Community Blog Reduce Service Use by 80% by Migrating from MongoDB to Elasticsearch
Reduce Service Use by 80% by Migrating from MongoDB to Elasticsearch
This article discusses the why's and how's of migrating from MongoDB to Elasticsearch.
Released by ELK Geek
MongoDB and Elasticsearch are two popular databases and have been subject to many debates between supporters of the two technologies. However, this article only represents the author's individual experience rather than opinions of any group. This article covers the following two topics:
 - Why you should migrate from MongoDB to Elasticsearch
 - How to migrate from MongoDB to Elasticsearch
MongoDB is positioned to compete with relational databases. However, in almost all projects, the data of core business systems is still stored in traditional relational databases rather than MongoDB.
1. Project Background
As a player in the logistics and express delivery industry, the company has an extensive and complex business system. Massive business data is produced every day by a large number of users. The business data undergoes a variety of status changes during its lifecycle. To facilitate log tracking and analysis, the system operation logging project was established, and based on the original average daily data volume, MongoDB was selected to store operation log data.
The operation logging system records the following two types of data:
1) Primary change data that describes who performs operations, what operations are performed, which system modules are operated on, when the operations are performed, what data numbers are involved, and what operation tracking numbers are assigned.
 "dataId": 1,
 "traceId": "abc",
 "moduleCode": "crm_01",
 "operateTime": "2019-11-11 12:12:12",
 "operationId": 100,
 "operationName": "Zhang San",
 "departmentId": 1000,
 "departmentName": "Account Department",
 "operationContent": "Visit clients"
2) Secondary change data that describes the actual values before and after a change. Changes to multiple fields in one row of data result in multiple data entries. Therefore, a large number of such data entries are recorded.
 "dataId": 1,
 "traceId": "abc",
 "moduleCode": "crm_01",
 "operationId": 100,
 "operationName": "Zhang San",
 "departmentId": 1000,
 "departmentName": "Account Department",
 "operationContent": "Visit clients",
 "beforeValue": "20",
 "afterValue": "30",
 "columnName": "customerType"
 "dataId": 1,
 "traceId": "abc",
 "moduleCode": "crm_01",
 "operationId": 100,
 "operationName": "Zhang San",
 "departmentId": 1000,
 "departmentName": "Account Department",
 "operationContent": "Visit clients",
 "beforeValue": "2019-11-02",
 "afterValue": "2019-11-10",
 "columnName": "lastVisitDate"
2. Project Architecture
The project architecture is as follows:
 1. When you add or edit data in the business system, an operation log record is generated and sent to a Kafka cluster, using the dataId field as the key.
 2. The data you add or edit is stored in a MySQL database.
 3. A Canal cluster subscribes to the MySQL cluster and configures the databases and tables monitored according to the modules of the business system.
 4. The Canal cluster sends the modified business data to the Kafka cluster, using the dataId field as the key.
 5. The operation log system obtains primary and secondary record data from the Kafka cluster.
 6. The operation log system writes the data to MongoDB and requires reverse query capabilities.
Figure: Workflow of the operation logging system
MongoDB Architecture
Cluster architecture:
1) Servers are configured with 8-core 32 GB memory and 500 GB solid state drives (SSDs).
2) Three router servers are deployed.
3) Three configuration servers are deployed.
4) Nine shard servers are deployed.
5) Three shards are designed for primary operation records.
6) Three shards are designed for secondary operation records.
Fans of MongoDB may suspect that we were not using MongoDB properly, our O&M capabilities were insufficient, or we were under the influence of an Elasticsearch expert. In fact, we shifted from MongoDB to Elasticsearch based on actual scenario requirements rather than any technical bias. The reasons are described in the following sections.
1. Search and Query
1) MongoDB uses B-Tree as its index structure. This index gives the highest priority to the leftmost alternative and is effective only when the query order is consistent with the order of the index fields. This is beneficial for some applications, but can also be fatal in the complex business scenarios we are faced with today.
2) Queries for operation log records in the business system involve many filter criteria that can be arbitrarily combined. This is not supported by MongoDB, or by any relational database. To support this, you have to create a lot of B+Tree index combinations, which is not practical.
3) In addition, primary and secondary records contain a lot of character-type data. Therefore, both exact query and full-text search are required to query this kind of data. In these respects, MongoDB provides inadequate functions and poor performance, leading to frequent timeouts in business system queries. By contrast, Elasticsearch is a very suitable solution.
2. Technology Stack Maturity
1) In terms of sharding and replica implementation, you have to bind collection data in MongoDB to specific instances during design. This means you have to finalize the allocation of nodes for shards and replica sets during cluster configuration. This is essentially the same as sharding traditional relational databases. In fact, this mode is widely used by the clusters of many data products, such as Redis-cluster and ClickHouse. By contrast, Elasticsearch clusters are not bound to shards or replica sets and can be adjusted as needed. In addition, Elasticsearch makes it easy to adopt different performance configurations for different nodes.
2) Operation logs accumulate rapidly, with over 10 million new entries every day. As a result, you have to scale out your servers at short time intervals, and this process is much more complicated than Elasticsearch.
3) Each MongoDB collection contains more than 1 billion data records. As a result, the performance of a simple quest in MongoDB is inferior to a query by inverted indexes in Elasticsearch.
4) The company has different levels of experience with the Elasticsearch and MongoDB technology stacks. Elasticsearch is widely used in many projects including core projects, so the company is accustomed to the technologies and O&M of Elasticsearch. By contrast, MongoDB is suitable for nothing apart from core business scenarios. However, no one wants to risk using MongoDB in core projects, leaving MongoDB in a very embarrassing situation.
3. Same Document Formats
MongoDB and Elasticsearch are both document-oriented databases. Binary Serialized Document Format (BSON) is similar to JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and the _objectid field works in the same way as the _id field. Therefore, the data model essentially remains unchanged when primary and secondary data is migrated to the Elasticsearch platform.
Migration Solution
Migration between heterogeneous data systems consists involves two parts:
1) Migrate the application system at the upper layer. This involves shifting from MongoDB-oriented syntax rules to Elasticsearch-oriented ones.
2) Migrate data at the lower layer from MongoDB to Elasticsearch.
1. Evaluate Elastic Capacity
The original MongoDB cluster consisted of 15 servers, of which nine were data servers. How many servers are needed after migration to the Elasticsearch cluster? Use the following simple calculation. Assume that a MongoDB collection in the production environment contains 1 billion data entries. First, synchronize 1 million data entries from MongoDB to Elasticsearch in the test environment. If the 1 million data entries occupy 10 GB of disk space, 1 TB of disk space is required in the production environment. Then, add some redundancy based on expected business growth. According to this preliminary evaluation, the Elasticsearch cluster needs three servers configured with 8-core 16 GB memory and 2 TB hard disk drives (HDDs). Consequently, the number of servers is reduced from 15 to 3, significantly reducing configuration costs.
2. Set Elastic Index Rules
System operation logs are time-series data that requires no modification once fully written. Operation log records are queried most frequently in the month when they are generated and are seldom queried as historical data afterward. According to evaluation results, core data indexes are created and generated on a monthly basis. You must specify an operation time period when you make a service query so that the backend can identify query indexes based on the specified time period. Elasticsearch APIs support multi-index matching queries, making full use of Elasticsearch's features to merge queries that span multiple months. It is enough to create and generate non-core data indexes on a yearly basis.
3. Design Core Implementation Logic
Elasticsearch is not a relational database and does not have a transaction mechanism. All the data of the operation log system is sourced from the Kafka cluster. Data is consumed in sequence according to a mechanism. Therefore, pay special attention to the following two scenarios:
 - When primary data is synchronized to the operation log system before secondary data, the primary data records and Binlog field data are pieced together first when the secondary data is written.
 - When secondary data is synchronized to the operation log system before primary data, relevant index fields in secondary indexes are updated based on the primary data.
In Elasticsearch, index data is updated according to a near-real-time refresh mechanism. Therefore, data cannot be queried through search APIs immediately after it is submitted. In this case, how can we


