Rameet Chawla is the founder of app development house Fueled. He's probably liking your photo on Instagram.
I'm involved in a little Instagram experiment. Don't tell Instagram, though. It doesn't know yet and I'm not sure it will like it.
It wasn't my idea. In fact, the trial I'm a part of, or rather the web app I'm running, is the brainchild of Fueled founder Rameet Chawla. It's called Lovematically, and the concept is simple: It's a service that automatically Likes every new photo from up to 150 people you follow on Instagram.
This could seem a bit underhanded: I'm not viewing your photos, but I'm liking them. I need only open up the app on my phone and see all the latest pictorial works from my network in chronological order. So what's the difference if I Like now or later? According to Chawla, quite a bit.
Someone asked me why I didn't Like their latest photo on Instagram ... Instagram content consists of relatively small bites of content ... So if you don't like someone's post, it's basically because you skipped past it and consciously chose to not like it.
Which made me think, if all my Instagram friends are starved -starved, why not satiate them in an automated way that's easier for me too?
Like most approbations on social media, Likes create pleasure. The more Likes your get on your Instagram photo, the more dopamine your body releases into your brain. Research suggests that the highest dopamine delivery actually comes right before you see the Likes — it's the anticipation of the reward that spurs dopamine production. Indeed, according to Psychology Today, the Internet has us on a dangerous continuous dopamine loop.
But there's more to the psychology of Likes than that. When you Like someone's photo, it may change how they view you — and perhaps how they view and respond to your Instagram photos.
Humanity's natural tendency toward reciprocation comes into play here. I will more consistently Like photos from users who have Liked my images, even if the photo offers only mild amusement. They're getting the Like for a chuckle instead of a guffaw.
Part of Chawla's plan is to illustrate how Likes can work as a marketing tool. He's been using his software for a few months and noticed that more people are liking his Instagram snaps. Chawla insists he has not changed how often he uploads photos to Instagram or the style and quality of his work, but engagement on each image has shot up significantly.
The experiment seems to be working in real life, too. People recognize Chawla on the street (he has a rather distinctive look: long black hair, a bushy, dark beard, intense eyes, and sports a three-piece suit and large hat). Those who stop him tell him they "love what he's been doing on Instagram lately."
As Chawla sees it, this is a byproduct of his Likes coming in first — or close to first — on their Instagram feeds. If you're familiar with Instagram, you know that after you get 11 Likes, Instagram simply lists the number, rather than spelling out each user that has Liked your photo (so being among that first group of Likers can increase your visibility on the platform dramatically). Lovematically will Like a photo within two minutes of the image's appearance on the feed, so Chawla's name is often the first one everyone sees.
Perhaps you weren't following Chawla before. But if you are following someone he also follows, you'll start to notice his name. Perhaps you'll follow him as well.
I found Chawla's premise so intriguing, I had to try it out for myself. I signed into the Lovematically Web service, gave it access to my Instagram account — and now I'm Liking a lot of Instagram photos.
It's not a foolproof concept. For some big-name Instagram accounts, such as actor James Franco's, which has more than a million followers, the Likes came in so thick and fast that mine was nowhere near the top of the list. Even for accounts with follower counts in the thousands, I was listed among the first 15 or so — but not typically the first. Only on accounts with fewer than 2,000 follower could I consistently be among the first few Likers.
Somewhat embarrassingly, Lovematically auto-likes all of my own Instagrams. I didn't notice this until I started getting Lovematically's daily report on my Instagram activity. In addition to showing me how many successful Likes I posted (usually between 70 and 90, depending on how many people I follow posted to the service), it included thumbnails of all the photos I liked. I soon noticed my own work in there. Sure enough, I was the first person to like my own photos. Sheesh. Fortunately, Instagram lets us unlike stuff.
During my trial, one of my Twitter and Instagram friends noticed the odd activity and finally asked me outright if I was running a bot. This post is his answer.
This gaming of the Instagram system offers a rather stark illustration of the power of Likes as both a psychological and marketing tool. It also made me realize how easy it could be to manipulate people and their actions on social media.
If Instagram does shut down the backdoor Chawla is using to trigger these Likes, he'll have to revert to getting engagement the old-fashioned way — at least until someone else figures out another way to make sure you're the first Like on all social media.


text:
The National Law Journal's Divorce, Trusts, & Estates Trailblazers 2016: Richard A. Campbell, Mayer Brown
The National Law Journal's Divorce, Trusts, & Estates Trailblazers 2016: Richard A. Campbell,...
Richard A. Campbell
Before going to law school, Rich Campbell taught high school math. After law school, he wanted to be more of a counselor than an adversarial lawyer, so he was attracted to trusts and estates. "There are also a lot of numbers involved, so it's a great fit.'
TRAILS BLAZED
When Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared in March 2014, a married couple on board left behind two young children. Campbell needed to prove the parents were dead to allow the children to access their assets. To do so, he needed to prove that they were truly missing and overcome the convention that people must be missing for seven years to be presumed dead. "The first thing we had to do was prove they were on the plane. The airline originally refused to authenticate a passenger manifest, but eventually did." Campbell was able to get the reports from the Australian equivalent of the National Transportation Safety Board admitted into evidence, which helped overcome the seven-year issue and enabled him to convince the court to appoint the father and cousin of the deceased as executors. In another ground breaking example, Campbell helped a very small poetry organization manage a large bequest from Ruth Lilly of the Eli Lilly fortune. "It was a very large gift for such a small organization, and it transformed it into the largest literary organization in the world:'
FUTURE EXPLORATIONS
As families become more globalized, estate planning will involve more families with parents residing in different countries. Campbell also expects wealthy families to struggle with how much to give their children and grandchildren, as opposed to more targeted charitable endeavors. "Clients are fine-tuning a lot more of what they want to do with their charitable dollars-they don't want to just hand over a check."
Reprinted with permission from the March 2016 edition of The American Lawyer © 2016 ALM Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Further duplication without permission is prohibited."
Private Clients, Trusts & Estates
Mayer Brown partner Richard Campbell receives ISBA's John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award
Mayer Brown advises Sotheby's on sale of minority stake to Alexander Klabin
Mayer Brown partner Richard Campbell receives "Court of Honor" award from Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
Mayer Brown partner Donna Morgan named a finalist for Euromoney Legal Media Group's 2016 Americas Women in Business Law Awards
Mayer Brown partner Richard Campbell named a "Divorce, Trusts & Estates Trailblazer" by The National Law Journal

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


RAW farewell in DC, bailed out in Bucharest, a sulking star: My very Indian Foreign Service.
For all those who urge him to boycott CHOGM, PM has an effective reply: his oath of office.
How India Inc may have played a supporting role in its own persecution.
Cricket is the greatest running story in India for half a century, and Sachin its greatest star.
After hitting the prime minister''s office, Rahul cannot afford to run.
That''s the chorus of this government, from minister to babu, police to regulator.
Reconstructing the IPKF disaster, piece by poignant piece, brought me face to face with rare courage and inexcusable complacence.
Reporting on Lanka''s blood-soaked years, I watched names disappear from my notebook.
They are using him as their mascot because he scares minorities, worries the middle ground.
Why US spy planes loved Orissa and how they took me for a ride.


