text:
Campbell and Reece 8th edition
Discussion of all aspects of cellular structure, physiology and communication.
Moderator: BioTeam
Re: Campbell and Reece 8th edition
Think about how are the membranes oriented
Where would you expect receptors for extracellular molecules?
Cis or trans? That's what matters.
Re: Campbell and Reece 8th edition
thank you
About that question I know that the signal receptors would be on the outside of the plasma membrane but I wonder why it would be on the INSIDE of the ER membrane, vesicle and Golgi body- I mean how would the signal reach the receptor if they are on the INSIDE???
Or are the ER membrane, vesicle and Golgi body something to do with exocytosis???
thank you
Re: Campbell and Reece 8th edition
thank you
quickly :
"And BTW, the receptors do not have to be on the outside of the cell"
don't you mean organelles instead of cell?
ok this is from pg 80 of the 8th edition biology book
"Sanger and his co-workers were able, after years of effort, to reconstruct the complete amino acid sequence of insulin. Since then, most of the steps involved in sequencing a polypeptide have been automated."
what does the last sentence mean?
thank you
no, I meant on the outside of cells. Even you wrote that. You need to understand, which side is which on plasma membrane and organelle membrane
The last sentence means, that we have machines, which are able to sequence proteins by themselves. You just add the sample (protein), solutions and turn it on
Cis or trans? That's what matters.
Re: Campbell and Reece 8th edition
ok thank you
i want to clear up some things
So a gene is a length of sequence of the DNA molecule that codes for a particular trait.
DNA consists of a double helix which has a one strand and a complementary strand.
so a gene between the sequence of DNA strand as well as its complementary strand?
because in protein synthesis if DNA template strand number 1 is transcribed to mRNA then translated to a polypeptide number 1 from DNA template strand number 1
but what if you choose the other DNA complementary strand so the DNA template number 2 then transcribed to mRNA then translated to a polypeptide then wouldn't this polypeptide different to the polypeptide number 1???
if they are different then how the definition of the gene works?
and also:
And you know we have alleles for a gene
If one allele is dominant to the other then how does it know which chromosome out of the homologous chromosome to transcribe and translate to a particular polypeptide?? because the dominant allele is express
what about the recessive allele? is it redundant i.e. not transcribed and translated to form a polypeptide?
thank you
So a gene is a part of the DNA molecule that codes for a particular protein or RNA. (trait can be codšed by several genes).
Sure, DNA has two strand and both of them could and can be template for transcription. The promoter determines, where (AKA on which strand) will bind DNA Pol and what way will it go. And of course, if one piece of DNA was transcribed from both strand, different polypeptide would form.
Regarding the dominancy, that's not that simple question. There can be several reasons for dominancy/recesivity. Either the gene can be silenced or mutated, so that the protein is not functional anymore. Or it is only partly functional (e.g. if you mutated one AA in the active side, so that the substrate would bind less efficiently)
Cis or trans? That's what matters.
Re: Campbell and Reece 8th edition
thank you
so for a DNA molecule you got two strands
e.g. one strand might contain
then the other complementary strand must be
so if you transcribe and then translate each of them separately then the first strand will give a different polypeptide to the one made from the second strand
so polypeptide one may code for hair colour and the other different polypeptide may code for skin colour or something like that
is that right or is there something wrong because i though a gene is a sequence of DNA so that include both strands of the DNA sequence?? but both strands gives different polypeptides and so how does the definition of a gene works????????????????????????????
a bit confused
and about dominance and recessiveness of allele
were you telling me before that a recessive allele will give a non-functional protein and the dominant allele will give a functional protein and so is that why the dominant is expressed?
if an allele gives a partially functional protein just like what you have said before then do we have a situation of codominance and incomplete dominance???
thank you again
Re: Campbell and Reece 8th edition
i am wondering if there is anyone to help?
thank you
No, in general*, genes are not overlapping. Both strands can be transcribed because they carry genes, but for a given sequence only one of the strand will be transcribed. The other strand is there only to allow the replication of the DNA.
One of the obvious clue that it does not work like that is that the start codon is not just a stop codon in reverse. And conversely that stop codons in reverse code for perfectly legitimate aa
*In prokaryotes and viruses some genes can overlap on part of the sequence. But this is more an exception than the rule.
Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without
any proof. (Ashley Montague)
thank you for that
Pg 81 of the textbook
Thus, the function of a protein- for instance, the ability of a receptor protein to bind to a particular pain-relieving signalling molecule- is an emergent property resulting from exquisite molecular order.
What does the last bit of the sentence mean especially 'exquisite'.
thank you
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text:
Why must we avert the genome of Eden?
Discussion of everything related to the Theory of Evolution.
Moderator: BioTeam
7 posts • Page 1 of 1
Why must we avert the genome of Eden?
This post is about 2 questions I originally asked on the forum : askabiologist dot org dot uk. The good thing about that forum is that only scientists answer the questions, the bad thing is that they ban you and delete your post if you ask something inconvenient. This happened to my already, but I hope this time they will give a decent answer. In any case, maybe some expert on this forum can also answer these question, and I would really appreciate it.
Dear Biologists,
Please forgive me for my lengthy introduction, but in order to convey the importance of my question I have to share the thought process that it is based on.
My initial intention was to examine the claim, that the results of DNA studies confirm Darwinian evolution. I think there is no point in discussing the overwhelming evidence for an universal common ancestor (LUA). The issue I would like to address is the actual characterization of the LUA, which was revealed by quite recent discoveries in genetics.
Contrary to earlier expectations the distribution of genes amongst genomes does not point to a genetically simple universal ancestor, but to a very complex one. This is a well known phenomenon termed: "The Genome of Eden" by Prof. W. Ford Doolittle.1 He suggests that we should avert such complex LUA, but even the best efforts (HGT) in doing so generate more problems than solutions.
From what I gathered it seems traces of the Genome of Eden (GOE for short) are inescapably present on every level of biology. It is a general, overarching pattern in the living world, that wont go away. However, if we stop trying to avert or explaining away this pattern, a radically different view of biology emerges. If the GOE is real, then it is possible that the first cells were not genetically simple organisms like bacteria, but primeval stem cells in which the course of evolution was encoded, just like the process of ontogenesis is determined in a fertilized ovum. To back up this radical conclusion, let's see some of the evidence which I've found compelling.
1. Ernst Walter Mayr's prediction
In 1963 Ernst Mayr described precisely what we should find through DNA sequencing if the universal common ancestor had a simple, "bacterial" genetic tool-kit, and all the further information accumulated over time.
"Much that has been learned about gene physiology makes it evident that the search for homologous genes is quite futile except in very close relatives. If there is only one efficient solution for a certain functional demand, very different gene complexes will come up with the same solution, no matter how different the pathway by which it is achieved. The saying "Many roads lead to Rome" is as true in evolution as in daily affairs"2
As it turned out, his prediction failed in every level. What actual DNA sequencing results demonstrate is exactly what we would expect to find if the GOE was real. There are remarkable similarities between most remote species. In hindsight it's easy to come up with excuses about this prediction, but when the scientific method evaluates models and theories, it is the confirmed or falsified predictions that really matter, not the ad hoc interpretations presented after the data arrives. However, one way to interpret this failure supposed to be, that these similarities reflect housekeeping genes. This interpretation is unsustainable in the light of the more recent findings.
Richard Dawkins in his book "The Blind Watchmaker" demonstrates the power of evolution by examining the echo-location capabilities of bats. As it turned out, probably this trait has nothing to do with bat evolution. The gene complexes responsible for echo-location might have existed before bats and cetaceans diverged: whales and dolphins use the same gene-complexes as bats.3 This should not be the case according to Mayr's prediction, and these genes are not even amongst the housekeeping ones. This makes absolutely no sense in the Darwinian framework, but it makes perfect sense in a GOE based model. (By this I mean, the data does not confirm or fulfil the expectations of a Darwinian world-view, but special, sometimes ad hoc interpretations are required. In a GOE based model complex systems like echo-location were precoded in the LUA.)
In the official view, these genes are produced independently by parallel mutations. Interestingly in the case of the broken vitamin-C gene, the homologous flaw was a proof of the common ancestry of men and chimps, but in this case, the homologous gene-complexes are results of multitudes of parallel mutations. This is the textbook example of an ad hoc interpretation.
Ernst Mayr wasn't wrong because he didn't understand evolution or genetics, by all the discoveries of genetics in the past decades it could still be the case that homologous traits are produced by completely different gene-complexes. Most likely, and this is my point, his prediction failed because in his premise he assumed a simple LUA with a minimally sufficient, bacterium-like genome, and that all the additional genetic information accumulated over time. Darwinian predictions and expectations about common ancestry and change over time are usually confirmed, but expectations and predictions based on a simple LUA and the gradual accumulation of genetic complexity always fail. This is a tendency I'm going to underline by to following points and examples.
