where B is the later eluting of the two solutes.
If the number of theoretical plates is the same for all solutes—not strictly true, but not a bad assumption—then from equation 12.15, the ratio tr/w is a constant. If two solutes have similar retention times, then their peak widths must be similar.
Solving equation 12.15 for wB and substituting into equation 12.17 leaves us with the following result.
Rearranging equation 12.8 provides us with the following equations for the retention times of solutes A and B.
Finally, we can eliminate solute A's retention factor by substituting in equation 12.9. After rearranging, we end up with the following equation for the resolution between the chromatographic peaks for solutes A and B.
In addition to resolution, another important factor in chromatography is the amount of time needed to elute a pair of solutes, which we can approximate using the retention time for solute B.
where u is the mobile phase's velocity.
Equation 12.19 and equation 12.20 contain terms corresponding to column efficiency, selectivity, and the solute retention factor. We can vary these terms, more or less independently, to improve resolution and analysis time. The first term, which is a function of the number of theoretical plates (for equation 12.19) or the height of a theoretical plate (for equation 12.20), accounts for the effect of column efficiency. The second term is a function of α and accounts for the influence of column selectivity. Finally, the third term in both equations is a function of kB and accounts for the effect of solute B's retention factor. A discussion of how we can use these parameters to improve resolution is the subject of the remainder of this section.
One of the simplest ways to improve resolution is to adjust solute B's retention factor. If all other terms in equation 12.19 remain constant, increasing kB improves resolution. As shown by the green curve in Figure 12.15, however, the improvement is greatest if the initial value of kB is small. Once kB exceeds a value of approximately 10, a further increase produces only a marginal improvement in resolution. For example, if the original value of kB is 1, increasing its value to 10 gives an 82% improvement in resolution; a further increase to 15 provides a net improvement in resolution of only 87.5%.
Figure 12.15: Effect of kB on the resolution for a pair of solutes, RAB, and the retention time for the later eluting solute, tr,B. The y-axes display the resolution and retention time relative to their respective values when kB is 1.00.
Any improvement in resolution by increasing the value of kB generally comes at the cost of a longer analysis time. The red curve in Figure 12.15 shows the relative change in solute B's retention time as a function of its retention factor. Note that the minimum retention time is for kB = 2. Increasing kB from 2 to 10, for example, approximately doubles solute B's retention time.
The relationship between retention factor and analysis time in Figure 12.15 works to our advantage if a separation produces an acceptable resolution with a large kB. In this case we may be able to decrease kB with little loss in resolution and with a significantly shorter analysis time.
To increase kB without significantly changing the selectivity, α, any change to the chromatographic conditions must result in a general, nonselective increase in the retention factor for both solutes. In gas chromatography, we can accomplish this by decreasing the column's temperature. Because a solute's vapor pressure is smaller at lower temperatures, it spends more time in the stationary phase and takes longer to elute. In liquid chromatography, the easiest way to increase a solute's retention factor is to use a mobile phase that is a weaker solvent. When the mobile phase has a lower solvent strength, solutes spend proportionally more time in the stationary phase and take longer to elute.
Adjusting the retention factor to improve the resolution between one pair of solutes may lead to unacceptably long retention times for other solutes. For example, suppose we need to analyze a four-component mixture with baseline resolution and with a run-time of less than 20 min. Our initial choice of conditions gives the chromatogram in Figure 12.16a. Although we successfully separate components 3 and 4 within 15 min, we fail to separate components 1 and 2. Adjusting the conditions to improve the resolution for the first two components by increasing kB,2 provides a good separation of all four components, but the run-time is now too long (Figure 12.16b). This problem of finding a single set of acceptable operating conditions is known as the general elution problem.
One solution to the general elution problem is to make incremental adjustments to the retention factor over time. Thus, we choose our initial chromatographic conditions to optimize the resolution for early eluting solutes. As the separation progresses, we adjust the chromatographic conditions to decrease kB—and, therefore, decrease the retention time—for each of the later eluting solutes (Figure 12.16c). In gas chromatography this is accomplished by temperature programming. The column's initial temperature is selected such that the first solutes to elute are fully resolved. The temperature is then increased, either continuously or in steps, to bring off later eluting components with both an acceptable resolution and a reasonable analysis time. In liquid chromatography the same effect is obtained by increasing the solvent's eluting strength. This is known as a gradient elution. We will have more to say about each of these in later sections of this chapter.
Figure 12.16: Example showing the general elution problem in chromatography. See text for details.
A second approach to improving resolution is to adjust the selectivity, α. In fact, for α ≈ 1 it usually is not possible to improve resolution by adjusting the solute retention factor, kB, or column efficiency, N. A change in α often has a more dramatic effect on resolution than a change in kB. For example, changing α from 1.1 to 1.5, while holding all other terms constant, improves resolution by 267%. In gas chromatography, we usually adjust α by changing the stationary phase, and we usually change the composition of the mobile phase in liquid chromatography.
To change α we need to selectively adjust individual solute retention factors. Figure 12.17 shows one possible approach for the liquid chromatographic separation of a mixture of substituted benzoic acids. Because the components are weak acids, their retention times vary with the pH of the mobile phase, as shown in Figure 12.17a. The intersections of these curves show pH values where two solutes co-elute. For example, at a pH of 3.8 terephthalic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid elute as a single chromatographic peak.
Let's use benzoic acid, C6H5COOH, to explain why pH can affect a solute's retention time. The separation uses an aqueous mobile phase and a nonpolar stationary phase. At lower pHs, benzoic acid is predominately in its weak acid form, C6H5COOH, and easily partitions into the nonpolar stationary phase. At more basic pHs, however, benzoic acid is in its weak base form, C6H5COO–. Because it now carries a charge, its solubility in the mobile phase increases and its solubility in the nonpolar stationary phase decreases. As a result, it spends more time in the mobile phase and has a shorter retention time.
Figure 12.17a shows that there are many pH values where some separation is possible. To find the optimum separation, we plot α for each pair of solutes. The red, green, and orange curves in Figure 12.17b show the variation in a with pH for the three pairs of solutes that are hardest to separate (for all other pairs of solutes, α > 2 at all pH levels). The blue shading shows windows of pH values in which at least a partial separation is possible—this figure is sometimes called a window diagram—and the highest point in each window gives the optimum pH within that range. The best overall separation is the highest point in any window, which, for this example, is a pH of 3.5. Because the analysis time at this pH is more than 40 min (see Figure 12.17a), choosing a pH between 4.1–4.4 might produce an acceptable separation with a much shorter analysis time.
Figure 12.17: Example showing how the mobile phase pH in liquid chromatography affects selectivity: (a) retention times for four substituted benzoic acids as a function of the mobile phase's pH; (b) alpha values for three pairs of solutes that are difficult to separate. See text for details. The mobile phase is an acetic acid/sodium acetate buffer and the stationary phase is a nonpolar hydrocarbon. Data from Harvey, D. T.; Byerly, S.; Bowman, A.; Tomlin, J. "Optimization of HPLC and GC Separations Using Response Surfaces," J. Chem. Educ. 1991, 68, 162–168.
A third approach to improving resolution is to adjust the column's efficiency by increasing the number of theoretical plates, N. If we have values for kB and α, then we can use equation 12.19 to calculate the number of theoretical plates for any resolution. Table 12.1 provides some representative values. For example, if α = 1.05 and kB = 2.0, a resolution of 1.25 requires approximately 24 800 theoretical plates. If our column provides only 12 400 plates, half of what is needed, then a separation is not possible. How can we double the number of theoretical plates? The easiest way is to double the length of the column, although this also doubles the analysis time. A better approach is to cut the height of a theoretical plate, H, in half, providing the desired resolution without changing the analysis time. Even better, if we can decrease H by more than 50%, it may be possible to achieve the desired resolution with an even shorter analysis time by decreasing kB or α.
To decrease the height of a theoretical plate we need to understand the experimental factors that affect band broadening. There are several theoretical treatments of band broadening. We will consider one approach that considers four contributions: variations in paths length, longitudinal diffusion, mass transfer in the stationary phase, and mass transfer in the mobile phase.
where dp is the average diameter of the particulate packing material, and λ is a constant that accounts for the consistency of the packing. A smaller range of particle sizes and a more consistent packing produce a smaller value for λ. For a column without packing material, Hp is zero and there is no contribution to band broadening from multiple paths.
Inconsistent packing can produces channels through the column that allow some solute molecules to travel quickly through the column. It also can lead to pockets that can temporarily trap some solute molecules, slowing their progress through the column. A more uniform packing minimizes these two problems.
Figure 12.18: The effect of multiple paths on a solute's band broadening. The solute's initial band profile is rectangular. As this band travels through the column, individual solute molecules travel different paths, three of which are shown by the meandering colored paths (the actual lengths of these paths are shown by the straight arrows at the bottom of the figure). Most solute molecules travel paths with lengths similar to that shown in blue, with a few traveling much shorter paths (green) or much longer paths (red). As a result, the solute's band profile at the end of the column is broader and Gaussian in shape.
where Dm is the solute's diffusion coefficient in the mobile phase, u is the mobile phase velocity, and γ is a constant related to the efficiency of column packing. Note that the effect of Hd on band broadening is inversely proportional to the mobile phase velocity—a higher velocity provides less time for longitudinal diffusion. Because a solute's diffusion coefficient is larger in the gas phase than in a liquid phase, longitudinal diffusion is a more serious problem in gas chromatography.
Figure 12.19: The effect of longitudinal diffusion on a solute's band broadening. Two horizontal crosssections through the column and the corresponding concentration versus distance profiles are shown, with (a) being earlier in time. The red arrow shows the direction in which the mobile phase is moving.
where df is the thickness of the stationary phase, dc is the column's diameter, Ds and Dm are the solute's diffusion coefficient in the stationary phase and the mobile phase, k is the solute's retention factor, and q is a constant related to the column packing material. Although the exact form of Hm is not known, it is a function of particle size and column diameter. Note that the effect of Hs and Hm on band broadening is directly proportional to the mobile phase velocity—smaller velocities provide more time for mass transfer.
Figure 12.20 Effect of mass transfer on band broadening: (a) Ideal equilibrium Gaussian profiles for the solute in the mobile phase and in the stationary phase. (b, c) If we allow the solute's band to move a small distance down the column, an equilibrium between the two phases no longer exits. The red arrows show the movement of solute—what we call the mass transfer of solute—from the stationary phase to the mobile phase, and from the mobile phase to the stationary phase. (d) Once equilibrium is reestablished, the solute's band is now broader.
The height of a theoretical plate is a summation of the contributions from each of the terms affecting band broadening.
The \(Cu\) term accounts for the combined contribution of mass transfer in the stationary phase and mobile phase (Hs and Hm).
To increase the number of theoretical plates without increasing the length of the column we need to decrease one or more of the terms in equation 12.25. The easiest way to decrease H is by adjusting the velocity of the mobile phase. For smaller mobile phase velocities, column efficiency is limited by longitudinal diffusion, and at higher velocities efficiency is limited by the two mass transfer terms. As shown in Figure 12.21—which uses the van Deemter equation—the optimum mobile phase velocity is the minimum in a plot of H as a function of u.
Figure 12.21: Plot showing the relationship between the height of a theoretical plate, H, and the mobile phase's velocity, u, based on the van Deemter equation.
The remaining parameters affecting the terms in equation 12.25 are functions of the column's properties and suggest other possible approaches to improving column efficiency. For example, both Hp and Hm are a function of the size of the particles used for packing the column. Decreasing particle size, therefore, is another useful method for improving efficiency.
The smaller the particles, the more pressure is needed to push the mobile phase through the column. As a result, for any form of chromatography there is a practical limit to particle size.
Perhaps the most important advancement in chromatography columns is the development of open-tubular, or capillary columns. These columns have very small diameters (dc ≈ 50–500 μm) and contain no packing material (dp = 0). Instead, the interior wall of a capillary column is coated with a thin film of the stationary phase. Plate height is reduced because the contribution to H from Hp (equation 12.21) disappears and the contribution from Hm (equation 12.24) becomes smaller. Because the column does not contain any solid packing material, it takes less pressure to move the mobile phase through the column, allowing for much longer columns. The combination of a longer column and a smaller height for a theoretical plate increases the number of theoretical plates by approximately 100~. Capillary columns are not without disadvantages. Because they are much narrower than packed columns, they require a significantly smaller amount of sample, which may be difficult to inject reproducibly. Another approach to improving resolution is to use thin films of stationary phase, which decreases the contribution to H from Hs (equation 12.23).


