text:
Analysis of Purpose of Operation
In beginning the analysis of any industrial operation, the very first point that should be considered is the purpose of the operation. Why is the operation being performed?
In a number of instances where the authors (Maynard) have directed detailed studies of the operations performed on mass-production jobs, they have found that from 10 to 35 per cent of the operations were unnecessary.
In view of this experience, therefore, the logical point at which to begin an operation study lies in a consideration of the purpose of the operation.
Unnecessary Operations in Industry.
The reasons that unnecessary operations are performed in industry are several. In the first place, even the most standardized product at one time passed through the development stage. At the outset, the designer was the only one in all probability who thoroughly understood the product. When manufacture was begun, he had to tell the shop what was wanted through the medium of drawings and written and verbal instructions. This is not easy to do. No matter how clearly information is prepared, there are always questions that arise. Every designer has been called upon again and again to explain points that are clearly portrayed on his drawings. It requires a definite period of cutting and trying and developing before all the so-called "bugs" are worked out.
During this development stage, the operations by which the product is to be made are being devised. The operations are performed on a sort of hand-to-mouth basis; that is, one operation is performed before the next is considered. Even if an attempt is made to lay out in advance the proper sequence of operations on new work in the planning or methods department, difficulties are likely to develop in the shop that make changes necessary. The design may be changed, or the material, or the operations themselves as trouble is encountered.
As a result of this development condition, it is small wonder that the process is finally set up with certain unnecessary operations. These operations may have seemed necessary at one time, but owing to changes or development they are no longer necessary. Nevertheless, they are performed and are likely to continue in effect until, after the process has been reduced to a standard routine, someone with the questioning attitude comes along and begins an investigation.
After the initial-development state has been passed, manufacturing troubles are by no means over. A process may run smoothly for a number of months, and then suddenly a difficulty is encountered. The difficulty, of course, must be corrected immediately, and it is often much quicker to add an extra operation than to investigate the causes of the difficulty. If the operation corrects or seemingly corrects the difficulty, it soon becomes a standard operation, even if the causes of the difficulty disappear or are otherwise eliminated, and thus another unnecessary operation is born.
The difficulties referred to may be several. A shipment of poor or improperly prepared material may cause difficulties that can be eliminated only by extra work. The extra work may develop into a standard operation, even though good material is received in the future. If the product is an assembly, it may suddenly start to function improperly on test. If it is at all complicated, it may be difficult to determine just what the causes of the unsatisfactory performance are. Extra operations are added to overcome this or that supposed difficulty. When the product begins to function again, it is not always clear which operation corrected the difficulty and some or all are retained.
Those who are responsible for setting up manufacturing processes are no more infallible than other men. In the judgment of a certain individual, an operation may seem necessary, and he orders it to be performed. Regardless of the soundness of his judgment, the operation will continue to be performed until someone proves it to be unnecessary.
Again, certain operations are performed because of the snap judgment of someone who has the authority to enforce his decisions. Again and again, operations are discovered that are performed because an executive of the company in walking through the shop saw something of which he did not approve and at once issued orders that were followed ever since. When various department heads meet to consider a customer's complaint that may seem serious at the time, extra work may be insisted upon by the sales department and agreed to by the manufacturing department for reasons of policy. The cases of unnecessary work caused in this way are too numerous to attempt to list completely.
In the final analysis, unnecessary operations are due primarily to a lack of thorough investigation at the time the operations are first set up or to a natural inertia or an oversight that keeps operations in effect after changes have rendered them unnecessary. Detailed, searching analysis is needed to reveal these conditions, and it is this kind of investigation that methods studies bring. about.
It should be recognized, of course, that operations rendered unnecessary by new developments, inventions, improved machinery, and the like, are not being referred to here.
It is important to consider the purpose of the operation, but the mere question "What is the purpose of the operation?", mentally framed, may not be suggestive enough to develop a thorough understanding of the matter. If one approaches the supervisor in charge of the operation and asks the question, one will get an answer, of course, and usually the answer will appear logical on the surface. It is not until one begins to search and probe more deeply that the real answer is obtained. For this reason, questions similar to those contained in the following list should be asked. Further, they should be answered only after mature consideration, if the true answer is to be obtained.
1. What is the purpose of the operation?
2. Is the result accomplished by the operation necessary?
3. If so, what makes it necessary?
4. Was the operation established to correct a difficulty experienced in the final assembly?
5. If so, did it really correct it?
6. Is the operation necessary because of the improper performance of a previous operation?
7. Was the operation established to correct a condition that has since been corrected otherwise?
8. If the operation is done to improve appearance, is the added cost justified by added salability?
9. Can the purpose of the operation be accomplished better in any other way?
10. Can the supplier of the material perform the operation more economically?
In a plant manufacturing frames for automobiles, the last operation before painting consisted of reaming certain holes which had previously been punched in the frame. Two operators equipped with air-driven reamers stood at the end of the assembly line and reamed the holes as the frames passed them on a chain conveyer. It was a full-time job for both men and had been for several months.
During the course of a study of frame-manufacturing methods, the purpose of this operation was questioned. The thought at first was that it might be possible to punch the holes sufficiently closely to size to eliminate the reaming operation. Reference to the drawing, however, showed that the customer demanded reamed holes.
It would have been natural, perhaps, to consider that the question "Is the operation necessary? " was satisfactorily answered by the drawing. One of the methods efficiency engineers in the plant, however, realized the danger of accepting the first answer that came to hand and decided to investigate more thoroughly. He went out on the plant parking lot and located a car of the model that used the frame in question. To find the ultimate purpose of the reaming operation, he crawled underneath the car to see what the holes were used for and discovered that they were not used at all. Obviously, then, not only the reaming but also the punching of the holes was unnecessary.
Subsequent investigation showed that at one time an engineering change in the construction of the frame had been made which eliminated the use of the holes. Through an oversight, the drawing was not changed, and the reaming operation continued until the time of the investigation.
This incident, besides confirming the fact that errors are made in connection with manufacturing information, illustrates two important points. In.the first place, it shows the necessity of constantly questioning the purpose of operations. The reaming operation was performed day after day for a number of months.
It would be entirely natural to assume that the operation was necessary just because it had been done so long. Unless a man is trained to question every factor connected with the manufacturing process he is studying, he is likely to accept familiar operations as necessary and to concentrate upon better tools or methods for doing the operations, rather than to attack them from a more fundamental viewpoint,
In the second place, the case illustrates the necessity of applying the questioning attitude with a real desire to get at the bottom of the matter. The asking of a question will nearly always bring forth an answer. The first answer is quite likely to be superficial, however, and more thorough probing is necessary to learn the real facts. Hence, repeated questioning is necessary.
For example, the first question in the above list is "What is the purpose of the operation?" Asked in connection with the reaming operation, the answer is "To make the holes a certain specific size." This might seem to be an answer, but the trained analyst would follow up with the second question on the list, " Is the result accomplished by the operation necessary? " Reference to the drawing apparently evokes an answer in the affirmative. The.basic reason for performing the operation is still not clear, however, so the analyst asks the third question, "If so, what makes it necessary? " His investigation to determine the answer to this question finally uncovers the fact that the operation is absolutely needless.
For many years, it was the practice to polish the edges of the glass windows that go in the doors of automobiles. The reason given was that a good appearance was desired. It is true that edge polishing improves the appearance of a window glass, but only when it is outside the car. When it is assembled, as it is when the customer sees it, only the top edge shows in most designs of window. Hence, three-quarters of the edge-polishing operation is unnecessary.


