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Q: How can I restore the old ImageCompose behaviour? Bug fixed in 11.3

Update
This issue caught me out again so I contacted support once more. They have confirmed that the development team considers the new behaviour to be correct and claim that "ImageCompose uses standard Duff-Porter definitions".
I think the development team are mistaken about the standard definitions, however it looks like the new behaviour is here to stay.

Prior to version 10, if ImageCompose was used to overlay a partially transparent image region over a completely transparent image region, the result would keep the colour of the overlay. Like this:

Notice how the upper part of the red circle in the result is the same colour as the original red circle.
In version 10 the behaviour changed to this:

Notice that the upper part of the red circle in the result is now darker than the original.
I reported this as a bug to Wolfram Research, pointing out that the new behaviour was at odds with the documentation (the first image above is actually a wayback machine snapshot of the version 10.0.0 documentation.)
Wolfram Research confirmed the bug and I was hopeful that version 10.0.1 would see it fixed. Unfortunately instead of reverting the functionality of ImageCompose they have merely updated the documentation to reflect the new behaviour (the second image above is a snapshot of the version 10.0.1 documentation).
I'm not sure if this is now considered a bug or a change in functionality, but in either case I would like some way to get the old behaviour back. Any ideas?
For testing you can use this code to recreate the example from the documentation:
i1 = SetAlphaChannel[
  Image[Blue]~ImageResize~100,
  Image@LowerTriangularize@ConstantArray[1, {100, 100}]]

i2 = SetAlphaChannel[
  Image[Red]~ImageResize~100,
  Image[0.5 DiskMatrix[40, 100]]]

ImageCompose[i1, i2]

A: As well Karsten's solution using Overlay, technical support pointed out that Show can be used in the same way:
Rasterize[Show[i1, i2], "Image", Background -> None]

(Show converts the images to Raster expressions and overlays them in Graphics).
In both cases the alpha compositing is done by the front end, which uses the conventional associative "over" operator.

A: The $over$ operator correctly implemented
According to the Wikipedia, when composing $A$ $over$ $B$, the output alpha channel value $\alpha_O$ and the output color channel value $C_O$ are calculated as follows:
$\begin{cases}\alpha_O = 1 - (1 - \alpha_A) (1 - \alpha_B)
\\C_O = \frac{\alpha_A C_A + (1 - \alpha_A)\alpha_B C_B}{\alpha_O},  \text{if $\alpha_O \neq 0$}
\\C_O = 0, \text{if $\alpha_O = 0$}
\end{cases}$
where $\alpha_A$ and $\alpha_B$ are alpha channel values of $A$ and $B$, and $C_A$ and $C_B$ – color channel values of $A$ and $B$ correspondingly.
This can be directly implemented in Mathematica 11.1 or above as follows:
imageCompose[b_Image, a_Image] :=
 Module[{alphaA = AlphaChannel@a, alphaB = AlphaChannel@b, alphaO,
         cA = RemoveAlphaChannel@a, cB = RemoveAlphaChannel@b},
  alphaO = 1 - (1 - alphaA) (1 - alphaB);
  SetAlphaChannel[(alphaA*cA + (1 - alphaA) alphaB*cB)/alphaO, alphaO]]

Let us check the associative property:
{{i0, i1, i2}} = ImagePartition[
  Import["http://i.stack.imgur.com/r13gh.png"], {Scaled[1/3], Scaled[1]}]

{i0~imageCompose~(i1~imageCompose~i2), (i0~imageCompose~i1)~imageCompose~i2}
Equal @@ %
ColorSeparate /@ %%

True

It holds! So what is the problem with ImageCompose of version 10 and later?
Current implementation of ImageCompose: the diagnosis
When writing the above implementation for the first time I unintentionally made a simple mistake: I forgot to divide the output value for the color channel by $\alpha_O$. Here is what happened:
imageComposeWrong[b_Image, a_Image] :=
 Module[{alphaA = AlphaChannel@a, alphaB = AlphaChannel@b, alphaO,
         cA = RemoveAlphaChannel@a, cB = RemoveAlphaChannel@b},
  alphaO = 1 - (1 - alphaA) (1 - alphaB);
  SetAlphaChannel[alphaA*cA + (1 - alphaA) alphaB*cB, alphaO]]

{i0~imageComposeWrong~(i1~imageComposeWrong~i2),
 (i0~imageComposeWrong~i1)~imageComposeWrong~i2}
Equal @@ %
ColorSeparate /@ %%

False

The output looks exactly the same as for the current ImageCompose:
{i0~ImageCompose~(i1~ImageCompose~i2), (i0~ImageCompose~i1)~ImageCompose~i2}
Equal @@ %
ColorSeparate /@ %%

False

Numerical comparison reveals tiny differences due to rounding off errors. But the final diagnosis is clear: the developer just forgot to divide the color channel by the alpha channel!
It is a great shame that during more than three years after the release of version 10.0.0 nobody noticed this in the company! Do they themselves use this functionality – or not?!
Please, do not be lazy to report this to the technical support, so that this shameful bug will be fixed as soon as possible! A high priority is given to bugs, which many users write about...
The remedy
From the above considerations the remedy is obvious: we must just divide the color of the ImageCompose output by the alpha channel:
icFix[img_Image] := img/AlphaChannel[img];

{i0~icFix@*ImageCompose~(i1~icFix@*ImageCompose~i2), (i0~icFix@*ImageCompose~i1)~icFix@*ImageCompose~i2}
Subtract @@ % // MinMax
ColorSeparate /@ %%

{-3.10689*10^-6, 3.08454*10^-6}

As one can see, there are still tiny differences due to rounding-off errors, but the associative property in fact is restored and the output is correct!

