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GIZTOP.
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Redmi K40 series Will Comprise Two Snapdragon 888 Phones
Krish - January 18, 2021 0
Xiaomi is gearing towards the launch of its next K-series smartphones in its home market. Last year, the company unveiled the Redmi...
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The Unitree A1 is a Consumer Ready Robot Dog
By Albert
FeaturedGadgetsSmart Home
While we usually cover conventional technology here on Giztop.com, today we've got something a lot more interesting. Unitree is a Chinese robotics start-up, and the Unitree A1 is a robot dog, one that's surprisingly funny to watch run along the road.
This isn't the first robot dog that Unitree has created, as the start-up had released the Laikago a bit earlier. The difference however is that the Laikago was a much larger, less practical, and also cost $45,000. The new A1 on the other hand will cost less than $10,000, which is a huge difference.
The Unitree A1 robot dog is equipped with front cameras, which are its eyes. It can record everything it sees in real-time in HD resolution. It transmits live HD video back to a human operator – it can also operate autonomously, and its RTOS (real-time operating system) even includes a mode in which the robot will track and follow a specific person.
When standing, it measures 500 mm long by 300 wide by 400 high. Its total weight is about 5 kg, and the internal battery lasts from one to two and a half hours. Rather fast, in fact, it can travel up to 3.3 meters per second (11.88 km/h). The A1 can carry a maximum payload of 5 kg (11 lb), and has a top walking speed of 3.3 meters per second (10.8 ft/s).
It doesn't just end there however, the A1 also features 2 HDMI ports, 2 Ethernet ports and 4 USB 3.0 ports.
One charge of its lithium battery pack should reportedly be good for one to 2.5 hours of runtime. Including that battery, the robot weighs 12 kg (26.5 lb). Thanks to flexible limbs and a powerful motor – it can perform all kinds of jumps and tricks. Moreover, on each paw, there are sensors that send data to the motor and make movement even more efficient.
For those of you who are curious about the robot dog, you can check it out on Unitree's website here. It's not on sale just yet, but it's very interesting and we'd like to see it go on sale soon just to see how the reception is.
Realme V15 Review: A Practical Phone With Dual 5G Specs, 50W Flash Charging, And Eye-Catching Koi Color
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Supporting the next generation of socially engaged young writers and thinkers from across the UK through our prize, resources, workshops and projects.
Enter youth prize
Home / The Orwell Youth Prize / Writing Prize / Winners – Orwell Youth Prize 2020 / Lauren Debruin
Lauren Debruin
What We Lost
The count down on Eli's hour of state-allotted outside time started the moment he slammed his front door. A familiar wave of February heat warmed his fair skin as he ran towards the yard to meet Gabriel and Emilia, who were waiting for him to provide what was left of their now rather worn football. Eli had left the flat clad only in Nike basketball shorts, a no longer very white t-shirt, and a pair of beat-up trainers; all thrifted from the Republic's charity shop in town. He was out of breath by the time he reached the wired fences of the yard, his CO2 smothered lungs straining against the increased activity. The rays of sunlight that had been kissing freckles onto the creamy expanses of Eli's skin quickly became more forceful; leaving their fingerprints around his neck. Causing the pale birthmark on his forehead to burn white-hot against the red glow.
The yard was the centre of the community. A large expanse of concrete encircled in wire mesh. Two of the metal posts securing the fence were used as one goal by Eli's friends and two of the larger bloodstains on Judas' Wall marked the other. The yard was where most of Eli's school mates met up from 2:00-3:00 pm at the weekend but during the week it was reserved for the Republic's drills, punishments, and Youth Corp's training. Eli had just reached the age where citizens were required to watch the executions and had witnessed his first on the afternoon of his eighteenth birthday. The unfortunate pair facing execution had been a husband and wife who broke the Republic's decree that restricted each couple to one child in an attempt to curb the over-population of the state. The availability of food and water was scarce across the parched lands of the UK and in the ever more frequent periods of drought the Republic reduced the rations further. These meagre resources were exacerbated by the surplus population that had flooded in from areas like Australia and Bangladesh (that were now either constantly on fire or underwater.) The Republic promoted the "an eye for an eye" philosophy and whilst both children were permitted to live, the couple would be sentenced to death. The woman's stomach was still protruding from her recent pregnancy and she pressed her palms against it; whether this was out of habit or to stop her hands shaking Eli was not sure. A woman with a greying bob and a large patchwork handbag that had jabbed into Eli's hip had told anyone who would listen that the couple had kept the baby locked up in a basement for a fortnight. Eli tried to block out her nasally words. If he closed his eyes he could almost feel seagrass tangling around his ankles and cool waves rippling over his scorched skin. The Youth Corps lined the yard, hands hovering over their rifles in case of insubordination from the crowd or from the couple that was led to Judas' Wall by the firing squad. The lower half of the squad's faces were concealed behind rags to ensure their identity remained unknown. Two of the lieutenants had blindfolded the couple with strips of discarded material before stepping back to join the squad who had lined up their rifles with the target marks hastily drawn in the centre of the couple's foreheads. Eli swallowed the bile that blistered the walls of his throat and forced his eyes open whilst the man scrambled blindly for his wife's hand. "Ready!" called the squad leader. The man seemed to deflate when his fingers met his wife's, no doubt he was thinking about the first time he had plucked up the courage to reach out and hold her hand. "Aim!". A twitching of trigger fingers from each member of the firing squad. The shots rang out the moment the last syllable of "Fire!" left the officer's tongue and the bodies hit the floor not a second later. The crowd filtered through the gates of the yard, but Eli lingered and kneeled to tie a knot in his already secure shoelace. The bulge of the woman's stomach, where she had shielded her unborn child, was at Eli's eye-level. Feeling the glare of twenty pairs of eyes on the back of his neck, he had arranged his features into a vacant mask and stood up. He glimpsed the thick red liquid from two bullet wounds mixing in a pool between the couple, their hands having fallen half a centimetre apart.
Gabriel was leaning against Judas' Wall whilst Emilia looked outwards like a bodyguard at his shoulder when Eli reached the yard. It struck Eli how similar the pair looked when they stood together, which he then thought was stupid because they were twins. Twins were authorized by the Republic because their conception could not be helped. A familiar knot of envy had woven itself in Eli's stomach. He used to find the waves of jealousy unnerving but one day he had watched their long limbs carry them from the yard and he had understood. Eli yearned for a sibling. A brother or sister who he could talk to when they were forced into the bunker underneath the garage to avoid the hurricanes, who would have his back against their nagging parents, who would simply be there. Eli kicked the football at a spot on the wall next to Emilia's head. Being threadbare and rather deflated it did not make the satisfying thump! that Eli instinctively expected but it, nonetheless, managed to bring the twins out of their reverie.
As Eli's micro-watch began its fifteen-minute countdown, Emilia booted the ball so hard it crushed an unsuspecting starling against the wire mesh. It was only after the bird crumpled to the floor that Eli realised he had not heard a screech of pain. The football bounced back into Eli's hands, but he noticed no red skid marks across its tattered surface. No blood amongst the feathery wreckage at the base of the fence. The bird was twitching with a mechanical groan and a spark shot out from what looked like a wire buried in the odd angles of its wings. Emilia was frozen. She blinked back tears that seemed to pool from the dark depths of her pupils as the others surrounded the bizarre heap. Eli's brows furrowed. He had heard rumours that the Republic had locked endangered animals in laboratories and were artificially breeding them, but the constant oscillations of bird song caused him to doubt these stories. Now that the speaker embedded in the starling's beak was exposed, it was impossible not to consider that the Republic was hiding the true extent of the mass extinctions.
"We should throw it over the fence."
Eli did not know who had made the suggestion, but he wholeheartedly agreed. He was sure the Republic would be able to track their birds but if they found it on the road they might be convinced that it had been hit by an oblivious car. No one seemed willing to move it. Eli took off his t-shirt and reached through the fabric to pinch the robotic wing before hurling it over the fence and into the road. Nobody dared to speak. They hardly dared to blink for a breath. Then the alarms of their micro-watches jolted them out of their charged silence.
Eli's house was only one precariously left on the edge of an eroding cliff. It lay in wait to be dragged to its deceased neighbours in the unfathomable depths of the dying ocean. Eli took the stone steps leading from his house two at a time then edged into the water until it kissed his knees, careful not to trample over the seagrass that he had spent so many months cultivating. A singular seagrass plant had given Eli the ability to grow an entire underwater meadow that now housed seahorses, trout, and an especially sluggish flatfish. It struck him that these, too, might have been manufactured by the Republic, but he did not seriously think they would spend money on building the fish-equivalent of a piece of cardboard. The seabed was one of the only pieces of wildlife that Eli had ever experienced. He would do anything to keep it safe from those who would attempt to turn it into a grotesque tourist attraction. The last place to see marine life in Penzance. The Cornwall that his grandparents recollected, the one that was home to basking sharks and porpoises and grey seals, seemed as distant to Eli as handwritten letters. The perpetual cycle of drought and water shortage, of sheltering from hurricanes in underground bunkers, of watching public executions before becoming a member of the Youth Corps or facing the firing squad himself, suffocated Eli's already underdeveloped lungs. He wanted to watch his seagrass grow into a sanctuary where new-born seahorses could hide and seek whilst the trout swam laps and the flatfish slumbered; safe from the carnage sweeping the globe.