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Dynamic testing machines are also known as dynamic testing system – DTS and are used for testing on asphalt pavement materials or any other pavement materials. These are high-grade, long lasting, and steadfast and cost effective Dynamic Testing machines. This testing machine is used for testing monotonic tension and compression of different material and products. It also helps in determine the endurance levels of the materials. Now with advanced technology, you also find machines that can be fully operated with the help of software support.
There are different types of grips that are used in dynamic testing machine which are listed below
3 pint and 4 point grip:
3 point bending fixture and 4 point bending fixture are used in the dynamic testing machines to check the bending characteristics for the material or the product. This helps determine to what extent the product or material bends before it breaks. The machines do work with the help of static and dynamic torsion and you can also get the clockwise and the counterclockwise analysis to highlight the fundamentals of the dynamic testing machine.
Bollard grip is used to test different fibers, yarns and fabric. This helps in determining the durability of the fibers, yarns and fabric and for how long can they last. The fiber or the yarn or the fabric is tied to different ends of the drip and then the grips are pulled in the opposite direction.
Compression plates are used in dynamic testing machines to check the compression levels of the materials and the products. It helps to determine how much pressure the material or product can take before it snaps. The product of the material is placed between 2 plates and then the pressure is applied from both the sides.
Fluid bath is used to submerge the material or product to check how they react at different temperatures of water and how resistant are they to water or if they are best to be used in water. This is does for products that claim to be waterproof or water resistant.
Temperature chamber is used in the dynamic testing machine to check the material or the products in different temperatures to check their durability, sustainability and for how long can they survive in different temperatures.
- Based on these test results from the dynamic testing machine, the manufacturers are able to approve or disapprove any product or material before they start the mass production and distribute them for sale.
- If the test results are all green then the instructions on how to handle the product or material is drafted which we see on the product or its packaging. It is all about the physical examination of elements that are variable and that keep on changing with time.
If you are confused on how to choose the right dynamic testing machine you can always call the customer center of the manufacturers for dynamic testing machine with the follow thing in mind
- First make a note of the machine specifications that you want to know about or are interested in. they will guide you in getting the right machine for you
- Decide the accessories you want with the dynamic testing machine like grips, controls and other accessories. Be clear about your requirements
- Request a quote from them and a demo of the dynamic testing machine you wish to buy.
- Do not be shy to tell them your budget, this way they will be able to bring the machines forward that are within your budget and as per your requirement.
There are many manufacturers of dynamic testing machine always chose the most reputed and experienced dynamic testing machine manufacturer.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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Streamflow and Fire Effects on Woody Debris Dynamics of Sierran Streams
Environmental Protection Agency/USDA-Forest Service,
USDA-Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, and
USDA-Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest
Little published inventory or trend information is available on woody debris in the Sierra Nevada. Periodically since 1991 we've tracked changes in the frequency, size, volume, stability and function of several thousand pieces of in-channel debris in 15 streams in the Tahoe and Sierra National Forests. One of the study watersheds was burned intensively in 1994. Ongoing monitoring of the stream in that watershed provides a database for before and after assessment of the effects of wildfire on debris dynamics. This article summarizes selected results of the study through 1997 and offers preliminary management recommendations on the treatment of in-channel debris after wildfire.
The basic approach used for all study reaches included tagging (with quarter-sized, numbered metal markers) debris pieces within the bankfull channel, measurement of piece diameter and length (excluding pieces <8 cm in diameter and <1 m long), classification of piece stability and geomorphic function, and assessment of sediment stored by the debris. To reduce variability on six of the streams we (1) standardized the contributing watershed area by siting our study reaches at and above points on the channel where the watershed drained 2500 hectares, and (2) stratified the 10 100-m study reaches (on each stream) by Rosgen channel type. These first and second order study reaches were supplemented by monitoring of continuous channel stretches up to 2000 m in length at the other, larger streams.
Movement of debris pieces grossly mirrored streamflow magnitude. For instance, almost no pieces moved between surveys in 1993 and 1994. At two discharge gaging stations in the central Sierra, the maximum daily flow over the _PHONE_ winter was within the lowest 10% of daily maxima recorded at the gages. In contrast, the massive early 1997 daily maximum flows that were 30% greater than any other recorded flows swept away most of the tagged debris in several of the study streams. By 1997 most of the pieces originally tagged had moved in the study reaches of the Tahoe National Forest streams:
ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Mean ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Percent
ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ bankfullÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ immobile
StreamÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ widthÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ pieces /1
Haypress CreekÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 12.3ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 1
East Fork CreekÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 8.2ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 2
N. Fork American RiverÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 9.1ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 5
Pauley CreekÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 12.0ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 9
Empire CreekÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 6.7ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 10
Badenaugh CreekÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 2.5ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 15
Sagehen CreekÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 3.3ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 39
1/ Pieces relocated in the same position they were initially tagged in 1991 or 1993.
Except for Sagehen Creek, the vast majority of the moderate and large woody debris in the study streams in 1997 either were transported in from upstream or entered the channel since the original survey from banks within the study reaches. These results suggest that the permanency of debris in Sierra streams can be low and that movement of debris can be frequent.
Two other conclusions are suggested by the mobility data:
1)Ý Mobility is generally greater on the streams with the larger bankfull widths (Haypress through Pauley), and
2)Ý The only two study streams on the east side of the Sierra, Badenaugh and Sagehen Creeks, had the lowest mobility values.
These two conclusions are potentially related given the generally drier conditions on the east side, with lower streamflows available for mobilizing debris.
In August 1994, the Cottonwood wildfire burned 46,800 forested acres on the Tahoe National Forest, including 99% of the Badenaugh Creek watershed. Burn intensity was high on 71% of the watershed and moderate on most of the rest of the watershed, and only a few of the trees in the lower portion of the study area had green growth in 1997.
Management of in-channel woody debris after wildfire is controversial. Post-fire increases in stream discharges can cause downstream flooding. The resulting heightened transport and accumulation of debris can wash out bridges and cause other damage. In-channel debris is often removed or cut into smaller pieces to expedite flushing through the system and to avoid debris jam formation. Biotic uses of debris for fish cover, triggering pool formation, storing sediment, and as food sources for invertebrates and micro-organisms are lost or reduced when debris is removed or cut up.
Because post-fire accumulation of woody debris is often blamed for downstream damages, we were particularly interested in the dynamics of debris accumulation through time after the fire in the Badenaugh watershed. We operationally defined debris aggregates as comprising at least four pieces all located within 1.5 m longitudinal distance, with at least one piece being equivalent in length to bankfull width. This length criteria is based on observations by Reid and Smith (The effects of hurricane Iniki on flood hazard on Kauai. USDA Forest Service.
Unpublished Final Report, December 7, 1992. PSW Research Station, Albany, California. p. 10) that '... jams are usually triggered by pieces that span the [channel] constriction' and by Piegay and Gurnell (Large woody debris and river geomorphological pattern: examples from S.E. France and S. England. 1997. Geomorphology 19:99-116. p. 112) that '...the size of pieces of wood may exceed the channel width... so encouraging debris jams to develop.' We anticipated that aggregations would be larger (in both the number of debris pieces per aggregate and in debris volume per aggregate) and more prevalent after the fire. As a corollary to this presumption, we also anticipated that the total volume of woody debris would be greater after the fire as a source of elevated amounts of wood for the aggregates.
Fifty-seven percent of wood volume, and 25 percent of the pieces, were consumed by the fire. Many of the debris pieces that weren't completely incinerated were reduced appreciably in size by the fire with few post-fire pieces measuring over 6 m in length. The pre-fire mean length of 5.1 m decreased to 2.5 m after the fire. The percentage of pieces longer than the mean bankfull width decreased from over 65 before the fire to 33 after the fire. This reduction in length implies that fewer aggregates would form after the fire because there were fewer channel-spanning pieces available to act as anchors for the aggregates. The change in the size distribution of debris also potentially affects the stability of wood for habitat and geomorphic functions; fewer bank-spanning pieces imply less bank armoring by debris and a reduced role by wood as a cover element for fish.
Rather than increasing after the wildfire, the frequency of debris aggregations on the Badenaugh Creek study reaches decreased significantly from 2.0 per 100 m (channel length

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


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The Major Problem with Economics: Part 1
A Level Economics – The major problem with economics: Part 1
by Philip Greening-Jackson
I never understood physics. I think I just wasn't bright enough. One thing, however, which I remember is that some things are absolutely constant. If you heat a bar of copper by 100 degrees Celsius it will expand by a given %. You can do that on top of a mountain, under the sea or on the planet Mars. You can actually measure stuff!
With economics things change! That is a basic problem. I would recommend this article.
It shows how difficult, in fact impossible, it really is to measure inflation. It was written by Professor William D Nordhaus. He was an economics professor at Yale. As with all brilliant minds he can explain things very simply. He looks at the cost of providing light from the days of a wood fire to the days of an incandescent bulb. His work could be advanced by looking at the cost of light in terms of the number of hours worked to provide a given number of lumens of light. Perhaps that is the best way to measure such a cost. Yet even that is an over simplification as you might compare it to the cost of a kg of cereal grown, or the cost of studying economics!
The basic point is that where we have measures which are all the time expanding and contracting it is impossible to arrive at a definitive answer, and that is the basic problem.
The BBC World Service produced an excellent series on 50 things that made the world economy. Nordhaus is mentioned there and the entire series is worth listening to.


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The Role of Academic Integrity within the Academic Community
Academic integrity is a fundamental value upon which colleges and universities are built. Students, faculty and staff are expected to contribute candid opinions, reviews and assessments of research and other academic exercises that are vital to sustaining the discussion and exchange of ideas. This conversation stimulates intellectual growth and development among the community and its members. For learning and scholarship to thrive, academic communities cannot tolerate acts of academic dishonesty, such as cheating, misrepresentation or plagiarism.
According to the Center for Academic Integrity there are five fundamental values that characterize an academic community of integrity:
- Honesty. The quest for truth and knowledge requires intellectual and personal honesty in learning, teaching, research and service.
- Trust. Academic institutions must foster a climate of mutual trust in order to stimulate the free exchange of ideas.
- Fairness. All interactions among students, faculty and administrators should be grounded in clear standards, practices and procedures.
- Respect. Learning is acknowledged as a participatory process, and a wide range of opinions and ideas is respected.
- Responsibility. A thriving community demands personal accountability on the part of all members and depends upon action in the face of wrongdoing.
Acts of academic dishonesty compromise these core values and undermine the process by which knowledge is created, shared and evaluated. Repeated offenses cast suspicion on the integrity of individuals and damage the reputation of the larger academic community.