Original answer
Citing a comment by Rahul:

Well, that's certainly undesirable! Alpha compositing is supposed to be associative (i0~ImageCompose~(i1~ImageCompose~i2) should equal (i0~ImageCompose~i1)~ImageCompose~i2) and this doesn't do that. One could implement correct alpha compositing manually using ImageApply, but let's see if someone has a better way.

Indeed, in versions 8.0.4 and 9.0.1 ImageCompose is associative:
$Version

{{i0, i1, i2}} = ImagePartition[
  Import["http://i.stack.imgur.com/r13gh.png"], {Scaled[1/3], Scaled[1]}]

{i0~ImageCompose~(i1~ImageCompose~i2), (i0~ImageCompose~i1)~ImageCompose~i2}

Equal @@ %

ColorSeparate /@ %%

"9.0 for Microsoft Windows (64-bit) (January 25, 2013)"

True

... while starting from version 10.0 it is not:
$Version

{{i0, i1, i2}} = ImagePartition[
  Import["http://i.stack.imgur.com/r13gh.png"], {Scaled[1/3], Scaled[1]}]

{i0~ImageCompose~(i1~ImageCompose~i2), (i0~ImageCompose~i1)~ImageCompose~i2}

Equal @@ %

ColorSeparate /@ %%

"10.0 for Microsoft Windows (64-bit) (September 9, 2014)"

False

It is also worth to note that despite that Overlay[{i0, i1}] and Show[i0, i1] look the same as the old ImageCompose[i0, i1], they are not the same. But they do (approximately) equal to each other and do approximately hold the associative property:
$Version

overlayCompose[i0_, i1_] := Rasterize[Overlay[{i0, i1}], "Image", Background -> None];
showCompose[i0_, i1_] := Rasterize[Show[i0, i1], "Image", Background -> None];

{overlayCompose[i0, i1], showCompose[i0, i1], i0~ImageCompose~i1}

ColorSeparate /@ %

{i0~overlayCompose~(i1~overlayCompose~i2), (i0~overlayCompose~i1)~ overlayCompose~i2}

ColorSeparate /@ %

{i0~showCompose~(i1~showCompose~i2), (i0~showCompose~i1)~showCompose~ i2}

ColorSeparate /@ %

"9.0 for Microsoft Windows (64-bit) (January 25, 2013)"

As one can see from the above, Overlay introduces artifact at the top, while Show does not.

A: You can get the old ImageCompose behavior by using Overlay instead:
Overlay[{i1, i2}]

Edit:
As pointed out by the comment by ybeltukov the Head of an Overlay is "Overlay" and therefore doesn't match the Head of ImageCompose, which is "Image". I didn't realize this, because exporting to a .png file did handle the transformation.
One can use e.g.
ImportString@ExportString[Overlay[{i1, i2}], "PNG"]

to get an object with Head "Image", and that therefore can be used the same way as an object created with ImageCompose inside the notebook.


Well done to A. Cryer 180, and highest peg was T. Helmore 102 peg.
This week The Yarrawonga Hotel award went to Rhonda Canning 171. Well Done!!
D. Thomson 9t, J. Bakkun 2t, D. Leonard 3t, Jacko 3t, A. Begs 4t, M. Crawford 1t.
J. Ormond 5t, Z. Leonard 8t, R. MacDonald 2t, J. Blunt 1t, A. Wood 1t, P. Revell 1t.
P. Cantlon 3t, M. Brownlie 4t, G. Crosbie 2t, C. Fraser 1t, J. Helmore 1t, R. Callander 1t, B. Rankin 1t.
A. Bevan 5t, D. Ebbles 4t, Diann Ebbles 1t, A. Fraser 1t, T. Symons 3t, R. Canning 3t.
J. Burns 3t, D. Nish 5t, T. Helmore 11t, M. Burns 3t, Annie 3t, Corina 1t, Mandy 1t.
I. McCarthy 4t, P. MacKay 11t, A. Taylor 6t, L. Garton 1t, S. Knight 5t, A. Kuol 2t, R. Parsell 1t.
B. Morris 8t, Brad 3t, Ray 3t, Scott 3t, R. Wilson 1t, R. Dixon 2t, Keith 4t.
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C. Midolo 6t, M. Purdon 2t, J. Rodwell 1t, J. Velja 1t, K. Taylor-Cox 2t, G. Cooper 1t.


