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A small home...
posted 7 years ago
ALthough this is a cute thing to have, my cat got a little bored and stuck to the nice chairs or the bed in the house. WHat can I say, she knows her comfort zone!
Pros: A place she can hide-away...
Cons: She prefers the couch, the bed, the nice chairs
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The use of asset protection strategies is becoming more and more important, as threats from the civil law system increase.
For many people, property asset management is probably one of the most significant features when it comes to safeguarding your assets from the threat of legal action. In many cases the family home constitutes the largest asset the majority of Americans will own, and because of this, the possibility of loss would be devastating, to say the very least.
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Sea Buckthorn
In this Article
How does Sea Buckthorn work?Sea buckthorn contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, and other active ingredients. It might have some activity against stomach and intestinal ulcers, and heartburn symptoms.
Are there safety concerns?Sea buckthorn fruit appears to be safe when consumed as food. Sea buckthorn fruit is used in jams, pies, drinks, and other foods.
Sea buckthorn fruit might also be safe when used for medical purposes. It has been safely used in scientific studies lasting up to 90 days.
Do not take sea buckthorn as a medicine if:
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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The star of this recipe was the salsa. The pork was ok, didn't really pick up much flavor - could have maybe used more salt? The salsa was easy and delicious. I may try marinating for a while if I do this again, and I won't go to the trouble to make kebabs, al Pastor to me should be fried on the stovetop.
Love the basting sauce and pork kebab portion of the recipe. Making the salsa is just too time consuming, so I substituted a store bought salsa instead. Makes great soft-shelled taco's.
I thought this was a great deal of work and expense for a less than stellar dish. Don't get me wrong, it was GOOD, but I was too worn out to enjoy it.
This was delicious. I let the pork cubes marinate for an hour in the fridge before skewering them. Also served it with some quick pickled red onions and a second avocado based salsa like they do in Mexico.


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The Former interim Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi's Iraqiyah formation has secured the maximum number of seats in Iraq's March 7 parliamentary elections, narrowly edging out the State of Law grouping led by incumbent Premier Nouri al-Maliki.
Out of the 325 seats up for grabs, National Iraqi List ("Iraqiyah") of Mr. Allawi secured 91. Mr. Maliki's State of Law grouping got 89, while the Iraqi National Alliance (INA), another Shia coalition which includes the followers of clerics Ammar al-Hakim and Moqtada al-Sadr, won 70 seats. The Kurdistan Alliance won 43 seats. Other smaller parties could manage 33 seats, which could become significant in the numbers game, as the centre of gravity of Iraqi politics has now shifted to the government formation stage. Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission announced the final results on Friday. Citing irregularities, Mr. Maliki has asked for manual recount of the ballots.
In case Friday's results are confirmed, Mr. Allawi, in accordance with Iraqi Constitution, would be the first to be invited by the President to prove a majority in Parliament. Analysts, however, point out that despite securing the maximum number of seats, Mr. Allawi is unlikely to cobble together a 163 member cross- party alliance, which can then form the next government by virtue of a simple majority.
On the contrary, the two Shia formations — Mr. Maliki's State of Law and INA — which many observers say are natural allies, have a better chance of forming a stable government. The two together can muster 159 seats, only four short of the magic 163 mark.
In the past two elections, the Kurds who have secured 43 seats in the current polls have sided with Shia formations.
However, the two Shia groupings face one major problem. They do not, so far, have a consensus on a new Prime Minister. Within the INA, the Moqtada-al-Sadr faction opposes the continuation of the Mr. Maliki as the Prime Minister for a second term. The attack ordered by the Maliki administration in 2008 summer on Sadr City against the Mehdi Army of Mr. Sadr, generated considerable bitterness between the two Shia groups.
The formation of a government led by Mr. Allawi, who has been supported by Sunni Arabs and secular Shias, can emerge as a realistic possibility, only in case the Shia parties fall out with each other and the Kurdish Alliance, supported by most, if not all the smaller parties, who control 33 seats, cobble together a post-poll alliance.
As the lengthy process of the formation of new administration begins, the possibility a national unity government cannot be ruled out. The INA, which is closest to the Iranians, and is likely to emerge as the king-maker, has already advocated this proposal. The INA has been pressing, with a sense of urgency, the early withdrawal of the American forces from Iraq.
Keywords: Iyad Allawi, Iraqiyah, Nouri al-Maliki, National Iraqi List, Iraqi National Alliance, Kurdistan Alliance


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Payment NSR0054023
- From
- Stoke-on-Trent City Council
- To
- Tay Valley Lighting (Stoke on Trent) Ltd
- For
- £379,036.30
- Date
- June 30 2011
- Service
- City Renewal
- Description
- Private Finance Initiative and
- Transaction
- Source
- Line 1491 of http://www.stoke.gov.uk/ccm...
Freedom of Information requests
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All you need to do is submit it (if you're not already registered you will need to register at this point too, but your request details will be remembered while you are doing this)
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Last updated 27 Nov 18:08 (over 3 years ago)


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Our Environmental Policy
Solar panels on the roof of our factory provide 20% of our power and reduce our carbon footprint by over 88,000kg of CO2 a year. The rest of the power we need is undercontract from certified renewable sources. Given that all the heating in the factory is from biomass, we can lay claim to being one of greenest factories in the UK.
The process of installing the solar panels was surprisingly quick. In a period of just over six weeks, we went from the initial consultation to final testing.
While solar panel arrays don't necessarily blend in on the tiled roof of a suburban house, the effect on the roof of an industrial building is, we think, very pleasing.
We are sure you'll agree that the panels are unobtrusive. We covered two south-facing elevations of our twin-pitched roof. The gaps allow light into the production area through pre-existing skylights.
As well as being beneficial to the environment, solar power is proving to be truly economical and we were easily able to raise a loan for £150,000 over three years. A huge economic benefit, is that we expect the solar installation to pay back in about four years, while having an insured life of 20 years. The installation has been operational for 15 months and we can see that there is contribution of £30,000 a year to the company's profit and loss account.
We are currently investigating what our next green project should be. As we burn 20Kw of lights for 18 hours a day, we are more than halfway through switching to LED lighting. We are also looking at using variable speed technology to control our dust extraction fans.
Recycling is a key part of our waste management policy. We follow the principles of reducing, reusing and recycling in many aspects of our working day:
- Timber shavings and offcuts are sent to our boiler room to provide heating
- We recycle product packaging where we can
- Waste paper and printer toners are recycled where possible
- Over-spray from our automated spray plant is filtered and then re-used
Our Paint
The stains, primers and finishes we use are porous, so the timber can breathe naturally. Because our paint is water-based, it doesn't release solvents into the atmosphere as it dries.
The Story of Our Wood
We are committed to supporting the responsible management of the world's timber resources. Timber conservatories are far more environmentally responsible than PVC, which relies on non-renewable hydrocarbons in its production.
We believe it is important to source timber from forests managed in an environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable way. That is why we offer you the choice of having an FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certified product using timber sourced from responsibly managed forests (FSC® C002189). We can also provide PEFC certified (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) products using timber sourced from sustainably managed forests.
