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Women MPs in the Moroccan Parliament are a step closer to establishing a permanent committee on equality following a recent study day facilitated by the UK's Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
The study day, held in February 2013, saw 20 women MPs from the Moroccan Parliament's Equality Working Group come together to refine a strategy for implementing a committee on equality.
As well as recognising the need to 'speed-up' its demands for creating an equality committee in the Parliament, the group also proposed that such a committee should be in charge of gender representation in all parliamentary instances and laws. The group also stressed the importance of raising women's representation in the upcoming elections.
(above right): The study day was officially opened by the Minister of Solidarity, Women, Family and Social Development, Bassima Hakkaoui, and the Vice President of the Lower House, Khadija Rouissi (third from left).
Saad Benkirane, a Moroccan expert on strategic planning, assists women MPs representing the parliament's eight parliamentary groups, at a preparation day for the working group to develop their strategic plan in February .
The focus on setting up an equality committee which could utilise Morocco's new constitutional principles to boost and strengthen women's political participation is timely. The Parliament is currently updating its rules and procedures, as set out in the country's 2011 constitution, to encourage the integration of a gender perspective in legislation.
Speaking at the study day, Jamila El Mossali MP said, "There is now a collective reflection from different parliamentary groups and women in search of a more equitable form of coalition, to establish a real representation of women and represent their demands."
During the workshop the women heard from international guest speakers about their countries' experiences in working towards better representation of women within politics, and the importance of establishing women's commissions.
Speakers included Gabriela Flores from the UK, who examined the UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission. Catherine Quere, an MP from France, discussed the role of the women's delegation in the National Assembly of France and how it informs Parliament of potential consequences for government policy regarding women's rights and equality.
Intissar Khodr Jebouri, a MP from Iraq shared her experiences as President of the Parliament's Committee of Women, Children and Family. Jill Kyatuheire, an MP from Uganda, talked about the roles of women's organisations in the Ugandan Parliament.
Tasks identified by the group for further work included the need to better specify its purpose, clarify its relationships with other parliamentary bodies and what it could contribute to parliamentary life, and how it could become operational through, for example, a memorandum of understanding.
The study day built on the outcomes of an earlier working session with women MPs held in September 2012 and facilitated by WFD. That workshop resulted in the establishment of the Moroccan Parliament's Equality Working Group, whom WFD has been supporting to strengthen women's participation.
Women MPs from all parliamentary groups in the Moroccan Parliament came together at a workshop in September 2012 to consider how to establish cross-party networks, to strengthen their representation within the parliamentary setting, and their ability to represent women's voices. Tina Fahm, a WFD Governor (third from left) facilitated the training session.
"We support any form of women's coalition that can boost their political performance." Hasnaa Bouzid, MP from the USFP Parliamentary Group, commenting at the WFD facilitated workshop in September.
WFD has been working with the Moroccan Parliament since 2011. It January 2013 a new Memorandum of Understanding was signed, representing a new phase in WFD's programme of parliamentary strengthening support to the Moroccan Parliament, building on previous activities.


Remove the Underscores from a String in JavaScript
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Borislav Hadzhiev
Fri Nov 19 20212 min read
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Photo by Charlie Hang
Remove the Underscores from a String #
To remove the underscores from a string, call the replaceAll() method on the string, passing it an underscore as the first parameter, and an empty string as the second, e.g. replaceAll('_', ''). The replaceAll method will return a new string, where all underscores are removed.
index.js
const str = 'a_b_c'; // ✅ Remove all underscores const result1 = str.replaceAll('_', ''); console.log(result1); // 👉 "abc" // ✅ Remove all underscores using regex const result2 = str.replace(/_/g, ''); console.log(result2); // 👉 "abc" // ✅ Remove only first underscore const result3 = str.replace(/_/, ''); console.log(result3); // 👉 "ab_c"
The two parameters we passed to the String.replaceAll method are:
 1. the substring we want to match in the string
 2. the replacement for each match
By replacing each underscore with an empty string we practically remove the underscores from the string.
The replaceAll method does not change the original string, it returns a new string. Strings are immutable in JavaScript.
Alternatively, you can use the String.replace method.
To remove all the underscores from a string, call the replace() method on the string, passing it the following regular expression - /_/g, and replace each match of the regular expression with an empty string, e.g. str.replace(/_/g, '').
index.js
const str = 'a_b_c'; const result2 = str.replace(/_/g, ''); console.log(result2); // 👉 "abc"
The first parameter we passed to the replace method is a regular expression, and the second - the replacement for each match.
The forward slashes / / mark the beginning and end of the regular expression.
Our regular expression consists of a single underscore.
We used the g (global) flag because we want to match all occurrences of an underscore in the string, and not just the first occurrence.
Because we want to remove the underscores from the string, we replace each underscore with an empty string.
The only good reason I can think of to use the replace() method over replaceAll is that replace is supported in Internet Explorer, whereas replaceAll is not.
If you only want to replace the first occurrence of an underscore character, you simply have to remove the g (global) flag from the regular expression.
index.js
const str = 'a_b_c'; const result3 = str.replace(/_/, ''); console.log(result3); // 👉 "ab_c"
By default, the replace method replaces the first occurrence of the match characters with the provided replacement.
By removing the g (global) flag, we only match the first underscore in the string.
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In the late 1850s the railroad came to town. Two lines came to Chadds Ford — the east-west running Philadelphia & Baltimore Central RR in 1858 and the north-south running Wilmington & Reading RR a few years later. The two lines met at Chadds Ford Junction, while only a few hundred yards away on the east side of the Brandywine was Chadds Ford Station. The railroads played a significant role in the economic growth of the area. Spurs were laid out to accommodate the kaolin companies where fine white potter's clay was mined at the turn of the century. The railroad also brought city people from Wilmington and Philadelphia who discovered the lush rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley. To have a summer house in Chadds Ford became the vogue.
It was about this time that Howard Pyle held summer art classes in Chadds Ford that attracted students from all over the country including Frank Schoonover, Maxfield Parrish, and Violet Oakley. One of them, young N.C. Wyeth from Massachusetts, came to study under Pyle and never left. Pyle's studio and its students gave rise to the celebrated Brandywine School of Art, fostered by three generations of the Wyeth family.
In the early 20th century the village of Chadds Ford was still a quiet crossroads surrounded by acres of farmland. After WW II, better roads and the population explosion of the 1950s brought people from the cities to the countryside transforming the rural landscape into a burgeoning suburban community.

