A.R.T. (Aggression Replacement Training) is a research-based approach for working with challenging youth, focused on training adolescents to cope with their aggressive and violent behaviors.
Whittier High School teens that could use help in improving social skills and moral reasoning, better manage anger, and reduce aggressive behavior.
WHY IS A.R.T. BENEFICIAL TO TEENS?
Useful skills that are positive alternatives to a destructive or aggressive response.
Techniques to reduce and manage feelings of anger in anger-provoking situations.
How to better understand viewpoints, other than their own, and develop more mature reasoning abilities.
Three days a week for one hour each group session.
Groups will begin in February.
WHERE WILL THE A.R.T. GROUPS BE HELD?
Free for any/all students with Medi-Cal.


Lisa Kimmel Fisher (born Lisa Kimmel) was Nate Fisher's first wife who was It is implied that she was murdered by her brother-in-law Hoyt, with whom she had . Though the pilot of Six Feet Under famously opens with the sudden death of the head of the Fisher family in a violent car crash, it was, at the end of the day. The following is a list of descriptions for characters on the HBO television series Six Feet Under, Much of this extended storyline is triggered by the death of Nate in the one of the last episodes of the series, "Ecotone". .. Lisa Kimmel Fisher (–), played by Lili Taylor, is Nate's friend from Seattle who becomes.
I'll admit it: I frequently found Lisa Fisher (Lili Taylor) — with her nutty So when she disappeared and was presumed dead, I shrugged it off as. Did she drown herself, murder, accident? I felt they way becuase of the dr. pepper in the car, but the fishers said maybe she just didnt drink dr. Likewise, the men of the Fisher/Sibley family believe that if they venture Since Lisa's death, his guilt-ridden soul abhors any notion that he.
So I finished season 4. Are we suppose to be under the impression that Lisa's brother in law killed her, she committed suicide, or she just. Lisa Kimmel Fisher Series 3, Episode 39, I'm Sorry, I'm Lost. Nate's wife, needing time alone, arranges to visit her sister. When she doesn't. A moment of silence, for we don't have Lisa Kimmel Fisher to fear anymore. and asphyxiating domesticity on HBO's Six Feet Under, is dead. Best Answer: Lisa Kimmel Fisher (), played by the actress The details of Lisa's death are left ambiguous (although murder by Hoyt.


text:
Nobody's Family is Going to Change by Louise Fitzhugh (1975)
By Taylor Jasmine | On | Comments (0)
From the original review in The Lincoln Star by Mary Somerville, February 1975: Publishers have recently come a long way toward liberating children's books … in general, there are more titles with strong female characters.
This does not mean that all books now being published are nonsexist. Far from it. As a matter of fact, nonsexist easily readers are practically unobtainable. But a large number of new picture books, nonfiction, and fiction for older children reflect the craving for human liberation.
Witness Nobody's Family is Going to Change, a 1974 American Library Association Notable Book by Louise Fitzhugh, author of Harriet the Spy.
Emma wants to be a lawyer, Will wants to dance
Protagonist Emma is a tough, bright 11-year-old who wants to become a lawyer like Daddy. Daddy and Mother, upper-middle-class blacks, aren't too keen on the idea, they want Emma to be a wife and Willie her younger brother, to be the lawyer.
Will, on the other hand, wants to be a Broadway dancer, which is anathema to Mom and Dad. Emma's Afro may grow the wrong way (sideways rather than up), but her head is screwed on right.
You might also enjoy: Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
She'll have to grit her teeth and make it on her own
In the final scene, she realizes the truth of the title; if the family won't applaud her career goals, she'll just have to grit her teeth and make it the hard way.
Encomiums for Louise Fitzhugh, who died before this book was published. Harriet the Spy, her first and best, was way ahead of its time; she liberated her characters long before it was fashionable. She also revolutionized children's books with her modern, zany and free-form plots. The best of recent authors … owe her an enormous debt.
Nobody's Family is Going to Change on Amazon
More about Nobody's Family is Going to Change
Reader discussion of Nobody's Family is Going to Change on Goodreads
Nobody's Family is Going to Change as a theme for This American Life on NPR
*This post contains affiliate links. If the product is purchased by linking through this review, Literary Ladies Guide receives a modest commission, which helps maintain our site and helps it to continue growing!
Turning Twelve: Making Room to Grow in The Long Secret by Louise Fitzhugh
Playing Town: Revisiting Louise Fitzhugh's Harriet the Spy
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (1964)
Quotes from Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Comedy, American Style by Jessie Redmon Fauset (1933)
Categories: Book Reviews

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Measuring program outcomes is required for documenting effectiveness of interventions with youths participating in programs funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) initiative. The California CYFAR program provided programming for youths aged 5–8, which necessitated the development of an age-appropriate survey measure. Evaluating younger youths to assess healthful living outcomes is challenging, especially with youths in kindergarten through second grade. This article addresses development and testing of the measure and resultant lessons learned. Recommendations for developing an evaluation survey for younger youths are provided.
We developed, implemented, and evaluated the Food, Fitness, Farming, and Fun (4 Fs) Program to reach underserved youths in two California communities. The program provided intensive engagement for children and adolescents by involving hands-on experiential activities, positive youth development practices, place-based and service learning, innovative technology applications, and youth-adult partnerships to address childhood obesity. The expected learning outcomes were that youths would improve their knowledge and attitudes around nutrition, gardening, and cooking; gain skills needed to act on this knowledge; and improve their physical fitness. The two curricula used focused on nutrition, cooking, gardening, physical activity, and agriculture literacy to enhance youth self-efficacy and increase life skills related to healthful living.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) grant program (the funding entity) uses survey-based methods to evaluate desired participant outcomes. The CYFAR program requires that CYFAR Approved Common Measures be used to assess youth outcomes (Payne & McDonald, 2015); however, these common measures are not designed for youths aged 5–8. This age group composes the bulk of 4 Fs program participants; therefore, we sought an appropriate youth survey. We reviewed youth surveys available on the CYFERNet and national Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program websites and concluded that it was necessary to develop a new youth survey.
To align our survey with program outcomes, we identified four constructs from the 4 Fs program's learning objectives: nutrition, gardening, cooking, and physical activity. We began by creating a four-by-four matrix, with one column for each construct and one row for each of four learning categories (attitude, knowledge, skill, behavior) (e.g., Friedman, 2008). This process allowed us to ensure that we covered each learning objective. We note, however, that only one survey item assessed each construct–learning category intersection and that this circumstance might decrease the validity and reliability of our instrument. We deemed this risk acceptable primarily because of contextual and structural constraints. Asking 5- to 8-year-old youths to respond to more than 16 questions may not have been developmentally appropriate and would have been out of place in the program. Research on measure lengths varies, and there are no definitive guidelines on the ideal length of a survey in terms of number of items or time spent completing the survey. Given the mixed recommendations in the field, we encourage pilot testing measures in the target population to help determine the appropriate length of the measure.
We began to develop items for each cell of the matrix by adapting from existing measures and curricula being used in the 4 Fs program—for example, the CYFAR Approved Common Measures (Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2016a, 2016b), the Eating Healthy from Farm to Fork curriculum evaluation instruments (Hazzard, Heneman, Junge, & Zidenberg-Cherr, 2009), and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program materials (Leavens, Townsend, Donohue, Schneider, & Santiago, 2014; U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, 2015).
Through an iterative and consensus-based process, we narrowed items to one per cell, resulting in a total of 16 items (one each for every construct–learning category intersection; four items per construct and four items per learning category). The items are shown in Table 1.
Attitudes were assessed through the use of a 5-point Likert scale. In place of the traditional response options related to levels of agreement and disagreement, we adapted the Wong-Baker Faces pain rating scale (Wong & Baker, 2000). The saddest face matched to "disagree," and the happiest face matched to "agree"; each of the middle three faces did not have a written anchor.
Knowledge was assessed through questions with multiple-choice response options that appeared in written and graphic form. Youths were asked to circle the correct answer.
Skills were assessed through different item types. For the gardening, cooking, and physical activity questions, youths were asked to circle "No," "Maybe," or "Yes." For the nutrition question, youths were asked to circle the correct answer from multiple-choice response options that appeared in written and graphic form.
Behaviors also were assessed through different item types. For the nutrition question, youths were asked to circle the correct answer from multiple-choice response options that appeared in written and graphic form. For the cooking and gardening questions, youths were asked to circle "No," "Maybe," or "Yes." For the physical activity question, youths were asked to indicate how often they exercised by circling "once a month," "once a week," "2 times a week," or "every day."
Attitude "I like vegetables" "I like gardening" "I like cooking" "I like exercising"
Knowledge "Circle the healthiest drink" "Circle where food comes from" "Circle what a recipe is used for" "Circle what you should do when you exercise"
Skill "Circle what helps you make healthy food choices" "I can grow food to eat" "I can make something to eat with fruits or vegetables all by myself" "I can be active even if it is hot or cold outside"
Behavior "Circle the drink you choose when you are thirsty" "I eat food from the garden" "I helped prepare a meal at home last week" "I exercise"
The survey was administered to 406 youths at two sites over the course of 2 years. The survey was delivered to youths before the program (pretest) and after the program (posttest). Program staff read the questions aloud as youths followed along and responded to each question. The evaluation was approved by the institutional review board at University of California, Davis. Of the youths who responded to demographic questions, 52% were girls, and 69% were in the target age range for the measure (ages 5–8). The remaining 31% were over age 8, did not report their ages, or reported an age that was not feasible (e.g., 0, 3).
After soliciting feedback from program staff, including feedback about strengths and weaknesses of using the measure with youths aged 5–8, we suggest making revisions to the survey to better assess knowledge and behavior change as a result of the program. Table 2 summarizes feedback and suggested modifications to the survey. Survey questions not listed in the table did not have associated feedback.
Survey printed in color The colorful appeal of the survey is especially intriguing for the younger youths. The inclusion of images along with words for response options assists youths in responding. No modification needed.
Use of faces to represent Likert scale The 5-point Likert scale of faces representing "disagree" to "agree" presents too many response options to the youths. Revise survey to use 3-point Likert scale of three faces for appropriate use with younger youths.
Question lengths and overall survey length Questions are too lengthy for younger youths to complete. Identify questions to shorten or combine to reduce the length of the questions asked to improve readability for youths.
Age appropriateness Youths in kindergarten through second grade have some difficulties in responding to questions and with the survey length. Revise the survey for readability and use across a broader age range.
Circle the healthiest drink: Soda, Milk, Coffee, Energy Drink Including "Energy Drink" as an option is beneficial because it is relevant to the demographics of the target audience. No modification needed.
Circle where food comes from: Grocery Store, Park, Farm, Library Youths and program staff administering the survey were confused because both "Grocery Store" and "Farm" are viable options. Clarify question to read "Circle where food is grown or raised" keeping the same four answer selections as options.
I exercise: Once a month, Once a week, 2 times a week, Every day The format of this question differs from that of preceding questions. Youths were confused, and many circled all options. Additionally, "No exercise" is not an option, leaving some youths unable to answer the question appropriately. Adapt question format to mirror format of preceding questions. Include "No exercise" as a response option.
Include images along with words for response options.
Use color throughout the survey.
Use a maximum of three face options to represent a Likert scale.
Use short questions and limit the length of the survey to increase readability for younger youths.
Test the survey instrument and revise questions on the basis of feedback from youths and program staff.
We appreciate the assistance of Shannon Horrillo, Roger Ingram, Debra Mason, and Aleta Barrett. Financial support for the study was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Grant Number 2011-41520-30430). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Hazzard, E., Heneman, K., Junge, S. K., & Zidenberg-Cherr, S. (2009). An evaluation of the 2nd grade Eating Healthy from Farm to Fork curriculum. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 41(4S), P47.
Wong, D. L., & Baker, C. M. (2000). Reference manual for the Wong-Baker Faces pain rating scale. Duarte, GA: City of Hope Pain/Palliative Care Resource Center.


