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Men's offices have significantly more bacteria than women's, and the office bacterial communities of New York and San Francisco are indistinguishable, according to a study published May 30 in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
"Humans are spending an increasing amount of time indoors, yet we know little about the diversity of bacteria and viruses where we live, work and play," remarks Dr. Scott Kelley, lead author on the study. "This study provides detailed baseline information about the rich bacterial communities in typical office settings and insight into the sources of these organisms."
The report includes the characterization of bacterial identity and abundance in offices in New York, San Francisco, and Tucson. The researchers, led by Scott Kelley of University of California, San Diego, identified more than 500 bacterial genera in offices in the three cities, the most abundant of which tended to come from human skin or the nasal, oral, or intestinal cavities. They also found that chairs and phones had a high abundance of bacteria, while the abundance on the desktop, keyboard, and mouse was somewhat lower.
They also found that offices inhabited by men had a higher bacterial abundance than women's, but the diversity of the communities didn't show any significant differences.
Explore further: Mapping a route to stem cell therapies
More information: Hewitt KM, Gerba CP, Maxwell SL, Kelley ST (2012) Office Space Bacterial Abundance and Diversity in Three Metropolitan Areas. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37849. doi:10.1371/journal.pone._PHONE_


Jeff of the Jungle swings on a vine that is 7.20 {\rm m} long (see the figure). Atthe bottom of the swing, just before hitting the tree, Jeff'slinear speed is 8.50 {\rm m}/{\rm s}. Suppose that atsome point in his swing Jeff of the Jungle has an angular speed of0.750 rad/s and an angular acceleration of0.640 rad/s^2.
the magnitude of his centripetal acceleration is 4.05m/s2
the magnitude of his tangential accelerationi 4.61 m/s2
I don't know how the find the magnitude of his total accelerationand the angle of his acceleration makes with respect to thetangential direction of motion?
I keep getting the angle wrong. the magnitude of his totalacceleration is 6.13 but the angle is not 48.7
Get this answer with Chegg Study


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Q: Is an aggressive cat safe around children?
The more aggressive of our two newly adopted kittens is a real scrapper (his eyes are scratched and infected from fighting with the other). The kids love them both, but is this bully safe around children?
Even if you don't see that the Scrappy Cat is attacking children (play-aggression toward other cats its size is not the same thing as aggression towards humans), there still could be a reason to keep the kids away.
While many ocular infections in kittens are feline-specific — meaning they cannot be transmitted from cats to other species—some infections are contagious to humans. For example, Feline Herpes Virus is only contagious to other cats, but Microsporum canis, also known as "ringworm," can be transmitted to humans.
Keep kids away from kitties with eye infections, until veterinary medical care has cleared up the condition.
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Got a question about your pet? Get the answers you need from Zootoo's community of pet experts and owners.

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


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The power-law nature of the two-point and higher order correlation functions on small scales is suggestive of some kind of scaling behaviour, at least in the range of scales where the power law is observed. The simplest structure that has such scaling properties is the simple fractal, first studied in this context by Efstathiou, Fall and Hogan (1979). Martínez and Jones (1990) have since shown that even in this apparent scaling regime, the distribution of galaxies is significantly more complex.
If the structure is not that of a simple fractal, what might it be? Jones et al (1988) have suggested that it may be Multifractal - that is, a distribution which over a certain range of scales can be characterized by a set of dimensions rather than just one dimension. There is scaling, albeit of a rather complex kind.
The multifractal description of the clustering process goes beyond the two-point correlation function, encapsulating all high order correlation functions in one function, Dq. The power of the technique has been demonstrated by Martínez et al. (1990) who examine the scaling structure of a number of well known clustering models and provide a variety of algorithms for calculating the dimensionality function Dq. The simplest of these is from the formulae for what is in fact the Renyi dimensions of the point set:
Here, ni(r) is the count of particles in the ith cell of size r, and N is the total number of particles in all cells. There is a technical problem involved in taking the limit in a discrete sample as the cell size goes to 0.
In practise, box counting methods of determining dimensions are rather inefficient and tend to be dominated by shot noise. Van de Weygaert, Jones and Martínez (1991) have shown how to use the minimal spanning tree construct to calculate these dimensions with considerably fewer points than would be required by standard box counting methods.
The function Dq is related to the moment generating function, mq(r) of the clustering distribution. The relationship is
Hence each Dq encapsulates the information contained in the statistical moments of the distribution of the point set. The fact that in general one can in principle translate between the moments and the dimensions means that they contain the same information, though the information is presented in a different way. It is arguable that D - q has a more immediate physical appeal.
The simplest application of the method is to compare the Hausdorf dimension, D0, with the Correlation Dimension, D2. Applying this to the ZCAT redshift catalogue gives values
This leads to the strong conclusion that the universe is not a simple fractal characterized by one dimension. The value of D0 indicates that the characteristic structures are sheet-like rather than filament-like. The value of D2 is just 3 - where = 1.8 is the slope of the two-point correlation function.


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H.J. Wedge was born around 1958 on Erambie Mission, Cowra, in New South Wales. He proudly acknowledges his Wiradjuri heritage in many of his paintings. The experience of the colonisation of the Wiradjuri was different to other Indigenous experiences in Australia and is expressed in their own aesthetic forms; historically, painting was not as widely used in the Wiradjuri culture as it was in other regions of the country.
H.J. Wedge is an artist who has had the most unusual of careers. Although currently living on the borderline of poverty in the Cowra mission, where he has been for around thirty of his fifty years, his art has been seen by thousands of people and, for many, represents exemplary contemporary art.
What separates Wedge's work from that of other Aboriginal artists is his bold use of colour and contemporary subject matter, which deals with social and political issues more relevant to Aboriginal people living in an urban context than the traditional cultural information that defines many other styles of contemporary Indigenous art. He has produced hundreds of images documenting his experiences and memories as an Aboriginal man, observations that are sometimes quotidian and sometimes shockingly confrontational.
Being illiterate, H.J. Wedge uses his art as a way of communicating his stories and perceptions as an Indigenous person in contemporary Australia. Many non-Indigenous Australians appear interested only in the traditional and ancestral themes of Aboriginal culture. Aboriginal people from New South Wales in particular have faced community perceptions that they were assimilated long ago, and that the only Indigenous culture that survives is in remote areas.
Wedge bypassed the cultural baggage associated with many other Australian artists' art education by studying art history at Eora College, an Aboriginal institution. Traditional cultural information informs most Aboriginal art, but for a long time Aboriginal people lost or were denied access to, and expression of, their own culture; they lost a basic human right. Contemporary art allows them to speak to the wider Australian community. Contemporary art does not need the English language to explain itself, and perhaps this is another reason for the huge interest in Aboriginal art internationally.
It is a sad fact that for many Aboriginal artists lack of education is a serious barrier to the contemporary art world. For some, an even greater barrier is the fear of being perceived by other Aboriginal people as 'acting white'. To achieve equity and balance in the representation of Indigenous art as contemporary art is an ongoing issue; the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives in Australian art displays following the major bicentenary survey exhibitions of 1988 is an unresolved aspect of the 'history wars', currently being played out in Australian political, social and academic circles.
After Wedge first showed his work with Ian Abdulla at Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative in Sydney in 1991, a new aesthetic of Aboriginal art seemed to emerge, where the subject matter rather than artistic technique was of primary concern. Other Indigenous artists, such as Elaine Russell, Leonie Dennis and, recently, Roy Kennedy developed a bold, naive style to illustrate their memories of growing up in rural Australia, in many instances focusing on the defining factors of poverty and discrimination, but also on how Indigenous people made the most of their lives and experiences. This graphic, naive style of making art has allowed many Aboriginal people with local histories and stories that challenge the one-sided historical record in Australian museums and libraries access to contemporary art. And it is a way of making art that suits older artists who lack the formal education most non-Indigenous people take for granted.
H.J. Wedge has suffered many personal setbacks, which have inevitably shaped his art, including alcoholism, hospitalisation and imprisonment. Many other Australian artists represented in our state and national art collections have also lived outside mainstream society and rejected society's dominant values, yet they have ultimately had acceptance in wider society.
For Wedge, his outsider status has affected his relationship with his family, his community and other Aboriginal artists. He is an outsider within his own community and is outside the Australian art establishment. His lack of education is the barrier, but it is also what makes Wedge's art unique. And this duality in his paintings is evidence that what can give a work of art its power is that its very status as art would be vehemently disputed by some.


suffix ciun /sjuːn/ "-tion" could perhaps be described as a hyperforeignism. The pronunciation with /s/, which displaced the native pronunciation with /t/, is of French origin; since /s/ is commonly spelled c before front vowels in French loans and French t very rarely represents /s/ outside of this particular suffix, the c spelling appears to have been adopted erroneously in Tunisian to preserve the supposed French form.