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


The best summer camp on earth?
Raincoast has been fortunate to play a small role in what Qqs does in an incredible place.
Bighouse in the Kvai watershed.
Photo by Nathaniel Glickman.
Situated at the mouth of an unlogged watershed, Koeye camp is what I believe to be the best summer camp on earth. For the last 21 years, the Qqs Projects Society has been running a camp for youth in this remote part of the BC coast.
It is a place steeped in the traditions of people who have lived in this land since time immemorial, while also embracing the evolving modern world. Youth ages 7-15 years old come to learn the culture that their parents and grandparents were widely prohibited by colonial oppression from learning. They come to engage with the landscape, building relationships with the plants and animals that sustained prosperous communities for millennia. Among other things, campers practice the art of consilience – learning from Indigenous Knowledge and science to better understand the world around them. And finally, and maybe most importantly, they have a retreat to be kids, to laugh and play, and make new friends.
Raincoast has been fortunate to play a small role in what Qqs does in this incredible place. Every August, students from Raincoast's Applied Conservation Science Lab, at the University of Victoria, and Raincoast educators board our 66 ft sailboat Achiever, head north across Cape Caution and lead 'Science Week' – one of six Qqs camps offered in the season.
There are innumerous aspects of this magical place that warrant my claim of Kvai being the best kids camp on earth. To keep it brief I will discuss these important factors: the location, the ecosystem, and the teachings.
The Location
Roughly 130 kilometres north of Port Hardy and 60 kilometres south of Bella Bella, the Koeye River estuary sits in an inconspicuous sandy bay in Fitzhugh Sound, in the lower reaches of the Inside Passage. The presence of a deep water channel called Hakai Pass adds a unique flair to the otherwise protected waters of the passage. Deep ocean swells penetrate the two kilometre wide passage sending waves directly at the mainland coast, with Koeye being the epicenter. These waves stir up the shoreline, providing a nutrient boost to the already rich nearshore waters. As Achiever enters the bay from the south, after a buttery smooth crossing of Cape Caution, we are welcomed by the gentle roll of swell as the large cedar bighouse comes into view.
A small eddy calms the waters where canoes lie tied to logs, and squealing, swimming campers submerge themselves in the brisk brackish waters of the estuary.
Traveling east from the bighouse and navigating through the small entrance of the Koeye river, you arrive at the location of the camp. Perched on the edge of old-growth forest, alongside an ancient village site, the simple cedar cabins lie. A small eddy calms the waters where canoes lie tied to logs, and squealing, swimming campers submerge themselves in the brisk brackish waters of the estuary.
If you can make it past the excited and friendly group of kids and head further upriver, you are greeted with two kilometres of tidal waters. As the serpentine reaches of the estuary lead further inland, you enter one of the most incredible estuarine meadows on this part of the coast. The watershed has never been industrially logged, and drains countless streams and tributaries through intact old-growth temperate rainforest. No matter who you are or where you come from, this place holds a power that is undeniable and I am in awe every time I am lucky enough to return.
The Ecology
As campers explore intertidal life on the rocky shores of the outer coastline they pause to watch humpback whales breach, as the other half of the group gains a first-hand experience of life as a whale researcher, viewing the humpback mother and calf from the deck of Achiever.
As the tide fills in and the campers begin their migration back along the sandy beach to camp, we examine animal tracks from gulls, sandpipers, mink and, then finally, grizzly bear. The young bear had the same idea we did that morning, taking advantage of the 0.3 m low tide to scavenge for protein-rich treasures.
We pass through camp as the smell of smoldering cedar fills the air. Bald eagles and osprey call overhead, announcing their presence as we load up canoes and ride the tide up the estuary. Pink salmon jump alongside us, Common Merganser chicks follow closely behind their mothers, and Belted Kingfishers dive for meals with impeccable precision.
The vast meadows we arrive at are an Indigenous farmland, filled with nutritious carbohydrates carefully tended for millennia. Springbank clover, silverweed, Northern rice root and numerous species of sedges intertwine throughout this edible botanical garden. Once again the bears had a similar plan. Their sign is everywhere, from scat to the countless digging pits where they had been uprooting nutritious tubers also sought by local people. There is a timeless feeling when you explore Koeye. It is a perfect representation of the real "Great Bear Rainforest". Not a "pristine" landscape untouched by humans, but an ecosystem and peoples who have co-evolved together over the course of deep time, and continue to do so.
The Teachings
When we lead "Science Week" at camp, we do so under the protocols and guidance of local Knowledge Holders. We share the knowledge we have gained from working on research projects on this part of the coast, from marine food webs, to wolves and coastal bears.
Resident educators such as Rory, William and Jessie Housty share their knowledge of plants, animals, songs, dances, and traditions. Each night campers file into the Big House to practice singing, drumming, and to learn language in preparations for the feast on the final day. The knowledge campers learn will stick with them throughout their lives. Upon returning to life in their home communities, they share the experiences they have gained, and the wider web of influence grows. It is this fluid integration of hands-on learning ingrained in the culture, ecology, and people that makes Kvai so special. A place where kids can be kids, learning in the most natural way possible.
Beyond the knowledge that is bestowed upon campers from people, it is the land and sea that teach the most valuable lessons. A week immersed in nature sheds the technological shackles of modern life, and allows the youth (and indeed, us!) to connect at a deeper, more meaningful level with each other and the environment.
As we weigh anchor after the final day of camp, we do so with deep gratitude for what we have just experienced. For Maureen Vo and me, we have once again seen an incredible example of what we are now striving to create further south on the coast with Raincoast's Salish Sea Emerging Stewards (SSES) program. Despite working with an older age cohort, the core of this program is the concept of consilience and the same informative, inspirational and connective experience that Kvai campers receive.
By engaging with local Indigenous Knowledge Holders, scientists, resource managers, mariners, and conservationists, we aim to create a holistic program that complements the hard work of local people to mentor the next generation of stewards in the Salish Sea. Preparing for this season's SSES program we continue to engage a wider and more diverse audience. This year's program will also see our first Junior Leaders – youth from past programs – directly demonstrate leadership as they join as crew on Achiever. We look forward to sharing more about our program as the season unfolds.
Indigenous groups around the world are looking to Qqs as a model of how to heal the wounds of the past, and move forward honoring tradition and embracing the future. We at Raincoast are grateful beyond words for the experiences, knowledge and relationships we have received working alongside Qqs for the past two decades. I'm as keen as ever to share our own learning and lessons with youth here in my backyard, the Salish Sea.
Until next time,
Ǧiáxsix̌a, Giànakci, and Thank you!
Nathaniel Glickman, Education Associate
Nathaniel Glickman on WSANEC territory at the Raincoast office.
Nathaniel is an essential part of the Marine Operations program and a co-coordinator of the Salish Sea Emerging Stewards (SSES) program. You can find Nathaniel on Achiever, in the surf and hiking the coast.


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Catherine de Lange, contributor
It took just 2 hours for this giant dust storm to cover the city of Phoenix, Arizona, last Tuesday. The huge wall of dust affected the entire metropolitan area - home to more than 4 million people - depositing thick layers of dust and reducing visibility to zero in many areas.
Photographer Mike Olbinski captured the once-in-a-lifetime storm's progress in this time-lapse film. "I've lived in Phoenix for 35 years and seen tons of dust storms. This was something else entirely," he says.
Local meteorologists agree. While dust storms are common in the Sonoran Desert, where Phoenix is situated, this one reached extraordinary proportions. According to Phoenix's National Weather Forecast Office, the cloud reached a maximum height of 1500 to 1800 metres, with its leading edge spanning 160 kilometres and spilling forwards at 64 kilometres per hour.
The dust cloud was triggered by thunderstorms on nearby high ground, which blew fast-travelling gusts of wind towards Phoenix. These gusts, aided further by gravity, accumulated dust from the desert and arid farmland on their way to the city. The effect is thought to have been especially severe because of prolonged drought: the area has had less than half the expected amount of rain since the end of last summer.


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More than three-quarters of teachers in the recent Tennessee Educator Survey selected technological supports for remote learning as the most helpful supports needed to promote educational access during COVID-19 school closures.
Today the Tennessee Education Research Alliance at Vanderbilt University released a brief from the Tennessee Educator Survey highlighting responses about COVID-19 school closures. More than 25,000 Tennessee teachers, representing 40 percent of teachers statewide, completed this portion of the survey, which was conducted in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education between April 4 and May 1.
Teachers across Tennessee responded to questions about their experiences during the school closures. Through open-ended comments, educators also shared their thoughts on the most important resources needed to support students and provide remote learning opportunities throughout the rest of the school year.
"Educators across Tennessee consistently reported on technological barriers preventing remote learning, their concern for student access to crucial services, and their need for additional guidance and resources," said Susan K. Patrick, one of the study's authors and a post-doctoral scholar with TERA. "These needs were even more pronounced in rural communities lacking internet infrastructure and schools serving more low-income families."
The primary findings from educator responses include:
- Student Access: More than half of teachers identified access to remote learning or access to crucial services, like meals and counseling, as among their top concerns about students amid school closures.
- Technological Needs: More than three-quarters of teachers selected technological supports for remote learning (e.g., internet access and reliable devices) as the most helpful supports needed to promote educational access, and educators discussed the need for these supports to address educational inequities.
- Guidance and Resources for Remote Learning: Schools and districts were identified as important sources of guidance for teachers in planning remote learning. Teachers described additional instructional needs, such as teacher training on virtual learning and guidance for supporting students with disabilities and English learners.
- Student Engagement: More than two-thirds of teachers reported regularly sending electronic learning resources to promote remote learning while fewer than one-quarter reported regularly planning virtual classes. This engagement varied across different types of districts.
These findings speak to the ongoing challenges educators faced during the spring, and point to several critical barriers to quality remote learning that will remain salient if school buildings are unable to fully open for the 2020-2021 academic year.
"Each year, the Tennessee Educator Survey gathers critical input from our state's educators, and I am particularly grateful for TERA's quick work this year to add the COVID-related questions. The results provide an important picture of how educators navigated the unprecedented school closures and help us identify the top needs moving forward," said Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. "Educators and district leaders alike continue to identify technology supports as a priority and the department has planned to allot half of the state-level CARES Act funding-13 million dollars-toward technology grants and solutions. Thank you to all of the educators who participated in the survey, your voice and input is so important, as we move forward together."
The COVID-19 questions comprise just one portion of the questions on the 2020 Tennessee Educator Survey. Additional analysis of the remainder of the questions on the Tennessee Educator Survey and overall results will be available by August 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic extends into the summer and next school year, TERA plans to continue documenting educator experiences and policy responses in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education. TERA will also engage in further research to study the effects of COVID-19 on students, teachers, and schools.
Download the full brief: "Teaching Through a Global Pandemic: COVID-19 Insights from the Tennessee Educator Survey"
The Tennessee Education Research Alliance is a unique research partnership between Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development and the Tennessee Department of Education committed to informing Tennessee's school improvement efforts with useful, timely and high-quality studies.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


NPR logo In Washington, Leaking As A Way Of Life
In Washington, Leaking As A Way Of Life
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Charles Tasnadi/AP
Charles Tasnadi/AP
Anatoly Liberman, an etymologist at the University of Minnesota, says the word "leak" probably comes from the notion of dryness — not wetness.
"Several things can be said about leak. First, all over Europe we have l-k words designating wetness — lake is only one of them. How these words came about and whether leak belongs to this group is anybody's guess. Second, leak is rather obviously connected with words meaning crack in German, Scandinavian and elsewhere. So perhaps the story began with losing water rather than with having or producing it. If so, leak may be related to lack."
The word is a borrowing from Dutch, Low or northern German, or Scandinavian and surfaced only in 15th century late Middle English.
Linton Weeks
A Brief Look At Leaks
Leakers Among Us
Leaks can come from many sources, including:
Leaks of sensitive information can be inadvertent or on purpose.
Lessons In Leaking
"For better or for worse, Washington journalism would grind to a halt without leaks," Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism, told NPR's Lynn Neary in a 2003 radio interview. "A leak, however, is a broad spectrum of things, and it's not necessarily someone calling you up out of the blue saying, 'Joe, I am about to leak to you.' Very often, it's Lynn picking up the phone, talking to somebody she talks to all the time, and the person leaks something out even without realizing it. You've put two and two together, and you're onto another story."
How do journalists decide whether or not to trust a leak? Neary asked Rosenstiel. How do they know when it's not being planted?
"Just because you are being used by a source doesn't mean that that story is not in the public interest and it might not be worth telling, even though you are serving the purposes of somebody in the administration," Rosenstiel said. "The journalist has to decide: A, what is the public value of this information; B, what ax does the source have to grind and how direct is their information — how accurate is their information? And then C, we have a responsibility, which we often don't meet, of then sharing as much of that with the reader or the viewer as we can."
Linton Weeks


