How an ancient Egyptian artefact was discovered in Aberdeen - and what it is?
Wednesday, 16th December 2020, 4:02 pm
Updated Wednesday, 16th December 2020, 4:09 pm
In a miraculous case of 'the right place at the right time' an Egyptian researcher at the University of Aberdeen has discovered an ancient artefact which has been missing for over a century.
Wooden splits found in a cigar tin in the university's Asia collection, could have been mistaken for something insignificant.
But the relic has now been confirmed as belonging to the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
So why is the discovery so important, and how did the artefact end up in Aberdeen of all places?
What is the missing artefact?
The wooden fragments of the relic date back to somewhere between 3341-3094BC, making it around 5000 years old.
The cedar wood pieces are part of the Dixon Relics, originally discovered in the pyramid's Queens Chamber in 1872 by engineer Waynman Dixon.
Some have speculated that the piece of cedar was originally a measuring rule which may have been used for construction of the pyramid.
What are the other Dixon Relics?
The other two artefacts which make up the collection are a ball and hook.
They are now housed in the British Museum.
How did the artefact end up in Aberdeen?
It is thought that engineer Dixon befriended James Grant, a medical student at the university, after they met in Egypt while Grant was helping with an outbreak of cholera in the 1860s.
Grant then assisted Dixon with the exploration of the Great Pyramid, where they discovered the relics in 1872.
During this time, Dixon gave the cedar wood to Grant and it remained in his possession until his death in 1895, when the rest of his collections were then donated to the University of Aberdeen.
However, the wooden splints remained with his daughter until 1946 when she then handed them over to the university.
There was no classified record of this donation and so there was no official record of the artefact being stored there among the hundreds of thousands of other pieces of history stored in various collections.
Who discovered the missing piece in Aberdeen?
In 2001, a record indicating that the wood fragment may have been donated to the University of Aberdeen's museum collection was discovered.
However, the record had never been classified and the artefacts never materialised, until they showed up in 2019.
While Egyptian researcher and curatorial assistant Abeer Eladany, was sorting through the Asia collection at the university, she recognised a cigar tin with the former Egyptian flag on it.
After cross-referencing the fragments inside with other records, she recognised them as the missing artefact.
The archaeologist, originally from Egypt, said of her discovery: "I'm an archaeologist and have worked on digs in Egypt but I never imagined it would be here in north-east Scotland that I'd find something so important to the heritage of my own country.
"It may be just a small fragment of wood, which is now in several pieces, but it is hugely significant given that it is one of only three items ever to be recovered from inside the Great Pyramid.
"The university's collections are vast – running to hundreds of thousands of items – so looking for it has been like finding a needle in a haystack. I couldn't believe it when I realised what was inside this innocuous-looking cigar tin."
Despite the artefacts being discovered in 2019, coronavirus held up the dating of the wood, but results now show it can be dated to somewhere in the period 3341-3094BC.
What is the Pyramid of Giza?
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in a complex bordering Giza in Greater Cairo, Egypt.
Dating back to around 3000 B.C., it is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the only one still remaining as it appeared thousands of years ago.
It originally stood 146.5 metres high, making it the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years - until the Lincoln Cathedral was built in 1311.
The pyramid is made up of three chambers - the Lower Chamber, the Queen's Chamber and the King's Chamber.
It was initially thought that the pyramid was built for Pharaoh Khufu - however, the dating of the cedar wood artefact could call this into question as they are thought to date back to 500 years before Khufu was born.
Why is the discovery so important?
The new dating of the cedar wood raises questions about the history of the pyramid, as they date back to some 500 years earlier than it was believed the Egyptian pyramid was built.
The pyramid is the last Wonder of the Ancient World which is largely intact and the relics are one of only three remaining original objects from the time the pyramid was built.
Neil Curtis, head of museums and special collections at the University of Aberdeen, said: "Finding the missing Dixon relic was a surprise but the carbon dating has also been quite a revelation.
"It is even older than we had imagined. This may be because the date relates to the age of the wood, maybe from the centre of a long-lived tree.
"Alternatively, it could be because of the rarity of trees in ancient Egypt, which meant that wood was scarce, treasured and recycled or cared for over many years.
"This discovery will certainly reignite interest in the Dixon relics and how they can shed light on the Great Pyramid."


Workcred's research services include partnerships and grants to examine workforce credentialing issues
and needs, and are currently focused on several key areas.
Examining the relationship between quality, labor market value, and effectiveness of credentials
Exploring the relationship among different types of credentials (e.g., certifications, degrees, certificates) to improve credential holders' labor-market outcomes
In recent years there has been enormous growth in the number and variety of labor market credentials — college degrees, certificates, certifications, occupational licenses, and badges. It is important to understand the purpose of each credential and how credentials can be used in combination (e.g., earning a certification as part of a college degree) to improve individuals career and labor-market outcomes.
Mapping and integrating the credentialing landscape to create more defined credential pathways
Using data to identify credential values and outcomes
Individuals and employers struggle to discern high quality credentials from those of lesser quality. They do not know why or when they should choose one over another and how they relate. For example, information obtained by linking different administrative data sets, can be used to improve education decision making and measure the return on investment of certification attainment.
Learn more about our current work.
Research Highlights
Variable Impacts of New Credentials
for the Older Worker
Through the analysis, which is the first to use the Participant Individual Record Layout data files from the U.S. Department of Labor, this report examines the impact of new credentials on reemployment for older (50+ years) workers. Industry-recognized certificates and certifications were found to have the most value to older workers seeking employment after displacement with respect to reemployment and earnings.
This report, Understanding Certifications, is intended as a primer to help policymakers and practitioners navigate the complex and little understood "wild west" of certifications. Awarded by industry groups, professional associations, and companies, certifications have the potential to be useful tools in addressing re-employment, re-deployment, and re-education challenges that workers face in the current labor market.


County Social Service Agencies Reduce Burden on Applicants
Now more than ever, individuals are looking for a way to get benefits faster and more efficiently from their state or county-managed social service agencies.
Technology Investments Help Deliver Benefits Faster to Those in Need
The need for quick access to social safety net programs is clear. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting millions of people across the country with social isolation, unemployment, food insecurity, homelessness and housing insecurity, stress and mental illness. Now more than ever, individuals are looking for a way to get benefits faster and more efficiently from their state or county-managed social service agencies.
Burden of Proof Falls on Applicants' Shoulders
Unfortunately, the application process can be a huge burden on these individuals and families who may already be suffering from social, economic or health disruptions due to COVID-19. Applications often require a significant amount of time and documentation, as well as access to technology. Many times, they need things like scanners and a Wi-Fi connection to submit an application. Typically, states require the following from applicants:
 - Proof of identity (identification card or driver's license)
 - Proof of citizenship or qualified immigrant status
 - Social Security numbers for everyone requesting assistance
 - Proof of income (pay stubs, child support payments, income award letters, etc.)
 - Proof of expenses (childcare receipts, medical bills, medical transportation costs, child support payments, etc.)
State agencies may use this information to check an applicant's income and eligibility. They may also match the information against other federal, state and local agencies to verify income and eligibility. Additionally, they often track wage information and participation in work activities for ongoing benefit delivery.
Latency of Data can Cause Latency in Benefit Delivery
This can be a lot of information for applicants to gather. Plus, it creates a significant amount of work for state agencies tasked with verifying that information to determine eligibility and to ensure that recipients get all the benefits for which they're entitled.
Confirming that information takes time. Any delay can create an increased financial burden on applicants as they wait for a decision. Our teams at Equifax Government Services have seen agency customers with a wait period of more than 45 days due to manual checks for income verification¹. This, in turn, delays potential benefits to those in need.
Outdated information sources may also cause processing delays. For example, state wage data can be typically anywhere from 30 to 120 days old. The National Directory of New Hires, which gathers state wage data the quarter after it's been reported, is at least four months old. It also includes New Hire Data, which is at least 30 days old when released and only shows hires, rather than length, hours or separation².
Also, if there are significant delays in benefits processing, applicants may become anxious and sometimes re-apply unnecessarily. This means more work to pull the documentation together again and applications submitted twice can potentially lead to even greater delays in decisioning.
Verified Income Data for a Better Applicant Experience
Social Service agencies can help alleviate this burden on the applicant by using a systems-first approach to benefit determination. Integrating and referring first to a database like The Work Number® can help quickly verify employment and income information. Equifax Workforce Solutions also has products available that provide access to real-time incarceration data and financial records. Automated access to current data, as provided by employers 24/7, is critical for faster benefit decisions.
Additionally, the use of external data sources can help minimize the amount of work the applicant has to do to apply for - and prove continued need for - benefits. It is also more secure. With automated data supporting each case, applicants may not need to continue saving and submitting proof of need on paper. More importantly, any reduction in paper pay stubs and other sensitive documentation is a good step towards more privacy and security of applicant data.
For more information on how county agencies can help reduce the burden on families and applicants for social safety net programs, watch our video resources.
1 "State: New contract to reduce errors, cut wait times for SNAP and other public benefit programs," The Nevada Independent, October 9, 2019.
2 "A Guide to the National Directory of New Hires," Administration for Children and Families Office of Child Support Enforcement, April 2020.


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What is needed?
Studio teaching requires a couple of changes from traditional classroom layouts and scheduling.
First, studio activities are not really possible when students sit in rows facing the front of a classroom. Instead, students must sit together and look at each other. So, a traditional lecture hall is not an appropriate venue. Round tables are ideal, but standard lab tables can work just as well. Many instructors simply have their studio classes meet in the rooms that normally are only used for labs.
Second, standard class scheduling also hinders studio teaching. At most colleges and universities, class lecture sessions meet for three standard 50 minute periods, or two 80 minute periods per week. Lab sessions are generally 2 hours or longer in the afternoons. While it is possible to teach a studio class in 1 hour blocks, it is much better to have longer class periods. Two sessions per week, of 3 hours each, comes out to about the same number of contact hours as a traditional class, and works much better. The distinction between lab and lecture should, and can, be eliminated. During the longer time blocks, students may work on a number of different projects and may not all be doing the same things.

