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[Sport & Fitness ★]
Cliff divers at Victoria Falls
(P2) The men are professionals. They normally jump from between 26.5 and 28 meters. Thirty meters is new to them.
(P3) Victoria Falls are the largest in the world. People also call them Mosi-oa-Tunya or the Smoke that Thunders.
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly, summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Would you jump from a cliff?
- Why do some people like this type of sport?
- Do you think this is a dangerous sport?
- Do you have any falls in your country?
What do the following expressions mean?
- Jump into (P1)
- Jump from (P2)
Image Source: By Jake73, CC BY SA 3.0 _URL_


Symptoms, conditions and causes
What's the cause for heat intolerance?
Heat intolerance is a condition where you feel overheated easily when you're in a warm environment. This often includes excessive sweating, dizziness, or weakness.
Cause 1: Lack of vitamin B1
Heat intolerance roots in a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. If you're on a low-carb diet, you simply need to increase your vitamin B1 intake. If you're on a high-carb diet, carbs and sugar can deplete B vitamins, especially B1.
Remedies:
Consume nutritional yeast
Consume benfotiamine (fat-soluble vitamin B1)
Avoid things that deplete your body of B1:
- refined carbs and sugars
- caffeine
- alcohol
Last updated: Jun 14, 2023 14:22 PM


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The Holy Spirit's use of words:Example 4
Many suppose when they read of the "foreknowledge" of God (Acts 2:23; 1 Peter 1:2) that the expression simply means His cognizing beforehand. It imports very much more, expressing infallible certainty because based upon His eternal decree. God foreknows what will be because He has purposed what shall be. In its verbal form the word is actually rendered "foreordained" rather than "foreknown" in 1 Peter 1:20. Some Arminians, in their inveterate opposition to the Truth, have insisted that the word "elect" means a choice or excellent person, rather than a selected one, appealing to Christ's being termed God's "elect" in Isaiah 42:1. But the Holy Spirit has anticipated and refuted that wretched shift by defining the term in Matthew 12:18 (where He cites Isaiah 42:1), "Behold My servant, whom I have chosen." Mark 13:20, settles the meaning of "elect" once for all: "the elect's sake, whom He hath chosen." In common speech "prince" signifies one who is inferior to the king, but not when Christ is called "the Prince of peace" and "the Prince of life," as is clear from His being "Prince of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5). Many have been puzzled over mustard being called "the greatest among herbs" (Matthew 13:22), and love being greater than faith (1 Corinthians 13:13), when in fact faith is its root: but "greatest" does not mean largest in the former, or superior in the latter, but the most useful—the "best gifts" of 1 Corinthians 12:31, and "greater" in 1 Corinthians 14:5, signify more useful.
Arthur W. Pink-Interpretation of the Scriptures

source: m-a-p/FineFineWeb


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Ancient pyramids discovered in Sudan
At least 35 small pyramids, along with graves, have been discovered clustered closely together at a site called Sedeinga in Sudan. They date back around 2,000 years to a time when a kingdom named Kush flourished in Sudan. Kush shared a border with Egypt and, later on, the Roman Empire.
1 - 10 of 100

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


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The Gemara in Nedarim (50a) lists six sources of wealth from which Rabbi Akiva became exceedingly wealthy, including half of Ben Kalba Savua's money (Kesuvos, 63a). Rashi on Bechoros (58a) maintains that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Karcha was Rabbi Akiva's son (though Rabbeinu Tam and the Ran disagree). The Gemara in Shabbos (152a) relates that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Karcha was walking without shoes (and one can infer from the context that he had no shoes). The Gemara in Shabbos (129a) states that a person should even sell beams from his house to purchase shoes to wear: אמר רב יהודה אמר רב לעולם ימכור אדם קורות ביתו ויקח מנעלים לרגליו. It would seem that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Karcha was quite poor.
If Rabbi Yehoshua ben Karcha was Rabbi Akiva's son, what happened to Rabbi Akiva's wealth?
- Could it be that the Roman authorities confiscated Rabbi Akiva's estate when they executed him (B'rachos, 61b), leaving his son with no wealth?
- The estate of Nakdimon ben Gurion, who was one of the wealthiest men of Jerusalem (Gittin, 56a; Ta'anis 19b), fell to ruin and his daughter became impoverished (Kesuvos, 66b), either because he sometimes gave charity with extravagant flair for his own honor or that his great wealth obligated him to give even more charity than he did (ibid, 67a). Rabbi Akiva's humility and his tremendous efforts for charity seem to discount the possibility that he lost his fortune for any such reason. However:
- There is a concept that a person should not give a massive, unsustainable portion of one's wealth to charity and thereby bankrupt oneself. Did Rabbi Akiva do this? Could the needs of the time have been so imperative that this guideline was suspended?
- Might Rabbi Yehoshua ben Karcha merely have refused to accept any money from Rabbi Akiva?
Sources would be appreciated.
Edit: It's likely that no sources explicitly address this question. Unsourced suggestions are fine as answers, too, but please justify them if possible. For example, if you suggest that R' Akiva's money was confiscated by the Romans, you might support this with a Jewish or historical source that the Romans of that era would sometimes/typically confiscate the estates of people they would execute.


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Pasteurization: thermal death of microbes in brewing.
O'Connor-Cox, E.S.C., Yiu, P.M. and Ingledew, W.M.
The problem of determining the correct level of pasteurisation for beer (i.e. the temperature/time combination which exposes the beer to just enough heat to be certain to kill off all spoilage microorganisms, and no more) is discussed. The difficulty lies in determining the degree of exposure to heat necessary to destroy or incapacitate the organisms in question. Methods of determining the heat resistance of microorganisms are discussed and the processes by which heat damages and destroys them are described together with the effects of water activity, sugars, lipids, pH, proteins, salts, the age and physiological condition of the cells, cell density, ethanol and carbon dioxide. (It is pointed out that, since ethanol enhances the effects of pasteurisation, low alcohol and alcohol free beers require more intense heating for microbiological stability and are therefore more prone to off flavours caused by overpasteurisation). The thermal resistance characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (genera Lactobacillus and Pediococcus), obligately anaerobic bacteria (Zymomonas, Pectinatus and Megasphaera), Hafnia protea (alias Flavobacterium proteus or Obesumbacterium proteus), the coliform bacteria (especially Enterobacter agglomerans), acetic acid bacteria (Acetomonas and Acetobacter) and yeasts (both brewing and wild strains) are discussed on the basis of a survey of the literature.
Keywords : beer contamination microorganism pasteurisation resistance survey

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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Turanga Farm is 58.51 hectares (145 acres) of rolling rural land in Whitford, rural southeast Auckland towards the Firth of Thames, a forty minute drive from Auckland CBD. Eighteen house lots, ranging in size from 1,000 to 1,800m², will be clustered close together on a gentle north-facing slope at the centre of the farm, along with a community house. These will be surrounded by gardens and food forests, laid out according to permaculture zoning. Apart from the house lots, all land is held in common, and contains pasture, plantations and native bush. About 40% of the land is presently regenerating native bush, and we aim to increase the bush to about 25 ha. There is sealed road access to all but two of the lots, and other metalled vehicle tracks loop through the farm. We aim to keep the farm pedestrian-friendly, with lots of walking tracks. We have many mature trees, and have planted many thousand young natives, including over 600 kauri in one gully.
We are working hard at weed control in a number of areas, and while we aim to become fully organic we are still using some chemical herbicides, trying to limit their use especially in areas destined for food production.
The farm's founding members have for 14 years been learning how to farm organically (as members of Organic Farm New Zealand). Currently we run beef cattle and a flock of sheep. We aim to produce our own fruit, vegetables, grains, meat, milk and eggs. We have good supplies of water on site, including farm ponds, a perennial stream and potable bore water. We plan to process our effluent onsite by organic means, through communal reed beds.
House sites range from 1000 to 1200 square metres each, with freehold title. Purchase of a house site brings with it a joint share in the farm as a whole, including plantings, common house and facilities, stock and machinery.
We have built the first communal reed bed waste water system in New Zealand.


Why students should use something to manage their time
At this time every year many parents, and a few students, ask me what sort of planner, diary or App they should use. It is great that parents are keen to assist their children with organisation and time management at the start of the school year. I encourage you to keep reading to find out why students should use something to manage their time.
image of a diarySome children will be keen to use something to manage themselves however many more these days actually don't see the need or point. Many students don't think they need anything to help them with managing their workload and activities. For many, this unfortunately can lead to poor organisation, time management and in turn lower academic results. Time and time again I see students become anxious and overwhelmed as the year progresses and their workload increases and see that they are trying to manage without using any form of planner or online tool to assist.
With the increase in technology many school provide tasks and deadlines on school portals. This is great for students to know what they have and when it is due. However this does not help them to actually manage their time and that is why planners, diaries or Apps still have a very important role to play. Many of the schools I work with and talk to, are continually grappling with how to solve this issue and go from having compulsory diaries to not having them for a year or so only to often reintroduce them again the following year.
In the transition workshops I conduct for Year 6 students I speak about the importance of using a diary and teach them the basics of howGoogle Calendar image for Why students should use a planner/diary/App to use it. From this stage on it is important they get used to using something to manage their time so that by the time they enter the senior years this becomes a daily habit.
As you will hear me regularly say to students I really don't care what they use but that they use something! My advice to students is to have a go at using a few different tools so they can work out which one will work for them best in managing their time. This can be a simple notebook, a diary, a planner, a wall calendar, whiteboard, an electronic diary like google calendar, or one of the many Apps available such as My Homework.
image of a paper diaryUsually I recommend that students use a paper dairy initially to get used to using it and often the act of writing also assists to commit tasks to the brain.
To manage ones time, students actually need to 'see time' or in other words make time visual. Usually for a planner or diary it is important to have a week to a page so students can see ahead of time. There is nothing worse than using a day to a page diary and flipping the page only to see something is due the next day that they haven't even started. As many parents would know students often live in the 'now' and not the 'not now' so the more they can see ahead of time the better. By having a plan, students are also more likely to do the necessary work and on time!
image of student plannerThere are currently very few wall planners for students hence why I recently launched my own reusable whiteboard planner. The feedback from students has been very positive to date and they are finding it really helps them to see more than a week at a time as it includes both a term and weekly planner.
If you have any further questions about what your child should use or how to get them to use it then please get in touch.