text:
Created with Ashurst
I felt a part of the firm from the moment I walked through the door
By Adam Mawardi on Oct 28 2019 12:50pm
Ashurst's Aneesa Khan reflects on life as a dispute resolution associate ahead of the firm's winter vac scheme deadline on 3 November
Aneesa Khan
It was during her vacation scheme that Aneesa Khan first experienced Ashurst's open-door policy. "On my first day, my supervisor, a partner at the firm, took me around the department and introduced me to everyone in the office, regardless of whether they were a partner, associate or a member of the secretarial team," recalls Khan, who is now a dispute resolution associate in Ashurst's London office.
For the then University of Warwick law student, this gesture was indicative of the firm's non-hierarchical culture. "I was just an undergraduate student, but my supervisor really took the time to make me feel as though I was part of the team," she says.
Since then, Khan has committed herself to further promoting the firm's inclusive culture, particularly through initiatives recognising specific religious and cultural events. As a trainee, for example, Khan was involved in organising initiatives to celebrate Chinese New Year. Khan also led a panel event raising awareness of visible differences in the workplace. More recently, she played a role in organising an iftar event (the evening meal which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast with at sunset) that the firm's lawyers and their clients were invited to attend.
Ashurst Graduates
Khan now works closely with Ashurst chairman, Ben Tidswell, in heading up the firm's newly-founded black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) working group, which focuses on the retention and progression of BAME employees at Ashurst. "It's important for me to give back to other people by raising awareness of diversity and inclusivity, so that everyone is aware of differences that those from non-traditional backgrounds may experience at the firm," she says. This initiative led to Khan being shortlisted as a 'Top 10 BAME Future Leader' at the Investing in Ethnicity Awards.
Applications for Ashurst's winter vacation scheme close on Sunday 3 November 2019
Khan's eagerness to help others can be traced back to her university days. Outside of her studies, Khan got involved in Warwick's outreach programme, aimed at increasing engagement with prospective students from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of this, she would travel to schools and colleges to answer questions on what it takes to study law. Khan, who is the first generation in her family to attend university, knew that she may be able to offer insights from her own experience. "I feel that if people can relate to you, they're more likely to listen to what you have to say," she explains.
Balancing these diversity and inclusion initiatives against her fee-earning responsibilities can be challenging and ultimately requires excellent time-management skills. "From Monday to Friday, it's about prioritising what's important," Khan explains. This allows for hobbies, too, which for Khan, a supercar enthusiast, means attending international motor shows and occasionally taking a Ferrari or Lamborghini for a spin.
As a dispute resolution lawyer, Khan's day-to-day life can vary. When she's not responding to emails, drafting correspondence and attending internal meetings, Khan is often working closely with clients. She's currently advising on an "incredibly large piece of litigation" relating to members of a trucks cartel found guilty of price collusion by the EU Commission.
For students hoping to follow in Khan's footsteps, she recommends seeking out legal opportunities such as Ashurst's upcoming winter vacation scheme. "When it comes to work experience, I don't think you can ever have enough. It's also great if you start at an early age. I've met a lot of first year students that have completed two or three first year schemes and have more opportunities lined up. It's never too early to begin building your CV," Khan advises.
For aspiring lawyers unsure about which winter vacation schemes to apply to, Khan suggests first identifying what exactly draws you to a particular firm. Looking back, Khan recalls being drawn to Ashurst's global reach, offering "premium work" with an "impressive client base". Indeed, as a trainee, Khan saw this first-hand during her six-month secondment to Ashurst's corporate projects team in Dubai. There she had the opportunity to review draft legislation creating new 'free trade zones' — economic areas with their own special tax, customs and import regimes designed to attract foreign investment.
If working at an international level excites you, consider this when choosing optional modules in your undergraduate law degree. Khan, for example, found that undertaking modules in international law and Islamic law later proved useful, particularly when working in Dubai.
Applicants should also consider what type of training they want. Looking back, Khan cites Ashurst's smaller trainee intake as a pulling factor. "In terms of work, it means trainees have a more fundamental role in the team, enjoy more responsibility and typically receive better work," she explains.
A by-product of the firm's recruitment strategy is a "close-knit culture" among trainees from different cohorts. "Fourth seat trainees will go out of their way to get to know first seat trainees. They will look out for you, even if you joined the firm at a different time — it really makes a difference," Khan stresses.
Follow @ashurst
Ashurst lccareers Solicitors Students Vac schemes
From King's College London law student to Ashurst partner
As Ashurst's training contract deadline looms, we talk to banking law specialist Nick Wong about his career to date
Jun 21 2017 2:03pm
From Exeter to Ashurst: How being a campus ambassador helped me secure a prestigious City training contract
Ahead of Ashurst's campus ambassador application deadline, Rebecca Fenton reflects on what she got out of the role — which the firm offers at 11 unis
Apr 11 2017 12:31pm
From Sydney to London: my life as a global banking lawyer
Ahead of 'Secrets to Success London' tomorrow evening at ULaw Moorgate, Ashurst senior associate Briony Holcombe looks back on her career to date and shares her advice with future lawyers
Nov 28 2018 1:35pm


text:
ASPA Pandemic Task Force Presents Exploring COVID-19 Inequities Among Black and Latinx Populations in the United States: CRT Perspectives
By Vanessa Lopez-Littleton
The ASPA Pandemic Task Force hosted a webinar in late September to address the necessity of using critical race theory (CRT) to explore the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black and Latinx communities. The panel brought together public intellectuals from public administration, public health and ethnic studies disciplines to address the necessity of integrating CRT into the discipline and practice of public administration. The following are lasting thoughts shared by each of the participants.
Julia Curry, PhD, San Jose State University
CRT evolved during the post-civil rights era (mid-1970s) by legal scholars who sought to develop a theoretical framework through which to examine the entrenchment of inequities experienced by people of color in their interactions with the criminal justice system. Under the supposition that racism is normal, not aberrational, CRT scholars rejected the notion that policies could be colorblind or race-neutral. They theorized that the entrenched inequities experienced by people of color were related to structural racism, a system of oppression. They theorized that policies and laws in the United States were undergirded by white racial framing, a practice that far too often benefits white people at the expense of people of color.
CRT is a powerful lens through which to examine and understand how society operates, particularly policies and practices that yield inequities. The knowledge and understanding that yields from CRT creates a lens through which to view how the artful use of institutionalized rules and practices by those in positions of power and authority contributes to the differential outcomes experienced by non-white (dominant) groups. When we examine policies and practices through a CRT frame, we find that people have agency, intelligence, character and expertise. We also realize that these folks are conscious of how they experience inequality, discrimination and ultimately injustice.
As scholars, these inequalities are stamped in our beings (bodies) as both members of communities of color and as race/ethnic scholars. CRT is our consciousness and our power; it helps us to explain our realities through an examination of systemic and institutionalized rules, practices and processes and to recast the lens away from individual blame to societal responsibility. Racism thrives when it is carried out by people who are uncritical of the policies, rules and behaviors that reinforce inequities based on race by taking these practices for granted as normative and status quo. As such, CRT is a necessary tool for dissecting racism and exploring the mechanisms by which it operates.
Elsa Jimenez, MPH, Director, Monterey County Health Department
Systematic and intentional segregation of communities contributes to the poorer health, social and educational outcomes experienced by large sectors of Black and Latinx communities. Our recent experience with the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the vulnerability of communities of color. In order to reverse these trends, we must dismantle policies and systems using evidence-based approaches. We must also recognize that we perpetuate whiteness when we present research findings in which we compare Black and Latinx rates to white rates. We must intentionally move away from this practice and re-center what we consider the standard by which everyone else is judged.
Jason Rivera, PhD, SUNY Buffalo State
CRT is about understanding the experiences of our communities as a byproduct of racialized legal and institutional practices in pursuit of correcting social dynamics to attain a more socially equitable future. CRT is not about blaming or making "the other" feel bad about past racist practices, or even the continued actions of people today. Instead, CRT is about using a lens through which to interpret peoples'/communities' experiences so that we can educate others on the fact that our respective communities' social vulnerability is due to systemic and social arrangements that were designed to have our communities in a perpetual state of vulnerability.
James Wright, PhD, Florida State University
The lack of attention around CRT within policies creates inequities that manifest within organizations irrespective of the people we employ within these institutions. CRT affords us the ability to legitimize the lived experience of people of color that operate in predominantly white spaces. Moreover, this changes the starting point for understanding organizational and institutional outcomes by viewing them through non-white eyes
Vanessa Lopez-Littleton, PhD, RN, California State University, Monterey Bay
Fearing and rejecting CRT will not stop scholars, intellectuals, activists, and others from exploring the realities of those who continually experience negative outcomes associated with public systems and policies. In fact, we, as public intellectuals, have a responsibility to use our platforms and our power to fight for the survival of CRT (in higher education) and to advance CRT in the discipline of public administration. As public sector professionals are responsible for implementing public policies, they require a deep awareness and understanding of a broad cross section of counternarratives to broaden and shape their worldview. This is not only applicable to race, but also to any social identity that yields disparate outcomes.
Author: Vanessa Lopez-Littleton, Ph.D., RN, is an Associate Professor at California State University, Monterey Bay and Chair of the Health, Human Services, and Public Policy Department. Her research interests include social determinants of health, racial equity, and organizational behavior. She may be reached at [email protected], DrVLoLil.Com or @DrVLoLil


MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews /24 July) – Bukidnon may have been the first province in the country to comply with mandatory representation of the indigenous peoples in the municipal, city and provincial level, but such is not the case in the barangay level.
Only three towns – Damulog, Dangcagan and Don Carlos – have representatives from the indigenous peoples sitting in their barangay councils, said Carl O. Binayao, community affairs officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Bukidnon office.
He said the rest still do not have a certificate of affirmation (COA) from the NCIP regional office. He noted that most of the IP representatives from the barangays have already complied with the requirements, like documentation during the notification and conduct of consultation and selection, among others.
"But the problem is in the verification made by the lone officer attending to it at the regional office," he added.
Binayao cited that IP mandatory representatives alleged that the officer is very strict in the procedure in the extent that it had become inconsistent with the guidelines set for it.
Umayamnon Datu Benjamin "Otto" Omao, mandatory representative of the indigenous peoples to the Malaybalay city council, said none of the city's 46 village chiefs have received their COA so far.
He added that they have complied with the requirements but the procedure of verification is just too slow. Binayao noted that NCIP regional officials have met recently to address the problem.
In March, NCIP Bukidnon announced that the province has become the first province to have complied with the mandatory requirement at all levels of local government.
Mandatory representation is a requirement provided for in Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997.
The first mandatory IP representative to the provincial board, Datu Magdaleno Maida Pandian, a Manobo and the municipal tribal chieftain of Maramag town, was selected on March 2 during the first assembly of the IP representatives to the municipal and city councils here.
He now sits as member of the provincial board and chairs the committee on indigenous peoples.
NCIP sources said then that the selection process was mostly bottoms up, except in two towns where previously their municipal representatives have been selected because their municipal tribal councils are active. The NCIP, which assumes a facilitative and documentation role in the selection, has initiated the selection starting in March 2010.
Binayao said although it is ironic that the village representatives, who were first, selected, and who selected municipal or city and provincial representatives are not yet officially members of legislative councils, it does not pose a problem, it does not invalidate the process.
"Being able to select higher officials did not require COA from the mandatory IP representatives. The national guideline for mandatory representation was issued by NCIP in 2009 but most local government units did not implement it until the Department of Interior and Local Government issued Memorandum Circular 2010-119," Binayao added.
The active and open environment provided by the local government units in Bukidnon with a pledge to appropriate budget, Sario said then.
But Sario said the selection process was left independent to the Lumads based on processes dictated by their customary laws and tradition down to the barangay level.
At the provincial level, Binayao said Datu Maida was chosen using "gilay," a selection process which involves the datus and baes to drop corn grains on a designated vessel corresponding a candidate tribal leader.
Only datus and baes who are municipal/city IP representatives, municipal/city tribal chieftains, and those who belong to the provincial consultative body of the indigenous peoples, and the ethnographic regional consultative body (ERCB) are qualified to join the selection process.
According to the locally-developed guideline for the mandatory representation, the candidate to become representative must be a natural born Filipino citizen, a registered voter, an IP by blood and recognized leader in an ancestral domain/land or resettled community, and is knowledgeable of customary ways of which he or she is a member.
The guideline also provided that the candidate must be a leader who stands for the well being of the IPs, who has a vision and works for their welfare, someone who protects and preserves the IP culture and traditions, a person who cares for the protection of the environment, a leader who has an honor because of his or her performance and achievements, and is also someone who is knowledgeable of local legislation.
The guidelines also stated that the representative must be non-partisan and can read and write.
The guideline, which was developed through consultations with the IP stakeholders, also provided that nomination and confirmation of a mandatory representative is the exclusive right of the IPs in their respective territory without prejudice to their customary laws and practices.
Sario said the province's feat in mandatory representation addresses the struggle of the IPs for representation in local governance. "But self-governance, another aspiration of the IPs, relies on their readiness," she added.
She clarified that the representative assumes only a legislative function and the traditional structure of IP governance is retained at the tribal councils.
The IP representative to the provincial board can initiate, sponsor, and support enactment of resolutions and ordinances that recognize, protect, and promote the rights of the indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples.
The representative is also tasked to present to the provincial board the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plans (ADSDPPs) and other programs, projects, and activities for integration to the Provincial Development Plan and the Annual Investment Plan and other functions. (Walter I. Balane / MindaNews).


In season starting at the beginning of April, snow crab is the most beloved species of crab in Quebec. Renowned for its tender meat, make snow crab the star of your meal in a bright salad or crab cakes!
Snow crab can be purchased cooked, fresh, or frozen. Ask your fishmonger to prepare it and pick it up in store.
Enjoy it cold or heat it up!
Enhance its delicate flavour by combining it with fresh flavours like avocado, cilantro, mango, or coconut milk.
Everything you need to know about crab, that delicious crustaceanCooking methods, complementary flavours, and storage tips, discover everything you need to know about crab from our expert fishmongers!
How to make a snow crab and mango saladSimple and quick, this salad is brimming with flavour.
Prepare snow crab spring rolls.
Place the ingredients on the table (crab meat, rice vermicelli, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, mint, etc.) and let the kids assemble and seal their own roll!
Serve it with a citrus sauce!


Inland from Mackay the Pioneer Valley is positively bucolic. Small sugar towns, old Queenslanders surrounded by palms and cane, acres of cane. Sugar mills belching steam high into the air. Marian, the town where Dame Nellie Melba once lived as a young bride in an unsuccessful marriage. Towns like Mirani, Gargett where we stop to walk through the market and then we arrive at Finch Hatton.
The Main Street of Finch Hatton, where a railway line once ran is lined with palms and big old mango trees. There's a pub, a general store, a real estate agency and one of those shops selling crystals that has a business for sale sign out front, I wonder why?
The showgrounds has been recommended to us by our Mackay caravanning mates 'The Sugar City Pioneers' as being the most central for touring the area. It has an expansive and well-maintained lawn area behind the town. Set between the ubiquitous cane handling depot and burbling Cattle Creek. The cane trucks each bring in two or three rail trolleys loaded with sugar cane and roll them down onto the railway line to await the night time pick up by the mill cane train. Sometime during the night they are hauled off to the mill at Marian. The Mackay Jayco caravan group are settled on the arena with around fifty vans for a weekend Club Muster. Even so we are still spoilt for choice as to where to set up, every site being equally as good and spacious. Lorraine our host is friendly and efficient. It costs us $25 a night for power and water and on the other side of the levee, beside the creek, those folks are camping for free. This is heaven.
Our patch of lawn is huge and the cane handling keeps us entertained.
Looks idyllic and another strangely named town. do you specifically search out weird sounding places?
Ha ha it must be time that we visited Poowong though.
You're just making stuff up now. Is Poowong somewhere near Whiffwang then?
Oh come on be serious it's between Lang Lang and Jumbunna and down the road from Korumburra.
Are these all places in some imaginary world like Narnia?


text:
RIVERVIEW AT HOBSON GROVE
Riverview at Hobson Grove is the Italianate home of Atwood and Juliet "Julia" van Meter Hobson, was so named because of its proximity to the Barren River. Construction of the hilltop home began in the late 1850s, but was temporarily halted by the Civil War. The partially completed home became a munitions magazine while the Confederates held Bowling Green during the winter of 1861-62. Riverview was finally completed in 1872 and became a centerpiece to the surrounding 400-acre horse and cattle farm.
This historic house museum is currently interpreted to represent the Victorian Period of 1860 to 1890 in south central Kentucky. The house has several features of Italianate architecture including rounded arches at the top of all exterior windows, deep eaves around the roofline with ornamental brackets, and the cupola on the top of the house. Other unique features of the house include the painted ceilings in two parlors downstairs and two early "green" innovations including a water recycling system to provide water to the upstairs water closet, and an oculus as part of the home's ventilation system. Visitors enjoy seeing both the Victorian decoration in the downstairs public areas of the house and the comfortable family areas upstairs.
Riverview at Hobson Grove is the only non-profit historic house museum in south central Kentucky. A site on the Civil War Discovery Trail and listed on the National Register, Riverview began providing tours of this historic structure in 1972. Established to preserve the house's architectural and historic heritage and to educate visitors about its significance in the south central area since the Civil War, Riverview hosts several private and public events throughout the year. Besides educational community outreach programming for all ages, the staff and volunteers support Riverview and its special events including special Christmas tours and teas among other popular favorites. Please consider becoming a member of the Friends of Riverview or a volunteer to help continue the success of Riverview and its mission.
Riverview at Hobson Grove is now closed for the winter season and will re-open on March 1st.
Front Parlor
Unless entertaining, the Hobson family seldom used the front parlor, the largest and most impressive of the home's eight rooms. It contained the best furniture and a beautiful hand-painted ceiling and was reserved for receiving and entertaining guests. When not in use, doors closed off the parlor from the rest of the house to keep it clean.
The Dining Room was used daily by the entire family. The evening meal was of great importance, as it served as a time for social interaction among the members of the family. A meal during the Victorian period could last for hours, especially when entertaining, as numerous courses would be served. Food was brought up the narrow stairs from the kitchen in the basement and then served to the family. The cook prepared the food downstairs while the houseman or butler served and cleaned up after the meal. Riverview did not have live-in servants.
Riverview at Hobson Grove is a non-profit historic house museum--the only one in south central Kentucky. Established in 1972, Riverview was established to preserve the cultural, historical, and architectural heritage of the house and to educate visitors about its significance in the south central area during the Civil War and after. The support of staff and volunteers allows Riverview to educate the public with tours, lectures, special events, and other activities of education value. Besides tour fees, Riverview receives funding from the city of Bowling Green, and the volunteer support of the Friends of Riverview through memberships, donations, and annual fundraisers.
Your participation as an annual member of the Friends of Riverview ensures the preservation and interpretation of the historic house, ensures these important activities will continue to educate future generations, and supports one of Bowling Green's special resources. Membership dues pay for general expenses with excess funds raised through dues to be used for specific purposes directly related to the museum collection, preservation and interpretation of Riverview and its presentation to the public. We need everyone's help preserve this landmark and to serve visitors, especially area children. Warren County students tour free of charge. Thank you for joining us in our efforts.
For our membership form click here
Riverview, as a small non-profit organization, operates with few paid staff and many dedicated volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please call us at (270) 843-5565.
Who can become a Riverview Volunteer?Anyone with an interest in historic houses, the Civil War, or Victorian period, who wants to learn more about 19th century lifestyle and customs, and who is willing to make a meaningful contribution to Riverview's mission.
What are the benefits of being a Riverview Volunteer?
Satisfaction in acquainting visitors with Bowling Green's only historic house museum.
Community Service and enrichment
Contributing to the preservation of a significant historic structure and a major collection of historical artifacts
Connection to Central Kentucky's unique heritage in the Civil War
Developing communication and leadership skills
Social gatherings, occasional workshops and field trips
Meeting new people with similar interests
Discount in our museum shop
Tuesday10:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday10:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday10:00am - 4:00pm
Friday10:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday1:00pm - 4:00pm
We are located in Hobson Grove Park, at the end of Main St.
add riverview at hobson grove to my trip


