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Sustainable Development e-News
In Her Own Words:
A Conversation With Kathryn P. Maloney,
Director, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry
Partnering, Cooperating, and Collaborating for Land and
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--Partnership. Collaboration. Cooperation. Those words resonate widely with USDA Forest Service partners, employees, and other stakeholders. At heart, they mean working together to accomplish common missions and goals, related tasks, or complementary initiatives.
For Kathryn Maloney, partnership, collaboration, and cooperation are the fulcrum for assisting states, private landowners, and other cooperators to engage in sustainable management of the Nation's lands and forests. All are particularly critical for programs of the Northeastern Area (NA) State and Private Forestry. Why? Because of the size and scope of NA: 20 states and the District of Columbia; 43% of the U.S. population; more than 170 million acres of forests (23% of the Nation's forests), almost all of which are non-federal forests; and more than 4 million private landowners. They are also critical for leveraging federal investments and for sustaining the public benefits that emanate from private forest lands.
NA promotes partnership with state foresters and state forestry agency staff, focusing on how that partnership influences the wise management, protection and sustainable use of rural to urban lands, and enhances the capacity of private forestlands to provide benefits for a growing America.
NA cooperates with state partners to develop and use tools that help us be more effective, and in some cases tools that help us evaluate our effectiveness. The identification and application of sustainability criteria and indicators (C&I) are one example of such efforts. Together, partners work across state boundaries in compiling and assessing data and in tracking common indicators over time. This exemplary work strengthens Forest Service institutional capacity for collaborative assessment, planning, and decisionmaking processes designed to address shared concerns among NA states.
Maloney holds a BS degree in mineral economics from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA (with honors) in finance and investments from George Washington University. She joined the Forest Service in 1981, and has been in her current position since 2001. Maloney has served in the National Forest System and Programs and Legislation deputy areas, and as the Director of the Strategic Planning and Resource Assessment Staff in Washington, D.C.
Kathryn P. Maloney
Q: Partnership is a fundamental element of Northeastern Area (NA) programs. Who
are your partners, broadly?
A: We have an area that comprises 20 states and the District of Columbia. We consider our first partners to be the state foresters in those 20 states and the District of Columbia. In most cases, we work with the Department of Natural Resources, in some cases for the Department of Agriculture in the states, so it's those individuals and their staff that are our first partners--and we work very closely with them. In fact, our programs for the most part are delivered through those state organizations to the private landowners in those states. In addition, we have established partnerships and cooperative agreements with many others including communities, non-government organizations, and universities.
From your perspective, how do you use C&I to help you achieve your management goals?
Let me first say that it is a work in progress. I believe C&I are useful tools to gauge progress, enable accountability, and inform decisionmaking. We're not there yet, "there" being where C&I are really an integral part of a system of management, helping to inform our next decision, our next set of choices. But we are certainly working toward that end.
In the NA, we are engaged with the state partners working to track 18 of the Montréal Process indicators. We are improving awareness and engaging people in understanding the relevance of C&I.
How does NA increase our understanding of C&I?
Over the last several years, we in NA and our partners have put together two C&I publications: Sourcebook on Criteria and Indicators of Forest Sustainability in the Northeastern Area and Sustainability Assessment Highlights for the Northern United States. These are excellent resources that increase our understanding of C&I, and their application to planning.
Our first step for the Sourcebook was to take a look at what information was available and where and from whom, because every bit of information we chose to look at cost something to have. So we looked at the information states were already collecting or had available.
We also looked at the Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) work that has received greater attention and funding in recent years. And the FIA information is ultimately going to provide data for about two-thirds of the indicators of the Montréal Process.
In reviewing available data, we chose 18 indicators that span all seven criteria. We were interested in a comprehensive look at C&I at a low cost, rather than trying to address all 67 indicators. As time goes on and we gain experience in using this information, we may expand our initial set of indicators.
The purpose of the information--for example, in the Sourcebook--is to show both the importance of having C&I and their utility as a common language of measures among our many partners.
What is the value of both tracking and measuring outcomes?
We began by establishing a baseline of current or recent data for each of the 18 indicators. Then we began to monitor. That's going to enable us look at trends and begin to make some judgment whether the things being done on the ground are having the appropriate effects.
Please clarify, for the benefit of our readers, how sustainable development of land relates to sustainable development of forests?
They are different, I think. To me, lands have a broader context than forests. Obviously, they are related. But when we talk about sustainable development of land we have to think about more things perhaps than just about forests.
Fundamentally, sustainable forest is about having a healthy, viable forest that provides all of the benefits that we can think of in a forest, not only for this generation, but for future generations.
And so we have to think much about the seven criteria--about not only the biological and physical sustainability, but also the economic and social things that go along with that. And not just recreation opportunities and economic opportunities that come from using forest products.
It is important to be clear about what we are trying to sustain. Let's consider the example of New York City, whose current land use in Manhattan is a city and is sustainable as long as there is a willingness to make investments to keep it going. Sustaining a city requires investment in public services such as transportation, sewer, and water infrastructure. By contrast, foresters tend not to think about these things, but rather about investments in forest health, regeneration, fuel reduction, and the like to sustain the forest.
My goal is to vigorously pursue the mission of the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. That requires that we reach and influence the management of nearly a quarter of the Nation's forests. The benefits to the public of the sound management of these overwhelmingly (92%) private forests are significant ecologically, economically, and socially. We work across the rural to urban landscape, assisting private landowners with technical information to manage their forest lands in a sustainable manner, and helping communities (even in cities) improve natural conditions. We gain on a couple of different fronts in urban settings: trees and their effects on air quality and temperatures, as well as reducing storm water runoff and the adverse effects associated with it. While most of our work is directed to forested lands, our work in urban settings is very important.
NA is working with Chicago, where Mayor Daley has made a huge investment in Chicago GreenStreets Program, which helps the city revitalize run-down neighborhoods, enhance public open space, and use tree-planting and landscaping to reduce noise, air pollution, and summer heat. And NA is also assisting Chicago Wilderness, a coalition of about 200 organizations dedicated to protecting and restoring the natural heritage in and around Chicago.
Similarly, in New York City, NA personnel have created a mapping software program that provides information, accessible to communities and their leaders, on where green spaces are or could be in the city. Other cities are adapting the software for use in their communities.
After we were attacked on 9/11, the Forest Service engaged in a Living Memorials Project, creating living memorials (with trees) to those who lost their lives on 9/11 in New York City and elsewhere. One Forest Service project, The Legacy Groves of Somerset County, is a living memorial to those lost on Flight 93 and an appreciation of the efforts of first responders who sustained the Somerset County community.
Collaboration is the lifeblood of your sustainable development activities across all 20 states of the Northeast and Midwest, and the District of Columbia. What role, if any, have C&I played in bringing people together?
The fact is that C&I were a product of a collaborative effort in the international arena. That collaborative process sought a common language, data, and measures. The fact that C&I emerged from a very thoughtful, collaborative process has made it a high-quality product that is inherently valuable. It has made it easier for people like me and for an organization like NA to pick it up and use it to engage people and organizations with similar interests.
C&I have this inherent value and they make sense. The next steps are getting everyone's genuine involvement and commitment to using them to help us in our decisionmaking. That's a bit more of a challenge than getting the initial acceptance. But we're making progress.
I am extremely proud of the state foresters for having rallied around the 18 indicators. Some of the state foresters have said that they are not really sure where we are going with this, but they are