Call for 'direct physio access'
By Prof Karen Middleton
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
image copyrightScience Photo Library
Accessing a physiotherapist on the NHS usually involves seeing a GP and getting a referral.
But, in this week's Scrubbing Up, Prof Karen Middleton, chief executive of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, says it would make much more sense - for both patients and the health service - if patients could have direct access to an NHS physio.
If you ring your local surgery, you can probably get an appointment with the GP or a nurse.
But if you have a common problem such as back or neck pain, should you also be able to see a physiotherapist?
We think so - as do increasing numbers of GPs, who are bringing in physiotherapists to work alongside them in their practices.
These aren't physios the GP refers to - the physio is a patient's first point of contact who they see instead of the GP.
Up to 30% of a GP's caseload can be musculoskeletal (MSK) problems, and physios are the experts in these conditions - so it makes complete sense for them to see those patients.
For patients, the benefits are numerous - it speeds up access to the expertise they need, it reduces the number of appointments they must attend and for some, it even spares them having to undergo surgery later on if a problem is dealt with sooner.
Minor to chronic
At present, the most common route into NHS physiotherapy in England is via a GP referral.
(In Scotland, you can go direct to an NHS physio in all areas, and this is also available to patients in two-thirds of Wales - England lags far behind. It's also the way into private treatment.)
This means waiting for a GP appointment, then waiting for a physio assessment, then, if needed, waiting for a follow-up.
The longer someone waits for treatment, they greater the likelihood is that their relatively minor condition becomes chronic.
So why not see the physio in the first instance?
A physio can assess and diagnose a patient at that first appointment so that their rehabilitation begins immediately.
In many cases, they will just need advice on what to do and the problem will go away.
This then frees up places on the waiting list for people who genuinely need further treatment.
That makes it a better system for patients. But it's a preferable one for GPs as well.
Red flags
image copyrightScience Photo Library
Reducing this part of their workload frees them up to concentrate on more serious cases that require a medical diagnosis and with the pressures faced by GPs so well-known, it's understandable why this is an approach that's gaining traction with them.
You'd also need to be living on Mars - or perhaps just outside the UK - to not know of the urgent and enormous problems the NHS faces financially.
The health service has been tasked with finding savings of £22bn by 2020, a vast sum that is placing a huge strain on the ability to continue delivering quality services.
Our modelling shows that if even a fifth of the patients seeing their GP for an MSK problem saw a physio instead, it would save at least £525m a year for the NHS.
That's a conservative estimate, by the way, as it looks only at the savings from that initial appointment.
Additional savings would come from reduced follow-up appointments, fewer tests such as X-rays and scans and lower numbers of referrals on to secondary care in hospitals.
For us, the frustrating thing is that opposition to this approach is often based on two myths.
The first, that patients are not safe being seen by a physio without a doctor assessing them first.
This is complete nonsense - unless you believe that every private patient, every patient in Scotland and those in two-thirds of Wales - where you go direct to a physio -are at risk.
Physios are trained to identify what we call red flags - evidence of serious illness - and would always send those patients on to the most appropriate medical professional.
Research has shown virtually no red flags are missed by physios - so patients can be assured that there is no truth whatsoever in this myth.
Secondly, it's claimed that every Tom, Dick and Harry will flood waiting rooms when they discover how easy it is to get physio.
Again - complete bunkum.
For a start, Tom, Dick and Harry have better things to do than see a physio about a minor twinge they got lifting the shopping out of the car.
This is also backed up by the evidence, which shows no increase in demand over time in services where patients can go direct to the physio.
And actually, overall numbers could drop if patients are seen sooner, and therefore more effectively, so they need fewer appointments.
So it's clear that a solution exists that yields benefits for patients, GPs and the NHS as a whole.
It's right before our eyes - and the important thing now is that it is implemented.
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A bus connecting a processor to memory, usually on the same circuit board as opposed to a backplane and therefore faster.
Various proprietary local busses for personal computers are still in use. The most common are Vesa local bus (VLB or VL), and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI). Some computers, e.g. notebook computers, use a local bus with no expansion slots. Previous non-local bus standards include ISA, EISA and MCA.
Try this search on Wikipedia, OneLook, Google
Nearby terms: LOC « local area network « Local Area Terminal « local bus » locale » local echo » local exchange carrier


The Structure
The Hothouse itself is an inspiring, purpose-built creative space on Salamanca Lawns, designed by Sydney's Cave Urban and University of Tasmania Masters of Architecture students.
The design of the Hothouse is intended to bring a conversation about education in Tasmania into the public and community sphere.
By placing the structure on Salamanca Lawns, education is brought out of private, personal and professional contexts and into a shared space.
The permeable structure encourages participation through its open entrances, the woven bamboo walls and roof allow the outside world and context to permeate the conversations and thinking within the house and smaller pod spaces.
Rather than a space to simply house people, the Hothouse helps facilitate and cultivate a context of openness, collaboration and community. A space in which subject experts, community members, young people and influencers can openly discuss and debate education.


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Various health and safety regulations, codes of practice, and guidance notes make reference to "competence" or a "competent person", but what is this, and how do you know if a person is competent? Is it just a question of looking clever and having a particular certificate?
The obligation to have competent persons assisting employers in meeting their legal requirements has been in existence for almost 70 years. As far back as 1938 in the case of Wilson's and Clyde Coal Co Ltd. v English, the judge summed up employer's duties at common law to include provision of 'competent and safety-conscious personnel'.
The HSE has stated "for a person to be competent, they need qualifications, experience, and qualities appropriate to their duties". These include:
- such training as would ensure acquisition of necessary knowledge for the tasks they are required to perform
- adequate knowledge of the hazards and failures of the equipment for which they are responsible
- knowledge and understanding of the working practices used in the organisation for which they work
- the ability to communicate effectively with their peers, with any staff working under their supervision, and with their supervisors
- an appreciation of their own limitations and constraints, whether of knowledge experience, facilities, resources, etc., and a willingness to point these out.
This general interpretation of the meaning of competence is borne out in legislation, specifically the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 7(5), in which the statement is made 'a person shall be regarded as competent [to render safety assistance] where he has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities …'. Although this definition is specific to the function of providing health and safety assistance, it is a reasonable indicator of the full meaning.
This is extended in L21 Management of Health and Safety at Work; Approved Code of Practice and Guidance, in the guidance at paragraph 51, in which it indicates that, at its very least, knowledge must be considered as an understanding of relevant best practice and the personal qualities must include an awareness of the limitations of one's own experience and knowledge and a willingness and ability to improve that experience and knowledge by obtaining external help and advice.
To determine competence, employers should objectively assess the actual competency needs of the situation. This enables the development of agreed standards that permit both the person undertaking the work and the managers controlling it, to be sure that the needs are known and delivered. This step also indicates the training needs of all concerned, together with any possibility of unrealistic demands. It is then easier to determine the most suitable way of recruiting or developing the people concerned – for example the actual qualifications, skills, knowledge or experience a person will require.
The next step is to observe how people actually perform the particular function to verify the determined competencies against actual performance.
Where a competent person is required from outside the organisation it will be necessary to determine the best way to find one. In some cases, an insurance company will specify or provide the relevant competent person, however this is not always the case.
A common method for the selection of a competent person is to make use of a professional or trade organisation dealing with the work required to be undertaken. Advertisements and trade journals can be utilised, as can approved competent person lists and recommendations from other organisations.
Maintaining and improving competence may involve a comprehensive assessment of training, coaching or experience. Training provision must be suitable and delivered by competent trainers. A preliminary decision is also needed on a suitable period for refresher training. In some cases, such as first-aid at work, the period is prescribed by law (see yesterday's blog); however in many cases there are usually recommendations from professional or other bodies – especially where professional qualifications are concerned. For example both IOSH and the CIEH have issued guidance on the attainment levels required to maintain professional competence.
So that's an overview of what can seem a muddy subject, although specific methods of demonstrating competence are widely recognised in higher risk sectors such as construction or heavy industry.
Santia Training Services is a leading UK IOSH, NEBOSH and IEMA training provider. Santia offers health and safety training in the UK and internationally in-company or scheduled open courses with experienced consultants based regionally. Our delegates regularly achieve 90-100% pass rates in accredited courses. Further details can be found here.


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Between 2009 and 2015, some 10 million children will benefit from IKEA Foundation supported education programmes managed by UNICEF and Save the Children.
Changing attitudes to education
IKEA Foundation promotes education to parents and communities. Women's self-help groups and girls' collectives help to strengthen children's rights and prevent child labour while at the same time they learn to influence their communities to make sure children go to school.
Getting children into school
Many children who have dropped out of school, or who never had the chance to go to school at all, need access to quality education. Informal "bridge schools" have successfully equipped children of different ages with basic reading, writing and maths skills before easing them into the conventional school system.
Improving the quality of education
To encourage children to go to school – and stay in school – the school environment has to be safe, child-friendly and free of violence. Teachers are being trained in child-friendly teaching techniques, and learning aids are being introduced and promoted. Parents are also encouraged to get involved in their children's schooling.