Excellent world-building! The author managed the threshold between 'reality' and 'fiction' exceptionally well. The idea of The Republic is introduced with such subtlety the reader begins to feel as if it always existed. This, then, is an excellent work of imagination and there can be no higher commendation for fiction than that it washes over its reader making them question their reality, if only for a moment. Some of the passages were a little overwrought but this in no way took away from the sense of fully realised world." Kayo Chingonyi, Orwell Youth Prize Judge
'What We Lost' is a wonderful feat of imagination, by turns touching and bleak, and with a powerfully drawn sense of loss and regret. Some scenes are particularly sharply written, and in making what should be unimaginable so horribly real in these passages, Lauren has captured something Orwell felt to be of the essence – that writing should be true. She is a worthy and deserved winner." Ken Macdonald QC, Chair of the Orwell Foundation
Lauren Debruin is a senior 2020 Orwell Youth Prize winner, responding to the theme 'The Future We Want'.
The Man on the Side - Tom Warburton
Work Experience as a Young Campaigner - Jude Leese
A Small Thing - Anya Edgerton

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The President of Malta needs to exercise fully the responsibilities of his office. Needless to say, he does not do so when he issues a disturbing press release stating that he can do nothing more about the current constitutional crisis. The press release issued by his office informed the public that if he were to act, he would be going beyond the provisions of the constitution (See Department of Information press release 192602 of December 6).
Let me however remind the president what he swore when he assumed the duties of office: "I George Vella solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President (perform the functions of the President) of Malta, and will, to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Malta. (So help me God)."
Can the president tell us how he is preserving, protecting and defending the constitution of Malta in the current constitutional crisis? His predecessors in office did exercise their constitutional guardianship role but is the current president doing so? Unfortunately, the press release is silent on these matters. Hopefully the president can be kind enough to elaborate further and set the record straight.
Is, for instance, the president raising rule of law issues with the prime minister when the latter meets him, in terms of article 87 of the Constitution, to keep the president regularly informed concerning matters of government? Has the president ever raised rule of law issues during these meetings? Or will the president provide the stock answer that what is discussed in these meetings is a matter of state, highly confidential and not in the public (that is, government) interest to divulge?
The current Head of State has gone on record this year, not much in consonance with his national unity symbol, to endorse his government's protestations that the criticism on the rule of law in Malta was "unfair and blown out of proportion".
As was reported by Herman Grech: "Criticism of Malta's rule of law and claims that Malta's democracy was under threat were unfair and blown out of proportion, the President has said. Asked on Times Talk whether he felt such criticism was justified, George Vella replied: 'I wouldn't say it's rubbish, but it's not fair – it's out of proportion considering the many changes that took place when I was also part of Cabinet'."
Being guardian of the constitution means a proactive approach to constitutional problems
If the president – the Constitution's guardian – appears to be unaware of the extent of rule of law problems in Malta, if the president in his previous ministerial life had no qualms to partake in the "many changes that took place" (those same changes criticised by the Venice Commission and other international bodies), how can we expect that he carries out his constitutional duties when for him the "criticism of Malta's rule of law and claims that Malta's democracy was under threat were unfair and blown out of proportion"?
Being guardian of the constitution means taking a proactive approach to constitutional problems: issuing a press release informing readers that to act in the current constitutional crisis brings the President in breach of the Constitution is not tantamount to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Malta". Otherwise, these words would mean nothing and the President can stay put and continue to witness the country falling into pieces.
There are of course several ways and means how the president can assert his guardianship role. For instance, in the press it has been reported that the prime minister does not enjoy the support of his parliamentary group. Of course, the Labour parliamentary group will never commit itself publicly on this even if it might be true. But has the president investigated this assertion? Has he summoned the parliamentary group to establish whether today the Deputy Prime Minister enjoys more support in the government parliamentary group than the prime minister?
This is a constitutional crisis par excellence - Kevin Aquilina
In terms of section 80 of the constitution, the president acts on his own individual judgment when he appoints and removes a prime minister from office and does not need the advice of the prime minister or the cabinet to do so. By not checking this matter out, is he not refraining from exercising his constitutional duty?
Section 80 reads that: "Wherever there shall be occasion for the appointment of a Prime Minister, the President shall appoint as Prime Minister the member of the House of Representatives who, in his judgment, is best able to command the support of a majority of the members of that House..."
Of course, for the Labour Party the president's inaction is convenient for it can still claim that the cabinet is united under the leadership of the current prime minister even if this might not be correct. Can the president refrain from exercising his constitutional duty to wait for the Labour Party to appoint a new leader following electoral contestation on January 12, that is, in more than a month's time whilst leaving the country in a paralysis?
In the meantime, Muscat, the real cause of the crisis is not removed as fast as possible and this when it is possible to have the deputy prime minister take over the leadership of the country.
No, this is not a constitutional crisis - Chris Cilia
Elsewhere, the president is not compliant with the constitution. For instance, article 78(3) states that: "(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from conferring functions on persons or authorities other than the President."
This provision is prohibiting Parliament from enacting ordinary legislation conferring powers on the president as it has reserved that power only and uniquely unto itself. Not even Parliament can confer additional constitutional functions by ordinary law to the president let alone a government (in this case, with the connivance of the Opposition) who unconstitutionally entrusts the Head of State with chairing a steering committee on constitutional reform.
Yet the president continues to chair the steering committee on constitutional reform when the constitution clearly states that it is only the constitution – not Parliament, not government, not the Opposition – which can confer additional constitutional functions on the president.
So if the guardian of the constitution himself seems to take lightly his oath of office, considers rule of law issues to be blown "out of proportion", does not appear to be taking action to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution", does not even attempt perfunctorily to establish whether the prime minister still enjoys today a majority in his parliamentary group, possibly did and does not press the prime minister in his regular meetings to comply with the rule of law, and assumes executive functions beyond what is stated in section 78(3) of the constitution, then yes there is indeed a constitutional crisis in Malta and a threat to the rule of law.
Mr President, there is a constitutional, legal and moral duty for you to act and to act forthwith. That is what the constitution commands you to do. This is what you have subscribed to do in your oath of office. Constitutional matters cannot and should never be taken lightly and brushed aside by a press release.
Kevin Aquilina is Head of Department of Media, Communications and Technology Law, Faculty of Laws, University of Malta.


The natural qualities of Jarosław County: water reservoirs, high class lakes, vast forests and varied terrain create favourable conditions for the development of economic activities in the field of tourism, recreation and sports. Local authorities and the local community expect the prospective investors to use ecological modern technology and operate in harmony with the environment.
Rivers of the county provide opportunities for water tourism development. Besides the San river, in the county there is a water intake in Munina, a reservoir "Babionka" the Lubaczówka river, reservoir in Radawa, reservoir "Zek" in Radymno, rivers Wisznia and Szkło.
Radawa resort also creates potential conditions for the development of medical and health tourism.
Radawa resort also creates potential conditions for the development of medical and health tourism.	Kliknij aby posłuchać tekstu Jarosław County – environment–friendly development	Tourism and RecreationThe natural qualities of Jarosław County: water reservoirs, high class lakes, vast forests and varied terrain create favourable conditions for the development of economic activities in the field of tourism, recreation and sports. Local authorities and the local community expect the prospective investors to use ecological modern technology and operate in harmony with the environment.Rivers of the county provide opportunities for water tourism development. Besides the San river, in the county there is a water intake in Munina, a reservoir Babionka the Lubaczówka river, reservoir in Radawa, reservoir Zek in Radymno, rivers Wisznia and Szkło.Radawa resort also creates potential conditions for the development of medical and health tourism.


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Cape Horners attack Atlantic
|In News, News 2021
Weekly update – Vendée Globe
Wednesday 6th January 2021. The first Vendée Globe update in 2021 mirrored the event there were so many stories to tell. Rounding Cape Horn, navigating southern seas for some, start of the long climb up the Atlantic for others – all were on the agenda for the meeting organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco.
No let-up
Rounding Cape Horn is by no means the end of the story and tension is mounting. Twelve boats have now left the legendary rock in their wake, including Boris Herrmann (Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco) who crossed the Drake Passage Tuesday 5th January at 03.27 in 10th position.
It's the fifth time, but first solo, for the German sailor, an experience described as a "magical" moment by the skipper who was 'live' at the meeting via Zoom. The 39-year-old also recounted his travails with the tear in his mainsail as he approached the Chilean coast. "It was complicated as it was structural, I had to dry and clean two layers in a 45-knot wind but finished the repair in Atlantic sunshine". With the Pacific behind him, the skipper is attacking the last phase of the race: "It's great to be in the Atlantic, with the sun, lighter winds and blue skies. I have a fully hoisted mainsail and everything's just great."