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|Skip Navigation Links|
|Exit Print View|
|Oracle Solaris Administration: ZFS File Systems Oracle Solaris 11 Information Library|
This chapter provides step-by-step instructions on setting up a basic Oracle Solaris ZFS configuration. By the end of this chapter, you will have a basic understanding of how the ZFS commands work, and should be able to create a basic pool and file systems. This chapter does not provide a comprehensive overview and refers to later chapters for more detailed information.
The following sections are provided in this chapter:


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PRESS RELEASE – The Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre will present a lecture by Professor Claire Robertson of the Ohio State University as part of its contribution to the Nobel Laureate Festival 2018.
The Lecture takes place at the FRC headquarters at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 29, and is entitled, "Saint Lucia's Revolutionary History: It's Important!"
Robertson's most recent book is titled "Gwan moun sé wimed: elders are medicine — Life stories from twentieth century Saint Lucia", her rendering of the life stories of 57 elderly St. Lucians from all over St. Lucia, as related to her in the early 2000s.
She is Professor Emerita of History and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies from The Ohio State University, also adjunct professor at Indiana University in the US.
This work makes her eighth book; two of them have won book prizes. She has also published over 55 articles, many of which deal with slavery in Africa and the Americas, but also with African market women and systems, based on research in Ghana and Kenya. Two of her articles relate specifically to Saint Lucia: "Racism, the Military, and Abolitionism in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Caribbean," Jl. of Military History 77, 2 (April, 2013): 433-61, and "Claiming Freedom: Abolition and Identity in Saint Lucian History," Jl. of Caribbean History 34, 1-2 (2001): 89-129.
Robertson's work covers specialties in African and Women's History, with much interest in the Caribbean. She has been affiliated with the Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre for many years. The Centre greatly facilitated her research.
She is strongly committed to the use of oral history to illuminate the history of ordinary people, whose stories are often extraordinary but all too often ignored.
On a recent visit to St. Lucia, she distributed several copies of this new book to the Ministry of Education, schools, libraries and persons interviewed for the book.
The general public is invited to attend the lecture.

source: m-a-p/FineFineWeb


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The following is testimony from Lyle Jepson, Dean of Entrepreneurial Programs at Castleton University and Director of Rutland Economic Development Corporation, in front of the Vermont House Committee on Education on January 17, 2017.
Today I will ask you to prioritize economic growth and population growth in your decisions about education policy.
Castleton University believes that higher education is an economic driver. That belief is exemplified in Castleton's growth into the Rutland region. The purchase and repurposing of Spartan Arena, the upcoming construction of the Spartan Dome, the introduction of three art galleries in the City's downtown, the location of the Castleton Polling Institute, creation of the Center for Entrepreneurial Programs, the daily work being undertaken to connect business and industry with University interns, and most recently, and the opening of student housing in downtown Rutland, directly enhance our region's ability to attract and retain a workforce that is vitally needed for our continued economic recovery.
Because of Castleton's leadership and, specifically, President David Wolk's vision, Rutland Economic Development Corporation requested that Castleton University lead the County's economic development efforts. Castleton University and Rutland Economic Development Corporation now share one roof and blur the lines between education and training and economic development.
Vermont is at a critical economic tipping point. We have learned that employers have unfilled jobs. Access to skilled workers is an urgent need. Our workforce is aging. Families are having fewer children.
Our education policy is in the process of catching up to these changes. Agencies and departments – including education and economic development – need:
- a common understanding of Vermont's most urgent problems, and
- common language to describe and measure outcomes.
We need to make sure that the puzzle pieces fit and that the policy decisions that are made reflect the need to increase Vermont's population. We need to link economic growth with population growth.
For discussion purposes, I have attached three documents:
- population projections for Rutland County,
- a Regional Marketing Initiative Overview, and
- the Joint REDC / Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce Policy Report.
The Joint Policy Report connects Governor Scott's "Comprehensive Blueprint for Economic Growth" and the work that REDC and the RRCC will be supporting. Our primary focus is on population and economic growth through regulatory reform and workforce development. Within "Workforce," the importance of K-12 education, specifically technical education, is highlighted.
Castleton University, Rutland Economic Development Corporation and the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce will work closely with high school and college/university partners to connect education and employers with work based learning and internship opportunities.
We want you to:
- Support continued implementation of Act 46 school district restructuring and consolidation; we have too much supply and not enough demand.
- Require the Agency of Education to oversee consistent application of Act 77: Flexible Pathways within technical center service regions – and ideally, throughout the state;
- Require a common school calendar, common graduation requirements and equal access by all students to school choice within technical center service regions;
- Allow access to technical education beginning in 9th grade;
- Support statewide recruitment campaigns to bring back and retain young Vermonters or professionals with some link to Vermont (the state has begun such an effort but it is underfunded);
- Increase financial support for higher education as outlined by the Vermont State College system request; and
- Invite the Vermont Futures Project to present their data on workforce trends and needs. They have collected data that indicates the need for almost 11,000 new employees each year, every year, for the next 15 years in order to fill the workforce gap that has been created by an aging workforce and declining population.
Governor Scott will be judging decisions based upon:
- Economic growth, and
- Protecting the most vulnerable.
By now you have heard from hard-working, committed professionals from across the state about:
- Career Pathways for Vermont's students in areas of high skill, high demand, and high paying jobs,
- Career Readiness,
- The importance of 3rd party validation of credentials that are valued by business and industry,
- The professional development needs of school leaders,
- Work-based learning,
- Dual enrollment,
- Act 166,
- Act 77,
- Proficiency-based graduation requirements,
- Standards-based assessment procedures,
- The need for a Talent Pipeline Management system that supports business and industry, and more…
All of the these initiatives are important, and the bottom line is that everyone wants very similar outcomes: a talented workforce that is benefiting from a strong economy and a workforce that is drawn to Vermont's cultural and adventure-based activities – a place they choose to live, work and play. In many ways, we are on the right track.
But Rutland County, in particular, is hard-hit by the declining population. This demographic change effects everything from property values to what schools can afford to offer their students.
In conclusion, I hope you have heard this message:
- Continue the initiatives that are underway – stay the course with Act 46 and Act 77,
- Eliminate any barriers facing students who wish to participate in technical education,
- Approve the request for an increase in funding for the Vermont State College system, and
- Ensure that all state agencies work together towards common goals. Today, by executive order, Governor Scott has aligned the Department of Labor and Agency of Commerce and Community Development. We applaud any and all efforts that will enhance efficiencies, communication and outcomes. We can not have isolated silos of responsibility and expect positive outcomes.
In Rutland, our goal is to collaborate in innovative and bold ways. We believe that economic growth and population growth are inextricably linked to each other, and to Vermont's success. If our population grows, and the result of that is economic growth, we will no longer be burdened by re-slicing the state's budgetary pie. We will have a bigger pie to slice.
I urge you to consider whether your future decisions will support population growth. It is such growth that will spur economic development, bolster property values, increase state revenues, and allow us to provide the comprehensive educational programming that all of our children need and deserve.


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Published on December 10, 2012 by Casey
The industriousness and cooperative spirit of ants sometimes features in Native American folktales, as it does in the folklore of many cultures around the world. In some southwestern tribes, ants played a more important mythological role– in the Cahuilla creation myth, it was ants who spread the earth out for people ant animals to live upon, and in Hopi mythology, it was the Ant People who sheltered humans underground during the destruction of the First World. In northern California tribes, ants were said to predict earthquakes, and it was considered taboo to disturb their nests. In South America, ants are more often portrayed as warriors in Indian legends, probably because of the painful sting inflicted by South American fire ants, and some Native South American initiation rites involve young people subjecting themselves to ant bites.
dna testing, dna ancestry testing, ancestry, genealogy, indian genealogy records, paternity testing, turquoise jewelry, native american jewelry
Ants are not a common clan animal, but there are some southwestern tribes with Ant Clans, including the Hopi, Pueblo, and Akimel O'odham (Pima) tribes. Ant groupings were particularly important among the Pimas, where the people of every Pima village used to be divided into one Red Ant Clan and one White Ant Clan.


Charlemagne receives an elephant from Harun al-Rashid
Artist's depiction from the 1970s (appearing in an issue of National Geographic) of the famous arrival of an elephant, named Abu Abbas, at Aachen in 802, when Charlemagne's embassy to Harun al-Rashid returned laden with gifts from the Caliph of Baghdad. Note the stereotyped Arabs and Nubians, and the thick Gallic mustache on Charlemagne's seated attendant, who seems to harbor designs on the emperor's pretty daughter. Abu Abbas, the elephant, lived until 810; its death is noted in the Royal Frankish Annals. There is a young-adult fantasy novel which features the elephant, appropriately called Charlemagne's Elephant. Query: where would the Caliph have got a Narwhal tusk?


