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warc	201713	"It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it." ~Lena Horne This quote was one of my favorite parts of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. As soon as I saw it appear on screen it resonated deeply with me. The wisdom in that one sentence is remarkable. The great truth of it is, in life we are all faced with challenges and hardships. It isn’t perfect, and not every occurrence is easy to wrap your head around, but with each experience you have the incredible choice of how to carry it. It is common knowledge that if you lift a heavy load improperly, without bending your legs, squatting down, and keeping your back as straight as possible you run a much greater risk for injuring yourself. Some injuries can cause damage that last a lifetime. Similarities can be made with carrying an emotional load. Instead of trying to control every situation that we simply cannot, we instead accept that part of living means we will have struggles, we will tumble, and at times have to face intense pain, but we can go on. We can grow, breathe through, and thrive. You can let the loads that are a part of living the gift of life weigh you down, and injure you for a lifetime, or you can face them head on. Stand close to the load you must carry. Center yourself, and become stronger in the process. Approach the loads in life with love and peace in your heart and an open mind. Accept what you can’t change and know that you ALWAYS have the choice of how to carry them, and whether they will make you stronger or break you down. "To be fully human is… to know that it’s possible to face the unimaginable and somehow put one foot in front of the other." ~Oprah
warc	201713	New Zealand households are now borrowing more relative to their disposable incomes than they did before the global financial crisis when a red-hot housing market was encouraging consumers to tack a little onto the mortgage to pay for big ticket purchases. Kiwi household debt is now a record 167 per cent as a proportion of disposable income, and New Zealand Institute of Economic Research senior economist Christina Leung says that's a key risk to the economy. Reserve Bank data show total household borrowings were up 8.7 per cent to $248.16 billion in January from a year earlier. The bulk of that was in housing, which was up 9 per cent at $232.07b. However, a 4.6 per cent increase in consumer credit to $16.1b continued a trend of accelerating growth. "With consumers feeling more confident about discretionary spending we're seeing a pick-up in consumer credit growth," Leung said. "There are two key risks from these growing debt levels in terms of serviceability: interest rates are likely to be on the way up, and the potential for a downturn in the labour market meaning reduced incomes for households." The Reserve Bank is watching local consumer spending closely after being surprised by an acceleration in consumption through the second half of last year. Record levels of net inbound migration and tourism have been bolstering the country's retail sector, while at the same time jobs have been plentiful enough to meet the demands of an expanding population, with high participation rates and unemployment by global standards. RBNZ governor Graeme Wheeler today reiterated his fears about the local housing market, which has faced an imbalance between supply and demand, pushing up prices at a time when tepid inflation called for record low interest rates. While he noted there's been some moderation in house price inflation in recent months, those imbalances and the debt servicing costs will "likely be important influences on household spending and the level of aggregate demand in the economy". Wheeler reaffirmed the central bank's view that the official cash rate was unlikely to move from the 1.75 per cent level it's currently at until mid-2019, although NZIER's Leung expects the RBNZ will move next year as inflation returns to the 2 per cent mid-point of the bank's target band. Lenders are already raising mortgage rates as credit growth outstrips their ability to fund it through term deposits, forcing them to raise money from more expensive international wholesale markets. "We do expect these trends to continue and for further lifts in mortgage rates over the coming years," Leung said. Still, the RBNZ will "wait and see and remain on hold until the middle of next year" to ensure consumer prices start rising before moving the OCR. Once interest rates do start rising, Leung said the "highly indebted household sector is a key risk to watch out for in terms of how this increasing debt will be serviced".
warc	201713	A civil suit filed earlier this month here in Portland is an excellent illustration of Oregon dram shop law and the ways it seeks to protect the public at large and accident victims in particular. According to The Oregonian, the husband of a woman who died in a Portland drunk driving accident last February is suing not only the alleged drunk driver but also two bars which, he claims, served the driver “while he was visibly intoxicated.” The newspaper goes on to add that “the complaint accuses the bars of negligence for allowing him to drive, failing to determine whether he planned to drive and failing to alert authorities.” This is practically the definition of a claim under the Oregon dram shop law – a statute that says a bar or alcohol retailer can be held legally responsibly for the damage done by a patron who clearly should not have been served in the first place. This case is particularly tragic since it resulted in death. According to the newspaper, 32-year-old Tessa Conradi died when the defendant “crashed into her Kia Sportage near the intersection of Northeast Cully Boulevard and Northeast Portland Highway.” The suspect left the scene of the accident but was apprehended by police shortly thereafter. The driver, Jesse Lee Ream, “pleaded guilty last month to first degree manslaughter in the fatal crash. He also entered no contest pleas to drunken driving, failure to perform duties of a driver and other charges in connection with the crash,” The Oregonian reports. The decision by Conradi’s widower to pursue an Oregon dram shop case against the two bars Ream allegedly visited in the hours immediately prior to the accident is a reminder that justice does not stop with – and is not necessarily fully served by – the criminal court system. Legal and moral accountability extends beyond the drunk man behind the wheel. A Portland drunk driving victim’s lawyer with expertise in dram shop cases can assist victims and their families in making sense of the court system and obtaining the justice they need and deserve.
warc	201713	Seetal Jheeta Seetal Jheeta is a research pharmacist at The Centre for Medication Safety and Service Quality, Pharmacy Department, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom & UCL School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom. Recent stories Impact of electronic prescribing on patient safety in hospitals: implications for the UKSubscription NHS hospitals in England are expected to be paperless by 2020, as set out in a comprehensive framework published by the National Information Board. The use of hospital electronic prescribing (EP) systems is therefore likely to increase rapidly in the near future. The aim of this review is to summarise the available evidence of the impact of inpatient EP on patient safety, with a focus on implications for the UK. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify systematic and narrative reviews pu
warc	201713	Political violence takes its toll on an individual?s mental and emotional well-being. A study of Latino immigrants living in Los Angeles found that those who experienced political violence in their home countries were 2 to 4 times more apt to suffer from physical or mental health problems, compared with other immigrants. These findings were published in the August 6, 2003, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers randomly selected 638 adult Latino immigrants from 3 different primary care clinics in Los Angeles. The study participants were interviewed to evaluate the types of political violence they had suffered in the past and the current state of their physical and mental health. Of the 638 participants, 54% said that they had had exposure to political violence, and 8% said that they had been victims of torture. The researchers also learned that 15% had witnessed violence against a family member; 27% reported having had a family member disappear; 26% had witnessed mass violence; and 32% said that bombs or attacks with heavy weapons had endangered their lives. As for their mental state, the researchers found that 36% of the participants who had lived through political violence suffered from depression, compared with 20% who had not. Eighteen percent of political violence survivors had symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, compared with 8% of those who had not experienced such violence, said the study authors.
warc	201713	Tensions are heating up between the Kremlin and the Obama administration, which imposed new sanctions on Russia on Thursday in response to Russia’s alleged and unprecedented interference in the U.S. presidential election, mistreatment of U.S. diplomats and cybertheft. Yet despite Russia’s deliberate cyber-assault on our democracy, on U.S. sovereign domestic affairs, it’s likely only a matter of weeks before the standoff gives way to another attempt at a “reset.” On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he wouldn’t expel U.S. diplomats from Russia in retaliation, saying that he’d wait to take his cues “from the policy pursued by the administration of D. Trump.” And the cues from President-elect Donald Trump are looking good. He has repeatedly declared admiration for Putin. Last week, after receiving a letter from Putin about the need for both countries to beef up their nuclear weapons programs, Trump announced that it was "A very nice letter. … His thoughts are so correct.” Trump’s advisers have close and continuing contact with Russian oligarchs and Putin associates; and he and his team have expressed opinions about NATO, Ukraine and Syria that appear aligned with the Kremlin’s perspective. As far as the recent election hacking, Trump has thoroughly rejected the fact of Russia’s actions, although after he said Thursday, “It’s time for our country to move on to bigger and better things,” he said he’d get intelligence briefings on the situation again. Story Continued Below Giving Putin the reset he wants would be a big mistake. U.S. interests and the international system that has protected and enriched America for decades are fundamentally at odds with what the Kremlin would expect from a full reset: the chance to rewrite the rules of international order in a way that would let Russia change borders through military force, violate the Geneva conventions and murder political opponents with impunity both in and outside Russia. Ceding these rights to Russia in return for a few small gains will be damaging and dangerous. Just as worrisome is the fact that such a reset with Russia will likely be short-lived. Given Russian economic realities and its 2018 presidential election, I expect any thaw to last only about a year, when Putin will turn up the anti-American volume to previous levels, and defy Washington on one issue or another. At that point, if Trump lives up to his pro-Russia rhetoric, he will have given Putin much of what he wants—largely gains in geopolitical influence which will be slow to reverse; while America’s reset benefits, mostly less permanent economic and diplomatic gains, will be easy for Moscow to unravel. America will be left standing amidst the rubble of the post World War II world order, while Putin can retreat happy with the damage he has caused. * Trump won’t be the first president to attempt to find common ground with Moscow. Every commander-in-chief since the fall of the Berlin Wall has started his tenure with a fresh, positive approach to America’s former nemesis. Bill Clinton made a point to woo Boris Yeltsin . After that, George W. Bush looked into Putin’s eyes and was reassured (because he saw a soul there). Most recently there was President Barack Obama’s 2009 “reset”—the first one to claim the name officially. There’s a reason none of these numerous fresh starts has lasted very long: The ideal Kremlin reset has typically entailed concessions that the U.S. was unprepared to give. This has been especially true in the past decade. Ever since Putin’s Munich Security Conference speech in 2007, Moscow has railed against a U.S.-led international order, insisting that Russia be recognized as a major power, on par with the United States and with a sphere of influence in the Soviet Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Kremlin expects Washington to cede them this 19th century prerogative and to stay out of domestic affairs (especially when it comes to human rights) in Russia and also in countries like Ukraine, which Russia claims for its sphere. Given these demands, Obama and the Kremlin would never see eye to eye. In 2008, then-President Dimitri Medvedev proposed a European Security Treaty, which would have given Russia a greater say in European affairs, but also would have competed with or eliminated the need for NATO, something firmly rejected by the White House. Moreover, while Obama recognized Russia’s superpower legacy through the negotiation of the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty, he later dismissed Russia as “a regional power,” and stood by those fighting for freedom in Ukraine and Syria, at least to the extent necessary to prevent outright Russian victory. Putin blamed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the 2011 demonstrations against him after his re-election and parliamentary elections which were widely regarded as rigged for Putin allies, claiming her criticism of the elections gave a “signal” to his opposition to head for the streets. And he blamed Obama for the Magnitsky Act, passed by Congress in 2012 to punish Russians accused of murdering Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and for other human rights violations. Putin retaliated in 2012 by expelling the U.S. Agency for International Development from Russia, halting some bilateral non-proliferation cooperation, banning Russian adoptions by foreigners and clamping down on Russian non-governmental organizations receiving U.S. and other foreign funding. The “reset” wasn’t a complete failure. Obama achieved some key objectives: the New START treaty; a much-needed alternative transit route for troops and equipment to Afghanistan through Russia; a signed agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation; Russia’s abstention in the Security Council on the vote to bomb Libya in 2011; and Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization. But there were sticking points, too. Russia still refused to share intelligence on counter terrorism One might expect a Trump reset to be deeper and more lasting. After all, the president- elect seems prepared to deliver far more to Russia than Obama did. He has questioned the relevance of NATO and dismissed Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and ongoing operations in Eastern Ukraine. (His advisers removed language from the Republican platform at the convention calling for lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine.) He has also trumpeted his interest in cooperating with Russia in Syria to fight against terrorists, while ignoring Russia’s atrocities in that country. In fact, spreading democracy and protecting human rights doesn’t appear to be a priority at all for Trump, who has also dismissed Putin’s brutal domestic tactics, including murder, torture, unlawful detention and seizure of business assets aimed at journalists and opponents of his government. That’s a good start for the Kremlin, but Putin wants even more than that from Trump. His number one objective—and the most achievable—is probably an end to all sanctions. The The United States would be also expected to halt the new military deployments to the eastern portions of NATO territory, and to end NATO expansion entirely. This would ensure Russia a military buffer zone—but also reduce the threat posed to the Kremlin by the positive allure of democracy and free market capitalism, especially in Ukraine, which the Kremlin considers an extension of Russia. Russia would also expect Washington to withdraw its military and political support for Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and all of the former Soviet republics (except the NATO-member Baltics), leaving those countries at the mercy of Russian pressure, subversion and aggression. Finally, Moscow would expect a free hand in Syria and an acceptance of Bashar al Assad as the country’s leader into the foreseeable future. Trump appears prepared, at a minimum, to consider giving all this to Putin. In return, Trump will likely demand that Russia use its airpower and other military assets to fight ISIS and other terrorists in Syria, as defined by his administration. He may also seek Russia’s acquiescence and assistance in renegotiating the nuclear agreement with Iran. If so, in exchange Moscow will likely The professionals in the Trump administration may also demand, as part of any deal with Putin, a serious dialogue with the Russian government about its reliance on nuclear weapons and its escalation doctrine, which calls for risky action to scare or dissuade adversaries from a fight. U.S. officials could, and should, insist on frank conversation about strategic stability—the military balance between the United States and Russia— and the latter’s fears of military encirclement and defeat. And Trump should demand Russia come back into compliance with the Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty, ditch first use of tactical nuclear weapons and the escalation doctrine. This could result in greater understanding and reduced risk of miscalculation. Finally, the Trump administration would expect the Kremlin to cease using the United States as a public scapegoat for Russian economic and political problems and of course to halt cyberespionage and operations against the United States. Moscow would have to tone down official anti-Americanism, and end its current deplorable treatment of U.S. diplomats and officials in Russia, given President-elect Trump’s demonstrated sensitivity to criticism and deliberate public slights. Trump’s gains under this robust reset deal won’t, however, compensate for the giant harm it would cause. If Putin gets everything he wants—including a free hand in Ukraine—the United States and the world would be in a far more dangerous situation. From the U.S. perspective, security, trade and political relationships with its closest allies would suffer a massive crisis of confidence and erosion of trust, which could lead to misunderstandings and miscalculations among them and with Russia—and in the worst case, to military clashes. A large scale war could also break out between Russia and its non-NATO neighbors, like Ukraine, whose governments and people will resist these new reset terms, adding to existing refugee flows and economic instability in Europe. In cases like these, damage occurs quickly, but recovery—rebuilding trust and institutions—is difficult and slow work. At the same time, Russia’s gains—lifting of sanctions, freedom of action on its geographic periphery, the deciding vote on Syria’s future, maybe even changes to U.S. missile defense—would all provide quick benefits to the Kremlin, the effects of which would take some time to reverse. Put simply, it’s a bad deal. Whatever perks the U.S. stands to get from a full reset with Russia, they will never be worth the price: Almost certain erosion or collapse of the international order in Europe that has served U.S. interests and values for decades, and the abandonment of our adherence to democracy, sovereignty and human rights. * It’s only a matter of time before a Trump reset is put to the test. With oil prices down and sanctions ramped up, since 2012 Putin has failed to prevent a decline in the economic standard of living for ordinary Russians, and pointing to the economic gains during his first turn as president in the early 2000s hasn’t been enough to keep him in popular. Instead, Putin has held on to power by preaching Russian neo-imperialism coupled with patriotic anti-Americanism. Unless Russia’s economic situation improves dramatically due to higher oil prices or as a result of new energy deals after sanctions are lifted—which is not likely—Putin will need to use America as a scapegoat for Russia’s growing economic problems before long. Especially approaching Russia’s presidential elections in 2018, Putin will be tempted, perhaps forced, to adopt an anti-American stance to bolster his popularity. And then there’s the issue of Trump’s sensitivity to criticism: Putin will be mindful that any misstep by his government, any move that makes the U.S. president look foolish or like a “loser” could bring reset crashing down. For these reasons Moscow will push for fast implementation of its reset, or “deal” with Trump. Putin will want to demonstrate to his public that Russia is winning on the international stage, but he will be aware that very soon he may want or need to pivot away from America. And when the reset does come to an end, it will have been well worth it for Putin. He will have gained international stature from his friendly relationship with Trump and will have pocketed influence gains in Eastern Europe. For Trump, the robust reset described above will have been a loser. The foundations of European security since 1945—trust built through institutions and mutual commitments—will be left shaken. The United States’ only operational alliance—NATO—will be left weak or dismantled. It’s a potentially disastrous situation; but a warming of relations with Russia need not end this way. There is an alternative to the robust reset on Putin’s terms—something that could provide the United States with some gains, without consequential losses. This alternative would be a transactional (and hopefully more lasting) Trump reset that addresses a few of Putin’s key concerns without risking U.S. interests. The Kremlin’s primary objective is to keep Putin in power. If Putin is to be prevented from switching in advance of the 2018 Russian elections to the anti-American, neo-imperialist message, he needs to offer the Russian people economic hope, if not results. To pave the way, Trump could offer lucrative business deals, including those Arctic energy agreements Exxon has been forced by U.S. sanctions to put on ice. And he could agree to lift sanctions if Moscow removes some or all of its troops from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Admittedly, this is a deal the Kremlin will not want to make at the outset. Trump could sweeten the deal by offering some tweaking of missile defense—for example, resurrecting Robert Gates/Leon Panetta-era proposals for joint NATO-Russia information (not operations) centers to increase transparency and reassure Russia about the targets of missile defense. Washington could also propose other military confidence-building measures, such as limits on a future U.S. “prompt global strike” precision-guided conventional missile system, designed to deliver a weapon anywhere in the world within one hour. The transactional Trump reset will certainly require U.S. concessions. For example, it would require the U.S. to keep some distance from democracy in Russia—a sad side effect. But it would also require a big shift in Kremlin policy away from the neo-imperial vision of the “Russian world” and “the near-abroad” of buffer states. A deal of this nature, if it is possible, might be the best outcome in a world where, as Trump’s Rolling Stones campaign theme song reminds us, “you can’t always get what you want.” A full reset will require American interests and values to fundamentally align with Russian interests and values—something impossible with the current crop of KGB-trained officials controlling the government. In the meantime, though, just maybe, President Trump will get what we need.
warc	201713	All domesticated turkeys descend from wild turkeys indigenous to North and South America. They are the quintessential American poultry. For centuries people have raised turkeys for food and for the joy of having them. Many different varieties have been developed to fit different purposes. Turkeys were selected for productivity and for specific color patterns to show off the bird’s beauty. The American Poultry Association (APA) lists eight varieties of turkeys in its Standard of Perfection. Most were accepted into the Standard in the last half of the 19th century, with a few more recent additions. They are Black, Bronze, Narragansett, White Holland, Slate, Bourbon Red, Beltsville Small White, and Royal Palm. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy also recognizes other naturally mating color varieties that have not been accepted into the APA Standard, such as the Jersey Buff, White Midget, and others. All of these varieties are Heritage Turkeys. Heritage turkeys are defined by the historic, range-based production system in which they are raised. Turkeys must meet all of the following criteria to qualify as a Heritage turkey: 1. Naturally mating: the Heritage Turkey must be reproduced and genetically maintained through natural mating, with expected fertility rates of 70-80%. This means that turkeys marketed as “heritage” must be the result of naturally mating pairs of both grandparent and parent stock. 2. Long productive outdoor lifespan: the Heritage Turkey must have a long productive lifespan. Breeding hens are commonly productive for 5-7 years and breeding toms for 3-5 years. The Heritage Turkey must also have a genetic ability to withstand the environmental rigors of outdoor production systems. Beginning in the mid-1920s and extending into the 1950s turkeys were selected for larger size and greater breast width, which resulted in the development of the Broad Breasted Bronze. In the 1950s, poultry processors began to seek broad breasted turkeys with less visible pinfeathers, as the dark pinfeathers, which remained in the dressed bird, were considered unattractive. By the 1960s the Large or Broad Breasted White had been developed, and soon surpassed the Broad Breasted Bronze in the marketplace. 3. Slow growth rate: the Heritage Turkey must have a slow to moderate rate of growth. Today’s heritage turkeys reach a marketable weight in about 28 weeks, giving the birds time to develop a strong skeletal structure and healthy organs prior to building muscle mass. This growth rate is identical to that of the commercial varieties of the first half of the 20th century. Today’s commercial turkey is selected to efficiently produce meat at the lowest possible cost. It is an excellent converter of feed to breast meat, but the result of this improvement is a loss of the bird’s ability to successfully mate and produce fertile eggs without intervention. Both the Broad Breasted White and the Broad Breasted Bronze turkey require artificial insemination to produce fertile eggs. Interestingly, the turkey known as the Broad Breasted Bronze in the early 1930s through the late 1950s is nearly identical to today’s Heritage Bronze turkey – both being naturally mating, productive, long-lived, and requiring 26-28 weeks to reach market weight. This early Broad Breasted Bronze is very different from the modern turkey of the same name. The Broad Breasted turkey of today has traits that fit modern, genetically controlled, intensively managed, efficiency-driven farming. While superb at their job, modern Broad Breasted Bronze and Broad Breasted White turkeys are not Heritage Turkeys. Only naturally mating turkeys meeting all of the above criteria are Heritage Turkeys.
warc	201713	NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With Black Friday behind us, brick-and-mortar retailers are scrambling to compete with their online counterparts for every shopping dollar. Marketing teams are using every available sales tool from newspaper inserts to website and social media promotions. CIOs that really want to shine in this all-important sales season need to help their sales and marketing divisions shift to a mobile-first mindset. According to Logicalis US, an international IT solutions and managed services provider (www.us.logicalis.com), by merging customers' smart phones, location-based enterprise wi-fi software solutions and unified communications toolsets, retailers can communicate with shoppers in ways that feel natural and helpful to them, bridging the gap between the online and on-site shopping experience. And, by incorporating data analytics, CIOs can help marketers capture and synthesize the data they need to develop targeted advertisements pinpointed to an individual shopper's needs. While the retail use cases for enterprise wi-fi applications are endless, the technology is also a strong fit for other vertical markets including hospitals and even large public spaces like university campuses, stadiums, and connected cities that need to interact in a more connected, targeted and meaningful way with customers, patients and citizens alike. "Location-based enterprise wi-fi software is something CIOs of any public-facing organization should be considering to communicate more effectively with their constituents. The nice thing about top-of-the-line enterprise wi-fi solutions, particularly those like Logicalis' ITUMA solution, is that, from a wireless perspective, they are technology agnostic and can be delivered as a service capable of working seamlessly with any organization's underlying infrastructure," says Ahren Ewbank, Services Architect, Logicalis US. "With solutions like these, CIOs can help their marketers build a customized portal that captures and analyzes deep customer data while allowing the marketing team to more effectively tailor the organization's go-to-market strategy. In short, enterprise wi-fi software simplifies the often complex task of delivering meaningful mass communication to individual targets." Five Things CIOs Need to Know About Enterprise Wi-Fi Solutions Available as a Service: The great thing about software-as-a-service is the "as a service" part. There's nothing for the IT department to worry about. The CIO purchases an enterprise wi-fi software solution on a subscription basis; Logicalis hosts the software and provides Tier-1 support, while ITUMA provides the implementation and maintenance of the software. All the client has to do is manage their content, consuming the technology as a service. No Rip-And-Replace Needed: No matter what unified communications platform your business runs on, a modern enterprise wi-fi solution can sync with it. The fact that enterprise wi-fi is technology agnostic is especially good news for retailers, for example, that have a chain of stores that may have a variety of equipment installed in different locations. Device Independent: Because enterprise wi-fi solutions rely on common web standards and are managed from a single dashboard, the organization's marketing platform looks and feels consistent to the public regardless of the device the consumer, patient, student or citizen is using to receive their messages. A sophisticated enterprise wi-fi solution will recognize the user's device of choice and adjust the content's format for optimal presentation. Boon to Marketing: Reaching mobile customers with personalized messages is a tough task, something which marketers and public space managers struggle with every day. Without an enterprise wi-fi solution in place, organizations rely on Facebook, Twitter and an array of advertising vehicles to reach the public, but messages often miss the mark or arrive at the wrong time. If a grocery chain, for example, emails a customer on Sunday about an upcoming promotion, but the customer doesn't plan to shop until Thursday, the message may be long forgotten by the time the customer enters the store. If, however, the promotion is pushed to the customer's mobile phone via short message service (SMS) just as he or she enters the store's parking lot, the message becomes much more valid and timely. Delivers a Better Customer Experience: It seems like just about everyone is looking for a mobile-first strategy these days. With an enterprise wi-fi SaaS solution, organizations can seamlessly move relevant messages from bricks to clicks, delivering more targeted data to recipients. Consider the shopper who has been searching the Internet for the right pair of shoes for a special event; upon arriving at the mall, the shopper receives notification of a shoe sale inside, as well as a coupon for the very kind of shoes she needs. By initially asking the shopper to opt-in using a Facebook logon, the solution now has access to Facebook analytics that give the mall the information it needs to provide targeted, useful information to the shopper the moment she arrives on site. Imagine also a patient coming to a hospital for an outpatient radiology exam. How convenient might it be to sync the patient's appointment schedule with directions that lead the patient to the right department, sharing that information via SMS upon his or her arrival in the hospital parking lot? Use cases like these clearly show the advantages of an enterprise wi-fi solution to both the sender and receiver of information. Want to Learn More? Has your organization experienced a mobility wake-up call? This short five-minute video explores the advantages of developing a mobile-first strategy: http://ow.ly/VCt2306qSe6. Is your wireless infrastructure ready to support your organization's digital transformation? Find out what's on the horizon and what you can do to prepare: http://ow.ly/uWXj306qRz4. Organizations often have differing wired and wireless, remote access and VPN environments, all with disparate policies; are your policies up to par? Explore five clues here: http://ow.ly/uSwl306qRZL. About LogicalisLogicalis is an international multi-skilled solution provider providing digital enablement services to help customers harness digital technology and innovative services to deliver powerful business outcomes. Our customers cross industries and geographical regions; our focus is to engage in the dynamics of our customers' vertical markets including financial services, TMT (telecommunications, media and technology), education, healthcare, retail, government, manufacturing and professional services, and to apply the skills of our 4,000 employees in modernizing key digital pillars, data center and cloud services, security and network infrastructure, workspace communications and collaboration, data and information strategies, and IT operation modernization. We are the advocates for our customers for some of the world's leading technology companies including Cisco, HPE, IBM, NetApp, Microsoft, VMware and ServiceNow. The Logicalis Group has annualized revenues of over $1.5 billion from operations in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific. It is a division of Datatec Limited, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the AIM market of the LSE, with revenues of over $6.5 billion. For more information, visit www.us.logicalis.com. Business and technology working as oneTo learn more about Logicalis activities through a variety of social media outlets, click here. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/logicalis-us-offers-brick-and-mortar-retailers-post-black-friday-advice-300368176.html SOURCE Logicalis US
warc	201713	#51 out of 148 The Best Breakfast Foods #3 out of 40 The Best Foods for Energy List of the best foods for energy. Whether you’re about to run a marathon or just trying to be alert for work, it’s important to sustain your energy levels. Your overall nutrition has a lot to do with your health. If you eat a lot of bad carbohydrates, then you are more likely to feel fatigue throughout the day. However, if your diet is healthy and filled wi... #9 out of 17 The Best Mr. Sketch Marker Scents #2 out of 40 The Best Foods for IBS List of the best foods for IBS, as ranked by health care professionals. IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, is disorder that can lead to abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. While it’s never been proven that there is any specific diet that can do away with an IBS diagnosis, there are plenty of foods that can relieve the uncomfortable symp... #88 out of 278 The Very Best Snacks to Eat Between Meals, Ranked #9 out of 40 The Best Foods for Diarrhea List of the best foods for diarrhea. The cause of diarrhea is often linked to dehydration and poor diet. After a while, your body can get so dehydrated that you can get really sick. That’s why it’s so important to change up your diet if you are prone to, or currently are suffering from, diarrhea. While it’s vital to drink lots of water during the day, especi... #10 out of 40 The Best Things to Put in Oatmeal #9 out of 40 The Best Foods for Diabetes List of the best foods for diabetes, as ranked by health care professionals, Ranker users, and people with diabetes. One of the worst parts about having diabetes is having to completely change your diet. So many of the things that were once your favorite foods are now off limits, at least if you want to keep healthy. That means you have to stay away from alc... #1 out of 9 75 Calorie Munchies #1 out of 40 The Best Easy Healthy Snacks This is a list of best healthy snack options according to experts and fans, ranked from best to worst. Due to the obesity epidemic that has been overwhelming this country and its health care system, many people have become conscious about their weight and have become concerned about eating healthy. And many more people are concerned about what their kids and... #34 out of 40 The Best Foods for Nausea #18 out of 45 The Best Brain Foods List of the best brain food, as ranked by food lovers and health professionals. Becoming a more intelligent person is not just about reading books and listening in class. Diet also has a lot to do with a person’s brain power. With the right diet, a person can gain more concentration, more easily retain information, and help with memory. By adding the foods o... #18 out of 38 The Best Salad Toppings (That Are Still Healthy) #1 out of 20 The Best Foods High in Antioxidants Here is a wonderful list of foods rich in antioxidants. Foods high in antioxidants help build up your immune system. You can use this list of antioxidant rich foods to decide what antioxidants high foods to add to your diet and healthy menu. Antioxidants are also known to fight diseases like cancer and coronary artery disease. This high antioxidant food list... Iron Chef Secret Ingredients #19 out of 32 The Very Best Pop-Tart Flavors A list of all the Pop Tarts flavors to be voted on to determine the best flavor from the company. The flavors are from Pop Tarts’ unfrosted flavors, limited edition flavors, original flavors and low fat flavors. Each flavor appears once, even though some may cross over from different categories of the Pop-Tarts products. The list poses the question, “What is... #66 out of 123 Your Favorite Foods to Eat on Christmas #9 out of 41 The Best Things to Put in a Protein Shake List of the best things to put in protein shakes, as ranked by bodybuilders and protein shake enthusiasts. Protein shakes are essential for any bodybuilder or other regular exercisers. They’re a source of much needed nutrients that are essential to build your body in the healthiest way possible.Unfortunately, protein shakes also have a tendency to be tastele... #36 out of 45 The Best Foods for Building Muscle #5 out of 65 The Healthiest Superfoods The healthiest superfoods are those foods that have exceptional nutritional benefits. See how they help with this list of medical blogs. These are foods that are packed with added power. Superfoods aren't just fruits and veggies, by the way -- some types of nuts, fish and grains are also worthy of the "super" title. Incorporating the best, healthie... #5 out of 39 The Best Foods to Eat After a Workout #2 out of 14 The Best Paleo Diet Foods This list of Paleolithic diet approved foods is a look at the variety of foods available when adhering to the Paleo diet. These foods are perfect for caveman Paleolithic diet recipes and should give you an idea of what you can eat on a Paleo diet plan. Similar in ways to being a Pescatarian, the Paleo diet menu consists of meals of fish, meat, nuts, roots, v... #1 out of 40 The Best Foods for Acid Reflux #2 out of 37 The Best Snacks Under 100 Calories A great list of 100 calorie snacks you can make yourself. Snacks less than 100 calorie aren't hard to come by and you can balance your diet and lose weight with these great foods. Dieting with 100 calories snacks is the perfect way to keep up your metabolism and keep off extra weight. These foods are delicious and healthy--a hard combination to come by--and ... #6 out of 41 The Best Foods for Runners #3 out of 40 The Best Foods to Burn Fat List of the best food to burn fat, as ranked by food science professionals, Ranker users, and health care workers. Losing weight through diet isn’t as easy as it may sound. Many health foods aren’t designed to help you drop pounds. Rather these foods are known for other health benefits like lowering cholesterol or reducing the risk of hearth disease. However... #1 out of 40 The Best Foods for Digestion #4 out of 39 The Best Foods for Fiber List of the best foods for fiber, as ranked by health care professionals and food lovers alike. Adding fiber to your diet is one of the most important keys to leading a healthy life. A diet that’s high in fiber has many different health benefits. The most well-known benefit is that fiber relieves and prevents constipation. It can also significantly lower a p... #1 out of 5 My Favorite Foods Body for Life Diet Food List If you're on a Body for Life program, here's the list of foods body for Life encourages you to eat to meet your goals. Following your exercise program and preparing your meals with these foods you'll be on your way to having a new you for the rest of your life. The BFL diet typically consists of 5-6 meals and portion size is emphasized. #9 out of 119 The Most Delicious Fruits #1 out of 49 The Best Foods for Your Immune System List of the best food for your immune system, as ranked by health care professionals and Ranker users. The immune system is a powerful part of your overall health. With a tough immune system, your body can fight off colds and toxins. A poor immune system can lead to your body not being able to fight off even the smallest cough, which would lead to getting si... #41 out of 97 The Best Things to Put in a Salad #49 out of 65 The Best Kool-Aid Flavors of All Time, Ranked If you love Kool Aid, then you’ll want to vote on this list of all Kool Aid flavors to find which one everyone has voted as being the best. The Kool Aid flavors listed below include Jammers, Bursts, Powders, and Liquids from all around the world, so you may see some regional flavors that you can get at your local grocery market. Each flavor appears once, eve... #1 out of 40 The Best Energy Foods #14 out of 36 The Best Summer Fruits to Keep Around The best summer fruits to keep around are those that are at their peak of flavor. The summer months are a bonanza for fruit-lovers, with several different tasty treats in season. This list includes some of the greatest summer fruits to have on hand for making delicious fruit salads, smoothies, or for just snacking. Be sure to vote for your favorite summer fr... #12 out of 46 The Best Things to Put in a Crepe #3 out of 40 The Best Foods to Eat Before a Workout List of the best foods to eat before a workout, as ranked by personal trainers and food lovers. Going into a workout without first fueling your body with healthy food is a huge mistake. If your body doesn’t get the proper food before a tough workout, you could end up really hurting yourself,especially since food can give you the energy to truly go all out. H... #5 out of 39 The Best Foods to Buy Organic #53 out of 81 List of All Official U.S. State Foods State foods of all US States are listed here, with images. Some foods are more special than other foods. If they have the cut, if they make the grade, they may become... an "Official State Food". In the United States, food is #1 - look at the amount of fast food we export. Not all states have them, but those that do hold these foods in reverence. T... #1 out of 40 The Best Fiber Foods #17 out of 40 The Best Food Gifts to Send List of the best food gifts to send. Gift baskets filled with food are one of the best ways to show your appreciation for any given occasion. If it’s mother’s day, you can whip together a gift basket filled with her favorite pleasures and accompany mom friendly gifts with jams and wine. For holidays like Christmas or Halloween, you can fill a basket full of ... #21 out of 71 Raw Food Diet - Best Transition Foods #7 out of 40 The Best Backpacking Foods List of the best backpacking foods, as ranked by food lovers and backpackers. When you’re serious about backpacking, whether it’s just for a hike or for long European travels, you know that keeping food on your person at all time is important. If you’re in the middle of a hike there won’t be a market to pick any food up. Not to mention it can be dangerous no... Raw Food Diet
warc	201713	After being involved in a car wreck many people turn to their own insurance for help. While this is reasonable considering all of the overly heartwarming commercials on TV, it is also a mistake. This article will examine the interaction between the injured party and their own insurance. It is easiest to start this explanation by redefining the relationship between you and your insurance company. Insurance is nothing more than a contract. You pay company X money each month to perform certain services upon demand, i.e. a claim. However, the relationship can become adversarial quickly considering that company X’s profits go down upon paying out on a claim. Assuming a claim has been denied by the liability carrier for lack of coverage the only way to get compensation for your injuries is through your own uninsured motorist coverage, “UM”. UM coverage must be offered to North Carolina policy holders since NC is a mandatory insurance state. The only way to not get UM coverage is to specifically sign a waiver disclaiming coverage. We counsel all of our clients to get as much UM coverage as they can afford considering there are a large number of individuals driving without insurance. When a UM claim is filed your carrier steps into the shoes of the other driver and acts like their insurance company. This is why it is advisable not to speak with your insurance company. Anything you said to your carrier could be used against you at this time. You insurance company is free to use any of the defenses available to the at fault party, including contributory negligence. Many times clients seek our counsel after their own insurance company has denied their case based on their original statement. Sometimes the statement can be fatal to their case. You have no legal obligation to speak with your insurance company following an accident. The NC policy does require that you cooperate with your carrier but cooperation is not defined in the policy. There are a multitude of ways your carrier, especially the ones you see on TV all of the time, will attempt to take advantage of you. For example, your carrier will not explain that the NC statutes set the deductible rates under UM. For instance, if you used your collision coverage following an accident you may have paid your deductible, lets assume it was $1,000.00. However, if the claim is moved under UM the most the property damage deductible can be is $100.00. AS such, your carrier is required to refund you $900.00. Many times the carrier will “fail” to let their customers know this and our office will have to demand the money be refunded. One of the most important attributes of a UM claim is the ability to arbitrate it. If you are unable to agree with your carrier on the value of the claim you can demand arbitration. Arbitration, unlike a jury trial, is an informal process which would take place in our office. You can think of an arbitration as a very simplified trial without a judge or jury. We present our case to a panel of arbitrators who render a binding decision on the value of your case. Our attorneys take the time to explain arbitration and how it can be used to maximize the value of your claim. Call (704) 714-1450 to make an appointment to speak with a Charlotte personal injury attorney or stop by the office during regular business hours. We understand that the last thing you need to do at this time is miss a doctor’s appointment or more time from work. We will schedule an appointment that fits your needs. There is no fee for the initial consultation. Whether you call, come in the office or request a home visit you will speak directly with a personal injury attorney who can answer your questions. “Mr. Matthew Fleishman and his staff were excellent. They really took their time and explained every step to me and my niece regarding my case. Everything that he said he would and could do was done with efficiency and tact. If ever I need an attorney to help me or any one of my family members I will be calling Mr. Fleishman and his team. Many Regards & Be Blessed” Joseph M. Jackson (Kershaw, SC)
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warc	201713	LinkBack Thread Tools The Value of Teamwork Team-building exercises are seen as the panacea for recharging departments, outputs, rapport, and creativity. They've become so popular in the last several years that whole new segments of adult-improvement courses offering an array of team-building experiences have mushroomed around the US. Dysfunctional teams can take on the rapids of the Colorado River and hang on for dear life together. They can test their team survival skills by living for a week in a desolate reach of the continent somewhere. Or there's rock climbing excursions intended to meld disparate spirits by harnessing climbers together so that they rely on their colleagues to hold and pull as called upon to do so. Of course sailing makes the ideal setting to retool any group or company's work-together ethic. What better team exercise than sailing aboard a big, heavy square-rigger that flies clouds of canvas and requires a large, willing, coordinated crew? A week on a Maine windjammer climbing the ratlines, sweating halyards, and hauling warps fuses mutual respect. Or how about putting your group aboard a thoroughbred racer, perhaps a former America's Cup vessel that did battle off Fremantle, Australia, and now plys the waters off St. Maarten? With its emphasis on specific positions working together toward a common result, there's no process quite like buoy racing to illustrate teamwork, particularly in the crisp Caribbean winds. Nonetheless, the basic dynamics of working together to sail a boat haven't changed. The necessity of teamwork on these shorthanded boats is, in fact, even greater than before. There is less tolerance for imprecision. And I can't think of any better example of this than the act of anchoring. I encountered an interesting sampling of the cruising couple in anchoring mode on a recent cruise. I was relaxing in the cockpit with a martini as an August sun smeared our remote island anchorage with a palette-full of pink when a 35 footer loomed into view. The man at the helm looped the boat around off the shore, while the woman organized everything on the bow. With the vessel's way diminished, she dropped the anchor overboard and then, surprisingly, their seemingly well-melded teamwork suddenly burst a seam. "I said reverse!" he shouted, coming to us clearly from five boat lengths away. "No, slowly! No, straight back!" she yelled. Not wanting to eavesdrop, I took a sip and tried to refix on the soft, enveloping dusk. But the woman became louder and louder as she banged out directions from the bow over the rumble of the diesel back to the helmsman. When they finally got the anchor down and holding, I wondered how long the two would be mad at each other. Anchoring, the embodiment of a seaman's skill, is the ultimate test for the cruising couple. Though it would seem straightforward, it's not easy. What does it take to anchor well on a doublehanded boat? It demands nothing less than fluid, practiced teamwork. "So, what's the problem with this scenario? The obvious hang-up is that men are used to being in control on board, and in most cases, women aren't." That hook is not going to get set right if either member does not perfectly trust the other. But anchoring requires a topsy-turvy organization of crew. Usually the man is at the helm, but during most anchoring maneuvers, you'll find him in the bow with his spouse on the helm handling the throttle and controls. Suddenly, the woman has control of the boat, while the man must be able to perfectly communicate what needs to be done and when. Unlike the 35-footer I observed, where the woman opted to be the anchor handler, women have to trust their instincts while following through on the anchoring process. So, what's the problem with this scenario? The obvious hang-up is that men are used to being in control on board, and in most cases, women aren't. For this particularl task, the two have to meet eye-to-eye, knowing what has to be done, and relying on one another to call it correctly. But if there isn't mutual respect, the anchoring process often takes a downward spiral into dusky disagreement. In those cases, the simple art of anchoring won't take place as it should. Both parties to this little duet have to know that when the sign is given to proceed slowly in reverse, that's exactly what must be done. When the spot to drop the anchor is chosen, the person at the helm or the bow agrees that it's the proper drop point. When the call for hard reverse is given, it's done accordingly. When the helmsperson calls out that it's too shallow for a potential wind shift, the bow person must be ready to abort the maneuver and choose a new spot.Anchoring can be stressful. What if lingering doubts set in that the amount of scope was misgauged, for example, or that the reverse was not hard enough to dig the hook in, or the shackle wasn't moused properly by the bow person. It takes perfect compatibility to be a functional anchoring team. Neither party has the upper hand in this job; each is accountable for 50 percent of the success of the process. Later that evening on the beach, we walked past the dysfunctional anchoring couple. They were holding hands, glowing, as we were, in the delight of this faraway island, and we greeted them as we passed. I'm sure they didn't know we had overheard their anchoring encounter. Just as well. Becoming a team takes practice, commitment, and patience. And there's no better test than anchoring. Suggested Reading: Choosing Anchors, Rodes, and Windlasses by Liza Copeland Using Two Anchors by Tom Wood Seven Fun Ways to Anchor by Michelle Potter Buying Guide: Anchor Rodes Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) Thread Tools Posting Rules
warc	201713	There has been a lot of talk in the Twittersphere lately about feminism and eating disorders. Because I live and breathe my feminism and my eating disorder research and activism, I’ve been struggling to reconcile my commitment to making sure people feel heard and my commitment to clarifying what I feel are misconceptions about the links between feminism and eating disorders. Certainly, it can’t be denied that some have adopted the name “feminism” and supported some decidedly shady claims or research. Then again, people of all stripes have done shady research with questionable motives and outcomes. Science and research are never neutral. Everything from what is seen as being “important enough” to study to how results are interpreted and used takes place in a socio-political context. Try as we might, we can’t fully remove ourselves from our research, whether we research micro-RNA or eating disorders (or both? It’s probably possible … Continue reading → Some might argue that bulimia nervosa is more “hidden” than anorexia nervosa — it is not always obvious that someone is suffering from bulimia (though, I would argue, it is not always obvious that someone is suffering from any eating disorder). Even when it is “discovered,” BN is often placed in opposition with AN — as if the two were polar opposites. Indeed, attempts to define a phenotype (a set of observable traits or characteristics) for AN and BN tend to oppose the two and to suggest that the people who develop AN are inherently different from those who develop BN. While I believe there is some scientific evidence for personality differences between the two, the degree of diagnostic crossover and symptom variability in eating disorders makes me feel like this split is at the very least overly simplistic. What is interesting is how BN has come to occupy a … Continue reading → Advertisements bemoaning the evils of obesity, begging us to eat healthier and to exercise, surround us every day. Big corporations and governments alike have jumped on the anti-obesity bandwagon, crafting public service announcements aimed at correcting what is being framed as an epidemic. For many, these messages are likely generic reminders to strive for health, if they are noticed at all. But what about individuals with eating disorders? A recent (2012) study by Catling & Malson (full text available here) looked into how a group of women with a history of disordered eating interpreted anti-obesity messages. I was particularly drawn to this article, having personally felt rage at some of the overly simplified messages that circulate around obesity and “health.” Particularly when I was early in recovery, I often felt as though I was swimming against the current in my attempts to do just the opposite to what these … Continue reading → Dear Science of Eating Disorders readers, please welcome Andrea, our newest contributor! Below is her introduction and first post. Hello SEDs readers, my name is Andrea and I’m excited to be contributing to the blog. I have an undergraduate degree in sociology and I am currently a Masters student studying family relations and human development. My research is looking at the experiences of young women in recovery from eating disorders, and uses qualitative methods including narrative interviews and digital stories to explore stories of eating disorders and recovery. I am particularly interested in stories that fall outside of the “norm,” as I feel that we sometimes hear a limited, scripted story of what it means to be someone who has had and recovered from an eating disorder. I myself am recovered from ED-NOS, and I am happy to be making meaning from my experiences by exploring eating disorders in an … Continue reading →
warc	201713	Phone: +44(0)191 308 2222 Email: info@seaweedandco.com Seaweed has had a meteoric week of media, as the many seaweed benefits continue to amaze, and demonstrate their relevance to many aspects of our lives. The appearance of our own Dr Craig Rose on BBC Radio 4’s The Today Programme was a huge highlight for us. What an amazing and hugely credible show to be associated with. This followed on from an earlier interview on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today Programme, as part of their Seaweed Week. Each show this week has started with a piece on seaweed, and the many seaweed benefits. Wednesday’s show featured our very own Dr Craig Rose. Craig discusses the many seaweed benefits, and how our unique DNA Authenticated Seaweed ensures quality and traceability in the supply chain. Other key seaweed stories this week, many featuring Seaweed & Co., have been reported, on the huge scope of seaweed, and the many seaweed benefits. A selection of these stories are: Mail Online: New multi-million pound industry will help satisfy the growing demand for the salty algae Food Ingredients: Booming Seaweed Industry is Flourishing as the West Capitalizes on Crop The Times: Taking the plunge to harvest ‘gold standard’ seaweed Even The Sun reported on the story, and featured Dr Rose, with the headline of: “You can’t be Sea-rious”!! Dr Rose was also contacted by Biofuels International to discuss the opportunities of seaweed for biofuels, which are apparent and viable in the longer term. The many seaweed benefits available link to seaweeds’ ability to address all the mega trends of food, health and nutrition, life sciences and energy. No other natural resource can do this to our... FutureFest is coming – the weekend of 17/18th Sept 2016, and our own Dr Craig Rose is speaking on the future uses of seaweed and other amazing stuff! FutureFest is set to be a mind-blowing weekend of talks and immersive experiences. Its a huge honour to be sharing a stage with some incredible speakers, thought leaders and brilliant minds. These include Brian Eno, Will Self, Caroline Lucas MP and many more. The talk, titled “You Seaweed, I See the Future”, hopes to be an insightful journey into the huge potential of what the uses of seaweed will bring to the world. Unlike any other natural resource we know of, seaweeds can address all the ‘mega-trends’ of sustainable supply of food, nutrition, health, lifescience applications and energy provision. Its quite incredible. So what are some of these uses of seaweed Seaweed is a broad term. Actually part of the much larger group of algae, seaweed is marine macro algae. Globally there are around 10,000 species, with a huge plethora of applications. These uses of seaweed already cover a mass of food applications, with seaweed ingredients used for salt replacement, nutrition, iodine sources, weight and blood sugar management. Seaweed ingredient extracts are used on a huge scale for food thickeners, laboratory uses and much more besides. Other extracts of seaweeds can, and will increasingly be used for biomedical benefits, including antiviral, anti tumour and other treatments. Many of the compounds in seaweeds remain understudies, and offering huge potential. In terms of plastics for packaging and other uses, seaweeds have been shown to able to offer great, and sustainable alternatives. Scientists and... A recent article in Food Navigator USA reports experts saying algae and seaweed ingredients still have huge potential Seaweed ingredients offer a plethora of benefits for the food, beverage and nutrition markets. The article highlights how there has been aspects of over promising and under delivering, specifically in the micro-algae industry. It states that seaweed ingredients still have huge potential. Entrepreneurs didn’t always anticipate the technical challenges. Furthermore there were distractions (and still are) with a focus on algae for biofuel. The need to fulfil higher value food, nutrition, biomedical markets is where the opportunity is before we reach biofuel levels. Many of the benefits of micro algae and macro algae (seaweed) ingredients are laid our in the article, including medicine, proteins, nutrition, low calorie etc. Many of the big challenges we face, from sustainability of food supply to addressing malnutrition, obesity and diabetes can all be solved with seaweed ingredients. Scalability of production systems, of a high quality has been a barrier also. The economics must work. At Seaweed & Co. we focus on wild harvested species and have invested in supply chains that can maintain sustainability and have huge potential to grow. From 1kg to 10,000 tonnes, we know we can deliver. In addition, we are leading cultivation projects on species that don’t have a long term or scalable sustainable future from wild harvest. Seaweed ingredients still have huge potential Despite many successes, it is true that seaweed and algae and seaweed still offer huge opportunity to address market demands. These opportunities are yet to be realised for a number of reasons. The main contrinutor to the... Devastating kill offs of seaweed off the West Australia Coast are a sign of the challenges we will face with Climate Change. Seaweed benefits efforts to understand changes as an indicator of rising sea level temperatures. Between 2010 and 2013, large stretches of kelp forests off the western Australian coast were devastated by high sea temperatures. This report was published in the journal Science in July 2016. Since this destruction, the kelp forests are now tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems of turf algae, corals and coral fish. This type of change is very significant as kelp forests have a variety of seaweed species and offer habitat for many more organisms. The heat wave wiped out 963 square kilometers in a short time period. Prior to this event, kelp forests covered over 70% of shallow rocky reefs in midwest Australia. Survey data revealed that a total of 43% of these forests disappered two years after the extreme heat wave. The research team are concerned that there are no signs of kelp forests recovery. However, the marine life that replaced the kelp forests is apparently doing very well. Seaweed benefits Aside from being a possible indicator of rising sea levels and climat change, there are many other seaweed benefits. As a sustainable natural resource, with immense nutritional properties, seaweed benefits food and dietary supplement markets. No land plants can compete with seaweed benefits on a gram for gram basis. Specific nutritional benefits of seaweed are the mineral content, including iodine. Seaweed benefits salt reduction efforts too as a natural flavour enhancer that means less salt may be needed within a wide variety... Dr Craig Rose, Founder and Managing Director of Seaweed & Co. was honoured with an invited talk on seaweed at the House of Lords. The event on enterprise, was sponsored by Lord Wei of Shoreditch, and was held within the House of Lords, and next to the beautiful terrace overlooking the River Thames and the London Eye. This prestigious, stunning and historic venue was an amazing place to hold the event with Cavendish Enterprise and Tedco. Seaweed & Co. was one of just three business from around the country invited to talk about their business journey and take questions from a panel of experts and the invited audience. In discussing seaweed at the House of Lords, Dr Craig Rose highlighted his passion and vision for seaweed as a sustainable natural resource that can positively impact people’s health and the health of the planet. He also posed a question to the expert panel on how we can inspire more people to establish and run businesses as a tool to enact positive changes for society and the environment. The day was a huge success, even with the rain and cold that seems standard for British summer weather! Seaweed at the House of Lords Each of the invited guests was given their own seaweed lucky bag, which consisted of various “I Love Seaweed” pens and bags, along with a sachet of seaweed to try at home and recipe cards and other information on just how easy our seaweed is to use, and how good it is for you. For more information on the event, the support we have received, and to learn... After a great article in Food Ingredients (Seaweed: An Ocean of Opportunity), we were delighted to see it was Number One as the most read story for several days! The article heavily featured our very own Dr Craig Rose talking about Seaweed & Co., and the immense opportunity for seaweed food ingredients. This was a huge achievement for us, and for seaweed, and is proof indeed of the title of the article itself. We have long known that seaweed food ingredients tick many boxes, addressing market opportunities and demand. These include: Seaweed for salt replacement and flavour enhancement Immense nutrition A safe natural source of iodine The potential to tackle issues of obesity and diabetes All these benefits are in addition to seaweed being a sustainable, natural whole food, which is very much on trend. Our Seaweed Food Ingredients We have developed products that are extremely easy and convenient to incorporate into a wide variety of foods, beverages and nutritional supplements. These seaweed food ingredients are sustainably wild harvested, low temperature dried and milled. This uses our proprietary techniques and technologies, which are absolutely unique to our seaweed supply. Furthermore, independent analysis has demonstrated that, when compared to similar seaweed supply of the same species, ours are higher on key measures on quality. Even the colour of our ingredient differs from any others we’ve seen of the same specification. We believe this is due to the lower temperature and more gentle processing of our distinctive systems. In addition to great quality product, our accreditation system includes traceability unmatched by any other company. We can tell you via a customer...