From left, Signet CEO Ken Krismanth, chairman Anthony Manna and chief operating officer Mark Corr.
The first day of Anthony Manna's eldest daughter's life was the last day he worked for anybody else.
It also could be considered the unofficial birth date of Signet Enterprises, the Akron-based private investment firm Manna officially launched in 1995 after winning the bid to develop a $34 million minor league baseball stadium in downtown Akron — Canal Park, currently home to the Akron RubberDucks — and using that contract as collateral to purchase an automotive parts manufacturer.
"I had talked about being an entrepreneur for years, and now I had this little girl," Manna said. "My days of talking were over."
Twenty-some years and "too many" deals to count later, Signet owns 25 companies in North American and Asia, has a $4.5 billion real estate development portfolio and operates a well-heeled capital fund to finance new buildings, business acquisitions and intellectual property spun out of universities. Its holdings range from companies as varied as publishers and water-treatment firms to an integrated wellness arm that operates fitness facilities and a real estate development division that specializes in student housing, medical offices and sophisticated proton cancer centers.
The aggressive entrepreneurial environment has fostered a steady stream of new opportunities, according to Manna, but a hard-to-communicate value proposition.
"There's not enough hours in the day for me to meet with everybody and tell them what we do," the chairman said. "Somehow, they have to be able to get online and see it."
Manna and his team recently unveiled a new website and announced plans to shed the "Enterprises" part of the company's moniker — now just Signet LLC. Both moves are part of a broader campaign to better define the company and what it does.
Yes, call it a "rebrand," although marketing director Joel Maas might take some exception.
"People also use the word 'rebranding' falsely in my mind," Maas said from the company's corporate headquarters on High Street in downtown Akron. "We are not changing the brand. We're just changing how we communicate it. We've always had a really strong brand. Especially in real estate development and investing, you have to do what you say you are going to do. You have to have integrity. Otherwise, you are not going to be in businesses for long."
The new Signet site highlights the company's three main platform capabilities: operational portfolio company investment, where it manages acquisitions and venture investments; real estate; and capital finance. Before, Maas said, an "inequitable portion" of Signet's site was dedicated to the real estate side of the business, leaving visitors with the impression that "we are a real estate development firm who dabbles in acquiring other companies."
The reality, Manna said, is that Signet is pretty evenly split between its operations division and real estate projects in terms of deal flow.
The rebranding — a new logo also will be incorporated across the Signet family — was the next logical step for the Rubber City company that has emerged in recent years as one of the region's largest private equity firms. Signet had $350 million in capital under management, according to Crain's 2016 Book of Lists. The company, however, does not publicly talk numbers, which Manna said are a bit hard to pin down anyway with such a varied deal roster, including majority interests, joint ventures and public-private partnerships.
Two years ago, the company realigned management. That was the first step, said Signet CEO Ken Krismanth. Krismanth, the former president, moved from Signet's Jacksonville, Fla., office to Akron. Mark Corr, chief operating officer, retained that position and became president. The two began to put in place the corporate backbone to more efficiently identify, vet and support Signet's serial entrepreneur tendencies.
Still, when it came to meeting new prospective partners and investors, Krismanth said, "We got a lot of 'You guys do a lot of things, but we don't really understand what you do.' … We had structured our management and aligned ourselves so that we could provide the best services and the best solutions in each one of the areas. We needed to find a way to better communicate that."
Signet, Corr admits, is partly to blame for lack of a well-defined marketplace identity. For one thing, the company has historically taken "a passive role" when partnering with big institutions on real estate development projects or commercializing a new technology.
"There are many buildings out there that we developed, own and operate that do not have our name on it," he said.
Among them are the new 72,000-square-foot MetroHealth Brecksville Health & Surgery Center; the Center for Integrated Wellness in Bloomington, Ill.; and Infinity Hall, an entrepreneurial-based academic residential community at the University of Florida. Signet also developed and operates the NEOMED Education and Wellness Center in Rootstown.
Even within Signet's portfolio companies, local management runs the day-to-day operations, Corr said, and their employees, customers and partners rarely see Signet brass, though the equity investor prides itself on taking an active role in guiding and nurturing businesses under the Signet umbrella.
"We've been fairly discrete with our marketing," he said. "It's been more relationship, one-on-one type of marketing, which has served us well for a long time. We've just gotten now to a point where with the size of the deal flow, we needed to be a little more explicit in terms of what we offer, where our competencies lie, how we can help."
The website and logo, Maas added, are just the beginning. With the "mothership in place," he now will move on to its portfolio businesses with the aim of bringing image and message consistency across the brand. Don't be surprised to see more of the Signet name and logo popping up — often in places it's been just below the fold for years.
"They are an amazingly well-kept secret," said Neil Waxman, managing director at Capital Advisors in Cleveland and a member of Signet's board of advisers. "To the people who do know them, they thought of them more as a real estate company, maybe (an) operations company, but they are so much more than that. They've always been more than that."


