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For those of you unfamiliar with the technique, it's awesome for three main reasons.
- It's a method of teasing apart direct and indirect interactions in your data.
- It allows you to assess the importance of underlying latent variables that you cannot measure, but for which have measured indicators.
- As it's formally presented, with path diagrams showing connections between variables, it's SUPER easy to link conceptual models with your data. See Grace et al. 2010 for a handy guide to this.
Also, there is a quite simple and intuitive R package for fitting SEMs, lavaan (LAtent VAriable Analysis). Disclaimer, I just hopped on board as a lavaan developer (yay!). I've also recently started a small project to find cool examples of SEM in the Ecological literature, and then using the provided information, post the models coded up in lavaan so that others can see how to put some of these models together.
As Ecologists, we often use latent variables to incorporate known measurement error of a quantity – i.e., a latent variable with a single indicator and fixed variance. We're often not interested in the full power of latent variables – latents with multiple indicators. Typically, this is because we've actually measured everything we want to measure. We're not like political scientists who have to quantify fuzzy things like Democracy, or Authoritarianism, or Gastronomicism. (note, I want to live in a political system driven by gastronomy – a gastronomocracy!)
However, we're still fascinated by the idea of bundling different variables together into a single causal effect, and maybe evaluating the relative contribution of each of those variables within a model. In SEM, this is known as the creation of a Composite Variable. This composite is still an unmeasured quantity – like a latent variable – but with no error variance, and with "indicators" actually driving the variable, rather than having the unmeasured variable causing the expression of its indicators.
Let me give you an example. Let's say we want to measure the effect of nutrients on diatom species richness in a stream. You're particularly concerned about nitrogen. However, you can't bring water samples back to the lab, so, you're relying on some moderately accurate nitrogen color strips, the biomass of algae (more algae = more nitrogen!), and your lab tech, Stu, who claims he can taste nitrogen in water (and has been proved to be stunningly accurate in the past). In this case, you have a latent variable. The true nitrogen content of the water is causing the readings by these three different indicators.
A composite variable is a different beast. Let's say we have the same scenario. But, now you have really good measurements of nitrogen. In fact, you have good measurements of both ammonium (NH4) and nitrate (NO3). You want to estimate a "nitrogen effect", but, you know that both of these different forms of N will contribute to the effect in a slightly different way. You could just construct a model with effects going from both NO3 and NH4 to species richness. If you want to represent the total "Nitrogen Effect" in your model, however, and evaluate the effect of each form of nitrogen on its total effect, you would create a composite. The differences become clear when looking at the path diagram of each case.
Here, I'm adopting the custom of observed variables in squares, latent variables in ovals, and composite variables in hexagons. Note that, as indicators of nitrogen in the latent variable model, each observed indicator has some additional variation due to factors other than nitrogen – δi. There is no such error in the composite variable model. Also, I'm showing that the error in the Nitrogen Effect in the composite variable model is indeed set to 0. There are sometimes reasons where that shouldn't be 0, but that's another topic for another time.
This may still seem abstract to you. So, let's look at an example in practice. One way we often use composites is to bring together a linear and nonlinear effect of a single variable. For example, we know that often nutrient supply rates have a humped shape effect on species richness – i.e., the highest richness happens at intermediate supply rates. One nice example of that is in a paper by Cardinale et al. in 2009 looking at relationships between manipulated nutrient supply, species richness, and algal productivity. To capture that relationship with a composite variable, one would have a 'nitrogen effect' affected by N and N2. This nitrogen effect would then affect local species richness.
So, how would you code this model up in lavaan, and then evaluate it.
Well, hey, the data from this paper are freely available, so, let's use this as an example. For a full replication of the model presented in the paper see here. However, Cardinale et al. didn't use any composite variables, so, let's create a model of our own capturing the Nitrogen-Richness relationship while also accounting for local species richness being influenced by regional species richness.
In the figure above, we have the relationship between resource supply rate and local species richness on an agar plate to the left. Separate lines are for separate streams. The black line is the average fit with the supplied equation. On the right, we have a path diagram representing this relationship, as well as the influence of regional species richness.
So, we have a path diagram. Now comes the tricky part. Coding. One thing about the current version of lavaan (0.4-8) is that it does not have a way to represent composite variables. This will change in the future (believe me), but, it may take a while, so, let me walk you through the tricks of incorporating latent variables now. Basically, there are four steps.
- Define the variable as a regression, where the composite is determined by it's causal variables. Also, fix one of the effects to 1. This gives your composite variable a scale.
- Specify that the composite has an error variance of 0.
- Now treat the composite as a latent variable. It's indicators are it's response variables. This may seem odd. However, it's all just ways of specifying causal pathways – an indicator pathway and a regression pathway have the same meaning in terms of causality. The software just needs something specified so that it doesn't go looking for our composite variable in our data. Hence, defining it as a latent variable whose indicators are endogenous responses. I actually find this helpful, as it also makes me think more carefully about what a composite variable is, and how too many responses may make my model not identified.
- Lastly, because we don't want to fix the effect of our composite on its response to 1, we'll have to include an argument in the fitting function that makes it not force the first latent variable loading to be set to 1. We'll also have to specify that we then want the variance of the response to latent variables freely estimated. Yeah, I know. Note: this all can play havoc when you have both latent and composite variables, so be careful. See here for an example.
- Everything else – other regression relationships, showing that nonlinearities are derived quantities, etc.
OK, that's a lot. How's it work in practice? Below is the code to fit the model in the path diagram. I've labeled the steps in comments, and, included the regional ~ local richness relationship as well as the relationship showing that logN2 was derived from logN. Note, this is a centered squared variable. And, yes, all nitrogen values have been log transformed here.
_TAG_ SA model with N and regional SR using a composite _TAG_: logN = log nutrient supply rate, logNcen2 = log supply rate squared # SA = Species richness on a patch of Agar, SR = stream-wide richness compositeModel<-' #1) define the composite, scale to logN Nitrogen ~ 1*logN + logNcen2 _TAG_ on the significant path! #2) Specify 0 error variance Nitrogen ~~ 0*Nitrogen #3) now, because we need to represent this as a latent variable _TAG_ how species richness is an _indicator_ of nitrogen Nitrogen =~ SA #4) BUT, make sure the variance of SA is estimated SA ~~ SA _TAG_ Richness also has an effect SA ~ SR _TAG_ account for the derivation of the square term from the linear term logNcen2 ~ logN'# we specify std.lv=T so that the Nitrogen-SA relationship isn't fixed to 1 compositeFit <- sem(compositeModel, data=cards, std.lv=T)
Great! It should fit just fine. I'm not going to focus on the regional relationship, as it is predictable and positive. Moreover, when we look at the results, two things immediately pop out at us about the effect of nutrient supply rate.
Estimate Std.err Z-value P(>|z|) Latent variables: Nitrogen =~ SA 0.362 0.438 0.827 0.408 Regressions: Nitrogen ~ logN 1.000 logNcen2 -1.311 1.373 -0.955 0.340
Wait, what? The Nitrogen effect was not detectably different from 0? Nor was there a nonlinear effect? What's going on here?
What's going on is that the scale of the composite is affecting our results. We've set it to 1. Whenever you are fixing scales, you should always check and see, what would happen if you changed which path was set to 1. So, we can simply set the scale to the nonlinear variable,


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By Jake Landers
Published August 2011
Sensitive Briar and Fern Acacia are cousins that have similar looking leaves that behave very differently. The leaves of Sensitive Briar fold up when touched while those of Fern Acacia stay put. Few plants have movements as quick as Sensitive briar, and it's done without nerves as in animals. Botanists understand that these movements in plants come about by changes in water pressure, but they can't explain the reason why. Why one and not the other! Perhaps the leaf movements might surprise a grazing animal to make it move to another plant for a bite. It's a quirk in some plants that someday may entice a young scientist to find a good explanation.
Both plants are legumes and are first choice for grazing by goats, sheep, and deer because of their high nutrient content. For this reason both have become scarce even in pastures where moderate to light stocking has been practiced. They persist in much of central Texas in parks, roadsides, and rocky sites where plants are somewhat protected from heavy grazing.
The flower clusters are similar in construction, but quite different in size and color. Fern Acacia has marble-sized white puffballs too numerous to count on the multiple sprouts in a typical colony. Sensitive Briar has a few big pink ones at the ends of sprawling runners. Seed pods are quite distinct also, with those on Fern Acacia small and flat, and those of Sensitive Briar bean-like and covered with soft spines. I am having a hard time finding seeds to get either plant reestablished in my part of the ranch.
The scientific name of Fern Acacia is Acacia angustissima var. hirta. In plain language this translates to "Thorny plant with the narrowest leaves". Most of its other cousins are thorny, including Sensitive Briar, but Fern Acacia it is soft to the touch. Sensitive Briar is named Mimosa roemeriana, although long ago I learned it as Schrankia roemeriana. At least the name-changing experts kept half of the original which is in honor of Ferdinand Roemer, the German geologist who checked out the ruins of the old Spanish Presidio near Menard 150 years ago, and wrote a book about his adventures in Texas.
Whatever the reason for the sensitive leaf movements in one and not the other, they are fascinating to watch. Several years ago one of my colleagues who also enjoyed teaching kids about native plants had a fun technique when he found a Sensitive Briar. He told the kids it was a "Scream" plant. "If you screamed at it, it would fold its leaves, and you had to get close to it because it was hard of hearing." Soon all the kids would be on hands and knees screaming and watching the movement, not realizing at first it was their breath, not the sound that caused the movement. Kids and a few grown-ups like to be tricked, occasionally, so that they can pull the same trick on someone else. But you need to be smart enough to tell the difference between the two plant cousins.