2. C-value paradox
If LUA had a simple genome (like a simple bacterium) and genetic complexity and all the additional information accumulated over the course of evolution, we should be able to trace this accumulation by examining the genomes of different organisms on different levels of complexity. This is a reasonable expectation. (If we wouldn't know about the c-value paradox or about the recent results of actual DNA sequences, one should reasonably expect to see this accumulation, given the Darwinian framework. ) A compelling starting point could be the genome of a sponge. This creature is one of the most simple multicellular organisms. However, the content of the genome of Amphimedon queenslandica - a marine sponge - literally shocked the scientific community.4 This simple creature has a remarkably complex genome with more individual genes than an average bird, but the most stunning part is that they posses genes that shouldn't be in their genome. Sponges don't have a nervous system, yet they have many of the genes which required for building synapses (sodium channels). Again, this makes absolutely no sense in the Darwinian framework, but it makes perfect sense if the GOE is real. Dr Kenneth S. Kosik the leader of the sea-sponge genome project puts it in this way:
"What are the genes even doing there if they don't have neurons or synapses? We still don't know the answer to that question."
In 2013 there is still no answer for this question. Once again there is no sign of the gradual accumulation of genetic complexity. There is no evidence that a gradual accumulation of so many genes ever happened or if its even possible through natural selection:
In most observed cases organisms tend to get rid of some genes for better fitness or to safe energy. Why would it have been different in the past? If losing genes is way more frequent than gaining them, how had tens of thousands of genes accumulated which were already present in the first multicellular creatures (sponges) more than 700 million years ago? Their genome is in the same range with mammalian ones, sponges share 70% of their genes with us. If the GOE existed, a darwinian, gradual accumulation of genes have never had to happen.
The c-value paradox has another significant aspect: less complex, smaller organisms don't have smaller or less complex genomes, so it is physically possible that the first cells carried enough information for the entire evolution.
3. Results of Evo-Devo
The results of Evolution of Development undeniably support the existence of primeval stem cells. According to Sean B. Carroll:
"The Surprising message from Evo Devo is that all of the genes for building large, complex animal bodies long predated the appearance of those bodies in the Cambrian Explosion. The genetic potential was in place for at least 50 million years, and probably a fair bit longer, before large, complex forms emerged"
Dr Carroll is a bit sugar-coating the facts by using the phrase "potential", when it is really about actual genetic information, genes. The results from various DNA studies suggests that these genes were not evolving together with the structure they control, but preceded them by hundreds of millions of years. This makes no sense in a Darwinian world-view. For example: eyes supposedly evolved multiple times independently, but DNA sequencing revealed that the genes that control the development of these structures are the same in every case (PAX6)5. This is not what someone would expect to find, given the Darwinian framework.
4. The Genome of Eden
The distribution of genes amongst genomes points to a very complex LUA, this is the reality (recognized mostly on the microbe level). W. Ford Doolittle suggests that we should interpret the data in a way that averts the Genome of Eden. The trivial solution involves the adjustment of the assumed rate of horizontal gene transfer to the data (another ad hoc adjustment), but though a very frequent HGT is probable amongst microbes, one must extend it to complex eukaryotes to explain away the genome of eden, and then it is much less probable. Interestingly it seems Prof Doolittle and most of the other biologists who worked on this issue are bothered only about microbes and fail to recognize how big this problem really is.
Many genes required for photosynthesis have been found in the genome of a sea-snail (Elysia chlorotica)6, this represents the same problem and it makes no sense unless we extend HGT to complex eukaryotes. The first difficulty with this move is, that if genes can be transferred between any two species and the recipient can harness the benefits of the transferred genes so easily, we should find a completely different living world in which taxonomy and classification would be impossible. There we would expect to find a chaotic mess of traits, not order and structure. The second problem is that asexual reproduction combined with frequent and effective HGT makes sexual reproduction superfluous. I call this problem the catch 22 of Darwinism.
5. Sexual reproduction and the "Catch 22" of Darwinism
The supposed function of sexual reproduction is to provide variation for natural selection. Sarah P. Otto in her paper (Sexual Reproduction and the Evolution of Sex)7 firmly demonstrates that sexual reproduction very often actually hinders natural selection. If a very complex and intricate system in operation fails to sufficiently serve an assumed function, it may be the case that the assumed function is not the actual function. At the same time, the disadvantages of the this system are obvious and sometimes fatal. Sex makes reproduction more circumstantial, dangerous, more time and resource dependant. An ordinary sexually reproducing organism has to find a fertile individual from the opposite gender to reproduce. This condition has led to the extinction of many species, that otherwise should not have gone extinct.
For decades the redeeming evolutionary excuse for sexual reproduction was that it is the source of new gene combinations. However, if in order to avert the GOE we assume a very frequent and effective HGT that includes complex eukaryotes, the existence of Sex is completely unjustified and its privileged status as the source of new gene combinations is over. This is the problem I call "Catch 22 of Darwinism". Asexual reproduction combined with frequent HGT is in every way superior, HGT has way more evolutionary potential, if anything then it should have been evolved even further. Why and how did a much more complex reproduction system evolve, which has disadvantageous, sometimes fatal consequences and can't even serve its function effectively? It makes no sense on a standard evolutionary view.
If the LUA was a primeval stem cell as I suggest, then the purpose of sex is to provide viable offspring and at the same time to preserve genetic information, quality as well as possible. In every aspect of sexual reproduction we can find this intention.
Some weeks ago I posted a question about female ova on this forum: http://www.askabiologist.org.uk/answers … p?id=10184
I was interested in the evolutionary explanation of the fact that unlike sperm cells, ova are produced in advance and are stored in the ovaries for decades. This significant difference begs for a decent explanation. I was very disappointed in the answer I got. John Steemson depicted this difference as a resource management issue, but this certainly doesn't make any sense. He says:
"It comes down to parental investment. From the perspective of females, each pregnancy is a major investment of resources."
But it is anything but not economical to produce millions of ova in advance and store them for decades instead of producing only a few when it is necessary.
On a GOE based model, the purpose of this feature is to provide uncorrupted, healthy mitochondrial DNA for the offspring. MtDNA mutates magnitudes faster then nDNA (and MtDNA is responsible for ageing), therefore ova are produced early during the development of the female fetus, then they are kept on a low energy state, preventing any division, mutation or radiation that could distort the information in the mtDNA. The offspring inherits mtDNA purely from the mother, so it makes perfect sense that such precautions exist only in the female body. It makes perfect sense in contrast to the incoherent polemics of the Darwinian approach.
The purpose of genders is a bit more theoretical issue. Genetic recombination does not justify the existence of genders, it can work without them. To demonstrate the concept, let me use an analogy:
Let's say we have a book and then 10000 monks copy it, one after another. The end result will certainly lack a considerable amount of information that was present in the original version, therefore it probably lose quality, coherence and integrity (for the sake of the analogy put aside creativity and intelligence during the copying process). But let's say we introduce a basic restriction: in order to make a copy one must find two independent but compatible sources. Now even after 10000 copies the final copy will more likely to preserve quality and information. This is the purpose of genders, and it makes perfect sense.
On the Darwinian view it is the job of natural selection to preserve quality, so genders are superfluous.
There is much more to be said about the genetic background of GOE, but I think what I have offered so far is sufficient to make the case.
In conclusion, the results of DNA sequencing and discoveries of genetics do not confirm the Darwinian theory: ad hoc, unjustified assumptions are required to interpret the data (like HGT amongst complex, multicellular eukaryotes or that genes that precedes the structure they control today had some different function in the past or that sponges degenerated from more complex organisms or assuming multitudes of parallel mutations, etc.). These ad hoc hypotheses are needed to explain away the GOE, because on the darwinian view it is not possible that a LUA carried genetic information specific for complex multicellular life.
The results inescapably point to the Genome of Eden, its traces can be found everywhere in biology: in some places it is attributed to horizontal gene transfer (microbes, Elysia chlorotica) in other cases to convergent/parallel evolution and parallel mutations (whale-bat sonar) and in another cases it is attributed to co-optation (PAX6). We must recognize that these examples are parts of the same, one, overarching pattern. These are genotypes that can't be explained by common ancestry unless we assume a very complex very early ancestor: The Genome of Eden. At the same time there is absolutely no evidence for a bacterium-like, simple universal common ancestor.
I am aware that I use the term a bit differently than Prof Doolittle. By Genome of Eden he merely means a LUA with very many genes. I take it a step forward by saying a LUA with very many genes can be interpreted as a primeval stem cell to explain the results of DNA sequencing, and unlike him, I extended the issue to eukaryotes.
