Fostering industry self-regulation, backed up with targeted government policies, is the best way to capture the benefits and reduce the risks of synthetic genomics.
During the past decade, a global industry has emerged based on synthetic genomics: the use of automated machines to construct genes and other long strands of DNA by stringing together chemical building blocks called nucleotides in any desired sequence. Some 50 companies—concentrated primarily in the United States, Germany, and China—synthesize gene-length segments of double-stranded DNA to order. Scientists in government, university, and pharmaceutical laboratories worldwide use these products to study fundamental cellular processes and to develop new vaccines and medicines, among other beneficial applications. But synthetic genomics presents a dual-use dilemma in that outlaw states or terrorist groups could potentially exploit synthetic DNA for harmful purposes. Of the biotechnologies that entail dual-use risks, gene synthesis has elicited the greatest concern because of its maturity, availability, and potential consequences.
Already, the ability to synthesize long strands of DNA and stitch them together into a genome, the blueprint of an organism, has enabled scientists to recreate infectious viruses from scratch in the laboratory. This feat was accomplished for poliovirus in 2002, the Spanish influenza virus in 2005, and the SARS virus in 2008. Some analysts worry that it will soon become technically feasible to synthesize the smallpox virus, a deadly scourge that was eradicated from nature in the late 1970s and currently exists only in a few highly secure repositories.
It is critical, then, to devise effective governance measures for synthetic genomics that permit the beneficial use of this powerful technology while minimizing, if not eliminating, the risks. Some analysts contend that the best approach is to have governments impose top-down, legally binding controls. Yet formal government regulations have a number of drawbacks. Not only are regulations time-consuming and cumbersome to develop and promulgate, but they are static and hard to modify in response to rapid technological change.
A better approach is to adopt a form of "soft" governance based on voluntary guidelines or industry best practices. This type of self-regulation, involving suppliers and perhaps consumers of synthetic DNA, can be reinforced by government policies that encourage responsible behavior. Although biosecurity measures for the gene-synthesis industry are being implemented in the United States and elsewhere, these activities are not well coordinated, and continued efforts will be needed on a national and international basis to fashion an effective global regime.
The science behind commercial DNA synthesis may be cutting-edge, but ordering a synthetic gene over the Internet is quite straightforward. A customer—say, a university research scientist—goes to a supplier's Website, enters the sequence of the desired gene, and provides payment information, such as a credit card number. The company then synthesizes the requested strand of DNA. After verifying that the genetic sequence is correct, the company inserts it into a loop of DNA (called an expression vector) that can be cloned in bacteria to produce a large number of copies. Finally, the order is shipped to the customer by express mail.
The worry, of course, centers on what the recipient will do with the synthetic gene. Early on, a few suppliers recognized the dual-use nature of their product and began to develop voluntary biosecurity measures to reduce the risk that criminals or terrorists could order dangerous DNA sequences over the Internet. Blue Heron Biotechnology, founded in 2001 in Bothell, Washington, was one of the first to implement such measures. Initially, the company relied exclusively on screening customers to verify their bona fides, but in the wake of 9/11 and the anthrax letter attacks, it deployed a second line of defense: screening DNA synthesis orders.
As part of this effort, Blue Heron agreed to serve as a testbed for a software package called Blackwatch, developed at Craic Computing in Seattle. Blackwatch uses a standard suite of algorithms to compare incoming synthesis orders against a database of DNA sequences of known pathogens: viruses and bacteria that cause infectious disease. If an order closely matches a genetic sequence in the database, the program flags it as a "hit." When that happens, a human expert employed by the company assesses the security risk associated with the flagged sequence, checks the identity of the customer, verifies that the intended end-use is legitimate, and confirms that all biosafety and biosecurity concerns have been addressed.
To date Blue Heron's screening system has detected a large number of pathogenic sequences, but follow-up review by human experts has yet to identify a customer with malicious intent. Instead, nearly all orders for pathogenic genes have involved the development of new vaccines or basic research into the molecular mechanisms of infectious disease. In July 2009, for example, the company received an order from a Japanese government laboratory for 30% of the genome of Lujo virus, a hemorrhagic fever virus that was discovered in Zambia in September 2008 and then sequenced in the United States. The lab in Japan requested two genes coding for proteins in the viral coat, presumably for vaccine development. After careful review, Blue Heron determined that the order was legitimate and proceeded to fill it.
Craic Computing is now developing an improved version of the Blackwatch software, under the working title Safeguard. This new version is expected to be better at spotting DNA sequences related to pathogenicity, such as genes coding for virulence factors (traits that increase the ability of a bacterium or virus to cause disease) or toxins (poisonous substances produced by bacteria and other living organisms). The goal of improved screening is to reduce the number of false-positive hits caused by the presence of common "housekeeping genes" in both pathogenic and nonpathogenic microbes.
By the mid-2000s, many suppliers of synthetic DNA in the United States and Europe had begun to screen sequence orders voluntarily, but the methodology varied from company to company, and a few firms resisted screening entirely. During the summer of 2006, in an effort to harmonize the inconsistent biosecurity practices in use across the industry, Blue Heron Biotechnology and six other leading gene-synthesis companies in the United States and Europe (GENEART, Codon Devices, Coda Genomics, BaseClear, Bioneer, and Integrated DNA Technologies) formed the International Consortium for Polynucleotide Synthesis to promote safety and security in the emerging field of synthetic biology. The participating firms worked closely with officials at the FBI on a pilot project called the Synthetic Biology Tripwire Initiative. In October 2007, this collaboration culminated in a mechanism by which companies could report suspicious gene-synthesis orders to the FBI. Because the industry consortium relied on volunteer labor, however, it gradually became inactive.
In mid-2009, however, a split emerged within the industry over the role of human experts in the screening process. The two largest suppliers of synthetic genes—DNA2.0, based in California, and GENEART, based in Germany—proposed replacing human experts with an automated system that would screen all gene-synthesis orders against a predetermined list of virulence-related sequences that would be frequently updated. Advocates of this approach argued that it would be fast and cheap to implement, with no need to pay human experts to determine the function of close matches. But the DNA2.0/GENEART proposal met with considerable resistance because it was less capable than existing screening methods, and by September 2009 its supporters had backed off. Even so, the two firms continued to pursue an alternative to the draft IASB Code of Conduct by holding a series of secret meetings with other large gene-synthesis providers.
Events continued apace. In November 2009, the IASB held a second industry workshop in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to put the finishing touches on its Code of Conduct. Companies at the workshop reached consensus on a basic set of guidelines for screening customers and gene-synthesis orders, but they delegated the details of the process to a Technical Expert Group on Biosecurity, to be established at a later date. All five members of the IASB immediately endorsed the Code of Conduct, and not long afterwards, the first non-IASB company, Generay Biotech of Shanghai, China, also adopted it. But other leading firms, including Blue Heron Biotechnology and GENEART, declined to sign on to the IASB code because they objected to putting key technical decisions in the hands of an expert group that was not directly accountable to the participating companies.
Under the IASB system, firms that adopt and comply with the Code of Conduct will receive a "seal of approval" that they can display on their Websites and use in promotional materials. The seal is designed to give these companies a competitive advantage by identifying them as reputable suppliers. Because large-volume customers such as major pharmaceutical firms are unlikely to accept the IASB seal at face value, the association plans to certify participating suppliers on an annual basis and to field complaints about alleged noncompliance. To this end, the IASB is considering a "red team" strategy in which it sends companies fake gene-synthesis orders containing pathogenic sequences in order to verify that they are screening effectively. Large scientific societies and major customers could also reinforce the standard by refusing to purchase synthetic DNA from companies that do not screen.
To complement its Code of Conduct, the IASB is preparing a Web-based, password-controlled database called the Virulence Factor Information Repository, or VIREP. This database will "annotate" the genes of viral and bacterial pathogens according to biological function, such as the proteins they encode, thereby helping human screeners to distinguish between harmless genes and those that pose a biosecurity risk. Screeners will also be able to deposit information about newly discovered virulence factors into VIREP, saving those with access to the database the trouble of repeatedly investigating the same sequences. As a result, biosecurity screening will become a dynamic process that is refined over time as additional genes associated with pathogenicity are identified.
The IGSC protocol provides that companies should "screen the complete DNA sequence of every synthetic gene order … against all entities found in one or more of the internationally coordinated sequence reference databanks." Whenever this process identifies a sequence associated with pathogenicity, the order will receive further scrutiny from a human expert, including "enhanced" customer screening. IGSC member companies are currently developing a Regulated Pathogen Database that will include all gene sequences identified as potentially hazardous in several existing national lists, including the U.S. Select Agent List (which includes 82 pathogens and toxins of bioterrorism concern) and the Core Control List compiled by the Australia Group, an informal forum of 41 countries that harmonize their national export controls on dual-use materials and equipment suitable for chemical and biological weapons production.
Whatever biosecurity system for the commercial gene-synthesis industry is ultimately selected, it will probably remain in place for several years, while presumably adapting to changing circumstances.