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


Managing the Additive Manufacturing Supply Chain 252
"Managing the Additive Manufacturing Supply Chain 252" provides an overview of significant ways traditional supply chain management differs with the use of additive manufacturing. The course introduces concepts of digital thread, digital twin, serialization, and blockchain technologies and explores how these methods may be used to effectively manage additive manufacturing supply chains.
After completing this course, users will have a better awareness of how serialization and blockchain can increase traceability, guard against counterfeits, and lead to greater security in the additive manufacturing supply chain.
Class Details
Class Name:
Managing the Additive Manufacturing Supply Chain 252
Number of Lessons:
Class Outline
 - Supply Chain Management and AM
 - Digital Thread and Digital Twin
 - Serialization
 - Serialization and Additive Manufacturing
 - Review: Supply Chain Management and Additive Manufacturing
 - Blockchain
 - Blockchain and Additive Manufacturing
 - Review: Serialization and Blockchain
 - Describe supply chain management for AM.
 - Define digital thread and digital twin.
 - Describe serialization.
 - Describe the use of serialization in AM supply chain management.
 - Describe blockchain.
 - Describe the use of blockchain in AM supply chain management.
Job Roles
Vocabulary Term Definition
agility The ability to respond quickly to customer needs and market changes while still controlling costs and quality. Agility in manufacturing may be enabled by additive manufacturing.
algorithms A mathematical process designed to systematically solve a problem. Complex digital algorithms allow machine learning to predict and regulate operations.
block header hash A 256-bit number attached to the nonce when a block is created. The hash is an essential element of a block in blockchain technology.
blockchain A growing list of digital records, called blocks, that are linked. Blockchain technology is a decentralized, distributed ledger that records the origin of a digital asset.
blocks One identifying unit within a blockchain. Blocks include data and unique identifying numbers.
counterfeiting Imitating fraudulently. Counterfeiting involves making an exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud.
cybersecurity Protection against criminal or unauthorized access to computer networks, programs, and data. Cybersecurity has become a major industrial concern as networking and connectivity have increased.
decentralized The allocation of resources, both hardware and software, to each individual workstation or office location. Decentralized computer systems are components of a larger computer network.
digital supply chain DSC. A web-based network of computers, companies, and systems that exchange resources to deliver products to customers. A digital supply chain connects suppliers and stakeholders throughout the entire product lifecycle.
digital thread An integrated view of all the data and information about a part or product throughout its lifecycle. The digital thread connects information from all aspects of a product into one seamless network.
digital twin A virtual representation of a physical object, such as a part or machine. A digital twin evolves with the object throughout its lifecycle.
distributed ledger A consensus of replicated, shared, and synchronized digital data geographically spread across multiple sites, countries, or institutions. In a distributed ledger, there is no central administrator or centralized data storage.
lifecycle The entire timeline of something. In manufacturing, lifecycle includes part design, machine setup, production, quality, and end of life.
nodes Any kind of electronic device that maintains copies of the blockchain and keeps the network functioning. Nodes are decentralized and distributed.
nonce A 32-bit whole number randomly generated when a block is created, which then generates a block header hash. A nonce is an essential element of a block in blockchain technology.
nondestructive testing NDT. A category of inspection processes that evaluate a part's properties and performance using methods that do not damage or permanently alter the part. Nondestructive testing methods include visual testing, liquid penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing, eddy current testing, ultrasonic testing, and radiographic testing.
piracy The unauthorized use or reproduction of another's work. Piracy is the illegal copying, distribution, or use of intellectual property.
provenance The place of origin of something. Provenance of a digital asset is recorded in blockchain.
radio frequency identification RFID. A technology that uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. RFID tags consist of a tiny radio transponder, radio receiver, and radio transmitter.
regulations A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority. Regulations can be set by governmental agencies and industry organizations.
regulatory compliance When a business follows state, federal, and international laws and regulations relevant to its operations. Regulatory compliance varies by industry, as well as the countries where a business sells products.
serial numbers A unique identifier assigned incrementally or sequentially to an item in a series. Serial numbers need not be strictly numerical and may contain letters or other symbols.
serialization The process of tagging individual units of inventory with unique identifiers that are assigned sequentially to each item. Serialization may take the form of serial numbers, RFID chips, or other unique, sequential tags.
supply chain A network of companies that exchange resources, such as materials and information, to deliver products to customers. Supply chains consist of a company, its suppliers, its distributors, and its customers.
supply chain management The process of planning, implementing, and controlling supply chain activities to achieve maximum customer value and sustain competitive advantage. Supply chain management oversees each organization in the supply chain, from development to sourcing to production to delivery.
total cost of ownership TCO. The purchase price of an asset plus the costs of operation. Total cost of ownership helps assess the value of an investment over time.
traceability The ability to verify the history, application, or location of an item using data flows. Digital threads enable traceability throughout the entire production lifecycle.
virtual Existing on or simulated within a computer program or system rather than physically existing. Virtual representations of real-world objects are known as digital twins.
X-rays A type of electromagnetic wave with a high frequency and short wavelength. X-rays are used to view the interior of solid objects during radiographic testing.


COVID-19 has been particularly tough for visually-impaired people. A report by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) notes that two-thirds of visually-impaired individuals feel less independent since the start of lockdown. This could have a serious negative impact on their mental health.
Visually-impaired people already experience loneliness at higher levels than others. They are also more likely to suffer from depression and more likely to experience detrimental health outcomes as a result of self-isolation. So, we need to consider their barriers — both physical and emotional — and what can be done to overcome these.
Tackling Changing Environments
Many businesses and public spaces have designed new layouts or imposed restrictions to slow down the spread of the virus. However, these adjustments may unintentionally make it more difficult for visually-impaired people to navigate, causing visually-impaired people to venture out less.
Studies have shown that individuals with visual impairments create spatial representations of environments in their heads. If an environment has been changed to help control COVID-19 – by introducing screens, one-way systems, or other measures – these changes may disrupt their mental maps.
Indeed, the RNIB notes that the number of visually-impaired people navigating around shops independently halved during the lockdown, falling from 28% to 14%. At the same time, the proportion of people relying on someone else to shop for them has increased from less than a fifth (18%) to nearly half (49%).
One way to surmount this problem is for more shops to offer a click-and-collect service so that people can purchase their merchandise without needing to navigate a new floor layout.
If a sighted guide is required to assist a visually-impaired individual to navigate a new environment, that visually-impaired individual being guided needs to be consulted as to what would be the optimal way to help maintain that individual's independence, which is crucial to psychological wellbeing.
Social Distancing is Hard to Do
Another thing standing in the way of visually-impaired people going out and interacting with people is concern about social distancing. A visual impairment makes avoiding close contact with people more difficult. And failing to social distance leaves these individuals subject to criticism and potentially raises their risk of contracting COVID-19.
The sighted population needs to be sensitized and educated as to why visually-impaired people may find social distancing a challenge.
Helping those Feeling Isolated
Mental health services need to be expanded for the visually-impaired, particularly for those who feel isolated. Other helpful measures include online mindfulness or meditation programs to help mitigate isolation and support groups on social media for connecting visually-impaired individuals with one another.
As difficult as communication while mask-wearing is for most of us, it is much more so for the hearing-impaired who rely heavily on lip-reading. Another problem is hearing aids. With guidelines that require mask-wearing, difficulties often arise when it comes to wearing hearing aids and communicating effectively.
Rochester Regional Health clinical audiologist Lindsay Saltsman, Au.D. explains the challenges those in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community are facing and provides helpful insights to maximize communication in this compromised environment.
Wearing a Mask Together with Hearing Aids
The problem is that hearing aids are worn around the ear, as is a mask. This presents a struggle for those who need to wear hearing aids and a mask simultaneously. "Since most masks are worn around the ears, there are a few issues that arise for those who wear hearing aids. They may lose them or experience increased discomfort from having too much behind their ear," said Dr. Saltsman.
To mitigate these problems, Dr. Saltsman recommends the following:
 1. Make sure the mask fits properly to reduce the risk of hearing aids falling off.
 2. Thinner straps are better because they will give the hearing aid more space.
 3. Wear masks that tie around the head so they don't interfere with hearing aids
 4. Remove the mask carefully to avoid removing the hearing aid as well
Masks Compromise Communication
Since a mask covers the mouth and much of the face, it removes the ability to observe lip-movement and facial expressions, thus presenting an obstacle to verbal communication. "Body language and lip-reading are important in improving communication. That's why being face-to-face with someone is so helpful, especially for those with hearing loss," said Dr. Saltsman.
To mitigate this problem, Dr. Saltsman recommends the following:
 1. Reduce background noise– Find a quiet place to talk, and avoid having music or television noise on in the room. Extraneous noise impedes the ability to hear, even when wearing hearing aids.
 2. Rephrase, don't repeat– Often when you are talking to a hearing-impaired individual you will be asked to repeat. If so, better to rephrase than repeat verbatim, because it is likely the hearing-impaired individual didn't understand you. Using different words increases the likelihood of being understood.
Talk a little louder and slower– For someone wearing hearing aids or lip reading to communicate with you, speaking fast or mumbling makes it more difficult to get your message. Talking slower and louder improves communication.