Is it possible to be a successful artist never having had a mentor? Of course the answer is "yes". But, does having a mentor make you better? I question this often. Wondering "would I be a "better artist" or "metalsmith" if I had a mentor? Deep down I feel that I would be a better metalsmith having had someone to guide me and push my boundaries. Question my thinking and my process. To me, a mentor is a form of extended education and should be a prerequisite as an undergrad. I suppose one could say: "what about internships?". And yes, internships are form of extended education. And could very well lead you to new opportunities or even a mentor. But I believe they are different both approach and objective. The objective of an internship is to learn the way of the business or working. Learning the industry and how to go-it on your own. Honing in on certain skills. With a mentor, you are learning about learning. You are being exposed to questions you never thought to ask.
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In the mid 2000s in the US, due to issues of drug enforcement, pseudoephedrine containing medications were brought behind the pharmacy counter and in most cases require ID, and phenylephrine was substituted in most over-the-counter products.
Pseudoephedrine increases the amount of endogenous norepinephrine, whereas phenylephrine works on α1-adrenergic receptors directly.
There are numerous cases where experts have spoken out about the effectiveness of phenylephrine, so it likely is a less effective substitute for pseudoephedrine in its main role as a decongestant.
What I'm curious about is whether there are clinical indications for which the phenylephrine is actually preferred (so situations where the α1-agonist nature without the increase of endogenous NE is sought after)?
share|improve this question
I suppose phenylephrine might be indicated in cases where there is an interest in maintaining levels of neurepinephrine, such as when antidepressants or other medications are being administered. – MattDMo Dec 1 '12 at 13:39
1 Answer 1
up vote 4 down vote accepted
Yes, in all clinical situations where you need pure vasoconstriction without heart rate acceleration (mostly valid for iv administration route).
The classical example would be in the operative setting. If the patient is in a hypotensive state due to hypnotic drugs, opiates, etc. and has atherosclerosis, you will prefer a drug that will reverse the hypotension without an increase in heart rate, i.e phenylephrine. The reason is that an increase in heart rate will shorten the duration of diastole, which will therefore shorten the time interval where the coronary arteries are perfused. Moreover, an increase in heart rate also means an increase in heart oxygen consumption. The end result will be an imbalance between oxygen input and requirement, i.e ischemia and potential heart infarction.
Conversely, if you have a patient with aortic valve insufficiency (regurgitation), you will prefer ephedrine (or any drug with beta 1 activity), because you will be aiming at shortening the available time for regurgitation to occur.
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That's perfect, I hadn't thought about that. – jonsca Sep 4 at 17:43
Would phenylephrine be called "non-inotropic" or something of that nature, or is that an abuse of terminology? – jonsca Sep 4 at 17:45
_USER_ it is true that (to my knownledge) phenylephrine has no inotropic effect, and can be called as such. But since it is the only pure alpha agonist commonly used for blood pressure control, it isn't really defined as part of a "non-inotropic" class in usual medical jargon. – Raoul Sep 4 at 17:48
Okay, thanks again! – jonsca Sep 4 at 17:57
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text:
Respect for All Week
February 10 – 14, 2020
During Respect for All Week, schools across will have the opportunity to highlight and build upon ongoing programs to help students, staff and communities gain a better understanding of diversity. Schools may also start new initiatives that promote respect for diversity and focus on preventing bullying, intimidation, and bias-based harassment. Your child's school is also encouraged to promote acceptance and understanding through theme-based lessons and activities. Suggested themes include:
- Celebrating Kindness/Be an Ally
- Anti-Bullying/ Cyberbullying
- Respect for Diversity, Religious Acceptance and Racial Diversity
- Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and LGBTQ pride and acceptance
- National No One Eats Alone Day
Schools will celebrate National No One Eats Alone Day on Friday, February 14. This is a nationwide lunchtime event during which students are encouraged to connect and engage with their peers in order to combat social isolation.
Educator resources are on the Employee InfoHub (sign in required).
Respect for All is our system-wide response to bullying and harassment. We are committed to keeping our schools safe, supportive, and free from discrimination.
What You Can Do About Bullying…
…If Your Child is the Target
- Report the incident to your school's Respect for All (RFA) liaison(s) and/or school administration.
- Ask for the incident number from school administration for follow up. This is also known as Online Occurrence Reporting System (OORS) number.
- The school will investigate and must tell the parent or guardian of the target what they find. If needed, the child may be referred for support services.
- If the investigation finds that a student—or students—have been bullying or harassing your child, the school will follow the process described in the Discipline Code.
You can also report bullying concerns by:
- Submitting an online form
- Calling _PHONE_
- Emailing the Office of Safety and Youth Development (OSYD) at _EMAIL_
- Contacting the United Federation of Teachers Hotline at _PHONE_, Monday through Friday, from 2:30-9:30PM
- If your issue involves gender-based harassment, contact our Title IX coordinator:
Sobia Mahmood, Esq.,
Title IX Coordinator
65 Court Street, Room 1102
Brooklyn, NY 11201
You can learn more about the procedures for filing complaints of bullying or harassment and the DOE policy in Chancellor's Regulation A-831 and A-832.
You can also submit a handwritten report of sexual harassment or bullying complaints by turning one of these forms in to your school:
You may seek help from Escalation Staff to address a current bullying-related concern if:
- You believe school staff retaliated against you or your child for making a bullying complaint, and you reported another bullying complaint following the alleged retaliation; or
- Your child has been the victim of two or more substantiated bullying incidents in the same school year.
- You did not receive a Notice of Determination from the school within 10 school days of the school's receipt of the open A-832 Complaint.
Please complete this form below and email it to the Family Support Coordinator for the superintendent that oversees your school:
The list of superintendents and their Family Support Coordinators can be found on the Superintendents page of the DOE website. You can also find your Family Support Coordinator on your school's webpage, which can be located with the Find A School tool.
...If Your Child is the Bully
Involve your child in making amends or repairing the situation. The goal is to help them see how their actions affect others. For example, your child can:
- Write a letter apologizing to the student who was bullied.
- Do a good deed for the person who was bullied or for others in your community.
- Clean up, repair, or pay for any property they damaged.
- Speak with their school counselor or administrator.
Work with your child's school if you think additional referrals or resources are needed.
Sometimes children bully to fit in. Your child can benefit from participating in positive activities. Involvement in sports and clubs can enable him/her to take leadership roles and make friends without feeling the need to bully.
Other times kids act out because something else—issues at home, abuse, stress—is going on in their lives. They also may have been bullied. These kids may be in need of additional support, such as mental health services.
- Kognito - provides an online training, "Respect for All, Building Respect: RFTA Conversation Skills"
- PACER Center - provides innovative resources for students, parents, educators, and others, and recognizes bullying as a serious community issue that impacts education, physical and emotional health, and the safety and well-being of students.
- STOMP Out Bullying: End the hate, Change the Culture - Is the leading national nonprofit dedicated to changing culture for all students.
- NYC Teen - Learn about dealing with peer pressure, bullying, depression, and anger.
- StopBullying.gov - provides information from various government agencies on
- Public Broadcasting System (PBS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ability Path: Support for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services
Race or Religion
- Challenging Biased Language: Strategies and resources for everyone to help challenge bigoted and offensive remarks to ensure dignity and respect for all people.
- Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF): Educate Asian Pacific American parents in their preferred languages on their rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to attain services within the school system.
- Muslim Community Network Develops the capacity of Muslim New Yorkers and their allies to fully participate in the social and political landscape of New York City.
- Sikh Coalition A: community-based organization that works towards the realization of civil and human rights for all people.
- Teaching Tolerance: Offers webinars with guidance and great ideas, from their highly experienced teaching and learning specialists and from other educators in the Teaching Tolerance community.
- Unity Productions Foundation: UPF can work with Islamic centers, Mosques, and even educational institutions to host screenings and events dedicated to fighting Islamophobia.
Sexual Orientation or Gender
This site offers girls reliable, useful information on health and well-being. We cover hundreds of topics, from getting your period to stopping bullies, and from getting fit to preventing sexually transmitted infections. We make our pages clear and fun, and we make sure to answer key questions girls ask. Girlshealth.gov is committed to empowering girls to create strong, positive relationships and happy, healthy futures.
Hetrick Martin Institute
Hetrick-Martin creates safe and supportive environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth between the ages of 13 and 24 and their families.
CAMBA takes a comprehensive approach to helping individuals, families and communities thrive, offering integrated programs.
Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays of NYC
PFLAG NYC's mission is to create a better future for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth and adults through a partnership of parents, allies, and LGBT people.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project offers support to LGBTQ students.
- The Trevor Suicide Prevention Lifeline: _PHONE_ is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Cyberbullying Research Center
- Cyberbullying Fact Sheet: What you need to know about online aggression
Resources for LGBT Students and their Friends:


