text:
Research Spotlight on Teaching and Learning
NEA Reviews of the Research on Best Practices in Education
Today, as educators feel the impact of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) on their teaching practice, they find it quite a challenge to remain true to what we know are exemplary teaching and learning experiences.
NCLB has forced many teachers to use prescriptive materials, particularly in classes or schools classified as "low-achieving" or "high-need."
Research shows that the demographics of these schools generally are similar: low socioeconomic community, large minority population, high mobility rate, many beginning teachers, and very little flexibility for the classroom teacher to practice what educators know creates a successful teaching and learning environment.
To reinforce what educators already know about teaching and learning, we have identified some attributes that describe what teaching and learning means for accomplished teachers. Accomplished teachers must:
- Be prepared to teach in culturally diverse classrooms
- Have an understanding of how people learn
- Have a knowledge of subject matter
- Know how to present content for different learning styles
- Use various ways to assess students
- Understand the power of mobilizing organizational change
- Possess the skills to ensure students that they are in a "safe environment"
- Understand how to utilize data
- Have high expectations for all students
- Be committed to their students and demonstrate this through their behavior
- Have the ability to conduct "situational" audits and respond appropriately, without overreacting, becoming tense or stressed, while ensuring that students understand they are accountable for their actions.
These attributes are in no way a comprehensive description of effective teaching and learning, but a list to stimulate your thinking about it. Below are some resources (articles, books, and Web sites) with more food for thought about three areas: cultural competency, accomplished teaching, and demographic changes in the United States.
NEA Working Papers
- Theories of Learning and Teaching: What Do They Mean for Educators? ( PDF, 478 KB, 32 pp)
This report is based on up-to-date research about the learning process, the new concepts of learning and teaching emphasize "active construction of meaning," individual and collaborative work, use of student diversity as a resource for learning, and emphasis on both basic and advanced knowledge and skills. NEA, July 2006.


text:
mccoyj1 on Family Tree Circles
view: full | list
Journals and Posts
Seeking for BOHNSACKs who came from Germany and settled in Iowa.
The oldest one we know is Hans BOHNSACK born in 1819 in the Schleswig-Holstein section of Germany, but we know not which city. Herman Frederick BOHNSACK is my grandmother's father, and we know nothing about him except his birthdate(1872)and his wife's name(Mathilda Hannah STUHR) and birthdate(1883). I loved both of these people, but when they died I was too young to care about their histories or origins. Now, when I care passionately, it may be too late. Are these names in your histories? Will you share what you know, please?
There was a family of 2 brothers and 2 sisters abandoned in a Catholic orphanange/convent in Missouri about 1912. It is our understanding that the girls remained there, inmates of the convent, and the boys were taken elsewhere under the same auspices.
Those children were siblings of my maternal grandmother, Bessie or Jessie Mae Johnson, born in Missouri in 1890. My need is to discover where the boys were raised. Is there anyone who can help?
Seeking JOHNSONS and BOYDS of Indiana
I was told a short time ago that Louisa Boyd, my maternal grandmother, was the second wife of George Washington Johnson. I do not know what his first wife's name is or when they were married, divorced, she died, whatever.
This was a revelation to us. We had no clue he had been married before. I would dearly love to know these people's lives.
The oldest ancester whose name we have is George Washington Johnson, theoretically born in Indiana about 1845, married to Louisa Boyd about 1887 in Indiana. Ring any bells for any of the good researchers out there? I qualify as pretty much a novice.
- Displaying 1-4 of 4 Journals
- 1
- of1

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The authors of the study state that it will be vital for accounting firms to ensure that partner incentive schemes align incentives with values of the accounting profession. This issue gains greater importance as mid-tier firms adopt such performance-based profit sharing models in their attempts to stay competitive with Big 4 firms because the new incentives they face represent a risk to their culture and values. Although the current models appear to measure and weigh both commercial success and professional values, these models represent a significant change from the past when mid-tier firms used lock-step approaches that incentivized partners to follow professional values. These findings are of interest to accounting firms and regulators as they consider the impact of partner incentive schemes on audit quality.
Coram, P. J., and M. J. Robinson. 2017. Professionalism and Performance Incentives in Accounting Firms. Accounting Horizons 30 (4): 103-123.
This study provides policy-makers and practitioners with critical insight into differences in auditor selection criteria between family and non-family firms and differences in the severity of their agency conflicts between shareholders and managers and also between family owners and minority shareholders.
Our empirical evidence also sheds light on how family firms view and value the external audit and whether they are selecting auditors on price or quality, or some combination of these factors. In addition, given the current downward trend in audit revenues as a percentage of total revenues, our findings could lead accounting firms to re-examine how they market audit services to family firms.
Ho, J.L., and F.Kang. 2013.Auditor Choice and Audit Fees in Family Firms: Evidence from the S&P 1500.Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory32(4): 71-93
This study helps to inform about the effects of audit partner rotations. The evidence suggests that partner rotation does add a fresh look at U.S. audit engagements. The results can also be applied to the U.S. debate over audit firm rotation. It demonstrates that firm rotation is not the only way to add a fresh look to audit engagements and that the current system of audit partner rotation already has a measurable effect.
Laurion, Henry, A. Lawrence, and J. Ryans. 2017. "U.S. Audit Partner Rotations". The Accounting Review. 92.3 (2017): 209.
Currently, bank loans account for more than half of the total debt financing in the United States. The results from this study indicate that there is an increase in loan costs for companies within the following year of an auditor change. This is a factor companies should consider when applying for loans after a switch.
Francis, Bill B., D. M. Hunter, D. M. Robinson, Michael N. Robinson, and X. Yuan. 2017. "Auditor Changes and the Cost of Bank Debt". The Accounting Review. 92.3 (2017): 155.
Data analytics can be used to create fraud prediction models that help auditors improve audit planning decisions. It can also be used to help regulators identify firms for potential fraud investigation. In particular, the SEC is investing resources to develop better fraud risk models and the results of this study could be useful.
Perols, Johan L., R. M. Bowen, C. Zimmermann, and B. Samba. 2017. "Finding Needles in a Haystack: Using Data Analytics to Improve Fraud Prediction". The Accounting Review. 92.2 (2017): 221.
The implementation of a mandatory audit firm rotation in the United States would have large implications within the accounting industry. This study provides the PCAOB and other regulators with relevant information regarding the potential policy. The evidence indicates that the majority of investors would have a negative reaction to a mandatory audit firm rotation. It is possible the investors believe the potential benefits of rotation are outweighed by the costs, direct and indirect.
Reid, Lauren C., and J. V. Carcello. 2017. "Investor Reaction to the Prospect of Mandatory Audit Firm Rotation". The Accounting Review. 92.1 (2017): 183.
This study is relevant for practitioners, investors, and regulators. It demonstrates to firms that the effectiveness of high audit quality as a defense in litigation may be decreased depending on the timing of jurors' assessment of SOC. One way to try and lower the probability of jurors' assessing SOC after receiving audit knowledge is to warn the jury about the potential affects. Simply changing the jurors' instructions has been found to mitigate the outcome effects.
Maksymove, Eldar M., and M. W. Nelson. 2017. "Malleable Standards of Care Required by Jurors When Assessing Auditor Negligence". The Accounting Review. 92.1 (2017): 165.
This study highlights the importance of individual auditor identification in audit reports. The results are also useful for financial information users, regulators, and policymakers to help them understand the impact of an auditor's characteristics on an audit. The results are especially helpful for firms trying to understand the reasons behind audit failures and subsequently, to mitigate audit failures in the future.
Li Baolei Qi Gaoliang Tian, Liuchuang, and G. Zhang. 2017. "The Contagion Effect of Low-Quality Audits at the Level of Individual Auditors". The Accounting Review 92.1 (2017): 137.
The findings from this study impact firms with debt covenant requirements. Violations from debt covenants occur frequently and are often due to tight restrictions rather than signs of financial distress. These types of violations often lead to renegotations or waivers instead of immediate repayment. However, this study shows that auditors will still have negative reactions regardless of whether or not the violation is due to financial difficulty. It is important for firms to not only consider the financial and lending consequences of a violation, but the auditing consequences as well.
Bhaskar, Lori Shefchik, G. V. Krishnan, and W. Yu.2017. "Debt Covenant Violations, Firm Financial Distress, and Auditor Actions". Contemporary Accounting Research 34.1 (2017): 186.
This paper contains important applications for borrowing firms wanting to have more favorable loan contract terms. By hiring a high-quality auditor this decreases risks for the creditors and therefore oftentimes reduces the stringency of debt covenants. Subsequently, the borrowing firm will violate the debt covenants less.
Robin, Ashok, Q. Wu, and H. Zhang. 2017. "Auditor Quality and Debt Covenants". Contemporary Accounting Research 34.1 (2017): 154.


text:
Home » Online College Degree
Category Archives: Online College Degree
Welcome to College–Degree.com's blog
Thanks for joining us here at college–degree.com. We have cobbled together all the best info about online degrees and certificates to make it easy for you to find. If you have more questions, feel free to leave them here at the blog and we will do our best to get you answers!


