Tag Archives: Tintin
When Did Bigotry Get So Needy?
By Guest Contributor China Miéville, cross-posted from rejectamentalist manifesto
Stand down: literature has defeated the Thought Police. Belgium's supreme court has defeated the mischief-making of the whining PC brigade. Tintin is not banned. Huzzah!
The badness of the bad faith involved in the commentariat's discussion of this issue, the relentlessness of their categoric elisions, the unpleasantness of their crowing over the victory, should come as no surprise. This was never, at root, about banning.
Yes, Bienvenue Mbutu Mondondo was applying to the court to have Tintin in the Congo declared unacceptable under the Belgian race-relations law. However, he had made clear for years that he would be satisfied if, as in Britain, the book was published with a visible warning, a reminder of the context in which it was written (maybe even of the toxic ideology enshrined within). What Mondondo wanted was an official recognition that this text was a spitting in his face. That it came down to what was always clearly a nuclear option was due to the steadfast refusal of the publishers to countenance this–and thereby take responsibility for what they publish. The Belgian establishment went to cultural war, and it did so not for free speech, but for their right not to apologise for racist slander.
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The Montgomery blue spruce is almost identical visually to the globe blue spruce, with 'Montgomery' replacing 'Globosa' at the end of the scientific name, Picea pungens. The blue spruce's natural habitat is in the Rocky Mountains, where it can grow to towering heights exceeding 150 feet! These trees are kept under about 60 feet in cultivation, and as a slow-growing dwarf shrub, Montgomery blue spruce does not usually exceed 4 feet tall. In comparison, the globe blue spruce can grow up to 5 feet tall.
Montgomery blue spruce loves southern climates, and while New Jersey is not considered the South, much of the year is similar enough in temperature to make Montgomery blue spruce a viable option for homeowners in the Garden State. It prefers partial to full sun, weekly watering and slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
Did You Know?
Montgomery blue is somewhat drought-tolerant, and does not require pruning – a very low-maintenance spruce!
Other Fun Facts About Montgomery Spruce
- Blue spruce trees are referred to as "conifers" because of their cones and needlelike leaves.
- Blue spruce can withstand temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and elevations up to 10,000 feet.
- Montgomery blue spruce is ideal for borders, rock gardens, or as an accent.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and what the Neighbors Thought)
Most people can name some famous artists and recognize their best-known works. But what's behind all that painting, drawing, and sculpting? What was Leonardo da Vinci's snack of choice while he painted Mona Lisa's mysterious smile? Why did Georgia O'Keeffe find bones so appealing? Who called Diego Rivera "Frog-Face"? And what is it about artists that makes both their work and their lives so fascinating—to themselves, to their curious neighbors, and to all of us? This book presents the humor and the tragedy in twenty artists' lives as no biography has done before.


Students at Bundang Preschool Academy in South Korea
These two schools are our piloting penpals with the International Plastic Quilt Project this fall! The first letter from South Korea to Portland, Oregon:
Bundang Preschool Academy (PSA) in South Korea and Woodlawn Elementary SUN School in Portland, Oregon are excited to announce their participation in Create Plenty's Plastic Quilt Project. We have partnered together to create an art and information exchange.
Over the next few months we will share our student's ideas about trash, recycling and creating art with single-use plastic.
As an introduction to the Plastic Quilt Project and plastic pollution the 7 year-old students at
PSA were asked 4 questions about trash to compare with answers given in the United States:
1. What do you think happens to trash?
"It will stay there." –Gian
"It gets cut into little pieces." –Leah
The most popular answer was "It gets recycled".
2. Where does trash go after you throw it away?
"It will go in the ground and make the Earth dirty." –Kevin
"In the machine from Toy Story 3." –YeEun
The most popular answers were "trashcan" and "recycle or trash center".
3. Where does trash come from?
"It comes from Everyone!" –Erin
"It can come from foods, papers, boxes, things, and cans." –Ben
The most popular answer was "me".
4. How are animals affected by trash?
"Animals in water like dolphin think it is fish and eat it and die." –Thomas
"They are unhappy." –Zoe
The most popular answers were "they will get sick" and "they die".
Plastic wrappers found in South Korea
We will continue our work by talking about our ecological footprint and recycling and students will start to save their single-use plastics. Then we will start discussing plastic art and creating our plastic quilt squares.
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Mystery bird: Madagascar blue vanga, Cyanolanius madagascarinus
This striking mystery bird is unique amongst its family because it is the only one NOT endemic to Madagascar (includes audio)
Madagascar blue vanga, Cyanolanius madagascarinus (protonym, Loxia madagascarina), Linnaeus, 1766, photographed at Zombitse National Park, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar.
Image: Nick Athanas/Tropical Birding, 10 November 2010 (with permission) [velociraptorize].
Canon EOS 7D.
Question: After yesterday's mystery bird (which remains a mystery to all of us, apparently!), I've got blue plumage colour on my mind once again, so of course, I can't resist sharing this beauty with you. This Madagascan mystery bird is part of a small taxonomic family we've not seen here before. This species is unique amongst its family members. Can you tell me why? Can you identify this bird's taxonomic family and species?
Response: This is an adult male Madagascar blue vanga, Cyanolanius madagascarinus. This bird is a member of a small shrike-like family, Vangidae. Although we do know that the vangas are songbirds, we're not sure about the specifics of their relationships with other passerines, and indeed, in some cases, we're not entirely sure which birds are vangas.
In general, vangas are smallto medium-sized birds and they have strong similarities in their skull shape and bony palate structure. However, the vangas are quite variable and, having evolved from a single founding population, they are a lovely example of adaptive radiation. The vangas diversified to occupy the various niches on Madagascar that are typically occupied by other bird families in other parts of the world. For example, some vangids resemble shrikes whilst others look a lot like babblers or flycatchers. Further, some studies indicate that several Old World babbler and flycatcher species on Madagascar are actually vangas [doi:10.1006/mpev._PHONE_ & doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2001.tb00639.x].
Madagascar blue vangas are unique amongst their relatives (as we currently know this family) because they are the only vanga that is not a Madagascar endemic; a population is also found on the Comoro Islands. Also, unlike their relatives, which have black, brown or grey upperparts, the blue vanga is, well, blue on top. Blue vangas are also distinct from all but one of their relatives because they occasionally supplement their carnivorous diet with fruit.
The blue vanga is fairly common and widespread in woodlands on Madagascar and on the Comoros islands and Mayotte.
Embedded below is a 1 minute recording of a pair of blue vangas responding to playback, courtesy of Xeno-Canto:
(recorded on 25 November 2010 by Nick Athanas at Mananara Lodge, Anjozorobe, Madagascar [audio link]).
Oh, and speaking of relationships; I admit I am very curious to know why Linnaeus originally placed this species into the genus Loxia (the crossbills). Does anyone know what his reasoning was?
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In response to the need for a disease severity measurement, the American Venous Forum committee on outcomes assessment developed the Venous Severity Scoring system in 2000. There are three components of this scoring system, the Venous Disability Score, the Venous Segmental Disease Score, and the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS). The VCSS was developed from elements of the CEAP classification (clinical grade, etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology), which is the worldwide standard for describing the clinical features of chronic venous disease. However, as a descriptive instrument, the CEAP classification responds poorly to change. The VCSS was subsequently developed as an evaluative instrument that would be responsive to changes in disease severity over time and in response to treatment. Based on initial experiences with the VCSS, an international ad hoc working group of the American Venous Forum was charged with updating the instrument. This revision of the VCSS is focused on clarifying ambiguities, updating terminology, and simplifying application. The specific language of proven quality-of-life instruments was used to better address the issues of patients at the lower end of the venous disease spectrum. Periodic review and revision are necessary for generating more universal applicability and for comparing treatment outcomes in a meaningful way.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine


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Topic: Natural Language Processing, text classification and sentiment analysis. Why is it still not working?
Speaker: Yasen Kiprov, Sentiment Metrics
Time: Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 19:15
Place: Questers at Viridian Offices, ul. "Kazbek" 63 (across Bulgaria Mall)
Our speaker with business and science background quickly reviewed Natural Language Processing tasks and examples of why it is so hard. Then he described in detail text categorization and particularly sentiment analysis. A few common approaches for predicting sentiment was discussed, going even further, explaining statistical machine learning algorithms.
After the presentation the hall will turn into a bar for informal networking and beer.
Seating is limited and you need to register and take your FREE ticket here:


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PennController.GetTable( tablename ).filter( "column", "match" )
PennController.GetTable( tablename ).filter( "column", /match/ )
PennController.GetTable( tablename ).filter( function )
Returns a filtered version of the table, containing only rows whose specified column's value is a match.
If you use a string then the column's value must match the text exactly. Alternatively, you can use a regular expression to test the column's value. You can also use a function that will take each row as an argument and should return
true to keep the row or
false to exclude it.
You can use several
filters in chain.
Template( GetTable( "spreadsheet.csv" ).filter( row => row.Item > 0 ) // 'Item' should be greater than 0, and.filter( "ButtonText", /second/ ) // 'ButtonText' should contain'second', row => newTrial( "button trial", newButton("test button", row.ButtonText).print().wait() ).log( "Item", row.Item ).log( "Text", row.ButtonText ) );
Generates only one trial from a subset of the table spreadsheet.csv: first we only consider rows where the value in the Item column is a number greater than 0 (this is practically ineffective, for both rows in spreadsheet.csv already satisfy this condition) and we further consider only rows among those rows where the value of the ButtonText column is a text containing the string second (only the second row satisfies this condition).