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We are using Selenium webservices for our automated functional testing.
I have a test which tests creation of some objects. If I run the same test again, I need to make sure that each test has a different business key - else it will run into unique-constraint violation.
One way, I can fix this is to reset the database before\after every run of test suite so that each test suite doesn't conflict with another. However my individual tests within the same run are not isolated from each other.
How do I get to the point, where all my tests are isolated and do not conflict with each other?
Right now we query the databse to generate random IDs which do not exist in the database. But I am sure there must be a more elegant way of solving this.
share|improve this question
2 Answers 2
You've got several options here. One is, as you mentioned, to reset the database before each run. That's probably a good idea anyway to ensure that you've got the same starting condition and the beginning of the run.
For the individual tests within the run, you can operate a simple counter through the run and use that to generate your business key - that is, your list of objects includes an object number in its data, and your key is generated using that object number.
Some possible options are a timestamp to milliseconds (e.g. 201112081110526) which you save for the test to allow you to check the saved object against your input. An iterator of 1, 2, 3... etc will also give you the same result.
Using something like this will give you a set of tests that aren't going to conflict with each other. Unless you have tests that depend on another object having been created in an earlier test, they should also be independent of each other. Whether your end-of-run database will match your baselines if one test fails will depend on how intelligent your baseline checking is - if you check each object individually after creation, one failed test won't impact baselines, where if all the object checks occur at the end of all creation tests, one failed test could have a major impact. Either way, you'll still have a cleaner test set with known unique IDs that you don't have to run a SQL query to generate.
share|improve this answer
Kate's answer was very good. Instead of a simple counter, you could generate a GUID to ensure uniqueness if needed. – Joe Strazzere Dec 8 '11 at 20:24
I like the GUID idea! – RN. Dec 9 '11 at 1:36
One possibility is to reset the database before every test, not only before every run of the suite.
This will likely make each run take longer. If you can tolerate the increased duration, that's they way I'd go.
And it may require adding setup to tests that now depend on earlier tests to establish their initial conditions. But that's another way of saying that it makes the tests independent, which is your stated goal.
share|improve this answer
A part of me thinksthis would be too extreme, but then it would get me the isolation that I am trying to achieve. But honestly, not sure if that level of isolation is necessary or even a good idea. – RN. Dec 9 '11 at 1:40
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text:
The adaptor plugs into a domestic or public charger with a type 2 connector, enabling standard plugs to be connected. Available with 3 different sockets:
- UK 13A 230v
- CEE 60309 Commando 16A 230v
- European Schuko 16A 230v
Practical applications include using the UK 13A unit to charge devices with a 13A plug, or the Commando unit to provide power to a motorhome. The European unit is mainly sold for the Citroen Ami car, click here for further details.
The adaptor requires a type 2 (right) charging socket. The type 2 connector has 7 pins and was adopted as the EU standard for EVs in 2014. It is therefore the most common EV connector in the UK.
It cannot be used with chargers which have a tethered lead (a connector on the end of a cable).
Normally an EV automatically communicate with the charger to tell it to charge. The adaptor requires the use of two switches to manually send these messages using the following procedure:
- Turn switches A and B on the adaptor to the off position.
- Plug the unit to be powered into the adaptor's socket.
- Plug the adaptor into a type 2 charging socket.
- Turn switch A ON to tell the charging station that the car is connected. Where the charger features a locking mechanism, it will lock the connector in place.
- Immediately turn switch B ON to tell the charging station to start charging.
- To release the cable when charging is complete turn OFF switch B, followed by switch A.
Some charging stations do not require this procedure to be followed; they simply start charging when the adapter is connected with both switches in the on position.


text:
Ancient pyramids discovered in Sudan
At least 35 small pyramids, along with graves, have been discovered clustered closely together at a site called Sedeinga in Sudan. They date back around 2,000 years to a time when a kingdom named Kush flourished in Sudan. Kush shared a border with Egypt and, later on, the Roman Empire.
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C Input and Output
What is C Input and Output?
In this tutorial, you are going to learn about C Input and Output. C Language provides mechanisms to take input from users and display their outputs. C Input refers to storing the value in the memory after its execution. C output in the other hand displays such values stored in memory. There are various built-in functions used in C which is used to perform the supplying input data to the program and obtaining the output results from the program.
In this tutorial, you will learn about different built-in functions which can be used for providing inputs from the user to the computer. They also support in displaying the outputs in the screen and their respective header files.
scanf() and printf() functions
scanf() and printf() functions definitions are contained by the header file stdio.h which is used for taking input from the user and displaying output on the screen respectively.
int a, b;
printf("Enter values that you want to display");
printf("You entered: %d",a);
The program above illustrates a simple program which takes input from the user and displays the output. The scanf() function takes an input from the user as per their type specified. On the other hand, the printf() function will print the parameters that are passed into the program in the console screen.
You might have been wondering about what is the purpose of using "%d" inside the printf() and scanf() functions. They are format specifiers. Format specifiers are used while giving input and displaying an output of the program. It is a mechanism to tell the compiler about what data are going to be used in the variables and the type of data to be printed. The table below lists some of the most used format specifiers in C with their respective uses.
|%f||It is used for scanning and printing floating point number.|
|%d||It is used for scanning and printing signed decimal number.|
|%S||It is used for scanning and printing character string.|
|%c||It is used for scanning and printing a character.|


text:
Many applications in the production of liquid and viscous food require exact point level measurement. Examples are the precise detection of a defined fill level to prevent a tank from overflowing, to protect pumps or to control valves.
This large variety in application locations also leads to numerous challenges that need to be solved before point levels can be accurately determined. We have put together the 10 most common requirements along with a suitable sensor solution for each one.
All of the special designs mentioned above have the same advantages as the standard sensors of the NCS series, namely:
- Available in high temperature versions for use at process temperatures up to 140 °C.
- Rapid response times down to 100 ms for accurate control processes, such as in filling applications.
- Adjustment of the sensor to the medium requires nothing more than a screwdriver. Neither programming tools nor software skills are necessary.
- The switching state of the sensor can optionally be viewed from the outside.
As a specialist for point level indicators, Anderson-Negele offers a suitable solution for almost any measuring problem with its capacitive NCS series. Please let us know what we can do for you.


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How to Create a User's Manual
Create a User's Manual
User manuals are written guides in either hard-copy (paper) or electronic document (PDF or XPS) format that provide instructions on how to do or use something. Although "user guides" are most often thought of in terms of computer software manuals, user manuals also accompany computers and other electronic devices such as televisions, stereos, telephone systems, and MP3 players, as well as household appliances and lawn and garden equipment.
Good user manuals educate users about the product's features while teaching them how to use those features effectively and are laid out to be easily read and referred to. Following are things to consider when creating effective content for and designing the layout of a user manual.
Creating Appropriate User Documentation
Define Who Is Your User
To write a successful user manual, you need to develop a profile of your user, either formally, by creating a written profile, or informally, by taking the time to make reasonable assumptions about your user's characteristics. Such a profile is useful when you're part of a team writing the user documentation and can also be helpful in taking the product itself from concept to final form. Things to think about when forming a user profile include:
Where users will use the user guide, such as at home, in the office, at a remote job site, or in the car. This may determine not only the content, but the style the user manual takes.
How users will use the user guide. If the manual is one they will consult only infrequently or to look up information, it should primarily take the form of a reference document. If it is something users will consult frequently in the beginning, the reference section should be accompanied by a "Getting Started" section and instructions on the most common tasks the product will be used for.
How much experience users have with the product or others like it. If your product is new or significantly different from similar products, you'll need to include an explanation of how it differs from other products as well as instructions on how to get started. If the product deals with something users often have trouble with, such as many computer applications, you'll need to provide appropriate information and detail in an understandable fashion.
Write to Your User's Needs in a Way the User Can Understand
Unless the user has a technical background, it is probably best to avoid highly technical language in favor of clear, simple explanations. The text should also be organized in a way that mimics the way users think; listing product features grouped by function often makes more sense than simply those used most often.
Sometimes there is no getting around using technical terms, such as for a graph-creating software application that includes Fibonacci charts along with more common pie and bar graphs. In such a case, it is helpful to define the term and provide some background, such as an explanation of what Fibonacci charts are and their use in financial analysis.
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EA process is to create the opportunity for Indigenous nations to make a decision on consent. It is an objective that proponents, the Province and Indigenous nations should be working to achieve. The new EA process facilitates that objective throughout the process.
The EAO will work together and seek consensus with Indigenous nations at a technical level throughout the entirety of the EA process, and there will also be key decisions points where Indigenous nations may express their consent, lack of consent or abstain from deciding on behalf of their communities. It is hoped that in the majority of cases – by working together – it will be possible to reach consensus on major issues so that the decisions of Indigenous nations and the Ministers align. Dispute resolution may also assist in this process. Where decisions do not align, Ministers will be legally required to provide reasons."
The new BC Environmental Assessment Act focuses on achieving consensus in decision-making and allowing Indigenous groups to communicate their consent or lack of consent at certain decision-points during the process. Dispute resolution processes are built in to assist where consensus is not achieved. Although ministerial discretion is maintained in respect of all final project approvals, the decision must take into account and provide reasons where consent has not been obtained.
This philosophy towards FPIC in the environmental assessment context could be extrapolated to the Province's views on applying FPIC in other situations and under other legislation. Indeed, the new decision-making agreement tool under the Declaration Act signals how the Province may seek to achieve FPIC in certain situations through negotiated agreements.
As there are still many unanswered questions about the potential impacts and reach of this new and historic piece of proposed legislation, we will continue to monitor Bill 41 as it proceeds through the BC Legislature.


text:
Examples of Python source code or interactive sessions are represented as \verbatim environments. This environment is a standard part of LaTeX. It is important to only use spaces for indentation in code examples since TeX drops tabs instead of converting them to spaces.
Representing an interactive session requires including the prompts and output along with the Python code. No special markup is required for interactive sessions. After the last line of input or output presented, there should not be an ''unused'' primary prompt; this is an example of what not to do:
>>> 1 + 1 2 >>>
Within the \verbatim environment, characters special to LaTeX do not need to be specially marked in any way. The entire example will be presented in a monospaced font; no attempt at ''pretty-printing'' is made, as the environment must work for non-Python code and non-code displays. There should be no blank lines at the top or bottom of any \verbatim display.
Longer displays of verbatim text may be included by storing the example text in an external file containing only plain text. The file may be included using the standard \verbatiminput macro; this macro takes a single argument naming the file containing the text. For example, to include the Python source file example.py, use:
Use of \verbatiminput allows easier use of special editing modes for the included file. The file should be placed in the same directory as the LaTeX files for the document.
The Python Documentation Special Interest Group has discussed a number of approaches to creating pretty-printed code displays and interactive sessions; see the Doc-SIG area on the Python Web site for more information on this topic.
See About this document... for information on suggesting changes.


