Castle Arch (1.0 miles – unmarked)
Castle Arch
SUMMARY: An average hike to a large unmarked arch. This description involves a stream crossing without a bridge (1 crossing in each direction.) There are better arches in the gorge, but Castle Arch is probably one of the larger arches after Natural Bridge and Sky Bridge, it is definitely one of the larger 10 arches in Red River gorge. My primary disappointment is Castle Arches' close proximity to nearby roads. It is essential to bring a compass and a good map and know how to use them.
RATING: Moderate Hike (about 1.0 miles) The distance is short on this hike, but the entire trail is unmarked. This hike uses unmarked trails and some people have trouble navigating the hike.
Castle Arch
 4. Take the 1st right onto KY-715 N. (5.4 miles)
 5. Park in unmarked parking area on right side (approximately 0.5 miles after Sky Bridge Recreation Area road,) and immediately after another parking area on the left side.
 1. From the pull off where you parked follow the unmarked trail on the same side of the road as it descends to the river. It begins on the right side of the parking area as you are looking at the river (0.1 miles)
 2. Find a place to cross the river ASAP and cross. There is no bridge and good water shoes make the crossing easier.
 3. After crossing the river immediately begin heading up the hill in a line perpendicular to the river. There are many unmarked trails, and following one of them will make the journey easier. (0.3 miles)
 4. At the top of the hill your goal is to come out below a rocky ridge line which means you are most likely below the ridge with Castle Arch. To get to Castle Arch, go around the ridge line to your left. (0.1 miles) There are atleast 2 ways around the ridge to your left. Eventually you will be on the back side of the arch in a little area below the arch and must walk up the last 100 feet or so to get underneath of the arch. Once underneath of Castle Arch you can pass through the arch and around to your right where you can scramble up on top of Castle Arch for better views.
 5. Return to parking area on the unmarked trails (0.5 miles)
Castle Arch GPS Coordinates


Tips for Doing Presentations with Apple's Keynote: Hello Transparency!
Galileo Galilei
One of the basics when it comes to presentations (and digital editing in general) is understanding layers and transparency. In short, when you add images or objects to a presentation or file, the images are put over each other, with the latest one being above the previous one. Kinds like a scrapbook where you add material. But it does not have to be this way. You can easily change the position of an image on the "stack" by moving it further to the back (below the previously added images) or putting an image to the top of the stack. If a piece of software offers layers, you can group images (or elements) into layers, meaning you can change which images are on top within a layer, and move these layers as well (affecting all images on that layer). Unfortunately, Keynote does not support layers, so you have to deal with all elements at the same time (which are on top of others). But at least, Keynote supports transparency, which allows for some nice effects.
Keynote allows you to select the position of objects (which is on top of the other) by right-clicking on an object. The two top commands in the mouse menu are Bring to Front and Send to Back. For more fine-tuning you can use the "Arrange" menu (application control bar on the top of the screen). There are also icons you can add to the menu bar of the Keynote window.
And transparency, combined with putting objects in front or back of each other, allows for some nice effects.
Transparency can be applied to whole images or part of images — if these images are, e.g., saved as PNG. JPG does not support transparency, although you can use Keynote's "Instant Alpha" tool to set parts of an image transparent. Going with the scrapbook analogy, transparency is just that: (Part of) an image that shows what is below this image.
Why is it useful? For some nice effects. For example, for cropping videos.
I wanted to add a video to a presentation, but show only a cropped part of the video. It's easy to cut videos down to a specific segment with MPEG Streamclip, then save the trimmed part. You can also export it and crop the video in the export options, but you have to specify the numbers of pixels to crop (left, right, top, bottom). Sure, you can estimate the right numbers by putting the unscaled video in Keynote, then placing square boxes over it (without shadow) and cover the parts you don't need. The size of the boxes tells you the values. But I wanted to have a little more control. My latent perfectionism bubbles through at these points when the image does not fit exactly. Unfortunately, Keynote does not seem to allow you to crop videos.
But there's a workaround: PNG files with transparent parts of the image. PNG as graphic format has an "Alpha Channel", in short, you can not only chose colors but also say: "I want this part (where this specific color is) transparent". Tools like Graphic Converter can turn a color into transparent. You can also use the "Instant Alpha" tool in Keynote.
Which easily allows you to turn an image placeholder:
into a placeholder you can use for videos
simply by recreating the slide background with the image part as transparent, put the video behind it (move to back). You can then scale the video. It's still a far cry from being able to crop the video directly, but I found it useful.
To do so, use an image that has one solid color (e.g., completely yellow) and put it into the image placeholder. Then remove the slide number and all other text. You want only the image and the default background, nothing more, nothing that changes. Use File => Export to => Images and export the slide (use PNG). Then open the slide in an image app (e.g., Graphic Converter) and turn the image area into transparent.
Actually, the icon to turn a solid color transparent is the one next to the selected one here, with the checkered background. But you can also select the area with the selection tool and then delete the selected area.
You need to work with the tolerance values a bit to ensure that only the space for the image becomes transparent. And yup, it's bitchy when it comes to irregular image borders.
Once you have the area transparent, save the image, create a new master slide in Keynote, then put the image in (should fit the slide perfectly), and send it to back (right click => send to back). Ensure that you turn on slide numbers and check "Allow objects on slide to layer with master". Otherwise you will not be able to move the video behind this image, as the master images will be treated separately from the rest. I also lock the image into position.
Leave the Master view and insert this slide into your presentation. You can now insert a video and send it to back. You will see only the part of the video that is under the transparent part of the background.
BTW, if you do not want to work with transparency, you can also just a export a blank slide as image, put it back in, copy and paste it 3 times (four in total), and then use the image crop function to turn each background image into the top, bottom, left and right area, with the space for the video left free. Group the images and you have — essentially — the same thing. Just make sure that you send the borders to the back (right-click, send to back) and when you insert the video, to send it to back too. It's then behind the border and you see only the space not covered by the four images.
The advantage with creating a master slide here is that you only need to do it once.
Using the background again is especially helpful if you want to use the "move in" animation to move in objects (e.g., images or text), but want the objects to become visible only at a specific part of the slide. Simply insert the slide background again, crop it to the part where you want the objects to become visible, and send it to back. Then send the objects to back. They will move in, but as long as the pass below the cropped additional background, they will not be visible.
You can also use it to show a part of an image (e.g., left and right side under the added cropped background) and then reveal parts of the image by moving it around or using the "wipe"-build-out animation on the additional backgrounds. I found that especially for images, the animations Keynote provide are often only almost what I wanted. Not to mention that if you use the transparent video placeholder for images, you can scale and move images around yet ensure that the image always stays in the area for that image.
What makes transparency cool is that the transparent area does not have to be rectangle. It can be anything. For example, have a look at the following animation:
I wanted to have a nice effect "reactor" feeling to show what happens when the cycle is working. So I used a video cut from "Iron Man 2", cropped it a little, and created a background with a round transparent area (the inside of the cycle). Simply by putting a filled circle object over the area I wanted to have transparent, removing the rest, exporting the image, turning the circle transparent, and inserting the image. After inserting the video and putting it in the back (and rotating it, so that the beam comes from the top) — et voila. (I did export the video without sound and added the sound separately. The build order under animation makes sure that the parts start when needed.
And yeah, perhaps an overkill (that slide took about 2 hours to create), but I wanted to emphasize a point. And if everything works as planned, I can do this presentation twice this year. Yeah!
In short — have a look at transparency. No matter what the developers of Keynote intended, you can do some cool stuff with it.
 1. Hi there,
 Do you know how to export a transparant movie format in the neweer version of Keynote? I found an older video online that shows how to export to a MOV with alpha channel but this option seems to have been stripped from keynote? If so that would be ridiculous…
 2. Hoi Marcel,
 no, unfortunately, I don't. Pictures work with Alpha Channel, but I can't remember having ever used a video with alpha channel (I just use images with transparency and put the movie below it). However, as for stripped features, unfortunately, that could be the case. AFAIK Apple has reduced features to make the desktop version in line with the iOS one. Stupid move, but Apple did a few strange things already.
Comments are closed.


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What influences a child to choose a career on the family farm, and when is that decision made? A new University of Illinois study of pre-teen farm youth suggests that the foundations for this life choice are set early and that maternal influence, rather than paternal expectations, may be key.
Although previous studies have focused on high-school-aged youth, Angela Wiley's training in child development led her to believe farm kids would be influenced toward or against farming earlier than that. "Research implies that an important life decision such as this would be rooted in the early activities, education, and relationships of farm children," she says.
Wiley, an assistant professor in human development and family studies, surveyed 40 farm children aged 10 to 13 and also interviewed their parents. She found that children who did more work at home were more likely to plan to farm, that mothers had more influence than fathers on farm children's future plans, and that perceptions of parental worry over the family farm's future also affected children.
"Mothers have a strong influence on farm children. It may be that children, as they work around the house, have more opportunity to take in their mother's attitudes toward farming. If she is positive about farming as a career choice and a lifestyle, it may affect the child's later decision," Wiley says.
Although farm parents were careful to keep anxiety about the farm operation from their children, Wiley's respondents picked up on it anyway. If they believed their parents were worried about the farm, there was a "let-me-make-it-better" effect, says Wiley, that led the children to plan to continue in the family business.
"They seem to have taken on a sense of responsibility from an early age that this is a family endeavor and I need to do my part," Wiley says. "Their plans to farm later may be an attempt to ease their parents' worries and to ensure the continuance of the family enterprise."
Wiley says parents are finding time to talk and be with their children. And this investment is likely to pay off in the future not only in terms of children's development and adjustment, but also in terms of the viability of family farms, she concludes.