text:
COVID-19 Lux Travel Airports + Flying Travel Budget Travel Epic Stays Road Trips
Photo: Airbnb
The Most Breathtaking Airbnbs in Jamaica
Epic Stays Jamaica
Eben Diskin
Bob Marley (and thousands of cliche high school yearbook quotes) once said, "love the life you live. Live the life you love." It's impossible not to love your life when you're in Jamaica. The small Caribbean island is known not only as the birthplace of Bob Marley and reggae music, but also the home of pristine beaches, epic waterfalls, and of course, some of the best rum and coffee you've ever tasted. Where you stay plays a huge role in your island experience, so choosing the right accommodation is crucial. From historic villas to modern mansions, these are the luxurious Airbnbs in Jamaica you should bookmark for your next trip.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Full-service villa with private chef and butler
If your goal is to show up, kick back, and get some serious pampering for a few days, this is the villa for you. Tradewinds is one of the most luxurious Airbnbs in Jamaica, coming with the services of an in-house chef, butler, housekeeper, and chauffeur, so you truly don't have to worry about anything except relaxing. You'll even be greeted at the airport by the Club Mobay VIP service and brought directly to the villa. The house has views of the golf courses and the coast — with complimentary membership to the three neighboring golf courses — and outdoor dining areas with an al-fresco wet bar and BBQ.
Ten guests, five bedrooms
Price: $2,119 per night
Mansion surrounded by palm trees
Staying in this 5,000 square-foot villa is as close as you'll get to feeling like you're living in the jungle. But with a touch more luxury, of course. Sitting beneath the palm trees just off Seven Mile Beach, this house has a private pool, and a terrace with loungers where you can enjoy the combination of ocean breeze and bowing palm fronds. The villa also includes use of water sports equipment like kayaks and sailboats.
$1,575 per night
Elegant villa above the treetops
One of the most convenient Airbnbs in Jamaica, this villa is located just minutes from the airport in Montego Bay, and has a swimming pool, tennis court, and even a private chef. All you have to provide are the groceries. The house itself is defined by its elegant archways connecting the open living spaces, and from throughout the property you'll have stunning views of the ocean. Many rooms open onto covered terraces, where you can enjoy the views from above the treetops.
Twelve guests, six bedrooms
Luxury beachfront villa
Calypso Shores, a luxury villa in Montego Bay, is located in a gated community with all the benefits that come with privacy. You'll have your own private beach and swimming pool, as well as your very own butler, gardener, cook, and housekeeping, so you don't never really have to leave the property. Guests will also have access to the shared amenities at the Lagoons community, including a tennis court, waterfront gym, and lap pool.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $950 per night
Luxury villa with ocean views
A glamorous private home overlooking a golf course and the ocean, this villa's views are the best of both worlds. The furnishings are a combination of antique Asian and tropical colonial decor, making for a truly unique aesthetic. It's also part of the Spring Farm at Rose Hall gated community, meaning you'll have access to the beach club's white sand beach, swimming pool, and bar.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Spacious condo with infinity pool
This beach-themed apartment is perfect for a small family. It's just blocks away from a park and playground, and opens onto a spacious backyard. The apartment's most eye-catching feature is the shared infinity pool on the pool deck, where you can spend the whole day relaxing and enjoying the ocean views.
Four guests, one bedroom
Relaxing mountain retreat
This retreat will introduce you to a greener, more lush side of Jamaica. Silver Hill sits in the Blue Mountains, between Portland and St. Andrew, on what was once the Old Silver Hill Estate and Old Jamaica Spa. The 25-acre property includes a small coffee plantation and two acres of gardens. Guests will have access to walking trails through the forest, and a patio facing the Cinchona Gardens and Top Hill.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Epic StaysBest Airbnbs in Puerto Rico From City Houses To Coastal Villas
9 Fun Things To Do in the Jamaica Blue Mountains
Nov 8, 2022 Rochelle Knight
Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Jamaica This Summer
Jul 14, 2020 Alex Bresler
Bargaining, or the Third Stage of Grief, in Port Antonio, Jamaica
Dec 28, 2017 Suzanne Roberts
Hedonism Is Throwing a Weeklong Party Where Everyone Only Wears Body Paint
May 24, 2019 Matthew Meltzer
Jamaica's Reggae Marathon Brings Together the Best of the Island in One Epic Race
Jun 20, 2019 Doug
Jamaica's Jerk and Festival Bread Is the Ultimate Caribbean Pairing
Mar 27, 2020 Johanna Read
Everything To Know About Consuming Cannabis in Jamaica
Apr 14, 2020 Lailah Prince
6 Essential Food Experiences in Jamaica
May 1, 2020 Lailah Prince
To See the Real Jamaica, Skip the Resort and Go To Kingston
May 11, 2020 Rob Chursinoff
Jamaica Will Require Visitors To Pay an Extra Health Insurance Fee
Oct 28, 2020 Eben Diskin
Epic Stays
These Manhattan Airbnbs Showcase the Best of New York City
Jan 26, 2023 Katie Scott Aiton
This Cliffside Hotel on the Amalfi Coast Offers Some of Italy's Best Views
Jan 5, 2023 Matador Creators
Stay at This Relaxing Retreat on Maratua Island
The 7 Best Barcelona Hotels With Iconic Views Over the City
Immerse Yourself in Nature at This New Luxe Wellness Resort in Sicily, Italy
Dec 8, 2022 Katie Scott Aiton
Experience Luxury and Relaxation at Cavo Tagoo in Mykonos, Greece
If You're Looking for an Eco-Friendly Resort in Tulum, the Azulik Resort Has It All
This Secluded Resort in the Philippines Is the Perfect Hideaway From Everyday Life
These Airbnbs Near the Eiffel Tower Offer Incredible Views of the Entire City
Jan 24, 2023 Hannah D. Cooper
The Most Jaw-Dropping Hotels in Santorini With Iconic Views
18 Unique Airbnbs in Los Angeles' Trendiest Neighborhoods
Dec 26, 2022 Kaila Yu

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Bseideh ()  is a Syrian village located in Maarrat al-Nu'man Nahiyah in Maarrat al-Nu'man District, Idlib.  According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Bsida had a population of 1187 in the 2004 census.

References

Populated places in Maarat al-Numan District

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
White House doctor: Physical exam reveals that Trump 'remains healthy'
Speculation about President Donald Trump's health has followed him continually since he rose to the Oval Office, but his latest physical exam had nothing special to report.
The results of Trump's physical exam, released Wednesday, revealed that the president's status is essentially unchanged since last year and that he "remains healthy," according to ABC News.
Trump "remains healthy"
The results were expected Wednesday after White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced that "in summary, the president remains healthy," and that the full results would follow soon.
The release came on the heels of rumors about Trump's health that emerged when it was reported that White House staffers tested positive for the coronavirus and that Trump was prophylactically taking hydroxychloroquine to help stave off the illness.
But, as Axios reported, the president's exam — finished in April — discovered "no findings of significance," according to a memo from White House physician Sean Conley.
According to Conley, Trump completed a course of hydroxychloroquine "safely and without side effects," and he has continued to test negative for the coronavirus. "Based on my history, examinations, and consultations, the data indicates that the president remains healthy," the doctor added.
Trump is 6 feet 3 inches tall and 244 pounds, which is technically considered obese. The president gained a pound since last year, and he takes medication to control his cholesterol, aspirin, and Propecia, for treating male pattern hair loss, Conley reported.
Proves rumor mill wrong
The president's habits and health have been a topic of periodic rumors over the last few years. The president does not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco, and he is known for a love of fast food and golf. Still, he has often been characterized as mentally unwell and physically unhealthy by his foes.
Trump has had a stressful year to say the least, what with the Russian collusion hoax, impeachment, and a global pandemic — but he seems to be holding up well, despite some elevation of his blood pressure, as the New Y0rk Post reports.
"Overall the president continues to benefit from a multi-disciplinary care team in assessing and promoting his health and wellness as he carries out his duties of the presidency," Conley declared.
Prior speculation about the president's well-being came in November after media outlets stoked rumors over an abrupt visit to Walter Reed Hospital, which a spokesperson at the time described as a routine exam. That turned out to be true, as Trump's latest physical was completed in two parts, with the final portion wrapped up in April.
Trump has often made a point of contrasting his energy level and mental sharpness with that of "Sleepy Joe Biden," who has been dogged by suggestions of cognitive decline since launching his campaign for the White House.
Matthew Boose
Matthew Boose is a staff writer for Conservative Institute. He has a Bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University and has contributed to The Daily Caller and The Stony Brook Press.


