text:
U.S. Trade Optimism At All-Time High; U.S. Dominance In Technology Exports To Remain Strong: HSBC Report
Trade optimism among U.S. business leaders is at an all-time high and the U.S. is positioned to retain its dominance as a global technology export leader, including in industrial machinery, for the next twenty years, according to research by HSBC.
However, to maintain its supremacy, the U.S. will need to increase research and innovation investment, according to data from the latest HSBC Global Connections Trade Report, which includes the short-term trade trends from the HSBC Trade Confidence Index and mid- and long-term trade outlook from the HSBC Trade Forecast.
U.S. wholesalers/manufacturers most optimistic about stronger trade flows
The U.S. HSBC Trade Confidence Index rose to 115 from 114 six months earlier, the highest level since its inception, and higher than the global average of 113, driven by stronger global demand and increased private sector confidence. The index is an international survey of small and middle market businesses engaged in cross-border trade including around 250 in the U.S. Unexpectedly strong recovery in leading industrialized nations, including the U.S., has boosted global trade confidence, according to the report.
U.S. wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers were the most optimistic about the six month trade outlook with more than 70 percent of these sector leaders expecting stronger trade flows. Other key findings include:- Two thirds of U.S. respondents expect trade volumes to rise in the next six months
- 50 percent cited increased global demand and improved economic conditions in key industries, including manufacturing, as key drivers of the increased business.
- Most U.S. business leaders still see Asia as the most promising export region (33 percent), followed by Latin America (28 percent).
- Within Asia, Vietnam and Korea are the fastest growing destinations for U.S. exports in the near term; China is expected to be the market with the greatest upside potential over the longer term.
- Canada, Mexico and China are expected to continue to rank as the top destinations for U.S. exports for the next two decades, with Korea and Brazil rounding out the top five.
Check Out Our Best Services for Investors
Action Alerts PLUS
Portfolio Manager Jim Cramer and Director of Research Jack Mohr reveal their investment tactics while giving advanced notice before every trade.
Product Features:
- $2.5+ million portfolio
- Large-cap and dividend focus
- Intraday trade alerts from Cramer
Quant Ratings
Access the tool that DOMINATES the Russell 2000 and the S&P 500.
Product Features:
- Buy, hold, or sell recommendations for over 4,300 stocks
- Unlimited research reports on your favorite stocks
- A custom stock screener
Stocks Under $10
David Peltier uncovers low dollar stocks with serious upside potential that are flying under Wall Street's radar.
Product Features:
- Model portfolio
- Stocks trading below $10
- Intraday trade alerts
Check Out Our Best Services for Investors
Dividend Stock Advisor
David Peltier identifies the best of breed dividend stocks that will pay a reliable AND significant income stream.
Product Features:
- Diversified model portfolio of dividend stocks
- Updates with exact steps to take - BUY, HOLD, SELL
Trifecta Stocks
Every recommendation goes through 3 layers of intense scrutinyquantitative, fundamental and technical analysisto maximize profit potential and minimize risk.
Product Features:
- Model Portfolio
- Intra Day Trade alerts
- Access to Quant Ratings
Options Profits
Our options trading pros provide over 100 monthly option trading ideas and strategies to help you become a well-seasoned trader.
Product Features:
- Actionable options commentary and news
- Real-time trading community


text:
Dear editor,
I can't believe the fuss being made about the library gallery space. The paint isn't even dry and the gallery is not completed yet. The local artists are not even on the same page with some complaining and other praising the issue of local artworks. I know Mr. Helson to be a very reasonable man and I am sure ample space will be available to the local artists. On a recent visit to the new library I noticed tons of available wall space that would be perfect for displaying any number of artworks. Everyone just needs to be patient and it will get worked out in a manner that satisfies all concerned.
Ray Eckert, Georgetown
Partly cloudy -1° C | Weather Forecast

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Skeletal remains found in ditch
EDINBURG, TEXAS (KVEO NEWS CENTER 23) — The partial skeletal remains found in a drainage ditch on the 1400 block of South Raul Longoria Road in July of 2012 have been positively identified as those of Eleazar Delgado. The 59 year old Edinburg resident was reported missing on June 22, 2010.
Because only a few bones were found, the preliminary autopsy report did not provide enough information to identify the victim. However, Edinburg Police Investigators working active missing persons' cases collected DNA from relatives of the most recent missing persons in the area.
The DNA helped Dr. Norma J. Farley, Anatomic, Clinical and Forensic Pathologist and the Forensic Anthropology Department at the University of North Texas positively identify the victim. The cause of death is still not known and the rest of the remains still need to be located.
The Edinburg Police Department, in hopes of giving the family complete closure has enlisted the help of Archeology Experts from UTPA and UTB in the search for the rest of Mr. Delgado's remains. This Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the City's Service center located at 1201 North Doolittle Road, about 100 students and their professors will be sifting through piles of dirt taken from the ditch at the time the remains were uncovered by City employees cleaning out the ditch.
Chief Rolando Castaneda says, "It is not enough to tell the family we've found your loved one. They deserve to have all of his remains returned to them. Only then can they have complete closure."
The group will be using special sifters created by the Edinburg Police Department specifically for this search. The recovery search will begin at 8:00 a.m. Media wanting to be present will need to report to the incident command post on site.


text:
Resource Types
Filter by article type:
Filter by post date:
Filter by product categories:
Filter by topics:
Filter by section:
Search results
101 Being Green
Even for sustainability's greatest proponents, going green isn't necessarily a walk in the park. Dwell explores what it takes to be truly environmental.
written by: James Nestor02.25.10 -
Events this Weekend: 12.31-1.3
Out with the old and in with the new! As we put 2009 to rest and ring in 2010, we take a look at three exhibits from 2009 worth visiting before their doors are closed.
written by: Miyoko Ohtake12.31.09 -
Konstantin Grcic: Decisive Design
Released at the end of last month, Konstantin Grcic: Decisive Design by the Art Institute of Chicago's design curator Zoë Ryan is a fine addition to the growing literature on the excellent...
written by: Aaron Britt01.07.10 -
Greg Sharp of BSB Design
BSB Design was established in 1966 in Des Moines, Iowa, as a small architectural firm with a grand mission statement: Every family deserves to live in an architect-designed home. Forty-plus years...
written by: Dwell Staff01.07.10 -
"What's Next?" Competition
It's a new year and if you're newly energized to enter some design competitions, you now have an extension to get in on the newest one from Social Designer. The "What's Next?" competition...
written by: Sarah Rich01.09.10 -
La Bodega Winery in Palamos, Spain
Designed by Spanish architects RCR Arquitectes, La Bodega is a winery situated on a private vineyard near the coastal town of Palamos. The architecture strikes a balance between the artificial...
written by: Charlotte Westphotos by: Roman Poleco02.10.10 -
The Third and The Seventh
Late last week I was preparing to blog about this short film by Alex Roman, and clearly so were lots of other people, judging by the fact that today Roman's dedicated site, thirdseventh.com,...
written by: Sarah Rich01.12.10 -
Review: Tadao Ando
The architecture of Tadao Ando seeks to connect the building with its surrounding. In Tadao Ando, a book recently published by Birkhauser, author Yann Nussaume attempts to explain the work of the...
written by: Miyoko Ohtake01.13.10 -
Furniture Designer Focus: Eero Aarnio
Eero Aarnio's persistent quest for functional forms and manufacturing processes has been at the center of his iconic and prolific career.
written by: Asko Ahokasphotos by: Joanna Moorhouse01.12.10 -
Miami Modern Metropolis
Aaron Britt: Having been to Miami several times now, most recently for Design Miami and Art Basel Miami Beach just last month, I've grown increasingly fond of the place. Equal parts pleasure center...
written by: Aaron Britt01.14.10 -
Friday Finds 1.15.10
This week's round-up of links brings us lots of fodder for thought and inspiration. The editors share conceptual reuse ideas, Finnish textiles by way of Frankfurt, print design of yore, as well as...
written by: Amanda Dameron01.15.10 -
From Frankfurt: Heimtextil
January in Frankfurt is pretty darn cold, so it feels fitting to be here at Heimtextil browsing all the lush materials that are changing the way we make ourselves at home. It's the 40th year...
written by: Jordan Kushins01.16.10 -
From Frankfurt: Textile Trends
One word that has come up in nearly every conversation here at Heimtextil is "inspiration." Whether looking to discover it or provide it, the show is not just about buying and selling,...
written by: Jordan Kushins01.17.10 -
Lina Bo Bardi
Architect Lina Bo Bardi, born Achillina Bo in Rome in 1914, made an indelible mark on mid-century Brazilian architecture and design after emigrating there following the destruction of her office in...
written by: Erika Heet01.18.10 -
Final Weekend: Bauhaus at MoMA
This weekend marks the final days of the Museum of Modern Art's homage to the Bauhaus, the early-20th-century German school and movement that fostered and supported early modernism leaders like...
written by: Miyoko Ohtake01.20.10 -
Events this Weekend: 1.21-24
This weekend, the question is now "What to do?" but "What not to do?". Welcome to a jam-packed edition of Out and About featuring openings, closings, and events in London,...
written by: Miyoko Ohtake01.21.10 -
Building Tomorrow
What will the future hold for contractors and builders? We asked three industry leaders for their prognostications.
written by: Dan Maginn01.25.10 -
Architect Matthew Hufft
Matthew Hufft is the principal and founder of Hufft Projects and the fabrication stuido MAKE, both young Kansas City, Missouri, firms that we've been keeping an eye on here at Dwell. After a phone...
written by: Aaron Britt02.02.10 -
Words You Should Know
Bid: How much the contractor will charge to build the house. Different than "estimate." ("Bid" is to "estimate" as "getting wife flowers" is to ...
written by: Dan Maginn01.25.10 -
LA Tech-Habitat Home
Building for a client with specific desires can be difficult, but designing for one with few programming preferences can often be harder. Such was the case for a team of nine fifth-year students at...
written by: Miyoko Ohtake01.26.10 -
Events this Weekend: 1.28-1.31
This week we're adding a new feature to our weekly Out and About articles: slideshows featuring images from each of the weekend's highlighted exhibitions. Just because you can't make it to all the...
written by: Miyoko Ohtake01.28.10 -
Friday Finds 1.29.2010
The end of the week is nigh and you know what that means—we happily share the linky bounty of the Internet, from rediscovered books on hippie homes to healthy doses of graphic design lust....
written by: Amanda Dameron01.29.10 -
David Farley: Emergency Design
When Anatomic Global CEO David Farley saw Anderson Cooper reporting from Haiti for CNN, he sprang into action, sending 3,000 WorldBeds (the cot-size mattresses his company originally developed to...
written by: Miyoko Ohtake02.04.10 -
VIA: 30 Years of Furniture Design
For 30 years, the Valorisation de L'Innovation dans l'Ameublement, affectionately known as VIA, has promoted contemporary, innovative furniture design with economical and eco-friendly...
written by: Suzy Evans01.29.10 -
Friday Finds 2.5.2010
Digital delights await you within this weekly roundup of internet finds, contributed by the Dwell staff.
written by: Amanda Dameron02.05.10