text:
Varp is a novel Rab32/38-binding protein that regulates Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes
Kanako Tamura, Norihiko Ohbayashi, Yuto Maruta, Eiko Kanno, Takashi Itoh, Mitsunori Fukuda
生命科学研究科・脳生命統御科学専攻
Two small GTPase Rabs, Rab32 and Rab38, have recently been proposed to regulate trafficking of melanogenic enzymes to melanosomes in mammalian epidermal melanocytes; however, the exact molecular mechanism of Rab32/38-mediated transport of melanogenic enzymes has never been clarified, because no Rab32/38-specific effector has ever been identified. In this study, we screened for a Rab32/38-specific effector by a yeast two-hybrid assay using a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-locked Rab32/38 as bait and found that VPS9-ankyrin-repeat protein (Varp)/Ankrd27, characterized previously as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab21, functions as a specific Rab32/38-binding protein in mouse melanocyte cell line melan-a. Deletion analysis showed that the first ankyrin-repeat (ANKR1) domain functions as a GTP-dependent Rab32/38-binding domain, but that the N-terminal VPS9 domain (i.e., Rab21-GEF domain) does not. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous Varp in melan-a cells caused a dramatic reduction in Tyrp1 (tyrosinase-related protein 1) signals from melanosomes but did not cause any reduction in Pmel17 signals. Furthermore, expression of the ANKR1 domain in melan-a cells also caused a dramatic reduction of Tyrp1 signals, whereas the VPS9 domain had no effect. Based on these findings, we propose that Varp functions as the Rab32/38 effector that controls trafficking of Tyrp1 in melanocytes.
Molecular biology of the cell
https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E08-12-1161
細胞生物学
10.1091/mbc.E08-12-1161
「Varp is a novel Rab32/38-binding protein that regulates Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes」の研究トピックを掘り下げます。これらがまとまってユニークなフィンガープリントを構成します。
tyrosinase-related protein-1 Medicine & Life Sciences 100%
Ankyrin Repeat Medicine & Life Sciences 89%
Melanocytes Medicine & Life Sciences 70%
Protein Transport Medicine & Life Sciences 69%
Carrier Proteins Medicine & Life Sciences 52%
Melanosomes Medicine & Life Sciences 43%
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors Medicine & Life Sciences 41%
Guanosine Triphosphate Medicine & Life Sciences 32%
Tamura, K., Ohbayashi, N., Maruta, Y., Kanno, E., Itoh, T., & Fukuda, M. (2009). Varp is a novel Rab32/38-binding protein that regulates Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes. Molecular biology of the cell, 20(12), 2900-2908. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E08-12-1161
Varp is a novel Rab32/38-binding protein that regulates Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes. / Tamura, Kanako; Ohbayashi, Norihiko; Maruta, Yuto; Kanno, Eiko; Itoh, Takashi; Fukuda, Mitsunori.
In: Molecular biology of the cell, Vol. 20, No. 12, 15.06.2009, p. 2900-2908.
Tamura, K, Ohbayashi, N, Maruta, Y, Kanno, E, Itoh, T & Fukuda, M 2009, 'Varp is a novel Rab32/38-binding protein that regulates Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes', Molecular biology of the cell, vol. 20, no. 12, pp. 2900-2908. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E08-12-1161
Tamura K, Ohbayashi N, Maruta Y, Kanno E, Itoh T, Fukuda M. Varp is a novel Rab32/38-binding protein that regulates Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes. Molecular biology of the cell. 2009 6 15;20(12):2900-2908. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E08-12-1161
Tamura, Kanako ; Ohbayashi, Norihiko ; Maruta, Yuto ; Kanno, Eiko ; Itoh, Takashi ; Fukuda, Mitsunori. / Varp is a novel Rab32/38-binding protein that regulates Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes. In: Molecular biology of the cell. 2009 ; Vol. 20, No. 12. pp. 2900-2908.
@article{706de0609b64436da9f861debf4f81a9,
title = "Varp is a novel Rab32/38-binding protein that regulates Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes",
abstract = "Two small GTPase Rabs, Rab32 and Rab38, have recently been proposed to regulate trafficking of melanogenic enzymes to melanosomes in mammalian epidermal melanocytes; however, the exact molecular mechanism of Rab32/38-mediated transport of melanogenic enzymes has never been clarified, because no Rab32/38-specific effector has ever been identified. In this study, we screened for a Rab32/38-specific effector by a yeast two-hybrid assay using a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-locked Rab32/38 as bait and found that VPS9-ankyrin-repeat protein (Varp)/Ankrd27, characterized previously as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab21, functions as a specific Rab32/38-binding protein in mouse melanocyte cell line melan-a. Deletion analysis showed that the first ankyrin-repeat (ANKR1) domain functions as a GTP-dependent Rab32/38-binding domain, but that the N-terminal VPS9 domain (i.e., Rab21-GEF domain) does not. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous Varp in melan-a cells caused a dramatic reduction in Tyrp1 (tyrosinase-related protein 1) signals from melanosomes but did not cause any reduction in Pmel17 signals. Furthermore, expression of the ANKR1 domain in melan-a cells also caused a dramatic reduction of Tyrp1 signals, whereas the VPS9 domain had no effect. Based on these findings, we propose that Varp functions as the Rab32/38 effector that controls trafficking of Tyrp1 in melanocytes.",
author = "Kanako Tamura and Norihiko Ohbayashi and Yuto Maruta and Eiko Kanno and Takashi Itoh and Mitsunori Fukuda",
doi = "10.1091/mbc.E08-12-1161",
journal = "Molecular Biology of the Cell",
publisher = "American Society for Cell Biology",
T1 - Varp is a novel Rab32/38-binding protein that regulates Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes
AU - Tamura, Kanako
AU - Ohbayashi, Norihiko
AU - Maruta, Yuto
AU - Kanno, Eiko
AU - Itoh, Takashi
AU - Fukuda, Mitsunori
N2 - Two small GTPase Rabs, Rab32 and Rab38, have recently been proposed to regulate trafficking of melanogenic enzymes to melanosomes in mammalian epidermal melanocytes; however, the exact molecular mechanism of Rab32/38-mediated transport of melanogenic enzymes has never been clarified, because no Rab32/38-specific effector has ever been identified. In this study, we screened for a Rab32/38-specific effector by a yeast two-hybrid assay using a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-locked Rab32/38 as bait and found that VPS9-ankyrin-repeat protein (Varp)/Ankrd27, characterized previously as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab21, functions as a specific Rab32/38-binding protein in mouse melanocyte cell line melan-a. Deletion analysis showed that the first ankyrin-repeat (ANKR1) domain functions as a GTP-dependent Rab32/38-binding domain, but that the N-terminal VPS9 domain (i.e., Rab21-GEF domain) does not. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous Varp in melan-a cells caused a dramatic reduction in Tyrp1 (tyrosinase-related protein 1) signals from melanosomes but did not cause any reduction in Pmel17 signals. Furthermore, expression of the ANKR1 domain in melan-a cells also caused a dramatic reduction of Tyrp1 signals, whereas the VPS9 domain had no effect. Based on these findings, we propose that Varp functions as the Rab32/38 effector that controls trafficking of Tyrp1 in melanocytes.
AB - Two small GTPase Rabs, Rab32 and Rab38, have recently been proposed to regulate trafficking of melanogenic enzymes to melanosomes in mammalian epidermal melanocytes; however, the exact molecular mechanism of Rab32/38-mediated transport of melanogenic enzymes has never been clarified, because no Rab32/38-specific effector has ever been identified. In this study, we screened for a Rab32/38-specific effector by a yeast two-hybrid assay using a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-locked Rab32/38 as bait and found that VPS9-ankyrin-repeat protein (Varp)/Ankrd27, characterized previously as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab21, functions as a specific Rab32/38-binding protein in mouse melanocyte cell line melan-a. Deletion analysis showed that the first ankyrin-repeat (ANKR1) domain functions as a GTP-dependent Rab32/38-binding domain, but that the N-terminal VPS9 domain (i.e., Rab21-GEF domain) does not. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous Varp in melan-a cells caused a dramatic reduction in Tyrp1 (tyrosinase-related protein 1) signals from melanosomes but did not cause any reduction in Pmel17 signals. Furthermore, expression of the ANKR1 domain in melan-a cells also caused a dramatic reduction of Tyrp1 signals, whereas the VPS9 domain had no effect. Based on these findings, we propose that Varp functions as the Rab32/38 effector that controls trafficking of Tyrp1 in melanocytes.
U2 - 10.1091/mbc.E08-12-1161
DO - 10.1091/mbc.E08-12-1161
JO - Molecular Biology of the Cell
JF - Molecular Biology of the Cell


text:
\subsection{Background}

\begin{figure*}
\center
\includegraphics[width=15cm,angle=0]{fig1.pdf}\\
\caption{A universal $N$-mode multiport interferometer (shown here for $N=9$) can be implemented using a mesh of $N(N-1)/2$ beam splitters such as a) the one proposed by Reck or b) the one that we demonstrate in this paper. As shown in c), a line corresponds to an optical mode, and crossings between two modes correspond to a variable beam splitter described by a $T_{m,n}(\theta,\phi)$ matrix, which can be implemented by a Mach-Zehnder interferometer consisting of two 50:50 directional couplers, preceded by a phase shift at one input port. Although the total number of beam splitters in both interferometers is identical, our scheme is clearly more compact, and therefore suffers less propagation loss. This compactness stems from the fact that each mode crosses its nearest neighbor at the first possible occasion, in contrast to the Reck scheme where the top modes must propagate for some distance before interacting with other modes. Furthermore, the high symmetry inherent to our design improves the loss tolerance of the interferometer, as we show in the main text.}
\label{fig1}
\end{figure*}

An ideal, lossless multiport interferometer between $N$ channels performs an optical transformation which can be described by an $N \times N$ unitary scattering matrix $U$ acting on electric fields as $\bm{E_{out}}=U\bm{E_{in}}$. Equivalently, in quantum optics, $U$ describes the transformation of the annihilation operators of the input modes to those of the output modes.