Here I might add, that of course I don't think that these stem cells possessed every gene ever existed, but I do think that the major innovations of biology were encoded. The examples I provided are referring to systems of this kind: echo-location, vision, photosynthesis, and nervous system. These are exactly the kind of complex traits where a Darwinian pathway is questionable.
Also I think probably these traits were not coded in the same format as we find them today, it is possible that a protected or even more redundant coding is genetically possible for reducing the loss of information.
The process of evolution could have gone a similar way as embryonic stem cells are differentiated into different cell types, by genetic expressions. The ingenuity of eukaryote genome continuously impresses the scientific community so I don't think if I attribute anything impossible to this complex code. Having that said, this is my question:
On what scientific basis do you have to exclude the Genome of Eden from possible explanations?
Why must we avert it? If there is no knock down counter evidence of some sort, that prohibits the existence of the GOE or at least makes it highly improbable, I'm rationally and scientifically justified in rejecting the neo-darwinian synthesis and embracing a GOE based model in the light of the evidence. Actually I'm working on that model and I call it Precoded Equilibrium (by typing the keywords "precoded equilibrium" my blog can be found for those who are interested). It's easy to see that fossil records and evolution in most individual cases can be much better explained if the LUA was a primeval stem cell. Examining the proposed mechanism of Darwinism (natural selection working on random genetic variation) also reveals major faults that are not present in my model.
There is one reason I cant think of for averting the genome of Eden: science might not be able to explain the origin of such genome. However, this problem is already upon us. There is no convincing explanation of the origin of life. Despite the relentless efforts of biologists during the past 100 years, it has not been demonstrated that natural processes can produce life from non living matter. The huge complexity gap lies between inorganic matter and life, switching to a stem cell is just a nuance in contrast. There is nothing to lose by embracing the Genome of Eden.
I have one more question, but it might be tricky. It seems it is impossible to conceive any DNA content that would shake the confidence in Darwin's theory. Walter Mayr's prediction was referring to a core concept of genetic evolution based on the darwinian framewok, but it was completely wrong. Exactly the opposite is true, but this fact didn't change a thing. If his prognosis had been confirmed that would also mean that DNA supports Darwinism. The data shows that simple organisms don't necessarily have less complex genomes, does that matter? No, but if simple organisms - like sponges - had an appropriate small, simple genome, that would also prove a Darwinian evolution. The distribution of genes points to the Genome of Eden, no problem, it was HGT. Would that be the case, that distribution of genes confirmed a simple LUA, that would also prove the current model. There are genes that precede the structures they control, doesn't matter at all, they have been co-opted for their new function, so in summary:
Every feature in genetics is a proof of Darwinian evolution – as we have been taught – but the exact opposites of those features would equally prove Darwinian evolution. It is an a priori established principle and it has nothing to do with the actual DNA content. (The evidence for common decent is not at all, at any means, prove the truth of darwinism.)
Is it even possible to conceive any pattern in DNA, distribution of genes or any genetic evidence that would disprove Darwinian evolution?
All the patterns and counter evidences I can think of are already in place, yet biologists perception of DNA as a solid proof of Darwinism hasn't changed a bit. By contrast, a Genome of Eden based model would be impossible without the C-value paradox.
To be clear, I'm not trying to discredit Darwin or evolutionary biology. My point was, that even on the aspect of falsifiability a GOE based model is superior.
I hope you are willing to answer my questions in the name of science, in the name of education, but remember: you have to provide evidence against the Genome of Eden, not against special creation! Evidence for common decent won't do it. Nevertheless, I think this topic definitely worth discussion.
Best regards:
It is much easier to learn than to unlearn something... From the molecular/genetic standpoint universal ancestor should have had more gene rich genome. However, as I said before, we as species have a superiority complex. We are used to thinking of cave men as our ancestors. Should you find evidence that the said cave man was genetically superior to us, it would be very difficult to comprehend. Also, I would imagine that calling this genome "Genome of Eden" does not help either...
I would criticize your position, but frankly, I'm amazed you read through the entire OP. If I was going to read something of that length, I would read a Nature article.
Re: Why must we avert the genome of Eden?
I am having a hard time figuring out from where did this omnipotent piece of DNA pop up in the first place. Are you saying that out of nothing emerged the genes for an eye and a lung and an antenna and an anus, just like that?
My spider sense is tingling... are you sure this is not just another ID/creationist plot? Well, at least the time frame suggested is more than six thousand years. Other than that this makes little sense.
Re: Why must we avert the genome of Eden?
The Mayr quote is nearly 50 years old, and indeed, this article mentions the quote as it explains how the introduction of developmental biology is changing evolutionary theory.
In your OP, you spend a lot more time explaining the background of your argument rather than the argument itself. You are not a trusted source of information, so nobody wants to sit their reading all of the information you have put forth. It is better to provide background information through trusted articles, for example:
http://www.nri.ucsb.edu/news/2012/clues ... ess-sponge
I always go on MyWot to read the comments about a website before I post its links as sources. Dot edu sources are generally good.
What are you arguing here, that complexity should increase as we look at organisms that are more closely related to us? This would be wrong. Those sponges are distant relatives, but they're still present-day organisms. All present-day organisms should be relatively complex compared to the most ancient organisms, irrespective of their relationship to Homo sapiens.
This article, near the end, apparently gives a developmental-genetics explanation of how the eye evolved, but I don't understand it. Maybe somebody who is systems-biology-literate can explain what this source is saying.
Here is a Nature article explaining the term "modularity".
http://www.nature.com/msb/journal/v4/n1 ... 20083.html
You give us two explanations for the observations in Elysia chlorotica, HGT and GOE. Of course, we shouldn't assume that these are the only possible explanations, these are merely the two that are given by your OP. As far as your OP goes, both models seem to fit the observations.
But then, rather than working out your GOE model and its precise implications, you bash the HGT hypothesis. To make it worse, your argument is a slippery slope. Suggesting frequent HGT for Elysia chlorotica doesn't lead to HGT being frequent for all of domain Eukaryota. In fact, this source says that newer data is inconsistent with the HGT hypothesis, suggesting that scientists were testing the HGT hypothesis specifically for Elysia chlorotica.
... that's enough analysis for this thread.
onto BioHazard's post.
I haven't learned about origin of life theories yet, but I think less DNA would be more surpising. If the ancestor had more DNA, that would mean more potential for the appearance of functional genes.
But when I put this quote (given in the OP) into Google, I got a bunch of religious websites.
Re: Re:
It seems that you read it too...
Re: Re:
You, sir, have earned the highest of fives.
If arguing with people on the internet helps me understand science, then I will do it. FOR THE CHILDREN.
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text:
Jingle writer crafts catchy tunes
DELAVAN -- On any given Saturday evening in the bar room of the Lake Lawn Resort's Frontier Restaurant, you may find yourself being entertained by the skillful piano playing of Terry Sweet.
This may be the first time you sat and listened to Sweet work the keys in person, but chances are this isn't the first time you've listened to his music.
If you've heard the jingle for Stein Gardens and Gifts, the "Grillax" Klement's sausages song or the 7 Mile Fair radio jingle, you've been listening to Sweet's handiwork.
Read the current edition here: http://www.server-jbmultimedia.net/CSI-WalworthCountySunday
Sweet is a professional musician who has been producing jingles for TV and radio commercials and shows and corporate events for all of his adult life. The Milwaukee resident has left his mark throughout southern Wisconsin with his special brand of musical advertisement.
"I got into this because I became a studio musician playing piano when I was about 20 and it just happened that the studio needed someone who could compose jingles, arrange them for musicians and singers and then produce them," Sweet said during an interview from his Milwaukee studio. "I'd been playing on sessions at their studio so they asked me if I could do that, and I just said 'Yes, I can.' So I started writing for them and a few years later I went off on my own."
That simple "Yes, I can" opened the door to what is Sweet's calling. His career has taken him all over the map, musically and geographically, and even led to an Emmy nomination.
Read the complete story HERE.


text:
libdwarf reads and/or writes DWARF debugging information in Elf object files. dwarfdump uses libdwarf to read object files and print the DWARF content in a readable fashion. libdwarf implements the DWARF2 (and later) standard by providing function interfaces that abstract away many DWARF implementation details (the writer code only emits DWARF2 so far). The source also includes implementations of a few tree search (tsearch) algorithms (balanced, red-black, and binary).
