The traffic on our roads, especially intra-city traffic due to increasing number of cars grow by the day and unless adequate steps are taken to control the situation, we shall soon meet with circumstances we do not bargain for. That the innumerable traffic junctions in the country by far out-number the staff strength of the traffic wardens available and that the traffic wardens even where they are enough to control all the junctions cannot do so throughout the day is not in doubt. Traffic control at T.junctions or elsewhere ensures orderliness of movements of vehicles, goods and pedestrians while its absence strongly indicates chaos and most at times leads to accidents.
In the light of the above, it is imperative to recognize the need to compliment the physical exhausting efforts of the traffic wardens. In doing so, steps to be taken should assume permanence in nature rather than any ad-hoc exercise. Such is the role expected to be played by an installed operational road junction traffic controller.
pedestrians a right of the way at intervals rather than being struck down when in a hurry to cross the roads.
Such an electrical system with a touch of electronics that controls the flow of traffic in a pre-determine sequential pattern at a junction has its diagram below with blocks representing distinct units.
The power supply unit provides the control unit with specified dc voltage from primary source, which is a 240v, 50Hz ac supply, from public power system. The pulse generator containing a timer generates pulse for the system. The clock or counter moderates the signal that enters the decoding logic system.
The display unit of each stand consists of three bulbs Red in colour showing STOP, three bulbs Amber in colour showing GET READY and three bulbs Green in colour showing MOVE.
5 To investigate the practicality of the theoretical knowledge about these components to be used.
6 To experiment on the compatibility of the working relation between components to be used.
7 To investigate the extent to which the design and construction of the control unit can be useful to mankind.
8 To investigate the immediate usefulness of the control system as complimentary to traffic wardens.
The scope of this project is to enlighten all electronics students on the use of microcontroller base traffic light (3-ways) and timer system in T-junction. On the practical usage it is limited to the laboratory used for reference purpose. The larger application of this project work is found in most of our mega cities like Abuja, Lagos, Calabar, Enugu etc, to control and manage heavy traffic congestion.
This report is structured to follow the history and origin of traffic light system all through the design and implementation phase. The report takes into account the step-by-step process followed in order to arrive at the final design.
Chapter one of this report introduces the concept of the Traffic light system and its objectives. Chapter two centers on the literature review, the origin and history of Traffic light systems and its basic functionality. Chapter Three explains the components which make up the Traffic light system and their basic functionalities/mode of operation. Chapter Four discusses the design procedure, construction, steps and packaging.
Chapter five handles the tests and results as well as conclusion and recommendation.


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No First Night Out
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Graphical Graphical
Partnership Group
Reports & Briefings
Supported Housing Pathway: Syed*
When Syed was released from prison this year, he thought that he would be able to return to living with his family. However, due to overcrowding, frictions between the family started to develop and Syed was asked to leave.
"I went to jail at 19 and came out at age 27. So much had changed since I left, and I never thought I'd have to approach the council, I always thought I'd be able to come back to my family. Most of the friends I had before I was no longer in contact with, so I had no one to rely on."
Non-Priority
Syed was referred to No First Night Out by the Tower Hamlets Housing Options Team, as they had no reason to think he would be in 'priority need' (see our Glossary for more info).
Without the support of NFNO, Syed would likely have been advised that the council would not house him and, without the life skills and experience to find his own accommodation, he could have fallen into rough sleeping. Fortunately however, an NFNO Caseworker was able to meet with him the following day and book him into temporary accommodation.
"It all happened so quickly. Within a day of approaching the council, I met with NFNO and was given somewhere to stay."
Having never lived independently before, Syed was referred to the Tower Hamlets Supported Hostel Pathway, which is designed to help people prepare for independent living. Within a few weeks, he was offered an assessment and accepted to move in. Syed was placed in a 1 bedroom flat with an allocated support worker to help him develop his independent living skills.
Getting ready for independent living
In prison since the age of 19, Syed had never held a job before. His NFNO Caseworker referred him to the Crisis Employment Team for support with identifying his skills and career aspirations. With this support, along with life skills sessions with his support worker, Syed will be able to move on through the private rented sector into fully independent living.
"I feel so much more independent now and motivated about my future. Housing was the first step for me to progress and I feel that supported accommodation will enable me to get the help I need to move forward with my life."
HOPE worldwide: Helen
Helen is university-educated and for most of her working life had a job she liked and enjoyed. Sadly, at the age of 60, what she thought could never happen to her did: Helen became homeless.
Helen has a long history of suffering with mental health issues, and despite the fact she was fulfilled in her work she often struggled with profound depression. Her situation became critical when Helen began to experience difficulties with her boss due to a personality clash. Helen's mental health deteriorated, and she had what she would later come to understand as a breakdown. As a result, work became increasingly difficult and Helen found herself terminated from her job. Unfortunately, accommodation was attached to her work and so Helen found herself without a home.
As many people who experience homelessness do, Helen had no options but to stay on friend's sofa. Eventually things came to a head when the friend asked her to leave. By this time Helen had used up her entire savings. At this point in her life Helen, who had always regarded herself as self-sufficient and independent, found herself in a desperate situation: no money to afford rent and nowhere to live. She sank deeper and deeper into depression and even found herself thinking about suicide.
After approaching her local council and applying for Employment and Support Allowance, Helen was offered 'temporary accommodation' while a more permanent solution was sought.
One year later, she was still in her temporary accommodation. She had been harried by letters, emails and phone calls about the need to move out and find her own place to live. But Helen did not know anything about where and how to look for a landlord who was willing to accept someone on benefits. It was then that Helen was referred to the team at No First Night Out where she met one of our caseworkers, who thought she would be suitable for HOPE worldwide's Private Rented Sector scheme.
Having a place to call home
Helen is now living in a pleasant studio flat in Hackney. HOPE worldwide were able to find her this accommodation after she was referred to them by NFNO. The two organisations worked together so that Helen could be supported in visiting HOPE worldwide's office to go through an initial assessment process.
Helen's mental health condition – and the onset of panic attacks – meant that she found leaving her temporary accommodation impossible at times. After the initial meeting she also struggled to come to tenancy training, and later to go on the viewing to see a flat. Her caseworkers at HOPE worldwide and NFNO spent much time talking to Helen on the phone to give her the reassurance she needed to make each step. At this point she felt she was treated with genuine respect and understanding. To Helen this was critical. She felt deeply ashamed about her mental health condition and the circumstances she now found herself in – a situation she never imagined she would come to. The two agencies working closely together made all the difference to achieve a positive result for Helen.
Looking back three months on
The result is that Helen is now housed in a flat where she feels safe and secure and can continue to recover and get the mental health support she needs to move on with her life. It took a lot of courage for Helen to approach her council, NFNO and subsequently HOPE worldwide, but the result has been a very positive change in her life. Three months after moving into her flat, Helen reflected on her experience:
"I knew from the day I moved into temporary accommodation, more than a year ago, that I would need to move on to something more permanent. But I was reluctant to do so – until I was met with understanding about my mental health issues, which then I found hard to admit to having! HOPE worldwide were very clear in their communication about expectations of me, but I experienced a lot of patience and kindness in working with them."
CRISIS: Ketifa
In late 2017, Ketifa approached the Housing Options Support Team (HOST) at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) seeking housing assistance. Ketifa hadn't managed a tenancy herself before and was experiencing problems with her family. She had stayed with different friends and tried to find rooms through ads she had seen on noticeboards in local shops, however she hadn't found anywhere affordable or where she felt safe.
The HOST team looked at Ketifa's requirements and made an onward referral to the No First Night Out project. A dedicated NFNO caseworker was able to quickly confirm her eligibility and further explore Ketifa's situation, working with Ketifa on the best way forward. Ketifa's imminent homelessness was prevented by booking her into LBTH Temporary Accommodation while her NFNO caseworker considered the next steps. Ketifa at this time felt very anxious, knowing the stability of her own home was the only thing that would enable her to move on with her life.
Due to Ketifa's age, she was only eligible for the Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR) of Housing Benefit as she was not working at the time. Ketifa therefore had extremely limited options as it is almost impossible to find an affordable room to rent when your only income is through benefits. Ketifa wanted to get into work, but she struggled to hold down previous jobs due to issues with her health.
Moving forwards
Ketifa's NFNO caseworker supported her to move into the City YMCA, a supported hostel. Alongside this the NFNO caseworker also made a onward referral to the NFNO/Crisis Housing Coach, Alice Adams to start working on Ketifa's longer term housing options. Alice worked with Ketifa to complete pre-tenancy training, where she learnt her rights and responsibilities as a tenant, how to search for affordable and secure housing in the Private Rented Scheme (PRS) and how to access private accommodation. Ketifa was eager to learn and the more sessions she attended the more her confidence increased.
Alice was also able to guide Ketifa through benefit difficulties and rent arrears throughout her 3 month stay at the City YMCA. The NFNO Project, YMCA and Alice worked closely together to ensure Ketifa was supported to maintain her stay at the City YMCA, meaning Ketifa would leave with an exemption from the SAR and be able to move into a studio flat. There can be more options and accessibility to studio flats than shared accommodation when individuals only income is through benefits.
A safe space to call home
Ketifa was supported by Alice to attend property viewings and eventually supported into a private rented studio flat in a neighbouring borough. Ketifa was so happy when she moved in – she said the best thing was having a key to her own door and that she felt safe there. Ketifa is managing her tenancy well and this is thanks to the lessons learnt at the pre-tenancy training. An example of this was when there was a leak in Ketifa's flat; she was able to turn off the water when the fuse tripped and eventually turn the electricity back on.
Ketifa continues to manage her rent payments on time and has effective communication with her landlord and Universal Credit staff. She continues to be in contact with Alice from Crisis, however this becomes less frequest as she grows in confidence and prepares to return to employment.
Some words from Ketifa
"Alice has helped me get my life back. When I first went to Crisis I was stuck, I had no home, no support, and felt all alone. Emotionally she has helped me throughout my struggles, she has strengthened my confidence and has provided me a home. I still receive help and support from her for any problems and knowing that she is there for me makes a difference in my life."
"When I look back at my life before and where I am now I couldn't be more thankful and this is all because of Crisis/Alice."
"I thank Crisis and Alice for changing my life. I would be grateful forever."
Marek, a European man in his early 30s, was facing eviction from his privately rented room in a shared property which had been his home for four years.
Employed but with a low and often variable income, he had no deposit with his landlord. In recent years Marek had been experiencing problems with his mental health, most significantly anxiety and panic attacks, which he needed medical treatment for.
Finding a connection
When Marek became worried that he might lose his home, he spoke to his council's Housing Options service, but because he had not been living in the borough long enough he did not qualify for housing through a 'local connection'. Instead, he managed to establish a local connection through his work to one of the three boroughs in the No First Night Out partnership. Once this was confirmed, the Housing Options service referred him to the NFNO team.
Evicted
The first few nights after being evicted Marek used up the small amount of money he had to stay in hostels. This soon ran out, and his workplace became the only option left for him to keep a roof over his head. This caused Marek a great deal of distress, and he told himself he was "a thief in your own company".
Somewhere calm to sleep
No First Night Out was able to provide Marek with emergency accommodation in a Bed & Breakfast. While initially really happy to have somewhere "calm" to sleep away from the stress of squatting in his workplace, over time Marek found the B&B a challenging place to live: feeling unsafe at night, being bitten by bedbugs.
On top of this, when a short-term increase in Marek's working hours was revoked this lead to a mistake with his benefits payments, putting him in arrears with the B&B.
'I don't know what would have happened'
Now Marek is happily settled in private rented accommodation, which was accessed through Crisis:
"That's the thing; I don't know what would have happened. They would maybe catch me at work, then that's it, immediate disciplinary action," he says."Everything is amazing. Their [NFNO] work is fantastic. [Crisis' worker] was very helpful. Everything is 10 points."
When Liam, a man in his mid-30s, was released from prison around two years ago, he was placed into a hostel. After getting behind on his rent he was forced to leave and spent the next year sofa surfing, all the while knowing his situation was precarious and that he would likely end up on the streets.
If he had not had help, Liam says, "I think I would still be nowhere; wearing the same clothes for a week; waking up on someone else's sofa and having to leave straight away because I've outstayed my welcome."
The assessment
Liam was referred to No First Night Out by Jobcentre Plus in Hackney and, thanks to the partnership between NFNO and JCP, he was able to attend an assessment with a caseworker right away, on site at the Jobcentre. Liam's impression of the assessment process was that it was unrushed, and explored his situation in depth, before methodically reviewing the possible options with him.
'I was really impressed'
Although attempts to find Liam a place in emergency accommodation were unsuccessful, the NFNO caseworker kept in regular contact with him and within ten days had arranged viewings for three private rental properties.
"I got a call from them with these three options. I was really impressed that they'd been chasing all those options for me."
Liam accepted an en suite room in a shared property and moved in within a week. The property in outer London was provided by Liberty Housing, and Liam is happy with the size and quality of his new home.
As well as helping with accommodation, No First Night Out were able to use their partnership with Crisis to register Liam, who had professional catering experience, onto a work program in the Crisis Café. This was followed up with a work placement at a nearby restaurant.
When Liam first came into contact with NFNO, he was facing a number of challenges: struggles with drug and alcohol use, problems with his benefits, and mental health issues, he felt reluctant to seek help.
Liam saw work as key to helping him: "I know there is an underlying problem, but I think getting into work and sorting out the housing is helping to get back to where I need to be. The Crisis work placement has been a huge boost for me mentally."
"It's all on me now."
'Feeling positive'
When NFNO caught up with Liam recently he had settled into his new area and said he was feeling physically and mentally well, and spent a lot of time exercising. "I'm in a much better place than I was last year. I'd say I'm feeling really positive". He has been for several interviews in recent weeks and feels he is getting closer to finding a job.
The issues Liam experienced relating to Universal Credit payments when he first moved in have now been resolved, and he says he is managing to make ends meet financially.
'A foundation to build from'
Liam remains very positive about his experience with No First Night Out:
"Still to this day I'm so grateful. It's given me some kind of stability; a foundation to build from."
* All names have been changed to protect our clients' privacy.
© 2017 - No First Night Out

