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About Intellectual Property
"Intellectual Property" is the body of law that protects the fruits of human intelligence: our inventions, our creative works, and the logos and brand names that we adopt for the goods and services we sell.
There are three major types of intellectual property protection – patents, trademarks and copyrights.
Generally speaking, patent protection is available for inventions that are useful, such as a novel product, a new method of doing business or a new process for making or using something, and it also may be available to protect a new and original ornamental design for an article of manufacture. Copyright law protects original works of authorship such as books, music, artwork, photographs, web pages and software. Trademark law protects the brand names used for goods or services, logos, as well as distinctive product and packaging designs. Trademark law is part of the law of unfair competition, which also addresses trade secret protection, unfair competition and deceptive and unfair trade practices.
Sometimes an invention or work is eligible for more than one type of protection. Take, for example, a lamp with an elaborately sculpted base that incorporates a novel on-off switch. The creator of this lamp might be able to claim copyright protection in the lamp's shape as a sculpture, apply for a design patent to protect the ornamental features of the lamp and apply for a utility patent on the on-off switch invention. Over time, if the public came to associate the lamp's design with a particular source of lamps, as we have learned to associate the shape of a Coca-Cola bottle with cola manufactured by the Coca-Cola Co., then the lamp's shape could be claimed as a trademark.
An attorney can help you to determine what types of intellectual property protection are available to you and how best to protect your intellectual property.
What is a trademark?
The term "trademark" (or "mark") refers to any word, name, symbol or device, or any combination of these, that is used in commerce to designate, identify and distinguish the goods of one manufacturer or seller from the goods manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods. In common language, a trademark is a brand name or other brand-identifying device (such as the color pink used by Owens-Corning for its brand of fiberglass insulation, the Pillsbury Doughboy or NBC's three-tone sound mark). Marks that are used to identify or advertise services rather than goods are often referred to as "service marks." Rights in a trademark are acquired and maintained only by use; however, as discussed below, registration does provide you with additional benefits and rights.
The primary function of a trademark is to indicate the origin of goods or services. Trademarks also enable consumers to identify products and service-providers so that they can either look for them again or avoid them. In this way, a trademark represents the quality and uniformity of the goods bearing the mark.
The goal of trademark law is to protect the source-identifying and quality-designating functions of trademarks. The first party that acquires rights in a trademark for a particular good or service (the "senior user") owns certain exclusive rights in the mark – namely, the right to prevent others (called "junior users") from creating confusion by using the same or a similar mark for similar goods or services. Some trademarks are so famous that third party use of them for any goods or services is likely to cause confusion and infringe the senior user's rights.
Selecting a trademark
Businesses often desire to adopt a trademark that clearly evokes or describes their product. However, such marks may be impossible or very difficult to protect. Words that are the generic name for the user's goods or services cannot function as trademarks at all. For example, the term "apple" cannot be appropriated as a trademark for apples. Words that are descriptive of the user's goods or services may be protectible as trademarks, but only under certain circumstances, which your attorney can explain to you. The most easily protectible trademarks are those that are arbitrary or fanciful when applied to the user's goods or services. Kodak, Xerox and Exxon are examples of fanciful marks, while "apple" used as a trademark for computers is arbitrary.
Before adopting a trademark, it is advisable to have an attorney evaluate whether the term or device is eligible for trademark protection and conduct a "trademark search" to find out whether the mark is already owned by another party. While such searches do not guarantee that the desired mark is available for adoption, they minimize the risk that the mark you adopt will infringe a third party's rights.
Many people believe that they automatically have the right to use the name of their corporation, LLC or other business as a trademark. This is not the case. Just because the state allows you to form a business entity under a given name does not mean the name does not infringe someone else's trademark.
Registering your trademarks
Trademarks may be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") and/or the Florida secretary of state. Since trademark rights arise from use, registration is not necessary to create rights. However, by registering a trademark with the PTO, you can secure trademark rights in areas of the United States in which you have not yet used your mark. Federal and state registrations also provide advantages in lawsuits to enforce trademark rights. An attorney can advise you as to whether a federal and/or state registration would be advisable.
In order to be eligible for federal registration, a mark must be used in commerce that may lawfully be regulated by Congress – for example, interstate commerce – at the time the registration is granted. Generally speaking, the use that is required to register a mark for goods consists of placing the mark on the goods, or on their packaging, tags or labels. For services, the mark must be used or displayed in the advertising or sale of the services, and the services must actually be rendered. You may file a federal application (not Florida) to register a trademark before you use it if you have a bona fide intent to use the mark, but the registration cannot issue until you commence actual use.
The total time for a federal trademark application to be processed may be from almost a year to several years, depending on the basis for filing and the legal issues that may arise in the PTO's examination of the application. Federal trademark registrations must be renewed every 10 years, and certain filings are required between the fifth and sixth year following registration.
The federal trademark registration symbol may be used once the mark is actually registered with the PTO or, in some cases, if the mark is registered in a foreign country. Use of the and SM symbols is not required, but it may discourage others from infringing your mark; these two symbols may be used before the mark obtains federal registration.
Enforcement of trademark rights
Infringement of a trademark occurs when someone other than the trademark owner uses the mark, or a similar mark, on goods or services in a manner that is likely to cause confusion concerning the source or origin of the parties' respective goods or services or to suggest an affiliation or an endorsement of the junior user's goods or services by the owner of the mark. Dilution occurs when someone uses a similar mark in a manner likely to diminish the distinctiveness of or tarnish a famous mark.
Enforcement of federally registered marks can take place in either federal or state court; enforcement of Florida-registered marks typically takes place in state court. A mark that is not registered may still be eligible for protection in federal and/or state court depending upon factors that a trademark attorney can explain to you. The remedies available to a successful trademark owner in an infringement lawsuit may include an injunction; a monetary award; impoundment and destruction of infringing items; and, in exceptional cases, recovery of the trademark owner's attorney's fees. Special procedures and remedies, including potential criminal liability, apply in cases involving counterfeit goods or goods labeled with counterfeit marks (such as counterfeit purses).
What does copyright protect?
Copyright protects "original works of authorship." Most writings and artistic creations are subject to copyright protection, including books, photographs, musical recordings and computer programs. Copyright arises automatically as soon as a work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression; that is, written down, painted, filmed, recorded, etc. Copyright gives the author of a work a bundle of exclusive rights, including the right:
· To reproduce the work in copies or phonorecords.
· To prepare derivative works based upon the work.
· To distribute copies or recordings of the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease or lending.
· To perform the work publicly, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic and choreographic works, pantomimes and motion pictures and other audiovisual works, and, in the case of sound recordings, to perform the work publicly by means of a digital audio transmission.
