text:
Das Schloss Bevern liegt in Bevern im Süden des Landkreises Holzminden in Niedersachsen. Der Schlossbau gehört zu den bedeutendsten Baudenkmälern der Weserrenaissance und wurde von 1603 bis 1612 durch Statius von Münchhausen an der Stelle eines alten Herrensitzes erbaut.

Baubeschreibung
Schloss Bevern besteht aus einem um einen fast quadratischen Innenhof errichteten zweigeschossigen Vierflügelbau, dessen Obergeschosse ursprünglich durch zwei Treppentürme erschlossen wurden. Der Kernbau wird von einem Wassergraben mit zwei Brücken umgeben, an dem sich östlich der heute überbaute Schlossgarten, westlich Reste des Torhauses und der Schloss-Scheune anschließen. Ursprünglich gehörten zum Schloss zudem 14 Wirtschaftsgebäude.

Geschichte

Vorgängeranlage
Anstelle des heutigen Schlosses stand eine Vorgängeranlage der Herren von Bevern. Ursprünglich ein Sattelhof, wird sie 1446 auch als "borghof" und verschiedentlich auch als "veste" bezeichnet. Offensichtlich war der Hof burgartig befestigt gewesen. Bei zwischen 1984 und 1987 durchgeführten Ausgrabungen sind im östlichen Teil des Innenhofes einige Mauerzüge gefunden worden, die zum mittelalterlichen Vorgängerbau gehören dürften. Diese lassen sich aber nicht zu einem schlüssigen Bild der Vorgängeranlage zusammenfügen. Ansonsten ist von ihr nur bekannt, dass sie mit einem Wall befestigt war, der 1606 beim Schlossbau beseitigt wurde.

Schloss

Statius von Münchhausen, ein Sohn des zu großem Reichtum gekommenen Söldnerführers Hilmar von Münchhausen, Spross der schwarzen Linie des Adelsgeschlechts Münchhausen und einer der bedeutendsten Unternehmer seiner Zeit, hatte sich 1584 rechtzeitig die Lehnsanwartschaft auf diesen Besitz gesichert, da es möglich erschien, dass das bisher hier ansässige Adelsgeschlecht von Bevern im Mannesstamme erlöschen und dann das Lehen vom Lehnsherrn eingezogen und neu ausgegeben würde. Mit Brun-Arndt von Bevern verstarb 1588 der letzte legitime männliche Erbe derer von Bevern, da seine Ehe mit Gertrude von Falkenberg kinderlos blieb. Eine nicht lehnsfähige Bastardlinie lebte weiterhin im Ort. Statius von Münchhausen übernahm daraufhin ab 1590 das Lehen Bevern, bestehend aus dem Sattelhof, fünf Hufen Landes, sechs Kothöfen und dem halben Zehnten. Ebenso hatte es bereits 1566 sein Vater Hilmar mit Wendlinghausen gehalten, nachdem er schon zahlreiche andere Güter – insbesondere 1564 das säkularisierte Kloster Leitzkau bei Magdeburg – erworben hatte. Letzteres baute Statius unter Heranziehung von Steinmetzen aus dem Weserraum ab etwa 1593 zu einem Renaissanceschloss um. Nachdem er diesen gewaltigen Bau vollendet hatte, machte er sich von 1603 bis 1612 an den nicht weniger aufwendigen Neubau von Schloss Bevern.

Als Baumeister gilt der Hamelner Johann Hundertossen, der ab 1596 auch das Schloss Schwedesdorf in Lauenau für einen Vetter aus der weißen Linie, Otto von Münchhausen, errichtete. Zahlreiche Details sowohl in Leitzkau als auch in Bevern lassen vermuten, dass dieselben Handwerker aus der Werkstatt des Steinmetzen Johann von Mehle daran beteiligt waren, die auch 1586 das Alfelder Rathaus im Renaissancestil umbauten. Weitere, eher als Amtssitze anzusprechende Schlösser ließ Statius in Bodenwerder und Bolzum erbauen; zudem insgesamt neun Kirchen in seinen Gutsdörfern, einschließlich seiner Grablege, der St. Johanniskirche zu Bevern. Seinen Vetter Jürgen Klencke beriet er beim Bau der Hämelschenburg.

Im Jahre 1618 geriet der Bauherr infolge der Inflation der Kipper- und Wipperzeit in wirtschaftliche Schwierigkeiten. Er wurde schließlich Opfer einer Intrige des sogenannten "Regiments der ungetreuen Drosten" des Herzogs Friedrich Ulrich von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel. Durch die Rückforderungen seiner Kreditgeber und unter dem Druck der finanziellen Forderungen in Höhe von 240.000 Talern, die einer der herzoglichen Räte, der Obrist Arndt von Wopersnow, der Ehemann von Statius von Münchhausens Nichte, durch Ankauf von Schuldscheinen erhob, musste er seinen Konkurs erklären. Er behielt das Schloss und das Lehen Bevern aber im Rahmen einer Zwangsverwaltung durch Herzog Friedrich Ulrich von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel inne. Durch Bittstellung, auch an den Kaiser, erreichte Statius, dass eine Bilanz erstellt wurde. Diese ergab, dass sein Gesamtvermögen von 1.320.565 Talern seine Schulden in Höhe von 1.011.484 Talern übertraf. Mit Ausbruch des Dreißigjährigen Krieges geriet das weitere Verfahren ins Stocken.

Am 27. März 1633 starb Statius von Münchhausen und wurde in der Kirche von Bevern beigesetzt. Seine Witwe Dorothea von Bothmer musste das Schloss an Herzog August den Jüngeren von Braunschweig und Lüneburg abtreten, der es als Jagdschloss und Amtshaus nutzte. Im Dreißigjährigen Krieg wurde 1640 Holzminden von kaiserlichen Truppen niedergebrannt. Dorothea von Bothmer verhinderte die Besetzung des Schlosses mit Hilfe von braunschweigischen Soldaten. 1652 verließ sie im Alter von 72 Jahren das Schloss, in dem ständig Soldaten einquartiert waren, und erhielt einen Hof in Höxter. Bis 1666 blieb das Schloss ungenutzt, und erst nach heftigen Erbauseinandersetzungen und einem Erbvergleich erhielt am 23. Mai 1667 der jüngste Sohn des Herzogs, Ferdinand Albrecht I. (der "Wunderliche von Bevern"), das Schloss mit einer jährlichen Apanage von 8800 Talern und Grundrechten als Residenz. Mit der Übernahme als Residenz am 5. Juni 1667 gründete er die herzogliche Nebenlinie Braunschweig-Bevern (bis 1884 bestehend). Im selben Jahr heiratete Ferdinand Albrecht I. Christine von Hessen-Eschwege; aus der Ehe gingen elf Kinder hervor. Die herzogliche Residenz spiegelte die Interessen des Herzogs wider, der eine Kunstkammer und einen der ersten Theatersäle in Norddeutschland einrichtete. Eine Hofdruckerei diente zum Verlegen eigener Werke. Wie seine regierenden Halbbrüder in Braunschweig beanspruchte er die Halsgerichtsbarkeit. Im April 1671 fand auf dem Schlosshof die einzige Hinrichtung statt. Der Burggraf Johann Stahlmann wurde wegen der Erschießung von Bernhard Wienecken, dem Leibknecht des Herzogs, zum Tode verurteilt und nach Abschlagen einer Hand enthauptet. Am 23. April 1687 verstarb Ferdinand Albrecht I., und das Schloss diente als Witwensitz für Christine von Hessen-Eschwege. Die Söhne des Herzogs wurden in Wolfenbüttel erzogen.

18. Jahrhundert
Im Jahre 1704 erhielten die Erben von Statius von Münchhausen in einem Vergleich nur 16.000 Taler zugesprochen. 1713 erfolgte eine Erbteilung des Schlosses zwischen Ernst Ferdinand und Ferdinand Albrecht II. Die Kapelle im Schloss wurde bis zum 19. Dezember 1717 vom Obergeschoss in die darunter gelegenen Räume verlegt.

Mit Ferdinand Albrecht II. erlangte die Linie 1734/1735 die Regentschaft im Fürstentum Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel. Am 28. August 1714 wurde hier sein Sohn Anton Ulrich von Braunschweig geboren. 1746 erbte der in preußischen Diensten stehende Herzog August Wilhelm das Schloss; er verweilte im Gegensatz zu seinen jüngeren Geschwistern Friedrich Georg und Marie Anna nur selten in Bevern. Ab 1773 gab es die Hofhaltung nicht mehr. 1781 erbte Herzog Friedrich Karl Ferdinand das Schloss, nutzte es aber nur gelegentlich als Sommerresidenz. Der in dänischen Diensten stehende Generalfeldmarschall residierte in Kopenhagen und Glücksburg. 1793 gründete Friedrich Karl Ferdinand die Bevernsche Armenstiftung.

Das Schloss wurde bis ins späte 18. Jahrhundert von den Mitgliedern der Nebenlinie Braunschweig-Bevern als Residenz genutzt. 1798 wurde es zu einem Pensionärssitz für frühere Bedienstete. Ein Kommerzienrat betrieb zeitweilig eine Knopffabrik im Schloss.

19. Jahrhundert

1802 gab es Pläne zur Einrichtung einer Erziehungsanstalt für junge Frauenzimmer. 1806 fiel nach der französischen Annexion des Fürstentums Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel das Schloss zum Königreich Westphalen. Nach den Befreiungskriegen und mit dem Tod von Friedrich Karl Ferdinand 1809 erlosch das jüngere Haus Braunschweig-Bevern. Sein Erbe fiel zunächst an seine Witwe Anna Karoline, eine Tochter von Fürst Wilhelm Heinrich, die aber in Glücksburg blieb. Mit dem Tod von Anna Karoline fiel der Besitz 1824 an das Herzogtum Braunschweig. Das Schloss diente fortan als Wohnsitz für verdiente Helden der Befreiungskriege und pensionierte Hofbedienstete. 1830 erfolgte der Abbruch des äußeren Tores.