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I have been atop enough canyon rims to have witnessed hawks and eagles navigating the canyon by simply gliding over it. I have imagined being the hawk or eagle and looking down at the canyon below. The cars traveling the asphalt ribbon through the canyon look tiny. It is the river, though, that I follow as a hawk or eagle. That is where the life-force is concentrated.
And the river, of course, shows us that there is yet another way to navigate the canyon, and that is to simply go with the flow. Have you ever imagined being a drop of water dripping off a glacier atop a lofty peak? Have you followed the long trek of that drop of water as it flows into a high alpine mountain stream and then into a mountain river that, over time, has cut a mighty swath through solid rock? Have you ever imagined being that drop of water as it flows through the canyon? How would that drop of water experience the ride through the canyon? Having flowed over so many rocks on its course down the mountain how is the vibration of that drop of water affected?
Water is very powerful. It can sculpt solid rock. Consciousness is very powerful, too. It can sculpt a seemingly solid reality.
There are many ways to travel a canyon. The hawk and eagle go with the flow of the air currents. The water goes with the flow of gravity. Whether one is flowing through the canyon or gliding above it or driving through it, canyons are very conducive to flow.
Now, instead of going with the flow through the canyon, imagine being the canyon. Feel that flow flowing through you. How does that feel? Feel the water flowing through you, feel the air flowing through you, and feel the life-energy flowing through you. The flow never stops and there is no real resistance to it. The most solid of rock is reshaped by the flow, and eventually succumbs to it completely.
Canyons are great things. When you have been to enough of them you start imagining things like being the flow or being the canyon. Canyons are splendid metaphors for the duality in which we live.
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Amid the pulsating heartbeat of social media innovations, Snapchat unfurled its banner feature in June 2023: 🤖 Snapchat AI. This digital genie promises to jazz up your Snapchat experience, making it smoother and more interactive. This innovative feature acts as a virtual assistant, aiding users in tasks such as finding friends, curating snaps, and generating stories. While the inception of Snapchat AI was welcomed by many, some users found themselves wanting to distance themselves from it, primarily due to privacy concerns.
However, with new technology come new dilemmas. Some of us might be pondering, "Should I keep it? Or is it time to hit delete?"
In this guide, I'll unravel the mysteries of Snapchat AI and elucidate the process to manage it, and if you so decide, show you how to Delete Snapchat AI.
What is Snapchat AI?
Snapchat AI isn't just a mere tool; it's a confluence of advanced algorithms and user behavioral patterns. It's designed to streamline the user's Snapchat experience, providing automated suggestions and interactions. Imagine having a virtual buddy within the app, suggesting the best filters or reminding you of friends you haven't snapped in a while!
🔍 Snapchat AI Unveiled
Introduced: June 2023
Purpose: Acts as a virtual assistant
- 🧭 Finding friends
- 📸 Sending snaps
- 🎞 Creating stories
- Privacy uncertainties 🛡
- Overcomplicated user experience 🌀
🔧 Steps to Delete Snapchat AI
If you've weighed the pros and cons and decided to remove Snapchat AI from your experience, follow this table for clarity:
|1. Access Snapchat||Launch the Snapchat app|
|2. Profile Portal||Tap on your Bitmoji on the top-left|
|3. Settings Dive||Click on the cog icon in the top right|
|4. Service Management||Scroll and select "Manage Additional Services."|
|5. AI Hunt||Choose "Snapchat AI" from the list|
|6. Cleanse Chat||Tap "Clear from Chat Feed" to remove|
Steps to Delete Snapchat AI:
- Accessing Snapchat: Begin by launching the Snapchat app on your device.
- Profile Navigation: Once in the app, tap on your Bitmoji located at the top left corner.
- Entering Settings: In the top right corner, you'll spot the cog icon symbolizing settings. Tap on it.
- Locating Snapchat AI: As you scroll down, look for the "Manage Additional Services" option. Here, you'll find "Snapchat AI."
- Deleting the Feature: Tapping on "Snapchat AI" will present an option to "Clear from Chat Feed." By selecting this, you effectively remove Snapchat AI from your chat feed.
⚠ Remember: This only removes the AI from your chat. Your data remains.
🚫 Going Nuclear: Full Data Deletion
If you're in the mood for a fresh start and wish to erase all traces of your Snapchat presence, here's a tabulated guide:
|1. Initiate Snapchat||Start the Snapchat app|
|2. Profile Access||Tap on the top-left Bitmoji|
|3. Enter Settings||Click the cog icon on the top-right|
|4. Account Actions||Scroll to find this option and tap|
|5. Final Countdown||Choose "Delete Account."|
|6. Seal the Deal||Follow on-screen instructions to complete|
Going the Extra Mile: Deleting All Snapchat Data:
- Open Snapchat: As with the earlier process, start by launching the Snapchat app.
- Profile & Settings: Tap on your Bitmoji on the top left and then the cog icon on the top right.
- Account Management: Within settings, navigate to the "Account Actions" section.
- Final Step: Here, you'll find the "Delete Account" option. Selecting this and following the subsequent prompts will delete your Snapchat account and all associated data.
Posting this action, your Snapchat data, inclusive of Snapchat AI, vanishes.
🤷 Why Consider Deleting Snapchat AI?
Here are a few reasons packed neatly into a table:
|Desire for Simplicity||Preferring Snapchat's basic features over AI add-ons|
|Privacy Shields||Safeguarding personal data in an increasingly digital era|
|Privacy Concerns:||The digital age has brought about heightened awareness regarding personal data. With AI collecting user behaviors and patterns, many individuals feel it's a step too far into their private space.|
|AI Hiccups||Previous unpleasant or glitchy experiences with Snapchat AI|
|Negative Experiences:||As with all technologies, AI isn't foolproof. Some users might have encountered glitches or less-than-satisfactory interactions with Snapchat AI.|
|Distaste for Virtual Assistants:||Not everyone is a fan of automation. Some users prefer manually navigating their digital platforms without the interference of an AI.|
Conclusion: How to Delete Snapchat's AI
While Snapchat AI promises a seamless and enhanced user experience, it's essential to recognize the value of personal choice in the digital landscape. If you're not on board with what Snapchat AI offers or have reservations about your digital footprint, this guide ensures you can navigate your preferences effectively.
FAQs: How to Delete Snapchat's AI
Q: Will deleting Snapchat AI affect my saved snaps and memories?
A: No, removing the AI feature will not impact your saved content on Snapchat.
Q: Can I re-enable Snapchat's AI after deleting it?
A: Absolutely! If you ever wish to revisit the AI features, you can always enable it again through the settings.
Remember, the realm of tech is ever-evolving, and while advancements like Snapchat AI can be exciting, it's always your call on how integrated they become in your digital life. Stay informed and choose wisely!

source: m-a-p/FineFineWeb


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Vol. 4, Issue 10 (2018)
A study of basic knowledge of epilepsy among male medical student in Majmaah University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2018
Author(s): Anas Saad Alsaab, Ahmad Nueva Almutairy, Syed Meraj Ahmed, Abdullah Ayidh Alotaibi, Hamad Abdullah Alsheikh, Khalid Ayidh Alotaibi
Abstract: Background: Epilepsy is one of the world's most common chronic neurological disorders. The aim of this study is to assess the basic knowledge of epilepsy among male medical student in Majmaah University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method: This study is a community based cross-sectional study; to assess the basic knowledge of epilepsy among male medical students in Majmaah University. A Pre-tested questionnaire is used in data collection. The date collected using the questionnaire is analyzed by computer using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Results: The data was collected from 129 male students. Positively, 86.8% of the sample were able to define seizure as an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain.72.9% said it is caused by A head injury, while 65.9% said it is caused by Brain tumor and 51.9% and 50.4% aid it is caused by Genetic disease and Stroke, respectively. Concerning the types of seizures, 74.4% of the students were able to define the tonic-clonic seizure, 71.3% were able to identify the complex partial seizure and 69% identified the simple partial seizure. Approximately 26% of the sampled students think that epilepsy cannot be cured, while 49% think it can be cured. 43% of the sample students see that antiepileptic drugs should be taken for life, while 30% see that antiepileptic drugs should be taken for3-6 months. Concerning what should be done during seizure, 71.3% said place the person in a semi-prone position to prevent choking, while 43.4% said place something in the mouth to prevent biting the tongue and 32.6% said give an antiepileptic drug during the episode. 50% of them have good level of knowledge, while 35.7% have moderate level of knowledge. Conclusion: The medical male students of Majmaah University are well aware of the knowledge of epilepsy and it being a medical condition. However, the students need to be educated early on in their training to be physicians, about certain aspects and details of the neurological disorder.


loadings {stats}R Documentation
Print Loadings in Factor Analysis
Extract or print loadings in factor analysis (or principal components analysis).
loadings(x,...)
## S3 method for class 'loadings'
print(x, digits = 3, cutoff = 0.1, sort = FALSE,...)
## S3 method for class 'factanal'
print(x, digits = 3,...)
an object of class "factanal" or "princomp" or the loadings component of such an object.
number of decimal places to use in printing uniquenesses and loadings.
loadings smaller than this (in absolute value) are suppressed.
logical. If true, the variables are sorted by their importance on each factor. Each variable with any loading larger than 0.5 (in modulus) is assigned to the factor with the largest loading, and the variables are printed in the order of the factor they are assigned to, then those unassigned.
further arguments for other methods, ignored for loadings.
'Loadings' is a term from factor analysis, but because factor analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) are often conflated in the social science literature, it was used for PCA by SPSS and hence by princomp in S-PLUS to help SPSS users.
Small loadings are conventionally not printed (replaced by spaces), to draw the eye to the pattern of the larger loadings.
The print method for class "factanal" calls the "loadings" method to print the loadings, and so passes down arguments such as cutoff and sort.
The signs of the loadings vectors are arbitrary for both factor analysis and PCA.
There are other functions called loadings in contributed packages which are S3 or S4 generic: the... argument is to make it easier for this one to become a default method.
See Also
factanal, princomp
[Package stats version 4.1.0 Index]


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University Science Hall Renovation
IMEG provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology engineering design and services, along with construction administration, for Drake University's new Science Connector Building. The building is located between Olin and Fitch halls and creates a bridge to nearby Harvey Ingham Hall and Cline Hall, linking all four science and math buildings together. This project was a component of the university's master plan for a $65 million, six-building complex to meet calls for more science- and math-based education and is the second project in Iowa to ever receive Green Globe certification.
To accommodate the Connector Building, an existing greenhouse west of Olin Hall was demolished and existing electrical services between buildings were removed. Additionally, portions of the science departments were reconfigured for the renovation of the existing buildings and streamlined connections between them.
The new Science Connector Building houses teaching labs for biochemistry, biophysics, biology, pharmacy, and kinesiology, offices, a lecture hall, a greenhouse/headhouse on the roof, and various informal gathering spaces. The ground floor also has considerable facilities dedicated to animal research, including animal holding spaces, testing, surgery suite, cage wash spaces, containment room, and animal receiving. These spaces were specially designed to accommodate animals of various habitats and lifestyles that can be adjusted for comfort. Lighting was an essential part of integrating test subjects to the controlled environment of the lab. Special LED lights were employed to mimic the features found in the animal's natural habitat, including red and white LEDs to induce circadian sleep cycles. The spaces were designed to create a collaborative, problem-solving learning environment.
Lab design was a challenge because of the high air turnover rate needed for clean air and sterile conditions in the animal labs. Many of the lab subjects and animals are extremely sensitive to external factors so the labs need to be sterile and never subject to outside diseases. Sterile cage washing areas, sound proofing, and specialized alarms were all designed to accommodate the comfort and safety of the animals. The animal holding areas are served from a dedicated AHU connected to emergency power and provided with a backup source of heating (boilers) and cooling (rooftop air cooled chiller) in the event the campus utilities go down.
The Science Connector Building received a Two Green Globes rating due to sustainable features such as:
- White roof and concrete to promote indoor cooling
- Energy-efficient windows to reduce the buildings' electricity use and draw daylight indoors
- Drought-tolerant plantings so that watering is not required
- More than the recommended amounts of insulation in the roof and walls to decrease heating and cooling demands
- Energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures inside and outside the buildings
- Sensors that power down light fixtures when an area is not in use
- Easy access to public transportation and rental bicycles
- Low-flow water fixtures to reduce water usage
- Recycling facilities conveniently located throughout the building
- Excellent indoor air quality
- Extensive use of materials with little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Demonstrating the university's strong commitment to sustainable practices and reducing its carbon footprint by 25 percent, the Science Connector Building was designed to meet high standards in energy efficiency and reduce environmental waste.
Green Globe award (very similar to LEED or WELL)


