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Paul Thurst, writing in his Engineering Radio blog in a piece entitled "HD Radio: A solution without a problem," took another chunk out of the bloated blather hyping HD radio in a recent column, saying at one point: "One of the station that I service had a Harris Deathstar go off line for four days. NOT ONE PHONE CALL, NOBODY CARES!" Paul is an honest-to-god engineer, as you can see quickly by perusing his blog. Much of the material is way over the head of the novice, and light years beyond what's passing as "educated" talk about the great scam of IBOC (his alternate title: "A solution that causes more problems"). Says Paul:
Naturally, HD proponents will cry "But this is only temporary! Wait until the transition to all digital!"
If HD radios were indeed flying off the shelves as iBiquity claims, and if the public expressed interest, okay, maybe. Clearly, that is not the case. The only thing that HD radio is doing is creating more interference. Period. More interference to the parent station and more interference to the adjacent channels all for an audience that does not exist. Another way to put it: NOBODY IS LISTENING.
The conclusion of a bona fide engineer (as opposed to those make-believe engineers at NPR Labs and iBiquity with their false claims and fudged data):
Lets see where FM IBOC stands:
- Rolled out with 1% digital power vs analog carrier, the system was found to lack building penetration and generally performed poorly in mobile listening environments (NPR labs study, Nov 24, 2009)
- FCC allows up to 10% digital power vs analog carrier to overcome these problems, a few stations implement some type of power increase
- The shows that self interference is the largest problem IBOC needs to fix, one that is un-fixable due to the laws of physics
- The public yawns, turns on their iPod
IBOC is a failure, both in AM and FM bands.
We are watching the self destruction of radio broadcasting in the US.
Filed under: The HD Radio scam |


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Chambray Linen Colorblock Long Tunic
Overview & Details
- 100% chambray linen women's tunic.
- Colorblocked for graphic punch.
- Split neckline with tie.
- ¾ length sleeves.
- Deep side slits.
- Sizes: XS (0-2), S (4-6), M (8-10), L (12-14), and XL (16-18).
- Machine wash.
- Imported.
As laid back and lighthearted as summer, our chambray linen tunic goes from casual to dressy, and from the beach to brunch. Offered in four pretty colorways, the relaxed silhouette has a split neckline with tie, side slits, and ¾ length sleeves. Available exclusively at The Company Store®.

subset: commoncrawl


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4:38pm PT by Seth Abramovitch
Study: Pop Music Has Gotten Louder and Less Interesting
Think everything on the radio these days sounds the same? Science may back you on that one.
Researchers have analyzed five decades of pop recordings, feeding them into a computer program designed to analyze such facets as "pitch, timbre and loudness."
Their conclusions, published today on Nature.com: that the volume of songs has been steadily growing, while an "important degree of conventionalism" has crept into the songwriting and producing process.
In other words, pop music has become louder and less original.
"We find three important trends in the evolution of musical discourse," the study explains. "The restriction of pitch sequences (with metrics showing less variety in pitch progressions), the homogenization of the timbral palette (with frequent timbres becoming more frequent), and growing average loudness levels (threatening a dynamic richness that has been conserved until today)."
The study analyzed 464,411 different recordings from 1995 to 2010, spanning popular genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, metal and electronic music.
Seth firstname.lastname@example.com SethAbramovitch


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Chapter 22: Section 74B Reviews of opinions
Sections (22.01 to 22.21) last updated: September 2017
Section 74B of the Patents Act 1977 provides for a review of an opinion. An application may be filed by the patent proprietor or an exclusive licensee.
An application for a review needs to be filed before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date on which the opinion has been issued.
An application may be made on the following grounds only:
- that the opinion wrongly concluded that the patent in suit was invalid, or was invalid to a limited extent; or
- that, by reason of its interpretation of the specification of the patent in suit, the opinion wrongly concluded that a particular act did not or would not constitute an infringement of the patent (rule 98(5))
An application for a review may not be filed or if filed, may not be continued, if the issue raised by the review has been decided in other relevant proceedings.
Initial action
Formal requirements
The application must be made on Patents Form 2 accompanied by the appropriate fee together with a statement in duplicate setting out fully the grounds on which the review is sought (rule 98(3)). The statement should contain details of any proceedings of which the applicant is aware which may be relevant to the question of whether the application for a review may be brought or continued if the issue raised by the review has been decided in other proceedings.
On receipt, the form and accompanying documents will be scanned to the Office's electronic case management system and an electronic dossier (case file) will be created. An electronic message will be sent to the Team Mailbox. The B3 will carry out an initial check of the case. The check establishes, for example, that the correct section of the Act has been identified, the filing fee has been paid, a statement of grounds has been filed and the correct patent number(s), if appropriate, have been quoted. If these formalities requirements have been met, the B3 should:
- enter the proceedings on the inter partes SharePoint list
- allocate a B2 Case Officer and HO
- advise the A3 Opinions Officer that a review has been filed and provide details accordingly. The A3 will update the opinions record card accordingly
- the B3 will undertake an analysis of the application for review to determine whether it can be served
- the B3 will complete the website advert template as shown in (Annex 1 - Template - Website advert for application for review) to be sent to webmaster for the advert to appear on the following Wednesday. This will provide interested parties with the opportunity to oppose the review or file a statement in support of the application. The period for opposing a review is either (a) four weeks of the date of the advertisement on the website or (b) if it expires later, two months from the date the opinion was issued
Statement of grounds
What should the statement of grounds contain
The statement should contain details of any proceedings of which the applicant is aware and which may be relevant to the question of whether the application for a review may be filed.
When checking the statement of grounds, reference should be made to the provisions of rule 98(5) (see paragraph 22.03 above).
What happens if the statement does not comply
Where the statement does not comply, the B3 will contact the applicant for review outlining the defect and will provide a period of time for the applicant to respond. Where the defect is minor, for example, a document referred to in the statement is not attached, the applicant will be asked to provide the document within a period of not more than one month. Defects which are substantial, for example, where the statement appears to be inadequate or does not comply with the provisions of rule 98(5), may be referred to the Hearing Officer for consideration.
Serving the application for review
When the B3 is satisfied that the application is in order, the application will be served (see Annex 2 - Letter - Serving application for review). In accordance with rule 99(1) of the Patents Rules 2007, a copy of Patents Form 2, the statement and any other documents filed, will be sent to:
- the requester of the opinion (if different from the applicant for review)
- any party who filed observations in connection with the original request for an opinion under section 74A
The requester and any observers will be invited to file a statement in support of the application, or a counter statement opposing it (rule 99(3)) within either four weeks from the date of advertisement or two months from the date the opinion was issued, whichever is the later.
If the applicant for the review was the original requester of the opinion and no observations were filed in relation to the opinion, the B3 should issue the letter (Annex 3 - Letter - Applicant for review where no observations filed).
The B3 should then minute the B2 and request the B2 carries out the following actions:
- diaries the case to await a counter statement or statement
- updates the front cover of the dossier with the appropriate label e.g "Litigation Proceedings" and "Review of Opinions"
- update COPS to record the fact that the application for review has been filed using REC OPI function
Where a statement/counter-statement is filed
Any person who files a statement or counter- statement becomes a party to the proceedings. Upon receipt of either a statement supporting the application for a review or a counter-statement opposing it, the B2 will undertake a check to ensure it has been filed within the time period specified. The B2 should also carry out the following actions:
- update the inter partes SharePoint list to record the date the statement/counter-statement is filed
- ensure the document has been correctly scanned to the dossier with the appropriate document code and any documents referred to are attached
- send a copy of the statement/counter-statement to the other parties in the review advising that the proceedings will now be reviewed by the Hearing Officer to determine the subsequent procedure (see Annex 4 - Letter - Statement/counter-statement filed )
- refer the documents filed to the Hearing Officer
Where a statement/counter-statement is not filed, the B2 should inform the Hearing Officer accordingly and write to the applicant for the review advising that no statement counter-statement has been filed (Annex 5 - Letter - No statement/counter-statement filed) and that the proceedings will now be reviewed to consider the best way forward.
Evidence rounds
Filing of evidence
The B2 should seek advice from the Hearing Officer as to the subsequent procedure. Evidence rounds may not always be necessary for reviews of opinions but if evidence is required, the Hearing Officer may direct either simultaneous or sequential filing of evidence. The B2 will issue a letter accordingly (see Chapter 1). Alternatively, the Hearing Officer may decide to proceed to a hearing or decision on the papers.
Format of evidence
If evidence is required, it should be in the form of a witness statement.
Hearing or decision on papers
If evidence is not required, the party(ies) will be invited to attend a hearing or will be given the option of having the matter decided on the basis of the papers filed. The B2 will issue a letter accordingly to establish requirements (see Annex 6 - Letter - Decision on papers or hearing).
If any of the party(ies) wishes a hearing, the B2 will advise the Hearing Officer and will liaise with the Hearings Clerk who will make the necessary arrangements (see Chapter 4).
The outcome of the proceedings will be either that the opinion is set aside in whole or in part, or, no reason has been shown for the opinion to be set aside. A copy of the decision will be sent to the applicant for the review and any party who has filed a statement or counter-statement by the Hearings Clerk (see Chapter 5). The decision will also be published on the website.
The B3 will update the register to reflect the outcome of the decision and will arrange for the advertisement of the review on the website to be updated to show a decision has been issued.
There is no appeal to the courts against a decision to set aside an opinion, except where the appeal relates to a part of the opinion that is not set aside (see rule 100(3)). Therefore, it is not possible for the courts to consider the issue of whether to reinstate a non-binding opinion. Only the patent proprietor or exclusive licensee has the right to appeal under rule 100(3).
Once the decision has been issued and any appeal period has expired, the B2 will clear all records as follows:
- update the inter partes SharePoint list
- ensure the dossier contains all documents including minutes
- add 'Precedent' label to the dossier
- produce a clear records file note for the dossier
- advise the A3 Opinions Officer the review has been completed so the opinions record card may be updated