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Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control (BPESC) document
IECA are proud to publish Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control. This publication has had a long gestation. Its origin lies in the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, Engineering Guidelines for Queensland Construction Sites published by the then Institution of Engineers, Australia back in 1996.
In the years since the publication of the original document the author Grant Witheridge has comprehensively and selflessly developed Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control in consultation with industry peers and experts to form a receptacle of erosion and sediment control best practice that is applicable Australia wide.
Historically, strategies for the reduction of soil erosion and land degradation have primarily been developed by the agricultural sector and soil scientists. However, soil erosion and land degradation is not restricted to just agricultural areas. Uncontrolled sedimentation, pollution and hydrological changes resulting from construction sites are one of the largest contributors to land and water quality degradation in Australia.
Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control is indicative of the significant contribution currently being made to the practice of urban soil erosion and sediment control by other professions, including engineers, ecologists and civil contractors. It contains the necessary strategies and techniques assist erosion and sediment control practitioners to reduce the degradation of land and water from uncontrolled erosion and sedimentation.
Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control is an essential reference for erosion and sediment control professionals nationally.


AJOR Vol.10 No.2, March 2020
A Study in Multistage Decision Making for Odisha State Avionic Infrastructure Development
Abstract: Multistage decision making is either under certainty or uncertainty data conditions. Expected monetary values' perfect information and monetary loss or gain at each stage of decision making are the research topics of a constrained decision making under risk. In the multistage decision making process, one stage's decision interferes with the subsequent stage's decision. In this paper, a simple study on decision making for creating Avionic infrastructure within the Odisha region is emphasized by using the mathematical logic tool on a case study problem. In this case study, the first stage D1 has two options, either construct or not construct new airports with utilizing the budgeted allot money. Each option's outcome probability, conditional value and expected outcome value are determined by applying arithmetic and logical calculations to next two stages D2 and D3. The expected value and percentage of returns are mentioned in the decision trees designed in Section 3. The nodes of the decision tree are stages or chance nodes and the arc lines' labels are mentioned from the appropriate expressions written in the decision tree and chance nodes table mentioned in Section 4.
1. Introduction
Multistage decision making within multiple options and action plans is a study in the Operational Research using optimization techniques. The corporal or government administrations also use this type of decision making procedure before investing funds and resources in their ministerial task forces. The Indian state Odisha is rich with technically educated manpower, minerals like Iron, Aluminum, metallurgy industries, electrical power plant coal and water resources and the central and Odisha state governing institutions have recently initiated to expand the avionic industry infrastructure in the uniformly distributed urban regions in Odisha state.
Adequate energy resource full-filled states within the nation India are some ways depending on avionic fleet and crew sources of the central government administration for quick transportation of their state passengers and materials. The transportation ministry, civil aviation ministry and industry ministry are looking and extending the similar aviation facilities for people of Odisha state to utilize their available natural resources and planning to draw requisite mineral resources for fulfilling the need of Odisha state aviation infrastructure establishment. There are some Indian states, having neither Aluminum nor Iron minerals but have a number of airports and infrastructures for oil refineries and developing their state industries with the imported electronics and electrical instruments from abroad. However, the mentioned resource full state Odisha has to develop its state industries utilizing the imported electronics instruments through its two national airports and five domestic airports under construction by the engineering institutions in Odisha for providing facilities to carry on business with low cost and quick airways transportation of materials.
In the research paper [1], the authors published a proposed planning to expand airways transportation facility within Odisha state airports and bring the notice of Odisha administration for constructing necessary infrastructure to maintain the newly built airports for multipurpose use. In the research paper [2], the authors studied the necessary infrastructure establishment modernization at Indian airports for facilitating aircraft component assembly and manufacturing at the existing and to be constructed new airports. The newly built airports in Odisha will not only provide facility to passengers and trainee engineers with low cost quick transportation facilities such as importing materials and support industrial tour to trainee engineers, also support the service aircraft components manufacture engineering workshop facility to assemble and fabricate the aircraft structures within Odisha for the services of the nation. In the research paper [3] the authors studied the linear program problem concerning aircraft, airport and crew schedule for low cost transportation. The background for such a study is the railways, and roadways maintenance materials are costly than the maintenance of aircraft and airports. The present days' administration should realize this truth and make necessary decision to invest a proportional quantity of energy resource for the escaping from acute shortage of locomotive vehicle resource energy.
In the present paper, we emphasize a logical calculation in the form of case study to convince the Odisha Avionic developers (OAD) should invest quantity of money as value of processing Aluminum, alloy metallic engines, Rubber tube tires and polymers for the manufacture and assemble the aircraft parts at the location of existing Odisha airports and the new airports construction site within Odisha.
2. Case Study
Odisha Avionic developer (OAD) considering whether to conduct a sequence of action plans during the maintenance construction of newly built airports in Odisha to enhance Odisha avionic infrastructure development. All the action plans are mentioned in the communicated email to the secretary government of Odisha. In this paper, a few action plans are discussed. If the OAD construct and execute all related action plans, its value would be $600 million with 65% chances of growth. They can construct two new airports one at Dhamara and another at Rasgovindpur for develop exiting Odisha state airports and balance the atmospheric air pressure and air humidity temperature climatic environment. The probability of success in the state infrastructure growth and expected returns are mentioned in Table 1.
Table 1. Odisha airports initial data.
If the OAD does construct new airports, they can use the $600 million to modernize the existing avionic fleet operation. This would result in a return of either 5% or 8% percent on the sum invested with probabilities 0.45 and 0.55. This action of OAD also provides employment to 10% engineers in the state. Assume that all costs and revenue have been discounted to their present values. The following decision tree (Figure 1) is constructed for solving the problem by analyzing courses of actions. By applying an appropriate decision criterion recommend the OAD should go in for the construct new airports at Dhamara, and Rasgovindpur.
Figure 1. The decision tree.
3. The Decision Tree Description
In the above designed decision tree, the node D1 is a decision stage that has two options either construct or not construct. Not constructed option line is connected to chance node 1. The chance node 2 has two outcomes. The chance node 1, outcome indicates expected value 5% return with probability 0.45% and the other outcome indicates 8% with probability 0.55% return.
The airport construction decision option or the chance node 2 implies two options namely success and failure. The success option arc connects to node stage D2 and failure labeled option arc connects to node stage D3. The D2 stage has two chance nodes 3 and 4. The arc connecting stage D2 to chance node 3, labeled as new airport construction and its success is 0.75% and failure is 0.25%.
The arc connecting node stage D2 to node 4 is labeled as develop existing infrastructure and its success probability is 0.85% and failure probability is 0.15%.
The decision stage D3 connects chance node 5 with the label modernize. It has two outcomes, one outcome is 5% return after investment and probability is 0.45%. The other outcome is 8% and probability is 0.55%.
The decision data is summarized and mentioned in following Table 2.
4. Inference
1) If new airports are to be constructed the expected value is 650 million dolTable 2. Evaluation of OAD Decision tree and chance nodes.
lars and the existing Avionic fleet is to be developed, the expected value is 647.5 million dollars. Total value is 1297.5 million dollars and success probability is 0.65% the updated expected value is 857.340 million dollars. If invested value is 600 million dollar is to be subtracted, the net expected value is 257.34 million dollars.
2) If only existing avionic fleet is to be developed and new airport is to be constructed the invested 600 million dollars will be subtracted from 647.5 million dollars which will yield 47.5 million dollar if the success is 100%.
3) The Existing avionic fleet development is only possible if the aircrafts are manufactured within the state airports with utilizing state engineering manpower and mineral resources. It is possible to build new airports and expand existing airport infrastructure establishment and machine workshops. So new airports with modernizing equipment facility can develop avionic fleet.
5. Conclusion
The quantity of dollars mentioned in the case study is a virtual quantity. But the Odisha state industries transacting minerals and resources concerned to manufacture industry products such as Iron, Aluminum, Cuppers wires, rubber tires, alloy metallic engines and in these mater's manufacturing phase, processed petrochemicals are valued real millions of dollar invested in each year. The mineral query such as Iron ore, Bauxite ore and Coal mine operating robots, ore transporter trucks operating from query site to plant site, product minerals from plant to warehouse site, are consuming 60% of net petroleum, diesel and kerosene quantity imported from abroad seaports to state Odisha. The remaining 40% of imported refined petrochemical to Odisha Indian Oil stores are utilized in other domestic industries and agriculture food process purposes. If two airports one at Dhamara and other at Rasgovindpur in Odisha are to be constructed, it will consume at most 0.01% of imported petrochemicals during the construction phase and completion after aircraft operational phase. The 80% of imported mineral oil to Odisha are utilized in metal extraction and the industry product maters transportation, and 80% of industry products are not used in the service or building infrastructure within Odisha.
Cite this paper: Das, L. and Mallick, C. (2020) A Study in Multistage Decision Making for Odisha State Avionic Infrastructure Development. American Journal of Operations Research, 10, 25-30. doi: 10.4236/ajor.2020.102