Northern California style: Country charmer
Colorful beds soften a side yard in Sonoma
Lauren Bonar Swezey
Landscape designer Jaquie Tomke-Bosch and husband Al Bosch moved from the Bay Area to Sonoma seven years ago with a collection of 23 containerized Japanese maples and ambitious plans to renovate a long, narrow side yard. "The garden became a labor of love," Tomke-Bosch says.
First, they removed large portions of an existing lawn and oversize deck. Then they formed rounded planting beds to visually soften the space. Each maple became the focal point for one of the beds. Beneath the trees, Tomke-Bosch wove a tapestry of perennials and ornamental grasses, using plants with flowers or foliage in shades of yellow ― including alstroemeria, euphorbia, Japanese forest grass, and Jerusalem sage ― to direct the eye through the garden.
Steppingstones embedded in the lawn invite visitors to stroll through the garden to the rear of the property, where Bosch designed and built a garden cottage for potting and storage. "It's a fun country garden with something happening in it every month of the year," Tomke-Bosch says.
Around The Web


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Graph grammar has been widely applied in many scientific areas. However, designing graph grammar is very challenging for users without strong computer science background. This paper presents a graphical user interface (GUI) for designing graph grammars following an edge-based context-sensitive graph grammar formalism, EGG. This GUI significantly eases graph grammar design, especially for users unfamiliar with the grammar format.
Andrade, Patrick and Wang, Yingfeng, "A Graphical User Interface for Designing Graph Grammars" (2018). SAIS 2018 Proceedings. 9.


@article { , title = {Grey sets and greyness}, abstract = {This paper discusses the application of grey numbers for uncertainty representation. It highlights the difference between grey sets and interval-valued fuzzy sets, and investigates the degree of greyness for grey sets. It facilitates the representation of uncertainty not only for elements of a set, but also the set itself as a whole. Our results show that a grey set could be specified for interval-valued fuzzy sets or rough sets under special conditions. With the notion of grey sets and their associated degrees of greyness, various set operations between grey sets are discussed.}, doi = {10.1016/j.ins.2011.09.029}, eissn = {0020-0255}, issn = {0020-0255}, issue = {1}, journal = {Information Sciences}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Elsevier}, url = {_URL_ volume = {185}, keyword = {grey sets, fuzzy sets, rough sets}, year = {2012}, author = {Yang, Yingjie and John, Robert} }


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Places of Interest nearby
Location address: Deutschland, Wittenberg
Number of texts: 1
The Melanchthonhaus is a townhouse in the German town of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. It is a Renaissance building with late Gothic arched windows and the broad-tiered gables. It includes the study of the Protestant Reformer Philipp Melanchthon, who lived there with his family. In 1954 the house became a museum on Melanchthon's life and work displaying paintings, prints and manuscripts by him and his contemporaries. It became a World Heritage Site in 1996.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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Find when a value doesn't exist OR if it net value equals 0
I have a spreadsheet containing Sales Orders that are made up of part numbers for new systems purchased and part numbers for the education purchased to train that new system. I want to be able to identify those Sales Orders where there is no education included. There are 2 scenarios when this can occur:
1). If there was no Education included in the order at all. In which case there are no education part numbers showing up against that Sales Order.
2). If Education was originally included but was then removed. This is represented as 2 separate rows in the spreadsheet. The first shows a positive value and the second shows a negative value with the net result equaling zero.
I want to be able to create a field in the spreadsheet that can identify these 2 scenarios and fill in the value "No Education Included" and for all other use the field "Education Include".
Below I have included 2 tables. The first demonstrates an example of what I have now and the second is what I am trying to achieve. Please note that the Part Number names vary greatly and the ones included in the table below are just examples. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


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Jump to Main Content
Kinetics of bioactive compounds in aged Brazilian garlic
- Maldonade, I. R., Resende, F. V.
- Acta horticulturae 2015 no.1106 pp. 179-184
- amino acids, bulbs, cooking, cultivars, drying, flavor, garlic, grinding, minerals, odors, pH, phenolic compounds, relative humidity, temperature, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, water content, Brazil
- Garlic has been widely used in cooking for centuries, because of its unique flavor and pungent odor. It has been found to be high in fiber, minerals and amino acids, but its composition depends on cultivar, growing conditions and bulb maturity. This work aimed to study the differences of bioactive compounds produced in black garlic (BG) from Brazilian cultivars ('Santa Catarina', 'Amarante', 'Gigante Roxo'). Aged black garlic was produced by a drying process at 70-80°C during 40 days. The sample extracts were prepared by grinding 0.5 g of bulb samples in a mortar and pestle with 20 mL of water at 25°C. After 5 min, samples were centrifuged at 7,000 ×g and the supernatant was used to determine the total soluble solids content (SSC), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and total phenolic compounds (Folin-Ciocalteu), according to AOAC methods. The effect of process conditions (temperature and humidity) was also investigated. All cultivars of aged garlic had the contents of SSC, TA and total phenolic compounds enhanced. In all cultivars the pH decreased: 'marante' (from 6.3 to 4.5), 'Gigante Roxo' (from 6.5 to 5.5) and 'Santa Catarina' (from 6.4 to 3.9). 'Santa Catarina' presented the best characteristics for black garlic production, based on the consumer acceptance (data not shown). This cultivar also had the highest level of phenolic compounds, 602 mg GAE 100 g-1 after 30 days of processing. The lower relative humidity of BG moisture content during its processing, the lesser was the concentration of phenolic contents.