Von 1832 bis 1834 erfolgte nach einem umfassenden Umbau die Einrichtung einer Herzoglichen Besserungs- und Arbeitsanstalt, der sogenannten "Correctionsanstalt" mit Wohnungen und Werkstätten. 1835 zerstörte ein von einem Korrigenden gelegter Brand den Südostturm. Am 17. August 1839 kam es zu einem Aufstand von Korrigenden, bei dem zwei Arbeitssäle ausbrannten. Die Beveraner Bürgerwehr schlug den Aufstand nieder. 1855 kam es zu einem Brand des Flachsmagazins im Ostteil des Schlosses. Am 22. Dezember 1870 wurde die "Correctionsanstalt" aufgehoben und alle Erwachsenen nach Wolfenbüttel verlegt. Rund 3000 Menschen wurden in den 30 Jahren umerzogen. Die Korrigenden konnten frühestens nach fünf Jahren die Anstalt verlassen. An der Stelle wurde am 22. Dezember 1870 die Anstalt in die Herzoglich Braunschweigische Erziehungsanstalt Wilhelmsstift für elternlose Kinder umgewandelt. In der Erziehungsanstalt wurden Kinder und Jugendliche vom 7. bis zum 15. Lebensjahr, ab 1890 auch bis zum 20. Lebensjahr, aufgenommen. Es entstanden Schulräume, Wohnzimmer, Werkstätten, ab 1882 eine Turnhalle, Stallgebäude und ab 1889 ein Krankenhaus mit Kinderheim. Eine neue Kapelle mit einer neuen Orgel wurde ebenfalls errichtet. Der Braunschweigische Hofdekorations- und Kirchenmaler Adolf Quensen gestaltete die Wandmalereien im Wilhelmsstift. 1918 gehörte die Erziehungsanstalt zum Freistaat Braunschweig.

20. Jahrhundert

Während der Zeit des Nationalsozialismus übertrug der Freistaat Braunschweig das Schloss ab 1933 der SA, die es als Sportschule nutzte. Von 1935 bis 1945 wurde das Schloss von Teileinheiten von Pionier-Bataillonen der Wehrmacht als Kaserne genutzt, u. a. vom Pionier-Bataillon 20 (Ergänzungs-Kompanie) und Pionier-Bataillon 56 (Ergänzungs-Kompanie). Ab 1939 wurde die Ergänzungs-Kompanie Pionier-Bataillon 56 zur 5. Kompanie des Pionier-Bataillons 19. Nach dem Ausbruch des Zweiten Weltkriegs wurde nur noch das Infanterie-Pionier-Ersatz-Bataillon 216 in der Pionierkaserne Schloss Bevern untergebracht sowie kurzzeitig noch die Pionier-Ersatz-Kompanie 71.

Nach der Eroberung durch US-amerikanische Truppen im Mai 1945 wurde im Schloss zunächst ein Übergangs- und Flüchtlingslager für russische und polnische Kriegsgefangene und Zwangsarbeiter und von 1947 bis 1949 ein DP-Lager für rund 800 heimatlose Letten eingerichtet. 1949 fiel das Schloss an den 1569 gegründeten Braunschweigischen Vereinigten Kloster- und Studienfonds als Rechtsnachfolger des Freistaates Braunschweig. Aufgrund der enormen Renovierungskosten für das Schloss suchte die Stiftung einen neuen Eigentümer. Der ermittelte Schätzwert von 811.855 DM mündete schließlich in eine Kaufpreisforderung von 218.000 DM. Nach mehrjährigen Verhandlungen kaufte der Flecken Bevern das Objekt im Jahr 1957 vom Braunschweigischen Vereinigten Kloster- und Studienfonds für 100.000 DM. Der Landkreis Holzminden hatte 50.000 DM geboten. Die Gemeinde nutzte das Schloss fortan, um es als Wohnraum, als Vereinsheim und als provisorische Schule zu vermieten. Der Westflügel des Schlosses wurde als Lager für einen Möbelgroßhandel (Fa. Hinze) genutzt. Die Schlosskapelle wurde 1947 bis 1968 der katholischen Kirchengemeinde zur Verfügung gestellt. Bedeutende Nebengebäude wie die Schlossscheune, das Brauhaus, die Schmiede, das Armenhaus, die Waschanstalt und das Domänenpächtergebäude wurden von der Gemeinde Bevern verkauft.

Seit 1976 befindet sich ein Heimatmuseum im Schloss und zeigt Sammlungsstücke zur Geschichte des Ortes Bevern sowie Mineralien und Fossilien. 1981 begann mit Mitteln des Landes Niedersachsen die Restaurierung des Schlosses im Sinne des Zustandes von 1897, da eine Wiederherstellung des Zustandes von 1717 nicht realisierbar erschien. Die restaurierte Schlosskapelle wurde am 15. Dezember 1984 eröffnet. 1986 übernahm der Landkreis Holzminden das Schloss von der Gemeinde Bevern. Der Landkreis restaurierte Teile des Gebäudes, erweiterte es für Ausstellungen und integrierte ein renommiertes Restaurant, das von Manfred Kobinger geleitet wurde. Am 19. Mai 1987 wurde ein Freundeskreis Schloss Bevern als Förderverein gegründet, der ab 1996 zum parallel zum Kulturressort des Landkreises Holzminden Kulturveranstalter wurde. Seit 1988 fanden im Nordwestbereich des Obergeschosses auch Ausstellungen statt, darunter u. a. die internationale Ausstellungen Die Balten (1988), Schätze der Ostgoten (1995), Die Vandalen (2004) (unter anderen unterstützte Polen die Ausstellung mit 2,9 Millionen DM) oder Das silberne Pferd. Archäologische Schätze zwischen Schwarzem Meer und Kaukasus (2010) statt.

Das Weserrenaissanceschloss ist heute ein Kulturzentrum mit Konzert- und Theaterprogramm sowie Wechselausstellungen. Seit 2008 ist das Schloss zugleich Standort der Erlebniswelt Renaissance (EWR).

Bis Juni 2012 wurde die neue Westfassade des Schlosses Bevern neu gestrichen. Ab dem 14. Januar 2012 gab es zum 400-jährigen Schlossjubiläum eine große Ausstellung mit dem Titel "Bist Du nicht artig, kommst Du nach Bevern!" im Kulturzentrum Weserrenaissance Schloss Bevern, die von der wechselvollen Geschichte des Schlosses und seiner Bewohner erzählte. Begleitet wurde diese durch mehrere Theaterprojekte. Von September bis November 2012 gab es in Zusammenarbeit mit vier weiteren Museen die Verbundausstellung "Aus dem Pottland in die Welt" über die historische Töpferregion zwischen Weser und Leine.

Literatur
 Erich Sander: Schloss Bevern im Wandel der Zeit. Bevern 1990.
 Bernd Krämer, Frank Zadach-Buchmeier: Schloss Bevern, Bauherr und Bauwerk ISBN 3-980330001.
 Holger Reimers, Klaus Thönes, Horst Masuch: Schloss Bevern: Gebaute Geschichte als Aufgabe, Jonas-Verlag, Marburg 1996,  ISBN 3-89445-195-5.
 Frank Zadach-Buchmeier: Integrieren und Ausschließen. Prozesse gesellschaftlicher Disziplinierung. Die Arbeits- und Besserungsanstalt Bevern im Herzogtum Braunschweig auf dem Weg zur Fürsorgeerziehungsanstalt (1834 bis 1870), Hahnsche Buchhandlung Hannover, ISBN 3-775260129.
 Schloss Bevern 1603 bis 1612. Münchhausenbau – Herzogsresidenz – Kulturzentrum, Veröffentlichung des Landkreises Holzminden – Heft 2, 1987 mit Texten von Bernd Krämer, Walter Dormann und Christian Leiber.
 Ernst Andreas Friedrich: Das Schloß Bevern. S. 178–180, In: Wenn Steine reden könnten. Band III, Landbuch-Verlag, Hannover 1995, ISBN 3-7842-0515-1.
 Gesine Schwarz: Die Rittersitze des alten Landes Braunschweig. Göttingen 2008, S. 275–281.

Weblinks

 Weserrenaissance Schloss Bevern

 Artikel Die Geister, die Münchhausen rief in Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung
 Ansicht des Schlossturms um 1880 auf kulturerbe.niedersachsen.de
 400 Jahre Weserrenaissance-Schloss Bevern in Göttinger Tageblatt vom 15. März 2012

Einzelnachweise

Bevern
Bevern
Erbaut im 17. Jahrhundert
Baudenkmal im Landkreis Holzminden
Bevern (Landkreis Holzminden)
Bevern
Bevern

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


As the largest 'grower-owned' supplier of Welsh produce grown, picked and packed in Wales, Puffin Produce Ltd is always looking at ways to improve efficiency throughout its grower network. Currently, some of its growers are utilising the very latest John Deere AMS technology supplied and installed by Tallis Amos Group with a view to helping them monitor and benchmark their production practices.
The App - known as MyJobConnect is downloadable via a typical smart phone and accessible anywhere there is an internet connection. Data is fed from the machine in the field that has John Deere GreenStar AMS installed and collects information such as GPS position, implement width, forward speed, fuel consumption, seed rate etc. This data is analysed and from it, relevant usable management data can be recorded and acted upon.
MyJobConnect can be utilised to gather every single element of production from every drop of fuel burned, every second of time taken, right through to every tonne of potatoes harvested - costs, time, margins and profitability.