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


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The xylophone, a percussion instrument with a bright and distinct sound, captivates audiences with its resonant tones. To comprehend the magic behind these melodic vibrations, one must delve into the intricate science that governs the xylophone's unique mechanism. In this article, we will explore the fundamental principles that make a xylophone vibrate, offering insight into the harmonious world of this timeless instrument.
The Anatomy of a Xylophone: A Percussive Marvel
Before dissecting the vibrations, let's first understand the xylophone's basic structure. Comprising wooden bars of varying lengths arranged in a graduated manner, the xylophone's bars are suspended above resonators or a resonant chamber. These resonators, typically made of metal tubes or wooden pipes, play a crucial role in amplifying and enhancing the instrument's sound.
Striking the Right Note: Mallets and Bar Interaction
The xylophone's vibrant sound begins with the interaction between the player's mallets and the wooden bars. Mallets, often made of materials like rubber, plastic, or yarn, impact the bars with a percussive force. This impact sets the bars into motion, initiating a sequence of vibrations that eventually produce the audible tones we associate with the xylophone.
Natural Frequencies: The Key to Vibrations
Each wooden bar on the xylophone is designed to vibrate at specific natural frequencies. When struck, the bar resonates at these frequencies, creating a fundamental pitch along with various harmonics. The combination of these frequencies produces the xylophone's characteristic sound. The longer bars produce lower pitches, while the shorter ones generate higher pitches, allowing for a broad range of musical expression.
Resonators' Resonance: Enhancing and Sustaining Vibrations
The resonators beneath the xylophone bars play a pivotal role in shaping and sustaining the instrument's vibrations. When a bar is struck, it sets the air inside the resonator in motion. The resonator, tuned to the same frequency as the bar, amplifies the vibrations and projects the sound outward. This synergy between the vibrating bar and the resonator enhances the overall resonance and volume of the xylophone.
Materials Matter: Wood's Role in Vibrational Excellence
The choice of wood for xylophone bars is crucial to the instrument's vibrational qualities. Hardwoods like rosewood or padauk are commonly used due to their density and ability to transmit vibrations effectively. The unique properties of these woods contribute to the xylophone's distinct timbre, ensuring that the instrument produces clear and resonant tones.
Mode of Vibration: Understanding Harmonics
When a xylophone bar is struck, it vibrates not only at its fundamental frequency but also at multiples of that frequency, known as harmonics. These harmonics contribute to the rich and complex sound of the xylophone. The mode of vibration, influenced by factors such as the bar's shape and material, determines the distribution of these harmonics and shapes the overall tonal quality.
Damping: Controlling Vibrations for Artistic Expression
Damping is a technique used by xylophone players to control the duration of vibrations and shape the expressive qualities of their performance. By placing their hand on the bar immediately after striking it, players can shorten the duration of the vibrations, creating staccato or marcato articulations. Mastering damping techniques adds a layer of artistic control to the xylophone's dynamic range.
Environmental Factors: Temperature and Humidity Effects
Environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, can influence the xylophone's vibrational behavior. Changes in these factors may impact the elasticity and resonance of the wooden bars, affecting their vibrational frequencies. Musicians often need to acclimate their instruments to the performance environment to ensure optimal vibrational characteristics.
Microscopic World: Vibrations at the Molecular Level
At the molecular level, the xylophone's vibrational journey is a dance of atoms and molecules within the wooden bars. When struck, the impact sends waves of energy through the wood, causing its molecular structure to vibrate. This microscopic movement is integral to the transmission of sound waves, converting mechanical energy into the auditory experience we perceive as music.
Tuning and Maintenance: Fine-Tuning Vibrations for Precision
To maintain the xylophone's vibrational integrity, regular tuning and maintenance are essential. Over time, factors like temperature changes and wear can affect the instrument's pitch and resonance. Tuning involves adjusting the length of the bars or altering their density to ensure that they resonate at the correct frequencies. A well-maintained xylophone guarantees consistent and accurate vibrations.
Educational Insights: Teaching the Science of Vibrations
Understanding the science of vibrations in the xylophone provides valuable insights for educators and students. Teachers can explore concepts like harmonics, damping, and resonant frequencies to deepen students' appreciation for the instrument. By delving into the physics of xylophone vibrations, students gain a holistic understanding of the interplay between art and science in the world of music.
In conclusion, the enchanting vibrations of the xylophone are a result of a harmonious interplay between materials, design, and the laws of physics. From the impact of mallets on carefully crafted wooden bars to the resonance of tuned resonators, each element contributes to the instrument's unique sound. By unraveling the science behind xylophone vibrations, we gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistry that bring this percussive marvel to life, resonating with audiences across musical genres.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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If you happen to come to Romania on the first day of March, you will see women wearing a tiny little "toy", tied up with a cute white and red yarn ribbon, on their coats. This toy is called "Martisor" and here's the history behind these trinkets.
(Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 14, 2010. Your comments are welcome, but please be aware that authors of previously published articles may not be able to promptly respond to new questions or comments.)
Mărţişor is a beautiful celebration of spring in my country. It goes back to ancient times, when men went to war in the springtime, and women gave them an amulet to protect them in battle.
The celebration seems to be based on the Roman calendar, which started the new year on March 1. The Romanian nationality was formed by the union of the Romans and the Dacs and that is why they celebrated the New Year at the beginning of spring like the Romans did, up until the 18th century. Mars was a god for both fertility and war, and March was his month. The double yarn was choose as a dual symbol to celebrate him: the white represented peace and fertility, while the red represented war.
Some very old amulets (about 8,000 years old) were also found when digging on an archeological site in our country. They were little rocks painted in white and red.
We have a few fairy tales about the fight between right and wrong, symbolized by winter and spring seasons. Right always wins, but with a blood sacrifice. That is why the yarn colors are red and white.
The talisman begins with white and red yarn, then a small amulet is added to the gift. Sometimes it is a small gold coin, meant to protect the loved one from all bad things. It is worn around the neck suspended on the white and red yarn.
The amulet was called "Mărţişor" (pronounced "mirtzyshore"), and derives from the Romanian name "Martie," meaning the month of March. It means a small gift for March (Martie) 1 and thus it took the name of the month, as in "little Marches".
Nowadays, the amulet (Mărţişor) is usually a little toy representing a flower, an animal, a thing or a human figure. Common examples include snowdrops, puppies, cats, butterflies, or horseshoes, clover leaves, or even chimney sweepers - whatever is thought to bring luck. It represents a symbol of love and spring, and a boy gives one "Mărţişor" to the girl he loves; she wears it until March 8, then hangs it in a tree to bring prosperity to her home. A bouquet of snowdrops can be also a nice gift for this celebration.
Usually, the Martisors are made by artisans and craftsmen, who sell them in special places on the street.
Some of the crafts are made of wood, others are made from artificial flowers.
Some are made of dried flowers encased in plastic.
Fabric is frequently used in creating amulets, as are feathers, shells, ceramic and metal.
The yarn has different shapes too, but it always uses the red and white colors. Often the yarn is silk, twisted together, each ending with a tassel. The yarn is tied to the amulet (Mărţişor) through a small circle attached for hanging, then a ribbon is made.
I like the handcrafted Martisors best, but many are commercially produced from industrial materials such as plastic or iron.
Some are more like brooches and are made like jewelery - more expensive, but very much appreciated.
The amulets are usually pinned on a card and put in an envelope before given as a gift.
When we were children, not only did the boys gave "Mărţişoare" to the girls, but the girls also exchanged amulets among themslves. All the girls in our classroom took this celebration very seriously and enjoyed it very much. We all spent a lot of time arranging each "Mărţişor" on a little piece of paper shaped like a big, fat number 1. We used to write a beautiful thought like, "Lots of luck and joy!" and drew a snowdrop on the number 1 shaped card. Then we pinned the "Mărţişor" on the card and put it in an envelope with each girl's name on it. We even made our own envelopes for the little cards.The "Mărţişor" has to be fixed with a needle on the coat, right on the heart when worn. In school, we used to pin all the amulets we've been receiving on our uniform, which was hilarious. But we always saved one to pin on the coat too.
Every year, we set out to select our "Mărţişoare" before the end of February. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate and we encounter a bad snowstorm, or it's raining, but no matter what the weather, Romanian people will buy "Mărţişoare" for giving to the ones they love. I still have all the "Mărţişoare"which I have received from my husband and son over many years; they hold very dear memories for me.
Here is my teddy bear which gives a big noisy smoochy and says "I love you!"
Since we missed the official date this year, I will share it with you all to be your "Mărţişor."


text: [en] The effects of intercropping of wheat cultivars and oilseed rape on the densities of wheat aphid, Sitobion avenae, and their arthropod natural enemies were evaluated. Three winter wheat cultivars with different resistant levels to S. avenae were used: 'KOK¿ (high resistance), 'Xiaobaidongmai¿ (low resistance) and'Hongmanghong¿ (susceptible). The results showed that the densities of S. avenae were significantly higher on the monoculture pattern than on either the 8-2 intercropping pattern (eight rows of wheat with two rows of oilseed rape) or the 8-4 intercropping pattern (eight rows of wheat with four rows of oilseed rape). The mean number of predators and the mummy rates of S. avenae were significantly higher in two intercropping patterns than those in the monoculture pattern. The densities of S. avenae, ladybeetles, and mummy rate of S. avenae were significantly different among different wheat cultivars. The highest densities of S. avenae and ladybeetles were found on wheat cultivar Hongmanghong. The lowest densities of S. avenae associated with high mummy rate of S. avenae were found on wheat cultivar Xiaobaidongmai. The results showed that wheat-oilseed rape intercropping conserved more predators and parasitoids than in wheat monoculture fields, and partial resistance of wheat cultivar Xiaobaidongmai had complementary or even synergistic effects on parasitoid of S. avenae.