Error Handling in Streams
Dependency
To use Akka Streams, add the module to your project:
sbt
libraryDependencies += "com.typesafe.akka" %% "akka-stream" % "2.6-SNAPSHOT"
Maven
<dependency>
 <groupId>com.typesafe.akka</groupId>
 <artifactId>akka-stream_2.12</artifactId>
 <version>2.6-SNAPSHOT</version>
</dependency>
Gradle
dependencies {
 compile group: 'com.typesafe.akka', name: 'akka-stream_2.12', version: '2.6-SNAPSHOT'
}
Introduction
When an operator in a stream fails this will normally lead to the entire stream being torn down. Each of the operators downstream gets informed about the failure and each upstream operator sees a cancellation.
In many cases you may want to avoid complete stream failure, this can be done in a few different ways:
 - recover to emit a final element then complete the stream normally on upstream failure
 - recoverWithRetries to create a new upstream and start consuming from that on failure
 - Restarting sections of the stream after a backoff
 - Using a supervision strategy for operators that support it
In addition to these built in tools for error handling, a common pattern is to wrap the stream inside an actor, and have the actor restart the entire stream on failure.
Logging errors
log() enables logging of a stream, which is typically useful for error logging. The below stream fails with ArithmeticException when the element 0 goes through the map operator,
Scala
Source(-5 to 5)
 .map(1 / _) //throwing ArithmeticException: / by zero
 .log("error logging")
 .runWith(Sink.ignore)
Java
Source.from(Arrays.asList(-1, 0, 1))
 .map(x -> 1 / x) // throwing ArithmeticException: / by zero
 .log("error logging")
 .runWith(Sink.ignore(), mat);
and error messages like below will be logged.
[error logging] Upstream failed.
java.lang.ArithmeticException: / by zero
If you want to control logging levels on each element, completion, and failure, you can find more details in Logging in streams.
Recover
recover allows you to emit a final element and then complete the stream on an upstream failure. Deciding which exceptions should be recovered is done through a PartialFunction. If an exception does not have a matching case match defined the stream is failed.
Recovering can be useful if you want to gracefully complete a stream on failure while letting downstream know that there was a failure.
Scala
Source(0 to 6)
 .map(n =>
 if (n < 5) n.toString
 else throw new RuntimeException("Boom!"))
 .recover {
 case _: RuntimeException => "stream truncated"
 }
 .runForeach(println)
Java
final Materializer mat = ActorMaterializer.create(system);
Source.from(Arrays.asList(0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6))
 .map(
 n -> {
 if (n < 5) return n.toString();
 else throw new RuntimeException("Boom!");
 })
 .recover(new PFBuilder().match(RuntimeException.class, ex -> "stream truncated").build())
 .runForeach(System.out::println, mat);
This will output:
Scala
0
1
2
3
4
stream truncated
Java
0
1
2
3
4
stream truncated
Recover with retries
recoverWithRetries allows you to put a new upstream in place of the failed one, recovering stream failures up to a specified maximum number of times.
Deciding which exceptions should be recovered is done through a PartialFunction. If an exception does not have a matching case match defined the stream is failed.
Scala
val planB = Source(List("five", "six", "seven", "eight"))
Source(0 to 10)
 .map(n =>
 if (n < 5) n.toString
 else throw new RuntimeException("Boom!"))
 .recoverWithRetries(attempts = 1, {
 case _: RuntimeException => planB
 })
 .runForeach(println)
Java
final Materializer mat = ActorMaterializer.create(system);
Source<String, NotUsed> planB = Source.from(Arrays.asList("five", "six", "seven", "eight"));
Source.from(Arrays.asList(0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6))
 .map(
 n -> {
 if (n < 5) return n.toString();
 else throw new RuntimeException("Boom!");
 })
 .recoverWithRetries(
 1, // max attempts
 new PFBuilder().match(RuntimeException.class, ex -> planB).build())
 .runForeach(System.out::println, mat);
This will output:
Scala
0
1
2
3
4
five
six
seven
eight
Java
0
1
2
3
4
five
six
seven
eight
Delayed restarts with a backoff operator
Just as Akka provides the backoff supervision pattern for actors, Akka streams also provides a RestartSource, RestartSink and RestartFlow for implementing the so-called exponential backoff supervision strategy, starting an operator again when it fails or completes, each time with a growing time delay between restarts.
This pattern is useful when the operator fails or completes because some external resource is not available and we need to give it some time to start-up again. One of the prime examples when this is useful is when a WebSocket connection fails due to the HTTP server it's running on going down, perhaps because it is overloaded. By using an exponential backoff, we avoid going into a tight reconnect loop, which both gives the HTTP server some time to recover, and it avoids using needless resources on the client side.
The following snippet shows how to create a backoff supervisor using akka.stream.scaladsl.RestartSource akka.stream.javadsl.RestartSource which will supervise the given Source. The Source in this case is a stream of Server Sent Events, produced by akka-http. If the stream fails or completes at any point, the request will be made again, in increasing intervals of 3, 6, 12, 24 and finally 30 seconds (at which point it will remain capped due to the maxBackoff parameter):
Scala
val restartSource = RestartSource.withBackoff(
 minBackoff = 3.seconds,
 maxBackoff = 30.seconds,
 randomFactor = 0.2, // adds 20% "noise" to vary the intervals slightly
 maxRestarts = 20 // limits the amount of restarts to 20
) { () =>
 // Create a source from a future of a source
 Source.fromFutureSource {
 // Make a single request with akka-http
 Http()
 .singleRequest(HttpRequest(uri = "_URL_
 // Unmarshall it as a source of server sent events
 .flatMap(Unmarshal(_).to[Source[ServerSentEvent, NotUsed]])
 }
}
Java
Source<ServerSentEvent, NotUsed> eventStream =
 RestartSource.withBackoff(
 Duration.ofSeconds(3), // min backoff
 Duration.ofSeconds(30), // max backoff
 0.2, // adds 20% "noise" to vary the intervals slightly
 20, // limits the amount of restarts to 20
 () ->
 // Create a source from a future of a source
 Source.fromSourceCompletionStage(
 // Issue a GET request on the event stream
 Http.get(system)
 .singleRequest(HttpRequest.create("_URL_
 .thenCompose(
 response ->
 // Unmarshall it to a stream of ServerSentEvents
 EventStreamUnmarshalling.fromEventStream()
 .unmarshall(response, materializer))));
Using a randomFactor to add a little bit of additional variance to the backoff intervals is highly recommended, in order to avoid multiple streams re-start at the exact same point in time, for example because they were stopped due to a shared resource such as the same server going down and re-starting after the same configured interval. By adding additional randomness to the re-start intervals the streams will start in slightly different points in time, thus avoiding large spikes of traffic hitting the recovering server or other resource that they all need to contact.
The above RestartSource will never terminate unless the Sink it's fed into cancels. It will often be handy to use it in combination with a KillSwitch, so that you can terminate it when needed:
Scala
val killSwitch = restartSource
 .viaMat(KillSwitches.single)(Keep.right)
 .toMat(Sink.foreach(event => println(s"Got event: $event")))(Keep.left)
 .


text:
CITARS was an experiment designed to quantitatively evaluate crop identification performance for corn and soybeans in various environments using a well-defined set of automatic data techniques. These techniques differed mainly by the procedure used to obtain signatures from training data (e.g., clustering) and by the method of classification employed (e.g., linear or quadratic decision boundaries and equal or unequal class weights).
Each technique was applied to LANDSAT-1 data acquired over six Indiana and Illinois test sites throughout the growing season in an attempt to recognize and estimate proportions of corn and soybeans using both local and non-local (i.e. extended) training statistics.
As a result of these analyses the significance of factors which contribute to classification performance was determined. In this paper the results of (1) the differences indifferent ADP procedures; (2) the linear vs. quadratic classifier; (3) the use in classification Of prior probability information derived from historic data: (4) differences in local and non-local recognition and the associated use of preprocessing: (5) the use of multitemporal data: (6) the effects Of classification bias and mixed pixels in proportion estimation: (7) the effects of site characteristics including crop, soil, and atmospheric effects: and (8) the effects of crop maturity are presented and discussed.
Date of this Version


text:
GET TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE EGG MASK FOR SKIN TIGHTENING AT HOME:
Egg whites help a lot in tightening the skin and firming it. Using it in a mask can help the skin a lot, and it works as a free treatment for anti-aging. Today, we will teach you a simple mask with egg to make your skin tight. Here is a simple homemade egg mask for skin tightening at home. The steps are simple and easy to follow. Make sure you follow each step correctly and to the point. The steps below will teach you how to make your own homemade skincare mask at home. We hope our readers have fun making this mask at home and have their skin get tightened and firmed for a long time.
METHOD FOR HOMEMADE EGG MASK FOR SKIN TIGHTENING AT HOME:
Mentioned below are the few methods that are required to be followed at home:
- First of all, take a bowl and crack an egg into it. Set the yolk aside.
- Next, add in one and a half tablespoon of sugar into it.
- Now, take a fork and whisk the egg and sugar till it becomes fluffy and light.
- Apply this mask on your skin and leave it on for a few minutes.
- Wash off the skin and pat it dry.
So, we have now finished with making our own recipe for eradicaing the sagginess on your skin. This homemade egg mask for skin tightening will give you your desired results at home. All the steps are easy and simple for your ease. It will help your skin become tighter. You will see that its absolutely worth it to make your own DIY homemade mask with natural ingredients once you use it for the first time. Its fun to make and very simple to use for every skin type.
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, NATURAL BEAUTY TIPS.
TO READ SIMILAR ARTICLES, VISIT DIY HONEY SKINCARE MASK FOR BRIGHT SKIN.


Take the 2-minute tour ×
OpenCV SURF implementation returns a sequence of 64/128 32 bit float values (descriptor) for each feature point found in the image. Is there a way to normalize this float values and take them to an integer scale (for example, [0, 255])?. That would save important space (1 or 2 bytes per value, instead of 4). Besides, the conversion should ensure that the descriptors remain meaningful for other uses, such as clustering.
share|improve this question
2 Answers 2
There are other feature extractors than SURF. The BRIEF extractor uses only 32 bytes per descriptor. It uses 32 unsigned bytes [0-255] as its elements. You can create one like this:
Ptr ptrExtractor = DescriptorExtractor::create("BRIEF");
Be aware that a lot of image processing routines in OpenCV need or assume that the data is stored as floating-point numbers.
share|improve this answer
You can treat the float features as an ordinary image (Mat or cvmat) and then use cv::normalize(). Another option is using cv::norm() to find the range of descriptor values and then cv::convertTo() to convert to CV_8U. Look up the OpenCV documentation for these functions.
share|improve this answer
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In-situ plasma etch process endpoint control in integrated circuit manufacturing
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Reis, T. ; Luxtron Corp., Santa Carla, CA, USA
In-situ noninvasive etch process endpoint control with repeatable accuracy is essential for producing the kinds of yields, product quality, and throughput necessary for IC manufacturers to remain competitive. A unique in-situ endpoint detection system with the capability to accept different, multiple sensors based on various optical analytical techniques is described here. When combined in the same touchscreen instrument platform, these different techniques increase instrument flexibility in handling a larger variety of applications, directly enhancing the ability to increase process yields. Weak optical emission spectroscopy (OES) wavelength intensities resulting from either weak transitions or low emitting species concentrations from low exposed area and/or low vapor pressure species, requires a highly sensitive endpoint detection system containing highly sensitive and efficient sensors, transducers, signal conditioning components and software, and flexible algorithms to call process endpoint. These same requirements are necessary in other optical analytical techniques such as optical reflectometry or optical interferometry using single or multiple wavelength static or scanning transmission and detection. The paper describes how the optical sensor signal is subsequently processed into an electronic signal upon which proprietary window triggering software endpoint algorithms are applied to call an end to the process condition. This endpoint system is more than a process control tool, as it also offers data analysis capability, making it an in-situ diagnostic instrument for process troubleshooting and process development
Published in:
Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference, 2001 IEEE/SEMI
Date of Conference:


When Will You Need This?
When there is both and Inbound and outbound inspection of tractor trailers, and to tie into other port simulation model objects.
Truck In and Out Gate model image
Model Object
The following model object can be found in the model objects directory: Flow Control \ Truck In and Out Gate.
Ease of Use: Moderate
Ease of Modification: Moderate
How to Use the Model Object
1. Open Your Model
Open your model or create a new blank model.
2. Insert the Model Object into Your Model
1. Locate the model object Truck In and Out Gate and select the insert button.
3. Connect to Your Model
1. Connect an arrival route or a percentage route from the part of your model where you would like the entities to enter the Stagging.
connect to Truck In and Out Gate
2. Connect exit routes from Inspection Station #, or Enter Facility to the rest of your model.
from Truck In and Out Gate to the rest of your model
3. Connect a percentage route from your model to Outbound Staging.
from yourmodel to Truck In and Out Gate
Change the time defined on exit route(s) from staging to Inspection Queue(s).
4. Define Values
1. Define the values for scenario parameters s_Security_Level, s_Mix, s_Station_Queue_Size, s_Level#_Type#, s_TEU, s_Destination based on the information provided under the heading Scenario Parameters below. The values for these Scenario Parameters must be provided before the simulation start.
define scenarios in Truck In and Out Gate
5. Completion
Attributes, Variables, Scenario Parameters and Scenarios Usage
1. a_Inspection_Time: Do not change. The inspection time each entity (Truck) will take.
2. a_Type: Do not change. Used to carry the descriptive values for Type1, Type2, & Type3.
3. a_Dir_Number: Do not change. Used to tell entities to which inspection lane they will go.
1. v_Sta_Open#: User input required. The number of inbound inspection stations that are at each hour of the day.
2. v_CntSt#: Do not change. WIP in Line #.
3. v_IQS: Do not change. Size of the queue in front of each inspection station. This is set by the scenario parameter s_Station_Queue_Size.
Scenario Parameters:
1. s_Security_Level: User input required. The level of security the Type1, Type2, or Type3 is working in.
2. s_Mix: User input required. Is used create a mix (distribution) of what type of entities (Type3, Type2s, Type1s, etc) arrive at the inspection queue. Type can be used for a variety of reasons. For example: Type1 could be a semi without intermodal container; Type 2 could be a semi with an intermodal and Type 3 could be a bulk load inspection time. The three different levels shown below would be a change in inspection time based on the level of security for all three type of loads.
3. s_Station_Queue_Size: User input required. How large the queue may allowed to be in front of the inspection station.
4. s_Level#_Type#: User input required. Time required by level # Type# to pass the inspection.
5. s_TEU: User input required. Twenty foot equivalent unit. Used to tell how many TEU are in each load.
6. s_Destination: User input required. A numeric destination code. Set up a conversion table in spreadsheet which provides the meaning for each numeric entry.


text:
This website is available in:
To change websites, find a country in the A - Z list then choose a language.
To change websites, click on the map pins to find a country then choose a language.
HomeSustainabilityEnvironmentSoil ServicesGeotechnical ServicesPANDA Type Tests
The Panda is a light dynamic sounding penetrometer with variable impact energy. The Panda test provides an initial geotechnical study, determines lithology, foundation pressures and provides you with the best foundation advice for your project.
The Panda test works to a depth of five meters, hammering metallic rods with a lost cone tip into your soil. An electronic data device records all the information and immediately calculates the dynamic resistance of the cone (qd) based on a Dutch formula. For each blow, the depth and the impact velocity of the hammer is automatically registered. This allows us to calculate the impact energy for each blow.
Several studies have shown that the Panda measurements are as accurate and reliable as the cone penetration test (CPT). The benefit is that the Panda equipment can be used where the CPT vehicles are not suitable.
Thanks to its compact size and light weight (only 25 kilograms), the Panda sounding device is extremely mobile and able to investigate areas with limited access or height restrictions. For example, it can be used in basements, on very steep slopes, in back yards and tunnels.
We have solutions to suit your soil type. For a solid foundation for your building project, call our team today.

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


Efforts to ban smoking in central government buildings in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki district are having little effect as old habits prove tough to break.
The National Personnel Authority issued a guideline July 10 aiming for a total smoking ban in all central government buildings. But resistance from smokers, as well as the structure of the old buildings, is making it hard to protect workers from secondhand smoke.
Kyodo reporters recently checked the smoking situations in the buildings of the National Personnel Authority and nine ministries, including the Foreign Ministry, and found that none of them had implemented a total ban.
The guideline, created after a law aimed at curbing smoking in public places went into force in May, calls on ministries and government agencies to ban smoking as much as possible.
The guideline says a smoking room should be set up within a building as a minimum measure, and there should not be any smoking areas within offices.
The reporters found that many of the 10 buildings had a smoking space set up on each floor, but some of these had no walls or system to vent cigarette smoke, as the guideline specifies.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry was one of the ministries going against the guideline by setting up smoking areas within offices. Other ministries that did the same were the Justice Ministry, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry and the Finance Ministry.
Nonsmokers were relatively better protected at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, where smoking spaces were set up with exhaust systems.
A health ministry official said it is difficult to level a total ban on smoking.
"There's no space outside for a smoking room," he said. "And with people busy with the budget and the Diet, a total ban would probably cause some to become irritable and unable to concentrate on their work."
In the health ministry building, which also houses the Environment Ministry, the walls cannot be cut through, and so it is impossible to set up a ventilation system. Smokers can light up only in the smoking space on the ground floor.
"This is a 26-story building. Can we expect people to go down to the ground floor to smoke?" one health ministry official asked.
"There is a limit to what we can do," the official said, noting that one smoking space is insufficient for the roughly 15,000 people who use the building every day.
Even the National Personnel Authority, which drew up the guideline, is in no hurry to ban smoking, saying it has yet to set up a schedule on when to ban smoking altogether in its building.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.


text:
Over recent years eco-tourism is becoming more and more popular all around the world, benefiting both local wildlife and people that live in the area. However, you don't need to travel thousands of miles to another country to really take advantage of seeing animals in their natural habitats as there are numerous ventures in the UK alone.
Although most of our large mammals have all but disappeared throughout the British Isles, there are still some that can be spotted in large numbers along the coasts co-inhabiting remote beaches with birds and other wildlife. There are only two species of Seal that are native to British waters which are the Grey Seal and the rarer Common Seal.
Both species are spotted with different shades of grey but are most easily distinguished by their differing muzzles with Grey Seals having a long more dog-like nose and Common Seals looking more cat-like in appearance. There are an estimated 36,000 Common Seals in UK waters and they are also home to what is believed to be half of the entire Grey Seal population.
Although around 75% of the UK's Grey Seals are found living off the Scottish coast, there are also large populations elsewhere, most notably around Blakeney Point on the north coast of Norfolk where both Grey Seals and Common Seals can be found inhabiting the beaches and sand-dunes together (along with numerous species of bird).
An hour boat trip takes you out through some of the most beautiful, marshy harbours in the country and right to the tip of Blakeney point which is a 3.5 mile long sandy strip that has become an uninterrupted paradise for all kinds of wildlife. Seal trips can be organised easily through local hotels and pubs and are well-worth wrapping up warm for as you won't be disappointed.


text:
Some individuals commence bargaining encounters with modest proposals hoping to generate reciprocal behavior by their opponents that will generate pleasant and cooperative win-win interactions. Opening offers that are overly generous to adversaries are likely to have the opposite effect due to the impact of anchoring. When people receive more generous offers than they anticipated, they question their own preliminary assessments and increase their own aspirations. They begin to think that they will be able to obtain more beneficial results than they initially thought possible, and they move psychologically away from the other side. They thus make opening offers that are more favorable to their own side. It is thus important for parties commencing bargaining encounters to plan opening offers that favor their own side, but which can be logically explained to provide them with credibility.
In my Legal Negotiating class, I give my students identical fact patterns pertaining to a tort claim. I indicate that the students all represent the defendant and ask them two questions. What is the first offer you plan to make in response to the plaintiff's initial demand? How much do you think you will finally have to pay to resolve this claim? Half of the students are told the plaintiff has demanded $100,000, and half are told the plaintiff has demanded $50,000. The half facing the initial $100,000 demand plan higher opening offers and think they will have to pay more to resolve the claim than the students facing the $50,000 demand.


