Mapping COVID-19: What sustainability organizations can learn from the COVID-19 data dashboard
The data tracking mechanisms to inform the public about the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 provide useful insights for the sustainability community of organizations working to mitigate the impacts of environmental and social challenges.
How can sustainability organizations use data to address urgent and critical global challenges?
The COVID-19 GIS interactive dashboard looks similar to dashboards created to address sustainability challenges, yet sustainability organizations still face operational and data management challenges that hinder data contributions to such efforts. These lessons from the COVID-19 dashboard are useful for sustainability organizations:
 1. Manual data tracking mechanisms are unsustainable for global issues that require coordinated solutions.
 2. Tackling global issues requires a data strategy.
 3. Multiple trusted data sources are critical in forming a more detailed picture of global challenges.
 4. Open data is the only way that data in the public interest can be delivered at the speed, scale, and periodicity necessary to enable effective responses to global issues.
COVID-19 GIS Interactive Web-Based Dashboard Source
Source: COVID-19 GIS Interactive Web-Based Dashboard, Johns Hopkins University
Background on the COVID-19 GIS Dashboard (Updated February 11, 2020)
In response to the ongoing public health emergency, Johns Hopkins University developed an interactive web-based dashboard hosted by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. The dashboard visualizes and tracks reported cases of COVID-19 in almost real-time. It was first shared publicly on January 22 and illustrates the location and number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, deaths, and recoveries for all affected countries. Cases are reported at the province level in China, city level in the U.S., Australia and Canada, and at the country level otherwise.
The dashboard was developed to provide researchers, public health authorities, and the general public with a user-friendly tool to track the outbreak as it unfolds. Further, all the data collected and displayed is made freely available, initially as Google Sheets, now in a GitHub repository, along with the feature layers of the dashboard, which are now included in the ESRI Living Atlas.
What could sustainability organizations learn from this dashboard to advance their missions?
1. Manual data tracking mechanisms for global issues requiring coordinated solutions are unsustainable.
'From January 22-31 the entire data collection and processing was managed manually. During this period, the number of updates were typically conducted twice a day, both morning and night (Eastern Time). As the outbreak evolved, the manual reporting process became unsustainable, and on February 1, we adopted a semi-automated living data stream strategy.'
For sustainability professionals, the situation described above illustrates a high-speed scenario on the limitations of data collection methods we use today to address critical social and environmental challenges. While sustainability data is increasingly collected in digital formats, it is often still manual data collection. This is because without rules for systematic collection and consistent formatting, the data is not easily accessible or retrievable on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, this makes data sharing and use difficult while undermining the value of sustainability efforts in the digital age where data sits behind evidence of impact.
2. Tackling global issues requires a data strategy.
Another lesson we can learn from the development of the COVID-19 dashboard is that starting small, where you are, is usually the only way to start creating value with data. For the dashboard, this meant starting with manual collection of available data in China where the outbreak began. For sustainability organizations like sustainability standards, a place to start could be using a few key data streams or reports (e.g. reports to supply chain actors about certified product volumes) to realize value in using sustainability data. In broader sector initiatives like LandScale, a landscape-level sustainability initiative, the starting place could be data capture and reporting over time for a few key impact indicators at the landscape level.
The next useful step when it is clear that much broader collaboration on data is needed, is developing a plan of action with data or a data strategy. We already know that we need broader collaboration using data to address sustainability challenges. Collaboration can include data sharing among organizations working on tackling the same sustainability issues or sharing of insights in the use of trusted external data sources such as the World Database on Protected Areas. Some organizations are developing data strategies to make the most effective use of their sustainability data assets. However, a broader dialogue about a sector-wide data strategy for sustainability is needed. How can we work effectively to create a broader sustainability sector data strategy to address complex challenges more efficiently?
Admittedly, the difference with the COVID-19 pandemic and sustainability challenges is that defining the challenge and solutions (e.g. mitigating the spread of COVID-19) can be more complex for sustainability issues. Nevertheless, a good start lies in defining data products or services to describe and illustrate key challenges like deforestation, species loss, and forced labor so that charting a collective effort towards solutions is possible.
Defining data use goals or objectives (data for what?) by first exploring data products and services offered to stakeholders is an important first step in data governance. This step helps to set the direction and scale of data-related efforts so that organizations can understand their data, including how it flows and to whom. It is the first step in creating value with data on a consistent basis (e.g. more informed decision-making and high-quality impacts evidence reports).
See the data sources for the COVID-19 GIS Dashboard.
Coordinated global data initiatives rely on a range of information sources. In the case of the COVID-19 virus, Johns Hopkins University relies on a range of official public health sources to report on the spread of the virus. Naturally, they go to national government sources collecting the most authoritative data on the health of their populations.
Trusted sources may be more numerous and nuanced in the case of sustainability challenges, which is why collaboration across organizations is also useful so we can share which data sources are commonly used for decision-making. Knowing which data sources various organizations use has an added benefit. These sources can then become a foundation for broader collaborations on data such as for data dashboards. For sustainability challenges, what are the set of trusted sources of global data on deforestation, species loss, child labor, and other major sustainability issues?
A good example of data collaboration among trusted sources is the ISEAL Certification Atlas which brings together geospatial data from sustainability standards across a range of sectors. Initiatives such as Data Collaboratives are also emerging to build data collaborations.
Besides knowing about shared data sources, it is also important to be aware of how these sources are maintained and licensed for use by your organization for decision-making. Data licensing and data policy are important elements of data governance. Basing management decisions on external data sources requires careful vetting to ensure decisions are based on high-quality data that is regularly updated using good data management practices. How could sustainability organizations work together to identify key data sources and use them in a coordinated way?
What if the COVID-19 dashboard team had to negotiate data-sharing contracts with each national government before they could access and publish data on new cases of COVID-19? It is easy to make the case for global public health data to be open and available for the benefit of improving the health and longevity of people. But what about sustainability data needed to address issues critical for the sustainability of our environment and life on earth? More data could be made available to the public from sustainability standards and other sustainability organizations to speed sustainability solutions and collaborations.
While open data practices have not taken root among sustainability organizations, open data is the only way we can trigger meaningful, large scale ripple effects with sustainability data. It is also the only practical approach to operationalizing an agile data policy where an organization knows its data intimately, identifies its legal obligations to share it, and understands how it can create value by making its data available for use by a wide range of stakeholders. Data governance can help organizations understand their data streams and set objectives to help them craft data policies that advance their missions. Does your organization have a public-facing data policy indicating how available data and information can be shared and used? Is an open data policy being considered at your organization?
Most organizations are currently still focused on understanding their data in order to manage it responsibly, especially in light of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This new regulation puts focus on the identification of the personal data an organization holds and processes, on the development of privacy and data policies, and on adapting legal terms in data sharing and general service agreements to reflect personal data rights and uses.
While the COVID-19 dashboard informs us about a global pandemic of immediate urgency, the same principles and conditions for data collection, use and sharing impact sustainability organizations and the issues where they want to make an impact.
If this article resonated with you regarding your organization's use of data, please share your reflections and thoughts. Some questions where I would appreciate your input:
 1. Would access to a vetted list of sustainability data sources be helpful for your organization's data efforts and decision-making?
 2. Would you be interested in an initiative that coordinates data sources and data sharing by organizations for specific sustainability issues?
Leave a Reply


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If you're looking for quality LSAT tutoring in Rio de Janeiro, Varsity Tutors has you covered with excellent private instruction opportunities. The LSAT, or the Law School Admission Test, takes about two and a half hours to complete and assesses the skills and knowledge one would need to know to be successful in law school. If you are graduating or have graduated from a school such as the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and are hoping to attend a law school in the United States or Canada, you're likely to be required to take the LSAT. The exam assesses you on Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Writing. If you have a hard time with any of these topics or simply want to increase your skills, signing up for private Rio de Janeiro LSAT tutoring can be the resource you need to put your best foot forward.
There are many benefits to be gained from signing up for private instruction as you prepare for your LSAT. The one-on-one environment, which can be difficult to find in a traditional classroom setting, provides your teacher with the chance to get to know you. He or she can spend time learning your professional goals, your academic strengths and weaknesses, and your preferred method of learning. With this information, you can receive instruction which is customized to fit your learning style. As an example, if you're an auditory student, your private Rio de Janeiro LSAT tutoring sessions would look different than those of someone who prefers a visual learning style. Your teacher could provide lessons using a lecture style or give you a recording on how to draw a well-supported conclusion to listen to at your leisure
In addition to personalizing the lessons to suit your method of learning, private LSAT tutoring in Rio de Janeiro can spend time focusing on the exact content you most need to review. If you've already mastered most of the skills found in the Logical Reasoning section, your instructor can help you review for the Reading Comprehension section instead. If you have strong Writing skills but have a difficult time with Analytical Reasoning, your Rio de Janeiro LSAT tutoring sessions can focus on your ability to infer what could or must be true based on the provided information.
In addition to reviewing the content you'll encounter on the exam, your LSAT tutoring in Rio de Janeiro can include sessions on the format of the exam. Your teacher can give you opportunities to take a practice test in a similar environment you'll find on test day. Each section has a specific time limit and you can practice your pacing ahead of time so you can feel at ease on exam day. Your Rio de Janeiro LSAT tutor can also give you advice on different strategies to use on test day. For example, your instructor can help you practice using the process of elimination on your exam as a way to improve your chances of choosing the correct answer to questions. This is important because your LSAT score will be based on the number of correct answers you get. There is no penalty for getting a question wrong, so you'll want to make sure to at least make an educated guess on each question. Your instructor can also assist you in practicing your Writing skills. Although the Writing sample is unscored, it is sent with your scores to any school you apply to, so it's important to demonstrate your argumentative writing skills.
To get started with LSAT tutoring in Rio de Janeiro, contact Varsity Tutors. We can have you connected to an instructor in as little as 24 hours to help you work towards your LSAT goals.
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text:
Lafayette Escadrille (läˌfēĕtˈ, lăfˌēĕtˈ ĕskədrĭlˈ) [key], small group of American volunteer aviators in World War I, created (Apr., 1916) as Escadrille Américaine in the French air service. It was renamed the Lafayette Escadrille in December of the same year in honor of the French hero's service in the American Revolution, and the outfit saw much frontline action and suffered heavy casualties. In Jan., 1918, the Lafayette Escadrille was reorganized in the U.S. army as the 103d Pursuit Squadron.
See E. C. Parson's The Great Adventure (1937, repr. 1972 under the title I Flew with the Lafayette Escadrille); study by H. M. Mason (1964).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