There's still everything to play for on this 58th day of racing. Led by Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV), the group in pursuit are narrowing the gap, trying to stay close to the leader who has a 10 hour 15 minute time award, as does Jean Le Cam (Yes We Cam) and Boris Herrmann (Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco), the former 16 hours 15 minutes and Boris 6 hours, for diverting to go to the rescue of Kevin Escoffier (PRB). "Today, I'm in hunter mode. We need to wait another couple of days to see what happens, but I think I will pick up speed soon. I'm aiming to cross the equator in ten or eleven days' time," explained Boris.
There is no rest for skippers post-Cape Horn as they are having to negotiate a high pressure system off Argentina, enough to ramp-up suspense in a fleet where everyone will pull out all the stops to succeed.
From virtual to reality
The hugely popular Virtual Regatta took centre stage again with the intervention by Philippe Guigné, president and founder of the online game. Conceived during the Route du Rhum in 2006, the concept has attracted more than a million players. "It has to be as real as possible. There's a depth to the game, but it remains accessible. We have big names in sailing playing, champions like Loïc Peyron who is very skilful, and at the other end novices living in landlocked Cantal who are also playing. Everyone can enjoy it," said the developer from La Rochelle.
At the Yacht Club de Monaco it has been enthusiastically embraced by more than 150 members, including a team of young sailors in the Sports Section's Competition Division and a second made up of the crew on Tuiga who take turns as if they were on watch on a boat.
While the Offshore races are full-on, the Inshore format is equally testing. "You can learn a lot with the inshore format. The tactical aspect is very present and nearly all the sailors who are very good at Virtual Regatta Inshore are generally top-level racers in real life".
The programme is often used at the YCM who has organised numerous Virtual Regatta events, such as the E-Sailing Autumn Championship on J/70s last November. The idea is to complement e-learning classes to improve skills, particularly among the younger sailors.
The next Vendée Globe will be on Wednesday 13th January at 5.00pm in the Meeting Room at the YCM.


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Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
Our History at Corbett Hall
About Edmonton
Rehab Med in Calgary
The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine is the only free-standing rehabilitation faculty in North America.
MSc in Occupational Therapy
MSc in Physical Therapy
MSc in Speech Language Pathology
MSc in Rehabilitation Science
PhD in Rehabilitation Science
Our satellite campuses in Camrose and Calgary make us a successful model of Campus Alberta.
Our departments consist of the Departments of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Communication Sciences & Disorders.
We are a research leader in the following areas: musculoskeletal health, neuroscience, aging and rehabilitation technology, among others.
6th Annual Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic Conference: Exercise as Medicine
Wheelchair and Seated Mobility
Introduction to Surgical Design and Simulation
Online Graduate Certificate Programs in Pain Management, Stroke Rehabilitation, Sexual Health and Francophone Practice for SLPs
Graduate Certificate in Bridging to Canadian Physical Therapy Practice
3rd Annual Joint Injections Workshop
Online Diagnostic Imaging Course
Online Course: Physiotherapy Practice in the Canadian Healthcare System
Online Course: Mastering the Multiple Choice Exam (Exam Prep for Physical Therapists)
Working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children Webcast Series and other Rehabilitation Webcasts
The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine CPE office offers a range of professional development education programs for working clinicians
Rehab Impact 2019
Upcoming Alumni Events
Submit Class Notes
Canada 150 Alumni Award in Rehabilitation
Dr. David Magee Clinical Fellowship in Physical Therapy
Sharon Brintnell Lectureship Award in Advancing Occupational Therapy
To date, the Faculty boasts over 6,500 alumni.
Physical Therapy Webcasts
Working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children Webcast Series
Occupational Therapy Webcasts
Speech-Language Pathology Webcasts
Webinars presented by the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine's Department of Physical Therapy and Alberta Physiotherapy College & Association
Paid Webinars
An Introduction to Addressing Chronic Headaches in Your Physiotherapy Practice, presenter Kate Gerry.
'Is it all in my head'? How do headache conditions fit into a rehabilitation medicine context? Tune in to become more familiar with differential diagnosis and aware of when to refer.
Date: February 21, 2013 (8:00-9:00am)
Presenter – Kate Gerry PT, Calgary Region Pain Centre. Kate is a physiotherapist at the AHS Chronic Pain Centre in Calgary with the interdisciplinary Headache Program. As a treatment paradigm, she combines her manual therapy background& dry needling skills into the Integrated Systems Model for Pain & Disability (Lee & Lee) and is currently enrolled in a yoga teacher training program.
Login to view recording (if you have previously registered) or Register for this recording
'Are you delivering a quality service? Prove it!' Lessons learned from a musculoskeletal review.
It has never been more important for clinicians to demonstrate effectiveness through safety, clinical outcomes, positive patient experience and evidence-based practice. The aim of this improvement initiative was to use patient experience to drive change in a musculoskeletal outpatient service.
Date: May 16, 2013 (8:00-9:00am MDT)
Presenter – Dr Lisa Roberts, PT, PhD, MCSP. Lisa is a senior lecturer at the University of Southampton, currently researching communication and decision-making in clinical encounters. Lisa also has a role as a consultant physiotherapist in the musculoskeletal outpatient department at University Hospital Southampton, where in addition to her clinical work, she leads the clinical effectiveness agenda, supporting clinicians with audits, service evaluations and higher degrees. Lisa is currently president elect of the Society for Back Pain Research.
Electrical stimulation for wounds: Review of research evidence and clinical techniques.
This presentation will describe biological effects of electrical current on the healing process. A review of current clinical research evidence to support the use of electrical stimulation treatments on chronic wounds will be provided. Common application techniques used to safely and effectively deliver electrical current to the wound will be provided.
Date: March 21, 2013 (8:00-9:00am MDT)
Presenter – Dr Pamela Houghton, Univeristy of Western Ontario. Dr. Houghton is a full professor in the School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario. She founded the Masters program in Wound healing which uses alternative delivery methods to train advanced clinicians from several professions in research and clinical skills. She is a licensed physical therapist with experience providing adjunctive therapies to treat people with chronic wounds living in the community
Screening for musculoskeletal red flags: The Physiotherapist's role in primary care.
Physiotherapist's (PT's) evaluate patients with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction in clinical practice. As primary care providers, PT's need to screen for red flags (indicating serious pathology) as part of their clinical examination. This webinar will review the evidence and provide clinicians with a pragmatic management approach to screening for musculoskeletal red flags in their clinical practice.
Date: April 18, 2013 (8:00-9:00am MDT)
Presenter – Geoff Schneider, Univeristy of Calgary. Geoff Schneider is a clinical specialist in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. He is a clinician with a special interest in managing persistent musculoskeletal pain conditions. He is a PhD candidate from the University of Calgary with a research interest in diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests in those with persistent neck pain.
8th Annual Karin Greaves Memorial Education Seminar: Thinking Outside of the Box: Understanding Pain, Depression & Anxiety with Total Joint Arthroplasty (2016)
A Discussion about Infection Management and Revision Surgery
Sessions specifically directed at discussing the impact of complex pain, depression and anxiety in patients undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty. Education sessions include interactive presentations led by orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists, a pharmacist and psychologist.
When: Recorded Saturday November 21st, 2016
Cost: Unlimited access for 30 days for: Individual Viewing ($150), Group Viewing (3+ clinicians) $350
For: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Students, other health professionals
Registration: Register and pay here
Complications following Total Joint Arthroplasty (2015)
Education sessions specifically directed at complications following Total Joint Arthroplasty. The recording consists of several interactive presentations led by orthopaedic surgeons and physical therapists.
Total knee arthroplasty and associated bariatrics (2014)
Rehabilitation for Total Joint Arthroplasty
A Joint Effort - Stepping through the continuum of care. Total knee arthroplasty and associated bariatrics.
Education sessions include interactive presentations of current concepts of joint arthroplasties by orthopaedic surgeons and physical therapists, bariatric issues associated with knee arthroplasties including bariatric rehabilitation.
When: Recorded Saturday November 22nd, 2014 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: online via webcast
Cost: Viewing individual $150, webcast viewing group (3+) $350
After purchasing the webcast you will have 30 days of unlimited viewing of the recorded event.
Information & Registration: Register and pay here
After purchasing the webcast you will be emailed your login information (login is the email you used to register plus password) as well as the PDF powerpoint presentations that accompany the presentations.
Schedule of Events and Presenters
For more information and to obtain your certificate of participation contact: sdrefs@ualberta.ca
Understanding Sleep and its Relationship to Health: An Introduction for Health Care Providers
The main objectives of the presentation are to look at:
the relationship between sleep and cognitive, emotional and physical well-being.
bi-directional nature of sleep and health
basic sleep architecture and physiology
review of non-pharmacological environment interventions for sleep
Dr Cary Brown, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta. Dr. Brown has practiced clinically as an occupational therapist, as well as department supervisor and academic in Canada, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. Dr. Brown teaches and researches in the areas of knowledge translation, health literacy, sleep, and chronic pain across the life span. She has numerous publications on these topics and presents regularly at national and international conferences. Annually, Dr. Brown teaches a graduate module in Sleep and Health and has received previous funding for research in the areas of disordered sleep in both children and persons with dementia. Her interest in disordered sleep is linked to her research activities in chronic pain, one of which received the Canadian Pain Society – Pain Awareness Award 2010 for Knowledge Translation activities.
