text:
Back in June, Haitian peasants threatened to burn any vegetable seeds showing up in seed stores that were donated by the Monsanto Co. Peasant leaders said the hybrid seed, not bred for local conditions, would upset agricultural environments and make farmers more dependent on unwanted seed varieties from outside of the country.
Monsanto defended its contribution, which included varieties of corn, cabbage, carrot, eggplant, melon, onion, spinach, tomato and watermelon, saying it came to help Haitian farmers who may have been unable to purchase seed because of shortages in the months after January's devastating earthquake.
While the controversy has died down with no major altercations, a recently completed assessment of seed availability found that plenty of seed for traditional crops exists. The report recommended that seed from outside of the country not be introduced unless thorough testing is conducted and that local markets be allowed to function normally.
The assessment, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance, involved 10 relief and development agencies, including Catholic Relief Services. The 124-page final report offered 44 recommendations to help Haitian farmers, including ways to invest in small farmer-driven variety, seed and agricultural marketing systems.
A key finding is that plenty of seed is available as farmers finish planting traditional crops such as corn, beans, squash and melons this month. The major challenge facing farmers, however, is household finances and the ability to afford the cost of seed.
The cash shortage among farmers is fueled by the relocation of people who fled earthquake-ravaged regions and moved in with family or friends in rural communities.
Any seed donations should be adapted to local conditions, fit farmer preferences and be "at least as good" as what farmers normally use, the report recommended.
The assessment also suggested that investing to assist women's groups in agricultural enterprise efforts will help build the rural economy.
A USAID spokeswoman said the full report is expected to be posted soon.


text:
South Korean plastics additives maker Songwon Industrial Group is closer to putting its first plant in the U.S., while also doubling production capacity in Germany, stepping up activity in the Middle East and retooling its strategy in Asia, according to a senior company official.
Philippe Schlaepfer, executive vice president of corporate development, outlined the recent moves and evolving strategy in an April 20 interview at Chinaplas 2012 in Shanghai.
Songwon continues to invest much of its efforts into what it calls "one-pack systems" — products that combine a wide variety of complex additives into an integrated, dust-free pellet form that can be custom formulated. The firm says these OPS products offer excellent uniformity and certified composition, while more-accurate feeding also can save money by reducing the actual dosage of individual additives.
Schlaepfer revealed, for the first time publicly, that Songwon has "pretty advanced plans" to put a one-pack production facility in the United States — most likely in Houston, near its U.S. headquarters and major customer base of polyolefin producers. The site, which is likely to be about 54,000 square feet, would be ready by mid-2013, and include manufacturing and warehousing. Such OPS production sites typically involve investment of $15 million to $20 million, he said.
Ulsan-based Songwon also announced at Chinaplas that it is doubling annual OPS production capacity — to nearly 31 million pounds — at the plant it acquired via the purchase in December of Germany's ATG Additives Technology Greiz GmbH. At the time of the deal, Songwon Chairman and CEO Jongho Park committed to adding 5,000 metric tons (11 million pounds) of capacity to make its Songnox high-heat OPS range of products that are finding use in harsh applications in the automotive industry. But now, just four months later, the firm already is expanding those plans to allow for even more output.
"Demand is very healthy," said Schlaepfer, who noted that the German plant also is supplying customers in the Middle East. In that region, he said, Songwon has signed memorandums of understanding with partners to build OPS manufacturing sites in both Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
In Bahrain, Songwon already has acquired the land and currently is doing engineering work on the site, which should be operating by the second quarter of 2013. The Abu Dhabi facility should be ready by late 2014 or early 2015, he said. Both plants will source their raw materials from South Korea.
Songwon has formed a Swiss holding company — Songwon Additive Technology AG — that owns all of ATG, and which is the partner in the Middle Eastern ventures with Saudi Arabia's Pan Gulf and Abu Dhabi's Polysys Corp., Schlaepfer said.
Meantime, some of Songwon's previously announced moves in Asia are not coming to fruition. One of its planned Chinese joint ventures did not happen, which Schlaepfer said prompted the firm to put on hold plans for an analytical laboratory in Shanghai that it originally expected to have opened by now.
And efforts to complete an Indian joint venture called Songwon HPL Additives Pvt. Ltd., designed to make polymer stabilizers and OPS products in Dudhola, near New Delhi, have stalled. More news on that venture — which was unveiled with some fanfare at the K 2010 trade show in Germany — is expected shortly.
Full financial results for 2011 are due out shortly for publicly held Songwon, now the world's second-largest maker of polymer additives. The company trails only Germany's BASF SE, which owns Swiss additives giant Ciba Holding AG. It's expected that Songwon will announce that its global sales last year exceeded 600 billion South Korean won (more than $526 million) — up from about 550 billion won in 2010.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|250 kW/340 PS
|Power (kW)/Power (PS)
|6.2 s
|Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h
|5.9 s
|Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h with Sport Chrono Package
|245 km/h
|Top speed
|1,983 mm
|4,918 mm
Power unit
Engine layout
Front engine
Number of cylinders
Fuel grade
84.5 mm
89.0 mm
2,995 cm³
Power (kW)
250 kW
Power (PS)
RPM range maximum power
5,300 - 6,400 r/min
Max. torque
450 Nm
RPM range maximum torque
1,340 - 5,300 r/min
Max. output per liter (PS/l)
114.00 PS/l
Fuel consumption urban
11.4 - 11.3 l/100 km
Fuel consumption non-urban
7.9 - 7.8 l/100 km
Fuel consumption combined
9.2 - 9.1 l/100 km
CO2 emissions combined
210 - 207 g/km
Emission standard
Euro 6d-TEMP-EVAP-ISC
Particulate filter
Driveline layout
Automatic transmission
8-speed Tiptronic S
Chassis and suspension
Front axle
Aluminium multi-link front axle
Rear axle
Aluminium multi-link rear axle
Four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at front, discs internally ventilated, Two-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at rear, discs internally ventilated
Stability program
Vehicle stability system
Wheels front
8,5Jx19 ET 47
Tires front
Wheels rear
9,5Jx19 ET 54
Tires rear
Top speed
245 km/h
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph
5.9 s
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h
6.2 s
Acceleration 0 - 160 km/h
14.1 s
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph with Sport Chrono Package
5.6 s
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h with Sport Chrono Package
5.9 s
In-gear acceleration (80-120km/h) (50-75 mph)
4.1 s
Terrain features
Max. clearance between ground and water-sensitive parts (steel suspension)
500 mm
Max. clearance between ground and water-sensitive parts (air suspension, off-road ride height)
530 mm
amp break over angle steel suspension)
18.7 °
Ramp break over angle air suspension (highest level)
21.3 °
Max. ground clearance (steel suspension)
210 mm
Max. ground clearance (air suspension, normal level)
190 mm
Max. ground clearance (air suspension, off-road ride height)
245 mm
4,918 mm
1,983 mm
Width (with mirrors)
2,194 mm
1,696 mm
Drag coefficient (Cd)
0.34 cW
2,895 mm
Front track
1,680 mm
Rear track
1,673 mm
Unladen weight (DIN)
1,985 kg
Unladen weight (EU)
2,060 kg
Permissible gross weight
2,830 kg
Maximum load
845 kg
Rear luggage compartment (with seats folded)
1,710 l
Trunk capacity
770 l
Fuel tank
75 l
You will find detailed information on the
© 2020 Dr. Ing. h.c. F.
* Data determined in accordance with the measurement method required by law. Since 1 September 2017 certain new cars have been type approved in accordance with the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), a more realistic test procedure to measure fuel/electricity consumption and CO₂ emissions. As of 1 September 2018 the WLTP replaced the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Due to the more realistic test conditions, the fuel/electricity consumption and CO₂ emission values determined in accordance with the WLTP will, in many cases, be higher than those determined in accordance with the NEDC. This may lead to corresponding changes in vehicle taxation from 1 September 2018. You can find more information on the difference between WLTP and NEDC at www.porsche.com/wltp.
Currently, we are still obliged to provide the NEDC values, regardless of the type approval process used. The additional reporting of the WLTP values is voluntary until their obligatory use. As far as new cars (which are type approved in accordance with the WLTP) are concerned, the NEDC values will, therefore, be derived from the WLTP values during the transition period. To the extent that NEDC values are given as ranges, these do not relate to a single, individual car and do not constitute part of the offer. They are intended solely as a means of comparing different types of vehicle. Extra features and accessories (attachments, tyre formats, etc.) can change relevant vehicle parameters such as weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamics and, in addition to weather and traffic conditions, as well as individual handling, can affect the fuel/electricity consumption, CO₂ emissions and performance values of a car.
** Important information about the all-electric


text: Die Fledermaus is without doubt Johann Strauss' masterpiece and the quintessential Viennese operetta. In 1874, in the midst of economic and social disaster, Strauss composed this work full of jubilation and vitality, containing some of the repertoire's most famous arias and waltzes. The characters are at a masked ball in Vienna and each of them, in disguise, seeks the exhilaration and exaltation of love and seduction. After several cases of mistaken identity and trickery, 'King Champagne' is blamed by everyone as the reason behind all the pranks. The work, adapted from the French version Le Réveillon, is traditionally performed in Vienna each year on New Year's Eve. Ádám Fischer brings us a Brussels' version.