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Beijing launches 'monthly' South China Sea combat exercises
THE South China Sea is rapidly approaching boiling point, again, with an enormous escalation in Chinese military manoeuvres.
Jamie Seidel
News Corp Australia NetworkMarch 27, 20184:42pm
A Chinese J-11 strike fighter opens fire during military exercises last year. Beijing has announced it will now conduct drills within the South China Sea 'monthly'.Source:Supplied
THE South China Sea is again a flashpoint of international tensions.
Last week, the United States challenged China's claims to its illegal artificial islands. Beijing reacted with outrage.
This week China is itself sending a massive naval force — believed centred on its aircraft carrier Liaoning — into the South China Sea for large-scale war-games. Taiwan has already scrambled jets to intercept bombers coming close to its borders.
Adding to the air of tension, US forces are conducting live-fire exercises on the Japanese island of Okinawa, and Russia has sent combat jets to another contested island north of Japan.
Amid it all, Britain may be sailing into hot water.
For the first time in recent years, it's taken interest in Asian affairs. So it's sent a frigate to visit Australia and the US naval base at Guam. It's also expected to challenge China's arbitrary territorial claims.
Beijing is unlikely to be pleased at the presence of such an old imperial power.
And it is becoming even more bellicose in asserting its claims over almost all of the strategic waterway — despite the legitimate claims of nations including Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.
China's long-range fighter jets escort a H-6K bomber during operations in the Western Pacific and South China Sea.Source:Supplied
'PREPARING FOR WAR'
China's state-run Global Times announced on Sunday night that it has begun military manoeuvres in the South China Sea and Western Pacific.
It also revealed a major increase in the tempo in preparations for war.
"The 2018 drills will be routine and will be held every month, unlike in previous years," military analyst Song Zhongping said.
The announcement of regular exercises comes after President-for-life Xi Jinping gave a fiery nationalist speech last week when he told of his determination to fight a "bloody battle" against China's enemies.
Since then, Japan and Taiwan have observed flights of nuclear-capable H-6K bombers escorted by Su-30 and Su-35 fighters pushing through narrow flight corridors and circling disputed territories.
China's state media revealed the H-6K long-range strategic bombers were practising "stand-off" strike missions. This involved carrying, and simulating attacks with, the DH-20 air-to-ground cruise missile which has the capability of striking targets on Guam and Australia.
EXPLORE MORE: China calls its J-20 stealth fighter a 'Trump card'
The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) stated on Chinese social media service Weibo that the strike force flights were intended to "enhance combat-winning capabilities".
"As a strategic force, the air force has extended its activities from inland to the deep ocean ... The air force has become a key force in shaping situations, controlling crises, constraining wars and winning battles," it wrote.
China's training aircraft carrier Liaoning is surrounded by her protective escorts in an earlier exercise.Source:Supplied
SOUTH CHINA SEA CHANGE
The latest Chinese naval drill began just one day after the USS Mustin passed within 22km of the illegal artificial island of Meiji (Mischief) Reef in the Nansha Islands. Beijing reacted by calling this a serious "military provocation".
Such tests of territorial boundaries "harm military relations between the two countries, causing close encounters between the countries' air forces and navies, which could lead to misjudgment and even accidents," Beijing's Defense Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said.
But the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is quoted as saying its expanded spring drills did not target any country.
"The South China Sea and East China Sea will be primary battlegrounds," Song told the Global Times. "The PLA is committed to be battle-ready through simulated combat training."
"They are focused on enhancing China's capability to safeguard the country's sovereignty," added maritime border expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Wang Xiaopeng.
DELVE DEEPER: Can China win a war?
While Beijing has not mentioned the presence of its only operational aircraft carrier, Liaoning, Taiwan last week observed it moving into the South China Sea.
Beijing's media has been emphasising the war-games will test 'high end' military equipment operating in a "complicated' battlefield environment involving 'electronic warfare" scenarios.
British Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland arriving in Sydney on Friday, March 9. It is expected to pass through the South China Sea in coming days. Picture: AAPSource:AAP
BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES?
Into the fray is sailing a British anti-submarine frigate, HMS Sutherland.
It's the first British activity in the area since 2014.
UK defence secretary Gavin Williamson indicated last month that the warship would make a diplomatic and international law point by passing through South China Seas contested waters during March.
"She'll be sailing through the South China Sea and making it clear our Navy has a right to do that," he told The Australian.
RELATED: China warns — 'you will suffer more'
Beijing reacted with a warning not to 'stir up trouble'.
China has been actively fortifying the artificial islands it has constructed on top of what were previously reefs, despite its claims of territorial soverigny being rejected by an international court of arbitration.
It claims it has sole territorial control out to the international standard 12 nautical miles (22km) from each of these islands. But the international court refused to recognise artificial expansion of partially submerged outcrops and reefs form a basis for territorial sovereignty.
Russian Su-35 fighter jets have been sent to disputed islands to the north of Japan for the first time.Source:Supplied
On the boundaries of the disputed East China Sea, over which China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan all lay claim, the United States is conducting its largest comprehensive live-fire exercise in almost a decade.
On the island of Okinawa, US Army units at all levels — including cooks, lawyers and drivers — picked up their guns and practised using them on simulated battlefields.
REVEALED: China's island fortresses are now 'operational'
"It gets us prepared for the worst," a US army paralegal specialist involved in the exercise told US Army media. "Not to say the worst is coming, but just for anything that may happen in the long run. At least we'll know what to do."
The Japanese island of Okinawa is close to the Senkaku Islands. Bordering the East China Sea and Taiwan, Chinese fishing vessels and coast guard ships regularly breach their international boundaries, claiming they are traditionally Chinese territory.
Taiwan, which has been the focus of renewed hostile rhetoric from Beijing in recent weeks, has also ordered its warships and aircraft to 'shadow' Chinese activities on its borders.
The last remaining outpost of the pre-Chinese civil war Republican government has again been warned against making any separatist moves.
Beijing regards Taiwan as its own. Taiwan's government is a renegade province, it insists. And efforts by US President Donald Trump to strengthen ties with Taiwan are seen as hostile.
Beijing expressed outrage at a law recently passed by Trump intended to encourage future high-level contact between his country and Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Moscow has reportedly for the first time sent two advanced Su35 fighter jets to the island of Etorofu/Iturup to the north of Japan. It is one of a group of islands seized from Japan by Russia in the closing days of World War II.
In February, Moscow declared it intended to establish a permanent military base on the island, despite Tokyo's protests.
China has won the South China Sea...
China has won the South China Sea