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


Björkholmen Gallery
Lisa Lundgren
Lisa Lundgren's paintings are at once direct and enigmatic. The motif's dreamy narrative is presented through the artist's very distinguishable expression. The saturated color scale on the coarse linen canvas enhances a sense of tactility and adds an extra dimension to the works. The viewer is invited to a hidden scenery through a passage. The backdrop often opens up to an imagery such as a distant landscape or a mystical unknown, appearing in distorted perspectives. Lundgrens works are characterized by a visual intimacy that defies interpretation, inspiring the spectator to serenity and contemplation.
Lisa Lundgren website


American Barn Owl
A Reference for the Caribbean, North and Central American Owls
American Barn Owl is widespread across the US, Mexico, Caribbean, and Central America. It is commonly associated with open country in lowland habitats. Habitat loss continues to be the major issue threatening this owl. Currently it is listed in half of the US states as a species of special concern and in southern Canada as either endangered or threatened. The Tytonidae family is one of only two owl families that make up all the world's owls. American Barn Owl is the only member of the Tytonidae family found on the mainland of North or Central America although other members of this family can be found in the Caribbean. Additionally, some owls found in the Caribbean that are considered American Barn Owls have different calls and appearance and will certainly be further split into their own unique species as more studies are done in the future. Here you will find videos, photos, audio recordings and a brief field notes section to help understand, identify, and enjoy this beautiful owl.
A more in depth write up can be found in its natural history page


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The mountains and valleys of New Hampshire are rich with mineral formations. From the southwest corner of the state near Keene to the northern Canadian border near Littleton there are fascinating deposits of a variety of minerals.
One of these deposits is known as the Littleton Formation which was formed during the Devonian era approximately 300,000,000 years ago. The mining of these mineral deposits has been an important part of New Hampshire history from prehistoric eras to the present.
The Ruggles Mine, in Grafton N.H., is part of the Littleton Formation and has a rich mining and geological history. It is the oldest and largest mine of its kind in the United States. Minerals such as Mica, Feldspar, Beryl, and Uranium were mined at Ruggles for 175 years.


text: During a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA), the high energy jet from the break may impinge on surrounding surfaces and materials, producing a relatively large amount of fibrous debris (mostly insulation materials). The debris may be transported through the reactor containment and reach the sump strainers. Accumulation of such debris on the strainers' surface can cause a loss of Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) and negatively affect the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) capabilities. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S.NRC) initiated the Generic Safety Issue (GSI) 191 to understand the physical phenomena involved in this type of event, and help develop the tools to prove the safety and reliability of the existing Light Water Reactors (LWR) under these conditions. Some nuclear power plants have already adopted countermeasures in an attempt to limit the effect of the debris accumulation on the ECCS performance, by replacing or modifying the existing strainer configurations. In this paper, two different strainer designs have been considered and sensitivity analysis was conducted to study the effect of the approach velocity on the pressure drop at the strainer caused by the debris accumulation. The development of the fibrous beds was visually recorded in order to correlate the head loss, the approach velocity, and the thickness of the fibrous bed. The experimental results were compared to semi-empirical models and theoretical models proposed by previous researchers.

source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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(Vizsla Dog Breed Story at Dog Grooming!)
Vizsla Dog Breed Story at Dog Grooming-The Vizsla is a Hungarian breed with a lengthy history. They were esteemed and adaptable hunters, known for their pointing and retrieving abilities. They are now well-known as affectionate, attractive, and energetic companions.
Is a Vizsla a good family dog?
Personality of the Vizsla…. Vizslas are generally regarded as kind, joyful, vivacious, loving, sociable, and clever dogs who make excellent family companions. They want constant human interaction and, as previously said, might develop separation anxiety if left alone for lengthy periods of time.
Related article: (German Shorthaired Pointer Dog Breed Story at Dog Grooming!)
What are the characteristics of a Vizsla dog?
Vizslas are regarded as bright, kind, and loving dogs with above-average learning abilities and a great desire to be around people. Although he is recognised for being biddable, some Vizslas may be obstinate, hyperactive, or timid.
What is the value of a Vizsla puppy?
A Vizsla puppy from a breeder costs around $1,000 on average. The majority of pups cost between $500 and $1,700. However, you can get pups for a lot more money.
What is the maximum amount of time I may leave my Vizsla alone?
We all adjust and meet the dogs' demands, as well as love and feed them well. If you are consistent in your training and exercising your dog in the mornings and nights, any dog can tolerate being alone for a work day. Vizslas are no exception. My dog is perfectly capable of staying at home alone for 8-10 hours.
Is it possible to keep a Vizsla in an apartment?
So, how do Vizslas fare as apartment dogs? Yes, most dogs can be fine apartment dogs if the owner has the resources to care for the dog's requirements, according to Urban Dog. Vizslas, as we've mentioned several times in this post, require a lot of cerebral stimulation and activity. They flourish in their owner's company as well.
The Vizsla has a long and illustrious history. Their origins are said to be as far back as the eighth century. The Magyar clans in Hungary were created about this period, and they required canines with stamina, speed, athleticism, and courage to help them with their hunts. As a result, they are also known as the Magyar or Hungarian Vizsla.
There's even a piece of artwork from the 10th century that depicts a Magyar tribesman, his falcon, and a dog that looks a lot like a Vizsla.
These canines were valued belongings of Hungarian noblemen as the ages passed. They proceeded to improve the breed's hunting abilities and disposition, resulting in the modern-day Vizsla that has captured the hearts of many.
Vizsla populations had plummeted by the late nineteenth century, and they were on the point of extinction. Because of the commitment of breed lovers, it was able to avoid this destiny, and its popularity has since grown again.
The first Vizslas came in the United States in the mid-twentieth century, and they were recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1960. They are still a popular breed in North America and Europe today.
How to Care:
The Vizsla is a breed that is known for being flexible, loving, and energetic. They are ideally suited to a busy household with an active outdoor lifestyle. They have a lot of energy, and if they don't receive enough daily exercise and stimulation, they can easily get bored and disruptive at home.
They are known to be good chewers, so provide them with plenty of safe and interesting toys to play with.
They are superb agility dogs and thrive at competitive sports. They do well in scent work trials because to their hunting pointing and retrieve skills, and they are frequently wonderful water lovers. They are noted for their agility and stamina, and they like running. If you appreciate the sport of Canicross, this makes them a popular pick (running with your dog).
Vizslas are bright dogs who want to please their owners. It's critical to provide kids with adequate mental activity to keep troublesome behaviours at bay. They react well to positive dog training methods and, with the appropriate direction, rapidly pick up commands and training cues.
They have a deep relationship with their family members and are quite companionable. They are often sociable with people and other dogs and flourish in groups.
This does imply that if they are left alone too much, they may develop separation anxiety, and they are best suited to a family where someone will be there for the majority of the day.
They are a vocal breed with a proclivity for alert barking, howling, and other vocalisations. You must be careful not to unintentionally reward these behaviours, since this might lead to a problem. To keep their barking under control, always thank them for being silent and ask for an alternate behaviour.
Vizslas do not have a high grooming need. They have a short coat that just has to be brushed once a week to remove dead hair and keep it in good shape. They're also not renowned for shedding excessively.
Vizslas have a reputation for being a healthy breed. They do have some health issues to which they may be genetically prone.
You may lessen the dangers by finding a reputable breeder that does health tests on prospective parents, but some of the diseases they are known for include:
Vizslas are more susceptible to epilepsy-related seizures than the typical dog breed. This is an area where study is underway. Meanwhile, while there is presently no treatment, it is comforting to know that, while there is no cure, it is a condition that can frequently be adequately controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.
Auto-Immune Illnesses: Vizslas have also been shown to be more susceptible to auto-immune diseases. Seasonal and dietary allergies are becoming more frequent. Vizsla Inflammatory Polymyopathy is a breed-specific illness that is currently being investigated. Muscle atrophy around the head, swallowing difficulties, and excessive drooling are all possible symptoms. The prognosis is usually excellent if this is detected early enough, since it may be treated with immune suppressant medicines.
Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects numerous breeds. It has something to do with the aberrant development of one or both hip joints. It's typically a progressive disorder, and surgery may be necessary in extreme cases to help preserve a high quality of life.
Diet and Nutrition:
Your Vizsla, like any other dog, should be fed a high-quality, portion-controlled diet.
Because of their deep chests, Vizslas are more susceptible to the life-threatening illness known as bloat.
It is suggested that you feed them at least twice a day rather than one heavy meal to help reduce the risk of this happening. Encourage them to eat more slowly using a slow feeder or interactive treat toy if they are prone to gulping down their food.


