; Dated Sep. 14, 2015. https://theglutebuilder.com/; The Glute Builder; Website; Dated Mar. 11, 2016. https://www.t-nation.com/training/the-cure-for-weak-glutes; Website; Dated Apr. 19, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geKfXHZY3O8; YouTube Video; Dated Sep. 17, 2014. PCT Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2018/032389, Sep. 5, 2018, 9 pages.
2019-04-21T01:36:58Z
https://patents.google.com/patent/US10226665B2/en
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You are currently browsing the Dublin Event Guide weblog archives for March, 2014. This Saturday we will enter Summertime again when the clock will be put an hour forward at 01:00 on Saturday night. The weather doesn’t play along yet, we are still waiting for Spring, but hopefully it will catch up soon and give us some warmth again. All event organiser still do the wise – and safe – thing and keep the events in doors for another little while, but it won’t be much longer. Two things dominated the week for me. One was that Facebook has indicated that they will change their algorithm again and where Facebook in the past was the main channel to reach out to people that hadn’t heard about the Dublin Event Guide yet, now this route will become less and less successful. If anybody has a good idea how we can reach lots of people to tell them about the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events), please let me know. So this week, I have to do what I really really don’t like: I have to beg for money. Please, dear readers, help the Dublin Event Guide with a donation. If EVERY subscriber gave just one Euro per year, this would not only cover the cost but also give me the chance to turn this weekly publication into something even better and more helpful. Unfortunately it won’t ever happen that every body will help, so that means the heavy lifting has to be done by a small minority. And finally: Please help spreading the word about the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events). Your friends can easily subscribe at www.dublineventguide.com and they will get a weekly e-mail magazine with all the free events in Dublin if they subscribe. They don’t have to pay a cent for that and their e-mail address is completely safe with me! More than 20,000 people receive the Dublin Event Guide every week and we are more than 44,000 people at the Dublin Event Guide Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide Check it out and click on LIKE when you are there. We are more than 44,000 people on the Dublin Event Guide – Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide and are growing every week. Join in and click LIKE on the facebook page and tell your friends! You will get last minute updates and event reminders through the Facebook Page and you can share your free events directly there with the other people in the Dublin Event Guide Community. This week’s Feel Good Slot is a very short video clip. Elvis de Leon tells his story and asks what would you do if you got every day $84,600 but all the money would be gone the next day and you will get another $84,600. Would you every day try to make best use of it? You can’t keep it, you can’t carry it over. 84,600 is the number of seconds we have every day! Do you make the most of it? You know can’t carry it over. You get another 84k the next day, but the ones from the previous day are gone forever. Make good use of them!! For the second week in a row, not a single person helped with a donation. :-( This is getting serious! Every bit counts and YOUR help is absolutely needed too to ensure that you – and everyone else – will continue to get the Dublin Event Guide every week. In the last 12 months the following wonderful people have sponsored this Dublin Event Guide: Margaret B, Sinead D, Nicola R, Marta T, Adeline P, Clodagh O’C, Roisin R, Martin O’S, Aisling L, Ruth G, Marian T, David S, Christina M, Claire F, Peter D, Emma N, Agnes C, Flora F, Karl F, Raymond M, Rafika K, Natalija B, Nicola WN, A C, Hazel L, Amanda L, Brendan McC, Filippo G, Laura B, Lucas C, Colin B, Brendan H, Valentina B, Mark R, Jun S, Joe G, Helen G, Eoin O’B, Clodagh O’C, Aine G, Majella M, Gareth N, Pat M, Conor O’H, Torlach OC, Belinda B, Paul B, Daire McC, Tom McI, Mary B, Rita B, Kostas R, Derek L, Johan S, Sheila H, Joseph O’L, Hoai L, Elizabeth P, Hugh C, Lorraine F, Frieda K, George K, Tony B, Peter B, Seamus C, Jenny M, Tara R, Deirdre G, John F, Mark G, Orlagh O’F, Méabh C, Meav NiM, Anna P, Vera G, John R, Nicole W, Margo C, Eamonn U, Pamela McH, Joel B, Gerard Ph, Fiona F, Yvonne O’S, Gabriel K, Luis F, Claire D, Nicola F, Eimear MacH and Barry M, Kirsten D, Roisin K, Sharon C, Thomas S, Cyril M, Patricia O’N, Ju Yearn S, Clodagh C, Caitriona L, Brian O’C, Geraldine R, Aiden B, Jacinta O’B, Sophie P-L, Mairin M, Wendy C, Seamus C, Mary K, Carla B, Fiona O’R, Karen O’G, Emeline J, Noelle H, Sean N, Marta T, Aine C, Sabrina L, Brian H P, Fiona M, Bridget W, Paul M, Sarah S, Pam C, Colette C, Paul A, Brian C, Anne R, Deirdre B, Oliver M, Kostas R, Elaine K, Mark C, James E, Sarah H, Karl C, Melanie B, Donna M, Kathleen S, Arthur D, Stephen H, Karen H, Nikki D, Mark G, Margaret W, Serena F, Mark R, Zelie McG, Sean S, Caroline S, Patrick O’C, Christian K, Magdalena S, Fidelma M, Tania Z, Louise Q, Barbara Q-B, Catherine G, Tony B, Yvonne C, Mark G, Bridget W, Catherine E, Michelle M, Eoin O’S, Adeline P, Kay G, Claire F, Anto K, Sebastian B, Justin McC, Sophie P-L, David M, Mark G, Eamonn H, Sharon K, Michele M, Joseph F, Siobhann Q, Clodagh O’C, Susan B, Bill G, Joe R, Catherine O’S, Tom McM, Donald M, Martina D, Pascale N, Carol McN and Meret C, Linda T, Mark G, Cathal F, Brendan M, Mary F, Dermot N, Emma S, Fiona D, Joan S and the Dublin Cycling Campaign (www.dublincycling.ie), www.GravitationalFX.ie (An Irish Web Design, SEO and Internet Marketing who offer affordable web design), www.FlamencoIndalo.com (A group that supports and promotes the art of Flamenco in Ireland.), www.oliviercornetgallery.com (A brand new Art Gallery in Temple Bar), www.Festivals.ie (Ireland’s festivals website, with key information on festivals in Ireland, UK and Europe), www.thepaulkanegallery.com (A great Art Gallery, on the search for a new venue), www.cfcp.ie (The Centre for Creative Practices is the the only arts centre in Ireland dedicated to connecting, integrating and promoting immigrant, experimental and emerging artists among the local arts scene and audiences). The main sponsor is www.KravMagaIreland.com, the self-defence training centre for everyone, which provides regular 12-week or 2-day self-defence training courses for beginners. This week you should check out the Five Lamps Art Festival, Dublin Flea Market, Dublin: One City One Book and Green Drinks Dublin. There are lots and lots of other events, but for a change and because I am running out of time, I will let you have a look through them this week. A “Retro Toons” morning will take place in the Harbour Playhouse on Sat 05 April. Watch old cartoons like The Turtles, Animaniacs, Road Runner, Looney Tunes, etc.! This a WYOP event: Wear your own Pyjamas! You can chill out on the cartoon decorated duvets and enjoy the free cereal (e.g. Choco Pops, Frosties,, etc). Bring your own juice (BYOJ) and get in for just EUR 3 admission. One Dublin Event Guide reader can win a pair of tickets for this event, so if you always wanted to turn the time back and enjoy these great old cartoons again in the right atmosphere, then this event is made for you. To enter the competition, send an e-mail with subject TOONS to dublineventguide@gmail.com Make sure that the body of the mail contains your full name and your mobile phone number. Your e-mail has to be with me by 13:00 on Thurs 27 March. If you want to reach more than 20,000 people with your product promotion or your event promotion for a non-free event, contact me on dublineventguide@gmail.com and we can discuss the options. And if you want me to do product testing, followed by an assessment here in the Dublin Event Guide, we can talk about that too. Dublin One City One Book is a yearly project that is meant to encourage everyone in the city to read the same book during the month of April. It includes writing by Swift, Synge, Yeats, Joyce, Kavanagh and Ó Direáin as well as Seamus Heaney, Eavan Boland, Dermot Bolger, Paula Meehan, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and Derek Mahon. There are also songs and ballads from Dublin’s colonial past, verses by leaders of the 1916 Rising, and portraits of the modern city with Spire and Luas tram. I haven’t seen the book yet, so can’t assess it, but from the description it sounds a little like the desperate search for a book resulted in the creation of a hotchpotch of writings. Let’s hope the first impression is completely wrong! Newest biggest Attraction in Dublin: Whiskey!? It seems that the newest biggest attraction in Dublin is …. Whiskey! Soon there will be THREE or even four “Whiskey visitor places” in Dublin. The Jameson Old Distillery near Smithfield Plaza is already well established and gets lots of visitors. Now a planning permission for opening a new distillery and a visitor centre in historic St James’s Church in the Liberties has been lodged by Alltech, an animal food company that also produces Kentucky Bourbon. Teelings, already a whiskey producer, also wants to open a distillery in the Liberties, together with a “tourist experience“, which is expected to attract up to 100,000 visitors annually. Eventbrite is a great self-service ticketing platform, but fo venues where you want to have reserved/assigned seating they couldn’t really provide a suitable solution. This has changed now with a great new feature: Eventbrite’s Seat Designer, is a new interface that provides organizers easy-to-use seat planning. In other words, you create the layout of the seating in the way you know it from seating plans for big concert venues and can then sell different levels of seating for different prices and can assign seats at the time tickets are bought. And remember that until 15 April Eventbrite will charge no ticketing fees for new organisers in Ireland. Publish any 2014 event before 15 April and you pay no service charges to Eventbrite (online payment processing fees are out of Eventbrite’s control and therefore will still apply). Donating to the Dublin Event Guide for free!? The Doorway Gallery isinviting to an exhibition by Iwona Nartowska O’Reilly called ‘Celtic Legend’. There will be a ‘Meet and Greet’ with the artist on Saturday 29 March. The Ranelagh Arts Centre are inviting to an exhibition of new work by Tom Mathews, entitled Surrealist Paintings. Tom Mathews has had over thirty solo exhibitions of his work, and his paintings have been exhibited widely. The show will be launched by James Hanley RHA and will run from 03-19 April. Admission is free. The Five Lamps Arts Festival is a great and very successful local festival of the wider area around the “Five Lamps” on Amiens Street and North Strand Road. The festival is in its 7th year and events include a music and fire dance, puppet shows, a Georgian choir, jazz music, combinations of theatre and community art performances, interior design exhibitions, walk and talk events, poetry readings and storytelling, dance, visual art and much more. 29 March: Walk with Terry Fagan – Story’s from around Dublin’s famous Red-Light district known as Monto. And on top of that there are a number of exhibitions. The annual Family History Day is a full day of lectures for everybody interested in family history. There will be a mix of practical information and case studies suitable for beginners and if you are more experienced in genealogical research. The event in Liberty Hall will be an Open Meeting about this declaration. Admission is free. The newest Science Gallery exhibition has the theme “Fail Better” and it will run from 07 Feb – 27 Apr. The title comes from Samuel Beckett’s “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” and the exhibition looks at beautiful and instructive failures. The purpose is to open up a debate on the essential role of failure in human creativity, in technology, science, design, business and sport. 20 unique exhibits, from a pair of explorer boots that caused Ranulph Fiennes to fail in an Everest attempt, via Christopher Reeve’s (Superman) original wheelchair, to a full-scale reconstruction of the the world’s worst or maddest invention: a big table that is meant to assist childbirth using centrifugal force. I visited the exhibition and I definitely recommend it. Age-wise, I would think that it is suitable for children from Age 12/13 as long as the parents are prepared to read a good bit of explanatory text and then “translate” it for their children. There is no overly complicated stuff, but most of the exhibits are not self-explanatory. But there is a strong reason for bringing your kids: We have in general a negative attitude to Failure. This exhibition will help you to change that! Join zoologist Catherine McGuinness to hear some weird and wonderful stories about the animals on display, like the eel that choked on a frog, and other fun facts. The tour takes place twice (12:00-13:00 and 14:00-15:00) and is suitable for adults and children from Age 6. Admission is free and booking is not required. The Lady&trans* Fest 2014 takes place from Fri 28 to Sun 30 March and there will be performances (music, theater, films, spoken word, and discussions) and workshops for all genders. The festival is a “qu eer/feminist D.I.Y. weekender festival” with the goal to “help create a safer space for que ers and rebels” and to “help foster an environment of inclusivity, and awareness of intersectionality”. All events over the weekend are free. Venues are Seomra Spraoi (10 Belvedere Court), The Outhouse (105 Capel Street). Check out all events and workshops on the website below. The next Let’s Talk & Walk event is called “Terenure to Templeogue Road – And all because a river”. The tour will be led by historian Pat Liddy. Meeting point is outside of the Bank of Ireland, 1 Rathfarnham Road, Terenure Crossroads, Dublin 6W. The Animated Film “Las aventuras de Tadeo Jones / The Adventures of Tadeo Jones” will be screened in the Instituto Cervantes (in Spanish with English subtitles). The film is suitable for children. Drop-in event for Ages 6+ to learn how to think like an archaeologist and try to solve the puzzle of some mystery objects. The event takes place in the Learning Resource Room, first floor. Admission is free and no booking required. On 28th June 1922 artillery shells rained down on the Four Courts, which had been occupied by the IRA for over two months in opposition to the Treaty and marking the commencement of the Civil War. At this public talk about the “The Siege of the Four Courts”, Liz Gillis, author of the Fall of Dublin, will tell the story of the attack on the Four Courts. The Poor Boys wil perform in the “Live from the Window” slot. Admission is free. The Galants are performing in the Mercantile on Saturday and they will be supported by The Dead Beat. Admission is free. Earth Hour is a worldwide movement for our planet organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). During Earth Hour from 20:30-21:30 on Saturday, you are asked to turn off all non-essential lights for one hour as a symbol for your commitment to the planet. Some years ago, the lights at Customs House and some other public buildings were switched off in Ierland too, but since then the event is duly ignored by the state and relies on your support. Ray Scully will play soul, blues and rock in Mother Reilly’s. Special guest will be Wilbury. “My Tribe Your Tribe” and “Cove” will perform in the Midnight Hour. The gig starts at midnight and admission is free if you arrive before 22:30. On Sunday is Mother’s Day in Ireland! If your mother lives in Ireland, don’t forget her if you don’t want any trouble. If she lives aborad, she won’t expect you to ring because in most other countries Mother’s Day will take place a few weeks later (often in May). But maybe just ring her anyway. She will most likely appreciate the thought that you think of her on BOTH Mother’s Days. The Sundays at Noon Concert Series continues in the Sculpture Gallery at the Hugh Lane Gallery. This series of free (mainly classical) concerts continues to present the best of Irish and International music and musicians. Concerts run from September to June. The next concert will be part of the Five Lamps Festival: Julie Maisel, Flute, Edward Holley. Piano and Alan Grundy, Guitar will perform with a Flute Quartet. Kevin Morrow (vocals) and Luke Dunford (piano) will perform Jazz in the Powerscourt Centre. Admission is free. A free guided tour in Polish will take place at the National Print Museum. No booking required. Wild Play – Muddy, messy and fun! Up Close with Music features new Irish music in an international context. The Galway Ensemble in Residence: ConTempo Quartet join Concorde in a collaboration between the two ensembles. Performances take place at 14:30 