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Date: 25 Jan 2021, Entry id: _PHONE_-2
Healthy Plants: Q&A from Mr Booster
How to get Canistel tree to produce
without dropping flowers and fruit
Q: My Canistel tree is 3 1/2 years old and is growing very well, see the picture below. It gets hundreds of pea sized "berries" but then they fall off. No canistel fruit. What's wrong?
A: You have such a nice looking tree, it is a shame you can't get any fruit to ripen.
In our experience, Pouteria trees dropping fruit prematurely is a very common problem. There may be one of the following reasons, or a combination of them:
- Cold winters may affect production, and while Canistel is generally pretty hardy tropical plant that can easily withstand short periods of chill, the fruit may never form properly if it had a cold winter.
- Lack of water. Canistel tree is pretty drought tolerant, but for the proper production cycle it needs regular irrigation. Especially during hot summer.
- The tree may be not strong enough; young trees drop fruit very often when they don't have enough "fruiting energy" built up in their system.
Your tree looks well established and vigorous, however, flower/fruit drop is often a sign of insufficient nutrients of particular kind, usually Boron (B) and/or Molybdenum (Mo): either when a tree is too young and not strong enough, or because of poor soils and lack of necessary elements.
Here is what can be done, considering you live in a warm, frost-free climate.
1. Provide regular fertilizing program. We recommend liquid fertilizers Sunshine Boosters that are safe to use with every watering and year around. It is beneficial to switch plants from traditional "slow-release" fertilizer to the liquid one because it makes a huge difference in plant growth and flower/fruit quality and quantity. See also:
- Why liquid fertilizers are better than dry
Article about benefits of liquid fertilizers.
Use this plant food for your Canistel tree:
SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster
2. Apply micro-element remedies that are very effective for improving fruit production, especially when flower or fruit drop occurs:
SUNSHINE Honey - promotes more efficient blossoming and pollination, makes flowers bigger and reduces bud drop.
SUNSHINE SuperFood - improves plant vigor and quality and size of flowers These are all natural, eco-friendly supplements that work great for fruit trees and other edibles.
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If you want to change the direction of the stove pipe of your firewood stove, you need to choose a pipe elbow. Before you buy the elbow, you need to understand the following questions.
1. Diameter of stove pipe elbow. When connecting different chimneys, the most important parameter is the diameter of the connecting part. Only accurate diameter can ensure the stability and safety of products.
2. Angle of stove pipe elbow. This product provides two angle models, one is 45 degrees and the other is 90 degrees.
3. Material of stove pipe elbow. 304 stainless steel material, will not rust, strong and durable, can be used for a long time.


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The health consequences of smoking for young women could occur much sooner than they think, according to a new Australian study.
The study, of almost 15,000 women aged between 18-23, found smokers are more likely to experience premenstrual tension, heavy periods, severe period pain and irregular periods.
Quit Executive Manager Suzie Stillman says she hopes the study's findings will encourage more young women to quit.
'These findings are very significant, as they show young women are experiencing the negative health effects of smoking very quickly. Alarmingly, those effects get worse the more women smoke, and the younger they start.'
'But the good news is the risks fall for ex-smokers, so this study's finding should be a great incentive for young women to quit.'
The study found women who smoke 20 cigarettes or more a day are 50% more likely to suffer from severe period pain and premenstrual tension, and 60% more likely to experience heavy periods.
'Hopefully this data will encourage young women to think about quitting, as smoking could be causing them much more discomfort than they realise.'
'This study adds to the growing body of evidence about the effects of smoking on women's reproductive health.'
'We now know smoking affects women through all the reproductive stages, from menstruation, to fertility, pregnancy and post natal.'
Smoking rates are highest for women between the ages of 16-34, with over 30% of women in this age bracket smoking. Smoking rates fall to about 25% for women over the age of 35.
The study Cigarette smoking, menstrual symptoms and miscarriage in young women was published in the latest issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. The authors were Gita Mishra from the University of Newcastle, Annette Dobson of the University of Queensland, and Margot Schofield from the University of New England.
Media Communications Manager


1st Edition
The Psychology of Art
ISBN 9780367609931
Published October 9, 2020 by Routledge
150 Pages 28 Color Illustrations
USD $14.95
Prices & shipping based on shipping country
Book Description
Why do we enjoy art? What inspires us to create artistic works? How can brain science help us understand our taste in art?
The Psychology of Art provides an eclectic introduction to the myriad ways in which psychology can help us understand and appreciate creative activities. Exploring how we perceive everything from colour to motion, the book examines art-making as a form of human behaviour that stretches back throughout history as a constant source of inspiration, conflict and conversation. It also considers how factors such as fakery, reproduction technology and sexism influence our judgements about art.
By asking what psychological science has to do with artistic appreciation, The Psychology of Art introduces the reader to new ways of thinking about how we create and consume art.
Table of Contents
1. Art and psychology
2. The neuroscience of art
3. Why do we engage in art?
4. Depicting space, contour and form in art
5. Depicting colour and motion in art
6. What makes great art?
7. Creativity in art and science
Further reading
View More
George Mather is Professor of Psychology at the University of Lincoln, UK. His main research interests are in the perception of movement, art and visual illusions.


In a short form "Trekking is an act of walking for pleasure".
Trekking is walking along the mountain/ Hill / Himalayan trails for pleasure or sports. It provides an opportunity to explore the villages, villagers, valleys, mountains and its interior. So trekking means foot travel on mountain trails.
The Wikipedia's definition of trekking: "Trekking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. It usually takes place on trails in areas of relatively unspoiled wilderness. "
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Implementing the OurSCHOOL Student Survey at St. Dominic in 2015 allowed former Principal Kevin DeForge and Assistant Principal Joelle Marshall to learn that 32 per cent of students reported feeling medium to high levels of anxiety at school. Knowing it's not just the data that matters, but what you do with it, Kevin and his team sought to understand what was driving this.
Using the insight gained from the OurSCHOOL survey, the St. Dominic staff created a three-pronged approach to reducing anxiety and empowering students.
1. Introducing opportunities for students to embrace experimentation and gain confidence
2. Working closely with students to reduce anxiety levels at school
3. Engaging parents and caregivers and integrating classroom practices into the home


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Codio enables students to take the abstract concepts learned in the intro CS experience and apply them more tangibly.
Codio Resources present instructional material in smaller units that are more manageable for students. The same vocabulary and concepts are covered but in a more approachable way through the LMS for Python, C++, Java, R, and other programming and data science courses.
Tools like our code visualizer let students see how their code works "under the hood." Codio Resources involve a variety of new concepts and competencies for many learners. Codio Resources support their development and empower learners to learn how to write fully functional code.


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This panel displays information about the current performance of your FortiNAC, and has the following tabs: Hardware, Software, and CPU Usage.
You can modify the thresholds used to determine when % Used displays as Warning (the colored bar is yellow) or Critical (the colored bar is red) in both the Hardware and Software tabs. By default, the threshold for Warning is 85% and Critical is 95%. To modify the thresholds, click on the colored bar and enter the new thresholds. Threshold changes are global and affect all users.


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River Islands, located within the Stewart Track in the City of Lathrop, is a 5,000-acre, master-planned community located southwest of the San Joaquin River. PACE was hired to provide master planning and design services for the development's potable water, recycled water and sanitary sewer infrastructure. PACE worked with the developer's general civil engineer to analyze and model all wet utility infrastructure and verify each system's performance under average, maximum, and peak operating conditions. For the potable water distribution system model, peak conditions included verifying the performance of the system to meet fire flow requirements under maximum and peak hour potable water demands. PACE was also responsible for determining the design requirements for all infrastructure improvements such as the pumping capacity of lift stations and booster pump stations, and size and height requirements for storage tank sites.
The potable water distribution model was analyzed using WaterGEMS and includes approximately 325,000 LF of distribution piping, 20,000 GPM of pumping capacity across two booster pump stations, and 10.8 MG of storage. The sanitary sewer model was created and analyzed within ArcGIS and includes approximately 390,000 LF of collection piping, and 6 sewer lift stations. All model results were summarized in individual master plan reports submitted and approved by the City of Lathrop.
River Islands at Lathrop