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CBI arrests a DRT official in alleged bribery case
| Updated: Jun 26, 2017 21:31 IST
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 26 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested a Recovery Officer of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DBT) and his accomplice for demanding a bribe of Rs.7, 00,000. The officer had instructed the victim to hand over money in the form of a cheque thorough a middle man for releasing payment in favour of victim's client. It was also alleged that the accused introduced the middleman to the complainant and on his instructions; a cheque of Rs.7 lakh was issued and delivered to the middleman, the CBI officials said. During a search operation the officer's residence, the CBI recovered fixed deposits worth Rs.65 lakh, approx., Kisan Vikas Patras' worth Rs.9 lakh (approx.) and some property documents. Both the accused were produced before a court and remanded to police custody till June 28. (ANI)


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Archive for May 2011 | Monthly archive page
Pandas aren't the only creatures who enjoy a good bamboo snack. Humans have been using the young shoots and sap of the plant for thousands of years in stir fries, curries, dumplings, and even wines and vinegars. Luckily, we don't have to forage as far as pandas to find our bamboo, and can pick up canned, sliced, tender shoots in the Asian foods aisle of our local grocery store.
Looking for an unusual dish to impress a crowd of culinary connoisseurs at a Memorial Day potluck? Consider the following:1 lb. fresh spinach 1/2 cup peanut, vegetable, or corn oil 1/4 cup finely shredded bamboo shoots 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons sugar 1 teaspoon sesame oil
1. Wash leaves with cold water and drain well.
2. Using a medium-high flame, heat the oil in a pan or skillet. Cook the bamboo shoots for about half a minute while stirring constantly.
3. Add the spinach leaves and stir until wilted.
4. Add the salt and sugar and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Add sesame oil and stir for half a minute.
6. Transfer to plate without adding excess liquid from the pan. Enjoy!
"No! Ooooh no you don't!" Five minutes before I had to walk out the door to attend a music practice I started yelling at my own brain. "Don't you even think about it!" A shining, electric splotch of quicksilver began to form on the left side of my visual field. Like an oil slick, it began to spread its way towards my right eye, bleeding television static snow all over the entire universe. Forget whatever else was on the schedule for the day. It was time to hunker down, and wait for this migraine to pass.
Being chemically sensitive, I have relatively few options to combat the lightning storm in my head. After a couple post brain-battering hours, I scoured the internet for some natural alternatives to prescription migraine medicines. Here are a few of the most promising remedies:
1. Butterbur- This plant, found growing in Northern Asia, Europe and areas of North America, can be taken as a tea, extract or capsule. Studies have shown that 50-75 mg of butterbur extract twice a day decreased the occurrence of chronic migraines. Side effects were generally mild digestive complaints. Since the plant is in the ragweed family, those with grass allergies should avoid the drug. Anyone with kidney and liver disease should seek an alternative remedy.
2. Feverfew- This European herb has been used as a healer for headaches, arthritis, and fever for centuries. In the 980's, it began to be used as a therapy for migraines. Feverfew should not be taken with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because of its blood-thinning properties. Due to some of its side effects (gas, diarrhea, vomiting, nervousness) and its close relation to chamomile, ragweed and yarrow, sufferers should consult their doctors concerning any allergies or sensitivities before taking the supplement.
3. Magnesium- This element is found naturally in green vegetables and helps to regulate blood sugar, as well being essential to muscle and nerve function. Around 300-600mg each day may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Magnesium citrate may be the most effective form, and it is not recommended taking a magnesium/calcium blend for headaches.
4. 5-HTP- 5 Hydroxytryptophan is a form of amino acid created in the body and used in the production of the neurotransmitter seratonin and the hormone melatonin. It can be bought as a supplement derived from plant seeds. At a dose of 600mg a day, 5-HTP may reduce the number of severe headaches.
5. Niacin- AKA Vitamin B3, taken right as the headache starts can relieve a good deal of the migraine's vice-like grip.
6. Mangosteen- This fruit has pain-easing and anti-inflammatory properties and can help with dulling sensitivity to stimuli. Extract or smoothie should do the trick.
7. Acupuncture- For those who are not leery of needles, a visit to the acupuncturist could possibly manipulate the body's electrical signals enough to decrease the number and intensity of headaches.
8. Aromatherapy- Essential oils are quick and inexpensive ways to combat pain and stress. Chamomile, rosemary, lavender and peppermint have been noted as some of the most effective for migraines. The oils can be placed in a diffuser, or applied directly to the temples, head and neck. Coupled with a cool washcloth, the oils should provide relief from pain and nausea within fifteen minutes.
9. Biofeedback- Through biofeedback, a person can learn to control and reduce the reactions that are triggered by severe headaches. By noticing certain bodily fluctuations such as pulse, temperature and tension, a sufferer can bring these under conscious awareness and eventually identify and alter the patterns that appear during a migraine. Devices that monitor the body's changes can be used at first in order to make the sensations available to be observed by the brain. Eventually, biofeedback will aid the patient in preventing the headaches before they start and help lessen the pain through relaxation techniques. Levels of stress hormones and seratonin have been lowered through biofeedback, affecting the rate and intensity of migraines.
Ladies: being the environmentally conscious fashionistas that you are, you have committed to buying natural, sustainable fibers such as bamboo, hemp and organic cotton, purchasing fair trade accessories, and maybe even doing a little sewing to re-purpose old, worn out clothing.
Yet, as you are in the bathroom getting ready before a big occasion where you want to look your best, you gaze down at ye olde makeup kit and see nothing but brightly colored chemicals that are soon to find themselves applied dangerously close to vital sensory organs. Luckily, there are more non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives to keep you stylishly up to date and still remain in Mother Nature's good graces.
1. Nail Polish- Anyone who has ever nearly been knocked down by the fumes emanating from a freshly opened bottle of nail polish could be reasonably suspicious as to the ingredients making up the little pots of enamel. While the names for the various shades sound flirty and attractive, their components, such as formaldehyde (a known carcinogen and industrial disinfectant that can also cause dizziness, headaches, eye and respiratory problems, heart palpitations, and death when ingested) toluene (capable of causing neurological damage due the body's inability to process the chemical) and phthalates (endocrine disrupters linked to obesity and birth defects in mice) are decidedly less compelling.
For vegan safer alternatives, take a look at The Chic Ecologist's list of nail colors featuring Sparitual's vegan line, No Miss natural and cruelty-free shades, Priti NYC which also offers polish for kids, and Zoya's huge collection of colors. Other "3 Free" brands, or lacquers that do not use the hazardous chemicals mentioned above, are Sheswai and Acquarella.
2. Lips- When offering a smooch, you might not want your lips to be associated with coal tar, sheep fat, petroleum, artificial stabilizers, lake dyes (which can cause cancer), lead, pigment producing insects or chemical preservatives. Some nasty components of lipstick like methylparaben have been linked to cancer and endocrine disorders. Others like retinyl palmitate have proven to be toxic to pregnant women, and others such as acetate and propylparaben are moderate irritants.
For a kiss without concern, use products with natural ingredients. NVEY Eco Lipsticks and Lip Lustres come in a diverse palate and are made from elements that you can actually pronounce. Honeybee Gardens acts as balm and tint in one, and Vapour Organic Beauty makes a myriad of lip products.
3. Eyes- Bet you never thought that what you added to your eyes could so drastically affect your lungs, kidneys, reproductive system and liver. Phthalates, which keep mascara from running can keep your bodily processes from running as well. Depending on the brand, dangerous color additives, preservatives, emulsifiers and even small amounts of mercury can be found in the composition of the cosmetic.
Alima sells relatively inexpensive minerals-based shadows in addition to loose powder eyeliners. For cream shadows, RMS has several colors that also double as nourishing eye creams. For mascara, direct your eyes towards NVEY's formula in either black or brown. For a liquid liner, take a peep at Suncoat's smudge resistant mixture in several varieties.
For more cosmetic reviews and safety ratings, visit EWG's Cosmetic Database to evaluate your favorite brands. What do you have in your cosmetic bag?
Is it possible to live in harmony with our environment while maintaining the comforts of 21st century living? Proponents of Zero Net Energy (ZNE) buildings and communities believe we can. The concept of living in structures where carbon emissions, construction costs and rates of energy consumption are balanced by efficient design and conscious practice is beginning to gain traction in a world concerned with global climate change.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be converted, shifted and measured. ZNE buildings attempt to achieve through various technologies and architectural techniques to engineer homes and businesses that produce or save as much energy as they use. Defining guidelines differ across Europe and North America (where most of this innovative development is taking place) but several key principles outlining the functions of are held in common.
Energy use- The amount of energy produced on site should be at least equal to the amount of energy needed by the building. This includes the energy required to transport electricity through transmission lines from source to final destination. Many ZNE's strive to function off the main electrical grid, becoming completely self-sufficient and even sending power back into the system.
Emissions- ZNE's strive to be carbon neutral, meaning any burning of fossil fuels involved in construction must be offset by the creation of renewable energy from the building. Some even go as far to count the carbon burned through commuting to and from the ZNE location as well as the "embodied energy", or amount of fuel used to manufacture, distribute and dispose of the materials used.