text:
The Q2Roller® Lateral Turning Device comprises two breathable inflatable chambers to facilitate easy and efficient lateral patient turning.
Frequent turning and positioning is critical for bed-bound patients, yet it is often challenging for caregivers to manage these patient handling tasks that require significant time and physical effort. To address these concerns, HoverTech designed the Q2Roller Lateral Turning Device for easy and efficient lateral patient turning. The Q2Roller comprises two inflatable chambers that are controlled by the clinician to achieve optimal positioning for patient care and pressure relief from bony prominences. By eliminating the need for manual lifting, the Q2Roller protects both the staff from injury and the patient from friction and shearing associated with traditional repositioning methods.
Benefits of the Q2Roller include:
- Adjustable chambers provide flexible positioning for hygiene and wound care applications
- Quick release valves allow for rapid deflation of turning chambers
- Breathable fabric prevents moisture build-up and enhances patient comfort
- Disposable device eliminates the need for reprocessing and reduces potential for cross contamination
- Variable speed air supply allows caregiver to control inflation for patient safety and comfort

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


text: English form of the biblical Hebrew name Yosef, meaning '(God) shall add (another son)'. This was borne by the favourite son of Jacob, whose brothers became jealous of him and sold him into slavery (Genesis 37). He was taken to Egypt, where he rose to become chief steward to Pharaoh, and was eventually reconciled to his brothers when they came to buy corn during a seven-year famine (Genesis 43–7). In the New Testament Joseph is the name of the husband of the Virgin Mary. It is also borne by a rich Jew, Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50; John 19:38), who took Jesus down from the Cross, wrapped him in a shroud, and buried him in a rock tomb. According to medieval legend, Joseph of Arimathea brought the Holy Grail to Britain. The name was uncommon in Britain in the Middle Ages but was revived in the mid 16th century and had become popular by the 1630s, remaining so ever since.


Daily Life
Do we really need an app to tell us who our 'toxic' friends are?
There is no denying that our smart phones are getting, well, smarter. They can monitor our fitness down to the steps we walk and the calories we consume. Tell us how much sleep we're getting and remind us of the things we need to get done.
But, despite all these advances, would you let your smartphone choose your friends?
The creators of the "Pplkpr" (an abbreviation of "people keeper") think that you should. Pplkpr is part phone app, part wristband. The wristband monitors your heart rate, detecting even the subtlest of changes and sends the information to the app via Bluetooth.
The app notices when you are experiencing an altered emotional state and by pairing this information with the names of the people you have interacted with (which are loaded manually), the app helpfully informs you how your friends make you feel.
Taking this a step further, the app then makes suggestions: who you should spend more time (or in other words, who should be "auto-scheduled" into your life) and who should be axed. It can even remove contacts from your address book – virtually deleting the friendship.
There is no denying that some friendships are bad for us and that those friendships have a negative effect on our wellbeing.
According to psychologist and digital nutritionist Jocelyn Brewer, the psychological effects of toxic friendships can include self-doubt, lowered self-esteem and confidence.
"You might feel like you don't get your own needs met in the friendship because you invest in it and get drawn into the other person's issues above and beyond your own. Lack of connection can contribute to a range of effects, like feeling lonely, sad and unworthy," Brewer explains.
But do you need an app to tell you that your toxic friend is making you feel bad? Brewer certainly doesn't think so.
"I think apps like these are lazy ways of dealing with or even avoid having to deal with, some of the core aspects of being human, like how we relate, communicate and then make choices about who we have in our lives," says Brewer.
"If we need to rely on plugging data into an app instead of using (and honing) your own senses and cognitions to navigate relationships then humans really have a problem."
Brewer also notes that by relying on this sort of app to help analyse our feelings about friendships then we risk losing our sense of self-awareness.
"If we outsource this process of noticing and tuning into our emotions we might as well let robots run the planet," she says.
So, without the use of a smart phone, how do you tell if you are stuck in a toxic friendship?
Brewer suggests looking for the following signs: "Do you feel like you are 'walking on eggshells' and anxious about their unpredictable reactions or behaviour?
"Do you feel like you have to drop everything and rush to solve this person's crisis which turns out to be a major 'first world problem'? Do you feel like your support and advice falls on deaf ears and you regularly want to yell 'I told you so' when the next chapter of the obvious drama unravels?"
Brewer's list resonates for Beth Harris who recently ended a toxic friendship with an old school friend.
"For a while she was fun, but then she became a nightmare... she was totally self-absorbed. There was always a drama and if I wasn't there to talk to her about it over and over and over again she would get pissy with me," she explains.
Harris noticed that the friendship was taking its toll on her emotional well-being and decided to "break up" with her toxic friend. She told her that she didn't want to "hang out" any more and "unfriended" her on social media. And remarkably, she did all this without the help of a smart phone app.


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Kovacs Heavy Duty Drone
Kovacs Heavy Duty Drone.
Heavy Duty Drone
Budapest, Hungary
Robert Kovacs is an industrial, automotive and aeronautical designer based in Hungary. He is a prolific designer making futuristic concept consumer products, automobiles, motorcycles and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. His online portfolio features the eVTOL multicopter prototype, LIFT.
The aircraft is a futuristic design which would look welcome in any urban area, industrial plant, railroad yard, ship yard or construction site. Even though there is no information on whether this is an all-electric VTOL or hybrid-electric VTOL, one can guess, based on today's battery technology, that it's a hybrid-electric aircraft. As battery technology gets better, this concept aircraft, if ever made into a production model would most likely be changed over to an eVTOL aircraft due to the cost of electric versus fuel is about 2 to 1. Saving half the cost of energy to fly an aircraft would be worth the cost of converting a hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft into an eVTOL aircraft.
Kovacs has not provided an estimated cruising speed or flight range for the eVTOL aircraft. He also has yet to provide any information on how the aircraft lands, though it may be surmised that the landing gear is retractable. For a cargo drone to be fully functional, it would be any cargo company's advantage to have a cargo aircraft with retractable wheeled landing gear so the aircraft could be easily moved on the ground or the aircraft could taxi over a cargo container to attached the container to the aircraft. However, due to the nature of the design as an VTOL aircraft, the aircraft could certainly have retractable legs and would simply fly over a container to pick it up.
 - Aircraft type: eVTOL or hybrid-electric VTOL cargo aircraft
 - Piloting: Unknown, either piloted or autonomous
 - Cargo loading and offloading: Articulated hydraulic grabbing arms to lift and lock cargo containers underneath the aircraft
 - Capacity: 500 kg (1,102 lbs)
 - Cruise speed: Unknown
 - Range: Unknown
 - Ducted fans: 3
 - Electric Motors: 3
 - Windows: Full front and side windscreen for pilot
 - Landing gear: Unknown


text:
I have heard the Morris Arboretum was designed by the son and stepson of famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Is this true?
— All About Olmsted
Dear landscape lover,
Well, not exactly. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of Olmsted Sr., was hired in 1932 to draw up plans for the Arboretum, though his impact was not a huge one. His half brother, John Charles Olmsted, had died in 1920.
The Olmsted Brothers firm, which did design work at the White House, U.S. Capital and, locally, at Bryn Mawr and Haverford colleges, was hired by the Arboretum at a time of change. Founded by the wealthy brother and sister pair of John and Lydia Morris in 1887, the gardens did not officially become part of Penn until 1932, the same year Olmsted was brought in. The Morrises had spent years molding their former family summer home into a garden showcase, and many of the garden's most famous features—the Fernery (1899), the Log Cabin (1908) and the Loggia (1913), among others—were built long before Olmsted showed up.
Bob Gutowski, director of public programs at the Arboretum, explains Olmsted's firm prepared some maps and plans as well as a "preliminary report on the purpose of the Arboretum." "To call it a "collaboration' would overstate it," Gutowski says of Olmsted's involvement. "But [the plans] did inform the early thinking of the Arboretum. If you look today at where the parking lot is, that's where Olmsted placed it. So certain elements did carry through."
For more information about the Morris Arboretum, visit _URL_
Originally published on March 30, 2006


text:
been irradiated for sterilization. How does it do it?
An efficient system for repairing DNA is what makes the microbe so tough. High doses of radiation shatter the D. radiodurans genome, but the organism stitches the fragments back together, sometimes in just a few hours. The repaired genome appears to be as good as new.
"The organism can put its genome back together with absolute fidelity," says Claire M. Fraser, of The Institute for Genome Research (TIGR) in Rockville, Maryland. She was the leader of the TIGR team that sequenced D. radiodurans in 1999.
The fantastic resilience of life to threats, whether from ionizing radiation, temperature, or deprivation, shouts design. As stated in a recent post about homeostasis, only intelligence builds machines that can maintain the state of other machines. The recovery of Chernobyl's ecosystem offers powerful evidence for life's pre-programmed resilience.