text:
Prolexic Publishes Top 10 DDoS Attack Trends for 2013
21 Jan, 2014, 08:00 GMT
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Prolexic Technologies, the global leader in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection services, today published its top 10 attack trends for 2013.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140121/FL49555-INFO)
Throughout the year, metrics were collected from all DDoS attacks launched against the company's global client base by the Prolexic Security Engineering & Response Team (PLXsert) using proprietary techniques and equipment. Through digital forensics and post-attack analysis, PLXsert is able to build a global view of the evolving DDoS threat.
"It was a dynamic 12 months for DDoS attacks," said Stuart Scholly, president of Prolexic. "The tools used by malicious actors in 2013 and the tactics they adopted changed considerably, reflecting the on-going evolution of the DDoS threat."
Top 10 DDoS attack trends for 2013:
- DDoS attack volume continued to rise with Prolexic mitigating 32.43 percent more attacks in 2013 than it did in 2012
- DDoS attack volume also increased month-to-month in 2013, with 10 out of 12 months showing higher attack volume compared to 2012
- Smaller, stealthy and more sophisticated application layer (Layer 7) attacks increased approximately 42 percent
- High bandwidth, volumetric infrastructure layer (Layer 3 & 4) attacks increased approximately 30 percent
- DNS, UDP, and UDP fragmentation floods, as well as CHARGEN, were the attack vectors that showed the most adoption in 2013
- SYN and ICMP floods were the attack vectors that showed the most decline in use
- Average DDoS attack sizes continued to increase with Prolexic mitigating numerous attacks over 100 Gbps, the largest peaking at 179 Gbps
- Reflected amplification attacks emerged as a very popular attack method
- Mobile devices and apps began participating in DDoS campaigns
- DDoS attacks were more likely to originate from Asian countries
"It is critical in 2014 that enterprise defenses continue to keep pace with the changing DDoS threat," said Scholly. "In addition to increasing vigilance and knowledge, enterprises should also validate services from any mitigation providers they have retained to ensure the latest threats can be blocked quickly and effectively."
Prolexic has published a new infographic that summarizes the top 10 DDoS attack trends for 2013, which is available at prolexic.com/2013-ddos-trends. For a more detailed analysis of the current DDoS threat landscape, download Prolexic's Q4 2013 Global DDoS Attack Report and the Q4 2013 DDoS Attack Report infographic, which were published last week.
About Prolexic
Prolexic is the world's largest, most trusted Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation provider. Able to absorb the largest and most complex attacks ever launched, Prolexic restores mission-critical Internet-facing infrastructures for global enterprises and government agencies within minutes. Ten of the world's largest banks and the leading companies in e-Commerce, SaaS, payment processing, travel/hospitality, gaming, energy and other at-risk industries rely on Prolexic to protect their businesses. Founded in 2003 as the world's first in-the-cloud DDoS mitigation platform, Prolexic is headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, and has scrubbing centers located in the Americas, Europe and Asia. To learn more about how Prolexic can stop DDoS attacks and protect your business, please visit www.prolexic.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, YouTube, and @Prolexic on Twitter.
Michael E. Donner
SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
media {at} prolexic {dot} com
+1 (954) 620 6017
SOURCE Prolexic Technologies


text:
Difference between revisions of "Theodora (wife of Justinian)"
m (link)
m (link ro)
|Line 23:
|Line 23:
Revision as of 15:12, February 26, 2010
The holy and right-believing Empress Theodora (c. 500-548) was empress of the Roman Empire and the wife of Emperor Justinian the Great. Along with her husband, she is a saint in the Orthodox Church, commemorated on November 14.
There are two histories concerning the early life of Theodora. The best known account is the Secret History allegedly written by Procopius. Its authorship is questioned by most scholars because it was discovered in the Vatican three centuries after the empress's death and the style of the writing bears no resemblance to Procopius's other works. According to this account, Theodora was born into the lowest class of Byzantine society, the daughter of a bearkeeper for the circus. Critics of this work dismiss it as pornographic and western propaganda.
The second source was written by Bishop Eusebius, a contemporary of Theodora. Eusebius states that she was the daughter of a Roman senator who died during Theodora's early childhood. After her father's death, Theodora and her mother lived in Egypt, where her mother died soon after. According to Eusebius, Theodora spent the remaining part of her young life in an Egyptian monastery, which accounted for her sympathetic views of Monophysitism.
It is believed by some scholars that sometime before meeting Justinian she became an adherent of the Monophysite Christianity, which claims Christ was of one nature, and remained their partisan throughout her life. Others instead argue that her association with Monophysitism is largely because of Justinian's putting her in charge of courting the Monophysites' reunion with the Chalcedonian party in the Church, and so while remaining Chalcedonian herself, she was pastorally favorable toward the non-Chalcedonians.
In 523 Theodora married Justinian, the magister militum praesentalis in Constantinople. On his ascension to the Roman Imperial throne in 527 as Justinian I, he made her joint ruler of the empire, and appears to have regarded her as a full partner in their rulership. This proved to be a wise decision. A strong-willed woman, she showed a notable talent for governance. In the Nika riots of 532, her advice and leadership for a strong (and militant) response caused the riot to be quelled and probably saved the empire. She also helped to mitigate the breach in Christianity that loomed large over her time; she probably had a large part in Justinian's efforts to reconcile the Monophysites to orthodoxy.
According to Procopius, Theodora was Byzantium's first noted proponent and practitioner of abortion; she also advocated the rights of married women to commit adultery, and the rights of women to be socially serviced, helping to advance protections and "delights" for them; and was also something of a voice for prostitutes and the downtrodden.
Other scholars (and those who venerate Theodora as a saint) instead regard Theodora's achievements for women not as those of a modern feminist who encouraged abortion or adultery but rather as those of a truly egalitarian ruler who strove to give women the same legal rights as men. Theodora freed prostitutes from their pimps, established homes for them, and passed laws prohibiting forced prostitution. She also advocated granting women more rights in divorce cases, allowing women to own and inherit property, enacting the death penalty for rape, and allowing noblemen to marry women from lower classes. These changes raised women's status far above that current in the Western portion of the Empire.
Theodora died of cancer (probably breast cancer) before the age of 50, some 20 years before Justinian died. Her body was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles, one of the splendid churches the emperor and empress had built in Constantinople. Both Theodora and Justinian are represented in beautiful mosaics that exist to this day in the Church of San Vitale at Ravenna in northern Italy, which was completed a year before her death.
External links
Categories > Church History
Categories > Church History
Categories > Church History
Categories > Church History
Categories > Church History
Categories > Church History
Categories > Liturgics > Feasts
Categories > Liturgics > Feasts
Categories > Liturgics > Feasts
Categories > Liturgics > Feasts
Categories > People > Rulers
Categories > People > Rulers > Roman Emperors
Categories > People > Saints
Categories > People > Saints > Byzantine Saints
Categories > People > Saints > Saints by century > 6th-century saints
Categories > People > Saints > Syrian Saints


text:
An organizational redesign was able to reduce overall headcount by 15-20%.
PaperCo is a large pulp and paper player that wanted to increase yields, reduce costs, improve the accuracy of the data managers used to make decisions, and boost staff productivity. BCG helped the company launch a four-year transformation process that ultimately achieved all of those goals.
BCG helped establish a project team of specific industry experts and strategic external experts. Working closely with PaperCo's senior managers, BCG designed and implemented several targeted improvement programs. To increase yields per acre, the company mechanized planting operations and began using prescriptive fertilization based on soil conditions. To reduce operational costs, BCG guided PaperCo through a supply-chain optimization process and a thorough review of contractor pricing. To improve the data received by the management team, PaperCo began using drones to assess tree growth rates in real time.
New job roles, training procedures, and incentives were established to increase staff productivity. An organizational redesign was able to reduce overall headcount by 15-20%.
People-centered actions were able to make some "quick fixes" to priority areas while longer-term initiatives were getting underway. Some of these activities included new incentive schemes to boost employee engagement, promote leadership development, and improve organization design.
The results of the transformation effort were seen almost immediately in steadily rising cost savings. By the end of the first year of the project, about $30 million in cost savings could be attributed to just the first set of transformation initiatives. Through a structured transformation process, PaperCo has achieved all of its goals: increased yields, reduced costs, better data, and increased staff productivity.