We were early adopters of biomass heating and our boiler has now been in service for over ten years. The boiler consumes all the wood waste from the factory which previously went into landfill and provides all the heating for the production area. The boiler is also the all important source of heat for the paint drying tunnel on our automated coating line.
Unfortunately we were such early adopters that we missed out on the subsidies that are now being offered to business to install this form of heating.


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In God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage, Gene Robinson makes the case for same-sex marriage using a commonsense, reasoned, religious argument.
Mary Fairchild, Director of Publicity for Maverick Concerts, and Mark Chmiel from the Actors & Writers theatre troupe join us to talk about their presentation of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays this Saturday, August 11th at 6:30pm.
A federal judge in Connecticut has ruled that part of a federal law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman and denies federal benefits to married gay couples is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford ruled Tuesday that the provision in the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act violates the Fifth Amendment right to equal protection.
The ruling came in the case of six married same-sex couples and a widower who sued after being denied federal benefits. The plaintiffs are from Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont.
The highest court in Massachusetts has found that civil unions for gay couples in Vermont should be treated as the equivalent of marriage in Massachusetts.
The Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday that a couple who enters into a civil union in Vermont must dissolve that union before either can get married in Massachusetts.
We speak with Linda Hirshman about her book, Victory: The Triumphant Gay Revolution. She will be talking about and signing her book this Sunday – July 8th – from 4-5 PM at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Hillsdale, NY.
Aime Kunes is President of the LGBT Coalition of Western Massachusetts. She says that President Obama's support for gay marriage falls in line with other efforts his administration has made, such as the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell".
Kunes says that the she thought the president spoke his mind despite political risk.
Jason Verchot, president of Berkshire Stonewall, a nonprofit supporting the well-being of the gay and lesbian community in the Berkshires, says that president Obama's support at the federal level is significant.


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A method of assigning routes to a plurality of users includes determining a cost for each of a plurality of roadway segments. The cost of a roadway segment is commensurate with the roadway segment's inclusion in one or more existing routes from a start location to a destination location. The method further includes generating a plurality of new routes. Each generated route includes one or more roadway segments. The generated routes are assigned to each of the plurality of users.
1. A computer-implemented method of assigning routes to a plurality of users, the method comprising:
determining a cost for each of a plurality of roadway segments, wherein the cost of a roadway segment is commensurate with the roadway segment's inclusion in one or more existing routes from a first start location to a first destination location;
generating a plurality of new routes from a second start location to a second destination location, wherein each new route comprises one or more roadway segments included in the plurality of roadway segments;
receiving a user preference from each of the plurality of users; and
assigning each of the plurality of users one or more of the new routes based on the received user preferences and the cost of the roadway segments comprising the plurality of new routes.
2. The method of
updating the cost for each of the plurality of roadway segments based on the plurality of new routes; and
modifying the one or more existing routes based on the updated cost.
3. The method of
providing the assigned new routes to the plurality of users.
4. The method of
selecting a new route at random from the plurality of routes;
selecting a new route from the plurality of routes based on a user priority level; and
selecting a new route from the plurality of routes based on a round robin selection scheme.
5. The method of
traffic levels on the roadway segment;
characteristics of the roadway segment;
weather conditions on the roadway segment; and
events that may impact traffic levels on the roadway segment.
6. The method of
7. A computer-implemented method for selecting a route for a user, the method comprising:
determining a cost for each of a plurality of road segments, wherein the cost of a road segment is commensurate with an increase in collective travel time associated with assigning the roadway segment to a new route;
receiving a new route request message, wherein the new route request message comprises a start location and a destination location;
generating a plurality of routes that link the start location and the destination location, wherein each route in the plurality of routes comprises one or more of the plurality of road segments;
determining a route cost for each route in the plurality of routes;
selecting a new route for a user from the plurality of routes;
receiving an indication that the user is following the new route; and
selecting a secondary route for the user.
8. The method of
providing the new route to a user device for display to the user.
9. The method of
providing the user with the secondary route.
10. The method of
selecting a new route at random from the plurality of routes;
selecting a new route from the plurality of routes based on a user priority level; and
selecting a new route from the plurality of routes based on a round robin selection scheme.
11. The method of
12. The method of
a sum of the cost of the one or more of the plurality of roadway segments comprising the route; and
a weighting factor commensurate with one or more user preferences.
13. The method of
modifying one or more existing routes based on the selection of the new route.
14. The method of
traffic levels on the roadway segment;
characteristics of the roadway segment;
weather conditions on the segment; and
events that may impact traffic levels on the roadway segment.
15. The method of
16. The method of
17. A system for assigning routes to a plurality of users, the system comprising:
a cost determination component configured to determine a cost for each of a plurality of roadway segments, wherein the cost of a roadway segment is commensurate with the roadway segment's inclusion in one or more existing routes from a first start location to a first destination location;
a route generation component configured to generate a plurality of new routes from a second start location to a second destination location, wherein each new route comprises one or more roadway segments included in the plurality of roadway segments;
a receiver unit configured to receive a user preference from each of the plurality of users; and
a route assignment component configured to assign each of the plurality of users one or more of the new routes based on the received user preferences and the cost of the roadway segments comprising the plurality of new routes.
This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/200,096, filed Aug. 28, 2008, entitled Networked Navigation System.
The following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which there is shown one or more of the multiple embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.
In the Drawings:
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.
Unified Modeling Language ("UML") can be used to model and/or describe methods and systems and provide the basis for better understanding their functionality and internal operation as well as describing interfaces with external components, systems and people using standardized notation. When used herein, UML diagrams including, but not limited to, use case diagrams, class diagrams and activity diagrams, are meant to serve as an aid in describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, but do not constrain implementation thereof to any particular hardware or software embodiments. Unless otherwise noted, the notation used with respect to the UML diagrams contained herein is consistent with the UML 2.0 specification or variants thereof and is understood by those skilled in the art.
This disclosure is drawn, inter alia, to methods, apparatus, computer programs and systems related to travel route selection technology, and, more particularly, to the dynamic generation of routes for a collection of users with networked navigation and positioning devices. A travel route refers to one or more courses, roads, or road segments that link a start location and a destination location. Given a user seeking a travel route to a destination, the system described herein selects from a plurality of possible routes by considering the current and predicted roadway usage by other users. The system may also consider environmental conditions such as traffic flow, roadway characteristics, weather conditions, and event scheduling. By collecting and aggregating this information, users may be optimally distributed over the plurality of available routes. Optimal distribution in this context is not determined by a single user's travel time; rather, the system will consider the travel time of all users when selecting a route from a plurality of roadway segments. Thus, while the travel time of an individual user may be longer than optimal, this system will ensure that any increase in travel time caused by environmental conditions (e.g., traffic congestion) may be efficiently shared across all other users.
For clarity, some embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are described with respect to an automobile and a wireless system. However, in light of the present disclosure those skilled in the art will recognize that the suggested travel routing techniques described herein may be used with any mode of travel and any communication system generally known in the art, including air travel, fixed and mobile computing devices such as a PDA or personal computer, and wireless communication channels such as cellular telephone networks, WiFi and WiMax networks, wired telephone networks, and cable networks.
