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AlgoDyne Ethanol Energy Inc. confirms that its retail partner, Canadian Green Fuels, has entered into an agreement with Cansource BioFuels to open a new biodiesel production facility in Mayerthorpe Alberta. The deal will see the construction and development of a community based, integrated crushing and biodiesel facility to process 10 million litres of ASTM certified canola based biodiesel which will be scaled up to produce 40million litres by 2010. BusinessWire - July 23, 2007.
The Center for Management Technology announces the second Biomass-to-Liquids Technology conference will take place in Vienna this year, from 12 to 13 September. The current state of BTL-technologies will be presented and discussed. Biomass-to-Liquids conversion pathways are seen by many as promising avenues into the world of second generation biofuels that relies on the use of a broad variety of possible biomass feedstocks. CMT - July 23, 2007.
Gulf Ethanol Corporation, a Houston-based energy company, announced today that it has initiated negotiations with representatives of government and industry in Uruguay. Discussions, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, centered on the synergy between Gulf Ethanol's interest in exploiting the potential of sorghum as a non-food fuel stock for ethanol production and the ideal conditions for growing the crop in Uruguay. The company criticizes the use of food crops like corn for ethanol in the U.S. and is seeking alternatives. Yahoo Press Release - July 20, 2007.
Dutch company Capella Capital N.V. announces its investment in BiogasPark N.V. and acquires a 20 % stake upon the foundation of the company. The remaining shares are held by the management and strategic investors. BiogasPark N.V. will invest in the field of renewable energy and primarily focuses on financing, purchasing and the maintenance of biogas plant facilities. Ad Hoc News - July 20, 2007.
Bioenergy company Mascoma Corp. is to build the world's first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Michigan where it will collaborate with Michigan State University. The $100 million plant will rely on the biochemical, enzymatic process that breaks down biomass to convert it to sugars. One of the factors that attracted Mascoma to Michigan was the recent $50 million federal grant MSU received to study biofuels in June. MSU will help in areas such as pretreatment technology for cellulosic ethanol production and energy crops that can be utilized by the plant. The State News - July 20, 2007.
PetroChina, one of China's biggest oil companies, aims to invest RMB 300 million (€28.7/US$39.6m) in biofuel production development plans. A special fund is also going to be jointly set up by PetroChina and the Ministry of Forestry to reduce carbon emissions. Two thirds of the total investment will be channeled into forestry and biofuel projects in the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Hebei, the remainder goes to creating a China Green Carbon Foundation, jointly managed by PetroChina and the State Forestry Administration. China Knowledge - July 19, 2007.
Netherlands-based oil, gas, power and chemical industries service group Bateman Litwin N.V. announces it has signed an agreement to acquire Delta-T Corporation, a leading US-based bioethanol technology provider, with a fast growing engineering, procurement and construction division for a total consideration of US$45 million in cash and 11.8 million new ordinary shares in Bateman Litwin. Bateman Litwin - July 18, 2007.
TexCom, Inc. announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Biodiesel International Corp. (BIC), and is developing a plan to build an integrated oilseed crushing and biodiesel production facility in Paraguay. The facility, as it is currently contemplated, would process 2,000 metric tons of oil seeds per day, yielding approximately 136,000 metric tons (approximately 39 Million Gallons) of biodiesel and 560,000 metric tons of soy meal pellets per year. Initial feedstock will consist mainly of soybeans that are grown in the immediate area of the proposed production plant in the Provinces of Itapua and Alto Parana. MarketWire - July 18, 2007.
Spanish power company Elecnor announced that it will build Spain's biggest biodiesel production plant for €70 million (US$96.48 million). The plant, in the port of Gijon in northern Spain, will be ready in 22 months and will produce up to 500,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year from vegetable oil. The plant will be one of the world's biggest. Spain has decided to impose mandatory blending of biofuels with conventional fossil fuels as part of European Union efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Elecnor [*Spanish] - July 18, 2007.
The University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) conducted a feasibility study to determine the most economical solutions to provide biomass energy to the isolated Chugachmiut Tribal Community in the village of Port Graham, Alaska, located on the Kenai Peninsula about 180 miles southwest of Anchorage. The village is only accessible by air or water, making traditional fossil fuel sources expensive to deliver and alternative forms of energy difficult to implement. The case study based on decentralised bioenergy offers interesting parallels to what would be needed to provide energy to the developing world's huge population that lives in similarly isolated conditions. EERC - July 18, 2007.
According to a basic market report by Global Industries Inc., world biodiesel sales are expected to exceed 4.7 billion gallons (17.8 billion liters) by 2010. Though Europe, with a share estimated at 84.16% in 2006, constitutes the largest market, and will continue to do so for the coming years, major growth is expected to emanate from the United States. The automobile applications market for biodiesel, with an estimated share of 55.73% in 2006 constitutes the largest as well as the fastest growing end use application. Other applications independently analyzed include the Mining Applications market and the Marine Applications market. PRWeb - July 18, 2007.
O2Diesel Corporation announced that it has received the regulatory approvals necessary to start delivering its proprietary diesel ethanol blended fuel, O2Diesel, in the French market. The approvals pave the way for O2Diesel to move forward into the next stage of its European market development strategy by commencing deliveries to a number of targeted fleets in France. MarketWire - July 17, 2007.
The BBC World Service is hosting a series of programmes on the global obesity pandemic. Over the coming two weeks a range of documentaries and discussions will be held on the obesity time-bomb that is growing all over the West, but also in the developing world. In North America, a quarter of people are now morbidly obese, 60% is overweight, and one in three children will become obese. The epidemic is spreading rapidly to China and India. BBC World Service - July 16, 2007.
A new report from Oregon State University shows the biofuels industry is on track to be a $2.5 billion chunk of the state's economy within 20 years. The study identifies 80 potential biodiesel, ethanol and biomass facilities which could produce a combined 400 million gallons (1.5 billion liters) per year of ethanol and another 315 million gallons (1.2 billion liters) of biodiesel. On an oil equivalent basis, this comes down to around 38,000 barrels per day. Oregon State University - July 16, 2007.
Jatropha biodiesel manufacturer D1 Oils has appointed a leading plant scientist to its board of directors. Professor Christopher Leaver, Sibthorpian professor of plant science and head of the plant sciences department at Oxford University, has joined the Teesside company as a non-executive director. Professor Leaver, who was awarded a CBE in 2000, is a leading expert in the molecular and biochemical basis of plant growth and differentiation. D1Oils Plc - July 16, 2007.
Panama and South Africa are set to cooperate on biofuels. A delegation consisting of vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Azis Pahad, of Finance, Jubulai Moreketi and of Finance, met with Panama's vice-chancellor Ricardo Durán to discuss joint biodiesel and ethanol production and distribution. Panama's goal is to become a hub for internationally traded bioenergy, making use of the strategic position of the Canal. La Prensa Gráfica [*Spanish] - July 14, 2007.
Spanish investors are studying the opportunity to invest in agro-industrial projects in Morocco aimed at producing biofuel from the Jatropha plant. Morocco's Minister for Energy and Mines, Mohammed Boutaleb, said Moroccan authorities are willing to provide the necessary land available to them, provided that the land is not agricultural, is located in semi-arid regions, and that the investors agree to use water-saving agricultural techniques, such as drip-feed irrigation. Magharebia - July 14, 2007.
Philippine Basic Petroleum Corp. plans to raise as much as 2.8 billion pesos (€44.4/US$61.2 million) through a follow-on offering and loans to finance a 200,000 liter per day bio-ethanol plant in the province of Zamboanga del Norte. The move into biofuels comes in anticipation of the implementation of RA 9367 or the Philippines biofuels law. RA 9367 mandates five percent bioethanol blending into gasoline by 2009, and 10 percent by 2011. Manila Bulletin - July 14, 2007.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation last week awarded a $3.4 million grant to redevelop the former Pfizer research facility in Holland into a bioeconomy research and commercialization center. Michigan State University will use the facility to develop technologies that derive alternative energy from agri-based renewable resources. Michigan.org - July 13, 2007.
Fuel prices increased three times in Mozambique this year due to high import costs. For this reason, the country is looking into biofuels as an alternative. Mozambique's ministries of agriculture and energy presented a study showing that more than five million hectares of land can be used sustainably in the production of crops that would produce biodiesel fuels. The first phase of a biofuel implementation plan was also presented, identifying the provinces of Inhambane, Zambezia, Nampula and Cabo Delgado as the first to benefit. News24 (Capetown) - July 12, 2007.
The Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers Group (MOMG) has urged the government for incentives and grants to companies to encourage the development of new uses and applications for glycerine, the most important byproduct of biodiesel. Global production of glycerine is currently about one million tonnes. For every 10 tonnes of oil processed into biodiesel, one tonne of glycerine emerges as a by-product. Bernama - July 12, 2007.
BioDiesel International AG has acquired 70 per cent of the shares in Lignosol, a Salzburg based company that is making promising progress in Biomass-to-Liquids conversion techniques. The purchase price is in the single-digit million Euro range. ACN - July 10, 2007.
Gay & Robinson Inc. and Pacific West Energy LLC announced today a partnership to develop an ethanol plant in Hawaii based on sugarcane feedstocks. The plant's capacity is around 12 million gallons (45 million liters) per year. The partnership called Gay & Robinson Ag-Energy LLC, will also ensure the continuation of the Gay & Robinson agricultural enterprise, one of the oldest in Hawaii. Approximately 230 jobs will be preserved, and a large area of West Kauai will be maintained in sustainable agriculture. Business Wire - July 10, 2007.
Water for Asian Cities (WAC), part of UN-Habitat, is extending partial financial support for the construction of several biogas plants across the Kathmandu valley and develop them as models for municipal waste management. The first biogas plants will be built in Khokna, Godavari, Kalimati, Patan, Tribhuvan University premises, Amrit Science College premises and Thimi. The Himalayan Times - July 09, 2007.
EnviTec Biogas's planned initial public offering has roused 'enormous' interest among investors and the shares have been oversubscribed, according to sources. EnviTec has set the IPO price range at €42-52 a share, with the subscription period running until Wednesday. EnviTec last year generated sales of €100.7 million, with earnings before interest and tax of €18.5 million. Forbes - July 09, 2007.
AthenaWeb, the EU's science media portal, is online with new functionalities and expanded video libraries. Check it out for video summaries of the latest European research activities in the fields of energy, the environment, renewables, biotech and much more. AthenaWeb - July 04, 2007.
Biopact was invited to attend a European Union high-level meeting on international biofuels trade, to take place on Thursday and Friday in Brussels. Leaders from China, India, Africa and Brazil will discuss the opportunities and challenges arising in the emerging global biofuels sector. EU Commissioners for external relations, trade, energy, development & humanitarian aid as well as the directors of international organisations like the IEA, the FAO and the IFPRI will be present. Civil society and environmental NGOs complete the panorama of participants. Check back for exclusive stories from Friday onwards. Biopact - July 04, 2007.
China's state-owned grain group COFCO says Beijing has stopped approving new fuel ethanol projects regardless of the raw materials, which has put a brake on its plan to build a sweet potato-based plant in Hebei. The Standard (Hong Kong) - July 03, 2007.
Blue Diamond Ventures and the University of Texas A&M have formed a biofuels research alliance. The University will assist Blue Diamond with the production and conversion of non-food crops for manufacturing second-generation biofuels. MarketWire - July 03, 2007.
African Union leaders are to discuss the idea of a single pan-African government, on the second day of their summit in Accra, Ghana. Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is championing the idea, but many African leaders are wary of the proposal. BBC - July 02, 2007.
