text:
||Goal attribution to inanimate moving objects by Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)
Atsumi, Takeshi,
Koda, HirokiMasataka, Nobuo
72017-01-05, Springer Nature
Humans interpret others' goals based on motion information, and this capacity contributes to our mental reasoning. The present study sought to determine whether Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) perceive goal-directedness in chasing events depicted by two geometric particles. In Experiment 1, two monkeys and adult humans were trained to discriminate between Chasing and Random sequences. We then introduced probe stimuli with various levels of correlation between the particle trajectories to examine whether participants performed the task using higher correlation. Participants chose stimuli with the highest correlations by chance, suggesting that correlations were not the discriminative cue. Experiment 2 examined whether participants focused on particle proximity. Participants differentiated between Chasing and Control sequences; the distance between two particles was identical in both. Results indicated that, like humans, the Japanese macaques did not use physical cues alone to perform the discrimination task and integrated the cues spontaneously. This suggests that goal attribution resulting from motion information is a widespread cognitive phenotype in primate species.


text:
Influence of lateral methyl/chloro substituents on the liquid crystalline and photoswitching behaviour of bent-core mesogens bearing azobenzene wings: synthesis and characterization†
Herein, we report selectively designed, synthesized and characterized bent-core molecules bearing methyl and chloro substituents at the lateral positions on the phenyl rings of the azobenzene wings. Preliminary structural characterizations were carried out using 1H NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy. The mesomorphic and photoswitching properties were studied by using polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. All of the bent-core mesogens exhibit liquid crystalline phases and excellent photo-switching behavior. When they were irradiated with a light of 365 nm wavelength, photo-saturation occurred in around 30 s and the system took a longer time to reach its original state during thermal back-relaxation. The photoisomerization of bent-core azo compounds is very crucial for creating optical storage devices with longer thermal back-relaxation times. The devices fabricated from these materials are excellent candidates for optical image storage applications. This study provides strong evidence for the structure–property relationship, where one can tune the structures according to their behavior.

source: m-a-p/FineFineWeb


The post-Soviet transition to a not so free market economy
5 June 2018 // Ieva Stepanaviciute
Lithuania has implemented a far-reaching economic reform program aimed at facilitating the shift from a centrally-planned economy to a free market one. Although substantial progress has been made, there is evidence to suggest a lack of effective policy implementation.
One key feature of economic freedom in Lithuania is considered to be the 15% flat income tax. However, the actual tax burden exceeds this figure significantly. The tax burden derived from social security and health insurance contributions paid by both employer and the employee is 41% on average income earners which is 5% higher than the OECD average. Employers are also taxed for the guarantee expenses (0.2%) and long-term benefits (0.5%). Combined with the rest of business taxes, the friendliness of the business environment is questionable. Currently, politicians are discussing the implementation of progressive taxation, which would lead to an even heavier tax burden. The Tax-Exempt Allowance (TEA) is already higher for lower-earners in terms of percentage and absolute numbers, while productive higher-earners, despite paying four times more of social security contributions, receive a pension only two times higher than lower-earners.
All this suggests that Lithuania is not a country of low taxes, but rather a country of already partially progressive and poorly administrated taxation.
When it comes to the remaining state-owned enterprises in Lithuania, one can think of an 'unholy' union between businesses and government, which results in government tailoring the rules to benefit its businesses, coupled with too few checks and balances to guarantee fair competition. An example illustrating this was the state-owned rail company engaging in economic sabotage against other companies to increase its revenue; it was not held responsible for its actions until the European Commission intervened. The Lithuanian government struggles to implement fair and transparent policies on state-owned enterprises and during the past decade most reforms have been triggered by parliamentary elections rather than consistent policies. If state-owned strategic companies were to be privatized, it would facilitate financing other strategic state projects and release taxpayers from maintaining those SOEs.
Implementing the transition to a free market economy implies many good economic policies. However, poor governmental practices will cause back-sliding if no measures are taken to ensure effective policy implementation.
Further reading:
Progressive Taxation. Are Taxes in Lithuania Too Low?
Government Watch. On Progressive Income Taxation
Lithuania to Commemorate Respect for Taxpayers Day
Private or public? What kind of business does Europe prefer?
 - Reset
View All Content
Subscribe to a freer Europe by signing up to our mailing list


Aug 032015
Montessori Lesson
Practical Life
3.5 to 5 years
2 glass vases.
Jug to fill vase.
Plastic work mat
Paper towel
Drying cloth
Secateurs or small pair of scissors.
Basket for collecting the flowers.
To pick flowers.
Fine motor skills
Developing concentration
To care for the environment
Strengthen muscles in the arms and sequencing
Reasoning skills.
 1. Invite the child to begin the Work Cycle.
 2. Take the basket and pair of scissors outside.
 3. Show the child how to choose a suitable flower.
 4. Hold the plant just below the flower with your left hand and with your right hand show the child how to trace down the stem of the flower.
 5. Move your left hand down to meet your right hand and exchange hands.
 6. Pick the scissors up in your right hand and snip the plant just below the position of your hand.
 7. Place this into the basket and return indoors.
 1. Lay out the plastic mat on the table and place the vase on it.
 2. Ask the child to fetch some water in the jug indicating the water mark.
 3. Show the child how to pour the water into the vase leaving a little space in the top for displacement once the flowers are added.
 4. Use the drip cloth to catch any water droplets on the jug.
 5. Pick the flower up in your right hand and hold it against the side of the vase.
 6. Show the child how to measure the flower for size and to trim the flower should it be too long.
 7. Show him how to place the cut stems into the paper towel, which will later be discarded.
 8. Run your hand down the stem of the flower taking off any excess foliage.
 9. Add this into the paper towel.
 10. Place the flower into the vase and admire it.
 11. Place the vase on a table where there will be no danger of the plant being knocked over.
 12. Return all the materials to the tray.
 13. Show the child how to fold the paper towel so that the foliage does not fall out, and show him how to dispose of it.
 14. Fetch a clean square of paper towel. Fold it twice, and place it on the tray together with the other materials.
 15. Invite the child to have a turn.
If the child has poured too much water into the vase, the water will spill when he carries the vase.
If the child has cut the flower too short, it will not touch the water once it is placed into the vase.
Show the child how to collect and cut vegetables from the garden.Show the child how to trim flowers or bushes, of their dead leaves.
Cutting different types of flowers including wearing gloves for rose bush cutting.
 One Response to "Montessori Cutting Flowers Lesson Activity"
 1. verry good covered all the activities
 Leave a Reply
+ +


text: The Great Divide, a memorial erected to Sir James Hector in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, is featured in this image from the NY Times Canadian Archive, taken in August, year unknown. Hector, a geologist from Scotland, was part of the Palliser Expedition that explored the Canadian Rockies in search of new routes for the national railway. Legend has it Hector was kicked by a horse during the expedition and presumed dead. A monument was constructed prematurely in his honour to mark his grave. Ever heard of Kicking Horse Pass? That's how it got its name.


I was solving a question from the Regional Math Olympiad (RMO) 2014.
Find all positive real numbers $x,y,z$ such that
Here's my solution:
These expressions are cyclic. Therefore all solution sets must be unordered. This implies that $x=y=z$.
Thus, $x=2014$ and the solution is
$$x=2014\quad y=2014\quad z=2014$$
Here's the official solution:
Adding the three equations, we get $$\frac1x+\frac1y+\frac1z=\frac3{2014}$$
We can also write them as $$2xz-2yz+1=\frac z{2014},\quad2xy-2xz+1=\frac x{2014},\quad2yz-2xy+1=\frac y{2014}$$
Adding these, we get $$x+y+z=3\times2014$$
Therefore, $$\left(\frac1x+\frac1y+\frac1z\right)(x+y+z)=9$$
Using $\text{AM-GM}$ inequality, we therefore obtain $$9=\left(\frac1x+\frac1y+\frac1z\right)(x+y+z)\ge9\times(xyz)^{\frac13}\left({1\over xyz}\right)^{\frac13}=9$$
Hence equality holds and we conclude that $x=y=z$.
Thus we conclude $$x=2014\quad y=2014\quad z=2014$$
What I wonder is if there is something wrong with my approach. If yes, what is it? If no, then why is the official solution so long winded?
 - 2
 $\begingroup$ What exactly is a "solution set" and what does it mean for a solution set to be unordered? If a "solution set" is a set, then of course it is "unordered" because all sets are. Why would this imply that $x=y=z$? $\endgroup$ – littleO May 14 '18 at 10:48
 - 17
 $\begingroup$ Any solution of $(x-2y)(y-2x)=0$, if permuted, results in another solution. That doesn't mean we can conclude that $x=y$. It just means our solution set is symmetric across the line $x=y$. $\endgroup$ – G Tony Jacobs May 14 '18 at 10:57
 - 4
 $\begingroup$ That's still a claim that would require proof. $\endgroup$ – G Tony Jacobs May 14 '18 at 11:05
 - 4
 $\begingroup$ Would $x+y+z=4$ be a counterexample to your logic? $\endgroup$ – Bram28 May 14 '18 at 11:21
 - 2
 $\begingroup$ see jstor.org/stable/_PHONE_ entitled "Do symmetric problems have symmetric solutions?" $\endgroup$ – Matthew Towers May 14 '18 at 11:48
Consider the system of equations
$xy + z = 1, \quad yz + x = 1, \quad zx + y = 1$
These equations are related by cyclic permutations of $(x,y,z)$, but they are satisified by $(1,1,0)$ (and its cyclic permutations) when $x$, $y$ and $z$ are not all equal.
There are also solutions where $x=y=z=\frac{\pm \sqrt{5}-1}{2}$, but these are not the only solutions.
 - $\begingroup$ Ah. Of course. I didn't realize that. However, the question asks for positive reals. Could you provide an example where the solution set is wholly positive and unordered, but where the unknowns aren't equal? $\endgroup$ – DynamoBlaze May 14 '18 at 11:04
 - 15
 $\begingroup$ How about the same left-hand sides, but they're all equal to $3$? Then every permutation of $(1,1,2)$ works. $\endgroup$ – G Tony Jacobs May 14 '18 at 11:07
As Mohammad Riazi-Kermani and gandalf61 show, you cannot conclude $x=y=z$ simply from the cyclic invariance of the system of equations. However, in this case you can make a simple argument that starts with an observation based on cyclic invariance, namely that you may as well assume $x\ge y,z$ (i.e., cycle through $(x,y,z)$, $(y,z,x)$ and $(z,x,y)$ and pick the one that starts with the largest of the three numbers).
If $x\ge y,z$, then $2x-2y\ge0$ while $2z-2x\le0$, so that
$${1\over2014}=2x-2y+{1\over z}\ge{1\over z}\implies z\ge2014$$
$${1\over2014}=2z-2x+{1\over y}\le{1\over y}\implies 2014\ge y$$
so we now have $x\ge z\ge 2014\ge y$. But this now tells us $2y-2z\le0$, so that
$${1\over2014}=2y-2z+{1\over x}\le{1\over x}\implies2014\ge x$$
so we now have $2014\ge x\ge z\ge 2014\ge y$, from which we see $x=z=2014\ge y$. The final equality, $2014=y$, comes by sustituting $x=z=2014$ into any of the three equations.
Note, the implication ${1\over2014}\ge{1\over z}\implies z\ge2014$ requires the assumption $z\gt0$.
The equations being cyclic does not necessarily mean the variables are equal.
For example $$ x+y+z=6\\x^2+y^2+z^2=14\\x^3+y^3+z^3=36$$ Solutions are not equal. $$x=1, y=2,z=3$$ is one solutions set.
 - $\begingroup$ This isn't cyclic. Cyclic would be $3x^3+2y^2+z=11,3y^3+2z^2+x=11,3z^3+2x^2+y=11$. What I mean by cyclic is that you can just shift the places of the variables one to the left or one to the right to get another one of the given equations. $\endgroup$ – DynamoBlaze May 14 '18 at 13:46
 - $\begingroup$ _USER_ Thanks for the comment. That is quite different from what I was thinking. $\endgroup$ – Mohammad Riazi-Kermani May 14 '18 at 14:09
 - 1
 $\begingroup$ _USER_ That's not the standard definition of "cyclic". $\endgroup$ – Acccumulation May 14 '18 at 17:40
The general cyclic system is $$ f(x,y,z)=f(y,z,x)=f(z,x,y)=0$$ with some function $f$. There is not the slightest reason to assume that $f(42,\pi,e)\ne 0$.
First, your use of the word "cyclic" isn't quite consistent with its usual meaning.
Second, a counterexample:
yz+x = 0
zx+y = 0
(1,1,-1) satisfies these equations.
Your Answer