text:
This article is part of NGI's Daily Gas Price Index. Click here to request a free trial keyboard_arrow_right
Daily GPI
Infrastructure | NGI All News Access | NGI The Weekly Gas Market Report | Regulatory
Trump's $1.5T Infrastructure Plan Would Give Interior Input on NatGas Pipelines
By Charlie Passut
President Trump called on Congress Monday to pass an infrastructure bill that would generate at least $1.5 trillion in new investment over the next decade, with the federal government contributing $200 billion and a goal set to shorten the permitting process for infrastructure projects to two years or less.
For the oil and natural gas industry, the plan, specifically, the Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America, proposes giving the Department of Interior (DOI) secretary the authority to review and approve rights-of-way for oil and gas pipelines across lands administered by its National Park Service (NPS).
The DOI secretary now has the authority to approve such plans for electric, water and communications facilities, but not oil and gas. That authority rests with Congress.
"Obtaining congressional approval for each pipeline crossing and facilities necessary for the production of energy is time consuming and delays construction of needed natural gas pipeline facilities," the plan said. "It also is inconsistent with the process adopted for other types of facilities."
The plan also calls for establishing an Interior Maintenance Fund to help pay for repairs and maintenance of infrastructure on public lands. Under the plan, half of the receipts generated on public lands from oil and gas development, as well as other energy sources, would be deposited into the fund, up to $18 billion.
"The receipts deposited in the fund would be made available to the DOI secretary, without fiscal year limitation, to address the deferred maintenance and capital needs for infrastructure in national parks and wildlife refuges. The DOI would use its capital asset management systems to prioritize projects, monitor implementation, and measure results."
According to the Trump administration, the NPS currently has a deferred maintenance backlog of $11.3 billion, half of which is for bridges, roads and tunnels. DOI's Fish and Wildlife Service also has a deferred maintenance backlog totaling $1.2 billion.
"President Trump is absolutely right to call for a robust infrastructure plan that rebuilds our national parks, refuges, and Indian schools, and I look forward to helping him deliver on that historic mission," said DOI Secretary Ryan Zinke.
The administration also proposed creating a $20 billion Transformative Projects Program (TPP) through the Commerce Department, which "could include" the energy sector.
"Funding under this program would be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that are likely to be commercially viable, but that possess unique technical and risk characteristics that otherwise deter private sector investment. The TPP would support projects that, with federal support, are capable of generating revenue, would provide net public benefits, and would have a significant positive impact on the nation, a region, state, or metropolitan area."
Representatives for the energy industry reacted positively to Trump's plan. Natural Gas Supply Association CEO Dena Wiggins described the current permit approval process for infrastructure as "a long and unnecessarily unwieldy process for all."
"Natural gas is an essential part of meeting our country's ambitious goals of energy security, affordability and cleaner air, but sufficient infrastructure must be in place to make that happen," Wiggins said. "This is a great first step that could bring real progress toward removing unnecessary barriers without sacrificing environmental protections."
Executive director Charlie Riedl of the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas concurred. "Regulatory certainty for U.S. liquefied natural gas development is essential to the industry's long term growth and ability to supply the growing global demand," he said. "Providing a clear path forward for the industry signals to project developers that the United States is the best place to make multi-billion dollar investments to help deliver clean natural gas around the world."
Environmental groups derided the plan.
"Trump's infrastructure scam is all about greasing the wheels for oil, gas and coal development and his budget funds this massive giveaway," said Janet Redman, spokeswoman for the group Oil Change International. "'Streamlining' critical environmental review really means steamrolling landowners and putting a muzzle on communities when they resist oil and gas pipelines being built through their backyards for private profit."
The plan also faced opposition from Democrats and a cautious response from the GOP.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called Trump's proposal "a puny infrastructure scam" that would "raise tolls on commuters, increase the burden on cities and states, sell our essential infrastructure to the whims of Wall Street, and yank away the protections that keep consumers safe and our air and water clean."
While Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) said Trump "is a builder who understands the importance of infrastructure to jobs and our economy," he said an infrastructure bill "will require presidential leadership and bipartisan congressional cooperation."
Related topics: Energy Environmental Infrastructure natural gas Permitting Plan Trump


The next show taking place on May 22nd-24th of 2019 is themed around Social Impact and is aimed at reigniting the Satoshi Vision for blockchain technology to advance social impact across societies through a truly decentralised ecosystem for transactions. The event is cordially inaugurated with a Social Impact Awards ceremony on the eve of the summit.
This is why the organisers of the Malta AI & Blockchain Summit has expanded their scope to invite stakeholders in AI, Big Data, IoT and Quantum Technology – to join the show and engage in riveting discussions about world-changing potential application of such technology. The Malta AI & Blockchain Summit is a landmark event that nobody in the field can afford to miss.


I provide consulting services to organizations committed to social change especially for people of color and others from underserved communities.
The first step in my consulting approach is to listen, learn and encourage the co-design of a partnership.
This stems from a main tenet of my philosophy: the most appropriate solutions and strategies for a community's success should come from the community.
In co-designing our process, I acknowledge and champion the expertise of those living and working in the community. I encourage mutual learning and strive to create a process where awareness and contemplation are prioritized and thoughtful strategies and action steps can be developed and committed to.
I am a graduate of the National Community Development Institute Professional Development for Consultants program and a member of the PDC Network as a source for enhancing my skills and maintaining a pool of resources from which I can seek assistance on behalf of my clients as needed.


text:
Shorr Packaging Expands into Texas
Shorr Packaging announced the opening of their new distribution and warehouse facility in Dallas with access to all major interstates and highways and capabilities to serve the entire Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and the entire Southwestern Region of the United States....
Shorr Packaging Corp. Commemorates New Headquarters with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Shorr Packaging Corp. celebrated its new 242,732 square-foot headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier today at 4000 Ferry Road in Aurora, Illinois. Shorr's new state-of-the-art building is one of Aurora's newest business developments.
"Reaping the Benefits of a Packaging Evaluation" at 2016 Operations Summit
Shorr Packaging was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the 2016 Operations Summit at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 12-14. Shorr displayed the latest in parcel packaging and automation in its booth; hosting dozens of visitors during the popular event...
Throwback Thursday: "When YOU need industrial paper products"
Here's an "oldie" but a "goodie" from the Shorr vault. Back when Shorr Packaging Corp was Shorr Paper Products, Inc., with only a couple locations, the phone was the main method of ordering. This flyer, weighing heavily on industrial paper products, was used around...
Shorr Packaging Expands Market, Regional Hub for the Southeast
Shorr Packaging Corp, a national and independent packaging supplier, announced the opening of its new distribution and warehouse facility in Atlanta. The warehouse creates a permanent presence for existing customers who have facilities in the Southeast region and...
Shorr Mentioned in Wall Street Journal: Ecommerce Return Rates, Supply Chain and Logistics
Shorr was mentioned in two separate Wall Street Journal articles recently. Discussions include what happens to returned items sent to large logistics returns centers and the top supply chain and logistics industry news.
Shorr Packaging Acquires Mack Paper, Expanding Resources for Customers
Shorr Packaging is committed to bringing value to the Rockford market and excited to offer more options of quality packaging products, equipment, and services. Shorr continues to expand and grow to meet the needs of their customers on both localized and national levels...
Shorr Packaging Promotes Kevin Vrba to Chief Financial Officer
The promotion of Vrba to the executive leadership team builds additional strength and accountability for Shorr Packaging. In addition to the day-to-day operations of leading the accounting and finance division, Vrba will further develop the company's financial...
Packaging Experts Return from PARCEL Forum
The Windy City - Home of the Cubs, White Sox, Da Bears, Our Hawks, Deep Dish Pizza, A Classic Hotdog, and Blues Music... Shorr delivered expert packaging solutions to show companies how to "pack smarter"...
The Shorr Packaging Scholarship
Think about the last time you went to a huge supermarket. With aisles and aisles of products ahead of you, which brands caught your eye? What about the POP display made it stand out? Future business leaders always need to be thinking of ways to stand out from the crowd...


Dynamic entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor, Robert Herjavec, joined the Small Business Revolution in 2015, inspired by the movement's celebration of the entrepreneurial sprit. Herjavec serves as the Small Business Revolution's co-host, business and financial expert and was also a featured expert in the movement's long form documentary about the importance of small business in America. This year, Herjavec lends his entrepreneurial and business expertise to Bristol Borough's small businesses in the second season of the "Main Street" series.
A first-generation immigrant from Yugoslavia, Herjavec arrived in Canada with his family at the age of 8. Learning his work ethic from his parents, Herjavec did everything from delivering newspapers and waiting tables, to launching a computer company from his basement.
Herjavec's entrepreneurial drive led to his success today, having built and sold several IT companies to major corporations. In 2003, Herjavec launched The Herjavec Group, one of North America's largest IT security providers. Herjavec is also a best-selling author providing business inspiration and advice to readers.