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MBio. 2018 Oct 16;9(5). pii: e01949-18. doi: 10.1128/mBio.01949-18.
Protection against Staphylococcus aureus Colonization and Infection by B- and T-Cell-Mediated Mechanisms.
Zhang F1, Ledue O2, Jun M2, Goulart C3, Malley R#2, Lu YJ#2.
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Fan.Zhang@childrens.harvard.edu.
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.
Contributed equally
Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. S. aureus colonizes 20 to 80% of humans at any one time and causes a variety of illnesses. Strains that are resistant to common antibiotics further complicate management. S. aureus vaccine development has been unsuccessful so far, largely due to the incomplete understanding of the mechanisms of protection against this pathogen. Here, we studied the role of different aspects of adaptive immunity induced by an S. aureus vaccine in protection against S. aureus bacteremia, dermonecrosis, skin abscess, and gastrointestinal (GI) colonization. We show that, depending on the challenge model, the contributions of vaccine-induced S. aureus-specific antibody and Th1 and Th17 responses to protection are different: antibodies play a major role in reducing mortality during S. aureus bacteremia, whereas Th1 or Th17 responses are essential for prevention of S. aureus skin abscesses and the clearance of bacteria from the GI tract. Both antibody- and T-cell-mediated mechanisms contribute to prevention of S. aureus dermonecrosis. Engagement of all three immune pathways results in the most robust protection under each pathological condition. Therefore, our results suggest that eliciting multipronged humoral and cellular responses to S. aureus antigens may be critical to achieve effective and comprehensive immune defense against this pathogen.IMPORTANCE S. aureus is a leading cause of healthcare- and community-associated bacterial infections. S. aureus causes various illnesses, including bacteremia, meningitis, endocarditis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, sepsis, and skin and soft tissue infections. S. aureus colonizes between 20 and 80% of humans; carriers are at increased risk for infection and transmission to others. The spread of multidrug-resistant strains limits antibiotic treatment options. Vaccine development against S. aureus has been unsuccessful to date, likely due to an inadequate understanding about the mechanisms of immune defense against this pathogen. The significance of our work is in illustrating the necessity of generating multipronged B-cell, Th1-, and Th17-mediated responses to S. aureus antigens in conferring enhanced and broad protection against S. aureus invasive infection, skin and soft tissue infection, and mucosal colonization. Our work thus, provides important insights for future vaccine development against this pathogen.
Copyright © 2018 Zhang et al.
B-cell responses; Staphylococcus aureus ; T-cell immunity; adaptive immunity; vaccines
10.1128/mBio.01949-18
Generation of S. aureus-specific immune responses. C57BL/6 mice (n = 10 per group) received three subcutaneous immunizations with adjuvant alone (Alum), or Alum-adjuvanted S. aureus protein (SA) mix or S. aureus MAPS (SA MAPS) vaccine (30 µg of total protein content per dose). (A) Antigen (Ag)-specific IgG antibodies were measured 2 weeks after the third immunization. Antibody titers are expressed in arbitrary units (a.u.) related to a reference serum (as described in Materials and Methods). Bars represent geometric means + 95% confidence interval (CI). (B) IFN-γ and IL-17A production after ex vivo stimulation of peripheral blood cells of immunized mice with a mixture of purified S. aureus proteins. Bars represent geometric means + 95% CI. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric one-way ANOVA (Dunn's multiple comparison test) between indicated groups. N.S, not significant. (C) IFN-γ and IL-17A production after ex vivo stimulation of splenocytes isolated from an Alum-immunized mouse with S. aureus proteins in the absence or presence of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells purified from the spleen of an S. aureus MAPS-immunized mouse.
Protection against Staphylococcus aureus Colonization and Infection by B- and T-Cell-Mediated Mechanisms
mBio. 2018 Sep-Oct;9(5):e01949-18.
Acquired protection against S. aureus invasive disease, SSTI, and GI colonization. Mice (n = 10 per group) were immunized as described previously. Three weeks after the last immunization, mice were challenged in models of bacteremia (A), dermonecrosis (B), skin abscess (C), and GI colonization (D). (A) Survival curves after infection. Statistical analysis was performed by the Mantel-Cox test in comparison to the Alum group. (B) The incidence of dermonecrosis in each group is indicated in the symbol key. Individual curves show progression of lesions over time in those animals that developed dermonecrosis postinoculation. Symbols represent means ± standard errors of the means (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test (for incidence) or two-way ANOVA (for lesion size) in comparison to the Alum group. (C) Bacterial CFU recovered from skin abscesses 4 days postinoculation. Each symbol represents one mouse, and lines indicate medians. The dashed line indicates one-half of the lower detection limit (22.5 CFU). Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric one-way ANOVA (Dunn's multiple comparison test) between indicated groups. (D) Bacterial CFU recovered from feces 1 day (D1) and 7 days (D7) postinoculation. Each symbol represents one mouse, and lines indicate medians. The dashed line indicates one-half of the lower detection limit (40 CFU). Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric one-way ANOVA (Dunn's multiple comparison test) between indicated groups.
Evaluation of antibody-mediated protection against S. aureus in different models. Mice (n = 10 per group) received 200 µl of pre- or postimmune rabbit sera 1 day prior to S. aureus inoculation. (A) Survival curves during S. aureus bacteremia. Differences between groups were analyzed by the Mantel-Cox test. (B) Size of lesions at different time points postinoculation in the dermonecrosis model. Symbols represent mean ± SEM. Differences between the Alum and S. aureus protein (SA) mix groups or Alum and S. aureus (SA) MAPS groups were compared using two-way ANOVA. (C) Bacterial CFU recovered post-S. aureus inoculation in the abscess model. Each symbol represents one animal, and lines indicate medians. A dashed line indicates one-half of the lower detection limit (22.5 CFU). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test (two tailed). (D) Bacterial CFU recovered from feces 1 day (D1) and 7 days (D7) postinoculation. Each symbol represents one mouse, and lines indicate the median. A dashed line indicates one-half of the lower detection limit (40 CFU). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test (two tailed).
Evaluation of S. aureus MAPS-induced protection against S. aureus infection and colonization in antibody-deficient mice. µMT−/− mice (n = 10 per group) were immunized three times with adjuvant alone (Alum) or S. aureus (SA) MAPS. (A) Antigen-specific antibody and cellular responses were examined 2 weeks after the last immunization. (B) Survival curves following intravenous infection. Differences between groups were analyzed by the Mantel-Cox test. (C) Sizes of lesions at different time points postinoculation in the dermonecrosis model. Symbols represent the mean ± SEM. Differences between groups were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. (D) Bacterial CFU recovered from skin abscesses. Lines indicate medians. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test (two tailed). (E) Bacterial CFU in feces 1 day and 7 days postinoculation. Lines indicate medians. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test (two tailed).
Role of Th1 and Th17 responses in prevention of S. aureus skin abscess. (A) Supplementation with recombinant mouse IFN-γ or IL-17A (but not IL-22) mitigates S. aureus abscess formation in naive mice. Mice (n = 8 to 10 per group) were injected subcutaneously with 2.5 × 105 CFU of USA300 strain mixed with PBS (vehicle control), rIFN-γ (1 µg per mouse), rIL-17A (0.9 µg per mouse), rIL-22 (1 µg per mouse), a combination of rIFN-γ and IL-17A, or all three cytokines. Skin abscesses were dissected 4 days postinoculation for bacterial CFU quantification. Lines indicate medians. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric one-way ANOVA (Dunn's multiple comparison test) in comparison to the PBS group. (B) Depletion of both IFN-γ and IL-17A significantly attenuated S. aureus (SA) MAPS-mediated protection against abscess formation. Mice (n = 10) were immunized three times with Alum or S. aureus MAPS before skin abscess challenge. Antibodies against IFN-γ and/or IL-17A or the isotype control were administered 1 day prior to inoculation and also on the day of inoculation. Lines indicate medians. Statistical analysis was performed between the indicated groups using the Mann-Whitney U test (two tailed).
Role of Th1 and Th17 responses in clearance of S. aureus GI colonization. Mice (n = 10) were immunized three times with Alum or S. aureus (SA) MAPS prior to challenge in the GI colonization model. Antibodies against IFN-γ and/or IL-17A or the isotype control were administered 1 day prior to inoculation and also on days 1, 5, and 8 postinoculation. Feces were collected on days 1, 7, 11, and 14 postinoculation for CFU analysis. Lines represent medians. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA.
Adaptive Immunity*
Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology
Bacteremia/immunology
Bacteremia/prevention & control
Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology
Immunity, Humoral*
Immunization, Passive
Necrosis/immunology
Necrosis/microbiology
Skin/microbiology
Skin/pathology
Soft Tissue Infections/immunology
Soft Tissue Infections/microbiology
Soft Tissue Infections/prevention & control
Staphylococcal Infections/immunology*
Staphylococcal Infections/prevention & control*
Staphylococcal Vaccines/immunology*
Th1 Cells/immunology
Th17 Cells/immunology
Antibodies, Bacterial
Staphylococcal Vaccines
Staphylococcal Infections - MedlinePlus Health Information