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Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new chemical analysis method that has assisted researchers at the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, in demonstrating a potentially important chemical link between alcohol consumption and cancer. Using this novel chemical assay, they have uncovered a chain of chemical reactions that, under physiological conditions, may lead from alcohol to a known mutagen.
It has been known for years that there is a statistical relationship between excessive alcohol consumption and an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly upper gastrointestinal cancer. Alcohol itself is not a carcinogen but is metabolized in the body to form a suspected carcinogen, acetaldehyde (AA). Then the picture gets hazier. AA is known to react with 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG)--one of the chemical components of DNA--however, the main product does not appear to be mutagenic in mammals. It also is known that AA can react with DNA to produce a known mutagen (Cr-PdG. also known as alpha-methyl-gamma-hydroxy-1, N2-propano-2'-deoxyguanosine)--but only at very high concentrations of AA that would not occur in the human body.
The missing link, according to the NIAAA researchers, is a class of chemicals called polyamines that are produced in cells and believed to be involved in cell growth. Using a sensitive chemical analysis technique called liquid chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry developed at NIST, the team showed that AA reacts with polyamines to produce crotonaldehyde (CrA). This in turn reacts with dG in DNA to produce the mutagenic Cr-PdG.
An important finding was that the reactions occurred at concentrations of AA that can be found in human saliva after drinking alcohol, while concentrations of AA in gastrointestinal tissues can be even higher. The work strongly suggests that Cr-PdG plays a key role in the pathway between alcohol consumption and cancer, and that mutations in genes that encode proteins that repair Cr-PdG and its derivatives could affect individual susceptibility to cancer from alcoholic beverage consumption.
Source: Eurekalert & othersLast reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 21 Feb 2009
Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
-- Sir Francis Bacon

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


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In a car, the engine creates power, but it's the transmission's job to get that power to the wheels. One important part that helps with this is called the torque converter. It's like a bridge between the engine and the transmission, allowing the car to change gears smoothly while the engine keeps running. Without a properly working torque converter, a car can have a hard time changing gears or even stop running altogether.
The typical symptoms of a bad torque converter (transmission slippage, shuddering and vibrations, delayed or erratic gear shifts, overheating, increased stall speed, or unusual noises) can be triggered by any of the following causes:
- Wear and tear
- Damaged needle bearings
- Failed seals and leaking fluid
- Damaged or malfunctioning stator
- Contaminated or insufficient transmission fluid
- Manufacturing defects
In this article, we'll explore the signs of a bad torque converter, what causes it to go bad, and how to fix it. We'll also discuss whether it's safe to drive with a faulty torque converter.
Introduction to Torque Converters
A torque converter is a vital part of a car that helps transmit power from the engine to the wheels. It plays a big role in making the car move smoothly and efficiently.
Basic function and importance of torque converters
The torque converter is a round, doughnut-shaped device that connects the engine and the transmission. Its main job is to multiply the engine's torque, or twisting force, to help the car accelerate smoothly.
The role of torque converters in modern vehicles
In modern vehicles, torque converters work with the transmission to make sure the engine and the wheels are in sync. This harmony allows the car to run efficiently, saving fuel and reducing wear on the engine.
Identifying a Bad Torque Converter
In this section, we'll go over the main symptoms that may indicate your torque converter is not working properly.
1. Transmission slippage
Transmission slippage is when your car's engine is working hard, but the car doesn't seem to move as fast as it should. This can be a sign that the torque converter is not transferring power from the engine to the transmission properly, making it difficult for your car to pick up speed.
2. Shuddering and vibrations
If you feel your car shaking or vibrating when you're driving, it could be a sign of a bad torque converter. The vibrations can be felt through the steering wheel or the seat and usually happen at specific speeds or when changing gears.
3. Delayed or erratic gear shifts
A faulty torque converter can cause your car to take longer than usual to change gears or to shift gears at unexpected times. This can make driving feel less smooth and may indicate that the torque converter is struggling to manage the power coming from the engine.
A bad torque converter can cause your car's transmission to overheat, leading to poor performance and even damage to other parts. If you notice your engine temperature is higher than usual or the transmission fluid is discolored, it could be a sign of a problem with the torque converter.
5. Increased stall speed
The stall speed is the lowest speed at which your car's engine can run without stalling. A bad torque converter can cause the stall speed to be higher than normal, making it difficult to start your car or keep it running at low speeds.
6. Unusual noises
Unusual noises, like grinding or humming, can be a sign that something is wrong with your torque converter. These noises may come from damaged parts inside the torque converter or from the transmission struggling to manage the power coming from the engine.
Causes of a Bad Torque Converter
Let's go over the main reasons why torque converters can fail.
1. Wear and tear
Like any part of a car, the torque converter can wear out over time. Regular use and high mileage can cause parts to break down, leading to poor performance and, eventually, failure.
2. Damaged needle bearings
Inside the torque converter, there are small, round parts called needle bearings that help it spin smoothly. If these bearings get damaged, it can cause the torque converter to work less efficiently and create unusual noises.
3. Failed seals and leaking fluid
The torque converter relies on transmission fluid to work properly. If the seals that keep the fluid inside the converter fail, it can cause the fluid to leak out, which can lead to poor performance and possible damage to other parts.
4. Damaged or malfunctioning stator
The stator is a part inside the torque converter that helps control the flow of transmission fluid. If it's damaged or not working correctly, the torque converter can struggle to manage power from the engine, causing poor performance and other issues.
5. Contaminated or insufficient transmission fluid
If the transmission fluid is dirty or there's not enough of it, the torque converter may not work as it should.
6. Manufacturing defects
In some cases, a torque converter may have been made with faulty parts or poor craftsmanship. These defects can cause the converter to fail prematurely or not work as efficiently as it should.
Fixes and Solutions for a Bad Torque Converter
Below, we'll discuss the different ways to address a bad torque converter and get you back on the road.
1. Replacing the torque converter
In some cases, the best solution for a bad torque converter is to replace it with a new one. This can be a complex and expensive repair, but it's often the most effective way to fix serious problems and ensure your car runs smoothly.
2. Repairing the torque converter
Depending on the issue, it might be possible to repair the torque converter instead of replacing it. This can involve fixing damaged parts, such as needle bearings or seals, and can be a more affordable option. However, you should consult a professional mechanic to determine if a repair is the best solution.
3. Flushing and replacing transmission fluid
Dirty or insufficient transmission fluid can cause problems with your torque converter. To fix this issue, you can flush the old transmisison fluid from your car and replace it with fresh, clean fluid. This can help the torque converter function properly and may resolve some issues.
4. Addressing stator issues
If the stator inside your torque converter is damaged or malfunctioning, it can cause poor performance and other issues. In some cases, it may be possible to repair or replace the stator to fix the problem. A professional mechanic can help you determine if this is the best solution for your car.
Can You Drive with a Bad Torque Converter?
Let's explore the short-term and long-term effects of driving with a bad torque converter and the safety considerations you should keep in mind.
In the short term, driving with a bad torque converter may not cause immediate harm to your car. However, you might experience poor performance, such as slow acceleration or difficulty changing gears. This can make driving less enjoyable and potentially more challenging.
Over time, driving with a bad torque converter can lead to more serious problems. The added stress on your transmission and engine can cause parts to wear out faster and eventually fail. This can lead to expensive repairs and even require you to replace your entire transmission or engine.
Driving with a bad torque converter can also pose safety risks. If your car struggles to accelerate or change gears, it can be harder to merge onto highways or react to sudden changes in traffic.
1. How much does it cost to replace a torque converter?
The cost to replace a torque converter can vary depending on the make and model of your car, as well as where you get the repair done. On average, you can expect to pay between $200 and $1,100. Keep in mind that this cost can be higher for luxury or high-performance vehicles.
2. How long does a torque converter typically last?
A torque converter can last anywhere from 60,000 to 200,000 miles, depending on factors such as how well you maintain your car, your driving habits, and the quality of the torque converter itself.
3. How can I tell if my torque converter or transmission is the problem?
It can be challenging to determine if your torque converter or transmission is causing issues with your car. However, there are some clues to look for.
A bad torque converter often causes symptoms like shuddering, delayed gear shifts, and unusual noises. On the other hand, transmission problems might include difficulty shifting gears, grinding noises, or even complete failure to shift.
To be sure of the cause, it's best to consult a professional mechanic who can diagnose the issue and recommend the appropriate repair.
4. Can a bad torque converter cause a check engine light to come on?
A bad torque converter can sometimes cause the check engine light to come on, but it's not always the case.
The check engine light can be triggered by various issues, including problems with the engine, emissions system, or other parts of your car. If your check engine light comes on and you suspect it might be related to your torque converter, you should have your car checked by a professional mechanic who can read the diagnostic codes and determine the exact cause of the problem.