and at 15:45. All details about this free event are on the website below. Saucy Sundays is a weekly free live music afternoon and evening in the Grand Social. The line-up and links to all bands/performers are available via the Saucy Sundays Facebook Page (see link below). Im short, the line-up is Sarah Something, Cash is King, Silences, B & The Honey Boy, White Rash & The Spear Headed Sparrow Hawks, Karencia. “Nelson and Company – The Moving Statues of Dublin” is an illustrated presentation by Maeve L’estrange. “Cinephonic” is an arts event where is a group of emerging arts managers plan to stimulate minds using a dynamic collaboration of live video and music technology. They are interested in the creative relationship between music and video and are inviting to this event in MART in the Old Fire Station, Ratmines. Expect “an imersive cinemasque live show” and “electronic soundscapes combined with alternative and experimental video artworks”. Visuals by The Standing Wave Collective and live music by Cult Clone, Thomas Garrett, Dave Flood, David Courtney, Live DJs pbear and dots. Admission is free and you can bring your own drink (BYOB). The lecture “Exploring Mars, discovering Earth” by Kevin Nolan, Planetary Society will take place on Monday. It is an event of the Irish Astronomical Society. Admission is free. Minding the Mind is the title of a public lecture series of the Saint John of God Hospital. * Positive Ageing: A Realistic View. * What is it About Modern Life that makes us Depressed? * Insights and Helpful Hints on Managing the Impact on Social Media on Relationships. * Motivation and Change: What Happens when your Sweet Tooth says Yes and your Wisdom Tooth says No? * Living Mindfully in a Material World. The lectures take place on Mondays from 20:00-21:30. The next one is ” Insights and Helpful Hints on Managing the Impact on Social Media on Relationships” on Monday 31 March with Fergal Rooney (Senior Counselling Psychologist, St. John of God Hospital). Dr. Ernesto Vasquez del Aguila is the author of “Being a Man in a Transnational World”, which analyses the complex processes of becoming a man and the strategies used by men to reconcile paradoxes and contradictions that coexist between multiple masculinities and contradictory models of being a man. Admission is free to this talk and all are welcome. The Library Lunch Time Lecture Series that accompanies the current “Battle of Clontarf” exhibition in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy continues with a talk by Donnchadh Ó Corráin, MRIA, UCC. He will discuss “Dál Cais, Déis, Ó Briain – changing places, changing identities” on Tuesday. Admission is free and booking is not required. Come early to get a seat (max number of people: 110), doors open at 12:30. The Southampton University Concert Band will perform popular hits by John Williams, Adele, Stevie Wonder & JS. Bach at St. Ann’s Church. Admission is free, but your donations for Age Action Ireland are appreciated. The Dublin: One City One Book events continue for the whole month and there are lots of events taking place in connection with it too. A website here www.dublinonecityonebook.ie/events-2014 lists all the events and it would be silly if just copied them. So, if you are interested in this topic, go to the website mentioned above to find all details. The next event in the RDS Economic Recovery Lecture Series iw with Larry Murrin, CEO, Dawn Farm Foods. He will talk about “Irish Export Success – A case study of Dawn Farm Foods”. More information about the topic can be found on the website below. Admission is free. The talk will take place in the Merrion Room. The Dublin Quantified Self group is for anyone interested in self-tracking. Do you record your jogging times? Or how often you communicate with friends? Or how you are feeling? If you track personal information, hoping to gain insights into yourself or your surrounding world, then this group is for you. Brendan P. O’Reilly will talk about “The New Irish Catholic Catechism for Adults”. Admission is free. The monthly Green Drinks Dublin will take place in Sweetman’s on Monday (top floor). The event is organised by the Irish Wildlife Trust and is a monthly get-together of people that care about green/environmental issues. This time the talk is about “Energy Efficiency in the Public Sector- the Cuts that Don’t Hurt” with Anna Heussaff from Dublin Friends of the Earth. The Irish Society for Archives presents “Music at the Abbey Theatre, 1904-1965” with Dr. Maria McHale (Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin Institute of Technology). A wine reception will preceed the event. Admission is free. The Launch of Celia de Fréine’s poetry collection “cuir amach seo dom: riddle me this” will take place. It will be launched by Micheál Ó Ruairc. Admission is free. The Workman’s Den Cinema Club presents “Pulp Fiction” and also the Irish Independent short film “Anna” by Director Eamonn. Admission is free. The Improrphans are regularly performing Improv Comedy troupe in the Workman’s Club and I hear lots of good things about them. Admission to their performance is free, and donations at the end are very much welcome. The website of the Workman’s Club doesn’t list this gig, but I am assured it will take place. AkiDwA, the national network of migrant women living in Ireland, explains that in some areas of the city live now more non Irish than Irish born people and this requires people with different cultures to enter into a conversation to avoid misunderstandings. To initiate such a conversation they are launching “Dublin Women for One City One People”. This project will involve people living in the north inner city area. You are invited to come to a meeting to hear the ideas of AkiDwA on initiating this conversation between people of different cultural backgrounds. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. Dr. Eben Upton, creator of the palm-sized Raspberry Pi computer, will talk about the future of innovative technology in society and the important role of information professionals and educators as intermediaries facilitating technological adoption among young people. Interactive demonstrations of the Raspberry Pi will take place as well and prizes will be given away during the event. The event is hosted by UCD’s Mature Students Society and supported by RS Components UCD School of Information & Library Studies (SILS)School Libraries Association of the Republic of Ireland (SLARI). “Children’s Films and Fairy Tales from Germany” is a series of film screenings at the DCU Filmclub – School of Applied Languages and Intercultural Studies (SALIS) and it will take place in the Languaculture Space CG08c. The film on Wednesday is “Frau Holle / Mother Hulda” (2008), it will be screened in German with English subtitles. On Wednesday “LORE: Irish Legends and Folk Tales” will be performed by actor and storyteller Sinead O’Brien accompanied by a Dutch storyteller. (Time TBC) The event is suitable for 6-7 year olds. Alison’s talk will cover aspects of the development of her book, the engagement and motivation to create it and the challenges faced by self-publishing. This talk will link in with an exhibition of a selection of designs from the book that will take place in the RDS Library. The One City One Book initiative which takes place again throughout whole April, encourages everyone to read a specific book that has a connection to Dublin. At the reading in Brooks Hotel, actor Jim Roche will be reading a selection of extracts from the official book for One City One Book, “If Ever You Go: A Map of Dublin in Poetry and Song” edited by Pat Boran and Gerald Smyth. The book features a collection of Irish poetry and songs written by authors like Yeats, Boland and Swift and lesser known writers. The venue will be the Café Lounge area of Brooks Hotel and the reading will be accompanied by a classical pianist. On 02 April the Symposium will take place in the Harry Clarke Lecture Theatre in NCAD from 19:00-21:00. On 03 April the Symposium will take place in The Lab, Foley Street, Dublin 1, from 14:00-17:00. The book launch for “Sideral, Estrella Fugada” by Héctor Castells will take place. The book tells the story of the turbulent life of Aleix Vergés, DJ Sideral (Barcelona, 1973-2006). Hector Castells will be launching his book. The launch is in English. Every Thursday, free tours of Grangegorman Military Cemetery on Blackhorse Avenue take place. Meet inside the Cemetery Gates. Admission is free and everybody is welcome. The class of 2014 Idea Translation Lab Presentations & Showcase takes place. It is a unique opportunity to view TCD & NCAD undergraduate projects & ideas concerning “Strange Weather”. A public showcase and Dragon’s Den-style pitch presentation will result in a winner and the winning student project will go forward to a week-long intensive workshop at Le Laboratoire, Paris. Admission is free, but booking is required. Check the website for further information and to book. The National College of Ireland are running a series of talks that delve into the different, fascinating areas of psychology. The In Focus Tour “Judging a Book by Its Cover: Beautiful Bindings in the Chester Beatty’s Collection” with Mary O’Riordan will take place. Rena Ammor (piano) performs J.S. Bach’s Partita no 2 in C minor and Busoni’s arrangement of Bach’s Chaconne in D minor. Admission is free. The conversation will be in Spanish with English translation. Girl Geek Dinners are a chance for ladies in technology to get together, enjoy some nice food and drinks, and have fun meeting other women in their field. Men are welcome to attend, but only at the invitation of a woman – if you are bringing someone or are looking for an invitation, please send on an email. To register and for a link to the blog and the e-mail to bring guests, check the website below. Lane Ashfeldt will launch her new book of short stories “SaltWater” and will read from the book. The publisher of Liberties Press will be attending, so if you always wanted to get connected, this might be the perfect opportunity. Bryan Fanning & Tom Garvin will be ‘In Conversation’ debating “The Books That Define Ireland”. Guest compere is Dr Maurice Mannin­­­g. Admission is free. The National Print Museum hosts an exhibition (25 March-27 May) of Irish political ephemera (things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time) covering general and local elections, referendums European and presidential elections from the 1970s to the early 2010s. The exhibition includes ballot papers, election leaflets, posters, and pamphlets. The exhibition will be accompanied by a short tour and lecture series with its curators (Dr Ciaran Swan (NCAD) and Alan Kinsella) on the following dates: Thursday 03 April at 18.30; Thursday 10 April at 18.30; Sunday 13 April at 11.00 and Thursday 01 May at 18.30. The Franco-Irish Literature Festival takes place from 04-06 April. On the first two days (04+05 April) it will be in George’s Hall in Dublin Castle and on the last day Sun 06 April, the last event will take place in the Alliance Francaise. All events are free and open to everyone, but places are limited and first come, first served will apply. There will be simultaneous interpreting in English and French. On Friday, the festival will open at 14:00 and after that, a Panel Discussion, Readings, a Café Littéraire and more readings will take place. On Saturday the day starts at 10:30 with a Panel discussion, followed by an interview with Yannick Haenel. In the afternoon, Panel discussion, Readings and Café Littéraire will be on the programme. On Sunday, only a Literary Brunch (11:00-13:00) will take place. The Franco-Irish Literary Festival is in its 14th year and has become a fixture on Dublin’s Event Calender for all francophiles. The theme this year is “Changing Lives” and the website below contains all details about participants and programme. A organ recital with David Leigh will take place in the NCH. He will perform works from Reger and Locklair. Admission is free but booking is required via the website below. Otis will perform in Whelan’s. Admission is free. The Songwriter Club is meeting again this week: On Friday 04 April at the “Friday Arts at No 5” in Gardiner Row. Doors open at 19:00. From 19:30-21:30 a Songwriter Club Meeting with guest speaker Stephen Brett (Emeraz) will take place and from 21:45-23:30 you can sing some songs at an Open Mic event in the same venue. Admission is free to both meeting and Open Mic event. The Dublin Sidewalk Astronomers are back with their popular public star-gazing event at the Martello Tower car park in Sandymount. The new name is now “IAS Public Star Parties”. ;-) Members bring along their telescopes and share the wonders of the night-sky with you. Admission is free. The moon, Jupiter and its Galiilean Moons are on view and later in the evening you will see the red Mars. The event is weather dependent, so check www.irishastrosoc.org/events/events.htm#dsa after 18:00 on Friday in case of poor weather, to check if it is going ahead. The Progressive Film Club is inviting to a Film Festival from 04-06 April. 21 films, documentaries and short films will be screened over the three days. The festival takes place in the Pearse Centre and admission to all screenings is free. The general theme will be “Global Justice” and the opening film on Friday is “Peripheral Vision” by film maker Donnacha O’Briain. It is a documentary, filmed over 12 months, that chronicles the experiences of a small group that attempted to mobilize the Irish public against the bank bailouts & austerity. Billy’s Boots are playing Rock/Soul/Blues/Motown/Funk. The Conectors are from Clare and they play “street ska and urban sounds”. Admission is free. The Floors, a 5 piece band from Dublin covering the musical stylings of the legendary band The Doors, will perform in The Mezz. Admission is free and the gig has been hotly recommended to me! Alias Empire will perform in Whelan’s Midnight Hour. The gig will start at midnight and admission will be free as long as you arrive before 22:30. “Lighting up the Park in Poetry and Song” is a night of poetry, drama, song and general craic across the theme of the Phoenix Park. The event is programmed to coincide with Dublin: One City, One Book. Drama will come from the RADE group from the south inner city. Former Farmleigh Writer-in-Residence Peter Sheridan is curating this event and will also contribute. Audience participation will also be greatly encouraged: Bring your singing voices and don’t be shy. There will be 3 guided walks in the Dublin Mountains in March. The walks are organised by the Dublin Mountain partnership and are all of moderate difficulty. Have a look at their webpage for all details and make sure you register in time if you want to take part. All details can be found on the website www.dublinmountains.ie/news/upcoming_events/?no_cache=1 All walks are free, but pre-registration is required. Arghhh! Event Organising can’t be THAT difficult!? Warning: This is a rant after I have wasted a huge amount of time trying to find out information about some really interesting-sounding event. When I compile the Dublin Event Guide every week, I only got about 10-15% of the event information directly from event organisers. All the other events, I come across when searching through approx. 400 web pages every week. This process is quite work and time intensive and it could be made soo much easier if event organisers remembered the absolute basics about event information. Just four pieces of information are needed: What? When? Where? How much? All event organisers manage to mention the WHAT?, but after that it gets really difficult it seems! :-/ I have received event notices where the organisers forgot to tell me WHEN the event takes place! But the most annoying is when they don’t tell you how much it is? And unfortunately this seems to be an omission that extends from inexperienced to VERY experienced event organisers. I don’t know why they do that! If an event is free, you would think that an organiser wants to tell EVERYBODY and as loud as possible. After all, it is a great thing! If an event is not free, you would also expect that they are ok to tell their audience because at some point the audience will arrive at the point where someone expects money. I don’t think event organisers are so cunning that they think “I better keep the admission charge a secret, cause if I tell my audience that there is a charge they won’t come. If they don’t know, they will come and then I can force them to pay.” So why then can’t they just include it in the information about the event? When doing my event search for this week’s Dublin Event Guide, I found a really interesting event, but there was NO information about any admission charges or that the event might be free. I searched four websites, two event notice pages, two Facebook event pages, the Twitter account of the main person, ….and then I gave up! Please, dear event organisers, give us all four pieces of information: What? When? Where? and How much? Thanks!!