text:
THE ACTING DIRECTOR General of crisis-engulfed BBC was just a few hours in the job when he started conducting television interviews about his new role but it didn't take long for one to go a bit wrong.
As an interview with Dermot Murnaghan on Sky News came to a close, Tim Davie decided he had enough and walked off the set of the interview rather awkwardly.
It was not the best of starts for the acting head of the BBC who replaced George Entwistle following his resignation on Friday. Entwistle resigned after BBC's Newsnight programme falsely claimed that a Conservative Party peer was a paedophile.
YouTube: guidofawkes
Read: BBC director of news and her deputy 'step aside'


text:
What if there was a new service that created a revenue stream for your business easily and quickly?
What if the equipment and technology required for this new service was simple to use?
What if just about all of your customers could benefit from your new service?
What if the new service took as little as a minute to apply?
What if it had a solid profit margin?
What if the new service was renewable—meaning that you could offer it every year or two to the same customers?
Okay, back to landscape contractor reality, where you know that most what-ifs are just that—what-ifs. However, this what-if is different. This what-if is real. It's so real that it has a name: tree injections. If you learn the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the simple service of injecting and/or infusing insecticides, fungicides, and growth-and-health agents directly into your customer's trees' trunks, you'll be well on the way to being more profitable and you will be distinguishing yourself from your competition.
The who is simple: it's you and your company. It doesn't matter whether you're as big as some of the largest landscape companies or a neophyte with a pickup truck and a single mower. If you have the desire to generate additional revenue—but equally as important, you want to do a service for your clients—this could be an answer.
The what and why is a longer answer, but it has everything to do with trees; how to keep them healthy and free of disease, fungus, and especially, pests that can weaken and kill them.
Trees are beautiful. They turn carbon dioxide into oxygen to cleanse the atmosphere, they give us wood and shade, and make landscapes out of flatscapes.
Alas, trees have enemies.
Not just we humans, who want to turn them into lumber, firewood, and paper, but also adversaries that can sometimes only be seen with the help of a high-powered microscope. Pests and diseases— many of them foreign invaders with no natural predators that have made their way to this country in shipments of other goods—are ready to attack and kill trees of all different kinds.
For example, recent years have brought devastating infestations of the emerald ash borer, a beetle from China whose larvae feed on the inner bark layers (the xylem and phloem) of ash trees. The emerald borer interferes with a tree's ability to move water and nutrients up and down the tree.
During the last decade, emerald ash borer infestations have exploded. It has already destroyed millions of trees in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Quebec, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, according to government sources. Untreated, many ash trees attacked by the emerald ash borer will be half-denuded in two years, and dead within four years.
But the emerald ash borer is by no means the only insect enemy that trees face. Asian longhorn beetles, elm bark beetles, and gypsy moths are others. There are also dangerous pathogens and molds like Phytophthora ramorum—the mold behind sudden oak death so prevalent in the Pacific Northwest and California.
According to Doc Picard, technical director at American Lawn and Tree Arborists in Troy, Michigan, a firm that recently celebrated its 111th birthday, most trees that aren't under insect attack do just fine. "Trees are sturdy," Picard says. But just as human diets can change, soil conditions at the base of the tree can change, too. Like with humans, an extra infusion can help trees thrive. How does one bring medicine and nutrition to trees that need them?
We people can swallow pills, but trees have roots, not mouths. It's certainly possible to apply fertilizer, anti-fungals, and anti-insect products in a drench to the soil in the hope that an ailing tree will absorb them. One can also spray a tree from below, though spray is hardly a targeted application.
That said, tree injections and implants, which act much the same way as human injections of antibiotics
or vitamins, are a more targeted approach to promoting tree health. There are a few companies that manufacture and distribute delivery systems designed to get pesticides, anti-fungals, or fertilizers directly into that layer of just-under-the-bark xylem and phloem that serves as a tree's bloodstream.
The how of each company's approach is a little different. Some have a technician—that is, you or someone that has been trained from your crew—drill past the outer bark, insert a tube, and then have the tree absorb helpful chemicals from a container attached to that tube.
Another approach is the equivalent of a hypodermic needle, where chemicals are injected into the tree under pressure. Another method is to hand-punch a small hole through the bark, insert a portal tip, and then administer the material.
Part of the "how" of tree injections means learning about trees and their problems. Eric Bristol, marketing manager at Arborjet, Woburn, Massachusetts, emphasizes that while the injection process is simple, injecting can't be done indiscriminately. "You can get into the business for as little as $600 in equipment and supplies," he says. "And you might be able to charge $7 to $12 per diameter inch of the tree to be treated. But if you inject a tree in the wrong season of the year, you're not helping your customers at all."
Injections into an ailing tree don't need to be massive. Todd Dodds, president of Mauget, Arcadia, California, underscores that you'll be adding concentrated amounts of liquid. "We aim at chest height, and space our injections around the tree every two inches. For a tree with a circumference of 24 inches, there would be 12 injections. Each one takes just a minute or so to do."
No matter what the method, Chip Doolittle, president of ArborSystems, Lincoln, Nebraska, says that the goal is to have as little negative impact on the tree as possible. "You're aiming for a xylem and phloem zone that's no thicker than a credit card," he explains. "With the right training, it is not hard to hit."
The when of tree injections is something you will learn with training and experience. Doolittle reminds us that timing the injection is not just a matter of the season, but also of local weather conditions. "In a time of high humidity, there's not going to be much internal nutrient translocation going on in the tree; same thing with nighttime. Prime time is between nine in the morning and three in the afternoon."
Where can tree injections be effective and profitable for you? Both residential and the commercial properties from coast to coast all have trees that could profit from a nutritional booster or pesticide/ fungicide treatment. Fertilizer application, particularly, can show quick and remarkable results, say Jacob Trom, in charge of landscape design sales at Nierman Landscape and Design in Woodstock, Illinois.
"I have a white oak on my own property," he relates. "In 2009, it was four inches in diameter at the base. I injected it with a fertilizer solution just to see what would happen. Within two days—and that is no exaggeration—the tree greened up considerably. The leaves got noticeably bigger within a week. I have to admin, the dramatic results surprised me."
Nierman added tree injections to its landscape services menu in 2009, as the emerald ash borer invasion penetrated its territory. "We wanted people to know that there's way to fight back." Trom declares. "We want people to know that there's a way to fight back." Trom admits that the initial response was "iffy," but that with additional promotion, tree injection has become a real profit center. FOr American Lawn and Tree Arborists, it has been profitable for a long time.
"We have a lead arborist who identifies trees that need help," Picard says. "And then, we've got someone on every crew who's trained in injection application. We use every system that's available, depending on the judgment of the arborist."
Before embarking for the first time into the arena of pesticide and fungicide tree injections, it's advisable to check in with state and local authorities, to be sure that you have any necessary certifications or permits. Some states and government districts may require pesticide applicator certification or other documentation.
Tree injections can be good for trees, bad for disease and pests, and excellent for you bottom line. Now that you know the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the service, think hard about adding it to your landscaping repertoire.