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How Do I Program the Honeywell 5806W3 to the 2GIG GC3?
You can program the Honeywell 5806W3 to the 2GIG GC3 by opening the wireless zones menu for the GC3, putting the system into its learn mode and then activating the device's test switch. The settings for the Honeywell 5806W3 should then be configured so that it functions properly.
The Honeywell 5806W3 is a wireless smoke detector that uses a photoelectric sensor to detect the presence of smoke. Unlike its big brother, the 5808W3, the 5806W3 does not provide detection for heat or low temperatures.
Complete the following steps to program the Honeywell 5806W3 to the 2GIG GC3:
1. Open wireless zones. Begin from the main screen on the 2GIG GC3 Security Panel. Press the 2GIG logo in the upper-right corner of the screen. Provide the system's Installer Code to continue (the default code is 1561). Choose System Configuration, then Wireless Zones. This will open the Wireless Zones Menu.
2. Choose a zone. Locate an available zone on the left side of the screen. Click on the zone to highlight it. Then click the "Edit Zone" button to configure the settings for that zone. The following menu will allow the user to program and configure the sensor.
3. Program the 5806W3. Choose the following settings for the zone:
- Sensor Type: Set either "09 - 24-Hour Fire" or "16 - 24-Hour Fire Verification". These are the same setting, except 16 will require that the device is activated a second time after 30 seconds have passed before an alarm will occur. The 09 setting will have an immediate alarm occur when the sensor is activated.
- Equipment Code: The 5806W3 is not listed in the 2GIG GC3 Equipment codes. Instead, choose "0859 - HW Smoke 5808W3". This will allow the 5806W3 to function as normal with the 2GIG GC3.
- Serial Number: Click the Learn button in the lower-right corner of the keypad on the screen. Then use a paper clip or other thin object to activate the test button on the 5806W3 Smoke Detector. The GC3 System should recognize the device and enroll it.
- Equipment Age: This has no affect on the operation of the 5806W3. Choose "New" if the device is being used for the first time. Choose "Existing" if the device was previously used with a different alarm system.
- Loop Number: Choose Loop 1.
- Transmission Delay: Set the transmission delay to "Disabled" so that the system sends an alert to Alarm.com immediately after the device has been activated.
- Voice Descriptors: Choose a name that will allow you to quickly identify the 5806W3. Some examples of good names include "Bedroom Smoke", "Hallway Smoke" or "Living Room Smoke".
- Sensor Reports and Supervision: Set these options to "Enabled".
- Sensor Chime. The chime option should be "Disabled", as the alarm will sound once the 5806W3 has been activated.
4. Save the changes. After adjusting the settings, press the "Return to System Configuration" button at the top of the screen. Then press the back arrow on the left, followed by "Save" to confirm all of the changes. The GC3 System will then complete the enrollment process for the 5806W3.
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Motion of no confidence
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A motion of no confidence (alternatively vote of no confidence, censure motion, no-confidence motion, or (unsuccessful) confidence motion) is a statement or vote that a person or persons in a position of responsibility (government, managerial, etc.) is no longer deemed fit to hold that position: perhaps because they are inadequate in some respect, are failing to carry out obligations, or are making decisions that other members feel are detrimental. As a parliamentary motion, it demonstrates to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in (one or more members of) the appointed government.
A censure motion is different from a no-confidence motion. Depending on the constitution of the body concerned, "No Confidence" may lead to compulsory resignation of the council of ministers or other position-holder(s), whereas "Censure" is meant to show disapproval and does not result in the resignation of ministers. The censure motion can be against an individual minister or a group of ministers, but the no-confidence motion is directed against the entire cabinet. Again, depending on the applicable rules, censure motions may need to state the reasons for the motion while no-confidence motions may not require reasons to be specified.
Parliamentary systems[edit]
In many parliamentary democracies, strict time limits exist as to the proposal of a no confidence motion, with a vote only allowed once every three, four or six months. Thus the timing of a motion of no confidence is a matter of political judgement; using a motion of no confidence on a relatively trivial matter may prove counterproductive if a more important issue suddenly arises which warrants a motion of no confidence, because a motion cannot be proposed if one had been voted on recently. Sometimes, the government will choose to declare that one of its bills is a "motion of confidence" in order to prevent dissident members of parliament from voting against it.
United Kingdom[edit]
Traditionally, in the Westminster system, the defeat of a supply bill (one that concerns the spending of money) is seen to require the resignation of the government or dissolution of Parliament, much like a non-confidence vote, since a government that cannot spend money is hamstrung, also called loss of supply. When the upper house of a Westminster system country has the right to refuse supply, such as in Australia during the events of 1975, the convention is in a grey area, as Westminster governments are not normally expected to maintain the confidence of the upper house.
Prior to 2011, in the British Parliament, a no-confidence motion generally first appeared as an early day motion, although the vote on the Queen's Speech also constituted a confidence motion.[1] However, under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, only a motion explicitly resolving "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government" is treated as a motion of no confidence.
In India, a Motion of No Confidence can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Parliament of India). The motion is admitted for discussion when a minimum of fifty members of the house support the motion.[2] If the motion carries, the house debates and votes on the motion. If a majority of the members of the house vote in favour of the motion, the motion is passed and the Government is bound to vacate the office. Acharya Kripalani moved the first-ever No confidence motion on the floor of the Lok Sabha in August 1963, immediately after the disastrous India-China War.[3][4]
In Italy,[5] the government requires the support of both houses of the Parliament. A vote of no confidence may be proposed if one tenth of the members of a single house sign the proposition and starting from three days before the appointed date, said vote can be brought into discussion. Following the case of Filippo Mancuso in 1995 and the subsequent Constitutional Court sentence in 1996,[6] it is possible to propose an individual vote of no confidence against a single minister instead of the whole government.
In the Australian Parliament, a motion of no-confidence requires a majority of the members present in the House of Representatives to agree to it. The House of Representatives currently consists of 150 members; requiring 76 votes in favour of the motion when all members of the House are present. A vote of no confidence in a Government, or a motion or amendment censuring a Government, has never been successful in the House of Representatives.[10] Despite this, on eight occasions Governments have either resigned or advised a dissolution following their defeat on other questions before the House. Specific motions of no confidence or censure motions against the Prime Minister, ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, Senators and leaders of political parties have been moved and have been successful on some occasions. Motions of no confidence against the Government may be passed in the Senate, yet may have little or no impact in the House.[10]
Presidential systems[edit]
United States[edit]
In the United States, motions styled as "no confidence" are only symbolic and are rare. Party leadership turnover generally occurs as a result of internal discussion and vote among the elected members of the party, followed by the response of the public in a primary election and general election.
In organizations that use Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR), there is no motion of no confidence, although the assembly could adopt a motion expressing a lack of confidence in its leaders (i.e. a motion to censure).[11]
The United States Congress passed a no confidence motion against Secretary of State Dean Acheson in the 1950s[12] and considered one against Attorney General Alberto Gonzales,[13] but these motions are of symbolic effect only.
Removal from office[edit]
As U.S. political tradition does not include motions of no confidence, laws provide for the removal of specific people. All of these processes are designed to be rare.
In some U.S. states, a recall election fills a similar role of removing an unpopular executive officer, but in contrast to a motion of no confidence, a recall vote is a no-confidence election by the public and is normally only allowed against elected executive offices, rather than legislative seats. In states that have recall elections, the law usually restricts how often they are held, so that recall attempts do not follow each highly contested election.
Each house of Congress may, by a two-thirds majority, vote to expel any of its own members, and similar processes exist in U.S. state legislatures. These removals are very rare, and the motivations are typically criminal misdeeds or ethics violations, not mere loss of confidence.
Impeachment in the United States can remove a government officer through a two-part process in the legislature. Congress can remove a federal officer, including the President and any federal judge. State legislatures have similar powers over the state offices. Impeachment is reserved for criminal conduct or major ethical violations and is not directly a vote of no confidence in the party, since removal of the head of government usually results in succession by an officer of the same party.
To deal with this situation, the French placed a great degree of executive power in the office of its President, who is immune from Motions of No Confidence.
See also[edit]
 5. ^ Constitution of Italy. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
 6. ^ "Sentenza n. 7 del 1996". Retrieved January 3, 2015.
 7. ^ German Constitution Official English Translation Article 67 - Vote of No Confidence
 8. ^ Wikisource:Constitution of Japan
 9. ^ (CBC)
 10. ^ a b Motions of no confidence and censure (HTML version). House of Representatives Practice (6th ed.). Canberra: Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
 11. ^ Robert III, Henry M. (2011). "Frequently Asked Questions about RONR (Question 7)". The Official Robert's Rules of Order Web Site. The Robert's Rules Association. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
 14. ^ Marson, James; Bendavid, Naftali (December 3, 2013). "Ukraine Government Survives No-Confidence Vote". The Wall Street Journal.


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This interesting paper shows that risk-adjusted Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) produce more outliers by surgeon than Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMRs). Presumably the distribution of PROMs was more skewed than the distribution of SMRs. However, surgeons accounted for only a small proportion of all unexplained variance in the distribution of PROMs, so little could be achieved by weeding out a few individual surgeons. In addition, risk adjustment can under-adjust so that a true positive becomes a false negative. For example, controlling for hospital type could obscure poor performance in types of hospital that attract poorly performing surgeons. A better way to scrutinise surgical performance might be to analyse surgical skill by observing recordings of operations and analysing them by experts or automated systems. These results could be correlated with PROMs to identify truly excellent surgeons who could give proctorship to those whose processes and outcomes were less good. We think the future of quality monitoring lies in triangulating 'performance data' and using it in local improvement programmes. — Richard Lilford, CLAHRC WM Director References:
- Varagunam, M; Hutchings, A, Black, N. Do patient-reported outcomes offer a more sensitive method for comparing the outcomes of consultants than mortality? A multilevel analysis of routine data. BMJ Qual Saf. 2015; 24(3): 195-202.
- Hampton T. Efforts seek to develop systematic ways to objectively assess surgeons' skills. JAMA. 2015; 313(8): 782-4.
- Department of Health. Guidance on the routine collection of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). London: Department of Health. 2009. [Online].
- Lilford R, & Rosser D. What's Up Doc? Health Serv J. 2013; 123:19-21.