2019-04-26T00:28:05Z
http://www.dublineventguide.com/blog/index.php/2014/03/
30" - U3011 released late 2010, possible update due in 2012? The U2713HM follows a similar path to the U2412M last year. Perhaps the most significant change is the move from wide gamut CCFL backlighting to a W-LED unit. This brings about several changes as it did for the 24" range. The screen can now offer a slimmer profile and brings with it environmental and energy saving benefits. From a user experience point of view the screen now covers only a standard sRGB gamut instead of the wide gamut of the old model. The U2713HM is also a standard 8-bit model whereas its predecessor offered "10-bit" support through the use of an 8-bit+AFRC panel. We will look at these changes later on in the review in more detail and compare the two screens. Dell's website states: "Cinema-like clarity shines on the expansive 27" Dell UltraSharp U2713HM monitor. Comfort settings and connectivity options help keep you productive. WQHD resolution and accurate colors out of the box: Superb clarity with 2560 x 1440 resolution and over 3.6 million pixels. Features a color gamut of more than 99-percent sRGB. Excellent comfort and usability: Full adjustability including swivel, tilt, height adjustability and pivot which lets you easily switch to portrait mode. Eco-friendly design: Compliant with the latest environmental standards and made using environmentally conscious materials." The U2713HM offers a very good range of video connections which is great to see and something which Dell have always done a good job with on their UltraSharp models. There are HDMI, Dual-link DVI-D, D-sub and DisplayPort provided for video interfaces. With the screen offering a 2560 x 1440 resolution though only the DL-DVI and DisplayPort connections can support the full resolution due to bandwidth limitations over VGA and HDMI. It is nevertheless nice to see VGA and HDMI provided for users who want to connect other devices, particularly external Blu-ray and DVD players. The digital interfaces are HDCP certified for encrypted content as well. There is also an audio out connection for connecting headphones / external speakers if you wish to take the sound from the HDMI or DisplayPort inputs. There are no integrated stereo speakers on this model although the screen is compatible with Dell's soundbar if you wish. The screen comes packaged with a dual-link DVI and VGA cables which is useful although there is no DisplayPort or HDMI cable provided with the screen unfortunately, presumably due to cost saving measures. The screen has an internal power supply and so you only need a standard kettle lead (provided) to power the screen. Do make sure this is inserted firmly into the power socket as we initially thought our screen was DOA when it was incorrectly inserted. In fact it seems sometimes the screen is fussy about powering on if you've connected the video cables first. To avoid issue, connect the power cable and then the video cables afterwards. There is a 4-port USB 3.0 hub provided as well, with 2 ports on the back and 2 ports on the left hand side of the screen. The USB cable to connect back to your PC to power these ports is provided in the box. Unlike the U2711 model there is no 8-in-1 card reader on this model. The U2713HM comes in an all-black coloured design with matte plastics used for the bezel and stand. The bezel is a thin and attractive at 20mm wide along all sides. The lower bezel features a shiny silver coloured Dell logo in the centre as you can see from the above images. There is no other writing on the bezel at all. The edges of the screen are a little rounded, more so than the rather straight lined U2711 in fact. I personally like the design and it looks very nice on the desk. It's very similar to the changes made in the design between the 24" U2410 and U2412M models. In fact the U2713HM looks basically like a larger version of the U2412M. The base of the stand is fairly large and made from a matte black plastic. It provide a decent balance for the screen and it remains sturdy when positioned on the desk. The back of the screen is again a matte black plastic and is nicely rounded and enclosed well. There is a round Dell logo at the top as shown above. The interface connections are located in the lower portion which you can see from the above image. While the front of the monitor arm / stand is a matte black colour, the back of the stand is a silver coloured plastic which looks nice and provides a good contrast to the black plastics elsewhere. The stand comes packages disconnected from the screen in the box. It is incredibly easy to connection and you simply slot it into the panel and it clips in to place. You are able to VESA 100mm wall-mount the screen if you wish as well, and thanks to its thin profile and light weight (5.6Kg without the stand) compared with its predecessor, it is perhaps a more suitable screen for that option. The OSD operational buttons and power on/off are located in the bottom right hand corner and are situated on the front of the screen as shown, along the right hand side. These are actual pressable buttons as opposed to being touch-sensitive as they were on the U2711 model. Again this is the same change as made from the U2410 > U2412M. They are designed in a subtle way so as not to be too obtrusive during normal use and they work very well. When the screen is turned on the power LED glows a subtle white colour, and it pulsates on and off in the same white colour when the screen is in standby. The screen has a fairly thin profile from the side thanks to the use of a W-LED backlighting unit. It measures only 200.3 mm deep with the stand. The screen offers 2x USB 3.0 ports on the left hand edge of the screen as shown above, for easy access and connection of peripherals. The U2713HM comes with the usual full range of ergonomic adjustments from the stand which is great news. The height adjustment range is very good. At the lowest setting the bottom of the lower bezel is approximately 50mm from the desk so you can get a nice low height if you require. At its highest setting the bottom of the bezel sits 167mm from the desk giving you a total adjustment range of ~117mm. The movement is again easy and smooth, perhaps a little stiffer than the tilt. The swivel adjustment is smooth and easy as well, and the screen stays firm on the desk while the stand swivels from side to side. The rotation function (shown above) to switch between landscape and portrait is available but can be a little stiff to use. This feature was left off the U2711 so is an added extra on the new screen. It's good to see the full range of adjustments available and all are easy to use really, offering a decent range of adjustments and an overall sturdy feel. There is no real wobble from the screen while it's sat on the desk which is good. The screen materials are of a good quality and the design is attractive in my opinion. There is no audible noise from the screen, even if you listen very closely. It stays pretty cool during use although there is a little heat given off at the back near the top. The back of the screen features video interface connections for DL-DVI, D-sub, HDMI and DisplayPort. The digital connections are HDCP certified. There is also a standard kettle lead power connection as the screen has an integrated power supply. This does make it a little thicker than some of the ultra-thin profile screens you can find which offer an external power brick. There is a single connection for Dell's sound bar if you want to add some speakers to the screen and there's an audio-out socket if you'd rather connect headphones or an external speaker system to listen to the sound from the HDMI and DisplayPort connections. There is also 1x USB upstream for connecting to your PC (cable provided) and 2x USB 3.0 downstream ports available for connecting external devices. Note these are the new generation USB 3.0 ports providing faster transfer rates for compatible devices. Unlike the U2711, the Dell U2713HM has pressable OSD selection buttons instead of any touch sensitive version. These are located on the right hand side of the screen and work well in practice. The OSD menu is almost identical to the 24" U2412M. Within the preset modes menu there are options for standard, multimedia, movie, game, text, colour temp, sRGB and custom colour. The sRGB mode is a preset which was not available on the U2412M and is designed to emulate the sRGB space more closely than the native gamut of the screen. It also carries the factory calibration which we will test later on. Bringing up the main menu presents you with various sub-sections down the left hand side as shown. At the top right there is a new "energy use" bar which gives you a visual indication of the power consumption at any given time. This is based on the OSD brightness setting which controls the backlight intensity, and therefore has a direct correlation to the power consumption. The brightness/contrast section is self explanatory of course. The second section for "auto adjust" is only relevant when using the analogue D-sub connection. The input source section allows you to manually select which interface is in use. For some reason Dell haven't provided an "auto select" option like they did on the U2412M which can be useful when you have several devices connected to the screen I think. The preset modes listed here are the same as those accessed via the quick launch menu. Note the presence of an sRGB mode which wasn't available on the U2412M model. You can access the monitors factory menu as well but be careful not to change anything without knowing what you've done or how to change it back. Use the menu at your own risk! To access the factory menu, hold the top two buttons down while powering the monitor on. Once it is on, press the top button to bring up the menu. You can define the RGB levels for each of the colour temp preset modes here and there are a few other settings relating to the operation of the display. Overall the OSD menu offers a decent range of options and it is intuitive and well structured. In terms of power consumption the manufacturers spec states maximum usage of 100W and typical usage of 42W. In standby the screen apparently uses <0.5W. We tested this ourselves and found that out of the box the screen used 34.8W of power while at its default brightness setting which was 75%. At the maximum brightness setting the screen used 45.5W of power and at the lowest brightness setting, power consumption was reduced to 17.8W. After calibration the brightness had been set at 35% to achieve the desired luminance in the 'custom color' preset mode, the screen returned a power consumption of 24.8W. In standby the screen used 0.8W of power. The Dell U2713HM utilises an LG.Display LM270WQ1-SLB2 AH-IPS panel which is capable of producing 16.7 million colours with a true 8-bit colour depth. Dell refer to the panel as being "AH-IPS" (Advanced High Performance IPS) in some of their marketing material, including the original Japanese press release, and it is a name which is starting to become more common in today's IPS market. We have started to see other screens emerge with these so-called AH-IPS panels in their specs, and indeed LG.Display themselves made the same distinction when discussing their forthcoming panels earlier in the year. This is the first monitor from Dell to apparently use a latest generation AH-IPS panel. This name has been used to identify super high resolution panels used in the mobile and tablet sectors (e.g. Apple "Retina" displays). However, the resolution here on the U2713HM is of course the same as it was before, being 2560 x 1440 from the 27" panel. The LM270WQ1 panel has also been around for several years now in different revisions, including those used in the Apple 27" Cinema Display, Hazro HZ27WA/C/D series and more recently in a range of other low-cost 27" IPS models from around the World. Here, Dell are using the SLB2 revision which we have not seen used elsewhere before. What makes this SLB2 revision AH-IPS as opposed to the normal H-IPS type is unclear, and in fact it is likely just a marketing name given to try and identify modern LED backlit IPS panels offering high resolutions and low energy consumption. Some people were perhaps anticipating the use of the new LM270WQ3 panel from LG.Display in this model, but that is yet to appear in the monitor market. Dell have obviously opted for a standard gamut screen as well here as they already offer the wide gamut U2711 for those who need an extended colour space. You will perhaps note that the U2713HM is using the LM270WQ1 panel, whereas the older U2711 model used the LM270WQ2 panel. That was a wide gamut CCFL backlit module as opposed to using W-LED backlighting. The U2711 also offered "10-bit" support through the use of an 8-bit panel, combined with internal Frame Rate Control (8-bit + AFRC). This allowed Dell to quote a colour depth of 1.07 billion. The panel used in the U2713HM is a standard 8-bit module and so offers a 16.7m colour depth. Don't get too side-tracked with this point though as it's all very well saying a panel is capable of 10-bit colour depth (1.07 billion colour palette) as opposed to an 8-bit colour depth (16.7 million colours), but you need to take into account whether this is practically useable and whether you're ever going to truly use that colour depth. You need to have a full 10-bit end to end workflow to take advantage of it which is still quite expensive to achieve and rare in the market, certainly for your average user. Dell still provide the U2711 for those who do want or need that support of course. The U2713HM uses White-LED (W-LED) backlighting producing a colour space approximately equal to the sRGB reference. This means the screen is considered a 'standard gamut' backlight type. Dell's spec suggests there is a >99% coverage of the sRGB reference space (but therefore not quite 100%), and a 72% NTSC gamut. A wide gamut screen would need to be considered by those wanting to work outside of the sRGB colour space of course and the old Dell U2711 would offer that if required. Interestingly the Dell U2713HM appears to not use PWM at all for dimming of the backlight. Even at 0% brightness there was no sign of the usual splitting of the white line that you'd expect to see in these tests. We carried out the checks at an even slower shutter speed which returned the same result. This is great news for those who are affected by flickering backlights and suffer from eye fatigue and eye strain. There are very few monitors which don't use PWM for backlight dimming although we have started to see a few more recently. The HP ZR2740w, DGM IPS-2701WPH and Samsung S27B970D springs to mind as others which do not use PWM. The screen comes out of the box in the 'standard' preset mode, although there is an additional preset which carries a factory calibration which we will test shortly. Default setup of the screen actually felt very good to the naked eye although it was a little too bright. Colours felt even and not too cold, not too warm. Note that in the 'standard' preset mode the RGB levels are not available to change to the user. Out of the box the performance of the screen was pleasing. The CIE diagram on the left confirms that the monitors colour gamut (black triangle) matches the sRGB colour space (orange triangle) reasonably closely. It extends a little past the sRGB space in some blues in particular