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Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality developed by the Italian statistician Corrado Gini and published in his 1912 paper "Variabilità e mutabilità". It is usually used to measure income inequality, but can be used to measure any form of uneven distribution. The Gini coefficient is a number between 0 and 1, where 0 corresponds with perfect equality (where everyone has the same income) and 1 corresponds with perfect inequality (where one person has all the income, and everyone else has zero income). The Gini index is the Gini coefficient expressed in percentage form, and is equal to the Gini coefficient multiplied by 100.
While the Gini coefficient is mostly used to measure income inequality, it can also be used to measure wealth inequality. This use requires that no one has a negative net wealth.
The small sample variance properties of G are not known, and large sample approximations to the variance of G are poor. In order for G to be an unbiased estimate of the true population value, it should be multiplied by n/(n-1).
The Gini coefficient is calculated as a ratio of areas on the Lorenz curve diagram. If the area between the line of perfect equality and Lorenz curve is A, and the area underneath the Lorenz curve is B, then the Gini coefficient is A/(A+B). This ratio is expressed as a percentage or as the numerical equivalent of that percentage, which is always a number between 0 and 1.
The Gini coefficient is often calculated with the more practical Brown Formula shown below:
G: Gini coefficient
X: cumulated proportion of the population variable
Y: cumulated proportion of the income variable
Advantages of the Gini coefficient as a measure of inequality
- The Gini coefficient's main advantage is that it is a measure of inequality, not a measure of average income or some other variable which is unrepresentative of most of the population, such as gross domestic product.
- Gini coefficients can be used to compare income distributions across different population sectors as well as countries, for example the Gini coefficient for urban areas differs to that of rural areas.
- The Gini coefficient is sufficiently simple that it can be compared across countries and be easily interpreted. GDP statistics are often criticised as they do not represent changes for the whole population, the Gini coefficient demonstrates how income has changed for poor and rich. If the Gini coefficient is rising as well as GDP, poverty may not be improving for the vast majority of the population.
- The Gini coefficient can be used to indicate how the distribution of income has changed within a country over a period of time, thus it is possible to see if inequality is increasing or decreasing.
- The Gini coefficient satisfies four important principles; Anonymity, it doesn't matter who the high and low earners are. Scale interdependence, the Gini coefficient does not consider the size of the economy, the way it is measured, or whether it is a rich or poor country on average. Population interdependence, it does not matter how large the population of the country is. Transfer principle. This states that if we transfer income from a rich person to a poor person, the resulting distribution is more equal.
Disadvantages of the Gini coefficient as a measure of inequality
- Comparing income distributions among countries may be difficult because benefits systems may be different in different countries. For example, some countries give benefits in the form of money, others use food stamps, which may or may not be counted as income in the Lorenz curve and therefore not taken into account in the Gini coefficient.
- The Lorenz curve may understate the actual amount of inequality if the situation is that richer households are able to use income more wisely than lower income households. From another point of view, however, the measured inequality also may be the result of more or less wise use of household incomes.
- As for all statistics, when collecting the income data initially, there will always be systematic and random errors. If the data is less accurate, then the Gini coefficient has less meaning. Also, countries may measure the statistics differently, thus it is not always possible to compare statistics between countries.
- Economies with similar incomes and Gini coefficients can still have very different income distributions. This is because the Lorenz curves can have different shapes and yet still yield the same Gini coefficient. As an extreme example, an economy where half the households have no income, and the other half share income equally has a Gini coefficient of ½; but an economy with complete income equality, except for one wealthy household that has half the total income, also has a Gini coefficient of ½. This limitation exists whenever economies whose Lorenz curves intersect are compared.
- It is claimed that the Gini coefficient is more sensitive to the income of the middle classes than to that of the extremes.
- Too often only the Gini coefficient is quoted without describing the proportions of the quantiles used for measurement. As other inequality coefficients, also the Gini coefficient is influenced by the granularity of the measurements. Example: Five 20% quantiles (low granularity) will yield a lower Gini coefficient than twenty 5% quantiles (high granularity).
As one result of this criticism, additionally to or in competition with the Gini coefficient entropy measures are used more frequently (e.g. from Atkinson and Theil). These measures attempt to compare the distribution of resources by intelligent players in the market with a maximum entropy random distribution, which would occur if these players would act like non-intelligent particles in a closed system just following the laws of statistical physics.
Gini coefficients of income in selected countries
Development of Gini coefficients in the US over time
2004 Gini coefficients in selected countries
Hungary: 0.244 Denmark: 0.247 Japan: 0.249 Sweden: 0.250 Germany: 0.283 India: 0.325 France: 0.327 Canada: 0.331 Australia: 0.352 UK: 0.360 Italy: 0.360 USA: 0.408 China: 0.447 Russia: 0.456 Guatemala: 0.483 Hong Kong: 0.500 Mexico: 0.546 Chile: 0.571 Namibia: 0.707
It is an interesting fact that while the most developed European nations tend to have income inequality values between 0.24 and 0.36, the United States has been above 0.4 for several decades, showing the United States has a greater inequality (and that this is not just a recent development). This is an approach to quantify the perceived differences in welfare and compensation policies and philosophies.
Dixon, PM, Weiner J., Mitchell-Olds T, Woodley R. Boot-strapping the Gini coefficient of inequality. Ecology 1987;68:_PHONE_.
Gini C. "Variabilità e mutabilità" (1912) Reprinted in Memorie di metodologica statistica (Ed. Pizetti E, Salvemini, T). Rome: Libreria Eredi Virgilio Veschi (1955).
- Welfare economics
- Income inequality metrics
- ROC analysis
- Social welfare (political science)
- Pareto distribution
- Measuring income inequality: a new database, with link to dataset
- UN Human Development Report 2004, p50-53: Gini Index calculated for all countries.
The contents of this article is licensed from _URL_ under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details


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Bulk adding Firefly usernames using a CSV file
Use a CSV file to quickly and easily add Firefly usernames in bulk.
- Create a CSV file populated with the following columns (in this order):
- full name
- Open the Control Panel, then choose Users > Import Users.
- Select a group from the drop-down, then choose Import Users.
- Select Choose File, locate your CSV file and select Open.
- Choose Import Users again to upload.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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The extraction of geometric models has long been of interest to the robotics community. Many interesting applications such as homography,plane estimation and ego-motion estimation demand the ability to fit geometric models onto noisy data. Additionally, these geometric models are often drivers of other algorithms for algorithms navigation, perception and 3D reconstructions creating an increased desire for algorithms that are not only robust to contamination but exhibit quick and repeatable run-times.
In this blog post, we'll take a look at a fast parallel technique for multi-model geometric extraction that has been developed within the Institute together with a proposed application in the improvement of stereo depth maps.
Convex Relaxation Algorithm (CORAL)
Many traditional approaches to geometric multi-model fitting tend to greedily maximise the inliers to the proposed model, whether through clustering or sampling based approaches. These, while often producing good results show a strong deterioration in performance in highly cluttered environments, which unfortunately characterise the workspace of most robotics systems.
In contrast global energy optimisation approaches offer a principled way of jointly fitting all models present in multi-structural data. This is by not only accounting for the model error as in the traditional techniques, but encouraging spatial smoothness and compactness in the number of models through regularisation term. This transforms the geometric multi-model fitting problem into a multi-labelling problem where the optimal solution can be obtained through an energy minimisation.
In we offer a Convex Relaxation Algorithm (CORAL) that performs the energy minimisation through a first-order primal-dual optimisation. As this supports per-element evaluation it facilitates a parallel implementation on General Purpose Graphical Processing Unit (GPGPU) hardware. Enabling fast and accurate real-time evaluation on a multitude of problems as shown below.
(a) Motion Segmentation (b) Cubic Road Boundary Detection
(c) Line Road Marking Detection (d) Multi-Homography Detection
Dense depth-maps created from monocular/stereo cameras offer a low-cost solution that can naturally deal with both the scale and lighting conditions of outdoor environments. While current state-of-the-art methods for creating dense depth-maps with cameras are based on powerful variational optimisation algorithms, these struggle in dealing with large, plain and planar structures. With urban scenes characterised by a multitude of man-made objects such as roads and buildings which by construction contain planar surfaces this results in noisy and sometimes erroneous depth-maps.
In we present a vision-only pipeline that uses CORAL to quickly and accurately extracts planar priors through homographies. Then follows this with a subsequent optimisation, using CORAL, to obtain a per-pixel labelling that allocates pixels to the extracted planar priors resulting in more accurate depth-map estimation as shown.
(a) Homography Detection (b) Fast Per pixel Labelling
Depth Map from Total Generalised Variation Depth Map after Prior Improvement
It can be seen that the introduction of the planar prior creates a more visually-accurate depth-map. Coupled with the speed of CORAL execution a real-time solution for improving depth-maps can be thus obtained.


Planke | nemačko - engleski prevod
ženski rodgramatika
1. batten
ETYM French battant. Related to Batter.
1. Stick used to fix something in place, to hold it firm.
2. Slender stick inserted in the pocket of a sail to keep the sail flat against the wind.
2. board
Sinonimi: plank | gameboard | table
ETYM Old Eng. bord, AS. bord board, shipboard; akin to bred plank, Icel. borth board, side of a ship, Goth. fôtu-baurd footstool, Dutch bord board, German brett, bort. Related to def. 8.
(Homonym: bored).
1. A flat piece of material (usually wood) designed for a special purpose.
2. A stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes; SYN. plank.
3. A flat portable surface (usually rectangular) designed for board games; SYN. gameboard.
4. A committee having supervisory powers.
5. Food or meals in general; SYN. table.
In NGO work, a group of officials or persons with standing in the commu-nity or field who are chosen to govern and assist with the development of an organization.
3. plank
ETYM Old Eng. planke, Old Fren. planque, planche, French planche, from Latin planca; cf. Greek plax, anything flat and broad. Related to Planch.
An endorsed policy in the platform of a political party.
Da li ste možda tražili neku od sledećih reči?
Planck | Polung
Naši partneri
Škole stranih jezika | Sudski tumači/prevodioci


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Have you given any thought to how emergency medical care providers know who to contact or what to do if you are in an accident? Some people wear wristbands that contain important health information, such as drug allergies. But there's an even better tool located in something many of us already carry every day—our iPhones.
The Health App
The iPhone, manufactured by Apple Inc., comes with a free Health app which allows users to track details of their health. From the Health Dashboard, a user can track daily steps, weight, and heart rate. Even nutrition and sleep patterns may be managed using the app.
But setting aside all that fancy stuff, Health is a great app for ensuring medical personnel, such as of emergency room staff and paramedics, have critical information for both treatment and contact purposes.
Users can create an "emergency card" that others can access directly from the lock screen. Even if a passcode is required to unlock the phone, the emergency card can be accessed simply by pressing the Emergency button on the lock screen. Users can choose the information that is displayed, and the information input into the emergency card is not shared with other apps.
How to Get Started
Click the icon that looks like a white square containing a red heart. The Medical ID card should open. Click the "Edit" button in the upper right hand of the screen and input the information you want to be available from your "Lock" screen, such as the following:
- Birth date;
- Medical conditions;
- Medical notes;
- Allergies and reactions;
- Blood type;
- Organ donor information;
- Height and weight; and
- Emergency contact information.
With the Health app, you can arm your emergency health care providers with critical information, potentially saving your life and ensuring your loved ones are contacted in the event of an emergency. So why not take a few minutes to take advantage of this valuable, free tool today?
It's also critical to make sure your medical wishes are legally documented. Contact your California Estate Planning Lawyers today to ensure your wishes are known, and your family has someone to turn to during an emergency. Call Meier Law Firm today at _PHONE_ and ask for Bonnie Johnson. Bonnie can provide you important information regarding our plans and services and help you determine your next best step toward protecting yourself and your loved ones.