Triple Point Technology, a supplier of cross-industry software platforms for the supply, trading, marketing and movement of commodities, announced today the release and general availability of Commodity XL for Biofuels™. The software platform is engineered to address the rapidly escalating global market for renewable energy fuels and their feedstocks. Business Wire - July 02, 2007.
Latin America's largest construction and engineering firm, Constructora Norberto Odebrecht SA, announced plans to invest some US$2.6 billion (€1.9 billion) to get into Brazil's booming ethanol business. It aims to reach a crushing capacity of 30 million to 40 million metric tons (33 million to 44 million tons) of cane per harvest over the next eight years. More soon. International Herald Tribune - June 30, 2007.
QuestAir Technologies announces it has received an order valued at US$2.85 million for an M-3100 system to upgrade biogas created from organic waste to pipeline quality methane. QuestAir's multi-unit M-3100 system was purchased by Phase 3 Developments & Investments, LLC of Ohio, a developer of renewable energy projects in the agricultural sector. The plant is expected to be fully operational in the spring of 2008. Market Wire - June 30, 2007.
Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. and the U.S. National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) today announced a partnership to speed the growth of alternative fuel technology. The 10-year agreement between the center and Siemens represents transfers of equipment, software and on-site simulation training. The NCERC facilitates the commercialization of new technologies for producing ethanol more effectively and plays a key role in the Bio-Fuels Industry for Workforce Training to assist in the growing need for qualified personnel to operate and manage bio-fuel refineries across the country. Business Wire - June 29, 2007.
A paper published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Ceramic Society proposes a new method of producing hydrogen for portable fuel cells that can work steadily for 10-20 times the length of equivalently sized Lithium-ion batteries. Zhen-Yan Deng, lead author, found that modified aluminum powder can be used to react with water to produce hydrogen at room temperature and under normal atmospheric pressure. The result is a cost-efficient method for powering fuel cells that can be used in portable applications and hybrid vehicles. More soon. Blackwell Publishing - June 29, 2007.
Nanoparticle additive makes PLA based bioplastics stronger
Bioplastics and biopolymers come in many forms: some are extremely strong and easily outperform their petroleum-based counterparts, while others are beginning to find many everyday applications but could use some added strength. An example of the former would be Rilsan, made from castor oil, the latter include polymers based on polylactic acid (PLA) obtained from sugars or starch (schematic, click to enlarge). PLA is used in bioplastic bags, bottles and packaging, which tend to tear more easily than sturdy polyethylene based variants.
Rohm and Haas, a specialty chemicals company, now announces it has developed a new additive based on nanoparticles that improves the performance of such PLA-based forms of packaging. PARALOID BPM-500 is an impact modifier that broadens the usability of bioplastics by making them stronger.
The packaging industry's move toward PLA resin has been hampered by unmodified PLA being somewhat weaker and more brittle than traditional materials. Previous attempts to strengthen PLA packaging have sacrificed transparency in their efforts. Rohm and Haas' new PLA additive toughens PLA packaging while maintaining clarity, thereby fulfilling a key industry need.
Using dispersible nanoparticles that do not scatter light, PARALOID BPM-500 allows for the production of PLA packaging material that exhibits less than 10% haze at 5% loading, a significant advantage compared to other additives on the market. Combining this visual transparency with the stronger impact and tear-resistance achieved with PARALOID BPM-500 creates an improved consumer experience and an eco-friendly product. In addition, PARALOID BPM-500 complies with food contact requirements in Europe and with room temperature food contact requirements in the United States:
energy :: sustainability :: biomass :: bioplastic :: biopolymer :: PLA :: nanoparticles :: nanotechnology :: green chemistry ::
Suzanne Carroll, Rohm and Haas Packaging Marketing Manager, says that it is important for additive technology to be in-step with bioplastic material development so that necessary performance criteria will be achieved. Rohm and Haas is committed to environmentally enhanced technology and PARALOID BPM-500 provides the needed solution to allow broader use of PLA packaging.
The announcement comes at a time when new bioplastics are being developed regularly. Recently, both Dow with Brazilian partner Crystalsev, and Braskem started working on creating polyethylene from sugarcane ethanol. We now have bio-based alternatives for all major petroleum-based plastics.
Nanotechnology promises to bring major progress into the biomaterials industry, with additives that enhance the properties of the product playing a key role. Examples of this are nano-particle enhanced biofuels and plant based industrial oils (earlier post) as well as processes that utilize biomass waste-streams more efficiently (more here).
The EU's SustainPack project is aimed at developing the next generation of 'interactive' and sustainable plastics and packaging, based on the integration of bio- and nano-materials (previous post).
Scientists are also developing soft nanomaterials such as new surfactants, molecular gels, liquid crystals, self-assembled organic nanotubes, twisted fibers and helices from bio-based raw materials (more here).
Schematic: polylactide production process: lactic acid can be produced from starch or sugar containing crops. But the most common raw material is glucose which is widely available in large amounts at competitive prices. Glucose is converted to sodium lactate by fermentation. After purification, lactic acid is recovered as a diluted solution which is concentrated up to 90%. PLA is then produced by ring opening polymerisation of the dilactide. The monomer is available from lactic acid by polycondensation up to a limited molecular weight followed by depolymerization. Credit: Uhde Inventa-Fischer.
Rohm and Haas: Rohm and Haas Launches the "Clear Solution" In Impact Modifiers for Strengthening Sustainable Packaging - July 17, 2007.
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Just because two people haven't officially tied the knot doesn't mean they don't have shared expenses and financial goals they want to achieve. So how should unmarried couples handle saving money? Some of the best tips apply to married and unmarried couples alike, but others are specific to the unmarried set. Here's saving 101 for unmarried couples.
Check out our budget calculator.
America is home to an estimated 7.5 million cohabiting unmarried couples. That number has increased by more than 1500% in the past 50 years. If you and your partner have gotten serious but haven't gotten married, you may be wondering how you can best navigate shared finances.
First, it's a good idea to get the lay of the financial land. That means sitting down with your significant other and sharing your income, assets, credit scores and debts. That can help you decide how to share the burdens of a) covering bills and b) saving.
If your salary and net worth are twice your partner's it might not make sense for the two of you to split the rent 50-50. Likewise, if you're saving up for a trip or a down payment on a home, you might want to divide the savings goal according to your respective incomes.
There are joint bank accounts for unmarried couples that are exactly the same as joint bank accounts for married couples. You might consider opening a joint account that can let each of you make automated contributions from your main checking account. That way, you won't have to write each other checks or Venmo each other for housing costs and groceries.
In most cases, budgeting for unmarried couples is similar to budgeting for married couples in that you'll want to make sure you're contributing to shared expenses and savings goals in a way that feels fair to you both. The difference is that if you're not married, it's a good idea to keep some things separate from your partner.
If you're not married, (and even if you are) having a separate account can be a great way to protect yourself financially (more on that later) and have some financial privacy. Plus, you can buy your partner's birthday gift without him or her getting wise.
But what about the finances you do want to combine? One approach is to start a shared checking account. Once you've determined how much each of you should contribute, you can start paying into that shared account. You can then use that money to cover rent and bills and save up for travel, big purchases or emergencies.
It's a good idea to be specific about what the shared money is for. That way, each of you can maintain individual retirement savings and feel good about the money you're putting into the shared pot. If you're just amassing money in a shared savings account without a plan for what to do with those savings, you could be missing out on gains you'd earn by investing that money.
You may decide that a joint credit card is right for you. The idea of a joint credit card for unmarried couples is somewhat controversial, simply because having a shared credit card with anyone leaves you vulnerable. If the other person doesn't use the credit card responsibly, your credit score could suffer.
Opening a shared credit card account is riskier than getting a shared checking account. Before you take the plunge, it's best to make sure you're on the same page. You'll need to be specific about what you'll charge and when one person should consult the other before making a purchase.
Some couples go beyond just sharing rent, utilities, groceries and entertainment expenses. If you're not married and you're venturing into the realm of shared property, there are some extra steps to take. If you and your significant other decide to acquire valuable property like artwork, it may be a good idea to get a lawyer on the case.
If you and your partner buy a house together but your name isn't on the deed, you could find yourself without a roof over your head. And how will you decide how much equity each of you gets if you contributed different amounts to the down payment and the mortgage payments?
A real estate lawyer can help the two of you draft an agreement that covers the contingencies and details of your shared property arrangement. The same goes for a valuable car or painting. If you and your significant other co-own something, it's a good idea to get it in writing with the help of an attorney.
Even if marriage is just a piece of paper to you, it's still an important milestone in the eyes of the law. If you're not married and you and your partner split up, you won't have the same kinds of property rights that you would have if you'd tied the knot.
The lack of legal standing for unmarried partners means it's important to protect yourself and your assets, even if your relationship is rock-solid. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
If you're not married, it's a good idea to keep your own emergency funds and retirement savings in a separate account. It's also wise to have at least one debit card and at least one credit card in your own name, so that your credit score and access to cash and credit aren't completely dependent on your partner.
Related Article: Should You Get a Joint Credit Card?
When there are kids in the equation, it's important to get your savings and budgeting ducks in a row with your significant other. First, there's the most basic level: custody. A legally binding co-parenting agreement can protect your rights (this is especially important for men). If you're saving for kids' expenses or college, it's best to follow the rules above to make sure you have a fair proportion of your income in an account you both can access.
If you're coming into the relationship with kids from a previous partnership, you'll have to decide what you want to do. Do you want the savings you accrued before you met your current partner to go to your kids or your partner if you die? If you combine all your assets with your partner, what will any kids from a previous relationship inherit?
Answering these questions is particularly important for high earners who are embarking on later-life relationships. Again, a lawyer can help you make sure your will aligns with your wishes when it comes to passing on your savings.
Many companies allow an employee's partner to get on the company health insurance. If you decide to do this, you may want to work out an agreement with your partner that details what will happen if you break up. If your partner has money deducted from his/her paycheck for your health insurance and you go your separate ways, you don't want to find yourself scrambling for coverage.
And if you have a big shared expense like a mortgage or kids, don't forget to make sure you have enough life insurance coverage. Even if you're just renting, you might need to take out a life insurance policy with your significant other as the beneficiary. That policy doesn't have to be huge, but it's a good idea to have enough insurance to cover funeral expenses and your half of the rent for several months.
Should couples have joint bank accounts? There's no law mandating it, but it can make paying bills and meeting savings goals easier.
Should couples have separate accounts? It can make protecting your financial future easier, and it gives you financial privacy to get gifts for your partner (or just blow a little bit of money on yourself).
Remaining unmarried may seem like the less complicated choice, but if you have shared expenses there are plenty of complications to consider. Without the legal status of marriage on your side, it's a good idea to maintain your own savings for retirement and emergencies and take steps to protect your rights to your property and your kids. Once you have the legal and financial scaffolding in place, you can relax and enjoy your relationship.