Under the IGSC protocol, participating companies must reject all sequence orders that encode an infectious virus or a functional toxin on the Select Agent List. Whenever the screening software identifies a sequence associated with pathogenicity that does not encode an entire Select Agent, a human expert will review the order to ensure that the customer is legitimate and the material will be used only for peaceful purposes. If enhanced customer screening turns up grounds for suspicion, the IGSC protocol requires the supplier to deny the order and to notify the FBI or some other law enforcement authority. Consortium members agree to retain all customer, order, and screening records for at least eight years, the length of the statute of limitations for obtaining an indictment.
Substantively, the IGSC Harmonized Screening Protocol and the IASB Code of Conduct are remarkably similar, differing only in a few minor details. The main difference between the two industry standards is the process by which they were developed. Whereas the IASB code was drafted in an open and transparent way by all firms that wished to participate, the IGSC protocol was written in secret by a self-selected group that was limited to the suppliers with the largest market share. Thus, although the IGSC has urged all gene-synthesis providers to adopt its standard, only the member companies will have a say in how the screening system evolves in the future. For this reason, smaller U.S. and European firms worry that their interests and concerns will not be taken into account during the IGSC decision-making process.
In parallel with the development of the two industry screening standards, the U.S. government prepared its own set of guidelines for commercial gene synthesis. A federal advisory committee called the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) recommended in December 2006 that the government "develop and promote standards and preferred practices for screening gene-synthesis orders and interpreting the results, and require that orders be screened by providers." Responding to this recommendation, the White House convened an interagency working group in June 2007 to develop biosecurity guidelines for the U.S. gene-synthesis industry.
Despite the NSABB's call for legally binding regulations, the interagency group decided to develop a set of voluntary guidelines and test them for a few years to assess their effectiveness. The government took this approach partly out of concern that binding regulations would impede legitimate scientific research and put U.S. suppliers at a disadvantage vis-à-vis their foreign competitors. Another reason was that formal regulations are best suited to situations that are relatively static, whereas synthetic genomics is an emerging technology that is currently in flux both technically and commercially. Recognizing that overly flexible guidelines could permit lax or variable implementation, U.S. government officials sought a reasonable balance between flexibility and consistency.
Although there was no formal coordination between the government and industry tracks, enough discussion occurred to ensure that the two efforts were largely compatible. Finally, on November 27, 2009, the U.S. government published a draft "Screening Framework Guidance for Synthetic Double-Stranded DNA Providers" in the Federal Register and opened it up for 60 days of public comment. The proposed federal guidelines called for the simultaneous screening of new customers and orders for double-stranded DNA greater than 200 nucleotide base-pairs long.
According to the draft guidelines, customer screening involves confirming the purchaser's identity and institutional affiliation, ensuring that it is not in a database of "denied entities" involved in terrorism or biological weapons proliferation, and verifying the intended end use. Suppliers must also look for "red flags" suggestive of illicit activity, such as the use of a post office box instead of a street address. At times, customer screening demands considerable research. In India, for example, gene-synthesis customers rely on extensive networks of distributors and middlemen, making it difficult to identify the actual end-user. One currently unresolved issue is whether gene-synthesis companies should supply synthetic DNA to researchers who lack an institutional affiliation, such as hobbyists working in home laboratories.
The primary difference between the draft U.S. government guidelines and the two industry standards is the method for screening gene-synthesis orders. In the draft federal guidelines, companies are urged to use a "Best Match" algorithm that compares requested sequences against the National Institutes of Health's comprehensive GenBank database and flags an order if it is "more closely related to a Select Agent or Toxin sequence than to a non-Select Agent or Toxin sequence." The U.S. government chose this approach because its primary objective was to prevent would-be bioterrorists from circumventing security controls on access to Select Agents by ordering the corresponding genetic material over the Internet.
The consensus of the AAAS workshop was that although automated screening using Best Match is the most practical approach for detecting genetic sequences that code for Select Agents, there is a clear need to capture a larger universe of sequences of concern. Not only are static defenses such as the Select Agent List easily circumvented, but the marginal cost of screening for pathogens and toxins outside the list is relatively low. One workshop participant warned that if the U.S. government endorses the Best Match algorithm, companies that have argued in the past for fast and cheap screening methods will almost certainly embrace this approach. In that case, other firms will follow suit to remain competitive, moving the industry toward a screening standard that is less capable than what is already practiced by most companies today.
Some workshop participants also argued that the screening software should be open source, meaning that the programming code would be freely available. The advantage of open-source software is that it can be updated and validated by the scientific community as knowledge grows, whereas proprietary software tends to be more static. Development of open-source screening software and a curated database could be supported by the gene-synthesis industry, the U.S. government, or both.
Because gene synthesis capabilities have spread worldwide, a voluntary biosecurity regime will be effective at preventing misuse only if it is adopted internationally. A harmonized method for customer and sequence screening is needed to ensure uniformity in biosecurity practices across the industry, reducing the risk that a problematic order denied by one company will be filled by another. Any framework that applies to the United States alone would yield few security benefits and could be counterproductive by driving illicit customers to the small minority of foreign suppliers that refuse to screen. At present, the fact that the IASB and IGSC rules do not cover all gene-synthesis firms is a serious gap in the global biosecurity regime. Although it is unclear how many rogue suppliers might seek to profit from the black market in synthetic DNA, the existence of even one non-adhering company reduces security everywhere.
Advocates of legally binding regulations note that past attempts at industry self-policing have failed, most notably in the environmental field. According to a skeptical editorial on the IASB Code of Conduct in the journal Nature, "Although such a code of conduct is useful and welcome, compliance and enforcement will be paramount. There have been, and will probably continue to be, companies that are not interested in cooperating with any industry group and that are happy to operate in the unregulated grey area. The ultimate hope is that customers will put economic pressure on those non-compliers to fall in line, or else lose all but the most disreputable business. But that is just a hope." Despite this skepticism, a formal treaty is not a viable solution because it would take years to negotiate and, once enacted, would be difficult to modify in response to rapid technological change.
To harmonize voluntary biosecurity measures for commercial gene synthesis, it will be necessary for the industry groups and the U.S. government to engage companies worldwide. At present, such outreach is insufficient. Although China is home to several leading suppliers, most of them have yet to endorse either industry screening standard. In 2009, the U.S. government discussed gene synthesis with Germany and initiated exploratory contacts with the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Consultations are also under way with countries participating in the Australia Group.
One way to encourage international compliance with the voluntary industry guidelines is to publicize which suppliers are complying with the rules, for example through the IASB's "seal of approval" program. By giving gene-synthesis companies that screen a competitive advantage, this approach may motivate the small number of holdout firms to change their practices.
A second way to promote compliance with the biosecurity standard is to take advantage of market forces. Today, economies of scale and intense price competition are driving the consolidation of the gene-synthesis industry. Firms with sufficient sales volume to automate their manufacturing operations have extremely low costs, enabling them to force less efficient competitors out of business. These trends will result in a major shakeout in which companies with the best technology and the highest volume will prevail. As a result of this process, the gene-synthesis industry will become an integrated global market in which a limited number of major suppliers in several countries compete for the same pool of customers. In such a highly competitive environment, the biggest consumers of synthetic DNA—leading research institutions and major pharmaceutical companies—will have a great deal of leverage. The European pharmaceutical giant AstraZenica, for example, already requires its suppliers of synthetic DNA to comply with the screening guidelines. Thus, as the industry consolidates, gene-synthesis firms that wish to maintain or expand their market share will have a strong incentive to screen.
Voluntary DNA screening differs from other areas of policy, such as limiting emissions of greenhouse gases, in that it does not follow the logic of the "prisoner's dilemma," a game-theoretical model in which the individual players obtain the biggest payoff by defecting while others cooperate, but end up worse off if the other players defect as well. Thus, without binding government regulation to ensure a level playing field, companies in industries with this type of incentive structure often find themselves in a race to the bottom. The economics of gene synthesis are fortunately quite different. Because sequence screening is cheap compared with other costs of doing business, gene-synthesis companies cannot gain a competitive price advantage by defecting. Moreover, the black or gray market for gene-synthesis products is not large enough to sustain rogue companies on illicit orders alone. Suppliers of synthetic DNA therefore have a strong incentive to screen as a matter of survival, and they have few incentives to defect. In other words, the payoff from unilateral defection is lower than that from cooperation, which benefits all players. As Stephen Maurer of the University of California, Berkeley, has observed, if gene-synthesis companies comply with the screening standard because they cannot compete in the market otherwise, then there is really nothing voluntary about it.
A third way to encourage suppliers to comply with the voluntary screening guidelines is through the threat of legal liability. Under the "reasonable person" standard in tort law, if synthetic DNA supplied by a gene-synthesis company is used in a bioterrorist attack, it may be possible to prosecute the supplier for not taking precautions that a reasonable person would have taken—for example, rejecting a suspicious order that used a post office box instead of a verifiable address. The risk of litigation would deter companies from flouting the screening standard. Of course, a major challenge in bringing a tort action against a supplier of synthetic DNA would be to prove that the genetic sequence used in a bioterrorist weapon had been supplied by a specific company. Doing so would require tracing the synthetic DNA back to the source and demonstrating a clear chain-of-custody from supplier to end-user. In any event, complying with government-approved guidelines gives companies a good deal of legal protection. Without such guidelines, what constitutes responsible corporate behavior is largely a judgment call. But if guidelines exist, complying with them is tantamount to performing due diligence, immunizing a company from liability for damages in the event its product is misused.