A condensed version of the original research which was launched at the end of 2016.
Produced by the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice, the new resource includes key messages from the original study and aims to make the research more accessible to young people.
To document and describe the OLWO approach, processes and outcomes to inform SPS service delivery and any formal commissioning and tendering processes in the future.
You can download the condensed version here or the full report here.


text:
PHOTOGRAPHY about IndigenousHealthEnvironmentposted on August 27, 2011 by isaac
Protest at Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipline
by Isaac Oommen
On a bright Saturday afternoon a group of 150 protesters gathered at the Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain Pipelines in North Burnaby in solidarity with those being arrested in Washington DC as they call on their President to reject the Keystone XL pipeline.
Council of Canadian representative Harjap Grewal reminded those gathering at the site that direct action is something that indigenous communities across Turtle Island are taking part in, and that those joining them do so in an open act of solidarity.
The group, ranging from elders to younger ones got to tour the layout of the pipeline, all the way to the port terminal that held oil that is to be shipped out of the country.
Ben West, an organizer with the Wilderness Committee, spoke to Vancouver Media Co-op on the Express bus going from Vancouver to the demonstration. Apart from noting that the stopping the Keystone project would be the equivalent of "diffusing a carbon-bomb," he also spoke of the importance of supporting transit.
"We need to think of the supply and also demand of oil," said West. "Getting those tankers off our coast is a great way to begin choking off the supply but we also need to be reducing the demand for fossil fuels."
Sun, 08/28/2011 - 20:42 — digitalmonkblog (not verified)
additional photos and video of the protest
This is a great summary of the rally on August 27th, thanks for posting!
For reference you can find additional videos and photos at the following links:
http://metrovanwatch.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/rally-against-oil-tanker-t...
http://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/rally-against-oil-tanker-t...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Bioinformatics Toolbox™ provides algorithms and apps for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), microarray analysis, mass spectrometry, and gene ontology. Using toolbox functions, you can read genomic and proteomic data from standard file formats such as SAM, FASTA, CEL, and CDF, as well as from online databases such as the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus and GenBank®. You can explore and visualize this data with sequence browsers, spatial heatmaps, and clustergrams. The toolbox also provides statistical techniques for detecting peaks, imputing values for missing data, and selecting features.
You can combine toolbox functions to support common bioinformatics workflows. You can use ChIP-Seq data to identify transcription factors; analyze RNA-Seq data to identify differentially expressed genes; identify copy number variants and SNPs in microarray data; and classify protein profiles using mass spectrometry data.
Learn more about computational biology.
Use algorithms and visualization techniques for Next Generation Sequencing analysis.
Analyze and comprehend raw microarray data.
Use the set of functions for mass spectrometry data analysis.
Apply basic graph theory to sparse matrices, use classification and statistical learning algorithms, and access the Gene Ontology database.
Perform sequence analysis and use visualization tools for genomic and proteomic sequence data.
Access standard file formats for biological data, online databases, and Web sites. Turn your data analysis program into a software application.
Discover more about Bioinformatics Toolbox by exploring these resources.
Explore documentation for Bioinformatics Toolbox functions and features, including release notes and examples.
Browse the list of available Bioinformatics Toolbox functions.
View articles that demonstrate technical advantages of using Bioinformatics Toolbox.
Read how Bioinformatics Toolbox is accelerating research and development in your industry.
View product requirements for the latest release of Bioinformatics Toolbox.
Bioinformatics Toolbox apps enable you to quickly access common tasks through an interactive interface.
There are many ways to start using Bioinformatics Toolbox. Download a free trial, or explore pricing and licensing options.
Purchase Bioinformatics Toolbox and explore related products.


Thank you for all the well wishes we received for Nora, especially on Facebook after I posted about this morning's other scary first — her first bloody nose. I'm happy to report that, besides that incredibly frantic wake up, today was a much better day. Nora is still coughing, but is mostly back to her normal playful self and clearly on the mend. We're thankful the seriousness of her first illness was short-lived and for all of our caring friends and family members.
You may remember one of my New Years resolutions was to actually do something with the videos I take. I'm hoping to post a video every Friday in a new feature called "Film Friday" inspired by a blogger I love, Gregarious Peach. This first video is part one of a look at our life in 2011: January through March. At first I thought it might be hard to whittle down our footage to a short video, but it wasn't as bad as I thought…and there's something to be said for video in high speed!
I hope you enjoy this new feature (and I hope I can keep it going!), as well as this reminder of how much changes in a year. While watching the videos from last January, I was most struck by the difference in Nora's language abilities between then and now. Then, she was still saying single words and now it's full sentences and stories! Oh, where did the baby go?
Love it! And that song is awesome =) Wish our kids had access to snow, oh the fun we would have!
This was just beautiful! You did an awesome job, love it. The snow DOES look awesome, I am a bit jealous! The baby yoga just KILLED Me. Too cute for words.
Very uplifting to view your video Amber! Have another great year with your family!


text:
#include "gazebo/math/Vector3.hh"
#include "BoxShape.hh"

using namespace gazebo;
using namespace physics;

//////////////////////////////////////////////////
BoxShape::BoxShape(CollisionPtr _parent) : Shape(_parent)
{
  this->AddType(Base::BOX_SHAPE);
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////
BoxShape::~BoxShape()
{
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////
void BoxShape::Init()
{
  this->SetSize(this->sdf->GetValueVector3("size"));
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////
void BoxShape::SetSize(const math::Vector3 &_size)
{
  this->sdf->GetElement("size")->Set(_size);
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////
math::Vector3 BoxShape::GetSize() const
{
  return this->sdf->GetValueVector3("size");
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////
void BoxShape::FillMsg(msgs::Geometry &_msg)
{
  _msg.set_type(msgs::Geometry::BOX);
  msgs::Set(_msg.mutable_box()->mutable_size(), this->GetSize());
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////
void BoxShape::ProcessMsg(const msgs::Geometry &_msg)
{
  this->SetSize(msgs::Convert(_msg.box().size()));
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This free program is available on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited.
Complete the Secured Bike Storage Access Request form to participate.
The storage is located in an enclosed and covered area, in the northwest corner of the lowest level of the Bostwick Parking Ramp. The area is unmonitored, and participants gain accessed by using their RaiderCard.
You may park your bicycle in this area at your own risk of any theft, fire or damage to their bicycle or its contents. You must be a current student or employee to enroll in this program; a change in your enrollment or employment status will forfeit your eligibility for this program.


It was my birthday this Saturday just past and I am the first to admit that I am a birthday princess and usually the first two weeks in May are also known as the Festival of Liska.
I love birthdays and firmly believe that they are an occasion to celebrate the unique individuals that we are and the gifts that only we can bring to the world. I encourage all around me to acknowledge their birth day when they came into the world.
The glittery parts of a birthday, the presents, messages, flowers, telephone calls are lots of fun but it's the time you spend with yourself is the biggest present you can gift yourself on your birthday.
It's the gift of self acknowledgement. A recognition of who you and where you are at. A recognition that you are the sum part of all your experiences and that nobody else can be you. It's about seeing your light and allowing it to shine through the cracks and imperfections so that those around you can feel it.
Accepting where we find ourselves on any given day is like turning on that inner light. At first it is a soft glow that no one else can see but slowly, slowly as those voices in our head tune in to a positive sound track that inner light dials up from glow to shine.
I wrote in a guest post a few weeks ago about the 4 words that are guiding 2014 instead of the traditional New Year resolutions. I had been making headway with ACTION, CHOICES, GROW but SHINE had been falling behind. By SHINE I mean being the best version of me according to my values and desires no body elses.
I got super lucky with an early birhday present this year when a friend of mine asked me to be one of her coachees as she completed her coach training. In our last session she asked me for one day only, to write down positive alternatives to the negative comments in my head. I tweaked it a bit and everytime those noisy neighbours in my head made a negative comment I just replaced it with a positive one. It's been a busy week inside my brain I have to tell you.
The point is I didn't overthink it. Positive statement in response to negative comment. Done. Move on to the next thing. No outcome attached to the action at all.
I am a master at the inner soundtrack so imagine my surprise when I noticed that the sound of the noisy neighbours has been dialled down and I feel like I have some mojo in my step. Best birthday present to myself in years!
It might be May but SHINE finally has joined the year and its feeling good.
So take a moment to sit with yourself and reflect on the magic that is you. The realisation that there is nobody else like you in this world and the sheer fabulousness of that.