· To display the work publicly, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic and choreographic works, pantomimes, and pictorial, graphic or sculptural works.
Copyright does not protect the ideas that are expressed in a work; it is the tangible expression of the idea that is protected. However, the line between "idea" and "expression" is not always easy to identify.
Who owns the copyright in a work?
Many copyright disputes involve competing claims of ownership of a copyright. Your attorney can help you make sure you own or have a right to use the copyrighted works such as photographs, illustrations, designs, software or other items that your business may purchase, commission from freelancers, use or supply to others.
Generally, the person who actually creates a work owns its copyright. This is the case even if the work was commissioned and the creator was paid to create it. However, there are exceptions. As a general matter, employers own the copyrights in the works that their employees create within the scope of their employment. Special rules are applied to determine who qualifies as an "employee" for this purpose. In addition, with respect to a limited number of types of works – such as encyclopedias, tests, audiovisual works and compilations – the party that commissions a nonemployee (e.g., freelancer) to create the work pursuant to a written work-for-hire agreement signed by both parties will be considered the "author" and owner of the copyright. Ownership of a copyright can also be acquired through a written assignment from the author.
How long does copyright protection last?
For most works created after Jan. 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work or a work made for hire, the copyright term is 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from the year of creation, whichever expires first. Your attorney can help you to determine the length of copyright protection for works that predate 1978.
Registering copyrights
Copyrights are registered with the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress by submitting an application to the Registrar of Copyrights along with a modest fee and a "deposit" of the work being registered. The particular application form that must be used and the deposit requirements vary depending on the type of work being registered. Registration is not required to own a copyright. However, the cost of registering a copyright is fairly modest, and the benefits from registration can be significant. In most cases, registration is a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit to enforce the copyright. Furthermore, with some exceptions, certain infringement remedies, such as statutory damages and attorney's fees, are available only if the copyright is registered before the infringement begins.
Enforcement of rights in a copyright
A copyright is infringed when someone violates one of the exclusive rights of the copyright owner; for example, by using a photograph in an ad campaign without the photographer's permission, installing software on more than one computer that is licensed only for use on a single computer, or creating a derivative work (such as a sequel) based on a copyrighted work. Any lawsuit asserting claims of copyright infringement must be brought in federal court. Remedies include injunctive relief and recovery of damages.
There are three types of patents: utility patents, design patents and plant patents. A utility patent may be granted to one who invents or discovers a new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture or composition of matter, or a new and useful improvement of any of these. A design patent may be granted to one who invents a new, original and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. A plant patent may be granted to one who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.
Patent protection is available only for inventions and designs that are novel and would not have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art as of the time the invention or design was made. In addition, utility patents are available only if the invention is useful. In applying for a patent, a prototype is not typically required; however, your patent attorney or patent agent can explain this in more detail.
A U.S. patent gives the owner the right to exclude all others from making, using, selling and importing into the U.S. the invention defined by the claims of the patent. In exchange for this exclusive right, the patentee is required to disclose the invention in the patent application with sufficient detail so that a person "with ordinary skill in the art" is able to understand how to make and use the invention without undue experimentation.
The patent "right to exclude" does not grant or imply that the owner has the affirmative right to make, use or sell the patented invention. If the owner's patented invention infringes another person's patent, the owner may not be able to exploit the invention without a license from that person.
Because patent rights are territorial, the patent right to exclude is generally limited to the U.S. and its territories (although there are limited circumstances under which activities aimed at a foreign market can infringe a U.S. patent). An inventor who desires to prevent others from exploiting an invention in foreign markets would need to seek patent protection in each market.
How are patents obtained?
Patents are granted by the PTO. Because a patent application is a highly technical document, it is advisable to have it prepared by a patent attorney or patent agent registered with the PTO.
Under U.S. law, an inventor has only one year to file a patent application after the invention is offered for sale or publicly disclosed. Other countries do not offer even this one-year grace period. Thus, it is generally advisable to consult with an attorney promptly after conceiving your invention.
Before filing a patent application, it is advisable to have your attorney conduct a patent search to make sure that your invention is novel and not obvious in light of prior inventions. Once the patent application is filed, a PTO examiner will evaluate whether the invention or design qualifies for patent protection. PTO examiners often require modifications to the patent application. This process can take several years and involve a substantial amount of interaction between the PTO examiner and your attorney. Because patent applications are so technical and the examination process is generally fairly time-consuming, the cost of obtaining patent protection is significantly greater than the cost of registering a trademark or copyright.
How long does patent protection last?
For applications filed on or after June 8, 1995, the term of a utility patent will generally expire 20 years after the application date. Design patents last 15 years from the date the patent issues. There are exceptions to these general time frames, which your patent attorney can explain. Once a patent issues, patent maintenance fees must be paid at designated times during the life of the patent; if a maintenance fee is not paid, the patent expires. Upon expiration of the patent, the public is free to use the invention.
Patent ownership and licensing
Patents can be granted only to inventors; that is, to the people who have engaged in the mental act of invention. Corporations and other business entities cannot initially own title in a patentable invention. For this reason, it is advisable to put appropriate invention ownership agreements in place with all employees and consultants who may come up with inventions of importance to your business.
Patent rights can be assigned or licensed, but there are restrictions on how a patent owner can use the "clout" of a patent to extract royalties or other benefits from third parties. For example, generally speaking, a patent license may not lawfully endure beyond the term of the licensed patent. Before licensing rights under a patent, it is advisable to consult with an attorney regarding the permissible scope of patent licensing.
Enforcement of patent rights
The federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over patent infringement suits. Relief in patent litigation includes injunctions extending for the life of the patent, money damages and enhanced damages and attorney's fees in exceptional cases. In addition, under certain circumstances, a patentee can obtain an exclusion order from the U.S. International Trade Commission to bar importation of infringing goods from foreign countries.
OTHER TYPES OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
There are other types of intellectual property, such as trade secrets. Disputes often implicate the law of unfair and deceptive trade practices. There are also other areas of law that often involve intellectual property issues, such as computer and internet law, franchise law and licensing. This pamphlet does not contain a discussion of these areas. You should consult with a competent intellectual property attorney if you believe you have any legal issue related to any of the areas of law described above.


