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At Marriage Helper, we often hear from couples that they'd love to put their marriage back together, but their spouse did something terrible. It might be that they had an affair, gambled away their money, or had an addiction problem, but that act is now causing them to feel shame. That shame could be keeping them from feeling like their spouse can forgive them. It keeps them from doing the necessary things to put their marriage back together. Is there hope in this type of situation if you're wondering, "How can I help my spouse work through shame?"
Understanding Guilt And Shame
Luckily, the answer is yes. The feeling of guilt can be a good thing. When you feel guilt, it tells you something is wrong and you need to fix it. On the other hand, people who feel no guilt are labeled as psychopaths or sociopaths. But while short-term guilt can remind us we need to fix whatever is wrong, long-term guilt can cause a sense of shame if it's not dealt with properly.
Shame can take a toll on your psyche, sense of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem. It leads you to believe negative things about yourself, which can even affect you physiologically. For example, you can start to feel like no one loves you and you're worthless when the guilt turns into shame. These feelings of shame can lead to an increase in depression, anxiety, and less immune function. Guilt is, "I did a bad thing." Shame is, "I am a bad thing."
In psychology, there's a lot of good work being done by people like Brené Brown researching shame and vulnerability. She's studying how vulnerability can be something that helps people reverse that shame by sharing the things causing them to feel shame. Finding acceptance on the other side can help people escape a constant shame cycle.
Shame Can Manifest In Many Ways
People who feel shame often won't be very transparent about why they are feeling shame. They feel like if you knew everything, then you would see them as a bad person as they see themselves. That makes them feel like they can't put their marriage back together because they don't feel you can forgive them. This thinking can lead to self-punishment.
The feelings of shame can manifest in many different ways. Besides causing them to feel like a bad person, it can lead to them becoming filled with pride. This can happen because they don't want to feel the shame; they want to try and cover it up. Covering it up can present itself as being confident or very sure of themselves.
So, what can you do if you are dealing with shame?
Understanding Your Shame
The first thing you can do is allow yourself to become vulnerable and do some self-reflection. Try to understand why you feel the shame. Some people will find their shame tied to something they did in their marriage, like having an affair. Even for people who have done something recently in their marriage, those feelings of shame may be at least partly tied to something that happened earlier in their life. Shame is such a deep feeling that it can take a long time to present itself.
These feelings of shame can have a wide range of causes. It might be that you were expected to be perfect during your childhood. You feel like you're not meeting that expectation now, making you unlovable. It might be the opposite end of the spectrum where you were constantly told you were a failure, leading you to believe it. Believing you're worthless is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
What Can Your Spouse Do To Help?
You can't change your feelings until you recognize that you're feeling shame, but your spouse can still help. If you already have a negative self-view, your spouse must be careful about how they respond to you. You can't continue to pile on shame by blaming them. The person experiencing shame needs you to be a safe place for them. Continuing to blame them for things will drive them to disconnect further. The path to coming out of shame is making them feel accepted despite what they have done or even the false beliefs they have about themselves.
Typically, that's not going to be accomplished by telling them they're worthy and valuable because their self-image is already negative. You need to be extremely honest about how you feel about what they did to cause the shame. That might sound contradictory, but if you instantly forgive your spouse and try to move on, they don't fully get to process what's happened. If your spouse is telling you how bad they are, they want you to listen and empathize with them instead of trying to fix them. They need to be able to release those feelings.
Overcoming their feelings of shame won't be a quick process; it can take anywhere from months to years. You should see some progress within the first few months, though. You need to continue having consistent conversations and reaffirming your love for them. You'll not want to discuss it daily because those feelings might be too much, but make sure it's consistent and as often as your spouse feels comfortable.
Using SMART Contact
Patience will be critical in this process. We've talked about the concept of SMART contact in several articles before. Simply put, SMART Communication teaches you the best way to approach any type of communication with your spouse in a "smart" way. Using these techniques in this situation will help by reminding you to avoid PUSH behaviors, respond in a kind, strong, and gentle way, and take it one day at a time.
Our intensive three-day workshops also discuss attachment theory which can be relevant to people experiencing shame. For example, your spouse might decide they don't want to have contact with anyone, even other family members. This is called dismissing avoidance, and we devote an entire section to these issues at the workshop.
Remember that guilt is good in the short-term, but long-term guilt can lead to negative thoughts about yourself. The best way to help your spouse through this is to be a listening ear and a consistent source of empathy for them. Try to emphasize the good that you see in your spouse. And finally, remember that you can't logic shame out of a person; you must love it out of them patiently.


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My Qualifications & Experience
As an educator with over 30 years' experience, I have a passion for change and innovation especially where it advances social justice in education.
With a PhD in education along with counselling and coaching qualifications I have made it my business to understand change and innovation at a theoretical and practical level. I have held leadership and co-ordination roles, having lead education reform at a policy, curriculum and staff development level.
Innovation has been a key aspect of my teaching, presenting, research, and writing within the Education sector. I regularly write and podcast about education-related issues, as they intersect with social-justice.
My Teaching Journey
Listen to my chat with Pattie Porter on the Texas Conflict Coach Radio show. We discuss my inspirations and motivations; and what makes me tick.
Click on the images below to listen to a two part interview with me (Hosted by Rachael Lehr).
My Education Qualifications:
- Doctorate (PhD) in Education
- Graduate Certificate in Leadership & Training
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Bachelor of Education
- Diploma of Teaching
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
My Coaching & Counselling Qualifications:
- Certificate IV in Life Coaching
- Graduate Diploma in Human Services/Counselling
My Education Experience:
- Current: Classroom Teacher (Primary)
- Lecturer in Teacher Education
- Digital Literacy Instructor and Coach
- Education Manager of Adult Migrant English Program (for recently arrived Refugees)
- English Language Teacher (Primary & Adult)
- English Language Teacher Co-ordinator (Primary)
- Writer and Conference Presenter
- E-Learning | Digital Literacy
- Change and Innovation
- Gender and Sexual Diversity
- Student Voice and Empowerment
- Literacy and English Language Teaching Methods
- Diversity, and Inclusive Teaching and Learning Practices
- Health and Well-Being
- Learning in the Workplace and Community
- Mathematics Teaching

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


Canada's Golgotha
1 Thessalonians 4:14
In the Canadian War Museum there's a bronze sculpture by an obscure British artist named Derwent Wood. Entitled Canada's Golgotha, the small bas-relief, less than a metre square, depicts a Canadian soldier crucified to the door of a barn while on-looking German soldiers mock his plight.
The origin of Canada's Golgotha goes back to the Second Battle of the Ypres. The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post reported that Canadian soldiers knew of a sergeant who was nailed to a door with bayonets and then shot. The Toronto Star of May 11, 1915, told of a Canadian sergeant lashed to a tree by his arms and legs and bayoneted 60 times. As is often the case, the story came from a second-hand witness who died in the arms of the storyteller. "C. J. C. Clayton, a New Zealander who is serving with the British Red Cross and is now wounded, brings a message from Capt. R. A. Allen of the 5th Canadian Battalion, who comes from Vancouver and who died of wounds in a hospital in Boulogne May 2, confirming the horrible story of the crucifixion of a Canadian sergeant by the Germans …"
In commenting on the story, Canadian historian, Desmond Morton, says "It was a remarkably useful story. In a Christian age, a Hunnish enemy had proved capable of mocking Christ's agony on the cross … providing a means of transforming casual colonials into ruthless fighters."
But there are problems with the story. The German and Canadian governments believe the atrocity is unproven. The Imperial War Graves Commission says that Capt. Allen of the 5th Battalion died on April 30, not May 2. Furthermore, the sergeant is not identified. (A British wartime nurse pinpointed the incident and named Sgt. Harry Band of the 48th Highlanders as the victim. However, although a certain Harry Band died on April 24, 1915, with no known grave, he was a private from the 16th Regiment and not a sergeant). Yet the legend was born and has grown in the telling.
In contrast, Israel's Golgotha is a historical reality (cf. The Works of Flavius Josephus, Dissertation 1, p. 665). There is no doubt that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ of Nazareth actually happened. It isn't a legend or myth. "We believe that Jesus died and rose again" 1 Thessalonians 4:14. And as a result millions have banked their lives on it. As it says in God's infallible Word, "They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left" Mark 15:22-27.
Two Golgothas'; one Canadian and one Israeli, one recent and one ancient, one unproven and one proven, one designed to alienate and one designed to reconcile, one cast against the backdrop of hatred and one etched in love, one representing war and one representing peace, one largely forgotten and one ardently remembered …
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An important feature added in Adobe AIR 1.5 is support for an encrypted local database. Previously, AIR applications could use a local database, but the database files are readable by any application, making them inappropriate for any use in which security is a concern. On the other hand, AIR has always supported an encrypted local store (that is, an encrypted text file), but that option provides none of the handy database functionality. As of AIR 1.5, your AIR applications can have the best of both worlds, by storing data in an encrypted database.
In this article, I'll start by highlighting the key points and minor differences of working with encrypted databases in an Adobe AIR application, versus working with unencrypted databases. From there, I'll get into the more important subject of using an encrypted database in the most secure method possible.
Creating and Using an Encrypted Database
Before getting into the code, you need to understand two things:
- As with any system that uses encryption, the same encryption key must always be used.
- Although you can later change a database's encryption key, you cannot retroactively encrypt an unencrypted database (or unencrypt an encrypted one, for that matter). In other words, the database must initially be created in an encrypted format.
Creating an encrypted database starts with a File object that represents the database file on the computer, and an SQLConnection object through which all queries will be executed:
var db = air.File.applicationStorageDirectory.resolvePath('example.db'); var conn = new air.SQLConnection();
Next, you establish the error and open-connection handlers; then, open the connection using open() or openAsync(), with the latter generally preferred.
To create the database, provide the mode SQLMode.CREATE as the second argument to either method:
conn.open(db, SQLMode.CREATE); conn.openAsync(db, SQLMode.CREATE);
That code works for unencrypted databases, but for encrypted ones you need to add the encryption key as the fifth argument to open() or the sixth to openAsync():
conn.open(db, SQLMode.CREATE, false, 1024, key); conn.openAsync(db, SQLMode.CREATE, null, false, 1024, key);
The key in that code is the important addition for an encrypted database. The encryption key must be a ByteArray object that's 16 bytes in length (it's therefore a 128-bit key). To create that object, you can do this:
var key = new ByteArray(); key.writeUTFBytes('ActualPassword16');
First, an empty ByteArray object is created, and 16 bytes of data are written to it. Note that the length of the provided string—ActualPassword16—is 16 characters long, each of those characters requiring one byte.
Once the database connection has been opened with the associated key, you would run a CREATE table SQL command on the database, and then insert records as needed. Subsequent uses of the same database merely need to use the same key but open the database using either SQLMode.READ or SQLMode.UPDATE, depending on what actions will later be taken. Attempts to connect to an encrypted database with an incorrect key will trigger an SQLError or SQLErrorEvent with an errorID of 3138. The generic error message will be File opened is not a database file (it actually is a database file—it just can't be decrypted).
This approach (hard-coding the key into the application) will work, but doesn't provide much security. There are two problems with this approach:
- The source code of an AIR application is viewable on the user's computer. With a little bit of effort, a malicious user could find the encryption key and then be able to unlock the database.
- Even if no one knew how to pick through the application's source code, anyone able to run the application—in other words, anyone with access to the computer—will effectively have access to the database as if it were not encrypted in the first place.


