text:
This chart communicates the same insights as a contour plot. What is interesting is the choice of hexagonal buckets (rather than squares) to aggregate data. In fact, any tessellation would work, in particular Voronoi tessellations.
3-D Voronoi tessellation
The reason for using hexagons is that it is still pretty simple, and when you rotate the chart by 60 degrees (or a multiple of 60 degrees) you still get the same visualization. For squares, rotations of 60 degrees don't work, only multiples of 90 degrees work. Is it possible to find a tessellation such that smaller rotations, say 45 or 30 degrees, leave the chart unchanged? The answer is no. Octogonal tessellations don't really exist, so the hexagon is an optimum.
Hexagonal binning plots (source: here)
Implementation in R
The three plots described here (Voronoi diagram, hexagonal binning and contour plots) are available in the ggplot2 package.
Voronoi diagrams can be used for nearest neighbor clustering or density estimation, the density estimate attached to a point being proportional to the inverse of the area of the Voronoi polygon containing it.
Example of contour map (source: here)


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About Harold Clayton Urey, Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1934
Harold Clayton Urey (April 29, 1893 – January 5, 1981) was an American physical chemist whose pioneering work on isotopes earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1934. He played a significant role in the development of the atom bomb, but may be most prominent for his contribution to theories on the development of organic life from non-living matter.
Harold Clayton Urey was born in Walkerton, Indiana, on April 29, 1893, as the son of the Rev. Samuel Clayton Urey and Cora Rebecca Reinoehl, and grandson of pioneers who settled in Indiana. His early education in rural schools led to his graduation from high school in 1911 after which he taught for three years in country schools. In 1914 he entered the University of Montana and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1917. He spent two years as a research chemist in industry before returning to Montana as an instructor in Chemistry. In 1921 he entered the University of California to work under Professor Lewis and he was awarded the degree of Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1923. He spent the following year in Copenhagen at Professor Niels Bohr's Institute for Theoretical Physics as American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellow to Denmark and on his return to the United States he became an Associate in Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University. In 1929 he was appointed Associate Professor in Chemistry at Columbia University and he became Professor in 1934; during the period _PHONE_ he was also Director of War Research, Atomic Bomb Project, Columbia University. He moved to the Institute for Nuclear Studies, University of Chicago in 1945 as Distinguished Service Professor of Chemistry and became Martin A. Ryerson Professor in 1952. He was George Eastman Visiting Professor, University of Oxford, during _PHONE_ and in 1958 he took his present post as Professor-at-Large, University of California.
Professor's Urey's early researches concerned the entropy of diatomic gases and problems of atomic structure, absorption spectra and the structure of molecules. In 1931 he devised a method for the concentration of any possible heavy hydrogen isotopes by the fractional distillation of liquid hydrogen: this led to the discovery of deuterium. Together with the late Dr. E.W. Washburn, he evolved the electrolytic method for the separation of hydrogen isotopes and he carried out thorough investigations of their properties, in particular the vapour pressure of hydrogen and deuterium, and the equilibrium constants of exchange reactions. He later worked on the separation of uranium isotopes and, more recently, he has been concerned with the measurement of paleotemperatures, investigations into the origin of the planets, and the chemical problems of the origin of the earth.
He is the author of the books Atoms, Molecules and Quanta (1930, with A.E. Ruark), and The Planets (1952). He was editor of the Journal of Chemical Physics during _PHONE_ and he has written numerous papers on the structure of atoms and molecules, the discovery of heavy hydrogen and its properties, separation of isotopes, measurement of paleotemperatures and the origin of planets. These have been published in many different chemical journals.
Professor Urey received the Willard Gibbs Medal (American Chemical Society) in 1934; Davy Medal (Royal Society, London), 1940; Franklin Medal, 1943; Medal for Merit, 1946; Cordoza Award, 1954; Honor Scroll Award (American Institute of Chemists), 1954; Joseph Priestley Award, 1955; Alexander Hamilton Award, 1961; and the J. Lawrence Smith Award (National Academy of Sciences), 1962. He has received honorary Doctor of Science degrees of Montana, Princeton, Newark, Columbia, Oxford, Washington and Lee, McMaster, Yale, Indiana, Birmingham Universities, and of the Universities of Athens, Durham, and Saskatchewan; also honorary Doctor of Law degree from Wayne University and the University of California. He is a member of many of the more important scientific societies of the world, and is Honorary Fellow of the Chemical Society (London), the National Institute of Sciences of India and the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel).
In 1926 he married Frieda Daum. They have three daughters and one son.
From Nobel Lectures, Chemistry _PHONE_, Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1966

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


The Solution: A Purpose Built Platform
Home Health Agencies stand to benefit the most from automation. Why do we automate? We want to remove mistakes and errors. We want to streamline and manage information better. We want to move faster. Communication becomes more meaningful and business results improve.
Home Health Agencies stand to benefit the most from automation. A growing elderly population is coming into the fore which means greater demand for home health services over this next decade. Small inefficiencies in the process amplify into bigger, costlier issues. As a final look into the process, let's dive in to see how automation can fit into the workflow of a home health agency.
A common case fulfillment workflow looks like this:
 1. A referral comes in through either fax, phone or electronic means.
 2. Intake receives the referral and inputs the information into the EMR
 3. The referral is pushed to either a dedicated scheduler, or intake takes on the task of scheduling to assign the patient to the appropriate clinician.
 4. The scheduler identifies which clinicians meet all the patient criteria; such as the right skill set, location, availability, gender, language, and more.
 5. The scheduler then begins texting, emailing and calling the first clinician who is in the right region, has the right specialties, and is the right discipline that meets all the necessary constraints needed to see the patient.
CareStitch takes the same tried and true approach that home health agencies follow and automates it in software. This reduces the cost of change management while simultaneously increasing productivity.
Think for a moment what it would mean for your home health agency to manage all cases with the touch of a button. Use a platform specifically built to speed up the process, reduce overtime costs, and help your clinicians manage their appointments and reduce their travel between patients. When as an industry we seek to build tools to improve our operations we ignite, encourage, and inspire greater quality of patient care.
What are you doing for your agency and clinicians? What would you like to see happen in your industry to see positive change and growth?
Book a demo today to see how we can enable you and your clinicians to focus more on patients and less on the administrative burden.
Sign up for demo now!
Want to learn more about the problem home health agencies experience with scheduling?


Simple Games
These are reasonably straight-forwards interactive puzzles to help you remember basic computer vocabulary:
 - Sort the Devices: Drag the input, output and storage devices/media into the correct boxes.
 - Hardware and Software: Drag the words for diferent hardware and software items into the correct areas.
 - ICT Jumble: Unscramble the mixed-up words to find a series of computer terms.
 - ICT Hangman: Find the missing letters to spell basic IT vocabulary words.
 - Flowchart Symbols: Collect the flowchart symbols, drop them in the right containers and avoid the robots.
 - What Does IT Stand For? Match the abbreviations to the correct words.
Each quiz is made up of 10 statements - all you have to do is decide whether the statement is true or false, and press the appropriate button.


Did you know about Nuclear Battery?
Nuclear Battery
The person is familiar with nuclear energy in nuclear power plants but not in batteries. Nuclear batteries are in fact closer to nuclear power plants than traditional batteries in that they use radioactivity to generate power instead of storing an amount of charge.
When compared to chemical batteries, nuclear batteries are characterized by higher volumetric energy density (therefore longer battery life) and stronger endurance in harsh conditions. This report will explore the present state of nuclear battery technology and recently discovered possible breakthroughs.
Nuclear batteries use the incredible amount of energy released naturally by tiny bits of radioactive material without any fission or fusion taking place inside the battery.
Nuclear battery
How do nuclear battery work?
Nuclear battery technology was first established 1913, when Henry Moseley demonstrated the beta cell. The field received considerable research and attention for applications requiring long-life power sources for space needs during the 1950s. In 1954 RCA (Radio Corporation of America) developed a small nuclear battery for small radio receivers and hearing aids. Nuclear battery is a device which uses energy from the decay of a radioactive isotope to generate electricity.
Like nuclear reactors nuclear battery generate electricity from radiation energy, but differ from them as they do not use a chain reaction. Also known as Atomic Battery and Radioisotope Generator, these batteries generate power in the range of 10 KW to 100 KW.A nuclear battery has a life span of decades and has the potential to be almost 200 times more efficient than presently available batteries.
A nuclear battery is simply a decaying Radio isotopic material whose Beta and Alpha emissions is used to generate energy. In laymen's term the emission of Beta and Alpha particles provide the main source of the battery.
These emissions are introduced into the electrode which develops the potential difference making the current to flow through the load. There are two ways to convert this decaying radiation to useful electrical energy. They are called as:
Thermal Conversion – In this conversion technique the output power is a function of the temperature difference.
Non-Thermal Conversion – In this conversion technique the output power does not depend on the temperature difference.
Thermionic Conversion- A thermionic converter consists of two electrodes one of which thermionically radiates electrons as it is heated to a high temperature. The other electrode collects these electrons. The space between the electrodes is usually vacuum but sometimes it is filled with cesium vapor to increase the efficiency of the electrodes.
Radioisotopic Thermoelectric Generator (RTG)-It is a thermoelectric converter which uses thermocouples to convert the heat energy to electric energy. Each thermocouple is formed from two wires of different metals (or other materials).
A temperature change along the length of the wire produces a voltage change from one end of the wire to the other. It is a static generator with no moving parts. It is the most sought after energy source for unmanned machines and remote location facilities.
 - Unlike regular battery they have a life span of decades and can power a device for a long time.
 - It is a reliable source of energy and can be used for a long time without and maintenance.
 - It delivers a very high density of power and is very light weight.
 - Produces little to no waste and does not give out greenhouse gases.
 - The fuel used is the waste from a nuclear reactor and is recycled and used as a source for nuclear battery.
 - It has a very high initial cost for the production of energy as it is still in experimental stage.
 - The energy conversion methodology is not much advanced.
 - The Radio isotopic source does not allow it to be used everywhere at least not in the present.
 - The exposure to Alpha and Beta radiation is a big health concern. This can be prevented by covering the battery in a thin layer of aluminum to prevent the leakage of radiation.
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text:
In 1995, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) issued ICRP Publication 70 which provided an extensive update to the physiological and anatomical reference data for the skeleton of adults and children originally issued in ICRP Publication 23. Although ICRP Publication 70 has been a valuable document in the development of reference voxel computational phantoms, additional guidance is needed for dose assessment in the skeletal tissues beyond that given in ICRP Publication 30. In this study, a computed tomography (CT) and micro-CT-based model of the skeletal tissues is presented, which considers (1) a 50-μm depth in marrow for the osteoprogenitor cells, (2) electron escape from trabecular spongiosa to the surrounding cortical bone, (3) cortical bone to trabecular spongiosa cross-fire for electrons and (4) variations in specific absorbed fraction with changes in bone marrow cellularity for electrons. A representative data set is given for electron dosimetry in the craniofacial bones of the adult male.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