The Late CK Prahalad & Gary Hamels masterpiece from the 90's is still a force to reckon with in the management space for a lot of industries especially technology when it comes to finding unique opportunities for growth. Today's latest innovations seem right out of the pages of this book written a quarter of a century ago when take talk about cloud computing and smart phones becoming virtual necessities for fast-growing markets and how companies should align to use them for their advantage.
The books slashes the argument of dealing with downsizing and lay-off's to retain profitability and asks probing questions on why successful companies become giant tortoises even with all the wealth and power while small nimble firms run away with the pie!
A must read for business managers looking to avoid making colossal blunders.


Although Vietnam and Myanmar share no border, they are still the most popular destinations for tourists to Southeast Asia who desire for hidden nature adventure and famous historic heritages. The long distance between the two countries leaves tourists only one available choice to transfer from one to another - by flight from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi to Yangon or vice versa. There are respectively 1 daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Yangon and 1 weekly flights.
In Vietnam, take some walk along the wooded boulevards among lakes in Hanoi, experience hilltribe culture, and discover stunning scenery and friendly people in mysterious Sapa, soak up the old-world charm of Hoi An, step back into the world of the country's last emperors in Hue, be awed by the endless energy of Ho Chi Minh City and cruise through dramatic karst scenery on a boat tour of Halong Bay. In Myanmar, visit the awesome pagodas in Yangon, the ancient temples in Bagan, cruise on the magical Inle Lake and the cultural centre of Mandalay in Myanmar.
Our Vietnam and Myanmar tours below are all independent and fully tailored by our travel experts, ensuring all the smallest details are taken care of. Besides, you can also customize your own trip by telling us your ideas, and we'll take care of the rest for you.


Join us for the Lady Gaga concert at Fenway Park on Saturday, September 2nd, 2017. Your package includes round trip transportation. You are responsible for you own concert tickets . The buses will depart from Cabelas in Scarborough, next to the Portland Pie Restaurant, at 2:00 PM for the 6:30 PM show. If you need concert tickets, please give us a call at 207-787-3184.
Copyright © 2016-2019 Our Tickets & Tours. All rights reserved.


text:
Q: Solving a java program with big input size in Top coder I'm solving a problem from SRM 144 DIV 1 in java. My code work with all the test cases but there is a test case with value "12221112222221112221111111112221111"
now i know that this exceeds limit of any data type in java.
Now is there is a way to solve this.
Here is the sample of my code.
public class BinaryCode{
public String[] decode(String message){
    int mess = Integer.parseInt(message);
    int encmess[] = new int[message.length()];
    for(int i = message.length()-1;i>=0;i--){
        encmess[i] = mess%10;
        mess = mess/10;
    }
    int[] decmess1 = new int[message.length()];
    int[] decmess2 = new int[message.length()];
    decmess1[0] = 0;
    decmess2[0] = 1;
    String mess1 = "";
    String mess2 = "";

    for(int i = 1;i<decmess1.length;i++){
        if(i == 1){
            decmess1[i] = encmess[i-1] - decmess1[i-1];
        }
        else{
            decmess1[i] = encmess[i-1] - decmess1[i-1] - decmess1[i-2];
        }
        if(decmess1[i]>1||decmess1[i]<0){
            mess1 = "NONE";
            break;
        }
    }
    for(int i = 1;i<decmess2.length;i++){
        if(i == 1){
            decmess2[i] = encmess[i-1] - decmess2[i-1];
        }
        else{
            decmess2[i] = encmess[i-1] - decmess2[i-1] - decmess2[i-2];
        }
        if(decmess2[i]>1||decmess2[i]<0){
            mess2 = "NONE";
            break;
        }
    }
    int num1 = 0;
    int num2 = 0;
    if(!mess1.equals("NONE")){
        for(int i = 0;i<decmess2.length;i++){

                num1 = num1*10 + decmess1[i];

        }
    }
    if(!mess2.equals("NONE")){
        for(int i = 0;i<decmess2.length;i++){

            num2 = num2*10 + decmess2[i];
        }
    }
    if(!mess1.equals("NONE"))
        mess1 = "0"+Integer.toString(num1);
    if(!mess2.equals("NONE"))
        mess2 = Integer.toString(num2);

    String[] result = {mess1,mess2};
    return result;
}

}

A: You could use BigInteger instead of int
Try something like that
BigInteger mess = new BigInteger(message);

A: BigInteger has arbitrary-precision. Your existing method could be altered to something like
public static String[] decode(String message) {
    BigInteger TEN = BigInteger.valueOf(10);
    BigInteger mess = new BigInteger(message);
    BigInteger encmess[] = new BigInteger[message.length()];
    for (int i = message.length() - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
        encmess[i] = mess.mod(TEN);
        mess = mess.divide(TEN);
    }
    BigInteger[] decmess1 = new BigInteger[message.length()];
    BigInteger[] decmess2 = new BigInteger[message.length()];
    decmess1[0] = BigInteger.ZERO;
    decmess2[0] = BigInteger.ONE;
    String mess1 = "";
    String mess2 = "";

    for (int i = 1; i < decmess1.length; i++) {
        if (i == 1) {
            decmess1[i] = encmess[i - 1].subtract(decmess1[i - 1]);
        } else {
            decmess1[i] = encmess[i - 1].subtract(decmess1[i - 1])//
                    .subtract(decmess1[i - 2]);
        }
        if (decmess1[i].compareTo(BigInteger.ONE) > 0 //
                || decmess1[i].compareTo(BigInteger.ZERO) < 0) {
            mess1 = "NONE";
            break;
        }
    }
    for (int i = 1; i < decmess2.length; i++) {
        if (i == 1) {
            decmess2[i] = encmess[i - 1].subtract(decmess2[i - 1]);
        } else {
            decmess2[i] = encmess[i - 1].subtract(decmess2[i - 1])//
                    .subtract(decmess2[i - 2]);
        }
        if (decmess2[i].compareTo(BigInteger.ONE) > 0 //
                || decmess2[i].compareTo(BigInteger.ZERO) < 0) {
            mess2 = "NONE";
            break;
        }
    }
    BigInteger num1 = BigInteger.ZERO, num2 = BigInteger.ZERO;
    if (!mess1.equals("NONE")) {
        for (int i = 0; i < decmess2.length; i++) {
            num1 = num1.multiply(TEN).add(decmess1[i]);
        }
    }
    if (!mess2.equals("NONE")) {
        for (int i = 0; i < decmess2.length; i++) {
            num2 = num2.multiply(TEN).add(decmess2[i]);
        }
    }
    if (!mess1.equals("NONE"))
        mess1 = "0" + num1.toString();
    if (!mess2.equals("NONE"))
        mess2 = num2.toString();

    String[] result = { mess1, mess2 };
    return result;
}

Then you could call it like
public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println(Arrays.toString(decode("12221112222221112221111111112221111")));
}

And I get
[01101001101101001101001001001101001, 10110010110110010110010010010110010]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Catastrophic Theatre resurfaces Eugene Ionesco's 1959 anti-fascist comedy.
THE LAST TIME TAMARIE COOPER, Catastrophic Theatre's associate director, directed Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros, it was 2003, and it was for another company. Fourteen years on, she's getting ready to open the show this week, and it's a whole different experience.
"The more life we live, the more we bring to the table," she says about re-visiting the play. "As a director, I just have more insight and awareness for this now." She's also more aware of how she wanted to pace the show, picking it up a notch to move the action along.
Catastrophic has made its mark on Houston over the last decade by pushing the envelope, and mounting plays that echo the company's mission to showcase the edgy and avant-garde. Within that framework, Cooper says the group has always presented an avant-garde classic each season, so this 1959 staple is well in the company's wheelhouse.
Ionesco wrote the play as a response to the creeping fascism and Nazism he witnessed before, during and after World War II. It's the story of a town whose citizens slowly turn into rhinoceroses one by one. The only person who appears to be immune to this strange metamorphosis is Berenger, whose resistance to and obsession for the creatures puts him at odds with his fellow townsmen. Central to the play's themes is how one stands apart or how one eventually gives in to the herd. Sound familiar?
All of that might sound like a super heavy night of politics, but both Cooper and Sandel say the play is very funny.
Thru Dec. 10. Tickets pay-what-you can ($35 suggested). MATCH, 3400 Main St. 713-521-4533. More info and tickets at matchouston.org.