Pre-heat the oven to 400º F.
On a clean work surface, lay out the sheet of puff pastry and cut a ½" strip off of each side of the rectangle. Brush the outside of the puff pastry rectangle with the egg white and cut ½" strip to fit around as a border.
Place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and pierce the pastry all over with a fork. Bake for 8 minutes and remove from oven to cool for 10 minutes.
Brush Dijon mustard over the inside surface of the tart. Place basil leaves on top of the mustard and arrange tomato halves on top of the basil leaves. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the tomatoes and scatter goat cheese on top.
Season the tart with salt and return to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.
Watch Chef Dana Reinhardt prepare this tart!


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Excellent Podcast
The Browns brothers do a great job of taking the listeners back in time, to the very beginning of the Patriots dynasty. Armed with years of ingrained knowledge, the hosts break down every game to the smallest detail. An excellent listen for Pats fans who are looking for some nostalgia in a post-Brady world, or younger fans who did not witness the early years of their run. PS- I would love to be on for the Pats vs Bears game from 2002, the Miracle in Champaign
account_circle Ichabod Crain
It's finally here! The big game in the Big Easy. Join the brothers as they talk about John Madden, the Super Bowl logos and some fun facts that you'd...
Who better to talk about the Patriots first Super Bowl victory than with someone who was actually there? Join the Brown brothers as they try not to...
2001 Week 17: Patriots at Panthers
It's the last week of the season, so we figured it's finally time to bring in someone who knows what they're talking about. The brothers interview...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Creepy voicemails, coordinates and people making it into conspiracies.
Re: Alien Invasion Conspiracy: Hoax or ARG?
Is there a link? a trailhead? context?
My bad, forgot to paste the link.
Not sure what it was, but googled and found articles about it.
This is near the end of the web page which makes me think it is a game.


This year has been a big one for women's tennis. Serena Williams, arguably the greatest living tennis player, won a Grand Slam while pregnant and delivered a beautiful baby girl. Meanwhile, her rival Maria Sharapova not only returned to the circuit after fulfilling the conditions of her suspension for using banned substances, but also authored a book. That book immediately threw Sharapova back under the spotlight for her ill-advised — and racialized — comments about Williams. They echoed the ubiquitous misrepresentation of black women that is all too common in the athletic community and society as a whole, and offer a telling reminder of why we need to challenge these stereotypes.
For starters, this statement blatantly ignores the fact that, in reality, Sharapova is the taller player. She towers over Williams by five inches and is a powerful tennis player in her own right. But the statement is particularly troubling in light of the physical build and color of both athletes. The image of a "little girl" playing against a "grown woman," as Sharapova describes their first match, brings to mind the stereotype that black women are somehow threatening, even when they are just navigating the spaces that belong to them. Instead of objectively crediting Williams for her superior skill and accomplishments, somehow Sharapova is able to idealize her own wins and make excuses for her defeats — excuses that are rooted in racialized misperceptions. It's unfortunate that no matter how hard Williams competes, no matter how many Grand Slam titles she earns, she is constantly undervalued and critiqued for her body.
Here lies the difference between white excellence and black excellence: White excellence doesn't have to battle the omnipresence of racism to gain recognition. Williams can beat Sharapova all she wants (her record stands at 19-2) but the narrative seems to stay in Sharapova's favor. She initially received more endorsements, even though her claim to fame is regularly losing to Williams. She gets to play on center court, although she is often ranked lower than other players assigned to smaller courts. Bizarrely, she still received this center court preference in the U.S. Open last month, though she was just emerging from a doping scandal at the time. She regularly gets the benefit of the doubt — chalking defeats up to injuries or fatigue — instead of being expected to win in spite of everything like Williams.
The advantages Sharapova receives — both on and off the court — as the losing member of the Williams-Sharapova rivalry is rooted in what has been historically celebrated in this country. For far too long, global standards — about athletics, beauty, marketability — have been shaped by images of white women's bodies. In commercials, movies and magazines, there is an overrepresentation of easy-to-sell, blond-haired, green-eyed, slender white women. This imbalance tells the next generation of black women that their bodies will consistently be perceived as lacking. And it tells black female athletes that their accomplishments will always be undermined solely because of their identities. This is precisely why Serena Williams is so important to young black athletes of all genders, but especially women. She consistently debunks racial stereotypes and reminds us that credentials matter more than color.
In the context of these trends, Sharapova's book isn't just a petty attack against a tennis rival — it's much more. Her book had many stereotypes that underrate black excellence, demean black women's bodies and create artificial hurdles for women of color. The widespread criticism of Sharapova for her tone-deaf comments has been encouraging, but many Americans still share the same views. Clearly, we still have a long way to go when confronting biases and stereotypes specifically targeted at excellent, black women. But the overwhelming support for Williams is a start.
Randi Richardson '20 can be reached at randi_richardson@brown.edu.


Straight off the track and transitioning swiftly onto the streets, the Nike EXP X14 SE JDI casual shoes pack a punch. Utilizing the patented fast track design and shape, these kicks are a streetwear masterpiece, with comfort that rivals its' style. A light, layed upper gives you breathable comfort, meanwhile a Nike React foam midsole provides a soft feel with every step. Get yours today through Sneakadeal for just $60, over half off regular retail price.


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Ant Middleton's military career and family as star is dropped from SAS: Who Dares Wins after five years
Ant Middleton became a household name since joining SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2015, a reality series that puts members of the public through the gruelling selection process of the Special Forces.
Ant will no longer be a part of the programme having been dropped by Channel 4 over 'personal conduct'.
The broadcaster said in a statement: 'Ant Middleton will not be taking part in future series of SAS: Who Dares Wins.
'Following a number of discussions Channel 4 and Minnow Films have had with him in relation to his personal conduct it has become clear that our views and values are not aligned and we will not be working with him again.'
Ant shared the news of his departure on Instagram, however he stated he had 'decided it's time to move on'.
'Big respect to my fellow DS – its been a journey I'll never forget. Thanks to everyone that took part and made the show what it is. Really excited about the future and what's coming this year. Stay positive', he wrote.
A post shared by Ant Middleton (@antmiddleton)
The TV star will appear in upcoming episodes of both the celebrity and civilian version – which he had already filmed before his exit – and remain a part of SAS: Who Dares Wins Australia.
Who is Ant Middleton?
Ant, 40 from Portsmouth, is a TV presenter, motivational speaker and former member of the British Armed Forces.
In addition to SAS: Who Dares Wins he has also fronted films for Sky where he takes on a physically tough journey alongside a celeb, encouraging them to speak about their feelings.
Ant shot to fame on SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2015 (Picture: Channel 4)
The most recent instalment saw him team up with Rebel Wilson, with Liam Payne also appearing as a guest.
He also took part in Mutiny in 2017, a re-enactment of Mutiny on the Bounty.
Where has Ant Middleton served with the armed forces?
Ant's military career spans over a decade.
He has served in the Royal Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, doing his first tour in Afghanistan in 2007.
He joined the Special Boat Service (SBS) – the sister unit of the SAS – in 2008 where he spent four years as a point man and also a primary fires operator and sniper.
Ant has also used his Special Forces skillset to work in personal security, protecting VIPs such as government officials and celebrities.
What is Ant Middleton's net worth?
His net worth is believed to be around £4million, according to The Sun, thanks to his work on TV and his books.
Who is Ant Middleton's wife?
Ant lives in Essex with his wife Emilie and their children – Priseïs, Shyla, Oakley, Gabriel, and Bligh.
He and Emilie share four children while Ant has a child from a previous relationship.
In an interview The Mirror, Ant confessed he hasn't 'been the best husband in the world, but Emilie has been the best wife'.
The TV star confessed that having a family hasn't curbed his daredevil attitude, which can sometimes take him away from his family for up to a year.
He told Metro.co.uk: 'My wife, she'll have a word with me but ultimately once she knows that I need to go and do something, she knows that it's gonna make me a better person.
'When I come back, I've got no excuse but to try and be the best husband, I've got no excuse but to try and be the best father.
'I say to people I'd rather be away six months of the year and be with my children and wife for six months and give them 100% of me, than be at home nine months of the year and give them 70%. It's just about not restricting people which society has a horrible tendency of doing.'
Ant MiddletonSAS: Who Dares Winstv
Outlander season six: Sam Heughan reveals filming is 'tough' due to coronavirus
The Walking Dead: Showrunner teases how the show will end in season 11