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THERE is little doubt that Greg Ray was on the money when referring to changes in the way we now undertake our banking (''Play with funny money'', Herald 4/12).
ATMs, eftpos and internet banking are rapidly becoming a preferred method to access and transfer funds.
However, while the way we access our money is changing, those fundamental principles of saving and financial literacy will always remain.
Maitland Mutual Building Society continues to play a role in educating the region's primary school children about these principles through the Bank@School program.
Today, students from 13 schools across Newcastle and the Hunter participate in the program, which teaches them about banking and encourages them to make regular savings deposits into their Mutual account from the convenience of their school.
And yes, we still provide children with a piggy bank to help with their savings at home.
The program has been running for more than eight years. With access to our funds being more convenient than ever, programs such as these remain as relevant and important for our children today as they were when introduced.


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Washington State Department of Licensing v. Cougar Den (Decision March 19, 2019)
Washington State tried to tax a Yakama fuel trucker, but the United States waived that right by treaty.
In the United States Supreme Court
Argument: October 30, 2018
Decision: March 19, 2019
Petitioner Brief: Washington State Department of Licensing
Respondent Brief: Cougar Den, Inc.
Court Below: Supreme Court of Washington
How do we adapt centuries-old treaties to modern contexts? In this case, the Supreme Court evaluated an Indian treaty from 1855 and sided with the Yakama Tribe on how to interpret it. The Supreme Court ruled the federal treaty "preempted" Washington State's tax law, and as a result, the Yakama company is not subject to Washington's fuel tax.
The facts
Cougar Den, a Yakama fuel-importer brought fuel from Oregon into the Yakama Reservation to sell at tribal gas stations. Cougar Den did so without an importer's license and refused to pay Washington's fuel tax bill for non-licensed importers. Cougar Den challenged the tax as inconsistent with the 1855 Yakama Treaty with the United States.
The 1855 Yakama Treaty prohibits state restrictions on tribe members' rights to travel in the state. Cougar Den and the Yakama Nation argued that taxing tribe members' importation of fuel violates the agreement. Washington said the fuel tax has nothing to do with travel, only fuel importation and possession. The state defended, saying the tax is no different than trying to regulate the importation of any other good into the state, such as diseased apples, which would be permitted.
Background: Tribal tax immunities
Generally, state governments may not reach into Indian reservations unless Congress permits it. This includes most forms of taxation that fall upon Tribal members or their property. Off-reservation, taxes and other state regulations apply as they would to non-Tribal citizens. However, some Tribes negotiated for off-reservation privileges as part of their treaty rights.
The treaties signed in pre-statehood Washington contained extensive rights intended to permanently preserve most tribes' ability to continue traditional ways of life, most notably, fishing. In exchange, the tribes gave up significant amounts of their homelands for American settlement.
Federal preemption
United States treaties with Indian Tribes are federal law. The U.S. Constitution ordains that federal law prevails in any conflicts between state and federal law ("federal preemption" of state law). Thus, if a treaty conflicts with a state law, the terms of the treaty rule.
The Yakama Treaty
At issue here is Article III of the 1855 Yakama Treaty, which among other things, reserves the "right, in common with citizens of the United States, to travel upon all public highways." Only the Yakama Nation and the Nez Perce Nation treaties have these "right to travel" provisions, and the Yakama maintains this gives them a right to travel and transport goods free of restrictions. Washington state claims this only means they have the same rights as other citizens, and even if such a right exists, this tax does not implicate travel – only possession.
So which interpretation prevails? The Court uses interpretive rules to resolve ambiguous treaty language, by looking at how the Tribe would have understood the rights to mean when they agreed to the treaty. The Court tackled this issue in the early 20th century with regards to fishing rights treaties, which used the same "in common" phrasing. The Court held in United States v. Winans (1905) that the treaty reserved the right to collect fish in traditional fishing areas free from burden (taxes, licensing, trespassing restrictions) by the state or private property owners.
Resolving the current dispute
The Supreme Court sided with Cougar Den on interpreting the Yakama Treaty. Five Justices agreed that the Washington fuel tax violates the Yakama Treaty, but the Justices were split into two opinions as they explained why (a plurality opinion of 3 Justices and a concurrence written by Gorsuch and joined by Ginsburg). Both opinions relied on the time-honored standard of interpreting Indian treaties which says that the treaty language should be interpreted in the way the Indian tribes would have interpreted it at the time of signing.
In siding with Cougar Den, the plurality and concurring opinions focused on the historical and cultural significance of travel to the Yakama and Nez Perce, specifically the ability to bring goods to market.
The plurality opinion relied on a technical difference that the concurring opinion did not. The plurality decided to follow the lower court's (Washington Supreme Court's) ruling on the "incidence" of the tax: that taxing the importation of fuel is in essence a tax on transportation of fuel. Acknowledging that the tax was a transportation tax, the plurality then looked to how the Yakama would have understood the treaty at the time. The Yakama understood that their trading network on trading routes was essential to their way of life, and they sought to protect that by treaty. Since the tax only occurred upon entry by public highway, Washington taxed the Yakama for exercising that treaty right of travel. Thus, the tax was incompatible with the treaty as a burden on that right.
The concurring opinion followed much of the same reasoning on how the treaty language should be interpreted, noting, for example, that the historical record demonstrates how steep a price the Yakama paid for the relatively small promises the United States gave in return. One such promise was the ability to continue bringing goods to and from market without any restrictions – including this fuel tax. Considering what Washington gained from the 1855 Yakama Treaty, the cost to the state of not taxing transactions like these was indeed quite small. Thus, the concurrence concluded, the state cannot tax the Yakamas trying to bring their goods to market. Gorsuch did, however, explain that states can still place some restrictions on transporting goods, such as for public safety reasons.
For more information, including a discussion of the dissents, see SCOTUSblog's Opinion Analysis.
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Logan Cooper
Logan Cooper
Logan Cooper is a 3L at University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. He also serves at Editor-in-Chief of the Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy. After graduation, he would like to continue his studies in Federal Indian Law and Environmental Law.
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* Applications of ER suspensions are of wide interest both in academia and industry
* Surveys a large body of literature on the mechanism of the ER effect and the design of industrially applicable ER devices
* Discusses technological problems affiliated with industrial applications
An electrorheological (ER) suspension is made from an insulating liquid medium embodying either a semi-conductive particulate material or a semi-conductive liquid material (usually a liquid crystal material). Since its mechanical properties can be easily controlled over a wide range (almost from a pure liquid to a solid), the ER fluid can be used as an electric and mechanical interface in various industrial areas, for example, in the automotive industrial for clutch, brake and damping systems and in robotic arm joints and hands.
In addition, the ER technique can be used to fabricate advanced functional materials such as photonic crystals, smart inks, and heterogeneous polymer composites.
The major objective of Electrorheological Fluids is to present a comprehensive survey on the ER suspensions in term of screening high performance ER materials, physical mechanisms of the ER effect, and the applications of ER technology.
For those working in the ER fluids area/related application fields and informing those interested in non-aqueous systems including polymer and polymer composites


Instead of replacing windows, consider adding blinds
 UPDATED 1:05 PM CST Jan 24, 2013
(NewsUSA) - Being aware of your home's carbon footprint takes targeted effort, but it can also save you money. Incorporating eco-friendly additions into your home can massively reduce energy bills and save on repairs.
According to, up to 24 percent of a fuel bill can escape out of leaky windows. But replacing windows can cost anywhere from $400 to $800 per window. Depending on the size of your house and the state of your windows, total cost could be anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000.
One affordable yet environmentally efficient option is insulating window shades. There's some hesitation around insulating shades, but here are a few questions and explanations straight from the expert's mouth.
Q: Our windows are cold. Do we need to replace them, or can we use insulating shades?
A: If your windows are no longer functional, and your energy bills are off the charts, go with replacement windows. However, if they are simply old and cold, homeowners might want to consider high-quality insulating shades with side tracks that provide a four-sided seal. Shades like these will solve your heat-loss problems immediately.
Q: How do I know if insulated shades are the right option for my home?
A: Quality insulated shades are part of a good energy-conservation plan. After installing energy-efficient CFL bulbs, insulated shades are the next step. Mini-blinds can transfer the cold from your window into the room, increasing your energy costs by 10 percent. Insulating shades can reduce that by half.
Q: What are the environmental benefits of using insulated shades?
A: Residential heating and cooling eat up more fossil fuels than any other sector. A shocking 50 percent slips through poorly insulated windows. Experts guage that the equivalent of 450 million barrels of oil could be saved every year if all windows in the U.S. had effective insulating shades.
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Medium Merkaba measures 2 inches square and is polished.
- It is a mineral whose deposits are only found in Karelia Russia
- A natural antioxidant that can enhance human immunity against many serious diseases
- Sorbent for purifying water and air from many organic and inorganic compounds
- Support a wide range of trace elements and of biologically active substances intensifying biological processes in humans and animals
- Material, actively interacting with electromagnetic fields of different nature (man-made high-frequency, solar, geopathogenic, biological) and neutralizing their negative impact
Aids in ensuring human health
And what is a Merkaba?
From ancient mysticism the word literally means "a thing to ride in" Ezekiel wrote of it and his vision consists of a chariot made of many heavenly beings driven by the "Likeness of a Man." The base structure of the chariot is composed of four beings. These beings are called the "living creatures". There is quite a bit more to the story but you get the idea.