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JUVENILE JUSTICE AND INTERVENTION PROGRAM
To educate, support, and improve the lives of at-risk youth to become productive and contributing members of society.
Research used to construct this program suggests that multiple variables have the potential to contribute to juvenile delinquency, ranging from individual and peers to family, school, and neighborhood factors. The successful diversion of youth away from a life of continued crime requires identifying the problem areas contributing to delinquency and finding ways to remedy them.
GJJIP focuses on four facets as a means for reducing the likelihood that youth will engage in future crime:
- Case Management: Case management lasting up to six (6) months is guided by initial and ongoing assessments, regular meetings, and use of evidence-based interactive procedures.
- Education: Youth will attend a workshop, Life Skills Training, oriented around building development-critical skills that help them make better decisions in everyday situations. Youth will also attend writing workshops aimed at helping them reflect on their lives and the choices they are making which has led being in our program.
- Sanction: Youth will be required to participate in a sanction that includes a fine, community service, and/or restorative justice.
- Referral: Youth and their caregivers will be referred to outside agencies in order to address issues potentially contributing to youth's situations.
GJJIP is guided by and utilizes the following evidence-based frameworks and techniques in order to effectively work with youth:
- Motivational Interviewing
- Life Skills Training
- Validated and Reliable Risk Assessment
- Brief Solutions-Focused Counseling
- The Child and Adolescent Functioning Assessment Scale (CAFAS)
- Evidence-Based Case Management Framework
Youth that are residents of Gardena or who attend a Gardena school are eligible to participate in the program. Additionally, youth should be 11 – 17 years of age, and have been either cited for a minor crime or have behaviors, attitudes, or other life situations that a parent, guardian or relative feel should receive additional attention.
- GARDENA POLICE DEPARTMENT
- 16206 S. Western Ave. Suite E
Gardena, CA 90248

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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Worms, viruses, Trojan horses, and spyware: BEWARE!
The National Science Center, or NSC, is now training kids to stay safe from cyber attack malware when they're surfing the web or using email and cell phones. A new online game called Cyber Swarm Defenders is targeted to 6th-8th grade students and is also appropriate for younger students.
The game is part of the NSC's newest Cyber Ops education outreach program. The NSC is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Army and NSC, Inc., that uses its resources to stimulate and increase science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, known as STEM, proficiency in U.S. students, especially those in grades 4-9.
"Anything we can do to make the young students of our country understand the cyber threat and get them excited about STEM technologies has a big payoff," said Ron Ross, chairman of the NSC.
"Educating students about cyber security threats and how to counteract them is imperative," said Mike Krieger, the Army deputy chief information officer, who serves as the secretary of the Army's proponent for the NSC. He also serves as the co-chairperson for the NSC's Partnership Executive Committee, which provides overall direction and oversight for the NSC.
Cyber Swarm Defenders is deployed through the social networking site, which was built for children ages 13 and under. Kid-safe requirements are built in, including a parental control feature. This tower-defense strategy game integrates cyber security education and "learn to earn" mini-exercises. Students earn points, badges and game coins as they strengthen their defenses to advance through the game levels.
"Installing the game on a social network site allows us to reach a variety of students and an existing community of users," said Krieger.
To access the game from the NSC's website and click on the Cyber Swarm banner button. Or, go directly to this site. To play, participants must first register on jabbersmack–which is not accessible on some older versions of browsers.
"Our additional focus on cyber threats also significantly enhances the value proposition of the NSC Partnership," Ross said.
Created by Congress in 1985, the NSC 's outreach programs include online teacher tools, two 18-wheeler Mobile Discovery Center vans, Junior ROTC STEM Outreach activities, and Cyber Ops. In addition to the new game, the Cyber Ops program links to a Malware Comic Book and Malware Mystery game that are also appropriate for older students.
By Margaret McBride, CIO/G-6
Disclaimer: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of this website or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD website.


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This new pediatric text is unusual in these times in that it is the work of a single author, who is professor of child life and health at the University of Edinburgh.
The text is divided into 22 chapters, which cover adequately, for the most part, the field of pediatrics. The initial chapter deals with history-taking and examinations. In this section an interesting inclusion is a scheme for a psychological history for use in behavior problems. While it is designed for the social worker in large part, it is a valuable outline for the pediatrician. In this chapter also is included very brief mention of growth and development, far too brief for our present preoccupation with this important phase of child health.
Two following chapters are concerned with social and environmental factors in disease and constitutional factors in disease. Both of these are excellent and are not generally found in


Tourists will be able to visit hotels in space within a few years, expert claims
Tourists will be able to enjoy a holiday in space in hotels in just a few years according to an expert.
Author Christopher Wanjek made the claim and said humans will be able to visit within this decade.
The writer of 'Spacefarers: How Humans Will Settle the Moon, Mars, and Beyond' also added wealthy tourists can visit the hotels before humans establish a permanent base on the Moon.
A current deadline set by the Trump administration is 2024 for NASA to return humans to moon.
Once this deadline is met, NASA aims to launch crewed missions to March in 2030s, reports the Express.
However Mr Wanjek cast doubt on the 2024 deadline and suggested commercial space hotels are likely to be the next big step in increasing the human presence in space.
Speaking to he said: "Before the Moon we're going to be in low Earth orbit.
"That's where a lot of money's going to be made in terms of space hotelling.
"We'll have crewed space hotels and space tourism definitely within this decade.
"The Moon base I don't think's going to happen this decade.
"This plan to get humans back to the Moon by 2024 is ill-fated. It was a bad idea to begin with and now with the pandemic it's certainly not going to happen. What you want to do, and what NASA was planning on doing, is slowly get back there by setting up an infrastructure. Send some robots, map out the area, lay down some infrastructure.
"We're going to learn nothing by sending a couple of humans there to do nothing again and waste a lot of money. Getting people on the Moon by 2024 is actually going to hinder our ability to have a base there by the end of this decade."
 - Life could exist on'mini-world' between Mars and Jupiter which 'has underground lake'
A number of wealthy individuals have already paid large sums to be taken into space, beginning with American businessman Dennis Tito who became the first fee-paying space tourist when he visited the International Space Station onboard a Russian spacecraft in 2001.
Several companies, including Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, are currently developing vehicles for sub-orbital space tourism.
Mr Wanjek argued that commercial opportunities, as well as the ongoing scientific endeavours, will play a big role in increasing the human presence in space.
He explained: "The money makers would be mining, if it's feasible, and tourism which is probably more feasible than mining.
"Everything works in parallel. You get more people interested in space by launching people up into low Earth orbit to go into perhaps an expandable space hotel.
"As more and more people get involved the cost is surely going to come down and that means even more people will be able to get up there."
 - 'Apocalyptic fireball' headed to Earth as 'hazardous' asteroid comes closer than the moon
In terms of mining opportunities Mr Wanjek noted the Moon has iron and silicone deposits, that could be used for building, as well as water which could be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen to help make rocket fuel.
He also suggested Helium-3, which is scarce on Earth but exists in large quantities on the Moon, could provide "the ideal fuel" for nuclear fusion if the technology becomes available.
Mr Wanjek argued there are major advantages to building permanent Moon bases before moving onto Mars and expressed scepticism about NASA's hope to have the first humans on Mars in the 2030s.
On humans visiting Mars he said: "It's at least a ten-year endeavour once you start and we're not even starting now.
 - US and China to fight'star wars' from Moon bases within decades, says scientist
"Within ten years impossible, fifteen years maybe if we get our act together the next couple of years.
"I can't see us being on Mars in any sustainable way before 2040.
"I do think living on the Moon is important before you go to Mars because you can learn a lot of things in a relatively safe distance from Earth. You can evacuate someone in a couple of days.
"And you're going to have to do the same things. You're going to create a shelter, create your oxygen, block out the radiation and have some type of atmospheric pressure.
"The same exact things have to be done on Mars and on the Moon so you might as well learn it on the Moon before going off to Mars."
Source: Read Full Article


Introducing WML and WMLScript: WML Crash Course - Part II | WebReference
Introducing WML and WMLScript: WML Crash Course - Part II
Introducing WML and WMLScript
A Crash Course in WML - Part II
When you navigate with the up and down arrow keys, the cursor moves from one entry field to another. You fill entries or modify them with the Options soft key. Let's assume the cursor is in the Amount: entry field and you click the Options soft key. You get the following display:
The Options card is a derived card. It is not specified directly by the WML code. The header is always Browser Options. Be sure to navigate the different options, as some of them are hidden. In this particular case, you have three options:
The Edit Amount option is derived from the fact that the cursor stood in the field. As shown on the previous page, this field is defined with title="Amount:". The WML compiler uses the value of the title attribute to construct the option name, by appending it to the string Edit, generating the option Edit Amount. As strange as it sounds, the WML compiler drops any colons from the end of the title value. The value of title in the original WML code is Amount:, while what is being displayed is just Amount. So far, we have found it to happen only in tags, as opposed to tags where the colon stays in tact.
The other two options displayed above are Calculate and Help. Browser Options are created via the . Here is the tag for the Calculate option:

Next: How to program in WML - Part III
Produced by Yehuda Shiran and Tomer Shiran
Created: May 8, 2000
Revised: May 8, 2000