What is the default file permission of /etc/shadow in CentOS? Is there any difference in the default file permission of /etc/shadow in previous versions of CentOS?
That's an interesting observation; the only concrete evidence I could find, so far, is this SCAP mailing list thread talking about the change from RHEL5's default permissions of 0400 to RHEL6's default of 0. You can also observe that in the list of Common Configuration Enumartions on the Working Group's now-archived website.
The shadow file is specifically designed to be read ONLY by root. The point in this file is to prevent people from seeing your encrypted passwords because there are commands like "crack" than can figure out many passwords from their encrypted values. Prior to introduction of the shadow file the encrypted passwords were stored in /etc/passwd and if they weren't properly formed were very easy to break.
/etc/shadow file stores actual password in encrypted format for user's account with additional properties related to user password i.e. it stores secure user account information. All fields are separated by a colon (:) symbol. It contains one entry per line for each user listed in /etc/passwd file
Your Answer


text:
Since water can't just run to the humidifier all the time, the water supply flow needs to be controlled. This is done by a water inlet orifice and an inlet valve assembly controlled by an electric solenoid. The solenoid is controlled by a humidistat (sort of like a thermostat for humidity).
When the humidistat says to increase humidity, the solenoid opens and supplies the water feed tube. When the humidistat says the humidity level is good or when the furnace shuts down, the solenoid shuts off, stopping water flow to the humidifier.
Through months of seasonal non-use, these parts can become seized or clogged and prevent the humidifier from working properly. Let's take a detailed look at the water inlet valve assembly in the next section.


text:
Text Engine Consulting, Inc. has worked for two years with the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the world's leading association of security and incident-response teams, to create three core incident-response courses now available for download via the FIRST.Org website under a Creative Commons license. The release of the courses coincides with the release of FIRST's open training platform to host the organization's training content, which allows FIRST members and other interested parties to enroll in self-paced elearning courses on cybersecurity incident response.
The courses for which Text Engine Consulting provided the instructional design are:
- Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) v3, an elearning course that teaches a standard for communicating the characteristics and severity of software vulnerabilities through examples and simulations.
- FIRST CSIRT Basic Course, which teaches the basics of Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) tasks. The course includes extensive lab practicum sessions.
- FIRST Fusion Course, which gives incident-response professionals methods to analyze and fuse information. The course includes links to data-analyzation tools that allow businesses and organizations to better respond to security threats.
The CVSSv3 course is offered through the FIRST learning platform at:
The latter two courses are now available for download at:
The FIRST press release includes more detailed information at:
These initial courses are part of Text Engine Consulting's renewed focus on corporate cybersecurity training.


text:
Google essentially analyzes source code and not screen appearance. There is a small part of the algorithm that does simulate the screen appearance of a page - done so that the content area and its links get the most importance, and things like footer links are given less pop. Screen simulation is also part of Google's check for possible spam factors, such as hidden text.
So the answer is essentially no. Text justification is not a ranking factor.
Now if the page layout gives the visitor a bad time, then that dissatisfaction make create a domino effect: fewer natural links, no social media attention, things like that. So indirectly, the way text is justified may affect ranking, but that's IN-directly.
You want to make sure that the page is highly readable. Justified text on screen tends to be harder to read, because a browser does not currently have elaborate kerning functions the way that printed documents do.


International Corporate Volunteering is Growing Quickly, Here Is What You Need to Know
Mark Horoszowski
Mark Horoszowski is the co-founder and CEO of
ICV Conference Highlights
The message from the Pyxera International Corporate Volunteering Conference, _TAG_, was clear "International Corporate Volunteering (ICV) has massive benefits for volunteering professionals, the sponsoring corporation, and the receiving social impact organization." As such, it is no surprise that ICV programs are growing at a rate of over 150% year over year.
In fact, almost every Fortune 100 company with an ICV program is expanding it. Most notably, IBM increased the number of employees it sends overseas to volunteer every year from 400 to 500.
This summary of the conference provides statistics, resources, and information you need to know about international corporate volunteering programs – including how to start your own.
I. Why Should Corporations Have International Corporate Volunteering Programs
The benefits are resoundingly clear. ICV programs are proven to
 1. Have bottom line benefits for the corporation
 2. Create a positive social impact
 3. Develop leadership and innovation skills in program participants
We recently published a blog post with a wealth of information about the benefits of volunteering overseas. In summary, the following infographic summarizes extensive research proving how ICV programs help with recruitment, retention, engagement, and performance of employees.
II. How to Start an International Corporate Volunteering Program
Hint: "Learn by doing"
The key to starting a successful international corporate volunteering program is actually starting an ICV program. Perhaps easier said than done, but thought-leaders at the conference shared the following which should help:
1. Understand Your Business | Programs will only grow if businesses can justify the expense. Most programs develop leadership skills or foster innovation as its stated benefit. If you understand your business, and the initiatives within it, you can build a strong case for designing a program that creates social good and helps your business.
2. Find Executive Support | All programs that were growing had a senior leader who personally supported the initiative.
3. Create Program Goals That Align with Business Goals | While most programs are designed for leadership development, some are designed to foster innovation, understand new markets, or give employees field experience in a geography/country of strategic importance to the company.
4. Start Small | Convincing leadership of benefits of an ICV program is not always easy. There are enough programs touting benefits to justify a full-fledged program, but ICV programs should be unique to your company, so start a pilot first.
5. Collaborate | Some ICV programs are in HR, CSR, or even in individual business units. Regardless of where it sits, there is data, resources, and know-how in other departments that is useful for design, support, and reporting. As an example, HR might have data about employee engagement that your program can benchmark against, and CSR will want to know about the impact the ICV program created for its annual report.
6. Find External Partners | Organizations like Pyxera Global, MovingWorlds, RealizedWorth and others can help you efficiently find social impact organizations overseas where your institution's know-how, and the skills of the people within it, can actually make a positive difference. These organizations also provide guidance for program setup, evaluation, training, and resources.
7. Measure Impact | ICV programs are proven to benefit the corporation, the employee participants, and the social impact organization that receives support. Establishing success metrics, measuring them, and reporting impact to ALL stakeholders is vital to program continuation and growth.
III. How to Measure and Increase the Impact of ICV Programs
The most effective programs measure success on a number of factors, and by surveying stakeholders at multiple points in time. Surveys should go to:
 - Volunteering employees for program perception and ways to improve
 - Managers of volunteering employees for skill development in participants
 - Business partners in the company (i.e. HR and CSR) for possible efficiencies
 - Executives on program perception in the company
 - Partnering organizations on impact created
 - Other stakeholders on program perception in the field (i.e. local governments)
In addition to surveys pre, during, and immediately following the volunteer engagement, successful programs also follow the long-term impact on the hosting organizations and the participating employees for the years following the international volunteer assignment.
The following picture shows 7 ways to grow the impact of ICV programs:
 1. Grow ICV ProgramsLinking to the Business Market Growth Strategy | If your corporation has an interest in expanding to a new country, volunteering there first will provide invaluable insight on country and cultural dynamics.
 2. Cross-company Partnerships | Unify efforts across your company to create efficiencies and buy-in.
 3. Issue Focus | Pick a cause-area that is relevant to your corporation and its employees.
 4. Complementary Support | In global volunteering, learning happens both ways. Find field partners that can support and teach each other, and you.
 5. Country Development Agenda Alignment | Align your corporate efforts with the country's development efforts so that local governments will welcome and help with program implementation.
 6. Repeat Engagement | Build long-term partnerships with organizations in the field.
 7. Linking to CSR Strategy | To improve reporting and executive support, show that the program can enhance existing social impact initiatives.
IV. Companies with ICV Programs
Many companies have formal international corporate volunteering programs, some of the most recognized brands include IBM, Pfizer, SAP, Intel, Microsoft, Credit Suisse, DOW, Ernst & Young, and Google. Many more encourage and support individual efforts on sabbaticals and vacations. For more information on international volunteering, this previous blog post provides statistics about volunteering overseas.
Here are some great news articles about how companies are using international corporate volunteering:
 1. International Corporate Volunteering: Rapidly Growing Trend to Advance People, Planet, and Profits (Huffington Post)
 2. Social Sabbaticals and the New Face of Leadership (SSIR)
 3. Volunteering For Impact – Best Practices in International Corporate Volunteering (Report)
 4. International Corporate Volunteering: Profitable for Corporations (Huffington Post)
 5. Behind the Growth of International Corporate Volunteerism & What to Consider When Starting a Program (CSRWire)
 6. Making Global Impact Through International Volunteering (Realized Worth)
 7. International Corporate Volunteerism: A Game Changer (Forbes)
 8. High-value Skilled-based Volunteerism (TrueImpact)
 9. Why International Corporate Volunteering (Pyxera Global)
 10. The Ultimate Employee Do-Gooder Perk (FastCompany)
V. More Information on International Skills Based Volunteering in Corporations
If you have more questions about kick-starting a corporate volunteering program, I do free 30 min calls to help people volunteer their skills around the world. Find time with me here.
The following Infographic from Pyxera Global also provides some very useful information about ICV programs.
In summary, the 2014 ICV conference by Pyxera Global, Catalyzing Growth in Emerging Markets, was a massive success. Companies in-tune with the message will certainly help advance people, planet, and profits.
(If I'm missing any valuable resources, please let me know in the comments below).