I've been following this site for some time and have decided to join in the fun.
This is my recently completed Airfix Stuka. A great all around kit. Good detail and fit, nice decals , easy to follow instructions and reasonably priced.
Painted with Model Master acrylics, PE seat belts, antenna wire made from… nothing. Oops , I forgot to put it on!
Dave, first let me welcome you to iModeler, I'm sure you'll enjoy posting as much as commenting other people's models. This site has a lot of friendly and talented folks so we all learn something new at the end of the day.
Pedro, I enjoyed building the kit. I thought the cockpit detail a bit sparse. Controls surfaces are separate and can be positioned. Parts fit was good. No filler was needed.The kit comes with a nicely detailed engine which I chose not to use. Getting the closed cowling parts to fit was a bit tricky. I think the kit was designed to have the cowling parts off to show the engine. The decals are thin and settled into the engraved panel lines with Micro-Sol.
Welcome Dave, that is a very impressive Stuka! It looks very 'hard-edged' in the Condor Legion colours. Great job, can't wait for the next one!
Nice early Stuka! Welcome to the site.
Welcome aboard !!! Your Stuka looks great…….. you normally don't see them in the Legion Condor markings. I'll bet the new Airfix Ju-87's are great kits.
Thank you Louis. The Legion Condor marking caught my eye too.
Let me add my compliments to your build AND my "welcome aboard" as well.
Dave, Welcome to imodeler, and thanks for sharing your very nice looking Stuka. I like it a lot !
Welcome to the asylum (as we inmates like to call It). I think you'll find this a great place to share your craft.
Great work on this build. Look forward to your future posts.
It's only an asylum when looking from the outside. Makes sense to us who are inside the world of modeling.
Dave, awesome build! Great finish and perfect assembly. Your paint job is perfect. It is a lot of fun to post your work here and talk about it. I enjoy posting as much as I enjoy making the models. Actually the motivation to post and write about my experience pushes me to make more models to post about…LOL. I welcome you to the posting community. Lets see some more really soon!
Thanks Paul. I am already looking through my stash for the Nose Art group build.
Beautiful work on that kit – it's a real honey, the best Stuka kit out there IMHO. Welcome aboard!
Yup , I liked the Airfix kit too. I think they did a very good job.
One great-looking Stuka Dave! And welcome aboard – it's a great community.
Welcome onboard at iModeler. Nice to see a Ju 87 in the Spanish markings, these would be my favorite, too. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Martin for creating this wonderful site.
Welcome to iModeler, Dave! Love the Stuka – especially in the Condor Legion livery!
Thank you Jeff. It was the Condor Legion markings that made me buy this kit. I was looking for something different.


text:
Home page/ About Motorsport / History of motorsport excellence
A legacy we are continuing to build
The history of Ricardo's involvement in motorsport is rich and varied, spanning eight decades and involving varied racing disciplines and technologies.
As early as the 1920s, our founder, Sir Harry Ricardo, was involved in the application of internal combustion engine technology for motorsport. Sir Harry designed the three-litre engines used by Vauxhall racing cars in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy in 1922. The first major accolade came in 1936, when Ricardo developed a diesel variant of the Rolls Royce V12 kestrel engine and helped 'Flying Spray' set a new diesel speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats – 159 mph – a record that would stand until 1950. Half a century later, Ricardo would return to Bonneville with another car – the JCB Dieselmax – to snatch the diesel record back once more, at over 350 mph.
We also undertook pioneering work with Wifredo Ricart (Alfa Corse, under the leadership of Enzo Ferrari) in the 1930s, collaborating on the design of the Alfa Romeo Tipo 162 three-litre V16 supercharged engine. The engine was designed to challenge the all-conquering German racing teams of Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union.
In the early 1960s, one of the original founders of what would become our renowned driveline and transmissions capability, Harry Ferguson, developed a Formula-1 car to prove the feasible high-performance application of four-wheel-drive technology. The resulting P99 was driven to a single Formula-1 win in 1961 by Stirling Moss. The principles went into further development and were later applied to an innovative luxury coupé – the 1966 Jensen FF – the first ever four-wheel-drive road car, and the first to feature ABS.
In the 1970s, we continued to pioneer the advancement of high-performance four-wheel-drive applications, with the invention of the viscous coupling. This was widely used on a range of production and motorsport applications, most notably in several Group-B rally cars in the 1980s.
In the early 1990s, Ricardo provided key analytical support to Formula-1 and sportscar engine manufacturers on advanced valve-train and crank-train dynamics.
In the mid 1990s, the company was a key supplier to Ford during their dominance with the Ford Escort of the rallying world, whilst also developing transmissions for the Jaguar XJ220 and McLaren Formula-1 road car.
Ricardo's presence at Le Mans and World Endurance Cars came to the fore in the late 1990s and early 2000s, by supplying transmission technology for the dominant Audi R8 during its multiple wins. Our presence continued into the diesel era, with the design, development and supply of a truly unique transaxle to the Peugeot 908HDi FAP.
During the early 2000s, Formula-1 teams, including Benetton and Renault, were actively using Ricardo's transmission modelling and dynamic simulation software to develop launch strategies and gearshift simulations. Ricardo also worked in conjunction with EEMS on pioneering fuel-flow meters (FFMs) for the British Touring Car Championship, the output of which influences today's Formula-1 FFMs.
In the mid 2000s, Ricardo's presence in Japan was cemented with the Japanese GT series mandating the use of a Ricardo transmission due to significant improvement in performance and reliability, reducing cost per mile for the teams. Substantial R&D work was also undertaken with helium trace technology, to understand and model air and fuel flow for the development of V10 engines for Formula 1.
From 2003 to 2006, Ricardo designed, developed and delivered the highly innovative Petronas World Superbike engine, dramatically increasing performance and reliability, while in 2006 it contributed to the development of the world's fastest diesel engine for JCB, the Dieselmax.
Between 2007 and 2010, Ricardo supplied technical consulting and advice to various regulating bodies regarding the future direction of motorsport technical regulations, culminating in the Global Race Engine concept.
Ricardo continues its legacy today with the supply of transmissions for the Porsche Cup Series, the longest-running, largest and most successful series in motorsport. Our teams continue to deliver product and engineering solutions in GT3, singleseater, rally, and endurance racing, and furnishing Formula 1 with over 40,000 components over the past 10 years.


text:
\section{Introduction}

Recent interest~\cite{BPreview,BPreview1} to black phosphorus (BP) is mostly due to  general attention to two-dimensional materials. The bulk BP is a layered semiconductor, so few- and monolayer samples (phosphorene) can be exfoliated by standard techniques.  Because of the band gap values,  BP covers the energy interval between graphene and transition metal dechalcogenides.  The bulk material is characterized by 0.3~eV band gap~\cite{BPbulk,BPbulk2}, which can be significantly increased (up to 2~eV) in monolayer structures~\cite{BP1,BP2,BP3}.  BP is expected to have potential applications in the fields of flexible electronics~\cite{BPr1,BPr2}, gas sensing~\cite{BPr3}, photodetection~\cite{BPr4,BPr5}, catalysis~\cite{BPr6,BPr7}, imaging~\cite{BPr8}, plasmonics~\cite{BPr9}.

A unique property of phosphorene is high tunability of the band gap by strain~\cite{strain1,strain2} and perpendicular electric field~\cite{field1,field2}. In the latter case, the band gap increases due to  the Stark effect for positive fields, whereas in the negative fields the band gap disappears~\cite{2Dfield}. This band gap reconstruction leads to the semiconductor-to-semimetal and semiconductor-to-metal phase transitions, the critical field values can be estimated~\cite{Ecrit2D} as 0.15-0.17 V/\AA.

Doping  can significantly affect phosphorene properties~\cite{BPr13,BPr14,BPr15,BPr16,BPr17}. On the other hand, BP monolayers are known to be unstable under ambient conditions~\cite{ambient,doping}. The exfoliation methods exhibit low efficiency, especially for heterostructures with boron nitride~\cite{hBn}, so phosphorene is obviously not suitable for industrial use. For this reason, there is significant interest to bulk and surface properties of three-dimensional BP crystals.  Band gap reconstruction has been also predicted theoretically for bulk BP, the gap disappears at  $\approx$2\% compressive strain values~\cite{strainBulk} or  $\approx$0.34~V/\AA  ~perpendicular electric fields~\cite{katsnelson1,katsnelson2}. This electric field is too strong for experimental realization in the bulk of a thick sample, however, it can be obtained at the BP crystal surface. For example, deposition of potassium atoms on the surface of single-crystalline black phosphorus modulates~\cite{field_bulk_exp1,field_bulk_exp2} the band gap in the wide range of 0.0-0.6 eV.  The mechanism of this band reconstruction has been identified as the giant Stark effect~\cite{2Dfield} due to strong vertical electric fields induced by potassium atoms~\cite{field_bulk_exp1,field_bulk_exp2}. Even band inversion can be achieved for surface deposition of K, Rb or Cs atoms~\cite{inversion1,inversion2}.

Significant electric fields are also achievable at the interface between a BP crystal and a metallic electrode: all the applied voltage imbalance should drop at the interface due to the electric field screening by bulk BP carriers~\cite{screening}. The metallic electrode can also protect the BP surface from oxidation, which significantly simplifies the requirements to the experimental setup. Usually, investigations of the semiconductor/metal interface provide significant information about semiconductor surface spectrum~\cite{schottky,ingasb}

On the other hand, the bulk p-type BP conductance is known~\cite{bulk} to be caused by vacancies in the BP lattice~\cite{vacancies1,vacancies2}. Because of low BP melting temperature, one can expect significant vacancy migration at high current densities. The corresponding change of the interface resistance can be used for resistive memory development, which is extremely important nowadays~\cite{mem1,mem2}.

Here, we experimentally investigate charge transport through the interface between a gold electrode and a black phosphorus single crystal. The experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves are characterized by well developed zero-bias conductance peak and two strongly different branches. We  find that two branches of asymmetric $dI/dV(V)$ curves  correspond to different band gap limits, which is consistent with the theoretically predicted band gap reconstruction at the surface of black phosphorus under electric field. This conclusion is confirmed by experimental comparison  with the symmetric curves for  narrow-gap (WTe$_2$) and wide-gap (GaSe) metal-semiconductor structures.  In addition, we demonstrate p-type dopants redistribution at high bias voltages of different sign, which opens a way to use the interface structures with black phosphorus in resistive memory applications.

\section{Samples and techniques}

\begin{figure}[t]
\center{\includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{black1.eps}}
\caption{Optical image of a sample. A black phosphorus flake is transferred on a top of Au leads pattern. The leads are of 10,10,20,40 $\mu$m widths, respectively, they are separated by 5~$\mu$m intervals. AFM image of the flake edge is demonstrated in the inset. For correct measurements of low-conductive samples,  voltage  $V$ is directly applied between two neighbor contacts. The applied voltage is modulated by a small ac component, a lock-in measures the ac component of the current $I$, which is proportional to the differential conductivity $dI/dV$. Two Au-BP interfaces are necessary different due to the non-perfect alignment in flake deposition and different widths of  Au leads, so the experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves mostly reflect a single, the most resistive gold-semiconductor interface~\cite{schottky}.
}
\label{sample}
\end{figure}

The BP single crystals were synthesized by the gas-transport reaction method from  red phosphorus using AuSn and SnI$_4$ as mineralization additives in a short way transport reaction ~\cite{synthesis}. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirms an orthorhombic crystalline structure of synthesized crystals (\emph{Cmca} space group, a=4.37, b=3.31, c=10.47 ~\AA). The layered structure of BP crystals makes them suitable for mechanical exfoliation, e.g. with a scotch-tape technique. To avoid sample degradation, rather thick flakes (about 100~$\mu$m size and 1$\mu$m thick) should be chosen, see Fig.~\ref{sample}.