The AOS-CX Developer Hub
Welcome to the AOS-CX developer hub. You'll find comprehensive guides and documentation to help you start working with AOS-CX as quickly as possible, as well as support if you get stuck. Let's jump right in!
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Getting Started With StackStorm
Overview and Installation
Event-driven automation is the next frontier for those who are investing in network automation. What is event-driven automation? It's the notion that when an event occurs in the network, such as a device being connected into a switch, a VLAN being removed from a configuration, or a software update becoming available, automated processes and procedures are invoked in response to that event. This creates a'self-driving' network so to speak.
What is StackStorm?
StackStorm is an open source platform that focuses on event-based automation by orchestrating automated workflows in response to events. Common use cases of the platform include facilitated troubleshooting of systems, automated remediation of network or infrastructure issues, and continuous deployment of applications. In it's free version it has a CLI interface as well as a WebUI for users to interact and monitor their platform.
There are several components that make up StackStorm and in order to understand how StackStorm works, it is important to understand each of its components and how they work together. In a very high level statement, StackStorm uses sensors to process events from external systems and when those events match a specified criteria, a series of automated actions are executed. This tool can be a bit complicated for those just beginning with automation therefore it's recommended to read through StackStorm's official documentation for a more comprehensive understanding.
To fully understand StackStorm and all of it's components checkout StackStorm's official Overview documentation.
Installing StackStorm
StackStorm requires Ubuntu, RHEL or CentOS Linux. It is not supported on any other Linux distributions. For a complete list of support Linux versions it is recommended to refer to StackStorm's System Requirements documentation.
For a comprehensive guide on installing StackStorm, please refer to the StackStorm Installation Guide. If you're finding difficulty using the 'One-line Install' method it's recommended to follow the 'Manual Install' method for your Linux distribution. In the free edition of StackStorm it comes with a WebUI that can be installed but it's not necessary.
Updated 2 months ago
Getting Started With StackStorm
Overview and Installation
Suggested Edits are limited on API Reference Pages


Is Tap Water Really That Bad For My Hair and Skin?
November 7, 2017
One of our daily routines is cleansing our body, hair and skin. There's no way to get around it. But using tap water can be a leading factor into why your hair and skin is dry and harsh. Here are some points on why you should consider thinking about investing in a water softener that will leave you with the cleanest, softest skin.
What's in Tap Water?
Here in San Antonio, tap water is hard water comprised of a high mineral composition, containing minerals like calcium that can leave your skin with redness, irritation and inflammation. If you have rosacea or hypersensitive skin, you are making your skin even worse as you apply hard water on your face causing a never-ending fight with your already red skin.
Tap Water Dries Out Skin
Hard water can also contain chlorine, which acts to dry and strip the natural oils and proteins from your skin. Just like after you come back from a chlorinated pool, your skin feels itchy and dry.
Effects of Tap Water Over Time
If you expose your skin to harmful chemical elements over time, this can lead to blotchiness, redness and even premature aging (wrinkles). These minerals that are in your hard water can even breakdown collagen and tissue in your skin.
*Take a moment and consider if your bathroom faucets have stains around them. All those minerals and chemicals staining your bathroom is the same hard water residue you wash your skin with.
Why Invest in Water Softener?
Water softeners eliminate harsh chemicals and minerals that make your skin and hair dry and itchy. Water softeners remove the minerals, giving you the purest water for your home. Water softeners will make your appliances residue free, protect your plumbing and fixtures, and will make your hair and skin look and feel healthier! Start investing in your beautiful hair and skin by calling Kinetico San Antonio today!
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Jonathan Myers
Kyle James


Paul's Shipwreck on Malta
Photo of the book: Evidence and Paul's Journeys
Click here to buy this book:
Evidence and Paul's Journeys
Acts 27.12 - 28.1
Luke records that the ship drifted for fourteen days in the gale and then shipwrecked on the island of Malta, halfway across the Mediterranean. This account of a fourteen day gale, followed by a shipwreck on a remote island, reads like a tall tale. However, the meteorological and nautical evidence demonstrates, and in rather spectacular fashion, that these events must have occurred just as Luke records them.
The most important piece of evidence is the exact compass bearing of the gale. This bearing can be established by means of three separate calculations.
First, Luke states that Euraquilo struck shortly after they left Fair Havens.
In other words, the ship must have been less than halfway to their intended destination at Phoenix. They must have been somewhere between Cape Matala and a point seventeen miles W.N.W. of the Cape when the gale struck.
Map of Crete
Second, there is the relation of the island of Clauda (or Cauda) to this start point. Cape Matala is on a bearing of east 7 degrees north from the eastern edge of Clauda, while the halfway point to Phoenix is east 40 degrees north. For the ship to get behind Clauda, Euraquilo must have been blowing from a point somewhere between these two bearings. The point midway between these two figures is east 25 degrees north (or E.N.E. 1/4 N.). This cannot be more than a point and a half off the actual direction of the wind.
Third, Luke states that when they got behind Clauda, the sailors were afraid that they would be blown onto the Syrtis sandbanks of north Africa. However, for them to have been blown onto those banks from Clauda, Euraquilo would have had to have been blowing from a point somewhere between east 18 degrees north and east 37 degrees north. The point midway between these figures is east 27 degrees north. This figure is only 1/4 point off the mean figure of the previous calculation.
These three calculations establish that the direction from which the wind was blowing could not have been more than a point off the designation E.N.E. 1/2 N.
This brings us to a another dramatic piece of evidence. As the ship drifted west from Clauda, it would have been pointed due north. We know this because it could not have been pointed directly into the wind without capsizing. In other words, it had to have been pointed north, just off the direction from which the wind was coming. Using this information, we can calculate with some precision both the direction and rate of the ship's drift to the west.
Ancient records reveal that Egyptian grain ships were the largest vessels of the time, being about the size of an early nineteenth century sailing vessel. This size is implicitly confirmed by Luke's statement that there were 276 people on board.
Since their ship was pointed due north, while the wind was from the northeast, we can roughly calculate the direction of ship's lateral - or sideways - drift. The azimuth, or direction, of the ship's drift from Clauda would have been approximately west eight degrees north. The island of Malta is not directly west of Clauda. Instead, Malta's bearing from Clauda is exactly west eight degrees north.
Voyage Map
This brings us to yet another piece of evidence. Luke states that it took them fourteen days to drift to Malta. The distance from Clauda to the easternmost point of Malta is 476.6 miles. To calculate the westward rate of drift of their ship, it is necessary to know two things: the size of the ship and the force of the gale. We know the approximate size of the ship and it is possible to establish the mean intensity of the gale. We can then calculate an average rate of drift for Paul's vessel. This calculation reveals an average westward drift of one and one half miles per hour. Thus it would take Paul's ship about thirteen days to drift to Malta. Luke records that it took them fourteen days.
This nautical and meteorological evidence provides us with an astonishing confirmation of the historical accuracy of Luke's narrative. (2)
 To read the entire chapter online, go to:
Apostle Paul's Shipwreck
Evidence and Paul's Journeys - Home Page
Copyright 2001-2004 by Jefferson White


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Hyderabad hopes for a protected planet
18 October 2012 | News story
Protected areas both on land and in the sea are a hot topic here at the Biodiversity talks in Hyderabad. We ask Trevor Sandwith, Head of IUCN's Global Protected Areas Programme, to explain what they are and why they are so important.
What benefits do those areas bring to local communities and to people living outside of their range?
How can local people get involved in managing protected areas?
One of the targets discussed at the meeting in Hyderabad says that "by 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, [...] are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas". What does it actually mean to "effectively and equitably" manage these areas?
Are the talks here in Hyderabad advancing in a promising direction for protected areas?