text:
Ged Killen Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Press release: Sale of fireworks
Ged Killen MP has called for tighter restrictions on the sale of fireworks
Ged Killen MP has called for tighter restrictions on the sale of fireworks.
It comes after the Rutherglen and Hamilton West representative pushed for a debate in the House of Commons on the possibility of devolving the powers necessary to ban the sale of fireworks to the Scottish Government.
Ged has now written to supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons and Asda to consider withdrawing fireworks from public sale.
He said: "Last year, 839 people in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency signed a petition to ban the sale of fireworks to the general public and restrict use to licensed displays.
"The petition reached 307,897 signatures in total and was debated in parliament, but unfortunately the government failed to act.
"I receive hundreds of complaints from constituents every year during the fireworks season. They are concerned about the impact on people who are sensitive to loud noise, pets, wildlife, the environment, and the potential for anti-social behaviour, damage to property, and attacks on emergency services.
"I believe if fireworks were invented tomorrow, they would never be made available for general sale in the way they are now.
"Whilst legislation exists to restrict the sale and use of fireworks, it is an unavoidable reality that they are still finding their way into the wrong hands, and research from the Scottish Government this month has shown that the number of firework-related injuries has been increasing in recent years.
"I will continue to push for the UK government to change the law, or devolve the powers to do so, but in the meantime I hope that responsible retailers will withdraw general sale so that displays can be restricted to much safer organised events."
259 Hamilton Road, Cambuslang, Glasgow, UK View on Google Maps
Email: Contact@gedkillen.com
Produced and Promoted by Lynsey Hamilton on behalf of Ged Killen at 112 Philips Wynd, Hamilton, ML3 8PH. I'm not currently an MP, as Parliament has been dissolved until after the General Election.
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text:
Woman who had both breasts removed due to cancer celebrates her body with an empowering photoshoot
Ellen ScottWednesday 4 Apr 2018 7:49 am
(Picture: Adam Bullingham / SWNS)
Sharon Donnelly, 54, had to fight to have both her breasts removed.
After surviving breast cancer, she wanted to have her other breast removed out of fear her cancer would return.
Doctors told her the breast was healthy, and initially refused to do the second operation.
But after a lot of convincing, and writing a nine page letter to her doctor, Sharon got surgeons to operate – which is when they discovered cancerous tissue in the remaining breast.
'Every time you look down and see one boob there, you think it [the cancer] is going to come back,' said Sharon. 'That thought will never leave you.
'I thought it I had it removed I would have the best chance of surviving the cancer.
'I never wanted the reconstruction,' she said.
Sharon Donnelly, 54, in hospital after she had her breasts removed. (Picture: SWNS)
'Reconstruction takes a long while to get over. It's a series of surgeries. I didn't want that; I just wanted to get on with my life.'
Sharon says that having the surgery allowed her to enjoy the last moments with her husband John, who died in March this year.
'John fought for me have it and I'm so grateful for that because I recovered and we had the last nine months together,' she said.
Having both breasts removed gave Sharon peace of mind – and allowed her to feel comfortable with her body again.
To celebrate 'being a flattie', she posed naked for a photoshoot.
'Doing that empowered me more than anything else,' said Sharon.
'It's helping me. I just want women to know they can be empowered and free.
'You don't have to worry about getting a bra on in the mornings.
'I didn't feel my boobs defined me as a person.
'The most liberating thing of all is I have not thought about cancer since.'
Sharon hopes that as well as showing other women they don't need breasts to feel beautiful, sharing her story will make it easier for women with breast cancer to go for a removal rather than a reconstruction.
More: Travel
Daily Fitness Challenge: How many chest-to-floor burpees can you do in a minute?
'There are a lot of women wanting removal and having to fight to convince surgeons,' she explains.
'I'm angry that I still had to go through that. I'm not angry for me anymore but other ladies are still going through it and it should not be like that.
'You don't need a psychologist to have reconstruction but you do to have removal of a supposedly healthy breast.
'I want to fight for patients to have the options.'
MORE: Vogue shows others how it's done by putting its first hijab-wearing model on the cover
MORE: Little girl with burns across a third of her body becomes a swimwear model
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What I Rent: Sophie, £525 a month for a one-bedroom flat in Sheffield
Couple paid off their £16,000 loan in a year thanks to giving up meal deals and bulk buying meat
Two-page wedding invitation tells guests to eat beforehand as only cookies will be served
Home › Lifestyle