April 2015 Queen Stitch
The Queen Stitch, also known as the Renaissance Stitch is one of the oldest popular stitches dating from the 16th and 17th Century. It was a favorite in the 18th Century resulting in beautiful regular patterns. The stitch is also known as the Rococo stitch from the American Revolution time when they didn't want anything to sound "royal". A globe shaped canvas stitch which can be used as a background, worked as a single sitich, and in diagonal rows.


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Tribes recognized at Little Bighorn
by Joshua ZaffosThis summer, the National Park Service will finally acknowledge a missing chapter of history at the Little Bighorn National Monument. On June 25, the 127th anniversary of Custer's Last Stand, the Park Service will unveil "Peace Through Unity" — a memorial to the American Indians who defeated General George Custer in battle in eastern Montana.
In 1881, five years after more than 1,500 Cheyenne, Lakota and Arapaho warriors routed Custer and the 7th Cavalry, the U.S. Army erected grave markers and a monument to the fallen U.S. soldiers. More than 100 years after that, the American Indian Movement placed its own iron plaque at the battlefield, but Congress didn't commission an official monument to the native warriors until 1991.
The memorial will feature a ceremonial circle, 40 feet in diameter, partially surrounded by life-size bronze sculptures of warriors racing on horseback across the plains. For more information, call _PHONE_ or visit _URL_ © High Country News


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How to Qualify for E-2 Investor Immigration Visa
E2 Treaty Investor Visa
How to Qualify for E-2 Investor Immigration Visa
E-2 investor visa allows entry to the United States (from another country that the United States maintains a treat y with) in order to work based on a substantial amount of investment and control he or she will hold while in the United States.
In Order to Qualify For an E-2 Nonimmigrant Visa, You Must Satisfy the Following:
 1. Nationals must be from a country that has an existing treaty with the United States;
 2. Substantial investment, ownership, or control must be held by the nationals; and
 3. A citizenship of that country must be held by those seeking E status under the treaty.
Active Investment
The investment must be active. An active investment refers to its operation and services. In other words, the investment must allow the investor to undertake procedures in an effort to produce goods for profit. The investor must be engaged in the business enterprise; passive activities within the business enterprise will not qualify. For example, purchasing a property may not be sufficient. Instead, the investor must hire employees in order to manage, develop, improve, and maintain that property. Throughout this process, the investor must remain active by controlling and directing the investment in order to begin or continue providing services.
Substantial Investment
The investment must be substantial. While there is no set minimum amount to consider the investment "substantial," it must nonetheless be substantial in its connection to the total expenses of purchasing an existing or already established business enterprise. Also, a substantial amount of capital must be sufficient to secure the successful operation of the business enterprise.
One of two tests must be met in order to be considered a "substantial" investment:
 1. If an investment is made towards an existing business, then it must be proportional to the full value of that enterprise;
 2. If an investment is made towards a new business, then it must be an amount generally deemed necessary to establish a practical enterprise of that type.
Not Marginal Investment
Investment must not be marginal. That is to say, the investment must have the potential or power to produce enough income in order to support a decent living for the treaty investor and his family. Additionally, in most instances, such investment should provide individuals living in the U.S. with job opportunities. While creating employment opportunities for U.S. workers is not a requirement, it can be used to show that the investment is not marginal. When an investment is not considered to be marginal, it will require individuals beyond the investor to operate the business or enterprise. Further, it will generate enough income to fulfill the investors living expenses, along with payment of its U.S. workers.
Therefore, the issue is whether there is a projected and reliable return on the investment in order to meet the requirements of an E-2 treaty investor visa.
Essential Role in Enterprise
An essential role in an enterprise can be held by both the principal investor and certain employees of the investing enterprise. Both can obtain a treaty-investor status.
An individual, applying to enter the U.S. as a treaty investor, is considered a principal investor when he has a majority—at least 50%—ownership in the business, along with the responsibly of controlling and developing that enterprise. This generally occurs when the investor owns a majority and controlling interest in the business.
Another way an individual can enter the U.S. is as an employee of a company.
In order to qualify for an E-2 nonimmigrant visa as an employee of a treaty investor, the following must be satisfied:
 1. Nationals from a treaty country must serve in a managerial capacity; or
 2. Nationals from a treaty country who serve in technological capacity, such that
 - special skills, expertise, training, and qualifications are required in order to start-up the business;
 - national is needed to train or supervise others within that capacity; or
 - monitor and expand product improvement and quality.
Therefore, the employee must play an essential role for the operation of the company.
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text:
A new concept enhances the capability of photo-thermal absorption measurements with transversal probe beam guiding by overcoming drawbacks such as a lack of sensitivity for materials with low photo-thermal response and/or round substrate geometry. The sandwich concept using the laser-induced deflection technique is introduced and tested for the investigation of highly reflecting (HR) coatings. The idea behind the sandwich concept is based on the decoupling of the optical materials for the pump and probe beams. This is realized by either placing a HR coated rectangular substrate in between two optical (sandwich) plates or attaching a HR coated thin round substrate onto one optical plate. For both configurations, the sandwich concept results in a strong increase in sensitivity for the measurement of HR coatings deposited onto photo-thermally insensitive substrates. Experiments reveal that for a substrate, up to two orders of magnitude enhancement in sensitivity can be achieved.
© 2013 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article


