Posts Tagged 'lisp web'
You're only using PHP because you don't have Guile and (sxml simple)
In functional programming,Scheme,Web development on February 19, 2012 by gcbenison Tagged:,,,
OK, maybe you would still use PHP even if you did have a Scheme implementation and the (sxml simple) module. But it is true that just about any web application written in PHP could also be written in Scheme or another Lisp dialect. And yes you can get it hosted, more easily than you might think; I've done it (see this example, described at the end) with just the basic services at my hosting provider. There are even complete Lisp web frameworks available.
So web developers do use Scheme, even if it is far from the most popular web language. But web development in Lisp is not just possible: it is also a good idea, especially as your project evolves past "a page with some dynamic content" to "a full application that runs over the web". HTML can be understood in two ways:
 1. As plain text with a few formatting tags thrown in
 2. As a tree of nodes, where nodes have names and optionally, attributes and values
These two views lead to two different approaches to dynamic web programming:
 1. Treat the web page as a plain text document, with little embedded snippets of code that expand like macros when the page is displayed
 2. Represent the entire web page as a tree using a native data structure, which is then rendered as HTML at page display time
Both HTML and many web programming languages were designed with view (1) in mind because it can be very simple. You don't need to be a programmer, or to understand what the phrase "tree of nodes" means, in order to understand what this is supposed to do:
Today is: and it is a good day
But the problem with this approach is that it doesn't scale well to more complicated uses. Take, for instance, this production PHP snippet from the WordPress code base (pasted here as an image because of the difficulty of embedding actual literal PHP here):
That, despite being an example of well written PHP, is not terribly intuitive even to a programmer. I really dislike the intermingling of two distinct syntaxes (that of HTML and PHP). It forces you to switch back and forth between the two languages when mentally parsing such code. It leads to odd orderings of delimiters – etc. It's what leads to PHP being called things like "bloated, messy, and counter-intuitive".
Such contortions do not appear in web applications that treat the whole page as a native data structure which the system then renders as HTML. Since all of the actual HTML is generated by the renderer, the application developer need not even know any HTML syntax in order to program this way! Scheme is well-suited to representing such a tree of nodes as a native data structure, and there is a standard convention for doing so known as SXML. One of the things I like best about Scheme for web development is the clear equivalence of a live Scheme object, its serialized representation as SXML, and its serialized representation as HTML – all of which can be interconverted with a single command.
Interconversion of HTML and its equivalent Scheme representation
This means we can take the result of any Scheme computation, manipulate it into SXML, and render it as HTML. A working implementation of the following example can be found here. Consider a function top-word-usage which splits a string into words and returns the number of times each word appears, sorted with the most common words first:
> (top-word-usage "Hello, world. Yeshello, world, hello!" 5)
$1 = (("hello". 3) ("world". 2) ("yes". 1))
Now define a function to format each entry as a string, and another function to wrap any content as an SXML "list element":
(define (format-usage usage)
(format _TAG_ "~a -- ~a occurrences" (car usage)(cdr usage)))
(define (as-li content)
'(li,content))
> (map as-li (map format-usage $1))
$2 = ((li "hello -- 3 occurrences")
 (li "world -- 2 occurrences")
 (li "yes -- 1 occurrences"))
Around this core functionality, we can use SXML to build a template for a complete web application:
(display "Content-type: text/html\n\n")
 (head (title "wc demo"))
 (h1 (a (@ (href,(car (command-line)))) "Word count demo"))
 ,(if input
 '(p "Top words of at least ",min-word-length " characters:"
 ,(map as-li
 (map format-usage (top-word-usage input 5)))))
 '(p "Enter some text below, to count word usage:")))
 (form (@ (method "post")
 (name "input-form")
 (action,(car (command-line))))
 (textarea (@ (name "input-content")
 (rows 20)
 (cols 60))
 ,(or input ""))
 (p "Minimum word length: "
 (input (@ (type "text")
 (name "min-length"))))
 (input (@ (type "submit")
 (name "input-submit")
 (value "Determine word usage")))))))
The full application is less than 100 lines long and can be found here. Try pasting in a favorite piece of writing and seeing what happens – it's actually kind of fun!
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In recent blogs I have covered various aspects of the need for face-to-face (f2f) interaction in telework situations. Here I'll go into more detail so you can decide for yourself what's needed. What follows is a hierarchy of decision points.
Face-to-face interaction is usually most likely to be required where communication is sensitive or there is great uncertainty. Some examples:
- Marriage proposals
- High level diplomatic or political meetings
- Project organizational and/or review sessions
- Contract negotiations
- Performance appraisals
In short, f2f is desirable in situations where the involved parties need as many visual cues as practicable to make comfortable decisions. [Note that a previous blog pointed out that there is a difference between desirable and required.] As technology continues to improve it becomes easier to transmit subtle cues via telecommunications. As an example, the column Letter from China: Meet Dr. Freud in the 10 January 2011 issue of The New Yorker describes a series of Freudian analysis sessions in which the patients are in China and the analysts are in the United States. The communications medium? Skype. As is sometimes the case the interacting parties were more uncomfortable when meeting f2f for the first time than they were in Skype-mediated sessions.
Routine information exchange
At the other end of the spectrum is routine, no surprise, information transfer. Continue reading Face time, Part 2.5: Details

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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DETERMINATION OF REGULATORY RELIABILITY FOR DEFORMATION OF REINFORCED-CONCRETE FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES
Vestnik Tomskogo gosudarstvennogo arkhitekturno-stroitel nogo universiteta JOURNAL of Construction and Architecture
Strength, stiffness, crack resistance requirements must be specified for any structure. These requirements are provided by the appropriate calculations. Compliance with all requirements ensures the design reliability. But due to the fact that structural analysis is performed by the limit state method, the numerical value of the reliability cannot be determined. This can be done only by applying probabilistic methods of calculation. One of the major obstacles to the use of probabilistic methods
... babilistic methods is the lack of standardized values of the structural reliability (normative reliability).Although probabilistic methods of calculation were developed in late in the 20th century, the assignment of normative reliability values encountered serious obstacles. The most serious obstacle was the consideration of the failure consequences as some consequences were quantifiable. On the other hand, much work concerned the assignment of normative structural reliability based on their bearing capacity. Only few works related to the reliability normalization using deformation and crack resistance.This paper deals with the regulatory definition of reliability using the deformation of reinforced-concrete bendings based on physiological requirements. A method for determining the normative reliability based on human sensitivity to fluctuations is proposed. The normative reliability of precast slabs is determined using the proposed method.


Welcome to Aboriginal Access to Engineering, Queen's University
Pine Forest and Logging Protection
Temagami: Deep Water by the Shore (Ontario)
Temagami is a region in Northeastern Ontario, north of Sudbury and North Bay, which covers 680,000 hectares of forest, lakes and rivers. It is named for the Teme-Augama Anishnabai (the Deep Water People) who have lived in the area for many generations. Their population numbers around 1700. The Temagami First Nation (TFN) and the Teme-Augama Anishnabai (TAA) are currently in negotiations with the Government of Ontario, to extend their claim to lands beyond their current holdings on Bear Island in Lake Temagami.
Their land claim goes back to 1877 when Chief Tonene protested to the federal government that lumber companies were felling trees in n'Daki Menan, his people's traditional homeland. The protest was based on the fact that the Teme-Augama Anishnabai had been excluded from the 1850 Robinson-Huron Treaty, and had not given up title or rights to their traditional lands. Chief Tonene asked the government to create a reserve which would protect his people and their land from the lumber companies. More than 100 years later, the situation is still not resolved. Lumber companies have been interested in the Temagami region for so long because it is home to the densest area of old growth Red and White Pine forest in the world. These trees are quite large, and because of their size can be used for many products, like furniture and giant plywood sheets. The trees also hold a spiritual significance for First Nations peoples of the region. The forest stands have been in place for over 7,000 years. Some of the trees are over 350 years old. Old growth forests are living entities: because of their age, they house highly developed, stable and self-sustained ecosystems. Within these systems are complex and delicate food webs which are sensitive to changes in the local environment, and very sensitive to the effects of forest harvesting. A good proportion of the old growth forest is now protected from logging in order to protect the ecosystems they contain.
graphic via earthroots
Queen's University
Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada


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Researchers have created a way to make a 3D printable nanocomposite polymeric ink that uses carbon nanotubes (CNTs) — known for their high tensile strength and lightness. This revolutionary ink could replace epoxies — and understanding why its properties are so fantastic is a first step toward its mass use.
Adding low-dimensional nanomaterials such as CNTs, graphene, metal nanoparticles, and quantum dots allows 3D printed materials to adapt to external stimuli, giving them features such as electrical and thermal conductance, magnetism, and electrochemical storage.
The conductivity of nanomaterial ink is an exceptionally handy trait that gives the printed epoxy the potential to double as electrical wiring such as those in 3D printed actuators for guiding catheters in blood vessels. Another useful trait of the nanocomposite polymer ink is its strength. The nanocomposites also serve a safety function.
For more information, visit here.


