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Noise – A Flaw in Human Judgement by Daniel Kahneman, Oliver Sibony, and Cass Sunstein, is long, so it sat on my bookshelf for awhile. But it's worth the time. Noise is the variation in judgements that shouldn't vary. Judges should give similar sentences in similar cases, underwriters should find the same expected risks from identical cases, and fingerprint matches shouldn't vary between experts. But they do – a lot.
Noise is different than bias — predictable poor judgements that don't vary in direction, such as discrimination. Bias gets a lot of attention – which it deserves – but noise may be the bigger problem for society.
Noise is exceptionally high in healthcare. Price variation is well-documented, but healthcare delivery is also very noisy. Disagreement among radiologists reading the same image can lead to massive over and under-treatment. Doctors seeing the same care, should agree on a diagnosis and treatment plan more often than they do. Not only can noise harm patients, it also wastes a lot of money.
The book describes the many causes of noise – for instance, the time of day and weather conditions shouldn't affect judgements, but they do. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help, but it's not going to fix everything. The authors provide concrete options to lower noise and improve judgements. An appendix includes a toolkit to create a "noise audit" to identify the problem in your organization or system, if is exists. And the authors give very specific advice to reduce noise in your work.
Definitely worth adding to your summer stack of books.


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As early as possible, the superintendent makes a decision to take one of the following actions: open schools on schedule, delay the opening of schools or cancel school for the day. Information about school closings or delays is shared with the public in several ways:
- Notification calls – parents/guardians receive a mass notification call from the superintendent (for a districtwide schedule change) or principal (for an individual school schedule change);
- Website – notice will be posted in the banner of the district website at District196.org;
- District Twitter (_USER_) and Facebook (_USER_) accounts, and
- TV and Radio – Twin Cities television stations and WCCO-AM Radio (830) are notified about a schedule change for District 196 schools.
If school is canceled
If school is canceled for the entire day, the following activities are also canceled:
- All daytime and after-school Community Education activities (Early Childhood Family Education [ECFE], Early Childhood Special Education [ECSE] and Adult Basic Education [ABE] programs);
- Elementary school after-school and evening activities, and
- Middle school after-school and evening activities.
- School-age Care (SAC) will be canceled when there is a snow-related school cancellation; SAC will be held at predetermined locations if there is a temperature-related school cancellation.
- Decisions about whether to hold evening high school and evening Community Education activities are made by mid-afternoon and communicated on the district website and information line by 3 p.m.
If the start of school is delayed
If the start of school is delayed, all school buses, except Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) buses, operate on a normal but delayed schedule and the following activities are canceled:
- Morning and afternoon early childhood special education classes (ECSE);
- Morning Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes;
- Morning and afternoon Connections Preschool classes;
- Morning and afternoon Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes; and
- Morning Community Education activities, including SAC.
Other school schedule changes
If severe weather develops or is predicted during the school day, schedules may change in one or more of the following ways:
- Afternoon Connections Preschool, after-school Community Education activities, ABE, ECSE, ECFE and SAC may be canceled;
- School may be dismissed early, and/or
- Middle school and high school activity bus routes may be canceled.
Early dismissal will only take place in the event of an emergency. We encourage all parents to have a plan in place should their child need to come home early from school due to weather or an emergency. In developing your plan, keep in mind that in certain emergency situations students may be immediately evacuated and may not be able to go back into the school to get keys or other belongings from their lockers.
How decisions are made to cancel or delay school
Decisions to cancel or shorten the regular school day and after-school activities are made by the superintendent in consultation with other staff. Although severe weather conditions are the most common reason for a change of school schedule, other events such as a utility outage or malfunction could necessitate the delay, cancellation or early dismissal of school.
The over-riding concern in making the decision to cancel or delay the start of school is the safety of our students, staff and others in the community. Beyond that, the process becomes more complicated. The fundamental decision is whether students and staff will be safer with school in session or canceled for the day. Several factors are considered, including the following:
- Road conditions are extremely important and must be considered throughout the 110 square miles that make up our district, including rural areas where blowing snow can severely limit visibility for drivers;
- School buses can drive through very deep snow, but they can't make it through to school if intersections are clogged with stuck vehicles;
- Wind chill is also important, especially if there is the possibility of buses running late and students having to wait a longer time at their bus stop;
- The weather forecast for the remainder of the day is also considered, as well as reports from our cities as to when key roads will be plowed, and
- Finally, the actions of other districts in the area are considered.
When severe winter weather occurs, the following steps are taken to examine weather conditions and decide whether to delay or cancel the opening of school:
- By 3:45 a.m., district Transportation Department employees are driving on key roads throughout the district and contacting city and county highway departments to determine if the roads are safe for travel.
- By 5 a.m., the Transportation Department coordinator contacts the superintendent with information on weather and road conditions and to discuss whether there may be a need to change the school schedule.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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A child's education is of course very important – it defines much of their future and how they will go on to progress into some of the areas they want to put their focus into. Parents should feel involved in this process as well, in order to see where your child can focus their strengths and learn more about their child's abilities as well.
Lots of co-ed prep schools in London provide parents the chance to get involved in a child's education, as well as hosting events all year round to motivate students. Here are some ways you can also get involved with your child's studies.
Attend regular meetings with teachers
Parents evenings are held across the school year so that you can get to know teachers on an individual basis, talk to other parents and get a better understanding of the curriculum. They're a great chance to really see where your child is at in their studies and how you can help them with their progress. A good way of identifying strengths and weaknesses is through these catch ups with teachers. If there are other ways to work on a child's development, then this is a good place to start.
Engage in open dialogue about your child's studies
A child is only going to open up if they feel like they've had the opportunity to do so. It gives them the space to talk openly about areas they are struggling with and what they can do to help them in their progress. Ensure that your child never feels like they are overwhelmed by the work they're doing and only working on what they do best. It helps them feel like they can progress, especially when they know someone is in their corner.
Help them with their homework
A kid is going to get a lot of homework over their time. A good way to get involved in their studies is through what they're taught in class, and supporting them through it. Spend a little bit of time each day going through their homework and offering advice where you feel you can help out.
Keep an eye on your child's behaviour
Part of working on a child's studies is how they manage their behaviour. Stress and worry are common things in school, and it can show you how they need to manage their feelings. This also helps you be realistic with your child's progress in school.


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ique was held up by World War II and only published in 1949.
Vallée Poussin was elected to the Belgium Academy in 1909. More honours were to follow including election to the Madrid Academy of Sciences, the Naples Society of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Institute of France, the Accademia dei Lincei, the Paris Academy of Science, and the American National Academy of Sciences. There were celebrations in 1928 when Vallée Poussin had held the chair at the University of Louvain for 35 years and again celebrations in 1943 when he had been 50 years in the chair of mathematics at Louvain.
In 1928, when he had held the chair at Louvain for 35 years, the King of Belgium conferred the title Baron on Vallée Poussin at the celebrations for this event. In 1961 he fractured his shoulder and since Vallée Poussin was in his mid 90s it failed to heal. His death followed a few months later.
Article by: J J O'Connor and E F Robertson

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


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Secret Renaissance Letter Reveals Plan to Save England
Thomas Hobbes was one of Europe's most famous philosophers; now a new document discovered in a collection of papers in the British Library reveals that he put together a plan to win the English Civil War for the king.
CREDIT: Georgios Kollidas | Shutterstock
A newly discovered document, written by one of Europe's most famous philosophers, Thomas Hobbes, reveals a plan that, if successful, could have turned the tide of one of England's bloodiest wars.
In the words of Hobbes, the plan would prevent the "ruine of the English nation." The document was written during the height of the English civil war, a series of conflicts between 1642 and 1651 that saw King Charles I (and later his son Charles II), pitted against his country's parliament.
Hobbes, whose work encompassed politics, history, law, physics and mathematics, was a strong supporter of the king. And in the newfound document, discovered among papers of English writer John Evelyn in the British Library, Hobbes proposes a plan to win the war by getting the head of the parliamentary navy, Earl of Warwick Robert Rich, to defect.
Hobbes had sent his document to Evelyn's father-in-law, Richard Browne, who acted effectively as the king's ambassador to France. The handwriting is identical to Hobbes',and the document itself is marked "Proposition. E. of Warwick &ct. T. H." [History's Top 12 Doting Dads]
"We don't have any other document of this kind from Hobbes' pen," Noel Malcolm, a senior research fellow at All Souls College, University of Oxford, told LiveScience in an interview. Malcolm explained that Hobbes' political writing tended to be fairly abstract. "Here, you see him get his fingers dirty in real-life politics."
The document, and Malcolm's analysis of it, are published in the most recent issue of The Historical Journal.
Scots and Swedes
In 1643, supporters of King Charles I, called royalists, were in a good position, controlling a large amount of territory outside London. However, at the end of the year, the Scots intervened on the side of Parliament, crossing the border in January 1644 to help them out. Hobbes' proposal appears to have been written around this time. In it, he fears the Scots will bring Sweden, at the time a great military power, in to aid the Parliamentarians.
Hobbes' writing is in an older form of English then what we see today. The letter "u" is our equivalent of "v" and "ye" is our equivalent of "the."
"It is not likely the Scots will depend on ye will of the [Parliament] for the benefit they [aim] at in this inuasion; and consequently there is no doubt but that they expect support from abroade," Hobbes writes, going on to provide reasons why the Swedes will likely come to Scotland's aid.
Regardless of whether the Swedes poised a risk to England, the fact that a Scottish army had crossed the border was enough to turn the tide of war in favor of Parliament. "That really played a huge part in shifting the balance of power in favor of the parliamentarian forces," Malcolm said.
Hobbes hoped to persuade Rich, the Earl of Warwick, to defect to the royalists, bringing much of Parliament's navy with him.
Malcolm said that the Earl was a strong parliamentary supporter and the chances of him coming over to the king's side were slim to none. However, if it did happen, it could have had a major impact on the course of the war.
"This man could have just brought probably most of the navy with him," Malcolm said, explaining that in the 17th century soldiers and sailors tended to identify more with their leader than with a specific cause.
To win over Rich, Hobbes recommended restoring the Earl of Warwick's wealth, granting "pardons or other graces for his [friends] and kindred," the means to "allure and reward his officers soldiers and mariners" and a grand title of some sort that isn't specified.
This offer "need be carried very secretly," Hobbes wrote.
It's ironic that in his political writings Hobbes condemned this kind of bribery. However, Malcolm points out that this was a unique situation. While Hobbes would condemn this activity in a "stable state," England was at war. "He thinks that almost any means would be justified to achieve the end of ending the war and putting the king back on the throne," Malcolm said. [The History of Human Aggression]
Why Hobbes thought the Earl could be won over is a mystery; the Earl's record had been one of strong support of Parliament. Malcolm suggests that Hobbes may have arrived at his belief based on personal experience he had when both he and the Earl of Warwick were members of the Virginia Company. They were also both members of the Somers Islands Company, which was in charge of Bermuda.
At the time Hobbes wrote the proposal, it appears to have gone nowhere. So far, Malcolm has found no evidence that the Earl was approached at the time or that Browne even forwarded the proposal to royalist strategists in England.
"He was expecting it to be passed on, it was meant to go in some way or other to the king," Malcolm said.
Several years later, in August 1648, an attempt was made to get the Earl of Warwick to switch sides. At this point his brother, the Earl of Holland, had joined the royalists (the king's side).
At the time, the King's son, Prince Charles, faced off against the Earl of Warwick on the Thames Estuary. The prince's fleet was smaller and an attempt was made to bring Warwick over.
The prince is said to have issued a summons to Warwick imploring him to come under the king's ruling, helping to bring peace to "his majesty's dominions," according to "Memorials of the Professional Life and Times of Sir William Penn," published in 1833.
Warwick refused. Not even the defection of his brother to the royalist side could make the Earl of Warwick turn against Parliament's cause. "It was hopeless," Malcolm said.
MORE FROM LiveScience.com