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By Sascha O. Becker and Ludger Wößmann. Reading for Tuesday, 10 April 2007.
Max Weber attributed the higher economic prosperity of Protestant regions to a Protestant work ethic. We provide an alternative theory, where Protestant economies prospered because instruction in reading the Bible generated the human capital crucial to economic prosperity. County-level data from late 19th-century Prussia reveal that Protestantism was indeed associated not only with higher economic prosperity, but also with better education. We find that Protestants' higher literacy can account for the whole gap in economic prosperity. Results hold when we exploit the initial concentric dispersion of the Reformation to use distance to Wittenberg as an instrument for Protestantism.
Published: Thursday, April 05, 2007
© 2013. The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.


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Is there anything similar to R's findInterval (or cut) in SAS, specifically in IML?
I'm converting an R program of mine that does Monte Carlo simulations to IML, and it uses findInterval to convert the numbers from the random number generator to an output state. I can write something in IML to replace it, but it's terribly slow compared to the original. This is because findInterval takes advantage of compiled C code; is there anything similar that I can use in SAS?
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I should probably describe what it is that findInterval does! Given a value x and a vector of sorted cutpoints vec, it finds those cutpoints that x lies between, ie which interval x falls into. More precisely, if vec[i] < x < vec[i+1], then findInterval returns i. The argument x can also be a vector, in which case it returns a vector of intervals. – Hong Ooi Feb 9 '11 at 23:04
1 Answer 1
up vote 1 down vote accepted
Are your breaks uniform (equal probability) or not? For uniform breaks, you can use ceil(k*u) where u is the vector or random uniform numbers. For example, if you want 10 observations randomly assigned to the numbers 1-4 with equal probability, you can say
y = ceil(4*ranuni(j(10,1)));
or, if you want to use the newer random number generator,
u = j(10,1); /** allocate **/
call randgen(u, "uniform"); /** fill with U[0,1] **/
y = ceil(4*u);
For unequal probability, use the "table" distribution. For example,
p = {0.1 0.5 0.2 0.2}; /** four categories with given probabilities **/
y = j(10, 1);
call randgen(y, "Table", p); /** fills with 1-4 with probability p **/
You might be interested in using the SampleWithReplace module from Chapter 13 of my book, Statistical Programming with SAS/IML software. You can download the code and see an example of its use at _URL_
Both of these techniques eliminate the need for findInterval because they produce the categories directly. If you REALLY REALLY think you need to bin the random numbers, you can use the algorithm I describe here: _URL_
share|improve this answer
Yes, that should do the trick. Thanks! – Hong Ooi Feb 23 '11 at 1:14
By the way, SAS 9.3 introduced the BIN function into the SAS/IML language. See blogs.sas.com/content/iml/2013/07/15/cut-pts-and-uneven-bins – Rick Jul 15 '13 at 17:24
Your Answer


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The Finnish Youth Research Network produces multidisciplinary research information and participates in discussion in society, offering perspectives for practical work with young people and for the fields of administration and politics. Youth research has a particular responsibility to address topical phenomena that concern young people. Our research covers topics that are familiar to and acknowledged by society as well as themes that are ignored or marginal. This responsibility is local, national and global.
The research operations of the Finnish Youth Research Network are based on multidisciplinary and ethical approaches and a combination of basic academic research and applied research that is relevant in terms of youth policy. This broadens conventional understanding of the scope of expertise and the roles of researchers. Within the Finnish Youth Research Network, we seek to make versatile use of various research methods by combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, for example, and to look beyond conventional research questions and environments.
The research carried out by the Finnish Youth Research Network is divided into three fields of knowledge. These fields reflect the key perspectives of social responsibility and the high-quality scientific research conducted by the Finnish Youth Research Network. The goal is to produce a diverse range of studies on social divisions that lay the framework for the lives of young people and on the everyday experiences and practices of young people and the adults who work with them. Research projects and the researchers involved in the projects cooperate in various sections of these focus areas.
More information about research projects in progress within the Finnish Youth Research Network is available on the Research Projects page.
Research within the Finnish Youth Research Network is funded by ministries, international providers of research funding, the Academy of Finland, foundations, organisations and municipalities, among other parties. We cooperate with universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutes, organisations, scientific societies and many other partners.


text:
This section shows you how to remove all duplicate white spaces from a specific text file. In this section a program is given as follows for the best illustration for how to remove all duplicate white spaces from the given text file. This program reads the file line-by-line for search the duplicate white spaces and replace all duplicate white spaces with the single white space.
This program takes a text file name from which it reads text line-by-line and replaces all duplicate white spaces with a single white spaces for removing all duplicate white spaces from the text file. And finally this program writes the whole string to the file which is without any duplicate white space.
These all operations are performed by the program after checking whether the given is existing or not. If the file does not exist then the whole operations are denied otherwise it performs all the operations efficiently.
This is the class of the java.io package which is used to read primitive data types from a specified file.
This is the class of java.io package which is used to write contents to the specified file in the UTF-8 format.
Here is the code of the program:
Recommend the tutorial


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Where the trees are naturally musical
For centuries, the spruces of the Violin's Forest have been used in the world's finest instruments
Geography and climate have conspired to produce extraordinary trees in the forests east of Predazzo. Managed for 900 years by the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme, their timber resonates with an unusually clear and consistent tone, and they have inspired both instrument makers and musicians for centuries.
In winter, all forests feel magical. Hushed and white beneath their mantles of snow, they're beautiful places in which to strap on a pair of snowshoes, and go for a walk.
But for music lovers no forest is more bewitching than la Foresta dei Violini, just east of Paneveggio in the Val di Fiemme. Called, in English, the Violin's Forest, it was colonized long ago by red Italian spruces, and they grow straight and slow along its chilly and sheltered slopes. As a result, their wood is dense and consistent, and makes near-perfect soundboards for musical instruments. Stradivarius used it, and it's still sought after for the world's finest violins, cellos, pianos and guitars. In fact, 10% of the trees here are suitable for this sacred purpose, compared with an average of 0.8%.
The Violin's Forest is just east of the visitor centre of the Nature Park of Paneveggio–Pale di San Martino, which has a small museum dedicated to these musical trees. It also offers guided walks, where you'll learn about the history of the forest, and its careful management. It is, for example, thought that trees intended for soundboards are best harvested during a waning moon in early winter, so that there is less sap in the timber.
The more adventurous should also seek out il Bosco che Suona – "the Valley of Harmony" – which is a 5km walk from the car park at the Miola restaurant, in the Valmaggiore. Here too there is a near-perfect micro-climate for musical trees, and in a remarkable new project, musicians are being invited to adopt a tree, and play a piece of music inspired by it. Download the app "Il Bosco che Suona", on Google Play before you go, and you can listen to the results as you walk through the forest.


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Spatial developments of Hungarian agriculture in the transition: the case of crop production
[Räumliche Entwicklungen der ungarischen Landwirtschaft im Transformationsprozess am Beispiel der Pflanzenproduktion]
The paper investigates spatial changes in cultivation and land use of wheat, maize and oilseed in Hungarian agriculture using different methods to measure these changes. The results suggest that spatial structure of crop productions has remained fairly stable during analysed period. The spatial concentration increased significantly for wheat and maize production and maize land use, whilst the changes were not significant for other cases. Estimates confirm the presence of spatial autocorrelation for all cases. The degree of spatial autocorrelation has no unambiguous pattern over time, except for maize production. Finally, we have not found significant relationship measured by PSE index between agricultural support and spatial concentration, but estimates show positive and significant effects of the share of private farms in the production of certain crops on spatial concentration.
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text:
The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards program continues to gain support, as the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy announced that the newly launched awards program will be judged by a panel of experts from academic institutions, USDA, EPA, World Wildlife Fund, media and dairy industry leaders.
In September, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, in affiliation with the Dairy Research Institute, announced the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards, a new program to recognize dairy farms, businesses and collaborative partnerships for efforts that deliver outstanding economic, environmental and/or social benefit, thus helping advance sustainability of the dairy industry.
The judges panel brings together leading experts on the economic and environmental issues and opportunities facing the dairy industry today. This varied experience will enable the panel to assess nominations from diverse perspectives as they evaluate and select the winners. All nominations will be evaluated based on the program's or project's results as measured by triple bottom-line success – economic, environmental and social. Judges also will assess the potential for adoption of the idea by other dairy farms and businesses; demonstrated learning, innovation and improvement; and scalability.
Judges for the inaugural U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards are:
- Robert Bonnie, senior advisor to the Secretary for Environment and Climate, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Jim Carper, chief editor, Dairy Foods
- Dr. Jason Clay, senior vice president, Market Transformation, World Wildlife Fund
- Lawrence Elworth, agricultural counselor to the administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Dr. Molly Jahn, professor, Laboratory of Genetics and Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Larry Jensen, president, Leprino Foods and chair, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy
- Matt Kistler, senior vice president, Walmart
- Steve Larson, managing editor, Hoard's Dairyman
- Dr. James Linn, department head, professor of dairy nutrition, University of Minnesota; and president, American Dairy Science Association
- Joel Makower, chairman and executive editor, Greenbiz Group Inc.
- Randy Mooney, dairy producer and chairman, National Milk Producers Federation
- Dr. M. Gatz Riddell, executive vice president, American Association of Bovine Practitioners
- Paul Rovey, dairy producer and chairman, Dairy Management Inc.
- Connie Tipton, president and chief executive officer, International Dairy Foods Association
- Dave White, chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA
In addition to the prominence of the judges panel, USDA and World Wildlife Fund have lent their support to the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards. Since 2010, World Wildlife Fund and the Innovation Center have established a transformative partnership to build on each other's networks, knowledge and experience, with the broader goal of creating a more sustainable dairy industry environmentally, socially and economically.
Greenhouse gas reduction projects under way as part of the Sustainability Commitment are supported in part by funding and shared resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). In particular, NRCS is working with the dairy industry to promote on-farm energy management.
Nominations are being accepted at USDairy.com/Sustainability/Awards through Dec. 1 for the following awards:
- The Elanco Award for Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability
- The U.S. Dairy Export Council Award for Outstanding Dairy Processing & Manufacturing Sustainability
- The Center for Advanced Energy Studies/Idaho National Laboratory Award for Outstanding Achievement in Energy
Winners of the inaugural U.S. Dairy Awards will be announced in February 2012 and will be recognized at a special awards ceremony held in Washington D.C. The awards are part of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment, an industrywide effort to measure and improved the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the dairy industry. PD
—From Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy news release