text:
Find what you are looking for.
The frequently asked questions try to answer all common questions you might have about connecting devices to your Mercedes-Benz-Vehicle. Select a topic you are interested in and click on the question to see the answer or search for a phrase directly.
Telephone Link
General Questions
Which mobile phones can I use in my new C-Class Saloon?
The compatibility list provides detailed information on compatibility and functions available for different mobile phone models.
My authorised mobile phone does not reconnect automatically with the phone system.
Check on your mobile phone if another Bluetooth connection is already active and deactivate this connection. It may be necessary to restart your mobile phone.Some mobile phones require a confirmation prior to automatic connection. Check the settings on your mobile phone.Verify that your mobile phone is entered and authorised in the list of devices connected to your phone system. Follow the information in the operating instructions for your mobile phone selected from the compatibility list.
After completing a search procedure, my mobile phone does not appear in the phone system's device list. Why is this?
Ensure that Bluetooth is activated for your mobile phone and is visible to other devices (see the operating instructions for your mobile phone). Your mobile phone should be within range of the phone system. Restart the search procedure and follow the information in the operating instructions for your mobile phone selected from the compatibility list.
Can I transfer an ongoing call to the phone system when I get into the vehicle?
Calls can be transferred (after a short delay) provided the phone system's telephony function is active and your mobile phone is authorised.
Why does the word "Unknown caller" appear in the display when there is an incoming call?
Possible reasons for this:The caller has chosen to withhold his or her caller ID.Displaying the caller ID via the vehicle system is not supported by all mobile phones.Some network providers do not support caller ID in conjunction with certain features (e.g. toggle, hold).
The phone number but not the name of caller is shown in the display, even though the caller is stored on the mobile phone. Why is this?
The caller's number is not stored in the vehicle's directory. Follow the information in the operating instructions for your mobile phone selected from the compatibility list for details on storing directory entries from your mobile phone.
Is it possible to toggle between calls in the vehicle or set up a conference call?
Both the toggle function and a conference call can be initiated via the mobile phone.
Is it necessary to adjust the call volume on the phone system of my C-Class Saloon?
To ensure optimum hands-free quality for your mobile phone, it may be necessary to adjust the volume level on the phone system of your C-Class Saloon. The optimum level appears in the function list for your mobile phone under the heading "Audio settings". Follow the information in the operating instructions for your mobile phone selected from the compatibility list to implement these settings.
Why is the signal strength not displayed?
This function is not supported by all mobile phones. Check in function list for your mobile phone whether the "Display signal strength" function is available.
Why does the caller sometimes experience that parts of my words or sentences are missing or chopped?
This behavior can happen under certain conditions when the driver and caller are speaking to each other simultaneously and it can also be related to the network if there are too many callers.
Why does the last dialed and received call list contain only one strange number?
This behaviour can be related to the fact that the content protection is active. This can be set at a RIM/BlackBerry device also from your service provider if you have the enterprise activation.
Do all Bluetooth Phones work with the Mercedes-Benz phone system?
There is no guarantee that all mobile phones are 100% compatible since Bluetooth has become a universal standard. For further information please select your vehicle and use the compatibility list to look up the features supported by your mobile phone.
I was able to pair and use a Bluetooth phone with the MB phone system; however this phone was not on your compatible Bluetooth phone list, is this possible?
It's possible that a phone which is not listed may successfully pair with the MB Bluetooth, however, the connection and hands-free reliability cannot be guaranteed by Mercedes-Benz. Therefore we do not offer it as part of our compatible phone list.
Why are the contacts of my iPhone not shown in my Mercedes-Benz phone system?
Probably the sychronisation is deactivated. You will find this option at your IPhone under Settings, General, Bluetooth, select your Mercedes-Benz phone system ("MB Bluetooth" or "MBUX") and select "more". "Sync Contacts" has to be switched on.
Why is track information not displayed?
Check whether the track information is shown on the phone itself. The phone also needs to support transmission of metadata. If possible, avoid using special characters in the track details.
Why is the SMS in the subfunctionline greyed out?
The SMS feature is only available if the mobile does support MAP (MessageAccessProfile). Please check the manual of your mobile.
Why does't the vehicle show my contacts?
The access to the contacts has to be confirmed separately after the mobile is connected. Usually a popup or notification appears. Otherwise, please check the configuration for your vehicle in the Bluetooth list of your mobile phone.
Why are the contacts from my BlackBerry not shown?
The transfer of the contacts has to be approved, therefore uncheck the box "Include contacts" in the menu [options], [scurity], [encryption]. Check also that the transfer of the contacts in the Bluetooth menu is not deactivated to find in the menu [options], [Network] and [Connections], Bluetooth Connections, Options and select for the Contact transfer "All".
Not all contacts are shown at my telephone system. Is there a possibility to extend the memory?
There is no possibility to extend the memory. You could select specific contact groups on your mobile phone to transfer only these groups. For more information how to create a group check your manual of your mobile phone.
Why can I not change settings via my Telephone system via USSD-Code e.g. *123# or use GSM-Codes e.g. *31#?
Some mobile phones and telephone systems do not transmit those codes. In such cases those codes can only be entered at the mobile phone itself.
How can I transfer my contact data from my iPhone when using SAP-V4 with SIM card?
Some phones do not support direct sending of contact data via Bluetooth. You can transfer your contact data (vCards) of your mobile phone using special apps by email to your PC. Then save them on an SD card or USB key and import them permanently to your vehicle.
Why I can't connect my phone to my telephone system?
Please check your bluetooth settings on your phone. For you phone "Phone audio" and "Phone Media" has to be ticked.
Why are my contacts transferred incorrectly?
If you synchronized your contacts with services such as Outlook or Lotus Notes. it it can result in incorrect contact transfer to vehicles. Please consult the manual of your mobile phone or sync service.
Why are not all contacts shown?
It may happen that your contacts contain a note field which includes some special characters which cause that two contacts are combined. This happens mostly while the mobile is synchronized with Outlook. Therefore, please delete those special characters in the note field in the contacts of your mobile phone.
On the WebSite a feature is supported, but in my case this does not work at all.
In certain cases apps can influence to the Bluetooth compatibility. Therefore, make sure no such app is running in background. Apps can be stopped in the application manager. Alternatively, reset the mobile phone to factory settings completely before testing.
I'm not able to authorise my Apple iPhone using NFC. What can I do?
Apple is using NFC technology mainly for Apple Pay. It is not possible to use NFC for functions such as Bluetooth pairing with an iPhone. If Apple Pay is set up in your iPhone, it may be activated by any NFC reader including the vehicle system. This does not mean that any form of payment is performed.
My IPhone does not charge continuously. On the screen a message appears "please remove foreign objects". What can I do?
Due to the fact that the IPhone has a internal metal shield it may happen in case the mobile moves while driving this metal frame is detected as a foreign object and for saftey reasons charging stops. Make sure there are no metall objekts on the charging area, the mobile is centered and does not move.
It's not possible to charge my mobile continuously due to over-temperature. What can I do?
The mobile phone is in control of the charging procedure. For safety reasons, the mobile phone stops charging while the temperature of the battery exceeds a certain temperature. Make sure there are no apps running in background, which drain and heat the battery additionally.
Bluetooth Audio
Music playback does not start after connecting the phone.
It may be necessary to start playback on the device itself or to start playback manually using the vehicle's system.
Music playback does not work properly (interruptions, distortions).
This may be caused by the following: 1. The device is performing other operations and can therefore not transfer the music data correctly. Exit any other applications the phone is running. 2. Interference with other Bluetooth networks as well as W-LAN (WiFi) can impair playback. Please deactivate any W-LAN and other Bluetooth networks in your vicinity. 3. Your device is searching for other Bluetooth devices while playing music. Exit the Bluetooth menu in the device or deactivate the search for other devices.
Why do I not see my eMails at my telephone system?
It's necessary to activate eMail in your telephone system in the menu settings.
Why are not all my eMails and SMS displayed in my telephone system?
Your telephone system downloads only your newest eMails and SMS.
Why are my text messages not displayed on the telephone system using my iPhone?
In Bluetooth settings on the mobile phone it's necessary to activate "Show Notifications" and a reconnect is required.
Why can I not send a text message (SMS or iMessage) using my telephone system?
This feature is not supported by iPhones before iOS13.
Why can I not delete a text message (SMS or iMessage) using my telephone system?
This feature is currently not supported by iPhones.
Why are my text messages not shown on my telephone system using my Android Smartphone?
Many smartphones require a confirmation of contact and message access seperately after authorisation. This has to be done on your mobile phone and can be saved for further use. Depending on your telephone system, these requests can show up within several minutes after connecting the mobile phone.
Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module/handset
I am using the Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module for the first time in this vehicle. What do I need to do?
Connect the Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module to the contact plate in the centre console. Switch on your vehicle's ignition. Please refer to the instructions provided with the Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module and the Owner's Manual for your vehicle.
What equipment do I need if I want to use the Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module on board?
You need the optional extra "Convenience Telephony" and an active SIM card or a compatible mobile phone which supports the Bluetooth profile SAP (SIM Access Profile). For further information go to the Convenience Telephony section of this web portal and click on Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module, or contact your Mercedes-Benz partner.
Can I use the Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module from my current Mercedes-Benz vehicle in another Mercedes-Benz?
There is no express guarantee that Bluetooth (SAP) telephone modules from previous model series will function in other models. For further information go to the Convenience Telephony section of this web portal and click on Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module, or contact your Mercedes-Benz partner.
Which mobile phones can I use with the Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module in my Mercedes-Benz?
For an overview of mobile phones that are compatible with the Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module go to the Convenience Telephony section of this web portal and click on Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module, or contact your Mercedes-Benz partner.
Can I transfer an ongoing call to the on-board system when I get into the vehicle?
Calls cannot be transferred as the system deactivates the mobile phone's transceiver unit while the Bluetooth SAP connection is active.
Why does the phone number of the caller appear in the display but not the name?
The phone number and name of the caller are not saved in the on-board phone book or are not identical.
Once the Bluetooth SAP connection has been terminated, where should I look on my mobile to find the text messages I received on board?
The Bluetooth (SAP) telephone module saves received text messages on the connected mobile's SIM card. Depending on the mobile phone used, it may only be possible to access this memory via the relevant menu function. See the user guide for your mobile phone for further details.
Why have text messages stopped appearing on my COMAND/Audio system?
Once the SIM card's SMS memory is full, no further text messages can be received. Delete the text messages saved on the SIM card. Please note that the SIM card's SMS memory is very limited.
Once the Bluetooth SAP connection has been terminated, why don't the calls that were made on board appear in the calls list on my mobile?
Because the system deactivates the mobile phone's transceiver unit while the Bluetooth SAP connection is active, calls are not logged on the mobile phone.
How can I transfer my contact data from my iPhone when using SAP-V4 with SIM-card?
Some phones do not support direct sending of contact data via Bluetooth. You can transfer your contact data (vCards) of your mobile phone using special apps (e.g. MCBackup) by email to your PC. Then save them on a SD-card or USB-stick and import them permanently to your COMAND-System.
Apple CarPlay™
Which iPhones support Apple CarPlay™?
Apple CarPlay™ is supported in principle by iPhones that have a Lightning connector, that is all iPhone models from iPhone 5. Apple launched iPhone 5 in 2012.
Are iPads and iPods supported?
No. Apple has developed Apple CarPlay™ exclusively for iPhones.
Which operating system version is required for Apple CarPlay™?
Officially, Apple CarPlay™ can be operated under iOS 7. However, Mercedes Benz supports Apple CarPlay™ from iOS 8.3. Apple is constantly working to improve Apple CarPlay™, and to increase its range of functions. Therefore, Apple recommends you always use the latest version of iOS.
Do I need to prepare my iPhone for Apple CarPlay™?
No. If you have at least a 5th generation iPhone with iOS 8.3 installed, Apple CarPlay™ is directly available in the default settings. To start Apple CarPlay™ in your vehicle, you only need to connect your iPhone to the corresponding USB port of your vehicle using a certified Lightning cable (e.g. the white cable provided by Apple). Then follow the instructions on the screen.
Do I need to install specific apps from the App Store for Apple CarPlay™?
No. All apps you already use on your iPhone will be displayed automatically in Apple CarPlay™ if they are compatible. Apps such as news, maps, and telephony are generally available on the iPhone. Of course, you must download an app from the App Store, if this is not already installed on the iPhone. However, it is generally not necessary to configure the downloaded app.
Does Apple CarPlay™ display all apps installed on my iPhone?
No. Unlike iPhone, Apple CarPlay™ only displays apps that are compatible with it. The apps are specified by Apple. Mercedes Benz has no direct influence on the number and kind of apps displayed, with a few exceptions.
Does Apple CarPlay™ require a mobile internet connection?
In principle, no. However, a mobile internet connection is strongly recommended in order to take advantage of all features of Apple CarPlay™. The usability is severely restricted without a mobile data connection.
Does Apple CarPlay™ always require a cable connection?
Mercedes Benz will continue to improve the integration of Apple CarPlay™. Currently, unless otherwise specified, Apple CarPlay™ is only available via a cable connection.
How do I quit Apple CarPlay™?
In some systems, you can quit Apple CarPlay™ directly via the user interface of your multimedia system. Please refer to the operating instructions for more information. You can always quit Apple CarPlay™ by disconnecting the cable.
Why does Apple CarPlay™ require a mobile internet connection?
Apple CarPlay™ is heavily reliant on voice control with SIRI. SIRI works only with an active internet connection. SIRI is a prerequisite for using Apple CarPlay™. Of course, Apple CarPlay™ can still be used if internet connection is temporarily not available. However, functions may be significantly limited (no route calculation in Apple Maps, no SIRI voice control, no audio streaming of media from the internet.)
Why does Apple CarPlay™ not start?