text:
Latin American countries push for climate action transparency
During the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week, in Montevideo, UN Environment presented the Center for Climate Action Transparency, an initiative to assist countries in the disclosure of efforts to achieve climate commitments.
With the Center's support, Chile is developing a centralized national climate information platform and Costa Rica is working on a strategic climate planning unit, while Argentina will craft a greenhouse gas inventory system.
These countries are the first to develop their transparency plans through the UN Environment initiative and all three presented their experiences during a Climate Week side event.
The Center seeks to promote a regional vision to comply with the enhanced transparency framework for action and support of the Paris Agreement (article 13), and help the countries to describe their progress using a common language.
The enhanced transparency framework was established in order to build mutual trust and confidence and to promote effective implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), registered under the Paris Agreement.
"Transparency is crucial to step up climate action. At this stage of the Paris Agreement enforcement, the countries of the region are facing similar challenges, such of the lack of technologies or capabilities. The Center will work to create the opportunities to move forward, in a coordinated and efficient manner," said Leo Heileman, Regional Director of UN Environment in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Center for Climate Action Transparency manages a website that will help inform the public and stakeholders about the progress on climate commitments of each country in the region.
This endeavour is part of UN Environment´s global strategy to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The Center works with the technical support of the UNEP-DTU Partnership and constitutes a community of practice of the initiative REGATTA, supported by the Government of Spain.
The UNEP-DTU collaboration center, based at the Technological University of Denmark, operates globally and offers scientific, technical and financial support for capacity building within the measurement, reporting and verification systems; and monitoring and evaluation, according to each context.
Latin American and Caribbean countries generate around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and constitutes one of the regions with the greatest potential for decarbonization.
Related Topics:Climate ChangeEnvironmentLatin AmericaTransparency
Analysis of new U.S. coal plant rules shows deadly dangers of air pollution
Ten tips on how humanitarian actors can protect the environment
Pandemic shock must propel stronger health systems in Latin America and the Caribbean
Renewable Energy and Regional Integration Drive Latin American Vision for Growth
Warm Winters and Global Warming: Does the COP work?
Corruption Kills: A chronicle of tragedies foretold in Mexico
Syarifah Huswatun Miswar
We have passed 2022 with many environmental problems and the impact of a changing climate, natural disasters that cannot be avoided, wars that are still happening, and social habituation with the COVID-19 outbreak. However, more than the things that have been mentioned, humans who are in this anthropocene period need to be more cautious in responding to their environment. The loss of many animals and the increase in seawater temperature are indications that the real threats from the environment are no longer in "alert" or "alert" status but are already at the "danger" level. Some scientists are predicting a worst-case scenario of the earth in the next few years.
In early 2023, the news was shocked by the fact that the Saudi Arabian desert had become green due to the incessant rains in recent months. Saudi Arabia, a desert country, has become a green land, something that has never existed in history, violating its natural laws. It's different in Arabia and Europe, which go through the winter and experience a temperature rise so that the ice is no longer present in some parts of Europe this year. Although there are numerous traditions and sports practiced by the community that can only be practiced in winter, for example, ski sports,
In 2022, the warmest weather record was broken into different parts of the world, including England, where it was recorded above 40 degrees Celsius. The cause of this increase in temperature is triggered by many factors, of course; for example, severe forest fires that hit parts of Europe and Australia are related to hot weather. During this time, the weather in Pakistan and India is very warm because the temperature reaches 51 degrees Celsius.
In a range of studies, scientists have concluded that the increase in temperature is probably due to climate change. Rising temperatures are expected to negatively impact humans and nature, including frequent droughts and diseases caused by warm weather.
The British Meteorological Office predicts that the Earth's temperature will rise in 2023, making it one of the warmest years in the world.
Temperatures are forecast to rise for the 10th consecutive year, when global temperatures have risen at least one degree Celsius above average.
The world is about 1.1 degrees Celsius hotter compared to the period before the Industrial Revolution in 1750–1900, when humans started using large amounts of fossil fuels and released emission gases into the atmosphere.
Temperatures on Earth in 2023 are expected to be 1.08 to 1.32 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial or pre-industrial average.
COP and its myths
Meanwhile, countries around the world are committed to reducing emissions to keep temperature rises below 1.5 degrees Celsius to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Many countries around the world have come to an agreement on that commitment since 2015. Similarly, the real actions that have been achieved However, the reality is that global temperatures also become warmer each year without being able to avoid it. The existence of the COP, which aims to slow the rate of increase in the earth's temperature, actually needs to be questioned again, starting from the formation of the COP itself, the procedures for implementing decisions, and the time-consuming implementation.
Among the things that make the COP less reliable in efforts to control the earth's temperature, there are:
Firstly, the fact that the COP, which is under the umbrella of the UN, is not a suitable place for efforts to reduce carbon emission commitments because, basically, the UN was originally designed to bring about peace between people, while climate change must be designed for humans to face an environment that cannot be negotiated like humans.
Secondly, the UN has a voluntary system. There is no obligation to follow and obey the rules that are in place. Not all countries in the world have participated in the 2015 COP Paris Agreement. Countries of the world can leave the UN at any time if they are deemed inappropriate and are no longer sought after. There is no ultimate coercive law; it's all voluntary.
The third, the COP was designed inappropriately based on the needs of nature and the environment, because the environment cannot speak like humans do, but the agendas and communiqués in the COP are prepared based on the needs and interests of the countries in the COP, where the votes are the most and are considered most profitable; that's how the agenda and the rules of the COP were made. This is clear from previous COPs 26 and 27.