Referring to
As shown in
The UE 101 gathers real-time information about the user 109. This information may include, for example, the user's geographic location, direction, speed, and time. In one embodiment, the UE 101 also collects data which indicates user preferences based on user input or past travel habits. A UE 101 that includes an internal position sensing device may automatically determine the start location based on the current position or location of the user. Such a device may employ any position sensing technique generally known in the art, including, without limitation, Global Positioning System (GPS), cell triangulation, inertial sensing, or some combination thereof. The user 109 may also manually input a start location to the UE.
Referring to
Referring to
In one embodiment, the IRS 102 is co-located within the UE 101. In this embodiment, one user's UE 101 may communicate with the UE 101 of other users to gather data via the network interface 204 and the network 205. In another embodiment, the IRS 102 resides in a location remote from the UE 101, and route request messages are transmitted from the UE 102 to the IRS 102 via the network 205.
The network 205 is used to facilitate communication between the various devices, modules and components of the travel routing system 100. The network 205 may be any network or system generally known in the art, including the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a direct connection or series of connections, a cable television infrastructure, a cellular telephone network or any other network capable of facilitating communication between the devices, modules and other components of the travel routing system 100. The network maybe wired, wireless or a combination thereof. Wired connections may be implemented using Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), RJ-11 or any other wired connection generally known in the art. Wireless connections may be implemented using wifi, wimax, bluetooth, infrared, cellular networks, satellite or any other wireless connection methodology generally known in the art. The network maybe implemented in a client-server, token-ring, peer-to-peer manner or any other network topology known in the art. Additionally, several networks may work alone or in communication with each other to facilitate communication in the network 205.
The IRS 102 compiles environmental data from any device or network location capable of providing access to data that may be relevant to providing routing information to a user 109. Examples of data sources employed by the IRS 102 include, without limitation, the event data source 104, the traffic data source 105, the roadway characteristics data source 106, the weather data source 107, and the geographic mapping data source 108. The IRS 102 may request data from an external data source or the source may automatically send data to the IRS 102 at predefined or periodic intervals. Also, the IRS 102 can be updated with data stored on a storage medium. For example, the IRS 102 my obtain stored data from a floppy or hard magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk such as a CD, CD-ROM, DVD, a flash memory device, or any other type of media generally known in the art that is capable of retaining digital data used for some interval of time. Data gathered from external sources may also be stored locally inside the IRS 102. In particular, environmental data gathered from the external sources 105, 106, 104, 107, 108 is stored by the IRS 102 in one or more databases 209, 210, 211, 212, 213. Referring to the use case diagram of
The event data source 104 provides information related to events that are currently impacting traffic conditions or events that may impact traffic conditions in the future. Examples of an event or event type include, but are not limited to, sports events, concerts, political rallies, emergency events, such as a building fires or floods, terrorist acts, and community events such as street festivals or parades, and religious services. Information about an event may include the venue for the event, a start time for the event, an end time (either projected or actual), expected or actual attendance, and roadway closures and restrictions associated with the event. Data received from the event data source 104 may be stored in an event database 211 local to the IRS 102.
The traffic data source 105 provides information related to the real-time or near real-time traffic conditions on roadways, road segments, parking areas or any other area where traffic flow or volume is impacted and/or observed. This information may include congestion levels on roadways or portions thereof, traffic flow or rate of vehicle movement, a description of current road closings, bridge and railroad gate openings, accident reports, and an indication of police activity of the roadway. In addition to current traffic information, the traffic data source may provide historical traffic data and predictions of future traffic conditions. Potential sources of traffic data include, without limitation, government agency data, roadway observations from cameras or sensors, or Internet-based traffic data aggregators. Alternatively, the IRS 102 may record traffic data as it receives it, so that it maintains a record of historical traffic conditions. The IRS 102 may then forecast traffic conditions based on locally executed algorithms. A traffic database 209 in the IRS 102 may store information received from the traffic data source 105 as well as traffic data which is generated by the IRS 102.
The roadway characteristics 106 data source provides information related to the physical characteristics of roadways, road segments, parking areas or other areas that are traversed by vehicles. This information may include, without limitation, the speed limit of each roadway, the number of lanes on the highway, exit destinations and merging roadways, weight limitations, toll locations, and capacity. The roadway characteristics database may also store information that indicates whether traffic on a roadway is controlled or uncontrolled (e.g., whether lane markings and traffic control signals are employed). Roadway characteristics may be stored in a roadway characteristics database 210 in the IRS 102.
The weather data source 107 provides real-time or near real-time data related to current and historical weather conditions, as well as a prediction of future weather conditions, including radar and satellite data, temperature, wind and other generally observed weather conditions. Weather events tracked by the weather data source 107 include, without limitation, rain, tornados, hail, snow, ice, thunderstorms and hurricanes. The weather data source may also provide an indication of natural disasters such as avalanches, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and mudslides. If a weather event is currently occurring, the weather data source 107 may provide an indication of the location of the event, as well as an indication of locations that will be impacted in the future. The IRS 102 may compile and store the weather data in a weather database 212.
Geographic mapping data may be gathered from one or more mapping data sources 108 that provide mapping data that describes a plurality of roadways as well as the location of major landmarks. Roadways that are specified in the data may include, without limitation, interstate highways, intrastate highways, local roads, and residential streets. Each roadway may be described as single item or a roadway may be partitioned into one or more road segments (i.e., any section of a roadway that is utilized by travelers). Road segments may be further described by suggested usage. For example, a road segment that is a portion of a major highway may be described as usable by vehicles, but not pedestrians. Landmarks included in the mapping data may aid in the prediction of increased traffic conditions. Such landmarks may include, without limitation, police and fire stations, amusement parks, arenas, stadiums, parks, restaurants, shopping malls, and churches. The geographic mapping may be stored in mapping database 213 in the IRS 102.
Route request messages received from the UE 101 are parsed by the IRS 102 to retrieve a user's specified start location and desired destination location. The mapping database 213 is queried by a route generation component 207 to determine one or more potential routes that link the start and destination locations. The relationship between a route request in the UE 101 and the initiation of route selection in the IRS 102 is illustrated by send route request use case 701 and determine routes use case 706, respectively (see
In one embodiment, every potential route linking the start location and the destination location is retrieved from the mapping database 213. In other embodiments, a subset of the complete set of available routes is selected based on factors such as distance, average speed limit, or toll charges. A user's preference for a particular type of road may also be considered. For example, a user may specify that only highways should be included in a proposed route.
The IRS 102 includes a cost determination component that determines a cost associated with each road segment included in the route list. This cost is a measure of the impact to optimal system performance associated with assigning a road segment to a new route. Note that cost is not user-specific; rather, the assignment's effect on all users is considered. The cost of a roadway segment is represented by one or more numerical values that are assigned on a set scale for the system. In one embodiment, cost is a function of two factors: the number of user routes affected by an assignment and the increase in travel time for each user affected. The IRS 102 may use current cost and other relevant information to forecast future cost values on road segments that could be included in a route. By considering projected cost, the IRS 102 can efficiently create routes even if a roadway segment will not be traversed in the near future.