text:
Better Fishing Means
At Bowman-Haley Reservoir
North Dakota Outdoors - June 1995
By Joe Bonneau, Dennis Scarnecchia, and Emil Berard
Although the word origins of the fish called carp and the word carping
(to complain in a peevish manner) are different, as far as sport fishermen
are concerned, carp and carping often go hand in hand.
In North Dakota's midsized reservoirs, overpopulation of undesirable or
"rough" fishes, can reduce numbers and diversity of more popular
fishes and harm sport fishing.
First introduced into the United States as a potentially important food
fish, the carp was stocked throughout much of the country in the 1880s and
1890s. The species spread rapidly, so that by early this century a fish
still highly esteemed throughout much of Europe was considered a pest in
the United States, a reputation that, with few exceptions, it retains to
Carp are primarily bottom (benthic) feeders, eating a variety of animal
and plant life (although it is not uncommon to see carp feeding at the surface
on hot, stagnant summer days). Overabundant carp can severely deplete lake
bottom food sources needed by species such as yellow perch, bluegills, and
Rooting activities of foraging carp stir up sediment and increase water
turbidity. Turbid water makes it difficult for sightfeeding game fish such
as walleye, sauger, and northern pike to see their food, as well as an angler's
bait. Carp impede growth and establishment of submerged aquatic plants by
directly uprooting plants, and hindering growth as turbid water blocks sunlight
needed for photosynthesis.
Elimination of submerged plants can diminish water quality, because submerged
plants reduce windcaused turbidity and help cycle nutrients. Submerged plants
also tie up nutrients, which helps control algae blooms in nutrient rich
waters. Besides aiding water quality, fish food organisms live on or near
aquatic plants. Some fish species, like northern pike and perch, need aquatic
plants for spawning. Underwater plants also provide cover for small fish
to escape from predators.
How Carp Dominate Waters?
In many nutrient-rich reservoirs, carp may at first reproduce successfully,
resulting in one or two strong year classes in succession. Their long lifespan
(up to 15 years or more) and potential to reach a large size (up to 20 pounds
or more) allow fish from strong year classes to grow steadily, rapidly at
first, but more slowly later on as they become large and exceed natural
limits of their food supply.
Eventually the reservoir is full of large, old carp whose reproductive success
is poor, because the reservoir's carrying capacity for carp is reached.
Growth and survival rates of young-of-the-year are low. Although few young
carp are added to the population, the damage was done when the strong year
classes were produced.
The Old Carp Syndrome may persist for years until a die off reduces the
dominant year classes. If the die off is sudden, the entire process can
start over. This cycle explains why biologists have often removed large
numbers of carp from waters, only to see survivors reproduce successfully
and recreate the Old Carp Syndrome 10 years later.
With fewer old carp, food for younger carp may be abundant. They can grow
rapidly, and quickly reach a size too large for predation. This rapid growth
permits a carp to live most of its 15 or more years without risk of predation.
The carp's high fecundity (reproductive capacity) up to 2 million eggs
in a 20-pound female and its adaptability to spawn in different situations
gives it an edge over many native or preferred species.
In addition, poor landuse practices in a watershed can result in excessive
sediment input and nutrient enrichment in a lake, conditions which often
favor rough fish over other species. Good land use practices become especially
important in reservoirs draining large watersheds, a common situation on
the Great Plains.
Because carp can alter their own aquatic habitats to the detriment of other
species, and because they can quickly outgrow predation, fishery managers
must often intervene in carp-dominated waters to reduce their numbers. Contracts
with commercial fishermen for harvesting them have often been used, but
economic returns of harvesting and marketing carp are marginal.
In ponds and small reservoirs (less than 300 acres), a common approach to
restoring a desirable fish community is complete eradication of the fish
community with rotenone. Rotenone, a natural fish toxicant, biochemically
inhibits oxygen use by fish. After the eradications, the waters are typically
stocked with more desirable species.
Midsized reservoirs with carp create special problems because eradication
is usually too expensive. Other methods must be developed to manipulate
a fish community, improve water quality, and rehabilitate the sport fishery.
For this reason, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has begun a three-year
project on Bowman-Haley Reservoir to evaluate methods for controlling undesirable
species in "problem" midsized reservoirs.
The intent of the project is to develop an effective approach for sustaining
a quality fishery, and incorporate the approach into a long-term management
plan for this and similar-sized reservoirs with carp problems.
Bowman-Haley Reservoir is a 1,750 acre impoundment on the North Fork of
the Grand River located 20 miles south of Bowman.
Despite repeated stockings of game fish, fishing success has gradually declined
as rough fish thrived. In 1993, the fish community in Bowman-Haley was dominated
by an estimated 1.5 million pounds of carp, nearly all of which weighed
at least five pounds and were at least 12 years old.
Submerged aquatic plants were nearly absent throughout the reservoir despite
large areas of shallow water apparently suitable for them. Without aquatic
plants, the reservoir became turbid when wind riled sediments below shallow
water. When the wind remained sufficiently calm for the lake to clear, high
nutrient levels in the clear water quickly gave rise to blooms of bluegreen
Such blooms act much like sediment caused turbidity, preventing light from
penetrating the water and hindering growth of submerged plants. Fishing,
boating, and other recreational uses of the reservoir were suffering. Predators
such as northern pike and walleye have had little effect in reducing the
multitudes of large carp, and disappointed boaters and anglers increasingly
voiced their concerns.
Turning Bowman-Haley Around
As a first step, in summer 1993 trapnets and gillnets were set throughout
the reservoir to capture, mark, and release as many fish as possible. Sufficient
numbers of recaptured, marked fish would allow us to estimate the population
of each species. Fish were marked by clipping a fin.
In early spring 1994 we trapped or gill-netted and removed as many other
rough fish besides carp (carpsuckers, white suckers, and redhorses) as possible,
on the assumption that their numbers were high. In all, more than 15,000
(nearly 73,000 pounds) of these fish were removed. Although we initially
thought that numbers of one or more of these other species were as abundant
as carp, we found they were not sufficiently numerous to present problems.
To remove large numbers of carp with minimal cost and effort, we took advantage
of the carp's tendency to congregate each spring in large numbers in relatively
warm tributaries prior to and during spawning. Bowman-Haley has three such
inflowing tributaries Spring Creek, Alkali Creek, and the North Fork of
the Grand River -- and all were full of carp in the spring of 1994.
During peak carp spawning activity, we positioned long seine nets completely
across the mouths of the three tributaries to prevent carp from escaping
back into the reservoir. The tributaries were then treated with rotenone.
More than 700,000 pounds of adult carp were killed, nearly half the estimated
1.5 million pounds of adult carp in the reservoir.
Carp so dominated the tributary habitats that all game fish combined constituted
less than one percent of the total fish killed by number and by weight.
In essence, the effect of rotenone use on other species was minimal.
After the tributaries were cleared of carp, we placed fences across two
of them to prevent carp from reentering, and monitored bottom food organisms,
zooplankton, water clarity, and submerged aquatic plant abundance above
and below the fences. A comparison of the two locations would help us identify
the effects of carp. Water samples collected before and after the rotenone
applications are being analyzed by the North Dakota State Department of
Health to assess effects on water quality. Of special interest is how decaying
carp affected nutrient levels of the tributaries.
Within 24 hours after the carp were removed, water clarity within the tributaries
increased remarkably; from only a few inches with carp to more than two
feet without carp. The increased visibility above the fences persisted the
rest of the summer.
The clearer water above the fences enabled submerged aquatic plants to flourish,
so that by the end of July, areas less than two feet deep were completely
covered with submerged vegetation. Submerged vegetation abundance also increased
in deeper areas of the tributaries, as well as in the main reservoir. In
areas where submerged


text:
Dyson, Miranda L.; Henzi, S. Peter; Halliday, Timothy R. and Barrett, Louise
|DOI (Digital Object Identifier) Link:||_URL_
|Google Scholar:||Look up in Google Scholar|
Studies of the distribution of mating success among males in frog choruses typically seek to identify specific phenotypic attributes that confer a higher mating success on certain individual males. These attributes invariably relate to competition among males: either direct competition in the form of aggression, or competition to attract and be chosen by females. In this paper, we present evidence that an additional factor may operate in frog choruses. We show that individual males who mate on a given night enjoy a higher probability of being successful on the next night, and we suggest that this is because successful mating enables males to conserve energy.
|Item Type:||Journal Article|
|Copyright Holders:||1998 The Royal Society|
|Keywords:||anurans; mating success; sexual selection; energetics; lek|
|Academic Unit/Department:||Science > Environment, Earth and Ecosystems
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|Depositing User:||Miranda Dyson|
|Date Deposited:||10 Feb 2012 15:38|
|Last Modified:||10 Feb 2012 15:38|
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curling (n.)
"action of turning, bending, or forming into ringlets," mid-15c., verbal noun from curl (v.). Curling-iron "rod of iron to be used hot for curling the hair" is from 1630s.
The game played with stones on ice, originally Scottish, is so-called by 1610s, but the sense connection is obscure. "The name appears to describe the motion given to the stone" [OED]. Evidence of the sport dates to the early 16c. in Scotland; written accounts of the game date to the 1540s. A similar game is described from c. 1600 in Flanders.
Others are reading
Definitions of curling from WordNet
curling (n.)
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target;
curling (adj.)
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl;
Synonyms: curled


text:
The Federation of Egalitarian Communities
The Federation of Egalitarian Communities is a network of communes spread across North America. We range in size and emphasis from small agricultural homesteads to village-like communities to urban group houses.
Each of the Federation communities:
- Holds its land, labor, income and other resources in common.
- Assumes responsibility for the needs of its members, receiving the products of their labor and distributing these and all other goods equally, or according to need.
- Practices non-violence
- Uses a form of decision making in which members have an equal opportunity to participate, either through consensus, direct vote or right of appeal or overrule.
- Works to establish the equality of all people and does not permit discrimination on the basis of race, class, creed, ethnic origin, age, sex or sexual orientation.
- Acts to conserve natural resources for present and future generations while striving to continually improve ecological awareness and practice.
- Creates processes for group communication and participation and provides an environment which supports people's development


text: Purpose: Correlation of body mass index (BMI) with clinical outcome in patients with glioblastoma is not well documented. Hence, we studied the association between survival and pretreatment BMI in glioblastoma patients. Methods and Materials: In this retrospective study, only patients with histopathology-confirmed glioblastoma were included. Their BMIs were calculated from height and weight measurements and recorded in medical records at their first examination. Treatment plans for all patients consisted of concurrent radiation therapy and temozolomide, followed by maintenance therapy with temozolomide. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the mortality risk associated with BMI as a continuous and categorical variable. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m 2 was classified as normal, 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m 2 as overweight, and ≥30.0 kg/m 2 as obese. Results: Data from 392 patients treated from January 2008 through June 2016 were analyzed. At a median follow-up of 48.6 months, the median OS was 13.5 months in normal subjects, 15.4 months in overweight subjects, and 15.1 months in obese subjects. A total of 81% of the patients died. The hazard ratios for overweight and obese patients were 0.70 (95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.92; P =.009) and 0.66 (95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.98; P =.04), respectively, when adjusted for age, Karnofsky performance score, and extent of resection. Sex, diabetes, and hypertension had no significant interactions. Conclusions: Patients with elevated BMIs had significantly better OS in our series of patients. The mechanism of this interaction needs to be explored further to understand this association. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.


text:
Companies moving into new markets often bring unfortunate names with them. Distributors in Chile asked Mazda to rename its Laputa minivan because "puta" means "prostitute" in Spanish. Clairol introduced the Mist Stick curling iron in Germany only to learn that there, "mist" is slang for "manure."
Choosing a name when taking a product to China is the biggest challenge of all. Chinese has thousands of characters, each with many meanings and with pronunciations that vary from region to region. In the early days of Coke's introduction in China, for example, shopkeepers advertised the drink using characters that sounded similar to "Coca-Cola" but had nonsensical meanings such as "wax-flattened mare."
To help companies avoid having their brands associated with strange images or messages, we used our research on 100 multinational brands to develop a naming framework that takes into account both meaning and sound. Companies can take one of four tacks, each with its pros and cons. Ideally the Chinese name would have both phonetic and semantic associations with the original—but fewer than a quarter of the companies we studied achieved this branding nirvana.


text:
Jim Bennet examines what happened to the fascist movement after WWII.
European fascism was like a large river, flowing and carrying along millions of willing and enthusiastic adherents across the European continent. The question now is, where did this river disappear to in 1945? These people and their underlying sentiments were the culmination of generations of political evolution. It defies reason to believe that they simply changed their minds, all of them.
Above all, fascists everywhere enshrined the role of the state as the focus of national life and the source of meaning and value. This separates fascism from other movements of political violence and racial caste conflict (like the Klan, for example) and unites it with the superficially liberal but state-exhalting European nationalist movements of the 19th century of which fascist movements are ultimately mutated descendents. This value also unites fascism with the purposive and directive state of European bureaucrats today.
See here for more on posts in this category.Posted by Jeff at April 21, 2003 10:31 AM | Link Cosmos