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Friday, 8 September, 2000, 12:17 GMT 13:17 UK
What caused the accident?
No-one has yet established the truth about what caused the Kursk K-141 nuclear submarine to lose contact with the outside world and sink to the bottom of the Barents Sea with all hands on board.
The extent of the damage discovered by rescuers has led experts to conclude that the submarine was hit by a large explosion or that it collided with the sea bed or another large vessel. Some theories suggest a collision triggered an explosion.
Two explosions were heard at the time of the accident, by US and Norwegian authorities monitoring Russian exercises.
The second explosion was reported to be equivalent to two tonnes of TNT and bigger than the first.
The theories about the cause of these explosions abound, and so far none have been substantiated:
 - A torpedo in the Kursk's forward compartment - which was carrying up to 30 warheads - exploded.
 "There may have been an explosion in one of the weapons systems aboard, for example a torpedo, which then triggered a bigger explosion two minutes later," said Norwegian armed forces spokesman Brigadier Kjell Grandhagen.
 Russia's official military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda has reported that the Kursk's battery and propeller torpedo-launching technology had been replaced with a cheaper and potentially dangerous liquid fuel system, against the wishes of Navy officials. The liquid fuel is highly combustible.
 US naval experts also believe volatile fuel could be to blame. Using data obtained from an intelligence gathering ship and two US nuclear submarines that were monitoring the Kursk during exercises, they say the first explosion involved fuel from a torpedo or a long-range anti-shipping missile carried by the sub.
 They say this then created a fire which set off other warheads, provoking an explosion which ripped open the Kursk's twin-pressurised hulls.
 - The submarine collided with the seabed during a manoeuvre, causing tanks of pressurised air inside the submarine to explode or otherwise triggering a larger explosion. A retired commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Eduard Baltin, has suggested that the accident was a result of incompetence, bad planning and bad training.
 "The Kursk is designed for the ocean, not for shallow waters. Where it was manoeuvring and where it perished is completely wild - strong currents and strong winds. You can't carry out torpedo firing there," he said.
 - The submarine collided with a US or British submarine, which triggered a second explosion. Russia's navy chief Mikhail Motsak said three non-Russian submarines were in the Barents Sea at the time of the accident. "We think that it could have been a British submarine", he said. The Russian daily Sevodnya said it had evidence that the Kursk crashed into a US submersible, which then limped into a Norwegian port.
 The Pentagon has admitted that two US submarines were in the same zone, but denied they were involved in a collision.
 "We have found absolutely no indication that there has been a collision in the area," Norwegian armed forces spokesman Brigadier Kjell Grandhagen has told the BBC.
 - It was sunk by an anti-ship missile fired by a Russian cruiser. According to Germany's Berliner Zeitung, quoting a report by Russia's intelligence service the FSB, the Kursk was sunk by a radar-guided Granit missile fired by the Kirov class nuclear-powered cruiser Peter the Great. The FSB, however, has denied knowledge of the report.
 - The submarine hit a surface vessel, possibly a Russian ship
 - It hit a mine left over from World War II.
It is thought that whatever happened to the Kursk it happened quickly - so quickly that it could not even send out a distress call, or release an emergency beacon.
Vladimir Putin on a submarine
President Vladimir Putin took a trip on a submarine, the Karelia, earlier this year
Doubts have arisen regarding the news disseminated by the Russian navy that seamen inside the vessel had been communicating with rescuers by tapping on the submarine wall.
Russian defence analyst Pavel Felgenhauer says the sounds detected were never more than a faint knocking sound coming from somewhere inside the vessel.
And a US intelligence analysis, details of which were apparently leaked to the US media, is said to indicate that no communication of any kind was heard from inside the submarine at any time after the disaster struck.
The Kursk submarine accident
Key stories
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Hawaii / Tahiti
These two dance styles come from Polynesia. The Polynesian region encompanies a lot of countries, states and cultures.
Two of them – the islands of Hawaii and Tahiti – are generally well known.
Polynesians grow up with their specific dance style and it's still very prominent even in our modern world.
In Hawaii, people dance very gracefully to medium fast or slow music, whereas on Tahiti, we would find much more dynamic movement, originating in male martial arts dances and women picked up that style quite recently.


text:
I don't know enough about all of it to know if we have Cherokee, or Chickasaw Rose. Both are voracious growers and climbers. Cherokee has three leaves while Chickasaw has from five to nine leaves per bracket.
Just to be difficult to identify, ours has seven.
I first saw "IT" years ago, while we were tending graves for All Saints Day in a graveyard near Chataignier. It was beginning to encroach the boundaries of the cemetery and it looked like someone was trying to cut it all down. I now know why. I have never seen any plant (aside from a cactus) have so very many stickers or thorns per branch. You have to accidentally back into it, to fully realize its impact.
It has been said that back in the "old days", it was a back-breaking job to cut trees and cut the trunks into boards for house building, probably with a "passe-partout". When it came to building fences, few would go through that process again, so many planted Cherokee instead. It's a very fast, compact grower and it was only a matter of time before it was so-o thick that cattle couldn't or wouldn't try to push their way through it because of the thorns. And if left unattended, it can cover a very large area in a very short amount of time. Trust me.
Some have seen what they think is the pink variety of the flower, which would definitely be Cherokee. Regardless of the species, both are said to be Asiatic in origin and both escaped from cultivation. Cattle are said to eat the fruit of the plant and distribute seeds from droppings.
We planted a small cutting and in a short time, it had taken over the entire corner of the yard outback. Corner meaning an area about 20 X 30 feet.
We tried getting rid of it, but it won. One of its good points is that when birds disappear into it, few animals will try to follow. And I can't imagine what brainless species would dare try to climb over it. There aren't that many tweezers in the world!
Moral to the story: think wild.

source: m-a-p/FineFineWeb


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Make your company GREEN by using Desktop Scissors today! Have you every had to take notes while working on your computer? With Desktop Scissors you can capture any idea, address, or image with the click of a mouse!


text:
Charles Price (Royalist)
Charles Price (died 1645) was a Welsh soldier and politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1621 and 1642. He fought on the Royalist side in the English Civil War and is believed to have been killed in a duel.
Price was probably the son of James Price of Pilleth who had been a soldier in the wars of Queen Elizabeth and an MP for Radnorshire. Price became a soldier, and in 1619 was party to a duel, when he was a second to Sir Robert Vaughan of Llwydiarth who had challenged Lord Herbert of Cherbury. The duel was stopped by James I.
In 1621, Price was elected Member of Parliament for Radnor and was a strong supporter of the Protestant ascendancy and parliamentary privilege, and an opponent of monopolies. He was re-elected MP for Radnor in 1624 . He went to Ireland as captain of the Radnorshire and Brecknockshire Militia in 1625. In 1625 he was re-elected MP for Radnor and was returned again in 1626 and 1628 when he remained critical of the court and took an interest in the army and in Welsh measures. He was cited before the council on 22 October 1626. On 18 July 1627 he took recruits to Flanders for Sir Charles Morgan's Staden campaign. He was at Portsmouth with the army when George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham was assassinated on 28 August 1628 and was first to bring the news to Charles I. In parliament in 1629, he was in favour of moderation following the Petition of Right.
In 1637 Price became deputy steward for Rhayader to Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke and in 1638 he was serving again in Ireland. He petitioned the council regarding his claims on the Monachdy estate, on which he had redeemed mortgages to keep it in the family. Later he lent King Charles £1000 on the basis of promises regarding the Monachdy estate. He does not appear to have taken part in the Bishops' Wars from 1639 to 1640.
In April 1640, Price was elected MP for Radnorshire in the Short Parliament. He was re-elected MP for Radnorshire for the Long Parliament in November 1640. He served on the committee for privileges and was teller for the ayes when the house divided on the Root and Branch Bill to abolish the episcopacy. He helped prepare charges against Sir Francis Windebank, but was opposed to the action against Strafford . He took an active part in the measures taken to suppress the Irish rebellion of November 1641 and was nominated for a commission in the army sent for that purpose.
On the outbreak of Civil War Price helped to put the royal commission of array into force in Radnorshire, and was the first Welsh MP to be disabled from sitting in parliament on 4 October 1642. He was captured and imprisoned at Gloucester in November 1642 and at Coventry in January 1643, but was released and attended the King's Parliament at Oxford on 22 January 1644.
Price was killed in a duel before May 1645 according to Lord George Digby's Cabinet of 23 March 1646. His family never enjoyed the Monachdy estate and his widow compounded for the Pilleth estate in 1653.
|Parliament of England|
|Member of Parliament for Radnor
Parliament suspended until 1640
Parliament suspended since 1629
|Member of Parliament for Radnorshire
1640 - 1642


Space Shuttle Debris
DebrisI had my kids watch the space shuttle takeoff today. It was fun for them. Then later the news started to talk about "debris" spotted on shuttle video during the launch.
All day something rubbed me the wrong way, and I'm not sure if I'm right on this or not. But is "debris" the right word for spotting something falling off the shuttle or fuel tank or whatever? I looked it up in and Merriam-Webster and neither gave a definition of "debris" that seemed to fit the context. At best it's a piece of something that's been destroyed, not something that has one piece fall off. Thoughts?


protected internal (C# Reference)
The protected internal keyword combination is a member access modifier. A protected internal member is accessible from the current assembly or from types that are derived from the containing class. For a comparison of protected internal with the other access modifiers, see Accessibility Levels.
Example
A protected internal member of a base class is accessible from any type within its containing assembly. It is also accessible in a derived class located in another assembly only if the access occurs through a variable of the derived class type. For example, consider the following code segment:
// Assembly1.cs
// Compile with: /target:library
public class BaseClass
{
 protected internal int myValue = 0;
}
class TestAccess
{
 void Access()
 {
 BaseClass baseObject = new BaseClass();
 baseObject.myValue = 5;
 }
}
// Assembly2.cs
// Compile with: /reference:Assembly1.dll
class DerivedClass : BaseClass
{
 static void Main()
 {
 BaseClass baseObject = new BaseClass();
 DerivedClass derivedObject = new DerivedClass();
 // Error CS1540, because myValue can only be accessed by
 // classes derived from BaseClass.
 // baseObject.myValue = 10;
 // OK, because this class derives from BaseClass.
 derivedObject.myValue = 10;
 }
}
This example contains two files, Assembly1.cs and Assembly2.cs. The first file contains a public base class, BaseClass, and another class, TestAccess. BaseClass owns a protected internal member, myValue, which is accessed by the TestAccess type. In the second file, an attempt to access myValue through an instance of BaseClass will produce an error, while an access to this member through an instance of a derived class, DerivedClass will succeed.
Struct members cannot be protected internal because the struct cannot be inherited.
C# Language Specification
For more information, see the C# Language Specification. The language specification is the definitive source for C# syntax and usage.
See Also
C# Reference
C# Programming Guide
C# Keywords
Access Modifiers
Accessibility Levels
Modifiers
public
private
internal
Security concerns for internal virtual keywords


text:
Multicore Scheduling for Lightweight Communicating Processes
Process-oriented programming is a design methodology in which software applications are constructed from communicating concurrent processes. A typical process-oriented design involves the composition of a large number of small isolated component processes. These concurrent components allow for the scalable parallel execution of the resulting application on both shared-memory and distributed-memory architectures. In this paper, the authors present a runtime designed to support process-oriented programming by providing lightweight processes and communication primitives. The runtime's scheduler, implemented using lock-free algorithms, automatically executes concurrent components in parallel on multicore systems.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


text:
Metis developed a Flood Risk Assessment and accompanying Sustainable Drainage Strategy to facilitate improvements to the Linden Lodge Kennels & Cattery, a site located within a functional floodplain.
- Develop Flood Risk Assessment to assess the risk of flooding at the site from multiple sources.
- Undertake necessary hydraulic calculations and develop innovative sustainable drainage strategy in line with National Planning Policy Framework, associated Practice Guidance and relevant local policies.
- Flood Risk Assessment developed for site providing comprehensive overview of the risk of flooding at the site from various sources.
- Sustainable Drainage Strategy developed, with new kennel blocks innovatively designed by Metis to site above the predicted flood levels.
- The whole site has been designed to harvest and reuse rainwater, making use of rain gardens, filter drains, waterbutts and below ground storage.