text:
Honeywell is Bringing Google Glass to Aviation, Sovereign Winglets Near FAA Certification and More Bizav News
Honeywell is Bringing Google Glass to Aviation
Honeywell is peering into the future of wearable technology with a Google Glass prototype application. The app, which is still very much in development, aims to connect flight attendants with an aircraft's cabin systems through Honeywell's Ovation Select Cabin Management System. Through Google Glass, the app gives flight attendants a hands-free way to perform routine tasks around the cabin, such as raising or lowering the shades or dimming the lights.
Continue Reading On aviationtoday.com »
BusinessAviationVoice: Cessna: Investing For The Future
The power of new-product introductions to stimulate market demand across business aviation has been proven time and again. Case in point: Cessna Aircraft.
Fifty percent of the models it will deliver during the next two years are aircraft that were certified within just the last 12 months, such as the Citation Latitude and the CJ3A. Observes Cessna CEO Scott Ernest: "It's important to keep our [product development] pipeline full."
Ernest has especially high expectations for the Citation Latitude, which didn't even exist on paper three years ago. The midsize-category jet certainly is a different product for Cessna, with its wide, stand-up cabin.
Continue Reading On https://www.forbes.com »
Sovereign Winglets Near FAA Certification
Winglet Technology has completed testing its new elliptical winglets on the Cessna Citation Sovereign. It is collaborating with the Citation service center network on the project and released test results for the $395,000 kit (uninstalled) today at NBAA 2014.
Business Aviation Coping With The Ebola Outbreak: Flight Restrictions, Rule Changes, Questions And Practical Protective Measures
Dr. Moneesh Bhow of MedAire (Booth 3185) made it clear: "Ebola is not passed via airborne transmission. In fact," he continued, "it is half as infectious, on a measureable scale, as HIV. Transmission can be prevented with commonsense, basic hygienic precautions," he told AIN at NBAA 2014.
Argus: 2014 To Be Best Year for Bizav Flying since 2008
Business aircraft activity in the U.S. has been climbing for the past 10 straight months and is set to continue this trend in the fourth quarter, according to aviation services company Argus. In fact, the company is predicting that flying in the quarter will rise 0.7 percent year-over-year, which would result in this year besting 2013 by 1.5 percent and making 2014 the "most robust" year for flight activity since 2008.
Start-up targets large business jet financing with $2bn fund
Three global investment firms have launched a new leasing service – dubbed Global Jet Capital – with more than $2 billion in available financing catering to the large-cabin, long-range business jet market.The Boca Raton, Florida-based firm will be aimed at filling a perceived gap in in business jet financing services as some traditional lending sources have become last active over the last three years, says Shawn Vick, chairman of Global Jet Capital's executive committee.
Continue Reading On https://www.flightglobal.com »
BusinessAviationVoice: Taking The Pulse of BizAv
As expected, the mood at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention & Exhibition (Oct. 21-23) is buoyant, and for good reason; the sector continues to show measureable signs of recovery. Better still, the long-term outlook is positive, with numbers to support a general sense of cautious optimism.
But the optimism isn't universal. Some industry veterans who have observed previous business aviation cycles come and go point out that some OEMs were still shrinking their workforce as recently as several months ago. They believe the current recovery, albeit in the early stages, is fragile and remains susceptible to economic headwinds that could adversely affect the market for new business jets.
VIP Meets Airline-Style: Airbus Releases New Cabin Concept for A330-200
Airbus has launched a new VIP cabin concept called Summit, initially for the A330-200, which features a VIP section at the front of the cabin and airline-style seating at the rear.
The Airbus ACJ330 Summit features a bedroom at the front, followed by an office, a conference and dining room and a working area, and then airline-style first-class and economy seating at the rear.
Embraer Legacy 500 Gets FAA Papers at NBAA 2014
FAA deputy associate administrator John Hickey handed Embraer Executive Jets president Marco Túlio Pellegrini the FAA type certificate for the fly-by-wire Legacy 500 this afternoon at the NBAA Convention in Orlando, Fla. The U.S. approval comes just two months after the super-midsize jet earned authorization from Brazil's civil aviation authority.
SyberJet launches revamped SJ30 light business jet duo,…
Private Jets Sale Charter: Citation Sovereign, Citation CJ1,…
Tags: Cessna, business aviation, embraer, Legacy 650, honeywell, Citation Sovereing+, google glass


Our distribution depot is a 30,000 sq.ft. Facility, located just off J4 of the M8 motorway, midway between Edinburgh and Glasgow in what has now been designated as Scotland's Hub.
We operate over 60 vehicles and employ over 100 people and can reach sixty percent of Scotland's population - some 3 million people, within a one hour drive from our depot and warehouse facilities.
In addition, we also provide a Storage & Distribution service from our 30,000 sq.ft. Warehouse facility and have access to a further 400,000 sq.ft. of additional warehouse capacity.
We offer a Next Day or Two/Three Day Economy Delivery Service throughout most parts of the U.K.
Through our partnership arrangements in England we can arrange to collect your freight "directly" from your premises for onward delivery throughout Scotland.
Use our Web based etransport+ computer system to access your proof of delivery and book jobs on-line.


GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Thursday marks the official opening of the Surgical enter of Greensboro on Green Valley Road. The center is a collaboration of a group of joint surgeons aiming to lower costs for patients offering valued health care with outpatient procedures.
Dr. Steve Lucey served as the lead surgeon in this venture nearly nine years in the making, advocating and encouraging his fellow surgeons to get on board with the concept.
The center partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield to offer bundle payments.
Senior Strategic Contact Consultant Keith Miller, with BCBS, shared the excitement at the facility ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday.
"Having something like this where we have the ability to be creative and put into place a value-based component, really looking at outcomes and total cost of care with procedures that are being some here, it's really exciting for us to kind of branch into that," Miller said.
Simply put, the center drastically cuts costs for patients, eliminating the overnight stay versus inpatient care.
"You're talking a good 30 percent higher than an outpatient setting," Miller said.
Lucey said that each patient is prescreened clinically to make sure that the outpatient surgery would be safe for them. The center does however offer a more affordable option.
Fifty surgeons and 150 staff members will now work together within the same center.