warc	201713	Pros and Cons of Aging in Place 7/9/2014; http://www.annalsoflongtermcare.com 7/9/2014; http://www.annalsoflongtermcare.com A report published in June with the US Census Bureau reveals that this increasing wish of older adults to “age set up” is mirrored through the shift of Medicaid dollars favoring home- and community-based long-term care over institutionalized care. The report, titled 65+ in the United States: 2010, shows that funding for home- and community-based services increased from 13% of total Medicaid funding in 1990 to 43% of total Medicaid funding in 2007. Accordingly, funding for institutional care decreased from 87% of total Medicaid funding in 1990 to 57% of total Medicaid funding in 2007. In the report, the Census Bureau cites that almost 90% of adults aged fifty years and over want to stay in their home as long as possible. The report suggests aging set up has become very popular and more feasible on account of advances in assistive devices along with the availability of alternative settings, like assisted living residences, for anyone needing less comprehensive care in activities of daily living. Also, many older adults may prefer receiving care from a paid provider (eg, home health aid) or informal caregiver, such as an adult relative. Cost can be another likely factor influencing the excitement of aging available. According to 2006 data, nearly half long-term care funding originated Medicaid (43%), then out-of-pocket expenses (28%) and Medicare (18%). The report notes that below one-fifth of older adults have enough money living in a nursing home for 36 months, and two-thirds of older adults can't afford to live for twelve months in a elderly care facility. But simply because more older adults want to age available, does that mean they should? Please tell us what you think by sending a letter to the editor at amusante@hmpcommunications.com, or twenty-four hours a day post comments below. We asked several members of our editorial advisory board what you thought about this trend: “The belief is the care is cheaper in home...but actually I am not sure we really have the full answer to that question. Compared to acute care, the care cost less. Assisted living or group home sort of care may in reality be a more cost-effective manner in which to go. Individuals alone, acquainted with limited care, social activities and stimulation, and cognitive impairment may not the truth is be cheaper home alone. More importantly they may not be happier home alone or with limited help. It is not expensive medical interventions though the care and structure that comes from institutional living. Someone to help tell the average person what to do every day; where to look to eat; what to consume; and how to proceed after that. Someone to ensure adequate bathing each day to prevent infections. Someone to notice quickly when there is an indication of the medical alternation in status....along with the list goes on and on. For some, home may be the best place but that is not so for many. Many blossom in institutional care. Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP Professor of Nursing University of Maryland School of Nursing Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Roland Park Place, Baltimore, MD “I am pro aging set up. The issues, as I see, are: educating the older adults and also the general public what this concept is. Individuals are waiting a long time to enjoy and partake from the amenities provided. Costs of the programs/facilities are from financial range for many. Alternative settings do provide socialization and opportunity for most who have outlived their friends and neighbors. They also allow couples to be the “same place” if one requires a higher level of care, thus allowing frequent visitations.” Peggy Szwabo, PhD, ACWS, RN Clinical Associate Professor Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Geriatric Medicine St. Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO “There are two things that are necessary for aging set up: (1) regulations that support the concept. This requires that if a person is assisted living but has skilled needs, the facility can maintain them in assisted experiencing support without nervous about adverse licensure actions; and (2) the family/patient must consider and accept the risk of falls or pressure ulcers in this setting and agree that this risk will not outweigh the concept of aging in place.” Ilene Warner-Maron, PhD, RN-BC-CWCN, NHA Assistant Professor St. Joseph’s University Philadelphia, PA President, Alden Geriatrics
warc	201713	In this month’s Master Builder Magazine, I’ve articulated our argument for getting more efficient in the way resources are being used to produce non-profit affordable housing in Washington State. Bringing up this point, that low-income units produced by non-profit organizations are very expensive, makes many people unhappy. They often say, “Your math is wrong,” or, […] The local Seattle land use world has been abuzz lately with talk about small, affordable apartments—otherwise known as aPodments. What’s frustrating about all this talk is that it’s almost inevitable that the talk will lead to some kind of action. Members of the City Council feel like they have to do “something” to address the […] About 18 months ago, my family and I moved into a new modern home built in beautiful Madison Valley in Seattle. We love the location: its proximity to parks, restaurants, and other amenities, and the fact that it would cut our daily commute to work in half. We love the house built by GreenLeaf Construction. […] Housing, like people, comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. New housing in single-family neighborhoods doesn’t all look the same. Diversity and variety are good things. Some opponents of new single-family housing argue that new housing is too big. But the facts tell a different story. Here’s an image that shows a typical block face […]
warc	201713	VOLUME 6 (2004), ISSUE 11 (YEARLY) SUMMARY In Spain, like in most European countries, the birth rate has decreased dramatically during the last 25 years; so has the number of marriages, while the number of divorces and alternative relationships has increased. These socio-demographic changes have had a strong impact on the family size and on the family roles. This analysis shows that the individualization process of Spanish society is a major cause of the transformation of the family values, hence of the family structures. However, it also shows that individuals combine this increased individualism with a high appraisal of marriage and family. KEYWORDS Social values - Family values - Individualization process - Cultural change - Individualism. AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION Jose Luis VEIRA is a Professor of Sociology at the University of La Coruña, Spain. His professional interest focuses on the social values, cultural shift and sociology of organizations. Lately he has published several articles on social values, individualization process and work values. He has also held positions as an Academic Secretary and a Vice-president of the Spanish Sociology Federation. He is currently President of the Galician Sociological Association. This article is a revised version of a paper presented at the 36th Congress of The International Institute of Sociology held in Beijing, China, 7-11 July 2004. COPYRIGHT All work published in The International Scope® Review is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any manner or in any medium - unless written consent is given by The Social Capital Foundation represented by its President, unless the author's name and the one of The International Scope® Review as the first publication medium appear on the work or the excerpt, and unless no charge is made for the copy containing the work or excerpt. Any demands for obtaining consent for reproduction should be sent to lawyer@socialcapital-foundation.org Copyright © The Social Capital Foundation 1998-2006, All Rights Reserved
warc	201713	Hydraulic Fracturing in the UK: The Pursuit of Safety Further changes to the Infrastructure Bill have now addressed the potential problems for the UK unconventionals industry introduced by a Labour amendment, but the approach of Scottish and possibly Welsh ministers is less encouraging for would-be shale developers. Infrastructure Bill At the last substantive debate on the Infrastructure Bill in the Commons, an amendment was inserted providing that “any hydraulic fracturing can not take place” unless 13 conditions are fulfilled. The drafting of this “safeguarding” provision left considerable scope for doubt as to when some of these conditions would be satisfied. Such uncertainty inevitably assists those who want to delay or obstruct hydraulic fracturing operations. The House of Lords has now replaced the Commons’ amendment with drafted provisions that provide a clear and practicable route to satisfying each of the safeguarding requirements proposed by the Commons. Although the Labour spokesman, Lord Tunnicliffe, raised a number of points of detail that he suggested had been lost in translation from the Commons’ amendment to the Government’s version, it seems possible that there will be no further changes when the Bill returns to the Commons for the next stage of the so-called ping-pong process.
warc	201713	Titan takes on the contradictions Mon, 30 November 2015 The Port of London Authority had a conundrum: they needed a vessel with a big pull yet shallow depth, packing heavy lift equipment while subject to air draft restrictions, capable of meeting fast running tides but still efficient enough for general use. “Not an easy set of demands to marry up,” admitted Ian Ellis of MacDuff Ship Design. However, the PLA’s new vessel, London Titan, is a good, solid answer to the puzzle of looking after 38 miles of the Thames that encompasses tidal estuaries, shallows and low bridges up as far as Richmond. John Tye of builder Manor Marine said: “It’s not a boat you could buy off the hook – it all had to be totally bespoke.” In fact it took almost a year of stretching the design around the diverse requirements, including in-depth discussions with the crew, before the two-year build phase could begin. So, while it might appear ‘roomy’ (along with its £7m price tag) the new vessel’s 36.5m by 13.5m footprint has to encompass an awful lot, from deploying maintenance barge mooring buoys to dredging, salvage and debris removal, dive operations, general maintenance and third-party support. Further, despite the need for a stable platform a common square bow wouldn’t do as Titan has to make headway against 5 knot or 6 knot currents; therefore the vessel has a long, swim end that reaches around a quarter of the way down its length, helping it gain a 9 knot cruise and 12 knot top speed explained Mr Ellis. Alongside this, muscle is a necessity – in all the vessel has 2,300kW of installed power – but the design had to take into consideration the vessel’s shallow draft, so the solution has been a triple screw configuration powered by Caterpillar C32 1,000 hp engines supplied by Finning. These are complemented by a pair of 383kW C18 auxiliary engines and a C4.4 69kW harbour set. From the main engines the power is transferred to three Kort 1,500mm diameter fixed nozzles, giving over 30 tonnes of bollard pull. Another big 750mm KT150 bow thruster sits forward, yielding 1.39 tonnes of force. Interestingly, for day-to-day running the three independent Wills Ridley electrohydraulic high-lift rudders are linked but each has its own dedicated control so they can be manipulated separately for finesse – a good point given the scale of the Titan and the sometimes constrained areas along the Thames. Dividing the power across three outputs also lends itself to efficiency: downstream running might only need one engine, two might be necessary to push up against the tide, while full power will see all three engines working together. However, it’s obvious that even after splitting the main propulsion three ways, having 1,500mm nozzles sitting in a 2,200mm draft hull wasn’t going to be a simple matter: Mr Ellis explained the aft end had to be shaped almost like a wave underneath, curving to allow the nozzles to be tunnelled into the hull and giving the propellers the necessary depth of water even when the vessel isn’t ballasted down. The 6.2 m restriction on the air draft presented another problem and meant a careful shaving of the height: a detailed inspection shows that the wheelhouse has been lowered by 300mm by virtue of dropping the ceiling underneath, “we realised the forward day mess area didn’t need as much headroom as aft due to the reduced requirements for linings”, pointed out Mr Ellis. Moving outside onto the deck, the equipment is as meaty as the vessel itself. A pair of heavy duty SMT Marine KTBO 11/20.1 deck cranes have been placed diagonally opposite each other on the deck. These need a big, high reach, allowing the PLA to work over the top of some of London’s historic bridges (remember, the PLA’s reach extends up to Richmond) and also to manoeuvre a certain amount of Titan’s own equipment: for example they will be used to drop the vessel’s two 18m spud legs through dedicated shafts that run all the way through the vessel and out beneath the hull to help pin the vessel in place. So, these spud legs will provide a quicker, easier alternative than deploying Titan’s full, four-point mooring system. But as these are necessarily long, keeping within the air draft has taken quite a bit of thought. The cranes have a knuckle and three extensions giving 31 tonnes at 7.5m outreach or 11 tonnes of lift at a 20m, while still being able to tuck themselves down close to the deck during transit which helps with both airdraft and navigation: further, there’s an option of using grabs attached to the fixed hook. Underneath, the cranes have a pair of 210kW powerpacks feeding the hydraulics. At the front the vessel has heavy duty rollers but above this there are also fittings for a solid, 120 tonne capacity A-frame, “useful for very heavy lift work over the bow” said Mr Ellis, especially since Titan will need to be capable of hauling wreckage and debris from the bottom of the river. This A-frame is part of the MacDuff design: on removing a section of the fender a slot opens up that allows the A-frame to simply drop into place, once again using the forward crane. At the rear of the vessel is a smaller, integrated A-frame, although this is still large enough to take on a 14m plough dredge – another Thames maintenance necessity. The big pull for this deck gear is provided by a mammoth 120 tonne, two-speed winch which has been placed amidships and close to the centreline. However, for less onerous tasks there are also a number of other winches and pins – for example, a pair of 20 tonne winches provide efficient pulling power at lower loads, there’s also four, 10 tonne Gilson units and three 6 tonne hydraulic capstans for quick, fibre rope wrap and release. Underneath there’s another hydraulic pump running from one of the auxiliary engines plus a much needed completely integrated control system, all this coming from the same company: North Sea Winches. The bridge gives good views of the deck area, and ties together all the vessel’s main functions with the idea that the running should be as simple as possible, keeping the crewing down to five people during operations on the outer reaches of the Thames. However, there were few surprises presented by the finished vessel with Titan’s completed 550 tonnes lightship displacement being within the original prediction despite several changes during the build process. Further, though it’s 174,000 litres of ballast tanks are essential to getting under the bridges and useful for trim when using the A-frame at the bow, it’s not as critical as one might expect for working over the side - even during a tandem lift. “I watched while a 5 tonne weight was moved right across the deck for the Lloyd’s Register stability tests and the vessel shifted by only 20mm, I’ve never seen anything like that before,” said Mr Ellis. “The vessel was as good as stationary.” This new £7m vessel obviously represents a substantial investment for the PLA: in fact its biggest for two decades. So, while its design life is an ample 25 years the two older boats Titan is replacing - 1960s builtHookness and Crossness – have, under the PLA’s care, gone on for nearly twice this time. Given the same level of attention there’s hope that London Titan will be around for a similarly long time. Source: Stevie Knight; http://www.maritimejournal.com/news101/vessel-build-and-maintenance/vessel-launch/titan-takes-on-the-contradictions
warc	201713	The fourth Belgian Smart Energy Cities Network training/coaching workshop in March 2015 covered the theme of collective renovation approaches. The workshop included three presentations on the topic. As always, the workshop was preceded by a plenary session where an overview was given on the current status of the opportunities at EU level. In addition to this, a new project on Financing Local Climate Plans was introduced. 1. Request2Action – online renovation tool (Marlies Van Holm – VITO) Marlies Van Holm (VITO) gave an introduction into the ongoing development of urban renovation platforms in the Request2Action project (www.building-request.eu). Request2Action is a programme across eight European countries with a focus on how Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) can be used to promote home energy efficiency. New approaches to make EPC data useful for governments, private companies and individuals are being piloted; and national home energy data hubs are being created. VITO will develop such test hubs to be tested in several cities. The objectives of the fully fledged Flemish hub are: for city services to have data on dwellings; their EPCs and energy consumption at their disposal; for citizens to get a better insight into the state of their dwelling and renovation options; to provide for a platform where renovation demand meets renovation supply; and to develop a neighbourhood and city dynamic once renovation occurs. This will be made possible from the communication between two platforms: an open platform embedded in cities’ own virtual environment and a restricted data platform accessible through individual dwelling identification details. These platforms can then be developed further with all kinds of applications through things like remote sensing and GIS. Ultimately this data will become usable information from where it can be used for enhanced energy renovation. This in turn will help to reach energy efficiency and renewable energy targets for cities and the EU. STEP UP_Lerend Netwerk_Request2Action_Stedelijke renovatieplatformen.pdf 2. Short overview of the state of play and projects in de IWT Living Labs on renovations (Dieter Cuypers – VITO) Dieter Cuypers (VITO) gave an overview of the 10 ongoing Living Labs on collective renovations in Flanders, funded by IWT. STEP UP_Lerend Netwerk_IWT Proeftuin woningrenovatie_Eng.pdf He then gave an overview of the trends in implementation with such initiatives. While collective renovation initiatives are usually implemented with economies of scale in mind at a high level, undertaking such projects as citizens in collaboration can also be successful and this is often where behavioural psychology plays a key role. Furthermore, the presentation went deeper into the many aspects of collective renovations: such as the relationship between neighbours, potential bottlenecks, dangers, but also the potential benefits. The main challenges that were noted are the organisation of the collective approach and finding innovative financing mechanisms. Currently in Flanders the approach to helping citizens break through financial barriers to energy renovation is a scattered and dispersed approach where many different actors provide partial solutions through subsidies, loans, tax exemptions and more. Whilst this offers many partial solutions, citizens can get lost in the sheer number of options available to them. The presentation concluded with some financial examples from abroad. STEP UP Lerend Netwerk collectieve renovaties.pdf
warc	201713	At Structure House, we pride ourselves in offering a customized program for each individual who is entrusted into our care. The staff at Structure House strives to empower participants to learn how to become their own authority around their health and well-being over time, while using our evidence-based approaches as a springboard from which they can determine what works best for their unique preferences and needs. We offer personalized program modules that are led by licensed behavioral health professionals who have specialized training and expertise in the specific areas addressed. These skilled staff members are available to help participants make progress in their area of choice so that their time spent at Structure House can be viewed as one that is comprehensive and allows them to reach their identified goals. The personalized program modules that are currently offered at Structure House include the following: Smoking Cessation For individuals who wish to receive assistance in putting an end to their smoking habit, Structure House is pleased to offer our Smoking Cessation Program. With specially trained professionals guiding participants through this program, individuals can learn the tools they need to overcome their compulsion to smoke, receive support in becoming and remaining smoke-free, and become educated on ways to prevent relapse. Life Goals Therapy In order to help participants establish initiatives for their futures, Structure House offers Life Goals Therapy. Within this type of therapy, men and women are challenged to examine their hopes and ambitions for the direction of their lives. Our staff of professionals is dedicated to helping participants to look beyond their current goals while at Structure House and establish attainable aspirations long after receiving treatment. We believe that this type of invaluable treatment is crucial for participants as they lay the foundation for long, healthy, and prosperous lives in which nothing is impossible. Psychiatric Consultation Psychiatric consultations can be scheduled for participants who are currently taking medications or who believe they may benefit from the implementation of medications in order to alleviate the presence of any distressing symptoms that may be a challenge. Individual Therapy Individual therapy sessions are designed to be a time for participants to meet one-to-one with a licensed clinical psychologist or licensed clinical social worker. These sessions are held on an as-desired basis and are meant to provide participants with time to discuss any concerns they have, track their progress in treatment, and confront any setbacks that may arise. Emotional/Binge-Eating Module The Bridge Module is a specialty package that was designed to help men and women who struggle with binge-eating and emotional overeating, both of which are common contributors to weight gain. The individual services and group sessions included in the Bridge Module use research-based therapeutic methods to offer a unique treatment experience that will assist participants in achieving their desired healthy weight loss and management while also addressing binge-eating and emotional overeating. Diabetes Module This module provides participants with expert guidance for optimal diabetes management and glucose regulation. Through regular individual appointments with a Duke University Medical Center endocrinologist (offered weekly on-site at Structure House), diabetes-oriented nutritional counseling, and medical care with an RN Certified Diabetes Educator, participants will develop a sound understanding of diabetes, learn up-to-date health strategies for maintaining healthy glucose levels, and receive careful monitoring and management of medications. Additionally, participants are able to receive one-on-one support from our registered dietitians, certified massage therapists, fitness experts, mental health providers, and medical professionals at any time during their stay at Structure House.
warc	201713	The agency has adapted the International Association for the Measurement and Communication of Communication (AMEC) framework, principals and terminology to fit with the current PR professional’s measurement needs. LEWIS created a “bulls eye” measurement model that keeps the most important set of KPIs, Business Performance, at the center of everything we do. For each LEWIS client, we offer exposure and engagement metrics as a component of any PR engagement. When that’s not enough, LEWIS research develops custom measurement projects to help clients map their PR activities to their overall business goals. Using analysis requirements, LEWIS offers a Structured Share of Voice (SOV) product that helps ensure a transparent and repeatable media measurement framework that will provide strategic insights for campaign management. Each requirement set will help define how the source, primary company and competitor will be measured using media aggregators. The requirements consist of source definitions and exclusions, primary company inclusions/exclusions and competitor inclusions/exclusions. All requirements should be reviewed at least semi-annually to ensure the measurement yields the proper results for strategy creation. Want to know how much value is created from your campaign efforts? Using media output metrics and company SEO/SEM data, the LEWIS SEO/SEM Equivalency metric can tell you the representative value of current PR campaigns within digital media. The metric tracks click through rates (CTR) and cost per click (CPR) information of targeted key word campaigns to provide an actual dollar value of your organizations PR efforts. LEWIS has a proprietary method of measuring brand equity called a LEWIS Brand Heartbeat. The Brand Heartbeat focus’ on five areas of brand influence which answer the following questions:
warc	201713	A well-known reader writes: This is why ordinary people hate elites: Fordham has invited a well-known plagiarist to give a prestigious lecture that is supposed to advance “rigorous scholarship.” Poor Monica Crowley worked for Fox, is white, and a Republican. So, she must suffer in shame for her plagiarism. While Fareed, who works for CNN, is a person of color, and is a liberal, gets to give prestigious academic lectures in New York City at a Jesuit university. Again, this is another reason why Trump won. There are two different standards in this country: one for the rich and connected and their friends, and another for those who have the temerity to resist their hegemony. It makes me sick. Blow it up. Relatedly, a reader sends in this brilliant essay by the liberal (socialist, actually, and atheist) academic William Deresiewicz, on how the cultural left has turned many American universities into PC madrassas. We’ve all seen this kind of piece before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it expressed so well. He writes from personal experience. Excerpts: So this is how I’ve come to understand the situation. Selective private colleges have become religious schools. The religion in question is not Methodism or Catholicism but an extreme version of the belief system of the liberal elite: the liberal professional, managerial, and creative classes, which provide a large majority of students enrolled at such places and an even larger majority of faculty and administrators who work at them. To attend those institutions is to be socialized, and not infrequently, indoctrinated into that religion. I should mention that when I was speaking about these issues last fall with a group of students at Whitman College, a selective school in Washington State, that idea, that elite private colleges are religious institutions, is the one that resonated with them most. I should also mention that I received an email recently from a student who had transferred from Oral Roberts, the evangelical Christian university in Tulsa, to Columbia, my alma mater. The latter, he found to his surprise, is alsoa religious school, only there, he said, the faith is the religion of success. The religion of success is not the same as political correctness, but as I will presently explain, the two go hand in hand. What does it mean to say that these institutions are religious schools? First, that they possess a dogma, unwritten but understood by all: a set of “correct” opinions and beliefs, or at best, a narrow range within which disagreement is permitted. There is a right way to think and a right way to talk, and also a right set of things to think and talk about. Secularism is taken for granted. Environmentalism is a sacred cause. Issues of identity—principally the holy trinity of race, gender, and sexuality—occupy the center of concern. The presiding presence is Michel Foucault, with his theories of power, discourse, and the social construction of the self, who plays the same role on the left as Marx once did. The fundamental questions that a college education ought to raise—questions of individual and collective virtue, of what it means to be a good person and a good community—are understood to have been settled. The assumption, on elite college campuses, is that we are already in full possession of the moral truth. This is a religious attitude. It is certainly not a scholarly or intellectual attitude. More: The power of political correctness is wielded not only against the faculty, however, but also against other groups within the student body, ones who don’t belong to the ideologically privileged demographics or espouse the approved points of view: conservative students; religious students, particularly Christians; students who identify as Zionists, a category that includes a lot of Jewish students; “athletes,” meaning white male athletes; white students from red states; heterosexual cisgendered white men from anywhere at all, who represent, depending on the school, between a fifth and a third of all students. (I say this, by the way, as an atheist, a democratic socialist, a native northeasterner, a person who believes that colleges should not have sports teams in the first place—and in case it isn’t obvious by now, a card-carrying member of the liberal elite.) I haven’t heard too many people talk about creating safe spaces for Christians, or preventing micro-aggressions against conservatives, or banning hate speech against athletes, or disinviting socialists. What I have heard, frequently, for as long as I have been involved in academia, are open expressions of contempt or prejudice or hostility against those suspect groups or members of those groups. If you are a white man, you are routinely regarded as guilty until proven innocent, the worst possible construction is put upon your words, and anything you say on a sensitive issue is received with suspicion at best. I attended a workshop on micro-aggressions at the University of Missouri last year. The problem with micro-aggressions, the leader said, is that they “create a space of hostility,” that they say, “you don’t belong; you are different in a way that’s not okay.” Those formulations precisely describe the environment that the groups I just enumerated often encounter at elite private colleges, except that unlike the typical micro-aggression, the offense is not inadvertent. It is quite deliberate. And: There is one category that the religion of the liberal elite does not recognize—that its purpose, one might almost conclude, is to conceal: class. Class at fancy colleges, as throughout American society, has been the unspeakable word, the great forbidden truth. And the exclusion of class on selective college campuses enables the exclusion of aclass. It has long struck me in leftist or PC rhetoric how often “white” is conflated with “wealthy,” as if all white people were wealthy and all wealthy people were white. In fact, more than 40 percent of poor Americans are white. Roughly 60 percent of working-class Americans are white. Almost two-thirds of white Americans are poor or working-class. Altogether, lower-income whites make up about 40 percent of the country, yet they are almost entirely absent on elite college campuses, where they amount, at most, to a few percent and constitute, by a wide margin, the single most underrepresented group. We don’t acknowledge class, so there are few affirmative-action programs based on class. Not coincidentally, lower-income whites belong disproportionately to precisely those groups whom it is acceptable and even desirable, in the religion of the colleges, to demonize: conservatives, Christians, people from red states. Selective private colleges are produced by the liberal elite and reproduce it in turn. If it took an electoral catastrophe to remind this elite of the existence (and ultimately, one hopes, the humanity) of the white working class, the fact should come as no surprise. They’ve never met them, so they neither know nor care about them. In the psychic economy of the liberal elite, the white working class plays the role of the repressed. The recent presidential campaign may be understood as the return of that repressed—and the repressed, when it returns, is always monstrous. The exclusion of class also enables the concealment of the role that elite colleges play in perpetuating class, which they do through a system that pretends to accomplish the opposite, our so-called meritocracy. Students have as much merit, in general, as their parents can purchase (which, for example, is the reason SAT scores correlate closely with family income). The college admissions process is, as Mitchell L. Stevens writes in Creating a Class,a way of “laundering privilege.” But it isn’t simply the admissions process. The culture of political correctness, the religion of the fancy private colleges, provides the affluent white and Asian students who make up the preponderant majority of their student bodies, and the affluent white and Asian professionals who make up the preponderant majority of their tenured faculty and managerial staffs, with the ideological resources to alibi or erase their privilege. It enables them to tell themselves that they are children of the light—part of the solution to our social ills, not an integral component of the problem. It may speak about dismantling the elite, but its real purpose is to flatter it. Read the whole thing. Seriously, do. Fareed Zakaria is in the club; Monica Crowley is not. This is the lesson for people to take about elitism, class, and access to power in this country. The tragedy of Trump is that this system really does need to be blown up, or if not blown up, then dismantled and rebuilt. But his fatally flawed character is probably going to make that harder to do than it ought to be. Still, why, exactly, would a smart, self-respecting aspiring scholar want to go into a world of people who think and behave that way? If most people are sick of it, but it still goes on, what are we to conclude?
warc	201713	Wireless Networks A wireless network is a platform for enabling enterprise-wide access to all of an organization's applications and data. Wireless networking allows users to take the office with them wherever they go. How will a wireless network benefit my business? A wireless network deployment can help your company achieve multiple benefits, including: Reduced setup time and amount of cable required to outfit a location Greater flexibility that allows new and temporary users quick access to the network Improved collaboration and productivity Easier deployment and relocation Increased security How can I help my business embrace wireless networking solutions? When considering the implementation of a wireless network, it is important to: Perform a site survey. Having a third-party perform a site survey can ensure a successful deployment. The site survey can provide a roadmap for designing the optimal wireless network, identify potential issues, and propose solutions to remediate any difficulties. Address security concerns. Many believe that wireless networking exposes the business to greater data security risks. On the contrary, wireless networks authenticate users and encrypt transmitted data, making it more secure than a wired line.
warc	201713	Michael Zoorob is a senior from Brentwood, Tennessee, majoring in political science and economics. Zoorob’s interest in politics grew out of an interest in news and world events that began at a young age. Though intrigued by all forms of politics, Zoorob is particularly interested in international relations, drug policy, and the politics of stigmatization. Previously Online Director, he is currently the President of VPR and writes the column, "The Politics of Fear." Most of us who witnessed the fire-and-brimstone protester on campus this week are familiar with his vision of America’s youth: spoiled, promiscuous, impulsive, and immoral. This image pervades our media from its glorifying portrayal at the box office (think Project X) to the newspapers and books decrying the “hook-up culture”. Many voters cite this moral decline as an issue of concern, and serious politicians have weighed in; former senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum speculated that it may be due to Satan attacking America’s culture and institutions. Whatever the cause, the problem seems to be universally accepted: everyone thinks of today’s youth as having unprecedentedly active drug and sex lives, and not much time for anything else. Reality is, of course, much less interesting. CDC data shows that rates of teen sex peaked twenty years ago, and have been declining since. The Guttmacher Institute reports that since its peak in 1988, the proportion of 15–17 year olds who had ever had sex declined from 37% to 27% among females, and from 50% to 28% among males. Among 18–19 year olds, that proportion declined from 73% to 63% among females, and 77% to 64% among males over the same period. Between delayed sex and increasing use of contraceptives (further evidence of the unchecked impulses of our depraved youth), the teenage birthrate has fallen among all-ethnic groups and reached its lowest point since we started counting. Don’t let television shows about pregnant teenagers warn you—we’ve never had fewer teen moms than we do right now. And abortion isn’t the explanation; that’s down too (by 59% since its peak in 1988). The evidence about drug use tells a similar story. The “Monitoring the Future” surveys done by the University of Michigan, which track drug use among teenagers and young adults, show that use of illicit drugs is pretty much flat. Marijuana use is higher than it used to be; meth and cocaine use are down. Moreover, rates of cigarette smoking and binge drinking in 2012 were the lowest ever recorded in the survey’s 37 year history. Daily cigarette smoking among high school seniors has halved, falling from 19% to 10%. If you can believe it, rates of binge drinking in high school and even on college campuses are at record lows. Oh yeah, and the high school graduation rate stands at its highest point in two decades. Here’s to kids these days—by almost every metric, more responsible than today’s parents ever were. The same conservative politicians decrying the decline of America’s culture and youth should really be rejoicing. America’s a lot lamer than it used to be.
warc	201713	Job growth is finally picking up, as we all know from bullish employment reports in January and February. But part of the jobs story isn’t told: How much of the faster pace of hiring is a result of low energy prices in America relative to our international competitors. The shale oil and gas revolution is behind the fall in gasoline and electricity prices, which in turn is unleashing a comeback in many industries. Consider the U.S. manufacturing boom, which can be seen in the revival of factories selling everything from plastics, cars and chemicals to potato and micro chips. The turnaround has little to do with government programs or subsidies. A major springboard is the lowest-in-the-world energy prices found here in America. As the nearby table shows, the U.S. now has the lowest electricity prices of any of our major industrial competitors, with the exception of South Korea. The differential is gigantic compared to Europe, with our power costs for industry anywhere from one-half to one-fifth those of producers in Euroland. Shale gas drilling technologies have lowered the cost of natural gas from more than $12 per thousand cubic feet in 2008 to around $4.50 now. Natural gas at these low prices is gradually replacing the use of coal as the No. 1 source of electricity production in America — though coal remains a cheap and major source of electricity production as well. This also explains how the U.S. has reduced its carbon emissions more than any other nation over the eight-year period ending in 2013. Now for the flip side of the story — one of energy-policy dimwittedness. Take a look at how much of Europe has lost competitiveness as its nations have bought into the green energy fad over the last decade. “Go green” in practice means go expensive. The green blunder has sent electric power costs soaring relative to the U.S. Nowhere is the damage more visible than in Germany. In 2005, the Germans passed the most aggressive renewable energy law of any country. The short-term goal is 30% to 50% reliance on renewables with an eventual goal of 80% over the next several decades. The process of force-feeding industry and households green energy has increased utility costs and in some cases crippled manufacturing production. In 2013, the headline of Deutsche Wells, a top media outlet in Berlin, was: “High Energy Costs Drive German Firms to U.S. Read More At Investor’s Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-viewpoint/031215-743200-shale-revolution-brings-job-growth.htm#ixzz3UI7JgHeE
warc	201713	Shyness is nice, and shyness can stop you from doing all the things in life you’d like to – The smiths I’ve been meaning to write about mental health issues that I’ve suffered from for a while, but well, I’ve been too anxious to. What will people think? Do they think i’m making it up? Will there be any point? If you don’t suffer with mental health issues then you understand? Of course there is a point. The point I’ve been trying to create a blog based on is that you can pick yourself up when you feel low, with or without mental health issues. If I could just help one person or some random piece of advice like “go for a walk – it really does work” and it works then I guess I’ve done myself proud and maybe the people who don’t understand it will understand. I’m only going to talk about anxiety in this post; I was going to do it all in one but don’t think all my “problems” can or should be condensed as sometimes the smaller things might be what we have in common and maybe I have found a way of dealing and I can offer some help to others. i’d really love some feedback on this blog as i will post anything that is helpful to others as well. Whether its a book, music, exercise etc I am not a show off. I don’t like being the centre of attention. The thought of having a wedding petrifies me having so many people stare at me. Not that i’m particularly worried about that one as I’m not a strong believer in marriage but you get my drift. Writing this is making me all shaky and worried about so many different things. Mainly about how people will judge me. Some of this might bore you, I can only give personal experiences so apologise in advance if i sound like i’m being self-centered I am just giving my advice on what I know. Push yourself and do something terrifying. To most people this would mean freebasing off the Eiffel tower or whatever… To me this is asking a stranger for a lighter; having to speak out with an idea during training. or even asking my boyfriend for a cigarette. The fear of rejection is bigger than my fear of catching pneumonia when I forget to wear a coat out and I’m in wales and it rains. One thing I’ve learned is, the worst they can say is no or so what if you stutter or slur its one step closer and they are probably as insecure as you they have just handled it like the way i just have by shouting out my answer. It sounds so simple and basic but all these small and little things can be battled you just have to make yourself. It’s hard but it does get easier. After an hour of training at Mind, I finally shouted out my input and my contribution ended up be a focus for the day. Talk about your feelings. All the time. Even if your friends get sick of it, actually your real friends wont so don’t worry. I’ve gone from ice queen to soppy mare in the matter of weeks because I talk about my feelings. Doesn’t need to be with the person you have the feelings for (good or bad). You just need to talk about them. You talk about them because the more you talk about something the clearer the subject becomes. The more confident you become with these feelings. This has happened to me so many times where I just over think and eventually just stop thinking about how I feel about a situation because its driving me mad and end up not caring about a situation, then regretting not showing my feelings because the situation may have ended differently had I talked about the situation. Talking about feelings can be so hard but honestly, you will save yourself so much stress and sleep if you do. Listen to others and let others know you have anxiety . Sometimes when I have a panic attack it is really difficult to bring me out of them, once I have in my mind that only one thing (varies on situation) will make it go away, without that one thing i can’t calm down. With me its usually leave me the hell alone or I will scream shout swear and slam doors at you because I don’t like being told what to do especially under those circumstances. However sometimes people really are trying to help. If like me you need “breathers” simply explain to your friends that you suffer from panic attacks/ anxiety and explain what things can trigger them and how they can help. If they aren’t helping you need to tell them and find a way to bring yourself out of it. Deep breaths. When I cant sleep at night which realistically is most nights, I tried this and it really did help: Sama Vritti or “Equal Breathing” How it’s done: Balance can do a body good, beginning with the breath. To start, inhale for a count of four, then exhale for a count of four — all through the nose, which adds a natural resistance to the breath. Got the basic pranayama down? More advanced yogis can aim for six to eight counts per breath with the same goal in mind: calm the nervous system, increase focus and reduce stress, Pacheco says. When it works best: Anytime, anyplace — but this is one technique that’s especially effective before bed. “Similar to counting sheep,” Pacheco says, “if you’re having trouble falling asleep, this breath can help take your mind off the racing thoughts, or whatever might be distracting you from sleep.” Cut out toxins. I’m not saying you can’t have a laugh or party but if a comedown or hangover makes you on edge, I can promise you it wouldn’t be as bad without it. Talk about positive things more often, you don’t need to talk about how anxiety can make you feel ill all the time. To Everyone, anxiety can actually make you feel ill. After a panic attack I’m normally wiped for the day and have to go to bed and reset myself. Thank goodness they don’t happen very often. The more you talk about what makes you happy, people will understand that these things make you happy and hopefully remember when you’re feeling down. Time outs. If things are getting too much have a time out. The last mental breakdown I had my mum was on the receiving end and congratulated me for not screaming or crying and said “go for a walk, have a cigarette and re-assess the situation”. I felt so proud of myself that she was right and I had come a long way. But seriously, don’t let it all build up and don’t sit there shaking like a leaf not saying a word. Do whatever it is you need to do to make yourself feel better. I find going for a walk helps a lot as exercising releases endorphin’s, and its free! a hot bath? Whatever it is make sure you can take enough time out to think about your thoughts and clear them up with yourself or someone else before you try and deal with the situation again. I’ve just got myself a few of those art therapy books. its something I’d do normally but now its available so widely why not give that a go? tell yourself you can do it. tell yourself you’re beautiful. all the time. i started a #lovethewayyoulook Instagram photo series to show my in how i feel comfortable with how i look. be who you want to be, not who you aspire to or dream to be, be them. the best confidence you can get is from yourself. and i know i felt so much better getting my newspaper column knowing i tried really hard to get my blog out. and how well it paid off! Let people know you dont feel like being social if you simply let your friends know you dont feel great you dont feel like going out – they will understand. Just don’t ignore them. Nearly all of my friends have some form of communicational downfall but luckily we all tell each other about the issue and so we don’t take it personally if you don’t get a reply. I hate answering the phone, I struggle to reply to text messages, starting conversations when you’re with someone (omg someone please put a bag over my head). Just let people know you feel uncomfortable or awkward otherwise you may loose them as a misunderstanding backlash. By the way Jess, Vicki, I’ve had so much going on in my head am in the process of writing you a card back😉 love you I still get freaked out around kitchen knifes and sharp objects. That insecurity will pass with time I suppose. I still find it hard to talk about my feelings but the most important thing i have done to help with my anxiety is to let people know that I have issues with it. So that is the key because how can someone help if they don’t know somethings wrong? I wish that the outcomes were better in some situations, it would almost appear that some people couldn’t care less. And you know what? they couldnt, why should you or anyone waste time with anyone who can’t be bothered to show you their support? Support is anywhere and everywhere. Now go out there, find that support, get yourself brain healthy and be who you want to be! I lost a best friend because he didn’t speak out enough about his mental health. I think about you every day. rest in peace Greg I hope to make you proud. Read more of my writings at https://ichosetobee.wordpress.com/ Write for usHave you ever wanted to write for a newspaper, but need to gain experience? Do you have your own blog? GET IN TOUCH
warc	201713	Strategies to improve employee and population health Wellness Programs & Trends Teacher workouts strengthen muscles, friendships Teacher Christy Oakley was so happy with a mind-body workout she got at a local fitness center, she persuaded her trainer to offer it to co-workers at Founders Hall Middle School in McKeesport, Pa. The school allowed Oakley to bring the workout classes into the cafeteria three times a week, and teachers say it has had a positive impact on team-building and relationships. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (12/26) Ill. school staff receive incentive to model healthy living Officials in a Palos Heights, Ill., school district say that teachers and other school staff should be models for healthy living, which they encourage among students. To help accomplish that goal, the city council has agreed to offer in-district rates at its fitness center to school staff that live outside of the district. The district also launched a Fit Together Program this year, in which school staff earn points for eating healthy and exercising and are eligible for prizes. Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model) (12/22) Fitness Budokon uses yoga, martial arts for mind-body workout Budokon combines yoga and martial arts in what fitness instructor Mimi Rieger calls a "beautiful symphony" that provides a full-body workout and an opportunity to earn six colored belts. Richard Cotton of the American College of Sports Medicine says people can get the same type of mind-body experience from strength training, golf or even walking. Reuters (12/24) Health News & Research CDC: Obesity rates drop slightly in preschool-age children The percentage of obese, low-income preschoolers declined from more than 15% in 2003 to less than 15% in 2010, CDC researchers report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The rate of extreme obesity went from 2.2% in 2003 to about 2.1% in 2010. Progress in reducing childhood-obesity rates may be related to greater breast-feeding rates and increasing awareness of the importance of exercise, researchers said. Reuters (12/25) Flu season arrives early in U.S., health officials say Flu activity increased this month, with 12 states reporting high flu activity, the CDC reports. New York City and five states reported moderate flu activity, while 33 states reported low activity. The U.S. flu season is off to an early start, but it is too soon to tell how severe the season will be, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a statement. HealthDay News (12/21) Frequent Facebook usage is tied to obesity in study Data on 500 Facebook users revealed those who reported having strong ties with their friends showed higher BMI than those who visit the site occasionally. Social media use was associated with better self-esteem but reduced self-control, which in turn leads to unhealthy eating habits, researchers reported in the Journal of Consumer Research. The Inquisitr (12/24) Schools & Community Conn. school districts move forward with meal changes While the U.S. Agriculture Department has offered districts some flexibility in implementing school-meal standards, nutrition professionals in several Connecticut districts say they plan to move forward with their plans under the previous guidelines, as retraining staff and students would be challenging. Others are delaying making any changes until they get further direction from the state Education Department. Record-Journal (Meriden, Conn.) (12/23) Wellness Industry Developments AHIP News Health systems change initiative launched AHIP Foundation announces the launch of the Institute for Health Systems Solutions (IHSS), an initiative designed to help advance new ideas regarding the delivery and financing of health care through credible, independent research and analysis. Learn more. AHIP’s immunization compendia highlight health plan strategies Immunization Innovations is AHIP’s online compendia of pioneering programs and leading best practices for measuring and improving immunization rates. Complete with outreach tools, educational resources and marketing materials, AHIP’s Immunization Innovations and infographic highlight promising models that health plans around the country have used to improve immunization rates in all populations. SmartQuote Never get so fascinated by the extraordinary that you forget the ordinary." --Magdalen Nabb, British author AHIP Solutions Team Managing Editor, Online Publishing: Yvonne Chanatry Recent AHIP Wellness SmartBrief Issues: Monday, December 24, 2012 Friday, December 21, 2012 Thursday, December 20, 2012 Wednesday, December 19, 2012 Tuesday, December 18, 2012 Lead Editor: Kathryn Doherty Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 © 1999-2013 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not reflect actual AHIP endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the official position of AHIP.
warc	201713	Have you ever found yourself wondering why you have trouble reaching your health and fitness goals? Chances are, you may need to revisit your goals and look at them a different way. For example, when it comes to your goals do you say “I need to lose 10 pounds!” If you have ever said that, you may be setting yourself up for failure because it is outcome based. One method that I’ve done recently with a few clients who have been struggling, is to focus on the behaviors and habits that are formed. Why is this important? Because the outcome (losing 10 pounds) will be dependent on consistent behaviors and habits, like working out 5 times a week or eating clean during the week. If you are able to workout for 5 days a week and eat clean during the week, the natural outcome will be weight loss. If you develop a habit of working out and eating clean each week, you will ultimately reach your goal of 10 pounds. However, let’s take it a step further, not only will you eventually reach your outcome, but on your journey you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are now more disciplined with your fitness and nutrition, you will feel better, have more energy, and perform your daily activities better. The weight loss of 10 pounds will be a “bonus”. If you are you struggling to reach your weight loss goals, try switching from an outcome based approach to a behavior based approach. For more help or assistance with reaching your goals, comment below or fill out this contact form and we can chat more in a 30 Minute Coaching Session.
warc	201713	That I’m actually committed to this “recovery” thing, that is. My best friend’s wedding was beautiful. She was a gorgeous, gorgeous bride. She is also a beyond-gracious friend who put up with me and all my food and exercise weirdness for five days. I tried hard. I walked a fine line, trying to balance my desire to not be a horrendous pain in the arse with my “need” to alleviate some anxiety through food control and exercise. I think I did okay. It was not easy. Apparently, in Connecticut, “vegetarian option” means “eggplant parmesan.” Please do not misunderstand me – I love eggplant. However, eggplant parmesan has been on my list of “eeeeeek!” foods for a while due to the fact that it is battered. And fried. And usually served with pasta (EEEEEEEEK!). However, this weekend, I ate battered and fried eggplant three times. It got a little easier each time, thankfully, and if nothing else, I faced the fear. I also learned that I really don’t care for it – I’d rather have baked eggplant parm, which is not only healthier, but actually tastes like eggplant. Lesson learned. I also had handfuls of almonds (eeeeek!) at multiple times this weekend, because it was virtually my only protein option. I could have had cheese on anything and called it a protein, but cheese does not sit well with me and I was already having enough of a time digesting the battered and fried “vegetable.” I am not particularly proud of the fact that I worked out every single day I was on vacation. Every. Single. Day. Including the day of the wedding, where I went for a trail run and proceeded to trip and fall less than seven minutes in. I kept running. And stood next to my best friend on her wedding day – with a bloodied knee and elbow. I am, however, extremely proud of myself for the following conversation, which occurred shortly after the ill-fated run: Me, to S – the bride-to-be: Okay, my job today is to make sure you’re well-hydrated. And I’m going to recruit one of the other girls to make sure I’m eating enough. S: I think that’s a great idea. Chain of command or something. Me, to E – a bridesmaid: So, I have a job for you. E: Yeah, I thought I heard you guys talking in the bathroom – something about water? Me: Yes – I’m making sure S has plenty of water, and you have to remind me to eat so my blood sugar doesn’t bottom out. E: Okay. When do you need to eat? We proceed to create a plan. We decide, based on the order of the day, that I should eat when I get my hair done (I was the last appointment – about 3 hours from breakfast) and when we’re leaving the hotel to do pictures before the ceremony. Then is the ceremony and reception and I’m on my own after that. Things are a little hectic at the salon. Six girls, six completely different hairstyles, three hairdressers. It is finally my turn in the chair and I look something akin to deer in headlights. I am so very self-concious about my hair. About the damage that a year-long relapse into an eating disorder has created. It does not go unnoticed and the hairdresser mentions it. Nobody reminds me to eat. I can feel my head start to get a little swimmy – just a little fuzzy, a little difficulty concentrating, a little light-headed. I weigh my options. I could skip my snack. Nobody is watching or paying that much attention. Nobody would notice. I would notice, of course. Already during the course of the trip I’ve blacked out multiple times, skipped meals, skipped snacks, caused my friend and her fiance’ to worry (to the point that her fiance’ flat-out stated that he was worried about me and offered to find me something I would eat). I would know that I let my eating disorder run the day. I would know that when my friend was reciting the vows she wrote, I was desperately trying not to pass out. I would know. I call to one of the girls in the corner. “Hey, can somebody grab me the granola bar from my purse? I need to have a snack.”
warc	201713	Super Duper SAD Fixer 5000 26″ x 13.5″ plexi LED filled box with vinyl graphics applied (wall mounted) Medium: Artist Statement: With the evolution of modern medicine has come the ability and, may I say, obsession with finding a diagnosis for just about every uncomfortable feeling / stress / mood / uncontrolled aspect in life. Some of these driven by medical practitioners and others self assessed and prescribed. One such diagnosis is Seasonal Affective Disorder or “SAD”. Equally as fascinating as a disorder brought on by the changes in the seasons typically manifesting itself in depressive mood swings, is the antidote… a desktop LED light. On considering these lights as the prescription for depression I was struck by many observations… first and foremost the ridiculousness of everything surrounding the disorder that seeks to provide it framework; from the fact an entire medical system made up of thousands of smart, highly educated professionals could create and validate a name for the disorder that purposefully represents the acronym SAD. That the antidote is a desktop light and how a google search will reveal a host of light suppliers that appear more as “as seen on tv” healers than a serious prescription for a disorder affecting people en mass. What’s also funny is many people place the light right beside their computers as if a glowing computer screen is somehow different than the healing light. Almost without exception, everyone I know who has and uses one of these devices is someone I would consider “creative” in ability and occupation; considering the target audience, it is especially curious these devices are non-descript, ugly, and lacking any aesthetic value IMO – this fact provided the inspiration for the project. The Super Duper SAD Fixer 5000 works are a collection of seasonal disorder antidotes. They represent a design exercise to bring aesthetic beauty and credibility to a purposeful device all with a hint of satire. The device is customized to bring people to their places of refuge. The LED filled boxes emit healing properties of electric light energy while also symbolizing beacons of hope for a brighter day to follow (they do nothing it is just a box filled with LED’s). The act of showcasing the piece on a wall itself provides healing properties… breaking down the secrecy and shame often accompanying depression this act puts it on display offering the feelings / disorder / stress up as a statement of artistic beauty to be considered and appreciated. The name itself a rebellious response to the disorders name and pokes fun at the marketing machine that now surrounds the diagnosis. The collection asks several questions about our culture. Why do we feel the need to diagnose everything? Why is it that we are not ok with changing seasons and adverse feelings / moods that may be associated? Why must we “fix” this feeling / mood? Why must all seasons be equal – both physically and metaphorically? Why must we name everything? How many of our antidotes are sold products or services? What does it mean to be SAD? These are just a few examples. *please note, my intention is not to undermine the notion of a seasonal mood altering disorder, nor to offend those who carry this diagnosis, it is more to poke fun at the marketing / design that surrounds it and use the works to ask questions about human struggle. Love Google Zeitgeist… here is their 2010 in review video: I’ve been reading the book “I live in the future and here’s how it works” by Nick Bilton… Great book, the kind you are so aligned with you feel like you could have written it (at least that’s how I feel)… I am just over 1/3 in and have had an epiphany I had to share. For a few years now I have been arguing for the coming age of the digital native vs. The digital immigrant and the tipping point when the former will yield tremendous power and influence over the latter to which the latter will never catch up… For the need to build a “following” in preparation for this moment and not just for the pride of early adoption… But it has just become abundantly clear how truly significant this is in a whole other way. You see, at the same time, I (along with everyone else with any sense) has been preaching the power of search and the need to make “google juice” an imperative in your marketing mix and brand strategy… For if google can’t find you then you don’t exist. And now, in a jarring “a-ha” moment the two ideas have collided in my head and a very scary reality has surfaced… As social has become the norm and curator of choice for the information overload that is the Internet and as google and others work harder to personalize search and look to networks as the mechanism to do so… We will be faced with a world, an Internet, which is customized by our social network… Every search result will be ordered by the relevance and positive referral of our networks. If you search on a restaurant, only those that friends in your network have liked, commented on, checked in to, or linked to will appear in your results. So now consider for a moment what will happen in the future should you not have any “followers” of your product or service… No one to validate you…. No digital referral…. No curator including you in their selections… No google juice. You could be extremely keyword relevant, geo-targeted, with the biggest cpc budget in the world, but if you have no friends you won’t exist. In a world where the youngest billionaire in the world is exactly that for the number of “friends” that he has, building a digital trail of friends might just be the most important investment you will make in the coming years. I suspect to those that will get this idea already, I will be preaching to the choir, and to those that won’t get it, the significance of something so simple will be lost. Either way, it was an important enough moment for me that I felt I should put it out there… I time stamped reference point of what I was thinking and when… Man I love this digital age 😉 Now I’ll get back to my book. In response to hearing the comment “those people have way too much time on their hands” with regards to the social media outpouring over the GAP’s new crappy logo, I find myself both annoyed and pensive about this statement. The statement itself suggests that… 1) using social media for the purposes of commenting on unimportant topics is a “waste of time” 2) it takes time to make comments and it might insinuate that… 3) people who use social media are “time wasters” and concern themselves with unimportant things 4) social media is stupid as it is only used for wasting time on unimportant things Regardless of how one feels about the 4 statements above or the fact that 3 & 4 are likely the trigger for my annoyance, I think the comment drastically under represents the most important points, which to me are… a) social media takes NO time… about as long as it takes for people to think… social media is just an immediate verbalization of what is in people’s heads… it is now, real time; thoughts, place (via geolocation), significance (via the amount of influence people have). Social media is NOT a waste of time as it requires NO time at all… it is the exact reflection of what people say, think, do, be and have been doing for years… it is just that it is now an immediate public record. This is an incredibly important point if you hope to understand and / or leverage the tool. b) holy crap, the general public has the ability to assemble around an opinion in a large enough way, quick enough, and with enough authority to create the influence necessary to make a multi-billion dollar company change their direction within 2 days – HARDLY INSIGNIFICANT… this is extremely significant! Especially when you consider it was a “silent launch”, it showed up on their website and that was it and all hell broke lose thereafter. Consider for a moment how much time it would have taken some marketer to gain the influence to be given the authority and approval to start the process of changing a 20 year old logo for a multi-billion dollar organization… and then double back to the fact it was unraveled in just 2 days. That’s significant. For those working in the GAP’s marketing department right now it is likely the most significant event assembled by a bunch of people “wasting time” in the history of their careers. If you are not a marketer nor in an occupation where understanding how people think / socialize / act is important, then feel free to chalk this post up to just another blog about unimportant topics blown way out of proportion… but if you are a marketer or in a career where customer behaviour matters and you have not given a second thought to the events surrounding the GAP’s crappy logo then I highly recommend you take a moment to reflect on what’s just happened… the future of how you do your job depends on you seeing the significance of this. Just read a fantastic article on Leadership via @harvardbiz and wanted to keep / share it so I’m posting it here… Today I was directed to a blog post entitled “Ummmm…. You’re Not Even Doing the Bare Minimum [An edgy conversation]” by Dan Waldschmidt (via @shanegibson) and I was reminded of a conversation I had with Murray Martin – Chairman, President and CEO of Pitney Bowes Inc. – where I asked him two questions… 1. What is your favourite thing about business? 2. When you hire someone, what is the single most important thing you look for? His answers were simple and ones that have stuck with me throughout my career. 1. I like to win. Who doesn’t like to win? This statement reminds me that business is supposed to be fun, competitive, involve team, requires training and exercise, should be taken seriously (professional sport serious, not life-and-death serious), and the goal should be to win some. In Canada we are all very cordial in our competition – especially in British Columbia – but the truth is, it IS a competition and to stay sharp, to push forward, and to be the best, it’s okay if somebody wins. 2. Hard work vs. smart work. Everybody and their brother has a university degree and an MBA, smart is the “Bare Minimum” as Dan Waldschmidt suggests, but most people I have met who talk about “working smart” are usually just lazy. As Murray explained to me early on, there will be many times throughout your career where what it takes to get ahead, to win, is just hard work…. you don’t necessarily have to be the smartest, the most innovative, the most cutting edge, but the one who wins is usually the one that worked the hardest for it. On a personal note, I have the pleasure of working for a company that models this everyday. Our culture is such that often we get ridiculed by our competitors for not being the most creative and for being “cookie cutter”… but there is no other company I have seen in our industry that works as hard as we do… that has a culture where just plain “hard work” is valued… we don’t take random days-off midweek, we arrive early and stay late to get things done and we build and sell more homes than anyone else in our trading area. As another friend once said to me, “Have you ever met a CEO who didn’t work 60 hour weeks at least at some point in their career?”. Food for thought. I’m not advocating becoming a work-a-holic, but a 60 hour week now and again probably wouldn’t hurt either.