Dividing small businesses in divorce can be difficult, complex and of course contentious. This is usually because the business is the family's largest asset, and the parties may have very different views about what it is worth, as well as their respective shares. One party may believe that the business is failing and is only a fraction of its perceived value, whereas the other party may insist that it is a budding enterprise that is worth much more than is being explained. These views can be especially difficult if only one party primarily owns or operates the business, for the other may believe that they are being denied their fair share of the proceeds.
When emotions drive each party's sense of entitlement, costly litigation is a certainty. However, the following tips can help parties properly value a business, determine how it should be divided in divorce and avoid further acrimony over their rightful share.
First and foremost, it is important to understand the difference between a business as "property" as opposed to "income." A business labeled as property (such as a rental property) is subject to Illinois' asset division laws and will be divided as such. A business known for its income (such as a doctor's private practice) will invariably lead to spousal maintenance payments based on the revenue produced by the business. Some businesses may be considered both "property" and "income." In these instances, the two must be separated to avoid double dipping (i.e., dividing the business and then paying maintenance based on the income from it).
Also, finding the valuation method appropriate for your business is critical. The fair market value method assesses a business' worth by determining what it would sell for on the open market. Essentially, a valuation is reached by comparing values of similar businesses or comparable sales. Some businesses are valued through the capitalization of earnings method, which considers the business' prospective rate of return, its history of earnings and the risks involved. Regardless of the method used, the higher the business value, the more each party stands to receive.
Ultimately, dividing a small business can be a very complicated process. An Illinois divorce attorney with a business background can advise you on what method would be appropriate for your business.


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Finding Jump Conncetions for a Navigation Mesh
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Posted 24 January 2012 - 07:25 AM
Hi,
I'm interested in information about how to find jump connections between nodes of a navigation mesh and how to store them.
To find jump connection does not mean to test for free jump space, in my opinion it is more about, where should I look for possible jump connections. For example if there is a box on a plane so there are at least 5 nodes in the navigation mesh and if I just concentrate at one node from the plane and the node from the top of the box, there are jumps from the edges of the plane node and from the center of this node to the top of the box. Is it usefull to just look for jumps from edges of nodes to edges of other nodes or what are useful restrictions to look for jump connections?
One jump can be described as a parabel, which is defined by a strength and an angle. Is there a way to describe several jumps form a line to another line, if it is usefull to look for jump connections just between edges of the navigation mesh nodes?
I tried hard to find any solid papers or anything addressing this topic. I would really appreciate any reference to good resources on that topic, because i feel like i am missing something (like totally missing the magic search keyword Posted Image)
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Posted 13 February 2012 - 07:13 AM
Knowing that there actually are no documents on this topic would be just as satisfying for me :)
Is anybody adequately sure that there is no solid info about automatic jump point calculation out there?
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Posted 13 February 2012 - 11:54 PM
i personally know of no documentations on pathing jumpable objects, but what i'd suggest is to do a two pass system when creating your path map, and pre-calculate the jump point's in the second path for a given jumpable height. then store the map for each object that has x height. so, in the first pass, you'd create a regular navigation nodes, and each node would contain how to transverse to it's surrounding nodes. during the second pass, take each node, and get the maximum distance that jumper can move at full speed, and highest jump. find all the nodes that are within this distance to the center node. from thier, check if the jump would be legal for reaching each node(i.e. find the height of the landing position, and check to make sure it aligns with the arc of the jumper, as well to make sure he wouldn't hit any other nodes while jumping, and make sure to also assign the required forward momentum to achieve such a jump.)
finally, after the nodes have been mapped with jumping, you can assign "jump paths" to a higher value in the heuristic for determing pathing, so that if it can walk between the nodes, objects won't keep jumping between nodes. and then you can do normal pathing techniques, and simply approach the "jump paths" as requiring a diffrent action to get between nodes.
the draw back to this method is a higher memory cost,(although the second pass could be done at run-time, it'd defiantly benefit far more to do it at initialization time.), and it would be harder to coordinate multiple agents with several path maps in use.
anyway, that's my two cents on the subject
Check out _URL_ for some great games made by me on the Playstation Mobile market.
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Posted 14 February 2012 - 09:11 AM
Check out Recast. In the editor tool they provide, you can specify different parameters that determine which places are jumpable and whatnot. Here's a quick article I wrote that might be helpful if you choose to go this route.
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Posted 06 April 2012 - 06:15 AM
@slicer4evr
Thank you for your feedback! Posted Image
I think you are right about the two passes, the jump connection calculation should be done after the navigation-mesh/waypoint-graph generation, because it greatly benefits from the knowledge where a character is even able to move to.
The best i could find on practical implementation is what Mikko Mononen did for Killzone 3. He postet on his blog about it (where he also released the source code) and talked about his implementation at the Paris Game/AI Conference 2011. The Slides are available, but without the speech they are just hints about what he talked, i would love to hear that speech, probably very helpful for me.
Mikko's blog entry with source code:
http://digestingduck...slides-and.html
Slides:
_URL_...m/publications/
_URL_...ons/PGAIC11.pdf
@et1337
Yeah, recast is amazing, already found it and the jump code from mikko. But thx anyways, recast totally deserves infinite google ranking points ;)
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Driade Kosmo
The accessories by Italian manufacturer Driade come under the name of Driade Kosmo.
Behind the decision to create its own collection of objects was Driade's belief that people can hardly imagine a life without objects and that these go far beyond pure functionality while always maintaining an artistic aspect. Objects can't be reduced to the purely material, instead always communicating with their users and observers - thus always saying something about their owners.
With Driade Kosmo, Driade is researching in collaboration with famous designers the rites and principles that influence the interaction between subject and object and make a simple, functional object a cherished and expressive part of a person's home.


text:
Over sixty known Volunteers were killed in action during Easter Week. A number of others who were killed have not been identified. Others died from the effects of wounds received during the battle or from the conditions of imprisonment after the surrender. The names of these Volunteers are now largely forgotten and their graves known to only a few.
They Died by Pearse's Side is the first book to bring together the stories of these Volunteers. It presents an overview of each major battle and an overall timeline and location for these Volunteers deaths. It tells the story of how each of them died and provides a photograph and the location of each grave.
Hardback Cover with 360 pages. €19.99 + €7.50 Postage and Packing Worldwide.


text:
Curious Ed Goes From "Gearhead" to Scientist
|Who are NASA's Space Science Explorers?
Who are NASA's Space Science Explorers? The scientist studying black holes in space. The teacher talking about the secrets of the cosmos. And the student asking if there is life away from Earth. All of these people are Space Science Explorers. They are all curious about our solar system and space. This is a story about a NASA Space Science Explorer.
Growing up, Ed Prather dreamed of racing cars and motorcycles. Now, as an adult, he's a scientist and a teacher. One thing has stayed the same the whole time. Ed has always been curious.
"I was always curious about machines," said Ed. In high school, he was more interested in learning about cars than in science or math. Ed calls himself a "gearhead" because he's so interested in the gears that make cars go.
After high school, Ed worked at places where cars and cranes were put together. He was really curious about cranes and decided to learn more about how they work. Then he was able to teach others at work what he had learned. He liked finding simple ways to explain something so hard.
"The idea of helping someone understand was fascinating and fun," he said.
Before long, Ed was becoming an expert in the science of how things work. For a time, he used his knowledge to study how the universe works. But what he really wanted to do was teach science.
Ed now teaches NASA science to students at the University of Arizona. He's always thinking up ways to help them understand tough subjects.
Working with students is the best part of his job, Ed said. He's glad he stayed curious about the world around him. He tells his students to do the same.
And he still finds time to something else he likes: racing cars and motorcycles.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Center for Astronomy Education →
Prachi Patel, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
Adapted for grades K-4 audience by Dan Stillman, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies


text:
August 26, 2016
Fault Analysis and Hybrid Protection Scheme for Multi-terminal HVDC using Wavelet Transform
Bhaskar Mitra,Student Member, Badrul Chowdhury,Senior Member, IEEE, Madhav Manjrekar,Senior Member, IEEE
Transmission of power over long distances has become an important aspect in today's world because of off-shore generations from wind, ocean currents, tidal, waves andothers. In general, HVDC technology is well-accepted around the world. The VSC-HVDC has gained importance over the years. Certain problems regarding protection still remain, but with the implementation of the hybrid breaker, the system can be protected from system faults. This paper discusses the effects of various kinds of faults on the VSC-HVDC system and detection of fault current using Wavelet transform (WT). The output of the wavelet transform is used for detection of the fault currents. The system is designed and simulated in PSCAD/EMTDC and results are discussed.
April 4, 2016
Integrated Network for Social Sustainability
Rachelle Hollander, Adjo Amekudzi-Kennedy, Sarah Bell, Frazier Benya, Cliff Davidson, Craig Farkos, David Fasenfast, Regina Guyer, Angelique Hjarding, Michael Lizotte, Dianne Quigley, Diana Watts, & Kate Whitefoot
The Integrated Network for Social Sustainability (INSS) is a research-coordination network supported by the National Science Foundation that is currently in its third year of activities. Individual and institutional members, representing a wide range of fields and interests, are devoted to addressing social sustainability as an important, understudied issue under the broader rubric of sustainability and sustainable development. The INSS has developed a number of affinity groups and a set of activities to facilitate its development. An annual conference draws members together to review and report on their efforts. At the first conference, a group interested in developing a research agenda formed. This Community Essay shares its members' perspectives about priorities for future research and education on social sustainability, highlighting efforts for greater inclusion of marginalized populations in research.
January 28, 2016
Energy Loss due to Traffic Congestion
Raghuveer Gouribhatla, M.S.
(MS Thesis Adviser: Dr. Srinivas S. Pulugurtha)
This research is aimed at estimating and predicting energy loss due to traffic congestion at link-level in the transportation network. INRIX data, for the year of 2012, for the city of Charlotte, North Carolina was considered for research and analysis. The raw data contains travel time information for every minute of the day during the year. Three different times of the day were considered for research and analysis. They are: morning peak hour (8 am - 9 am), off-peak hour (12 pm - 1 pm) and evening peak hour (5 pm - 6 pm). The variations in energy loss patterns on a weekday and a weekend day during the selected times of the day were examined. Mathematical equations were used to compute delay due to congestion and the energy loss.
Energy loss maps at link-level and Voronoi maps were generated in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) environment to examine spatial variations in energy loss. The Voronoi maps have the potential to predict energy loss for links with missing data. As an example, figures below depict geospatial variations in energy loss due to recurring congestion (effect of traffic) on a weekday (left) and weekend (right) from Corridors such as Brookshire freeway and I-485 in the city of Charlotte were observed to experience the highest energy loss during most of the times considered in this research. The energy losses were higher towards the downtown/uptown area and decreased as the distance from the downtown/uptown area increased. Further, the energy loss due to recurring and non-recurring congestion was observed to be the highest during evening peak hour on a weekday and off-peak hour on a weekend, respectively.
June 16, 2015
Optimal Battery Energy Storage Smart Management System for Multiple Value Streams Using Weather Patterns
Dr. Sukumar Kamalasadan and Dr. Tao Hong
In this project a fully integrated optimal Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Controller for multiple utility value streams using weather patterns is developed. Three main storage applications were designed and implemented in a cooperation between the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Duke Energy. Namely, PV Station Capacity Firming (PVCF), Energy Time Shift Arbitrage (ETS) and Volt/VAR Regulation. Other standard auxiliary services like Frequency Regulation and Spinning Reserves are added in the optimization process.
The proposed PVCF algorithm incorporates a low cost cloud state prediction scheme for system sate optimization. The process involves two main stages. The first stage involves the analysis of historical PV station output and logged cloud state data for the purpose of identifying optimal algorithm parameters for each predetermined day type which is based on cloud state patterns. An offline dynamic programming optimization technique is applied. The second stage involves the utilization of web based cloud state predictions to recognize day ahead weather conditions and identify cloud state pattern. Pattern pre-calculated algorithm values (dynamic programming results), including starting State of Charge (SoC), are applied for firming maximization. The implemented ETS algorithm utilizes historical feeder data and ambient temperature correlations to predict peak feeder load magnitude and time. Optimization of BESS SoC is performed throughout the firming period based on predicted time of feeder peak load and forecasted cloud sates. The volt/VAR regulation algorithm utilizes the Storage Management System (SMS) reactive power capabilities to optimize voltage at the point of common coupling based on feeder voltage regulators' tap change operation minimization. Other standard algorithms like frequency regulation, spinning reserves are added to provide additional value. These optimization algorithms are implemented and evaluated at a Duke Energy substation with 1 MW of PV array, 1.25 MVA energy storage converter with 250 kW / 4 hour battery system.
Quantification of individual as well as integrated value of the implemented algorithms is sought, focusing on the revenue generation, ROI and energy storage life-time optimization results.


text:
08 January 2019 | News
In the analyses, it was found that more samples of lipid compounds were present in blood samples from men who consumed more eggs.
image creditthespruceeats.com
According to a new study by the University of Eastern Finland, the average daily intake of one egg increases the number of circulating metabolites that are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. The study was published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.
Egg is one of the most controversial foods. Its eating has traditionally been called for to limit the amount of cholesterol, but the egg also has an abundance of bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on the body's functions. Thus, it is difficult to deduce the health effects of an egg solely on the basis of its cholesterol content.
The research team has previously reported that an average of one egg per day was combined with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged eastern Finnish men in coronary heart disease risk material. - The purpose of the latest study was to search for metabolites that could explain the connection found through metabolic analysis. Metabolomics analysis provides comprehensive information on, for example, blood sample compounds, says younger researcher Stefania Noerman.
In the analyses, it was found that more samples of lipid compounds were present in blood samples from men who consumed more eggs. The same compounds were also found in men who did not develop type 2 diabetes. In addition, the study team found that several blood-measured compounds, such as the amino acid tyrosine already detected in previous studies, predicted an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
The study provides indications of mechanisms that can at least partially explain the relationship between egg eating and the lower risk of type 2 diabetes in this study. However, before we can make more definite conclusions about the effects of egg eating on the body, more cellular studies and experimental human studies using advanced research methods, such as metabolomics, are needed, says Noerman.


text: Résumé : Biofouling, the adsorption of organisms to a surface, is a major problem today in many areas of our lives. This includes: (i) health, as biofouling on medical device leads to hospital-acquired infections, (ii) water, since the accumulation of organisms on membranes and pipes in desalination systems harms the function of the system, and (iii) energy, due to the heavy load of the organic layer that accumulates on marine vessels and causes a larger consumption of fuel. This paper presents an effective electrochemical approach for generating antifouling and antimicrobial surfaces. Distinct from previously reported antifouling or antimicrobial electrochemical studies, we demonstrate the formation of a hydrogen gas bubble layer through the application of a low-voltage square-waveform pulses to the conductive surface. This electrochemically generated gas bubble layer serves as a separation barrier between the surroundings and the target surface where the adhesion of bacteria can be deterred. Our results indicate that this barrier could effectively reduce the adsorption of bacteria to the surface by 99.5%. We propose that the antimicrobial mechanism correlates with the fundamental of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). HER leads to an arid environment that does not allow the existence of live bacteria. In addition, we show that this drought condition kills the preadhered bacteria on the surface due to water stress. This work serves as the basis for the exploration of future self-sustainable antifouling techniques such as incorporating it with photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical reactions.


text:
A 100,000 times improvement of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy might be possible thanks to a technique for separating the ortho spin isomer of water from its para and other forms by using a magnetic lens to manipulate a supersonic molecular beam. The Israeli team who developed the technique built in quantum mechanics experiments carried out in the 1920s and 1930s. The use of hyperpolarized water in NMR could improve its infamous low sensitivity.
However, separating water's spin isomers has been tried before and the concept remains controversial and unproven at a practical level.
- A Magnetically Focused Molecular Beam of Ortho-Water
T. Kravchuk, M. Reznikov, P. Tichonov, N. Avidor, Y. Meir, A. Bekkerman, G. Alexandrowicz,
Science 2011, 331, 319–321.


text:
Medieval & Renaissance Studies Center
The "Bull of Quivira" (one of the Plains "cities of gold"), woodcut of a bison by Christoffel Jegher [_PHONE_]
Texas Tech University, although established in 1923, is rooted in the middle ages and the Renaissance. This is true of the abstract ideals of the university and of its arts curricula. It is also true of the campus architecture, a Spanish Renaissance theme based ultimately upon the Administration Building's recapitulation of the plateresque style of the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, built in 1553. It is literally true of the earliest European presence here on the High Plains, where the expedition of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado left behind chain mail, crossbow bolts, and vellones minted during the reign of Enrique IV of Castille (1454-75), perhaps the oldest circulating coins ever discovered in U.S. territory.
The Medieval and Renaissance Studies Center (MRSC) is dedicated to the advancement of Medieval and Renaissance studies at Texas Tech, in the State of Texas, and in the lands beyond. It currently supervises a graduate certificate program in medieval and Renaissance studies, provides some conference participation support for students working in these areas, and sponsors guest lectures and other activities related to medieval and Renaissance studies. Whereas traditional academic programs are organized to support their own specific perspectives and programs, the Center seeks to unite faculty and students interested in medieval and Renaissance area studies that transcend disciplinary boundaries. It seeks is to enhance campus, state, and national knowledge about Texas Tech programs already in place. The Center, approved in 2011, is located administratively within the College of Arts and Sciences but is also funded in part by the College of Visual and Performing Arts.