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International Conference on Optimization Design (ICOD 2010)
20 Based on the Optimal Design of Product Form Modeling of Cognitive Semantics of Symbolic Elements
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the advent of the information age demands products easy to identify, the accelerated pace of people's lives, but also require product easy to operate. Products to meet these requirements will need an accurate form of semantics, which is one of the optimal designs of products. Product semantics refers to the appearance of the product itself, through the Industrial Modeling Language, to represent the use of product-related content. In this paper, the product form of semantics from the user in the form of symbolic elements of cognitive psychology, analyzes the research on the product form the user requirements and preferences of...


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Home > Business > Human Resources > People > Professions > President and Vice President Compared
Difference Between President and Vice President
President vs Vice President
Though there are Presidents and Vice Presidents in most democratic countries that are political offices held for the governance of a country, we are concerned with the titles of President and Vice President in the corporate world where these are titles held by officers in the management. Not many people are aware of the differences in the roles and responsibilities of Presidents and Vice Presidents that will be discussed in this article.
Time shave changed and so have organizational structures with specialization being the buzzword. Thus, we have CEO, COO, and of course the Presidents and the Vice Presidents. Who is more important in an organization, a CEO or a President and whose opinions matter more for the shareholders, President's or the Vice President's. All this is clear once a person understands the functions and responsibilities of President and Vice President.
Vice President is a title that is used commonly in large organizations. There may be many vice Presidents in a company with each Vice President specialize in a certain department implying a VP having specific set of skills. So we have VP finance, and we also have VP personnel. But irrespective of the number of vice presidents, there is a single person with the title of President. He is the most influential person in the organization and is equivalent to Chief Executive Officer or Managing Director.
In a company where there are many VP's, there is a convention to rank them according to their seniority. Thus, we have the Senior Executive VP who is the senior most VP, and he is the person next in command to the President. Thereafter, we have Executive VP, Senior VP and then just VP's of various departments. All VP's are under the control of the President, but in the absence of the President, it is the Senior Executive VP who performs the functions of the President. However, in the case of a successor being searched for the President, it is the board of directors that decide and not necessarily the senior most VP who becomes the President.
What is the difference between President and Vice President?
- President and Vice President are titles of key officers in an organization with President being the most powerful officer. He is considered to be equivalent to the CEO or the Managing Director of a company.
- There may be just one vice president in a small company but in the majority of instances, there are many VP's in a large organization, each having a specific set of skills reflected by their title. Thuis we have VP (finance), VP (personnel), and so on.
- Vice Presidents are under the control of the President.
Related posts:
 1. Difference Between President and Prime Minister
 2. Difference Between Governor and President
 3. Difference Between Chairman and President
 4. Difference Between CEO and President
 5. Difference Between Interim and Acting
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How many species of giraffe are there?
In a recent paper in Current Biology, Fennessy and colleagues [1] conclude that there are four species of giraffe and that their numbers are declining in Africa. Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) are presently classifi ed as one species, with nine subspecies, which are considered 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List [2]. The present consensus of one species divided into nine subspecies has previously been questioned (Supplemental information), and Fennessy and colleagues [1] provide another viewpoint on giraffe taxonomy. The fundamental reason for different taxonomic interpretations is that they are based upon different datasets that adopt different statistical techniques and follow different criteria for nomenclature.
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What Is Unlevered Free Cash Flow (UFCF)?
Unlevered free cash flow (UFCF) is a company's cash flow before taking interest payments into account. Unlevered free cash flow can be reported in a company's financial statements or calculated using financial statements by analysts.
Unlevered free cash flow shows how much cash is available to the firm before taking financial obligations into account.
UFCF can be contrasted with levered cash flow (LFCF), which is the money left over after all a firm's bills are paid.
Key Takeaways
 - Unlevered free cash flow (UFCF) is the amount of available cash a firm has before accounting for its financial obligations.
 - Free cash flow (FCF), on the other hand, is the money a company has left over after paying its operating expenses and capital expenditures.
 - UFCF is of interest to investors because it indicates how much cash a business has to expand.
 - UFCF can be contrasted with levered free cash flow which does take into account financial obligations.
 - UFCF is preferred when undertaking discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis.
Unlevered Free Cash Flow
The Formula for UFCF is:
UFCF = EBITDA CAPEX Working Capital Taxes where: UFCF = Unlevered free cash flow \begin{aligned} &\text{UFCF} = \textit{EBITDA} - \textit{CAPEX} - \text{Working Capital} - \text{Taxes} \\ &\textbf{where:} \\ &\text{UFCF} = \text{Unlevered free cash flow} \\ \end{aligned} UFCF=EBITDACAPEXWorking CapitalTaxeswhere:UFCF=Unlevered free cash flow
The formula for unlevered free cash flow uses earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), and capital expenditures (CAPEX), which represents the investments in buildings, machines, and equipment. It also uses working capital, which includes inventory, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
What Does Unlevered Free Cash Flow Reveal?
Unlevered free cash flow is the gross free cash flow generated by a company. Leverage is another name for debt, and if cash flows are levered, that means they are net of interest payments. Unlevered free cash flow is the free cash flow available to pay all stakeholders in a firm, including debt holders as well as equity holders.
Like levered free cash flow, unlevered free cash flow is net of capital expenditures and working capital needs—the cash needed to maintain and grow the company's asset base in order to generate revenue and earnings. Non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization are added back to earnings to arrive at the firm's unlevered free cash flow.
A company that has a large amount of outstanding debt, being highly leveraged, is more likely to report unlevered free cash flow because it provides a rosier picture of the company's financial health. The figure shows how assets are performing in a vacuum because it ignores the payments made for debt incurred to obtain those assets. Investors have to make sure to consider debt obligations since highly leveraged companies are at greater risk for bankruptcy.
Interest expense often appears with differences in timing between interest accrued and interest paid.
The Difference Between Levered and Unlevered Free Cash Flow
The difference between levered and unlevered free cash flow is the inclusion of financing expenses. Levered cash flow (LFCF) is the amount of cash a business has after it has met all of its financial obligations, such as interest, loan payments, and other financing expenses. Unlevered free cash flow is the money the business has before paying those financial obligations. Financial obligations will be paid from levered free cash flow.
The difference between the levered and unlevered cash flow is also an important indicator. The difference shows how many financial obligations the business has and if the business is overextended or operating with a healthy amount of debt. It is possible for a business to have a negative levered cash flow if its expenses are more than what the company earned. This is not an ideal situation, but as long as it's a temporary issue, investors should not be too rattled.
Cash flow from financing activities (CFF) is a section of a company's cash flow statement, which shows the net flows of cash that are used to fund the company. Financing activities include transactions involving debt, equity, and dividends.
Limitations of Unlevered Free Cash Flow
Companies looking to demonstrate better numbers can manipulate unlevered free cash flow by laying off workers, delaying capital projects, liquidating inventory, or delaying payments to suppliers. All of these actions have consequences, and investors should discern whether improvements in unlevered free cash flow are transitory or genuinely convey improvements in the underlying business of the company.
Unlevered free cash flow is computed before interest payments, so viewing it in a bubble ignores the capital structure of a firm. After accounting for interest payments, the levered free cash flow of a firm may actually be negative, a possible sign of negative implications down the road. Analysts should assess both unlevered and levered free cash flow over time for trends and not give too much weight to a single year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate unlevered free cash flow from net income?
To arrive at unlevered cash flow, add back interest payments or cash flows from financing.
How do you calculate unlevered for levered cash flow?
The only difference between the two figures is that UFCF does not include debt or financing costs while LCF does.
Why is unlevered free cash flow preferred in discounted cash flows (DCF) analysis?
Because debt and financing charges are not included in UCFC, it provides a more accurate picture of a company's enterprise value (EV), a measure of a company's total value viewed as a more comprehensive alternative to equity market capitalization. This makes it easier to conduct discounted cash flow analysis (DCF) across different investments in order to make like comparisons.
Why don't you take out interest expense in UFCF?
Unlevered means to remove consideration to leverage, or debt. Since firms must pay financing and interest expenses on outstanding debt, un-levering removes that consideration from analysis. Therefore, you do not deduct the interest expense in computing UFCF.
What is unlevered free cash flow margin?
Cash flow margins are ratios that divide a cash flow metric by overall sales revenue. UCFC margin would therefore represent the amount of cash available to a firm before financing charges as a percentage of sales.


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I guess I was too much into NIME-organization back in March, to notice the launch of the The Million Song Dataset. It contains no audio, but 300 GB worth of metadata about 1 million popular music songs. This sounds like hours of great fun for music researchers around the world, and will probably also be a great resource for music students working on MIR-applications. I would also expect that it is possible to use this for a number of creative applications.
Here is a quote from the press release:
For far too long, researchers and engineers working on Music Information Retrieval (MIR) have been forced to pay a hefty ante before being able to conduct their research: namely, they've had to build a set of data on which test their theories and hone their algorithms.
It may have started as a flippant suggestion for how to solve that problem, but The Million Song Dataset is now real, and anyone can download it. A collaboration between The Echo Nest and Columbia University's LabROSA department (Laboratory for the Recognition and Organization of Speech and Audio), The Million Song Dataset has four main objectives:
- To encourage research on algorithms that scale to commercial sizes
- To provide a reference dataset for evaluating research
- As a shortcut alternative to creating a large dataset with The Echo Nest's API
- To help new researchers get started in the MIR field.
What could you say but thanks!