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The spunky and popular Dora The Explorer takes kids on an exotic adventure with the LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game Dora the Explorer. Travel far and wide and learn about the cultures, food, clothing, terrain and native wildlife of Egypt, China, Australia and Peru. Along the way, little learners ages 4 to 7 can work on some Spanish vocabulary basics like numbers and colors. The content of this LeapFrog book focuses on foreign language, social studies, multi-cultural understanding and map skills, but this robust learning experience feels more like fun than anything. Works with LeapPad Explorer learning tablets and Leapster Explorer game systems. LeapFrog device sold separately.
- Bring faraway places to life with Dora the Explorer as you learn about the cultures, animals and landscapes of 4 different countries and expand your Spanish vocabulary
- Travel the world and learn about the cultures of Egypt, China, Australia and Peru
- Learn about local animals, food, clothing, landscapes and more
- Teaches Spanish vocabulary, social studies and culture plus map skills
- Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 4 Years and Up
- Educational Focus: Letters and Numbers
- Number of Activities: 8.0
- Includes: Game Cartridges
- Learning Platform: Leap Frog Leappad2, Leap Frog Leappad, Leapster Explorer
- Interacts With: Electronic Learning System
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 1.25 " L x 1.77 " W x 0.46 " T
- Product Weight: 0.21 Lb.
- Battery: no battery used
- June 11, 2010


codfish bulijaw
Aside from the islandâ€™s nature, the people of Dominica may be proud of their cuisine, which is very attractive for the tourists.
Even if tourists travel strictly for sightseeing and activities, they will never deny a possibility to try local foods and drinks, unless those fit their dislikes or restrictions
This does not result from their habitude but from the opposite. The fact may be perfectly explained by ordinary human curiosity combined with travelersâ€™ lack of the stay-at-home lifestyle — and thus fewer food preferences.
To fully understand a cuisine you donâ€™t have to eat all the possible dishes it can offer to you. What is necessary, then? Learning its background.
Dominicaâ€™s cuisineâ€™s diversity derives from the location and the culture. The location factors include the environment, the climate, and the structure of the island. The cultural factors include the customs, the history and the different influences.
The cuisine of Dominica is kind of European. What you can find in the Great Britain or in the United States, is what you can find in Dominica. When it comes to specific things, such as cucumbers, it can even be popular. But still, I said â€œkind ofâ€. In general, the cuisine is independent, and its dishes are unique.
When talking about a cuisine, the first question risen up is, â€œWhat can their nature give?â€ Thatâ€™s perfectly logical, because if locals canâ€™t easily get some plant or animal, itâ€™s not likely to become a part of a national dish.
 Green seasoningPhotos from "Dominica Food and Drink" guide
If you expect the cuisine of Dominica consist of tropical fruits and vegetables, you are right (unless you think they are its sole components), they are widespread and not expensive. You can try Caribbean dishes whose ingredients are such fruits as bananas, breadfruits, avocados and many others. The dishes are not just exotic, they are very tasty and nutritious. And if you have them at a restaurant, they are going to be authentic. Restaurants are held by households, and all the dishes are homemade. This does not have any effect on the meals as nutrients, but homemade dishes look nicer and taste better.
If you are not a vegan, donâ€™t forget Dominica can offer plenty of seafood. Itâ€™s an island, remember? Islands are typically surrounded by seas, and thatâ€™s good. Plus, itâ€™s a large island with lakes and rivers. I think you ought to know that, just in case you donâ€™t like lobsters, but crayfish makes you forget about everything except for your hunger.
Meat courses are also a part of the national cuisine. Have you ever tried a properly cooked opossum? Itâ€™s delicious. What about agoutis? Adventure novels of the XIX century advertised them a lot, and here is your chance to try them for yourself. Best time for eating them lasts from October to November.
What is Dominica? For some people, itâ€™s the best place to see the nature. For some people itâ€™s the best people to try the nature. For some people, itâ€™s the best place to accept what nature can give you. And Dominicaâ€™s cuisine combines these.
For more information about Dominica's delicious local dishes visit foodanddrink.Dominica facebook page.
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Systematics and Evolution (HA)
Water for a Healthy Country (CSIRO Flagship Project)
Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Murray Darling Basin
Understanding the functional diversity of communities is a crucial component of whole-system analyses of biodiversity and its role in ecological patterns and processes. In this study we will concentrate on the identification of species level functional traits. Ecosystem functions (e.g. nutrient cycling, formation of biopores and leaching capability) are moderated by the functional attributes of species in a community. To understand how an ecosystem will function, and its ability to provide crucial ecosystem services as well as its capacity to respond to environmental changes, we need to understand both the functional and species diversity of the community. Knowledge about the functional attributes of the species that comprise an ecosystem is crucial to achieving specific management outcomes. This is particularly the case since the question of how these different attributes of community structure relate to community health and sustainability is still unresolved.


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Wondering why your grandfather Leib changed his name to Louis? or Aunt Blima was known as Rose?
My grandmother began life as Chaya Feiga, adopted Birdie and then Bertie as a young schoolgirl and was later known as Bertha. In Yiddish, Feiga means a bird, thus the connection to Birdie, Bertie and the more sophisticated -- for the times -- Bertha, is obvious.
In the large Persian community in Los Angeles -- so large that the city is called Irangeles or Tehrangeles -- Feridoun, Faramarz, Farid, Farajollah, Farhad, Farshid and other first names beginning with "F" are, in many cases, now simply Fred!
The New York Times had an interesting article, "As American as Vartan," about name changes among immigrants.
For a good look at how Jewish given names have changed as families immigrated to many countries, go to JewishGen's Given Name Database, compiled by Dr. Jerry Esterson.


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SMOKING CIGARETTES: HEALTH LESSON
Warn your students of the health dangers of smoking cigarettes with this ready-to-use presentation and student assignment.
INCLUDED IN YOUR PURCHASE
- A 23 slide Powerpoint presentation that teaches students about the dangers of smoking and nicotine use. The lesson includes discussion questions and activities to show students how many people die from smoking, the financial cost, as well as lots of other detailed information.
- A printable assignment for students to complete. They must find an old smoking advertisement and analyze it based on the two pages of questions provided.
This is great for a health or science class and the students are always incredibly engaged! Hopefully it will encourage students to quit smoking, or better yet - never start!
***PLEASE NOTE: The presentation used in this resource is the same presentation included in the following resource: SMOKING PRESENTATION SMOKING PRESENTATION***
WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
♥ Thank you for the resource. My students had many questions and they enjoyed how well thought out this resource was. Thank you!
♥ This was exactly what I needed to give my students facts about tobacco use!
♥ Great way to meet my Safe School/Drug Free documentation needs.
© Presto Plans


text:
split step is a very important part of a tennis
player's ability to play an all court game, particularly
when you are closing into the net.
The most important part of the split step is to
be sure that you are stepping forward and that your
weight is going in the direction of the ball coming
towards you. You should split as your opponent's
about to hit the ball, quickly assess the direction
of the ball, and come down moving towards it with
your racket extended. If you have served and are
about to volley, a split step helps you balance
yourself to make an effective shot, and keep moving
in. Good players are constantly making small splits
to help change direction.


19 Apr 2011
Whether you are an agent or a principal, when a dispute gets serious, the first steps you take can have a profound impact on how the dispute unfolds and who will achieve the better outcome. Below are some of the important points that everyone should start thinking about as soon as dispute arises.
1. Be clear about your objective
Always remember: (1) disputes are unpredictable, (2) everyone involved will suffer some cost, and (3) most disputes end in compromise, not outright victories. Therefore, even if you think you have a watertight case, when formulating your objectives it is better to think in terms of a range of possible outcomes than one fixed outcome. Work out what your business can and cannot afford in terms of time and money, which problems it can and cannot tolerate, and make sure they are all accommodated. If the demands of your business do not fall within the range of realistic outcomes then you should probably rethink your approach to the dispute entirely.
2. Develop a strategy
Take time to think about any aspects that you might be able to turn to your advantage. For example, some opponents will be sensitive to costs, delays or reputational damage, whilst others will be dependent on preserving relationships with you or your allies. Less organised outfits are usually bad at producing reliable evidence to back up their case, possibly because they do not keep proper records or because their witnesses are unreliable. There possibilities are endless. Think about what applies to your particular case and work them into an overall strategy. And don't forget to think about what can be used against you.
3. Remember the contract – and the Regulations
The starting point should always be to check what the contract between agent and principle says. Most contracts have clauses that govern duties, breaches, damages (including whether an agent is entitled to compensation or an indemnity), termination, notice periods and the mechanism for resolving disputes. Also bear in mind that some clauses will survive termination of an agency, such as restrictive covenants which can prevent parties from competing or from soliciting employees.
Where there is no written agreement, things will be less clear but these kinds of issues still require consideration.
If the Commercial Agents Regulations apply (or if they might), be sure to check how they will impact on you and your opponent. Beware of its numerous pitfalls, such as the unenforceability of certain clauses and the need to notify claims.
4. Strengthen your position – your initial reactions matter
The steps you take immediately after a dispute arises can influence or even determine the outcome. For example:
 - Where agent and principle simultaneously accuse each other of breaching their agency contract, how the parties respond and whether or not they continue to perform the contract can have dramatic legal consequences.
 - Where there is doubt about how or where a dispute should be fought, being the first to act (e.g. by commencing proceedings in a preferred jurisdiction) can give you a massive advantage over your opponent.
 - How documents are managed and created once a dispute has arisen can determine whether or not they will be admissible as evidence. This can alter the course and outcome of a dispute.
Getting these matters right will also improve your negotiating position. However, bear in mind that they can be tricky to handle correctly as complex legal rules apply, so it's best to seek professional assistance, especially when there is a lot of money at stake.
5. Be realistic about the cost
The decision to involve your business in a dispute should always be commercially driven. In other words, only get involved if the likely result is that you will be in a better position financially than if you don't, and try to keep any personal animosities to one side.
Work out at the outset what the full cost to your business is likely to be. That's not always as easy as it sounds. Apart from legal costs and the risk of having to pay your opponent if you lose, there are usually other, less visible costs to consider such as lost revenue (e.g. caused by employee downtime), increased future costs (e.g. higher insurance premiums) and indirect losses (e.g. damage to your reputation). Some of these are difficult to identify and value, so take some time to think them through.
6. Don't miss a good settlement
As many agency cases have shown over the years, disputes are risky, expensive and unpredictable. They are also stressful and distract you from your proper business. In many cases, the sooner you end the dispute the better it will be for you and your business – provided of course the terms are acceptable. New possibilities for settlement tend to open up as a dispute develops. A commercially savvy litigant will always have one eye on settlement and will favour a reasonable, timely settlement over a risky day in court.
Rod Dykins is a Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution department
Written by Rod Dykins
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White Guinea Pigs
Name: Yvonne K.
If two white guinea pigs produced only white
offspring. Which gene is dominant and which is recessive and why?
It's probably recessive since only white are produced, however if the white
guinea pigs are both homozygous dominant they would also produce only white
offspring. So you need more information to say for sure.
Click here to return to the Molecular Biology Archives
Update: June 2012