text:
Renting a tall crane to get a high-angle shot could soon be an expense filmmakers can avoid with this Balloon Camera designed to lift a remote control stabilized camera gimbal up to 985 feet in the air.
Developed by the NHK, Japan's equivalent of PBS or the BBC, the miniature blimp is actually best suited for operating heights of around 165 feet where it's most stable. The four axis gimbal is panned, zoomed, and tilted with an RC helicopter remote, but thanks to built-in gyros the rig also independently moves to stabilize the camera as the balloon drifts about.
The rig remains tethered to the ground at all times since the balloon isn't designed to be flown, but in the event the cable snapping a safe landing mechanism ensures the gear its hoisting are immediately and safely returned to the ground.
Its Achilles heel is obviously the wind, as the stabilized gimbal can only compensate for movements in gusts up to 16 miles per hour. So forget about using it to capture dramatic footage of tornados, hurricanes, or monsoons, because once you set it aloft that's probably the last time you'll ever see it. [DigInfo]

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


text:
With all of the different types of film and negatives in the word today, it can be a challenge to determine exactly what type of negatives you have. The chart below should help you to identify some of your odd shaped film that you might be prepping for a negative scanningorder.
|120/220 Negative||-One of the older film formats. Was introduced in 1901 by Kodak.
-Along with its close relative, 220 film, 120 film survives to this day as the only medium format films that are readily available to both professionals and amateur enthusiasts.
|110 Negative||-Developed by Kodak in 1972.
-Smaller version of the 126 slide format, frame measures 13x17mm
|126 Negative||-Developed by Kodak in 1963.
-frame typically measures 26.5×26.5mm.
|16mm Negative||-One of the older film formats.
-Similar to the 16mm film used for home movies.
|APS Negative||-Short for Advanced Photo System, and first produced in 1996.
-Was released just prior to digital cameras taking over, so their use was limited.
|Disc Film||-Easy to spot because negatives are arranged in a unique disc shape.
-introduced by Kodak in 1982.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


Free essay on scientific method
Free essay on scientific method
Since he failed to secure for himself a position in the government, he considered the possibility of giving up politics and concentrating on natural philosophy Free essay on Studying the Scientific Method available totally free at echeat.I will do this by enumerating necessary steps involved in the formulation of such theory.The scientific method is used by all scientists all around the world.Include the following: Describe how you applied the steps of the scientific method in the activity Essay Sample: What is the scientific method?These methods eventually became known as the scientific method.Whether you are studying Archimedes, Galileo, Newton, or any other scientists or fields of science, you will want this FREE scientific method lab sheet.Essay on Scientific Method and Criminal Investigator Gathering information is the key to all good investigations, and so understanding the three sources of information is of great concern to any PhDessay is an educational resource where over 1,000,000 free essays are collected.In order to test this hypothesis, the research team established four 50x50 cm quadrants, with 50 cm between them The scientific method is a very important and essential part of free essay on scientific method science and a way to understand the world that we live in.Tenneij and Koot (2007) state that this testing instrument has demonstrated reliability in test-retest correlations and internal stability of scales.Scientific Method and Bermuda Triangle BY illentum6767 The Truth!The Bermuda Triangle is a location where many ships and aircrafts have claimed to disappear.More than 100 000 essay samples Get a 100% Unique paper from best writers Scientific Method - essay example for free Newyorkessays - database with more than 65000 college essays for studying 】.Empiricism, rationalism, and skepticism are the keys of using the scientific method; however, observations, data, and theories are important, but are not parts of the scientific method.The process of the scientific method can apply to any type of scientific study 1.The first step to the scientific method is asking a question Free essay on Studying the Scientific Method available totally free at echeat.By navyguy69 Apr 03, 2013 434 Words.It is made up of 6 simple steps that will help anyone walk through the scientific process from having a question to coming to a scientific conclusion based on a concrete method and.Find inspiration and ideas Best topics Daily updates.The four steps are as follows: Step free essay on scientific method 1: "Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena" (Introduction to the scientific method, 2012, University of ochester)..Free【 Essay on Scientific Method 】- use this essays as a template to follow while writing your own paper.Huge assortment of examples to help you write an essay.Top-rated free essay Scientific Method.First, one should ask a question in which it can have an answer Scientific Method Free Essay, Term Paper and Book Report In this essay I will elucidate the scientific method.I will do this by enumerating necessary steps involved in the formulation of such theory.Find free essay examples on Scientific Method written by experts.Scholars can use them for free to gain inspiration and new.A SCIENTIFIC METHOD PROBLEM SOLVING KIT JANUARY 30, 2001 BIOLOGY LAB Science and its methods help us to accumulate and evaluate facts and observations that provide explanations about our environment.Additional materials, such as the best quotations, synonyms and word.The Scientific Method is the standardized procedure that scientists are supposed to follow when conducting experiments, in order to try to construct a reliable, consistent, and non-arbitrary representation of our surroundings.
Health insurance company business plan, free method scientific essay on
Indeed, practicing the scientific method is integral.Since he failed to secure for himself a position in the government, he considered the possibility of giving up politics and concentrating on natural philosophy..First, one should ask a question in which it can have an answer Free Essays on Steps In The Scientific Method.It begins with a question that comes from _PHONE_ Students looking for free, top-notch essay and term paper samples on various topics.In order to test this hypothesis, the research team established four 50x50 cm quadrants, with 50 cm between them History of scientific method Essay Example "Bacon had emphasized the necessity of scientific improvement and progress.The scientific method is an approach to creating a hypothesis and then testing.Explore a big database【WITH NO SIGN UP】– 100% FREE Scientific Method Essay Examples All popular types of essays Argumentative, Persuasive, Analysis & Research Papers The Scientific Method Essay 1173 Words | 5 Pages.The Scientific Method is the standardized procedure that scientists are supposed to follow when conducting experiments, in order to try to construct a reliable, consistent, and non-arbitrary representation of our surroundings.Scientific method is a process which we find something natural world act as a models that can be confirmed scientifically.Look through our database of samples and choose any topic you need History of scientific method Essay Example "Bacon had emphasized the necessity of scientific improvement and progress.I love science Scientific Papers Example.I will start by describing the theory that constitutes a scientific method.Cite Complete the Scientific Method activity on the student website.Huge assortment of examples to help you write an essay."Nutrition Scientific Method" with 20% discount!Each of the steps free essay on scientific method to question a planted aquarium was constructed under deep thought and personal experiences."The scientific method is important for people to know because it is a fundamental process in science, but the benefits of teaching individuals this process will go beyond school and classes' (Hudson 2017) Free Essays on The Scientific Method.We can custom-write anything as well!To follow the Scientific Method is to stick very tightly to a order.Essay Sample: Throughout the history of scientific develop there have been many a view and reflection on the scientific method and overall nature of science; these _PHONE_ Free essays.Check our 100% free scientific method essay, free essay on scientific method research paper examples.Read essays samples written by our professional writers and feel free to use them as a source of inspiration and ideas for your own academic work.I will then apply this method to a hypothetical case where the grass.I love science Read essays samples written by our professional writers and feel free to use them as a source of inspiration and ideas for your own academic work.According to Kuhn (2007) this step involves making observations about a phenomenon that is either directly or indirectly connected with the specific subject matter of the intended research Free Essays on How Do Scientists Use The Scientific Method To Acquire New Knowledge.To follow the Scientific Method is to stick very tightly to a order.Studying the Scientific Method A Study Using the Scientific Method.It's a way for researchers to find cause and effect in experiments.Defining the question: The first step of applying a scientific method of research requires one to form a basis of conducting his research.It is a process used to find answers to questions about the world around us.It is made up of 6 simple steps that will help anyone walk through the scientific process from having a question to coming to a scientific conclusion based on a concrete method and.By Liselli-Hyland Sep 20, 2014 2341 Words.The scientific method refers to group of steps that investigate phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, changing or correcting prior knowledge.The Scientific Method is the standardized procedure that scientists are supposed to follow when conducting experiments, in order to try to construct a reliable, consistent, and non-arbitrary representation of our surroundings.Scientific method should also be distinguished from meta-methodology, which includes the values and justifications behind a particular characterization of scientific method (i.
Comments
comments


text:
The analysis of requirements for metrological parameters of digital temperature meters and temperature difference meters for solar collectors' investigations been done in the article. Under the regulations requirements a minimum temperature drop not exceed 1,5 K, and for the maximum relative error of temperature measurement not more ±2% it provide the absolute error of temperature drop measurement near ±0,030 K, and their measurement unit list significant digit 0,01 K.
This work presents a method of in-situ calibrating 3D magnetic sensors based on Hall devices that have linear field characteristics and are non-orthogonal, with known position of each Hall device in relation to the 3D sensor's substrate. Formulas for calculation of Hall devices linear coefficients are obtained. The method's efficiency is proved experimentally.