A road segment's cost is related to its capacity, or the number of vehicles that can simultaneously travel the length of the road segment at the segment's posted speed limit. Cost increases as the number of vehicles simultaneously using the road segment increases. When the number of vehicles approaches capacity, cost may asymptotically rise. At this point, one or more users may need to be rerouted and any new routes would not include that road segment. The IRS 102 will attempt to distribute traffic in a manner that prevents roadways from reaching their capacity levels. This may entail routing a certain number of users along the road segment, while other users are routed via alternate segments.
Aside from capacity, environmental conditions such as vehicle accidents, weather conditions, and event occurrences may also impact the cost of a road segment. Thus, the IRS 102 uses information from each available source of environmental data to further refine the cost of each road segment included in the route list. The cost of a particular road segment may be increased to reflect an increased level of actual or projected traffic congestion. For example, if a major vehicle accident occurs on a particular road segment, the cost for that road segment and nearby segments will increase. As a result, when selecting a new route, the IRS 102 may route users around the accident area. For users that are in-transit on a previously generated route, the IRS 102 may reroute those users before they encounter the accident area or even residue local traffic congestion due to the accident. Information that may be considered in formulating new routes may include the final destination of the user, current and forecast traffic flows along the possible alternate routes, capacity of the road segments in alternate routes, and the expected duration of increased congestion level. It should be noted that, based on an analysis of the increased congestion levels, the IRS 102 may direct a certain number of users directly through the accident area, assuming that it is not completely blocked and it has some capacity for additional traffic.
In addition, the IRS 102 may review the routes of other users when calculating cost for a list of proposed routes, as the planned routes of other users provides an indication of the future cost of a road segment. For example, if the IRS 102 determines that many users will be routed along a particular road segment during a particular time interval, the IRS 102 may distribute other users along other available roadways during that time interval. Moreover, cost can be efficiently distributed over a plurality of roadways by allocating road segments appropriately.
Once the cost of each road segment has been determined by the IRS, the IRS 102 determines a route cost for each route included in the route list. In one embodiment, each route includes one or more roadway segments and route cost is calculated by summing the cost associated with each roadway segment. In another embodiment, one or more user preferences are considered in addition to the roadway segment costs. For example, the IRS 102 may consider routes followed by the user in the past to appropriately weight the cost of each new route. Once a cost for each route is determined, the route list may be ordered by route cost.
The IRS 102 may also consider the destination location of the user in calculating route cost. More specifically, the IRS 102 may determine the detriment associated with not providing a user with a particular route. For example, for a user traveling a relatively short distance between two points, it may be more efficient to provide the user with the shortest route between two points. This may be a single roadway segment. If another user is on much longer trip, the IRS could reroute that user because the diversion would be less noticeable over the longer travel time. For example, in
Without further processing of the route list, each user may be directed to use the route with the lowest overall route cost. As many users proceed along this route, it may become congested, thus increasing the true travel time for the user. Meanwhile, there may be one or more road segments that remain under utilized or not utilized at all because routes containing those segments are ranked lower in route or segment cost on the list. These lower ranked routes may entail a slight increase in the travel time based solely on the external conditions as they existed at the time the list was created. Yet, as users begin using the higher ranked route(s), the lower ranked routes and segments will start to have lower true travel times.
To alleviate the problem of underutilization or non-utilization of routes and roadway segments, an optimal route selection component 220 of the IRS 102 efficiently distributes available routes and road segments over the users of the travel routing system 100. The optimal route selection component 220 may distribute roadway segments randomly or by utilizing an algorithm such as round-robin; First In, First Out (FIFO); Last In, First Out (LIFO); or priority-based selection. Those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure will appreciate that other distribution algorithms may be employed as well.
The IRS 102 may also adjust a route based on the intended route of one or more nearby users. For example, an accident on a roadway may impact many vehicles located on that roadway. Vehicles traveling on the roadway may become stopped or slowed as congestion rises on the roadway. Moreover, well-known alternate routes will also quickly become congested as drivers seek to avoid the affected roadway. To provide for more efficient re-routing of drivers, vehicles can communicate with one another to optimally route the traffic. Following this technique, the intended destination of each driver may be considered along with other relevant environmental conditions.
Once the IRS 102 determines a route for a user, a route message is sent from the IRS 102 to the UE 101. This message may contain only the top-ranked route or it may contain the top-ranked route, along with one or more secondary route choices. These secondary route choices allow the user to select an alternative to the top-ranked route presented by the user. In the display potential routes use case 703 (see
The user 109 may reject all routes presented by the IRS 102 by providing an indication to the user's equipment 101. After receiving a rejection indication, the UE 101 sends a new route request message to the IRS 102. The IRS may then regenerate an optimal route for the user, considering the routes previously rejected by the user. Thus, the send route rejection use case 702 interacts with the re-determine routes use case 707 of the IRS 102 to produce a new route list. Alternatively, the IRS 102 may simply consult the ranked route list previously generated for the user and select a new optimal route. The IRS can continue to generate routes for the user until the user's equipment indicates that the route suggested by the IRS is being followed by the user.
The user may select a route either by providing an indication to the UE 101, or the UE 101 may monitor the user's position to determine that the route is being followed. After the UE 101 determines that the user has selected the route, it sends a message to the IRS 102 so that the IRS 102 may consider the user's selected route when making future routing decisions. Accordingly, the select route use case 704 provides the user's selection to the record route selection use case 708. The user's selection is thus recorded by the IRS. Additionally, the UE 101 may continue to monitor the user's position in monitor user position use case 705 and periodically provide updates to the IRS 102 in record user position use case 709.
The flow chart of
The efficiency of the IRS 102 is determined, in part, by the amount of data that it uses to make routing decisions. As explained above, one of the sources of data for the IRS 102 is previous routing assignments to other users. By considering which road segments will be used in the near future, the IRS can efficiently distribute roadway segments when developing new routes.
It may be problematic, however, if there are multiple routing service providers, with each service provider maintaining an independent IRS-type system. Under this scenario, a service provider's IRS may consider route assignments for that provider's users, while ignoring the planned routes of users of other routing service providers. To alleviate this problem and enhance the routing selection capabilities of each IRS, data may be shared between providers and individual IRSs. Providers may exchange data using any method of data transfer generally known in the art. For example, each IRS may automatically send a routing report at regular intervals to other IRS units.
Data may also be shared among a plurality of user equipment (UE) components. In one embodiment, the IRS 102 is co-located with the UE 101. In this embodiment, there may be no centralized routing service provider; rather, each user independently makes routing decisions. The UE 101 may communicate with the equipment of other users via a peer-to-peer connection. Information may be gathered from external sources as well as other users in the area. By considering the destination of nearby users, utilization of local roadways can be maximized.
UE devices may communicate with each another via a wireless connection. Examples of potentially suitable wireless network types include, without limitation, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD), Packet Data Cellular (PDC-P), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), 1� Radio Transmission Technology, (1�RTT), Bluetooth, Infrared Light Transmission (IrDA), Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS), Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access WiMAX, and IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi.
User equipment may provide updated positional coordinates to the intelligent routing system. The system can use these coordinates to monitor if the user is following the suggested route. If the route is not being followed, the IRS may update the routing information provided to the user equipment.
