text:
Cotton producers need technological innovations to sustain profitable production in the United States, and a recent study found Roundup Ready cotton, biotechnology and boll weevil eradication are important contributors.
Mississippi State University collaborated with researchers from North Carolina State University on the report that has a survey of cotton growers from west Texas, Delta states and the Southeast. It also includes interviews with cotton experts at the Beltwide Cotton Conference in January 2007.
Drought-resistant cotton, improved cotton varieties, and expanded weed and insect control in the form of biotech traits are the most important future innovations in the minds of the surveyed growers," the report states.
The report shows the most important innovations in the history of U.S. cotton and suggests innovations for the future.
Michele Marra, an NCSU professor and the report's lead author, said the information is relevant to the U.S. cotton industry's current state. "Because the cotton innovations named by those surveyed are, for the most part, designed to reduce production costs, they are particularly important in times of low prices," Marra said. "Also, this information coming from an unbiased third party could help guide the direction of future funds for cotton research in many organizations and private firms."
Steve Martin, the report's second author and an agricultural economist with the MSU Extension Service at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, said a point of interest is the high ranking respondents gave boll weevil eradication. Eradication is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program started in the 1970s that successfully eliminated the boll weevil insect as a threat to cotton production in many states.
"It's been a major event in the last two decades," Martin said. "Even though there were concerns initially about the cost, producers believe boll weevil eradication has been a good investment and something that needs to be maintained."
Martin said respondents rarely cited global positioning system technology high on their list of major cotton innovations. "If we do this survey again in another 10 years, that response might change," Martin said. "The GPS technology is really just now beginning to be accepted in cotton."
Companies leading in cotton innovations are Monsanto, Bayer, Delta and Pine Land, and Stoneville Pedigreed Seed, according to the report's survey.
A few of the experts interviewed at the 2007 Beltwide Cotton Conference mentioned specifically they think a combination of Monsanto Company's newest biotech traits with the Delta and Pine Land Company's best varieties will enhance Southern cotton growers' yields substantially," the report states. The U.S. Department of Justice approved a merger of the two companies on May 31. Monsanto owns the rights to the highly popular Roundup Ready and Bollgard biotechnology traits, while Delta and Pine Land offers popular seed varieties.
U.S. cotton yields increased at about a 33 percent faster rate once genetically modified, or transgenic, cotton arrived in the mid-1990s. Cotton growers planted transgenic cotton varieties on 83 percent of U.S. cotton acres in 2006.
Mississippi cotton producer Bernie Jordan, who farms in Yazoo and Humphreys counties, said he would like to have more innovations in variable-rate technology.
"I think we need to refine variable-rate fertilizer applications as much as possible because the costs of our fertilizer products have escalated almost 100 percent in the last year," Jordan said.
"There has been a lot of work done with variable-rate lime, potash and phosphate, but I think we need to concentrate on variable-rate nitrogen because that is getting to be one of our highest inputs right now," he said.
Jordan has farmed cotton for more than 27 years and provided his opinions separately from the researchers' report.
"Important Innovations in Cotton Production: An Assessment by U.S. Cotton Growers and Other Experts" is available online at http://www.cipm.info/cipmpubs/marra_cotton07.pdf.
e-mail: email@example.com


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Block Prep Procedures, When Done Correctly, Can Mean Faster Laps
Have you ever broken down the costs associated with getting a new race engine built? Or even getting an old engine rebuilt? If you have and were surprised by how much it cost just to prepare the block for the build, you certainly aren't alone. New racers especially are often surprised by how much goes into preparing a new engine block to make it race ready. "After all," they say, "it's a new block-or it was running fine before we took it out for the rebuild-is all that stuff really necessary?"
This month, we are going to take a look at all the "stuff" that goes into preparing a block before the first part gets bolted to it. From cleaning, to boring the cylinders, to freeze plugs: What's critical, what can be done without (not much, really), and what can you do yourself?
When it comes to engine block prep, most tasks can be split into two categories. Call them what you will, but they are easily summed up by calling them "The Basics" and "The Extra Mile." The Basics are those machining processes that really must be done just to have a properly operating engine. These processes include boring and honing the cylinders, align-honing the mains, and decking the block. The Extra Mile involves doing things that make sure you are squeezing every last bit of available power out of your engine. These tasks also increase durability. These include properly indexing the lifter bores, locating the height of the cam tunnel based off of the crank's centerline, and even polishing the oil galleries. Whether you spring the cash to go with The Extra Mile procedures is up to you, but if you are racing in the lower classes you can usually get by without them. If you are racing a stock block, there often isn't enough extra material to go about correcting errors with extra machining, so you simply must do the best with what you have. As we go through the procedures, we'll assume we are dealing with a new block. Whenever the criteria changes for a rebuilt block, we'll mention it specifically. Also, thanks to KT Engine Development in Concord, North Carolina, for sharing much of its price list with us for this article.
Don't let the name fool you. We call it The Basics, but that doesn't mean the procedures are necessarily simple. You may be able to assemble the engine yourself, but almost all of us must depend on a machinist to take care of the cutting on the block. Find someone you trust to hold the tightest tolerances with your block. It will pay off in the long run.
Cleaning Yes, this is a necessary step even if you are using a brand-new block. New blocks can often have casting slag hanging around in the cracks and crevices, and it becomes a big, gritty problem if not removed before assembly. This is a step you can definitely do yourself. If the block is new, all you need is a water hose and a variety of brushes to make sure you scrub everything. If you are cleaning a rebuild, however, the work gets tougher. You need to use hot water and a cleaner capable of cutting through the grease and grime that builds up just about everywhere. When you are finished, make sure to hit all the surfaces with a light coat of WD-40 or some other type of light oil as soon as the surface has been dried to prevent rust.