text:
Patrick-Murray Administration Announces 15 Grants for Water Protection, Habitat Restoration and Education
"For over 20 years the MET has been at the forefront of conservation efforts that protect the vital waterways of Massachusetts," said Secretary Sullivan. "These types of projects rely on the collaborative efforts of communities and conservation partners, working side by side with the Commonwealth to ensure our waters are clean and protected for generations to come."
The grants will help support projects in Amherst, Athol, Boston, Cheshire, Kingston, Plymouth, Pelham, Saugus, and Wareham. Funding comes from the sale of the state's three environmentally-themed specialty license plates: the Right Whale Tail, the Leaping Brook Trout, and the Blackstone Valley Mill.
Since it was founded in 1988 as part of the Boston Harbor cleanup, MET has awarded more than $19 million in grants to organizations statewide that provide a wide array of environmental services, from supporting water projects in communities to protecting coastal habitats.
"When Massachusetts motorists purchase environmental license plates, they also make an investment in our waters," said James R. Gomes, director of Clark University's Mosakowski Institute, who chairs the Massachusetts Environmental Trust.
MET, established by the Massachusetts Legislature as a state trust in 1988, is governed by a nine-member board of trustees appointed by the EEA Secretary.
The grant awards range from $15,600 to $75,000 and are listed below:
- Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (Belmont) - $ 34,415 to update the web-based training course "Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners," which provide certification for conservation commissioners on wetlands issues.
- University of Massachusetts (Boston) - $35,000 to establish a network of five long-term river restoration monitoring sites and collect the first phase of preand post-restoration data at dam removal sites in Massachusetts.
- The Charles River Conservancy (Boston & Cambridge) - $30,000 for a feasibility analysis of swimming sites in the Charles River. The project will monitor and analyze E. coli at the two sites; monitor and analyze cyanobacteria in the lower Charles basin; and develop sediment sampling protocols to assess risk from potentially contaminated sediments at the two sites.
- Neponset River Watershed Association (Canton) - $25,000 to work with municipalities in the Neponset River Watershed to prepare for and to implement the new EPA Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit.
- Town of Saugus - $35,000 for design and permitting for restoration of the 32-acre Ballard Street marsh. Once restored the marsh will provide improved flood protection and critical habitat for birds, fish, and shellfish..
- American Rivers (Plymouth) - $75,000 to plan the ecological restoration of 240 acres of coastal wetlands. The project includes two dam removals and restoration of two headwaters areas; restoration of stream channel and floodplains; and assures fish passage over 3.5 miles of Beaver Dam Brook.
- Association to Preserve Cape Cod, Inc. - $15,600 to initiate a new comprehensive regional monitoring program for aquatic invasive species.
- The Coalition for Buzzards Bay (Wareham) - $50,000 to implement the Wareham Nitrogen Consensus to reduce coastal nitrogen pollution. Through implementation of the Consensus Action Plan, a wide range of constituents will implement strategies to reduce to wastewater and agricultural nitrogen pollution.
- Jones River Watershed Association, Inc. (Kingston) - $22,470 to remove a failed tide gate to restore tidal flow and salt water exchange to over 20 acres of impaired marsh lands in Kingston and Duxbury.
- MA/R.I. Trout Unlimited Council (Wareham) - $25,000 for design and permitting for the continued restoration of Red Brook to its source at White Island Pond in Plymouth. The Project will restore 60 acres of wetlands, remove numerous small dams, and preserve the coldwater nature of the stream.
- Town of Athol - $30,000 to remove two dams and a failed culvert in the headwaters of Thousand Acre Brook and restore the native wetland. The project will re-connect wetland and riverine areas separated for over a century.
- Deerfield River Watershed Association (Greenfield) - $16,552 to study macroinvertebrate communities in small headwater streams in forested portions of the Deerfield River watershed.
- Housatonic Valley Association (Lee) - $22,931 to assess and prioritize culverts and barriers in the Housatonic Watershed, and recommend necessary replacement for integration into highway plans.
- Town of Amherst (Pelham) - $47,030 to remove the Bartlett Fish Rod Co. Dam on Amethyst Brook in Pelham. Removing the dam will restore upstream fish passage for migratory and resident fish species and improve water quality and in-stream habitat.
- Town of Cheshire - $25,000 to remove a dam and replace a failed culvert on Thunder Brook in Cheshire. Thunder Brook is a high-quality coldwater stream with a large population of native brook trout.


PowerShell Not Equal (-ne) Comparison Operator Tutorial
PowerShell provides different comparison operators to compare different values, objects, variables, outputs, etc. The Not Equal operator is used to check if the specified two-parameters are equal or not. If two specified parameters are not the same the not equal operator returns True boolean value. If two specified parameters are the same the not equal operator returns False boolean value.
Not Equal Operator Syntax
The not equal operator is expressed with the -ne the first letters of the "not equal". The syntax of the not equal operator is like below. The not equal operator returns a boolean value True or False according to the result.
A -ne B
 - A can be a variable, value or object which compared to B for inequailty.
 - B can be a variable, value or object which compared to A for inequailty.
Check If Variables Not Equal
Variables can be compared if they are equal or not using the not equal operator.
$a = 2
$b = 2
$c = 3
$result = $a -ne $b
# result is False
$result = $a -ne $c
#result is True
Check If Values Not Equal
The not equal operator can be also used with the values without using variables.
$result = "a" -ne "b"
#result is True
$result = 2 -ne 3
#result is True
Check If Strings Not Equal
String variables and values can be checked for inequality by using the not equal operator.
$a="ismail"
$b = "ahmet"
$result = $a -ne $b
#result is True
$result = "ismail" -ne $b
#result is True
$result = "ismail" -ne "ahmet"
#result is True
$result = $a -ne "ismail"
#result is False
Check If Numbers Not Equal
One of the most popular usages for the not equal operator is to check numbers for their equality.
$a = 1
$b = 2
$result = $a -ne $b
#result is True
$result = $a -ne 3
#result is True
$result = 3 -ne 3
#result is False
Check Collection/Multiple Values If Not Equal
The not equal operator can be used to check multiple values or a collection for inequality. In the following example, we check if variables a, b and c are not equal to 3 and return a collection that is not equal to the 3.
$a = 1
$b = 2
$c = 3
$result = $a,$b,$c -ne 3
$result is a collection which consist of 1 and 2 as they are not equal to the 3
Leave a Comment


text:
What is the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media?
Founded in 2004 by Academy Award®-winning actor and advocate Geena Davis, the Institute and its programming arm, See Jane, are at the forefront of changing female portrayals and gender stereotypes in children's media and entertainment. The Institute is uniquely positioned to spotlight gender inequalities at every media and entertainment company through cutting-edge research, education, training, strategic guidance and advocacy programs. Our mission is to work within the entertainment industry to dramatically alter how girls and women are reflected in media.
Why Did Geena Davis Create the Institute and See Jane?
While watching children's entertainment with her young daughter, Geena Davis was astounded by the dearth of female characters. Fueled to take action, she commissioned the largest research project on gender in film and television ever undertaken, conducted by Dr. Stacy Smith at the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. The research confirmed the disparity she observed: in family films, there is only one female character for every three male characters. In group scenes, only 17% of the characters are female. The repetitive viewing patterns of children ensure that these negative stereotypes are ingrained and imprinted over and over.
What Type of Work Does the Institute Do?
The Institute is the only research-based organization working within the media and entertainment industry to engage, educate, and influence the need for gender balance, reducing stereotyping and creating a wide variety of female characters for entertainment targeting children 11 and under. We have amassed the largest body of research on gender prevalence in entertainment, which spans more than 20 years. Our biennial symposium is the only event convening over 300 decision makers, content creators, and thought leaders to share best practices and create a blueprint towards establishing a gender-balanced media landscape.
Our three-tiered approach of research, education and advocacy has brought the Institute to leading media and entertainment companies, organizations, educational institutions and multinational companies such as the United Nations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center, the Wall Street Journal Women in the Economy Task Force and many others. The Institute's research studies are frequently quoted in major media outlets including the The New York Times, Newsweek, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, USA Today, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and MSNBC.
How the Institute is Making an Impact
What People are Saying about Us
"As an actress, Geena Davis played the first female president on TV and a baseball player in a popular movie, but as a media consumer she concluded long ago that there was something wrong in the way women were portrayed. Davis, a best actress Oscar®-winner who is trying to change the portrayal of women in media, appeared at the United Nations promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women in children's media." —CNN
"At the official launch of UN Women, the very famous actress Geena Davis said, 'If girls can see it, they can be it.' Our job is to give girls and young women the inspiration and the tools to be what we know they can be." —UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon
"What do actress Geena Davis, Britain's Duchess of York, UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon and the head of the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists have in common? They're all committed to empowering women." —The Huffington Post
"Thank you to Geena Davis for recognizing the gender bias in kid's movies and doing something to change it." —San Francisco Chronicle
"So now Davis is taking her data to industry meetings. And she has reason to hope that some executives are listening." —The New York Times
"Davis has personally put loads of energy into examining the damaging effects of media on young girls and advocating to put more strong female characters on screen." —Politico
"The findings of the Geena Davis Institute studies consistently encourage us to remain mindful of gender representations in our series. We appreciate Geena's dedication to bringing this issue to the forefront and reminding us that we can remedy it." —Linda Simensky, PBS
"I firmly believe that the content we create in the entertainment industry has repercussions & influence beyond anything we are yet aware of, and I think See Jane & the Geena Davis Institute are powerful ways to get that information to the content creators." —Jessica Julius, Creative Executive of Development, Walt Disney Animation
"Thank you Geena, for helping bring a voice to those who have no voice." —Paula Clapp, Co-Founder Stolen Youth (Seattle, WA)
"We feel this is incredibly important work and, as people who watch literally hundreds and hundreds of films per year for work, we know all too well how real this issue is." —Tom Hall, Artistic Director, The Sarasota Film Festival
"I think what you're doing is really important, and it's opened my eyes to our news coverage and stories as well." —Angela Hunter, SVP & Executive Producer, Channel One News
"No parent who has tried to reconcile the sweet storyline of 'The Little Mermaid' with Ariel's skimpy attire will be surprised at a new [GDIGM] study that reveals family films often portray female characters as eye candy." —Chicago Tribune
"Geena's commitment to shattering on-screen stereotypes of women goes beyond her roles." —Women's Foundation of California
"Actress Geena Davis visited the United Nations to speak on gender portrayal in the media. Well-known for her Academy Award®-winning performances and successful Hollywood career, Davis is quickly becoming more recognized for her pioneering advocacy work." —Media Global News
Friends & Partners
It takes a community to create change! Here are some wonderful groups we are proud to link to:
Academy Award winner Geena Davis is one of Hollywood's most respected actors, appearing in several roles that became cultural landmarks. Earning the 2006 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series -- Drama, Davis broke ground in her portrayal of the first female President of the United States in ABC's hit show "Commander in Chief."
In 1989, Davis received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the offbeat dog trainer Muriel Pritchett in Lawrence Kasdan's "The Accidental Tourist." She was again nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her performance as Thelma in Ridley Scott's "Thelma and Louise," in which she co-starred with Susan Sarandon.
Davis went on to receive a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of baseball phenomenon Dottie Hinson in "A League of Their Own."
Davis made her feature film debut starring opposite Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie." She went on to star in such films as "The Fly," "Beetlejuice," "Earth Girls are Easy," "Angie," "The Long Kiss Goodnight," and "Stuart Little."
Few have achieved such remarkable success in as many different fields as Davis has: she is not only an Oscar and Golden Globe winning actor, but a world-class athlete (at one time the nation's 13th-ranked archer), a member of the genius society Mensa, and is becoming recognized for her tireless advocacy of women and girls nearly as much as for her acting accomplishments. She is the founder of the non-profit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and its programming arm See Jane, which engages film and television creators to dramatically increase the percentages of female characters -- and reduce gender stereotyping -- in media made for children 11 and under.
Davis is also a former trustee of the Women's Sports Foundation, serves on the Board of the White House Project, is an appointee to the California Commission on the Status of Women, and is an official partner of UN Women in their effort to change the way media represents women and girls worldwide.
Davis holds honorary degrees from Boston University, Bates College and New England College.
Madeline Di Nonno
Madeline Di Nonno is the Executive Director of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and its programming arm See Jane, the leading non-profit working with the entertainment and media community to improve gender diversity in children's entertainment through research based programs. Madeline leads the Institute's strategic direction and brings over 25 years experience in media, marketing and business development in the entertainment, digital media and consumer packaged goods industries. Founded in 2004, the Institute's mission is to transform how the entertainment community depicts children in its content, sensitize the industry on gender portrayals and reduce stereotyping in entertainment and media targeting children 11 and under.
Previously, Madeline served as President and CEO of On The Scene Productions, a leader in the digital media. She lead the company's new business development and content distribution platforms for short-form "video storytelling" content for the entertainment, healthcare, corporate, and consumer products clients such as Nike, Gatorade, Iconix, and PepsiCo.
As Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing for Anchor Bay Entertainment/Starz Media, a leading independent entertainment company, Madeline supervised global brand marketing, original product development, acquisitions, digital media and publicity initiatives for home entertainment and limited theatrical releases in North America, United Kingdom and Australia. She spearheaded the worldwide marketing launch for theatrical home entertainment releases from Overture Films.
Prior to Anchor Bay Entertainment, Madeline served as Head of Marketing for Echo Bridge Home Entertainment, an independent entertainment company. Responsibilities included brand marketing, advertising, publicity, acquisitions and ecommerce initiatives for Echo Bridge theatrical and home entertainment releases.
Madeline previously served as Executive Vice President and GM for Nielsen EDI, a leading provider of Theatrical distribution measurement and information. Responsibilities included new business development and client management of Nielsen EDI's theatrical research practice.
As Senior Vice President, Marketing Alliances and Digital media at the Hallmark Channel, Madeline helped launch