text:
Posted by Knights on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 3:44pm.
circle A at bottom
circle B at upper right
circle C at upper left
side of triangle at upper right = x
(1/2) of the bottom is x/2, draw vertical altitude through top of triangle and center of circle A
draw line through centers of circles A and B extending beyond at both ends
It hits right side of triangle at right angle (tangent to circle perp to radius)
It hits our center altitude at 60 degree angle (30 at top of triangle so 60 at altitude intersection)
distance from intersection with altitude and right side of triangle = 2 radii, 3 + 3 + 3 = 9
distance from top of triangle to that intersection = 9 sqrt 3
there is another radius length along the altitude to the center of the bottom of the triangle so the total height of the altitude = 3 + 9 sqrt 3
cos 30 = (3+9sqrt 3)/x = sqrt 3/2
x = (6+18 sqrt 3) / sqrt 3
simplify that and check my arithmetic
Joining all the centres will produce another equilateral triangle with sides 6
So there is no problem seeing that the distance from tangent contact point to tangent contact point on the bigger triangle is 6.
let's concentrate on one end of the figure
From one of the circles draw the radii to each of the tangents.
label the centre C, the contact points A and B and the intersection of the two tangents as D. Join D and C to form the right-angled triangle ACD
angle DCA = 60°
so tan 60° = AD/3
AD = 3tan60=3√3
At the end of each circle we have 2 of these lengths
so the total perimeter
= 6(3√3) + 3(6)
= 18√3 + 18 units
Thank you so much guys I really appreciate it!!!
Answer this Question
Related Questions
Geometry - Circles and tangents - Two circles of radius 1 are externally tangent...
geometry - Three circles are externally tangent to one another. The radius of ...
Geometry/Trigonometry - Circles with centers (2,1) and (8,9) have radii 1 and 9...
Math. I really don't get this question - three circles are manually tangent ...
Trig - Three circles with radii of 4, 5, and 6 cm, respectively, are tangent to ...
Haley - Three circles with radii 35cm, 50cm, and 65cm respectively are tangent ...
GEOMETRY CIRCLES PLEASE - The diagram shows tangent circles and lines. if AB=15 ...
Algebra 2 - Make a table with a process column to represent each pattern. Write ...
Math - circles P and Q are externally tangent at T. Horizontal lines l and m are...
geometry!!!!!!!!!! - Three circles, each with a radius of 10, are mutually ...


text:
Cycle safety in Siem Reap
The area around Siem Reap is prime cycling country. It's flat, picturesque, and — if you are lucky — quiet. However, accident rates on Cambodia's roads are staggeringly high, and while most of your cycling will probably be on the quieter back-roads, you will have to tackle one or more of Siem Reap's busier "arterial routes" at some point. In accident terms, prevention is definitely better than cure, so knowing what to expect is the best way to avoid becoming a traffic police statistic. Here are just a few pointers.
Left or right? Right or left? Cambodian attitudes to the side of the road you should drive on are as relaxed as their outlook on life. Officially it's the right, however, on any road that is wide enough you will find also drivers coming towards you on the wrong side of the road, particularly at busy periods. After all, why would you let something trivial like the risk of a head-on collision stop you?
The best way around this is never to cycle close to the edge of the road. This will prevent you from having to take potentially dangerous evasive action when you see a moto carrying a family of five heading towards you at speed. Or one of those food hand carts with a little pitched roof, the corners of which would have your eye out in a flash.
Cycling away from the edge of the road will also stand you in good stead for that other quaint Cambodian habit of pulling out into traffic without actually stopping or looking to see if there is anything coming. Sadly, despite most cars and motos now being fitted with fully functioning rear view and wing mirrors, these are apparently only to be used for checking one's hair or squeezing one's spots.
Bizarrely, the few roundabouts that exist in Siem Reap present little problem for local drivers – other than that age-old dilemma of exactly who has right of way, which is not usually a serious issue provided you are cycling slowly.
One-way streets on the other hand can quite literally be an accident waiting to happen. The "No Entry" sign is universally ignored, so you will meet people coming at you as you go the right way down a one-way street. Pay particular attention when on the two one-way stretches either side of the river, where I have met tuk tuks, motos and 4x4s obliviously coasting against the flow of traffic, and even a couple of tourists on bicycles who smugly told me I was on the wrong side of the road. Ahem. The bridge that carries Road 6 over the river is also one way — in a westerly direction — but no one seems to pay any attention there either.
Negotiating any kind of junction is where you are most likely to come a cropper. In Siem Reap, drivers tend to take the shortest route possible when making a turn. That's OK if you are turning right – same principle as turning left in the UK, Australia or New Zealand – but if turning left, (from a right hand road position) drivers here will first move to the wrong side of the road, make their turn whilst staying on the wrong side of the road and continue until there is a suitable gap through which to move to the right side. If there is no gap, then they'll just stay on the wrong side until they reach their destination (see above).
The same rule applies whether turning into or out of a side road, which means you also stand a good chance of meeting someone head-on every time you negotiate a turning.
Your fellow road users will undertake and overtake whenever they see the glimpse of an opportunity, and will ignore hand signals almost entirely. I nearly lost my arm to a speeding moto once when indicating my intention to turn left off the notorious Road 6. The best bet is to turn your head through 360 degrees before making any manoeuvre and you should be fine.
Finally, anything bigger than you always has right of way so you should be prepared to stop suddenly at any time. Don't forget that the practice of flashing one's headlights does not mean the driver is letting you through, it means "I am coming through no matter what so you'd better get out of my way". It's the same principle as the horn, of which you will hear plenty.
No one needs to copy the inimitable Cambodian driving style in order to enjoy a spot of cycling around Siem Reap, but as long as you are aware of what to expect, you will know why wearing a helmet, cycling slowly, and having the reactions of an Olympic sprinter in the starting blocks are all a good idea. Of course a good travel insurance policy should be a no-brainer if you are considering cycling in any unfamiliar country, and in Cambodia it could be life saver. Given the quality of locally available emergency medical care in Siem Reap, a policy that includes medical evacuation is strongly recommended too. Happy cycling!
Simon is fluent in English, Spanish and French, but to date he has only mastered a few carefully chosen words of Khmer, like "Food" and "Beer" and "Fat".
Photo gallery
Add your photos to this via Flickr More info
Jump to a destination
- Hot spots
- Phnom Penh & surrounds
- Siem Reap, Angkor & West Cambodia
- Sihanoukville & Cambodia's islands
- Banlung, Kratie & the Northeast
Newsletter signup
Sign up for Travelfish Burp!
Our weekly wrap on Southeast Asian travel.
Click here to see a recent newsletter.


text:
This painting is 28"x16". This is another in the series Wasp in a Wig: Paintings Inspired by the writings of Lewis Carroll. Excerpt from Chapter II: The Pool of Tears As she said these words her foot slipped, and in another moment, splash! she was up to her chin in salt water. He first idea was that she had somehow fallen into the sea, `and in that case I can go back by railway,' she said to herself. (Alice had been to the seaside once in her life, and had come to the general conclusion, that wherever you go to on the English coast you find a number of bathing machines in the sea, some children digging in the sand with wooden spades, then a row of lodging houses, and behind them a railway station.) However, she soon made out that she was in the pool of tears which she had wept when she was nine feet high.
`I wish I hadn't cried so much!' said Alice, as she swam about, trying to find her way out. `I shall be punished for it now, I suppose, by being drowned in my own tears! That WILL be a queer thing, to be sure! However, everything is queer to-day.'


text:
This stunning red console has a beautifully painted tree pattern in it.
This console cabinet comes with a lovely hand-painted tree and flower pattern on the front drawers. A scalloped skirt at the bottom and turned legs add additional visual interest. Red Oriental 2-Door Console Cabinet.
Our associates are standing by to assist you.