Engine builders usually charge around $120 to clean a block, and most racers consider it money well spent to avoid the hassle. The engine builders usually use a mild acid or caustic wash, either in a hot tank or a jet sprayer. Whether you choose to do it yourself or have your engine shop handle the duties, make sure the freeze and gallery plugs are removed beforehand so that anything hidden behind them can get out. After all the machining processes are complete, the block needs to be cleaned again to get rid of any accumulated machining oils and metal slivers left over from cutting.
Sonic and Pressure Testing It doesn't make sense to do machine work on a block that may not even be usable. That's why it's wise to sonic test the block before much effort is put into it. Sonic testing can tell you the thickness of the cylinder walls quickly and easily. Even on a new block, this is important because core shift can cause one side of a cylinder wall to be too thin. Engine builder Peter Guild of PME Engines says he likes to see the cylinder wall thickness at least 0.275 inch. A sonic tester is also capable of catching a block that's just too far gone to be rebuilt again.
If you have your freeze plugs in place, it's also a good idea to pressure test the block before beginning the big projects. Pressure testing is done by filling the water jackets and then adding air pressure to see if there are any cracks or leaks. Both of these processes should be repeated after all the machine work is done to make sure you didn't cut too much away. Many machinists say they have seen situations in which a chunk of casting slag that was knocked away during one of the cutting procedures opens a pinhole through to a water jacket. The only way to catch this is with a final pressure check before engine assembly begins.
Align-Hone the Main Bores Align-honing the main bores for the crank journals should be the first machining operation performed because every other machining operation should ideally be referenced off of the crank centerline. Since the crank isn't in the block, this point is determined by the housing bore. When this is done, the caps must be properly fitted to the block and torqued into place. It is also a good idea to have an old oil pump housing bolted into place to simulate the distortion created.
The process of align-honing the main bores ensures that the bore housing inside diameters are correct and that all the holes are perfectly aligned to eliminate excessive bearing wear on any high or low spots. A good machinist spins the block 180 degrees during the process and runs the hone through the bores in the opposite direction for a few passes. This ensures that all the bores are identical and there is no droop caused by the boring bar. Usually, this procedure costs $225.
Boring and Honing Boring is the process of cutting away metal with a carbide cutting tool. Honing is much the same except a stone is used and you deal with much smaller increments.
Boring and honing isn't just about punching out the cylinder bores to a larger size. You have to make sure each cylinder is perfectly round and straight (perpendicular to the centerline of the crank). When boring the block, the machinist should use a fixture that locates the block on the crank saddles and another that locates the proper place for each cylinder (commonly a B-H-J Bor-Tru plate). This can help fix cylinder bore misalignment from the factory. Typically, the bores will be bored within approximately 0.005 or 0.006 inch of the final diameter.
The last bit of material is left on purpose to be removed by the honing process. Honing a bore, when properly done, leaves a fine crosshatch of valleys in which oil collects. A perfectly smooth cylinder wall wears rings very quickly. For racing, make sure your machinist attaches a torque plate before honing. A torque plate simulates the stretch caused by torquing a cylinder head in place. Also, you must use a head gasket between the block and torque plate to properly simulate the stress caused by a cylinder head. The head gasket should be the same type used on the final build. Guild says he has seen variances caused by honing with a standard composition head gasket and then building the engine with an MLS (multilayer steel) gasket. Usually, honing is done with a series of progressively finer stones (usually three) and takes some time. That's why the boring and honing process on the cylinders can cost $300 or more.
On a rebuild, if the engine has not been damaged, you can often get by with a light re-hone that removes as little as 0.0005 inch. This is enough to etch the cylinder walls, but removes so little that you don't have to go up a piston size.
Decking the Block Decking is the process of cutting down the portion of the block to which the cylinder heads mate. This is important for several reasons. First, it is often necessary to remove some material from this part of the block just to "square up" the cylinder heads. The deck of the block must be perpendicular to the crankshaft centerline. In a V-8, the decks on both sides of the block are at 90-degree angles to each other. A block should also be decked to ensure a good, flat surface so that you can achieve a good gasket seal.
Finally, a block must often be decked to achieve the proper deck height. Deck height is the distance from the crank centerline to the deck surface. Normally, the deck height is established just a few thousandths above the piston top when it is at TDC. Manipulating the block's deck height helps dial-in compression and also ensures the proper quench area. Quench is when the piston comes within around 0.060 to 0.045 inch of the deck of the head (this includes the thickness of the gasket). Proper quench area promotes good mixture motion of the air/fuel charge and more efficient combustion. Whenever you make a change in deck height, you must also make sure that there is still sufficient piston-to-valve clearance. Ken Troutman of KT Engine Development says decking a new block usually costs around $175.
Align-Bore/Hone the Cam Tunnel The cam tunnel should be align-bored or at least honed on a new block for the same reasons that the main caps/saddles should be. Once it is correct, however, this process doesn't normally need to be done again. Unlike the main journals, where detonation can cause distortion, the cam bores don't see too much stress. On a rebuild, the cam tunnel should be honed if there is a spun cam bearing.
Many engine builders are using oversized camshafts whenever possible to reduce the chances of camshaft flex. This requires enlarging the cam bores even more than usual. The same holds true if you intend to install roller cam bearings. Honing the cam bores usually costs around $40 or so, but if you require the machinist to increase the diameter of the bore 0.010 or more, expect that price to jump closer to $75.