The current existence of three competing screening standards is an unstable situation, leading some observers to worry that the biosecurity regime will devolve to the lowest common denominator. Because the draft U.S. government guidelines are widely considered inadequate, however, they are likely to be revised, perhaps by incorporating strategies such as Best Match-plus. Whatever screening system for the commercial gene-synthesis industry is ultimately selected, it will probably remain in place for several years, while presumably adapting to changing circumstances.
Despite the tendency to view voluntary guidelines and legally binding regulations as opposite ends of a spectrum, they are not mutually exclusive. Once voluntary guidelines have been in place for some time, governments could take action at the national and global levels to reinforce industry compliance. For example, countries could mandate that government-funded researchers purchase synthetic DNA from suppliers that comply fully with the voluntary screening standard.
Another possible approach would be to require all companies that sell synthetic DNA to have their biosecurity policies reviewed by an objective third party. To perform this function, the industry associations could hire outside contractors to monitor companies' screening activities and certify that they meet the agreed standard. This certification would be renewed periodically, perhaps every one or two years. Purchasers of pathogenic gene sequences might also be made subject to certification to verify their bona fides. Because scientists move frequently from one lab to another, such certification should probably take place at the institutional level. Ideally, the list of approved customers would be made public so that suppliers know to whom they are authorized to sell.
Finally, some mechanism could be established for notifying suppliers whenever a sequence order is denied, so that a request turned down by one company is not filled by another. Although antitrust concerns and companies' desire to protect trade secrets make them reluctant to share customer information, the small fraction of the DNA synthesis market that involves pathogenic sequences (about 1%) is not particularly lucrative, making such information less competition-sensitive and hence easier to share. It is also possible that the U.S. government could identify firms that refuse to screen and keep them and their customers under surveillance.
The proposed industry and government guidelines represent an important first step toward a system of global risk management for the gene-synthesis industry. Of course, any biosecurity system will inevitably be imperfect and contain gaps. For example, advanced bench-top DNA synthesizers capable of producing gene-length sequences with high accuracy will probably reach the market within a decade. If in-house gene synthesis becomes widespread, it will reduce scientists' reliance on commercial suppliers and thus diminish the security benefits of customer and sequence screening. For the next several years, however, an effective governance regime for the gene-synthesis industry will remain the low-hanging fruit for managing the risk of misuse.
Kavita M. Berger et al., "Minimizing the Risks of Synthetic DNA: Scientists' Views on the U.S. Government's Guidance on Synthetic Genomics, Summary of January 11, 2010 Meeting" (Washington, DC: Center for Science, Technology, and Security Policy, American Association for the Advancement of Science, January 2010).
Hubert Bernauer et al., "Report on the Workshop 'Technical Solutions for Biosecurity in Synthetic Biology,' held on April 3, 2008 in Munich" (Heidelberg, Germany: International Association Synthetic Biology, 2008).
Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, "Screening Framework Guidance for Synthetic Double-Stranded DNA Providers," Federal Register, vol. 74, no. 227 (November 27, 2009), pp. 62319-62327.
Hans Bügl et al., "DNA Synthesis and Biological Security," Nature Biotechnology, vol. 25, no. 6 (June 2007), pp. 627-629.
Gerald L. Epstein, "The Challenges of Developing Synthetic Pathogens," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Website, May 19, 2008, online at: .
Markus Fischer and Stephen M. Maurer, "Correspondence: Harmonizing Biosecurity Oversight for Gene Synthesis," Nature Biotechnology, vol. 28, no. 1 (January 2010), pp. 20-22.
Erika Check Hayden, "Keeping Genes Out of Terrorists' Hands," Nature, vol. 461, September 3, 2009, p. 22.
Erika Check Hayden, "Gene-Makers Form Security Coalition," Nature News, November 18, 2009, doi:10.1038/ news.2009.1095.
Corie Lok, "Gene-Makers Put Forward Security Standards," Nature News, November 4, 2009, doi:10.1038/news. 2009.1065.
Stephen M. Maurer, "Grassroots Efforts to Impede Bio terrorism," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Website, March 5, 2009, online at: .
National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, Addressing Biosecurity Concerns Related to the Synthesis of Select Agents (Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, December 2006), online at: http://oba.od.nih.gov/biosecurity/pdf/Final_NSABB_Report_on_Synthetic_Genomics.pdf.
"Pathways to Security" [editorial], Nature, vol. 455, September 25, 2008, p. 432.
Jonathan B. Tucker and Raymond A. Zilinskas, "The Promise and Perils of Synthetic Biology," The New Atlantis, No. 12 (Spring 2006), pp. 25-45, online at: http://www.thenewatlantis.com/archive/12/tuckerzilinskas.htm.
Meredith Wadman, "US Drafts Guidelines to Screen Genes," Nature News, December 4, 2009, doi:10.1038/news. 2009.1117.
Jonathan B. Tucker ([email protected]) is a senior fellow specializing in biological and chemical weapons issues at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies of the Monterey Institute of International Studies. He is the author of Scourge: The Once and Future Threat of Smallpox (2001) and War of Nerves: Chemical Warfare from World War I to Al-Qaeda (2006) and the editor of Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (2000).
Tucker, Jonathan B. "Double-Edged DNA: Preventing the Misuse of Gene Synthesis." Issues in Science and Technology 26, no. 3 (Spring 2010).


SIOUX FALLS, SD – Marcus VanLiere has added a new therapy to his health regimen. He's suiting up to float away his stress.
"I kind of got into meditating," VanLiere said.
In addition to yoga, the Sioux Falls man uses flotation therapy. He hops into a tank filled with ten inches of water and 1000 pounds of Epsom salt.
"The human mind is capable of things we're not aware of and quieting it and looking within is something we don't do these days," VanLiere said.
The room is lightproof and soundproof, and the water is heated to the same temperature as your skin. That means you're in total darkness, total silence and can't feel the water around you.
"By depriving your body of light, sound and feel, your body relaxes," Spa 2000 Owner Colette Munce said.
Colette Munce owns Spa 2000, where they just started using flotation therapy. While it's new to Sioux Falls, it is a growing trend across the country.
"It's really good for back pain and muscle tension," Munce said.
Research has shown that the sessions can also have a positive impact on your blood pressure and increase blood flow throughout the body.
"An hour in the flotation tank is equivalent to four hours of restful sleep," Munce said.
The water is more dense than the Dead Sea. That's why you can float on top without any effort.
To learn more about Spa 2000, visit their website.
For those who cannot handle confined spaces, an open float room is coming to Sioux Falls soon.
Sheri Roelfsema with Radiance Day Spa says her business will offer a larger float room with an open design. She said couples will also be able to use a float room designed for two people. Both are expected to be available in the coming weeks.
For more information, visit the Radiance Day Spa website.


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Private Prisons for Dummies
Charles Thomas' Conflicts of Interest
Charles Thomas is before the Florida Ethics Commission for conflict of interest issues relating to his being on the Prison Realty Trust Board of Directors, a Florida government committee that oversees private prisons, and doing research (in which his affiliation is a University of Florida professor) showing private prisons to be cheaper and have lower recidivism. According to a newspaper account, the Florida Ethics Commission rejected as ''pitifully low" a settlement agreement that would have required him "to pay a $2,000 fine for a conflict of interest that brought him millions of dollars in compensation and investment gains from private prisons companies that had funded his research." They ultimately settled on a fine of $20,000.
Thomas appeared as a third author of a study showing low recidivism rates from private prisons in Florida. Gilbert Geis and colleagues responded to this article in a 'case study' about Thomas and conflict of interest. They reviewed the Florida charge and also noted that Thomas should have had fuller disclosure about his ties to private prisons. The original authors have responded with a long & detailed article in the latest issue of Crime & Delinquency.
The original article by Lanza-Kaduce, Parker and Thomas (1999) identified all authors as affiliated with the Center for Studies in Criminology and Law, University of Florida. The research involved comparing recidivism rates from a sample of 198 inmates released from two private prisons (one Wackenhut, one CCA) matched to inmates released from seven public institutions. The 'precision matching' included gender, classification level, a 53 category primary conviction code, race, prior record, and age (1999, pp 32-33). They use multiple indicators of recidivism, which they also combine into an index.
They report the aggregate percentages as being 17% of inmates from private prison recidivate, compared with 24% of the public facility inmates (Lanza-Kaduce et al 1999 p 36). Within the matched pairs, they test the statistical significance of the difference in recidivism: "The lower recidivism among private releasees was unlikely to have occurred by chance for rearrest (p<.01), resentencing (p<.05), reincarceration (p<.10), or for any indication of recidivism (p<.10). Only the difference regarding technical violations proved to be statistically insignificant" (p 37). No justification is given for relaxing the typical .05 test for significance, an absence especially curious in light of their earlier caution: "All tests of statistical significance were conducted on nonprobability samples and should be interpreted with caution" (p 35). The authors also use the Wilcoxon (Gehan) statistic, using recidivism as the time to failure and find "the survival functions of the two groups did not differ significantly" (1999 p 39). Nevertheless, they conclude: "Only one conclusion can be drawn from the results: Private prison releasees were more successful than were their public prison matches" (p 42).