Within this framework, the following transformation between channels $m$ and $n$ ($m=n-1$):

\begin{equation}
T_{m,n}(\theta,\phi) =
\begin{tikzpicture}[baseline=(current bounding box.center)]
\matrix (m) [matrix of math nodes,nodes in empty cells,right delimiter={]},left delimiter={[} ]{
1  & 0 & & & & & & 0  \\
0  & 1 & & & & & &  \\
 & & & & & & &    \\
   & & & e^{i\phi} \cos \theta& - \sin \theta   & & &  \\
  & & & e^{i\phi} \sin \theta & \cos \theta& & & \\
  & & & & & & & \\
  & & & & & & 1 & 0 \\
0 & & & & & & 0 & 1\\
} ;
\draw[loosely dotted] (m-2-2)-- (m-4-4);
\draw[loosely dotted] (m-5-5)-- (m-7-7);
\draw[loosely dotted] (m-2-1)-- (m-8-1);
\draw[loosely dotted] (m-1-8)-- (m-7-8);
\draw[loosely dotted] (m-1-2)-- (m-1-8);
\draw[loosely dotted] (m-8-1)-- (m-8-7);
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{equation}

\noindent
corresponds to a lossless beam splitter between channels $m$ and $n$ with reflectivity $\cos\theta$ ($\theta \in [0,\pi/2]$), and a phase shift $\phi$ ($\phi \in [0,2\pi]$) at input $m$. In the following, we will generally omit the explicit dependence of these $T_{m,n}(\theta,\phi)$ matrices on $\theta$ and $\phi$ for notational simplicity.

Both our scheme and the scheme by Reck \textit{et al} are based on analytical methods of decomposing the $U$ matrix into a product of $T_{m,n}$ matrices. Specifically, these schemes provide an explicit algorithm for writing any unitary matrix $U$ as:

\begin{align}
U = D \left(\prod_{(m,n) \in S} T_{m,n} \right)
\label{generaldecompose}
\end{align}

\noindent
where $S$ defines a specific ordered sequence of two-mode transformations, and where $D$ is a diagonal matrix with complex elements with modulus equal to one on the diagonal. A physical interferometer composed of beam splitters and phase shifters in the configuration defined by $S$, with values defined by the $\theta$ and $\phi$ in the $T_{m,n}$ matrices, will therefore implement transformation $U$. We note that $D$ is physically irrelevant for most applications, but can be implemented in an interferometer nonetheless by phase shifts on all individual channels at the output of an interferometer.

The formalism developed here for unitary transformations describing lossless $N \times N$ interferometers can be extended to include any $M \times N$ linear (non-unitary) transformation. Indeed, it has been noted that any $M \times N$ linear transformation, with for example $M \leq N$ (resp. $M \geq N$), can be straightforwardly embedded within a $2N \times 2N$ (resp. $2M \times 2M$) unitary transformation \cite{miller2013self, alber2003quantum} to within a scaling factor. Furthermore, realistic, lossy interferometers can also be included in our formalism simply by rescaling $U$ by a loss factor, as we explain later. Therefore, our design for universal multiport interferometers, as well as that by Reck \textit{et al}, can be used to implement any linear transformation, to within a scaling factor, on any number of input and output channels.

\subsection{Overview of the two designs}

Schematic views of the Reck design and of our design are presented in figure \ref{fig1}. Figure 1a presents the Reck design, in which the matrix decomposition method determines a sequence $S$ that corresponds to to a triangular mesh of beam splitters. Figure 1b presents our design, in which every mode crosses its nearest neighbor at the first possible occasion. Our design is more compact and symmetric than the Reck design. We note that both interferometers use the same, minimal number $N(N-1)/2$ of beam splitters to implement an $N \times N$ interferometer \cite{reck1994experimental}.

We define the depth of an interferometer to be the longest path through the interferometer, enumerated by counting the number of beam splitters traversed by that path. It is important to minimize the optical depth of an interferometer because larger interferometers can then be built within a given area, which is an important constraint for fabrication of planar waveguide interferometers. Furthermore, propagation losses are reduced for an interferometer with smaller depth. It is easy to see that our design has the minimal possible optical depth, since every channel crosses its nearest neighbor at the first possible occasion. Specifically, for an $N \times N$ interferometer, the Reck design has an optical depth of $2N-3$, whereas our design has an optical depth of $N$. To illustrate this, the longest path through the interferometer shown in figure \ref{fig1}a follows the edges of the triangle and crosses $2N-3=15$ beam splitters, whereas the longest paths through the interferometer in figure \ref{fig1}b cross $N=9$ beam splitters.

The increased symmetry of our design also leads to significantly better loss tolerance, and is discussed later.

\subsection{Decomposition method}

\begin{figure*}
\center
\includegraphics[width=17.5cm,angle=0]{fig2.pdf}\\
\caption{Illustration of the algorithm for programming a universal multiport interferometer, for a $5 \times 5$ interferometer. The left-hand side presents our decomposition procedure, and the right-hand side shows how our decomposition corresponds to building up the corresponding interferometer. 1) We start with any random unitary matrix $U$, and a blank interferometer. 2) We first null the bottom left element of $U$ with a $T^{-1}_{1,2}$ matrix, which causes the first two columns of $U$ to mix. This corresponds to adding the top-left beam splitter in the interferometer. 3-5) At every step in the algorithm, we null a successive diagonal of the updated $U$ matrix, by alternating between $T_{m,n}$ and $T^{-1}_{m,n}$ matrices, which corresponds to adding diagonal lines of beam splitters to the interferometer. $T_{m,n}$ (resp. $T^{-1}_{m,n}$) matrices of a given color cause the rows (resp. columns) $m$ and $n$, which are shown in the same color, to mix, and null the corresponding element of that color in $U$. It is clear from this process that once a matrix element has been nulled, no subsequent operation can modify it. 6) After step 5, $U$ is a lower triangular matrix, which by virtue of its unitarity must be diagonal. As explained in the main text, we can then write $U$ in the way shown here, which by construction exactly corresponds to the desired interferometer.}
\label{fig2}
\end{figure*}

In this section, we present an analytical method of calculating the values of the beam splitter elements $T_{m,n}$ in our design. Beyond its practical utility in providing a recipe for programming such interferometers, the existence of this method serves to prove that our design is capable of implementing universal interferometric transformations. Our decomposition method relies on two important properties of the $T_{m,n}$ matrices. Firstly, for any given unitary matrix $U$, there are specific values of $\theta$ and $\phi$ that makes any target element in row $m$ or $n$ of matrix $T_{m,n}U$ zero, as per Reck \textit{et al} \cite{reck1994experimental}. We will refer to this process as nulling that element of $U$, and will still refer to the modified matrix after this operation as $U$. Secondly, we note that any target element in column $n$ or $m$ of $U$ can also be nulled by multiplying $U$ from the right by a $T^{-1}_{m,n}$ matrix.

We have constructed a simple algorithm, illustrated in figure \ref{fig2} for the $5 \times 5$ case, that enables us to synthesize an interferometer of arbitrary size consisting of concatenated $2 \times 2$ beam splitters of the kind given in equation \ref{generaldecompose}. We null elements of $U$ one by one in such a way that every $T_{m,n}$ and $T^{-1}_{m,n}$ matrix used in the process completely determines both the reflectivity and phase shift of one beam splitter and phase shifter. The protocol consists of nulling successive diagonals of $U$, in such a way that the sequence of $T_{m,n}$ and $T^{-1}_{m,n}$ matrices used both corresponds to the desired order of beam splitters in the interferometer, and guarantees that nulled elements of $U$ are not affected by subsequent operations. By construction, every nulled diagonal in the matrix corresponds to one diagonal line of beam splitters through the interferometer. By alternating between the left- and right-hand sides of the interferometer in our design, and thus between $T_{m,n}$ and $T^{-1}_{m,n}$ matrices, we fulfil the condition that no nulled element of $U$ is subsequently modified.

\begin{figure*}
\includegraphics[width=17cm]{fig3.pdf}
\caption{Left: Average fidelity for an interferometer with a constant loss of 0.2~dB per beam splitter (as in the universal multiport interferometer in \cite{carolan2015universal}) for interferometers built according to the Reck design (black) and our design (blue), for different interferometer sizes. Inset: close-up of the fidelity in our design. Right: Fidelity as a function of loss, for interferometers implementing $20 \times 20$ transformations. We see from our results that our design is much more loss-tolerant than the Reck design, and maintains high fidelity with the target unitary even in the case of high loss. This is because mismatched path lengths in the Reck design causes loss to severely affect the resulting interference.}
\label{loss}
\end{figure*}

At the end of the decomposition process, we obtain the following expression for a $5 \times 5$ matrix:

\begin{align}
T_{4,5}T_{3,4}T_{2,3}T_{1,2} T_{4,5} T_{3,4} U T^{-1}_{1,2} T^{-1}_{3,4} T^{-1}_{2,3} T^{-1}_{1,2} = D
\end{align}

\noindent
where $D$ is a diagonal matrix as in equation \ref{generaldecompose}. This can be rewritten as:

\begin{align}
U = T^{-1}_{3,4} T^{-1}_{4,5} T^{-1}_{1,2}T^{-1}_{2,3} T^{-1}_{3,4} T^{-1}_{4,5} D T_{1,2} T_{2,3} T_{3,4} T_{1,2}
\end{align}

It is easy to demonstrate that, if $D$ consists of single-mode phase-shifts, then for any $T^{-1}_{m,n}$ matrix one can find a matrix $D'$ of single-mode phases and a matrix $T_{m,n}$ such that $T^{-1}_{m,n} D = D'T_{m,n}$. The previous equation can therefore be rewritten as:

\begin{align}
U  = D' T_{3,4} T_{4,5} T_{1,2} T_{2,3} T_{3,4} T_{4,5} T_{1,2} T_{2,3} T_{3,4} T_{1,2}
\label{finaleq}
\end{align}

\noindent
which, mirroring equation \ref{generaldecompose}, completes our decomposition.