RMORSA Part 3: Risk Appetite and Tolerance Statement
0 September 6, 2017 at 3:32 pm by
Risk appetite and toleranceThe third step in the Risk Management and Own Risk and Solvency Assessment Model Act (RMORSA) is the implementation of a risk appetite and tolerance statement. This step is meant to set boundaries on how much risk your organization is prepared to accept in the pursuit of its strategic objectives.
Once your organization has documented your risk appetite (and received the board's approval), the question becomes: How do you measure whether your organization is adhering to it? The answer is to implement risk tolerances.
While risk appetite is a higher-level statement that broadly considers the levels of risk that management deems acceptable, risk tolerances set acceptable levels of variation around risk. For example, a company that says it does not accept risks that could result in a significant loss of its revenue base is expressing appetite. When the same company says that it does with to accept risks that would cause revenue from its top 10 customers to decline by more than 1%, it is expressing a tolerance.
Why Set Tolerance Levels?
Operating within risk tolerances provides management greater assurance that the company remains within its risk appetite, which in turn provides a higher degree of comfort that the organization will achieve its objectives.
The second step of RMORSA, risk identification and prioritization, outlines a risk assessment process for your organization that provides quantitative language for risk-based decision making. This standardized scale allows you to discuss the resulting assessment indexes to determine a uniform tolerance throughout the organization. It may not be possible to set accurate tolerances until risk intelligence has been collected over a period of time, but eventually you'll be able to prioritize resources to the risks with the highest variation.
Align with Strategic Goals
To learn more about implementing risk appetite and tolerance in your business, download our complimentary eBook "5 Steps Towards an Actionable Risk Appetite."


text:
About this book
How do you approach a Romantic poem, and what do the Romantic poets discuss in their works? In this clear, practical guide, Paul O'Flinn shows you how to think and write about Romantic poetry with confidence. He provides a guide to reading four major Romantic poets: Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge and Keats. A final chapter shows you how to use the book's analytical techniques to write solid essays.
lyric poem poetry Wordsworth


text:
Cone snails have inspired humans for centuries. Coastal communities have often traded their beautiful shells like money and put them in jewelry. Many artists, including Rembrandt, have featured them in sketches and paintings. Now, scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are finding these deadly predators inspiring, too, as they seek new ways to cure old medical problems using the poisonous snails as models.
"This is the same venom used to kill dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park,'" says NIST biochemist Frank Marí, with a chuckle. "It is scary stuff, but that power could be used for a different kind of good in real life."
Like all NIST scientists, Marí measures things. Specifically, he measures RNA and the associated proteins at work inside marine animals. As technology has improved over the years, he and his team have become better able to examine, analyze and catalog the molecules at work in some of the ocean's lesser-known creatures, including cone snails. This year, his lab made several significant discoveries about their venom, discoveries that might ultimately lead to the development of new medicines for hard-to-treat diseases. By imitating the way that these small, quiet creatures deliver poison, scientists may be able to better deliver cures.
On any given day, Marí can be found walking up and down the rows of burbling aquarium tanks at the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina, checking on the 60 individual cone snails that have lived in his lab for the past 15 years. Once a week, he and his staff make a kind of delicate negotiation with them, trading a dead fish for a dose of poison to be gathered in a tube and stored away for use in ongoing scientific measurements and investigations.
"Cone snails are so unusual," Marí says. "They are not really like any other creature on Earth, and working with them is almost like working with an extraterrestrial. But that's also fun. The cone snail system is like a candy store to someone like me."
More than 800 species of cone snails have been found worldwide, mostly in warmer, tropical areas. They are reclusive, faceless creatures and not aggressive, but will sting defensively when picked up by an unwitting shell collector. The smallest cone snails impart a sting that is about as powerful as a bee sting, but the sting of larger species can kill an adult human in a matter of hours. The deadliest cone snail is thought to be the "cigarette snail" of the Indo-Pacific, a snail roughly the length of a man's thumb that can deliver a toxin so strong that you'd only have time to finish one cigarette before dying from its attack.
Although his collection includes several species, Marí's special area of focus is the purple cone snail (Conus purpurascens). It's a creature mostly found in the Eastern Pacific coastal waters off the Gulf of California down to Peru and offshore around the Galapagos Islands, slowly moving along the rocky bottom where it grows to be a few inches long. Like all snails from the Conus genus, these nocturnal animals are common, but often go unseen by casual beachgoers.
Despite their own slow tendencies, these snails have evolved to skillfully hunt far speedier animals in the dark by firing a single harpoon-like tooth into other snails, fish and worms. Once injected, the prey becomes instantly paralyzed and unable to make a getaway. The snail then slowly pulls the immobilized meal inside its shell to be digested, whole. Each tooth is discarded after use and immediately replaced by another. Some cone snails travel with 20 or so of these teeth embedded in their systems, loaded and ready to be fired off when the next meal happens to swim along.
In its native state, cone snail venom would obviously not make a great treatment for human ailments. But by unpacking it bit by bit and measuring each component on the molecular level, Marí and his team aim to understand and catalog how each aspect of this poison does its job.
"There's a lot we are just learning about them," Marí says.
Why, for instance, is cone snail venom able to penetrate another animal's nervous system so quickly? And how does it paralyze a victim so effectively? Even more puzzling, some individual purple cone snails are not toxic at all, which Marí thinks might be related to stages of development in the snails.
The answers to all of these cone snail questions could be used to create new medicines that move through a patient's body in a quicker and more efficient manner, such as new types of insulin for the treatment of diabetes or better treatments for neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. Some think venom research can provide new delivery systems for drugs that would aim to curtail quick-spreading forms of cancer. Others want to use the venom's ingredients for the treatment of addiction. One component of cone snail venom has even been used in anti-wrinkle creams now on the market that put the power of inflammation to work under the skin, puffing out creases and fine lines on human faces.
For a paper just published in Scientific Reports, Marí and his team used cone snail toxins as molecular probes to identify an important overlap between the immune and central nervous systems in humans. Their work demonstrated for the first time that a classic toxin--one usually associated with the central nervous system -- can also have an impact in the immune system, whereby some cells are signaled in specific ways once certain kinds of cone snail peptides, known as conotoxins, enter the body. The new information may aid in the development of therapies for eradicating gastric, breast and lung cancers, as well as in the control of tuberculosis, since all of those illnesses trigger overproduction of some cells. Rather than using the toxin as an actual cure, the work would provide a road map for better understanding (and maybe controlling) the growth of undesirable cells.
For another study published recently in the Journal of Proteomics; and his team worked on the isolation and characterization of an enzyme in the cone snail venom called Conohyal-P1. They used an ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometer, one of the most powerful tools available to identify and count proteins in a sample. A similar enzyme is found in both lionfish and bee venoms. Surprisingly, it is also found in many kinds of mammalian sperm, where it helps to weaken cell walls of ovaries and facilitate entry of the sperm and successful reproduction.
"We knew that this enzyme was able to break down extracellular tissue," says Mari, referring to the outermost membranes of cells. "We now have been able to carefully evaluate the activity of the enzyme for anyone to use in future work. In addition, we have identified a new subtype that had not been known before."
In a third paper, published recently in the journal Neuropharmacology (link is external), Marí and his team evaluated toxins in the cone snail venom by testing them on the central nervous systems of fruit flies. Although the fruit fly is very different from humans in many ways, its central nervous system can provide a great model for a wide variety of medical studies because the basic structure of cells in fruit fly brains is similar to the structure of cells in human brains. So, if a fruit fly brain cell reacts one way, scientists know a human cell will, too.
Marí's team specifically wanted to know how conotoxins interact with a variety of molecular targets in the nervous system of their prey. Purple cone snail venom contains a large number of these protein building blocks, more than 2,000 of them.
"The venom is incredibly complex," Marí says. "We wanted to answer the question: which parts could be used as medicine?"
In this case, they found that the flies' response to injections of cone snail venom primarily took place in the receptors that govern muscle movement and addiction. Such details could be useful in the development of new drugs for Parkinson's disease, which often ravages the muscular-skeletal system, impairing a patient's ability to control basic body movements. It might also help with the development of effective nicotine addiction treatments.
"The pattern on a cone snail shell is very beautiful," Marí says. "But I think the biology and biochemistry are even more beautiful, and as we explore all the different aspects of the venom, we can open all kinds of new opportunities for medical use. We are finally able to crack the code."
As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. More information about NIST can be found at _URL_.