[ suhd-n ]
/ ˈsʌd n /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: sudden / suddenly / suddenness on Thesaurus.com
Literary. without warning; suddenly.
Obsolete. an unexpected occasion or occurrence.
Question 1 of 7
Meet Grammar Coach
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Idioms for sudden
 all of a sudden, without warning; unexpectedly; suddenly.Also on a sudden.
Origin of sudden
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English adjective and adverb sodain, soden, sodan(e) from Middle French soudain, from Vulgar Latin subitānus, from Latin subitāneus "going or coming stealthily," equivalent to subitus "sudden, arising without warning" + -āneus composite adjective suffix, equivalent to -ānus + -eus; see origin at subito,-an, -eous
synonym study for sudden
1, 2. Sudden, unexpected, abrupt describe acts, events, or conditions for which there has been no preparation or gradual approach. Sudden refers to the quickness of an occurrence, although the event may have been expected: a sudden change in the weather. Unexpected emphasizes the lack of preparedness for what occurs or appears: an unexpected crisis. Abrupt characterizes something involving a swift adjustment; the effect is often unpleasant, unfavorable, or the cause of dismay: He had an abrupt change in manner. The road came to an abrupt end.
sud·den·ly, adverbsud·den·ness, noun
Example sentences from the Web for sudden
British Dictionary definitions for sudden
/ (ˈsʌdən) /
occurring or performed quickly and without warning
marked by haste; abrupt
rare rash; precipitate
archaic an abrupt occurrence or the occasion of such an occurrence (in the phrase on a sudden)
all of a sudden without warning; unexpectedly
mainly poetic without warning; suddenly
Derived forms of sudden
suddenness, noun
Word Origin for sudden
C13: via French from Late Latin subitāneus, from Latin subitus unexpected, from subīre to happen unexpectedly, from subsecretly + īre to go
Idioms and Phrases with sudden
see all of a sudden.


How to save energy for thick film heater?
- Jul 05, 2020-
How to save energy for thick film heater
With the development of electrical appliances in recent years, the power needs of thick film heaters are increasing. Power consumption, high operating costs, should be considered from the following aspects, as far as possible to reduce energy.
(1) Reasonable design of air volume and temperature rise. According to the calculation of air flow rate and temperature rise, the power of thick film heater is obtained. Under the premise that the air volume and temperature rise are already needed, it is not suitable to use the excessive air volume and temperature rise. Because the air volume is too large, the temperature rises, and the power of the thick film heater is too large, the energy consumption increases. It doesn't take much wind or temperature to rise. Reasonable design should be considered, the parameters obtained.
(2) The surface of thick film heater should be added to the insulation layer. Most manufacturers only use thick film heaters to heat the outlet pipes of electric heaters, but do not heat treatment on the surface of electric heaters. The data show that increasing the insulation layer on the surface of electric heater can reduce energy consumption, which is considerable in the long term. The power plant owner should add insulation layer to the pipeline when installing thick film heater.
(3) Reduce the pressure loss of the thick film heater. The air that needs to be heated flows through the electric air heater, creating pressure loss. The greater the pressure loss, the greater the energy consumption of the fan. The structure of thick film heater is improved to reduce pressure loss.
1


On Writing: Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway Writing For Whom the Bell Tolls
Little Foxes
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines [have] tender grapes—Song of Solomon 2:15, KJV
Do we have "little foxes" that spoil an otherwise well-written piece of prose? Let me rephrase. Do we have too many "little foxes"? All of us writers have them. They often pop out on our pages while we're writing. Oftentimes, we're unaware of their presence.
Little wordy foxes are words we tend to overuse, words such as so and that. Every author has his/her own foxes, and we must be careful not to overdo ours. Many times, we don't need them.
Let's look at the word that.
 1. John thought that Billy played golf yesterday.
 2. John thought Billy played golf yesterday.
In the second example, I deleted that because the sentence is clear without it. A good way to identify when this word is unnecessary is when it follows a verb. In such cases, the word usually isn't needed. Read your that sentences without using it. Is your writing still clear? If it is, delete that.
Let's look at the word so.
 1. So, John sees you can cook.
 2. John sees Mary can cook.
 3. He lifted the bucket so he could dump out its contents.
The first example is acceptable in dialogue, but if we use lots of sentences starting with so in our narrative, write it like the second example. Example three is fine as well because it's used as a conjunction.
Do use these little verbal foxes, but use them correctly. Also, take care not to overdo them because if too many sneak in, they'll spoil our writing.
Till next week, friends!


text:
High-Performance Diode Lasers for Computer-To-Plate (CtP) Applications
Diode lasers with high reliability and outstanding performance
Computer-to-plate (CtP) is an imaging technology used in modern printing processes. In this technology, an image created in a Desktop Publishing (DTP) application is output directly to a printing plate. This is different to the older technology, computer-to-film (CTF), where the computer file is imaged onto a photographic film. This film is then used to make a printing plate, just like to a contact proof in darkroom photography.
CtP methods differ according to the construction type of the imagesetter and the light source used to expose the plate surface. In terms of construction type there are three different kinds: internal drum, external drum and flat-bed imagesetters.
The two main light sources used to expose the plate are ultraviolet light lamps and laser diodes. The wavelength and energy of the laser diodes depend on the type of plate that is used. This technology is mainly used in newspaper and magazine printing.
TOPTICA's diode lasers provides the required wavelength from 375 nm to 785 nm with a power up to 300 mW. Our iBeam smart laser are already used in many CtP applications and knows for their reliability and the outstanding performance, where quality products are required.


text:
By Past RI Vice President Serge Gouteyron, member of the Rotary Club of Valenciennes-Denain aerodrome (France) and Chair of the 2015-16 RI Rotary Fellowships Committee
The second Object of Rotary encourages Rotarians to hold high ethical standards in business and profession; to recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations; and to dignify each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society. Through Rotary, members from different professional and cultural backgrounds are able to combine their expertise and experiences to create a greater impact. By connecting with fellow Rotarians who share a common profession or hobby, Rotary Fellowships contribute to the promotion and advancement of Rotary worldwide. Fellowships enable Rotarians to bond with those outside of their club, district, or country. Vocationally oriented fellowships allow Rotarians to use their unique skill sets to serve their community and further their professional development while building lasting friendships.
How can we increase our impact through Fellowships?
Dear friends, let's extend our spirit of friendship and service spirit beyond our clubs and let's further mutual understanding through Rotary Fellowships. We invite Rotarians whose profession is not represented among the current fellowships to create one. Vocationally-based fellowships based are quite significant as they embody the historical identity of Rotary and of its values.
The following stories will inspire you to join an existing group or start a new one:
- Passion for the friendly skies fosters international service partnerships
- Medical myths inspire fellowship and service
- Rotary Fellowships: service inspired by passion
- Rotary Fellowships' annual activities support polio eradication efforts
Starting a fellowship requires a roster of potential members representing at least three countries and approval from the RI Board of Directors. Find more information online: _URL_


[Oberon] Why is RSC string data word-aligned?
Jörg joerg.straube at iaeth.ch
Sun Jan 31 10:11:46 CET 2021
I thought Colby does agree that strings have to be word-aligned a) IN MEMORY, because of 4 times faster string assignment (s := "Hi there";) and 4 times faster string parameter passing to procedures. (Out.String("Hi there");) see ORG.CopyString.
Word-alignment is not needed for string comparison (IF s = „"Hi there" THEN) see ORG.StringRelation.
I understood he wondered why the strings are word-aligned b) IN RSC FILES too because the loader could do it while reading.
Colby, do I summarize your request correctly?
If so, let me explain what would have to be done to make strings NOT word-aligned in rsc files.
First, lets remember that a module has a compile time TC and later on the load time TL.
It's not enough to have the word-alignment at TL only. As the compiler generates code for fast string assignments, the compiler needs to know the word-aligned offset of a string at TC already. Therefore, the variable „strx" keeping track of the string offset in ORG is always word-aligned (see ORG.MakeStringItem)
Principally, Colby is right, we could now decide to break the rule of word-alignment between TC and TL. That can be done as follows:
- the compiler optimizes the file IO (and hence the file size but not necessarily the CPU cycles) at TC by writing the string buffer without consecutive 0X.
- the loader could re-word-align the string buffer at TL.
Could be done but I doubt 1) that the code is easier to read, 2) the file IO gain is noticeable 3) it's worth the effort.
br Jörg
> Am 31.01.2021 um 08:44 schrieb Paul Reed <paulreed at paddedcell.com>:
>
> Hi Colby,
>
>> ... So again: in
>> concrete terms, where does the efficiency for [string] word alignment come in?
>
> String assignment (as has been pointed out). The code generated by ORG.CopyString moves string data around by words, filling the full 32-bits of a register buffer with string data on each loop iteration. This may happen many times over and over again as code is running, once a module is loaded into memory.
>
> The unaligned data in a .rsc file is, I agree, unfortunate, as it could have been aligned relatively easily and then data could have been copied into memory a word at a time. But module loading only happens once, and there's lots of other stuff to do too, so as you say it was likely deemed not worth it.
>
> HTH,
> Paul
> --
> Oberon at lists.inf.ethz.ch mailing list for ETH Oberon and related systems
> _URL_
More information about the Oberon mailing list


text:
Auto-Sliding canopies are normally in a folded position, but automatically open up when sensors detect rain or snow, and can be installed at subway station entrances to provide citizens with an additional level of convenience. In June 2008, Hyundai Elevator, together with the Seoul Metropolitan Infrastructure Headquarters, developed and submitted a patent for the world's first auto-Sliding canopy.
Next generation system providing greater safety and convenience
The Auto-Sliding Canopy resolves many issues related to canopies, including the need for canopies to improve citizens' safety versus the demands from adjacent store owners to remove permanent type canopies. It is a next generation system that enhances safety of citizens, protects escalators from the elements, resolves complaints from store owners, and reduces inconvenience to pedestrians.
A system that is considerate of city appearance and our living environment
The system solves the problem of traditional fixed canopies blocking store signs, by folding out of the way during normal weather and unfolding a transparent canopy during rain or snow, providing a solution that satisfies store owners demands as well as improves the city's appearance..