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The term veld, sometimes anachronistically spelled veldt in English, is a generic term used to define certain wide open rural spaces of Southern Africa. It is used in particular to refer to flatter areas or districts covered in grass or low scrub, especially in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. A certain sub-tropical woodland ecoregion of Southern Africa has been officially defined as the Bushveld by the World Wide Fund for Nature.
The word veld comes from the Afrikaans word for 'field', but a simple translation does not convey the subtleties of the many idiomatic nuances and technical applications of the term. A typical authoritative dictionary will devote columns, or even pages to the subject.
The etymological origin is the old Dutch language veldt, a spelling that the Dutch abandoned in favour of veld during the 19th century, decades before the first Afrikaans dictionary. Subsequent addition of the terminal "t" in the spelling "veldt" seems to have been mainly an English confusion with the already obsolete Dutch usage; it never was an Afrikaans form. Even in English its frequency of usage relative to "veld" peaked around the time of the Boer wars, and has lapsed into a minority anachronism since about 1920.
Veld can be loosely compared to the Australian terms "outback" or "bush", to "the prairie" of North America, to the "pampas" lowlands of South America, or to the steppe of Central Asia. Someone from Yorkshire might equate "wandering across the moors" to "walking through the veld."
By extension, the veld can be compared to 'the boondocks' or those places 'beyond the black stump' in Australia. There is a sense in which it refers in essence to unimproved land (and is therefore not the equivalent of the English "paddock") and does not include areas used both for pastoral activities and the planting of crops. These areas are referred to as fields. The word is less appropriate for land that is heavily forested, mountainous, or urban. The simplest explanation will be to say the word "veld" means "natural vegetation"; excluding vegetation like swamps and forests. It does include mountains with vegetation but not deserts or mountains without natural vegetation.
The veld definition may encompass different natural environments, both humid and dry, such as Coastal plain, Coastal prairie, Flooded grasslands and savannas, Grassland, Prairie, Savanna, Steppe, Meadow, Water-meadow, Flood-meadow, Wet meadow, as well as agricultural fields. Whereas mountainous peaks and thick forests do not really fit in with the term veld, bushes are acceptable. The area then becomes Bosveld, a term that is used mainly to describe Die Bosveld ("The Bushveld"), which is both a loose botanical classification and a specific geographical part of what used to be known as the Transvaal, as described for example in the story Jock of the Bushveld.
Other uses
- The word Renosterveld, "rhinoceros-field", is now used to differentiate one of the major vegetation types of the Cape Floristic Region.
- A carefully husbanded sports field on which the game of Rugby is played in the middle of cities such as Cape Town or Johannesburg is referred to as a "rugbyveld" in the Afrikaans language.
- The word "veld" also carries military connotations. The word "field" in English has a strong association with "war", as evidenced by the expression "the first foe in the field" and the lines of the ballad 'Lord Marlborough' (see John Churchill): "You generals all and champions bold, that takes delight in field, that knocks down churches and castle walls but now to death must yield". The same relationship is paralleled in Afrikaans. Just as the English Army has its Field Marshals, the Boer armies had their Veldkornets and Veldkommandos.
- The Rhodesian Ridgeback dog was famous for hunting large game on the African Veld. As a tribute to this wonderful breed many Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders incorporate the word "veld" or "veldt" in their kennel prefix. Once such notable example is the kennel prefix "Veldthund" who have been breeding and showing Rhodesian Ridgebacks in Australia since 1984. The dog Ch Veldthund Sabre ET appears on the pedigree of many of the top Rhodesian Ridgebacks around the world.
Highveld and Lowveld
Much of the interior of southern Africa consists of a high plateau, the higher portions (1500 m – 2100 m) of which are known as the Highveld, starting at the Drakensberg escarpment to the east of the Johannesburg, and sloping gradually downwards to the west and south west, as well as. These higher, cooler areas (generally more than 5,000 feet or 1,500 metres above sea level) are characterised by flat or gently undulating terrain, vast grasslands and a modified tropical or subtropical climate. In some areas there is a distinct escarpment bordering the plateau, while in others the boundary is not obvious. The blesbok and quagga were among the large animals that once roamed in the highveld in great numbers. Nowadays there still is a sizeable population of springbok in some areas.
The lower regions of the central plateau to the north of the Highveld, especially the Limpopo River lowlands, as well as the areas beyond of the Drakensberg escarpment in Mpumalanga, to the north east of the Highveld, are known as Lowveld and are generally hotter and less intensely cultivated. The arid lower plateau regions to the west, south and south west of the Highveld are not generally referred to as "Lowveld", nor is KwaZulu-Natal beyond the escarpment to the east. Before the middle of the 20th century, much of the Lowveld was home to the tsetse fly, which transmits sleeping sickness. These areas used to be known as "fever country" and were avoided by mounted travellers, owing to the susceptibility of horses to a form of the disease. Formerly malaria, carried by mosquitoes, was a major problem too in the hotter parts of the Lowveld.
The Lowveld is known for its high concentration of big game, including the larger animals, like African elephants, rhino, zebra and wildebeest, while the slow-flowing streams and wetlands of the Lowveld are a haven for the hippos. The Kruger National Park, for example, is located in the eastern Lowveld areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces.
Thornveld or Thorn Veld, often referred to as "acacia thornveld", is a type of semi-arid savanna in which grassland with thorny acacia and certain species of thorny bushes predominate. The predominant plant species are usually different in the thornveld of the plains or in the hill thornveld, where, for example, species of genus Balanites are common. Some of the characteristic species in the thornveld include:
- Grasses: Grass species belonging to genus Themeda and Hyparrhenia
- Trees and bushes: Genus Acacia and Rhus, such as Acacia caffra, Acacia sieberiana and Rhus pentheri and other species like Ziziphus mucronata, Ehretia rigida and Cussonia spicata.
Sandveld and Hardveld
Sandveld, in the general sense of the word, is a type of veld characterised by dry, sandy soil, typical of certain areas of the Southern African region. It usually absorbs all water from the seasonal rains, although aquatic habitats, largely seasonal, may be also found in specific places in the sandveld. Only certain hardy plant species thrive in the sandveld environment. These consist especially of grasses forming clumps and certain kinds of trees and shrubs. The sandveld vegetation has a particular pattern of growth, rarely covering the whole terrain and thus leaving patches of sandy soil exposed on the surface. Some of the typical sandveld species are Acacia haematoxylon, A. luederitzii, Boscia albitrunca, Terminalia sericea, Lonchocarpus nelsii, Bauhinia petersiana and Baphia massaiensis.
The fauna of the sandveld includes mainly reptiles, mammals and birds adapted to living in the sandy environment; some of the small mammals and reptiles often use the sand for protection by burrowing in it.
The term Sandveld is also applied in a specific sense to certain well-defined areas in Southern Africa, such as the Sandveld of the Northwest, a 30 km wide strip along the Atlantic coast of South Africa. The Sandveld of the Kalahari was one of the areas inhabited by the Bushmen, who had adapted to life conditions in the Sandveld since ancient times. The Sandveld Nature Reserve is protecting the biotope of a sandveld zone of the Free State.
Hardveld is a term applied to certain areas of rocky soils in Botswana, located mostly in the eastern part of the country. The landscape is an undulating plain with scattered rocky hill ranges. There are areas of hardveld

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


text:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recently released a new pamphlet titled "Frogs are Cool: Facts About Frogs for Kids," an informative and fun flyer aimed at raising awareness of the many endangered and sensitive species of frogs native to Oregon.
There are 16 species of frogs native to Oregon, and many are recognized as Oregon State Sensitive species, meaning they have small or declining populations. ODFW hopes the new frog awareness campaign will help kids and adults alike recognize and protect the protected species.
"Worldwide, frogs are in trouble and many are on the road to extinction," the ODFW website says. "Habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, climate change, infectious diseases, the pet trade and invasive animal species are all causing problems for frogs."
Want to help make a difference? Here are the top things you and your kids can do to help protect Oregon's native frog population.
- Learn about frogs.
- Never keep a wild frog as a pet.
- Tell others about protecting frogs.
- Never release non-native frogs, such as ones used in science projects, into the wild.
Frog spotting is a great activity for hiking and camping – it's silly, easy and educational. Download the "Frogs are Cool" pamphlet, make sure you have the proper camping or hiking gear, and get out there and enjoy some frogs!
[photo: Dan Hershman]


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Engineer and leading railway contractor. Born in Houston (Renfrewshire), the son of a spinner. He started work in a cotton mill at the age of only 9, but by 1863 had joined a company of bridge manufacturers in Glasgow. By 1872 he had his own business, the Dalmarnock Iron Works in the east end of the city.
Arrol was the contractor responsible for building the Forth Rail Bridge (1890) and the replacement Tay Rail Bridge (1887) which were the two most substantial bridges in the world of their time and remain in constant use today. He was also responsible for Tower Bridge in London (1894), bridges over the Nile at Cairo (1908) and multi-span bridges over the River Clyde at Bothwell and the River South Esk at Montrose. His company also built the Bankside Power Station in London, which now forms the Tate Modern Art Gallery.
He had a reputation for being ingenious and energetic. He was knighted in 1890 and was elected the Liberal Member of Parliament for South Ayrshire, serving between 1892 and 1906.
Arrol bought an estate at Seafield, near Ayr (1885), and built a house there, where he lived until his death.