Zero off-site energy use- To achieve a 100% ZNE rating, any purchased carbon offsets must come from renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, water or biogas.
How do ZNE's go low? First, computer programs and traditional architectural principles are applied in the design phase to incorporate passive solar heating and natural conditioning, wind patterns, and the composition of earth beneath the building to reduce heating and cooling costs. Every detail is considered, from the overhang of a door to the location of a window in relation to the sun's journey across the sky. Not only are the energy profiles of the materials and initial models taken into account, but the entire lifetime of the building. This means that each element must be durable, recyclable, and able to be neutralized by renewable energy. As with LEED certified buildings, ZNE locations have a wide array of energy-saving features. LED lights replace traditional fluorescent bulbs, high efficiency appliances monitor and save electricity, and natural heating and cooling, insulation, heat recycling aid in controlling indoor climate with the least amount of power possible.
Once a ZNE structure is up and running, it meets its electricity needs in a number of ways. Some of these strategies are used exclusively, while others are harnessed in combination. Solar cells, wind turbines, biofuels, and in some special locations, even microhyro or geothermal strategies are all sources of clean energy. Through a mix of conservation and renewable energy harvest, it is possible to function autonomously, although some ZNE communities still opt to connect themselves to the grid in order to draw power for those times when their demand exceeds production.
Whole Zero Energy neighborhoods are popping up around the United States and offering an exciting opportunity to live in a more sustainable fashion, creating jobs in the private sector, and aiding the fight to combat climate change and environmental degradation. Firms that specialize in green building such as Zeta and Zero Energy Design tout the long-term monetary savings of energy-conscious development and state of the art renovations. Their projects are inspired by the landscape, unique to each client, and ready to meet the demands of an energy-hungry and fuel strapped future. Just as in basketball, when it comes to winning the game in inspirational green design, it ain't nothin' but net.
In middle and high school, I can remember few healthy lunch choices. At first, I thought that this could be due to lack of availability, but it turns out that maybe I was just unaware of my options because of where they were in relation to my field of vision. As a hungry adolescent, I was probably only concerned with what was fast, within immediate reach, and had the highest cost-to-taste-ratio. Sure, it was difficult to resist the high fat and sugar items, like chips, cinnamon rolls and pizza, but even after I had made a concerted effort to change my habits, I still found it hard to escape the onslaught of bright packaging and glistening slices of pepperoni under the cafeteria heat lamps. Where the devil were the apples? I knew they were hiding somewhere.
30 million children are fed by the National School Lunch Program each year, and administrators are trying to figure out how to guide their students toward making healthier eating decisions. Once more nutritious food is introduced into the cafeteria, the battle for the lunchroom tray is still far from over. Kids, especially teenagers, don't generally like to be told what to do (I think most of us can recall some cringe-worthy photos of unfortunate fashion choices during our younger days). Some schools have seen cafeteria room attendance drop when the menu makes a shift to more wholesome fare, and kids instead satiate their junk food jones at off-campus fast food joints or from vending machines.
What is a school to do? What applies in real estate apparently also holds true for the dining room; Location, location, location. According to the Atlantic's article, "How Smart Cafeterias Could Fight Childhood Obesity", simply rearranging the position of the nutritious foods, and in some cases they way in which it was presented, created dramatic results. An upstate New York School simply moved a salad bar near a natural bottleneck in the lunch line and created an increase in veggie consumption by 300 percent.
Another New York school swapped stainless steel fruit containers for better-lit, more attractive baskets and saw a 105 percent increase in apple and orange selection. The USDA is currently funding a program at Cornell to study the behavior and economics of childhood nutritional behavior in order to find easy and cheap ways to influence healthier eating habits.
Do these incredibly simple and dramatic solutions sound a little far fetched? Consider your last trip to the supermarket. Where was the bakery or the dairy aisle? Chances are they were towards the back. Many stores do this to lure the shopper past items they would not usually need. Since bakeries tempt us with delicious aromas and we almost always need to buy some sort of milk product, they place those departments in the hinterlands to force a tour-de-grocerie.
Even the height of the item on the shelf and temperature of the building subtly influence our purchases. Chilly environments trigger our body's natural impulse to hoard and consume food. Products at eye level are more likely to be purchased than ones that have to be hunted for. According to the documentary Beer Wars, companies such as InBev know this, and have taken great pains to place as many of their brands at eye-level as possible in order to maximize the visual field and marginalize smaller producers.
Public health experts, such as Rupal Sanghvi, founder of HealthxDesign, are looking into how altering the design of supermarkets can create more community influenced stores that encourage informed consumption. They argue that obesity and diabetes are problems that affect entire populations, often those that are less economically developed and need to be addressed as matters of social justice. The debate over whether public money should be spent altering essentially private businesses continues, but as many urban communities begin to create initiatives to increase the number of socially and nutritionally minded enterprises in their areas, the free market may go green purely out of self-interest. Just take a look at the success of the Whole Foods chain or WalMart's decision to carry organics. For a more in depth investigation into Sanghvi's work and her partnership with the Parson's School of Design, peruse Sarah Rich's article, "A Better Way to Fight Obesity: New, Smarter Supermarkets."
Next time you go shopping, take a little time to examine your surroundings. What does your store look like, and how do you think you would rearrange its elements to encourage wise decisions? Where do you buy food and why?
Disclaimer: Bambu Batu does not promote the defacement of public property, nor does it intend for this article to encourage anyone to recreate their own al fresco version of the Mona Lisa on anything but the artist's personal premises or at the behest of a client.
That being said, how cool is this? Instead of using paint or markers which contain toxic chemicals, some environmentally-minded taggers are beginning to use moss as a living medium for their creative endeavors. Mosses are bryophytes, or non-vascular plants, which means that they do not have water-carrying veins or vessels. They also lack seeds or fruit and remain relatively small throughout their lives. Mosses photosynthesize like other green plants, but do not absorb nutrients through their roots. These simple plants reproduce through spores, and can also be propagated by the adventurous artist with a blender and a quick trip to the grocery store.
Want to try your hand at creating a green wall or mural in your garden? Here's how;
1. Gather one small hand full of moss, 2 cups of butter milk or yogurt (vegan yogurt will also work), 2 cups of water or beer, 1/2 tsp of sugar, and corn syrup (optional).
2. Wash the moss to remove as much dirt from the roots as possible.
3. Break the moss into small pieces and place into a blender.
4. Add the buttermilk/yogurt, beer/water and sugar. Blend until the mixture has a smooth, paint-like texture. Add corn syrup to thicken mixture if needed in order to avoid dripping upon application.
5. Use a paintbrush to apply to desired surface.
6. If possible, return weekly to spray the design with water to encourage growth or add another coat of moss paint.
It is now May, and in San Luis Obispo that means wildflowers, the return of the swallows, and Bike Month. Rated as one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the United States by the League of American Bicyclists (Silver Level), SLO pulls out all the stops for one month each year to show its support for riders across the county.
Here at Bambu Batu, we are expressing our cycling pride with a locally printed, American-made, 100% organic cotton t-shirt depicting the two-wheeled wonder in all of its glory. Other than stylish, environmentally friendly clothing, what are some of the events you look forward to this Bike Month?
Commuter Bike Challenge- Gather together a team and log your commuter stats on the SLO Rideshare's website for the thrill of victory, bragging rights, and an iron-clad excuse to indulge in the office donuts in the break room.
Bike Kitchen- Tune up your ride at the SLO Bike Kitchen every Wed, Thurs and Sunday from 4-7pm. Parts, tools and advice are available at low cost for a day fee and also by donation.
Bike to School and Work Week- Enjoy free coffee from May 16-20 at participating shops by wheeling yourself in for your daily caffeine fix. Show your helmet for a cup-o-joe.
Bike 'N Movie- On May 13th, cycle to the YMCA at 6:30 to view a flick without having to worry about hauling thousands of pounds of automobile along with your popcorn.
Full Moon Ride- Howl at the moon with your nocturnal brethren on May 17th at 7:30 starting at the Jennifer Street Bridge.
Amgen Tour of California- Paso Robles will witness world class riders whizzing through town on May 19th. Grab a spot along the race route to experience a little Tour de France here on the Central Coast!
Bike Fashion Show- The Old Art's Cyclery (2140 Santa Barbara St.) will be exhibiting the most chic of cycling couture on May 20th, beginning at 7pm. There will be music, drinks, food, clothing, and models. What else could you ask for in a good time?
Tweed Ride- Throw on your most dapper vestments for the Running of the Tweed. Penny farthings, elbow patches, and creative facial hair are all encouraged. Meet up at the Train Depot on Sunday, May 15th at 12:30pm for tea, music, and hobnobbing with other arcane fashion enthusiasts.
World Bicycle Relief Festival- An organization dedicated to provide access and independence to those in developing nations through the power of bicycles, World Bicycle Relief will be sponsoring a number of fundraising events on May 14. SLO will be hosting a Poker Run at participating businesses around the downtown area. Delight in music, prizes, and the great feeling of knowing that you have just gambled for positive social change.