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Prelude FLNG Driven Anchor Piles in Australian Carbonate Soils: Free-Fall Risk Management by Design
The Prelude FLNG facility anchoring system is based on a turret with 16 anchor legs, each connected to driven anchor piles in generally very weak and variable carbonate soils.
19 May 2020
Dechiron C, Coste F, Erbrich C, Heerkes M, Lange F, Frankenmolen S, Van Haaften E
DOI: 10.4043/30492-MS
Driven piles have a chequered history offshore Australia, due to the very low skin friction that is typically mobilized. At Prelude, the combination of weak soils with some harder layers and low expected skin friction led to numerous installation challenges such as free-fall, overpenetration, soil blow-out and plug depression risks.
Mitigating these risks was achieved in a joint risk-based approach resulting in the unique combination of floating plate parachute, bearing V-shaped cruciform and "pushing" weight tool and installation methodology. Post-treatment of the lifting crane data allowed taking benefit of the experienced soil behavior during the campaign to improve the methods with every pile, leading to the successful installation of the 16 anchors. It also improved the knowledge of the heterogeneous Australian carbonate soils including sand/silt/clay layers through comparison with geotechnical original geotechnical investigations and laboratory tests.
This paper describes the various design and installation challenges and the novel solutions which were applied to manage the substantial risk of failure to install these anchor piles. The successful installation and associated data acquired is unique and have led to invaluable improvements in the understanding of pile-soil interaction in carbonate soils.
Source: Offshore Technology Conference, 4-7 May 2020, Houston, Texas, USA
Document ID: OTC-30492-MS
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The art history program at Purchase College provides a unique experience in the examination of visual art and culture through an abundance of course offerings spanning a vast range of periods and geographies; exceptional local resources; and a strong emphasis on research and writing skills. Grounded in the sensitive analysis of images, objects, and critical texts, the art history faculty's approaches to the field create a deeper sense of art's historical and cultural significance.
Purchase's prime location and proximity to New York City allows students to benefit from incomparable opportunities, such as frequent visits to museums and galleries, that provide unique insights into potential careers. Even closer, and perhaps even more advantageous, the art history program is only steps away from the Neuberger Museum of Art, which is conveniently located on campus. Originated by Roy R. Neuberger's donation of 108 works in 1974, the museum's impressive collection now exceeds 6,000 pieces. The combination of museums, galleries, and cultural institutions—both on campus and nearby—presents an array of lectures, exhibitions, and internships right at students' fingertips.


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Background Resource use in the acute and subacute phases after stroke depends on the degree of disability. Aims To determine if direct costs after stroke also vary by level of disability as measured using the modified Rankin scale at the chronic stage after stroke. Methods In a multicentre study, we collected acute and chronic inand outpatient resource use in survivors of ischemic stroke stratified by levels of disability according to the modified Rankin Scale. Statistical inference on costs at each level of the modified Rankin Scale was estimated using a general linear model for the first three months, the first year, and any subsequent year after ischemic stroke. Results A total of 569 survivors of ischemic stroke with a mean age of 71.7 years were enrolled (41% female) from 10 academic and nonacademic centers. Costs varied substantially over time and with each modified Rankin Scale level. The total average costs in the first year were estimated $33,147 per patient, ranging from $9,114 for modified Rankin Scale 0 to $83,236 for modified Rankin Scale 5. In the second year, medical costs were on average $14,039, varying from $2,921 to $39,723 for patients with modified Rankin Scale 0-5. The level of disability based on the modified Rankin Scale was a major determinant of resource use, irrespective of age, gender, atrial fibrillation, and vascular risk factors. Conclusion Long-term resource use after stroke is high and is mainly driven by degree of disability as measured by the modified Rankin scale.
Keywords: Stroke; cost analysis; costs; modified Rankin Scale.


Friday, November 21, 2014
Vanara of The Western Lands
Medium Humanoid (Vanara), Neutral (N), Normal Intelligence; Troup (1d12)
HD: 1
AC: 13
ATK: bite (1d3) or by weapon
MV: 30, climb 20
SV: F 13, R 15, W 13
XP: 50 (CL 1)
Vanaras are intelligent, monkey-like humanoids that live in deep, warm forests and lush jungles. A vanara's body is covered in a thin coat of soft fur, and individuals with chestnut, ivory, and even black or golden coats are common. All vanaras have long, prehensile tails and handlike feet capable of well-articulated movements. A vanara stands slightly shorter and weighs slightly less than a typical human.
Large troupes of Vanara are led by a sage (5th to 8th level cleric). He is assisted by two apprentices (2nd or 3rd level). For every 20 vanaras there will be a 3rd level monk, and for every 100 a 5th level monk. Occasionally, Vanara tribes will have 1-4 carnivorous apes as guard animals. Most vanara wield staves or falchions. When they wear armor, it is rarely heavier than a studded leather, but a few bodyguards will wear splint mail (AC 15).
Vanara modify their starting ability scores as follows: Str -1, Wis +1. Vanara have darkvision to a range of 60 feet. Vanara have a bite attack that deals 1d3 damage and have a climb speed of 20ft. They speak Vanara, and might also learn Common, Carnivorous Ape, and Yokai. Vanara can multi-class as cleric/monk, fighter/ monks and fighter/thieves.
Vanara tribes can be found in any forested region, particularly in tropical jungles. The land surrounding the Jomon Sea has several large tribes near the cities of Nagana and Paititi (See map). Humans usually get along with Vanara, though the monkey folk are usually considered non serious and often unreliable.
Vanara are a spiritual people, enjoying philosophy and in-depth discussions regarding fate and meaning. Because of this, Vanara communities are always led by priests, and monks are deeply respected.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Western Lands of Tsuchi (Soo-Chee): Campaign Construction
The big world map
While tinkering around with world concepts (something I do when sleep eludes me), I caught upon a concept that I feel needs exploring. The general concept is another world, peopled entirely by the descendants of shipwrecked people from our own world, past and present. The world itself will be warm, as with winter setting in I prefer to dream of warm to hot places, and home to magical creatures and animals that are endangered and extinct in our world.
As I continue tinkering, I am thinking that the Northwestern Europe thing in fantasy is waaaay overdone, I thought I would make it a fairly Asian-centric place, with a fair smattering on South Pacific Islands, Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern and some Central/South American elements too (for my purposes, the Olmec Civilization was a seagoing power).
And so, as I tinker I have made a map, of which I am presently tinkering with a Western region presently named Tsuchi (Soo-Chee) by the predominant cultures. See below:
Closeup of the West
As you can see, this map represents a pretty large area, with a great many places unspecified so that stories and games told here can fill them in as need be. No need to explain every corner right away! Any adventuring party should be fairly itching to go exploring.
Difficult Words: Some of the names seen here might be tricky for Americans to say. If such is the case, GMs should urge players to adopt simplified versions. If Avaiki is too difficult, say Avaki, Avi, or similar. Anything to smooth it along.
All God's children got a place in the choir...
The western lands (in fact all of the world of the setting) is home of an enormous pantheon of deities. I am breaking from the standard cosmology of more RPG settings in that ALL of the settings gods and goddesses are "Petty" deities, meaning that none of them are of greater power than a Celestial Paragon or Demon Lord. These powerful spirits are collectively powerful, but individually embody specific mountains, certain rivers, obscure concepts, animals, and all manner of oddities and concepts. This will allow for pretty personal cleric/deity relationships as well as potent local flavor.
In general, the gods are mostly pretty alien in mindset, and not really very good at communicating with mortals. Most of them are best left lumped together into broad categories of Lawful and Chaotic, with chaotic gods being in the majority (though being chaotic, they are less adept).
PRIESTS: The main division of Clerics are those who revere the Lawful gods (Lawful Clerics), those who revere Chaotic gods (Chaotic Clerics), and Druids. Clerics of specific deities are specialty priests, and take a domain rather than having any power over undead.
Below are a few examples of deities:
Azwa: Protector of Giant Stone Heads in the Wilderness. Azwa is a normally silent god, but can be demanding. Clerics of Azwa can turn air elemental creatures and rebuke earth elemental creatures.
Barae (The Sea Rose): Barae (bah-rah) is the goddess of the waves, Orphium flowers, and patron of all who would cross the sea. Clerics of Barae are skilled in balance, climb and swim.
Grandfather Kogo (Kōgo Ue): Kappa god of ponds and rivers. Hates visitors, preferring its solitude. Occasionally eats people, however they generally deserve it. Clerics of Kogo gain swim as a class skill, and can speak to turtles.
Lord Kotenbo (Crowfoot, Laughing Sword): Daitengu god of martial arts, wild forests and enemy of vanity. Clerics of Kotenbo can use any weapon, and gain a +1 to damage when wielding swords.
Lady Mohin (Bringer of dead birds, Trilling Maiden): Bakaneko (cat Henge) goddess of cats, vanity and revenge. Clerics of Lady Mohin are skilled at listen at doors, move silently and trickery.
Yuha (Offal One, He of The Mysterious Smells): Akaname god of filth and gross monsters. Not nearly as bad as he looks or smells. Clerics of Yuha gains a +2 bonus to save vs. disease and is immune to Nausea.
Differing human languages of the land can make things pretty difficult. So lets say the magic of the land more-or-less translates the differing languages based on race/species. So there will be the following languages: Draconic, Elemental Tongues (Air, Earth, Fire, Metal, Water and Wood), Celestial, Common (trade language), Henge, Infernal, Obake, Oni, Tengu and Yokai (Fey). If you would prefer a more varied selection of human languages, add Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Maori, Spanish, Tagalong, Greek, English and any others you might prefer.
As this world is the place many lost ships have foundered over the centuries, the humans of the Western lands are a fairly diverse lot. Onto those shores have crashed Pirates (Chinese, Barbary, Caribbean, etc), Japanese fishermen, Polynesian Islanders, Phoenician Traders, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish Explorers, WWI and WW II soldiers (sailors, pilots, etc), Filipino people and African slaves from ancient times to more modern eras.
Though ethnically specific communities do exist, most of the human people of the Western lands have mingled over the years, and have mixed ancestry. The overall look is much like when Hollywood attempts at having a caste look ethnic enough to pass as being in a foreign country, regardless of what people in the intended country actually look like.
All manner of Non-Human races exist in the Western Lands, with a few living, working and fighting alongside human residents. Whether or not humans and non-humans get along is a different matter. Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes, Half-Elves, Half-Orcs, and Halflings are not available as player characters. This is partly because creatures of traditional western fantasy-fiction come with their own flavor regardless of the efforts of writers to change them. Also, I want other options for players.
Most of the non-humans are actually different types of Kami (spirits) akin to the many gods of the land (see religion and clerics), and can be strange. Of the races I will allow, I am choosing ones that are fairly human in appearance and mentality, so they do not easily offend.
Details for creating player characters of these races require both the Blood and Treasure Players Handbook and the Blood and Treasure Keepers Tome (see here for details).
As a GM, I am allowing the following races:
Hanyo (Assimar or Tiefling)
Creatures born of a mingling of human and spirit-creature are about as common os Half-Elves in most campaign settings. The Hanyo always show some aspect of their mixed heritage, though in an Asian culture