By construction, equation \ref{finaleq} physically corresponds to the multiport interferometer shown in figure \ref{fig2}, and the values of the $\theta$ and $\phi$ of the $T_{m,n}$ matrices in this equation determine the values of the beam splitters and phase shifts that must be programmed to implement $U$. This decomposition principle can be generalised to any $N$, and an explicit general algorithm is given in the supplementary information. We also note that this algorithm can be used to inform the design of fixed interferometric circuits, such as those demonstrated in \cite{bentivegna2015experimental,spagnolo2014experimental}, in which the same arrangement of beam splitters was used to provide specific instances of random interference.

\subsection{Loss tolerance}

Optical loss is unavoidable in realistic interferometers, and finding methods to mitigate its effects is an integral part of any photonic scheme. In the following, we study the tolerance of multiport interferometers built according to our decomposition to loss, and compare their performance to interferometers built and programmed according to the Reck design.

We first distinguish between two types of loss. Balanced loss in a multiport interferometer, in which every path through the interferometer experiences the same loss, preserves the target interference to within an overall scaling factor. This is generally acceptable for applications in the classical domain, such as optical switching or microwave photonics.  In the quantum domain, although loss severely affects scalability of quantum experiments, post-selection can in some situations be used to recover the desired interference pattern. We note that propagation loss in an interferometer is expected to contribute to balanced loss, since every physical path length in an interferometer must be matched to within the coherence length of the input light to maintain high-fidelity interference. However, propagation loss must therefore be proportional to the longest path through the interferometer (i.e. the optical depth), so interferometers built according to our design will suffer from only about half the propagation loss of an interferometer built according to the Reck design.

Unbalanced loss, where different paths through the interferometer experience different loss, can be difficult to characterize and, critically, can result in a poor fidelity to the intended operation \cite{metcalf2013multiphoton,metcalf2014quantum,bonneau2012quantum,peruzzo2011multimode}. Unequal losses between paths in the interferometer are typically caused by beam splitters, which are unavoidably lossy due to additional bending losses and scattering. To compare the tolerance of multiport interferometers to unbalanced loss caused by beam splitters, we adopt the following procedure. For a given $N$, we generate 500 random unitary matrices \cite{note}, implement our decomposition, add loss to both outputs of all the resulting beam splitters, and compare the fidelities in the overall transformations. We use a simple loss model that assumes equal insertion loss for every beam splitter, and we quantify the fidelity of the transformation implemented by a lossy $N \times N$ experimental interferometer, $U_{exp}$, to the intended transformation $U$ using the following metric:

\begin{align}
F(U_{exp},U) = \left| \frac{\text{tr}(U^\dagger U_{exp})}{\sqrt{N \text{tr}(U_{exp}^\dagger U_{exp})}} \right|^2
\end{align}

\noindent
which corresponds to a standard fidelity measure, normalized so that we do not distinguish between matrices that differ by only a constant multiplicative factor. This allows us to focus on unbalanced loss instead of balanced loss in our simulations.

Figure \ref{loss} shows our simulation results, for both a fixed loss and varying interferometer sizes, and for a fixed interferometer size and varying loss. We conclude that interferometers that implement our design are significantly more tolerant to unbalanced loss than those implementing the Reck design. This is because, in the Reck design, different paths through the interferometer go through different numbers of beam splitters, so they all experience different loss and the resulting interference is degraded. In our design, the path lengths are better matched, so equally distributed loss within the interferometer does not strongly affect the resulting interference. We note that whereas unbalanced loss can be compensated for in the Reck design by adding loss to shorter paths, for example by adding beam splitters to the shorter paths in the interferometer as proposed by Miller \cite{miller2015perfect}, this is inefficient and it is better to start with a fundamentally loss-resistant interferometer.

\subsection{Conclusion}

In conclusion, we have demonstrated a design for universal multiport interferometers that outperforms the design proposed by Reck \textit{et al} in several respects. Our design is programmed using a new method for decomposing unitary matrices into a sequence of beam splitters, is almost twice as compact and, significantly, not only suffers less propagation loss but is more loss-tolerant than the previous design.

We expect that our compact and loss tolerant design for fully programmable universal mulitport interferometers will play an important role in the development of optical processors for both classical and quantum applications. Furthermore, we anticipate that our matrix decomposition method will be of use in its own right for other systems which use mathematical structures analogous to beam splitters and phase shifters, such as ion traps \cite{shen2014scalable} and some architectures for superconducting circuits \cite{peropadre2015spin,peropadre2015microwave}.

\section*{Acknowledgements}
This work was supported by the European Research Council, the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (project EP/K034480/1 and the Networked
Quantum Information Technology Hub), and by the European Commission (H2020-FETPROACT-2014 grant QUCHIP).

\section*{Author Contributions}
\footnotesize{W.R.C. and P.C.H. demonstrated the matrix decomposition method presented here. W.R.C did the numerical simulations and wrote the manuscript with contributions from all authors. B.J.M. conceived the project, and W.S.K, and I.A.W. supervised it.}

\section*{Additional Information}
\subsection*{Competing financial interests}
The authors have jointly applied for a patent for the work presented in this paper.
\subsection*{Supplementary Information}
Accompanies this paper

\bibliographystyle{ieeetr}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


Warm tributes to a true stalwart of Aberdeen education | Angela Scott – Chief Executive, Aberdeen City Council.
We all I am sure have memories of particular teachers who have touched our lives and made a lasting impact.
In the case of Charlie Crow, that positive influence spanned generations.
The news of Charlie's passing last week was met with great sadness throughout the city – but with wonderful warmth from those who remember not only an excellent teacher but a fantastic role model.
Charlie was honoured in 2017 by Aberdeen City Council for 50 years service to education in the city and only retired this year from supply teaching. In that notable career he was a popular teacher at Powis Academy and, for 30 years, Harlaw Academy.
The wave of tributes were front page news last week and have poured in from all over the city and across the world.
David Innes, Head Teacher at Harlaw Academy, knew Charlie well and I know he and his staff have been deeply affected by the loss – but uplifted by the lovely memories that have been shared.
On hearing the news the school posted a tweet saying "All at Harlaw Academy wish to express our deepest condolences to his family. It will be a devastating loss, Charlie was a genuine and selfless character who enriched the lives of thousands of people in our community".
Within minutes someone came back to say "He taught my dad at Powis, then my brother and myself at Harlaw. His passion was unrivalled and his classes were entertaining and interesting". These sentiments will be echoed in many parts of Aberdeen by people who will have a real connection to Charlie.
He had a genuine interest in people and a deep desire to help others. Pupils and parents knew they could go to him, be listened to and get support. He was held in very high regard both as a subject teacher and as a guidance teacher.
He ran discos both in the school and for good causes in the local community and he got involved in other aspects of life beyond the classroom all to provide youngsters with enjoyment and opportunities they may not otherwise have had.
A colleague who worked with him said "Charlie always put people at the centre of what he did. Pupils knew he was doing things for them. He thrived in seeing the potential in young people and was excited about this future for them".
He had an optimistic outlook on life and was optimistic for the people he worked with. There will be many people who will feel they would not have got to where they are today had it not been for the confidence Charlie had shown in them and the support he was prepared to give to them.
We feel a very deep sense of loss but hope his family draw comfort from knowing the very real difference he made to so many people and the positive impact he has had in the community.
Those lovely words from David and those that have come from family, friends, former pupils and everyone who encountered Charlie go some way to expressing the legacy of a lifetime devoted to helping pupils fulfil their potential.
On behalf of Aberdeen City Council, my condolences go to Charlie's family and to the many people who have been touched by the terribly sad news.