This can be caused by various reasons. First, please check whether Apple CarPlay™ is enabled on the iPhone. The setting can be found under "Settings" --> "General" --> "Restrictions" on the iPhone. The entry "CarPlay" should always be enabled. We also recommend disconnecting and reconnecting the iPhone cable connection. Using a different cable may also help. Restarting the iPhone could also solve the issue. In rare cases, it has also been observed that the so-called "managed devices" prevent Apple CarPlay™ from starting. This is often the case with business phones that are provided and configured by a company, with various settings that are predefined, and cannot be changed by the user.
I generally have problems using Apple CarPlay™ or some apps.
In principle, we recommend terminating the connection, restarting the iPhone, and then connecting it again. If only specific apps are affected, it is sometimes helpful to close and reopen the app on the iPhone. Please note that Mercedes Benz itself has no influence on the content of the apps, nor on their display. Important information: Using iPhones while driving is prohibited in many countries. The driver is responsible for compliance with local laws.
Is Apple CarPlay™ available worldwide?
Mercedes Benz cars that support Apple CarPlay™ generally provide the necessary interface. Mercedes Benz has no influence on the availability of Apple CarPlay™ itself in specific countries. Please check with Apple if Apple CarPlay™ is available in your country.
What is the role of SIRI in Apple CarPlay™?
SIRI is Apple's proprietary voice assistant. It plays a central role in Apple CarPlay™. When using Apple CarPlay™, you will notice that some apps invoke SIRI directly to retrieve content using speech. You can invoke SIRI anytime using the always available voice control button, and operate your iPhone by voice, without the need to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road.
Is data transmitted from the vehicle to the iPhone while Apple CarPlay™ is active?
Certain information from the vehicle is required in order to run Apple CarPlay™. In order to use Apple CarPlay™, you need to consent to data transfer to the iPhone before starting Apple CarPlay™. Mercedes Benz respects your privacy, and only transmits data that is necessary for the optimal operation of Apple CarPlay™. For further information, please refer to the manual of your vehicle.
Is it possible to control vehicle functions using Apple CarPlay™ or SIRI?
No. Apple CarPlay™ has no access to internal vehicle functions. For example, it is not possible to control the radio or the AC using Apple CarPlay™. Likewise, Apple CarPlay™ has no access to your vehicle's driving features, so that, for example, you won't be able to use it to manage cruise control. Apple CarPlay™ is a technology that has been integrated into the vehicle to provide the driver with access to iPhone content while driving, and not to access vehicle functions on the iPhone.
Is it possible to use Apple CarPlay™ in parallel to existing vehicle functions?
In principle, yes. You will be able to access vehicle settings, radio, and other applications from the multimedia system while an Apple CarPlay™ connection is active. In some systems, however, some functions must be deactivated while Apple CarPlay™ is being used. Mercedes Benz will continue to improve the integration of Apple CarPlay™ so that all functions will be available in the future.
Android Auto™
Which Android telephones support Android Auto™?
In principle, there is no restriction on the Android telephone used. The availability is governed by the installed operating system on your Android telephone. Please note that Mercedes Benz has no influence on the availability of Android Auto and the operating system on your Android telephone.
Which OS version is required for Android Auto™?
Officially, Android Auto™ is available with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Google is constantly working on expanding the features and enhancements of Android Auto™. Therefore, Google recommends always using the latest version of Android.
I'm connecting my Android telephone to Android Auto™ for the first time, but Android Auto™ will not start. Why?
When an Android telephone is connected for the first time, Android Auto will not start automatically. Please start Android Auto™ in the corresponding interface of your multimedia device by selecting the displayed device name. Then please follow the instructions on the screen. You will find more information in the manual of your vehicle.
Do I need to prepare my Android telephone for Android Auto™?
No. If you have at least Android 5.0 Lollipop installed, you only have to connect your Android telephone to the multimedia system with a suitable USB cable. Your device will then be displayed in the corresponding menu via the user interface of your multimedia system. Select it to launch Android Auto™. When the Android Auto is started for the first time, any needed files or applications are downloaded from the Internet. We therefore recommend that you have a good Internet connection and enough data space on your Android telephone the first time you start up.
Do I have to install special apps from the Google Play Store for Android Auto™?
No. Any apps you already use on your Android telephone will automatically appear in Android Auto™ if you're compatible with Android Auto™. When starting Android Auto™, your Android telephone also checks whether the necessary files are available and current. Standard apps like news, Google Maps and telephony are always available on the Android telephone. Of course you need to load an uninstalled app from the Google Play Store if you want to use it in Android Auto. A special configuration of the downloaded app is generally not necessary.
Will all apps appear on my Android telephone in Android Auto™?
No. Unlike the Android telephone, Android Auto™ only displays apps that are compatible with Android Auto™. This is determined by Google. Mercedes Benz has no direct impact on the number and display of the apps, with a few exceptions.
Does Android Auto™ require a mobile Internet connection?
Generally no. However, a mobile Internet connection is highly recommended to use all the features of Android Auto™. Usability is greatly restricted without a mobile data connection.
Is a cable connection always required for Android Auto™?
Mercedes Benz will continuously improve the integration of Android Auto™. Currently, Android Auto™ is only available via a wired connection, unless otherwise stated.
How do I close Android Auto™?
In some systems, you can disconnect the Android Auto™ connection directly from the interface of your multimedia system. Additional information can be found in the operating instructions. In all cases, Android Auto™ will disconnect when you disconnect the cable.
Why does Android Auto™ require a mobile Internet connection?
The operation of Android Auto™ is designed for voice control. Google's voice control system only works with an active internet connection. Google's voice control system is a prerequisite for Android Auto™. Of course, if you temporarily have no internet connection, Android Auto™ can still be used. However, then significant limitations are to be expected in the functionality (no route calculation in Google Maps, no Google voice control system, no audio streaming of media from the Internet)
Why is Android Auto™ not starting?
This may have various reasons. Please note the general information that Android Auto™ does not start automatically on first startup. You will find more information in the manual of your vehicle. First of all, you should make sure that all requirements for using Android Auto™ are met. Check the operating system version and make sure that there are currently no updates for the operating system and installed applications. It has also proven to be helpful to disconnect that device from your multimedia system and reconnect it. Please also check whether the correct USB port was used for the Android device. It may also help to use a different cable.
I generally have problems using Android Auto™ or some apps?
We generally recommend disconnecting, restarting the Android telephone, and then reconnecting the device. If individual apps are affected, it may occasionally be helpful to close and reopen the app on the Android telephone. Please note that Mercedes Benz itself has no influence on the content of the apps, nor on the presentation of an app. Important note: Operation of the Android telephone is prohibited in many countries while driving. The driver is responsible for compliance with local laws.
Is Android Auto™ available worldwide?
Mercedes Benz vehicles that support Android Auto™ generally provide the interface to Android Auto™. Mercedes Benz has no influence on the availability of Android Auto™, even in individual countries. Please check with Google if Android Auto™ is available in your country.
What role does the Google voice control system play with Android Auto™?
The Google voice control system plays a central role in the use of Android Auto™. When using Android Auto™, you'll notice that some apps directly access the Google voice control system to query content by voice. At any time, you can operate the language control button, Android Auto, by voice that is always available in the vehicle as part of Google's functions. This will allow you to stay focused on traffic without having to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road.
When Android Auto™ is active, is data is sent from the vehicle to the Android telephone?
Certain information from the vehicle is generally necessary to operate Android Auto™. To use Android Auto™, you must agree to share the data with the Android telephone before starting Android Auto™ for the first time. Mercedes Benz respects your privacy and only shares the data necessary for the optimal operation of Android Auto™. You will also find more information in the manual of your vehicle
Can I control vehicle functions with Android Auto™ or the Google voice control system?
No. Android Auto™ has no access to internal vehicle functions. Android Auto™ for example cannot control the radio or your air conditioning. Android Auto™ also does not have access to the driving features of the vehicle so you can use it, for example, to control the cruise control. Android Auto™ is a technology that has been integrated into the vehicle to allow the driver to access the Android telephone content while driving and not to access the vehicle's features via the Android telephone.
Can Android Auto™ be used at the same time as my existing vehicle functions?
Generally yes. You will still be able to access the vehicle settings, radio and other applications from the multimedia system while the Android Auto™ connection is active. However, in some systems features may need to be disabled while using Android Auto™.
I'm not able to receive data with COMAND Online. What can I do?
Please check if your phone is approved for COMAND Online (Internet usage). The contract with your network provider must also allow the option of using data communication. Furthermore, your network provider has to allow "Tethering" - connecting to the internet via a mobile phone.
While I'm making a phone call, I can't use the internet services from COMAND Online. What can I do?
Using speech and data transmission in parallel depends on your mobile phone and your network provider. The pre-requisites are the appropriate network infrastructure and 3G reception (UMTS). Please check the corresponding display on your mobile phone.
What amount of data is transferred while using COMAND Online?
Data volume is optimized for mobile transmission (e.g. compression of images). However, it's not possible to give a general statement about data traffic volume.
Is it possible to use my Android mobile with COMAND Online?
For some vehicles and Android phones it is necessary to install a third-party app like BlueDUN which is downloadable in your Google PlayStore. A freeware version of this app is available, too. Please deauthorise the mobile after installing the app and authorise it again.
Why is it not possible to access the Internet using my iPhone?
It could be that your Provider does not allow "tethering", means to use your mobile as a modem. For more Information contact your provider.
Media Interface
General Questions
Why is the category "Select by cover" not accessible directly after device connection?
The Media Interface system has to retrieve all metadata from the connected device first in order to prepare the album list. This can take some time depending on the number of tracks and on the performance of the external device.
Why is the category "Keyword search" not accessible directly after device connection?
The Media Interface system has to retrieve all metadata from the connected device first in order to prepare the search data base. This can take some time depending on the number of tracks and on the performance of the external device.
Why do I have a different sorting with my Apple device?
The integration of the Apple device is realized in two phases. In the first phase the metadata are directly taken from the Apple device to provide fast operability for basic features. In a second phase the metadata is processed and sorted alphabetically to allow extended features. That's why for example the artist "The Beatles" is found in section "B" during phase one while it is sorted at position "T" in phase two.
Why do I have differing cover arts for an album in the "Select by Cover" view compared to the Media Interface base screen?
In order to allow a quicker access the cover arts for the "Select by Cover" view are retrieved from an internal database and not from the connected device in the first run. During playback operation these cover arts are replaced and supplemented by the original ones from the connected device.
Why does the Media Interface system not show the album cover although it is displayed on my device directly?
In order to get access to the album covers, it is necessary that these are embedded directly into the audio tracks on the connected player. How to do this should be described in the user manual of the media manager software for your device (e.g. iTunes or Windows Media Player).
It is quite time-consuming till all cover arts are shown in the "Select by Cover" view. Is there a possibility to speed this process up?
Indeed there is a possibility: The fastest way to get the Select by Cover view completely filled is to have all tracks in the current playback list after the first activation of this option. This can be achieved by selecting "Random Medium" or selecting an entry of the category "Tracks".
I can't find my self recorded videos in the Media Interface system. Aren't they supported?
Regretfully there is no access to self-recorded videos on the device.
I have connected my iPhone as telephone and as Media Interface device to the system. Every time I startup my car the sound via Media Interface is paused. Is there a workaround solution?
Unfortunately the connected device enters pause mode after establishing the Bluetooth connection. In this case you can recover the audio simply by muting and demuting the playback.
Why does the Select by Cover system display the wrong cover art and artist for the current song with compilations?
As the compilation information can not be retrieved from the connected device the Media Interface system can not assign the correct cover art to most of the compilation's tracks.
Sometimes while my device is connected, the Media Interface system displays "External device unavailable". What's it all about?
Sometimes consumer devices refuse or simply stop to communicate with the Media Interface system. If all retries to re-establish the connection fail, the Media Interface system shows the "External device unavailable" message. It may be necessary in this cases to reset the external device manually, if it's save to do so (e.g. on your next rest).
Does the Media Interface system support podcasts with chapters?
Podcasts with chapters can be played back like any other podcast, but skipping and navigating in the chapter structure is not supported. Therefore searching backward stops at the beginning of the current chapter.
I notice some unpredictable behavior of the Media Interface system when some apps are active in parallel.
It is possible that specific apps being active while the device is connected to the Media Interface system, may interfere and may result in unpredictable behavior. If you encounter some strange behavior you should try to deactivate some apps before your next ride. This should be described in your device's user manual.
I notice some problems with my device after a video selection. What's it all about?
There are problems known with some devices, if video tracks are selected while in random mode. To avoid these problems Mercedes-Benz suggests to select videos only when audio is played back in normal mode.
Sometimes I notice some lack of performance with my device. What's it all about?
Some devices have a slower performance the more of the internal memory is used. Therefore Mercedes-Benz suggests to not exhaust the total memory of your device, but to remain at least 3 to 5 percent of device's total memory unused.
Is it possible that it takes more time until "Select by Cover" and "Keyword Search" are available, when the content of the device has changed?
Please keep in mind, that due to technical limitations a change of the device's content makes it necessary to read in all the metadata once again. This may be necessary even if only one song or podcast was added or removed.
Your current search didn't result in any hits.