text:
I don't know about OpenCV, so I can't tell you what
cv.GetMat() does. Apparently, it returns something that can be used as or converted to a two-dimensional array. The C or C++ interface to OpenCV that you are using will probably have a similarly names function.
The following lines create an array of index pairs of the entries in
grey_image_as_array that are bigger than
3. Each entry in
non_black_coords_array are zero based x-y-coordinates into
grey_image_as_array. Given such a coordinates pair
y, you can access the corresponsing entry in the two-dimensional C++ array
The Python code has to avoid explicit loops over the image to achieve good performance, so it needs to make to with the vectorised functions NumPy offers. The expression
grey_image_as_array > 3 is a vectorised comparison and results in a Boolean array of the same shape as
numpy.where() extracts the indices of the
True entries in this Boolean array, but the result is not in the format described above, so we need
zip() to restructure it.
In C++, there's no need to avoid explicit loops, and an equivalent of
numpy.where() would be rather pointless -- you just write the loops and store the result in the format of your choice.


Coursebooks
Audio engineering
EE-548
Lecturer(s) :
Lissek Hervé
Language:
English
Summary
This lecture is oriented towards the study of audio engineering, with a special focus on room acoustics applications. The learning outcomes will be the techniques for microphones and loudspeaker design, as well as room acoustics knowledge.
Content
I Audition
 1. The human hearing system
 2. Introduction to psychoacoustics
 3. Basics on noise control engineering
II Room Acoustics
 1. Wave theory
 2. Geometrical room acoustics
 3. Statistical (Sabine) room acoustics
III Transducers for audio
 1. A brief reminder on electroacoustics
 2. Electrodynamic transducers
 3. Electrostatic transducers
 4. Piezoelectric transducers
IV Microphones
 1. General properties
 2. Microphones theory
 3. Microphone realization
V Loudspeaker design
 1. The electrodynamic loudspeaker
 2. Loudspeaker system design (enclosures)
 3. Loudspeaker realization
VI Electroacoustic absorbers
Keywords
Auditory system
Psychoacoustics
Room acoustics
Microphones
Loudspeakers
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
General physics
Circuits and systems
Recommended courses
Electroacoustics
Radiation and antennas
Important concepts to start the course
Electrotechnics: transfer functions, impulse response, electric system characterization, filtering, bode representation
Transmission lines: wave propagation equations in 1D, circuit modeling, Kirchhoff theory
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
Transversal skills
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra lectures
Specialized seminars on side topics
Exercises in groups
Practical work, including numerical simulations
Assessment methods
Final written exam.
Resources
Bibliography
M. Rossi, Audio, Presses Polytechniques Universitaires Romandes, 2007
H. Kutruff, Room Acoustics, Spon Press, 4th edition, 2003
Ressources en bibliothèque
Notes/Handbook
Available on the Lab website (upload on a weekly basis).
Websites
Prerequisite for
Master projects, PhD thesis.
In the programs
Reference week
 MoTuWeThFr
8-9
9-10
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
Under construction

 Lecture
 Exercise, TP
 Project, other
legend
 - Autumn semester
 - Winter sessions
 - Spring semester
 - Summer sessions
 - Lecture in French
 - Lecture in English
 - Lecture in German


text:
Selcuk to Bergama route map has been given with driving direction, The given road map may assist for your travel in different ways. You can calculate the Selcuk to Bergama travel distance and travel time using our map. Our driving direction from Selcuk to Bergama can guide you to reach your destination. The google direction map consist of blue road which connect Selcuk with Bergama. It also shows the nearest places, hotels, petrol pump and tourist places around the route between Selcuk and Bergama. You change the via route by drag and drop the blue line between Selcuk to Bergama.
The shortest route from Selcuk to Bergama may available in google map. You can simply drag the way point to different route. The shortest route between Selcuk to Bergama is calculated based on the distance. The balloon with the letter 'A' denote the starting point of the road map. The letter 'B' on the second balloon is a destination point.
The straight line route or flight route from Selcuk to Bergama is a crow fly distance route. Just it is a direct line between these two places. The highway numbers are shown with yellow color background. You can print the Selcuk Bergama road map on paper using your printer.