In one embodiment, the IRS does not return a complete route to the user. Instead, dynamic turn by turn directions are delivered to the user in near-real time based on all data available the intelligent routing engine. This might be particularly useful in an urban setting where quickly changing traffic patterns could be detected using GPS or other position data (e.g., inertial sensing or cell triangulation). In the context of vehicle-based systems, incorporating traffic signal timing data could provide most efficient paths between origin and destination locations that are relatively close to each other for a large number of vehicles traversing the same roadways.
In a peer to peer network of GPS-enabled navigation systems, dynamic turn by turn directions can be delivered by monitoring the routes being provided to other users within the immediate vicinity and anticipating the expected utilization of those routes. For example, if many vehicles indicate that they will make a left turn at the same intersection, a vehicle may be directed to turn in advance of that intersection or even directed to a turn past the intersection to avoid a lengthy wait.
The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented with any combination of hardware and software. If implemented as a computer-implemented apparatus, the embodiment is implemented using means for performing all of the steps and functions described above.
The embodiments of the present disclosure can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer useable media. The media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the mechanisms of the embodiments of the present disclsoure. The article of manufacture can be included as part of a computer system or sold separately.
There is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. There are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.
The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link, etc.).
Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into data processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A typical data processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.
The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably coupled", to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable", to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
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Sir John Nicholl (1759-1838), Judge
Sitter in 3 portraits
John Nicholl entered Parliament as an MP in 1802 and spent thirty years serving in various constituencies. He had trained in the law but had not gone on to become a barrister. In 1809, he was appointed as a judge with a seat on the Privy Council. He regularly briefed the Privy Council and Secretaries of state on international law and maritime matters. In Parliament, he was a staunch defender of the established Church and the Admiralty and Ecclesiastical courts.


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The Bridge
Third party DRM: SteamThis game requires a free Steam account to play.
Customer notes
Languages also supported: Dutch, Hungarian, Turkish, and Romanian
Top 30 Indie Titles:
"I was simply flabbergasted at the complexity and simplicity they present at the same time." - 9/10 – The Indie Game Magazine
"Although rage-inducing difficulty spikes exist, The Bridge generally offers a middle path that should appeal both to newcomers and to expert puzzle solvers." - Gamespot.com
The Bridge is a 2D logic puzzle game that forces the player to reevaluate their preconceptions of physics and perspective. It is Isaac Newton meets M. C. Escher. Manipulate gravity to redefine the ceiling as the floor while venturing through impossible architectures. Explore increasingly difficult worlds, each uniquely detailed and designed to leave the player with a pronounced sense of intellectual accomplishment. The Bridge exemplifies games as an art form, with beautifully hand-drawn art in the style of a black-and-white lithograph.
Key Features:
48 thought-provoking puzzles, each unique from the rest, all requiring an innovative solution.
Gravity manipulations, gravitational vortexes, parallel dimensions, and many more mind-bending concepts in a world where the laws of physics are not what they seem.
M. C. Escher-esque worlds with impossible architecture set in the style of beautifully hand-drawn black-and-white lithographic art.
An alternate version of the game unlocked after the main storyline has been completed, including challenging alternate versions of each of the 24 main puzzles, along with an alternate ending.
A time-backtracking system to alleviate any fears of making a mistake.
Customer reviews
Interesting style in another indie puzzle game.Furrek | Jan. 9, 2015 | See all Furrek's reviews »
I would fall in love with this game only if I wouldn't play MANY like these before. The Bridge have a very nice level design and great graphics style. I will sure remember this game for long only because of that. What's more? Easy controls, hard and harder puzzles. Sadly, many of indie games are like that. I played many of them so maybe "another indie puzzle game with interesting style and some story" are not making big impression on me. That doesn't mean this game isn't worth buying or playing. Wrong. It is, but I wouldn't consider this as something you must play. If you are fan of indie puzzle games get it.
Crossing the laws of gravity with geometric illusionIllestAlexander | Nov. 17, 2014 | See all IllestAlexander's reviews »
The Bridge is a well-written puzzle game, which sometimes lacks a little diversity. For a homogeneous and gray (although beautiful!) graphic design and the slow pace of the levels seem to be from time to time "similar". The game could also be a bit longer, although its passage takes a good few hours (I have a feeling that most of them rather applies to the last levels of the other world). Due to the increasing level of difficulty of puzzles, a very helpful solution is the 6-stage hint system. But The Bridge is still a strong position - is really charming and masterfully executed.
One of my favourite games on steamsamtahbou | Sept. 22, 2014 | See all samtahbou's reviews »
I don't know what it is about this game, but there's something very deeply and profoundly disturbing about it. It's like a terrifyingly beautiful nightmare. It is captivating. I love the art, the originality, and the atmosphere. But you still have this feeling of something being off. The game sucks you in and leaves you wondering what will happen to you once you've been taken. It really is just like those dreams where everything is perfectly fine, except for an uneasy feeling, you don't know what is giving you that feeling, maybe it's those boots that are laying on their side, or the absence of lint on your clothes, you don't know, but you can tell something is wrong. If you are expecting a monster or someone with a chainsaw popping up like it's a B horror flick, you won't find that here. But you will remain uneasy throughout. I recommend this game 100%, and I'm giving it a 9/10. The experience you get from playing this game is unlike any other I've played in the past. It's very unique, it has elements I've seen in other games, rotating the map, manipulating gravity, but the ingenuity with which it was applied is unparalleled. But be warned, this game will haunt you like few other games have.
complex puzzlesahamada | Aug. 26, 2014 | See all ahamada's reviews »
Actually the game is little bit short but when you trapped in a level you cant solve it for hours sometimes especially further levels. So i like the game and spent hours, but it may give you little vertigo :) You must spin the environment and use the gravity to solve puzzle and get in to door. Also this game has very cute with handwrite graphics. A different style in the puzzle games with this game, sometimes hard and sometimes so easy, but almost you having fun. Maybe can be better but it has an exclusive concept. While you are playing the music in the background it is relaxing you while you trying to solve puzzles. I played for hours but i couldn't play without a break because of vertigo from levels :) Anyway, it deserves the price.
Simple, but very challengingdarkkillex | Aug. 24, 2014 | See all darkkillex's reviews »
This game is a mix between a platform game and a puzzle game. At first, when you start playing, it seems relatively easy to solve the puzzles, but very quickly these puzzles lead to some head-scratching moments. Every time you get the grasp of a mechanic, the game introduces you to a new one, which completely changes the way to solve the puzzles. This means there isn't one strategy to solve all puzzles, because every puzzle is different and requires a different approach. This game is very challenging and also quite unique, which makes it one of my favorite puzzle games.


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Nuclear Fuel Cycle Options:
DOE Needs to Enhance Planning for Technology Assessment and Collaboration with Industry and Other Countries
GAO-12-70: Published: Oct 17, 2011. Publicly Released: Nov 17, 2011.