Poster Presentation 2014 International Biophysics Congress
Comparison of solute profile of simple sugars between lamellar stacks of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine by neutron membrane diffraction (#326)
Ben Kent 1, Christopher J. Garvey 2, Tamim Dariwsh 2, Taavi E. Hunt 3, Bruno Deme 4, Thomas Hauss 1, Gary Bryant 3
 1. Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Berlin, Germany
 2. ANSTO, Kirrawee DC, NSW, Australia
 3. Centre of Molecular and Nanoscale Physics, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
 4. Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France
Sugars are widely known for their cryoprotective effects. Their presence in lipid membranes systems is known to raise lipid phase transition temperatures, thereby avoiding deleterious transitions to non-fluid bilayer phases or non-bilayer inverse phases. A debate has centred over the characteristic of the interaction between the sugar and lipid bilayer membrane: i.e. does the sugar hydrogen bond with the lipid headgroup, becoming partially incorporated into the bilayer and thereby preventing a reduction in area per lipid during compressive stress experienced at low hydration, or are non-specific properties of the sugars between the bilayers prevent close approach of the bilayers, or is the mechanism dependent on the sugar concentration.
 The location of the sugar in a stacked lipid bilayer system at reduced hydration – resemblant of a biological system undergoing water stress – is central to elucidating the mechanism of protection. Recently we demonstrated the use of the neutron membrane diffraction technique on partially hydrated aligned stacks of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine to obtain information about the distribution of trehalose between bilayers. In this study we compare the location of glucose, sucrose and trehalose, between bilayer stacks. Using partial deuteration the sugars, we found that the sugar molecules followed a distribution profiles centred in the middle of the water layer, regardless of the sugar concentration. This result demonstrates that the protective effects of the sugars must be due to mechanisms that do not rely on direct interactions between the sugars and lipid headgroups, and instead are due to the non-specific osmotic and volumetric effects of the sugars.
 1. Kent, B., Hunt, T., Darwish, T.A., Hauss, T., Garvey, C.J., and Bryant, G., "Localisation of trehalose in partially hydrated DOPC bilayers - insight into cryoprotective mechanisms." J. R. Soc. Interface, 20140069, (2014).


jQuery.isNumeric in jQuery 1.7
As mentioned in my previous post that jQuery 1.7 is released and ready to use. With jQuery 1.7, a new function is introduced which is called "isNumeric()". This is a very handy and small utility introduced in 1.7.As the name of the function clearly suggest that it checks whether the passed value is numeric or not. If it is numeric then it returns true, otherwise false.
This function is really useful as it also returns true for negative numbers, decimal numbers, octal integer, Hex numbers and exponential strings. It saves lots of line of your codes and you don't have to worry about the regular expression as well to validate the number.
$.isNumeric("-10"); // true
$.isNumeric(16); // true
$.isNumeric(0xFF); // true
$.isNumeric("0xFF"); // true
$.isNumeric("8e5"); // true (exponential notation string)
$.isNumeric(3.1415); // true
$.isNumeric(+10); // true
$.isNumeric(0144); // true (octal integer literal)
$.isNumeric(""); // false
$.isNumeric({}); // false (empty object)
$.isNumeric(NaN); // false
$.isNumeric(null); // false
$.isNumeric(true); // false
$.isNumeric(undefined); // false
See live Demo and Code.


text:
Photo: Linda Tanner
Purdue president Mitch Daniels is urging a congressional committee to put America's space program on a flight path to Mars.
Daniels co-chaired a National Research Council study of the value of manned space flight, which concluded it's only worth the risk and expense if NASA reaches for new worlds. The panel recommended an ultimate goal of a Mars landing.
The former governor told the House Science, Space and Technology Committee a Mars mission is at least 30 years and hundreds of billions of dollars away.
"It's a lot of money, but we are talking about over decades," Daniels said. "The committee knows but not every citizen knows that the NASA human space flight budget is a couple tenths of a percent of the federal budget."
Daniels says the cost of a Mars project shouldn't scare off policymakers. He notes that money would be spread over three decades or more, and says the investment would be worth it, both in terms of the likely technological breakthroughs the effort would produce and a less quantifiable human need to pursue knowledge.


text:
A ski lift is a transport system on inclined ground, used in particular in the winter sports resorts for the Alpine skiing.
The principal types of ski lifts are:
- the Cog railway;
- the Funicular ;
- the Cable car;
- the Funitel;
- the Telpher carrier;
- the Chair-lift;
- the hybrid Chair-lift, also called Combined or in Télémix France;
- the Ski-lift, also called ski-lift or ski-lift or Ski tow.
- the 2" S" and the 3" S"
- Of Japanese engravings of 1200 shows téléportés baskets.
- 1664, the Dutchman Adam Wybe develops a trained conveyer of a nacelle rolling on a cord placed between 2 posts.
- 1834, the Swede Wilhelm Albert creates machines to manufacture long braided steel wire ropes. It is the starting of all transport per cable.
- 1862, first funiculars with Lyon (the String of Lyon, funicular underground of the Street Term to the Cross-Russet-red ) and with Budapest
- 1866, the first cable car
- 1873, the Tram with traction by cable, terrestrial ancestor of the disengageable telpher carriers
- 1908, the first télétraîneau
- 1909, the first téléluge of the German Robert Winterhalder
- 1934, first patents of skis-lift: with rollers by Switzerland Ernest Constam and with disengageable poles by the French Jean Pomagalski whose first model will be installed for the season _PHONE_ with the Alpe d' Huez
- 1937, the first chair-lift of the American Averell Harriman
- 1945, first disengageable chair-lift with Flims in Suisse
- 1951, first telpher carrier with Villard-with-Lans
- 1991, first Funitel with Valley-Thorens
- Gone up mécaniques.net (very documented site)
- Gimar Montaz Mautino
- Seirel Automatisms (electric system)
|Random links:||Penauille Polyservices | Ulnar nerve | Mercœur (Haute-Loire) | Puerta de Segura | Maximilian Hell | Élection_présidentielle_des_Etats-Unis,_1988|


text: Timely access to quality healthcare has become an increasingly important public health concern over the years. Early diagnosis of cancer is a fundamental goal in oncology because it allows an opportunity for timely treatment while disease burden is still in its earliest stages. Consequently, prognosis may improve, and a cure can be attained with minimal side or late effects. This review examined delays present in diagnosis of childhood cancers and factors that influence these delays. An extensive search of the literature published before April 15, 2007 was conducted for studies that evaluated any type of delay along the cancer-care continuum. Twenty-three studies were included. Diagnosis delay varied across studies. Physician delays were generally longer than those consequent to parents' or patients' recognition of underlying disease. Causes of delays can be grouped into 3 categories: patient and/or parent, disease, and healthcare. The main factors related to diagnosis delay were the child's age at diagnosis, parent level of education, type of cancer, presentation of symptoms, tumor site, cancer stage, and first medical specialty consulted. Greater understanding of factors that influence delays and the individual impact of patient and provider delays on disease severity and prognosis would be useful to form effective policies and programs aimed at ensuring timely access to healthcare for children with cancer.


text:
Hydra low in the sky (rising from the sea).
I believe that this list of star constellations, all falling within two hours of right ascension (2 out of 24 hours), is pointing to a specific time on the Ecliptic date clock. Connecting with a line perpendicular to the equator, those constellations listed specifically from Polaris, through Camelopardalis, through the front feet of the bear, by the mouth of the lion and severing the head of Hydra follows the line which is the 9th hour of right ascension. This pointer specified in the Bible crosses the Ecliptic calendar at the 9th hour Right Ascension line, which is at 17 degrees declination. In my article 'Heads, Horns and Crowns', I described how both beasts, the one in Revelation 12 and the one in Revelation 13 had 7 heads and 10 horns which both totals 17 and that one had 7 crowns and the other had 10, together crowns totaling 17. Three references to 17 point to the 17 degrees of declination which crosses the Ecliptic at exactly the same point as the line described in the Bible connecting the constellations. A line passing from the bear's hind foot (star) through the mouth of the lion (Leo) crosses the Ecliptic at 9 hours 42 seconds and 17 degrees declination. A third confirming line passing from Draco's (the dragon) mouth (devourer), through the CENTER of the six stars that make up the bear's feet, passing through the mouth of both Leo Minor and Leo's mouth, piercing the Hydra's head ALSO cross the Ecliptic at 17 degrees declination, 9 hours, 32 seconds!!!!! The dragon gave him his power, seat and great authority! Three 17's in the description of the two beasts all intersect the Ecliptic at the 9 hours RA and 17 degrees Declination!!! These three lines intersect a pinpoint of the Ecliptic inside of less than 1 MINUTE of Right Ascension!!!! The question then becomes: What day of the year is it pinpointing? It could vary within a two day time frame exactly what day it is based on where the Sun is along the Ecliptic calendar. From year to year it changes slightly, but generally the date is August 3rd through the 5th!
The current prime ANTICHRIST CANDIDATE was BORN on AUGUST 4 which is BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA! Using his stated PLACE of BIRTH (Hawaii – Rising from the Sea), August 4th 1961 at 19:24, the Sun was at EXACTLY 9 hours 1 second of Right Ascension, 17 degrees declination which is the EXACT same point the three intersecting lines crossed the Ecliptic! If you calculate this yourself, most astronomical calculators are in UTC time. For BHO's time in UTC, it is 8/5/1961 05:24.
There may be more to be gleaned from this astronomical discovery, but I believe that what I have found so far is accurate. At this point, it is impossible to say that the August 4 the prophecy is referring to is specifically in 1961. The Ecliptic is a day counter, not year specific. However, I believe that I can say unequivocally that the prophecy is pointing to a date to mark the life of the beast (antichrist) described. I invite you to critique this article. Let me know your thoughts.


text: [en] Bifidobacteria are normal intestinal flora in humans and animals. The genus Bifidobacterium includes 31 species of significant host specificity. Taking into account their properties, we proposed to use bifidobacteria as fecal contamination indicators. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism on the 16S rDNA gene was used to distinguish the different Bifidobacterium species. Sixty-four strains belonging to 13 different species were differentiated from animal or human origin using one or two restriction enzymes. Moreover, the primers used were specifics of the Bifidobacterium genus. Therefore, this method made it possible to determine both the presence of bifidobacteria in a sample and its origin of contamination.