text:
APOD: Where Your Elements Came From (2017 Oct 24)
Kon Jek Toor
Re: APOD: Where Your Elements Came From (2017 Oct 24)
Post by Kon Jek Toor » Wed Oct 25, 2017 5:43 pm
MemyselfandI wrote:
Where did the matter come from in the first place?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Universe_from_Nothing wrote:
<<A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing is a non-fiction book by the physicist Lawrence M. Krauss, initially published on January 10, 2012 by Free Press. It discusses modern cosmogony and its implications for the debate about the existence of God. The main theme of the book is how "we have discovered that all signs suggest a universe that could and plausibly did arise from a deeper nothing—involving the absence of space itself and— which may one day return to nothing via processes that may not only be comprehensible but also processes that do not require any external control or direction.">>
"But this is nothing more than preposterous scientific blashphemy!!!" Signed .. the Consensus
ems57fcva
Location: Falls Church, VA
Post by ems57fcva » Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:49 pm
Ann wrote:
ems57fcva wrote: Are you all sure that the colors are labeled properly? It shows low-mass stars contributing to everything between Strontium and Lead, while the exploding massive stars are only credited for elements as heavy as Zirconium. That does not look right. I thought that it took a stellar explosion to create elements heavier than iron. And even just a switch of the yellow and green still raises questions in that regard, as the yellow also extends past iron, but the exploding white dwarfs (white) do not.
I remember seeing a Hubble (or Chandra?) picture of a supernova remnant, and the caption said that we can be sure that this is the remnant of a massive star and its core collapse. And the reason why we can be sure of that is that the remnant contains so much oxygen, and oxygen is produced in core-collapse supernovas. And indeed, today's chart says that oxygen is produced almost exclusively by such supernovas.
I also remember reading about red giants and all the chemical processes that go on in them before they shed their outer layers altogether and turn into planetary nebulas and white dwarfs. The text where I read about that said that many elements are created here because neutrons are incorporated into the nuclei of other elements.
If you check out the chart, the "green" elements (green because they were created by low-mass stars) seem kind of weird. There are few well-known elements among them, apart from lithium, carbon and nitrogen, and the highly poisonous elements mercury and lead.
Fascinatingly, though, some silver and even some gold is apparently made by dying red giants!
As I understand it, dying small stars lack the needed temperatures and pressures to create anything even as heavy as iron; and their planetary nebulas will be full of oxygen (which is not to say that supernovae do not produce a lot of oxygen themselves). In fact, in that other APOD that I referenced, Sulfur was as heavy an element as small stars could create. However, this arrangement seems to come from the LIGO-VIRGO collaboration or someone close to it. See http://growth.caltech.edu/images/gw1708 ... -table.jpg, which is associated with http://growth.caltech.edu/news-gw170817.html. If this is a mistake, it was made by someone who should have known better.
Post by MarkBour » Wed Oct 25, 2017 7:47 pm
I was thinking about what texture patterns would be nice mnemonics for this chart that would be helpful to the color-blind, and had a thought that I probably shouldn't put in print.
I don't think we need Manganese all that badly. Exploding white dwarfs is an extremely cruel practice. Let's demand that it be stopped.
BDanielMayfield
AKA: Bruce
Location: East Idaho
Post by BDanielMayfield » Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:33 pm
ems57fcva wrote:
I agree with your questions and observations. The green "dying low mass stars" contribution spread deep into the heavy elements region of this table seems wrong, but perhaps there's an explanation. The only things I can think of is if there is an explosive transition from a low mass white dwarf into a denser neutron star or even a total stellar disruption event. This loudly begs for a clearer explanation.
"Happy are the peaceable ... "
And here's the explanation, I believe, from the Wikipedia article on Supernova:
Theoretical studies indicate that most supernovae are triggered by one of two basic mechanisms: the sudden re-ignition of nuclear fusion in a degenerate star or the sudden gravitational collapse of a massive star's core. In the first instance, a degenerate white dwarf may accumulate sufficient material from a binary companion, either through accretion or via a merger, to raise its core temperature enough to trigger runaway nuclear fusion, completely disrupting the star. In the second case, the core of a massive star may undergo sudden gravitational collapse, releasing gravitational potential energy as a supernova. While some observed supernovae are more complex than these two simplified theories, the astrophysical collapse mechanics have been established and accepted by most astronomers for some time.
This must be what is meant by "dying low mass star", the detonation of a white dwarf.
BDanielMayfield wrote: And here's the explanation, I believe, from the Wikipedia article on Supernova:
Scratch that. Looking at the table again, I see that there is already a white or grey code for the contribution from Exploding White Dwarf Stars, so the mystery remains unsolved.
Post by MemyselfandI » Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:22 am
The words, "suggest, plausibly, may" do not explain an answer, they merely point to one theory, probably (sic) among many. The original post was rather more definite, "Where your elements came from." My question was, where did the matter come from in the first place? An ex nihilo postulation only makes rational sense if one can argue for something (or someone) to create from nothing.
From the Wikipaedia article cited (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Universe_from_Nothing):
"In the New York Times, philosopher of science and physicist David Albert said the book failed to live up to its title; he claimed Krauss dismissed concerns about what Albert calls his misuse of the term nothing.[7]
"Commenting on the philosophical debate sparked by the book, the physicist Sean M. Carroll asked, "Do advances in modern physics and cosmology help us address these underlying questions, of why there is something called the universe at all, and why there are things called 'the laws of physics,' and why those laws seem to take the form of quantum mechanics, and why some particular wave function and Hamiltonian? In a word: no. I don't see how they could."[8]
"Science journalist John Horgan, writing for Scientific American, characterizes the book as "...a pop-science book that recycles a bunch of stale ideas from physics and cosmology." [9]
"Physicist George F. R. Ellis characterized the book's thesis as "...presenting untested speculative theories of how things came into existence...". Referring to the entities Krauss assumes to exist, Ellis says "He does not explain in what way these entities could have pre-existed the coming into being of the universe, why they should have existed at all, or why they should have had the form they did. And he gives no experimental or observational process whereby we could test these vivid speculations of the supposed universe-generation mechanism. How indeed can you test what existed before the universe existed? You can't. Thus what he is presenting is not tested science." [10]
"The mathematical physicist I. S. Kohli also analyzed the main technical arguments in Krauss' book, concluding that "many of the claims are not supported in full by modern general relativity theory or quantum field theory in curved spacetime".[11]"
Post by BDanielMayfield » Thu Oct 26, 2017 12:54 pm
MemyselfandI wrote: Where did the matter come from in the first place?
From energy. E=mc2, so therefore m=E/c2.
The next logical questions are:
Where did the energy come from?
Where did the laws come from that govern that energy?
Post by Chris Peterson » Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:00 pm
MemyselfandI wrote: My question was, where did the matter come from in the first place? An ex nihilo postulation only makes rational sense if one can argue for something (or someone) to create from nothing.
There is no good reason to assume that something can't come from nothing, nor to assume that effects require causes. The best answer we currently have to the origin of the Universe is that it came from nothing and had no cause. That is the answer most consistent with our understanding of physics.
Post by BDanielMayfield » Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:13 pm
Stepped in what? "There is no good reason to assume that something can't come from nothing," How about human experience in which we never see an effect that didn't also have a cause?
Last edited by BDanielMayfield on Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
BDanielMayfield wrote:
Stepped in what? "There is no good reason to assume that something can't come from nothing," How about human experience in which we never see a cause that didn't also have an effect?
That is the worst possible reason. A logical fallacy of the highest order. I call it the Billiard Ball Fallacy: the belief that the Universe must work across all its scales in the same way that we evolved to sense and understand the tiny little bit we can see.
In fact, when we look beyond our primary senses, we do see things without cause (e.g. particle decay) and things that come from nothing (e.g. virtual particles). The Universe is apparently quite comfortable with these concepts.
Post by neufer » Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:46 pm
My question was, where did the matter come from in the first place? An ex nihilo postulation only makes rational sense if one can argue for something (or someone) to create from nothing.
Human experience isn't normally very aware of either quantum fluctuations or cosmological inflation.
(However, unlike "God", both can be studied scientifically.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmoved_mover#First_cause wrote:
<<In book VIII of his Physics, Aristotle examines the notions of change or motion, and attempts to show by a challenging argument, that the mere supposition of a 'before' and an 'after', requires a first principle. He argues that in the beginning, if the cosmos had come to be, its first motion would lack an antecedent state, and as Parmenides said, "nothing comes from nothing". The Cosmological argument, later attributed to Aristotle, thereby draws the conclusion that God exists. However, if the cosmos had a beginning, Aristotle argued, it would require an efficient first cause, a notion that Aristotle took to demonstrate a critical flaw. The purpose of Aristotle's cosmological argument, that at least one eternal unmoved mover must exist, is to support everyday change.>>
BDanielMayfield wrote: "There is no good reason to assume that something can't come from nothing," How about human experience in which we never see a cause an effect that didn't also have an effect a cause?
One can call black white or vice versa but it doesn't make it so, just as one can call common sense "a logical fallacy of the highest order."
Partical decay is without cause? The timing of one particle's decay is unpredictable, but reason for (or in other words, cause of) its decay are laws governing the behavior of subatomic particles. I would also argue that virtual particles are coming from something that caused them to come into existence.
Indeed, in most contexts, invoking common sense most certainly is a logical fallacy.
Partical decay is without cause? The timing of one particle's decay is unpredictable, but reason for (or in other words, cause of) its decay are laws governing the behavior of subatomic particles.
The fact that we can apply a statistical rule to something does not create a cause. The fact is, nobody has been able to identify a cause for particle decay. The event happens, but no precipitating factor appears to exist.
I would also argue that virtual particles are coming from something that caused them to come into existence.
You may argue that all you want, but it doesn't change our physical understanding of the process, which is that there is neither a cause, nor a "something" that they came from.
jajohnson51
Post by jajohnson51 » Thu Oct 26, 2017 6:26 pm
One of the people who put the graphic together here. The heavy elements (=beyond the iron peak) are made by capturing neutrons onto "seed" nuclei, such as iron. Neutron capture is needed because the electric repulsion between a nucleus like iron (26 protons) and an additional proton is very strong, but between a neutron and an iron nucleus there is none. Dying low-mass stars can make heavier elements not because they reach very high temperatures, like those needed to fuse silicon towards iron, but because nuclear reactions happen in these stars that create free neutrons. These neutrons can then be captured by iron (for example) nuclei that are in the star not because they were formed in the star but because those seed nuclei were in the gas out of which the star was born. The Sun has iron nuclei in it for this reason.
These neutron-capture reactions are not important for creating energy in the star, so when we discuss nuclear fusion in stars, this process is rarely mentioned. For the origin of the elements it matters! And it has been spectacularly demonstrated to be correct, as we have seen newly-minted technetium in these dying low-mass stars. Because the longest-lived technetium isotope has a half-life of 4.2 million years, much, much shorter than the lives of these stars, any technetium in these stars must be made there, rather than being in the natal gas.
Post by MarkBour » Thu Oct 26, 2017 7:21 pm
jajohnson51 wrote: One of the people who put the graphic together here ...
Thanks for your reply, Dr. Johnson. You focused on Technetium, I think because it is a tell-tale element that had to have been created there, and indeed created near the end of the star's life. But I gather then that most anything else from Iron on up to Technetium and probably a ways beyond is made by this same process. Thanks to your naming of the process, I'm led to a Wikipedia article on it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_capture
terpsucka
Asternaut
Post by terpsucka » Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:26 pm
I came here looking for the answer to this question as well. In fact, I've found references to this and similar periodic table efforts, with some level of explanation for every grouping except for this one!
terpsucka wrote: ...
So, did the post just above, from jajohnson51, help?
They sure do! Thanks!!
jajohnson51 wrote:
Thank you Dr Johnson for your help in understanding this process, and your work on this excellent graphic!!
Post by BDanielMayfield » Fri Oct 27, 2017 1:10 am
jajohnson51 wrote: One of the people who put the graphic together here. The heavy elements (=beyond the iron peak) are made by capturing neutrons onto "seed" nuclei, such as iron. Neutron capture is needed because the electric repulsion between a nucleus like iron (26 protons) and an additional proton is very strong, but between a neutron and an iron nucleus there is none. Dying low-mass stars can make heavier elements not because they reach very high temperatures, like those needed to fuse silicon towards iron, but because nuclear reactions happen in these stars that create free neutrons. These neutrons can then be captured by iron (for example) nuclei that are in the star not because they were formed in the star but because those seed nuclei were in the gas out of which the star was born. The Sun has iron nuclei in it for this reason.
Thank you so much for clearing this up for us. Of course, each answer often leads to further questions. Can you point us to papers and/or articles that give more details re this dying low-mass star heavy element production pathway?
Post by BDanielMayfield » Fri Oct 27, 2017 8:28 pm
With the aid of jajohnson's, Ann's and MarkBour's comments I've been given enough clues to find the info I wanted. It's in the Wikipedia article on s-process, for slow neutron capture:
The slow neutron capture process or s-process is a series of reactions in nuclear astrophysics which occur in stars, particularly AGB stars. The s-process is responsible for the creation (nucleosynthesis) of approximately half the atomic nuclei heavier than iron.
In the s-process, a seed nucleus undergoes neutron capture to form an isotope with one higher atomic mass. If the new isotope is stable a series of increases in mass can occur, but if it is unstable then beta decay will occur, producing an element of the next highest atomic number. The process is slow (hence the name) in the sense that there is sufficient time for this radioactive decay to occur before another neutron is captured. A series of these reactions produces stable isotopes by moving along the valley of beta-decay stable isobars in the chart of isotopes.
A range of elements and isotopes can be produced by the s-process, because of the intervention of alpha decay steps along the reaction chain. The relative abundances of elements and isotopes produced depends on the source of the neutrons and how their flux changes over time. Each branch of the s-process reaction chain eventually terminates at a cycle involving lead, bismuth, and polonium.
The s-process contrasts with the r-process, in which successive neutron captures are rapid: they happen more quickly than the beta decay can occur. The r-process dominates in environments which have a higher flux of free neutrons; it produces heavier elements and more neutron-rich isotopes than the s-process. Together the two processes account for the majority of abundance evolution of elements heavier than iron.
The s-process is believed to occur mostly in asymptotic giant branch stars, seeded by iron nuclei left by a supernova during a previous generation of stars. In contrast to the r-process which is believed to occur over time scales of seconds in explosive environments, the s-process is believed to occur over time scales of thousands of years, passing decades between neutron captures. The extent to which the s-process moves up the elements in the chart of isotopes to higher mass numbers is essentially determined by the degree to which the star in question is able to produce neutrons. The quantitative yield is also proportional to the amount of iron in the star's initial abundance distribution. Iron is the "starting material" (or seed) for this neutron capture – beta-minus decay sequence of synthesizing new elements.
The article went on to state that the two main neutron source reactions are C13+He4->O16+n and Ne22+He4->Mg25+n.
Therefor only stars massive enough to fuse carbon and helium into oxygen can start the s-process.
Also, Mark, have you taken in any Magnesium today? All life as we know it needs it, and it helps stars crank out heavy elements to boot.
Post by neufer » Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:49 pm
Also, Mark, have you taken in any Magnesium today?
All life as we know it needs it, and it helps stars crank out heavy elements to boot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brucite wrote:
<<Brucite is the mineral form of magnesium hydroxide: Mg(OH)2. Magnesium hydroxide is a common component of antacids, such as milk of magnesia, as well as laxatives. Brucite was first described in 1824 and named for the discoverer, American mineralogist, Archibald Bruce (1777–1818). It is a common alteration product of periclase in marble; a low-temperature hydrothermal vein mineral in metamorphosed limestones and chlorite schists; and formed during serpentinization of dunites. Brucite is often found in association with serpentine, calcite, aragonite, dolomite, magnesite, hydromagnesite, artinite, talc and chrysotile.>>
Post by BDanielMayfield » Fri Oct 27, 2017 11:35 pm
I've often wondered how I received the name Bruce. My dad's youngest sibling was named Daniel, but no relatives on either side of my family tree are known to have been named Bruce. Mom simply said she liked it. I think the rather unusual label helped toughen my skin a little, which could have contributed to my rather non-conformist, contrarian personally. (For a more extreme but fictional example of this phenomena please see Johnny Cash's hit song A boy named Sue.)
Back to the much more interesting nucleosynthesis, futher reading has informed me that of the two neutron sources for the S-process, only the one starting with Carbon 13 is the source for low mass stellar fusion of heavy elements. The S-process pathway involving magnesium only happens in high mass stars destined to blow up as core collapse supernovae.
Post by MarkBour » Sat Oct 28, 2017 7:57 pm
BDanielMayfield wrote: Also, Mark, have you taken in any Magnesium today? All life as we know it needs it, and it helps stars crank out heavy elements to boot.
Thanks for the dietary reminder, Bruce. I probably haven't had enough. I'd better go eat some nuts and bananas.