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. Sopronyi, Camé.Matei. Ghimbeu, C. Nita, A. Airoudj, G. Schrodj, F. Sima, Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation: A novel approach to design mesoporous carbon films, Carbon (2017), doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2017.06.098.
Phase no. 21
Responsible: Dr. N. PAVEL
Title: "Hybrid laser devices realized by the direct writing with fs-laser pulses"
Abstract: The objective of this work was to demonstrate multifunctional / hybrid lasers of waveguide type, operating in Q-switch mode. The writing of the waveguides was done with a Clark CPA-2101 laser system (emission at 775 nm, duration of 200 fs, frequency of 2.0 kHz) in Nd:YAG/Cr4+ composite media of crystalline type. The focusing conditions of the laser beam (fs) have been determined so as to obtain tubular waveguides of various diameters. Laser emission was obtained using the pump with a fiber-coupled diode laser. Laser pulses at 1.06 μm with energy Ep= 15.7 μJ and duration tp= 3.9 ns at the repetition rate fp= 71.9 kHz were obtained from an waveguide of 150-μm diameter that was inscribed in a Nd:YAG/Cr4+ composite medium that was composed of a 7-mm long, 1.0-at.% Nd: YAG and a Cr4+: YAG saturable absorber with initial transmission T0= 0.70. The average output power was Pave = 1.13 W.
Dissemination: G. Croitoru (Salamu), F. Jipa, and N. Pavel, "Passive Q-switch laser operation of circular, buried depressed-cladding waveguides realized by direct fs-laser beam writing in Nd:YAG/Cr4+:YAG composite media," Opt. Mat. Express 7(7), 2496-2504 (2017).


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Browser in Window
How to create a Floated Window with Browser
Here is how you can easily have the Browser on a floated (movable and resizable) Window, e.g. if you wish to have the Browser on a secondary screen
In this example we will use the 4 Decks default skin.
- Unzip the VirtualDJ 8.zip file to a folder.
- Keep just 2 files, the 4 Decks.xml and the 4 Decks.png and delete the others.
- Open the 4 Decks.xml with a Text or an XML Editor.
- Add the following lines at the bottom of the xml file, just one line before its end line
The bottom part of the XML should look like this..
- Zip those 2 files, provide a name for the zip file and place it into the Skins folder. Open VirtualDJ and load the skin from the INTERFACE tab.
Window element parameters
- name: use whatever name you want. The name will be used to open/close the window, using the action show_window 'nameofthewindow'
- posx, posy : Define the position on your primary screen that the Window will appear when the skin is launched for the first time. If you move the window to a different position, the new posx, posy values will be saved across sessions and the values from the xml will not be taken into account.
- width, height : Define the width and height that the window will have when the skin is launched for the first time. If you resize the window, the new dimensions will be saved across sessions, and the width, height values of the xml will not be taken into account.
- image : provide the name of the image file that the elements inside the window will take graphics from. Since no special graphics are needed in this case, you can use the graphics file that the original skin uses.
- shown : true/false. When set to false, the window will be hidden when the skin loads for the first time. The status (hidden/displayed) is memorized across sessions, so this parameter defines if the window will be visible or not when the skin loads for the first time.
Once the skin is loaded, the floated window with the Browser will appear. You can then resize it and move it to your secondary screen by grabbing the edges (that is why in the example above, the width and height of the have -10 pixels compared to the width and height of the window and the x,y position of the browser start from pixel 5,5)
Alternatively, you may use Browser Tweaks, a Windows application which among others, offers the ability to add a Browser to a floating window


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The double escapement action was developed by Sébastien Erard in the 1800's and is now ubiquitous among grand pianos. (Chopin exploited this innovation to its maximum. A perfect example is seen in his 10/7 etude; notice the pattern of double notes in the lower voice of the treble clef).
Yes, that's the effect of the double escape mechanism.
Regarding Chopin however: he preferred to play on Pleyel pianos (as opposite to Liszt e.g.). Pleyel pianos did NOT have the double escapement action that time. That means, it is at least questionable that Chopin eploited this innovation.
However, the Pleyel pianos did have a short keyway, and had a very light action in conjunction with light hammers. Maybe fast repetitions were possible too without that mechanism.
So Chopin e.g. preferred to use the same finger for key repetitions (in opposite to the useage of different fingers, e.g. 4-3-2-4-3-2 and so on), I think that was stated somewhere in the Eigeldinger book "Chopin as seen by his pupils".

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


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By Product Type
By Research Area
GABARAPL2 (also known as Golgi-associated ATPase enhancer of 16 kDa; GATE-16) was originally characterized as a factor essential for intra-Golgi protein transport. Later GABARAPL2 along with LC3 and GABARAP, were identified as the homologs of yeast ATG8 which is a unique ubiquitin-like protein essential for autophagy. When induced GABARAPL2 is first digested by ATG4 family enzymes to become its mature form: GABARAPL2-I, later conjugated to PE lipid as lipidated form: GABARAPL2-II. The lipidated form migrates faster than its mature form on SDS-PAGE gel. GABARAPL2 is strongly expressed in the brain. This antibody, generated against the full-length of GABARAPL2, is specific to GABARAPL2. It does not recognize recombinant GABARAP as well as GABARAPL1.


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--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
April 4, 2011
WEST BOOTHBAY HARBOR, ME — A team of scientists from Bigelow Laboratory has determined the true identity of an iron-oxidizing microbe called Leptothrix ochracea, answering a question about its evolutionary development that has eluded researchers since the species was first discovered more than 120 years ago. The paper describing their work is titled "What's New Is Old: Resolving the Identity of Leptothrix ochracea Using Single Cell Genomics, Pyrosequencing and FISH" and has just been published in PLoS ONE, an open access journal (PLoS ONE (2011)6(3): e17769. doi:10.1371/journal.pone._PHONE_).
Bigelow postdoctoral researcher Dr. Emily Fleming is the paper's lead author. Co-authors are Dr. Manuel Martinez-Garcia, Dr. Ramunas Stepanauskas, Dr. Nicole J. Poulton, E. Dashiell P. Masland, Dr. David Emerson, and undergraduate intern Amy E. Langdon.
"Connecting the identity of this microbe to a specific genetic marker was only possible because of the unique technology available at Bigelow Laboratory," said Fleming. "Bigelow's Single Cell Genomics Center allows us to study the genomes of individual cells taken from environmental samples."
"The Laboratory encourages researchers to collaborate with one another," she added. "It was a tremendous help to be able to bring geomicrobiologists together with the microbial genomics researchers and population biologists here to work on this project."
Leptothrix ochracea is a species of iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) commonly found in freshwater iron seeps and iron-rich wetlands. It makes tubular sheaths encrusted with iron oxyhydroxides (rust) that color the surrounding water various shades of yellow, bright orange, and russet. Compared to other FeOB, L. ochracea is a prolific sheath-producer – a thousand microscopic L. ochracea cells can produce 2 to 3 meters of sheaths in a single day.
Photo-montage of L. ochracea sheaths and cells from Lakeside Drive.
Summer time bloom of typical LD iron mats (A), Scanning electron micrograph of a typical L. ochracea sheath (B). Epi-fluorescence of Syto 13 stained cells (C) and phase contrast image (D) of filamentous cells and sheaths from LD iron mats. Scale bars are 10 cm, 10 µm, 10 µm and 10 µm, respectively (doi:10.1371/journal.pone._PHONE_.g001). © 2011 Fleming et al.
People who come across L. ochracea populations in nature often mistakenly conclude that they are looking at water polluted by industrial runoff, when, in fact, they are seeing the infrastructure of L. ochracea dwellings. Surprisingly, over 90% of these sheaths are empty, so what appears to be an abundant population of iron-oxidizing bacteria turns out to be relatively few cells industriously manufacturing sheaths as an everyday part of their metabolic lives.
Besides playing an important role in the iron cycle, FeOB mats can decrease water flow and absorb nutrients from the environment. FeOB are considered nuisance organisms when they cause biofouling of water distribution pipelines or contribute to biocorrosion, but are also recognized as having a beneficial role in water filtration systems.
Unlike its relatives, L.ochracea cannot be successfully grown in laboratory cultures. Before the resources of the Single Cell Genomics Center became available, L. ochracea could only be identified by the presence of sheaths. Understanding its biology and behavior had not been possible. Now Bigelow scientists have managed to determine its true position on the FeOB family tree.
"I'm hoping the single amplified genome that's currently being sequenced will begin to reveal hints about L. ochracea's nutritional requirements and determine what controls the growth of this microbe," Fleming said.
The paper's second author is Amy Langdon, a Swarthmore College student, and a member of the Laboratory's Research Experience for Undergraduates program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
"Langdon's work was a major part of this project," Fleming notes. "Her contribution highlights the importance that direct research experience can have for undergraduate students."
An independent, nonprofit research institution based in midcoast Maine, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is a center for global ocean research. The Laboratory's research ranges from microbial oceanography -- examining biological productivity in the world's oceans at the molecular level -- to the large-scale biogeochemical processes that drive interactions between ocean ecosystems and global environmental conditions. These programs have taken Bigelow scientists around the world to every ocean and the polar seas. The Laboratory is a recognized leader in Maine's emerging innovation economy, and is spurring significant economic growth in the state through construction of a major Ocean Science and Education Campus in East Boothbay. ####