R for cats and cat lovers
An intro to R for new programmers
This is an introduction to R. I promise this will be fun. Since you have never used a programming language before, or any language for that matter, you won't be tainted by other programming languages with different ways of doing things. This is good - we can teach you the R way of doing things.
Yep, this is a total rip off of JSforcats.com - hopefully Max doesn't mind.
List of things
# R console
Writing code is fun. Since you're a cat, not having opposable thumbs may be a bit of an issue, but surely you're clever enough to find a way around that.
So open up R, and you'll see something like this:
You can do math:
1 + 1
## [1] 2
Strings are always fun to start with, type a set of letters together within quotes and the console will print it back to you
"Hello Mr Tickles"
## [1] "Hello Mr Tickles"
"This is a string"
## [1] "This is a string"
Double quotes and single quotes are more or less interchangable, but is better practice to stick with double quotes.
Another thing you'll want to do as a cat using R is assign things to a name so that you can use it later. Think of this as being if you were a chipmunk and you buried a nut in the ground to dig up later. You can assign anything in R to a name, then use it later (in the current R session of course :)).
Assign the number 5 to the name mynumber
mynumber <- 5
Later you can use mynumber, like adding it to another number
mynumber + 1
## [1] 6
# Vectors
Vectors are one of the simplest and common objects in R. Think of a vector like a cat's tail. Some are short. Some are long. But they are are pretty much the same width - that is, they can only contain a single data type. So a vector can only have all numeric, all character, all factor, etc.
But wait, how do we make a vector? The easiest way is to use a function called c. So c(5,6,7) will create a vector of numbers 5, 6, and 7. Let's try to put a character and a numeric together.
c("hello", 5)
## [1] "hello" "5"
Notice how the output of the above converted the 5 to a character type with quotes around the 5 to make it "5", i.e., or an object of type character. But we can happily make a vector of the same type of information, like
c(5, 8, 200, 1, 1.5, 0.9)
## [1] 5.0 8.0 200.0 1.0 1.5 0.9
Vectors are handy because they can be combined to make other R objects, such as lists (see lists below), and data frames.
In addition, you can do something to each part of the vector. Let's say you have a vector of three types of animals:
animals <- c("birds","squirrels","fish")
You can add something to each of them like
paste(animals, "are silly")
## [1] "birds are silly" "squirrels are silly" "fish are silly"
# Data frames
A data.frame is one of the most commonly used objects in R. Just think of a data.frame like a table, or a spreadsheet, with rows and columns and numbers, text, etc. in the cells. A very special thing about the data.frame in R is that it can handle multiple types of data - that is, each column can have a different type. Like in the below table the first column is of numeric type, the second a factor, and the third character.
df <- data.frame(hey=c(5,6,7),
## hey there fella
## 1 5 a blue
## 2 6 b brown
## 3 7 c green
Notice that the first column of numbers are actually row names, and are not part of the data.frame per se, though are part of the metadata for the data.frame.
We can quickly get a sense for the type of data in the df object by using the function str, which gives information on the types of data in each column.
## 'data.frame': 3 obs. of 3 variables:
## $ hey : num 5 6 7
## $ there: Factor w/ 3 levels "a","b","c": 1 2 3
## $ fella: Factor w/ 3 levels "blue","brown",..: 1 2 3
Think of a matrix in R like a data.frame with all the same type of data, only numeric, only character, etc. A matrix is technically a special case of a two-dimensional array.
mat <- matrix(c(1,2,3, 11,12,13), nrow = 2, ncol = 3)
## [1,] 1 3 12
## [2,] 2 11 13
# Lists
Lists are sorta crazy. They are kinda like vectors, but kinda not. Using our cat tail analogy again, lists are like cat tails in that they can be short or long, but they can also vary in width. That is, they can hold any type of object. Whereas vectors can only hold one type of object (only character for example), lists can hold for example, a data.frame and a numeric, or a data.frame and another list! The way we make a list is via the function list
list(1, "a")
## [[1]]
## [1] 1
## [[2]]
## [1] "a"
A nested list
mylist <- list(1, list("a","b","c"))
## [[1]]
## [1] 1
## [[2]]
## [[2]][[1]]
## [1] "a"
## [[2]][[2]]
## [1] "b"
## [[2]][[3]]
## [1] "c"
Just like vectors, you can do operations on each element of the list. However, since lists can be nested you have to worry about what level of nesting you want to manipulate.
For example, if we take the mylist list from above, and perform the following:
## [1] 1
## [1] 1
This gives a length of 1 for each element of the list. But wait, aren't there three things in the second slot of the list ("a","b","c")? Indeed there are
## [1] 3
# Indexing
Okay, so let's say you have made a vector, list, or data.frame. How do you get to the things in them? Its slightly different for each one.
There is a general way to index objects in R that can be used across vectors, lists, and data.frame. That is the square bracket: []. For some objects you can index by the sequence number (e.g., 5) of the thing you want, while with others you can do that, but also index by the character name of the thing (e.g., kitty).
Vectors only have one dimension, as we said above. So with [] there is only one number to give here. For example, let's say we have the vector
bb <- c(5,6,7)
We can index to each of those 3 numbers by the sequence of its place in the vector. Get the 6 by doing
## [1] 6
You can also have a named vector. What's that? A named vector is like bb above, but each of the three elements has a name.
bb <- c(5,6,7)
names(bb) <- c("hey","hello","wadup")
## hey hello wadup
## 5 6 7
## [1] "hey" "hello" "wadup"
With a named vector we can get to each element in the vector using its name with a single set, or double set of brackets to get the value, or the value and name, respectively.
## hello
## 6
## [1] 6
Indexing on lists is similar to vectors. A huge difference though is that lists can be nested. So there could be infinite things within each slot of a list.
For example, let's say we have the nested list from above mylist
mylist <- list(foo=1, bar=list("a","b","c"))
We can index to the first item in the list, including its name, by
## $foo
## [1] 1
Or equivalently
## $foo
## [1] 1
And get just the value by using two [
## [1] 1
Or equivalently
## [1] 1
And get the second item in mylist by
mylist[2] # or mylist["bar"]
## $bar
## $bar[[1]]
## [1] "a"
## $bar[[2]]
## [1] "b"
## $bar[[3]]
## [1]


Important facts about u.s. Travel document requirements
A travel document is basically an identification document issued by an international agency or government to facilitate the free movement of people or small groups of individuals across international borders, following specific international conventions. These documents are designed to serve a number of purposes, such as facilitating travel, administration and reception of international information and services. They also play a major role in immigration procedures. Here are some tips on how to create, maintain and file your travel document.
travel document
Your travel documents include the name of the traveler, his or her date of departure, his or her place of destination, his or her passport and his or her registration number. The first three are mentioned in the convention's Articles of Agreement. When traveling outside the country, it is recommended that you carry a copy of this travel document with you to ensure smooth transitions at the customs checkpoints. This is because, unlike with a passport, you need not present your travel itinerary as proof of your travels. The copy should only contain relevant information regarding your departure, such as the country, date of departure, place of destination, and contact person(s).
Your document should include all the details regarding your trip, including your personal information, address, number of days away, intended destination, expected duration of your stay abroad, a list of all your personal belongings, and a list of all the countries you will be visiting during your trip. You should also include information regarding your ownership of property overseas, such as your full ownership of the property, its value, any loan or other assets owned by you, and other relevant information regarding your property and financial position. If you are traveling with family members, be sure to include their names, birth dates, and country of issuance, as well as any other relevant information they are related to. If you are traveling with a pet, enclose a photo of it. Also enclose copies of your passport for several countries.
While traveling abroad, there are several important documents to keep handy. One of the most important is the identity document, which serves many purposes for a traveler. It should have your photo, name, and country of issuance, as well as your itinerary. There are different types of documents that you can carry along with you, depending on your purpose. These include a passport, a flight ticket, a train ticket, and a bus ticket, or a ticket card.
Passport cards are used to prove your identity when traveling internationally. They are issued with your photograph and address, and can also contain a reservation receipt that allows the holder to track down and collect their documents upon arrival in a foreign country. A passport card serves as legal proof of your identity and that you are allowed to enter the country, while providing valid travel documentation proving your identity. For additional information on obtaining a passport card, and other passport-related documents, check out the State Department's website.
A trip cannot continue without at least a passport, so it is necessary to carry an identity document. The purpose of this document is to prove your identity and citizenship, which will entitle you to travel throughout the country free from any legal or financial constraints. If you are traveling between countries, it is necessary to have both a passport and visa for each country.
In addition to the identity document, there are some other travel documents that every traveler absolutely must have, especially if traveling internationally. Some of these are a money order or bank draft (which is needed for sending money abroad), a copy of your immunization records, a health certificate, and a copy of your personal information, such as your address and contact numbers. You may also need an emergency travel card or a foreign currency exchange card. This card proves that you are permitted to enter the country and pays for any insurance or processing fees, as well as any other transactions that are not covered by your insurance policy. For additional information on traveling internationally, check out the State Department's website.
After receiving the passport and all of your documents, it is important to follow the processes of the Department of State. This will guarantee that you receive a confirmation about your documents, which usually takes about one week. Then you will be able to apply for your U.S. tourist visa. The process itself can be confusing, so a professional should be consulted to help you with the application process. There are plenty of independent websites that specialize in the submission of your U.S. tourist visa application.
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Travel Dolomites is a leading travel supplier of accommodation and tours in the Dominican Republic. The island is a paradise of natural beauty and flora….
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Hmm. I seem to be be doing more political posts lately. Here's something else: Ethnologue, Languages of the World. A great place to poke around. For example, anyone know anything about Queyu?
Closely related to Zhaba. Speakers belong to the Tibetan nationality. The term 'Zhaba' is used in Tuanjie township of Yajiang county. Different from the Zhaba language in Zhamai District. SOV; adjectives and number-classifier constructions follow noun heads; consonant cluster initials; 4 tones.