text:
Indicator Assessment
Prod-ID: IND-201-en
Also known as: CLIM 029 , LSI 007
expired Created 13 Mar 2015 Published 13 May 2015 Last modified 23 Dec 2016
Topics: Climate change adaptation , Soil , Agriculture ,
This page was archived on 23 Dec 2016 with reason: Other (New version data-and-maps/indicators/water-retention-4/assessment was published)
Soil moisture content is already being affected by rising temperatures and changes in precipitation amounts, both of which are evidence of changes in climate. Since 1951, modelled soil moisture content significantly increased in parts of northern Europe and decreased in the Mediterranean region. Projections for 2021–2050 show a general change in summer soil moisture content over most of Europe, including significant decreases in the Mediterranean region and increases in the northeastern part of Europe. Maintaining water-retention capacity and porosity are important to reduce the impacts of intense rainfall and droughts, which are projected to become more frequent and severe. The modelled results are based on natural factors and disregard artificial drainage and irrigation practices.
Soil moisture content is already being affected by rising temperatures and changes in precipitation amounts, both of which are evidence of changes in climate.
Since 1951, modelled soil moisture content significantly increased in parts of northern Europe and decreased in the Mediterranean region.
Projections for 2021–2050 show a general change in summer soil moisture content over most of Europe, including significant decreases in the Mediterranean region and increases in the northeastern part of Europe.
Maintaining water-retention capacity and porosity are important to reduce the impacts of intense rainfall and droughts, which are projected to become more frequent and severe.
The modelled results are based on natural factors and disregard artificial drainage and irrigation practices.
How is soil moisture changing in Europe?
Trends in summer soil moisture content between 1951 and 2012 in Europe
Note: Soil moisture content was modelled using a soil moisture balance model in the upper soil horizons (up to 1 m).
Analysing Seasonal Differences between a Soil Water Balance Model and in Situ Soil Moisture Measurements at Nine Locations Across Europe provided by European Environment Agency (EEA)
Downloads and more info
Projected change in summer soil moisture
Note: Changes are presented as mean multi-model change between 1961-1990 and 2021-2050 using 12 Regional Climate Models (RCMs); with red indicating drier and blue indicating wetter conditions.
The future of dry and wet spells in Europe provided by Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change
Past trends
Modelling of soil moisture content over the past 60 years suggests that there has been little change at the global level (Sheffield et al., 2012). These simulations take account of changes in available energy, humidity and wind speed, but disregard artificial drainage and irrigation practices. Also, at the pan-European scale, soil moisture content has not changed significantly since the 1950s (Kurnik et al., 2014b). At the sub-continental scale, however, significant trends in summer soil moisture content can be observed (Fig. 1). In parts of northern Europe soil moisture content increased; these increases are likely due to increases in precipitation amounts. In the Mediterranean region decreases in soil moisture were observed. Particularly large changes were recorded in south-eastern Europe, south-western Europe, and southern France. However, the model results show significant increases in soil moisture content over western Turkey, reflecting trends opposite to those in the neighbouring region (i.e. south-western Europe). These particular trends should be considered with caution due to the low availability of climate data in the region, affecting the accuracy of the modelled trends.
Projections for the 21st century show significant reductions in summer soil moisture content in the Mediterranean region and increases in the northeastern part of Europe by the end of the 21st century (Calanca et al., 2006; Lopez-Moreno and Beniston, 2009). In particular, in the Mediterranean area, soil moisture content is expected to decline and saturation conditions are expected to be increasingly rare and restricted to periods in winter and spring (García-Ruiz et al., 2011). Based on the results of twelve regional climate models (RCMs), the soil moisture index shows a strong gradient of projected changes from pronounced drier conditions in southern Europe to wetter conditions in northern European regions in all seasons (Heinrich and Gobiet, 2012). The largest changes in the soil moisture index between 2021-2050 and the baseline period (1961-1990) are projected for the summer period in the Mediterranean, especially in north-eastern Spain and south-eastern Europe (Heinrich and Gobiet, 2012) (Fig. 2).
Calanca, P., Roesch, A., Jasper, K. and Wild, M. (2006) Global warming and the summertime evapotranspiration regime of the Alpine region. Climatic Change 79, 65–78. doi:10.1007/s10584-006-9103-9.
García-Ruiz, J. M., López-Moreno, J. I., Vicente-Serrano, S. M., Lasanta–Martínez, T. and Beguería, S. (2011) Mediterranean water resources in a global change scenario. Earth-Science Reviews 105(3–4), 121–139. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2011.01.006.
Heinrich, G. and Gobiet, A. (2012) The future of dry and wet spells in Europe: a comprehensive study based on the ENSEMBLES regional climate models. International Journal of Climatology 32, 1951–1970. doi:10.1002/joc.2421.
Kurnik, B., Louwagie, G., Erhard, M., Ceglar, A., Bogataj Kajfež, L. (2014a) Analysing Seasonal Differences between a Soil Water Balance Model and in Situ Soil Moisture Measurements at Nine Locations Across Europe. Environmental Modeling & Assessment 19 (1), 19-34. doi 10.1007/s10666-013-9377-z.
Kurnik, B., Kajfež-Bogataj, L. and Horion, S. (2014b) An assessment of actual evapotranspiration and soil water deficit in agricultural regions in Europe, to be published in International Journal of Climatology. doi: 10.1002/joc.4154.
Lopez-Moreno, JI, Beniston, M. (2009) Daily precipitation intensity projected for the 21st century: seasonal changes over the Pyrenees. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 95, 375–384. doi: 10.1007/s00704-008-0015-7.
Seneviratne, S.I., T. Corti, E.L. Davin, M. Hirschi, E.B. Jaeger, I. Lehner, B. Orlowsky, and A.J. Teuling (2010) Investigating soil moisture-climate interactions in a changing climate: A review. Earth-Science Reviews 99(3-4), 125-161. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2010.02.004.
Sheffield J, Wood E, Roderick M. (2012) Little change in global drought over the last 60 years. Nat. Lett. 491, 435–438.
Indicator specification and metadata
This indicator shows soil moisture over a depth of one metre based on a soil water balance model (Kurnik et al., 2014a; b)
This indicator shows changes in the Palmer Drought Severity Index (Heinrich and Gobiet, 2012)
Past trends: litres per cubic metre over ten years (l/m³.10 years)
Projections: unitless
Water retention is a major hydrological property of soil. It governs soil functioning in ecosystems. While water retention capacity is an intrinsic soil property based on clay content, structure and organic matter levels, soil moisture content is highly dynamic and is, if based on natural factors only, the balance between rainfall, evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and deep percolation. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns and intensity will affect evapotranspiration and infiltration rates, and thus soil moisture.
Although soil moisture constitutes only about 0.005% of global water resources, it is an important part of the water cycle and is a key variable controlling numerous processes and feedback loops within the climate system (Seneviratne et al., 2010). When depleted due to the lack of precipitation, increased evapotranspiration or increased runoff, soil moisture starts to constrain plant transpiration, crop growth and thus, livestock and food production.
IPCC, 2007. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Seneviratne, S.I., T. Corti, E.L. Davin, M. Hirschi, E.B. Jaeger, I. Lehner, B. Orlowsky, and A.J. Teuling (2010) Investigating soil moisture-climate interactions in a changing climate: A review. Earth-Science Reviews 99(3-4), 125-161, doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2010.02.004. EEA (2012) Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012 (EEA Report No 12/2012). European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, accessed 30 June 2014.
In April 2013 the European Commission (EC) presented the EU Adaptation Strategy Package (http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/adaptation/what/documentation_en.htm). This package consists of the EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change [COM (2013) 216] and a number of supporting documents. One of the objectives of the EU Adaptation Strategy is better informed decision making, which should occur through bridging the knowledge gap and further developing Climate-ADAPT as the 'one-stop shop' for adaptation information in Europe.
In the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) it is recognised that farmers are exposed to increasing economic and environmental risks as a consequence of climate change and increased price volatility. Member States have to establish a comprehensive farm advisory system offering advice to beneficiaries, including on the relationship between agricultural management and climate change. The CAP's cross-compliance system related to direct payments incorporates basic standards comprising climate change aspects. One of the priorities under the support for rural development is promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors (with a focus on increasing efficiency in water use). 'Climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity' is explicitly mentioned as a thematic sub-programme. Accordingly, Member States have to specify agri-environment-climate measures and forest-environment and climate commitments that go beyond the basic standards.
EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform - basic regulations
References to climate change particularly in Regulation 1307/2013 (direct payments for farmers), Regulation 1306/2013 (so-called horizontal issues such as funding and controls: Articles 12 and 93, Annex I) and Regulation 1305/2013 (rural development: Articles 5, 7, 15, 28, 34, 35, 53 and 55).
European Drought Observatory (EDO)
The European drought observatory (EDO) is a service run by the EC's Joint Research Centre. The EDO pages contain drought-relevant information such as maps of indicators derived from different data sources (e.g., precipitation measurements, satellite measurements, modelled soil moisture content).
Soil moisture was estimated using an algorithm for calculating the water balance at the surface and in the sub-surface horizons (up to 1m depth) as described in Kurnik et al. (2014a). The model uses the recommendations of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for estimating the available water content in soils (Allen et al., 1998). It calculates soil moisture by adding and subtracting the losses and gains in the various parameters of the soil water budget, expressed in terms of the water column (in millimetres).
Written in volumetric units, the soil water balance (SWB) can be represented by Equation 1:
D * Capital delta_SWB / Capital delta_t = RR(t) – ETA(t) – SRO(t) – DP(t) (1)
where D (in millimetres) is the depth of the modelled soil profile (root zone), and Capital delta_SWB (in cubic metres per cubic metre) is the change of the water volume over an area with depth D between two consecutive steps (Capital delta_t). RR (in millimetres per day) is the amount of precipitation at the surface, ETA (in millimetres per day) is the actual evapotranspiration, SRO (in millimetres per day) is the surface runoff and DP (in millimetres per day) is the deep percolation.
Thus, as precipitation increases, actual evapotranspiration (ETA), total runoff (SRO) and deep percolation (DP) decrease the soil moisture content in the root zone. The parameters are defined as described in Kurnik et al. (2014a). Pedotransfer functions were used to calculate the field capacity, wilting point and soil saturation point characteristics required to calculate the SWB.
In addition to climate data, the equation takes account of other parameters such as, land cover, phenological phases, and hydrological soil properties.
Input data: The model uses a range of inputs as specified in Kurnik et al. (2014a). Daily meteorological station data were obtained from the European Climate Assessment and Data set (ECA&D), compiled by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). Land cover information from the Corine Land Cover 2006 project (CLC2006) was used to identify the type of land cover and to calculate the crop coefficient for three phenological stages (start, middle and end of season). Intra-annual variation of the crop coefficient kc was calculated from the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), applying the same linear relationship between kc and NDVI for all stations and over the whole validation period. Hydrological soil properties (namely soil saturation point, field capacity and wilting point) were calculated using soil characteristics (soil texture and soil organic matter) from the European Soil map (ESDB version 2.0).
Calculation of the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) opposes atmospheric water supply to soil water demand using a rather simple soil-water balance model.
The PDSI measures the deviation from climatically normal soil moisture conditions for the current month without regarding conditions of preceding months, accounting for local climate features.
It can be classified as follows:
PDSI: Class
≥4.00: Extremely wet
3.00 to 3.99: Very wet
2.00 to 2.99: Moderately wet
1.00 to 1.99: Slightly wet
0.50 to 0.99: Incipient wet spell
0.49 to −0.49: Near normal
−0.50 to −0.99: Incipient drought
−1.00 to −1.99: Mild drought
−2.00 to −2.99: Moderate drought
−3.00 to −3.99: Severe drought
≤−4.00: Extreme drought
Allen et al. (1998) Allen, R.G., Pereira, L.S., Raes, D., Smith, M. (1998) Crop evapotranspiration —guidelines for computing crop water requirements. FAO Irrigation and drainage paper 56. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
Gerten et al. (2003) Gerten, D., Schaphoff, S., Haberlandt, U., Lucht, W., Sitch, S. (2003) Terrestrial vegetation and water balance—hydrological evaluation of a dynamic global vegetation model. Journal of Hydrology 286, 249–270.
Kurnik et al. (2014a) Kurnik, B., Louwagie, G., Erhard, M., Ceglar, A., Bogataj Kajfež, L. (2014a) Analysing Seasonal Differences between a Soil Water Balance Model and in Situ Soil Moisture Measurements at Nine Locations Across Europe. Environmental Modeling & Assessment 19 (1), 19-34. doi 10.1007/s10666-013-9377-z.
Peixoto and Oort (1992) Peixoto, J.P., and Oort, A.H. (1992) Physics of climate. Springer, Berlin.
Heinrich and Gobiet (2012) Heinrich, G. and Gobiet, A. (2012) The future of dry and wet spells in Europe: a comprehensive study based on the ENSEMBLES regional climate models. International Journal of Climatology 32, 1951–1970. doi:10.1002/joc.2421.
Palmer (1965) Palmer, WC (1965). Meteorological drought. U.S. Research Paper No. 45. US Weather Bureau,Washington, DC.
Soil moisture can be measured or estimated by various methods, based either on in-situ measurements, spatially continuous information derived from satellite imagery, or hydrological and land surface models.
Soil moisture measurements are expensive and do not provide a good spatial representation of the soil wetness conditions due to the high variability of soil moisture on a local scale. In most of the studies, soil moisture is simulated by land surface, hydrological and soil water balance models (Gerten et al., 2003; Piexoto, 1992). Modellers can choose the spatial and temporal resolutions of the end product, depending on the resolution of the input data and the computation capacities. The vertical distribution of the soil moisture can be represented with different compartments within the model.
Specifically for the projections (Palmer Drought Severity Index), regional climate model (RCM) simulations provided by the ENSEMBLES project are used to analyse changes in dry and wet conditions in Europe by the mid of the 21st century under the A1B emission scenario. Eight RCMs are selected to capture the uncertainties of the projected changes (Heinrich and Gobiet, 2012).
Quantitative information, from both observations and modelling, on past trends and impacts of climate change on soil and the various related feedbacks, is very limited. For example, data has been collected in forest soil surveys (e.g. ICP Forests, BioSoil and FutMon projects), but issues with survey quality in different countries makes comparison between countries (and between surveys) difficult. To date, assessments have relied mainly on local case studies that have analysed how soil reacts under a changing climate in combination with evolving agricultural and forest practices. Thus, European-wide soil information to help policymakers identify appropriate adaptation measures is absent. There is an urgent need to establish harmonised monitoring networks to provide a better and more quantitative understanding of this system. Currently, EU-wide soil indicators are (partly) based on estimates and modelling studies, most of which have not yet been validated. Nevertheless, in absence of quantification, other evidence can indicate emerging risks. For example, shifting tree lines in mountainous regions as a consequence of climate change may indicate an extinction risk for local soil biota.
Finally, when documenting and modelling changes in soil indicators, it is not always feasible to track long-term changes (signal) given the significant short-term variations (noise) that may occur (e.g. seasonal variations of soil organic carbon due to land management). Therefore, detected changes cannot always be attributed to climate change effects, as climate is only one of the soil-forming factors. Human activity can be more determining, both in measured/modelled past trends (baseline), and if projections including all possible factors were to be made. The latter points towards the critical role of effective land use and management in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
For the validation of the soil moisture modelling used to calculate the past trends, soil data other than soil moisture were not available from the validation stations (Kurnik et al., 2014a).
For the projections, regional climate model (RCM) simulations provided by the ENSEMBLES project are used to analyse changes in dry and wet conditions in Europe by the mid of the 21st century under the A1B emission scenario. Eight RCMs are selected to capture the uncertainties of the projected changes (Heinrich and Gobiet, 2012).
The future of dry and wet spells in Europe
provided by Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change
An assessment of actual evapotranspiration and soil water deficit in agricultural regions in Europe (dataset URL is not available)
provided by European Environment Agency (EEA)
Climate change adaptation , Soil , Agriculture
soil moisture , climate , emissions trends and projections , trends
Indicator codes
LSI 007
1951-2012 , 2021-2050
Albania , Austria , Belgium , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Bulgaria , Croatia , Cyprus , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Iceland , Ireland , Italy , Kosovo (UNSCR 1244/99) , Latvia , Liechtenstein , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Malta , Montenegro , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Romania , Serbia , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , Turkey , United Kingdom
Geertrui Veerle Erika Louwagie
Soil and climate change Soil is an important — and often neglected — element of the climate system. It is the second largest carbon store, or 'sink', after the oceans. Depending on the region, climate change might result in more carbon being stored in plants and soil due to vegetation growth, or more carbon being released into the atmosphere. Restoring key ecosystems on land, and a sustainable use of the land in urban and rural areas, can help us mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Soil Soil underpins 90 % of all food, feed, fibre and fuel production, and it provides raw material for activities from horticulture to the construction sector. Soil is also essential for ecosystem health: it purifies and regulates water, it is the engine for nutrient cycles and a reservoir for genes and species, supporting biodiversity. It is a global carbon sink, playing an important role in the potential slowing of climate change and its impacts. Moreover, by conserving traces of our past, it is an important element of our cultural heritage.
a32ca610f5044bcc81fe8ab3612cc95e
IND-201-en
20 Nov 2012 - Soil moisture
08 Sep 2008 - Water retention
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/water-retention-3/assessment or scan the QR code.
Filed under: soil moisture, climate, emissions trends and projections, trends