text:
Article content
Brendon Ayanbadejo had said he wanted to use the Super Bowl to shed light on his pet cause: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.
The former CFL star – now the Baltimore Ravens' backup linebacker and special-teams specialist – got that chance Thursday.
And, boy, did he ever use it to full, loud effect.
Ayanbadejo cut to the heart of the matter with frank, incisive comments that surely will challenge both NFL leaders and players alike, and for a long time to come.
First the catalyst.
In another huge off-field controversy here at Super Bowl XLVII, backup San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver told a radio host he would not stand for having a gay teammate. The interview aired Wednesday.
"I don't do the gay guys, man," Culliver told Artie Lange, a former sidekick to Howard Stern, on his radio show. "I don't do that. No, we don't got no gay people on the team. They gotta get up out of here if they do … Can't be with that sweet stuff ... In the locker room, man. Nah."
Of course, those vile comments blew up across the Internet by Wednesday night.
The Niners issued a distancing news release almost immediately.
On Thursday morning, at the Niners' scheduled all-player media interview session with hundreds of accredited media, Culliver was swarmed at his roundtable.
A 24-year-old second-year man from Philadelphia, Culliver apologized repeatedly, citing the same explanation almost word-for-word each time:
"I was just joking about it, but it's nothing that I feel in my heart," the sullen, tuque-wearing Culliver said.
Hardly eloquent.
Sufficient? That's surely debatable. Disingenuous? Perhaps.
But it was a start.
An hour later, at the Ravens' hotel, Ayanbadejo left no grey area as to where he stands on the whole issue when similarly swamped by the football press.
The 36-year-old father of two has been a vocal, fearless supporter of the LGBT rights movement for years. He grew up in the Bay Area where his step-father was director of an LGBT-supportive residence.
Is he angry at Culliver?
"I couldn't really even say anything negative to the young man," said Ayanbadejo, who more than a decade ago played in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Toronto Argonauts and B.C. Lions.
"It's just one of those things where you have to live and you have to learn … In the words of Martin Luther King, you can't fight hate with hate. You have to fight hate with love."
The longer Ayanbadejo spoke, the more he got worked up.
The reason? He said Culliver is far from the only NFL player who agrees with what Culliver's words – the ones he said in the radio interview, not in the apology session.
"I've preached since Day 1 to my teammates that there are certain words you can't say, and when they're around me they know – you can't say gay in a derogatory manner," Ayanbadejo said. "You can't say the three-letter F-word.
"And I tell them, 'You can't say those things (anywhere). And if people hear you say those things, regardless of whether you mean them or not, they're going to fry you. And if it's in a public arena, your whole reputation is going to be roasted for it.'"
Ayanbadejo sounded frustrated that his stance "hasn't swayed anybody" to his point of view.
And comments such as Culliver's?
"I hear it all the time, I hear it every day," he said. "And it's not just in the locker room, it's on my Twitter (account), it's on my Facebook. So I hear it all the time, I hear it every day. I'm not surprised, but that's why I speak so loudly about this."
What percentage of Americans oppose LGBT rights?
"I'd say 50% of the people think like Culliver," Ayanbadejo said. "I'd say 25% of the people think like me, and then 25% of the people are religious. They don't necessarily agree with all of the things I agree with, but they're accepting.
"It's a fight. It's an uphill battle."
Ayanbadejo is making it less so. In one corner of the world, he just helped the LGBT cause take a big step – in the right direction.
NEW ORLEANS - We asked various players on the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens on Thursday if they think NFL players would be accepting if a teammate announced he was gay.
"I don't know if anyone has, or whatever, but I'm sure he can," 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith said.
Added 49ers running back Frank Gore: "It wouldn't bother me. I wouldn't have a problem with it. That's his (issue). As long as he can help us win games, and he's a great football player – hey, come on."
Ravens tight end Ed Dickson agreed, to a point.
"I have some mixed emotions, but I'm fine with that," Dickson said. "It's a free country to be who you are – let your personality shine. If a player comes out, that's fine. We'd support him, if he's been through it all and stuff like that.
"Society sees football being the manliest of the manly sports. But I think holding that stuff in is (wrong)."
Jewel Hampton, a backup running back on the 49ers, offered this passionate, eloquent take:
"I definitely think it's a new day and age, where people should be able to be themselves," Hampton said. "I strongly believe in that. I think people are ready for it.
"There have been so many stages that gay and lesbian people have gone through to get to this point. So I definitely think that America has opened up the door for it, and they should be comfortable enough to come out and say it."
Asked if a family member or close friend is a member of the LGBT community, Hampton said no.
"Not at all. This is just how I feel. This is the first time I've ever been asked my opinion on it. I'm glad to say it."
tap here to see other videos from our team.