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How Bollywood was Established?
How Bollywood was Established?
There is no need for an introduction to Bollywood. The movies that are made in the Bollywood industry were like all over the world. From starting and till now, India is the country of art and artist, but Bollywood, India, differentiates worldwide. Bollywood is made from Mumbai old name Bombay and the Hollywood film industry name.
India has many other film industries like Tollywood, Punjabi, Marathi, Telugu, Gujarati, and many more, but the most popular and most earning and most movie industry of India is Bollywood.
 The starting of Bollywood word is in 1970 when India beat the United States for creating movies. This is just a naming.
Starting of Bollywood:
How Bollywood was Established?
The starting of India cinemas is in 1913 when the first India silent movie Raja Harishchandra release. This is the first movie made in India. After a few years from 1930, India cinema creates 200 films in a year. This is the era of silent cinema. In 1931 India's first voice video movie release and the name of the movie is Alam Ara.
The film is commercially successful. After the success of this movie, there is the starting of musical era movies. Now many movies create in India in different languages. The first color movie of India cinema is made in 1937, and the name of the film is Kisan Kanya.
After that, India faces many problems like world war 2, India Pak partition because of that, our India cinema is not that successful. Due to separation, many great artists are going to another country like Mohammed Rafi, Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand.
Golden Era Of Bollywood:
How Bollywood was Established?
After the independence of India in 1960, many Great Bollywood movies are released. This is the golden era of Bollywood.
The first time in 1957, Mehboob Khan made a movie Mother India. The Mother India movie is one of the biggest hits in all over the world.
Mother India movie is nominated for Academy Award for best foreign language.
But unfortunately, due to one less vote, Mother India movies not won Oscar. At the starting of Bollywood, many people do not like to work in Bollywood because they think it is not Indian culture. After the time change, people believe to be also changed, and many people give audition and show their talent to be selected in Bollywood.
In 1970 Bollywood is entirely changed. Now comedy, romance, action, every type of movie are created in Bollywood. 1970 is known as the classical era of Bollywood. From here, Bollywood famous all over the world. In 1983 for Gandhi movie Bhanu Athaiya won Oscar for best costume design.
 Today Bollywood industry is going through good times. The movies that are made in Bollywood are loved all over the world. The success of Bollywood is not because of one person, but it is because of all the hard work of the Bollywood industry in 100 years.
Exciting things may you know:
1. How did PUBG start?
2. How did Netflix start?
3. How did Tik Tok start?
4. How did ISRO start?
5. How did Google start?
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For people visiting China for the first time or even the first few times, it can be a bit of an adjustment to initially figure things and not getting too lost in the process. One way to help visitors more easily adjust is with sharing a network with them, here are a few examples and benefits you get from doing so:
- Share over your own network. This could be adding them to one of your existing networks or creating a new network just for them.
- Create a folder for Travel. You can name it whatever is appropriate, such the name of the city being Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and others. Share the folder with them once created.
- Create sub-folders for logistics. This could be one folder for the airport, one for hotels, one for restaurants and other places of interest.
- Add actions for things needed beforehand, such as getting a Visa getting updated or booking the flight.
- Add a note of specific directions, helpful for more personalized perspectives.
- Add websites as appropriate, such as for the hotels or other points of reference.
- Visitors can add comments to any content you've added for additional confirmation.
- Use in your preferred language, including Chinese (s), Chinese (t), English, Japanese, Korean and if visitors are from Europe, have available to use in French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Finnish, Swedish and others.
- Share the network with other people the visitor will be seeing and create folders just for them. This helps to have a central place for uploading and sharing any content beforehand and easily have available when needed.
Additionally, you and others can get started for free with the Basic plan, including the ability to create networks, use the applications and have initial storage for your files.
Learn more about having your own networks in China, including using the applications, languages available, solution examples and other relevant blog articles.


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the configuration.
- Select the Enable ASP.NET checkbox so that Web applications created through ASP.NET can be utilized. Click Next.
- Verify the settings selected on the Summary of Selections. Click Next.
- The installation of the components occurs next.
- Click Finish.
How to Install the Remote Access and VPN Server Role with the Configure Your Server Wizard
- Click Start, Administrative Tools, and Manage Your Server.
- Select the Add or remove a role option.
- The Configure Your Server Wizard starts.
- On the Preliminary Steps page, click Next.
- A message appears, informing the user that the Configure Your Server Wizard is detecting network settings and server information.
- When the Server Role page appears, select the Remote Access/VPN Server option then click Next.
- On the Summary of Selections page, click Next.
- The Welcome to the Routing and Remote Access Server Setup Wizard page is displayed.
How to Add the Global Catalog Server Role on a Domain Controller
- Click Start, Administrative Tools, and Active Directory Sites and Services.
- In the console tree, expand Sites then expand the site that contains the domain controller to be configured as a global catalog server.
- Expand the Servers folder then locate and click the domain controller to be designated as a global catalog server.
- In the details pane, right-click NTDS Settings and click Properties on the shortcut menu.
- The NTDS Settings Properties dialog box opens.
- The General tab is where the domain controller is specified as a global catalog server.
- Enable the Global Catalog checkbox.
- Click OK.
How to Remove the Global Catalog Server Role from a Domain Controller
- Open the Active Directory Sites and Services console.
- In the console tree, locate and click the domain controller currently configured as the global catalog server.
- Right-click NTDS Settings and click Properties on the shortcut menu to open the NTDS Settings Properties dialog box.
- Clear the Global Catalog checkbox.
- Click OK.
How to Install the DHCP Server Role
- Click Start, Control Panel, and Add Or Remove Programs.
- When the Add Or Remove Programs dialog box opens, click Add/Remove Windows Components.
- This starts the Windows Components Wizard.
- In the Components list box, select Networking Services then click the Details button.
- The Networking Services dialog box opens.
- In the Subcomponents Of Networking Services list box, check the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) checkbox.
- Click OK then Next.
- When The Completing The Windows Components Wizard page is displayed, click Finish.
How to Implement a Caching-only DNS Server
- Open Control Panel.
- Double-click Add/Remove Programs then click Add/Remove Windows Components.
- The Windows Components Wizard starts.
- Click Networking Services then Details.
- In the Networking Services dialog box, select the checkbox for Domain Name System (DNS) in the list. Click OK and Next.
- When The Completing The Windows Components Wizard page is displayed, click Finish.
- Do not add or configure any zones for the DNS server. The DNS Server service functions as a caching-only DNS server by default. This basically means no configuration is necessary to set up a caching-only DNS server.
- Verify that the server root hints are configured correctly.
How to Add the Terminal Services Server Role to Windows Server 2003 with Add Or Remove Programs in Control Panel
- Click Start, Control Panel, then Add Or Remove Programs.
- Click Add/Remove Windows Components to initiate the Windows Components Wizard.
- Select the Terminal Server checkbox. Click Next.
- When the Terminal Server Setup page is displayed, read the message on Terminal Server Licensing and Terminal Server mode. Click Next.
- Select the appropriate security setting. Click Next.
- After the necessary files are copied, click Finish.
- When the System Settings Change page is displayed, click Yes to reboot the computer.
- Terminal Services Configuration, Terminal Services Manager, and Terminal Server Licensing are added to the Administrative Tools menu.
How to Install IIS 6.0 with the Configure Your Server Wizard
- Click Start, Administrative Tools, then Manage Your Server.
- In the Manage Your Server main screen, click Add or remove a role.
- The Configure Your Server Wizard starts.
- The Preliminary Steps screen is a warning screen that prompts the user to verify that the requirements for the installation have been met. Click Next.
- The network connections configured on the machine are tested and verified before the Wizard displays the next screen.
- On the Configuration Options screen, choose one of the following options:
- Typical configuration for a first server – choose this option to install the server as a domain controller and to install the Active Directory directory service, DNS service, and DHCP service.
- Custom Configuration – This option should be selected to install IIS 6 on the server. Click Next.
- On the Server Role screen, choose Application Server (IIS, ASP.NET) as the desired role to be installed on the server. From this screen, one may also select to install Terminal, Print, DNS, and DHCP services. Select the Application Server (IIS, ASP.NET) option, installs IIS, ASP.NET, and additional components so that the server can host websites and FTP sites. Click Next.
- On the Application Server Options screen, one may select that these optional components be installed:
- FrontPage Server Extensions – for users to develop and publish Web content on the IIS machine via Microsoft FrontPage or Microsoft Visual Studio.
- Microsoft Data Engine – for hosting SQL databases on the IIS machine.
- Enable ASP.NET – This option is enabled by default. ASP.NET is the scripting framework that runs IIS applications. Click Next.
- The Summary of Selections screen displays a summary of the components selected for installation. Verify that the correct items are listed on this screen. The Enable COM+ for remote transactions option is automatically added. Click Next.
- The installation process now commences. Either insert the Windows Server 2003 CD or indicate the installation files' location. The Application Selections screen is displayed, the Configuration Components window appears, and the necessary files are copied.