Tuesday, July 25: The prairie is reaching the period of beak bloom and is very showy with masses of flowering Culver's root Veronicastrum virginicum, Gray-headed Coneflower Ratibida pinnata, Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta, Bergamot Monarda fistulosa, Flowering Spurge Euphorbia collorata, Dense Blazing Stars Liatris spicata, Virginia Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum virginianum, and Tall Ironweed Vernonia gigantea.
Monday, July 10: Saturday's butterfly count attracted 25 participants who recorded 50 species and 1,195 individual butterflies despite overcast conditions for most of the day. Complete results are at naba.htm.
Tuesday, July 04: A fresh Pipevine Swallowtail was feeding on milkweed flowers by the nature centre today (PD Pratt). This southern species is very rare in Windsor. Another visitor, Little Sulphur, was found in Spring Garden by Peter Hall. Other southern butterflies seen lately include Buckeye (June 28, A. Wormington, H. O'Neil) and Zebra Swallowtail (at Point Pelee). Giant Swallowtail, Hobomok Skipper and Baltimore are approaching the end of their current flight season while new skippers for the summer include Dion and Broad-winged Skippers (Peter Hall).
Good butterfly nectar sources at this time of year include common milkweed, Canada thistle, indian hemp, butterfly milkweed, bergamot, red clover, sweet white clover, colic root, black-eyed susan, common elderberry and buttonbush.
Click here for June 2000 sightings.


The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center operates day and residential programs for children and adults with behavior problems, including conduct disorders, emotional problems, brain injury or psychosis, autism and developmental disabilities. The basic approach taken in all of JRC's programs is the use of behavioral psychology and its various technological applications, such as behavioral education, programmed instruction, precision teaching, behavior modification, behavior therapy and behavioral counseling. From JRC's inception, its basic philosophy has always included the following principles: a willingness to accept students with the most difficult behavioral problems and a refusal to reject or expel any student because of the difficulty of his or her presenting behaviors; the use of a highly structured, consistent application of behavioral psychology to both the education and treatment of its students; a minimization of the use of psychotropic medication; and the use of the most effective behavioral education and treatment procedures available.
This study examines the use of the Graduated Electronic Decelerator (GED) to target antecedent behaviors in individuals with mental retardation and/or autism. The GED is a contingent skin shock device used as a consequence to decelerate inappropriate behavior. The GED has been shown to be effective in decelerating behaviors such as aggression destruction, and health dangerous behaviors (please see our website www.judgerc.org for more details). Data from two students at the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) will be presented. Both students participated in court authorized aversive treatment program with the goal of decelerating their inappropriate behaviors. Results will show an initial deceleration of aggressive behaviors treated with the GED and a subsequent continued deceleration after initiating GED treatment of antecedent behaviors. Discussion of these results and the implications for further study will also be presented.
Participants for this study were 1 current and 1 past student from the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC). The students participated in all aspects of JRC's residential and educational programming. All students were referred to JRC because they exhibited a high frequency of inappropriate behaviors and were not able to be maintained within a regular school setting or other residential schools. They exhibited maladaptive behaviors such as aggression, destruction and self-abuse that interfered with their educational growth and put themselves and others at high risk for physical harm. Both of the students have also received multiple psychiatric diagnoses. They were involved in special education at an early age and due to their behaviors were placed in various psychiatric hospitals and residential placements. These students had been rejected from numerous facilities due to the severity of their behavior. Alternative treatments for the students' behavior problems prior to JRC included positive only behavior modification and medication management, all of which proved to be ineffective in treating their maladaptive behaviors.
Positive only programming was implemented with both of the students upon their admission to JRC. This treatment included positive reinforcement such as tokens, and tangible rewards for performing appropriate behaviors and refraining from inappropriate ones. Social reprimands as consequences for inappropriate behavior, and ignoring of certain problematic behaviors were also incorporated into the students' behavior modification programs. DRO contracts of varied lengths (range1 minute to 1 month) were also implemented. Due to the intensity an frequency of the students inappropriate behavior a court approved aversive program was implemented which included the use of water spray, spatula spanks, muscle squeezes, and SIBIS which is a contingent skin shock device. These aversive methods were found to be ineffective in treating the students and their inappropriate behaviors continued to accelerate. Both students were subsequently switched to the Graduated Electronic Decelerator (GED) for their major inappropriate behaviors including aggression. The GED is an FDA approved skin shock device used to decelerate inappropriate behaviors. Frequency data were recorded 24 hours a day and tally charts were converted to standard behavior charts in order to track behavior changes and adjust the length and time of contracts.
Results of this study indicate a significant deceleration in both students' aggressive behavior as a result of their antecedent behavior being treated with the GED. For participant #1, L.L., his aggressive behavior was increasing before the implementation of GED (see Figure 1). These behaviors were multiplying at a rate of 9.28 every 6 months. There was an initial deceleration of his aggressive behaviors following GED treatment but this progress appeared to level off and he continued to be aggressive at an approximate rate of 20 occurrences per month. It was noted that most of L.L.'s aggressive episodes started with him bolting out of his seat and then attacking staff/other students. In June of 1993 we began to treat the antecedent behavior of "out of seat without permission" with the GED. Using negative reinforcement, a chair was created that would close a switch, activating the GED any time L.L got out of his seat without permission. The GED applications continued every 2 seconds until he returned to his seat. If he raised his hand to get out of his seat, staff were able to deactivate the seat board switch. Figure 1 shows L.L's aggressive behaviors decelerated significantly following the treatment of his antecedent behavior with the GED. For participant #2, J.C., her aggressive behavior was also accelerating at a rate of 1.27 every six months before the implementation of GED (see Figure 2). There was an initial deceleration in her aggressive behavior once they were treated with the GED but this behavior appeared to level off at a median of 5 occurrences per month. Again, the antecedent of "out of seat with out permission" was identified and began being treated with GED in May of 2002 (negative reinforcement was not used in this case). Figure 2 shows that J.C.'s aggressive behaviors decelerated at a rate of 2.17 every 6 months following the treatment of her antecedent behavior with the GED.
This study supports the effectiveness of treating antecedent behaviors of aggression with the GED to further decelerate the occurrence of aggressive behaviors in students with mental retardation. Quite often the inappropriate behavior being treated is not the first link in the chain of events. Using frequency data, a clinician can clearly distinguish behavior that precipitates an aggressive act. Identifying and treating such antecedent behaviors with aversive interventions such as the GED can be considered an effective treatment option for further decelerating aggressive behavior. Future studies could examine the effectiveness of starting to treat the antecedent behavior at the same time as the aggressive behavior instead of waiting for the aggressive behavior to level off. Also, one could look at other behavioral topographies such as health dangerous behaviors and identify and treat their antecedent behaviors. Finally, when examining the effectiveness of treating antecedent behaviors of aggression with the GED it would also be beneficial to look at the effect this treatment has on decelerating other defined behaviors such as destruction, major disruptive behaviors and non-compliance.


Divine Inspirational by Daniel Fazzina give you true story after true story where God steps in.
These are 50 first hand stories of Gods love and mercy to people - regardless of who they are, what they believe in, or what they have done. Separately and together, these accounts prove that God is paying close attention to you, your life and the longings of your heart. According to George Barna, Christians are leaving the church in droves. Some are looking for alternate forms of church; some are done with church altogether. Other people are spiritually hungry but turned off by the church they see in the media. These seekers and battle-weary Christians need more than scriptural analysis, statistics, or stories about ancient miracles. Divine Intervention is a collection of true, firsthand testimonies of people who have experienced God's miracles. The people are as diverse as their testimonies, coming from all over the world, from all different religious backgrounds and traditions. The one thing they share is a faith in Jesus Christ and the knowledge that God intervened in their lives in a personal way. Here you'll find 50 inspirational, modern-day accounts of God's reality and power at work in the world today. Use them to illustrate your sermons and talks or simply to remind yourself of the nature of the God that cares for you.