text:
contributed by ESL/EFL teachers everywhere
Azar Grammar Series: Basic English Grammar, 4th edition
Our Teacher-Created Worksheets were contributed by fellow teachers. Worksheets are available as Word documents or PDF files. You may download, reproduce and adapt the material to suit your classroom needs.
"I hope you will share materials you have created for your own teaching as a way of helping other teachers."
—Betty Azar
Submit your worksheets for publication.


text:
Researchers identify traffic cop for meiosis—with implications for fertility and birth defects
Researchers at New York University and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research have identified the mechanism that plays "traffic cop" in meiosis—the process of cell division required in reproduction. Their findings, which appear in the journal eLife, shed new light on fertility and may lead to greater understanding of the factors that lead to birth defects.
"We have isolated a checkpoint that is necessary for a genome's viability and for normal development," said Andreas Hochwagen, an assistant professor in NYU's Department of Biology, who co-authored the paper with Hannah Blitzblau, a researcher at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. "Without this restraining mechanism, chromosomes can end up irreversibly broken during meiosis."
Most cells in an organism contain two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from the mother and the other from the father. However, sexual reproduction relies on the production of gametes—eggs and sperm —that contain only one set of chromosomes. These are produced through a specialized form of cell division—meiosis.
In this process, maternal and paternal versions of each chromosome pair up and swap sections of their DNA through a process known as homologous recombination—a "reshuffling" that gives rise to chromosomes with new combinations of maternal and paternal genes. This is followed by cell division.
However, in order for normal development to occur, chromosomes must be replicated prior to their reshuffling. The disruption of this process jeopardizes reproduction and can spur a range of birth defects, notably Down syndrome.
Blitzblau and Hochwagen sought to determine what coordinates these processes to ensure they occur in proper order. Doing so would offer insights into how deviations from normal functionality could affect fertility and result in birth defects.
To do so, they examined budding yeast—a model organism in cell biology because its chromosome replication and regulation are similar to that of humans.
Through a series of manipulations, in which the researchers inhibited the activity of individual proteins, they found two enzymes that were necessary for meiosis: Mec1, which is similar to ATR, known to suppress tumors in humans, and DDK, which is a vital coordinator of chromosome reshuffling.
Specifically, they found that Mec1 senses when chromosomes are being replicated and transmits a molecular "wait" signal to DDK. In this way, Mec1 acts like a traffic cop that allows chromosome replication to finish without interruption, before giving DDK the ok to begin the reshuffling.
Explore further


text:
Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2005/05/25/pgp_admissable_child_abuse_case/
PGP use ruled relevant in child abuse case
Using crypto? You pervert
Posted in Policy, 25th May 2005 17:01 GMT
A Minnesota appeal court has ruled that a trial judge was within his rights to allow police evidence about the presence of an encryption program on a defendant's computer to be admitted in a child abuse case. The ruling came as the Minnesota State Court of Appeals rejected an appeal by David Levie against his conviction for soliciting a nine-year-old girl into posing naked for digital pictures.
One of the grounds for Levie's appeal was that the "district court erred in admitting evidence of appellant's internet use and the encryption capability of his computer". A forensic examination of Levie's computer by a retired police officer discovered it was loaded with PGP which "can basically encrypt any file". Under cross-examination, retired cop Brooke Schaub also said that the PGP program may be included on every Macintosh computer that comes out today.
Lawyers for Levie argued on appeal that his "internet use had nothing to do with the issues in this case" that "there was no evidence that there was anything encrypted on the computer" and that he "was prejudiced because the court specifically used this evidence in its findings of fact and in reaching its verdict".
The appeal court rejected these arguments, one of four strands in Levie's appeal. "We find that evidence of appellant's internet use and the existence of an encryption program on his computer was at least somewhat relevant to the state's case against him," the court ruled. Although it rejected Levie's request for a retrial it sent the case back to a lower court for resentencing, after conceding the legal basis of some aspects of the conviction were flawed.
The case, although never put before a jury, could establish the precendent that the use of an encryption programme might be admitted as evidence of criminal intent, as least in Minnesota. The attitude seems to be "if you have nothing to hide why do you need secrecy tools". ®
Related stories
PGP goes the whole hog of encryption
Zimmermann defends strong crypto against govt assault
Americans want Uncryption
IT industry told to 'cough up' by child campaigners
New UK agency to target net paedophiles


text:
| Home | About | Win! | Contact | Links | Shipping | Privacy |
Click on image for more information
Minkee Monsters Embroidery and Applique Design
Cuddle Apple Green
Cuddle Navy
Cuddle Caramel
Cuddle Purple
Cuddle Grape
Cuddle Ivory
Cuddle Dark Turquoise
Cuddle Red
Cuddle Yellow
Cuddle Orange
Cuddle Black
Cuddle Chocolate
Cuddle Charcoal
Cuddle Baby Blue
Cuddle Brown
Cuddle Electric Blue
Cuddle Lavender
Cuddle Camel
Cuddle Sage
Cuddle Baby Pink
Cuddle Olive
Cuddle Hot Pink
Cuddle Fuschia
Cuddle Watermelon
Cuddle Jade
Cuddle Jewel
Cuddle Snow White
Cuddle Teal
Cuddle Violet
Cuddle Ash
Cuddle Azure
Cuddle Midnight Blue
Cuddle Canary
Cuddle Mango
Cuddle Crimson
Cuddle Raspberry
Cuddle Turquoise
Cuddle Topaz
Cuddle Lime
Cuddle Silver
Cuddle Kelly Green
Cuddle Mahogany
Cuddle Coral
Cuddle Honey
| Display All Items on This Page in Detailed View | Change Store Display to Detailed View |
Questions? Email us at email@example.com


text:
Hi and welcome Peanut Butter and Peppers!
Here's a little bit of my story.
First I know I'll have questions over the blog name, so let me tell you, any of you who know me, know that I LOVE Peanut Butter and Peppers on everything! So I thought, lets put those two names together… and here I am. Now of course I wouldn't eat them together, or would I? Hmm, now that's food for thought.
As I stated on the home page, I am currently 30 something, a girl has her prerogative not to tell. Anyway, I currently work full-time in a medical device office and in my remaining spare time I like to cook, exercise and spend time with my wonderful family.
My Husband and I:
Little Jenny and I:
On this blog you will see I love to shop whether it's for food, clothing or shoes. I plan on sharing with you some of my finds, good or bad! You can always share with me some of yours. Oh and you'll be hearing a lot about Trader Joe's! Sorry but that's my 2nd home.
I will also share with you some stories about my two loves. Sampson and Samantha. They are my two Labrador Retrievers. I will usually reference them as my bad babies, my bad boy and my good girl. Here's a picture of them:
My overall story:
Over the past couple of years I have lost over 30lbs and my goal is to keep the weight off. That's where you come in. With me telling you my goals and plans, I feel I that will keep me accountable for my actions. You'll find that I am the kind of person, who says I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it! So you being here, will keep me real and I will be able to keep my promises to myself and to you.
I currently struggle a bit with my food obsession, not so much with eating it, but with counting the calories. I am trying not to count anymore. I'm really trying! I want to enjoy my life and not have it focused around, I ate this so now I need to exercise for this long to burn it off. It's not about that, I want to enjoy my meals and know that if I eat a piece of cake, I'm not going to gain 10lbs. I think with listening to my stomach and doing my basic exercising I'll be fine. We need to find balance in life and that is what I am trying to learn.
I must tell you, I just love to cook and make new creations. My philosophy is to find that balance between good and bad food. I truly believe you can have everything in moderation, just make smart choices. You'll find healthy recipes and not so healthy recipes here. I also try to make the unhealthy ones a little bit more healthy without sacrificing the flavor. I'll share with you my good recipes and my flops, so you don't make the same mistake as me.
I hope you enjoy your visit and come back often. You'll find lots of great recipes, and some step by step instructions. I value your opinion and any input you have, so please let me know if there is anything you want to know about.
Feel free to contact me at: email@example.com


text:
Photos of your family memories stored in these preservation quality envelopes & boxes, kept in a cool, low humidity environment will be protected for decades to come. All boxes and envelopes pass the "Photo Activity Test." Archive those special memories in our handsome storage boxes & envelopes made from the finest acid/lignin-free materials. Individual envelopes allow you to mark dates & identify events while boxes allow you to group photos or place in chronological order.
Hollinger Metal Edge Inc
9401 Northeast Dr.
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Phone: 800-634-0491
Phone: 540-898-7300
Fax: 800-947-8814