Research Computing Unit
A strategic academic partnership to develop bioinformatics tools
The unit develops and deploys bioinformatics tools to translational tropical medicine and is engaged in a number of collaborative projects with other research groups in LSTM.
LSTM's Bioinformatics Unit activities, led by Dr Simon Wagstaff, have entered a new software development phase as it explores novel ways to address some of the major computational challenges that limit our ability to analyse the results of high throughput sequencing projects. To address these unmet needs the unit developed VTBuilder, a new tool for the assembly of highly variable neglected transcriptomes from millions of short sequencing reads. This substantial piece of software is now being used in the BU to accurately assemble highly variable transcriptomes from non-model organisms lacking a comprehensive underpinning knowledge and technology base.
Consistent with the software development theme, Dr Wagstaff has been working closely with staff at the NERC Bioinformatics Analysis Facility in Wallingford (NBAF-W) to integrate Galaxy software into Biolinux 8. This workflow-based environment offers a more productive development platform for local users to experiment with complicated pipelines and has already been used to identify over 200 new genes in Wolbachia 'missing' from the original annotated genome.


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Morgantown, city (1990 pop. 25,879), seat of Monongalia co., N W.Va., near the Pa. line, on the Monongahela River; inc. 1785. A shipping point for a coal and limestone region, it also has glass, chemical, office furniture, mining equipment, and pharmaceutical industries. Fort Morgan was built there in 1772, and the first settlers arrived the same year. Iron, discovered in 1789, was the principal industry until the Civil War. The city is the seat of West Virginia Univ., which has two main campuses in town.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
More on Morgantown from Infoplease:
See more Encyclopedia articles on: U.S. Political Geography


text: As part of a campaign for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Young & Rubicam Paris has realized a series of images that depicts the irreplaceable and irreversible aspects of killing wildlife. The advertisements aim to draw a comparison between technologies that can easily build and construct matter, like 3D-printing, and the fragility of animal life – a condition not as easily reparable as a broken household object. The digital compositions illustrate three animals – an elephant, whale and orangutan – with parts of their bodies exposed to view. Above their bodies, a 3D-printer seemingly attempts to build new layers of skeletal matter, acting a subtle symbol of the impossibility of this situation. Accompanying text reads "if only they were this easy to reproduce", a simple yet powerful message that underscores the idea that the loss of wildlife is an irrevocable act with permanent consequences.


Personality Quiz
Personality Quiz
Key Features
 - Design a series of Q&A to help the participant discover which type of person or which category he/she falls under.
 - The answers to each quiz question are associated with the quiz result via a correlation scoring system.
 - Embed your brand visuals or product recommendation in each Q&A or quiz result to pique the participant's interest in your brand or products.
Step 1: Define the different quiz results
The quiz results describe each possible type of person or category that the quiz taker may turn out to be. Think about the different types of audience that your business want to attract– what are their preferences and temperaments? What are their talents or skill levels? What are their problems or dreams? Try to map each result to a different group of customers that you are trying to target.
Tip: The result text and visual should be designed in a way that makes people want to share their result! The key is to stay positive.
result screenshot w shadow border
Step 2: Design the quiz questions and answers
Each question you pose should not have direct relationship with the quiz results, i.e. don't ask the quiz taker to choose which result he/she is! Each answer should be designed to help reveal the quiz taker's "hidden" trait, which is associated with one of the results.
Tip: If your quiz has 4 results, each of your question should have at least 4 answers
question screenshot w shadow border
Step 3: Assign a correlation level to each answers
After you have written the answers to each question, associate the correlation level of each answer to each quiz result. The three correlation levels are strong (2 pts), medium (1 pt), and weak (0 pt). As the quiz taker chooses his/her answer to each question, points are tallied up under each result, and the result that receives the most points is the result that will be shown to the user at the end of the quiz.
Tip: To ensure a more reliable quiz result, it's recommended that you have at least one more question than the number of quiz results to break any tied scores (e.g. if you have 4 results, then design at least 5 questions with 4 answers each)
correlation setting screenshot w border
Run This Campaign


The benefits of "creepy" creatures
It's Halloween! This is the time of the year so-called "scary" animals seem to creep their way into our consciousness. Everywhere—from the grocery store to the car wash, even the dentist's office—seems inundated with gauzy cotton spider webs, vampire bats with over-sized fangs, and neon rubber snakes. Although these decorations can be fun, they also seem to play into human fears of these often misunderstood and beneficial animals.
Why do so many people have overwhelming phobias of these types of animals? Vanessa LoBue, a post-doctoral fellow of psychology at the University of Virginia has done research on the human fear of snakes. In the journal, Psychological Scienceshe states, "The idea is that throughout evolutionary history, humans that learned quickly to fear snakes would have been at an advantage to survive and reproduce." That being said, her research also indicates that "while babies and very young children do not usually fear snakes, they are unusually skilled at detecting them and show a predisposition to learn to fear snakes if they have bad experiences or even if they are exposed to negative portrayals of them in the media."
How does the Lake County Forest Preserves attempt to alleviate some of these fears? We offer programs and promote research projects, highlighting the benefits of snakes and other commonly feared wildlife. For example, there is a fascinating snake story unfolding right now in the Lake County Forest Preserves, as we work with the Lincoln Park Zoo to restore the smooth green snake into northern Illinois. Our story begins with a non-venomous (thus harmless to humans) reptile that fills an important niche in the food chain. Smooth green snakes feast primarily on insects and are preyed upon by hawks, minks and even other snakes. These emerald-colored snakes have historically made the grasslands and marshes of Lake County, Illinois their home. More recently, due to habitat loss and pesticide use, populations of this beneficial species are declining or have been eradicated.
After habitat restoration in forest preserves that these snakes historically called "home" did not create a boost in the populations, the Lake County Forest Preserves began a conservation partnership with the Lincoln Park Zoo. This partnership includes a zoo-based breeding program and is chronicled by the Lincoln Park Zoo's "Restoring the Smooth Green Snake" Web page. One of the most intriguing parts of this effort is the release of handfuls of pencil-sized smooth green snakes, adorned with tiny radio transmitters, into the forest preserves. View the Snake Signals Slideshow and see some of the action in the field.
So, don't think of animals, such as the smooth green snake, as frightening creatures. Instead, use this time of year as a reminder of how these animals can surprise us. Last week while running along the Des Plaines River Trail, I was stopped in my tracks by a garter snake that darted out onto the trail right below my feet. While I wasn't scared of this snake, I did have to stop and catch my breath because it surprised me. As I continued running, I began to wonder if he was heading to some old chipmunk burrow to join a mass of other snakes in a hibernaculum, or if he would get eaten by the red-tailed hawk flying overhead.
I challenge readers to allow these so-called "spooky" creatures of Halloween to create wonder rather than fear, acknowledging their importance and learning their story.
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Eren Billur Eren Billur
Technical Manager
Heat-Assisted Adiabatic Cutting of High-Strength Steel
October 23, 2020
In the last two Cutting Edge columns, I explained how heating can improve the formability of boron-alloyed steels and some aluminum alloys. In both cases, we heat the sheet metal in a furnace to their optimum forming temperature. Here we'll discuss a heat-assisted cutting technology where the sheet metal blank itself generates the heat required for cutting, without the need for a furnace or other heating device.
How Does a Blank Heat Itself?
thermal camera images of tensile specimensMost metal formers should have experienced that a part exiting the press may be quite hot. This occurs because the sheet metal generates heat as it deforms. The temperature of the part may depend on several factors, including the amount of work done (press force and working stroke length), and how quickly the part is produced (directly proportional to stroke).
Fig. 1 illustrates tensile-test results, recorded with a thermal camera, for two different steel grades—DC04 (a mild steel similar to a deep drawing grade), and HCT980X (similar to DP 1000). The high-speed thermal camera captured the temperature increase in the fracture zone.
When pulling the mild steel at 50 mm/sec., the temperature at the fracture zone peaks at 69.5 C. When quadrupling the test speed, heat cannot dissipate as quickly as during the first condition. Also, due to strain-rate effects, about 5 percent more work is performed, and the temperature rises to 107.2 C. Note: After only 0.5 sec., the maximum temperature drops to 94.0 C. The heating and cooling cycle occurs in very short time intervals and is localized in a very confined area of deformation.
When we pull the higher-strength HCT980X alloy, the peak temperatures are 123.9 C and 135.4 C, respectively.
How is This an Advantage?
comparison of the heating zonesHeating the blank typically is a disadvantage for metal formers. An automotive-OEM engineer once told me that if the draw-tool temperature of a door-inner panel increases by 7 C, the binder tonnage must be reduced to avoid cracks. The heating effect also limits the maximum parts produced per minute, since press speed must be reduced in order to control the tool temperature.
During blanking, the plastic deformation—and so the heating—is very localized to just the periphery of the punch (Fig. 2a).
A typical blanking press would operate at a maximum speed of 80 strokes/min., depending on the feed length. If the press has a 300-mm stroke length and is cutting a 1.0-mm-thick blank, punch speed at contact would be approximately 25 mm/s. With this punch speed, the sheet first deforms and then is sheared (Fig. 2a). Heat would be generated in the deformation area (to around 150 C) but would quickly dissipate.
shear zonesIf punch speed exceeds 3 m/sec., then the time required to cut the sheet decreases to a few milliseconds (Fig. 2b). There would be no time to dissipate the heat in the shear zone, thus the name adiabatic. This would generate a very narrow adiabatic shear band (10 to 50 μmm) and reach 700 C (Fig. 3).
When to Use Adiabatic Cutting
We can gauge the edge quality of a blank by its surface roughness (burr vs. shear), perpendicularity and the presence of microcracks. To improve surface roughness, stampers use smaller blanking clearances, which will increase tool wear. Blanking higher-strength materials using relatively tight clearances also increases the risk of microcracking. Microcracks can shorten the life of a fatigue-limited component or reduce the impact/crash resistance of a formed part.
We recommend adiabatic cutting when blanking high-strength steels in excess of 1300-MPa tensile strength, including hot-stamped steels. I know of at least one Tier One supplier planning to replace laser trimming of hot-stamped steel with adiabatic cutting. MF
Industry-Related Terms: Alloys, Blank, Blanking, Drawing, Edge, Forming, Gauge, LASER, Periphery, Perpendicularity, Stroke, Surface, Tensile Strength
View Glossary of Metalforming Terms
See also: Billur Metal Form
Technologies: Materials
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Yasawa Islands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Coordinates: 16°55′S 177°20′E / 16.917°S 177.333°E / -16.917; 177.333
The Yasawa Group is an archipelago of about 20 volcanic islands in the Western Division of Fiji, with an approximate total area of 135 square kilometers.
Bay of Yalobi, Waya Island
Sandbar connecting the islands of Waya and Wayasewa
Nanuya Lai Lai
The Yasawa volcanic group consists of six main islands and numerous smaller islets. The archipelago, which stretches in a north-easterly direction for more than 80 kilometers from a point 40 kilometers north-west of Lautoka, is volcanic in origin and very mountainous, with peaks ranging from 250 to 600 meters in height. The only safe passage for shipping is between Yasawa Island (the largest in the archipelago, about 22 kilometers long and less than a kilometer wide) and Round Island, 22 kilometers to the north-east.
Throughout the 1800s, Tongan raiders bartered for, and sometimes stole, the sail mats for which the Yasawa Islanders were famous. The islands were largely ignored by the wider world until World War II, when the United States military used them as communications outposts.
Tourism, economy and culture[edit]
Until 1987, it was the policy of the Fiji government that the Yasawa Group was closed to land-based tourism. There were limited cruise operations since the 1950s, but passengers had to stay aboard their ships. Local residents benefited little from the passengers presence. Since the Fijian government lifted the restrictions on land-based tourism in the Yasawa Group, a number of resorts have been established there. Due to its freehold real-estate status, three budget resorts were operating on Tavewa island since the early 1980s.
Areas of the Yasawas were the locales for the 1980 filming of the romance adventure film The Blue Lagoon.
Tourism is growing in importance. Permission is required to visit all islands in the group except Tavewa. The home of the Tui Yasawa, the Paramount Chief of the Yasawa Islands, is at Yasawa-i-Rara, on Yasawa Island, but the largest village is Nabukeru.
Getting to the Yasawas[edit]
The Yasawa Flyer connects Port Denarau with the Yasawa Islands
As one of the outer island chains, options to get to the Yasawa Islands are a bit more limited than some of the closer islands to Nadi and Denarau. Flights are generally limited and chartered sea plane options are available. Helicopter charters are also available or you can take the Yasawa Flyer, a catamaran.
External links[edit]