We select the flakes with suitable area and a clean surface, which was verified by an optical microscope. Then, a small flake is transferred to the Au leads pattern, as depicted in Fig.~\ref{sample}. The leads pattern is defined on the insulating SiO$_2$ substrate by a lift-off technique after thermal evaporation of 70~nm Au. The leads are of 10,10,20,40 $\mu$m widths, respectively, they are separated by 5~$\mu$m intervals. The selected black phosphorus  flake is pressed to the leads pattern with another oxidized silicon substrate. A weak pressure is applied with a special metallic frame, which keeps the substrates strictly parallel. This procedure provides electrically stable contacts~\cite{nbwte,cdas,magnon} with high quality interfaces~\cite{inwte,cosnsjc}. For example, it was demonstrated for Cd$_3$As$_2$ crystals, that Au-Cd$_3$As$_2$ interface quality is even higher for this technique  than for contacts directly evaporated on a polished crystal surface~\cite{cdas}.

The same technique is applied to obtain reference samples, where GaSe or WTe$_2$ thick flakes are situated on similar Au leads. GaSe is a wide-gap (2.01~eV) layered p-type semiconductor, which allows direct comparison with the black phosphorus structures. In contrast, WTe$_2$ is a topological semimetal with low bulk resistance due to the band touching in several Weyl points. Synthesis of WTe$_2$ and GaSe single crystals has been described elsewhere~\cite{nbwte,inwte,gase,gase1}.

For correct measurement of low-conductive samples one have to directly define voltage bias $V$ and measure the arising current $I$ in the circuit. Thus, it is impossible to avoid a two-point connection scheme: one of the contacts in Fig.~\ref{sample} is grounded, the applied voltage varies within $\pm$10~V range at the neighbor contact, which corresponds to the maximum current of about 0.1~mA through the sample ($\approx$100~kOhm resistance). To obtain differential conductivity curves $dI/dV(V)$, the applied voltage $V$ is additionally modulated by a small (5-10~mV) ac component at a frequency of 1100 Hz. The ac current component is measured by lock-in, being proportional to differential conductivity $dI/dV$ at a given bias voltage $V$. We verify that the obtained $dI/dV$ value is independent of the modulation frequency in the range 1~kHz--10~kHz, which is determined by the applied filters.  All the measurements are carried out at room temperature, because of known~\cite{BPbulk,BPbulk2,field_bulk_exp1,field_bulk_exp2} 0.3~eV band gap for bulk black phosphorus.

\section{Experimental results}

Fig.~\ref{IV} shows examples of experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves. The curves are strongly asymmetric, they are characterized by well developed zero-bias conductance peak and two strongly different branches. The zero-bias conductance value corresponds to about 150~kOhm sample reesistance. The right (positive) $dI/dV(V)$ branch demonstrates zero differential conductance for biases above 1~V. In contrast, for negative voltages, differential conductance drops in 2.5 times only, so it is obviously finite at any bias values. The left (negative) $dI/dV(V)$ branch is also  non-linear: differential conductance is gradually increasing for higher negative biases.

\begin{figure}[t]
\center{\includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{black2.eps}}
\caption{Examples of experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves for the Au-BP sample. The curves are strongly asymmetric, they are characterized by well developed zero-bias conductance peak and two strongly different branches. There is  visible  hysteresis for the negative (left) $dI/dV(V)$ branch  for two different voltage sweep directions, the hysteresis is accompanied by two distinct zero-bias resistance values.  The observed $dI/dV(V)$ asymmetry is very unusual and specific for black phosphorus. The insets demonstrate experimental curves for the reference Au-GaSe and Au-WTe$_2$ samples, which are wide-gap and zero-gap semiconductors. The curves are symmetric due to the electron-hole symmetry, they reflect the band gap at the interface. }
\label{IV}
\end{figure}

We wish to note, that for resistive samples in a two-point connection scheme, the sample resistance is provided by two semiconductor-gold interfaces and a part of the bulk semiconductor. Since there is no intrinsic asymmetry for the bulk BP material, the observed $dI/dV(V)$ asymmetry  can not be connected with the bulk effects. The  $dI/dV(V)$ asymmetry would also impossible for two strictly equivalent semiconductor-gold interfaces. On the other hand, two Au-BP interfaces are necessary different due to the non-perfect alignment in flake deposition and different widths of  Au leads, see  Fig.~\ref{sample}. Both interfaces are still conducting at zero bias, the applied voltage $V$ drops mostly on the most resistive one.  This non-equivalence is even more important at finite biases in the case of strongly non-linear $dI/dV(V)$ characteristics, like it is presented in Fig.~\ref{IV}.

Thus, the experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves mostly reflect a single, the most resistive gold-semiconductor interface, so the two-point technique is quite appropriate  in this case. The applied  technique is similar to one in Ref.~\onlinecite{schottky}, where it was employed to Schottky and Ohmic contacts investigation in the two-point circuit with contacts of strongly different areas. It is obvious, that for the two-point connection scheme, the sign of the applied voltage, and, therefore, the sign of $dI/dV(V)$ curve asymmetry,  is defined by the choice of the connection leads.

\begin{figure}[t]
\center{\includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{black3.eps}}
\caption{Hysteresis for a wider voltage sweep range, which leads to the larger  $\Delta dI/dV(V=0)\approx 1\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$. The inset demonstrates the relaxation curves $dI/dV(t)$ at  $V=0$ for two high dwelling biases ($\pm$30~V). The final stable $dI/dV(V=0)$ value obviously depends on the sign of dwelling bias,  while the initial $\Delta dI/dV(V=0)\approx 1\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$ is stabilized at $\approx 0.3\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$ value.}
\label{relax}
\end{figure}

The qualitative behavior of the observed $dI/dV(V)$ asymmetry is very unusual. For a standard Ohmic contact, both $dI/dV(V)$ branches are characterized by finite differential conductance. For a  Schottky contact, it should be no current for one of the $I-V$ branches, see, e.g., Ref.~\onlinecite{schottky}. In contrast, zero differential conductance beyond the symmetric zero-bias conductance peak region in Fig.~\ref{IV} indicates current saturation at some significant value, which is not possible both for Ohmic and Schottky contacts. Also, the symmetric zero-bias peak is inconsistent with band-bending induced Schottky barrier.

Since the applied biases are well above the expected 0.3~eV band gap value in Fig.~\ref{IV}, we can expect that the experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves  reflect the band gap behavior at the interface. For conventional semiconductors like GaSe, we could expect symmetric $dI/dV(V)$ curves, as it is demonstrated in the right inset to Fig.~\ref{IV} for a reference Au-GaSe sample. This material is characterized by 2.01~eV band gap and bulk p-type doping~\cite{gase,gase1}, which allows direct comparison with the BP behavior. The maximum number of carriers is still defined by dopants concentration (one can neglect thermally activated carriers for this band gap value), so the current saturates for Fermi level positions above the bottom of the conductance band. This is reflected by zeroing the differential conductance at finite biases, which we indeed observe for GaSe in the inset to Fig.~\ref{IV}. The proposed explanation should be symmetric in respect to the bias sign due to the obvious electron-hole symmetry. In the right inset to Fig.~\ref{IV}, $dI/dV$ is finite within $\pm$1~V range for our  GaSe samples, which well corresponds to the known~\cite{gase,gase1} 2.01~eV band gap.  This experimental observation supports the conclusion that $dI/dV(V)$ curve should  reflect the gap value for a single gold-semiconductor interface.

Due to the electron-hole symmetry, one should also expect  symmetric curves for zero-gap materials, like Weyl semimetal WTe$_2$. In the case of a reference Au-WTe$_2$  sample, the current is applied and the voltage is measured~\cite{nbwte} to obtain $dV/dI(I)$, because of low (much below 100~Ohm) sample resistance. The experimental $dV/dI(I)$ curve is indeed symmetric  in the left inset to Fig.~\ref{IV} for Au-WTe$_2$. The curve is  monotonous, since there is no gap in the WTe$_2$ spectrum. The resistance is diminishing for higher biases, like we obtain for the left  $dI/dV(V)$ branch in the main field of Fig.~\ref{IV} for BP. It seems that two branches of the experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves for black phosphorus resemble two different limits (finite and zero) of the band gap at the interface.

\begin{figure}[t]
\center{\includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{black4.eps}}
\caption{  Maximum device-to-device fluctuations in our experiment.  (a) For the most resistive sample, $dI/dV(V)$ curves are characterized by single zero-bias peak, the branch asymmetry is smaller than for the sample in Figs.~\ref{IV},~\ref{relax}. (b) For the most conducting sample, the symmetric zero-bias conductance peak has a local minimum, the branch asymmetry is much higher. In both the cases, $dI/dV(V)$ curves are qualitatively similar to ones in Fig.~\ref{IV}, they also demonstrate the same $\approx$1~V threshold voltage for the low-conductive branch. The curves are shown for two sweep directions.  Because of the narrow voltage range, the hysteresis is negligible, the curves are well reproducible in different scans, as it is demonstrated by two up and two down scans in (b).
}
\label{IVdiff}
\end{figure}

Fig.~\ref{IV} also presents experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves for two different voltage sweep directions. There is  visible  hysteresis for the negative (left) $dI/dV(V)$ branch in Fig.~\ref{IV}. This hysteresis is accompanied by two distinct zero-bias resistance values, the difference $\Delta dI/dV(V=0)$ is about 0.5$\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$. For the positive branch, zero differential conductance does not depend on the sweep direction. The curves are well reproducible in different voltage scans, both the hysteresis magnitude and the difference $\Delta dI/dV(V=0)$ slightly depend on the voltage sweep rate.