text:
Follow Us
NHI Newsletter
Legal Notices
Some Favorite Sites
- At Risk for HD
- barista
- Branford Eagle
- Business NH
- Chris Volpe Photography
- Crosscut
- CT Capitol Report
- CT Enviro Headlines
- CT Mirror
- CT News Junkie
- CT Watchdog
- Design New Haven
- Gotham Gazette
- I Love New Haven
- Josiah Brown
- Karman Turn
- La Voz Hispana
- Laurel Club
- Media Nation
- Middletown Eye
- MinnPost
- My Left Nutmeg
- NH Register
- NH Review of Books
- NHV.org
- OneWorld
- Only In Bridgeport
- Oral History Project
- Reddit NH
- Saved By Design
- See Click Fix
- Smartpill Design
- St. Louis Beacon
- Taste Of NH
- Valley Independent Sentinel
- Voice of SD
- VT Digger
- Yale Daily News
Government/ Community Links
- 'r Kids Family Center
- Agency on Aging
- All Our Kin
- Animal Shelter Volunteers
- Arte Inc.
- Arts Council
- Artspace
- Beth El Keser Israel
- Bike New Haven
- Boys & Girls Club
- Cancer Support
- Chabad of Westville
- Chamber of Commerce
- Children's Museum
- Christian Community Action
- City of New Haven
- CitySeed
- Citywide Youth
- Columbus House
- Community Action Agency
- Community Loan Fund
- Community Mediation
- ConnCAN
- Creative Arts Workshop
- CT Best Restaurants
- CT Tech Council
- Data Haven
- Elm City Cycling
- Elm Shakespeare
- Elmseed
- Empower NH
- Friends Of Wooster Sq.
- Gay Men's Chorus
- GNH Community Chorus
- Habitat For Humanity
- Info New Haven
- INFO NH Calendar
- Jazz Haven
- Jewish Federation
- Job Finder
- Junta
- Labor History
- Lawyer Finder
- Legal Aid Network
- Liberty Safe Haven
- Life Haven
- Literacy Coalition
- Magrisso Forte
- Mary Wade
- Music Haven
- Neighborhood Music School
- New Haven 828
- New Haven Chorale
- New Haven Farms
- New Haven Museum
- New Haven Reads
- New Life Corp.
- New Reach
- NH Land Trust
- NH Symphony
- NH/Leon Sister City
- On The Road To Greenness
- Orchard Street Shul
- Orchestra NE
- Parents Available to Help
- Pat Dillon
- Peace News
- PechaKucha
- Planned Parenthood
- Police
- Promoting Enduring Peace
- Public Allies CT
- Public Library
- Public Schools
- Public Works
- Rainbow Girls
- Register Calendar
- SCSU Events
- Share Our Voices
- Shubert
- Solar Youth
- Soul-O-Ettes
- Squash Haven
- United Way
- Urban Design League
- Urban Resources Initiative
- W. Square Blossoms
- West Rock Trails
- Westville Renaissance
- Westville Synagogue
- Workforce Alliance
- Yale Events
- Yeshiva NH Shul
- Youth Continuum
A Case For Serendipity
by David Sepulveda | Feb 19, 2014 3:54 pm
(1) Comment | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author
Posted to: Arts & Culture, Visual Arts, Westville
It is not often that two distinctly different art forms are presented with the complementary virtuosity of Threads of Serendipity, a new art exhibit that opened Sunday at Westville's Kehler Liddell Gallery (KLG) featuring the work of sculptor Susan Clinard and photographer Penrhyn Cook.
The exhibit's title references the serendipitous experiences that have informed the work of the two artists individually, but also the threads of their collaborative experience in putting the show together.
Sculptor and gallery member Gar Waterman, who attended the opening, called the exhibit "an example of how a two-person show can come across in ways that could not have been predicted." He cited the "rhythm of the space and cool bits of harmony" that flow throughout the elongated gallery.
"I liked pacing around looking at juxtapositions of their work from different angles - each slice a different flavor of synergy," said professional photographer and gallery owner Dennis Bradbury of Bridgeport, who contributed photos for this report.
Those synergistic flavors could be seen in the warm, amber hues of Clinard's vintage foundry forms, wooden molds from the period of New Haven's Industrial Revolution that she found—just one of the many serendipitous events that helped shape part of the exhibit series.
Clinard's assemblage sculptures integrate her figurative hand-modeled forms with the factory forms, exquisite pairings that were destined to find one another. The patina of old, scarred wood, wood that has given a lifetime of service, is reflected in the faces of figures that peer out from their wood niches. Various figural groupings throughout the exhibit take residence, perhaps refuge, among the circular and semi-circular forms in which they are encased. Clinard invites viewers to a banquet of spiritual resonance, each sculpture a study in the human condition.
Nearby, those same, warm hues frame a statute in the architectural niche of a classical building photographed by Cook. In "Plug-In," the image juxtaposes classical elements of antiquity with an artifact of modernism; a small car of intense sapphire blue is parked, a power cord trails from its side. The color counterpoint to building masonry may have gone unnoticed by the casual passerby. But Cook is no casual passerby. She is a keen observer who is always prepared with her Fuji XE1 camera. "The way you train yourself to remember dreams, you can train yourself to see the world around you," she explains.
Cook's photographs combine two portfolios entitled, "Little People" and "Humanity." The essence of these themes, is perhaps best illustrated in her "America the Beautiful," a panoramic scene captured at Bridgeport's Seaside Park. One could easily mistake it for a landscape of sea and sky, but a closer look reveals a small figure racing across the tidal plane, an American flag in tow. The icon flutters in a child's wake while being photographed by a parent. It is the aftermath of a Puerto Rican Day festival, and a scene has unfolded that could not have been anticipated. Cook said she was riding her bicycle and quickly positioned herself after grabbing the camera from her basket. What she had not envisioned was the parachutist who floated into the frame at the very moment that she was engaging the shutter. Serendipity.
If one end of the gallery is weighted with the somber, grief-stricken funerary procession of Clinard's large scale wood installation, the other end pays tribute to another kind of procession.
A flotilla of weightless, translucent boat forms carry their respective passengers to destinations unknown. Purposely lacking the fine detail of her other sculptures, Clinard binds layers of white paper around the wooden ribs of the oar-less vessels and the figural clay forms that, once removed, give rise to the pensive souls on board. The visual metaphor is at once haunting and hopeful.
Also on display is Clinard's "Twenty," a tribute she created shortly after the Sandy Hook tragedy, and her deeply moving, ceramic sculpture commemorating the six women who died as they sought to protect the lives of those in their charge.
On the inside cover of Cook's self-published book of photographs entitled "Serendipity," which has just been made available on Blurb, an internet publishing platform, Cook quotes a 1774 passage from Horace Walpole that describes the etymology and essence of Serendipity: "The three princes of Serendip were always making discoveries, by accident and sagacity, of the thing which they were not in quest of."
"Threads of Serendipity" runs through March 16. For more information, contact the gallery here.


text:
Image: Sea Turtle
Darthtemplar, US PVE PTR realm.
Related Pages
- Catching the Sea Turtle Mount - Strategies for catching the Sea Turtle, a rare mount.
- Sea Turtle
- Coralshell Turtle, a mount?
- 3.1 Changes - Patch 3.1's changes to fishing, including new fishing poles and Wintergrasp.
There are no comments on this yet. If you would like to comment, start a new topic on the forums: Either use the page's name (Image: Sea Turtle) as the topic title, or tag the topic with that name. Comments take a few minutes to appear here.


text:
Network Participation
Get an application for credentialing as a BCBSNC provider or facility.
Provider Enrollment Applications
Apply now to become a BCBSNC network provider.
Fee Schedules
Find out how to electronically access provider fee schedules and get answers to common questions.
EFT Sign-up
Sign up for the convenience of electronic fund transfers. (pdf)
Blue e Sign-up
Discover our online solution for finding claim status, verifying benefits, determining eligibility and making remittance inquiries.


text:
Napa Valley Wine Tour Package
Napa Valley Wine Package Includes:
- Two Adult tickets for Full day Tour and Taste Package valued at $167.
- Tours include Pick-up and Return to hotel.
- Highlights of the tour include views of California's famous wine region, visits to multiple wineries in both Sonoma and Napa Valley, also stroll the Historical Sonoma Plaza.
- Two night Stay for Two.
- Complimentary Deluxe Breakfast Buffet each morning.
- Rate code: WINEPKG
>>PLEASE NOTE: In order to view package availability, you MUST select at least a 2-NIGHT STAY in order to see available dates.
Write a Review


text:
DeMarcus Ware sticks his neck out
Cowboys LB's quick recovery from injury yields timeless performance against Saints
IRVING, Texas -- As DeMarcus Ware walked across the Superdome field on Dec. 19, 2009, fresh off the bus from the Dallas Cowboys' French Quarter hotel, he had no idea whether he would play against the New Orleans Saints.
As he was carted off the field, he told teammates he would be fine, but a 30-minute ambulance ride from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington to Dallas Presbyterian Hospital seemed a lot longer.
Feeling returned and he could move without pain. By the next day, he was surprised at how well he felt and even lifted weights.
But play in an NFL game six days later?
"I didn't practice at all that week, and something just came over me when I went into the stadium," Ware said. "Everybody was like, 'You can just sit out this game and rest,' but in the back of my mind I was like, 'This is my stage. This is my opportunity to prove my toughness and also prove to myself that I can make a comeback.' "
It remains the only game in his career Ware has not started, but it is also the signature game of a career that could lead him to the Cowboys' Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Cowboys entered that game having lost two straight December contests, leading many fans to wonder whether the inevitable late-season collapse was upon their team. The Saints were unbeaten (13-0) and threatening perfection. At the Superdome, New Orleans won its first six games by an average of 15.3 points.
After pregame testing, Ware was cleared to play, but Victor Butler would see the bulk of the action. Ware played in passing downs, which against the Saints meant a lot anyway.
In the second quarter, he sacked Drew Brees and forced a fumble that Anthony Spencer recovered. The Cowboys turned that into a Nick Folk field goal and a 17-3 lead.
In the final minute of the fourth quarter, with the Saints threatening to tie the score, Ware sacked Brees again and forced a fumble that Jay Ratliff recovered. Tony Romo took a knee with six seconds left and the Cowboys had an improbable 24-17 win that jump-started a three-game winning streak, leading to the NFC East title.
Ware finished with two tackles, two sacks and three quarterback hurries.
"For him to fight through that and have the impact he had in the game says so much about him as a person and a player and what he means to this team," inside linebacker Keith Brooking said in the locker room after the game.
Ware returned to the starting lineup the following week against the Washington Redskins. He finished the year with 11 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight time.
Which players in the Cowboys' storied history are the toughest? See our picks and then give us yours:
Toughest Cowboys Vote
Cowboys Blog » ESPN Dallas »
Ware will play in his sixth straight Pro Bowl this weekend and was named an All-Pro for the fourth time. He led the Cowboys with 19.5 sacks in 2011, finishing a half sack shy of becoming the first player to record two 20-sack seasons in a career since sacks became an official stat in 1982.
That night in New Orleans, however, remains his signature moment.
"It was one of the most satisfying games that I've had because of just the opportunity to know you can do it again and play and have some kind of impact in that game," Ware said. "I'd say it was one of the most important games I played in."
Todd Archer covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com.
- Covered NFL since 1997, Cowboys since 2003
- Previously covered Bengals and Dolphins
- Lives in Dallas area with his wife and two children
- No. 20: Colts QB Peyton Manning
- No. 19: Broncos QB Tim Tebow
- No. 18: Lions DT Ndamukong Suh
- No. 17: Colts DE Dwight Freeney
- SportsNation: Rank 'em
- No. 16: Vikings DE Jared Allen
- No. 15: Jets DB Darrelle Revis
- No. 14: Ravens RB Ray Rice
- No. 13: Ravens S Ed Reed
- SportsNation: Rank 'em
- No. 12: Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware
- No. 11: Patriots QB Tom Brady
- No. 10: Steelers LB James Harrison
- No. 9: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
- SportsNation: Rank 'em
- No. 8: Steelers WR Hines Ward
- No. 7: 49ers LB Patrick Willis
- No. 6: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
- No. 5: Bears LB Brian Urlacher
- SportsNation: Rank 'em
- No. 4: Packers CB Charles Woodson
- No. 3: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
- No. 2: Steelers S Troy Polamalu
- No. 1: Ravens LB Ray Lewis
- SportsNation: Rank 'em
- Hensley: HOFers pick Lewis
- #NFLAnyEra: Ray Lewis Q&A
- Panel: HOFers discuss Nos. 4-1
- Panel: HOFers discuss Nos. 8-5
- Panel: HOFers discuss Nos. 12-9
- Panel: HOFers discuss Nos. 16-13
- Panel: HOFers discuss Nos. 20-17
- Panel: NFL Any Era criteria
- Chris Berman: NFL Any Era introduction
- Sando: Willis is toughness personified
- Archer: Ware's timeless recovery
- Page 2: The Anti-Any Era Team
- Hensley: Is Reed the best safety ever?
- Garber: NFL Any Era: Tough Enough?
- ESPN The Magazine: Not-so-tough WRs?
- ESPN The Magazine: Is Suh dirty?
- Gallery: Dream matchups
- Follow: #NFLAnyEra on Twitter
- Like: #NFLAnyEra on Facebook
- Discuss: #NFLAnyEra on NFL Blog Network
- SportsNation: Rank 'em
- Murray travels to Duke with Garrett, Romo
- Sources: Heat, Mavs interested in C McGee
- Andrus: I took offseason more seriously | JJT
- Stoudemire adjusting to Mavs | James signs
- Sources: Murray likely stays if Cowboys near
- Scheppers, Chirinos agree to terms | Blog
- Cowboys ink Beasley to 4-year deal | Archer
- Who should be the Mavericks' playcaller?
- Doolittle: What Stoudemire means for Mavs