text:
Cambridge, UK and San Jose, CA (PRWEB) January 06, 2012
CSR plc today announced the availability of the SiRFstudio TM Client LoCoMo API, which gives developers the tools to add location, as well as context-awareness of pedestrian motion, on any MEMS-enabled Android device.
LoCoMo API innovations are based on the concept of "Locomotion" allowing the differentiation between different modes of physical movement, such as walking and running. These capabilities can be used to distinguish applications in a number of categories, such as gaming and physical fitness. The LoCoMo API Software Developer Kit (SDK) comes with a fitness applet called "GoRun" developed by CSR to illustrate LoCoMo API capabilities.
"CSR sees a strong desire on the part of application developers to bridge the physical and virtual worlds," said Ashu Pande, General Manager and Managing Director, Infrastructure and Services Business Unit (ISBU) of CSR. "Developers of games increasingly demand a means of incentivising physical activity with virtual rewards, and fitness application developers would like applications that can sense motion and classify and quantify physical activity throughout the day -- not just during exercise routines."
"With the SiRFstudio Client LoCoMo API, CSR is giving developers the benefit of our deep expertise in location and related signal processing so they may create compelling, differentiated applications," he added.
LoCoMo API offers alternative location determination by providing Cell ID/Wi-Fi positioning when GPS is unavailable by utilising CSR's cloud hosted Cell/Wi-Fi® Access Point Position Database and Motion (i.e. device heading, pitch, and roll) sensing. The LoCoMo API's "Locomotion Context" capability is a significant advance over existing mobile phone pedometer APIs that force developers to assume a static human stride length. This approach creates significant error in the calculation of distance travelled, calories burned and other related values.
In contrast, the LoCoMo API automatically recognises if the user is walking, fast walking, jogging, running, ascending/descending floors via stairs or elevator/escalator, and varies stride appropriately. The LoCoMo API uses the gait context information, which can change constantly during the course of an exercise routine, to provide accurate calculation of distance travelled, calories burned and more. In addition, automatic classification of physical activity simplifies application user interface by reducing the need for users to manually identify their activity.
Interested developers may request access to the LoCoMo API/SDK by contacting CSR at LoCoMo(at)csr(dot)com
Visit the CSR booth at CES 2012 (South Hall #30337) to see a demonstration of consumer products powered by CSR.
CSR is a global provider of innovative silicon and software solutions for the location-aware, media-rich, cloud-connected world. Our platforms are optimised for the automotive navigation and infotainment, digital cameras and imaging, connected home infotainment and wireless audio markets. We provide solutions to complex problems in the audio-visual, connectivity and location technology domains across a broad range of markets, with a technology portfolio that includes GPS/GNSS systems, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, FM, NFC, aptX® and CVCTM audio codecs, JPEG, MPEG, H.264 imaging, IPS printing, microcontrollers, DSPs and broadband receivers. CSR's technology solutions and market platforms enable its customers to deliver a superior user experience and are adopted by leaders in the auto, computer, home and mobile markets. More information can be found at _URL_. Keep up to date with CSR on our blog, or follow us on Twitter at _URL_.
CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains certain statements (including, statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or performance, or assumptions related thereto) that are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in relation to the future performance and outlook of CSR's LoCoMo API solution, its performance characteristics in customer's products, as well as other future events and their potential effects on CSR. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as 'will,' 'deliver,' 'to enhance,' 'to enable,' and other similar expressions regarding the performance characteristics of CSR's products and solutions, and their potential effects on CSR. Any future release of CSR's LoCoMo API solution or related products or modifications to such products' capability, functionality or features are subject to ongoing evaluation by CSR and its customers, and may or may not be implemented and should not be considered firm commitments by CSR and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. Such forward-looking statements represent the current expectations and beliefs of management of CSR, and are based upon numerous assumptions regarding CSR's business strategies and the environment in which CSR will operate and therefore involve a number of known and unknown risks, contingencies, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of CSR, including, but not limited to, those detailed from time to time in CSR's periodic reports (whether under the caption Risk Factors or Forward-Looking Statements or elsewhere), which are available at the SEC's web site _URL_. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof. CSR does not undertake to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein, otherwise than required by law.
Bluetooth® and the Bluetooth logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and licensed to CSR.
Wi-Fi®, Wi-Fi Alliance®, WMM®, Wi-Fi Protected Access®, WPA®, WPA2®, Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ and Wi-Fi Multimedia™ are trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Android® is a trademark owned by Google Inc.
Other products, services and names used in this document may have been trademarked by their respective owners.
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Growing Indoors vs Outdoors
We've balanced soils in both the indoor and outdoor growing environments and have identified key differentiators and similarities in these two worlds. The main difference is the soil volume/weight associated with the plant. Indoor soil volume/weight (pots) is usually small making the indoor growing system small. Small systems have no momentum so the growing parameters can change very quickly as result of any perturbation. On the other hand, when growing outdoors (plants planted in the ground), the soil volume/weight is larger which creates a much larger momentum factor and this making the parameters are much slower to change. Therefore, it's much easier to control an outdoor system than an indoor one. That's why considerable input is required by man to control an indoor system. Never-the-less, whether indoor or outdoor, PROBIOTICS will greatly reduce the amount of input by you and allow you to move toward an autonomous system with far less errors/mistakes. To assist in the control of either systems, indoor and/or outdoor laboratory analysis will greatly help in identifying the whether the parameters have fallen out-ofthe target ranges. Target data of the parameters allow a holistic approach for trouble shooting issues.
In an outdoor growing environment some of growing parameters, are essentially set by Mother Nature. Mother Nature can be unpredictable at times, but by taking a PROBIOTICS approach one can help level the playing field by building up the natural immunity and resiliency of the plant. This gives you a far better chance to control the wrath of Mother Nature without using excessive toxic chemical, pesticides, fungicides and herbicide.
Indoor growing on the other hand is much more fraught with potential pitfalls. Indoor plants generally experience a greater intervention from "Man" with simulated seasonal and environmental growing conditions. Indoors the "Man" controls many more parameters including using simulated light, time of light, temperature composition of air (added carbon dioxide), air flow, soil composition, humidity, water amounts and composition, and fertilizer regiments. Using light and additives to accelerate the time-line, growers typically overload their soils with phosphorus, effectively poisoning the microbial support system, lessening the plant's immune capability, and enlisting toxic chemicals pesticides and fungicides to compensate for the weakened microbial system. Indoor operations can be rewarding, however, on the other hand they can also be disastrous. The soil volume/weight in an indoor system are also usually small making it very difficult to control growing parameters since they can change very rapidly. Again, analyses are extremely important and the application of the PROBIOTIC APPROACH will greatly improve your level of success by building nutrient transport system and the natural immunity of the plant resulting in a minimum use of toxic chemical pesticides, fungicides, herbicides.
With our experience both indoor and outdoor we've established a step by step system, PROBIOTICS, to balance the soil in a chemical, physical, microbial and high energy manner. The result of using PROBIOTICS builds the natural immunity of the plant and allows you to avoid the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The product of PROBIOTICS is creating a soil that is regenerative in nature, is maximized in soil fertility and is able to be reused.
Begin your soil with PROBIOTICS, a balance in chemical, physical, microbial and high energy parameters. With a better nutrient transport system and a stronger more fortified immune system, your plants will be more capable of handling the human intervention of pushing the plant to accelerate it at various stages without crashing it's immune system or poisoning the plant with extreme levels of phosphorus and/or other toxic substances.
Soils with rich microbial communities do not require the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. The more mature your microbial community the better your plants immune and nutrient transport system will perform. So, as your soil ages, year after year, the better your soil fertility will be. The better the plant immune system and nutrient transport system, the better the plant flowering, flavor, smell, color and quantity will be.
Using a combination of symbiotic microbes instead of toxic chemicals, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides avoids the presence of harmful chemicals and metals in your soil rendering it ideal for regeneration and reuse. Regardless of what you choose to grow, it is this mature microbe and nutrient rich soil that provides the optimum foundation for the healthiest and highest quality produce that is not contaminated with toxic chemicals, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides.


text:
W is for Wagner's Viper
This stunning photo of a female and two young Wagner's vipers is by Mario Schweiger, and is used by permission.
Wagner's viper was first discovered and described by German naturalist Moritz Wagner in 1846. Sadly he mislabelled the specimen's place of habitat and so it was unseen for another 140 years, and presumed extinct. Then it was rediscovered on a road in eastern Turkey, its actual habitat, where it now lives mainly in one river valley about 1,600 and 1,900m above sea level.
Unfortunately, due to its rather attractive colouring, and rarity value, publication of the whereabouts of this beautiful snake brought a massive number of collectors to the area, mainly from Europe. They took large numbers of snakes, especially gravid females. So many in fact, that over succeeding years the snake suffered a devastating loss to its population.
Worried scientists worked to get the snake listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which bans international trade of species without export permits. But sadly 80% of these snakes had already disappeared. Furthermore a dam on the river in its territory threatened to destroy its habitat.
Today the snake is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and zoos (Saint Louis Zoo in particular) have instituted a breeding programme to bring the snake back from the brink.
Here is my poem:
On the rocky mountain slopes
around the rivers and the lake,
in coils of camouflaging scales
dwells the Wagner's viper snake,
but every year more disappear
their future has been sold,
for the beauty of their souls
has been drawn in bronze and gold.
© Liz Brownlee
Image © Mario Schweiger and used by permission.
Prose and Poem © Liz Brownlee, all rights reserved, not to be used in any manner whatsoever without the permission of the author.