We observe, that $\Delta dI/dV(V=0)$ is increased for a wider voltage sweep range, see Fig.~\ref{relax}. There are also strong instabilities at high negative biases (below -20~V), which are not present for positive ones. We should conclude, that the interface properties are modified by high current values, which are easily achievable for the finite differential conductance branch. It leads to the larger  $\Delta dI/dV(V=0)\approx 1\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$ in Fig.~\ref{relax}.

This conclusion is supported by the relaxation curves $dI/dV(t)$ at zero bias $V=0$ in the inset to Fig.~\ref{relax}. To obtain the $dI/dV(t)$ curves, the sample is kept for about 1 minute  at high dwelling bias ($\pm$30~V). After that,   the initial bias is set to zero and  the differential conductivity $dI/dV(V=0)$ is traced in dependence of time. We do not observe visible relaxation for the positive dwelling bias $+30$~V, while some $dI/dV(t)$ dependence can be seen for the negative $-30$~V one. The final stable $dI/dV(V=0)$ value obviously depends on a sign of dwelling bias in Fig.~\ref{relax}, while the initial $\Delta dI/dV(V=0)\approx 1\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$ is stabilized at the smaller $\approx 0.3\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$ value.

\begin{figure}[t]
\center{\includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{black5.eps}}
\caption{ Hysteresis effects and sample modification by high biases for a different (the forth one) sample. (a) For the narrow voltage sweep range, $dI/dV(V)$ curves are qualitatively similar to ones in Fig.~\ref{IV},~\ref{IVdiff}, they also demonstrate the same 1~V threshold voltage for the low-conductive branch.  The zero-bias $dI/dV(V=0)$ value is independent of the sweep direction. For the two-point connection scheme, the sign of the applied voltage  is defined by the choice of the connection leads. (b) Considerable hysteresis appears for the  $\pm$10~V voltage range, the zero-bias conductance $dI/dV(V=0)$ demonstrates two distinct values for two sweep directions, see the inset. (c) $dI/dV$ instabilities appears for the widest bias range, $dI/dV(V)$ curves are even more symmetric. The difference of zero-bias $dI/dV(V=0)$ values is diminished, see inset. (d-e) Relaxation curves for different dwelling voltages, $\pm$10~V and $\pm$30~V, respectively, which allows to estimate the stability of $dI/dV(V=0)$ and final $\Delta dI/dV(V=0)$ values.
}
\label{IVsecond}
\end{figure}

Figs.~\ref{IVdiff},~\ref{IVsecond} (a)  allow to estimate maximum device-to-device fluctuations in our experiment.   For the most resistive sample ($dI/dV(V=0)\approx 3.5\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$), $dI/dV(V)$ curves are characterized by single zero-bias peak, see Fig.~\ref{IVdiff} (a), the branch asymmetry is smaller than for the sample in Fig.~\ref{IV}. For the most conducting sample in Fig.~\ref{IVdiff} (b), $dI/dV(V=0)\approx 30\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$,  the symmetric zero-bias conductance peak has an additional local minimum. The $dI/dV(V)$ curve still consists from the symmetric zero-bias conductance region and two different branches, one of them is of constant, nearly zero conductance. The other $dI/dV(V)$ branch demonstrates significant differential conductivity, which is increasing at high biases. Thus, we not only observe qualitatively similar $dI/dV(V)$ curves for samples of different resistance, but also demonstrate the same $\approx$1~V threshold voltage for low-conductive branch in Figs.~\ref{IV},~\ref{IVdiff} and \ref{IVsecond} (a).

Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} demonstrates hysteresis effects and sample modification by high biases. For the narrow voltage sweep range in Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} (a), $dI/dV(V)$ curves are similar to ones for the sample from Fig.~\ref{IVdiff} (b). There is only small hysteresis for positive, high-conductive, $dI/dV(V)$ branch, the zero-bias $dI/dV(V=0)\approx 30\cdot$10$^{-6} \Omega^{-1}$ value is independent of the sweep direction. Similarly to the first sample, considerable hysteresis appears for $\pm$10~V voltage scans,  as depicted in Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} (b). The zero-bias $dI/dV(V=0)$ value is of  two distinct values for two sweep directions, see the inset to Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} (b). The stability of these values and final $\Delta dI/dV(V=0)$ can be estimated from the relaxation curves in Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} (d).

The overall $dI/dV(V)$ asymmetry is diminished for the  $\pm$10~V voltage range in Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} (b), it more corresponds to the asymmetry of experimental curves for the first sample, cp.  Figs.~\ref{IV} and~\ref{IVsecond} (b). For higher biases, also in a good correspondence with the first sample behavior, $dI/dV$ instabilities appear, which can be seen in Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} (c). The $dI/dV(V)$ curves are more symmetric in this voltage range, the difference of zero-bias $dI/dV(V=0)$ values is diminished, see the inset to Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} (c) and the relaxation curves in Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} (e).

\section{Discussion}

As a result, we obtain strongly asymmetric $dI/dV(V)$ curves with a developed zero-bias conductance peak for transport through Au-BP interface.  In addition, for high dwelling voltages $V$,  we observe  two stable zero-bias $dI/dV(V=0)$ values, which  are determined by a sign of the initially applied bias.

The second effect can be easily explained by vacancy diffusion at high currents. Indeed, black phosphorus is a p-type semiconductor, due to vacancy centers in the crystal lattice~\cite{bulk}. Black phosphorous decomposition is known  to occur at sufficiently low temperatures, 400 -- 500$^\circ$~C, it  continues until only a thin, amorphous red phosphorous remains~\cite{decomp}. As usual, vacancy diffusion is significant near the melting point, so, one can expect  vacancy redistribution  at the interface in the electric field of flowing current because of Joule heating. The heating effects are significant for the conductive $dI/dV(V)$ branch, while current saturates for the other one. This mechanism  is confirmed by $dI/dV(V)$ modification in  Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} (c), where the symmetric $dI/dV(V)$ curve is restored.

The situation is more complicated with the  observed $dI/dV(V)$ asymmetry for black phosphorous samples. First of all, experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves can not be explained by Schottky effect in Figs.~\ref{IV} and~\ref{IVsecond}. Both for Au-Bp and Au-GaSe samples, we observe symmetric zero-bias conductance peak, which is accompanied by current saturation above some threshold voltage. This is just opposite to that one can expect both for Ohmic and Schottky contacts~\cite{schottky}, as well as for the potential barrier at the interface.

In the case of a wide bias range, $dI/dV(V)$ curve should reflect the band gap as a region of non-zero differential conductance, as it is demonstrated for p-type GaSe sample in the right inset to Fig.~\ref{IV}. We wish to note, that GaSe sample is of similar zero-bias conductance value and is measured in the same two-point technique. In contrast, we observe two strongly different branches in Figs.~\ref{IV} and~\ref{IVsecond} (a). For both Au-BP samples, $dI/dV$ approaches zero value above 1~V, which obviously exceeds the phosphorus bulk band gap 0.3~eV. For the opposite branch, differential conductance is rising with voltage imbalance, as it is known for zero-gap semiconductors, see the left inset to Fig.~\ref{IV}.

Thus, from the comparison with Au-WTe$_2$ and Au-GaSe semiconductor structures, we can conclude that two branches of the experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves for black phosphorus reflect two different limits of the band gap,  the  zero-gap and wide-gap ones, respectively. This conclusion  well corresponds to the predicted~\cite{katsnelson1,katsnelson2} energy gap reconstruction in black phosphorus due to strong vertical electric fields and to the observed~\cite{field_bulk_exp1,field_bulk_exp2} band gap modulation  in the wide range of 0.0-0.6 eV. The band gap value is expected~\cite{2Dfield} to be increased for one field direction to the layers, or it even disappears for the other one due to  the Stark effect.  We should consider 1~mV threshold voltage in Figs.~\ref{IV} and~\ref{IVsecond} (a) as a result of band gap increase in three times from the initial 0.3~eV bulk value. On the other hand, the  band gap is predicted to
disappear at $\approx$0.34~V/\AA ~field strength~\cite{katsnelson1,katsnelson2}, which  can be easily obtained at the interface. Indeed, experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves confirm finite  bulk  conductance for BP. Thus, an external electric field is screened at distances, which are of the order of the interlayer ones~\cite{screening,length}, so, the applied bias produces a voltage drop of the comparable value directly at the Au-BP interface.

Similar voltage drop is also demonstrated in experiments as band bending near the surface~\cite{screening,adatoms}.   A sufficiently strong band bending can even lead to confinement of the conduction band states near the interface~\cite{field_bulk_exp1,inversion2,bending1,bending2}. Band bending could distort our estimation of the gap value, but it can not revise the conclusion on the band gap reconstruction: since bend bending is the result of intrinsic electric field at the interface~\cite{screening,adatoms}, it can only produce $dI/dV(V)$ curves shift in $V$-direction due to the external field compensation.  In contrast, the conductance peak is well-centered at zero bias both for Au-BP and Au-GaSe samples in Figs.~\ref{IV},~\ref{IVdiff}, and~\ref{IVsecond},  so the band bending induced shift is not noticeable for this wide voltage range. On the other hand, it is well known, that confinement of the conduction band states is important for transport along the surface, while band reconstruction is for vertical (normal to the interface) transport~\cite{2DEGtransport}, which we investigate here.

Modification of $dI/dV(V)$ curves by high currents in Fig.~\ref{IVsecond} is an additional argument: the zero-bias peak survives even after treatment of the sample by high currents, which, due to vacancy migration, should diminish electric field (and band bending) at the interface. Thus, the zero-bias conductance is indeed defined by BP doping, while the initial $dI/dV(V)$ asymmetry is connected with electric field.

\section{Conclusion}

In conclusion, we experimentally investigate charge transport through the interface between a gold electrode and a black phosphorus single crystal. The experimental $dI/dV(V)$ curves are characterized by well developed zero-bias conductance peak and two strongly different branches. We  find that two branches of asymmetric $dI/dV(V)$ curves  correspond to different band gap limits, which is consistent with the theoretically predicted band gap reconstruction at the surface of black phosphorus under electric field. This conclusion is confirmed by experimental comparison  with the symmetric curves for  narrow-gap (WTe$_2$) and wide-gap (GaSe) metal-semiconductor structures.  In addition, we observe  two distinct zero-bias $dI/dV(V=0)$ values if the black phosphorus sample is initially subjected to high bias voltages of different sign. The latter effect can be explained by p-type dopants redistribution, it opens a way to use the interface structures with black phosphorus in resistive memory applications.