Central to Their Lives: Southern Women Artists in the Johnson Collection
Regular price $49.99
Spanning the decades between the late 1890s and early 1960s, Central to Their Lives brings together for the first time the paintings and sculptures of forty-two diverse women artists who made significant contributions to the art of the South. This exhibition examines the challenges female artists faced during a period in which women's social, cultural, and political roles were being redefined and reinterpreted. Whether working from dedicated studio spaces, in spare rooms at home, or on the world stage, the artists showcased made remarkable impacts by fostering future generations of artists through instruction, incorporating new aesthetics into the fine arts, and challenging the status quo. Organized by the Johnson Collection in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the exhibition includes works by leading figures in the Charleston Renaissance such as Alice Ravenel Huger Smith and Elizabeth O'Neill Verner, as well as Corrie McCallum, Minnie Evans, Anne Goldthwaite, Clementine Hunter, and Augusta Savage.
This exhibition is sponsored by the Gibbes Museum Women's Council, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Charleston Magazine, the Jane Smith Turner Foundation, and Kenneth and Martha Severens.


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What is blank verse in Shakespearean drama (especially in regards to A Midsummer Night's Dream)?
2 Answers | Add Yours
Since you specifically asked about the use of blank verse in A Midsummer Night's Dream, I have moved this question.
Essentially there are three worlds in the play: the world of the court, the world of the workers, and the world of fairy land. In both in the court and fairyland, blank verse is spoken while Bottom and his mates speak prose.
Since both the court and fairy land are formal worlds, the language is formal. Bottom and his mates are workers. They speak prose to show there are of a lower class. It also shows that these men are friends and they speak an informal language. Even when Titiana speaks verse to him, Bottom speaks in prose.
Shakespeare often used prose to show lower class characters against the higher class ones. This is not always the case. For example the play Much Ado About Nothing is about 60% prose.
As stated by cldbentley, blank verse is a rhythm. From the time it was first used by Christopher Marlowe, it became the standard for Elizabethan theatre. (It is easier to memorize and most closely resembles everyday English speech rhythms.)
Shakespeare used blank verse a great deal throughout his writings. Blank verse is a form of poetry containing lines that do not rhyme. Although they are unrhymed, these lines do consist of iambic pentameter, which is five stressed beat in every line with every other syllable being stressed. Often, it is easier to really notice the stressing of syllables when they are read aloud than when they are read silently.
In Shakespeare's plays, characters who spoke iambic pentameter were usually important. Minor or insignificant characters often did not speak in verse at all.
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Professor David O'Connor's lab at the University of Wisconsin uses LabKey Server as its "operating system," speeding its efforts to understand how genetics affects immunity to viruses such as HIV/SIV.
The lab uses LabKey Server to manage its extensive list of experiments, Illumina sequencing data, purchases, oligonucleotides, freezer samples, and other lab inventory, as well as to provide basic electronic lab notebook (ELN) functionality. Data, files, protocols, grant information, and experiment descriptions recorded on the server can be searched and queried, allowing lab members to look across experiments performed over more than ten years to find what they need quickly.
Further, the server hosts an informational portal for an NIH-funded contract on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genetics, allowing different subsets of data to be exposed to the scientific community and the funding agency.
LabKey Server enables the lab to automate genotyping workflows for efficiency and consistency; perform comprehensive review of available genomic and clinical information for primate subjects; and gain analysis, querying, visualization, export, and search capabilities across many different data types. Today, the system helps the lab track data and metadata for tens of thousands of experiments, eliminate manual workflows, and securely share data with collaborators.
In February of 2016, the O'Connor lab became the first group to make real-time Zika data publicly available via their LabKey Server. Results are updated daily and are accessible online through the Zika experimental science team (ZEST) data portal.
Zika researchers release real-time data on viral infection study in monkeys (Nature, 23 Feburary 2016)
Presentation: Managing Next Generation Sequencing and Multiplexed Genotyping Data Using Open Source LabKey Server


What is Chinese wolfberry?
Quick Answer
The Chinese wolfberry is a vibrant reddish-orange fruit that is native to China. The Chinese wolfberry is more commonly known as the goji berry. The goji berry is very nutritious, and it is often consumed raw or used in goji juices, teas, medicine and wine.
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What is Chinese wolfberry?
Credit: cknewphoto CC-BY-2.0
Full Answer
Many people eat goji berries to treat health issues such as fever, diabetes, eye problems and high blood pressure. Goji berries have empirically been shown to promote feeling at ease and decreasing anxiety, enhancing athletic performance, elevating mood and improving sleep. There is not decisive support indicating that goji berries are nutritionally superior to other berries, as all berries have health benefits. Goji berries may negatively interact with various drugs such as warfarin and some diabetic and high-bloodpressure medications.
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Step 1
Remove Fixtures
Empty the room and remove any fixtures that may impede the process of removing the tile. Turn off water supply before removing a sink or toilet. If removing a toilet, drain reservoir, remove bolt and rock the fixture to break wax seal.
Step 2
Locate or Create a Starting Point
Step 3
Remove Tile
From the starting point, continue to pry up tile. Deposit tiles in a trashcan or large bucket as they are removed to minimize clutter. Remember that tile can be heavy and an overfilled waste receptacle will be difficult to haul away.
Step 4
Access Underlayment
In some cases, tiling may have been attached directly to a concrete floor or sub-floor, but a plywood or mortarboard underlayment is common. An inappropriate or damaged underlayment should be removed, but some may be left in place for re-use. Access the underlayment and remove to expose the sub-floor, if necessary.
Step 5
Clear Debris
Use a broom or shop vac to clear all debris from the floor.
Step 6
Remove Exposed Nails
If an underlayment has been removed, it may be necessary to remove or pound in exposed nails to leave behind a flat surface.
Step 7
Inspect Floor
Once the old tile floor has been removed, inspect the subfloor for damage that my need to be repaired before a new floor is installed. Patch or replace any rotten wood or divots in concrete floors. The subfloor should be smooth and damage-free before a new floor is installed.


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A group of researchers have developed a way to identify pirated movies by reducing the original to a signature genetic code. The system can match even videos that have been altered or had their colors changed to the source, an area where many video piracy mechanisms fall short.
Drs. Alex and Michael Bronstein and Professor Ron Kimmel have come up with a way to isolate a certain subset of data from video files that serves an analogous role to a fingerprint at a crime scene. While the creators haven't published research on this exact project in order to guard the proprietary technology, it works by applying a series of grids over the film to reduce it to a series of numbers.
Once the film has been systematically reduced, copyright holders can take the "DNA signature" of the video and scan sites that host pirated videos for it. According to the three researchers, the signature should be able to find correct matches even if the videos' borders have been changed, commercials have been added, or scenes have been edited out, which is a capability that sites that patrol for piracy, like YouTube, currently lack.
There are no details on the limitations of the system, such as video length, style, or quality. "We have a fully working prototype and have established a company that commercializes it," Dr. Bronstein told Ars.
While the website is no more revealing about how the video DNA matching works, Bronstein adds that they've already had a few companies interested in licensing the technology.


- 2D3DPattern
 How can you turn a 2D drawing using pattern, line and color into a 3D piece of work like this? Watch the video and learn how!
 Notice that she uses black marker first! Here are some questions think about as you create your piece:
 - Why does she do that?
 - How come her colors don't smear?
 - What other kind of black marker should she use if she wanted to color the whole piece with marker?
 Remember, if you have an Artsonia account, please post your work there. If you don't have one, please email me and I'll set one up for you.
 Happy creating! Can't wait to see what you do!