Orihimechan no Hoppeta (Hand-made Bakery aLzo)
Orihimechan no Hoppeta means Orihimechan's cheek. Orihimechan is the Katano's industrial promotion character. The concept of the character comes from the Tale of Tanabata. In the story, Orihime is a female deity of weaving.
She fell in love with a deity of cowherd – Hikoboshi. As a result, people's lives were gradually decayed due to the fact that they didn't take their responsibilities as deity. Orihime's father who was very upset about the situation decided their separation. Although people's lives returned to normal, Orihime really missed Hikoboshi every night. In the end, her father allowed Orihime to meet up with Hikoboshi at Amanogawa River (the Milky Way) once a year.
Katano is deeply relating to the Tale of Tanabata. For example, in Katano, there are a lot of Tanabata's spots such as Hatamono Shrine, Hoshida Myokengu Shrine, Amanogawa River, and Aiai Bridge. The reason is that the landscape of Katano is quite similar to that of the tale of Tanabata. Hence, in the Heian period, the Heian nobles who used Katano as a vacation place put Tanabata-related names to each place.
The Hand-made Bakery aLzo started to make very soft bread using Katano's local produce. aLzo is one of Katano's unique bakeries which make original breads.


are some reasons your German Shepherd will howl:
 - You have not had time for him all day, and he's looking for attention.
 - He's sensing some danger, and he wants to warn you about it.
 - Another dog in the neighborhood is howling, and he is responding as the pack dog that he is.
 - He's reacting to high-pitched sounds like an ambulance siren.
 - He's alone and lonely at home and suffering from separation anxiety.
 - He has medical issues that are causing him pain or itching, and he wants you to know and do something about it.
Why Do German Shepherds Lay on Your Feet?
German Shepherds are pack dogs and, therefore, have remnants of the tendency to stick close together. German Shepherd behavior consisting of lying or sitting on or next to your feet can have 3 different meanings.
1. Seek and Offer Protection
Your German Shepherd will sit at your feet to feel safe and offer you protection at the same time. Among pack dogs, the alpha has a prominent position. So, laying at your feet shows that your dog recognizes you as the alpha. But your dog also feels safe and secure close to you.
2. Be Warm
Ever wondered why dogs will tend to lie close to each other or on each other most of the time? Especially in cold weather, most pack dogs would lie close to each other to preserve the warmth. Whether it's cold or not, it is warmer near your feet, and your GSD seeks that natural doggie closeness that is wired into their nature.
3. Seek Affection and Attention
Your German Shepherd may lie on or close to your feet to simply seek affection and attention. German Shepherds enjoy a warm cuddle and sometimes they can even become extra clingy.
If you are sitting at a chair tapping at your computer's keyboard for an hour or two, your furry friend will take what he can of your closeness, hoping to remind you that he exists.
My 5 Favorite German Shepherd Products to Make Life Easier:
 1. Walk Your Dog With Love No-Pull Harness. I love this harness, and it's what I use. There's just no way your dog can pull. It's easy to fit and inexpensive. You can read my full review here.
 2. Midwest Homes for Pets iCrate. A crate is a must-have product. This cool all-inclusive one has a ton of handy features, and there's nothing extra to buy.
 3. FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool. I've tried many others, but this grooming tool is by far the best. It gets right through to the undercoat and easily removes all the loose hair.
 4. KONG Classic. I love KONG toys as they're super tough and made for your German Shepherd's teeth! The Classic Toy is fun to chew, chase, and fetch or even stuff with tasty treats.
 5. Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed. Scientifically proven to prevent and reduce joint pain in big dogs. The 10-year guarantee is also pretty cool too! You can also get it on Amazon here, but you don't get the 10-year warranty.
My full list of recommendations can be found here.
Why Do German Shepherds Lay Down to Eat?
Some people will say fatigue, aging, pain, and injury are reasons for this German Shepherd behavior. While these are valid, there is one reason that seems to be a more logical explanation of why your GSD lays down to eat.
In their wild nature, before we domesticated them, dogs had to hunt their food and protect it from intruders. This meant that keeping sight of their prey from the hunting stage to when the prey was ready to eat was important. Hence, dogs lie down to eat so they can see who is approaching from the front while they enjoy the fruit of their labor.
Below is a photo of my German Shepherd displaying this dog behavior.
A German Shepherd laying down eating from her bowl. Why Do German Shepherds Eat While Laying Down?
"Just checking no one is coming for my dinner!"
What is most interesting is that a dog's natural laying position while eating is better for his health.
Feeding your German Shepherd from his usual bowl can affect your dog's oral and spinal health. This is because eating involves not only a dog's teeth but also other bones and muscles.
Eating the unnatural way can cause misalignments in these bones and muscles and disrupt the body's acidic pH, which explains the health risks to the spine and the tartar, gingivitis, and loose teeth.
Next time your German Shepherd eats lying down, just smile and say, "Well, my dog is being natural today!"
For a more in-depth article on this behavior, check out my article, 5 Reasons Why German Shepherds Lay Down to Eat.
Why Do German Shepherds Sit on You?
If you noticed that your German Shepherd likes sitting on you every time you sit or lie down, what would you make of that? Here are 4 different reasons to explain this behavior:
1. Dominance
It seems that dogs tell their owner that you belong to them by spreading their scent on you. To do so, they'll need to be close to you as much as possible. So, sitting on your lap whenever you sit down or on your belly when you lie down may be their way of labeling what is theirs with their scent.
2. They Are Initiating Play
If you tend to react to every one of their behaviors, German Shepherds may sit on you to simply get you to send them away and give them a chance to climb back and be sent away again – a bit like kids do!
If you're laughing or showing signs of enjoying this back-and-forth game, you've succeeded in rewarding your German Shepherd with some playtime. Expect them to climb on you the next time you lie down in a similar position!
3. They Seek to Cuddle
German Shepherds have a warm temperament and love to cuddle. They are a very affectionate breed and will even follow you to the bathroom! Climbing on your lap may simply be a way of reaching out and getting a warm hug.
4. You've Let Your GSD Have His Way With You!
A study comparing dogs' behavior showed that dogs would choose to be closer to people who are nicer to them, play with them, talk to them, and stroke them. So if your German Shepherd likes sitting on you, it might be you've let him have his way, and he's become used to sitting on you!
Why Do German Shepherds Circle Before Lying Down?
Many will wonder why their dog will circle their bed or a spot on the carpet before lying down. Here are some suggestions:
1. To Make a Nest
The first reason is that dogs would circle a spot to trap grass or shrubs and create a little nest for themselves in the wild. This innate behavior seems to linger in their system despite centuries of domestication.
2. Security Reasons
The second reason dogs will circle a spot before lying down is to assess the spot's security by ensuring there are no threats in the surroundings. Those who live with a GSD in a secluded home may have noticed that the dog will often make a couple of rounds around the home before settling and lying down.
3. Assess Their Laying Spot
It seems that your German Shepherd doesn't trust the safety of his bed or lying spot. It will also circle the spot to ensure there are no vermin or harmful objects that will make your pet's rest uncomfortable.
There is little scientific data to prove the above 3 examples – except for the idea that dogs circle before lying down to make a nest. This small study of 62 dogs implied that dogs are more likely to circle before lying down when given a soft, uneven surface to make a temporary nest to sleep in.
4. A Medical Issue
The last reason for dogs' circling behavior is that they may be suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, but this is a rare condition in dogs. OCD is a psychological health condition that often has a genetic predisposition in some breeds. Dogs will repeatedly perform normal canine behavior and often fail to respond to therapy.
Why Do German Shepherds Roll on Their Backs?
German Shepherd Rolling on his back in the snow. Why Do German Shepherds Roll on Their Backs?
 - To avoid a nape bite (on the side of the neck)
 - To launch an attack (be offensive)
Why Do German Shepherds Pee When Excited?
Excitement urination in dogs is especially associated with puppies, and it's expected that they will grow out of this behavior with age.
When you scratch your GSD's belly, arrive home from work, or a visitor greets them, all these can cause them extreme excitement, and your puppy may pee small amounts of urine. Of course, this is a problem if your pup is on the carpet or lying on your new couch!
According to UCDavis Veterinary Medicine, excitement urination in dogs may also be triggered by a few other causes:
 - Accidental reinforcement – this means that you sympathize with and excuse your German Shepherd's inability to always hold their urine, and they begin to use it as a way to find sympathy from you.
 - Bladder sphincter – this is a bladder dysfunction that comes with decreased bladder control.
 - Genetic predisposition – your dog's parents were predisposed or had the condition.
Excitement urination should be differentiated from urine-marking (spraying) which is a