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Love Around the Corner
US Limited Edition
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Limited Edition Framed
Born in 1971 in California, Craig Alan's artistic talent began to emerge when his family moved to New Orleans in his youth. It was here that his capacity for detailed visual interpretation took root. Taking inspiration from photographs of sixth floor balconies, he observed the shifting shapes in the crowds below- groups of people gathering to form an eye on the screen, this started his creative wheels turning. One of his earliest experimentations took the form of street portraiture, which helped him perfect his flair for replicating the human figure. One of his first exhibitions was at his University called, 'Art with a Southern Drawl'. It featured 42 of Craig's pieces, chosen from a field of more than 1,600 submissions. He has exhibited his work across the United States to great acclaim, now he is creating significant impact on the UK market. Craig's extraordinary vision is created with a combination of technical skill, creativity and wit. His 'famous faces in a crowd' show icons of stage & screen recreated in dozens, sometimes hundreds of small and intricately painted exquisite figures. These figures become the fabric with which he weaves highly complex compositions. Each piece is created in black and white with hints of red on some of the more glamorous faces. In their own way, they reflect Craig's highly recognisable take on life, where it is the small details that work together to create the big picture. A characteristic blend of disparate influences and media is visually apparent in his breath-taking work, and his unique approach demonstrates both technical sophistication and elaborate imagination.


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package org.apache.camel.component.braintree.internal;

/**
 * Constants for Braintree component.
 */
public interface BraintreeConstants {

    // suffix for parameters when passed as exchange header properties
    String PROPERTY_PREFIX = "CamelBraintree.";