text:
One man's opinion!
Why did Charlottesville carnage happen? Because we lie to ourselves
August 12, 2017 8:10 PM
To my white fellow citizens:
I invite you to consider this scene from Saturday's riot in Charlottesville. As reported by The Washington Post, a group of counter-protesters assembled at a rally of white supremacists in that Virginia college town and took up a chant, "No Trump! No KKK! No fascist USA!"
To which one of the white supremacists yelled back, "Too late, f------!"
At this writing, we are still sorting out all that happened Saturday at and around the University of Virginia. First reports paint a frightening picture: Nazis, Klansmen and other benighted citizens of the extreme right — most said to be white men in their 20s and 30s — shouting the usual expressions of hate; brawls breaking out between the protesters and counterprotesters; police, according to some witnesses, standing by. Those early reports also tell us that a car was driven through a crowd of counterprotesters, with the result that over a dozen people were injured, at least one of them fatally.
While it is too soon to know much about this with certainty, this much is clear. What happened Saturday in Virginia is the bitter and inevitable fruit of our habit of intellectual dishonesty where race is concerned.
The first, such, of course, lay in writing slavery and racial inferiority into a constitution that supposedly enshrined the equality of all people before the law. From that day until this one, we have never quite weaned ourselves of lying to ourselves where race is concerned. Indeed, as the moral authority of the Civil Rights Movement recedes deeper into memory, as cable news and social media offer new platforms and broad reach to voices of acrimony and hate and as facts become "facts" become untruths become lies and too few of us seem to notice or care, the intellectual dishonesty surrounding race has become starker, more brazen and more creative than we have seen in years.
Like when people say that talking about racism is racism.
Or when they babble pious inanities like "racism goes both ways" and "all lives matter."
Nor have news media always brought clarity. It was pundits, after all, who kept ascribing Donald Trump's rise to "economic anxiety" even as his followers were yelling racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic slurs with unbridled glee. And leave us not forget how media have allowed the folks who brought such chaos to Charlottesville to brand themselves under a banal-sounding new euphemism — the "alt-right" — as if they were not the same bunch of mouth-breathing, lowlife racists they always were.
Where race is concerned, intellectual honesty, the willingness to see and say what is right in front of us, has long been in short supply. And too many of you — not all, no, but far too many — readily embrace these implicit lies because you fear the places to which the truth will push you. But the racial riot and terrorism that just visited Charlottesville and the emboldened brazenness of the white supremacist movement now that one of their own has taken the White House, suggest that you no longer have the luxury of avoidance, at least not if the future of this country matters to you.
I am not unmindful of the young white students who protested the hate that arrived on their campus Saturday. For that matter, I am not unmindful of the white people who marched through Charleston after the church massacre there. I remember James Zwerg, who had his face kicked in, and Viola Liuozzo and Elijah Lovejoy, who were shot to death for African-American freedom.
But I am likewise not unmindful that too many of you have watched with complicit silence and quiet terror of demographic change as voting rights were abridged, murderous policemen went free, Fox "News" turned your resentment into ratings and politicians turned your rancor into power.
The result of which erupted Saturday for all the world to see. Meaning not just the violence and not just the terrorism, but the sense of victory and vindication embodied in the smug rejoinder of a white supremacist to a group of people who had come to chant in support of something higher than bigotry and rage.
"Too late f------!"
Maybe he's right. Maybe it is.
That's a decision you'll have to make.


text:
This is the first rainy day we have had since we moved here. Apparently this time of year, afternoon thunderstorms are very common, and we often do get clouds and thunder later in the day. Not often have we had any rain though.
This morning when we got up, it was pouring rain. Boy, do we need it! I don't have any errands to run and it should be a quiet day. Great day to spend some time on my new iMac!
I haven't used a Mac in over twenty years and so have that bit of a learning curve to deal with, and as we are also running windows (on a virtual machine), I am trying to figure that out as well. That allows me to use all of my former programs which is fabulous!
The girls are both glad it is Friday. They want to get themselves organized before next week starts, now that they know better what to expect.
Heidi has been moved up to Grade 11 French, as most kids here have only taken a year of French before entering high school, and Heidi has had five years. She loves the rest of her classes and seems to be settling in nicely. Tomorrow the marching band is playing in the Welcome Western Week in Littleton, and Heidi is nervous as she still doesn't really know how to put it all together (the marching and the playing by memory), but that is why they do this parade- straight marching and repeating one song throughout the march is a good way to learn apparently. I think it will all come together quickly for her once she does it.
A guy Rich works with has two kids in the band, and he and his wife are in charge of the Pit Crew. Rich has signed up to help for some events. I have offered to help with uniform care; cleaning, mending, and such. Not that I know how to do alterations or anything, but if someone shows me what to do, I could probably do it. They are set for now, but they have my name and number and so I am sure someone will be calling at some point!
Chloe is also feeling better about things. She and Anna are starting to make more friends and they are doing homework together most days after school. Their schedule has them doing three days of gym, three days of art, and three days of music. In music class, they are teaching them how to play guitar! She is very pleased about that.
At Chloe's school, I have volunteered for library duty and for a group that makes and delivers meals to families in need. I haven't been contacted yet so I am not sure when I will start or what exactly I will be doing, but again- they have my information... lol
I am putting the borders on my Fun With 5" Squares table topper. I am hoping to have it done by the end of the weekend. Holly's quilt is ready to pin, and I will work on that next. I have the squares for Ben's rag quilt done, they just have to be assembled and fringed. I figure by the time I have them both finished, Holly will be in her new apartment and Ben should be in residence and I can send them each a care package.
Well, I must go and check if Chloe is ready for school and get on with my day. Happy day all!


text:
READ about Piers Morgan's long career in journalism here.
On Friday, Piers Morgan used his "Only in America" segment to lace up his tennis shoes and trade ground strokes with one of the greatest tennis players in the world, Serena Williams.
In a match that might have been dubbed "The Volley at Vanderbilt," Morgan and Williams suited up for a showdown from the exclusive club inside New York's Grand Central Terminal:
"I'm from Britain, Serena's obviously from America," noted the host. "This is kind of a tennis version of the Ryder Cup."
But staring across the net at a 13-time Grand Slam champion, Morgan needed to level the blue, hard-court playing surface. For that, he called upon a previous edition of tennis' "Battle of the Sexes."
"Billie Jean King was tweeting earlier, some advice for me," he shared. And with that, out came two 1970's era wooden tennis racquets.
"What's good enough for Billie Jean," said Morgan of the woman who defeated Bobby Riggs in 1973's "Battle of the Sexes II." "Is going to be good enough for you, Serena."
Set to the soundtrack of "Eye of the Tiger," 2012's mixed-gender match featured grunting and gamesmanship, serves and celebrations. And also, an equipment upgrade:
"Just to clarify, the four-time winner of Wimbledon, doesn't want to play with the old racquets," explained the host.
But changing "tools" couldn't change the inevitable, as after a vigorous rally, a stunning, crosscourt backhand drop shot by Morgan set up a Grand Slam-worthy victory cry:
"Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" bellowed the Brit.
Only in America, the host consoles the champ: "Don't get down, you're a good player. You will come again, you will. Thank you for a nice game."
» Follow Piers Morgan Tonight on Twitter
Piers had the perfect opportunity to go for the "good game pat," and he blew it. 😉
Here you go pal.
Piers, you played really well against a champion like Serena. I read 'the Insider', every week, and watch your interviews on British TV. A big thank you, for all the joy and entertainment you give us. You are amazing. My only criticism is, that you didn't give that oaf, Clarkson, a battering, when he assaulted you!
Hi Piers. I always read your 'The Insider' column every week and I love it! It makes my Sunday morning 🙂 Anyway, I did check out the video – and you are good. I was impressed. So if you get fed up of interviewing people perhaps you could take over from Andy Murray?
In Cain has busiadness expeadriadence, but no politadiadcal expeadriadence. Expect his camadpaign to fizadzle when his wife looks at his Janaduadary 2012 bank statement.I was just being funny, but maybe I have a ptiehproc streak. I was off by a couadple of months, though.
Hi Pers,
Please make efforts to have Jessy in your show more often.
Serena is on her way to her 5th Wimbledon trophy!
Mr. Morgan, a very good morning to you, on your show last night, you did a piece about Serena Williams, unfortunately you misspoke like the politicians do, "The fifth time wimbledon champion, born and raised not far from this studio" or something to that effect, her bio says born in Michigan, your studios are in LA, do we get a brit apology and correction? Nice work though.
Piers, You got to go for the fanny pat to end the game.............. 🙂
As to the question as to why someone needs 6000 rounds....?
Why do they need 1000 rounds. Why do they need 100 rounds?
Ever hear of a day out at the range? And suppose you buy in bulk for the whole year?
And 6000 rounds come in handy, because the Zombie Apocolypse is upon us. Crazed cannibals eating faces and body parts. Mexican drug lords. Tyrannical government purple shirts.
Unless government sees fit to assign a cop to follow me around all day and sit in front of my house all night...then a need for firearms will exist.
If you apply these techniques for increasing traffic on your own weblog, I am certainly you will notice the variation in few days.


text:
Q-PUK is an original speaker design that gives you exceptional sound quality in a small, portable speaker that's waterproof and dust proof. Simply pair with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth to enjoy superior sound on the rock-face, the mountain trail, in the kayak, at the campsite or when you're trekking. With rechargeable battery and up to 8 hours playback, it's the perfect piece of outdoor kit.
- 100% waterproof - IP67 dust and waterproof standard
- Compact (87x85x34mm), lightweight design
- Delivers clear sound with crisp playback through its 3W speaker
- NFC-enabled for faster Bluetooth pairing
- Wireless speaker range up to 10m and rechargeable battery
- Music pauses automatically for hands-free conversation
Suitable for any device with Bluetooth audio functionality.
QDOS Q-PUK waterproof speaker
Silicone band
User guide
See our Declaration of Conformity
A speaker you can rely on
We've been asked about outdoor speakers – and Q-PUK is our answer. Weighing less than your phone, made from rugged materials and tested to the IP67 standard – which makes it waterproof rather than simply water resistant – this is a speaker that you can use in the shower, take out on the water, clip onto your rucksack when you're trekking or hang outside your tent when you're camping.
Big sound, small speaker
Q-PUK is designed to give you fantastic sound without needing to be wrapped in cotton wool. It can withstand depths of up to 1m, and be submerged for up to 30 minutes, so if you do drop it, just shake off the excess water and your Q-PUK will still work. It's designed to belt out your favourite tunes even in the harshest environment. Go on, we dare you.
The Q-PUK Waterproof Speaker
Bluetooth, Waterproof and ready for the great outdoors
Big sound in a small package, Travel with confidence and turn up the tunes
Designed with you in mind, The Q-PUK will keep up with you wherever, whenever
Anytime, anywhere, any tune
People on the go choose Q-PUK because it's the complete package. Pair it and go – no worries about it getting splashed or dropped in the water; no worries about losing it because it clips onto your belt or your bag; no worries about it fading out when you need it most. For extreme sports, adventurous travelling, simple camping out and festival fun – it's the does-everything-can't-beat-it speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work?
Q-PUK pairs with your device via Bluetooth. Make sure you activate the Bluetooth function of your device and turn on the Q-PUK. Whilst you search for devices, the Q-PUK pairing will appear on your screen. When you select this, and see that the device is 'connected', you will have successfully paired your device to the Q-PUK and can begin to play your music!
What happens if my Q-PUK will not connect with my device?
Clear your Bluetooth list of all the previous devices you have connected to. Your device should then search again for something to pair to. The name 'Q-PUK' should appear on the list and then you can select it and the Q-PUK will make a beeping sound when it is connected.
How waterproof is the Q-PUK?
The Q-PUK is a waterproof speaker and is protected against accidental water ingress for a rugged outdoor or indoor use. Your QDOS Q-PUK is IP67 tested and certified submersible up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. It is not designed for use as an underwater speaker. It is recommended to shake off any excess surface water and dry your Q-PUK before re-use to get back to optimal performance.
My Q-PUK is beeping, what does this mean?
This means that the battery is low and this beeping is a reminder to re-charge your Q-PUK. You can do this by turning of the Q-PUK and charging it with the micro-USB charging cable provided. The red LED light will remain on whilst charging and your Q-PUK will be fully charged again in under two hours. Remember to turn off the Q-PUK using the power button once you have finished listening to your music.
Will my Q-PUK charge through my PC/laptop?
Yes – you can charge your Q-PUK from any PC, Mac or power adaptor. Just use the USB cable provided. Fully insert the USB into the port, and the micro USB into the Q-BOPZ. In some cases, you'll need to check that your computer or laptop is not in sleep mode, or your Q-PUK may not be able to charge.
Any other questions?
Can't find what you're looking for here? For any other questions or feedback just contact our customer service team. We're friendly, knowledgeable and always happy to help you out. We could even add your question to our FAQ pages to help out other people!