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5 Problems Electronic Blasting Experts Can Solve
Martin Vasilescu, Country Manager Explosives, Davey Bickford Enaex
In a new landscape where efficiency is the gold standard, mining leaders across the world are looking to decrease inputs, increase outputs, and raise the level on safety. Questions are also swirling around social license and the environment. Taken together, these challenges can seem overwhelming – but there's no need to go it alone.
As with any great task, the key is to break things down into manageable steps. Electronic blasting experts occupy a unique position in their ability to do this. Why? Because the application of electronic blasting doesn't rely on experimental or theoretical measures. It uses proven technology and expertise to unlock reliable pathways to greater efficiency. We've known for a long time that every shot has an effect on downstream performance, but only in recent history have we seen how profound those downstream effects can be.
So how can blasting experts help demystify the path to a leaner and more productive operation? Here are five specific problems that can be solved when current technology is skilfully applied.
1. The blasting process is long and cumbersome
Safety and strategic concerns, in addition to outdated methodology, can make the blasting process painfully expensive and slow. The inability to fire multiple or larger shots at the same time makes setup more arduous, and requires a greater number of blast days. Limitations on the size of blasts will result in a loss of precision and less control over the operational effects. In co-operation with electronic blasting experts, operators can optimise their blasting, with the result of better wall formation, reduced downtime, and faster advancement of pits and tunnels.
2. Vibrations are disturbing nearby existing operations and/or communities
For mining companies, success in the 21st century comes with a new set of rules and expectations. The effects of a given mine on nearby communities, and on the environment, have reached critical importance. Reducing ground vibrations is a definite and practical way to lighten those critical footprints. Electronic blast experts can reduce and predict ground vibrations by selecting a timing regime tailored to the geological conditions. Combined with controlled firing of large and multiple blasts sequentially, fewer blast events translates to better relationships with surrounding communities.
3. Safety is less than optimal
Key innovations in the historical timeline have reduced the dangers inherent to blasting, but the hardware and configurations at many mining sites remain less than optimal – and since one blasting accident or mishap is one too many, elevating safety standards during the blasting process is a universal priority. Notable safety features in some of the world's most advanced electronic blasting systems include secure encoded communication protocols for superior firing control and data transmission. Safety is taken to higher levels through the expert application of hardware with multiple capacitors, integrated modems, smart shunts, and next-level detonators.
4. Poor fragmentation and a lack of material uniformity
The blasting process has a critical impact upon hauling, crusher-circuit throughput, and other key aspects of downstream operations. When fragmentation is poorly controlled and material is not uniform, productivity suffers. Next-generation electronic blast systems bring a level of control over material uniformity that could only be imagined in the past. Real performance gains are unlocked at multiple points in the production chain.
5. Lack of control over muck piles and dilution
The excavation of muck piles is another performance issue in mining operations which, if not overlooked, has perhaps been too readily accepted for what it is. With electronic control, the shape and looseness of the muck pile can be tailored to the excavation equipment and/or mining method, leading to efficiencies.
Dilution is another old problem that is taken as a given. The costs are multifarious – the unwanted material has to be moved, crushed, processed and then sent to the dump or tailings. Meanwhile, the grade of ore can be affected by high dilution levels.
We know that the blasting process has a large impact on dilution.The same processes – i.e. electronic blasting – can be used to reduce levels of dilution, preserve higher grades of ore, and reduce operational costs associated with processing dilution.
Proven principles and reliable technology
At a moment when new technologies are breaking onto the scene every day, so much remains in the realm of the theoretical, the unproven, the experimental. There is no doubt that automation will play a bigger role in years to come, and that new technologies will unlock new productivity gains. Meanwhile, the global mining community stands in need of immediate performance enhancements based on proven principles and reliable technology. The best electronic blasting hardware, as applied by dedicated experts, can deliver gains that are both practical and sustainable over the long haul.


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Anyone can tell me why the imwrite make the image background become black, i inserted an image of something with background of white but after using code below i got perfect image but the background become black :
rgbImage = imread('wtmk.png'); redChannel = rgbImage(:, :, 1); greenChannel = rgbImage(:, :, 2); blueChannel = rgbImage(:, :, 3); reconImage=cat(3,redChannel,greenChannel,blueChannel); imwrite(reconImage,'watermark.png','png');
Anything wrong with my code?
Please check whether size(rgbImage) is exactly the same as size(reconImage), and whether
all(rgbImage(:) == reconImage(:))
Your png file might be returning an alpha layer that you are not writing out to the new file.
What is the class of reconImage just before you call imwrite? You didn't somehow convert it (with code not shown) into double did you? Is it still uint8? Can you show the code where you "inserted an image of something with background of white" into your original rgbImage?
By the way, you don't need the third imwrite() argument of 'png' - it figures that out from the filename.


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What is electroplating auxiliary equipment
The accessories that must be provided for the plating bath of electroplating equipment include anode and anode basket or anode hook, electrode rod, power connecting wire, etc. In order to save investment, some factories do not use anode baskets and hook the anode directly to the plating bath, but at least cover the anode sleeve. The key of the power connection line is to ensure that it can pass the required current. It's better to use copper plate and multi strand cable, which must meet the requirements of cross-sectional area. Most anode baskets are made of titanium, and a few kinds of plating can also be made of stainless steel or steel. Electrode rod is a conductive rod used to hang anode and cathode and connect with power supply. It is usually made of copper bar or brass bar, slightly longer than the plating bath, and the diameter is determined by the current, but at least more than 5cm.


Understanding The
Insurance Appraisal Process
Has your insurance company forced you into the Appraisal Process?
What? When? Where? How? Get the answers your need.
Many homeowners and business owners find themselves disagreeing with their insurance company's analysis of their insurance claim. However, most are unaware that they can dispute the insurance company's findings via the Insurance Appraisal Process! Even though the policyholder (you) submits a contractor's estimate, receipts for repairs or materials, or even photos showing damages that the insurance company did not include for repairs... they still won't budge.
Most policyholders are unaware of how to dispute and resolve their claim with the insurance company. Policyholders have a choice and a voice within their policy for this very purpose. It's called The Appraisal Clause - also know as The Appraisal Provision. Now, don't let this scare you. It may seem like a fancy clause that would take a law degree to understand. However, a simple way to understand it is that it's the insurance industry's version of arbitration. Although similar, the Appraisal Process is NOT an arbitration or mediation and the umpire is not an arbitrator, mediator, or judge. Insurance Appraisal, Mediation, and Arbitration are separate things.
In short; Arbitration requires attorneys and a legal process, where Insurance Appraisal does not require attorney's or a legal process. (For a more detailed description visit "Arbitration and Apprisal - What's the Diference?")
Most Policies Have the Insurance Appraisal Clause
If you feel your at a dead end with your insurance company and want to resolve your claim you'll need to check your policy for the Appraisal Clause. Most policies will have the provision listed under the "What to do after a loss," section or the "Conditions" section of the policy. Below, you will find a sample of a typical Insurance Appraisal Clause included in most policies. Keep in mind that policies can be different in each state. Therefore, you should read your own policy to see if this clause exists. It will say something similar to the following ;
OK, But How Does the Insurance Appraisal Process Work?
The Appraisal Provision allows the policyholder (you) to hire an independent appraiser to determine the value of their damages. In turn, the insurance company will also hire their own independent appraiser. The two appraisers will then get together and select an umpire. The umpire is basically the arbitrator, or what you might call the judge. If a disagreement between the two appraisers arises, they can present their differences to the umpire who will make a ruling.
OK; so far so good, the basics of the insurance appraisal process are beginning to come together. We have an independent appraiser for the policyholder. We have an independent appraiser for the insurance company. Finally, there is an Umpire. These three individuals are known as The Appraisal Panel. The object of the Appraisal Panel is to set or determine The Amount of Loss. The Amount of Loss is the total dollar amount needed to return the damaged property back to its original condition, either by repair or replacement.
Once the Appraisal Panel is set, the policyholder's chosen appraiser and the insurance company's chosen appraiser will review the documents, estimates, and differences between them. The two independent appraisers will try to discuss and resolve the differences in damage and in cost. For example; the insurance company may determine that brick on a home does not need to be replaced. Where as, the contractor or appraiser for the policyholder says that it does have to be replaced. The two appraisers will discuss their reasons for their position and try to come to an agreement, first if it should be repaired or replaced, and secondly the cost to return the brick back to it's original condition prior to the loss.
One benefit of the Insurance Appraisal Process is that the two independent appraisers have not been subject to the bickering and anger between the policyholder and the insurance company. Basically, it's the hope that cooler heads will prevail. All the appraisers really have is the amount of the damage and the difference between the two estimate numbers. They do not have the previous baggage or anger that led up to the Appraisal. The process was designed so that these two individuals, who have no interest in the outcome, could discuss a settlement based on the facts presented to them.
Sometimes issues arrive where the two independent appraisers can't agree on certain items. In this event, the two appraisers will submit their differences to the chosen umpire. The three will discuss the issues and try to reach an agreed settlement of the differences. As stated above; the settlement or final number is called The Amount of Loss. The final amount is known as the Appraisal Award. The Award is signed by the individuals who agree on The Amount of Loss. However, only TWO of the three individuals need to agree. (An agreement between the two independent appraisers, or the umpire and either appraiser) Once any TWO of the three individuals on the Appraisal Panel sign the award... the dispute is over! The amount on the Award binding and is paid by the insurance company, to the policyholder.
Can I Use An Insurance Attorney To Dispute My Claim?
The Appraisal Clause was initiated to lower the number of lawsuits filed against insurance companies. The courts found that many lawsuits were entering the legal system where the cost to repair or replaced damaged property was being disputed. In many cases the suites were being resolved when professional engineers and contractors could address the issues. The Appraisal Process was created to get such individuals together and keep these disputes out of the courtroom. Assuming you acquired an estimate of repair to your property for $100,000, from a contractor or insurance claims expert. Your insurance company has created an estimate for $30,000. This would be a clear dispute between the amounts of damage. This type of dispute is exactly what the Appraisal Clause was developed to resolve.
The clause allows parties on both sides of the insurance policy to dispute their differences using this less costly provision. Let's face it; the courts are filled with lawsuits. The Insurance Appraisal Process allows for the dispute to be settled out of court. Using Insurance Attorneys and lawsuits can have insurance claims tied up in court for years. The Appraisal Provision was designed to keep these disputes out of court for a less costly and timelier resolution.
Insurance Claim Attorneys will usually represent policyholders for bad faith practices. Bad Faith is a whole other issue and sometimes happens after the Appraisal Process has been completed. Bad Faith claims are for much larger suites against insurance companies when it is alleged that they did not act with good faith of the policy they sold to the policyholder. In summary; disputes between the amount of damages and repairs will follow the Appraisal Process before entering into the legal system. Many Insurance Attorneys will also advise the policyholder to engage in the Appraisal Process before any lawsuits will begin.
How Do I know if the Insurance Appraisal Process is a Good Option for My Claim?
If the Appraisal Clause is in your policy then it is always an option. However, it's wise to point out that Appraisal is usually an option when there is a substantial difference in the amount between the two estimate totals. For example; let's say a fire completely destroys a house and the homeowner's personal property within it (Know as the Contents). The differences between what the insurance company wants to pay and what you wish to receive is $5,000. In this situation, the Appraisal Process is not the best idea. After paying the fees involved for the appraisal, you may not end up with much of the $5,000 being disputed.
Now, if we take the same fire that destroys the property and the dispute between the policyholder and the insurance company is $40,000, appraisal should be considered. The policyholder now has a chance to recover substantially more money than originally offered.
Also, the Appraisal Clause is only applicable if a dispute arises from a covered loss. If the insurance company denied the claim as something not covered then this is not a dispute on the amount to repair, but rather a dispute on coverage. For example; homeowners and business policies due not cover floods. Flood policies are purchased separately. So, if there is no coverage for the flood damages then the Appraisal Process is not an option.
Simply put, the Insurance Appraisal Process is to determine the "amount of loss," to property only. The Appraisal Panel is not to determine coverage, policy provisions, deductibles, how much was previously paid on the claim, etc. Let's say there was an appraisal for a grand piano that fell off a delivery truck on the highway. The Appraisal Panel's job is not to determine who's at fault, the policy coverage limit, if the truck had a registration, or anything other than "How Much is the Piano Worth."
As with our example earlier, if the insurance company offers a settlement of $10,000 to repair a roof and the policyholder has contractor bids for $15,000, then the Appraisal Process may not be the best option. The Appraisal Process may cost more than the $5,000 that's being disputed. Unfortunately, the differences in repair/replacement costs are usually much greater. When an insurance company generates an estimate for a claim of $75,000 and the policyholder has acquired professional bids several contractors of $200,000 or more, its time to invoke the appraisal clause.
Beginning the Insurance Appraisal Process
Either party associated with the policy can invoke the Appraisal Process. However, such a request must be made in writing. Each policy will have a time limit of when this can take place