KEDR is a framework to facilitate dynamic analysis of kernel modules in Linux ("KEDR" is an acronym for "KErnel-mode Drivers in Runtime"). KEDR allows you to intercept the calls that a kernel module makes to the functions exported by other modules and by the kernel proper. The tools provided by the framework can record the arguments and return values of these functions to a trace, perform fault simulation according to user-defined scenarios, and check the kernel modules for memory leaks and some other kinds of problems. Custom data collection and analysis tools for the Linux kernel can also be built on top of KEDR framework.
ftracer is a simple user space implementation of a Linux kernel style function tracer. It allows you to trace every call in instrumented user applications. It is useful for debugging and performance analysis due to its fine grained time stamp. This allows you to do control flow oriented debugging without any special instrumentation. So if the program does something unexpected, it's easily possible to look at the function calls before that, and use that to deduce the cause of the problem. ftracer relies on gcc generating a call on top of every function call. The tracing slows every function call down (about 3x). The tracing is per thread and does not create a global bottleneck. It supports a dump function in C, directly callable by the program or on exit, and a gdb function to dump from gdb.


text:
A recent survey by Kyriba of members of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) provides statistical confirmation of something finance executives have known for years: Spreadsheets are not the most efficient tool for managing the treasury function.
The vast majority of the survey's 269 respondents, mostly from the U.K. and Ireland, engage in operational cash management (78 percent) and in cash position reporting and forecasting (75 percent) on a daily basis. Many also engage in risk management (66 percent); providing data for corporate decisions (58 percent); and high-level, strategic financial analysis (43 percent) from day to day.
Nevertheless, 48 percent of companies with less than £100 million in annual revenue use spreadsheets to complete their daily cash management activities. Even among companies with more than £10 billion in revenue, 11 percent use spreadsheets for cash management, while 46 percent use a client-server-based treasury management system, 9 percent use a software-as-a-service treasury management system, 26 percent use their ERP system, and 7 percent use a system developed in-house (see graph below).
The Kyriba survey also found that the type of platform a company uses for treasury and cash management has a noticeable impact on the treasury department's productivity. When asked how much time they spend each day on manual/operational tasks, such as generating accounting entries or gathering bank information, 38 percent of respondents indicated that they spend less than an hour, and only 12 percent spend more than three hours per day.
However, among respondents who use spreadsheets for day-to-day treasury operations, only 31 percent spend an hour or less on manual tasks, whereas 17 percent spend more than three hours on them. Among those who use a treasury management system platform, manual activities take less than an hour for 45 percent of respondents and take more than three hours for only 6 percent. The numbers for enterprise resource planning (ERP) users fall between those for treasury management systems and spreadsheet users. (See graph below.)
Looking at the data another way, respondents using spreadsheets for day-to-day cash management spend an average of 1.8 hours per day on manual and operational tasks, compared with 1.3 hours per day for respondents using a treasury management system. The half-hour saved each day translates into more than three weeks per year that these users presumably can dedicate to more strategic tasks.
Time Per Day Spent on Manual/Operational Tasks


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How To: Edit Photos on iPhone
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Make your photos look their best. We'll explore some key elements of photo editing using the Photos app for quick fixes or fine adjustments. Bring your iPhone, and follow along as we show you how to enhance your images with built-in filters and features. Then discover all the ways you can share your favorite photos.
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Sound Off for Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013
On GM: They're investing in a truck factory. Why didn't they think about Janesville? I think of all the people who worked there who are without work now. GM made Janesville a miserable place to live with the taxes, water bills, etc. GM doesn't care about the people who got thrown out of the plant here.
-- Janesville officials and the fair board had better keep their mouths shut about the plant in Janesville. If there's a deal going on to reopen that plant, one wrong word would kill it.
On voter ID: Most labor unions require photo ID for their internal elections because they want legitimate elections. In general elections, they want illegitimate elections so they can manufacture votes in the event of a close election.
-- The purpose of One Wisconsin Now is to ensure that those of legal status to vote were given the opportunity to vote, opposite of today's twisted tea party strategy of denying the opportunity.
On plowing: The snow plow goes by, plow up, putting down salt. Two hours later, plow goes by, plow down, plowing all the salt to the curb. It's a big waste of money.
On George Brunner: He's going to run again for city council. I hope people remember his lack of professionalism toward the people he worked with previously in regard to his own personal situation. He needs to step aside and let new blood get in and help the city.
On dogs: Having a pit bull around children is like having a loaded gun around.
On Jay Winzenz: Five years after GM, what a wealth of knowledge and foresight he had in the GM-Rock County 4-H Fair article Monday. This, along with his two stints as assistant city manager, shows he should have been given the city manager's job for the great job he has done.
-- He has always stepped up when needed. He performed two jobs as director of administrative services and acting city manager. He was looked over for city manager even though he has the skills and qualifications. I understand his decision to no longer continue as assistant city manager (Page 3A, Wednesday). Where is the respect for this man?
On budget deal: Shame on The Gazette and all the media. You would think Paul Ryan did all the work. Doesn't Sen. Patty Murray count for anything? Beware of Ryan. A leopard does not change its spots.
On Gov. Walker: I will not vote for him again. Of all the programs he could deny funding to, how dare he take financial help from childless people from January to April. Please rethink that decision.
-- The article on Page 3A Wednesday goes to great pains to give the impression that delaying insurance coverage for 83,000 Wisconsinites is Walker's fault. These 83,000 people were not eligible because of policies put in place by Jim Doyle. Republicans fixed that, but it is being delayed because of Obamacare's disastrous rollout.
-- Page 5A Thursday says Wisconsin drops to 37th in private job growth. I didn't see anything about where we were when Scott Walker took over. It doesn't mention that former Gov. Doyle was losing jobs at a breakneck pace.
On shoveling: Winter after winter, the same lazy people in Janesville are not shoveling. If they lived in Madison, they'd be fined automatically. In our town, it seems police do not want to get out of their car and write a ticket for lack of snow removal. When a person runs a red light, police don't wait for the neighbor to call in and report it.
On headlines: Page 5A Thursday says "Dem drops claim on Walker college years." A more accurate headline would be "Dems lie through teeth on Walker college years." This is nothing but a smear. On the other side we have "Do more to stop CWD, Democrats tell DNR." That should say, "As usual, Democrats demand pursuit of failed policies."
On skating rink: I frequently go down to Traxler Park, and I see our new ice rink for $45,000 isn't working again this year. I don't think it has worked since they put it in. I see them down there cleaning the old rink off.
On teacher morale: If you know a Janesville teacher, you know morale is horrible. Superintendent Karen Schulte knows that, as well. If she would publicly assert something that hundreds of people know is false, it makes you wonder what else she would claim.
On senior drivers: Sen. Fred Risser wants everyone older than 75 who still drives to have an eye test every four years. Well, Risser is 86 and drives a Toyota. Maybe he needs a memory test on who bombed Pearl Harbor.
-- Limiting seniors past a certain age to drive only during daylight hours could make a difference. This could be put on their licenses.


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If you can't find what you are looking for, try searching for it below:
Posts Tagged 'fantastic feet'
America's Podiatrist Archives
Can Exercise Strengthen Your Feet, Arches, and Toes?
By Dr. Nirenberg Sunday January 17, 2010
Featured Posts
- Can Barefoot Activity Alleviate Knee Pain and Arthritis?
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- Can We Walk Ourselves Well?
- Why Women Have More Foot, Knee, Hip, & Back Pain (and what you can do about it)
- Is Exercise the Answer to Foot Problems?
- Can Exercise Increase the Arch of Your Foot?
- The Top 3 Ways Wearing Shoes Harms Our Feet – And What We Can Do About It
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Go to the homepage to see the most recent stories and browse the topics.
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Openfaves, is a social news and media site developed for pinoys and pinays anywhere. A one stop shop so you can find all the latest news and gossip from a number of different sites. Best of all, YOU (the user) submit the stories and links you think other users will like. After you submit content, other people read your submission and vote for what they like best. If your story rocks and receives enough votes, it is promoted to the front page.
Openfaves is the web application that allows you to submit an article that will be reviewed by all and will be promoted, based on popularity, to the main page. When a user submits a news article it will be placed in the "unpublished" area until it gains sufficient votes to be promoted to the main page.


text:
Natural selection is proven wrong
Discussion of everything related to the Theory of Evolution.
Moderator: BioTeam
Natural selection is proven wrong
The Australian philosopher colin leslie dean has shown
Natural selection is proven wrong for 4 reasons
You can read the complete refutation of natural selection here
published 2009
http://gamahucherpress.yellowgum.com/bo ... ection.pdf
1)the cambrian explosion as darwin saw invalidates his theory
2)NS is invalidated by the fact of speciation as NS only deals with traits already present and cant deal with the generation of new species
genetics might be able to account for the generation of new species [ see below where it is shown genetics cannot account for the generation of new species] but NS cant as the generation of new species it not part of its remit
3) NS deals with the transmission of favorable traits and the eradication of unfavorable traits so the fact that unfavorable traits ie the gene for breast cancer are and can be transmitted and become common invalidates NS out right
Some argue that harmful genes can be transmitted and become common when accompanied by good genes but this makes natural selection wrong ie
seeing bad genes can become common this thus makes natural selection wrong which says bad genes should be come rare or less common
4) genetics cannot account for the generation of new species-ie the cambrian explosion
Last edited by gamila on Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:08 am, edited 4 times in total.