The WPF text team has seen some people get confused about what units WPF uses when measuring text. Samer, a developer on the WPF text team, and I have created this post to try and shed some light on this subject. The first part of this post is very straight forward, whereas the end will only be useful for those of you who are extensively using WPF text APIs.
General Units
WPF supports multiple units for text measurement. The units that can be used are "px" (device independent pixels), "in" (inches), "cm" (centimeters), "pt" (points). If you do not specify the unit of measurement, WPF defaults to px.
To force WPF to use a different unit of measurement, just append the unit abbreviation to the FontSize.
Hello World
Device Independent Pixels & Physical Pixels
In accordance with WPF's resolution independence, the framework measures objects in device independent pixels. These device independent pixels can have different sizes than physical pixels.
1 device independent pixel = 1/96 inch.
1 physical pixel = 1/DPI (dependent on the system DPI)
Default system settings usually choose a DPI of 96 so these two types of pixels come out to be the same size. If this is not the case, it is easy to convert between the two types of pixels.
physical pixels = DPI/96 * device independent pixels
device independent pixels = 96/DPI * physical pixels
Notice that as the DPI increases, so does the number of physical pixels which compose one device independent pixel. Hence, objects that have their sizes specified in device independent pixels get larger as the system DPI increases.
A point (pt) is also a common unit of measurement for fonts.
1pt = 1/72 inches
Converting between points and device independent pixels is also easy.
pt = 72/96 device independent pixels
device independent pixels = 96/72 pt
Remember objects which are measured in device independent pixels get larger as system DPI increases? This is true for text. Since there is a constant ratio between point sizes/device independent pixels, if the point size of text is held constant while the system DPI is increased, the size of the rendered text will grow.
Uses For Font Units
Aside from knowing how to correctly set FontSize, the above knowledge could be helpful in understanding the values that WPF text APIs, such as FormattedText or TextFormatter, use and return for the different text measurements. The metrics returned from these APIs are in device independent pixel (eg. some properties of GlyphTypeface including Baseline, CapsHeight, XHeight). When interacting with these APIs make sure that you convert to device independent pixels from whatever unit your font is measured in, or visa versa.
- Samer and Chipalo


text:
Performs an animation that fades an item or set of items out of view.
The following video demonstrates the fade in and out animations:
Element or elements being faded out.
An object that completes when the animation is finished.
The hidden parameter of this method can be expressed in several ways:
- As the special value "undefined", which means that the animation has no such target
- As a single object
- As a NodeList (for example, the result of querySelectorAll)
- As an HTMLCollection
If you want to remove an element involved in this animation from the document altogether, doing so before the animation is complete causes the animation to abruptly stop. You should use the Promise to be notified when the animation completes and then remove the element from the document.
Minimum supported client
|Windows 8 [Windows Store apps only]|
Minimum supported server
|Windows Server 2012 [Windows Store apps only]|
Minimum supported phone
|Windows Phone 8.1|


Cypress
Cypress
Even though it is found as uncultivated, in many cases it appears as ornamental plant in gardens and fields where it is used as windbreak and also in cemeteries as it happens all over Greece. Boiled cypress cones and lentisk tufts in water after shampooing is a folk medicine against hair loss.
Scientific Name:
Cupressus sempervirens
Family:
Cupressaceae
Kythera Name:
Kyparissi
Name in other places of Greece:
Kyparissi
Collection:
Cypress cones are collected when they are still green and they are used to make drinks. Tree branches are also useful.
Properties:
Cypress cone drink stops hair loss if it is taken after frequent shampooing and it scent extinguishes insects like mosquitoes and flies.
Leave your comment
Click to access the login or register cheese


Documentation
Overview
 Package consumerdata contains data structures that holds proto metrics/spans, node and resource.
 Index
 Constants
 This section is empty.
 Variables
 This section is empty.
 Functions
 This section is empty.
 Types
 type MetricsData
 type MetricsData struct {
 Node *commonpb.Node
 Resource *resourcepb.Resource
 Metrics []*metricspb.Metric
 }
 MetricsData is a struct that groups proto metrics with a unique node and a resource. Deprecated: use pdata.Metrics instead.
 type TraceData
 type TraceData struct {
 Node *commonpb.Node
 Resource *resourcepb.Resource
 Spans []*tracepb.Span
 SourceFormat string
 }
 TraceData is a struct that groups proto spans with a unique node and a resource. Deprecated: use pdata.Traces instead.
 Source Files


Meridian Music offers piano tuning for home, churches, schools, institutions and businesses in the greater Indianapolis, Carmel and central Indiana area.
Tuning a piano involves taking a wrench (called a tuning hammer) and very precisely adjusting the tension on the 200-250 strings in the piano. Even though pianos only have 88 notes, most of those notes have 3 strings that must all be tuned exactly the same. Even the slightest movement of the tuning pin can change the pitch of the string quite a bit. Skilled piano tuners can easily hear up to 100 steps between two adjacent notes and learning exactly where to set the tension of the string is an art form that takes years to develop.
Dr. John Egan
Chair of Music Department
Saint Joseph College
Call Now Button


Recently Microsoft support has fielded inquiries from several customers asking how to troubleshoot problems that cause delays during the boot and user logon processes on a desktop or laptop. The Windows Performance Toolkit xbootmgr.exe tool works well for troubleshooting boot and startup issues on a single machine. (See "Diagnose Shutdown Problems with Xbootmgr" for more information about using xbootmgr.exe.) But what if you're a large enterprise with thousands of desktops? You need a way to identify problem machines before a user reports them to the Help desk. You need to monitor desktop startup times over time and across the enterprise. And you need a way to collect boot time measurements, similar to those collected by xbootmgr.exe, from every machine for every boot. Here, I'll explain how you can use an event log, the new Windows 7 Event Viewer, and the Wevtutil tool to do these things.
A New Event Log to Aid in Troubleshooting
Beginning with Windows Vista, Windows now includes a new category of event logs: Applications and Services logs. The infrastructure underlying event logging now conforms to an XML schema. You can easily access the XML data for any event. The new event log interface lets you construct XML-based queries against event logs. The Event Viewer gives you to access to the new XML functionality in an easy-to-use graphical interface.
One of the logs in this new category is the Diagnostics-Performance/Operational log. This log contains events that record performance measurements similar to those provided by xbootmgr.exe. In fact, the data recorded is generated by the same mechanisms that Xbootmgr uses. Event IDs 100 through 110 record boot and startup performance statistics.
Using the Event Viewer in Windows 7
The new Event Viewer in Windows 7 lets you do more powerful filtering. The new UI lets you specify ranges of events. Under the covers, it builds the XPath query to filter out the events based on the criteria you specify. Figure 1 shows how you can filter for events 100 through 110. Figure 2 shows the XML version of the same query parameters. We're interested in Event ID 100 for the purposes of measuring the boot performance. Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the normal and XML views for event 100.
The XML presentation of the event contains a lot of interesting information. The BootTime value represents the number of milliseconds that elapsed from the time the system booted to the point after the user logged in that the system reached 80 percent idle for 10 seconds. The other time values listed represent the elapsed time for various stages during this boot process. You can find more information about the stages of the boot process in the Windows On/Off Transition Performance Analysis white paper.
The other boot performance events record information about specific events that contributed to delays during the boot/startup sequence. The trick is how to know which boot instance these messages belong to. This is where the ActivityID come in handy. In Figure 4, you'll see the following in the XML data:
All events related to this boot instance in this Event 100 record have this same ActivityID. By performing the following steps, we can use this information to create a more complex filter:
1. Click Filter Current Log… in the Actions Pane of Event Viewer.
2. On the XML tab, check the box Edit query manually, then answer Yes when prompted to continue.
3. Enter the following XML text into the query box:
4. Click OK.
Figure 5 shows a total of three events for this ActivityID. We can now examine these events to understand the problems that contributed to any boot/startup delays.
Collecting Data with Wevtutil
So far we've looked at only one boot instance. How do we collect data for all boot instances? By using Wevtutil, a Windows command-line tool for querying the Event logs. Using the following example, you can extract all the Event ID 100 records from the event log on a system:
wevtutil qe Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance/Operational /rd:true /f:xml /q:"*\\[System\\[(EventID = 100)\\]\\]" /e:Events > boot.xml
This creates an XML data file that contains all instances of the boot performance event for a machine. With each ActivityID, you could then query for the other related events. For example, the following query extracts the same three event records we saw in Figure 5:
wevtutil qe Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance/Operational /rd:true /f:xml /q:"* \\[System\\[(Correlation\\[_USER_='\\{00000001-0000-0000-1020-5CA87BB1CA01\\}'\\])\\]\\]" /e:Events > bootrelated.xml
Wevtutil.exe has many more options. Run the utility without any parameters to see a list of available options. For more information, see the MSDN article "Event Queries and Event XML." And for more information about learning XPath to define event queries, see XPath Syntax and XPath Examples.
Putting It All Together
Once you have the event data in XML format, it's fairly easy to extract the most interesting data points. Figure 6 shows some sample data I collected from one machine. In this example, I converted the time values to seconds. Differences in the number of applications that start at boot time could be significant when you're investigating changes in performance. With historical data like this, you can now begin to do some trend analysis. For example, this system was built on 1/13/2010. Application installations and configuration changes continued over the next couple of days. By 1/21/2010 the configuration changes had been completed. After that, the BootTime value was averaging about 124 seconds. However, notice that on 2/4/2010 and 2/9/2010 the times were significantly longer than average.
Extending the Value
Now that we have an automated way to extract the event data in XML form, we can collect this data periodically from multiple computers and store the results in a database. Using some simple reporting, it's easy to do trend analysis. A complete enterprise solution will require more code development and data management, but it's feasible. And that's exactly what one of my largest customers did.
Using a VBScript program I wrote, the customer collects event data into a SQL Server database. They've used this data to establish some baseline statistics for their desktop image build. They can pivot this data based on the hardware (e.g., memory, CPU, model) and software configuration. Using SQL Server Reporting Services, the customer built a dashboard view that displays the boot-time health status of all desktops in the enterprise. With specific reports, they can compare this baseline to new data collected after deploying new group policies, new security tools, or a hardware upgrade. They also use this data to proactively identify machines that take longer than the average baseline. This information allows IT to address issues before users call the Help desk, reducing the time to resolution and making end users happier.
Sean Wheeler ( is a senior premier field engineer in Microsoft's Premier Support team, assigned to support some of the largest enterprise customers. He is one of the original creators of the MPS Reporting tool. He specializes in scripting, debugging, and performance-related issues.