Welcome to this stunning Home! Located in a desirable neighborhood, this home is just minutes from Lees Summits Finest Shopping, and mouth watering restaurants. This home features a living room boasting with ample light that welcomes you the moment you step foot in the door. The gleaming kitchen is perfect to create dinners for family and friends. The back yard host plenty of room to entertain guest in your spacious back yard with view of nature, really you own home's paradise. That's right, this amazing lot backs up to acres of open field and farm land with plenty of wildlife to go with it! We must say this is one of a kind. Welcome Home! Owner/Agent licensed in MO.


Simple, it wires into any HVAC unit/Refrigeration unit and uses a sophisticated algorithm to control the fan to maximize the efficiency of the heating/cooling/refrigeration system (yes it even works in the winter on HVAC Systems), therefore saving you money on your electric bill. Savings on Electric up to 18% (winter) & 20% (summer) off the heating and cooling consumption and even greater savings on commercial refrigeration (as high as 30%).
1) Adjusts fan operation for heating based on gas valve activation time or furnace operating time or Heat Pump activation time.
2) Adjust fan operation for cooling based on air-conditioning compressor run time.
3) The amount of time the fan continues to operate after the furnace is off or after the compressor is off, varies with the amount of time the furnace or compressor are on.
4) The furnace run time indicates how much heat is stored in the heat exchanger. The air conditioner compressor run time indicates how much cold water is condensed on the evaporator coil.
5) Most non-heat pump furnaces fans operate at low speed and this reduces airflow and heating efficiency. The HVAC Green Chip provides high speed fan operation in heating mode to increase and maximize HVAC heating efficiency and reduce furnace run time.
The end result is considerably higher efficiency, no wasted energy, reduced utility costs, all while maintaining maximum comfort.
It is a small device with 6 color coded 20 gauge wires, powered by low-voltage microprocessor circuitry. The common wire is needed to power the device. It connects at the bus bar of the air handler directly (usually by the homeowner or a licensed electrician). This is the easiest way to install the HO. The air handler is usually in the garage or the attic.
It's designed to extend the blower run time based on a sophisticated algorithm to allow the HVAC system to harness any normally wasted heating/cooling energy not previously being used by the HVAC system. After additional cooling/heating energy has been fully extracted, the device will turn the blower motor off.
The amount of time the device extends the fans runtime varies depending on the length the thermostats' cycling time (up to maximum of 5 minutes of extended run time).
Micro processor module that monitors system run times for maximum efficiency.
Cutting edge technology tested and proven by Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Energy utilities in California with over 20 million customers.
Delivers the energy already created by your system that is ordinarily wasted into your home.
10/10 Customers rated a perfect 10 for saving money and maintaining comfortability.
Works on ALL HVAC systems with 24 VAC wiring!
Installs at the air handler in 10 minutes or less.
Savings YEAR ROUND on air conditioning AND heating.
This device is cross cutting for use in the commercial market sector and available for use in the residential sector.


P247:7, 22:5.1 The Trinitized Custodians are Trinitized Sons of Selection. Not only do your races and other mortals of survival value traverse Havona, attain Paradise, and sometimes find themselves destined to superuniverse service with the Stationary Sons of the Trinity, but your faithful seraphic guardians and your equally faithful midway associates may also become candidates for the same Trinity recognition and superb personality destiny.
P248:1, 22:5.2 Trinitized Custodians are ascendant seraphim and translated midway creatures who have passed through Havona and have attained Paradise and the Corps of the Finality. Subsequently they were embraced by the Paradise Trinity and were assigned to the service of the Ancients of Days.
P248:2, 22:5.3 The candidates for the Trinity embrace from among the ascendant seraphim are accorded this recognition because of their valiant co-operation with some ascendant mortal who attained the Corps of the Finality and was subsequently trinitized. My own seraphic guardian of the mortal career went through with me, was later trinitized, and now is attached to the Uversa government as a Trinitized Custodian.
P248:3, 22:5.4 And so with the midway creatures; many are translated and achieve Paradise and, along with the seraphim and for the same reasons, are Trinity embraced and commissioned as Custodians in the superuniverses.
P248:4, 22:5.5 The Trinitized Custodians are embraced by the Paradise Trinity in groups of seventy thousand, and one seventh of each group is assigned to a superuniverse. There are now in the service of Orvonton slightly over ten million of these trusted and high Custodians. They serve on Uversa and on the major and minor headquarters spheres. In their labors they are assisted by a corps of several billion seconaphim and other able superuniverse personalities.
P248:5, 22:5.6 The Trinitized Custodians start out their careers as custodians, and they continue as such in the affairs of the supergovernments. In a way, they are officers of their superuniverse governments, but they do not deal with individuals, as do the Celestial Guardians. The Trinitized Custodians administer group affairs and foster collective projects. They are the custodians of records, plans, and institutions; they act as the trustees of undertakings, personality groups, ascendant projects, morontia plans, universe projections, and innumerable other enterprises.