Our office opens regular office hours during COVID-19 Emergency.
Articles Tagged with California nursing home abuse lawyer
The prospect of filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit in San Diego County can feel daunting, especially if you are unsure about whether it makes sense to begin the process of taking action against a particular facility. The most critical thing to remember is that, if you have any suspicions about nursing home abuse or neglect, it is always a better idea to do something than to hope that your concerns are misplaced. Much too often, nursing home abuse occurs—and continues to happen—because nobody takes action to stop it. An experienced San Diego County nursing home abuse attorney can help you to understand whether you have a valid claim, and what steps you need to take in order to move forward with a lawsuit.
In the meantime, the following are some commonly asked questions about nursing home abuse claims, along with answers to help you get started.
How Does California Law Define Nursing Home Abuse?
If you are considering filing an elder abuse claim in Los Angeles County, it is important to understand how much time you have to file a lawsuit. All civil lawsuits have what is known as a "statute of limitations," which creates a time window for filing a claim. If a plaintiff does not file his or her lawsuit within that time window, the claim can become time-barred. A time-barred claim is one that is barred from being filed because the statute of limitations ran out. In some cases, it can be possible to pause the statute of limitations, which is known as tolling. In the meantime, the following is some important information about the timeline for a nursing home abuse claim.
Statute of Limitations for a Negligence Claim
Many nursing home abuse and neglect cases are filed as negligence claims under California law. Like many other personal injury lawsuits, the statute of limitations in these cases is two years under Section 335.1 of the California Code of Civil Procure. How does the statute of limitations relate to filing a claim, and when does the "clock" start ticking? In most negligence cases, including claims for injuries resulting from nursing home abuse, the clock on the statute of limitations will start to "tick" on the date of the injury, or the nursing home abuse incident.
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Turkey Government feeds stray Animals during COVID-19 Lockdown
While the coronavirus forces billions of people worldwide into lockdown, another large population is also severely affected; stray animals. This global lockdowns against the coronavirus are just like a death sentence to stray animals. They feel the bite as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads. Hundreds of stray dogs and cats have taken over the streets of major cities in search of what to eat and how to survive as the country remains under a coronavirus lockdown. These stray domestic animals have moved to fill the void, while also suffering the consequences of the pandemic.
But the story is not the same in a place like Turkey; it is good to hear that while the Turkish people stay at home to contain the spread of COVID-19, the government is tackling the issue of who will feed hundreds of thousands of stray animals in the country.
The Turkey interior ministry has decided that the job is the responsibility of local councils across the country and ordered them "to bring food and water to animal shelters, gardens, parks, and other areas where animals are found." The ministry insists that "all necessary actions must be taken to make sure stray animals don't go hungry", adding that dens and animals' shelters should also be sanitized.
Although Volunteers, activists, and residents usually feed Turkey's pack of strays, restrictions on movement and self-isolation have severely affected animal welfare. While councils sometimes provide services to street animals, it is unusual for the central government to order such a move. In Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, which has the most confirmed COVID-19 infections, there are around 128,900 stray dogs and 162,970 stray cats, according to the city 2018 figures.
Turkish social media users highly praised the move, with many thanking the Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. The official Twitter account of Istanbul's Bayrampasa district shared photos of stray animals that were fed on April 5. The district said, they are with their true friends, with whom we share life.
One animal welfare organization in the Black Sea region has called on people who are over 65 years who were banned from going outside to contact their district governor to help feed the animals. Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul tweeted a picture of himself stroking a dog, saying: "We should not abandon our animal friends during these tough days." So far, Turkey has refrained from imposing a nationwide lockdown and instead advises the public to stay home.
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How to Write Your Own Math Rap
The Rappin' Mathematician presents a step-by-step guide to creating an academic rhyme.
This how-to article accompanies the feature "Rapping Math Teachers Bring It."
Want to rap a math concept for your class, but not sure where to start? Alex Kajitani, the Rappin' Mathematician, breaks down how to write a rap.
Step 1: Identify Your Concept
What do you want your students to learn? Successful math raps have been written on concepts such as fractions, negative and positive numbers, and integers.
Step 2: Find Your Rhymes
Write out all the key words related to your concept. For a rap about the order of operations, Kajitani lists operations, order, parenthesis, exponent, multiply, divide, add, and subtract.
Then find what rhymes with these words. Kajitani recommends going to Rhymezone.com and plugging in your word: "Divide" brings up 147 results. He chooses the rhyming word guide.
Not every word needs to rhyme perfectly. Kajitani also uses words and phrases that sound similar, such as exponent and "own it," to form a rhyme. If you are writing a four-line rhyme, the second and fourth lines should rhyme.
Step 3: Craft the Hook
A catchy hook -- a rhyme repeated at the beginning, middle, and end of the rap, like a refrain -- is essential to a good math rap. It quickly explains what the rap is all about.
Using the rhyme he found on Rhymezone.com, Kajitani shows how to craft a hook that explains the order of operations:
Parenthesis then exponents,
Multiply and divide,
Then add and subtract
PEMDAS is your guide.
Step 4: Back It up with a Beat
No rap is complete without the musical beat behind the words. A Google search for "free rap beats" could provide some leads. Garage Band, a Macintosh program that comes with the iLife package ($79), can also be used to create rap beats. Kajitani will buy beats for about $20-$100 per song to use commercially from sites such as Gotchanoddin.com.
Kajitani suggests sampling some background music and practicing lyrics to different songs until you find a combination that feels right. Any music software will allow you to shorten the beat's track -- Kajitani notes that a math rap doesn't have to be long -- to fit the length of your math rap. (One option is the free, cross-platform Audacity Sound Editor.)
Step 5: Perform
Kajitani says you might start a math lesson with your new rap. Or you may want to record your voice into a computer and bring a recorded version into class. (Garage Band can also be used for this type of recording.) Your students might also enjoy performing the rap.
Now that you have a new learning tool, it's time to show it off.
Extra Credit: Make the Video
The after-school video club at Kajitani's school, Mission Middle School, in Escondido, California, produced his video So Many Lines. The students drew a storyboard of the scenes for the video, selected actors for the various parts, and then filmed and edited the piece themselves -- and their creative efforts didn't go unnoticed: They won the 2007 iVIE award for the most innovative video in education.
The Rappin' Mathematician:
Alex Kajitani teaches through rhymes.
The school was so impressed with the students' work that they created a regular video-technology class during the school day. This year's class may make another video for Kajitani's song "The Itty Bitty Dot." After that project, the students will surely remember Kajitani's hook about adding and subtracting with decimals: "Just line up the dot and give it all you've got."


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Dolly Sods Wilderness Description
Dolly Sods Wilderness is part of the Monongahela National Forest system. Much of the land in the higher elevations consists of eco-systems that are more commonly seen much further north in Canada.
The 17,000 acre wilderness has 47 miles of hiking trails, many of which follow old logging roads and railroad grades. The area is very popular with hikers, backpackers, cross-country skiiers, and campers.
Note: During World War II, the military used this wilderness area as a training ground. Many of the mortar and artillery shells used still exist, some of which could still be live.
The trails and campsites were surveyed in 1997, at which time 15 shells were discovered, some of which were live.
These were exploded on site. Please do not wander off of the designated trails as there could be live ordnances.
Note: For a printed map of the trails in the Canaan Valley, we highly recommend the 'Explorer Trail Map' by Voila Interactive Concepts.
This map was meticulously compiled by a local resident and is an excellent guide of the vast trail network in the Canaan Valley. You can find
it at local outdoor shops such as Blackwater Bikes in Davis and at the Timberline Resort store.