    // thread profile name for this component
    String THREAD_PROFILE_NAME = "CamelBraintree";
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Tomsk State University of Architecture and Building
Эконо
Эконо 155684
Appendix 7 List of questions for business experts 221 Appendix 8 List of
Appendix 7 list of questions for business experts 221
School Tomsk State University of Architecture and Building
Course Title Эконо 155684
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Appendix 7: List of questions for business experts ...................................................... 221 Appendix 8: List of questions for tax practitioners ....................................................... 222 Appendix 9: Demographics of European SME operators ............................................. 224 Appendix 10: Demographics of Asian SME operators ................................................. 225 Appendix 11: Demographics of Maori SME operators ................................................ 226 Appendix 12: Demographics of Pacific SME operators ............................................... 227
viii List of Tables and Figures Figure 5.1: Summarised procedure for data analysis. An adaptation of O'Dwyer's (2004) method ................................................................................................................. 84 Figure 6.1: Types of accounting system used by the ethnic operators ........................... 98 Figure 6.2: Person(s) responsible for the business record keeping function by ethnicity ....................................................................................................................................... 100 Figure 7.1: Main source of tax assistance used by ethnic groups ................................. 110 Figure 8.1: Tax payment difficulties by ethnicity ......................................................... 133 Figure 8.2: Number of operators, by ethnicity, who were satisfied with the education and welfare public spending .......................................................................................... 133 Table 1.1: Census data – percentage ethnic groups by status in business (excluding paid and unpaid employment) in 2001 and 2006 ...................................................................... 7 Table 4.1: Comparative cultural dimensions by ethnic groups in New Zealand ............ 58 Table 6.1: Words and concepts associated with tax compliance by ethnic SME operators ......................................................................................................................................... 90 Table 6.2: Interplay of cultural factors on the ethnic SME samples and their inclination to file timely and accurate tax returns ........................................................................... 108 Table 7.1: Interplay of cultural factors on the main sources of tax assistance used and perception of the IRD by the ethnic SME samples ....................................................... 130 Table 8.1: Interplay of cultural factors on tax payment difficulties and ethnic groups 151
ix Attestation of Authorship I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person (except where explicitly defined in the acknowledgements), nor material which to a substantial extent has been submitted for the award of any other degree of diploma of a university or other institution of higher learning.
x Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the following people for their support, understanding, advice and guidance during this research journey. Their assistance has inspired me to continue with the journey despite many difficult moments. Professor Keith Hooper , my primary supervisor, for his flexibility and guidance in this thesis. Professor Deryl Northcott , my secondary supervisor, for her detailed and thought- provoking comments and direction. The AUT Ethics Committee, for their guidance during the ethics application process and for granting me approval on the 12 th July 2006: reference 06/92. Professor Lee Parker , for his constant encouragement to complete the PhD. Violetta Petersen-Lesatele , for her invaluable contacts to access the Maori and Pacific participants, without which this thesis would not have been possible. The Pacific Business Trust and Te Puni Kokiri, to whom I am indebted for teaching me and giving me so much insight into ethnically owned businesses.
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You are at:Home » Tech and Solutions » 17-Year-Old Leading Hunger and Poverty Prevention Strategies
17-Year-Old Leading Hunger and Poverty Prevention Strategies
By Kayla Randolph on December 8, 2020 Tech and Solutions
TACOMA, Washington — Lillian Kay Petersen grew up around computers and in an environment that fostered global thinking. Petersen's father, Mark, creates ocean models on supercomputers that anticipate ocean activity. This work is vital to understanding the natural impacts of all life on earth. The beginning of Petersen's vital work started in fifth grade when she learned to code. Around that same time, her parents adopted three younger children. Her new siblings had been growing up in poverty-stricken communities and Petersen saw, firsthand, how poor nutrition caused health problems. Petersen also learned about the ongoing Ethiopian droughts that have put millions of people at risk year after year and governments have been unable to overcome the plight. She recognized these hunger and poverty issues on a global scale and was inspired to begin monitoring satellite images and establishing a means to aid hunger and poverty prevention efforts.
Petersen's Multiple Solutions to End World Hunger and Poverty
In March 2019, as a student at Los Alamos High School in New Mexico, Petersen published her paper, "Supply Chain Optimization for Acute Malnutrition Treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa." This paper details the inefficiencies in food distribution to Sub-Saharan African communities due to the supply chain and high tariffs. This mathematical model accurately estimates the costs for policymakers, nonprofits and organizations to disburse specialized nutritious food in sub-Saharan Africa. There is also a long-term goal—once the new guidelines have been established—to use more local food production and lower the distribution costs by 25%. "Used in conjunction, these tools could better inform policymakers on recipes and supply chains that reach more children with life-saving treatment… while supporting sustainable development and future food security in developing countries," says Petersen in her paper.
Another published paper by Petersen is "Real-Time Prediction of Crop Yields From Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Relative Vegetation Health: A Continent-Wide Analysis of Africa." This paper was published in November 2018 but updated in July 2020. In this model, Peterson used satellite images and developed a method to predict crop yields two to four months before the harvest. With her calculations, 40% of her predictions hand less than 5% errors.
Current methods include large teams of people working in the field and remotely without the ability to be as accurate as Petersen's new method. In her paper, Petersen states, "The power of this system is its simplicity and versatility: it can predict crop yields anywhere in the world on any crop type, and it is practically free." This approach has gained international consideration, leading organizations to use similar approaches in their hunger and poverty prevention initiatives.
Recognition is a Step Toward Implementing These Life Saving Concepts
Petersen has made quite an impression on the science and technology community at her relatively young age. Not only have her ideas been accepted by the community, but she has earned many awards to help her combat global hunger and poverty issues, such as:
In January 2019, Peterson won the Cameron Impact Scholarship. Only 15 high school seniors earn this scholarship each year. It is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship in recognition of outstanding academics, extracurricular activities, leadership and community service. Needless to say, Petersen exceeded all these qualities in her research and models for hunger and poverty prevention.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the Society for Science & the Public announced 40 winners of the Regeneron Science Talent Search in January 2020. This competition focuses on math and science. Peterson was the first-place recipient and received $250,000. "Students like Lillian Petersen are the stewards of our future. The current pandemic has made it clear how important science is to our well-being. With these finalists at the forefront of scientific and engineering discovery, I know we are in good hands. They will be solving the world's most intractable problems," says Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of Society for Science & the Public, publisher of Science News and a 1985 Science Talent Search alumna.
Petersen also won the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes in September 2020. This honor goes to the top 15 students focused on taking positive steps for the greater good. All the winners receive $15,000 as a scholarship or funding for continued work in their prestigious field. Barbara Ann Richman, executive director of the Barron Prize for Young Heroes said of Petersen, "She has the scientific mind, the humanitarian heart and the ability to communicate and bring people on board to her cause."
Part of the Equation for a Bright Future for All
Petersen's passion, analytical abilities, acceptance in the field and award-winning ingenuity have already made huge impacts on hunger and poverty prevention strategies. This is just the beginning as she starts classes as a freshman at Harvard. She is studying math, computer science and molecular biology in genetics. Her emphasis will be on applied math. "I enjoy computer programming and believe that statistical analysis of big data has a unique power to answer socially relevant questions," she states on her website. Her ultimate goal is to save lives and with her contributions, humanitarian organizations will be one step closer to accomplishing hunger and poverty prevention actions.
—Heather Babka
Photo: Flickr
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Apple's 3D Touch technology may be young, but it's already got app developers thinking outside of the box. If you want to use your iPhone 6s as a digital scale, Steady Square is for you. Oh, it's also a game you can play.
Steady Square, developed by Asaf Avidan Antonir, is a simple app that makes use of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus 3D Touch features. In a video (shown above) on Antonir's YouTube channel, however, he explains the real power of the app. With a little basic math, the app can actually be used as a scale for weighing anything you like. Other developers have tried to make a similar app already, but Apple doesn't currently allow scale apps in the iOS App Store. Antonir's clever workaround allowed his app to be accepted, and it's a neat way to weigh mail, ingredients for cooking, and other small things. You can download the app for free at the link below, but it does require a 3D Touch capable device.
Update: Looks like the video has been pulled, but the app is still available to download. If you want to weigh things with the app, head to Training mode. As you push on the screen you'll see a number between 0 and 1,000 appear, depending on how hard you press (the harder you push the higher the number). Start by weighing the spoon or holder first and recording its force number. Then add whatever you want to weigh to the spoon. Subtract the spoon's force number from the new force number, then divide that by 1,000 (to get the new ratio), and finally, multiply it by 385 (the maximum force—in grams—that can be recorded by 3D Touch). You should end up with your item's mass in grams.


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Wheels and Deals: 20 Year Overnight Success
by Jeremy Miller | Apr 1, 2014 | Branding Strategies, Sticky Brands
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are sticky brands.
You can't just go out and "buy" a sticky brand for your business. It takes years, often decades, to build a brand that resonates in your market and brings customers back again-and-again.
"Every overnight successful business was 20 years in the making. We're 34 years in the business, and we're 14 years into the successful part of ours," says Jim Gilbert, CEO of Jim Gilbert's Wheels and Deals.
Jim Gilbert's Wheels and Deals is the largest used car dealership in New Brunswick, and one of the largest in Eastern Canada. They sell over 1,200 "slightly used cars" a year. This is a big number considering the average independent used car dealership sells between 200 to 250 cars a year.
Wheels and Deals has an extremely loyal customer base, and they compete toe-to-toe with the new car dealers.
Measure where you've come from
When you visit Wheels and Deals you'll find a company that has its brand act together:
Clear positioning: "Canada's Huggable Car Dealer."
Defined niche: "Slightly used cars." They specialize in selling cars that are between 6 months to 2 years old, and have between 12,000 to 50,000 kilometers.
Advanced marketing programs: There's a number of programs to list, but a great example is their birthday gift program. They ship over 12,000 custom birthday gifts a year.
Marketers and business owners look at them and think, "I want that." But getting to this place all started with a choice. Jim explains, "For the first 20 years we ran our business like everyone else, and the past 14 we've changed our philosophy and approach to our brand."
Jim Gilbert and his team made a clear choice around 2000 to cut their own path. They focused on a niche, invested in building a brand and created a buying experience that brings customers back repeatedly.
Make one improvement at a time
The development of the Wheels and Deals' brand has been a journey. Every year they look for areas they can enhance, or new programs to implement.
For example the idea of their birthday gift program came from Joe Girard, "The World's Greatest Salesman." One of Girard's famous strategies was to send all of his customers a birthday card every year.
Jim took the idea, and built upon it. Wheels and Deals creates a custom gift every year. They're little keepsakes that delight their customers. The program reached over 12,000 people last year, and it helps reinforce the many relationships they've developed over the years.
The birthday program is just one example. Every year is an opportunity for Wheels and Deals to find and try new ideas like this. It's the accumulation of executing these ideas over 14 years that has propelled their company from an also-ran option to the dominant player in their market.
Focus on what's important, your customer
Wheels and Deals has purposefully grown their brand by focusing on their customers.
Improvement for improvement's sake doesn't grow a sticky brand. It's the improvements your customers recognize and value that elevate your brand.
Never lose sight of what is important, your customers.