Re: Natural selection is proven wrong
wow thats amazing.. I just got done studying darwin's NS theory....
Im going to have to print this out and ask my teacher about it. our books are brand new(ordered this year new too) he's going to freak. I never really doubted it. hmmm.. this is interesting
thanks Ill read up on it some more
"Courage is not always a roar, but sometimes a quite whisper at the end of the night saying 'I will try again tomorrow'"
Re: Natural selection is proven wrong
read this about the cambrian explosion
Oh for crying out loud, where do all these people spawn from? :P
For example, the fact that we have genes that make us prone to breast cancer in no way proves natural selection wrong. Natural selection does not necessarily improve helpful traits or lessen bad ones: if you can live and have offspring with a bad trait (such as a gene for breast cancer), it's all fine with natural selection. It doesn't mean a flying **** whether you have bad traits as long as you have enough good ones to survive and have offspring, who in turn have offspring etc etc.
Breast cancer has not been a problem for humans in the past, because people simply died before it had time to have an effect, and because it requires many genetic and environmental factors to kick in, so on a large scale as far as human populations are concerned, it's a mere nuisance.
Breast cancer (and cancers in general) have a marked impact on human life at the moment because we live much longer and are exposed to more environmental pollution nowadays, but it has nothing to do with natural selection not working. If breast cancer or any other such condition starts wiping out fertile women, for example, you will for sure see that trait becoming more rare, by means of natural selection.
That was just to cover one mistake in those claims by the starter of this thread, someone else please handle the rest. I'm getting tired of explaining these things ever again.
Last edited by biohazard on Wed Apr 22, 2009 3:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
On a side note, the link (and the "article") mentioned in the first post is a complete joke. I bet the author doesn't have any of the academic degrees mentioned in the intro, because even a five-year-old child with half a brain could come up with more coherent article with better reasoning than what is in that text.
Hell, that text is ultra-poor even on your average creationist's standards.
So don't waste your time on that text, it's a hoax. If someone wants to ask their teacher about evolution vs. creationism, please choose a better article (probably ANY other article). Showing that to your teacher will make him cry no matter whether he actually supports evoltuion theory or creationism...
Last edited by biohazard on Wed Apr 22, 2009 3:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Interesting points:
-The author has a very long list of title, but none of them relevant with science. He might have read a little bit on the subject before writing and
- Wikipedia can be a convenient place to start searching for information, but one should always try to go back to the original source, and (I might be too demanding but who knows...) actually try to understand it rather than just dealing with a 2 lines quote.
- I know, we all make typos but a minimum amount a proofreading would at least prove that you actually care about what you are talking about.
1/ I do not see why the Cambrian explosion would invalidate the NS. In fact in an earth that was still relatively empty, an early explosion of plenty of life form has nothing to be surprising.
2/ Darwin himself talk about the generation of new traits, and the modern synthesis (which while still using Darwin's framework has seriously improved the mechanistic details of the evolution theory) explains that extensively
3/ The definition of favourable and unfavourable are highly relative in the darwinian theory, hence the existence of traits currently perceived as unfavourable does not mean that there was no good reason for those to be maintained. And the fact that there are no real alternative is avery excellent reason. Example our spine sucks for bipedal position, really, but making it really better would require massive changes in our body plan that are much more likely to be detrimental than to increase your fitness. While backpain when you age as limited impact on our reproductive ability.
4/ Why not?
Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without
any proof. (Ashley Montague)
Oh, I love this section! This is exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn't come up with any good examples at the moment of my first reply.
You need to understand the mechanisms of evolution to a certain degree before you can start thinking about some seemingly contradictory parts of evoltuion, but ufortunately many who criticize the theory of evolution so much don't always understand the underlying basics at all (the whole context is of course extremely complicated, but even the basics get you pretty far). Thus, examples as quoted above are very nice for explaining the situation!
Re: Natural selection is proven wrong
you say
read this
you say 2)
based on your own wordsn NS is wrong as it says bad harmfull genes should become less common
read this
Re: Natural selection is proven wrong
Current human evolution is atypical and standard natural selection doesn't necessarily apply.
Modern medicine allows people with harmful disorders (asthma, diabetes, etc) to live long prolific lives, and pass their genes on to the next generation.
In a more "natural" setting, these people would die much sooner, leaving no offspring or severely damaging the fitness of their offspring.
In a broader sense, I suppose you could say that the fitness benefits gained from our increased mental capacity far outweigh the other accumulated genetic disorders. In which case NS still applies to humans, just in a very broad abstract sense.
What did the parasitic Candiru fish say when it finally found a host? - - "Urethra!!"
This is worse than a hoax; it's complete garbage. At least a hoax makes an effort to be believable, whereas no reasonable person would believe the article posted here.
As Canalon said, the author has a lovely collection of degrees, but not a single one of them has anything to do with science. If you want to push this issue, find sources from respectable biologists with PhDs or at least MS degrees who are trying to say that natural selection is false. I'd be willing to bet you won't find even one.
How does the cambrian explosion invalidate natural selection? The link you posted gives no evidence at all as to why it wouldn't have happened. In fact, if you studied the molecular and genetic histories of developing life from its origin up through the cambrian period, you'll find that it's really not hard to believe at all, especially given that multicellular life was still very new at that time. A "phylum" can be reduced to little more than a body plan, and with the first multicellular organisms came life's first experiments at putting multiple cells together into a single organism. Just play around with some legos for a bit and you'll see that there's plenty of different ways to put various building blocks together, and this combined with the relative emptiness of the earth that this time makes it very believable that, as soon as the first multicellular life forms appeared, there would be an explosion of biodiversity as all sorts of phyla (body plans) evolved to take advantage of the many unexploited niches available.
To claim that the presence of cancer invalidates natural selection is foolish. As Astus pointed out, the real reason we have such a problem with it is because our level of medical technology has developed to a point where people who, in the wild, would be "naturally selected" are actually remaining alive longer than nature intended and thus having problems that aboriginal humans never had to deal with. Astus's proposal that our mental capacity outweighs other problems (such as cancer or the poor spinal column that Canalon pointed out) certainly has some merits, but I would instead claim that it is wrong to apply theories of natural selection to a human population that no longer lives in nature.
As for the generation of new species, I would like to know how this cannot be accounted for. Given that we know mechanisms by which mutations can produce new DNA sequences, and natural selection works on those traits, selecting favorable ones, until over time the entire genome of the population is altered.
In conclusion, I would recommend that you do some serious research into evolutionary science by looking into some serious sources, not relying on half-baked articles conjured up by amateurs who don't even have an associate's degree in the relevant field.
Generally speaking, the more people talk about "being saved," the further away they actually are from true salvation.
#2 Total Post Count
Re: Natural selection is proven wrong
You completely miss the point. You see cancer as bad because it kills you however evolutionary it is of very little relevance. Good or bad are not part of the evolutionary vocabulary. The key concept here is fitness, which can roughly be translated as the ability to transmit gene to the next generation.
Or as you might know, most cancer happen in the latter year, when many people have already procreated, so the cancer will not affect their fitness, so there is no evolutionary pressure to remove a gene that will cause it from the gene pool.
On the other hand a gene that would allow you to live very healthily untill 120 years old, but with reduced fertility, although quite good from a human point of view, would probably quickly be removd from the gene pool, because it will directly reduce the fitness of the (in?)fortunate carriers of the gene.
Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without
any proof. (Ashley Montague)
To add to what Canalon said, one might also consider that cancer-causing genes would be very, very good from an evolutionary point of view because they guarantee that people will die after they are no longer able to reproduce. It would be very bad, from the standpoint of natural selection, to have a large population of geriatrics that would amount to evolutionary parasites by consuming resources while contributing nothing in terms of additional offspring or possibly even work to support the offspring of others. In evolutionary terms, it is much better that individuals die as soon as they are no longer able to breed, thus removing competition for resources and giving the younger generations an opportunity to thrive.
So, interestingly, one could argue that high rates of cancer actually proves the validity of natural selection as a biological theory.
Generally speaking, the more people talk about "being saved," the further away they actually are from true salvation.
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St Albans (East)
Households with children
This topic has been updated with 2016 Census data for all areas. What's this?
There are 1,144 couples with young children in St Albans (East) in 2016, comprising 15% of households.
Households with Children require different services and facilities than other household types, and their needs change as both adults and children age. When many families in an area are at the same stage in their individual lifecycles, it creates a suburb lifecycle. Knowing where a suburb is in a cycle of change helps planners make evidence-based decisions about the demand for services both now and in the future.