Radovan Miucic, Technical Fellow/Team Lead, Changan US R&D Center, Inc.
With the rise of automation in the workplace showing no signs of slowing down, many CIOs are evaluating the application of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for increased productivity across various use cases. RPA offers businesses an improved Profit and Loss statement (P&L), allowing the organization to avoid capital spend and reduce cost. It allows businesses to achieve operational excellence, improve quality and increase the velocity of transactions, allowing CIOs to leverage their organization's talent.
But while the benefits of RPA are numerous, many CIOs have concerns surrounding its implementation, and whether existing IT led implementation approaches can achieve efficiencies within reasonable timescales.
As partner to some of these enterprises, we've supported the organizational journey as businesses' embark on a digital journey. Here are just some of the questions and considerations CIOs should consider as the robots enter our workforce.
Firstly, as a CIO considering robotics, you will need to consider some testing of corporate policy around risk and security before embarking on the automation journey.
This starts at its simplest level, with the need to generate IDs for robots – all the way through to understanding that this is not going to be a closed software deployment project – the whole business will need to be engaged in this process, for a whole host of reasons.
At the initial planning stage, you will need to consider and map out how many environments are involved or connected to the processes that you want to automate, before progressing to the testing, and eventually live stages. Policies will need to apply to not just the desktop, but system access rights and other processes such as system updates, as these may throw a robot off its path.
Where Will the Robots Live?
Consider where you will be hosting the robots – it is not by any means necessary for you to host them inside your organization. You may already have an infrastructure partner that will deploy them for you.
"As a CIO implementing a robotic solution, you have to engage with multiple departments and stakeholders in business if it is to be successful"
The alternative option is to consider CloudBots, something that Genfour provides for 30 percent of its customers. The primary concern for CIOs here, which needs offsetting, involves the question of security in the cloud, which raises quite a different stream of considerations and compliance issues.
In the world of CloudBots, there is also a hybrid solution to be considered – one where the bots live on-site but the management server and administration processes are hosted by the partner at an offsite location.
A good question that the CIO should ask is: is this going to put extra pressure on the network? You would think so, however the answer is – not necessarily. The great thing about robots is that you can schedule them to run over periods of time, and of course, extended robot hours mean that there is less pressure at key business times. If you think about robots as another 24/7 user, that you can pace accordingly - that is probably a fair assessment.
Remember there is a huge difference between setting up a proof of concept and carrying that concept into full production. The concept phase may be lengthy and often is with our customers. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it enables you to evaluate and develop the relevant business cases for each process to ensure that it will promote value and efficiency within the business. However, once the robots are in production, they become business-critical very quickly. Consider a fail-safe business continuity plan – the robots, if working correctly, will be doing a lot of work for you – so you need to make sure you have back up and continuity solutions in place should system failure happen.
As a CIO implementing a robotic solution, you have to engage with multiple departments and stakeholders in business if it is to be successful. These parties will include risk, security, infrastructure, IT architects, and those managers of process or business systems and applications. You may also need to engage with your third party to do it, if you have an existing infrastructure provider.
CIOs should remember that the pressures and challenges associated with implementing RPA are not insurmountable, they can just create delay and prevent agility (what robots were invented for) if not considered thoroughly at the outset of a project.
In an ideal world, and frequently the case, the implementation of robots will be business led, and not about changing systems. If anything, you want RPA to be deployed where change is not already underway; it may not be the right time for the robots if the process is in re-design. Equally, in terms of change control, RPA needs a seat at the management table to address the impact on processes that are being built or re-designed.
If the business is putting robotics forward for the CIO agenda, then the first question to ask is, why is that? If it is agility or cost, then it is difficult to compete with anything other than RPA. RPA is the solution which will support the business on its digital journey and allows your organization to innovate – there is little doubt about that.
RPA is one of the many tools in the CIO toolbox, which some people refer to as "the strategic tool for tactical change". An understanding of the gap that robotics is being used to plug and the drivers for it will alleviate operational stress later on the journey. Implementing a secure and considered robotics plan should enable CIOs and businesses to see a return on their investment in no time at all, and prove the business case for RPA.