Worldwide Locations
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The colors on Pakistan's flag showcase the state's official commitment to uphold the rights of religious minorities in the country. The sea of green represents Islam and the majority of Muslims in Pakistan while the white stripe is symbolic of religious minorities and the state's promise to defend their rights.
Unfortunately, Pakistan's actual record on minority rights stands in sharp contrast to the symbolism reflected on the Pakistani flag.
Last year, a minority rights group ranked Pakistan as the sixth-most-dangerous country in the world for minorities. While the rights of minorities, including minority Muslim sects, are under near-constant threat in Pakistan, the most captivating and underreported story about minorities in Pakistan pivots around the Jewish community, which has virtually disappeared from Pakistani society.
'The Lost Jews of Karachi' poster


Vis enkel innførsel
dc.contributor.authorKristvik, Erle
dc.contributor.authorMuthanna, Tone Merete
dc.contributor.authorAlfredsen, Knut
dc.description.abstractClimate change is likely to cause higher temperatures and alterations in precipitation patterns, with potential impacts on water resources. One important issue in this respect is inflow to drinking water reservoirs. Moreover, deteriorating infrastructures cause leakage in water distribution systems and urbanization augments water demand in cities. In this paper, a framework for assessing the combined impacts of multiple trends on water availability is proposed. The approach is focused on treating uncertainty in local climate projections in order to be of practical use to water suppliers and decision makers. An index for water availability (WAI) is introduced to quantify impacts of climate change, population growth, and ageing infrastructure, as well as the effects of implementing counteractive measures, and has been applied to the city of Bergen, Norway. Results of the study emphasize the importance of considering a range of climate scenarios due to the wide spread in global projections. For the specific case of Bergen, substantial alterations in the hydrological cycle were projected, leading to stronger seasonal variations and a more unpredictable water availability. By sensitivity analysis of the WAI, it was demonstrated how two adaptive measures, increased storage capacity and leakage reduction, can help counteract the impacts of climate change.nb_NO
dc.publisherIWA Publishingnb_NO
dc.rightsNavngivelse 4.0 Internasjonal*
dc.titleAssessment of future water availability under climate change, considering scenarios for population growth and ageing infrastructurenb_NO
dc.typeJournal articlenb_NO
dc.typePeer reviewednb_NO
dc.source.journalJournal of Water and Climate Changenb_NO
dc.description.localcode© 2018 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Internationalnb_NO
cristin.unitnameInstitutt for byggog miljøteknikk
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Navngivelse 4.0 Internasjonal


carbon-neutral delivery & compostable packaging
How To Make Your Climbing Gear Last Longer
How to make your climbing gear last longer Redpoint Climbing Australia Cofounder Jack Tho Trad Climbing at ArapilesClimbing shoes and rope are the most frequently used climbing gear that also endures the most wear and tear. Here are some tips on how to look after your climbing gear so that they may last longer.
Climbing Shoes
 1. Practice your footwork. The wear and tear on your climbing shoe rubber can tell you a lot about your climbing technique. If you see abrasions on the tip of your toe rubber, you may be dragging your foot along the wall and readjusting rather than placing your foot correctly the first time. Try improving the precision of your footwork by climbing slowly during warm up, consciously thinking about exactly where you want your foot to land before placing it on the hold. Practicing downclimbing can also help improve your footwork as you tend to weight your toes when leading with your feet.
 2. Opt for durable and stiff rubber. Most climbers will wear down their first pair of shoes quite quickly due to scuffles with the wall. Avoid buying any high end shoes with sticky and soft rubber (e.g. Vibram XS grip 2) because it will wear down and need replacing very fast. Instead, opt for stiffer and thicker rubber, minimum 4mm for the rubber sole. You can roughly gauge the stiffness of the rubber by pressing your nail against the bottom of the rubber shoe sole. Check out this article to find out how much you should be spending on climbing shoes.
 3. Air out your shoes after every climb. This means taking them out of your gym bag and leaving them near a door or window after you get home from climbing. Avoid direct sunlight as this may deform the rubber.
 4. Know when it's time to resole your climbing shoes. After every climb, check that the rubber soles under the toes still make an edge with the rand. If the edge where the rubber sole meets the rand is round and smooth, get your shoes resoled. Most climbers wait until the rand breaks through. Patching up the rand (or toe cap) typically costs 40-60% more than just the soles. Arapiles Resoles is one of the best, however they don't always accept jobs via mail. Big John Resoles in NSW accepts jobs via mail, including interstate.
Climbing Rope
 1. Keep your rope away from dirt and grime. Small debris such as dirt and sand can damage the sheath of the rope over time. A cheap alternative to a rope bag is the Ikea blue carry bags.
 2. Beware of UV and heat. Do not store your rope in the trunk of your car on hot summer days. Heat over 30 degree Celsius can break down the fibres.
 3. Clean your rope once a year, or when it looks dirty. The easiest way to do this is in a bathtub with warm water and some rope cleaner or hand soap. Avoid anything abrasive such as detergents and high-pressure hoses. Soak your rope in the soap water and run your hands along the length of the rope. You'll need to do this twice to rinse the soap out the second time. Allow the rope to air dry.
 Climbing ropes cost from $250 to $450 and climbing shoes cost from $120 to $260. It definitely pays to look after your climbing gear and make them last as long as possible.