As stated earlier, steps in The Extra Mile category won't keep your engine from running, but will help give you an edge in some manner. It may be power, improved durability, or a small handling difference for your car. These processes are not cheap, so if you are racing in a lower level class, you'll probably find more efficient ways to spend your money. If, however, you are racing in a touring series, where the competition is cut-throat, these processes may be necessary to keep up with the top cars.
Valvetrain Alignment This actually involves two steps-properly locating the cam bores and the lifter bores-but they work hand-in-hand. Earlier, we mentioned boring and honing the cam tunnel, which is done to ensure the bores are the correct size and in alignment with each other. Valvetrain alignment takes it a step further by ensuring that the camshaft centerline is the correct distance from the crank centerline. This can be off slightly on mass-produced blocks and can affect cam timing.
The correct lifter bore alignment is normally found with a B-H-J fixture, which works in much the same manner as the one that centers the cylinder bores. If a lifter bore is out of alignment, many engine builders can ream it out, insert a bushing, and then re-cut the lifter bore in the correct location. This can help in a couple of areas. First, an improved alignment between the lifter and the cam lobes helps ensure that both wear properly, which is a concern with the high spring rates being used today. Second, when a cam is designed, it is assumed that the lifters are in the correct locations. If they are off by a degree or two, they will contact the camshaft at a different point from where the designer intended and make the valve opening and closing events happen either earlier or later than intended. This, of course, is going to cost you power.
Deburr Oil Galleries The oil galleries should already be inspected and clear of any obstructions during the cleaning procedure. Examples of obstructions include metal shavings from the machining processes, casting slag, pieces of shot (if the block has been bead-blasted), and just general unidentified trash. Deburring or polishing the galleries takes things a step further. To ensure vital engine oil flows easily to the places it needs to be with a minimum of pumping effort, many engine builders buff the galleries. The easiest way to do this is with a piece of emery cloth or fine sandpaper attached to a long, thin rod. Chuck the rod up an electric drill and spin the emery cloth as you move it along the length of the gallery. If this procedure is performed, it should be done before the final block cleaning.
Lightening Lightening the block adds neither power nor durability, but it can make you faster on the track. Peter Guild says that you can easily remove 5 to 6 pounds from a standard block without sacrificing durability. This includes profiling the main gaps and grinding off unnecessary bosses. You can do some of this with a grinder, but just be aware that it's hard work for little results. Removing weight from the engine allows you to move more of it to the framerails, where you can adjust its location to improve handling, but most of what you are removing is already pretty low. It may, however, be helpful if you have trouble getting enough of your weight percentage over the rear tires.
This article assumes that you are using an unfinished block that requires machining before it is ready for assembly. Some manufacturers, such as Dart, Brodix, and World Products, offer engine blocks that are already machined. In most cases, they are machined to standard specs. Some manufacturers allow you to choose from an options list. This is a good choice if you prefer to do most of the work yourself or don't have an engine machine shop nearby. Some leave the final honing to be done in order to match your final piston size, but others prepare the engine so all you have to do is wash it and begin pre-assembly. If you choose this option, make sure you are confident in your ability to check all the critical clearances so that the parts you assemble in your block meet the correct tolerances.

subset: commoncrawl


text: A message from Loyola President Brian F. Linnane, S.J., on election of Pope Francis March 13, 2013 | By Nick Alexopulos As we at Loyola University Maryland welcome Pope Francis, we ask God to bless him in his ministry to the Catholic Church and to the world. It is so gratifying to our academic and faith community that our Holy Father is not only an accomplished intellectual in the tradition of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI but also that he is a member of the Society of Jesus, the order whose ideals guide our university. As a Jesuit, he appreciates the principles we treasure here at Loyola, understands our mission as a university and the responsibilities we hold, and he embraces our commitment to social justice. At this time of much division in our Church and throughout the world, how meaningful that our Holy Father chose the name Francis, the name of St. Francis of Assisi, who was called to rebuild Christ's church on earth. We recognize that Pope Francis will need to bridge gaps both within the Roman Catholic Church and between Catholics and people of other faiths, and we support him in his efforts to do so. As Pope Francis embraces the many challenges ahead, always working to accomplish them for the greater glory of God, we will keep him in our prayers. At this time we can reflect on the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."


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Orange County, Calif., is perhaps best known as the home of Disneyland. Or maybe you're more familiar with the area from watching the teen soap, "The O.C.," or "The Real Housewives of Orange County." But along the 42 miles of shimmering Pacific Ocean shoreline in this conservative SoCal enclave, you'll find refuge in some of the most beautiful beach sanctuaries in the country. Here's a guide to enjoying Orange County without Mickey or any reality-show drama. California, here we come.
O.C.'s beaches are free to the general public, and are great for more than just sunbathing. You can explore tide pools, scuba dive and, of course, surf. Access to some beaches requires paying to park in nearby lots. For calmer waters, rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards at Newport Aquatic Center; guided tours and lessons are available (from $14/hour, 1 White Cliffs Dr., Newport Beach, newportaquaticcenter.com). For surfing, head to the Huntington Beach pier. Board and wet-suit rentals are at Bruce Jones Surfboards (from $20/half-day; 16927 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, brucejones.com).
Whether you're stopping by the Beachcomber in the Crystal Cove Historic District for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it's all front-row seating to the Pacific Ocean — but the view, which if you're lucky will include schools of swimming dolphins, is best before the sun sets. In the A.M., order the Big Bad Bloody Mary to balance your steak chilaquiles served with guajillo sauce and cotija cheese (15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, thebeachcombercafe.com).