text:
7 Signs You Deserve More Than What Your Partner Is Giving You
BDG Media, Inc.
By Amanda Chatel
Whether it's brand new or long-term, all relationships should involve a give and take. And, in that give and take, ultimately, each partner should be giving equal amounts. This isn't to suggest that the relationship should be equal at all times, in every single thing you do — but, at the end of the day, week, month, or year, it's important to be able to look back on everything and see that through it all, it came out equal. Healthy relationships need equality to succeed.
But sometimes, things can become — or have always been — unequal. Once you realize your relationship isn't equal, it's also important to realize that probably means you're not getting your needs met or what you deserve from your partner. While your partner might be sitting pretty, enjoying the benefits of being in a relationship with you, you just might be going without.
While the reasons for this could be anywhere from having different love languages (how you each show and express love) to a lack of communication, it's still unfair and definitely worth addressing or reconsidering the relationship. So here are seven signs you deserve more than what you're partner is giving you, according to experts.
You're The Only One Compromising
Andrew Zaeh for Bustle
Whether or not we like it, compromise is totally part of the game when it comes to relationships. But there are also different types of compromise. There are small compromises, like giving in and letting your partner choose the movie you'll watch, and bigger ones, like modifying our behavior.
"When they tell you that a behavior of yours bothers them, you're open to making modifications," Anita A. Chlipala, LMFT, and author of First Comes Us: The Busy Couple's Guide to Lasting Love, tells Bustle. "When you tell them what behaviors you'd like addressed, they say they'll change them but it doesn't last very long."
You're The Only One Making An Effort
It's human nature to have wants and needs, and when you're with someone, trying to meet those needs and wants is just something that should come with the territory. But, according to Chlipala, if you're making the effort to meet their needs, but they aren't, then it's definitely a sign you deserve more.
"People aren't always explicit about their needs, but you pay attention to what's important to them," says Chlipala.
You Get "Love Bombed"
Not sure what it means to be love bombed? It basically means the super romantic gestures are dropped on you like an explosion, and then they disappear suddenly.
"Not to say that healthy relationships also don't have their challenges, but there's an overall sense of security and positivity in a balanced relationship," says Chlipala. "It's not this rollercoaster of amazing times together followed by distance and coldness."
You Feel Like You Have To Pursue Affection
There's nothing worse than feeling like you're always the one initiating and pursuing affection and attention. However, if you are, that's a sign your needs aren't being met. It's worth communicating this with your partner so you can get on the same page.
"It's understandable that you may have different love languages," says Chlipala, "but it's another if you feel like you're doing most of the initiating."
You Don't Know Where You Stand
"Your partner might not be at the same point as you (people go at different paces), but you should know how your partner feels about you and if there's a future together," says Chlipala. "Sometimes you might even wonder if your partner likes you. You also shouldn't have to wait over a year to hear 'I love you'."
If you can't even figure out what your partner wants, then it's probably because they can't figure it out either. You deserve more than to sit around and wait and see.
Your Partner Avoids Conflict
"Communication is important to not only share your dreams, needs, and expectations, but also to address stress, hurt feelings, and work through misunderstandings (and there will be misunderstandings)," says Chlipala. "If your partner continually shuts down conversation around conflict or blows up and pulls away, it makes it very difficult to work on or improve the relationship."
You can't resolve a problem if you avoid conflict. And you can't evolve as a couple if there are unresolved problems. It's as simple as that.
You're The Only One Apologizing
No one ever said apologizing and admitting you're wrong was easy, but it's a mature, respectful, and incredibly important quality in a relationship.
"Mutual accountability is necessary for a healthy relationship," says Chlipala. "Being the only one to apologize can lead to resentment and feelings of powerlessness."
If you're the one who's always giving, then this just might mean you're more invested in the relationship than your partner, which, again, is an inequality. If communicating this to your partner seems to fall on deaf ears and there doesn't appear to be any change, it's important to take stock in what you have, realize your worth, and decide just how important what you deserve is to you.


Hologic Inc manufactures proprietary products for the healthcare needs of women. The company operates in four segments: diagnostics (47% of sales), breast health (37%), surgical (12%), and skeletal health (4%). While the company traditionally focused on breast health, the recent acquisition of Gen-Probe puts a much greater emphasis on commercial diagnostics. The United States accounts for the largest portion of the firm's revenue (74%), followed by Europe (12%) and Asia (8%). Hologic is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts.
Using similar companies and price based ratios we generated a valuation of $32.45 (USD) for HOLX:NAS. We also generated a valuation of $54.59 (USD) using other metrics and comparables.
The comparable companies were Baxter International (BAX:NYS), Cooper Companies (COO:NYS), Haemonetics (HAE:NYS), ResMed (RMD:NYS) and Dentsply Sirona (XRAY:NAS).
In the Stockcalc database there are 5 analysts that provide a valuation for HOLX:NAS. The 5 analysts have a concensus valuation for HOLX:NAS for 2019 of $43.20 (USD).


text:
Donate stock online
The water crisis
Generational change
Light the World
Winter appeal
We all agree: clean water, reliable toilets and good hygiene are vital for living a dignified, healthy life.
WaterAid/Eliza Powell
Statistics can look stark. 1 in 10 don't have clean water. 1 in 4 people don't have a decent toilet.
But thanks to people like you, we've reached 26.4 million people with clean water.
That's 26.4 million more healthy and independent people in the world.
26.4 million more people contributing to the economic vitality of the community.
Helping communities help themselves
26.4 million people is a great start but we have so much more work to do. By working together, all of us, we can inspire everyone, everywhere to reach their full potential.
This is lasting change. This is how we have worked since 1981.
We are WaterAid and with your help, we can end the water crisis.
785 million people in the world do not have clean water close to home.
WHO/UNICEF (2019) Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2017. Joint Monitoring Programme. Geneva: World Health Organisation.
2.3 billion people don't have a decent toilet of their own.
Globally, 31% of schools don't have clean water and 34% lack decent toilets.
WHO/UNICEF (2018) Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools: Global Baseline Report 2018. Joint Monitoring Programme. Geneva: World Health Organisation.
Every minute a newborn dies from an infection caused by lack of safe water and an unclean environment.
(WHO, 2015)
Diarrhea caused by dirty water and poor toilets kills a child under 5 every 2 minutes.
WaterAid calculations based on Prüss-Ustün et al. (2014) and The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (2018)
Around the world, up to 443 million school days are lost every year because of water-related illnesses.
(Human Development Report, 2006)
Every $1 invested in water and toilets returns an average of $4 in increased productivity.
Promoting good hygiene is one of the most cost effective health interventions.
(Disease Control Priorities, third edition (volume 2), 2016)
If everyone, everywhere had clean water, the number of diarrheal deaths would be cut by a third.
(Tropical Medicine and International Health, 2014)
In 2017 we received a 4/4 star rating by Charity Navigator for the 5th year running.
(Charity Navigator, 2017)
WaterAid/Sibtain Haider
Since 1981 we've reached 25.8 million people with clean water and 25.1 million with decent toilets.
(WaterAid, 2017)
WaterAid/Ernest Randriarimalala
Ready to make a difference? Just $10 a month can transform someone's life.
Get involved, your way
Join an event, fundraise with friends or find your own way to transform lives.
Give an unforgettable gift
We've got the perfect presents for every occasion in our online shop.
Sign up for recent publications and resources
About WaterAid
Facts about the water crisis
Donate cryptocurrency
Online stock donations
WaterAid is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN/ tax ID number 30-018-1674).
WaterAid America, 233 Broadway #2705, New York, NY, 10279
WaterAid - the water, sanitation and handwashing charity | © Copyright WaterAid - All rights reserved.
Terms and conditions | Privacy policy | Safeguarding at WaterAid


Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) Textiles major Raymond on Tuesday said it is working with its legal advisors to resolve the issues raised in the show cause notice to the company served by market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).
Referring to a media report appearing on Monday in this regard, Raymond said in a stock exchange filing that the matters raised in the Sebi show cause notice are "procedural and technical" in nature and the company is in the process of resolving the issues.
"Please note that the subject show cause notice received from Sebi is in respect of matters which are procedural and technical by nature. We are working with our legal advisors and are in the process of resolving the said issues," Raymond said.
"The company has complied and shall continue to comply with provisions of applicable laws, including Regulation 30 of Sebi (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (LODR)," it added.
Citing the regulator's show cause notice, a media report on Monday said Sebi has alleged multiple securities market violations by Raymond.
The allegations include failure to obtain necessary approvals for related party transactions in the JK House episode, corporate governance violations for non-disclosure of material information about litigations and non-compliance of shareholder reclassification norms.
According to Sebi, Raymond did not take necessary approvals for the related party transaction involving lease of JK House in Mumbai to some of the promoters between 2007-2017.


text:
Ncha Jonathan Mrs
Ncha
Mrs. Sullivan
English 1301-005
How Planes Fly
Air travel is the most efficient and fastest means of transportation and because of this, millions of people travel in airplanes every day. The process of flying seems very confusing to most people; how the heavy planes carrying a lot of people and a ton of luggage are able to easily glide through the air. To understand the process of flying, it is essential to be familiar with the principle of flight, what type of material they are made of and what fuels them. It is easy to ignore the physics of flight as well as the ways in which we exploit them to achieve flight. We sometimes look at a plane with no greater understanding of the principles involved than a caveman; how do these heavy machines take to the air? Flight in aircraft is an easy process when the right materials and fuel are used and also when the principles of flight which are the Drag, the Thrust, the Lift and the Weight or Gravity are in perfect harmony.
One of the main things considered in the building of an aircraft is the material. A strong and durable but lightweight material is needed for maximum efficiency. The body of most aircraft is made of aluminum because it perfectly fits all the requirement being strong and lightweight, although it is not used as the skin in very fast moving or hypersonic aircraft because it loses its strength at high temperature, in this case, steel or titanium can be used. Steel is about four times stronger and thicker than aluminum but it is also heavier and cannot be used on the body of most commercial aircraft instead it is used in places that strength is a necessity like in the internal parts or on the landing gear and screws. Titanium is stronger than most alloys of steel and it's also lightweight but it's not used in most commercial aircraft now because it's also expensive being remarkable for its strength given its lightweight. Titanium softens at high temperatures and retains its strength; for this reason, it's used in places like the engine which gets hot.
The fuel plays a big role in the aircraft's ability to move. The two types of aviation fuel are the jet fuel and the aviation gasoline. Jet fuel is made from paraffin oil and kerosene and its used by most commercial aircraft because of its maximum efficiency and low cost. Jet fuel is sold in bulk to large aircrafts operators such as airlines and the military. Aviation fuel contains highly refined gasoline and is sold to individual aircraft operators. High quality and purity differentiate aviation gasoline and jet fuel from the normal gasoline used in cars, so when the aviation fuel does not pass the quality test to be used for aircraft, they are sold to other companies that do not require high-quality fuel like trains and some big machines. Jet fuel is used in engines that require it to be burnt to ignition like in the turbine engines, but the aviation gasoline is used in spark-ignition engines. Mid-sized commercial aircraft like the Boeing 747 consume approximately one gallon or four liters every second which means that flights that are over 10 hours use approximately thirty-six thousand gallons.
The main forces that allow the steady movement of aircrafts are the drag, the lift, the thrust and the weight or gravity; Airplanes fly because there is no net force acting on them, when no net force is acting on an object, if it's in rest, it stays at rest and if it's in motion, it stays in motion. Thrust is the force pushing the airplane forward and this force is produced by a propeller or a jet engine and this causes the airplane to move fast enough to produce lift; drag is the opposite of thrust and its one of the two forces keeping the plane away from the air. The drag is the force pushing against the airplane in the air or the air resistance. The thrust has to be greater than the drag for the airplane to move fast in the air. Lift is the force acting upwards on an airplane keeping it in the air; gravity is the force pulling any object towards the center of the earth so in this case, gravity is the second force acting downwards on an airplane keeping it from the air, so the lift has to be greater than gravity for a plane to ascend.
What's behind the struggle to change
Previous Previous post: Spanking children sends the wrong message
Next Next post: Absenteeism amongst nursing professionals appear to be a major problem in the health care industry