Cote de Tolosa Velo Challenge- On May 22 at 7am, join competitive cyclist Larry Brooks on a 52 mile loop including 5,000 feet of climbing, and a lunch at the end of the tour with all of the proceeds being donated to the SLO County Bicycle Coalition.
Wineries by Bike- Ride through Edna Valley's wineries on May 22 starting at 11am. For route maps, visit the SLO County Bicycle Coalition's site and download your day's game plan.
Come and enjoy spring here in San Luis Obispo with your family, friends, and favorite be-spoked companion!
For a full schedule of events, visit the Bike Month Calendar.
When you think of renewable energy resources, the first images that come to mind might consist of bucolic scenes of windmill farms amongst verdant hills, arrays of solar panels under blue skies, and charging rivers running through dams to create hydroelectric power. These visions may not, however, include one of the greatest and most abundant potential sources of energy available: garbage.
We may reach peak oil in the near future, but considering the average American produces about 4 pounds of junk each day, it does not seem likely that we will be running out of trash any time soon. Companies such as Waste Management realize this and have begun to harness the methane and carbon dioxide produced by the bacteria feed on decomposing refuse.
More than 80 Waste Management sites across the country are beginning to harness landfill emissions by using a system of pipes and wells. The gas is then filtered, compressed, and subjected to several temperature changes before it can be used to power combustion engines and turbines that generate electricity. Waste Management uses the low voltage energy it produces to run its own operations, and exports its high voltage electricity into the grid.
One of the most exciting new developments in trash-to-treasure-technology is the development of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cars that operate with specially designed engines to run on biogas. Biogas can be collected from landfills directly, or after sewage and other organic material have been fermented in a large biodigestor. Fuel cells, like the ones already used by vehicles that run on compressed natural gas, can also be fabricated as fuel sources.
Soon, public transportation and fleets of company cars may run on the byproducts of human castoffs and bacteria refuse instead of fossilized organic matter. The infrastructure models and engineering plans we have been hearing about for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles could potentially be reworked to suit the recycling of human waste products.
Our government has also been taking a closer look at garbage and hot, gaseous expulsions (insert your own jokes here). The US Environmental Protection Agency has created the Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP), a voluntary assistance program that partners with communities, businesses and non-profits to find financing and assess project feasibility for organizations looking to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate compliance costs. Over 500 partnerships have been formed so far, helping to add to the the nearly 1.2 million homes already powered by landfill-generated electricity.
Would you drive a car powered by biogas? How would you feel about using landfill materials to generate electricity for your home?
As a science nerd and ecologically-minded individual, I recognize the inherent worth of all creatures and their roles in the environment. As a human being with an allergy to insect bites and a kitchen I'd like to keep free of invading hoards, I want to know how to keep the little buggers away from my living space. Being an aforementioned tree-hugger, I have been searching for non-toxic, alternative methods of maintaining a pest-free home.
1. Ants- To block ant chemical trails, lay down cinnamon, chalk, cayenne pepper or petroleum jelly. By obstructing the signals ants use to communicate with one another, you can prevent them from making a highway to your pantry. Pet food can should be placed in a small moat of soapy water, ensuring no scouts identify your animal's kibble as a food source. Stationing attractants near a nest outdoors may persuade the ants to stay outside and keep from venturing further.
For an all-out assault, you may opt to sprinkle cornmeal near their colony. This makes the ants thirsty, seek water, and explode from over-drinking. Desiccating dusts such as diatomaceous earth or pure amorphous silica aerogel applied directly to the insect will kill them by causing them to lose too much moisture. Boric acid mixed with jelly as bait will also exterminate foragers.
2. Rats and mice- As in may areas of life, sometimes the best offense is a good defense. Be sure to seal all gaps and openings to your home with caulking, duct tape, and weatherstripping. Hardware cloth is a good material for screening ducts and floor vents. Raising wood piles, cutting tall weeds and cleaning up after pets can help reduce rodent habitat and food materials.
Instead of buying poison bait that can cause other animals (including humans) to fall ill, live Have-a-Heart traps, glue traps, and fatal snap-traps catch the animals and leave the disposal up to the Pied Piper. The food used to tempt the rodents should be sticky to allow for a loaded spring enough time to work, and traps should be positioned near burrows and along pathways.
If cleaning up after a rat-trap leaves you a bit squeamish, there are always electronic repellent sound devices that disrupt rat rapport and mice musings. The sound is not heard by humans, and can be plugged into a three-pronged outlet. When all else fails, it might be time to adopt a cat or take up falconry.
3. Cockroaches- Not surprisingly, these little guys are not only resistant to a possible nuclear winter, but to most chemical pesticides as well. Your best bets are the boric acid solutions and desiccating dusts mentioned above. The dust should be inserted into drilled holes in infested walls and the boric acid applied directly to the cracks and crevices where the roaches live.
4. Mosquitoes- To prevent mosquito breeding, eliminate as much standing water as possible. To keep water from collecting, regularly clean gutters and properly drain potted plants. Adding natural predators to the mosquito's environment will reduce the number of larvae who make it to maturity. Fish should be added to shallow ponds and plants that encourage beetles, dragonflies and damselflies can be added as attractive repellents. Installing bat boxes provides homes for the flying rodents during the day and give them a place to return to after a midnight skeeter feast. Certain strains of bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) added to water containing mosquito larvae will kill them once ingested.
When bats and dragonflies are not enough, there are natural oils and plants to ward off the little blood-suckers. Burning citronella candles on a night without wind controls the pests within the immediate vicinity. Planting lemongrass, floss flower, basil, catnip and eucalyptus will have the bugs shirking your garden and also provide a pretty good stock of herbs for cooking. Orange and cedar oils have been touted as effective repellents for a number of insects, and can be sprayed around the home without fear of poisoning pets or family members.
What kinds of critters do you wrestle with, and what kind of green alternatives have you tried?
* Word of the day: Katsaridaphobia (an enhanced fear of cockroaches)
** Book of the week: "Wicked Bugs" by Ann Stewart
In honor of San Luis Obispo's upcoming Native Plant Week (April 17-23), Spring, and the heaps of pollen swirling on the breeze, Bambu Batu presents the top 8 natural ways to beat allergies this season.
1. Native honey- Eating locally farmed honey helps to inoculate the immune system by letting the body get used to very small doses of pollen. For best results, eat 2-3 spoonfuls of native, unfiltered honey each day for for several months prior to the height of allergy season. Browse your farmer's market for some sweet relief!
2. Neti pot- When your head feels like its been stuffed with enough cotton to soak up the Atlantic, drain your sinuses with a saline solution using a Neti pot. The little ceramic container helps to flush out nasal passages, relieve pressure, and soothe irritation. The salt rinse works by allowing the small hairs (cilia) in your sinuses to better remove mucus, bacteria and allergens. Sure, inserting the spout of what looks vaguely like a magic lamp up your nose may take some getting used to, but its a great alternative to taking medications and leaves your head feeling clean and clear.
3. Spring cleaning- Give your home a good wipe-down and and allow air to circulate. Dust is composed of a myriad of elements that can cause coughing, sneezing and inflammation. Some of these appetizing ingredients include pet dander, mite feces, molds and fungi. To curb the growth of irritants, maintain a constant low humidity in living spaces, run fans, and vacuum regularly. While a little tidying can do a lot of good, be careful not to go too overboard! Vigorous cleaning may eliminate the small amount of allergens on which our immune systems practice. Some household chemicals may also increase immune reactions, so play it safe by using "green" or environmentally friendly products that easily biodegrade and contain less caustic substances
4. Quercetin- This plant-derived compound helps to stabilize cells in the respiratory system that trigger the release of histamines and cause allergy attacks. Quercetin is commonly found in citrus, tea, onions, apples, parsley, lettuce, onions, and wine and can also be bought in supplement form. Sufferers should take about 1,000 mg each day between meals and start about six weeks before allergy season reaches full bloom.
5. Allergy-fighting foods- Recent studies have shown that people with diets rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, (found in fish, walnuts, flaxseed, grass-fed meats and eggs), were less likely to suffer from allergies. For decongestion, add spicy foods like horseradish, chili or mustard to meals.
6. Stinging nettle- As a natural antihistamine, nettle prevents the immune system from over-reacting to environmental irritants. You can avoid the pain of touching this common weed and find its freeze-dried extract in capsules at your local health foods store. This supplement does not cause drowsiness or dry mouth like most proscription medications and 300mg a day should provide relief for several hours.
7. Butterbur- This European plant derivative has been shown to be as effective in fighting symptoms as cetirizine, the active ingredient in the Zyrtec. Four doses of 32mg each day should alleviate discomfort. However, Butterbur is in the same family as ragweed, so those sensitive to these plants should show caution before considering this remedy.
8. Apple cider vinegar- Good for more than just salad dressings, 1-3 doses of 1/8 cup of vinegar throughout the day can prevent attacks and keep the itching and watery eyes at bay. Either dilute the vinegar in 16oz of water to form a tonic, or if you are feeling brave, take a shot from the bottle. Add a a little local honey to buffer the tangy flavor and boost the allergy fighting power!