Akara Villa M is one of the many villas part of Akara Villas in Petitenget, Seminyak. If you are travelling with friends or family, this three-bedroom property located in one of the trendiest neighbourhoods delivers on comfort, ease, modern conveniences, and much more. You have access to a private garden and pool, absolute privacy indoors, and a holiday villa that will soon become a home. Lush gardens, tropical ambiance, traditional interiors, and open-concept living all exude an authentic Indonesian vibe making this an experience to remember.
Designed to encompass as much as nature as possible, Akara Villa M features a swimming pool nestled amid manicured gardens dotted with blossoming frangipani flowers that release their sweet fragrance into the air. The timber pool deck comprises sun chairs to soak up some tropical shine and sport a sun-kissed look. Enjoy chilled beverages and light bites while relaxing to the utmost. There is a rooftop lounge as well complete with a traditional Balinese bale to provide you with a space from where to enjoy Balinese sunsets.
The living area at Akara Villa M may as well be open-plan as it is left open towards the gardens while being housed under a roof. This living pavilion is subtly decorated with pleasing colours, white interiors, and a natural stone wall. There are two sitting areas, one for lounging and one that serves as a media lounge with a massive smart TV. The colours are all easy on the eyes and charming to observe. Enjoy a moment alone with your thoughts simply amid the sounds of nature coming from the garden. The entire space overlooks the garden whether it is open-sided or fitted with glass doors. The dining area provides seating for eight guests on rattan chairs while a fully-equipped kitchen is inconspicuous and available for use. You can prepare delectable meals or request a member of staff to do the same for you as there is a food menu where guests are free to order from. The living room is air-conditioned as well, so you're free to close the doors and enjoy a rather cool ambiance.
Three bedrooms including a master bedroom are found at Akara Villa M. The bedrooms feature a subtle and unnoticeable minimal aesthetic that transfers all your attention to the gorgeous outdoors and comfortable living. The master bedroom is found downstairs beside the pool while the two additional bedrooms are located upstairs attached to the rooftop terrace. Enjoy a good night's rest while resting on your comfortable beds in the air-conditioned bedrooms. There are en-suite bathrooms accompanying the rooms as well for your convenience.
The villa has its own butler service wherein they can help you with your needs and requirements. They can prepare to order in food from nearby restaurants as per your choice. The villa even offers complimentary services such as free internet, a daily breakfast, and 24-hour security.
Located in Petitenget district, the villa is idyllic in both setting and location as it puts you close to everything Seminyak has to offer. A short walk can take you to the both the beach as well as Oberoi's 'eat-street'. Make your way to ancient temple of Petitenget for a tryst with Balinese heritage.