Purchase the webcast here ($29)
Access: 60 days, unlimited access with purchase
Note: Webcast access may take up to one workday after purchase to arrive via email.
Psychology of Pain for Physical Therapists
Are Physical Therapists missing an important opportunity to better understand our patient's experience of pain? In this presentation, listeners will have the opportunity to learn about the ways in which psychology impacts pain. Subsequently, participants will discover how psychological models inform best PT management practices for complex pain - increasingly the validity of their treatment.
Dr. Bostick is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine's Department of Physical Therapy and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology. Prior to his PhD work, Dr. Bostick worked as a physical therapist in private practice clinics in Saskatoon SK, Victoria BC, and Edmonton AB. His professional interests include the interaction between measures of cognitive factors (e.g. beliefs), distress, and pain hypersensitivity in determining outcomes in complex pain conditions such as low back pain and neuropathic pain.
Purchase the webcast here ($29 share up to 3 times, $100 unlimited group sharing)
Clinical Decision Support Tools in the Management of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Physical Therapists are often asked whether patients with musculoskeletal disorders are capable of working and if not, what interventions are needed to facilitate return-to-work. This webinar will update participants on evidence-based information for guiding these decisions, and demonstrate a prototype computer-based clinical decision support tool.
Dr Doug Gross, Department of Physical Therapy, U of A.
Dr. Douglas Gross (PhD, BScPT) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta and a research affiliate with Millard Health, the WCB-Alberta's rehabilitation facility. His research focuses on injured workers with musculoskeletal conditions, including prediction of recovery and return to work, clinical decision support tools, as well as the effectiveness of clinical and public health interventions.
Best evidence for post-operative Bankart and rotator cuff rehabilitation
This webinar will provide information on how to use the new Edmonton region post operative shoulder rehabilitation guidelines. These consensus and evidence derived post-operative guidelines for Bankart and Rotator Cuff repairs were developed by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, physicians and physical therapists. These guidelines provide a common platform from which physical therapists, surgeons and physicians can work. The hope is that these new guidelines will lead to improved, standardized care for post-operative Bankart and Rotator Cuff Repair patients. Guidelines are avaiable here.
Dr Judy Chepeha, Department of Physical Therapy, U of A.
Judy Chepeha is an Assistant Professor in the Dept of Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta. Her research interests include shoulder pathology and rehabilitation in the overhead athlete/worker.
If they can put a man on the moon they should be able to fix a neck injury: the relevance of WAD-related pain beliefs
'Do beliefs really influence the pain experience? If so, how?' These questions are addressed via an illustration of the biology of nocebo hyperalgesia. Additional discussions will include: factors that inform beliefs about whiplash (WAD) and beliefs potentially prognostic of WAD outcome.
Dr Geoff Bostick, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta.
Geoff's research interests centre on cognitive aspects of pain and his PhD thesis work focused on pain beliefs after whiplash (WAD).
3-48 Corbett Hall
Email: info@rehabmed.ualberta.ca


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It might not be the largest European study destination, but it's definitely a country with rich culture and great study and work opportunities. Find out what the Netherlands has on offer for you.
Did you know the Dutch are the best non-native English speakers in the world? That's why it comes as no surprise that there is a wide variety of English degree programmes offered in the country.
This is also partly why the Netherlands is home to a big international community. If you're nervous about being away from home, you're bound to find fellow students happy to bond with you.
Find out if these programmes in the Netherlands fit what you're looking for. Just answer a few questions, it only takes 4 minutes!
BUas (Breda University of Applied Sciences)Is this Bachelor of Science Leisure Studies for you?


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Unlike other US States where a central repository is maintained by the State for all public records, divorce documents or reports in the State of Louisiana are only available from the Parish Clerk of Court where the divorce was granted. Each copy of the certificate costs $12 though this might vary depending on the Parish court where the divorce was issued.
To be able to get hold of divorce documents and other reports from the Parish Clerk, one would need to prove that he or she is related to the parties named in the divorce or be able to produce a document supporting his or her need to access the records before the State will grant access to the said documents.
Those who need the records but might not be eligible or do not have the necessary documents can find out about the divorce by engaging the services of commercial search providers. Some providers offer basic searches free or for a nominal fee for a complete and detailed report.
How To Obtain Louisiana Divorce Records
For those who have legal right to get hold of divorce papers, follow the instructions below:
Visit the Louisiana Clerks of court website
Do note that only certified copies are available from the Clerk of Court
Contact the Parish court to get hold of how to apply for divorce certificates and the updated fees
State of Louisiana Divorce Records Resources
Louisiana Clerks of Court Association
Louisiana State Registrar and Vital Records
Louisiana Child Custody, Parental Rights, Property ()
Louisiana Divorce Professional Directory
Louisiana Criminal Law, Abuse, Protective Orders
Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court
St. Tammany Parish


I'll second that. Unbearable today. Do you have a melting smiley?
We have A/C in 3 rooms but not in the other 3 :'( The wiring in this building would melt if we added any more A/Cs (very old building built in 1873). There is a large outdoor public pool less than 2 blocks from us.


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New Mexico sees declining case numbers during 'reset'; clarifies red-to-green program for re-opening counties
by: Patricia L. Garcia
Posted: Nov 30, 2020 / 11:17 AM MST / Updated: Nov 30, 2020 / 11:00 PM MST
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — During a news conference about the state's shift to county-by-county health restrictions, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham emphasized that the coronavirus is still a danger for all residents.
The state reported 1,684 new virus cases, as well as 28 deaths, with 876 patients hospitalized. Hospitals in New Mexico are still stressed. "We have to take this much more seriously than we have," she said.
Lujan Grisham mentioned Sylvia Garcia, a Las Cruces teacher who died of COVID-19 on Sunday, saying she spoke with Garcia's family and that it is a heartbreaking situation.
Las Cruces middle school teacher dies of COVID-19
Lujan Grisham said that the two-week 'reset,' however, was helpful in reducing the number of COVID-19 cases, and that the state is moving in the right direction.
On Wednesday, the state will transition to the red-to-green system. The new system will be broken down into three categories based on each county's gating criteria: green, signifying medium risk, yellow, signifying high risk, and red, signifying extremely high risk.
As of Monday, every county in the state, except for Los Alamos County, falls into the red category.
"If their communities can get their constituents and residents to work a little more closely together, we can get there," Lujan Grisham said. "The more COVID-safe practices we engage in, the more things are available."
Starting Wednesday, county-by-county information will be updated every two weeks at https://cv.nmhealth.org/.
When a county moves to a less-restrictive level, it may begin operating at that level immediately upon the map's update. If a county moves back to a more restrictive level, however, it will begin operating at that restriction level within 48 hours after the map updates.
For those counties in the red zone, the following restrictions will be in place:
Essential Retail: 25 percent of maximum occupancy or 75 customers, whichever is smaller
Food and Drink Establishments: No indoor dining, outdoor dining allowed at 25 percent of maximum occupancy, establishments serving alcohol must close by 9 p.m.
Houses of worship: 25 percent of maximum occupancy
Places of lodging: 40 percent of maximum occupancy for those that are NM Safe Certified, 25 percent for those that are not, 5 guests maximum for vacation rentals
Essential businesses: Must limit operation to only those that are absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions
Mass gatherings limit: 5 persons, 10 vehicles
Close-contact businesses (salons, gyms, etc.): 25 percent of maximum occupancy
Outdoor recreational facilities: 25 percent of maximum occupancy
Close-contact recreational facilities (movie theaters, etc.): Remain closed
All other businesses, including non-essential retail stores: 25 percent of maximum occupancy or 75 customers at one time, whichever is smaller
Those in the yellow level must adhere to the following restrictions:
Essential retail: 25 percent of maximum occupancy or 125 customers, whichever is smaller
Food and drink establishments: Indoor dining allowed at 25 percent of maximum occupancy, outdoor dining allowed at 75 percent of maximum occupancy, establishments serving alcohol must close by 10 p.m.
Mass gatherings limit: 10 persons, 25 vehicles
Close-contact businesses (salons, gyms, etc.): 25 percent of maximum occupancy or 20 customers at one time, whichever is smaller
All other businesses, including non-essential retail stores: 25 percent of maximum occupancy or 125 customers at one time, whichever is smaller
Those in the green level have the following restrictions:
Essential retail: 50 percent of maximum occupancy
Food and drink establishments: Indoor dining allowed at 50 percent of maximum occupancy; outdoor dining allowed at 75 percent of maximum occupancy
Places of lodging: 75 percent of maximum occupancy for those that are NM Safe Certified, 40 percent for those that are not, 10 guests max for vacation rentals
Essential business: Must limit operations to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions
Mass gatherings limit: 20 persons, 100 vehicles
All other businesses, including non-essential retail stores: 50 percent of maximum occupancy
"Keep vigilant, New Mexico," Lujan Grisham said. "We can do this."