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Forget the fuel economy numbers and the environmentally friendly products it normally talks about. When Toyota rolled into town for this year's North American International Auto Show it had muscle on its corporate mind.
Toyota delivered one of the big surprises to come from this year's Detroit Auto Show as it revealed the new FT-1 sports car concept, which a senior executive described as "emblematic" of the more "passionate" direction the maker will take with its styling going forward.
While many of the makers launching new products at this year's Detroit Auto Show gave reporters a sneak peek at what they were planning, the Japanese giant maintained a strict curtain of silence which led to even more speculation about what might be in store. Many observers were expecting to see the return of the once-popular Toyota Supra.
They were at least aiming in the right direction. Admitting the maker has traditionally "chosen not to take too much risk" with products that critics have often dubbed bland appliances, advanced design director Kevin Hunter said Toyota is now taking a new approach to styling—encouraged by CEO Akio Toyoda.


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Once I had clearly decided on doing a liveblog instead of any other formats of online media story telling, I had to decide on what topic to do this liveblog on. While there were many debates and shows I could have chose to liveblog about it seemed sensible for me to a sporting event.
I was thinking of doing a Wimbledon game live, but when attending the last few games I realised that might not the be the best idea because as a supporter of the club I become far too involved with the game and it could detract from the focus on the liveblog. So, instead I have decided to liveblog on a Premier League game which takes place this weekend (Sun 30th) between Fulham and Everton.
The aim of my liveblog (Fulham vs Everton: 13:30 kick-off, 30/03/2014) is to report the events of the match immediately, concisely but accurately, and in an entertaining manner. To engage and inform my audience and use the internet to the best of it's ability to documents the happenings of the match most effectively. It will aim to develop both my practical skills in design, research and the gathering of information to be used on the liveblog to create a story and the content. Whilst also giving me a chance to express my written skills and enhance them through a different type of writing.


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The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology caters to women of all age group. It deals with diseases of female reproductive organs, family planning and care of women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The department is committed to deliver quality and evidence based clinical services to all patients coming under its domain after establishment of fully functional department.
Facilities and services:
To start with, the department shall offer OPD consultation services (non-procedural).
With the development of further infrastructure of the institute, the department will gradually expand with provision of facilities of labour room, in-door admissions, minor and major surgical procedures, provision of family planning services etc.
Shortly the department would start undergraduate teaching and clinical postings for the first batch of MBBS students.
The department at this institute aspires to provide services of utmost quality to the whole region.
Future Plan:
· To start High risk obstetrics clinics
· To start infertility Clinic and IVF clinics
· To establish Fetal –Medicine unit
· Postgraduate training and clinical research
Contact Us :
Dr. Jaya Chaturvedi
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
AIIMS, Rishikesh 249201
Emails: email@example.com


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Black fabric and a white aluminum frame will stand out wherever
this director chair goes. With stainless steel hardware, it's an
outdoor style and light enough to take on the road. Personalization
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That Secret That You Know That You Don't Know How To Tell13 May
Superb Meteor7 Apr
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."
–Jack London
Sometimes I Wish I Was A Robot1 Apr
Sometimes I wish I was a robot.
I could turn on and off with the simple flip of a switch
I would live in a world of numbers and probability.
I would have my sturdy armour of metal
My insatiable heart would be replaced by a swichboard with it's tiny array of blinking lights.
Sometimes I wish I was a robot.
I would have no worries of the future
I would not wake in the night fighting off whatever strange and terrible things my brain has conjured up.
I wouldn't feel torn between two countries
I wouldn't be swallowed up by melancholy when I think about my family.
Sometimes I wish I was a robot.


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Saturday, September 5, 2015
Making hats...
My wool order arrived safe and sound and I cracked on with making the hats straight away - I love using new yarns or new colours :)
I love how they all turned out - and the colours are just so bright and zingy. I'm half-thinking about ordering some more of it while it's still in stock with this seller on Ebay - as it's been discontinued, it will soon be impossible to get hold of. I know I don't need any more wool at the moment (having boxes and boxes full of it) --- sigh...
Now I'm finished the hat order I'm back to making wrist warmers again as I really do need to build up some more stock in anticipation of my winter customers (fingers crossed)
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Adur Sailing Club provides training for children, giving them the opportunity to go on the water in a safe environment.
When the club needed a new safety boat, known as a RIB, it applied to Shoreham Port for a donation.
The port was eager to get involved and see how it could assist, as the club is situated so close to its headquarters.
Katie MacAllister, marketing and communications manager at Shoreham Port, said: "We are delighted to provide this support to Adur Sailing Club.
"The club offers a fantastic opportunity for children to learn how to sail in a supportive and fun environment. The RIB has already made a great difference to the club and I am sure it will be an invaluable asset to the club for years to come."
Adur Sailing Club shares a site with Shoreham Sailing Club at the mouth of the River Adur on Shoreham Beach. It moved there when Adur Outdoor Activity Centre closed in 2015.
The club is very grateful for the kindness and generosity of the members at Shoreham Sailing Club, who have allowed them to share their facilities and continue sailing after the closure of their previous base.
Chris Lilley, assistant sailing master, said: "I help organise training for all our children. The generous support of Shoreham Port has allowed us to buy our new RIB, which we christened Adur Ribellion.
"The boat has transformed what we can offer to all the local children at our club."
Shoreham Port is a big supporter of Adur Sailing Club and is pleased to have provided a donation to help fund Adur Ribellion, as well as providing a secure container for storage.