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IBM Forms Watson Healthcare Advisory Board
ARMONK, N.Y. - 01 Mar 2012: IBM today announced the formation of a new Watson Healthcare Advisory Board. The board members include medical leaders with expertise in areas such as primary care, oncology, biomedical informatics and medical innovation. They will provide IBM with insights on health care issues that could be positively impacted by Watson technology adoption.
The advisory board will specifically focus on medical industry trends, clinical imperatives, regulatory considerations, privacy concerns, and patient and clinician expectations around the Watson technology and how it can be incorporated into clinician workflows. The initial nine-member board represents leading organizations in various areas of healthcare delivery, and includes:
Watson represents a new class of industry-specific analytical solutions and decision support systems that use deep content analysis and evidence-based reasoning and natural language processing. By accurately extracting medical facts and quickly understanding relationships buried in large volumes of data, such as electronic medical records, family medical history, and the latest clinical research, the technology can help accelerate and improve clinical decisions, reduce operational waste, and enhance patient outcomes.
"Watson represents a technology breakthrough that can help physicians improve patient outcomes," said Dr. Herbert Chase, a professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University. "As IBM focuses its efforts on key areas including oncology, cardiology and other chronic diseases, the advisory board will be integral to helping align the business strategy to the specific needs of the industry."
"The depth of leadership, talent and experience represented on the Watson Healthcare Advisory Board will be instrumental to advancing how IBM Watson technology is put to work in the healthcare industry," said Manoj Saxena, general manager of IBM Watson Solutions. "IBM's Watson technology has the potential to profoundly impact the quality of patient care by fundamentally transforming how medicine is taught, paid for and practiced."
The Watson computing technologies are currently being developed and commercialized by IBM in collaboration with the healthcare industry in order to help doctors and healthcare professionals improve diagnosis and treatment in areas such as chronic disease and oncology.
The recommendations of the Watson Healthcare Advisory Board will be shared with IBM clients and used by IBM's global team of healthcare industry professionals. This group of more than 4,000 professionals and 60 medical doctors are working with clients to create smarter healthcare systems, focused on the patient, aimed at reducing medical errors, achieving better patient safety and quality outcomes, and saving lives. IBM has undertaken more than 3,000 healthcare transformation projects around the world from small hospitals to national healthcare systems.
About IBM
For more information about IBM Watson Solutions visit and IBM Smarter Healthcare
Contact(s) information
John Galvez
UK External Relations
+44(0)7734 104 275
Emma Bennett
UK External Relations
+44(0)7976 839 109
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Topics XML feeds
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text:
A shut down valve (also referred to as SDV or Emergency shutdown valve, ESV, ESD, or ESDV) is an actuated valve designed to stop the flow of a hazardous fluid or external hydrocarbons (gases) upon the detection of a dangerous event. This provides protection against possible harm to people, equipment or the environment. Shutdown valves form part of a Safety instrumented system. The process of providing automated safety protection upon the detection of a hazardous event is called Functional Safety Shutdown valves are primarily associated with the petroleum industry although other industries may also require this type of protection system. ESD valves are required by law on any equipment placed on an offshore drilling rig to prevent catastrophic events like the BP Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.
The DTI Guardian Shutdown System is unlike any positive air shut off valve system in the market today. With traditional shutdown systems operators have no way of determining why their Engine has stopped and once it has stopped, the valve is very difficult to be reset.
The system is designed so that the valve will not close unless users want their Engines to shutdown, whether it is by dash control, preset RPM shutdown or by key fob.
In our more advanced models, the DTI system records the status of the valve at the time of a shutdown and the butterfly design of the valve prevents the loading of unused fuel into the Engine when activated.
Equipped with "Intel-a-Valve Technology™" the Valve Control Unit (VCU) controller lets the user know the status of the valve through the LED light display and constantly monitors status of the positive air shut off valve system for any faults.
This enables a failure-free performance and makes it the only shutdown valve of its kind on the market.
What Happens When a Diesel Engine Runs Away?
"We have been using Diesel Tech Industries air shut off units for last 4 to 5 years. They come to..."
"I have had the opportunity to review, operate, test, and participate in the install of this product..."
"DTI is the only positive air shut off used at Federated Co-op. Every deliver unit built in our shop..."
How DTI Can Prevent a Diesel Engine Runaway!
Watch the videos and check out our engine runaway page to learn more.


text:
Background: Unprecedented, one-pot regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles through azidealdehyde (3+2) organo-click cycloaddition under metal and solvent-free conditions, is described.
Objective: Solvent and metal free synthesis of biologically and industrially important triazoles.
Methods: Efficient and high yielding synthesis of products avoiding the tedious high solvent workups and chromatographic
separations. The synthesis doesn't involve the routine acetylenes which are very costly but instead cheaper starting
materials like aldehydes and organic azides are used.
Results: Green protocol based on the catalysis through Ionic Liquids which simultaneously act as solvents. The products
are obtained in good to excellent yields in hassle free synthesis.
Conclusion: Efficient and green synthesis of structurally and biologically important triazoles.


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Basketball camps are important for all youth as they crave not only the interaction, but the motivation to pursue a sport that they love. Conditioned Minds Foundation offers Extreme Action Basketball Camps throughout Georgia in the cities of Norcross, Sandy Springs, and Lawrenceville. Conditioned Minds EA basketball camps help each camper create a sense of purpose while discovering their goals through technique, games, hard work, and fun. Every camp day our goal is to ensure each camper makes continuous progress in their quest to become a better basketball player.
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Each summer, Conditioned Minds Foundation hosts its annual Extreme Action Basketball Camp in Colorado Springs. At this camp, your child has the opportunity to experience not only the skills of basketball, but how to apply the right attitude, effort, and understanding, to reach the winner inside. With a focus on leadership development, participants historically have excelled in the classroom, the community, and better decision making on and off the court.
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E.P.I.C. Software Applications support formative evaluations linking active and cooperative learning, physical and sport specific training, behavior, focus, leadership, and school relevancy. E.P.I.C. provides user applications aligning a guided path of preparatory measures connecting youth goals back to school and athletic missions; an online database of academic, community; athletic achievements allowing the user to generate their connections to prior achievements; and youth development applications unlocking their fears while implementing character development.
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text:
Human trafficking and slavery is a terrible consequence of economic and social exclusion, according to a submission from Australia's Catholic Bishops to a Senate inquiry.
"Exclusion is the result of a number of factors," said Bishop Terry Brady, Chair of the Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life, in a statement released yesterday. "It is the result of not recognising the human dignity of each person, so people are treated as an object or a means to an end.
"It happens because people are in poverty and don't have access to adequate education or employment. It is caused by putting money and not people at the centre of the economy."
The Commission made the submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement last month.
"One approach that should be investigated as part of a community awareness strategy is the United Kingdom's Modern Slavery Act, which uses information to shine a light on the exploitation of workers. Under the UK legislation, businesses that reach a minimum turnover must issue an annual report on what they are doing to ensure their business and supply chain is not involved in human trafficking and the exploitation of workers.
"Forced marriages are another aspect of trafficking, difficult to investigate because victims and witnesses are often afraid of reprisals or of bringing shame on their families. It is much better to try to prevent forced marriages than try to convict people after the fact.
"One important piece of preventative work is a school education resource developed by Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH)."
RELEASE IN FULL


text:
Spider That Builds Its Own Spider Decoys Discovered
2012 12 21
By Nadia Drake | Wired.com
A spider that builds elaborate, fake spiders and hangs them in its web has been discovered in the Peruvian Amazon.
Believed to be a new species in the genus Cyclosa, the arachnid crafts the larger spider from leaves, debris and dead insects. Though Cyclosa includes other sculpting arachnids, this is the first one observed to build a replica with multiple, spidery legs.
Scientists suspect the fake spiders serve as decoys, part of a defense mechanism meant to confuse or distract predators. "It seems like a really well evolved and very specialized behavior," said Phil Torres, who described the find in a blog entry written for Rainforest Expeditions. Torres, a biologist and science educator, divides his time between Southern California and Peru, where he's involved in research and education projects.
"Considering that spiders can already make really impressive geometric designs with their webs, it's no surprise that they can take that leap to make an impressive design with debris and other things," he said.
In September, Torres was leading visitors into a floodplain surrounding Peru's Tambopata Research Center, located near the western edge of the Amazon. From a distance, they saw what resembled a smallish, dead spider in a web. It looked kind of flaky, like the fungus-covered corpse of an arthropod.
But then the flaky spider started moving.
A closer looked revealed the illusion. Above the 1-inch-long decoy sat a much smaller spider. Striped, and less than a quarter-inch long, the spider was shaking the web. It was unlike anything Torres had ever seen. "It blew my mind," he said.
So Torres got in touch with arachnologist Linda Rayor of Cornell University who confirmed the find was unusual. "The odds are that this [species] is unidentified," she said, "and even if it has been named, that this behavior hasn't previously been reported." Rayor notes that while more observations are necessary to confirm a new species, decoys with legs — and the web-shaking behavior — aren't common in known Cyclosa. "That's really kind of cool," she said.
Read the full article at: wired.com
Dutch use decoy Jews to stop crime and anti-Semitic attacks in Amsterdam
Russia's inflatable decoy weapons and military hardware in pictures
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No Bank Deposits Will Be Spared from Confiscation
2013 05 18
As alert Zero Hedge readers are aware, this week the EURO Politburo is busy debating the dodgy subject of deposit "bail-ins."
The following article very succinctly explains this odious mode of fractal fractional reserve end-game chicanery.
The author encourages all of you to share it with others.
NO BANK DEPOSITS WILL BE SPARED FROM CONFISCATION
By Matthias Chang Esq, futurefastforward.com (with author's permission)
I challenge...
Military Says No Presidential Authorization Needed To Quell "Civil Disturbances"
2013 05 17
A recent Department of Defense instruction alters the US code applying to the military's involvement in domestic law enforcement by allowing US troops to quell "civil disturbances" domestically without any Presidential authorization, greasing the skids for a de facto military coup in America along with the wholesale abolition of Posse Comitatus.
The instruction (embedded at the end of this article), which...
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text:
Two years ago Providence followed a national trend and became one of the first urban areas in Rhode Island to legalize raising small backyard chicken flocks. Residents for the first time were able to raise up to six chickens and have the benefit of eating fresh eggs. Recently, Cranston's Mayor Allan Fung vetoed an ordinance similar to Providence's that would allow residents to raise small backyard flocks, posing the question: should backyard chickens be legal in urban areas? What are the benefits and concerns about backyard chickens?
There are several good reasons why you should look into raising your very own backyard chickens.
- Eggs from backyard chickens are healthier.
- Eggs from backyard chickens are tastier.
- Chickens are natural defenders against insects: they will protect your yards!
- You know where you're getting your eggs from!
- Chicken compost (high in nitrogen) is awesome for your yard and garden!
- Children can learn the responsibility of raising chickens
- They're fun to raise, learn about and even watch in the yard!
With these reasons and more, there is enough evidence to see why many urban areas are hopping on the trend of making it legal to raise backyard chickens. Now on to the concerns of raising chickens not only in urban areas but in general.
- Noise (If you have a rooster you know how this feels.)
- Damage to soil or garden
These can be pretty big concerns, and I didn't even list why Cranston vetoed the ordinance. Cranston has had a rat problem over the last couple of years, and many residents are concerned that with more backyard chickens, the bigger the rat population could get. Three major factors found that residents and the mayor thought would be deal-breakers were: rats, noise and property values.
Noise is an obvious complaint of neighborhoods and this would only happen if owners raise roosters. The last argument is property values of homes and whether or not it deters buyers from owning a home next to one that raises chickens. Warren and Barrington both passed ordinances recently allowing owners to raise chickens. Many other house markets in Rhode Island allow the ownership of chickens. As stated in the Providence Business Journal, "The fact that chickens are legal in many of the state's hottest property markets would seem to point to flocks now being considered desirable by potential buyers."
So what do you think? Should they be legal? Please comment and let us know what you think of the issue!