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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004;13(4):341-7.
The effects of a high calcium dairy food on bone health in pre-pubertal children in New Zealand.
Author information
 - 1CGM Research Trust, PO Box 731, Christchurch, New Zealand. _EMAIL_
Abstract
Childhood and adolescence is the period of most rapid skeletal growth in an individual's lifetime. A greater peak bone mass achieved in the first 2-3 decades of life, may protect against the risk of osteoporotic fracture in later life. The aim of this randomized, controlled study was to assess in pre-pubertal boys and girls (aged 8-10 years) the effect of 18 months of a calcium enriched, cocoa flavoured product on bone density, bone growth and bone size in New Zealand children. One hundred and fifty four pre-pubertal boys and girls (aged 8-10 years) were randomized to receive a high calcium dairy drink or a control drink reconstituted with water for 18 months. They were assessed at baseline and then every 6 months for the first 18 months, while they were having the supplement; they were then followed up 12 months after supplementation had finished. Bone mineral density and bone mineral content were assessed at the total body, hip and spine. Indicators of bone size (vertebral width and height) were also measured at the spine. Anthropometric data was collected, medical history questionnaires were administered (including the Tanner or pubertal stage questionnaire), dietary calcium intake was assessed with a calcium food frequency questionnaire and calcium supplement compliance was determined. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups for bone mineral density or bone mineral content at any time point. There was no difference in vertebral height or width at any stage of the study, indicating no additional influence on bone size at the lumbar vertebrae. There were no significant differences between height, weight, lean mass or fat mass at any time point. Both groups had higher habitual calcium intakes than recommended for this age group going into the study and throughout the study. In this 2(1/2) year study (18 months supplementation, 1 year follow-up) we did not observe a difference in bone mineral density in pre-pubertal children. This was probably due to their high habitual dietary calcium intake whereby minimal addition of calcium to the diet reached the threshold level where no further benefit was seen. There were no significant differences between the two groups in body composition. Growth and the mean height and weight remained between the 50th and 75th percentile for their age. We have shown calcium supplementation in children with high habitual dietary calcium intake appears not to have additional effects on bone mass. Calcium supplementation needs to be targeted in those children with low habitual dietary calcium intake.
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text:
The Boyd family is Australia's most remarkable artistic dynasty.
- The Boyds, Brenda Niall, 2002.
Arthur Boyd (_PHONE_) was part of a unique artistic dynasty. His grandparents Emma Minnie (nee a'Beckett) and Arthur Merric Boyd were both accomplished and recognised artists, exhibiting at the Royal Academy in London and in various galleries in Melbourne. Arthur Merric was a traditional landscape painter affiliated with the Heidelberg school.
They were quite well off, with money inherited from parents and grandparents. They lived a genteel life of travel and art, owned property in the UK and in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Emma Minnie in particular was socially minded and active in helping the poor. She was very religious, shared bible stories, myths, legends and fairy tales with her children and grandchildren.
They had five children, the second being William Merric Boyd (Merric), known as the father of Australian studio pottery. He and his brothers and sisters were encouraged by their parents in the pursuit of art and music, in thinking of others and in helping the poor. Merric struggled with epilepsy throughout his life but was well loved and cared for by his family.
Open Country at Murrumbeena, in Melbourne was built in 1913 to Merric's design on land purchased by his parents. It was a home, workplace and meeting ground for the Boyd family and many outstanding, creative individuals for thirty years. In 1915 Merric married Doris Gough, a quietly strong and determined woman, already a painter she became wife, mother and business manager. Merric and Doris had five children: Lucy, Arthur, Guy, David and Mary.
Visitors to Open Country included Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Joy Hester, Yosl Bergner, John Perceval and many others. Merric's parents, Emma Minnie and Arthur Merric Boyd and younger sister Helen, lived next door during the years of World War I; and on the other side Doris' mother built a house she called Green Pastures.
When Arthur Boyd and Yvonne Lennie married in 1945 they lived at Open Country, and Arthur's first studio was built in the rambling garden from a modernist design by his cousin Robin Boyd. With their respective partners Arthur's siblings, Lucy, Guy, David and Mary Boyd also lived at Open Country during the 1940s and 50s. There were visits to Martin Boyd at The Grange (the a'Beckett family home) where the more genteel aspects of the Boyd and a'Beckett heritage prevailed. Arthur and Yvonne Boyd lived at The Grange for a time in 1948-49 as did Mary (nee Boyd) and John Perceval in 1951.
In late 1959 Arthur, Yvonne and their children went to London. Within six months Arthur's work was receiving great acclaim and being exhibited in major galleries. Over the next ten years the Boyd's travelled frequently between the UK and Australia.
In 1968 Arthur and Yvonne Boyd returned to Australia for a visit of six months. The open paddocks and rural atmosphere of Murrumbeena, where Arthur had grown up had disappeared under the tide of Melbourne's rapid suburbanisation. Open Country was destroyed to make way for a two storey block of flats.
From 1956 The Grange was at the centre of a blue metal quarry. The old house, an 1860s a'Beckett family home set in the rolling hills near Berwick out of Melbourne, with its family associations and Arthur Boyd's 1949 murals commissioned by Martin Boyd, was demolished by the quarry owners in the late 1960s.
With Open Country and The Grange so deeply etched in his makeup, Arthur Boyd experienced a profound sense of loss after his 1968 visit to the places of his early years, resulting in a determination to preserve the heritage of his family. His first tentative ideas for Bundanon had their origins in this experience and the decision to build a collection of works to represent his family was made at this time.
In 1971 Arthur was again in Australia doing a Creative Fellowship at the ANU when he and Yvonne were invited to visit a property on the Shoalhaven River called Bundanon by art dealer Frank MacDonald, then part owner of the property.
Bundanon had an immediate and profound effect on Arthur's thinking and work. This visit reignited his passion for landscape painting, a genre he had explored as a younger artist but moved away from during his career. In 1974 the Boyds purchased an adjoining property called Riversdale. They added two other lots of land and purchased a right of way. Then in 1979 the Boyds purchased Bundanon from the McGraths and MacDonald. They made this their home whenever they were in Australia.
Often quoted as saying "you can't own a landscape", from this time Arthur and Yvonne started work on how they could give it all away and at the same time protect it. Arthur, Yvonne, Sidney Nolan and then Arts Minister, Clyde Holding, all worked very hard to convince the Federal government to accept the gift. It was finally accepted by the then Prime Minister Paul Keating in March 1993.
|Arthur Boyd Visual Timeline||9.39 MB|


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ICIT Diversity in Cybersecurity
National security and critical infrastructure resiliency depend on the success of the cybersecurity community's diversity efforts. Reducing risk to an organization requires cross-functional stakeholder engagement within the business and its supply chain to balance business objectives with security needs. Security teams that bring diversity of thought and perspective to the decision-making process are best equipped to navigate this complex ecosystem of players, technologies, and cultures.
The last several years have seen cybersecurity workforce discussions mature to include diversity as both a competitive advantage and a solution to the growing talent shortage. Leaders increasingly understand that to prepare for the broadest variety of vulnerabilities we need people who are attuned to all types of risks participating at all levels of the discussion.
In this paper, entitled "The Business Value of a Diverse InfoSec Team: A Discussion on How Gender, Racial, Cognitive, and LGBTQ Diversity Improves Cybersecurity Outcomes," ICIT (Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology) explores this important topic by discussing:
- The intersection of Diversity, Cybersecurity, and National Security
- Studies demonstrating the link between Diversity and Improved Outcomes
- Underrepresented communities including women, minorities, LGBTQ+, and neuro-atypicalism
This paper was authored by ICIT's Executive Director Parham Eftekhari, and Lead Researcher Drew Spaniel.
ICIT would like to thank the following experts for their contributions:
- Devon Bryan, Former CISO, The Federal Reserve
- Teddra Thomas Burgess, CRO, Micro Focus Government Solutions
- Jerry Davis, ICIT Fellow & Former CIO, NASA Ames Research Center
- Joyce Hunter, ICIT Fellow & CEO, Vulcan Enterprises LLC
- Don Maclean, ICIT Fellow & Chief Cybersecurity Technologist, DLT
Click Here to Read More


This figure illustrates how base user and application-specific attributes are stored within the Oracle Internet Directory DIT. The root node contains two branches. The first branch represents the Oracle Identity Management realm and stores base user attributes, which include the user's status in provisioning-integrated applications, in the following DN: cn=Users, dc=us, dc=MyCompany, dc=com. In the illustration, this DN includes the following entries: cn=user1 and cn=user2. The second branch contains three application containers. the DN for the first container is cn=Application1, cn=Products, cn=OracleContext, the DN for the second container is cn=Application2, cn=Products, cn=OracleContext, and the DN for the third container is cn=Application3, cn=Products, cn=OracleContext. The first and second application DNs contain cn=user properties containers that store application-specific attributes. The cn=user properties container for the first application DN contains a single entry, orclOwnerGUID=user1GUID. The cn=user properties container for the second application DN contains two entries: orclOwnerGUID=user1GUID and orclOwnerGUID=user2GUID. The third application DN contains callout text stating that the application-specific attributes are managed by the Data Access Java Plug-in.