Vital Statistics:
Place of Origin: France
Group: Scenthound
Height: males 22-23 in., females 21-22 in.
Weight: 55-62 lbs.
Life span: n/a
Trainability: moderate
Good with children: yes
Good with other pets: yes with other dogs
What is the origin of the Porcelaine?
The Porcelaine is believed to be the oldest of all French hounds. Almost extinct during the French Revolution, Swiss breeders recovered the Porcelaine in 1845. The name Porcelaine is a reference to its shiny coat.
What does the Porcelaine look like?
The Porcelaine is an elegant looking dog, males are 22-23 inches tall, females 21-22 inches tall, weight is 55-62 lbs. The forehead is flat. The nose is black. Eyes are round and dark. Ears are thin, pointed and hanging. The tail is thick at the base tapering to a point. the coat is very short, fine and shiny. Color is bright white with orange markings especially on the ears. Occasional brushing is all the coat requires.
What is the temperament of the Porcelaine?
The Porcelaine is a serene dog at home. It has an independent nature and early positive obedience training will help avoid bad behavior. Porcelaines are friendly dogs, good with people, children and other dogs. They are not dogs suited to apartment living as they need space to run and hunt.
What is the Porcelaine used for?
The Porcelaine is used generally in packs for hunting all types of wild game. Porcelaines are very affectionate and make good family companions.
Possible Health Issues
No specific known health issues at present.
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Numerous moose sightings surprise Minnesota researchersFrom the Boundary Waters, where moose are common, to northwestern Minnesota, where they were thought to be nearly extinct, Minnesotans are reporting more moose sightings than researchers expected.
By: John Myers, Duluth News Tribune
From the Boundary Waters, where moose are common, to northwestern Minnesota, where they were thought to be nearly extinct, Minnesotans are reporting more moose sightings than researchers expected.
More than 500 moose have been reported, and more than 440 locations mapped — backed up by more than 200 photographs — in the 11 months since the University of Minnesota Duluth's Natural Resources Research Institute asked the public to report moose sightings.
Not only are we seeing more moose, we're seeing them in areas outside the traditional moose range, said Ron Moen, a wildlife researcher with the NRRI.
"If we can get this many reports in just 11 months, in so many places we really didn't expect people to see many moose, we probably have more than we think,'' said Moen, noting that 40 percent of the reports have come from outside the area the Minne sota Department of Natural Resources looks for moose during population surveys.
"These reports don't replace (scientific research), but they can help fill in some gaps and offer some new ideas on what we need to do next,'' he said.
While some public wildlife sightings are treated with skepticism, such as reports of cougars that turn out to be dogs or smaller cats, Moen said "it's pretty hard to mistake a moose for anything else.''
The DNR broadly estimates there are about 6,000 moose in the core moose survey area in Cook, Lake and northeastern St. Louis County. But Moen said that number doesn't reflect any moose to the west. And, clearly, there are some moose to the west.
"Minnesota's moose population clearly is larger than the number of moose reported from the annual survey area,'' Moen said. "We really don't know how much larger.''
Yet Mark Lenarz, who heads the DNR's Forest Wildlife Populations and Research Group, called the public reports interesting but of little statistical value.
"If people see a moose in the Boundary Waters, it's something they expect to see, it's not something they would feel compelled to report, so we probably won't get as many reports from there as you might expect,'' he said. "On the other hand, there are so few moose in the northwest now that people are going to be more likely to report it. So any comparison likely isn't very realistic.''
Also, Lenarz said, there are always pockets of moose outside of the usual moose range.
Still, Moen is intrigued by moose sightings in Koochi ching, Itasca, northern Aitkin and western St. Louis Counties, an area where dozens of moose have been reported well outside the traditional moose survey range.
No one knows if moose are hanging on, expanding or declining in that area because they aren't counted there.
About 11 percent of all moose reported by the public have come from northwestern Minnesota, where wildlife managers believed moose were nearly extinct. A combination of factors, likely spurred by rising temperatures over the past 25 years, reduced that area's moose population from more than 4,000 in the 1980s to about 84 animals when the DNR last checked in 2007. That's so few moose that it is impossible to conduct a scientific population survey.
But Moen said there now appears to be pockets of moose hanging on, possibly even increasing, in northwestern Minnesota.
"This clearly isn't scientific. But it gives us some indication that moose are persisting at some level in that area,'' Moen said. "It's not likely that people are seeing half or even 25 percent of the moose up there.... That's 200 animals up there on the low end, and that's double what was last estimated.''
Moen said researchers now should attempt to track moose, using radio or GPS collars, and find out what habitat in northwestern Minnesota is holding the most moose.
"We may able to find out what they are getting in those areas that they couldn't across most of that area and maybe figure out a way to bring them back,'' he said.
Along with the crash of northwestern Minnesota moose, Northeastern Minnesota moose have been gradually declining over the past 10 years. Scientists don't fully know why.
Lenarz said the public sightings aren't enough to determine whether northwestern Minnesota moose may be hanging on. But he said the DNR will go back into the area after five or 10 years and find a way to see if the remaining population is hanging on or increasing.
"We'll go back in, not every year, but at some point to see what's left up there,' Lenarz said. The public reports "may well be different people seeing the same moose.''
The Duluth News Tribune and the Echo Press are owned by Forum Communications Company.


text: [en] OBJECTIVE: To assess morphologic and metabolic abnormalities in dogs with early left ventricular dysfunction (ELVD) induced by rapid right ventricular pacing (RRVP). ANIMALS: 7 Beagles. PROCEDURE: Plasma carnitine concentrations were measured before and after development of ELVD induced by RRVP. At the same times, transvenous endomyocardial biopsy was performed, and specimens were submitted for determination of myocardial carnitine concentrations and histologic, morphometric, and ultrastructural examination. RESULTS: In 4 dogs in which baseline plasma total carnitine concentration was normal, RRVP induced a decrease in myocardial total and free carnitine concentrations and an increase in myocardial esterified carnitine concentration. In 3 dogs in which baseline plasma total carnitine concentration was low, plasma and myocardial carnitine concentrations were unchanged after pacing. Structural changes associated with pacing included perinuclear vacuolization in 3 dogs. Morphometric analyses indicated there was a decrease in myofiber cross-sectional diameter and area following pacing. Electron microscopy revealed changes in myofibrils and mitochondria following pacing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that moderate to severe alterations in myocyte cytoarchitecture are present in dogs with ELVD induced by RRVP and that in dogs with normal plasma carnitine concentrations, myocardial carnitine deficiency may be a biochemical marker of ELVD. Results also indicated that transvenous endomyocardial biopsy can be used to evaluate biochemical and structural myocardial changes in dogs with cardiac disease.


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Jan M. Czech's story of international adoption – The Coffee Can Kid - is illuminated by Maurie J. Manning's large, bright illustrations.
The story shows Annie, a young girl adopted from a far away land, reach into a closet to bring out a coffee can with special items related to her adoption story. Her father holds her and shares some of her story with her. She was born far away to a single woman. Though the woman lived with her mother, the woman was too young and the grandmother too old to care for the baby. She had no money and no husband. She gave the baby a special name and then took her to a child home to be adopted, again, because she did not have enough money. The child home found new parents for Annie, parents in the United States. The coffee can holds a letter from the birth mother, which the American parents cannot read but for which they do have a general translation, and a photograph from the day Annie was relinquished. Annie wonders where her birth mother is; her father expresses, "I wonder too. I don't know."
This book does show the importance of pre-adoption history. Annie knows her birth name and its meaning, and a bit of how she came to live with her parents. She knows she can look at her pictures whenever she wants. The book shows that it's OK to ask questions, even if your parent doesn't know the answers.
My concerns with the book are the circumstances of Annie's adoption. Her birth mother is portrayed as choosing adoption because of financial issues. Annie's parents had money. Annie never asks why they didn't just give the birth mother money. The issue of openness is never broached; Annie never asks why there is no contact between her birth mother and her American mom and dad. The book falls short of perfection, but it still encourages open communication between adoptive parents and adoptees. And that's an important start.
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Find this review helpful? You might appreciate the other Adoption Kids' Book Reviews


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Spec'ing hospital electrical distribution systems
When specifying electrical distribution systems in hospitals, the engineer must account for the facility's size, flexibility needs, emergency power needs, and safety requirements.
By Neal Boothe, exp US Services Inc., Maitland, Fla.
For updated details about the project, visit the official UC San Diego project website.
Image courtesy: UC San Diego Health System, Paul Turang, Photographer. Renderings courtesy: exp US Services Inc.
1. Understand which codes govern the design of hospital electrical systems
2. Learn the differences between emergency and essential power
3. Learn and understand the unique electrical system requirements of hospitals.
On the surface, the electrical distribution system of a hospital may look the same as that for other types of buildings—offices, hotels, etc.—but there are several important distinctions. These distinctions are not so much in the equipment used. Panelboards, switchboards, transformers, circuit breakers, and other products are all common to other types of projects. The differences lie primarily in the size and complexity of the electrical systems: the overall size of the electrical system, its need for a higher level of flexibility, enhanced needs for more emergency power that can remain operational for longer durations, and the need for enhanced safety in the hospital environment.
Size does matter
First, the electrical demands of a hospital far outweigh those for most other building types. One reason is that hospitals have unique equipment with very large power requirements, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), computer tomography (CT) scanners, and other imaging equipment. Second, even some equipment common to all buildings is larger for hospitals due to their complexities. A good example of this lies in air conditioning and ventilation systems, which can be two or three times larger in hospitals than in other buildings of a similar size due to the heightened air change rate, more stringent temperature requirements, and higher equipment loads. Also, many specialized areas in a hospital have a large number of receptacles to allow for a multitude of equipment to be used. For example, a hospital operating room may be 500 to 600 sq ft and include 30 or more receptacles due to the amount of equipment required in this space. An office building may have 10 receptacles or less in a comparably sized area. Hospital lighting also follows the same thinking and typically has a higher lumen and Watts/sq ft requirement based upon the complex procedures (surgeries, examinations, and other medical procedures) that are performed.
Similarly, the hospital's emergency system will be significantly larger than that of other building types. Where all buildings require emergency power to help occupants safely exit in the event of normal power failure, hospitals also require emergency power to sustain the life of patients (who often are not capable of self-preservation due to illness or injury), and this emergency power is needed indefinitely (not just long enough to allow the public to safely exit the building). This requires a more robust and larger emergency power system. For example, a 200,000-sq-ft office building might require 50 to 100 kW of generator capacity to provide the emergency power it needs, whereas a 200,000-sq-ft hospital may need 2,500 kW or more of generator capacity.
Another consideration becomes the need for sufficient fuel storage to sustain the emergency generators. For most buildings, fuel storage (usually diesel for generators) requirements are quite small. For a hospital, however, the dual considerations of much larger generators that need to run for longer time periods lead to very large on-site fuel storage needs. It's not unusual to see a hospital with 30,000 gal or more of diesel fuel storage for its emergency generators.
Emergency versus essential power
Often the term "emergency" power is used to refer to all power needed on a generator in a hospital. A better term for this would be "essential" power. True, emergency power comprises only those loads required to be restored within 10 seconds as required by NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 700 for all buildings, and as defined as life safety branch and critical branch by NEC Article 517 for hospitals. For a hospital, you have the essential power supply, which would include the generator(s), and this power is divided into emergency system power and equipment system power. Then the emergency system is divided into the life safety branch and critical branch (of the emergency power system, as shown in Figure 2).
The size, complexity, and needs for emergency power in a hospital are only a few of the ways in which its power distribution system differs from that of other building types. Following are other ways hospitals differ from other types of buildings.
Case Study Database
Get more exposure for your case study by uploading it to the Consulting-Specifying Engineer case study database, where end-users can identify relevant solutions and explore what the experts are doing to effectively implement a variety of technology and productivity related projects.
These case studies provide examples of how knowledgeable solution providers have used technology, processes and people to create effective and successful implementations in real-world situations. Case studies can be completed by filling out a simple online form where you can outline the project title, abstract, and full story in 1500 words or less; upload photos, videos and a logo.
Click here to visit the Case Study Database and upload your case study.