Shotgun Boot Camp: How to Load Your Shotgun
Last Updated on May 15, 2021.
Writer for Minuteman Review, handgun aficionado and artisan firearms reviewer.
Shotgun Boot Camp How to Load Your Shotgun
Loading your shotgun is necessary to ready it for firing. Unloading your shotgun is necessary to ensure it's safe for routine maintenance, disassembly, and transport. Learn how to do this to be a safe and effective shooter.
Shotgun Types and Magazines
Loading is the act of inserting ammunition into a firearm to ready it for firing. The exact loading procedure differs depending on the type of shotgun and its magazine, assuming it has one.
In singleand double-barreled break-action shotguns, the number of shells the shotgun holds is proportionate to the number of barrels. Each barrel has a corresponding firing chamber into which you insert a shotgun shell.
There is a magazine that holds multiple shotgun shells under spring pressure for feeding into the chamber in repeating shotguns. Most repeating shotguns, whether pump-action or semi-automatic, are fed from a tubular magazine located below the barrel.
In 12-gauge shotguns, such as the Mossberg 500/590 and Remington 870, these magazine tubes typically hold between five and seven standard-length 12-gauge shells (i.e., 2¾").
However, magazine extensions are available for these weapons that can increase the capacity by two or more shells. If you use shorter shells or your gun can chamber magnums (3" or 3½"), the capacity may vary.
Shotguns fed from detachable box magazines are not as common as those fed from tubular magazines; however, they are gaining popularity. These magazines typically hold between 7 and 12 rounds.
How to Load a Shotgun
There's typically an opening lever located on the tang of the stock above the safety catch in singleand double-barreled break-action shotguns. Rotating this lever unlocks the barrels from the frame and allows them to pivot downward, exposing the chambers for loading and unloading. Insert however many shells there are barrels and close the gun by lifting the barrels until they lock in place.
In shotguns fed from tubular magazines, there is usually a loading port located directly behind the magazine at the bottom of the receiver. The procedure for loading these types of shotguns begins with retracting the slide to open the breech. If you're right-handed, take a shotgun shell in your left hand, reach under the receiver, and insert the shell into the chamber through the ejection port. Close the breech.
The loading port in Remington and Benelli shotguns is partially closed by the shell lifter. To load shotguns of this type, you'll use the shotgun shell to raise the shell lifter and press the shell toward the magazine tube. You will usually insert your thumb into the receiver until the shell latch catches the round. Mossberg shotguns have open loading ports, so there's less risk of pinching your thumb.
There are a variety of ways to load tube-fed shotguns. Some shooters prefer to rotate the shotgun in the support hand, bracing the stock against the thigh or hip, with the loading port facing upward. The shooter then loads shells with their strong hand
Others load shells into the magazine tube with the support hand while the stock is still braced against the shoulder. This way, the shooter can top off the magazine while their firing hand remains on the grip.
The procedure for loading a detachable shotgun magazine does not differ significantly from loading a pistol or rifle magazine. Depress the spring-loaded follower using the head of the shell and slide the round under the magazine lips until the base hits the rear.
Carrying Unloaded
When deciding how to load your shotgun, you also have to determine whether you want to carry it loaded or unloaded. If you want to carry your shotgun unloaded, you should first clear the weapon, as is customary with firearms of all types, by opening the action and inspecting the chamber for a live round.
Once you've confirmed that the chamber is empty, close the action, disengage the safety catch, and press the trigger to drop the hammer. That way, after loading, the action will not be locked, and you can cycle a round into the chamber immediately without depressing the action release.
A Word on Ammunition
There are a variety of shotgun shell lengths on the market. It's important to know which shotgun shell types your gun can chamber and fire. Shotgun shell lengths are typically expressed in inches.
Standard shotshells in 12 gauge are 2¾". This is not the unfired length, however. The opening to the shotgun shell is crimped to hold the shot pellets in place. When you fire the shotgun, the expanding gases generated by the burning propellant force the wadding and shot charge forward, opening the crimped shotgun shell to its full length
A 12-gauge shotgun that has a 2¾" chamber cannot fire 3" magnum shells. Only load shotgun shells of the appropriate length for your gun.
One of the most common additions to a shotgun is a choke tube. Choke tubes are tapered sleeves that you screw into the barrel of a shotgun to constrict the shot pellets, tightening the spreading pattern for increased range. If you intend to fire rifled slugs, cylinder-bore shotgun barrels are best, followed by improved cylinder. Anything tighter than this is not advisable
Learning how to load a shotgun is only part of the equation. You should also know how to unload it for transportation and storage. There are multiple ways to unload a shotgun safely. You rotate the opening lever in a break-action shotgun, pivot the barrels downward, and remove the spent or unfired shells manually with your fingers. Alternatively, a sharp rearward movement can force the spent shells out.
If the break-action shotgun has automatic extractors, the shells will partially extract for easy removal. If the shotgun has automatic ejectors, the act of breaking the gun open will also expel the shells.
In shotguns fed from tubular magazines, the simplest way to unload the magazine is to depress the action release lever and cycle the fore-end until the magazine is empty. However, when you cycle the shotgun to unload it, you are chambering each shotshell before extracting and ejecting it.
To avoid chambering ammunition during the unloading process, raise the shell lifter through the loading port, and find and depress the shell latch. The shell latch is a spring-loaded part designed to retain shotgun shells in the magazine.
Depress the shell latch with your finger, and the magazine feeding spring will eject one shell. Repeat this action until the magazine has been unloaded, and you can see the follower through the loading port.
Ammo Accessories
Although shotguns are relatively low-capacity weapons, a common way of compensating for the lack of magazine capacity is to have an onboard ammunition supply for quick reloading.
This usually takes the form of a side saddle. Shotgun side saddles, also known as shell carriers, are metal or plastic loops that hold shotgun shells on the outside of the gun. These may attach to the receiver or the stock, depending on the model. Side saddles allow you to carry several additional rounds, usually between four and six, increasing the firepower available to you.
In Sum A magazine
If you can't load your gun, you can't fire it. If you can't unload it, you can't render it safe, take it apart, or clean it. Loading is essential for any firearm, and your shotgun is no exception.


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Screenshot via MBARI video
The newly discovered carnivorous "harp sponge."
Candelabra-shaped and carnivorous, a newly discovered sea creature — the "harp sponge" — has been found clinging to the ocean floor off Monterey Bay.
Armed with "Velcro-like barbed hooks," the sponge — first observed via remote vehicle by a Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) team in 2000 — lives about two miles under the sea and feeds on crustaceans, reports Our Amazing Planet.
Velcro-like barbed hooks cover the sponge's branching limbs, snaring crustaceans as they are swept into its branches by deep-sea currents. Once the harp sponge has its meal, it envelops the animal in a thin membrane, and then slowly begins to digest its prey.
Two sponges were collected off the coast of California by researchers; 10 others were filmed. The largest observed specimen was about 14 inches tall, and the sponges varied in structure. Scientists believe the sponge evolved a multi-pronged shape, in part, to cover more food-grabbing surface area.


Self-Organized File System For Mobile Devices | Open Innovations Framework Program FRUCT
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Self-Organized File System For Mobile Devices
The issue of limited user space is important for all mobile devices today. Any user want to use a lot of content but don't want to pay for expensive large-volume cards to store it.
So the opportunity to share data in the ad-hoc network of mobile devices is very attractive.
Imagine that the data is distributed transparently among the net instead of being stored locally on each device. Any user can use any data in this net but has to store only the part locally.
So the idea of the project is to provide ability to use much more data on device with lack of user space by distributing data among the group of such devices in assumption that they supports networking and the sets of needed data are overlapped inside this group.
We suggest to develop serverless distributed file system to provide way to distribute data among the net of Nokia Interner Tablets, to use and to modify it remotely and so on.
We suppose to use some base conceptions of serverless distribution used in xfs file system as the heart of implementation.
As the first step this file system can be implemented as a user-space programm using the Fuse (File System in User Space) software.
The developed file system has to provide common file operations along with procedures of connecting/disconnecting to the "data community", of locating newly created data, and relocating data in the case of unbalanced usage of space among the net.
 1. Proof the concept and establish requirements: obtain common use cases, review related works, identify platform constraints. - 30/12/08
 2. Design and spec. - 01/02/09
 3. First prototipe implementation - 01/03/09
 4. First port for maemo - 15/03/09
 5. Investigation, estimation of achievements, planning for next iterations - 15/04/09
 6. Public report in FRUCT seminar (April 2009)
Project Lead: Evelina Stepanova
On hold
Final deadline:
Thursday, April 30, 2009 (All day)