Sunday, June 4, 2017
Bridges of Canada; Northumberland Strait (Confederation) Bridge
Northumberland Strait Bridge
Writing last week about the Strait of Kerch Bridge reminded me of the Northumberland Strait (Confederation) Bridge. The Strait of Kerch Bridge is 19 km long and will cost about $4 billion. The Strait of Northumberland Bridge is 12.9 km long and cost about $1 billion. The Kerch Bridge connects the Russian Federation to Crimea and the Northumberland Bridge connects the Canadian mainland to Prince Edward Island.
But what made me think of the Northumberland Strait Bridge in relation to the Kerch Strait Bridge is that they both must resist ice floes during the winter. In fact, the Northumberland Strait Bridge was specially designed to break up the ice floes while resisting their force. In the photo below we can see the ice being broken up as it moves past the bridge pier.
In the next photo we can see the bell-shaped ice shield with steel plates to protect it from the ice floes. The shape of the shield forces the ice to move upward so that it breaks into pieces and flows around the pier. In this photo a research team is visiting the pier to measure the thickness of the ice.
Most of the photos, drawings, and information for this article came from the well-written 'Bridging the Strait' by Copthorne MacDonald. We can see in his drawing (shown below) that the ice shield is built at the water's surface (while the bottom of the pier may be 100 ft below).
The superstructure is composed of match-cast single box girder segments and drop-in spans. The bridge was designed by Jean Muller International and checked by Buckland and Taylor. A navigational span was built to allow ships to pass under the bridge. The bridge was completed in 1996 and has resisted the ice floes for over 20 years. Hopefully, the Kerch Strait Bridge will have a similar record of accomplishment.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Southern Idaho Infrastruture Development Map
Proposed energy and electrical transmission development in Idaho may affect or be affected by a number of resource values of concern: wildlife habitat, viewsheds, military training areas, wilderness and others.
In 2009, the BLM developed the Southern Idaho Infrastructure Development Map ("Conflict Map") to display general areas of greater or lesser potential conflict with infrastructure development, based on a selected resource concerns and assumptions. Additional information can be found in the Overview and Assumptions documents via the links below.
Two versions of the map are available below in PDF. One displays BLM lands in Idaho only. The second shows all land ownerships and provides important context, since many resource issues cross ownership boundaries. The "all lands" version of the map is for context only and does not imply endorsement by other agencies or entities.
Geographic Information System raster data for the Conflict Map are available for download at _URL_. At the home page, navigate to "GEODATA" and select "Browse Data." At the "Title Keywords(s)" search window, enter the word "Conflict" and select "Go."


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If you have just started on SimplePay, you will see one blank payslip setup screen, which is divided into three sections:
These are those items that relate to all payslips. All payslips will have a field for Basic Salary automatically added – click on this to get started:
- For salaried employees, it will be their salary for the period. If it is a shortened period, e.g. where someone started work during the month, you should still enter the full salary, as the system will automatically calculate the pro-rata amount based on their appointment date.
- For hourly paid employees, enter their hourly rate – you will enter the hours worked under Payslip Inputs (discussed below).
Other regular items such as travel allowance, pension fund and employer loans can be added by clicking Add (next to Regular Inputs). If the item you are looking for is not there, you may need to add a custom item. More information about custom items can be found in the following article:
These are items that are periodic (e.g. hours worked) or specific to a particular payslip (e.g. expense claim). SimplePay has a variety of system items, which you can add by clicking Add (next to Payslip Inputs). As with the regular items above, you can create custom items (linked to above).
More information about entering employee hours can be found in the following article:
SimplePay automatically calculates statutory deductions for PAYE and UIF and you will see these in the Payslip block, along with all of the other items you added above. Once you are happy with what you see in the Payslip block, you have the following options:
- Preview will open a PDF preview of the payslip, which will also contain the automatically calculated employer contributions for UIF and any other applicable amounts such as SDL and pension contributions.
- Tax will show you the tax trace – an explanation of how the tax for the period was calculated.
- Notes allows you to add notes to specific items on the payslip if extra information is required.
- The Finalise button saves your changes and generates the next period's payslip. It also removes the stamp saying "Draft" to indicate that the document is now a final document and no longer a draft. Don't panic, though – you can always go back and make changes to the latest finalised payslip by clicking the Undo Finalise button.


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palomino horse, American light horse that, contrary to popular opinion, is not a breed but a color type. The palomino is a characteristic golden, creamy tan, with an almost white mane and tail. White stripes on the face and white stockings are common. This coloring occurs in several breeds of light horse. Palominos were probably first selected for their beautiful color in Spain. They accompanied the conquistadors to the New World, where they were perpetuated by early Mexican horse breeders. They were discovered by Americans in California during the Mexican-American War, and are now popular parade and show horses; fanciers in the United States are trying to establish the palomino as a breed. Palominos have Arabian or Thoroughbred features, stand about 15 hands (60 in./150 cm) high, and weigh about 1,100 lb (500 kg).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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Canada Chemical Management Plan – Canada Challenge
About The Canada Chemical Management Plan
Canada's Chemicals Management Plan aka the "Challenge" regulates chemicals that are harmful to human health or the environment. The Prime Minister, along with the Ministers of the Environment and Health put the "Challenge" into effect on December 8, 2006. The Chemicals Management Plan is the collection of information on the properties and uses of approximately 200 chemical substances identified through the categorization process as high priorities for action. Under the "Challenge", approximately 200 substances of the highest priority were divided up into a number of smaller groups of substances. The Government is using the mandatory information gathering provisions of section 71 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999) to gather information that is deemed required for improved decision-making. Industries are being invited to submit additional information that may be used to inform risk assessment and to develop and benchmark best practices for risk management and product stewardship.


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This petition was submitted during the 2010–2015 Conservative – Liberal Democrat coalition government
Petition Fund a manned mission to Mars
The idea of the UK funding a mission to Mars may sound extremely bizare but if a sensible approach to design is maintained the costs should be easily controlled to about 30 to 40 billion pounds, and in the long term the benefits to UK science and industry should actually outweigh the costs. - £ billion is no more than we are already planning to spend on other capital projects - like high speed railways or wind farms.
Benefits could include
- 100,000 new science technology jobs.
- Become a world science leader.
- Gain a major orbital lift capacity.
- Increase ties to American and international space industries.
- Gain a super large rocket launch capability eg 1000 tons to LEO, which could open up space to major commercial development or mass tourism.
- Take a major leap forward for Earths science.
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months


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Olympic National Park Asked to Buy Out Mining Claims
 Olympic National Park continues to remain in the news over land-management issues. Earlier this fall the park made headlines when an Indian tribe closed access to a national park trail and a beach within the park in protest over stalled negotiations to find land that could accommodate the tribe's village, which is in a tsunami zone.
 Now three brothers who own rights to deposits of gold, platinum, oil and natural gas beneath the park's Shi Shi Beach are threatening to sell those rights to mining interests unless the National Park Service agrees to buy them for $30 million. An agent for the family told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that the mineral deposits and oil and gas are worth a combined $2 billion.
 Park officials, whose total budget for 2004 amounted to just $10 million, say they are trying to determine the value of the claims that the brothers' grandfather bought in 1928.
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National Parks Traveler's Essential Park Guide