text: Hi there. When I attempt to forward or hit 'Send' to send an e-mail I receive a 404 error message in the right 'mail' frame (the left frame with the folders remains). I have a feeling it might have something to do with squirrelmail not talking to nginx properly but I am unsure what steps to take to resolve. Thanks


text:
IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to promoting women engineers and scientists.
The mission of IEEE WIE is to facilitate the recruitment and retention of women in technical disciplines globally.
IEEE WIE envisions a vibrant community of IEEE women and men collectively using their diverse talents to innovate for the benefit of humanity.
IEEE WIE strives to:


text:
Age defying: JABA's hippie CEO
Gordon Walker is usually photographed in a suit, appropriate attire for the CEO of the Jefferson Area Board for Aging, the chairman of the Albemarle School Board, and a grandfather.
He shows up for an interview at JABA in jeans, denim shirt, and wearing an earring.
Walker seems to like defying stereotypes.
For instance, on the School Board, he represents the Samuel Miller District, hotbed of Ivyites who scream at any suggestion they'll be redistricted out of Meriwether Lewis or Murray elementaries.
Walker lives in more laid-back Batesville. "That's a big difference from Ivy," he notes the obvious.
And 30 years ago, what drew a young man to make a career out of helping those getting old?
"I was raised by a grandmother who left a teaching job to come take care of four boys," Walker says, adding, "under 10. I want people in the last years of life to live in comfort and dignity."
Even as a mere whelp himself, Walker, an aide to California's Senator John Tunney in the early 1970s, worked on the Senate Committee on Aging.
By 1981, at the ripe old age of 34, he came to Charlottesville to run JABA. Now, with its four Senior Centers, three apartment complexes and many other services, JABA has helped make the area a magnet for retirees. Walker rejects as myth the suggestion that older people are well-off, and points to black women in rural areas, where one in three live in poverty.
"I view aging as a woman's issue," he says. "They outlive men, have lower incomes, and you don't get Social Security for being a mom."
And he's serious about it, asking a reporter about her (nonexistent) retirement plan. Gulp.
Two retirements loom in Walker's future: his own from the School Board– he decided not to seek a second term– and that of school Superintendent Kevin Castner, who at age 57 will step down to ponder the next stage of his life. That means Walker has to find a new superintendent before both he and Castner leave in December.
Walker says Albemarle's search will be "significantly" different from Charlottesville's, which came under attack this spring for relying too heavily on a head-hunting firm. "We'll seek input from a variety of stakeholders: teachers, parents...We don't need a special committee."
He's encouraged by preliminary discussions with the Virginia School Boards Association. "Their belief is that because Albemarle is in such good shape, there will be a significant number of qualified applicants," Walker says. He expects to advertise in August and name Castner's successor by November 1.
Walker, who had a daughter in the school system and whose wife is a teacher, ran for the county School Board with two goals. One was increasing teacher pay– 20 percent over the past two years. The other was improving the quality of food– particularly to "get the crap out of the vending machines."
The latter was the more controversial decision and did not necessarily increase his popularity among soda-swilling, Twinkie-popping students. "It was more of a struggle than I thought," he recalls, "but I feel good about it."
And Walker's own retirement plans? "In my head, how to design a retirement community for old hippies," he replies.
He could be on to something.
Age: 58
Why here? Vermont-like mountains without the cold
What's worst about living here? Poorly planned growth
Favorite hangout? Hangout? What does that mean? Hanging on is hard enough.
Most overrated virtue? "Silence is golden." Speaking out is healthy.
People would be surprised to know: I was an altar boy.
What would you change about yourself? I'd be better able to remember names.
Proudest accomplishment? A 2:32 Boston Marathon
People find most annoying about you: Being late
Whom do you admire? Bobby Kennedy
Favorite book? Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
Subject that causes you to rant? School lunch menus
Biggest 21st-century thrill? Buying a cottage in Vermont
Biggest 21st-century creep out? Bush being elected– twice!
What do you drive? A 10-year-old Lexus
In your car CD player right now: Bob Marley– Exodus
Next journey? Vermont
Most trouble you've ever gotten in? Feeding Ex-lax to my ninth-grade music teacher's dog
Regret: Not getting to know my parents better
Favorite comfort food: Homemade chocolate chip cookies
Always in your refrigerator: Soy milk, ripe olives, tofu
Must-see TV: West Wing
Favorite cartoon: South Park
Describe a perfect day. A good run in the a.m., a day at the beach, dinner out, and dancing with my wife
Walter Mitty fantasy: Being a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
Who'd play you in the movie? Tim Robbins
Most embarrassing moment? Losing my bathing suit while surfing in San Diego
Best advice you ever got? Always have your reach exceed your grasp.
Favorite bumper sticker? Question authority.
Gordon Walker


text:
Madu Crystal Earrings by DYRBERG/KERN. French hook ear posts created with Swarovski® crystals. Presented with signature gift packaging.
- Diameter: 8 mm
- Drop: 18 mm
- Gold finish
- Collection: MADU
- Category: Earrings
- Brand: Dyrberg/Kern
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Delivery to the UK Mainland & Northern Ireland
We offer FREE UK mainland and Northern Ireland delivery as standard and it will appear as such on your basket & order confirmation which is e-mailed to you upon completion. MORE
UK Special Delivery
If your item is time sensitive or required by the next day we recommend that you select "Special Delivery" at checkout, this option is available after you have entered your postcode. MORE
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If you require your item to be delivered before 1.00 p.m on a Saturday, please select "Saturday Delivery" at checkout before midday on Friday, this option is available after you have entered your postcode. MORE
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Orders placed before 1.00 p.m. Monday to Thursday are processed and dispatched same day, by royal mail "internationally signed for", all packages will require a signature upon delivery. MORE
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Jewellery4.com hope you are delighted with your order. If however, for any reason, you're not completely satisfied with your purchase we offer a no-quibble money back guarantee. MORE
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At Jewellery4.com, our aim is your satisfaction. We gladly accept returns or exchanges within 14-days of you receiving your order. MORE
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We use Feefo to gather impartial feedback from our customers and have received their highest accolade "Gold Trusted Merchant Award" for 3 consecutive years!
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What does it take to create a brand that resonates with beauty and sensuality in the hearts and minds of women all around the world? It usually takes someone with exceptional talent, vision, passion and perseverance. Created by hand, each piece of DYRBERG/KERN jewellery goes through as many as 40 different processes before the magical moment finally happens – it meets your eye and love takes over...
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text:
Health insurer Humana Inc. spent about $323,000 last year letting incoming CEO Bruce Broussard use company aircraft to commute to work.
The Louisville, Ky., company said the expense was part of its employment agreement with Broussard, according to an annual proxy statement filed Monday with regulators. The 50-year-old executive joined Humana as president in late 2011 and became CEO on Jan. 1, 2013, replacing long-standing chief executive Michael McCallister.
Companies routinely spend about $200,000 on travel for top executives aboard company aircraft, said Charles Elson, director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware. But he said that figure normally includes trips to meetings, events or hard-to-reach company locations.
He called the total spent on Broussard's commute a big number.
"Part of becoming a CEO means you move to the place where the company's located," he said. "They pay you enough to do that."
Humana's agreement with Broussard allows him to use the company aircraft to commute from his residence to corporate headquarters, according to the proxy filing. That deal ends Aug. 31, or when Broussard moves to Louisville.
The proxy did not say where Broussard currently lives. A company representative declined to comment on that and other questions about the expense when contacted by The Associated Press.
Elson said Broussard and Humana may have a good reason for the expense. But it also could send the wrong message to people coming to work for the company, since Humana likely wouldn't allow others the same expense.
"If the CEO's compensation scheme becomes too divorced from the rest of the organization, you create all kinds of incentive problems," he said.
Last year as president, Broussard received total compensation valued at nearly $2.9 million. That included a $900,000 salary, a performance-related bonus of $1.3 million, and $631,154 in other compensation. The commuting expense was included in the "other" category.
In contrast, McCallister, who still serves as company chairman, received total compensation valued at $8.4 million.
Humana is the nation's fifth largest health insurer and one of the biggest providers of Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of the government's Medicare program for the elderly and disabled.
The company's earnings fell 14 percent last year to $1.22 billion, or $7.47 per share, compared with 2011. Revenue climbed more than 6 percent to $39.13 billion. Humana shares also sank 22 percent last year to close at $68.63, while the Standard and Poor's 500 index climbed more than 13 percent.
Humana shares fell $1.03 in Monday trading to close at $66.85. That's down about 2.5 percent since the start of the year.