Why You Shouldn't Rely on Social Media to Save Your Photo Memories?
Social media plays an important role in the lives of billions of people all over the world. It helps us stay in touch with others, provides us easy access to a lot of news, and helps us entertain and educate ourselves.
However, in addition to that, social media is often treated like a modern-day photo album. When many of us take photos today, they are to share with our friends, family and followers on social media. They are saved on our profiles, and many believe this is a great way to keep your photos safe in one place.
Unfortunately, there are risks of relying on social media platforms for this purpose. But why? Why should you not rely on social media to store your photos? Well, that is exactly what this article is going to take a closer look at.
They Are Converted to a Lower Quality
In most cases, when you upload an image to a social media platform, it is automatically compressed and converted into a lower quality. The exact resolution will depend, but it certainly won't maintain the same quality. While you may not notice on a phone or computer, if you were to print the photo out, you would surely see the drop in resolution.
The main reason this is done is to reduce the file size of the image. The smaller the file size of an image, the quicker it will load and the less space the image will use. So while it can provide a better experience for those browsing your profile or their feed, it is terrible if you ever need to use these photos to replace the originals.
If You Forget Your Password or Get Hacked
Another risk of using social media as the only place where you store photos is that you could get locked out of your account. If you can no longer access your account, you will not be able to directly access your photos. There are a number of different ways you may get locked out or lose access to your account.
You might forget the password, might have your account suspended or locked for violating the terms of service, or could even get hacked. While hacking might not be something you are concerned with, it should be. Almost a quarter of internet users claimed they have had online accounts hacked at least once. All it takes is one hack for your images to be gone forever.
At some point you may also delete your account, and if you forgot about the photos, you could end up losing them, as well.
The Platform Could Shut Down
The social media platform itself shutting down could also be a reason not to store your photos there. Once a platform shuts down, accounts there are no longer accessible and will generally be deleted entirely. You may have some time to log in and save your photos before they are deleted, but again, they will be lower quality than if you would have just stored them somewhere better from the start.
While some platforms might seem foolproof right now, there is always something new coming along. The platforms we all use and love today, will likely be all but a memory in a couple of decades and the world will have moved onto something else. Also, even if they don't shut down, they could change their terms of service at any time, which could put your data (such as images) at risk of being deleted.
In conclusion, we hope this article has been able to help you learn why you shouldn't rely solely on a social media platform or profile to keep your photos and memories safe. While keeping photos on there is fine, a social media platform should never be the only place where a particular photo exists.
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EWTN Catholic Q&A
Melchisedek Blessing and tithing
Question from silvia del rosario on 11-09-2012:
Was he a prophet? and Why is he an important character in the bible.
Melchizedek is an enigmatic figure who appears in Genesis and is mentioned in Psalm 110. He shares bread and wine with Abram, blesses him, and receives a tithe from the Patriarch. This figure is important in the NT Epistle to the Hebrews as well, which has a theme of Jesus as Highn Priest. Melchizedek foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Christ. Whether he was an angel or human we do not know but we know his role as the pre-figure meant of Jesus as priest and the Mass.
Thanks, Silvia
Father Echert


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UKLA is delighted to announce shortlists for the prestigious UKLA/ Wiley Research in Literacy Education Award 2019.
The Award is given annually for papers published in each of UKLA's journals – Literacy and Journal of Research in Reading (JRR) – judged to be exemplary in terms of criteria applied in both journals. Literacy and JRR are peer-reviewed journals with international reputations for excellence. The panel chair is Dr. Wayne Tennent.
UKLA congratulates all the shortlisted authors.
The winning authors will be announced at the UKLA 55th International Conference in Sheffield July 12-14 and invited to present a joint seminar at the conference.
Shortlist Literacy 2019
- Joy Alexander and Ruth Jarman, The pleasures of reading non-fiction Vol 52:2
- Amelia Hempel-Jorgensen, Teresa Cremin, Diane Harris and Liz Chamberlain, Pedagogy for reading for pleasure in low socio-economic primary schools" beyond 'pedagogy of poverty'? Vol 52:2
- Bobbie Kabuto, Family narratives of biliteracy vol 52:3
- Kimberly Lenters and Alec Whitford, Failing with grace: kids, Improv and embodied literacies vol 52:3
- Helen Victoria Smith, Cooking the books: what counts as literacy for young children in a public library? Vol 52:1
Shortlist JRR 2019
- Kaefer, T. The role of topic‐related background knowledge in visual attention to illustration and children's word learning during shared book reading Vol 41:3
- Liu, P., & Lu, Q. The effects of spaces on word segmentation in Chinese reading: Evidence from eye movements Vol 41:2
- Messer, D., & Nash, G. An evaluation of the effectiveness of a computer‐assisted reading intervention Vol 41:1
- Nouwens, S., Groen, M. A., Kleemans, T., and Verhoeven, L. The role of semantic retrieval in children's reading comprehension development in the upper primary grades. Vol 41:3
- Okkinga, M., van Steensel, R., van Gelderen, A. J. S., and Sleegers, P. J. C. Effects of reciprocal teaching on reading comprehension of low‐achieving adolescents. The importance of specific teacher skills. Vol 41:1
- Torppa, M., Eklund, K., Sulkunen, S., Niemi, P., and Ahonen, T. Why do boys and girls perform differently on PISA Reading in Finland? The effects of reading fluency, achievement behaviour, leisure reading and homework activity. Vol 41:1
The Literacy shortlists were selected by a working party led by Jill McClay and Clare Dowdall (out-going editors); the JRR shortlists by Jessie Ricketts and Nenagh Kemp(editors) in consultation with JRR associate editors.
Notes for Editors
The Award is given annually for papers published in each of UKLA's journals – Literacy and Journal of Research in Reading (JRR) – judged to be exemplary in terms of criteria applied in both journals.
Specifically, the award is given to a text which fulfils many of the following criteria:
- Relevance to readership – taking account of an international readership
- Accessibility to a knowledgeable readership
- Original content which contributes significantly to existing knowledge or the development of new knowledge, policy or strategy
- Clear theoretical position
- Methodologically sound research processes /design appropriate to the theoretical standpoint
- Sound level of critical analysis
- Relevant and appropriate citation base


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There is ample evidence from different research disciplines that location factors such as employment opportunities or the availability of amenities and facilities are a powerful predictor of settlement behaviour. Recent research suggests that citizens' mean personality traits could be an additional predictor of where young people settle. We therefore explore 1) the extent to which recent graduates in the Netherlands are geographically clustered with respect to five different personality traits, 2) whether the geographical clustering of graduates is intensified as they grow older, 3) how regional environmental characteristics are related to personality traits, and 4) the extent to which personality traits play a role in graduates' location choices. Our results reveal a distinct geographical clustering of personality traits among the different regions in the Netherlands. We also show that this geographical clustering becomes more blurred as graduates age. The results furthermore show robust associations between personality traits and several environmental characteristics with respect to demographic, economic, health, political, sociocultural, crime, and religious outcomes. In addition, we show that personality traits play a role in graduates' location choices. Economic factors seem to have a larger impact in determining location choices than personality traits.
|Series||ROA Research Memoranda|
- j61 - "Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers"
- r23 - "Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics: Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population; Neighborhood Characteristics"
- d91 - "Intertemporal Consumer Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving"
- personality traits
- geographical psychology
- recent graduates
- settlement behaviour


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This committee is tasked to pursue issues affecting research in the discipline, prioritising the advancement of research in the broad interdisciplinary fields encompassed. Its tasks include sourcing and monitoring information on research funding trends and quanta, providing input on qualitative assessments of research infrastructure and outputs, such as journal rankings, facilitating discipline-wide collaboration and representation in the interests of research in the discipline, and monitoring the impact of sector-wide decision making processes on the discipline's research resources. Members are volunteers drawn from the membership at the AGM.
Chair: Helen Groth (UNSW) _EMAIL_
Sue Martin (La Trobe)
Ken Gelder (Uni of Melbourne)
Paul Giles (Uni of Sydney)
Tom Clark (Victoria University of Technology)
Will Christie (ANU)