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The 11,130m2 property, the first to be inscribed in the country, with its imposing stone walls is the best preserved of ten fortresses in the Lobi area and is part of a larger group of 100 stone enclosures that bear testimony to the power of the trans-Saharan gold trade. Situated near the borders of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, the ruins have recently been shown to be at least 1,000 years old. The settlement was occupied by the Lohron or Koulango peoples, who controlled the extraction and transformation of gold in the region when it reached its apogee from the 14th to the 17th century. Much mystery surrounds this site large parts of which have yet to be excavated. The settlement seems to have been abandoned during some periods during its long history. The property which was finally deserted in the early 19th century is expected to yield much more information.
The Ruins of Loropéni
© DGPC Burkina Faso
Outstanding Universal Value
The dramatic and memorable Ruins of Loropéni consist of imposing, tall, laterite stone perimeter walls, up to six metres in height, surrounding a large abandoned settlement. As the best preserved of ten similar fortresses in the Lobi area, part of a larger group of around a hundred stone-built enclosures, they are part of a network of settlements that flourished at the same time as the trans-Saharan gold trade and appear to reflect the power and influence of that trade and its links with the Atlantic coast. Recent excavations have provided radio-carbon dates suggesting the walled enclosure at Loropéni dates back at least to the 11th century AD and flourished between the 14th and 17th centuries, thus establishing it as an important part of a network of settlements.
Criterion (iii): Loropéni is the best preserved example of a type of fortified settlements in a wide part of West Africa, linked to the tradition of gold mining, which seems to have persisted through at least seven centuries. Loropéni, given its size and scope reflects a type of structure quite different from the walled towns of what is now Nigeria, or the cities of the upper reaches of the river Niger which flourished as part of the empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhai. It thus can be seen as an exceptional testimony to the settlement response generated by the gold trade.
Integrity and Authenticity
The authenticity of the fortified settlements as ruins is not in doubt. Although the precise history of Loropéni is only recently coming into focus through the recent research programme, and its function still remains in part speculative, the integrity of the monument in terms of its status as the largest and best preserved fortified settlement is satisfactory. In time as more evidence emerges, it may be necessary to consider whether a larger area could encompass more of the attributes that are linked to its use, function and history.
Management and protection requirements
The Committee of Protection and Management for the Ruins of Loropéni, the Scientific Council for the study, conservation and development of the Ruins of Loropéni and the Management Plan which has been implemented since 2005 form a good basis for management of the ruins as a focal point for sustainable development within the local community.
The recent inter-disciplinary project has allowed a reassessment of the history of Loropéni. This has pushed much further back the date of its construction from around the 17th century to at least the 11th century AD and disassociated it from the Gan people, mentioned in the previous evaluation report.
Indeed in spite of the many writings on these ruins since the beginning of the 20th century, no serious archaeological investigations have been undertaken to support information from oral traditions and the other documentary sources. The recent targeted excavations were to thus able to start to bridge this gap.
It is necessary to locate the construction of the Loropéni ruins in the geopolitical context of the sub-Saharan kingdoms. They appeared after the fall of the first empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, when there were migrations of gold miners and goldsmiths into the Lobi area, and well before the development to the south of the Akan kingdoms, such as the powerful Ashanti kingdom, which caused migrations to the north as people fled slave hunters. Around Lobi country are the remains of many gold mines such as Werimitangna, close to Loropéni.
The gold bearing region was connected by caravans to the large commercial cites to the north on the river Niger, such as Djénné, Mopti and Timbuktu and from there across the Sahara to north Africa., It was probably later that the gold was traded south to the Atlantic coast. Lobi country is crossed by the north-south Mopti - Sore-Dioulasso - Kong route, and the east-southwest route from Ouagadougou, through Boromo, Diébougou, Gaoua, to Bondoukou.
The ruins have long been associated with the gold trade but the evidence for this is circumstantial. It is suggested that such large and fortified structures need to be associated with defending a high value product and the need to house labour. The southern enclose could have been used for slaves or miners at the gold mines. However no direct evidence for gold or for the use of the southern enclosure was forthcoming from the recent excavations.
Most oral traditions collected since the "discovery" of the ruins in 1902 indicate the Koulango people as builders of fortresses in the area, as well as in Burkina Faso in Ivory Coast. However, the most recent research shows that the Koulango were preceded by Lorhon and Nabé peoples who migrated south into the area and were known to be in the area of Kong, from the 10th century.
The Gan, who have been attributed as being the builders of the ruins, simply re-used them from the end of the 17th century when they left the territory of current Ghana to escape oppression from the Ashanti. At around the same time the focus of gold production moved south to the Ashanti area and the gold trade declined around the Lobi area. With its decline the fortified buildings were abandoned to be re-colonised by the Gan.
This is contrary to the work of Madeleine Père, recently published posthumously, who maintained that the Loropéni settlement would have been built by Tokpã Farma, ninth king of the dynasty of Gan, towards the end of his life with the aim of transferring the capital to it from Obiré. This project apparently did not meet with the approval of the ancestors and he died three years later. This explains the name 'Kpôkayâga', the house of the refusal, by which the site is known. In the previous report it was stated that not all local historians and archaeologists accept the attributions of the ruins to the Gan. It was suggested that archaeological excavations could provide evidence to help understand the genesis of the ruins and this indeed has been the case.
Certain versions of oral tradition record that the quadrangular ramparts were initially built, then the interior partitions and finally the buildings. Observation of the junction between the walls corroborates this assertion.
Recent studies and excavations have revealed evidence for use over a long duration and with possible discontinuities, or even periods of abandonment. Certain zones present several coats of plaster (up to five perfectly distinct layers), and the mortar in the external walls shows clearly several repairs. The higher levels from the excavation show a poverty of finds suggesting that the places could have been looted. Loropéni seems to have fallen out of use in the early to mid 19th century and before colonial times. The trees growing out of the ruins confirm this timescale.
The recent research has provided some enlightenment, but more work is needed. The conclusion of the archaeological report is that it is necessary to set up a research programme of a few years duration to elucidate better the function, use and historical context of the ruins.
Source: Advisory Body Evaluation


Debates around place names linked to Britain's colonial past have been sparked by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement this year.
Across the country calls are being made for statues and monuments to be reviewed for their links with slavery and the British Empire.
Conversations around Croydon's link to this history have also begun.
Between 1809 and 1861 the East India Military College was based in Addiscombe. It was where soldiers trained for the company's army in India.
The disarmament of the 26th Indian regiment at Barrackpore, India, during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. It began as mutiny of sepoys (Indian soldiers of the British East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut. (Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images)
At the height of its rule in India, the East India company had a private army of about 260,000, twice the size of the British Army, and came to rule large areas of India.
It was formed as a trading company in the 1600s and started life getting involved in the highly profitable spice trade
Croydon honours famous figures in the East India Company through its road names including Elgin, Havelock, Outram and Canning roads. All fall within the East India Estate Conservation Area, which was created in 2007.
To shine a light on the history of street names in the area Addiscombe East councillor Jeet Bains held an event last month where locals could discuss the history.
He said that the group agreed that more education on England's history with slave ownership was needed.
Jon Wilson, a professor of modern history at King's College London, told us about the history of the controversial company in Croydon
Cllr Bains said: "I've been in this area for 31 years and I never really thought about it.
"I think there are some people who will baulk at the idea of talking about it, it is almost 'how dare you'. I am of the view that we should talk about what things are named in the public realm.
"There are a lot of reasons things get named but there is a lot of unspoken things wrapped up in it, like people's sense of personal identity
"I think if we don't talk about it the only avenue left is for people to get angry."
Mira Armour is chair of the local residents' association which was instrumental in the creation of a conservation area.
The Havelock Road resident of 20 years said: "The conservation area being designated was very important for the reason that we needed protection from ruthless developers.
"Since it was designated, we didn't have much input into the name, it was just given because of the historic connections.
"I think it is a bit unfortunate that the name was chosen, we know that the East India Company has been controversial and had a negative impact in history.
"Our intention wasn't to celebrate the East India Company, it was to protect the history and Victorian architecture of the area."
She, like cllr Bains, thinks changing the name of the conservation area would be easier than changing any of the road names.
Ms Armour said that naming the conservation area after Addiscombe Place, the central building of the military training seminary, would be a good option.
Cadets from Addiscombe Military Seminary, photographed c1858. The four cadets on the seat, left to right, are: Augustus B. Portman, George E. Hancock, Farquhar D. MacKinnon, John F. Cookesley. Unknown photographer
He said: "It was mainly in the early 1800s, army engineers, gunners and artillery officers were trained to fight wars and build in India.
"When the rebellion of 1857 happened, it was abolished, the academy was closed. The same army officers were trained in ordinary army academies, like in Woolwich.
"The land where it was situated was sold and now streets were built in the late 1800s.
"What is interesting is the names of the figures have very little to do with the history of the East India Company in Croydon they were named after the heroes of 1857, those who lost their lives.
"There is nothing particularly significant to Croydon about the names Elgin and Havelock."
The professor said that he thinks more education about all aspects of British history is good and thinks it is important to discuss names which are in the public realm.
Sunder Katwala is the director of British Future, a non-partisan think-tank that works on identity issues.
He spoke at the meeting organised by cllr Bains and thinks that conversations about the history of the British Empire should happen locally.
"Croydon is linked to a very big part of the story of the British Empire in India," said Mr Katwala.
"I think everybody knows that there was a British empire but most people won't really know about what the East India Company was about, it is a really interesting part of the story.
Havelock Road is one of the roads in the East India Conservation Area named after a famous figure in the company. Credit: Google Maps.
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"The military academy was a company, it would be like Amazon or Starbucks having an army.
"It was a private company that ended up ruling India. The 1857 uprising was a massive turning point, the British government took the view that if there was an empire the government had to be in charge of it."
But he did not think it was yet time for discussion about changing names.
He added: "I think it is too early to say,'should we start changing naumes?' if people don't even have the information.
"We can't change what happened in the past but we are all responsible for how we live with that past.
"Our experience is that people want the conversation, the story of empire is massive but when we can start from a local link we can open up the larger story."
If you have a story for us from this area, please email tara.o'