Audio interview by GAO staff with Gene Aloise, Director, Natural Resources & Environment
Additional Materials:
- Highlights Page:
- Full Report:
- Accessible Text:
(202) 512-6870
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
More demand for electricity and concerns about greenhouse gas emissions have increased interest in nuclear power, which does not rely on fossil fuels. However, concerns remain about the radioactive spent fuel that nuclear reactors generate. The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a research and development (R&D) plan to select nuclear fuel cycles and technologies, some of which reprocess spent fuel and recycle some nuclear material, such as plutonium. These fuel cycles may help reduce the generation of spent fuel and risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism. GAO was asked to review (1) DOE's approach to selecting nuclear fuel cycles and technologies, (2) DOE's efforts to reduce proliferation and terrorism risks, and (3) selected countries' experiences in reprocessing and recycling spent fuel. GAO reviewed DOE's plan and met with officials from DOE, the nuclear industry, and France and the United Kingdom.
DOE's R&D plan relies on a systematic approach--that is, the use of scientific methods and engineering principles--to select and demonstrate nuclear fuel cycles and associated technologies. However, it does not explain the current readiness levels of the technologies associated with the fuel cycles and the estimated time and cost of further development; it also does not explain how DOE will collaborate with the nuclear industry and other countries experienced in nuclear R&D in achieving its goals. In particular: (1) In 2010, DOE screened 863 previously identified nuclear fuel cycles and technologies and grouped them into 266 fuel cycles for further exploration. Independent reviewers found this screening process useful and recommended changes that DOE officials stated they would act on. (2) DOE's R&D plan states that it is necessary to assess the readiness levels of technologies associated with nuclear fuel cycles. However, neither the plan nor the screening process describe the current readiness levels of all critical technologies or the time or estimated costs for further development. As GAO has reported, assessing the readiness of technology is a best practice to help control schedule and costs. (3) DOE's R&D plan states the importance of collaborating with the nuclear industry--the ultimate user of any fuel cycle and technologies that are developed--and DOE continues to get industry advice. However, the plan does not include a strategy for long-term collaboration with industry, without which DOE cannot be assured that the nuclear industry will accept and use the fuel cycles and technologies that the department may develop. (4) DOE has agreements with other countries that provide collaborative opportunities to share research results and leverage DOE's R&D efforts, such as using the countries' research facilities. However, the plan does not explain how DOE will use these agreements to advance its R&D goals. As stated in DOE's R&D plan, the Office of Nuclear Energy has efforts under way to minimize proliferation and terrorism risks associated with nuclear power, but faces challenges. These challenges include developing reliable and cost-effective fuel cycles while minimizing the attractiveness to potential adversaries of radioactive materials resulting from these cycles. NNSA is also working on these issues, and the two agencies have worked together informally to avoid duplication and overlap but do not have a formal mechanism to collaborate on future efforts, which can help agencies strengthen their commitment to work collaboratively by clarifying who will lead or participate in which activities and how decisions will be made. GAO reviewed France's and the United Kingdom's decades of experiences in developing and operating reprocessing and recycling infrastructures. These experiences can provide some insights into the decisions DOE may need to make in selecting nuclear fuel cycles and technologies. For example, reprocessing and recycling is likely to reduce the amount of space needed for a nuclear waste repository because some of the radioactive materials are reused, but the amount of this reduction would depend on how much of the radioactive materials that are reused might ultimately require disposal in such a repository. GAO recommends that DOE revise its plan to include the current readiness levels of fuel cycle technologies and the estimated time and cost to develop them, include a strategy for long-term collaboration with the nuclear industry, and specify how DOE will use international agreements to advance its efforts. GAO also recommends that DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy and its National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) complete a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to avoid duplication and overlap of efforts. DOE agreed with the first three recommendations and did not rule out the future use of a MOU. GAO continues to believe that this formal collaboration mechanism is needed.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: For the Office of Nuclear Energy to reach its goal of selecting sustainable nuclear fuel cycles and associated technologies by 2020 and demonstrating them by 2050, the Secretary of Energy should direct the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Nuclear Energy to revise the R&D plan to (1) include the current readiness levels of the technologies associated with the fuel cycle options being considered and the estimated time and cost for developing these technologies in relationship to the R&D plan's schedules and goals; (2) include a strategy for sustaining long-term collaboration with the nuclear industry, including a formal mechanism that clarifies the role industry will have at critical points in selecting fuel cycle options and associated technologies; and (3) specify how DOE will use collaborative agreements with other countries to advance its R&D efforts and use available facilities and expertise in these other countries to more efficiently and effectively meet its R&D goals.
Agency Affected: Department of Energy
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: For the Office of Nuclear Energy to reach its goal of selecting sustainable nuclear fuel cycles and associated technologies by 2020 and demonstrating them by 2050, the Secretary of Energy should direct the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Nuclear Energy to complete a memorandum of understanding with NNSA to help ensure that DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy and NNSA coordinate their work to avoid overlap and duplication in their efforts to minimize proliferation and terrorism risks.
Agency Affected: Department of Energy
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations »
Apr 27, 2015
DOE Loan Programs:Current Estimated Net Costs Include $2.2 Billion in Credit Subsidy, Plus Administrative ExpensesGAO-15-438: Published: Apr 27, 2015. Publicly Released: Apr 27, 2015.
Apr 22, 2015
Department of Energy:Management of Excess UraniumGAO-15-475T: Published: Apr 22, 2015. Publicly Released: Apr 22, 2015.
Apr 15, 2015
National Nuclear Security Administration:Observations on Management Challenges and Steps Taken to Address ThemGAO-15-532T: Published: Apr 15, 2015. Publicly Released: Apr 15, 2015.
Mar 23, 2015
National Nuclear Security Administration:Reports on the Benefits and Costs of Competing Management and Operating Contracts Need to Be Clearer and More CompleteGAO-15-331: Published: Mar 23, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 23, 2015.
Mar 19, 2015
DOE Facilities:Better Prioritization and Life Cycle Cost Analysis Would Improve Disposition PlanningGAO-15-272: Published: Mar 19, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 19, 2015.
Mar 2, 2015
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board:Improvements Needed to Strengthen Internal Control and Promote Transparency [Reissued on March 2, 2015]GAO-15-181: Published: Jan 20, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 19, 2015.
Feb 25, 2015
DOE Real Property:Better Data and a More Proactive Approach Needed to Facilitate Property DisposalGAO-15-305: Published: Feb 25, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 2015.
Dec 16, 2014
Nuclear Regulatory Commission:NRC Needs to Improve Its Cost Estimates by Incorporating More Best PracticesGAO-15-98: Published: Dec 12, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2014.
Hanford Cleanup:Condition of Tanks May Further Limit DOE's Ability to Respond to Leaks and IntrusionsGAO-15-40: Published: Nov 25, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2014.
Dec 11, 2014
DOE and NNSA Project Management:Analysis of Alternatives Could Be Improved by Incorporating Best PracticesGAO-15-37: Published: Dec 11, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 11, 2014.
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Great Shampoo
posted 6 years ago
I bought this shampoo from my groomer. He uses it on dogs with skin problems. Since I have been using this shampoo my dog has stopped scratching. Wonderful product.
Pros: stops itching
Cons: none
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Helps with iching
posted 6 years ago
I love this shampoo for one of my dogs that tends to be itchy and at times has a flakey coat. It works really well, smells great and leaves the skin clean but not irritated and the coat shining.