Pajou, Augustin ( born Sept. 19, 1730, Paris, Fr.—died France—died May 8, 1809, Paris ) French sculptor and decorator known mainly for his portrait busts of figuresfamous contemporaries, such as his patroness, Madame du Barry, and for directing the decoration of the Versailles opera house.
Pajou, a student of the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, won the Prix de Rome (in 1748 ) and spent a dozen years studied in Italy from 1752 to 1756. He was elected to the Paris Academy in 1760. He executed bas-reliefs and small decorative figures in bronze, silver, and marble and later did work on the court of the Palais Royal, Paris, and the cathedral at Orléans. A directive from King Louis XVI for the creation of statues honouring great Frenchmen led him to do many busts, including those of such persons notables as Georges Buffon, René Descartes, and J.-B. Bossuet. Appointed keeper of the king's antiquities (1777), he was commissioned to complete the Fontaine des Innocents, Paris, in the manner of the 16th-century sculptor Jean Goujon. Pajou's "Psyche Abandoned" Psyche Abandoned (1791) offers an example of his graciously seductive style. It is one of the few creations in which he restrained his usual decorativeness decorative style in favour of classical purity.


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Clinical Research Studies
The Center conducts research with the aim of improving the understanding of how air pollution affects healthy people and people with lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (special populations). Research is also aimed at discovering dietary practices and medications that can protect people from the unhealthy effects of air pollution.
Exposure chamber research studies are designed to test the effects of exposure to common air pollutants, such as ozone and particulate matter or to test the ability of dietary practices or medications to reduce the effects of ozone and particulate matter on the lungs and heart.
The Center is seeking people who are interested in participating in its studies. Because the studies often require multiple visits, we are primarily interested in people who live within 50 miles of the Center. If you are interested in participating in a study, additional information about current Center studies is provided in the links below


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Brisker uses a gentle heating element to warm the interior temperature to ~120 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer air spreads moisture out, so items inside the Brisker dry out and stay crunchy.
This all works because of the principles of relative humidity. With the air inside the Brisker about 40-50 degrees warmer than room temperature in your kitchen or pantry, humidity and moisture decreases inside of the Brisker relative to the humidity in your kitchen.
Here's a neat video explaining how relative humidity works.


The Cat's Paw Swipes Employers
In light of a recent United States Court decision, Staub v. Proctor Hospital, careful employers should consider requiring a review of lower-level managers' and supervisors' recommendations to terminate or take other actions against employees. A review allows more responsible managers to detect ill-motivated decisions that could turn into legal claims. Senior managers, uninvolved in the day-to-day supervision of an employee, can lend a degree of objectivity. They also ensure consistent application of company policies. Depending on the level of scrutiny, a second or third-level review can also ensure proper documentation identify "red flags" and assess potential risks.
Although an approval process is a good idea, it is not a vaccine against employment claims. Even if detailed policies and procedures are in place, the more senior management generally relies on lower-level employees' good faith and skill to report the relevant facts. Further, senior managers cannot always independently assess the facts that lead to a proposed decision. Some may merely "rubber stamp" a recommendation, whether because they are too busy, not trained how to review such recommendations, or because they place too much reliance on the assessment of those "on the ground."
In Staub, the Court explained that decisions tainted by discrimination cannot be cured by an innocent manager's "blessing." Whether or not the final decision maker knew of the unlawful bias, a tainted decision is attributed to the employer. This principle is known as "cat's paw" liability, as explained below.
The employer is liable for discrimination or retaliation if an unlawful bias was a motivating factor in an adverse action. This standard means employers may be liable for discrimination even if there are good reasons for taking action and the discriminatory or retaliatory animus was just one of several motivating factors.
The Staub decision combined with the "motivating factor" liability standard may frustrate employers seeking to prevent liability for unlawful decisions. What is an employer to do? The following provides an overview the "cat's paw" liability Staub affirmed. We also provide some practical steps employers can follow to minimize their potential liability.
Liability for the "Cat's Paw"
As discussed above, a plaintiff claiming unlawful discrimination or retaliation must show that the person making the decision was motivated, at least in part, by bias against plaintiff's engaging in "protected activity" (retaliation) or protected characteristics (e.g., race, religion, sex, etc).
In a cat's paw scenario, a plaintiff alleges that someone else, acting with a discriminatory motive, influenced the decision but was not ultimately responsible for the adverse action taken against the plaintiff. The term "cat's paw" comes from a 1990 court decision in which the court analogized to a fable involving a monkey and a cat. The monkey convinced the cat to reach into a fire and pull out roasting chestnuts. The monkey then took the chestnuts, leaving the cat with nothing except for a burned paw.
Thus, under the cat's paw theory, a lower-level supervisor (monkey) asks the upper level manager (cat) to approve a decision (chestnuts). The manager (cat) is unaware of the peril and ends up approving a decision that was tainted by discrimination.
Before Staub, employers successfully argued that they could not be liable unless the actions of the discriminatory lower-level manager were the "sole influence" for the employer's adverse action. So, if the employer did even a minimal amount of review before approving the lower manager's recommendation, it could escape liability for the lower manager's unlawful motive. Staub killed this strategy.
Staub v. Proctor Hospital
Staub was an Army reservist, whom Proctor Hospital employed until it discharged him in 2004. Staub sued Proctor for violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (– USERRA). Under — USERRA, an employer may be liable for unlawful discrimination if "the person's [military] membership is a motivating factor in the employer's action."
Staub claimed two of his supervisors openly discriminated against him because of his military status and activities. He further alleged that their actions, including trumped up disciplinary warnings for violations of non-existing policies, influenced the ultimate decision to terminate his employment. Staub acknowledged that the person who made the termination decision, the Director of Human Resources, had no discriminatory animus. Rather, she was the unknowing "cat's paw" of the discriminatory supervisors. Nonetheless, Staub argued that his lower-level supervisors discriminatory actions were "a motivating factor" in his termination, because the Human Resources Director based her decision on the supervisors' recommendation.
Proctor Hospital argued the "sole influence" theory to defeat Staub's claims. According to Proctor, the Director of Human Resources performed her own "independent investigation" by reviewing Staub's personnel file to verify past performance issues.
The Supreme Court adopted a broad standard, applying cat's paw liability if: (1) a supervisor acts with discriminatory motive; (2) the discriminatory supervisor intends to cause the adverse action; and (3) the discriminatory act is a "proximate cause" of the adverse action.
Staub's Impact on Internal Investigations
The Court also rejected the argument that a decision maker's independent investigation could scrub the decision clean of any discriminatory motive. That may work sometimes, but not always. If a supervisor has a discriminatory motive, the investigation must reveal an independent basis to support the adverse action. Otherwise, there is a lingering link between the bias and the decision. So long as that link is present, there is potential liability for unlawful discrimination.
Recommendations by lower-level supervisors cannot be "rubber-stamped." Now, there are two potential levels of investigation: (1) investigating whether there is any evidence of discriminatory animus by the lower-level supervisor; and (2) if so, investigating whether there is an independent basis to support the recommended adverse action.
Investigations: Prevention and Protecting Against Cat's Paw Liability
Employers may conduct internal investigations after complaints of discrimination or retaliation arise. However, by the time an investigation is initiated, the negative action likely has already taken place. Accordingly, the potential for cat's paw liability should prompt employers to consider "pre-adverse action" investigations in appropriate cases.
Not every discharge or other adverse action warrants a pre-investigation. For example, a manager responsible for making a decision without the need for approval from superiors does not have to investigate his or her own motivations. This situation may occur in smaller workplaces. It may also occur when the manager making the decision is the supervisor of the employee to be disciplined or discharged.
In cases where decisions are based on subjective criteria, or in larger businesses, however, a fresh look at the circumstances may be warranted. Employers with policies and procedures in place for pre-action review should examine whether the review is sufficiently thorough and systematic to avoid later claims.
At minimum, employers should ensure that decisions are supported by facts that can be verified objectively. If a supervisor wishes to discharge someone for violating a policy, the person reviewing the situation should be satisfied that the facts establishing the violation are verifiable. It is also important to determine whether a policy is applied consistently or selectively.
The investigator/reviewer should assess whether there is a "history" between the employee and supervisor, and whether the employee has made complaints in the past or otherwise could be vulnerable to a decision motivated by an illegal reason.
Identification of corroborating information is another important component. If the lower-level supervisor is recommending termination for attendance issues, have other supervisors identified the same attendance issues with this employee? The more corroboration there is, the less likely it is that there is a discriminatory lower-level supervisor attempting to use the employer as a cat's paw.
Another issue worth examination is to anticipate whether an employee will offer an excuse for the conduct underlying the negative action. It is worth determining if the decision maker is "pouncing" on an error that is attributable to something beyond the employee's control. Although employment is often "at will," the issue here is ensuring that a decision is motivated by lawful considerations.
As with most things employment law, documentation is very important. Managers and supervisors should be required to produce documentation to a reviewer or investigator that establishes the justification for proposed action, particularly if a supervisor takes the position that the employee "knew" of his or her performance deficiency, or that prior counseling had been given.
Other Tools to Help Employer's Avoid Becoming a Cat's Paw
Preventing "cat's paw" liability is consistent with good human resources practices generally. For example, employers should clearly communicate job expectations to employees so they understand what is expected. When an employee is not surprised by adverse action, the chance of a discrimination claim is reduced.
A proper open-door and complaint procedure is also important. When an employee is disciplined and does not seek a review or complain of unfair or discriminatory treatment, that helps the supervisor justify discharge or more severe discipline based on similar reasons.
Proper training also plays a role. Managers and supervisors should be trained how to communicate disciplinary action and job expectations. They also must be alerted to the company's efforts to prevent liability through a proper review procedure discussed above. Supervisors need to understand that their proposed negative actions will be subjected to scrutiny and analysis, which will encourage them to put more thought into their decisions.
The workplaces may seem to require quick decisions and operates at an increasingly faster pace. However, sound human resources policies permit management to "put on the brakes" to review and investigate before taking action that can result in expensive and time consuming employment claims.