in this 2D view of gamut. There is pretty much no under-coverage of the sRGB reference space and we know from Dell's spec that it can cover >99% of the sRGB reference which is great. There is a chance of some slight oversaturation in this preset in some shades compared with the exact sRGB colour space if you are carrying out colour critical work. Default gamma was recorded at 2.1 average, leaving it only 3% out from the target of 2.2 which was good. White point was close to the target, being recorded at 6754k and being only 4% out and a little too cool. Note that we are using a spectrophotometer to make these measurements which is not sensitive to the W-LED backlight as some colorimeter devices can be. When using a standard gamut colorimeter not designed to work with modern backlighting units like W-LED, there can be a typical deviance of 300 - 600k in the white point measurement which is why some sources may refer to a different white point in this test incorrectly. Luminance was recorded at a high, but not too bright 225 cd/m2 which is a little too high for prolonged general use. The screen was set at a default 75% brightness in the OSD menu but that is easy to change of course to reach a more comfortable setting. The black depth was a very good 0.25 cd/m2, giving us a very good contrast ratio of 910:1. This was very good for an IPS panel and a similar performance to what we had seen from the 24" U2412M in fact. Colour accuracy was pretty good at default factory settings with an average DeltaE (dE) of 2.6, ranging up to a maximum of 5.7. Along with the pretty good gamma and white point, this setup was pretty good really, even in this standard preset mode which doesn't carry any specific factory calibration. We also tested the default performance in the 'custom color' preset. This mode allows you access to the individual RGB channels which will give you more control over the hardware when it comes to calibration. The performance in this mode was very similar overall to the 'standard' preset. The gamma remained at a similar 3% deviance but white point was now a little warmer than the target, being 3% out but measured at 6294k. You could spot this change in the colour temperature when switching between the two modes. Contrast ratio was actually a little higher at 962:1 which was excellent and colour accuracy remained pretty good at 2.6 dE average / 6.0 dE maximum. Like its predecessor the Dell U2713HM comes factory calibrated to some extent, and the box even includes a calibration report from Dell specific to the unit you have. It states that every unit is shipped incorporating pre-tuned sRGB mode which offers an average DeltaE of <5. In addition to this, they have tweaked gamma and grey-scale to help to ensure smooth gradients and an accurate initial setup. Dell did not bother factory calibrating the 24" U2412M in this way or provide a calibration report, but it is nice to see it included on the U2713HM. I've included a copy of the calibration report from the Dell factory below for you to review. Note that this report is only relevant to our specific test unit and they do state that results may vary with each setup and different test equipment. The factory calibration of the sRGB preset mode was very pleasing on the most part. This mode actually offered a reliable emulation of the sRGB colour space, helping to cut back the slight oversaturation of the screens native colour space and now very closely matching the sRGB reference. This might be useful for colour critical work in the sRGB colour space. The average gamma remained 3% out from the target as we had seen in the standard and custom color modes out of the box. It was closer in dark grey shades but seemed to deviate quite a lot in the 50% grey measurements as shown in the table above. White point was actually now further away from the 6500k target, and was measured at 6007k. In fact the factory calibration report shown above which was included with the screen shows that the factory calibration was in fact aiming for 6000k grey-scale, and so we can't hold this against the screen for missing our normal 6500k target we use. In fact it was very well factory calibrated to Dell's target of 6000k. Luminance was still too high and this was perhaps the main area which deviated from our target. A simple OSD brightness change can of course overcome this though so this is no big issue. Contrast ratio remained strong at 925:1 and the colour accuracy was improved somewhat, now with a dE average of 1.8 and maximum of 4.2. A good overall factory calibration really, offering a close match to the targets Dell have used. The colour temperature modes offered reasonable levels of accuracy overall with a maximum deviance from the target of only 4.4%. The coolest settings of 10,000 and 9300 seemed to be the furthest out from the target as a measurement with 377 - 409k difference from the desired settings (4.1% deviance). The 7500k mode was pretty close to the target but unfortunately it was the 6500k mode (which is probably the most commonly used white point for a general user) showed the highest deviance percentage and was measured at 289k too cool. The warmer settings of 5700 and 5000k were pretty close to their targets which was good. Overall the preset colour temp modes were reasonable. I first of all reverted to the 'custom color' mode in the preset section of the OSD menu which would allow me access to the individual RGB channels. Adjustments were also made during the process to the brightness control, and to the RGB channels as shown in the table above. This allowed me to obtain an optimum hardware starting point and setup before software level changes would be made at the graphics card level which would help preserve tonal values. After this I let the software carry out the LUT adjustments and create an ICC profile. The screen does not feature a hardware LUT calibration option so other than the OSD alterations, the rest of the process is carried out at a graphics card level in profiling the screen. Average gamma had been corrected to 2.2 with 0% deviance according to the initial test correcting the default 3% deviance we'd found in this preset. Checking the more detailed table shown above, the gamma was slightly too high in the darker grey tones, and slightly too low in the lighter tones. The 3% deviance in the white point from our target of 6500k had also been corrected here and the colour temperature was now pretty much spot on. Luminance had also been corrected thanks to the adjustment to the brightness control, now being measured at 120 cd/m2 spot on. This also gave us a calibrated black depth of 0.14 cd/m2, and a static contrast ratio of 869:1 which was very good for an IPS panel. Colour accuracy had also been corrected nicely, with dE average of 0.3 and maximum of 0.8. LaCie would consider colour fidelity to be excellent now. Testing the screen with various colour gradients showed mostly very smooth transitions. There was some slight gradation in darker tones and some very slight banding introduced due to the adjustments to the graphics card LUT from the profilation of the screen. Nothing major at all though. It's worth also commenting on the screen coating in this section of the review. Unlike many other IPS panels, this screen does not feature the usual heavy and aggressive Anti-glare (AG) coating which can sometimes lead to grainy and dirty looking images. Instead it uses a light AG screen coating and as a result the colours look more clean and crisp, the image quality is sharp and whites in particular look more pure than they do on heavy AG coated screens. It isn't a full glossy solution which adds another level of clarity and changes the overall feel of the screen, but it is an improvement over the heavy AG coating of some other IPS screens, including the previous Dell IPS models. A positive change and hopefully something we will start to see more of with future IPS screens. I also carried out the calibration in the monitors 'standard' preset mode. Here you do not have access to the RGB channels at all, and so the only hardware changes being made are to the brightness control. The other corrections would be carried out at a graphics card LUT level through the profiling process. The results were again very pleasing. Targets for gamma and white point had all been met nicely, correcting the 3 and 4% deviations we had seen out of the box in this mode. The luminance had been corrected to the desired level with the change in the brightness control, and although it was a little lower than in the 'custom color' mode, the static contrast ratio was still a very good 813:1 after calibration. Colour accuracy had been corrected from the dE 2.6 average we had seen out of the box, now down to 0.4 dE average. Again testing the screen with various colour gradients showed smooth transitions on the whole, with some slight gradation and some very slight banding in some shades due to the graphics card corrections made. I also carried out the same process in the sRGB preset mode. This was factory calibrated out of the box and had offered a pretty reliable setup, along with an accurate emulation of the slightly smaller sRGB colour space. The calibration helped correct the slight 3% deviance we'd seen by default in the gamma. We also "corrected" the white point from the factory setting of ~6000k (which is how it had deliberately been set up) to our target of ~6500k. Colour accuracy had also been corrected from the 1.8 dE average we'd seen out of the box to now be 0.7 dE average. This mode offered reliable performance out of the box anyway as long as you were happy with the 6000k white point and were able to manually turn the brightness setting down. After calibration it was also very reliable and corrected the slight offset we had seen in some areas, while also allowing us to reach a different white point if required. The emulation of the smaller colour space was also retained which was great news if you need to closely match the sRGB reference and avoid any slight oversaturation from the native gamut of the backlighting. I've provided a comparison above of the U2713HM against some of the other screens we have tested. Out of the box average dE was 2.6 which was pretty decent really and combined with the pretty good default gamma and white point represented a good initial setup. We have taken these results from the default 'standard' preset mode as well, while the sRGB mode carries an additional factory calibration which helps in some areas. It offered a similar level of accuracy to the HP ZR2740w (2.2) and also the DGM IPS-2701WPH (2.4) which are other 27" IPS + W-LED models. It also offered better default colour accuracy than the Dell U2711 (3.7 dE average) which had also shown a poor default gamma and white point setup. The professional grade 27" NEC PA271W and SpectraView Reference 271 were better thought as you might expect at 1.1 dE and 1.5 dE average respectively. Once calibrated the dE average was reduced to 0.3. This would be classified as excellent colour fidelity by LaCie. It was not quite as low as some of the other screens here which reached down to 0.2 average, but in practice you would not notice any difference here at all. Some of the professional range models from NEC and Eizo for instance are even more accurate. Professional grade monitors like the NEC PA series and P241W also offer other high end features which separate them from some of these other models, including extended internal processing, 3D LUT's and hardware calibration. These comparisons are based on a small selection of tests, so it should be remembered that other factors do come into play when you start talking about professional use. For further information and tests of a high end professional grade screen with hardware LUT calibration, you may want to have a read of our NEC SpectraView Reference 271 review. The calibrated black depth and contrast ratio of the U2713HM were very good for an IPS panel. With a static contrast ratio of 869:1 the U2713HM was only a little behind the 24" U2412M (947:1), but considerably ahead of the older 27" U2711 (672:1) which was positive news. The calibrated static contrast ratio was not as good as modern VA based screens however which can reach up to around 2000 - 3000:1. Nevertheless it was a good performance from an IPS panel and an improvement over the older U2711. This section is designed to measure a few areas related to brightness control and contrast ratio. We will measure the range of the screens luminance as you adjust the brightness control along with the resulting contrast ratio at each setting. In theory, brightness and contrast are two independent parameters, and good contrast is a requirement regardless of the brightness adjustment. Unfortunately, such is not always the case in practice. We recorded the screens luminance and black depth at various OSD brightness settings, and calculated the contrast ratio from there. Graphics card settings were left at default with no ICC profile or calibration active. Tests were made using an NEC branded and customised X-rite i1 Display 2 colorimeter. It should be noted that we used the BasICColor calibration software here to record these, and so luminance at default settings may vary a little from the LaCie Blue Eye Pro report. The luminance range of the screen was very wide indeed. At a maximum brightness setting the screen reached 319.2 cd/m2 which was a little shy of the specified 350 cd/m2 maximum. This could be adjusted all the way down to a very low 19.5 cd/m2 through changes to the brightness control, giving you a massive 299.7 cd/m2 adjustment range. This should allow you a good control of the screens luminance for low ambient lighting conditions which is great news. A setting of around 35 - 40% should return you a comfortable luminance of ~120 cd/m2. Black depth ranged from 0.36 at maximum brightness and went lower than 0.02 cd/m2, which is the lower measurement limit of the X-rite i1 Display 2, when setting the brightness to 0%. We have plotted the luminance trend on the graph above. The screen behaves as it should, with a reduction in the backlight intensity controlled by the reduction in the OSD brightness setting. This isn't quite a linear relationship though as the top 30% of the adjustment range seems to make steeper changes to the luminance than the bottom 70% of the range. Static contrast ratio was excellent for an IPS panel, with an average of 907:1. This was stable across the range overall. The Dell U2713HM features a dynamic contrast ratio (DCR) control, which boasts a spec of 2,000,000:1 (2 million:1). Dynamic contrast ratio involves controlling the backlight of the screen automatically, depending on the content shown on the screen. In bright images, the backlight is increased, and in darker images, it is decreased. We have come to learn that DCR figures are greatly exaggerated and what is useable in reality is often very different to what is written on paper or on a manufacturers website. We tested the DCR feature and you could immediately notice the screen getting much brighter when you first turn it on compared with the standard preset. You can observe the changes being made in the OSD by looking at the energy meter in the top right hand corner. Switching to this mode in normal office-type applications showed the energy bar fill up to maximum, indicating that the brightness was being turned up to a high setting. When switching between an almost