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Incorporating a Company
There are three key steps to incorporation; reserving your company name, completing the incorporation application, and returning your signed consent forms. The process to incorporation may differ based on the type of company you intend to start.
The following documents are required:
Memorandum of Association
This sets forth the name, registered office, objectives of the company, the type (resident, non-resident, or exempted), the authorized capital and type of shares, names, addresses and signature of the subscribers and the number of shares taken by subscriber, name and signature of witness and the date of execution.
Articles of Association
These regulate the internal operations of the company, such as how meetings are called, powers of directors, and officers.
CIMA approval is required where companies are formed to enter into regulated business (e.g. banking, insurance, etc.). Where the name of the proposed company contains the words "bank" or "insurance" or their derivatives, CIMA approval is required for registration.


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- Students & Postdocs
- Education & Outreach
- About JILA
Former research associate Antonio Picón, research associate Agnieszka Jaron-Becker, and Fellow Andreas Becker have discovered a way to make the hydrogen molecular ion (H2+) fall apart into its constituent atoms without exciting or ionizing the electron. This startling finding was a big surprise for the researchers, who recently figured out how to do something that conventional wisdom said was difficult, if not downright impossible.
For starters, molecules usually don't split up into atoms unless at least one electron is excited or ionized. Rather, they dissociate into charged ions, with one negatively charged ion containing one or more extra electrons and another positively charged ion missing the same number of electrons.
Researchers thought that the only two ways to break apart a molecule into neutral atoms would be (1) to hit it with a rapid sequence of laser pulses over a wide range of different frequencies (i.e., energies) or (2) to change the frequency of the laser pulse over time, a process called chirping. Either way, the goal was to get the molecule shaking hard enough to fall apart. Either process is technically challenging since the laser frequencies need to exactly resonate with the molecule's vibrational states to make it fall apart. And, these vibrational states get closer and closer together as they get higher and higher in energy. And, as the vibrational states get closer together, they are harder to stimulate with a single laser pulse.
Two years ago, Agnieszka Jaron-Becker and Andreas Becker weren't even thinking about getting molecules to fall apart. Rather, they were exploring the behavior of atoms and molecules interacting with infrared (IR) lasers. Their research was related to the new IR laser used to produce coherent high-energy soft x-rays in the Kapteyn/Murnane (K/M) group. They found little prior work on IR lasers because the response of matter to lower-energy light was considered less exciting than its response to visible and higher-energy wavelengths of light.
Near the end of 2010, working with Picon, Jaron-Becker and Becker discovered that IR laser pulses would greatly enhance vibrations of simple molecules such as H2+. They showed that when this molecule absorbs two photons of IR light, the photons excite the molecule's higher vibrational states.
Then, in an exciting new study just published in Physical Review Letters, the researchers showed that the absorption of pairs of photons of IR light of the right wavelength strongly favors the dissociation of molecules into atoms. A range of wavelengths is not needed! In theory, pulses of 12-µm IR light will excite all the vibrational states of H2+ at the same time, causing the molecule to rapidly dissociate into its constituent atoms. The molecule shakes itself apart rather than ionizing!
Unfortunately, there are not yet many IR lasers with a wavelength as long as 12 µm available to test the new theory. Consequently, the researchers are looking for a simple nonpolar molecule whose vibrational states will all resonate from the absorption of two photons of light from the 4-µm IR laser already used by the K/M group. Andreas Becker hopes it's only a matter of time until they find one.
Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the physics of molecule dissociation!
Picón, A. Jaron-Becker, and A. Becker, Physical Review Letters 109, 163002 (2012).
A. Picon, J Biegert, A. Jaron-Becker, and A. Becker, Physical Review A 83, 023412 (2011).

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


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The Avian Conservation Center / The Center for Birds of PreyFor Immediate Release, March 2011
The Center for Birds of Prey released a bald eagle today in Awendaw, SC. The bald eagle came to the Medical Clinic at the Avian Conservation Center two weeks ago, unconscious and suffering from barbiturate poisoning. With care from the medical staff at the Avian Conservation Center, the eagle recovered and was able to be released back into its natural habitat.
"Seeing this bald eagle released today was especially gratifying," said Jim Elliott, the executive director of the Avian Conservation Center. "When the bird arrived at the Center it was comatose and we weren't sure that it would live through the first few hours. This is truly a testament to the advanced care that our medical clinic gives these magnificent creatures."
Since its inception 19 years ago, the Center has treated and released over 120 bald eagles, equivalent to approximately half of the population of 280 breeding pairs of bald eagles in South Carolina. In addition, the Center has treated over 5,000 injured birds of prey with over 500 birds in 2010 alone.
The Avian Conservation Center and its operating division, The Center for Birds of Prey, are dedicated to the study and welfare of birds and their habitats and to engaging the public in important environmental issues that affect birds and humans alike.
About The Center for Birds of Prey
Under the umbrella of the nonprofit Avian Conservation Center, The Center for Birds of Prey identifies and addresses vital environmental issues through avian medicine, educational outreach and conservation initiatives. With thoughtfully designed display aviaries, two flight demonstration fields, the 152-acre campus just outside of Charleston, South Carolina offers visitors a chance to experience birds of prey in a natural setting and to better understand avian science and environmental conservation. For further information call _PHONE_ or visit _URL_.


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This is an independent activity to practice and maintain maths knowledge and skills. It is a simple activity where dice are rolled and the numbers on the dice are added, subtracted, multiplied or divided together. It can be easily adjusted to suit all ability levels.
A beginning of the year unit of work to find out about our class. Its main focus is statistics with number and measurement part of the unit as well. It also provides opportunity for digital technology, health and PE and literacy.
For this unit students are statisticians and researchers finding interesting things about their class. Data is collected and analysed with predictions and questions investigated and communicated.