text:
The Initiative will focus on five areas, each aimed to address different needs and challenges of the AAPI community.
- Education and Career Development – Advance educational attainment for underserved AAPIs with a focus on developing career pathways.
- Business and Jobs – Stimulate the growth of AAPI businesses by encouraging public and private investment and job creation.
- Immigration – Promote pathways to citizenship for immigrants, students and workers.
- Healthcare and Housing – Advance health and housing equity for underserved AAPIs.
- Workforce Leadership – Increase opportunities for learning and leadership roles for AAPIs.


Environmental Project Specialist
Company: Kohler Co.
Location: Kohler, WI
Employment Type: Full Time
Kohler Co., a world-class manufacturer of exceptional kitchen and bath
products, engines, power generations systems, distinguished furniture,
and renowned for luxurious hospitality businesses is seeking an
Environmental Project Specialist. Be part of a team responsible for
leading innovations in gracious living.
Provide technical support for regulation of the chemical content of Kohler Co. products.
1. Maintain an understanding of global regulations/laws regarding product chemical content. Ensure chemical content restrictions are communicated and monitored.
2. Maintain an understanding of global regulations/laws regarding product registration and labeling requirements. Ensure chemical content restrictions are communicated and monitored.
3. Provide technical support for product design projects, specifically for chemical content and material selection. Recommend alternatitive materials, with consideration of overall business strategy, environmental rules, sustainability, cost, potential liabilities, and material properties
4. Develop and maintain expert knowledge of existing regulations regarding product/process chemical content, labeling and registration requirements; anticipate future requirements.
5. Develop best practice processes for regulatory compliance with product stewardship laws, and share best practices across the businesses.
6. Provide a technical resource to advise manufacturing operations on compliance requirements, and promote best practices across the manufacturing community. Work closely with the New Product Development groups within each of the businesses, to proactively ensure compliance for new products.
7. Conduct periodic audits across the businesses, to ensure compliance is being maintained consistently within the company.
8. Whenever possible, provide technical support for footprint reduction efforts.
9. Develop and maintain a positive image for Kohler Co. with the public and with government regulatory agencies.
This position has global responsibilities. North America travel may reach 10% and international travel 20%, for a total expected maximum travel requirement of 30%.
1. Supervisory Relationships:
 - Reports to the Supervisor - Waste Management
 2. Organization Relationships:
 - Frequent contact with EHS staff.
 - Frequent contact with product design associates and engineering.
 - Occasional contact with regulatory agencies.
 3. External Business Relationships:
 - Occasional contact with regulatory agencies.
 - Frequent contact with vendors, contractors, and suppliers.
 1. Requires BS degree in engineering, environmental, or similar field.
 2. Requires at least three years of related experience.
 3. A thourough knowledge of global product content standards and regulations is required.
 4. Strong organizational, communications and interpersonal skills are essential.
 5. This position is action oriented requiring the incumbent to analyze global regulations, establish internal and external working relationships and to efficetively communicate chemical content restrictions.
 Job Code: 11532
 Category: Professional
 Company: Kohler Co.
 Contact Name: Human Resources
 Apply Methods
 - apply to this job without creating a job seeker profile.
 - create an online resume and apply to this job.
 - © 1996 - 2015 Data Frenzy, All Rights Reserved.


Many clinicians want a simple way of recording and producing a log of CPD (Continuing Professional Development).
In true WriteUpp style our approach is very straightforward and perhaps less sophisticated than some other implementations. However, the advantage of this approach, aside from being simple, is that it mirrors your normal daily workflow with WriteUpp.
 1. Create a client record for yourself in WriteUpp – you only need to do this once
 2. Create appt types called Supervision & Course making sure to set them up as patient-related appointments with no cost. Again, you only need to do this once.cpd_course2_500
 3. As and when you undertake CPD select yourself as the Active Client and enter these events (Supervision, Course etc) into your diary. If the duration of the event is longer than the default time you can easily change it when you log the activity in the diary.
 4. To see a log of your activity click on the "Business Views" icon (the eye icon to the left of the search field at the top of the page), choose "Activity" and then the date range that you would prefer and the appointment type, say Course, that you would like to see a record for. See below:cpd_activity_600
 5. Now you can a comprehensive list of all of the CPD that you have undertaken, including when, where and the duration. If you need to analyse this in more detail you can simply export this data into Excel for futher manipulation by clicking on the "Export to Excel" button at the bottom of the page.
 6. From the appointments tab of your record you can also see a chronological list of all of your CPD activities
 7. Optionally you could also create a custom form (using the Form Builder) where you could record details about the sessions


text:
Stone sentries outside of the shop of Tobho Mott in King's Landing are decorated as griffin and unicorn knights. There are also plundered griffins at Vaes Dothrak. Qarth contains fountains in the shapes of griffins, dragons, and manticores. Among the grotesques and gargoyles of Dragonstone are griffins.
House Connington of Griffin's Roost has dancing griffins on their sigil, and their leaders sit the gilded Griffin Seat. The family's battle cry is "A griffin! A griffin!" According to the tale of the Knight of the Laughing Tree, the lord of griffins was present for the great tourney. Ser Alyn Connington of the Kingsguard was known as the Pale Griffin.
A Clash of Kings
- A Feast for Crows, Chapter 41, Alayne II.
- The World of Ice & Fire, The Vale: House Arryn.
- A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
- A Game of Thrones, Chapter 36, Daenerys IV.
- A Clash of Kings, Chapter 27, Daenerys II.
- A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
- A Feast for Crows, Chapter 27, Jaime III.
- A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
- A Storm of Swords, Chapter 24, Bran II.
- A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
- A Clash of Kings, Chapter 2, Sansa I.


Difference between revisions of "Ditto (Pokémon)"
45 bytes added, 19:17, 5 June 2011
(→In the anime: not sure where to put this)
Also in [[Generation I]], any Pokémon that uses Transform is regarded as a Ditto in its new form; this means that if the player catches a {{p|Mew}} or a Glitch Pokémon which has used the move Transform instead they will obtain a Ditto because a wild {{p|Mew}} cannot be legitimately encountered. This system was later changed in [[Generation III]] so that the {{p|Mew}} on [[Faraway Island]] is not caught as Ditto if it uses Transform.
By exploiting the factors that determine a [[shiny Pokémon]], a shiny Ditto can be obtained by trading the [[red Gyarados]] to Generation I and capturing a Ditto that transforms into it. A similar glitch occurs if a regular Ditto is made to transform into a shiny Ditto in Generation II. For more on this, see [[shiny ditto clitch]]
Several more glitches involving Ditto's transformation have been discovered in [[Generation IV]] as well. In the original Japanese {{2v2|Diamond|Pearl}}, due to an oversight in the programming of Transform, a Ditto will copy the Pokémon's [[held item]] in addition to its species, allowing rare items to be duplicated. Another glitch allows for Ditto to transform and then permanently keep the moveset of the Pokémon it became, allowing for the passing down of previously impossible [[egg move]] combinations in a large-scale version of {{p|Smeargle}}'s ability to do so with all {{egg2|Ground}} Pokémon through {{m|Sketch}}.


What is the X in X-mas?
not enough room to swing a cat
Very little space, cramped quarters, as in There's not enough room to swing a cat in this tent. This expression, first recorded in 1771, is thought to allude to the cat-o'-nine-tails, or "cat," a whip with nine lashes widely used to punish offenders in the British military.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Cite This Source
Word of the Day
Word Value for not
Scrabble Words With Friends


text:
India: the next steel powerhouse?
Global steel 2013
A new world, a new strategy
According to the Planning Commission of India, the country's steel production is expected to grow by around 60 million tonnes during the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2011–12 to 2016–17).
"India's domestic steel consumption will continue to grow steadily for several years into future — driven by urbanization, favorable demography, GDP growth, refocus on industrialization and stepped-up investments in infrastructure." - Anjani Agrawal, India Mining & Metals, Leader, EY
Although China is the dominant market in the steel sector, India is increasing its presence in the global steel market as a result of domestic steel consumption. The rising middle class population coupled with increased urbanization will grow steel intensity in the economy.
Projected infrastructure investment during the 12th FYP
Source: Committee on Infrastructure/Planning Commission
India has seen a rapid rise in production over the past few years, which has resulted in India becoming the fourth-largest producer of crude steel and the largest producer of sponge iron in the world.
There are many opportunities that are helping the Indian steel market grow. These include:
- Rural demand picking up
- Investment planned in road sector
- Indian railway expansion
- Automobile and power sectors offer opportunity for specialized steel
- Refocus on manufacturing
However, there are also some challenges that India must overcome in order to continue on the path of becoming the next steel powerhouse. These challenges include:
- Land acquisition and environment regulations
- Shortage of coking coal
- Availability and pricing of domestic iron ore
- Downstream value addition
- Insufficient infrastructure and logistics
- Overburdened port facilities
- Adoption of modern technology
Infrastructure in China and India
Source: The Global Competitiveness Report 2011–12, World Economic Forum
Note: indicators are ranked on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the most desirable outcome.


text:
|Subscribe | What is RSS|
The Luis Leon reservoir on the Rio Conchos in Mexico will be releasing water over the next few weeks. Visitors may notice that the river is higher than usual. Flow rates may increase from 50 cubic meters per second to 100 cubic meters per second. The reservoir needed to release water due to their reservoir exceeding the full pool level from recent rains.
In areas where the river spreads out over a flood plain, the rise will probably not be noticeable since so much water soaks out into the deep sand. In the canyons the river may be noticeably higher as the river flows mostly over bedrock.
Possible impacts include the hot springs at Rio Grande village being inundated, deeper water along the length of the river which will improve conditions for rafting, and possibly larger rapids in some canyon river sections.
The rise will likely be at most a few feet of depth. This is a small flow rate increase and no structures are threatened. By mid to late June the river level will subside.