text:
Shoals Symphony At Una To Host Annual Winter Concert March 7
FLORENCE, Ala. - The Shoals Symphony at UNA will present its annual winter concert, Music From Comrade Russia, at 2 p.m. March 7 at the Florence Middle School Freshman Center Auditorium.
The show will feature the Shoals Symphony's performance of Symphony #5, by Dimitri Shostakovich, as well as the winners of the UNA Concerto Competition.
The Symphony #5 is perhaps Shostakovich's most popular and most often performed composition. Since Shostakovich lived most of his life under the Soviet regime, his music reflects the conflict between his personal convictions and the Soviet Communist Party's requirements. In 1936, Shostakovich composed the opera "Lady Macbeth," which was deemed unsuitable by the Communist Party's Artistic Committee and resulted in his removal from the party's "accepted composers list." It was during this period that Shostakovich produced the Symphony #5. He later regained his place on the list. "To me, as one who lived under Communist rule, this is a very personal and emotional piece," said Viljar Weimann, conductor of the Shoals Symphony at UNA. "I believe this concert will be a powerful and beautiful experience for our audience." The Shoals Symphony concert will also feature John Russell McCollum, trumpeter, and Wen Zhao, violinist, both winners of the 2010 UNA Concerto Competition. A native of Hillsboro, Ala., and 2002 graduate of East Lawrence County High School, McCollum has played trumpet since age 10. While attending UNA as a music major, he took lessons from Dr. Edd Jones, former UNA band director. After graduating in 2007, he returned to UNA the following year to pursue a degree in trumpet performance. During his time at UNA, McCollum has been a lead trumpeter in the Pride of Dixie Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Combo, Studio Jazz Band, Brass Ensemble and Pep Band. Zhao, from Beijing, China, started playing piano at age 3. Two years later, she began violin lessons and has been playing violin ever since. Her first violin teacher was Xian Zhi Huang, who guided Zhao's development in basic skills in technique and sound production. A few years later, Zhao studied with the most renowned violin professor in China, Yoaji Lin, who helped her understand the depths of music and its expression through the violin. During her middle- and high-school years, Zhao was the winner of the prestigious Beijing Strings Competition. Upon her graduation from Capital University in July 2009 with a degree in economics and literature, Zhao was accepted to UNA as a violin performance major. She is currently planning to pursue a master's degree in economics. "Our Concerto Competition winners are both marvelously talented musicians," Weimann said. "I would like to encourage everyone to come out to the concert." Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. Advance tickets are available online at www.una.edu/shoals_symphony or at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts in downtown Florence. Tickets will also be available at the door.


text:
C Spire Wireless Expands Advanced Mobile Broadband Coverage
Expansion Offers Faster Internet Connections, New and Improved High-Speed Data Services and
Access to Multimedia Applications to More Than 1.3 Million Consumers and Businesses
Ridgeland, Miss. (October 24, 2011) – C Spire Wireless, the only wireless provider in the U.S. that offers personalized wireless services, today announced the expansion of its high-speed wireless mobile broadband services to more than 1.3 million consumers and businesses.
The company plans to expand mobile broadband coverage to 238 cell sites in portions of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee by the end of this year as part of its continuing network expansion and readiness efforts for introduction of 4G LTE (Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution) services.
Last month, C Spire announced a $90 million network expansion program designed to pave the way for faster data speeds and more robust services, including significant boosts in network capacity, the addition of new and upgraded cell sites, the installation of thousands of miles of fiber optic cable and hundreds of enhanced backhaul connections.
As part of the today's announcement, the company is spending an additional $10 million to expand mobile broadband services in 61 cities and 65 counties, enabling consumers and businesses to experience faster uploads and downloads, gain access to new and expanded mobile high-speed data services, including mobile video telephony, high-quality music and other multimedia applications.
With the addition of the latest coverage, advanced mobile broadband services will be available to nearly 4.7 million consumers and businesses, according to Kevin Hankins, chief operating officer for C Spire Wireless. Since 2003, C Spire has invested more than $1 billion in network infrastructure improvements.
"Wireless devices are only as good as the network on which they work, which is why we're aggressively expanding our advanced mobile broadband coverage," Hankins said. "We want consumers and businesses to have the best possible wireless experience, whether they're making a phone call, sending a text message, sharing videos and photos, checking the latest scores or making their business mobile."
C Spire has the highest smartphone penetration rate in the U.S. wireless industry and Hankins said the company is determined to stay ahead of the explosive demand for high-speed mobile data services. "Our network has long had the reputation as being the one you can count on," he said. "With smartphones, tablets and other mobile communications devices driving unprecedented demand for wireless access everywhere, we're continuing to invest and expand our network to meet those needs and ensure an advanced broadband experience for everyone."
Expanded mobile broadband coverage enables consumers and businesses using smartphones, tablets and other mobile communications devices to:
Download and use apps, ranging from social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter to GPS-enabled Google maps
Rapidly browse the mobile web to access news, sports, stock quotes, entertainment news and other information
Work remotely with file sharing
Download and play music from a variety of genres
Send and receive emails to friends, family and co-workers with picture and video attachments
Download and play 3D games
Stream video and customized radio stations like Pandora and Slacker Radio
"Our network is built for data," said Tony Kent, chief technology officer for C Spire. The company intends to continue to aggressively invest in its wireless network to increase coverage, capacity and speed, he added.
For more information on C Spire's advanced mobile broadband network and services, go to www.cspire.com/coverage.
About C Spire Wireless
C Spire Wireless is a diversified wireless communications company passionately committed to helping customers by personalizing wireless services designed just for them. The company is the first wireless provider in the U.S. to personalize customers' experience by offering apps that fit who they are, services that anticipate their needs, and rewards for using their phone in new ways – all with seamless ease and at amazingly fast speeds. This news release and other announcements are available at http://www.cspire.com/news/. For more information about C Spire Wireless and its products and services, visit www.cspire.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cspire or Twitter at www.twitter.com/cspire.
uggKCFwm0-99AoMNj5B


This healthy soup is topped with a poached egg and a dash of Sriracha hot sauce for a little kick.
1. In a 3- to 4-quart saucepan, bring elixir to a bare simmer. Add chicken and poach until cooked through, about 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile bring water to a boil in a pasta pot. Salt generously and cook egg noodles until al dente, about 5 to 7 minutes. Divide noodles among 4 soup bowls.
3. Remove chicken from elixir and set aside to cool slightly. Cook broccoli in elixir until crisp-tender, about 3-4 minutes, and divide evenly among bowls.
4. Slice chicken and divide among bowls. Ladle elixir into bowls and top with a poached egg and Sriracha, if desired.


A project any and all might participate in: translate and transcribe the narration.
Wright might tend to begin a long sentence with a noun. Miss the noun and you've missed the meaning of all that follows . . . ?
PS: I sent the link to Indira and she recognized quite a few of the people in the video ... including herself!
-Is 1:24 to 1:28 the music/movements theater masonry under construction?
-Olgivanna fussing over some schmutz on FLLW's lapel at 4:45.
From 6:07 to 6:26 there is a scan of the mountains, looking like a giant mural by Georgia O'Keefe.
Yes. Lighting is everything, in the visual world; the sunlight falling on that stretch of mountain perfectly reveals its pattern. At another time of day, or in another season, the effect would be quite different.
That such a long piece of the landscape should appear so remarkably consistent, is an unexpected delight . . .


Muckraking polemicist Matt Taibbi said that when it comes to the last two presidents, there's no question who did a better job of holding America's tycoons accountable.
The former Rolling Stone writer, who joined Glenn Greenwald and company at The Intercept earlier this year, said in an interview Tuesday with Democracy Now! that George W. Bush boasts a much stronger track record of going after corporate America than President Barack Obama.
Taibbi's latest book, "The Divide," explores how the America's yawning wealth gap has created injustice throughout the country's judicial system.
MATT TAIBBI: Oh, Bush, hands down. And this is an important point to make, because if you go back to the early 2000s, think about all these high-profile cases: Adelphia, Enron, Tyco, WorldCom, Arthur Andersen. All of these companies were swept up by the Bush Justice Department. And what's interesting about this is that you can see a progression. If you go back to the savings and loan crisis in the late '80s, which was an enormous fraud problem, but it paled in comparison to the subprime mortgage crisis, we put about 800 people in jail during—in the aftermath of that crisis. You fast-forward 10 or 15 years to the accounting scandals, like Enron and Adelphia and Tyco, we went after the heads of some of those companies. It wasn't as vigorous as the S&L prosecutions, but we at least did it. At least George Bush recognized the symbolic importance of showing ordinary Americans that justice is blind, right?
Fast-forward again to the next big crisis, and how many people have we got—have we actually put in jail? Zero. And this was a crisis that was much huger in scope than the S&L crisis or the accounting crisis. I mean, it wiped out 40 percent of the world's wealth, and nobody went to jail, so that we're now in a place where we don't even recognize the importance of keeping up appearances when it comes to making things look equal.
Taibbi's comments about Bush and Obama came at the 49-minute mark.