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Robyn Dixon reports on the work of animator Nic Grobler and photographer Stan Engelbrecht, whose website, _URL_, and three photo books, all called "Bicycle Portraits," seek to document South Africa's fledgling bicycle culture and understand why so few utilize a tool they believe "could change the lives of threadbare South Africans."
"What they found, after about 4,000 miles of cycling, 500 interviews and countless punctures, was that South African bicyclists are like those in many nations without a strong bike commuting culture: fearless, adventurous, thick-skinned and, often, more than a little eccentric," writes Dixon. "We both believe that bicycles could really empower people in South Africa, where so many people rely on poor public transport infrastructure," Engelbrecht said. "People have to travel great distances to work. People really struggle with movement here."
"Unfortunately, they said, there is a stigma attached to bicycles that may have originated in the apartheid era of racial segregation, when companies issued free bicycles to miners and other lowly black workers."
"As we went around the entire country, we found that cyclists are often eccentric, or a little bit outsiders. They're often flamboyant. They embrace eccentricity. They love their bikes. They're really proud of them," Engelbrecht said. "We felt we really wanted to celebrate these people."


Evaluating the effect of body fluid mixture on the relative expression ratio of blood-specific RNA markers
Suaad Alshehhi, Penelope R. Haddrill
Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review
3 Downloads (Pure)
The estimation of the time elapsed since a biological stain was deposited at a crime scene can provide crucial information to a forensic investigation, indicating either when a crime was committed, or whether the biological evidence was deposited at the time of a known crime event. This would enable the investigators to limit the number of suspects and to assess alibis. The relative expression ratios (RERs) of body fluid-specific RNA markers are promising molecular tools for indicating the age of biological stains. However, the nature of some forensic samples found at crime scenes could be challenging, as they frequently occur in a mixture of different body fluid types. The research presented here has utilised reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to explore the impact of bloodstains being present in mixtures with other body fluids (saliva or semen) on the resulting RERs of blood-specific markers. The expression level of three blood-specific markers (HBA, HBB and miR16) along with two reference genes (18S and U6) were analysed across multiple ageing time points in pure and mixed bloodstains. For some markers, no significant differences were found when comparing RERs in pure and mixed bloodstains, however some RERs were altered in mixed stains. This indicates that the presence of body fluid mixtures may have a significant effect on the RERs of some blood-specific markers. This should therefore be considered when selecting markers for estimating the age of stains, particularly when multiple body fluids are thought to be present.
Original languageEnglish
Article number110116
JournalForensic Science International
Early online date18 Dec 2019
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2020
 - deposition time
 - relative expression ratio
 - RNA markers
 - blood-specific markers
 - fluid mixture
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text:
All about fruitarianism with a long-term fruitarian, Lena
Self-portraits (selfies) and other photographs of the fruitarian Lena.
Top 20 Tags
Thou should eat to live, not live to eat.
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid.
Provided by diet, phenylalanine can be converted into another amino acid, tyrosine, in the body. Tyrosine is used to synthesize two key neurotransmitters that promote alertness: dopamine and norepinephrine.
It has 3 forms:
- L-phenylalanine - most common, the form in which phenylalanine is incorporated into the body's proteins;


text:
Purpose and Scope:
- The program focuses on identifying, managing, and rectifying vulnerabilities in "FilingBox Home" to ensure its security and reliability.
- Vulnerabilities can be reported through our Help Center, where a dedicated section and ticketing system are in place for streamlined reporting and tracking.
Acknowledgement and Response:
- Reports receive an automatic acknowledgement upon submission. Our security team evaluates each report, providing updates through the ticketing system.
- We maintain strict confidentiality of reports and offer anonymity for those who wish to not disclose their identity.
Assessment and Remediation:
- Each report is assessed based on its severity, with prioritized remediation strategies. Progress updates are shared with the reporter through the ticketing system.
- Post-remediation, a coordinated disclosure is made, balancing the need to inform users while respecting the reporter's preferences.
Review and Update:
- Regularly reviewed and updated to stay aligned with evolving cybersecurity landscapes.


text:
back to WRITINGS
Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design
Patrik Schumacher, London 2008
Published in: AD Architectural Design - Digital Cities, Vol 79, No 4, July/August 2009,
guest editor: Neil Leach, general editor: Helen Castle
Abstract: Though parametricism has its roots in the digital animation techniques of the mid-1990s, it has only fully emerged in recent years with the development of advanced parametric design systems. Parametricism has become the dominant, single style for avant-garde practice today. It is particularly suited to large-scale urbanism as exemplified by a series of competition-winning master-plans by Zaha Hadid Architects.
There is a global convergence in recent avant-garde architecture that justifies the enunciation of a new style: Parametricism. The style is rooted in digital animation techniques. Its latest refinements are based on advanced parametric design systems and scripting techniques. This style has been developed over the last 15 years and is now claiming hegemony within avant-garde architecture. It succeeds modernism as a new long wave of systematic innovation. The style finally closes the transitional period of uncertainty that was engendered by the crisis of modernism and that was marked by a series of short lived episodes including Postmodernism, Deconstructivism, and Minimalism.
Parametricism is the great new style after modernism. The new style claims relevance on all scales from architecture and interior design to large scale urban design. The larger the scale of the project the more pronounced is parametricism's superior capacity to articulate programmatic complexity. The urbanist potential of parametricism has been explored in a three year research agenda at the AADRL - Parametric Urbanism – and demonstrated by a series of competition winning masterplans by Zaha Hadid Architects.
Zaha Hadid Archiects, Kartal-Pendik Masterplan, Istanbul, Turkey, 2006
Fabric study. The urban fabric comprises both cross towers and perimeter blocks. The image shows the morphological range of the perimeter block type. Blocks are split into four quadrants allowing for a secondary, pedestrian path system. At certain network crossing points the block system is assimilated to the tower system: each block sponsors one of the quadrants to form a pseudo tower around a network crossing point.
One North Masterplan, Network – Fabric – Buildings, Singapore, Zaha Hadid Architects 2001-2003
Fabric and network. This masterplan for a new mixed-used urban business district in Singapore was the first of a series of radical masterplans that led to the concept of parametric urbanism and then to the general concept of parametricism.
I. Parametricism as Style
Avant-garde architecture and urbanism are going through a cycle of innovative adaptation – retooling and adapting the discipline to the demands of the socio-economic era of post-fordism. The mass society that was characterized by a universal consumption standard has evolved into the heterogenous society of the multitude, marked by a proliferating life-style and career differentiation. Architecture and urbanism are called upon to organize and articulate the increased complexity of post-fordist society.
Contemporary avant-garde architecture and urbanism is addressing this societal demand via a rich panoply of parametric design techniques. However, we are confronted with a new style rather than just with a new set of techniques. The techniques in questions – the employment of animation, simulation and form-finding tools, as well as parametric modelling and scripting - have inspired a new collective movement with radically new ambitions and values. This has lead to many new, systematically connected design problems that are being worked on competitively within a global network of design researchers.1 Over and above aesthetic recognisability, it is this wide-spread, long-term consistency of shared design ambitions/problems that justifies the enunciation of a style in the sense of an epochal phenomenon.2 We propose to call this style: Parametricism.
Parametricism is a mature style. There has been talk about "continuous differentiation"3, versioning, iteration and mass customization etc. for quite a while within the architectural avant-garde discourse.
Recently we witnessed an accelerated, cumulative build up of virtuosity, resolution and refinement, facilitated by the attendant development of parametric design tools and scripts that allow the precise formulation and execution of intricate correlations between elements and subsystems. The shared concepts, computational techniques, formal repertoires, and tectonic logics that characterize this work are crystallizing into a solid new hegemonic paradigm for architecture.
Parametricism emerges from the creative exploitation of parametric design systems in view of articulating increasingly complex social processes and institutions. The parametric design tools themselves cannot account for this profound shift in style from modernism to parametricism. This is evidenced by the fact that late modernist architects are employing parametric tools in ways which result in the maintenance of a modernist aesthetics, i.e. using parametric modelling to inconspicuously absorb complexity. The parametricist sensibility pushes in the opposite direction and aims for a maximal emphasis on conspicuous differentiation and the visual amplification differentiating logics. Aesthetically it is the elegance4 of ordered complexity and the sense of seamless fluidity, akin to natural systems, that is the hallmark of parametricism.
II. Styles as Design Research Programmes
Avant-garde styles might be interpreted and evaluated in analogy to new scientific paradigms, affording a new conceptual framework, and formulating new aims, methods and values. Thus a new direction for concerted research work is established.5 My thesis is therefore: Styles are design research programmes.6
Innovation in architecture proceeds via the progression of styles so understood. This implies the alternation between periods of cumulative advancement within a style and revolutionary periods of transition between styles. Styles represent cycles of innovation, gathering the design research efforts into a collective endeavor. Stable self-identity is here as much a necessary precondition of evolution as it is in the case of organic life. To hold on to the new principles in the face of difficulties is crucial for the chance of eventual success. This is incompatible with an understanding of styles as transient fashions. Basic principles and methodologies need to be preserved and defended with tenacity in the face of initial difficulties and setbacks. Each style has its hard core of principles and a characteristic way of tackling design problems/tasks.
The programme/style consists of methodological rules: some tell us what paths of research to avoid (negative heuristics), and others what paths to pursue (positive heuristics). The negative heuristics formulates strictures that prevent the relapse into old patterns that are not fully consistent with the core, and the positive heuristics offers guiding principles and preferred techniques that allow the work to fast-forward in one direction.
III. Defining Heuristics and Pertinent Agendas
The defining heuristics of parametricism are fully reflected in the taboos and dogmas of contemporary avant-gared design culture:
Negative heuristics (taboos): avoid rigid geometric primitives like squares, triangles and circles, avoid simple repetition of elements, avoid juxtaposition of unrelated elements or systems.
Positive heuristics (dogmas): consider all forms to be parametrically malleable, differentiate gradually (at variant rates), inflect and correlate systematically.
The current stage of advancement within parametricism relates as much to the continuous advancement of the attendant computational design processes as it is due to the designer's realization of the unique formal and organizational opportunities that are afforded by these processes. Parametricism can only exist via the continuous advancement and sophisticated appropriation of computational geometry. Finally, computationally advanced design techniques like scripting (in Mel-script or Rhino-script) and parametric modeling (with tools like GC or DP) are becoming a pervasive reality. Today it is impossible to compete within the contemporary avant-garde scene without mastering and advancing these techniques. However, the advancement of techniques should go hand in hand with the formulation of further ambitions and agendas. The following 5 agendas are to inject new aspects into the parametric paradigm and to push parametricism further:
1.Parametric Inter-articulation of Sub-systems:
The ambition is to move from single system differentiation – e.g. a swarm of façade components - to the scripted association of multiple subsystems – envelope, structure, internal subdivision, navigation void. The differentiation in any one systems is correlated with differentions in the other systems.6.
The ambition is to enhance the overall sense of organic integration through correlations that favour deviation amplification rather than compensatory adaptations. The associated system should accentuate the initial differentiation. Thus a far richer articulation can be achieved and more orienting visual information can be made available.
We propose that complex configurations that are latent with multiple readings can be constructed as a parametric model with extremely figuration-sensitive variables. Parametric variations trigger "gestalt-catastrophes", i.e. the quantitative modification of these parameters trigger qualitative shifts in the perceived configuration. Beyond object parameters, ambient parameters and observer parameters have to be integrated into the parametric system.
Urban and architectural environments receive an inbuilt kinetic capacity that allows those environments to reconfigure and adapt themselves in response to prevalent occupation patterns. The real time registration of use-patterns drives the real time kinetic adaptation. The built environment thus acquires responsive agency at different time scales.
5.Parametric Urbanism9 - Deep Relationality:
The assumption is that the urban massing describes a swarm-formation of many buildings whereby lawful continuities cohere this manifold of buildings. The systematic modulation of morphologies produces powerful urban effects and facilitates field orientation. Our ambition is deep relationality, i.e. to integrate the building morphology - all the way