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Using Google Search Data for Sunburn as a Surrogate for Sunburn Prevalence in the United States
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2019;12(2):32–36
by Zachary H. Hopkins, MD; Ryan Carlisle, BS; and Aaron M. Secrest, MD, PhD
Dr. Hopkins is with the Department of Internal Medicine, Mr. Carlisle is with the School of Medicine, and Dr. Secrest is with the Departments of Dermatology and Population Health Sciences—all with the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.
FUNDING: Dr. Secrest is supported by research grants from the American Skin Association, National Eczema Association, and National Psoriasis Foundation; however, no specific funding was provided for this project.
DISCLOSURES: Dr. Secrest is on the advisory board of VisualDx (Rochester, New York), developer of a diagnostic clinical decision support database system. The other authors report no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.
Abstract: Objective.The investigators sought to evaluate the feasibility of using state-based Google Trends® search volume data for sunburn as a surrogate marker for state sunburn prevalence.
Design. State-based search volumes for sunburn were assessed for associations with environmental risk factors for ultraviolet (UV) exposure.
Setting.Search volume data for sunburn were queried from google.trends.com for all United States (US) searches from January 2004 to December 2017. UV exposure data came from publicly available databases.
Participants.This analysis included searches occurring in the US.
Main Outcomes and Measures. Risk factors for UV exposure included degrees latitude, annual number of clear days, average annual temperature, mean state elevation, number of low/moderate/high/very high/extreme UV index days, state outdoor recreation tax revenue, and state consumer spending on outdoor recreation. Regressions and correlations between state searches for sunburn and risk factors for UV exposure were assessed using linear regression and Pearson correlations.
Results. Searches for sunburn were significantly associated with state degree latitude (coef= -0.59, r=?0.47, p=0.001); number of low UV index days (coef= -0.37, r=?0.46, p=0.001); moderate UV index days (coef=1.46, r=0.36, p=0.01); high UV index days (coef=0.30, r=0.43, p=0.002); and average annual temperature (coef=0.37, r=0.45, p=0.001).
Conclusion. Searches for sunburn in the United States are directly correlated with certain UV exposure measures. These data suggest that search volume for sunburn may be used as a surrogate marker for state sunburn prevalence.
KEYWORDS: General dermatology, epidemiology, public health, sunburn, melanoma, prevalence, Google Trends
Sunburn signifies an intermittent pattern of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and is an important risk factor for melanoma.1 Quantifying the prevalence of sunburn, especially state-based, in the United States (US) is difficult. Currently, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) are the largest US surveys for assessing sunburn occurrence, but neither offer consistent, granular state-based data to determine sunburn prevalence by state. For example, the BRFSS assessed sunburn prevalence for the years 1999, 2003, 2004, 2010, and 2012.2 However, in 2010 and 2012, data regarding sunburn was gathered from only four and six states, respectively. By quantifying each state's sunburn prevalence, hotspots of increased prevalence can be identified and educational campaigns can be tailored to local needs.
Google Trends® (GT) has the ability to track public interest in a topic at the state level and has emerged as a useful technology in epidemiology. GT generates data called "search volume indices" (SVIs), which are standardized measures of searches for each search term in a certain geographical location over a specified time period. Understanding trends in public search interests can provide valuable epidemiological insights. However, attempts to extrapolate search data to behavior patterns requires validation with outside measures. This principle was applied to the H1N1 influenza outbreaks and has been explored for tanning bed use.3
Recently, the association between sunburn searches on GT and UV index (UVI) within each state was explored.4 While this study demonstrated a strong association between UVI and sunburn searches, the results were not directly comparable between states, as data for each state were pulled separately. GT data is normalized to a 0- to 100-points scale, with 100 points being the highest search for that search query and the rest of the searches being scaled to it. Thus, when each search is pulled independently, the scale is different for each state. As a result, the relationships reported are accurate within each state but cannot be compared between states. To remedy this, sunburn searches must be queried at the national level, with all search data normalized to the state with the highest search volumes (100 points) for a given time period and the other state search volumes scaled relative to that state.
Also, while the relationship to UVI and sunburn search interest is important in validating this surrogate prevalence measure, UVI is not the only factor contributing to sunburn. For example, temperature can affect sunburn because temperatures that are too high might encourage people to seek shelter, whereas high or moderate UVIs with more moderate temperatures might encourage longer exposure times.5,6 Also, outdoor recreation interests of the population might affect sunburn. States with less outdoor recreation might, in theory, relay less risk due to less exposure.
In this analysis, GT data were used to explore whether state-based SVIs for sunburn are associated with state-based measures of UV radiation exposure, both overall and temporally. In addition to UVI, a variety of environmental and behavioral variables were used.
Search volume data for the term sunburn were downloaded from trends.google.com by state from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2017. GT generates SVIs by sampling the number of searches performed in a specified geographic location and time frame-adjusting for total searches. For state-based data, similar outputs are generated, but the SVI for each state represents the averaged search volume within each state. As such, all state SVIs are scaled to the state with the highest number of searches (SVI=100 points). To assess temporality patterns in state data, we extracted state-based data for one winter (10/01/2016–3/31/2017) and one summer (4/1/2017–9/31/2018).4 With state-based data, it is currently not possible to select for multiple discrete time periods (e.g., data for each winter from 2004–2017), so one winter and one summer were retrieved for comparative purposes.
Proxy measures of sun exposure were divided into environmental and behavioral risk factors, although some overlap existed. Environmental factors included state median degrees latitude, mean state elevation, mean annual number of clear days, average annual temperature, and annual number of days at various UVI levels.7–10 The UVI scale, as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is as follows: low (0–2 points); moderate (3–5 points); high (6–7 points); very high (8–10 points); and extreme (>11 points).7 Behavioral factors included per-capita state tax revenue generated from outdoor activities, per-capita consumer spending on outdoor activities, and mean annual temperature.11 Temperature was included as an environmental variable but could arguably be behavioral as well, owing to studies demonstrating its effect on a population's likelihood to be outdoors and exposed to UV light.5,6 Raw state-based monetary measures were divided by each state's 2010 population to estimate per-capita consumer spending and tax revenue.
For each set of SVIs (overall, summer, winter), the mean, standard deviation (SD), and range were calculated. Means of these three datasets were compared using analysis of variance. To quantify how much variability the season added to the change in SVI between the summer and winter datasets as well if these changes were uniform across the country, multivariable linear regression of SVI was performed with season and geographic region as predictors.
Regions were defined according to the census bureau, with certain regions being split into smaller areas to better match weather patterns. Regions and their respective states include the following: Northeast (Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland); Southeast (Washington DC, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida); Midwest (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota); Southwest (Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona); and West (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, California, Alaska, and Hawaii).12
Univariable linear regression was performed to evaluate relationships between sunburn searches and environmental and behavior risk factors. Analysis of initial residuals versus plotted values revealed that the model did not meet the assumption of linearity. The SVI for sunburn searches for Hawaii was a large outlier and was hypothesized to be a contributor to this problem. Since Hawaii is a mathematical outlier as well as a geographic, environmental, and demographic outlier (plausibly, most searches are being performed by tourists), Hawaii was removed from the dataset and all regressions then met the assumption of linearity. A multivariable linear regression model was not pursued due to limitations in sample size (N=51).13
To assess relationships between sunburn searches and predictors of UV exposure, Pearson correlation was performed. As Pearson correlations are highly sensitive to outliers and the data were otherwise rather normal in their distribution, Hawaii was removed for these analyses as well.
Unfortunately, since state-based BRFSS data on sunburn was only available for 1999, 2002, and 2004 and GT data started from 2004, comparisons using BRFSS data were limited. Sunburn prevalence data from the year 2004 was compared with the corresponding GT data using univariable linear regression and Pearson correlations. Notably, the time spans of the two datasets differ (GT data are an average of sunburn search data from 2004–2017). Thus, conclusions should be considered with caution.
Statistical significance was established as p<0.05. All statistics were two-sided and were conducted using STATA version 14.2 (StataCorp. LLC, College Station, Texas).
State-based sunburn searches were split into three groups: sunburn overall, sunburn summer, and sunburn winter. SVIs for sunburn overall ranged from 19 points (Alaska) to 100 points (Hawaii), with a mean SVI of 38.6 points (SD: 11.1 points). SVIs for sunburn summer ranged from 16 points (Alaska) to 100 points (Hawaii), with a mean SVI of 40.8 points (SD: 12.1 points). SVIs for sunburn winter ranged from three points (Rhode Island) to 100 points (Hawaii), with a mean SVI of 11.7 points (SD: 13.3 points). Because the highest SVIs for all three query outputs were for the same state (Hawaii), the scale was the same and comparisons between the three datasets were possible. There was no difference between the sunburn overall mean and the sunburn summer mean (p=0.36), but the means of both the sunburn overall and sunburn summer were greater than those for winter (p<0.001). Figures 1A to 1C demonstrate the average SVIs for each state of overall, during summer, and during winter, respectively. Using SVI data from the winter and summer sunburn datasets, linear regression suggested that season (summer vs. winter) explained 57 percent of the variability in SVI (r2=0.57, p<0.001). While a regression model could not be adjusted at the state level, adjusting for US region did not significantly alter the overall fit of the model (r2=0.59 vs. 0.57) and did not significantly contribute to the model (p=0.54). Pearson pairwise correlation between the three datasets revealed that overall sunburn searches were more correlated with the summer (r=0.94, p<0.001) rather than winter searches (r=0.83, p<0.001). Summer and winter sunburn searches were the least related (r=0.73, p<0.001).
GT also generates top related search terms associated with the search terms queried. For sunburn searches, the top five related searches were as follows: 1) "sunburn peeling," 2) "get rid of sunburn," 3) "sunburn remedies," 4) "how to get rid of sunburn," and 5) "sunburn relief."
Relationships between overall sunburn SVI and sun-exposure risks using univariable linear regression are shown in Table 1. Factors associated with sunburn included latitude (regression coefficient [coef]= -0.59, p=0.001), Southeast states (coef=8.13, p=0.003), mean annual temperature (coef=0.37, p=0.001), mean annual number of low UVI days (coef= -0.24, p=0.001), moderate UVI days (coef=1.46, p=0.01), and high UVI days (coef=0.30, p=0.002). Mean state elevation, outdoor activity consumer spending, and annual number of very high and extremely high UVI days were not associated with sunburn searches.
Likewise, the strength of associations between sunburn searches and predictors of UV exposure were evaluated using Pearson correlation (Table 2). Factors correlated with sunburn searches included: latitude (r= -0.47, p=0.001); mean annual temperature (r=0.45, p=0.001); and low, moderate, and high numbers of annual UVI days (r= -0.46, p=0.001; r=0.36, p=0.01; and r=0.43, p=0.002, respectively). All other factors were not significant.
Both linear regression and Pearson correlations demonstrated no significant relationship between the number of people reporting sunburn in 2004 and averaged search data for sunburn.