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Definition of Radiopaque
Reviewed on 3/29/2021
Radiopaque: Opaque to one or another form of radiation, such as X-rays. Radiopaque objects block radiation rather than allow it to pass through. Metal, for instance, is radiopaque, so metal objects that a patient may have swallowed are visible on X-rays. Radiopaque dyes are used in radiology to enhance X-ray pictures of internal anatomic structures. The opposite of radiopaque is radiolucent.
What causes tooth decay? See Answer
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PrintPropertyDictionary.Dispose Method (Boolean)
Releases the unmanaged resources that are being used by the PrintPropertyDictionary and optionally releases the managed resources.
Assembly: System.Printing (in System.Printing.dll)
This method is called by the public Dispose() method and the Finalize method. Dispose() invokes the protected method with the unnamed Boolean parameter set to true. Finalize invokes with the parameter set to false.
When the Boolean parameter is true, this method releases all the resources that are held by any managed objects that this PrintPropertyDictionary references. This method invokes the Dispose() method of each referenced object.
Notes to Inheritors:
Dispose can be called multiple times by other objects. When you override Dispose(Boolean), be careful not to reference objects that have been previously disposed of in an earlier call to Dispose. For more information about how to implement Dispose(Boolean), see Implementing a Dispose Method.
Available since 3.0


Dull Market
DEFINITION of 'Dull Market'
A market where there is little activity. A dull market consists of low trading volumes and tight daily trading ranges. There is very little change and action during a dull market. A common phrase when dealing with dull markets is, "never short a dull market." Some believe that the market is storing energy during dull markets and that the market is preparing for a rally.
A dull market can also be referred to as a flat market or in other words a market at rest. An example would be seeing the market end at or near the same price as when it opened for an extended period of time. During a dull market investors feel that once the market awakens the market is generally set to rise. Any moves after a dull market tend to be larger moves due to the lack of activity. The globalization of the financial industry has reduced the time a market remains dull.
 1. Market
 A medium allowing buyers and sellers of a specific good or service...
 2. Sideways Market / Sideways Drift
 A sideways market occurs where the price trend of a certain trading...
 3. Flat
 1. A price that is neither rising nor declining. 2. In forex,...
 4. Deer Market
 A flat market. Neither a bull or bear market, a deer market is...
 5. Rally
 A period of sustained increases in the prices of stocks, bonds...
 6. Capital Markets
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 Whether up, down or sideways, learn about some of the factors that drive stock market moves.
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 1. Why would a corporation issue convertible bonds?
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are the fit of the bag, what clothing one wears to bed, and the type of sleeping pad used. All of these factors play key roles in calculating real world performance. Wind and dampness are additional factors that can greatly affect a quality night's sleep.
My research seems to indicate that the EN standard for sleeping bag temperature rating is helpful, but only if used properly. My take is that one must understand the rating system, specifically the range of ratings, and then use it as a baseline to compare sleeping bags against each other. Reality means that it might take a few failures on our end before we find a bag that is tailored to how we sleep and intend to use it.
My conclusion is that we need to look at a sleeping bag as part of a total sleeping package. This package should include several factors, but starts with the combined performance of the sleeping bag and the mattress pad. Continuing down this path, it is critical to evaluate the fit of the bag. To tight and you compress the insulation and reduce its insulating capabilities. To loose and energy is wasted heating the dead space.
Another component of the sleeping system is clothing. Is there a dedicated set of sleep clothing, or do you utilize part of your outerwear to dial your system in? The final piece of the puzzle is the style of shelter (i.e tent, tarp, hammock, bivy, etc.) as the EN testing process assumes the sleeping bag is used in a tent. All of these factors combined make up your total sleeping package.
 - Sleeping Bag
 - Mattress Pad
 - Overall fit of the bag
 - Clothing worn in the bag (or not)
 - Shelter Style
As we build this package it is easy to see the potential for variances. Each trip might require a custom tailored total sleep package based on the multiple variables each adventure requires. The weather and altitude are examples of external variables to consider as we build our system. Using the results of the tests, and comparing how manufactures use these results, helps us understand the baseline upon which to build a system. Nights in the bag prove our system and help us to better understand how the sleeping bag temperature rating can work for us, and in the conditions we use our system in.
In a follow up article I will explain how I used the results of my research to build my different sleep systems and how I tailor each of them to the adventure at hand.
You can comment on this article or ask Matt questions here. (Be sure and subscribe to that thread at "Thread Tools" top of post to receive a notification when part II publishes.)


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In its first report on the use of "geosocial" or location-based services, the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life project finds that 4% of online adults use a service such as Foursquare or Gowalla that allows them to share their location with friends and to find others who are nearby. On any given day, 1% of internet users are using these services.
Location-based services such as Foursquare and Gowalla use internet-connected mobile devices' geolocation capabilities to let users notify others of their locations by "checking in" to that location. Location-based services often run on stand-alone software applications, or "apps," on most major GPS-enabled smartphones or other devices.
Key findings include:
- 7% of adults who go online with their mobile phone use a location-based service.
- 8% of online adults ages 18-29 use location-based services, significantly more than online adults in any other age group.
- 10% of online Hispanics use these services – significantly more than online whites (3%) or online blacks (5%).
- 6% of online men use a location-based service such as Foursquare or Gowalla, compared with 3% of online women.
Read the full report Four Percent of Online Americans Use Location-Based Services on the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project Web site.


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created 2007 · complexity basic · author Fritzophrenic · version 7.0
Many advanced text editors allow the editing of files in a "hex mode," especially useful for editing binary files. Vim provides this capability through the external program xxd, which is included by default in standard distributions of Vim. Unfortunately, using an external program for this task is non-intuitive and error-prone. A user must remember how to run the filter (:%!xxd to convert to hex, :%!xxd -r to convert back), must remember to convert back from hex before saving, cannot convert read-only files without warnings, and more. This tip improves the use of xxd to edit hex files by adding a mapping and command to easily toggle back and forth between hex and non-hex mode, and automating tasks like converting back from the hex-filtered form before saving a file.
Easily enter and leave hex modeEdit
Placing the following code in your vimrc will provide a
:Hexmode ex command to toggle xxd hex mode on or off. It will keep track of what mode you are in, so you don't have to. This ex command is easy to map like this:
nnoremap :Hexmode inoremap :Hexmode vnoremap :Hexmode
Note that is already a defined command, so override it with care (or use a different left hand side to the mapping). See :help CTRL-H, :help i_CTRL-H, :help v_CTRL-H. Also, you may need to use gvim to distinguish between and .
" ex command for toggling hex mode - define mapping if desired command -bar Hexmode call ToggleHex() " helper function to toggle hex mode function ToggleHex() " hex mode should be considered a read-only operation " save values for modified and read-only for restoration later, " and clear the read-only flag for now let l:modified=&mod let l:oldreadonly=&readonly let &readonly=0 let l:oldmodifiable=&modifiable let &modifiable=1 if!exists("b:editHex") ||!b:editHex " save old options let b:oldft=&ft let b:oldbin=&bin " set new options setlocal binary " make sure it overrides any textwidth, etc. let &ft="xxd" " set status let b:editHex=1 " switch to hex editor %!xxd else " restore old options let &ft=b:oldft if!b:oldbin setlocal nobinary endif " set status let b:editHex=0 " return to normal editing %!xxd -r endif " restore values for modified and read only state let &mod=l:modified let &readonly=l:oldreadonly let &modifiable=l:oldmodifiable endfunction
Automatically handle hex modeEdit
It would be nice if the user did not need to remember to convert back from hex before saving changes to a binary file. Also, certain files are almost always binary; it would be nice if Vim would pick up on this and automatically enter an appropriate editing mode. The help files for Vim include the following advice for automating the xxd-style hex editing capabilities for Vim, in order to automate the conversion and automatically enter hex mode for binary files:
" vim -b : edit binary using xxd-format! augroup Binary au! au BufReadPre *.bin let &bin=1 au BufReadPost *.bin if &bin | %!xxd au BufReadPost *.bin set ft=xxd | endif au BufWritePre *.bin if &bin | %!xxd -r au BufWritePre *.bin endif au BufWritePost *.bin if &bin | %!xxd au BufWritePost *.bin set nomod | endif augroup END
There are a few problems with this approach:
- Only files with a.bin extension are opened this way, even if editing a file in binary mode (e.g. with ++bin)
- This sets the binary option for any future documents opened as well. If you use tabe, for example, or if you have Vim set up to open new files in tabs, then any new files opened will open in binary mode.
- If you decide to edit a binary file without the xxd, the BufWrite autocommands will try to convert it with xxd -r anyway.
- Viewing a file in "xxd mode" requires you to modify the file, so read-only files will warn you if you try to do so, even if you make no changes. Buffers with 'nomodifiable' will cause errors.
- If you go back into non-xxd editing, the filetype will still be xxd.
These problems can be fixed as follows:
- Trigger on all files if they are being edited with the binary option. Modify the extension-specific autocmd to set the binary option.
- Use setlocal rather than using the global binary option.
- Maintain a variable for each buffer that tracks whether the file is in "xxd mode". Only restore to non-xxd before writing if this variable says we are in the appropriate mode.
- Temporarily clear the read-only flag whenever you transition between xxd and non-xxd mode, resetting it afterward.
- Store the filetype when entering xxd mode and restore it when leaving.
Below is some code for your vimrc that does all of this, making use of the command we define above:
" autocmds to automatically enter hex mode and handle file writes properly if has("autocmd") " vim -b : edit binary using xxd-format! augroup Binary au! " set binary option for all binary files before reading them au BufReadPre *.bin,*.hex setlocal binary " if on a fresh read the buffer variable is already set, it's wrong au BufReadPost * \ if exists('b:editHex') && b:editHex | \ let b:editHex = 0 | \ endif " convert to hex on startup for binary files automatically au BufReadPost * \ if &binary | Hexmode | endif " When the text is freed, the next time the buffer is made active it will " re-read the text and thus not match the correct mode, we will need to " convert it again if the buffer is again loaded. au BufUnload * \ if getbufvar(expand(""), 'editHex') == 1 | \ call setbufvar(expand(""), 'editHex', 0) | \ endif " before writing a file when editing in hex mode, convert back to non-hex au BufWritePre * \ if exists("b:editHex") && b:editHex && &binary | \ let oldro=&ro | let &ro=0 | \ let oldma=&ma | let &ma=1 | \ silent exe "%!xxd -r" | \ let &ma=oldma | let &ro=oldro | \ unlet oldma | unlet oldro | \ endif " after writing a binary file, if we're in hex mode, restore hex mode au BufWritePost * \ if exists("b:editHex") && b:editHex && &binary | \ let oldro=&ro | let &ro=0 | \ let oldma=&ma | let &ma=1 | \ silent exe "%!xxd" | \ exe "set nomod" | \ let &ma=oldma | let &ro=oldro | \ unlet oldma | unlet oldro | \ endif augroup END endif
This will make Vim automatically invoke hex mode using the command defined earlier whenever a file is opened in binary mode, and will automatically (locally) set binary mode for.bin and.hex files (so.bin and.hex files will automatically open in hex mode always).
You may need to take steps to avoid the "Hit ENTER to continue prompt if you use this tip.
Here are commands to use to launch any file(s) in hex mode in a separate "hex editor" Vim server. Under Windows, you can easily add these commands to your "Send To" menu if you use the full path for gvim.exe in place of "vim". Remove the "-p" and "--remote-tab-silent" option if you do not want the tabbed interface. The -c "set binary" ensures that any tabwidth, wrap, etc. settings are overwritten after the file finishes loading.
- Launch in tabs in a new dedicated Vim hex editor:
vim -p -b -c "set binary" --servername HEXVIM
- Launch in tabs in an existing dedicated Vim hex editor:
vim -b -c "set binary" --servername HEXVIM --remote-tab-silent
- :help hex-editing
- :help :autocmd
- :help internal-variables
- :help edit-binary
script#666 provides similar (and extended) capability, though I have never used it and can't vouch for its usefulness/completeness/correctness.