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Fostering partnerships and alliances for agricultural heritage and a sustainable future – The GIAHS International Forum
Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa (Japan) – "Our agricultural heritage represents both the past and the future," said the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Mr José Graziano Da Silva, in his address to the International Forum on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).
The event, organized by the FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Government of Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, was held in the untouched beauty of the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, from 29 May to 1 June 2013.
The three-day Forum served as a platform for governments, international organizations, environmental experts, academes to share their views, experiences and lessons learned about agricultural heritage and its contribution to a sustainable future.
Forum participants were welcomed by Mr Hiroyasu Takenaka, the Vice-Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture, Mr Yutaka Sumita, Deputy Director-General for International Affairs and Mr Hiroyuki Konuma, Assistant Director-General for the Asia Pacific Region, FAO.
After the opening ceremony, GIAHS Candidate Sites were presented to the Steering and Scientific Committees. This was followed by keynote presentations by representatives from countries with GIAHS sites during different parallel sessions.
During the Forum six new locations were designated as GIAHS. Three in Japan (Aso Grasslands of Kumamoto Prefecture, Chagusaba of Shizuoka Prefecture, Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita Prefecture), two sites in China (Ancient Chinese Torreya of Kuaijishan, Urban agricultural heritage – Xuanhua grape gardens) and one in India, Kuttanad below sea level farming.
The main event on the second day of the Forum was the High Level session attended by a panel of distinguished experts including the Senior Vice-Minister, Yoshio Kajiya of the MAFF, Japan; the FAO Director-General, Mr José Graziano Da Silva; the Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture, Mr Masanori Tanimoto; Prof. MS Swaminathan, Deputy CEO of the Global Environment Facility (GEF); Mr André Laperrière, Director-General of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and representatives from selected GIAHS countries.
During his Opening Address, to the High Level Session, Mr Yoshito Kajiya, stated that the Forum, was "an important opportunity to exchange ideas on how we can promote effective partnerships and networks to protect, manage, and learn from traditional and indigenous agricultural systems".
"To preserve this heritage," said Mr Kajiya, "we must recognize the important role played by small-scale farmers, fishers, indigenous peoples, and local communities," and how they have, "cultivated and handed down these methods, from one generation to the next".
During his address to the High Level Session, Mr Da Silva noted the importance of traditional agriculture in providing food, promoting sustainability and combating world hunger. "By promoting and protecting Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, and the people who rely on them," he said, "we can take an important step towards the future we want: a more sustainable and hunger-free future".
The main outcome of the High Level session was the adoption of the Noto Comuniqué. This declaration outlines the goals of the GIAHS Initiative and emphasizes the need to twin the GIAHS sites in developed and developing countries.
On the third day of the Forum, participants experienced the natural beauty and bounty of Noto and Sado Satoyama. Excursions to GIAHS sites featured forests, rice terraces and local food manufacturing sites promoting the conservation of GIAHS. Throughout the three-day event participants enjoyed knowledge sharing, poster and food exhibits. The food diversity and culinary skills of the Noto people were showcased together with GIAHS products from other sites.
At the closing ceremony, Governor Tanimoto stated that "Noto's efforts to produce a new value added eco-friendly rice has now spread into and beyond GIAHS designated regions, and other towns have decided to join the GIAHS initiative". He also added that "such geographical expansion is a good example how designated GIAHS can spread into other regions, for revitalization of agriculture and development".
Mr Parviz Koohafkan, the ex-director of FAO land and water division, who was behind the GIAHS Initiative and in the organization of the forum, thanked all the participants for their dedication to promote the goals of GIAHS. " It is very rewarding and gratifying to see so much enthusiasms from countries, governments, people and farmers," he said. Finally, as Mr Koohafkan closes the forum, he expressed his continuous support to help FAO and the countries to further promote and upscale GIAHS.
The Forum gathered together around 100 international participants from Algeria, Azerbaijan, China, Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, Italy, India, Indonesia, Iran, Morocco, Philippines, Peru, Spain, South Korea and Tanzania, USA, , and more than 400 participants from Japan.
The GIAHS Forum 2013 saw fruitful collaboration between and among pilot and participating countries, and local and national governments in the dynamic conservation of agricultural heritage and its vital contribution to food security and future sustainability.
For more information about the GIAHS Forum please click here.


text:
TN 29 (05-01)
GN 00305.105 Accidental Death
A. Policy — accidental death
An accidental death is a death: (1) resulting directly from bodily injuries, independent of all other causes, which were received solely by violent, external and accidental means; and (2) occurring within 3 months after the day on which the injuries were received.
2. Death Certificate
A death certificate generally indicates the cause of death; i.e., natural, accidental, homicide, or suicide. However, entries on the death certificate are not necessarily controlling. Evidence may establish that the cause of death was misclassified or that the circumstances of the particular case justify a finding that the death was accidental.
3. Issues and Resolutions
To decide whether the NH's death meets the statutory requirement of accidental death for purposes of excepting a mother/father, widow(er) or stepchild from the 9-month duration of relationship requirement, address and resolve the following issues. The issues and guidelines for their resolution are:
a. Issue #1
Did the deceased worker receive "bodily injury" through "violent, external, and accidental means"?
b. Resolution #1
A "bodily injury" occurs whenever the outside force or cause affects the body sufficiently to interfere with its normal function.
The cause of the bodily injury is:
"external" if it originated outside the body. An external force can include an injury suffered due to weather conditions or exertion.
NOTE: By exertion we mean an activity that involves at least moderate effort for the average person. Routine activities, e.g., standing, do not constitute exertion for purposes of finding accidental death. Circumstances which more readily lend themselves to a favorable finding of accidental death include:
an unexpected heart attack occurs during moderate exertion;
an unforeseen event negates the voluntary nature of an activity, e.g., an exercise machine breaks down while exercising;
some unintended, unexpected, and unforeseen result occurs during exertion, e.g., a fall or slip while running; or
a crisis or sudden peril requires strenuous exertion.
"violent" if it is a force, however slight. The injury does not have to be inflicted by a blow or physical contact with something outside the body. NOTE: If the external force is determined to be exertion, the requirement of "violent" is met; and
"accidental" if the result is unforeseeable or unexpected.
c. Issue #2
Did the deceased lose his/her life as a direct result of the accidental bodily injury…independent of all other causes? That is, did the deceased die solely through violent, external, and accidental means?
d. Resolution #2
The resolution involves the concept of proximate or primary cause of death which is defined and analyzed below with guidelines for its application.
The proximate or primary cause of death is either: (1) the direct cause of death; or (2) the initiating event in an unbroken chain of events, each causing the next, that leads to and ultimately causes death.
The pivotal question is: "But for this accidental injury, would the deceased have died at this particular time?
SSA must determine the cause of death in the context of the statutory requirements. Use of the term "accident" on the death certificate does not compel a finding of accidental death under the Act.
Where a pre-existing disease exists, SSA must decide which factor (the accidental injury or the pre-existing disease) was primarily responsible for causing death at the particular time that death occurred. A preexisting disease (or illness) does not, necessarily, preclude a finding that the accidental injury was the proximate cause of death.
In deciding whether the injury or the disease is the proximate cause of death, SSA must determine which is the more substantial contributing factor. The injury is the proximate cause of death if the medical evidence "to a reasonable degree of certainty" shows that pre-existing conditions were under control at the time of the accident, even if they were active and capable of ultimately causing death. That is, the disease was not the direct or concurring cause of death.
In conjunction with the above discussion, use the following guidelines for determining the proximate cause.
If an accident causes or initiates a disease or infirmity from which death results, consider the accident to be the sole cause of the fatality.
If the worker has a disease or infirmity, which is not, in and of itself, expected to endanger life, and an accident aggravates it to fatal proportions, consider the accident to be the sole cause of the fatality.
If the worker had an active, progressive disease, which, in and of itself, could have caused death more than 9 months after the date of the marriage, and an accident aggravated it so that death resulted before 9 months of marriage elapsed, consider the accident to be the sole cause of the fatality.
If the worker had an active progressive disease, which in and of itself, was expected to cause death before 9 months after the date of the marriage, and an accident aggravated it so that the death resulted at a particular time, do not consider the accident to be the sole cause of death.
If the worker has an active progressive disease which, in and of itself, was expected to cause death before 9 months after the date of marriage and an accident initiates an unrelated disease or infirmity directly causing death, do not consider the accident to be the sole cause of death.
If as a direct result of an accidental bodily injury the worker was unable to maintain his/her own life and therefore, placed on life support, consider the accidental injury, not the termination of the life support pursuant to a living will, to be the sole cause of death. A living will, also called an advance directive or advance medical directive, may be oral or written.
4. Credible Evidence Rule
If after obtaining all available evidence there is still doubt about whether the death was accidental, or more than one conclusion is possible, but there is:
credible evidence to support a finding of accidental death; and
no evidence of a sham marriage, exempt the widow(er) or stepchild from the 9-month duration of relationship requirement.
B. Procedure — accidental death
1. Development -- Exception
If the death certificate shows accidental death, assume that it was independent of other causes unless the death certificate clearly indicates that an ordinarily fatal illness was a contributing factor or unless other facts in the case indicate that death may not have been caused solely by the accident. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, assume that the worker was reasonably expected to live 9 months.
2. Development — All Other Cases
Thoroughly develop all cases involving allegations of accidental death not excepted in GN 00305.105B.1. while recognizing the sensitive nature of the development. This includes obtaining a death certificate in all cases, see GN 00305.105A.2., as well as hospital, doctor's, and, in the case of a homicide, police or coroner records and any other pertinent information and statements; e.g., a newspaper account of the death.
Of significant probative value, except in the case of a homicide, is a statement from the NH's treating physician about the NH's condition prior to the accident, including any pre-existing disease (or illness), the status of the disease and its future impact on the NH's health. If the claimant alleges that the accident resulted from surgery, request the treating physician's assessment of the risk and the NH's likelihood of recovery.
3. Development -- Center for Disability
Contact the staff physicians in your RO's Center for Disability Programs if you need assistance with medical evidence or findings obtained in alleged accidental death cases. Limit your contacts to requests to:
Translate unfamiliar medical jargon or terminology;
Provide guidance about what assumptions the factfinder can draw from the medical evidence submitted; and
Explain or clarify the content of a piece of evidence.
4. Development -- Special Focus
In addition to the death certificate, obtain full information as to the worker's mental condition immediately before death. This includes eyewitness accounts, expert medical findings, and lay opinions based on factual observations.
Death by suicide is not accidental if the act of suicide was an intentional and voluntary act. Death by suicide is accidental only if at the time of death the deceased was so mentally impaired/ill as to be incapable of acting intentionally or voluntarily. The mere fact that an individual committed suicide does not automatically permit a finding of accidental death. To establish accidental death by suicide, the development must show that:
the worker's reasoning facilities were so impaired that he/she did not realize that this act would naturally and probably result in death; or
the worker was acting under a delusion which overpowered his/her understanding and will.
In addition to the death certificate, obtain the police or coroner reports. Death by homicide is not accidental if it resulted from an assault or other gross provocation initiated by the deceased.
If there was action by the decedent that might be considered a provocation, the controlling factor is whether the deceased could have reasonably expected that the incident would result in death. Thus, even where an individual is an aggressor, if he/she could not reasonably anticipate bodily injury resulting in death at the hands of another, the death is accidental.
Prepare an informal special determination in all awards and disallowances using the RPOC screen. Briefly describe the evidence requested, the evidence received, sequentially what events occurred, and your analysis that led you to accept or reject the allegation of accidental death.
C. Examples — accidental death
1. Example 1 — Preexisting Disease Which Is Under Control
The NH was anesthetized for dental surgery, had a stroke, and died 3 days later due to complications from the stroke. The