During the H1N1 influenza outbreak, GT helped estimate influenza incidence and identify areas with emerging cases, allowing for pointed public health intervention in these areas.3 Although this model ultimately developed errors that caused it to fail, the concept has since triggered numerous studies in different fields.14 Within dermatology, GT has been used to track US interest in tanning beds, and these interests aligned well with national survey data.15,16
Unfortunately, tracking sunburn prevalence is particularly challenging. Nationally, BRFSS and NHIS surveys estimated sunburn prevalence at 33.4 percent (2004), 34.4 percent (2005), 29.1 percent (2010), 34.3 percent (2012), and 31.6 percent (2015), but granularity is a major limitation. State-based sunburn survey data from BRFSS are currently only available for 2004, but, ideally, state-based estimates of sunburn prevalence for multiple years are needed to evaluate trends, identify struggling areas, and guide focused educational campaigns. Thus, we explored associations between sunburn searches and state-level environmental and behavioral factors that act as surrogates for sunburn prevalence in an attempt to validate using GT search data as surrogates for sunburn prevalence.
The seasonality of sunburn searches has been described previously.4 However, state-based GT data are averaged over the entire time-course designated. To delineate how state-based sunburn searches changed by season, we designated two six-month intervals for data to reflect one summer and one winter. No difference existed in mean SVI overall versus summer, but winter searches were significantly fewer in number (Figures 1A?1C). As expected, linear regression suggested that season accounted for most of the variability between the two seasonal datasets (57%). Adding geographic region to the model did not significantly alter the model. We therefore felt the overall dataset spanning 2007 to 2017 would offer the best picture of sunburn searches by state.
Qualitatively, GT also reports the top searches associated with the keyword queried. The top five searches related to sunburn centered around sunburn-related behaviors. Searching for "severe sunburn relief" suggests the searcher or someone they know has experienced a severe sunburn. While not directly testable, these associated searches lend support to the idea that sunburn searches are performed for reasons related to being sunburned (prevalence).
Additionally, sunburn searches by state match well with risk factors for sunburn. States at higher latitudes and with greater annual percentages of low UVI days had fewer sunburn searches. Conversely, states with higher annual temperatures and more moderate/high UVI days had more sunburn searches. Interestingly, no correlation was seen between states with more very high or extreme UVI days, perhaps suggesting exposure to these levels is less tolerable or people are more aware of the need for protection. Indeed, moderate UVI days were association in regression analysis with the greatest increase in sunburn searches, similar to other reports.4
The lack of significance with behavioral risk factors is expected, as these measures are rather removed from actual behaviors and these data lack granularity on type of outdoor activity. UV exposure can vary greatly by outdoor activity. Higher average temperatures, which are associated with more sunburn searches, typically correlate with more people in these locations spending more time outdoors, often with less protective clothing.5 Additionally, each state's behavioral and/or cultural features might be better analyzed in a state-by-state fashion. For example, California has a relatively high UVI, yet searches for sunburn were lower in California than in other states, for unclear reasons. However, identifying states at a higher risk as well as identifying exceptions such as these could guide future studies looking at specific states in isolation.
In this analysis, we did not find significant associations between averaged GT search data and BRFSS-reported sunburn prevalences. These data should be evaluated with caution, as BRFSS was only available for one year (2004) and might not adequately account for recent trends in sun exposure or more recent sunburn prevalence calculations.
Limitations. GT research has several limitations. GT data are limited to those who can access the Internet, but regular Internet use is exhibited by more than 85 percent of the US population.17 Additionally, searches are likely skewed to represent a younger, computer-literate population. Third, GT software is limited in the way in which data are standardized to the highest search volume. With outliers (e.g., Hawaii), other values contract to distort the spread of searches around the median. Lastly, with state-based data, since the data are resampled each time a new database is queried, the direct comparison or compilation of multiple databases is questionably comparable. We advocate that GT researchers should continue contacting Google to request better access to current data or increased functionality of existing software. In this case, since state-based data must be averaged over time periods, it would be useful to be able to select such for certain months of each year and also for the output data to include measures of variance. Furthermore, our claim that searches for sunburn are related to sunburn prevalence would be strengthened if comparisons with state-based survey data or state-based medical data could be done. However, these are data that are currently unavailable in some cases. Despite limitations, these data suggest that online search interest in the term "sunburn" can serve as a surrogate for sunburn prevalence.
Searches for sunburn in the US are correlated with a variety of markers for UV exposure, including latitude, average annual temperature, and number of moderate and high UVI days. These data suggest that sunburn searches can serve as a surrogate marker for sunburn prevalence with further validation. In the meantime, these data can be used for local/regional targeting of specific, online risk factor education campaigns.
Dennis LK, Vanbeek MJ, Beane Freeman LE, et al. Sunburns and risk of cutaneous melanoma: does age matter? A comprehensive meta-analysis. Ann Epidemiol. 2008;18(8):614–627.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sunburn prevalence among adults—United States, 1999, 2003, and 2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2007;56(21):524–528.
Ginsberg J, Mohebbi MH, Patel RS, et al. Detecting influenza epidemics using search engine query data. Nature. 2009;457(7232):1012–1014.
Lospinoso DJ, Lospinoso JA, Miletta NR. The impact of ultraviolet radiation on sunburn-related search activity. Dermatol Online J. 2017;23(8). pii: 13030/qt6cs1n9nd.
Marion JW, Lee J, Rosenblum JS, Buckley TJ. Assessment of temperature and ultraviolet radiation effects on sunburn incidence at an inland U.S. Beach: a cohort study. Environ Res. 2018;161:479–484.
Diffey BL. Time and place as modifiers of personal UV exposure. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(6). pii: E1112.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration site. National Centers for Environmental Information. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Accessed 5 Feb 2019.
Reese R. List of latitudes and longitudes for every state. Ink Plant Code site. https://inkplant.com/code/state-latitudes-longitudes. Accessed 4 Feb 2019.
New World Encyclopedia site. List of U.S. states by elevation. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/List_of_U.S._states_by_elevation. Accessed 5 Feb 2019.
Current Results Publishing Ltd site. Average annual temperature for each US state. https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/US/average-annual-state-temperatures.php. Accessed 5 Feb 2019.
Outdoor Industry Association site. Outdoor recreation economy. 2017. https://outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/. Accessed 5 Feb 2019.
United States Census Bureau site. Census regions and divisions of the United States. https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/maps/reg_div.txt. Accessed 5 Feb 2019.
Wilson Van Voorhis CR, Morgan BL. Understanding power and rules of thumb for determining sample sizes. Tutor Quant Methods Psychol. 2007;3(2):43–50.
Lazer D, Kennedy R, King G, Vespignani A. Big data: the parable of Google Flu—traps in big data analysis. Science. 2014;343(6176):1203–1205.
Guy GP Jr, Berkowitz Z, Holman DM, Hartman AM. Recent changes in the prevalence of and factors associated with frequency of indoor tanning among US adults. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(11):1256–1259.
Kirchberger MC, Heppt MV, Eigentler TK, et al. The tanning habits and interest in sunscreen of Google users: what happened in 12 years?. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2017;33(2):68–74.
Internet Live Stats site. Number of people with internet in the United States. http://www.internetlivestats.com/. Accessed on 14 Feb 2018.
epidemiology, General dermatology, Google Trends, Melanoma, prevalence, public health, sunburn
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Day: Nov 20, 2013
USPS Introduced Harry Potter Stamps
This image released by the United States Postal service shows a variety of "Harry Potter" themed Forever stamps. The USPS dedicated 20 new Forever stamps, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. (AP Photo/USPS) Please click the photo for a larger image.
AFP reported that US Postal Service (USPS) introduced Harry Potter stamps on Tuesday.
The limited edition of twenty stamps feature images of Scottish author J.K. Rowling's best-selling character "with the friends, heroes, villains and creatures that make up his world," said USPS in a statement.
While Harry Potter's friends are happy about the stamps, the news angered some philatelists who complain Harry Potter is not American.
Author Ahmad Ali KarimPosted on Wed, 20th Nov, 2013 Categories UncategorizedTags Harry Potter, Harry Potter stamps, J.K. Rowling, stamps, United States Postal Service, USPSLeave a comment on USPS Introduced Harry Potter Stamps
Cyclone Cleopatra: Massive Rainstorm Killed 18 In Sardinia (Photos)
Two tankers are battered by gale winds while at the roadstead in the rough waters of the Gulf of Cagliari, Sardinia, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. A violent rainstorm that flooded entire parts of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia has led to the deaths of at least nine people. Bridges were felled by swollen rivers and water levels reached 3 metres (yards) in some places. (AP Photo/Max Solinas)
Massive rainstorm by Cyclone Cleopatra caused bad flash floods in Sardinia, Italy on Tuesday.
Bridges collapsed and cars were swept away by the gushing flood water.
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean and is one of Italy's autonomous regions.
At least eighteen people were killed by the disaster while some others are still missing.
Italy's civil protection chief, Franco Gabrielli, said the death toll may rise as crews reach isolated areas in the countryside where homes are submerged.
The northeastern city of Olbia was worst hit and Olbia Mayor, Gianni Giovannelli said that the water level raised up to 3 meters high (10 feet) in some part of the city.
Rescue workers pulling a boat along, wade on a flooded street at San Gavino Monreale in Sardina island November 18, 2013. Italian authorities declared a state of emergency in Sardinia on Tuesday, a day after a cyclone struck the Mediterranean island, killing at least 16 people and leaving hundreds homeless. Overnight, Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450 millimetres of rain in an hour and a half, causing rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars and flooding homes across the island. Picture taken November 18. REUTERS/Rosaspress
A rescue worker wades down a flooded street in San Gavino Monreale on Sardina island November 18, 2013. Italian authorities declared a state of emergency in Sardinia on Tuesday, a day after a cyclone struck the Mediterranean island, killing at least 16 people and leaving hundreds homeless. Overnight, Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450 millimetres of rain in an hour and a half, causing rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars and flooding homes across the island. Picture taken November 18, 2013. REUTERS/Rosaspress
Submerged cars are seen on a flooded street in San Gavino Monreale on Sardina island November 18, 2013. Italian authorities declared a state of emergency in Sardinia on Tuesday, a day after a cyclone struck the Mediterranean island, killing at least 16 people and leaving hundreds homeless. Overnight, Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450 millimetres of rain in an hour and a half, causing rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars and flooding homes across the island. Picture taken November 18, 2013. REUTERS/Rosaspress
A flooded street is pictured in San Gavino Monreale on Sardina island November 18, 2013. REUTERS /Rosaspress
Rescue workers pulling a boat along, wade on a flooded street at San Gavino Monreale in Sardinia island November 18, 2013. REUTERS/ Rosaspress
Rescuers work in a flooded street in the small town of Uras, Sardinia, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. A violent rainstorm that flooded entire parts of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia has led to the deaths of at least nine people. Bridges were felled by swollen rivers and water levels reached 3 metres (yards) in some places. (AP Photo/Alessandra Chergia)
Flood water gushed down roads and into homes. (AP Photos).
Author Ahmad Ali KarimPosted on Wed, 20th Nov, 2013 Categories Disasters, News, Pictures, UncategorizedTags Cyclone Cleopatra, Enrico Letta, Franco Gabrielli, Gianni Giovannelli, Italy, Mediterranean Sea, Olbia, Olbia Mayor, SardiniaLeave a comment on Cyclone Cleopatra: Massive Rainstorm Killed 18 In Sardinia (Photos)