At COP26, the phrase "stop" the use of fossil fuels was modified to "periodically decrease" the use of fossil fuels. With regard to COP27, the discussion focused on financing and the financing system established by developed countries for developing countries. The grants that were issued during the Paris agreement were considered to have not been on target; there was a lot of suspicion in the flow of grants, not to mention that developed countries like America were considered to not be keeping their promises to spend climate change funds as promised at the beginning of the agreement. China, which produces the second-largest gas emissions after America, is considered not entitled to climate compensation funds, but as the second-largest economy, it should contribute funds.
Indirectly, every year, the COP even looks like a myth because they say that if you do this, it's going to produce this. All the agendas which have been agreed are but temporary human consolations. It's not that the COP under the umbrella of the United Nations is not functioning properly; all plans and aspirations are actually logical and can be implemented; it's just who and how these commitments are carried out that makes everything feel like a myth.
An insight into the climate disaster in the future
The IPCC released its most recent report in August 2021 by analyzing 14,000 studies, 234 experts from 65 countries concluded that the earth's temperature will rise 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times of 1800–1850 in 2040.
The temperature increase is faster than forecast for 2050. According to this 4,000-page report over seven years, rising global temperatures cannot be avoided even if each country achieves net-zero or net-zero emissions by 2050.
The meaning of this research is that certain countries will run out of water, some lands will sink, diseases from ancient viruses will return to life and attack humans more than COVID-19, there will be no ice in winter, and predictions of extinction or the genetic transformation of humans will occur.
A bright light in the dark
Human instinct will always seek to prevent catastrophes, hunger and fear. Even though the rate of change on the earth is getting worse day by day, several new breakthroughs have still been successfully created by humans to meet their needs in order to survive. Examples such as air conditioners are created by people to cope with warm summers. Cell farms that can cut livestock production costs, carbon bankers for energy, and even plans to occupy the moon and discover new habitable planets All efforts outside of climate agreements and negotiations will always be a way of life for the good hopes of human life in the future, especially for today's young generation, which will inherit the earth in the future. However, it is important to understand that regardless of the quality of existing discoveries, they will not be the same as the clean air that still exists today. Similarly, whatever the quality of the house in the future, it will not necessarily be as comfortable as the land we live on today.
Seals, Satellites and Dung Beetles -What Links Them?
Meena Miriam Yust
Imagine hunting for a fish dinner in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of the night without flashlight, compass, or iPhone . . . and then to find a way back to land. This is what seals must accomplish on a regular basis to survive. These pinnipeds, so often seen posing with a ball balanced perfectly on a whiskered nose or bowing gracefully for a circus display, have skills that cannot be seen on the stage. In fact, they give our close relatives the chimpanzees something to envy.
One sign of intelligence is an ability to recognize and respond to human gestures. Chimpanzees have difficulty doing this. Dogs are one of a few species capable of doing so. It turns out seals, too, can recognize human gestures and, surprisingly, perform even better than dogs at these tasks, as has been demonstrated through research. The grey seal outshone almost all the other animal contestants.
A dog resting comfortably by the fireplace after a nice meal is a familiar sight for many of us, and it does not take a stretch of the imagination to picture a seal doing the same on a bit of rock or sand after a dinner of fish. The intelligence of the two creatures is comparable, and to some degree, the look of their furry heads, pointy noses, and soulful eyes. Perhaps it's time to extend a little of the love we feel for our pets to their oceanic counterparts far out in the sea. There is a good reason.
Seals face many threats in the wild — loss of habitat, loss of food, pollution, numerous climate change impacts. But there may be a new one. Seals hunt for food at night and must find their way back to shore. Studies have demonstrated that harbor seals can navigate using a lodestar and learned star courses. What would happen if this vital star map was disrupted?
Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are brightly visible in the night sky, and could interfere with star navigation. SpaceX, the largest producer of LEO satellites to date, has launched over 3,000 Starlink satellites with plans to launch as many as 42,000. And while SpaceX is the the largest producer of LEO satellites, it is not the only one.
Astronomers have raised concerns that low Earth orbit satellites are visible and inhibit scientific research. The International Association of Astronomers has set up a Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference as a response. The astronomer Meredith Rawls has described the plans of launching thousands more satellites in the coming years as "an unsustainable trajectory".
In addition to creating streaks in photos and hampering astronomical observations, satellites will also handicap creatures like seals, migratory birds, and even the humble dung beetle, all who use stars for navigation.
Among birds, Indigo buntings prefer to travel at night during migration. Scientists studying the buntings found that the birds rely on star patterns to determine north. European robins and yellow underwing moths also use the stars in travel.
If the Milky Way map is disrupted by a projected 65,000 satellites as is expected in a few years, they will light up the sky. They will not only affect astronomy research, but may also affect the survival of many creatures large and small. There are likely many more species that rely on stars beyond the ones discussed in this article – scientists have only scratched the surface of star navigation research.
Global Internet is a necessary purpose, but if it costs species their lives, then perhaps we could have global internet that is just a tad slower — with satellites not quite so low in orbit.
There is another aspect of LEO satellites that is a cause for concern. It is one that threatens not only the survival of other species but also our own. Starlink satellites burn up in the atmosphere leaving a residue (aluminum oxide) that reflects sunlight and could deplete the ozone layer. Furthermore, the full effects of aluminum in the atmosphere are unknown and could be severe. SpaceX might argue that meteoroid material comes in every day – but it is made up mostly of oxygen, magnesium, and silicon. Satellites, by contrast, are made primarily of aluminum. Aluminum can burn to reflective aluminum oxide, which may alter the climate to worsen warming of the planet. Scientists are also concerned that aluminum oxide could create a hole in the ozone layer.