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running time 32:22
The nature of this connected, and potentially endless, source of imagery lends itself to an automated animation exploring level after level, flying through real-world time and events faster than they can be processed by the human eye. This animation has become known as the Gridcosm Flythrough.
In the decade-plus that Gridcosm has existed, over 24000 individual images have been created, with an average time elapsing between creation of only 4 hours. Additionally, textual data has amassed in the form of a freeform text block which accompanies each piece, as well as user-generated tagging of each level's content.
Gridcosm Information Overload is an attempt to explore over 10 years of data, accidently generated as a by-product of this perpetual art project. Imagery is explored in terms of color values, relative position, ordering of contribution, and more. Individual artists (denoted by their three-letter IDs) are compared by localized participation levels. Overall activity is mapped against scaled real-time to highlight both lulls and frenzied growth. In short, Gridcosm Information Overload is an experimental documentary, automatically generated, to visualize and pay homage to the hours upon hours of artistic energy spent by the 300 people who have made Gridcosm the amazing project that it is today. It is not intended to be digested all at once, but rather represent the scale of the project and the huge amount of work by the participating artists by overwhelming the senses and beckoning for a slower and more detailed exploration by the viewer.
0:30 Sample (mp4, 640x480, 3MB)


$, is of total degree $20$, and contains $598$ monomial terms, with typical integer coefficient in the millions.
Added remark: The formulae simplify dramatically if one assumes that the centroid of the triangle is at $z=0$, i.e., that $a_1 = \bar a_1 = 0$. (This is analogous to the way that the cubic formula itself simplifies when one removes the quadratic term. Moreover, this can always be easily arranged in the usual way by translation.) When $a_1 = \bar a_1 = 0$, we have $$ R = 16V^2 - 3S^2 + 12 a_2 \bar a_2 $$ and $$ \begin{array} \\ Q &= S^6-6{a_2}{\bar a_2}S^4-27{a_3}{\bar a_3}S^3+9{a_2}^2{\bar a_2}^2S^2\\ &\qquad {} +81{a_2}{a_3}{\bar a_2}{\bar a_3}S -27{a_3}^2{\bar a_2}^3 - 27{a_2}^3{\bar a_3}^2 - 4{a_2}^3{\bar a_2}^3. \end{array} $$ The formula for $P$ is still not that nice, though; it has $17$ terms, with coefficients in the millions. Rather than input it here, I'll just recommend that those interested compute the resultant of this reduced $R$ and $Q$ with respect to $S$ to get it.
Another added remark (the real case): If, in addition, one assumes that the $a_k$ are real (and that $a_1=0$), then the polynomial $P$ factors as $$ 16V^2 (16V^2{+}9{a_2}^2)^2 (4096V^6{+}4608{a_2}^2 V^4{+}1296{a_2}^4V^2{-}19683{a_3}^4{-}2916{a_2}^3{a_3}^2). $$ In particular, note that $V=0$ is always a root and that $P=0$ has a positive real root $V$ if and only if $27{a_3}^2+4{a_2}^3$ is positive (and $a_3\not=0$), i.e., if and only if the original cubic has only one real (nonzero) root, just as one would expect.
share|improve this answer
There is a typo in the product of $V$ and $V^\top$. The top left entry should be 3, not 1. I wonder if it affects the outcome... – Dima Pasechnik Nov 25 '11 at 3:26
_USER_: Oh, you are right; thanks for pointing this out. I have edited the answer to correct this. It doesn't really change anything, except that P now has $1175$ terms instead of merely $646$. – Robert Bryant Nov 25 '11 at 4:28
It would be interesting to know more about $Q$. After all, if $S$ can be found as a function of $a_k$ and $\overline{a}_k$ then the determinant expression for $VV^\top$ might be more useful than the 1175-term expansion. Could you perhaps post the expansion for $Q$? Thanks in advance. – Dima Pasechnik Nov 25 '11 at 6:42
_USER_: $Q$ itself has $66$ terms, but the coefficients are quite small, so it's not completely crazy to think that it might contain some useful information. However, I'm a little reluctant to put the whole thing in the answer because it's still quite long, and I'd have to struggle with the typesetting or else leave it as a 'long line'. Let me think about whether I can do something better. One thing that I noticed is that the formulae simplify quite a lot if you assume that the centroid of the triangle is at $z=0$. Maybe I'll post those formulae first, so that you can see the rough shape. – Robert Bryant Nov 25 '11 at 12:53
_USER_, perhaps you can just post the Maple(?) code you wrote to produce $Q$. – Dima Pasechnik Nov 26 '11 at 7:31
Not quite an answer, but a cute fact: if the three points (I use $x, y, z$ below, for typing convenience) are all on the unit circle, then the square of the area equals (using the OP's formula, and the observation that in this case $\overline{z} = 1/z$)
$-\dfrac{(x-y)^2 (x-z)^2 (y-z)^2}{16x^2y^2z^2}.$
The numerator is a multiple of the square of the discriminant of the polynomial, and can be easily written in terms of symmetric functions as $-a^2 b^2 + 4 b^3 + 4 a^3 c - 18 a b c + 27 c^2.$ The denominator is obvious.
For reasons given in my comment this formula does not generalize to "general" triples in the complex plane.
share|improve this answer
There is a clear experimental maths strategy to attack a problem like this. A "generic" polynomial $(z-z_1)(z-z_2)(z-z_3)=z^3-az^2+bz-c$ can be replaced with a very concrete one: Choose $a$, $b$ and $c$ to be (at least presumably) $\mathbb Q$-algebraically independent complex numbers. Compute numerically the zeroes $z_1$, $z_2$, $z_3$ of the polynomial $z^3-az^2+bz-c$ and the corresponding value $V(z_1,z_2,z_3)$. Then we expect $V$ to satisfy an algebraic equation with coefficients from $\mathbb Q[a,b,c]$, and this can be guessed efficiently with either LLL or PSLQ.
I did not try hard after seeing Igor's response and comments, but it seems that there is no algebraic equation of degree $\le6$ for $V$.
share|improve this answer
This is not very likely to work since if you take $a,b,c$ to be reals umbers you are likely to get $3$ real roots and the area will be zero, which will not be usefull. Of course if you take the real parts of $a,b,c$ and the imaginary paorts of $a,b,c$ to be algebraicly independant you can do it, but the number of variables is getting too big. – kassabov Nov 23 '11 at 11:44
This was already in Igor's comments. No secrets from you: My choice was $a=\log(2)$, $b=\exp(1)$ and $c=\pi\sqrt{-1}$. Believe you or not, but the zeroes were all unreal. Even more, I also tried the case $a=0$, $b=\exp(1)$ and $c=\pi\sqrt{-1}$ (which is mentioned in your post) and still no result in degree less than 7. – Wadim Zudilin Nov 23 '11 at 11:51
you can simplify the computations even further by reducing to the case $a=0$ and $c=1$, but then you cna not expect the answer to be algebraic in $b$, but it should be algebraic in $Re b$ and $Im b$ – kassabov Nov 23 '11 at 12:08
For simplicity let assume that the $f(z) = z^3 - az +b $ and has roots $z_1, z_2, z_3$. For each $i$ consider the polynomial $f_i(z) = f(z/z_1) = z^3 -a_i z + b_i$ which has roots $1$ and $-1/2 \pm \lambda_i$ for some $\lambda_i$
The area the triangle with the roots of $f_i$ is $3/4 |Im \lambda_i$ and its discriminat is $D_i = 4 \lambda_i^2 (9/4 - \lambda_i^2)^2$ and $b_i = 1/4 - \lambda_i^2$. Thus the area of this triangle is $A_i = \frac{3}{4} Im \frac{\sqrt{\pm D_i}}{b_i +2}$
However $D_i$, $A_i$ and $b_i$ can be easily expressed using the corresponding values for the original polynomial and the root $z_i$, i.e. $b_i = b / z_i^3$ $D_i = D/ z_i^6$ and $A_i = A/|z_i|^2$ thus we have $$ A =