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Greeks Launch Grassroots Campaign To Save Paradise Forests
Only 20 percent of the world's ancient forests remain in large, intact tracts. Today, some of the ancient forests under greatest threat are the Paradise Forests of Southeast Asia, which stretch across the islands of Indonesia, on to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands in the Pacific. To create awareness for the issue, sisters of the Rensselaer chapter of Alpha Omega Epsilon (A.O.E), and brothers of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), launched an email campaign to save the Paradise Rainforests.
On Oct. 5, the organizations were on hand to pass out fact sheets and gather signatures from members of the campus community. More than 350 signatures were obtained, and fraternity and sorority members were able to send more than 2,450 emails to seven different companies involved in massive deforestation.
"The campaign to save the Paradise Forests is really important to us," said Sam Brown, a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering and math who is also vice president of community service for FIJI.
"I strongly feel that nature is the highest priority and at the same time is tremendously abused," Brown added. "I choose to protect the rainforests because of the massive threats facing it. This joint effort serves as a way to get students involved, and bring global issues to the Rensselaer campus so that students can learn to become better stewards of the earth."
The Paradise Forests include tropical rainforests and mangrove, coastal, and peatland forests, while monsoon and deciduous forests flourish in the drier and more mountainous regions. They shelter rich number of plant and animal species, many of which occur nowhere else on Earth. The orangutan, Sumatran tiger, and the world's largest flower—the three-foot wide rafflesia—all call the Paradise Forests home.
"I'm glad that I was able to support this campaign," said Emily Nebiolo, a junior chemical engineering major who also serves as philanthropy chair for Alpha Omega Epsilon. "It is a great experience being able to reach out to so many RPI students and faculty about this pressing issue because I strongly believe in the importance of the environment and the need for its protection."
The two organizations plan to continue their efforts in seeking additional signatures to further raise awareness and support to preserve the Paradise Forests. For more information, contact: Sam Brown at _EMAIL_ or Emily Nebiolo at _EMAIL_.


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Heating mats are convenient forms of increasing the temperature, if your grow area needs it. As opposed the conventional heater, mats distribute heat evenly, gently warming your cannabis plants from the bottom.
Though it might be used wherever a reliable source of heat is necessary - in cold attics, basements or abandoned factories, or to gently warm the hydroponics nutrient vat - it is especially recommended for handling of seedlings and clones. The sizes of available heating mats are usually corresponding to the most popular propagators - some are even integrated with one, and constitute a part of most advanced germinating kits.
Heating cables fulfil the same role, of providing heating from the bottom, where even distribution is important (i.e. almost always in cannabis cultivation). These are available with build in thermostats, allowing for temperature to be controlled automatically, adjusting to the changing conditions inside the grow area.


text:
Yearly changes in Market Year Average (MYA) prices since 1973 have not included any years in which corn prices have decreased by more than 40%. In contrast, a price series beginning in 1886 — the first year in which the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) reported prices — contains three percent of the years in which prices have declined by more than 40%. Using a longer-run price series suggests that corn prices have more downside risk.
Corn Prices and Price Changes
NASS reports MYA prices since 1866 (see Figure 1). MYA prices represent the average of cash prices received by farmers in the United States for corn sold during the marketing year. Since 1866, corn prices have generally risen, containing time periods in which corn price vary substantially around an average. Since World War II, there have been three of these periods. Between World War II up to the early-1970s, corn prices varied around an average price of $1.27 per bushel. Between the early-1970s to the mid-2000s, corn price varied around $2.37 per bushel. Since the mid-2000s, corn prices appear to have reached a new plateau and have averaged $4.37 per bushel. Generally, these periods are separated by structural changes in demand for corn. Predicting when these structural changes will occur is difficult.
Changes in corn prices from year-to-year can be large, as is illustrated in Figure 2. Visual inspection of price changes suggests that price variability is larger pre-World War II than post-World War II. This can be illustrated by the looking at the number of times prices have experienced a 40% decrease. There have been five years in which prices fell more than 40%: 1895, 1920, 1931, 1937, and 1948. Four of the five years occur prior to the beginning of World War II. None of these 40% decreases have occurred during recent times, which are defined here as the period since 1973 when corn prices rose to the $2.37 plateau.
Table 1 provides more quantification of less variability in recent times by showing frequencies of yearly price changes. For the entire time period, 3% of the time prices decrease by 40% or more. The frequency is 5% per-World War II and 2% post-WWII. In recent times, price decreases of 40% or more have not occurred.
Overall, prices changes fall within a tighter range post-World War II. This is illustrated by the frequency of 40% or larger price decreases illustrated above. It is also illustrate by price increases of 60% or more. Over the entire time period, price increase of 60% or more occur 6% of the time (see Table 1). More of these large price increases occur pre-World War II: 9 percent pre-World War II compared to 2% post-World War II.
Summary and Commentary
Use of longer run price series when evaluating price variability suggests that corn prices are more variable than use of a shorter time period. While there are good reasons to believe that the economic structure has changed leading to less variable corn prices, considering a longer-run perspective is important for three reasons:
- Research suggests that most people place more weight on recent time periods, discounting too heavily experience from the more distant past. In this case, more weight may be being placed on the relatively less variable price experience.
- Models were used to predict defaults when making home mortgage loans prior to financial difficulties in home mortgage market. These models under-predicted the chance of default, thereby understating risk. One reason many of these models understated risk is that many of the models used only recent data in predictions, not including data from more distant periods in which defaults were more prevalent. Similarly, not considering the pre-World War II experience could be argued to understate variability.
- A 40% decrease in price is an extreme event that occurs rarely. Estimating these extreme events present difficulties and requires a long time-series. Not being in a recent time-series does not mean that there is no chance that the event will occur.
NASS currently is estimating the 2011 MYA corn price to be $6.20 per bushel. A 40% decrease in price would result in a 2012 MYA price of $3.72 per bushel. The chance of this occurring is greater than zero, the chance that would result by examining price changes since 1973. Its chance of occurring likely is less than the 3% frequency suggested examining prices since 1866. The chance likely is close to a 1 in a 100 year event.
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Tag Archives: Ball Valve Alternatives
Why savvy Engineers choose Ball Valve Alternatives over The Traditional Ball Valve
ball_valveThe ball valve hasn't really evolved much since it was first invented in the 1950's. Reaching the mature stage of its lifecycle, enhancements leveled off over time and it remained fairly constant for years. However, more could be done with traditional ball valve mechanisms if its inherent limitations were lifted and an alternative could replace it without disruption.
Today there is a breadth of modernized flow solutions that offer greater longevity, effectiveness, control, material varieties, flow pattern selection, and design. Considering the advancements made to flow mechanisms, it's important to be aware of all your options before replacing your next traditional ball valve.
What Are Ball Valve Alternatives?
Ball valve alternatives work exactly the same as traditional ball valves. They contain an elliptic shaped seal to control the flow of liquid that passes through and are applicable in manual, electric or pneumatically actuated systems. The primary differences with non-standard valves are in their design, composition, and overall efficiency, depending on the part's usage. Alternative ball valves come in a broader array of types, and material selection. Unlike traditional ball valves, they can also be stacked allowing the operation of multiple valves in a single unit.
When Should Ball Valve Alternatives Be Considered?
Depending on your requirements, ball valve alternatives could potentially meet a spec beyond a traditional ball valve's capability, in mission critical situations, or when tasked with finding a more efficient, effective, and better means of achieving an end goal. If you are seeking any of the five descriptions below, you should consider a ball valve alternative.
1. Specific Flow Pattern
Perhaps the need for a ball valve replacement results from incompatibility … or simply it's not a fit. Rather than messing with your pipelines to work around the rigid contour of the traditional valve, simply choose a ball valve replacement that syncs with the requirement. From 2-way to 5-way flow configurations, where dozens of flow pattern options exist to simplify any design issues.
2. Wetted Material Can Change for Custom Applications???
Say an engineer makes a request of a valve that simply does not exist, standard or not. No need to fear, for the manufacturers of alternatives can customize valves to suit any application. The wetted materials can be modified to serve specific applications.
3. Stronger, Sturdier Material
Ball valve alternatives work effectively because they are built simply and efficiently. Non-standard porting with excellent chemical and inert materials will extend its longevity and minimize all that goes into its replacement. While simplicity and design serve for functionality, the longevity of the product relies heavily on the valve's composition. Choose a product where materials will not easily deteriorate or breakdown.
4. Simpler Design, Longer Use
Sometimes the right fit is all you need. The proper valve will ensure a more compact design for your application as well as increasing its longevity with material selections.
5. Space Constraints
When valves are stacked, it can help resolve space design limitations, and cost reduction. Using "Stack Valves", you can actuate multiple valves with a single actuator.
Thanks to ball valve alternatives, reliance no longer exists on rigid, often less-than adequate traditional valves for every application. Non-standard valves allow the more savvy engineers to remain open and intricate with their designs without worrying whether they will find a correctly configured valve.