text:
Great article Julie. In the last couple of months I've had to deal with some miscellaneous health issues with my parents -- nothing serious but each incident is a good reminder of how fragile our bodies can become and how important it is to completely grasp the in and outs of one's healthcare plans.
How to Compare Medicare Part D Plans: A Beginner's Guide
Prescription drug coverage can sometimes feel overwhelming. I know — I recently navigated an authorization process for my teenage son's acne medication that took several phone calls and 10 days to complete. And I'm not alone in feeling stressed about prescription coverage — according to a recent survey conducted by Walgreens, 37% of the more than 31.5 million people enrolled in prescription drug plan Medicare Part D worry about their prescription drug costs. And 20% say they've made sacrifices to help manage costs, such as delaying the filling of a prescription or skipping doses.
Moreover, while most beneficiaries surveyed say they have a clear understanding of their current plan benefits, many don't understand that there can be several differences between plans. Only half realize that copay amounts may vary by pharmacy. And 24% are not sure whether their plan offers a preferred pharmacy option, which can offer cost savings above and beyond network pharmacies. Although Part D Plans must meet certain standards, these plans are not all the same. Nationally, there are hundreds of different plans. But thankfully, you do not need to compare this many — there are generally 20-30 plans available in a given service area.
In short, if you have Medicare Part D, you might be paying more than you need to. This article can help you understand plan features relating to coverage and cost so you can make an informed plan decision.
Cost Factors
Here are cost factors to consider when you compare Medicare Part D plans.
Monthly Premiums
You pay a fixed monthly premium for your Medicare Part D Plan.
Yearly Deductible
You must reach the annual deductible before the plan covers any of your prescription drug costs. Some plans have a deductible of $0, so initial coverage starts immediately.
You share in the costs of your prescription drugs with the Part D Plan by making a copayment (set amount for each prescription) or paying a coinsurance amount (a percentage of the cost of the drug).
Each plan has a formulary, or list of drugs covered by the plan.
Within the formulary, drugs are assigned to tiers. Cost-sharing arrangements (either copayment or coinsurance) are based on the drug tier. Typically, there are tiers for preferred and non-preferred generic drugs, preferred and non-preferred brand-name drugs, and specialty drugs.
Network Pharmacies
Part D Plans may have a list of pharmacies inside their networks. Prescriptions may be covered only if you use a network pharmacy.
Preferred Pharmacies
Some plans have preferred pharmacies that offer lower prices, beyond the plan savings available at network pharmacies. Using a preferred network pharmacy may potentially save beneficiaries hundreds of dollars per year in copay costs.
Gap Coverage
The gap — also known as the "donut hole" — in coverage happens when you reach a certain amount in prescription drug costs ($2,970 in 2013). After that point, you must pay out of pocket until you reach the minimum for catastrophic coverage. Some plans offer special discounts when you are in the coverage gap. (Note that the Affordable Care Act has provisions to close this gap — see details at healthcare.gov.)
Quality Factors
There are many quality factors to consider when choosing a plan. Medicare rates plans based on a five-star system, taking into account:
- Responsiveness to pharmacist calls
- Timeliness in handling appeals
- Complaints about the drug plan
- Ease of getting prescriptions filled
- Accuracy in providing drug pricing information to the Medicare website
Plan Comparisons
You can compare Medicare Part D Plans by using the Medicare Plan Finder (an interactive tool on the Medicare.gov website) and evaluating materials provided by plan sponsors.
To use the Medicare tool, having the following information is useful (but not required) to finding and sorting through your options:
- Your zip code, which helps find plans offered in your area plus gives you cost information by pharmacy
- Your Medicare number for a personalized search of plans
- The type of Medicare coverage you have and the type of assistance, if any, that you receive
- Names of prescription drugs you currently use along with dosage amounts, quantity per prescription, refill frequency, and whether the drug is filled at a retail or mail-order pharmacy
- Your preference among a list of nearby pharmacies (you can choose two pharmacies at a time to compare Medicare Part D costs)
By following the prompts, you will get a list of plans available in your area. You can screen the plans in various categories; for example, ask to see only those plans with your prescription drugs on their formulary by selecting "have all my drugs on formulary" under "Select Drug Option."
Choose plans from the results to compare details including monthly premiums, deductibles, estimated annual costs of drugs at a retail pharmacy, and ratings. Note that drug costs are listed by pharmacy name and vary depending on the pharmacy's status within the plan.
Comparing plans is not simple, though the interactive tool provided by Medicare is extremely useful. To further help Medicare Part D participants understand their plans and control costs, Walgreens has launched the You're Worth Savings initiative to educate Medicare beneficiaries on ways to get the most from their plan and save as much as 75% on prescription drug costs using three easy steps:
- Review your Medicare Part D plan.
- Talk to a Walgreens pharmacist about cost concerns and ways you might be able to save. You can schedule a free appointment directly online.
- Compare copay and other costs against your current plan and pharmacy.
Armed with an understanding of Part D Plan costs and terminology plus knowledge about your specific plan, you can have a meaningful and enlightening conversation with a pharmacist about possible ways to save money on prescription drugs.
Below are more detailed results from the Medicare survey. Are you surprised by these findings?
This post was made possible by support from Walgreens. Walgreens is in the network of hundreds of Medicare prescription drug plans and participates in the preferred networks of four national Part D sponsors. The company offers savings of up to 75% on prescription copays over select pharmacies for a number of plans in which it is a preferred pharmacy.