all-white and an almost all-black screen you could see the DCR change the luminance of the screen, both to the naked eye and by looking at the energy meter. However, it didn't seem to control a big range at all, only a few bars on the energy meter. The change was smooth but took only around 1.5 seconds to change between the two states. On an almost all-white screen we measured a maximum luminance of 249.4 cd/m2, which wasn't quite as high as the max brightness we'd measured in the previous section of this review. The minimum black point measured was 0.21 cd/m2 and this only resulted in a usable DCR of 1188:1. This wasn't much higher than our default static contrast ratio (907:1 average) but the DCR worked slightly. We tested the screen with a completely black screen as well and you could tell from the OSD energy meter that it was then able to control the backlight all the way down to its minimum setting by the look of things. However, it should be noted that it would be extremely rare to ever see a 100% black image in real use and so this is more of a theoretical DCR than a realistic, practical DCR. If we assume that the screen could control the black point down to 0.01 cd/m2 for arguments sake at the lowest brightness setting this would give us a DCR of ~25,000:1. This is still a long way off the quoted 2 million:1 spec of course, but that is very usual for modern displays boasting crazy DCR figures. In fact you'd have to be turning the backlight completely off on an all-black image to achieve anything higher really here. Some screens do actually do that which allows for crazy laboratory testing and their resulting specs, but in the case of the U2713HM it was not turning the backlight off. We would like to start seeing realistic DCR figures being quoted from manufacturer really, not made up numbers which don't translate into real performance. I'd rather see a screen with a useable DCR of ~10,000:1 for example than a screen with an advertised 2 million:1 which only works in the most extreme and unrealistic circumstances that a user will never see. In the case of the U2713HM the DCR works slightly up to ~1188:1 but that's not really of much benefit in practice. Viewing angles of the U2713HM were very good as you would expect from an IPS based panel. Horizontally there was very little colour tone shift until wide angles past about 45°. Contrast shifts were slightly more noticeable in the vertical field but overall they were very good. The screen offered the wide viewing angles of IPS technology and was free from the very restrictive fields of view of TN Film panels, especially in the vertical plane. It was also free of the off-centre contrast shift you see from VA panels and a lot of the quite obvious gamma and colour tone shift you see from some of the modern AMVA and PVA offerings. All as expected really from a modern IPS panel. On a black image there is a characteristics IPS white glow, but in normal working conditions this shouldn't present too much of a problem. The above image was taken in a darkened room to demonstrate the white wide angle glow when viewing a black screen. There is no A-TW polarizer on this panel which is rarely used now in the market but was implemented on some older screens to improve the off centre black viewing. If you are viewing dark content from a close position to the screen you can sometimes see this pale glow on parts of the screen towards the sides and corners because of your proximity to the screen and your line of sight. This is accentuated a little due to the sheer size of the 27" panel. The edges of the screen are at an angle from your line of sight which means you pick up this white glow to a smaller degree. This disappears as you move backwards away from the screen where the line of sight does not result in a wide angle view of parts of the screen and you can see the screen largely from head on. That is a little difficult to explain but hopefully makes sense. It is only really apparent on darker content and only really if you are working in darkened lighting conditions on this model. It was not too severe I didn't think, but something to be aware of. The luminance uniformity of the U2713HM was very good overall. There was some slight variance in luminance across the screen with the bottom half being a little brighter than the top half it seemed. Luminance ranged up to a maximum of 123 cd/m2 (2.5% deviance) in the lower left hand region, but down as low as 105 cd/m2 in the top left area (~15% deviance). Overall about 95% of the screen was within 10% deviance of the target and around 70% was within a 5% deviance. Not a bad result really on the whole. As usual we also tested the screen with an all black image and in a darkened room. A camera was used to capture the result. To the naked eye, there did not appear to be much in the way of backlight leakage although you could notice the characteristic IPS-glow as you looked at the black image from different angles. The camera picked out some slight unevenness and some clouding from the backlight in the four corners. This was most apparent in the bottom right hand corner but in practice overall there was nothing too severe. There was no bleeding from the edges which was good to see as that can become quite distracting during some uses, for instance when watching a movie with black borders top and bottom. The U2713HM features a massive 2560 x 1440 WQHD resolution which is only just a little bit less vertically than a 30" screen. The pixel pitch of 0.233mm is very small as a result, and by comparison a standard 16:10 format 24" model has a pixel pitch of 0.270mm and a 30" model has 0.250mm. These ultra-high res 27" models offer the tightest pixel pitch and therefore the smallest text as well. I don't find it too small personally, but day to day I am used to a 24" screen. Some users may find the small text a little too small to read comfortably, and I'd advise caution if you are coming from a 19" or 22" screen for instance where the pixel pitch and text are much larger. I found a 30" screen to be quite a change with text size when I first used one, and this is very similar and even a little bit smaller! The massive resolution is really good for office and general use, giving you a really big screen area to work with. It is a noticeable upgrade from a 24" 1920 x 1200 resolution, and it's good to see Dell have stuck with the high res panel here rather than reverting to a 1920 x 1200 or 1920 x 1080 res panel as you may find in other older 27" models. For those wanting a high resolution for CAD, design, photo work etc, this is a really good option. The image was very sharp and crisp and text was very clear. The light AG screen coating ensured that the white backgrounds of office documents looked good, and did not suffer from the overly grainy and dirty feel of some IPS panels featuring heavy, aggressive AG coating. It also remained free from the reflections you might experience from a full glossy solution so seemed to be a good half-way between the two. There was a defined 'text' preset mode which seemed to appear quite similar to the other standard mode, but could allow you to set up a comfortable setting for prolonged office use if you wanted to. Out of the box, the 75% default brightness is a little too bright for office use and measured at around 225 cd/m2 in our tests. A setting of around 35 - 40% should return you a luminance close to 120 cd/m2 for office use if you want, and you are able to control the brightness all the way down to around 19.5 cd/m2 at the 0% setting which is excellent. Those wanting to use the screen in low lighting conditions shouldn't have any issue here. Another thing to note while we are talking about the brightness control is that the screen does not use Pulse-Width modulation (PWM) to control backlight dimming and so those who suffer from eye fatigue or headaches, associated with flickering backlights, need not worry here. The stand provided offers a great range of adjustments which are smooth and easy to use. It's good to see a decent range of tilt, height, pivot and rotate adjustments available which should allow you to obtain a comfortable position for your office. If you want to, you can wall or arm mount the screen as well using the VESA 100mm option. With DisplayPort and DL-DVI both supporting the full 2560 x 1440 resolution you should have a decent choice for your PC connectivity. Since the VGA input was not able to support the full resolution of the screen we did not compare the sharpness of the image between analogue and digital, but the digital picture quality was excellent. There were 4x USB 3.0 ports included on this screen, with 2 available on the left hand side for easy access. It was good to see the upgrade to USB version 3.0 here for the faster transfer rates, and handy to have the easy access ports on the side for connection of printers, scanners, cameras etc. Dell have done away with the 8-in-1 card reader which was featured on the U2711 model unfortunately, something which I've always personally found quite useful. There are no integrated speakers on this model, but you can connect the Dell soundbar if you really want to (sold separately). The screen is designed to run at its native resolution of 2560 x 1440 and at 60Hz refresh rate. If you want to you can run it outside of this and let the image be scaled to fill the screen. At the native resolution text was very sharp and clear. We ran the screen at 1920 x 1080 which was the next step down, while still maintaining the screens 16:9 aspect ratio. Text was actually very good and was hardly blurred at all. The screen is perfectly capable of being run at a lower 1920 x 1080 resolution if you wanted to, without much degradation in the picture quality and sharpness. To give you more desktop real estate and maximum picture quality, the native resolution is of course recommended where possible. Update 7/11/12 - We have received a few user reports that the U2713HM exhibits a noticeable buzzing noise when viewing certain content. We have been able to re-create the issue on our sample as well, and it seems to be introduced when viewing full screen content with a lot of text. We've heard the buzz when viewing some spreadsheets full screen, but only when there is a lot of text within those sheets. It's hard to identify the exact cause, but is very rare to experience in practice. Indeed we have used the screen for many hours without problem, but occasionally the buzzing noise manifests itself if the conditions are right. Monitor OSD settings do not make any difference and it doesn't seem to be related to interface connection or anything like that. Not a major issue at all, but worth mentioning for completeness. The U2713HM is rated by Dell as having a rather modest-on-paper 8ms G2G response time which implies the use of overdrive / response time compensation (RTC) technology, used to boost pixel transitions across grey to grey changes. The panel being used is an LG.Display LM270WQ1-SLB2 AH-IPS panel. Unlike some of the other Dell screens we have tested, including the U2412M, there is no control over this overdrive impulse from within the OSD or factory menu, and so you will have to rely on the setup by the manufacturer here. We have provided a comparison of the U2713HM first of all against four other popular 27" IPS models including the older Dell U2711 and the 30" Dell U3011. The U2713HM performed very well in these tests and seemed to have a decent manufacturer setup of the overdrive impulse. The moving car showed smooth movement with no obvious ghosting and only low levels of motion blur. There was some slight overshoot behind the moving car in the form of a small dark trail which you can pick out from the photos above and with a keen eye in practice. The older Dell U2711 had shown similar low levels of blur but had exhibited a far more obvious dark overshoot which is evident from the test photos above. Thankfully it seems Dell have improved their control of the overdrive impulse, or perhaps toned it down a little, and achieved a better result in practice when it comes to moving images. The U2713HM also performed a little better than the other four IPS models shown here which while all being free from any noticeable overshoot artefacts, did show a slightly higher level of blur to the image. A good performance from the U2713HM here. If you then compare the U2713HM with 5 other 27" screens we have tested which use AMVA or PLS panel technology there are more pronounced differences in some cases. The new Samsung S27B970D and older Samsung S27A850D had impressed us in these tests with its PLS panel technology and with a fast response time and very low levels of motion blur. They did not exhibit any noticeable overshoot from these tests but had a slightly more pronounced blur than the Dell. It was very close really in practice and they could be considered on par in terms of pixel responsiveness. The Philips 273E3QHSB and BenQ EW2730V are based on AMVA panel technology and fell behind in these tests. The generation of AMVA panel being used in those two models was not able to compete with the responsiveness of modern IPS or PLS displays and there were high levels of blur evident, even with their response time controls turned up to the optimum levels. Those screens are rated with a 6ms and 8ms G2G response time respectively which just goes to show you can't always trust a specification when determining real life performance of a display. The recently tested BenQ GW2750HM had offered some improvements and showed lower levels of blur. However, it was again not as fast as the U2713HM in practice though. Above is a comparison of the U2713HM against some popular models in smaller sizes. First are three models using IPS panels, but in smaller sizes of 24" and 23". The HP ZR2440w had performed very well in these tests and showed a very similar performance to the U2713HM in fact, with low levels of blur and some slight overshoot. The overshoot was perhaps ever so slightly more noticeable on the HP and there was a very slight dark and pale halo trail evident in those tests. The 24" Dell U2412M and 23" U2312HM again offered low levels of motion blur but a more obvious dark overshoot trail was introduced which was certainly more pronounced than on this new U2713HM model. Dell have done a good job with the overdrive circuitry on this new model which is pleasing. I have also included the results from our recent review of the 24" BenQ GW2450HM since there had been some big improvements made in AMVA panel technology in this most recent generation of panel. Thankfully the responsiveness was much better than we'd seen from the Philips 273E3QHSB and BenQ EW2730V we showed you above and was on par in practice with these IPS screens. There is something else going on here though as well which can't be picked out by the camera. All of these TN Film models are running at 120Hz refresh rates, which allows for improved 120fps frame rates and the support of 3D stereoscopic content as well. This can really help improve smoothness and the overall gaming experience so these screens still have the edge when it comes to fast gaming. From a pixel response point of view the U2713HM performed very well, but there are some other areas you still need to think about when it comes to high end gaming. It couldn't keep up with the very fast TN Film models with 120Hz support. The responsiveness of the U2713HM was very good and we were pleased by