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Recent Sales | Market Info
Remodeling Cost vs. Value
San Francisco MLS Search
Oakland Approves 27-Story High-Rise in Uptown
The city's skyline is set to change for the first time in nearly a decade.
Oakland is about to get taller. For the first time in nearly a decade, the city has new high-rise buildings on the way, the latest a 27-story, mixed-use project at 1911 Telegraph Avenue, right across the street from the Fox Theatre, Henry J. Kaiser Park, and Uber's future Oakland headquarters.
In December, Oakland's Community and Economic Development Committee considered three competing hotel proposals for the vacant, city-owned site. CEDC has been keen for a new high-end hotel in Oakland for a while. "There has been no new supply of hotels coming into Oakland, and demand is going through the roof," Mark Everton, owner of the Waterfront Hotel, testified to the committee.
San Mateo's Lowe Enterprises pitched a combination 289-unit condo tower with 150-room hotel. BRIDGE Housing proposed a hotel of its own, with 246 rooms alongside 148 mixed-income housing units.
But the winner, tentatively approved by the Oakland City Council at their Tuesday meeting (final approval will come only after community meetings and feasibility studies have been conducted), was San Diego-based Oliver McMillan, in partnership with Oakland's Strategic Urban Development Alliance. The design calls for 168 hotel rooms, 330 residential units, over 56,000 square feet of retail space fronting Telegraph and 19th, and over 4,000 square feet of art gallery space.
Oliver McMillan's Dean Oliver made a holistic pitch to the city. "Most buildings are just about financial engineering. There's usually not enough [input] from the creative side of the brain," Oliver said.
The huge amount of retail space set the OM design apart, at more than four times the square footage of the next most ambitious retail design. "Oakland has been burned on retail before," City Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney noted, pressing Oliver on why he felt such a plan would succeed this time.
"We're bullish on this market. We're bullish on downtown Oakland. Retail is integral to this thing," said Oliver. "We have companies we've worked with before interested in two-story spaces." The presentation name dropped retailers like Nike and Vince as potential tenants. "It's hard for retailers to come into a city without a critical mass. There's potential on Telegraph Avenue for that."
OM also promised "as many as 800" Oakland jobs in the building and that kiosk and pop-up spaces will be reserved for local restaurants unable to afford to open a full restaurant in the building. Artist renderings show a Best of Oakland market on the second floor.
The residential tower would be 15 percent affordable housing. "And we don't bring people in through the back doors, ever," Oliver added. "Those residents will come in right next door to those paying millions of dollars for a unit."
As Inside Bay Area reminds us, Oakland has been speculating about what to build on 1911 Telegraph since the bygone age of 2002.
via SF Curbed
This entry was posted in Blog, Oakland Real Estate News and tagged buying in oakland, oakland, oakland real estate. Bookmark the permalink.
©2018 Tony Aaron Andrade
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


A citizens guide to protecting our freedoms by studying the original intent and meaning of the Constitution. This class is important for all Americans but especially for our young shooters today (12-18 years old) . So bring them along and they will get a free workbook!


Among the most typical electrical wiring issues is regarding how to wire a change. Though employing switches in your house is very uncomplicated, wiring a single might not be that effortless for everyone. An ON-OFF switch is in fact quite simple to wire. You will discover several types of switches, but for this instance, let us say that you are setting up a single-pole toggle switch, a very prevalent switch (plus the simplest).
There are three shades of wires within a common single-pole toggle switch: black, white, and environmentally friendly. Splice the black wire in two and join them around the terminal screws - one particular on leading and the other on the base screw of the switch. The white wire serves as being a resource of uninterrupted electrical power and it is normally connected to the gentle colored terminal screw (e.g., silver). Link the green wire towards the ground screw of your swap.
These techniques would generally be sufficient for making a typical swap operate without having a dilemma. However, should you aren't confident which you can attain the activity appropriately and properly you improved permit the professionals get it done in its place. After all, there is a purpose why this job is probably the most commonly encountered electrical wiring thoughts questioned by most people.
For some explanation, ways to wire a ceiling fan can be among by far the most frequent electrical wiring questions. To simplify this activity, you need to use one swap for any single ceiling fan. To wire the enthusiast, it really is merely a make any difference of connecting the black wire of your ceiling fan into the black wire in the change. If there is a light, the blue wire really should be related on the black wire on the switch likewise.
You will discover reasons why these are definitely the most usually questioned electrical wiring questions. Just one, many believe it truly is basic to complete, and two, they're the popular electrical responsibilities in your own home. But then you definately should not place your protection at risk as part of your target to save money. The stakes could even be much greater for those who seek to cut costs and do an electrical wiring career without the need of ample expertise or encounter.


Elevated levels in blood serum (≥10μmol/L) of the amino acid homocysteine is strongly correlated with the incidence of heart failure (HF). We present evidence that the cyclic thioester, homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), a metabolic product of homocysteine, irreversibly modifies proteins that regulate the contractile process in cardiac muscle. Two proteins found in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), the Ca2+ pump (SERCA2), and the ryanodine receptor (RyR2), are responsible for controlling the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and hence the contractile state of the heart. While both improper Ca2+ handling and elevated homocysteine levels have been considered bio-markers in HF, a direct connection between the two has not previously been made. We show that HTL reacts with lysine residues on RyR2, generating a Nε-homocysteine-protein, which results in carbonyl formation and a change in the Ca2+ sensitivity of RyR2. This is a new molecular mechanism linking elevated levels of Homocysteine, improper Ca2+ handling and heart failure. This work was supported by NIH 1 R41 HL105063-01 to J. Abramson and R. Strongin.
Owen, Laura Jean, "Modulation of the Cardiac Calcium Release Channel by Homocysteine Thiolactone" (2014). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2071.


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home > architecture > bjarke ingels group to design first phase of luxembourg's airport city
bjarke ingels group to design first phase of luxembourg's airport city
architecture 0 shares connections: +290
bjarke ingels group has revealed plans for a business center to be built directly beside the terminal of luxembourg airport. with construction set to start in 2019, the project will be the first visible milestone of 'airport city' — a major development that will include accommodation, retail, and conference facilities. the business center will comprise flexible office space across a potential area of 40,000 square meters. the complex will also contain car rental services, shops, restaurants, a fitness center, a kindergarten, and space for 2,000 parked cars.
all images courtesy of bjarke ingels group | BIG
BIG's design utilizes timber construction methods, intended to reduce the development's carbon footprint, as well as a series of other devices that ensure the scheme's sustainability. photovoltaic panels will help generate energy, while rainwater will be collected and reused. green roofs are also incorporated, with a double façade used to reduce the energy required to heat and cool the building.
greenery and vegetation is found throughout the scheme
bjarke ingels group will work with luxembourg-based firm metaform on the project, which is BIG's first in the country. 'I'm looking forward to seeing the first milestone of our airport city becoming a reality,' says rené steinhaus, CEO lux-airport. 'the skypark business center south will be a reference for environmentally friendly and sustainable buildings. it helps us to align our economic and ecologic goals.' the business center is set to complete in either 2021, or 2022.
the project will be the first visible milestone of a new development titled 'airport city'
the building will also contain car rental services, shops, restaurants, and a fitness center
the business center is set to complete in 2021/2022
ARCHITECTURE IN LUXEMBOURG (15)
cargolux wide-body aircraft maintenance center by JFS architectes
foster + partners breaks ground on ICÔNE office complex in luxembourg
inessa hansch extends luxembourg university campus within derectict steel mill
single-family house by 2001 juts like a concrete monolith from the ground
vincent callebaut to transform historic building in luxembourg with sculptural 'solar dome'
BJARKE INGELS GROUP / BIG (273)
bjarke ingels 'river ring' will now bring affordable housing to williamsburg waterfront
ICON 3D prints BIG's vision of life on mars inspired by movie 'the martian'
bjarke ingels' real estate tech start-up 'nabr' intends to shake up the housing market
BIG unveils plans for new tech neighborhood in central europe
BIG's floating city to be built in south korea as part of UN-backed plan
METAFORM ARCHITECTS (6)
at expo 2020 dubai, metaform architects' luxembourg pavilion takes shape as a mobius strip
mecanoo + metaform's sunken sports complex in luxembourg will include timber velodrome
metaform architects unfurls collective housing in luxembourg
metaform architects construct origami structure for luxembourg beach club
metaform atelier d'architecture: luxembourg apartment


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F1 bans drivers from making political gestures
Following the emergence of social activism by drivers
Formula 1 is clamping down on political gestures and statements by drivers at grands prix.
The FIA has revealed a ban on "political statements" from the start of the 2023 season, following the emergence of social activism by drivers including champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.
No longer allowed is "the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments" that compromise F1's "general principle of neutrality".
The only exceptions will have to be "approved in writing".
Earlier in 2022, new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem hit out at the way drivers were politicising their public platforms.
"Niki Lauda and Alain Prost only cared about driving," he said.
"Now, Vettel drives a rainbow bicycle, Lewis is passionate about human rights and (Lando) Norris addresses mental health."
However, Russian driver Nikita Mazepin lost his seat at Haas early this year for no other reason than the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict.
Since then, he has been campaigning for political neutrality in sport.
"We need to get back to a place where international competition was time for athletes to interact on a fair and neutral playing field and not be pushed into public debate," Mazepin, 23, said on social media earlier this week.
"Efforts to use sports to impact politics have failed miserably and resulted in the destruction of careers and dreams of talented and dedicated athletes.
"It's time to admit that we in the sporting community have lost our way."
Marko says Honda 'can't buy Alpha Tauri'
Ferrari 'weaker' after Binotto axe - Marko
F1 figures slam political speech ban