text:
Q: How to Find out What Format of Entity Framework Model I have Can you please let me know how I can figure it out which Model format of Entity Frame Work you are working on? I have received an ASP.NET application which is running Entity Framework to connect to Database. Now I need to know what model format as:

*

*Database First

*Code Fist

*Model First

is used to generate the Entity Framework. is there any xml or metadata presenting this kind of information?
Thanks

A: With Code first, you just have the classes.
Database first or Model first will have an EDMX that uses T4 to generate the classes from the model. Whether it was created from the model or by the user manually is irrelevant. You can update the model manually or from the database at any point going forward.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Evan David Meek (born May 12, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He is best known for giving up Derek Jeter's final hit at Yankee Stadium. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball (MLB) and was selected to one All-Star Game. Meek has also played for the Kia Tigers of the KBO League.

Amateur career
Meek attended Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Washington. Afterwards, he played for Midland College in Midland, Texas. Then he transferred at semester to play at Bellevue Community College also in Washington.

Pro career

Minnesota Twins
After being selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft, Meek began playing for the Twins affiliate in the Appalachian League, the Elizabethton Twins. In 2004, Meek played for Elizabethton and the Quad Cities River Bandits. Meek started the 2005 season with the Beloit Snappers. Meek was released by the Twins in June 2005.

San Diego Padres
Meek signed with the San Diego Padres in September 2005. He started the 2006 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm. In August 2006, Meek and a player to be named later, (Dale Thayer), were traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Russell Branyan.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Meek finished the 2006 season with the Visalia Oaks. He pitched the 2007 season for the Montgomery Biscuits.

Pittsburgh Pirates
In the 2007 Rule 5 draft, Meek was selected from the Devil Rays by the Pittsburgh Pirates. This required that Meek remain on the active roster of the Pirates for the entire 2008 season or else the Pirates would have to offer him back to the Devil Rays for half the amount they paid to acquire him.

Meek made his major league debut on April 2, 2008 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He would record his first career loss in extra innings against the Chicago Cubs on April 7, 2008. Meek made nine relief appearances, going 0–1 with a 6.92 ERA, before being designated for assignment on May 4, 2008. He was offered back per Rule 5 guidelines on May 14. The Pirates paid cash to keep him and sent him down to their minor league teams. After pitching 9 games with the Double-A Altoona Curve, Meek was promoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

Meek spent the 2009 season in the bullpen with the Pirates. He finished the season with a 1–1 record in 41 appearances, had a 3.45 ERA, gave up 2 home runs, 0 hit batsmen, 29 walks, 42 strikeouts, a .209 average against, and a 1.34 WHIP, in 47.0 innings pitched.

The 2010 season was Meek's first full season in the Majors. He was often asked by manager John Russell to pitch multiple innings in relief. Meek's performance rivaled other excellent closers like Joakim Soria and Brian Wilson despite not being one himself. Early in the season when Dotel had given up runs in six straight games as the closer, Meek had an opportunity in the role and earned his first Major League save on April 29, 2010 to close out a 2–0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. On May 14, 2010 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Meek entered the game in the 6th inning with the score tied 6–6, and he pitched two scoreless innings of relief, striking out four of the seven Cubs hitters he faced including Derrek Lee, Xavier Nady and Alfonso Soriano in the bottom of the 7th. The Pirates rallied behind his strong pitching to win the game 10–6.

Meek delivered one of his finest performances of the season against the Washington Nationals on June 10, 2010, coming in to relieve Pirates starter Zach Duke with the bases loaded and no outs. He quickly forced Willie Harris to line into a double play before retiring Cristian Guzmán, needing only six pitches to get out of the inning with no runs in. Due to his excellent work, he was named to the 2010 MLB All Star Game. At the time of his selection on July 4, 2010, Meek carried a 4–2 record with a 0.96 ERA, a mark that lead all National League relievers. "It's surprising", Meek said. "A lot of starters and closers go to the game. I've always said there are a lot of great middle relievers out there who deserve to go to the game. I think they're overlooked a little bit. It's amazing to be selected, an overwhelming feeling." Meek was the first Pirate reliever selected who was not a closer since Mace Brown in 1938 – before the closer position emerged. The Pirates celebrated his nomination at PNC Park with an 8–5 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, a game where Meek was the winning pitcher.

On August 3, 2010, Meek recorded his first career base hit, off fellow reliever Jordan Smith of the Cincinnati Reds. Meek finished the 2010 season with a 2.14 ERA, 70 strikeouts, 4 saves, 15 holds, and a 5–4 record, all career-highs.

After several injuries in 2011, Meek saw a decrease in fastball velocity.

Meek started the 2012 season with Pittsburgh, but on May 1, Meek was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Meek was 0-0 with a 5.59 ERA in 9 games with a .293 opposing batting average. He was recalled to the Pirates on July 21, 2012, after an injury to reliever Juan Cruz. But was sent back down on July 26, to make room for highly anticipated prospect Starling Marté. Meek was designated for assignment by the Pirates on September 10, 2012. In October 2012, Meek elected minor league free agency.

Texas Rangers
Meek spent the 2013 season in the Texas Rangers organization with the Triple-A Round Rock Express.

Baltimore Orioles
Meek signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles in February 2014. After a strong spring training, he made the Opening Day roster. On May 2, he was optioned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He was recalled on May 15, and then designated for assignment on May 16. Instead, the next day Meek was optioned back to Norfolk. On May 28, he was assigned outright to Norfolk. On September 25, 2014, Meek gave up a walk-off single to New York Yankees hall-of-famer Derek Jeter in Jeter's final game at Yankee Stadium. Subsequently, it was also Meek's last game in the MLB.

Washington Nationals
Meek signed  a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on January 21, 2015.

Kia Tigers
On July 20, 2015, the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization announced that they had signed Meek to a one-year deal worth $150,000. Meek filled a roster vacancy created by the club's release of former MLB pitcher Philip Humber on the same day.

Somerset Patriots
On May 5, 2016, Meek signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was released on July 20, 2016.

Lancaster Barnstormers
On July 26, 2016, Meek signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent after the 2016 season.

Scouting report
Meek's four-seam fastball normally sits around 95 mph, although he is capable of reaching 97–98 mph on occasion. It is his primary pitch, throwing it slightly over half the time. Despite missing the final two months of the 2009 Major League Baseball season, he added 8 pounds of muscle during the off-season and promised that he would be able to hit 100 mph in 2010. Since his command has improved throughout his career – 5.55 walks per 9 innings in 2009 to around 2.10 in 2010 – opposing batters have shown more willingness to chase the pitch, even out of the strike zone to due his ability throw his other pitches for strikes.

However, after several injuries in 2011, Meek saw his fastball velocity decrease into the low to mid 90s, ranging from 90-95 mph.

Meek's curveball is his primary off-speed pitch, with the velocity sitting around 79–82 mph.

Meek throws a cutter that was rated in August 2009 as the 3rd most effective cutter in Major League Baseball because of its runs above the MLB average. The pitch has "unfair biting" movement, even against left-handed batters, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Average velocity is 92–93 mph and he normally likes to use it when he gets ahead in a count as a strikeout pitch. It is normally a very difficult pitch to hit well, helping him limit the number of extra base hits he allows.