For Households with Children in St Albans (East), life stage is based on the age of children in the household. The age of the parent(s) is not taken into account.
- Young children: Children aged under 15 only
- Mixed age children: One or more children under 15 and one or more children over 15 (must have 2 or more children)
- Older children: Children aged 15 and over only
To continue building the story, St Albans (East)'s Household data should be viewed in conjunction with Household Size, Age Structure and Dwelling Type.
Derived from the Census question:
'What is the person's relationship (to each other person in the household)?'
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 2011 and 2016. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window), the population experts.
(Enumerated data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id, the population experts.
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id, the population experts.
Dominant groups
Analysis of the families with children in St Albans (East) in 2016 compared to City of Brimbank shows that there was a smaller proportion of couples with young children, as well as a smaller proportion of couples with older children.
Overall, 14.9% of total households with children were couple with young children, and 11.9% were couples with older children, compared with 17.7% and 14.5% respectively for City of Brimbank.
There were a larger proportion of single parent households with young children and a larger proportion of single parent households with older children. Overall, the proportion of single parent households with young children was 5.1% compared to 4.4% in City of Brimbank while the proportion of single parent households with older children was 9.3% compared to 8.2% in City of Brimbank.
Emerging groups
Between 2011 and 2016, the number of households with children decreased by 35 households or 0.9%.
There were no major differences between 2011 and 2016 in St Albans (East).


text: Lowry is a very good player but there's a reason he's plan B. Yes there are benefits to his aquisition(financial, his better defense etc) compared to Nash but he is no Nash. I remember when Nash signed with Phoenix in 2004 and went on to become MVP for the next two seasons. I mean he was the reason the likes of A Stoudamire, Marion and so on shot as well as they did. They were not the same players afterwards without him. I hope that Lowry is only part of plan B 'cause there better be more. If not I see a mediocre team. Not much better than last year.


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Teardown: Inside Google's Nexus 7 tablet
33 comments
Amazon shook the consumer electronics market last year when it introduced the first sub-$200 tablet, the Amazon Kindle Fire. Many were skeptical of the online vendors foray into electronics, but some saw it as a stroke of genius. By leveraging its vast library of online titles, Amazon set itself up to compete on content with industry leader Apple.
The Kindle Fire was an instant hit by combining Amazons library of e-books, music and movies with one of the lowest tablet price points featured quality technology. In the fourth quarter of 2011, IDC reported over 6 million units of the Kindle Fire were sold, making Amazon the No. 2 tablet maker with 16.8 percent of the overall market.
Hence, it was strange then that few companies tried to replicate Amazons model. Tablet manufacturers are still trying to compete with Apple, releasing products with specifications close to or better than the iPad. The result has been that few tablets under $400.
Perhaps only one company, Google, possesses the resources and the content to offer a tablet capable of taking on the Kindle Fire.
The first Google-branded handset, the Google Nexus One, was manufactured by HTC and was the first to be sold directly by Google to consumers. It served as the template for other Google devices like the Nexus S, the Nexus ONE and the Galaxy Nexus. With each product, Google partnered with an established device manufacturer, focusing its own efforts on the user-interface and optimizing its Android operating system for a particular device.
Google finally introduced its first branded tablet, Nexus 7, at its I/O conference last week (June 27) with a price tag of $199, meaning it will compete directly with the Kindle Fire. The Android OS, particularly Honeycomb, had long been used by iPad competitors. The Nexus 7 tablet also included the latest version of Android, 4.1, or Jelly Bean.
Like Kindle Fire, Nexus 7 offers specifications comparable to other tablets while also taking advantage of the rich library of applications that were available through Googles Android Market. Featuring a 7-inch display, Nexus 7 also uses Nvidias quad-core Tegra 3 processor while also sporting 1 GB of internal RAM and the option of up to 16 Gb of storage.
What's inside?
Since the Tegra 3 processors first design win inside the ASUS Transformer Prime, it has been steadily grabbing more socket wins. According to our IRIS database, Tegra 3 has at least five design wins, including a major win in the new Microsoft Surface tablet.
The 1.3-GHz, low power SoC was the first mobile applications processor to incorporate four cores each in the CPU and GPU. The Tegra 3 features "Variable Symmetric Multiprocessing" that uses a single low power core for tasks requiring less power consumption.
Front side view of the Nexus 7 communications board (click on image to enlarge).


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Death Notices for March 15, 2014
Gazette staff
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Donna "Dobbie" Jean Dobbs-Henry, 80, South Beloit, Ill., died Thursday at Beloit Memorial Hospital, Beloit. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Faith Lutheran Church, South Beloit, Ill. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hansen-Gravitt Funeral Home, Beloit.
Margaret Lee Schroeder Green, 82, Janesville, died Friday at Mercy Hospital & Trauma Center, Janesville. Services will be at noon Monday at Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, Janesville. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the funeral home.
Margaret Mary "Peggy" McKeown, 72, Janesville, died Thursday at home. Private services will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Janesville. Hansen Funeral Service, Janesville, is assisting the family.


text:
Manto once again show exactly how awesome they are at making MMA Rash Guards! Featuring a striking two-tone design with a Manto Crest Design on the chest and detailing on the arms, this is an IBJJF approved Rash Guard! Superb quality and style bought to you by Manto!
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We do our best to provide accurate sizing info for all items of MMA Clothing & Equipment that we sell at MMA Universe.
You can find our sizing information here
Should you be unable to find the information you need you can contact us at any time, we would be delighted to help you!
We do our best to ensure that our shipping prices are as fair and competitive as possible. We offer four tiers of delivery each with their own benefits and we offer free delivery options with orders of £50 or more.
If you place your order with us before 2pm GMT on Mon-Fri, we guarantee to ship your order the same day. Orders placed after this time may not be processed until the next available working day (but we'll do our best to get your order on it's way ASAP). Our typical delivery times are:
|United Kingdom:
|Within 48 Hours of shipping
|Within Europe:
|Within 5-7 Days of shipping
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|Within 7-10 Days of shipping
MMA Universe have simple returns policy where if you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return it within 14 days of receiving it for any of the following:
- Exchange your purchase for another size or colour, or a new item entirely.
- Return your purchase for MMA Universe Store Credit.
- Return your purchase for a refund.
- Return your purchase for a replacement if it is damaged or faulty.
Items to be returned for exchange or refund must be unworn and in the original packaging, unless faulty, in which case please wash them first!You can find more information about our returns policy here


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A decade ago, the introduction of electronic trading, in conjunction with straight-through processing, increased the efficiency of hedging foreign exchange (FX) exposures. Electronic trading platforms also make it possible to hedge smaller exposures, and they enable companies to hedge exposures in real time as they arise, instead of on a monthly or quarterly basis. As a result, a large portion of FX hedging is conducted on electronic platforms. In fact, the proportion of FX trades executed via electronic platform is currently 46 percent, up from 20 percent in 2004, and the volume of electronic FX trades increased by almost 500 percent over the same period (see Figure 1, below).
Some corporations now use electronic execution to supplement their voice execution, but many use a digital platform for 100 percent of their hedging program. The justifications for using only electronic trading are generally that the platform offers superior pricing and that the company's hedging strategy and products are "plain vanilla." In extreme cases, hedging via the electronic platform is company policy and voice execution requires approval as an exception. This can be problematic, as inefficiencies can arise when a company uses only electronic platforms for FX trading.
Transition to Digital FX
During the early to mid 1990s, participants in the FX market traded primarily via phone or phone-based technology. Generally, a client would call either its bank or a broker to get a two-side market (bid and offer simultaneously) prior to executing. By having the bank quote both sides of the market before trade execution, the company achieved price discovery. Post-execution, the bank would hedge its own risk by calling other dealers directly or calling an interbank broker. So banks used telephone lines both to execute trades with clients and to distribute risk via the interbank market.
Through the late 1990s, end users—such as corporations and hedge funds—continued to trade predominantly via voice, but the interbank market began shifting to electronic broker platforms to obtain better price discovery and to distribute risk more efficiently. Previously, interbank trades had been large and less frequent. The electronic interbank market allowed banks to hedge small end-user transactions quickly. It also opened up the market for small dealers by providing a live stream of best bid and best offer, enabling them to hedge risk.
In the early 2000s, multiple electronic platforms were developed for end users. These gave end users the ability to execute via a single-dealer or multi-dealer platform. A single-dealer platform allows clients to receive quotes from, and execute with, one dealer. The multi-dealer platforms connect end users to multiple dealers for quotes and transactions. Unlike the single-dealer platforms, multi-dealer platforms make it possible for end users to run live auctions when executing trades. In a matter of seconds, an end user can obtain multiple bids from a group of dealers they select. After obtaining the bids, the end user chooses which dealer to award the trade, whether or not it offered the best price in the auction.