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LONDON - Britain's children are being poisoned by a "junk culture" of processed food, computer games and over-competitive education, an influential group of authors and experts warned on Tuesday.
In an open letter to the Daily Telegraph, 110 teachers, psychologists and children's authors -- including the internationally acclaimed Philip Pullman and Penelope Leach, a leading childcare expert -- called on the government to act now to prevent childhood being killed off altogether.
Forced "to act and dress like mini-adults", children are becoming increasingly depressed and experiencing growing levels of behavioral and developmental problems, they said.
Schoolchildren in a cafeteria. Britain's children are being poisoned by a "junk culture" of processed food, computer games and over-competitive education, an influential group of authors and experts warned on Tuesday. REUTERS/File
"Since children's brains are still developing, they cannot adjust as full-grown adults can, to the effects of ever more rapid technological and cultural change," the letter said.
"They need what developing human beings have always needed, including real food (as opposed to processed "junk"), real play (as opposed to sedentary, screen-based entertainment), first hand experience of the world they live in and regular interaction with the real-life significant adults in their lives."
The letter was circulated by Sue Palmer, an ex-head teacher and author of a book entitled "Toxic Childhood", and Dr Richard House, a senior lecturer at the Research Center for Therapeutic Education at Roehampton University in London.
"Children's development is being drastically affected by the kind of world they are brought up in," Palmer told the Daily Telegraph. "It is shocking."
"A child's physical and psychological growth cannot be accelerated. It changes in biological time, not at electrical speed. Childhood is not a race."
The experts condemned Britain's increasingly "target-driven" education system and urged the government to recognize children's need for more time and space to develop, demanding an urgent public debate on child-rearing in the 21st century.
Award-winning children's author Michael Morpurgo, who also signed the letter, said there was a "drip, drip, drip effect" of academic pressure and marketing which was killing childhood.
"It's gradually soaking like a poison into the culture," he told BBC radio. "There is less room for reading, for dreaming, for music, for drama, for art, and simply for playing."
© Reuters 2006


text:
Tell us what's happening:
Describe your issue in detail here.
Your code so far
// Only change code below this line
var a = 6;
var b = 15;
var c = "I am a ";
// Only change code above this line
a = a + 1;
b = b + 5;
c = c + " String!";
Your browser information:
User Agent is:
Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Ubuntu; Linux x86_64; rv:88.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/88.0.
Challenge: Understanding Uninitialized Variables
Link to the challenge:
This a common mistake.
You are not supposed to add the values of 5, and 10 to these equations here
and write the result here
Your task is to assign the values of 5 to variable a and 10 to variable b.
You don't need to add anything.
Then you need to remove the extra space here
because there is already a space here
Hope that makes sense!
This topic was automatically closed 182 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.


Natixis to Weigh Climate Risk When Deciding on Loans: Q&A
By Bryony Collins, BloombergNEF. This article first appeared on the Bloomberg Terminal.
Natixis SA has started to incorporate climate risk into its credit decision-making process, with deals deemed to have a negative environmental impact required to be more profitable than so-called 'green' deals.In the "most extreme" cases, a deal might not be struck at all if the adjusted profitability doesn't add up, said Orith Azoulay, global head of the Natixis CIB green and sustainable hub, in an interview with BloombergNEF.The Paris-based investment bank is working to improve progressively the environmental impact of its balance sheet by applying a color rating to each deal that it does with every sector worldwide, apart from the financial sector.
For deals ranked dark green, such as debt-financing an offshore wind project, the bank will reduce the risk-weighted assets (RWAs) placed against the deal by 50%, whereas for deals rated dark brown, the RWA will be increased by 24%, said Azoulay. "A brown deal will need to be much more profitable, to counteract the RWA-increase that was placed against it" as a result of its lower environmental performance, she added.
Natixis started to use the methodology in late-September "as one of the components of credit decision" for every transaction, with the ultimate aim of "altering the color mix" of its activity so that more of its balance sheet is classified as green.
After using the methodology for one year, Natixis plans to set targets in line with the Paris Agreement to increase the proportion of its balance sheet dedicated to environmentally positive lending activity.
Read the Q&A below.
Q: How does it change Natixis's financing approach to reduce the risk weighting for green deals and to increase the risk weighting for deals seen to have a negative environmental impact?
A: The objective of this mechanism is to measure, monitor and steer the progressive greening of our balance sheet and activity. The Green Weighting Factor (GWF) is an internal mechanism that links analytical capital allocation to the degree of sustainability of each financing.
The idea is to develop a greenand brown-adjusted vision of all the deals we do, as one of the components of the credit decision.
Every deal that we do with all sectors worldwide, apart from the financial sector, will have to be color-rated, on a seven-level scale from dark brown to dark green.
This means applying the methodology we've designed to evaluate the climate impact of our deals, and adjusting it through the other material environmental externalities, ahead of a credit decision.
That color will translate into an adjustment mechanism for our risk-weighted assets (RWAs), which leads to an adjusted return-on-equity vision.
Q: Will this mean that you will divest from some brown-weighted assets?
A: It's less about drastically ceasing to finance some industries than it is about progressively transitioning our mix of activities by incentivizing green business origination, including by helping the transition of our clients active in carbon-intensive sectors. It is also about incorporating climate transition risk in the assessment of financing opportunities.
Whenever we lend 100 euros, there is a risk-weighted amount of capital with which we back the loan, and it's usually based on the maturity, credit rating and a number of other parameters that dictate how much capital we need to put aside. We are now adding environmental performance as another parameter for that. The capital placed against each of our loans is a measure of how much capital each of the deals will consume. If you increase the allocated capital to a given deal, it means that you change the expected return-on-equity (ROE) for a given deal.
So a brown deal will need to be much more profitable, to counteract the RWA increase that was placed against it [as a result of its lower environmental performance].
Q: So Natixis is allocating less risk-capital to deals deemed as green, and more to those deemed as brown?
A: Exactly. When a deal is rated dark green, the RWA associated with the deal will be reduced by 50%, whereas when a deal is dark brown, the RWA will be increased by 24%.
Q: So, greener deals will have a higher analytical return-on-equity and you will be more likely to sway toward doing those deals?
A: Yes.
Q: Could you give an example of a 'green-weighted' deal?
A: Firstly, there are three shades of green and three shades of brown. We've divided our universe of loans into two parts – those we call 'dedicated purpose loans' – meaning that we know what we're funding (asset / project financing), and 'general purpose funding' – where we are financing the general corporate use of a company.
The evaluation starts with a color rating reflecting the absolute climate impact of the specific sector, and that gets adjusted according to the specifics of the actual asset, such as location, technology choices, impact mitigation and other material environmental externalities.
For example, wind deals tend to range in the green colors, but an offshore wind project could be ranked lighter or darker, according to its impact on biodiversity, or the energy mix / carbon intensity of the country or some specific features of the project (such as grid integration or intermittency offsets).
Also, under GWF methodology, gas-fired power generation final scores range from medium brown to medium green depending on the technology's greenhouse-gas intensity, whether it supports renewable integration, or whether it is equipped with carbon capture sequestration technologies.
Q: How do you assess companies when ranking by your green-weighting factor?
A: For general purpose deals, a color rating is attributed to each client. It is based on carbon intensity (scope 1 to 3, and avoided emissions) as well as a forward-looking evaluation of the company's climate strategy. We also integrate a range of environmental externalities, such as pollution, water, waste and biodiversity where relevant.
Q: Does Natixis aim to increase the proportion of its balance sheet classified as green in nominal exposure terms?
A: Yes, the ultimate aim of the process is to alter the overall color mix of what we are doing.
Q: Have you set a target yet for how much you'd like to increase it to, by which date?
A: Not yet. We're giving ourselves one year of using this mechanism to define the targets, with the aim to align overtime with the Paris Agreement. From now on, whenever a deal goes to the credit decision committees, it will have been color-rated and matched with the adjusted RWA and adjusted ROE.
Q: Is it more likely now that, for brown-weighted assets, the Natixis credit decision party turns down some of those assets and favors green-weighted ones?
A: That could be the case for the most extreme and least profitable ones, yes. The mechanism is not a sector policy excluding some sectors, but about progressively shifting our mix of financing, according to environmental impact. In some instances, it could lead to not doing a specific deal because of its adjusted profitability levels.
Last week, the mechanism was embedded in all of our credit processes and IT systems, so we are now able to use the mechanism on all new transactions to make credit decisions.
Q: Do you intend to spread this further to widen the impact?
A: We've announced our intention to share this with the market. It has already raised some interest, including from regulators. One of the original drivers of launching this internal tool was about anticipating what we expect the regulators to take action on. All banks are looking or will need to look into how to evaluate the environmental impacts, positive and negative, of their lending activity. We are convinced that this is a sector trend.
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text:
Go Green with a St. Patrick's Day Garden
On March 17, try this traditional planting activity with your family
In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is the traditional day to plant peas and potatoes. The timing works for most climates in the United States, so why not celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a really "green" activity: planting a garden!
Depending on where you live, you may find your garden bed is still covered with snow or the soil too frozen to work. Or your home may not have a backyard. Luckily, peas and potatoes can be planted in containers, and you can enjoy the harvest on a deck, balcony, or sunny windowsill. Then you can decorate it with a shamrock plant marker.
What You Need:
- good quality potting soil
- large flower pot with saucer (Note: Make sure the pot has drainage holes in the bottom and is at least 15 inches in diameter at the top.)
- pea seeds and seed potatoes (Note: Don't plant potatoes from the supermarket. They may be sprayed with chemicals and won't grow well. You can buy them at a local gardening store.)
- thin branches to use as support for vines
What You Do:
1. Fill your container two-thirds full with potting soil.
2. Press your pea seeds or seed potatoes into the dirt. Cover with an inch or two of soil.
3. Stick long, thin branches upright in the soil. As the vines grow, they will wrap themselves around the branches.
4. Put containers in a sunny indoor spot or outdoors in full or partial sunlight. If frost is forecast, bring containers indoors.
5. Water every two to three days, keeping moist. Be careful not to over-water.
6. For potato plants:
As your potato plant grows, add more soil around the base of the plant, making a little hill. In fact, this is called hilling. Hilling should be done every time your plant grows about four inches.
Continue to water the plant regularly as leaves and then flowers grow. When the leaves of the potato plants begin to turn yellow and die, stop watering.
After two or three weeks, baby potatoes will be ready to harvest, or you can wait another four to six weeks to harvest larger potatoes.
7. For pea plants: Peas are ready to pick when the pods are full and heavy. Use scissors to cut the pods from the plant. Pulling them off by hand can result in pulling the entire plant up and damaging the roots.
- In areas of the United States that are too warm in March to plant cool-weather peas and potatoes, you can plant sweet potatoes, beans, and leafy greens such as spinach or swiss chard.
- Some gardeners sprout seed potatoes before planting, so they begin growing more quickly—a practice known as chitting. Put your seed potatoes on a shallow dish or tray, or in an open egg carton. Keep them in a warm place with a lot of sunlight or under a fluorescent light. When the potatoes have one-inch sprouts, they are ready to plant.
- When watering the pea plants, be careful not to get water on the leaves of the plant. Water can cause mildew to grow on the leaves.
Make a festive shamrock plant marker to decorate your containers and to remind you what you have planted.
What You Need:
- popsicle stick, chopstick, or pencil
- green paper, or white paper and a green marker or crayon
- tape or glue
- black permanent marker
What You Do:
1. Trace and cut three small hearts from paper. If your paper is white, color your hearts green.
2. Tape or glue the three hearts together to form a shamrock.
3. Write "Peas" or "Potatoes" on your shamrock, depending on the container it will go into.
4. Tape or glue your shamrock to your stick or pencil.
5. Put the marker into the soil of the container.
Did you know? In just a few easy steps, you can turn your backyard, balcony or patch of grass into a habitat for wildlife. Create a Wildlife Garden!
Elizabeth Scholl is a New Jersey-based writer of children's books and magazine articles, with a background in elementary education. Specializing in nature and environmental topics, her books include Organic Gardening for Kids, Grasshopper, Praying Mantis and Animals Attack: Wolves. When she isn't writing, Elizabeth enjoys working in her garden, bicycling and and exploring nature in her neighborhood.
Get Outdoors with Your Family