You can come to the West Coast and still get your Mario Batali fix. Pizzeria Mozza, the Batali/Nancy Silverton collaboration next to a Ferrari dealership along a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, instantly became one of the hardest reservations in town when it opened in late 2011 — and it still is. You'll want to first order the pane bianco, delicious slabs of wood-fired bread doused in olive oil, and the Mozza caprese, with still-on-the-vine roasted cherry tomatoes atop creamy burrata, before digging into the Neapolitan-style pies topped with ingredients such as stinging nettles, hot sopressata and house-made fennel sausage (800 West Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, pizzeriamozza.com).
If you'd like to observe a real O.C. housewife in her natural habitat, the lounge at Javier's, an upscale Mexican restaurant and tequila bar in tony Newport Beach, is prime feeding ground. Expect to see bleached blondes in bedazzled skinny jeans grazing on perfectly spicy housemade salsa, creamy queso fundido and a wide array of margaritas (7832 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, javiers-cantina.com).
Fashion Island is the outdoor mall to beat all outdoor malls, with its scenic ocean views, valet parking and upscale boutiques offering everything from French macarons to Louis Vuitton bags and Dita eyewear (401 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, shopfashionisland.com).
The modern, sky-lit studios at the 14 West boutique hotel are designed so guests feel less like they're checking into a hotel and more like they're staying in a very chic, clutter-free second home that's mere steps from the beach. The staff recommends the supermarket across the way so guests can cook meals in their kitchenettes, which are outfitted with granite counters, stove-top ranges and refrigerators. Each of the 14, individually decorated, top-floor studios opens onto the same sunny courtyard where you can sunbathe, barbecue or relax in the hot tub. For minimalists, try the Malibu room with its black slate floors and clean white furnishings; more earthy aesthetes should consider the warm-hued Manhattan (from $119, 690 South Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 14westlagunabeach.com).
It's not easy to get a reservation for one of the modest, 1930s/40s-era Crystal Cove Beach
Cottages in the charming Crystal Cove State Park Historic District, situated in a secluded coastal nook. But if you do, your stay will be unforgettable and quite possibly the best O.C. beachfront real estate deal you'll ever land (from $42; 35 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, crystalcovebeachcottages.com).


text:
As soon as I found out that my friend Sharon was going to have a granddaughter I scoured the internet looking for the just the right quilt to make for the baby's room and I think I found it. I absolutely adore this family tree panel that is part of the Children at Play line by Sarah Jane studios.
Sharon has an embroidery machine so she embroidered all the family names onto the panel and then I took it from there.
I just added a couple of borders and then quilted it using a wide crosshatch pattern. I'm so happy with the results and I hope baby Aubree will grow to love it too.
Happy Thursday!


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Hawk Truck & SUV Brake Pads deliver extra braking power to your ride when you need it, which is usually when you are towing something on a downhill slope. In circumstances like that your brakes can heat up pretty quickly and Hawk Truck & SUV Brake Pads can handle the heat and deliver more stopping power.
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Your Favourite Photo of 2008
Posted 31 December 2008 - 06:27 AM
Alexander Mustard - www.amustard.com - www.magic-filters.com
Nikon D5 (Subal housing). Nikon D850 (Subal housing). Olympus EM10-Mk3 (Nauticam housing).
Posted 31 December 2008 - 07:17 AM
I had the best year of diving in my life, Red Sea with Subal and ULCS friends, Tawali PNG with Ned and Anna Deloach and Paul Humann and 5 months in Bonaire. What a life, I have to kick myself sometimes. Needless to say got to work on my skills, and have a bunch of keepers this year. But for this thread I picked a personal favorite for a couple reasons. I never shot nudi's before, "too easy," but now I know. What an amazing range of sizes, shapes and colors. I also never shot in the muck, so of course now I'm addicted. I'm thinking of filling the swimming pool with silt and see what grows. This was one of many I saw in PNG, and of course this is how I found it; no nudibranchs were harmed in the making of this photo. This guy captures all of the above and sums up my year.
Happy New Year!!
Nikon d200, Subal housing, single Ike DS125, 105mm, f/22 at 1/125th, minor adjustments in Aperture
Edited by Bruce Zavon, 31 December 2008 - 01:47 PM.
Posted 31 December 2008 - 09:14 AM
Posted 31 December 2008 - 09:50 AM
This is my favorite of the year as it was on a Galapagos trip that included many firsts for me.
First Whale Shark
First time diving with large schools of big predators.
First time I've had a playful sea lion try to pull a fin off my foot and blow bubbles in my face.
First time I was able to dispell my long time claim that ' I don't get seasick '
Our DM (in the photo) was swimming along beside this guy and signalled me to stop. He proceeded to turn it in my direction and it actually swam right over me within a couple of feet.
Thanks to all the fine Wetpixelians for sharing their knowledge and help this year.
Edited by dmoss, 31 December 2008 - 09:51 AM.
Canon 5D, Ikelite
My Flickr Photos
Posted 31 December 2008 - 09:57 AM
May be this
or may be this
or this
or this
I dont now, please, help me
Happy New Year 2009
Posted 31 December 2008 - 10:21 AM
Happy New Year,
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
Posted 31 December 2008 - 11:51 AM
Posted 31 December 2008 - 12:01 PM
Jason Heller
www.DivePhotoGuide.com | www.JasonHeller.com | www.UnderwaterCompetition.com | www.NYUPS.org
Posted 31 December 2008 - 11:48 PM
Happy new year for 2009 wet pixies - Im looking forward to more inspiration and learning
PS: My New Years resolution is to get an image or story "printed" in a dive magazine in 2009.
Posted 01 January 2009 - 08:50 AM
It is the first time I have tried to create some more artistic underwater photos, and I'm happy with the result. It would be nice to get some feedback from you guys.