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Mt. Ararat Middle School » Our School » General School & Student Information » Arrival & Dismissal
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL SOPs
Buses will pull up to the middle school using the bus lane. Buses will hold students on the bus until 7:30am. No students will be allowed entry into the school until 7:30am for supervision purposes. Buses will release students one bus at a time, in order to stagger entrance into the building. All students must wear masks and maintain social-distancing as they enter the building.
Parent Transportation
Parents will park to drop off students at the front entrance using the drop-off lane (see description below). No students will be allowed entry into the school until 7:30am for supervision purposes. Students arriving after 7:50am must report to the Main Office and will be marked tardy. All students must wear masks and maintain social-distancing as they enter the building.
Drop off lane procedure: Turn left onto Republic Ave Immediately, turn right into the front parking lot Drive through the front parking lot Turn left out of the front parking lot into the drop off lane (along the sidewalk).
Please pull ahead as far as possible in the drop off lane to help expedite this process. Follow the cars out of the drop off lane. Do not pass other vehicles.
If you'd like more time, please park in the front parking lot. If other arrangements are necessary, please reach out to Ms. Hayes-Teague or Mrs. Phillips.
Walkers will enter using the main entrance. No students will be allowed entry into the school until 7:30am for supervision purposes. All students must wear masks and maintain social-distancing as they enter the building.
If you arrive at school after 7:50am, you report to the Main Office to sign in and get a pass to class. All students must wear masks and maintain social-distancing as they enter the building.
DISMISSAL Bus Transportation
Buses will line up at the middle school using the bus lane. Students will be dismissed to their buses via bus numbers over the intercom. All students must wear masks and maintain social-distancing as they transition from the school to the bus. Dismissal to buses will begin at 2:05pm.
Parent Transportation & Walkers Parent pick-ups will begin following bus departure, starting at 2:20pm. Parents can park in any parking lot (front, north, or south). We encourage parents and their students to pre-discuss where the parent plans to park to limit confusion at pick up. Due to the limiting of visitors inside our building, we will not be able to have parents wait for students in the main lobby this year. Students will be dismissed from their team areas by advisor group to either their parents or to walk home.
BICYCLE POLICY
Students who ride their bikes to school are expected to follow basic bicycle rules of the road. All bikes must be locked in the bike racks located near the front entrance of the school. Given the large amount of bus and car traffic entering the school grounds each morning, students are requested to walk their bikes on the sidewalk areas once they turn on to school property. They may, however, elect to ride their bikes around the back area of the school. All bike riders are expected to wait in their team gathering areas at the end of school day until all busses have cleared school grounds at 2:20 p.m. These same rules apply to students who rollerblade or skateboard to school. The school bears no responsibility for lost or damaged bikes (blades or boards).
END OF DAY POLICIES
Students, with the exception of regular walkers and area bike riders, are expected to have a note from their parent or guardian indicating they will not be riding their regular bus home. We have had an increasing number of instances where a parent wants to give permission over the phone for their student's social arrangements after school. Unless a child arrives with a written note and gives it to the Main Office before the end of first period, we will not allow any changes to the usual routine. A staff member in the Main Office must sign these notes. Should there be a family emergency necessitating a change in plans, please contact the Main Office at 729-2950.
Students with written parental permission are allowed to stay after school for legitimate educational reasons such as to receive academic help or to participate an athletic team or school club. Students who do not have written parental permission to stay or do not have educational reasons for staying after school will not be allowed to ride the late bus and will be instructed to call their parents to pick them up.
Students wanting to attend athletic events as a spectator must go home after school and return at the actual starting time of the event under adult supervision.
AFTER SCHOOL LATE BUS
Availability for the late bus may change due to restrictions related to the pandemic. Please see team and school communications, or cal transportation services, for the most up-to-date information.
A late bus will be provided Monday through Thursday for students who are involved with after-school activities or extra-help sessions. The late bus will leave the middle school promptly at 4:20 p.m. In order to ride the late bus, students must get a late bus pass from the adult in charge of their activity. Students will be dropped off at selected drop off points in each town. Drop off points may be several miles from a student's actual home. Parents should contact the MSAD #75 Transportation Department at 729-1608 if they are unsure of the nearest drop off location.