text:
let me know that which is your favorite color mine is Brown and black and white what about you guys? Regards,
No wallpaper is my favorite color! Yuck! Wallpaper! Yuck! I like paint my self & if I want a pattern or a picture, I paint it or stencil it on with paint. More paint & it's gone! That easy...
[URL="http://www.supremesurfacecleaner.com/"]http://www.supremesurfacecleaner.com/[/URL] [URL="http://bathroom.remodelingindianapolis.com/"]http://bathroom.remodelingindianapolis.com/[/URL]
My favorite room had a pine board ceiling. Three of the walls were painted black olive (yes very,very dark) and the fourth wall was papered with a black olive marble pattern (variable dark olive with s few lighter veins). Dick
I like th e paint as well. I tried to find the wallpaper that reminded me of my childhood. My Grandparents had some sort of gold leaf wall paper. It's my favorite.
I was wondering whether we can design our wallpapers. but that requires patience and time, which i dont have so till now i waiting for it to happen so that i can decorate my home. hopefully it happens soon.
[url=http://www.fencegatesrailing.com/]fence designs[/url]
Black with gold pin strip
[B][COLOR="Blue"]I was lying in bed, looking at the stars, and I wondered, where did my ceiling go?[/COLOR][/B]
I really don't prefer wallpaper on my house. But a touch of cream or any light color is not that bad.
Well, i really like white color when it comes to your home.. because it spreads lighting and it looks so bright, unlike other colors..
I like dark colors.


text:
5 ABOUT TIME !!!!chaoshound | 12/12/2007 | See all chaoshound's reviews (2)this game is worth every penny ! i've had 10 -15 games games so far and this one is tops, quality graphics - yes you can pause in awe and look at the scenery or get battered in intense gunfights with pirates and henchmen who have a very sneaky AI - so i dont spoil it - the later foes make you just wanna run !!! the aiming is slow but once you get used to the controls this game is a dream !!! a nice blend of platform, shoot em and mystery - added with a small incentive to find 60 or 61 hidden treasures - some which give you a 'hint'... my best experience was using a jetski up the rapids - if you stop, the flow takes you with it - hard when you also control the passenger to shoot explosive barrels and henchmen... worth purchasing - its not short - but a great buy....!!!!
5 The best in Action / Adventure!drumandols | 17/01/2008 | See all drumandols's reviews (5)To be honest I was doing the same thing you are now...reading the reviews for this game because I heard it came out and wanted to know more about it (but was'nt intending to buy it...whoops!) The reviews for this game spoke for themselves and I had to get itWhen it arrived I was blown away by the gameplay and awesome graphics, I couldn't put the game down and my girlfriend was becoming ever more concerned as this was my new found love! When I completed it I started to play it again as there is so much more you can do even a second time round!I recommend you click the link to add it to your shopping basket now, for this price you cannot go wrong it's the cheapest on the market and really fast delivery (thanks Play!) If you are fond of the Tomb Raider series then you will love this game, and if were not...you will love this game as Drake brings a whole new meaning to freerunning!Enjoy!
5 First must have for PS3steveo2008 | 28/11/2007 | See all steveo2008's reviews (1)Ive imported this from the states, and all i can say is, to all the doubters out there and people writing stupid reviews, this game is a must have. Superb graphics that rival mass effect and assassins creed in my opinion, fantastic combat with clever AI that knows when its winning and losing, entertaining cutscenes and a great storyline to cap it all off!I wouldnt hesitate to recommend this game to anyone, make sure you pick it up when its released over here!
5 Unharted is best game eva!Petranella | 21/12/2007 | See all Petranella's reviews (3)I've played the demo which is just absolutely mind blowing. It should easily pip Assassin's Creed to being the best game of the year, obviously i'm not saying that AC isn't a good game. Uncharted will definetly be the best game to date.
5 Must Buy !!!!bernie88 | 15/11/2007 | See all bernie88's reviews (1)downloaded the demo graphics are amazing along with the gameplay, also checked out some videos for it, looks like its going to be the best game out on ps3 this year easily. definately buying recommend to anyone!!


text:
Start learning with our library of video tutorials taught by experts. Get started
Learn how to shoot, edit, and post mobile photos online using the popular Instagram app for iOS and Android.
"I have yet to find a course that I didn't find useful, well organized, and informative. And it's always at my fingertips." —Leslie M.
more from our members »


text:
State Environmental Agency Teams with Federal and Private Partners for Dam Removal, Habitat Restoration in Rowley
Ox Pasture Brook restoration begins with first dam removal project in Essex County
The Lower Ox Pasture Dam, situated on Ox Pasture Brook in the middle of the 2,000-acre William Forward Wildlife Management Area (WMA), is a six-foot high, 200-foot long earth and concrete dam. Positioned at the head-of-tide, the dam blocks tidal flushing as well as migratory fish passage. Over the course of the next two weeks DER will remove the dam in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Mass Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, American Rivers, Trout Unlimited, and the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District.
"DER is working on a number of dam removal projects throughout the Commonwealth, as dam removal and habitat restoration benefit native fish and wildlife and can create more resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change," said Mary Griffin, Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game. "The Ox Pasture Brook project involves multiple partners including private conservation organizations, federal partners such as NOAA and the USFWS, and DFG's Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), which manages the wildlife management area for the benefit of many fish and wildlife species that utilize the property."
The William Forward WMA contains approximately 700 acres of upland surrounded by more than 1,300 acres of salt marsh. The uplands are predominantly mixed oak and white pine woodlands with mature stands of red pine and spruce. The uplands support ruffed grouse, deer, fox, cottontail rabbit, coyote, raccoon, woodcock and gray squirrel. Depending on the season, weather and tide, ducks and geese can be found in the tidal river and wetlands.
Funding for the dam removal includes a grant from Trout Unlimited and American Rivers through a partnership with NOAA, and a donation of technical services from the consulting firm ERM. The USFWS' Coastal Program and Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program also contributed funds for engineering and construction oversight, which has been provided by the consulting and engineering firm, Stantec. In addition, the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District donated a portion of construction services, making the total construction cost $30,000.
"Removal of this dam will be a culmination of four years of planning, design and permitting - including a lot of sweat equity, creative problem solving and partnership support," said DER Acting Director Tim Purinton. "This project will improve access to fish habitat and restore tidal fresh marsh, a rare wetland type."
"This project will improve habitat for many fish and wildlife species, including white perch, rainbow smelt, American eel, migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds," said MassWildlife Director Wayne MacCallum.
"The restoration of Ox Pasture Brook should facilitate other dam removal projects that NOAA, the Division of Ecological Restoration, the Fish and Wildlife Service and local partners are working on around the North Shore," said Matt Collins, hydrologist at NOAA's Restoration Center in Gloucester.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Trout Unlimited to assist with dam removals in Massachusetts," said Trout Unlimited Director of Resources Joseph McGurrin. "It's our understanding that there is a community-based effort to restore 'salter' trout to the Parker River watershed and barrier removal is an important part of restoring their habitat."
"Dam removal is not just happening in Massachusetts, it's a national trend. In 2009, 58 dams in 16 states have been removed. That not only benefits fisheries but also local communities and their economies," said Brian Graber, director of American Rivers River Restoration Program's Northeast Region.
Active dam removal investigations are taking place by DER and partners on the Parker, Ipswich and Shawsheen Rivers. To date there have been 11 dams removed in Massachusetts to improve river conditions and another 30 slated for removal.
The Division of Ecological Restoration's (DER) mission is to restore and protect the health and integrity of the Commonwealth's rivers, wetlands and watersheds for the benefit of people, fish and wildlife.
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is responsible for promoting the enjoyment and conservation of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land preservation and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and game species, and enforcement of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's lakes and ponds.