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You are sitting on your workstation, wondering if your skills are getting dated. You try to update your resume and are hit by the hard truth: "You haven't learnt anything
We have already discussed how you can identify your personal strengths in this other blog (link to Identifying Your Personal Strengths blog post). However, it is equally important to beThis post is part 5 of 3 in the series Job Hunting
It is that time of the year when a lot of us will be going through annual evaluations at our workplaces. There will possibly be some increments and some disappointments.This post is part 7 of 3 in the series Job Hunting
The Coronavirus pandemic is bigger than anybody expected. Although the UK has quite a small number of cases, the rest of Europe is struggling to cope and shutting its borders
In the modern world, relationships are more important but more complicated than ever. Social media means that we form relationships with people that we've never met. It means that we
These days we are so glued to our phones, tablets and other devices that we often forget to look around us and enjoy the real world. But, before bashing our
Was it always your goal to be able to work from home? Less time wasted in traffic jams means more spent on the things you love doing. While working from
Entrepreneurs must always look after their company's financial health. However, it's important to get in shape yourself too. While entrepreneurship is certainly rewarding, the demands of running a business take
In the world of content marketing, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – that is more important than the consistent availability, quality, and presentation of written content. Words are the
Rejection is unfortunately an unavoidable part of any job search. With many companies always looking for different qualities, it is simply not possible for you to be the ideal candidateThis post is part 1 of 18 in the series Coping with Defeat
telephone interview
How to Succeed in a Telephone Interview – Like a ProPosted in: All Featured Articles, Best Of, Freelancer, Graduate, Professional Tags: interview, interview preparation, telephone interview
Your telephone interview will be much more successful if you follow thisThis post is part 1 of 21 in the series Interview Preparation
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"Fujitsu has a great ability to respond to new requirements at short notice. Its agile, collaborative approach made what could have been a very painful process seamless"
Jon Wensley, IT Vendor Manager, BP
BP is a British multinational oil and gas company headquartered in London. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by 2011 revenues. The company has a market capitalisation of approximately $232 billion, annual revenues of $284 billion, and profit of over $17.3 billion per annum. Today it has over 97,600 employees and produces nearly 2.4 million barrels of crude oil and 8.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas every day. It operates over 24,100 service stations worldwide.
Like any other business, large or small, BP must refresh its technology platforms to keep up with new advances. This means ensuring that the latest operating system is available to all its employees, regardless of location. Following the release of Windows 7, BP created its own build of the software dubbed Voyager and intended to roll it out to 10,500 users across Europe. It needed the right partner to ensure this massive deployment was both successful and cost-effective.
"We have to keep in line with modern developments on the desktop and that means installing the latest operating systems to achieve full functionality," explains Jon Wensley, IT Vendor Manager, BP. "However, we run numerous different applications, many of which are customised for the oil industry, so we need to ensure these integrate with any new platform. We also have employees based in remote and inaccessible locations that need to be reached as part of the programme."
Fujitsu was an existing hardware partner of BP's in Europe with an existing team of dedicated engineers and so was invited to tender for the business. Its promise to deliver $600,000 of savings compared to the previous year's desktop support combined with its knowledge of the company and a large geographical scope secured the contract.
"Fujitsu had the flexibility and agility that this project demanded. It also had the ability to deliver service in a wide variety of locations, from the centre of major metropolises to the deserts of Kazakhstan," adds Wensley. "From our previous experience of working with Fujitsu, we knew we would be in safe hands despite the challenging nature of the deployment."
BP and Fujitsu worked together to identify the order in which each country would be targeted over the course of a two year installation programme. Each country had specific requirements around data retention policy that also had to be taken into account. Installations would consist of a mixture of deploying new laptops and PCs and upgrading existing devices with extra memory to cope with the new software.
"It was an incredibly complicated situation with numerous variables to take into account. Typically, the Fujitsu engineers would arrive and begin a staggered process of taking a device, transferring the existing data to an external drive, installing Windows 7 and then putting the data back on," continues Wensley. "This would take a few hours so in a country such as Germany with 2,500 users; the entire migration process took almost two years. This required detailed planning to minimise the disruption to the business."
During the transition, BP asked Fujitsu to include an encryption capability, which added further layers of complexity. Nevertheless, the project is being completed on time and on budget, providing a seamless migration to Windows 7. The success of the project to date has also encouraged BP to contract Fujitsu to update the software and drivers on a quarterly basis as well as become involved in new projects.
"The Voyager project covered mainland Europe but, more recently, we decided to run a similar scheme in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South America," comments Wensley. "Following an electronic auction, Fujitsu secured the business in these regions."
Fujitsu also won another contract to upgrade the operating environments on its shipping fleet. This involves integrating 30 specialist applications and replacing hardware within a tightly defined timeframe. When ships are in dock at Dubai, Singapore or Spain, there is only a small window for the Fujitsu engineers to operate before the ship departs on its next journey.
Fujitsu has ensured that BP can enjoy the full benefits of running Windows 7 without disrupting the business. Its ability to deliver results on time in complex environments and flexibly address the myriad challenges has made it the preferred partner for software support within BP.
"As an example, BP's refining plant in Rotterdam is in operation 24/7 – any downtime can result in millions of pounds worth of losses," says Wensley. "The nature of the environment is also challenging with health and safety issues to be considered. Therefore, Fujitsu's timing had to be impeccable in order to migrate all users without impacting production."
From three users in Venezuela to 3,000 users in the UK, Fujitsu is helping deliver a new software platform that will increase productivity and add functionality. Its global reach is providing economies of scale that give BP the best value for money.
"Fujitsu has a great ability to respond to new requirements at short notice. Its agile, collaborative approach made what could have been a very painful process seamless. With Europe now on stream with the new platform, we are continuing to work together around the world to deliver Windows 7."
Download the BP case study (338 KB/A4, 2 pages)
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肋 drawing practice (6 strokes)
Kanshudo Kanji Drawing
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The C.D. Howe Institute offers a corrective to those worried about corporations' growing cash hoards. The Toronto-based think tank points out that inventories and accounts receivable have shrunk by even more than cash has increased. So it may not be a case of corporations losing confidence in the future. What may be happening instead is that corporations are submitting one (more liquid) for another (less liquid) form of financial asset, without much altering their underlying business behavior.
Well worth reading and thinking about.


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DHS Fusion Center Admits Photographer Is Covered By 1st Amendment But Just Doesn't Like The Way He Treats Officers
from the rights-apparently-dependent-on-compliant-behavior dept
The uselessness of the Department of Homeland Security's Fusion Centers has been detailed here before, but they've never been quite as useless as this. Here's the backstory, from Carlos Miller at Photography Is Not A Crime.
All Jeff Gray has been trying to do is ensure law enforcement officers honor the oath they swore to the Constitution upon receiving their badge, which is why he routinely video records them in public for his Youtube channel, HONORYOUROATH.When not recording interactions with cops, Gray also photographs publicly-visible structures like government buildings and prisons -- the sort of photography that has been equated with terrorism by the DHS.
But that has led him to become the subject of an active investigation by the Florida Fusion Center, a collusion of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies encouraging citizens to rat on each other for taking too many pictures or asking too many questions.
Gray sent FOIA requests to several law enforcement agencies for anything they may have collected on his photography and recording efforts. Some requests didn't produce any documents, but others he obtained show that law enforcement agencies clearly don't know how to solve a problem like Jeff.
The most ridiculous document Jeff Gray obtained was from a DHS Fusion Center. Here's the Center's rationale for treating Gray with suspicion: He's clearly covered by the First Amendment. We just don't like his attitude.
On 06-23-2013, units with CCSO were dispatched to CCA, a private prison located within Columbia County, after being contacted by prison staff in reference to a suspicious person. The Subject was recording and or taking pictures of the front as he was standing on a public access across the street from the prison. Once confronted by prison staff the subject only stated that he was an independent journalist and was doing a story on the prison system. The subject refused to stop videoing after being asked to do so by prison staff. During the confrontation the subject referred to his first amendment right to be there and continued to question and press the staff to give him a reason why he could not record the outside of the facility. Once law enforcement arrived, the subject was asked for identification, the subject asked if he was being detained and once told that he was not he refused to provide ID to law enforcement. Ultimately the situation was diffused and the subject left. The subject later posted the videos of his encounters with the prison staff and CCSO Deputies on YouTube and on another website called photography is not a crime.com. This subject is exercising his first amendment rights, however the manner in which he lures the officers in is concerning.To paraphrase Homer Simpson: it takes two to lure, one to lure and one to overreact to the utter lack of criminal activity. But the Fusion Center obviously believes that, First Amendment or no, Gray should be checked out because he's making police officers, prison staff and government agents looks bad with his "manner."
On the bright side (I guess…), the Fusion Center's "investigation" apparently involved little more than rigorously browsing the internet.
The following information has been learned from viewing the mentioned website and the subject's YouTube account.The findings? Gray urges people to "flex their rights," and publicly calls out (via YouTube postings) officers who fail to respect his rights. Troubling stuff, but not for the reason the DHS thinks.
Beyond the DHS's belief that Gray's attitude should somehow nullify his rights, other troubling info was uncovered as well.
Gray also obtained a series of field intelligence reports from the St. Johns Sheriff's Office regarding his video activity. One of the reports includes an incident when he was visited by the Florida Department of Children and Families after they claimed they received an anonymous tip that he had guns in his home, which is not a crime and not even a secret considering Gray is very open about his gun ownership.I guess the lesson here is that "luring" cops and security guards through the open exercise of your rights is all the reason needed for law enforcement and government agencies to open investigations. The implication that there's something more wrong with Gray's "luring" than there is with law enforcement's response is ridiculous. Law enforcement officers certainly don't need to "flex" their misguided muscle when confronted with a citizen "flexing" their rights. One is wholly optional while the other is actually protected activity.
But that didn't stop DCF from interviewing his children at school without his knowledge before paying him a visit at home, which he video recorded and posted on Youtube, as well as his follow-up phone conversation with the investigator that his children were not in any imminent danger, so there was no need to further investigate him.
This lousy spin attempt from the Fusion Center does nothing to improve the reputation of this national travesty. Maybe next time, officers could just walk away and not become YouTube fodder. But they can't seem to help themselves, and the DHS seems to believe it's all Gray's fault.
Filed Under: 1st amendment, dhs, fusion center, jeff gray, photographers