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Chris Lehman brings up some profound questions in this TED-x presentation in Philadelphia from 2011. "Why do we need to know this?" is question that all kids ask, yet our answers are usually lame at best. I remember watching this but didnt post it. You need to watch and to share with your fellow teachers. If you are an administrator, you need to use this as a conversation starter with your faculty.
Best quote: When a kid asks why we need to know this, the answer should be "Every class is a lens on how to look at the world."
From the talk: Chris Lehmann introduces a revolutionary idea in education: Encourage learning by allowing students to do things they are good at instead of restricting them. While that may sound elementary, Lehmann's speech carves out an innovative way to teach students success so they will strive for success in the post-graduate world.
Hailing from Manhattan, Chris Lehmann is breathing fresh air into the Philadelphia School District by providing immediate feedback to teachers using an iPad, asking teachers to practice kindness in the classroom, and promoting a student-centered school.


Parents Sue Wisconsin School District Over Gender Transition Indoctrination
Parents Sue Wisconsin School District over Gender Transition Indoctrination
Tired of being badgered by unconstitutional policies, parents are suing the Madison (Wisconsin) Metropolitan School District for enabling (and even encouraging) children to socially transition to a member of the opposite sex at school without parental notice or consent.
The lawsuit, filed on February 18, claims that the school district is in violation of parents' fundamental and constitutional right to direct the upbringing of their children. The lawsuit specifically mentions that the school district's adoption of its "Guidance and Policies to Support Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender-Expansive Students" in 2018 and subsequent "transition" training programs violate two sections of the Wisconsin Constitution as well as numerous Wisconsin supreme court cases which uphold the rights of parents in the upbringing of their children.
The "guidance and policies" mentioned above require teachers to refer to students by their affirmed names and pronouns, and says that "School staff shall not disclose any information that may reveal a student's gender identity to others, including parents or guardians and other school staff, unless legally required to do so or unless the student has authorized such disclosure."
The filed lawsuit even includes examples of the school district encouraging children to question their gender. One such example includes a video in which the teacher reads a book to the children that contains statements like: "Are you a boy or a girl? How can you be both? Some days I am both. Some days I am neither. Most days, I am everything in between." And: "Many people understand that my gender is something for only me to decide." The lawsuit also shows how the school district intends to "disrupt" any binary gender discussion through books and lessons "limit[ing] gendered and binary language," and interrupting and correcting "misconceptions about gender or language that reinforce the gender binary."
In other words, the school district is deliberately attempting to oppose Christian beliefs and specifically target Christian children with indoctrination in sexual humanism. And all of this is being done without any parental notification or consent. It's paid for by taxpayers—and yet, those who send their children to Christian schools or homeschool in many states in the US can't get the taxes they pay to be applied to the education they want. Christians who opt out of the increasingly pagan public schools still have to pay their taxes to fund this system!
Now Scripture is clear on this subject of gender (and biology is as well): God created mankind male and female (Genesis 1:27). Coercing children to believe that there are several genders, that you can change your gender based on your feelings, that you can hide this from your parents and even have your teachers lie to them about it is extremely disturbing and wrong. It is also anti-science. Even worse is that if a child believes in the biblical definition of gender, that child could be "interrupted" and "corrected" (which is also a violation of the US and Wisconsin constitutions on freedom of religion according to the dictates of conscience). This is a blatant and unconscionable anti-Christian indoctrination.
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Tailored Book Recommendations Tailored Book Recommendations Tailored Book Recommendations
A Modest Proposal for Diversity in Comics
A few weeks, I wrote a critique of Spider-Man #2 that included a brief footnote setting out an idea I've been working on over the past few months. Here it is, for the link-averse:
I probably shouldn't have been, but I was surprised by the number of comments the post got focusing on that brief footnote, sometimes to the exclusion of my broader point. So, I wanted to explore the idea in a little greater depth.
First, though, it's important to note that I don't see this as a hard-and-fast rule to be applied to all comics everywhere. There are exceptions—some of which I'll get to below—and what works in one situation won't work in others. Basically, think of my "rule" as the Pirate Code.
The Pirate Code
I'd use the phrase Comics Code, but that's already been taken.
But why is this important in the first place? For me, it's about verisimilitude, about creating characters and stories that are true to life; in other words, it's about authenticity. There are some things that it are very difficult to fully understand—let alone write about—without having experienced them oneself. Having a diverse creative team means that it's possible to draw from a broader range of experiences, to tell stories in a more genuinely authentic way.
Having a diverse creative team also makes it much more likely problematic scenes and characters will be caught before publication. It is by no means a guarantee—people make mistakes, don't notice things, decide not to "make a fuss", etc.—but it definitely helps. Even when problems slip through, having a diverse team can totally change the tone of the response: when Jem and the Holograms came under fire for its representation of a transgender character, artist Sophie Campbell was quick to acknowledge the issue and apologize in a heart-felt series of tweets.
I could go on and on about why diversity is important. Instead, though, here are some great articles other people have written about it: Laura Hudson over at WiredJoseph Cain at The Mary Sue, and Panels' own Hélène and Paul Montgomery.
Okay, so let's say we've convinced you in the abstract that diversity is important. But what exactly do I mean by my "guidelines"?
1. I'm talking about creative teams, not just "writers", so I'm not saying that only a Chinese-American woman can write Silk or that only a half-black, half-Latino writer can write Miles Morales. As practically all comic writers will tell you, artists are a critical part of the storytelling team, and are in many cases heavily involved in the broader plotting. On some books, the editor will also play a major role in developing storylines and characterization. Ms. Marvel editor Sana Amanat, for instance, is largely responsible for Kamala's family and community feeling so authentic.
But, I would draw the line somewhere. Not all editors are like Amanat, and an inker or color artist might not have the same influence on storytelling that a penciller does. For me, the question is: does this person have major influence in the storytelling process? This will differ greatly from series to series and from publisher to publisher.
2. My focus at this point is with title characters in solo books. Comics can have large casts, and excluding an established supporting character or team member because they aren't represented on the current creative team would be silly. But, title characters are different. While supporting characters come and go, the title character is, with rare exceptions, there every month, the plot circling around them. Issues of identity and experience are just far more likely to come up with a title character.
But, I do encourage creative teams to do their research and to get diverse perspectives when working with supporting characters outside of their comfort zones. Looking just at Batgirl, there's a significant difference between how Gail Simone, Daniel Sampere and Vicente Cifuentes handled the introduction of Alysia Yeoh, and how Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher, and Babs Tarr handled villain Dagger Type. That said, the latter creative team did a fantastic job of recognizing the issue and corrected it before the trade was published.
Team books are a tougher case. Insofar as possible, team books should have diverse creative teams. It's hard to imagine, for instance, that the travesty that was Avengers #200 could have happened if a woman had been on the creative team. But, it usually isn't possible to represent everyone on even a small team, especially in intersectional ways. Editors putting creative teams together for team books should think long and hard about diversity and representation, but the ideal mix will differ greatly from book to book.
3. Intersectionality can make this seem complicated, but it doesn't really need to be, since no single member of the creative team needs to represent every aspect of a character's identity. While it might be ideal to have a half-Black/half-Latinx creator working on Miles Morales, it isn't strictly necessary is two different members of the creative team are Black and Latinx.
4. On the other hand, "LGBTQ" is not itself an identity. There are major differences between the ways that the different groups experience the world, so it is not enough that a gay man is writing a lesbian character or drawing a transgender character. Again, the goal is achieving authenticity and avoiding unconsciously offensive scenes.
4. My primary concern is with work-for-hire books, rather than creator-owned titles. I am much more comfortable criticizing, for instance, who DC hires to write, illustrate, and edit Wonder Woman than I am criticizing a team of creators telling a story that is wholly their own. That said, there can still be serious issues with creator-owned comics, as we saw with J.G. Jones and Mark Waid's Strange Fruit. Still, I think the rules are different for creator-owned books and I'm not going to scrutinize creator-owned books to the same degree (even if I might still occasionally ask why every single member of a creative team—down to the color artist, letterer, and assistant editor—is a white man).
5. Similarly, I see these guidelines as applying prospectively, rather than retroactively. I am not going to judge comics created decades ago by whether the creative teams were diverse; instead, I'll judge them by whether they were actually offensive. But, just because we did something in the past doesn't mean we should continue to do it. There is room in the comics industry for people from all backgrounds, and there are people from all backgrounds trying to make a career in comics. This shouldn't be too hard.
That said, as I've been thinking about these guidelines, I've realized just how few series really meet them, including a number of books I really love. But, this isn't ultimately about just me: it's about making comics better for everyone.
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position of the allowed eigenstates, with amplitudes that depend on the precise shape of the initial wave function. The energy of this state is indefinite, with different probabilities of getting the different allowed energies when you make an energy measurement. Those probabilities are determined by the amplitudes of the eigenstates in the superposition.
For the mathematical details, see vanhees' post. :smile:
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After listening to a Sanyin Siang podast, "The Humanization of Leadership During the Pandemic," she increased my awareness on the importance of leaders investing some time into being "Leaders as Comforters." In this time of disruption, leaders are discovering the value of engagement and connection. Here's a few of the ideas Sanyin shared with her audience:
- Reach out and listen. Resist the urge to tell peple what to do and just listen, get to know your audience. Use the power of the pause.
- Consider a weekly video, share something from your home, talk about what inspires or energizes you, shout out to recognize someone,
- Consider a group text, share your humanity and turn your team into your tribe.
- Reach out to comfort at a time of loss or disappointment.
- Find out and listen to the music others like.
- Check out Beloit College Mindset list based on the year a person graduates or is born. You may find it easier to understand their perspective and the events that shaped their formative years.
Nothing grows in your comfort zone. Give it a try and watch the reaction.