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Stop second-guessing your gut health with Viome. Find out how this test helps you maximize wellness and prevent diseases.
In this article:
- What Is Viome?
- Where Is Viome?
- How Does the Test Work?
- How Much Does Viome Testing Cost?
- Who Can Take the Viome Test?
- When Is the Best Time to Take the Test?
- Why Do You Need It?
- What Can You Read from the Viome Report?
- How Do You Receive the Analysis?
- What Do the Viome Reviews Say?
Viome Testing and Its Significant Value to Your Gut Health
What Is Viome?
Founded in 2016, Viome Inc. is a private health technology company that specializes in gut health testing and recommendations.
According to its website, it's the only firm to receive the exclusive license of a technology first developed in Los Alamos National Laboratory, a national security facility under the U.S. Department of Energy.
It's the same lab used to design nuclear weapons for the Manhattan Project. Later, the government funds went to scientific research and development, especially for managing national security challenges.
The founders are Naveen Jain, who now serves as the CEO, and Deepak Savadatti, who possesses an extensive background in technology, engineering, marketing, and sales. The other members of the company are physicians, engineers, and scientists.
It is a multimillion-dollar company after receiving more than $15 million in startup funding from venture capital.
Where Is Viome?
Its main office is in Town Center Lane in Cupertino, California, but it offers its testing service in the following countries:
- United Kingdom
- The United States except for New York
How Does the Test Work?
Viome's gut health test works using two innovations: metatranscriptomic sequencing and artificial intelligence.
1. Metatranscriptomic Sequencing
This is the technology the company received from Los Alamos National Laboratory. It searches deep into the RNA molecules of the different organisms that make up your microbiome (or microbe community).
What are RNA molecules? And how do they differ from DNA? The RNA is a single-stranded molecule that translates the genetic information found in the DNA into proteins (protein synthesis).
To be fair, Viome isn't the only gut health testing company that offers RNA sequencing, but the company claims this technology allows it to see all types of microorganisms present. These include fungi, parasites, and even bacteriophages.
What are bacteriophages? These are viruses that can destroy bacteria or their host cells.
It can also break down these organisms into their different strains and species. Most of all, it can identify its genetic expression, which means you should know how each of these organisms work in your body.
2. Artificial Intelligence
Also known as AI, it is the part of the tests that helps the company provide you with recommendations based on the results of the sequencing. It tells you about your overall gut health and, more importantly, the types of food you need to eat or avoid.
AI relies on a special algorithm and the data from various respectable journals, papers, and studies. It then combines such information with your results to come up with a personalized action plan.
How Much Does Viome Testing Cost?
The Viome cost is $399 per kit, but this price varies every once in a while. For example, the company may offer discounts as much as 50% off.
This Viome testing cost includes the at-home Gut Intelligence Kit and personalized recommendations. You also get free standard U.S. domestic return shipping.
The cost doesn't include other shipping options, especially if you live outside the United States.
The company strongly suggests a retest after 90 days to see if there are changes to your microbiome. This is if you followed the recommendations.
You may be able to pay for the test using your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). You may also use your insurance, but you need to know your coverage first.
Who Can Take the Viome Test?
Anyone can take the test as long as they meet the following criteria:
- They can afford to buy the kit.
- They are living in states and countries covered by the company. It is not available in New York due to licensing issues.
- Children below 18 years old can also take the test as long as they have the consent of their parents or guardians.
- They must have a unique e-mail account. They need to use it to log in to Viome's mobile or web app.
When Is the Best Time to Take the Test?
Anytime is the best time to take the test. To help you decide, consider how soon you want to receive your results.
- From the moment you buy the kit, it takes about five to 10 days to receive it. It may take longer for those in other countries, as well as people residing in Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.
- Using the items in the kit, you provide a pea-sized sample of your stool and send it back to the lab.
- You need to send the sample back to them the next business day.
- It may take about four weeks for it to arrive to the lab for analysis.
Why Do You Need It?
The Viome test doesn't provide you with a cure to your chronic diseases, and you still need to corroborate the information with your doctor. There are, however, multiple reasons to take it:
- Your gut contributes to the many different body processes such as metabolism. Any issues in metabolism may lead to health issues and obesity.
- The microbiome can be specific and unique for every person. There's no one-size-fits-all solution to every gut health problem.
- You will know which of your organisms are active and how they affect your body.
- The test will also help you understand how food affects your microbiome. It may then help detect food intolerances such as gluten issues.
- You can use the information to help create a more personalized diet plan.
What Can You Read from the Viome Report?
The Viome report is as comprehensive as it gets. You can see a sample here. Some of the sections include:
- Metabolic fitness, which relates your microbiome to your body's nutrients, response to sugar, and calorie intake
- Inflammatory activity, which determines the role of the organisms to chronic inflammation
- Gut ecosystem, which says how rich or diverse your microbiome is
- Active Microbes
- Probiotics present, which compares the probiotics in your gut and those found in commercially available products
How Do You Receive the Analysis?
As soon as your test results are ready, you will receive an e-mail notification. You can also log in to your account on the website or mobile app.
What Do the Viome Reviews Say?
When it comes to Viome vs Ubiome, DayTwo, AtlasBioMed, and other companies that offer gut health testing, the consensus is the same: there's no exam that guarantees a complete picture of your microbiome and health.
Viome, though, has the edge when it comes to the comprehensiveness of the test and the data it provides. If you're lucky, the discount can significantly bring down the cost of every exam.
The company also makes it easy for you to receive and understand the results.
At the end of the day, it takes more than one Viome review to make a decision. In fact, to understand how your body operates, you should learn to go beyond gut health tests.
Test or no test, what is important is being more aware and proactive about improving your health and achieving peak performance. Take it one step at a time!
Are you willing to take a Viome test? Let us know your thoughts about it in the comments section below!


Most adaptations to French Properties would require a permission known as a Permis de Construire. It is something in between Planning Permission and Building Regulation Drawings as in the British system.
Such an application would involve a set of drawings which would normally be a prelude to the information required for instructing builders. These drawings require the building to be measured and drawn with the desired modifications worked out with the owner.


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system is the kinetic temperature of random motions of the grains. Since electric and gravitational energies vary inversely with distance, the cloud must expand as its temperature cools. A simple calculation shows that, in spite of the falling temperature, the number of quantum-states accessible to each grain increases with the three halves power of the size of the cloud. The number of quantum-states grows larger and larger as the cloud expands. In an analog system of this kind, there is no ground state and no energy gap.
An analog form of life, such as Hoyle's black cloud, adapts better to low temperatures, because a cloud with a fixed number of grains can expand its memory without limit by increasing its linear scale. The quantized-energy argument does not apply to an analog system, because the number of quantum-states is unbounded. At late times quantum mechanics becomes irrelevant, and the behavior of the system becomes essentially classical. The number of quantum states becomes so large that classical mechanics becomes exact. When analog systems work classically, the quantized-energy argument fails. That is why survival is possible in the domain of classical mechanics although it is impossible in the domain of quantum mechanics. Fortunately, classical mechanics becomes dominant as the universe expands and cools. But Krauss and Starkman have not yet conceded. I am still expecting them to come back with new arguments which I will then do my best to refute.


_USER_{acp-13-4737-2013, AUTHOR = {Krol, M. and Peters, W. and Hooghiemstra, P. and George, M. and Clerbaux, C. and Hurtmans, D. and McInerney, D. and Sedano, F. and Bergamaschi, P. and El Hajj, M. and Kaiser, J. W. and Fisher, D. and Yershov, V. and Muller, J.-P.}, TITLE = {How much CO was emitted by the 2010 fires around Moscow?}, JOURNAL = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, VOLUME = {13}, YEAR = {2013}, NUMBER = {9}, PAGES = {4737--4747}, URL = {_URL_ DOI = {10.5194/acp-13-4737-2013} }


Father's Rights Against False Child Abuse Allegations
Learn how to win custody cases in the face of false abuse allegations
Fathers Rights in California and Winning Custody in the Face of False Abuse Allegations
Fathers have rights when faced with false abuse allegations against them
When fathers are falsely accused, they are often confused as to what has driven their spouse or, if the parents are not married, the mother of the child to make such false allegations.
While there is no perfect answer to this question, any parent (mother or father) who makes false allegations of abuse typically does so because that parent knows that the history of abuse is a serious consideration in any child custody proceeding in California.
But that is where fathers rights and what a father does in the face of false allegations becomes so important. Is a father falsely accused of child abuse content to just beat the allegations and go back to a joint custody arrangement? Or does the father believe it is better for the child or children to take custody away from the parent who falsely accused him?
In this article, we are going to address the issue of taking custody away from the parent who made the false allegations and seeking attorney fees (sanctions) against that parent. In other words, we are going to answer the question that plagues a lot of fathers who are falsely accused - "how do I get child custody?" Our attorneys believe that false allegations of abuse, whether made by a father or mother, often justify a change in custody and parenting time (visitation) because that is the primary way to avoid additional false allegations.
False abuse allegations and the Family Code.
Just as California Family Code 3011 states that the court must consider any history of abuse by any parent seeking custody and that abuse includes child abuse, the California Family Code and law recognizes that false allegations of child abuse (or any abuse, including domestic violence) is simply unacceptable in child custody cases and there are statutes in California that can be used on behalf of parents who are falsely accused.
Family Code 3027.1
Family Code 3027.1 states in its subdivision (a)
"If a court determines, based on the investigation described in Section 3027 or other evidence presented to it, that an accusation of child abuse or neglect made during a child custody proceeding is false and the person making the accusation knew it to be false at the time the accusation was made, the court may impose reasonable money sanctions, not to exceed all costs incurred by the party accused as a direct result of defending the accusation, and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in recovering the sanctions, against the person making the accusation. For the purposes of this section, "person" includes a witness, a party, or a party's attorney."
In the context of fathers rights in California, a father falsely accused needs to only show that the mother knowingly made the false allegations of child abuse or neglect during the child custody proceeding. If the father can show that, then the father can seek the sanctions against the mother and even the mother's attorney if the attorney also knowingly made the false allegations. If other people (often grandparents, siblings, etc.) also knowingly made false allegations, they can also be sanctioned by the court.
Supervised visitation in false allegation cases
A lot of fathers who are falsely accused don't realize this but the court does have the discretion to order a parent who has knowingly made false allegations of sexual abuse of the child to have supervised visitation. Typically, the Court has to find that there was a knowingly false sexual abuse allegation and California Family Code 3027.5 lays out the requirements for that.
However, there is no law that limits supervised visitation to only false sexual abuse allegation cases. They may be appropriate in cases when there are knowingly false allegations of other types of child abuse, especially if the allegations are made more than once.
Limiting visitation as a result of false allegations
Here is where the rubber meets the road. The simple fact is most fathers who are falsely accused don't have the sense to realize that once a parent makes false abuse allegations and thinks he or she has gotten away with it, the chances of doing it again may be high. In other words, if a mother hypothetically made false child abuse allegations against a father, the father lost joint legal and joint physical custody temporarily, but the father was able to show the allegations were false and settled for restoring joint legal and joint physical custody, what did the mother who made the false allegations really suffer as a consequence of her misconduct?
What fathers in California should think about is, in addition to the monetary sanctions they seek against the other parent for the false allegations, if their children (who were probably alienated by the parent who made the false allegations) need protection, if the father, himself, needs protection against false allegations and if the father should seek primary physical custody and possibly sole legal custody of the children.
We have written in the past that false allegations of abuse are a form of child abuse in and of themselves. A parent who makes false allegations of child abuse is really emotionally abusing his or her own child. Dads have the same duty that mothers do, which is to protect their children from harm. So ask yourself this if you are a father who has been falsely accused - are you protecting your children if you are letting them have significant custodial time with a mother who has falsely accused you of abusing the children?
We think the answer to that question is often no.
Where do you start?
If you have read this article, then you owe it to yourself to speak to one of our experienced fathers rights attorneys. We are here to help you and will give you an affordable strategy session. You can also use our contact us form to reach us.
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Pattern Pattern Pattern
Showing 1 entry for tag: Mount Erymanthos
Pattern Pattern Pattern
Robert (Bob) Blaisdell, Althea (Thea) Kliros
Hercules narrates his story, beginning with his birth as the mortal son of a god. He talks of how he was child prodigy in warfare, but failed at learning music. After killing the teacher that belittles him about failing at music, Hercules goes out into the world to learn what he can. After Hera challenges Zeus to prove Hercules is worthy of being immortal, Hercules jumps at the opportunity and completes twelve labours. (...)
YEAR: 1997
COUNTRY: United States of America