what we saw. The screen showed very low levels of motion blur and only some very slight overshoot from the overdrive impulse being applied. It was a little ahead of the other 27" IPS panels we have tested and showed obvious advantages over some of the AMVA offerings in this size. Dell had made some improvements to the overdrive control as well since the U2312HM, U2412M and U2711 models and that was positive news. The screen should be perfectly capable of handling fast paced games, although you may want to consider the type of graphics card required to run games with high settings at such a high resolution. Aspect Ratio Control - The screen offers three options within the OSD menu for hardware level aspect ratio control. There are options to maintain the aspect ratio at 16:9, 4:3 or 5:4 ratios which should be adequate for most users and for the connection of most external devices. It would have perhaps been useful to see an "auto" mode, capable of detecting and maintaining the source aspect ratio automatically, and perhaps a 1:1 pixel mapping mode for those who didn't want the source image stretched at all. Each of the modes provided would stretch the source image to fill as much of the screen as possible, but will maintain the selected aspect ratio. In addition even if the input source is not one of the specific aspects listed, it will be forced to that aspect if you select it. For instance if you input the native 2560 x 1440 resolution, but select 4:3 aspect, it will squash the screen sideways to meet a 4:3 aspect, but the image will just be squashed accordingly. It can be a little annoying having to manually change the aspect ratio each time if you input different aspect sources. Preset Modes - There is a 'game' preset mode available from within the preset mode menu. This seems to be a little warmer than the standard preset mode and also gives you access to the dynamic contrast ratio if you want to use it. We've already established that the DCR doesn't offer much in real use but it's there if you want it. This mode might be useful if you want to set up a specific mode to be different to your day to day normal use profile as well. Our tests here are based on the new format using SMTT 2. We have provided a comparison above against other models we have tested to give an indication between screens. However, please note that some of the other screens tested here were using older stopwatch methods and not the SMTT 2 tool. For reference, those shown as darker blue lines were tested using SMTT 2. The Dell U2713HM showed an average total display lag of 22.2ms during this test, ranging up to 28ms maximum. Remember, this represents a signal processing lag along with an element of pixel response time and gives you an idea of the overall delay of the image compared with a traditional CRT screen. This lag was not too severe, but a bit higher than we had seen from some other recent screens, and represented a lag of just under 1.5 frames. The lag of this screen has been categorised as CLASS 2 as detailed above and may be a little high for some very high end gaming. Please note that we have included the Dell U2711 for reference here but that at the time it was measured using the less reliable single stopwatch method. A direct comparison between the two is therefore difficult. A comparison against other screens shown here which were tested using SMTT 2 (dark blue lines) is more accurate however. Good to see DisplayPort and HDMI provided for connection of additional devices, both of which are very popular for external DVD and Blu-ray players. Light AG coating helps to ensure image quality is retained and not overly grainy, while also offering anti reflective properties which are useful for movie viewing, especially with lamps etc coming in to play in darkened room conditions. This is more suited to movie viewing than a full glossy coating. Dynamic contrast ratio is available but doesn't really do much in practice only offering a DCR of ~1188:1. You have to have a 100% black screen for it to function at a higher level which is probably never going to happen in real use. Very good pixel responsiveness for movies and video which should be able to handle fast moving scenes without issue. Very good ergonomic adjustments available from the stand with full range of tilt, height and pivot being useful for obtaining a comfortable viewing position. No obvious backlight leakage from the edges which is good. This type of leakage may prove an issue when watching movies where black borders are present but it is not a problem here. Some slight clouding in the corners which might become evident in darkened room conditions sometimes. There are no integrated speakers available on this model although it is compatible with the Dell soundbar if you want. There is also a headphone socket provided on the back to take the audio from the HDMI or DisplayPort inputs if necessary. I know many people are going to be asking the question: "which is better, the old U2711 or the new U2713HM?" I'd like to start by saying that it is expected that the U2713HM will not be a direct replacement for the U2711 and much like the 24" models it will probably be a supplementary model in the UltraSharp range, aimed more at the mass consumer market and multimedia user. Like the 24" U2410, the 27" U2711 is aimed more at professional graphics users and higher end work while also offering an all round feature and function set. It is possible that things will change but we are not sure at this stage. Like the change with the 24" U2410 > U2412M, probably the main difference between these two 27" models is the colour space support. The U2711 uses wide gamut CCFL backlighting which offers an extended gamut covering 102% of the NTSC colour space. This can also cover the Adobe RGB reference space as a result and extends considerably beyond the sRGB reference which is still widely used. The support of wide gamut is great if you have a practical use for it and are working with wide gamut content or want to match the Adobe RGB space properly. However, if you are working just with sRGB content, viewing it on a wide gamut screen can lead to issues of over-saturation and neon appearing colours and is difficult to manage for many users. Thankfully the U2711 does include an sRGB emulation mode which is useful in those circumstances although not particularly accurate. The U2711 is perhaps more useful to colour enthusiasts, photographers and designers thanks to its wide gamut support, but for the general consumer, most will not need to use wide gamut and will only be concerned with the appearance of standard gamut (sRGB) content. As such they would not want the over-saturated colours and issues associated with trying to manage standard gamut on a wide gamut screen, and so a W-LED based model like the U2713HM is more readily accessible to the average user. Both models carry a factory calibration as well which is positive news. The U2711 came factory calibrated to try and ensure a decent gamma, white point and colour accuracy out of the box in both the Adobe RGB and sRGB emulation modes. The Adobe RGB mode seemed to be pretty reliable in terms of gamma and colour accuracy, but white point was a fair way out from the target. The sRGB factory calibration on the U2711 was less reliable showing larger colour deviations and again a poor white point setup. The factory calibration on the new U2713HM only applies to the sRGB mode since there is obviously no Adobe RGB mode on this model due to the smaller colour space support. This offered very good levels of accuracy and seemed a more reliable setup to that seen on the U2711. I'll also make reference to the fact that the U2711 features an 8-bit + A-FRC panel which can offer a colour palette of 1.07 billion colours if you have a relevant end to end 10-bit workflow (application, operating system, graphics card, interface etc). That is very rare and so to 99% of users this support of "10-bit" is largely irrelevant. It's 12-bit internal processing is designed to help improve gradients and signal processing as well. These kind of features are usually reserved for high end graphics screens such as the NEC PA series, but Dell included them here on the U711 as well. The U2713HM uses only a normal 8-bit IPS panel and has 8-bit signal processing. This is more than adequate for most users, especially given the aforementioned complexities with achieving a 10-bit workflow. If you do have such a workflow and want support of 10-bit content then the U2711 would be a more suitable choice. I suspect many people just won't need it. The U2713HM is missing a few of the extra features found on the U2711 like the 8-in-1 card reader, DisplayPort cable and the composite and component inputs. The U2713HM does offer the latest generation USB 3.0 ports though while the U2711 was only v2.0. The stand on the U2713HM also offers a rotate function which wasn't present on the old style stand. The move to a W-LED backlighting unit also brings about energy and environmental benefits compared with the older CCFL unit and helps offer a thinner screen profile. One final thing to note is that the new U2713HM uses a light AG coating and so does not suffer from the grainy, dirty appearance in some uses that the heavy AG coating of the U2711 had. Approximate price - at the time of release the new U2713HM is ~£65 more expensive than the U2711. This is probably down to the fact it is new more than anything else. Features - I've marked them level here as while the U2711 does have a card reader and composite and component inputs, the U2713HM has USB 3.0 and a rotate function. I suppose really the value of these features depends on what you're looking for from your screen and what you need. Screen coating - The U2713HM has a light AG coating and so does not suffer from a dirty, grainy appearance that the heavy AG coating on the U2711 can bring. Interfaces - The U2711 wins here as it offers composite and component inputs and an additional DVI, all missing on the new U2713HM. Panel Uniformity - I have marked these two screens as level in this test. Not much different overall. Office and Windows - There's very little to separate them here although I've marked the U2713HM as more suitable thanks to its lighter AG coating and the fact that it doesn't use PWM to dim the backlight. Movies Overall - Again I've had to mark them level. The U2711 has more video connections which some users might need, but the U2713HM has a better black depth and contrast ratio. Responsiveness - The U2713HM holds the advantage here as it has less blur and only a slight overshoot. The U2711 suffered from more noticeable overshoot artefacts. Input lag - hard to accurately compare since the U2711 was only tested using the old stopwatch method. I've provided the figures for reference but keep in mind the U2713HM is far more accurate than the old U2711 measurement. Colour accuracy Default - Out of the box, the U2713HM had a better setup in terms of gamma, white point and colour accuracy. The sRGB emulation mode also offered a better factory calibration than it had on the U2711. Black depth - The U2713HM wins here with a lower calibrated black depth of 0.14, compared with 0.18 of the U2711. A nice improvement made with this newer model. Calibrated Static Contrast Ratio - with a static number of 869:1, the U2713HM is the best in this test. The U2711 only managed 672:1. Dynamic Contrast Ratio - Neither worked very well at all, although the 1188:1 offered by the U2713HM was higher than the 759:1 of the U2711. Overall there are some distinct differences between the two models as there had been between the two 24" models. The U2713HM brings about some positive changes we felt, certainly from a performance point of view. The default setup was more reliable and users will be pleased by the good gamma, white point and colour setup out of the box. The sRGB emulation mode works very well and is well calibrated in the factory. We had seen less impressive results from the U2711 model really and you'd probably need to calibrate it personally with a calibrator to get more out of it. The improvement to the static contrast ratio and pixel responsiveness were also very pleasing and a positive improvement from the new model. In addition the screen coating change to a light AG solution is very positive and welcome, and the inclusion of USB 3.0 ports and a rotation function from the stand are nice extras. It's a shame they did away with the card reader I felt, but we can live without the composite and component inputs which aren't really used much nowadays anyway. The U2711 still has its place though as if you need/want wide gamut or 10-bit support then it can be offered on that model, but not on the U2713HM. Likewise if you need any of the additional interfaces then they are available there. I did feel though that the wide gamut support was really the only major advantage the U2711 had over the newer model (again only if you actually need or want it), and the new U2713HM showed plenty of performance improvements to make it an excellent new addition to the UltraSharp range. The Dell U2713HM made a positive improvement to the UltraSharp series we felt. The screen is basically a larger version of the popular 24" U2412M in appearance, adopting the new style design and a more functional stand at the same time. The range of adjustments was excellent as ever and very easy to operate. The screen does away with a couple of the less common video connections of its predecessor but does introduce the latest USB 3.0 standard for faster transfer rates. One of the most pleasing changes is the move to a lighter AG coating, which should keep those bothered by aggressive, grainy AG coating on IPS panels happy. From a performance point of view the screen offered excellent all round performance from its IPS panel. The default setup was very good, and the screen even offered a usable sRGB emulation mode and accompanying reliable factory calibration. Black depth and contrast ratio were very good for an IPS panel and showed some marked improvements over the older U2711. Pixel responsiveness was also very good and again helped clear up most of the overshoot issues which affected the U2711 before it. Brightness range and control was excellent and it was great to see that PWM was not being used for backlight dimming. As we've discussed during the review, the U2713HM is missing any wide gamut and "10-bit" support but that's probably not an issue for many users anyway. We did feel the improvements made in other areas made the U2713HM a better screen as long as you don't need those aspects for your personal uses. The price point of the U2713HM is maybe a little higher than some people had hoped for, certainly at the time of writing and initial release. The U2713HM retails for ~£492 GBP (inc VAT) in the UK at the moment making it a little less than the older U2711 (£500). Both are of course more expensive than some of the low-cost and no-frills 27" IPS models available now like the Hazro HZ27WC (£385) and DGM IPS-2701WPH (£335), but the added features and extras of the Dell do separate this as a higher end model. Keep in mind also the support and warranty from a company like Dell when making a decision. All in all we were impressed by the new 27" screen from Dell. It made a lot of positive improvements and offered the kind of all round performance you'd want from any screen. Certainly a very good new addition to the Dell range.