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Phoenicopteriformes are also known as flamingos. Flamingos have long legs so that means that they can go into deeper water level. They are found at the Western and Eastern Hemisphere. Flamingos do not sleep like other birds. They sleep sitting down with their feet tucked in, or standing on one leg. While they sleep, flamingos like to face the wind. In fact, when you see them sleeping, they tend to move back and forth because of the wind. Flamingos always stand on one leg and curl the leg under the body to keep their foot warm and to conserve their body heat. Whether the weather is cool or warm, the flamingos still curl their legs.
Before a flamingo takes off, they first run several steps, begin to flap their wings, and they lift up into the air. Landing is reversed. The bird touches down and runs several paces. When a flamingo is in flight, their head and neck is stretched out in front and its legs right behind it. The flight speed of a flock of flamingos can reach 50 to 60 kph (31-37mph) they are known to fly 500 to 600 km (311-373mi.) Blue-green and red algae, diatoms, larval and adult forms of small insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fishes are the main diet for flamingos. The shape of a flamingo's bill determines its diet. It will either have a shallow or a deep-keeled-bill. They fight over the food they eat because of feeding grounds.
When flamingos are born, they are grayish white color. The chicks have straight beaks which will become curved as they mature. The adults feed them food from glands located near the digestive tracks. It takes three years for the chicks to get full coloration. Flamingos will not display or breed until they get their full pink color. Some flamingos will abandon their nests because of a low flying aircraft. They are also noisy and social birds. They take flight as they sense a sudden movement or noise. Flamingos can live up to fifty years.


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Quantum mechanics reveals new details of deep earth | National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois
Quantum mechanics reveals new details of deep earth
09.17.10 - Permalink
Scientists use NCSA and other TeraGrid resources to reveal that the most common mineral on Earth is relatively uncommon deep within the planet.
by Pam Frost Gorder
Scientists have used quantum mechanics to reveal that the most common mineral on Earth is relatively uncommon deep within the planet. Using NCSA's Abe and Cobalt supercomputers, along with LONI's QueenBee, TACC's Ranger and Lonestar, and machines at the Ohio Supercomputer Center, NCAR, NERSC, and the Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations, a team of physicists led by Ohio State University has been able to simulate the behavior of silica in a high-temperature, high-pressure form that is particularly difficult to study firsthand in the lab.
The resulting discoveryreported in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)could eventually benefit science and industry alike. Silica makes up two-thirds of the Earth's crust, and we use it to form products ranging from glass and ceramics to computer chips and fiber optic cables.
"Silica is all around us," says Ohio State doctoral student Kevin Driver, who led this project for his doctoral thesis. "But we still don't understand everything about it. A better understanding of silica on a quantum-mechanical level would be useful to earth science, and potentially to industry as well."
Silica takes many different forms at different temperatures and pressuresnot all of which are easy to study, says Driver. "As you might imagine, experiments performed at pressures near those of Earth's core can be very challenging. By using highly accurate quantum mechanical simulations, we can offer reliable insight that goes beyond the scope of the laboratory. We used the equivalent of 6 million CPU hours or more to model four different states of silica."
Over the past century, seismology and high-pressure laboratory experiments have revealed a great deal about the general structure and composition of the earth. For example, such work has shown that the planet's interior structure exists in three layers called the crust, mantle, and core. The outer two layersthe mantle and the crustare largely made up of silicates, minerals containing silicon and oxygen.
Still, the detailed structure and composition of the deepest parts of the mantle remain unclear. These details are important for geodynamical modeling, which may one day predict complex geological processes such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Even the role that the simplest silicatesilicaplays in Earth's mantle is not well understood.
"Say you're standing on a beach, looking out over the ocean. The sand under your feet is made of quartz, a form of silica containing one silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms. But in millions of years, as the oceanic plate below becomes subducted and sinks beneath the Earth's crust, the structure of the silica changes dramatically," Driver says.
As pressure increases with depth, the silica molecules crowd closer together, and the silicon atoms start coming into contact with oxygen atoms from neighboring molecules. Several structural transitions occur, with low-pressure forms surrounded by four oxygen atoms and higher-pressure forms surrounded by six. With even more pressure, the structure collapses into a very dense form of the mineral, which scientists call alpha-lead oxide. It's this form of silica that likely resides deep within the earth, in the lower part of the mantle, just above the planet's core, Driver says. When scientists try to interpret seismic signals from that depth, they have no direct way of knowing what form of silica they are dealing with. So they must simulate the behavior of different forms on a computer and then compare the results to the seismic data. The simulations rely on quantum mechanics.
In PNAS, Driver, his advisor John Wilkins, and their coauthors describe how they used a quantum mechanical method to design computer algorithms that would simulate the silica structures. When they did, they found that the behavior of the dense, alpha-lead oxide form of silica did not match up with any global seismic signal detected in the lower mantle.
This result indicates that the lower mantle is relatively devoid of silica, except perhaps in localized areas where oceanic plates have subducted, Driver explains.
Wilkins, Ohio Eminent Scholar and professor of physics at Ohio State, cites Driver's determination and resourcefulness in making this study happen. The physicists used a method called quantum Monte Carlo (QMC), which was developed during atomic bomb research in World War II. To earn his doctorate, Driver worked to show that the method could be applied to studying minerals in the planet's deep interior.
"This work demonstrates both the superb contributions a single graduate student can make, and that the quantum Monte Carlo method can compute nearly every property of a mineral over a wide range of pressure and temperatures," Wilkins says.
Coauthors on the PNAS paper included Ronald Cohen of the Carnegie Institution of Washington; Zhigang Wu of the Colorado School of Mines; Burkhard Militzer of the University of California, Berkeley; and Pablo López Ríos, Michael Towler, and Richard Needs of the University of Cambridge.
Driver notes that the study will "stimulate a broader use of quantum Monte Carlo worldwide to address vital problems." While these algorithms have been around for over half a century, applying them to silica was impossible until recently, he says. The calculations were simply too labor-intensive. Even today, with the advent of more powerful supercomputers and fast algorithms that require less computer memory, the calculations still required using a number of the largest supercomputers in the country.
Driver and his colleagues expect that quantum Monte Carlo will be used more often in materials science in the future, as the next generation of computers goes online.
This project was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.
This story is adapted from an article that was first published in Research News at The Ohio State University.
Pablo López Ríos


Birth Certificates / Death Certificates
 1. Birth Certificates
 2. Death Certificates
Birth Certificates
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, you must call ahead for an appointment. Continue reading to determine what will be needed for your appointment.
What is Needed to Request a Copy of a Birth Certificate?
 - A completed Document Request Form (PDF).
 - Requester must show a copy of their state issued picture ID.
 - If requesting a Birth Certificate for someone other than yourself, copies of Birth Certificates can only be given to the following relatives.
 - Mother
 - Father
 - Brother
 - Sister
Cost of Obtaining a Copy of a Birth Certificate
 - $25 for the first copy
 - $5 for each additional copy of the same birth certificate
 1. Judge LaVerne Ogletree
 Probate/Magistrate Judge
 2. Probate Court
 Physical Address
 113 N Main Street
 Suite 113
 Greensboro, GA 30642
 Phone: _PHONE_
 Fax: _PHONE_
 3. Tra'ven Porter
 Clerk Greene County Probate/Magistrate Court
 Phone: _PHONE_