text:
The arctic fox is an example of a complex animal that has adapted to its environment and illustrates the relationships between an animal's form and function. The structures of animals consist of primary tissues that make up more complex organs and organ systems. Homeostasis allows an animal to maintain a balance between its internal and external environments.
Animals vary in form and function. From a sponge to a worm to a goat, an organism has a distinct body plan that limits its size and shape. Animals' bodies are also designed to interact with their environments, whether in the deep sea, a rainforest canopy, or the desert. Therefore, a large amount of information about the structure of an organism's body (anatomy) and the function of its cells, tissues and organs (physiology) can be learned by studying that organism's environment.
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ECE: Electrical & Computer Engineering
ECE News
SiC switch handles heat 100 degrees higher than silicon
Puqi NIng (Photograph by Dave Franusich)
Graduate student Puqi Ning
In collaboration with Boeing, CPES researchers have been working on a silicon carbide (SiC) high power density motor drive (HDMC) designed to regulate and control the speed and torque of a motor. It takes in 230V, variable frequency, three-phase ac power, converts it to 650V dc internally, and then outputs up to 10kW three-phase ac to the high density permanent magnet synchronous motor developed in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The team has achieved a very good power-to-weight ratio, exceeding 2kW per pound.
The use of SiC enables the switch to handle temperatures of up to 250°C, 100°C higher than comparable silicon-based technology. The higher maximum temperature means that less space and weight needs to be devoted to heat management, increasing power density and improving the power-to-weight ratio.