text:
Public participation in soil surveys : lessons from a pilot study in England
Bone, James; Archer, Michael; Barraclough, Declan; Eggleton, Paul; Flight, Dee; Head, Martin; Jones, David T.; Scheib, Catherine; Voulvoulis, Nikolaos. 2012 Public participation in soil surveys : lessons from a pilot study in England. Environmental Science and Technology, 46 (7). 3687-3696. 10.1021/es203880pFull text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)
In many countries there are policies in place that impact on soils, but very few legislative or policy tools specifically for the protection of soil. Recent EU legislative proposals on soil protection have been met with opposition on the grounds of excessive cost and resource demands. With the need for evidence based policy, and recognition that involving the public in environmental monitoring is an effective way of increasing understanding and commitment, there has been growing interest in soil surveys. In addition, it is accepted that the success of environmental policies depends greatly on how effectively scientists, regulators, stakeholders, and society communicate. This paper presents the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) Soil and Earthworm Survey as an example of public participation in soil surveys that aims to integrate the above. It is demonstrated how such surveys generate data that can be used to prioritise soil assessment, in order to address some of the concerns and objections to soil protection policies. Lessons from this pilot study in England highlight that with strategic planning of civic participation activities, this approach can deliver improvements in the quality of the evidence collected and allow for effective public involvement in policymaking and implementation, on top of direct educational benefits.
|Programmes:||BGS Programmes 2010 > Land Use, Planning and Development|
|Date made live:||19 Apr 2012 10:57|
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text:
Code of Ethics
The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association is a non-profit organization established in 1964, dedicated to the preservation of and vehicular access to the natural beach resources of the Outer Banks through conservation, a code of ethics for beach behavior and support of local, state, federal officials and other organizations dedicated to these same goals.
Our Code of Ethics:
- To enter and leave the beaches only at approved and designated places determined by local, state or federal ordinances.
- To discourage speeding and reckless driving on the beaches.
- To respect local, state and federal ordinances and the rights of property owners.
- To advise NCBBA members who are experiencing problems driving on the beaches.
- To respect persons bathing and picnicking by avoiding them whenever possible and by slowing down to a minimal speed when passing such groups.
- To avoid littering the beach with trash by depositing it in trash containers wherever available or by bagging and removing it from the beach.
- To avoid littering the beach with dead bait, carcasses, or other dead fish of any kind.
- To avoid overcrowding any one area and displacing anglers from their previously chosen spot.
- To leave room for other vehicles to pass safely when parked.
- To refill holes and remove boards or other aids after being stuck, leaving the beach passable for others.
- To observe common courtesy on the beach and observing the rules of the road when meeting or passing other vehicles in constricted areas.
- To remember, at all times, that the unspoiled beaches of all seashore areas afford pleasure to everyone, and it is incumbent upon us to preserve this natural heritage.


text:
The MyProxy Service gives a means to store proxy certificates for later usage when, for instance, your private key is not at hand.
The procedure to store your proxy certificate exists both as a graphical Java-based tool and via the Globus command-line command.
The Java based GSISSH-Term can use a MyProxy server directly. Alternatively, when using the Globus Toolkit, users can retrieve their proxy certificate by using the Globus command-line.
Grid middleware uses certificates for authenticating and authorizing users. The use of certificates means that separate passwords for each account on each of the target machines are not required: instead, a user just needs to create a single certificate with a single password for their personal key. Then several services can be used with that certificate. For example, one can use gsissh to login to a DEISA machine and run there a GridFTP file transfer session or login to another machine connected to the DEISA network without the need to specify a password.
Personal certificates are obtained from a Certification Authority. Instructions to apply for a certificate usable in the DEISA infrastructure are provided by the Primer. A certificate consists of two parts: a private key and a public certificate. They can be in stored a single 'p12' format file or stored in 'pem' format within two separate files, namely userkey.pem and usercert.pem. Users can convert between these two formats, if necessary, using the openssl command (See DEISA Certificates FAQ). Further, a web browser can import and export p12 files.
The MyProxy service stores proxy certificates, where these certificates can be employed on your behalf without the need to have your private key and certificate files at hand. This is useful, for example, when you are using a computer which you do not normally use. A use case example: a researcher visits an Internet Cafe to check the status of their jobs.
Indeed, it is also best to avoid distributing the private key across several machines, but to keep it safe on your workstation instead. If you wish to run Globus commands on a platform on which you cannot or should not store your private key and/or certificates, then you can retrieve your proxy certificate stored at a MyProxy service. A use case example: A researcher needs to use ssh to login to a machine. On target machine they need to use Globus commands. Due to either security or practical reasons there is no private key stored on the target machine. So, the user can use Globus commands to fetch proxy certificate from a MyProxy server.


React Native
Formik is 100% compatible with React Native and React Native Web. However, because of differences between ReactDOM's and React Native's handling of forms and text input, there are some differences to be aware of. This section will walk you through them and what we consider to be best practices.
The gist
Before going any further, here's a super minimal gist of how to use Formik with React Native that demonstrates the key differences:
// Formik x React Native example
import React from'react';
import { Button, TextInput, View } from'react-native';
import { Formik } from 'formik';
export const MyReactNativeForm = props => (
initialValues={{ email: '' }}
onSubmit={values => console.log(values)}
{({ handleChange, handleBlur, handleSubmit, values }) => (
As you can see above, the notable differences between using Formik with React DOM and React Native are:
 1. Formik's handleSubmit is passed to a instead of HTML component (since there is no element in React Native).
 2. uses Formik's handleChange(fieldName) and handleBlur(fieldName) instead of directly assigning the callbacks to props, because we have to get the fieldName from somewhere and with React Native we can't get it automatically like in web (using input name attribute). You can also use setFieldValue(fieldName, value) and setFieldTouched(fieldName, bool) as an alternative.
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Milestone 3 TuringMachine TrustIdea 1: Distribution of work according to workers' interests
Background and Motivation
The Future of Work, Kittur etal 2013 has shown that Incentives and motivation play a big role in developing sustainable crowd sourcing communities. Workers like to follow their passion and perform the tasks that suits to their skill-sets. This approach helps workers build their resume, career, earn money, and work on projects of their interests.
Match me with the work I am passionate about.
Crowd sourcing systems can be designed to solve large number of problems. The eco-system can involve tasks and work that require different kind of expertise and skills. These tasks can be broken down into various categories as shown in the figure below
Workers who participate in these tasks have different motivation as indicated in the figure below. We envision automated hiring/task recommender algorithm that can match workers with their areas of interest. This will give them a freedom to choose the projects they care about. Previous research in the field of organizational behavior has shown that individuals are more committed to work if the tasks they are performing fall under their area of interests.
Distribution of Work according to interests of workers SVD & Collaborative Filtering Recommender Engine:
- Maintain the Master Profile Map of Tasks according to functionalities.
- Maintain Master Profile Map of Workers' skills, experience, salary history, salary expectations, and interests.
- Develop Clustering/Classification algorithm to maintain categorize of profiles.
- A perfect matching/recommender algorithm to match workers profile with tasks
- The two phase recommendation system using Single Value Decomposition or Collaborative Filtering can be developed. In first phase, we use rating of reviewers against workers hence recommending closest match between requestors and workers. In second phase we design workers against the task ratings. The optimization objective function can be designed using stochastic gradient descent algorithm. Furthermore, we can optimize the algorithm using baseline prediction. Finally, we can aggregate the results depending on users' preferences. In either case the recommender engine can benefit workers and requestors while forming the teams and selecting the tasks.


Organizing Concepts
Nature is process.
Nature is composed of many interconnected conditions that we perceive as organisms and phenomena.
A cloud is not just a thing. A cloud is what comes out of a process of conditions and forces.
Clouds and other natural phenomena are not static entities. They are dynamic systems of relationships that we see as patterns.
We can see patterns in nature.
Nature is layers of patterns interwoven with each other, forming systems.
Each individual element is really the state of a system or relationships between systems at any given point in time.
The way we perceive patterns defines what we see.
Nature captures our attention because we can see its unfolding patterns.
We can see, and even describe, these patterns of relationships in nature. But there is a limit to our ability to predict the outcome of the forces that cause them.
When we can't see or understand the patterns of forces, we perceive them as random or chaotic.
Nature is process.
Phenomena arise from a process of conditions and forces.
Conditions are interconnected.
Interconnections produce systems.
We recognize systems as patterns.
We call those patterns nature.
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Birth of Fatmawati Soekarno
Edwin Solahuddin Kamis, 5 Februari 2009, 00:02 WIB
VIVAnews – 86 years ago today, on 5 February 1923, Fatmawati Soekarno, the third wife of the first president of Indonesia, Soekarno, was born.
Fatmawati was born in Bengkulu into a religious family. Her father, Hassan Din, was one of the most prominent figures of Muhammadiyah in the province.
In March 1938, Soekarno, who was already famous as the leader of the nationalist movement at the time, was exiled by the Dutch to Bengkulu. The house where Soekarno was held was not far away from Fatmawati's house. Since the Dutch government allowed him to interact with the local people, Soekarno soon became acquainted with the local leaders, including Hassan Din, Fatmawati's father.
Soekarno married Fatmawati on 1 June 1943. The couple had five children including Megawati, their first daughter, who later became the fifth president of Indonesia.
Fatmawati is famous in Indonesian history as the person who knit the Indonesian flag used during the proclamation of independence in 1945. She was known to her family and friends as a kind, cheerful and modest person. She was not ashamed of washing her family's clothes in Kali Code (a river in Yogyakarta) when she and her family took refuge in Yogyakarta in 1949.
Fatmawati Soekarno died on 14 May 1980 in Kuala Lumpur and was buried at Karet Bivak Cemetary in Jakarta. To commemorate her struggle, a hospital in South Jakarta was named after her. Later, a street and an airport in Bengkulu were also named after her. In 2000, the Indonesian government made Fatmawati a national hero.
© VIVA.co.id


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|School Report Card|
|The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to providing quality education for all students. This commitment includes keeping parents and the public informed through the Virginia School Report Card of the progress of our schools in raising student achievement and enhancing the learning environment. The ratings for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and school accreditation for specific school year are based on the achievement of students on tests taken during the previous academic year.|
|Stony Mill History|
Stony Mill began as a one room log building in about 1897. Three brothers, Charlie, Fletcher, and James Hardy, built the school, which enrolled forty-five students and was originally named Hardy School. The Hardy family later gave the land and the school to Pittsylvania County. When the school was destroyed by fire, the county purchased land from a neighboring resident and built a two-room frame building. Today's building was built as a result of consolidation of schools in 1963.
In 1996, Stony Mill went through a massive renovation and construction program. The school plant now includes twenty-eight classrooms and five mobile units, a gymnasium, a library, technology labs, and a teacher workroom.
The school consists of grades preschool through five, with three to four classes at each grade level. State Remedial Reading, music classes, gifted classes, physical education classes, and guidance services are offered to approximately 475 students enrolled at Stony Mill.