Hurting and killing animals for 'sport' is one of the principal causes of animal cruelty in the UK: tens of millions of animals suffer and die each year for 'leisure' activities. We are here to protect those animals.
Most people today would agree that deliberately hurting or killing an animal for leisure is plain wrong. So you would probably think 'bloodsports' have now disappeared from Britain.
Sadly you would be mistaken.
Cruel sports are all around us – we just have to open our eyes.
Sign our petition to stop the killing of animals by hunts
Why we need to protect animals
There are millions of animals of all types that are victims of cruel sports.
 - Wild mammals chased until the point of exhaustion before being attacked by packs of dogs, which despite hunting with dogs being illegal in England, Wales and Scotland still takes place
 - Dogs forced by criminal gangs to take part in brutal and illegal organised fights, causing terrible injuries and a painful death
 - 'Big game' such as lions or elephants killed legally by hunters so they can bring their 'trophies' back to their home country - even though this 'sport' is devastating lion and other wildlife populations
 - 'Game' birds factory farmed and later released into the countryside, to be shot from the sky and die an agonising death
 - Animals forced to race against each other with great risk to their wellbeing for the benefit of betting spectators
 - Animals caught in snares set up by gamekeepers to protect shooting interests, which catch, injure or kill huge numbers of animals, including dogs, cats, otters, foxes, badgers, hares and young deer
 - Bulls publicly tortured and executed in bullrings in the name of sport, art or tradition
How the League protects animals
The League is one of the UK's best-loved and most influential animal protection charities. We're probably best known for helping bring in the Hunting Act which made it illegal to hunt foxes and other wild mammals with dogs.Close-up of a brown pit bull
 - We investigate animal cruelty, often working at great risk, exposing and helping to bring to justice those behind illegal hunting and dog-fighting.
 - We campaign for stronger animal protection laws, and have successfully seen off attempts to weaken the hunting ban
 - We educate members of the public, government officials and elected representatives across the UK so that they better understand the ways in which animals benefit us all – and the ways in which they are cruelly treated
 - We protect hundreds of thousands of animals including foxes, badgers, deer and hares in our wildlife sanctuaries and areas where we own the'sporting' rights, covering thousands of acres.
Why the League?
The UK likes to think of itself as a nation of animal-lovers. Yet criminals, pro-hunt organisations and the shooting lobby are still able to inflict untold suffering on wildlife and our pets - all in the name of'sport'.
Here at the League we're working hard to ensure we have effective animal protection laws that are properly enforced, we're determined to make sure those who break them are brought to justice, and we're doing everything we can to protect wildlife and other animals used in sports.
With your support, we can be even more effective in exposing criminals, convincing politicians, looking after even more animals in our sanctuaries - and bringing persecution of animals for sport to an end. Once and for all.
Animals don't have a voice. But you do. Be part of a growing movement.


id,summary,reporter,owner,description,type,status,priority,milestone,component,version,resolution,keywords,cc,os,architecture,failure,difficulty,testcase,blockedby,blocking,related 3575,mkStdGen and split conspire to make some programs predictable,rwbarton,rrnewton,"The following program 'random.hs' is intended to produce a line containing 30 random 0s or 1s. It is not an example of the best way to use System.Random, but it looks innocuous enough. {{{ import Control.Monad import System.Random print0or1 = do g <- newStdGen putStr. show. fst $ randomR (0, 1 :: Int) g main = replicateM_ 30 print0or1 >> putStrLn """" }}} Let's try running it a thousand times: {{{ rwbarton@functor:/tmp$ ghc-6.10.1 -O2 --make random [1 of 1] Compiling Main ( random.hs, random.o ) Linking random... rwbarton@functor:/tmp$ for i in 'seq 1 1000' ; do./random >> random.out ; done rwbarton@functor:/tmp$ sort random.out | uniq | wc -l 60 }}} That's odd... there are 2^30^ possible output lines, but when I tried to generate 1000 random ones, I only got 60 distinct outputs. Why did that happen? One might think this is due to poor initial seeding of the random number generator (due to the time not changing very much during the test), but this is not the case. Attached is a fancier version of the program which reads an initial seed from '/dev/urandom'; it exhibits the same behavior. This phenomenon is not too hard to explain. It is ultimately due to a poor interaction between 'mkStdGen' and 'split'. First, we need to know a bit about the design of System.Random (some statements simplified slightly for this discussion). * The state of the RNG consists of two 'Int32's, 's1' and 's2'. * The initial state produced by mkStdGen almost always has 's2' equal to 1. (Extremely rarely, it might have 's2' equal to 2. We'll ignore this as it doesn't affect the argument.) * To generate a random 0 or 1, we first generate a new state using some simple functions 's1' = next1(s1)', 's2' = next2(s2)'. (Note that 's1' and 's2' ""evolve"" independently.) The random value returned is the lowest bit of 's1'' minus 's2''. * Splitting the generator '(s1, s2)' yields the two generators '(s1+1, next2(s2))' and '(next1(s1), s2-1)'. Our program functions as follows. * Initialize the generator stored in 'theStdGen' ('s1' is some varying value 'a', 's2' is 1). * Repeatedly split the generator, replacing it with the first output, and use the second output to generate a 0 or 1. If we watch 'theStdGen' while our program runs, we will see that 's1' is incremented by 1 at each step, while 's2' follows the fixed sequence '1', 'next2(1)', 'next2(next2(1))', etc. The 0 or 1 we output at the 'k'th step is thus the lowest bit of 'next1(next1(a+k-1))' minus 'b',,k,,, where 'b',,k,, is some fixed sequence. And as 'k' varies, 'next1(next1(a+k-1))' turns out to be just an arithmetic sequence with fixed difference modulo a fixed prime so its lowest bits are extremely predictable even without knowing 'a'. This issue can be fixed to some extent, without breaking backwards compatibility, by adding another method (besides 'mkStdGen') to create a generator, which does not have predictable 's2', and using it to initialize the system RNG.",bug,new,normal,⊥,libraries/random,6.10.1,,,,Unknown/Multiple,Unknown/Multiple,None/Unknown,Unknown,,,,


text: The relationship between biodiversity and individual ecosystem processes is often asymptotic, saturating at relatively low levels, with some species contributing more strongly than others. This has cast doubt on arguments for conservation based on maintenance of the functioning of ecosystems. However, we argue that the link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is an important additional argument for conservation for several reasons. (1) Although species differ in importance to ecosystem processes, we do not believe that this argues for preservation of just a few species for two reasons: first, it is nearly impossible to identify all species important to the numerous systems and processes on which humans depend; second, the important species themselves may depend on an unknown number of other species in their communities. (2) Arguments for conservation based on ecosystem functioning are complementary to other utilitarian, ethical and aesthetic justifications. No single reason will convince all people or protect all species, however the combination produces a strong case for conservation of biodiversity. (3) Even if the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is asymptotic at local spatial scales and in the short term, effects of biodiversity loss are likely to be important at larger temporal and spatial scales. (4) Initial arguments for the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem functioning were largely based on a precautionary approach (points 1-3). However, we are now moving to a scientific position based on accumulating experimental evidence. The future challenge is the integration of this scientific research with policy.


armed forces memorial
berlin 2009
how should the dead be remembered? how should their names be displayed, in a dignified and appropriate manner? the memorial is a peaceful place, and the "inscription", likewise, exhibits the utmost restraint. the names are projected digitally, while the technical act of projection remains invisible. the names shine out on a concrete wall, written in light. the mystery of how light brings life to this dense matter expresses, by the simplest of means, eternal questions of life and death.
the names are centred and fade slowly in and out after three seconds. one name follows another in a steady, even rhythm. after all the names have been displayed the cycle starts again from the beginning.
for this special digital application, type designer lucas de groot developed a unique gill-based typeface which ensures optimum legibility in relation to the led grid and the structure of the translucent concrete.
bundesamt für bauwesen und raumordnung
meck architekten
project team:
katrin theile (project manager)
andreas uebele
daniel fels (1, 2, 6, 7)
bundesministerium der verteidigung, bienert (8)