text:
How is food used as a motif throughout the play, and how is it used to advance the plot?
1 Answer | Add Yours
The play opens with an image of sensuality as music being "the food of love" but it focuses on excess and surfeit. Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy and its title draws us to the mid-winter festival, where the usual restraints are lifted and we are all, like Feste, "allowed" to be fools. The play is a romantic comedy and that means that the audience look through the distorting mirror of comedy and see our own follies exaggerated. Orsino is wallowing in his own self-pity, deluding himself, as the food image suggests. At the other end of the scale, Sir Toby is wallowing in his own excesses of "pickled herrings" and wine. His early misbehavior, over-indulging in food, prepares the audience for his later, graver misbehavior in his treatment of Malvolio. But this is a mid-winter festival and we can all sympathize with a little self-indulgence. What we cannot forgive are the killjoys, like Malvolio, who deny us our "cakes and ale."
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A lightweight writing lab quiz engine for node.js
Quizzer is an online support tool for academic writing instruction. It can be installed with a single command, requires no student IDs or passwords, and works well with classes made up of students at varying stages of language acquisition, and from diverse language backgrounds.
The basic concept is to use student writing as the basis for a flood of pattern-recognition exercises, cast as online quizzes delivered by email. By raising the pace of iteration, the aim is to help students internalize a sense of grammatical anomalies and stylistic infelicities.
While Quizzer can be used to generate multiple-choice quizzes for a variety of purposes, the workflow it was built for runs like this:
 1. Students submit a 400-word essay once each week on an arbitrary topic.
 2. The instructor selects representative errors of style and grammar from the submissions, and composes a multiple-choice question consisting of the student's own sentence, two alternatives that also contain errors, and a corrected version.
 3. After constructing one question from each submitted essay, students are sent personalized links to the resulting quiz.
 4. Students submit their responses, which are recorded on the Quizzer server. Students receive feedback immediately feedback on their incorrect responses. Neither the essays nor the quiz results are assessed.
 5. Class commenters (TAs, instructors, and other experienced writers) post short explanations of why the wrong answers were wrong. Where appropriate, commenters from the students' own language domain can be brought in to provide supplementary native-language guidance.
 6. Class commenters of the target language domain can set persistent "rules" on-the-fly to cover issues that arise frequently. These rules can then to set as comments on specific wrong answers, and they can be translated by native-language commenters, for reference by students of the same language domain.
 7. When students revisit their quiz links, they will find their errors attached with explanatory rule, comments, and a list of classmates who answered the question correctly.
 8. Students are given an assessed, paper-based, multiple-choice supplementary mid-term and final exam, consisting entirely of questions from the quizzes.
Quiz distribution, commenting, exam composition, and marking are all managed by Quizzer. Paper tests are randomized as a hedge against cheating, and marked with a barcode reader for quick assessment.
The initial inspiration for Quizzer was a small code sample posted by Chetan Jain. The code has been refactored and extended considerably for this project, but I gratefully acknowledge the starting point for this frolic. Hats off also to the developers of node.js, and LaTeX and, well, everything else. Quizzer was built on short notice to fill a critical need, and it has been a real pleasure to see how quickly it could be brought together, and how smoothly it could be extended.
Quizzer is a node.js module. To get the website running, the minimum requirements are:
 - npm >=1.3.x
 - node >=0.10.x
In addition, the following external utilities are required for the typesetting of exams:
 - pandoc >=1.11.x (preferably compiled with texmath support)
 - either pdflatex, or platex and dvipdfmx (the latter pair is needed only if Japanese text must be handled)
LaTex (pLaTeX) documents created by Quizzer use the following packages:
 - makebarcode
 - marginnote
 - graphicx
 - tikz
 - ctable
 - float
 - hyphenat
 - amsmath
Quizzer must have access to a mail transfer agent (MTA). This can either be a sendmail instance running on the same server, or a mail API to a service such as GMail.
With the above requirements in place, Quizzer can be run on a workstation for initial trials, accessed via a port on localhost (aka For production use, Quizzer should be placed behind a webserver, such as lighttpd or apache. Instructions for setting up the former are given below.
Basic Installation
Install quizzer from the npm repository:
npm install quizzer
Run the server by saving the following code to a file (say, quizServer.js):
var qz = require('quizzer');;
Run the script from command line like this:
node./quizServer.js
The script will whinge on first run, asking for some essential details:
usage: quizServer.js [-h] [-v] [-H PROXY_HOSTNAME] [-Q QUIZZER_PATH]
 [-p REAL_PORT] [-e EMAIL_ACCOUNT] [-s SMTP_HOST]
 [-l LOCALE] [-P] [-E]
Quizzer, a quiz server
Optional arguments:
 Host name for external access
 -Q QUIZZER_PATH, --quizzer-path QUIZZER_PATH
 Server path to quizzer (default: "/quizzer/")
 -p REAL_PORT, --real-port REAL_PORT
 Port on which to listen for local connections
 (defaults to 3498)
 -e EMAIL_ACCOUNT, --email-account EMAIL_ACCOUNT
 Full username of email account (e.g.
 -s SMTP_HOST, --smtp-host SMTP_HOST
 SMTP host name (e.g.
 -l LOCALE, --locale LOCALE
 Language locale for admin interface ("en" or "ja")
 -P, --use-platex Use platex engine + dvipdfmx for PDF generation
 -E, --use-euc-jp Convert input text from UTF8 to legacy EUC-JP
 encoding before LaTeX processing
 ERROR: must set option proxy_hostname
 ERROR: must set option email_account
To get Quizzer running, set proxy_hostname to localhost (or, and set email_account to your mail address ( in the example below):
node./quizServer -H localhost -e
Quizzer will come up with a message like the following:
Wrote config parameters to quizzer-3498.cfg
Quizzer can now be run with the single option: -p 3498
Message: no mypwd.txt file found, will use local Sendmail transport
Using local Sendmail transport
Admin URL: http://localhost:3498/?admin=179359xq
Adding admin role
Loaded class membership keys
Woke up the mail schedulers
Done. Ready to shake, rattle and roll!
The website can now be accessed at the URL reported in the fifth line. (Note that the admin key is automatically generated, and will differ from that shown in the example above.)
The database and configuration files are created in the directory from which the script is run, named after the port number. The server can be shut down with CTRL-c (SIGINT), and as the startup message says, it can be restarted with the single option -p
A full explanation of the remaining options will be added to this README as time permits.
Running Quizzer behind a Proxy
When PROXY_HOSTNAME is set to a fully qualified domain name (e.g., it will assume that it is being run behind a reverse proxy, and adjust URLs accordingly. Quizzer itself has only the thinnest concept of security, and should be run behind a proxy in production (and preferably over SSL). Access to the administrator display depends on a key set in the URL of a GET request. Rewrite rules on the front-end web server should be used to assure that attempts to set the key directly are rerouted through a password-protected URL.
If lighttpd is used as the front-end server, and Quizzer is run from a directory quizzer to which the server has access, configuration settings like the following should do the trick:
url.rewrite = (
 "^(?!/quizzer)(.*)\?admin=[^&]+(?:&(.*))*" => "/quizzer/admin.html$1?$2",
 "^(?!/quizzer)(.*)&admin=[^&]+(?:&(.*))*" => "/quizzer/admin.html$1&$2",
 "^/quizzer/admin.html$" => "/quizzer/admin.html?admin=fyvg19vx",
 "^/quizzer/admin.html\?(.*)$" => "/quizzer/admin.html?admin=fyvg19vx&$1"
$HTTP["host"] == "" {
 proxy.server = ( "/quizzer" => ( ( "host" => "", "port" => 3498 ) ) )
auth.backend = "htdigest"
auth.backend.htdigest.userfile = "/etc/lighttpd/lighttpd.user"
auth.require = ( "/quizzer/admin.html" =>
 "method" => "basic",
 "realm" => "Quiz Admin",
 "require" => "user=quizmaster"


text:
Interior: Plants warrant federal protection
The federal government has declared two western Colorado wildflowers to be candidates for protection under the Endangered Species Act, conservation groups say.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar determined the skiff milkvetch and Scholl's milkvetch warrant but can't be listed for protection because of higher priorities, WildEarth Guardians and the Center for Native Ecoystems said in a news release.
Colorado is the only state where the plants are found, the groups said. The skiff milkvetch, which gets its name from its boat-shaped fruits, occupies just 83 acres in Gunnison and Saguache counties. Schmoll's milkvetch has a total of four populations, and is found on mesa tops in Mesa Verde National Park and the Ute Mountain Ute reservation.
Drought, climate change and proliferation of cheatgrass, a nonnative species, are considered threats to both plants. Livestock grazing, development, and roads and trails are among other threats to the skiff milkvetch, the groups say.


text:
of how we learn and come to know the language of intuition.
The Language of Intuition is how plants and stars are able to communicate. It is how bees are able to pollinate flowers. Modern science calls it instinct, but it is nothing more than the language of intuition. Once we come into an understanding of this sacred language, we can then engage in the work of the Divine World. Let us, therefore, put our best foot forward in achieving such. Not only will we enjoy an improved spiritual condition, but we will be assisting in the work of bringing divine energy into this world, here and now.


Take the 2-minute tour ×
I am wondering how to print a particular sentence depending on user input.
In the scenario below, if the user enters "B" I would like to print the words "You have selected B" however if the user selects C I would like to print the word "You have selected C".
import java.util.Scanner;
public class Trial extends Register
 //I want to load the register which will be option B
 public static void main (String[] args)
 Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
 System.out.println("Enter A to make a purchase & receive your change");
 System.out.println("Enter B to load the Register");
 System.out.println("Enter C to write the contents of the Register to a
 web Page");
 System.out.println("Enter D to exit the program");
share|improve this question
2 Answers 2
up vote 0 down vote accepted
If you are using Java 7+, you can use a switch statement.
If you use an earlier vrsion, you need to use several if statements.
As for the Scanner, you can read this tutorial to get started and have a look at this example.
share|improve this answer
How about:
String input = // read input from scanner;
if(input.length() == 1) {
 switch(input.charAt(0)) {
 case 'A':
 // make purchase
 case 'B':
 // load register
 // Similarly case C and D
 // possibly invalid input as well
} else {
 System.out.println("Invalid input");
share|improve this answer
Your Answer


Cold Weather for Cancer Patients
There have been many studies on the correlation between cold weather and cancer. Many scientists and experts have been discussing this for some time. But one fact remains true for most cancer patients. Like almost everything else when you have cancer, it could be much harder and dangerous even if it were just a slight drop in temperature.
Cancer and Cold Weather
Cancer patients have a weaker immune system than a person without the affliction. This makes winter a harsher, more threatening environment for cancer patients, and makes them more susceptible to infections and other health risks.
So what should you watch out for during cold weather as a cancer patient?
Consult Your Physician for Possible Medication Interaction
Some cancer treatments make you more (or less) sensitive to cold, and both can prove to cause other complications for you. Your licensed care professional might tell you to avoid cold beverages, food or just a cold environment. This is because there are treatments that could make you have breathing difficulties when exposed to colder temperatures.
Avoiding the outdoors is almost always advised to cancer patients, but this can make them more likely to be depressed and lonely.
Other treatments might also numb your veins due to various changes in the atmosphere. This could prove to be dangerous since you would be highly susceptible to getting frostbite and hypothermia given the fact that you can't feel your skin.
Some therapies, like radiation therapy, can cause your skin to be dehydrated and could be more prone to be dry, cracked, and itchy. The drop in humidity levels could easily amplify these effects.
Almost always associated with winter, the flu season usually runs from early October to March. Patients often get flu injections and not nasal sprays, since nasal sprays are not as effective. Cancer patients need maximum protection as their weak immune system cannot produce enough antibodies to counter viruses and bacteria.
Beware of Falls
There are cancer treatments that can numb arms and legs and some that make bones weak. During this season of snow and ice, cancer patients have a higher risk of falls and accidents. This may be indirectly caused by the treatment they are undergoing or even from cancer itself.
Keep Safe
Taking extra precautions is a must during winter, especially if you are suffering from different ailments that could affect how your body normally functions.
 1. Exercise – Not going out can be a bummer. Do as much physical activity as you can indoors and get a Vitamin D prescription from your doctor.
 2. Prevent Infections – Always get your flu shots early around October or November to prepare yourself for the winter. Prevention includes avoiding contact with people who hadn't had their shots yet. Maintain proper hygiene, wash hands, and take extra precautions with your food.
 3. Hydrate and Moisturize – Drink a lot of liquids and use approved skin products that could help keep it moisturized. When going out, bundle up and wear extra layers as a precaution to hypothermia, frostbite, and other possible complications that may arise.
 4. Go slow – If you need to go outside, take extra measures with your steps as anyone can easily suffer from a fall due to the cold and wet environment.
Click here for our blog Disclaimer.


text:
Collecting Error-Free Data
Collecting error-free data
Database look-ups and data validation ensure that the information collected on the forms is free from error. Forms and form data can be mapped to ECM system object types and properties. Together, these features facilitate auto-population of forms as users are filling them out, and allow for information searches and comparisons.
For example, a new hire form may have a field that allows human resources to enter a job code that represents the newly hired employee. When that happens, a database look-up is done and another field is automatically filled with the job title that corresponds to that code. Similarly, some fields may require that an entered value be validated against the database before proceeding. If an employee enters their name, it can be checked against the database for spelling and correlation to the employee ID-similar to a personal log-in for any system.
Identifying needs before going digital
Once the ECM system is ready, there are some simple steps to move forward with the introduction of e-forms. First, identify any specific needs that may be present within the company team. Tulane University in Louisiana, for example, was motivated to add e-forms to their existing ECM system in order to cut the costs and time required to manually process a wealth of paper-based forms. They wanted to speed up processes that ranged from everyday activities such as mailing documents outside the campus to academic activities such as students declaring a major.
Tulane University's e-form project has benefited from regular department lunch meetings where users and form administrators from different teams can meet and compare notes, wish lists, lessons learned and ideas about what they require from the e-forms project. Being considerate of users' needs is crucial in the eventual acceptance of e-forms into the company fold. Depending on the users' digital aptitude and adaptability, removing paper from established processes may be difficult. Some work environments may benefit from change management prior to the e-forms launch. No matter how digital the workplace may become, the human element will always be essential.