warc	201713	Though April 7th was No Housework Day, we all still have to do housework and work work the other 364 days of the year (ugh), so it behooves us to take time out of each day to de-stress in order to live healthy and happy lives! On No Housework Day, I focused on massage as a way to de-stress and relax after a long day at work, a loud argument, or anything else that causes tension and pain in the body. So, for Stress Awareness Month overall, I’ll be covering other ways of kicking back and reducing stress: tea, mood lighting, and sleep aids. Tea I love tea. I love tea. And I’m not the only one in my family, either: my grandma collected teapots and tea cozies until the day she had to move in with my dad (her son) and suddenly realized she had no room to keep any of her pots and cozies, much less any of her tea cups. Luckily, somebody managed to find her a Tea for one w/ Saucer, which uses a clever nesting design to make storing a teapot, cup, and saucer much easier. Available in three color schemes: beige/purple, dark grey/yellow, or orange/light grey. For someone who likes her tea just so, like me, I’ve got the perfect cuppa: My Cuppa Color Matching Tea Mug. Now, I realize that proper English tea is poured after the cream is already in the cup, but that’s not something I learned growing up and pouring the tea first suits me just fine. So, with that in mind, I’ll take “Classic British” tea, thank you. 🙂 Mood lighting Okay, so I have two thoughts on mood lighting for stress reduction: tea lights and lamps. On the one hand, we have tea lights, the perfect way to set the mood for “let’s just chill out” in any room that’s at least semi-dark. Made from acrylic and stainless steel, contemporary design meets simplicity when you combine multiple Cube Tea Lights to make these holders into a super relaxing display. The holders come in two colors: clear and green, as shown. Lamps, on the other hand, aren’t as flammable (literally), and they can be used over and over without having to buy more candles or matches. This Tall Bottle Lamp also has the added bonus of looking great in the daytime, too. It stands at 4 inches high, and the flameless candle inside shuts off after an hour so you don’t have to worry about running down the batteries prematurely. Sleep aids When I was a kid, one of my assignments in school was to draw a picture of my favorite place, and you know what I drew? My bed. No joke; my favorite place in the whole world was my bed, and that basically hasn’t changed. Dreams are a great way to work things out in your unconscious mind, but sometimes the mind gets stuck and needs a little push in the right direction. The Dreamate Sleeping Aid Wristband is just the thing for when you’re tossing and turning, can’t seem to find a good sleeping position or the cool side of the pillow, or when you’re just plain insomniac. Important note: DO NOT use if suffering from heart disease; not to be used by people with pacemakers or those monitored by electronic equipment (EKG monitors and alarms, etc). If you have kids, or you just like whimsy every now and then, try the Olephant Mobile. Handmade in Denmark, this mobile comes already assembled and ready to hang above the crib (or your bed). Stress Awareness Month shouldn’t be stressful! When in doubt, don’t worry about “the right way” to de-stress… exercise, writing angry letters that you never send, and screaming into your pillow all work, too! How do you reduce stress? I need ideas!
warc	201713	Genetically engineered crops, while controversial in some circles, have become commonplace in commercial agriculture. USDA and industry groups estimate that 90% of major commercial crops such as corn and soybeans are genetically engineered varieties. But as demand for organic and non-genetically engineered ingredients has increased, so have concerns about the mixing of GE and non-GE crops. Listen to Steve Morris, a director in our Natural Resources and Environment team, discuss federal agencies’ oversight of genetically engineered crops, and their potential effects on other crops.
warc	201713	Applications of the Expansion Method John Paul Jones, Emilio Casetti Routledge, 1992 - Science - 375 pages The Expansion Method calls into question the social sciences' practice of constructing trans-contextual theories and models. "Applications of the Expansion Method" explores the theoretical significance of the expansion method paradigm and provides methodological advances. Applications are offered in such diverse areas as population, social policy, urban systems, economic development, and remote sensing. What people are saying - Write a review We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
warc	201713	The other day at work I read this truly inspirational quote by Buddha that really got me thinking: “the only real failure in life is not to be true to the best that one knows”. I thought that this was especially true for all of us who sometimes feel stressed out or that we aren’t doing enough with the opportunities that we have been given – at least I know that I sometimes feel that there is so much more that I could be doing and that I am not working hard enough! When I read this quote though it really changed my outlook on the whole situation and concept of “success”. At the end of the day I think that this quote is quite accurate. All we can ever do is our personal best, and it isn’t fair to compare ourselves to others or think that we have to live up to what others consider to be “successful”. Success should be a personal definition that we each have based upon our own morals, values and experiences. It isn’t up to society to tell us how we should be feeling or what “success” truly means, and I think that as aspiring women in business it is important for us to be trail blazers and continue to redefine success and happiness and understand that what society may consider to be “success” isn’t necessarily what “success” means to you. I challenge you to find a quote that inspires you and hope that it can help you to feel more confident in your pursuit of finding your personal definition of “success”. For those interested in finding some more inspirational quotes feel free to check out this website I found as a start: http://entreprenista.com/2011/07/top-50-inspirational-quotes-for-women-entrepreneurs-by-women/. Hailey Vasyliw University of Toronto
warc	201713	Apart from a handful, you don’t hear many stories of Indian women entrepreneurs making it big–certainly not in the biotechnology industry. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw not only made her mark in a male dominated industry, but also managed this while overcoming the many struggles faced by Indian women in a male-dominated, patriarchal society. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is the Chairman & Managing Director of Biocon Limited, a biotechnology company based in Bengaluru, India. She has received a number of awards that include Best Woman Entrepreneur, ET Business Woman, Emst & Young’s Enterpreneur Award, Technology Pioneer Award along with Padmashri in 1989 and Padma Bhusan in 2005 from Government of India. She ranks 85 th on the list of Forbes most powerful women and 92 nd on India’s richest. In 1978, at the age of 25, she started the company from the garage of her rented house with a mere capital of $2,724. Sexism is one of the foremost problems faced by women in business all around the world and the Indian corporate culture is no different. Kiran faced many challenges while trying to set up her start up. The first issue was arranging funds. There were few banks willing to lend money to a young female entrepreneur hoping to start a business in the then less chartered territories of biotechnology. To make matter worse, she faced difficulties in recruiting people for her startup as not many wanted to work under a “female boss.” She took this in stride, and with her honest proposal and dedication, explained her vision to each employee and banker and won their hearts. Her trouble though did not end here. Even the raw material procurement companies she had to deal with did not want to work with a woman. In spite of the hardships, Kiran has made her mark on the Indian society and Biotech industry. Her company the first Indian company to manufacture and export enzymes to USA and Europe and become the first company to receive US funding for proprietary technologies. She now focuses on biopharmaceuticals and making affordable drugs for the world. Along with being a sharp businesswoman she is a philanthropist. According to Forbes, Kiran has pledged to donate 75% of her wealth, currently estimated at $625 million. The 60-year-old has given away $33 million to multiple charities since 2005, which includes helping build a 1,400-bed cancer center in Bengaluru. A powerful businesswoman with a big heart, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is truly an inspiring role model for all aspiring women hoping to make it big. Krisha Mehta American University in Dubai
warc	201713	Climate Change and Conflict Everyone is familiar with certain effects of climate change; we all know that the world is getting warmer, that extreme weather is becoming more frequent, and that sea levels are rising. These are all direct results from climate change and certainly pose a great threat to mankind, but the holistic understanding of climate change and its effects is not well known, especially by people in the west. One aspect that I would like to focus on here is the role climate change plays in conflict. In Forecast Stephan Faris explains the consequences of climate change throughout the world. In the first chapter, Faris describes the conflict in Darfur: The fighting in Darfur is usually described as racially motivated, pitting mounted Arabs against black rebels and civilians. But the distinction between “Arab” and “black African” in Darfur is defined more by lifestyle than by any physical difference: Arabs are generally herders, Africans typically farmers. The two groups are not racially distinct. Both are predominantly Muslim. The fault lines have their origins in another distinction, between settled farmers and nomadic herders fighting over failing lands. Prior to reading this book, I thought the conflict in Darfur started because of religion, little did I know that it was due to forced migration. One would not think that climate change plays a significant role in conflict, but once a little information is known, it is very difficult not to see the connection. Climate change should not only be understood as rising temperatures, but also as forced migration, violence and rape. I will leave off with an excerpt of Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy in which he explains two different types of war. One is waged because of the ambitions of Princes or of a Republic that seek to extend their Empire, such as were the wars that Alexander the Great waged, and those that the Romans waged, and those which one power wages against another. While these wars are dangerous, they never drive all the inhabitants out of a province, but the obedience of the people is enough for the conqueror, and most of the time he leaves them to live with their laws, and always with their homes and possessions. The other kind of war is when an entire people with all their families are taken away from a place, necessitated either by famine or by war, and goes to seek a new seat in a new province, not in order to seek dominion over them as those others above, but to possess it absolutely; and to drive out or kill its old inhabitants. This kind of war is most cruel and most frightful. -Jason
warc	201713	Published on November 30th, 2014 \| by Tina Casey US Navy Shells Out 3 Million Clams For Wave Energy November 30th, 2014 by Tina Casey It’s been a while since we checked into the US Navy wave energy test site in Hawaii, but our friends over at Columbia Power Technologies steered us in that direction to check out their new StingRAY wave energy converter. The device, which is slated for utility-scale wave energy generation, will get its first full open-water demo at the facility. The US Navy has funded the project through its Naval Facilities and Engineering Command to the tune of $3 million. Those of you familiar with wave energy (and its sister, tidal energy) know that this emerging alternative energy field is fraught with challenges, especially when you’re talking about utility-scale development. While the kinks are being worked out you’re going to see a lot of variation in design, so let’s take a look and see how Columbia Power’s StingRAY works that out. Wave Energy From Columbia Power Basically, wave energy converters rely on the natural movement of waves to drive a piston up and down, move a drive shaft, or stir up some other form of mechanical motion. The mechanical energy gets converted to electricity by a generator and there you have it. That sounds simple enough, but aside from Scotland, which seems to have taken the ball and run with it, the global wave energy field hasn’t been keeping up with other forms of alternative energy, most notably wind and solar. That could be about to change. The wave energy field seems to be taking some lessons learned from wind energy, as demonstrated by the StingRAY wave energy converter. The heart of the converter is a direct-drive system that eliminates excess moving parts, along with permanent magnet generators. The StingRAY is built from corrosion-resistant composite materials, and it is designed with modularity in mind to reduce the cost of maintenance and repair. Also helping to build in efficiencies and lower costs is a single-point mooring system. The spars (the long poles in the schematic above) and the floats behave independently as each wave passes, enabling the floats to rotate freely. As they rotate, they move a drive shaft connected to a generator. There are two generators, one for each float, located in the section marked “PTO Modules.” That section, as in the wind energy field, is called the nacelle. The generators convert the energy to electricity, which is then stabilized for grid compatibility before being sent off the device via cable. Columbia Power envisions an offshore “substation” to assemble the electricity from multiple devices before sending it to the grid. From Wind Farms To Wave Energy Farms The StingRAY was designed with an eye toward avoiding some of the aesthetic concerns that can bedevil offshore wind farms, most notably in the case of the Cape Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts. As you can see from the photo, and the “waterline” indication on the schematic, the StingRAY has a low above-water profile, which is practically nothing when compared to offshore wind turbines. The system was designed for deployment in depths of more than 60 meters, typically located at least a mile or more offshore. Don’t hold your breath for the full scale demo project to hit the water — it’s slated for 2016 — but in the meantime you can check out more projects at the Navy’s Wave Energy Test Site (WETS — cute, right?). More And Better Wave Power Last we heard, the PowerBuoy was getting a wave energy workout off the Oregon coast, and last month the company announced that it was launching a new test site off the New Jersey coast. We wonder if Ocean Power knows what it’s getting into, give the state’s recent history of obstructing offshore wind development. Who knows, maybe they’re figuring to sneak into the water while state energy regulators are distracted by the wind energy thing. The company already has its APB 350 PowerBuoy wave energy model operating 20 miles off the New Jersey coast in collaboration with NOAA. It was developed in partnership with the US Navy and was deployed by the US Coast Guard. The company’s PB40 PowerBuoy was shipped out from its manufacturing facility in Spain some time around October 20 and it has probably made its way to port in Bayonne by now. We’re guessing its final destination is off the coast of Atlantic City, where a prototype of the PB40 PowerBuoy was tested from 2003 to 2008. Just to spice things up a bit, let’s note that the PB40 test project was supported in part by New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities. That would be the same outfit that just put the kibosh on a long-planned offshore wind farm at Atlantic City, so hold on to your hats. Buy a cool T-shirt or mug in the CleanTechnica store! Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech daily newsletteror weekly newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.
warc	201713	SAPREF, the largest crude oil refinery in Southern Africa, is seeing significant benefits and efficiency improvements just three months post the automation of its request process for capital investment project development and approvals. IT solution provider, Datacentrix partnered with SAPREF for this project, implementing a workflow and business process management tool to meet its requirements. SAPREF is a joint venture between Shell SA Refining and BP Southern Africa. Located in Durban, it holds 35 percent of South Africa’s refining capacity. Says Mark Skea, senior ICT project manager at SAPREF: “A major benefit of this rollout is being able to search for, and find, all project development documents in one place. Losing paper based files and incomplete documentation is now a thing of the past as process integrity is enforced by the new system. This success, plus the positive feedback from users, has emphasised the need to make further electronic workflow deployments across other manual business processes within SAPREF.” Shakeel Jhazbhay, business unit manager: Enterprise Information Management (EIM) and security solutions at Datacentrix, explains that the customised solution enables enterprises to build and run business applications, including forms, workflow, data and reports. “It provides powerful capabilities that facilitate the integration of applications with line-of-business systems and scale those applications according to an organisation’s needs. “Prior to solution selection and implementation, a considerable amount of time was spent studying SAPREF’s ICT strategy and consulting with the organisation to ensure the careful selection of a ‘no-regret’ solution for its electronic workflow requirements,” he adds. “This in no small way contributed to the great success of the project,” Skea continues. “It is rare to find a company that volunteers to put this much effort into studying your environment, and partnering with you, to ensure an appropriate solution from your perspective. Datacentrix won the contract based on our technical evaluation of its bid, and solid feedback from other Datacentrix reference sites. It turned out to be the correct selection of vendor. ” SAPREF has praised the efficiency of the implementation, and the end result. “This ‘first time right’ implementation was as a result of particularly good teamwork and excellent technical development skills on the Datacentrix side. Attention to detail, good communication and client satisfaction remained key focuses throughout the project, ensuring that the new application was very well received and readily embraced by around 100 users.”
warc	201713	Posts Tagged ‘ sensemaking’ The first theory I read about in Communication and Organizational Crisis by Seeger, Sellnow, & Ulmer was about sensemaking. According to the book, “This process is inherently retrospective as members look back on events and construct their meanings,” (p. 22). Essentially, people involved in organizations will try to reduce uncertainty through sharing their interpretations and ideas of what happened, why it happened and what they can do to solve the problem. The book says, “Weick (1979) identified specific phases or stages to organizing, including enactment, selection, and retention.” Enactment This is the first action taken. For example, Facebook listened to the complaints of the users. The company had to at least recognize and respond to the complaints. Selection An organization goes to the next step, selection, in an effort to solve the problem. In crisis situations, “organizations are usually forced to offer explanations of cause, blame, and responsibility…that will cause the least legal and economical liability,” (p. 23). Retention Previously used methods that prove successful become part of the organization and are reused when another incident occurs. Sensemaking can help organizations “see the cause of crisis, to avoid them, and to reduce their intensity,” (p. 28). Source: Seeger, M. W. , Sellnow, T.L., & Ulmer, R. R. (2003). Communication and Organizational Crisis.
warc	201713	How to NOT Suck at Social Media by Malcom McCutcheon was published just last month, October 2013. By 2010, Twitter users were sending 50 million tweets per day. While some might say the majority of the population of the world was not fully immersed in social media networking, I would say Google definitely had it down packed by this time. In this case, Malcom McCutcheon was only about three years too late with his book. McCutcheon sets out to accomplish these four goals: 1. To not suck 2. To engage with your current and prospective customers 3. To build your “tribe” 4. To network, damnit! Unfortunately, McCutcheon failed to impress his readers. The general consensus from our group review notes agreed that the book did not fully capture everything we expected to learn. It left most of us thirsty; we wanted to learn something incredibly new and refreshing. After contemplating why a man who seems to be very intelligent and successful would choose to write and publish a book like this, I realized there could only be a few reasons. The first reason is that Mr. McCutcheon simply wanted recognition and credibility, as a business owner of a marketing firm, Bossa Nova Interactive. He does not care about the amount of money he makes from selling his book. This man cares about the amount of press he can get and the amount of books he can drop on the table when he is meeting with potential clients. Executives are taken more seriously when they are able to say “Hey Mr. Big Shot Business Executive, Look! I know what I am talking about. Please hire my company to handle your social media networking.” Mr. McCutcheon knows Mr. Big Shot Executive will not have the time to sit there and read his book. He will assume this man knows what he is talking about given he is able to successfully publish a book on this subject. This author’s intentions were heavily based on self-branding through his book. Sarah Banet-Weiser discussed self-branding in her piece titled “Branding the Post-Feminist Self: Girls’ Video Production and Youtube.” In this case, lets imagine we are not talking about online self-branding and focus on the offline self-branding. According to Banet-Weiser, “Online self-branding utilizes the labor of consumers in re-imagining a “product” as the self.” This book not only contributes to self-branding offline, by simply throwing a book down at the table in a meeting, but it also contributes to online self-branding by allowing the author to include the title and a link to purchase the book on Amazon on his Twitter biography page. The second reason is that Mr. McCutcheon wrote this book with a target audience that is very new to the Internet and social media use in general. It seems he wanted to provide a very compact guide for those who have little to no experience on social media. As much as I have tried to convince myself that Mr. Mc.Cutcheon wrote this book for business owners who are now trying to step out onto the social media landscape, I am still not sure his book is worthwhile to spend $10 on even if you are new to this landscape.The reason I say this is because at this present time in society, a two year old is able to access the Internet. If a man or woman is capable of starting his or her own business or smart enough to develop a product or service to provide for a specific audience, I am almost certain they are very much capable of accessing the internet by going to www.google.com and then typing in the search bar “social media for dummies.” In Nancy Baym’s book, “Personal Connections in the Digital Age,” she describes four different social discourses of new technology. I believe Mr. McCutcheon uses the social shaping approach, the idea where there is a relationship between the user and the technology in which they both play an important role in order to get a result, in his book. He tells the users how to sign up and properly use these mediums as well as describes the positive effects social media marketing plans can have on their businesses. While Mr.McCutcheon spends quite a bit of time listing the different platforms and explaining how to sign up for them, I must say that he also includes strategies on how to properly blog and use Twitter for your business. He also differentiates between personal use and business use as well as creating and developing well thought-out content for the right audience on the right platform. McCutcheon also discussed the importance of weak ties and latent ties, as Nancy Baym discussed in her book. Even though Mr. McCutcheon did touch on all of these points, the fact of the matter does not change. This is easily accessible information on the Internet anyone could have gotten his or her hands on within two minutes. One aspect of the book I found rather less pointless and more information orientated is the advice he provides on managing your online impression. McCutcheon talks quite a bit on how a user should choose his or her account name, the type of information that should be posted and the importance of interacting with your followers and friends on social media. This idea reminded me of Erving Goffman’s impression management. In ”I Tweet Honestly, I Tweet Passionately: Twitter Users, Context Collapse, and the Imagined Audience,” Marwick and Boyd said, “individuals habitually monitor how people respond to them when presenting themselves.” While McCutcheon does not place importance on authenticity in this piece, he suggests users present their businesses professionally as well as maintain their company image on social media. While the information in this book is great for those who need help getting started on most of these social media networking sites, this is all information Google can provide from just typing in a few words and hitting the search bar. Another thing that is great about this alternative option is that it is free. Free. The entirety of my $9.99 spent on this book went down to the drain. If I could return it, I would. So, the question comes down to whether or not I would recommend this book. Well, my answer is not so clear-cut. Yes, I would recommend this book if and only if the following reasons apply to you: a.) You do not have access to the Internet b.) You don’t know how to access a search engine and type in whatever it is that you’re looking for c.) You cannot read *Note: If B and C apply to you, then you should reconsider opening your own business in this day and age. No, I would not recommend this book if the following applies to you: a.) You strongly believe you have the ability to turn on your computer, open a search engine, and type in what you’re looking for. b.) You can type in things like “How do I sign-up for Twitter” or “How do I manage my business on social media?”
warc	201713	It’s always handy to know how to rig or beneficially influence a process. Especially if you work in HR and you want things to be fair. So here is a list of things that people should watch out for their colleagues doing. And if you run the process it’s worth reflecting on how you compensate in your process for real or accidental manipulation. 1. Complain about your salary not matching market rate in the run up to the process. Why? Because it’s the time in the year when you are most likely to get significant movement in the salary budget. There’s little point complaining one month after. 2. Deliver your best piece of work in the month heading up to the review. Why? Because the process should recognise overall outputs/inputs over a year, but we tend to place more emphasis on recent achievements. A strong Q1 is in the distant past. A strong Q4 and you are an ‘up and coming’ star. 3. Get matey with people across the business. Why? Because most processes involve a broader review by senior teams in other departments. You need to pass the good egg challenge in order to keep the positive rating that 1 & 2 have delivered you. 4. PR relentlessly. Why? Because organisations continue to reward the work most easily made visible. The person behind you quietly getting on with being awesome? Far less likely to get rewarded well than Ted, who brags about every single thing he has delivered at every single opportunity. People know about Ted. Why? Ted talks 5. Don’t argue with the boss in the run up to the review. Why? Ideally you want to be irreplaceable. Most bosses still believe supportive and compliant to be irreplaceable as it requires less work than thinking and responding to challenge. 6. Be a guy. Why? Because it unfairly helps in so many ways… I’d insert the research but the cut and pasting would tire me out. 7. Circle the wagons by insisting any failure is down to the business area that most recently annoyed your boss. Why? Any criticism of your performance will be deflected by a broader ‘I think we know there are some issues there’. They’ve had similar problems so they can hardly criticise you for not making more progress. Please note the author has no need of such tactics as he relies on his beard to denote wisdom and creativity.
warc	201713	Tayeb Hyderally is an expert in the legal field of employment law. He purposefully chose this area of practice because of its many facets and because of its complexity. Ty Hyderally has successfully litigated in employment law cases in the New Jersey and New York areas for many years and is highly respected by his colleagues. Because of his vast experience and extensive knowledge pertaining to employment law, Mr. Hyderally is considered to be an expert. He frequently provides advice and counsel on various employment issues to various corporate clients as well as human resource personnel. He travels extensively to conduct training and seminars which are geared to inform employees and employers of their rights and responsibilities in the arena of employment law. His goal is to educate those in any capacity of the work force. Mr. Hyderally has also written several handbooks and employment manuals for various businesses; and he has also developed and implemented complaint procedures to help prevent companies from experiencing litigation procedures. There are many aspects of employment law in which Mr. Hyderally has expertise. Employment law is comprised of many different areas, each of which employers and employees need to be aware in order to create a safe workplace for all involved. Ty Hyderally has dealt with this broad legal field and handled cases dealing with sexual harassment, family medical leave, employer/employee relations, and whistleblower or cases where there has been retaliation. He has also litigated cases in the federal courts as well as the state courts of New York and New Jersey. He concentrates on litigating cases concerning discrimination, the ADA, wage and hour discrepancies, restrictive covenant claims and breach of contract. The legal world of employment law covers many different aspects and Ty Hyderally works diligently to keep his clientele informed and protected. Mr. Hyderally’s vast knowledge in employment law brings opportunities to share on a wide variety of topics which are valuable to corporations. Recently, Mr. Hyderally was honored to be listed in the Top Ten Employment Litigators in Northern New Jersey. This honor came because he has gained the respect of other legal professionals because of his ability to aggressively and successfully litigate on behalf of his clients; and because of his many years of successful litigation in the court systems. During his many years of legal service, Ty Hyderally has had the opportunity of serving in many different prestigious positions. He was appointed to the position of president in the largest group of plaintiff employment lawyers in New Jersey, the New Jersey Chapter of the Executive Board of the National Employment Law Association. He also had the honor of serving in the capacity of the chair person on the Trial Advocacy Committee of the American Bar Association Employee Rights and Responsibilities Section. Tayeb Hyderally is a graduate of the Boalt Hall School of Law of the University of California, Berkeley where he received his JD. He graduated with Departmental honors from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland where he received his B.A. His law firm, Hyderally and Associates, P.C. has two different locations. The firm has an office located in Montclair, New Jersey and another which is located in New York. Along with his vast knowledge of employment law on the national level, Mr. Hyderally is also familiar with the local employment laws which impact those in the work force in the New Jersey areas. He has expertise in dealing with the New Jersey Law against Discrimination (LAD) as well as the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA). In order to help the citizens of New Jersey comply with these laws and keep the local workplaces free from discriminatory practices, Ty Hyderally informs citizens in the area of their rights and responsibilities. He explains to the various local corporate groups how LAD prohibits any types of job-related discrepancies which are based on a person’s race, gender, religion, color, sexual orientation, age, marital status or any basic reasons. The NJFLA provides employees with the right to obtain a leave of absence from their workplace when they need to deal with pertinent family issues such as a birth or adoption of a child, or a serious illness that affects the employee’s parent, spouse or child. Besides Mr. Hyderally’s vast knowledge of employment law, he also has a wide variety of experience in the field prior to opening his own legal firm. He worked as a Criminal Trial Lawyer in the Judge Advocate General’s Office of the United States Navy. He also worked in an employment litigation firm which is located in Pensacola, Florida. The firm specializes in litigating in the federal court system. Mr. Hyderally was the litigator for the plaintiff in cases such as Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, PC and on Kievit, Kelly & Odom. He also served as the litigator for the defense on the cases of Friedman & Siegelbaum, LLP, Roseland, NJ and Jackson, Lewis, Shnitzler & Krupman, Morristown, NJ. Tayeb Hyderally has also conducted arbitrations before the national Association of Securities Dealers, Inc as well as the American Arbitration Association the New York Stock Exchange. He has successfully litigated in states other than New Jersey and New York; these include Texas, Arizona and California. Mr. Hyderally has litigated in several national employment class action cases and he has served as one of the judges in the National Employment Moot Court competitions. Mr. Hyderally has demonstrated his commitment to trial litigation by serving in many positions. He was honored to be nominated to serve as the Co-Chairperson of the Trial Litigation Sub-committee of the ABA’s Labor and Employment Litigation Section in May of 2005. Ty Hyderally has been admitted before the New York Federal Courts, the New Jersey State and Federal Courts, the US Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the United States Court of Federal Claims. From 2008 to 2012 Mr. Hyderally served as the president of the New Jersey chapter of the National Employment Law Association and he is currently the Chairperson for the New Jersey Employment Law Seminar.
warc	201713	ICC hosts conference to mark world-wide launch of new Mediation Rules Just one month before its new Rules of Mediation come into effect, ICC will host a launch conference to unveil the Rules, offering a comprehensive overview of the main provisions and presenting future users with an opportunity to engage directly with members of the task force which drafted the new Rules. Appealing to business users, in-house counsel, mediators and other dispute resolution specialists, the half-day international conference will take place on 4 December 2013 at the historic Hotel de Talleyrand in central Paris. During the conference participants will learn about important changes to the Rules which enter into force on 1 January 2014. They include amendments to the confidentiality provision, the standard ICC model clauses and the role of the ICC International Centre for ADR – the administrative body within ICC responsible for supervising the cases filed under the Rules. Speakers include members of the Rules Task Force, in-house counsel, experienced international mediators and representatives of ICC. “We look forward to acquainting participants with the new ICC Mediation Rules which have been produced under the auspices of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, by an international task force comprising mediation and dispute resolution specialists, including in-house counsel, from 29 countries,” said Hannah Tuempel, Manager of the ICC International Centre for ADR. Consolidating the process under one flexible settlement technique, the new Mediation Rules are set to replace ICC’s current ADR Rules first introduced in July 2001, adapting to today’s business needs while ensuring continued efficiency, transparency and fairness in the dispute resolution process. Peter Wolrich, Managing Partner, Curtis Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, France and Chairman of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR said: “The New ICC Mediation Rules have been designed in response to the comments and suggestions of our users. I am confident that they will give good service long into the future.” Compared to other dispute resolution procedures mediation is a rapid and low-cost procedure, which usually enables parties to resolve even complex, international disputes within one or two mediation meetings. The involvement of a trained mediator enables the parties to overcome stale mates they often encounter in direct negotiations. It is a voluntary procedure that allows parties to decide on the exact terms of their settlement ensuring that their business interests are taken into account and that they achieve an outcome which respects their financial, legal, reputational and future-business interests. Companies in all regions of the world and all sectors opt for ICC dispute resolution to resolve their domestic and international disputes. ICC’s mediation services are renowned as being especially appropriate for complex, international disputes due to the clear set of Rules, the close supervision of the proceedings by the Centre and ICC’s specific experience in dealing with international disputes. The ICC Mediation Rules will be made available in December in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish with Dutch, Japanese, Polish and Ukrainian versions to be made available at a later date.
warc	201713	The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program will help parents/caregivers prepare their children for kindergarten! Research has proven over and over again that children get ready to read years before they begin their formal education. You can help your child get ready to read by reading to them. Getting Started Sign up for the program by visiting the Children’s Department of the library or register online below. Stop by the library to pick up your first reading log and a folder to store your logs. Or download the log here. Come back every time you have shared 100 books together and you will receive a prize and your next log. You may also print a log from home using by clicking here. When you have finished 1,000 books we will place a book into our collection honoring your child. The book will have a special bookplate with your child’s name and his/her accomplishment. Your child will be the first one to check out their honor book and will be invited to a special graduation party in August of that year. Suggestions Have fun and enjoy this special time together! When you read to your children, talk to them about the story and pictures. Sing songs and say nursery rhymes. Learning depends on repetition so it is OK to read a story again and again (list a story every time you read it). Introduce new stories so your child will hear as many new words and concepts as possible. Never make reading a chore. Children learn best when they are in a good mood and the experience is pleasurable for both of you. How long does it take to reach 1,000 books? 1 book each day for 3 years = 1,095 books 10 books per week for 2 years = 1,040 books 3 books per day for 1 year = 1,095 books What Books Count? Books read at Story Time Books read more than once Books from home, the library or another library Audio books Books read on an iPad, e-reader, or other electronic device Books read by any family member, teacher, friend, babysitter, etc. Why is 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Important? Learning to read begins before a child starts school. From the time they are infants, children learn language and other important skills that will help them read. Developing these early literacy skills makes it easier for children to read once they begin school. The Public Library Association and the Association of Library Services to Children, both divisions of the American Library Association, recognize the critical role of parents, caregivers, and librarians in this process. Parents of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are their children’s first teachers and they can help develop strong pre-reading skills. Parents can help even very young children learn five early literacy skills that they must know before they can learn to read and have success at school. These essential pre-reading skills are: Phonological Awareness: hearing and playing with smaller sounds in words Vocabulary: knowing the name of things, feelings, ideas, and concepts Print Convention: noticing print, knowing how to handle a book, and knowing how to follow words on a page Background Knowledge: learning things about your world Letter Knowledge: knowing letters are different from each other, recognizing letters come together to form words, and recognizing letters everywhere. Talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing are some simple activities you and your child can enjoy throughout the day as you spend time together. These activities will all strength your child’s pre-reading skills.
warc	201713	In response to the controversy that’s been continuing to flare, 2 released a video response last weekend. You can see the video here if you wish. If you don’t, here’s a summary from what I get from it. 2 doesn’t believe that anyone has approached him with legitimate criticism; most people are haters who are simply looking to be offended. He insinuates that the screenshot of his YouTube response that kicked off this firestorm is manipulated, and that his stance on suicide has been misrepresented by people who don’t know him because they’ve never been to his shows. All he’s saying is that people shouldn’t be encouraged to seek attention by committing suicide, and that when there is an outpouring of grief and loss in response to suicide depressed people are encouraged by all of the posthumous attention the suicide has received. He wants suicidal people to know that it’s stupid to kill yourself, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and that anyone who disagrees with him is looking to be offended. Finally, he tells people who agree with him that his critics are lonely people who are frightened of life and that they’re really only trying to get attention through hate. He encourages his fans not to spread hate, but love, and that his haters should be pitied and not hated in turn. I have a lot of criticisms with this. I’ll try to take them point by point. “There has not been a single person who has come after me with a criticism.” 2 lays his groundwork by characterizing the argument as a misrepresentation of his beliefs by people who don’t know him, what he’s really about and have never interacted with him in any meaningful way. He starts with the flawed assumption that the people who have criticized him have no legitimate basis with which to do so. That’s simply not the case. A number of people have laid out their criticisms to him time and time again in a variety of ways. The people who have done so have ranged from close associates of his (Dragoneer, Aubrin and myself to name a few), to folks who have long since had problems with his statements and attitude, to people who have just seen that single screenshot (which was edited to eliminate a number of unrelated comments between the original reply and 2’s response) and thought it was wildly inappropriate. Characterizing legitimate criticism as “nothing” glosses over the substance of what many, many people have been saying about this issue up until now. He has blocked several people on Twitter for bringing up their disagreements and ignored people honestly stating their issues with his statements. “People haven’t been to my shows; they don’t know me and they don’t know my views.” I can’t speak for everyone criticizing 2, but I’ve been to his shows before — I’ve been a part of them before. We haven’t spoken in many years, but his views are fairly plain to see in the many interactions he has with the public. Saying that someone must go to his shows to truly know him when he also has videos, DVDs, Twitter and Facebook interactions that provide a fairly clear and consistent picture of his viewpoint is not a fair point to make. People who don’t personally know a public figure can reasonably infer things about who they are by what they say. And he’s said plenty on the subject for people to come to the conclusions they have. Even if 2 is saying that there is a difference between his act and his personal beliefs, that’s a problem as well. If he really does believe that the “tough love” approach to suicidal people is a worthwhile one, then there would be a stronger indication that he understood how to use tough love in a context that was helpful. There have been several comments from him that repeat this idea: if you’re going to commit suicide because someone was mean to you, go ahead and do it so the rest of us can live better. How many times does this sentiment need to pop up before people can believe that he really thinks this way? “You are subjecting yourself to my opinion. You don’t have to listen to me. I would prefer that people who are offended by me don’t listen to me.” 2 is a public figure with a following large enough to exert significant influence within the furry fandom. His opinions are taken up and repeated by many of those fans, and they use his viewpoints to shape their own ideas about the world and the way it works. I know he would prefer his fans to “question everything,” but there it goes. That’s the reality. In order to understand why a large segment of the population in our community believes and behaves a certain way, we have to understand the source of it — and for a lot of cases, it’s 2. He also criticizes the people who have never seen his show or his material, saying that they don’t know him. So under that framework, there are only two options: listen to what I say and agree with me, or don’t listen to what I say and lose the right to criticize me. 2’s critics subject themselves to his opinion because it is a harmful one that has a strong platform. They want to understand what he says and why, why it’s incorrect and exactly what their criticisms are. It’s what you need to do in order to be informed, and to criticize from a place of knowledge. The dichotomy he’s set up makes it easier for him to deflect criticism; if people don’t like him, then it’s clearly because they haven’t actually listened to him. “Transphobic means that I hate every single transgendered person in the world.” “I hung out with transgendered people and didn’t have a problem.” It’s 2015 and we’re still hearing this old chestnut — “I hung out with (minority group) and we had a great time! That means I can’t be against them.” Yes, yes it absolutely can. His attempt to define transphobia as “hating every single transgendered person in the world” is a straw man fallacy. That is an impossible definition to justify, and often the reason that so many people against minority groups break out the “I have a black/gay/trans friend, so I can’t be racist/homophobic/transphobic”. Here is what transphobia is, according to Wikipedia: “a range of antagonistic attitudes and feelings against transsexuality and transsexual or transgender people, based on the expression of their internal gender identity.” It’s entirely possible to have black friends and still be racist. Or gay friends and still be homophobic. Or trans friends and be transphobic. If you have made statements in the past that indicate a transphobic attitude, those statements don’t magically go away because you went drinking with transgendered people one time. That’s not the way prejudice works. Here’s an excellent article on how it’s possible not to hate a single member of a group and still be bigoted against that group. That’s what makes prejudice such an insidious and difficult-to-remove part of our society. People often think that prejudice is active hate, when it really can be something as simple as believing “I think the concept of transgenderism is ridiculous.” It takes very careful consideration and honest introspection to uncover and remove prejudicial thinking. It’s a life-long process. But it’s worth it because it increases your understanding and empathy for other people, spreads that understanding, and makes our community more connected and open. “I do not believe that people should kill themselves. I’ve never believed that.” 2 has been quoted several times stating that people who want to commit suicide should stop using our air. Those screenshots are out there. If he’s never believed that, then he has been very careless with his previous statements and has done nothing to clarify or rescind them. Once or twice may be exaggeration for comedic effect, but the way the statements were phrased indicate a genuine belief in what he’s saying. This video is the first time I’ve seen him say anything definitive to the contrary. “My video rant encouraging people to keep fighting, and continue to live…” Encouraging people to keep fighting and brow-beating them for considering a stop to the fight are two different things with two very different effects. One gives people a little more ability to find ways to end their depression, while the other can be alienating and discouraging. If your intent was encouragement, then it’s important to take that into consideration. “My view is that people should not feel they are going to be rewarded for killing themselves.” This is… a mind-blowing statement. It indicates a complete lack of understanding about the thought process of people who are suicidal. It’s just so, SO wrong and actions resulting from this flawed foundational assumption are going to be harmful. People who are seriously contemplating suicide are in a warped perspective, for sure; I was when I was in the worst of my depression and I know how difficult it was to see the world as it really was. But the assertion that people who react with shock and grief over a suicide are posthumously rewarding them? That he would characterize an emotional display and an outpouring of empathy as “giving someone a posthumous cookie”? And that he would say other people thinking about suicide are actually encouraged by those displays to do the same thing? It’s been my experience that people who are seriously contemplating suicide are not thinking about all of the attention they’ll get when they’re dead and how that will totally make the permanent end of their life worthwhile. And saying that being sad when someone takes their own life is actually harmful because it encourages other people in bad places is such a twisted view of the situation I’m not sure where to begin. So I’ll just say this. If 2 really thinks that people commit suicide to get attention, and that the legitimate emotion of people in the community who have been affected by that suicide is somehow exacerbating the problem worse than saying “you’re stupid for thinking about it,” then he needs to have a seat, stop talking about things he knows nothing about and educate himself on the subject. “If you don’t agree with my message about suicide and you think people should kill themselves…” This is a false dichotomy, isn’t it? Again, it’s pushing people into a camp that is impossible to defend, and the only way out of it is by agreeing with him. This is not the frame of the argument, and pushing people into that box is one of the ways he does a disservice to the entire conversation. No one should kill themselves. AND no one should encourage others to kill themselves. AND he is speaking out about a sensitive subject from a position of ignorance (at best) or gross misrepresentation (probably) or malicious mischaracterization (at worst). It’s possible to disagree with him and not be pro-suicide. I shouldn’t even have to say this. “People who want to be offended and hate other people are generally lonely…they’re probably scared, frightened of life…” “They just want attention, give them a little bit of attention…” 2 opens and ends his response by characterizing his critics as people who don’t understand him, just want to be offended or hate him, and as lonely people who are frightened of life. More straw men for him to knock down easily, and for his fan-base to pity. The appeal to emotion at the very end, to encourage love and not spread “more hate”, makes him seem that his concerns are wholly positive and gives his fan-base a way they can dismiss disagreement without consideration while feeling good about themselves. The video response does nothing to address the criticism directed his way. Instead, it pretends that the criticism isn’t there, that this discussion isn’t about anything other than “hating the popular, straight-shooting guy” and frames oppositional arguments as much weaker and less legitimate than they are. There is no sense of responsibility for the effect his words have on people, for the anger and hurt they cause, no understanding of the world that he says he wants to leave better than the way he found it. 2 released another, longer video in response to the many emails he’s received about this whole situation. You can see that video here. This blog post is long enough, so I won’t refute every point he’s making — I’ll take a high-level view here. In the second, 40-minute video, 2 basically states that his comments were taken out of context (another very common defense when someone says something that gets them into trouble) and that those comments were meant for this one specific situation in which a girl killed herself because of cyber-bullying specifically for the purpose of making the people she leaves behind feel sorry for her. He also says that “social justice warriors” (another shibboleth used to characterize people offended by statements as not worth paying attention to) are basically entertained by their own offense, jump in to demand apologies for things that don’t concern them and are an implacable mob who will only be satisfied if he weeps from the heavens and atones. He won’t do it, of course, because that would be a lie, and he’s merely treating people the way he would want to be treated — he doesn’t get offended by words or opinions, so why should they? Finally, he asserts that this whole situation was caused by someone who hates AnthroCon and wants people to boycott it — and that anyone who involves themselves in this situation is playing right into it. He does not provide any evidence for this. Basically, he doesn’t care if you’re offended. He doesn’t think he should take responsibility for your emotions or what his words cause in them. And the best that you’ll ever get from him for an offensive statement is an acknowledgement that he’s offended you. 2 will never apologize for the things he says and the hurt or anger his words cause. Here’s the thing: words are the way we transmit ideas to one another. They’re the best tool we have to communicate abstract thoughts and opinions. Words are not just “words”. They are tools used for a specific purpose; to influence one another’s thinking, to communicate how we see the world, to change someone’s mind. Those words lead to perspectives, and those perspectives lead to action. It’s all connected. To say that words are unimportant, or shouldn’t cause people to be upset is to seriously misjudge their power. 2 has the right to say whatever he wants, of course. But we also have the right to call him out on the things he says if we feel they’re damaging the community. And I feel they are. At best, he has been careless with his statements — extrapolating one case of suicide and misrepresenting an entire issue that way. He has built a tremendous platform over the years to spread these ideas, and there are a great many people who will agree with him because they, too, have no idea what suicide and depression are really like. He is contributing to a culture of carelessness and ignorance within my fandom, which changes the nature of my fandom, which does affect me. And I have to stand up and fight against that. This is the way 2 operates, and it’s how he’s operated for a very long time. I don’t see any reason to believe he will change. I think we’re wasting our time with direct engagement. The best thing we can do is to discount his ideas about suicide and depression, engage with the people who have absorbed and repeat those ideas, and encourage more responsible conversation about mental health issues. It’s time we move forward with our understanding of those of us who struggle with depression and stop sinking our energy into things that will not bear fruit. It’s time to let 2 go. His views have no place in my community, and I would rather spend my time doing things that ease the suffering of the people who need it. So how do we do that? How do we combat harmful ideas within our community, and what do we do with the people who hold them and refuse to change? I’ll run through a list of suggestions tomorrow.
warc	201713	Being Halloween, I guess I can admit that I’m partial to vampires. It seems that zombies are the favorite Halloween character these days, but the classic Dracula was number one when I was growing up. Of course I’ve seen everything from Nosferatu and Lugosi’s Dracula to millions of questionable movies on late night TV and up to the True Blood series, which was a particularly interesting take on the whole vampire mythology. Vampires are such a part of our culture that we feel like we know them. Maybe we do! Maybe your co-worker is a vampire. The article “The Vampire in the Next Cubicle” in the Employment Responsibility and Rights Journal (2012) has everything you need to know if you might be working with or supervising vampires in the workplace. I love this article because it’s not a fluff piece or a humor piece, it’s a complete and solid analysis of the legal issues that would be involved if vampires wanted employment. It covers nondiscrimination in the hiring of vampires, how vampirism would be classified as a disability under the ADA, what is reasonable accommodation for vampire employees, and vampires and confidentiality laws. It also shows how existing laws try to adapt to new situations, which is a process of great importance to anyone in the legal profession. So I would recommend this article whether you’re passionately interested in the legal rights of vampires or if you just want a little Halloween fun learn some law at the same time. Happy Halloween!
warc	201713	Yesterday a brick arrived in the post. Not just any brick, but a Bee Brick, designed by the Green&Blue company in Cornwall as an architectural addition that can provide habitat for cavity nesting solitary species such as the Patchwork leaf-cutter bee that I discussed during Pollinator Awareness week. A representative of the company recently got in touch, after having read my blog, and asked if I’d like a sample to try out in the garden. In the absence of any planned wall building I’ve placed it a couple of metres up on the flat top of a south facing summer house window. It’s probably a bit late in the season to attract any nesting solitary bees this year, but we’ll see; expect a report back from me at some point. I had actually encountered the Bee Brick earlier this year at the Chelsea Flower Show which Karin and I attended as a 50th year bucket-list day out. It was ok, I enjoyed it, the plants and (some of) the gardens were great. But it was too busy, too expensive and too full of ostentatiously wealthy people for my tastes. As if to serve as a counter-point to all the good work being done during Pollinator Awareness Week and by companies such as Green&Blue, came the recent news that Defra has agreed to lift the restrictions on use of two neonicotinoid pesticides on oil seed rape across a “limited” area in the east of the country. It will apparently apply mainly to Suffolk, and cover an area of about 30,000 hectares. That’s 5% of the UK’s oil seed rape crop. The decision was made at the behest of the National Farmers Union, and seems to make no farming sense whatsoever given that nationally yields of oil seed rape have not been affected by the restriction on neonicotinoids, with the harvest this year looking to be above average. Not surprisingly the decision has drawn furious fire from a range of environmental organisations including Buglife and the Wildlife Trusts. Meanwhile Friends of the Earth have threatened legal action, a move prompted by the fact that the Government has refused to allow its independent advisors to publish the details of the decision, including how it was made and what was discussed. Aside from the lack of transparency, what particularly worries me is that this decision opens the door to further use of these restricted pesticides over the next 12 months, on a region by region basis, until we are back where we were prior to the restrictions being imposed. The two year restriction on use of neonicotinoid pesticides comes to an end in December, at which point no one outside (and possibly inside) of Defra knows what is going to happen. The National Farmers Union is being very selective with their use of information about the scientific evidence base for the effects of these pesticides on pollinators. Dr Chris Hartfield, the NFU’s horticultural policy adviser and lead on bee health issues, was quoted as saying “The majority of the research that has fuelled this debate has been based on artificial dosing studies. The big question in this area is, does this accurately reflect what happens to bees foraging in and around neonicotinoid crops? We don’t know, but the field studies haven’t shown that they are causing population declines in pollinators”. Dr Hartfield and the NFU know full well that all of the evidence so far published shows that even at very small (field realistic) doses, neonicotinoid pesticides have been demonstrated to have important, sub-lethal effects on pollinators that may ultimately affect populations of some species. Surely the wisest course of action is to further restrict their use until we have studied the situation. This is not the only occasion when the NFU have been less than objective with their use of scientific evidence. In the past couple of weeks I’ve had a group email exchange with Dr Hartfield in which he talked about the study by Carvalheiro et al. (2013) that “shows these [pollinator] declines have slowed (or even reversed) in the last 2 decades”. I responded by pointing out that the current situation is not as straightforward as that. The recent paper that we published in the journalshowed that the rate of extinctions of UK bees and flower-visiting wasps has in fact increased over the period when Carvalheiro Science et al.(2013) see a slow down in declines in abundance. There are a number of reasons why our results may be in disagreement with those of Carvalheiro et al., which we discuss in the paper, including the large statistical confidence interval around the rate of extinction during this latter period. However as with all such data, one or two studies will not give a definitive answer. I provided Dr Hartfield with a link to our paper but I’m still waiting to receive a reply. Initiatives such as the Bee Brick, reduced mowing on road verges, the RHS’s Perfect for Pollinators plant list, etc., etc. are important but they are tiny contributions compared to the role that must be played by British agriculture if we are to conserve pollinator diversity in the UK. Farming accounts for 70% of the land surface in this country and has by far the greatest part to play in reducing biodiversity loss. Within 12 months of Defra launching the National Pollinator Strategy, the same Government department has decided to bow to pressure and allow some use of a group of pesticides that we know are causing problems, even if they are not the whole story. Defra is effectively hurling what may be the first of many bricks at itself, ultimately weakening the Strategy. From conversations with politicians I know that these large departments do not have good internal communication and dialogue, but this seems to be an outstanding example of Orwellian double-think on the part of Defra.