text:
Average adult striped skunks weigh 6-8 pounds, though body weight might be significantly heavier in late fall, as the skunks attain layers of fat to sustain themselves through winter. Spotted skunks are much smaller, usually weighing 2-3 pounds. Males of both types are slightly heavier than females.
All striped skunks have a white stripe on the head between the nose and the forehead. A white crest, or cap, is typical on the top of the head, and a continuing white stripe usually divides the shoulder area into two stripes that continue along the sides of the animal into the tail. The amount of white coloration varies with the individual skunk, with some having broad stripes, narrow stripes, short stripes, or even none at all.
Spotted skunks have a white patch on the forehead area and a broken pattern of white striping that appears as blotches or spots of white in the otherwise black fur. The amount of white also varies with individuals. Some spotted skunks have mostly black tails, while other can be mostly white.
The scent glands in skunks are well developed. Musk, or essence, can be sprayed repeatedly as a defense. The yellowish compound is powerful in all skunks and contains sulfuric acid, which can cause temporary blindness in other animals and man.
Striped and spotted skunks have five toes on each foot. The front feet have relatively long claws to assist in digging for grubs and other food. Skunks have 34 teeth, including four pointed, sharp canines.
Skunk fur is rather long — and longer on tails than on bodies. Underfur is white under the white guard hairs and grayish under the black-colored guard hairs.
Striped skunks often breed during February, and the males do a great deal of traveling at this time to locate females. Many times, females live in an underground den through the winter with only one male, who will protect the communal den from invasion by another male.
Gestation periods are usually 63 days, and all bred females seek solitary dens to raise their young by themselves. Litter sizes of striped skunks are usually six to eight, except for the first litter, which usually numbers four.
The eastern species of spotted skunk usually breeds in April. Gestation is about 60 days before three to five young are born. The western species breeds in September or October, and gestation is about 140 days due to a delayed implantation process.
The new litter of striped and spotted skunks begin following their mothers at 6 weeks of age. Travel is often single-file, and the young are quick to learn to find grubs and insects.
The family unit breaks up as the young reach 3 months of age. Dispersal is not significant, and the juvenile females may continue to share their mother's den. Males are evicted, however, by the dominant male, and the juvenile male skunks are forced to find other suitable den locations.
Striped skunks are mostly nocturnal, doing most of their hunting and traveling during the night. Territory sizes are somewhat small, and overlapping or sharing territories is normal, as the species does not defend its territory against others of the same species. Home ranges are considered to be about 4 square miles, but most skunks do not travel more than a mile or so in one night's activity.
Communal dens are common during the time of year that young are not being raised, and six to 20 skunks might share a den with one male at a time.
Striped skunks suffer from poor vision at a distance of more than 2 or 3 feet. A keen sense of smell enables them to easily locate foods, which vary with the season. Not a particularly swift animal, skunks don't need good distance vision to locate prey, which have little or no mobility. The ability to see a predator at a distance is not necessary either, as the threat of spraying its musk will usually deter all but ignorant predators, which soon receive a lesson.
Skunks usually give ample warning before they spray their musk. Spraying is a defense mechanism and used only when the animal feels that it is necessary to protect its own life. Warnings usually include a lifting of the tail, a turning of the back towards the danger, and sometimes a pounding of the front feet in a drummer-like fashion.
Striped skunk weight: up to 8 pounds
Spotted skunk weight: 3 pounds
Striped skunks have poor vision at more than 2-3 feet
Spotted skunks can do handstands
Spotted skunks are more agile than striped skunks. Their territory sizes are similar to striped skunks'. Spotted skunks can climb very well, and they descend trees headfirst.
When threatened, spotted skunks commonly do handstands, balancing on their front feet while they lift their bodies into the air. This balancing act usually lasts for about 5 seconds at a time. The species can spray an offender from this position.
Spotted skunks are almost strictly nocturnal, usually retiring to a den before daylight and coming out only after dark in the evening.
Skunks are not true hibernators, but both species may spend weeks at a time in dens during cold temperatures and deep snow conditions. Striped skunks usually utilize underground dens that have been made by badgers, groundhogs, or foxes. At times, they will tolerate other species in their dens, even curling up and sleeping with a raccoon.
Spotted skunks prefer dens under or in old buildings. Oftentimes, a den will on the second floor of an old barn. Dens in haylofts are common, and spotted skunks easily climb to the elevated areas.
Slow and poorly sighted furbearers, striped skunks are opportunistic feeders. Grubs and insects are commonly located and dug out of the ground, along with juvenile mice, rabbits, and ground-nesting birds or eggs. Fruits and grains are eaten when available, and carrion is commonly eaten during the winter months when many foods are not available.
Spotted skunks are more efficient than striped skunks as predators. These smaller skunks kill and eat significantly more mice and rats. Spotted skunks also frequent the edges of streams and ponds, and they wade in shallow water in pursuit of crayfish, a preferred food.
Striped skunks are found in all the North American states except Alaska and Hawaii. Populations of spotted skunks are sporadic and inconsistent in most areas.
Although skunks are not well liked by people, they do provide valuable services by controlling significant numbers of injurious insects in the larval stages. The diet of spotted skunks is almost entirely beneficial to man. Both striped and spotted skunks can raid chicken houses. The worst offender is usually the spotted skunk because it can climb easily to gain access.
Spotted skunks do dig up lawns in pursuit of grubs, and this is an annoyance to those who spend time and money to groom lawns.
The concern of rabies in striped skunks is very real. More striped skunks than all other species combined are tested positive for rabies every year, and this disease is always a threat to livestock, pets, and man.
Striped skunks can destroy a significant number of waterfowl nests. However, recent studies indicate that they may be beneficial to waterfowl populations because skunks are the only significant predator of a far more serious waterfowl: the snapping turtle. Striped skunks relish snapping turtle eggs, which are commonly found, unearthed, and eaten.
Six years of age is considered old for striped and spotted skunks.


Real-time adjustment of transfer function for Fourier volume rendering
Chang-Chieh Cheng*, Yu-Tai Ching
*Corresponding author for this work
Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review
2 Scopus citations
Abstract
Fourier volume rendering (FVR) is a volume rendering method based on the Fourier slice theorem. With an n n n volume data, the FVR algorithm requires O(n2 log n) time to generate a result. Because it requires time less than O(n3) does, FVR is preferred for designing a real-time rendering algorithm with a preprocessing step. We improve upon our previous work. We demonstrate that a B-spline is significantly more useful when designing a transfer function. To design an appropriate transfer function with a spline function, additional control points are required. However, the memory space required for the proposed method increases in linear proportion to the number of control points. We show that the set of control points can be clustered into groups, ensuring the memory required is linearly proportional to the number of groups. The proposed technique supports real-time rendering after adjusting the transfer function for FVR.
Original languageEnglish
Article number043004
JournalJournal of Electronic Imaging
Volume20
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2011
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Real-time adjustment of transfer function for Fourier volume rendering'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Cite this


Special Olympics British Columbia
General Statement of Eligibility: Persons with an intellectual disability are eligible to participate in Special Olympics.
Identifying Persons with Intellectual Disabilities: A person is considered to have an intellectual disability for purposes of determining his or her eligibility to participate in Special Olympics if that person satisfies all of the following requirements:
 1. Typically an IQ score of approximately 70 or below;
 2. Deficits in the general mental abilities which limit and restrict participation and performance in one or more aspects of daily life such as communication, social participation, functioning at school or work, or personal independence, and;
 3. Onset during the developmental period (before the age of 18 years).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 2000) is published by the American Psychiatric Association and the manual is typically used by professionals in Canada who make development diagnoses.
 1. Do coaches/ staff require proof that a person has an intellectual disability?
 No, Special Olympics in Canada does not ask for proof of an intellectual disability. If the person has an intellectual disability then he/she is eligible to participate in Special Olympics.
 2. What happens when a child has not had an assessment to determine their diagnosis?
 Special Olympics in Canada has an inclusive approach and does not ask for medical documentation to be eligible for participation in programs. It is recommended to invite parents/caregivers to observe a program to see if the child fits in with the program. If parents feel that their child fits into the program, then he/she can participate until the assessment has been completed.
 3. If there are athletes in the programs who may not have an IQ below 70, what should a coach/staff do?
 Those athletes who are enrolled in Special Olympics programs in Canada who have an IQ above 70 are eligible to continue participating in Special Olympics.
 4. What are common intellectual disabilities?
 Intellectual disabilities include Down syndrome and some Autism Spectrum Disorders. Typically an intellectual disability would not be attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, or a learning disability.


Image Gallery was deprecated in Tiki 4. We recommend using the File Gallery instead.
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Note: Prior to Tiki 4, the Look & Feel was called Site Identity.
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Use the Admin: Look & Feel page to select a default theme (set of templates and CSS style sheet) for your Tiki. Any CSS file in your../styles directory can be selected.
In addition to the themes included with the Tiki installation, you create your own custom themes.
For more information, see _URL_.
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To make global changes, edit the theme's CSS file
To make specific changes, use the appropriate wiki syntax to change text attributes.
Image Users and Groups
How can I "reset" the Admin login?
If you lose your admin password, you can reset it directly from the database.
Execute the following SQL statement on your database:
UPDATE 'users_users' SET 'password'='MYNEWPASS', 'hash'= md5('adminMYNEWPASS') WHERE 'login'='admin';
 - MYNEWPASS is a new password.
TIP: Always use a secure password.
How can I "restore" the Admin account?
If you accidentally deleted the admin account, you can restore it directly from the database.
Execute the following SQL statement on your database:
 - MYNEWPASS is a new password.
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Tiki requires the username admin for your administrator account. You can add a new user (with any name) and grant this use all admin permissions, but you can't rename or remove admin. Be sure to give the admin a strong password. It is best to only have one user (admin) with god level permissions.
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Tiki can create an RSS feed for a specific Tiki feature (such as wiki, blog, and so on) that visitors can subscribe to. Tiki can syndicate a valid RSS feed from another website
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Use the RSS Config page to configure your Tiki's RSS feeds, including a number of items to include, name, title, and so on. Your Tiki will now include an RSS link the bottom bar (if it is enabled) allowing users to subscribe to the RSS feed.
How can I syndicate an RSS feed from another site into my Tiki?
RSS feeds from other sites can be included in Tiki modules or wiki pages.
 1. Use the RSS Modules to create a new RSS module.
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I think I found a security vulnerability in Tiki. How should I report it?
Thank you! To allow us time to patch the system, please:
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 - Use the security category.
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How do I keep my Tiki safe and secure?
 1. Keep your Tiki up to date. Security patches are included with each update.
 2. Use the Enter Tiki and Lock Installer option on the final page of the Tiki Installer to remove or rename your tiki-install.php file.
 3. Verify your directory permissions. Remember, 7-7-7 allows complete read/write/execution rights!
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Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF) -— sometimes called "sea surfing" -— is a method of attacking a PHP-powered site.
To protect your Tiki, enable the Protect against CSRF option on the Admin: Security page.
Created by: Last Modification: Friday 20 September, 2019 15:54:58 GMT-0000 by drsassafras
List Slides