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After a successful run as Roxie Hart on the London stage, Ashlee Simpson may be returning to NYC to star in the Broadway musical Chicago. Broadway spokesperson Jeremy Shaffer said he could not confirm Ash's return to the stage, but did confirm that Dancing With the Stars' celeb Cheryl Burke will not be starring as Roxie. This is a role near-and-dear to Ashlee, who surprised many London theatergoers when she took over the role of Roxie for a five-week run in the fall of 2006.
Ashlee recently left Melrose Place after her storyline was wrapped up. Perfect-timing for a jaunt on Broadway!
As for whether or not she'd be willing to revisit the part of Roxie, Ashlee told OK! last year, "It's a lot of hard work and it's a great, fantastic show and I would love to do it again."


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Science is Cool....
This is a repository for all cool scientific discussion and fascination. Scientific facts, theories, and overall cool scientific stuff that you'd like to share with others. Stuff that makes you smile and wonder at the amazing shit going on around us, that most people don't notice.
Post pictures, vidoes, stories, or links. Ask questions. Share science.
This is in support of the Penny 4 NASA project. If you enjoy anything you learned from this thread, consider making a donation and signing the petition.
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Holy ****ing shit fish. That is ****ing amazing. That type of pinpoint precision could be revolutionary in the treatment of diffuse and/or or anatomically unresectable cancers.
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Imagine training a computer to identify cancer cells with specific characteristics unlike normal cells (dense nuclei, increased mitotic activity, highly basophilic/RNA dense cytoplasm, abnormal shape and size, etc), and sending in those bastards to do the dirty work. Totally theoretical, and I don't even know if it's possible, but it sure gets me wet just thinking about it.
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Stupid crows....
Crows could be the key to understanding alien intelligence
Crows are among the planet's most intelligent animals, teaching their young to use tools for foraging and banding together to fight off intruders. Now, the first study of how abstract reasoning works in these birds' brains could shed light on how intelligence works in a truly alien, non-mammal brain.
We've studied brain structure pretty extensively in mammals from humans and apes to whales and mice. But German neuroscientists Lena Veit and Andreas Nieder are the first to watch what happens in crow brains as these birds worked their way through a series of brain-teasers. They actually wired the crows' brains up with electrodes, watching as individual neurons fired when the crows did a test that required abstract reasoning. What Veit and Nieder found reveals a lot about what intelligence looks like in a brain that's nothing like our own.
The Evolution of Intelligence
The crow, and some of its relatives in the corvid family (such as jays and magpies), are among the only intelligent species we've encountered outside the world of mammals. But their brains are utterly different from ours. The mammalian seat of reason is in our prefrontal cortex, a thin layer of nerve-riddled tissue on the outside of the front region of our brains. Birds have no prefrontal cortex (PFC). Instead, they have the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL), which is located toward the middle of their brains. You can see the different regions in the image, below.
The thing that's really interesting about comparing bird and human intelligence is that we did not evolve from a common, intelligent ancestor. Our last common ancestor with birds lived during the Permian period, about 300 million years ago, before the age of dinosaurs. It probably looked like a cross between a reptile and a rodent, and was roughly the size of a big raccoon.
This ancestor's simple brain was ruled by instinct rather than higher-level cognition. Still, lurking inside its rather small skull was a brain part called the pallium, which over millions of years evolved into the PFC in mammals and the NCL in birds. That makes mammal and bird intelligence an excellent example of parallel evolution both groups of animals developed intelligence independently of one another.
Despite all their differences, the PFC and NCL have a few features in common. Veit and Nieder write in Nature Communications that both regions are involved in "working memory, reversal learning and reward prediction." The areas also "share important properties such as dense innervation by dopaminergic fibres and connectivity patterns with multiple sensory input, limbic and motor output regions." What that means is that the NCL and PFC are both packed with neurons, or nerve cells, that respond to the crucial neurotransmitter dopamine. Its neurons are also connected to the parts of the brain that handle memory, emotion, and body movements. The PFC and NCL are brain command centers, synthesizing information from a vast array of inputs and outputs.
Testing Crows' Ability to Reason
Given that the NCL is the seat of crow intelligence, the researchers decided to see whether they could actually watch in real time as a crow figured out a puzzle. They used crows that had been raised in captivity, and trained to do a test kind of like the Sesame Street "which one doesn't belong?" quiz. The crows had to identify whether two images were different or the same.
First, the researchers put electrodes over the crows' NCL, to watch each neuron firing. Then they would present the crow with an image. Next, the crow would be prompted to choose an image that matched or didn't match that image (they had already been trained to do this with a sound or sign that either meant "match" or "don't match"). Finally, the crow would be presented with two images and have to choose the matching or not matching one.
This is a test that requires abstract reasoning, because the images change all the time and the crows have to apply the abstract idea of "match" or "not match" to a variety of inputs. In addition, this test reveals that the researchers defined intelligence as an ability to do abstract reasoning. Obviously there are many ways to define intelligence, and this is simply one way to do it.
What the researchers found was pretty amazing. They identified what they call "abstract rule neurons" which governed which answer the crows would give. Basically, the birds' brains assigned one rule (match) to one neuron, then the other rule (don't match) to another neuron. When the crows correctly matched an image, the match rule neuron would fire. When the crow gave an incorrect answer, or became confused, the abstract rule neuron fired only very weakly.
Veit and Nieder concluded that this was strong evidence that crows' brains have developed to handle abstract rules, which is why the birds are good at learning and responding to a variety of situations in a flexible way. They note that "the ability to guide behavior by general rules rather than by relying on fixed stimulus-response associations constitutes a survival advantage." This is the same survival advantage conferred on humans due to our intelligence. But our intelligence occupies a very different structure in our brains.
Alien Intelligence on Earth
What this experiment suggests is that two dramatically different species might have similar abstract reasoning abilities even if their brains are completely unlike each other. If we imagine that intelligence can only dwell in a mammal-like brain, we may miss out on discovering smart life forms elsewhere. The crow brain may be the first truly alien intelligence we've been able to study.
The crow brain may also help us better understand what's required to build an artificial intelligence, too. We can look at what the crow and human brain share in common, and speculate about what it might take to create an intelligence that resides in a non-brain structure. As I mentioned earlier, both the PFC and NCL contain many neurons connected to other parts of the brain, and they work a lot with the neurotransmitter dopamine. These regions also appear to deal in abstract rules.
Most of all, we can find hope in the idea that intelligence isn't just a quirk of one type of brain. Many kinds of brains can become intelligent. We are not alone.
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Crazy ants vs. Fire ants. Ant chemical warfare..
Crazy Ants Dominate Fire Ants By Neutralizing Their Venom
AUSTIN, Texas Invasive crazy ants are rapidly displacing fire ants in areas across the southeastern U.S. by secreting a compound that neutralizes fire ant venom, according to a University of Texas at Austin study published this week in the journal Science Express. Its the first known example of an insect with the ability to detoxify another insects venom.
The crazy ant invasion is the latest in a series of ant invasions from the southern hemisphere and, like its predecessors, will likely have dramatic effects on the regions ecosystems.
Known for their painful stings on humans and other animals, fire ants dominate most ant species by dabbing them with powerful, usually fatal venom. A topical insecticide, the venom is two to three times as toxic as DDT on a per weight basis.
When a crazy ant is smeared with the venom, however, it begins an elaborate detoxification procedure, described for the first time in this study. The exposed crazy ant secretes formic acid from a specialized gland at the tip of its abdomen, transfers it to its mouth and then smears it on its body.
In lab experiments, exposed crazy ants that were allowed to detoxify themselves had a 98 percent survival rate. This chemical counter-weapon makes crazy ants nearly invincible in skirmishes with fire ants over food resources and nesting sites.
As this plays out, unless something new and different happens, crazy ants are going to displace fire ants from much of the southeastern U.S. and become the new ecologically dominant invasive ant species, said Ed LeBrun, a research associate with the Texas invasive species research program at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory in UT Austins College of Natural Sciences.
Last year, the researchers reported that where crazy ants take hold, the numbers and types of arthropods insects, spiders, centipedes and crustaceans decrease, which is likely to have ripple effects on ecosystems by reducing food sources for birds, reptiles and other animals. They also nest in peoples homes and damage electrical equipment.
LeBrun described watching a battle for food between red fire ants and crazy ants along the boundary between their two populations at a Texas field site. The fire ants found a dead cricket first and were guarding it in large numbers. Usually when fire ants amass around a food resource, other ants stay clear for fear of their deadly venom.
The crazy ants charged into the fire ants, spraying venom, said LeBrun. When the crazy ants were dabbed with fire ant venom, they would go off and do this odd behavior where they would curl up their gaster [an ants modified abdomen] and touch their mouths.
It was then that LeBrun first suspected the ants were somehow detoxifying the fire ant venom. Experiments back at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory in Austin helped him and his colleagues identify the detoxification agent and measure its effectiveness.
To test the effectiveness of the formic acid, researchers sealed the glands of crazy ants with nail polish and put them in vials with red fire ants. Without the ability to apply the detoxifying compound to themselves, about half of the crazy ants dabbed with fire ant venom died. Among a control group of crazy ants with unsealed glands, on the other hand, 98 percent survived.
Crazy ants and red fire ants are both native to northern Argentina and southern Brazil, where their ranges have overlapped for a very long time. The researchers suggest this newly discovered detoxification behavior is the result of an ancient evolutionary arms race.
Its still not clear how formic acid renders imported fire ant venom nontoxic. One possibility is that it prevents the venom from penetrating the outer layers of a crazy ants exoskeleton.
Apart from human intervention, said LeBrun, the only thing stopping the relentless march of the crazy ants will be natural factors, such as arid soils or severe freezes, that will be too harsh for them to survive. Like the fire ants before them, their range will ultimately be determined by geology and climate.
There is one bright spot for humans. Unlike fire ants, colonies of crazy ants spread very slowly about 600 feet per year. The only way they can spread long distances is when transported by people in potted plants and recreational vehicles. LeBrun suggested that people not buy plants if they see ants nesting in the pots and that if they live in areas already invaded by crazy ants, they check for stowaways when they move homes or travel long distance.
If you have an RV, inspect the campgrounds you visit before parking for the night, said LeBrun. If you live in infested areas, dont store food in your vehicles and consider treating your camper with insecticides several days before a trip. Consult with a pest control professional as to the best products to use. Not storing food in any vehicle parked in an infested area is also a good idea.
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Basically a murder of trained crows who will protect him from muggers and attack people who piss him off.
NSFW occasional language
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Full clip here (embedding disabled!!!) Just funny!
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That crow shit, wow. That's some good shit. Interesting.
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PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Scientists have solved the mystery of the "jelly doughnut" rock on Mars that appeared to come out of nowhere.
NASA said Friday that a wheel of the rover Opportunity broke it off a larger rock and then kicked it into the field of view.
The Internet was abuzz last month when the space agency released side-by-side images of the same patch of ground. Only one image showed the rock, which was white around the outside and dark red in the middle, and less than 2 inches wide.
Scientists had suspected that one of Opportunity's wheels kicked the rock as it drove. They received confirmation after analyzing recent images of the original piece of rock.
Opportunity recently celebrated 10 years on Mars. Its twin Spirit stopped communicating in 2010.
EDIT: I quoted ****in' Yahoo here, but I'll link to NASA, thankyouverymuch.
Last edited by chefsos; 02-14-2014 at 06:48 PM.. Reason: Suck it, Yahoo!
Posts: 9,330
Space Cadet and Aczabel
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Kansas City, Mo, USA
Casino cash: $43375VARSITY
This is pretty fantastic.
DIY Solar Pocket Factory Machine Can Print a Solar Panel Every 15 Seconds!
Inventors Shawn Frayne and Alex Hornstein are looking to revolutionize the business of small-scale solar panels with The Solar Pocket Factory, a backyard photovoltaic panel printing system. Successfully funded by a Kickstarter campaign, the two have placed themselves at the forefront of the micro solar movement, which aims to cheaply and quickly produce small PV panels.
Enthusiastic about all things solar, inventors Shawn Frayne and Alex Hornstein have built everything from lights to USB distribution grids. Through the process of designing and manufacturing their products, they found that the micro solar panels they used to power their devices were brittle, expensive, and poorly made. Taking matters into their own hands, they traveled the world and spent months researching current models. They found that half of the cost of conventional panels lay in their assembly, as many parts of the body are pieced and soldered by hand. They also observed that 15% of panels contained flaws from imperfect soldering, and in many cases, the materials used were cut-rate and disintegrated over the period of a few years.
They figured that if they could automate the production, they could eliminate 25% of the price tag and reducing the number of defects. By using higher quality materials, they could also create panels that are more efficient, gather more light, and last longer. The result of their labor is The Solar Pocket Factory, a small automated machine that can churn out panels on a smaller scale than a sprawling factory. The device resembles a desktop 3D printer, and the team hopes to have a full working model completed by April. When finished, the Solar Pocket Factory will be able to churn out a panel every 15 seconds – that means that just one machine could potentially power 1 million devices each year! Viva la revolucion!
Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, Logan Act, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 39,478
Space Cadet and Aczabel
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Kansas City, Mo, USA
Casino cash: $43375VARSITY
Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, Logan Act, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 39,478
Keep doubting J MFing Houston
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ft.lauderdale
Casino cash: $24136
Posts: 21,422
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So I got this amazing, awesome, stupendous idea for ANOTHER novel this last week. I was going to make myself wait to start it until I got more written on my Young Adult/Drama novel but I just couldn't keep myself from starting it. Gah!
I also remembered something that I think I read on here… I'll have to try to find the blog post but it was basically about if you lose your ambition/imagination for making art or in my case, writing you need to learn something new. Something you're not worried about messing up. Well, for me I was/am losing my direction a little bit on my Young Adult Novel and so I decided to let myself start writing this new novel and give the other one a short break and so far I'm glad I did. The new story is having some great headway and the first one, my baby, is waiting patiently for me to come back to it. Now, I've given myself only till the end of the weekend to write on 'just' the new novel but I think that will be enough time to get a good start and get some ideas so I can go back to my other novel with a hopefully, clearer head.
Sometimes I really hate writing. I mean it. It can be really draining at times to be living out the lives of so many characters and going through (in a sense) all the emotional, physical and mental trauma that they are experiencing in all the different scenes.
I love it though even when I hate it and I wouldn't give up writing for anything.
I like this quote, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." ~ Norman Vincent Peale
I definitely think I'm shooting for the moon here… only hope I use enough fuel. 😉