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Is there a definied keysize to be used with the "AES_256-CBC" method in PHP, and what is the size?
Some background:
I want to store encrypted text into a PostgreSQL database. The user who posts the data has a key (stored in db) which gets appended to a generic private key hard coded in the library.
$key = $genericKey. $userKey;
The used encryption method is "AES-256-CBC" with an iv_size of 16. The IV gets prepended to the encrypted string
$return = $iv.$encrypted
This is then stored in the database.
It appears that if I produce an extremely large generic key, then store some data with $userkey1, and then decrypt it with $userkey2, the data just gets decoded. If I rerun it with a small generic key and small user key, it does not get decoded. To me, it looks as if the big key gets truncated somehow.
Could someone confirm this and tell me what the max keysize is? What is the best-practice to make sure the set key doesn't exceed the key_size* E.g.: md5($key) because this produces a "fixed" amount of characters.
Because apparently php has its own implementation of the AES, this is the way I implement it in my own Class:
class Crypto {
function __construct(){
 $this->iv_size = 16;
 $this->sleutel ='somelongkey';
 $this->encryptionMethod = 'AES-256-CBC';
 private function encrypt($str){
 $sleutel = $this->sleutel. $this->userKey;
 $iv = $this->generateRandomString($this->iv_size);
 $cipher = openssl_encrypt($str, $this->encryptionMethod, $sleutel, 0, $iv);
 return $iv.$cipher;
 public function decrypt($data){
 $iv = substr($data, 0, $this->iv_size);
 return openssl_decrypt(substr($data, $this->iv_size), $this->encryptionMethod, $sleutel, 0, $iv);
share|improve this question
AES-256 uses a 256 bit or 32 byte key by definition. No more, no less. – CodesInChaos Oct 11 '13 at 11:48
Since PHP does not have native AES crypto support, you're either using a module or library. To be sure we're all talking about the same thing, it would be cool if you could mention if you are using Mcrypt, some other module, or maybe even a PHP class or library? (Because sometimes, the devil hides in the details.) – e-sushi Oct 11 '13 at 12:13
I updated my question with the code used in my class. – stUrb Oct 11 '13 at 12:38
_USER_ Thanks for your update. I think I've spotted the problem straight-on… check my answer. – e-sushi Oct 11 '13 at 14:19
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1 Answer
up vote 1 down vote accepted
You're simply appending the userKey to your "sleutel" (aka key) in this piece of code:
Problem is, doing that can result in $sleutel lengths beyond the expect 256 bits (32 bytes), or - as you are experiencing - less than the expected 256 bits (32 bytes/characters).
As _USER_ correctly mentioned in his comment:
So, to fix your problem, you will have to make sure the key you are passing to your cipher function is no more and no less than 32 bytes.
To achieve that, you can simply choose to follow the usual path of encryption by taking your $sleutel and hash your key to the expected 256-bit length with (for example) MD5, like this:
$sleutel = md5($this->sleutel. $this->userKey);
or — if you prefer to choose another hash and a speedier function — you can use PHP's hash function, with it's multiple of available hashes to select from, like (for example) this:
$sleutel = hash('ripemd128', $this->sleutel. $this->userKey);
But… that's not the way I would recommend you to do it! Because, you don't want to use a weak hash like MD5 (which is known to have collisions), and you surely don't want to feed a weak hexadecimal character sequence to your cipher either, do you?
My Recommendation
Following current crypto standards, my recommendation is to use SHA256 the way it is supposed to be used in this case:
$sleutel = hash('sha256', $this->sleutel. $this->userKey, TRUE);
Notice that there's a 3rd parameter which is set to TRUE, which means $sleutel will contain 32 raw bytes (= binary characters) instead of 64 human-readable hexadecimal characters.
I'm sure that will fix your "short-key" related problems, as well as any potential "long-key" problems.
share|improve this answer
Wow. Thank you e-sushi for this elaborate answer! Am I correct that with your recommended solution I always will produce a correct size key, no matter the size of $this-sleutel.$this->userKey? – stUrb Oct 11 '13 at 15:37
_USER_ Absolutely correct. That's one of many reasons why I recommended it… ;) As noted, remember to set that 3rd parameter to TRUE to be sure you get binary instead of hex characters in your $sleutel. (Btw.: Vlaams of Nederlands? In ieder geval, graag gedaan!) – e-sushi Oct 11 '13 at 15:40
Just to be sure, right :) (Jups, kom uit Roermond, Nederland :)) – stUrb Oct 11 '13 at 15:53
_USER_ Right! (zegt de Belg die in Duitsland leeft. 8]) Hope to see you around every once in a while… de groetjes! – e-sushi Oct 11 '13 at 15:57
For password based keys derivation (i.e. where the input entropy is significantly below your key size), you should better use a slow hash function instead of any fast one like SHA-256. – Paŭlo Ebermann Oct 18 '13 at 19:47
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Your Answer


3 ways to appeal to today's sustainability-minded shopper
Getty sustainable shopper report
NMI's 2020 Sustainability in America Report delves into how retailers and brands can help sustainable consumers meet their goals.
Which aspects of sustainability matter most to consumers? How can retailers and brands reach ethical shoppers? And how is the iGen generation changing the conversation?
These questions and more are explored in NMI's 2020 Sustainability in America Report. Here, managing partner Steve French outlines three top-line findings as well as the role retailers can play in helping sustainable shoppers reach their goals.
1. Say no to plastics
Maybe it's the images of "plastic islands" growing in the oceans, or maybe it's the fact that plastics are harming wildlife. But one thing is clear: consumer perceptions regarding plastic products are declining, with consumers feeling that plastics in the environment and oceans will destroy life on earth more so than global warming or nuclear war.
When it comes to retail, this means shoppers are preferring food and beverages in cans or glass, and passing on plastic straws. In fact, almost two-thirds say they wish their grocery stores would use less plastic overall.
2. Chemicals are a concern
"Concern over chemicals in the body is shifting to concern about chemicals in the environment, as it is becoming more difficult for consumers to separate their own health from the health of the planet," French says. In fact, over two-thirds of consumers attribute growing cancer and disease rates to the toxins in soil and groundwater. And 3 out of 5 are concerned about the effects that the products they wash down their drain have on our waterways.
To appeal to this sentiment, retailers can be more diligent when it comes to label monitoring and choose products from brands that commit to eco-friendly processes and eliminate any harmful ingredients.
3. Animal welfare matters
"Consumers are beginning to recognize that our actions have significant, lasting and often negative effects on the planet's other species," French says. "Therefore, they are changing their behaviors to promote a higher level of animal welfare."
Some are choosing cage-free options, with NMI reporting that the importance of this claim has grown 74% in past eight years; similarly, the importance of grass-fed has grown 47%. 27% of consumers who are reducing their meat consumption say they ae doing so to be more humane towards animals.
With half of consumers interested in learning what companies are doing to treat animals humanely, retailers have an opportunity to tell these stores in the aisle, on social media and via other mediums to appeal to this trend and drive sales.
"Humane animal treatment will become a much weightier issue as consumers are becoming more aware of how animals are being mistreated in meat production and in testing for other products," French adds. "Make sure, where applicable, to commit to the notion that animals also deserve respect and fair treatment and make sure your message is heard."
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I told you I can distinguish the shape and texture of different foods through my oesophagus, and yet you gave me the standard 'textbook answer' - I specifically asked you to tell me what it would do to a throat to have food stuck for long periods, and how long it would hold out, and you have not addressed my question AT ALL.
OK thank you - sadly I still don't know any more than what I know already. However, I do appreciate your second answer was a thought-out answer, and is to the best of your knowledge - could you please just answer yes or no to the following two questions:
1) is it possible to investigate my digestive tract whilst I am sedated?
2) if I were to have an X-ray while the food is stuck in my throat, would the food be visible?


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Conservative Dictionary Project (R)
- True conservative meaning - Disparaging people or a group of people because of the color of their skin, such as when liberals claim minorities cannot succeed without affirmative action
- False liberal redefinition - The idea that society is the reason minorities cannot get ahead
- True conservative meaning - A reminder to God and Man of God's promise to never flood the entire world again.
- False liberal redefinition - A symbol used by the homosexuals to promote their agenda; alternatively, a product of refraction with no spiritual significance
- True conservative meaning - A liberal government system designed to by pass the free market and distribute goods and services based on bureaucratic whims.
- False liberal redefinition - A way of sharing limited resources.
- Republican form of government
- True conservative meaning - a form of government in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly or through representatives chosen by the people, and in which individuals retain sovereign prerogative over their person, labor, and property
- False liberal redefinition - mobocracy
- True conservative meaning - a just claim or title, whether legal, prescriptive, or moral
- False liberal redefinition - privileges extended by government at its own pleasure, subject to revocation for the alleged collective good