text:
"Chile" "In the beginning of time, God created the wonders of the world. When he was finished, however, he saw that he had many leftover pieces. He had parts of rivers and valleys, of oceans and lakes, of glaciers and deserts, of mountains and forests, and of meadows and hills. Rather than to let such beauty go to waste, God put them all together and cast them to the most remote corner of the earth. This is how Chile was born." - A Chilean Legend
Our mission statement: Our site's aim is to bring together those seeking information on, things to do and sights to see within Chile as well as the means to get there, with those individuals and companies providing these services.
For those of you interested in advertising and/or joining us with a page(s) of your own we now have the following options for you: Links, Advertisements, Your own cobranded pages, and/or a graphic/banner in the left column which will show up in all of our own pages (not the cobranded pages) Please contact me for more information
Proudly part of the CT travel sites alliance: www.Chile-Travel.com :: www.ChileRentaCar.com :: www.FargoMoorheadArea.com :: www.2central.com (c) 1997-2015 chile-travel.com(r), All Rights Reserved. Si Ud. quiere su empresa Chilena en estas páginas web envienos un e-mail a Chile-Travel.com para más detalles!


text:
Latin Epistolography (Cicero, Pliny)
The personal correspondences of Cicero and of Pliny the Younger offer insight into the social and political workings of Rome in two critical periods: the final decades of the Republic and the decades just before the Empire reached its greatest extent. Selections from Cicero, composed for a private audience, expose the statesman's inner hopes and anxieties regarding his family, his friends, and his state. Selections from Pliny, self-consciously published by the author himself, not only recount exciting moments in Roman history (such as the early persecution of Christians and Vesuvius' eruption), but also play with the very genre of epistolography.- Course Syllabus
- View Syllabus
- Term
- Fall 2014
- Credit Hours
- 1.0
- Maximum Enrollment
- 999
- Primary Instructor
- Meetings
- 11:00 am - 11:50 am Mon, Wed, Fri - from Sep 3, 2014 to Dec 20, 2014
- Exam Group Code
- 04 (Dec 18, 2014 2:00pm)


text:
Record industry fights piracy with new global release day
Feb 27, 2015
You may not know it, but different countries used to have different release days for new albums.
2 nods, 1 category: Alexandre Desplat on scoring big
Interview by
Produced by
Feb 6, 2015
The composer on collaboration, the joys of his job and not worrying about Oscar.
Shazam CEO: Introducing visual 'Shazaming'
Interview by
Jan 20, 2015
Plus, listen to CEO Rich Riley's 'Bad Day at Work' playlist
Gibson CEO: We're so much more than guitars
Interviewed By
Dec 17, 2014
Iconic guitar company moves into headphone business, leases Tower Records building in L.A.
The music of politics
Oct 31, 2014
Meet one of the people behind the political campaign curtain.
Bono apologizes for free iTunes album
Oct 16, 2014
Automatic download of newest U2 album "Songs of Innocence" angered some users
Record labels try their luck at comedy
Interview by
Oct 12, 2014
Record labels are relying on comedy as music sales continue to decline.
Quincy Jones on Clark Terry, a godfather of jazz
Interview by
Produced by
Feb 23, 2015
Terry was known for integrating "The Tonight Show" Band back in 1960, and taught jazz to Miles Davis, Winton Marsalis and Quincy Jones.
When the going gets rough, some sell poems
Sep 15, 2014
A story of an out-of-work jazz drummer who is trying to make it work.


text:
Looking for clues as he sifts through the remains of his father's life - his girlfriends, acquaintances, deals, and enemies - Joe comes to realize how many secrets Will Trona possessed, and how many people he had the power to harm. But two leads keep rising to the surface: a little girl who was kidnapped by her mentally disturbed brother, and two rival gangs who seem to have joined forces. As Joe deepens his investigation - and as he is forced to confront painful events of his troubled childhood - these two seemingly disconnected threads will intersect. Just how and why form the crux of this intricate, intelligent mystery that satisfies the mind as well as the heart - and reveals yet again the impeccable detail, vivid characterization, and emotional complexity that make a T. Jefferson Parker novel impossible to resist.
(P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
Edgar Award, Best Novel, 2002
"Bring T. Jefferson Parker into your life!"
I am just beginning to discover T. Jefferson Parker's work; and it makes me happy to see that I have many more of his audiobooks to look forward to. "Silent Joe" -- though old, now -- still holds up to modern listening, and delivers the goods. If you like Michael Connelly's work, then you will enjoy Parker's novels, as well. Like Connelly, Parker writes about Los Angeles -- its seamy underbelly and its corrupt machinations, as well as the way a good human spirit can navigate unscathed through all that corruption and still triumph. Of course, that probably couldn't actually happen in real life -- corruption corrupts -- but in our novels that we listen to for entertainment, we like having the good triumph. That definitely happens in "Silent Joe." The reader, James Daniels, has a nice voice, and does a good job distinguishing the characters from one another, even voicing the female characters -- which male actors sometimes have a hard time portraying on audiobooks -- believably. I recommend "Silent Joe" pretty much without qualification.
"Parker is Old Reliable"
Parker seems to challenge himself with uniquely flawed characters that somehow he has to build a compelling story around. He succeeds again here, with a very solid A- effort, not quite his best, but still a very good story that is very well read.
Born with earbuds.
"Better than the rest . . ."
All of Parker's books are entertaining, but this book along with "The Fallen" has deeper emotional resonance. The skillfully done first person narration adds to the effect, as does the wide range of themes the book taps into from identity, duty, trust, forgiveness, love, acceptance, etc. Parker, along with Michael Connelly and Stephen Cannell seem to be among the best when it comes to delivering thrillers with literary merit. To quote a catch-phrase from the book: "If you can't be happy, be quiet."
Kneel Before Zod!!
"It's okay but not great"
It has a slow pace, and was hard to keep my attention.
didn't really have one
"Liked it!"
I really liked this book. It was very well-written - LOVED Parker's prose. Great story told well. I did figure out the ending before we got there, but that just made me feel clever. Maybe Parker's intention all along.
"Heart warming"
I really enjoyed this novel. It's something different. You can't help but love and admire the main character. The narration was right on. I look forward to reading/listening to more books by T. Jefferson Parker.
Retired CFO, Army wife, Mom of five, Grandma of six, two sons who served in combat, love to read books that reflect my values and faith, love mysteries, historical, military stories, and books that don't waste my time . . . if it doesn't have an ending that was worth the wait, I'm not a happy camper.
"Politics . . . Crime . . . Law Enforcement"
Loved this one . . . full of dark mysteries . . . great detail . . . every twist and turn kept me listening . . .
"Not Sure How This Was A Poe Nomination"
The only reason I got this audible was that it was a Poe Nominee. I really disliked the book and don't understand how it won a nomination. In my opinion the author has too many story lines. The book would have been better if 2 story lines were told. Also, some of the story is hard to believe. Really, watching a father figured murdered, informing the family of the loss and pain associated with the loss, driving the father's blood soaked car to work the next day and actually working the next day. What? Who does that and what kind of employer allows that. Also, the narration was extremely bad. The narrator has horrible accents and at points I laughed when I heard different -- and so called different -- ethnic accents. The narrator needs to stick to only a male English accent.
I would only recommend this book if you are in need of an easy read or listen book - preferably a book while traveling.
"A very likeable "Silent Joe""
This is a very good book and the character of Joe is refreshing and likeable. If you like books about Orange County, CA, Michael Connolly, or James Lee Burke, you will probably like T. Jefferson Parker and "Silent Joe".
Joe Trona is tough, somewhat innocent, gallant, and honest. He was cruelly scarred as a baby and seems grateful every day of his life that he was adopted by the Tronas.
No I haven't.
The book was very interesting and well written. I would have liked to listen to it in one sitting and wished there was a series with Joe Trona.
Great read!
Totally addicted to Audible.
"A very satisfying book!"
This was my first book by this author but I will be reading more. The main character was so totally admirable and honest. The writing was simply captivating. And the narration was great. Very much worth the credit and time.
There are no listener reviews for this title yet.


text:
Business understanding of cyber attacks a decade out of date
PUBLISHED: 15 Oct 2013 00:05:29 | UPDATED: 15 Oct 2013 10:36:17PUBLISHED: 14 Oct 2013 PRINT EDITION: 15 Oct 2013The motives behind APTs are as old as civilisation itself, but the methods being used are right up-to-date. Photo: Frank Maiorana
Christopher Joye
Current approaches to defending the most sophisticated and destructive form of cyber-attacks targeted at businesses are likely to fail because they are focusing on attacks conceived a decade ago, according to a new study published by a global IT body, the Information Systems Audit and Control Association.
The author of the ISACA study, David Lacey, said so-called advanced persistent threats (APTs), where hackers gain access to networks and lie low to collect confidential information, are worryingly on the rise.
"The motives behind APTs are as old as civilisation itself: espionage, sabotage, crime, terrorism, warfare and protest," Mr Lacey said. "What's not old is the ramp-up in attacks and their mounting sophistication."
Mr Lacey was previously head of IT security for the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Royal Mail Group, and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.
In September The Australian Financial Review revealed that the number of serious cyber-attacks on Australian government assets had jumped 39 per cent in 2013 and was 205 per cent higher than 2011 levels, according to the Defence Signals Directorate.
Last week a "sophisticated" Russian-speaking hacking crew penetrated Adobe's networks and stole details on 2.9 million credit cards and "source code for numerous Adobe products", a company spokesman said.
Mr Lacey said ISACA's message to company boards was that conventional protective measures, like firewalls and anti-malware systems, were "not up to the challenge of defeating today's APTs".
Current security not enough
"Companies need to understand that their current security will not protect them from the new threats we are seeing emerge," he says.
"These are long-term, professional threats from organised crime, foreign intelligence services, military agencies, hacktivists and potentially terrorists who are able to walk through the average business's defences, bury deep inside, and stealthily steal and exploit critical information."
In a survey of IT security professionals last year, ISACA found that one in five worked in an organisation that had been the subject of an APT attack and 63 per cent said they believed it was only a matter of time before their enterprise was targeted.
ISACA is a not-for-profit certification body for IT professionals and has more than 100,000 members in 180 countries.
Mr Lacey said that just as "armies were designed to fight the last war" the same was true in the digital security domain where threats were constantly evolving.
"Most APTs are not discovered for three to five years – so the ones we are hearing about today were developed five years ago," he said.
The Financial Review revealed last month that the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Australian Federal Police, and three of the four major banks had all hired the US firm, FireEye, to help them combat APT threats.
America's National Institute of Standards and Technology defines an APT as an attack that: "(i) pursues its objectives repeatedly over an extended period of time; (ii) adapts to defenders' efforts to resist it; and (iii) is determined to maintain the level of interaction needed to execute its objectives."
Mr Lacey believes the private sector continues to chronically underestimate online risks and under-invest in mitigants against them. "Businesses are happy to take risks and keep their fingers crossed. If they do spend any money, it will normally be on the cheapest possible solution. So price, not security, rules," he said.
"Few businesses have the incentive to rip out all their insecure systems and replace them with hardened substitutes. Imposing more regulatory compliance will not work either.
"The only thing that will fix this will be a great big incident that causes so much damage that company boards say, "Okay whatever it takes – we are going to secure this properly."
Asked what businesses should be doing, Mr Lacey said "companies have to raise their game across the board from basic counter-measures, like firewalls, through to more comprehensive APT detection and monitoring techniques that look for signs of abnormal activity inside their network".
One attack, multiple sources
"Some companies may need to also consider "trusted hardware" and keeping their most valuable secrets away from open, internet-exposed networks," he said. Mr Lacey said APT attribution was becoming harder as attackers got better at concealing identities.
"When the Red October APT was revealed, four experts attributed four different sources to it," he said.
In January ,Kaspersky Labs published a detailed report on a five-year long "advanced cyber-espionage" campaign named Red October that had "successfully infiltrated computer networks at diplomatic, governmental and scientific research organisations, gathering data and intelligence from mobile devices, computer systems and network equipment." Red October hit numerous Eastern European countries and targets in the US, Africa and Australia.
Mr Lacey said APTs were also "spreading down supply chains to company's outsourcers, legal advisers, and accountants who often have information and access but are not well defended."
"We know that SMEs don't have real security – they're not interested in it, and often cannot afford it," he said.
Asked whether cyber risks were being exaggerated, Mr Lacey responded, "Frankly, the movie Die Hard 4 will probably prove to be understated".
He said societies will have to get used to living in a world where online spying is more prevalent, as a trade-off for technological progress.
"There are both opportunities and threats with technology, and they are getting bigger and bigger. If we end up in a situation where you can't do anything without half the world spying on you, so be it. But there will be many other positives, including better products and services, to compensate for these costs."
The Australian Financial Review