Thursday, August 31, 2006
Performance: Block Variables Breakdown
In response to my previous blog, Chris Nokleberg noted that if we're using String#equals a lot, interning will have an additional benefit...namely because String#equals short-circuits if both String objects are ==. I had forgotten about that benefit, so I thought I'd poke around for places it might have an effect.
In digging a little, I was reminded that DynamicVariableSet, which holds block-local variables, does a linear search for retrievals and mutations. Compare that to method-local variables in Scope, for which all clients must pass an index to get or set a value. I'm not sure if there's a reason why DynVars must be retrieved by name and Scope vars can be directly's probably historical from the C code or a limitation of the current parser. In any case, a linear search could theoretically represent a performance issue accessing or modifying block-local variables. So I thought I'd run some numbers to see how frequently we have to search past the 0 value in the DynVarSet. Here's the breakdown while gem installing rake:
Count of block var retrieves from indicies 0 through 6:
So a total of 787121 block variable lookups, with percentages below:
index 0: 65.6%
index 1: 28.7%
index 2: 5.4%
...with the remainder filling out the last 0.3% of accesses
What can we learn from this? Well DynVarSet currently allocates initial space for up to 8 variables, based on someone's long-past examination of code that showed a maximum of 6 was a good estimate. The numbers above show that, for RubyGems + RDoc at least, a maximum of 3 would cover 99.7% of all cases without requiring expansion of the array, and that with a subsequent expansion to 6 slots we would cover all but 0._PHONE_% of cases. So using 6 as a maximum and always allocating 8 slots is perhaps a bit generous. More profiling on more code is warranted here, but it might be safe to drop the initial size to 3 and leave in the doubling when expanding.
It also shows us that we pay the cost of two String#equals calls for 28.7% of lookups, and pay for three in 5.4% of lookups, with higher counts statistically insignificant. So although it might seem like we're unlikely to suffer much of a performance hit because most block var lookups are at index 0, our cost to lookup or modify block variables is doubled in over a quarter of cases and tripled in a twentieth of cases. If we normalize all lookups to the same cost (X * 99.7 versus X * 139.2), that translates to a 28% performance boost for block variable lookup cost. Note that I'm not measuring block variable modifications here either, which would conceivably see a similar boost.
And of course what it doesn't show (but which we know to be true) is that if we were able to eliminate both the linear search and the call to String#equals, we'd save a very large percentage of block var lookup time, since we'd reduce it to a simple array indexing. I think it's worth exploring how we could do that--especially since we already do it for Scope in all the same places.
Isn't optimizing legacy code fun?
Performance: Inlining Strings
A while ago, we decided to inline all appropriate symbolic strings as they entered the AST. This appeared to help performance a measurable amount, presumably for two reasons:
 1. The AST would take up less space in the long term
 2. Since Strings cache their hashcodes, having each identical string in the AST be the same object would reduce the number of hash calculations.
And the numbers seem to bear it out. Here's a local rake install:
Without interning AST strings:
real 1m19.894s
user 1m18.649s
sys 0m0.920s
With interning AST strings:
real 1m15.021s
user 1m13.785s
sys 0m0.948s
So it's very this case 4-5 seconds out of 80 seconds, or about a 6% gain with interning.
However this week I realized the fallacy of the second point above. In order to intern each incoming string, Java must hash them. This causes all strings entering the AST to be hashed once anyway in order to get the interned version. In fact, it could reduce performance, since we're now forced to hash strings we might never encounter during execution.
I can't confirm that this is 100% true, but it's a reasonable theory. String.intern() is native code, but logic dictates that the fastest way to intern strings would be to use an internal hash/symbol table. So I proceeded this evening to try removing interning to see how it affected performance. I hoped to get a small gain during execution due to a large gain during parsing. The numbers above show that I lose a measurable amount overall by interning. However, I do see substantial parse performance gains:
With interning AST strings ( - t method of measuring 100 parses):
Without interning AST strings:
About 1.7 seconds out of 11, or a whopping 15% gain in parse speed without interning. AARGH.
At this point I'm leaning toward removing interning and swallowing the 6% performance hit temporarily until we can figure out where it's coming from. Logically, interning everything should only add overhead, or so my brain tells me. Where's the flaw in my logic?
My London Schedule
So here's the times and places. I want to get together JRubyists to just chat a bit at some point, and it seems like Thursday or Friday would work best. The only concrete suggestion so far is the Fitzroy Tavern on the 15th, around 6:30PM-7:00PM (thanks Damian). This works for me, and it's after the conference. Here's a goofy Google Map to Fitzroy from the conference center.
I'm also planning to attend the "Pizza on Rails" event on the 13th, so folks can find me there.
I'll keep this entry updated as things come in, so it can be used for reference.
13 September, 6:00AM: Arrival in London (Heathrow)
Other than getting checked into the hotel, I have that whole day free. I don't plan to cram for my presentation or anything, since it's not until Friday (and I don't really work that way). To avoid the lag I'll probably sleep as much as I can on the plane. Getting out and about once I get there ought to get the circadians whipped into shape.
13 September, 6:00PM: Pizza on Rails
Pizza on Rails is around 6PM, with pizza at 7PM.
14 September, 9:00AM: RailsConf Day One
The "Welcome" is at 9, and it goes straight through until 8:30PM with a lunch break from 12:30PM to 2:00PM and a dinner break from 5:50PM to 7:30PM. I'll probably try to grab meals with folks from the conf.
15 September, 9:30AM: RailsConf Day Two
Lunch break is the same as Day One, and the conf is scheduled to go through until 6PM, with "Closing Remarks" coming after that. Probably be out by 6:30, and the Fitzroy is pretty close. Maybe someone not going to the conf can get there early to scope it out.
15 September, 3:00PM: JRuby on Rails
I'm in the last set of speakers, before the final plenary session with James Duncan Davidson and Dave Thomas. I'm up against cleaning up rails, adding unicode to rails, and project management for rails. I wish I could attend the unicode session, but I'll try to grab Dominic offline.
15 September, 6:30PM: JRuby Meetup
So far I think we'll just be at Fitzroy Tavern, as mentioned at the top of this post. All are welcome...I don't fly out until 1:25PM the next day, so I can stick around for a while.
16 September 10:00AM: Departure
Given the recent TERROR scare, I'm going to be extra careful and head to the airport nice and early. I'm not particularly worried about TERROR, but I am over-cautious about giving security enough time to scour my person for soda pop and lip balm.
Thus ends my first trip to London. It's too bad it will be so short, but I have business to attend to stateside immediately after the conference. Hopefully I'll stop back in when I'm in the EU for JavaPolis.
I hope to see plenty of JRubyists in London!


text: A system using a helicopter, 30 to 70 knots, was perfected in the early 1970s, a slow flying airplane system, 80 to 130 knots, became available in the early 1980s, and an over water fast airplane system, 200 to 320 knots, was flown in the mid 1980s. This chapter presents data from surveys flown using the helicopter and slow fixed-wing system. Accuracies of these systems when compared to ground data are between 1 and 2 mgals. The first reported tests of airborne gravity measurements in the late 1950s and 1960 were feasibility trials. Available fixed-wing aircraft were used. Systems were installed consisting of marine type gravity meters, available photo-grammetric cameras and/or doppler radar for positioning and some unique hypsometers for vertical variation measurements. The basic aim of the test program was to create a helicopter-transported gravity and magnetic surveying system to be used for petroleum exploration.


text:
FLA Theory of Change
FLA seeks to develop youth resiliency and leadership to create long-lasting systemic change by empowering and mobilizing youth leaders to advocate for policies that improve their lives and the lives of their peers in the Central Coast.
Build Youth Resiliency and Leadereship
Mobilize Youth Leaders to Build Resilient Communities
Through year-round programming, FLA youth are supported in dissecting community issues affecting their lives. Youth are also given advocacy skills to mobilize and address the social ills affecting the Central Coast. Through these grassroots campaigns, youth become agents of social change.
Leverage Youth Leadership
FLA's unique programming creates a culture of resiliency, accountability, and investment, which is leveraged for a growing effort in long-term organizational sustainability and broader social impact through continued community engagement, mobilization, and advocacy.