The Geis et al case study reports on a variety of comments about Thomas observation and additional concerns of theirs. The crux of the issue involves Thomas being the director of the Private Corrections Project, which is housed within the Center for Studies in Criminology. They argue he should disclose that the project is primarily industry funded (to the tune of $400,000) by private prison companies and that he receives a $25,000 summer stipend. Thomas became a member of the Board of trustees "of the CCA-offshoot Prison Realty Trust" from which he receives $12,000 a year, plus $1,000 for each board meeting and $500 for each meeting of subcommittees (1999, p 374). The authors note that an October 18, 1998 Securities and Exchange Commission Filing lists a $3 million fee to Thomas for consulting (p 380). In addition, Thomas owns 30,000 shares of the Realty Trust, which at the time of discovery were worth $600,000 (p 377). The company's stock option plan has as its avowed purpose "to increase their propriety interest in the company" (quoted in Geis et al 1999, p 375).
References for the articles are:
Lanza-Kaduce, Lonn, Karen Parker and Charles Thomas. 1999 "A Comparative Recidivism Analysis of releases form Private and Public Prisons." Crime & Delinquency, v 45: 28-47.
Geis, Gilbert, Alan Mobley and David Shichor. 1999. "Private Prisons, Criminological research, and Conflict of interest: A Case Study" Crime & Delinquency, v45: 372-388. [full text available free]
Lanza-Kaduce, Lonn, Karen Parker and Charles Thomas. 2000. "The Devil in the Details: The Case Study of Private Prisons, Criminological Research and Conflict of Interest" Crime & Delinquency, v 46: 92-136.
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The European auto market has performed strongly since the dark days of the 2008 financial crash, but that healthy scenario is about to expire as carmakers fend off regulatory problems, and face down damaging trade wars. Longer term, fundamental threats loom.
Britain's exit from the European Union (E.U.) - Brexit - next March, and the possible threat to supply chains and markets if a deal isn't forthcoming, is also starting to worry the auto industry.


Energy costs are one of the most important expenditures many of us have aside from food and rent (or mortgage payments). Keeping the lights on and the home warm during winter can get expensive, which means that every penny counts when it comes to energy bills.
The good news is that the amount of energy suppliers available is increasing, and more options means that there's pressure on companies to keep their prices as low as possible to remain competitive. However, for lots of people, knowing which energy supplier is the best for them can be a bit of a hassle, but thankfully Hoppy is here to help.
British Gas is one of the most iconic brands in the United Kingdom and it looks like customers aren't just sticking with them for the sake of nostalgia.
British Gas has offered excellent services for a long time and their commitment to providing customers with the best possible experience can be seen through actions like offering a free Energy Smart Meter to better keep track of usage. This saves customers money by making them aware of where they can cut down on usage.
They also offer Hive Active Heating, which means British Gas customers can ensure their home is thoroughly heated when they arrive home, or when they wake up, thanks to this smart thermostat.
Another benefit is that customers can also manage their account online, and on top of this, the company does its best to make it easy to switch to British Gas when customers decide to take advantage of their award-winning service.
Unlike other deals we compare at Hoppy, energy suppliers typically offer the same product – everyone needs gas and electricity with little variation. This means there won't be a lot of variation in terms of products on offer (in the same way there is with a TV and broadband providers, for instance). However, that doesn't mean that there's only price to consider in terms of the deal on offer.
British Gas offers some bonuses to their customers. Some we've already mentioned, such as the Hive thermometer (which is compatible with other devices like Alexa) and a smart meter for free. But they also offer one month free with the purchase of selected homecare products.
Hoppy is all about taking the complex information surrounding energy suppliers and presenting it in a clear and concise way, making it easy to compare British Gas tariffs against competitors. All you have to do is register by entering your postcode and we'll bring you all the best providers in your local area. We'll also ask a few questions to work out which deal is right for you. It's quick and simple.
Plus, you'll also be able to use our digital logbook to store important documents and get handy reminders for upcoming tasks, making home management a breeze.
So, start comparing British gas deals today. It's an easy way to save money on your bills, and all it takes is a few clicks. Pay less and feel Hoppy.


text:
Computerworld's holiday gift guide 2015: Nifty tech from $35 to $150
Part 2 of our annual cornucopia of gift ideas showcases cool tech that won't break the bank, from tangle-free earbuds and stylish gear bags to clever notification devices and chargers.
By Computerworld staff and contributors, Computerworld |
All Slides
SLIDEFEATURED PRODUCTS
Great gifts for great prices
Ultimate Ears UE Roll
Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard
Activeon CX
Zipbuds Slide
Chic Buds Clutchette Power
Bellroy Elements Phone Pocket / Elements Phone Pocket Plus
Simple Matters Ditto
Kano computer kit
Zagg Pocket Keyboard
Timbuk2 Custom Prospect Laptop Backpack
Witti Dotti
Mohu Leaf 50 HDTV Antenna
iHome K2 Clock Radio
Nixplay Seed
Zolt Laptop Charger Plus
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Think you have to spend a fortune to buy cool tech gifts for your family and friends? Think again: Part 2 of our holiday gift guide features an array of fun and useful tech gear that costs less than $150.
How about a Bluetooth speaker that's waterproof and dirt-proof, comes in wild colors and serves up great sound? Or a cute clutch purse that doubles as a phone charger? There's a rugged action cam with surprisingly sophisticated features, a handy portable keyboard that folds down to the size of a pencil box, a hands-on computer kit to spark kids' interest in technology and a whole lot more.
As always, we've included a range of prices as offered by various retailers, but be aware that prices fluctuate. And watch out for false deals and scams, okay?
Don't forget to check out the rest of our holiday gift guide. Meanwhile, here are our suggestions for mid-priced tech gadgets to give (or perhaps to get?) this year.
[Note: This product was replaced by the Ultimate Ears UE Roll 2]]
The new UE Roll is an ideal speaker for anyone who likes listening to music on the go. The device is small, light and shaped like a 1950s UFO, making it perfect to toss in a bag on the way to a picnic or the pool. Speaking of which, it's waterproof (IPX7-rated) and dirt-proof, too, so there's no need to worry when taking it out into the elements. (It even comes with a "marine-grade" bungee cord for attaching to gear.)
It comes in an array of bright colors and patterns, and most important, the UE Roll sounds great, with audio that pumps out in all directions for a true 360-degree listening experience. And with a nine-hour battery life, it's made to last through even the most insane backyard parties.
Direct price: $100
Retail price: $70 - $99 (Amazon price)
-- JR Raphael
Got someone on your gift list who's always jumping from computer to smartphone to tablet and back again? Logitech's K380 could be the perfect keyboard for them, pairing with up to three devices at a time and weighing a travel-friendly 15 oz.
It measures just under 11 in. across, so although the keys are a bit closer together than a full-size keyboard's, they should be comfortable enough to allow for touch-typing. What's more, the keyboard can run for up to two years -- that's years, not months -- on a pair of AAA batteries.
In addition to portability and longevity, the K380 offers versatility: It can quickly switch among three different devices -- say, phone, tablet and PC -- regardless of operating system. It's compatible with Windows, OS X, Android, iOS and Chrome OS -- just the thing for your OS-agnostic friends and colleagues.
Direct price: $40
Retail price: $30 (Amazon price)
-- Rick Broida
If you know an outdoor enthusiast who'd love to have a rugged action cam but you can't afford to shell out $500 for a top-of-the-line 4K shooter, consider this low-cost alternative. The Activeon CX costs about the same as competing entry-level action cameras but offers features generally found on more expensive models, such as a 2-in. LCD, a removable waterproof housing and a removable battery. It's also got built-in Wi-Fi plus iOS and Android apps for controlling the camera from a phone.
The tiny camera has an F/2.4 glass lens and shoots very respectable 1080p (at 30fps) or 720p (at 60fps) video. It offers a variety of shooting options, including time-lapse, burst and self-timer modes; sports, underwater and night modes; several color filters; four viewing angle widths and up to 4x digital zoom. The camera can be worn on the body or attached to bikes, surfboards, helmets, cars, walls, tripods and more; the company sells an array of mounts and straps to make it all possible.
Whether your giftee is into bombing down ski slopes or taking leisurely bike rides through the countryside, the Activeon CX provides an affordable way to capture the action.
Retail price: $100 (Amazon price)
-- Valerie Potter
Zipbuds
[Note: This product has been replaced by the Zipbuds Slide Sport]
Are your friends constantly getting their earbuds in a tangle? Then consider getting them the Zipbuds Slide -- earbuds that sound good and don't have to be unknotted every time you want to use them.
The Slide avoids snarls (and breakage) in two ways: Its cables are slightly thicker than usual with a square (rather than round) periphery to help keep things straight. But even more important, it has a zipper-like slider that starts where the cable splits. Zip the cable up when you're not using it and then, when you want your music, just zip it back down again -- no fuss, no muss and no tangles.
In addition, the Slide includes angled ear tips that offer a secure but comfortable fit, a good-quality inline microphone for phone calls (with a volume control) and audio that is quite satisfactory for earbuds. And it comes in several color combinations: orange/purple, turquoise/black, white/black and all black.
Want to buy a pair for those friends? Zipbuds Slide is priced at $80 on the company website; you're better off at Amazon, where it goes for a more reasonable $50.