Upgrade Issues
Priority Paging Is Not Needed With the New Solaris 8 Caching Architecture
The Solaris 8 operating environment introduces a new file system caching architecture, which subsumes the Solaris 7 Priority Paging functionality. You should not set the system variable priority_paging in the Solaris 8 operating environment, and you should remove the variable from the /etc/system file when systems are upgraded to the Solaris 8 operating environment.
The new caching architecture removes most of the pressure on the virtual memory system that resulted from file system activity. As a result, the new caching architecture changes the dynamics of the memory paging statistics, which makes observing system memory characteristics simpler. However, several of the statistics report significantly different values. You should consider these differences when analyzing memory behavior or setting performance monitoring thresholds. The most notable differences are:


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Convention to Ratify the 21st Amendment (1933) Administrative Records
Utah State Archives Series 6300
The 72nd Congress of the United States proposed the 21st amendment to the U.S. Constitution, repealing the 18th amendment and once again legalizing the manufacture and use of liquor. On October 10, 1933, Governor Henry H. Blood called for the election of delegates to a constitutional convention for the purpose of ratifying or rejecting the 21st amendment. The election was held on November 7, and the elected delegates met December 5. The amendment became effective with the ratification of 36 states; Utah was the 36th state to ratify. These records document the activities of the convention.
Finding Aids: A series inventory is available.


Home Discussion Forum What does E = MC2 mean?you know what Albert Einstein was talking...
What does E = MC2 mean?you know what Albert Einstein was talking about does it mean that time travel is?
 1. The equation you quote says that mass and energy are equivalent forms of the same thing. The equations he used in his theories said that time travel was impossible.
 2. Stephen Hawking has already addressed this question. Time travel is not possible…One of Einstein's great insights was to realize that matter and energy are really different forms of the same thing. Matter can be turned into energy, and energy into matter.
 3. E=ENERGY,
 4. This doesn't mean that time travel is possible.
 It is a particle theory which means mass can be converted into energy.
 We use this in nuclear fusion.
 Sun's energy is the basis of this.
 5. It represents that energy and matter are diffirent aspects of the same. They are interchangable!
 And According to the theory of the Einstein-Rosen (Nathan Rosen) Bridge, time travel could be possible via a wormhole created by opposing singularities.
 6. E is the energy needed by an object to move
 M is the weight of the object
 C is the velocity the object is moving at.
 I think the equation can be extended and tied into his black hole theories for time travel but I'm not sure…
 7. Energy=mass x speed of light squared (in a vacuum). So energy can be converted to mass (mass=energy/speed of light squared) and the other way around. Intuitively, time travel is impossible (you cannot have the effect before the cause), but there are many things that science has revealed which are anti-intuitive. It should be impossible, but….
 8. E (energy) = M (mass) multiplied by C squared (the speed of light squared).
 This formula theorises that there is a relationship between the speed of light, any object of mass and it's relative potential energy.
 It is unclear as to whether time travel is possible as nobody has actually proved it is possible to travel at a speed greater than the speed of light. However, Einstein did suggest that a relative speed quicker than light might be observed if two objects were travelling in opposite directions through the universe at speeds close to the speed of light – the total speed that these two objects would be travelling away from one another would be greater than the speed of light.
 If an object of mass could get up to the speed of light, Einstein (and several others after him) propsed that the object would have to be broken down into energy form, rather than solid/liquid state – hence the energy equivalent in his equation.
 Whether speeds above the speed of light would, in fact cause time travel, is quite another argument – one that Stephen Hawking has given much research to and concluded that time travel is unlikely to be achieved at all, and almost definitely not by exceding the speed of light. If it's good enough for him….
 9. E = mC*C
 E is the unstable energy. "m" is the stable (form of) energy. C is the speed of light or also its velocity in the sense thet light always travels in a straight line. According to the law of conservation of mass, energy can exist in any form. Here it is as stable and unstable. What we all see is the mass of energy. What we do not or cannot see is the unstable energy.What Einstein talks about is acompletely stable form of energy can be made unstable when it attains square of velocity of light. There is nothing to do herewith time because time has no dimension. You can show the length and mass of a body but which will you show when asked about time of a body. Time requires parameter. Any body has length and mass of its own because they are determined by the virtue of physical properties. One can say what the time now is but one cannot say what his or her time is. Time materially requires a device like a clock or watch. How can you travel along a dimensionless thing forward and backward?
 10. E stands for energy
 M stands for mass
 C stands for the speed of light
 its the formula to find the amount of energy produced depending on somethings mass
 no it doesnt mean that time travel is possible
 11. E = MC^2, tells me several things staight away.
 1. As everyone has already stated that matter and energy essentially are one and the same, different forms of the same thing.
 2. It further tells me to get a lot of energy I only need a little bit of matter, the energy contained in that matter is much greater than the mass of the matter itself.
 3. I cannot get more energy from a matter than is contained within that matter.
 From my memory, didn't Einstein prove to travel at or beyond the speed of light would require infinite energy. So based on this theory that is not possible because the universe contains a certain amount of matter so to get infinite energy we would require infinte matter.
 To travel through time, is to travel close to or at the speed of light, if i recall correctly, in normal space or the known visible universe. Therefore, it seems highly unlikely that scenario is possible for us.
 Leading us to think, worm holes, black holes, or other such gateways make this a possiblility after all.
 But then we may very well view things in a different perspective one day. Today we see energy and matter as one and the same, just different forms of the same thing. One day we may also see time and space as one and the same thing, just different forms, and be able to use this in a worthwhile manner.
 But I do believe time travel will always be kept out of the hands of the average person, even governments may decide not to develop the technology after all, the risk could be too great.
 12. E = mcÂ²
 Energy = mass x 186,000 x 186,000
 If you think of the result of this equation and how infinite it virtually is, it tells you that time travel is about impossible.
 Even the smallest mass has almost infinite energy.
 13. My understanding light is curved (Geodesics) i.e. time. The speed of light is the cosmic speed limit. + for time reversal it will happen some day.
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How Makeup Changes You
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Cosmetics are an important form of social expression in societies throughout the world. In fact, researchers believe they have been used without exception in every culture in human history, from the most puritanical to the gaudiest. There is even archeological evidence suggesting that our earliest ancestors began painting their bodies before wearing clothing. So as a global industry worth billions of dollars annually with a market generating steady demand in every corner of the planet, it is quite obvious that makeup plays a significant role in shaping human interaction.
But what are the implications for our day-to-day lives? What are the implications for our health? And is it possible that makeup actually has a positive impact on our wellbeing?
In this illuminating infographic about How Makeup Changes Us, these and other questions are closely examined to paint a better picture of what it means that women the world over paint their faces every morning before leaving home. The ingredients in cosmetics are changing our bodies, the money we spend on makeup influences our financial health, and cosmetics play a crucial role in shaping our mentalities. Read on to learn more about how makeup is influencing you.
Why Are Antioxidants Important?
Infographic produced by SpaceNK
Creative Commons License
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The trend to miniaturized sample analysis has been developing slowly for the past 20 years or so. Lab on a chip has been the Holy Grail for Life Sciences for many years and is just now reaching its stride as a major tool for improving sample throughput and achieving the acceleration of research results in genetic testing, drug testing, diagnostics etc. Originally sample miniaturization was due to either lack of sample quantity (samples from babies, forensics) but today the need is evolving more towards samples containing more information (genetics, proteomics).
Many detectors (such as Mass Spectrometry) work better with small sample amounts and in the past this has been a challenge to sufficiently and predictable split the sample so as not to overwhelm the detector.
Today, state of the art sample miniaturization can result in picoliter-volume droplets produced at a rate of millions per hour. Each droplet becomes the functional equivalent of an individual test tube containing a single molecule, reaction, or cell. The droplets are then processed on a disposable chip that has no moving parts or valves. An added advantage is that samples have minimal contact with either walls or air thereby reducing the possibility of contamination.
Clearly there are both materials and fluid delivery challenges to overcome to produce miniaturized samples that are uncontaminated, homogeneous with accurate and precise droplet sizes. Shown in the screen capture to the right is the generation of miniature sample droplets in a fluid stream.
IDEX Health & Science