You can view the full conference in the player below:
KTSM Video Center
Vaccine registration builds frustration amongst elderly and other vulnerable groups
Update: Rollover crash with serious injuries reported on Loop 375, EPFD firefighter injured in secondary accident
YMCA Reset Program
Curbside recycling returns
WX PKG 01-18-2021
Texas newspapers including El Paso Times calls for removal of Texas Senator Ted Cruz
More El Paso News
City reports 7 new virus deaths, including one person in their 20s
by KTSM Staff / Jan 19, 2021
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso Department of Health reported seven new virus-related deaths on Tuesday, bringing the City's total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 1,597.
All seven patients had underlying health conditions. They include one male in his 20s, two females in their 40s, one female in her 60s, one female in her 70s, one male in his 70s and one male in his 80s.
1 new virus death in Doña Ana County, 48 new cases
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- One person from Doña Ana County was among the 26 additional deaths reported by the New Mexico Department of Health on Monday.
The individual was a woman in her 60s who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions. She was a resident of the Good Samaritan Society facility in Las Cruces.
by Karla Draksler / Jan 18, 2021
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) - Texas Gas Service is encouraging El Pasoans to apply for financial help if they are having trouble keeping up with their utility bills.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that offers funds to households unable to pay their electric and gas bills.


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Thomson Reuters Trading Co-Head Neill Penney invited to join Global Foreign Exchange Committee
GFXC aims to promote liquidity, fairness and transparency in foreign exchange markets
New York/London – Neill Penney, co-head of Trading at Thomson Reuters, will serve as the London Foreign Exchange Joint Standing Committee's (FXJSC) private sector representative on the Global Foreign Exchange Committee (GFXC).
The FX Global Code (Code) was launched in May 2017 to promote integrity, fairness, transparency, and effective functioning of the global foreign exchange markets. Alongside the launch of the Code, the GFXC was established to promote and maintain the Code and to facilitate communication between local foreign exchange committees (LFXCs) around the world. Each LFXC appoints two members to the GFXC, one from the private sector and one from the public sector. The Code is gaining rapid adoption within the FX industry with well over 100 market participants now having signed public statements of commitment
"The Code is a breakthrough in conduct reform across the FX industry, aiming to set a universally high bar for behaviour that is applicable in all countries and for all types and sizes of market participant. In light of the importance of the Code, the invitation to join the GFXC is an honour for me personally and, I believe, recognition of Thomson Reuters' strong and long-standing commitment to facilitating an FX market that is open, fair, and efficient for all of its participants," said Mr Penney. "I look forward to serving on the committee and working with other members to uphold and promote the principles of the Code."
Thomson Reuters has played an active role in the development of the Code through its membership of the Market Participants Group and through participation in regional committees, including: the FXJSC, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Foreign Exchange Committee, the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market Committee, the Canadian Foreign Exchange Committee, and the Australian Foreign Exchange Committee. Thomson Reuters signed a statement of formal commitment to the Code in November, 2017.
Rohan Churm, acting Chair of the FXJSC said: "I am delighted that Neill has agreed to represent the FXJSC on the committee. The FXJSC is committed to assisting the GFXC in achieving its aim to promote a robust, liquid, open, and appropriately transparent FX market and to fulfil its vital role in maintaining the Code. The success of the GFXC and the Code is due in part to the unique public/private sector partnership the GFXC creates and I look forward to continuing that strong relationship going forward."
Mr. Penney joined Thomson Reuters in May 2013 and was named co-head of Trading alongside Michael Chin in October 2016.
Thomson Reuters is the largest trading venue in the FX market, facilitating an average of more than $400 billion per day in FX trading across all major currencies for market participants in over 120 countries. More than 20,000 traders from asset managers, banks, corporate treasurers and hedge funds use Thomson Reuters award-winning transactions platforms to trade in the FX market. More on Thomson Reuters FX trading capabilities can be found here.
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information, visit www.thomsonreuters.com.
Brian Bertsch
brian.bertsch@thomsonreuters.com


We must again thank the many clients who have made reservations for our VIP One Day Tours. It is going to be a really hectic year for Pietman and Andre and with the growing trend for bookings to be made so far in advance has signalled that 2020 will also be popular for visitors coming to South Africa. Our reservations schedule already has entries for November of that year with clients coming from far afield, especially from the USA and the United Kingdom.
We are especially happy to see more of our previous clients making a return journey to the Cape; Pietman and Andre are enjoying meeting up again with former visitors experiencing yet another day learning about our magnificent Winelands. Pietman is looking forward to the third visit later this year of one of his earliest clients who first met him almost 10 years ago.
With around 2500 vineyards and estates in the Winelands - including the Overberg, Hermanus and the Swartland - there is plenty of opportunity to experience old and new places. And with the many art galleries, museums, the famous bronze sculpture exhibition in Stellenbosch and the amazing Botanical Gardens there are a myriad other things to capture the interest. Street walks, music festivals and craft markets are regular events giving pleasure to visitors and locals alike and the area boasts several of South Africa's - if not the world's - finest restaurants. It is no surprise that Cape Town and its nearby towns are still regarded as the world's Best Value Long Haul Destination which was independently awarded in 2017.
The Wine team from Worcester UK whilst tasting at Kanonkop and being served by Mr Kanonkop himself, Johann Krige.
The drought problem which affected the Western Cape in 2018 has all but been addressed but great care has still to be observed with consumption throughout the region. So, whether you are visiting South Africa for the first time or coming back for a further tour you will find an amazing country full of hospitable people eager to show you the best of their country. A holiday here will be one remembered for many years.
This website has an online Application Form to help you select a date for your visit. Each tour is individually designed to meet your wine interests and some information is always helpful as to your personal wine wishes.
As well as possessing some of the most magnificent scenery, the area is home to a host of wonderful small hotels, guest lodges and unique accommodation on the wine estates. As such, we recommend that you stay in the Winelands for a day or two as traffic volumes between Cape Town and the Winelands are increasing year on year. On busy days up to two hours can be spent travelling each way. This obviously reduces the time for visiting the actual vineyards on your day with us.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Western Cape of South Africa.


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King Crabs Invade Antarctica
ScienceDaily (Apr. 26, 2011)
It's like a scene out of a sci-fi movie -- thousands, possibly millions, of king crabs are marching through icy, deep-sea waters and up the Antarctic slope.
It's like a scene out of a sci-fi movie -- thousands,
possibly millions, of king crabs are marching through
icy, deep-sea waters and up the Antarctic slope.
(Credit: Image courtesy of University of
Alabama at Birmingham)
"They are coming from the deep, somewhere between 6,000 to 9,000 feet down," said James McClintock, Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham Endowed Professor of Polar and Marine Biology.
Shell-crushing crabs haven't been in Antarctica, Earth's southernmost continent, for hundreds or thousands, if not millions, of years, McClintock said. "They have trouble regulating magnesium ions in their body fluids and get kind of drunk at low temperatures."
But something has changed, and these crustaceans are poised to move by the droves up the slope and onto the shelf that surrounds Antarctica. McClintock and other marine researchers interested in the continent are sounding alarms because the vulnerable ecosystem could be wiped out, he said.
Antarctic clams, snails and brittle stars, because of adaptation to their environment, have soft shells and have never had to fight shell-crushing predators. "You can take an Antarctic clam and crush it with your hands," McClintock said. They could be the main prey for these crabs, he said.
Loss of unique mollusks could jeopardize organisms with disease-fighting compounds, McClintock said. Sea squirts, for example, produce an agent that fights skin cancer. If the crabs eat them, it could bring McClintock's research with that organism to a halt.
McClintock's chemical ecology program has published more than 100 papers on species researchers have discovered, including the compound that combats skin cancer and one to treat flu, that are being explored by drug companies.
"I am very concerned that species could disappear, and we could lose a cure to a disease," he said.
McClintock's colleague Sven Thatje, Ph.D., an evolutionary biologist at the University of Southampton in England, saw the first signs of the king crab invasion in 2007. He spotted a lone crab climbing up the slope. McClintock and Rich Aronson, Ph.D., a paleoecologist at Florida Institute of Technology, put together a proposal to launch the first systematic search for king crabs in Antarctica. With Sven as chief expedition scientist, the team headed back with two ships and a submarine earlier this year.
"We ran transects up the slope and discovered hundreds and hundreds of king crabs, which could translate into millions across broad expanses of coastal Antarctica," he said. "They are adults, males and females. They appear healthy and have all the ingredients needed to produce a healthy population."
The king crabs' large numbers on the slope suggest that they are increasing in number at a rate faster than anticipated, McClintock said. "Before long, they could be in shallow water and on the shelf," he said. "This is a very visual, visceral way of thinking of an impact of climate change."
McClintock and his fellow researchers are exploring causes for the invasion, which they believe is linked to human-induced climate warming. Around 40,000 tourists visit the area each year.
"Antarctica has become a popular destination for tourists," McClintock said. Cruise ship companies have seen it as an opportunity to take visitors to "one of the most stunningly beautiful areas on our planet."
After cruising along the waters, tourists can then take a rubber boat called a zodiac to a beach covered with penguins as far as the eye can see. "The penguins will come right up to you," McClintock said.
And, now that the king crabs are on the Antarctic slope, some fishermen are anxious to head to Antarctica as well. McClintock has already gotten an email from a fisherman asking when he can come.