text:
I have noticed my DD 750X does a fairly decent job on larger drills but is terrible on small bits under ~1/4". Got to checking things over, and it's apparent that the "indexing" sheet metal tabs are to blame. Their purpose is to align the bit in the chuck by rotating the loose bit in the chuck until the smallest diameter [at a point slightly behind the tip] is along the horizontal plane. The plastic chuck is then tightened.
Problem is that different diameter bits are grabbed at different distances from the tip--fat bits are grabbed further back. Assuming the same helix angle [?], the bits will be ground differently.
I've been grinding everything to 135 deg., and noticed that if I use the 118 deg. indexing mark for smaller bits they come out much better--when ground at 135 deg. Bits down around 3/16" actually need to be set to ~110 deg. or less, but there is no way to do it except to slightly rotate the bit by hand before tightening the chuck.


text:
It's been almost 2 months since the Bear Creek fire ravaged hundreds of acres in Marion and Cass counties. Back then, Caroline Wedding and the Marion County Humane Society rescued almost 60 animals. 31 of them are still looking for homes.
Wedding points to Smokey Joe, a dog who ran from the woods "literally smoking," and into the arms of her rescuers. "Some of them will put their arms around you," she said. Dogs like Smokey Joe needed a lot of medical care. Her paws and fur were badly singed and the hair around her eyes still hasn't grown back. Still, she's as friendly as ever, says Wedding...and that's what makes these animals so great for adoption.
Medical care for all of the animals has been expensive, but a recent donation for $9,000 has helped mitigate some of the expenses. What these animals need now, Wedding says, are new homes.
If you would like to adopt an animal rescued from the fire, contact the Marion County Humane Society at (903) 790-9012. Donations for the continued care of the animals are also being accepted. You can send your donation to P.O. Box 505, Jefferson, TX 75657.


text:
Here is a postcard, while far from rare, has an interesting story. I will not spend a lot of time typing other people's research but instead, after the photo of the UC5, is a photo of the back of the post card with a short story and if you are interested, and I hope you are, here is a link to more information.
I hope you find this interesting.


text:
A combination of several of my previous galleries to give a scrolling 'thumbnail' image, a medium size image on hover and a full size image on click
The thumbnail, medium size and full size images are all the same image just resized using CSS. The thumbnails are square to make the scrolling area simpler to work with. This does make these images a little distorted but not so much that they look wrong.
Tested IE6, IE7 and Firefox. Does not work in Opera as it gets the absolute positioning wrong.
All the photographs in this slideshow have been purchased from dreamstime for use on CSS play. These are copyright the various photographers and should not be copied without their permission.
Because of all the time and effort spent in producing this demonstration
I would ask that you respect my copyright.
- If you are using this on a personal web site then please add a link back to CSSplay and retain any copyright comment in the stylesheet.
A donation to the 'Support CSSplay' fund would be appreciated. - If you are using this on a commercial web site, or as a paying job for a client, then please email me asking for permission - stu{at}cssplay.co.uk and in this case a donation to the 'Support CSSplay' fund is required.
- If you are having problems integrating any of my demonstrations into your website then I now offer a service to fault find and correct any errors that you may have introduced. Please email me for more information.


text:
Up next in Skin Care 101 (64 videos)
Everything you ever wanted to know about how to achieve a flawless face is in this video series.
You Will Need
- Baby powder or talcum powder
- Sandals
- Mesh beach bag
- Mild detergent
Step 1
Let everything dry
Let wet hair and clothes dry off in the sun. As they dry, some loose sand will fall off on its own.
Step 2
Shake on powder
Shake some baby powder or talcum powder wherever you have sand on your body, like in between fingers and toes. It absorbs moisture and allows you to easily brush off any remaining grains with your hand.
Step 3
Sprinkle on your hair
Sprinkle some powder onto your hands and rub it gently into your scalp to remove sand from your hair.
Step 4
Wear sandals
Wear sandals to the beach instead of sand-trapping closed-toe shoes.
Step 5
Carry a mesh bag
Carry a mesh bag for towels, lotions, magazines, and toys. Excess sand will fall through the mesh and won't end up on your or in your car.
Step 6
Soak your suit
Get sand out of your bathing suit by soaking it in a basin of lukewarm water. Lay it flat to dry overnight, then wash it with a mild detergent in the sink. Finish with a final rinse to get all the remaining stubborn sand right out.


text:
Sun, sand and a slight element of the unknown...
Formula One racings top technicians do their best to speculate on what may be in store for them at the all-new Grand Prix track.
James Robinson, Head of Race and Test Engineering, Jordan:
"We have seen plans for the track and some TV coverage - it looks quite remarkable. It seems the circuit will be medium to heavy on brake wear with its long high speed straights and very tight corners although not having been there ourselves, it's difficult to give accurate impressions. The track looks sandy and dirty, which will introduce new problems for the car and its systems, but as this circuit is brand new, everybody should be trying to learn at the same rate.
"In preparing for a race at a new circuit, we do as much simulation work as possible, although access issues have prevented us from running our usual track surveys here. Once we have an accurate model of the track we can design a driver model to work out a racing line and run simulation tools to determine car set-up, lap times and downforce data to find the optimum aerodynamic set-up for that track. From that we project fuel consumption, brake wear, set-up criteria and so on. At present we don't know the surface characteristics as we have only a 2D drawing so in many ways it's really a case of waiting until we get there."
Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, McLaren:
Presumably there will be hot temperatures, and we have to expect changing grip conditions, which might also be caused by the fine desert sand. Our simulations indicate that more than two thirds of each lap is run under full throttle. At the fastest part of the circuit the cars will reach a speed of about 320 km/h, at the slowest approximately 65 km/h.
Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director Chassis, Toyota:
"Bahrain is completely unknown territory for everyone, so it promises to be an exciting new race on the F1 calendar. It is the first completely new track in Formula 1 since the debut race in Malaysia back in 1999, so the race results will be dictated as much by how quickly teams and drivers can learn the circuit, as it will be determined by competitiveness. On paper, the Bahrain track looks as technically challenging as Malaysia, so we are aiming to maintain our momentum and get both cars to the finish line for the third race in a row. We were just a few seconds from a championship point in Sepang, so there is no reason that we should not expect a point or two if we can bring both cars home on Sunday."
Willy Rampf, Technical Director, Sauber:
"Obviously Bahrain is a new circuit, so all we really know about it is from the lap simulation we have done with our advanced simulation programme. This simulation has given us a good base for our initial set-up so we should be well prepared. We have a basic value for things such as downforce, brake set-up, and gear ratios for example. As we are expecting ambient temperatures of 30 degrees C and more, together with the same sort of 50 degree track temperatures that we saw recently in Sepang, maximum engine cooling will be required.
"Bahrain has a wide variety of corners. There is a tight right turn at the end of the pit straight; some esses on the infield; and a high-speed corner in the final sector. The biggest unknown factor will be the track surface. Nobody knows what to expect, so it is hard at this stage to predict grip and tyre wear levels. These may also be influenced further by the sand, especially if there are local sandstorms. The effect would be a slippery and abrasive track surface. The sand could also affect the engine and other components, such as wheel bearings, seals and composite suspension components.
"I anticipate that the circuit will place similar demands on the drivers to Sepang. For this race we will have the first fruits of our development programme in the new wind tunnel in Hinwil ready to try on the Sauber Petronas C23."
Dr Mark Gillan, Head of Vehicle Performance, Jaguar Racing:
"As this is a new track for everyone the FIA have supplied us with some data that we are completing simulations from. It's very difficult to know how accurate our data will be but of course we are in the same situation as the majority of teams so it should be a level playing field from the start in terms of circuit and tyre information. From the simulations we have been working on our set-up on the car and of course our aerodynamics package. Braking and fuel levels are additional factors that we need to consider and although we are doing what we can in simulation we really need to get out on track on Friday and test as much as we can. Having the third car at the new races really pays dividends for us. We will be using Bjorn (Wirdheim) to work on tyres on the Friday, as this will help us in making our decision in time for Saturday. Our cooling system worked very well in Sepang and again this is vital especially in the extreme heat of Bahrain.
David Pitchforth, Managing Director, Jaguar Racing:
"The third race is probably going to be one of the most interesting yet. It is going to be one of the few times that just about all of the teams have no real track data to work from. We have been working hard on the data that we were supplied with by the FIA but this is never as good as your own records from previous years. I understand that the track is going to be quite dusty and it will be interesting to see how it cleans up over the weekend and how this affects the tyres. The surface is the biggest unknown but we like a challenge! The characteristics of the track sound intriguing and I know that all three of the drivers are excited about getting out there and giving it a shot."
Sam Michael, Chief Operations Engineer, Williams:
The inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix will pose plenty of challenges that we have not faced before. In particular, the area is surrounded by fine, coral sand that can cause many operational and on-board mechanical problems. Hopefully there won't be any sand storms, not least because the paint work on the cars will definitely take a battering in these conditions.
From the circuit layout, the track seems to be quite twisty with predominantly slow speed corners but there are three straight sections that may offer overtaking opportunities. Judging by the shape of the first corner, the start of the race could be interesting.
We have made some minor improvements to the car since the Malaysian Grand Prix where we were competitive during the race, although not competitive enough to win. Michelin will bring two known tyre choices as they did for the last race, being a new circuit the compound choice will be interesting. Strategy may prove different to the trend of three short stint pitstops we've seen in recent races because we have no information on the amount of time we'll lose in the pitlane, tyre degradation or what the fuel penalty will be.
Geoffrey Willis, Technical Director, BAR:
Bahrain might be an unknown quantity, but we have such good predictive tools nowadays that we can generate a very clear picture of a lap of the track long before we get there. We have access to all the co-ordinates, corner geometries and elevations, so we are able to establish a pretty good baseline. There are one or two questions still to be answered, however: we dont know how rough the kerbs are, for instance, or whether there are any ripples in the surface that might require us to raise the ride height a little. Thats the kind of detail well assess when we have a chance to look at the circuit properly on the Thursday immediately before the race.