text:
History & Mission
Begun in the fall of 2015, River City Community Development Center (R CITY) exists to bring together the best of our city to build a path for families to walk from cradle to career to the glory of God. R CITY serves the West Humboldt Park community, especially the 768 vibrant students of Cameron Elementary School.
A growing organization in its second year, R CITY stands upon the established local relationships of its board members, directors, staff, and the founding leaders of River City Community Church. R CITY serves its community with a commitment to walk children all the way to career, surrounding them with web of support to carry them through whatever Chicago poverty may bring.
To achieve our mission we:
1. Invest extensive program hours to build trusted relationships with youth+family.
2. Link youth+family to resources both outside and inside R CITY, including support for their success now:
- After-school enrichment = new skills
- Connections with trustworthy adults = emotional support
- In-school partnership = academic success
- Leadership experiences = new identity
their success in the future:
- Field trips = vision for future
- Scholarship fund = hope for college
- Paid apprenticeships = career readiness
and their success in crisis or opportunity:
- Connection to network of support = relationships, referrals, and resources
3. Maintain long-term relationships with youth+families, understanding their changing situations and linking to necessary resources.
AmazonSmile Foundation / Aon Foundation / Comprehensive Health Management / Kohl's Department Stores / Minnesota Counseling / Quattro Impact, LLC / S & S Activewear
Northwestern University (Researcher in Learning Sciences) / University of Chicago (Intern in Social Service Administration)
…and many, many more.


text:
In an extensive process of engaging with our community, the Mount Barker District Council was able to determine six community priorities.
We will pursue partnerships and opportunities that build on our strengths and we are committed to exploring and developing new ideas and shared narratives that drive credible business cases and tangible outcomes for our district.
Each priority direction has the potential to significantly enhance community wellbeing, economic prosperity and ecological sustainability; the themes that underpin our Community Plan and that are emphasised in our investment prospectus.
Moving beyond recycling and rubbish to redefining 'waste' as a resource and stimulating community farming and agriculture through innovation, education and financial participation.
Developing Mount Barker as the heart of the Adelaide Hills and promoting its first-class tourism experiences and destinations.
Providing the infrastructure and services needed to enable Mount Barker's evolution into a small, modern and progressive city, servicing its residents and businesses, smaller towns and villages and the wider region.
Recognising and celebrating the biodiversity values of the region and harnessing our collective wisdom, knowledge, skills and resources to elevate biodiversity protection and replenishment to the highest of priorities.
Tackling the climate emergency through a concerted, focussed and coordinated effort to reduce emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Celebrating and supporting the community and ensuring that community cohesiveness is maintained and strengthened and that our priority populations have the opportunity to live healthy and inclusive lives.


Opus Sectile
Main Article: mosaics in jewelry
Opus Sectile is a mosaic style where slabs of stone are shaped and fitted together as a jigsaw puzzle. It was popular in early Roman times and revived during the renaissance in Florence, where it became known as pietra dura. In jewelry one will not encounter them before the 19th century.
Opus sectile.jpg
Opus Sectile (Marble Floor Inlay) from the Hadrian's Villa (Piccole Terme) Near Tivoli in Italy.


text:
An Injector Component Model for Complete Microfluidic Electrokinetic Separation Systems
R. Magargle, J.F. Hoburg and T. Mukherjee
Carnegie Mellon University, US
Keywords: microfluidic, electrokinetic, cross, injector
This work presents a closed-form, numerically derived model of a key microfluidic electrokinetic separation system component, the cross injector. The model fits into a framework such that it can be combined with a network of other component models, such as a mixer, reactor, separation channel, and detector, to model a complete microfluidic separation system. The model is based on a reduction of the full 5-dimensional parameter space to a manageable 2-dimensional parameter space. The resultant model is valid for Peclet numbers ranging from 10 to 5000 and shows a worst case variance equal to the channel width squared.
Nanotech 2004 Conference Technical Program Abstract


text:
BEKAA–Monday morning proved to be a very unusual start of the day for residents of the Bekaa Valley as millions of black beetles covered the region, causing dismays and concerns, to say the least.
The invasion, suspected to occur as a result of the quantity of rainfall over the winter, was initially thought to be a swarm of cockroaches rather than beetles. The swarm hit many regions of the valley, including the Rashaya villages of Bakka, Yanta, and Jub Jennen.
This news broke around the country as a viral video, depicting the beetles being attracted to the light of the tower at Our Lady of Zahle Church, started to circulate.
Many of these insects were subsequently exterminated in large numbers after the outbreak, and there are also several videos going around that show large quantities of dead beetles being swept away.
However, according to Zinette Moussa, the head of the entomology laboratory at the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, the beetle species is known as Calosoma inquisitor, a natively occurring species to the region. In addition, she claimed that this particular species is beneficial in terms of agriculture.
"…it feeds on many species of Lepidoptera caterpillars that attack forests and agriculture," she said via The Daily Star.
Because of the significant amount of rainfall Lebanon has had this year–more than double the amount of last year's rain–many of these types of caterpillars were attracted to the moisture, which in turn attracted their predators, the Calosoma.
However, Moussa insists that the sudden arrival of these beetles is not a threat to urban areas. She explained that they were probably largely attracted to the light, which caused them to swarm in such great numbers.
In addition, locals have speculated that these beetles arrived from Syria, but Moussa refuted the idea, stating that this species is not a migratory one.
Nonetheless, the occurrence was a very bizarre one that many of the residents of the Bekaa Valley were in awe of.


text:
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published findings from a new evaluation report of "Family Skills", a programme that aims to improve the literacy and language of children learning English as an additional language.
A total of 115 primary schools in England took part in a randomised controlled trial of Family Skills. Over the course of one term, parents of fourand five-year-olds were offered weekly sessions with family learning tutors. The 2.5 hour sessions focused on topics like reading to children, phonics, making the most of bilingualism, learning through play and understanding primary education in England. Families were encouraged to do learning activities at home with their children, and were also given opportunities to visit a local library and take a tour of their child's school.
The evaluation, conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, found that, overall, children of parents who were offered the Family Skills intervention did not make any more progress in literacy than children of parents who were not offered it (effect size = +0.01). However, the evaluation also suggests that children whose parents actually attended Family Skills sessions made greater progress in literacy than children whose parents did not. While the evaluators are cautious about this, it may indicate some potential if ways can be found to ensure more parents attend. The key challenge the evaluation highlighted is that some schools struggled to get parents to show up – only around one-third of eligible parents attended at least one session.
Source: Family Skills: evaluation report and executive summary (May 2018), Education Endowment Foundation


text:
- the large, hard-shelled seed of the coconut palm, lined with a white edible meat, and containing a milky liquid.
- the meat of the coconut, often shredded and used in cooking, as a flavoring, and as a dessert topping.
- coconut palm.
- Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a person of color, especially a person of Latin-American or South Asian origin or descent, who is regarded as having adopted the attitudes, values, and behavior thought to be characteristic of middle-class white society, at the expense of his or her ethnic heritage.Compare Oreo.
Origin of coconut
Examples from the Web for cocoanut
Historical Examples of cocoanut
He thought that, at last, he had reached the milk in the cocoanut.Cap'n Dan's Daughter
Joseph C. Lincoln
It is lined with cocoanut matting and had taken no impression of any kind.The Return of Sherlock Holmes
Arthur Conan Doyle
Each one of the cocoanut trees in our garden had for me a distinct personality.My Reminiscences
If there is a Deshmukh3 of the village, a cocoanut and betel-leaf are also given to him.
The cocoanut is largely used for culinary purposes in the Islands.The Philippine Islands
- the fruit of the coconut palm, consisting of a thick fibrous oval husk inside which is a thin hard shell enclosing edible white meat. The hollow centre is filled with a milky fluid (coconut milk)
- the meat of the coconut, often shredded and used in cakes, curries, etc
- (as modifier)coconut cake
- slang, derogatory a black or Asian person who conforms to white culture at the expense of his or her ancestral culture, the idea being that, like a coconut, he or she is dark on the outside and white on the inside


text:
This week at the station
This week at Mawson: 10 January 2014
The highs and lows of Mawson weather in 2013
Luc De Pauw is part of the meteorology team at Mawson. This week Luc has provided Mawson's 'Year in numbers' or the yearly weather summary for 2013.
To create a comprehensive list of data and facts about the weather at Mawson for the calendar year 2013.
Wind run definition = the measure of the total distance of the travelled wind during a period of 24 hours.
Conclusion 2013 was windy. The average wind run per day was 8.3% above the long term mean. A total wind run of 382,700 km results in an average wind speed of 43.7 kph during every hour of the year!
Record broken: Highest wind run measured for the month January = 36606 km during. (Previous record was set at 35278 km for the month of January)
Conclusion: Air pressure was pretty much the same as the long term mean pressure.
No air pressure records broken during the year.
Conclusion: During the year we had nearly 20% less hours of sunshine compared to the long term mean.
Due to the geographic location the sun didn't rise from 14 June 2013 till 29 June 2013 and didn't set from 30 November 2013 till 13 January 2014. Although the sun did not set through this period the plateau did shade the station for a few hours each night.
Even though the sun didn't set, its intensity when less than 5 degrees above the horizon is too weak to register on the sunshine recorder, hence the maximum amount of sunshine for any day during the year stands at 17.2 hours instead of the theoretically 24 hours.
No sunshine records broken during the year.
Blowing Snow – Visibility reduced to less than 1 km due to blowing snow.
Strong Wind – A Strong Wind day has wind in excess of 41 km/h
Gale – A Gale is wind in excess of 63 km/h.
Blizzard – When all the following conditions exist, it is termed a blizzard:
- Blowing snow
- Gale force winds (34 knots or more) and persisting for at least one hour
- Air temperature less than 0°C
- Visibility 100 metres or less
Note: Only the wind has time-based criteria and all weather elements MUST be observed "at time of observation".
From our figures we can conclude 2013 was slightly warmer than the long term mean. Both Mean Daily Max and Mean daily Min are 0.4°C above the long term mean. No temperature records were broken during the year. The year 2013 was about average in pressure, slightly warmer in temperature, 10% windier and 20% less sunny compared to the long term mean. We had many more days of Snow, days of Strong wind and Gale force winds compared to the long term mean. We also had three more days of blizzards.
Cleaning out the fuel tanks, somebody has to do it!
As part of the yearly maintenance for the plumbers, it is our duty to ensure that at least five 90 000 litre fuel tanks are cleaned here on station. In the past this job has been known to be plagued with problems as new laws and procedures are introduced or equipment does not meet the standards. However this year Pete Layt (our Building Site Supervisor) in conjunction with Kingston and many others, has ensured everything was in order to complete our quota.
In a classic example of working together to achieve a result we enlisted the help of the diesel fitters to operate the crane, capture fuel and sludge and change valves/plugs. The electrician was on hand to disconnect the high level switches, isolate equipment and provide temporary power for equipment. That left the plumbers; one inside the tank, one as a spotter on top and the other as the coordinator of the whole operation.
The job is simple despite the mountains of paperwork. Lift the lids off, ventilate, set up the swing arm/rescue device, drop a ladder down, do the confined space gas recordings and continually monitor while the cleaner goes down with a breathing apparatus and brooms the sludge out, valves and plugs are serviced.
Once dressed up, I could have easily been mistaken for Neil Armstrong when he first walked on the moon. With disposable overalls on, gumboots, rescue tank behind, breathing apparatus mask, air line attached and harness I looked very much the part. This job felt like "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"... after all we are in Antarctica.


text:
If today's law students are going to become effective users of technology tools, law schools need to prepare them for more than just tomorrow's legal practice. At Georgetown, we have come to the realization that we need to prepare students for legal practice 10 years from now. This article provides a look at ways several law schools help students develop technology skills and prepare for future law practice, incorporating examples and lessons learned from teaching the course "Technology, Innovation and Law Practice." It presents concrete ideas for law students to understand and appreciate the potential of technology to transform legal practice.
AALL/ILTA Ditigal White Paper, Oct. 2012, at 74-78 (reprinted in Peer to Peer, Dec. 2012, at 24-28)
Scholarly Commons Citation
Skalbeck, Roger, "Tech Innovation in the Academy" (2012). Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works. Paper 1163.