2019-04-20T08:22:43Z
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2713hm.htm
As I look up at the Orchards Corner clock – it is 2pm but one of its faces says 5:20 and the other 7:25 – the crackle of a round of fireworks erupts from the direction of Chinatown. I follow the source of the sound, walking down Quay Street until I catch sight of two red and gold lions, cavorting amid a cloud of fireworks smoke outside the noodle shops in the courtyard on Thomas Street. Once the fireworks have burnt through, the lions move on slowly, further into Chinatown, as people descend on the pile of red fireworks papers with brooms, sweeping it up before the wind can disperse it. I watch until the lions dance across the street, and then turn towards the restaurants on the ground floor of the Prince Centre, the mall that fills the corner block. The restaurant I know best here is the Chinese Noodle house, with its plastic grapes hanging from the ceiling, tapestries hanging on the walls, and the tables in a tetris-like arrangement that leaves only just enough space to sit down at them. For years I came regularly to the noodle house before realising that it was connected to the mall behind it on Quay Street. On the Quay Street side it has a plain facade, but on the Thomas Street side the building tapers to a point, opening up into a courtyard with glass stairwells at either end. For as long as I’ve been visiting them I’ve loved the malls in Chinatown: the mirrored interiors, escalators and food courts and the travel agencies, hairdressers, fashion boutiques and herbalists, that are collected within. Aside from the busy food courts, the malls have a mood of quiet industriousness, their businesses tucked away above street level, there for those who need or want to find them. The majority of Chinatown’s malls were built in the 1980s, and Prince Centre is a good example, with its pink granite tiles, peach and grey colour scheme, and palm trees. One tree is interred inside an octagonal glass box alongside what is now a drained water-feature, which makes a perfect place to sit to wait for a table in the Chinese Noodle House. Sometimes the proprietor of this establishment comes out with a violin under his chin and plays a tune, using the acoustics of the courtyard to good effect. On the Quay Street side of the Prince Centre there was, until its partial renovation a few years ago, a cascading crystal light feature and a ceiling decorated by thousands of white scales, which produced a shimmering, seashell-interior effect. This interior was modernised in 2015, and replaced with a plain ceiling instead, although some of the 80s details persist. The next mall of this kind is at the corner of Hay Street and Thomas Street: the Citymark, on the lower two levels of a late-80s-era office building. It is a fairly plain commercial building, but upon scrutiny of its facade it looks recognisably dated, a product of the late 1980s, as certainly as shoulder pads in a jacket. To build it, an 1800-seat picture theatre was demolished, one of the many that were built in Haymarket in the early 20th century, when this was the city’s theatre district. The Citymark cuts through from Thomas Street to George Street, through an arcade of shops selling products such as shoes, cosmetics, and rice cookers. I often take it as a shortcut, but rarely have a need to venture upstairs. As is usually the case, the upper levels of the malls is a tranquil place, with few people around. I startle when I look through the window of a shop with a plain facade and see two headless mannequins in hazmat suits poised for action (the fork and spoon were a clue to its identity: it’s the office for a restaurant delivery service). Across from this store is China Books, which has a copy of The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar in the window, and a view out towards Dixon Street and the Market City mall. Of all of the Chinatown malls, Market City has the most conventional interior, and perhaps the most bizarre exterior, a postmodern collage of architectural features. Built to incorporate the shell of the 1909 market building, Market City resembles a rambling castle, with turrets and columns and cupolas, the kind a child might draw to fill up a sheet of paper. At the back of the castle, a residential tower of 48 storeys mushrooms up, so tall and embedded within the overall structure it seems oddly invisible from street level. I have an affection for the one square window in the brick wall beside the Ultimo Road entrance of Market City, through which piles of folders are visible. It is the only window on an otherwise-windowless long wall, and after looking up and noticing it once, it has been conspicuous to me ever since. Across Hay Street from Market City is Dixon Street, its ceremonial gates with green-tiled canopies marking each end of the pedestrianised section that forms the Dixon Street mall. The pedestrian mall was created in 1980, when the street was closed to traffic, a deliberate attempt to formalise the area’s identity as Sydney city’s Chinatown. There has been Chinese businesses in this area since the 19th century, although the location of Chinatown had moved a number of times before this: first in The Rocks, then Surry Hills, before settling in Haymarket. Although now Dixon Street is thought of as Chinatown’s centre, its boundaries have shifted and continue to do so. In the early 20th century, Chinatown was thought of as spanning Surry Hills and Haymarket: “a winding dragon with its head in Campbell Street, its body curling up Ultimo Road and its tail in Dixon Street”. The creation of the mall in 1980 settled Chinatown into this part of the city, reclaimed land which was once a swamp with a creek which fed into Tumbalong/Darling Harbour. The lion dancers are at the end of Dixon Street now, and I watch them tossing their heads, dipping and weaving, as the fireworks bang and sizzle. Throughout their dance, Elder Paik stands at the side of the gates, continuing to spin a green hula hoop from his usual busking position. Paik, who is now in his 80s, is reliably found in this spot, wearing white facepaint and outfits wreathed in fake flowers, twirling a hula hoop around his hips. Underneath the crackle of the fireworks the drummers beat out a steady rhythm, giving the lion’s steps a regular pace. There is a crowd of people around the lion dancers and so I walk up to the very end of the Dixon Street mall, skipping over Sussex Centre and Dixon House for the time being, until I reach the Harbour Plaza building at the northern end. It is best known as the location of Eating World, the chthonic food court on the ground floor with its rows of worn and sticky laminex tables. For many years the bar here was staffed by a man who had an impressive crest of lacquered hair and always wore a cravat, a style which made me feel I should be ordering a cocktail rather than a chrysanthemum tea. Underneath Eating World is an arcade which, on this Saturday afternoon, is deserted apart from a few people sitting inside their stores: a nail salon, a foot massage place with decals of huge hands pressing into huge feet, and a real estate agency which had, hung up in the doorway, a lettuce for the lions, a red envelope attached to it with a toothpick. I could hear from the drums that the lions were approaching, so I doubled back along the mall and into the Sussex Centre, the brighter of the two central Dixon Street malls. Both it and Dixon House have interiors like an Escher engraving, their plentiful escalators producing a confusing optical effect, but Sussex House particularly so, as the levels of shops ascend in a series of ramps that lead up to the food court on the top level. As I walk inside the Sussex Centre I remember that in the 1990s there used to be a Laserdisc shop on the Sussex Street side of the shopping centre (for those who don’t remember them: CDs the size of vinyl LPs, pretty much redundant by 2000). In the 90s I’d pass by it on my way upstairs to have a Happy Chef laksa, sitting at the window facing the old Boyd and Hanlon produce store building on Sussex Street. Until recently it was decorated by faded L and P signs, an advertisement that I enjoyed for its lack of supplementary signage. My favourite Chinatown mall is Dixon House, on the corner of Little Hay Street. Built inside the shell of what was formerly a Myer warehouse, it was completely remodelled in 1983, when it was bought by the heiress to the Tiger Balm fortune, a Hong Kong businesswoman named Sally Aw. She sold it in the 1990s, and then it was sold again last year, and described in the article announcing this as a “D-grade commercial building”. Building grades are probably not the same as movie-grades, but even so, I will spring to Dixon House’s defence. My love of it comes from it being an 80s time-warp, with mirrored ceilings and columns, pink walls and carpet, artificial plants and a collection of small, independent businesses. Like Eating World its basement food court has a worn atmosphere, although it does have the additional novelty of the mirrored ceiling. Eating noodles in 2005: little has changed from this scene apart from the 3.2 mp digital camera. At the Dixon Street entrance are two directories that list the businesses inside, some of which seem to no longer be in residence, including the enigmatic Dockets and Forms Australia Pty Ltd. Escalators lead to the upper levels, and underneath them is a watch store, with a Seiko neon sign of a diamond. The usual Chinatown mall collection surrounds it: travel agencies, fashion boutiques and hairdressers. At the Sussex Street entrance is the tiny office for John Wong, Chinese Soothsayer, which has photos of him with prominent past politicians and at local events in the window. I step onto the escalator, entering more deeply into Dixon House’s peaceful, mirrored world. Mirrors reflect off mirrors, so the journey up the escalators appears to be transporting multiple versions of me forwards, backwards, upside down and into other dimensions. In the back corner of the top level is the legendary Ching Yip coffee lounge, a Hong Kong-style cafe-restaurant. Enter through under the pink neon sign and you find yourself in a pink and grey, laminex and vinyl oasis, soon examining a menu printed on pink paper, listing hundreds of items, from Hot Lemon Coke and Hot Tea & Coffee Mix to rice, pasta and borscht. In the corner, a cake fridge glows, its contents mostly lemons. When I come to Ching Yip I usually have jam toast and tea with lemon (it seems important to help out with the lemons), and while I consume these I take in the cool, quiet, pink atmosphere. Tinkly musak plays in the background, and I stare over at the line of tropical fish ornaments behind the counter, and the ads for Fanta and the laminated pink menus offering the afternoon special. Often it’s busy in Ching Yip, but I’m here at an in-between time, and so mostly my company is the artificial palm trees and the framed pictures of flowers and sailboats. After I finish the tea I leave Ching Yip and descend down via the mirrored escalators, heading towards Dixon Street. The lion dancers have moved through and gone, leaving a trail of the red paper from the firecrackers in their wake. The red scraps mix up with the pink petals from the crepe myrtle trees, which are blooming for this last, humid month of summer. Both the red paper and pink blossoms seem to promise good luck for the new year ahead. The quote about Chinatown being in the shape of a dragon is from Shirley Fitzgerald Red Tape Gold Scissors. Some of the Dixon House backstory I learnt on tour of Chinatown conducted by King Fong, thanks to Philip E for inviting me. The train emerges from the tunnel towards Circular Quay station and the darkness outside the windows is replaced by a long, thin panorama, a horizontal slice of sky and water bracketed by the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It’s a living postcard, animated by the ferries and the clouds, watched by those waiting on the platform. People lean against the glass barriers to take photos of the harbour, or just gaze out, watching the ever-moving scene in front of them. I join the throng clogging the top of the steps that lead down to the concourse. I hang back, not in a hurry, and wait until I’m the last to descend. As I walk down, I look above the stairs to where, set high up into the wall, there are ornamental grilles decorated by bronze fish. They have a stranded look to them, a little bit dusty, but with their rainbow sheen still visible. I always look for them, one of the few decorative features of this station which, since its opening in 1956, has been relentlessly condemned as ugly, interrupting the view of the harbour from the city, and the city from the harbour. The construction of the station and the Cahill Expressway above it was a drawn out and unpopular process. Things came to a head at the 1958 opening of the Cahill Expressway, when despite the premier’s announcement that this was “a striking symbol of Sydney’s growth and maturity”, things did not go as planned. If Circular Quay station is maligned, the Cahill Expressway is even more so. The railway line and the road above it forms a thick line that cuts across the view, as if it’s a low, wide belt keeping the city in check. There has often been talk of the expressway’s demolition: in 1994 Prime Minister Paul Keating even offered the NSW state government the funds to remove it. Yet it remains, visually intrusive, loved by no one, but not entirely without charm. A side-effect of maligned places is that people avoid them, which can, sometimes, twist their atmosphere into something unusual and interesting. The Cahill Walk is a good example of this. To get to it I move quickly along the Circular Quay promenade, past people munching through pancakes at City Extra and passengers coming off the Manly ferry. Details flash up: a man wearing a t-shirt that says “winter is not coming”; the round bronze discs set into the pavement that commemorate famous writers. I step over A.D. Hope, Barry Humphries, and Kenneth Slessor, until I’m at a grove of palm trees hemmed in by concrete, that surround a glass elevator clamped to the side of the railway line and road above. I press the elevator call button and soon the doors open in front of me, puffing out a cold, air-conditioned breath in welcome. I step inside, the doors seal me in, and the noise of the quay recedes. I’m inside a bubble, ascending, above the tops of the palm trees now, the view of the Harbour Bridge coming clear the higher up the lift rises. At the top, the doors behind me open and I turn to face the four lanes of traffic on the expressway. A long, concrete walkway extends beside it like a grey ribbon. Never, in all the times I’ve been up here, has there been many other people here. It’s one day of popularity is New Year’s Eve: a ballot operates for tickets to watch the fireworks from here. At other times, you might very well have it to yourself. This morning there’s almost no one else but me, apart from an occasional runner jogging by. It’s only a slight change of perspective from the Quay below, but has a completely different mood. If it weren’t for the incessant traffic, and the way the path trembles underfoot when heavy vehicles go by, it would be a tranquil, pleasurable place to be, rather than the exposed and sometimes slightly eerie experience it is to walk here. The traffic speeds by, having just come off the Harbour Bridge. I watch the intent expressions of people behind the wheels of their cars, notice a man on his motorbike singing as he rides along, and feel the path shudder when a demolition truck goes by, the word CHOMP in orange across the front. On the other side is Warrane, the bay dominated by a gargantuan cruise ship with a steaming funnel like a kettle just come off the boil. The poisonous smell of the diesel fuel drifts across. On the front of the cruise ship is a man in overalls, tethered to a railing above, holding a paint roller on a stick, repainting the ship’s nose. The expanse of fresh white paint follows him as he moves slowly along. Walking up here, alongside the expressway, is to have a feeling of floating mid-air, looking into the thicket of city buildings to one side and the harbour’s expanse on the other. Below where I am on the Cahill Walk, the crowds of Circular Quay mill and disperse. Up here I’m alone, with traffic and jackhammering and construction noise filling the air as I look towards the building sites on the city’s edge. Behind them are dozens of office buildings, thousands of windows, each framing a view of the harbour. Anyone looking out of them at this moment would be moving their eyes over the same scene as me, watching the harbour, the ferries, the shifting clouds, that familiar scene, slowly changing. Thank you dear readers for following Mirror Sydney in 2018, a busy year for me, with the book out in the world. It was a delight to meet some of you when I had launches and talks, and I look forward to more in 2019. At the edge of Chinatown is the Sydney Trades Hall, a Victorian-era office building, four storeys high, with an octagonal tower jutting from the corner like a lantern. When it opened in 1895, this area was near the wharves, railyards, and industrial areas on the city’s fringe, areas that employed many of the workers who belonged to the trade unions who had offices inside the building. On the main staircase there’s a list of the union offices that once were found within Trades Hall. It’s an index of the city’s past occupations, among them bread carters, sailmakers, glass bottle makers, food preservers, Pyrmont Sugar Workers, milk and ice carters. The building would have been a lively place, with all of these offices, a literary institute library, and nightly social activities, concerts and dances and meetings. Now the building is part-offices, part-museum, after being refurbished in the 2000s. I’ve come on a tour as part of Sydney Open, the annual weekend on which buildings of historical and architectural interest are open to the public. On the ground floor I walk in past an old, wooden elevator with a banner for the Lift Attendant union displayed inside it. There are other such banners hanging in the nearby hallway, for cleaners and for watchmen, and a framed painted list of offices, with a delicate painted hand pointing upstairs. The building houses objects related to its history: the signs that once hung in the hallways, the banners that unions used in marches and processions, and the certificates and banners used by the unions to signify or reward membership. The large painted banners are ornate and symbolic, decorated with gold leaf. Their painter was Edgar Whitbread, who worked for decades, well into his 70s, at a small studio in the glass-domed Victoria Arcade. His name can be seen printed modestly at the base of these banners, which were once used in the processions and demonstrations that would bring thousands of people onto the city’s streets. Their detail and meticulous craftsmanship are surprising to the contemporary eye, and we can imagine them held aloft, as the workers they represented marched with them. It was in the 1960s, the heritage officer leading the tour tells us, when the building was under threat of demolition, that thought was given to whether the banners should be preserved. That they were owes much to the Trades Hall secretary, Lorna Morrison, who advocated for their restoration. The banner had been stored in a part of the building that was at the time opened up as a walkway between the original building and the new Labour Council building behind it, a grey office block with painted advertisements for the on-site broadcaster, 2KY radio, on it. Other objects on display, he said, were found piled up in the basement during the refurbishment in the 2000s. These objects now tell the story of the building, but also of the world of work, and how Sydney’s workers have shaped the city. In 1950, the Smith’s Weekly newspaper published a series of profiles of city workers titled ‘Men in Odd Jobs’. The first article appeared in July, profiling Mr J.A. Sinclair, who spent his days testing lawn bowls for accuracy. Next readers met a skeleton articulator at the Australian Museum. Then a man who drills holes in buttons: Mr Ern Sheather who confides that “drilling holes in buttons is soothing to the nerves”. In September, under the headline He Frightens Spiders, was the story of an instrument maker who places spider webs in the theodolites used by surveyors for measuring angles. One day two men were standing outside the Commonwealth Bank in Pitt Street, when one of them dropped his keys down an open grate. He was in a terrible state, and began to wonder how he would carry on his work. His friend said it would be possible to get police to remove the grate. Just as they began to panic, my mate poked the keys back through the grate with two fingers. The men stopped talking and gaped at the fingers with the keys dangling. They couldn’t see us below, but we could see them in the daylight. One man said: ‘Look, a human hand and alive.’ The other snatched the keys with out saying a word and went for his life. I can imagine this was a story Mr Stanley told often, relishing the description of the fingers poking up through the manhole, working up to the delivery of the “Look, it’s a human hand and alive!” punchline. There are fourteen “odd jobs” stories in all. Of these, four relate to postal and telephone services. In addition to the Inside-Out-Bag Turner, the man who maintains the machine that produces the dial-tone, the franking-stamp changer, and the man who opens the door of the vault in the Bank of NSW, is the one woman featured in the series, Miss Mary Sprague. Miss Sprague had the unusual job of reading the time live at the Sydney GPO, which housed the city’s central telephone switchboard. Before the installation of a mechanical ‘speaking clock’ in 1954, the job was done by a group of women who took turns in sitting in front of a clock, reciting the time into a microphone. Miss Mary Sprague explained how the intensity of the task made it difficult to read for more than 20 minutes at a time. I’d never thought that such a job as time-reading would have been done live, but in the days before digital timekeeping it could be difficult to maintain accurate time on mechanical clocks and watches. When people wanted to check if their watch was correct, they called the service, dialling BO74. Up to 20,000 people would call daily and it was particularly busy around 5pm, as people hoped their watches were running slowly, and the time to leave work had already come. The article on Mary Sprague was the first of the “odd jobs” series I read. I found it while researching an essay I’ve written for Time and Memory, a new book published by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. A few months after I read the article about Mary Sprague in Smiths Weekly, I was doing a reading at the Paragon Cafe in Katoomba. I mentioned the essay I was writing to Robyn, the cafe owner. Speak to Joyce I did indeed, and you can read my interview with her at Reading the Time with Joyce Thomson, on the museum’s blog. When I spoke to Joyce, who is now in her 80s, she described how it had felt to move to the city, from Katoomba, as a young woman in the late 1940s. The scale of life opened up for her and there were possibilities all around. By reading the time at the GPO she joined the ranks of those in the city doing an unusual job. Now, like most of the jobs that Smiths Weekly reported on in 1950, this job has slipped from public knowledge, long-since having been technologically superseded. But just enough of a trace of it exists, for it to be remembered. The arrow points towards the underground passage, urging me to “Keep on Walking”. Ahead of me is a white-walled tunnel, its curved ceiling and unadorned walls making it more resemble one of the hallways from Star Wars than a pedestrian underpass. There are no advertisements on the walls, no graffiti, just a string of round, black ventilation grilles that look like portholes, and two stripes of fluorescent lights along the ceiling. This is one of my favourite Sydney tunnels. Its starkness is a respite from the visual clutter of the city, as if I’ve slipped into a connecting piece between the present and the past, or some other kind of Sydney. Even at peak hour it’s not a busy thoroughfare. More often that not I walk through it alone, expecting a band of Stormtroopers to come marching out from exit midway along it. But the only action is the few pedestrians heading between Museum train station and the office buildings above. The Star Wars connection is not as much of a stretch as it could be: the underpass was built in the late 1970s, around the same time as the film was in cinemas. It was part of the Hyde Park Square development of two office towers and an underground arcade and sunken plaza, all connected to Museum station by the tunnel. I reach the end of the tunnel and it widens out into a shopping arcade. On one side is one of the few remaining ceramic murals by Vladimir Tichy. It is a long wall of textured, bark-like tiles, with sets of vertical bars made from glazed, white bricks, which look like spears of bamboo, or stalactites on the roof of a cave. On one panel is the marker’s mark, carved in relief into the clay: Designed by V. Tichy, 1977. Tichy is a ceramic sculptor who came to Australia in 1968 from what was then Czechoslavakia. He set up a studio in Parramatta, from where he produced many large-scale ceramic murals for public and office buildings, RSLs, and civic centres. There were once many Tichy murals in the city, but now the only other ones are in the lobby of Macleay College on Foveux Street, and at the entrance to Newton’s Pharmacy on York Street. The rest have been destroyed as 70s buildings are renovated or demolished. Beyond the mural is the square itself, a sunken plaza between the two buildings. Designed for office workers’ lunches it had clusters of chairs and tables and a big, curved concrete bench you could either side on the inside or outside of. Now most of the square is taken up by a childcare centre, with soft artificial grass and a sandpit. A new sixty-five metre tunnel under Elizabeth Street was opened in 1978 to take pedestrians from the complex to Museum Station. The new tunnel was given a modern-art atmosphere with wide bands of colour. The smooth lining of the tunnel was made of a specially toughened material and was said to be vandal proof. At first, the white paint seemed to cover the wall panels so well that there was no hint of what colour it must have been before. The white paint extended tightly into the cracks, from floor to ceiling. I stood up close to it, scrutinising its surface, looking for the tiniest flake or chip to reveal the layer behind it. The surface was slightly rough, but uniformly off-white: it gave nothing away. I stepped back and looked around the tunnel, towards the side exit. Here a metal arrow on a pillar gestured obscurely to the right, devoid of any other guiding information. I looked back to the white walls of the tunnel and saw something I had not yet noticed. Just visible was a slight change in texture, in the shape of a diagonal line. I followed it with my eyes. Near the curve of the ceiling another line intersected it at right angles. Then another line intersected that. I walked slowly along the tunnel, my eyes on the lines, and they came into life, diagonal stripes and squares. All of a sudden I notice a line of scraped marks at the bottom of one of the panels, which revealed slivers of bright green underneath the white coating. The next panel was scraped too, revealing yellow. As I stood in the white tunnel it flooded into colour in my mind’s eye. Diagonal bands of green and yellow came into bloom. I felt a transformation come over me, too, as if I could, in that moment, see through time. Opening my notebook, I quickly sketched out the lines and shapes. To emerge from the tunnel that leads out of Wynyard Station onto George Street is to enter a sonic mess of construction noise. There are bursts of deep, jarring reverberations and the sounds of metal against concrete, as the demolition of the buildings above the station continues. As the buildings – the Menzies Hotel, and the 1960s office block Thakral House – have been demolished, the walls of the adjacent buildings have come to light for the first time in 50 years. As Thakral House came down, sunrays appeared at the top of the side wall of the building on the north side, Beneficial House. Then a creature, a dog with a bushy tail, inside a red shield. And then, underneath it, the word PEAPES. At first the hoardings were too high to see much of the sign from street level, but as the demolition continued, the full breadth of the Peapes sign was revealed. Peapes was a men’s clothing and tailoring department store, which operated out of Beneficial House from when the building was erected in 1923, until the close of the business in February 1971. Its advertising emphasised the “lofty and spacious departments, where a leisurely peace reigns”. The showrooms were fitted out in polished maple, with Doric columns supporting the ceiling and a circular light well at the centre. It was an elegant place, in-keeping with the quality of Peapes’ goods, which were stressed to be of the highest degree. Peapes’ slogan was “for men AND their sons” (the AND was in upper case, to stress the importance of intergeneration consistency in men’s style) and it was the place to shop if you needed any kind of gentleman’s outfit, from necessities to luxuries: jackets, shirts, hats, shoes, “an unusually smart shirt with tie”, “a distinctive overcoat”, “superior flannel trousers”. Clothes could be bought off the rack or made to measure. Peapes sales representatives also travelled to country towns across Australia to conduct fittings, booking out rooms in hotels, advertising in local papers, for men to come and have their measurements taken for suits. The store had two tradmarks. The first was the Warrigal – a dingo, Warrigal being the Dharug word for dingo – the one pictured at the top of the wall sign. The second was diarist Samuel Pepys, an ancestor of one the firm’s founders, George Peapes. On the third floor of the department store was the Pepys Room, a common room of sorts, “a room of restful atmosphere…for reading, writing, smoking, or keeping appointments”. The bewigged Samuel Pepys also appeared on the labels of their garments. Peapes had been operating on George Street since 1866. In 1912, the wealthy businessman W.J. Miles became one of the directors. These days his name may not be a familiar one, but his daughter, Bea, was one of mid-twentieth century Sydney’s most well known characters. Her distinctive figure, in long coat and tennis hat, was a common sight in the city and suburbs, seen climbing in and out of the taxis for which she never paid the fare, or quoting Shakespeare on demand for a fee of sixpence. The royal blue of the Peapes sign is a bright window into a past Sydney. Thousands of people walk past it daily, and for those who look up and notice it, the texture of the changing city is revealed, its layers and traces. Soon the demolition will be complete. A new building will be constructed, covering over the Peapes name, the sunburst, and the Warrigal dog. But, for this brief moment, it is back in the light. With thanks to David Lever for Peapes memories and investigations. Approaching the Sirius building I can see the group I am to join already assembled outside, waiting for the tour. They gather in the forecourt, a brick-paved area with circular garden beds, in which grow banksia trees and jade plants, and a hibiscus flowering with pink blooms. Among the people waiting there moves a tall man wearing a purple shirt. He is handing out flyers, talking with verve as he does so. This is Tao Gofers, the architect who, in 1976, designed the Sirius building, and has been working with the Save Our Sirius group to protect the building from demolition. The Sirius is one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings, instantly recognisable due to its striking modular design and its prominent position beside the Harbour Bridge. Its stepped shape of concrete blocks and roof gardens with purple funnels rise up alongside the Bridge. It seems almost close enough to be able to reach out from the Harbour Bridge walkway to touch them. At least this is what I imagined as a child, as I, like generations of Sydney residents, wondered what it would be like to live there and explore on the rooftop gardens, looking out over the city. The Sirius is a building that gives much to the imagination. It’s a people’s building, both because it was designed as social housing and operated successfully as such for four decades, and because it has such a strong physical presence in the cityscape. It’s a building that’s embedded in the city’s collective consciousness, as important and as controversial as it was when it opened in the late 1970s. Illustration of the Sirius from 1970s Housing Commission brochure, image courtesy of Tao Gofers. We are taken back to 1976 as Tao Gofers describes the process of designing the Sirius. At that time there had already been demolition of social housing properties and relocation of residents in the area. A condition of lifting the green ban that had been imposed on area by the Builders Labourers Federation was that that there be provisions for the working class community who had been living in the area for generations to remain in The Rocks. Until the Ban was lifted, the government could make no changes to their existing properties in The Rocks, and they were eager for the stalemate to be resolved. The Sirius was the key factor in the lifting of the green ban. It all happened quickly: there was only 10 days between Gofers first hearing of the project to his presentation to the stakeholders. He describes the scene, the government officials in double-breasted suits, and the Rocks residents “like us”, people in their everyday clothes, who had gathered to see his proposals. He first showed a design for a small development of 14 terrace houses, which was unacceptable to the government. Next he showed a proposal for a 20 storey building with 8 apartments per floor, which was unacceptable to the residents. A third proposal, for a standard tower block of 80 units was also rejected for being aesthetically displeasing. Then Gofers presented the proposal for the Sirius. The design was presented as a compromise between two extremes, but it was the one that Gofers believed in, and the one that came to be built. Tao Gofers describes the Sirius building planning process. Sirius was based on The Laurels, an earlier apartment development Gofers had designed in Sans Souci. The model for The Laurels had been made with Revlon eyeshadow boxes, which had the right kind of dimensions for the windows that filled the ends of each concrete module. The Sirius was an expanded version of this design, which combined 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom apartments, as well as apartments specifically designed for the elderly and people with disabilities. We walk around the building, looking up at the apartments as Tao describes how of the 79 units, 74 have access to a balcony, terrace or roof garden. “If you have just little boxes,” he says “people aren’t going to be happy.” His designs were made with people’s emotional bond to their homes in mind. These were not purely functional spaces, although their simple design made them adaptable to the multi-level site. It included numerous communal areas, including the Heritage Room on the 8th floor, designed as a common area for older residents, and the Phillip Room on the ground floor, with red patterned carpet, wood-panelled walls, and dramatic beams of raw concrete. The wooden figures that decorate the walls of the Phillip Room. We cannot even glimpse into the Phillip Room now. The windows are completely blocked off with black plastic, for no other reason but to prevent us looking inside. All we can see is our own reflections moving by. The group is big, around a hundred people. We stand at the back of the building, staring up at the apartment balconies where succulents grow wild and unpruned from the planter boxes. Almost every one of these apartment is empty. The government has been moving residents out since 2014, with the intent to sell the building and have it demolished. Despite the recommendations of its own Heritage Council, heritage listing was refused, and it is this decision Save Our Sirius campaign is working to fight. Accompanied by security guards, we crowd into the foyer, and then go in small groups in the lift up to level 10 for a look inside Myra’s apartment. Myra, who is 90 years old and has lived in this neighbourhood for almost 60 years, has become the face of the Sirius building. Myra is blind, and has no wish to move away from the familiar apartment and area she has been a part of for so long. This morning she is at the front of the building, sitting in the forecourt with a drawing group assembled around her, sketching her on their notepads. Upstairs, groups of people stand in her living room, looking around. It is the homely environment of an elderly person, with its teaspoon collection hanging on the wall, framed photos and knicknacks arranged on the shelves, and a horseshoe hung up in the hallway as a luck charm. The windows fill the entire of the eastern wall and through them is a view across the harbour. The SOS lights (for Save Our Sirius) in Myra’s bedroom window. This, Tao says a number of times during the tour, is a sticking point – the idea of people who are not privileged, not wealthy, living with this harbour view. Standing in Myra’s living room, looking out at the clouds moving across the sky and their reflection in the steel-grey water, it is indeed beautiful. No one could deny it, and anyone living with such a scene as part of their daily lives is lucky. But luck and beauty should not be the exclusive province of the wealthy. A city where money and privilege dominates pales even the most glorious view. From its inception the Sirius has been symbolic of the city and the harbour being available to all, and it is even more so now as the majority of its apartments lie empty, and the fight to save it continues. Follow the Save Our Sirius campaign here with links to details of future tours and campaign events.
2019-04-20T04:46:56Z
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