text:
"Thank you for showing me that I have options and for helping me put together a plan to stay safe." Carla, SCH Patient
Health care providers are in a unique position to identify and respond to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Many victims of abuse will present within healthcare settings such as general medicine practices, prenatal clinics and hospital emergency departments due to a direct link between interpersonal violence and overall health. Medical providers may be the only professionals with an excuse to speak with a patient alone that an abuser will accept. They also are privy to highly sensitive information that can provide red flags that a patient is experiencing abuse.
The Violence Prevention Program at Swedish Covenant Hospital was developed in 2015 to strengthen the hospital's capacity to identify and respond to patients who are victims of violence. Medical professionals continue to face barriers to identifying and addressing interpersonal violence including a lack of knowledge regarding subtler signs and symptoms of abuse and the community resources available to support victims. This critical program trains healthcare providers to identify victims through patient screenings, assess their immediate needs and connect them with community-based partner agencies. The program is completely funded through generous gifts to Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation.
Your philanthropic support of the Violence Prevention Program provides critical resources to help Swedish Covenant Hospital identify and respond to victims of violence. Your charitable gift of:
- $1,000 will provide crisis assessment, options counseling and safety planning in the emergency room for 10 survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking.
- $600 will support the training of 10 staff through workshops to identify, assess safety and refer patients who are current victims of domestic violence or human trafficking with a focus on the emergency room, obstetrics, Women's Health Center, in-patient psychiatric unit, and outpatient practices.
- $250 will help to produce multi-lingual patient education materials to teach at-risk patients about the dynamics of domestic violence and human trafficking, and offer contact information and services provided by our domestic violence partner agencies in our community.
- $100 will provide safe transportation for a victim to emergency shelter and streamlined referrals to north side domestic violence and human trafficking service providers most suited to their language and cultural identities.
- $50 will provide comfort care packages for five victims of violence who present in the emergency department following a traumatic event.
Your secure online donation will make a lasting impact on the lives of others. Thank you.
If you have a question please contact us at _PHONE_ or _EMAIL_.


British scientists have confirmed that the nerve agent used in the August 21 gas attacks in Syria was sarin. However, their U.S. and other European counterparts are also carrying out tests to rule out a possibility of false positives.
Chemicals similar to sarin, such as soman or VX, exist and produce similar side effects, so additional testing must be done to clearly identify the substance. Each chemical has a unique pattern of molecular breakdown, which for sarin is 99-125-81.
Watch below an animation showing how scientists test and identify sarin.
Produced by Reuters


Genetic Codes like art. Daniel Pesta
Daniel Pešta is a multimedia artist who refuses to limit himself to just one medium but experiments across the full spectrum of expressive media; in painting, video, assemblage, conceptual projects and genetic codes.
He was born in 1959 and graduated from the Václav Hollar School of Art. His first focus was on drawings, working as a graphic artist where he designed numerous series of illustrations for a classical music publisher. Following this, Pešta began applying his poster design techniques to non-commissioned work.
At first, he studied the figure, giving shape to its vulnerability. Later, he worked with portraits in which he focused primarily on expression and over time his works became more abstract; he reduced the number of colours and began to develope the essence of his visual style, which exists fully outside contemporary influences.
From around 1998 he began to experiment with a diverse range of materials such as paper, wax, leather, and transparent resin. A typical feature of Pešta's style and one that permeates all his work is the symbol of red string or red thread, painted in the colour of blood. The string symbolizes the inevitability of fate but also the never-ending story of the human race.
By Cecilia Durisotto
People, mixed media, 2011
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text:
In the 1940's
a explorer and his daughter heard of a legend of a Shark God named Kai-Mak
.While searching for proof of the legend they were captured by the Zambiji Tribe
who worshipped Kai-Mak
as their god.They were placed on a bonfire but the Vision ( Aarkus )
appeared and rescued them.He challenged the Shark God and they fought underwater where the Visiion ripped off Kai-Mak's
lower jaw,killing him. When the Vision returned to the surface the Zambiji Tribe
proclaimed that the Vision was their new God and released the explorer with his daughter.


text:
Mid-Book Test (up to Part 2 Section 1 (page 79 to 92))
|Name: _____________________________||Period: ___________________________|
This test consists of 15 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions.
Multiple Choice Questions
Directions: Circle the correct answer.
1. Where do the names in Part 2 of the story come from?
a) From Shakespeare.
b) From an adaptation that was printed in 1576.
c) From John Updike's presumptions about the origin of names.
d) From a different publisher's edition in 1890.
2. Which of the following is a name in Part 3?
3. How does Rorik attempt to change Gerutha's opinion of Horwendil?
a) He reminds her that she can not have an opinion because she is a woman.
b) He tells her the story of Ona and himself.
c) He tells her a fairytale.
d) He explains to...
This section contains 642 words|
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)


text:
Early Man is a stop-motion animation made by the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run.
The central character is Dug (voice of Eddie Redmayne), a stone-age man who lives with his funny and happy tribe in a remote and lush valley. The valley sits in a large crater that was formed when an asteroid smashed into the Earth millions of years earlier. Until now, the tribe has been blissfully unaware of the rest of the human population. One day, their peaceful valley is infiltrated by soldiers riding in on the back of armoured mammoths. The soldiers are looking for metal to mine, so they chase out the stone-age tribe and take over the valley. Dug finds himself transported to a large and bustling bronze-age metropolis ruled by the comically evil and greedy Lord Nooth (voice of Tom Hiddleston). In a mad-cap chase, Dug races through the city and mistakenly ends up running right onto a football pitch, where he's thrown into the role of goalkeeper. When the other players discover he isn't a football player and is in fact a stone-age caveman, they're outraged. Dug bravely stands up in front of the crowd and demands that his tribe be given the chance to play football against the reigning champions. If they win, they'll be able to return to their valley in peace. If they lose, they'll be forced to work down in the mines.
Dug must return to his tribe and teach them how to play football in the hope they can win the game, but it isn't as easy as he imagines. Although they're not the most skilled players, their strength is that they're a united team with a shared goal. Can Dug and his team win the game and get their valley back?
Football; ancient man; displaced people; colonialism; wealth and greed
Early Man has some mild animated violence. For example:
- The movie uses slapstick violence for comic effect. This includes people falling and bumping their heads, running into each other, and whacking each other with objects.
- Bronze-age soldiers riding armoured mammoths enter the stone-age settlement and shoot at the people with bows and arrows.
- The stone-age people try to hunt a rabbit, capturing it and tying it up ready to be eaten.
- Tribes fight each other with clubs and punch each other.
Content that may disturb children
In addition to the violent scenes mentioned above, Early Man has some scenes that could scare or disturb children under five years. For example:
- A dramatic scene shows an asteroid striking the earth and causing mass extinction and devastation.
- A giant sharp-toothed duck with rolling 'crazy' eyes comes charging towards the stone-age tribespeople.
- Soldiers chase Dug and his friend Goona through the town.
- Some scenes feature mild peril. For example, characters jump over hot lava.
- The tribe chief is hit in the head with a football and for a moment it looks like he might have died.
Nothing of concern
Nothing of concern
Nothing of concern
Early Man has some mild sexual references. For example:
- A stone-age woman makes a comment about liking the football players' short shorts.
- A star football player winks suggestively as he says that he likes to 'tackle'.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
None of concern
Nudity and sexual activity
Early Man has some mild nudity and toilet humour. For example:
- A football player runs onto the field with no clothes on and stands there with an object strategically placed to hide his genitals. The crowd laughs.
- There is a cave drawing of a team of footballers with their pants pulled down to 'moon' another team. The drawing shows their bottoms.
There's no product placement of concern in Early Man, but movie tie-in merchandise is likely.
Early Man has some mild coarse language. The movie also includes some questionable and potentially offensive terms used in relation to the stone-age tribe – for example, 'savages' and 'primitives'.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Early Man is a very entertaining movie with great stop-motion animation, witty one-liners and plenty of humour that both adults and children can enjoy.
There are some violent and scary scenes that might upset children under five years. There's also some language that you might prefer your children not to imitate, but otherwise this is a family-friendly movie.
The main messages from this movie are that working together as a team is more powerful than looking out only for yourself. The movie also suggests that forcing people to move off their ancestral land for financial gain is bad.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include:
- being brave
- working as a team
- caring about other people in your community
- fighting for what you believe in.
This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like colonialism, displacement of people, wealth, corruption and cultural stereotypes.