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As many of us read in the op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal on Monday, New Mexico has a new acting Secretary of Education, Christopher Ruszkowski. Any glance at the comments section reveals that education continues to be a divisive and all-too-often mindless conversation in New Mexico. We are long on rhetoric and short on optimism and new ideas. Any attempt to try something new is met with fierce resistance and misplaced nostalgia for "the way things used to be." The reality is that the world is changing at a pace much faster than we're prepared for and we can either work hard to catch up or remain lagging far behind.
I know Christopher to be a no-nonsense champion for students (even if that means some adults are put off) and as someone unwaveringly focused on educational equity. He's also human, takes his fair share of missteps and is eager to learn from those mistakes. My hope is that we'll continue to focus on the future of education in New Mexico and not, as Christopher shared, stay "wedded to the 20th century way of doing business", instead focusing on "what's best for children." I also know Christopher wants to and has experience working across lines of difference to help redefine a new possible for New Mexico - and that he wants to be held accountable to outcomes for our kids. Let's do that and be critical friends supportive of our students.
My hope is we'll approach Christopher's tenure as we should all education policymakers in New Mexico, with optimism and a "trust, but verify" mindset. I'm a big fan of healthy skepticism though in New Mexico that frequently shows up as cynicism instead. We're lucky to have Christopher here but we also owe it to our kids to continue to push him and NMPED, prod them, question their decisions and develop solutions in the field. The best ideas on behalf of kids don't live in Santa Fe, but rather in the field with educators. We are a beautiful, culturally rich state in desperate need of news ways to bring forth our heritage and history in the 21st century. Our kids need it, our communities need it, our economy needs it and, frankly, the future of our state depends on as much.
Christopher Ruszkowski's six-year tenure at the Department of Education (most recently as the Associate Secretary of Teacher & Leader Effectiveness) came to an end in April . Rumor has it he rode off into the sunset en route to a position as Deputy Secretary in the New Mexico Department of Education. His detractors likely collectively exclaimed "it's about time." His longevity at the Department (serving on the leadership team in the Lowery, Murphy, and Godowsky administrations) belied his so-called aggressive brand of education reform and the numerous calls to have him ousted. His no-holds-barred style, Chicago-bred candor, kids-before-adults policy-making, and unmatched commitment to President Obama's Race To The Top (RTTT) agenda (originally signed on for by all Delaware stakeholders) made some view him as part of the problem with education reform.
But his departure is a huge loss for Delaware.
Full disclosure is in order before I proceed. Christopher was my manager at the Department for four years and became a friend. So perhaps I am completely biased on this topic. Or perhaps, my front row seat during his tenure means I really know what I am talking about. The truth is somewhere in the middle.
But in today's edu-blogosphere and dominant discourse you can only be either/or. False choices prevail and caricatures are commonplace.
So some will say Christopher is a corporate education reformer, teacher hater, over-testing proponent who is systematically dismantling our education system. But others could say he is the product of a first-generation immigrant, working class family who made his way through college on a golf caddie scholarship and eventually became a social studies teacher in Little Haiti, Miami. Some could say he is an overpaid edu-bureaucrat who seeks to enrich himself and advance his career at the expense of overworked educators and under-resourced students. But others would say he is a teacher-turned-teacher coach-turned-education policymaker whose passion for students fueled his 70-hour work weeks.
These days, you're either a Delawarean who cares about kids or an outsider who cares about the next position a pit stop in The First State will afford you. False dichotomies. Instead of delving into details, nuance is neglected, straw men arguments are erected, and facts are rejected.
But here is the reality: Christopher is like almost everyone in the education sector–his motives are pure, he subscribes and commits to a particular philosophy about how to improve the education system, he has made personal and policy mistakes, and he has done a ton of good at the same time. There's no shortage of commentary about perceived policy mistakes and/or personal attacks, so I'll be heavier on the good here.
Christopher's URGENCY will be missed.
Every day there are large numbers of students being taught in classrooms that are shortchanging their potential and attending schools where many more well-to-do folks would never send their kids. There are teacher candidates accumulating "Easy A's" in teacher preparation programs that are not preparing them for success in the classroom. And there are teachers who never receive the quality feedback, leadership support, and resources to thrive in their work. Almost everyone would agree that these are things that need to be fixed. But few have demonstrated the urgency Christopher did to make progress on such issues.
Christopher had no shortage of opposition and ample opportunity to spend his summer at Rehoboth and do nothing on many of these issues. Yet, during his six-year tenure,standards were raised for teacher preparation programs, scorecards were shared publicly to assess Delaware educator preparation programs, teacher evaluation changes were made that educators believe have enhanced the system, and an incentive program was established to retain talented teachers in high poverty schools.
Yet, one of the fair criticisms of RTTT and the work Christopher led is that major reforms (new standards, new assessments, new educator evaluation systems, etc.) were implemented concurrently and with haste. Sustainable and impactful initiatives take time and the folks implementing on the ground often felt like they were in a pressure cooker. But to be honest, many of the changes Delaware stakeholders committed to in their RTTT plan would never have been accomplished if operating on the normal pace of change in education. At the normal pace of the establishment, my 14-month old daughter wouldn't see any change until she started her freshman year in high school.
Common sense improvements move at a snail's pace in the education system. While few think our state's school funding formula is adequate, for example, it hasn't changed in around 70 years. Delaware's starting salaries for teachers are the lowest in the region and there's consensus that we need to reform our compensation system. Yet, the Committee to Advance Educator Compensation & Careers (CAECC) has been meeting since 2014 (and conversations on the topic were ongoing for many years prior) with no result. Inertia is the modus operandi in education and there are too many decisionmakers in the system who lose sight of the students impacted while they do their decades-long political dance.
Christopher's focus on EQUITY will be missed.
When the US Department of Education (USED) required all states to analyze data, engage stakeholders, and develop a plan to ensure low-income and minority students have equitable access to great educators, many states responded as one would expect: they asked "what's in it for me?" There were no federal funds tied to this mandate and there was little USED could do to ensure compliance. But instead of phoning it in like many states, and despite internal pressure to make the plan a lower priority, Christopher seized the moral imperative and led his team (and the state) in the creation of Delaware'sExcellent Educators for All Students plan. The document was based on newly-released data on educator equity gaps and over a hundred conversations with parents, teachers, policymakers, etc. across the state.
But policymakers are known for making elaborate plans and paying lip service to issues of equity in education. They would rather pay homage to the complex, intractable, and structural nature of problems of equity than create solutions within their sphere of influence. Now, Christopher can definitely be criticized for implementing solutions too small to address the structural roots of inequity. He was not reforming housing, policing, or poverty per se. But he was not one to let such criticisms paralyze him in prioritizing educator equity in his work, and in doing his part to make the system better.
So Christopher launched an "Equity Fellowship" in partnership with the Delaware Academy of School Leadership's Principal Preparation Program that incentivizes becoming a principal in a high-need school. He also launched a program that provides financial incentives for highly-effective teachers to continue teaching in high-poverty schools. In the latter program, 92% of highly-effective Math & English teachers were retained in schools participating in the program over the last two years as compared to 85% in all other high-need schools.
Christopher's focus on TALENT and DIVERSITY will be missed.
Christopher practiced what he preached about the importance of high-quality talent in the education system. As a result of Christopher's leadership, thousands of educators can apply for a job in Delaware districts through a centralized portal–Join Delaware Schools. He also supported Delaware school leaders' talent development through programs like the Relay National Principals Academy Fellowship (over 25 Delaware school leaders have attended this prestigious year-long fellowship to-date). Within the Department, he was the driving force behind the state's summer fellowships, new internship programs, and new partnerships with leading national organizations. Last summer, he launched a new summer program, "Educators at Catalysts", that brought several classroom teachers onto his team at the Department. This year, the program is being implemented Department-wide.
And then there's how he attracted and selected talent into key positions. The standard operating procedure in the education sector is to post a position on your website for two weeks and hope and pray that someone good applies. Christopher was notorious for aggressive recruitment and for reposting positions until he found the right candidate. Using the "corporate" playbook, Christopher managed to assemble a team with a Delaware Principal of the Year, a former Delaware district HR director from one of the state's largest districts, a former NASA education programs leader, a district administrator from Seaford who had policy experience at UD, a PhD from Emory, and more. Somehow he managed to convince people to take substantial pay cuts to leave Delaware districts to work for the DDOE, and in some cases, to relocate to Delaware from around the country (Texas, Atlanta, D.C., etc.). At the same time, he managed to assemble one of the most racially diverse teams at the DDOE in an education system that struggles in this area. It's no surprise then that Christopher was Delaware's representative at the US Department of Education's "Our Students, Our Leaders" convening of 50 leaders seeking to close the demographic gap between students and leaders in the education sector.
Christopher's willingness to SAY WHAT OTHERS WON'T will be missed.
Christopher generated a lot of controversy during his tenure because he said "crazy" stuff. For example, he brought the wrath of the Delaware Association of School Administrators upon himself when he claimed that "there seems to be a problem of either will or skill" among Delaware administrators that leads to an evaluation system where 99 percent of teachers are effective or better.
Christopher definitely knows better than painting any group with a broad brush. He just had a penchant for using hyperbole to provoke important conversations about teacher and leader quality, equity, standards, and expectations. But his comments were not necessarily "crazy" because they weren't true.
National research would suggest that some teacher evaluation ratings are inflated because administrators would rather avoid the paperwork needed to help a struggling teacher improve (will). Other studies have found that some administrators are less skilled in conducting observations and teacher evaluations (skill).
The things he said were "crazy" mostly because he said things that others know to be true but rarely say out loud. Insiders know the politics, the power brokers, the ineffective people, the stall tactics, and the system flaws that lead to mediocre results and certain kids getting a raw deal. The prevailing culture of nice just requires that such topics are only mentioned in off-the-record conversations.
Just a few months ago during a public meeting, Representative Jacques admonished the DPAS-II Advisory Committee to align with the policy he had already "shaken hands" on in a backroom deal with others in the "good old boys" network. But that did not register as a "crazy" comment among the teachers' union, administrators' association, district leaders, and PTA representatives on the committee. Maybe because it is the crazy they have come to know and love.
Christopher Ruszkowski: "What brings me to and keeps me in the work"