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Key Links Digital Grows A Child's Reading Skills with Fun Technology
TWP is an active member in the education industry. Collaborating with the founders of Key Links, we created Key Links Digital, an application incorporating exciting, interactive features to foster a child's love for reading.
The benefits of Key Links Digital include:
- Suitability for use in classroom or home-based learning
- Easy-to-use bookshelf layout, titles are organised by colour and sequence
- Enhanced reading experience thanks to interactivity and animations
- Reinforcement of reading expressions through narration and vivid speech bubbles
- Develop bilingualism through optional translation
- Overview of child's progress with user login for teachers and parents
Download the Key Links Bookshelf and embark on a whole new learning experience or visit the Key Links Digital website to learn more!
Key Links Digital


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Trouble-free and safe operation
Monitoring and controlling hydraulic pressure and temperature in wind turbine equipment and subsystems is a complex process; at start-up, pressure rises and at shutdown it's released, and for lubrication and rotation functions, maintaining a minimum pressure level is crucial. To ensure smooth and safe operation, the temperatures of the hydraulic unit, generator, drive shaft, gearbox, oil braking and cooling systems have to be accurately monitored and controlled. That's where Danfoss comes in.
Pressure and temperature signals are used by controllers to adjust valves, pumps and other equipment to maintain stable operation and, increasingly, to control safety functions. Designed to handle over-pressure and pressure spikes, liquid cavitations, dirt contamination, intense operating cycles, and extreme temperatures, Danfoss pressure transmitters and temperature sensors have been keeping wind turbines rotating, and safe, for decades.
Two industry favorites are the MBS 3000 pressure transmitter and the MBT 5310 temperature sensor. Fitted with a pulse snubber, the MBS 3000 can withstand water hammer, liquid cavitation and pressure peaks. Designed to handle the heavy vibrations in wind turbines, the MBT 5310 features a spring-loaded sensor to ensure close and reliable contact – furthermore it can withstand temperatures up to 200°C.
If you'd like to hear more about how Danfoss can help getting the best from your monitoring and control equipment, please contact your nearest Danfoss dealer.
By Per Sønderriis, Global Sales Manager Wind Energy


Teléfilo Dictionary: Mary Sue
When the star of a series, especially one of adventure and mystery is built, there is always the temptation to do too perfect. It is the most handsome of all, the smartest, the nicest and most empathy with others, the more proficient with technology, the best pilots a ship and shoot a weapon, the more fun … Such characters have a quite specific name. Mary Sue
It is true that, if they refer to a male character, called Marty Stu (or Gary Stu), but the Mary Sue term is more entrenched, especially because female characters encompasses that are built a way to escape the traditional clichés in which usually fall, as being only the bride, or the best friend, and end up falling in other different.
The origin of the Mary Sue
Where does use this name when defining what we could say that is a pluperfect a bluestocking? Apparently, its first use was in 1973, in a parody account of ' Star Trek ' called "A Trekkie's tale 'and written by Paula Smith. In it, the main purpose of satire were the fanfics of the series and, especially, the introduction of characters too perfect and did everything right.
The heroine of" A Trekkie's Tale 'is Mary Sue, who describes himself as the youngest Starfleet lieutenant, fifteen and a half years but Captain Kirk falls in love immediately and saves the crew of the Enterprise with many skills. It's so pluperfect and so beautiful that obviously has to be parodic, but is an archetype that may be difficult to resist.
The example often given of character that's folded to the terms of a Mary Sue It is actually a Marty Stu and Wesley Crusher, the wunderkind ' Star Trek. The new generation '. He was intelligent, always had a solution for everything, the writers gave great importance … Although viewers did not fall too well. Wesley was the closest thing to the child repellent Vicente of popular expression.
A character too perfect
How can recognize a Mary Sue? Generally, because they a set of skills that can border on the unbelievable, everyone constantly talks about how brilliant and great it is, and they claim in this post Cinelin about why Felicity Smoak is the largest of all Mary Sue.
"The goal of a Mary Sue is not in the making, but in how others react to her / him a Mary Sue exists to be praised; an object that idolize her. / He inspires others with her infectious goodness and makes the hero fight harder, even if Mary Sue actually never does anything remarkable. "
As you can see, the term is used in a derogatory manner and to criticize the series in particular. If, for example, you start to accuse Daisy / Skye to be a Mary Sue, it's because you're emphasizing defect ' Agents of SHIELD ', a character in which the writers are too reflected and pamper to the point of making it unlikely.
How is the Mary Sue has evolved considerably since the 70, and their perception is one of the more subjective all the usual tropes of fiction. Was Karen in 'Smash' a Mary Sue? Can you apply that term to players as Supergirl? And they can fall into that trap the strong female characters Buffy or Sydney Bristow type, and are almost becoming their own archetypes?
Mary Sue (or Marty / Gary Stu) can be a symptom of personal weakness of the writers, of a lazy characterization of a character or it may be simply conditioned by the preconceptions of viewers to certain characters. Their identification is not as clear or follow a predetermined pattern. Mary Sues can be some interesting characters, and even "redemption".
Tele Go! | teléfilo Dictionary
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News teléfilo Dictionary: Mary Sue was originally published at Go Tele by Such Marina.
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Teléfilo Dictionary: Mary Sue
Source: english
December 21, 2015
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- 1 What You Need to Know About 200 Amp Service Wire
- 1.1 What is 200 Amp Service Wire
- 1.2 Benefits of 200 Amp Service Wire
- 1.3 Increased Power Capacity
- 1.4 Video:What You Need to Know About 200 Amp Service Wire
- 1.4.1 Electrical panel wiring. Working on live utility wire in residential panel upgrades and change outs
- 1.4.2 Upgrading Your Underground Electrical Service On Your Home
- 1.4.3 How to install 200 amp sub panel
- 1.4.4 How To Wire a House Main Electrical Panel Load Center & Layout Tips Full Step By Step Process 200Amp
What You Need to Know About 200 Amp Service Wire
When it comes to electrical systems, one important component to consider is the amp service wire. The amp service wire is responsible for carrying the electrical current from the main power source to the various circuits in your home or building. In this article, we will discuss what you need to know about 200 amp service wire.
A 200 amp service wire is a type of electrical wire that is capable of carrying a maximum current of 200 amps. This wire is typically used in residential and commercial buildings where a higher amount of electrical power is required. It is important to use the correct amp service wire for your electrical system to ensure safety and efficiency.
One important factor to consider when choosing a 200 amp service wire is the material it is made of. The most common materials used for amp service wire are copper and aluminum. Copper is known for its high conductivity and durability, making it an excellent choice for amp service wire. Aluminum, on the other hand, is less expensive but has a lower conductivity compared to copper.
Another important consideration when choosing a 200 amp service wire is the size or gauge of the wire. The size of the wire determines its capacity to carry electrical current. In general, the larger the wire gauge, the higher the ampacity or current-carrying capacity of the wire. It is important to consult with a professional electrician to determine the appropriate size of the 200 amp service wire for your electrical system.
What is 200 Amp Service Wire
200 amp service wire refers to the type of electrical wiring that is used to carry a maximum current of 200 amps. It is commonly used in residential and commercial buildings to provide a higher capacity for electrical power distribution.
The amp, short for ampere, is the unit of electric current. It measures the rate at which electric charge flows through a wire or conductor. A 200 amp service wire is designed to handle a larger amount of current compared to lower amp service wires.
Service wire is the electrical cable that connects the main electrical panel or meter to the utility power source. It is responsible for carrying the electricity from the power source to the building's electrical system. The 200 amp service wire is specifically designed to handle the higher current demands of a 200 amp electrical service.
Using a 200 amp service wire allows for a greater capacity to power electrical appliances, lighting, and other electrical devices in a building. It provides a higher level of electrical service and can support larger electrical loads.
It is important to choose the correct size and type of service wire for a 200 amp electrical service. The wire must be able to handle the maximum current without overheating or causing a fire hazard. It should also be properly insulated to protect against electrical shock.
In addition to the amp rating, service wire is also classified by its voltage rating and insulation type. Common types of service wire include copper and aluminum conductors. Copper is often preferred for its higher conductivity, while aluminum is more cost-effective for longer runs.
|Type||Conductor Material||Insulation Type|
|THHN/THWN||Copper or Aluminum||Thermoplastic|
|XHHW||Copper or Aluminum||Cross-linked Polyethylene|
|USE-2||Aluminum||Underground Service Entrance|
When installing a 200 amp service wire, it is important to follow local electrical codes and regulations. This ensures that the wiring is done safely and meets the necessary requirements for electrical installations.
In summary, 200 amp service wire is a type of electrical wiring that is designed to handle a maximum current of 200 amps. It provides a higher capacity for electrical power distribution in residential and commercial buildings. The wire must be chosen based on its amp rating, voltage rating, and insulation type to ensure safe and efficient electrical service.
Definition and Purpose
The term "200 amp service" refers to the electrical service capacity of a building or property. It represents the maximum amount of electrical current that can be safely supplied to the building. The term "amp" is short for ampere, which is the unit of electric current measurement.
The purpose of a 200 amp service wire is to provide a sufficient amount of electrical power to meet the demands of modern households and commercial buildings. It allows for the use of multiple high-power appliances and devices simultaneously without overloading the electrical system.
A 200 amp service wire is typically used in larger residential properties, multi-family buildings, and commercial establishments. It is capable of supplying enough power to run air conditioning units, electric heating systems, large kitchen appliances, and other high-power devices.
The installation of a 200 amp service wire requires careful planning and adherence to electrical codes and regulations. It involves connecting the service wire from the utility power source to the main electrical panel of the building. The main electrical panel then distributes the power to various circuits throughout the building.
In summary, a 200 amp service wire is essential for providing a sufficient amount of electrical power to meet the needs of modern households and commercial buildings. It allows for the safe and efficient operation of multiple high-power appliances and devices simultaneously.
Importance for Electrical Systems
The 200 amp service wire is an essential component of electrical systems. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient distribution of electricity throughout a building or property. Here are some reasons why the proper installation and maintenance of 200 amp service wire are important:
- Capacity: The 200 amp service wire is designed to handle a higher electrical load compared to lower amp wires. This means that it can accommodate the power requirements of larger electrical systems, such as those found in commercial or industrial buildings.
- Safety: Properly installed and maintained 200 amp service wire helps prevent electrical overloads, which can lead to overheating, electrical fires, or damage to electrical appliances and equipment. It ensures that the electrical system can handle the demand without causing any safety hazards.
- Reliability: With a 200 amp service wire, the electrical system can provide a consistent and reliable power supply to all connected devices and appliances. This is especially important in settings where uninterrupted power is critical, such as hospitals, data centers, or manufacturing facilities.
- Future-Proofing: Installing a 200 amp service wire allows for future expansion and upgrades of the electrical system. It provides the capacity to handle increased electrical loads as new technologies and devices are added to the system.
- Code Compliance: Many electrical codes and regulations require the use of a 200 amp service wire for certain types of buildings or installations. By using the appropriate wire size, property owners can ensure compliance with these codes and avoid potential penalties or legal issues.
In summary, the 200 amp service wire is a critical component of electrical systems, offering increased capacity, safety, reliability, future-proofing capabilities, and compliance with electrical codes. It is important to consult with a qualified electrician for the proper installation and maintenance of the 200 amp service wire to ensure optimal performance and safety.
Benefits of 200 Amp Service Wire
The use of a 200 amp service wire offers several benefits for residential and commercial electrical systems. Here are some of the advantages:
- Increased Capacity: A 200 amp service wire provides a higher electrical capacity compared to lower amp options. This means that it can handle more electrical load and support larger appliances and equipment.
- Flexibility: With a higher amp rating, the 200 amp service wire allows for more flexibility in designing and expanding electrical systems. It provides the necessary power for future upgrades or additions without the need for extensive rewiring.
- Improved Safety: The use of a 200 amp service wire ensures that the electrical system is capable of handling the power demands of modern households or commercial buildings. This reduces the risk of overloading the system, which can lead to electrical hazards such as overheating or electrical fires.
- Efficiency: A 200 amp service wire allows for more efficient distribution of electricity throughout the building. It minimizes voltage drops and ensures that all electrical devices receive the required power without experiencing fluctuations or interruptions.
- Compatibility: Many modern electrical appliances and equipment require a 200 amp service wire to function properly. By using this wire, you can ensure that your electrical system is compatible with a wide range of devices, making it easier to install and use the latest technology.
- Resale Value: Installing a 200 amp service wire can increase the resale value of your property. Potential buyers are more likely to be interested in a property that has a modern and capable electrical system, which can accommodate their power needs.
In conclusion, a 200 amp service wire offers increased capacity, flexibility, improved safety, efficiency, compatibility, and can enhance the resale value of a property. It is a reliable and essential component for modern electrical systems.
Increased Power Capacity
One of the main advantages of using 200 amp service wire is its increased power capacity. The term "200 amp" refers to the maximum amount of electrical current that the wire can safely carry. This higher capacity allows for the use of more powerful electrical appliances and devices in a residential or commercial setting.
With 200 amp service wire, you can power a wide range of electrical equipment, including large air conditioning units, electric