-- Barbara Krasnoff
Chic Buds
Portable battery chargers come in all shapes and sizes, but this might be the cleverest yet: a clutch purse with a 2600mAh battery pack hidden inside.
Available in 16 colors, the Clutchette Power has a soft "vegan leather" exterior and a fun polka-dotted satin interior. The slim USB-rechargeable battery and the phone's charging cord stay out of sight in zippered pockets, while strategically placed slits allow the cords to snake through behind the scenes.
There's also room enough inside to carry a smartphone (even a plus-sized model), credit cards, cash, lipstick and a comb -- but not much else. For that friend who's always forgetting to charge her phone, the Clutchette Power makes a stylish and very useful gift.
[Note: These products are no longer on sale; there are other Bellroy Phone Pockets available on the company's website.]]
If a clutch purse isn't your giftee's style, what about an elegant leather wallet that keeps a phone safe too? Bellroy's Elements Phone Pockets hold not only smartphones of various sizes, but also cash and credit cards; there are even tiny pockets for a key and a SIM card. The wallets are weather-resistant, come in three colors and are backed by a three-year warranty.
The smaller version, called the Elements Phone Pocket for iPhone 5, is large enough for phones measuring up to 125mm x 70mm x 10mm (4.92 x 2.76 x 0.39 in.). The next size up, called the Elements Phone Pocket for iPhone 6, fits phones up to 140 x 70 x 10mm (2.76 x 5.51 x 0.39 in.). For plus-sized phones like the iPhone 6S Plus or the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, there's the Elements Phone Pocket Plus, which fits phones up to 160mm x 82mm x 10mm (3.22 x 6.29 x 0.39 in.).
Direct price: $80 for small phones; $100 for midsized phones; $120 for large phones
Retail price: $80/$100 for small/midsize (Amazon price); $120 for large (Amazon price
It's happened to us all: You're trying to call a friend or relative, and you keep getting shunted to voicemail. It turns out that they left the phone in another room or that it was deep within a bag or backpack -- and therefore, not audible.
Well, we've got the perfect gift for them.
The Ditto is a smooth oblong object with a built-in clip that's about the size of a checker piece; it comes in black, white or clear plastic. You pair the unit to your phone via Bluetooth using the free app (available for iOS or Android). Then just put the Ditto in your pocket, clip it to a piece of clothing or wear it using the included wrist band -- and it will gently vibrate in a series of short bursts to alert you to an incoming call, text or email.
The device vibrates in different patterns for each type of communication; you can also schedule an alarm or assign a pattern to a specific person (so you'll know when your boss is calling). A tether feature will alert you if your phone and the Ditto are separated, and you can set a "Do Not Disturb" time period when it won't vibrate at all.
Now the only excuse your friends will have for not taking your call is if they've forgotten their Ditto.
If you know any future IT stars, then this is the perfect present for them -- or anyone who likes to fool with hardware and software.
The Kano computer kit, aimed at kids aged 6 to 12, is based on the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B, the latest model of Pi that was released in February 2015. Your budding tech whiz just snaps together the included processor, keyboard, trackpad, speakers, Wi-Fi transceiver, SD card, and HDMI and power cables. Once they're done, connect it to an HD display (not included). The result is a Linux-based computer complete with Web browser, word processor and parental controls.
But that's only the beginning. The Kano OS uses Pong, Snake and Minecraft to teach gamified coding exercises in such languages as Python and Scratch. For more fun and learning, your giftee can visit Kano World, a website where over 13,000 community creations have been shared, including games, media viewers and FTP clients.
-- Ken Gagne
It's likely that most people you know have a smartphone or tablet. For those who like to work on a mobile device, consider the Zagg Pocket Keyboard, an eminently portable wireless keyboard for smartphones and tablets (up to 8 in.).
When folded, the Zagg looks like an old-fashioned pencil box; at 8.8 x 2.2 x 0.6 in., it can be easily popped into a bag or even a jacket pocket. Unfolded, it's a useful Bluetooth keyboard that includes a supporting ledge for an iOS or Android mobile device. As you open it, the keyboard turns on by itself and immediately connects wirelessly to the device with no fuss or bother. (Note: You do have to pair it manually the first time, but it is a quick and simple process.)
Even more surprising, the keyboard itself is reasonably comfortable to type on. Although it does feel a bit cramped (because it is smaller than a standard keyboard), the keys have a good feel to them and a touch typist can still hit a reasonable speed -- which makes it a great gift for anyone who needs more than an onscreen keypad.
Backpacks have become more than drab carry-alls. When you're commuting to and from work, or wandering during the weekend, they can also be fashion statements. And what better way to make a statement than with a design-your-own backpack from Timbuk2?
The Custom Prospect Laptop Backpack is a snazzy weatherproof backpack that comes with a tricot-lined pocket for a 15-in. laptop, a separate tablet pocket and a large main compartment with an internal organizer. You can add a reflective strip for another $10 and a water-bottle pocket for $5.
But best of all, you can build the backpack from scratch, mixing and matching materials (Cordura nylon, water-resistant waxed canvas, wool, twill or faux leather) and colors (crimson, aquamarine, charcoal, midnight and dozens of others). Choose whatever you want for the top, flap, body, boot (bottom), side, binding and even the logo. Select one-color conservative, two-color chic, or go nuts and pick a different color for each section.
Just keep in mind that with Timbuk2's lifetime warranty, the person you design this backpack for is probably going to be using it for a long, long time.
Witti
If you've got co-workers who spend their days sitting in their cubicles and staring at a monitor, give them something else to look at -- and play with. Give them a Dotti.
The Dotti is a small, square white box, 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.3 in., that flashes an icon when you get an incoming call, calendar alert or other notification (from Facebook, Whatsapp, Skype, etc.) on your phone. The icons it displays are simple -- they exhibit on an 8 x 8 grid of color LEDs -- and are controlled (via Bluetooth) by a smartphone app (iOS or Android).
In addition to notification alerts, the Dotti can act as a clock and also offers several "just for fun" icons and animations (Space Invaders, anyone?) that can be customized via the app. And Witti maintains a library of other icons, which your colleagues can play with and share with friends.
And if an eight-LED square isn't enough, they can control up to four Dottis at once and even gang them together to create a 16 x 16 display. Which may not be subtle, but will make for a great desk decoration.
-- Dan Rosenbaum
Mohu
Have friends who have cut the cord but are sad because they can no longer get local TV programming? Here's the perfect gift for them -- the Leaf antenna can provide easy access to dozens of free broadcast television stations on the air within 50 miles of their home.
Just connect the included 16-ft. coaxial cable to the HDTV's antenna port and then attach the Leaf to a window, bookcase or any non-metallic surface. The Leaf, which measures 11.5 x 9.0 x 0.04 in., has one white side and one black side; either can be exposed to match your decor. Because it's powered via the television's USB port, the antenna is activated only when the TV is on -- a model in electricity efficiency.
The iHome K2 clock radio (model iKN105) is two -- or really, five -- gifts in one. To start with, it's a dual-alarm clock radio; that's two right there. It's Bluetooth-enabled, so it functions as a wireless speaker as well as letting your giftee wake up to the music of their choice. It's also got a microphone, so it can act as a speakerphone for the mobile device it's paired with.
But what really makes it a great gift is the removable K-Cell battery. The battery charges while it's sitting in the radio (or via its micro USB port from a computer or AC outlet), after which it can be taken out and used as a portable backup battery pack. Put it back in the radio at night, and it'll be ready to go again the next morning.
-- Jake Widman
Nixplay
Digital photo frames have matured a lot in recent years, evolving from chunky, hard-to-use slabs of screen into slim, pretty decorations that can automatically slurp up photos from Facebook, Instagram, email and other sources.
So it is with the Nixplay Seed, a Wi-Fi connected photo frame that's available in three sizes -- 7 in., 8 in. and 10-in. -- and four colors: black, blue, mango and mulberry. Your giftees can spruce up their décor with a never-ending slideshow of pictures from friends, family members and their own photo libraries.
Each Seed has a 4:3 aspect ratio, an IPS screen and a "Hu-Motion" sensor that will dim the screen until someone enters the room. It comes with its own, customizable email address and can also link to all the major social networks. It is, quite literally, the gift that keeps on giving (photos).
Direct price: $100 / $130 / $170 for 7-in. / 8-in. / 10-in.
Retail price: $100 / $130 / $170 for 7-in. / 8-in. / 10-in. (Amazon prices)
Zolt
[[Note: This product is no longer available.]]
One of the big annoyances of traveling is juggling charging cables and adapters for a bunch of devices -- not to mention fighting for outlet space. Anyone on your gift list will appreciate the Zolt Laptop Charger Plus, which can power a laptop plus two mobile devices (from phones to cameras to portable speakers) at the same time from a single outlet.
It comes with a six-foot charging cable with an assortment of tips to fit different laptops (cables with Mac connectors sold separately); mobile devices can plug in with their own USB charging cords. The Zolt rotates so its USB ports are at the most accessible angle, and its prongs fold in for easy portability. The best part? It's only 3.7 in. long and weighs just 3.5 oz., making it an ideal travel accessory.