Year 6 took part in a team work activity during their PSHE mental health lesson
The children were given the task to build a bridge using only 10 sheets of newspaper and had to place a water bottle on top of their finished bridge. The chairs supporting the bridge, must be exactly 43cm apart.


Westmacott, Major Thomas Horatio
Captain Thomas (Tom) Horatio Westmacott
This picture shows Captain Thomas (Tom) Horatio Westmacott with his friend, protector and brother officer Risaldar Major Amar Singh Bahadur. Tom was born in Purnea and worked in Calcutta. He had been a Major with the Calcutta Light ('Tight'!) Horse prior to the war. He came to join the 38th King George's Own Central India Horse in France as an independent volunteer straight from India (highly discouraged by those in authority – those who tried it were often turned back at Bombay, especially if they were foolish enough to turn up in uniform). Tom (in civvies) and his two horses Daisy and Golden Rod managed to get through and subsequently rejoined the Indian Cavalry at Therouanne in France very early in 1915, but only as a Captain. After a tough yet oddly uplifting year in the trenches he felt he was accepted and valued by his fellows, only to have someone 'shop' him as a former lawyer – whereupon he found himself transferred to the military police as the Assistant Provost Martial to the Indian Cavalry. This was a hideous military police role which involved the supervision of difficult civilian interaction and military discipline, including the arrangement of firing squads. He was eventually gassed and sent back to England to convalesce, returning to find the regiment had been sent to Syria.
Like a few other older CIH officers he remained in France rather than joining them, taking part in the retreat from the Somme and the eventual liberation of France. He was mentioned in despatches four times, twice on the same day (7th November 1918) and the French awarded him the Croix de Guerre. The Army caught up with his long-overdue regrading to Major when the war had ended, in 1919.
Tom's grand-daughter Vee Walker is a CIHA member who has written a novel based on her grandfather's and three other contemporary stories. It is called Major Tom's War and further details and lots more archive pictures can be found here at _URL_.


A pair of the statues.
The Sith Jedi Statues were statues on Dromund Kaas, inside the Dark Force Temple. The Temple was once inhabited by the Prophets of the Dark Side, known practitioners of Sith alchemy.
The Jedi statues of the Sith were always motionless and steady, as with the temple's Sith statues, and held a lightsaber. Created as guardians against intruders, their stone bodies were animated by the Force when trespassers got too near, presumably through some sort of Sith magic. On alien presence, the lightsaber was ignited and they came to life like stone automatons to fight the intruder.
Any non-lightsaber wielder who met them was doomed since the Dark Force aura of the planet meddled with all mechanical weapons except lightsabers.
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
While the name Sith Jedi seems awkward, being an oxymoron, this is the production name of the enemy unit in the Mysteries of the Sith official site. There is not enough information on their origins or nature to challenge its naming.
The in-game statue models themselves were based visually on the Dark Jedi Yun and Jerec from Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, using the same animations and similar textures.
Appearances[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
In other languages


text:
Origins of the Biology Department's Natural History Collection
The origin of Radford University museum specimens is quite varied - students and faculty continue to build up our collection with contemporary plants and animals, but our specimens date back to 1881. Indeeed, >80 specimens were collected before 1900, and an additional 100 individuals are pre-1950. Most of these older specimens are taxidermied birds.
Although the sources of many of our specimens are yet unknown, class and independent research projects have explored the history of some of the older collections. Through these projects, we are beginning to form a more complete picture of the history of our collection.
Students Researching the History of RU's Collection
Since 2008, a number of students have tackled independent projects, seeking to learn more about some of the oldest specimens in the collection or about some of the more common contemporary collectors.


text:
displays the family and group of the language named in the edit field of the dialogue box. The current language is chosen by default. Any new language name which is entered becomes the current language, provided it occurs in the database.
lists and counts all the segments of the language named in the edit field of the dialogue box. The current language is chosen by default. Any new language name which is entered becomes the current language, provided it occurs in the database. The check-box Normal phonemes (checked by default) prevents the display of anomalous segments. When the box is unchecked all the segments of the language - including rare ones, loans etc. - are displayed.
lists and counts all the segments of the language named in the first edit field of the dialogue box which meet the feature conditions provided in the second. The feature conditions must be expressed as a list, in square brackets, of feature names separated by commas. The order of the features is not significant. Features with negative values, such as -bilabial, are permitted in order more easily to exclude certain segment types. (UPSID itself uses only unary features). Extra control on segment selection is provided by the check-box Normal phonemes which is checked by default. Users unfamiliar with the feature set used in UPSID may reset the feature conditions by issuing the command Reset features, see below.
identifies the number of distinctions found in selected phonetic parameters when the segments of the current language, which meet the given feature conditions, are examined. One or more phonetic parameters may be selected by clicking or shift-clicking in the scrolling list provided. Feature conditions to establish the required subsystem are entered in the second edit field (as in Subsystem above), and the check-box Normal phonemes is used as in previous commands.
Three separate window formats are used to handle the different segment types.
In all plot windows, the language name is provided below the corresponding plot. A list (in square brackets) identifies any features which have been chosen to restrict the set of phonemes displayed. An empty list [ ] indicates that no such features have been chosen.
provides two dimensional plots of the vowel and consonant systems of the current language (named in the edit field of the dialogue box). Consonants, vowels or diphthongs (or all three by default) are chosen by clicking (or shift-clicking) the appropriate buttons. The check-box Normal phonemes is used as in Subsystem. The use of pointers in these graphic windows is described under the commands for the different window types below.
provides the same display as Plot all for the vowels of a language but allows for more detailed sub-system selection by clicking (or shift_clicking) the secondary articulation features in the scrolling list. The selected feature list is displayed in the window below the language name.
If New window is checked, the display is generated in a new window immediately over the original vowel window. This new window can be dragged to one side so that comparisons of subsystems with different feature conditions can be made. Surplus windows may be hidden (using Hide... in the MacProlog Windows menu) or closed using the close box (but see the advice under Kill hidden windows below). Closed or hidden graphic windows may be retrieved using the MacProlog Select window... command also in the Windows menu.
Clicking on a segment symbol (a filled cell) in a vowel window generates a message identifying:
The dialog for generating consonant displays parallels that for vowels in all but the list of secondary articulations: the pointer in the graphocs window functions in exactly the same manner.
Here again the same dialog pattern is used, but, in a graphics window for diphthongs, two different pointers are available. With the arrow pointer selected, clicking on a filled cell generates a message showing:
With the target pointer selected, the corresponding message identifies:
Whenever the selected cell contains segments with secondary features not shown in the cell label (e.g. nasalized), these features appear (abbreviated and asterisked) in initial sub-bundles grouped with the corresponding target (or source) features.
This command provides a simple reminder of the ordering of fetaures on the axes in the various display windows.
UPSID graphic windows can be chosen for printing using the standard MacProlog Print... command from the File menu. When the print dialogue appears, click the check-box Graphic click the button Select..., and choose the required windows from the scrolling list. Normal Macintosh screen dumps to MacPaint format files (using 3) are obviously also possible.