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Aalnc sentence example
- The American Academy of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) offers a Legal Nurse Consulting Online Course that can help nurses prepare for this speciality.
- According to the AALNC, much confusion exists about the specific role of the nurse consultant.
- The AALNC maintains that the profession is a speciality in the field of nursing and it should remain distinct from paralegal work.
- Certification is available through the AALNC for nurses who have experience as legal consultants.


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This article is about the term for male servants. For the village in Iran, see Valet, Iran.
For other uses of "varlet", see Varlet (disambiguation).
A 17th-century valet de chambre
Valet and varlet are terms for male servants who serve as personal attendants to their employer. In the Middle Ages and Ancien Regime, valet de chambre was a role for junior courtiers and specialists such as artists in a royal court, but the term "valet" by itself most often refers to a normal servant responsible for the clothes and personal belongings of an employer, and making minor arrangements.
In the United States, the term most often refers to a parking valet.
Word origins[edit]
In English, valet as "personal man-servant" is recorded since 1567, though use of the term in the French-speaking English medieval court is older, and the variant form varlet is cited from 1456 (OED). Both are French importations of valet (the "t" being silent in modern French) or varlet, Old French variants of vaslet "man's servant," originally "squire, young man," assumed to be from Gallo-Romance Vulgar Latin *vassellittus "young nobleman, squire, page," diminutive of Medieval Latin vassallus, from vassus "servant", possibly cognate to an Old Celtic root wasso- "young man, squire" (source of Welsh gwas "youth, servant," Breton goaz "servant, vassal, man," Irish foss "servant"). See yeoman, possibly derived from yonge man, a related term.
The modern use is usually short for the valet de chambre (French for "valet of the chamber", in modern terms the bedroom, though not originally so), described in the following section.
Since the 16th century, the word has traditionally been pronounced as rhyming with pallet, though an alternative pronunciation, rhyming with chalet, as in French, is now common.[1] The Oxford English Dictionary lists both pronunciations as valid.
Domestic valet[edit]
A valet or "gentleman's gentleman" is a gentleman's male servant; the closest female equivalent is a lady's maid. The valet performs personal services such as maintaining his employer's clothes, running his bath and perhaps (especially in the past) shaving his employer.
In a great house, the master of the house had his own valet, and in the very grandest great houses, other adult members of the employing family (e.g. master's sons) would also have their own valets.
At a court, even minor princes and high officials may be assigned one, but in a smaller household the butler – the majordomo in charge of the household staff – might have to double as his employer's valet. In a bachelor's household the valet might perform light housekeeping duties as well.
Valets learned the skills for their role in various ways. Some began as footmen, learning some relevant skills as part of that job, and picking up others when deputising for their master's valet, or by performing valeting tasks for his sons before they had a valet of their own, or for male guests who did not travel with a valet. Others started out as soldier-servants to army officers (batmen) or stewards to naval officers.
Traditionally, a valet did much more than merely lay out clothes and take care of personal items. He was also responsible for making travel arrangements, dealing with any bills and handling all money matters concerning his master or his master's household.
Alexandre Bontemps, the most senior of the thirty-six valets to Louis XIV of France, was a powerful figure, who ran the Chateau de Versailles. In courts, valet de chambre was a position of some status, often given to artists, musicians, poets and others, who generally spent most of their time on their specialized work. The role was also, at least during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, a common first step or training period in a nobleman's career at court.
Valets, like butlers and most specialized domestic staff, have become relatively rare. A more common, though still infrequent, arrangement is the general servant performing combined roles.
Famous fictional valets[edit]
Carving of "Bazin", the valet to Aramis, of The Three Musketeers, was a studious person who later became a lay brother. (Thomas Nicholls carves him brushing his master's clothes whilst studying theology).
Other valets[edit]
Valet is also used for people performing specific services:
 - hotel valet — an employee who performs personal services for guests.
 - parking valet – a service employee who parks cars for guests, only from 1960.
 - car valet — an employee who is paid to clean people's cars professionally.
 - valet — a professional wrestling term for a person who accompanies a wrestler to the ring.
 - Jockey's Valet - an employee who maintains a jockey's wardrobe and ensures the proper uniform is worn for each horse the Jockey races.
Other forms of valet-like personnel include:
Clothes valet[edit]
Main article: Clothes valet
Clothes valets are a piece of furniture also referred to as a men's valet. A majority are free standing and made out of wood.
While in French this word remained restricted to the feudal use for a (knight's) squire, in modern English it came to be used for the various other male servants originally called va(r)let other than the gentleman's gentleman, when in livery usually called lackey, such as the valet de pied ('foot varlet', compare footman). In archaic English, varlet also could mean an unprincipled man; a rogue.
See also[edit]
 1. ^ " Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and hundreds more". Retrieved 28 October 2014.
 2. ^ "". Retrieved 28 October 2014.
 3. ^ "". IMDb. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
External links[edit]
 - The dictionary definition of valet at Wiktionary


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How it works
A plasma approaching a strong magnetic field will be repelled, similar to light hitting a mirror. By energizing a plasma between two superconducting magnets it will remain confined as it bounces between them. By rotating the plasma to supersonic velocities, the effectiveness of the confinement is greatly increased while stabilizing the plasma. Our design aims to deliver a simple magnetic confinement configuration that can scale to a viable fusion power source at a fraction of the cost of competing technologies.


How To Longboard Pump
Want to learn how to longboard pump? The longboard pump is a common skating move, but learning how to master it takes a little practice and time. The longboard pump is a uncomplicated process of stringing moves together to prolong your ride without the use of your foot as a kicker. Learning to pump a longboard will actually be one of the first things you should learn to master. When you are out on a longboard, pumping will enable you to maintain your stride and keep you riding longer then kicking. This article will look at the process of pumping on a longboard. The process of pumping on a longboard is defined below. Learn the art of pumping on a longboard and enjoy a longer and easier ride.
 1. Stretch out and get yourself ready to ride. Longboarding can be a fun recreational activity as well as competitive sport. So, being limber and warmed up is always important. Strap on your gear and get ready to take the longboard for a spin.
 2. Push off and pick up a fair amount of speed. Place both feet on the longboard and position yourself somewhere near the middle of the board. Bend your knees slightly, placing your arms where you best like them for balance.
 3. Begin rocking your feet back and forth. The motion will cause your entire body to move back and forth. This will make the longboard sway on its trucks. This motion will keep the board moving back and forth, keeping momentum and movement. The faster you move the faster the action.
What Others Are Reading Right Now.
 - Speakeasy
 - Formal Friday
 - 21 Hairstyles Women Love
 Female experts reveal the 'dos that drive them wild.


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Dictyostelium is a slime mold which is well known for having a single cell free living phase and other some conditions (e.g. when food is scarce) for forming communal piles of cells called'slugs' which migrate as a proto animal. Eventually the slug can turn into a fruiting body with a stem and a nodule of spore forming cells at the top. The spores can then be carried off by the air and seed dicty further away.
Apart from being amazed at the seeming ability to form amoebic, animal, plant and seed like forms, there must be a lot decision making happening at the formation of the stalk and fruiting node at the top.
So my question is: what is the current thought about how cells compete in the mexican hat and stalk formation to be at the top of the pile? Its pretty altruistic of the cells in the stalk to do this - some web pages say they die, is that right? Links to references after 2007 or so would be appreciated unless it's all been decided.
By analogy its always been pretty altruistic of 99% of our bodies to let our gonads reproduce, but we are (approximately) homogeneous genetically. In the wild is slug formation heterogeneous? How does genetic diversity influence slug and fruiting body formation?


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Standard methods for rearing and selection of Apis mellifera queens
Ralph Büchler, Sreten Andonov, Kaspar Bienefeld, Cecilia Costa, Fani Hatjina, Nikola Kezic, Per Kryger, Marla Spivak, Aleksandar Uzunov and Jerzy Wilde.
Here we cover a wide range of methods currently in use and recommended in modern queen rearing, selection and breeding. The recommendations are meant to equally serve as standards for both scientific and practical beekeeping purposes. The basic conditions and different management techniques for queen rearing are described, including recommendations for suitable technical equipment. As the success of breeding programmes strongly depends on the selective mating of queens, a subchapter is dedicated to the management and quality control of mating stations. Recommendations for the handling and quality control of queens complete the queen rearing section. The improvement of colony traits usually depends on a comparative testing of colonies. Standardized recommendations for the organization of performance tests and the measurement of the most common selection characters are presented. Statistical methods and data preconditions for the estimation of breeding values which integrate pedigree and performance data from as many colonies as possible are described as the most efficient selection method for large populations. Alternative breeding programmes for small populations or certain scientific questions are briefly mentioned, including also an overview of the young and fast developing field of molecular selection tools. Because the subject of queen rearing and selection is too large to be covered within this paper, plenty of references are given to facilitate comprehensive studies.