As recently as February 2022, about 40 Starlink Satellites burned up in the atmosphere. And burning up is the ultimate fate for all of them — all 42,000 plus.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is at present examining whether satellite licensing should require environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), but it may take considerable time, from months to years, for a decision to be reached, and the decision may not end up affecting satellites already approved and in space. Since 1986, the FCC has enjoyed a categorical exclusion from NEPA. One can only hope for a prompt determination that can have a preventive effect.
An uncontrolled aluminum experiment capable of creating holes in the ozone layer and exacerbating global warming is highly risky because we may not have a second chance.
We used to think lead paint was a great idea. Years later, we discovered health risks and began removing it. The trouble is, if we find out a few years from now that aluminum is destroying the atmosphere, we cannot dispense with it as easily as the lead paint.
The seals are enduring the consequences of human activity in more than one way. Is it too much to ask that we give them a chance?
Author's note: This piece first appeared in CommonDreams.org.
Climate change and food security in the 21st century
Mashal Zahid
Climate change is one of the many factors that influence food security. Worldwide, levels of hunger remain alarmingly high. In 2021, they exceeded all earlier records, as stated by the Global Report on Food Crises. Food is not distributed evenly around the world, so most of the world will not go hungry; however, the poorest parts of the world will be hungrier than they are now. More people are going hungry than ever before, and the UN warns that the number is growing. The latest UN report on global hunger shows that we are regressing. No fewer than 828 million people went hungry one way or another every day last year. Natural disasters, conflicts, and rising temperatures are alarming for food security. Prices of crops and wheat have amplified dramatically and will continue to do so. To avert a global food catastrophe Billions of dollars are needed. Apart from the fact that it is too late, what can we do?
There is no doubt that COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem, but even before the pandemic, hunger was on the rise because of poverty, conflicts, a growing population, disease, and climate change. According to the IPCC report, climate change could lead to an extra 183 million people on the edge of acute hunger by 2050. A warmer planet affects how food is grown and distributed around the world. Extreme heat waves, floods in northern Europe, droughts in China, and extreme wildfires in Spain and France are examples.
By 2021, global hunger will have reached nearly 830 million people. According to the UN report; Food insecurity has also increased the gender gap. At least 45 million young children go through wasting (the noxious form of malnutrition).
According to a report in Kenya, people wait for cash payouts from Kenya's government money to cope with the rising food crisis, and how much they receive depends on how vulnerable their families are. In northern Kenya, savings are held in livestock; a man without livestock cannot provide food to their family; drought wipes out a family's fortunes and it takes years to recover, so they have to make sure that their herd stays alive; it's their priority.
How have Russia and the Ukraine war triggered the situation?
Conflicts have emerged, as have the effects of climate change on food structures. Nations have not made progress since COVID 19, and climate change is exposing how vulnerable global food systems are; additionally, the war in Ukraine has caused inflation and food insecurity, and numerous forms of climate disaster have occurred around the world, primarily in the global south. As Russia's war rages around them, Ukrainian farmers go hard at work, which is critical as Ukraine is a chief supplier of grains, cooking oils, and other food items to the rest of the world. However, both making food and receiving it from the rest of the world are becoming increasingly difficult for Ukraine. Some farmers fear that it will rapidly become unbearable. When big nations get sanctioned, particularly unilaterally, then everybody suffers especially poor nations where there is still a food crisis, let alone commodities and other such things.
It is no doubt that the war has led to a massive and deteriorating food security situation in Ukraine, disrupting livelihoods during the agricultural growing season, creating limitations for physical access to inputs, and destroying homes, productive assets, agricultural and forest land, and roads. Russia and Ukraine export approximately one-third of the world's wheat and barley, as well as more than 70% of their sunflower oil and are major corn traders. Russia is the largest global fertilizer producer. World food prices were already rising, and the war has made things worse, blocking some 20 million tons of Ukrainian grain from getting to the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Due to Russian obstructions of the Black Sea coast, almost 90 percent of the wheat and other grains from Ukrainian fields that are transported to world markets by sea have been affected. Some grain is being redirected through Europe by rail, road, and river, but the quantity is a drop in the bucket compared with sea routes. The consignments are also backed up as Ukraine's rail gauges don't match those of its nationals to the west. The costs of supply chain disruptions have both accelerated and slowed global economic recovery. Several parts of the world are facing labor shortages, further postponing transport networks. Due to a lack of truck drivers, unloaded ships have become congested.
How can we prevent food insecurity from becoming the next global pandemic?
Climate change is a far more serious issue and threat than the nuclear threat. What makes this bigger is that the majority of us do not consider this a threat because there is no Hiroshima of climate change. The government should levy taxes on more carbon emission businesses to raise awareness about environmental issues because we pollute most of the water that is available to us. Anytime we go to Sea View, people throw litter there. To alleviate climate change, keep it at levels where it is still possible to ensure and maintain everyone's food security and nutrition. In that effort, agriculture also has a role to play, keeping in mind that food security is the priority. Adaptation to climate change in agriculture and food systems for food security and nutrition will require enabling investments, policies, and institutions in various areas where changes on the ground are needed. For the world's poor, becoming accustomed to climate change and ensuring food security go hand in hand. Food can be grown at a higher density and quality with additional hands-on processes than with existing commercial farming practices. Effectiveness has taken precedence over quality and quantity. Commercial farming practices are harsh on the environment. Permaculture and other maintainable methods can together increase the food supply and help the environment at the same time. Of course, that would involve a complete modification of the lifestyle and economy of the world. If everyone grew their food and gave back to nature, we would be good.