Mixtures And Solutions: Question Preview (ID: 28366)
Below is a preview of the questions contained within the game titled MIXTURES AND SOLUTIONS: Unit 2.To play games using this data set, follow the directions below. Good luck and have fun. Enjoy! [print these questions]
The classification of matter as a solid, a liquid, or a gas
a) physical state b) magnetism c) solubility d) matter
The characteristic of matter to sink or float in water
a) solubility b) magnetism c) relative density d) freezing
Measurement of the ability of a solid to dissolve in a liquid
a) magnetism b) evaporation c) insulator d) solubility
Allows electric current or heat energy to flow through easily
a) insulator b) conductor c) solution d) matter
Temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas (100 degrees Celcius for water)
a) boiling point b) freezing point c) evaporation d) condensation
Slows down or stops electric current or heat energy from flowing
a) solution b) solubility c) insulator d) conductor
A combination of two or more substances where each keep their own properties
a) solution b) mass c) mixture d) solid
Temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a solid (0 degrees Celcius for water)
a) evaporation b) boiling point c) solubility d) freezing point
A mixture of one substance dissolved evenly in another
a) solution b) insulator c) physical state d) magnetism
Anything that has mass an takes up space
a) conductor b) matter c) mixture d) magnet
The amount of matter in an object
a) liquid b) magnetism c) mass d) weight
The property of attraction to a magnet
a) solubility b) relative density c) physical state d) magnetism
What happens to salt grains when they dissolve in water?
a) they dissappear b) the grains get higher in temperature until they melt into a liquid c) they get smaller in size until they can no longer be seen d) they change their chemicals to become water
How would you separate a mixture of iron filings and pepper?
a) funnel b) filter paper c) magnet d) screen
Describe the particles in a liquid
a) takes the shape of its container b) they cannot be weighed on a scale c) the particles are tightly packed together d) they have the most energy of all phases of matter
If the temperature of the water is 37 degrees Celcius, how many more degrees does it need to cool to reach freezing?
a) 5 degrees b) 63 degrees c) 37 degrees d) 0 degrees
How would you separate a mixture of sand and sea shells?
a) magnet b) boiling c) screen d) filter paper
How would you separate a mixture of salt and water?
a) filter paper b) evaporation c) funnel d) you cannot separate the two
Matter that has a definite volume but no definite shape is
a) freezing b) gas c) liquid d) volume
A mixture that has the same composition throughout is
a) a solution b) temperature c) solubility d) volume
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text:
Can Antibiotic Beads Have An Impact In Osteomyelitis Cases?
- Volume 16 - Issue 10 - October 2003
- 15064 reads
- 1 comments
Surgical debridement of infected bone is an unfortunate reality for those of us who frequently treat patients with diabetes. While adequate debridement is the most important step in treating osteomyelitis, many authors have commented on the adjunctive role of antibiotics in this clinical dilemma.1-3 Systemic antibiotics are routinely used preoperatively and have been advocated for six weeks or more. However, infected bone may become devascularized, making the delivery of systemic antibiotics less than desirable. Delivering systemic antibiotics may also be compromised when there is associated peripheral arterial disease in that extremity.
The local insertion of antibiotic-impregnated materials has been commonly used to supplement surgical debridement of infected tissue and systemic antibiotics. Locally implanted antibiotics may provide reliably high concentrations of antibiotic to areas of infection while minimizing the potential systemic side effect from the use of high dose IV, IM or PO antibiotics.4Systemic levels of locally implanted antibiotics are rarely detectable (less than 1 percent) and there have been no reports of associated nephrotoxicity.
The traditional vehicle of choice for locally introduced antibiotics has been polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). One would combine PMMA with a heat stable antibiotic such as vancomycin or gentamycin and form it into beads. Then you would place the beads within the wound or bony cavity, forming a closed compartment either through primary closure or by using an occlusive film dressing to create a "bead pouch" for maintaining high levels of eluted antibiotic.
Unfortunately, PMMA has several disadvantages including in vitro reports of local immune compromise and poor elution properties (less than 50 percent elution of antibiotic at four weeks).5-7 In addition, PMMA is not bioabsorbable so it must be surgically removed or left within the wound permanently. If one leaves the beads in, they may harbor bacteria in the future. However, if you remove them, overgrowth of granulation tissue and adherence to bone may make removal difficult and require a second surgical procedure.
A Closer Look At Calcium Sulfate Beads
For these reasons, biodegradable delivery systems for local antibiotic treatment are an attractive alternative to PMMA beads. At the University of Texas, we have begun using calcium sulfate beads impregnated with antibiotics to follow debridement and amputation procedures with primary closure in the diabetic foot wounds. We use the absorbable beads as an adjunct to surgical debridement and systemic antibiotics when we are treating patients who are recovering from osteomyelitis and extensive soft tissue infections.
Calcium sulfate has been used as a bone graft substitute since the late 1800s. In 1997, medical grade calcium sulfate impregnated with tobramycin was introduced overseas. There have been positive reports of its use in combination treatment for osteomyelitis/surgical defects. Its favorable osteoconductive and elution properties have led to its use as an antibiotic delivery method for treating osteomyelitis and local soft tissue infection.
Calcium sulfate is biodegradable and radiopaque with a predictable linear in vivo absorption and antibiotic elution rate.8-12 At one month, 33 percent of the calcium sulfate is absorbed and 91 percent and 100 percent are reabsorbed at three and six months respectively. Local elution of antibiotic is predictably linear over time with resulting high local concentrations.11 Systemic levels of tobramycin were undetectable following the first 24 hours.


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Background: Surgery with and without hypervolaemia may cause shedding (breakdown) of the endothelial glycocalyx layer, but the severity of this problem is unclear. Methods: In this preliminary report of a larger clinical trial, the plasma and urine concentrations of three biomarkers of glycocalyx shedding (syndecan-1, hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate) were measured in seven patients before, during, and after open hysterectomy. The fluid therapy consisted of 25ml/kg (approximately 2l) of Ringer's lactate, which was infused over 30min when the surgery started. The resulting plasma volume expansion at the end of the infusion was estimated from the haemodilution. Results: The mean plasma concentration of syndecan-1 was 21.7ng/ml before surgery and averaged 19.7ng/ml during and after the surgery. The plasma concentration of hyaluronic acid decreased from 38.0 to 27.7ng/ml (P<0.05), while heparan sulfate increased from 3.4 to 5.5μg/ml (P<0.05). The urine concentrations of syndecan-1 decreased significantly, while they increased for hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate. Despite the vigorous fluid load, the urine flow did not exceed 1ml/min. Conclusions: No clear evidence was found for shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx layer when 2l of Ringer's lactate was infused over 30min during abdominal hysterectomy. Urine analyses yielded patterns of changes that differed from those in plasma. Trial registration:ISRCTN81005631. Registered May 17, 2016.
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database


Tiistai 4.10.2016
Ekaterina Borisova (Higher School of Economics): Elections, protest and trust in government: A natural experiment from Russia
How do flawed elections and post-election protest shape political attitudes? Taking advantage of the largely exogenous variation in the timing of a survey conducted in Moscow, we examine the short-term impact of the parliamentary election of December 4th, and the large protest of December 10th on trust in the Russian government. The fraud-marred parliamentary election had little effect on attitudes toward government, perhaps because allegations of vote improprieties were not new information. In contrast, the large protest of December 10th increased trust in government. Heightened trust arises largely from non-supporters of the ruling party updating their beliefs rather than from social desirability bias, a perceived improvement in government performance, or a "halo" effect. This finding is consistent with the view that autocrats can increase trust in government by unexpectedly allowing protest without repression. It also suggests that when evaluating trust in government citizens may cue not off the content of the protest, but off the holding of the protest itself.
Seminaarit ovat avoinna kaikille aiheesta kiinnostuneille tutkijoille.
Seminaarit pidetään tiistaisin klo 10.30–11.30 ellei toisin ilmoiteta.
Vierailijat noudetaan Rauhankatu 19 B (kirjaston) sisäänkäynniltä.


How to Clean Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is created by mixing sand and clay and heating it to high temperatures to create a hard, durable surface. There are different types of glaze that are applied to the surface which is the most vulnerable area when cleaning.
Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors
You Will Need:
 - Mop
 - Water
 - 2 Buckets
 - Old cloths, towels or rags
 - Vacuum with attachments
 - Dish soap (optional)
Steps to Clean the Tile:
 1. Begin by removing loose dust and dirt with a canister vacuum or vacuum with attachments. Do not use a regular vacuum as the bristles and beater bar can scratch and damage the surface of the tiles. Only use a soft bristled attachment or brush free unit to remove the dust and dirt.
 2. Fill two buckets with warm water. The first bucket will be used to wash the floor, and the second bucket will be used to rinse. If the floors are especially dirty, add a drop or two of dish soap to the washing water.
 3. Use the mop to scrub the surface of the tile floor.
 4. Use clean water from the second bucket to rinse the floor.
 5. Repeat as necessary until the floor is clean. Replace the buckets of water as needed to keep clean water available.
 6. As a final cleaning step, use the old cloths or towels to wipe over the damp floor.
 7. Along with removing any excess water, the towels will remove any remaining dirt.
Cleaning Ceramic Tile Countertops/Backsplashes
You Will Need:
 - Water
 - Bucket or spray bottle (depending on the size of the area)
 - Old cloths or rags
 - Dish soap (optional)
 - Old toothbrush or small scrub brush
Steps to Clean the Tile:
 1. Start by removing any loose dirt or dust with a clean soft cloth. Dust removers, such as Swiffer Dusters, work well for this.
 2. Fill two buckets or spray bottles with clean, warm water. If the counters are especially dirty, add a small amount (a drop or two) of dish soap or cleaner to the washing water.
 3. Spray the surface with the washing water.
 4. Use a soft cloth to scrub the surface of the tiles. Use an old toothbrush or small scrub brush to remove any dirt from the grout.
 5. Rinse with clean water and wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Additional Tips and Advice
 - Although some recommend vinegar for cleaning dirty tile, it is not preferable. The acidic properties of vinegar can damage the surface leaving it looking dull rather than clean and shiny.
 - Avoid any acid based cleaners as they can fade and dull the tiles.
 - Avoid cleaning tiles with soap. Soap will leave a residue that will make the tiles appear dirty.
 - Want your tiles to shine? After cleaning, buff them with a clean, soft cloth.
 - To keep your tiles looking their best, keep them dry. Standing water leads to fading and staining. Wipe up spills and splashes promptly.
 1. Lynn says:
 Tile is easy to clean, but if the grout is dirty the tile will look bad anyway. You can use non-scratching powder cleaner like Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend to clean grotty grout. You'll need an old toothbrush, a bowl of warm water, and the powdered cleaner. Wet the toothbrush, dip the bristles in the cleaner, then scrub the grout clean. When you've scrubbed all the grout, rinse the tile thoroughly with clean water.
 2. Lynn says:
 Don't pour bleach on it! For badly stained or yellowed grout, make a paste out of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and spread it on the grout – keep the paste off the tiles as much as you can. Let the paste set until it's dry, then wash it off. Your grout should be noticeably whiter.
 3. Lynn says:
 Our whole family swears by this stuff, even if it does seem to produce stronger fumes than any other cleaner in existence and those fumes smell like maraschino cherries dipped in battery acid.
 For that reason, make sure you're using the Tilex in an area that has a fan, an open door, and possibly some nearby windows you can open. Spray the Tilex all over the tile to be cleaned, a light coating will do, then leave the room for fifteen minutes to half an hour. When you come back in, immediately rinse the Tilex off the tiles as thoroughly as you can, then wet a sponge and wipe the tiles down with warm water. Rinse the tiles again and you're done. If you use the Tilex regularly, say once a week, you shouldn't have any problem with soap scum buildup or hard water deposits.
 4. Lynn says:
 If your ceramic patio tiles are dirtier than a high-pressure blast from the garden hose will take care of, get a bucket of hot soapy water and use a sponge mop to scrub the tiles clean. Rinse with the hose. Don't use a string-type mop to clean outdoor tiles, because the strings will collect leaves, twigs and debris and the mop will be ruined.
 5. Lynn says:
 I put down rugs on my tile entryway for people to wipe their feet on in wet weather, but because the tile is slick the rugs slid around and spread a wet, slippery mess all over the place. The quickest solution I found was to lay down cheap suction cup backed rubber bathtub mats on the tile and then lay the rugs on top of them. The mats keep the rugs in place, and they also keep the water, snow and mud on the rugs from soaking through and possibly staining the grout between the tiles.
 6. Stacy says:
 Spray with Greased Lightening and let it sit but not dry. Then, use a hand held steamer on the area and then use clean rags to dry the water and dirt that will run out of the grout.
 7. Cara says:
 Use Soft Scrub. Brush with an old toothbrush and then wipe away with clean warm water.
 8. Chelsea says:
 Use bleach, scrub with a brush and rinse with water.
 9. Ginny says:
 How do I clean the ceramic tile in my shower. It has a soap scum on it that I can't get off?
 10. Gerard says:
 How can we avoid streaks after cleaning smooth ceramic tiles above our cooker hob? We've used sprays, etc., and have taken care not to use abrasives, and each time they look streak-free close up, but taking a step back into daylight, they look more streaky than ever. Please help!
 11. Allen says:
 I have a problem in our bathroom (the tiles). The dirt is hard to remove, and maybe it is caused by soap residue… please help me (tips) to remove this dirt.
 12. Melanie says:
 Maybe this article will help: How to Clean Soap Scum.
Leave a Comment