Start with the basic plugin call without any parameters.
object CheckCommand "systemd" { // Plugin name without 'check_' prefix
 command = [ PluginContribDir + "/" ] // Use the 'PluginContribDir' constant, see the contributed ITL commands
Run a config validation to see if that works, icinga2 daemon -C
Next, analyse the plugin parameters. Plugins with a good help output show optional parameters in square brackes. This is the case for all parameters for this plugin. If there are required parameters, use the required key inside the argument.
The arguments attribute is a dictionary which takes the parameters as keys.
 arguments = {
 "--unit" = {... }
If there a long parameter names available, prefer them. This increases readability in both the configuration as well as the executed command line.
The argument value itself is a sub dictionary which has additional keys:
 - value which references the runtime macro string
 - description where you copy the plugin parameter help text into
 - required, set_if, etc. for advanced parameters, check the CheckCommand object chapter.
The runtime macro syntax is required to allow value extraction when the command is executed.
Inside the Director, store the new command first in order to unveil the Arguments tab.
Best practice is to use the command name as prefix, in this specific case e.g. systemd_unit.
 arguments = {
 "--unit" = {
 value = "$systemd_unit$" // The service parameter would then be defined as 'vars.systemd_unit = "icinga2"'
 description = "Name of the systemd unit that is beeing tested."
 "--warning" = {
 value = "$systemd_warning$"
 description = "Startup time in seconds to result in warning status."
 "--critical" = {
 value = "$systemd_critical$"
 description = "Startup time in seconds to result in critical status."
This may take a while – validate the configuration in between up until the CheckCommand definition is done.
Then test and integrate it into your monitoring configuration.
Remember: Do it once and right, and never touch the CheckCommand again. Optional arguments allow different use cases and scenarios.
Once you have created your really good CheckCommand, please consider sharing it with our community by creating a new PR on GitHub. Please also update the documentation for the ITL.
Inside the Director, you can render the configuration in the Deployment section. Extract the static configuration object and use that as a source for sending it upstream.
Modify Existing CheckCommand
Sometimes an existing CheckCommand inside the ITL is missing a parameter. Or you don't need a default parameter value being set.
Instead of copying the entire configuration object, you can import an object into another new object.
object CheckCommand "http-custom" {
 import "http" // Import existing http object
 arguments += { // Use additive assignment to add missing parameters
 "--key" = {
 value = "$http_..." // Keep the parameter name the same as with http
 // Override default parameters
 vars.http_address = "..."
This CheckCommand can then be referenced in your host/service object definitions.
Plugin API
Icinga 2 supports the native plugin API specification from the Monitoring Plugins project. It is defined in the Monitoring Plugins guidelines.
The Icinga documentation revamps the specification into our own guideline enriched with examples and best practices.
The output should be as short and as detailed as possible. The most common cases include:
 - Viewing a problem list in Icinga Web and dashboards
 - Getting paged about a problem
 - Receiving the alert on the CLI or forwarding it to external (ticket) systems
:
OK: MySQL connection time is fine (0.0002s)
WARNING: MySQL connection time is slow (0.5s > 0.1s threshold)
CRITICAL: MySQL connection time is causing degraded performance (3s > 0.5s threshold)
Icinga supports reading multi-line output where Icinga Web only shows the first line in the listings and everything in the detail view.
Example for an end2end check with many smaller test cases integrated:
OK: Online banking works.
Testcase 1: Site reached.
Testcase 2: Attempted login, JS loads.
Testcase 3: Login succeeded.
Testcase 4: View current state works.
Testcase 5: Transactions fine.
If the extended output shouldn't be visible in your monitoring, but only for testing, it is recommended to implement the --verbose plugin parameter to allow developers and users to debug further. Check here for more implementation tips.
More debug output also helps when implementing your plugin.
Best practice is to have the plugin parameter and handling implemented first, then add it anywhere you want to see more, e.g. from initial database connections to actual query results.
Value Status Description
0 OK The check went fine and everything is considered working.
1 Warning The check is above the given warning threshold, or anything else is suspicious requiring attention before it breaks.
2 Critical The check exceeded the critical threshold, or something really is broken and will harm the production environment.
3 Unknown Invalid parameters, low level resource errors (IO device busy, no fork resources, TCP sockets, etc.) preventing the actual check. Higher level errors such as DNS resolving, TCP connection timeouts should be treated as Critical instead. Whenever the plugin reaches its timeout (best practice) it should also terminate with Unknown.
Keep in mind that these are service states. Icinga automatically maps the host state from the returned plugin states.
A plugin calculates specific values and may decide about the exit state on its own. This is done with thresholds - warning and critical values which are compared with the actual value. Upon this logic, the exit state is determined.
Imagine the following value and defined thresholds:
ptc_value = 57.8
warning = 50
critical = 60
Whenever ptc_value is higher than warning or critical, it should return the appropriate state.
The threshold evaluation order also is important:
 - Critical thresholds are evaluated first and superseed everything else.
 - Warning thresholds are evaluated second
 - If no threshold is matched, return the OK state
Avoid using hardcoded threshold values in your plugins, always add them to the argument parser.
Example for Python:
import argparse
import signal
import sys
if __name__ == '__main__':
 parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
 parser.add_argument("-w", "--warning", help="Warning threshold. Single value or range, e.g. '20:50'.")
 parser.add_argument("-c", "--critical", help="Critical threshold. Single vluae or range, e.g. '25:45'.")
 args = parser.parse_args()
Users might call plugins only with the critical threshold parameter, leaving out the warning parameter. Keep this in mind when evaluating the thresholds, always check if the parameters have been defined before.
 if args.critical:
 if ptc_value > args.critical:
 print("CRITICAL -...")
 sys.exit(2) # Critical
 if args.warning:
 if ptc_value > args.warning:
 print("WARNING -...")
 sys.exit(1) # Warning
 print("OK -...")
 sys.exit(0) # OK
The above is a simplified example for printing the output and using the state as exit code.
Before diving into the implementation, learn more about required performance data metrics and more best practices below.
Threshold Ranges
Threshold ranges can be used to specify an alert window, e.g. whenever a calculated value is between a lower and higher critical threshold.
The schema for threshold ranges looks as follows. The @ character in square brackets is optional.
There are a few requirements for ranges:
 - start <= end. Add a check in your code and let the user know about problematic values.
10:20 # OK
30:10 # Error
 - start: can be omitted if its value is 0. This is the default handling for single threshold values too.
10 # Every value > 10 and < 0, outside of 0..10
 - If end is omitted, assume end is infinity.
10: # < 10, outside of 10..∞
 - In order to specify negative infinity, use the ~ character.
~:10 # > 10, outside of -∞..10
 - Raise alert if value is outside of the defined range.
10:20 # < 10 or > 20, outside of 10..20
 - Start with @ to raise an alert if the value is inside the defined range, inclusive start/end values.
_USER_:20 # >= 10 and <= 20, inside of 10..20
Best practice is to either implement single threshold values, or fully support ranges. This requires parsing the input parameter values, therefore look for existing libraries already providing this functionality.
check_tinkerforge implements a simple parser to avoid dependencies.
Performance Data Metrics
Performance data metrics must be appended to the plugin output with a preceding | character. The schema is as follows:
 | 'label'=value[UOM];[warn];[crit];[min];[max]
The label should be encapsulated with single quotes. Avoid spaces or special characters such as % in there, this could lead to problems with metric receivers such as Graphite.
Labels must not include'and = characters. Keep the label length as short and unique as possible.
Values must respect the C/POSIX locale and not implement e.g. German locale for floating point numbers with,. Icinga sets LC_NUMERIC=C to enforce this locale on plugin execution.
Unit of Measurement


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Dr Leigh Bull, a senior principal ecologist in Boffa Miskell's Wellington office, will be one of the keynote speakers at the New Zealand Coastal Society conference, along with Manea Sweeney, Discipline Manager – Horizon Planning of Tonkin & Taylor. The conference takes place in Tauranga, 15 – 17 November.
Leigh and Manea are working as Project Ecologist and Environmental Manager, respectively, on the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) project. They will present on the environmental challenges and opportunities faced as part of the coastal reinstatement programme, which has followed the 7.8 magnitude Kaikoura earthquake of a year ago.
Many major roads, including the coastal section of SH1, and the Main North Line railway were closed because of resulting slips and damage to bridges. Natural processes resulting from the earthquake, which have contributed to a changing coastline, include extensive coastal uplift (2-3 m) and large ongoing debris flows.
In her role as NCTIR Project Ecologist, Leigh draws on her previous experiences working on a number of major infrastructure projects, including roads of national significance (RoNS), large wind farms, dredging and reclamations. Leigh is a Certified Environmental Practitioner (Ecology Specialist) with the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand, an Independent Hearings Commissioner and Editor of the scientific journal Notornis.
6 November 2017