Deciphering Cross-Linking in Starch: A Critical Exploration
The concept of the degree of cross-linking serves as a pivotal term in understanding the intricate nature of materials, particularly starch. In the realm of starch, cross-linking unfolds when the chains of glucose units within the starch molecule interconnect, forging new links facilitated by a cross-linking agent. Examples of such agents include sodium trimetaphosphate or phosphorus oxychloride. This interlinking process has profound implications for the properties of starch, encompassing factors like solubility, viscosity, and water-binding capacity.
Unraveling the Impact on Starch Properties
The degree of cross-linking plays a decisive role in shaping the characteristics of starch. Notably, it introduces alterations in solubility, viscosity, and water-binding capacity, thereby influencing the behavior of starch in diverse environments. Starch characterized by a low level of cross-linking typically exhibits heightened viscosity in aqueous solutions compared to its native counterpart. Conversely, an escalation in cross-linking has the potential to diminish viscosity. Moreover, the degree of cross-linking becomes a defining factor in how starch responds to varying pH conditions.
Navigating the Spectrum: Slight, Medium, and High Cross-Linking
The continuum of cross-linking extends across three distinctive phases: slight, medium, and high degrees of cross-linking. This classification hinges on the extent to which starch molecules intertwine with phosphate groups.
 - Slightly Cross-Linked Starch: This variant showcases a minimal level of phosphate cross-linking, characterizing it as having a subtle influence on starch properties.
 - Medium Cross-Linked Starch: Positioned in the middle of the spectrum, medium cross-linked starch embodies an intermediate level of cross-linking, influencing its behavior in a nuanced manner.
 - High Cross-Linked Starch: This category denotes starch with an extensive and robust network of cross-links, resulting in profound alterations in its properties.
Implications on Starch Characteristics
The degree of cross-linking is a multifaceted determinant, intricately woven into the fabric of starch properties. It orchestrates shifts in water-binding capacity, viscosity, and stability across diverse environments. Higher degrees of cross-linking are often associated with reduced viscosity and diminished gel strength. Conversely, lower degrees of cross-linking tend to amplify viscosity and fortify gel strength, presenting a spectrum of possibilities for tailoring starch to specific applications.
In the realm of starch science, comprehending the implications of cross-linking provides a pathway to harnessing its potential in crafting tailor-made solutions for a myriad of industrial and culinary endeavors.
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The Use of Hand-carried Ultrasound in the Hospital Setting-A Cost-effective Analysis
K Greaves, P Jeetley, M Hickman, Girish Dwivedi, N Sabharwal, T Lim, R Janardhanan, R Senior
Research output: Contribution to journalArticle
38 Citations (Scopus)
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the accuracy of hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) in the prediction of a normal study, and its cost-effectiveness in reducing the number of standard departmental echocardiograms (SDE) performed on hospital inpatients. METHODS: The setting was a district general hospital. Participants were 157 consecutive inpatients, mean age 68 (range: 18-97) years, 95 men (61%), referred for SDE. HCU was performed at the bedside as part of the clinical assessment. SDE was performed routinely. Main outcome measures were: (1) assessment of the accuracy of HCU in detection of a normal or abnormal study as determined by SDE; and (2) a cost-effectiveness analysis. RESULTS: Indications for echocardiography were: left ventricular (LV) function assessment, n = 101 (64.3%); valvular abnormalities, n = 11 (7%); arrhythmia, n = 4 (2.6%); miscellaneous, n = 10 (6.4%); and no reason stated, 31 (19.7%). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of HCU predicting a completely normal scan were 74%, 96%, 94%, and 81%, respectively, and of predicting normal LV function in requests specific for LV function assessment were 81%, 100%, 100%, and 77%, respectively. If either all inpatients or those with requests for LV function assessment underwent HCU initially, and only those with abnormal scans underwent further SDE, there would be a 29% and 22% reduction in departmental workload and a cost saving of pound sterling 23,000 and pound sterling 30,000, respectively. CONCLUSION: HCU is an accurate method of identifying patients with normal hearts as determined by SDE. Its routine use is cost-effective and can significantly reduce the number of SDE that need be performed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)620-625
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the American Society of Echocardiography
Volume18
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2005
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Everyday Life in Eastern Europe
Tuzex, short for Tuzemský export (or domestic export), was a set of special stores in Communist Czechoslovakia. The Communist Party established Tuzex in 1957, in order to draw hard currency from citizens' pockets into the coffers of the state. Hard currency, including American dollars and West German marks, was convertible currency linked to the international gold standard (unlike currencies in the East Bloc). The main source of hard currency in the East Bloc was relatives of Eastern Europeans who sent money to their families. Other sources included foreign tourists and wages earned abroad.
Tuzex stores carried varieties of luxury goods not available in regular stores. Western liquors, cigarettes, and clothing—especially blue jeans—were in-demand items; high-quality goods domestically produced (often for foreign export) were also available. Shopping in Tuzex was expensive due to exchanges one had to make. Initially Czechoslovaks had to use hard currency; later they could use regular Czechoslovak money, but only after purchasing Tuzex vouchers at a very high exchange rate. Special stores like Tuzex existed in other Eastern European countries, as well. In Poland there was Pewex, in Bulgaria Corecom, and in East Germany Intershop. They all existed to draw hard currency into the state budget.
Special stores increased Eastern European awareness of discrepancies between Eastern and Western everyday lives. They promoted the development of black markets, where hard currencies and Western goods were illegally exchanged. They also had an effect on the attitudes of ordinary Eastern Europeans regarding the official Marxist-Leninist ideology, which argued that communist-party leadership would result in the disappearance of class differences.
To see the associated Teaching Module on Everyday Life in Eastern Europe, click here.
Rudolf Zukal, "Tuzex," trans. Cathleen M. Giustino, Lidové noviny, March 1989, v.2, no. 3, 8.
Primary Source— Full Text
The crown's unrealistically established exchange rate, set in the currency reform of 1953, and the peculiarly fabricated internal price level, which has no connection to world developments, had the result that in practical terms the flood of hard currency stopped reaching private individuals. The high exchange rate of the crown raised the price of a stay for tourists to unaffordable levels....
For this reason, alongside of a special supplementary charge for hard currency used in foreign travel, in 1957 Tuzex was established—a foreign-business enterprise selling retail goods. In Tuzex stores one pays with special vouchers or with convertible hard currency. Tuzex vouchers are exchanged for hard currency according to the official exchange rate. Prices at Tuzex are different than our internal prices. Similarly, the assortment of goods is substantially different. For the most part they come from imported goods or from domestic goods that are slated for export.
Tuzex has very negative sides politically, as well as economically. With the establishment of Tuzex we deepened the division of the population into different privileged groups respective to access to material property.
In capitalism [social] position is differentiated, above all, by wealth. In essence no other vantage point exists, for even family privilege was abandoned. There exists here, however, a narrow group among the highest party and state hierarchy, which has its so-called delivery service. This includes first-quality goods, assortments, and items not harmful to health and, in some cases, they are available even for special prices. They have their hotels, resorts, sanatoriums, hospitals, doctors, etc.
Here a second group has the possibility of shopping at Tuzex. These are the people with hard currency. Many of the goods on sale in Tuzex are completely unavailable on the domestic market. If an ordinary person wishes to buy something at Tuzex, they must obtain Tuzex vouchers. They do so through the black market and for prices set by artificial supply and demand. For the owners of Tuzex vouchers, this business is a source of unearned income.
We have a third group made of ordinary citizens, who are entirely dependent on the domestic market. Here, alongside the domestic market, there exists a parallel market [the black market] with other prices and means of payment, and whose reach is continually widening. It is a source of unearned income and emphatically demonstrates our divorce from price indices and the limits of our assortments of goods....
With the backwardness of our technology in the world context there grew demand for quality machines, including radios, tape-recorders, televisions and, obviously, also computers and cars. With this growing demand, the exchange rate of Tuzex crowns increased. In 1988 Tuzex began to sell fifteen types of goods even for crowns, but with the exchange rate of one Tuzex crown for six domestic crowns. This was the lowest exchange rate for a Tuzex crown. The range of goods sold for crowns is supposed to continually grow, as are services at Tuzex.
Tuzex vividly shows the backwardness of our economy and it is no way to escape destitution. Analogous institutions exist in the other socialist countries. They have the goal of acquiring all available hard currency. It doesn't matter that these methods are in their nature anti-socialist, for they go against the main principle of "to each according to his deserts." The best worker, unless he works abroad, lacks the possibility of shopping at Tuzex, so for him this slogan is a mere phrase.
No less that 100 million dollars of pure profit at Tuzex in 1988 shows that money doesn't stink (especially hard currency) and that the end justifies the means. Even real-socialist morals and ideology respects and honors this.
In view of the situation in our economy, the closing of Tuzex is not on the horizon. On the contrary, its further growth is anticipated. We will not cook the chicken who lays the golden egg, even when all around itself it leaves filth and spreads a colony of parasites.
How to Cite this Source
Rudolf Zukal, "Samizdat, Tuzex," Making the History of 1989, Item #273, _URL_ (accessed May 19 2013, 2:50 pm).


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Effective Time Management
June 25, 2020 - 4:00 P.M. CDT
Laura Ann Hatch, MS, FAADOM
Following this session, the attendee should be able to:
- Identify the why and the purpose of time management in the dental practice.
- Recognize the importance of morning huddles and meetings.
- Describe the keys and Identify the barriers to effective time management.
Understanding the why and the purpose behind time management is the first step to keeping your practice organized and efficient. Learning and implementing good time management skills can increase practice productivity and helps to create a productive and positive work environment. A practice that is well organized and team members that balance their time well, will have better communication among the team and work more efficiently. Having time management and organization skills are key to creating an environment that team members thrive and patients appreciate, allowing for a less stressful work environment the ability to offer the best care for patients.
Biography: Laura Hatch, MS, FAADOM is known internationally as the Leader in Dental Front Office Solutions and Training. A keynote speaker, author, and coach, Laura is best known as the founder of Front Office Rocks™, a virtual training platform for dental teams. Laura is a best-selling author of her book "Step Away from the Drill", a member of the NSA, SCN, ADMC, a Fellow of the AADOM & was named one of DPR's Top 25 Women in Dentistry.


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steady supply to downstream components.
One of the main factors considered in designing a forebay is the size of the catchment area. The catchment area is the total surface area that contributes water to the forebay. Typically, a forebay is designed to accommodate the peak flow that is expected from the catchment area during heavy rain or snowmelt.
The size of a forebay also depends on the amount of water needed for storage. In water distribution systems, the forebay is designed to store a certain volume of water to meet the demand during peak hours. This volume is calculated based on the estimated water demand and design criteria.
The shape of the forebay is another important factor that affects its size. It can either be rectangular, circular or trapezoidal in shape. Generally, a circular forebay has a smaller surface area compared to a rectangular or trapezoidal forebay for the same storage volume. However, the shape of the forebay is also influenced by site conditions and site constraints.
The depth of a forebay is determined based on the topography and subsoil conditions of the site. It should be deep enough to provide a sufficient storage volume, but not too deep that it would affect the stability of the structure. A minimum depth of 2-3 meters is recommended to prevent sedimentation.
Another important consideration is the accessibility of the forebay for maintenance and repair works. Adequate space should be provided for equipment and personnel to carry out any necessary tasks. This includes leaving enough clearance around the edge of the forebay and providing a suitable access road.
In conclusion, the size of a forebay is a critical factor in the design of a water distribution system or hydraulic structure. It is determined by various factors such as catchment area, water demand, topography, site constraints, and accessibility. Properly sizing a forebay ensures efficient operation and maintenance of the system, leading to reliable and sustainable water supply.
In conclusion, the introduction of forebay has revolutionized the way we manage our water resources. This innovative approach has not only increased the efficiency and reliability of water supply systems, but also provided additional benefits such as hydropower generation and flood control. The utilization of forebay has become crucial in addressing the growing demand for water in our modern society. With continued research and advancements in technology, we can expect to see even further enhancements to forebay systems in the future. It is clear that the introduction of forebay has had a significant impact on our water infrastructure and will continue to play a vital role in sustaining our water resources for generations to come.