It is very hard to pick one photo as my best this year. This year I had the opportunity to dive a lot in Norway. To me, it is a wild and unspoilt beauty to dive the temperate waters on the west coast and in the arctic part of Norway. I hope to see more pictures from temperate waters from fellow Wetpixel members in 2009.
Definitely this year's greatest diving experience: diving with 10-15 stingrays mating in the Maldives
Edited by Lasse, 01 January 2009 - 01:27 PM.
Posted 01 January 2009 - 07:42 PM
Jeff Mullins, with whom I took an underwater photo course, pointed me in the direction of this Coleman Shrimp. Fortunately, it all seemed to come together on this shot.
I hope everyone gets to capture many wonderful images in 2009. I look forward to seeing them here in this thread at the end of the year
Posted 01 January 2009 - 08:02 PM
I dont now, please, help me
Maybe this will help you:
"Photo" = 1
"Photos" = more than 1
Great shots, though.
Bruce Yates
Lumix GX8 in Nauticam, Canon 5DMkII in Aquatica, 1DsMkII in Seacam, G15 in RecSea...Inon Z240's...too many lenses
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damned fool about it." WC Fields
Posted 02 January 2009 - 02:30 AM
Here's my offering - November 2008 at Tulamben, Bali. Mantis Shrimp with clutch of eggs. No post editing yet.
Nikon D2X, Subal housing, 105mm Nikon lens, Inon Z22 Ringflash, F18@250.
more on www.scubasnaps.org
Posted 02 January 2009 - 04:42 AM
My favourite, but too reminiscent of Alex's post 9 pages ago:
So, in the spirit of cheating, I offer this, a shot that I have wanted to take ever since I first read about the limestone fascination of Palau:
And, in parting, a real cheat, being a composite of two images from the same (cold!) dive before the holidays:
Happy New Year!
Flickr galleries
Photobox; images on sale!
The Fin Foundation
Nikon D800 in Nauticam housing...
Posted 02 January 2009 - 07:20 PM
Portrait of a blue ribbon eel in Bali
Bumphead parrotfish in Borneo
Posted 03 January 2009 - 10:36 AM
As luck would have it, another nurse shark swooped right over my head at a pretty fast clip, and it made a wide circle of the rock. Yep, it surprised the bejesus out of me and so yep, I missed the shot. I figured if I stuck around it would do another pass maybe and sure enough, the shark came back and did another sweep of the rock. This time I got a shot. It kept circling a few more times, I got a few more shots, and then he (assuming it is a "he") swam over to the hole occupied by the other shark, and just stopped, laid down in the sand and then tried to wiggle into the hole with the other one.
I don't know whether it was a male interested in a female, or just wanted to share the same cozy spot the other shark had, but there wasn't enough room for both of them.
Definitely not my best shots of 2008 but definitely one of my most memorable dives of the year.
Edited by kitty, 03 January 2009 - 11:41 AM.
Posted 03 January 2009 - 03:05 PM
I've had a couple of bad years diving. In 2007 I decided to take Deco training with an instructor that absolutely killed my love of diving - couldn't teach his way out of a bubble!! And made everyone feel incompetent. And in 2008 a friend/dive buddy died at the surface - pre-existing medical condition that wasn't known about.
Needless to say, diving hasn't been at the top of my list lately. But I did manage to get to Cozumel for a week and I have to admit that there's nothing like a newbie to help you see what is so awesome about the underwater world! They get excited about sand for god's sake!!
So here's Carmen, who asked me to take a photo that would include her new dive watch so she could show folks at home. Thanks to Carmen for helping me see what I was used to in a whole new light.
And then I remembered the wonderful peacefulness of it all - just the deep blue. Not a great photo, but one that speaks to me.
Canon S2 IS, Ikelite 6140.02, Inon UWL-100 WA Lens & Ikelite DS-125
Posted 04 January 2009 - 07:53 AM
Posted 04 January 2009 - 10:16 AM
Dual Ikelite Strobes
Photo site - www.reefpix.org
Posted 04 January 2009 - 11:01 AM
· INON Z-240s & Sea & Sea YS-250 Pros
· SmallHD DP4 monitor & NA-DP4. Fisheye Aquavolt 3500s & 7000s
· Zen DP-100, DP-200 & DP-230


text:
Buffeted by the tight ag economy, higher nitrogen prices and the specter of rootworm-resistant hybrids beginning in 2002, the corn rootworm insecticide market is more competitive this year.
Most manufacturers are holding the line on prices, although some may lower them.
Two new corn rootworm insecticides have been introduced: Prescribe, a seed-applied insecticide from Gustafson, and Capture, a liquid from FMC. Gustafson also has introduced Gaucho, a seed-applied insecticide for secondary corn insect pests.
Bayer is introducing a new no-dust formulation of Aztec 2.1G. You'll also be able to purchase a higher-load 4.67G version of Aztec from Amvac Chemical Corporation for use in SmartBox applicators.
How much of a threat?
As always, a fundamental question — what will insect pressure be like in 2001 — forms the backdrop for evaluating corn rootworm control measures.
The answer is available to growers who scouted fields for corn rootworm beetles last summer. But for the majority of growers, who don't regularly scout for corn rootworm, predicting 2001 insect pressure is a guess.
"In Illinois, based on adult counts last summer, you would expect corn rootworm pressure to be lower in 2001," says Dr. Kevin Steffey, University of Illinois extension entomologist. But in other areas, beetle counts were up.
The best bet if you didn't scout? Talk to neighbors who may have scouted for beetles.