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(The source of funds used…)
1) The source of funds used by a non-resident Indian (NRI) should be identified at the time of investing in order to decide if the money can be taken outside the country on sale or redemption.
2) If the source of funds is foreign currency, it can be sent without any restriction. If, however, it is Indian rupees, it cannot be remitted. These two sources cannot be clubbed together.
3) The bank account through which the investment is routed is used to determine the source of funds. The funds that are remitted from abroad into the NRE or FCNR accounts and invested can be freely sent back.
4) The income earned in India on investments is repatriable, irrespective of the source of funds. This includes interest from bonds and bank accounts, rental income, dividends from shares and mutual funds.
5) The income earned on an investment is freely repatriable once the taxes have been paid according to the Indian laws.
6) The income in the form of sale proceeds from capital assets, such as property, land, shares, bonds, and mutual funds held in India, are repatriable to the extent of funds remitted from abroad for buying these capital assets.
(The content on this page is courtesy Centre for Investment Education and Learning (CIEL). Contributions by Sunita Abraham, Girija Gadre and Arti Bhargava.)


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The chief difference between a primary prevention trial and a secondary prevention trial (SPT) in Alzheimer disease (AD) is related to the targeted group of participants. As currently conceptualized, a primary prevention trial recruits asymptomatic individuals from the general population, whereas an SPT recruits only asymptomatic (or preclinical) individuals who are biomarker-positive for AD.1 Recent examples of the latter include the AD kindred trial in Antioquia, Colombia, which recruits only participants who are PS1 E280A mutation carriers with a familial history of early-onset disease, and the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's study (hereafter referred to as the A4 study), which targets adults 70 years of age or older with high amyloid levels in the brain as determined by a positron emission tomographic scan. The latter study is the subject of the article by Donohue et al,2 who seek to identify a primary end point for that SPT.
Kryscio RJ. Secondary Prevention Trials in Alzheimer DiseaseThe Challenge of Identifying a Meaningful End Point. JAMA Neurol. 2014;71(8):947-949. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2014.1120


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When you paste content into a Word doc you have some pasting options.
(If you do see the pasting options button see this.)
One of the options is to
Keep Text Only when pasting content. See what can happen if you choose this setting as a default pasting option.
If you 're content includes pictures Just say you want to post some content that does not just have text, but maybe it has pitches to. If you have set some default pasting options and have chosen to keep text only, your pictures will not be included in the pasted content.
Pasting Tables same thing happens when you try to paste a table into a Word document but have default settings that let you paste text only. The table will be converted to ugly paragraphs and text.
Bulleted or numbered list having though keep text only option also discards bullets and numbering. This isn 't usually a big deal as you can just select the entire list and click on the Bullets button. The list is usually restored easily. It is when you have really big lists with more than one line in them that it starts to get confusing. So be warned, if you choose to paste text only your lists will need to be redone.
To keep the bulleted lists when pasting do this:
1. Click the Microsoft Office Button Button image, and then click Word Options.
2. Click Advanced, and then scroll down to the Cut, copy, and paste section.
3. Select the Keep bullets and numbers when pasting text with Keep Text Only option check box.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.


425 Market Street
Setting new precedents for high-rise stair retrofits at 425 Market Street.
The seismic retrofit of two existing, 40-story egress staircases within a massive high-rise required great care in design and sequencing to keep the occupied building safe during construction. Holmes Structures' retrofit paired with Holmes Fire's safety strategy kept the egress staircases fully operational throughout construction.
Our solution set a precedent for mitigating existing stair vulnerabilities in a vast portfolio of buildings by achieving the following:
 1. Accommodated inter-story drifts as expected from the Non-Linear Response History Analysis (NLRHA), without damage or collapse of stairs.
 2. Minimized disturbance to tenants of the fully occupied building.
 3. Kept egress undisturbed through coordination with the San Francisco Fire Department.
 4. Kept stairwells operational 24/7 during construction.
 5. Resulted in significant cost savings and delivered the project ahead of schedule.
Retrofit Design
The existing stairs consisted of top and bottom stringers rigidly attached at the floor levels, and an intermediate landing suspended from the existing floor framing. Holmes Structures' retrofit left top and bottom connections undisturbed to avoid shoring the stringer runs and interrupting the path of egress. Earthquake-induced movement at the intermediate landing was accommodated by cutting the landing in half and re-supporting it on low friction pads and support framing. The support framing attached to extensions of the existing suspended rods, eliminating the need for shoring entirely. The built-in shoring was designed so that saw cutting of the landing could be halted in the middle of construction if emergency egress was necessary.
An onsite mock-up of the retrofit was conducted for a single landing at each stairwell. The mock-ups exposed unforeseen conditions such as the extents and locations of abatement including asbestos-containing materials, sheetrock, fireproofing and lead paint. Lessons learned from the mock-up saved $500,000 USD and delivered the project ahead of schedule.
Egress Strategy
Holmes Fire worked closely with the city Fire Marshall to obtain approval for a complex sequencing plan, allowing the pressurized egress stairs to remain operational in case of emergency. At no point could the fire stair be closed during office hours; Holmes Fire extensively collaborated with Holmes Structures and the contractor to accommodate the movement of extensive construction equipment and labor teams from landing to landing.
In high-rise buildings, pressurized stairs are typically enclosed to prevent smoke spread across levels. However, in the case of 425 Market, the retrofit solution and abatement measures required punching holes in the stairwell walls, which changed the airflow and consequentially the prospective smoke spread. Holmes Fire devised a sequenced sealing-off of the stair shafts in combination with fans to meet functional smoke control requirements.


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It looks like Daniel Arsham's latest limited edition is set to release on November 26th at noon EST on his webshop. Entitled Sand Circle, the new art object will be produced in a run of 500 and continues the NY-based artist's fascination with lunar imagery.
Arsham further explains – "In the 1960's, during the space race there were different devices developed and created to explore distant galaxies and planets. One was famously a device that utilized sand, water, and air to create landscapes. This piece taps into that world while also focusing on the themes common in my work, specifically time and the logic of erosion and formation. Every time the Sand Circle is turned, the landscape on top is destroyed, yet there is a new view reforming on the bottom. They are eroding away, but simultaneously creating something new. In the Sand Circle, you are also taking part in 'unveiling,' as the sand will cover and uncover these moons within the piece. The moons are based on my studies of exoplanets and my time spent at NASA JPL. The moons are invented. They are unfamiliar yet familiar at the same time."
Discuss Daniel Arsham here.


aspartate ammonia-lyase
(redirected from aspartase)
Also found in: Encyclopedia.
as·par·tate am·mo·ni·a-ly·ase
a nonmammalian enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of l-aspartate to fumarate, splitting out ammonia.
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References in periodicals archive?
20) MRS may show normal to increased choline and myoinositol and decreased n-acetyl aspartase.
pestis lacks aspartase activity in this environment, the bacteria converted L-glutamate into aspartic acid during the time of bacterial restriction.
However, it has been shown that the kinetics of enzymes can be changed by polyhydric alcohols (25) and that aspartase is activated by glycerol, ethylene glycol (1,2-ethanediol), and propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol) (26).


Pearl 7TAXDAL-ism
Wool was probably the first fiber to be made successfully into fabric around 7000 years ago. In Egypt, mummies from 3400 BC have been found wrapped in linen shrouds a 1000 yards long (900m) made from flax. Cotton was used in India in 3000 BC.
Pearl 7TAXDAL-ism
Before 105 AD, most documents had been written on parchment made from the skin of sheep or goats, or vellum, made from the skin of a calf. It has been estimated that a single book 200 pages long would have needed the skins of 12 sheep.
The technique for making thin, flat window glass was perfected in Normandy, France, in the 14th century. Known as crown glass, each piece was blown by a craftsman. An accomplished glass-blower could make only about a dozen windows in a day, making medieval window glass an expensive luxury.
Older Brothers
The next day, Dad built sides on the tree house.
Connie Taxdal
Romance Writers of America, 2014 Golden Heart® Finalist
Pearl 7TAXDAL-ism
Stainless steel was discovered by accident in 1913 by Harry Brearley while he experimented with combinations of metals suitable for making gun barrels. Later, he noticed most of his specimens had rusted except for the one containing 14 percent chromium.


text: Soil stabilization and sealing by injection is performed in order to strenghten and seal soil/rock substrate. Such operation prevents e.g. settlement of soil, which can lead to an accident or a construction disaster. Soil stabilization is executed mainly in hardly accessible areas od application, where accumulation of heavy machinery is impossible due to technical or economic reasons. In such situations injection replaces jet grouting effectively. It is inseparably linked with terms such as deep foundations, microtunneling, strengthening embankments and excavation pits. Broad range of injection materials and equipment allows for quick selection of an effective technology, tackling causes and consequences of an accident. For more details go to injections in geoengineering.