Take the 2-minute tour ×
list1 = [1, 2, 33, 51]
I need to check is 4 the last index of the list. just like list1.lastIndex() #=> 3 how can I do it in python?
share|improve this question
You want the last element (list1[-1]) or the length of the array (len(list1))? – JMax Oct 25 '11 at 13:18
is there any other method except len()? – Sayuj Oct 25 '11 at 13:20
What's wrong with len() that you want to find something else? – Karl Knechtel Oct 25 '11 at 13:24
4 Answers 4
up vote 3 down vote accepted
len(list1)-1 is definitely the way to go, but if you absolutely need a list that has a function that returns the last index, you could create a class that inherits from list.
class MyList(list):
 def last_index(self):
 return len(self)-1
>>> l=MyList([1, 2, 33, 51])
>>> l.last_index()
share|improve this answer
Did you mean len(list1)-1? What's the difference between decremented length and the index of last element?
By the way, to say properly, the index of your last element is 3, not 4. In most programming languages you count from 0, not from 1 (except fortran, matlab, lua or smalltalk for example). The elements indexes are 0, 1, 2, 3. Believe me, get used to this one. You will see why by trying to operate on list1[4]
If you're searchin for other method, you can try list1.index(list1[-1]), but I don't recommend this one. You will have to be sure, that the list contains NO duplicates.
share|improve this answer
One certainly does not count from zero in all programming. – Michael J. Barber Oct 25 '11 at 13:22
To be honest, I didn't know this. You mean some specific languages or some situations? Can you give any example? – Gandi Oct 25 '11 at 13:25
len(list1)!= index of the element. That would be len(list1) - 1 – Wipqozn Oct 25 '11 at 13:31
_USER_ LUA uses ordinals rather than offsets so it starts from one. – agf Oct 25 '11 at 13:32
There are numerous languages that use one-based indexing, e.g., fortran, matlab, lua, smalltalk. There's also the possibility of having the index range defined when the array is declared, as was done in pascal. Zero-based indexing is the most common, IME. – Michael J. Barber Oct 25 '11 at 13:39
I guess you want
last_index = len(your_list) - 1
because the last index in your list would be 3, not 4.
share|improve this answer
You can use the list length. The last index will be the length of the list minus one.
len(list1)-1 == 4
share|improve this answer
len(list1) - 1 == 3, not 4, for the OPs example – Wipqozn Oct 25 '11 at 13:34
Your Answer


Exim Internet Mailer
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Chapter 23 - Environment for running local transports
Local transports handle deliveries to files and pipes. (The autoreply transport can be thought of as similar to a pipe.) Exim always runs transports in subprocesses, under specified uids and gids. Typical deliveries to local mailboxes run under the uid and gid of the local user.
Exim also sets a specific current directory while running the transport; for some transports a home directory setting is also relevant. The pipe transport is the only one that sets up environment variables; see section 29.4 for details.
The values used for the uid, gid, and the directories may come from several different places. In many cases, the router that handles the address associates settings with that address as a result of its check_local_user, group, or user options. However, values may also be given in the transport's own configuration, and these override anything that comes from the router.
1. Concurrent deliveries
If two different messages for the same local recipient arrive more or less simultaneously, the two delivery processes are likely to run concurrently. When the appendfile transport is used to write to a file, Exim applies locking rules to stop concurrent processes from writing to the same file at the same time.
However, when you use a pipe transport, it is up to you to arrange any locking that is needed. Here is a silly example:
my_transport:
 driver = pipe
 command = /bin/sh -c 'cat >>/some/file'
This is supposed to write the message at the end of the file. However, if two messages arrive at the same time, the file will be scrambled. You can use the exim_lock utility program (see section 52.15) to lock a file using the same algorithm that Exim itself uses.
2. Uids and gids
All transports have the options group and user. If group is set, it overrides any group that the router set in the address, even if user is not set for the transport. This makes it possible, for example, to run local mail delivery under the uid of the recipient (set by the router), but in a special group (set by the transport). For example:
# Routers ...
# User/group are set by check_local_user in this router
local_users:
 driver = accept
 check_local_user
 transport = group_delivery
# Transports ...
# This transport overrides the group
group_delivery:
 driver = appendfile
 file = /var/spool/mail/$local_part
 group = mail
If user is set for a transport, its value overrides what is set in the address by the router. If user is non-numeric and group is not set, the gid associated with the user is used. If user is numeric, group must be set.
When the uid is taken from the transport's configuration, the initgroups() function is called for the groups associated with that uid if the initgroups option is set for the transport. When the uid is not specified by the transport, but is associated with the address by a router, the option for calling initgroups() is taken from the router configuration.
The pipe transport contains the special option pipe_as_creator. If this is set and user is not set, the uid of the process that called Exim to receive the message is used, and if group is not set, the corresponding original gid is also used.
This is the detailed preference order for obtaining a gid; the first of the following that is set is used:
 - A group setting of the transport;
 - A group setting of the router;
 - A gid associated with a user setting of the router, either as a result of check_local_user or an explicit non-numeric user setting;
 - The group associated with a non-numeric user setting of the transport;
 - In a pipe transport, the creator's gid if deliver_as_creator is set and the uid is the creator's uid;
 - The Exim gid if the Exim uid is being used as a default.
If, for example, the user is specified numerically on the router and there are no group settings, no gid is available. In this situation, an error occurs. This is different for the uid, for which there always is an ultimate default. The first of the following that is set is used:
 - A user setting of the transport;
 - In a pipe transport, the creator's uid if deliver_as_creator is set;
 - A user setting of the router;
 - A check_local_user setting of the router;
 - The Exim uid.
Of course, an error will still occur if the uid that is chosen is on the never_users list.
3. Current and home directories
Routers may set current and home directories for local transports by means of the transport_current_directory and transport_home_directory options. However, if the transport's current_directory or home_directory options are set, they override the router's values. In detail, the home directory for a local transport is taken from the first of these values that is set:
 - The home_directory option on the transport;
 - The transport_home_directory option on the router;
 - The password data if check_local_user is set on the router;
 - The router_home_directory option on the router.
The current directory is taken from the first of these values that is set:
 - The current_directory option on the transport;
 - The transport_current_directory option on the router.
If neither the router nor the transport sets a current directory, Exim uses the value of the home directory, if it is set. Otherwise it sets the current directory to / before running a local transport.
4. Expansion variables derived from the address
Normally a local delivery is handling a single address, and in that case the variables such as $domain and $local_part are set during local deliveries. However, in some circumstances more than one address may be handled at once (for example, while writing batch SMTP for onward transmission by some other means). In this case, the variables associated with the local part are never set, $domain is set only if all the addresses have the same domain, and $original_domain is never set.
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