Meek also throws a fourth pitch, an off-speed slider that is seldom used in pressure situations. The pitch normally sits around 80–82 mph, mainly incorporated to keep hitters out of a rhythm. His ability to throw four pitches well however, makes him rare as a relief pitcher as the normal reliever only possesses a three-pitch arsenal.

References

External links

1983 births
Living people
Sportspeople from Bellevue, Washington
Baseball players from Washington (state)
Major League Baseball pitchers
National League All-Stars
Pittsburgh Pirates players
Baltimore Orioles players
Elizabethton Twins players
Quad Cities River Bandits players
Beloit Snappers players
Bellevue Bulldogs baseball players
Lake Elsinore Storm players
Visalia Oaks players
Montgomery Biscuits players
Altoona Curve players
Indianapolis Indians players
Bradenton Marauders players
Round Rock Express players
Norfolk Tides players
Scottsdale Scorpions players
Venados de Mazatlán players
American expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Syracuse Chiefs players
Somerset Patriots players
Kia Tigers players
American expatriate baseball players in South Korea

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Terminological entries in standards — Part 1: General requirements and examples of presentation
ISO 10241-1:2011 specifies requirements for the drafting and structuring of terminological entries in standards, exemplified by terminological entries in ISO and IEC documents. Terms and other designations occurring in terminological entries can include letters, numerals, mathematical symbols, typographical signs and syntactic signs (e.g. punctuation marks, hyphens, parentheses, square brackets and other connectors or delimiters), sometimes in character styles (i.e. fonts and bold, italic, bold italic or other style conventions) governed by language-, domain- or subject-specific conventions. Terms can also include standardized symbols (which can be language independent or internationally harmonized, such as symbols for quantities and units as well as graphical symbols) which are under the responsibility of different committees in ISO and IEC.
ISO 10241-1:2011 is based on the principles and methods given in ISO 704 and provides rules for both monolingual and multilingual terminological entries in standards and their indexes.
ISO 10241-1:2011 is applicable to all standards that contain terminological entries. It does not deal with the administrative procedures nor the technical specifications required by standardizing bodies for the preparation of terminology standards.
Since presentation and layout rules by nature are very much tied to the script and to the publishing rules of the standardizing body, they are dealt with only on an abstract level in ISO 10241-1:2011. Examples and rules for a typical layout and presentation in ISO documents are provided for information in Annex A.
: ISO/TC 37/SC 2 Terminology workflow and language coding
01.020 Terminology (principles and coordination)
01.120 Standardization. General rules
std 1 187 PDF Английский Французский Русский
std 2 187 Бумажный Английский Французский Русский
Рассылка полного отчета: решение относительно нового голосования по проекту международного стандарта


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Hayt's Chapel and Schoolhouse
In the nineteenth century, Ithaca developed a reputation has a stop on the Underground Railroad and a haven for runaway slaves. Because secrecy was essential, written records of the Underground Railroad are often scarce. One of the Ithaca locations rumored to be a stop on the Underground Railroad is Hayt's Chapel and Schoolhouse. The chapel sits on land once owned by Charles Hayt, who was outspoken in his condemnation of slavery. The chapel was built in 1847 and the schoolhouse was built in the 1930s and both structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic marker at Hayt's Chapel
Ithaca's history as an abolitionist stronghold is well-known, but documentation of that history is lacking. In Ithaca, as in other cities known to be stops on the Underground Railroad, much of what is known about the actual people and places involved in aiding runaway slaves has been passed down by word of mouth with few written records.
Hayt's Chapel and Schoolhouse is one of those places. Much of what is known about the chapel's role in the Underground Railroad is due to a letter written to the Ithaca Journal in August of 1915 by George Johnson, a runaway slave who established himself in Ithaca as a barber. Johnson related the history of Hayt's Chapel, often known in the mid-1800s as the Abolition Chapel.
According to Johnson, the origins of Hayt's Chapel lie in the strong pro-slavery stance taken by William Wisner, minister of the Ithaca Presbyterian Church. Wisner apparently believed that slavery was Biblically ordained, a position with which a number of church members disagreed. In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Law was passed. The law offered a financial incentive for white people to apprehend any African American person--whether they were a runaway slave or not--and claim that they were a fugitive. The law was widely abused and was the breaking point between abolitionists and defenders of slaves in many places, including Ithaca.
In Ithaca, the views of Rev. Wisner as well as the controversy generated by the Fugitive Slave Act eventually led abolitionists in the Ithaca Presbyterian Church to leave the congregation. Foremost among those who left was Charles Hayt, who owned land on Trumansburg Road, which is believed to be a route used by fugitive slaves. The chapel was built in 1847, but apparently became known as the Abolition Church after Hayt and other members of the Presbyterian church left in protest. Hayt not only donated the land for the church and cemetery, but served as a deacon, and was rumored to shelter runaway slaves on his property.
When slavery was abolished by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the congregants at Hayt's Chapel returned to the Ithaca Presbyterian Church, and the chapel gradually fell into disuse.
The schoolhouse that also sits on the property was built in the 1830s and was also on land donated by Hoyt. The school continued to operate until 1964. In 1971, the property was purchased by Rosalind and Salvatore Grippi, who are responsible for the buildings' preservation. Both the chapel and the schoolhouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Ithaca. . Accessed January 01, 2019. http://www.historicithaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/spring-07-newsletterlite.pdf.
Grippi, Rosalind. Historic Presence. Ithaca.com. March 01, 2006. Accessed January 01, 2019. https://www.ithaca.com/opinion/historic-presence/article_0c525e72-d227-5ff8-bab5-aa2c2b373355.html.
Thompkins County Public Library. . Accessed January 01, 2019. https://www.tcpl.org/sites/default/files/content/archive/West_Hill.pdf.
1296-1298 Trumansburg Road
Created by Rebecca Woodham on January 1st 2019, 8:43:24 pm.
Last updated by Rebecca Woodham on January 1st 2019, 11:22:35 pm.


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University of Essex homepage News Why insurgents attack and kill civilians
Why insurgents attack and kill civilians has been explored in a new book by University of Essex academic
Tue 12 Apr 22
Insurgent Terrorism: Intergroup Relationships and the Killing of Civilians – has been praised as a vital work by experts and was released in the UK in April.
Dr Brian Phillips, Reader from the Department of Government, shines a light on relationships between armed insurgents and civilians, inter-group rivalries, and conflicts across the globe.
Using statistical analysis and case evidence from around the world, he speculates that insurgent groups rivalling one another may partake in a heinous game of one-upmanship, to see who can claim the most civilian lives.
Dr Phillips said: "The main argument is that the relationships insurgents have - with the state, with other insurgents, and with the public - are crucial for understanding their behaviour, including civilian targeting. We look at some important categories which have not been studied in depth before: violence against journalists, 'the general public' and schools."
The renowned expert has spoken to influential audiences around the globe and has received research funding from the U.S Department of Homeland Security, the Global Challenges Research Fund, and the Mexican Government.
The book was co-written with two other respected experts in terrorism, Professor Victor Asal of the State University of New York Albany and Professor R Karl Rethemeyer of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Reviewing the book, Dr Todd Sandler, of the University of Texas, Dallas said: "Insurgent Terrorism is a thought-provoking, provocative investigation by three leading scholars on why insurgent groups may target civilians in pursuit of political goals.
"This is an important question of increasing relevance for sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa.
"The book supports its theses with data-driven, careful empirical analysis based on insurgent attacks, goals, and inter-organization linkages."
Ursula Daxecker, Associate Professor, University of Amsterdam, said of the book: "Insurgent Terrorism is an important book that presents detailed cross-national data and analyses of civilian targeting by insurgent groups in civil conflict.
"The authors persuasively argue that the embeddedness of insurgent groups - that is, their relations with the state, the public, and each other - explains variation in civilian victimization. This relational account produces novel and intriguing findings, such as that both alignment and rivalry with other groups lead to more frequent civilian targeting.
"Marked by empirical richness, the book advances knowledge on the behaviour of insurgent groups, civilian victimization, and civil conflict."
The book was published by Oxford University Press on 4 April 2022.


The Open Source real time strategy title "Evolution RTS" has been released free (in more ways than one) on Steam!
This is what we love to see here at Rootgamer, an open source title making it through GreenLight and getting onto Steam. It is great to see and I hope they do very well with "Evolution RTS".
Evolution RTS is a free an Open Source RTS game designed using the Spring Engine. It has been in development for over 5 years and receives updates often. It's gameplay is designed specifically to appeal to gamers of all skill levels. The gameplay is designed around the use of unit groups, and the mixture of your unit group often will determine how successful you are in battle, as opposed to churning out hundreds of the same unit continually.
Even though "Evolution RTS" is not just free as in freedom but also free as in beer, you can help support the project by going to their website (http://www.evolutionrts.info/) and giving the team a donation. This will help with future development of the game and would also be an incredibly awesome thing to do!
Simple teching system that revolves around using the same buildings that supply energy as a means to increase your tech availability ensure seamless transitions into heavier unit technologies.
Full in-game soundtrack that highlights the mood based upon whether you are building structures in your base or engaged in an all out no holds barred war for survival will keep you on your toes and fuel your need for dominance! Over 40+ tracks!
Easy to use battle formations via selecting a group of units, right-clicking and dragging on the map make it easy for you to give complex orders to your units, even int he midst of a battle!
Unit balance is designed so that composition matters more than simply churning out hordes of the most expensive unit.
Weekly scheduled gaming events that are streamed live!
Additional Notes: ATI/AMD Video cards have issues with OpenGL games. This is due to the fact that AMD can't be bothered to write proper drivers. That said, post in the forums if you have an issue and it will be worked out.