Working with named calculations
SQL Server named calculations allow you to mine derived information in your data without having to change your source data. Get an overview of named calculations.
Named calculations are additional virtual columns on the tables in your DSV. This allows you to mine derived information in your data without having to change your source data. Anamed calculation consists of name, a SQL expression containing the calculation, and an optional description. The calculation can be any valid SQL expression. If you are not a SQL expert, here are some types of expressions that are useful in many data mining projects.
Figure 3.5 Completed MovieClick data source view
Arithmetic Operations
Standard SQL supports +, -, *, /, and % (modulo). For example you could create a Profit named calculation with the following formula:
[Sales Price] – [Item Cost]
Mathematical Functions
Mathematical functions are useful, especially when data in a column does not follow a uniform distribution. The SQL functions ABS, LOG, SIGN, and SQRT are particularly useful. Here are two examples:
 - To flatten out an exponentially increasing variable:
 LOG([Sales Quantity])
 - To create a flag for over/under budget quarters:
 SIGN([Actual Expenses] – [Budgeted Expenses])
 Compositing Expressions
 Often, the hypothesis you want to test depends on a variable that is a combination of two of the variables you already have. For example, it may not be interesting that a person is married or has children, but the combination of the two may provide valuable information. A composite expression for this situation could look like this:
 [Marital Status] +'' + [Has Children]
 CASE Expressions
 CASE expressions are an extremely flexible way to create meaningful variables for data mining. The CASE expression allows you to assign results based on the evaluation of one or more conditions. Useful applications of CASE are to change value labels, manually discretize columns, reduce the number of valid states, and convert an attribute from a nested table to the case level.
 - To change value labels:
 - CASE [Category]
 WHEN 1 THEN 'Food'
 WHEN 2 THEN 'Beverage'
 WHEN 3 THEN 'Goods'
 END CASE
 - Manually discretize a column:
 - CASE
 WHEN [Age] < 20 THEN 'Under 20'
 WHEN [Age] <= 30 THEN 'Between 20 and 30'
 WHEN [Age] <= 40 THEN 'Between 30 and 40'
 ELSE 'Over 40'
 - To reduce the number of valid states:
 CASE [Marital Status]
 WHEN 'Married' THEN [Marital Status]
 WHEN 'Never Married' THEN [Marital Status]
 ELSE 'Other'
 - To convert an attribute from a nested table to a case table:
 - CASE
 WHEN EXISTS
 (SELECT [Movie] FROM [Movies]
 WHERE [Movie]='Star Wars' AND
 THEN 'True'
 ELSE 'False'
 This would be done, for instance, when you wanted to convert a nested attribute to a case-level attribute. Note that if you still want to use the nested table in the model, you will have to use a named query to filter the attribute from the nested table, as described in the next section.
 Creating a Named Calculation on the Customers Table
 To create a named calculation to discretize and reduce the number of states in the Num Bedrooms column:
 1. Right-click the Customers table and select Create a named calculation.
 2. Enter the calculation name Bedrooms and optionally enter a description.
 3. Enter the following expression:
 WHEN [Num Bedrooms] = 1 THEN 'One'
 WHEN [Num Bedrooms] <= 3 THEN 'Two or Three'
 WHEN [Num Bedrooms] >= 4 THEN 'Four or more'
 ELSE 'None'
 Upon closing the dialog box, the DSV Designer will validate your expression and return any applicable errors. Once you have successfully created your calculation you can see the results by right-clicking the table and selecting Explore Data.
This was first published in July 2006
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Question: What Is Google Glass Made Of?
Is Google Glass dead?
Google Glass is back from the dead, with a new $999 headset that delivers upgraded capabilities, longer battery life, and the promise of new confusion around augmented reality.
Come mid-2017, and a vaguely-massaged version of the Explorer Edition was reborn as the Glass Enterprise Edition..
What is the meaning of Google Glass?
Google Glass is a wearable computer featuring a head-mounted display in the form of eyeglasses. The Google glasses function as a hands-free smartphone, letting users access the mobile internet browser, camera, maps, calendar, and other apps by voice commands.
Why did Google Plus die?
The decision to kill off Google+ came after the discovery that a bug in Google+ exposed the personal data of nearly half a million users, with Google not disclosing it to the public until much later. Shortly after that, it was discovered that another security bug exposed personal data of more than 50 million users.
What glass is banned in the US?
Google GlassGoogle Glass Is Now Banned From All US Movie Theaters REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage Movie fans will no longer be able to wear Google Glass and other wearable technology in US cinemas.
Why is Google Glass banned?
The Motion Picture Association of America and the National Association of Theatre Owners on Wednesday said they were officially banning the use of Glass and other wearable recording devices in the cinema as part of an updated "anti-theft policy." The MPAA has said the movie industry loses billions of dollars a year due …
Is Google Glass mixed reality?
After rising from the rubbish bin of great consumer tech that fell flat, Google Glass has pulled off an unexpected second act bringing mixed reality to the enterprise. Today, Google is launching Glass Enterprise Edition 2.0, an upgraded version of its enterprise headset that has a significant computing boost.
What can smart glasses do?
Most advanced smart glass systems can automatically provide information about a target in sight such as a product in hands, information about scenery and even facial recognition of a person coming towards. The user can communicate with the system for example with voice, signs or finger sweeps.
What Google Glass looks like?
The headset looks like a mix between a pair of standard black glasses and the goggles you wore in science class with the addition of a tiny camera and a glass prism that juts out in front of the wearer's right eye lens. Imagine having a small display floating toward the top of your line of sight.
What was wrong with Google Glass?
Unfortunately, the Glass failed because the creators neglected to define and validate the users and what problems it was solving for them. Instead they assumed the product would sell itself even without real solutions or value, that its hype would be enough to appeal to everyone.
What is Google Glass used for today?
Glass is now frequently used in the medical field, including surgery. More recently, Google Glass has been used when working with children with autism, in order to help them "see" emotions. A much better use for the glasses, clearly, than filming people in a bar, or showering with them.
Why did Google fail?
Lack of user engagement, inadequate changes, and software design errors – there are several reasons to mark its failure. Even though Google plus users refused to use Facebook, the latter gradually matured into a suitable option.
How much money did Google lose on Google Glass?
Google loses $895 million on moonshot projects. Google's parent company Alphabet is feeling pressure after the search engine's so-called moonshot projects have lost the company nearly $900 million in just three months.
Can you still buy Google Glass?
Well, you can now buy its successor, Google Glass 2, through resellers. But just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Google Glass has a rocky history. … Google is now allowing its resellers to offer Google Glass to just about anyone.
Who uses Google Glass?
It's used by companies including Deutsche Post DHL Group and Sutter Health. While the Glass is significantly cheaper than Microsoft's HoloLens 2, which costs $3,500, it's not as powerful: Google Glass only projects an image in front of one eye while the HoloLens headset displays projections for both eyes.
Why is Google+ slow to take off?
While Facebook and Twitter offered a neat mobile browsing experience, Google+ lagged. It did have a mobile version later but it was not good enough to compete with other social media. … Mobile for Google+ was said to be more of an afterthought then a carefully planned service.
Was Google Glass a good product?
Google Glass, wearable "smart glasses," is a Google "moonshot" technology. The product garnered considerable criticism, with concerns about its price, safety, and privacy. Glass seemed to lack the "cool" factor often associated with successful technology product rollouts.
What are the benefits of Google Glass?
Benefits of Google Glass Workers' safety is improved by the hands free feature and ability to stay connected to the network at all times. Another benefit is the fact that the head mounted display is always accessible in the user's field of vision.
What do Apple glasses do?
According to a Bloomberg report, the Apple AR Glasses will bring information from your phone to your face. Specifically, the eyewear "are expected to synchronize with a wearer's iPhone to display things such as texts, emails, maps, and games over the user's field of vision."
Who invented smart glasses?
Mars KapadiaMars Kapadia, a 16-year-old from Arizona, has devised his own concept for a pair of smart glasses—something at which big tech companies like Google have failed. A cheap Arduino Nano Every microcontroller is at the heart of the invention.