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FRIDAY, Oct. 12 (HealthDay News) -- For students with a good memory, feeling anxious before taking an exam might actually lead to a higher test score, researchers have found.
In the new study, researchers in England used computer tests to assess levels of anxiety and working memory in 96 students, aged 12 to 14. Good working memory is generally associated with better school performance.
The students were then tested on their general thinking and math skills.
The researchers found that in students with a good working memory, anxiety was associated with higher test scores. In students with a poor working memory, anxiety led to lower test results, according to the report published Oct. 12 in the British Journal of Psychology.
"The research is exciting because it enhances our knowledge of when, specifically, anxiety can have a negative impact on taking tests. The findings also suggest that there are times when a little bit of anxiety can actually motivate you to succeed," study author Matthew Owens, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, said in a news release from the British Psychological Society. Owens was at the University of Southampton when the study took place.
The findings could improve understanding of the impact that anxiety has on students, the researchers said. They estimated that between 10 percent and 40 percent of children have anxiety when taking tests, and suggested that those who are more likely to do poorly on tests could be given priority for receiving extra help in school.
While the study found an association between anxiety levels and test scores, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has more about test anxiety.
Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


How to Protect Your Property and Personal Space Using Crystals
Spirituality is a powerful term encompassing a way of thinking about, feeling, and living in the world. Essential to spiritual life is mindful thinking and experiencing the many different aspects of human existence and conscious interaction with others and our environment. With a spiritual view of life, we can see the divine in the mundane, the miraculous in each and every day, the extraordinary in the ordinary. One of the most important ways to think spiritually involves a broader and deeper understanding of energy than "gas makes my car go" or "electricity powers the lights in my house".
We are part of a matrix of energy that is becoming more attuned at this time in human consciousness to different expressions of energy through various kinds of objects in our daily lives. As with so many other tools, like the explosion of tarot/oracle decks available, crystals and gemstones have become tools people from all walks of life now purchase with a serious interest in the energy vibrations of these natural substances emit. This article will talk about how to use them to grid your property and protect thresholds in your home.
The Energy of the Earth
Crystals and gemstones all emit a frequency of energy based on their molecular design. This energy can be enhanced by encasing them in metals, cutting them into special shapes, and combining them in certain ways with other crystals, gems, and stones. Perhaps one of the best series for crystals is Judy Hall's three volumes of the Crystal Bible, which can be purchased as a bundle on Amazon.
There is no shortage of books on the meaning, use, and mineralogy of crystals, gems, and stones. Suffice to say, for purposes of this article, that specific crystals, gems, or stones for certain purposes can best be researched through a reference text or websites).
Protecting Your Property and Personal Space
Crystals, especially quartz, which is common, inexpensive, and quite powerful can be used to protect property and personal space. Quartz is one of the best crystals to use and it can range in clarity from milky white to smokey to perfectly clear. Amethyst is also a fantastic crystal for protecting and energizing your living space and property. These crystals naturally enhance positive energy and protect against negative energy.
Outdoor Spaces
If you happen to own a home on a piece of land, one of the best ways to help your property energetically is to place a grid around the property. A grid can be formed in one of two ways. Ideally, you want to place fairly sizable chunks of the crystal you choose, somewhere between a cantaloupe and watermelon, in a sightline around the home.
So, if you are standing at one crystal, you can see the other two that would form the square grid that will be at 90 degrees from the crystal you are standing by. Having the sightline will allow the energy of the crystals to "connect". You want to complete the circuit so that you can see and walk to each crystal without any impediments.
Unfortunately, for most of western society, especially in the United States, building homes is not done with spiritual principles in mind, which would take into account the positioning of the home in relation to the four directions (NSEW). Again, ideally, it would be great if you could put the four crystals at the four directions in a sightline. If you cannot, you can create a grid within a grid by placing an additional four crystals at the four directions points outside the home.
If you cannot create a sightline with just the four main crystals, you can use smaller crystals along the line to act as "junction boxes" to repeat the signal to the main corner crystals, like what transformers do along electrical lines from a power station to different locations in neighborhoods and suburbs.
Indoor Spaces
You can use the grid formation indoors as well, by placing crystals at the corners of rooms. I highly recommend having the crystals form a grid in the public spaces of your house. More importantly, it is wise to place crystals on each side of a threshold so that when people enter your home, yourself included, the energy between the crystals will help clear and cleanse any negative energy before it enters your home or a part of your house.
Anywhere you have an opening, door or window, you can place crystals on either side to filter the energy coming through, even the sunlight. For indoor spaces, I recommend the clearest forms of the crystal you can find or specially carved versions of the crystals, such as pyramids, squares, or balls. Uniformity of the crystals, as well as quality, helps with the energy function and intention in smaller spaces.
The Benefits of Crystal Grids and Threshold Protection
Our personal spaces, whether we own property or rent it, need to be our sanctuaries. Too often we move through the world with being mindful of our personal space as something we need to intentionally maintain and protect energetically. When people come to visit or we have been out in the world, we pick up all kinds of energy and bring it home with us, and quite a bit of it can be negative or draining.
Think of stepping onto your property with a grid on it and into your house (crossing the main threshold with crystals flanking each side) like getting energetically "washed" as you pass into the energy grid and through the threshold. Basically, you are creating an energetic filtering system much in the same way you might use a filter for the water coming from your tap.
One of the best ways to experiment with crystal types, and the grid idea, is to place different crystals in a grid pattern under or around your bed and see how you sleep each night with different types of crystals. Amethyst is one that works particularly well for me. Using crystals intentionally is a great way to make your personal space feel safe and re-energizing.
Philip Young, PhD
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