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Image Credit: Mallet and Chinese flag image via Shutterstock
China's Legal Reform: A Balancing Act
China has plans for another wave of legal reforms, but no plans to give up Party control.
By Shannon Tiezzi for The Diplomat
Reuters, citing "scholars with knowledge of the situation," reported this week that China's government plans to reduce the Communist Party's Political and Legal Committee's ability to intervene in typical legal cases. The committee would still have authority to shape verdicts in sensitive cases, such as last year's trial of former party official Bo Xilai. According to Reuters, the decision has been announced in internal meetings, although it has not yet been made public. Legal scholars interviewed by Reuters said that, for example, judges would no longer be able to "coordinate" with police, prosecutors, and CPC officials to pre-determine verdicts.
The decision would be in line with Xi Jinping's previous statements on legal reforms. At a speech in January, Xi highlighted the need for "the establishment of an impartial and authoritative socialist judicial system." As I wrote then, Xi's speech underscored his twin goals for China's legal system. Xi wants to create a more smoothly functioning, trustworthy system that will legitimize the rule of law in China. But he also wants to keep the legal system, from lawyers to judges, firmly under Party control—thus Xi's ideal is a "socialist judicial system." It's unclear whether Xi can achieve both of these goals—"an impartial and authoritative" legal system that is still ultimately loyal to the Party, not the law—but he's determined to try.
The reforms mentioned in Reuters' report would be in a step in that direction. The government would effectively give up the ability to intervene in all but the most sensitive cases, in theory removing external interference from the vast majority of court cases. How this would work in practice—for example, who would get to decide which cases are "sensitive" and which aren't—is still unclear.
Though the specifics have not been confirmed, the general sense of the reported reforms is in line with statements to the press by Zhou Qiang, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, as part of this year's National People's Congress session. Zhou noted that "some courts were not efficient and delivered wrong verdicts." He announced that in 2013, 381 judges and court staff had been "caught misusing their power," by accepting bribes or other disciplinary violations. Zhou promised that China will "work hard" to solve problems with the judicial system. He listed potential areas for reform such as "reducing the government's influence on jurisdiction, improving transparency of trials and exploring a way to set up a jurisdiction system of courts that is not completely based on administrative divisions."
An article in Xinhua also championed the notion of judicial reform. The article suggested that the rule of law would be a critical tool for the CPC to use in all of its reform efforts. "In the 1980s many reforms were adopted without proper legal arrangements, but times have changed," the piece stated. Now, China plans to pass legislation for each of its reform packages, from the economic to the environmental sphere. According to Zhao Bingzhi, the head of Beijing Normal University's law school, "Emphasizing the guiding and guaranteeing role of the rule of law in reform shows the CPC's commitment to the rule of law. It is an important part of the CPC's initiative to build a modern government." The Xinhua article suggests that, rather than being part of Xi's reform package, legal reforms should be seen as a prerequisite. Xi intends to codify his reforms in the law, and then use the legal system to enforce them—which will require Xi's vision of a strong yet Party-controlled system to come to fruition.
However, firming up the "rule of law" in China will be easier said than done. First, as noted China law expert Jerome Cohen told Reuters, Zhou Qiang is "not all-powerful, and whatever he says doesn't necessarily take place at the local level." Corruption among local judges especially continues to be a problem. Meanwhile, Party officials previously allowed to freely intervene in court cases will be reluctant to give up this sort of power.
Even if the reforms that Xi and Zhou have spoken about are implemented flawlessly, China still faces a larger question: how "impartial and authoritative" can a legal system be when it is firmly under Party control? In order words, can China establish a reputation as a country under the "rule of law" when the Party, as its discretion, reserves the right to interfere in cases? As with Xi's general attempts to restructure the Party and clean up corruption, the efficacy of legal reforms hinges on the question of how far Xi is willing to go, and whether that will be enough to result in lasting change.
China judicial reform
China legal system
China rule of law
Zhou Qiang
Could China's 'Rule of Law' Lead to Constitutionalism?
Official proclamations about the Fourth Plenum include intriguing references to limiting political power.
Xi: China Must Never Adopt Constitutionalism, Separation of Powers, or Judicial IndependenceChina's Master Plan for Remaking Its Courts4 Things We Learned from China's 4th PlenumZhou Yongkang and the Rule of Law With Chinese CharacteristicsMeng Hongwei and the Rule of Law With Chinese Characteristics


Sheet masks have recently become more common in my skin care routine. I like to mix things up and try new masks regularly, and sheet masks are the perfect way to do that without buying jars of a formula you don't know if you love yet. Plus, I do feel like I end up getting more of the mask sinking into my skin with a sheet mask, since the top layer doesn't dry out while wearing it.
So as fall approaches and the weather is about to do a number on my skin, I've got a few of my favorite sheet masks on hand for some TLC and weekly pampering.
This is probably my absolute favorite drugstore sheet mask, because I can feel a difference instantly after letting it sit on my skin just once. It's made with multi-vitamins and aloe, with a cooling effect to help reduce puffiness while delivering a major boost of hydration. After using this mask, I can tell that my redness is greatly reduced, my skin looks and feels calmer and looks super glowy.
Purified water, aloe and hyaluronic acid make this sheet mask perfect for a quick but powerful moisturizing pick-me-up. Cruelty free and vegan, this feels great both before bed or in the morning to combat a dull and dry appearance. It leaves a layer of serum once you've taken it off that you can rub in to maximize the benefits. The sheet itself is very thin and flexible to ensure a comfortable fit that won't slip!
Ya'll know that I struggle from acne, so purifying masks are my jam when I'm feeling a bit clogged up. The charcoal and algae extract in the formula draws out impurities clogging the pores, and there's more than half a bottle of hydrating serum in one face mask. It's free from mineral oil and non-greasy with a lightweight feel great for all skin types. In 15 minutes, you're left with smaller looking pores and a deep cleaned feel with a radiant glow.
If sheet masks often bug you because of how they sit on the face, this might be your new favorite way to enjoy them. The mask is made of hydrogel instead of paper, so it completely contours to your skin and seals in the formula. Plus, it comes in two pieces: one piece that goes from the chin to middle cheek area, and a second piece that goes from the cheekbones to the top of the forehead. This means you get maximum coverage and comfort. This formula is made with Vitamin B3 and is non-comedogenic and really wakes up dull skin after 15-30 minutes on. This mask is great if you are trying to brighten hyperpigmentation and acne scarring, and I can see a difference after using it regularly on my stubborn dark spots. It also helps even skin texture as well as tone.
These masks are specifically for the under-eye region, which often get ignored with traditional sheet masks with the wide cut-outs. The Charocal Hydrogel Under Eye Masks from e.l.f. help detox the skin under the eye to de-puff and detoxify. They brighten the under-eye area so you won't be caught wearing last night's festivities on your face. Perfect for the morning before makeup application, and I've been known to rock them on long flights, too!
What are your favorite sheet masks? Let me know in the comments below! And now, for the best blog posts of last week from The Lipstick League.