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How to deal with a bitter partner during any misunderstanding or break up. Must read.
Everyone goes through a trying time in a relationship, perhaps a misunderstanding, brought about by pure insecurities or signs of unfaithfulness in a relationship.
When this time comes, different people know how to tackle it in all different ways. Those that rant about it, the violent ones, those who go and preach about it on social media and those who attack their partners and remind them of how less of human beings they are.
Its acceptable when anger gets over you. How we deal with it however defines the better part of us.
Take for example a lady who calls their guy a looser and regrets every bit they dated just because they had a misunderstanding. Its okay I mean that how she feels but a misunderstanding doesn't have to lead to that.
How do you handle such times when they come?
when your partner becomes violent, the only better way is to let them rant and perhaps thank them for reminding you of all your faults. No one is actually perfect and them remind you of that is the only way to work on the little mistakes.
Dont pick a fight or quarrel with such a person it only shows you think in the same capacity.
DEALING WITH A BREAK UP
Whether the relationship lasted three weeks or three years, breakups can leave us feeling heartbroken, lost and even physically ill. While there's no magic formula to do away with the pain of a split, having healthy coping mechanisms in place is essential to getting over your ex and moving on with strength and grace.
Ending a relationship has very real effects on the mind and body: A 2010 Northwestern study found that breakups cloud our sense of self -- and the more serious things were with your ex, the more of an identity crisis you're likely to experience.
"Even if the relationship wasn't great, you're still starting at ground zero," Sheri Meyers, marriage therapist and author of "Chatting or Cheating" told the Hufington Post. "The first thing you need to anticipate, no matter where you are in the process, is that there is a grieving [period]. There is a sense of abandonment, there is a sense of terror about the future, there is disappointment... There is a process of going from we back to me."
Treating yourself well during the post-breakup period -- whether you initiated the split or were on the receiving end -- is a must. While it's true that time heals all emotional wounds, you can speed up the process of moving on by taking control over your health and well-being.
To help you on your way, we've rounded up seven simple, expert-approved strategies for coping with breakup stress:
1. Write Or Talk It Out.
Although suppressing unpleasant feelings is a natural impulse, avoiding your emotions will ultimately prevent you from moving past them. There are so many emotions involved in a breakup -- anger, sadness, loneliness, feelings of rejection and uncertainty about the future -- and it's essential to confront them head-on. Particularly in the early stages of a breakup, try let yourself feel what you feel, without judgment. Writing out your thoughts in a journal, having a good cry, or talking to a therapist can help you process and gain the clarity you need to see why the relationship didn't work -- and why you'll be better off without your former partner.
"You've gotta feel," says Meyers. "If you feel like crying, cry. If you're pushing your feelings down, they're just going to make you calloused or afraid."
2. Take Care Of Your Body.
Going on a "breakup diet" may sound like a good idea -- we often think of looking our best as a way to get revenge on an ex -- but it can easily become a way to punish yourself, reinforcing feelings of rejection. (Not to mention encouraging you to develop an unhealthy relationship with food.) Instead of restricting calories, eat nourishing whole foods that are high in fiber, protein and nutrients to boost your mood and energy. A balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits, greens and stress-busting superfoods can help counteract the physiological stress of the breakup, says Meyers.
Another important thing, Meyers notes, is to avoid mindless eating and try not to turn food as a coping mechanism. Don't worry about indulging a little, but try not to keep too much junk food around, as foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt can actually contribute to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
3. Get Active (But Don't Over-Exercise)
Getting your endorphins pumping through cardio exercise is often prescribed as a way to get over a breakup, and for good reason: Going for a run or hitting the elliptical can lower your stress levels, improve cognitive functioning and boost your mood -- in addition to providing a healthy distraction from your worries. Even if exercising is the last thing you want to do, the act of simply getting out of your head and focusing your awareness on your body can be helpful.
"After a breakup, we tend to want to sit and cuddle and huddle and cry, and talk to our girlfriends and feel bad about ourselves," says Meyers. "So getting out and moving is really essential because it's almost the opposite of what we feel like doing, which is shutting down and feeling sorry for ourselves."
But be wary of over-exercising: Like over-eating or excessively dieting, exercise can become a compulsive behavior. Get active in a way that you enjoy and that doesn't feel like a punishment, whether it's early-morning jogs in the park, zumba or hot yoga -- all the better when accompanied by friends.
4. Remind Yourself Of All The Great Things In Your Life.
"It's so easy to see the loss as everything, and then it starts overwhelming the good in all of your life," says Meyers.
Painful breakups can cloud your thinking so that it's almost impossible to look beyond the immediate feelings of pain and loss. You may have trouble remembering all the things you appreciate because you're so focused on the negative. Practicing gratitude can help to even out your moods and get you get back into a more positive headspace. Studies have shown that listing things you're thankful for can boost your well-being and brighten your outlook on life.
Meyers suggests keeping a gratitude journal to help turn your attention to the positive. You may initially have to force yourself to think of things you're grateful for, but as you repeat the process, the bad won't feel so all-consuming anymore. (And you might find yourself feeling thankful that you no longer have to deal with your ex's bad habits!)
5. Do Things YOU Love.
After a bad breakup, it's hard to get excited about the things you loved pre-split -- but the only way to start enjoying yourself again is to force yourself to get out and do them anyway. Treat yourself to something that make you feel good, whether it's a cup of coffee with a friend or a massage. Self-care is essential to the healing process, and doing things that make you smile can help you heal, says Meyers.
Try going to the movies to check out a new comedy or inviting your friends over to marathon-watch "Arrested Development": Laughing has been shown to boost mood and improve overall health, and the support of your friends will help ease feelings of loneliness and isolation.
"Laughter helps us speed up healing, both emotionally and physically," says Meyers.
6. Try An 'Obsession Diet.'
Obsessing is a natural reaction to the end of a relationship -- but only for so long. Most of us have had to deal with a friend who can't talk about anything but her ex for months after the breakup, and it's not pretty. You don't want to get to the point where your BFFs have to stage a friend-tervention to get you off the couch and out into the single world. To push yourself past the "constant agonizing" stage, Meyers recommends putting yourself on an "obsession diet" (not to be confused with the aforementioned, and unadvisable, breakup diet). For five minutes per hour, she explains, you can obsess, write and indulge in self-pity all you want.
"But when the timer goes off -- enough," she says. "You have to wait for the next hour."
The next day, reduce the time to four minutes, then three minutes, and so on.
"It's giving yourself permission," says Meyers. "If you're trying to break the habit of thinking about your partner, giving yourself five minutes a day helps you to realize that you can control your thinking. It's a way to channel the urge and also feel the sense of control."
Performing acts of kindness towards others has been shown to improve well-being and help relieve depression. Giving back can be a powerful way to "rechannel the love," as Meyers puts it, that was previously funneled into the relationship.
"Do something where you are helping others, because that gives you a sense of empowerment and it's also opening your heart," she says.