But the icy waters and dangerous logistics make fishing difficult, McClintock said. "There is a TV show called the 'The Deadliest Catch,'" he said. "Well this is the deadliest, deadliest catch."
For now, McClintock and his team are reviewing the thousands of images they captured during their submarine exploration. His team is analyzing the data and plans to have its findings published in a major journal within a year.
"The whole ecosystem could change," McClintock said. "And this is just one example of a species expanding its range into a new territory. There will certainly be more as the climate warms up."
'Super' salmon resist climate change better: study
Endangered whales gathering off Cape Cod in record numbers
Labels: Antarctic, Climate Change, Crab, Water Cycle
Boston.com, April 21, 2011, by Vivian Ho, Globe Correspondent
Whale watchers won't even have to leave land to see a spectacular sight.
A record number of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales have gathered close off the beaches of Provincetown and Truro and is expected to stay there for at least another week, said Charles "Stormy'' Mayo, senior scientist at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown.
Researchers counted more than 100 whales during an aerial survey Tuesday, with a preliminary count of more than 200 total, a little less than half of the known population. At some points the whales can be seen just a few yards offshore, to a quarter-mile out.
The whales are drawn to the area this time of year by the stores of zooplankton. Mayo said he thinks there are a large number of the whales there now because the area is particularly rich in zooplankton this year.
"We don't understand that particularly well, but it's clearly a combination of oceanographic processes and a lot of marine biology,'' he said. "There are currents that bring the plankton into the area and local currents that cause them to concentrate, and it's probably an overlapping of a lot of physical processes. Right now, the situation is good for that, just as when you grow plants in your backyard. Some years, there are better situations than others.''
North Atlantic right whales can weigh up to 90 tons and sport raised, roughened areas on their heads and snouts that make each mammal distinctive, said Mayo.
They live largely in the Gulf of Maine, from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia.
Mayo said the center had been spotting the whales in the area since February, but began seeing large numbers around two weeks ago. They appear to be concentrating around Race Point, but also can been seen down to Long Point in Provincetown and inside to Truro.
They now number so many that the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has issued a warning for boaters to steer clear of the animals. Because North Atlantic right whales are endangered — only 450 to 500 exist worldwide — federal law prevents any vessels, other than ones holding research permits, from getting within 500 yards of the creatures.
"The loss of one breeding female could be detrimental to the recovery of the species,'' said Tanya Grady, a spokeswoman for the Center of Coastal Studies. "They really are teetering on the brink of extinction.''
Mayo said anyone wanting to see the whales can do so just by walking on the beaches.
"We're used to seeing right whales,'' Mayo said. "But even though we do a lot of research on them, it's a thrilling time. It is a very special occasion being around such an extraordinarily rare animal. The coastal waters off of Massachusetts is providing a home for one of the rarest creatures on earth, and it's very exciting.''
Vivian Ho can be reached at vho@globe.com.
Posted by Cempaka at 7:08 PM 0 comments
Labels: Animals - Birds, Dolphins, Endangered, Species, Whalers
Wired.com, by Dave Mosher, April 19, 2011
A humpback whale swimming underwater (gwoodford/Flickr)
An eight-year project that tracked humpback whale migrations by satellite shows the huge mammals follow uncannily straight paths for weeks at a time.
The results suggest a single migratory mechanism isn't responsible. Instead, humpbacks may use a combination of the sun's position, Earth's magnetism and even star maps to guide their 10,000-mile journeys.
"Humpback whales are going across some of most turbulent waters in the world, yet they keep going straight," said environmental scientist Travis Horton of the University of Canterbury, whose team will publish their findings April 20 in Biology Letters. "They're orienting with something outside of themselves, not something internal."
Satellite maps of nine humpback whales'
migratory patterns in the South Atlantic.
Triangles represent migrations in 2008
while circles represent migrations in 2009
(Biology Letters)
Humpback whales feed during the summer near polar oceans and migrate to warm tropical oceans for the winter, where they mate and calves are born. A one-way trip can last upwards of 5,000 miles, making the cetaceans one of the farthest-migrating animals on Earth. (One was tracked migrating 6,200 miles).
To better understand humpback migrations, Horton's colleagues embedded satellite tags in seven South Atlantic and nine South Pacific whales from 2003 through 2010.
Each tag contained a battery-operated transponder that beamed its location to the researchers. The tags lasted from four weeks to seven months before falling out; altogether, they provided one of the most detailed sets of long-term migratory data for humpbacks ever collected.
"You can't stick a large whale in a box like you can with a bird to study its migratory behavior. This is why detailed field data on whales is so important," said research biologist John Calambokidis of the Cascadia Research Collective, who wasn't involved in the work.
The researchers found that, despite surface currents, storms and other distractions, the humpbacks never deviated more than about 5 degrees from their migratory courses.
In about half the segments mapped by the researchers, humpbacks deviated by one degree or less.
"When we first starting seeing data, we thought, 'Wow, these are really, really straight paths,'" said marine biologist Alex Zerbini of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a co-author of the study who led the satellite-tracking effort. "We immediately wondered how they accomplish that."
Decades of research on long-range animal migrations has identified geomagnetic and sun-tracking mechanisms, but that work focuses primarily on birds. Humpbacks don't seem to rely on either method alone.
Earth's magnetism varies too widely to explain the whales' arrow-straight patterns, and solar navigation requires frames of reference that water doesn't often provide. "The open ocean is an endless horizon of blue," Horton said.
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Horton suspects humpbacks rely on both mechanisms, and perhaps the position of the moon or stars. His team is preparing to submit a second study on reference frames in marine mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. After publishing that work, Horton hopes to further investigate the humpbacks' abilities.
Calambokidis suggested a fourth mechanism for steering: long-distance songs that can carry for hundreds or thousands of miles underwater, and may provide navigational cues or help migrating whales coordinate their movements.
"These whales are clearly using something more sophisticated to migrate than anything we've surmised," said Calambokidis. "I'm really looking forward to seeing what this team does next."
Using a long fiberglass pole, researchers tag a humpback whale
for satellite tracking (Paul Hilton).
Citation: "Straight as an arrow: humpback whales swim constant course tracks during long-distance migration." Travis W. Horton, Richard N. Holdaway, Alexandre N. Zerbini, Nan Hauser, Claire Garrigue, Artur Andriolo and Phillip J. Clapham. Biology Letters. Published online April 20, 2011. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2011.0279
"The Akashic System of Remembrance" - Sep 2010 (Kryon Channeling) - Reference to Whales/Dolphins/Animals/Pets .. > 28:00 min
Posted by Cempaka at 12:59 AM 0 comments
Labels: Animals - Birds, Dolphins, Science - Research, Species, Whalers
Dolphin Rescuer Richard O'Barry Has an Indonesian Mission
Jakarta Globe, Ismira Lutfia, April 17, 2011
A scene from the 2009 documentary 'The Cove,' which detailed Richard
O'Barry's attempts to expose the live-dolphin trade in Japan. (Photo
courtesy of Sony Pictures)
In the 2009 Academy Award-winning feature documentary "The Cove," Richard O'Barry says if there is a dolphin in trouble anywhere in the world, his phone will ring — and that is exactly what happened when 72 captive dolphins in Indonesia needed to be taken back to the open sea.
The phone call came from the Jakarta Animal Aid Network, a nonprofit animal rights group which is sponsored by the Earth Island Institute where O'Barry works as a marine mammal specialist.
The group needs O'Barry's help to help rescue illegally-captured bottlenose and spinner dolphins and release them back to the sea in Karimun Jawa National Park, located off the northern coast of Central Java. It is part of a five-year cooperation program involving JAAN, the Forestry Ministry and the Earth Island Institute.
The dolphins are held captive by traveling animal shows and other groups that falsely claim to be concerned with their welfare. It didn't take long before O'Barry landed in Indonesia to supervise the building of a 90-square-meter sea pen — the largest ever in the world for a dolphin rehabilitation program — that will house the aquatic mammals, once they are rescued, before their release back into the wider sea.
O'Barry and the JAAN team flew over the coast on a chartered airplane to look for a suitable location for the sea pen. They finally settled on a spot about a quarter of a mile away from the shore of one of the islands in the national park, where the dolphins could be supervised while they readjusted to their natural habitat.
A survey conducted by JAAN has revealed that many dolphins are held in captivity by institutions in Indonesia operating under the guise of conservation, education and therapy. The group carried out the survey after receiving reports of abuse from members of the public concerned about the aforementioned traveling circuses.
"Traveling dolphin shows are the most abusive shows in the world. They've been outlawed in other countries," O'Barry said.
When moving between cities, the dolphins are confined in small tanks, which is very stressful for mammals that normally travel about 40 miles a day, O'Barry said.
The conditions are even worse than those experienced by animals in zoos, since dolphins are very sensitive to sound and lose their sonar ability when confined in a small space.
Unfortunately, O'Barry's initial dolphin-saving mission in Indonesia last month came to a halt when he and the JAAN team — along with his son, who was supposed to film the event for the "Blood Dolphin" television series on Animal Planet — had to cancel the rescue of the first three dolphins for reasons O'Barry said were still unclear.