In 2011, I climbed and conquered my first mountain and I had my first ever out of the country trip to Beijing, China. After those experiences, I realized I wanted to do more of it. No, I needed to do more traveling and exploring. So after all these realizations, on the last month of year 2011, I laid out a plan. I set goals for myself that I will travel or go to at least one new place in the upcoming year. This was my 2012- I traveled to 2 new foreign countries- Vietnam & Cambodia. My experiences there were both extremely pleasurable and absolutely unforgettable. I spent my 23rd birthday "temple running" in the Angkor temples at Siem Reap, the best birthday I've ever had.
But when we got back to Vietnam we had a mishap while walking in the streets of Ho Chi Minh, my friend's sling bag got snatched by 2 men on a motorcycle. She had lost her passport, camera and some money. Because of what had happened we didn't get the chance to visit the tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh. We had to go to the police station, immigration and consulate offices to process her travel documents instead. My friend was given the travel documents she needed 5 hours before our flight back to the Philippines.
For months, we couldn't talk about it. And when we did, we laughed at how crazy that trip was and how lucky we were to get out of that terrible situation.
I climbed and conquered 4 mountains; Mt. Batulao, Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Palay-Palay, Pico de Loro and Mt. Pulag (2nd highest in the Philippines, highest in Luzon). These hiking and climbing experiences were all memorable although some of them, life-threatening. When we climbed Mt. Pinatubo we almost got trapped and there was a landslide warning.
It was raining too, when we climbed Mt. Pulag. The weather was kind and almost perfect when we climbed Mt. Batulao and Mt. Palay-Palay, Pico De Loro but it was physically exhausting. I learn a lot of things when climbing, I meet a lot of people along the trails and for each mountain I conquer I gain new friends, guides, locals and new hiking buddies. I traveled to local places. I swam in the clear waters of Batangas, Bataan, Camiguin, and Guimaras. I had my adrenaline rush experience in Dahilayan Adventure park in Bukidnon and white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro.
I tried to learn more about Philippine history and culture by visiting a number of museums and old houses in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan and 2 of the ancestral houses of the Lopez family in Iloilo. I feel blessed and I am truly grateful I was able to visit all those places and was able to gain a plentiful experience that will last a lifetime.
I stumbled upon this site which featured photos layered with inspirational and motivational quotes, I was inspired, really inspired. Then I said to myself, "Hey! Maybe I should do this with my photos too, and then maybe I could inspire my friends to start going out there and see the world!" I started with one PhotoNote, picked a nice photo I took and layered it with an inspirational quote. These images quickly became popular through ,my social media networks. I got excited then found myself making one or two a day. Most of my PhotoNotes are about travel but some of them are also about our everyday life.
About each one of us trying to chase our own dreams.
I want my PhotoNotes to serve as inspiration to all those who want to start traveling and encourage those who have started to travel. I want people to realize that there is a big beautiful world out there waiting for them. I want people to have the courage to sail away from their safe shores and discover new worlds.
I want people to realize that they shouldn't stop dreaming but they also have to start doing.
As for myself, these serve as mantras in life and I make sure that they do not just remain as words or paragraphs but try my best to live by them.
Parrot's Beak, Pico De Loro. It was my first time to climb a rock, and before doing so I read so many blogs about Pico de Loro, scouted for tips on how to reach the top of the monolith and come down safely. I used that quote because I think before we do something new/scary we must know what our capabilities are and then we must psyche ourselves to be able do more.
Sunrise at the summit of Mt. Pulag. Collect Moments, Not Things. Precious moments don't come by easily, and when these moments happen we must make sure that we keep these memories in our hearts. With my snapshots turned into PhotoNotes I am able to preserve these moments and even share them to other people.
Mt. Batulao. This was a difficult mountain to climb and I was about to give up during our descent, my knees were already shaking but I decided to continue. I was able to keep up with my group until the end of the climb. "Never Give Up…." Why this quote? Like climbing, life is difficult. We must never give up and put love and inspiration in everything we do.
Sunset at Miag-ao, Iloilo. Jump shot. This trip had loads of happy memories; this jump shot of my friends is proof of how much we enjoyed that trip. Friends, family, experiences, we always have something to be thankful for, we should celebrate life.
Mt. Pulag- Descent. "And when all is said and done, rest as a new journey will soon present itself, full of adventure & experience which we will embark on over and over again. This photo was taken during our descent at Mt. Pulag, like any adventure it came to its end. Oftentimes, we wanderlusters plan our next trip even before a trip is over. We are always excited to embark and start a new adventure but we must also remember that we need to rest and reflect upon the new learnings that we have just acquired.
Check out more PhotoNotes by Shelsie on her facebook page.


Manure fertilizer has the advantage of adding a balanced set of nutrients to your soil. Manure contains Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, trace nutrients and soil microorganism stimulants. Manures, depending on the amount of organic matter, can add bulk and structure to your soil that increases water holding capacity.
It's best to use aged manure that has a high organic matter content (straw, sawdust, etc.). As good as manure is for your organic garden it's important for a variety of reason's not to use too much. When you can, age your manures in your compost or in a carefully managed covered pile.
A good rule of thumb is not to use more than a 5 gallon bucket (19 liters) of manure per 100 square feet (9.3 square meters) for the lower Nitrogen level manures. Much less for the high Nitrogen level manures.
Steer and dairy manures with low organic matter can have excess salt levels.
Fresh manures can have excessive amounts of Nitrogen, which can burn plants.
The actual amount of area the animal uses to create manure is more than the area you are gardening. Manure is a limited resource that will only get more limiting.
Depending on the source, the manure can contain many weed seeds.


More about iittala Toikka Mistle Thrush 2013 Annual Bird A speckled beauty, the iittala Toika Mistle Thrush captures your attention with an opal-grey body and periwinkle spots. As with most of his annual birds, artist Oiva Toikka instructed that a special technique called fire staining be used when creating this bird.This unique process creates misty surface which adds dimension and mystique to the bird's plumage. The elongated neck and tail, rounded blue head and slender iridescent beak give the bird a proud presence. Known in the wild for their unmistakable siren song, the beauty of this bird silently calls out memorizing all who look at it. This bird was only produced in 2013.


February brings about a romantic air around the house. The chilliness in the winter months mingles with warmth of the festive day. Valentines is a special day for the ones you love.
Anyways, not disappointing you further, there is lots coming up to try this month on Valentines for your loved one. This is an exclusive drink that I make especially during festivities! Trust me, it tastes delicious both ways whether you want to add the vodka to it or not. Choice is yours!
Chop the strawberries and sprinkle in the glasses.
Serve in the most romantic way!!
Somehow, Strawberries signify love and warmth to me and the taste delicious too!
One of my favourite berry fruit!


Does anyone know of anyone or any information that could aide in finding decently priced rentals?
I am currently on A.C, we flew down January 1st and the place someone "saved" for us fell through, we now are staying with a friend for a very short time, but we really need help as we have had no luck at all finding places. All I can find is long term, but we need short term, 2 months, we are leaving March 31st.
I have a small, (very clean and well behaved) dog, so we need something pet friendly. Hot and cold water, 1 bathroom works, (a kitchen would be ideal but not a must have), 1 (or 2) bedroom or an apartment, either/or, but we are looking for something that costs anywhere from $500/U.S a month to $1000/U.S a month, (and I could manage to pay more than that, like $1200/U.S or more, if we happen to find one totally worth it).
Also, because of the unfortunate fact that our second dog was hit and killed (by a taxi driver) earlier this month, we would not like a place in town.
Any serious inquiries please feel free to send me a private message"
Last edited by islandlove024; 01/20/14 03:41 PM.
You may have better results by checking in with rental management companies and looking in newspaper - realtors don't handle rentals all that much.
You might also want to post (here on the board) what kind of property you are looking for, when you want it and for how long.
People reading this may know of something and send the info along to you.
Gotcha. Thanks a lot for your feedback, we are having a really hard time finding a place. I posted exactly that in my previous post, but haven't gotten any replies.
You can try in the Classifieds section of this forum as well.
Please feel free to call us and come take a look at the apartment we have for rent. Exactly 1 mile north of the bridge.
Oh, alright, thanks so much!
I was having a terrible finding a place as well. I finally booked a condo at The Belize Yacht Club for the month of Feb. I bet they have rentals available..