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Carroll Lynwood Beedy (August 3, 1880 – August 30, 1947) was a U.S. Representative from Maine from 1921 to 1935.

He was born in Phillips, Franklin County, Maine, on August 3, 1880. He attended the public schools of Lewiston, Androscoggin County, Maine and graduated from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, in 1903 and from the law department of Yale University in 1906. He was admitted to the bar in 1907 and commenced practice in Portland, Maine. He became the prosecuting attorney of Cumberland County from 1917 to 1921. In the Republican primary prior to the election, Beedy defeated Mayor of Portland Charles Bailey Clarke by 19 votes. He was subsequently elected to the 67th and the six succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1921 - January 3, 1935). He was also chairman of the Committee on Mileage (68th and 69th Congresses), Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Labor (69th Congress), Committee on Elections No. 1 (70th and 71st Congresses). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1934 to the 74th Congress. He then practiced in law in Washington, D.C., until his death there August 30, 1947. Beedy was an active Freemason. He was interred in Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, Maine.

External links

References

1880 births
1947 deaths
Maine lawyers
American prosecutors
Bates College alumni
Yale Law School alumni
People from Phillips, Maine
Politicians from Lewiston, Maine
Burials at Evergreen Cemetery (Portland, Maine)
American Congregationalists
Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Maine
20th-century American politicians
20th-century American lawyers

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


is there any easy way?
In one of my programs i need to be able to find the square root of a number bu i cant find any easy way to do this.
Is there any easy way to find the square root?
Thanks!!! Works like a charm.
is there an easy way to square a number?
I have just been doing it like this (a*a).
and the 2 means what power the i is raised to?
The qualifying path to the proper class library depends on what libraries you have imported...Math is the class library...pow() is the function within that library. And yes, in the example of pow(a,B), a is raised to the power of b.
There's also an approximation method.
It's not Java Code but it will be with little modifications....but i figure you will at least get the algorithm right.
Does anyone know how to have to square root symbol actually show up as output?
And, no, I don't think we can have a good square root symbol show up on the output.
@shirlz: As this was already answered in an above post, please stop necroposting this thread.
extended ASCII code 251 (at least the sheet says it is) is a square root symbol. Why not just display that?
I am getting the wrong ASCII code though. Does Java have problems with extended ASCII?
Square Root Algorithm? - Duh!!! Deadllime On Teusday!


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https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Derby-tax-board-approves-roof-resolution-11414636.php
Derby tax board approves roof resolution
By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich Register Correspondent
Published 12:26 am EDT, Tuesday, August 20, 2013
DERBY >> It likely won't be until early October when residents head to the polls to vote to replace three of the city schools' badly deteriorating roofs.
The Board of Apportionment and Taxation on Monday finally managed to have a quorum, after four failed attempts over the last two weeks, and were able to approve a resolution on a $5.9 million project to replace the roofs.
City officials hoped to hold the referendum in mid-September, but the resolution and approval of the referendum question requires passage by both the tax board and the Board of Aldermen. Several tax board members have been unable to attend meetings, due to vacations.
The tax board unanimously approved the resolution, authorizing the city to bond the roof project over 20 years.
The next step is for the aldermen to set a referendum date. The board has its regular monthly meeting scheduled for Thursday (AUG. 22), and is expected to set the date at that time. City officials expect the referendum could take place the second week of October.
If residents approve the project, Derby's share of the $5.9 million price tag will end up being about $1.9 million. That's due to the state kicking in 74 percent in reimbursement.
The project has $283,500 built into it for contingency, which City Treasurer Keith McLiverty had said would cover any "ineligible" items the state wouldn't reimburse. One of those items, for example, is a lightning rod system for Bradley School.
At a public hearing on the project last month, McLiverty said the project would increase the city's tax rate by about 0.24 mills. That means a homeowner with a house assessed at $200,000 would pay an additional $33 in taxes the first year of the project, and less than that in the remaining years of the bond.
The Board of Education brought The Garland Co,. an independent engineering firm specializing in roofing systems, onboard to determine the project scope. The project includes $3.3 million to replace the original roof at Derby High School, built in 1968; $1.4 million to replace Bradley School's roof and $1 million for a new roof at Irving School. Each roof will come with a 30-year warranty.
All three existing roofs are beyond their useful life spans, officials said.
Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway had said the roofs are leaking pretty badly, especially at Irving School. Students there were forced to eat lunch in the school gym during the last three weeks of school in June, Conway said, because of leaks that flooded part of the cafeteria.
The high school roof has been patched over the past four decades, and about 20 years ago, a spray foam was applied to help preserve it, Conway said.
If the referendum is approved, the aldermen will establish building committees to oversee each project from the design phase to fruition.