The range of the western corn rootworm phenotype that lays eggs in soybeans didn't grow in 2000 after having spread significantly in previous years, Steffey says. The variant is likely to be active in 28 central Illinois counties in 2001, plus northern Indiana and parts of western Ohio and southern Michigan.
Steffey notes that two seed-applied insecticides, Prescribe from Gustafson and Force ST from Syngenta, now are labeled for corn rootworm control. University research on these products is limited, but early studies suggest that control from these products may not be adequate when infestations are heavy. "If the infestations are light to moderate, the control they offer is okay," Steffey says.
Secondary pests
Secondary insect pressure was up in many areas across the Corn Belt in 2000. Steffey says it's difficult to predict the outlook for 2001.
"Secondary insects are close to impossible to predict," he says. "Last year the increase in secondary pests was due to the mild winter and early planting. At this point, it's hard to know whether secondary insects will be a problem again in 2001."
Wireworms, white grubs and grape colaspis are subterranean insects, so you must decide whether to treat them at planting, before you know whether they will be a problem, Steffey notes.
Which secondary pests were active in your area last year can help you decide whether to apply an insecticide this year and, if so, which one to use, since a specific product may be a better choice on certain secondary insects.
With recent problems with secondary insects, companies have been focusing attention on claims for control of these pests. However, Steffey warns, "the data to support control of white grubs and grape colaspis are limited."
Products for 2001
Here's a look at how manufacturers are positioning their products this year.
Amvac Chemical Corporation. Last year, California-based Amvac purchased the Fortress soil insecticide business from Dupont, including Dupont's position in SmartBox technology. This year, Amvac is broadening the SmartBox product offering with the addition of Aztec 4.67G insecticide from Bayer.
"Farmers have been asking to have more than one corn soil insecticide product available for use in the SmartBox system," says David Cassidy, Amvac executive vice president. "Typically, farmers do not use one soil insecticide year after year, and now farmers with the SmartBox system have a second, top-performing insecticide available to them."
As with Fortress, the SmartBox version of Aztec is applied at a lower rate (3.27 lbs./acre in 30-in. rows). Amvac claims that the combination of the SmartBox system and the products deliver superior control of soil insects; permit the grower to plant up to 185 acres with a 12-row system without changing boxes; provide an accurate and consistent application rate even as planting speed changes; and provide the grower with an unmatched level of safety.
Cassidy says both Fortress and Aztec will be priced competitively with other corn rootworm insecticides. He encourages farmers to call their dealers for specifics on pricing.
Aventis CropScience. Aventis has added the secondary insect pest grape colaspis to the Regent label. It also made a minor formulation change to improve handling and complete emptying. Pricing will be stable to slightly higher than last year's prices, says Rob Phillips, Regent product manager. For the first time, Regent purchases will qualify for BASF Harvest Partner benefits.
Grape colaspis was added to the label based on new university research. Regent's label also lists first-generation European corn borer and several other secondary pests, as well as corn rootworm species.
"We saw a significant increase in plant stands in grape colaspis trials conducted by the University of Illinois," Phillips says.
This year, Aventis is offering a $3/acre rebate program on purchase of 1-Pass closed-system application equipment available from Redball or RHS. Consult your dealer or local Aventis sales representative for details.
BASF. Counter insecticide, which is in its first year in the BASF stable, "continues to be the standard for consistent top corn rootworm control," says Kent Stickler, corn marketing manager for BASF. "Counter is the only soil insecticide that controls nematodes as well as a range of secondary pests, including white grubs, cutworms and wireworms."
Prices from a year ago will remain stable.
Stickler warns that growers should be wary of eliminating corn rootworm insecticides from their programs. "Growers should consider the importance of protecting their other input investments when they make at-planting input choices," he says. "With higher input costs, especially nitrogen, having a healthy plant will be more critical than ever."
Bayer. Bayer is launching Aztec 2.1G with a new no-dust carrier for 2001. Amvac also is marketing a higher-load 4.67G formulation for growers with SmartBox applicators.
The new Biodac carrier is made from recycled paper pulp. Besides having no dust, it has a more consistent particle size, which leads to even distribution when applied, claims Jon Mixson, Aztec product manager. He claims that, in field tests, this translated to better corn rootworm performance.
"You end up with a product that provides more consistent control and greatly reduces exposure for workers," he says. "With the new Aztec 2.1G, we show improved root ratings compared to competitive products."
Aztec will cost $15.33/acre in 30-in. rows.
Dow AgroSciences. The cost of Lorsban 15G will be stable in 2001, following a cut last year that priced the insecticide at $2/acre below competitive products, says Tony Klemm, Lorsban marketing manager.
"I am proud that after 25 years on the market Lorsban is the number-one-selling corn soil insecticide," he says.
In addition to controlling corn rootworm and key secondary insect pests, Lorsban also has fungistatic properties that help corn perform better and produce higher yields, Klemm claims.
"Last year there was a tremendous amount of stalk rot and lodging," he says. Because of fungistatic properties, Lorsban 15G inhibits some of the organisms that cause stalk rot. In long-term research, corn treated with Lorsban 15G showed significant yield improvements because of these fungistatic properties.
"In 2000, Lorsban 15G was the most economical treatment, especially when you factor in higher yields," Klemm claims.
FMC. Capture 2EC insecticide was labeled for corn rootworm control just prior to planting last year. Because of the late approval, 2001 will be the first time most growers will have a chance to use the pyrethroid insecticide. Growers who used the product in 2000 were pleased with performance and yields, company officials claim.
Western Corn Belt growers already may be familiar with Capture, which has been labeled for mite control in corn for several years, says Bob Hooten, technical services representative.