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Automatic number plate recognition
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR; see also other names below) is a mass surveillance method that uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates. They can use existing closed-circuit television or road-rule enforcement cameras, or ones specifically designed for the task. They are used by various police forces and as a method of electronic toll collection on pay-per-use roads and cataloging the movements of traffic or individuals.
ANPR can be used to store the images captured by the cameras as well as the text from the license plate, with some configurable to store a photograph of the driver. Systems commonly use infrared lighting to allow the camera to take the picture at any time of the day. ANPR technology tends to be region-specific, owing to plate variation from place to place.
Concerns about these systems have centered on privacy fears of government tracking citizens' movements, misidentification, high error rates, and increased government spending.
Other names
ANPR is sometimes known by various other terms:
- Automatic license-plate recognition (ALPR)
- Automatic vehicle identification (AVI)
- Car plate recognition (CPR)
- License-plate recognition (LPR)
- Lecture Automatique de Plaques d'Immatriculation (LAPI)
Development history
ANPR was invented in 1976 at the Police Scientific Development Branch in the UK. Prototype systems were working by 1979, and contracts were let to produce industrial systems, first at EMI Electronics, and then at Computer Recognition Systems (CRS) in Wokingham, UK. Early trial systems were deployed on the A1 road and at the Dartford Tunnel. The first arrest through detection of a stolen car was made in 1981.
The software aspect of the system runs on standard home computer hardware and can be linked to other applications or databases. It first uses a series of image manipulation techniques to detect, normalize and enhance the image of the number plate, and then optical character recognition (OCR) to extract the alphanumerics of the license plate. ANPR systems are generally deployed in one of two basic approaches: one allows for the entire process to be performed at the lane location in real-time, and the other transmits all the images from many lanes to a remote computer location and performs the OCR process there at some later point in time. When done at the lane site, the information captured of the plate alphanumeric, date-time, lane identification, and any other information required is completed in approximately 250 milliseconds. This information can easily be transmitted to a remote computer for further processing if necessary, or stored at the lane for later retrieval. In the other arrangement, there are typically large numbers of PCs used in a server farm to handle high workloads, such as those found in the London congestion charge project. Often in such systems, there is a requirement to forward images to the remote server, and this can require larger bandwidth transmission media.
ANPR uses optical character recognition (OCR) on images taken by cameras. When Dutch vehicle registration plates switched to a different style in 2002, one of the changes made was to the font, introducing small gaps in some letters (such as P and R) to make them more distinct and therefore more legible to such systems. Some license plate arrangements use variations in font sizes and positioning—ANPR systems must be able to cope with such differences in order to be truly effective. More complicated systems can cope with international variants, though many programs are individually tailored to each country.
The cameras used can include existing road-rule enforcement or closed-circuit television cameras, as well as mobile units, which are usually attached to vehicles. Some systems use infrared cameras to take a clearer image of the plates.
ANPR in mobile systems
Recent advances in technology have taken automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems from fixed applications to mobile ones. Scaled-down components at more cost-effective price points have led to a record number of deployments by law enforcement agencies around the world. Smaller cameras with the ability to read license plates at high speeds, along with smaller, more durable processors that fit in the trunks of police vehicles, allow law enforcement officers to patrol daily with the benefit of license plate reading in real time, when they can interdict immediately.
Despite their effectiveness, there are noteworthy challenges related with mobile ANPRs. One of the biggest is that the processor and the cameras must work fast enough to accommodate relative speeds of more than 100 mph (160 km/h), a likely scenario in the case of oncoming traffic. This equipment must also be very efficient since the power source is the vehicle battery, and equipment must be small to minimize the space it requires.
Relative speed is only one issue that affects the camera's ability to actually read a license plate. Algorithms must be able to compensate for all the variables that can affect the ANPR's ability to produce an accurate read, such as time of day, weather and angles between the cameras and the license plates. A system's illumination wavelengths can also have a direct impact on the resolution and accuracy of a read in these conditions.
Installing ANPR cameras on law enforcement vehicles requires careful consideration of the juxtaposition of the cameras to the license plates they are to read. Using the right number of cameras and positioning them accurately for optimal results can prove challenging, given the various missions and environments at hand. Highway patrol requires forward-looking cameras that span multiple lanes and are able to read license plates at very high speeds. City patrol needs shorter range, lower focal length cameras for capturing plates on parked cars. Parking lots with perpendicularly parked cars often require a specialized camera with a very short focal length. Most technically advanced systems are flexible and can be configured with a number of cameras ranging from one to four which can easily be repositioned as needed. States with rear-only license plates have an additional challenge since a forward-looking camera is ineffective with incoming traffic. In this case one camera may be turned backwards.
There are six primary algorithms that the software requires for identifying a license plate:
- Plate localization – responsible for finding and isolating the plate on the picture.
- Plate orientation and sizing – compensates for the skew of the plate and adjusts the dimensions to the required size.
- Normalization – adjusts the brightness and contrast of the image.
- Character segmentation – finds the individual characters on the plates.
- Optical character recognition.
- Syntactical/Geometrical analysis – check characters and positions against country-specific rules.
The complexity of each of these subsections of the program determines the accuracy of the system. During the third phase (normalization), some systems use edge detection techniques to increase the picture difference between the letters and the plate backing. A median filter may also be used to reduce the visual noise on the image.
There are a number of possible difficulties that the software must be able to cope with. These include:
- Poor image resolution, usually because the plate is too far away but sometimes resulting from the use of a low-quality camera.
- Blurry images, particularly motion blur.
- Poor lighting and low contrast due to overexposure, reflection or shadows.
- An object obscuring (part of) the plate, quite often a tow bar, or dirt on the plate.
- A different font, popular for vanity plates (some countries do not allow such plates, eliminating the problem).
- Circumvention techniques.
- Lack of coordination between countries or states. Two cars from different countries or states can have the same number but different design of the plate.
While some of these problems can be corrected within the software, it is primarily left to the hardware side of the system to work out solutions to these difficulties. Increasing the height of the camera may avoid problems with objects (such as other vehicles) obscuring the plate but introduces and increases other problems, such as the adjusting for the increased skew of the plate.
On some cars, tow bars may obscure one or two characters of the license plate. Bikes on bike racks can also obscure the number plate, though in some countries and jurisdictions, such as Victoria, Australia, "bike plates" are supposed to be fitted. Some small-scale systems allow for some errors in the license plate. When used for giving specific vehicles access to a barricaded area, the decision may be made to have an acceptable error rate of one character. This is because the likelihood of an unauthorized car having such a similar license plate is seen as quite small. However, this level of inaccuracy would not be acceptable in most applications of an ANPR system.
Imaging hardware
At the front end of any ANPR system is the imaging hardware which captures the image of the license plates. The initial image capture forms a critically important part of the ANPR system which, in accordance to the Garbage In, Garbage Out principle of computing, will often determine the overall performance.
License plate capture is typically performed by specialized cameras designed specifically for the task. Factors which pose difficulty for license plate imaging cameras include speed of the vehicles being recorded, varying ambient lighting conditions, headlight glare and harsh environmental conditions. Most dedicated license plate capture cameras will incorporate infrared illumination in order to solve the problems of lighting and plate reflectivity.
Many countries now use license plates that are retroreflective. This returns the light back to the source and thus improves the contrast of the image. In some countries, the characters on the plate are not reflective, giving a high level of contrast with the reflective background in any lighting conditions. A camera that makes use of active infrared imaging (with a normal colour filter over the lens and an infrared illuminator next to it) benefits greatly from this as the infrared waves are reflected back from the plate. This is only possible on dedicated ANPR cameras, however, and so cameras used for other purposes must rely more heavily on the software capabilities. Further, when a full-colour image is required as well as use of the ANPR-re


Energy Production and Emissions Data: Powering Insights on the U.S. Electricity Grid
08.27.2019 | Kelan Stoy and Joe Huang
Developed by the EPA, the Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) details in-depth information for nearly all of the electric power generated in the U.S. The dataset includes insights on power generation capacity, fuel used, emission rates for CO2 equivalents (as well as other particulate emissions), and several other attributes for power plants across the country. As part of the UrbanFootprint Data Library, it's easier than ever to map and understand the source of electricity in your community.
Mapping electricity sources used across the United States.
For planners, this is an important step in climate action planning and evaluating risk and resilience for community infrastructure. With the ability to quickly assess the emissions rates of nearby power plants, planners can begin to devise a data-driven climate action plan to reduce emissions produced by electricity. Plus, by combining risk and resilience data, planners can better understand which power plants may be impacted by sea level rise, flooding, storm surge, or wildfires.
In this post we'll take a look at Phoenix, Arizona as our example and demonstrate how to answer key questions on energy and emissions for nearly any U.S. location with UrbanFootprint.
What types of energy sources power our electricity?
After creating an UrbanFootprint project for Phoenix and adding the Power Plant layer, sourced from eGrid, we can see the metropolitan area is served by a mix of gas, hydro, solar, biomass, and nuclear power.
UrbanFootprint maps the electricity sources used in the metropolitan area of Phoenix, AZ.
Which power plants generate the most electricity and where are they located?
From this same data layer, we can choose to map the capacity of each power plant to get a sense of where the biggest electricity producers are located.
Using UrbanFootprint's filter capabilities, we can isolate all plants with over 1,500 MW of nameplate capacity. The data table shows those are the Palo Verde Plant (nuclear), Gila River Power Station (natural gas), and Copper Crossing Energy Center (natural gas).
Beyond capacity, we can also look at the total amount of electricity each plant generated per year.
Based on existing infrastructure, how much electricity could we generate with solar today?
What is the capacity of existing solar facilities in the Phoenix metro area? We can quickly get this information by filtering to just solar facilities and then viewing the generation capacity in the data table. It shows that there are over 1,400 MW of solar capacity across the 34 solar plants in the metro area included in the dataset.
How do local power plants impact emissions?
The dataset includes CO2 Equivalent emissions, allowing us to look at which plants in the area contribute the most emissions. Topping the list is the Gila River Power Station (just north of Gila Bend) with 3.2 million tons of CO2 equivalent produced each year.
While Gila River produces the most emissions, it is not necessarily the 'dirtiest' power plant in the area. Mapping on CO2 Equivalent Rates (lbs/mWh/year) tells a different story with smaller natural gas plants, such as Agua Fria in Glendale, emitting 1,500 lbs/mWh/year compared to Gila River's figure of 929 lbs/mWh/year.
Co2 Equivalent Total Output Emission Rate for Agua Fria natural gas plant (left) and Gila River Power Station (right).
Learn how to map and analyze emissions and the electric grid in your community
Whether you're looking to analyze risk and resilience for existing utilities or assess the current energy source mix in your community, we invite you to book a demo of UrbanFootprint. We'll walk through the workflows above and demonstrate how to quickly map existing conditions, build alternative land use scenarios, and measure the impacts.
Have questions? We'd love to hear from you. Send us a note or tweet us _USER_.
Ready to upgrade the way you plan?
Schedule a live demo with our team today.