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You have been with the company for four months now — what has been your highlight?
I think for me the highlight has been all the different opportunities and experiences I have been exposed to within such a short amount of time. There is a huge variation in the businesses that we work with and I think it is an exciting time to see how technology can slot in, solve problems and improve efficiencies.
What is the most exciting thing about working for a SaaS company?
We are at a stage where technology is becoming widely adopted within agriculture, and coupled with the uncertainty that Brexit is bringing, I think people are using the time to re strategize and think about their businesses long term and what investments would be smart. I think there is an opportunity for companies like KisanHub to prove their worth and make an impact within the marketplace. It is exciting to see the new features that the development teams are working on and knowing how they will help to improve the ways in which people work.
What do you think are the challenges you will come up against in the next 12 months?
KisanHub is an ambitious team with a very well differentiated software product in the market. In one short year, major Potato grower groups have started using KisanHub platform giving a substantial market share of the Potato tonnage processed on the platform. This has and will create a scalability challenge — from both engineering and customer success point of view. The focus for KisanHub going forward will be working together as a team to achieve our goals.
What do you think are the key features of the KisanHub enterprise platform that would make you recommend it to people within the industry?
Centrally accessible data for everyone within the business — reduces the burden created by multiple sources of data recording e.g. photos on mobiles — word documents — spreadsheets.
Weather station network featuring 90 weather stations based across the UK, pulling data through every 15 minutes recording wind speed, rainfall etc.
Why do you think people are using the KisanHub platform?
Growers and businesses who have been using the KisanHub platform this year have had an advantage over people who haven't. It has allowed people to have an early insight into their potential crop yields. The burn down model feature on the Potato Dashboard is also allowing growers to make management decisions based on their potential revenue to be gained by burning off earlier or perhaps later than they potentially would do. I think the KisanHub platform pushes people to think differently about processes that have perhaps always been done a certain way. There can sometimes be a reluctance to rely or trust technology as much as traditional methods, but I think people are beginning to adopt these changes more readily. There are a lot of new technologies within the sector, and I think KisanHub's strength is that the platform does not just focus on one aspect. It brings in several data sources and the ability to capture, into one central platform and most importantly, turn the data into actionable insights.


Plastixs® supplies a collection of efficiency products specially designed to help molders increase productivity by capturing every part made. Used by manufacturers world-wide, these products have earned a reputation for quality and reliability.
VIDEO: Moldshield in action . . .
Drum Covers protect raw materials from contamination.
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Animals History March 22, 2017 July 26, 2018 by Perry
Pablo Escobar's Bloat of Hippos
When he died in 1993, Pablo Escobar was one of the wealthiest men in the entire world. He made Forbes' list of international billionaires for seven years straight. His drug empire was worth an estimated $30 billion and, by the end of the 80's, he supplied 80% of the worlds cocaine.
With this wealth he owned an estate in Antioquia in Columbia. This estate held a private airport, a bullring, a cart racing track, sculpture garden, a collection of dinosaur skeletons and a private zoo filled with various exotic animals including elephants, zebras, giraffes and four hippos, three females and one male.
Misc Musings March 7, 2017 July 26, 2018 by Perry
You Can't Smell Gas
Natural Gas is odorless. It is comprised mainly of methane which does not smell, however when you turn on the gas on your stove it gives off a very strong stench!
This is because of a chemical known as Mercaptan (also known as Thiol). This is added to Natural gas in order to make it smell! It is a harmless gas which is a waste product of normal metabolism and is found naturally in living organisms.
The chemical features very few useful qualities, bar one, it gives off an incredibly pungent smell. Even in the smallest quantities the human nose can still detect it. It is the world's smelliest substance and is unbearable in its concentrated form.
Animals February 22, 2017 by Perry
Why are Flamingos Pink?
Flamingos are one of the most iconic creatures in the animal kingdom, easily identified by their bright pink plumage. However when Flamingos were first brought to zoos from the wild, the keepers were dismayed to find they lost their bright pink colour and turned a grey/white shade.
It turns out the secret to the flamingo's pink feathers comes from their diet. In the wild flamingos eat algae and invertebrates that contain things called carotenoids. Carotenoids contain pigments which dissolve in the flamingos fats and are then deposited in the growing feathers of the flamingo giving them their colour. If this is removed from the diet of the flamingo then the colour will be lost and feathers come through as their natural grey colour.
Animals April 5, 2016 by Perry
Dolphins Only Drink Milk
Dolphins are mammals, which means, like us, they require fresh water to survive. But how to do they get water? They live in the sea, which contains a large amount of water but unfortunately this is salt water, which for mammals can cause kidney damage and dehydration if drank in excess. They actually obtain their water through eating other animals such as fish and squid whose bodies contain a high amount of fresh water. They eat them whole and as they are broken down inside the dolphin the water is released and absorbed.
But how do they get fresh water before they can hunt?
Animals Planet Earth March 25, 2016 July 26, 2018 by Perry
The Misinformed Mongoose Invasion of Hawaii
In Hawaii in the 1800's the sugar industry was facing problems from the growing rat population which was eating through their sugar plantations and costing them a lot of money. In order to try and control the rat population, a predator was introduced to the islands, in 1833 Mongooses, which are originally native to India, were let loose in the fields of Hawaii to end the rat threat to the agriculture.
However this decision seemed to be incredibly misinformed, rats are a nocturnal animal which means they are only active at night and spend the days hidden away in nests, however the Mongoose is diurnal, which means they only hunt in the daytime and nest at night so the two animals would never encounter each other!
Misc Musings Planet Earth February 23, 2016 July 26, 2018 by Perry
The Smouldering Ghost Town of Centralia
Founded in 1862 the mining town of Centralia in Pennsylvania was created due to the demand for coal as a primary fuel source, throughout the 19th and 20th Century a mass web of mines, tunnels and underground gangways were constructed to get at the coal resources deep under ground. It is estimated that 95% of Anthracite coal (a very high energy form of coal) is located underneath Pennsylvania and there was an estimated 25 million tons of it under the town of Centralia.
However during the mid 20th century the demand for coal reduced in favour of other fuels such as gas and oil and the vast web of mines underneath the town of Centralia were eventually abandoned.
On the 27th May 1962 the mine shafts under Centralia caught fire, it is still debated how the fire initially caught ablaze but the main assumption is that a fire was purposely ignited in an attempt to clear up a rubbish tip, beneath this rubbish tip was a hidden mineshaft entrance where the fire began to slowly wind its way through the labyrinth of underground mines beneath the town.
History December 24, 2015 July 26, 2018 by Perry
Why do we have Christmas trees?
The roots of why we put up trees in our living room and decorate them with trimmings stems from old pagan rituals and not from Christianity. German pagans used to decorate their houses with evergreen conifer tree branches during the winter solstice to remind them of the Spring to come.
The Ancient Romans also used to decorate their temples during the winter solstice at the festival of Saturnalia (the Roman predecessor to Christmas) with branches of fir trees. As they have green needles all year round, evergreen trees were used in multiple old religions around the world to symbolise eternal life including ancient Egyptians, the Chinese and Hebrews.
Food December 20, 2015 July 26, 2018 by Perry
The Worlds Only Cornish Pasty Museum is in Mexico
In the Mexican mountain town of Real De Monte, over 4500 miles away from Cornwall and the home of the Cornish pasty, exists the worlds only museum dedicated to the savoury snack.
The Cornish pasty came to Mexico in in 1824 when miners and their families from Cornwall came across to assist with the local silver mining industry. When they moved across they not only brought their mining expertise and equipment but also brought their keen taste for pasties and the knowledge of how to make them, which caught on quickly with the local community. Cornish wives would teach their maids how to create the pasties who in turn made their own for their own family.
Animals Planet Earth December 8, 2015 July 26, 2018 by Perry
What is The Schmidt Sting Pain Index?
It is called the Schmidt Pain Index and is the work of Justin O. Schmidt, who has been stung by 78 types of venomous insect and documented his experiences.
The stings are ranked from 0, which is quite harmless, to a 4 which is excruciatingly painful. Alongside the numerical rating of the stings, Schmidt also writes a sentence or two about his experience, for example the Bullet Ant, rated the highest on the scale, features the following sentence: "Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like fire-walking over flaming charcoal with a 3-inch rusty nail grinding into your heel."
The Bullet Ant is rated highest on the pain index, as it is not only excruciatingly painful but the pain can remain just as intense for up to 5 hours after being stung and can remain for up to 24 hours.
Misc Musings September 29, 2015 by Perry
China Have a National Song for Going Home
China has adopted a jazz song from 1989 as its national anthem for going home. "Going Home" by American saxophone star Kenny G is played all over China as the cue for the time to go home. The song is played in shopping malls, schools, train stations, gyms and library's as well as many other places across the country.
However the composer of the song, Kenny G, doesn't receive a penny for the widespread use of his song in China. He doesn't understand or question the popularity of the song, when touring in China in the 1990's he heard the song playing in Tiananmen Square, in Shanghai, on a golf course and "in a restroom in the middle of nowhere,". He has since performed in China many times and always has to make sure he plays "Going Home" last in his set to make sure people don't accidentally leave early.


From 1 April 2019, individuals and businesses will be subject to a new range of instant fines if they are found breaching Customs requirements.
Customs officers will be able to issue individuals with an instant $400 fine, and businesses with an $800 fine, for 70 minor infringement offences.
Fines may be issued even if the offending was unintentional.
Terry Brown, Group Manager Border Operations at Customs, says "Most individuals and businesses want to comply with Customs requirements and the law. However there will always be those who either deliberately or unintentionally breach those requirements.
"Infringement notices are an effective way of helping Customs officers protect New Zealand, and offer an alternative to prosecution. Once the fine has been paid, all guilt or liability is discharged.
The infringement notices were introduced in October last year as part of the implementation of the Customs and Excise Act 2018, with a six month education phase to inform the public and businesses about the changes before enforcement began.
Customs could issue fines for petty offences under the previous 1996 Customs Act, but this was limited in how and where it was applied.
Offences that could result in an instant fine include making a false declaration on a Passenger Arrival Card, refusing to answer questions from a Customs officer or for importing or exporting prohibited goods.
The infringement notices will affect all international arriving and departing passengers at airports and ports, importers, exporters, excise manufacturers, brokers and Customs-controlled areas.