For a lively look at some of the other products that are in Part 1 and Part 3 of our gift guide, watch our Tech gifts for every budget video. Or see the Holiday Gift Guide center for even more great gift ideas.
Next Up: Check out these related slideshows
13 tech luminaries we lost in 2020
The evolution of Apple's iPhone
Top smart cities in Europe
Top software failures in recent history
The hottest enterprise tech startups to watch in 2020


text:
'Pari Murder' Case: BJP Mahila Morcha-Police Wrestle Outside Minister Arun Sahoo's Residence
By Dilip Kumar	 On Dec 4, 2020 - 2:20 PM
Bhubaneswar: High tension prevailed in front of the official residence of Odisha Agriculture Minister Arun Sahoo when a scuffle broke out between the activists of Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha and the police when the activists attempted to barge into the Minister's residence, demanding his resignation for his alleged involvement in the abduction and murder of the five-year-old Nayagarh girl, 'Pari'.
The women wing of the saffron party in the State, which has been mounting its attack on the minister for the last few days, also demanded a fair inquiry by a central agency like CBI into the heinous crime that has sent shock waves across the state.
SJTA Calls For Bidding To Deposit Sri Jagannath Temple Corpus Fund
India's Biggest Hockey Stadium's Construction Work To Begin In April: Odisha…
"We demand immediate ouster of Arun Sahoo from the State Cabinet and a CBI investigation into the entire episode. Those who are behind the organ trade racket should be put behind bar," said party general secretary Lekhasri Samantsinghar who led the protest.
She questioned "Why Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is afraid of Arun Sahoo? What are the reasons for keeping quite on a minister who has already been exposed in the ghastly murder of a little girl?"
Over hundred agitators of BJP's women wing marched towards the residence of Sahoo, raising slogans for his ouster from the State Cabinet. Policemen deployed on the road between Kasturba Nari Mahal and the Minister's quarters had a tough time to control the protestors. The women protesters clashed with the police when the latter tried to prevent them from entering the Minister's residence.
BJP has been accusing Sahoo of shielding the prime accused Babuli Nayak in the heinous crime. BJP State president Sameer Mohanty who earlier alleged the involvement of a well organised organ trade racket in the kidnapping and murder of Pari, today said that his party will spearhead a mass movement across the State for justice to the minor girl. He said that the prime accused-Babuli Nayak, who is a close confidante of Minister Arun Sahoo, runs the racket at the behest of the former. While reiterating his demand for a CBI inquiry, Mohanty feared that the SIT probe would fail to unravel the truth since the accused has been protected by a minister.
It is worth mentioning that 'Pari' was allegedly abducted before her skeletal remains were found in the backyard of her house in July this year. Her parents, who ran from pillar to post for justice for their daughter, attempted to immolate themselves in front of the Assembly building last week in a desperate bid to draw the government's attention to their plight.
Arun SahooBJP Mahila MorchaNayagarhPari Murder Case
COVID-19 Vaccination Drive Will Begin As Soon As Scientists Give Nod: PM Modi At All-Party Meet
Pari Murder Case: OSCPCR Chief's Human Sacrifice Theory Intends To Mislead Probe, Says Victim's Father
India's Biggest Hockey Stadium's Construction Work To Begin In April:…
SJTA Calls For Bidding To Deposit Sri Jagannath Temple…
India's Biggest Hockey Stadium's Construction…


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text:
Poultry Samples Test Positive for H7N9 Virus
Poultry health Biosecurity Government and regulatory Pigeons
17 April 2013, at 12:35am
CHINA - China's agriculture authority said on Tuesday that its tests have found five more H7N9-positive poultry samples in China, including one from a wild pigeon.
The avian virus was detected in one wild pigeon sample from Jiangsu province and four chicken samples from Zhejiang province, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.
All of the samples except the wild pigeon were collected from poultry markets in those regions.
So far, the ministry has found 39 samples in Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang containing the H7N9 virus.
"It is possible that an avian virus among wild birds can be spread to poultry. But so far there is no proof to show a transmission of the H7N9 virus from wild birds to poultry," said Hou Shuisheng, an animal nutrition professor with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences said.
"Government authorities should step up their efforts to clarify the relationship between the virus detected in those animals and the virus that has infected humans since the domestic poultry industry has now suffered undeserved losses," he said.
The ministry said although the H7N9 virus has not triggered an epidemic among poultry, the country's poultry industry has experienced a major setback due to a sharp fall in market demand.
As of Monday (15 April), the direct loss on sales of chicks was more than 3.7 billion yuan ($598 million) and another 13 billion yuan was lost in sales of live chickens and chicken products, the ministry said, citing statistics from the China Animal Agriculture Association.
You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.


Your version  did help me enormously. Thank you very much.
The whole score is now what it should be.
what the hell the error messages told me.
the skeleton as a template.
> code, it's very hard to spot.
>  \set Staff.instrumentName = #"Cantus"
>  \set associatedVoice = "melody"
>> that be possible at all?
> No doubt! I just don't have time to look at that right now.


explain to the psychologist what is going on and how its making you feel. See the links below for low priced dobsonian scopes with 6" and 8" mirrors. I want to make amends with my friends, because I will be seeing them again tomorrow, but I dont want to grovel or anything and make it seem like I am at fault here because even though I should have spoken to her in private, I didnt do anything, she was being a jerk all day for no reason (dont say she had her period please, she didnt) and mouthing off at every little thing I said.limit caffeine sweets. find some friends to share the fun with. For young and juvenile Geckos, feed approx. A lot of things in my family were kept secret so i dont know that much about my family and only know up to my grandparents names and two of my great-grandparents.I had not even heard Racehorse in the Rain (Animal Ark Holiday Treasury #2) (Animal Ark Series #39). Gosh, its so hard to understand. Continue to turn from sins and seek Gods forgiveness in your life as you live your daily life. " Jonathon and David were so in love. you should check it out Well a good book is; Go Ask Alice. No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else. Second 15 Minutes 2 -All Laws related to the enforcement the Insurance by Government, police, courts, and any officials are canceled.expedia or type travel in a search engine. Is it really at all surprising that a history of the origins of Christianity created by an employee in the service of a Roman tyrant should turn out to be a pack of lies.
Basically, the bible was written by and translated by men and their interpretations largely. Last night was very odd too. I would get in a jr. but new moon beacuse the writing was better soo hoped these helped. Most Christians dont consider them to be Christians and their teachings are definitely Racehтrse Biblical. I also this this gimmick is an allusion from the book 1984.


text:
THOMSON, Robert and George LAING
1820 Settler Correspondence before emigration
ALL the 1819 correspondence from CO48/41 through CO48/46 has been transcribed whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape. Those written by people who did become settlers, as listed in "The Settler Handbook" by M.D. Nash (Chameleon Press 1987), are labelled 1820 Settler and the names of actual settlers in the text appear in red.
National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 98
North Brixton Ferry
I am aware it is my duty to have accompanied my joint application with Mr. R. THOMSON for a grant of land at the Colony near the Cape of Good Hope with a proper introduction to you and which is in a state of progress and withheld a few days only for the signatures of a few more friends of mine (now in the country) who are well known to His Majesty's Government, when on their arrival in Town it will be signed by them and sent in to you.
I respectfully am Sir
Your very ob't servant
George LAING
National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 100
The enclosed letter of introduction from our friends to your address will shew it is our intention to emigrate with our families to the newly projected colony at the Cape of Good Hope.
The plan on which we intend to proceed is that after being favoured by His Majesty's Government with a grant of land there, then to engage from sixty to one hundred men and their families as labourers agreeably to the rules presented by Government in the circular letter issued from my Lord BATHURST's office on that subject.
For these reasons we beg leave to tender for a grant of land at the new Colony near the Cape of Good Hope in the proportion to a number of from sixty to one hundred labourers and their families with accommodation for them and some merchandise for their use &c to be embarked in and by the first transports which Government may intend to dispatch with settlers for that Colony.
The deposit of ten pounds per man as required by the Government circular is ready to be advanced on the number of men hereinbefore mentioned whenever and wherever Government may please to direct it to be paid.
We have agreed to admit two or three highly respected young men as junior partners in this undertaking. Waiting the favour of a reply we remain very respectfully Sir
Your most obedient humble servants
3 Union Buildings
New Kent Road
[enclosed]
Mr. Robert THOMSON of the New Kent Road being desirous of emigrating with his family to the new Colony east of the Cape of Good Hope in conjunction with Mr. George LAING who is an experienced agriculturalist from the Colony of Demerara and Essequibo, we therefore beg leave to recommend Mr. THOMSON to the notice of His Majesty's Government as a person properly qualified to superintend and direct a colony of settlers in the newly projected settlement on the south east coast of Africa.