text:
Veterans simply make us better.
They bring an amazing skill set to the table.
Leadership, dedication and commitment are qualities they learn from the military.
Shop Mechanic State College PA #638966
Job Summary:Inspect, diagnose, adjust, repair, and maintain heavy equipment and transportation vehicles including cars; light, medium and heavy trucks; paving and earthmoving equipment. This hourly, non-exempt position will work under indirect supervision from the Shop Superintendent or Shop Leader.
- * Demonstrate initiative in analyzing and solving problems.
- * Safely perform essential functions.
- * Proficiently troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, and rebuild all system failures on mobile equipment.
- * Generate report of parts necessary and time required to complete project.
- * Operate equipment which requires a commercial drivers license for diagnosing and testing purposes.
- * Accurately generate in a timely manner all repair work orders.
- * Proactively communicate with Leaders and Equipment Operators concerning equipment and job-related projects.
- * Use welding and flame-cutting equipment to perform welding duties.
- * Maintain safe and organized work area.
- * Perform cleanup at end of day or when job is completed, including cleaning tools and putting tools in proper storage.
- * Consistently work on personal growth plan.
- * Exercise proper care and maintenance of company equipment.
- * Frequently work more than 40 hours per week. Occasionally work non-traditional hours including 2nd shift, Saturdays and Sundays.
- * Occasional out of town travel required.
- * Perform additional assignments per supervisor's direction.
- * Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in repairing and maintaining mobile equipment.
- * Basic computer skills.
- * Construction operations.
- Ability to:
- * Operate tools and equipment used to repair equipment.
- * Take and follow instructions.
- * Ability to learn and follow GOH Company policies.
- * Work under indirect supervision.
- * Valid driver's license for which you reside with acceptable driving record per company minimum standards for drivers.
- * Valid Class B CDL with acceptable driving record required.
- * Prefer Class A CDL with HazMat and Tanker endorsements.
- * Class B state inspection license.
- * Prefer Class A state inspection license.
- * Must possess complete set of tools.
- * Must be proficient in troubleshooting techniques.
- * Must be proficient in hydraulic principles and systems.
- * Must be proficient in fundamentals of engines.
- * Must be proficient in power and drive train principles.
- * Must be proficient in machine electronics.
- * Must be proficient in cutting and welding processes.
- * Must be proficient in fuel systems.
- * High school graduate or equivalent.
- * Prefer completion of Heavy Equipment/Diesel Technology
- * Program from an accredited vocational or technical school
Apply Directly to: CLICK HERE


text:
Miss Margaret Dryburgh _PHONE_
A Dutch woman sparked off a far-reaching chain of events when she donated a collection of music manuscripts to California's Stanford University ten years ago. For the meticulously handwritten manuscripts were far removed from any usual musical composition.
They were choral arrangements sung by 30 Dutch, British and Australian woman imprisoned by the Japanese during the Second World War. To cope with captivity the woman formed a choral group in their prison camp on Sumatra, Indonesia. The inspiration for this was Margaret Dryburgh.
Margaret was born in Sunderland, the daughter of the Reverend and Mrs. W. Dryburgh. The family moved to Swalwell in the 1900's where he was the minister at the Presbyterian Church at the Ebeneezer Chapel in Market Lane. The family was very well liked in the village and they were all keen and talented musicians. Margaret became a qualified teacher and taught for a short time at the village school before going to China in 1919 as a missionary.
Soon she began arrangements of classical works for a 'Voice Orchestra', where types of humming sounds were used for each instrument. She taught the other inmates how to produce these sounds and concerts were put on to raise morale. From memory Margaret Dryburgh wrote down pages of music from baroque to contemporary with the help of Norah Chambers, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London.
With only their memories to guide them they reproduced musical scores for over 30 orchestral and piano works by composers, which included Handel, Brahms, Chopin and Beethoven. Even the Japanese soldiers were amazed at the women's talent and used to listen at the door when they sang their services. The Saturday night gatherings grew so large and loud, that the guards peering in at the windows and climbing on to the dustbins, for a better view could not ignore them. They took to inviting themselves, sitting in the front row on cane chairs while the woman sat on the ground.
One of the pieces written by Margaret was the 'Captives Hymn', which was sung every Sunday at worship in the camp.
Its main feature was the absence of bitterness or hatred of their captors, despite the dreadful conditions they endured.
Together the two women rearranged the scores for choral singing, condensing a 15-minute movement of a symphony into a 5- minute choral work without losing its sense of balance and flow. Unless needed for vocal ease, the new scores remained faithful to the original keys.
The choice of syllabuses to be sung was left to Norah Chambers. To keep the programme a surprise for the other captives, she rehearsed the orchestra in a sooty shed behind the kitchen, without so much as a pitch pipe for an aid.
Constant hunger and disease took their toll and Margaret died on April 21st 1945 after reciting Psalm 23, a matter of months before the war ended. She was buried on 23rd April 1945 among the rubber trees of "Belau Camp on Sumatra. On March 2nd 1951 Margaret was reburied in the Dutch War Grave Cemetery in Java.
A year after the compositions were handed over to Stanford University, a women's chorus in California performed them in a series of concerts.
The first picture below is a drawing by Margaret Dryburgh of the kitchen at Muntok Camp; the second a drawing of the Men's Camp. (Thanks to Neil McGregor for these two drawings)
The story of the women and their music captured the audiences' imagination. It is thanks to a Dutch survivor, Helen Colijn, that their amazing spirit and Margaret's story lives on in her book which was later made into a film. The film -makers contacted Bill Fletcher, who played the organ in the Swalwell Chapel where her father was minister, to find out about her Tyneside background. The film,' Song of Survival', was shown in Britain on Channel Four.
In December 1997, a film, called 'Paradise Road', was released that showed the women's struggle to survive a horrific time in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp in Sumatra during the Second World War, Margaret Dryburgh, was played by Pauline Collins.
Wards 9 and 10 at Dunston Hill Hospital were renamed 'The Margaret Dryburgh Ward' because of the hospital's connection with the Far Eastern Prisoners of War Association.
WWW::: Can your group direct me to the burial poem featured in the recent film:"Paradise Road"?
The burial was that of the young girl who traded persoanl possessions for medicines::: she was killed for her kindness ::; and the poen was read by Ms. Dryburugh::: Peace Only good Things Robert
Posted by: Rv. Mr. Robert Lackney at January 5, 2008 9:38 PM
The burial poem read by Pauline Collins playing Margaret Dryburgh in the film Paradise Road is as follows:
"How silent is this place,
The brilliant sunshine filters through the trees,
The leaves are rustled by a gentle breeze,
A wild and open space by shrubs pink-tipped,
Mauve-blossomed, did all grow.
A hush enfolds me, deep as I have known,
Unbroken, save by distant insects lone*,
A jungle clearing, a track through which we bear our load to Him,
It is our Paradise Road, how silent is this place, how sacred is this place".
*I am not sure about this word.
Author unknown, it may even have been written for the film, or the film may have taken its title from the poem.
You may also be interested in The Captives Hymn, written by Margaret Dryburgh while imprisoned, and also featured in the film at another burial service when the first two verses are spoken.
Father, in captivity,
We would lift our prayers to Thee,
Keep us ever in Thy love,
Grant that daily we may prove
Those who place their trust in Thee
More than conquerers may be.
Give us patience to endure.
Keep our hearts serene and pure,
Grant us courage, charity,
Greater faith, humility,
Readiness to own Thy will,
Be we free or captives still.
For our country we would pray,
In this hour be Thou her stay,
Pride and sinfulness forgive,
Teach her by Thy laws to live,
By Thy grace may all men see
That true greatness comes from Thee.
For our loved ones we would pray,
Be their guardian night and day,
From all danger keep them free,
Banish all anxiety,
May they trust us to Thy care,
Know that Thou our pains dost share.
May the day of freedom dawn,
Peace and justice be reborn,
Grant that nations loving Thee
O'er the world may brothers be,
Cleansed by suffering, know rebirth,
See Thy kingdom come on earth.
There are several websites which mention Margaret Dryburgh.
I hope this is of help.
Whickham Web Wanderers
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at January 8, 2008 10:38 AM
The word in the burial poem you are not sure of is "drone."
"Unbroken, save by insects distant drone"
I just saw the movie last night and had to find out about the poem. Very moving in any context but especially following the immolation of Wing.
Posted by: Ed Giblin at January 24, 2008 7:06 PM
Thanks for supplying the'missing' word in the Margaret Dryburgh poem. Paradise Road is an interesting film and Pauline Collins is very good in the Margeret Dryburgh role even if she hasn't quite got her north east England accent right, except once or twice.
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at January 27, 2008 11:19 AM
WWW : for some reason i have been negliant in expressing my deepest appreciation for the use of Captive's Hymn in my work as chaplain.
The Burial Poem, remains [at least for me]
::: one of the most beautiful of expression of that sense of:
::: inner splendor, simplicity, and silence
::: that many hope to accopmlish in
::: time of personal trial.
my deepest appreciation for your post on my request.
Peace and Only good Things
Society of Sacred Art and Architecture, Inc.
Posted by: rv robert r. lackney at December 5, 2008 10:52 PM
The word you are not sure may be "drone"?
safe by distant insect's drone
Posted by: Franco at August 25, 2009 6:24 PM
Thanks for the correction to the Margaret Dryburgh poem.
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at August 26, 2009 9:23 AM
According to the film's credits, the burial poem was written by Margaret Dryburgh herself.
Posted by: Dangles at August 27, 2011 5:59 AM
Thanks for that information Dangles.
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at August 28, 2011 3:02 PM
I would like to send you a copy of a drawing which is in my possession here in Australia. My mother was a Sylvia Muir who was in the POW camps along with Margaret. Apparently Margaret gave my mother this drawing before she died in 1945. My mother often spoke about Margaret as we were growing up and how the concerts helped them survive the atrocities of the camp. I cannot attach it to this email so if you would like a copy please let me know.
Neil McGregor PhD.
Posted by: Dr Neil McGregor at April 22, 2012 3:05 AM
This article