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National Tartan Day
On April 6, Scottish communities celebrate National Tartan Day, which commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, a declaration of independence from Norman kings in 1320. The day features celebration of Scottish culture. In the United States, Tartan Day also honors the efforts of Scottish Americans, especially their efforts fighting on the side of the colonies during the American Revolution.
Celebrations of Tartan Day feature Scottish cultural events, such as pipe bands and Scottish dances. Larger cities, like New York, hold parades, often made up of bagpipe bands. Participants often wear kilts that signify their clan. "Tartan" refers to the crisscrossed pattern of these kilts. Other events include dinners, awards, and educational events at schools and libraries. Festivities may include a meal, which often features traditional dishes such as haggis.
New York is known for one of the largest celebrations, the Tunes of Glory Parade, which features over 8,000 musicians playing pipes and drums. Other significant celebrations in the US take place in St. Charles, Missouri, Washington D.C., and Baltimore. Many of these celebrations are held by Scottish-American Societies, which put on receptions and a Tartan Day Festival in Virginia, an educational and cultural program held at the beginning of April.
International cities take part in many Tartan Day festivities. Regions of Scotland combine to put on Tartan Day festivals throughout the country. The large Scottish populations in Australia and New Zealand result in many festivals and events commemorating the holiday. Other celebrations take place in Ottawa, Canada, and Buenos Aires, Brazil.
The Declaration of Arbroath served to declare Scottish independence from English control. It established Scotland as an independent state and declared the right to defend itself from military force. It was sent to Pope John XXII. Up until that point, Scotland had been ruled as a feudal land by Norman kings. The document also pointed out that Scotland had long been independent, and that English control was unjust. Although no copies of this document still exist, it is believed to be one of the inspirations for the American Declaration of Independence.
Tartan Day also celebrates Scottish efforts in the Revolutionary War. Many Scots migrated to the colonies in search of religious freedom and economic opportunity. Most Scottish immigrants settled in Pennsylvania to farm. As seen with the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scots had a history of clashing with British rule, instilling a resentfulness that inspired many Irish-Americans to take up arms against them. Many saw the conflict in the colonies as a continuation of their struggles with Britain.
Some countries celebrate Tartan day in July or August. Tartan Day celebrations have risen in popularity since local officials began to establish the holiday in the 1980s and 1990s. The United States did not declare an official Tartan Day until 2008.


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Purpose: SafEE (Safe and Easy Environment for Alzheimer's disease) is a French-Taiwanese collaborative project on technologies for health and autonomy, aimed at improving safety, autonomy and quality of life of older people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders. The Alzheimer's disease population is growing dramatically. In 2006, 26.6 million people were afflicted by AD, and the number could quadruple by 20501. Patients with AD and dementia, gait disorders, cognitive frailty, and memory impairments will increasingly become more impaired as the patients' illnesses progress2,3. Even worse is that AD cannot be cured, and patients rely on the drugs only to postpone the symptoms. Hence, the SafEE project focuses on specific clinical targets in three domains: behavior, motricity and cognition, merges assessment and non-pharmacological help/interventions; and proposes easy ICT device solutions for the end users. Method: SafEE is a 3-year project involving industrial and university partners. In this project, an ICT-based behavior analysis platform had been developed. This platform is able to detect, recognize, and assess walking/balancing capabilities, orientation and procedural memory. A device consisting of a triaxial accelerometer, a uniaxial gyroscope, and a biaxial gyroscope was developed to collect the signals while participants walked and took some balance tests. In this project, participants are patients with Alzheimer's disease and healthy people. We asked participants to complete single-task and dual-task activities while walking. The balance tests included four subtests: (i) basic balance tests, (ii) single-leg balance tests, (iii) Timed Up-and-Go test, and (iv) repeated chair stands test. In the basic balance tests, participants were asked to engage in specific movements, including the side by side stand and semi-tandem stand. Each of the tests was completed open eyed and close eyed. In the single-leg balance tests, participants needed to stand on one foot (right and left, in respective tests) with open eyes, for 10 seconds or less if the patient encountered difficulties. In the Time-Up and Go Test (TUGT), participants were asked to stand up from an armchair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit down on the armchair. In the repeated chair stands test, the examiner asked the participant to make the first chair stand, from sit to stand position without using their arms. The examiner then asked the participant to do the same action 5 times in a row. Results & Discussion: Preliminary results show that an automated detection algorithm can accurately detect the patients' stride and gait parameters (e.g., stride length, stride frequency) using the wearable device we developed. The results also show that the AD patients have poor performance in the semitandem stand (both the left foot in front and right foot in front). In the repeated chair stands test and TUGT, AD patients needed more time to complete the tests than healthy people.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Biomedical Engineering
- Geriatrics and Gerontology


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died Aug. 28, 1818, St. Charles, Mo., U.S.
black pioneer trader and founder of the settlement that later became the city of Chicago.
Du Sable, whose French father had moved to Haiti and married a black woman there, is believed to have been a freeborn. At some time in the 1770s he went to the Great Lakes area of North America, settling on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Chicago River, with his Potawatomi wife, Kittihawa (Catherine). His loyalty to the French and the Americans led to his arrest in 1779 by the British, who took him to Fort Mackinac. From 1780 to 1783 or 1784 he managed for his captors a trading post called the Pinery on the St. Clair River in present-day Michigan, after which he returned to the site of Chicago. By 1790 Du Sable's establishment there had become an important link in the region's fur and grain trade.
In 1800 he sold out and moved to Missouri, where he continued as a farmer and trader until his death. But his 20-year residence on the shores of Lake Michigan had established his title as Father of Chicago.