warc	201713	DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION: In the post war period in general, development consciousness and development efforts, emerged in the new nations of Asia, Africa, Latin America and parts of Europe, required a civil service of integrity, equipped with administrative ability and practical sagacity for development. Ferrel Heady 1 says, “The importance of administration is almost universally recognised among commentators on development. Usually an effective bureaucracy is coupled with a rigorous modernizing elite as a pre-requisite for progress”. Development and Development Administration The term `Development’ is explained in dictionaries as `end oriented’. It is defined as a growth into a better, fuller, higher and mature condition. In the context of post war efforts at development, the term development also means a state directed and planned effort at change. Mr. Bata K. Dey 1 says, “Development is a total plan of action, to bring about a directed or guided change in all aspects of social activity geared to national progress, with a heavy import of achievement of pragmatic goals”. If such is the meaning of development, naturally, the government and administration are jointly and deeply involved. The administration concerned with developmental activities is called “development administration”. Development Administration is actually an action and goal-oriented administrative system geared to realize definite pragmatic values. These values are usually referred to as `nation-building’ and socio-economic progress’. Weldner 2 defines Development Administration as “the process of guiding an organization towards the achievement of progressive political, economic and social objectives that are authoritatively determined in one manner or another”. Fainsod 3 , considers development administration as “a carrier of innovating values”, which also “ordinarily involves the establishment of machinery for planning economic growth and mobilization and allocating resources to expand national income”. Panandikar 4 defined it as an “administration of planned change”. William J. Siffin 5 says, “the essence of development administration is holistic change undertaken through integrated, organized and properly directed governmental action”. Institution-building J.N. Khosla 4 points out “Development Administration not only envisages achievements of goals in a particular area of development by making a system more efficient, it must also reinforce the system imparting an element of stability as well as resilience to meet the requirements of future developmental challenges. Apart from putting emphasis on `pragmatic goals’, `innovating values’ or `holistic change’, also required is the `development design strategy’. William Siffin and Milton Esman says there should be a focus on ‘Institution Building’. Siffin emphasizes that the essence of development is not to maintain, but to create effective institutions as and when required. For it, Development Administration needs efficient institutions having “ability to design, problem solving and making arrangements (involving technology)”. Maximum utilization of all the resources In the words of Donald Stone 3 Development Administration is the blending of all the elements and resources (men, money and material) into a concerted effort to achieve agreed upon goals. It is the continuous cycle of formulating, evaluating and implementing inter-related plans, policies, programs, projects, activities and other measures to reach established development objectives in a scheduled time sequence. Role of Bureaucracy in development Administration According to Charles T.Goodsell 2, Bureaucracy/civil services are essentially a mechanism for processor to provide planning and an institutional infrastructure to convert inputs of objectives, capital and know-how into developmental outputs. Valson 1 says that owing to the other pre-occupation of political leadership and its lack of technical know-how, the role of civil service in policy making, which in theory is advisory, has become actually a determining one. Main responsibilities of Bureaucracy for making Development successful Converting policies into directive plans, programs and projects is an inevitable function of action oriented development bureaucracy. At higher levels, the development administration has to see policy formulation, goals and strategy; appropriations and allocations of funds; fixing priorities; execution of policy; direction and training. The middle level is usually responsible for learning and interpreting; energizing and supervising; coordination and collection of information. The lower level undertakes the role of mass contacts, demonstration of innovations, introduction of new institutions and collection of taxes. Requirements of Development Bureaucracy The following are the requirements needed for the personnel/civil servants engaged in development administration should have – Mental framework – A scientific outlook. They should be progressive, innovative, reformist and even revolutionary in mental attitudes and approaches. They should never be rigid. Knowledge – They should have enough knowledge in their respective areas of the work – be it in the field science, technology or general administration. Skills – They require conceptual skills – ability for innovative thinking, problem – analysis, planning skills, technical skills, managerial skills and human skills. Vision – A bureaucrat working for development administration requires the vision of a statesman and not that of either narrow-minded politicians or a rule-minded bureaucrat. Along with vision is required dynamism, integrity, drive and passion to convert dreams into reality. Structures – Development Administration requires less hierarchical and more team-like structures such as Commissions, Boards, Corporations etc. Behavior – The behavioral pattern should consist of (a) action and achievement orientation (b) responsiveness (c) responsibility (d) all round smooth relations inside with juniors and seniors and outside with clientele and the public (e) commitment to development ideologies and goals. Besides, there should be – A working partnership between the civil servants and the people. Transparency in their working A sense of service, a spirit of dedication, a feeling of involvement and a will to sacrifice for the public welfare. A pragmatic application of the basic democratic principles. Higher civil servants should provide the required leadership to the lower levels of administration. Constant field inspection by senior officials. to provide the government with the ability to be in constant contact with the people; and to make the people conscious that the government is alive to their problem; Smooth relation between generalist administrators and experts specialists. Training from time to time to understand the success already achieved in the field of development administration and the efforts to be initiated in future. Weaknesses of Development Administration According to Valson 1, the higher-level development bureaucracy suffers from four constraints: disagreements with political bosses; the relatively better economic and social status of civil servants; Supremacy of seniority and patronage than qualifications in promotions; and Unwillingness of bureaucrats to accept new ideas and technology for fear of loss of power and positions. Middle level is constrained by: – conflict between young and old minds in civil service; a high level of corruption; low commitment to development; and conflict with higher level development bureaucracy and local politicians. The lower level is facing: insufficient qualifications; poor salary; loss of morale and loss of faith in development ideology due to frustrating field experience; and loss of initiative, crippling subservience to seniors and sacrifice to developmental objectives. According to Ferrel Heady 1, the main hindrances on the way of effective development are: The growing gap between the rich and the poor nations or between different social strata within a nation. By seventies, the decaying trends had become noticeable in all the nations of developing world. Events like fast developments in the developed countries and a crisis with liberal democracy in the developing or under-developed nations in seventies and the early eighties have dampened most traces of early optimism. By the late sixties, a spirit of frustration and despair with `development administration’ and with `development’ in general had set in. For one thing, it became evident that externally induced modernization had failed to eradicate the basic problems of under-developed sections of society, it purported to solve. Whilst some significant increase in GNP had indeed taken place, poverty, disease and hunger had either worsened or remained unaltered. Decaying trends All developing nations have inherited many things from their past. Their colonial heritage has meant a carry-over of the colonial bureaucratic traditions like elitism, authoritarianism, aloofness, red-tapism and paternalistic tendencies; There is a lack of incentive for talented and skilled for manpower necessary for development program. It is caused by inadequacies and deficiencies in the educational system, recruitments, training schemes and brain drain. There is lack of achievement orientation. The emphasis of civil servants is usually not on program goals, but on personal expediency, status-consciousness, and pleasing the political bosses. Reason for this is the persistence of traditional value system. Results of this tendency are `institutionalized’ and `socially sanctioned’ large-scale corruption and `over-staffing’ in lower bureaucracy. Discrepancy between form and reality. There is wide gulf between the administrative form and reality due to a superficial change to modernizing values and substantial continuation of the traditional ideas. As a result, we find superfluous and excessive legislation or rules (which are normally violated), false delegations and decentralizations, eye-washing/superficial reports and continuing backwardness. Due to all these factors like colonial tradition; monopoly of some elite civil services over technical and professional services; excessive control of general administrators services involved in the sustainable development of infra-structure sector of the nation; coercive power gained by some self-serving politicians; the tiredness, near absence of strong political leadership; committed bureaucracy etc. have all made it more self-serving rather than working for development oriented administration. Remedy An appropriate designing and sincere shaping of the civil service for making the administrative system an effective instrument for achieving developmental goals can be done – Development Administration mainly requires increasing the effectiveness of the human resource of administration termed as personnel or civil service. For increasing effectiveness in administration, the entire personnel system should be efficient. The role of the higher civil servants or the managerial cadre of service is always more important. As in development administration, they have to gear up their capacity to deal with continuous changes with vision, values, ideas, and monitor effective implementation of plans and programs of the government and its evaluation. Conclusion Making bureaucracy/civil service capable for development administration and achieve its goals within expected time is not an impossible thing. It requires a development of administration itself. Development of Administration means “a pattern of increasing effectiveness in the utilization of available means to achieve prescribed goals”. It can be done – through patterning the Administrative structure; and through patterning the behavior of civil servants. Behavioural changes in bureaucratic patterns are obviously more important. These dimensions can be achieved either through reforms (structural) or through proper education and training of higher civil servants. “Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.” Lao Tzu Introduction “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating.”(Kofi Annan) – Everybody desires to be empowered enough to lead a peaceful and comfortable life-style. But how? Hardly anyone tries to understand. Quite often, while talking about empowerment, many intellectuals and political leaders are trapped within the caucus of economic and political empowerment, not the real one. The real empowerment comes from within. Do not wait for any outside agency , government or society for power to be given. Therefore instead of empowerment, emphasis should be more on enlightenment – enlightenment through wisdom. Wisdom is required to choose the right path, generate positive energies and saves human mind from confusion as what to do and what not. For enlightenment and wisdom, knowledge is important. Knowledge is necessary for giving “deeds or actions ” its due meaning, direction and value. Kofi Annan comments “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating.” Liberation to do what one wants to do is empowerment. Politics on empowerment – Today in political world, leaders talk about empowerment. Politics and government is there mainly to take care of its people and look-after their welfare. Merely talking about empowerment does not empower the people or leads to their sustainable development. Sri Sri Ravi Shanker says, “If everyone understood this, the country will gain a lot. We need to spiritualize politics, socialize business and secularize religion. Devoid of spirituality, politics breeds corruption.” Wisdom/Enlightenment, “Knowing others, is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom” – Hindu philosophy shows high regards for wisdom/knowledge, virtues, characters and will power. According to it, senses are superior to body, mind is superior to senses and knowledge/wisdom/intellect is superior to mind. Bhagwat Gita’ suggests that human action/deed needs to be combined with wisdom/intellect for enlightenment and empowerment. According to Hindu philosophy, the whole world of activities is a result of complex intermixing of three basic qualities of human nature – goodness (Satwa), Passion (Rajas) and dullness (Tamas). `Goodness ” is associated with purity, peace and knowledge; `Passion ” with comfort and action; and `Tamas ” with ignorance, sloth, sleep and carelessness. These qualities determine the tendencies, potentialities, limitations, traits and character of individuals and give them direction for action. `Adharma ” (immoral behavior), “Alasya ” (laziness) and Agyan (ignorance) are responsible for negative behavior like becoming victims of evils, unhappiness and miseries. Balance between desires and righteousness – People should be empowered enough to enjoy material success and fulfil all worldly desires. If desires are suppressed, one day it may erupt like a volcano and create troubles. But simultaneously, it is also necessary to achieve one’s dreams in a right way and keep a balance between desires and righteousness. It is the wisdom that balances the two and leads to the path of knowledge and righteousness. Materialism influences most of the people in modern times. It is difficult for them to resist worldly temptations. The desire to enjoy sensual pleasures and be happy without much efforts traps them in a vicious circle. To save their comfort-zone encourages, they desire to hold enough economic and political power in their hands, so that they can do what they want and control the destiny of masses. People with weak minds easily become the victims of such ambitious leaders. Their ignorance makes their efforts futile and destroys their sense of direction. Awareness, knowledge and discipline needs to be inculcated amongst poor masses to empower them and save them from negative forces. Wisdom/intellect needs to be developed to make their mind strong and deeds rational. A mind governed by wisdom makes a person empowered, calm and content. Empowerment – Meaning of empowerment and approach to be empowered differ from person to person and place to place . As Toffler says, there are three main sources of power – ‘knowledge, wealth, and muscle’. In a way, ‘empowerment is an inter-play of all these variables. During ancient times in agricultural societies, power was mainly based on force. After Industrial Revolution, wealth was the source of power and in modern times, it is mainly based on knowledge. Power achieved through money or force is short-lived. It can never lead to sustainable development of the poor and needy people. In agricultural society, power was based on force, in industrial societies on wealth and now in present information -technology period, it is based on knowledge. long long ago, even Chanakya also believed that knowledge is wealth. Knowledge was his greatest weapon, strength, asset and power through which he created emperors like Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka. Positive and negative energies – There are choices before human beings to follow the path of positive thinking or opt for negative mindset. Developing positive attitude/thinking is not an easy task. For attaining it, one needs tremendous perseverance, hard work, and dedication and determination/will power. Style of thinking and working of people with positive or negative attitude differs very much from each other. People having positive attitude are empowered in its true sense. Positive energies develops the mind, enlarges the vision, enlightens and guides a person to take wise actions with using one’s intellect or wisdom. Negative mindset – Negative mindset makes mind weak. Actions taken with weak mind is bridled with suspicion, lust and desires – mainly depending on emotions, impulses, hatred, greed and selfishness. It, quite often leads to agitation/aggression and discontentment. Role of wisdom in empowerment – It is a reality that it is wisdom that empowers a human being and enlightens his/her path. Wisdom can be achieved: Through reflection, which is the noblest; Through imitation, which is easiest and By experiencing, which is the bitterest.” Role of empowerment – ‘Empowerment’ or sharing of power has become a keyword of the modern political world. In politics, everything revolves around the world ’empowerment’. Problems created by over-emphasizing ‘empowerment – Following are some of the problems – Split in society – Recently, focus on empowerment has created split in society. The attention of the people on empowerment has given rise to the pursuance of sectional interests. Encouragement to sectional interests over national interests – In the name of ‘empowerment’, various pressure groups are encouraged by the authorities to pursue their own sectional interests. Almost all the political parties make different kinds of promises to ‘empower’ the upcoming or deprived groups. They do not even hesitate to adopt such populist/paternalistic policies, which are against the national interest in a long run. Means to grab the political power – Present day politicians care for knowledge only up-to the extent, so far as it enhances their chances of entering into the corridors of ‘power’ and control the levers of authority. Rat race– Attitude to be ‘one up’ does not encourage healthy competition. Rather it pushes individuals/groups towards ‘rat-race’, pulls others down and care only for ‘I, my and me”. Increasing corruption and manipulation– With this sole mission in their mind, most of the upcoming politicians concentrate on amassing more and more wealth/empires to buy muscle-power and conscience of common man. They concentrate their efforts/energies to acquire as much money as they can by hook or crook. There is no limit to their greed. The only mission is to hold so much economic and political power in their hands, so that they could lead a luxurious life-style on tax-payers money and whenever they or their supporters are caught doing something wrong, they can get away easily. The word ‘empowerment’ exclusive not inclusive in nature– Empowerment, by nature is ‘exclusive’, which separates individuals/different sections of society starts a cut-throat competition amongst different individuals/sections of society/nations. The word ‘Empowerment’ generates excessive desire in individuals to establish their superiority/authority over others, so that they can control the destiny of others. True Knowledge necessary for enlightenment – For enlightenment, acquisition of true knowledge is necessary. It is knowledge, which inculcates in a person, qualities like self-confidence, self-reliance, self-discipline, self-control and self-respect. Sound education necessary for enlightenment as well as empowerment – True knowledge inculcates positive attitude, which ultimately leads towards happiness and prosperity.Wisdom depends on knowledge. Sound education is necessary to make people knowledgeable. Negative mindset – People with negative mind-set care about knowledge only up-to the extent, that enhances their chances of entering into the corridors of ‘power’, get control over levers of authority and over the destiny of masses. They concentrate on amassing wealth/empires to buy muscle-power and conscience of poor people. In political world, politicians and political parties are generally not much interested in maintaining law and order in the country. They are more interested in propaganda, creation of vote banks and grabbing power – become PM ( Prime Minister), CM ( Chief Minister), DM ( District Magistrates) and GM ( General Manager) by hook or crook and thus accessing more space in the corridor of power, so that they can control the destiny of masses/common men and hold the reigns of state authority. Role of enlightenment in a democracy – Atifete Jahjaga has rightly said, “Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power, rule of law and accountability, there is abuse, corruption…” Many superficial measures are being taken by the government or other organizations (governmental or NGOs) to help and empower poor and underprivileged sections of society. But it has not yielded desired results. Why, because no superficial measure or action can empower any person or section of society. The efforts for empowerment should be from within – be it an individual, a group within a society, a society or a nation.” The enforced measures of empowerment leads to conflicts and even denial of the rights to other section/sections of society. One’ own efforts and intellect can empower a person in its true sense and guide him how to apply his knowledge gainfully. Lack of intellect leads a person to vices like egoism, superiority/inferiority complex etc. and creates many problems for him as well as for others around him. Only intellect can control human mind and lead his mind towards Enlightenment. When intellect becomes weak, negative thinking and reasoning take over mind. How to become empowered – Lao Tzu says “Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.” True empowerment can be achieved not through holding political power or access/entry/influence in the corridors of authority/power, but through ‘Enlightenment’/true wisdom’. Emphasis only on empowerment leads to rat race – Present day’s scenario more emphasis is given to “Empowerment” without understanding what ‘empowerment’ really means and how to make people really empowered. Such an approach has led to a rat race between different sections of society for being one-up by hook or crook. Too much emphasis on the word ‘empowerment’ incites/agitates the minds of people and generates negative energy in them. It has done irreparable loss to the society and given rise to different kinds of problems. ‘Empowerment’ of ‘Haves-nots – Almost all the societies are divided into two sections – ‘haves’ and ‘haves-not’. There is unrest in the minds of ‘Haves-not’. They also desire and naturally so, to lead a peaceful and comfortable life-style. Modern politicians allure poor by talking too much about ‘empowerment’. They are not concerned so much about the advancement of poor section of society, as about creating vote-banks necessary for holding the reigns of state authority/power. False promises to allure poor masses – In the modern materialistic and consumerist world, everyday many new gadgets are coming in the market every-day, which makes the life more comfortable. But for majority of people, it is difficult to afford it. Many a times, it becomes difficult for the poor people or persons with weak minds to resist the temptations. False promises of present day politicians attract such persons easily. Enlightenment ‘inclusive’ by nature – Enlightenment develops respect for positive attitude, right knowledge and respect for truth and ethical values. It teaches people ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. It inculcates in people an attitude to work for common good, to support each other and move forward together. It guides people to keep their ‘ego’ under control. The only way to control it lies within each human being. Acceptance for others – Enlightenment tells people to be respectful to others knowledge. Access to knowledge through sound system of education is the basic right of every human being. As Jyotirao Phule has said “Lack of ‘Education’ leads to lack of ‘Wisdom’; which leads to lack of ‘Morals’; which leads to lack of ‘Progress’; which leads to lack of ‘Money’; ‘which leads to ‘Oppression’ of vulnerable classes.” Conclusion – ‘Enlightenment, not empowerment, is the real source of power’. ‘Enlightenment’ through self-introspect can only lead to sustainable development and true ‘empowerment’, not through extraneous/artificially/superficially imposed measures. Focus on ‘empowerment’ by superficial means quite often leads to negative attitude. ‘Enlightenment’ through right kind of knowledge makes people intelligent, generates positive energies in them and leads to their sustainable development. Resist temptations? – For making mind strong enough to resist temptations, one has to raise the level of consciousness. Human mind has three dimensions – conscious, sub-conscious and super-conscious mind. Once the conscious mind is regulated, sub-conscious and super-conscious state of mind automatically gets controlled. Conscience is always guided by intellect. Intellect automatically develops the inherent potential of individuals and keeps them away from lust and greed. Only ‘intellect’, knowledge, education and positive attitude of enlightened persons can make them so powerful that they can contribute to make a difference for betterment and not to indulge themselves in sinful activities for their self-interest. It would ultimately bring in prosperity and transform the whole society. Introduction Important variables in governance – Of all the acts of civilized society the task of governance is perhaps the most complex one. The governance is not done in vacuum. For the governance/administration of any country, amongst all, two variables are most important. One who governs, and two who is to be governed. It is the government of the country that governs. And it is people of the country, who are governed. The quality, the tools and the style of governance, therefore, depend on variables like the characteristic of the nation, its social structure, nature, behavior and their value system of its people. Role of Bureaucracy in governance of a democratic country How well the crucial role of bureaucracy in governance has been described by Finer as following – “But what is best must free man still decide. Lest leaders gull them and officials ride.” Government that Governs Amongst the three wings of government – Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, executive is responsible for governance/administration of a country. Executive consists of elected representatives of the people and bureaucracy. : – Process of politics, which consists of activities of the elected representatives of the people, and Process of administration which consists of the activities of permanent civil servants/bureaucracy. Role of Bureaucracy vis-à-vis elected representatives – One needs to understand, what is the role of both the wings – elected representatives and Bureaucracy in governance of a country? Relation between the political and Bureaucratic/administrative wings of a government – That being so, an examination of the relation between the political and administrative wings of government would be the starting point for determining the role of civil service for delivering goods to public at large. According to Fainsold (quoted from Administrative Culture, Need for conceptual Clarity and Further Rearch by Puranik, S.N. IJPA Sol., XXIV No. II April-June 1978 PP 467-468). famous thinker in the field of administration, the area of the activities of civil service depend upon- Relation with political authority; Range of functions which it performs Military dominated civil service as are in Bangla Desh, Pakistan, some nations in Middle East or Africa, Ruling Civil Service – as was in India before independence. Bureaucracy an indispensable part of any political system – Bureaucracy has become a very potent and vital element of any government all over the world. It is an indispensable part of each and every political system be it a democracy, monarchy or aristocracy. It can exist in a type of society, be it a dictatorial or a democratic society. It role is crucial everywhere – in nations following the principles of communism or socialism or capitalism. In theory – Theoretically the administrative machinery is subordinate to the political arm of a government. The decision making power rests with ministers. But bureaucracy assists the elected representatives of the people in governance of the country of administration. But, in practice, its role is very important in governance of a country. Position of political chiefs vis-a-vis bureaucrats – Due to exclusive and specialized nature of work and the need for more and more expert knowledge in governance for improving the quality of service, the responsibility of political chiefs is becoming exceedingly formal in matter of governance. They are forced to listen the advice of the bureaucrats, who dig the expert knowledge from the raw material, give it a shape with a sense of commitment. Bureaucracy’s importance, is of influence and not of power – The civil service’s role in relation to the ministers is that of influence and not of power. It is this administrative apparatus, which actually runs the government. Owing to other preoccupations of elected political leadership and its lack of technical know-how, the responsibility of bureaucrats in governance, policy making and its implementation, has become a determining factor. Converting policy into directive plans, programs and projects is an inevitable function of an action-oriented administration. Bureaucracy a permanent link between successive elected governments – Elected representatives come for a fixed period. They come and go. But Bureaucracy is permanent, which forms a link between successive elected governments. Therefore, its becomes vital in guiding the social changes and development in desired direction, especially in the case of less developed or developing countries, where society is in a state of transition. Importance of bureaucracy in governance – Being so, as far as governance in a country is concerned, bureaucracy could be regarded as the pillar, on which the entire structure of governance rests. Weakening of this pillar could only spell disaster[ii]. For any administration to be good and efficient as a whole, the right type of men placed in crucial positions of bureaucracy is more important than laying down rules and methods of operation.[iii] What is Bureaucracy? Bureaucracy according to Max Weber – According to Max Weber 2, whose study on bureaucracy has become a base for the modern exponents of the science of administration, the main characteristics of a civil service are as following: Division of labour – defined rights and duties prescribed in written regulations; Hierarchy – (a) Systematically ordered authority relationship; Promotions regulated by merit and seniority; Merit based selection and training – technical competence as a formal condition of employment; Full time career-based service with fixed monetary salaries; Impersonality – strict separation of office and incumbent in the sense that employee does not own the means of administration and cannot take the advantage of their position for promoting self-interest. A system of rules and files – its operations are government by a consistent system of abstract rules. Team-work – One of the important feature of bureaucracy is team-work, i.e. ability to work together toward a common vision. It is ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” (Andrew Carnegie, TOI, P.18, Feb 7, 2017) Loyalty to impersonal authority like the State. Cal.J. Friedrich rejected this ‘ideal-type’ theory as neither ideal in the platonic sense nor real in empirical sense. Criticism of Weber’s theory – Friedrich, Alwin W. Gouldner, Philip Seiznic, Michel Crozier and others emphasised certain behavioural characteristics of civil service as more important. Peter Blau introduced an element of positivism, when the emphasized ‘efficiency’ as the core and goal of bureaucracy or civil service. His approach permits structural and behavioral flexibility in response to ecological reaction, as long as they contribute to efficiency. His approach is dynamic and covers ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ aspects of civil service and welds the structural and behavioral aspects in terms of ‘efficiency’. F.W. Riggs, John Forward, James Brady 4and others have developed a new approach of ecological and developmental administration. In this approach the civil service is to be explained and designed in terms of local influences as well as the influence of developmental tasks and goals. This approach has been admired, because of its open-minded realistic and flexible character, particularly for purposes of designing a developmental bureaucracy. V.A. Pai Panandikar and Kshirsagar (Pai Panandikar and Kshirsagar, Bureaucracy in India, I.J.PA.Vol. XVII No.2 PP 187-208) are of opinion that bureaucratic model cannot be a single type. According to them while the Weberian Model is most suited in Secretariat type of Organisation and the Blau’s model operates well in dynamic field of development type of agencies like the agriculture or industrial departments. Whatever the merits and demerits of the above models may be, it is a fact that no single model is sufficient either to explain the complex bureaucratic universe empirically or to Guide the designing of a bureaucratic system normatively. In short – It can be said that civil service is a “professional body of officials, permanent, paid and skilled” 2. It is always connected with the exercise of authority as members of a class of power elites. It is engaged in the governance of the country and its administrative work. Its officials are professionally recruited, permanent, paid and properly trained in various disciplines of administration. Its main characteristics are its efficiency, predictability, impersonal nature, and its impartial and speedy working. It is always associated with exercise of authority. It has to deal with human beings with many complexes – psychological and sociological and its dealings extend to society as a whole. The people who are governed Government has to deal with living human beings prone to unpredictable behavior. It also deals with the issues and challenges in all the spheres, whether political, economic or social, which directly affects public life. Governance a difficult task in India having many kinds of Diversity – Way back on December 9, 1946, Mr. V.N. Narayan had said, “At best of times, India is ungovernable country of diversities, conflicts and problems ”. A touch here, a push there may make India ungovernable. Governance of a pluralistic society, like India, is a sensitive and challenging exercise. Mr. Nani Palkiwala expressed the same feeling after 50 years of self-rule, which gave to India empty coffers, unfulfilled promises, political instability, fractured society and perpetual divide among different groups along caste and community lines. He said, “Our legal systems have made life too easy for criminals and too difficult for law abiding citizens ”. India comprises of different identities – India comprises people of different identities – ethnic, religious, castes, linguistic and regional identities. While, these identities lived together for centuries and presented a mosaic culture, there have been periods of discord. The diversity made the divide easy. However, the forces of unity have always been stronger than the divisive forces. It is for this reason that India occupies a special place in the global society. It is one of the oldest alive civilizations of the world. It presents a fascinating picture of unity amidst diversity, cultural richness, largeness of area and huge population. It has assimilated multi-ethnic migrants into its fold. The diversities, that exist, are many like: Geographical diversity Ethnic diversity Linguistic Diversity Occupational Diversity Cultural Diversity Demographic Diversity Political division of Indian population etc. As we have seen, in India, there exists perplexing diversities in geography, language, race and culture since ages. It pervades every aspect of life. Equality in each and every sphere of life is just not possible. In such a situation, no compromise should be made to work hard and to discourage healthy competition on the ground to reduce social inequalities artificially. For unity and sustainable development of the nation, a strong and healthy competitive system of placement at all levels of administration according to the requirements of the posts needs to be followed. Concepts of ‘Welfare-State’ and ‘Development- administration” The “Laissezfaire” theory of government’s function prevalent during 19 th and beginning of 20 th centuries. During this period, the main task of the government was generally maintenance of law and order and revenue collection. Now the emphasis has shifted to the welfare plans, national reconstruction and development. Concept of ‘Welfare State – French Revolution, Bolshevik Revolution, Industrial Revolution, two World Wars and other Contemporary developments gave rise to the concept of `Welfare State’ and Developmental Administration. The former being the objective and the later the machinery to achieve these objectives. Care of citizens rom womb to tomb – In a welfare state, the government assumes and aims at improving the quality of life of its masses and the responsibility of its citizens from `womb to tomb’. It aims at bringing `social, political and economic justice’ for all irrespective of their caste or creed, the voluntary abdication of riches and power – that these riches brings and establishment of a productive, vigorous and creative political and social life. In short its objective is a massive attack on five major evils of society – want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness.. The main aim of initiating and nurturing these concepts is to bring about betterment to the lots of deprived sections of society and build up a rapidly expanding and technologically progressive economy. People also desire to go forward quickly and to establish a new economic order, in which common people should have a better deal. It has widened the responsibilities of the State’s government. Poverty and misery, which were earlier accepted as the lot of masses, are no longer regarded as inevitable. Millions of people have started demanding, with persisting insistence, better standard of living, better housing, better education and better medical facilities. The masses started wishing that they themselves should be benefited a much as possible, from the resources of their nation. “Concept of Development Administration” – The welfare concept of state has no utility in itself unless it is translated into action. The government now work for establishing “Socialistic pattern of society”. The instrument deployed for achieving welfare goals – The instrument deployed for achieving welfare goals national reconstruction and development – is the institution of civil service, which puts all its energies at bringing about socio-economic and political development of the nation as a whole. An efficient administration can successfully comprehend what is attainable, what is practical and what can help the agencies in the community to formulate plans and policies, by which the community can seek to assure welfare of all its members. The emphasis in governance has resulted in – Increase in the responsibilities of Bureaucracy– Both the concepts of ‘Welfare nation’ and ‘Development Administration’ have increased the responsibilities of bureaucracy manifolds. In addition to their traditional regulatory work to maintain law and order situation in the country, the national governments have gradually assumed the responsibility of welfare of all its citizens from “Womb to tomb”. Regulatory and service functions of Bureaucracy –Activities of Bureaucracy have penetrated into different spheres of social, political and economic spheres. Its functions are now divided into two – Regulatory and service functions. It is an irony that Services engaged in Regulatory and Economic functions always remain at the top at controlling-end. Services responsible for service functions in different spheres busy to provide convenience, relief and to give common men a better deal always remain at asking end. So is the fate of bureaucrats engaged in development of the nation by building-up the infra-structure for a rapidly expanding and technologically progressive economy always remain at the asking-end. Arising the aspirations of people from the government –Recent developments and various revolutions have aroused the aspirations of people and expectations from the government. The desire of public to go forward quickly and to establish a new economic order, in which common man and weaker sections of society could have better deal, forced the national governments to take upon themselves the responsibility of protecting and nurturing them in such a manner that people get enough opportunities to grow to their fullest stature and prosper. People more assertive of their rights– People are now more alert and aware. They are assertive of their rights. Misery, ignorance and economic deprivation, which were earlier accepted as a lot of masses, are no longer acceptable. Now they wish to taste the fruits of development and get benefited from the resources of the nation. Millions of people started demanding with persisting insistence better standards of living, housing, education and medical facilities. In a way, they demand protection from five major evils of an underdeveloped or developing society – want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness. Bureaucracy includes all the Government services – At present, in any nation, aiming at Welfare and Development administration, Bureaucracy includes all the Government services , Financial, Technical and Specialists as well as Managerial and Generalist. There is police force to maintain law and order, diplomatic service for external affairs, technical services for Public Works Department or Electricity Departments, Railways and Customs for providing services in their respective area. Bureaucrats in the role of knowledge managers – In the increasingly knowledge-based society of twenty- first century bureaucrats/administrators have to play the role of knowledge managers. They are supposed to find out knowledge based solutions for problems in different spheres. The major goals of development administration could be said to be national integration, holistic change and modernization of social and economic process, welfare and ultimately equality, liberty and justice. Development Administration has to concern itself with four `Ps’ standing for – Policy making Planning Programmes; and Projects For doing justice to their work, bureaucrats needs to develop observation skills, alertness and awareness of their surroundings. They need- Intelligence or basic applicative skill to create solutions; Relevant data; Ability to understand pros and cons and alternatives; Mental alertness to deliver results within time and cost parameters.According to Valson, the whole bureaucratic set-up needs to be organized properly at different levels and the government should be specific about expectations. Different skills are needed at different levels of its administrative-setup. Role of bureaucrats at different levels – At all the levels, an administrator has to meet the challenges of modern time. The higher, one goes in the ladder of bureaucratic set-up, more his role becomes of analyzer and synthesizer, break a problem down into many parts, then put those together again in a rational design. Some-times, an official has to make rationality a compromise/fusion of opposite ends and means. One needs to be sensitive enough understand the sentiments of colleagues, value the good work done by his colleagues – individually and in group, and give reward for good performance. He should be capable to maintain discipline within his respective organization. At topmost level – At topmost level, bureaucrats are responsible for policy formulation; setting goals and designing strategies, appropriation and allocation of funds, fixing priorities, execution of policy, direction and training. Therefore, at this level they need the conceptual skills to look into the future; to look at the organization as a whole; to visualize the whole scenario rather than in tit bits. at the topmost level, they suffer from disagreement with political bosses, weight to patronage and seniority instead of qualities required for a particular post or promotion, and unwillingness to accept new ideas and technology for fear of loss of power and position. They are constrained by conflict between young and old minds in civil service, high level of corruption, low commitment to development and conflict with or influence of politicians on their superiors. At the middle level – The middle level administrator is usually responsible for learning and interpreting, energizing and supervising, coordinating and collecting information. Therefore, at this level, officers are required to have human skills along with technical skills. At senior and middle levels, skill of communication/networking within the organization and outside is also required for successfully saving effort, time and money. At lower level – The lower level administrator undertakes the role of mass contacts, demonstration, innovation, introduction of new institutions and collection of taxes. Therefore, at entry level and during the initial years, the administrators are supposed to possess knowledge about the subject, they have to deal. The lower level administrators suffer due to insufficient qualifications, poor salary, and loss of morale, loss of faith in development ideology due to frustrating field experience and loss of initiative crippling subservience to seniors and sacrifices to develop objectives. Government that governs in India India opted for the most difficult path, for its g overnance – India has chosen the most difficult form of government, democracy, which are working successfully only in a very few nations that too in developed countries. This poses many challenges before the administration. The Government of India has accepted the planning process. The success of government’s welfare and developmental plans solely depends upon the efficiency of its bureaucratic cadres. Therefore, India requires that every level of its administrative set-up must be equipped with officers having the capacity to meet various challenges of the modern India. Federal structure – India has adopted is a system of federal parliamentary democracy. Its federal structure consists of Union and State Administration. Three arms of the government – To govern the country, the Constitution of India has established three arms – Executive – The Union Government at the Centre consists of a ‘ President’, (in states Governors) in whom all the executive power of the Union is vested. It is exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution [Article 53 (1)]; the Vice-President– only a ceremonial dignitary; and ‘ a council of ministers with prime Minister (Chief Ministers) as its head“to aid and advice the President in the exercise of his functions” .The President is the nominal head of the executive. The Prime Minister and his colleagues are real political heads of different government departments. Their executive power, in practice, is exercised by permanent bureaucracy/civil service (civil services mean all the streams of functional, technical and specialist cadres as well as managerial and generalist cadres). Legislative powersare vested in Parliament /Assembly. It lays the policy and frames laws of the land for governance. The Executive implements the policies, the laws and the programs. There is also an independent judiciary,which acts as a watchdog of the Constitutionand is the supreme law of the land. Government at State level – Different provinces or states in India have their separate political set-up similar to that of Centre. The Judiciary acts as a watchdog. All the three Arms of the State go together in improving the quality of life of public at large. Instead of President and Vice-President, Governor is there as the head of the executive in every state. It also includes the officials at regional or state level, which works under ministers and serves as a link – so essential to maintain continuity of policy and consistency of administration between successive ministers. Set-up of a Department in Government – Directly under the Minister, comes the Secretary of a Department. A Secretary may head one or more Departments and can be under more than one minister. All matters of the cabinet are routed through him. He is the Chief functionary of his Department(s) Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and Under Secretaries help the Secretary in the discharge of his work. In Secretariat, decision taking, normally starts at the level of Deputy Secretary. He puts up proposals for policy decisions to the Secretary. Working in the Secretariat exposes the officers to policy perspective in diversified subjects like agriculture, horticulture, power, coal, transport etc. The work in Secretariat requires bright officers having experience and knowledge in relevant areas. The IAS officers on deputation from different states occupy most of the senior posts in Central Secretariat. In the State Secretariats also, it is the IAS Officials, who are posted on the top posts in almost every department. Working of the bureaucracy in India – The bureaucracy’s work is divided into: Work at Secretariat for policy making and Work in field organizations for implementation of policies and Plans. Working in Secretariat – Secretariat functions as the nerve center of the Government, both at the Center as well as in the States. State Secretariats are located in the capital cities of respective State and the Central Secretariat at New Delhi. Bureaucrats assist the minister in formulating and monitoring policies and programs. Executive orders originate from here. It keeps a watch over the program implementation and presents a correct appraisal of it to the Government, from time to time. Directly under the Minister, comes the Secretary of a Department. A Secretary may head one or more Departments and can be under more than one minister. All matters of the cabinet are routed through him. He is the Chief functionary of his Department(s) Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and Under Secretaries help the Secretary in the discharge of his work. In Secretariat, decision taking, normally starts at the level of Deputy Secretary. He puts up proposals for policy decisions to the Secretary. Working in the Secretariat exposes the officers to policy perspective in diversified subjects like agriculture, horticulture, power, coal, transport etc. The work in Secretariat requires bright officers having experience and knowledge in relevant areas. The IAS officers on deputation from different states occupy most of the senior posts in Central Secretariat. In the State Secretariats also, it is the IAS Officials, who are posted on the top posts in almost every department. Functions performed at Secretariat level – According to Punjab Administrative Reforms Commission, the following are important functions of the Secretariat: – Making decisions on policy matters and enunciating policy decisions in clear language, Looking after Planning and finance work, Legislative business, Personnel management policies, Legal advice, Coordination and cross clearance among the administrative departments, in the Secretariat, Communication with central institutions like the Planning Commission etc., and Overall evaluation, supervision, control and coordination of the work being done by the field organizations. Fieldwork – A large number of bureaucrats play a crucial role in state administrative work. Working in the field can be divided in two groups- Working in the field departments or head office, Working in District. Field departments or head office – The Head offices are to supervise, coordinate and monitor/watch the implementation of policies within their specific field-area. Their administrative and financial powers are defined in Civil Service Rules and Financial Rules, the Budget Manual and other Codes. It is their responsibility to set their men and machinery; money and material in order. Administration at field level requires men of drive and initiative possessing leadership qualities of leadership. District administration – The district administration occupies a key position. In a district, officials have to perform regulatory as well as developmental tasks. It is the most convenient geographical unit, where the total apparatus of Civil Administration can be concentrated and where it comes into direct contact with the people. The importance of field-work arises from the fact, that it is at this level, that bulk of people gets affected, favorably or adversely by the governmental policies, programs and its implementation. It is here, that people judge the quality and efficiency of the governmental administration. Collector continues to play a pivotal role in the District Administration. First five or six years of bureaucrats are crucial for all. During this period, they go on field postings to get the feel and first-hand knowledge of real life and social realities. These postings open up the minds of young officers, by bringing them into direct contact with administrative life, with officials working in other departments, feelings of people at grass-root level. They get opportunity to understand the concrete problems. They come to know about people belonging to different sections of society and their social conditions prevailing in that particular area. They get acquainted with the structure of their own as well as of other departments working in a district and coordinating activities of various departments at district level and with that of district headquarters. This period enriches them with a variety of experiences and makes them ripe for senior positions. A collector enjoys immense power and prestige at district level. Both kinds of work – work at Secretariat and work in the field have their distinctive challenges. For efficient performance of work in both the areas, there is need for really bright and talented officers. Tasks of the Government – Like most developing nations, India has yet to cover distance of centuries in decades, making the transition from agrarian society to industrial-society and then to information society. Science and technology have made their debut here rather late. Time never ran so fast, as it did for India, after independence. Yesterday was not long ago and today is nearly over, with so much still pending to be done. Great transformation under way – A present, a great transformation is under way, not only in India, but every- where in the world. Time never ran so fast, as it did for India, after independence. Yesterday was not long ago and today is nearly over, with so much still pending to be done. Like most developing nations, India has to cover distance of centuries in decades, making the transition from agrarian society to industrial society and then to information society. Science and technology have made their debut rather late in India. For sustainable development, right person at right place – To absorb such a transformation, the main thrust of the authorities should be employ persons at all the levels of administration according to the requirements of the posts. Good governance needs as many persons as possible with knowledge, expertise, efficiency and who are capable to apply science and technology in the work of administration. It would expedite the task of governance and provide transparency and give relief to the public. To find out right persons for good governance, a system of healthy competition for placements is required. Government should give more importance to sustainable development of nation rather than to employ people just to reduce social inequalities artificially. This is truer in a large country like India, where perplexing diversities exists in geography, language, race and culture since ages, and pervades every aspect of life. Role of executive in governance – Amongst all the three wings of the government, the Executive affects the daily life of the people the most, as it implements the policies, the laws and the programs. Bureaucracy is an important component of the Executive. Any laxity in the performance of this Service would jeopardize the objective and push the developmental goals behind. Challenges before the present Government – Some basic problems after the Independence have been – Poverty, low per capita income, illiteracy, dependence of at least ¾ of her population on agriculture, industrial backwardness, capital deficiency, rapid population growth, unemployment and under-employment, prevalence of backward technology, under-utilization of natural resources and unsuitable social structures. Population explosion –Population is exploding virtually unchecked. Standards of education have declined beyond any remedy and it has become inefficient, wasteful, dysfunctional and increasingly unrelated to national needs and aspirations. Illiteracy of masses is still a problem in the society. Challenges on economy-front– Because of the factors mentioned above, the growth has been very slow and the economy of the country has always been in a bad shape. In the absence of enough capital or skilled personnel or able management and efficiency, the level of productivity has remained low, leaving little surplus for saving and capital formation. In addition to all this, by and large, the absence of able and honest leadership and lack of efficient and clean administration are the main reasons for persistent economic backwardness. Periods of strife and conflict– The periods of unity, in our history, have been lesser as compared to periods of strife and conflict. The partition of the nation, the three wars, the swelling streams of nearly a crore of refugees from Bangla Desh and Sri Lanka, the periodical terrorist attacks, famines and floods, recent economic depression has adversely effected the whole nation. Each has to be tackled firmly and speedily. Divisive forces– There are new divisive forces due to diversities India, which base themselves on cultural and linguistic variations of the country. Today the violence in West Bengal, Bihar, J&K, Assam and Punjab is a serious challenge before the administration at various levels and that unless local problems are solved speedily, they are likely to pose a new threat to the unity and stability of the nation as a whole. Regional Disparities– There is a wide gap between the rich and poor and between region to region. Some states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Punjab are marching ahead rapidly under the stimulus of the plan schemes, while others are lagging behind and re unable to find adequate resources to implement the schemes. Therefore, the gap is widening between the prosperous and backward states. Besides, within each state, there are pockets of poverty amidst plenty – such as dry and hilly areas as well as those with tribal populations are still far below the national average. This gives rise to new tensions – social and economic and the stability of the society is threatened. The administration of the country has to face this challenge and take up lead in reconciling regional interest with national unity. Challenges at Social front– The administration of the nation has to face many challenges at social front also. Pervasive corruption and indiscipline has weakened the social fabric beyond repair. Generally law follows social change, but in India the Government is trying to foster social change through law. Some unpleasant changes took place in the past and are increasing every day in the character, role and inter-relationship of the main constituents of the national elites – the political executive, the legislators, media, the businessmen, the organized workers, the surplus farmers and the bureaucrats. Sectoral and regional imbalances are also sources of great social and psychological tensions. The political and administrative atmosphere is also not in harmony with the developmental activities of the administration. Due to India’s unique federal structure, many complexities arise due to tense Centre-State relationship. Also there exists a great deal of friction, tension and mutual suspicion between different political parties, as well as the political leadership and the administrators. This results in delay in decision-making, lack of coordination of policies among departments and lack of dissemination of information for effective decision making and thus either procrastination and long delays or inadequate and inapt policies. Bitter relationship between Centre and the States– Corruption– “Corruption, embezzlement, fraud, these are all characteristics which exist everywhere. It is regrettably the way human nature functions, whether we like it or not. What successful economies do is to keep it to a minimum.” (Alan Greenspan) In India, after six decades, the country’s democracy has given too much space to corrupt and inefficient governance without any accountability towards public. People have also become immune to corruption, inefficiency and poor governance in public life as normal. Conclusion – Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shanker says “Peace and progress can only happen through reconciliation and reform. Reform cannot happen out of anger or hatred. We need a calm and clear mind, a compassionate approach, along with the whole-hearted participation of the parties concern.” Common man in India is still waiting hopefully for good governance. People are hopeful that with the result of previous few elections in centre as well as in states, majority party is forming the government instead of coalition governments, the situation should become easier for the ruling authority to provide good governance to the nation. Advancement in technology also is helpful in making the task of the government easier. However, at present, all political parties pay more attention to ‘propaganda, publicity and populism’, attention-catching slogans and stunts rather than working for the welfare of common-men, and giving relief to the common man. They are busy to connect themselves with people through media, “publicity driven” campaigns, print-media, social-media, television, radio, advertisements etc. Instead of working for the welfare of people and development of the nation, they are wasting or misusing lots of money and public funds on propaganda. Rival national and regional parties are also fighting all the time over distribution of powers between national and provincial governments. [i] Paipandikar VA, Bureaucracy in India – An Empirical Study, IJPA, pp187, Vol. xvii, no.2, April-June, 1971. [ii] Shourie HD, Bureaucracy Baiting, The Tribune, June 18. 1992, p6. [iii] Rajagopalachari C, Talk delivered on August 14, 1955, under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel lecture. [iv] Valson EM, Development Bureaucracy. A tentative Model, IIPA, vol. XVIII no. I, pp36-50. “Life is there to live and live happily” “It is good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you have not lost the things that money can’t buy” George Lorimer Introduction – Life is there to live and live happily Almost everyday people, people wish to their near and dear one, ‘be happy’, ‘enjoy the day’, ‘enjoy life’, ‘enjoy the trip’ ‘enjoy your holidays’ etc. etc. But the irony is that hardly most of them know or understand what is true happiness, how can they be happy. Most of the unhappiness of people are self-created. Issue – The problem is how can people realize what real happiness is, how can they be happy and what they should do or what are the ways and means to achieve it. What is happiness? – Many people desire to have ‘name’, ‘fame’ or ‘wealth’. They feel happy and empowered when they get control over muscle, money or occupy an influential place in the corridors of power/authority – be it social, political or economic.. For them, controlling the destiny of others is enjoyment and desire to have a say in all important matters of society/nation. Youth of the day find happiness in visiting and holidaying in world’s most exotic locales, purchasing expensive goods and clothes, providing best education to their children, buying expensive cars and residences in exclusive areas and ultimately retire rich. For fulfilling all these desires, they would require a handsome amount of money. Without enough money at hand and good bank-balance, they feel insecure and restless. Does material success give happiness – Material success does matter in life and is necessary to be comfortable and to enjoy in life. There is nothing wrong to pursue ambitions and self-interests and make efforts to be successful in life. All are supposed to lead an active and happy life especially when they are young, because youth is the most energetic and most enjoyable period in anybody’s life. As far as possible, it should be free from worries and tensions. Nature offers maximum opportunities to young people to utilize their intellectual and physical capabilities and enjoy the life the most. In Hinduism, ‘Grihasthashram’, (young couples leading a family life) are advised to work for financial and material gains, get involved in economic activities of the nation and fulfill their dreams and ambitions. But at the same time, they have certain duties/obligations towards society. They are the trustees and managers of social estate. They are supposed to fulfil their duties towards family members – parents, wife/husband, children and elders; towards the rest of the society, helping other people in need of protection/help; and towards nation by observing the law of the nation and pay taxes honestly on their income. Young couples are the main contributors and ‘Society’ is the recipient. They are supposed to make direct/indirect contribution to the society consistent to their capacity, knowledge and conscience. Taking proper care of toddlers and elderly/old people, proper maintenance of institutions of learning, NGOs involved in social service and support the poor etc. are included in their duty. They are also supposed to be sensitive and compassionate to the problems of weaker sections of society. Can only money make one happy? – George Lorimer suggests “It is good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you have not lost the things that money can’t buy” ( George Lorimer, TOI, Sacredspace, P.16) A million dollars question arises – Can only money or material success buy happiness? Such questions are being asked from time to time. People thought over it, tried to get an answer but have never been satisfied with the answer. The answer depends on just what one means by ‘happy’. Present generation born and brought up during the era of materialism and consumerism regards money the most important thing in life. Many people are running after money blindly. It needs to be understood that money is the means, not an end in itself. Money is not the master or sole aim in life. It is supposed to be the servant. Money is important and useful for meeting day to day requirements and basic needs of the life, but ‘greed’ or aspiring for more and more money does not make a person happy. More one has, for much more he desires. Once craving for money starts, there is no end to it. ‘Satisfaction’ with what one achieves in life or possesses and living within its limits gives more happiness than always craving for ‘more’. What money can’t give – Some successful persons feel that happy and satisfied with what they have earned or achieved in their lives. But most of the times, such happiness is superficial and short-lived. Money and material successes can make one happy for a short period, or provide comforts in life or satisfy their ego up-to certain point, but can not buy sustainable happiness in life. People keeping themselves busy in earning money, hardly get time to enjoy life’s little pleasures. There is a large number of persons, who are poor, unemployed or underemployed. It is difficult for them even to fulfill their basic requirements. Unemployment is continuously increasing and prices of commodities are soaring after the great economic depression of 2008. Because of the lack of opportunities, money and numerous temptations, many of them are tempted to adopt wrong means including extortion, violence etc. to become rich overnight. These are one of the main reasons why corruption, crimes, violence or thefts are increasing amongst all the sections of society every day. It is becoming very difficult for the government to maintain law and order situation properly. There seems not much hope for the improvement of the law and order situation in near future. What is happiness according to Hindu Philosophy According to Hindu philosophy, real enjoyment/happiness (आनन्द) means ‘Satchitanand’ which includes in itself three things – Sat (सत्) Cit (चित्), and Ānanda (आनन्द). Sat (सत् ) or path of righteousness – Sat refers to what is true and real. It inspires one to be true/honest to oneself and to others. It enables a person not to live in an illusionary world, but to accept the facts or realities of life and then decide his/her course of action. Tremendous will power and a strong character is required to follow the path of ‘Sat’. It is difficult to follow the path of ‘sat’ for persons with weak faculties of mind. One needs to control or abandon passions like lust, anger, greed, vanity, conceit or over-joy, as it leads only to sorrow and distress. Cit (चित् ) or mindset/consciousness, knowledge, awareness or wisdom, Wisdom controls passions. It leads to balanced mind-set and controls irrational desires or passions. A balanced mind directs a person towards path of righteousness and achieve in proper manner desirable objectives.i Ānanda (आनन्द ) or happiness – Usually a common man devotes his/her time, effort and energy in satisfying the physical basic human needs. Real happiness lies in the development of ones inner self. One needs to have a balanced mind for being happy. Whatever comes on the way in life, one must accept that. Indian value system teaches an individual to accepts his surrounding, as it is and try to extract from it, whatever happiness he can. An Indian does not find life a vale of tears, from which to escape at all costs. It is said that Indians do “not count wealth in money alone, there is richness in their poverty.” A person, whether rich or poor can be happy if he is able to keep a balance between his material (physical body) needs (be it money, attachment, material pursuits or ego) and spiritual needs (of soul). How to achieve ‘Satchitanand’? For reaching to the stage of ‘Satchitanand’, it is necessary – Knowledge, and Contentment Positive attitude Role of knowledge – It is not the money but acquisition of Knowledge, which is necessary to become happy. For real happiness people focus on pursuit of right kind of knowledge, maintenance of harmonious relationships with fellow-beings and health are more required rather than anything else. Knowledge is essential the purpose of giving activities, their due meaning and value and make a person happy. Even a wise man may get puzzled without knowledge, as to what he should do or should not do. Therefore acquisition of knowledge is the most important thing in life. It is only after gaining knowledge, a person could understand well the real nature of work and could distinguish correctly between action, forbidden action, and in-action. Positive attitude – A person is, what he thinks. Negative thought generates negative energy that is transformed into illness/bad feelings. Negative thinking pushes a person backwards. It pushes away the solutions and enlarge problems. It leads to pessimism. It is better to light a match that to regret the darkness. A bee is small, but produces one of the sweetest things -honey – that exist. Positive thinking brings happiness, serenity, blissfulness and sensitivity. It helps one to achieve success and to reach up-to great heights. Positive attitude towards life inspires in human beings qualities like sincerity hard-work, honesty and uprightness. For leading life in a positive way, one’s actions(Karmas) need to be performed with balanced mind. A person should adopt the path of righteousness without any bias. True education is self-acquired and leads to self-awakening and to live with wisdom. Self awareness brings in love, peace harmony, joys and ‘Bliss’ Formal education in schools usually teaches to maintain external things or what exists – to preserve the systems, culture, religion and philosophies and prepares people for employments. All the time people worry about losing in the maintenance process. Human life is to live, not just to maintain. Contentment – Contentment has an important role in life to make one happy. There is enough for everybody’s need in this world, but not enough even for a person’s greed. Contentment can generate happiness or feeling of real enjoyment in life amongst those who have enough money for fulfilling their basic needs. Hindi poet Kabir has said – “Godhan gaj dhan baji dhan aor ratan dhan khan, Jo ave santosh dhan sab dhan dhhuri saman.” (meaning all kind of wealth in this world can not bring that kind of satisfaction to human beings as contentment brings) In India, it is a proverb that Lakshmi, ‘the goddess of wealth’ is quite unpredictable. With great effort a person learns to earn the wealth righteously, spend it properly and keep it safely. (Lakshmi bahut chanchala hai, isko sambhal kar paana, rakhana aur kharchana, teeno bahut tapasya ke baad aata hai. Quoted from the booklet Anmol Moti, written in !940’s by Shri Bhagwati Dayal Khare , an Advocate, Barabanki, U.P.) Indians believe that achievements only at physical plane do not always make a person happy, successful and strong. Such a mindset gives rise to greed, anger and passion and most of the times (s)he is not able to maintain good relations with others. Materialism, consumerism, ruthless competition for positions of power, money and VVIP status in society or desire to have all the pleasures of life at others cost have brought some unpleasant changes in the mind-set of people in recent past and is increasing every day in the character, role and inter-relationship of the following main constituent of the national elites – political executive, legislators, businessmen, media, organized workers, surplus farmers and bureaucrats etc. Winding up – With positive thinking and contented mindset, child-like innocence is True education and learning removes ignorance and trains the faculties of a person towards positive thinking and channelize his/her energies towards right direction. Positive thinking inculcates in human mind discipline and productivity. A knowledgeable person does not believe in discrimination. All persons rich or poor, high or low, forward or backward appear equal. Detached mindset helps them to live together peacefully in this world. Positive-thinking leads towards clear objectives. Clear objective decide the right course of action. Choosing right path or course of action makes a person happy and contented. For happiness knowledge, wisdom and intellectual intelligence is necessary. Intelligence itself brings in financial independence. Limit one’s desires/over-ambitions. Even best ones are short-lived. Whatever comes in the way, one must accept it gracefully with positive mind-set and try to make efforts to extract the best out of the worst circumstances. i Manusmriti, II, 94. ii Bhagwat Gita, IV 14,15,16,and 17 iii Manusmriti, II, 3 and 5. 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warc	201713	In an industry where competition is becoming increasingly fierce, the only way to move forward is to innovate. When employees begin to be overworked, excessive stress involves a certain failing in terms of productivity. There is nothing wrong with having such lofty dreams and goals. But there are an equal number of things that we can learn by simply moving at our own pace. Instead of getting carried away by temptation and the glamor of success, fame, and name – not to forget the all-important factor – money – if we simply focus on doing things that we enjoy the most and let that happiness fuel our dreams and goals –we will experience a consistent high of contentment and fulfillment. We will be more balanced in our outlook and approach towards life because we have experienced the different facets while going up the ladder of success. So how to combat stress and improve productivity? It should definitely have a fresh mind: this can occur through meditation and yoga. It is important to know that meditation is a simple and effective method that can help improve the productivity. The right side of our brain, which is responsible for the creation of new ideas is able to work more actively when running meditation regularly. Yoga improves focus and memory; it also increases the blood circulation of the brain and its regular practice slows aging. Above all, meditation enhances creativity; it has been scientifically proven that yoga offers tremendous advantages for our minds. Its regular practice increases the concentration thus leading to increased productivity. If you meditate regularly, you will be able to do more work with the same amount of time. Yoga and meditation guarantee this to all of us! 10 minutes of our time –that is all is required for us to experience this state of bliss which will bring about a semblance of balance in our work and life! Will you give it a shot – willingly? Do it and let us know how it changed you for the better!