Takashi Hosokawa, and Hiroshi Itsuki.[when?][28] Kasuga was later called the first enka singer.[why?][2]
Michiya Mihashi, who originally sang Japanese folk min'yō music and learned tsugaru-jamisen, released his debut single "Sake no Nigasa yo" as a recording singer in 1954.[29] Mihashi's "Onna Sendō Uta" was a hit in 1955.[29] Funamura's friend Kimio Takano, the lyricist of "Wakare no Ippon-sugi", died in 1956 at the age of 26.[27] Hibari Misora's music turned to enka when she was no longer regarded as a teen idol.[30]
Around the postwar period, rōkyoku (or naniwa-bushi), famous during the war, declined in popularity mainly because their speaking lengths were considered too long. Enka, on the other hand, which became popular around that time, was said to be a shortened version of rōkyoku because several enka singers such as Hideo Murata and Haruo Minami were originally rōkyoku singers and enka has many themes in common with the genre.[31] One notable rōkyoku singer who had an influence on enka was Kumoemon Tochuken, whose student's pupil was Murata.[31] Minami debuted on Teichiku Records in 1957 and Murata on Nippon Columbia in 1958. Murata covered the song "Jinsei Gekijō" (人生劇場 lit. "Drama of Life"?), composed by Masao Koga.[14] Haruo Minami was known for wearing a kimono, which was at the time considered an unusual style for a male singer.[32]
1960s: Commercial success[edit]
The memorial museum of singer Hideo Murata
In the early 1960s, rockabilly influenced by Elvis Presley began to gain popularity. Kyu Sakamoto, who came from Japanese rockabilly, joined Japanese popular music.[33] However, many Japanese music critics complained about rockabilly, and Hideo Murata's 1961 "pure Japanese style"-like song "Ōsho," composed by Toru Funamura, became a million-selling single in Japan.[34] When Kyu Sakamoto took part in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen for the first time with the song "Ue o Muite Arukō" (aka "Sukiyaki") in 1961, Hideo Murata also made his debut with the song "Ōsho" at the same show.[35]
Young enka singer Yukio Hashi appeared in 1960, Saburō Kitajima in 1962 and Harumi Miyako in 1964. Sachiko Kobayashi debuted with the 1964 single "Usotsuki Kamome" (ウソツキ鴎 lit. "Liar Common Gull"?) at the age of only 10. The most well-known and beloved performer of enka is Hibari Misora (1937–1989), known as the "Queen of Enka" and "Queen of Shōwa" for the period in which she lived and was celebrated. Misora's song "Yawara," composed by Masao Koga, won the grand prix award at the 1965 Japan Record Award.[36] Masaru Matsuyama also made his debut in 1965, but was not able to achieve commercial success and changed his stage name to Hiroshi Itsuki in 1971.
Mina Aoe appeared with the single "Kōkotsu no Blues" (恍惚のブルース lit. "Ecstasy Blues"?) in 1966, pioneering the "enka-blues" genre.[37] Shinichi Mori debuted with the 1966 single "Onna no Tameiki" (女のためいき lit. "Woman's Sigh"?). His 1969 song "Minatomachi Blues" (港町ブルース lit. "Port Town Blues"?) topped the Japanese Oricon single charts for five weeks and sold over one million copies.[38] Keiko Fuji came out with the 1969 single "Shinjuku no Onna" (新宿の女 lit. "Woman in Shinjuku"?) at the age of 18. The term enka which had not been used in the postwar era, was revived by her performance.[3]
1970s: Maintaining popularity[edit]
Keiko Fuji's 1970 song "Keiko no Yume wa Yoru Hiraku" won the mass popularity award of the 12th Japan Record Awards and the grand prix award of the first Japan Music Awards. That year, she also took part in the 21st Kōhaku Uta Gassen with the song. Her 1970 album Shinjuku no Onna/'Enka no Hoshi' Fuji Keiko no Subete (新宿の女/"演歌の星" 藤圭子のすべて Woman in Shinjuku/'Star of Enka' All of Keiko Fuji?) established a record-breaking consecutive number-one record to top the Oricon charts for 20 "consecutive" weeks.[39] It is a record that still stands.
The best-selling enka after the Oricon charts began in 1968 is Shiro Miya and Pinkara Trio's 1972 "Onna no Michi." The song topped the Japanese Oricon single charts for 16 consecutive weeks and sold over 3.25 million copies, to become the second best-selling single in Japan behind "Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun."
Hiroshi Itsuki's song "Yozora" won the grand prix award at the 15th Japan Record Awards in 1973. Shinichi Mori released the single "Erimo Misaki"? in 1974. Although the song was composed by non-enka musician Takuro Yoshida, "Erimo Misaki" won the grand prix at the 16th Japan Record Awards that year. Harumi Miyako's song "Kita no Yado kara"? also won the grand prix at the 18th Japan Record Awards in 1976. New enka singers, who debuted in the '70s, include Sayuri Ishikawa and Takashi Hosokawa who were both Michiya Mihashi's pupils.[29]
Masao Koga died in 1978, after a career of composing about 5,000 songs.[14] Toru Funamura became self-employed in 1978, beginning live performances and returning to the original position? for his old friend Kimio Takano.[27] Keiko Fuji announced her retirement in 1979 and went to the United States,[40] where bizarrely enough, in 2006, the $400,000 she was carrying in cash was confiscated by the DEA. She denied any wrongdoing and in 2008 was cleared of all charges and the money returned to her.
1980s: Losing definition[edit]
The 1984 monument of Naomi Chiaki's song covered by Takashi Hosokawa "Yagiri no Watashi" at Matsudo City
Takashi Hosokawa's song "Kita Sakaba" won the grand prix at the 24th Japan Record Awards in 1982. He covered Naomi Chiaki's originally song "Yagiri no Watashi" next year. It was also won the grand prix at the following Japan Record Awards. The total sales of Michiya Mihashi's work surpassed 100 million records in 1983, making him the first artist to achieve that in Japan.[29]
On June 11, 1986, Sanae Jōnouchi, a member of idol group Onyanko Club, released the enka single "Ajisai Bashi," written by Yasushi Akimoto. The single debuted at No. 1 on the Oricon weekly single charts.[41] Ikuzo Yoshi's 1986 single "Yukiguni" became the Oricon's 300th number-one single in 1987.[42]
Other new enka singers around that time included Fuyumi Sakamoto and Ayako Fuji. Hibari Misora, at the age of 50, released the single "Midaregami" on December 10, 1987. "Midaregami" reached the No. 9 position on the Oricon weekly charts.[43] Yasushi Akimoto wrote the lyrics of her 1989 single "Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni". However, she died in 1989 and the enka range expanded into the genre kayōkyoku while the genre kayōkyoku was vanishing.[10]
1990s: Decline[edit]
Hachiro Kasuga died in 1991. As enka's traditional themes were no longer appreciated among younger Japanese and Western-style J-pop music became more popular, enka sales declined. However, the genre still had many adherents. Besides TV programs, enka could be heard in many restaurants, drinking establishments, karaoke bars and cafes. On the other hand, "bright" enka singer Yoshimi Tendo, who was ignored when the "dark" enka songs like Keiko Fuji's song "Keiko no Yume wa Yoru Hiraku" were popular, took part in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen for the first time in 1993.[44] Other new en


The phrase'straw dogs' is drawn from the Tao Te Ching, and refers to ceremonial objects of ancient China, carefully prepared and employed in ritual with great reverence, and then thrown away like rubbish. In this manner are Heaven and Earth said to treat the ten thousand things or myriad creatures.
'Heaven and Earth are ruthless, and treat the ten thousand things like straw dogs.'
The lesson, I suppose, is that one shouldn't rely on the favour of heavenly beings for one's survival.


text: The pupil is the black "hole" in the middle of the iris (the colored part of the eye). The pupil looks black because the inside of the eye is dark. Eye doctors dilate the pupil with eye drops to help them view the retina. There are many causes for a dilated pupil outside of the doctors office, however. Some people have a natural anisocoria where one pupil is naturally larger than the other. Plant irritants, pesticides, and antihistamine medications can also make the pupil dilate. Blockage of sympathetic or parasympathetic nerves to the eye can cause a pupil to dilate – there are some serious medical conditions that can cause this blockage such as Adie's pupil, Horner's Syndrome, or third nerve palsy. A new onset pupil abnormality needs to be evaluated by an eye doctor.