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DIY Idea: Convert A Tripod Into A Lamp For $30
Creating a custom lamp is a great way to add personality to your space and to use otherwise unwanted items in your decor. This great tutorial not only shows you how to create a tripod lamp, it gives you the basics you'll need to turn basically anything you have into a lamp.
Completed for only $30 this project creates a lamp out of something that would normally have gone in the trash bin. Kristine from The Painted Hive describes the versatility of her piece:
I especially like that the upper shaft and tripod base are both adjustable so the height and splay can be easily altered to best suit its chosen location. I've rarely seen industrial style tripod lamps like this selling for under $150 so for around $30 I'm pretty chuffed with my little re-invention – if I do say so myself.
Check out this fantastic tutorial over at The Painted Hive and use this weekend to make a lamp of your own!
(Image: The Painted Hive)
Published: May 27, 2011


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Stef used to write about cardboard boxes, but thinks writing books is far more exciting.
Stef is the author of A PLACE FOR PLUTO (Capstone 2018).
She was the co-creator and writer for the former cooking and home blog Haute Apple Pie, featured in Taste of Home, local Milwaukee press and nominated for multiple web awards. Stef is a Chicago-born media maven with a passion for philanthropy, fashion and Italian beef sandwiches.
She holds a BA in advertising from Marquette University and an MBA in Integrated Marketing Communication from DePaul University.
Stef is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She's bounced all over the midwest with her college sweetheart husband and her three historically and literary named boys and currently resides in the Milwaukee area.
Stef is represented by Christa Heschke of McIntosh & Otis.
Inspired by:
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. by Judy Blume
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Self-Help by Lorrie Moore
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt


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High Concepts LabsWebsite Map
Find Parking
Dedicated to supporting working artists and engaging the Chicago community with arts and culture, located in Mana Contemporary Chicago. Partnering with artists at every step of the creative process, HCL offers high-quality custom support services through its Sponsored Artist and Institutional Incubation Programs. HCL also curates and hosts Cultural Conversations, hosts artist showcases, presents special community events, and facilitates educational arts partnerships.