"Capture has different activity than other corn rootworm control products," Hooten says. "It has the longest residual of any rootworm product. A lot of products give you control only for the first few weeks of egg hatch, while Capture hangs in there for the entire hatch season."
In addition to controlling major corn rootworm species, Capture controls cutworms, seed corn maggot, wireworm, seed corn beetle and grubs.
It also suppresses grape colaspis, Hooten says. "At the corn rootworm rate, Capture will do better on grape colaspis than other products on the market."
FMC has a program to equip planters with a state-of-the-art Raven Industries applicator to allow easy conversion from granular application or to set up a planter not previously rigged to apply insecticides. Financial assistance also is available to help defray the costs of converting existing liquid application systems. Capture also can be applied with liquid fertilizer. FMS says Capture will be competitively priced.
Furadan 4F is available for planned or rescue control of corn rootworm larvae. Application must be made with a closed system.
Gustafson. Prescribe and Gaucho are new this year for control of corn rootworm and/or secondary insects. Both are seed-applied insecticides and were available on an early order basis from more than 50 seed companies, says Paul Holliday, corn product manager for Gustafson.
Order cutoff dates for most seed companies offering Prescribe and Gaucho have passed. For a list of seed companies offering these insecticides, check www.seedapplied insecticide.com.
Prescribe protects both seed and seedlings from a broad spectrum of early-season insects; Gaucho offers seed protection. Prescribe is labeled to control corn rootworms and key secondary insect pests, including wireworms, seed corn maggots, white grubs, flea beetles, aphids and thrips.
"One of the key differences between Prescribe and others on the market is that Prescribe has both contact and systemic activity," Holliday says. "Most soil-applied insecticides do not have systemic activity. Prescribe's performance is quite comparable to other CRW insecticides. The advantage is simplicity. Corn rootworm control comes in the bag, on the seed, and you don't have to worry about calibration or an applicator plugging up."
Seed companies selling Gaucho-treated seed are expected to price it at $3.50 to $4.50/acre. Gustafson says the price of Prescribe-treated seed will be competitive with the prices of other corn rootworm insecticides.
Syngenta. After a launch with limited hybrids in 2000, Syngenta is expanding availability of ProShield Technology with Force ST-treated seed to 20 NK corn hybrids in 2001. Hybrids are in the 85- to 117-day maturity range, says Marc Hennen, corn marketing manager for Syngenta Seeds.
Meanwhile, Force 3G granular insecticide continues to offer top performance for growers who prefer a soil-applied insecticide, say Steve Miller, North American brand manager for Syngenta insecticides. He says that Warrior insecticide saw more use last year where secondary insects were a problem, including as lower-rate in-furrow applications to control wireworm under special labels in several Midwest states.
Most of the new ProShield hybrids are adapted to areas where corn rootworm control is most needed, including Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Kansas, Hennen says. There are no cutoff dates for ordering ProShield, although some popular hybrids may not be available with the ProShield treatment.
ProShield is a patented seed-coating system that allows Syngenta's Force ST to be applied to individual seeds. In addition to controlling corn rootworm, ProShield controls major secondary insects, including white grub, seed corn maggot and wireworm.
In a survey of growers who planted ProShield-treated seed last year, they gave the seed high performance ratings, Hennen says.
"Growers were very excited about the convenience factor and we had excellent response on performance," he says. "About 85% said they would plant the same amount or more in 2001."
Field performance of ProShield-treated hybrids is comparable to performance of corn treated with soil insecticides, although root ratings may be slightly lower, Hennen says.
"Our yield performance against granulars is equal," he says. "We feel very positive about how ProShield has performed in farmers' fields and in research trials."
End of the road?
As corn rootworm insecticide manufacturers position their products for 2001, they have their eyes on 2002, when Pioneer and Monsanto expect to introduce the first corn rootworm-resistant hybrids.
They fear that the introduction of those hybrids will spell the beginning of a rapid erosion of the market for soil-applied corn rootworm insecticides.
"The glory days of in-furrow insecticides are limited," says Rob Phillips, Aventis product manager for Regent insecticide.
"This is the Roundup Ready/Pursuit situation all over again. Either you conform to this new reality or die. The insecticide market will get extremely competitive as this winds down," Phillips predicts.
"I believe that rootworm-tolerant corn will provide growers an effective alternative for protecting their seed from rootworm damage," adds Steve Miller, North American brand manager for Syngenta insecticides, including Force. "Once the emotions are sorted out surrounding customer acceptance, adoption of these hybrids will be quick."
Miller and others say that insecticide manufacturers will shift their attention to secondary insect seed treatments, which Monsanto and Pioneer have signaled they may include with rootworm-resistant hybrids. Already, Monsanto has announced it will use Gustafson's secondary insect treatment Gaucho on all MaxGard rootworm-resistant hybrids planted in Experimental Use Permit tests this summer.
"Seed treatments will become an insurance policy to protect very valuable genetics," Miller says. He notes that Syngenta is evaluating low rates of tefluthrin (the active ingredient in Force) for use as a seed treatment for secondary pests.


text: I have seen and got some complaints and questions in regards to events and payouts. VBookie is something we used a few years back, but now are just getting started again, so there are going to be some bugs early on. First off, the ultimate goal in the near future is to set up a virtual store that members can buy virtual items with their vcash. In the mean time, it is just a fun thing to do and to stock up on vcash for the future. Anyways, I understand some are upset that there were some 1/1 odds, which pay out nothing, or that some odds have changed after the event was put up and bets were placed. Again, this is something we haven't used in a few years, so the rust needs to be shaken off, and there are some staff members who were not on the staff back then that are getting their hands into setting up events for the first time. Hopefully this becomes a smoother process as we go forward, but if you have any questions or complaints, post them in this thread or send me or another Admin a PM. Contacting an Admin directly will likely speed up the process of correcting any future errors. I hope there are none as we go forward, but we are human, so mistakes can happen.