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Audience segment composition
This feature might not be enabled in your DFP environment.
Each member of an audience segment represents an audience identifier associated with a user's device. As your audience segment collects members, you can see a breakdown of what audience identifiers compose the segment by clicking Inventory Audience segments in DFP.
In the table that lists all audience segments, the columns below display information about the audience segment member composition:
- Total size: The number of members currently in a segment.
- Mobile web size: The number of mobile web users that comprise a segment.
- AdID size: The number of Android app users (identified with an AdID) that comprise a segment.
- IDFA size: The number of iOS app users (identified with an IDFA) that comprise a segment.
- PPID size: The number of users, identified by a publisher provided identifier (PPID), that comprise a segment.
- These totals are updated periodically throughout each day.
- The Mobile web, AdID and IDFA size values are rounded to two significant digits (for example, "22,000" instead of "22,382") and if there are fewer than 50 members in any category, DFP displays 0.
- The total size of an audience segment, updated approximately every 30 minutes, must be at least 100 before it is eligible for ad serving. We use statistical modeling and sampling to estimate the segment total size, so the size shown might not exactly match a number of identifiers uploaded. Small audience segments are subject to a higher variance in model estimates, so using lists with at least 150 members is recommended.
- The sum of "Mobile web size", "IDFA size", and "AdID size" values may not equal the "Total size" value for a segment because of users on other targeted devices or environments.
- For third-party audience segments, the "Total size" value shows how many identifiers are provided in the segment, but doesn't necessarily reflect the total amount of unique impressions you'll get from the segment. This could be because some identifiers are stale or based in another country.


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Ed Stoppard, Geoff McGivern, Heida Reed and Raad Rawi as the Mekon
'Reign of the Robots'
'Prisoners of Space'
'21st Century Spaceman' (Documentary)
When Dare and the crew of the Anastasia finally return to Earth they discover that an army of ruthless robots – too powerful and too numerous to be resisted – have conquered the planet. With limited resources, Dare, Digby and Peabody face their greatest challenge yet – to liberate planet Earth. But the task becomes more desperate when Dan discovers the alien force behind the robot invasion. The first season of Dan Dare concludes with daring space action, fearless heroics and the revelation of devastating secrets concerning Space Fleet.


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Resources for Teachers and Students*
1. Visit the Student Resources page to find two quizzes that you can assign to your students. The quizzes are completed online and provide your students with immediate feedback.
2. Download the Marco Polo Teacher Resource. The guide provides teachers with a selection of classroom exercises related to the concert program.
This Concert Program is a creative re-imagining of the extraordinary music the 13th-century Venetian explorer might have heard on his travels.
The impetus for this new 50-minute education concert came from the
fact that students in Toronto today come from all around the world, and represent a wide range of cultures and musical backgrounds. The Consort wanted a way to connect early music with these other musical traditions. Marco Polo is a perfect vehicle, because he travelled so extensively through the middle East and southern Russia to China. This education concert follows Marco Polo's travels, with an emphasis on the instruments and the singing style of the different cultures he might have encountered on his journey.
Students hear examples of Chinese musical styles and instruments and traditional Georgian music, which features incredible vocal gymnastics, including nimble counterpoint and strident dissonant chord tunings. Around these pieces from Georgia and China, the Toronto Consort plays examples of the lively dances and haunting laude (Italian spiritual songs) which would have been known by Marco Polo and his family.
The concert is followed by a Q & A with the artists.
*Student and Teacher Resources created by Laura Fitzpatrick


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The following documents describe write operations:
- Write Operations Overview
- Provides an overview of MongoDB's data insertion and modification operations, including aspects of the syntax, and behavior.
- Write Concern
- Describes the kind of guarantee MongoDB provides when reporting on the success of a write operation.
- Atomicity and Transactions
- Describes write operation atomicity in MongoDB.
- Distributed Write Operations
- Describes how MongoDB directs write operations on sharded clusters and replica sets and the performance characteristics of these operations.
- Write Operation Performance
- Introduces the performance constraints and factors for writing data to MongoDB deployments.
- Bulk Write Operations
- Provides an overview of MongoDB's bulk write operations.
- Introduces the storage allocation strategies available for MongoDB collections.


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We know D.C. Get our free newsletter to stay in the know.
There are few pleasures greater than eating pomegranate seeds fresh from the pod, and I'd say that even if the fruit weren't a favorite of my wife, Carrie, whom, incidentally, I married three years ago today after gobbling down many pomegranates together. Pomegranates are a symbol of fertility, you know.
Pomegranates are also a bitch to eat.
My Field Guide to Produce offers a painfully protracted, seven-step process to extract the seeds. It's a wonder anyone eats these things. Check it out:
- Cut off the crown.
- Gently scoop out some of the center white core with a spoon.
- Score just through the outer rind, marking the fruit into quarters.
- Place your thumb in the center of the core and gently pull apart the sections.
- Peel away the white pith and discard.
- Turn the skin inside out and pop out the seeds.
- To separate the seeds from any remaining white pith, place sections of pomegranate in a bowl of cold water and gently swish around. The white pieces should float to the top while the seeds sink.
Oh, they forgot Step 8: Die of hunger.
Sheesh, this Chow tip makes the process sooo much easier.
Bonus trivia: According to the Field Guide, "The French named their hand-tossed explosive after the seed-scattering properties of the fruit." (Incidentally, The French name for the fruit is grenade.)


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WMHT, PBS and the Adobe Foundation have launched Capital Region Youth Voices, a youth media project designed to encourage middle and high school students to use digital media tools to create compelling stories about issues and concerns of importance.
As this project gets underway, WMHT encourages the community to experience the creative multimedia works of students from the Sanctuary for Independent Media (a project of the New York Media Alliance) and Tech Valley High School. For the latest updates, visit the project blog.
Resources for Creating Media in Your Classroom
Learn how to help your students create with purpose with the Adobe Youth Voices Essentials curriculum.
Experience what it's like to go through the video production process with this resource from Vital NY/Teacher's Domain, then develop an engaging video-production experience for your students. New to Vital NY or Teacher's Domain? Tutorials are available here.


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- Setup Lexmark Mb2236adw Printer
Lexmark Mb2236adw Printer Setup
The Lexmark mb2236adw printer is a multi-function monochrome machine. The printer can print outputs of up to 36 pages per minute. It is compact yet offers high performance. The printer also includes Wi-Fi, duplex printing, and other such features. The printer uses the Unison toner that helps with the consistent delivery in image quality and ensures life-long prints. This particular printer offers great perks, thus making it the best printer for home and small offices. To perform Lexmark Mb2236adw printer setup, refer below.
- Unpack the Lexmark printer from the carton.
- Place the printer on a flat surface, preferably closer to the computer and within the proximity range of the router.
- Remove the protective tapes surrounding the outer body of the printer.
- Open the top cover and peel off the protective tapes. Remove the packaging sheets and materials present inside.
- You will find the power cord inside; keep it aside for the time being.
- Open the cartridge access door, look inside, and take off the orange protective material.
- Remove the toner cartridge from the inside of the printer and place it aside (The cartridge comes preinstalled with the Lexmark MB2236ADW printer).
- Use the handle and remove it from the printer.
- Press the blue lever on the left side of the holder to release the toner cartridge.
- Take the toner cartridge outside and shake it evenly to redistribute the toner.
- Remove the seal of the toner cartridge and discard it.
- Do not touch the sensor of the cartridge holder (this might result in printing issues).
- Place the toner cartridge into the holder and push it until it clicks.
- Keep the toner cartridge into the printer the same way you took it out.
- Close the cartridge access door.
- Pull the paper tray from the bottom of the printer.
- Remove the protective tapes surrounding the paper guides and discard them.
- Adjust the paper guides slowly so you can match them with the paper you are going to install.
- Now, take a stack of paper and place it in the paper tray.
- Adjust the paper guides again to hold the edges of the stack firmly. Do not exceed the paper tray limit (It might lead to paper jams).
- Hold the paper tray, place it into the respective slot, and push it inside completely.
- Connect the power cord to the rear part of the printer and the main plug to the power source.
- Press the Power button on the printer body to turn it on.
- Wait for the printer to charge the ink.
- Now that the hardware setup is complete, you can conclude the setup process with the software installation.
- You need to download the printer driver from the official Lexmark support page.
Steps To Download Driver
- Open the default browser on your computer.
- Enter the URL for the Lexmark mb2236adw printer.
- Once the support page opens, click the Drivers & Downloads tab.
- Usually, the browser will automatically detect the operating system.
- If it doesn't, click the OS drop-down list and select your OS.
- Select your OS Version and the Language from the corresponding drop-down lists.
- Click the Driver option from the Type drop-down list.
- Select the driver.
- Read the information (if necessary) and click the Start Download button.
- Open the driver file and run the installation.
- Follow the commands on the screen.
- When the connection screen appears, select the type of connection you want.
- Complete the full setup procedure.
Follow the steps mentioned on this page to perform the Lexmark mb2236adw printer setup.