We are Sir
Your most obedient servants
[Signed]
Wm KIMBLE & Co
Denis LAMBERT & Co
Joseph THRUST? & Sons
HODGKINSON, BRANDISON & Co
NORTH, SIMPSON & GRAHAM
SAYER & GARDNER
Thos. WILSON
Robert FARRAND
[illegible signatures]
Do not know Mr. Robert THOMSON but the respectability of those persons who have signed this letter induces me that Mr. Robt THOMSON is properly qualified for the situation he requests
W. MELLISH
Office of Woods
Mr. Robert THOMSON of Union Buildings New Kent Road is desirous of joining Mr. George LAING of North Brixton Ferry (whose introduction to Government will appear in a few days) and two other gentlemen (as junior partners) for the purpose of taking out to the new settlement at the Cape of Good Hope as prescribed by Government one hundred families to be selected from the counties of Sutherland and Ross for the purpose of cultivating provision grounds, the sugar cane, [obscured] corn &c. For these reasons, having known Mr. THOMSON and his friends in Berwickshire many years, who are all employed in agriculture, we take the liberty of recommending him to the notice of His Majesty's Government as a person [obscured] for such an undertaking.
I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obedient and most humble servant
We beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 23rd ult. We have now the pleasure to hand you annexed Mr. LAING's introduction as promised by him in his letter to you, and enclosed under our former cover, which we hope may meet your approbation.
We presume it may be necessary to transmit to Government a detailed statement of all the number, names and ages of the labourers, their wives and children whom we intend to take out under our direction to the new Colony at the Cape of Good Hope, in immediately attending to which we only wait the instructions of Government so to do, and we hereby pledge ourselves as being ready to conform to all the conditions upon which His Majesty's Government have offered to grant lands in that Colony.
We remain Sir very respectfully
Mr. George LAING of North Brixton Surry having been from 1797 to 1812 a Settler & Sugar & Cotton Planter in the Colonies of Demerera & Essequibo and during that period in the constant habit of following up and superintending the labour of Negroes in the cultivation and planting of new lands &c, we therefore beg leave to recommend him to the notice of His Majesty's Government as a person properly qualified to superintend and direct a colony of settlers in the newly projected settlement on the south east coast of Africa near the Cape of Good Hope.
We are Sir your obedient servants
Thomas WILLIAMS, Tower Street
John LOWE
Robt. FARRAND
A. ROLAND
Denis LAMBERT
W, LUCKINGTON
We have the pleasure of owning receipt of your favour of the 30th ulto advising that our application of the 17th August made through you to his Majesty's Government for leave to carry out to the newly projected settlement near the Cape of Good Hope one hundred able bodied labourers and their families under the regulations prescribed in the Government circular has been accepted, and therefore requesting we will forthwith render in to you a list of all such labourers &c specifically detailed on the three blank schedules which we have also received enclosed from you for that purpose.
For which communication we beg leave to return you our best thanks and we will forthwith proceed to prepare the schedules as desired and forward them to you, and we remain very respectfully
Referring you to our letter of the 7th inst we have now the honour of acknowledging receipt of your letter of the 13th inst in reply to which we will provide ourselves with a medical practitioner who will be properly qualified to accompany the settlers which Lord BATHURST has been pleased through you to grant us permission to take out to the Cape of Good Hope, and the name and particulars of which medical gentleman will accompany the schedule.
We respectfully are Sir
Your very humble servants
The period having arrived when, by your notice to us, our schedules containing the names of all the settlers whom we intend to take with us to the Cape Colony should be handed in to the office of Earl BATHURST, we beg leave to represent to you why we are not prepared so to do.
Mr. LAING has some business to arrange which will occupy his attention during the whole of the next month and Mrs. THOMSON is hourly expected to be laid in childbed, besides two of her children are ill of the hooping cough and two children are ill also of the scarlet fever.
We therefore submit that if not trespassing too far on His Majesty's Service to solicit the favour of an [extension] of six or eight weeks of more time from the date hereof to enable us to overcome these obstacles and be more satisfactorily prepared for the voyage.
Our numbers will consist of one hundred able bodied men, about twenty five women and fifty children. We respectfully are Sir
Your very obedient servants
We are favoured with your letter of the 29th ult informing us that as we have not transmitted our returns into your office within the period fixed for receiving them you were therefore directed by Lord BATHURST to acquaint us the acceptance of our proposal to take one hundred families to the Cape of Good Hope must be considered as cancelled.
However much we may lament the receipt of this intelligence we considered it a duty under all the circumstances which we owed to you, to His Majesty's Government and to ourselves to inform you with our reasons as stated in our letter of the 25th ult for not seeing our way clear to comply with Earl BATHURST's former instructions communicated to us through you on that subject.
Our numbers being chiefly engaged and made up for the purposes before mentioned we shall therefore continue our arrangements on the undertaking and so soon as the obstacles which have detained us at present are removed we will then complete our schedules, propose the charter of a ship for our conveyance to the Cape of Good Hope and submit the whole through you to His Majesty's Government and from the accustomed liberality of which we will hope for a favourable result!
[Note from GOULBURN]
Lord B will of course consider any proposition which may be submitted but he thinks it right to warn them if they expect any assistance from Govt against engaging any persons or embarking in any expence without the previous sanction of this department
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The TakeCare Relief Fund (TCRF) is a charitable fund that makes need-based financial grants available to associates at managed Marriott International locations* who are facing financial hardship caused by a natural disaster or certain other personal hardship events. TCRF is managed by E4E Relief, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Foundation For The Carolinas, a 501(c)(3) public charity. With more than a decade of experience serving clients, E4E Relief is the leading provider of employee disaster and hardship funds in the U.S.
The TakeCare Relief Fund was created in the spirit of the Starwood Associate Relief Fund, Inc. (SARF), established in 2006 by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. to provide need-based financial grants to associates facing hardship caused by natural disasters and other catastrophes. Following the 2016 merger with Marriott International, Inc., all remaining assets of SARF have been dedicated to the expanded mission of the TakeCare Relief Fund. Since 2006, over 6,000 grants totaling over 10.5M USD have been distributed worldwide.
Learn more about how you can contribute to the TakeCare Relief Fund.
* TCRF grants are available to associates at Marriott U.S. managed locations and a growing number of non-U.S. managed locations.
Caring for Our Associates
Fiji Islands: Rebuilding Lives
With its sustaining winds of 175 miles per hour, Cyclone Winston ravaged the Fiji Islands on February 22, 2016. While the Sheraton Fiji Resort, the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa, and the Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island weathered the storm, the homes of 52 associates were severely damaged.
In response, SARF provided a total of 113,336 USD to these associates.
Nepal: A Helping Hand
In April 2015, Nepal was rocked by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. Even though there were no Starwood hotels in Nepal, the families of 257 Nepalese associates at our properties in 11 countries were impacted.
SARF provided more than 1.2 million USD to help these associates recover and rebuild.
Mexico: Weathering the Storm
A category 4 storm, Hurricane Odile slammed into Cabo San Lucas in September 2014. While associates stayed on at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa and The Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos to keep guests safe, they suffered severe damage to personal property.
Within two months, 263 employees received SARF funding totaling more than 493,000 USD.


In July 1992 John D. Tupper & Associates (Europe) Limited was re-named Gage-Tupper & Associates Limited with the intention that future commissions will be carried out by this Company.
We currently have between 30 to 40 Clerks of Works of mixed discipline engaged on a variety of projects for both the Public and Private Sector throughout the United Kingdom.
We will tailor our service to meet the requirements and needs of 'the Client'. Our past experience tells us that the success or failure of any project is dependent upon 'the Team' acting in unison to achieve the desired goal. We, for our part, fully accept our duties and responsibilities in being a full team member with total commitment to quality of workmanship and service.
The Company operates Quality Assurance Procedures in accordance with ISO 9001:2015. Our systems are audited and certified by SGS UK Limited with whom we originally achieved full accreditation with on 29th June 1999.
We are able to respond effectively to most situations and have, on occasions, been known to attend pre-contract meetings the same day notice has been received. Likewise, in an emergency, we have seconded a Clerk of Works to site the same day.
We would expect that following introductions, the Clerk of Works be provided with a project brief, specification, drawings and other relevant documentation in order that he may familiarise themselves with the detail of the project.
As part of our Quality Assurance Procedures unless agreed otherwise, our Clerk of Works will utilise our standard method of reporting and copies of our various Report Forms. This approach provides the Client with peace of mind to know that the job will be delivered as they had originally set out and envisaged.
Whilst engaged on any project, our Clerk of Works will adopt a very proactive approach to identifying and reporting defects and to ensure that quality standards are met. We believe that by adopting a very proactive approach and acting immediately following the realisation of a potential problem, we can assist in mitigating risks.
Our aim on all projects is to work closely with the Client and Contractor as a unified Team in order to resolve risks which may arise on a day to day basis.
The cost of employing a Clerk of Works on site should be seen as a good and prudent investment, leading to a reduction in defects with consequent savings in the rectification of these in ways that can facilitate timely completion.
Gage-Tupper & Associates Limited have been awarded a Worksafe Consultant Membership Certificate with Safety Management Advisory Services Limited (SMAS) who are a full member of Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) under Certificate Number 60081.
We believe that the combined knowledge and experience of our Team together with a proactive approach can ensure that the project is built correctly in accordance with the drawings and specification to achieve a high quality and professional finish. This approach and our 'do it once and do it right' ethos will assist in achieving completion on time and within budget. This in the long term would also reduce the whole life cost of the buildings and consequently provide savings to the Client.
Gage-Tupper & Associates Limited has provided Clerk of Works Services to Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust since September 2009 working on a variety of projects at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton.
The Trust have found that the Clerk(s) of Works provided by Gage-Tupper & Associates Limited have always carried out their duties in a professional and diligent manner and to a very high standard.