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Gucci Mane Not Feelin Jay-Z? "Jay-Z Is The Best Rapper Alive, Thats A LIE"! [Audio]
Gucci Mane "Jay-Z is the best rapper alive, That's a lie". Shout out to Mr. Exclusive!
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Hello Everyone!
If we haven't already met, I'd like to tell you a little about myself. I'm a publicist| poet| artist| mindfulness teacher| and citizen journalist. I've published two poetry books on Kindle so far both Cancer Poetry collections ( Cancer Poetry and Cancer Poetry II) a third book, Cancer Poetry III is in the works. My poetry appears worldwide in Anthologies and literary magazines.
I'm currently organizing a poetry anthology with the help of my poetic friends as a charity fundraiser and to publicize freecharitycars.org. It will be available soon. I hope this Poetry Anthology will not only help me promote freecharitycars.org but may help myself and others win much needed cars.
My user id for freecharitycars.org is http://www.freecharitycars.org/user/cindi-silva/
Featured on my blog are mindfulness meditation tips; a list of the best books including books I have publicized; my virtual cafe featuring poetry readings. I often post poetry (for more poetry please check out my blog: http://cindisilvapoetryandprose.wordpress.com/)
You will also find events I am organizing for 100 Thousand Poets for Change, and opportunities to publicize and promote your book(s).
I've also started a weekly feature on Worldwide Hippies Sunday Virtual Cafe and posting here.
Please blog and share with your friends on facebook, twitter, Pininterest.
Cindi Silva|
tags: best| books on kindle| free Kindle downloads| Kindle Nation| www.amazon.com/| kindle| amazon.com| amazon.com/kindle| publicist| poet| poetry| Youtube| best books blog| best books| best mystery books blog| best mystery thrillers on kindle| kindle book reviews| thriller| thrillers| 2011| 2012| 2013| 2014| best mysteries| best mystery| best mysteries| 2011| 2012| kindle| best cancer poetry| cancer| resources| occupy humanity| 100tpc.org| worldwide| hippies| poetry| worldwide| hippies|


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difference between moods of MS and other player (f2k)
Posted: 05 Mar 2017, 01:21
We don't have much MOOD tags set, so we're new and inexperienced :-)
Code: Select all
VERSION: MADSONIC 6.2 | BUILD: 9080.619dd31.20161222.0327
REST: MADSONIC REST API v2.5.0, SUBSONIC REST API v1.14.0
OS: Linux 3.10.77 #8451 SMP Wed Jan 4 00:31:32 CST 2017 x86_64 GNU/Linux
SERVER: jetty/8.y.z-SNAPSHOT, java 1.8.0_121, Linux 3.10.77 (amd64)
HOST: Synology NAS 1815+ (DSM 6.0.2-8451 Update 9) | CPU: INTEL Atom C2538| ARCH: X64 | MEMORY: 6GB | HDD: 36TB, RAID6
BROWSER: FF 51.x
CLIENT: see browser
DESCRIPTION: as in the topic's subject
REPRODUCIBLE: Quite often
logged in as admin
Read and converted to id3v2.4: [FAQ] Moods
Read: Moods. How to use?
Those are the MOODs, shown by foobar2000:
<MOOD> : «multiple values» Upbeat; Elex; Vibrant Music; Sexy; Retro; Moody; Chill; Astonished; Very sad; Smooth; Mellow; Funky; Flirty; Hot; Dreamy; Eclectic; Extremely serene; happy; Easy Listening
This is shown by madsonic: Questions:
Why so many differences?
What tags are used by madsonic for creating the list of moods?


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SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Dmitry Kulikov scored at 1:43 of overtime and the Florida Panthers beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Saturday.
Kulikov's shot from the right circle beat Martin Brodeur on the far side and was his first goal of the season.
Shawn Matthias scored two goals for the Panthers and Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves.
The Panthers have won two in a row at home for the first time this season.
Steve Bernier scored two goals for the Devils and Brodeur stopped 27 shots. The Devils have lost three straight.
Matthias' second goal tied the game at 2 with 27 seconds left in regulation. He grabbed a rebound in front of the crease and wristed it past Brodeur.
Matthias has a career-high 14 goals and 11 in the past 16 games. Matthias also had two goals in Thursday's 5-4 shootout win over Buffalo.
Tied at 1, Bernier scored his second goal at 7:57 of the third on a power play. Henrik Tallinder took a shot from the high slot and Bernier deflected it into the net to give the Devils a 2-1 lead.
Bernier hadn't scored a goal since March 2 at Buffalo and this was his first multi-goal game since Feb. 3 at the New York Islanders.
The Devils took a 1-0 lead on Bernier's first goal. The Panthers turned the puck over on a pass from behind the net and Bernier backhanded in a pass from Ryan Carter at 3:42 of the first.
The Panthers tied it at 1 on a power-play goal by Matthias. Jonathan Huberdeau took a shot from the right circle and Matthias deflected it in at 12:55.
Notes: Panthers RW George Parros returned from an upper-body injury. — Panthers F Greg Rallo was reassigned to AHL San Antonio. — The previous time the Devils visited the Panthers they eliminated them from the opening round of the playoffs with a 3-2 double-overtime win in Game 7.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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Bike Routes to Ocean Campus
Bike Routes to Ocean Campus
Please note: These routes can help get you started. As you bike to campus, you will undoubtedly discover your own preferred tricks and side streets. You can also view a map of city-wide bike routes (which includes the bike lanes and paths that connect to these routes) at http://www.sfbike.org/maps Another important resource is talking to your fellow cyclists about their routes. Ask other CCSF riders how they get to school; you'll find a route that is right for your comfort and speed.
From the Northwest
Outer Sunset:
Take 34th Ave. south, turn left onto Sloat Blvd, right on 21st Ave., left on Ocean Ave and follow it until making a left on Phelan Ave.
Take 20th Ave. south, turn right on Wawona for one block then and quickly left into Stern Grove Park at 21st Ave. After crossing Stern Grove and Sloat Ave, continue south to Ocean Ave, turn left on Ocean and follow it until making a left on Phelan Ave.
Inner Sunset:
Take 6th Ave. south, make a right on Kirkham, then a left on 7th Ave. which turns into Laguna Honda. Follow Laguna Honda until veering right onto Dewey, then left on Claremont, right on Portola, then left on Santa Clara which turns into Monterey. Follow Monterey until making a right onto Gennesee which will lead you into the north side of campus.
From the Northeast, Mission, SOMA, Downtown
Take the Valencia St. bike lane south, turn right onto the Tiffany St. bike boulevard, turn right onto 29th St., then a quick left onto San Jose Ave. Follow the San Jose bike lane until the Arlington/Wilder/Bosworth exit (follow bike lane). Follow Wilder to Diamond, turn left onto Diamond and right onto Monterey. Follow Monterey straight onto Circular Ave. From Circular Ave., you can either turn right on Hearst, left on Gennesee, and head into the north side of campus, or follow Circular until you can turn right on Marston Ave which will lead you into campus from the east side. (Please note that the return route to the Mission is different and can be a bit trickier. Riders who are less comfortable riding in heavy traffic may want to try riding back on Circular to Monterey to Diamond in Glen Park then over Chenery (see www.sfbike.org/maps). Otherwise, riders more comfortable in heavy traffic can follow Circular back to Monterey, go straight on Monterey towards Glen Park for a block, then take a right onto the overpass marked San Jose Ave. North. After cycling over the overpass, and a short stretch of San Jose with no bike lanes, the San Jose bike lane will begin and carry you into the Mission.)
From the Southeast
Take Bayshore Blvd. north, turn left and follow Silver Ave. Take a left onto the Alemany Blvd. bike lane (or alternately, take quiet Cayuga which is one block west), take a right on Ocean Ave, then a right on Phelan Ave.