Great stuff. If you make sure to dilute it it does last quite a long time.
Pros: great stuff
Cons: expensive
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Your Training Partner Newsletters
October 2009 - NewsletterPosted Oct. 1, 2009
I Have Been Thinking About Data Analysis
By Robert D. Skillman
It seems that I do that a lot, perhaps that is what makes me a Black Belt, or perhaps being a Black Belt caused it. The more I think about data analysis and talk to others about it, the more I realize that outside the Six Sigma community, very few are very good at it.
We go to college and get degrees and good jobs and we are well trained how to add, subtract, multiply and divide, but we are not trained how to think about data. Some of us get engineering degrees and we are well trained in calculus and trigonometry, and perhaps we even endured a statistics class, but we still haven't been taught how to really think about data. The MBAs run the businesses and have had business statistics training, but my observations are that they have not been properly trained in how to think about data either.
All this deprecating talk; where did I get such notions? I got it the scientific way, by questioning and observation. During my thirty-five years working for large and bureaucratic companies I have been called upon to give explanation for trends, patterns, shifts and jumps in data hundreds of times. As I talk to my students, nothing has changed. I wish I knew then what I know now.
What I know now is that most of the statistical signals my bosses were reacting to were not signals at all, but rather noise. When required to give explanation why production scrap is up in July of this year from July of last year by four percent, I would now say "what makes July of last year a benchmark?" We must let the data interpret the data. Once we have a couple years of time series data with natural behavior limits calculated, we can begin to separate the signals from the noise. If the boss wants an explanation for why scrap has been climbing for the last three months, this may not be a signal at all. If it falls within the behavior limits then no statistical signal is evident.
My point is that management generally is inadequately trained in "how to think about data." This results in demands for explanations and changes in behavior when no signals are present. When time is spent reacting to non-signals, true signals can be missed. All this inefficiency helps our companies to maximize their costs.
Think about this. In 1927 Babe Ruth hit a record 60 homeruns in one season. This record held until 1961 when Roger Maris hit 61. Since that time the record has been broken several times, but let's just think about the Babe and Maris, for now. What does the data really say?
I collected some time series data. It's easy to just Google your way into the statistics. It's all there. The Babe Ruth data compiled is homeruns per season from 1918 thru 1934 and for Maris is 1957 thru 1968. It would have been better to consider homeruns per times at bat, but this is what was available. When we study this from a time series prospective and generating natural behavior limits, what do you think about the data?
Did you notice that the natural behavior limits suggest the 60 homeruns Babe had was just normal behavior, nothing special, and Roger's 61 was very definitely a special cause. If the Babe would have hit 60 homeruns again, or even as high as 70, it would still be statistically normal behavior based on his career data. With Roger, the 61 was quite exceptional and most likely would not repeat. If the boss asked "what was so extraordinary about Babe's 1927 Season," the answer is "nothing." But if the question was posed regarding Roger's 1967 Season, the answer would demand an explanation because it was beyond the statistical tests for normal random behavior and therefore, special cause was present. There was no statistical signal regarding Babe, whereas quite the opposite exists regarding Roger.
I intend that this simple example gets you all thinking. Companies spend way too much time reacting to statistical signals where there are none and frequently missing the important signals. Time Series Studies with properly calculated behavior limits will certainly help in identifying true signals and categorizing the noise.
For my students, the homework is to add the following player's data: Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire. Tell me what you think then. What questions do you have?
Lean Six Sigma in New Places – The Application to CPA Firms
By Dustin Hostetler
"Trusted Advisor." The term "partner" at CPA Firms is a name that accounting professionals strive to have their clients refer to them as. It was this line of thinking that brought the firm I work for, Rea & Associates, Inc., to explore and then commit to the principles of Lean Six Sigma three years ago.
We had been hearing more and more of our manufacturing clients talking about Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma. In order to truly be their trusted advisors, we needed to ramp up our education and training on Lean Six Sigma principles, which is exactly what we did. It has lead us into a point of competitive differentiation from other local and regional CPA firms across the state of Ohio.
Interestingly, what started off as a plan to better understand and help our manufacturing clients, has also morphed into a unique application of Lean Six Sigma inside our own firm and consulting with other CPA firms that we call LeanCPA. The principles that have been effective on the shop floor we have found to be just as effective in our service and transactional-type processes. It all starts with understanding the voice of the client (customer), and making sure we have processes designed to service our clients accurately, timely and with superior client service and added services.
Sounds simple, right? Well it is, and it's unfortunate that many CPA firms are just getting around to understanding that most of what they do involves processes. There's more to process than just implementing a new software program. Some simple examples of how we've looked at issues from a service perspective include:
- Just as a manufacturer tries to identify and control the process against defects, CPA firms should be collecting statistics on common mistakes (review notes) being made and designing correction programs around these. Often times, the 80/20 rule applies.
- Overproduction in manufacturing involves making product in large batches and being unresponsive to changing customer demands. Overproduction in CPA firms is continuously starting new projects/client work without enough focus on finishing work-in-process.
- Excess transportation and motion on the shop floor are related to departmental manufacturing issues, poor workplace setup and organization. Needlessly walking folders and reports around an office when electronic means can handle this task as well as organizing work teams closer together are a few improvement ideas in the office.
So the next time someone outside of manufacturing says "Lean Six Sigma won't work for us," tell them to think again.
Dustin Hostetler is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt for Lean CPA, LLC, a division of Rea & Associates, Inc. He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or 330-264-0791.


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It is undeniable that over the years, The Hindu has made an unquestioned place for itself as a responsible and respectable newspaper. Its stand on issues such as imperialism, secularism, poverty and corruption has been significant. It has always stood for high democratic norms.
It is a credible newspaper — whenever anyone is in doubt about a piece of news, he or she invariably finds out whether it has appeared in The Hindu. The newspaper deserves to hold its head high.
N.G.R. Prasad,
A villager who studied up to PUC (pre-university) in the Tamil medium, I became fluent in English only because of The Hindu. I did switch over to other English dailies twice in the past but promptly returned to The Hindu. I run a training programme in communication skills for post-graduate students and I strongly recommend the reading of The Hindu to them.
P. Arunachalam,
Keywords: The Hindu coverage, Credible newspaper


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Oral Roberts U. hires Sean Sutton as adviser
OKLAHOMA CITY The reclamation of Sean Sutton's coaching career has begun.
The former Oklahoma State basketball coach, who pleaded guilty in August to illegally obtaining prescription drugs and acknowledged an addiction to painkillers, will serve as an adviser to the Oral Roberts program led by his brother, Scott Sutton.
"He is a gifted and very experienced coach and he'll be a great help to us," school President Mark Rutland said Thursday during a news conference at the private Tulsa school. "At this university, we believe in the stewardship of gifts and we believe in the process of redemptive grace."
Sean Sutton will not be able to give direct instruction to players, but he will be able to watch practice and film and make suggestions to his brother and the Golden Eagles' three full-time assistant coaches.