text:
Weft Hair
FIERCE COUTURE Of Atlanta now carries a wide range of Virgin Weft Hair.
Our beautiful virgin hair can be ordered in lengths of
14" - 26". Our beautiful wefts are 100% virgin hair which means it's tangle free with no shedding or matting. Wefts can be ordered in Virgin Chinese, Virgin Malaysian or Virgin Indian hair.
Please contact us for priceing and to place your order.
Add your choice of color
Virgin Straight
Virgin Wavy
Virgin Body Wave
Virgin Curly


text:
Degree Admission
Applicants seeking admission to Pellissippi State to enroll in regular credit courses for a degree must comply with the following procedures:
- Submit a completed application for admission along with a nonrefundable application fee.
- Provide official academic transcripts and test results as applicable.
- Submit immunization documents:
- Certificate of Immunization or proof of two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines.
- Hepatitis B health history form (may be completed online if over 18 years of age).
- Certificate of Immunization or proof of two doses of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine.
Admission of first-time freshmen
Graduation from high school. Except as provided for below in the section on General Educational Development certificate (GED), applicants for degree admission as first-time freshmen must provide an official transcript showing graduation from high school. The high school transcript must be a regular or honors diploma. A special education diploma or certificate does not meet this requirement. The transcript of graduates of Tennessee public high schools must include a notation that the student passed the required proficiency examination. GED (General Educational Development) certificate. Applicants for degree admission as first-time freshmen may present a GED certificate in lieu of a high school diploma provided that their composite GED score is at least 450, with no individual score below 410.
Standardized examination scores. Applicants for admission as first-time freshmen must complete an entrance test or submit valid ACT or SAT scores. Valid ACT or SAT scores are those earned within three years prior to the first day of the first term of enrollment. Pellissippi State will use the scores for advisement purposes and as a component in placement decisions. Students who do not meet minimum requirements for learning support courses cannot be admitted to the College and will be referred to the Adult Education program.
Additional requirements for admission of transfer students
Any degree-seeking applicant who has attended another college or university shall be considered a transfer student. Admission of transfer students shall be consistent with the following criteria:
- Official transcripts from each school previously attended must be submitted to Enrollment Services.
- Applicants with college credit earned prior to fall 1989 are admitted without regard to the minimum high school unit requirements.
- Applicants with 60 or more transferable semester hours are eligible for degree admission without regard to the minimum high school unit requirements.
- Applicants with an associate's degree (A.A., A.S.) designed for transfer to baccalaureate institutions are eligible for degree admission without regard to the minimum high school unit requirements.
Awarding of transfer credit
Transfer credit will not be processed until all official transcripts from each school attended by the student are received by Enrollment Services. Upon completion of a student's file, including the receipt of all college transcripts, transcript analysts with Enrollment Services will evaluate all coursework taken. Transfer credit will not be computed into a student's grade point average at Pellissippi State. Transfer credit is awarded for individual courses that parallel Pellissippi State's courses for content, level of instruction and preparation of faculty teaching the courses for which transfer credit is requested, provided a grade of C or better was made in each course. Elective credit may be awarded by the respective academic division if it is determined there is no Pellissippi State equivalent.
The following information may be required to evaluate the comparability of courses for the purpose of awarding transfer credit:
- Course syllabus—copy of the syllabus used at the time the course was taken. A determination of the comparability of course content and level of instruction is made through a comparison of the following syllabus elements: course prefix, number and title; lecture/lab contact hours and credit hours; course description; prerequisite/corequisite courses; course objectives/course goals; grading scale; required textbook and other instructional materials; and methods of evaluation. If the syllabus does not contain the information specified above, supplemental documentation (e.g., assignment schedules, grading policy statements) should be submitted along with the course syllabus.
- Faculty credentials—verification that faculty teaching the course(s) for
which credit is requested meet the following academic and/or professional
experience qualifications:
- Courses designed for transfer to four-year colleges and universities—master's degree and at least 18 graduate hours in the discipline.
- Courses not designed for transfer to four-year colleges and universities—master's degree and at least 18 graduate hours in the discipline or bachelor's degree and work experience in a related field.
- If applicable, the name of relevant specialized or program agencies/ boards may be submitted along with the above information.
The transfer credit appeal process may be used by students to request reconsideration of transfer credit decisions. Steps in the appeal process are as follows:
- The student completes the Petition for Transfer Credit, available online (www.pstcc.edu) or at the Student Assistance Center, and requests an advising appointment with the Student Assistance Center to discuss why he or she thinks the petition for particular courses should be reconsidered for approval.
- Course descriptions, course syllabi and other documentation as described above must be provided by the student or by the institution where the courses were taken.
- The advisor may request that the student provide copies of college transcripts and supporting documentation, to be sent with the Petition for Transfer Credit form to the appropriate academic dean for review.
- The respective academic dean makes a determination, then submits the Petitition for Transfer Credit and a recommendation to Enrollment Services, and the transfer credit decision is processed by the transcript analysts. The academic dean's decisions regarding the awarding of transfer credit are final.
- Enrollment Services will notify the student through campus email of the transfer credit decision.
The appeals process is the same for students transferring from regionally and non-regionally accredited colleges and universities. Students transferring from international colleges and universities follow the same steps—with the additional requirement that supporting documents (e.g., course syllabi) must be provided with English translations—and submit the required documents to an approved credential evaluation service. This process ensures that students have access to a fair and accurate assessment of the credentials by experienced evaluators.
Readmission to Pellissippi State
A student who has not attended Pellissippi State for three consecutive terms must complete a new admissions application, with no application fee. If the student has attended any other college(s) since leaving Pellissippi State, he or she must submit complete transcript(s) from the college(s) in addition to the application.
Academic Fresh Start: criteria
Academic Fresh Start is a plan of academic forgiveness provided for students who have demonstrated academic responsibility following their return to college. The Academic Fresh Start allows the calculation of the grade point average (GPA) and credit hours toward graduation to be based only on work done after returning to college.
Students who were formerly enrolled at Pellissippi State and who have been separated from Pellissippi State and all other institutions of higher education for a minimum of four calendar years from last date of attendance are eligible for the program. A transfer applicant's GPA on transferable courses must be at least equal to that which Pellissippi State requires for the readmission of its own students. Applicants who do not meet the Pellissippi State standards may be admitted on academic probation or other appropriate status.
Student requirements
- Separation from Pellissippi State and all other collegiate institutions for at least four calendar years
- Formal application to Enrollment Services requesting Fresh Start and describing an academic plan at the time of readmission or admission as a degree student or after the time of readmission but prior to completion of 15 hours of degree coursework
- Completion of at least 15 semester hours of earned degree coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.0 for all work attempted
Terms of Academic Fresh Start
- Once the student has satisfied the above requirements, Pellissippi State may grant Academic Fresh Start status. The student may be granted a Fresh Start only once.
- The student's permanent record will remain a record of all work; however, for degree or certification purposes, the student will forfeit the use of all college or university degree credit earned prior to the four-year separation upon the granting of Fresh Start status. Previously satisfied placement test requirements will not be forfeited.
- Upon degree admission, Fresh Start applicants who did not satisfy placement test requirements at the time of previous enrollment and whose academic plan includes completion of a college-level English or mathematics course must meet current placement test requirements regarding enrollment in college-level English and mathematics courses.
- The student's transcript will note that the Fresh Start was made and the date of the Fresh Start. The record will also carry the notation "QPA and credit totals are based only on the work beginning with the date of the Fresh Start."
- The student will apply for the Fresh Start with the understanding that all Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institutions will honor a Fresh Start provision granted at another TBR institution.
Students should understand that non-TBR institutions may not accept the GPA as it is calculated with the Fresh Start.
Mandatory placement of degree admission students
For regular admission to a degree program, an applicant must meet one of these two criteria:
- Applicants who have not attended college previously must submit valid ACT or SAT scores or take the COMPASS test. Applicants who do not show proficiency in basic academic competencies in mathematics, English and/or reading must complete a placement test prior to registering for classes. The results of the placement test will determine the appropriate learning support courses that a student is required to take. Such students may not be enrolled in a regular college-level course that requires that competency as a prerequisite until they have satisfactorily met the exit criteria of the appropriate learning support course(s).
- Transfer students whose previous academic records from a college or university indicate appropriate English and/or mathematics proficiency will be considered for regular admission. Students whose records do not include such transfer credit in English and mathematics must establish proficiency in the basic academic competencies by test scores, according to conditions explained above.
Students admitted to degree programs may later prove deficient in a basic academic competency. Faculty should refer such students to a counselor or the dean of Transitional Studies. Upon verification of the deficiency through placement testing, such students will be withdrawn from the related course(s) with a grade of W and may not re-enroll until they have met all exit criteria of the appropriate learning support course(s).
Return to The Catalog Index
Return to the Admissions & Registration Index


text:
The Grant City Park
Friday, December 2, 2005, the day after the Grant Christmas Parade
Rain Date: Monday, December 5
We are just beginning to plan this year's event. The planning committee members are: Chirs Clark, chair; Nell Massey, Sylvia Williams, and Samantha Lemley.
Stay tuned for more details
Archived announcements of past events and activities can be found on the Past Activities & Announcements page.