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initial cost is typically less than comparable specifications of other types of vacuum pumps. They use minimal or no power for years of low cost operation


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The steradian (symbol: sr) is the SI unit of solid angle. It is used to describe two-dimensional angular spans in three-dimensional space, analogous to the way in which the radian describes angles in a plane. The name is derived from the Greek stereos for "solid" and the Latin radius for "ray, beam".
The steradian, like the radian, is dimensionless because 1 sr = m2·m−2 = 1. It is useful, however, to distinguish between dimensionless quantities of different nature, so in practice the symbol "sr" is used where appropriate, rather than the derived unit "1" or no unit at all. For example, radiant intensity can be measured in watts per steradian (W·sr−1). The steradian was formerly an SI supplementary unit, but this category was abolished from the SI in 1995 and the steradian is now considered an SI derived unit.
A steradian is defined as the solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere of radius r by a portion of the surface of the sphere whose area, A, equals r2.
Since A = r2, it corresponds to the area of a spherical cap (A = 2πrh) (wherein h stands for the "height" of the cap), and the relationship h/r = 1/(2π) holds. Therefore one steradian corresponds to the solid angle of a simple cone subtending an angle θ, with θ given by:
This angle corresponds to an apex angle of 2θ ≈ 1.144 rad or 65.54°.
Because the surface area of a sphere is 4πr2, the definition implies that a sphere measures 4π ≈ 12.56637 steradians. By the same argument, the maximum solid angle that can be subtended at any point is 4π sr. A steradian can also be called a squared radian.
A steradian is also equal to the spherical area of a polygon having an angle excess of 1 radian, to 1/(4π) of a complete sphere, or to (180/π)2 ≈ 3282.80635 square degrees.
The solid angle (in steradians) of the simple cone subtending an angle θ is given by:
Analogue to radians
In two dimensions, the angle in radians is related to the arc length it cuts out:
Now in three dimensions, the solid angle in steradians is related to the area it cuts out:
Steradians only go up to 4π ≈ 12.56637, so the large multiples are not usable for the base unit, but could show up in such things as rate of coverage of solid angle, for example.
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Indian polity quick quiz 7
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1. The High Courts in India were first started at:
2. The first woman Governor of a State in free India was
3. The Governor of which State has been vested with special powers regarding scheduledtribal areas?
4. The Concurrent List contains:
5. The first woman film star nominated/ elected to the Rajya Sabha was:
6. The Gram Panchayats are elected by Gram Sabhas consisting of:
7. The Constitution of India was promulgated on January 26, 1950 because:
8. The Governor does not appoint:
9. The Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens were provided by :
10. The first State to become bifurcated after independence was:
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Amy Nazarko
Karina Wasicki, Staff Writer
As the school year comes to an end the seniors can't wait to be free from high school. As early as 2 months into the school year, students begin to suffer from Senioritis. Senioritis is a "disease" that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include a lack of studying, many absences, and a dismissive attitude, with only one cure known as graduation. Seniors all around the world are affected by this illness.
At Wayne Valley High school, Senioritis is taking many casualties. When seniors start the decline most of students claiming to have Senioritis are still maintaining As and Bs. Most teachers agree that it starts around the the end of the third marking period, give or take the few students who start at the beginning of the year. The difference is the amount of stress over assignments and the amount of effort they put into them. They begin to see the "light at the end of the tunnel" and get so distracted by it that their motivation plummets.
Most teachers at this school do not find it a problem, however, as much as teachers understand that it happens to even the best of students, it can be an inconvenience, frustrating and even saddening. From that point on, the teachers find it increasingly difficult. One teacher at Valley specifically thinks, "yes, it is definitely an issue, but a personal one, not one I think there should be measures taken to address. It's less of a lack of caring about learning and more of an earned right to slack off after so much effort for most of high school. Though we don't want to try 100% anymore, none of us want to totally bomb the last few months either." Senioritis affects the student more than anything. They are allowing themselves to think that they have graduated long before they are handed their diploma.
This disease does not come out of nowhere. There are many aspects leading up to this. Some include special events such as prom, their job, college acceptances, due dates for different colleges, deciding your major, placement tests, finding a roommate, or just no longer caring. Once these seniors get into college, they feel as if they don't need to work anymore. They believe their time as a highschooler is behind them and they can now carry on with there life, except this mindset starts before it actually happens. Specifically at Wayne Valley, teachers believe more than half of the senior class, getting closer and closer to mostly everyone, is currently suffering from Senioritis.
All though this sickness is practically unavoidable for some students, the school year is not over yet and maintaining grades and attendance is still very important.


The Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor
In O'Conner's "Good Country People" how are the characters' named? Is there any symbolism in them?
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Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman each have symbolism in their names. Both names are symbolic; Mrs. Hopewell 'hopes' so much that she's stuck in a world of cliches. Mrs. Freeman sees things as they truly are. She is 'free' from the conventions that fog everyone else's perceptions and beliefs.
Good Country People


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I have created several large tables in Excel and MATLAB. Since it is very time-consuming to manually copy and paste these tables in LaTeX, I would like to include them as figures in LaTeX. I would really appreciate it if someone could help me with the following questions:
 1. Is it possible to include tables from MATLAB or Excel without having to manually copy and paste the cells in LaTeX?
 2. If I import a table as a figure into LaTeX, how can I change the caption from "Figure" to "Table" and have it listed in the "List of Tables" instead of "List of Figures"?
Thank you very much in advance for your time and help.
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Part 2 is easier. If you include your table inside a table environment (\begin{table}\end{table}), it will appear in the \listoftables. Nothing will stop you from inserting a figure with \includegraphics inside the environment.
For Part 1, I usually print foreign information to PostScript and use \includegraphics from the graphicsx package. You may need to process the file in a drawing application to crop the boundaries.
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Thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate your help. Shabnam – SHA Mar 1 '12 at 19:17
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To answer question 1: There is a Matlab function that exports the data from a Matlab matrix to LaTeX tabular format, check it out here: _URL_
Simple example: In Matlab, type:
matrix2latex(mymatrix,'myfilename.tex') % Creates a file named myfilename.tex
 % with a tabular environment containing
 % the data from mymatrix
In you LaTeX document use:
To include the table in your document as a table.
There is also a similar thing for Excel, a macro if I remember correctly: _URL_
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Our BatchGeo world MAP shows the locations of projects featured on Solaripedia.
While the residents disappeared eons ago, their stone houses have endured the ravages of the sea and time only to be exhumed 5,000 years later. Skara Brae is a stone-built ten-home cluster forming a Neolithic settlement located on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It was occupied from roughly 3180 BCE–2500 BCE. At 5,000 years old, Skara Brae is the best preserved prehistoric village in Northern Europe. The site was continuously occupied for approximately 600 years (about 3100-2500 BCE), providing unique evidence of the daily life in the Orkneys in the late Neolithic era. Skara Brae is semi-subterranean, with village houses linked by a series of low passageways. It was settled within an old refuse heap - a kitchen midden usually associated with a semi-sedentary Mesolithic lifestyle – probably due to the insulative value of the refuse that may have been accumulating for a thousand years. Most of the household furniture as well as the houses were made of stone rather than wood, probably because of the lack of trees in the Orkney Islands and the availability of local stone. Much of the material has survived in the form of hearths, dressers, tables, and even stone beds. The later phase of the village (which can be seen today), consists of six to seven houses, and what may have been a workshop. It is possible that the settlement was originally larger, and that other houses may have been eroded by the sea. (Scroll to bottom for additional resources)
The neolithic settlement of Skara Brae lies near the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill. Skara Brae is the best preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. Skara Brae was discovered in 1850 when a severe storm washed away part of a protective sand dune, uncovering ruins of an ancient community. It was first properly excavated in 1920 by the archaeologist Gordon Vere Childe to present an effective picture of life around 5,000 years ago. Not only are the walls of the structures still standing, and alleyways roofed with their original stone slabs, but the interior fittings of each house give an unparalleled glimpse of life as it was in Neolithic Orkney. A replica construction allows visitors to fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house, inhabited for around 600 years, between 3200BC and 2200BC.
Skara Brae was inhabited before the Egyptian pyramids were built, and flourished for centuries before construction began at Stonehenge. It is around 5,000 years old and its semi-subterranean homes and their furniture survive in impressive condition. The site was given official recognition in 1999 when it was inscribed upon the World Heritage List as part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
The people of Skara Brae were a largely self-sufficient community who fished, kept cattle and pigs, and grew crops on a small scale, mainly barley and some wheat. They used some stone tools, but flint suitable for the manufacture of efficient stone tools is scarce in the Orkneys, so most of their tools were made from bone or wood. It is not known why the village was eventually abandoned. Three similar sites exist in the Orkneys.
Modern photographs of Skara Brae show a village dramatically situated on the shore. This impression is, however, misleading, and scientists believe that a rise in sea level since the Neolithic period in Orkney brought the ocean closer to the village. Sea level change may have reduced the amount of good quality farmland in the area, or in covering fields with slowly advancing sand dunes.
All the houses are well-built of closely-fitting flat stone slabs. They were set into large mounds of midden (household refuse) and linked by covered passages. Each house comprised a single room with a floor space of roughly 40sq m. that includes a large square room with a central fireplace, a bed on either side and a shelved dresser on the wall opposite the doorway. The 'fitted' stone furniture within each room comprised a dresser, where prized objects were probably stored and displayed, two box-beds, a hearth centrally placed and small tanks set into the floor, perhaps for preparing fish bait.
A rich array of artifacts and ecofacts includes gaming dice, hand tools, pottery and jewelry (necklaces, beads, pendants and pins). Most remarkable are the richly carved stone objects, perhaps used in religious rituals. The villagers were farmers, hunters and fishermen, capable of producing items of beauty and sophistication with rudimentary technology. No weapons have been found and the settlement was not in a readily defended location, suggesting a peaceful life.
The End of Village Life
Village life appears to have ended around 2,500 BC. No one knows why. Some argue that it was because a huge sandstorm engulfed their houses, others that it was more gradual. As village life came to an end, new monuments were beginning to rise up on mainland Orkney, including the chambered tomb at Maes Howe and the impressive stone circles at the Ring of Brodgar and Stenness.
In its lifetime, Skara Brae became embedded in its own rubbish and this, together with the encroaching sand dunes, meant the village was gradually abandoned. Thereafter, the settlement was gradually covered by a drifting wall of sand that hid it from sight for more than 40 centuries.
The houses of Skara Brae would seem to bear out the words of Thomas Jefferson regarding stone architecture: "The inhabitants of Europe, who dwell chiefly in houses of stone or brick, are surely as healthy as those of Virginia. These houses have the advantage too of being warmer in winter and cooler in summer than those of wood; of being cheaper in their first construction, where line convenient, and infinitely more durable... A country whose buildings are of wood, can never increase in its improvements to any considerable degree. There duration is highly estimated at 50 years. Every half century then our country becomes a tabula rasa, whereon we have to set out anew, as in the first moment of seating it. Whereas when buildings are of durable materials, every new edifice is an actual and permanent acquisition to the state, adding to its value as well as to its ornament."
Skara Brae Turf Case Study (899 kb)
Skara Brae VSCG Case Study (157 kb)


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Pub. date: 2008 | Online Pub. Date: June 25, 2008 | DOI: 10.4135/9781412963978 | Print ISBN: 9781412909280 | Online ISBN: 9781412963978| Publisher:SAGE Publications, Inc.About this encyclopedia
Fred H. Borgen
The assessment of different measures, such as an individual's interests or personality, can influence career development and counseling, giving both the individual and the career counselor useful information for decision making. This entry discusses three central points regarding career assessment: (1) career assessment has a long and distinguished history forged by some of the leading test developers in psychology; (2) the reliability, validity, and usefulness of career assessment measures are unsurpassed in psychology; and (3) comprehensive and multivariate assessment with a variety of high-quality and specific measures will best reflect the individuality that underlies career development. Modern psychological assessment began just over 100 years ago when Alfred Binet created the first intelligence test in 1905. Some 15 years later at Carnegie Institute of Technology, a number of pioneering psychologists were devising ways to measure vocational interests. From that work emerged in 1927 E. K. Strong's Vocational Interest Blank, a powerful...