Resting-state EEG, Impulsiveness, and Personality in Daily and Nondaily Smokers.
Rass, O., Ahn, W.-Y., O'Donnell, B. F. 2016. Clinical Neurophysiology, 127(1), 409–418.
Objectives: Resting EEG is sensitive to transient, acute effects of nicotine administration and abstinence, but the chronic effects of smoking on EEG are poorly characterized. This study measures the resting EEG profile of chronic smokers in a non-deprived, non-peak state to test whether differences in smoking behavior and personality traits affect pharmaco-EEG response.
Methods: Resting EEG, impulsiveness, and personality measures were collected from daily smokers (n = 22), nondaily smokers (n = 31), and non-smokers (n = 30).
Results: Daily smokers had reduced resting delta and alpha EEG power and higher impulsiveness (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) compared to nondaily smokers and non-smokers. Both daily and nondaily smokers discounted delayed rewards more steeply, reported lower conscientiousness (NEO-FFI), and reported greater disinhibition and experience seeking (Sensation Seeking Scale) than non-smokers. Nondaily smokers reported greater sensory hedonia than nonsmokers.
Conclusions: Altered resting EEG power in daily smokers demonstrates differences in neural signaling that correlated with greater smoking behavior and dependence. Although nondaily smokers share some characteristics with daily smokers that may predict smoking initiation and maintenance, they differ on measures of impulsiveness and resting EEG power.
Significance: Resting EEG in non-deprived chronic smokers provides a standard for comparison to peak and trough nicotine states and may serve as a biomarker for nicotine dependence, relapse risk, and recovery.


text:
What is Asset Based Community Development?
Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) is a method of development whereby a community asserts (owns) freedom to act to reach its highest level of ability (development) through what it already owns or has (assets).
Put simply, the community takes ownership of its own development through realizing the full potential of its various assets.
What is Asset Based Development?
Asset Based Development (also known as Strengths Based Development) focuses on what already exists (what is strong), and how to use that to create more assets of either the same or a different type.
- Asset Based
- Based on that which is already in existence, owned and having value, whether built (hospitals, roads, etc.), cultural (festivals, libraries, etc.), financial (banks, foundations, etc.), human (schools, training centers etc.), natural (farms, rivers, etc.), political (representatives, forums, etc.) or social (community events, civic groups, etc.)
- A tool enabling people to reach the highest level of their ability, through granting freedom of action, such as, freedom of economic, social and family actions, etc. – Amartya Sen's Capability Approach
It is possible to stimulate the discovery (or creation) of particularly human and social assets where none seemed to exist (or existed) before.
The opposite of Asset Based Development is Needs Based Development, which focuses on what is absent or needed to fulfill set criteria that the developer thinks would improve the life of a community, often based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Types of Assets
In their book "Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets" (1993), Kretzman and McKnight identified three kinds of assets essential in community work: individuals, associations, and institutions. The Community Capitals Framework of Flora and Flora (2004) expanded these to seven asset types. These assets can be used to convert from one type to another (eg. the human asset of knowledge can be used to create the financial asset of money, which can be used to purchase the built asset of a home). The abundance of one asset can therefore be used by an individual or a community to decrease the scarcity of another asset.
Adapted from "Asset Building and Community Development" (2002) by Gary Paul Green and Anna Haines, these asset types are often simplified to only include Financial, Human, Natural, Physical (Built) and Social assets in ABCD, excluding Political and Cultural assets.
- Built Assets
- Represents the infrastructure of the community – the basic set of facilities, services and physical structures needed by a community.
- Cultural Assets
- The values, norms, beliefs and traditions that people inherit from the family, school and community. Also includes material goods produced at a specific time and place (such as paintings, books) that have historical or cultural significance.
- Financial Assets
- The variety of financial resources available to invest in local projects or economic development initiatives. Efforts to build wealth to support community development activities.
- Human Assets
- Attributes of individuals that provide them with the ability to earn a living, strengthen community, and otherwise contribute to community organizations, to their families, and to self improvement. It includes access to education and knowledge development, training and skill building activities and efforts to build and expand local leadership.
- The quality and quantity of natural and environmental resources existing in a community.
- The ability to influence and enforce rules, regulations, and standards. Access to individuals and groups with the power to influence decisions. Participating in civic discourse on difficult public issues.
- Connections existing among people and organizations that help make things happen in the community. Includes close ties that build community cohesion (bonding) as well as weaker ties with local and outside people and organizations that help promote broad-based action on key matters (bridging).
What is Community-Driven / Citizen-Led Development?
Communities form around places and interests (communities of place and communities of interest). A community is formed where two or more individuals come together around a mutual interest in either a physical location (eg. where they live) or interest (eg. gardening).
To differentiate ABCD from other strengths-based approaches that may not be centered on the community as owner and agent of development, it is often referred to as Asset Based Community-Driven Development. A central feature of ABCD is that communities must drive their own development agenda without outside interference. The ABCD community builder acts as a facilitator and enabler. Where outside assistance is required, such assistance is provided with the specific understanding that the community retains ownership of and control over the process.
A further development in ABCD thought has prompted some to refer to it Asset-Based Citizen-Led Development, in recognition that community ultimately starts with the individual citizen. It is necessary for the citizens of a community to internalize the ABCD principles to ensure its success. This may come more naturally for some than for others.
Asset Based Community Development Process
- Collect stories
- Bring together a core group
- Map the gifts, capacities and assets of individuals, associations and local institutions
- Find and engage connectors who can build relationships
- Ask the gathered community to lead the creation of a community vision and plan
- Engage the self-mobilization of the community's assets by action applied through association
- Lever knowledge of the community's assets and strengths to secure investments and resources needed from outside the community for community-driven development
From Nurture Development
Origins of Asset Based Community Development
In their 1993 book "Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets," John (Jody) P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight explored the characteristics of successful communities and formalized what they found into a guide for what they termed "Asset-Based Community Development" or ABCD.
In their guide, they acknowledged that ABCD existed before – it is not a new invention. Their work simply formalized and popularized it. They also stressed that relationship building was one of the key characteristics of the approach.
Support for their work ultimately lead to the establishment of the ABCD Institute, from where it spread around the world.
Community is built and sustained at the speed of trust – Cormac Russel
Examples of Asset Based Community Development
Further Asset Based Community Development Resources
Institutions Around The World Driving Asset Based Community Development
- ABCD Institute, America
- Bank of IDEAS, Australia
- Coady International Institute, Canada
- Grassroots Grantmakers, America
- Greater Rochester Health Foundation, America
- Jeder Institute, Australia
- Nurture Development, Europe
- Public Allies, America
- Tamarack Institute, Canada
Asset Based Community Development Downloads
- Compendium of Methods and Tools for ABCD Facilitation and its accompanying Training Materials


Bodrum Archeology of Underwater Museum
Bodrum Fortress
Turkey is one of the countries where archeology can be a star scientific branch. In addition to ground archeology, underwater archeology is also important for Turkey due to its location in history. The items of underwater archeology are being exhibited in a museum that was founded in Bodrum underwater museum.
The oldest sunken of the museum
This museum is formed of various halls such as British hall and German hall. Those towers of the fortress are halls of the museum. There are different sections in the museum. Those are about some ancient sunken ships and amphora exhibitions. As we know that the goods such as olive oil and wine were transported in those amphoras.
Amphora section
The oldest sunken ship was dated back to earlier ancient era.Of course it is the replica of the vessel. Also we can see every sort of archeological items that were unearthed in Bodrum including Turkish bath and jewellery.
A relief of ancient era
Also dungeon of the fortress is very impressive because this place is described as "the place that God never exists". It is a classical middle age dungeon.
Briefly it is one of the worth visiting museums of Turkey.
Bir cevap yazın
E-posta hesabınız yayımlanmayacak. Gerekli alanlar * ile işaretlenmişlerdir
Istanbul Archeology Museums
Mayıs 31, 2019


text:
CLIMBERS envy Sherpas their ability to thrive on thin mountain air. Now Canadian researchers have discovered how Sherpas' hearts use oxygen more efficiently than those of lowlanders.
When oxygen is abundant, heart muscle cells get most of their energy from burning free fatty acids, breakdown products of fat. While these fatty acids yield more energy than any other foods, they are relatively wasteful of oxygen. Glucose has a lower yield but is more efficient. Peter Hochachka and his team at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver believe that Sherpas' heart muscles rely more on glucose than on fatty acids. Using glucose, the muscles can produce up to 60 per cent more energy for every molecule of oxygen.
The team studied six Sherpas from Nepal and used magnetic resonance spectroscopy, a technique for imaging the "signature" of specific molecules, to study the metabolism of their heart muscle.
Cells store energy ...
To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.