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It's summer and I'm looking for some good reading material. In a book I find conversations, solitude, guffaws, and triumph. As a kid, I loved all Judy Blume books. I also remember saving up my allowance for the newest book in the Sweet Valley Twins followed by the Sweet Valley High series.
I didn't read as much for pleasure in college which is sad but I picked it up again after I was out of school. It was a great escape after a long day at work. It's then that I realized, news supplied me with more than enough reality and when I'm reading for pleasure, it was for escape, so I only like a certain type of book.
I like happy endings. Most people would describe my genre as chick-lit but I think that's a bit simplistic. I like well-crafted, character driven stories. I like modern story lines that take place in the U.S. I enjoy how books give me a voyeuristic look into other people's (happy) lives. Unfortunately, my aversion to reality limits what I read. I find Oprah books too depressing. I generally don't enjoy non-fiction, memoirs, fantasies, sci-fi, or romance, but I've made exceptions (Harry Potter is the least likely book I'd read, but I loved the entire series). It means finding a book that I'd enjoy is a task with few resources. So help a girl out! I'll list a few of the novels I've enjoyed if you'll do the same!
I'm currently reading The Madonnas of Echo Park by Brando Skyhorse. I'm reading it on hubby's iPad because we didn't have time to stop at a bookstore before our trip. I've found myself underlining several lines because it's so beautifully written. I'm in the middle of it and can already tell I'll be telling my friends about this book. This summer I also want to re-read one of my favorite books, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, for its 50th anniversary.
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is a coming of age story that has one of my favorite lines of all times. "…we accept the love we think we deserve." I've given this book as a gift to a half dozen friends because I thought it related to so many lives.
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis had me loving football and talking about the West Coast offense with hubby. It's a book I've loaned to several girlfriends. In fact, one friend read it poolside and returned complete with chlorine-water stains (I love a weathered book!). The movie is good but the book, as they say, is better.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is not my kind of book. My best friend, Carrie, tricked me into reading it. I was visiting her in California, just finished my book, and didn't have anything to read. She suggested The Kite Runner knowing I'd say, "no, thank you." But she told me it was an immigrant's tale that took place mainly in America. Be forewarned, it doesn't take place mainly in the U.S. nor is it predominately an immigrant's story. But once you start the book, you won't be able to put it down.
American Wife, Prep, and Man of My Dreams are all by one of my favorite authors Curtis Sittenfeld. I wasn't going to read Prep because it looked like a Young Adult book but my friend Veronica insisted, saying she loved it. After finishing that book I was starving for more of Sittenfeld's work which is smartly written chick-lit. I quickly read Man of My Dreams and then had to wait a while before she released American Wife. It was a fun and interesting story, very loosely based on Former First Lady Laura Bush, that was well worth the wait.
Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet by Jamie Ford is a gem of a book. I found it while searching for information about literary agents. It touched a cord because like Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, it's a window into parts of my own upbringing, an experience I had thought was uniquely mine.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave is a beautifully written story that is difficult to describe. A few lines pulled me in so quickly I had to order the book for next day delivery. "Most days I wish I was a British pound coin instead of an African girl… A pound coin can go wherever it thinks it will be safest… Of course a pound coin can be serious too. It can disguise itself as power, or property, and there is nothing more serious when you are a girl who has neither."
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is told through the eyes of a dog. And funny thing is, dogs are excellent storytellers. I enjoyed it the way I enjoyed Marley and Me by John Grogan. Both are books you can give to a dude and he won't feel like you're offering a pink-covered paperback that he'd be embarrassed reading in public.
Here are a few other books I really enjoyed and are great summer reads: Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead, Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen, In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner, The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank, The Book of Bright Ideas by Sandra Krug, Ask Again Later by Jill Davis, Chloe Does Yale by Natalie Krinsky, and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.
Happy reading and don't forget to leave me other suggestions! Thanks!


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TORRANCE, Calif., April 5, 2011 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced the one-millionth sale of the Toyota Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid gas-electric vehicle, in the United States. It is the third milestone for Toyota's hybrid lineup in the last six months that started with the announcement of worldwide Toyota Prius sales topping two million in October 2010 and overall global Toyota hybrid sales passing three million last month.
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In a historic stride towards bringing the University to ASEAN circle, ISU entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Thailand's Maejo University President during the latter's visit on Feb 7, 2015 for a joint education and research program between the two universities. Dr. Chamnian Yosraj of Maejo University who came with Dr. _______ was visibly excited over the prospect of working with the University and in his speech stressed that he hoped the move to jointly work together would indeed find fulfillment. ISU entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Maejo University in Thailand.
Partnering with an ASEAN University is in adherence to the Roadmap for Public Education Reform in which one of the objectives is to upgrade leading SUCs to international standards. This move is envisioned to foster alliances and networks with Maejo University to enable exciting innovations in global education, facilitate cross-institutional learning and develop key educational and research areas in preparation to ASEAN integration.
Dr. Yosraj toured seven key projects of the University, including the Cagayan Valley Small Ruminants Center, the Automatic Weather Station, the Cacao Program, the Lidar Project and the Extension Radio Station.
Dr. Yosraj's visit to ISU was an offshoot of Dr. Mamauag's visit to Maejo University in December, last year in which she, along with International Affairs Director Dr. Gumpal and Vice President for RDET, was given a tour of MU's successful research projects where they picked ideas that could be applied in ISU.