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Bridge of Allan is a small town situated in the Stirling council area in Scotland. It is located in the northern part of Stirling. It lies on the banks of the Allan Water, a tributary of the River Forth. The administration formerly was under the control of the Central Regional Council.
The local people here are known as the Maeatae and the religion followed here is Christianity. Bridge of Allan is a very densely populated residential town with a population of about 4800. Hundreds of visitors often visit Bridge of Allan, to enjoy the sheltered climate. The climate here is often good with mild drizzles in afternoons and early evenings.
The town receives low to moderate rainfall in the month of September and October. The Bridge of Allan Spa received 1,000 gallons of mineral water daily in around 1820 that accommodated 30,000 visitors a year. It is thus a good place for agriculture because of the availability of water.
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One of the council area of Scotland is a peninsula called as Fife. It is bordered by the Firth of Forth towards the south, by the North Sea towards the east and by the Firth of Tay...
On the east coast of Scotland in Fife, Kirkcaldy is a town. It is bounded by Glenrothes towards the north, Edinburgh towards the south, Leven towards the east and Dunfermline...


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Deferasirox for the Treatment of Chronic Iron Overload in Transfusional Hemosiderosis
Deferasirox for the Treatment of Chronic Iron Overload in Transfusional Hemosiderosis
Purpose: This report describes the Food and Drug Administration's review of data and analyses leading to the approval of the oral iron chelator, deferasirox for the treatment of chronic iron overload due to transfusional hemosiderosis.
Experimental Design: The FDA reviewed findings of a controlled, open-label, randomized multicenter phase III study of deferasirox vs deferoxamine in 586 patients with beta-thalessemia and transfusional hemosiderosis. The study results as well as the results of the FDA review of chemistry, preclinical pharmacology, and supportive studies are described.
Results: Following 48 weeks of treatment in the phase III study, patients' liver iron concentrations (a key endpoint variable) had decreased an average of 2.4 mg of iron (Fe)/g dry weight (dw) and 2.9 mg Fe/g dw in the deferasirox and deferoxamine groups, respectively, despite continued blood transfusions in both cohorts. Deferasirox was associated with serum creatinine increases in approximately a third of patients. Common adverse events included gastrointestinal symptoms and skin rash. Other data provided supportive evidence of deferasirox safety and efficacy.
Conclusions: The FDA granted deferasirox accelerated approval on November 2, 2005, for use in treating chronic iron overload due to transfusional hemosiderosis in patients ≥ 2 years of age. The sponsor must obtain clinical data demonstrating the drug's long-term safety and effectiveness.
Red blood cell transfusion therapy administered on a long-term, recurrent basis is a mainstay in the treatment of several chronic congenital and acquired anemias.[1-3] However, patients receiving such transfusions may consequently develop transfusional hemosiderosis, a major complication of iron overload that sometimes results in heart failure, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, or other endocrinopathies.[4-6]
Lessening the body's iron burden through chelation therapy with the parenteral agent deferoxamine has been shown to prevent or delay the complications of transfusional hemosiderosis.[1,2] However, the pharmacologic features of deferoxamine require its prolonged infusion, usually for 8 to 12 hours at least 5 days a week. This inconvenience and infectious complications associated with the route of administration limit compliance with the deferoxamine regimen, and patients may consequently develop progressive manifestations of transfusional hemosiderosis.[7,8]
Deferasirox (Exjade) was developed for use as an orally administered therapeutic iron chelation agent.[9,10] Its safety and efficacy were demonstrated in 48-week controlled clinical trials (with some patients entering extension studies of up to 3 years duration). This review summarizes the major clinical and supportive data and the regulatory process leading to the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) approval of deferasirox for use in the treatment of chronic iron overload resulting from transfusional hemosiderosis in patients ≥ 2 years of age.
Prior to the approval of deferasirox, the only drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of transfusional hemosiderosis was deferoxamine.[12,13] Because deferoxamine must be administered parenterally over 8 to 12 hours, the FDA regarded an oral alternative to deferoxamine as an important, unmet medical need. The original deferasirox investigational drug application was submitted on June 30, 1999, and deferasirox received FDA Fast Track status on February 21, 2003. The Fast Track program facilitates development and expedites review of new drugs for serious or life-threatening conditions not otherwise being addressed. Additionally, because of the relative rarity of transfusional hemosiderosis, the FDA designated deferasirox an Orphan Drug (a product that treats a disease affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans). On November 2, 2005, deferasirox received accelerated approval; this approval category requires the sponsor to demonstrate the drug's long-term safety and efficacy.
Iron Metabolism and Chelation Therapy
The process of iron metabolism in the human body (including the limitations on iron excretion) has been well described.[4,5] In a state of metabolic balance, the human body absorbs 1 to 2 mg of iron daily from the diet and loses a similar amount through cellular sloughing. Iron administration in excess of this amount results in sequestration within the body, where it accumulates in end organs and can result in toxicity and organ damage. Since transfusional therapy may require administration of 2 to 3 units of red blood cells per month (each unit containing 200-250 mg of iron [Fe]), patients may present evidence of transfusional hemosiderosis within a few years of monthly transfusions.
Methods to monitor iron stores in patients undergoing long-term transfusion therapy are limited in utility and meaningfulness. Serum ferritin measurement is convenient but correlates incompletely with the body's iron stores. Measurement of iron concentration in a liver tissue biopsy sample is thought to more accurately reflect total body iron stores. Normally, iron concentration in the liver is < 1.5 mg Fe/g dry weight (dw). In patients with hemosiderosis, liver iron concentration (LIC) usually exceeds 2 mg Fe/g dw and may reach ≥ 55 mg Fe/g dw. A patient's cumulative blood transfusion history has been shown to correlate with LIC.[1,4]
A correlation between LIC and the risk of cirrhosis and cardiac damage has not been established.[6,15] However, exploration of the clinical utility of LIC has been especially limited by the invasive nature of liver biopsy. This limitation has prompted the development of noninvasive methods to measure LIC. Assessment techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic field detection procedures using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) were partially explored in the deferasirox clinical development program.
Deferasirox is the active component of Exjade tablets for oral suspension. Designated chemically as 4-[3,5-Bis (2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]-benzoic acid, this agent is a white to slightly yellow powder with a molecular formula of C21H15N3O4 and a molecular weight of 373.4. The structural formula of deferasirox is shown in Figure 1.
The drug product is a tablet in three strengths: 125, 250, and 500 mg. Doses should be calculated so that whole tablets will be used (rounded to the nearest whole tablet). Tablets are not swallowed directly but are dispersed in 3.5 oz of liquid for doses < 1 g or in 7.0 oz of liquid for doses > 1 g. Patients should drink the resulting suspension. The suspension should be used immediately after preparation.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Deferasirox is a member of the tridentate iron chelator class of drugs. Two molecules of deferasirox bind one ferric atom.
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion
Deferasirox was rapidly absorbed following single oral doses in mice, rats, dogs, marmosets, monkeys, and humans. The drug and its iron complex were extensively bound (> 98%) to plasma proteins in all species tested, including man. Whole-body autoradiography tissue distribution studies in rats showed the highest levels of radioactivity in the gastrointestinal tract and excretory organs (liver, kidneys, and intestine). Regardless of the route of administration, deferasirox was excreted predominantly via bile/feces in all tested species. Renal excretion of deferasirox and its metabolites was approximately 8% of the administered dose.
The major target organ of deferasirox toxicity in all tested animal species was the kidney; toxicity in other target organs (eye, heart, gastrointestinal tract) varied according to species. Deferasirox was not tumorigenic in rats and transgenic mice.
In humans, peak deferasirox plasma levels were achieved 1 to 4 hours after oral administration. The mean maximum blood concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration—time curve (AUC) values of deferasirox and its iron complex increased in a dose-related manner within a dose range of 2.5 to 80 mg/kg. Deferasirox steady-state was achieved after 3 days of daily dosing. The drug's terminal half-life ranged from 8 to 16 hours following oral administration. In vitro metabolism studies in human liver microsomes and human hepatocytes have shown deferasirox to be primarily metabolized by glucuronidation, with an acyl-glucuronide being the major metabolite.