warc	201713	Metrics We get what we measure and we are measuring the wrong things in media. Our old, mass-media metrics of reach and frequency — translated into their digital equivalents: unique users and pageviews — turn out to be profoundly corrupting. They drive media outlets to do anything to bulk up their numbers, prioritizing quantity over quality of service and engagement and motivating some to game the system with dark-hat search-engine optimization and click bait, not to mention click fraud. Now I don’t mean to suggest that we from legacy media were pure as arctic ice. I worked for the New York Daily News. I wrote tabloid headlines to entice readers to buy my newspaper — coin bait rather than click bait. But online, small temptations can turn into systems of corruption at scale. Three illustrations: About.com was the first media company built for the Google age. It produced the answers to questions commonly asked in Google searches. Thus its content rose up high in Google search, getting it huge traffic from Google as well as highly relevant Google ads and millions of dollars a year in revenue. That was a virtuous circle until Demand Media and other so-called content farms came along to game the system, creating a platform to pay writers with a few spare minutes the minimum possible to make content that was barely good enough but would still rise in search, attracting easy audience and easy advertising. Google ended that gravy train — throwing About.com’s baby out with Demand Media’s dirty bathwater — to protect the quality of its search results. Buzzfeed and Upworthy perfected the listicle and the grabby headline ( You won’t believe what happened next but it will change your life!) to manipulate not Google’s search algorithms but instead us, enticing people to share and “like” their content. But that bubble, too, is set to burst as Chartbeat found that people share before they read — if they ever read at all. There’s a reason that Huffington Post, for example, displays links to share — to Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Tumblr, Google+, and email — right next to its headlines rather than at the bottom of its posts. Sharing a link turns out not to be an indication of engagement — as in, “they liked my story so much they had to share it with their friends.” Sharing pumps up mentions and maybe unique users and pageviews but not attention. So what good is it? Finally, consider the newspapers that got so good at SEO and social links (not to mention the occasional and unpredictable burst of pageviews that comes from a link by Drudge) that they exploded their traffic but ended up with large proportions of users from outside their markets. That distant traffic is next to worthless — as I mentioned earlier, an in-market user can be worth 20 times what an out-of-market user is worth to a news site that has only in-market advertising sales. But most newspapers I know got caught in an egotistical traffic game: size for the sake of size and bragging rights. These examples of the corrupting nature of unique users and pageviews make the case to build a new set of metrics upon which to build news and media businesses. The Demand Media example argues for starting with basic engagement metrics: not how many people glance off a site and then disappear like a meteor shower hitting the atmosphere, but how many people return, how often, and how long they stay and engage. The interactivity of online allows for many more acts and measures of engagement, some of which I listed earlier in my reverse-pay-meter scenario: from joining in a discussion to contributing content to collaborating in the work of a site. The case of shared and liked links producing little engagement and value augers for switching to attention metrics. Chartbeat’s Tony Haile has argued convincingly that attention is a much more productive measure of media value than traffic. I told how Medium and FT.com plan to charge advertisers for the total attention minutes they get instead of mere impressions. Bonus: TV advertising is also sold on time and advertisers love buying TV, so we can hope that selling time online will help draw dollars away from TV to online news ventures. And my newspaper example is evidence of the need to shift to relationship metrics: How many people do you know? What do you know about them? (Start with finding out whether they live in your market.) What reasons did you give them to reveal themselves to you? What relevance and value did you return to them for the data they shared? What value were you able to recognize as a result? What do you know about the interrelationships of people inside your community? How can you help them to better connect with each other, sharing knowledge, helping, and transacting with each other? What do you know about their behavior because you have a relationship with them? How does that knowledge drive not only usage, engagement, and loyalty but also revenue? What more do you know about their demographics and buying behavior because you’ve built trusted relationships and how will that increase the value of what you sell to advertisers? If the relationship strategy offers an opportunity to rethink journalism as a service business that builds real and lasting value, we need to measure the things that will drive that strategy. In the long run, attention, engagement, demographic, behavioral, and relationship metrics will beat mere mass measures. That’s because advertisers are waking up to realize that they, too, must operate by such new measurements. But all the metrics I have listed so far still tend to be mediacentric: How many people read, returned to, spent time with, liked, or interacted with us and our stuff? There is a richer set of metrics that matter to the mission of journalism — metrics around impact and accomplishment. These metrics must start not with us but with the people we serve. They must measure whether they meet their needs and accomplish their goals. Thus journalism built around impact doesn’t start with producing media’s content; it starts with listening to the public’s wants, needs, and goals so we can measure our success ultimately against whether those goals are achieved. (Therein lies the heart of our rationale for starting a new degree at CUNY in social journalism, a journalism built first on listening to and understanding and then serving a community; more on that in the afterword.) Impact is terribly difficult to measure. It cannot easily be reduced to a number in a chart. But that is precisely why we should pursue these measures, because they force us to see people as individuals again; they force us to listen. Columbia University scholar James Carey argued that media were corrupted by the desire to reduce people to mere numbers — pro vs. anti, red vs. blue — as exemplified by the public-opinion poll. Polling, he said, “was an attempt to simulate public opinion in order to prevent an authentic public opinion from forming.” His alternative: conversation with the public. “I believe we must begin with the primacy of conversation,” Carey wrote. “It implies social arrangements less hierarchical and more egalitarian than its alternatives.” Yes, we have conversations online now, plenty of conversation in bottomless comments sections under our articles. But those comments are still mediacentric, reacting to the content we produce. No, the proper conversation journalists should have must start with the public. These conversations must start not with us speaking but with us listening. Thus I come to better understand my friend Jay Rosen’s interpretation of Carey’s admonitions to journalists: “The press does not ‘inform’ the public,” Rosen said. “It is ‘the public’ that ought to inform the press. The true subject matter of journalism is the conversation the public is having with itself.” Now I return to amend the relationship metrics I proposed above: How many people have we met — where possible, face-to-face? How rich and informative were our conversations with them? How well do we understand them and their communities? How well have we heard or discerned their needs and goals? That is the starting point. Only then, only when we have listened well, can we ask the next questions: What does an individual or a community need to accomplish its goals? How can we help? Is it information you need? How can we help you share what you already know? If what you need is not known, then how can we bring reporting to the task? Is it understanding you need? Then how can we bring explanation and context or education? Is it functionality you need? Do we have the skills to implement or build that? Is it organization you need? Can we help convene a community to deliberate and accomplish its goals? Only after we have contributed to a community’s efforts to reach its own goals can we begin to think of measuring success — that is, impact. Chalkbeat, a beat business that covers schools in a scattering of cities across America, asks whether its communities have improved their schools. Founder and CEO Elizabeth Green emphasizes that Chalkbeat does not say how that should be done or even how that should be measured (for its users will debate long and hard about, say, the efficacy of testing as a metric of educational quality). But Chalkbeat can listen to whether the community says its schools are better. The investigative reporting enterprise ProPublica asks whether corruption is reduced and thus equality enhanced. A local blog might ask whether neighbors see improvements in the quality of life in their communities. These questions are not easily answered — if at all — with numbers. The answers are by their nature qualitative and made up of signals that can be gathered in ongoing conversations. That may seem like a quixotic equation that will frustrate an industry and its financial supporters — whether investors or philanthropists — accustomed to running the business according to easy numbers. But the more valuable journalism and the services it provides are to communities, the more valuable those enterprises will be. That is an article of faith that guides Silicon Valley startups: Start with making yourself useful and value will follow. If it’s good enough for them….
warc	201713	It’s hard for an African engineer to explain why he’s joining the labourers in the dirt. If you’ve been lucky enough to be the one chosen among your siblings to go to school, and smart enough to win a university scholarship, and hard-working enough to turn that into a prestigious career, then why would you go back and work as a labourer? Musenga Silwawa was calling me from back home in Zambia. He was standing on a farmer’s porch, looking at a small-scale corn field with dirt under his fingernails. He’d been working there for 2 weeks. I could imagine his signature smile, big and wide with friendly eyes, as he told me: “You know Sal, I’ve learned exactly how to improve my applicator, and I learned that farmers don’t buy it for fertiliser efficiency, but to avoid pilfering. It’s really good. This farmer won’t let me leave unless I sell him my prototype! He’s insisting. He even offered me more money. But let me tell you Sal, I don’t think working on more farms is going to be effective to grow my sales.” I wasn’t sure if this was Zambian humour. In either case, Musenga went on to pre-sell over 25,000 units. Usability testing — especially in context like Musenga was doing — is deeply undervalued by people who haven’t tried it. Like most forms of deep customer contact, it takes doing it to have those aha moments, to get some insight where you now know what to focus on. It’s discovering those unknown unknowns that get your business on the right track but lectures and books just don’t convince. Musenga had sat through a few weeks of startup and design training. Well-built with a clean-shaven head, he’d sat quietly at the back of the classes. I noticed he never smiled. It was a little intimidating. At first, I thought, this stuff isn’t right for him. It was my first time teaching in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it was clear that a lot of our Anglo-Saxon ways weren’t relevant here. So I’d talk to him one-on-one, and as I learned about his product, a farm implement designed to double the efficiency of applying fertilizer with seeds. Fertilizer in the backpack attached to a hand-held tube system that looks like a walking stick. Each time you plant your walking stick in the ground, and it buried a seed surrounded in fertiliser at the perfect depth. As an engineer, Musenga was focused on the mechanical systems and the efficiency of fertilizer. As an academic, he was managing the relationships between two universities for his project. He wasn’t aware of farmers’ buying mentalities, and he didn’t place much weight on the needs of the labourer, his end user. It wasn’t a knowledge problem — he had been taught about “understanding customers” and “user experience” already — it was an action problem. This wasn’t an education challenge, it was a mentoring challenge. Why mentoring matters Successfully taking a business to market requires not just specialised knowledge, but the application of that knowledge. For a given startup, that knowledge exists only in a few minds, like yours, and the time you’ll have together is limited and precious. Mentoring skill is an extremely powerful multiplier in this equation. This was an excerpt from my book Mentor Impact. You can download it free for the next few days at mentorimpact.co If you’d like to meet Musenga, join us at Source Summit Humanitech in London on Sept 12th. And if you’d like to learn about more of the Africa Prize alumni, I wrote about a few of them here:
warc	201713	In the book “Awakening Joy for Kids” as well as his adult course “Awakening Joy,” James Baraz (co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center) describes ten wholesome habits to create well-being in your life. One of his first recommendations is to set a positive intention for your day to “incline your mind toward a particular vision.” By doing so, you are more likely to pay attention to ways that you are focusing on that intention and changing old habits that don’t help you achieve well-being. In his book, Baraz cites a quote from Dan Siegel, who describes that “Intentions create an integrated state of priming, a gearing up of our neural system to be in the mode of that specific intention: we can be ready to receive, to sense, to focus, to behave in a certain manner.” Read more A lot of the mindfulness exercises and games I do at home are activities that my older daughter actively engages in because of her age. My 2-year old participates as much as she is able to, but I think we need a couple of more years for her to really get a lot out of our planned activities. The other day, however, I realized that my 2-year old spends most of her day “practicing” mindfulness just by doing what she does best- exploring everything with intense curiosity and wonder. We’ve started doing weekly walks right before her music class to just leisurely pass about thirty minutes we have together before her class begins. During our walks, my 2-year old stops every few seconds- observing, commenting, touching all the things she sees in her sight. She touches leaves, steps in puddles, pauses when she hears chirping birds. She looks up and down, and asks “what’s that mama?” at almost every step, when she sees simple things like wrappers and cigarette boxes. We don’t make it very far during our half-hour walk, but it doesn’t even matter- she has a blast. Everything is a new wonder to her and she seems genuinely intrigued to learn more. Admittedly, during the last week or so with the increase of hate crimes around our country and even in our local neighborhoods, I’ve had a hard time being mindful and have been very worried about the future of our country and my children. However, I’ve realized that this anxiety is not productive. And in fact, it’s extremely critical to stay present and positive during this time. This is a work in progress, but I wanted to share some mindful tips that I’ve started applying during these anxious times: Modulate Fear through Meditation: One of the primary ways to regulate emotions and fear is through mindful meditation. As Dan Siegel points out in his book, The Mindful Brain, “fear may be learned limbically, but its ‘unlearning’ may be carried out via growth of prefrontal fibers.” This growth can be enhanced through mindfulness practices and we can unlearn fears through formal or informal meditation. I found that after just a few months of a daily meditation practice, feelings of fear were profoundly reduced. If it’s hard for you to start a formal meditation practice, here’s a post I wrote with some tips. And if formal meditation is never going to be your thing, then you can find informal practices that can have the same effects by tuning the mind into the present-moment. Here’s some activities you can do with your children at home. Read more I’ve finally been able to establish a daily meditation practice, sitting 20 minutes a day, and find myself even craving the practice and wanting to sit longer. But this was not always the case. I definitely struggled to develop a consistent meditation practice for some time. I knew that the benefits of consistently meditating would be immense, but often I found the practice to be another chore on my already long list of to-dos. And somehow this chore always fell to the bottom of the list. Even if I was able to maintain a meditation practice for a few weeks, it would end after just that, and then not resurface for several months. I went through several unsuccessful strategies and attempts trying to meditate before figuring out what it was that worked for me. Recently I had an amazing experience of mindfulness during a sleepless night. I drank a little too much tea earlier that day, and as is usual for me when I’m over-caffeinated, I was wide awake at 1am- after only 3 hours of sleep. And then begun the battle in my head while in bed, where I oscillate between the long list of to-dos for the next day and the fact that I’m so annoyed that I’m awake and can’t sleep. On this particular night, this battle probably continued for a solid half hour at least, and then all of a sudden I had this realization that my heart was extremely tight and contracted. Read more
warc	201713	It's a very misleading assumption to say people don't deviate far from where they live. I know here in Canada it's not only common, but considered abnormal if people don't regularly go to cottage country, frequently travelling a minimum of 100km to get there. Just because city-dwellers naively believe the city has everything they need, doesn't mean the 4/5ths of the population that permanently live outside of large cities behave like those in the cities. Even when I lived in the UK, it was rare to know people who didn't travel far frequently. Reread what you're responding to; he's talking about people staying within that distance of the surface of the earth, not people staying within that distance of their home city. The list of people who have been more than ~25 km away from the surface of the earth is very, very small. It was a good answer to the previous post: staying within 25 km of the earth's surface (with a few exceptions) means we're all "predictable" in some sense, but we're all very unpredictable in other senses -- much like the pendulum is predictable in some ways and not in others.
warc	201713	Expulsion therapy of ureteral stones Cialis is a PDE-5 drug that is approved for the use of both erectile dysfunction and BPH (prostate enlargement). PDE-5’s dilate the smooth muscle in blood vessels which causes increased blood flow. Because there is smooth muscle in the corpora of the penis, dilation of the blood vessels aids in erections. Because there is smooth muscle in the area of the bladder neck and prostate, this also improves the flow of urine in the male with an enlarged prostate. Because there is smooth muscle in the ureters, durgs like Cialis improve the chances of passing a ureteral stone (now referred to as expulsion therapy). Other drugs in this class have been approved for pulmonary hypertension due to the smooth muscle effect. Because nitroglycerin is a blood vessel dilator, it is contraindicated to use drugs like Cialis in a patient with heart disease and may need to take nitroglycerine. If you add in the fact the drug only acts when it is needed by the male and that it has an effect for 36 hrs…you might agree that Cialis is indeed the new…Vitamin C.
warc	201713	Orthophosphate-P in the nutrient impacted River Taw and its catchment (SW England) between 1990 and 2013. Date2016-05-06 Author MetadataShow full item record Abstract Excess dissolved phosphorus (as orthophosphate-P) contributes to reduced river water quality within Europe and elsewhere. This study reports results from analysis of a 23 year (1990-2013) water quality dataset for orthophosphate-P in the rural Taw catchment (SW England). Orthophosphate-P and river flow relationships and temporal variations in orthophosphate-P concentrations indicate the significant contribution of sewage (across the catchment) and industrial effluent (upper R. Taw) to orthophosphate-P concentrations (up to 96%), particularly during the low flow summer months when maximum algal growth occurs. In contrast, concentrations of orthophosphate-P from diffuse sources within the catchment were more important (>80%) at highest river flows. The results from a 3 end-member mixing model incorporating effluent, groundwater and diffuse orthophosphate-P source terms suggested that sewage and/or industrial effluent contributes ≥50% of the orthophosphate-P load for 27-48% of the time across the catchment. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) Phase 2 standards for reactive phosphorus, introduced in 2015, showed the R. Taw to be generally classified as Poor to Moderate Ecological Status, with a Good Status occurring more frequently in the tributary rivers. Failure to achieve Good Ecological Status occurred even though, since the early-2000s, riverine orthophosphate-P concentrations have decreased (although the mechanism(s) responsible for this could not be identified). For the first time it has been demonstrated that sewage and industrial effluent sources of alkalinity to the river can give erroneous boundary concentrations of orthophosphate-P for WFD Ecological Status classification, the extent of which is dependent on the proportion of effluent alkalinity present. This is likely to be a European - wide issue which should be examined in more detail. Collections Journal The following license files are associated with this item:
warc	201713	On September 25, world leaders will meet in New York to formalise the new Sustainable Development Goals. These 17 goals will guide efforts to reduce poverty and increase well-being, without destroying the Earth. The Conversation is looking at how we got here, and how far we have to go. Health has secured its place as one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, expanding its scope from the Millennium Development Goals. But without clear mechanisms to report, finance or engage other sectors, could more end up as less? Read the full article on The Conversation.
warc	201713	In spite of a great deal of writing and study being done on the utilization of problem-based learning (PBL) across the field of education, not much specific study has been done examining the role of PBL within Social Studies. In this study, findings highlighted that social studies students respond enthusiastically to and feel more investment in problem-centered, technology supported instruction when compared with teacher-centered, more traditional instruction of social studies concepts. In support, following the lesson his class learned taught from a PBL perspective, one student said, ““You can learn more, maybe, in…a book, but will you want to know more? I mean…next year will I remember what I read in this book?…Even though you don’t learn more facts, just the facts that you learn more about real things, and, like, actuality itself—that just sticks in your mind more than facts” (Saye & Brush, 12). Teachers unused to teaching in problem-centered, technology supported settings can still succeed with their students within their first semester of trying and with ongoing improvement beyond. In Saye and Brush’s study, the main teacher had minimal experience implementing PBL lessons within her classroom beforehand and received minimal training leading up to the comparative study. The students in her experimental classroom still thrived in spite of challenges at times with direction and access to their teacher immediately. Nevertheless, problem-centered, technology supported instruction lead to more factual recall and higher-level reasoning skills (persuasive and dialectical) as demonstrated by comparative essay skills and tests. For example 35% of the PBL learning students demonstrated argument framing that met the expectations for the test when compared with only 8% of non PBL-taught students (10). This information stresses the importance of incorporating more student-centered learning activities in all Social Studies lessons as well as for all Social Studies to improve their content delivery given the overall low rate of standards being met by student work. This article ties directly into our chapter coverage of problem-based learning and the importance of connecting students with opportunities with authentic, creative expressions. Students deeply connected with and felt motivated to understand content information that was closer to home when they were involved in digging into determining multiple perspectives on certain historical issues that did not have clear, definitive answers (2). This article also directly relates to my own unit planning for Assignment Two, as I am teaching a unit on local government to sixth grade students. This article’s findings confirmed the importance of teaching government concepts using PBL lesson formats and enriching the student experience with technology as often as possible. Both of these approaches I plan on instituting in my own lessons. Sources: Saye, J.W. & Brush, T. (1999). Student reasoning about ill-structured social problems in a multimedia-supported learning environment. Annual Meeting of the National Council for the Social Studies, p. 1-20.
warc	201713	Know your audience. Since this is a public blog, do not refer to “this week’s reading” or other insider info from class. When you write about a text, refer to it by enough identifying info so that people can follow you. Do not aim your comments at me or at your classmates, but at a wider demographic. Envision the readers you hope to attract to the post, and write for them. Think about the voice to which these readers would best respond. Use hyperlinks carefully. Hyperlink special information, central texts, or related critical articles. Don’t overdo it, but think about what YOU would want more info about if you were reading your post. Hyperlinks can be fun and/or informative. They should never be superfluous. Add images. Images make your posts pop. Make sure they are cited correctly, and use cc-licensed images where possible. Use your own images for added coolness! Embed video where possible. Videos are great when they are central to your post. Whether they are yours or someone else’s, remember that embedded videos are much preferred over linked videos. Be mindful of length. Too short, and your reader may feel like it wasn’t worth it to read because there’s not enough meat. Too long, and folks will skim and miss your key points. Organize it effectively to make it easy to read, and use only the words you need to communicate your ideas thoroughly. Titles should be both engaging and informative. Blogs are an interactive media. How does your post ask your readers to engage? Is it provocative? Does is ask questions? Does it respond to other bloggers or commenters? Does it contribute to an ongoing conversation? Involve your readers! Publicize your post on social media. Use Twitter (including relevant hashtags using # and tweets to key thinkers using @), Facebook (including relevant groups), and other online resources to drive readers to your post. If impact is a goal, then you need readers. Cite properly. This includes ideas, quotes, images, video, etc. Give credit in order to encourage dialogue and collaboration (in addition to avoid breaking the law).
warc	201713	About 500,000 hysterectomies are performed each year, making the removal of the uterus one of the most common surgeries for American women. Research shows that minimally-invasive procedures like robotic and laparoscopic surgery have reduced patient pain, scarring, and recovery time over the past two decades, with many surgeons across specialties now opting for it instead of open procedures. But patients are also almost seven times more likely to suffer a scratched cornea when undergoing a robotic hysterectomy than an open hysterectomy, according to a study supported by the University of Chicago Institute for Translational Medicine (ITM) that recently appeared in the journal Anesthesiology. “One of the possible factors in robotic hysterectomy is that patients are placed in a steep, head-down position at about a 30- to 45-degree angle,” said ITM investigator Steven Roth, MD, the study’s senior author. “The eyes are covered, but they can appear swollen afterward. The swelling that comes from the head-down position could be altering tear duct flow, and dry eyes are one cause of corneal abrasion.” Roth and his co-investigators have reported the most extensive studies in the world on eye injuries during anesthesia and surgery, ranging from superficial eye injuries like corneal abrasion to blindness following surgeries like spinal fusions. Patients need to be aware of the risks associated with these procedures, Roth said, and researchers need to learn why corneal abrasions are occurring more commonly during them. He said that unforeseen effects like these can be found when technology advances. “While robotic surgery is a tremendous medical advance, we have to consider that technology comes with more than just a price tag – it can come with unexpected consequences for patients,” said Roth, Professor of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Director of Neuroanesthesia, and a member of the Center for Health and Social Sciences (CHeSS). About five years ago, Roth and his colleagues began noticing that about two patients each month suffered from corneal abrasions after waking up from anesthesia for robotic surgery. They decided to see how common it was in minimally invasive and open uterus and prostate removal surgeries by analyzing nearly one million cases from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). The results: the risk of corneal abrasion increased almost four-fold with laparoscopic hysterectomies and about 6.5-fold with robotic hysterectomies when compared with open procedures. During laparoscopic surgeries, a small camera is inserted into a tiny cut through the patient’s skin to give doctors better visibility, while robotic procedures add small instruments to the mix that can flex and move beyond the normal range of motion for surgeons’ hands. Looking ahead, Roth said that he wants to analyze patients’ tear flow and tear film barrier while they are under anesthesia to pinpoint the cause of the corneal abrasions. The team is also trying to understand whether variables like the degree that patients are tilted, obesity, etc., impact the risk of sustaining corneal abrasions. “Robotic surgery is cutting-edge technology and we’ll likely see more of it,” Roth said. “But this is one of its unexpected consequences, and we need to learn how these corneal abrasions come about.”
warc	201713	Friction works against you. It exceeds your ability to progress. It deflates you, stripping your motivation. It’s the hill you see before starting a difficult project. It’s the gravity that pulls you away when interest wanes. I’m starting a small project for a client today. It’s a simple set of improvements to something I built for them last year, using a toolkit I wouldn’t normally use (but one that fit their uses well enough). I had forgotten a lot about the toolkit when quoting on the work, and by the time I remember it’s clear that there are challenges ahead of me. When it comes time to start the work I find that I’m stuck. Unmotivated. Paralyzed. I’m staring up the barrel of an uphill battle. To get unstuck I need to start moving. I need to realize that the problems are soluble and mostly in my head. And the best way to get started is to do something, anything at all. So I work my way around the edges of the harder problems. I simplify development by working on a scratch copy of the project, isolating and reducing the size of each individual piece. I work outside of the warty toolkit and test my work carefully before integrating it. I carefully break my work down into lists of small achievements so that I can make measured progress hourly. Once I get a piece working I test it, and put it up on the shelf. By the time I finish the small bits I’m moving, and I can attack the mountain without distraction and with gusto. And the mountain? It was a projection of my imagination. I thought the work was going to be difficult. I believed it. I didn’t feel like re-learning the old, warty tools. I remembered the flaws more than the good qualities. Or maybe it was one of hundreds of other human flaws manifested as part of my fictitious friction. The key was to realize that friction was just a glitch in my perception, that if I shed my perception I could do it, that once I started the work it would be easy. And it was. In other words: just fucking do it already. It won’t be as hard as you think. And if it is, you’ll be done before you realize it.
warc	201713	Here’s another article about damage to museum collections, this time from Te Papa Tongarewa. It is an unfortunate reality that at times, things get damaged. We do the absolute best we can, of course we do, but sometimes unpreventable events occur. Visitors with selfie sticks or a slippery shoe; guests with bad intentions and a secreted craft knife or pen; clumsy staff and the forces of nature. Behind the scenes the same rules apply but occasionally things get bumped, damaged, or accidentally dripped on. All the Museum sector can do is reassure you all that we take the best care we can of our collection. When a leak is found, we remove the artifacts under threat and fix the leak before replacing the items into storage. We try to place things on display where they are out of harms way and are not likely to be hit, bumped, tripped over or on, or otherwise put in danger. And when something is involved in an incident we remove it, stabilise it, and have a professional asses and repair it. And, in all, there are very few instances when items are damaged, and even fewer when they are damaged irreparably. If you are interested in more information on security and care of collections the Canadian Conservation Institute has some excellent information and guidelines. And if you have something in your own collections that has suffered some damage, check out your local museum or the New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Materials for professional help.
warc	201713	Surprising Reading Facts (Infographic) Posted on Apr 4, 2012 UPDATE: An infographic I posted a several months ago has produced much interest. Several websites used the graphic on their own pages which has caused large numbers of people to blow up my email wondering about my statistical sources. First, I created the graphic because I’m a book lover and wanted to express my passion for reading through a different method. While I’m well-versed in research methodologies, my goal wasn’t–and still isn’t–to produce a quantitative, peer-reviewed product. I simply wanted to illustrate reading importance. Second, I was curious to know if I could create an interesting graphic. I’ll just assume I found the answer to that one. Here’s what I’ve discovered about the source on the original graphic: According to a Jenkins Group Facebook post in 2011, the reading statistics are incorrectly attributed to the Jenkins Group. Apparently Jerrold Jenkins, owner and founder of the Jenkins Group, presented the observations to a group of small publishers using data from the Book Industry Study Group, American Book Sellers Institute, and US News and World Report. https://www.facebook.com/jenkinsgroup/posts/10151053968015564 A New York fundraiser who hosts a reading blog contacted the Jenkins Group to ask about their study. She discovered the company distances itself from the statistics; while they admit their owner, Jerrold Jenkins, presented the material, they never actually published the report. http://www.libereading.com/2012/04/in-which-i-execute-some-hard-hitting.html I think it’s safe to say the stats from the original graphic are questionable, and I am therefore recanting any and all connection to them. At the same time, I still believe in the absolute viability of reading and it’s ability to radically impact a person’s life. In an age where our smartphones will read aloud to us, we risk watering down this life-changing skill. So here’s a new graphic. The stats aren’t as juicy, but it still supports my original point: reading is important. [By the way, I’m not changing the last box from the original graphic. I like Earl Nightingale’s thought. It’s not research-based, but it makes me feel good–just like reading.]
warc	201713	The American economy added 156,000 new jobs in the month of December, continuing a record streak of 75 consecutive months of job growth, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, ticked up by 0.1 percent to 4.7 percent between November and December. Labor force participation also ticked up by 0.1 percent, to 62.7 percent, and average hourly earnings for all private workers increased 2.9 percent over the past year. For all of 2016, the number of long-term unemployed declined by 263,000 and the number of discouraged workers dropped by 237,000 between December 2015 and last month. Appointments 03/22/2017 By Staff Off the Clock 03/01/2017 By Ilene Denton Career Path 02/06/2017 By Hannah Wallace Talk 12/22/2016 Ask the Boss 02/20/2017 By Isaac Eger What I’ve learned 02/14/2017 By David Hackett Business groups 02/09/2017 By Staff Honors 03/08/2017 By Staff You Do What? 03/01/2017 By Ilene Denton
warc	201713	Study: More Research Needed to Prevent Zombie Apocalypse Every year, the Christmas issue of the British Medical Journal features more “light-hearted” peer-reviewed studies. This year’s issue features a study from Kent State University’s Dr. Tara Smith, “Zombie infections: epidemiology, treatment, and prevention.” Smith’s study relies on fictional cases of zombie infections, but her study highlights real issues surrounding the spread of infectious diseases around the world and our unpreparedness for a disease pandemic. Smith points out that even if a vaccine could be developed to prevent zombie infections (as vaccines are already available for a host of infectious diseases), “Vaccine hesitancy may make it difficult to achieve society-wide uptake of a zombie vaccine.” In an interview with the Washington Post, Smith pointed out how the recent Ebola outbreak showed how unprepared we are to deal with a pandemic. She told the Post, “We had pretty terrible communications globally — a lot of hype and a lot of misunderstanding. And that was really isolated in just West Africa. If we had something like that but it was globally spread, we’d really be in trouble.” Though a zombie apocalypse like the Walking Dead isn’t likely, Smith’s study highlights that we need to do more to research and preparation for realistic pandemics that could easily spread around the globe.
warc	201713	The Success of Smart Security The introduction of smart cards for credit and debit transactions has significantly reduced instances of fraud. Figures from the UK Cards Association (PDF) reveal that counterfeit card fraud losses on UK-issued cards fell from £129.7 million (($159.5 million USD) in 2004—at the introduction of so-called chip-and-PIN cards—to £47.8 million ($58.7 million USD) in 2014. The US has been slower to introduce such cards, but the transition is happening now. According to figures from the US Federal Reserve Bank, quoted by Samsung (PDF), credit card fraud increased about 70% from 2004 to 2010, before the introduction of smart cards began. It is suggested that this illustrates a shift in credit card fraud to the US, away from other territories (such as the UK) where the use of smart cards has made life much tougher for credit-card fraudsters. The reduction in fraud can be attributed to the fact that the chip-and-pin card is significantly harder to counterfeit than primitive magnetic-stripe cards. The chip in a card such as an EMV (Eurocard-Mastercard Visa, the consortium that drove development of financial smart-card standards) payment card is a secure microcontroller that is capable of verifying the credentials of a system trying to retrieve information, and of resisting attacks aimed at revealing information about the chip or the data it contains. Attacks on smart card microcontrollers fall broadly into three categories. These comprise fault attacks, which try to cause errors in device operation, side-channel attacks that aim to gain sensitive information by studying the system’s behavior, and invasive attacks that seek to physically probe the device or reverse-engineer its features. Manufacturers of secure microcontrollers can be reticent about the countermeasures implemented. The less that is revealed, the less information attackers have with which conceive new attacks. Some known countermeasures, which differentiate secure microcontrollers from standard microcontrollers, include randomization of behavioral motivation to reduce uncertainty (MRU) aspects such as wait states or bus noise, integrated sensors such as frequency or voltage sensors to detect external manipulation, and active shielding that detects attempts at physical access. Figure 1. A generic smart card with the contacts that access the internal electronics and an NFC option. Figure 1.A generic smart card with the contacts that access the internal electronics and an NFC option. The secure microcontroller system embedded in the smart card communicates with the reader via an electrical contact interface compliant with ISO/IEC 7816 specifications, or via an RF interface using protocols defined in ISO/IEC 14443. In a contact card, the reader supplies power to the microcontroller system via a power connection specified in ISO/IEC 7816, whereas other connections are for the clock signal and data to/from the secure microcontroller (Figure 1). In a contactless card (Figure 2), the power to operate the card electronics is harvested from the energy of the RF field setup by the contactless reader. As far as the secure microcontroller is concerned, both types of cards benefit from the same security features. Dual contact/contactless cards implement both interfaces and are designed so that neither mode can compromise the other’s security. The effective operating range of contactless communication, combined with security measures such as secure authentication and cryptography effectively protect the RF interface against attacks such as eavesdropping, unwanted activation, and man-in-the-middle attacks that seek to intercept transmitted data to be used by a fake card to communicate with other genuine readers. Figure 2. The secure microcontroller subsystem is connected to a loop antenna in the contactless card. Figure 2.The secure microcontroller subsystem is connected to a loop antenna in the contactless card. An effective security strategy must incorporate a variety of techniques implemented in the hardware, software and system levels, and cryptography (a key part of any strategy). This can encompass encryption of data stored in ROM, RAM, or non-volatile memory, as well as encryption of internal buses, peripherals, and internal registers, and may use a combination of symmetric crypto algorithms such as DES, triple DES or AES, or asymmetric algorithms like RSA or DSA Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). Keys are critical to cryptography and are vulnerable to reverse engineering if applied in software running on an open platform such as a PC. The secure microcontroller provides a secure environment for cryptographic keys by storing the keys in protected memory that is resistant to attacks. These well-guarded keys can be used in cryptographic algorithms deployed directly on the secure microcontroller if small amounts of data such, as transaction data, are involved. This type of approach is suitable for use in a POS terminal. On the other hand, equipment such as pay-tv conditional access modules may require larger amounts of data to be processed securely. In cases like this, the highly protected keys may be used to generate temporary keys to run on the open host-processing system. In this model, the root keys stored in the secure microcontroller provide the anchor for a chain of trust that allows the system to exploit the increased processing performance of the host system. From Smart Cards to Smart Everything Electronic security is far more prevalent in everyday life since the 2004 timeframe when EMV cards began entering circulation in the UK and other advanced markets. Smartphones have arrived and quickly become deeply ingrained in everyday life. They're now used for activities ranging from social interactions to online purchases to contactless payments using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that leverages the ISO/IEC 14443 RF specification. Figure 3. Wearables that store personal data and passwords need robust protection against online attacks. Figure 3.Wearables that store personal data and passwords need robust protection against online attacks. Moreover, new classes of smart devices are emerging, such as personal wellness or fitness monitors and smart watches (Figure 3), which are often connected to a smartphone or another device such as a home hub. Not to mention the Internet of Things (IoT), which will ultimately comprise an untold number and diversity of connected devices such as smart home appliances, retail technology, industrial process monitors, or traffic sensors and cameras used by authorities to manage cities and highways. Developers and users of equipment such as smart consumer devices are quickly becoming aware of the imperative to secure these “always-connected” devices that can be seen on the Internet or across a wireless network connection and potentially accessed by hackers. If any of these devices can be compromised then the devices themselves or connected systems may be vulnerable to sabotage, fraudulent activity, or theft of data such as passwords, financial records or medical details. Stealing passwords from weakly secured devices, for example, is an exploit that hackers are known to use to access more sensitive information held in other accounts, understanding that it is common for users to set the same password for multiple accounts. The potential vulnerabilities of a broad range of IoT devices are also becoming apparent. A report by Kaspersky Labs staff, published by TheNewsPaper.com, highlights weaknesses discovered in various systems deployed in smart cities, such as bicycle rental terminals, road signage, and speed cameras. The researchers were able to gain command-line access to the PC hosting a cycle-rental terminal by using well-known techniques to bypass the customized user interface and to find the IP addresses of speeding cameras and gain access simply by entering common manufacturer default passwords that should have been changed when the equipment was commissioned. These exercises certainly highlight the imperative to make better use of available security measures and to follow established security procedures rigorously. They also illustrate the power hackers can acquire by taking over devices connected to the IoT. In many ways, this is a more serious threat than financial fraud. The ability to take control over assets such as transport signals, medical devices, or controllers in chemical plants or nuclear power stations can pose serious threats to the lives of individuals or entire communities. Appropriate security, up to the highest possible levels in some cases, is needed to prevent hackers gaining access to networks by targeting nodes with weak security or taking control of the nodes themselves by loading malicious code. Since these nodes are typically autonomous and unsupervised, they must be capable of deciding for themselves whether to execute instructions received from another device via the network. This requires an efficient means for connected devices in the IoT to authenticate themselves to each other and so guard against unauthorized access, tampering, or sabotage. Embedded-Ready Security A suitable solution must be cost-effective, small in size and with minimal impact on system power consumption or memory demands. They must also be easy to use as far as the end user is concerned. Drawing on the existing body of knowledge surrounding the secure microcontrollers used in smart cards such as EMV payment cards, tiny devices such as secure elements dedicated to cryptographic key storage have been introduced. A secure element can be used as a companion IC to a standard microcontroller and store important authentication credentials programmed at the time of manufacture in unalterable hardware. This can give applications a high level of protection against software-based attacks launched over a network. For example, a secure element can be used to prevent malware from taking over an application to gain access to other assets on the same network. As concern regarding the security of connected personal electronics and IoT devices continues to rise, a new generation of ICs is emerging in surface-mount packages that provide the protection of a secure microcontroller in a form factor suitable for use in embedded systems. Various types are available, such as crypto-companion ICs that operate alongside the standard host microcontroller or fully-certified devices that perform as a secure element featuring a secure operating system and capable of managing authentication, secure communication, and key provisioning. These types of devices can provide extremely high assurance levels, such as EAL5+ of the Common Criteria (CC) security-industry framework. On the other hand, their small size, low power consumption, and convenient supporting ecosystem help simplify design-in to resource-constrained embedded systems. Conclusion As electronic devices become increasingly central to the way people work, make daily purchases, engage socially, manage finances, and control infrastructures and resources, electronic security provides all-important stability and protection. The advances made in the card-payments industry have proved effective and are now incorporated in ICs at the heart of the connected wearables and IoT devices powering the next generation of electronically-enhanced living.
warc	201713	J&J or Novartis? Diversified health-care companies Johnson & Johnson (NYS: JNJ) and Novartis (NYS: NVS) reported results Tuesday. Both companies may have beat Wall Street expectations, but one looks far better positioned for the future than the other. Generic drugsBoth J&J and Novartis have been dealing with ongoing patent expirations of some of their products and the ensuing generic competition and sales erosion. But unlike J&J, Novartis has a not-so-secret weapon -- its own generic division, Sandoz, which experienced double-digit growth in the quarter. While Big Pharma is in the midst of a patent cliff, Novartis' Sandoz is poised to take advantage of it, already marketing generic versions of some blockbusters. DiversificationTo minimize the effects of patent expirations, both companies also have non-pure pharma businesses. However, Novartis did a much better job at it than J&J with its recently acquired Alcon eye-care business, as well as its consumer-health division, both of which exhibited strong growth. At J&J, the medical-devices segment grew only 1.3% operationally, and the company had to take two large charges related to the decision to exit the drug-coated-stent business and to the massive DePuy hip-replacement recall. And J&J's consumer division is only now beginning to recover from more than a year of recalls of its over-the-counter medicines, mainly Children's Tylenol and Motrin. PharmaceuticalsIn pharmaceuticals, J&J seemed to have performed well. Sales grew 12%, 7% of that operationally. Several products enjoyed sharp growth, as did some recently launched drugs. The FDA also approved several J&J drugs during the quarter. Growth of Novartis' pharmaceutical sales was similar. It also saw significant contributions from recently launched products and had several drugs approved during the quarter. But Novartis also has its vaccines and diagnostics segment. While vaccines declined considerably in the quarter, the division offers generally promising growth and additional diversification. If it's between the two ...J&J was once the absolute golden standard in management and product quality. These days, however, it is plagued with severe quality issues and a lack of managerial oversight and clear direction. Liabilities from lawsuits related to several of its products are yet unknown. If its pharmaceutical business is to drive growth, the R&D spending of $4.5 billion may not be enough. Instead, the company is planning a $21 billion acquisition of Synthes to boost its medical-device division. J&J could be on the road to recovery, but there is an alternative. Novartis is diversified enough across segments and geographical areas that it should weather patent expirations better. Meanwhile, even as it enjoys growing generic revenue, it spends much more on R&D than J&J. Actually, only Pfizer (NYS: PFE) and Merck (NYS: MRK) currently spend more, and by 2016, Novartis will surpass them, too, according to Evaluate Pharma. EP also believes Novartis will then contest for the top pharma spot. So if it's between the two, I'd wait till management proves itself again at J&J and instead go with Novartis. Its clear strategic direction seems to offer the better choice. At the time this article was published Fool contributor Melly Alazraki owns no shares in any of the companies mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer and creating a diagonal call position in Johnson & Johnson. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days . We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . Copyright © 1995 - 2011 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
warc	201713	A Hidden Reason Horsehead Holding's Earnings Are Outstanding It takes money to make money. Most investors know that, but with business media so focused on the "how much," very few investors bother to ask, "How fast?" When judging a company's prospects, how quickly it turns cash outflows into cash inflows can be just as important as how much profit it's booking in the accounting fantasy world we call "earnings." This is one of the first metrics I check when I'm hunting for the market's best stocks. Today, we'll see how it applies to Horsehead Holding (NAS: ZINC) . Let's break this downIn this series, we measure how swiftly a company turns cash into goods or services and back into cash. We'll use a quick, relatively foolproof tool known as the cash conversion cycle, or CCC for short. Why does the CCC matter? The less time it takes a firm to convert outgoing cash into incoming cash, the more powerful and flexible its profit engine is. The less money tied up in inventory and accounts receivable, the more available to grow the company, pay investors, or both. To calculate the cash conversion cycle, add days inventory outstanding to days sales outstanding, then subtract days payable outstanding. Like golf, the lower your score here, the better. The CCC figure for Horsehead Holding for the trailing 12 months is 53.8. For younger, fast-growth companies, the CCC can give you valuable insight into the sustainability of that growth. A company that's taking longer to make cash may need to tap financing to keep its momentum. For older, mature companies, the CCC can tell you how well the company is managed. Firms that begin to lose control of the CCC may be losing their clout with their suppliers (who might be demanding stricter payment terms) and customers (who might be demanding more generous terms). This can sometimes be an important signal of future distress -- one most investors are likely to miss. In this series, I'm most interested in comparing a company's CCC to its prior performance. Here's where I believe all investors need to become trend-watchers. Sure, there may be legitimate reasons for an increase in the CCC, but all things being equal, I want to see this number stay steady or move downward over time. Source: S&P Capital IQ. Dollar amounts in millions. FY = fiscal year. TTM = trailing 12 months. Because of the seasonality in some businesses, the CCC for the TTM period may not be strictly comparable to the fiscal-year periods shown in the chart. Even the steadiest-looking businesses on an annual basis will experience some quarterly fluctuations in the CCC. To get an understanding of the usual ebb and flow at Horsehead Holding, consult the quarterly period chart below. Source: S&P Capital IQ. Dollar amounts in millions. FQ = fiscal quarter. On a 12-month basis, the trend at Horsehead Holding looks very good. At 53.8 days, it is 7.2 days better than the five-year average of 60.9 days. The biggest contributor to that improvement was DIO, which improved 8.6 days compared to the five-year average. That was partially offset by a 2.1-day increase in DSO. Considering the numbers on a quarterly basis, the CCC trend at Horsehead Holding looks good. At 48.4 days, it is 11.9 days better than the average of the past eight quarters. With both 12-month and quarterly CCC running better than average, Horsehead Holding gets high marks in this cash-conversion checkup. Though the CCC can take a little work to calculate, it's definitely worth watching every quarter. You'll be better informed about potential problems, and you'll improve your odds of finding the underappreciated home run stocks that provide the market's best returns. Add Horsehead Holding to My Watchlist. At the time this article was published Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor ofMotley Fool Hidden Gems , which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. The Motley Fool owns shares of Horsehead Holding. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Horsehead Holding. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Copyright © 1995 - 2012 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
warc	201713	Arabidopsis thaliana Copyright William S. Justice. From USDA, NRCS 1999. The PLANTS database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. Makeover Turns Model Plant Genome Into Supermodel OvernightBy Judy McBride December 14, 2000 On Wednesday, a team of scientists announced the first complete sequence of a plant genome in the latest issue of Nature. In tomorrows issue of Science, a group of scientists will announce a computational analysis of the same Arabidopsis genome that makes it more reliable as a genetic model for other plant species. The findings provide a clearer picture of the ancient history of this model genome. Clarification will allow researchers to compare genes across widely divergent crop species, such as grasses (rice and other grains) and broadleafed plants (soybeans, fruits and vegetables). And this will speed up identification of important genes in crop plants for breeding or genetic engineering programs. Aligning the genetic maps of crop plants and Arabidopsis--a flowering plant in the mustard family--will provide important insights in comparative plant genomics, according to lead author and evolutionary geneticist Todd J. Vision. He is at the Agricultural Research Services Center for Agricultural Bioinformatics in Ithaca, N.Y. Visions co-authors are Daniel G. Brown at the Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research and Steven D. Tanksley at Cornell Universitys Departments of Plant Breeding and Plant Biology. Arabidopsis was chosen as a genetic model because its genome is one of the smallest and seemingly one of the simplest among flowering plants. But plant geneticists began finding duplicate sections of chromosomes, suggesting that the genome had doubled at least once during its ancestry. Duplications add to the difficulty of locating related chromosome sections in other plants because the genome gets shuffled--like a deck of cards--naturally over millions of years of evolution. By applying some novel computations to an almost complete sequence of the Arabidopsis genome, Vision and colleagues found its ancestry to be more complex than suspected. Instead of duplicating only once, the genome has doubled at least four times. And those events occurred between 100 and 200 million years ago, about the time when dinosaurs walked the Earth and before many of our broadleaved crop plants began to diverge from Arabidopsis distant ancestor. So evidence of these duplications would be in many of todays crop genomes. Scientific contact: Todd J. Vision, ARS Center for Agricultural Bioinformatics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, phone (607) 254-5353, fax (607) 254-8888, tv23@cornell.edu.
warc	201713	Submitted to: Ecological Engineering Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 1/25/2007 Publication Date: 3/22/2007 Citation: Poach, M.E., Hunt, P.G., Reddy, G.B., Stone, K.C., Johnson, M.H., Grubbs, A. 2007. Effect of intermittent drainage on swine wastewater treatment by marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands. Ecological Engineering 30:43-50. Interpretive Summary: Ammonia emissions can occur from constructed wetlands treating liquid animal waste. This is of particular concern in the pond sections of marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands. Our previous studies on continuously loaded marsh-pond-marsh constructed wetlands indicated that the pond sections did release more ammonia than the marsh sections at high loading rates. In an effort to reduce the ammonia emissions from the pond section of the wetlands, a project was initiated to determine if pulsing wastewater flow into the marsh-pond-marsh wetlands at different rates would increase oxygen and thereby reduce ammonia. One wetland was loaded for two weeks then no application the next week. The other wetlands were loaded for either three or four weeks with no application the following week. We found that the pulsing of the flow into the wetlands did not reduce the ammonia emissions. Ammonia emissions were about the same as without pulsing. However, we did determine that pulsing of flow into the wetlands did significantly increase the overall treatment efficiency of the marsh-pond-marsh wetland over continuous flow into the wetlands. Technical Abstract: The research objective was to investigate the effect of pulsed wastewater flow on swine wastewater treatment by marsh-pond-marsh (m-p-m) constructed wetlands. From June to October of 2004, each of four, m-p-m wetlands in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, received a different application of swine wastewater. The four application schemes were as follows: 1) continuous application; 2) four weeks of application followed by one week of no application; 3) three weeks of application followed by one week of no application; and 4) two weeks of application followed by one week of no application. The effect of pulsed wastewater application was determined by comparing each system's soil oxidation, wastewater constituent removal, and ammonia volatilization. Soil oxidation was increased during drainage periods of the two highest aeration treatments. While the removal of total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, and total phosphorus were not affected by pulsed wastewater application, the efficiency of total nitrogen removal significantly increased with increased frequency of drainage. For drainage frequencies of 0, 19, 25, and 31%, the total nitrogen removal efficiencies were 57, 64, 70, and 67%, respectively. Drainage frequency did not reduce ammonia volatilization from either marsh or pond sections.
warc	201713	United States v. Lopez , case in which the U.S. Supreme Court on April 26, 1995, ruled (5–4) that the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was unconstitutional because the U.S. Congress, in enacting the legislation, had exceeded its authority under the commerce clause. In March 1992 Alfonso Lopez, Jr., a 12th-grade student in San Antonio, Texas, took a concealed .38-calibre handgun and five bullets to his high school. School officials, after receiving an anonymous tip, confronted Lopez, and he admitted that he had a gun. Lopez was charged with violating a Texas statute prohibiting the carrying of a firearm on school grounds. The state charge was quickly dropped, however, and Lopez was charged with violating the Gun-Free School Zones Act, which made it unlawful for a person to possess a firearm in a school zone. The maximum penalty was five years of imprisonment. Lopez entered a plea of not guilty, and his attorneys moved to dismiss the charge on the grounds that Congress had exceeded its authority by passing the act. A federal district court denied the motion to dismiss, stating that the act was a constitutional exercise of the well-defined power of Congress “to regulate activities in and affecting commerce, and the ‘business’ of elementary, middle and high schools…affects interstate commerce.” Lopez, who waived his right to a jury trial, was convicted and sentenced to six months in prison and two years of supervised release. Lopez appealed his conviction to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed on the issue of congressional authority. It ruled that the law was invalid because it went beyond the powers of Congress under the commerce clause. On November 8, 1994, the case was argued before the Supreme Court, which affirmed the order of the Fifth Circuit. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice William Rehnquist explained that the Gun-Free School Zones Act was neither a regulation of the channels of interstate commerce nor an attempt to prohibit interstate transportation of a commodity through those channels. Consequently, he determined that if the act were to withstand judicial scrutiny, it would have to substantially affect interstate commerce. To this end, the government had argued that possession of the gun in a school zone could result in a violent crime that would have the potential to have an impact on the national economy. The government also claimed that the significant cost of insurance associated with violent crime affects the economy, because the expense is spread throughout society. In addition, it contended that the economy is harmed when individuals refuse to travel to areas they believe to be unsafe. The government suggested that the presence of guns in the schools presents a serious threat to the learning environment; this in turn could result in a less-educated citizenry, which would have an obvious adverse impact on the country. The court, however, rejected the government’s arguments. In the majority opinion, Rehnquist pointed out that “if we were to accept the Government’s arguments, we are hard pressed to posit any activity by an individual that Congress is without power to regulate.” He noted that under the Constitution, Congress does not have the authority to enact virtually any type of legislation that it wishes. Regardless of how broadly one might seek to construe the Gun-Free School Zones Act’s terms, the court found that it was a criminal statute and had nothing to do with interstate commerce or economic activity. The Supreme Court thus affirmed the ruling of the Fifth Circuit and struck down the act as an impermissible exercise of congressional power under the commerce clause.