\section{Acknowledgement}
The authors are grateful to V.T. Dolgopolov and O.O. Shvetsov for fruitful discussions, S.V. Chekmazov, A.M. Ionov  and S.S. Khasanov for STM, XPS and X-ray black phosphorus characterization. We gratefully acknowledge financial support partially by the RFBR  (project No.~19-29-03021),  and RF State task.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
Catherine's Journey – What you see and what you get
In the late 18th Century, Russian ruler Catherine the Great chose to visit the villages of her country to see how the peasants were living. Her first minister, Potemkin, arranged to have façades of fake villages filled with actors constructed along Catherine's route that showed a scenic, peaceful and prosperous country. Actors played the parts of the peasants, and Catherine remained in the confines of her carriage as she travelled through. Potemkin feared that Catherine might react badly if she encountered the despair and poverty that was really being faced by the Russian serfs, and as a result of his actions Catherine saw a healthy, happy nation. The idea of a fake façade built to distort a view became known as a Potemkin Village.
There have been many such illusions created by councils and governments in years since. In his book The New Rulers of The World, journalist John Pilger drew attention to how the council of Sydney had hidden the city's poorer aboriginal communities from the Olympic Committee during the selection process for the 2000 Olympic Games. Similarly, Sue Lloyd-Roberts of the BBC was invited to North Korea to film in 2010, only to be guided around model villages and pre-ordained routes.
Grandeur is an idea formed by what we see
A lot can be said for the idea of creating a fake facade in order to hide a true story. In Catherine The Great's case, the Russian ruler may have changed policies if she had seen the widespread suffering of the Russian poor. Sydney was awarded the 2000 Olympic Games after the committee decided that the city was suitably pristine for their international tournament. Although the facade of North Korea was dissembled by Roberts, very little footage of actual life in North Korea appeared in the documentary of the visit.
Comparatively, in digital landscapes a community of mistrust of web-based façades has gradually surfaced. Initially, the idea of free information online heralded an age of fast, relevant news without inhibition. Yet by the early 2000s sites like Hoax-Slayer had cropped up to debunk misinformation on the internet as much as possible. The information super-highway did not take long to be tainted by the web community's false fronts as much as the analogue world had been tainted by Potemkin Villages.
What developed on the internet was a duality of information. Although people are free to post anything (an example is Morgan Freeman's fake death in 2012), people are also free to fact-check anything. Fact-checking is becoming more and more important to avoid the viral spread of misinformation. For example, the unreliability of Wikipedia is still compounded by false and poorly written entries, although I would contest that it is still an excellent reference point to begin an enquiry.
Iceland – revolutionary but not in revolution
One of the greatest stinkers that I have personally been introduced to was the dreadfully unresearched article Why Iceland Should Be In The News But Is Not, written in 2011. This nonsense piece of anti-journalism bombarded the reader with false claims and fake figures about a political revolution taking place in Iceland that had no grounding in reality. I was living in Iceland at the time of the supposed revolution, and couldn't believe what I was reading when I first discovered this post. The response from readers was key – most either submitted to the false information and thanked the author or attempted to correct her on all of her grievous errors. The Reykjavik Grapevine, probably the most reliable English-language newspaper in Iceland, even went as far as to completely debunk the piece. Most reader's criticisms and the Grapevine were dismissed, but after some time a short apology for mistranslations appeared in the article (this includes mistranslating numbers and percentages). Still the piece remains online, full of errors, and it has circulated on various sites. Although the political activism in Iceland is inspiring, false journalism threatens the perception of this activism by creating smoke and mirrors in front of what is actually a fascinating political development.
What we see should never be regarded as what we get. There is no benefit to false information other than the benefit to those with an agenda who wish for misinformation to spread. What this eventually leads to is either the spread of false information, or a mistrust in people of all information, both of which are socially detrimental.
Finally, it seems important to mention that the story of the Potemkin Villages is widely regarded as a legend. Many historians acknowledge that Potemkin did decorate villages, but that he did not hide this information from his monarch, and that actors were not used. The first known use of the phrase was in 1937 – 150 years after the original story. If the story is not true, then the phrase Potemkin Village becomes a Potemkin Village itself – an untruth inside the façade of a phrase. This in turn makes the first paragraph of this post a possible untruth, and thus calls into question the research of the rest of the piece. Believe it or not.
All images in this post are my own and subject to copyright unless stated. I don't mind reproductions, but please credit them to this blog or contact (contactmoonunderwater@gmail.com) for more information.
Author moonunderwaterPosted on January 3, 2013 Categories travel: culture, viewing: experience, writing: non-fiction, writing: opinion, writing: politicalTags façade, hoax, internet, John Pilger, journalism, Potemkin Village, untrue
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Now that Adobe Flash has virtually disappeared, it seems that we don't have so many opportunities to create interactive content.
Many education organisations used flash to create quiz tools and interactive mini applications that required interaction from the students. Although Flash was targeted as an animation tool, many education products were making use of the interaction components of flash and the ease of publishing.
Interactivity is now delegated to video, audio and clicking links in a menu. Then we have the custom sites with amazing interactivity that let you do maths calculations or any number of amazing drawing and quiz tools. But what if you just want to add something basic to your own content?
Below is a very basic example but it shows that we can add some custom interactivity to the content and make it a little more interactive for students.
Obviously, you don't want to add just 'any' activities, but this gives the students a chance to reflect on what they have learnt and see if they have really paid attention to your video, audio or text content.
1. Star wars is the second best movie series except for episode 1, 2 and 3?
Just my opinion…. There was some dodgy acting in 1,2 and 3, but the rest were awesome.
2. Vegemite and cheese tastes better than peanut butter and jelly?
3. Holden is better than ford?
4. Should we make it harder to become a school teacher in Australia?
Teachers should be highly trained and skilled.
5. Android is better than iOS?
6. Is the weather report the same as gambling?
7. Should all schools use mobile devices in class?
I don't think so, it's sort of not always a good idea. Driver training class or football.
8. Should there be more interactivity in online courses?
Only if the interactivity provides a more useful and stimulating experience that improves learning.
H5P Example of interactive video.
There are so many possibilities that will now work on most browsers and on mobile devices, we just need to start being creative, start experimenting and see what interesting, interactive ideas we can create that will enhance our online courses.
If you are interested in the code for the first activity, let me know below or if you have some ideas you want to try, send me some details and we can have a chat about how we could make your idea work in Moodle.