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"This is a major green economic initiative, one which will benefit all of Ontario," Smitherman says. "We are determined to maximize the development of the province's green energy sources so we can not only clean up our air, but kick start our economy." The projects, the result of an RFP issued in November, represent an investment of C$1.32 billion and will inject an estimated C$4 million into local economies through land leases and will also create about 2200 direct and indirect jobs, according to the province.
Unlike past RFPs, which focused almost exclusively on price, this competition put more emphasis on mature projects weighted according to permitting progress, turbine accessibility, developer experience and financial strength. Most of the winning bidders are large companies that are major players in the wind and power generation sectors; few seem to expect any significant problems accessing the capital they need to complete the projects, despite tight credit markets. Having a long term power purchase agreement with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the government agency responsible for electric system planning and procurement, helps, says Renewable Energy System Canada's Peter Clibbon, whose company, part of the UK-based RES Group, won contracts for two 99 MW projects.
"It is true there are fewer lenders on the market, but Canadian lenders still are hungry for quality projects. If a project is well assembled, inherently non-contentious, well thought through, as these projects are, we don't anticipate problems." RES Canada's Talbot Wind Farm and Greenwich Wind Farm, each costing C$250 million, will be built in 2010, says Clibbon. The company is in the process of finalising a turbine supply agreement.
The contracts come less than a year after RES Canada, as a partner in St-Laurent Énergies, won power purchase agreements in neighbouring Quebec for 954 MW of wind power. Clibbon expects to be able to bring the experience the company will gain in both provinces to other markets in Canada. "These development projects allow us to basically get a very firm construction reference in Canada. Although our reference in the United States is pretty second to none, having pricing available in Canada is going to be extremely helpful to us and not only as a developer," he says. "We expect the business we've built in Quebec and Ontario will enhance our construction portfolio and allow us to really move out of central Canada and start doing projects out west."
Financing available
Toronto-based Brookfield Renewable Power won a power purchase agreement for its 50.4 MW Gosfield Wind Project in Essex County at the south-western tip of Ontario. Zev Korman, Brookfield's director of investor relations, thinks financing will be available. "Fifty megawatts, I think, is certainly much more financeable than a significantly larger project. It's not a huge project, especially for a company like Brookfield that has 4000 MW in operation," he says. "While I can't really offer any specifics with regard to the financial details, we think something like that is financeable, especially given the quality of the contract that we have in place with the OPA." The company still has to finalise a turbine supply agreement.
Chicago-based Invenergy LLC, a major player in the US wind industry that broke into the Canadian market last year by winning a contract from Hydro-Quebec, is planning to start construction of its 78 MW Raleigh Wind Energy Centre in southern Ontario in the second quarter of the year, says the company's Andrew Flanagan, with operation of the 52 GE Energy 1.5 MW turbines expected by mid-2010. Invenergy is attracted by Ontario's approach to renewables. "When they say they are going to buy something, they buy it. The RFP process is stringent and it takes a lot of energy and effort, but its fair and predictable," he says. "We think that, in the long run, yields the best energy prices for ratepayers."
Kruger Energy, a division of Montreal-based pulp and paper giant Kruger Inc, won a contract for its C$310 million, 101.2 MW Chatham Wind Project in south-western Ontario, with commissioning expected in 2011. Also on the list of winners is SkyPower Corporation, a Toronto developer that got the nod for its 64.5 MW Byran Wind Project in Prince Edward County at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. Commercial operation of the 43 GE Energy 1.5 MW turbines is expected towards the end of 2010, says the company's Aaron Peters.


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The European Space Agency's (ESA) next big project is a step closer to being launch-ready, as scientists in Germany complete the "mating" of Herschel's two most fundamental modules, the cryostat and the service module.
Artist's impression of the observatory out in space.
Credit: ESA
Herschel is an infrared space observatory, scheduled for launch at the end of July 2008. It will carry the largest telescope ever flown in space tuned to study the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies at very long, infrared wavelengths.
ESA scientists hope to use the observatory to find star forming regions, galactic centres, and even to take a closer look at distant planetary systems.
The cryostat will maintain a very low temperature inside the telescope - necessary to protect the sensitive instruments in the harsh and extremely variable space environment. Most of the instruments will be carried inside this section, which the mission planners refer to as the brain of the mission.
The cryostat will be filled with super-fluid helium, which clocks in at just two degrees above absolute zero. There is a further cooling stage in the focal plane units, ESA says, which keeps the instruments at just a third of a degree above absolute zero.
Meanwhile, the rest of the craft is kept relatively warm. The parts of the instruments that don't need to be super chilled, along with all the rest of the equipment for the day to day running of a space observatory, are in the so-called heart of the craft: the service module.
Now that the warm and cold sections have been joined, the almost-completed observatory will go to Astrium and then to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre for functional, compatibility, and environmental testing. Provided it aces all of that, it will be combined with the telescope and solar arrays before heading to French Guiana for its launch.
The craft will be blasted into space aboard an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle. The rocket will also be carrying ESA's Planck mission, which aims to study relic radiation from the big bang. ®
Sponsored: Webcast: Ransomware has gone nuclear


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Eric Brown
Website:Eric Brown Lab
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science & Physics
Room / Office: Mason M2
Office Address:
9 Hillhouse AvenueNew Haven, CT 06511
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 208284New Haven, CT 06520
Phone: (203) 432-7411
Fax: (203) 432-7654
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
- B.S., Harvey Mudd College
- Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
Experimental fluid dynamics and soft matter. My current interests include the following problems:
- Development of low-dimensional models for coherent structures in turbulence that can efficiently solve a wide variety of problems with applications ranging from climate and weather to heating and cooling systems.
- Demonstration of a fluid dynamo in the laboratory using suspensions of magnetic particles in liquid-metals, to understand the origin and dynamics of planetary magnetic fields.
- Understanding some of the unusual mechanical properties of suspensions and granular materials, such as shear thickening and jamming, and design such materials with properties tuned for specific applications.
Selected Awards & Honors:
National Science Foundation CAREER Award for "Large-scale structures in turbulent dynamo experiments with liquid-metal suspensions," 2013.
Selected Publications:
Click here for a complete, up-to-date, list of publications.
Selected Patents:
- Gripping and releasing apparatus and method, USPTO Appl No. 13/641,230


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Click image to zoom
Price Per Piece: $7.65
Price Per Box: $91.80
Quantity in Cart: None
Sq. Ft. Per Box: 5.28
Pieces Per Box: 12
Length: 8" (20 cm)
Width: 8" (20 cm)
Thickness: 5/8" (1.6 cm)
Collection: Pacific HDS Collection
Color Chart: Solid Colors
Availability: Ships in 12-14 weeks.
As Shown: Pacific Grey, Pacific Light Grey, Pacific White
Designer: Dana Berkowitz
Notes: Pattern can be custom ordered in any colors from the Pacific color chart. Minimum custom order quantity is 10 boxes (52.8 sq. ft.) Custom orders ship in 12-14 weeks.


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New Year's Champagne Punch
2-1/4 cups and 1 tablespoon orange sherbet
4-1/2 cups fresh orange juice
5/8 (2 liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled
1-1/8 (750 milliliter) bottles champagne, chilled
1. Place the orange juice, ginger ale, and champagne in the refrigerator to get them well chilled. 2. In a large punch bowl, place the block of sherbet in the center and pour the orange juice over the top. Next, pour the ginger ale over the sherbet. Finally, pour both bottles of champagne over the sherbet. Stir gently to mix the liquids, resulting in a foamy top. Serve immediately.
Serves: 20