Fun Facts About Click Languages
Fun Facts About Click Languages
Please Share:
What's up with click languages? Did you know that "click consonants" are found only in certain African languages? Do you want to learn more about them? Here are 7 interesting facts about these intriguing languages:
"Clicks" Are Found in Only 24-38 Living Languages
Clicks have nonverbal meanings (like indicating disapproval or sympathy) in English and many other languages. But they're only used as consonants in 24 to 38 living languages. Why the uncertainty? Sometimes, it's hard to differentiate between a language and a dialect. Regardless, all of these languages are spoken in Africa. There is also an extinct Aboriginal language from Australia that uses them, but it was never used for day-to-day communication.
The largest language family with clicks is the Khoisan "family." The scare quotes are because linguists no longer believe that all of the languages in this family are actually closely related. Click consonants seem to be the only thing that ties them together.
Click consonants are the defining feature of the Khoisan languages, but neighbouring languages like Zulu and Xhosa also incorporate them. Linguists believe clicks spread to these languages through intermarriage and interaction with the neighbouring San peoples.
One interesting theory about how this may have happened is described here:
In the Zulu and Xhosa cultures (less so in some areas now), certain people are not supposed to say the names of certain other people, or even say things that sound like their names.... what sound could you use that wouldn't make it a different word that might mean something else, and would still make it understandable? The Khoisan wives knew just what to use: clicks.
As Khoisan wives used their native clicks to censor themselves, eventually the clicks became associated with polite/formal speech. From there, they spread to become an integral part of the language.
The Taa or!Xoõ Language Has the Most Consonants of Any Language
The Taa or!Xoõ language has 164 consonants, including more than 100 click sounds! For comparison, English has 24 consonant sounds. French has 22, and Welsh has 31.
To hear what a conversation in !Xoõ sounds like, watch the video below:
"Click languages" may be the oldest languages in the world.
Did the first spoken human language include clicks? Some scientists think so.
Language everywhere is constantly changing, even today. If you don't believe me, go find a teenager and strike up a conversation. So, how can we know what the first-ever human language sounded like? We can't... but we can make an educated guess.
In 2003, Stanford geneticists analyzed mitochondrial DNA from two groups of click speakers: the Ju|'hoansi of the Kalahari desert and the Hadzabe of Tanzania. Both groups are among the most ancient cultures, with mitochondrial DNA that links them to the dawn of humanity. Despite this, they aren't closely related. In fact, the Stanford scientists described them as "on the opposite sides of the root." They've had almost no contact with each other almost since humans became humans.
But both languages have clicks. As the New York Times explained,
Unless each group independently invented click languages at some later time, that finding implies that click languages were spoken by the very ancient population from which the Hadzabe and the Ju|'hoansi descended. "The divergence of those genetic lineages is among the oldest on earth," Dr. Knight said. "So one could certainly make the inference that clicks were present in the mother tongue."
How do you write clicks?
It depends on the language and the type of click in question. In general, Xhosa and other Bantu languages use the Roman letters c, q, and x, either by themselves or in digraphs. Khoisan languages use exclamation points and other symbols based on a vertical bar called a "pipe" to indicate clicks.
So, the "!" in the word!Kung indicates a click, as does the vertical bar in "Ju|'hoansi".
The "click language" in "The Gods Must Be Crazy" is!Kung.
If you've ever watched "The Gods Must Be Crazy" and wondered about the mystery language the tribe in the movie speaks, wonder no longer. It's the Juǀ'hoan dialect of!Kung. The!Kung actor, Nǃxau ǂToma, lived a traditional life before starring in the film. Initially, Nǃxau received less than $2,000 compensation for his role.
After the film grossed over $100 million, the filmmakers eventually gave him an additional $20,000 and a monthly stipend.
Click languages may sound exotic to Western ears. But to native speakers, they are no more unusual than "A is for apple" or "B is for boy." As South African singer and activist, Miriam Makeba says in the recording below,
"Everywhere we go, people often ask me, 'How do you make that noise. It used to offend me because it isn't a noise. It's my language."
We'll leave you with a link to this video of Makeba singing "The Click Song," or, more properly, "Qongqothwane." You'll have to turn the volume all the way up, but it's worth it to hear her break down Xhosa pronunciations.


How many times have you been working around your house, or at a pal's place, and have to look for somewhere on the wall to hammer a nail to hang a picture. And just when you think you find the stud to hammer the nail – you wind up breaking a hole into the wall and making a mess. You may need to consider Walabot, among the first smart stud finders to hit the marketplace. Walabot Android 4.4
Walabot is manufactured by Vayyar Imaging, a 3D imaging sensor company that supplies customers with a method to see through objects, liquids and materials. The company decided to take advantage of its innovation to create Walabot and provide DIYers a chance to get a better view behind walls than the present stud finders you find on the market.
Walabot Android 4.4
Walabot Android 4.4
What Is Walabot? Walabot Android 4.4
The manual will teach you how to see through walls and translate the images you see. It is pretty comprehensive, so it would not be challenging to begin using the Walobot with a few minutes of its arrival. Walabot Android 4.4
What are other things can you do with a Walabot?
The Walabot can detect electrical wiring, pipes, and everything you would anticipate to discover behind your walls. Using the device, you can:
 - Look for leaks.
 - Look for structural damage.
 - Look for broken pipelines.
 - Detect rats and other creatures. The Walabot can detect motion behind walls, assisting you locate rodents and nests.
How does the Walabot DIY work?
Do not stress, calibrating the gadget is very simple and if you have actually utilized an analog stud finder before, you would find the process extremely similar.
The images it offers you are very accurate, and you would know if it's a pipe that the Walabot DIY is seeing or electrical wires, or anything else.
This is simply best for those who are considering renovating their houses, or those who love DIY tasks. This also is available in extremely helpful for those who have an interest in architecture and building and construction.
The DIY Model
The makers apparently thought in two unique classifications when developing this device. The DIY model is for the individual doing periodic repairs and little tasks around your house.
What does it offer? Walabot Android 4.4
These views work for both concrete and wood on this model.
Is good for preparing a project that includes the entire wall.
One feature allows you to take a picture of a location you are scanning, so you can put the image on a computer and look at it more precisely. This makes it much easier to sit at your desk and make plans while seeing the image.
This is a great basic device for property owners and other do-it-yourselfers. You will not miss the advanced features if you plan to do light duty repairs and redecorating around your home. It will definitely determine studs for you, so when you hang heavy pictures or mirrors, you will have a strong landing location for your screws or nails.
The Starter Version
It can't just spot things behind walls, it can find breathing. That's pretty unusual. This makes it beneficial for anybody who needs to keep track of an older individual they are taking care of. If you believe you might have sleep apnea, it could tell you how often you stop breathing in the night. Going from driving nails to watching breathing is a huge leap, however perhaps the maker believed, "Why not? We have the technology. May as well utilize it."
The unit functions as a movement detector too. Not only is this proper for bugs behind walls, but it is also great for monitoring spaces and patios where people or animals shouldn't be.
With this model, you have stepped up into some advanced| features, in addition to much better imaging than the DIY version. Remember that it has all the features of the DIY and they have enhanced sharpness and precision. With Starter, you have actually dipped your toe into the waters of professionalism.
The Creator
What makes this model different from the predecessors?
This model contains all the features of the Starter model although has much better spatial sensing. This is due to the fact that it can track in 3D, providing you a much fuller look at spaces and items. If you were sawing out a square of drywall or attempting to break through concrete in a certain spot, you would need to know much more than where studs are. It has fifteen antennas, suggesting it does not miss much.
This model puts you squarely in the professional ranks. It is more likely than the lower models to identify hard to see threats and items and to reveal them to your clearly.
The Developer
What is the most powerful unit? Walabot Android 4.4
You are going to see precisely what is behind walls, whether concrete or drywall. This imaging is much clearer than the other models, and the 3D abilities end the guesswork. It is not difficult to envision a pro utilizing this for a pricey task where errors are costly.
What you would love about Walabot DIY
Unlike other imaging devices that are currently available, the Walabot DIY is not large. You can get the capabilities of high end stud finders and imaging systems. You get 3D imaging conveniently and easily without having to pay top dollar for it.
Above that, it is really light and portable. With the magnet on the case, you can work the Walabot DIY gadget and your own smart device as one unit.
Everything about utilizing the Walabot DIY is extremely simple. You do not have to fret about electrical wiring, as you only have to link it to your mobile phone utilizing the included USB cable. All the settings and tweaks are done using the smart device. Calibrating the device is likewise made easy.
What's more, it doesn't use x-ray technology, which makes it very safe and you can use it without ionizing radiation.
Simply put, this is a portable and safe gadget that offers you excellent 3D images that you can utilize for your house renovation tasks or house improvement needs.
Pricing and Returns
If you are simply a property owner seeking to do light repairs on your house or simply wish to play around with brand-new devices for your home, the Walabot DIY begins at simply $79.99!
Not pleased with your Walabot or have a defective model?
Final thoughts about the Walabot Walabot Android 4.4
Walabot is a godsend to people who enjoy house renovations and those who like to play with their home decor. It can likewise help when you have rodents and pests living inside your walls. You can finally see what's behind your walls, even if you are not Superman and do not have his X-ray vision.
What do all of these help you with? Walabot Android 4.4
For one, you can utilize Walabot DIY to understand just how deep you can drill in order to avoid damaging the pipelines or cutting the wires behind your walls. You can likewise change and calibrate the sensing units' level of sensitivity to much better fit the imaging to your specific task.


text:
When it comes to mastitis, heifers are often overlooked. But that's a mistake, since 75% of heifers have some form of clinical mastitis, Dr. Steve Nickerson said Friday at World Dairy Expo.
Nickerson, professor of dairy science at the University of Georgia and a specialist in bovine mastitis, said heifers frequently get mastitis though naturally occurring bacteria that lives on their bodies, especially on their teats. The bacteria enter the teats openings, spreading to cause mastitis.
But flies also play a major role in heifer mastitis. Horn flies are particular problems. The flies not only pester heifers by feasting on blood drawn from animals' backs but also suck blood from vessels in the skin of teats, causing irritation. That can cause lesions that quickly transform a healthy udder and teats into areas covered in scabs. Once the bacteria spread into the teats, intramammary infection and tissue scarring are likely to result in the still-growing heifers.
Flies also are vectors for transmitting mastitis-causing bacteria. Staph. aureus is a major problem among heifers, Nickerson said.
Treatment can be highly successful, but prevention is key, he added. Some sort of fly control should be employed, especially during the summer months when fly populations are at their peak.
Fly control can be achieved through ear tags, pour-ons, sprays or insect growth regulators, and should be combined with a proper integrated pest management program.
"Herds with fly control programs have much lower levels of mastitic heifers," Nickerson said.
When heifers are allowed to freshen free of mastitis, lower somatic cell counts and maximum milk production are likely to result.
Central Life Sciences sponsored Friday's session.