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Facebook CTF Pi
This is an instance of all necessary components for installing `fbctf` to a Raspberry Pi. This includes all compiled dependencies for the Hack platform to operate on a Raspberry Pi. Intended for use on the Raspberry Pi 3, to make use of it's integrated WiFi module as a portable CTF solution.


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One of Destination Hilliard's goals is to engage businesses and their staff in the Hilliard Community. Contact Destination Hilliard to see how your company can become involved in the community and with other organizations.
Why businesses should become involved in Hilliard?
- To interact with current customers and develop relationships which creates customer loyalty
- To develop relationships with potential new customers
- To increase public awareness and marketing of your company
- To showcase your company's products and services
- To provide employees hands-on service and team building activities
- To introduce your company to future employees
How businesses can become involved in Hilliard?
- Through sponsorship of activities and initiatives
- Through use or donation of equipment and services
- Through logistical support
- Through volunteers to assist with events or clean up days


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myTouch 4G Slide Blog - myTouch 4G and myTouch 4G Slide Review and News Update
Thursday, June 24, 2010
myTouch Slide First AD Campaign
T-Mobile now release the first TV Ad Campaign for myTouch Slide.In this Ad video,T-mobile focus on the "Genius Button" with "You speak,it acts" which helps myTouch Slide owners to speak and search on their phone.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
T-Mobile Confirms Father's Day Promotion
BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–To help celebrate dad, T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announces the mother of all Father's Day offers: on Sat., June 19, for one day only, every phone in every T-Mobile store is free.* This first-of-its-kind promotion will "untie" families from giving dad the traditional, same-old gift, instead offering him something he craves – a new smartphone.
"For this very special day celebrating dad and the entire family, T-Mobile is thrilled to offer an industry-first promotion that helps families stay connected"
T-Mobile will break the traditional gift-giving mold by offering every phone in every store for free. This Saturday, starting at 8 a.m., simply visit a T-Mobile retail store and switch to any family plan, or add a new line to an existing family plan, and walk out of the store with a new phone for every new line with a two-year agreement – customer's choice – while supplies last.
"For this very special day celebrating dad and the entire family, T-Mobile is thrilled to offer an industry-first promotion that helps families stay connected," said Adrian Hurditch, vice president of marketing, T-Mobile USA. "This unprecedented event champions dad and helps families stick together with the latest phones ? all for free."
With affordable unlimited calling, texting and data family plans, T-Mobile is giving our most connected customers options that take advantage of the latest devices. With the Father's Day promotion, dads can choose from a selection of 30 devices, no phones excluded, including a variety of brands such as HTC, Motorola, Nokia, RIM, Samsung, SonyEricsson, and Sharp. All phones will be available while supplies last, so customers are encouraged to arrive early to stores to secure the latest and most popular new devices, including the most recently launched smartphones from T-Mobile:
myTouch 3G Slide: Combines a slide-out QWERTY keyboard with an incredibly crisp, high-performance touch screen powered by the latest Android software. The device hosts unique new features that will help dads connect more easily, more quickly and more often, including the Faves Gallery, myModes and Genius Button.HTC HD2: Offering the largest touch screen size on a smartphone in the U.S., this slim and sleek device comes ready with a blazing-fast processor and access to millions of eBooks, movies, television programs and more, keeping dad constantly entertained.Garminfone: For the adventurous dad, this new Android-powered smartphone is fully-integrated with Garmin's premium navigation experience and includes voice-guided and on-screen directions, real-time traffic, weather, and gas price updates."No More Ties" – Dads Want Smartphones
T-Mobile's celebration of dads couldn't come at a better time with new T-Mobile survey results showing that more than half of dads received Father's Day gifts they didn't want. In fact, 53% of dads don't recall the gift they received just two years ago.
According to the poll, one in four dads would ban ties as gifts for Father's Day, and the majority of dads (56%) would trade all ties in their closet for a new phone. Nearly three quarters (74%) of dads polled said they would be excited to get a new phone for Dad's Day, and more than half believe their current phone is out of date.
Dads want a gift they'll actually use, with two-thirds admitting they've received a Father's Day gift they've never or hardly ever used. If dads had their way, not only would they ban ties but 19% said they would ban golf balls, 17% would ban coffee mugs, 14% would ban cologne and 11% would ban desk sets.
Dads have one day to get the phone they've really been craving ? and he can ensure the rest of the family can join him in staying connected. T-Mobile's free phones Father's Day promotion is one day only, June 19, in every T-Mobile store across the country. For additional promotion details and a list of participating stores, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/celebratefamilies.
*The offer is valid at T-Mobile owned and operated locations only. New activation on qualifying family plan with two-year agreement required. Limit five lines per family plan. Mail-in rebate and restrictions may apply. Store hours may vary. See store for details.
About T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG. By the end of the first quarter of 2010, approximately 150 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group?33.7 million by T-Mobile USA?all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS, the world's most widely used digital wireless standards. T-Mobile USA's innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG.
How-To Root myTouch 3G Slide Video
MyTouch 3G Slide Get Rooted
How-To Root myTouch 3G SlideThere are many phone in Android world have been rooted and the latest phoneis myTouch 3G Slide.Eugene373 modder from XDA-Developers who rootedMotorola Cliq and Samsung Behold II now finish his work and just post How-to root myTouch 3G Slide guide
in XDA-Developers forums.
That's it, you now Have Root... I'll clean this up a bit, But it's the same Root method as the HTC IncredibleFor full how-to you can get it here or see a video here.
Friday, June 11, 2010
T-mobile Will Offer All Phones Free on June 19th
All T-Mobile 's Phone FreeWe have heard that T-mobile will release something "BIG" on June 19th.Yesterday Tmonews just posted T-mobile TV commercial script for June 19th.It won't be the Android 2.2 Update for myTouch 3G Slide or myTouch 3G.But in that day,if you sign up for a new family plan contract you will get free phone cost from every phone in T-mobile store.In that script,it shows the several phone which you can get with free cost including myTouch 3G Slide,Motorola Cliq and Garminfone.Sounds like a great gift before Father's Day,will you get those phone for you dad ?
click here for enlarge pic
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
WHOO !! T-Mobile Says "myTouch 3G Will Get Froyo"
myTouch 3G Android 2.2HTC announced that the QWERTY version of myTouch 3G,myTouch 3G Slide is one of the first phone which would be getting Android 2.2 (Froyo) update and that bring a question to myTouch 3G owners.Today i have an answer and that's a good news which everyone want to hear.From an internal screen shot leaked ; we can say that myTouch 3G owners will surely get Android 2.2 update.
For this update,your myTouch 3G will get full exchange support,a modified version of the Faves Gallery and the Genius Button app which offering the same features as myTouch 3G slide.Still no date confirmed for the Android 2.2 on myTouch 3G but this still a good news,Right ?
[via phandroid]
T-Mobile Now Ready For myTouch 3G Slide Campaign
T-mobile has already plan to promote myTouch Slide and here is timeline for this device :
12-13th June :
Firestarter - Sell the myTouch Story
16th June :
Official national launch of product in retail channel.Campaign Ads goes live on TV,Outdoor, Digital ,Newspaper and Retail incentive starts.(So,if the NBA Finals reach to game 7.We may see myTouch 3G Slide ads between the game.)
19th June :
Something will happen.TMO only said "It will be BIG" -- Stay tuned !!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
myTouch 3G Slide : How-To Video Series
Yesterday,the newest QWERTY Android phone from T-mobile : myTouch 3G Slide launched to market yesterday.Today i find 10 how-to videos on T-mobile's YouTube channel ,these videos will show myTouch 3G Slide new owners how to use this phone especially Faves Gallery and the Genius Button.See all of how-to videos Click Here !!


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talented ladies. Terrific group to hang out with. Always ready to teach and share.
We spun, knit, ate, played games and visited. Michele was our gracious host
at her farm in Powell Butte. Home to many, many Shetland sheep and mohair goats.
|spinning of course
|Playing games with presents
|time to visit
|Super yummy deserts!!!
|"Silly" The mohair goat, exceptional fleece!!!
|some of the Shetland Ladies
|The Sisters mountains in the Cascade range
|Lovely day, snow almost melted away