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The article refers to Sir Peter Gershon's address to the ISACA Oceania conference in Canberra, where the Elephant in the Room was identified in the context of public sector governance of IT but applies equally in business:
"Realising the dream of world class governance of IT in the public sector largely depends on the behaviour of those at the top."The article goes on to explain why leadership in governance is needed; Directing and controlling the use of IT is part of the much bigger picture of directing and controlling the business.
"IT is an enabler of radical change. But, the mere act of buying or building an IT solution does not of itself deliver the change – a reality that has been proven again and again through the failures of projects where there seems to have been a delightfully naïve expectation that this would indeed be the case."After reading the article I'm looking forward to reading Mark Toomey's new book, Waltzing with the Elephant.


Food Safety Tips for MAYA Pancakes
Making pancakes can be a really wonderful family bonding experience. Since your kids will be working in the kitchen with you, here are a few tips to make sure everyone gets the most out of the activity while keeping safety a top priority.
 1. Always check the expiration date of products you'll be using. If expired, discard immediately to avoid food poisoning.
 2. Before flipping the hotcake, always check if it has enough bubbles (they appear at the edge of the pancake) and if it is dry around the edges. Uncooked batter may be harmful to your kids if ingested.
 3. Do not eat raw pancake batter before cooking it.
 4. Always read the ingredients of the pancake mix. Most pancake mixes contain highly allergenic food such as eggs, wheat, and milk.
 5. 10428322_10152614947175774_94132885453099820_o
 6. Avoid adding too much pancake flavors (e.g. berries or chocolate chips) because it can weigh down the batter and prevent the hotcake to cook properly, and it can cause burnt fillings. A few spoonfuls of blueberries per batch or a few banana slices per pancake will do. Additional tip: Lighter ingredients give your pancakes more texture.
 7. Preparing the batter the night before will result in flatter pancakes. Leavening agents like baking soda act on wet ingredients immediately. The longer the batter sits, the less effective those agents will be.
 8. Bring your wet ingredients to room temperature before adding. Cold liquids and eggs produce soggy hotcakes.
 9. Use a small measuring cup like ¼ or 1/3 to ensure uniformly sized pancakes. Irregular sized hotcakes are harder to cook evenly.
 10. 12042914_10153721950855774_7132375026593257192_n
 11. To cook a perfect hotcake, you can use either an electric griddle set to the lowest setting, or a regular skillet at low to medium-low heat. If your pan temperature is too high, you can get a burnt cake; if too low, it can turn out flat and tough.
 12. Discard cracked and dirty eggs. Bacteria from dirt or chicken droppings on the outside of the shell can enter the egg through cracks that are sometimes too fine to see. Once inside the egg, bacteria can grow, increasing the risk of illness.
 13. Supervise children in the kitchen at all times.
 14. Clean up as you go along.
Take these tips to heart, and all your pancake making sessions will not only be deliciously enjoyable, but worry-free as well. Once you've mastered the art of making the perfect pancake, you may want to try your hand at some MAYA pancake art.
For more tips, articles, and recipes, visit and
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The law frequently distinguishes between individualized knowledge (awareness that one's act will harm a particular victim, e.g., driving through an intersection while aware that one's automobile is likely to injure a pedestrian) and statistical knowledge (awareness that one's activity or multiple acts will, to a high statistical likelihood, harm one or more potential victims, e.g., proceeding with a large construction project that one confidently predicts will result in worker injuries). Under tort and criminal law doctrine, acting with individualized knowledge is ordinarily much more difficult to justify, and, if unjustified, much more culpable, than acting with statistical knowledge. Yet the distinction is very difficult to explain and defend.
Statistical Knowledge Deconstructed,
Boston University Law Review
Available at: _URL_


AR# 2224
VERILOG-XL: Error! Module (...) has a 'timescale directive but previous modules do not
Keywords: Verilog, Verilog-XL, timescale
Urgency: Standard
General Description:
When simulating with Verilog-XL, what does the following error mean:
The 'timescale compiler directive is optional. Designs that do not
contain this require no modification and the default of 1 ns / 1 ns is used.
However, if the design includes a 'timescale compiler directive for any
module definition, then all other modules definitions require this as well.
Otherwise, Verilog-XL flags this as an error.
The 'timescale can be declared in any file.
The UNISIMS has 100ps / 10ps.
The SIMPRIMS has 1ps / 1ps.
The glbl.v has 100ps / 10ps.
The smallest precision of all the timescale directives determines the time
unit of the simulation. For example,
'timescale 1 ns / 10 ps
module1 ();
'timescale 100 ns / 1 ns
module2 ();
'timescale 1 ps / 100 fs
module3 ();
The first timescale indicates that the time units for module1 are in multiples
of 1 ns and it is precise to 10 ps. Thus, the smallest timestep for the
simulator is 10 ps.
The second timescale is 100 ns / 1 ns. Since 1 ns is greater than 10 ps,
the smallest timestep remains 10 ps.
The third timescale is 1 ps / 100 fs. Since 100 fs is smaller than 10 ps,
the smallest simulator timestep now becomes 100 fs.
AR# 2224
日期 05/05/2004
状态 Archive
Type 综合文章
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text:
Timely Topic Lessons
Elections can be stressful for teachers. Tensions can run high. Debates become emotional. Everyone has strong opinions, and discussions often devolve into arguments. How can we teach students to debate respectfully? To stand up for what they believe in, but to disagree without being disagreeable?
Teach your students how to navigate these tricky times together. We've put together three FREE mini-lessons (approximately 15 minutes each) to help students understand how to disagree and debate respectfully with one another.
Fill out the form and get immediate access to Respectful Debate. (It happens pretty fast, so if you don't see it in your email, double check your junk mail. We may be new to you and your computer may not know us yet!)