On our journey in life we are faced with many problems and trials.
It does not help if we automatically go into some form of denial.
We expend all our energy into the problem and not the solution.
We need to stop, step outside the darkness and open the curtain.
There are many alternatives to the many problems we face.
Go and meditate in a quiet corner, perhaps some special place.
We empty our hurt, look beyond the veil.
There we can grasp the light and we know we cannot fail.
Focus on the solution and the answer will follow.
Always remember there will be a glorious tomorrow.
The bigger the problem we must meditate and pray deeper.
The answer will be clear, with God there is no confusion.
All we have to do is ask and listen.


text:
Consolidation in Lithium Mining Projects Fuel Gains as Multi Billion Dollar Lithium Compounds Market Is In An Upswing
FN Media Group, LLC
CORAL SPRINGS, Florida, August 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Fueled By Skyrocketing Demand and expected continue growth, Lithium Exploration and mining projects leap ahead in the basic materials sector. Industry professionals are continuing to identify lithium as one of the more valuable sectors at the moment as the natural resource continues to increase in demand, as well as become more a prevalent energy source. Exploration, Mining and Basic Materials companies of interest in the markets tend to be Nevada Energy Metals Inc. (BFF.V) (OTCQB: SSMLF), Lithium X Energy Corp. (LIX.V) (OTC: LIXXF), Oroplata Resources, Inc. (OTC: ORRP), Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE: SQM) and Liquidmetal Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: LQMT).
Nevada Energy Metals Inc. (TSX-V: BFF) (OTC: SSMLF) is pleased to announce encouraging results have been received from the latest sampling program at the Company's 100% owned Big Smokey Valley (North) project. The geochemical sampling program was designed to test for lithium values in surface soils and/or playa evaporates. Samples were obtained on a grid pattern consisting of eleven east/west lines spaced 400 meters apart with stations every 200 meters along the lines. The grid covered an area of approximately 3,000 acres. Of the 170 sample points analyzed 150 reported Lithium values greater than or equal to 100 ppm with the highest value being 146 ppm Lithium (the median value being 116 ppm); 20 samples points were in the 53 ppm to 99 ppm range.
Rick Wilson, President and CEO stated "Obtaining a statistically large number of anomalous Lithium values across our large 3,200 acre/1,295-hectare property is highly encouraging. We look forward to announcing the next phase of work shortly".
Read the full Nevada Energy Press Release at: http://financialnewsmedia.com/profiles/ssmlf.html
The BSV Lithium Project consists of 160 placer claims, with an area of 3,200 acres/1,295 hectares, located in northern Big Smokey Valley, Nye County, Nevada, 12 miles east of the town of Austin and extends approximately 100 miles in a southwesterly direction to reach a southern terminus near Clayton Valley. The northern section, where the claims area is located contains three geothermal resources; the Darrough, the McLeod and the Spencer hot springs. Nevada Energy Metals has acquired a 100% interest in the property, free of royalty payments.
In other Mining news and developments in the markets:
Lithium X Energy Corp. (TSX-V: LIX) (OTCQB: LIXXF), is pleased to report yesterday the filing of a National Instrument 43-101 technical report prepared by FloSolutions ( Chile ), dated August 30, 2016 and entitled Resource Estimate for Lithium & Potassium, Sal de los Angeles Project, Salta ( Argentina ) containing its first independent lithium ("Li"), potassium ("K") and boron ("B") resource estimate for the Sal de los Angeles brine project at Salar de Diablillos (the "Project"). Lithium X holds a 50% interest in the Project and can acquire an additional 30% interest (see March 3, 2016 news release).
Oroplata Resources, Inc. (OTC: ORRP) closed up over 4% on Tuesday at $0.737 on over 720,000 shares traded by the market close. Oroplata recently announced the appointment of energy industry and investment banking veteran Alan D. Gaines to the Advisory Board of the Company. ORRP also last month entered into a binding agreement with Plateau Ventures of Utah, to exercise its second option to acquire an additional 700 mining placer claims at the Western Nevada Basin project ("WNB"), in Nevada.
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE: SQM) reported last week earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2016 of US$141.6 million (US$0.54 per ADR), a decrease from US$154.9 million (US$0.59 per ADR) for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Gross Margin reached US$260.5 million (29.6% of revenues) for the six months ended June 30, 2016, lower than US$295.2 million (33.9% of revenues) recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Revenues totaled US$881.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, representing an increase of 1.1% compared to US$871.8 million reported for the six months ended June 30, 2015.
In other Basic Materials sector market movers watch:
Liquidmetal Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: LQMT) closed up over 10% at $0.17 on over 13Million shares traded by the market close on Tuesday. Liquidmetal Technologies Inc., a materials technology company, designs, develops, and sells products and components from bulk amorphous alloys to customers in various industries. Liquidmetal announced late yesterday it has been invited to present at the 2016 Gateway Conference being held on September 7th and 8th, 2016 at The Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco.
DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNMG) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNMG is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNMG and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNMG's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNMG is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNMG has been compensated three thousand nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued by Nevada Energy Metals Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. FNMG HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNMG undertakes no obligation to update such statements.
Company: FN Media Group, LLC
Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com
URL: http://www.financialnewsmedia.com
SOURCE FN Media Group, LLC


A girl who went missing after running away from a group home in Wareham, Massachusetts has been found.
Wareham Fire Department announced Thursday that the missing juvenile, identified as "Lily," was located safely. She was found at 6:45 a.m. after she approached a man dropping off his child at a bus stop.
The resident recognized the girl from reports and called the Wareham Police Department. Lily had spent most of the nights in the woods.
She was taken to a nearby hospital to be evaluated.
Police said Lily recently moved from Texas and is unfamiliar with the area. The fire department expressed gratitude for all agencies who responded to the missing girl.


Dan Brown will be hosting a workshop in Tuesday, Sep 8, 2009, 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM in Durham, NC. The workshop, Modeling Concepts: New IA Techniques for a Web 2.0 World, will help participants adopt concept modeling into their own processes. Besides introducing the deliverable and providing advice on how to create them, the workshop will help participants understand where and when concept models are appropriate to use. Learn more at TriUPA.
Dan's really great to see! If you've never seen him, you should try to get down to the Triangle for this one.


text:
The underlying reason why I love Chinese music so much...
As many followers on this blog may know, I've long been on a soul-searching journey to find out why exactly I love Chinese music so much. I've previously written articles digging deeper into this subject, but felt that in terms of why I loved Chinese music, there was certainly an element still missing and yet to be discovered.
But in a lightbulb moment I had yesterday, I realised that the REAL reason I have continued to love this music so much was not because of its uniqueness (because upon delving deeper there has been certainly much left desired in terms of the quality of their music), but because of a more personal reason; a flaw my brain subconsciously overlooks. Escapism.
When I started getting into Chinese music, it was an awkward time in my existence (12 years old, the epitome of awkward adolescence). There were many things happening around me that I didn't want to deal with, so I used music as a buffer to shut things out. Because I enjoyed listening to it so much, it allowed me to escape into a different world. Instead of being in a reality where I perceived myself to have no friends and where nothing of interest to me could happen, I surrounded myself with music so much so that the artists I listened to became my friends, the songs they sang became stories shared and their albums became my life lessons. It was escapism at its best.
But the tangible use of Chinese music was not the only way I used it to escape. I used to believe that there was nothing interesting about me, nothing different. I didn't know who I was and no matter how I tried to look, I always came to a dead end. But I stubbornly believed in the art of naming; my name Jocelle was unique, and I would not let my parents down by being anything other than such. So instead of following the same trends of other teenagers, bowing to peer pressure, doing what they did, I decided to use Chinese music and the Chinese language to reinvent myself on a clean new slate. P.S. I'm pretty sure this isn't a healthy way to go about finding yourself, but I am merely telling my story, so others may find resonance in my words.
Anyway, continuing on! I learned Chinese because I felt it was logical to learn the language of my heritage, but at the same time I have now realised that it meant much more than that to me. Shying away from the remnants of my Singaporean accent left in my voice (yes, I still do have a
Singaporean accent after staying in Australia for half my life), I didn't wish to be judged by how I sounded, placed in the 'Asian FOB' group and being expected to have the same ideals and hobbies as them. So taking the opportunity of learning the language all over again, I used it as a gateway to present myself how I wanted to be presented. This is probably why although I speak with a Singaporean accent in English, my friends say I speak with an ABC accent in Chinese. I wanted a better way to represent my passion for bridging gaps between the East and the West, especially in my music.
I became an embodiment of Chinese music because I wanted to show those around me that there was much more to Asians than just 'The Azn group'. To break down the walls of preconceptions that only Chinese speaking people can listen to Chinese music. I value now what living in both Australia and Singapore have taught me. From living in Singapore, I learnt to always value where I came from, and to treasure my mother tongue. From Australia, I instead learnt the meaning of creativity and critical thinking, which effectively helped me to coalesce all my views into a dream to help promote Chinese music to a Western audience.
Although I was never bullied in school, it was clear to me that racial stereotypes were very much in place. And I wanted to change that, by being a model of how Asians are much more than maths geniuses and physics whizzes. More than anything, I felt insignificant, and I wanted to change that. Making a difference in the world before I leave it was always something at the foremost of my mind when I started this, and still is. Music is a universal language that can have the power to start a revolution, and to provoke acceptance of ideas others would never accept otherwise. So this is how I choose to make meaning within my life.
As you can see, at the start of my journey I used Chinese music as a wall to hide behind and to disconnect myself from the rest of the world. But in doing so, I actually found myself on the other side, if that makes sense. So I'm happy that for good or bad, it has made me who I am today. Someone who although is still on a path of self-discovery, is truly proud of her own achievements and is able to rise above petty comparisons to make a difference and create value for the world.