kids, for adults, or just for themselves?
The astrology book that came out in 2015 by Astrology Now and the new book by Astrologer Kids, the astrology app that's being launched today, have been lauded by astrologers and scientists as a clear path to astrology for kids and adults.
But astrologer Mary Ann Hagerty, founder of the website Astrology Plus, thinks those who've used the app will be disappointed.
She tells us that children are far too easy to use astrology apps for both educational and recreational purposes.
And, as an astrologist, I think the app is missing a lot of important information.
Hagerty said that the app provides the same information as a professional astrologian, but it does not tell you everything that you need to know about the planets, the signs, and the planets in your neighborhood, among other things.
Hangerty and Astrologers Plus have partnered with Astrologist Kids to create a free app that will teach kids and parents astrology as well as help them learn about the astrological chart, planets, signs, time zones, and other astronomical concepts.
Astrologers can use this app to track and track with their children the planets and the signs in their neighborhood, to get a good sense of the time zone of the planets as well.
It also includes a map of the stars that is very helpful for kids when they're trying to find the best time to get home from school, Hagerth said.
Haganty said there are a lot more people using astrology books than they should be.
She's also concerned that astrologists may not know all of the important information for the astrologeric.
Astrologists are astrologaries and need to understand astrology because the charts are so important for astrology," Haganty told The Huffington Post."
This app is about helping people learn astrology in a way that is easy to understand and is not confusing to the astro-logician," she added."
There's no doubt that astrology has become much more popular with the growing number of kids, but astrology is still something that a lot people don't really know how to do," Hagertys co-founder, Mary Ann Siegel, told HuffPost.
Astrology is one of the oldest and most recognized forms of astrology.
The astrologic concept has existed for thousands of years.
Some of the earliest astrological books date back to the 13th century and even older texts dating back to about the 7th century.
The word "astrology" is actually derived from the Latin word for "astral" — meaning "direction."
The first reference to astrology is written by Hippocrates in the 4th century B.C. in the treatise On the Nature of Things, which is thought to be the earliest known medical reference to the concept.
But even that ancient text wasn't a comprehensive account of the principles of astrologic medicine.
There were a lot other medical treatises written about astrology and other aspects of the human body.
Many other medical texts were written about medicine as well, but Hippocrates' work is considered the earliest medical treatise, which was known as Hippocrates the Treatiser.
Hamerty, who has studied astrology extensively and has worked with astrologing teachers for decades, says that the new Astrology Kids app will provide the best way to learn about astrologie for kids.
Hagerthy says she hopes the app can help astrologologists get the information that they need."
It will be great for teachers, because it will be really helpful for parents to have that information, which they don't have in the textbooks," Hamerty told HuffPost, referring to astrologery textbooks.
Hagensaid that astrologue for kids is a huge area of study, because astrology encompasses so many different disciplines.
She said that it's important for parents and astrologies teachers to be familiar with each other's work and their own."
I'm really excited about this app because I'm excited about astrologia and I hope it will help children learn astrologie and also teach astrology to teachers," Haggsaid.
Haggs said that while astrology students and parents may not be as familiar with astrology or its methods as they are with other forms of education, she believes the app has the potential to teach them."
If they want to get better at this, I'm sure they can do that.
How to learn astrology by reading it?
In this tutorial, you will learn how to read the astrology from your 3rd house.
Read this tutorial to learn the astrological signs of the planets, signs of Jupiter, signs and planets of the zodiac, and more!
How to read astrology?
The most common astrology sign is the zebra (or zebra) sign, which is a sign for the zenith.
The zebra is also the sign of a person who is strong in their emotions and loves their family, friends and others.
The sun sign is a symbol of the time of the year and of the sun's rising and setting.
This sign is most commonly used for a person with a higher emotional or mental status, like a king or emperor.
The moon sign is used to symbolize the moon and the zigzag line, which marks the zebu.
The eucalyptus tree is a great symbol of love, as the tree grows in a very long space.
The stars and planets sign are used to indicate that there is something happening in the world, such as the birth of a baby, or the death of a loved one.
The planets are the symbol of life and the planets of sign are a symbol that tells us how much we need to care for a loved or important person.
The astrolographic sign of the planet Mars indicates that we need a lot of love and respect, as it is the planet of war.
The signs of Venus and Jupiter are used for those who have strong opinions and are passionate about their beliefs, as well as those who are passionate for their goals, such in business, sports, politics or in any other area of their lives.
A person's astrolometric sign determines their relationship with their astrologer, as those with the best astrological sign will be able to have an intimate relationship with the astrologist and their astrology.
You can learn the signs of planets, the signs and the signs, as shown below: 3rd House Astrology Signs of Mars
5 Astrology Signs for Beginners
Astrology is not only a useful tool for understanding our lives, it can also give you clues to your own future, according to astrologer and astrologist John Llewellyn.
Here are five signs to get you started on the right path in astrology.
Taurines are the brightest of the zodiac signs and their names are pronounced with a 't' like a T. The Taurus sign is a sign of passion and energy.
This means that a Taurus is energetic and will do anything to help others in need.
Tauri is also the sign of a happy family and a happy world.
This sign is also an excellent sign to look for in the days ahead, as well as when you are looking for a new job or moving to a new city.
Scorpios are the three stars in the zebra pattern that symbolize the zenith of the cycle of the seasons.
Scorpions are also the brightest star in the sign.
They are also associated with love and friendship.
Scorpius is also a sign for love, and they are the sign for prosperity.
Capricsorns are the most powerful and beautiful of the sign's six constellations.
Capri is the sign that represents the rising sun, and Capricorns are known for their beautiful faces and their ability to charm people.
Caprisorns are also great at creating new ideas, especially when it comes to politics.
Leo is the zigzag of the sun, the zag of a rope, and the sign to mark a ruler.
This zigzagging sign means that Leo is a ruler who can get things done.
The zig-zag sign is the perfect sign for people looking to be in charge, and is also associated in astrological terms with leadership, leadership abilities, and leadership skills.
Virgos are the four brightest stars in a circle that is symbolized by the four corners of a sun.
Virgins are also called virgins, and Virgons are known as the most popular of the signs.
Virguas are also known for being energetic and loving, as are they the sign representing the heart.
Virgon is also known as a loving lover, and their most important role is as the protector of the heart in your life. 1 of 8


Featured Stories
Blind golfer stays on course
Ron Plath doesn't let a disadvantage stop his drive
by: Jeffrey Basinger Golfer Ron Plath, who is legally blind, gets help on the course from his wife, Carolyn. Plath doesn't let his disability stop him from competing nationally — and bringing home a few trophies.
After teeing up the ball, golfers will inevitably look out over the hole. They see the green grass of the fairway. Off in the distance, they see a flag billowing in the wind. To the left of the fairway, they see the white sand of the bunker. To the right, they see the still, dark glass of a water hazard.
Ron Plath cannot see any of that. At best, he sees a fuzzy ball in front of him and dark shapes in the distance that he knows are trees.
But, the Portland resident can hear the ball hit the green. Out of necessity, he takes the time to kneel and touch the long grass of the rough to see how deep it is. He really feels every gust of wind and knows what it will do to the ball. Walking along the course, he can hear the singing of birds which he cannot see.
When he was 26, Plath was diagnosed with macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. The disease does not typically strike people until their mid-50s or older. For the past 33 years, Plath's vision has gradually worsened. He is legally blind. But, he has never stopped playing golf - the game he has loved all his life.
'I can't imagine what else he'd do,' Carolyn, Plath's wife of 24 years, says. 'This game is his driving force to go on.'
Plath, 60, began swinging a cut-down 7-iron when he was 3 years old. Plath's family planned all their vacations at golf resorts. They would usually play 36 holes each day.
After Plath was diagnosed with macular degeneration, he eventually had to give up driving and reading. After a 12-year career teaching fifth and sixth grade at McKay Elementary School and gym at Elmonica Elementary School in the Beaverton school district, his vision forced him to retire. Plath resigned himself to everything, except giving up golf.
TRIBUNE PHOTO: JEFFREY BASINGER • Ron Plath, legally blind, designed a white T marking on the end of his club to help him line up his swing with what little vision he has.
'Everyone needs something to do,' Plath says. 'No one could tell me it's not possible.'
While his vision was decreasing, Plath's golf game was not. Plath has averaged 240-250 yard drives. He has a very good short game. Since becoming legally blind he has shot a 68. His target score every time he steps onto a golf course is 78.
'Don't get me wrong, I wish I could see,' Plath says. 'But a 78 without vision is more fun than a 78 with vision.'
In 2003, when Plath was 52, the United States Blind Golf Association's National Championship - the U.S. Open for blind golfers - came to the OGA Members Course in Woodburn. Plath's vision had deteriorated to the point where he qualified to play in the B-3 division for golfers with vision no better than 20-200 and no worse than 20-600.
Plath finished third. He went on to win the tournament the next five years. In 2006, Plath won the Canadian Championship in Montreal. In 2008, he won the World Championship in Northern Ireland.
'To win the World Championship, that was definitely the highlight of my career,' Plath says.
One bad knee
Since he began losing his sight, Plath has used several different 'guides,' who help blind golfers navigate the course. Plath's guides have included his father, Ace, his college roommate, Reggie Christenson, and most recently, Carolyn, who he used throughout last season.
Carolyn does not golf. But, she loves being out on the course.
'Ron is a lot more competitive than I am,' Carolyn says. 'I get more nervous in competitions than he does.'
The Plaths do try to make the game fun when they are on the course, though. They also love traveling together to tournaments.
'Trust me,' Plath says. 'I'm under no illusion that I can do it without a coach.'
Plath has had glaucoma for several years. Recently, it got out of control. He had to have laser surgery on both eyes to try to relieve some of the pressure.
'Not good,' Plath says, about the current health of his eyes. 'It's getting interesting. How's that for a phrase?'
As if poor eyesight was not enough of a handicap, Plath has been plagued by a bad left knee.
Plath realized just how bad the knee was after he placed second in the National Championship in San Antonio in October of 2009, ending his streak of five consecutive National Championships.
TRIBUNE PHOTO: JEFFREY BASINGER • Visually impaired golf playing is a true team effort. Ron Plath drives a ball down the Redtail Golf Course, while his wife and caddy, Carolyn, watches and directs.
Going into the final round, Plath had a 3-stroke lead. That morning a hard rain left the course soft and water-logged. The course officials ruled that golf carts could not be used.
Walking the course, Plath's knee gave out. He triple bogeyed the par-4 17th hole and finished the round with an 89.
'If you've ever seen the movie Happy Gilmore, that's what my swing looked like that day,' Plath says. 'I'm not like Tiger Woods. I can't play without a knee.'
In the winter of 2010, Plath underwent a knee replacement surgery after four previous operations on the knee.
'It was very strange to have a left leg again,' Plath says.
Because of the slow recovery process, Plath was only able to play in two tournaments last year. He won the Nova Scotia Blind Championships in Canada. Then, he finished second in the World Championships in England. After following the world championships, though, Plaths new knee 'thought that was too much golf' and he had to withdraw from the British Open, ending his year.
'It was just too much golf too soon on a new knee,' Plath says. 'It was disappointing, but, when you don't have two legs it gets more difficult.'
A role model
Fortunately for Plath, his knee is healthy now as he prepares to start the season April 15 when he travels to the Arizona Regional, which is a fundraiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a national group that trains canine helpers.
'I don't want to jinx myself,' Plath says. 'But, I'm playing good golf again, shooting in the 70s and I'm really anxious for the upcoming season.'
Perhaps more important than his success on the course is that during the years, Plath has become an ambassador for blind golf. He has worked as a coach for kids at the Oregon and Washington schools for the blind.
One of the reasons Plath is always so willing to do interviews about himself is the desire for the blind to learn about an activity that can help enrich their lives.
'Anything that spreads the word that blind golf is out there, I appreciate that,' Plath says. 'Working with the kids, they really enjoy stories that it's something they can do.'
Plath was the person who helped encourage his sister, Diane Wilson, of Seattle, who is also legally blind from macular degeneration to begin competing in blind golf.
'I've been listening to him telling stories since he got involved,' Wilson says. 'He encouraged me a lot along the way. He's so involved with blind golf. Ron has always shown that it's possible to do these things. He's always, to me, been a role model for people with disabilities.'