warc	201713	This preview shows page 1. Sign up to view the full content. Unformatted text preview: nitrogen in the fifth position. A major34 W. ~I and B . SCHWERDERSKI, 39-55 of B ioinorMpp.ganic Chemistlyrlnorgunic Elements in the Chemistry o Life,fWiley, Chichester, 1994; L. R. MILGROM, hem. in Brit 31,C9 23-7 (1994).t Enzymes are proteins which act as very specific catalystsin biological systems. Their activity may depend on thepresence of substances, often metal complexes, of muchlower molecular weight. These activators are known as“coenzymes”. Figure 26.6 Vitamin B12: (a) a corrin ring showinga square-planar set of N atoms anda replaceable H, and (b) simplifiedstructure of B I2. In view of theH displaced from the comn ring,the Co-C bond, and the charge on the ribose phosphate, the cobalt isformally in the +3 oxidation state. Thisand related molecules are convenientlyrepresented as:R I 11113 difference is apparent, however, in the sixthcowdination position which, in haemoglobin, iseither vacant or occupied by 0 2 . Here it is filledby a a-bonded carbon,(35) making vitamin BI2the first, and so f ar the only, fully establishednaturally occurring organometallic compound.The usual methods of isolation lead to a productknown as cyanocobalamin, which is the sameas vitamin BIZ itself but with CN- insteadof deoxyadenosine in the sixth coordinationposition. This is a labile site, and other derivativessuch as aquocobalarnin can be prepared.Incorporation of cobalt into the corrin ringsystem modifies the reduction potentials of35 D. C. HODGKIN,roc. Roy. SOC.A 288, 2 94-305 (1965).P Organometalliccompounds S6352.. 1139 Bizs, are amongst the most powerful nucleophilesknown (hence, “supernucleophi... View Full Document
warc	201713	Shift the paradigm for your troops … from a “Don’t” Perspective to a “How To” – the Respectful way! We understand military members want to be entertained and each installation wants an expert who will make a positive and long lasting difference in the lives of their men and women. They want a compelling and powerful training each person can relate to in a meaningful manner. “Can I Kiss You?” is one of the most sought-after trainings focused on reducing sexual assault in the military. Each year, this training is delivered hundreds of times to over 30,000 audience members/participants. Training Overview: In just 75 to 90 minutes, military members say they are more likely to “Ask First” before engaging in intimacy; they are now going to intervene when alcohol is used to facilitate a sexual assault; and are definitely going to “Open the Door” with their loved ones to help survivors receive the support they deserve. Perfect for: Military members of all ranks, civilians, staff, and dependents Takeaways: Attendees gain “How To” Skills for: Ensuring consent in sexual intimacy Intervening in sexual situationsinvolving alcohol (including at bars and clubs) Helping more survivors in the military come forward for support For Leaders and Command: An abbreviated version (1 page, 2-sided) overview of the “Can I Kiss You?” briefing messaging & benefits. Check out the Video and See for Yourself Reviews for the “Can I Kiss You?” briefing: “The message regarding consent, respect, and communication were right in line with the Department of Defense SAPR program goals, and well received by our population. This program was certainly a good return on our investment. Even though it has been several months since the presentation, we still hear our Airmen talking about the message. I would definitely recommend this presentation to any military installation looking for a unique and entertaining way to address the issue of sexual assault.“ – Eric N. Single, COL, USAF, Vice Commander, Whiteman AFB “I found it very funny and not sugar coated.When people sugar coat things, it makes the subject boring. I enjoyed it and laughed quite a bit!” – Technical Sergeant “And he indirectly experienced sexual assault so he wasn’t just up there blowing smoke and I respect that.I like the examples he used to put sexual assault and rape into a different perspective.” – Anonymous Soldier “I believe that by you opening the door, it will enable our Airmen to more often come forwardand ask for help from our Mental Health Clinic, in addition to the SAPR office.” – Valerie Galante, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, US Military
warc	201713	"With so much at stake, the opportunities for fraudsters are countless and we need to do more." One in six smartphone users have fallen victim to cyber attacks, according to information services firm, Experian. The mobile devices and their tablet counterparts are particularly vulnerable due to a lack of protection from malicious software. Reported attacks include phishing emails, and perhaps more worryingly, session hijacks. Victims of the latter have had their browsing interrupted, usage monitored and their session taken over remotely, by cyber criminals. Ori Eisen, lead researcher at Experian has cited this year in particular as a ‘tipping point,’ for mobile cyber attacks. The firm found that there has been an 80 per cent increase in mobile-targeted phishing attacks. He said: “The rapid rise in demand for online banking and retail combined with very little security on devices has created a massive opportunity for cyber criminals leaving many people and businesses extremely vulnerable.” Experian’s findings come just as retail’s busiest period gets into full swing. Shoppers are expected to spend up to £74 billion over the holiday season. Research indicates that nearly half of mobile users are using internet banking services, and one in three are using their devices for online shopping. Internet sales are expected to contribute £17.3 billion. “There are approximately five billion connected devices globally, serving a billion online bank accounts and contributing $13trillion to global ecommerce sales and transactions,” Mr Eisen continued. “With so much at stake, the opportunities for fraudsters are countless and we need to do more – as an industry and as individuals – to protect ourselves.” 93 per cent of Britons profess to having security software installed on their Laptops or PCs, indicating that mosts are aware of the risks. However, a third of participants in the mobile-centric study, claimed they didn’t have anti-virus installed because they were unaware that they needed it. A further 12 per cent reportedly assumed protection was provided by their service provider. The report follows recent arrests made in November 2014, tackling cyber criminals using Remote Access Trojans (RATs). RATs give hackers control over computers, allowing them to monitor user activity. Hackers can even turn on the user’s webcam, breaching the personal privacy of victims as well as accessing sensitive data. Earlier in 2014, DESIblitz reported that Hammad Akbar, CEO of a business selling ‘Stealth Genie’ software, was arrested. The software, billed as a method to catch cheating spouses, allows users to monitor activity on the device, including texts, emails and internet activity. It’s easy enough to install, and once on the device, the app goes undetected. Research has shown that Android devices are most vulnerable to attack. A study from Finland-based, F-Secure Labs found that 97 per cent of mobile malware was Android targeted. However, Apple users are still susceptible. Recently, the Android rivals introduced Apple Pay to the US. Apple Pay has been billed as a revolutionary way to pay, but experts have pointed out a number of vulnerabilities. The payment method is tied to the user’s iTunes account, that have been known to have been compromised before. In 2012, some devices were compromised by simply following Apple’s official password reset protocol. Also, Apple Pay works by transferring data via near field communication (NFC). Experts say NFC transmissions, used in Apple’s staple mobile device, are just like any other data transfer, and can be compromised. Dmitry Bestuzhev of security software firm, Kapersky said: “It sends and receives information which can be intercepted.” Considering the disturbing ‘one in six’ statistic, it begs the question of just how far an experienced hacker can dig into mobiles – devices that follow almost everybody, everywhere that are often always connected to the internet. So should we be worried that our privacy is at risk?
warc	201713	"Frying frozen Asian snacks makes my life a little less stressful" British Asians are throwing away the rolling pin and rolling down their sleeves. This is because Asians, especially women now have busier lifestyles and therefore, spend less time in the kitchen. With the wonders of frozen packaged foods that are commonly available in our local stores, it makes life a little less chaotic for mother’s on-the-go and for independent individuals. For many years Asian women have been prone to be known as the typical ‘housewife’ who kept herself forever busy in the kitchen. This continued with endless chores and buying sacks of flour and kneading dough with their hands to make parathas and fillings too. These days this is no longer the norm. Many younger Asian women find taking parathas out of plastic packaging from their fridges straight onto a pan mess free and much tastier. Even throwing parties or having a small get together has become stress free by frying ready made Asian snacks such as frozen samosas and spring rolls. Frozen snacks are a growing popularity in the Asian community. On the other hand, some people prefer to be ‘less’ lazy by buying fresh cooked snacks from their local Asian sweet centre. Despite the fresher the better, it is far cheaper to buy frozen snacks from your local Asian stores and supermarkets. There may be three reasons for this change of attitude towards using frozen foods instead of making them fresh. One: Asian women are now a lot busier with their careers and children. Two: Young British Asian girls don’t feel the need to learn to cook because of ready made frozen foods. Three: possibly a key reason, laziness! Satti, a 40 year old mother argues that her lifestyle is now hectic as ever compared to 20 years ago. So, buying frozen snacks is a great advantage. Satti says, “Frying frozen Asian snacks makes my life a little less stressful not having to slave away in my kitchen when I have guests over. Simply fry and serve!” Independent individuals such as university students living miles away from home regularly live on frozen foods. Manisha, a business student says, “Attending lectures to studying long hours in the library tires me out. Hence, the carefree advantage of heating up frozen meals in the evening gives me sometime to eat and relax.” However, it’s not just Asian women feeding on Indian frozen foods, men are too! Asian men who simply miss their mother’s traditional cooking, live alone, or have a busy-bee wife, find heating up frozen parathas an absolute doddle! Ricky, a 30 year old bachelor says, “When living away from home and missing my dear mother’s cooking, frozen parathas is the next best alternative.” The health properties of Asian frozen foods are questioned. Ingredients of frozen foods are not going to be the same as freshly made food. For example, use of Wheat Flour, Water, Palm Oil, Margerine (Contains Hydrogenated Palm Oil), Sugar, Salt in plain frozen parathas, compared to Wheat Flour, Water, Butter and Salt in fresh parathas shows the difference. A concern would be the use of Palm Oil. The Mayo Clinic lists Palm Oil as one of the fats to avoid in a heart healthy diet. The clinic warns that labels reading “partially hydrogenated” Palm Oil may have hidden, dangerous trans fats. Indicating the Asian frozen foods can be unhealthy food in comparison to cooking from scratch. That’s why some Asian traditionalists strongly urge others to cook rather than binge on unhealthy frozen goods. Asha a traditional mother of two teenage girls argues: “Mothers should teach their children how to cook, especially daughters who are expected to prepare food when they get married.” Asha claims it’s still important for girls to know how to cook even in this day and age. After all, that’s said to be one of the ways to gain approval from future in-laws! Asian frozen food manufacturing has grown exponentially and new brands are constantly appearing in the market. Majority of the manufacturers are of South Asian background. Therefore, showing that the move towards Asian frozen foods is not of ‘Western’ origin but from within the community. Revealing that the demand for such foods is growing too. Shana are a well known brand of frozen Asian foods. One frozen Shana paratha original consists of 280 calories per serving and consisting of 14g fat (21% of Daily value), 34g carbs (11% of Daily value) and 4g protein (8% of Daily value), according to ‘Live Strong’ (www.livestrong.com). Livestrong statistics state that Shana parathas are frequently eaten in the evening for dinner. Thus, this may suggest that many individuals come home too late in the evenings and are too tired to cook, and therefore, find them a quick, simple and satisfying substitute. Frozen Asian foods have grown dramatically over the last decade and the trend is continuing with all kinds of new products arriving in the freezers of stores. Many may argue, this is no different to eating other frozen products such as Pizzas, Chips, Fish etc. Therefore, why would eating frozen Asian foods be a problem? Surely, at least it still shows the popularity of Asian foods. A cake decorator, Sangeeta proudly says, “It is better to eat fresh food as it is healthier and much fresher than eating frozen packaged foods, which contain too much fat and chemicals. Eating fresh is the best!” It does seem that the old tradition of cooking and making every food fresh in the Asian household has long passed because of the wide availability of frozen foods, frozen ingredients and fast food. There were times when Asian women even produced home-made spices from scratch and grinded ingredients for their dishes. Which is definitely not common practice today. So, it looks like the era of Asian frozen foods is here and the idea of cooking fresh is being seen as a tiring and time consuming activity when there’s so much to do. Individuals having less interest in healthy eating due to their busy lifestyles is making way for such alternative foods. Or, is it that are they are simply too lazy to cook fresh and choose frozen for convenience instead?
warc	201713	Jane is an accountant at Acme Corp. They have 50 employees for work in the same building. Jane knows all the employees on a first name basis. Jane's daughter is a Girl Scout. During the yearly cookie sale Jane sent out an email to the other Acme employees, inviting them to stop by her desk during a break to place an order. There is no company policy prohibiting the use of email for personal use. 9 of the recipients were happy to get Jane's email and they ordered an average of 4 boxes of cookies. The other 40 did not like having to take time to read and delete the email. Create a Kantian and Act Utilitarian evaluation where we conclude Jane did something wrong.. Please help me and give me your opinion about this. Note: Kantianism - means Able to go beyond saying what is wrong or right, but being able to explain why it is right or wrong. -is rational. -produces universal moral guidelines. -all persons are treated as moral equals. Act Utilitarianism -means an action is good if it benefits someone, an action is bad if it harms someone. -Focuses on happiness -It is down to earth -It is comprehensive. 1 Answer \| Add Yours In order to denounce Jane’s act from a Kantian point of view, we must first understand Kantian ethics a little more thoroughly than we can from the brief description you provide. One of the “universal moral guidelines” that Kant offers is the categorical imperative. In one of the maxims of the categorical imperative, Kant says that we must “Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” In other words, we must base our actions on rules that we could live with if they were made into universal laws. We can argue that Jane does not do this (though we could also argue that her action is acceptable). In order to say Jane has done the wrong thing, we must say that she has based her action on a bad rule. In this case, we can say that she has decided that it is okay for her to inconvenience others (by making them read and delete unwanted emails) for her own gain. She is basing her action on a rule that goes something like “I may cause minor inconveniences to other people as long as it will be of benefit to me.” We can argue that Jane would not want to live in a world in which this was a universal law. She would hate to be constantly inconvenienced for the benefit of others. Therefore, she is not willing to make her rule into a universal law and she should not base any actions on that rule. Act utilitarianism is a completely different ethical system. In act utilitarianism, an act is good if it, on balance, brings more good or happiness into the world. In this system, we look at the results of the act, not at the rule on which it was based. Therefore, we have to calculate how much happiness was created by Jane’s act. In this case, we can argue that Jane’s act reduced the overall happiness of the people in her office. We can say that her action made 9 people happy, assuming that everyone who ordered really wanted the cookies. On the other hand, the action made 40 people unhappy. If we want to say that Jane’s action was incorrect, we can say that the unhappiness of the 40 people outweighed the happiness of the 9. We would have to say that the hassle of reading and deleting the email was greater than the happiness experienced by the 9 people who got the cookies. Thus, we can denounce Jane’s action from the point of view of both Kantian ethics and act utilitarianism. We must be aware, however, that we could make the opposite argument by changing some of our assumptions. Sources: We’ve answered 319,622 questions. We can answer yours, too.Ask a question
warc	201713	Markets Set New Highs The election is over and the capital markets have had a few weeks to digest the results. In this holiday-shortened week the equity markets coasted to new record highs on light volumes with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassing 19,000 and the S&P 500 eclipsing 2,200. Small Cap stocks continued their post-election rally, up nearly 13 percent since the election. The rallies’ theme is cyclical at heat, with financials, industrials, materials and energy leading the way. Along those lines, the U.S. dollar broke out to 14-year highs on Wednesday. The bond markets have taken a different tact post-election. The 10-year U.S. Treasury rate ticked up another few basis points this week settling in at 2.37 percent, yields up nearly 0.60 percent in November. A Time to be Thankful To many, Thanksgiving is a time for introspection. This week the economic calendar gave us three chances to reflect on our current economic state. On the positive side, durable orders came in well ahead of expectations, a sign that business investment may be improving. Weekly initial jobless claims came in slightly above expectations, something that isn’t that unexpected with our jobless rate near historic lows. New home sales disappointed and many are uncertain as to what effect the recent rise in mortgage rates will have. With seemingly constant negative news being played up in the media, we can be thankful the U.S. economy is still trudging along. Black Friday We are already seeing signs of a good holiday season as more people turn to shopping online. The Adobe Digital Index, which tracks online sales traffic, shows that Thanksgiving Day sales surged 14 percent year-over-year and is estimated to increase 11 percent Friday. If that holds true, more than $8.4 billion in online sales could occur through Cyber Monday. The trend toward virtual shopping is expected to take its toll on traditional brick and mortar stores with foot traffic estimated to fall by 3.5 percent, the third yearly fall in a row. It is too early to tell if this holiday weekend will put all retailers “in the black,” but we can see that the consumer is doing their part to grow the economy. Takeaways for the Week: · We are thankful that U.S. equity markets have rallied this year · Even with the rise in rates, bonds are still positive on the year
warc	201713	We are pleased to announce a fully funded PhD studentship (4 years) in Civil Engineering at University of Southampton. Weirs are widely used hydraulic structures that provide accurate and robust means of measuring water flows in streams and canals. As such, they represent a key component of water management systems in the UK and worldwide. However, the flow characteristics imposed by weirs also poses significant challenges for fish migration, which often results in important negative impacts to riverine ecosystems. Previous research has identified the flow acceleration on the downstream face of weirs as the main barrier to fish migration. Increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of weirs and stricter regulations (e.g. Water Framework Directive) are shedding further light onto the need for new gauging methods that minimize impacts on fish migration. This project will focus on the design of innovative weirs that are aimed at minimizing the negative effects on fish migration while maintaining the high accuracy of flow measurements over a wide range of flow conditions. The work will involve designing, building and testing reduced models of different weirs. Experimental tests will be performed in two hydraulics laboratories at University of Southampton. The expected outcome of the project is an innovative design of fish-friendly weirs that can be used to measure river flows with minimum environment impact. We are looking for highly motivated applicants with a MSc. or MEng. degree in Civil Engineering and strong interest in open-channel hydraulics. Candidates should also have a broader interest in interdisciplinary research in flow-structure-fish interaction.
warc	201713	Speech International Development Minister Alan Duncan's speech at Ramallah Civil Society event From: Department for International Development and The Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP Part of: Governance in developing countries and Peace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa First published: 10 April 2013 Delivered on: This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government Praising the role of civil society organisations and announcing new support to the Palestinian Authority. Let me start by also thanking you for gathering here tonight. I have been to Ramallah on a number of occasions now and always greatly look forward to our exchanges. I am delighted to be back and have the opportunity to speak to you again. As you may be aware, the UK currently provides the Palestinian Authority with direct financial assistance that totals approximately 30 million pounds per year. I am proud that we are one of the few donors that consistently delivers guaranteed support to the Palestinian Government which we do on a quarterly basis. Our funding is channelled through a World Bank Trust Fund and is linked to a programme of government reforms. This on-going commitment allows the PA to maintain autonomy over its finances which is a sign of our continuing trust in the Palestinian Authority. Alongside organisations like the World Bank, and IMF we wholeheartedly support the PA in its continuing work to run an effective state. It has proved its capability to deliver services and security. Our endorsement of the PA’s efforts is also an endorsement of your hard work in helping to build a viable Palestinian State. The role of civil society in supporting and holding governments to account is undoubtedly a critical one. The situation we find ourselves in here is unique. Whilst we are confident that the PA has the capacity to run an effective state, we are aware that there is no functioning legislature and the elections which President Abbas seeks are overdue. The reasons for this are both complex and political. For this reason I value even more the role that you as civil society play in making sure that your leaders are accountable to you. Your vibrancy, skills and support are vital to ensuring that the PA manages its scarce resources on your behalf in a responsible and efficient way. This is of course important to you but also to donors and their tax payers, including mine in the UK. Part of my answer to those in the UK who ask why we are supporting the PA, is that the work that you do helps to ensure that the aid we and others provide is used for the purposes it was given. But, I believe that the role you play in society goes beyond holding the PA to account for its resources, important though this is. Civil society organisations such as yours are vital to promoting tolerance and the lasting peace that we all want to see. I know that you will agree with me that your role in challenging behaviour - wherever you may see it - that makes peace less likely is critical. Thanks to you and your organisations the vulnerable are being protected and young people are growing up with a sense of hope and belonging. Young people’s views, in particular, are critical to shaping a long-lasting, credible Palestinian State, and I applaud the important work you undertake to engage them. On this basis, I am pleased to announce new UK funding to the sum of two million pounds over the next two years. Through DFID’s ‘Supporting Stability and Promoting Democracy Programme’ we will endeavour to help the Palestinian Authority to become more open and accountable. I am delighted that the British Council and a number of local and international organisations won the contract to deliver this programme on DFID’s behalf. Amongst other things our new programme will support organisations like yours to track public spending, help under-represented groups to be heard, and support young people, particularly women, in their engagement with decision makers. Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to reiterate my government’s position on the Middle East Peace Process. The Foreign Secretary has made clear that there is no more urgent a foreign policy priority in 2013 than restarting constructive negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Continuing to provide support to you and the PA therefore remains at the forefront of our agenda. I thank you again for inviting me here today and I look forward to returning later this year to see the continuing effects of your hard work. Document information Published: 10 April 2013
warc	201713	Country/Countries: India Principal Investigator: Thomas Bossert, Lecturer on International Health Policy Coinvestigators: Campbell Department: Department of Global Health and Population/ Health Systems Group Dates of Research: January 25, 2006 — February 29, 2008 Description: The central government of India and various state governments have made an active commitment towards decentralizing “”funds, functions, and functionaries”” to local governments and to support local planning. At the same time, management of services and many public health functions need strengthening at state and lower levels of government. In response this project will provide technical support on multiple health, nutrition and population projects. The project will assist India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to: respond appropriately to the current changes in health systems governance; ensure that its operations are consistent with the development of decentralized government at the different levels; help design innovative mechanisms of decentralization at different authorities; and design and implement effective strategies for better management of public health programs, especially as they relate to the essential public health functions discussed above.
warc	201713	Much of the nutrient cycling and carbon processing in natural environments occurs through the activity of extracellular enzymes released by microorganisms. Thus, measurement of the activity of these extracellular enzymes can give insights into the rates of ecosystem level processes, such as organic matter decomposition or nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization. Assays of extracellular enzyme activity in environmental samples typically involve exposing the samples to artificial colorimetric or fluorometric substrates and tracking the rate of substrate hydrolysis. Here we describe microplate based methods for these procedures that allow the analysis of large numbers of samples within a short time frame. Samples are allowed to react with artificial substrates within 96-well microplates or deep well microplate blocks, and enzyme activity is subsequently determined by absorption or fluorescence of the resulting end product using a typical microplate reader or fluorometer. Such high throughput procedures not only facilitate comparisons between spatially separate sites or ecosystems, but also substantially reduce the cost of such assays by reducing overall reagent volumes needed per sample. 23 Related JoVE Articles! A Quantitative Assay to Study Protein:DNA Interactions, Discover Transcriptional Regulators of Gene Expression, and Identify Novel Anti-tumor Agents Institutions: University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine. Many DNA-binding assays such as electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), chemiluminescent assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-based assays, and multiwell-based assays are used to measure transcription factor activity. However, these assays are nonquantitative, lack specificity, may involve the use of radiolabeled oligonucleotides, and may not be adaptable for the screening of inhibitors of DNA binding. On the other hand, using a quantitative DNA-binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (D-ELISA) assay, we demonstrate nuclear protein interactions with DNA using the RUNX2 transcription factor that depend on specific association with consensus DNA-binding sequences present on biotin-labeled oligonucleotides. Preparation of cells, extraction of nuclear protein, and design of double stranded oligonucleotides are described. Avidin-coated 96-well plates are fixed with alkaline buffer and incubated with nuclear proteins in nucleotide blocking buffer. Following extensive washing of the plates, specific primary antibody and secondary antibody incubations are followed by the addition of horseradish peroxidase substrate and development of the colorimetric reaction. Stop reaction mode or continuous kinetic monitoring were used to quantitatively measure protein interaction with DNA. We discuss appropriate specificity controls, including treatment with non-specific IgG or without protein or primary antibody. Applications of the assay are described including its utility in drug screening and representative positive and negative results are discussed. Cellular Biology, Issue 78, Transcription Factors, Vitamin D, Drug Discovery, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), DNA-binding, transcription factor, drug screening, antibody 50512 Peptides from Phage Display Library Modulate Gene Expression in Mesenchymal Cells and Potentiate Osteogenesis in Unicortical Bone Defects Institutions: University of Virginia, University of Delaware, University of Virginia. Two novel synthetic peptides accelerate bone formation and can be delivered using a collagen matrix. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on bone repair in a unicortical defect model. Treatment of mesenchymal cells produced an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, showed nodule formation by the cells, and increased the expression of genes for runx2, osterix, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin. A collagen sponge soaked with peptide promoted repair of bone defects, whereas the control was less effective. The results from this study demonstrated that mesenchymal cells treated with peptide in vitro differentiate towards osteogenesis, and, that peptides delivered in vivo using a collagen sponge promote the repair of unicortical defects. Cellular Biology, Issue 46, osteogenesis, peptide, bone repair, anabolic effect 2362 Lipid Vesicle-mediated Affinity Chromatography using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (LIMACS): a Novel Method to Analyze Protein-lipid Interaction Institutions: Georgia Health Sciences University. The analysis of lipid protein interaction is difficult because lipids are embedded in cell membranes and therefore, inaccessible to most purification procedures. As an alternative, lipids can be coated on flat surfaces as used for lipid ELISA and Plasmon resonance spectroscopy. However, surface coating lipids do not form microdomain structures, which may be important for the lipid binding properties. Further, these methods do not allow for the purification of larger amounts of proteins binding to their target lipids. To overcome these limitations of testing lipid protein interaction and to purify lipid binding proteins we developed a novel method termed lipid vesicle-mediated affinity chromatography using magnetic-activated cell sorting (LIMACS). In this method, lipid vesicles are prepared with the target lipid and phosphatidylserine as the anchor lipid for Annexin V MACS. Phosphatidylserine is a ubiquitous cell membrane phospholipid that shows high affinity to the protein Annexin V. Using magnetic beads conjugated to Annexin V the phosphatidylserine-containing lipid vesicles will bind to the magnetic beads. When the lipid vesicles are incubated with a cell lysate the protein binding to the target lipid will also be bound to the beads and can be co-purified using MACS. This method can also be used to test if recombinant proteins reconstitute a protein complex binding to the target lipid. We have used this method to show the interaction of atypical PKC (aPKC) with the sphingolipid ceramide and to co-purify prostate apoptosis response 4 (PAR-4), a protein binding to ceramide-associated aPKC. We have also used this method for the reconstitution of a ceramide-associated complex of recombinant aPKC with the cell polarity-related proteins Par6 and Cdc42. Since lipid vesicles can be prepared with a variety of sphingo- or phospholipids, LIMACS offers a versatile test for lipid-protein interaction in a lipid environment that resembles closely that of the cell membrane. Additional lipid protein complexes can be identified using proteomics analysis of lipid binding protein co-purified with the lipid vesicles. Cellular Biology, Issue 50, ceramide, phosphatidylserine, lipid-protein interaction, atypical PKC 2657 Sigma's Non-specific Protease Activity Assay - Casein as a Substrate Institutions: Sigma Aldrich. Proteases break peptide bonds. In the lab, it is often necessary to measure and/or compare the activity of proteases. Sigma's non-specific protease activity assay may be used as a standardized procedure to determine the activity of proteases, which is what we do during our quality control procedures. In this assay, casein acts as a substrate. When the protease we are testing digests casein, the amino acid tyrosine is liberated along with other amino acids and peptide fragments. Folin and Ciocalteus Phenol, or Folin's reagent primarily reacts with free tyrosine to produce a blue colored chromophore, which is quantifiable and measured as an absorbance value on the spectrophotometer. The more tyrosine that is released from casein, the more the chromophores are generated and the stronger the activity of the protease. Absorbance values generated by the activity of the protease are compared to a standard curve, which is generated by reacting known quantities of tyrosine with the F-C reagent to correlate changes in absorbance with the amount of tyrosine in micromoles. From the standard curve the activity of protease samples can be determined in terms of Units, which is the amount in micromoles of tyrosine equivalents released from casein per minute.To view this article in Chinese, click here biochemistry, Issue 19, protease, casein, quality control assay, folin and ciocalteu's reagent, folin's reagent, colorimetric detection, spectrophotometer, Sigma-Aldrich 899 Direct Detection of the Acetate-forming Activity of the Enzyme Acetate Kinase Institutions: Clemson University. Acetate kinase, a member of the acetate and sugar kinase-Hsp70-actin (ASKHA) enzyme superfamily 1-5 , is responsible for the reversible phosphorylation of acetate to acetyl phosphate utilizing ATP as a substrate. Acetate kinases are ubiquitous in the Bacteria , found in one genus of Archaea , and are also present in microbes of the Eukarya 6 . The most well characterized acetate kinase is that from the methane-producing archaeon Methanosarcina thermophila 7-14 . An acetate kinase which can only utilize PP i but not ATP in the acetyl phosphate-forming direction has been isolated from Entamoeba histolytica , the causative agent of amoebic dysentery, and has thus far only been found in this genus 15,16 .In the direction of acetyl phosphate formation, acetate kinase activity is typically measured using the hydroxamate assay, first described by Lipmann 17-20 , a coupled assay in which conversion of ATP to ADP is coupled to oxidation of NADH to NAD + by the enzymes pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase 21,22 , or an assay measuring release of inorganic phosphate after reaction of the acetyl phosphate product with hydroxylamine 23 . Activity in the opposite, acetate-forming direction is measured by coupling ATP formation from ADP to the reduction of NADP + to NADPH by the enzymes hexokinase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase 24 .Here we describe a method for the detection of acetate kinase activity in the direction of acetate formation that does not require coupling enzymes, but is instead based on direct determination of acetyl phosphate consumption. After the enzymatic reaction, remaining acetyl phosphate is converted to a ferric hydroxamate complex that can be measured spectrophotometrically, as for the hydroxamate assay. Thus, unlike the standard coupled assay for this direction that is dependent on the production of ATP from ADP, this direct assay can be used for acetate kinases that produce ATP or PP i . Molecular Biology, Issue 58, Acetate kinase, acetate, acetyl phosphate, pyrophosphate, PPi, ATP 3474 Isolation and Analysis of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from the Placenta Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the ability to self-renew and generate all cell types of the blood lineages throughout the lifetime of an individual. All HSCs emerge during embryonic development, after which their pool size is maintained by self-renewing cell divisions. Identifying the anatomical origin of HSCs and the critical developmental events regulating the process of HSC development has been complicated as many anatomical sites participate during fetal hematopoiesis. Recently, we identified the placenta as a major hematopoietic organ where HSCs are generated and expanded in unique microenvironmental niches (Gekas, et al 2005, Rhodes, et al 2008). Consequently, the placenta is an important source of HSCs during their emergence and initial expansion. In this article, we show dissection techniques for the isolation of murine placenta from E10.5 and E12.5 embryos, corresponding to the developmental stages of initiation of HSCs and the peak in the size of the HSC pool in the placenta, respectively. In addition, we present an optimized protocol for enzymatic and mechanical dissociation of placental tissue into single-cell suspension for use in flow cytometry or functional assays. We have found that use of collagenase for single-cell suspension of placenta gives sufficient yields of HSCs. An important factor affecting HSC yield from the placenta is the degree of mechanical dissociation prior to, and duration of, enzymatic treatment. We also provide a protocol for the preparation of fixed-frozen placental tissue sections for the visualization of developing HSCs by immunohistochemistry in their precise cellular niches. As hematopoietic specific antigens are not preserved during preparation of paraffin embedded sections, we routinely use fixed frozen sections for localizing placental HSCs and progenitors. Cell Biology, Issue 16, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC), placenta, fetal, dissection, collagenase, fixed-frozen sections, immunohistochemistry 742 Therapeutic Gene Delivery and Transfection in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells using Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-targeted Gelatin Nanoparticles Institutions: Northeastern University. More than 32,000 patients are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States per year and the disease is associated with very high mortality 1 . Urgent need exists to develop novel clinically-translatable therapeutic strategies that can improve on the dismal survival statistics of pancreatic cancer patients. Although gene therapy in cancer has shown a tremendous promise, the major challenge is in the development of safe and effective delivery system, which can lead to sustained transgene expression. Gelatin is one of the most versatile natural biopolymer, widely used in food and pharmaceutical products. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that type B gelatin could physical encapsulate DNA, which preserved the supercoiled structure of the plasmid and improved transfection efficiency upon intracellular delivery. By thiolation of gelatin, the sulfhydryl groups could be introduced into the polymer and would form disulfide bond within nanoparticles, which stabilizes the whole complex and once disulfide bond is broken due to the presence of glutathione in cytosol, payload would be released 2-5 . Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-modified GENS, when administered into the systemic circulation, provides long-circulation times and preferentially targets to the tumor mass due to the hyper-permeability of the neovasculature by the enhanced permeability and retention effect 6 . Studies have shown over-expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on Panc-1 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells 7 . In order to actively target pancreatic cancer cell line, EGFR specific peptide was conjugated on the particle surface through a PEG spacer. 8 Most anti-tumor gene therapies are focused on administration of the tumor suppressor genes, such as wild-type p53 (wt-p53), to restore the pro-apoptotic function in the cells 9 . The p53 mechanism functions as a critical signaling pathway in cell growth, which regulates apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, metabolism and other processes 10 . In pancreatic cancer, most cells have mutations in p53 protein, causing the loss of apoptotic activity. With the introduction of wt-p53, the apoptosis could be repaired and further triggers cell death in cancer cells 11 . Based on the above rationale, we have designed EGFR targeting peptide-modified thiolated gelatin nanoparticles for wt-p53 gene delivery and evaluated delivery efficiency and transfection in Panc-1 cells. Bioengineering, Issue 59, Gelatin Nanoparticle, Gene Therapy, Targeted Delivery, Pancreatic Cancer, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, EGFR 3612 Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins Institutions: San Diego State University, San Diego State University, San Diego State University, San Diego State University, San Diego State University, Argonne National Laboratory, Broad Institute. Current investigations into phage-host interactions are dependent on extrapolating knowledge from (meta)genomes. Interestingly, 60 - 95% of all phage sequences share no homology to current annotated proteins. As a result, a large proportion of phage genes are annotated as hypothetical. This reality heavily affects the annotation of both structural and auxiliary metabolic genes. Here we present phenomic methods designed to capture the physiological response(s) of a selected host during expression of one of these unknown phage genes. Multi-phenotype Assay Plates (MAPs) are used to monitor the diversity of host substrate utilization and subsequent biomass formation, while metabolomics provides bi-product analysis by monitoring metabolite abundance and diversity. Both tools are used simultaneously to provide a phenotypic profile associated with expression of a single putative phage open reading frame (ORF). Representative results for both methods are compared, highlighting the phenotypic profile differences of a host carrying either putative structural or metabolic phage genes. In addition, the visualization techniques and high throughput computational pipelines that facilitated experimental analysis are presented. Immunology, Issue 100, phenomics, phage, viral metagenome, Multi-phenotype Assay Plates (MAPs), continuous culture, metabolomics 52854 Analysis of Tubular Membrane Networks in Cardiac Myocytes from Atria and Ventricles Institutions: Heart Research Center Goettingen, University Medical Center Goettingen, German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Goettingen, University of Maryland School of Medicine. In cardiac myocytes a complex network of membrane tubules - the transverse-axial tubule system (TATS) - controls deep intracellular signaling functions. While the outer surface membrane and associated TATS membrane components appear to be continuous, there are substantial differences in lipid and protein content. In ventricular myocytes (VMs), certain TATS components are highly abundant contributing to rectilinear tubule networks and regular branching 3D architectures. It is thought that peripheral TATS components propagate action potentials from the cell surface to thousands of remote intracellular sarcoendoplasmic reticulum (SER) membrane contact domains, thereby activating intracellular Ca 2+ release units (CRUs). In contrast to VMs, the organization and functional role of TATS membranes in atrial myocytes (AMs) is significantly different and much less understood. Taken together, quantitative structural characterization of TATS membrane networks in healthy and diseased myocytes is an essential prerequisite towards better understanding of functional plasticity and pathophysiological reorganization. Here, we present a strategic combination of protocols for direct quantitative analysis of TATS membrane networks in living VMs and AMs. For this, we accompany primary cell isolations of mouse VMs and/or AMs with critical quality control steps and direct membrane staining protocols for fluorescence imaging of TATS membranes. Using an optimized workflow for confocal or superresolution TATS image processing, binarized and skeletonized data are generated for quantitative analysis of the TATS network and its components. Unlike previously published indirect regional aggregate image analysis strategies, our protocols enable direct characterization of specific components and derive complex physiological properties of TATS membrane networks in living myocytes with high throughput and open access software tools. In summary, the combined protocol strategy can be readily applied for quantitative TATS network studies during physiological myocyte adaptation or disease changes, comparison of different cardiac or skeletal muscle cell types, phenotyping of transgenic models, and pharmacological or therapeutic interventions. Bioengineering, Issue 92, cardiac myocyte, atria, ventricle, heart, primary cell isolation, fluorescence microscopy, membrane tubule, transverse-axial tubule system, image analysis, image processing, T-tubule, collagenase 51823 Preparation of Quality Inositol Pyrophosphates Institutions: University College London. Myo-inositol is present in nature either unmodified or in more complex phosphorylated derivates. Of the latest, the two most abundant in eukaryotic cells are inositol pentakisphosphate (IP 5 ) and inositol hexakisphosphate (phytic acid or IP 6 ). IP 5 and IP 6 are the precursors of inositol pyrophosphate molecules that contain one or more pyrophosphate bonds 1 . Phosphorylation of IP 6 generates diphoshoinositolpentakisphosphate (IP 7 or PP-IP 5 ) and bisdiphoshoinositoltetrakisphosphate (IP 8 or (PP) 2 -IP 4 ). Inositol pyrophosphates have been isolated from all eukaryotic organisms so far studied. In addition, the two distinct classes of enzymes responsible for inositol pyrophosphate synthesis are highly conserved throughout evolution 2-4 . The IP 6 kinases (IP 6 Ks) posses an enormous catalytic flexibility, converting IP 5 and IP 6 to PP-IP 4 and IP 7 respectively and subsequently, by using these products as substrates, promote the generation of more complex molecules 5,6 . Recently, a second class of pyrophosphate generating enzymes was identified in the form of the yeast protein VIP 1 (also referred as PP-IP 5 K), which is able to convert IP 6 to IP 7 and IP 8 7,8 . Inositol pyrophosphates regulate many disparate cellular processes such as insulin secretion 9 , telomere length 10,11 , chemotaxis 12 , vesicular trafficking 13 , phosphate homeostasis 14 and HIV-1 gag release 15 . Two mechanisms of actions have been proposed for this class of molecules. They can affect cellular function by allosterically interacting with specific proteins like AKT 16 . Alternatively, the pyrophosphate group can donate a phosphate to pre-phosphorylated proteins 17 . The enormous potential of this research field is hampered by the absence of a commercial source of inositol pyrophosphates, which is preventing many scientists from studying these molecules and this new post-translational modification. The methods currently available to isolate inositol pyrophosphates require sophisticated chromatographic apparatus 18,19 . These procedures use acidic conditions that might lead to inositol pyrophosphate degradation 20 and thus to poor recovery. Furthermore, the cumbersome post-column desalting procedures restrict their use to specialized laboratories. In this study we describe an undemanding method for the generation, isolation and purification of the products of the IP 6 -kinase and PP-IP 5 -kinases reactions. This method was possible by the ability of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) to resolve highly phosphorylated inositol polyphosphates 20 . Following IP 6 K1 and PP-IP 5 K enzymatic reactions using IP 6 as the substrate, PAGE was used to separate the generated inositol pyrophosphates that were subsequently eluted in water. Molecular Biology, Issue 55, Polyacrilamyde Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE), inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), phytic acid, diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate (IP7), bisdiphoshoinositol tetrakisphosphate (IP8), IP6-kinase (IP6K), PP-IP5K, VIP1 3027 High-Throughput Measurement and Classification of Organic P in Environmental Samples Institutions: University of Vermont. Many types of organic phosphorus (P) molecules exist in environmental samples 1 . Traditional P measurements do not detect these organic P compounds since they do not react with colorimetric reagents 2,3 . Enzymatic hydrolysis (EH) is an emerging method for accurately characterizing organic P forms in environmental samples 4,5 . This method is only trumped in accuracy by Phosphorus-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ( 31 P-NMR) -a method that is expensive and requires specialized technical training 6 . We have adapted an enzymatic hydrolysis method capable of measuring three classes of phosphorus (monoester P, diester P and inorganic P) to a microplate reader system 7 . This method provides researchers with a fast, accurate, affordable and user-friendly means to measure P species in soils, sediments, manures and, if concentrated, aquatic samples. This is the only high-throughput method for measuring the forms and enzyme-lability of organic P that can be performed in a standard laboratory. The resulting data provides insight to scientists studying system nutrient content and eutrophication potential. Microbiology, Issue 52, phosphorus, enzymatic-hydrolysis, soil, manure, phosphatase, phytic acid, NaOH-EDTA, organophosphates, molybdate, organic P 2660 A Microplate Assay to Assess Chemical Effects on RBL-2H3 Mast Cell Degranulation: Effects of Triclosan without Use of an Organic Solvent Institutions: University of Maine, Orono, University of Maine, Orono. Mast cells play important roles in allergic disease and immune defense against parasites. Once activated ( e.g. by an allergen), they degranulate, a process that results in the exocytosis of allergic mediators. Modulation of mast cell degranulation by drugs and toxicants may have positive or adverse effects on human health. Mast cell function has been dissected in detail with the use of rat basophilic leukemia mast cells (RBL-2H3), a widely accepted model of human mucosal mast cells 3-5 . Mast cell granule component and the allergic mediator β-hexosaminidase, which is released linearly in tandem with histamine from mast cells 6 , can easily and reliably be measured through reaction with a fluorogenic substrate, yielding measurable fluorescence intensity in a microplate assay that is amenable to high-throughput studies 1 . Originally published by Naal et al. 1 , we have adapted this degranulation assay for the screening of drugs and toxicants and demonstrate its use here.Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent that is present in many consumer products and has been found to be a therapeutic aid in human allergic skin disease 7-11 , although the mechanism for this effect is unknown. Here we demonstrate an assay for the effect of triclosan on mast cell degranulation. We recently showed that triclosan strongly affects mast cell function 2 . In an effort to avoid use of an organic solvent, triclosan is dissolved directly into aqueous buffer with heat and stirring, and resultant concentration is confirmed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry (using ε 280 = 4,200 L/M/cm) 12 . This protocol has the potential to be used with a variety of chemicals to determine their effects on mast cell degranulation, and more broadly, their allergic potential. Immunology, Issue 81, mast cell, basophil, degranulation, RBL-2H3, triclosan, irgasan, antibacterial, β-hexosaminidase, allergy, Asthma, toxicants, ionophore, antigen, fluorescence, microplate, UV-Vis 50671 Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney Institutions: University of Notre Dame. The zebrafish model has emerged as a relevant system to study kidney development, regeneration and disease. Both the embryonic and adult zebrafish kidneys are composed of functional units known as nephrons, which are highly conserved with other vertebrates, including mammals. Research in zebrafish has recently demonstrated that two distinctive phenomena transpire after adult nephrons incur damage: first, there is robust regeneration within existing nephrons that replaces the destroyed tubule epithelial cells; second, entirely new nephrons are produced from renal progenitors in a process known as neonephrogenesis. In contrast, humans and other mammals seem to have only a limited ability for nephron epithelial regeneration. To date, the mechanisms responsible for these kidney regeneration phenomena remain poorly understood. Since adult zebrafish kidneys undergo both nephron epithelial regeneration and neonephrogenesis, they provide an outstanding experimental paradigm to study these events. Further, there is a wide range of genetic and pharmacological tools available in the zebrafish model that can be used to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate renal regeneration. One essential aspect of such research is the evaluation of nephron structure and function. This protocol describes a set of labeling techniques that can be used to gauge renal composition and test nephron functionality in the adult zebrafish kidney. Thus, these methods are widely applicable to the future phenotypic characterization of adult zebrafish kidney injury paradigms, which include but are not limited to, nephrotoxicant exposure regimes or genetic methods of targeted cell death such as the nitroreductase mediated cell ablation technique. Further, these methods could be used to study genetic perturbations in adult kidney formation and could also be applied to assess renal status during chronic disease modeling. Cellular Biology, Issue 90, zebrafish; kidney; nephron; nephrology; renal; regeneration; proximal tubule; distal tubule; segment; mesonephros; physiology; acute kidney injury (AKI) 51644 High-throughput Fluorometric Measurement of Potential Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activities Institutions: Colorado State University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Colorado. Microbes in soils and other environments produce extracellular enzymes to depolymerize and hydrolyze organic macromolecules so that they can be assimilated for energy and nutrients. Measuring soil microbial enzyme activity is crucial in understanding soil ecosystem functional dynamics. The general concept of the fluorescence enzyme assay is that synthetic C-, N-, or P-rich substrates bound with a fluorescent dye are added to soil samples. When intact, the labeled substrates do not fluoresce. Enzyme activity is measured as the increase in fluorescence as the fluorescent dyes are cleaved from their substrates, which allows them to fluoresce. Enzyme measurements can be expressed in units of molarity or activity. To perform this assay, soil slurries are prepared by combining soil with a pH buffer. The pH buffer (typically a 50 mM sodium acetate or 50 mM Tris buffer), is chosen for the buffer's particular acid dissociation constant (pKa) to best match the soil sample pH. The soil slurries are inoculated with a nonlimiting amount of fluorescently labeled ( i.e. C-, N-, or P-rich) substrate. Using soil slurries in the assay serves to minimize limitations on enzyme and substrate diffusion. Therefore, this assay controls for differences in substrate limitation, diffusion rates, and soil pH conditions; thus detecting potential enzyme activity rates as a function of the difference in enzyme concentrations (per sample).Fluorescence enzyme assays are typically more sensitive than spectrophotometric ( i.e. colorimetric) assays, but can suffer from interference caused by impurities and the instability of many fluorescent compounds when exposed to light; so caution is required when handling fluorescent substrates. Likewise, this method only assesses potential enzyme activities under laboratory conditions when substrates are not limiting. Caution should be used when interpreting the data representing cross-site comparisons with differing temperatures or soil types, as in situ soil type and temperature can influence enzyme kinetics. Environmental Sciences, Issue 81, Ecological and Environmental Phenomena, Environment, Biochemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Soil Microbiology, Ecology, Eukaryota, Archaea, Bacteria, Soil extracellular enzyme activities (EEAs), fluorometric enzyme assays, substrate degradation, 4-methylumbelliferone (MUB), 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (MUC), enzyme temperature kinetics, soil 50961 Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia Institutions: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, University Hospital of Essen. Receptor tyrosine kinases have been implicated in the development and progression of many cancers, including both leukemia and solid tumors, and are attractive druggable therapeutic targets. Here we describe an efficient four-step strategy for pre-clinical evaluation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of acute leukemia. Initially, western blot analysis is used to confirm target inhibition in cultured leukemia cells. Functional activity is then evaluated using clonogenic assays in methylcellulose or soft agar cultures. Experimental compounds that demonstrate activity in cell culture assays are evaluated in vivo using NOD-SCID-gamma (NSG) mice transplanted orthotopically with human leukemia cell lines. Initial in vivo pharmacodynamic studies evaluate target inhibition in leukemic blasts isolated from the bone marrow. This approach is used to determine the dose and schedule of administration required for effective target inhibition. Subsequent studies evaluate the efficacy of the TKIs in vivo using luciferase expressing leukemia cells, thereby allowing for non-invasive bioluminescent monitoring of leukemia burden and assessment of therapeutic response using an in vivo bioluminescence imaging system. This strategy has been effective for evaluation of TKIs in vitro and in vivo and can be applied for identification of molecularly-targeted agents with therapeutic potential or for direct comparison and prioritization of multiple compounds. Medicine, Issue 79, Leukemia, Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases, Molecular Targeted Therapy, Therapeutics, novel small molecule inhibitor, receptor tyrosine kinase, leukemia 50720 Covalent Binding of BMP-2 on Surfaces Using a Self-assembled Monolayer Approach Institutions: University of Heidelberg, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems at Stuttgart. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is a growth factor embedded in the extracellular matrix of bone tissue. BMP-2 acts as trigger of mesenchymal cell differentiation into osteoblasts, thus stimulating healing and de novo bone formation. The clinical use of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) in conjunction with scaffolds has raised recent controversies, based on the mode of presentation and the amount to be delivered. The protocol presented here provides a simple and efficient way to deliver BMP-2 for in vitro studies on cells. We describe how to form a self-assembled monolayer consisting of a heterobifunctional linker, and show the subsequent binding step to obtain covalent immobilization of rhBMP-2. With this approach it is possible to achieve a sustained presentation of BMP-2 while maintaining the biological activity of the protein. In fact, the surface immobilization of BMP-2 allows targeted investigations by preventing unspecific adsorption, while reducing the amount of growth factor and, most notably, hindering uncontrolled release from the surface. Both short- and long-term signaling events triggered by BMP-2 are taking place when cells are exposed to surfaces presenting covalently immobilized rhBMP-2, making this approach suitable for in vitro studies on cell responses to BMP-2 stimulation. Chemistry, Issue 78, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, Genetics, Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry, Proteins, life sciences, Biological Factors, Chemistry and Materials (General), Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), self-assembled monolayer (SAM), covalent immobilization, NHS-linker, BMP-2 signaling, protein, assay 50842 A Toolkit to Enable Hydrocarbon Conversion in Aqueous Environments Institutions: Delft University of Technology, Delft University of Technology. This work puts forward a toolkit that enables the conversion of alkanes by Escherichia coli and presents a proof of principle of its applicability. The toolkit consists of multiple standard interchangeable parts (BioBricks) 9 addressing the conversion of alkanes, regulation of gene expression and survival in toxic hydrocarbon-rich environments.A three-step pathway for alkane degradation was implemented in E. coli to enable the conversion of medium- and long-chain alkanes to their respective alkanols, alkanals and ultimately alkanoic-acids. The latter were metabolized via the native β-oxidation pathway. To facilitate the oxidation of medium-chain alkanes (C5-C13) and cycloalkanes (C5-C8), four genes ( alkB2 , rubA3 , rubA4 and rubB ) of the alkane hydroxylase system from Gordonia sp. TF6 8,21 were transformed into E. coli . For the conversion of long-chain alkanes (C15-C36), the ladA gene from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans was implemented. For the required further steps of the degradation process, ADH and ALDH ( originating from G. thermodenitrificans ) were introduced 10,11 . The activity was measured by resting cell assays. For each oxidative step, enzyme activity was observed.To optimize the process efficiency, the expression was only induced under low glucose conditions: a substrate-regulated promoter, pCaiF, was used. pCaiF is present in E. coli K12 and regulates the expression of the genes involved in the degradation of non-glucose carbon sources.The last part of the toolkit - targeting survival - was implemented using solvent tolerance genes, PhPFDα and β, both from Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3. Organic solvents can induce cell stress and decreased survivability by negatively affecting protein folding. As chaperones, PhPFDα and β improve the protein folding process e.g. under the presence of alkanes. The expression of these genes led to an improved hydrocarbon tolerance shown by an increased growth rate (up to 50%) in the presences of 10% n -hexane in the culture medium were observed.Summarizing, the results indicate that the toolkit enables E. coli to convert and tolerate hydrocarbons in aqueous environments. As such, it represents an initial step towards a sustainable solution for oil-remediation using a synthetic biology approach. Bioengineering, Issue 68, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Oil remediation, alkane metabolism, alkane hydroxylase system, resting cell assay, prefoldin, Escherichia coli, synthetic biology, homologous interaction mapping, mathematical model, BioBrick, iGEM 4182 Measuring Cation Transport by Na,K- and H,K-ATPase in Xenopus Oocytes by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry: An Alternative to Radioisotope Assays Institutions: Technical University of Berlin, Oregon Health & Science University. Whereas cation transport by the electrogenic membrane transporter Na + ,K + -ATPase can be measured by electrophysiology, the electroneutrally operating gastric H + ,K + -ATPase is more difficult to investigate. Many transport assays utilize radioisotopes to achieve a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio, however, the necessary security measures impose severe restrictions regarding human exposure or assay design. Furthermore, ion transport across cell membranes is critically influenced by the membrane potential, which is not straightforwardly controlled in cell culture or in proteoliposome preparations. Here, we make use of the outstanding sensitivity of atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) towards trace amounts of chemical elements to measure Rb + or Li + transport by Na + ,K + - or gastric H + ,K + -ATPase in single cells. Using Xenopus oocytes as expression system, we determine the amount of Rb + (Li + ) transported into the cells by measuring samples of single-oocyte homogenates in an AAS device equipped with a transversely heated graphite atomizer (THGA) furnace, which is loaded from an autosampler. Since the background of unspecific Rb + uptake into control oocytes or during application of ATPase-specific inhibitors is very small, it is possible to implement complex kinetic assay schemes involving a large number of experimental conditions simultaneously, or to compare the transport capacity and kinetics of site-specifically mutated transporters with high precision. Furthermore, since cation uptake is determined on single cells, the flux experiments can be carried out in combination with two-electrode voltage-clamping (TEVC) to achieve accurate control of the membrane potential and current. This allowed e.g. to quantitatively determine the 3Na + /2K + transport stoichiometry of the Na + ,K + -ATPase and enabled for the first time to investigate the voltage dependence of cation transport by the electroneutrally operating gastric H + ,K + -ATPase. In principle, the assay is not limited to K + -transporting membrane proteins, but it may work equally well to address the activity of heavy or transition metal transporters, or uptake of chemical elements by endocytotic processes. Biochemistry, Issue 72, Chemistry, Biophysics, Bioengineering, Physiology, Molecular Biology, electrochemical processes, physical chemistry, spectrophotometry (application), spectroscopic chemical analysis (application), life sciences, temperature effects (biological, animal and plant), Life Sciences (General), Na +,K +-ATPase, H +,K +-ATPase, Cation Uptake, P-type ATPases, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Two-Electrode Voltage-Clamp, Xenopus Oocytes, Rb + Flux, Transversely Heated Graphite Atomizer (THGA) Furnace, electrophysiology, animal model 50201 Understanding Early Organogenesis Using a Simplified In Situ Hybridization Protocol in Xenopus Institutions: Hospital for Sick Children, University of Western Ontario, University of Western Ontario, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Western Ontario. Organogenesis is the study of how organs are specified and then acquire their specific shape and functions during development. The Xenopus laevis embryo is very useful for studying organogenesis because their large size makes them very suitable for identifying organs at the earliest steps in organogenesis. At this time, the primary method used for identifying a specific organ or primordium is whole mount in situ hybridization with labeled antisense RNA probes specific to a gene that is expressed in the organ of interest. In addition, it is relatively easy to manipulate genes or signaling pathways in Xenopus and in situ hybridization allows one to then assay for changes in the presence or morphology of a target organ. Whole mount in situ hybridization is a multi-day protocol with many steps involved. Here we provide a simplified protocol with reduced numbers of steps and reagents used that works well for routine assays. In situ hybridization robots have greatly facilitated the process and we detail how and when we utilize that technology in the process. Once an in situ hybridization is complete, capturing the best image of the result can be frustrating. We provide advice on how to optimize imaging of in situ hybridization results. Although the protocol describes assessing organogenesis in Xenopus laevis , the same basic protocol can almost certainly be adapted to Xenopus tropicalis and other model systems. Developmental Biology, Issue 95, Xenopus, organogenesis, in situ hybridization, RNA methods, embryology, imaging, whole mount 51526 Gene-environment Interaction Models to Unmask Susceptibility Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease Institutions: SRI International, University of California-Santa Cruz. Lipoxygenase (LOX) activity has been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, but its effects in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis are less understood. Gene-environment interaction models have utility in unmasking the impact of specific cellular pathways in toxicity that may not be observed using a solely genetic or toxicant disease model alone. To evaluate if distinct LOX isozymes selectively contribute to PD-related neurodegeneration, transgenic ( i.e. 5-LOX and 12/15-LOX deficient) mice can be challenged with a toxin that mimics cell injury and death in the disorder. Here we describe the use of a neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which produces a nigrostriatal lesion to elucidate the distinct contributions of LOX isozymes to neurodegeneration related to PD. The use of MPTP in mouse, and nonhuman primate, is well-established to recapitulate the nigrostriatal damage in PD. The extent of MPTP-induced lesioning is measured by HPLC analysis of dopamine and its metabolites and semi-quantitative Western blot analysis of striatum for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of dopamine. To assess inflammatory markers, which may demonstrate LOX isozyme-selective sensitivity, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Iba-1 immunohistochemistry are performed on brain sections containing substantia nigra, and GFAP Western blot analysis is performed on striatal homogenates. This experimental approach can provide novel insights into gene-environment interactions underlying nigrostriatal degeneration and PD. Medicine, Issue 83, MPTP, dopamine, Iba1, TH, GFAP, lipoxygenase, transgenic, gene-environment interactions, mouse, Parkinson's disease, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation 50960 HPLC Measurement of the DNA Oxidation Biomarker, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine, in Cultured Cells and Animal Tissues Institutions: Health Canada. Oxidative stress is associated with many physiological and pathological processes, as well as xenobiotic metabolism, leading to the oxidation of biomacromolecules, including DNA. Therefore, efficient detection of DNA oxidation is important for a variety of research disciplines, including medicine and toxicology. A common biomarker of oxidatively damaged DNA is 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo; often erroneously referred to as 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dGuo or 8-oxo-dG)). Several protocols for 8-oxo-dGuo measurement by high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED) have been described. However, these were mainly applied to purified DNA treated with pro-oxidants. In addition, due to methodological differences between laboratories, mainly due to differences in analytical equipment, the adoption of published methods for detection of 8-oxo-dGuo by HPLC-ED requires careful optimization by each laboratory. A comprehensive protocol, describing such an optimization process, is lacking. Here, a detailed protocol is described for the detection of 8-oxo-dGuo by HPLC-ED, in DNA from cultured cells or animal tissues. It illustrates how DNA sample preparation can be easily and rapidly optimized to minimize undesirable DNA oxidation that can occur during sample preparation. This protocol shows how to detect 8-oxo-dGuo in cultured human alveolar adenocarcinoma cells ( i.e. , A549 cells) treated with the oxidizing agent KBrO 3 , and from the spleen of mice exposed to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon dibenzo( def,p )chrysene (DBC, formerly known as dibenzo( a,l) pyrene, DalP). Overall, this work illustrates how an HPLC-ED methodology can be readily optimized for the detection of 8-oxo-dGuo in biological samples. Chemistry, Issue 102, Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, Xenobiotic Metabolism, Human Health 52697 Expression of Recombinant Cellulase Cel5A from Trichoderma reesei in Tobacco Plants Institutions: RWTH Aachen University, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology. Cellulose degrading enzymes, cellulases, are targets of both research and industrial interests. The preponderance of these enzymes in difficult-to-culture organisms, such as hyphae-building fungi and anaerobic bacteria, has hastened the use of recombinant technologies in this field. Plant expression methods are a desirable system for large-scale production of enzymes and other industrially useful proteins. Herein, methods for the transient expression of a fungal endoglucanase, Trichoderma reesei Cel5A, in Nicotiana tabacum are demonstrated. Successful protein expression is shown, monitored by fluorescence using an mCherry-enzyme fusion protein. Additionally, a set of basic tests are used to examine the activity of transiently expressed T. reesei Cel5A, including SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, zymography, as well as fluorescence and dye-based substrate degradation assays. The system described here can be used to produce an active cellulase in a short time period, so as to assess the potential for further production in plants through constitutive or inducible expression systems. Environmental Sciences, Issue 88, heterologous expression, endoplasmic reticulum, endoglucanase, cellulose, glycosyl-hydrolase, fluorescence, cellulase, Trichoderma reesei, tobacco plants 51711 A Fluorescence-based Exonuclease Assay to Characterize DmWRNexo, Orthologue of Human Progeroid WRN Exonuclease, and Its Application to Other Nucleases Institutions: University of Oxford. WRN exonuclease is involved in resolving DNA damage that occurs either during DNA replication or following exposure to endogenous or exogenous genotoxins. It is likely to play a role in preventing accumulation of recombinogenic intermediates that would otherwise accumulate at transiently stalled replication forks, consistent with a hyper-recombinant phenotype of cells lacking WRN. In humans, the exonuclease domain comprises an N-terminal portion of a much larger protein that also possesses helicase activity, together with additional sites important for DNA and protein interaction. By contrast, in Drosophila , the exonuclease activity of WRN (DmWRNexo) is encoded by a distinct genetic locus from the presumptive helicase, allowing biochemical (and genetic) dissection of the role of the exonuclease activity in genome stability mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate a fluorescent method to determine WRN exonuclease activity using purified recombinant DmWRNexo and end-labeled fluorescent oligonucleotides. This system allows greater reproducibility than radioactive assays as the substrate oligonucleotides remain stable for months, and provides a safer and relatively rapid method for detailed analysis of nuclease activity, permitting determination of nuclease polarity, processivity, and substrate preferences. Biochemistry, Issue 82, Aging, Premature, Exonucleases, Enzyme Assays, biochemistry, WRN, exonuclease, nuclease, RecQ, progeroid disease, aging, DmWRNexo 50722
warc	201713	When I was a young boy, my parents received a gift that became fascinating to my younger brother David and me. The gift was a miniature model of the golden plates the Prophet Joseph Smith received from the angel Moroni. As I recall, the model plates had 10 or so metal pages with words written on them. However, those pages weren’t what caught our attention. We had been raised hearing the stories of the Restoration. We knew of and had sung in Primary about golden plates hidden deep in a mountainside and delivered by the angel Moroni to Joseph Smith. 1 As the curiosity of our young minds stirred, there was one thing we really wanted to see: what was written on the small section of the model plates securely sealed with two small metal bands? The plates sat on an end table for several days before our curiosity got the best of us. Although we clearly understood that these were not the actual plates Moroni had delivered, we wanted to view the sealed portion. So on several occasions, my brother and I tried using butter knives, old spoons, and anything else we could imagine to pry apart the sealed portion of the plates just enough to see what they contained—but not enough to break the small bands. We were at least smart enough not to leave a trace of our mischievous boyhood curiosity. To our disappointment and frustration, these attempts to “pry at the plates” were always unsuccessful. I still don’t know what—if anything—was hidden under that sealed portion. But the embarrassing part of our story is that to this day, I have no idea what was written on the portion of the metal pages that was meant to be read. I can only imagine that these pages contained stories of the Restoration and testimonies of Joseph Smith and the Three and Eight Witnesses, who saw the actual plates Moroni delivered. Since the Creation of this earth, our loving Father in Heaven has provided direction, leadership, and instruction to His children through prophets. His words have been passed down through these prophets and are saved as scripture for our development and learning. Nephi described it this way: “For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. “Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.” 2 In addition, during past dispensations and in this last dispensation of the fulness of times, worthy members of the Lord’s Church have been blessed with the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, who aids in our spiritual development and learning. Knowing the diligent nature of my younger brother, I imagine it very likely that he read all the words written on the model plates in our parents’ home. I, however, ignored those plain and precious truths and instead exerted my effort searching for those things that were not meant to be revealed. Sadly, our development and learning can at times be slowed or even halted by an ill-conceived desire to “pry at the plates.” These actions can lead us to seek after things that are not necessarily meant to be understood at this time, all the while ignoring the beautiful truths that are meant for us and our circumstances—the truths that Nephi described as written for our learning and profit. Nephi’s brother Jacob taught: “Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways.” 3 Jacob’s words teach us that we cannot successfully “pry at the plates” or force the mysteries of God to be revealed unto us. Instead, the mysteries of God are unfolded unto us only according to His will and by the power of the Holy Ghost. 4 Jacob continues: “And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. “For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth. … O then, why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure? “Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand.” 5 In order to understand the mysteries of God, or those things that can be understood only through revelation, we must follow the example of Nephi, who said, “Being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father.” 6 The Lord Himself further explained that Nephi had exercised faith, sought diligently with lowliness of heart, and kept His commandments. 7 Nephi’s example of seeking knowledge included (1) a sincere desire, (2) humility, (3) prayer, (4) trust in the prophet, and an exercise of (5) faith, (6) diligence, and (7) obedience. This method of seeking is in great contrast to my “prying at the plates,” or trying to force an understanding of things meant to be revealed according to the Lord’s timetable and through the power of the Holy Ghost. In this modern age, we have come to expect that knowledge can and should be obtained immediately; when information is not easily known or accessible, it is often dismissed or mistrusted. Because of the abundance of information, some unwittingly give more credibility to available sources with an unknown origin rather than relying on the Lord’s established pattern for receiving personal revelation. Jacob could have been describing our time when he said: “But behold, [they] were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness … and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it.” 8 In contrast is President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s counsel. He spoke of missionaries, but his words are equally applicable to all seekers of spiritual truth. “When … missionaries have faith in Jesus Christ,” he said, “they will trust the Lord enough to follow His commandments—even when they do not completely understand the reasons for them. Their faith will be manifest through diligence and through work.” 9 During last April’s general conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained: “The Church is making great efforts to be transparent with the records we have, but after all we can publish, our members are sometimes left with basic questions that cannot be resolved by study. … Some things can be learned only by faith.” 10 Ancient prophets taught this same principle, demonstrating that over time human nature has not changed and that the Lord’s pattern for learning is timeless. Consider this Old Testament proverb: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” 11 Isaiah explained, speaking for the Lord, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 12 Nephi added another witness when he proclaimed, “O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever.” 13 Faith and trust in the Lord require us to acknowledge that His wisdom is superior to our own. We must also acknowledge that His plan provides the greatest potential for spiritual development and learning. We were never expected “to have a perfect knowledge of things” during this mortal existence. Instead, we are expected to “hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” 14 Even with Nephi’s great faith, he acknowledged his limited understanding when he responded to the angel who asked him, “Knowest thou the condescension of God?” Nephi replied, “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.” 15 Similarly, Alma expressed to his son Helaman, “Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear.” 16 I express my witness that our Father in Heaven loves His children, and yet, like Nephi and Alma, I do not know the meaning of all things. Nor do I need to know all things; I too shall forbear and wait patiently upon the Lord, knowing “I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true. … “… The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.” 17 As we acknowledge that we are the workmanship of a wise and devoted Father in Heaven, “O then,” why not allow Him to guide our spiritual development and learning “according to his will and pleasure” rather than our own? 18 He lives. Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son and the Redeemer of mankind. Because of Christ’s infinite Atonement, He has the wisdom and foresight to guide us in these latter days. Joseph Smith is His prophet, chosen to restore His kingdom on earth to its fulness. Thomas S. Monson is His living prophet and spokesman today. Of this I bear my sincere witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
warc	201713	Give up and Give: Lent Appeal Donate Fundraise A donation of just £25 will help our health education van carry on its journey to raise awareness of the symptoms of leprosy, leading to more people being treated and cured. If you’re taking part in Lent this year – what have you chosen to give up? Your evening meal? Are you giving up your job? Are you giving up your child’s education? Or have you given up your home? These are all very extreme sacrifices for Lent – but tragically, some, have to go without the most vital of commodities as an effect of leprosy, a curable disease. Leprosy affects 600 people each day and more than 50 of these will be children. If left undiagnosed, the disease causes life-changing disabilities, pain, discomfort and social exclusion. Children can no longer attend school and others are unable to work and earn a livelihood – meaning that people fall into increased levels of poverty. To help beat leprosy, more people need to be able recognise their symptoms in order to seek diagnosis. Our health education vans help One of the most effective methods of raising awareness and ensuring people recognise the symptoms of leprosy is through our health education vans. Covering between 50 – 70 miles each day, our health education vans reach over 900,000 people each year in some of the poorest, most isolated communities. Our dedicated team head out on the road for weeks at a time, equipped with flip charts, pictures and information leaflets informing people of the symptoms of leprosy. Once people are aware of the symptoms, they are able to spot the disease early and avoid life-changing disabilities and stigma which lead to poverty. Pictured: A film about leprosy is being shown to the community from our education van. You can help Nobody should have to give up their evening meal, livelihood, education or home because of a curable disease. Join us this Lent to help our health education van continue its journey, allowing more people to identify the symptoms of leprosy, seek treatment and access the cure. With your help we will work towards beating leprosy sooner. Collect what you save Simply collect what you save throughout Lent, in our health education van shaped money box. A donation of just £25 will contribute to enabling our education van to travel to remote communities and educate people about the symptoms of leprosy, leading to greater numbers of diagnosis. When the box is full, please count the contents and write a cheque payable to "Lepra". The complete the section on the side of the box and return it to: Lepra, 28 Middleborough, Colchester, CO1 1TG Request a money box Alternatively, you can donate online here. Contact a member of the team Contact fundraising@lepra.org.uk for more information.