"Right now, it's a six-month role and we'll see where everything settles after that point," Sean Sutton said. "I do believe that hopefully I'll have the opportunity to go back somewhere as a full-time coach in the spring. ... In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this experience and do the best I can for this program."
Scott Sutton said the brothers' famous coaching father, Eddie Sutton, had given his blessing to the deal.
"This is a great day for ORU basketball and for me personally," Scott Sutton said.
Eddie Sutton recorded 804 wins during a career with stops at Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma State and San Francisco. Sean Sutton served as an assistant under his father at Oklahoma State for 13 years before becoming the Cowboys' head coach after a drunken-driving accident involving Eddie Sutton in 2006.
Sean Sutton went 39-29 in two turbulent seasons, failing to make the NCAA tournament, and resigned under pressure in April 2008. He has been out of coaching ever since but received a $2.2 million settlement from Oklahoma State.
Scott Sutton has carved out a comfortable niche at Oral Roberts, where he's won four Summit League titles. He's 204-139 as he enters his 12th season with the Golden Eagles. He's taken Oral Roberts to the NCAA tournament three times and owns regular-season wins over Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma State, the latter when his brother was the Cowboys' coach.
On Feb. 11, Sean Sutton was arrested after agents from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs said he picked up a shipment of painkillers under another person's name. He spent a night in jail before entering treatment in Utah six days after his arrest. He said he spent 115 days in treatment, 25 longer than the program is intended to last.
After his guilty plea in Payne County District Court, Sean Sutton was sentenced to three years of probation. His probation could be revoked if he violates the terms, which will likely include random drug testing. Otherwise, he would be cleared of any charges and be without a felony conviction on his record if he stays clean through Aug. 9, 2013.
Oral Roberts athletic director Mike Carter said Rutland watched Sean Sutton's news conference admitting his addiction and decided that "this was the place for him to be."


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View of Goose Island from West Shore State Park. Low clouds hide the mountains on the East Shore.
Prints of this photo are available on my web site: www.rcampbellphoto.com
28mm, f/18, 1/4.sec, ISO.100, File_0011
FANTASTIC SHOT !!! LIKE Greetings from Poland, Joanna
I have a new web site at www.rcampbellphoto.com and would like to get some feedback on whether it looks OK or still needs some work. All comments will be appreciated.
Thanks to everyone, Richard
Very nice schot I LIKE!!!!!!greetings from Italy chiara
Bella imagen.
Photo taken in Flathead Lake - West Shore State Park, Lakeside, MT 59922, USA


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2015-2016 today...
- What would happen in the United States if every Middle School student found direction for their future?
- What if they had a platform of support that was available to them 24 hours a day?
- What if HOPE replaced dispair and they became aware of their potential?
- What if there was a strategy that had no fee to the student and no limits on their location?
- What if you could be a part of the solution and see our country change?
The Powerhouse Youth Project has been impacting schools for more than 10 years with powerful assemblies that challenge students to take control of their choices. We have listened to the students and CEO's of this country and we are stepping forward with the first HIGH TECH/HIGH TOUCH platform to impact Middle School students across the United States.
The answer to the questions above is very simple, CHANGE. We are purposing a CHANGE in the culture for our students across the nation because we believe in their dreams and passion for life. It is time to stop shaking our heads and giving into failing systems and meet students where they are and impact them with concepts that matter. This real life story may give you a more clear image of what we believe.
I recently had a meeting with a principal at a local high school to discuss our strategy and he shared this story: One day while working in the office he overheard a guidance counselor working with a student on his post high school plans...the student communicated that he wanted to work with his dad to learn the business and possibly take a few community college business classes. The principal was shocked when he heard the counselor disagree with the students plan. The counselor told him he needed to get a college degree and then find a successful path. After the student left the meeting, the principal asked the guidance counselor why they had given that direction. He asked them if they knew who the child's father was...she said no. He then told her that his father was one of the most successful contractors in the region building homes for thousands of folks and had accomplished it all without a college degree. He asked if the counselor thought a college professor would be able to give this student a better example in business and life. The outcome was simple, that guidance counselor had to look for a new job.
That problem exists all over this country in every community. We have bought into a flawed process of thought that introduces a pathway for students without knowing the student comletely. Please understand our vision, WE ARE NOT AGAINST HIGHER EDUCATION. We just believe there are many paths to fulfill the dreams and passions burning in the hearts of students.
It is time for a new process of thought that engages students at their passion and assist them with all the possibilities. Technology is opening up new opportunities for us to share that platform to every student and we are working to launch a virtual platform that will eradicate hopelessness and inject HOPE and an achievable process for every student in the United States. That is our vision.
Powerhouse Assembly Video Preview from Scott Chevalier on Vimeo.


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Use the tools below to refine your search by only displaying reviews with a certain number of star ratings or to only show reviews from a certain time period. Eg click on '1 star' to just display the reviews we have which received a 1 star rating click or 'Within the last month' to display just reviews posted over the last month.
Written on: 21/05/2013 by Gaia86 (1 review written)
after i brought a few items from here i was quite pleased. The sterling silver findings are quite a good and are at cheap prices then most places. however i began buying there Gems of Distinction range. The annoying presenters always go on and on about the quality being amazing. So i brought a few strands only to be dispointed that the quality is so bad. The stones are not what you expect, some are almost colourless or included greatly or cloudy. There are other online stores that sells… Read Full Review
Written on: 07/11/2013
Yes agree with you everything you said is true, spot on comments.
Written on: 05/04/2013
Was quite excited when I first learnt there was a channel dedicated to jewellery making, as I am just starting out in this hobby, so made a cuppa and tuned in... Oh my god... It has to be watched to believe how bad it is. The presenter is loud, leery, shouts at the screen, sings loud out of tune. EVERY SET of beads that come on to sell she just screams "OH MY GOD I JUST LOVE THESE !! " it's like she is just having a pub conversation with the camera crew constantly. The classes are awful , when… Read Full Review
Written on: 09/04/2014
Probably talking about presenter Lucy..wish she would calm down and stop always randomly stopping the presenting to yell across at some off camera person, it's boring and rude
As rated by our community of reviewers
" Absolutely awful customer service. " Read More
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" Delivery service was appalling. Give the drivers more time " Read More
" Great for catching up when abroad. " Read More
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" Customer service " Read More


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Parry-Romberg Syndrome Center - Fort Lauderdale, FL
WebMD Physician Directory
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Parry-Romberg Syndrome
What is and what causes Parry-Romberg syndrome?
Parry-Romberg syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by slowly progressive deterioration (atrophy) of the skin and soft tissues of half of the face (hemifacial atrophy), usually the ...
Other Related Parry-Romberg Syndrome Articles
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Hello Everybody!
We are currently looking for a joomla pro who is interested in converting our existing themes into joomla. On themeforest, so far, we have only released html and wordpress versions, but we want the joomla community to be able to enjoy our themes, too.
The themes will be sold through our account, you will get 50% of the sales, which will be wired to an account of your choice once a month. You will be responsible for updates and support, we will take care of the rest. The HTML is already done, which will take you lots of work, too.
We are interested in a long term partnership, but even if you are interested in only converting one of the themes, drop us a mail through our profile page or reply to this post and we will get in touch with you.
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