Featured Posts
Mandatory Celibacy –A Pitfall for Sin?
It's a very delicate topic to talk about but with respect, it's necessary to bring to light the problems arising from the natural urges for sexual pleasure in the celibate life. Maybe I am too simple, but I don't understand celibacy. To this day, it doesn't fit with my logic, so without wanting to offend anyone, I will try to demystify this confusing subject.
When we see a priest, we can't imagine that they can have sexual desires as we see them close to God because of the environment they live in and/or because of the vestments they are wearing. Therefore, we don't see them as normal human beings with normal emotional or sexual desires. In spite of that, unless a priest is asexual, he is most likely to feel the sexual urges and desires.
To be celibate means that you must be sexually abstinent. As we know, it's more difficult for a man than a woman to not fantasize without having a sexual desire as they are more physical in nature than a woman who is more emotional. And so, it's more difficult for them to resist and win every time it occurs.
He must be abstinent not only physically but also mentally so as to respect his engagement to celibacy, because the fantasy leads to sexual urges for action. A priest vows or promises to God to be abstinent during his whole vocation life-time, therefore, sexual intercourse is prohibited.
From here arises some questions that are worth looking at because there are unspoken facts just like a big elephant in the room, and respectfully, we can't pretend that it doesn't exist.
What about self-simulation to gain sexual pleasure? As we know, self-stimulation, according to the Church's teachings is a sin as fornication is a sin which is also experienced. Would it be naive and deceitful to say that those practices don't exist in the clergy? So why is it not mentioned being as it seems to be the downside of celibacy and has an important impact on society?
Is mandatory celibacy more likely to lead to sin because of the obligation to restrain from natural desires? Is a priest more at risk to fantasize, self-stimulate and fornicate therefore violate his vow/promise to God to remain chaste? It's said that priests are married to the Church and to God. If so, isn't it committing adultery?
Honestly, is it fair to say that if all priests were faithful to their vows of chastity and obedient to the law of celibacy their entire lives, that they still fell into sin by self-stimulation, especially knowing that is impossible for any human being to resist acting on urges without fail for an entire lifetime? So, knowing this to be a fact, is it fair to say that the law of celibacy along with the vow of chastity was perpetually broken since the day of their existence?
Knowing this to be true, is it fair to say that mandatory celibacy is, in fact, a pitfall for sin?
Would it be also fair to say that optional celibacy gives the opportunity to explore the sexual life without guilt, therefore making it less likely to fornicate and self-stimulate since there is the option to be married?
If I understand it correctly, the difference between mandatory and optional celibacy is that mandatory celibacy obliges the priest to restrain his urges without the absolute certainty that he can uphold his vows, and that optional celibacy ensures the priest has the freedom to take responsibility for his choice, knowing what celibacy itself is expecting from him if he thinks that he is strong enough to be faithful to his promise to God, and if he isn't, then he can choose marriage so as not to fall into temptation and sin, as long as he marries out of love to avoid divorce.
I would like to point out that divorce is a concern about married priests by the clergy.
When we look at this closely, we realize the fact that as we speak, there are thousands of secret relationships which are sinful because they are not married and to add to this there are thousands of children born out of wedlock.
I don't understand it. Why are we concerned about potential divorce which can't be counted as fact since the law of celibacy is in force? Are we only assuming about something not yet to be born, without giving the credit that marriage can work if optional celibacy was granted?
Now we can't forget that a marriage is not only composed of physical and sexual attraction but also with love which makes marriages durable, we must give credit to this amazing sacrament and to the mature couple involved.
The sacrament of marriage has no less value than celibacy. We know that celibacy, even though is a gift, is still not a sacrament and can be a concern as much as divorce is because women and children of priests are victimized by mandatory celibacy. A priest needs to explore their sexuality one time or another during their ministry life, which is natural and part of their human hood, but who will suffer for it? We can surely say that sins are not avoided because a priest is celibate when we look at the number of secret relationships out of marriage aside from giving oneself pleasure.
More sins are committed because of celibacy right now than it would be with marriage if the clergy would consider it instead of being afraid of something they don't know about. They can't give expertise on divorce rates for married priests since they have nothing upon which to base their claim.
I believe that we need to be truthful and approach this situation with honesty without disregarding any facts to have a fair verdict on what is best for everybody involvedpriests, children of priests and women, not only for the benefice or for the beliefs and teachings of the clergy.
Dear reader, I hope that you found values in those points. If I may respectfully say, I think that the reasons behind celibacy need to be revised.
"But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband." 1 Corinthians 7:2 ESV
Louise Ouellet
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Suppose $F$ is a field s.t $\left|F\right|=q$. Take $p$ to be some prime. How many monic irreducible polynomials of degree $p$ can exist over $F$?
share|improve this question
What have you tried? (Think about subextensions of $\mathbb{F}_{q^p}$ over $\mathbb{F}_q$.) – Qiaochu Yuan May 23 '11 at 9:31
_USER_: Thanks, got the idea and found the answer... will write it down here soon! – IBS May 23 '11 at 13:25
2 Answers 2
up vote 22 down vote accepted
The number of such polynomials is exactly $\displaystyle \frac{q^{p}-q}{p}$ and this is the proof:
The two main facts which we use (and which I will not prove here) are that $\mathbb{F}_{q^{p}}$ is the splitting field of the polynomial $g\left(x\right)=x^{q^{p}}-x$,
and that every monic irreducible polynomial of degree $p$ divides $g$.
Now: $\left|\mathbb{F}_{q^{p}}:\mathbb{F}_{q}\right|=p$ and therefore there could be no sub-extensions. Therefore, every irreducible polynomial that divides $g$ must be of degree $p$ or 1. Since each linear polynomial over $\mathbb{F}_{q}$ divides $g$ (since for each $a\in \mathbb{F}_{q}$, $g(a)=0$), and from the fact that $g$ has distinct roots, we have exactly $q$ different linear polynomials that divide $g$.
Multiplying all the irreducible monic polynomials that divide $g$ will give us $g$, and therefore summing up their degrees will give us $q^{p}$.
So, if we denote the number of monic irreducible polynomials of degree $p$ by $k$ (which is the number we want), we get that $kp+q=q^{p}$, i.e $\displaystyle k=\frac{q^{p}-q}{p}$.
share|improve this answer
Nice answer and question as well! +1 for both... Btw, you can accept your own answers? – Kugelblitz Mar 10 at 13:40
the number of monic irreducible polynomials of degree $n$ over the ﬁnite ﬁeld $\mathbb{F}_{q}$ is given by Gauss's formula $$\frac{1}{n}\sum\limits_{d \mid n} \ \mu(n/d) \cdot q^{d}$$
For a complete proof : Please refer
 - Abstract Algebra: Dummit and Foote, Chapter 14, Galois theory, Pages $567-568$.
 - You might also want to see this paper, which actually presents a new idea of counting irreducible polynomials using Inclusion - Exclusion Principle. Link: _URL_
share|improve this answer
Just knowing the answer is not useful to anybody. I also suspect that this is a homework problem based on the condition on degrees, so please don't give answers like that. – Qiaochu Yuan May 23 '11 at 9:40
_USER_: Ok... – user9413 May 23 '11 at 11:20
_USER_: the proof presented in that paper is not new; it is equivalent to the classical proof by Mobius inversion. Inclusion-exclusion is a special case of Mobius inversion on a poset. – Qiaochu Yuan May 23 '11 at 11:24
_USER_: i hope you don't mind, but Qiaochu is right and this was a homework qeustion about the extension $\mathbb{F}_{q^{p}}\geq\mathbb{F}_{q}$. I actually used Quaochu's comment to find the answer myself... appreciate the help. – IBS May 23 '11 at 13:24
_USER_: Hey no problem. I never thought about it. Anyhow good that you got the answer. That is important. – user9413 May 23 '11 at 13:25
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Tower Hill School: Promising Practices for the Classroom
Below are the promising practices that were presented to faculty on November 10, 2017. Thank you to all the faculty who shared both their promising classroom practices and their intercultural pain for the workshop! Also below is a form for submitting additional classroom tactics, followed by a form for submitting an intercultural classroom challenge.
Promising Practices: Intercultural Learning
Rolling Seat Assignment (aka. Front Row Experience)
- Article: news.ok.ubc.ca/2014/10/03/front-row-seating-encourages-cultural-diversity-by-accident/
- Presentation by Dr. John Burton & Noreen Website: _URL_.aspx
Rotating Pairs and Small Groups
Constantly remixing pairs and small groups that work with one another on problem sheets, labs, presentations and the like.
- Have the students choose;
- Have them placed randomly;
- Rare for a small group to be one gender or one cultural background.
From Timothy Weymouth, Science Department Chair, Middle School Science
Integrate Diversity in Exam Questions, Explain American References, Provide Incentive
- Feature non-Anglo names in exam questions. For example, Brendan may be the owner of a bagel shop, Kai may sell cut flowers, Suneetha may be a venture capitalist.
- Explain local culturally-specific examples for the benefit of international students: PB&J (don't assume local students know).
- Extra credit questions always have to do with world events and world news rather than American news.
From Patricia Carlozzi, Upper School Economics
Including non-Western texts that fit the thematic elements of a course.
- For example, including the Korean novel The Story of Hong Gildong (in Beowulf's Band of Brothers course) which features a Korean hero who is a classical icon in the Korean psyche (as Jay Gatsby might be to American cultural identity).
- Comparing non-Western hero-figures and their culture to that of the European warriors, such as Beowulf, Cuchulain, and Hrolf Kraki.
From Coleen Hubler, Upper School English
Recognize that institutional systems or race, class, and gender emphasize the importance of western art and actively and consciously work against this bias:
- Students are encouraged to see both themselves and those that are different from them in every way reflected in the artists and artwork studied;
- Each class begins with a mindful drawing/discussion warm up exercise using a master artwork as a prompt with an emphasis on non-Western art, artists of color, female, and non-binary artists.
From Jane Chesson, Lower School Art
Integrating multicultural content
- Through multicultural read-alouds and studying cultures of other countries (first grade).
From Ellie Bailer, 1st Grade
Focusing on Global Problems in Class
"I teach lessons that focus on global problems such as polluted drinking water, the use of solar power when electricity isn't available, and how to get crops to a market when trucks cannot do the job. In these lessons students observe that some things are different, like villages with limited electricity. They also learn how much we have in common with people from different countries and cultures. We still all need clean water, a safe way to prepare food, stay clean, and earn a wage. Students can be guided into loving problem solving."
Supporting International & Newcomer Students
Be explicit about your expectations around class engagement:
- For example, 20% of the overall grade.
- Be specific around frequency: "I need to hear from you once every three classes."
Provide explicit instructions on how and when to interrupt:
- Don't assume students know how to raise their hands. Might require coaching.
- Provide the language: "Excuse me, may I..."
- Let students know what you prefer.
Provide alternate methods of class engagement:
- Asking a question in class.
- Sending you an email with a question of comment.
- Writing a question or comment on a note card.
Integrating Diversity into Your Curriculum
Ask students for international examples, and have students present:
- Aim for 5 to 10 "global examples" per term.
- Students submit a suggestion on a note card.
- Script for writing the suggestion is provided: "I have a global example of the lesson you provided. It is... I would like the opportunity to share that example at the beginning of next class. My email is..."
- Students present, you collect the examples for future use.
Use examples of social oppression or discrimination as the subject matter for teaching grammar:
- For example, when teaching about the difference of passive and active voice, use examples of how the media speaks about Aboriginal and First Nations People using the passive voice, and discuss what impact that might have on the public perception of Indigenous Peoples in North America.
From Jennifer Walsh Marr, Lecturer, Academic English Program, UBC Vantage College
Use multicultural literature and film to build intercultural attitudes and increase cultural literacy:
Supporting Courageous Conversations
Enforce an explicit "community agreement":
- Listen, and give each other adequate space to speak.
- Participate fully (assume people want to hear you).
- No one owns a monopoly on the truth.Challenge yourself (find that place between comfort and discomfort)
- Challenge each other respectfully: ask questions, refrain from personal attacks. Focus on ideas, perspectives and not people.
- Speak from your own experience instead of generalizing ("I" instead of "they," "we," and "you").
- Not about winning or losing. We are all here to learn.
- The goal is not to agree: it is to gain a deeper understanding.
- Be conscientious about non-verbal cues (your body language).
Don't burden your "diverse students" to educate the class
- Don't assume that the Black, Asian, Latino, white, indigenous Muslim, Christian, Jewish student, or student with a disability will have any literacy or confidence about their identity, identity politics, or their community and could speak about it with the class.
Provide methods of anonymous engagement:
Anonymous engagement creates an environment where students can share their perspective or experience without fear of being judged by their fellow students. Below are some methods I use regularly to encourage engagement and foster courageous conversations:
- Snowball Toss technique: leadershipchallenge.com/resource/snowball-toss.aspx
- Anonymous feedback form online


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- More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon
- Greatest depth occurs at the Nevado Ampato extinct volcano
Colca Canyon is located in southern Peru. It is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon but it is not as deep as its sister Cotahuasi Canyon. The canyon was created by the Colca River which starts high in the Andes mountains flowing through the canyon and changing names twice before flowing into the Pacific Ocean.
The greatest depth of the canyon occurs at Nevado Ampato, an extinct volcano, with a vertical rise of 20,630 feet (6,288 m). The Colca Canyon is home to the Andean Condor which is a frequent attraction for visitors who watch the condors soar through the air hunting for food.
Best way to see and experience the Colca Canyon
More will follow on the Colca Canyon as it is declared an official or notable wonder of South America.