Skiing: It's All About Friction
glide2It's all about friction. Really. Friction from the snow, friction from the air, friction from the surface of the ski or the clothing you wear. The physics of skiing is all about how to overcome drag and resistance and allow a skier to slice his/her way down the mountain. And if Newton's laws have anything to do with it, a skier who controls friction best has the best chance of winning.
Find out the basics of friction and skiing.
Articles by Marcia Howell
Aerodynamics and Cycling
Cycling has undergone immense changes since its early days. As science has opened our understanding of aerodynamics, it has driven changes in bicycle composition and design, the clothing worn by the cyclist, and even the positioning of the rider on the bicycle.
These three factors directly correlate to the amount of drag experienced by the cyclist. In fact, researcher L. Brownlie reported that some styles of baggy clothes cost cyclists 1.17% of their finishing time in a 100-meter race. Serious cyclists utilize this knowledge by dressing in sleek, close-fitting clothing to optimize their aerodynamics.
How much of a role do aerodynamics play? Learn the basics or read the more technical explanation.
Articles by Cristian Clavijo
Skiing: It's All About Friction (Basic)
glide3aWhen Bioengineer, Parker Tyler, goes skiing, she probably isn't thinking about the biology or the physics behind the activity. Rather, he is enjoying the crisp, cool, mountain air, the clear view of the slope, and the anticipated exhilaration he will feel as she maneuvers to the bottom. She likely doesn't consider earth's gravitational force (9.81 m/s), or potential energy, or kinetic energy, or her own mass, or any of those other factors that will contribute to his acceleration. However, scientists do think about these things and their thinking has affected many facets of the industry from clothing to equipment to style.
Back to Parker, her potential energy is greatest at the top of the hill where she perches until the start of her run. Her body is physically fit and adrenaline is taking over, sending added energy to her muscles, vision center, quick decision making regions of the brain, and the area that controls coordination. Once she leaves starting position, gravity pushes down, mass pushes down, but the acceleration down the slope kicks in and changes how the forces affect the ride. Potential energy turns into kinetic energy, or energy of motion, and everything he touches tries to resist and slow the movement.
Since Parker is a wise skier, she wears a GS suit (a sleek, form fitting suit with a minimum of abrasive surface area) and aerodynamic boots, hat (or helmet), gloves, etc. As she accelerates, she assumes a crouching position to reduce air resistance and tighten the air current close to her body. His skis are designed specifically for the type of skiing being done, the edges are sharp, and the bottoms are carefully waxed. The wax waterproofs the skis, prevents them from drying out, and it reduces the wet drag of a kind of "suction" type friction from the snow.
When Parker comes to a curve, the skis will either be eased into the turn with the ski pointed in the same direction as her velocity, making a sharp cut in its wake, or she will choose a skidding type of maneuver where the skis will be forced in the direction she wishes to go, leaning away from the curve at a 45-90 degree optimal angle, and literally plowing snow away from her. Some skis have special designs that scientists have found will decrease the drag and increase the speed these curves can be safely made. Surely, Parker will have researched and purchased those that fit his style and goals for skiing.
By the time she reaches the bottom, her potential energy is expended, the ensuing kinetic energy is maxed out, and now friction works against him to slow down her acceleration to a stop. His adrenalin will return to normal levels, and her blood circulation and other systems will begin to function normally once again. (At least until the next run.)
Research will continue to change the sport of skiing. And no doubt, the savvy skier will keep tabs on the newest and best ways scientists will come up with to help us beat the forces working against us.
By: Marcia Howell, University of Utah
Energy Transformation for Downhill Skiing. 2012. Retrieved from
The Physics of Skiing. Real World Physics Problems. 2009. Retrieved from
Locke, B. 2012. The physics of skiing. Retrieved from
Mears, A. 2002. Physics of Alpine Skiing. Retrieved from
Aerodynamics and Cycling (Basic)
CyclingConsidered to be one of the most exhilarating and efficient human-powered vehicles ever invented, the bicycle continues to find its way into the lives of many Americans and people throughout the world. Cycling sporting events have exponentially increased in popularity since the day German inventor, Baron Karl von Drais, put two wheels on a wooden frame in 1817 (Ballantine 2001). Since then, the bicycle has undergone several modifications. Once engineering technology caught up with the public's need for speed, cycling was transformed from a field of design guesswork to a scientific research analytical field involving a diverse number of disciplines.
There are many factors that hinder a bicycle from reaching maximum velocities. Among these are transmission friction, air drag, rolling resistance and inertia forces. The most significant of these is air drag. 70% – 90% of the resistance experienced by a rider in a high-speed race is due to drag (Brownlie 2010). Therefore, aerodynamic studies are of paramount importance for better bike design, and several studies have been conducted within the past two decades.
In the most basic definition of air resistance, drag occurs due to a pressure difference between the front and rear of an object, which is in movement relative to its medium (air). When air hits the rider, it is brought to a stop, creating what engineers refer to as the stagnation point. At this point, the air splits and moves in opposite directions following "streamlines", which contour around the rider. The air sticks to the body of the rider as it moves around him/her. However, due to a lack of energy, it separates from the body somewhere around the rider's back. This separation creates a low-pressure field in the rear of the rider. This pressure difference between the front and the rear causes a force, which pushes the rider backwards, called drag.
There are two methods to study aerodynamics around a bicycle: mathematically and experimentally. In the first method, engineers and scientists solve complex systems of equations, which predict air behavior around the rider. Since some of these equations are too difficult to be solved by hand, computers programs are often used. Others study drag experimentally. They put a rider on a bike inside a big tunnel (generally referred to as a wind tunnel), which blows air at high speeds while the rider stays still. Sensors attached to the rider are able to measure pressure differences and compute drag. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, and both are often used in unison.
Different components have been individually tested for drag such as helmets, loose clothing, rider's position and wheels. Studies have shown that even seemingly small factors, such as loose clothing, can increase drag significantly during a race. Bicycle scientists continue to try to find the ultimate rider's position, the best helmet and the most appropriate clothing to help cycling athletes further improve their performance.
Learn the technical details of aerodynamics and cycling.
By: Cristian Clavijo, University of Utah
Cristian Clavijo is a native of Peru, moved to the US in the 8th grade, and is now a Masters student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah. As an advocate for the Hispanic underserved population in Utah, Clavijo is involved in educating children and parents on how basic scientific and medical knowledge can help them progress and become collaborators of their communities. He plans to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering next year.
Ballantine, R. 2001. Richard's 21st-century bicycle book. The Overlook Press, New York, New York, USA.
Brwonlie, L., P. Ostafichuk, E. Tews, H. Muller, E. Briggs and K. Franks. 2010. The wind-averaged aerodynamic drag of competitive time trial cycling helmets. Procedia Engineering 2:2419-2424.
Aerodynamics and Cycling (Technical)
At one point almost banned by social and environmental safety national leaders, cycling, in its many forms, has become one of the most competitive international sporting events and is certainly among the top choices for transportation and recreation. Most people today view cycling as a form of mere exercise or seasonal recreation. However, for some, cycling is a way of life. Paul Fournel expressed, "When you get on your first bike you enter a language you'll spend the rest of your life learning, and you transform every move and every event into a mystery for the pedestrian" (Fournel 2003). What is it about cycling that stirs such feelings or even mania among its faithful devotees? Breath-taking landscapes, memorable sights and smells, the sound of self-induced wind challenging the rider to pedal harder, and physical and mental rejuvenation are some of the reasons.


How to perform a gender test.
Previously published Slate articles made new.
Aug. 19 2009 5:59 PM
Am I Not a Woman?
How to perform a gender test.
On Wednesday, South African teenager Caster Semenya won the gold medal in the women's 800 meters at the world track-and-field championships. Semenya, however, hasn't had much of a chance to celebrate, as she's "been the subject of whispers and innuendos about her masculine body shape and facial features." As a consequence, the International Association of Athletics Federations has asked the runner to take a "gender verification" test. In 2006, Melonyce McAfee explained that it's not so simple to tell a man from a woman. The original article is reprinted below.
Indian runner Santhi Soundararajan may be stripped of her Asian Games silver medal, after the Indian Olympic Association announced Monday that she had failed a gender test shortly after competing. Is a "gender test" as simple as it sounds?
No. You can't tell for sure if an athlete is a man or a woman just by glancing at his or her genitalia. That's because some people are born with ambiguous sex organs, and others have a visible anatomy that doesn't match up with their sex chromosomes. Fears that male Olympic athletes might be competing as women led to mandatory physicals for females in the 1960s, which soon gave way to chromosome-based gender testing. Officials collected mouth scrapings and ran a simple test for the presence of two X chromosomes. The method proved to be unreliable, since it's possible for a biological male to have an extra X chromosome (XXY) or a female to only have one X chromosome.
The gender of an embryo is determined during its early development. If certain sex-determining genes are present, the fetus will develop testes, which in turn produce testosterone. It's the testosterone that makes the fetus into a boy. The genes that are important for this switch are generally located on the Y chromosome. By the 1992 Winter Games, officials started testing for one of these genes, called SRY—if you had it, you couldn't compete as a woman.
That test didn't work, either. Having the SRY gene material, or even a Y chromosome, doesn't always make you a man. Some people born with a Y chromosome develop all the physical characteristics of a woman except internal female sex organs. This can result from a defect in one of the genes that allows the body to process testosterone. Someone with this condition (known as "androgen insensitivity syndrome") might be XY, and she might develop testes. But she'll end up a woman, because her body never responds to the testosterone she's producing. Other signs of AIS include hairless genitalia and the absence of menstruation. (There are reports that Soundararajan had "not attained puberty yet.")
Since testosterone helps in building muscle and strength, a case of androgen insensitivity syndrome wouldn't give an XY-female athlete any kind of competitive advantage; if anything, it would be a liability. Seven of the eight women who tested positive for Y-chromosomal material during the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta had some form of AIS. They were allowed to compete.
By the late 1990s, the International Olympic Committee turned to a more comprehensive evaluation by a panel of specialists to account for all these ambiguities. The panel now includes gynecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists, and experts on transgender issues. The examiners still test for the Y-chromosomal genes; gynecologists perform physical exams; endocrinologists diagnose gene disorders and resulting hormonal conditions; and athletes may be given psychological help to deal with the situation.
Mandatory gender testing of Olympic athletes was stopped altogether in 1999, but Olympic and IAAF rules allow for gender tests if an athlete's gender is challenged by another athlete or team, or event officials. (Soundararajan's screening is said to have originated with such a protest.) Some athletes are called in for a complete exam after they give their urine sample during a doping test. Officials watch the whole process to make sure the athletes don't swap in someone else's pee, so they can flag anyone whose genitalia don't appear consistent with his or her stated gender.
Athletes who have undergone sex-reassignment are allowed to compete alongside their new gender, provided they follow regulations.
Got a question about today's news? Ask the Explainer.
Explainer thanks Dr. Myron Genel of Yale University, Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson of Baylor University, and Dr. Louis Elsas of the University of Miami.


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Differential Rate Laws express Rate as a function of concentration
Integrated Rate Laws express Concentration as a function of Time
Reactions of orders 0, 1 & 2 have different Integrated Rate Laws
Each Integrated Rate Law can be put into y = mx + b form
Each Integrated Rate Law yields a different expression for the Half-Life of a reaction
Integrated Rate Law & Reaction Half-Life
Lecture Slides are screen-captured images of important points in the lecture. Students can download and print out these lecture slide images to do practice problems as well as take notes while watching the lecture.