For both new and experienced hedgers, the increased speed and transparency of electronic platforms generally translated into lower administrative and execution costs. Electronic trading reduces execution time per trade, booking errors, and misquotes. The steady stream of price quotes, coupled with the ability to run auctions, increased transparency. Straight-through processing lowers the administrative burden of inputting trades into internal systems, settling payments, and making accounting entries. The exact savings available through electronic trading differ from user to user, but in general smaller end users that lacked infrastructure reaped the largest savings relative to the size of their exposure.
Gaining Efficiency but Losing Guidance
Something important was lost as companies begin relying more on electronic trading platforms and communicating less with their foreign exchange salespeople. FX salespeople add value on an ongoing basis by explaining best practices and helping end users adapt their hedging strategies to suit the always-shifting market environment. In lieu of salespeople, electronic end users began turning to online research reports, which can often be accessed via the electronic trading platforms. But a research report cannot draw on years of professional experience to recommend the right hedging strategy for each end user's unique situation.
Moreover, this shift among FX end users has led banks and brokerage firms to place less value on their salespeople. Generally, as FX salespeople have less direct contact with clients, senior management at the bank or brokerage firm begins to perceive them as less integral to revenue. Eventually, management reduces head count or hires less-experienced salespeople. Salespeople with less expertise may not have the long-term FX perspective that is vital to developing a hedging program. And a smaller sales team may be unable to adequately cover all clients, so they may prioritize those that use voice trading or a single-dealer platform, since those platforms more directly link their work with revenue than do electronic trades.
At the same time the number of experienced salespeople in the FX market is declining, the importance of hedging is increasing because foreign earnings are becoming a larger part of net income for U.S.-based businesses. For example, in 2011 foreign sales within the consumer staples industry were around 47 percent, up from 37 percent in 2005. Some banks have tried to supplement deficiencies in their FX sales staff by introducing separate groups to provide strategy or quantitative analysis consulting.
Today, a typical FX salesperson focuses on execution, not strategy. The loss of salespeople who proactively provide strategy advice has left end users reliant on FX programs that they developed years ago. Many continue to use hedging strategies built for market environments in which the euro was stable, interest rates were high, and volatility was lower—an approach that may prove inefficient or even detrimental. For example, many companies continue to roll their hedges on a monthly basis. They developed this strategy as a way to save money on forward points. However, in the current interest rate environment, forward points are small in many of the G10 currencies. Rolling hedges on a monthly basis produces almost no forward-point savings right now, while it increases the amount of bid/offer paid. Companies could reduce their hedging costs by more than 50 percent if they extended the roll period from monthly to bi-monthly.
End users that execute large volumes electronically without proper advice may face even greater losses by moving the market against themselves. Slippage, the difference between an estimated transaction cost and the amount actually paid, can increase quickly without warning when there is a material change in market conditions. A lack of liquidity or an error in an asset management firm's trading platform can cause sizeable market swings. For example, on May 6, 2010, in the midst of the "Flash Crash," many companies continued executing FX transactions via electronic platforms. The euro declined by 1.6 percent that day, then immediately rebounded the next day. An FX salesperson can help companies anticipate and prepare for these types of market idiosyncrasies.
Rise of the Algorithm
Not all companies are created equal in the eyes of electronic FX trading platforms. In the equity markets, a known, fixed fee is charged for execution. By contrast, FX trading involves no mandates to provide good execution. The goal of dealers is to take the largest bite possible. Thus, the price offered to a multinational with an AA credit rating is not the same price offered to a BB-rated multinational. And smaller, high-yield companies may achieve better pricing than large multinationals.
To support the large volume of electronic trading, dealers developed algorithms that automatically price trades. Over time, the algorithms have evolved. Today's algorithms provide differentiated pricing to maximize profit based on deal size, counterparty, tenor, currency pair, time of day, and previous win ratio. For example, the algorithm may detect a pattern in which a counterparty awards business to dealers on the basis of who offers the tightest bid/offer spread. Once it recognizes this pattern, the algorithm will offer tight bid/offer spreads on a poor market price. Dealers have teams dedicated to building smarter, faster, and more discriminating algorithms that continuously improve their understanding of the market and their counterparties. They study the behavior of clients and look for ways to make incremental revenue.
Algorithms also use information gathered from the relationship manager and FX salespeople. Consider Multinational ABC, which trades almost exclusively via an electronic multi-bank platform. Periodically Investment Bank Z's FX salesperson receives a report detailing volume, win/loss ratios, hedge maturities, and revenue associated with ABC, information the bank gathers directly from ABC, from public financials, and/or from the relationship manager. Based on this data, the salesperson may suggest adjustments in how Bank Z's FX algorithm responds to Multinational ABC's transactions. If the analysis reveals that Bank Z is losing more trades than it wins, the salesperson might suggest tighter margins. On the other hand, if the salesperson feels Bank Z is winning too many trades, he or she may recommend expanding the bank's margins with Multinational ABC.
Apart from Bank Z's analysis of its win/loss ratio with Multinational ABC, the company's stated goals may negatively affect what prices the algorithm offers. If ABC proactively distributes its FX hedges among a group of relationship banks, sometimes awarding trades to banks that don't offer the lowest price and other times removing banks from the bidding process when they exceed pre-set concentration limits, Bank Z's FX salesperson will advise the managers of the electronic platform to keep the bank's margins higher. Bank Z will aim for its bids to come in second place because eventually ABC will award Bank Z a share of its business, and at a higher margin than the first-place bank achieves. If every bank uses this same strategy, it will quickly erode any perceived cost efficiencies for ABC of using an electronic bid process.
Voice-Based Trades as Carrot
Voice execution can be a direct substitute for electronic trading, or it can be used as a reward for the dealer that consistently provides the best electronic execution. More than $1 trillion in FX trades occur daily in North America, making this the most liquid of all markets. Live exchange rates are available via a streaming service at a reasonable cost. And foreign exchange is one of the few markets in which it's standard practice to ask for bid and offer before providing details of the trade. This is how dealers achieved a fair price before electronic platforms existed. With the right systems or independent advice, voice trading can achieve the same level of execution efficiency as an electronic platform.
An indication that voice execution is on par with electronic is that many sophisticated end users continue to use voice platforms as their primary means of execution. The breakdown between voice and electronic FX trades for non-financial companies is about 50:50. If a company executes more than 75 percent (on a notional basis) of its FX trades electronically, then it may want to reconsider its FX hedging strategy and execution protocol. A combination of voice and electronic trades may result in the lowest hedging cost possible, by combining tighter spreads with improved advice.
When they use voice trading as a carrot, end users knowingly pay a wider spread to their dealers as a reward for their electronic execution. This strategy capitalizes on the fact that FX salespeople have meaningful input into the algorithms—but they prefer voice execution because of its direct link to their performance, which is important for their own promotion and compensation. While bank management is indifferent to (or, arguably, even prefers) electronic trading, the average salesperson prefers a dollar made via voice over one earned electronically. For hedging end users, understanding and leveraging the motivators of an individual salesperson is instrumental in minimizing hedging costs in the foreign exchange market.
Joseph C. Lewis is a director with financial risk management consultancy JCRA Financial. He has over 12 years' experience providing risk management advice on interest rates, foreign exchange, and commodities to corporations, real estate, and private equity funds.


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Folding Tables
When you think of folding tables you think of saving space. Suitable for your home, classroom, or workspace, these lightweight, easy to stack, arrange, and transport tables come in rounds and rectangles. We feature adjustable drawing and drafting tables, even plastic bi-folds, and you can be assured that these functional pieces will provide you with years of service.


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Bobster Resolve Sunglasses Reviewby Kenneth Dean - verified purchaser
Nice looking glasses, because of odd shape of lenses, RX lenses could not be made, the lens machine won't do right angles.
List Price: $49.98
Sale Price: $19.95 $49.98
You save: $30 (60%)
Bobster Resolve Sunglasses Reviewby Kenneth Dean - verified purchaser
Nice looking glasses, because of odd shape of lenses, RX lenses could not be made, the lens machine won't do right angles.
Great Fitby Andrew - verified purchaser
I have a hard time finding frames that fit my face, and these are the first pair I've found in a very long time. Fit well under a full face helmet, too. Great value.
The Bobster Eyewear Company makes high grade optics for a wide range of applications from ballistics applications for military use and law enforcement, to motorcycle riding, and casual use as well. These are just a few from the huge selection available at Jafrum.