Employees who find themselves dealing with an injury or illness related to a workplace accident often have difficulty proving that the incident occurred on the job. Because determining if an injury is work related is a key factor in receiving benefits, this is a crucial point. Some situations make it unclear whether the employee was acting as a representative of the employer when the accident occurred. Attorneys with experience in handling workers' compensation cases can help you determine whether your injury or illness qualifies you for benefits.
If you were injured in a situation that creates a gray area when it comes to workers' compensation rights, you need to evaluate the situation to determine whether the incident was truly related to the job. Listed below are some common situations that make a workers' compensation claim tricky.
The law dictates that injuries sustained while an employee is at lunch and away from the workplace are not covered by workers' compensation. However, how does the law handle situations in which an employee is still at the workplace during a lunch break?
If you are staying at the job site during breaks in order to benefit your employer, injuries sustained during your break will be covered by workers' comp. Employees who leave during their lunch break to run errands for their employer or pick up lunch for a manager would also be covered by workers' comp.
Special events including sports outings for company leagues and holiday parties are part of the typical work year for many employees. Injuries during sports games are common, and parties could get out of hand in a way that results in an accident that injures one or more employees. Any injuries sustained during special events related to the job are covered by workers' compensation.
Traveling while representing your company allows you to be covered by workers' compensation. However, normal commutes are not covered. For example, a person who is in an accident while driving to work will not be able to collect benefits if an injury occurs. An employee who is injured while attending an out-of-town business convention would be covered.
Breaking the rules at work may result in a loss of workers' compensation coverage, but some employees are still able to collect benefits depending on the details of the situation. Employees who are engaging in misconduct at work may still be covered if an injury occurs when a manager is aware of the misconduct and does nothing to stop it. Violations of safety rules that are minor in nature typically allow an employee to be covered by workers' compensation.
It is important to note that employees are not allowed to sue their employers for injuries sustained at work if misconduct was involved. Employees who are injured while engaging in misconduct should consult an attorney to determine whether their unique situation qualifies them for benefits.
Workers' compensation benefits may be collected for injuries related to a preexisting condition if the condition is exasperated by work activities. For example, a back injury that is made worse by heavy lifting required at work could be covered by workers' comp.
Mental conditions that can be traced to workplace incidents may be covered by workers' compensation. Unusual amounts of stress and workplace trauma are two instances in which an employee will be able to receive workers' compensation benefits to pay for mental health treatments.
Some employees suffer from long-term illness because they are exposed to dangerous conditions at work. For example, workers who are exposed to asbestos at work may develop cancer. Long-term treatment for illnesses that develop as a result of workplace conditions is covered by workers' compensation.
Even if you do not think that you are eligible for workers' compensation, you should consult an attorney after sustaining an injury related to work. An experienced workers' comp attorney can help you fight for the compensation you need to pay for immediate and ongoing medical treatment.


text:
COVID-19: NNPC recorded N9.53bn trading deficit in March
By Michael Eboh
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), on Wednesday, introduced a buying and selling deficit of N9.53 billion in its operations for March 2020, representing a pointy decline in comparison with the N3.95 billion surplus recorded in February 2020.
In an announcement in Abuja, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, disclosed that the buying and selling deficit, which was because of an over 300 per cent decline in March 2020 earnings was due primarily to the large lower of 181 per cent within the NNPC's upstream subsidiary, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company's (NPDC earnings.
He defined that the not-too-impressive monetary efficiency was primarily because of the deficits posted by the refineries, together with the decline in crude oil costs precipitated by the Coronavirus-induced international slowdown, which led to diminished exports and dwindling world oil consumption, amongst others.
READ ALSO: 2018/19 Financial Statements: NNPC leads oil business repositioning
Obateru acknowledged that the NNPC recorded whole crude oil and gasoline export gross sales of $256.19 million in March 2020, representing a decline of 30.89 per cent when in comparison with final month's export.
Of the overall gross sales, Obateru disclosed that crude oil export gross sales contributed $184.59 million, 72.05 per cent of the greenback transactions in contrast with $281.14 million contributions within the earlier month; whereas export gasoline gross sales amounted to $71.60 million within the month underneath assessment.
He added that the nation recorded $4.95 billion value of crude oil and gasoline exports from March 2019 to March 2020.
In addition, he famous that 218.37 Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) of pure gasoline was produced in March 2020, translating to a median every day manufacturing of 7493.65 million Standard Cubic Feet per Day (mmscfd).
He stated, "3.119 trillion cubic toes of gasoline was produced for the interval March 2019 to March 2020, representing a median every day manufacturing of seven.912 BCF per day through the interval.
"Period-to-date manufacturing from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and NPDC contributed about 69.37 per cent, 21.67 per cent and eight.95 per cent, respectively, to the overall nationwide gasoline manufacturing.
"Out of the 218.37 BCF of gasoline provided in March 2020, based on the report, 120.73 BCF of gasoline was commercialized, consisting of 33.45 BCF and 87.28 BCF for the home and export market respectively, translating to 1.236 BCF per day of gasoline to the home market and three.817 BCF per day if gasoline provided to the export marketplace for the month.
"55.63 per cent of the average daily gas produced was commercialized, while the balance of 44.37% was re-injected, used as upstream fuel gas or flared. Gas flare rate was 9.08 per cent for the month under review, which is 679.54 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd), compared with average gas flare rate of 8.43 per cent, that is 666.90 mmscfd for March 2019 to March 2020."
In the downstream sector, to make sure steady availability of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in any other case referred to as petrol, and efficient distribution of the product throughout the nation, Obateru acknowledged that 1.73 billion litres of PMS, translating to 59.72 million liters per day have been provided for the month.
He disclosed that the NNPC had continued to diligently monitor the every day inventory of PMS to attain the sleek distribution of petroleum merchandise and 0 gasoline queue throughout the nation.
He additional famous that inside the interval underneath assessment, 19 pipeline factors have been vandalized representing about 47 per cent lower from the 32 factors recorded in February 2020.
According to him, Atlas Cove-Mosimi accounted for 53 per cent of whole pipeline vandalisation, whereas Mosimi-Ibadan recorded 21 per cent and Suleja-Minna accounted for the remaining 26 per cent.
READ ALSO: Audited Reports: NNPC now extra clear, accountable – Senate
He assured that the NNPC, in collaboration with the native communities and different stakeholders, would constantly attempt to cut back the menace to the barest degree.
He added that the company carried its adherence to transparency and accountability a notch larger final week, 19th March 2020 when it printed its 2018 Audited Financial Report, a transfer that has acquired accolades from transparency watchdogs regionally and internationally, along with endorsement by many Nigerians who inspired different authorities companies to observe swimsuit.
FG urged to revisit South Korean 100 million dollars loan deal on Ikere Gorge Dam
Nigeria's Vice President, Osinbajo, Postpones National Economic Council Meeting As APC Holds NEC On Thursday


text:
The Trump administration's Africa policy
Brahima Sangafowa Coulibaly Thursday, March 8, 2018
Editor's Note:
In Unpacked, Brookings experts provide analysis of Trump administration policies and news. Don't miss any of our Unpacked videos, subscribe to our Brookings Creative Lab YouTube channel.
THE ISSUE: This week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson departs on a weeklong trip to Africa with stops in Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria. Tillerson's trip will be the first time a senior member of the administration has travelled to the region since President Trump took office and may help to clarify aspects the administration's U.S.-Africa strategy.
Hopefully Secretary Tillerson's trip will be the beginning of a dialogue that will inform a yet to be released U.S.-Africa strategy.
THE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Africa observers note that Secretary Tillerson's trip to Africa is a very welcome development. Since the administration came into office at least one of the top three U.S. officials—the president, the vice president, and the secretary of state—has visited every global region except Africa.
This trip will jumpstart the dialogue that will inform U.S.-Africa policies going forward. Also importantly, in light of the alleged derogatory comments that President Trump made about Africa and Haiti earlier in the year, this trip is an opportunity to renew and strengthen longstanding partnerships on the continent.
Though the deliverables of this trip, as well as the launch of any new initiatives, remain unclear, the set of countries that Tillerson is visiting indicates that security is indeed the primary focus.
Djibouti is home to the only U.S. military base on the continent and also an important of refueling post for the U.S. Navy. Kenya and Ethiopia are key strategic partners in the fight against al-Shabaab in the Horn of Africa. Nigeria and Chad are important allies in the fight against Boko Haram in the Sahel region.
If you look at other aspects of U.S.-Africa relations, namely diplomatic or economic, you haven't seen as much traction as we're seeing on the security front. The key official at the State Department for Africa has not yet been appointed, and there are key ambassador positions that remain unfilled such as ambassador for South Africa.
President Trump, in his speech at the United Nations last year, indicated that his administration sees Africa as a viable economic partner, and the continent continues to see immense growth: About half of the world's ten fastest-growing economies will be on the continent.
Due to demographic changes and increased regional integration, Africa will be the single largest market in the world in the decades to come. With successful partnerships both within and outside the continent, Africa is poised to overcome its development challenges.
The economic dynamism of the continent is being recognized by other African partners, particularly Europe, China, and other emerging market economies that have been proactive in strengthening their relationship of the continent. At this point, the United States risks falling behind.
To be clear, it is not uncommon for U.S. presidents to come into office without a clear Africa strategy and not to have one until well into their first term. President Obama, President Bush, and President Clinton did not roll out strategies until later in their term but nonetheless turned out to be champions of the continent.
There is still time for this administration to build its own legacy on the continent, and we hope this trip will be the beginning of dialogue and an important step in that direction.
THE SOURCES:
A conversation on Secretary Tillerson's March 2018 Trip to Africa
The Trump administration and Africa
Brahima Sangafowa Coulibaly
Vice President and Director - Global Economy and Development
Senior Fellow - Global Economy and Development
Twitter BSangafowaCoul
More on U.S. Foreign Policy
Syria's dissolving line between state and nonstate actors
Steven Heydemann