text:
author: Kumar David
Not The Americans, It's Our Fellows Who Lack Transparency; A Simple Guide To SOFA & ACSA
By Kumar David –
Prof. Kumar David
There's much chest thumping and hair pulling about Sri Lanka signing ACSA in 2007 and now pursuing a SOFA proposal. I am of the view that neither is justified but curious why Mahinda-Gota signed-on and why the Sirisena-Ranil outfit now seeks to enhance it. What these deals include is not widely known and ignorance, the root of trepidation, offers journalists an opportunity to run a good story or bask in much-watched interviews. I will use a three-step approach; first an adumbration of what these agreements with the US include, second my guess for Mahinda-Gota and Sirisena-Ranil involvement (reasons not the same) and finally why they are detrimental to Lanka's interests. The defence pact Sirisena secretly contracted with China in June is also damaging but not examined here.
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements are negotiated on a bilateral basis by the US for use in combined exercises, training, operations, or deployments and allow its forces to obtain food, fuel, transport, ammunition, and equipment, collectively termed logistical supplies. Reimbursement is in cash, or rarely, replacement in kind. The 2007 deal signed by Gota also contains the words "and for unforeseen circumstances or exigencies when one of the parties may have a need of logistic support, supplies, and services". It is now late in the day to raise hackles that a door has been opened for the US to use Sri Lanka as a logistical base if it gets embroiled in a fracas with China or in the Middle East. This is not true; ASCA is not a defence treaty, makes no provision for stationing personnel (no boots on the ground) and permits no host-based military action.
ASCA is all about pricing, reimbursement and dispute resolution. I will not bore you with painful elaboration of obvious detail; the dozen or so pages of every ASCA reads like a commercial contract. ACSA is not a military agreement and can be terminated by either party with 180 days' notice. In any case the 2007 agreement (which followed a scrappy deal signed by the Chandrika government in 1995) ran out in 10 years on March 2017; hence the proposal by Ranil to renew it. It is not clear what amendments were/will be incorporated. The state of play is nebulous; will the 2007 deal be (or has it been) renewed with or without amendment? I can't make it out but it seems it will be replaced by the more significant SOFA. The Diplomatic Editor of the Sunday Times says on 19 May: "While the 2007 ACSA permits US military vessels to anchor in Sri Lanka ports on a one-off basis, the 2017 ACSA appears to be open-ended" (sic!). I cannot find a copy of a 2017 updated ACSA, but Diplomatic Editors no doubt have access to sources not accessible to minor sods like me.
Status of Forces Agreements are more far reaching since they are not confined to purchase of goods and services. They include rules governing boots on the ground – that is US military personnel in a foreign country. In preparation for this piece I examined the SOFA agreements that the US has contracted with the Philippines, Seychelles, Chad, Romania and Surinam before I stopped out of sheer boredom; they are all much the same with small variations to suit each case. SOFA-Japan is more complex because Japan's relationship with the US is historically and militarily complex.
Before outlining the main provisions, I need to point out that SOFA too is not a pact or treaty and does not authorise the entry of American troops into a host country without explicit case by case permission. I can't see where the aforementioned Diplomatic Editor found his "open end"! Philippine SOFA for example in Article VIII, Clause 1 (2), says "Aircraft (vessels) operated by the United States armed forces may enter the Philippines upon approval of the Government of the Philippines". It is palpable that US ground forces cannot be stationed in a host country unless a US base already exists or by specific invitation.
The content of all SOFA contracts is much the same. I am taking material from many to give readers good coverage. The scope spreads over; Entry & Exit, Criminal Jurisdiction, Custody-Access-Confinement-Visitation, Discipline, Security, Tax Exemptions and customs-free Imports. The underlying assumption is that US military personnel can be present in a host country – that is boots on the ground, this is the big difference from ASCA.
Let me keep it as brief as possible. SOFA allows US forces, dependents and associated civilians (non-military staff and contractors) to enter and leave a host country as conveniently as diplomats; US documents will be adequate therefor. In the event of a criminal act the host country will not have jurisdiction, the accused will be handed to US authorities to be tried under US law. Income from US sources will not be liable to personal tax; import of food (and good bourbon no doubt) and personal goods will be free of customs duty. The US military will ensure discipline of its troops but the host country will provide a secure environment. Nothing very exciting; if a host takes the political decision to enter into a 'forces agreement', the rest follows.
A little more worrying is that the host is required to recognise that the U.S. Armed forces will use the radio spectrum free of charge and operate its own telecommunication system. However, the issues that have caused GoSL greatest discomfort and are being renegotiated are the diplomatic-like entry and exit provisions and the exclusion of domestic criminal jurisdiction. Aren't hosts being asked to forego rights of a sovereign state?
Why did our governments sign on?
Both SOFA and ACSA are reciprocal, meaning that if a Sri Lanka naval gunboat drifts across the Pacific it can limp into San Diego naval port and demand first-aid, repair and drinking water. Reciprocity between a monkey and a mouse racing up tree-tops into the canopy! No; there is no way Lanka's armed forces will be in a position to call upon SOFA for logistical support. Then there must be other reasons that motivated Gota in 2007 and Ranil today. It is not difficult to decipher.
Though Ambassador Robert Blake made it plain that the US was not prepared to get involved in the ant-LTTE civil war, the then government realised that there were plenty of intangible and semi-tangible benefits to be had. Militarily, India and America helped locate LTTE arms ships which the navy sank, and I think other useful intelligence was passed on. Broadly the government reckoned, correctly, that having the US on-side would be beneficial in economic, political and IMF related matters. It didn't go as far as Geneva where the US came under intense pressure from international and diaspora human rights lobbies. Overall did it pay off? Well, nothing has been lost by Lanka because to the best of my knowledge the US military did not lay claim to any (or negligible) ACSA services in the ten-year period 2007-2017.
And what about Ranil, what does he want? Like the previous government he hankers to keep on the good side of the US. However, I suspect there is more in the mind of UNP strategists. Lanka is not politically stable now; the President is erratic and unhinged; there may have been a hidden-hand and power grabbers behind the recent chaos; the UNP does not trust the democratic credentials of the opposition or its presidential candidate; the military must not be allowed to get ambitious. Is Ranil thinking, win or lose elections the presence of a restraining shadow-power will be beneficial? It seems a likely line of thought and a few friends I bounced it off replied "Maybe you have a point".
Why am I against ACSA and SOFA?
There is simply not enough good reason to sign on. US military power is cast far and wide across the globe and one cannot foresee in what theatre it may unexpectedly need logistical facilities or hard support. Hence it makes sense for the US to have ACSA or SOFA. It does not cost anything; you pay only when you use it or if you move manpower into a host country. Notwithstanding what Gota saw and Ranil now sees, I believe that in our case the disadvantages outweigh potential benefits. I am too much a realist to be swayed by emotional sovereignty-type nationalist bleating. What sovereignty for a small country buffeted this way and that by great powers except to intelligently balance between them? The tributes on offer are Hambantota cum economic servitude for China, obedience for India and the offer of SOFA for America. Is it common sense or is it triangulated whoredom? The only lasting guarantee of democracy in Sri Lanka is that India remains secular and democratic.
The other danger that some see is that SOFA may be a prologue to unwanted involvement in a regional conflict involving the US, say against China, or an imbroglio in the Middle East. I take this less seriously than my earnest interlocutors. Sino-American war won't happen and a huge explosion in the Middle East is unlikely though skirmishes will erupt out from time to time. In any case the world will be a safer place once the Americans dump Trump.
I don't get hot under the collar about an eight-page version submitted to Cabinet and an 83-page version which Ranil and/or Sirisena are said to be concealing. I am familiar with people crying-wolf; most likely the 75 pages are a bunch of annexures and appendices. All SOFA documents I have looked up are between eight and ten pages. Of course, it goes without saying that this is no excuse for a lack of transparency. The eight pages or the 83 pages, it should all be released to the public. The US puts a lot more stuff on the web.
Sanctimonious Humbuggery On Death Penalty
President Sirisena & the 19th Amendment
k.soysa / July 7, 2019
Only the content of the penultimate para is what is sensitive; at least to me.
"Regional conflict involving the US and say, China….." That is the whole point. If there is a war between the U.S and China, China will definitely use the Hambantota Port and air-port. Thats when the Yanks will be compelled to do whatever it takes to terminate that threat.
So, whether we have ACSA or not, lets hope and pray that there will be no war between these two giants.
Don Stanley / July 7, 2019
KD please read this report on the US Special Operations forces,– the New face of the US war machine.
https://www.mintpressnews.com/u-s-special-operations-the-new-face-of-americas-war-machine/256431/
It seem that after being in denial about Sri Lanka's geostrategic location and US and other big power interests and meddling in the internal political culture of the country, you have has suddenly woken up and become an authority on SOFA!
But The most dangerous of these agreements is the Millennium Challenge Corporation *MCC) plan to land grab – already legislation has been passed that foreign companies listed in the stock market can buy land and this will turn Sri lanka into a land of paupers – Haiti in the Indian ocean.
This MCC project must be stopped at all costs. Sri Lanka does not need MCC even if it payed 400 billion USD!!
$480 is just paltry beyond belief.
Rajeewa Jayaweera / July 7, 2019
Prof. David.
"SOFA allows US forces, dependents and associated civilians (non-military staff and contractors) to enter and leave a host country as conveniently as diplomats; US documents will be adequate therefor."
Diplomats, dependants and officials enter with US Passports (dpl and non-dpl) stamped with visas issued by GoSL Their entry and exit are recorded by Immigration authorities. According to SOFA agreements, US military personnel enter countries with military IDs and not subjected to scrutiny and record keeping by local immigration. Diplomats do not carry arms whereas troops entering under SOFA can bear arms. Therefore how can you equate the two scenarios?
"Most likely, the 75 pages are a bunch of annexures and appendices. All SOFA Agreements I have looked up are between eight and ten pages."
Why would SOFA with SL have annexures and appendices that similar agreements with other countries do not have?
Shamil / July 7, 2019
Have you got a brain?! Have you heard of Diego Garcia CIA black site and military base now green washed into a massive green house gas and carbon emitting Indian Ocean 'marine reserve"! Ha ha ha!
Who is fooling whom in this Miracle of Modayas!
Sri Lanka will be the next Chagos Islands or Haiti, Dis inherited in their own land. Have you hear of Chagos Islands and the CIA black site military base – have you heard of Diego Garcia and how the Chagossians were booted out and gassed by US marines. Why do you think that UNGS voted 116 to 6 that US and UK occupation of Chagos Islands was illegal under international law.
If you have a brain please use it!
Hela / July 7, 2019
With morons like these you can justify selling your own mother……..! Why does Sri Lanka needs American boots on the ground? What does empirical evidence where American boots were allowed on the ground say to us? This is why we call RW a traitor to the nation.
SJ / July 7, 2019
There are many versions of the American Trojan Horse.
ACSA & SOFA are crude versions which when detected cam be opposed by the public or on behalf of national interests.
There are others that operate in the name of democracy, human rights, charity and aid.
Transparency is necessary on any foreign involvement, desirably before it is allowed.
Lasantha Pethiyagoda / July 7, 2019
There are lots of insights in the article. Well articulated too. One thing that is clear from my understanding of US involvement globally, is that they will never be sympathetic to any host that provides them logistical support or territory to operate on. On the contrary, they will set their ugly imprint and exploit the resources with impunity. No SOFA or ACSA etc will be welcome in Sri Lanka.
Piyadasa Yalagala / July 7, 2019
The question of USA that Military presence in our soil are discussed between of War and Peace in
Well that criminal System of USA Imperialism has brought upon the people of the world numerous wars after end of second world War. This a an Unjust wars by USA have caused for People hevery suffering of their lives and properties masses of People of nations. While US policy of an invaded, expansion and grab wealth of other nation natural resources and lost of million people lives have been displaces in internally and world wide as Refugees .
Last decades nature of USA-policies has recognized that 20tah and 21st century as sources of Wars, Chaos, ad Aggressions that came to understating of that. To be defend of Peace,Stability and Sovereignty Rule of democracy is be UNITED by depend on Hands of Sri lankan. By and large an irrespective and regardless their differences political parties, classes, ethnicity and religious as citizens of Sri lankan… an opposed USA military forcefully occupy island. That is why we an opposed between USA and Sri Lanka of that ACSA and SOFA is working towards of surrendering that nation salvation of Sri lanka…. to USA?
Indeed that USA Military troops alternatives use a deceptive policy of Nation PEACE, STABILITY,SECURITY and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT by current regime and a policy of WAR….by USA.
The lives of victims of countries Vietnam, Korean, Cambodia, Laos, Iraq, Liyiba, Yemen, Syria. Serbia and many African nation by US invading as goes back to 75 years; many nationalities has bring unprecedented chaos and civil wars has by fought for the National salvation of struggle many countries that man -made disasters to People of all over world by US hegemonism .
This is a Lenin said " pay lip services and justice ,but in fact wage annexationist and predatory wars."
Undenidabbly USA apply similar policies in Lanka by ACSA and SOFA….incoming process of that USA military troops of island against WILL of Citizens of Sri lankan.
JD / July 7, 2019
Even the signing of ACSA in 2007 may be to stop USA providing weapons and support to LTTE. Because, USA had done lot of hostile acts just before signing the ACSA.
K.Pillai / July 7, 2019
In the pre-independence era, CP & LSSP at personal risk educated us, workers, on how we are being exploited. We in turn gave our support which they richly deserved. During the cold-war era CP & LSSP alerted us about the possibility of US boots. But soon the allure of cabinet positions made the CP & LSP change stance.
The much travelled Kumar David coerced into a mildness notes the much chest thumping and hair pulling about Sri Lanka signing ACSA in 2007 and now pursuing a SOFA proposal pontificates {"….I am of the view that neither is justified"}
Explains why never a word about BBS-Buddhism or the founder/Leader Gnanasara Thera.
The Cold War was on well into the 1980s.
The LSSP & CP sold out lock stock and barrel in 1970.
AKD is no defender of the LSSP & CP now, really for a long while.
It seems that, to you, AKD cannot be right even if he agrees with you!
ramona therese fernando / July 8, 2019
Yes, US is scratching its head on how to handle the China situation via idomatic Sri Lankan expressionialism.
Richard Kaz / July 8, 2019
"In any case the world will be a safer place once the Americans dump Trump."
Let me clarify at the outset that I am not a fan of Trump, however, there is a good chance Trump might be re-elected. Secondly, most wars were started by Establishment American Presidents, from Vietnam to Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
nimal fernando / July 10, 2019
Professor David has some good points …….. but what matters is not what's written in a document but how these things transpire in reality.
Foreign boots on the ground or not …….. India, China and the US have already started meddling in our affairs, especially in our elections – the way Russia meddled in the US elections by more sophisticate means. We have already lost our sovereignty (whatever it means/meant) and democratic process (whatever it means/meant.) ………. The puppet-ification of SL has already begun aided and abetted by our own Einsteinian politicians/"leaders".
It was moronic for Mahinda to build a commercially unviable seaport and an airport with high-interest borrowings just to stick his name on them for his foolish vanity. And it was idiotic of Ranil to offer the seaport to the Chinese for short-term budgetary/economic expediency (like JR writing a constitution for the 12 years of his reign without thinking of the far-reaching long-term consequences.) And when Ranil realised the danger, as an afterthought, offering the airport to the Indians to counterbalance the Chinese.
Please please please …….. this is not about Mahinda, Ranil …… UNP/SLFP …. Sinhala/Tamils/Muslims …… Left/Right/Centre ………. but just think if ye are able to ……… we wouldn't be in this pickle if the damn idiotic seaport and the airport were not build.
The simple reason ……. in SL, it's always best not to have a major problem – in this case the unproductive seaport and the airport – because our "leaders" are renowned for their brilliant solutions ……. starting from the guy who suggested to knock off the goat's head to save the pot ……….. or whatever ……….
India, China and the US have already meddled in our elections …….. the subjugation of SL is already well on its way; big time ………. and the balkanization will follow ……… thanks to our own "leaders" and the voters who vote with their emotions ……….. and think by their emotions ……
Edward Upali / July 12, 2019
There is nothing more pathetic than an ex Marxist apologist for the Tamil diaspora, attempting to paint the ongoing American political expansion into the Indian Ocean as inconsequential. KD even says Gota did it too, so it is OK if Ranil does it.
If SOFA & ACSA are so inconsequential, why is USA doing it ?
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Cholan on The Paranoia Of Extinction; The Reality!Peak of madness so history is twisted . Slaves are Podi Menikes
nimal fernando on I Wish Sajith Premadasa Had Taken Up A Challenging Ministry To Showcase His ProwessI'm not trying to contest for the presidency; you Einstein! - I
Soraya Deen on An Open Letter To Sri Lankan MuslimsI have been where you are. I hear you. When my son
Native Vedda on The Paranoia Of Extinction; The Reality!Eagle Blind Eye Kallathonie Demela Descendant - Deraniyagala, S. U. has published
Wiser now on The UNP Presidential Hopeful & The Middle-Class HopefulSo CT and some of its readers are still under impression that
Native Vedda on The Paranoia Of Extinction; The Reality!Andare 2.0 - "First of all Sinhalas are ingenious people too." -
K.Pillai on An Open Letter To Sri Lankan MuslimsThe language/religion-divide started as a shallow rut, grew cliff-size and is now
Ayathuray Rajasingam on Tamil Leaders Betrayed By Successive Sinhalese Leaders & The Genocide Of Tamils soma, I have been watching the situation of the Tamils since 1954.
Lakshman maddumahewa on Karu Vs. Sajith; UNP's Power Struggle Is Now In The OpenThe columnist always habit to impress the best candidate is KARU followed
Lester on An Aborted University & Squandered OpportunitySaudis, like many Arab Muslims, suffer from low IQ due to frequent
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The newest crossover event in Japan's version of Mobius Final Fantasy is Final Fantasy X themed, but it isn't just a simple inclusion of FFX's beloved story or characters.
First impressions last, and it mattered a lot for Final Fantasy XIII's first two chapters and their contribution to the mixed impression of the game as a whole.
Final Fantasy IX is one of the most critically acclaimed entries in the series to date and is often praised for its charm, art direction, characters and soundtrack. Revisiting it today is as much a pleasure now, if not more so, than playing it back in 2000.