warc	201713	Talbot P.,Eng-Tips \| Martinelli L.,Eng-Tips \| Talvy S.,Eng-Tips \| Chauveheid E.,Vivaqua \| Haut B.,Eng-Tips Water Research \| Year: 2012 In this work, the ozone inactivation of resistant microorganisms is studied and a method to assess the efficiency of a drinking water plant to inactivate resistant microorganisms using ozone is proposed. This method aims at computing the fraction of resistant microorganisms that are not inactivated at the exit of an ozonation step by evaluating the duration of the lag phase of the ozone inactivation of these microorganisms and the contact time distribution of these microorganisms with the ozone in the step. To evaluate the duration of the lag phase of the ozone inactivation of resistant pathogenic microorganisms, an experimental procedure is proposed and applied to Bacillus subtilis spores. The procedure aims at characterizing the ozone inactivation kinetics of B. subtilis spores for different temperature and ozone concentration conditions. From experimental data, a model of the ozone inactivation of B. subtilis spores is built. One of the parameters of this model is called the lag time and it measures the duration of the lag phase of the ozone inactivation of B. subtilis spores. This lag time is identified for different temperature and ozone concentration conditions in order to establish a correlation between this lag time and the temperature and ozone concentration conditions. To evaluate the contact time distribution between microorganisms and the ozone in a disinfection step of a drinking water plant, a computational fluid dynamics tool is used. The proposed method is applied to the ozonation channel of an existing drinking water plant located in Belgium and operated by Vivaqua. Results show that lag times and contact times are both in the same order of magnitude of a few minutes. For a large range of temperatures and ozone concentrations in the Tailfer ozonation channel and for the highest hydraulic flow rate applied, a significant fraction of resistant microorganisms similar to B. subtilis spores is not inactivated. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. Talvy S.,Eng-Tips \| Debaste F.,Eng-Tips \| Martinelli L.,Eng-Tips \| Chauveheid E.,Vivaqua \| Haut B.,Eng-Tips Chemical Engineering Science \| Year: 2011 Foreseen standards regarding microorganism content for drinking water require assessment of the capability of existing plants to reach the upcoming requirements. This paper presents the development of a tool to assess this capability in a commonly encountered key step of water disinfection: ozonation. In this paper, this tool is applied to the test case of an ozonation channel of the Belgian drinking water producer Vivaqua. This tool is based on a mathematical model of the momentum and mass transport phenomena in an ozonation channel. The gas-liquid flow is coupled to ozone mass transfer and kinetics describing the ozone and microorganisms concentrations decay. The degradation of Bacillus subtilis spores, as a representative of resistant microorganisms, is implemented in the model. The model takes explicitly into account the bubble size variation and its impact on mass transfer. Bubbles sizes and kinetics parameters are estimated based on dedicated experiments. The model is partially validated by comparing simulations results, obtained using computational fluid dynamics, to experimental residence time distributions, residual ozone concentration and Bacillus subtilis spores degradation efficiency measurements obtained on the studied ozonation channel. It is shown that, at the industrial scale, bubble diameter variation has a significant impact on ozone concentration in the liquid at the reactor exit. Using the tool, it is also shown that, the ozonation channel of Vivaqua can be used to achieve degradation of resistant microorganisms but only with its maximal flow rate and concentration of ozone injection. Moreover, at low operating temperature, some microorganisms that present latency towards reaction with dissolved ozone might hardly be destroyed. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. Martinelli L.,Eng-Tips \| Talvy S.,Eng-Tips \| Liegeois S.,Eng-Tips \| Liegeois S.,Institute Meurice \| And 3 more authors. Chemical Engineering Science \| Year: 2011 This paper proposes a single-phase flow model to simulate the flow induced in a liquid by the injection of gas dispersed in the form of a bubble curtain. It aims at predicting macroscopic liquid flow and mixing time. This single-phase flow model is developed as an alternative to two-phase flow models. The model is based on the assumption that the liquid flow is induced by a density imbalance between the bulk zone and the bubble curtain zone. The density in the bulk is set to the water density while the density in the bubble curtain corresponds to the air-water mixture density and is assessed by numerical simulations, thanks to an iterative procedure. Only the knowledge of the injected air flow rate and the bubble liquid relative velocity is required. The single-phase flow model is applied to assess the liquid flow and the mixing in open quarries having a complex geometry. The liquid velocities and the flow structure in the open quarries simulated with the single-phase flow model are in good agreement with those predicted by numerical simulations based on a two-phase flow model. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. Chauveheid E.,Vivaqua \| Hansen N.,Vivaqua Journal Europeen d'Hydrologie \| Year: 2010 A dynamic rig test is applied for the evaluation of organic materials in contact with drinking water. The rig test submits only the inner surface of the material to the contact water, under unfavourable conditions created by a long stagnation period (23 h) followed by a controlled flowing regime (1 h). When applied to several polymer materials (uPVC, PEX, PE), the dynamic test rig shows a good repeatability and a great sensitivity for microbiological parameters, allowing an easy discrimination of polymer materials towards microbiological growth. Under these dynamic conditions, materials promoting bacterial growth enhance suspended heterotrophic bacteria by at least a factor 10 when compared to their endogenous concentration in the contact water. On the other hand, materials less prone to bacterial growth show a much lower enhancement of suspended heterotrophic bacteria, less than a factor 5 when compared to their endogenous concentration in the contact water. The long term results show a deterioration of the bacteriological quality of the water for polyethylene materials, but some of these (PE 80, PEX) behave similarly to uPVC, well-known for its poor enhancement of bacterial growth. These unexpected results for some polyethylene materials show that our dynamic rig test can lead to other conclusions concerning bacterial growth from those obtained with the static testing conditions usually recommended. Moreover, the proposed dynamic rig test allows the simultaneous evaluation of the migration (of organic compounds and metals) and also of the degradation of the water quality characterized by global or organoleptic parameters. © ASEES, 2010.
warc	201713	Wild fantasies are Napolitano’s bread and butter. He regularly appears on Fox to fulminate over the alleged crimes of progressives. He has used his Fox platform to champion 9/11 trutherism, suggest that Osama bin Laden wasn’t really dead, and blame President Abraham Lincoln for having “set about on the most murderous war in American history” over slavery. As the debate to repeal the law heats up in Congress, constituents are flooding their representatives with notes of support or concern, and the lawmakers are responding, sometimes with form letters that are misleading. A review of more than 200 such letters by ProPublica and its partners at Kaiser Health News, Stat and Vox, found dozens of errors and mischaracterizations about the ACA and its proposed replacement. The legislators have cited wrong statistics, conflated health care terms and made statements that don’t stand up to verification. If purple America has all but disappeared, as FiveThirtyEight.com posits, it means there’s less of a chance that opposition to draconian policies by Trump and the GOP will result in their eventual ouster from office. But if purple America is concentrated in the more populated stretches surrounding cities and regional hubs, it suggests that swaths of more independent voters could join a growing wave of opposition to Trump and this Congress. It’s true. The Affordable Care Act was passed without a single Republican vote. Republicans repeatedly cite this fact as Obamacare’s original sin, a fatal flaw that justifies their efforts to dismantle the ACA. But let’s set that record straight. Obamacare was a bipartisan plan. It just didn’t get a bipartisan vote. In the meantime, Sister District encourages groups to use non-election time to follow groups like Indivisible for advice on meeting with their members of Congress, or focus on fighting for or against specific legislation or specific issues when there is not a campaign toward which they can direct their energy. The best part, she said, is that “I haven’t seen people let up with the growth and establishment of resistance groups… it’s not coming from the Democratic Party, but it is coming from groups like mine.” The analysis starts with state and local taxes, which are often ignored by apologists for big-income tax cuts. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the state and local tax rate for the poorest 20 percent of individuals is double that of the top 1 percent (10.9 percent vs. 5.4 percent). New data from Thomas Piketty, Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman allows us to go further: When unrealized capital gains are included in the wealth-building of the richest 1%, the overall tax rates plunge for the super-rich, causing the poorest Americans to pay the highest rates. Two months into his presidential term, Donald Trump has failed to convince younger adults that he’s a real leader. That’s according to a new poll that shows the majority of young adults—57 percent of those aged 18 to 30—say they don’t view Trump’s presidency as legitimate. Young adults of color are especially skeptical of Trump as commander-in-chief, with the majority of blacks, Asians and Latino/as reporting that Trump’s presidency is illegitimate. According to emails released by the Senate Judiciary Committee, first reported on by The Nation’s Ari Berman, Gorsuch’s communications with or about von Spakovsky paint a picture of their friendly relationship. In 2005, Gorsuch wrote “Good for Hans” after then-President George W. Bush nominated von Spakovsky to the Federal Election Commission. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) began the confirmation hearing of Judge Neil Gorsuch by emphasizing her disappointment that President Obama’s choice for the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland, was denied a hearing. She went on to explain that Gorsuch is no “reasonable mainstream conservative,” but rather a deeply disconcerting “originalist.” But that isn’t the only worry Democrats should have about him. Director James B. Comey confirmed for the first time Monday that the FBI is investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian authorities during the 2016 election campaign. Comey said the investigation was examining whether “there was any coordination” between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government. The goal is to replace the United Nations, the European Union, NATO and other multinational organizations with a more transactional diplomacy. Trump and Bannon prefer bilateral deals with partners that are willing to take on the “civilizational struggle” against “radical Islamic terrorism.” The template is gendered: abandon the soft, feminized European Union and embrace the hard, manly Putin. Bernie Sanders has the highest approval rating of any politician in the country with 61 percent approving, with only 32 percent disapproving, according to a March 15 Fox News poll. The Sanders 29-plus percent favorable/unfavorable gap is far superior to Trump’s negative 8 percent. The former senator and secretary of state has kept a low profile since her presidential loss in November to Donald Trump, staying largely silent on current politics. But she has been observing. Clinton told the crowd that, “Our country seems so divided right now. I do not believe that we can let political divides harden into personal divides.” Then, on Friday, Trump met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and did it again. The public side of the summit included Trump famously refusing to shake Merkel’s hand during an Oval Office photo-op, as if he’s not satisfied with the magnitude of our national mortification. Earlier, during a joint press conference, Trump turned to Merkel and blurted, “As far as wiretapping, I guess by this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps.” If we learned anything from Trump’s joint press conference with Theresa May earlier this year, it’s that Trump is incapable of meeting with a foreign head of state without embarrassing himself and his country. Friday’s summit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel proved a grim reminder. The fear that foreigners will poison our culture or destroy our government has no basis in experience. “Basic indicators of assimilation, from naturalization to English ability, are if anything stronger now than they were a century ago,” University of Washington scholar Jacob Vigdor has written about Hispanics. You see, he was rough-hewn, but Bush belonged to the political establishment as a genial governor when he ran. Trump is such an angry outsider that you can sense Washington wishing for the good ol’ days. Back then, presidents didn’t accuse others in the elite club of wiretapping. Trump’s appeal is much broader. Cognitive scientist George Lakoff has spent decades studying how conservatives have won by nurturing a worldview of a powerful authority enforcing discipline through strength. Last summer, he tried to warn Democrats that Trump — despite a near total ignorance of conservative policy — was appealing to Republicans across the spectrum as well as to union workers who believe in “traditional family values” in their private lives. Our story on March 13 concerning Secretary of Defense James Mattis’ views on the relationship between climate change and national security was based on excerpts from unpublished written exchanges between Mattis and several Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee following his Jan. 12 confirmation hearing. Sessions’ uninformed claim is likely to increase jitters in the country’s nascent legal marijuana industry as it confronts an attorney general whose rhetoric so far has strongly suggested he would like to crack down on legal weed—although he has yet to take any concrete steps to do so. But where was Steve Bannon — Marty Bannon’s big shot son, a former Goldman Sachs banker and now political adviser to Donald Trump — when he unloaded his life savings at the bottom of the market? Apparently not calling home and saying, “Dad, don’t sell your stock now.” Instead, the younger Bannon exploited his father’s financial trauma to sell his doctrine of economic nationalism — a mishmash of emotions that blames everyone but oneself. This is only partly a dog column. It’s also about several things that have gone wrong in American political dialogue: dogmatism, disdain for facts, black-and-white thinking, name-calling, and generalized hatred of rival tribes. Also, the bad effects of social media. People just don’t abuse each other in person the way they do on social media. It’s a coward’s idea of tough. Dutch far-right candidate Geert Wilders had pledged to close the Netherlands’ borders to Muslim immigrants, shut mosques, ban sales of the Quran, and leave the European Union if he won the election. Earlier in the campaign, Trump had been more nuanced about the Obama administration’s diplomatic coup, which in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions puts Iran’s nuclear weapons program on ice for a decade. In 2015 he told NBC, “It’s very hard to say ‘We’re ripping it up.’” And on MSNBC, also in 2015, he said, “We have a horrible contract, but we have a contract.” Less than a month after much-admired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster took over from Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser, Trump’s alter-ego Steve Bannon appears to be more in control of U.S. foreign policy than ever. There is little sign McMaster will be able to restore traditional U.S. foreign policy commitments to NATO and […]
warc	201713	It is well known that both histamine and dimaprit show moderate histamine H2-receptor agonistic activities on the guinea pig right atrium. Quantum chemical calculations on these two compounds showed similarities in electron distributions and molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP's), which could be extended to rigid analogues [2-amino-5-(2-aminoethyl)thiazoles] of the latter structure. On the base of these results a series of substituted 4- and 5-(2-aminoethyl)thiazoles was synthesized applying small alkyl substitution variations as reported for histamine. 2-Amino-5-(2-aminoethyl)-4-methylthiazole (Amthamine) proved to be the most potent full histamine H2-receptor agonist on the guinea pig right atrium, being with a pD2 value of 6.21 slightly more potent than histamine. This compound shows no affinity for H1-receptors and is a full but weak agonist on the histamine H3-receptor with a pD2 value of 4.70, thus showing a marked specificity for histamine H2-receptors. In the 5-(2-aminoethyl)thiazole series the presence of a 2-amino substituent proved to be not essential for stimulation of the histamine H2-receptor, leading to the important conclusion that in contrast to histamine, for this series, acceptance of a proton by the thiazole nucleus of the agonist from the active site of the receptor is sufficient for the stimulation of the histamine H2-receptor.
warc	201713	A mathematical model for terrestrial running is presented, based on a leg with the properties of a simple spring. Experimental force-platform evidence is reviewed justifying the formulation of the model. The governing differential equations are given in dimensionless form to make the results representative of animals of all body sizes. The dimensionless input parameters are: U, a horizontal Froude number based on forward speed and leg length; V, a vertical Froude number based on vertical landing velocity and leg length, and KLEG, a dimensionless stiffness for the leg-spring. Results show that at high forward speed, KLEG is a nearly linear function of both U and V, while the effective vertical stiffness is a quadratic function of U. For each U, V pair, the simulation shows that the vertical force at mid-step may be minimized by the choice of a particular step length. A particularly useful specification of the theory occurs when both KLEG and V are assumed fixed. When KLEG = 15 and V = 0.18, the model makes predictions of relative stride length S and initial leg angle theta o that are in good agreement with experimental data obtained from the literature.
warc	201713	By James Brown Learn more about James on NerdWallet’s Ask an Advisor What are robo-advisors, and should you consider using one instead of a traditional financial advisor? Robo-advisors are online wealth management sites that provide automated investment services. They use computerized algorithms to manage mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, index funds and other retirement products. The generally follow a passive investing strategy and try to minimize risk. These online platforms are relatively low cost and have different pricing models. Those are two reasons they have gained in popularity in recent years. But I would argue that they are not for everyone; nor do they replace the individualized services of a top-notch financial advisor. Your finances are an immensely personal issue and an emotional one as well. Next to your overall health, your financial health will have a bigger impact on your life than almost anything else. Trusting your finances to a robo-advisor leaves you with huge portions of your financial life completely unattended. A financial advisor does so much more than merely allocate your portfolio. So what can a real advisor do for you that a robo-advisor can’t? Here are a few key differences. A broader product mix Real advisors offer investment products that are broader than the limited institutional offerings most robo-advisors can get. If the mutual funds a robo-advisor offers don’t suit you well, then tough—you’re going to get invested in them anyway. A human advisor, on the other hand, will find the best fit for you. Individualized service Real advisors know you personally. Your advisor should be like your doctor, someone who knows you and your family not just out of comfort and politeness but because fuller knowledge of who you are is important to the way your money should be managed and the advice you should receive. If you state on a questionnaire that you want your money to grow and it will be invested for the long term, your robo-advisor may put you in a fund that is more aggressive than you’d like. But your personal advisor knows you and understands your discomfort with volatility. He or she will help guide you toward a suitable fund. Accessibility Real advisors answer the phone when you call or return your call quickly. You don’t have to “press 1 for English” or “say or type your account number” repeatedly to reach a real advisor. A robo-advisor won’t answer your phone call. You’ll get someone in a call center, probably overseas, reading a script with no knowledge of your particular situation. Active account management Real advisors do much more than rebalance your portfolio. They can manage your money and help you with insurance products, estate planning, college funding, taxes, real estate and many other financial issues that a robo-advisor simply will not help you with. A fiduciary responsibility Real advisors have a “fiduciary” standard. This means they are legally required to give you the best advice possible. Even though robo-advisors must be registered investment advisors, regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, they are only held to a “suitability” standard. This means they will offer or suggest investments to you that are merely suitable, but not the best. They may steer you toward the investments that make them the most commissions, not toward what will truly serve your best interests. Real advisors are there for you when you need them. When PIMCO co-founder Bill Gross quits the investment management firm abruptly and one of that company’s major bond funds is hit by investor outflows, your robo-advisor is not going to call you to explain what’s going on; your real advisor will. You want an advisor who will answer the phone when you get a confusing letter from the bank and walk you through what it means. You want someone who knows you personally and understands your short- and long-term financial goals. Your finances are too important to leave in the hands of a robo-advisor. To make the most of your financial life, you need a real financial advisor.
warc	201713	Posted: Monday, January 04, 2016 Good diet at an early age influences future performance! It is well known fact, including nutrient rich foods has greater impact on child growth and development. A new study has revealed that healthy diet during the early childhood improves cognition and overall performance 10 years later. Anett Nyaradi, a researcher at Telethon Kids Institute studied the eating habits of more than 2200 Australian children. The data available from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study was used for assessment; and it was linked to the Western Australian Literacy and Numeracy Assessment results. The study findings indicated that children eating fruits at age one performed better and secured higher scores in mathematics and reading at age five; and high scores in mathematics, reading, writing and spelling at age 7. The overall academic performance was better in children consuming dairy products such as yogurt or cheese sticks at age 1, 2 or 3 years. Upholding the outcome of the study results, Dr. Nyaradi said, "If a child has higher academic performance they will end up with higher education, higher income, better jobs and high socioeconomic positions, which could influence their health outcomes" The researchers recommend a healthy diet with wholegrain, vegetables, fruit and better quality proteins such as chicken, fish and eggs. However, the children should avoid processed meats, food snacks and soft drinks. This is especially important during the first two years of childhood, which is a vital period for brain development. Importantly, parents will have to model the healthy eating behaviour for the child to follow. Consumption of dairy products along with fruits during the first year will improve the academic performance due to better congnition. News source:- Click Here
warc	201713	If you own or manage farm or forest land, or grow specialty crops in Rhode Island, then the 2014 Farm Bill conservation programs can help you address natural resource concerns and opportunities on your land. Participation in all of our conservation programs is voluntary. Participant requirements and eligibility vary by program.
warc	201713	The Fair Work Commission has approved the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2016 that members voted to accept last November. This means members will begin receiving the benefits of the new Enterprise Agreement – including a 2.5 per cent annual pay rise over three years with all current conditions locked in – from February 3, in accordance with Section 54 of the Fair Work Act. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is February 3, 2020. TAFE members overwhelmingly voted last November to accept the new agreement negotiated by Federation and TAFE management after members voted down a contentious TAFE offer last April that significantly attacked working conditions. TAFE teachers had voted in a protected action ballot in October to consider industrial action if a negotiated settlement could not be reached. Agreement between TAFE NSW and Federation on terms of settlement for a new Enterprise Agreement came almost simultaneously with the results of the protected action ballot. This new agreement, approved today by Fair Work, includes: a 2.5 percent annual pay rise from the first full pay period on or after 24 November 2016, 2017 and 2018 no change to current teaching hours confirmation in writing from TAFE that existing administrative agreements would continue for the life of the agreement (this allows TAFE teachers to continue to work off-site for five hours) implementation of Education Support Officers, Assessors and Head Teacher Band 3 as trialled in the previous Agreement no change to related duties for part time casual teachers the establishment of a joint working party to develop a comprehensive future workforce capability framework. Federation President Maurie Mulheron said Federation would continue to campaign against the contestable funding model that has seen millions of dollars taken out of TAFE’s budget to fund private providers, leading to catastrophic consequences for thousands of students cheated by dodgy private colleges. “There is now an urgency to ensure that the public TAFE system is promoted and protected and that the level of public money handed to private colleges be capped,” Mr Mulheron said.
warc	201713	Which poses a bigger threat to black communities: Racism? Or the absence of fathers? Drawing on a sea of official data and his own upbringing, talk-show host Larry Elder shows just how important black fathers are in turning boys into responsible and happy men--and how their absence has had a tragic impact on millions of black Americans. Years ago, I interviewed Kweisi Mfume, then the president of the NAACP. “As between the presence of white racism and the absence of black fathers,” I asked, “Which poses the bigger threat to the black community?” Without missing a beat, he said, “The absence of black fathers.” It was President Barack Obama who said, "We all know the statistics. That children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime; nine times more likely to drop out of school and 20 times more likely to end up in prison.” The Journal of Research on Adolescence confirms that even after controlling for varying levels of household income, kids in father-absent homes are more likely to end up in jail. And kids who never had a father in the house are the most likely to wind up behind bars. In 1960, 5 percent of America's children entered the world without a mother and father married to each other. By 1980 it was 18 percent, by 2000 it had risen to 33 percent, and fifteen years later, the number reached 41 percent. For blacks, even during slavery when marriage for slaves was illegal, black children were more likely than today to be raised by both their mother and father. Economist Walter Williams has written that, according to census data, from 1890 to 1940, a black child was more likely to grow up with married parents than a white child. For blacks, out-of-wedlock births have gone from 25 percent in 1965 to 73 percent in 2015. For whites, from less than 5 percent to over 25 percent. And for Hispanics, out-of-wedlock births have risen to 53 percent. What happened to fathers? The answer is found in a basic law of economics: If you subsidize undesirable behavior you will get more undesirable behavior. In 1949, the nation’s poverty rate was 34 percent. By 1965, it was cut in half, to 17 percent -- all before President Lyndon Johnson’s so-called War on Poverty. But after that war began in 1965, poverty began to flat line. From 1965 until now, the government has spent over $20 trillion to fight poverty. The poverty rate has remained unchanged, but the relationship between poor men and women has changed – dramatically. That’s because our generous welfare system allows women, in effect, to marry the government. And this makes it all too easy for men to abandon their traditional moral and financial responsibilities. Psychologists call such dependency "learned helplessness." How do we know that the welfare state creates disincentives that hurt the very people we are trying to help? They tell us. In 1985, the Los Angeles Times asked both the poor and the non-poor whether poor women "often" have children to get additional benefits. Most of the non-poor respondents said no. However, 64 percent of poor respondents said yes. Now, who do you think is in a better position to know? Tupac Shakur, the late rapper, once said: "I know for a fact that had I had a father, I'd have some discipline. I'd have more confidence." He admitted he began running with gangs because he wanted the things a father gives to a child, especially to a boy: structure and protection. “Your mother cannot calm you down the way a man can,” Shakur said. “You need a man to teach you how to be a man." In my book "Dear Father, Dear Son," I write about my rough, tough World War II Marine staff sergeant dad. Born in the Jim Crow South of Athens, Ga., he was 14 at the start of the Great Depression. Growing up, I watched my father work two full-time jobs as a janitor. He also cooked for a rich family on the weekends--and somehow managed to go to night school to get his GED. When I was 10, my father opened a small restaurant that he ran until he retired in his mid-80s. He was never angry or bitter--and insisted that today’s America was very different from the world of racial segregation and limited opportunity in which he grew up. "Hard work wins,” he told me and my brothers. “You get out of life what you put into it. You can’t control the outcome, but you are 100% in control of the effort. And before blaming other people, go to the nearest mirror and ask yourself, ‘what could I have done to change the outcome?’” This advice shaped my life. Fathers matter. Until we have a government policy that makes that its first priority, nothing will change. I’m Larry Elder for Prager University. You Earned A Badge Course: Black Fathers Matter
warc	201713	One of the joys of motorcycle riding is the feeling of having little to nothing between the rider and the open road. It is a freeing feeling, good for the human psyche. Unfortunately, the reality of there being nothing between the rider and the open road, in a literal sense, can be the very thing that causes great physical pain and suffering during a motorcycle accident. A study performed in Auckland region of New Zealand from February 1993 to February 1996 was done to estimate the risk of crash when conspicuity measures were put into place. This study included taking into consideration such variables such as the use of color protective clothing. While this blog discusses the Auckland study, it is also understood that despite any measure a motorcyclist may take to prevent collision – including the use of color protective clothing – there are simply no guarantees that they are 100% effective. While the use of color protective clothing can decrease to some degree the risk of a collision, a motorcyclist still must battle other limiting visibility factors, including poor roadway illumination, a motorcycle size that may be difficult for motorists to see, or difficulty seeing the rider due to the contrast of the background environment. Nonetheless, there are some compelling reasons for motorcyclists to look into the use of reflective or fluorescent clothing while riding. The 2004 Auckland study revealed that those motorcyclists wearing reflective or fluorescent clothing had a 37% lower risk of collision. Another factor that helped drivers spot motorcyclists with greater ease was the use of a white helmet. The Auckland study indicated that the use of a while helmet decreased the risk of a collision by 24%. For riders using neither a white or black helmet but still using a lighter colored helmet decreased the risk of a collision by 19%. The study also mentions that while the use of this reflective or fluorescent clothing would reduce risk of collision this was only true in areas where the motorcyclist would be illuminated in some way – either by street lights or by headlights of the oncoming auto. Therefore, when comparing the risk of collision in city settings versus rural settings where less street illumination exists the reflective clothing had a decreased impact in reducing risk in rural settings. Besides the color of helmet, the study also researched if color choice for clothes would in any way decrease the risk of a motorcycle versus auto collision. The colors studied were black, red, white, chrome, silver and blue on the upper body. Interestingly, the study indicated that there was no association of collision or an increase or decreased risk of collision associated with the color of the motorcyclists clothing. In conclusion, reflective or fluorescent garments and the use of lighter colored helmets were found to increase the motorcyclist’s visibility in those situations where sufficient illumination exists. Despite motorcyclists taking precautionary measures, a collision may still occur. If you have been involved in a collision while on a motorcycle and would like some advice from a personal injury attorney on how to handle your claim, please feel free to call the Law Offices of Edward A. Smith at (800) 404-5400. The Law Offices of Edward A. Smith (AutoAccident.com) is a law firm assisting victims of serious injuries in the Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties. The ownerr, Edward A. Smith, is a member of the State Bar of California, Sacramento County Bar Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, Capital City Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association and the Million Dollar Forum. Edward A. Smith is also the author of the book, California Motorcycle Accident Handbook, which is available on Amazon on Kindle format. Photo Attribution: By “S de Santi” (originally posted to Flickr as Iceman´s helmet) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
warc	201713	This action might not be possible to undo. Are you sure you want to continue? English as a Malaysian language? Peter K. W. Tan National University of Singapore This paper investigates the medium-of-instruction debate in the press and news agency reports in 2002 in Malaysia in the wake of a policy change which would see the introduction of an English-Malay bilingual or mixed medium education in schools from 2003. The author uses this debate as a springboard for examining the position of English in Malaysia. This is done within the framework of the development of non-Anglo Englishes. Whilst there is much evidence pointing to the indigenisation of the English language and an acceptance of it to represent a Malaysian identity, especially in situations of mixed ethnicity, it is interesting to note that much of the debate appears to stay clear of these issues and instead emphasises the international, as opposed to the Malaysian, status of English. The paper proposes some reasons for this silence and suggests that this might problematise a characterisation of English in Malaysia in the manner of Schneider. Preamble In Huzir Sulaiman’s play Election Day (2002), we encounter the narrator-character Francis reporting what happened on election day in Malaysia in 1999. Ethnic Indian Francis shares a house with ethnic Chinese Dedric and ethnic Malay Fozi, the last two being opposition party campaigners. Francis begins by quoting Dedric: ‘It doesn’t matter, Francis. It doesn’t matter where they [the Barisan Nasional campaigners] check the IC, inside when they have the ballot paper is a diﬀerent story.’ ‘Well, Dedric,’ I said, ‘then we should adjust our strategy. Instead of wasting time and energy chasing them here and there, let’s just stand and get them Language Problems & Language Planning 29:1 (2005), 47–66. issn 0272–2690 / e-issn 1569–9889 © John Benjamins Publishing Company 48 Peter K. W. Tan as they go by. Interception. The PAS and Keadilan ﬂers, let them speak to the Malay voters in Malay. You, Dedric, can speak to the Chinese voters in Chinese. And I will speak to the Indians in English.’ So that is what we did. But the problem is the Barisan Nasional ﬂers were damn good, you know. I take my hat oﬀ to them. There was one little old lady in tudung who used this approach, ‘Think of your family, think of your children, think of your grandchildren,’ all said with just the right threatening undertone. Worked wonders on the older voters. And she could say all of this in Cantonese too. Fluently. It was very intimidating. (Huzir 2002: 156) Reference is made to various languages — Malay, Chinese, English and Cantonese — in a disarming and totally unself-conscious manner (here, ‘Chinese’ and ‘Cantonese’ are probably co-referential, but that does not detract from the point). Multilingualism is taken for granted in this Malaysian play — Malaysian because the play was written by a Malaysian, was ﬁrst performed in Kuala Lumpur for a Malaysian audience in December 1999, and was published in Kuala Lumpur: the play is for local consumption, the language is for local consumption. Terms like Barison Nasional, IC, PAS, Keadilan and tudung are not glossed. Fellows is written ﬂers to suggest an informal Malaysian pronunciation. We see the so-called Malaysian subjectless clause (‘inside when they have the ballot paper is a diﬀerent story’). All these languages, including English, are seen to be appropriate when dealing with the electorate. Additionally of course the play is written in English. I have stressed the Malaysianness of the play merely to emphasise the point that English, together with other languages, is a Malaysian language. In Asmah’s nomenclature, it is a ‘second primary language’ (1996: 259), or following the Razak Report of 1956, it is the ‘second most important language’ (Asmah 1996: 259). We can think about ‘national identity’ and ‘national language’ (in lower case) as encapsulated in everyday, ordinary life or about ‘National Identity’ or ‘National Language’ (in upper case) as encapsulated in oﬃcial documents and symbols. If we are concerned with the latter, there is no controversy: Malaysia has a sole National Language that symbolises its National Identity: Malay or Bahasa Melayu.1 It seems to me that if we are concerned with the former, English is part of the Malaysian ‘linguistic scenery’, to use another term from Asmah (1992).2 The medium-of-instruction debate in Malaysia 49 Introduction The earlier description seems a long preamble to the focal point of this paper, which is an examination of the position of English in Malaysia through the debate on the issue of the medium of instruction in Malaysian national schools.3 It does, however, provide a way into the issue. I will discuss Malaysian English through the framework of the dynamics of non-Anglo Englishes formulated by Schneider (2003a, 2003b). The label ‘non-Anglo Englishes’ is used to refer to what others have referred to as the New Englishes or ESL (English-as-a-second-language) varieties.4 Education in Malaysia has been multilingual (see Hashim 2003, Solomon 1988) and Malaysia has continued to practise linguistic segregation as far as individual schools are concerned, a divide-and-rule system inherited from the colonial era, and has adopted the ‘ideal’ of monolingual schools (Solomon 1988). That is to say that whereas education through diﬀerent languages is widely accepted in Malaysia, each individual school is mainly seen as operating through one medium and is thus a monolingual school except that other languages may be taught as subjects. Therefore, particular schools are labelled as Malay- or Chinese- or Tamil-medium schools and, up until recently, there have been virtually no mixed-medium schools. (The exception is the transitional period in the 1970s when English-medium education was being phased out; there, mixed English- and Malay-medium education was employed.) If we accept the deﬁnition of bilingual education as one where two languages are ‘used as [mediums] of instruction to teach subject matter content rather than just the language itself ’ (Cummins 2003: 3), what I referred to as ‘mixed-medium’, it is only in 2003 that a bilingual education policy is being implemented, although calls for it were made earlier (Ng & Jomo 1984).5 What is envisaged is a full (rather than transitional) Malay-English bilingual education. If successfully implemented, the policy will have a major impact because it envisages a new generation of Malaysians who will be bilingual in at least Malay and English. (There are to be Mandarin-English and Tamil-English bilingual options too, but I will not focus on these here.) This is a volte-face that might require a reconstitution of the notion of a Malaysian identity that is more hybrid — multilingual and multicultural. Of particular interest then is the way in which the English language needs to be looked at in the Malaysian context: as a language that promotes, rather than stands in the way of, ‘nation building’. In this paper, I will focus on the reactions as reported in the press in the period April to July 2002 as this constitutes a signiﬁcant period when issues 50 Peter K. W. Tan pertaining to language and Malaysian schools were discussed. It was on 6 May 2002 that then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced that the government was willing to re-introduce English-medium education ‘if the people [wanted] it’.6 On 11 May 2002, the then Education Minister Musa Mohamad conﬁrmed that a bilingual system would be set up with English used for teaching science and mathematics. And on 21 July 2002, Musa Mohamad announced details of the implementation of the new system in national schools: a phasedin bilingual system. I will mainly refer to press reports and comments from the New Straits Times, a Malaysian broadsheet in English, and the news feed from the Malaysian news agency Bernama.7 Obviously a wider spectrum of views will be garnered if we include other print and on-line newspapers, including those in other languages. For the purposes of this study, I will restrict myself to these news reports and comments. The New Straits Times and the Bernama news agency are likely to provide mainly pro-government views, but as we are interested in the rationale given for the policies by various personages or by commentators, we should still ﬁnd a range of reasons albeit for a more converging view of the issue. But ﬁrst a word on the dynamics of the non-Anglo Englishes and some background on Malaysian education. National identity and non-Anglo Englishes The study of new varieties of English, or non-Anglo Englishes, began in the early 1980s and has been steadily gathering momentum. Until fairly recently, there has not been any clear uniﬁed theory or framework to examine them. Schneider’s ‘dynamic model of the evolution of New Englishes’ (2003a: 243) attempts to track the development of various Englishes in diﬀerent nations in ﬁve phases: – – – – – foundation exonormative stabilisation nativisation endonormative stabilisation diﬀerentiation (The version in Schneider 2003a is more elaborated than the version in Schneider 2003b.) I will not attempt to expound the framework in detail but will focus on certain aspects of it in order to relate the medium-of-instruction debate to Schneider’s model. A central aspect of the model is the notion of identity The medium-of-instruction debate in Malaysia 5 construction vis-à-vis English and the country concerned, which is why it is relevant to examine public statements made in relation to the English language in Malaysia at this critical period. Not all countries will go through the ﬁve phases. Phase 1 (foundation) represents the initial period of colonial occupation, phase 2 (exonormative stabilisation) the period of colonial stability. Some degree of weakening of the ties with the ‘mother’ country occurs in phase 3 (nativisation); innovative indigenous speakers of English begin to make modiﬁcations to the English language so that more conservative speakers notice this, and these modiﬁcations become the mainstays of the ‘complaint tradition’. Phase 4 (endonormative stabilisation) occurs after a signiﬁcant event, such as independence, when the setting up of a national identity becomes important and ethnic diﬀerences are played down; linguistically this is seen in an acceptance of local norms, a movement towards a more positive evaluation of these norms and the rise of literary creativity. Finally phase 5 (diﬀerentiation) marks the period of stable nationhood when internal socio-political diﬀerentiation occurs. Therefore, Schneider puts Hong Kong in phase 3, Singapore in phase 4, and Australia and New Zealand in phase 5. He puts Malaysia, together with the Philippines, in phase 3, but goes on to comment that both countries are very similar in having successfully implemented a language policy developing and promoting a national language (Malay and Filipino, respectively), which restricts the range of uses of English and, more importantly, successfully bars it from the role of symbolizing identities, national or otherwise. Thus, while there are no signs of English being recessive because of its international usefulness, in both cases the development along the cycle appears to have been halted and become fossilized, as it were. (Schneider 2003a: 260–261) If we consider the situation described in the preamble, it would appear that Malaysia has gone further in the developmental phases. Hashim (2002), for example, takes us through diﬀerent Malaysian texts in Malaysian (or Malaysianised) English intended for local consumption, including essays, newspaper articles, print advertisements, brochures, short stories and radio advertisements. Some of the phase 4 characteristics, according to Schneider, are some degree of de-ethnicisation, and acceptance of the local norm and the onset of literary creativity in the new variety. In this light, we might say that Malaysia seems to be further down Schneider’s (2003a) line of development. On the other hand, we might point out the urban-rural divide where, in contrast to the points made above, English is hardly used and regarded as a 52 Peter K. W. Tan foreign language (see Hazita 2002 on the literacy practices in rural Malaysia). How to view English seems to be a diﬃcult issue to resolve and will problematise Schneider’s assessment of the situation in Malaysia. Historical context We can discern four stages in the development of the bilingual system in Malaysia (see David & Govindasamy 2003, Hashim 2003, Pandian 2003, Solomon 1988, and Watson 1983), as follows: 1. Immediately prior to independence in 1957, primary school was available in four mediums in Malaya.8 The earlier English v. vernacular school label had been done away with. ‘Standard schools’ used the Malay medium, whereas ‘standard-type schools’ employed English, Mandarin Chinese or Tamil as their mediums. At this stage, Malay-medium, Mandarin Chinese-medium and Tamil-medium schools catered almost exclusively to ethnic Malay, ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian pupils respectively. As the ethnic groups tended to be geographically distinct, the schools were also geographically distinct. Englishmedium schools were mainly found in urban areas, and the pupils were mainly ethnic Chinese, although Indians and Eurasians were also represented. There were not many ethnic Malays in English schools because of the schools’ urban location and also because many of them were Christian mission schools, which the Malays, being Muslims, were suspicious of. Nonetheless, it is the English-medium schools which had more of an inter-racial character. Secondary education was mainly through English or Malay, and tertiary education was through English. 2. The situation immediately after independence remained largely the same. However, in 1967 Malay was declared the sole national language. (English had been another oﬃcial language prior to this.) The severe race riots in Kuala Lumpur in May 1969 resulted in the then Minister of Education, Dato Haji Abdul Rahman Ya’akub, declaring in July that beginning from January 1970, English-medium schools would be phased out in Malaysia and by 1985 all former English-medium (‘national-type’) schools would become Malay-medium (‘national’) schools. Pupils in the transitional period might have a mixedmedium education: English for science and mathematics; Malay for history and geography. Tertiary institutions also became Malay-medium. Mandarin Chinese-medium and Tamil-medium (‘national-type’) primary schools were The medium-of-instruction debate in Malaysia 53 still available. David & Govindasamy attribute the switch also to ‘nationalistic fervour’ (2003: 223). 3. Asmah (1996) suggests that within the above framework, English is still available in tertiary education through pre-university and university studies abroad and the various twinning programmes in Malaysia. She asserts that with these, ‘local English-medium education has made a comeback, and with great vigour’ (Asmah 1996: 519). 4. Finally we come to the events of 2002 mentioned above. Concerns about the falling standard of English (and the resultant lack of competitiveness), the unemployment rate of the ethnic Malays who are largely monolingual and the continued segregation of the races prompted the then Minister of Education, Musa Mohamed, to declare that beginning from January 2003 a Malay-English mixed-medium education would be implemented in national schools. Analysis In the mini corpus of 57 texts, there are 41 articles from the New Straits Times (NST), 2 articles from the Business Times (BT) and 14 news stories from Bernama taken from the period April to July 2002.9 I have numbered these chronologically. This represents the period when the news about the new bilingual education policy is announced up until the ﬁrst concrete announcement about implementation details. It is at this stage that the arguments for a change to the existing system would be expected. Subsequent news reports focus largely on implementation issues, which will be of less interest to us in the present context. A list of the articles examined can be found in the appendix. All the Bernama items are straight reports and the majority of the NST articles are also news reports. These typically report and quote oﬃcials or occasionally members of the public. There are, however, 5 leading articles (editorials) as well as 3 feature articles in NST; both BT articles are comment articles. The views represented are those of various more powerful personages, such as ministers, representatives of various bodies and journalists, as well as some not-so-powerful personages such as web surfers in the NST site (Text 20). Notwithstanding this, I accept that we cannot and should not claim that these are representative views of the public, and newspapers and press agencies reserve the right to edit or omit items as they see ﬁt. Nonetheless, they should provide us with a window to the issue at hand. 54 Peter K. W. Tan 1. Quantitative lexical analysis I will begin by focusing on the quantitative lexical aspects of the mini corpus, using them to feed into my qualitative discussion later on. The mini corpus runs to nearly 26,000 words.10 An indication of the preoccupations of the articles is the recurrence of speciﬁc lexical items. I will take items representing more than 0.5% (this translates to 15 occurrences or more) as signiﬁcant. A lexical analysis indicates that the top 20 highest frequency items are all grammatical words (rank 1: the, 2: to, 3: of, 4: in, 5: and) as is typical of most English texts. The exceptions are English (rank 6), language (rank 12) and Malaysia (rank 18). This is not unexpected as the texts were pre-selected to focus on the issue of teaching through the English language in Malaysia. Going down the list of frequently occurring lexical items, I pick out six items that stand out as being worth commenting on. The ﬁrst is knowledge, which occurs 40 times in the mini-corpus. An analysis of the collocation (clustering) patterns reveals that the phrase language of knowledge occurs six times; in four of these the language referred to is English, and in two it is Malay. The item information occurs 21 times. It can occur with knowledge in the phrase information and knowledge but this only occurs twice. It is much more likely to co-occur with technology in the phrase information technology (6 occurrences) or information and communication technology (5 occurrences, in its various forms with and being optional, and communication being either in the singular or plural). Therefore technology (or technologies) also appears to be a signiﬁcant term, occurring 23 times. Communicate, with its various cognate forms (communicative, communication(s)), occurs 20 times. In addition, the item globe, with its various cognate forms (global, globally, globalisation), occurs 23 times, with the form globalisation being responsible for 11 of those occurrences. There are also 28 occurrences of the item compete in its various cognate forms (competing, competitive, competence, competency, competition), with the phrase competitive edge occurring ﬁve times. Finally, another signiﬁcant item is rural, which appears 22 times in the mini-corpus. This is in contrast to the antonym urban which only occurs four times and is therefore not signiﬁcant. All this indicates in rough brush strokes the kind of preoccupations in the articles. It would appear that many of the arguments for reinstating English as a medium of instruction centre on the notion of English as the main language of knowledge, and for the information and communication technology that Malaysia needs to be competitive in today’s globalised world. Also important The medium-of-instruction debate in Malaysia 55 is apparent cognisance of potential problems or resistance in the rural or less developed parts of Malaysia. 2. For or against? I will now move on to a more quantitative and nuanced discussion of the articles. For a start, there appears to be no disagreement that English is an important language and that Malaysians should know it in addition to at least Malay, the oﬃcial National Language. The news reports also claim that the majority of Malaysians would like to reinstate English-medium education in some form: Bring it back. This is the general reaction to Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks yesterday that English could be re-introduced as the medium of instruction in schools. Educationists, politicians and a prominent unionist agreed that the move was feasible but would require much work. (Text 8) Debate on the NST Online Surfers’ Survey still favours the return of English-medium schools although the proposal has since been ruled out by the Government. (Text 20) This is not to say that no objections were recorded: the voices of various academics are captured, as well as of the UMNO Youth leader (UMNO is the United Malays National Organisation, the main component in the ruling coalition): Academician Datuk Khoo Kay Kim said re-introducing the English-medium school system might not immediately arrest the decline in the language. (Text 9) Umno Youth education bureau chief Dr Adham Baba said the movement’s executive council at its meeting today decided that shortcomings in the teaching and learning methods were the reasons behind declining English standards among students and opposed the proposal to re-introduce the English-medium school system. (Text 9) It might be relevant to add that these views were expressed in relation to the full English-medium school system rather than to the later compromise bilingual proposal. What I ﬁnd interesting however is the presence of attributed objections rather than direct objections as above. This is clearly evident through the use of negation or negative evaluation of a certain position. The use of strong evaluative labels like linguistic chauvinism can be found in these contexts: Plainly, the Education Ministry is no longer gripped by the politics of linguistic chauvinism. (Text 1) 56 Peter K. W. Tan I am delighted that the Government is no longer gripped by the politics of linguistic chauvinism. (Text 2) Those two texts represent the voices of the editor and journalist. Examples from non-comment articles that use the negation strategy report the views of various people. ‘However, the attitude that learning and mastering English is un-nationalistic should be discarded before we can improve.’ (Text 8) Roslina said writing and speaking English did not mean that Malaysians would forget Bahasa Malaysia or would be ‘culturally violated’. (Text 15) The Deputy Prime Minister however stressed that the programme to enhance the use of English should not be misinterpreted as a step backward by the government in upholding the dignity of Bahasa Melayu as the national language. (Text 36) There is a clustering of reports in the vein of the last quotation, and in some the view being negated is attributed to PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia, or the Islamic Party of Malaysia), an opposition party. It is relevant to add there these comments were made in the context of by-election campaigning. The views of PAS do not seem to have been reported directly. This underlines the fact that the medium-of-instruction issue seems to have been used for party political purposes. 3. Implementation issues An understandable preoccupation is the issue of implementation, represented in more than half (30) of the 57 texts. Clearly if we believe that the devil is in the detail, there is much to be debated, but these details are not pertinent to the present paper. 4. Reasons for English A change of education policy requires explanation. The reasons given for greater emphasis on English also feature prominently in the texts. The reason given most frequently is that English is the language of wider communication, and in order to tap into current knowledge, a knowledge of English is necessary. This is mentioned in nearly half (26) of the 57 texts. This will be obvious from the quantitative lexical analysis discussed above: key terms include globalisation, and information (and communication) technology (IT or ICT). English is also described as the ‘lingua franca of business, science, technology and research’ (Text 21). The Minister of Education, Musa Mohamad, suggests that it is The medium-of-instruction debate in Malaysia 57 possible just to emphasise what Halliday (1975) calls the pragmatic (languageas-action) and mathetic (language-for-learning) functions of language almost to the exclusion of others when he says, ‘we cannot help but acknowledge the instrumental role of the English language’ (Text 42). I understand Musa’s term ‘instrumental function’ to refer to how English can allow us to access information (mathetic function) and perhaps also get on in life (‘pragmatic function’), but without aﬀecting the Malaysian’s inner psyche, outlook or culture. In two other texts, this is further extended to encompass building networks with foreigners (rather than other Malaysians): ‘We want them [Malaysians] to build networks with people from other nations’ (Text 42); ‘It means that you have one of the skills to communicate with others, especially foreigners’ (Text 15). At least nine of the texts also make explicit reference to how English helps job-seekers become employable: this is the pragmatic function of language. At least 2,000 entry-level executive jobs remain unﬁlled in the professional services sector because of a shortage of English speaking graduates, a public relations expert has declared. (Text 22) It therefore follows that with English, Malaysia will be more competitive, presumably in attracting investment and building a more eﬃcient workforce. The notion of being progressive or competitive as a result of English is mentioned in at least 12 texts. The following is not untypical: Free Industrial Zone Penang Companies’ Association (Frepenca) president Datuk Wong Siew Hai said although an English-speaking workforce was not a criterion [for Malaysia to be an oﬀshore investment site], Malaysia would be at an advantage in competing with countries that oﬀered the same incentive. (Text 12) These would seem to represent the main reasons for re-introducing English for teaching science and mathematics. A New Straits Times leading article provides a label for the increased emphasis on English without diminishing the role of Malay: ‘pragmatic nationalism’ (Text 7). Nababan (1981) suggests three kinds of orientation on the medium-of-instruction issue: nationistic (uniting the nation), pragmatic (promoting economic welfare) and ideological (symbolising national identity). The text suggests that the last two should be given emphasis. We also recall the label language chauvinism mentioned above: this label now damns the ideological (nationalistic) orientation when it completely overrides other orientations. Nonetheless, there are other reasons that appear to be played down or only hinted at. First, English plays a potentially integrative role (Nababan’s 58 Peter K. W. Tan nationistic orientation). Clearly, this is a tricky issue because Malay, as the ofﬁcial National Language, has the role of symbolising the nation, and therefore the people of the nation. Indeed, the role of Malay is mentioned in Text 21: These schools [Malay-medium schools] also complemented and supplemented the objectives of the New Economic Policy (NEP) by successfully enhancing national integration. To allow another language to serve this integrative function might complicate matters; yet, it seems that there is a hint of English having a role here, as in this report on Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the then Deputy Prime Minister: He suggested that schools come up with programmes to promote the usage of the English language and to create awareness among students on the importance to master the language. Another aspect teachers should give emphasis to, said Abdullah, was to inculcate the spirit of tolerance among students considering that Malaysia has a multiracial society. (Text 19) The need for tolerance is juxtaposed with an earlier paragraph on the importance of English. We know that the Malaysian government is very concerned about racial segregation and that the separate-medium primary school system exacerbated it. We also know that, as a result, the ‘vision school’ concept was introduced a couple of years earlier, in which diﬀerent-medium schools share the same compound and facilities like the canteen and library. A Malay-English bilingual primary school could potentially be more attractive for ethnic Chinese or ethnic Indian parents. The fact that a sizeable number of ethnic Chinese Malaysians (the ﬁgure given is 7,000) are going to English-medium schools in Singapore is also something that has caught the attention of the media (see, for example, Bernama 2002, 23 August). This has in fact been highlighted in the Singaporean press, perhaps not surprisingly, since English is promoted as a ‘neutral’ language between the different ethnicities in Singapore. Leslie Lau, writing in the Singaporean Straits Times, entitles his article in August 2002: ‘Mahathir sees English healing inter-racial rift’. This is also mentioned in Brendan Pereira’s article in December 2002: The aim is simple: If children from all races attend the same school, sit side by side in the canteen and tough it out on the playing ﬁelds, everyone will get on better. Racial integration will be better and chauvinism and intolerance will be at more acceptable levels in Malaysian society. The task of getting everyone to attend national schools is not going to be a walk in the park, though. At present, about 95 per cent of Chinese students attend Chinese-language schools, The medium-of-instruction debate in Malaysia 59 about 700,000 Malay students are in religious schools and about 90 per cent of Indian students are in Tamil schools. In the mini-corpus the notion that English could unite Malaysians appears to be played down. Similarly, that English could be culturally appropriated or could be seen as part of the Malaysian heritage is not an element that is given much prominence. There are, nonetheless, strong suggestions of this. Here is an interesting reference to reviving the glory of English or reclaiming English: English teachers should make eﬀorts to revive the glory of the language as the success of programmes to improve English proﬁciency lies in their hands, Educational Ministry’s director-general Datuk Abdul Raﬁe Mahat said today. (Text 23) They [Malaysians] must now support the move to reclaim English in education. (Text 7) The reference seems to be to a heyday of English in Malaysia, with verbs like revive and reclaim, and therefore seems to allude to a recognition of English as not just a global or international language, not just a European language, but also as a Malaysian language. Another reference to English as a culturallygrounded language is by an academic, Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid: … he stresses the need to ‘understand the socio-cultural perspective of the motivation for language learning’. This, he says, is a neglected area which rests on the notion of ‘cultural permission’. ‘Cultural permission’ signiﬁes the acceptance of the English language and its importance in a certain culture. (Text 45) The claim that English is or could be a language that is culturally-grounded in the Malaysian context, if it is made at all, is very muted. How then do we account for Malaysian writing in English or for Huzir Sulaiman’s plays? 5. Discussion If we make a distinction between ‘English as a Malaysian language we don’t want to lose’ and ‘English as an international (foreign) language we must acquire to be competitive’, it would seem obvious that the debate overwhelmingly focused on the latter almost to the exclusion of the former. The notion of English being relevant to Malaysian national identity seems to be passed over or made only in a very muted fashion. What is interesting is not only what is emphasised, but what is not. Avoiding reference to English as a Malaysian language could point to a diﬃculty in accepting that English could be an ingredient in the 60 Peter K. W. Tan Malaysian national identity, in spite of its use in cultural situations in Malaysia at present. The discussion reinforces the assumed division of labour between the languages: Malay is for national identity and English is for progress and for wider communication. The assumption is also that only a single language can serve the function of national identity and national integration. The kind of dynamics found in Huzir’s play where English co-exists with other languages and where English could be appropriated and Malaysianised is not envisaged. It could also point to a realisation that there are disparate groups in Malaysia and that it might not be appropriate to address the needs of the more urbanised, fully English-literate and middle-class sections of Malaysian society. Conclusion How then does this ﬁt into Schneider’s scheme? The timorousness in claiming English for Malaysia seems to conﬁrm Schneider’s assessment that Malaysia has reached phase 3 of his dynamic model of the evolution of non-Anglo Englishes. In spite of the various indications, mentioned earlier, of English being used for cultural purposes, the public face of the debate in the English media seems to avoid these issues, perhaps seeing them as peripheral or imprudent. Perhaps the avoidance is also indicative of a discomfort about the status of Malaysian English and an insuﬃcient lapse of time from the colonial period. Earlier I noted problems in the description of the situation in Malaysia. There are vast diﬀerences in the experience of the English language. It may be that a country-based analysis, such as Schneider’s (2003a) or Kachru’s (1990), is problematic and that it is more appropriate to talk about individual communities or sections of society rather than the whole country. Admittedly, Schneider (2003a) tries to allow for separate strands within each national variety. He talks of the indigenous (IDG) and settler (STL) strands. The earlier discussion, however, suggests that even with these, the situation appears far too complex to be captured simply by reference to these two strands. Is the notion of a theory of the development of the non-Anglo Englishes problematic in the ﬁrst place? The whole enterprise of post-colonial studies has come under criticism because it ‘has compressed the diﬀerences of other people’s history on a methodological level’ (Cooppan 2000: 2). Should we therefore give up the neatness of an over-arching methodological theory of post-colonial non-Anglo Englishes or should we see the enterprise as misdirected and ultimately hegemonic in yoking together many diﬀerent nations in very many diﬀerent circumstances? The medium-of-instruction debate in Malaysia 6 Clearly, we should not throw out the baby with the bathwater. The difﬁculties involve assigning Malaysia into phase 3 or phase 4 of the framework. There is no question of assigning it to the other phases. From this point of view, Schneider’s framework does capture in a rough fashion the evolution of the non-Anglo Englishes. What might need reﬁning is the country-based analysis and how contradictory evidence could be dealt with, even as we struggle about the way English is moving in these communities. Notes Bahasa Kebangsaan (‘National Language’) in the 1960s, Bahasa Malaysia (‘Malaysian’) in the 1970s and into the 1990s, reverting to Bahasa Melayu in the 1990s. I will employ the label ‘Malay’ throughout. 2. This is not of course to suggest that the oﬃcial or the symbolic is less important or unimportant. For example, in the history of Malaysia, the Malayan Union proposed by the British after the Second World War was abandoned because it removed the symbolic power of the Sultans (Heidhues 2000: 157). In the present constitution, the symbolic power is returned to the constitutional monarch, the Agong. 3. The term national school (in Malay, sekolah kebangsaan) is used contrastively to international school (which might follow, say, a British curriculum) and national-type school (sekolah jenis kebangsaan, which follows the Malaysian curriculum, but employs Mandarin Chinese or Tamil as the main medium of instruction). 4. As far as I know, the label ‘Anglo Englishes’, used to refer to the English of the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, was ﬁrst employed by Wong. I prefer the term because it underlines the diﬀerent cultural underpinnings of the various Englishes. 5. Apart from employing diﬀerent languages for diﬀerent content subjects in a bilingual system, there is also the option of having diﬀerent languages to teach each content subject, usually referred to as code-switching. This option has found favour with educational authorities: ‘the idea that bilingual education should proceed through a strict separation of languages on the basis of curricular subject or time of day has unsurprisingly tended to attract the support of educational authorities’ (Ferguson 2003: 46). 6. Even prior to this, Asmah argues that English-medium education had made a comeback in Malaysia, though at the tertiary level, with the establishment of foreign and international universities in Malaysia, as well as through the various twinning programmes where some of the course at a foreign university could be done at a Malaysian college (1996: 518–520). 7. Bernama is the acronym for Berita Nasional Malaysia or Malaysian National News. The URL for Bernama is http://www.bernama.com and the URL for the New Straits Times is http://www.nst.com.my/. . The language itself went by diﬀerent oﬃcial names, Bahasa Melayu (‘Malay’) originally, 62 Peter K. W. Tan 8. Malaya, together with some other states, became the Federation of Malaysia in 1963; Malaya became known as ‘Peninsular Malaysia’ or ‘West Malaysia’ subsequently. 9. I acknowledge the help of the web news archive in the Language Policy Research Unit of the Education Policy Studies Laboratory, Arizona State University (http://www.asu.edu/ educ/epsl/LPRU/newsarchive). 0. Some of the lexical analyses have been achieved through the lexical analysis software entitled Wordsmith Tools, developed by Mike Scott and published by the Oxford University Press. See, for example, http://www.lexically.net/wordsmith/. The Wordsmith Tools analysis gives the number of tokens (words) as 25,766. References Asmah Haji Omar (1996). ‘Post-imperial English in Malaysia’, in Joshua A. Fishman, Andrew W. Conrad and Alma Rubal-Lopez (eds), Post-imperial English: status change in former British and American colonies, 1940–1990 (Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter), 513–533. Asmah Haji Omar (1994). ‘English in Malaysia: A typology of its status and roles’, in Thiru Kandiah and John Kwan-Terry (eds), English and language planning: a Southeast Asian contribution (Singapore: Centre for Advanced Studies & Times Academic), 240–260. Asmah Haji Omar (1992). The linguistic scenery in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. Bernama (2002, 23 August). ‘No objection Malaysians in Singaporean Schools — Syed Hamid’. Available online: http://pgoh.free.fr/spore_schools.html (accessed 2 October 2003). Cooppan, Vilashini (2000). ‘W(h)ither post-colonial studies? Towards the transnational study of race and nation’, in Laura Chrisman and Benita Parry (eds), Postcolonial theory and criticism (Woodbridge, Suﬀolk: Brewer), 1–36. Cummins, Jim (2003). ‘Bilingual education’, in Jill Bourne and Euan Reid (eds), World yearbook of education 2003: language education (London: Kogan Page), 3–20. David, Maya Khemlani and Subra Govindasamy (2003). ‘Language education and “nation building” in multilingual Malaysia’, in Jill Bourne and Euan Reid (eds), World yearbook of education 2003: language education (London: Kogan Page), 215–226. Ferguson, Gibson (2003). ‘Classroom code-switching in post-colonial contexts’, in Sinfree Makoni and Ulrike H Meinhof (eds), AILA Review 16: Africa and applied linguistics (Amsterdam: John Benjamins), 38–51. Halliday, M A K (1975). Learning how to mean: explorations in the development of language. London: Arnold. Hashim, Azirah (2003). ‘Language policies and language education issues in Malaysia’, in Jennifer Lindsay and Tan Ying Ying (eds), Babel or behemoth: language trends in Asia (Singapore: Asia Research Institute), 93–102. Hashim, Azirah (2002). ‘Culture and identity in the English discourses of Malaysians’, in Andy Kirkpatrick (ed.), Englishes in Asia: communication, identity, power and education (Melbourne: Language Australia), 75–93. The medium-of-instruction debate in Malaysia 63 Hazita Azman (2002). ‘Multilingual practices in rural Malaysia and their impact on English language learning in rural education’, in Andy Kirkpatrick (ed.), Englishes in Asia: communication, identity, power and education (Melbourne: Language Australia), 303–311. Heidhues, Mary Somers (2000). Southeast Asia: a concise history. London: Thames & Hudson. Huzir Sulaiman (2002). ‘Election day’, in Huzir Sulaiman, Eight plays (Kuala Lumpur: Silverﬁshbooks), 139–173. Kachru, Braj (1990). The alchemy of English: the spread, functions and models of non-native Englishes (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press). Lau, Leslie (2002, 14 August). ‘Mahathir sees English healing inter-racial rift’, The Straits Times (Singapore). Available online: http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg (accessed 14 August 2002). Merriam, S N (1988). Case study research in education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Nababan, P W J (1981). ‘Language, perception and medium of instruction’, in Asmah Haji Omar and Nor Ein Mohd Noor (eds), National language as medium of instruction (Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka), 15–22. Ng, Choon Sim and K S Jomo (1984). ‘Schooling for disunity: education in colonial Malaya’, in S M Idris (ed.), Key questions on Malaysian education (Penang: Penang Consumers Association). Pandian, Ambigapathy (2003). ‘English language teaching in Malaysia today’, in Ho Wah Kam and Ruth Y L Wong (eds), English language teaching in East Asia today: changing policies and practices (Singapore: Eastern Universities Press), 269–292. Pereira, Brendan (2002, 3 December). ‘Malaysia mines the past for future harmony’, The Straits Times (Singapore). Available online: http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg (accessed 3 December 2002). Schneider, Edgar W. (2003a). ‘The dynamics of New Englishes: From identity construction to dialect birth’, Language 79.2: 233–281. Schneider, Edgar W. (2003b). ‘Evolution(s) in global English(es)’, in From local to global English: proceedings of Style Council 2001/2 (Sydney: Dictionary Research Centre, Macquarie University), 3–32. Solomon, J S (1988). The development of bilingual education in Malaysia. Petaling Jaya: Pelanduk. Watson, J K P (1983). ‘Cultural pluralism, nation-building and educational policies in Peninsular Malaysia’, in Chris Kennedy (ed.), Language planning and language education (London: George Allen & Unwin), 133–150. Wong, Jock (2004). ‘The particles of Singapore English: a semantic and cultural interpretation’, Journal of Pragmatics 36: 739–793. 64 Peter K. W. Tan Newspaper articles and news agency reports examined Articles are listed chronologically (all dates are 2002). NST = New Straits Times, BT = Business Times, Bnm = Bernama. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33 34. 35. English is the key to knowledge. NST, 8 April. Malaysia’s new realism towards English, by Abdullah Ahmad. BT, 10 April. Language makes knowledge. NST, 11 April. Low English use in rural schools, by Rahman Daud. NST, 22 April. The English divide. NST, 23 April. Looking back to English. NST, 7 May. Bring back English soon. NST, 8 May. Cautious aye to re-introducing English-medium school system, by P. Sharmini. NST, 8 May. Mixed views on returning to English medium, by Ramlan Said and Hayati Hayatudin. NST, 10 May. Tee Keat: Close-mindedness hampering English proﬁciency. NST, 10 May. Mathematics, science to be in English, by Ramlan Said and Ainon Mohd. NST, 11 May. DBP: Use English in certain subjects. NST, 11 May. English in schools stirs passionate debate, by Balan Moses. NST, 12 May. Master English to excel in studies, career. NST, 12 May. Survey shows big aye for English medium, by Azmi M. Anshar. NST, 12 May. Make it compulsory to pass English. NST, 14 May. Get retired English teachers. NST, 15 May. Make pass in English compulsory, by Chok Suat Ling. NST, 16 May. No question of English-medium schools, by Joniston Bangkuai. NST, 17 May. Surfers favour English medium, by Azmi M. Anshar. NST, 19 May. The great English debate — to be or not to be?, by Zainal Rampak. BT, 23 May. Proﬁciency in English gives job applicants competitive edge. NST, 28 May. English language teachers urged to make eﬀorts to improve student proﬁciency. NST, 30 May. Gapena: Malays must master other languages. NST, 30 May. Move to improve English faster, by Chok Suat Ling. NST, 10 June. ELS places emphasis on functional English language skills, by R. V. Veera. NST, 16 June. Ministry to pick 500 for English course. NST, 17 June. UMNO club members assured about teaching of Mathematics and Science in English. NST, 20 June. Extra English classes for students. NST, 22 June. Short English courses for teachers in Kelantan. NST, 22 June. English language move: ‘Spare students sitting major examinations’. NST, 23 June. Using IT to teach subjects in English, by Nuraina Samad. NST, 23 June. Overcome shortage of English teachers in the rural, govt urged. Bnm, 3 July. Senate: Be positive on use of English, Bnm, 4 July. Ministry faces no problems in switching to English, Bnm, 4 July. The medium-of-instruction debate in Malaysia 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. More time must be allocated for English in schools — DPM. Bnm, 6 July. ‘Stop speculating on circular over English language move’. NST, 7 July. More time for English lessons, by Ramlan Said. NST, 7 July. PAS not qualiﬁed to campaign on language issue. Bnm, 11 July. Stop speculation on use of English for mathematics and science. Bnm, 12 July. PAS is confusing the people over English issue, says Hon. Bnm, 12 July. Musa: Don’t view English as a treat, by Annie Freeda Cruez. NST, 13 July. DPM defends plan to teach in English. NST, 15 July. Opposition taken to task for politicising use of English. Bnm, 17 July. Continuous retraining a must, by Sumitha Martin. NST, 17 July. Teaching of science and mathematics in English in stages. Bnm, 19 July. Year 1, Form 1 and Lower 6 to use English from next year. Bnm, 20 July. In English and in phases, by Ramlan Said, Chok Suat Ling and Firdaus Abdullah. NST, 20 July. English village camp for 100 religious schools students. NST, 20 July. Good English and just plain language, please, by Carolyn Hong. NST, 21 July. English at three levels next year, by Chok Suat Ling. NST, 21 July. Improve command of English, Hishammuddin tells Malays. Bnm, 22 July. English language teaching workshop for Klang Valley teachers. Bnm, 22 July. A reform long overdue. NST, 22 July. Simple English for new science and mathematics textbooks. Bnm, 24 July. Use of English will not change features of Chinese schools. Bnm, 29 July. Sowing ‘seeds’ of good English. NST, 30 July. 65 Abstrak Perbahasan bahasa pengantar di Malaysia: Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa ke-Malaysia-an? Kertas ini menyelidiki perbahasan dalam arena akhbar dan laporan agensi berita pada tahun 2002, tentang isu bahasa pengantar di Malaysia. Pada masa yang sama terwujudnya juga pengenalan dasar baru kegunaan dwibahasa, iaitu Bahasa Inggeris dan Bahasa Melayu, atau bahasa pengantar campuran di sekolah-sekolah mulai tahun 2003. Saya ingin menggunakan perbahasan ini sebagai papan anjal untuk meneliti kedudukan Bahasa Inggeris di Malaysia melalui rangka perkembangan Bahasa Inggeris bukan Anglo-Saxon. Walaupun terdapatnya fakta-fakta yang menunjukkan bahawa Bahasa Inggeris di Malaysia telah dipengaruhi ciri-ciri tempatan dan penerimaannya sebagai suatu identiti Malaysia terutamanya dalam situasi berbagai kaum, adalah menarik jika diperhatikan bahawa kebanyakan perbahasan mengelakkan perbincangan isu-isu tersebut. Manakala, tumpuan diberi pada kedudukan Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa antarabangsa dan bukannya sebagai bahasa ke-Malaysiaan. Saya ingin membentangkan beberapa sebab untuk memberi penerangan mengenai pengelakkan ini dan mencadangkan bahawa keadaan ini mungkin mengakibatkan sedikit kesusahan tentang penyifatan Bahasa Inggeris di Malaysia seperti yang dipertikaikan oleh Schneider. 66 Peter K. W. Tan Resumo La instrulingva debato en Malajzio: La angla kiel malajzia lingvo? Tiu ĉi referaĵo esploras la instrulingvan debaton en la gazetaro kaj novaĵagentejaj raportoj en 2002 en Malajzio sekve de politikoŝanĝo, kiu antaŭvidis enkondukon de angla-malaja dulingva aŭ mikslingva instruado en lernejojn ekde la jaro 2003. La aŭtoro utiligas tiun debaton kiel saltobreton por esplori la pozicion de la angla en Malajzio, farante tion en la kadro de la evoluo de neanglujaj anglalingvoj. Kvankam ekzistas multaj atestoj pri la indiĝeniĝo de la angla lingvo kaj ĝia akceptiĝo kiel reprezentilo de malajzia identeco, precipe en miksetnaj situacioj, estas interese noti, ke plejparte la debato restas for de tiuj demandoj kaj anstataŭe emfazas la internacian, kontraste al la malajzian, statuson de la angla. La referaĵo proponas kelkajn kialojn de tiu silentado kaj sugestas, ke tio problemigas la karakterizadon de la angla en Malajzio laŭ la maniero de Schneider. Author’s address Department of English Language and Literature, National University of Singapore, 7 Arts Link, Singapore 117570, Republic of Singapore. PeterTan@nus.edu.sg About the author Peter Tan is Senior Lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature, National University of Singapore. His research interests and publications focus on the phenomenon of hybridity in the context of the English language (especially the development of the New Englishes in South-East Asia, and the challenges posed by computer-mediated communication) and literary stylistics (particularly of Malaysian and Singaporean ﬁction and drama).
warc	201713	For any units that didn't cancel, we need to find the proper conversion factor. I prefer to write the units so that they will cancel, and then look up the number to put it on the correct side of the fraction. Solving this gives us V2 = 11.56 L. Intuitively, this makes sense: the pressure didn't change much but the temperature went up a fair amount, so an increase in volume is expected. [Please check the values yourself; I don't intentionally make any mistakes but it can always happen.] The formula used is a simplification of the Ideal Gas Law used for comparing the same amount (mass) of gas under two sets of conditions. This is also known as the 'Combined Gas Law'. It can be derived from the Ideal Gas Law by solving for n, which is the same in both cases (the constants drop out as well). Feb 6th, 2015 Studypool's Notebank makes it easy to buy and sell old notes, study guides, reviews, etc.
warc	201713	So you’ve started your Candida Diet, stocked up your fridge with lots of non-starchy vegetables and gone to the health food store to buy all the supplements that you need. You’re all ready to go, but there’s one last thing that you need to check. Take a good look at the back of those supplement bottles, because there might be some ingredients listed there that can make your Candida worse. The trouble is that very few supplements are made specifically for Candida sufferers. So for example a supplement for digestive problems might contain dextrose, which is fine for most people, but it is just another name for the sugar that a Candida sufferer should be avoiding. You need to check that ingredient label very carefully before you buy a supplement, and today I’m going to share with you four ingredients that you really should avoid wherever possible. Maltodextrin Out of all the ingredients added to Candida supplements, Maltodextrin is probably the one I am asked about most often. It is frequently added to probiotics, antifungals and anything else that the manufacturer wants to give a slightly sweet taste. However, Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide (a type of sugar) that can feed your Candida. One type of Maltodextrin (made from barley malt) has actually been shown to grow Candida colonies even more rapidly than regular white sugar. The problem is that Maltodextrin is absorbed by your body extremely rapidly, just like glucose, and so it quickly affects your blood sugar levels. That sweet taste that your supplements have? It could be feeding your Candida. Avoiding supplements with Maltodextrin will deprive those Candida colonies of one more food source. In fact, you should make sure that nothing you eat contains Maltodextrin, including cereal, processed foods and salad dressings. Many sweeteners contain Maltodextrin too. Which sweeteners are OK on a Candida diet? Try stevia (a low-GI, herbal supplement), xylitol (a low-GI sweetener used by diabetics to maintain stable blood sugar levels), or erythritol. Cellulase First of all, don’t confuse cellulase with cellulose. Whereas cellulose is an organic compound that forms the cell walls in plants, cellulase (note the different spelling) is a group of enzymes produced mostly by bacteria and fungi. They are two very different things but, as the similarity in their names suggests, they are certainly related to each other. The role of cellulase is to break down cellulose and turn it into beta-glucose, a form of sugar. This quickly raises your blood sugar and can also feed the Candida colonies in your intestines. You will find cellulase in lots of digestive enzyme products, but it also appears in many other supplements. The thing is, cellulase is not produced naturally by your body. In fact, you don’t really need it at all. There is no need for the cellulose in your diet to be broken down by your gut flora. Cellulose is an insoluble fiber that plays an valuable role in moving food through your intestines and preventing constipation. Fructose, Glucose & Sucrose I already mentioned Maltodextrin, which is the kind of ‘hidden sugar’ that many people see on ingredient labels without really realizing what it is. But you need to watch out for simple sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose) in your supplements too. Many vitamin supplements contain added glucose, although sometimes it might be listed as dextrose. You’ll also find it in a number of probiotics and antifungals. To find great brands that don’t contain added sugars, do your research online and read the ingredient labels before you buy. On our recommended products page we have an updated list of Candida-suitable supplements. Another surprising place to find sugars is in supplements labeled as stevia, a natural sweetener derived from a plant found in Paraguay and Brazil. Regular stevia is a great substitute for sugar because it satisfies that craving for sweet tastes without raising your blood sugar. However, many brands of stevia contain added glucose, dextrose, or Maltodextrin. It’s pretty easy to find a stevia brand that contains no added sugars (here’s an example), just remember to read those ingredient labels! Alcohol Alcohol is generally a bad thing when it comes to Candida, for the simple reason that it is a toxin. The acetaldehyde that is produced when alcohol is processed in your liver is the exact same chemical as one of Candida’s byproducts. Although alcohol does not really ‘feed’ the Candida as some people suggest, it will make your symptoms worse. It also releases free radicals into your blood that can damage your internal organs and weaken your immune system. That all sounds pretty bad, but you may have noticed that small amounts of alcohol are often present in herbal remedies. This is mostly because it is a great preservative, but it also enables the herbal remedy to be administered in a liquid form, improving absorption among those with digestive problems. You should also know that there are some great supplements out there that use alcohol as a part of the manufacturing process and as a preservative. Although they does contain a small amount of ethanol, they can still be very useful supplements for reducing Candida symptoms. So what’s the verdict on alcohol in supplements? I would recommend that you avoid it if possible, but if there is an herbal remedy that you really like, there’s no harm in trying it. Additionally, some herbal remedies are available both with and without alcohol, in which case you should seek out the non-alcoholic version. For example, if you take bitters for your digestion, look for a brand of non-alcoholic Swedish bitters instead. If you’re looking for more information, the Ultimate Candida Diet program contains lots more on how to choose effective antifungals, probiotics and detox supplements.
warc	201713	Children's menus at the UK's leading restaurant and pub chains are often "unhealthy and unimaginative", and are still dominated by nuggets, burgers, sausages, ready meals and fizzy drinks, with little fresh fruit or vegetables on offer, it was claimed on Wednesday. The campaigning charity the Soil Association, with organic baby food brand Organix, sent "secret diners" to 21 popular high street restaurants and pubs and ranked their opinions of the offerings for children. Jamie's Italian, launched five years ago by chef Jamie Oliver, Wagamama and the Wetherspoon pub chain were placed highest, while Burger King, KFC and Prezzo came bottom. Launching the "Out to Lunch" campaign, the charity and its partner are calling for all young diners to be routinely offered the choice of children's portions of adult meals. They say all food should be freshly prepared in the kitchen and kids' cutlery should be standard. Research for the campaign also found that 40% of parents say they eat out as a family once or more in a fortnight, yet 66% think that food provision for children in restaurants is not good enough. The assessments of the high street food venues were compiled after a panel of 40 families surveyed menus, sourcing policies and children's facilities over a three-month period, with further input from another 1,000 families, the charity said. Researchers said more than half the restaurants and pubs – 12 out of 21 – offer children's menus dominated by nuggets, burgers and sausages. Eight failed to include vegetables or salad in the majority of their children's main meals, while 10 did not serve any fruit in any children's puddings. Only 11 out of 21 chains were willing to tell researchers if their food was freshly cooked and where it comes from. Of the 11, only four were actually making and cooking the majority of their children's food in the kitchen – Jamie's Italian, Wagamama, Carluccio's and Cafe Rouge. In the wake of the horsemeat scandal, only one chain – Jamie's Italian – could tell the secret diners where its meat came from, the charity said. Joanna Lewis, head of policy at the Soil Association, which promotes organic food and farming as well as certifying products, said: "Our investigation reveals that most high street restaurants are not even meeting the most basic standards families should expect when they eat out. "Most are still churning out children's menus dominated by the usual suspects – burgers, nuggets and pizzas – turning the table into a battlefield for any parents wanting their child to eat well." She said restaurants made assumptions about what parents and children wanted, "with very little creative thinking going on. We are talking about unhealthy and unimaginative menus. "It is not simply a choice between turkey twizzlers and a superfood salad. Restaurants need to raise the bar and listen to parents who are saying they want fresh food not ready meals for their children – and the same kind of variety you would expect as an adult." Fast food chain McDonald's was ranked mid-way at 11th. It came second to Jamie's for its sourcing of British food – 100% British and Irish beef, free-range British eggs and 100% British organic milk – but could extend its healthy options for children, the charity said. The appearance of Wetherspoons, which has 883 outlets in the UK, in third position may have surprised some, but the chain's senior food development manager, Jameson Robinson, said: "Wetherspoons serves more than 2 million children's meals each year across our pubs and appreciates the importance of sourcing UK ingredients and offering balanced meals. "We know that there is still more work to do to enhance the menu further, including offering varying portion sizes, and we will be working towards this." Jamie Oliver said: "Since the first Jamie's Italian opened, we've always kept things kid-friendly … so to come top of the table is a fantastic achievement, and more importantly, confirmation that we're doing things right. "We believe that the quality of the kids' food should to be right up there on the same level as the main menu." But companies trailing in the table took issue with the methodology and questions used. A spokesman for Prezzo, which came 19th, said: "We are disappointed with the findings of the survey and believe it is not a true reflection of the children's meals served at Prezzo. "We have served almost 400,000 meals from our children's menu in the past six months and the quality of these meals is very important to both ourselves and our guests. "The children's menu dishes are made in-house, and our bolognese sauce is made using our own recipe, using fully traceable British beef and fresh ingredients." Burger King, which was caught up in the horsemeat scandal when some of its burgers were found to be contaminated, and which came bottom of the table, said: "We are committed to offering a welcoming environment for families in our restaurants, and to providing parents with a range of options to allow them to make healthy choices for their children. This includes offering them apple fries, milk, water or juice in our kids' meals." The campaign is the latest collaboration between the Soil Association andOrganix. The twohave worked together since 2008 campaigning for better nursery and hospital food. Additional reporting by Sam Bogg
warc	201713	You are here: Home / Search / Publication Information Publication Information Title: Variation among black walnut seedling families in resistance to competition and allelopathy Author: Rink, George; Van Sambeek, J.W.; Date: 1985 Source: Plant and Soil. 88: 3-10. Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL) Description: Of three environmental variables affecting black walnut seedling establishment, moisture stress overshadowed the effects of fescue leachate and fertilizer. Interactions between moisture stress and family and between fescue leachate and moisture stress for both seedling height and dry weight suggested that selection for tolerance to moisture stress is possible, whereas progress from selecting for resistance to rescue leachate would be difficult. Family response to high moisture stress resulted in reductions of 17 to 33 percent in height and 36 to 48 percent in dry weight when compared with seedlings grown under moist conditions. The only effect of fertilization was a 9 percent decrease in seedling survival under high moisture stress conditions. Keywords: Allelopathy, Festuca arundinacea, Interaction, Juglans nigra Publication Notes: We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information. This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain. This publication may be available in hard copy. Check the Northern Research Station web site to request a printed copy of this publication. Our on-line publications are scanned and captured using Adobe Acrobat. During the capture process some typographical errors may occur. Please contact Sharon Hobrla, shobrla@fs.fed.us if you notice any errors which make this publication unusable. XML: View XML Citation: Rink, George; Van Sambeek, J.W. 1985. Variation among black walnut seedling families in resistance to competition and allelopathy. Plant and Soil. 88: 3-10. Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility
warc	201713	Evaluation report 2012 Somalia: Final Evaluation of UNICEF’s Programme “Making PPP Work for Rural Water Supply in Somalia” Author: Hydrocounseil Executive summary "With the aim to continuously improve transparency and use of evaluation, UNICEF Evaluation Office manages the "Global Evaluation Reports Oversight System". Within this system, an external independent company reviews and rates all evaluation reports. Please ensure that you check the quality of this evaluation report, whether it is "Outstanding, Best Practice", "Highly Satisfactory", "Mostly Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory" before using it. You will find the link to the quality rating below, labeled as 'Part 2' of the report." Background: This evaluation report concerns Unicef’s project “making Public-Private Partnerships work for rural water supply in Somalia”, a project financed under the European Union Water Facility and implemented from August 2007 until October 2012 in north-eastern and north-western zones of Somalia. Since 1997, Unicef has been supporting, along with the national government, several successful experiences of public-private partnerships for water supply in the major towns of the same zones. Meanwhile, the rural water supply operations repeatedly request rehabilitations and further periodic support for even minor repair or replacement of facilities. It was identified by Unicef as a failure of community management to maintain water facilities, caused by “a lack of availability of spare parts and insufficient training, worsened by the increasing rural-urban divide where many of the trained people leave the villages for better economic prospects in the larger towns”. [... more in report] Purpose/Objective: The present document is the final evaluation report of this project, with following objectives assigned: “The final evaluation study will provide UNICEF and the EC with sufficient information as to the final impact of the programme, and make recommendations for future needs and support that may be required for interventions undertaken within the programme and to the rural water sector. A particular focus of the study will be an evaluation of the application and suitability of the public private partnership approach for the management of rural water services, which was applied through the programme, and recommendations on how this could be strengthened, supported in the future.” “The scope of the assignment covers all stages and aspects of the project including Project preparation and design, Relevance to the problems of the project area and beneficiaries, efficiency and effectiveness of implementation, actual and potential impacts with special emphasis to women and children, Factors affecting sustainability and replicability, economic and financial analyses.” Methodology: The assignment has been carried out in September and October 2012, mostly through desk review of existing documents, interviews with stakeholders and field visits to selected accessible communities. Owing to logistic and security considerations, field visits could only be made to very few accessible locations, which limited the number of field-based evidences to support the findings. However, the stakeholder interviews gave the opportunity to build and support the consultant’s assessment through discussions. Findings and Conclusions: B.3.1. Relevance The initial concept of the project gave interesting prospects for addressing the issue of the community management shortcomings, with the evidence of success in urban utilities. Moreover, the use of PPP arrangements was in line with the sector policy in both Puntland and Somaliland (and even with the Water Act for the latter). However: - the initial design for the PPP option, set as a result of the logframe (urban utility expansion) proved to be inapplicable, - the shortcomings of the community management is not the only reason for the poor functioning of rural facilities. Hence, the overall objective set in the logframe (improving livelihood through better access to water) is only partially addressed by the PPP approach (rehabilitations works were needed as well, and were added during implementation), and the PPP approach had to be reoriented to be relevant for the Somali context. The relevance of the project design is that of a pilot project, to test and adjust the PPP approach, but the initial concept of extending urban PPPs should not have been set as a result in the logframe, as it was the way to be tested and not the goal itself. B.3.2. Effectiveness The expansion of urban PPPs to rural water systems is not effective, because of the significant change in the project implementation (local private companies instead of extension of urban utilities). In spite of this, the number of beneficiaries reaches 64% of the initial target, and some of the expected benefits from urban PPP extensions are at least partially retained: - Trainings have developed some level of technical skills available for rural water supply, - The commercial operation yields first signs of improved management in some localities, - The contractual relationships between all the communities and the private companies have been soundly defined in elaborated documents, - The project developed a wider acceptance of the PPP concept by communities and central government, - The involvement of national authorities in the process developed a nascent capacity for replication at national level. - An effective improvement of service delivery quality can be observed in the field, but is mostly a result of rehabilitation works, which do not appear as planned activities in the logframe (but proved to be relevant) - Although not much documented yet, the experiment of PPP settings in the rural areas of Somalia yields some interesting lessons learnt. B.3.3. Efficiency The start-up of the project has been very slow before any concrete activities were implemented in the field, most of the progress towards operational PPPs in the selected locations was achieved after 2010 (year 4 and 5 of the project). The initial partners (WEDC and Horn Relief) were less involved than expected and Unicef did not, at that time, manage to make up for that. Unicef was not being comprehensive enough and relied on the inputs of the partners to start the project, while the main capacity to drive the project should have been within Unicef and partners could have acted as contractors. B.3.4. Impact Considering the difficulties of access in the field and the small number of field visits, it is difficult to draw an objective and evidence-based assessment of the project impact. However, some facts are worth mentioning as they indicate the prospects for positive impacts: - The first impacts in target villages in terms of autonomy are encouraging: Unicef and national authorities responsible for water no longer receive support requests from the target communities, which deal with their company on their own. - More and more stakeholders have a clearer understanding of PPPs and the benefit they can bring for public service delivery. - The project enabled some communities to build up confidence in undertaking other projects and considering private management/investment as a relevant option. - Children and women directly benefit from the improved service delivery, thanks to the works component of the project. Recommendations: B.4.1. Short term a) Knowledge capitalisation The project achieved some results in the field, but a lot of the activities carried out for that purpose were implemented by partners of Unicef and their methodology is not documented yet. The project has planned to prepare a “lessons learnt” document, but beyond the lessons learnt, some significant know-how is retained neither in Unicef nor at central government level. Complementary to the “lessons learnt” document, Unicef should involve the project partners into the simple drafting of the implementation methodology used (mostly community mobilisation and negotiations with the company, company creation and capacity building), before project memory vanishes. b) Test open bidding process A particular situation in Lowya’addo, the second location in Somaliland, keeps the project from completing the process. One solution that could both be tested for this specific context and for future replication would be to tender out the operation of the system, instead of having the local community trying to create an ad-hoc company (to no avail so far). B.4.2. Mid-term a)Mentoring A significant mentoring effort is still needed to ensure the PPP are viable. Particularly, the private companies do not have the experience that was initially expected from the urban utilities. This has been partially compensated by some training, but the need for training and mentoring is still strong. There is also a need for mentoring towards the central government, which is already taken into account by Unicef. But a simple support to provide would be to draft a short document on “how to establish a PPP for rural water supply”, listing all the key ingredients, steps to be taken and “no to do” list. b) Preparing the central government to monitor the PPPs The second most important support to the central government should focus on reinforcing their ability to monitor the rural PPPs to keep learning from them, improving next batches and anticipate possible failures. B.4.3. Longer term a) Technical support centre Given the distances of the locations and the size of the companies, it is very unlikely for them to face any technical breakdown on their own. Other countries such as Mauritania and Mali have developed experience in building up a national or regional technical support centre for rural water supplies. A similar concept could be tested (with a significant external support at first) to provide services like remote diagnosis, spare part procurement or even risk sharing on equipment, through a subscription of each company. b) Careful use of external funding It would be very risky to continue funding investment in the systems run by PPP companies on the same basis as when they were community managed. The financial autonomy is one of the key results expected from PPPs and private companies have to develop a commercial strategy regarding investment, in order to maintain the assets rather than “consuming” them (trade-off between immediate profitability and sustainability of operation). If companies continue to expect rehabilitation funding from external agencies or donors, they will not include sufficient maintenance budget in their provisional operating accounts. c) Fostering local government into rural water supply Local governments are supposed to play an important role in rural water supply (according to the law of decentralisation). The current status of Local Governments is far from this ideal situation and requires a lot of progress of the decentralisation reform. But the first step will be to progressively involve the local governments, as owners of the facilities, thus responsible for the procurement of a company to operate them. Full report in PDF PDF files require Acrobat Reader.
warc	201713	This story has been updated. In its first vote affecting gay people since the U.S. Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage, the Senate Tuesday rejected a federal prohibition against discrimination and bullying in K-12 public schools based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Fifty-two Senators voted for such a provision, while 45 opposed it. But Senate rules required 60 votes, and the measure fell short. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), the sponsor of the amendment, had made an impassioned argument that gay and transgender students needed the same federal protections as other historically persecuted groups. “If a black child was referred to by a racial slur at school, would we say kids will be kids?” Franken said on the Senate floor as debate began Monday. “If a Jewish student got beat up because he wore a yarmulke to school, would we wave it off and say boys will be boys? If a shop teacher told a female student she didn’t belong in his class, would we be fine if the school just looked the other way? No, we would not. In fact, there are federal civil rights laws that are specifically designed to stop this kind of conduct.” Franken displayed photos of three youngsters who committed suicide at ages 11, 13 and 15 after being relentlessly bullied and ridiculed by classmates. One of them, Seth Walsh, a 15-year-old from Tehachapi, Calif., endured years of anti-gay harassment at school, Franken said. “By seventh grade, taunts and verbal abuse were a constant part of Seth’s day,” he said. “Students called him faggot and queer. He was afraid to use the restroom or to be in the boys’ locker room before gym class.” His grades dropped and he grew depressed and withdrawn. His mother asked school officials to intervene “but her pleas were brushed aside,” Franken said. “And in September of 2010, Seth hanged himself from a tree in his family’s backyard,” Franken said. “He was 13. Seth left a note expressing his love for family and friends but also his anger at the school.” “This amendment would simply provide LGBT kids with the same legal remedies available to other kids under our federal civil rights laws,” Franken said. But Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the education panel and a former education secretary under President George H.W Bush, urged his colleagues to vote against the amendment, calling it a federal intrusion into matters best handled at the local level. “There’s no doubt bullying or harassment of children based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity is a terrible problem . . .,” he said. “But the question is, is this best addressed by the local school board or the national school board in Washington, D.C.?” Alexander, the co-author of the main bill to replace No Child Left Behind, has been arguing for months that Congress needed to cede control over K-12 education back to the states. He called Franken’s amendment “well-intentioned” but said it would lead to “costly lawsuits,” which prompted Franken to jump to his feet. “This isn’t about lawsuits, this about schools doing the right things when parents ask. We have the same protections granted to kids by virtue of their race. That wasn’t a local issue, that was a federal law we had to pass. Same thing with Title IX — that’s why we won the World Cup,” he said, referring to the federal law that required schools to provide girls with equal access to athletics.

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