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If a prime with prime norm is a split prime, in an number ring PID?
Example: $5-\sqrt{14}$ in $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{14}]$ has norm $11$, it is a split prime in $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{14}]$? Why?
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Could you clarify your question? It isn't very clear to me what you're asking. Are you asking why certain primes split in quadratic fields? Or do you want to deduce something about the class number from this information...? – Dylan Moreland Sep 18 '11 at 16:34
Also there is no need to write so many?s. – Ted Sep 18 '11 at 17:11
1 Answer 1
This is not quite true, I'm afraid.
I assume that the statement you want to prove is:
If $K$ is a number field, $\mathfrak{O}_K$ is its ring of integers, $x \in \mathfrak{O}_K$ is a prime element (that is, $\mathfrak{p} = x \mathfrak{O}_K$ is a prime ideal), and $|\operatorname{Norm}_{K / \mathbf{Q}}(x)|$ is a prime integer $p$, then $\mathfrak{p}$ is split (i.e. the completion of $K$ with respect to the $\mathfrak{p}$-adic valuation is isomorphic to $\mathbf{Q}_p$).
This is not quite true, because you could have ramification. For instance, if $K = \mathbf{Q}(\sqrt{-2})$ and $x = \sqrt{-2}$, then the norm of $x$ is 2 (which is prime!), but the completion of $K$ at the ideal generated by $x$ is a quadratic extension of $\mathbf{Q}_p$. But it's true if you assume that $x$ doesn't divide the discriminant of $K$, which only rules out finitely many primes (and works in the example you gave above). Moreover, you don't need to assume in advance that $x$ is prime; if the norm of $x$ is prime, then $x$ itself is prime.
Note that it makes no difference here whether $\mathfrak{O}_K$ is a PID or not.
(Edit: I should have said either "p doesn't divide the discriminant of K" - a statement about divisibility of integers -- or "x doesn't divide the different of K" -- a statement about divisibility of ideals of K. The different is an ideal of K, which provides slightly finer information about ramification than the discriminant, which is an integer, does.
There are numerous excellent books on this subject. Stewart and Tall's book "Algebraic number theory and Fermat's last theorem" is one of my favourites.)
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many thanks David when you say "x doesn't divide the discriminant of K", in my example : x=5-sqrt{14} doesn't divide the discriminant of Q[sqrt{14}] is 4*14=56, but the division is in the number ring or in Z. Can you recommend some book that comes it explained thanks again PD: Sorry for my level of english – Sidi Sep 18 '11 at 22:25
_USER_: I have converted your answer to a comment. Answers should be reserved for posts that answer the question. To post a comment, look on the bottom left of a comment thread; there is a grey button "add comment". But you didn't see it earlier because you didn't log in using the same account as you used to post the question; I have now merged your accounts (to avoid future issues, it should help if you register your account). Note that because you do not have 50 reputation points yet, you can only comment on your own questions and answers. – Zev Chonoles Sep 18 '11 at 22:31
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The second of the three little pigs built his house out of wood and although in the fairy tale the wolf blew it down, the head of UniSA's Zero Waste Research Centre - Professor Steffen Lehmann says piggy number two, may have been onto something.
Using more sustainable materials such as timber in city building construction is just one of the hundreds of ideas explored in the new book edited by UniSA's Professor Steffen Lehmann and Dr Robert Crocker.
Designing for Zero Waste: Consumption, technologies and the Built Environment is the first in a series and narrows in on themes around creating a sustainable city by implementing an array of construction and design techniques/ideas.
Professor Lehmann says Australian cities, including Adelaide, have many poorly designed and inefficient buildings and he is currently working on a research project that would see more timber used in construction.
"My big passion at the moment is about constructing buildings differently in the future," Prof Lehmann says.
"Instead of steel and concrete we would have timber construction that goes up seven, eight or even ten stories - that would store carbon and provide the opportunity for timber to replace these traditional carbon intensive materials.
"We can build ten storey buildings for urban use in the city that have no steel or no concrete except for in the footings. This is possible and desirable.
"We can reduce the damage and the impact of construction by having carbon positive buildings and that's very, very exciting. We have the opportunity to reverse some of the environmental damage our existing buildings have caused."
Professor Lehmann says the timber used in such constructions would be of equal strength to the material it replaces and wouldn't mean damaging the environment.
"It doesn't involve cutting down rainforests with pristine timber in Indonesia - we are not talking about that type of timber. This timber needs to come from a sustainably harvested source with a 12 year cycle, so we could set up a green supply chain with Mt Gambier pine trees for instance," he says.
Social sustainability is one of the key themes explored in the new book which develops ideas on how future cities can consume less and function more efficiently.
"The centre is very interested in cities and how to transform cities to use fewer materials to produce less waste and use less energy, water, and to grow food locally. Then if you add a greater focus on recycling - that is my idea of a more sustainable city," he says.
Prof Lehmann says a lot of the waste issues faced in urban areas are centred around the attitudes of people who consume too much.
"Why do people want a second fridge? Why do people want big cars like hummers? Why can't people drive less? We see a lot of young people have a limited relationship with nature and do not value tree planting.
"Attitudes are changing too slowly, in fact we see people wanting bigger houses to fill with stuff. We now have the largest homes in the world - bigger than the US - and they are badly designed and heavily dependent on air-conditioning. These are things we can change but they require education and attitude change as well."
The Earthscan Series on Sustainable Design's first book - Designing for Zero Waste: Consumption, technologies and the built environment will be launched at 6pm Thursday, February 23 at the Allan Scott Theatre - City West Campus.
To view the original article visit: _URL_


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Persuasive personal monitoring and feedback systems could help patients and clinicians manage mental illness. Mental illness is complex, difficult to treat, and carries social stigma. From a review of literature on bipolar disorder and interviews with bipolar disorder experts, we developed a framework for designing a persuasive monitoring system to support management of the illness. The framework applies a user-centered design process that is especially sensitive to the complexity of the illness, the difficulty of treatment, its stigma, and the goals of patients and clinicians. We describe our application of this framework to designing a persuasive mobile phone monitoring system. We discuss how our use of the framework can help overcome the special challenges posed by designing systems for mental illness: (1) accommodating a complex array of symptoms, (2) supporting an uncertain treatment process, and (3) maintaining a high level of sensitivity to the seriousness and darkness of the illness, as well as the social stigma associated with it.


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AppsAnywhere is BCIT's software delivery platform. Through AppsAnywhere, you can access all the software needed for your coursework without ever needing to visit a BCIT student computer lab. The very first time you connect to AppsAnywhere on a device you will need to follow the steps below to ensure that AppsAnywhere will work correctly (even if you've connected to AppsAnywhere on another device previously).
Note: These instructions apply to a Windows environment. If your computer is a Mac you will need to follow instead the instructions for logging in to AppsAnywhere for the first time on a Mac. You may also need to consider setting up a Windows environment on your Mac computer to be able to use most of the software in AppsAnywhere.
Setting up AppsAnywhere the first time you use it
To complete the initial setup:
- In a web browser, go to the AppsAnywhere site and login using your usual BCIT credentials.
- Click on the blue button on the left indicating that it your first time using AppsAnywhere on this device.
- The Appsanywhere client download will start. Wait for it to complete.
- Navigate to your downloads and double click the downloaded package.
- Follow the steps as prompted by the installer to install AppsAnywhere. Depending on your computer's security settings, you may be asked to confirm whether you want to allow the installer to make changes to your computer. Click OK.
- Close the installer when you see the confirmation that the installation was successful.
- In your browser, click the Done button.
- A pop-up will ask if you want to Open AppsAnywhere Launcher. Click the button to do so.
- After a few seconds the validation process will complete and you will see all available applications.


text:
Distinguishing problems in interval graphs
CNRS - Universit\'e Lyon 1 (France)
Universit\'e Blaise Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand (France)
Durham University (United Kingdom)
CNRS - Universit\'e Paris Sud (France)
Universit\'e Aix-Marseille (France)
Minisymposium: METRIC DIMENSION AND RELATED PARAMETERS
Content: We consider the problems of finding optimal identifying codes, (open) locating-dominating sets and resolving sets of an interval or a permutation graph. In these problems, one asks to distinguish all vertices of a graph by a subset of the vertices, using either the neighbourhood within the solution set or the distances to the solution vertices. Using a general reduction for this class of problems, we prove that the decision problems associated to these four notions are NP-complete, even for graphs that are at the same time interval graphs and permutation graphs and have diameter 2. While finding an optimal identifying code and an (open) locating-dominating set are trivially fixed-parameter-tractable when parametrized by solution size, it is known that in the same setting finding the metric dimension of a graph (which is the size of an optimal resolving set) is W-hard. We show that for interval graphs, this parametrization of metric dimension is fixed parameter tractable.