The first pair today is the most popular style among Jafrum customers, the Shield II's. At Jafrum, we carry four of the six styles of Shield II's Bobster offers. We have clear, smoke, yellow and amber, all with black frames. The shield II's feature a frameless design for light weight and good peripheral vision. Like all Bobsterr Eyewear, they feature shatter resistant polycarbonate lenses that offer one hundred percent UVA and UVB protection. They also feature closed cell foam gaskets to keep the buffeting down and the debris out, and padded ear pieces for all day comfort. To add a ballistics grade anti fog lens and an ANSI 87+ compliance, take a look at the Shield III's. They look very similar and are only slightly more expensive.
The next two pairs I want to show you are the Foamerz. These are the original Foamers, and these are the Foamerz II. There are numerous similarities between the two pairs. Both glasses have the closed cell foam gaskets you would expect to find on a pair of glasses called the Foamers, and a shatter resistant, fog free, polycarbonate lens construction. They're both available in three lens colors, clear, smoke, and amber, and both have black frames. There are numerous differences between the two versions as well. The frames are obviously very different in style. The original Foamerz are an older style chronologically, but as all things in fashion go through cycles, the older version of the Foamerz is actually a more current style. It's funny how that works. The newer version does incorporate pads into the earpieces, though, making them ever so slightly more comfortable, and the Foamerz II carry the ANSI Z-87 + rating.
These versatile little guys are the GXR convertible riding glasses. They have the basic construction of a standard pair of gasketed riding glasses, but with the added security of a removable elastic strap. They're available in clear, smoke, and amber, and feature anti-fog, and shatter proof polycarbonate lenses. To remove the strap, apply firm pressure to this little button on the temple and pull the tab out. When reinstalling, make sure the tabs click into place or the strap may come loose. These GXR's are also prescription lens compatible, and have NXT Transitional photochromic lenses available through Bobster.
For the rider looking for a more airtight seal around the face than what is possible with closed cell foam, we have the Bobster Cruiser riding goggles. These traditional split lens goggles are available in clear, smoke, and amber, and are great for all types of activities that require eye protection like hang gliding or the ever popular poke your buddy in the eyeball as hard as you can game. The seal on the cruisers is open cell, so you get a perfect seal around your face. This style foam is very absorbent, though, so if they get sweaty, wash them. The oils in your sweat will cause the foam to deteriorate over time if it's not cleaned once in a while. These goggles feature a shatterproof polycarbonate lens that is UVA and UVB protectant.
Next we have one of my favorite pairs, the Fat Boy glasses. These glasses are very snug and stable, and they utilize a photochromic lens coating that turns the lenses dark in sunlight, then returns to clear in lower light. FYI, though, if your eyes are sensitive to light and need very dark lenses, these Fat Boy glasses might not be for you. The lenses only darken to forty seven percent light transmission, so don't expect to be able to hide your eyes behind these glasses. These Fat Boys have the familiar closed cell foam gasket, anti-fog lens coating, and the padded earpieces for all day comfort.
Next, we have one of the most comfortable pairs in the Bobster lineup, the Invaders. The Invaders combine the look and style of a regular pair of riding glasses, with the comfort of open cell foam usually reserved for goggles. These lenses are also photochromic, like the Fat Boys I just showed you, so they change from light to dark in bright sunlight. These Invaders are available with different lens colors, like amber and rose, which are great for riding at night. Like all Bobster glasses, they feature a shatter proof and UVA and B protectant polycarbonate lens material. Included with the Invaders, are a zippered case and a microfiber cleaning towel.
This next pair in our overview today is called the Charger. These are one of the few models we are looking at today that doesn't have any gasket around the eyes. These are for the rider who is going to wear his or her glasses as much off the bike as on it. These also meet Bobster s ballistic requirements. The lenses are anti-scratch, anti-fog, UVA and B protectant, and possess the ANSI Z87 certification. These glasses are available in clear, smoke and amber, and feature replaceable nose pieces and high grip rubber inserts in the earpieces.
This is another model without a gasket system called the Hooligan. These are going to be primarily a lifestyle pair with a little bit of riding mixed in. They have the shatterproof construction and the UV protection like the Charger, but give up the ANSI certification and add prescription ready frames and a photochromic coating on the lens. These have a unique finish to them, it is a mix of glossy black plastic and a matte colored material that has a rubbery feel to it.
Next, we have the popular Condor model. These are what are called an OTG, or over the glass model. This means that they are designed to be worn over a pair of prescription glasses. Most OTG glasses are gigantic and look like they could be used as welding goggles. These are much smaller than most, so they look kinda cool, but that does mean that the prescription glasses worn underneath them also need to be fairly small. A wire frame will fit much easier beneath the Condors than an acetate frame will. Because these glasses are going to stick out just a little bit farther off of your face than a non OTG pair will, Bobster has added these side windows in the temples to maintain the best possible peripheral view.
If you're looking for the most versatile pair of riding glasses possible, you might take a look at these Renegades. These do everything. They are a goggle when you want a goggle. They are glasses when you want glasses. All you have to do is swap out the strap for the ear pieces. The closed cell foam is even removable for creating a fully casual look. The lenses are anti-fog and photochromic. It's important to note, though, that the tint range with this model is similar to that of the Fat Boy glasses we looked at earlier, so they aren't going to get dark, they are just going to provide relief from squinting. They have a very tactical look to them and will look great on or off the bike.
Ok, just a few more for you.
If you like the idea of the Renegade, but don't think you need the goggle strap feature, the Ruckus might be what you're looking for. The Ruckus features prescription compatible frames, and a removable closed cell foam insert making them great on or off the bike. The Rukus comes with anti-fog photochromic lenses, but you can also opt for a polarized lens, through Bobster directly, but honestly you start to get into some pretty pricey territory.
Next we have one of the most popular pairs of goggles of all time. These are the Bugeye goggles. Actually, these are the Bugeye II's to be more specific. These are popular for two main reasons. The first reason is that they just plain work. They are really flexible so the fit a ton of heads. Also, the open cell foam gasket creates a seal with no gaps, but allows enough air to circulate through the goggle to minimize fog. The second reason is their versatility. This pair of goggles comes with a total of three pairs of lenses including clear, smoke, and amber, so you're getting three pairs of goggles for the price of one. You also get a cleaning cloth and a case with your purchase.
The next pair of glasses I'm going to show you combines the interchangeable strap system of the Renegade glasses with the interchangeable lens system of the Bugeyes. These are the Sport and Street glasses. You get the clear, smoke and amber lenses as well as the goggle conversion strap, a cleaning cloth and a nice case. The lenses are anti-fog and UV protectant, and the frames are prescription compatible. One thing that's unique about these SS's is the fit. They have a very aggressive curve on the earpiece to hold them tight against your head, which is great, unless your ears are set far back on your head, in which case these glasses will hurt like crazy.
The next pair today is called the AXL. These are a perfect solution for the rider that is looking for the most peripheral vision available. The lenses on these AXL's wrap all the way around to the temple so blind spots from your glasses are a thing of the past. They are available in lens colors clear, yellow, and smoke, and are available on Jafrum right now for an incredible discount. This is a no frills pair. There is no gasket or straps, just glasses.
Finally, I have a pair of riding goggles for you that are perfect for the rider who likes to pack light and maximize space. These are the folding Crossfire goggles. They feature the trusted anti-fog, UV protectant, and shatterproof polycarbonate lenses, but in a package that folds up really small and fits in this little included case that can be worn on your belt. In addition to making these goggles very packable, the hinge on the bridge of these goggles also makes the fit very versatile. The goggles are able to conform to almost any head.


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Credit Union Manager Gets 45 Months For Embezzling $636,000
The former manager, treasurer and sole employee of Seward, Neb.'s H.B.E. Credit Union, which has been closed for nearly a year, will spend close to four years in jail for stealing a total of $635,998.56 from the credit union, authorities said.
Crystal Lankford was sentenced Monday to 45 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release, according to the FBI office in Omaha, Neb.
Lankford was also ordered to make restitution for the entire stolen amount. She pled guilty to the crime of embezzlement from a federally insured credit union back in September, the FBI said.
The FBI said between April 2006 and September 2011, Lankford wrote unauthorized checks to herself and her husband, Steve Lankford, from H.B.E. CU's operating account at Union Bank and Trust, then deposited the money into her own checking account.
In October 2011, knowing that H.B.E. CU had a next to nothing balance, she abandoned her position at the credit union, the FBI said.
According to NCUA, H.B.E. CU merged with NCUA assistance on Feb. 26, 2012.
Lankford's is the latest in a string of embezzlement cases at credit unions over the past six months.
These include a $3.4 million embezzlement at the NCUA-seized Women's Southwest Federal Credit Union, a theft of $2.1 million at United Catholic Credit Union, an $800,000 embezzlement at Enterprise Credit Union and a case involving tax fraud, embezzlement and money laundering at Borinquen Federal Credit Union.