Weight 9 lb. 13 lb. 18 lb. 26 lb. 35 lb. 44 lb. 53 lb. 62 lb. 70 lb. 80 lb. 88 lb. 97 lb 106 lb.
9 lb. 13 lb. 18 lb. 26 lb. 35 lb. 44 lb. 53 lb. 62 lb. 70 lb. 80 lb. 88 lb. 97 lb 106 lb.
Dynamic Kettlebells are precision machine molded as one solid piece of cast iron, ensuring that dimensions and weight are more accurate than traditional kettlebells on the market. They feature Black Tex powder coating - a great gripping surface and the most durable and long-lasting form of kettlebell finish available. Traditional kettlebells are made using putty to smooth the surface, making them prone to chipping. Dynamic Deluxe Kettlebells use precision casting which provides a fine, natural, smooth surface. Colored emblems & bands on handles easily identify the weight in both Kilograms and Pounds.


text:
( na numeração romana) foi um ano comum do século III do Calendário Juliano, da Era de Cristo, teve início a uma sexta-feira  e terminou também a uma sexta-feira, a sua letra dominical foi C (52 semanas)

Falecimentos
 Guan Yu, morto em batalha no Castelo Fan
 Ma Su, executado por Zhuge Liang

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Punj Lloyd is one of India's largest construction companies - providing integrated design, engineering, procurement, construction and project management within the energy and infrastructure sectors - both in India and around the world.
To communicate detailed CSR stories in an engaging, inspiring, and comprehensive manner that adds clear value to the corporate reputation of the Punj Lloyd Group.
As a global group Punj Lloyd undertakes a wide range of corporate social responsibility initiatives, from its flagship Life Enrichment programme designed to empower and protect the many migrant workers engaged on its construction sites, to the world-class school it runs in rural Uttar Pradesh, to village development and health programmes around the country, and its support for one of India's leading design conferences.
Do One Thing was engaged as a strategic & communications partner, consolidating these numerous inspiring and highly valuable projects into a holistic brand story. After many months of research into Punj Loyd's CR objectives and programmes, as well as visits to see them in action, we created an entirely new online platform. Using photo stories, videos and in-depth case studies of the people involved, the site aims to be an engaging and informative space for stakeholders, clients, employees and the public to understand exactly what CR means to Punj Lloyd.


It's Thursday, April 28th, 2016. Draft Day.
For the past two and a half months, football fans have discussed the top prospects that declared for the 2016 NFL Draft. Fans have exhausted numerous arguments on every player associated via rumor with their teams.
Media analysts have published enough mock drafts to choke a black hole, and they're coming out with their "final" versions.
Unproven, underage, undersized, and sometimes unethical draft prospects have been national news stories for a month or more. They're advertised as though they come in a package with a rebate for 10 free wins.
These players are paraded about as the next generation of Pro Bowlers, and Super Bowl Champions and Hall of Famers. Does (California, QB) Jared Goff have any right to be mentioned among the likes of, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Jim Kelly, Joe Ferguson, or John Elway? No. Except of course to mention the fact that a lot of great QBs have first names that start with the letter 'J'.
Until they make the rosters, and get past Training Camp, until they start a game and handle the pressure, until they contribute to a winning team meaningfully, until they make the clutch play to deliver the Super Bowl to their adoring fans, until they've payed their dues, they're nothing but status quo football players.
Lauded as the Future Super Bowl Champions, these rookies bring a metaphor to my mind: Having your album release party before knowing how to play music.
The draft prospects that are being discussed as Hall of Famers have only proved one thing. They can play collegiate level football fairly well. This is the NFL, boys.
Now excuse me while I watch 4 hours of pre-draft coverage, and bite my fingernails down to the cuticles.


text:
EU member states reach "political agreement" on new sanctions against Russia
CNNOctober 5, 2022
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell delivers a speech during a debate on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on October 5, 2022. (Photo by FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images)
European Union member states have agreed on a fresh round of sanctions against Russia, according to the Czech Presidency of the EU Council.
"Ambassadors reached a political agreement on new sanctions against Russia — a strong EU response to Putin's illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories," the Czech Presidency tweeted Wednesday.
The eighth package of sanctions against Russia — which was proposed by the European Commission last week — will include an oil price cap, among other measures.
The package will include prohibition of maritime transport of Russian oil to third countries above the oil price cap, an extended import ban on goods and a ban on providing IT, engineering and legal services to Russian entities, the presidency added.
It will also include new criteria for sanctions circumvention.
"Ambassadors have been working hard on this. Last night they were working, and the committee continued this morning," the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell said at the EU Parliament earlier Wednesday.
The package is expected to be published later today.
The agreement follows a proposal from the European Commission last week, ahead of Moscow's illegal annexation of four regions in Ukraine.
Other Western allies have also leveled new sanctions against Russia in the wake of Putin's announcement.
The White House announced it was imposing "swift and severe costs" on Russia on Friday, including sanctions against the head of Russia's central bank, Elvira Nabiullina, a figure the Biden administration said is key to the country's economy.
The UK has unveiled new bans on exports of goods and services to Russia. On Tuesday, it also added Sergei Vladimirovich Yeliseyev, the deputy prime minister of the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and the head of Moscow-backed authorities in Kherson, to its list of sanctioned individuals.
Biden Administration Elvira Nabiullina figure head of Russia's central bank sanctions against
US raised concerns with Beijing over Chinese firms' non-lethal aid in Russian war effort
Exclusive: Biden task force investigating how US tech ends up in Iranian attack drones used against Ukraine
Russia publicizes installation of intercontinental missile ahead of "Strategic Forces Day"
As respiratory viruses strain US health care systems, Biden administration tells states how it's ready to help


text:
Q: surjective homomorphism between principal ideal rings I asked this question before but did not get an answer, I tried solving it myself and I think I'm heading somewhere, I just need a push in the right direction.
Let $\phi: R \to S$ be a homomorphism of commutative rings.
Suppose that $\phi$ is surjective and that $R$ is a principal ideal ring (Meaning all the ideals are principal ideals, spanned only by 1 term).
Show that $S$ is also a principal ideal ring.
My "psuedo" solution
We know that $R/ker(\phi)$ is isomorphic to $Im(S) = S$ ($\phi$ is surjective).
We also know that $ker(\phi)$ is an ideal, and we know that if $R$ is a principal ideal ring and $I$ is a prime ideal then $R/I$ is also a principal ideal ring.
So I wanted to show that $ker(\phi)$ is a prime ideal, that would solve the question. But it doesn't have to be...Let's look at $ab \in ker(\phi)$:
$ab \in ker(\phi)$ implies $\phi(ab) = 0$ which implies $\phi(a)\phi(b)=0$ which implies $a \in ker(\phi)$ or $b \in ker(\phi)$ IF AND ONLY IF $S$ has no zero divisors. We we're not given that. it could be possible to find $\phi(a),\phi(b) \in S$ such that their product is zero and neither of them is zero.
And that is where I am stuck.

A: The ring S is a principal ideal ring, but not necessarily a principal ideal DOMAIN.
If $J$ is an ideal in $S$, then $I=\phi^{-1}(J)$ is an ideal of $R$.  So $I$ is principal,
generated by some $x\in R$.   Given $j\in J$, write $\phi^{-1}(j)=ax$ for some $a\in R$. Then
$j=\phi(a)\phi(x$) showing that $J$ is generated by $\phi(x)$.

A: I don't think this is true is $S$ contains zero-divisors. Consider the following surjective morphism
$$k[X]\to k[X]/(X^2),$$
where $k$ is a field.
EDIT: In view of Jeremy's answer, I will add that if we replace principal ideal ring by principal ideal domain, we have counter-examples, as my answer shows.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
<!DOCTYPE html>

<meta charset="utf-8"/>
<title>Justificaciones por Empleado</title>
<link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/png" href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/img/favicon.png"/>
<link href="http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400,300,600,700&subset=all" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/jquery.typeahead.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/simple-line-icons/simple-line-icons.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/bootstrap/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>

<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/uniform/css/uniform.default.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/bootstrap-switch/css/bootstrap-switch.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>

<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/components.css" id="style_components" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/plugins.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/layout.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link id="style_color" href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/light.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/custom.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/sweetalert-master/dist/sweetalert.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>

<link rel="shortcut icon" href="favicon.ico"/>

	<?= helper()?>

				<?= main_menu()?>

				<link href="<?= base_url(); ?>assets/css/bootstrap/css/datepicker.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>

                                             Justificaciones Empleado

                                            Justificación de Checadas a un Empleado...

											Nombre, Fecha y Tipo a Justificar

											Nombre

										                <input id="nombre"
										                       name="q"
										                       autofocus
										                       autocomplete="off"
										                       class="input-xlarge">

											Fecha y Tipo

													<input  type="text" placeholder="Fecha"  id="fecha" class="form-control ">

													<select id="tipo" class="form-control ">
														<option value="E">Entrada</option>
														<option value="S">Salida</option>
													 </select>

												<button data-toggle="modal" data-target="#myModal" id="aceptar_justifica" class="btn green-haze">Justificar</button>

							        <button type="button" class="close" data-dismiss="modal">×</button>

Ingresar Observaciones

							        Justificación
							        <input maxlength="250" type="text" placeholder="Observaciones" id="observaciones" class="form-control" width="100%" style="margin-top:15px">

							        <button type="button" class="btn btn-default" data-dismiss="modal">Cerrar</button>
							        <button type="button" class="btn btn-success" id="justificar">Guardar</button>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


67 of 72 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
6 of 7 copies available at Greenwood Public Library.
Series: Diary of a wimpy kid ; 10.
116 of 195 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
4 of 11 copies available at Greenwood Public Library.
Series: Diary of a wimpy kid ; 6.
143 of 207 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
2 of 11 copies available at Greenwood Public Library.
40 of 44 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
51 of 55 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
Series: Diary of a wimpy kid ; 12.
116 of 209 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
4 of 10 copies available at Greenwood Public Library.
47 of 51 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
2 of 2 copies available at Greenwood Public Library.
Series: Teddy Mars ; 02.
Series: Diary of a wimpy kid (Recorded Books, Inc.) ; 3.
3 of 3 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.