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Use SL Shapes
Note: The video was made for Avastar-1.0 However it should still be helpful for Avastar-1.2
Step 1: Export your Shape from SL or OpenSimThe procedure to export the Character shape may vary depending on which viewer you actually use. We use the default SL Viewer.
(where nnn is a number)C:\Users\gaia\AppData\Roaming\SecondLife\logs\Gaia_Clary_nnn.xml
Note: the file path contains your Windows user name (mine is gaia) and your SL user name.
Step 2: Import to Avastar
Create a new Avastar
Add a new Avastar Character
add -> Avastar
This will create a new female Avastar character. After a short time (typically 2-4 secs) a new Avastar character is created in the 3D View and at the current 3D cursor location.
We do not use any of the Ruth shapes, because there is no clear definition what Ruth is. While there is an official definition of the default shape. In SL you create the default shape from your Inventory:
What you should know
- New Avastar characters can only be created when you are in Object Mode!
- A new character will be placed at the current 3D Cursor location.
- You can hide ('h') or remove ('x') not needed parts (like the skirt or the hair for example) without breaking the tools.
- You can create as many characters as you like and thus you can create multi-character animations. Multi-character animations will be explained in the reference guide.
- The character that you know from avatar.blend or from the workbench (sometimes also named "ruth") looks different from the default Avastar character. this is not a mistake. Further explanations can be found in the Avastar vs. Workbench Skeleton article.
Note: The Armature Info Panel shows the version difference between your Armature (in the example My Rig and the Avastar Version (1.1.20 in the example).
(1) Currently old Blend files will not show an Armature version, because this feature is very new. Because of that you often do not see any version info. But this is enough for Avastar to know the Armature is outdated.
- Armature name
- Avastar Version number
- Rig version Number (may be empty)
- Version Mismatch Info (if applicable)
- List of assigned Custom Meshes
- Number of animated Bones
Whenever Avastar detects a Version Mismatch, then it offers an Update Button in the Avastar Tools Panel:
Inplace Armature Update
- Select your old mesh or your old Armature.
- Then – in the Tool Shelf – look for Armature Info. If Avastar indicates a Version Mismatch, then…
- Look for the Avastar Tools Panel and click on Update Avastar.
Load your Shape
The Avastar Shape (Properties, Object Section)
Avastar can import and export shapes from OpenSim or any compatible online world. You find the import/export functions in the Object properties of the Avastar Armature:
- Go to object mode.
- Select the Rig (RMB on the yellow circles around the mesh).
- Open the Properties window.
- Navigate to the "Object" properties.
There you find a panel "Avatar Shape". This panel displayes a subpanel with 5 main functions.
This function allows you to upload a Shape that you have previously exported from your online world: In most viewers there is a shape export option hidden in the advanced menu ("Advanced" -> "Character" -> "Charater Tests" -> "Appearance to XML"). This will silently create a file called:
This file contains your current shape and can be loaded into Avastar, where [application_folder] is the viewer's application data folder. For Windows this folder is located at:
Save Shape to
As mentioned above the default option is to save to File. But you can also save to a Blender textblock. In that case the slider values can be found in the Blender text editor panel. The values correspond to the shape settings in the SL viewer.
Note: You can use the Singularity Viewer to import a shape file to SL. To see the file, switch to the Blender Text editor and locate Shape for: Avatar (Avatar stands for the name of the Armature). Useful when you need to update the shape in SL with the values from blender.
This resets the Avastar meshes to the current Shape values. Useful together with the new custom shape key function (see below). Also if you messed up the Avastar meshes (by editing them) you can return the mesh back to the current shape slider values.
Reset to Default Shape
Set the entire shape back to the Avastar default setup (the same as the SL Default shape which you get when you create a new Shape)
Delete Avastar Shapes
Remove all Shapesfrom the Avastar character. You will want this when you use the rig for non human characters where keeping the Avastar human meshes make no sense.
Load Shape Editor
Export to Collada
Export your Character as Collada
Hint: You usually can keep the default settings and just click on the "Collada(Avastar)(.dae)" button. A File Selector will pop up. Here you can navigate to your export directory and then export your file as a Collada file (using the file extension ".dae")
By default Avastar applies all mesh changing Modifiers except the Armature Modifiers to the exported meshes. However, some modifiers have 2 sets of options, one option set is for rendering, the other option set is for the Viewport. We provide 3 options here:
- Apply according to the View Settings (the 3D Preview settings)
- Apply according to the Render Settings (the settings for Blender's own Renderer)
- Don't apply modifiers and only export the base mesh
The View settings will be applied by default. These settings are very closely related to the Blender Render System. In most cases you can actually just use the defaults. We will get back to this when we talk about how to use (or not use) Modifiers.
We will get to armature Modifiers in the "Create an Attachment" tutorial.
Textures export (advanced)
Note: But for rigged meshes the images are not recognized.
- UV Textures & Material Textures: Blender supports Material based textures and UV textures (which are directly assigned to polygons). Normally you want to export only the UV textures. In rare cases it is more desirable to export the material based textures instead. But beware, Blender does not export the render results, but only the source images!
- Image Type: The image format is typically predefined in the Blender Render settings. However we found it convenient to provide an immediate setting in the Exporter. By default the image type will be applied ONLY to generated images.
- Use 'Image format' for all images: If this option is set, then Blender will use the selected image format for all exported images. If the option is disabled, then only the generated images will be affected.
- Use RGBA: Blender can export the Alpha channel for images. Normally this is controlled in the render settings where you can specify to use either RGB or RGBA for image exports. If the currently selected export format supports Alpha then enabling RGBA here will export images with Alpha channel even if the render settings are set to RGB and vice versa.
Hint: You may want to NOT use RGBA because of the Alpha glitch. However this is not a general advice. There are many situations where using Alpha images is even recommended (for example when you want to create an Alpha mask).
Hint: If the format of the exported image(es) does not support an Alpha channel then the "Use RGBA" option is simply ignored.
bone bug fix: We have found that some online worlds have serious issues with modified Joint offsets for Collision volumes and Attachments(1). Hence we suppress the export of joint offsets for collision volumes and attachment bones by default.(1): The technical details are related to the SL Importer's option With Joint Positions The Skeleton can be modified (in edit mode) to create other rest poses than the default rest pose (T-Pose) When you do that, you actually move the Joint Offsets away from their default locations. And you will later have to set "with Joint Offset" during import in order to get your modified sjkeleton uploaded.
Step 3: Import your Character to SLOnce you have exported your Mesh character, you only need to import it to your target System (like SL or a compatible online world). Although this is easy in principle, there are a few pitfalls in your way. So let us take a deeper look into the Mesh Importer.
The Video explains:
- How to import a rigged Mesh to SL, OpenSim or similar online worlds.
- How to use an Alpha mask for hiding the default character
- How to use image textures to texturise your character.
- Potential problems with your meshes (visible seams, wrong shape, missing face animations)
Upload the model
The LOD Panel
The Options Panel
Step 4: (Optional) Import your Shape back to SL
Exporting a Shape from Avastar
- Ensure Blender is in Object Mode
- Select the Avastar Armature
- in the Object Properties locate the Avatar Shape panel
- There you find a Save Shape To option
Importing a Shape to Second Life (using Firestorm)
- Enter the Appearance Editor in your Firestorm Viewer
- Down in the right lower corner of the editor you find an Import option


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by Heather B. Hayes
For Virginia Business
Paul and Julie Weissend bought the Richmond and Chesapeake Bay Railway Car Barn planning to use historic credits and green technology to breathe new life into the 101-year-old Richmond building.
The structure was built to service passenger cars on an electric-railway that ran from Richmond to Ashland from 1907 to 1938. The Weissends are turning it into offices for two companies, Dovetail Construction and D-Tail Plumbing, which they previously managed from their home. "To us, it's really the ultimate in recycling and being green because you're reusing something that was already developed," says Julie Weissend.
The project presented the Weissends with the challenge of preserving the building's historic integrity while making it energy efficient and sustainable.
Their solution? Create a building within a building. The car barn's exterior largely will retain its original design (except for a wall of energy-efficient windows). But the interior and exterior will incorporate elements that meet the certification criteria of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.
The project, scheduled to be completed at the end of this year, will feature highly efficient heating and cooling systems, rainwater catchment systems, a permeable parking lot that reduces toxic runoff and bike racks for employees who want to forgo driving their cars. "We're going through every aspect of the LEED criteria and at every selection point trying to beat what typically happens in terms of wasted energy," Julie Weissend says.