The Trust continues to employ the series of Gage-Tupper & Associates Limited and would have no recommendation in recommending them.
We have engaged Gage-Tupper Associates on a number of healthcare projects, carrying out site supervisor duties in accordance with the NEC3 Engineering contracts.
New £130m Local General Hospital, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr for the Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board.
£21m Local Emergency Centre and Day Surgery Unit, Prince Charles Hospital, Methyr Tydfil for the Cym Taf Local Health Board.
Site supervisor services for these projects were completed between January 2008 and May 2012 and involved inspection of both building and M&E Services.
On both contracts Gage-Tupper site inspectorate staff were pro-active in the identification of defective works at an early stage, enabling appropriate corrective action, and preventing unnecessary repetition of defective work procedures. They were extremely professional developing an open and honest relationship with contractor's site staff, and establishing and monitoring acceptable quality standards from the beginning through to completion of the works.
All staff deployed by Gage-Tupper displayed exceptional building and services engineering knowledge and I have no hesitation in recommending them to future clients.
Gage-Tupper & Associates Ltd. 5 out of 5 based on 2 ratings.
Gage-Tupper & Associates continue long-standing partnership with The University of Birmingham and have been appointed on to their Framework Agreement for the provision of Clerk of Works Consultancy for another 4 year period.
New Library, this will be a seven storey building of approx. 17,000sqm located on the main University Campus.
New Indoor Sport Centre, 50m swimming pool, 3 court sports hall, separate single court sports hall, squash, large fitness gym, performance and rehabilitation centre, numerous activity rooms, climbing wall, and associated changing, plant, office and storage facilities.
Heat Resistance Treatment Centre. Construction of a high temperature research centre at Ansty Park near Coventry, a joint collaboration between the University of Birmingham and Rolls-Royce. The building comprises 5,000sqm a steel framed structure with a tall workshop area to take metal casting furnaces and associated processes with laboratory and office accommodation.
Institute for Forest Research established by the University of Birmingham to study the impact of climate and environmental change on woodlands.
Collaborative Teaching Laboratory. New purpose-built facility which will incorporate a wet lab, dry lab and e-lab, to be located between the Learning Centre and the Biosciences Building.
Hotel & Conference Centre. 172-bed hotel and conference facility built near to the University's existing conference facilities off Edgbaston Park Road creating provision for 220 beds overall. The plans also included the regeneration of Garth House, a Grade II* listed building, and Hornton Grange as part of the work to preserve them for future generations.
School of Engineering. The University has begun work on a new School of Engineering building, due for completion in 2020. It will bring together many engineering disciplines into one state-of-the-art building.
'We're delighted to be appointed again at The University of Birmingham where we have built up a strong professional relationship. We are proud to be working collaboratively with them to help deliver their capital masterplan and a quality University Campus. In the time we have been involved we have seen a strong commitment by the University to building outstanding facilities to attract some of the world's leading students and academics.
Gage-Tupper's current appointment is to provide 2 full-time B&CE Clerks of Works and 1 full-time M&E Clerk of Works across the various different projects across the university's whole estate. The schedule of services required is typically as set out in the Institute of Clerk of Works Independent Practices Agreement.
The new Waterside Campus for the University of Northampton is now complete and will soon be opening its doors to their new students for the 2018/2019 academic year.
Gage-Tupper & Associates were originally appointed as Clerk of Works consultants on the new University of Northampton Waterside Campus development in March 2016. The new campus has transformed a former 58-acre Brownfield site in to a modern academic facility for 15,000 students, residential facilitates for 1000 students and leisure facilities for the wider community.
The area being used to create the Waterside Campus was formally the home of a large coal fired power station located near the centre of Northampton, flanked by the River Nene. The project has included demolition of the power station, moving considerable high voltage infrastructure, building two new bridges over the river, providing five new academic buildings, restoring a listed building, building a student village, a hotel and an energy centre complete with mechanical and electrical infrastructure to serve the campus.
VolkerFitzpatrick have been appointed to carry out remediation work on the site. The full contract also includes road widening and construction elements, construction of a new road bridge across the River Nene, a new pedestrian bridge across the River Nene.
Bowmer & Kirkland were appointed to construct the Academic buildings, which included the construction of the five main teaching buildings – a Creative Hub, Learning Hub, Research and Enterprise Hub, Sports Hub and Logistics, and also involves the refurbishment of a Grade II listed engine shed for the Students Union building and associated offices.
Kier were appointed to construct the residential zone, which will be home to 1,000 undergraduate, postgraduate and international students who will be the first to be taught at the new campus in the 2018/2019 academic year. Kier constructed a mixture of student accommodation including five-storey flats and four-storey townhouses with landscaped courtyards and included a 32-bed hotel.
Vital constructed The Energy Centre. It provides low carbon heat to all Academic, Residential and future Commercial buildings via a district heating network. The building has two primary levels housing a woodchip biomass boiler, gas boilers, and thermal storage vessels together with associated ancillary plant equipment.
Gage-Tupper's appointment was to provide 3 full-time Clerk of Works Service for Building disciplines and an additional 2 full-time Clerks of Works for M&E disciplines. The project was procured under several different contracts including JCT Design & Build Contract and NEC3. The schedule of services required was typically as set out in the Institute of Clerk of Works Independent Practices Agreement.
Gage-Tupper & Associates continue to work as Clerk of Works Consultants in partnership with Contractors Bowmer & Kirkland, Kier and Vital Energy on the University of Northampton's new Waterside Campus.
Work is continuing on the £330 million Waterside Campus which is situated in Northampton's Waterside Enterprise Zone with three Contractors currently on site, following the completion of VolkerFitzpatrick project, each delivering a different aspect of the scheme.
The Project involves developing a 58 acre brownfield site and will provide a modern Academic Facility for 15,000 students, Residential Facilities for 1,200 students and Leisure Facilities for the wider community.
VolkerFitzpatrick have now completed their infrastructure contract and have now moved off site. The University's new road bridge has opened providing a second entrance to the site. The new S-shaped footbridge which will provide a link between the town centre and campus is also complete. Works to Bedford Road and Midsummer Meadow carpark has been completed and is now fully open.
Bowmer & Kirkland have been on site for the last 12 months and will be delivering the construction of the five main Teaching Buildings which include the Creative Hub, Learning Hub, Research & Enterprise Hub, Sports Hub and the Logistics Hub. Their scheme also includes the Refurbishment of a Grade II Listed Building known as the Engine Shed which will be transformed in to the Students Union Building and Offices. The structural frames to the main buildings are now nearing completion and work on the external facades are well underway. Internally, the mechanical and electrical installations are advanced, with partition walls and plastering ongoing.
Kier have been on site for the last 9 months and are developing the Student Residential Facilities. Their projects consist of delivering 1,200 Student Bedrooms through a mix of Four-Storey Town Houses and Five-Storey Cluster Flats. This Facility will also house a 32 Bed Teaching Hotel, Commercial and Ancillary Space. Installation of the structural frames for the hall of residence are progressing well on all of the buildings and at present two have reached roof height. The brickwork façade has commenced, as has the installation of the windows. Internally, mechanical and electrical works, and drylining work have commenced on the ground floors.
Vital Energy is responsible for delivering the Energy Centre which will provide the energy solutions for the new Campus. The University of Northampton's new Energy Centre will use sustainable technology for providing heat to the various buildings while dramatically reducing its CO² footprint. The Energy Centre will use woodchip biomass and gas to heat hot water for all the Buildings and Student Residencies on the 58 acre site whilst saving over 1,000 tons of CO² in the short term, rising to 2,200 tons a year following the introduction of a Combined Heat & Power Engine.
Work on Worcester's new swimming pool and refurbished Leisure Centre is now complete in Perdiswell. The new pool was built by Worcestershire-based Developer Speller Metcalfe. The new pool at Perdiswell Leisure Centre had taken 13 months to complete and is the centrepiece of a major extension and refurbishment of the Leisure Centre. The pool aspect of the project was known as Phase I and completed late January 2017.
The eight-lane 25-metre main pool will boast poolside seating for 284 spectators with a further 116 seats around the poolside for swimmers. The pool hall also has an additional 18x10-metre teaching pool with a movable floor for those learning to swim. Furthermore, as part of the wider refurbishment of the Leisure Centre, there is a new Gym with 110 Stations, a 25-Bike Spin/Fitness Studio and a further three Fitness Studios. The Refurbishment aspect of the project was known as Phase II and completed in March 2017.
Long standing Client, Turner & Townsend were Project Managers on the contract, had this to say about Gage-Tupper & Associates' contribution to the project "Gage-Tupper's site inspectorate staff were pro-active in the identification of defective works at an early stage, enabling appropriate corrective action and preventing unnecessary repetition of defective work procedures. They were extremely professional developing an open and honest relationship with the Contractor's site staff and establishing and monitoring acceptable quality standards from the beginning through to completion of the works. All staff deployed by Gage-Tupper displayed exceptional building and services engineering knowledge." Ashley Pogson, Senior Project Manager of Turner & Townsend.
Gage-Tupper & Associates have previously worked with Turner & Townsend in delivering the National Football Centre at St. Georges Park among many other projects.