Created for sport enthusiasts, the design of these tires provide a steady grip and control when stepping on gas, brake, or cornering. Tread's pattern also adds a sense of safety and comfort in driving.
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Top Food Safety Officials Weigh in on Key Issues
By James Andrews on April 22, 2015
At the risk of sounding naive, Michael Taylor said Tuesday that he's still feeling "great" about the progress made on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). As Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Taylor knew he was in front of a tough audience since he said it during a question-and-answer session with a room full of food policy wonks at the 2015 National Food Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
Michael Taylor, left, Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Brian Ronholm, Deputy Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
But Taylor wasn't the only head of a food safety agency on stage. He was joined by Brian Ronholm, Deputy Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), as well as moderator Jason Huffman, agriculture and trade editor for POLITICO. The two men, along with FSIS Deputy Under Secretary Al Almanza (who shares the title with Ronholm), are the highest-ranking food safety officials in the country, and their discussion covered a range of high-profile food safety topics from Salmonella adulteration in chicken to labeling of mechanically tenderized beef. FSMA Leading off by answering a status update question about FSMA, the most wide-reaching reform of food safety laws in more than 70 years, Taylor said that all the law's rules will be finalized this year. Though implementation of the law has seen significant delays since being signed by President Obama in January 2011, Taylor reiterated that his agency is continuing to make progress. That said, he noted that underfunding from Congress has been challenging, and FDA is still "way short" of what it needs to implement FSMA successfully. "If we don't get the money, we don't have a trained workforce that has made the culture shift, the philosophical shift and technical shift to be able to inspect well for food safety and also consistency," Taylor said. The state departments of agriculture will also play a big role in inspections under FSMA — a prospect that still needs significant funding. And beyond the domestic picture, import verification programs are still lacking necessary funds as well. "It's a daunting thing to fulfill the vision of having an import safety system that ensures consumers that we're getting the same level of protection with imports as we do with domestic products," Taylor said. "We don't have the resources in hand to do that." Still, the agency is moving forward, Taylor said. Within a year of rules being finalized, the first large-scale facilities will be coming into compliance. Eventually, the whole food system will be operating on a more consistent foundation, he said. The most noticeable improvement? It'll likely be the new import verification system, which "really strengthens foreign supply chain management." Salmonella as an adulterant Huffman pressed Ronholm about FSIS's position on considering Salmonella an adulterant in raw poultry, similar to how the agency considers several E. coli strains adulterants in ground beef. The nonprofit consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has long been petitioning FSIS to declare antibiotic-resistant Salmonella an adulterant in poultry. Ronholm explained that the interpretation of why E. coli is an adulterant in ground beef but Salmonella isn't adulterating poultry stems from past court cases. "There are several ways to cook a burger: rare, medium, well-done. In the court's mind, because there are several ways, it's possible to not cook E. coli out of a burger," Ronholm said. "Now look at poultry. In the court's mind, there's only one way to cook a chicken. You cook it to 165 degrees and it kills the Salmonella." "Because ordinary cooking is able to kill Salmonella, in the court's mind, it cannot be declared an adulterant," he added. Antibiotics use in animal agriculture FDA has gotten every drug company that sells a medically useful animal drug for growth and prevention purposes to agree to remove those purposes from the label by the end of 2016, effectively making it illegal to use those drugs for the purpose of growth and prevention without the oversight of a veterinarian, Taylor said. He said that it's not the final step in getting industry to judiciously use medically important antibiotics, but it's the quickest way to initiate a change. "I think society has turned the corner on this issue. This process is certainly part of that," Taylor said. While USDA is not the primary agency to be overseeing the use of drugs in livestock, Ronholm said that it's incumbent on the agency to pool its research resources to perform surveillance on the effects of antibiotic use in animal agriculture. Taylor was quick to emphasize that many uses of antibiotics in agriculture are judicious and necessary to keep animals healthy. "There are legitimate uses of antibiotics for disease treatment that are within our judicious-use principles," he said. Mechanically tenderized beef Huffman asked Ronholm for an update on labeling rules for mechanically tenderized beef. At the end of 2014, USDA missed its window to finalize its labeling rules in time for them to be implemented by 2016, making 2018 the earliest we're now likely to see labels on mechanically tenderized beef products. Earlier this year, however, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the agency was still working to ensure mechanically tenderized beef labeling by 2016, despite missing the deadline. According to Ronholm, USDA is still trying to make that happen. The rule is still under review at the White House Office of Management and Budget, he said. "It's certainly something we're focused on and hoping to get out and published within the next couple months," Ronholm said. Impact of new trade agreements on FSMA import rules When Huffman opened up the Q&A to questions from the audience, the first came from Food & Water Watch senior lobbyist Tony Corbo, who asked how FDA's import agenda will be impacted by an increase in imports from two new free trade agreements — the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Corbo pointed out that in an earlier conference session, another FDA representative stated that the number of import line entries has already increased from 200,000 in the mid-1990s to 14 million today. Taylor agreed that the agency has a lot of work to do, saying that he was most hopeful about the aspects of the importer verification program that involve physical inspections of foreign suppliers. However, FDA "isn't a trade agency," he added, implying that he wasn't the best person to answer the question. "We've got to deal with the world as it is, and we've got a regulatory framework and we need resources to implement it to provide assurances to people," Taylor said. Controlling Salmonella One of the session's final questions came from Patricia Buck, co-founder of the Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention. She challenged Ronholm on the topics of mechanically tenderized beef and the classification of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella as an adulterant on raw poultry, and she also pointed out that some strains of Salmonella attached to muscle aren't killed at the recommend cooking temperature and instead need to be cooked to almost 180 degrees. "I would like to better understand why FSIS and USDA have not taken the necessary steps to control antibiotic-resistant Salmonella as adulterants in food, and I would like to know why we have not — after five years — been able to get mechanically tenderized beef labeling through all of the various regulatory processes," she said, to a small burst of applause from the audience. Ronholm first said that Salmonella was a source of "extreme frustration" for FSIS. That's why the agency released its Salmonella Action Plan in 2013, he said. "Yeah, [Salmonella] is something that really upsets us, and we're not seeing the reductions we'd like to see," Ronholm said. "So the way we're trying to do it is to combat Salmonella as a whole." The National Food Policy Conference is organized by the Consumer Federation of America. This is the 38th annual conference, which is held each year in Washington, D.C.
Tags: Brian Ronholm, FDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Michael Taylor, National Food Policy Conference, Q&A, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, USDA, USDA FSIS


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A core aspect of modern scheduling software is the need to interact and share information with other systems. Omnibus has always embraced these requirements, creating different interfaces to external systems. However, with the introduction of TransXChange data exchange is getting simpler. TransXChange is the UK standard for exchanging public transport timetable and schedule data. It can be used both for Electronic Bus Service Registrations (EBSR) and for the exchange of operational data with systems such as journey planners (including those operated by Traveline), real-time (RTPI) systems and electronic ticket machine systems (ETMs).
The Omnibus TransXChange Modules are developed to support reading and writing TXC 2.0 and all later versions of the standard, making the process as painless as possible. They are: TXC Importer – Imports journeys from a collection of TransXChange files into an OmniTIMES timetable database, preserving as high a level of detail as the source data allows, with options to control how multiple TransXChange journeys are to be split into separate timetables.
TXC Exporter – Converts OmniBASE schedules information combined with OmniTIMES timetable trips into TransXChange format. It reduces the size of exported data by identifying journey patterns that can be referenced by multiple journeys. The exporter performs validation checks on the source data to help to pinpoint any data issues prior to producing a TransXChange file.
TXC Viewer – Allows users to open and view TransXChange files onscreen. Users can drill down to inspect the full range of data including details of Services, Stop Points, Operators and Registrations and can export route definitions as geographic tracks for display in popular mapping applications.
Through integration with OmniTIMES, parties receiving data in TransXChange format can now easily make use of our other modules such as OmniSTOPdesign for bus stop displays and OmniEXPORT for publicity material. Let Omnibus do the hard work of making your timetables TransXChange ready with the Omnibus TransXChange Modules.


On Saturday 11th March we were thrilled to be part of the very first National Signing Choir Competition.
We're off to the Southwell Music Fringe Festival!
We love taking our music to all sorts of audiences and we're really looking forward to this event.
Lace City Launches Hugely Popular Singing Course!
Lace City Chorus was pleased and proud to receive its recognised charity status in July 2015. This status was granted in recognition of the work that we do in the community through our development of musical skills and our various performances.