NATO to give 3 billion euros on Satellite, Cyber Defenses
NATO strategies to spend 3 billion euros ($3.24 billion) to advance its satellite and computer technology over the next three years as the Western military alliance acclimates to new threats, a senior official claimed.
In search of deter hackers, and other threats, containing Iranian missiles, the investments underscore NATO's recognition that conflicts are gradually fought on computer networks as well as in the air, sea and land.
A senior authorized at the NATO Communications and Information Agency assumed the plans include a 1.7-billion-euro deal in satellite communications to better support troops and ships positioned across the alliance, as well as helping the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones.
It was not directly clear if NATO allies would fund a new military communications satellite to be propelled into space or if an increase in broadband capacity could be gained from current U.S. and other allied satellites.
Non-NATO member Japan propelled its first military communications satellite in January. The proposals, for which some backing must still be accepted by NATO governments, also envisage expenditure about 800 million euros on the computer systems that aid command air and missile defenses told.
Seventy-one million euros will go to enlightening the protection of NATO's 32 main locations from cyber attacks.
NATO says it has seen a five-fold surge in suspicious events on its networks in the past three years, while Russian group APT28 is answerable by Western intelligence for the hacking of the U.S. Democratic Party during last year's U.S. election.
NATO officials have expressed that they suspect Russia sponsors bouts against their networks before major summits. Another 180 million euros are to be consumed to deliver more secure mobile communications for alliance soldiers in the field.
NATO will present its wants in detail at a conference in Ottawa in April and then begin debut the bidding process.
It is likely to entice major Western defense contracts, including Airbus Group, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Corp, the official thought, in part because "there cannot be content that does not derive from NATO nations."
NATO rules prohibit Russian or Chinese suppliers unless there is an exact need that allied companies cannot deliver.


Full-Text Search：
《Chinese Journal of Scientific Instrument》 2015-11
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Silicon MEMS gyroscope bandwidth expanding based on bipole compensation technology
Cao Huiliang;Li Hongsheng;Shen Chong;Liu Jun;Yang Bo;Science and Technology on Electronic Test & Measurement Laboratory,North University of China;School of Instrument Science and Engineering,Southeast University;
The mechanical sensitivity of the silicon MEMS gyroscope structure is inversely proportional to the resonance frequency differenceΔf of the driving and sensing modals. The resonance peak atΔf is the direct factor influencing the gyroscope bandwidth,and usually the bandwidth is about 0. 54Δf. So the mechanical sensitivity and bandwidth become two conflict parameters and trade-off should be considered during structure design. This paper proposes a bandwidth expanding method based on the bipole compensation technique in automatic control theory,which can effectively expand the gyroscope bandwidth without influencing the original mechanical sensitivity,and break the Δf resonance peak( generated by the conjugate poles of the driving and sensing inverse modals) restrict. Firstly,this paper introduces the structure and operation principle of the dual-mass decoupled silicon MEMS gyroscope,and points out that the sensing modal of the gyroscope in real operation is the superposition of the sensing in-phase modal and sensing inverse modal. The gyroscope open-loop sensing circuit is designed; and it is pointed out that the bandwidth is determined by the resonance frequency difference of the driving inverse and sensing the inverse modals. The above conclusion was verified by the sensing feedback force stimulation method( SFFSM). Secondly,the transfer function and circuit of the bipole compensation controller were designed based on the bipole operation principle; and related simulations were conducted,which verifies the accuracy of the circuit parameters. Finally,the silicon MEMS gyroscope close-loop detection system was built based on the bipole compensation controller,the stability of the close-loop system was analyzed. The bandwidth characteristic of the close-loop system was simulated and tested with SFFSM. The results show that the bandwidth is expanded from original 13 Hz to 76 Hz,which proves the feasibility of the proposed method. Furthermore,considering the actual sens-ing modal of the dual-mass decoupled silicon MEMS gyroscope,after eliminating the effect of the first Δf resonance peak on the bandwidth,the amplitude valley caused by the conjugate zeroes generated from the superposition of sensing in-phase and inverse modals is the restrict factor that limits further bandwidth expansion.
【Fund】： 国家杰出青年科学基金(51225504);; 国家973计划(2012CB723404);; 国家自然科学基金委员会和中国工程物理研究院联合基金(U1230114);; 中北大学基金项目资助
【CateGory Index】： TN96
Download(CAJ format) Download(PDF format)


Roland TR-505
Instruments Category:
Company :
The Roland TR-505 Rhythm Composer contains a group of samples mixed from both the TR-707 and TR-727, and featured 16 drum tones, with 48 patterns and 6 songs of memory. Basic and affordable, it did not offer tone editing capabilities or individual drum outputs. It did host an extensive MIDI section, making it ideal alongside a computer or sequencer.
The TR-5050 is from the same family as the Roland TR-909, TR-808, TR-707, and TR-626. Released in 1986, the unit can be used to sequence short, punchy, 12-bit samples. The drum kit includes basic rock drum sounds similar to those of the 707, plus a complement of Latin-style drum sounds similar to those of the TR-727, which was similar to the TR-707, but it had Latin instruments instead of rock drums.
The TR-505 features five basic modes, including the following:
 - Track Play - plays whole tracks (arrangements of patterns to form songs).
 - Track Write - sequence patterns into tracks.
 - Step Write - sequence patterns by stepping through each position in the pattern.
 - Tap Write - sequence patterns by tapping drums sounds in real time.
 - Real time - play patterns in real time by tapping the pads.
Time signatures other than 4/4 can be programmed by changing the length of patterns and the scale, which actually refers to the signature ratio/swing.
Midi implementation:
The unit handles MIDI quite capably. Each instrument can be assigned a level/velocity from one to five, a MIDI channel, and a MIDI note number. Individual pads also transmit MIDI data when tapped, although these aren't velocity sensitive. An accent can be applied to any position in a pattern and will affect all instruments triggered at that position by increasing their volume. The memory in the TR-505 can store up to 48 patterns in 6 songs.


NSW: Preparing students for the future
Globally, education looks different in various regions. But one common commonality is for student exposure to technology so they can develop skills that will be useful in their future.
In New South Wales, Australia, one of the goals of incorporating Microsoft Teams into the education department is to provide and prepare students for whatever the future might deliver. As one educator stated, "Being digitally resilient and actually understanding how to use technology the right way…I think that really is the key."
View this video to learn how a large organization utilizes Microsoft Teams to prepare students for the future.


Recent Apple Patent Hints at a Future of Autonomous VR Cars
According to a patent filed by Apple in 2017, some very fun road trips could be on the horizon.
At first glance, patents are nothing more than a standard collection of technical details and various legal jargon. But hidden within these walls of text are the future possibilities of a company, hidden throughout endless paragraphs like little gold nuggets in a river.
Earlier this week the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published several Apple patent applications submitted September 2017, leading to some very interesting speculation towards the company's vision of VR in the future. Some gold nuggets, if you will.
According to information provided in the patent, Apple envisions a future where autonomous cars are centered around VR entertainment. Suggesting the entire removal of windows, interior screens or VR headsets would be used to provide a view of either the actual exterior or a virtual experience.
"In addition to addressing the problem of motion sickness for passengers in moving vehicles and in providing benefits such as improved productivity to passengers in moving vehicles, embodiments of the VR system may provide immersive VR experiences to passengers in vehicles, for example by replacing the view of the real world with any various types of virtual experiences and environments that a passenger may desire," states Apple in the document.
On top of visual stimulation the patent describes how the physical motions of the vehicle could be used in the VR experience itself to enhance the immersion, providing a captivating, location-based experience not available with in-home VR systems.
"Integrating the VR system with a vehicle in motion provides opportunities for enhancing virtual experiences that are not available while sitting in a room using a stationary simulator or wearing a HMD. For example, accelerations and motions of the vehicle. In some embodiments, active vehicle systems (e.g., HVAC systems, audio systems and active seats) and/or vehicle control systems (e.g., braking, throttle, steering and active suspension systems) with constraints, may be integrated with the VR system to provide physical effects with the virtual experience, for example rushing wind or heat through the HVAC system, surround sound and sound effects through the audio system, and acceleration or motion effects through the seat."
According to Apple, passengers would have the opportunity to choose what kind of VR entertainment they'd like to enjoy during their commute, from more relaxing experiences such as floating down a mellow river or hand gliding over a serene mountaintop, to more exciting adventures like surviving a zombie apocalypse.
The company teased the idea of combining the physical motion of the vehicle with the VR experience, describing how a VR experience could have you barreling through the apocalypse at high speeds, only to stop abruptly at a red light while a horde of flesh-hungry zombies grows closer and closer.
Apple goes on to list other possible use-case scenarios such as virtual meeting rooms for livestreaming business conferences, virtual authors reading their work to you side-by-side and virtual talk shows where you're sitting right in the middle of the action.
Of course it goes without saying that any and all ideas expressed in this document are by no means set in stone. However with rumors circulating about Apple developing its own model car all the way back in 2015, it's clear the company has its eyes set on the automobile industry. With autonomous vehicles poised to become the next big thing within the transportation industry, it's up to someone to provide some entertainment during these new-found moments of free time. Will Apple be that someone?
Last month we reported that Uber was also pursuing patents for VR systems in self-driving cars.
About the Scout
Kyle Melnick
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Charleston, South Carolina
The oldest city in South Carolina, the port city of Charleston is shaped by the meeting and merging of various rich cultural practices. This collection is inspired by its history, gardens, architecture, and craft traditions.
Great Plains
The open spaces of the Great Plains region lend themselves to minimalist photography that uses positive and negative space to cinematic effect. Abstract fine art complements the colors and compositional spaces of these simultaneously calming and arresting perspectives. Cityscapes and landscapes with rural structures extend the visual language established by the minimalist and abstract works.
The curated selection seeks to express a balance between dynamism and stability.
San Antonio, Texas
In San Antonio, the historic and contemporary sit side-by-side amongst a colorful blend of cultures.
In this gallery, architectural details of historic structures are paired with contemporary cityscapes. The vibrant palettes, shapes, and patterns found throughout the city inform the abstract works and botanical photography.