text:
Stereoscopic Viewing and Increased Vision Symptoms
"Stereoscopic Viewing and Reported Perceived Immersion and Symptoms" is a paper published today in the "Optometry & Vision Science" journal (July 2012 Issue).
Conclusion 1: Stereoscopic 3D viewing provides greater immersion, but it can also lead to heightened visual and motion sickness symptoms.
Conclusion 2: If you are visually perturbed when watching 3D movies, take a seat on the last row.
Stereoscopic 3D displays heighten perceived immersion but also increase viewing symptoms for some viewers. The recently published study measured prevalence and magnitude of perceived immersion and viewing symptoms in stereoscopic viewing, and their relation to viewer's characteristics and viewing position.
"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" was watched by 203 teens and adults in 2D or stereoscopic 3D while sitting at different angles and distances. Their prior viewing symptoms, as well as visual and physical discomfort immediately before and after viewing, were measured with questionnaires. They were also asked to report their perceived immersion feeling after the viewing.
Among the participants, 12% (after 2D vision) and 21% (after stereoscopic 3D vision) reported increases of measured symptoms during or after viewing; stereoscopic 3D viewing incurred greater and more frequent perception of blurred vision, double vision, dizziness, disorientation, and nausea than 2D viewing.
The symptoms were thus observed 75% more often just after a 3D viewing than after a 2D one. Would results be the same with another movie???
Reported ocular and physical symptoms were negatively correlated to perceived immersion in 3D viewing. Older viewers (age 46 years or older) reported greater ocular, visual, and motion sickness symptoms in 2D viewing, and younger viewers (age 24–34 years) reported greater visual and motion sickness symptoms in 3D viewing. Sitting in an oblique position attenuated perceived immersion but also reduced motion symptoms in 3D viewing. Prior viewing symptoms in 2D tasks also predicted ocular and physical symptoms in 2D but less so in 3D viewing.
Viewers with prior symptoms in viewing TV and computer screen are not more likely to have increased ocular and physical symptoms in 3D viewing. Young viewers incurred higher immersion but also greater visual and motion sickness symptoms in 3D viewing; both will be reduced if a farther distance and a wider viewing angle are adopted.
Relief from 3D sickness
Another paper (in WisdomTimes last year) suggest that if you suffer from 3D sickness, you may consult a physician that will check your binocular vision and may advise you to go through a vision therapy. This may provides greater comfort watching 3D movies but also improves you overall vision.
About Optometry and Vision Science
Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry, is the most authoritative source for current developments in optometry, physiological optics, and vision science. This frequently cited monthly scientific journal has served primary eye care practitioners for more than 75 years, promoting vital interdisciplinary exchange among optometrists and vision scientists worldwide.
Read or purchase the original paper on Optometry&Vision Science.


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Sonority and Syllabification in Casual and Formal Mongolian Speech
Anastasia Karlsson [+]
Jan-Olof Svantesson [+]
Lund University (Emeritus)
Syllabification in Mongolian is achieved by vowel epenthesis and is governed by three principles: The Sonority Law, Right-to-Left Syllabification and the principle of Cyclicity (Svantesson et al. 2005). Because of the agglutinative nature of Mongolian, derivations and inflections are formed by the addition of suffixes to the stem. The syllabification of affixed words is cyclic, so that words are syllabified at each addition of a new affix, that is, at each morphological cycle. Words are syllabified as monomorphemic words until a new affix requires the insertion of a schwa in the already-syllabified part of a word. The insertion is blocked by the Resyllabification Constraint. These rules were worked out on the basis of carefully pronounced isolated words. We find systematic differences in syllabification between casual speech and formal speech (Karlsson 2005). The Sonority Law and Right-to-Left Syllabification are active in casual speech, but the Sonority Law needs to be redefined: only voiced consonants are marked for the sonority feature in speech, while voiceless segments are unmarked for this feature and can combine freely to form a coda until articulation disallows it. It is also interesting that consonant clusters, even those with adjacent identical segments, are seldom reduced in Mongolian speech, and all segments are fully realised (Karlsson&Svantesson 2007). Simplification of consonantal clusters is instead realised by assimilation of the manner of articulation in some contexts. Voicing assimilation, which is frequent but non-compulsory, is the reason for different syllabifications of the same word. Phonemic vowels can be deleted in speech due to devoicing and this is not connected with syllabification and does not influence it. Epenthesis is much more frequent in final consonant clusters than in word-internal position. While word-internal epenthesis is governed primarily by voicing, articulation is the chief factor for schwa insertion in word-final clusters. Syllabification in informal speech is non-cyclic and this may also be connected to syllabification over word boundaries (ongoing study). Based on the Mongolian data we will also discuss the place of the syllable in phonological representation and also whether the domain of syllabification should be reconsidered to be larger than a word for some languages.


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noticed that Acteocina, like other slugs, release mucus into the water surrounding them. I decided to test whether cercariae behavior would change in the presence of slug mucus. I placed one Acteocina into each well and removed each slug after 30 minutes. I then placed one cercaria into each of the wells and recorded the number of stops made in two minutes. I repeated this test in the next 14 wells, and then each set of 15 trials was performed three times, yielding 45 results.
Test 2: Cercaria Stops in Presence of Acteocina -Treated Water Without Mucus
I performed two tests: a control test and an Acteocina-treated water test without slug mucus. I used the same protocol as in Test 1 for the control tests.
After my first series of trials with Acteocina-treated water, I noticed that the cercariae would occasionally get stuck in the mucus left behind by the Acteocina. This worried me because the cercariae would uncoil, but they were most likely uncoiling in response to being stuck in the mucus rather than in response to some chemical released into the water. To account for the mucus, I decided to assess the change in cercariae behavior in treated water that lacked the mucus. I filled 15 wells three-quarters full of seawater, and I placed one Acteocina into each of the wells for 30 minutes, after which I removed them. Using the micropipette, I removed the top 1,000 ml of the water from the Acteocina-treated well, being careful to not remove any of the mucus. The water was deposited in a new, unused well. I placed one cercaria in each Acteocina-treated water well without mucus, and then recorded the number of stops made in two minutes. I then repeated each set of 15 trials three times to produce enough reliable data.
After running tests, I determined that the age of the cercariae was negligible in reference to my results. A one-way ANOVA test determined that time did not affect any of my results.
Disregarding the age differences in the cercariae, the mean number of stops made by the cercariae in the control water was 1.3 stops per two minutes. This number was consistent throughout the experiments. Simply by visual observation, I was able to detect a noticeable behavior change in the cercariae. The cercariae appeared to stop more frequently in the Acteocina-treated water than the control test. The cercariae stopped an average of 7.5 times in the Acteocina-treated water, and 11.2 times in the water with Acteocina.
I used a Kruskal-Wallis test (Chi square= 27.0, DF= 2, P<.0001) on the control results and the water with Acteocina. I determined that the results for the water with Acteocina were highly significant. According to these results, cercariae behavior changed significantly when they were in the presence of a slug. Since cercariae behavior changed significantly, I looked at my data for the Acteocina-treated water. The treated water contained Acteocina mucus but no slug. A T-test (T- ratio = -1.93, DF = 28, P = 0.06) of the Acteocina-treated water and the water with Acteocina slugs revealed that the cercariae had a tendency to stop more in the water with Acteocina. Apparently, the cercariae displayed a slight tendency to stop more often in the water with Acteocina; however, any change in cercariae behavior in the water with Acteocina and in the Acteocina-treated water was not statistically significant.
After my basic observations, I was worried that the large number of the stops the cercariae made in the Acteocina -treated water and in the water with Acteocina were not the result of chemo-orientation but of the cercariae getting stuck in the slug mucus. My second test, of treated water without mucus, accounted for this variable. Statistical analysis revealed that cercariae behavior in the treated water without mucus was almost the same as in the control test. Therefore, it appeared that the mucus was required for cercariae behavior to change.
In previous experiments involving miracidia and chemo-orientation, the number of "turn-back swimming displays" was used as a standard to identify chemo-orientation in the miracidia of certain species (Haberl, 1999). Turn-back swimming displays were defined as the miracidia making complete, 180-degree turns while in the presence of certain stimuli. The "stops" that I used to assess changes in cercariae behavior appear to be unique to this species of trematode. As with any behavioral experiment, it is hard to single out variables and find a completely accurate method for measuring behavioral change. However, I felt that stops were easier to assess and possibly more accurate than counting turn-back swimming displays.
These experiments confirmed part of my hypothesis in that they proved that cercariae behavior changes while in the presence of an Acteocina slug. Cercariae behavior also changes significantly in the presence of slug mucus; however, cercariae behavior does not change significantly when in Acteocinatreated water without mucus. Therefore, the mucus is necessary for cercariae behavior to change. From my results, it appears that the behavior change in the cercariae is dependent on the presence of Acteocina mucus. Whether the change is dependent upon a chemical in the mucus, or is a result of the cercariae touching the mucus, is difficult to state.
In retrospect, I gained an incredible amount of experience from this experiment. I learned how to run my own tests and control variables, and I truly enjoyed working with the cercariae. I was able to experience research from start to finish, from collecting field samples to formulating a plan to drawing conclusions. I would like to thank my mentor, Brian Fredensborg, and the people of the Kuris Lab of the University of California at Santa Barbara for their unfailing help and insight.
Bronmark, Christer, and Lars-Anders Hansson. "Chemical Communication in Aquatic Systems: An Introduction." OIKOS 27 September 1999: 103-109.
Caullery, Maurice. Parasitism and Symbiosis. London: Sidgwick and Jackson Limited, 1952.
Haberl, B., et al. "Host-finding in Echnostoma caproni: miracidia and cercariae use different signals to identify the same snail species." Parasitology (1999): 479-486.
Lafferty, K.D. "The ecology of parasites in a salt marsh ecosystem." Parasites and Pathogens: Effects on Host Hormones and Behavior. N.E. Beckage and M. Zuk, eds. New York: Springer, 1997.
More About This Resource...
This winning entry in the Museum's Young Naturalist Awards 2007 is from a California 12th grader. Joanna researched whether cercariae used chemo-orientation to find potential hosts. Her essay includes:
- an overview of the sea slug Acteocina and her grueling efforts to collect them for this project;
- details about the salt march ecosystem, which plays host to a variety of parasitic flatworms, and the methods she used to test her hypothesis; and
- the results of her investigation, which included the finding that the behavior of cercariae changed while in the presence of an Acteocina slug.
Supplement a study of biology with an activity drawn from this winning student essay.
- Ask students what they know about parasites. What is a symbiotic relationship? How do parasites select their hosts?
- Send students to this online article, or print copies of the essay for them to read.
- Have them write a one-page reaction to the essay, focusing on what they learned about cercariae behavior.
OriginYoung Naturalist Awards