"I have no idea why it takes so long to do such a simple thing," he said. "Just take them from the tank into the sea pen, it's a simple move."
O'Barry conceded, however, that such a problem was not uncommon in other countries, since business entities that feature dolphins are usually backed by affluent people with powerful connections.
"It is a multi-billion [dollar] industry around the world. That is why there are such shows, they pay taxes to the government, and the government supports them. That's the problem," he said.
O'Barry's efforts to raise public awareness of the reality that lies behind the dolphin's smile — which he refers to as nature's greatest deception, because it gives people the illusion that the mammals are always happy — is just one of the many missions he has been involved in over the past 40 years. He has worked in over 70 countries since he turned from a renowned dolphin trainer to a dolphin rescuer.
O'Barry used to capture and train dolphins for the 1960s children's television series "Flipper," a job that catapulted him to international stardom. His change of heart came in 1970 after Kathy, one of the five dolphins he had trained for the series, died in his arms.
"I was young and foolish. When you're a dolphin trainer, you have to lie to the public every day and to yourself and I got tired of doing it," he said.
As a result of O'Barry's new outlook and the popularity of "The Cove," a 2009 documentary that analyzes and questions Japan's dolphin-hunting culture, dolphin shows at marine mammal parks and oceanariums around the world have been on the decline.
According to O'Barry, the claim that dolphin shows educate the public and promote scientific research couldn't be further from the truth.
"What does it teach you to see a dolphin suffer and what do the young children really learn from the dolphin? They learn that abusing nature is alright and that is really dangerous to their young minds."
What should be inspiring to children, O'Barry said, is the fact that 8,000 people who inhabit Karimun Jawa are getting involved in the rehabilitation project.
However, even though dolphin hunting is on the decline, he said, there have been increased efforts to breed the mammals in captivity.
"If it was my decision, there would be birth control for dolphins. There is no need for a dolphin to be born in captivity just to do a show and tricks. Nobody learns anything from it and there is no connection between dolphins and conservation. You don't have to put them in captivity to like dolphins," he said.
One of the activities that is still in high demand is swimming with dolphins, which, O'Barry said, unfairly tasks dolphins with amusing and entertaining. "It's an endless line of swimmers that the dolphins have to amuse," he said.
Another culprit is dolphin-assisted therapy, whose practitioners claim it can help autistic children overcome the disorder. According to O'Barry, such so-called therapy is just a money-making scam and there is no scientific proof that dolphins can help to heal people.
He backed his arguments with scientific research by Lori Marino, a neuroscientist and behavioral biology expert from Emory University in the United States, which shows that dolphin-assisted therapy is nothing but a fad that has not been proven to work as a treatment for mental or physical disorders.
"It is hypocritical to capture the dolphins and destroy their lives to enhance ours," O'Barry said.
He added that instead of improving the life of autistic children, the costly treatments would only improve the lifestyle of the business owners who prey on desperate parents willing to go to any lengths to make their child's life easier.
Right now, O'Barry's main priority is releasing the 72 dolphins back to the wide open sea, and giving them back their natural habitat. "I can read their body language and I can tell when they are ready to go," he said. "Hopefully, their family will come to the sea pen and that will be the best time to let them go."
Dolphins have a life expectancy of up to 60 years but for O'Barry, it is not a question of how long the dolphins' life-span is but their quality of life. "Right now, those dolphins are on death row. Putting them back in nature is not a science project but it is the right thing to do," he said. "They need us to leave them alone. That's what we need to do. Leave them alone."
Labels: Animals - Birds, Dolphins, Species, Whalers
English.news.cn 2011-04-17
Two Chinese white dolphins play in the Sanniang Bay of Qinzhou city,
southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 16, 2011.
Sanniang Bay scenic zone is one of the habitats of the Chinese white dolphins,
which is under the state first-grade protection and known as the "giant panda
in the sea". In recent years, the Chinese white dolphins in Sanniang Bay have
attracted numerous tourists from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Zeng Kaihong)
Tourists watch the Chinese white dolphins on a boat in the Sanniang Bay
of Qinzhou city, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,
April 16, 2011. Sanniang Bay scenic zone is one of the habitats of the
Chinese white dolphins, which is under the state first-grade protection
and known as the "giant panda in the sea". In recent years, the Chinese
white dolphins in Sanniang Bay have attracted numerous tourists from home
and abroad. (Xinhua/Zeng Kaihong)
Labels: Albino, Animals - Birds, China, Conservation, Dolphins, Tourists, Whalers
Hit versions of whale song are adopted across populations, while other tunes are judged a failure and dropped
• The cultural life of whales
• Eyewitness: Having a whale of a time
guardian.co.uk, Press Association, Friday 15 April 2011
Male humpback whales often combine snippets of classic tunes with
new material. Photograph: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images
Humpback whales spread catchy songs to each other through the ocean, research has shown.
Male whales whistle mating tunes that either prove a hit or miss. Catchy "remix" versions of the songs quickly spread across the ocean, almost always travelling east to west, scientists have found.
Usually the songs are made up of blended old and new material. But sometimes a song is judged to be a failure and dropped altogether, making way for a new tune.
Researcher Ellen Garland, from the University of Queensland in Australia, said: "Our findings reveal cultural change on a vast scale."
She said popular songs moved like "cultural ripples from one population to another", causing all the males to start singing the new version.
The scientists made the discovery after spending a decade searching for patterns in songs recorded from six neighbouring Pacific whale populations.
They found it took about two years for male mating songs to spread from Australia to French Polynesia.
"The songs started in the population that migrates along the eastern coast of Australia and then moved – just the songs, and probably not the whales – all the way to French Polynesia in the east," said Garland. "Songs were first learned from males in the west and then subsequently learned in a stepwise fashion repeatedly across the vast region."
The eastward movement may be due to differences in population size, said the researchers, whose study is reported online in the journal Current Biology. Humpback whales exist in much larger numbers on Australia's east coast than in other areas.
It is thought that either small numbers of whales take their songs to other populations, or whales in neighbouring groups hear the new songs as they swim together.
Garland described how the whales combined samples of "classic" tunes with new material.
"It would be like splicing an old Beatles song with U2," she said. "Occasionally they completely throw the current song out of the window and start singing a brand new song."
Once a new song emerges, it quickly catches on among the males, rising to the "top of the chart" over the course of one breeding season.
The scientists still do not know why the whales' songs are spread in this way.
It is unclear whether the purpose of the songs is chiefly to attract females or to repel rival males.
"We think this male quest for song novelty is in the hope of being that little bit different and perhaps more attractive to the opposite sex," said Garland. "This is then countered by the urge to sing the same tune, by the need to conform."
Do Animals Reincarnate? - NOV 22 (Kuthumi channeled by Lynette Leckie-Clark)
Labels: Animals - Birds, Lightworker, Species, Whalers
Jupiter floatel sinking off Mexico
The Jupiter accommodation platform in the Gulf of Mexico has partially sunk after listing heavily on Tuesday, operator Pemex said.
Upstreamonline.com, Aleya Begum, 13 April 2011 09:12 GMT|
Sinking: the Jupiter floatel (Image courtesy of STRINGER /
MEXICO/Scanpix/Reuters)
"After several attempts to rescue the platform failed, it partially sank at 14:30 (local time)," said Pemex in a statement.
"No one is injured, the entire staff is safe."
Water depth in the area is 38 meters, and given the dimensions of the semi-submersible platform, which is 50 meters wide, the partially sunk floatel remains 13 metres above water levels.
An incident onboard the floatel was first reported at 7:39am yesterday morning when 638 personnel were immediately evacuated to the nearby Abkatun-Alfa platform.
It is believed that a valve problem caused the unit to take in water.
"According to procedures, we applied the emergency response plan of the system and the majority of staff onboard were immediately evacuated," said Pemex.
"Seventy five crew members remained to meet the contingency."
Specialised divers attempted to review water entry into the vessel and seal the pontoon, but the work had to be suspended for the safety of the divers, said Pemex.
"Bilge pumps from the installation were insufficient to counteract the ingress of water so we proceeded to complete evacuation at 13:30," said the operator.
The floatel, which is owned by Cotemar and managed by PEP, has 2075 barrels of diesel stored in the pontoons and 82 barrels of jet fuel stored in containers on the deck.
"There is no evidence of leakage," said Pemex.
" We will continure to monitor the area to detect the presence of any spill around the platform."
The company said it now plans to start investigations into the cause of the incident and review salvage options for the platform
Labels: Disaster / Accident, Oceans, US
Giant ocean whirlpools puzzle scientists
Pravda.ru, 12.04.2011
US scientists discovered two giant whirlpools in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Guyana and Suriname. It became a sensational discovery because this part of the ocean has been studied thoroughly, and no one expected anything like that to appear in the area. More importantly, no one can understand where the whirlpools came from and what surprises they may bring to people.
According to Brazilian scientist Guilherme Castellane, the two funnels are approximately 400 kilometers in diameter. Until now, these were not known on Earth. The funnels reportedly exert a strong influence on climate changes that have been registered during the recent years.
"Funnels rotate clockwise. They are moving in the ocean like giant frisbees, two discs thrown into the air. Rotation occurs at a rate of one meter per second, the speed is sufficiently large compared to the speed of oceanic currents, on the border hoppers is a wave-step height of 40 cm," Castellane said.