Pickled red onion, avocado, spinach, piquillo pepper aioli, served with side of baby greens.
Bacon, tomato, avocado, peperoncini, jalapeño aioli on toasted brioche bun, served with housemade chips.
Coffee, Tea, Fountain Soda included.
Parties larger than 25 people subject to $500 room fee.
Mon-Fri – Parties larger than 25 people subject to $500 private back dining room fee. Maximum 50 people.
Saturday – Parties larger than 25 people subject to $1000 private back dining room fee. Maximum 50 people.
Parties larger than 25 people subject to $1000 private back dining room fee. Maximum 50 people.
Parties larger than 25 subject to $1000 private back dining room fee. Maximum 50 people.
*Does not include luxury brands such as JW Blue, Yamasaki 18yr Old, Remy XO Cognac and some luxury Bourbons and Rums.
Available Sun-Thu only. Must include a three hour bar package.
Minimum 30 people. Includes private back dining room and bar.
Customized food and beverages packages. Please call 201-659-6090 and speak to manager .
CAMARONES ENCHILADO jumbo shrimp sautéed in olive oil, garlic, onion, peppers, olives and creole-style sauce.
CAMARONES AL AJILLO jumbo shrimp sautéed in a white wine garlic cream sauce.
CHURRASCO CON CHIMICHURRI marinated grilled skirt steak topped with chopped raw onion, served with an Argentinean style steak sauce.
SOLOMILLO DE CERDO pork tenderloin topped with apple chorizo salsa, malanga purée and port wine reduction.
You are welcome to bring your own bottle. $20 corkage fee. Limit two bottles.


text:
Google Cloud and Ericsson Partner to Deliver 5G and Edge Cloud Solutions for Telecommunications Companies and Enterprises
Google Cloud and Ericsson come together to help communications service providers deliver capabilities to the edge, unlocking new possibilities for enterprises and consumers
Partnership brings together Google Cloud's compute platform with Ericsson's market-leading 5G portfolio
Ericsson, Google Cloud, and TIM are currently piloting 5G cloud solutions in Italy for telco edge enterprise use cases in automotive, transportation, and other sectors
Sunnyvale, Calif. and Stockholm, June 29, 2021 – Google Cloud and Ericsson today announced a partnership to jointly develop 5G and edge cloud solutions to help communications service providers (CSPs) digitally transform, and to unlock new enterprise and consumer use cases.
Globally, industries with edge presences—including CSPs, retailers, manufacturers, transport businesses, healthcare, and media and entertainment providers—face pressures to build more digitized businesses and new digital experiences for their customers. To help businesses address this shift, Google Cloud and Ericsson are working together to develop new solutions at Ericsson's Silicon Valley D-15 Labs, a state-of-the-art innovation center where advanced solutions and technologies can be developed and tested on a live, multi-layer 5G platform. Ericsson and Google Cloud have already completed functional onboarding of Ericsson 5G on Anthos to enable telco edge and on-premise use cases for CSPs and enterprises.
As part of the partnership, Google Cloud and Ericsson are also piloting enterprise applications at the edge on a live network with TIM. The project, which will automate the functions of TIM's core 5G network and cloud-based applications, will use TIM's Telco Cloud infrastructure, Google Cloud solutions, and Ericsson's 5G core network and orchestration technologies. The joint offerings will help enterprises in the automotive, transportation, manufacturing, and other sectors improve efficiencies and lower latency by bringing connectivity close to companies' physical locations.
"Organizations have a tremendous opportunity to digitally transform their businesses with 5G and cloud capabilities like artificial intelligence and machine learning at the edge," said Thomas Kurian, CEO at Google Cloud. "We are proud to partner with Ericsson to help build a foundation for communications service providers and enterprises alike to take advantage of cloud technology and cloud-native services, from telecom network core to the edge and enterprise premises."
"5G is a powerful innovation platform. Combined with edge cloud capabilities, 5G has the potential to accelerate the digital transformation of virtually any sector of industry or society," said Niklas Heuveldop, President and Head of Ericsson North America. "We are excited about our partnership with Google Cloud as we engage with our customers to leverage our combined capabilities to solve real-world business challenges for the benefit of consumers, enterprises and society at large."
Ericsson and Google previously formed a services partnership to enable the digital transformation of operator networks and application migration through cloud-native, container-based solutions. To learn more about Google Cloud's telecom strategy, click here.
Google Cloud unveils strategy for telecommunications industry
TIM, Telecom Italia: Doing bigger things, faster
Blog post: At Ericsson and Google Cloud, imagining the future of edge and 5G
About Ericsson
Ericsson enables communications service providers to capture the full value of connectivity. The company's portfolio spans Networks, Digital Services, Managed Services, and Emerging Business. It is designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Ericsson's innovation investments have delivered the benefits of mobility and mobile broadband to billions of people around the world. Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York. www.ericsson.com
press@google.com


text:
Alagang Kapwa Oras-Oras: Hearts for Health Heroes
by Debbie Jane P. Baladad and Leslie Ann C. Saulog, FEBRUARY 2022
MPT South and its communities witnessed the success of the Alagang Kapwa Oras Oras (AKO) Donation Drive last year. It will not touch many lives and hearts without the help of those who impart their blessings. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our co-workers who never had a second thought of sharing for our communities.
The Stakeholder Management team in partnership with Contracts Administration Department is very excited to launch the start of this year's donation drive. On February 15, the project unveiled its theme for February to March. Hearts for Health Heroes aims to pay tribute to our medical front liners. Food such as tetra pack juices and biscuits can be donated. Medical supplies like disposable face masks, face shields, alcohol, tote bags, and mask headband. Letter and motivational cards can also be donated. This way, we can show and make our front liners feel our love, care, and support for them. Employees are encouraged to bring whatever it is that they can in line with the theme until March 25, 2022.
There are more exciting themes that we can look forward for the entire year. It is with the firm belief that we can help more communities and families for this year as we embrace the challenges that we are about to face. Nothing beats the heart of Filipino people who are willing to share, especially during these difficult times.
Leslie Ann C. Saulog. An encouraged contributor living in the province of Cavite. Okay verbally when telling a story, but writing an article is a different one. Learning and still digging out the writer in me.


text:
Global Ethics: An Introduction
What is 'ethics' and when is it 'global ethics'?
Suppose you overhear two parents arguing about a proposed new policy at their children's school that would stop pupils from leaving school premises during lunch hour. One of them says:
Implementing this policy just would not be ethical.
Suppose now that the other parent is getting tired of this and replies:
You want to talk about ethics? Look, there are far more important ethical issues in the world to worry about! There are people dying from starvation or in leaky boats trying to find safety, and the entire planet is in danger from climate change. So, get some perspective and let's move on.
The second parent mentions bigger global ethical issues in order to shock and to make the school case look trivial by comparison. Nevertheless, both parents are talking about ethical issues. Both statements are matters of ethics because they are about what people should or should not make happen, what people should or shouldn't do, and why.
The 'why' is important, as an ethical judgement that something is wrong or bad – and therefore should be put right – needs some justification if it is to make sense and be persuasive. Plausible ethical judgements are made through a process of moral reasoning and in terms of things we value. (Note that in this course we use the terms 'moral' and 'ethical' interchangeably.)
For example, in reaching the conclusion that the school policy is 'unethical', our first parent is perhaps thinking one or more of the following:
the policy would be against the best interests of students or staff
it would be detrimental to the running of a happy school
it would be unfair on staff or on some pupils who have arrangements or responsibilities outside school during the lunch hour
it would be harmful to pupils (because, for example, it could in some way adversely affect their social development)
school authorities simply have no right to stop students going anywhere during their 'free' time.
The statements in these bullet points are all reasons given for why something is unethical, and the terms in bold are ones often used in moral reasoning.
Ethical judgements are made in many other terms. For example, if we asked the second parent why their global examples are ethical issues they might talk about:
the duties we have to save lives or prevent suffering
the responsibilities people have for causing some of these problems, and thus for putting them right
everyone having certain basic rights to subsistence or to live without fear of death
the bad consequences for humankind of contributing to continuing climate change
what any decent, moral, virtuous person would do, within their power, to address these issues.
The list could go on, but these are a few examples of terms in what we might call an ethical vocabulary. This is all, broadly speaking, the stuff of ethics.
© The Open University
Learning with us
Critical Appraisal Techniques for Healthcare Literature
Learn how to critically appraise published medical research literature to keep up with research developments in your field.
What Drives the Body?
Get an introduction to the different components and systems in the body that keep us alive and healthy.
Interfaith Dialogue for Combating Extremism among Young People
Explore the role of interfaith education in preventing forms of violent extremism and building resilient communities.
Browse more in Politics & Society