text:
$2Million Cancelled
Read More
Rise of the Data Driven CMO, part 2
The End of Mad Men, part 1
The Gartner Cool Vendor Report in Storage Technologies: Vanity or Value
For IT professionals who need to deploy Diskeeper across a fleet of laptops or workstations, the Diskeeper Administration console enables seamless network deployment. For corporate PCs and laptops, Diskeeper Professional is the only highly efficient, proactive, Set It and Forget It® software for maximum performance—making it the #1 utility for keeping Windows systems running like new.
Download 30-day evaluation software »


text:
With the rapid growth of private sector investment in mobile communication, large numbers of poor rural communities now have mobile phones, smart phones, and internet access. The emergence of cloud services has begun to provide powerful and extendable computing platforms at little or no cost. Through this programme, the UNU International Institute for Software Technology (UNU-IIST) will address the question of how such recent advances in information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure can be harnessed to help alleviate poverty in rural communities. It will primarily focus on the issue of how to build local capacity, which has been widely identified as one of the most pressing issues in poverty reduction globally. It will take an action research approach, with extensive fieldwork. Research projects will explore peer-to-peer learning in rural communities, local language support, collection of local level information and translation into a form that is policy relevant, poverty reduction strategy monitoring and participatory software design. Outputs will include software tools, publications, and concrete impacts on poverty.
Through an exchange of letters between the UNU-IIST Director and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR, a long-term strategic partnership has been established to apply ICT to accelerate the Ministry's efforts to reduce poverty in Laos through capacity building at the grass roots level. The collaboration is formally situated in the Office of the Permanent Secretary in order to be able to coordinate with all line departments. This collaboration provides UNU-IIST with valuable support to pursue its research in one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. The project being pursued involves poverty reduction, e-governance and education and so encompasses three of the institute's four programmes. While it may not be possible to formally establish a twin with the ministry, it may very well serve the purposes of the twin concept.
An academic staff member will be recruited to lead this programme. In the interim it will be lead by Prof. Peter Haddawy, Director.
The programme will address research issues central to using ICT to reduce rural poverty. Examples include:
This programme will primarily involve action-oriented research. We illustrate with the programmes's inaugural project: ICT-Enabled Education for Poverty Reduction in Lao PDR.
There is increasing recognition that local ownership is critical to the success and sustainability of poverty reduction initiatives. This requires creation of capacity at the local level. While many countries have large numbers of agricultural extension workers with valuable intimate knowledge of local society and conditions, these workers often lack the needed breadth of knowledge and skills that would enable them to become effective creative problem solvers in their local communities and enable them to draw upon available funding. A highly innovative new professional bachelor's degree programme in Poverty Reduction and Agriculture Management (PRAM), developed under the Wetlands Alliance and piloted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR, has shown the tremendous value of providing such training at the grass roots level. A particularly unique feature of this degree programme is the use of poverty reduction outcomes to evaluate student projects and to measure the overall effectiveness of the program.
The challenge is now to find a mechanism to scale up this programme in Laos and other countries. ICT holds the promise of enabling this scaling and at the same time linking local and global agendas. Private sector development in Laos, like many other developing countries, has begun to provide a viable ICT infrastructure in rural areas, including 3G Internet connectivity, inexpensive computing devices, and access to power through solar technology. Recognizing an opportunity where ICT can augment an existing approach and leverage existing infrastructure, UNU-IIST has entered into a strategic partnership to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in designing and building software for capacity building at the grass roots level in the country. The system is being designed with full participation of staff from the national, provincial, and district levels, as well as PRAM students and teachers. Such participatory design is crucial to local ownership of the initiative. Many subtle issues come to play here, such as holding meetings in settings where the participants can feel comfortable, which can sometimes be someone's home in a remote village. In response to the needs expressed by the extension officers, the system will provide a platform to record and communicate valuable local-level knowledge concerning successful poverty reduction projects being carried out under the PRAM program. The system will permit documenting of projects using rich content including text, photos, and video clips. Since PRAM student projects are assessed, there is a natural quality assurance mechanism on the content. This content will be used as teaching cases so that rather than needing to localize content, relevant content is locally created. In addition, the platform will enable extension officers to share this knowledge and professionally network with one another in order to create a broad peer-to-peer learning community.
More sophisticated future functionality will enable the information gathered at the local level to be aggregated so as to inform policy and enable provincial and central offices to monitor the effectiveness of poverty reduction programs. Building this system presents novel challenges that go far beyond local language support and include issues in computing, cognition and participatory design. A particularly interesting challenge is to find ways to aggregate the primarily qualitative information from the success stories in a way that can be meaningful for government policy making. A team of researchers from the Spatial Cognition Research Center at the Universities of Bremen and Freiburg is looking at ways to apply techniques for qualitative reasoning from Artificial Intelligence to this problem.
Because many developing countries have conditions and challenges similar to those in Laos, it is hoped and expected that the methodology and some of the solutions being developed here will have widespread applicability to help empower those who have been too long neglected.
The current project in Laos involves participation of the head of the Office for Promotion of Gender Equality. Many of the PRAM students deliberately chose to work with women members of the community during their project assignments. The Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) will soon be carrying out a formal gender audit of the PRAM program.
Direct benefactors will be those directly involved in the action research: rural communities, agricultural extension workers, government agencies. Indirect benefactors include academics in ICT4D, NGOs that can make use of research results in their practice and government agencies.
Impact: Contribution to the work of a specific UN agency
Target: Create a community of stakeholders who will contribute toward developing ways to use ICT to help realize the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Local Capacity Strategy for poverty reduction.
How: There is increasing recognition that local ownership is critical to the success and sustainability of poverty reduction initiatives. This requires creation of capacity at the local level. The Local Capacity Strategy put forth by the UNDP Environment & Energy Group outlines a vision for this. The components of the strategy include local learning and knowledge sharing; community voices in policy processes; and rights, access, and finance mechanisms. While elements of this strategy have been realized in various development projects across the globe, key challenges to increasing impact are to integrate the components of this strategy and to implement the strategy on a wide scale. The use of ICT holds great promise to enable this in a cost effective manner. UNU-IIST and the University of Bremen have entered into discussions with UNDP to organize a Grand Challenge Symposium on the topic of ICT-Enabled Local Capacity Strategy for Poverty Reduction. Participants could be drawn from academia, think tanks, development agencies, UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, and industry. Such a symposium would increase awareness of the Local Capacity Strategy and, more importantly, assist in realizing the strategy by collecting ideas and by creating a community of researchers working towards addressing the key issues. In order to build and retain such a community, this symposium or other similar events would be held on a regular basis.
Impact: Influencing policymaking at the national level
Target: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR
How: An information system is being designed that will aggregate data from the local level to provide evidence to support poverty reduction policy in the country and will enable monitoring of outcomes of poverty reduction programs.
Impact: Furthering knowledge in an academic field
Target: Academics in ICT4D
How: The programme will provide opportunities for academics to participate in field work in ICT for poverty reduction in developing countries. Because of the unique status of UNU-IIST as part of the academic arm of the UN, the Institute is in a position to gain access to government agencies in countries that can be very difficult for more traditional universities. For example, this has enabled UNU-IIST to attract the University of Bremen to join its project in Laos, along with the allocation of significant resources.
Impact: Capacity development in developed/developing countries
Target: Rural communities, government district officers
How: Develop and deploy information systems that support capacity building at the grass roots level. Provide training in basic IT skills.
Expected research findings include frameworks for use of ICT in supporting poor rural communities, methodologies for participatory design, algorithms, and software.
Policy support will be an integral part of the action research in this programme. In addition, lessons learned will be distilled and disseminated through publications and presentations to support policy more broadly.
The value added by the programme includes, for the UN system, helping to create a bridge between the academic community and relevant UN agencies such as UNDP and the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. For UNU added value is offered by increasing the contributions of UNU to some of the most pressing needs of developing countries. For governments and policymakers, additional value comes from the direct support offered by the programme in formulating and monitoring poverty reduction strategies.
Results will be disseminated through publications in academic conferences and journals. In addition, there are ongoing discussions with UNDP to organize a Grand Challenge Symposium as a way to engage a broad array of stakeholders. The symposium would focus on how ICT can be used to support the UNDP's Local Capacity Strategy for poverty reduction.
Work in this programme will proceed primarily through a series of field projects. It is expected that once a project is completed, lessons learned will be distilled and applied in the next project.
Measures to evaluate the success of the programme include publications, citations, measurable impact on poverty, satisfaction of stakeholders, and uptake of the techniques and software.
Challenges include mobilization of sufficient resources to achieve programme objectives and the difficulties involved in fieldwork in least developed countries.
The programme is expected to run for a duration of 48 months, from 1 January 2012 through 31 December 2015.
Activities within the programme will involve cooperation between the UNU International Institute for Software Technology and the United Nations Development Programme.
Prof. Peter F. Haddawy, Director
United Nations University
International Institute for Software Technology
Casa Silva Mendes, Estrada do Engenheiro Trigo No. 4, Macau
Mailing address: P.O. Box 3058, Macau