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Federal officials are looking to ship some 3 million gallons of radioactive waste from Washington state to New Mexico, giving the government more flexibility to deal with leaking tanks at Hanford Nuclear Reservation, officials said Wednesday.
The Department of Energy said its preferred plan would ultimately dispose of the waste in a massive repository - called the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant - near Carlsbad, N.M, where radioactive materials are buried in rooms excavated in vast salt beds nearly a half-mile underground.
The federal proposal was quickly met with criticism from a New Mexico environmental group that said the state permit allowing the government to bury waste at the plant would not allow for shipments from Hanford, the nation's most contaminated nuclear site.
Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., said WIPP specifically prohibits waste from Hanford and any proposal to modify permit language in this case would need "strong justification and public input."
"WIPP has demonstrated success in its handling of defense TRU waste," Udall said in a statement. "With regard to Hanford waste, I urge all parties involved to exhibit caution and scientific integrity to ensure that DOE is abiding by the law and that the waste classifications are justified."
The waste near Carlsbad includes such things as clothing, tools and other debris.
Between 2000 and 2011, the Hanford site sent the equivalent of about 25,000 drums of such so-called transuranic waste, which is radioactive but less deadly than the worst, high-level waste.
The latest proposal would target just a fraction of the transuranic waste from Hanford's underground tanks, which hold a toxic, radioactive stew of liquids, sludge and solids.
Federal officials have identified six leaking tanks at Hanford. Five of those tanks contain transuranic waste, said Tom Fletcher, assistant manager of the tank farms for the Energy Department.
Dave Huizenga, head of the Energy Department's Environmental Management program, said the transfer would not impact the safe operations of the New Mexico facility.
"This alternative, if selected for implementation in a record of decision, could enable the Department to reduce potential health and environmental risk in Washington State," said Huizenga.
Don Hancock, of the Albuquerque-based watchdog group Southwest Research and Information opposing the transfer to New Mexico, said this is not the first time DOE has proposed bringing more waste to the plant near Carlsbad.
"This is a bad, old idea that's been uniformly rejected on a bipartisan basis by politicians when it came up in the past, and it's been strongly opposed by citizen groups like mine and others," Hancock said. "It's also clear that it's illegal."
Disposal operations near Carlsbad began in March 1999. Since then, more than 85,000 cubic meters of waste have been shipped to WIPP from a dozen sites around the country.
Any additional waste from Hanford would have to be analyzed to ensure it could be stored at the site because a permit issued by the New Mexico Environment Department dictates what kinds of waste and the volumes that can be stored there.
WIPP spokeswoman Deb Gill said the facility does not anticipate any problems with its existing capacity as permitted under law.
Officials estimate that some 7,000 to 40,000 drums of waste would be trucked to New Mexico, depending on how the waste is treated and its final form.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says the proposal is a good start in the process of getting rid of Hanford's waste.
"I will be insistent that the full cycle of technical review and permitting is resolved so that any grouted material does not remain in the state of Washington," Inslee said.
Inslee traveled Wednesday to Hanford to learn more about the leaking waste tanks. His trip came a day after federal officials acknowledged budget cuts may disrupt efforts to empty the aging vessels.
Inslee said sending waste to New Mexico is two to four years away. He also said a system is in place to treat the groundwater should contamination from the leaks reach it.
In the meantime, Inslee plans to push Congress to fully fund this proposal, saying "every single dollar of it is justified."
South-central Washington's Hanford Nuclear Reservation is home to 177 underground tanks, which hold toxic and radioactive waste left from decades of plutonium production for the country's nuclear weapons arsenal.
The tanks hold some 56 million gallons of waste and have long surpassed their intended 20-year lifespan. The Energy Department has said the leaking tanks could be releasing as much as 1,000 gallons a year.
State and federal officials have said the leaking materials pose no immediate threat to public safety or the environment, but the leaks raise concerns about the potential for groundwater to be contaminated and, ultimately, reach the neighboring Columbia River about 5 miles away.
Inslee has said repeatedly that Washington state has a "zero tolerance" policy for leaks.
In a letter to Inslee, the Department of Energy estimated it will have to eliminate $92 million for its Office of River Protection, which oversees efforts to empty the tanks and build a plant to treat the waste. The cuts will result in furloughs or layoffs impacting about 4,800 workers in Washington, including 2,800 contract employees dealing with tank waste and construction of a plant to treat the waste, the agency said.
Inslee spokesman David Postman said the governor's initial concern is for the workers, but he emphasized budget constraints cannot be an excuse to delay response to the leaking tanks.
The U.S. government spends some $2 billion each year on cleanup at Hanford - one-third of its entire budget for nuclear cleanup nationally - so the project is still in line to receive most of its usual federal funding.
Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman wrote in his letter layoffs and furloughs may curtail progress related to closing the tanks.
The cuts within the Energy Department's budget are the result of debate in Congress, where Republicans and President Barack Obama are fighting over how to curtail the nation's debt.
Energy Department officials said their budget was being reduced by some $1.9 billion.
Associated Press writers Mike Baker in Olympia and Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque contributed to this report.


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The Swedish government has created a $3.4 billion (28 billion kronor) support package including credit guarantees and rescue loans for Volvo and Saab, hours after the US approved their own aid package. Børk! Børk! Børk!
The Swedish government passed a $3.4 billion (28 billion kronor) support package including credit guarantees and rescue loans for Volvo, Saab and the rest of Sweden's not-so-huge automotive industry. This came mere hours after the US approved their own "bankruptcy lite" aid package (would we call this "bailout lite"?), just passed by whatever body it is that passes such things in Sweden, consists of a maximum of 20 billion kronor in credit guarantees to automotive companies and up to 5 billion kronor in rescue loans to bail out companies in crisis.
The government said Thursday it also will earmark 3 billion kronor in R&D monies in the automotive sector — we're assuming that's like their version of the R&D fund passed by Congress what seems like eons ago. Carmakers Volvo and Saab have been appealing to the government for support because of the financial woes of their US owners, Ford and GM. [via Detroit News]
Photo Credit: Worth1000


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A man who opened fire inside the headquarters of the conservative Family Research Council in Washington last year because of its opposition to same-sex marriage pleaded guilty Wednesday to committing an act of armed terrorism.
Floyd Lee Corkins
The man, Floyd Lee Corkins II, 28, of Herndon, Va., shot the council's unarmed security guard in the arm before he was subdued Aug. 15. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison when he's sentenced April 29 on the three charges he admitted in the plea deal, which also included interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition, a federal offense, and assault with intent to kill while armed, a local offense.
According to an FBI affidavit (.pdf), Corkins said, "I don't like your politics," as he opened fire. It also said he was carrying at least 50 additional rounds of ammunition in his backpack, along with 15 Chick-fil-A sandwiches.
The incident came a few weeks after Dan Cathy, chief executive of the fast-food company, said he opposed same-sex marriage and in the wake of reports that the company's charitable foundation had made millions of dollars in donations to organizations fighting efforts to legalize same-sex marriage.
The Family Research Council, an evangelical Christian activist group, came out strongly in support of Cathy's statements. Authorities said Corkins was a volunteer for a Washington organization lobbying for gay and lesbian rights.
Despite his injuries, the security guard, Leonardo Johnson, wrestled Corkins to the ground and gained control of the weapon while a second security guard called 911. Washington Police Chief Cathy Lanier called Johnson, who recovered, a hero, saying: "He did his job. The person never made it past farther than the front door."
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, blamed the shooting on civil rights organizations "that have been reckless in labeling organizations hate groups because they disagree with them on public policy." But a coalition of organizations promoting gay, lesbian and transgender rights joined other conservative activists in condemning the attack.
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It's one thing coaches can't control.
It's one thing coaches can't control.
They can talk about it, even foster it, but it's as intangible as vapor.
It's chemistry, a word that's hard to describe and thrown about too often in sports.
If chemistry can be defined simply as a will to do whatever it takes to win, then the Pacific women's basketball team had chemistry. The Tigers shared a bond deeper than words can express, a bond that showed every time they stepped on the court.
Pacific's historic season came to an end against Utah's tall timber tandem of Taryn Wicijowski and Michelle Plouffe, who combined for 49 points and 32 rebounds in the Utes' 60-55 win over the Tigers in overtime in the third round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament in front of 1,212 loud fans at Spanos Center.
"At the end of the day, the players control chemistry, whether they are going to buy into what you're saying and buy into each other or not," Pacific coach Lynne Roberts said. "They bought into each other. They like each other. There are days when you don't like each other. This isn't Disneyland. But they just bought into let's do this together and they locked arms, and you can't coach that."
Pacific's chemistry was evident on defense; the Tigers made Utah work for every shot. It was evident in the way they hustled to make 12 steals. It was evident in how they took care of the ball, committing only six turnovers, while forcing 22.
Chemistry kept Pacific in the game and so close to extending its season.
This Tigers team set a single-season program record with 27 wins. They won the program's first Big West Conference regular-season title - in their final year in the conference. Individual records were set, including senior guard Erica McKenzie tying former Pacific great Selena Ho for the Big West career record for 3-point field goals made with 271; sophomore Kendall Kenyon setting a single-season program record with 339 rebounds; and Gena Johnson joining McKenzie and Kendall Rodriguez in the career 1,000-point club, just to mention a few milestones these players reached.
The Tigers adopted a "refuse to lose" mentality that Roberts lauded time and time again. This team was versatile, something Roberts described as "pick your poison," because if the opponent shut down one element of Pacific's attack, another would emerge.
There was hurt on the players' and coaches' faces after the game, but if tears were shed, they fell behind closed doors.
"We just work hard. We have a lot of heart," said McKenzie, who finished her career with 1,250 points, ninth all-time in Pacific history. "And our chemistry, I've never seen a team with better chemistry out there - on and off the floor. We love each other, and that just helps us out there. We just want to work for each other and we just give it our all."
McKenzie and classmates Rodriguez, who's tied for fifth in points and sixth in rebounds in Tigers' history; Ashley Wakefield, an All-Big West honorable mention this season; A.J. Smith, a valuable reserve post player; and Brianna Johnson, who provided frontcourt depth; have left a legacy that will be hard for future senior classes to duplicate or improve upon.
"It's tough, especially with this graduating class and not playing with them next year," junior guard Gena Johnson said. "It's going to be a loss, but something to look forward to and see what we can do without them. We just have to live up to it next year."
Contact sports editor Bob Highfill at (209) 546-8282 or email@example.com.