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In social animals, including humans, social grooming is an activity in which individuals in a group clean or maintain one another's body or appearance. A related term, allogrooming, indicates social grooming between members of the same species. Grooming is a major social activity, and a means by which animals who live in proximity may bond and reinforce social structures, family links, and build relationships. Social grooming also is used as a form of reconciliation and a means of conflict resolution in some species. Mutual grooming typically describes the act of grooming between two individuals, often as a part of social grooming, pair bonding, or a precoital activity.
It is a reuse of ordinary grooming behavior, a means of achieving hygiene and good health, in that an animal helping another animal to clean itself also is helping to form a social bond and trust between them.
The Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, Bali. Its full name as written on a welcome sign is the Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. The complex houses approximately 340 Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) monkeys (32 adult males, 19 male sub adult, 77 adult females, 122 juvenile and 54 infants). There are four groups of monkeys each occupying different territories in the park. The Sacred Monkey Forest is a popular tourist attraction in Ubud, and is often visited by over 10,000 tourists a month. The forest comprises approximately a tenth of a square kilometer (approximately 27 acres) and contains at least 115 different species of trees. The Monkey Forest contains the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple as well as a "Holy Spring" bathing temple and another temple used for cremation ceremonies. The Monkey Forest is owned by the village of Padangtegal, and village members serve on the Monkey Forest's governing council. The Padangtegal Wenara Wana Foundation manages the Monkey Forest and serves to maintain its sacred integrity and to promote the sacred site as a destination for visitors.


How to Diagnose Diesel Engine Belt Noise
In our past blog, we discussed engine noise that occurs when your diesel engine is under load. This problem can be caused by bad gaskets or oil that is too thin. To learn more, check out our blog! We also have a video on the topic!
But that's not the only factor that can cause unwanted noise in your diesel engineyour belts can also factor in.
The belts are located in the front of the engine. They drive various components, such as fan hubs, alternators, power steering pumps, and air conditioning pumps. There might be one belt or as many as six. Engine noise can be cause by just one belt, or it might be a combination, so you'll want to be sure to check them all.
The adjustment of the belts can create engine noise if it's off. So the first thing you'll want to do is check to make sure they're adjusted correctly. If they're too loose, they can actually slap, making a ticking sound. If they're good and tight, almost like a violin string, then it's not the tension of the belt making the noise. Instead, it might be the condition.
When you're checking the condition of your belts, there's a couple of factors that could contribute to engine noise. For example, you'll want to look for chunks that have come off the belts, or if they're dry or cracked. When they make their rotation around a pulley, the missing piece or crack in the belt can actually make an audible noise as it's rotating.
How to Check
When you make an adjustment, you want to restart the engine. For example, if the belts were loose, and you need to see if the noise is gone, or if it's still happening. If the noise is gone, then you've fixed the problem. If the noise is still there, that's when you want to check the condition and make sure there aren't any pieces missing or any cracks. If there are cracks or missing chunks, then you want to replace the belt or belts. Then restart it and see if the noise goes away. If it does, then you've resolved the source of the noise.
If the noise is still there, then most likely the belt was not the problem. The next thing to check would be your valvetrain components.
Think you might be having a different engine problem? Take a look at these other common diesel engine problems.
Need some diesel engine parts to help stop your engine noise? We have certified techs on staff to help you find the right parts for your engine! Call us at _PHONE_. Or request a quote online!


Skip to definition.
Adjective: echoing e-kow-ing
 1. (of sounds) repeating by reflection
 "a hotel with echoing halls";
 - reechoing
Verb: echo e-kow
 1. To say again or imitate
 "followers echoing the cries of their leaders";
 - repeat
 2. Fill for a short time with sound and echoes
 "the hall echoed with laughter";
 - resound, ring, reverberate
 3. Call to mind
 "His words echoed John F. Kennedy";
 - recall
See also: reverberant
Type of: emit, go, let loose, let out, resemble, sound, utter
Encyclopedia: Echoing
Echo, Ontario


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CSS Buttons: Tutorials and examples
Creating buttons with CSS is one of the most experimented-with web design techniques around. Examples and tutorials abound.
The biggest recent trend in CSS button design seems to be eliminating images, especially background images, from buttons. But there are plenty of other things designers are doing with buttons, some that do include images.
Below we've collected more than twenty tutorials, examples, and tools for creating CSS buttons, most of which use CSS3.
Included are buttons to suit virtually every design style. We've tried to focus on newer techniques here, leaving out the long-standing techniques (like the sliding door method for creating rounded corners) that most designers are already familiar with.
If you have other tutorials or examples you'd like to share, please do so in the comments!
Tutorials and articles
Rediscovering the button element
A really helpful article discussing the
button element in CSS, which is often overlooked by designers. It's a bit older, but still has tons of useful information on creating more stylish buttons with CSS.
Beautiful CSS buttons with icon set
Here's another article that talks about how to create buttons with icons, though using
span classes rather than the
Build kick-ass practical CSS3 buttons
This video tutorial from Nettuts+ shows how to create practical CSS3 buttons that even include what appears to be a Twitter bird icon image, but is in fact created entirely with CSS3.
Beautiful Photoshop-like buttons with CSS3
While the buttons here aren't particularly forward-thinking in terms of look, what is amazing is that they were created entirely using CSS3, without using an images, and were only based on buttons created in Photoshop.
Better button and navigation interactions
This is a great, simple tutorial from Darren Hoyt on creating better behaviors for your buttons that encourage visitors to interact with your site.
Super awesome buttons with CSS3 and RGBA
This tutorial from Zurb covers using CSS3 and alpha-blending using RGBA to create scalable buttons with only a single PNG image.
Building beautiful buttons with CSS gradients
A tutorial for building a button using CSS gradients similar to those used by Mozilla for Firefox Personas.
How to design a sexy button using CSS
This tutorial shows how to create a big, vibrant button without using images.
Realistic looking CSS3 buttons
These are simple buttons, created entirely with CSS3, including some pseudo-elements.
Pretty CSS3 buttons
This tutorial shows how to create a simple, slightly glossy-style button that's scalable and can be created in any color without images.
CSS3 buttons without any images
A simple tutorial for creating dynamic buttons that use only CSS3 and no images. There are four states for each button, including disabled, hovered, and clicked states.
5 different tutorials of dynamic CSS round corners link buttons
This is a collection of five different tutorials for creating CSS buttons with rounded corners. Two include the use of images, but the other three don't.
Create a CSS3 button that degrades nicely
Until all browsers properly support CSS3, we're going to run into issues when using it to create things like buttons. This tutorial shows how to create great CSS3 buttons that also look fine in older browsers, like IE6 and 7.
Apple's navigation bar using only CSS
This tutorial shows how to recreate the button-style navigation menu on Apple's website. It works best in Safari 3+, but still looks fine in other browsers.
Create a CSS3 call to action button
This tutorial shows how to create a call to action button entirely with CSS that includes different default and hover states.
Sexy buttons with CSS3
This simple tutorial shows how to create nicely-styled buttons with unique hover and active states. The buttons can be scaled and their color can be changed easily.
Glossy buttons without images using only CSS3
Looking at these buttons, it's hard to believe they're made without images unless you look very closely. The code is complicated, but the end result looks great, complete with hover effect.
CSS3 buttons with icons
This tutorial shows how to create CSS3 buttons with gradients that also include icon images and are cross-browser compatible.
Roll your own Google buttons
This tutorial shows how to make scalable Google-style buttons with colored borders. The end results are minimalist and clean.
Examples and tools
10 awesome CSS3 buttons to use on your website
Here's a collection of ten buttons you can use on your website. They're all pretty basic but are created using just CSS3 with no images.
CSS3 gradient buttons
This is a huge collection of CSS3 buttons from Web Designer Wall. Included are a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, all with gradients. One of the best parts about them, though, is how gracefully these buttons degrade in browsers that don't have full CSS3 support.
CSS-Tricks offers this free CSS3 button creator. Just define the background colors for each state of the button, the size, and the text attributes, and it will create the CSS code for you.
These buttons use CSS animations in Safari to create a pulsing, glowing effect. In other browsers that support CSS3, they're still perfectly functional and look just fine.
Written exclusively for WDD by Cameron Chapman.
Know other techniques for creating awesome CSS buttons that weren't mentioned here? Or have a favorite example? Please share them in the comments!