News Column
Smartphones Can Measure Earthquakes
Dec. 6, 2012
Researchers say they want to put smartphones, which account for about half of all mobile phones in the United States, to work detecting earthquakes.
Almost all smartphones contain accelerometers that can detect and record movement. Researchers at the Berkeley Seismic Laboratory in California say they are capable of monitoring tremors.
An app to record the shaking during major earthquakes and then report the data back to a central server over the wireless carrier's network is under development, they say.
With tens of millions of smartphones in use, researchers said, they could obtain very detailed information on how strong tremors were and where they were centered.
"Nowadays, smartphones carry all sorts of sensors, and we can put these to use in unexpected ways," researcher Qingkai Kong told BBC News. "Right now, we can only detect earthquakes above about magnitude-5, but with better accelerometers in future smartphones we would hope to detect smaller ones as well."
To see if mobile phones could be used as pocket seismometers, a number of the devices were put on the seismic lab's "shake table," which can simulate tremors of various strengths.
The researchers found the phone accelerometers -- primarily used to re-orient the screen display when the phones are tilted -- could pick up the shaking.
Of course, smartphone aren't generally sitting on a flat table but are moving with their owners, so the researchers say they've developed an algorithm that removes the movement "noise" from the phones' data.
Source: Copyright United Press International 2012
Story Tools


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What do you do if you have 18 Geiger tubes lying around? [Robert] had an interesting idea to build a cosmic ray detector and hodoscope to observe the path cosmic rays take while flying through his lab.
[Robert]'s cosmic ray detector works by detecting the output 9 Geiger tubes on the y-axis and 9 Geiger tubes on the x-axis with a coincidence circuit. When a cosmic ray flies through the detector, it should trigger two tubes simultaneously. By graphing which of the two tubes were triggered on an array of 81 LEDs, [Robert] not only knows when a cosmic ray is detected, but where the cosmic ray was.
The detectors do pick up a little background radiation, but thanks to [Robert]'s coincidence circuit, he can be fairly certain that what he's recording are actually high-energy cosmic rays.
Before building the 9×9 hodoscope, [Robert] built a similar drift hodoscope that simply plots the path a cosmic ray takes through an array of Geiger tubes. You can check out videos of both these cosmic ray detectors after the break.


text: YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–A new theory of eye movemen's proposed by Armenian scientist Varlam Galoyan not only explains certain eye diseases–but often helps to prevent such visual defect. The theoretical model of eye movement is based on 43 scientific disciplines–including physiology–mathematics–biophysics–ophthalmology and others. The model describes all main interactions of the eyeball and its environment–taking into account hydro-mechanical force and friction–which are–at times–neglected in the traditional approach. Galoyan's model explains the appearance of different types of strabismus–short-sightedness and several other eye diseases. According to the theory–in most cases visual defects emerge within the first months of life–when the child lacks co-ordination of eye movemen's–and the sharpness of vision is minimal. To form a good vision and equal development of both eyes–Galoyan suggests to evade mechanical strain of the eyeball–which happens through the negative pressure formed through the incorrect position of the body and head of the child. For example–if a child lies with his face down for a long time–there is a possibility of appearance and development of progressive short-sightedness. This fact had been experimentally proven in the 30's–however–the scientific reasoning is now available in Galoyan's theory. The author sees a practical way out of the prophylactic ophthalmology. According to him–formation of the eyeball can be regulated in different ages–using a static loading on the eyeball via setting child's body and head in a certain position–for example–on the back. The work is being done through assistance of the Russian Institute for Information Transmission. The results have been presented at international conferences and published in the leading scientific editions of the former USSR and abroad.


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Difference Between Fixtures and Jigs
The words fixtures and jigs are common terms used in machine shops. Although both are used as tools to mass-produce parts, they have two distinct functions.
Fixtures are used to hold work pieces in at specific location. For example when parts are machined on a machining center or wire EDM, they are clamped into a fixture which reduces the amount of set up time. This eliminates set up errors and brings down production cost. As all machine shops owners are aware of, the best machine tool is one that is making parts and not sitting idle. Fixtures need to be heavy and rigid, and machined with precision in order to have consistent results.
A jig is a tool that guides another tool in order to improve the accuracy of the part during machining. Often a jig is used in drilling, boring, and tapping operations so the drill doesn't wobble or stray away from the location where it's suppose to be. They are also used to make sure a part is drilled to a specified depth without the need constantly check and re-drill if needed.
At Precision Technologies, we specialize in the design and manufacturing of custom jigs and fixtures. Since we incorporate the latest machine tool technology and employ experienced machinist, we can ensure your jigs and fixtures will have the accuracy that will meet your expectations. We design and build the following types of fixtures and jigs: welding & assembly fixtures, checking fixtures, work holding fixtures and welding/ assembly fixtures.
Contact Precision Technologies


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Proficiency Exam Information
The week of March 4, 2013, is crucial for high school students in the Clark County School District. It is when high schools will administer the High School Proficiency Exams (HSPE) in mathematics, writing, reading and science.
Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the exams and attend school on the test days. Seniors who have already passed the HSPE in mathematics, writing, reading and science, along with all ninth, tenth and eleventh grade students, should check their school's testing schedule and attendance requirements.
Seniors who still need to pass any portion of the exam - mathematics, writing, reading or science - are advised to be at school on those test day(s) and ready to go.
CCSD's HSPE campaign will include posters in schools and a ParentLink telephone message.


Now I have pleiades raster (img.tif) and a RPC model (rpc.XML). In the rpc.XML, there are the following lines which can be used to reset geo information.
And I use the following code to reset geo info of img.tif with the value below.
xmin = 7.393918390116374
ymin = 46.89414037853461
xmax = 7.531577540047203
ymax = 46.98982504658424
first_col = 1
last_col = 18665
first_row = 1
last_row = 19676
def set_geo_info(in_path, out_path, xmin, ymin, xmax, ymax,
 first_row, first_col, last_row, last_col, *args):
 xmin, ymin, xmax, ymax are the longitude and latitude.
 print('Set Geo Information...')
 xres = (xmax - xmin) / (last_col - first_col + 1)
 yres = (ymax - ymin) / (last_row - first_row + 1)
 ds = gdal.Open(in_path)
 band = ds.GetRasterBand(1)
 arr = band.ReadAsArray()
 [y, x] = arr.shape
 driver = gdal.GetDriverByName("GTiff")
 outdata = driver.Create(out_path, x, y, 1, gdal.GDT_UInt16)
 outdata = None
 arr = None
 band = None
 ds = None
The result is kind of correct, but not entirely.
Position shifting wrt shapefile (WGS84)
As you can see, the red line is a shapefile (EPSG21781), while the railway in the result is not entirely overlap with shapefile. The distance of shifting is not consistent for this whole image. The displacement is larger near the edge of this image.
My questions:
 1. Am I heading the right direction to reset geo information?
 2. If 1. is correct, I guess the value which I fed into the gdal is wrong. How do I find the correct value from RPC model (rpc.XML)?
 3. If 1. and 2. is wrong, how do I do it in a right way?
 - Why downvote? Please criticize so I can improve my asking skill. – Lion Lai Jan 18 '19 at 18:14
You can warp the image using the RPCs directly with GDAL, e.g.
gdalwarp -r cubic -to RPC_DEM=my_dem.tif -rpc -t_srs epsg:4326 my_DIMAP_file.XML my_dimap_file_warped.tif
In order to get a good result it is advisable to use a high resolution DEM. You can do the same programmatically if you prefer by using gdal.Warp()
 - Thank you. It works, although there's still small displacement, but it's better than before. I use python elevation packge to download DEM. I think it's the reason why there is still small displacement in the output. – Lion Lai Jan 29 '19 at 13:53
 - I don't know the details of the product that you have, but it is quite possible that it is a so-called "Ortho-ready" product ( see orfeo-toolbox.org/CookBook/recipes/… ) which means the RPCs were created by projecting to a constant height instead of a DEM. In that case the positional accuracy that can be achieved would indeed be limited. – Markus M. Jan 30 '19 at 6:08
Your Answer


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The BW Gas Alert Extreme is a single gas detector by BW Technologies and Honeywell. This unit can be ordered to detect a range of common toxic industrial gases to protect against over exposure.
The Gas Alert Extreme is supplied with a 2 year replaceable lithium battery allowing ease of use without the need of re-charging. The unit has a range of language settings and is also fully datalogging and when used with the free to download fleet manager II software and USB datalink cable you can download records of event and alarm data.
Compatible with the BW Microdock II Test station providing a quick and easy bump and function testing solution.
The gas sensors available for the BW Gas Alert Extreme are :
Ammonia (NH3),Carbon monoxide (CO), Chlorine (Cl2), Chlorine dioxide (ClO2), Ethylene oxide (ETO) (C2H4O), Hydrogen cyanide (HCN), Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Nitric oxide (NO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Oxygen (O2), Ozone (O3) Phosphine (PH3) and Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Features & Benefits :
Quick Specs :


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- Original (pdf) 50 kB
ISPRS 2001 Mars Cartography using MOLA Control
The stereo photogrammetric observable equations are presented relating control point image location to camera distortions, camera pointing, spacecraft position, Mars-fixed areocentric control point location, and Mars parameters such as spin axis direction, spin rate and prime meridian location. The use of these equations in a minimum variance, least squares, block adjustment process are describes to add both horizontal and vertical control to the image data using Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Laser Altimetry data. An example is presented locating Viking Lander 1 (VL-1) on the surface of Mars in Mars-fixed coordinates using overlapping, stereo Viking Orbiter images and MOLA data surrounding the VL-1 site.
- T. Duxbury
- Added to Astropedia
- 15 May 2012
- 9 July 2013
- Geospatial Data Presentation Form


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This is the second homework blog posting... Did you already complete the post on Gamma Rays and Dysfunctional Families?
It is due before class starts on Monday, Dec. 15
In The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Tillie conducts an unusual science project. She subjects three different batches of marigolds to the potentially damaging effects of gamma rays - a topic we addressed in a previous blog post. But why did the play's author, Paul Zindel, choose marigolds as the flower to use in the science experiment? Click on the following links and please read the information on marigolds at wikipedia and this information on growing marigolds.
Do not concern yourself with the all the Latin terms or varieties, but focus on the specific characteristics of the flower... Then post your ideas about the use of marigolds as a symbol in the story. What makes marigolds unique? What do they need to survive? When do marigolds bloom? How might the characteristics or qualities of this particular flower be a symbol that connects to important ideas in the play? Why might have Zindel used marigolds as the flower?