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The Silence Seeker
When a new family moves in next door, Joe's mum explains that they are "asylum seekers". Joe hears that they are "silence seekers", especially as Mum adds that they need peace and quiet. When he sees a young boy from the family sitting disconsolately on the steps, Joe decides to help him find a quiet place in the noisy and chaotic city.
This is a thoughtful story for ages 5-7, with vivid illustrations. It is likely to provoke lots of discussions and questions, not just about issues of immigration and asylum, but about friendship, homelessness and city life in general. The publishers, Tamarind, have provided an activity sheet as a helpful starter, but teachers are sure to find many more ways to link this book to aspects of Citizenship and PSHE.
There are also some great activities suggested on the Schools Linking Network website:
Silence Seeker - Exploring the Words We Choose
And in this YouTube clip, the author Ben Morley talks about how he's used the book in school:


Converting to Percentiles and Back (1 of 4)
If the mean and standard deviation of a normal distribution are known, it is relatively easy to figure out the percentile rank of a person obtaining a specific score. To be more concrete, assume a test in Introductory Psychology is normally distributed with a mean of 80 and a standard deviation of 5. What is the percentile rank of a person who received a score of 70 on the test?
Mathematical statisticians have developed ways of determining the proportion of a distribution that is below a given number of standard deviations from the mean. They have shown that only 2.3% of the population will be less than or equal to a score two standard deviations below the mean. (click here to see why 70 is two standard deviations below the mean.) In terms of the Introductory Psychology test example, this means that a person scoring 70 would be in the 2.3rd percentile.
normal distributiion
This graph shows the distribution of scores on the test. The shaded area is 2.3% of the total area. The proportion of the area below 70 is equal to the proportion of the scores below 70.


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An online stamp generator is a tool that allows business owners to create customized stamps for different purposes, such as packaging, marking invoices, and even authenticating important official and legal documents. Hence, in this article, let us discuss everything that a business owner should know about an online stamp generator or a stamp maker online.
How does an online stamp generator operate?
A stamp maker online or online stamp generator comes with a specific software application that allows customers to design and customize their stamps online. Users can select from various kinds of pre-designed templates, then add their own text, and next can upload images. After that, the online stamp generator can create a specific digital file of the stamp design, which can be easily downloaded or even printed on a self-inking stamp or a rubber stamp.
What are the different types of stamps that can help you with your business?
An online stamp generator can develop various types of useful stamps, such as:
- Pre-inked stamps
These types of stamps have an ink reservoir built into the stamp pad. They are capable of offering a high-quality impression and can be re-inked when the ink runs out.
- Self-inking stamps
These are another type of stamp that has an integrated ink pad. This ink pad can automatically re-ink the stamps after each imprint or impression. These kinds of stamps are more efficient and convenient than many other kinds of stamps.
- Rubber stamps
These are other kinds of stamps that have a certain rubber surface mounted on a plastic or wooden block. You can use these rubber stamps with an ink pad to transfer ink onto paper or even some other materials.
Important features do business owners consider when designing an online personalized stamp?
When designing a personalized online stamp, business owners need to keep in mind some important factors. Such as follows:
- The text of the stamp
The text on the online stamp needs to be both clear and legible. It needs to include important pieces of information, such as the name and address of the business, contact information, incorporating state, and many more.
- The size of the stamp
The size of the online stamp has to be appropriate for its intended use. A stamp that is larger in size can be a lot more visible but may not be accurate or suitable for making an impression on small items, such as envelopes.
- The color of the stamp
The color of your digital or online stamp needs to be consistent with the color scheme of your brand. It needs to be easily readable and contrast with the background.
- The logo of the stamp
The logo of your online and personalized stamp has to be of highresolution and needs to represent your brand as accurately as possible. It has to be placed in a prominent location on the stamp.
Therefore, to make logo stamps with great perfection, a business owner needs to check a few things, such as:
- They need to select a clear and legible font for the text.
- They must choose a high-resolution image.
- They need to select the appropriate size of the stamp as per their needs.
- They should use an accurate color scheme and even check the spelling and accuracy of the information provided in the stamp.
What are the different types of ink pads you can use to make an impression on your online stamp?
There are different types of ink pads that business owners can use. Such as:
- Water-based ink pads
These types of ink pads are perfect for rubber stamps and hence, can offer a quick drying time. These stamps are not suitable for non-porous or glossy materials.
- Pigment ink pads
These kinds of ink pads are great for use with your pre-inked stamps and can offer a high-quality impression. These impressions are more resistant to fading and are even suitable for use on various types of surfaces.
- Solvent-based ink pads
These types of ink pads are ideal for self-inking stamps. Business owners can use these to create stamp online to create an impression on non-porous or glossy surfaces. They provide a longer drying time and are a lot more resistant to smearing or smudging.
Types Of Stamps That A Business Owner Should Have
There are mainly four types of stamps that a business owner must have. Such as:
- Bank Stamps
These types of stamps are important for almost all business owners. Professionals can use this stamp to show the authenticity of checks and documents, and other business professionals may utilize it to track and manage the status of various types of financial transactions.
These stamps are useful in both routine stamping situations and one-off situations. This kind of online stamp helps by saving time and reducing fatigue when stamping large quantities of important documents that need to be properly authenticated with a date.
The places where you can use your bank documents are paychecks, checks, account summaries, banking statements, and many more.
- Signature stamps
When you need to sign a stack of important official documents at once, the time it needs to sign each one by hand may be a really tough job. So, in this situation, you can just rely on an online stamp generator and create a stamp online to complete your task within just a few minutes.
You can create a good quality signature stamp and then can sign all your important papers quickly and easily. Places where you can use your signature stamp are letters, notices, thank you notes, employee contracts, packing slips, licenses and permits, and many more.
- Address stamps
The name and mailing address of an organization are generally imprinted onto an address stamp. With this kind of stamp, you can build strong brand awareness and also a good relationship with your customers. The utilization of an address stamp with your company logo is a labor and time-saving way to produce an attractive letterhead or return address.
Places, where you can use your address stamp, are packing slips, contracts, letterheads, business cards, sales order receipts, thank you notes, etc.
- Date stamps
Date stamps can be used in a large variety of official and legal documents that can reduce your labor to a great extent. You can use your date stamps on papers, like receipts, food packages, contracts, notices, letters, permits, invoices, inventory, and many more.
However, no matter what kind of online stamp you wish to create, you should always trust a reliable and professional online stamp generator, like Stamping and Blogging.
How can you create a stamp online using Stamping and Blogging?
By opting for Stamping and Blogging, you just need to go through a few easy steps to make logo stamp. Such as:
- First, go to the designer page of this online stamp generator and choose "New stamp."
- Then set the accurate size of your customized online stamp.
- After that, insert the "Circle" option and write down the text that you want in your customized stamp.
- Next, upload an image as per your choice, and finish the design after changing the position and size of the image.
- Lastly, you can download it if necessary or even send it for production.
Therefore, creating an online stamp with the help of a reliable stamp maker online, such as Stamping and Blogging can always help your business in many ways.


Electric Cornstarch
Static electricity and non-Newtonian fluids combine for an amazing hands-on science project
You can do some pretty amazing things with non-Newtonian fluids, and the same can be said of static electricity. When you combine the two, you wind up with a hands-on science experiment that you have to see to believe. Cornstarch seems to magically jump towards a statically charged balloon, but do you know the science?
Experiment Materials
 - Cornstarch
 - Vegetable oil
 - Mixing bowl
 - Large spoon
 - Balloon
 - Measuring cup
 - Adult supervision
Experiment Videos
 1. Pour 1/4 cup of cornstarch into a mixing bowl.
 2. Add 1/4 cup of vegetable oil into the mixing bowl. Stir the mixture until it thickens.
 3. Blow up a balloon and tie it off.
 4. Statically charge the balloon using your hair, shirt, or rug. (We prefer hair.)
 5. Place the charged balloon close to the spoonful of the cornstarch mixture. Once you witness the cornstarch jump towards the balloon, slowly move the balloon away. Repeat that as many times as you want!
How Does It Work
You probably guessed this by now, since you rubbed the balloon against your hair, but this experiment revolves around static electricity. When you rub the balloon on a coarse surface like your hair, you give the balloon additional electrons. These new electrons generate a negative static charge. Meanwhile the cornstarch, having identity issues about being a solid or a liquid, has a neutral charge.
When an object has a negative charge, it will repel the electrons of other objects and attract that object's protons. When the neutrally charged object is light enough, like the dripping cornstarch in this case, the negatively charged object will attract the lightweight object. But try attracting cornstarch while it's in the bowl… it doesn't work! You need to reduce the amount of other forces acting on the cornstarch for this experiment to work, and that's why you drip it from the large spoon. Dripping the cornstarch means fewer cornstarch molecules will be able to cohere to each other, which enables the dripping cornstarch to swing towards the balloon more freely.
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