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text:
Links between conflict in Ukraine and Georgia
David L. Phillips
We were seated at the conference table in the office of Mikhail Saakashvili (aka "Misha"), the former President of Georgia, to discuss tensions with Russia. It was June 2008, just prior to the outbreak of war with separatist forces in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. I noticed photos with Senator John McCain, stacked on the floor waiting to be hung on Misha's trophy wall. Misha was the darling of US neo-conservatives ("neo-cons") who welcomed his willingness to confront Vladimir Putin.
Tense Georgia-Russia tensions existed for years prior to the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. Georgia conducted a referendum on independence on March 31, 1991 with 93% voting for independence. The referendum was held on the entirety of Georgia's territory, including both Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. The international community, including the United Nations, recognized the outcome.
Very few ethnic Russians lived in either Abkhazia or South Ossetia prior to the Russian invasions of 1992-1993 and 2008. Ethnic Russians were resettled and manipulated by Moscow to oppose statehood for Georgia. The Georgia-Ossetian War erupted in the Tskhinval region of South Ossetia.
Beginning in 1992, Russia orchestrated an ethnic cleansing of ethnic Georgians living in both regions. The cleansing resulted in close to 300,000 people fleeing to other parts of the country or abroad.
After Georgia's so-called Revolution of Roses, Misha vowed to restore Georgia's sovereignty over the breakaway republics when he was elected president in 2003. His generous power-sharing plan provided substantial autonomy for South Ossetia and Abkhazia. However, the South Ossetians and Abkhaz refused to cooperate. They fortified positions, set up roadblocks, and voted for independence in 2006.
Putin issued a decree in April 2008 establishing "direct legal and humanitarian links with Abkhazia and South Ossetia". In May 2008, Russia dispatched over 500 troops to Abkhazia in breach of the 1995 Moscow agreement and over 1,000 troops to Tskhinvali. In addition to deploying Russian troops, Moscow armed and trained local militias in violation of its responsibilities as an international "peace-keeper". As a result of its 2008 invasion, Russia expanded its illegal military presence in Abkhazia's Kodori gorge and the Akhalgori district in the Tskhinvali region.
Many citizens of Georgia residing in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia were issued Russian passports. Russia had this same approach towards Russians in the Donbas region of Ukraine between 2014 and 2022. It also issued passports to ethnic Russians in the Transnistria region of Moldova. Protecting Russians was used as justification for Putin to invade Georgia and Ukraine. The same pretext is used today in Moldova.
I led a fact-finding delegation for the Atlantic Council and Columbia's Harriman Institute to South Ossetia and Abkhazia in June 2008, just weeks prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Russia moved tens of thousands of troops to Russia's border with Georgia and goaded Misha into conflict. In the early hours of August 7, 2008, as many as 150 Russian military vehicles passed through the Roki tunnel connecting Russia to the Tskhinvali region. While Georgia had broad bipartisan support in Washington, including Senators McCain and Biden, neo-cons convinced Misha that the US had his back. The US was never serious about defending Georgia in a war with Russia.
The 2008 Russia-Georgia war was a major setback. Georgia lost over 20% of its territory. Russia established permanent military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Government of Georgia made repeated good faith efforts to integrate South Ossetians and Abkhaz, but they were rebuffed.
The first meeting between Putin and Misha in 2004 was cordial. However, Misha became a thorn in Putin's side. Putin became increasingly concerned about color revolutions, popular movements aimed at overthrowing pro-Russian regimes in Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova.
When Misha left the Georgian presidency in November 2013, he served as an advisor to Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko on countering corruption. Misha was entrusted by Poroshenko with the governorship of the Odessa region.
Misha loves the spotlight. He joined popular protests in Kyiv's Maidan Square (i.e. the Revolution of Dignity"), calling for the overthrow of Ukraine's pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych. On February 22, 2014, Ukraine's parliament voted to remove Yanukovych and he fled to Moscow.
Putin was incensed and blamed Misha for the "Orange Revolution", which led to Yanukovych's exile. Russia responded by invading and annexing Crimea.
The fate of Georgia and Ukraine are connected. Georgia and Ukraine hoped to join NATO's Membership Action Plan at the Bucharest summit in 2008. Though the Alliance welcomed their aspirations, the final communique stated vaguely: "These countries will become members of NATO" (someday).
In October 2021, Misha reentered Georgia hidden in a refrigerator car full of dairy products. He was arrested, put in the Rustavi Prison and charged him with entering the country illegally. He was also implicated in the murder of banker Sandro Girgvliani and the beating of a member of parliament, Valeriy Gelashvili.
In a statement dated November 9, Amnesty International said Misha's treatment by authorities was "not just selective justice but apparent political revenge." It noted that Mr. Saakashvili was "violently transferred to the prison hospital, allegedly threatened; denied dignity, privacy, and adequate healthcare." Human Rights Watch criticized the Georgian authorities for treatment that "risks humiliation, inhuman and degrading treatment". The European Court of Human Rights has recently decided to admit appeals by Misha's lawyers on both rulings.
When assessing Misha's role, the international community must beware conclusions that justify Putin's aggression or claims of moral equivalency. Russia's invasion of 2008 was part of Putin's broader imperial ambitions. Misha predicted that Russia would target Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014. He feared that Russia would unleash a full-scale war in Ukraine and threaten other neighbors, such as Finland and Sweden.
Putin must be confronted and stopped in Ukraine lest Russia expand operations to Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet states in the Baltics who have joined NATO. The pattern is predictable. Putin will create a crisis to justify defending Russian minorities.
Confronting Putin should be strategic rather than emotional. Misha cannot be blamed for Putin's aggression and crimes. His experience, however, underscores the risk of reckless rhetoric and poking the bear.
Mr. Phillips is Director of the Program on Peacebuilding and Human Rights at Columbia University's Institute for the Study of Human Rights. He served as a Senior Adviser and Foreign Affairs Experts during the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations. His reports — Post-Conflict Georgia (September 2008) and Restoring Georgia's Sovereignty in Abkhazia (July 2008) — were published by the Atlantic Council where he served as Director of the Caucasus Forum (2008-2010).
By DFW-admin| 2022-05-03T17:16:14+04:00 May 2nd, 2022|Categories: Opinion|0 Comments
The Three Amigos and Dr. Doom can't run Georgia's foreign policy
Who needs Kyiv and Tbilisi?
If humanity does not stop Putin now, it will still have to do so, but much further away from Kyiv
Georgian PM aligns himself with hate groups to hunt down "anti-Christian forces"
Who wants Georgia to U-turn toward the Putinist cause?
July 7th, 2021 | 0 Comments
Four Abkhaz volunteers fighting on the Russian side killed in Ukraine
Situation surrounding Saakashvili can ruin Georgia's EU aspirations, ambassadors say to GD government