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Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is often seen to be constraining and focused on specific skill development for specific occupations. This goal is at odds with the demands of a knowledge economy that requires more general educational outcomes for an uncertain and unpredictable labour market. For this reason, Hui (2012) has adopted a broader definition of student learning outcomes and assessed the extent to which 'cultural literacy' might be a preferred goal for TVET to supplement the skills training element. Cultural literacy refers to an individual's world view, ways to interact with people, character, personal ethics, values and style. Hui's study highlighted the need for TVET to emphasise the development of these generic outcomes, students' comprehensive attitudes and personal qualities in particular. To achieve greater control over the quality of outcomes, this study aims to investigate the influence of students' participation in institutional activities on their growth. Through modifying the well-known National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), this study examines the relationship between the five benchmarks of effective educational practice and students' cultural literacy and their self-reported academic performance. Results of a survey study of 238 Hong Kong TVET students indicated that some of the benchmarks could predict to a strong and moderate degree these two important outcomes. It is argued that proper planning and facilitation of educationally purposive activities could enhance both their learning and development. This article will contribute to the discussion on how to advance TVET students' learning performance. Copyright © 2015 Behalf of UCU.
CitationHui, S. K. F., & Cheung, H. Y. (2015). Cultural literacy and student engagement: The case of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Hong Kong. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 39(4), 553-578.
- Technical and vocational education and training (TVET)
- Student engagement
- Hong Kong
- Cultural literacy
- Outcomes of learning


Ad Tech Story Time: The Secret Language of Adtechish
Picture of Joshua Schnell
by Joshua Schnell on July 11, 2018 - 6 minute read
The Ad Tech Conflict Within
Ad tech is an insanely convoluted industry, dogged by gobbledygook.
It's also often said that if you can't explain a concept to a kid, it's probably BS.
In the second of a continuing series, we attempt to explain ad tech in terms even a ten year-old would understand.
Let's see how all the advancements in advertising in recent times stand up without the fancy long words, acronyms and big numbers.
Last time around, we told the story of how ad tech came about. There were ad networks – in fact, middlemen of all kinds. And Scrooge McDuck was also there for some reason.
This time, we're talking about a mysterious secret language. Not many people know this, but we can actually trace Adtechish's roots back in two directions:
 1. First came Draperian, developed around Madison Avenue in the 1950s. It included 40 different words for Martini.
 2. Warp speed forward to the nineties, and internet users' own Nerdish lingo. Only those who'd seen all 178 episodes of Star Trek the Next Generation could understand it.
So, Adtechish had two personalities: Madman (sharp suits, fast living, shady behavior) and Mathman (short pants, social isolation, shady browsing history).
Why the need to create a new language in the first place? For Madman, it made the case for adding a few extra zeros to that fee. While for Mathman, the fact you had to ask tells it all. Your lack of technical understanding just added even more extra zeros.
Three letter acronyms or abbreviations are maybe the best example of where Mathman meets Madman in the Adtechish tongue. These TLAs are where the techie finds abstract, robotic terms no regular human would ever even think of. Then the Don Draper adds a bit of copy sparkleô – making each term an ad in itself. Who wouldn't enjoy a refreshing, ice cool glass of RTB, or a juicy PMP burger? Incidentally, TLAs are also very popular in the world of self-help books – make your own assumptions.
Next, we'll go into some of the ad tech tongue's most commonly used terms. All from the point of view of a publisher, and the growing number of Adtechish options at their disposal through time.
Last time round we explained how real-time bidding (RTB) came about. As we showed, it allowed buyers to cherry pick ads based on who was viewing them. And this was the start of a bigger trend - advertising becoming more about audience chasing than positioning alongside the best content.
As Star Wars parts I, II and III taught us though, even the most trustworthy space vehicles can still crash and burn. And RTB's own Jar-Jars came in the shape of fraud, data leakage and most of all, our old friend arbitrage.
In other words, the publishers weren't quite finished yet. And some brands and agencies still saw value in their ads appearing next to the New York Times over say Even if was a heck of a lot cheaper. And cuter.
So from RTB (also called OMP or open marketplace), came PMP (or private marketplace). A PMP was a deal between a particular buyer and a seller, just like in the old Mad Men days. But this time without all the paperwork and Martinis. OK, without the paperwork.
The good thing about RTB though, at least for the agencies doing the buying, was the data element. The fact they could aim their ads at people who were more likely to buy their product. And hey presto, pretty soon through PMPs you could do the same - targeting to your heart's content.
Private Marketplace 2.0 and 1st, 2nd or 3rd Party Data
So these uber-PMPs packaged together ad space and formats, as well as audience data. You could buy spots on the New York Times homepage, but only in front of readers who were moving house or thinking of buying a car.
But wait. Just to make things even more confusing, there were different types of data buyers used to make that ad magically appear only to the right people.
They were called 1st, 2nd and 3rd party data, though it was unclear where the party was, or who was invited:
 - 1st party data ('I party') is the stuff you own yourself – so publishers offering data-enhanced PMPs were likely to include 1st party data.
 - 2nd party data ('we party') would be the same, but this time shared between two or more publishers, making an even bigger data pool.
 - 3rd party data ('he/she/it parties') being data bought in from elsewhere, such as data exchanges or social sharing button companies. These people hoovered data up like dust, only to spit it out again in the direction of whoever would pay.
For some publishers, 3rd party data was the point where this all looked like it might be one step forward and two backwards. It meant buyers could just go elsewhere to find data on publishers' own or similar audiences.
But on the plus side, and as so often in this sector, market forces made it so 3rd party data caused its own downfall. And soon, like a hall of mirrors, brands were working with even more 3rd parties to double-check that 3rd party data was actually what it said on the label.
Automated Guaranteed to Programmatic Guaranteed
With the lack of trust in the open marketplace, and in many cases third party data, PMPs stood the test of time pretty well. In fact, even looking forward for the next few years, the majority of ad spend will be private.
But the major drawback of both PMP and OMP was also its original USP – the fact it was all so super-fast, and in the moment.
In the old Madmen, pre-Mathmen world, ad campaigns would be booked over a specific period of time, with regular, guaranteed numbers of ads bought within that period.
Hence the emergence of automated guaranteed, programmatic guaranteed and automated direct. These were all Adtechish words for new systems that would enable just that – measured delivery, through shiny RTB pipes.
So, automated guaranteed would have been the next logical step. Automating the last part of the advertising pie not currently under the control of ad tech – what could possibly go wrong? The answer is, we never really got to find out. And once again, likely it was down to data. Publishers were understandably nervous, what could happen if their 'direct' or guaranteed audience could be cherry picked, just as buyers had done with RTB. And for data-driven buyers, what was the value of those audiences without targeting?
Instead of what looked the logical, long-term next step then, the ad world shifted towards short-term dollars.
Header Bidding – of all things in the Adtechish dictionary, here's the one that makes all the horribly complicated things before it look like a relaxing park walk.
Remember when we talked about all the middlemen working in between the publishers on the one side, and the brands and agencies on the other? Before, if you worked with one of them to sell your ad space, that was that. But with header bidding, you'd work with a whole bunch of them at the same time – all competing together in real-time. What could possibly go wrong?
At this point, many peoples' brains just overheated, and they had to have a little lie down. Even those fluent in Adtechish.
Others maintained that header bidding was good for everyone. Well, maybe not for the brands, who now had the same sites and content coming at them in all directions. But everyone other than them.
Imagine selling an old phone online to the highest bidder. Then imagine that auction hooked into five other auctions, with more people bidding on each one. Header bidding meant more money for publishers. Even if it did also threaten more headaches – from slower page loading, to data leakage risks.
The Adtechish name 'header bidding' came how it all actually worked - the code and bidding process taking place right there, in the HTML header section of the browser page. This was always a bit of a hack. Hence the problems listed above. And also why ultimately, everyone agreed that moving the process from the browser (client-side) needed to move back to where it belonged, in the server (aka server-to-server header bidding.)
Of course, that's where it should have gone. But once again, our old pal data saw to that one. It turned out, with server-to-server, you couldn't always target people as well. So many people just carried on as they were, their heads in the browser.
So, there you have it – these acronyms make up the ancient language of the Adtechs. Armed with these abbreviations, you can now go out and mystify everyone.
So go forth and spread the Adtechish lingo. Don Draper would be proud.


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Branched chain surfactants were some of the first used and manufactured. They were chosen over their linear counterparts due to increased solubility. However, the very slow biodegradation of branched chain surfactants lead to their ultimate replacement with the linear counterparts. The branched species are still used in some Latin American countries however, due to its low cost. While human toxicity of branched dodecylbenzene sulfonate (BCDS) is not significant, its environmental buildup does pose a serious problem.
The mechanism for degradation of BCDS is not well documented or investigated. The degradation was studied using a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain and found to begin with the desulfonation of the surfactant. The process is then believed to undergo side-chain oxidation and leads eventually to the product 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (Campos-Garcia et al., 1999). The steps surrounding the side-chain oxidation have not yet been elucidated.
The following is a text-format branched-chain dodecylbenzene sulfonate pathway map. An organism which can initiate the pathway is given, but other organisms may also carry out later steps. Follow the links for more information on compounds or reactions. This map is also available in graphic (9kb) format.
Branched-Chain Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate
Pseudomonas aeruginosa W51D | | | BCDS monooxygenase | | v +-----Branched Dodecylphenol-----+ | | | | v A v B | | | | v v 3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)- 2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)- propionate propionate | | | | v C v D | | | | +------->4-Hydroxybenzoate<------+ | | | | | v to the Vanillin Pathway
Page Author(s): Tyler D. Hall
September 13, 2011 Contact Us
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