text:
Privacy Policy
Dearden House
(MAP) 1201 Homestead Ln, Hershey, PA 17033
*** 2009 Preservation Award Winner ***
Formerly known as Student Home Glendale, this historic brick farmhouse, located on McKorkle Road, is a worthy recipient of the 6th Historic Building Preservation Award as it not only highlights the unique history of Milton Hershey School but has a tale to tell of its own. Before Milton Hershey purchased the property in 1934, this 143 acre farm was part of an estate that included four farms privately owned by Albert B. Shenk. Shenk's untimely death in a trolley car accident in 1933 led to the sale of his properties
Glendale opened in 1935 at the height of the Hershey Industrial School farm program and remained in use as a student home until 1989. In April of 2000, brothers Richard Purcell '61 and Milt Purcell '64 acquired the property rights. The brothers shared a vision of creating an everlasting tribute to William E. Dearden '40, an alumnus widely regarded as a legacy to Milton S. Hershey and his work. Their dream was to see the Dearden House become a hub of activity for alumni, staff and the children of the school.
The Dearden House was formally dedicated in September, 2000. Sadly, in May of 2004, Dick Purcell passed away. Later in 2004, Milton Hershey School purchased the property and continued the restoration begun by the Purcells.
Today, the Dearden House has within its walls a museum depicting residential life of a student home in the '50's, a replica of Bill Dearden's Hershey Foods office, and alumni offices. It is part of a larger complex, the William E. Dearden Alumni Campus, which includes the Purcell Friendship Hall and Gardens and Southfield Alumni Center.


text:
Amy Sawyer, assistant professor of nursing, has received funding from the Fran and Holly Soistman Faculty Development Endowment in the College of Health and Human Development.
Each year, the Soistman Faculty Development Endowment provides funding for faculty who are engaged in significant, innovative research related to the design, development, delivery, administration or evaluation of health care services. Sawyer, who conducts research related to treatment of sleep disorders, plans to use the funds to develop a prototype for an information system designed to accrue and analyze real-time sleep data from patients in various treatment settings.
"There are no comprehensive information systems available for sleep health care," said Sawyer. "Clinical and research sleep centers use multiple stand-alone commercial systems to manage large amounts of data without the capability to migrate these data for analysis in a comprehensive platform. This gap significantly contributes to fragmentation of care, inefficient processes, and underutilization of data to support health care decisions and patient self-management."
In collaboration with Vittaldas Prabhu, professor of industrial engineering at Penn State, Sawyer intends to develop a laboratory prototype for a Sleep Health Hub. The prototype will explore available technologies and integrate them into a vendor-neutral test bed, to be introduced in clinical research and later adapted for use in clinical care.
"An abundance of technologies exists that can enable significant advances in remote (at-home) sleep health monitoring," Sawyer noted. "But the absence of an integrated platform for data acquisition, management and real-time analytics prevents the efficient use of these technologies on a systemwide level."
Data generated by Sawyer's work will support a larger grant application in response to the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health "Smart and Connected Health" solicitation, which seeks to transform health care from a hospital-centered, disease-focused model to a person-centered, prevention-focused model.
"My overall long-term objective is to reduce the burden of negative health outcomes associated with sleep deprivation and sleep disorders in the adult population," Sawyer summarized.


text:
Spring Academy prepares our students to be well-rounded human beings with a strong desire for success! Our Montessori program teaches young children using the Montessori philosophy to build a solid academic foundation, develop independence, and celebrate diversity.
Our extra-curriculum enrichment programs not only help children excel academically and develop life-long skills, but also assist them in discovering their true talents. Our aim is to reinforce an innate love of learning in our children and help them reach their maximum potential!


text:
I was called a "punk archaeologist without borders", the first time by Ph.D. candidate Aaron Barth in his blog, The Edge of the Village. It's a title I share with Bill Caraher, fellow punk archaeologist, and one who helped out me as same. And while I hope Dr. Caraher does blog today for the Day of Archaeology on all things archaeological and punk, I wanted to focus on how things have changed for me as an academic archaeologist into one who really would like to free your data, apply archaeological concepts/methods to non-traditional venues, exploring places on the planet other than Greece, and integrating a punk DIY attitude towards the publication of archaeology in both traditional and new media for both traditional and new subjects.
(Andrew Reinhard, Punk Archaeologist without Borders. Photo by the author.)
Yesterday I cheered as we went to press for Ronald S. Stroud's volume on the inscriptions from Corinth's Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, published by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) where I am the Director of Publications. Today I'll create the PDF eBook for it, adding bookmarks, but more importantly, adding outward-facing links to people and place authorities that are both online and open access, thereby adding extra context to an already rich publication. I've been called out twice in the past week by two different archaeologists to define the ASCSA's position on publishing non-2D material (e.g., 3D scans, images, models, reconstructions, etc.), and while I craft my positive responses to these challenges, I'll say now that I want every author publishing on any site to do his or her best to provide not only 3D manifestations of what's been excavated and interpreted, and to at least experiment with 3D scanning an mapping to support their publications. Sebastian Heath, another punk archaeologist (although he might not yet know it), has been experimenting with 3D and archaeology. Have a look. Ideally I'd like to have excavations submit schema for 3D printing of what's traditionally been the plates section of their monographs so that readers can hold scale models of what was recovered on excavation. And I'd like to publish complete data sets online to support the text in a book or article.
My work at the ASCSA has also led me to rethink the archaeological guidebook. We're currently working on the Athenian Agora Museum Guide and the Corinth Site and Museum Guide. Both will be traditionally published, but there will also be an eBook available. Most importantly though will be the apps that I've been developing on the Inkling Habitat platform initially for the Athenian Agora Site Guide, but ultimately for any guidebook the ASCSA cares to produce. I'm building the apps myself, creating a heavily linked system of intra-document jumps, along with other links out to places like Pleiades and to ascsa.net to provide readers with added value of additional, deep content managed elsewhere on the Web. The guides now read less like a book, and behave more like the Web, allowing meandering visitors to use the guide in a non-linear, more organic way. The bugbear has been adding real-time "where-am-I" functionality, but I am close to solving that final puzzle.
The ASCSA's journal, Hesperia, has had its backfile on the ASCSA website as Open Access content for about a year. We've seen no drop in revenue, and an uptick of usage especially by those people who do not have access to JSTOR while in the field. The journal is at a crossroads, too, and the only thing keeping it from going e-only (with an option for readers who want print to order copies as print-on-demand) is the fact that most of our international exchange partners still require print copies for their libraries and cannot handle (or do not want) PDF issues and/or access to JSTOR for whatever reason. To continue these exchange partnerships, we have to continue producing short print-runs (under 500 copies), which is expensive in such small numbers. Printing more copies does not cost appreciably more because of economies of scale. I am left wondering when many of our international exchange partners will turn the corner and begin to accept the digital edition of our journal as opposed to requiring print. How can I best serve their readers until that happens, and is there a more efficient way to deliver print to those universities who still need/want it?
Outside of the ASCSA, I continue to be involved with a number of archaeological projects. This is where the "without borders" moniker kicks in. I'm currently wrapping up the editing of the Punk Archaeology book created from the Punk Archaeology unconference held in a bar in Fargo on Feb. 2, 2013, where there was spoken word (listen here), and punk rock (listen here) on topics ranging from what Punk Archaeology is to the archaeology of punk in the Red River Valley. The brainchild of Bill Caraher with Kostis Kourelis, Aaron Barth, Richard Rothaus, and others, this one-night stand of public archaeology resonated with both academics and locals, getting our science out of the Ivory Tower and into a drinking establishment (where many of us know the best discussions happen). The Punk Archaeology book will be published later in 2013 by the University of North Dakota, and it will be awesome.
I also launched a blog that explores the archaeology in (and of) video games. Read Archaeogaming here (and contribute!), and follow along on Twitter @archaeogaming.
(World of Warcraft screenshot from Archaeogaming)
Lastly, I had the good fortune to be a member of the Adventure Science team that explored and documented the state of the wilderness as part of the North Dakota Badlands Transect, aka "100 Miles of Wild". We're pulling together the white paper now, and will follow up with a website and at least two books about what we found out there, including archaeology, ecology, geology, and more.
I'm proud to be a punk archaeologist without borders. If you're looking for a (largely free) hired gun to help liberate data, to put boots on the ground in areas of conflict, or to put your data on the path of progressive publication, I'm your man. Email me at email@example.com, and let's explore, build, and publish.
Andrew Reinhard