Even during the dry months, when the movement of oceanic currents and the flow of the Amazon River practically comes to a standstill, the funnels do not disappear. Therefore, the nature of the funnels does not depend on the flow of water, which one of the world's biggest rivers brings into the ocean. The natural phenomenon, which creates the whirlpools, is unknown to modern science.
As a matter of fact, the phenomenon of giant whirlpools in the World Ocean is not new to science. In most cases, the craters, or rings, as scientists call them, are formed as a result of so-called vertical currents. The latter, in their turn, appear because of differences in water density which appear because of difference in temperatures of water layers. It is an open secret that cold water is thicker and heavier, so it goes down, underneath the masses of warm water, which is lighter. This is the reason why warm currents in the World Ocean always flow closer to the surface, whereas colder currents flow closer to the bottom.
However, such movement of water may not always depend on the difference of temperatures of the water column. The difference in salinity can also be a reason. The mechanism here is the same. The density of saltier water is higher, this water is heavier and it moves closer to the bottom, pushing less saltier water up. This type of vertical fusion occurs frequently in the tropics because high temperatures lead to the evaporation of water from the surface. The salt does not evaporate with water, though. It stays in the ocean, which raises the level of salinity on the upper layer of water. This layer "drowns" and gives way to less saltier waters of the depth.
Such vertical movements of water create giant whirlpools. The whirlpools, tens and even hundreds of kilometers in diameter, may last for months and even years, scientists say. The vertical movement of waters is a slow process, though. Why do those whirlpools exist for such a long time? This is partially the effect of Earth's magnetic field. In addition, marine water contains many charged ions, Na and Cl for example. To crown it all, water molecules are dipoles that are charged both positively and negatively.
Any dipole starts spinning when moving in the magnetic field. An oceanic ring gathers millions of billions of molecules together. That is why the giant circle movement triggered by the vertical movement of water may last for months and years mechanically. Ions also give more power to the craters. Natrium and Chlorum are charged as well, and their movement in the magnetic field of the Earth also leads to the appearance of the circle movement.
It is not ruled out that the reason for the appearance of the whirlpools off the coast of South America is the same as in other parts of the World Ocean. Scientists are currently studying the influence of those giant funnels on the climate of Latin America and Africa. Such whirlpools show influence on the atmosphere and form cyclonical air mass. They can also affect the movement of air mass formed in other places. For the time being, scientists do not know how the newly discovered water craters can affect the climate of Central and South Americas.
Anton Yevseyev
Read the original in Russian
Labels: Climate Change, Mystery, Oceans, Science - Research, US, Water Cycle
Lampung University students to transplant coral reefs
Antara News, Tue, April 12 2011
"In this time the forests became subjected conservation, and wish to try to do this at sea."
Forests, coral reefs in Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua damaged the worst
Around 96 Percent of Mangroves in Lampung Gone
PLN Lampung expects electrification ratio of 60 percent
Hundreds of houses damaged in Lampung flash flood
East Lampung chief reinstated to active duties
Bandarlampung, Lampung (ANTARA News) - Students of the Biology Division, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Lampung (Unila), will transplant coral reefs in Lampung Bay, the work coordinator Novriadi said here Tuesday.
(ANTARA Photo/Rosa Panggabean)
The activity is the one of the Natural Resources Conservation Week (PKSDA) XV themed "Enhancing Public Awareness and Concern for the Importance of Education and Marine Conservation for a Better Future."
"In this time the forests became subjected conservation, and wish to try to do this at sea," he added.
He said at least 50 divers will be involved, but only 10 with a job of transplanting are certified.
He said that the divers who with the job of transplanting will write their names on the reefs which are not harmful to the coral reefs and other biota.
"The observation will be conducted once in every three months," Novriadi explained .
He added, the activity would be conducted on April 18, 2011 in Ringgung beach, Pesawaran district, with at least 72 organisms to be grown and develop.
In addition, the other activities in the Natural Resources Conservation Week include environmental action themed "Show Real Action in Our Sea" and under a water photography contest themed "My Million Marine Charms of Nature".
The other activities are coloring and a drawing contest themed "Save Coral Reefs Now For Future Marine Life", Friday Good Day themed Toward the (Clean Environment) BERLIN Sea and cabaret "My sea my heart, my reef and my guardian."
"The participants of the coral transplantation are students, lecturers and diving clubs in Indonesia, while the environmental action involved high school students, college students, and other people. The conservation photography contest is followed by the Bandar Lampung people," Novriadi noted.
Meanwhile the coloring contest is for kindergarten and the drawing contest for elementary school students.
Labels: Corals, Environment, Reef, Science - Research, Universities
West Timor people to hold congress on Montara oil spill
...no scientific research has been conducted to solve the problem by the two countries as well ass PTTEP Australasia as the operator of the Montara oil field
Mangrove Forest conservation needed to overcome climate change
RI`s mangrove forests fortress against disaster
Number of hot spots in Sumatra down to 17
Australia calls for global disaster force
Australian government helps Banjarmasin`s sanitation
Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - The West Timor Care Foundation (YPTB) and a number of elements of the public in West Timor, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), will hold a congress in Kupang to discuss the Montara oil spill problem.
"We are making preparations for the West Timor People`s Congress in Jakarta, because the Indonesian and Australian governments are incapable of dealing with the oil spill case," YPTB Chairman Ferdi Tanoni, who is also Timor Sea observer, said here Tuesday.
The Montara oil field explosion on August 21, 2009, has caused pollution in Timor Sea.
Thousands of coastal residents in NTT have been affected by the water contamination of crude oil spill, plumbum, and dispersant chemical powder of Corexit 9500.
"We have to organize the congress because since the Montara oil spill disaster which has been polluting Timor Sea covering around 80,000 km2 areas, no scientific research has been conducted to solve the problem by the two countries as well ass PTTEP Australasia as the operator of the Montara oil field," he said.
The governments of Australia and Indonesia had actually signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the prevention and handling of oil spill and pollution in seas, in 1996, he said.
However, the two governments have never implemented the MOU regarding the Montara oil spill, he added.
He also expressed his disappointment about the performance of the National Team on the Handling of Oil Spill Emergency Situation (PKDTML) led by Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi, for making the Montara case so complicated.
The team has failed to ask for the accountability of the Australian government and the PTTEP Australasia as the Montara operator, according to him.
PTTEP acknowledges oil spill in Timor Sea: Minister
Kiara regrets PTTEP`s rejection of RI`s claim on oil spill
Labels: Australia, Disaster / Accident, Pollution, Thailand
The Jakarta Post, Antara, Makassar | Mon, 04/11/2011
Shore leave: The USS Guardian-MCM 5, a US warship, docks at
Soekarno-Hatta Port in Makassar on Monday. The ship, with a crew
of 83, will be in Makassar for two days in a goodwill mission and to
renew their logistics. (Antara/Yusran Uccang)
Labels: Government, Navy, US
Kidnapped Indonesian Sailors Plea for Government's Help
Jakarta Globe, Ismira Lutfia | April 10, 2011
S Korea Charges Somali Pirates With Attempted Murder
Malaysian Police Take Custody of 7 Somali Pirates
South Korea Calls for Right to Prosecute Captured Somali Pirates
The captain of MV Sinar Kudus has pleaded to the Indonesian government to help him and his 20 Indonesian crew, who have been held hostage by Somali pirates for three weeks.
Captain Slamet from MV Sinar Kudus cargo ship.
Slamet and his 20 crews are still being held hostage
by Somali pirates. (Photo Source Metro TV)
In a telephone conversation with Metro TV on Sunday, Capt. Slamet Jauhari said he was in good health, but twelve of his crews were ill.
"There is no clean water, we are only fed once a day, and twelve of my crew are mentally crushed. To the Indonesian government, please rescue us," Slamet said.
The 21 men were taken hostage on March 16 after Somali pirates ambushed their vessel, carrying 8,300 tons of nickel produced by PT Aneka Tamabang, in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, en route to Amsterdam.
Slamet said the pirates were demanding $2.5 million in ransom and that they had threaten to raise the amount unless they received confirmation from the ship's owner or the Indonesian government that the money would be paid.
"I am asking the Indonesian government, Bapak SBY [President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono] or any businessman who has the money, please save my crew," Slamet said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said on Saturday that efforts were underway to secure the release of the Indonesian hostages.
"The Indonesian government is deeply concerned with this situation and we are investigating options to settle this problem as soon as possible," Marty said on the sidelines of a meeting between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
He said that the ship's owner had been in constant communications with the pirates.
Marty declined to comment further on the efforts as he did not want to jeopardize the hostage's lives.
"For the moment we are working on their release and efforts to protect them are ongoing," he said.
Somalia supports military action to free Indonesian hostage
Pirates Threaten to Kill Hostages: Sailor's Family
Military mulls sending troops to save hostages from Somali pirates
Up to 50 Somali Pirates Seize Indonesian Ship: EU
Indonesian ship hijacked off Somalia coast
Around 12,000 Indonesians working as sailors world-wide
Labels: Government, Pirate Attacks
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