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When it comes to establishing a unique and captivating brand, every visual element plays a crucial role. From your logo to the colors you choose, every detail contributes to the overall impression your brand leaves on its audience. One of the most effective ways to enhance your brand's visual presence is by utilizing stock photos that harmonize with your brand's identity and messaging. Here are some tips and tricks to help you create a perfect union between your brand and stock photos:
1. Know Your Brand's Personality
Before diving into the vast world of stock photos, take a moment to reflect on your brand's personality. Is it playful and energetic, or is it sophisticated and professional? Understanding your brand's essence will guide you in selecting stock photos that resonate with your target audience and align with your brand's character.
2. Align with Your Brand's Values and Message
Stock photos can be a powerful tool for communicating your brand's values and message visually. Choose images that convey the right emotions and portray the ideals your brand stands for. For example, if your brand focuses on sustainability, incorporating images of nature or eco-friendly practices can reinforce your commitment to the environment.
3. Consistency is Key
A cohesive visual identity is crucial for brand recognition. When selecting stock photos, be mindful of maintaining a consistent style across your website, social media, and other marketing materials. Consistency in color schemes, image composition, and overall aesthetics will help your brand appear polished and professional.
4. Think Beyond Literal Representations
Consider using stock photos that evoke emotions or concepts rather than literal representations. Abstract images or photos with symbolic elements can spark curiosity and create a lasting impact on your audience. By moving away from traditional clichés, you can bring a fresh perspective to your brand's visual storytelling.
5. Customize to Make It Your Own
Many stock photo websites offer editing capabilities, allowing you to tailor the images to fit your brand's unique style even further. With simple modifications like cropping, adjusting color tones, or adding overlays, you can enhance the visual coherence between your brand and the selected stock photos.
6. Don't Overdo It
While stock photos can undoubtedly elevate your brand's appeal, it's essential not to rely too heavily on them. Balance is key, and incorporating authentic, original visuals alongside stock photos can create a more genuine and relatable brand image. Custom photoshoots or user-generated content can provide an added layer of authenticity to your brand's visual repertoire.
Remember, stock photos are a fantastic resource for supporting your brand's visual narrative, but they should never define your entire brand identity. By carefully selecting and harmonizing stock photos with your brand's personality, values, and message, you can create a consistent and captivating visual experience that resonates with your audience.


InsuranceLast week, the Eighth Circuit upheld a lower court's ruling in State Bank of Bellingham v. BancInsure Inc., finding that a bank employee's negligence in securing its computer network did not preclude coverage for a data breach resulting in a fraudulent funds transfer. The decision affirms the lower court's ruling granting summary judgment in favor of the Bank of Bellingham, holding that the loss was covered even if employee negligence contributed to the loss.
The Underlying Breach: The underlying coverage action between BancInsure and the Bank stemmed from an October 2011 incident in which a hacker gained access to the bank's network with a "Zeus Trojan horse" virus and fraudulently transferred funds to accounts in Poland, resulting in a $485,000 loss. The hacker was able to gain access because a bank employee inadvertently failed to remove two physical security tokens (which bank employees were required to insert into a computer in order to perform wire transfers via a specialized VPN device provided by the Federal Reserve) after performing a legitimate wire transfer.
Court Ruling: The Eight Circuit agreed with the trial court that an exclusion in the Bank's financial institution bond for employee-caused losses did not apply based on Minnesota's concurrent-causation doctrine, which states that when a loss results from multiple risks, some covered and some not covered, the loss is covered unless the excluded risk is the "overriding cause" of the loss. The Eighth Circuit concluded that the overriding cause of the loss was the hacker's criminal conduct rather than employee negligence, even though the employee's negligence "played an essential role" in the loss and created a risk of intrusion into the bank's computer system. The court reasoned that an illegal wire transfer was not a "foreseeable and natural consequence" of the failure to follow proper computer security policies, procedures, and protocols.
The court also rejected BancInsure's argument that the bond's exclusions for loss due to the theft of confidential information or mechanical failure of a computer avoided application of the concurrent-causation doctrine, finding that the exclusions' reference to "indirect" losses was not the type of "clear and specific" language needed to prevent the doctrine's application.
The Takeaway: The Eighth Circuit's ruling is a significant victory for policyholders. Fidelity bonds and commercial crime policies commonly exclude "indirect loss." Insurance carriers frequently argue in disputes regarding such bonds or policies that the negligent actions of the policyholder's employees converts an otherwise covered loss caused by a third party's criminal acts into an "indirect," uncovered loss. The Eighth Circuit's holding provides policyholders helpful authority to argue that employee negligence does not bar coverage or render an otherwise covered loss uncovered.
Although the decision is favorable to policyholders, there are a number of important caveats. For instance, insurance policy language can vary substantially between carriers, and many commercial crime policies contains specific exclusions for data security breaches. Additionally, the Eighth Circuit recognized that courts will enforce "anti-concurrent causation" provisions where the language is clear and specific.


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How to view, add or delete contact custom fields
InfoFlo Pay lets you add text, number, date and drop down custom fields. Please read below for more information.
- Select "Contacts" from the left hand menu.
- Click the action drop down button and select "Custom Field".
- From here you can view all custom fields and edit by selecting the edit icon on the right or delete by selecting the delete icon on the right.
- To create a new custom field select the "New" button.
- Type in a field name in the "Field Name" field.
- From the Data Type drop down field, select either text, number, date or drop down as the field type.
- Type in the value in the "Data Values" field. If drop down is select, add all drop down values and separate each value with a comma.
- Click the "Submit" button.


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Ground-water age, flow, and quality near a landfill, and changes in ground-water conditions from 1976 to 1996 in the Swinomish Indian Reservation, northwestern Washington
Water-Resources Investigations Report 98-4014
Prepared in cooperation with Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
- B.E. Thomas and S.E. Cox
This report describes the results of two related studies: a study of ground-water age, flow, and quality near a landfill in the south-central part of the Swinomish Indian Reservation; and a study of changes in ground-water conditions for the entire reservation from 1976 to 1996. The Swinomish Indian Reservation is a 17-square-mile part of Fidalgo Island in northwestern Washington. The groundwater flow system in the reservation is probably independent of other flow systems in the area because it is almost completely surrounded by salt water.
There has been increasing stress on the ground-water resources of the reservation because the population has almost tripled during the past 20 years, and 65 percent of the population obtain their domestic water supply from the local ground-water system. The Swinomish Tribe is concerned that increased pumping of ground water might have caused decreased ground-water discharge into streams, declines in ground-water levels, and seawater intrusion into the ground-water system. There is also concern that leachate from an inactive landfill containing mostly household and wood-processing wastes may be contaminating the ground water.
The study area is underlain by unconsolidated glacial and interglacial deposits of Quaternary age that range from about 300 to 900 feet thick. Five hydrogeologic units have been defined in the unconsolidated deposits. From top to bottom, the hydrogeologic units are a till confining bed, an outwash aquifer, a clay confining bed, a sea-level aquifer, and an undifferentiated unit.
The ground-water flow system of the reservation is similar to other island-type flow systems. Water enters the system through the water table as infiltration and percolation of precipitation (recharge), then the water flows downward and radially outward from the center of the island. At the outside edges of the system, ground water flows upward to discharge into the surrounding saltwater bodies. Average annual recharge is estimated to be about 3 inches, or 12 percent of the average annual precipitation.
Ground water in the outwash aquifer near the landfill is estimated to be between 15 and 43 years old. Some deeper ground waters and ground water near the discharge areas close to the shoreline are older than 43 years.
Analysis of water-quality data collected for this study and review of existing data indicate that material in the landfill has had no appreciable impact on the current quality of ground water outside of the landfill. The water quality of samples from seven wells near to and downgradient from the landfill appears to be similar to the ground-water quality throughout the entire study area. The high iron and manganese concentrations found in most of the samples from wells near the landfill are probably within the range of natural concentrations for the study area.
Ground-water pumping during the past 20 years has not caused any large changes in ground-water discharge to streams, ground-water levels, or seawater intrusion into the ground-water system. Ground-water discharge into Snee-oosh Creek and Munks Creek had similar magnitudes in the summers of 1976 and 1996; flows in both creeks during those summers ranged from 0.07 t 0.15 cubic feet per second. Ground-water levels changed minimally between 1976 and 1996. The average water-level change for 20 wells with more than 10 years between measurements was -0.7 feet and the two largest waterlevel declines were 6 and 9 feet. No appreciable seawater intrusion was found in the ground water in 1996, and there was no significant increase in the extent of seawater intrusion from 1976 to 1996. Median chloride concentrations of water samples collected from wells were 22 milligrams per liter in 1976 and 18 milligrams per liter in 1996.
Additional publication details
- Publication type:
- Publication Subtype:
- USGS Numbered Series
- Ground-water age, flow, and quality near a landfill, and changes in ground-water conditions from 1976 to 1996 in the Swinomish Indian Reservation, northwestern Washington
- Series title:
- Water-Resources Investigations Report
- Series number:
- Year Published:
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Publisher location:
- Tacoma, WA
- v, 58 p.
- Time Range Start:
- Time Range End:
- United States
- Other Geospatial:
- Fidalgo Island;Swinomish Indian Reservation