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To set up email with Google Apps, you need to direct your domain's mailflow to your Google Apps account. You do this by pointing your domain's Mail Exchange (or MX records) to Google mail servers. They are configured after enabling your email service. For a complete list of setup steps, see How do I begin?
What are MX records?
MX records are DNS settings associated with your domain that direct its mail to the servers hosting your users' mail accounts. These settings are managed by your domain host, not by Google. To make sure mail always gets delivered, you typically create records for multiple servers, all of which can deliver mail to users. That way, if one server is down, mail can be routed to another server, instead. You determine which servers get tried first by assigning priorities, using values like 10, 20, 30, and so on. The lowest value gets highest priority.
For instance, if the domain example.com has two MX records—10 mail1.example.com and 20 mail2.example.com—mail is delivered first to 10 mail1.example.com because it has the lowest number priority. If that server is down, mail is redirected to :20 mail2.example.com, and so on. If different MX records have the same priority, one server is chosen arbitrarily.
Ready to set up mail now?
To direct your domain's mail to Google Apps, configure your MX records as described below. After that, mail sent to your users will be delivered to their Gmail accounts:
- I'm new to configuring MX records. See configure MX records for step-by-step instructions for setting up MX records with your domain host.
- I know how to configure MX records. See MX record values to find out exactly which values to enter for your MX records.
- Need more help? Troubleshooting MX records walks you through the process of getting MX records working.
Need more information?
Don't want to deliver email directly to users' Gmail accounts? Email delivery options describes more advanced forms of delivery.


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Public Drinking Water Systems
The Drinking Water Program (DWP) regulates public water systems; oversees water recycling projects; permits water treatment devices; certifies drinking water treatment and distribution operators; supports and promotes water system security; provides support for small water systems and for improving technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity; provides funding opportunities for water system improvements. For more about DWP activities, click on a link below. Private domestic wells are not regulated by DWP; the State Water Resources Control Board has information pertinent to private domestic well water quality. For other CDPH water-related topics, click here.
DWP is within the Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management.


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Location: 225, Bolivar St. Montserrat
It was the largest Jesuit temple and today is the oldest church in Buenos Aires. The temple still maintains elements from the 17th. Century in its structure. Behind the baroque façade there are images, paintings and furniture inside from the 18th. Century.
Construction began in 1686, on top of the adobe walls of an earlier temple that stood there. The temple was finished in 1675, dedicated to the Saint Founder of the Order.
After 1712 it was refurbished by Juan Kraus keeping the existing façade and towers. In the work helped the Jesuits Bianchi, Wolff, Weger and Prímoli.
It was consecrated in 1734 and it was the City Cathedral between 1775 and 1791 after the Jesuits had been expelled. Became a military barracks during the resistance against the British invasion in 1806.During 1816 and 1820 important open chapters (Cabildos Abiertos) and meetings were held here. A university was created in 1821. In 1955 the temple was set on fire intentionally during social riots.


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What is OCAF and Why Might I Need It?
OCAF is the OpenCascade Application Framework. At it's core, it provides the functionality to manage structured documents. The framework defines a document model but it's up to the application to define the specific document structure (in the same way that xml defines a file format, but an application defines a specific xml schema). OCAF documents can be loaded from or saved to disk using a native format, or import/exported from a number of other formats.
Using OCAF you can:
- Manage multiple documents and visualise document contents
- store BRep Shapes, including their evolution (version control for Shapes), for undo/redo for example
- define components and assemblies
- define shape metadata like: colour, material, tolerancies, layers
- define other metadata based on either existing standard types, or custom-defined types
- import / export support for STEP and IGES, including layers, colours, materials and tolerances
- define functions for reconstruction of parametric models
Basic OCAF Strucuture
OCAF documents are based on a hierarchy of labels (TDF.TDF_Label objects). At any one level in the tree, labels are identified by an index number. The series of index numbers from the root of the tree to a given label uniquely defines that label. The fully qualified label entry is writen as a colon-separated list of these integers e.g.
- root label (0:)
- label A (0:1)
- label D (0:1:1)
- label E (0:1:2)
- label B (0:2)
- label C (0:3)
- label F (0:3:1)
- label A (0:1)
Basic OCAF Use
Each OCAF app requires a single Application object.
Creating a new OCAF document
How is OCAF implemented in pythonOCC?
A recent developement of pythonOCC is the PAF framework, which implements Associativity, Parameters, Rules and Relations in a pythonic manner.


Ward 1c - A Heavy Symbolism
A Heavy Symbolism
The Coroner found that Mr Ward 'suffered a terrible death while in custody which was wholly unnecessary and avoidable.' Much of the official record traces this chain of seemingly minor decisions and small preventable acts that led to the death of Mr Ward. Yet, in its totality, this chain of eventualities assumes a destructive inevitability. There is a heavy symbolism attached to the fact of Mr Ward's arrest on Australia Day, the day marking the arrival of the British First Fleet in 1788. Many Aboriginal people refer to this date as Invasion Day or Survival Day, a day of mourning, not celebration.
The case of Mr Ward bears out the continuing effects of colonial invasion and usurped sovereignty with its murderous disregard for Aboriginal life.
Please Read


Sprinklers in the Basement
Parked cars have tanks full of fuel. Controlling a fire in such an environment is very critical. This is the reason why there are two types of sprinklers in the basement. The kind that are installed in your apartment that automatically turn on when they reach 68º Celsius and another type call Water Curtain Nozzles.
Water Curtain Nozzles do not contain a glass bead, they are a specific type of sprinkler head that creates a linear spray of water that resembles a curtain. These sprinklers are manually triggered by personnel at the Fire Control Panel. Here's how it works.
The basements are compartmentalised into zones of 3000 sqm area. Each zone is enclosed by a series of Water Curtain Nozzles that when turned on, effectively encase the zone in a curtain of water. This mitigates fire travel to a great degree. If a temperature of 68 degrees triggers any one of the regular sprinklers, an alarm will flash on the fire panel indicating the exact zone which needs to be cordoned off by the water curtains. Once first responders reach the panel they can manually trigger the water curtains in that specific zone.


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Product designed for antibacterial treatment of car ventilation and air deodorization systems
It is used for ventilation and air conditioning systems of any type (heating/ventilation, conditioner, climate control etc.).
- – Kills fungi and bacteria, eliminates musty odors;
- – Deodorizes air;
- – Prevents the risk of allergies and other respiratory diseases;
- – Cleans and disinfects systems.


text:
Salty diets tied to kidney stones, osteoporosis
Toronto: People eating high salt diets tend to develop kidney stones and osteoporosis, a bone disease that leads to increased risk of fracture, says a study.
Principal investigator Todd Alexander from the University of Alberta and his team have uncovered an important link between sodium and calcium.
They appear to be regulated by the same molecule in the body. When sodium intake becomes too high, the body gets rid of sodium via the urine, taking calcium with it, which depletes calcium stores in the body.
High levels of calcium in the urine lead to the development of kidney stones, while inadequate levels of calcium in the body lead to thin bones and osteoporosis, the American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology reported.
"When the body tries to get rid of sodium via the urine, our findings suggest the body also gets rid of calcium at the same time," said Alexander, researcher in the faculty of medicine & dentistry at the University of Alberta, according to its statement.
"This is significant because we are eating more and more sodium in our diets, which means our bodies are getting rid of more and more calcium. Our findings reinforce why it is important to have a low sodium diet and why it is important to have lower sodium levels in processed foods."
"We asked a simple question with our research - could sodium and calcium absorption be linked? And we discovered they are," said Alexander.
"We found a molecule that seems to have two jobs - regulating the levels of both calcium and sodium in the body. Our findings provide very real biological evidence that this relationship between sodium and calcium is real and linked," he added.
First Published: Wednesday, July 25, 2012, 11:29
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Megaminx Speedsolving Methods
Contrary to popular belief, the Megaminx is not substantially harder than a 3x3x3 to solve. The Megaminx can be solved up until the last face exactly like F2L on a normal Rubik's Cube. Generally, a solver will start with a "star" on one side, analogous to the cross on a Rubik's Cube. Then, corners and edges are paired and placed exactly like that of CFOP F2L until only the last face needs to be solved. From here there are several ways to go about solving the last face. Many algorithms used on a Rubik's Cube can be applied to the last layer of the Megaminx. For example, Sune (R U R' U R U'2 R') cycles three edges, and F R U R' U' F' and its inverse orient edges just like that of a Rubik's Cube.
List of methods