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English (Second Language) 4
Language Tests 3
Second Language Learning 3
High Stakes Tests 2
Language Proficiency 2
Test Construction 2
Advisory Committees 1
Attitude Measures 1
Computer Assisted Testing 1
Construct Validity 1
Course Descriptions 1
Culture Fair Tests 1
Difficulty Level 1
Employment Opportunities 1
English for Special Purposes 1
Examiners 1
Assessment in Education:… 1
Journal of Pan-Pacific… 1
Language Assessment Quarterly 1
Language Testing 1
Jin, Yan 4
Fan, Jinsong 1
Hamp-Lyons, Liz 1
Yan, Ming 1
Tests/Questionnaires 1
English (Second Language) X
Jin, Yan X
Computer Literacy and the Construct Validity of a High-Stakes Computer-Based Writing Assessment
Jin, Yan; Yan, Ming – Language Assessment Quarterly, 2017
One major threat to validity in high-stakes testing is construct-irrelevant variance. In this study we explored whether the transition from a paper-and-pencil to a computer-based test mode in a high-stakes test in China, the College English Test, has brought about variance irrelevant to the construct being assessed in this test. Analyses of the…
Descriptors: Writing Tests, Computer Assisted Testing, Computer Literacy, Construct Validity
A New Test for China? Stages in the Development of an Assessment for Professional Purposes
Jin, Yan; Hamp-Lyons, Liz – Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 2015
It is increasingly recognised that attention should be paid to investigating the needs of a new test, especially in contexts where specific purpose language needs might be identified. This article describes the stages involved in establishing the need for a new assessment of English for professional purposes in China. We first investigated…
Descriptors: English for Special Purposes, Foreign Countries, Stakeholders, Attitude Measures
Fundamental Concerns in High-Stakes Language Testing: The Case of the College English Test
Jin, Yan – Journal of Pan-Pacific Association of Applied Linguistics, 2011
The College English Test (CET) is an English language test designed for educational purposes, administered on a very large scale, and used for making high-stakes decisions. This paper discusses the key issues facing the CET during the course of its development in the past two decades. It argues that the most fundamental and critical concerns of…
Descriptors: High Stakes Tests, Language Tests, Measures (Individuals), Graduates
Test for English Majors (TEM) in China
Jin, Yan; Fan, Jinsong – Language Testing, 2011
The purpose of the Test for English Majors (TEM) is to measure the English proficiency of Chinese university undergraduates majoring in English Language and Literature and to examine whether these students meet the required levels of English language abilities as specified in the National College English Teaching Syllabus for English Majors…
Descriptors: Majors (Students), Advisory Committees, Individual Testing, Examiners


After the Rutgers gymnastics team's home opener Jan. 12, when it barely notched a 48.000 overall score on floor exercise, it appeared as though some of the Scarlet Knights may have lost a step as performers.
Through two meets, floor exercise was statistically the Knights' second-worst event. Head coach Louis Levine stressed the team could not continue leaving points on the floor if it expected success going forward.
The Knights have apparently received the message.
As evidenced by its last two meets, Rutgers has quickly rediscovered its knack for historically performing well on the floor. During that time frame, the Knights are averaging a team score of 48.725 on floor exercise, by far their best event of late.
As a core event that helped the Knights achieve their highest score at the EAGL Championships in program history last season, Rutgers made regaining its confidence on the floor a point of emphasis.
Senior Danielle D'Elia has led the team on floor as the only Knight to eclipse 9.800 score performances in back-to-back meets.
She said it is an event that Rutgers strongly enjoys performing.
At Penn State on Saturday, the team's season-high floor exercise score of 48.850 put them in prime position to upset EAGL foe No. 22 Pittsburgh.
But a season-worst score of 47.825 on balance beam to end the meet crushed any hope of that.


Originally from Bath, Jonathan graduated from Sivananda yoga in 2002.
He has a creative background in performance, singing and song-writing and is currently teaching yoga to children as well as adults on Malta and Gozo.
Over the past 16 years he has run retreats in Italy, France, Greece, Egypt and Turkey.
Please see his commendations page for comments.
He is passionate about helping people relax and focus and the yoga practice that suits them.


Many linear physical and mathematical objects require more than a one dimensional (vector) description. A tensor is a geometric object that, like a vector, exists independent of any coordinate parameterization, although the actual value of its components depend on the parameterization, just like a vector. A tensor is a generalization of the vector concept, and a vector is a specific example of a tensor of rank 1. The rank of a tensor refers to the number of indices it has. The dimension refers to the range of the indices and is determined by the underlying vector space (2 dimensions, 3 dimensions, etc.). If we let n = the dimension and r = the rank, then the number of components in a tensor is equal to n r.
I will give as an example a simple minded physical model of a symmetric sailboat. By symmetric I mean its bow and stern are identical. This model assumes that, due to the viscous medium the boat travels through, its velocity is proportional (read "linear") to the applied force. Due to the design of the hull a sailboat goes forward and backward much more readily than it goes sideways, so the frictional forces are anisotropic. We can express the motion of the sailboat as V = T F where V i are the components of velocity, F j are the components of the applied force and Tij are the components of a tensor representing the hull of the boat in the water. In general the velocity and the applied force are NOT parallel. The relationship between V & F is a two dimensional second rank tensor, T. It embodies the relationship between the boat's resistance to forward and backward motion in relation to its resistance to sideways motion. It is purely a function of the hull design. The motion of the boat couldn't care less what coordinate system we use to calculate or describe its motion.
Another simple example of a second rank tensor is the polarization distribution of incident light. For unpolarized light the intensity will be the same in all directions or circular. As the light gets more and more (linearly) polarized the distribution takes on the shape of an ellipse, and approaches a line as the polarization approaches 100%. Note: do not confuse the above with circularly or elliptically polarized light, which is a different thing altogether.
A tensor can be thought of as a multi-linear machine. You input vectors, or even other tensors, in one side, turn the crank, and out pops a new vector, tensor, or even a scalar on the other side.
An object often associated with tensors is something called the Metric Tensor. The metric tensor specifies the non-orthonormality of the basis vectors. How it varies from point to point more fundamentally defines how the space is curved. For non-orthonormal basis components the issues of "contravariant" and "covariant" and "dual or reciprocal basis" come up.
The components of a tensor are usually specified with respect to the dual or reciprocal basis of the vectors it operates on, unless the metric tensor is included as part of the equation. A tensor can have both contravariant and covariant components. The position of the indices (vertically) denote whether a particular set of components is contravariant or covariant.
One should take note that not all linear machines are tensors. A defining characteristic of a tensor is the way its components transform with a change of basis. In general, when transforming to a new coordinate system (where A is the transformation matrix), one must multiply by A once for each covariant index, and by A-1 once for each contravariant index.
The difference between a rank 2 tensor and a matrix is the difference between a formula and an object! A tensor is a description of a real physical phenomena, object, etc. such as the strain in a rigid solid. Such objects exist independently of any coordinate system.
For an excellent set of examples of real world tensors in the physical sciences (restricted to an orthonormal basis), check out The Feynman Lectures on Physics, vol II, chapter 31. The whole chapter is virtually a list of various tensors, including the polarization tensor of a crystal, the conductivity tensor of a crystal, the Moment of Inertia tensor of an asymmetric solid, the stress tensor of a solid, the strain tensor of a solid, as well as others.